VOA慢速英语:New Understanding of How Plants Use Water

1.Their findings could help to engineer plants that grow better and more effectively in conditions with higher levels of carbon dioxide.

with higher levels of carbon dioxide介词短语做后置定语，修饰conditions。例如：

    the bird in the tree 树上的那只小鸟
　　the map on the wall 墙上的地图
　　the development of China 中国的发展
　　the standard of living 生活水平
　　the south side of the Changjiang river 长江南岸
　　the way to the hotel 去旅馆的路
　　the life in the future 未来的生活

2.Plants naturally take in carbon dioxide they need for photosynthesis, the process of changing light energy to chemical energy.

take in接受,接待,吸收，相当于aosorb

例句：They always take in the homeless.
      他们经常收留无家可归的人。

      The doctor asked the patient to take in a deep breath of air.
      医生让病人深吸一口气。

3.However, he says, many plants are not closing their pores in order to hold in more water.

in order to为了...，表示目的。

例句：He often strikes a pose in order to intimidate people.
      他常装腔作势借以吓人。

表示目的的其他短语:aim to,mean to,intend to,so as to,还有用作目的状语从句的so that。

4.This method might be used to help engineer food crops that are resistant to extremely dry conditions.

resistant to对...有抗力的,耐...的

例句：My watch is resistant to water.
      我的表防水。