NASA’s ambitious plan to save Earth from a supervolcano

Day1

One of the greatest threats an eruption may pose is thought to be starvation, with a prolonged volcanic winter potentially prohibiting civilisation from having enough food for the current population.

1.tranquil

adjective

Something that is tranquil is calm and peaceful.

The tranquil atmosphere of The Connaught allows guests to feel totally at home.

The place was tranquil and appealing.

Synonyms: peaceful, quiet, calm, serene   

tranquillity (træŋkwɪlɪti  ) uncountable noun

The hotel is a haven of peace and tranquillity.

Synonyms: calm, peace, composure, serenity   

Synonyms: peace, calm, quiet, hush（n. 安静）

2.岩浆房 Magma（n. 岩浆；糊剂） chamber  

一个层状火山

岩浆房，或称为岩浆库，是在地下约1至13千米处由熔岩及火山灰气体形成的直径数十米至数十千米的熔岩集合库。岩浆来源于此处，相邻的岩浆房之间通常有导管，岩石在高温下溶解并且产生熔岩，在一定温度下通过导管上升。岩浆房内的岩浆上升到地表，从而引发火山爆发，接触与其温度差比较大的气体（如常温下大气层内的气体）时会产生爆炸并释放火山灰。

3.geyser n. 间歇喷泉

countable noun

A geyser is a hole in the Earth's surface from which hot water and steam are forced out, usually at irregular intervals of time.

Lying beneath the tranquil settings of Yellowstone National Park in the US lies an

enormous magma chamber. It's responsible for the geysers and hot springs that

define the area,

4.asteroid

n. [天文]小行星；海盘车；小游星

adj. 星状的

5.prolonged

A prolonged event or situation continues for a long time, or for longer than expected.

...a prolonged period of low interest rates.

...a prolonged drought.

6.reserve

1. verb [usually passive]

If something is reserved for a particular person or purpose, it is kept specially for that person or purpose.

A double room with a balcony overlooking the sea had been reserved for him. [be VERB-ed + for]

In the United States lanes are reserved for cars with more than one occupant. [be V-ed for n]

2. verb

If you reserve something such as a table, ticket, or magazine, you arrange for it to be kept specially for you, rather than sold or given to someone else.

I'll reserve a table for five. [VERB noun]

Demand will be huge, so ask your newsagent to reserve your copy today. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: book, arrange in advance, make a reservation for, prearrange   More Synonyms of reserve

3. countable noun

A reserve is a supply of something that is available for use when it is needed.

The Gulf has 65 per cent of the world's oil reserves.

A friend can be a reserve of help in times of trouble.

In 2012,

the United Nations estimated that food reserves worldwide would last 74 days.

4. countable noun

In sports, a reserve is someone who is available to play as part of a team if one of the members is ill or cannot play.

[mainly British]

He ended up as a reserve, but still qualified for a team gold medal.

REGIONAL NOTE:

in AM, use substitute

5. countable noun

A nature reserve is an area of land where the animals, birds, and plants are officially protected.

Marine biologists are calling for Cardigan Bay to be created a marine nature reserve to protect the dolphins.

6. uncountable noun

If someone shows reserve, they keep their feelings hidden.

The subject is one which must be discussed with reserve.

His natural reserve made him appear self-conscious.

7.in reserve

8. countable noun

A military reserve is a group of soldiers who are ready to join a military operation if they are needed.

7.plant

n. 工厂，车间；植物；庄稼；设备

vt. 安置；种植；栽培；培养

vi. 种植

8.seep

verb

If something such as liquid or gas seeps somewhere, it flows slowly and in small amounts into a place where it should not go.

Radioactive water had seeped into underground reservoirs. [VERB preposition/adverb]

The gas is seeping out of the rocks. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Engineers said that plutonium could begin seeping from the corroded sub. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Synonyms: ooze, well, leak, soak   

Seep is also a noun.

...an oil seep.

2. verb

If something such as secret information or an unpleasant emotion seeps somewhere, it comes out gradually.

...the tide of racism which is sweeping Europe seeps into Britain. [VERB preposition/adverb]

...letting information seep out of the Treasury. [VERB preposition/adverb]

9.remainder

1. quantifier

The remainder of a group are the things or people that still remain after the other things or people have gone or have been dealt with.

