The Context, Meaning and Scope of Tourism
site: The Context, Meaning and Scope of Tourism
In addition, Meis (1992) points out that the tourism industry involves concepts that have remained amorphous to both analysts and decision makers.
amorphous /əˈmɔːr.fəs/ adjective. 无固定形状的; 杂乱的
Autumn leaves
site: Autumn leaves
One of the most captivating natural events of the year in many areas throughout North America is the turning of the leaves in the fall.
captivate /ˈkæp.tə.veɪt/ verb. 使入迷
As fall approaches in the northern hemisphere, the amount of solar energy available declines considerably.
hemisphere /ˈhem.ə.sfɪr/ noun. 半球体
So rather than maintaining the now redundant leaves throughout the winter, the tree saves its precious resources and discards them.
redundant /rɪˈdʌn.dənt/ adjective. 被裁减的; 多余的
it is created by anthocyanins, water-soluble plant pigments reflecting the red to blue range of the visible spectrum.
soluble /ˈsɑːl.jə.bəl/ adjective. 可溶的
pigment /ˈpɪɡ.mənt/ noun. 色素; 颜料
spectrum /ˈspek.trəm/ noun. 光谱
Perhaps the most plausible suggestion as to why leaves would go to the trouble of making anthocyanins when they’re busy packing up for the winter is the theory known as the ‘light screen’ hypothesis.
plausible /ˈplɑː.zə.bəl/ adjective. 貌似合理的
It sounds paradoxical, because the idea behind this hypothesis is that the red pigment is made in autumn leaves to protect chlorophyll, the light-absorbing chemical, from too much light.
paradoxical /ˌper.əˈdɑːk.sɪ.kəl/ adjective. 自相矛盾的
Why protect chlorophyll at a time when the tree is breaking it down to salvage as much of it as possible?
salvage /ˈsæl.vɪdʒ/ verb. 打捞; 抢救 +1
Chlorophyll, although exquisitely evolved to capture the energy of sunlight, can sometimes be overwhelmed by it, especially in situations of drought, low temperatures, or nutrient deficiency.
exquisitely /ɪkˈskwɪz.ɪt.li/ adverb. 优雅地; 精致地; 准确地;
overwhelm /ˌoʊ.vɚˈwelm/ verb. 吞没; 压垮; 战胜
deficiency /dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ noun. 缺乏; 缺点
The energy absorbed by the chlorophyll molecules of the unstable autumn leaf is not immediately channelled into useful products and processes, as it would be in an intact summer leaf.
intact /ɪnˈtækt/ adjective. 完好无损的 +1
Beyond the blue horizon
site: Beyond the blue horizon
An important archaeological discovery on the island of Efate in the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu has revealed traces of an ancient seafaring people, the distant ancestors of todays, Polynesians.
archipelago /ˌɑːr.kəˈpel.ə.ɡoʊ/ noun. 群岛 +1
reveal /rɪˈviːl/ verb. 披露
An agricultural worker, digging in the grounds of a derelict plantation, scraped open a grave – the first of dozens in a burial ground some 3,000 years old.It is the oldest cemetery ever found in the Pacific islands, and it harbors the remains of an ancient people archaeologists call the Lapita.
derelict /ˈder.ə.lɪkt/ adjective. 破败的; 荒废的
cemetery /ˈsem.ə.ter.i/ noun. 墓地
They were also pioneers who carried with them everything they would need to build new lives – their livestock, taro seedlings and stone tools.
livestock /ˈlaɪv.stɑːk/ noun. 牲畜
- busbandry /ˈhʌz.bən.dri/ noun. 畜牧业
taro /ˈter.oʊ/ noun. 芋头
The remains of 62 individuals have been uncovered so far, and archaeologists were also thrilled to find six complete Lapita pots.
thrilled /θrɪld/ adjective. 震撼的
Did all Pacific islanders spring from one source or many?
spring from 起源
This represents the best opportunity we’ve had yet,’ says Spriggs, ‘to find out who the Lapita actually were, where they came from, and who their closest descendants are today.’
descendant /dɪˈsen.dənt/ noun. 后代 +1
There is one stubborn question for which archaeology has yet to provide any answers: how did the Lapita accomplish the ancient equivalent of a moon landing, many times over?
stubborn /ˈstʌb.ɚn/ adjective. 执拗的; 固执的
The Lap it as thrust into the Pacific was eastward, against the prevailing trade winds, Irwin notes.
thrust /θrʌst/ verb. 猛推
prevailing /prɪˈveɪ.lɪŋ/ adjective. 占优势的
All this presupposes one essential detail, says Atholl Anderson, professor of prehistory at the Australian National University: the Lapita had mastered the advanced art of sailing against the wind.
presuppose /ˌpriː.səˈpoʊz/ verb. 以…为前提
essential /ɪˈsen.ʃəl/ adjective. 完全必要的 +1
- essentially /ɪˈsen.ʃəl.i/ adverb. 本质上; 非常; 大体上