The unsolved mystery of what happened to our closest ancient human relatives.
For thousands of years, humans lived side by sidewith our distant cousins, Neanderthals. Like humans, they were intelligentbeings who walked on two legs. They hunted animals, used tools, and possibly had their own language. Then, they seemed to have suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth.
Neanderthals are named after the Neander Valley in Germany. This is where the first Neanderthalremainswere discovered in 1856. Neanderthals and humans were similar in appearance, except their large, strong bodies were better adapted tocold temperatures.By comparison,Neanderthals weighed more and had more powerful arms and legs. They also had wide faces, thick eyebrows, and larger noses. Neanderthals were later nicknamed “cavemen,” as they lived in caves to survive the Ice Age. Although many cartoons describe cavemen as stupid, their brains were actually a bit larger than humans’.
Scientists also discovered that some humans carry a small amount of Neanderthal DNA. This suggests Neanderthals and humans interactedwith one another and even formed romantic relationships. According to studies, Neanderthals lived on the Earth for over 300,000 years. Then, about 40,000 years ago, they seemed to have met a sudden and perhaps violent end.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
intelligent
[ɪnˋtɛlədʒənt]
a. 聰明的
=
bright
=
clever
Lisa is intelligent and hardworking, which is why all her teachers like her.
莉莎既聰明又用功，難怪她的老師們都喜歡她。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
●
disappear
[͵dɪsəˋpɪr]
vi. 消失
=
vanish
The necklace seemed to have magically disappeared from the safe.
那條項鍊似乎神奇地從保險箱中消失了。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
appearance
[əˋpɪrəns]
n. 出現，露面；外表
The thieves were surprised by the appearance of the police.
警方的出現讓那些小偷嚇了一跳。
I’m quite tired, but I’ll make an appearance at the party.
我很累，但我會去派對露面一下。
The two women looked very much alike in appearance.
這 2 名女子在外貌上非常相像。
高中 Level 2
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nickname
[ˋnɪk͵nem]
vt. 取綽號
n. 綽號
Every student in my class has a nickname.
我班上的每位學生都有一個綽號。
Hank Aaron was nicknamed“Hammer”because of his hitting power.
漢克．阿倫由於他打擊的爆發力，被人們取了『榔頭』的綽號。
高中 Level 3
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cave
[kev]
n. 山洞
The cave was dark and scary.
這個山洞既黑且嚇人。
高中 Level 3
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scientist
[ˋsaɪəntɪst]
n. 科學家
The boy wants to be a scientist when he grows up.
這名小男孩長大後要當科學家。
高中 Level 3
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violent
[ˋvaɪələnt]
a. 粗暴的
=
brutal
=
cruel
Beethoven’s father was a violent and dangerous man.
貝多芬的父親是一個粗暴而又危險的人。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
Neanderthal
[nɪˋændɚ͵tɑl]
n. & a. 尼安德塔人（的）
●
mystery
[ˋmɪstərɪ]
n. 神祕，神祕難解的事物
=
riddle
The reasons behind Dr. Todd’s murder have remained a mystery for many years.
陶德醫師命案的犯罪動機多年來一直成謎。
高中 Level 3
●
ancient
[ˋenʃənt]
adj. 古代的
The custom is derived from an ancient story.
這習俗源自於古代的一個故事。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
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remains
[rɪˋmenz]
n. 遺跡（恆用複數）
The remains are the most famous tourist attraction in the country.
這些遺跡是該國境內最有名的旅遊景點。
高中 Level 3
●
adapt
[əˋdæpt]
.vt. & vi. （使）適應（與介詞 to 並用）、改編
It’s hard for me to adapt myself to city life.
我很不適應都市生活。
It’s hard for me to get accustomed to city life.
我很不適應都市生活。
It’s hard for me to adjust to city life.
我很不適應都市生活。
It took the new employee about a month to adapt to the new environment.
這名新進員工花了一個月左右的時間去適應新環境。
The blockbuster movie was adapted from an original novel.
這部賣座鉅片改編自一本原創小說。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
caveman
[ˋkev͵mæn]
n. 穴居人
●
interact
[͵ɪntəˋrækt]
vi. 互動
Tom interacts well with other kids at school.
湯姆在學校和其他的小朋友互動良好。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
Practical Phrases
●
by / in comparison
相較之下
Betty is outgoing. By comparison, her sister Linda seems a bit shy.
貝蒂很外向。相較之下，她妹妹琳達似乎有點害羞。