He gulped down the remainder of his coffee. [+ of]

I spent the remainder of the day feeling terrible.

Remainder is also a pronoun.

Only 5.9 per cent of the area is now covered in trees.

Of the 59 committee members, 40 were against legalisation, 13 were in favour and the remainder were undecided.

2. singular noun [the NOUN]

In arithmetic, the remainder is the amount that remains when one amount cannot be exactly divided by another. For example, if you divide 22 by 7, the answer is 3 and the remainder is 1.

3. verb [usually passive]

If a book is remaindered, it is sold at a reduced price because it has not been selling very well and will not be published again.

It failed to sell and was soon remaindered. [be VERB-ed]

4. countable noun

A remainder is a book that has been remaindered.

10.threshold

1. countable noun [usually singular]

The threshold of a building or room is the floor in the doorway, or the doorway itself.

He stopped at the threshold of the bedroom. [+ of]

The bride was carried over the threshold.

Synonyms: entrance, doorway, door, doorstep

2. countable noun [noun NOUN]

A threshold is an amount, level, or limit on a scale. When the threshold is reached, something else happens or changes.

She has a low threshold of boredom and needs the constant stimulation of physical activity. [+ of]

The consensus has clearly shifted in favour of raising the nuclear threshold.

Fewer than forty per cent voted–the threshold for results to be valid.

Synonyms: limit, margin, starting point, minimum

11.aqueduct

1. countable noun

An aqueduct is a long bridge with many arches, which carries a water supply or a canal over a valley.

...an old Roman aqueduct.

Synonyms: conduit, channel, passage, canal  

2. countable noun

An aqueduct is a large pipe or canal which carries a water supply to a city or a farming area.

...a nationwide system of aqueducts to carry water to the arid parts of this country.

12.controversial

adj. 有争议的, 引起争议的

13.conceive

1. verb

If you cannot conceive of something, you cannot imagine it or believe it.

I just can't even conceive of that quantity of money. [VERB + of]

He was immensely ambitious but unable to conceive of winning power for himself. [VERB + of]

[Also VERB that]

2. verb

If you conceive something as a particular thing, you consider it to be that thing.

The ancients conceived the Earth as afloat in water. [VERB noun + as]

We conceive of the family as being in a constant state of change. [VERB + of]

Elvis conceived of himself as a ballad singer. [VERB + of]

3. verb

If you conceive a plan or idea, you think of it and work out how it can be done.

She had conceived the idea of a series of novels. [VERB noun]

He conceived of the first truly portable computer in 1968. [VERB + of]

Instead Nasa have conceived a very different plan.

4. verb

When a woman conceives, she becomes pregnant.

Women, he says, should give up alcohol before they plan to conceive. [VERB]

About one in six couples has difficulty conceiving. [VERB]

A mother who already has non-identical twins is more likely to conceive another set of twins. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: become pregnant, get pregnant, become impregnated

14.enticing

adjective

Something that is enticing is extremely attractive and makes you want to get it or to become involved with it.

A prospective premium of about 30 per cent on their initial investment is enticing.

...many enticing illustrations.

Synonyms: attractive, appealing, inviting, charming

15.catch

1.singular noun

If you describe someone as a good catch, you mean that they have lots of good qualities and you think their partner or employer is very lucky to have found them.

[informal]

I was so in love with him and all my friends said what a good catch he was.

Synonyms: marriage prospect, match

2.countable noun [usually singular]

A catch is a hidden problem or difficulty in a plan or an offer that seems surprisingly good.

The catch is that you work for your supper, and the food and accommodation can be very basic.

'It's your money. You deserve it.'—'What's the catch?'

And while such a project would come at an estimated cost of around $3.46bn (£2.69bn), it

comes with an enticing catch which could convince politicians to make the investment.

16.geothermal

adj. 地热的,地温的,地热(或地温)产生的

17.incentives

variable noun [oft NOUN to-infinitive]

If something is an incentive to do something, it encourages you to do it.

There is little or no incentive to adopt such measures.

Many companies in Britain are keen on the idea of tax incentives for R&D.

Synonyms: inducement, motive, encouragement, urge

18.brittle

1. adjective

An object or substance that is brittle is hard but easily broken.

Pine is brittle and breaks.

...the dry, brittle ends of the hair.

