Melting raises fears about Antarctic glacier collapse 冰川融化加剧对南极冰川崩塌的担忧

莫艳

Scientists have warned that one of the most significant glaciers in Antarctica is at serious risk of collapse （崩塌） because of being loosened by warmer temperatures in the surrounding seas， with the potential for globally significant consequences.

Thwaites Glacier， also known as the Doomsday Glacier （末日冰川） due to the impact its melting would have， flows into the Amundsen Sea off western Antarctica and is around the same size as Great Britain or Florida.

“There is going to be dramatic change in front of the glacier， probably in less than a decade. Both published and unpublished studies point in that direction，” glaciologist Ted Scambos from International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration told BBC. “This will accelerate the pace and widen the dangerous part of the glacier.”

“Were watching a world thats doing things we havent really seen before， and the emission of carbon dioxide is significantly to blame，” Scambos explained.

According to Scambos， Thwaites Glacier is one of the widest glaciers in the world， and over the last 30 years， it has doubled the outflow speed of the water it has released. It holds enough water to raise global sea level by more than 60 centimeters， and were it to be significantly damaged， it could also impact on other surrounding glaciers， compounding （使恶化） the problem.

It was reported that the water in the area known as the grounding zone， where the glacier lifts off the sea bed， was extremely warm， and also salty， which is likely to increase the chances of significant melting from below the surface.

Another glaciologist， Erin Pettit from Oregon State University， told CNBC that rising sea level was a near inevitability （必然性） and the focus should now turn to how to manage its environmental impact.

“We are already on track for sea level rise in the next several decades that will impact coastal communities worldwide，” Pettit said. “We cant reverse this sea level rise， but we need to consider how to relieve it and protect our coastal communities now.”

Activity A Reading for understanding

Ⅰ. Text?centered chunks

be at risk of 有……的风险

be known as 被称为……

due to 由于;因为

the emission of carbon dioxide 二氧化碳的排放

be likely to 很有可能……

be on track for 走上……的轨道

Ⅱ. Text?centered sentences

一、定语从句的省略

Were watching a world thats doing things we havent really seen before. 我们正看着一个正在改变的世界，那些改变是我们从来没真正見过的。

【点石成金】things是先行词，we havent really seen before是定语从句，此处省略了关系代词that。关系代词在定语从句中充当宾语时通常可以省略。

【运用迁移】你正在看的那幅画作是我的一位朋友画的。

二、虚拟语气的倒装

Were it to be significantly damaged， it could also impact on other surrounding glaciers， compounding the problem. 假如它受到严重破坏，它也将影响周围其他的冰川，从而加剧这一问题。

【点石成金】此句省略了连词if。当虚拟语气中的if省略时，句中的谓语动词和主语要倒装。

【运用迁移】要是我处在你的境地，我會采取行动劝说你爸戒烟。

三、非限制性定语从句

It was reported that the water in the area known as the grounding zone， where the glacier lifts off the sea bed， was extremely warm， and also salty， which is likely to increase the chances of significant melting from below the surface. 据报道，在被称为“接地带”的区域，也就是冰川从海床上升起的地方，水非常温暖，而且含盐，这可能会增加地表以下的冰川大量融化的可能性。

【点石成金】which is likely to increase the chances of significant melting from below the surface是非限制性定语从句，起到补充说明的作用。此处which指代the water...was extremely warm， and also salty整个句子，作从句的主语。

【运用迁移】他在那么多人面前显得有点紧张，这是可以理解的。

Activity B Reading for writing

假定你是李華，应校英文报之邀，请你就南极冰川融化的问题写一则报道。内容要点：

1. 南极冰川融化的现状、原因和影响;

2. 中学生可以做些什么来应对这一问题。

注意：

1. 词数80左右;

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯;

3. 至少需要使用一次虚拟语气或一个定语从句;

4. 注意段落内的逻辑关系。

The melting of glaciers in Antarctica

写作导引

本次的写作任务是写一则报道，要求学生介绍南极冰川融化的现状、原因和影响等，并提出应对这一问题的对策，并且至少需要使用一个虚拟语气或定语从句。这些写作要求和所给语篇的主题语境是紧密相关的。我们可以通过整合同主题阅读材料的内容和语言，梳理写作思路和积累素材。

一、语篇解码

（一）内容分析

What is the text mainly about？

（二）宏观结构

Fill in the blanks according to the text.

[Text structure Main idea Language expression Part 1： Para. 1 （1）

introduction One of the most significant glaciers in Antarctica is

（2） . Part 2：

Para. 2～ （3）Background

information Thwaites Glacier flows into （4）and is around the same size as Great Britain or Florida.

There is going to be dramatic change in front of the glacier. Part 3：

Para. （5）Reasons for

the melting The emission of （6）is significantly to blame.

The water was extremely warm and salty， which is likely to

（7）from below the surface. Part 4：

Para. （8）Appeal to

（9）We need to consider how to relieve it and protect our coastal communities now. ]

二、素材积累

（一）现状阐述的核心表达

1. In the past few decades， there has been a dramatic change in... 在过去几十年里，……急剧变化。

2. Nowadays， ...has become one of the most serious issues in the world. 如今，……已经成为世界上最严重的问题之一。

3. has negative effect on 对……有负面影响

4. huge amounts of 大量的

（二）原因阐述的核心表达

1. The reason why...is that... ……的原因是……

2. due to/ because of 由于;因为

3. which is also responsible for 这也是……的原因

（三）建议的核心表达

1. It is strongly suggested that we should... 强烈建议我们应该……

2. If I were you， I would... 如果我是你，我会……

3. It would be beneficial if you could... 若你能……，那是大有裨益的。

4. In order to cope with this problem， we should take some effective measures. 為了应对这一问题，我们应当采取一些有效的措施。

5. from my point of view 依我看来

6. For one thing， ... For another， ... 一方面，……;另一方面，……

三、写作支架

本次的写作任务是写一篇阐述现状并提出建议的文章，根据写作要求，其语篇结构可定为“现状介绍+原因+影响+建议”。文章的框架如下：

Nowadays， ...has become one of the most serious issues in the world. （现状介绍） The reason why...is that...（原因阐述） If...continues， it will lead to...， which is likely to...and bring great damage. （影响）

As...， we should take some effective measures to cope with this problem. （建议总起） For one thing， it is strongly suggested that...（建议一） For another， it is our duty to inform everyone of...， along with its cause and impact. （建议二）

四、语篇过手

根据以上提供的主题、主题表达和语篇结构，我们可以写出文章的第一、二段。第一段介绍现状、原因和影响，第二段提供建议。总词数控制在80左右。

同时，学习运用前文阅读材料中出现的虚拟语气或定语从句等高级句型。尤其要注意表达的内在逻辑关系，如演绎关系、对比关系和递进关系，需要注意使用恰当的连词。