college english text

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

CET4-10 WHY PEOPLE WORK

     Unit Ten

      Text

                   Do you view work as a  burden or an  opportunity?
         Are you the kind of person who  looks  for ways  to save
         yrncr energy or the kind that finds spending your ener-
         gy satisfying? Why  do people like  to  complain about
         work? Find the answers to  questions like  these in the
         following essay.

                         WHY PEOPLE WORK

Leonard R. Sayles
Jobs and work do much more than most of us realize to provide happi-
ness and contentxnent. We're all used to thinking that work provides the
material things of life -- the goods and services that make possible our
modern civilization. But we are much less conscious of the extent to which
5 work provides the more intangible, but more crucial, psychological well--
being that can make the difference between a full and an empty life .
Historically, work has been associated with slavery and sin and punish-
ment. And in our own day we are used to hearing the traditional complaints:
"I can't wait for my vacation," "I wish I could stay home today," "My boss
10 treats me poorly," "I've got too much work to do and not enough time to do
it." Against this background, it may well come as a surprise to learn that
not only psychologists but other behavioral scientists have come to accept
the positive contribution of work to the individual's happiness and sense
of personal achievement. Work is more than a necessity for most human
15 beings; it is the focus of their lives, the source of their identity and
creativity.
Rather than a punishment or a burden, work is the opportunity to reali-
ze one's potential. Many psychiatrists heading mental health clinics have
observed its healing effect. A good many patients who feel depressed in
20 clinics gain renewed self-confidence when gainfully employed and lose some,
if not all; of their most acute symptoms. Increasingly, institutions dealing
with mental health problems are establishing workshops wherein those too
sick to get a job in "outside" industry can work, while every effort is
exerted to arrange "real" jobs for those well enough to work outside.
25 And the reverse is true, too. For large numbers of people, the absence
of work is harmful to their health. Retirement often brings many problems
surrounding the "What do I do with myself?" question, even though there
may be no financial cares: Large numbers of people regularly get headaches
and other illnesses on weekends when they don't have their jobs to go to,
30 and must fend far themselves. It has been observed that unemployment, quite
aside from exerting financial pressures, brings enormous psychological
troubles and that many individuals deteriorate rapidly when jobless.
But why? Why should work be such a significant source of human satis-
faction? A good share of the answer rests in the kind of pride that is
35 stimulated by the job, by the activity of accomplishing.

Pride in Accomplishment
The human being longs for a sense of being accomplished, of:being able
to do things, with his hand, with his mind, with his will. Each of us wants
40 to feel he or she has the ability to do something that is meaningful and
that serves as a tribute to our inherent abilities.
It is easiest to see this in the craftsman who lovingly shapes some
cheap material into an object that may be either useful or beautiful or
both. You can see the carpenter or bricklayer stand aside and admire the
45 product of his personal skill.
But even where there is no obvious end product that is solely attribu-
table to one person's skill, researchers have found that employees find
pride in accomplishment. Our own research in hospitals suggests that even
the houskeeping and laundry staffs take pride in the fact that in their
50 own ways they are helping to cure sick people -- and thus accomplishing a
good deal.
We're often misled by the complaints surrounding difficult work; deep
down most people regard their own capacity to conquer the tough job as the
mark of their own unique personality. Complaining is just part of working.
55 After all, how else do you know who you are, except as you can demonstrate
the ability of your mind to control you limbs and hands and words? You
are, in significant measure, what you can do.
Some are deceived into thinking that people like to store up energy, to
rest and save themselves as much as possible. Just the opposite. It is
60 energy expenditure that is satisfying.
Just watch an employee who must deal with countless other people be-
cause his or her job is at some central point in a communications network:
a salesman at a busy counter,a stock broker on the phone,a customer repre-
sentative. They will tell you how much skill and experience it takes to an-
65 swer countless questions and handle various kinds of personalities every
hour of the day. Not everyone can interact with such persistence and over
long hours, but those who do, pride themselves on a distinctive ability
that contributes mightily to the runnlng of the organization.
But work is more than accomplishment and pride in being able to com-
70 mand the job, because except for a few craftsmen and artists most work
takes place "out in the world, " with and through other people.

