英语听力：探索发现 2012-10-10 长毛象王国 Mammoth—14

 Arctic ground squirrels hibernate¹ like other small mammals, but with a unique twist. They can lower their body temperature right down to almost minus 3 degrees centigrade. But thanks to a biochemical super-cooling process, they don’t actually freeze. 

 

Every few weeks, they warm up temporarily through bouts² of shivering which probably helps to ward³ off permanent brain damage from the cold. This deep sleep tactic⁴ helps the ground squirrels to conserve⁵ energy. But it’s a high-risk strategy, and some just don’t wake up. 30,000-year-old frozen ground squirrels have been discovered, still preserved in the underground tombs. 

 

Every inhabitant of Beringia had to have its own way of dealing⁶ with the cold, and that included those first people who arrived across the Bering Land Bridge. They knew how to make weapons and cooperate to hunt for food. They made weather-proof clothing out of animal hides and had fire to keep them warm. Without these skills, they couldn’t have survived the endless winters. 

 

But spring bring broughteasier times and excellent hunting opportunities. Spring was when Beringia’s big game gave birth to their young.

1 hibernate   

v.冬眠，蛰伏

参考例句：

• Bears often hibernate in caves.熊常在山洞里冬眠。
• Some warm-blooded animals do not need to hibernate.一些温血动物不需要冬眠。

2 bouts   

n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作

参考例句：

• For much of his life he suffered from recurrent bouts of depression. 他的大半辈子反复发作抑郁症。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It was one of fistiana's most famous championship bouts. 这是拳击界最有名的冠军赛之一。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

4 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

5 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

6 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。