原文视听

These are Chinese mitten crabs,
这些是中华绒蝥蟹
named for their strange hairy claws.
因它们长毛爪子得名
They may migrate as much as 1,500 kilometres
它们可以迁移长达1500公里
from tributaries and lakes to the river mouth,
从支流和湖泊一直到河口
where they gather to breed.
他们在那里繁殖后代
A similar migration is made by the giant Yangtze sturgeon,
中华鲟也有相似的迁徙
which can reach four metres long and weigh half a ton.
中华鲟能长到4米长 半吨重
In recent years,its numbers have declined dramatically
近些年来 它们的数量骤减
as its migration is impeded by ever more river dams.
这是由于它们的迁徙被越来越多的河坝阻挡了
But it isn't just animals like the sturgeon that are in trouble,
但是不仅中华鲟有这样的境遇
the entire Yangtze River ecosystem is being poisoned.
整个长江的生态系统都遭到了破坏
In spite of being the subject of an ambitious clean-up plan,
虽然有显耀的清理计划项目
today the river is reckoned to be the biggest
估计长江是最大的
single source of pollution entering the Pacific Ocean.
污染太平洋的单向水源

重点解释

妙语佳句:

原句:These are Chinese mitten crabs,named for their strange hairy claws.这些是中华绒蝥蟹因它们长毛爪子得名

named for:指定作

A young lieutenant was named for duty.

一名年轻的中尉被任命担任这项职务。

A veteran cadre was named for the directorship.

一位老干部被任命为厂长。

But it isn't just animals like the sturgeon that are in trouble,但是不仅中华鲟有这样的境遇

in trouble:处于困境

You are always getting yourself in trouble.

你总是给自己找麻烦。

Do as you're told, otherwise you'll be in trouble.

叫你怎麽做就怎麽做，否则有麻烦。

原句:In spite of being the subject of an ambitious clean-up plan,虽然有显耀的清理计划项目

in spite of:不顾, 不管

despite书面用词，指不受某事或某种原因的阻碍，语气轻于in spite of。

in spite of在这些词中语气最强，可与despite换用，口语或书面语中均可使用。

In spite of our advice, he married above himself.

他不顾我们的劝告，同比自己地位高的人结了婚。

In spite of the bad weather, we went fishing.

我们不顾恶劣的天气而去钓鱼。

考考你:

但是不仅中华鲟有这样的境遇。

这些是中华绒蝥蟹因它们长毛爪子得名。

上期答案:

The ecological story behind this event is complex,but by no means unique to China.

so far there's not a fish in sight.