Lesson_9 Flying cats

Cats never fail to fascinate human beings. They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well. They never become submissive like dogs and horses. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence. Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives. One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives. Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.

Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries. Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings. There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from! One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth. 'Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.' a doctor said. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels. This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.

affectionate adj. 充满深情，柔情的

mysterious adj. 神秘的，难以理解的

submissive adj. 服从的，顺从的

feline adj. 猫的

independence n. 独立，独立性

high-rise adj. 高层的

windowsill n. 窗槛

paratrooper n. 伞兵

squirrel n. 松鼠

air-resistance n. 空气阻力

重要写作短语总结:

1.lead a mysterious life 过着神秘的生活

2.lead a luxurious life 过着奢侈的生活

3.lead a miserable life 过着凄惨的生活

与“狗”有关的短语或者谚语总结:

1.as faithful as a dog 像狗一样忠诚

2.You're a lucky dog! 你真是个幸运儿！

3.Every dog has its day. 人人都有幸运时。

与“马”有关的短语或者谚语总结:

1.be on one's high horse 趾高气扬

2.work like a horse 辛勤工作

3.eat like a horse 吃得很多

as a result表示“结果是”，在写作中可以用很多方式表达“结果是”:

Accordingly,consequently,in the issue,in consequence,in the sequel,in the event,when all is said and done

Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea.　显然，这种说法里面包含着许多真实性。

本句适合模仿写作:

　　There is a good deal of truth in what you say. 你说的很有道理。

　　There is little truth in what you say. 你说的没什么道理。

60 miles an hour表示“每小时60英里”，这种表达的结构是“N/度量衡标准+时间”。

make a study of = study sth

a united and affectionate family 一个和睦友爱的家庭

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