      Esprit de corps
           Perhaps an example will make the point :
75        I  remember  viewing  a  half  dozen  men  in  a  chair  factory whose job it
     was  to   bend  several  pieces  of   steel  and  attach  them  so  that  a  foiding
     chair  would  result.  While  there  were  ten  or  twelve  of  these  "teams" that
     worked  together,  one  in  particular  was  known  for its perfect coordination
     and lightning-like efforts. The men knew they were good. They would work in
80  spurts  for  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  before  taking  a  break - to show them-
     selves,  bystanders  and  other  groups what it  was to  be superbly skilled and
     self-controlled, to be the best in 'the factory.
         When  I  talked  with  them, each expressed enormous pride in being a part
     of  the  fastest,  best  team:  And  this  sense of belonging to an accomplished
85  work group is one of the distinctive satisfactions of the world of work.
         One  further  word   about  work  group  satisfactions.  Unlike  many  other
     aspects  of  life,  relationships among people at work tend  to  be simpler; less
     complicated,  somewhat  less  emotional.  This  is  not to say there aren't argu
90  ments  aiid  jealousies, but,  on  the  whole,  behavioral research discloses that
     human  relations  at  work  are just easier,  perhaps because they are more reg-
     ular  and  predictable  and  thus  simpler  to  adjust  to  than  the  sporadic; the
     more  intense  and  less  regular  relationships in the community. And the work
     group  also  gently  pressures  its  members to learn how to adjust to one ano-
95   ther  so  that  the  "rough edges"  are  worked  off  because people know they
     must do certain things with and through one another each day.
         Beyond  the  team  and  the work  group,  there is the organization, whether
     it  be  company  or  hospital  or  university.  The  same pride in being ' part of
     a  well-coordinated,  successful  unit  is  derived  from  being  part  of a larger
100 collectivity. Working  for  a  company  that  is  thought  of  as  being  one  of
     the  best  in  the  comrnunity  can  provide  employees  with  both  status  and
     selfconfidence. They  assume,  usually  with  good  reason,  that others regard
     them  more  highly,  even  envy  them, and  that they  are more competent than
     the average  because of  this association  with a "winner," a  prestigious
105 institution.   We   in   truth   bask   in   the  reflected  glory  of  the  institution,
     and  we  seek ways of asserting our membership  so that others will know and
     can recognize our good fortune.

