今天安安老师为大家分享大学四级英语公开课《68篇美文巧学英语四级(核心版)》系列课的第6篇《The Path of Discovery and Growth》（《探索与成长之路》） ，通过本篇短文学习41个四级英语核心单词。以下包含本篇短文的音频、正文电子档图片（中、英文对照）、本文语法精要讲解、重点单词表。
【短文音频】
【短文正文】
《The Path of Discovery and Growth》
《探索与成长之路》(第6篇-共68篇）
【本文语法精要讲解】
句子
时态
语法知识要点
句子结构
In a modern laboratory, a biochemist was hard at work.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
状语 “In a modern laboratory”，主语 “a biochemist”，谓语 “was hard at work”
His research in the field of biotechnology was on the cutting edge.
一般过去时
陈述过去的状态。
主语 “His research”，定语 “in the field of biotechnology”，谓语 “was on the cutting edge”
The biochemist had a passion for understanding the biochemical processes that occur in living organisms.
一般过去时
“had a passion for” 为固定搭配；“that occur in living organisms” 为定语从句，修饰 “biochemical processes”。
主语 “The biochemist”，谓语 “had a passion for understanding”，宾语 “the biochemical processes”，定语从句 “that occur in living organisms”（其中 “that” 为主语，“occur” 为谓语，“in living organisms” 为状语）
His work was like a blueprint for future discoveries.
一般过去时
“be like” 表示 “像……”。
主语 “His work”，谓语 “was like”，宾语 “a blueprint”，后置定语 “for future discoveries”
As he worked, he thought about the biblical stories that had inspired him since childhood.
过去进行时、过去完成时
“As he worked” 为时间状语从句，表示 “当…… 的时候”；“that had inspired him since childhood” 为定语从句，修饰 “biblical stories”，“had inspired” 为过去完成时，表示在过去某个动作之前已经发生的动作。
时间状语从句 “As he worked”（其中 “he” 为主语，“worked” 为谓语），主句主语 “he”，谓语 “thought about”，宾语 “the biblical stories”，定语从句 “that had inspired him since childhood”（其中 “that” 为主语，“had inspired” 为谓语，“him” 为宾语，“since childhood” 为时间状语）
He knew that his research could have a major impact on the biological world.
一般过去时、情态动词 + 动词原形
“knew” 为一般过去时；“could have” 表示可能性。
主语 “He”，谓语 “knew”，宾语从句 “that his research could have a major impact on the biological world”（其中 “his research” 为主语，“could have” 为谓语，“a major impact” 为宾语，“on the biological world” 为状语）
Outside the lab, a billionaire was strolling through a beautiful garden.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
状语 “Outside the lab”，主语 “a billionaire”，谓语 “was strolling through”，宾语 “a beautiful garden”
The blossoms and blooms were a sight to behold.
一般过去时
“be a sight to behold” 为固定表达，表示 “令人赏心悦目”。
主语 “The blossoms and blooms”，谓语 “were a sight to behold”
The billionaire had a bias for investing in innovative technologies.
一般过去时
“had a bias for” 为固定搭配。
主语 “The billionaire”，谓语 “had a bias for investing in”，宾语 “innovative technologies”
He believed that biotechnology could be the key to solving many of the world's problems.
一般过去时、情态动词 + 动词原形
“believed” 为一般过去时；“could be” 表示可能性。
主语 “He”，谓语 “believed”，宾语从句 “that biotechnology could be the key to solving many of the world's problems”（其中 “biotechnology” 为主语，“could be” 为谓语，“the key” 为宾语，“to solving many of the world's problems” 为后置定语）
Back in the lab, the biochemist was blending different substances to see what new compounds could be created.
过去进行时、情态动词 + 动词原形
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作；“could be created” 表示可能性。
状语 “Back in the lab”，主语 “the biochemist”，谓语 “was blending”，宾语 “different substances”，目的状语 “to see what new compounds could be created”（其中 “what new compounds could be created” 为宾语从句，“what new compounds” 为主语，“could be created” 为谓语）
Suddenly, there was a loud blast. The biochemist was startled but remained calm.
