2xOnline Class Notes (Mike)

我理想的生活

It’s more than 384,000km from Earth. We can see it most nights. And it’s not made of cheese! I am, of course, talking about the Moon. Astronauts have taken giant steps to explore this natural satellite floating in space, but despite it being out of reach for most of us, it still moves us in mysterious ways.

The Moon, obviously, provides moonlight. A full moon, seen roughly once a month, can light up our way on an otherwise dark night. But while this lunar light can be impressive to look at, it can affect our sleeping patterns. One study showed that during or around the full moon, those studied spent less time in deep sleep, slept for less time and reported having poorer sleep, despite sleeping in a dark room not exposed to moonlight.

There are many theories about how the Moon can affect other things too. One study suggested animals are more likely to bite us during a full moon. And many moons ago, it was thought the Moon induced lunacy – the word derives from the Latin word ‘lunaticus’, meaning ‘moonstruck’, and evolved from the idea that celestial changes could cause periods of insanity. Even winemakers look to the Moon when planting and pruning grapevines. They will avoid a full moon at all costs because, although the added moisture in the soil at this time may give a fuller and juicier grape, the additional water is thought to dilute the taste of the fruit, which results in a less successful vintage.

The Moon might affect our behaviour too. Writing about this for BBC Future, Claudia Hammond explains one interesting theory. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull affects the tides, it exerts its influence on the water in our bodies. But she points out “the Moon is smaller than the Earth, so its gravitational pull is correspondingly less powerful. What’s more, it exerts the same force on us regardless of whether it’s new or full.” Research into ancient myths about the effects of the lunar cycle on us is ongoing. So, like the Moon being made of cheese, we must be careful what we believe!

Technology is developing by leaps and bounds. A gadget as small as a smartphone now has more processing power than rockets to the Moon once had. New tech brings many advantages, making our lives easier and opening up new opportunities. One piece of kit that’s been really taking off recently is the drone. This pilotless mini aircraft, originally developed for aerial photography and warfare, is now bringing us benefits closer to home. In the last few years, tech companies such as Amazon, Alphabet and Uber have promised us delivery drones – bringing goods to our doorsteps in a matter of minutes. Progress in developing them has, however, been slow.

Drones are helping to connect with and enhance the lives of people in remote locations. In the UK, the Royal Mail wants a fleet of 500 drones to help deliver the mail to far-flung communities. Windracers, the company developing the drones, say they can fly in fog and produce 30% fewer emissions than comparable piloted aircraft. And in Coventry in the UK, construction has started on an air hub, which will act as a base for police and delivery drones. Urban-Air Port Limited is working with car-maker Hyundai on the mini-airport, known as a skyport.

Drones could also play a part in improving the health of millions of people. In Zanzibar, for example, they’re being used to spray wetlands against malaria. And writing for BBC Future website, Harriet Constable describes an incredible development project by the University of South Australia. The plan is for drones to eventually be able to survey populations for disease by reading the blood oxygen levels of humans from the air. They’ll also be able to scan for other vital signs, like coughing and a high temperature.

It seems the sky’s the limit for what drone technology can achieve. The only thing that sometimes keeps it grounded is regulation. Writing for the BBC, Jessica Brown says: “If our skies are to become as crowded as our streets, airspace rules need updating to prevent accidents.” There are also related problems, such as noise pollution.

by leaps and bounds 突飞猛进地，非常迅速地
gadget 小设备
processing power （计算机）处理（数据）能力
tech 科技设备
kit 成套装备
drone 无人机
pilotless 无人驾驶的
aircraft 飞机，飞行器
aerial photography 航空摄影
delivery drone 交付无人机，物流无人机
fleet 机队
emissions 碳排放
piloted 有人驾驶的
air hub 航空枢纽
skyport 小机场
spray 喷洒
survey 检查
scan 扫描
the sky’s the limit 没有限制的
grounded 停飞的
airspace 领空
noise pollution 噪音污染

There are 6 things that I want to do before I die.

I a bucket list challenge for six things. The first,get a driver’s license and travel around the word. Last year I passed the exam and got a license, but I don’t start trip. The second, I want to the Antarctic. When I have enough money I will go. The third, I want to play paraglider in Nepal. The fourth, I want to climb five mountains. I went to Hengshan last month.I will plan to other mountains. The fifth, I want to swim.Two years ago,I study swimming lesson and got swimming skill. The sixth, I want to study Kung Fu in Wudang Mountain.If I have enough free time, I will go. In short, I just finished one of the six things. In the future, I will try to finish leave things.

I have a bucket list challenge for six things. The first is to get/the first is getting /The first, get a driver’s license and travel around the world. Last year I passed the exam and got a license, but I didn’t start to travel. The second, I want to go to the Antarctica. When I have enough money I will go. The third, I want to go paragliding in Nepal. The fourth, I want to climb the Five Mountains. I went to Hengshan last month. I plan to go to other mountains. The fifth, I want to swim. Two years ago, I took a swimming class and learned how to swim. Last, I want to study Kung Fu in Wudang Mountain. If I have enough free time, I will go. In short, I just finished one of the six things. In the future, I will try to finish the remaining/left things.

When you encounter animals, do you wonder what they’re thinking? Seeing a newborn lamb or a cute puppy might stir up happy emotions in us, but what are they thinking? Does the look on their face and how they behave indicate how they’re feeling – or are they feeling nothing at all?

