英语100篇精读荟萃（中级篇）13a_PETS 考试

英语100篇精读荟萃（中级篇）13a

文章来源：文章作者：发布时间：2007-09-17 06:16 字体： [大中小]　进入论坛

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Passage Thirteen (Cryptic¹ Coloring)
Cryptic coloring is by far the commonest use of color in the struggle for existence. It is employed for the purpose of attack (aggressive resemblance or anticryptic coloring ) as well as of defense² (protective resemblance or procryptic coloring ). The fact that the same method concealment³, may be used both for attack and defense has been well explained by T.Belt who suggests as an illustration the rapidity of movement which is also made use of by both pursuer and pursued, which is similarly raised to a maximum in both by the gradual dying out of the slowest through a series of generations. Cryptic coloring is commonly associated with other aids in the struggle for life. Thus well-concealed⁴ mammals and birds, when discovered, will generally endeavor to escape by speed and will often attempt to defend themselves actively⁵. On the other hand, small animals which have no means of active defense, such as large, numbers of insects, frequently depend upon concealment alone. Protective resemblance is far commoner among animals than aggressive resemblance, in correspondence with the fact that predaceous forms are as a rule much larger and much less numerous than their prey⁶. In the case of insectivorous Vertebrata and their prey such differences exist in an exaggerated form. Cryptic coloring, whether used for defense of attack, may be either general or special. In general resemblance the animal, in consequence of its coloring, produces the same effect as its environment, but the conditions do not require any special adaptation of shape and outline. General resemblance is especially common among the animal inhabiting some uniformly colored expanse of the earth’s surface, such as an ocean or a desert. In the former, animals of all shapes are frequently protected by their transparent⁷ blue color, on the latter, equally diverse forms are defended by their sandy appearance. The effect of a uniform appearance may be produced by a combination of tints⁸ in startling contrast. Thus the black and white stripes of the zebra blend together at a little distance, and “their proportion is such as exactly to match the pale tint⁹ which arid¹⁰ ground possesses when seen by moonlight.” Special resemblance is far commoner than general and is the form which is usually met with on the diversified¹¹ surface of the earth, on the shores, and in shallow water, as well as on the floating masses of algae¹² on the surface of the ocean, such as the Sargasso Sea. In these environments the cryptic coloring of animals is usually aided by special modifications¹³ of shape, and by the instinct which leads them to assume particular attitudes. Complete stillness and the assumption of a certain attitude play an essential part in general resemblance on land; but in special resemblance the attitude is often highly specialized¹⁴, and perhaps more important than any other element in the complex method by which concealment is effected. In special resemblance the combination of coloring, shape, and attitude is such as to produce a more or less exact resemblance to some one of the objects in the environment, such as a leaf of twig¹⁵, a patch of lichen¹⁶, a flake¹⁷ of bark. In all cases the resemblance is to some object which is of no interest to the enemy or prey respectively. The animal is not hidden from view by becoming indistinguishable from its background as in the case of general resemblance, but it is mistaken for some well-know object.
In seeking the interpretation¹⁸ of these most interesting and elaborate adaptations, attempts have been made along two lines. The first seeks to explain the effect as a result of the direct influence of the environment upon the individual (G.L.L.Buffon), or by the inherited effects of efforts and the use and disuse of parts (J.B.P.Lamarck). The second believes that natural selection produced the result and afterwards maintained it by the survival of the best concealed in each generation. The former suggestion breaks down when the complex nature of numerous special resemblances is appreciated. Thus the arrangement of colors of many kinds into an appropriate pattern requires the cooperation of a suitable shape and the rigidly¹⁹ exact adoption²⁰ of a certain elaborate attitude. The latter is instinctive²¹ and thus depends on the central nervous system. The cryptic effect is due to the exact cooperation of all these factors; and in the present state of science, the only possible hole of an interpretation lies in the theory of natural selection, which can accumulate any and every variation which tends toward survival. A few of the chief types of methods by which concealment is effected may be briefly²² described. The colors of large numbers of vertebrate animals are darkest on the back and become gradually lighter²³ on the sides, passing into white on the belly²⁴. Abbot H. Thayer has suggested that this gradation obliterates²⁵ the appearance of solidity, which is due to shadow. The color harmony, which is also essential to concealment, is produced because the back is of the same tint as the environment (e. g. earth), bathed in the cold blue-white of the sky, while the belly, being cold blue-white and bathed in shadow and yellow earth reflections produces the same effects. This method of neutralizing²⁶ shadow for the purpose of concealment by increased lightness of tint was first suggested by E.B.Poulton in the case of a larva and a pupa, but he did not appreciate the great importance of the principle. In an analogous²⁷ method an animal in front of a background of dark shadow may have part of its body obliterated²⁸ by the existence of a dark tint, the remainder resembling, e.g., a part of a leaf. This method of rendering²⁹ invisible any part which would interfere³⁰ with the resemblance is well know in mimicry³¹.

