新概念英語第三冊
Lesson 9 Flying cats
1 . A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.貓在跌落時能夠大難不死是有事實作為依據的。
2 . This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.這樣就加大了空氣阻力，並減少了它們著地時衝擊力帶來的震動。
3 . but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well.但是，它們又有自己神秘的生活方式。
4 . Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings.當然，紐約是進行這種有趣的試驗的一個理想的地方，因為那裡根本不缺乏高樓大廈，有的是高層的窗檻從上往下墜落。
5 . One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives.最使我們感興趣的一件事情就是一種通俗的信念——貓有九條命。
6 . Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea.顯然，這種說法裡面包含著許多真實性。
7 . It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves.看起來，貓跌落的距離越長，它們就越不會傷害自己。
8 . As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence.結果是人們已經學會尊重貓的獨立性。
9 . 'Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.' a doctor said.「貓就像訓練有素的跳傘隊員，」 一位醫生說。
10 . They never become submissive like dogs and horses.它們從不像狗和馬一樣變得那麼順從。
11 . All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries.它們都曾從高層建築上摔下來過，但只有其中的8隻貓死於震盪或跌傷。
12 . In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more.在一個長長的跌落過程中，它們可以達到每小時60里甚至更快的速度。
13 . They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels.它們伸展四肢，就像飛行中的松鼠一樣。
14 . At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax.在高速下落中，貓有時間放鬆自己。
15 . Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives.在它們的一生中，大多數貓都對人存有戒心。
16 . There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from! One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth.有一隻叫薩伯瑞的貓從32層樓上掉下來，但只摔斷一顆牙。
17 . Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months.最近，紐約動物醫療中心對132隻貓進行了為期5個月的綜合研究。
18 . Cats never fail to fascinate human beings.貓總能引起人們的極大興趣。