Before the age of mechanization, camels, horses, donkeys and other four-legged creatures made it much easier for people to travel and transport things over long distances. Horses and oxen performed a vital role in agriculture, and they continue to do so in many countries today.
机械化时代来临以前，骆驼、马、驴子和其他四只脚动物就已使人们长途旅游及载运货物容易多了。马和牛在农业方面扮演了重要的角色，至今在许多国家，它们仍继续扮演这样的角色。
In parts of Asia, elephants help in the logging and construction industries. The canary, a species of bird, has saved thousands of lives by alerting coal miners to the presence of dangerous gas; if the bird falls unconscious, it is time for the workers to get out fast! Another bird, the pigeon, was the earliest carrier of airmail.
在亚洲部分地区，大象对伐木业和建筑业提供帮助。一种名叫金丝雀的鸟在危险的沼气出现时，会警告煤矿工人，数以千计的煤矿工人得以获救。 只要煤矿工人看到金丝雀失去知觉，就是他们快速冲出矿坑的时候！另外一种鸟是鸽子，它们是最早的航空邮件信差。
Nowadays, dogs assist people in a wide variety of ways. Among other things, they guard property, herd sheep, guide the blind, help in earthquakes, mountain and water rescues, and sniff out drugs and other illegal substances for police and customs officials. We should also spare a thought for cats. From ships to railway stations and factories to farm buildings, they help to safeguard public health by catching rats and other vermin. Can you think of any other way in which working animals help people?
现在，狗也在许多方面对人类有所帮助。别的不说，它们会保卫财产、放牧羊群、引导盲人、协助地震灾区工作、山区及水上救援，以及为警方和海关人员嗅出毒品和其它非法物品。我们也要想到猫。从船只到火车站以及从工厂到农舍，猫儿会协助抓捕老鼠和其他害虫，所以能协助维护公共卫生。你能想到其他职场动物还在哪些方面帮了人类吗？
语法重点
1. 介绍 age作名词的意思及用法：
a. age 可表“年代”，与介词 in 并用，如：
in the modern age 在现代，当今
= in modern times
= in this day and age
People in the modern age（in modern times，in this day and age today） enjoy a lot more material comforts than (those) in the past.
现代人的物质享受比过去的人多很多。
注意：表“过去的时光”或“往昔”则使用 in olden times、in olden days 或 in the past，如上例；表“古代”则说 in ancient times。
b. age 也可表“年纪”，有下列重要用法：
at the age of +数字 在若干岁时
John left home to carve out his career at the age of 20（when he was 20，when he was 20 years old，when he was 20 years of age）.
约翰20岁就未来创立一番事业而离家。
What age are you?
= How old areyou?
你几岁了？
People my age(who are my age,who are as old as I am) are crazy about video games, but I'm an exception because I think playing them is just a waste of time.
跟我同年的人疯狂喜爱电子游戏，不过我却例外，因为我认为打电子游戏根本就是在浪费时间。
Son,I started to make a living on my own at your age(when I was your age,when I was as old as you are now).
儿子，我在你这个年纪的时候，已开始自谋生活了。
Mary is already 40, but she doesn't look her age(look as old as she really is).
玛丽已经 40 岁了，但她的实际年龄却看不出来。
或：Mary is already 40, but she looks young for her age.
玛丽已经 40 岁了，看起来却比实际年龄年轻。
同样地，我们也可说：
That man looks old for his age.
那个男子外表比实际年龄老。
come of age 长大成人
You are coming of age and should act your age.
你快变成大人了，因此举止就要像个大人样。
in ages 或 for ages表“有好一阵子”或“有好长一段时间”。
I haven’t seen John in ages(for ages,for a long time). How has he been?
我好久没见到约翰了。他还好吗？
2. 介绍 age作动词的意思及用法：
a. age可作不及物动词，表“老化”。
Time flies. We're aging now(We're getting old now).
光阴似箭。我们现在逐渐老了。
b. age也可变成过去分词aged，因意思不同，有两种读音：
1) aged用于下列结构：
be aged +数字 年龄有若干岁
Tim is aged 16 now.
= Tim is 16 years old(of age) now.
提姆现年 16 岁。
The little boy, (who is) aged 8, plays the piano very well.
这个小男孩才8岁，钢琴弹得很好。
2) aged只作形容词，表“年迈的”，之后需接名词。
I visit my aged grandparents once a month.
每个月我都会探视我年迈的爷爷奶奶一次。
3. 本课第一段第一句即使用age作名词，表“年代”或“时代”：
Before the age of mechanization,...
机械化时代来临以前，……
台湾与大陆地区做英语广播教学的第一人，美明尼苏达大学英语教师、大众传播硕士，从事专任口译、笔译及大众传播研究多年。著有《初级美国英语教程》、《中级美国英语教程》、《高级美国英语课程》及《赖世雄教你轻松学英语》等300余种图书，涉及成人、儿童、升学、职场、生活等各个领域。