1.    The black and white stripes of the zebra are most useful form
[A]. hunters. [B]. nocturnal predators
[C]. lions and tigers. [C]. insectivorous Vertrbrata
2.    Aggressive resemblance occurs when
[A]. a predaceous attitude is assumed.
[B]. special resemblance is utilized³².
[C]. an animal relies on speed.
[D]. an animal blends in with its background.
3.    Special resemblance differs from general resemblance in that the animal relies on
[A]. its ability to frighten its adversary³³. [B]. speed.
[C]. its ability to assume an attitude. [D]. mistaken identify
4.    The title below that best expresses the ides of this passage is
[A]. Cryptic coloration for Protection. [B]. How Animals Survive.
[C]. The uses of Mimicry in Nature. [D]. Resemblances of Animals.
5.    Of the following which is the least common?
[A]. protective resemblance. [B]. General resemblance.
[C]. Aggressive resemblance. [D]. Special resemblance.

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收听单词发音

1 cryptic
adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的
参考例句：
She made a cryptic comment about how the film mirrored her life.她隐晦地表示说这部电影是她人生的写照。 The new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms.新的保险单在编写时没有隐秘条款或秘密条款。

2 defense
n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩
参考例句：
The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。 The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 concealment
n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒
参考例句：
the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒 Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来，待危险过去后再出来。

4 concealed
a.隐藏的，隐蔽的
参考例句：
The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。 I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

5 actively
adv.积极地，勤奋地
参考例句：
During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。 We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

6 prey
n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨
参考例句：
Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。 The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

7 transparent
adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的
参考例句：
The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。 The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

8 tints
色彩( tint的名词复数 )；带白的颜色；（淡色）染发剂；痕迹
参考例句：
leaves with red and gold autumn tints 金秋时节略呈红黄色的树叶 The whole countryside glowed with autumn tints. 乡间处处呈现出灿烂的秋色。

9 tint
n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色
参考例句：
You can't get up that naturalness and artless rosy tint in after days.你今后不再会有这种自然和朴实无华的红润脸色。 She gave me instructions on how to apply the tint.她告诉我如何使用染发剂。

10 arid
adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的
参考例句：
These trees will shield off arid winds and protect the fields.这些树能挡住旱风,保护农田。 There are serious problems of land degradation in some arid zones.在一些干旱地带存在严重的土地退化问题。

11 diversified
adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域
参考例句：
The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology. 该学院生物系通过增加生物技术方面的新课程而变得多样化。来自《简明英汉词典》 Take grain as the key link, develop a diversified economy and ensure an all-round development. 以粮为纲，多种经营，全面发展。来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 algae
n.水藻，海藻
参考例句：
Most algae live in water.多数藻类生长在水中。 Algae grow and spread quickly in the lake.湖中水藻滋蔓。

13 modifications
n.缓和( modification的名词复数 )；限制；更改；改变
参考例句：
The engine was pulled apart for modifications and then reassembled. 发动机被拆开改型，然后再组装起来。来自《简明英汉词典》 The original plan had undergone fairly extensive modifications. 原计划已经作了相当大的修改。来自《简明英汉词典》

14 specialized
adj.专门的，专业化的
参考例句：
There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。 These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

