Complex life on Earth may be much older than thought
地球上复杂生命的出现时间或比我们所知的更早
一组科学家说，他们发现了新的证据来支持他们认为复杂生命在地球上出现的时间或许比之前认为的要早 15 亿年的理论。
This theory is a big departure from conventional thinking. Most experts agree that animal life emerged 635 million years ago. But this team say they detected an explosion of the nutrients needed for life, including oxygen and phosphorus, 2.1 billion years ago.
这个理论和传统认知有很大的不同。大多数专家普遍认为动物生命最早于 6.35 亿年前出现在地球上。但这个科研团队表示，他们发现生命所需的营养物质在 21 亿年前激增，包括氧气和磷。
They believe two continental plates collided and caused underwater volcanic activity. This made an environment that could support life similar to slime mould, a brainless organism that reproduces with spores. But not all scientists agree with the theory, and some say more evidence is needed.
这些科学家们认为两个大陆板块碰撞并引起了水下火山活动。这创造了一个可以支持像黏菌这类由孢子繁殖的无脑生物的进化环境。但并非所有科学家都认同这个理论，有些专家表示这个理论还需要更多的证据来支持。
词汇表
big departure 很大的不同，严重的偏离
conventional 传统的，常规的
detected 发现了
phosphorus 磷
continental plates 大陆板块
collided 碰撞
support life 支持生命
slime mould 黏菌
brainless 无脑的
organism 生物体，有机体
spores 孢子
阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。
1. True or False. This theory supports conventional thinking.
2. When do the group of scientists think the explosion of nutrients happened?
3. What do these scientists think made underwater volcanic activity happen?
4. How does slime mould reproduce?
答案
1. True or False. This theory supports conventional thinking.
False. This theory is described as a big departure from conventional thinking.
2. When do the group of scientists think the explosion of nutrients happened?
The group of scientists believe that there was an explosion of nutrients 2.1 billion years ago.
3. What do these scientists think made underwater volcanic activity happen?
This group of scientists believes that two continental plates collided, causing underwater volcanic activity.
4. How does slime mould reproduce?
Slime mould reproduces with spores.
