拓展模块U12 课文-2 只读版 Darwin, at His Early Age 少年达尔文

拓展模块U12课文-2只读版

Darwin, at His Early Age 少年达尔文

1. In his book, Darwin describes himself as having been a rather “naughty” child.He told about stealing fruit and trying to be the centre of attention in the family. Ironic as it may seem, Charles Darwin was a lazy young man,and a slow learner at school.He was a rather shy student but he did take great pleasure in showing off his athletic skills to other schoolmates.

2. The first sparks of Darwin's interest in natural history were developed very early in his childhood. Darwin's mother taught him how to change the color of flowers by giving them water mixed with food coloring. As a young boy,he delighted in collecting minerals, insects, stamps and other things.Darwin did not, however put much study into these objects, but collected them for the mere pleasure of it.

3. His increased interest in natural science was further encouraged by events outside his formal education.These events included the many trips he went on,the book Wonders of the World he read many times during this period,and helping his brother in his chemistry lab.

4. Because he was not paying attention to his studies, his father even said that he“cared for nothing but shooting,dogs,and rat-catching.”His father decided he would be a doctor and study medicine.Darwin felt sick at the sight of blood.He found medical studies extremely boring—he wondered what his father ever saw in him that led him to think he would make a good doctor.

5. Once again, Darwin's increased interest in natural science was enhanced from outside his formal studies.By the time Darwin was 22 years old, he had had a general knowledge of a wide range of scientific fields.What was more important, however, is that Darwin had developed a burning passion for natural science and an unlimited enthusiasm for exploration.The foundation was now set for Darwin to become one of the greatest naturalists of the 19th century.

少年达尔文

1．在他写的书里，达尔文把自己描绘成曾是个相当调皮的孩子。他讲述了自己如何偷水果以及如何试图成为全家注意力的中心。具有讽刺意义的是，达尔文是个懒情的青年，学习也较笨。他是个相当害羞的学生,但他却十分乐意向同学展示自己的运动技能。

2．达尔文对于自然历史的第一次兴趣火花早在他的幼年时代就点燃了。达尔文的母亲教他如何用掺着食品着色剂的水改变花的颜色。作为一个小男孩，他很乐意收集矿石、昆虫、邮票和其他东西。可是达尔文对这些东西并未认真研究，收集它们只不过是出于兴趣。

3．他的正规教育之外的事情进一步激励了他对于自然科学的兴趣。这些事情包括他进行的多次旅行，在这段时期内他读过多遍的书《世界奇观》，以及在他哥哥的化学实验室里帮忙。

4．因为他并不注重自己的学习，他的父亲甚至说他“只喜欢射击、溜狗和捕老鼠，其他的都不关心”。父亲决定让他成为一名医生而学习医学。达尔文一看到血就感到不舒服。他发现学习医学极其令人厌烦——他也搞不清楚他的父亲到底看上了他什么，而认为他能成为一名好医生。

5．又一次，达尔文对于自然科学的日益提高的兴趣由于他的正规教育之外的事情有所增强。在达尔文22岁时，他已具备了科学领域的广泛知识，而且更重要的是， 达尔文已经对自然科学产生强烈的感情和对探险怀有无尽的热忱。这些就为达尔文成为19世纪最伟大的自然科学家之一奠定了基础。