大千世界:會(huì)裝死的負(fù)鼠
Playing dead doesn't seem like much of a strategy, but it works for the opossum, commonly known as the possum. The possum is a rather unglamorous creature. It has big, black eyes, a pale pointy face and a hairless tail, like a rat's. Possums aren't finicky about their food, either: they eat fruits, vegetables, insects, reptiles, and even roadkill(路上被撞死動(dòng)物的尸體). They do have a couple of unique habits, though: as North America's only marsupial(有袋動(dòng)物), they can carry their young in a pouch(育兒袋,肚囊;頰囊), like a kangaroo(袋鼠), and they can play dead. Possums are famous for "playing dead" when threatened, but this isn't quite accurate. They are not "playing" dead at all: the possum goes into shock when particularly stressed. While not dead, it can be found lying on its side with its legs extended and is, in fact, limp and unconscious during this time, like a person who has fainted. While playing dead discourages predators from chasing the possum, it also makes them vulnerable. When drivers see the limp possum in the road, they don't bother to swerve, since they assume it's already dead. There are also accounts of people shooting the comatose possum in order to "put it out of its misery(結(jié)束它的痛苦)." There is such a thing as overplaying a part.
strategy
1. 戰(zhàn)略;戰(zhàn)略學(xué)[U]
He is an expert in military strategy.
他是軍事戰(zhàn)略專家。
2. 策略,計(jì)謀;對策[C][(+for)][+to-v]
The government adopted a strategy of massive deflation.
政府采取了大規(guī)模緊縮通貨的策略。
By careful strategy he managed to push the proposal through.
通過審慎的謀劃,他成功地使該建議獲得通過。
Unglamorous: 沒有魅力的,無浪漫色彩的,乏味的,單調(diào)的
Finicky: (吃穿)過分講究的;愛挑剔的
A finicky eater 過分挑食者
Unique
1. 唯一的,獨(dú)一無二的;獨(dú)特的[Z][(+to)]
The custom is unique to the region.
這種風(fēng)俗是這一地區(qū)特有的。
2. 無可匹敵的,無與倫比的[Z]
Beethoven's symphony is unique in music.
貝多芬的交響曲在音樂中是無與倫比的。
3. 【口】罕有的;珍奇的;極好的
Her style of writing is rather unique.
她的寫作風(fēng)格很不尋常。
Faint: 昏厥,暈倒[(+with/from)]
He fainted when he heard the news.
聽到這消息時(shí),他暈了過去。
Chase
及物動(dòng)詞 vt.
1. 追逐;追捕;追蹤
The cat chased the mouse.
貓追老鼠。
2. 趕出,驅(qū)逐[O]
She chased the children from her yard.
她把那些孩子趕出院子。
3. 追尋,尋找;催促[(+up)]
不及物動(dòng)詞 vi.
1. 追逐,追趕;追尋;追求[(+after)]
He never ceased to chase after his dream in his vigorous youth.
在精力充沛的年輕時(shí)代他從未停止過追求自己的夢想。
2. 匆忙地走,奔跑[Q]
She chased all over town looking for a dress in her size.
她為尋找尺寸合身的衣服而滿城奔跑。
Swerve
1. 突然轉(zhuǎn)向;轉(zhuǎn)彎;偏離方向
The car swerved to the right.
車子突然轉(zhuǎn)向右方。
2. 背離[(+from)]
I will never swerve from my declared policy on this matter.
在這個(gè)問題上我決不會(huì)背離我公開宣布的政策。