New Words

contentment / n. happiness; satisfaction 满足
civilization / n. 文明
intangible / a. that can not be touched or grasped 触摸
不到的
crucial / a. decisive; critical 决定性的,关键的
pschological / a. of the soul or mind 心理的
historically / ad. in the course of history, u accordance
with or iri respect to history
associate / vt. connect or bring together in one's
mind 联想
slavery / n. the system of having slaves; the condi-
tion of being a slave 奴隶制度; 奴隶
身份
sin / n. behavior that is against the principles
of morality; an immoral act 罪孽
punishment / n. punishing or being punished 惩罚
complaitit / n. complaining; a statement expressing
unhappiness,pain,dissatisfaction 抱怨
behavioral /a. of or having to do with behavior 行为的
contribution / n. act of contributing; sth. contributed
necessity / n. sth. that is necessary;the condition of
being necessary,needed or unavoidable
必需品; 必要性
focus / n. the central point; centre of interest
焦点
creafivity / n. the ability to produce new and orignal
ideas and things;inventiveness 创造性
clinic / n. building or part of a hospital where
doctors give specialized medical
treatment and advice; a medical ins-
titution for special purposes 诊所
heal / v. (cause to)become healthy 治愈,愈合,痊愈
depressed / a. sad;low in spirits精神抑郁的,情绪居丧的
depress / vt. make sad, low in spirits
renew / vt. reestablish give new life and freshness
to 使更性
gainfully / ad. profitably
acute / a. severe; strong 严重的, 急性的
symptom / a. a change in the body's condition that
indicates illness 症状
institution / n. a society, club, college or any organi-
zation established for some public or
social purpose 公共机构
workshop / n. a room or building which contains tools
or machinery for making or repairing
things 车间;广场
wherein / conj. in which
exert / vt. use (strength, skill, etc.) 尽力
reverse / n. the opposite; the other way round, the
back 相反,背面
absence / n. non-existence; lack
harmful / a. causing or likely to cause harm
retirement / n. instance of retiring or being retired;
condition of being retired 退休
flnancial / a. relating to money 财政的; 金融的
weekend / n. Saturday and Sunday,esp.when considered
as a holiday from work
fend / vi provide (for) 供养; 照料
unemployment / n. the state of being unemployed
significant / a. of noticeable importance or effect 重大的
significance n.
satisfaction / n. the state of being satisfied 满足
satisfactory / a.
accomplished / a. skilled, expert 有才艺的; 有造诣的
tribute / n. material evidence of one's worth,
virtue, etc.
inherent / a. existing as a natural and permanent:
part or quality of 内在的, 生来的
craftsman / n. a highiy skilled workman 手艺人,(名)工
匠
bricklayer / n. a workman who builds with bricks
attributable / a. that can be attributed 可归因于…的
attribute / vt. 把…归因为
housekeeping / n. management of a home and its affairs
家政
staff / n. the group of workers who carry on a job
(全体)员工
capacity / n. ability, power; the amount that sth.can
hold or produce 能力; 容量
tough / a. difficult to do or deal with 艰巨的
unique / a. being the only one of its type 独特的
litnb / n. the leg, arm,or wing of an animal 肢,翼
opposite / n. a person or thing that is entirely
different from another 对立面, 对立物
countless / a. very many; too many to be counted
