When you think of31 a fearsome1 hunter, images of lions and sharks may spring to mind10. Recent research by11 environmental scientists, however, shows that in fact, humans2 are the most fearsome hunters who have the greatest impact on12 animal populations. Human activities have brought many animals close to13 extinction3. In the last 500 years, over 300 species4 of animals have gone extinct5. Some141 activities, such as142 hunting and fishing, directly harm animals, while other143 activities, such as144 development in towns and cities, impact indirectly on15 animal populations6.
生词
1. fearsome /ˈfɪə.səm/ adj. 可怕的；吓人的
The lion is a fearsome predator in the wild.
同义词：
terrifying /ˈter.ɪ.faɪ.ɪŋ/ adj. 令人恐惧的
The storm was terrifying and lasted all night.
dreadful /ˈdred.fəl/ adj. 可怕的
The news of the accident was dreadful.
intimidating /ɪnˈtɪm.ɪ.deɪ.tɪŋ/ adj. 吓人的
The large dog looked intimidating, but it was friendly.
反义词：
harmless /ˈhɑːm.ləs/ adj. 无害的
Most spiders are harmless to humans.
gentle /ˈdʒen.təl/ adj. 温和的
The gentle breeze felt nice on a hot day.
friendly /ˈfrend.li/ adj. 友好的
Our new neighbor is very friendly and always smiles.
2. impact /ˈɪm.pækt/ n. 影响；冲击
例句：Climate change has a huge impact on wildlife.
同义词：
effect /ɪˈfekt/ n. 影响
The medicine had a positive effect on her recovery.
influence /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ n. 影响力
His parents had a strong influence on his career choice.
consequence /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/ n. 后果
One consequence of staying up late is feeling tired the next day.
反义词：
insignificance /ˌɪn.sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kəns/ n. 无足轻重
The error was of such insignificance that it was ignored.
irrelevance /ɪˈrel.ə.vəns/ n. 不相关
His comment was complete irrelevance to the discussion.
neutrality /njuːˈtræl.ə.ti/ n. 中立
The country maintained neutrality during the war.
3. extinction /ɪkˈstɪŋk.ʃən/ n. 灭绝；消失
The extinction of dinosaurs happened millions of years ago.
同义词：
disappearance /ˌdɪs.əˈpɪə.rəns/ n. 消失
The sudden disappearance of the plane shocked the world.
vanishing /ˈvæn.ɪʃ.ɪŋ/ n. 灭绝
The vanishing of old traditions is a cultural loss.
elimination /ɪˌlɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ n. 消除
The elimination of errors improved the system.
反义词：
survival /səˈvaɪ.vəl/ n. 生存
The survival of the fittest is a natural law.
existence /ɪɡˈzɪs.təns/ n. 存在
The very existence of the species is under threat.
preservation /ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ n. 保护
The preservation of forests is essential for the planet.
4. species /ˈspiː.ʃiːz/ n. 物种（单复数同形）
There are over 300 species of birds in this forest.
同义词：
kind /kaɪnd/ n. 种类
What kind of music do you like?
type /taɪp/ n. 类型
This type of phone is very popular.
variety /vəˈraɪ.ə.ti/ n. 品种
The market offers a variety of fresh fruits.
反义词：
inanimate /ɪnˈæn.ɪ.mət/ adj. 无生命的
Rocks and metals are inanimate objects.
nonliving /nɒnˈlɪv.ɪŋ/ adj. 非生物的
Nonliving things do not grow or reproduce.
lifeless /ˈlaɪf.ləs/ adj. 无生命的
The planet appeared cold and lifeless.
5. extinct /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ adj. 灭绝的；绝种的
The dodo bird has been extinct for centuries.
同义词：
vanished /ˈvæn.ɪʃt/ adj. 消失的
The ancient civilization has vanished without a trace.
gone /ɡɒn/ adj. 不复存在的
The old building is gone now.
wiped out 被消灭的
The entire village was wiped out by the flood.
反义词：
alive /əˈlaɪv/ adj. 活着的
The rescue team found him alive after three days.
existing /ɪɡˈzɪs.tɪŋ/ adj. 存在的
We must protect all existing species.
thriving /ˈθraɪ.vɪŋ/ adj. 繁荣的
The business is thriving in the current market.
6. influence /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ v./n. 影响
Her parents influenced her decision to become a doctor.
同义词：
affect /əˈfekt/ v. 影响
The weather can affect your mood.
shape /ʃeɪp/ v. 塑造
Education helps shape a child’s future.
sway /sweɪ/ v. 动摇
His speech managed to sway public opinion.
反义词：
ignore /ɪɡˈnɔːr/ v. 忽视
She chose to ignore his rude comment.
neglect /nɪˈɡlekt/ v. 忽略
He neglected his health and got sick.
disregard /ˌdɪs.rɪˈɡɑːd/ v. 不顾
They disregarded the warning signs.