Lesson
6
Travelling in the Jungle
1
Jungle country is not friendly to man, but it is possible to survive there. You must have the right equipment and you must know a few important things about the jungle. Then your chances of staying alive are very good.
2
No one should go into the jungle without the right equipment. You need lightweight clothing, a good knife, and a compass. Fishhooks and a line, a rifle and ammunition①, matches in a waterproof② container, and a poncho③ are necessary too, so is a mosquito net to protect the head.
3
In the jungle you can get hopelessly lost within five minutes after a known landmark. That is why you should always carry a compass. In open country, during the day, you can tell which way to go by studying the sun. At night the stars are sure guides to direction. But in most places the jungle rooftop④ is so thick that it is impossible to see the sun or stars. Again and again you must check your position by the compass.
4
Keep alert. Watch the ground in front of you carefully. Stop and listen now and again. Never walk too fast, and rest often. In a place that is hot and wet, the person who sets a fast pace will soon become tired. A steady⑤, even pace is wisest in the long run.
5
If you lose your way, do not be afraid. Try to decide how long it has been since you were sure of your position. Mark the spot where you are with blazes⑥ on a tree. Put them on four side of the tree, so that you will be able to see them from any direction. Then you can always find the spot from which you started. Except in an emergency, never try to travel through the jungle at night.
6
Whenever possible, it is wise to follow streams and rivers that are going in your general direction. This may cause you many extra miles of travel, but in the end it will save time and energy.
7
If a river is broad and deep and not rough, rafting⑦ is the best means of travel. Rafts can be made of bamboo which grows along the banks of many jungle streams.
8
If possible, stay away from high ridges⑧ when you are traveling through jungle country. They are often covered with rattans which have sharp thorns⑨. Even with a sharp knife, it is almost impossible to hack a path through rattans without getting completely entangled⑩ in them.
9
Mosquitoes and other insects will be with you all the time. The only defense against them is to wear the right kind of clothing. You should never wear shorts in the jungle. Your trousers must be lightweight and long. The cuffs〇11 should be tucked into your tops.
10
Finding water that is safe to drink can be a problem. Many streams and rivers carry germs that can be deadly to man. Streams found near native villages are always dangerous, even if they are clear and fresh-looking. Such water must always be boiled before you drink it.
11
Luckily, the jungle has many kinds of plants and vines that give water. Water from all plants is pure enough to drink. But stay away from vines that have bitter or milky sap.
12
Many jungle plants also provide food. Before you go into the jungle, learn to recognize the varieties of plants that can be eaten. If you haven’t had a chance to do this, watch what kinds of fruits and nuts the birds and monkeys choose. Such food is almost always safe for a man to eat.
13
When you are seeking meat, rivers and streams are the best places to hunt. You do not need to be familiar with the many different kinds of birds and animals. You can eat any of them.
14
Surviving in the jungle is a science. The jungle people have become perfect in this science, and you can, too. Learn as much as you can about what to expect in the jungle. Make sure you have the right equipment. Then no part of the jungle will seem completely unfriendly or frightening. In fact, you will be able to “live off ” it for a long time.
(699 words)
①ammunition [ˌæmjʊˑnɪʃn] n. 军火，弹药
②waterproof [ˑwɔ:təpru:f] adj. 防水的
③poncho [ˑpɒntʃəʊ] n. 雨布
④rooftop [ˑru:ftɒp] n. 屋顶
⑤steady [ˑstedɪ] adj. 稳固的，稳定的
⑥blaze [bleɪz] n. 树皮上的刻痕 vt. 在树皮上刻路标
⑦raft [rɑ:ft] n. 筏，救生艇
⑧ridge [rɪdʒ] n. 背脊，山脊
⑨ thorn [θɔ:n] n. 刺，棘，荆棘
⑩entangle [ɪnˑtæŋɡl] vt. 使缠上，纠缠，卷入
〇11 cuff [kʌf] n. 袖口，裤子翻边
I. How well did you read?
1. [Check the details] According to the passage, what is not really important for you to walk in a jungle?
A. Lightweight clothing and a good knife. B. A compass and a rifle.
C. Food and water.
2. [Understand the main idea] What is mainly discussed in paragraph 2?
A. The reason why we should have the right equipments when go into a jungle.
B. The equipment needed in the jungle.
C. The potential danger in the jungle.
3. [Note the fact] What is the best thing to do if one is lost in a jungle?
A. Walk quickly forward.
B. Mark the trees while searching.
C. Figure out directions on top of trees.
4. [Note the reason] Why is a steady, even pace wise in a jungle that is hot and wet?
A. Walking slowly will not annoy the dangerous animals.
B. Walking fast may easily make one get lost.
C. The person who sets a fast pace will soon become tired.
II. Read for words.
- Choose one best paraphrase or Chinese meaning for the underlined words.
(1) But stay away from vines that have bitter or milky sap.
A. 果实 B. 树液 C. 树叶
(2) The underlined word “entangled” in paragraph 8 probably means________.
A. trapped B. got C. hide
2. Choose one best paraphrase for the underlined expressions.
(1) Even with a sharp knife, it is almost impossible to hack a path through rattans without getting completely entangled in them.
A. make a way B. build a road C. cut down the trees
(2) In fact, you will be able to “live off” it for a long time.
A. feed on B. survive C. stay