broker / n. person who buys and sells for others 经
纪人, 掮客
stock broker / n. a person who buys and sells stocks and
bonds for others for a commission 证
券经纪人
representative / n. a person acting in place of one or more
others 代表
interact / vi. act on each other 相互作用
persistence / n. the act or fact of keeping on doing sth.
in spite of difficulty or opposition
坚持
persist / vi.
distinctive / a. clearly marking a person or thing as di-
from others 特殊的;与众不同的
mightily / ad. with power and strength; greatly
esprit de corps / n. (French) spirit of loyalty and devotion
which unites the members of a group
or society 团体精神，集体荣誉感
coordination / n. harmonious adjustment or working together
协调
coordinate / vt.
lightning 闪电
bystander / n. a person standing near but not taking
part in an event or activity;onlooker
旁观者
superbly / ad. magnificently; first class
aspect / n. one side or view of a subject 方面
relationship / n. a friendship between people; connection
关系
disclose / vt. make known; show by uncovering 揭示
sporadic / a. occurring now and then; occasional 零星发生的 偶尔的
collectivity / n. people collectively, especially as
forming a community or state 集体
collective / a.
status / n. (high) social or professional position
地位, 身份
envy / vt. feel admiration or ill-will toward(sb.)
because he has the good fortune one
wishes to have 羡慕；妒忌
winner / n. one that wins or seems destined to win
or be successful
prestigious / a. having respect that results from the
good reputation (of a person, nation,
etc. ) 有声望的
bssk / vi. sit or lie in enjoyable warmth and
light (舒适地)取暖, 享受
reflect / vt. throw beck (light, heat,sound or image)
反射; 反映
assert / vt. demonstrate the existence of ; declare
forcefully 宣称, 断言
membership / n. the state of being a member, of a club,
society, etc. ; all the members of a
club, society, etc.

                                    Phrases & Expressions

     associate with               connect with ( often mentally)把…与…联系在一起
  rather than                     instead of
    fend for oneself             look after oneself 照料自己; 自行谋生
  aside from                     besides, apart from 除了…以外
  long for                        desire (to have) sth. strongly 渴望
  take pride in                  feel pleased and happy because of 为…而感到得意
  store up                  put away for future use 储存, 储备
  pride oneself on             regard as a special reason for pride or
                                        satisfaction 以…自豪
  make the/one'S point      prove that sth. is true 证明一个论点
  in particular                    especially
    at work                          busy at a job; doing work
    on the whole                  considering everything; in general 
    work off                  get rid of, dispose 除去, 清除

[大学英语精读] [上一课]

CET4-09 JOURNEY WEST

Unit Nine sound.gif (2200 字节)

Text

In 1976, during America's bicetennial celebra-
tion, a family decided to travel to the American West
instead of jaining the majority of people that were cele-
brating on the East Coast. They wanted to follozer the
trails that the pioneers had made when they began to
settle the West. The family was looking forward to
making their owm discoveries.