当你遇到动物，你想知道他们在思考什么吗？看到英国新生的小羊或者一只可爱的小狗也许会激起我们高兴的情绪，但是它们在想什么？它们的表情和行为方式表明他们的感觉吗？还是说他们完全没有感觉？

Humans have a complex range of emotions, but it’s hard to tell what’s going on inside the heads of animals, mainly because they can’t verbalise their feelings. Perhaps it’s pets we think we understand most – as they are the animals we spend a lot of time with and therefore get to know best. Some of us own dogs because they are good companions, are loyal and seem to connect with us. We might even think they love us, although love could just be a human emotion. Professor Kim Bard, an expert in comparative developmental psychology from the University of Portsmouth, told the BBC: “We have a few studies now that actually show, scientifically… that [some] dogs will respond with empathetic concern when their owner – but not a stranger – pretends to cry.” The empathetic ability of cats, however, is harder to work out.

人类有复杂的不同的情绪，但是告诉动物的头脑里面是困难的，主要是因为它们不会用语言表达它们的感觉。也许我们认为我们理解大部分宠物 –作为动物我们花费许多时间和它们一起，因此了解更多。。我们中的一些人拥有够狗因为它们是好的同伴，是忠诚的似乎和我们连接，我们甚至可能认为它们爱我们，虽然爱可能仅仅是一个人类的情绪。一个来自Portsmouth大学的相对发展心理学专家，Kim Bard教授告诉BBC：
“我们现在有一些研究表明，从科学的角度来说，当狗的主人假装哭泣时，有些狗会以一种同情心回应，而陌生人这样做时，他们就不会。然而，猫的共情能力是很难算出来的。

一些狗将回应通人情的担忧它们主人，但是不会为一个陌生人假装去哭”猫的通人情的能力，然而，计算出是困难的。

study (n) 研究/书房

Other non-domesticated animals might have feelings too. Giraffes and whales, for example, are known to grief when someone in their group dies. Farm animals we often eat, such as cows and chickens, are also believed to experience pain, joy and other emotions. Their wellbeing is now taken into consideration more. And in the UK, new legislation means all vertebrate animals and crustaceans will be recognised in law as sentient beings. It’s believed even tiny creatures like insects might have emotions as well. Research is beginning to show they experience a wide range of feelings. Writing for BBC Future website, Zaria Gorvett says “they can be optimistic, cynical, or frightened, and respond to pain just like any mammal would.”

take into consideration: 把…考虑进去，纳入考量范围

其他非驯养的动物也许也有感觉，长颈鹿和鲸鱼，例如，当它们团体中的某个死亡是知道悲伤的。农场的动物我们经常吃，如牛和鸡，也相信经历痛苦，喜悦和其他情绪。它们的幸福是现在考虑更多。（他们的幸福也被更多地纳入考量）在英国，新的立法意味着所有的脊椎动物和甲壳类动物将在法律是被承认作为有感知能力的生物。相信甚至微小的生物像昆虫也许也有情绪。研究开始表明它们经历广泛的各种感觉。为BBC未来网站写到，Zaria Gorvett 说“它们会乐观，持怀疑态度或者害怕，并且回应痛苦像任何哺乳动物”。

Dr Barbara J King, Emerita Professor of Anthropology at the College of , told the BBC: “If we understand the profound depths of emotions animals can feel, this should make us question the existence of zoos and slaughterhouses around the world, and rethink those systems.” It does seem all creatures feel emotion, but what is not clear is do they feel the same way as us?

Barbara J King博士，大学人类学的Emerita 教授William and Mary告诉BBC“如果我们能理解动物感受情感的博大深度，这应该使我们向动物园的存在和全世界屠宰场提出质疑，重新考虑那些体系”似乎所有的生物感受情绪，但是尚不明了的是它们的感觉方式和我们一样吗？

stir up 激起（情感）
emotion 情感，情绪
feel 感觉
a range of 各种，不同的
verbalise 用语言表达
feelings 情感，感情
companion 同伴，伙伴
connect with 与…合得来，情感相通
empathetic 有同感的，通人情的
concern 担忧
experience 感受，体会
grief 悲痛，悲伤
pain 疼痛，痛苦
joy 喜悦
sentient 有感知能力的
optimistic 乐观的
cynical 持怀疑态度的
frightened 害怕的

Vocabulary

the left/remaining

leave – left
(v)离开，留下
leaf (n) 树叶
leaves (n) 树叶的复数

left (adj.) 余下的，剩下的
left (adj.) 左边的
The left food 剩下的食物/剩菜
leftover (n) 剩菜

study (v) 学习，正式的研究（在一个学校里面的）

learn (v) 学习（语言/开车/厨艺）

take class

running (n)
swimming
paragliding (n)
paraglider (n)

getting a driver’s license 

world (n) 世界
word (n) 单词

travel (v)
trip (n) 旅途/旅程
take a trip
Let’s take a trip next month.

start to do sth
start doing sth

Antarctica (n) 南极洲
Antarctic (adj.) 南极洲的

look (n) 表情/外貌

indicate (v) 指示，表明

horse (n) 马
donkey (n) 驴
mule (n) 骡子

limousine (n) = limo 豪车

ever
Have you ever had Starbucks?
I haven’t had Starbucks.
I have nerve had Starbucks.

be stuck in 困在… 里
I was stuck home for two months. 我被困在家里两个月。
I am home. 我在家

here/there/home: 前面一般都不加介词
Go there
Stay here
go home
go to my company

present (v)
presentation (n) 做展示

explain (v) 解释
Let me explain this grammar point to you.
He can explain things clearly.
explanation (n)
I need an explanation from you.

decide (v)
decide to do sth
I decided to leave SH.
decision (n)  make a decision
I made the decision to break up with her. 和。。。分手

decisive (adj.) 果断的，坚决的，坚定的
indecisive (adj.)

Grammar

现在完成时：Have/has + Vpp

否定：Haven’t/hasn’t + Vpp
疑问句：Have/has sb Vpp?
Have you been to Japan?
Has he eaten lunch?

nobody + V(三单)
Nobody likes Mary.

anybody
Does anybody want to go dancing?