Synonyms: fragile, delicate, crisp, crumbling 

2. adjective

If you describe a situation, relationship, or someone's mood as brittle, you mean that it is unstable, and may easily change.

These incidents suggest the peace in Northern Ireland is still brittle.

This may help to undermine the brittle truce that currently exists.

3. graded adjective

Someone who is brittle seems rather sharp and insensitive and says things which are likely to hurt other people's feelings.

...Noel Coward's brittle comedy of bad manners.

4. graded adjective

A brittle sound is short, loud, and sharp.

Myrtle gave a brittle laugh.

Synonyms: harsh, rough, jarring, grating

19.prone to

1. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE , ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]

To be prone to something, usually something bad, means to have a tendency to be affected by it or to do it.

For all her experience, she was still prone to nerves. [+ to]

People with fair skin who sunburn easily are very prone to skin cancer. [+ to]

Synonyms: liable, given, subject, inclined

-prone combines with nouns to make adjectives that describe people who are frequently affected by something bad.

...the most injury-prone rider on the circuit.

2.  See also accident prone

3. adjective [ADJECTIVE after verb , ADJECTIVE noun]

If you are lying prone, you are lying on your front.

[formal]

Bob slid from his chair and lay prone on the floor.

Since 1991, parents have been advised not to put their infants down to sleep in the prone position.

Synonyms: face down, flat, lying down, horizontal

20.fracture

1. countable noun

A fracture is a slight crack or break in something, especially a bone.

At least one-third of all women over ninety have sustained a hip fracture.

2. verb

If something such as a bone is fractured or fractures, it gets a slight crack or break in it.

You've fractured a rib, maybe more than one. [VERB noun]

One strut had fractured and been crudely repaired in several places. [VERB]

He suffered a fractured skull. [VERB-ed]

Synonyms: break, split, crack, rupture  

3. verb

If something such as an organization or society is fractured or fractures, it splits into several parts or stops existing.

[formal]

His policy risks fracturing the coalition. [VERB noun]

It might be a society that could fracture along class lines. [VERB]

Synonyms: split, separate, divide, rend [literary]

21.volatile

adj. 爆炸性的；不稳定的；挥发性的；反覆无常的

n. 挥发物；有翅的动物

22.instigate

verb

Someone who instigates an event causes it to happen.

Jenkinson instigated a refurbishment of the old gallery. [VERB noun]

The violence over the last forty-eight hours was instigated by ex-members of the secret police. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: provoke, start, encourage, move

Day 2

get in touch       v.

establish communication with someone

prohibit sb from doing sth

They are prohibited from revealing details about the candidates. 

他们被禁止透露候选人的详情。

equivalent to

相当于

使用时，前面可以加逗号"，"

build up

1.PHRASAL VERB If you build up something or if it builds up, it gradually becomes bigger, for

example, because more is added to it. 使逐渐变大; 逐渐变大

• The regime built up the largest army in Africa.

该政权逐渐建立起一支在非洲规模最大的军队。

2. PHRASAL VERB If you build someone or something up, you make them seem important or

exciting, for example, by talking about them a lot. 吹捧; 大肆宣传

• The media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up.

媒体将对它进行报导，小报将对其大肆宣传。

But from a practical perspective（注意介词的使用）

pump down （抽空）

pay back

1.PHRASAL VERB If you pay back some money that you have borrowed or taken from someone,

you give them an equal sum of money at a later time. 偿还

• He burst into tears, begging her to forgive him and swearing to pay back everything he had stolen.

他突然哭了起来，求她原谅他并发誓要偿还他偷的所有东西。

2.PHRASAL VERB If you pay someone back for doing something unpleasant to you, you take your

revenge on them or make them suffer for what they did. 报复

• Some day I'll pay you back for this!

总有一天我会为此报复你的！

volatile（ 不稳定的，爆炸性的） 

instigate（ 唆使，煽动）

Day3

1. There are around 20 known supervolcanoes on Earth, with major

eruptions occurring on average（ （ 平均） ） once every 100,000 years.

目前，人类所知道的超级火山有20座，而绝大多数的这些火山平均每10万年喷发一次。

2. One possibility is to simply increase the amount of water in the

supervolcano. But from a practical perspective, it would likely be

impossible to convince politicians to sanction such an initiative.

有一种可实施的方案就是减少超级火山中的水分。但从现实角度出发，政客们又不太可能会通过这一方案。