JOURNEY WEST

Jim Doherty
We began our trip out West on June 19, 1976, a time when millions of
other American families were preparing to crowd into the Bicentennial
shrines of the East. We sized up America's 200th birthday celebration a bit
differently. Although the Republic may have been born in the East, it had
5 spent most of its time and energies since then moving west. So we resolved
to head in the same direction in 1976, following the old pioneer trails and
the famous rivers.Concentrating primarily on Wyoming and Montana,we would
explore such legendary mountain ranges as the Big Horns, the Bitterroots
and the Swan.
10 There was one problem though. I was sure our four kids -- educated
about the West through the movies -- would be disappointed. As an envi-
ronmental editor, I knew that strip mining was tearing up many scenic areas
and that clear-cutting was causing widespread damage in the mountains. I
was well aware that draining and damming were making a mess of many rivers
15 and wetlands. The grasslands were overgrazed and coal-burning power plants
were befouling the air. Wildlife was on the run everywhere and tourists
were turning the national parks into slums.
I was prepared for the worst. But how to prepare the kids?
The answer, we decided, was to undertake our journey not just as
20 tourists on a holiday, but as reporters on the trail of "the real West."
So all of us, from my kids to my wife, pledged to do our homework before we
left and to record on the way everything we did,saw,heard,felt or thought.
Predictably, we did not uncover any new truths about the West in three
short weeks. But there were plenty of surprises on that 5, 200-mile journey
25 and the biggest one was this: I had been wrong. Some of the troubles we
saw were every bit as bad as I had dreaded. But by and large, the country
was as glorious, as vast and as overwhelmingly spectacular as those
know-nothing kids had expected !
Half the fun of. going west is discovering, along the way, how much
30 the past is still with us. Old wives' tales. Little old farm towns shaded
from the summer heat by enarmous maple trees on streets. White-haired folks
reading the paper on their farmhouse porches at sunset. Worn-out windmills
standing alone in pastures... All in all, we did not see much evidence that
small-town America is vanishing as we traveled through rural Wisconsin,
35 Minnesota arid South Dakota. It's true that many new homes are rising in
many old cornfields. But for the most part, life in vast areas of the Ameri-
can heartland remains pretty much the same as it was 30 and 40 years ago.
In the hilly farmlands of southern Wisconsin and Minnesota, we found
the fields and forests green and the creeks still flowing. The farnis, with
40 their "eggs for sale" signs and enormous "grandma's gardens" in the front
yards, looked prosperous and secure. Not much further north, though, a
drought was threatening the land.
In South Dakota, the situation was far worse. "Haven't seen anything
like this since the dirty thirties," one farmer told us. Even in normal
45 times, most of South Dakota is dry. Now it was being burned to a crisp. The
water holes were dried up and we saw dead cattle lying here and there on
the treeless, rolling range. Some farmers were hauling water out to their
thirsty stock daily; others were trying to drill deep wells.
We saw two distinctly different Wyomings. We crossed the first Wyoming
50 between the Black Hills and the Big Horns. Wide-open grassland, fenced and
colorless, with red rocks and sweet-smelling shrubs scattered about, it was
typical of a hard-used land. Cattle grazed on it. Oil rigs pumped on it and
power lines zigzagged all over it. Freight trains labored across it, hauling
coal from strip mine to power plant, hauling uranium and other minerals to
55 refineries. This Wyoming, clearly, was booming.
The other Wyoming started some miles east of Buffalo, an unexpectedly-
graceful community in the foothills of the Big Horns. On one side of town,
antelope abounded by fours and fives in the hills, and yellow wild flowers
lined the roads. On the other side rose the Big Horns and nearly 10, 000
60 feet up, Powder River Pass cut through them.
The Big Horn canyons were incredible, with four and five distinct lay-
ers of pine trees somehow clinging to the steep, rocky walls. Far, far be-
low, Ten Sleep Creek was a thin, white torrent on the rampage. In some of
the less wild terrain, we saw deer on the high green hillsides and, as we
65 climbed up toward our picnic spot, we flushed two does and two fawns. That
night, we fell asleep with the roar of Ten Sleep in our ears.
We had picked by chance for our stopping place an area rich in western
lore. At one time, Ten Sleep -- a small village at the western base of the
Big Horns -- lay midway between two great Indian camps. in those days, the
70 Indians measured distances by the number of sleeps and the halfway mark
between those two camps was exactly ten sleeps.
We crossed the Continental Divide for the first time on a cool morning,
cutting through the Rockies in northwestern Wyoming at a place called
Togwatee Pass (at a height of 9, 656 feet) . Our van had just leveled off
75 and we were rounding a downhill bend when, all at once, there they were,
stretched out before us in a spectacular procession of massive white peaks:
the Tetons. My wife gasped and, behind us, the kids began to yell.In truth,
it was a startling sight -- a sight none of us will ever forget.
We had seen mountains before, but we had never experienced anything
even remotely like that initial impact of the Tetons. It was exactly what
80 we had in mind when we decided to take our first trip "out West. "