15 twig
n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解
参考例句：
He heard the sharp crack of a twig.他听到树枝清脆的断裂声。 The sharp sound of a twig snapping scared the badger away.细枝突然折断的刺耳声把獾惊跑了。

16 lichen
n.地衣, 青苔
参考例句：
The stone stairway was covered with lichen.那石级长满了地衣。 There is carpet-like lichen all over the moist corner of the wall.潮湿的墙角上布满了地毯般的绿色苔藓。

17 flake
v.使成薄片；雪片般落下；n.薄片
参考例句：
Drain the salmon,discard the skin,crush the bones and flake the salmon with a fork.将鲑鱼沥干，去表皮，粉碎鱼骨并用餐叉子将鱼肉切成小薄片状。 The paint's beginning to flake.油漆开始剥落了。

18 interpretation
n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理
参考例句：
His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。 Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。

19 rigidly
adv.刻板地，僵化地
参考例句：
Life today is rigidly compartmentalized into work and leisure. 当今的生活被严格划分为工作和休闲两部分。 The curriculum is rigidly prescribed from an early age. 自儿童时起即已开始有严格的课程设置。

20 adoption
n.采用，采纳，通过；收养
参考例句：
An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。 The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

21 instinctive
adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的
参考例句：
He tried to conceal his instinctive revulsion at the idea.他试图饰盖自己对这一想法本能的厌恶。 Animals have an instinctive fear of fire.动物本能地怕火。

22 briefly
adv.简单地，简短地
参考例句：
I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。 He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

23 lighter
n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级
参考例句：
The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。 The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

24 belly
n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛
参考例句：
The boss has a large belly.老板大腹便便。 His eyes are bigger than his belly.他眼馋肚饱。

25 obliterates
v.除去( obliterate的第三人称单数 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭
参考例句：
He obliterates her signature. 他擦掉了她的签名。来自互联网 A curtain is too heavy, too thick, and it obliterates every texture save its own. 但是帏幕太沉重，太厚密了，它抹去了一切纹理，只除了它自己的。来自互联网

26 neutralizing
v.使失效( neutralize的现在分词 )；抵消；中和；使（一个国家）中立化
参考例句：
This juice-about a quart a day--pours into my duodenum, neutralizing acids. 这种消化液（每天约分泌1品脱）流入我的十二指肠，把酸中和了。来自辞典例句 AIM: To verify the role of a synthetic peptide in neutralizing endotoxins. 目的：检验一条合成肽在中和内毒素活性方面的作用。来自互联网

27 analogous
adj.相似的；类似的
参考例句：
The two situations are roughly analogous.两种情況大致相似。 The company is in a position closely analogous to that of its main rival.该公司与主要竞争对手的处境极为相似。

28 obliterated
v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭
参考例句：
The building was completely obliterated by the bomb. 炸弹把那座建筑物彻底摧毁了。 He began to drink, drank himself to intoxication, till he slept obliterated. 他一直喝，喝到他快要迷糊地睡着了。来自《简明英汉词典》

29 rendering
n.表现，描写
参考例句：
She gave a splendid rendering of Beethoven's piano sonata.她精彩地演奏了贝多芬的钢琴奏鸣曲。 His narrative is a super rendering of dialect speech and idiom.他的叙述是方言和土语最成功的运用。

30 interfere
v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰
参考例句：
If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。 When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

31 mimicry
n.（生物）拟态，模仿
参考例句：
One of his few strengths was his skill at mimicry.他为数不多的强项之一就是善于模仿。 Language learning usually necessitates conscious mimicry.一般地说，学习语言就要进行有意识的摹仿。

32 utilized
v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
In the19th century waterpower was widely utilized to generate electricity. 在19世纪人们大规模使用水力来发电。来自《简明英汉词典》 The empty building can be utilized for city storage. 可以利用那栋空建筑物作城市的仓库。来自《简明英汉词典》

33 adversary
adj.敌手，对手
参考例句：
He saw her as his main adversary within the company.他将她视为公司中主要的对手。 They will do anything to undermine their adversary's reputation.他们会不择手段地去损害对手的名誉。

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