The explorer 探索者

吕品

洞穴，是這个星球上的另一个世界。世界上有太多的洞中秘境等待我们去发现，这也许就是探洞的迷人之处。

难词探意

1. spark /spɑ?k/ v. 触发;引发

2. shaft /?ɑ?ft/ n. 竖井

3. install /?n?st??l/ v. 安装

4. sediment /?sed?m?nt/ n. 沉淀物;沉积物

5. drift /dr?ft/ v. 漂移

What is underneath our feet can often attract us as much as that which is in plain sight. This was certainly the case as a love of adventure led a former news reporter to follow a career of exploring and studying of caves.

Zhou Yuanjie has explored more than 40 caves， recording these expeditions through pictures and videos， which light the extraordinary beauty hidden underground. His passion for the fascinating world of caves was sparked when， in 2012， as a journalist of a local newspaper， he covered a team on a search and rescue mission to find someone who had accidentally fallen down a naturally?formed rock shaft in neighboring Yunnan Province. During the rescue process， he fell in love with cave exploration.

He learned some necessary skills before he joined professional cave exploration teams. But it took him time to find his feet. “First， you need to learn not to be a burden on the team， as well as how to install equipment and where to go in the unknown area of a cave. Safety is the most important， and every team member has to receive strict and careful training and learn to deal with the extreme environment and accidents that might occur at any time，” Zhou says. He also picked up knowledge about caves， from rock formations to the changeable underground conditions. Moreover， cave explorers also have to protect the cave they enter. No food and batteries can be left behind. Take nothing but memories. “It takes a long time for cave sediments to form， and I would rather give up a photo if taking it would undermine the existing cave structure，” Zhou says.

People like Zhou have helped offer scientific institutes locations and other clues about caves. Their cave explorations have helped raise the awareness of people about the need to protect the environment. For example， they remove trash they find during expeditions， such as plastic bags or bottles that may have drifted there from neighboring waterways and stayed in the cave.

Reading Check

1. What made Zhou fall in love with cave exploration？

A. His family background. B. His rescue experience.

C. His love of geography. D. His preference for taking photos.

2. What can we know about cave explorers from the text？

A. They should be good at reporting news.

B. They are forbidden to take food into caves.

C. They should learn something to lay down the burden.

D. They have to be trained strictly before their cave explorations.

3. Whats the meaning of the underlined word “undermine” in paragraph 3？

A. Lessen. B. Dig. C. Harm. D. Observe.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly focus on？

A. The significance of cave explorers work.

B. Other scientific studies about caves.

C. The importance of protecting the environment.

D. The disadvantages of using plastic products.

Language Study

熟词生义

His passion for the fascinating world of caves was sparked when， in 2012， as a journalist of a local newspaper， he covered a team on a search and rescue mission to find someone who had accidentally fallen down a naturally?formed rock shaft in neighboring Yunnan Province. 2012年，作为一名当地报社的记者，他报道了一支执行搜救任务的队伍，他们要找到一个意外坠落在邻近的云南省一个自然形成的岩井里的人，这激发了他对洞穴这个迷人世界的热情。

cover v. 报道

e.g. The TV program will cover all the major games of the tournament. 這档电视节目将报道这次锦标赛的所有重要赛事。