通过文章阅读学习英语六级词汇 UNIT THIRTEEN
Techniques Used for Training Elephants
Two main techniques have been used for training elephants, which we may call respectively the tough and the gentle. The former method simply consists of setting an elephant to work and beating him until he does what is expected of him. Apart from any moral considerations this is a stupid method of training, for it produces a resentful animal who at a later stage may well turn man-killer. The gentle method requires more patience in the early stages, but produces a cheerful, good-tempered elephant who will give many years of loyal service.
The first essential in elephant training is to assign to the animal a single mahout who will be entirely responsible for the job. Elephants like to have one master just as dogs do, and are capable of a considerable degree of personal affection. There are even stories of half-trained elephant calves who have refused to feed and pined to death when by some unavoidable circumstance they have been deprived of their own trainer. Such extreme cases must probably be taken with a grain of salt, but they do underline the general principle that the relationship between elephant and mahout is the key to successful training.
The most economical age to capture an elephant for training is between fifteen and twenty years, for it is then almost ready to undertake heavy work and can begin to earn its keep straight away. But animals of this age do not easily become subservient to man, and a very firm hand must be employed in the early stages. The captive elephant, still roped to a tree,plunges and screams every time a man approaches, and for several days will probably refuse all food through anger and fear. Sometimes a tame elephant is tethered nearby to give the wild one confidence, and in most cases the captive gradually quietens down and begins to accept its food. The next stage is to get the elephant to the training establishment, an intricate business which is achieved with the aid of two tame elephants roped to the captive on either side.
When several elephants are being trained at one time it is customary for the new arrival to be placed between the stalls of two captives whose training is already well advanced. It is then left completely undisturbed with plenty of food and water so that it can absorb the atmosphere of its new home and see that nothing particularly alarming is happening to its companions. When it is eating normally its own training begins. The trainer stands in front of the elephant holding a long stick with a sharp metal point. Two assistants, mounted or tame elephants, control the captive from either side, while others rub their hands over his skin to the accompaniment of a monotonous and soothing chant. This if supposed to induce pleasurable sensations in the elephant, and its effects are reinforced by the use of endearing epithets, such as ho ! my son, or ho ! my father, or my mother, according to the age and sex of the captive. The elephant is not immediately susceptible to such blandishments, however, and usually lashes fiercely with its trunk in all directions. These movements are controlled by the trainer with the metal-pointed stick, and the trunk eventually becomes so sore that the elephant curls it up and seldom afterwards uses it for offensive purposes.
temper n. 1.脾气,情绪 2.韧度
temperament n.气质,性格
calf n.牛犊
deprive vt.剥夺,使丧失
subservient a.1.屈从的 2.有利的,有益的
captive a.被俘虏的 n.俘虏
tether vt. 1.拴 2.限制,约束
yoke n. 1.牛轭 2.束缚,枷锁 vt.结合,连结
intricate a.错综复杂的
customary a.习惯上的,合乎习谷的
stall n. 1.货摊 2.熄火 3.小房间 v.1.熄火 2.拖延
mall n.购物中心
compartment n. 1.卧车包房 2.分隔的空间
prolong vt.延长
monotonous a. 单调无聊的
soothe vt. 1.安慰,使平静 2.减轻,缓和
chant vt. 1.反复有节奏地喊叫 2.吟颂
induce vt. 1.引诱,劝 2.引起,导致
provoke vt. 1.挑衅,激怒 2.激起,引起
provocative a.1.挑衅的,煽动的 2.挑逗的,刺激的
epithet n.别称
susceptible a. 1.易受影响的 2.过敏的 3.能经受的,容许的
vulnerable a. 1.易受伤的,脆弱的 2.易受攻击的,难防御的
blandishment n. 1.哄骗;奉承 2.甜言蜜语
flatter vt. 1.诌媚,奉承 2.使满意,使高兴
lash v. 1.将...系牢 2.鞭打,抽打 3.猛烈抨击 n. 1.鞭打2.眼睫毛 3.鞭梢
sensation n. 1.感觉能力 2.感觉,知觉 3.轰动,引起轰动的事或人
你愿意当吸血鬼还是僵尸?牛津这道入学试题该怎么答?
国内英语资讯:Full text of Chinese premiers speech at SCO meeting
体坛英语资讯:Germanys rising power is an old favorite
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier calls for closer SCO cooperation, greater development synergy
国内英语资讯:China, U.S. should achieve closer economic, trade cooperation: MOC
国内英语资讯:China, US agree to further enhance cooperation between militaries
英国任命首位防自杀事务大臣
国内英语资讯:China, Cambodia to enhance trade, investment cooperation
国内英语资讯:Beijings hukou reform brings 1st group beneficiaries
体坛英语资讯:Yao Ming to attend FIBA World Basketball Summit
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier meets senior Swedish banker
国内英语资讯:Top political advisor underlines promotion of standard Chinese language
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier calls for closer China-Britain cooperation
国内英语资讯:China welcomes more partners, to take tougher actions on IPR protection
国内英语资讯:China, Belt and Road countries seek deeper cooperation on energy
向死亡问好?可口可乐发布了一条土洋结合的广告语,结果......
国内英语资讯:Xi encourages private entrepreneurs to further innovate, create, develop
炸鸡排其实是健康食品?但别和米饭甜点一起吃
娱乐英语资讯:Inaugural China Now Music Festival under way in New York
体坛英语资讯:Home hero Zhang into China Open third round
西班牙科学家3D打印“素食牛排” 卖相和味道一言难尽
《复仇者联盟4》杀青!导演的一张图,让粉丝懵圈了...
生活中的小惊喜,幸福可能并不复杂
国内英语资讯:China donates 500 bags, stationery to Lebanons orphans
国内英语资讯:B&R countries eye production capacity cooperation with China
国内英语资讯:Xi reiterates Chinas commitment to free trade, globalization
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier arrives in Belgium for working visit, ASEM summit
Ladygaga宣布订婚 !对象是好莱坞大咖经纪人!
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier stresses poverty relief through relocation
国内英语资讯:China never deliberately pursues trade surplus in goods: premier Li
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |