1. mound
noun
- a large pile of earth or stones; a small hill 小山丘， 土丘
e.g. The castle was built on top of a natural grassy mound.
- a pile 一堆
e.g. a small mound of rice/sand
- heap 许多，大量
e.g. I've got a mound of paperwork to do.
2. debut
noun
- the first public appearance of a performer or sports player 首次亮相，初次登台
e.g. He will make his debut for the first team this week.
the band’s debut album
3. push back
- to make the time or date of a meeting, etc. later than originally planned 推迟，延迟
e.g. The start of the game was pushed back from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
4. intrigue
verb
- to make somebody very interested and want to know more about something 激起兴趣，引发好奇心
e.g. There was something about him that intrigued her.
- to secretly plan with other people to harm somebody 秘密谋划，密谋
noun
- the activity of making secret plans in order to achieve an aim, often by tricking people密谋
e.g. The young heroine steps into a web of intrigue in the academic world.
- a secret plan or relationship, especially one which involves somebody else being tricked阴谋诡计
e.g. I soon learnt about all the intrigues and scandals that went on in the little town.
intriguing : adj, very interesting;非常有趣的，引人入胜的
e.g. These discoveries raised intriguing questions.
5. swathe
noun
- a long strip of land, especially one on which the plants or crops have been cut一长条田地
e.g. The combine had cut a swathe around the edge of the field.
- a large strip or area of something 一长条，一长片
e.g. The mountains rose above a swathe of thick cloud. 云海
verb
- to wrap or cover somebody/something in something包裹，覆盖
e.g. He was lying on the hospital bed, swathed in bandages.
6. contend
verb
- to say that something is true, especially in an argument 声称，主张，认为
= maintain
e.g. I would contend that the minister's thinking is flawed on this point.
- to compete against somebody in order to gain something 竞争，争夺
e.g. Three armed groups were contending for power.
7. vent
noun
- an opening that allows air, gas or liquid to pass out of or into a room, building, container, etc.通风口，排气口
- the opening in the body of a bird, fish,reptile or other small animal, through which waste matter is passed out肛门
- a long thin opening at the bottom of the back or side of a coat or jacket 开衩，背衩
verb
- to express feelings, especially anger, strongly表达，发泄
e.g. He vented his anger on the referee.
8. spurt up
喷射，迸出
9. microbe
an extremely small living thing that you can only see under a microscope and that may cause disease 微生物，细菌
10. remnant
noun
- a part of something that is left after the other parts have been used, removed, destroyed, etc.残余部分，剩余部分
= remains
e.g. Many of the traditions are remnants of a time when most people worked on the land.
- a small piece of cloth that is left when the rest has been sold 零头，零料，布料
11. cradle
noun
- a small bed for a baby which can be pushed gently from side to side摇篮
e.g. She rocked the baby to sleep in its cradle.
- the place where something important began 发源地
e.g. Greece, the cradle of Western civilization
- a small platform that can be moved up and down the outside of a high building, used by people cleaning windows, etc.吊架，吊篮
- the part of a telephone on which the receiver rests 电话的听筒架
verb
- to hold somebody/something gently in your arms or hands 轻轻抱着
e.g.The old man cradled the tiny baby in his arms.
12. scrutiny
noun
- careful and thorough examination 仔细彻底检查
e.g. Her argument doesn't really stand up to scrutiny.
13. food chains of such ecosystem
生态系统食物链
14. crust
noun
- the hard outer surface of bread 面包皮
e.g. sandwiches with the crusts cut off
- a layer of pastry, especially on top of a pie 糕饼，酥皮
e.g. Bake until the crust is golden.
- a hard layer or surface, especially above or around something soft or liquid 硬层，硬表面
e.g.a thin crust of ice
15. one-off
adj
- made or happening only once and not regularly 一次性的，非经常的
e.g. a one-off payment.
