一份有關(guān)昆蟲數(shù)量的科學(xué)審核報(bào)告顯示，世界上 40% 的昆蟲物種數(shù)量正 “急劇下降”。這份報(bào)告稱，導(dǎo)致昆蟲總數(shù)下降的原因是集約型農(nóng)業(yè)、使用殺蟲劑以及氣候變暖。

文字稿

Insects are the most abundant form of animal life on the planet, representing more than 17 times the weight of the entire human population. 

昆蟲是地球上數(shù)量最充足的動(dòng)物生命體，它們的重量之和相當(dāng)于整個(gè)人類人口體重的 17 倍。

This study looked at 73 scientific reports. It found that overall, insect populations are falling by about 2.5% a year. 40% of the world's insects could be extinct within a few decades. 

這份研究分析了 73 份科學(xué)報(bào)告。研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，總體來講，昆蟲的數(shù)量每年下降 2.5% 左右。世界上 40% 的昆蟲有可能會(huì)在未來的幾十年里滅絕。

In some areas, the decline is even more rapid. According to one recent study, the number of ground insects in Puerto Rico has fallen by 98% over the last 35 years. A growing body of research shows that insects are declining about twice as fast as vertebrates. 

在一些地區(qū)，昆蟲數(shù)量的下降速度更快。一項(xiàng)最新報(bào)告顯示，波多黎各的陸地昆蟲數(shù)量已在過去的 35 年間下降了 98%。越來越多的研究表明，昆蟲數(shù)量的下降速度大約是脊椎動(dòng)物的兩倍。

The report's authors say a rethinking of current agricultural practice is needed, in particular, a serious reduction in pesticide usage.

這份報(bào)告的作者們說，有必要重新審視當(dāng)前的農(nóng)耕方式，尤其應(yīng)著重減少殺蟲劑的使用。

1. 詞匯

abundant 數(shù)量充足的
weight 重量，體重
extinct 滅絕的
decline 減少
ground insects 在陸地上生活的昆蟲
a growing body of 越來越多的
vertebrates 脊椎動(dòng)物
rethinking 重新思考，重新審視
agricultural practices 農(nóng)耕方法
pesticide 殺蟲劑

2. 閱讀理解：請(qǐng)?jiān)谧x完上文后，回答下列問題 。

1. True or false? An increasing amount of research shows that insects are declining slower than vertebrates.

2. How many reports did the study look at?

3. What practices need a rethinking, according to the authors of the report?

4. Which word in the text means ‘a(chǎn) great collection of something’?

3. 答案

1. True or false? An increasing amount of research shows that insects are declining slower than vertebrates.
False. A growing body of research shows that insects are declining twice as fast as vertebrates.

2. How many reports did the study look at?
The study looked at 73 reports.

3. What practices need a rethinking, according to the authors of the report?
Current agricultural practices, in particular, the amount of pesticide being used, need a rethinking, according to the authors of the report.

4. Which word in the text means ‘a(chǎn) great collection of something’?
Body.