一般过去时、过去进行时
“there was” 为 there be 句型的过去式；“was startled” 为被动语态，表示 “被吓了一跳”。
“Suddenly” 为状语，“there was a loud blast” 为 there be 句型（“there” 为引导词，“was” 为谓语，“a loud blast” 为主语）；“The biochemist” 为主语，“was startled but remained calm” 为谓语（“was startled” 为被动语态，“but remained calm” 为并列谓语）
He realized that accidents were a part of the scientific process and that he had to be bold in his approach.
一般过去时
“realized” 为一般过去时；“that accidents were a part of the scientific process and that he had to be bold in his approach” 为宾语从句，由 and 连接两个并列的宾语从句。
主语 “He”，谓语 “realized”，宾语从句 “that accidents were a part of the scientific process and that he had to be bold in his approach”（其中 “that accidents were a part of the scientific process” 和 “that he had to be bold in his approach” 为并列的宾语从句，各自的结构分别为 “accidents” 为主语，“were” 为谓语，“a part of the scientific process” 为宾语；“he” 为主语，“had to be bold” 为谓语，“in his approach” 为状语）
The billionaire, hearing the blast, decided to visit the lab. He was curious about the work being done.
一般过去时、现在分词作状语、现在分词被动语态
“hearing the blast” 为现在分词作状语；“being done” 为现在分词被动语态。
“The billionaire” 为主语，“hearing the blast” 为现在分词作状语，“decided to visit the lab” 为谓语；“He” 为主语，“was curious about” 为谓语，“the work being done” 为宾语（其中 “being done” 为现在分词被动语态，修饰 “work”）
When he arrived, he was impressed by the biochemist's dedication and knowledge.
一般过去时、被动语态
“was impressed by” 为被动语态，表示 “被…… 所打动”。
时间状语从句 “When he arrived”（其中 “he” 为主语，“arrived” 为谓语），主句主语 “he”，谓语 “was impressed by”，宾语 “the biochemist's dedication and knowledge”
The biochemist explained his research and its potential benefits. The billionaire saw the opportunity for a major investment.
一般过去时
陈述过去的动作。
“The biochemist” 为主语，“explained” 为谓语，“his research and its potential benefits” 为宾语；“The billionaire” 为主语，“saw” 为谓语，“the opportunity for a major investment” 为宾语
As they talked, a blond-haired biographer was taking notes. She was writing a biographical account of the billionaire's life.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
时间状语从句 “As they talked”（其中 “they” 为主语，“talked” 为谓语），主句主语 “a blond-haired biographer”，谓语 “was taking notes”；“She” 为主语，“was writing” 为谓语，“a biographical account of the billionaire's life” 为宾语
The biographer was unbiased in her approach, seeking to tell the full story of the billionaire's journey.
一般过去时、现在分词作状语
“was unbiased” 为一般过去时；“seeking to tell the full story of the billionaire's journey” 为现在分词作状语。
主语 “The biographer”，谓语 “was unbiased”，状语 “in her approach”，现在分词作状语 “seeking to tell the full story of the billionaire's journey”（其中 “seeking” 为现在分词，“to tell the full story of the billionaire's journey” 为目的状语）
In another part of town, a young blogger was writing about the latest trends in biotechnology.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
状语 “In another part of town”，主语 “a young blogger”，谓语 “was writing about”，宾语 “the latest trends in biotechnology”
The blogger's words were like a boost to the field, spreading awareness and excitement.
一般过去时、现在分词作状语
“were like” 表示 “像……”；“spreading awareness and excitement” 为现在分词作状语。
主语 “The blogger's words”，谓语 “were like”，宾语 “a boost to the field”，现在分词作状语 “spreading awareness and excitement”（其中 “spreading” 为现在分词，“awareness and excitement” 为宾语）
At a local café people were enjoying various beverages. The atmosphere was lively and full of energy.