　

New Words

bicentennial / a. happening once in 200 years; of a 200th
anniversary
n. 200th anniversary
shrine / n. a building or place associated with sth.
or sb. deeply respected 神殿, 圣地
resolve / vt. make up one's mind (to do sth.) ; decide
决心; 决定
trail / n. a path across rough country made by the
passing of people or animals 小径,小道
legendary / a. of,like or told in a legend 传奇(似)的
mountain range a row of connected mountains 山脉
disappointed / a. sad at not getting what was hoped for 失
望的
environmental / a. having to do with environment 环境的
environment / n.
editor / n. 编辑
strip mine / n. a mine which is operated from the surface
by removing the overlying layers of
earth 露天矿
vt. take(a mineral or ore) from a strip mine
露天开采（矿物）
scenic / a. of or having to do with natural scenery
天然风景的
clear-cut / vt. cut all the trees in ( a given area or
forest) 将…的树木砍伐光
drain / vt. carry away the surface water of 排(水等)
dam / n. a wall or bank built to keep back water
坝 , 水闸
vt. build a dam across
mess /mes/ n. state of confusion, dirt or disorder 混
乱，肮脏
wetland / n. land or areas containing much soil
moisture; swamp 沼泽地
grassland / n. land rovered with grass, esp. wild open
land for cattTe to feed on 草地; 牧场
overgraze / vt. allow animals to graze to the point of
damaging the grass cover 在…上过度放牧
power plant 发电厂
befoul / vt. make dirty 弄脏
wildlife / n. animals and plants which live and grow
in natural conditions 野生动植物
tourist / n. a person making a tour for pleasure 游客
slum / n. (often ph) street,alley,or building in a
crowded, run-down,dirty part of a city
or town, where the poorest people live
贫民窟
undertake / vt. take up (a duty, etc. ); start on (work)
承担; 从事
pledge / vt. make a solemn promise or agreement 发誓，
保证
predictably / ad. as one may predict
uncover / vt. remove a cover from; f ind out, discover
揭开…盖子；发现
know-nothing / a. ignorant
n. ignoramus
shade / vt. shelter from direct light or heat 萌蔽
maple / n. 槭树, 枫树
folk (AmE folks) / n. people
worn-out / a. used until no longer fit for use; very
tired 破旧的; 精疲力尽的
windmill / n. a mill operated by the action of the
wind on sails which revolve 风车
pasture / n. grassland for cattle; grass on such land
牧场; 牧草
rural / a. of or relating to the country, country
people or life, or agriculture 农村的
cornfield / n (AmE)玉米田;(BrE)小麦田,谷物田
heartland / n. any area or region that is the center of,
or vital to,a oountry 心脏地带,中心地带
hilly / a. full of hills
grandma / n. ( informal ) grandmother
secure / a. safe; having no doubt, fear, or anxiety
安全的
drought / n. a long period of dry weather, when there
is not enough water 干旱
crisp / a. dry; hard; easily broken 脆的; 易碎的
n. something crisp
rolling / a. rising and falling in long gentle slopes
绵延起伏的
haul / vt. pull or drag with force 拖曳
stock / n. farm animals, usu. cattle 牲畜
distinctly / ad. clearly
graze / v. feed on growing grass ( in) 吃(…的)草
rig / n. 钻塔
pump / vt. force (water, etc. ) out by using a pump
n. 泵
zigzag / vi. go in a zigzag 弯弯曲曲地行走, 蜿蜒曲折
n. a line shaped like a row of z's
freight /freit/ n. the goods carried from place to place by
water or by land 货物
freight train n. (AmE) goods train
uranium / n.
refinery / n. a building and apparatus for refining
sth.(metals,oil,or sugar)精炼厂,提炼厂
boom / vi. grow rapidly; develop rapidly in popula-
tiori and importance 迅速发展, 兴盛
graceful / a. (of shape or movement) pleasing to the
eye 优雅的
grace / n.
foothill / n. a low hill at the foot of a mountain 山
麓小丘
antelope / n. a deer-like, fast-running animal with
thin legs 羚羊
abound / vi. have or exist in great numbers or quan-
tities (物产)丰富
canyon / n. a deep narrow steep-sided valley ( usu.
with a river flowing through) 峡谷
distinct / a. easily seen, heard,understood; plain;
clearly different or separate 明显的;
不同的
pine / n. 松树; 松木
cling / (clung / ) vi. hold tightly; remain close 紧握着;粘着
steep / a. rising or falling sharply or at a large
angle 陡峭的
torrent / n. a violently rushing stream of water 激流
rampage / n. excited and violent behavior 横冲直撞,
狂暴行径
tetTain / n. a stretch of land, esp. when considered
in relation to its nature 地带,地形
hillsfde / n. the sloping side of a hill 山腰
picnic / n. 野餐
roar / n. a deep loud sound as of a lion, or
thunder, etc. 吼叫，轰鸣
western / a. of, in，from, characteristic of the west
lore / n. tradition and knowlege, esp. handed down
from past times (口头)传说
midway / a. & ad. in a middle position
halfway / a. & ad. at the midpoint between two things
continental / a. (typical) of a very large mass of land;
(AmE) of or in the North American
continent 大陆(性)的; 北美大陆的
van / n. a covered motor-vehicle for carrying
goods and sometimes people 客货两用车
level / v. bring or eome into a horizontal plane
downhill / a. (sloping or going) towards the bottom of
a hill
stretch / v. (cause to) become wider or longer;spread
out 伸延
procession / n. a line of people, vehicles, etc. moving
forward in an orderly way 行列, 队伍
massive / a. large,heavy and solid;huge 粗大的,巨大的
gasp / v. struggle for breath with open mouth,esp.
because of surprise, shock, etc. 喘息
n. catching of the breath through surprise,
pain, etc.
yell / v. make a loud sharp cry or shout, as of
pain, excitement, etc. ; say or shout
loudly
remotely / ad. to a very sxnall degree; far away 很少地;
极小地; 遥远地
remote / a.
initial / a. occurring at the beginning; first 最初的,
开始的
impact / n. a strong effect; the striking of one
thing against another 影响; 冲击

