2019年北京东城中考英语一模阅读C篇译文.pdfVIP

2019 年北京东城中考英语一模阅读 C 篇译文 2019 年北京东城中考英语一模阅读 C 篇译文 Most groups of plants and animals are richer in species and more plentiful near the equator. In the ocean, that holds true for cold-blooded predators. But warm-blooded predators are more diverse toward the poles and noticeably missing from several warm hot spots. Why? 赤道附近物种丰富，数目繁多，那里尤其适合于生存在海洋里的 冷血捕食动物。但是对于温血捕食动物来说，极地种类繁多，温热带 地区却明显减少。 John Grady, an ecologist, and his team considered the possibility—warm-blooded animals need a lot to fuel their metabolism. Perhaps colder waters are just richer in small fish? But they found that at higher, colder places, there isn’t actually much more food around. It’s more that warm-blooded animals are eating a much bigger share of it than their cold-blooded competitors. 一位生态学家约翰﹒杰瑞德及其团队这样认为——可能温血动物 维持新陈代谢需要猎取大量食物。或许水越是寒凉就越盛产小鱼吧？ 但是他们发现越是高寒地带的猎物并不充足。所谓的多只是体现在温 血动物捕食占比多于与之争雄的冷血动物罢了。 The real explanation is simple. An animal’s speed, swiftness, and intelligence depend on its metabolism, which in turn depends on its temperature. Since birds and mammals can keep heating their bodies in icy conditions, they remain fast and attentive. By contrast, the fish they hunt become slower and duller. At some tipping point of temperature, seals, dolphins, and penguins start outswimming their prey. They become more likely to come upon targets and outpace the cold-blooded predators of their own. 其实这理解起来并不难。动物的速度、敏捷与智力活动都有赖于 通过新陈代谢补充能量，反过来新陈代谢也要需要动物的体温做后盾。 既然鸟类和哺乳动物能够在寒冷条件下维持体温，他们的速度和注意 力就可以得到保障。相对来说它们捕猎的鱼就显得动作迟缓。到了一 定温度，海豹、海豚和企鹅的游泳速度就可以超过它们猎物的速度。 而且一旦发现猎物，它们还能抢先赶在冷血掠食动物的前面。 In Grady’s words, “Warm-bodied predators are favored where preys are slow, stupid and cold.”That’s why sharks and other predatory fish dominate near the equator, but colder waters are the kingdom of whales and seals. By keeping food to