过去进行时、一般过去时
“were enjoying” 为过去进行时；“was lively and full of energy” 为一般过去时。
“At a local café” 为状语，“people” 为主语，“were enjoying” 为谓语，“various beverages” 为宾语；“The atmosphere” 为主语，“was lively and full of energy” 为谓语
A man with a bold blade tattoo on his arm was sipping a coffee. He seemed deep in thought.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
主语 “A man with a bold blade tattoo on his arm”（其中 “A man” 为主语，“with a bold blade tattoo on his arm” 为后置定语），谓语 “was sipping”，宾语 “a coffee”；“He” 为主语，“seemed deep in thought” 为谓语
In a factory, workers were busy operating boilers. The heat and noise were intense.
过去进行时、一般过去时
“were busy operating” 为过去进行时；“were intense” 为一般过去时。
状语 “In a factory”，主语 “workers”，谓语 “were busy operating”，宾语 “boilers”；“The heat and noise” 为主语，“were intense” 为谓语
The work was hard, but they knew it was necessary for the production process.
一般过去时
“was hard” 为一般过去时；“knew” 为一般过去时，“it was necessary for the production process” 为宾语从句。
“The work” 为主语，“was hard” 为谓语；“they” 为主语，“knew” 为谓语，宾语从句 “it was necessary for the production process”（其中 “it” 为形式主语，“was necessary” 为谓语，“for the production process” 为状语）
A woman with blonde hair was walking by. She was on her way to a meeting.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
主语 “A woman with blonde hair”（其中 “A woman” 为主语，“with blonde hair” 为后置定语），谓语 “was walking by”；“She” 为主语，“was on her way to a meeting” 为谓语
As she walked, she thought about the blessings in her life. She was grateful for her opportunities.
过去进行时、一般过去时
“As she walked” 为时间状语从句；“thought about” 为一般过去时；“was grateful for” 为一般过去时。
时间状语从句 “As she walked”（其中 “she” 为主语，“walked” 为谓语），主句主语 “she”，谓语 “thought about”，宾语 “the blessings in her life”；“She” 为主语，“was grateful for” 为谓语，“her opportunities” 为宾语
In a school, students were learning about the Bible and its historical significance.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
状语 “In a school”，主语 “students”，谓语 “were learning about”，宾语 “the Bible and its historical significance”
The lessons were a blend of knowledge and wisdom.
一般过去时
“be a blend of” 表示 “是…… 的混合”。
主语 “The lessons”，谓语 “were a blend of”，宾语 “knowledge and wisdom”
At a hospital, a doctor was examining a patient with a bodily injury.
过去进行时
表示过去某个时刻正在进行的动作。
状语 “At a hospital”，主语 “a doctor”，谓语 “was examining”，宾语 “a patient with a bodily injury”
The doctor was careful and thorough, using his skills to diagnose the problem.
一般过去时、现在分词作状语
“was careful and thorough” 为一般过去时；“using his skills to diagnose the problem” 为现在分词作状语。
主语 “The doctor”，谓语 “was careful and thorough”，现在分词作状语 “using his skills to diagnose the problem”（其中 “using” 为现在分词，“his skills” 为宾语，“to diagnose the problem” 为目的状语）
In a library, a researcher was looking for books on biochemistry. The shelves were filled with knowledge.
过去进行时、一般过去时
“was looking for” 为过去进行时；“were filled with” 为一般过去时。
状语 “In a library”，主语 “a researcher”，谓语 “was looking for”，宾语 “books on biochemistry”；“The shelves” 为主语，“were filled with” 为谓语，“knowledge” 为宾语
The researcher was eager to learn more and expand his understanding of the subject.
一般过去时
“was eager to” 为固定搭配。
主语 “The researcher”，谓语 “was eager to learn more and expand”，宾语 “his understanding of the subject”
Finally, as the sun set, the town was bathed in a golden glow. The day had been full of discoveries and growth.
一般过去时、过去完成时
“as the sun set” 为时间状语从句；“was bathed in” 为一般过去时的被动语态；“had been full of” 为过去完成时，表示在过去某个时间之前已经完成的动作。
时间状语从句 “As the sun set”（其中 “the sun” 为主语，“set” 为谓语），主句主语 “the town”，谓语 “was bathed in”，宾语 “a golden glow”；“The day” 为主语，“had been full of” 为谓语，“discoveries and growth” 为宾语
【本篇生词表及巧记法】
