Flying Cats 飛貓
Cats never fail to fascinate human beings. They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well. They never become submissive like dogs and horses. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence. Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives. One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives. Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.
Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries. Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings. There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from! One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth. 'Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.' a doctor said. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels. This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.

1.Cats never fail to fascinate human beings.
貓總能引起人們的極大興趣。

語言點:句子結構分析:這是一個典型的雙重否定句，never(從來不)+fail（未能）的意思是“從未失敗過”，即“成功”。

2．They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well.
它們可以對人友好，充滿柔情。但是，它們又有自己神秘的生活方式。

語言點1:friendly從結構上看是副詞，其實是形容詞，和affectionate并列作表語。As well在此旨在加強語氣，沒有實際含義。

語言點2:重要寫作短語總結:

1.lead a mysterious life 過著神秘的生活
2.lead a luxurious life 過著奢侈的生活
3.lead a miserable life 過著凄慘的生活

3.They never become submissive like dogs and horses.
它們從不像狗和馬一樣變得那么順從。

語言點1:句子結構分析:become在此作系動詞。Submissive是形容詞，作表語。Like dogs and horses作方式狀語。

語言點2:與“狗”有關的短語或者諺語總結:

1.as faithful as a dog 像狗一樣忠誠
2.You're a lucky dog! 你真是個幸運兒！
3.Every dog has its day. 人人都有幸運時。

語言點3: 與“馬”有關的短語或者諺語總結:

1.be on one's high horse 趾高氣揚
2.work like a horse 辛勤工作
3.eat like a horse 吃得很多