6. The North American buffalo is a case of the near-extinction of a species through hunting.
a case of 在本句中的意思是“一个例子,”相当于“an example of ” 如:
1) This is a case of students cheating on exams. (这就是学生作弊的一个例子。)
2) It is a typical case of misunderstanding.(这就是误解的典解例子。)
在第九单元中我们已经学过case这个词,请注意掌握与case 有关的几个短语:
in any case (无论如何,总之)
in case (假如;以免)
in the case of (就…来说,至于…)
in this case (既然是这样)
through在句中的意思是“由于,因为”, 相当于because.
1) The mistakes were made through carelessness.(这些错误是由于粗心大意造成的。)
2) Many people are hard of hearing through old age.(许多人因年老而听觉不灵。)
7. But even when the danger is widely publicized, the financial rewards for the hunters may be so great that they choose to ignore the threat to the species.
1) He offered a reward of 1000 yuan for the finder of his pet dog.(他给拾得他的宠物狗的人酬谢1000元。)
2) His efforts were rewarded by success.(他的努力获得了成功。)
choose后面接不定式,表示“选定,愿意”,如:
1)He chose to stay there for another week. (他决意在那儿再住一周。)
2)I chose to say nothing about it.(我决意对那件事闭口不谈。)
在名词threat后面用介词to,表示“对…的威胁”。如:
The clearance of vegetation will be a great threat to the wildlife.(把植被砍伐殆尽对野生动物将是极大的威胁。)
8. And animals are sometimes killed out of a wish to reduce numbers to help the species to survive.
out of 在本句中以及前一个几句子中的意思是“出于”,如:
1)He was silent out of embarrassment.(他由于窘迫而沉默。)
2)She opened the mail out of curiosity. (她出于好奇打开了邮件。)
句子中前一个动词不定式to reduce number…在句子中作定语,修饰名词wish.如:
1) They failed in their attempt to land on the island.(他们在岛上登陆的企图失败了。)
2) I have no confidence in my ability to fulfil the task.(我对自己完成这项任务的能力没有信心。)
句子中的第二个动词不定式to help the species to survive做目的状语,相当于so as to或in order to help the species…。如:
1)He worked harder (so as) to catch up with the others.(他更努力地学习以赶上别人。)
2)To achieve the aim, we must learn from others. (为了实现这个目标,我们必须向他人学习。)
9.The killing of the Canadian seals is claimed to be for this purpose, and the use of their skins for furs is only a by-product.
be claimed to 在本句中的意思是“据说”。如:
He is claimed to have inherited a lot of money.(据说他继承了一大笔钱。)
for this purpose 意思是“为这个目的”。如:
1)They decided to have a talk for military purpose. (为了军事目的,他们决定进行一次会谈。)
2)For this purpose, I gave him all the necessary materials. (为了这个目的,我把所需的材料都给了他。)
请注意掌握与 purpose有关的一些短语:
on purpose (为了;故意地)
to the purpose (中肯的;合适的)
10. There is always the chance that enough off-spring will be born to return them one day to their natural environment-provided it still exists, and that hunters don't kill them again!
本句中的第一个that引导的是一个同位语从句,对名词chance做进一步解释。
Provided在句中做介词用,相当于if.如:
1)I will give you the money provided you tell me the truth. (如果你说实话,我会给你钱。)
2)He will come to the party provided he has time.(如果有时间他会来参加聚会。)
在词汇部分我们提到过,口语中常用providing替代provided.
11.But the parks are large, the wardens few and the determination of hunters very great.