文字稿

科學家們稱，在德國一所博物館里“再次現(xiàn)身”的一塊水生爬行動物化石具有很高的研究價值，因為它是有史以來同類生物化石中體積最大的一塊。這類被稱作“魚龍”的海洋生物曾生活在距今約兩億年前的恐龍時代。這塊化石標本總長達三米多，20多年前曾在英格蘭海岸邊被人首次發(fā)現(xiàn)，但直至今日，還沒有人對它進行過研究。請聽報道。

Ichthyosaurs or ‘sea dragons’ were marine reptiles that swam the oceans during the time of the dinosaurs. A fossil unearthed at Doniford Bay during the 1990s is giving new insights into the life and death of the mysterious creatures. 

This ichthyosaur was a female that was pregnant at the time of death. It's one of only three to be found with an unborn baby inside. The fossil was sold to a private collector who kept it on his living room wall. It was eventually acquired by a German museum where its scientific value came to light. Scientists at the University of Manchester who examined the specimen say it's the largest of its kind at more than three metres long.

The first skeleton of an ichthyosaur was discovered in the cliffs near Lyme Regis by the Victorian fossil hunter Mary Anning. Her discovery shook up the scientific world and provided evidence for new ideas about the history of the earth. 

Two centuries on, there's still more to learn about the prehistoric sea creatures that dominated the oceans for millions of years.

詞匯表

ichthyosaurs “魚龍”的拉丁語說法，一種形似海豚、已經(jīng)滅絕的海洋爬行動物
marine reptiles 海棲爬行動物
unearthed 出土，被發(fā)掘
giving new insights into 提供新的見解
private collector 私人收藏家
came to light 為人所知
specimen （化石）標本
skeleton （動物）骨架
shook up 使…震驚、大吃一驚
prehistoric 史前的
dominated 主宰了

測驗  

請聽報道并回答下列問題。  

1. When and where was the fossil unearthed?

2. What did Mary Anning’s discovery of the first ichthyosaur skeleton mean to science?

3. True or false? Scientists say the specimen is the largest of all dinosaur fossils.

4. Which word in the text means ‘not yet brought to birth’?

答案  

1. Where and when was the fossil unearthed?
The fossil was unearthed at Doniford Bay during the 1990s.

2. What did Mary Anning’s discovery of the first ichthyosaur skeleton mean to science?
Her discovery shook up the scientific world and provided evidence for new ideas about the history of the earth.

3. True or false? Scientists say the specimen is the largest of all dinosaur fossils.
False. Scientists say the specimen is the largest of its kind.

4. Which word in the text means ‘not yet brought to birth’?
Unborn.