11. People would pick up handfuls of gravel from the bottom of the streams and sort out the diamonds.
-ful通常加在名词后面,构成形容词,如care-careful,help-helpful.而本句中的handful是一个名词,意思是“一把”,在单词部分,我们已经提到过,英语中有不少这样的词,如:
1) He gave me a basketful of beaches. (他给了我满满一篮子桃子。)
2) She put a spoonful of salt in the soup. (她往汤里撒了满满一勺盐。)
3) Tom is carrying an armful of books. (汤姆抱着一捆书。)
sort out是一个常用词组,意思是“整理,分类”
bottom在句子中做名词用,意思是“底部”。bottom还有“尽头、末端”的意思
12. These diamonds were probably carried from where they were formed to India by great sheets of moving ice that covered parts of the earth 20,000 years ago.
where they were formed是where引出的名词性从句,作介词from的宾语。请看下面的句子:
He didn't say anything about where the accident took place. (他对事故在哪儿发生的只字未提。)
13. It flows over boards thickly coated with grease.
在本句中的定语从句thickly coated with greases前面省略了which/that are.coat一般做名词用,意思是“外套”或“(动物的)皮毛”。在本句中coat作动词用,意思是“在…上涂(包)着”,
14. Since diamonds stick to grease, they are left behind by the rocks and mud which flow down the tables.
Stick在本句中的意思是“粘住”。Stick to也可以表示“坚持,遵守”的意思。
leave behind在本句中的意思是“留下”,这个词组还可以表示“忘带;把…丢在后面”。例如:
1) Take care not to leave anything behind. (小心别丢下任何东西。)
2) Look forward to the bright future and leave all your worries and fears behind. (期盼光明的未来,把所有的担心和恐惧抛在身后。)
15. Experienced diamond miners can tell a diamond immediately.
句子中的tell意思为“判断;分辨;看出”。如:
I cannot tell her from her twin sister. (我无法分辨出她和她的孪生妹妹。)
Text B The Difference between Plants and Animals