Phrases & Expressions

size up form an opinion or judgment about 估计; 品评
a bit to some degree; rather 有点儿, 相当
tear up destroy completely by tearing 撕毁, 毁掉
make a mess of disorder, spoil or ruin 把…弄脏 ; 把…弄糟
on the run running or hurrying from place to place; in
flight 奔跑着;奔逃着
do one's homework make necessary preparations before taking
part in an important activity 作必要的准备
by and large on the whole; in general
all in al ( informal ) on the whole
here and there seattered about; in various places 零星分散,
在各处
burn to a crisp burn black or dry 烤焦
cut throu 穿过, 穿透
cling to keep a firm hold on 紧紧抓住
be/go on the/a rampage go about in an excitad,mad and violent manner
横冲直撞
by chance unintentionally ; by accident 偶然地; 意外地
at one time formerly 从前, 曾经
level off/out move horizontally (af ter climbing) ; remain
steady (after a rise) (爬高后)水平移动 ;
(上升后)达到平稳
stretch out extend; prolong 延伸 ,延续
in truth truly; really 的确
have in mind be considering, intend 考虑, 打算

　

Proper Names

　

Wyoming 怀俄明(美国州名)
Montana 蒙大拿(美国州名)
the Big Horns 大霍恩山脉(美国山名)
the Bitterroots 比特鲁特山脉(美国山名)
the Swan 斯旺山(美国山名)
Wisconsin 威斯康星(美国州名)
South Dakota 南达科他(美国州名)
the Black Hills 布莱克山(美国山名)
Buffalo 布法罗(美国城市名)
Powder River 波德河(美国河流名)
Ten Sleep Creek 十眠河(美国河流名)
the Rockies 洛矶山脉(美国山名)
Togwatee Pass 托格瓦堤关(美国地名)
the Tetons 提腾山脉(美国山名)

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CET4-08 THE NEW CAVES

Unit Eight sound.gif (2200 字节)

Text

Would y0u choose to live underground if ynu
could gain many advantages from doing so? Weather
would no longer trouble you. Temperature would re-
main the same all the year round. Artificial lighting
could make the rhythm of our life uniform every-
where. And the ecology of the natural world above
ground would be greatly improved. Still, the prospect
of moving underground may not be appealing to many
people.

THE NEW CAVES

Isaac Asimov
During the ice ages, human beings exposed to the colder temperatures
of the time would often make their homes in caves. There they found
greater comfort and security than they would have in the open.
We still live in caves called houses, again for comfort and security.
5 Virtually no one would willingly sleep on the ground under the stars. Is it
possible that someday we may seek to add further to our comfort and securi-
ty by building our houses underground -- in new, manmade caves?
It may not seem a palatable suggestion, at first thought. We have so
many evil associations with the underground. In our myths and legends,
10 the underground is the realm of evil spirits and of the dead, and is often
the location of an afterlife of torment. (This may be because dead bodies
are buried underground,and because volcanic eruptions make the underground
appear to be a hellish place of fire and noxious gases. )
Yet there are advantages to underground life, too, and something to
15 be said for imagining whole cities, even mankind generally, moving downward;
of having the outermost mile of the Earth's crust honeycombed with
passages and structures, like a gigantic ant hill.
First, weather would no longer be important, since it is primarily a
phenomenon of the atmosphere. Rain, snow, sleet, fog would not trouble
20 the underground world. Even temperature variations are limited to the open
surface and would not exist underground. Whether day or night, summer
or winter, temperatures in the underground. world would remain equable
and nearly constant. The vast amounts of energy now expended in warming
our surface surroundings when they are too cold, and cooling them when
25 they are too warm, could be saved. The damage done to manmade structures
and to human beings by weather would be gone. Transportation over local
distances would be simplified. (Earthquakes would remain a danger, of
course. )
Second, local time would no longer be important. On the surface, the
30 tyranny of day and night cannot be avoided, and when it is morning in one
place, it is noon in another, evening in still another and midnight in yet
another. The rhythm of human life therefore varies from place to place. Un-
derground, where there is no externally produced day, but only perpetual
darkness, it would be arificial lighting that produces the day and this
35 could be adjusted to suit man's convenience.
The whole world could be on eight--hour shifts, starting and ending on
the stroke everywhere, at least as far as business and community endeavors
were concerned. This could be important in a freely mobile world. Air
transportation over long distances would no longer have to entail "jet lag."
40 Individuals landing on another coast or another continent would find the
society they reached geared to the same time of day as at home.
Third, the ecological structure could be stabilized. To a certain ex-
tent, mankind encumbers the Earth. It is not only his enormous nurnbers
that take up room; more so, it is all the structures he builds to house him-
45 self and his machines, to make possible his transportation and communica-
tion, to offer him rest and recreation. All these things distort the wild,
depriving many species of plants and animals of their natural habitat--and
sometimes, involuntarily, favoring a few, such as rats and roaches.
If the works of man were removed below ground -- and, mind you,
50 below the level of the natural world of the burrowing animals -- man would
still occupy the surface with his farms, his forestry, his observation
towers, his air terminals and so on, but the extent of that occupation would
be enormously decreased. Indeed, as one imagines the underground world to
become increasingly elaborate, one can visualize much of the food supply
55 eventually deriving from hydroponic growth in artificially illuminated
areas underground. The Earth's surface might be increasingly turned over
to park and to wilderness, maintained at ecological stability.
Fourth, nature would be closer. It might seem that to withdraw un-
derground is to withdraw from the natural world, but would that be so?
60 Would the withdrawal be more complete than it is now, when so many people
work in city buildings that are often windowless and artificially condi-
tioned? Even where there are windows, what is the prospect one views ( if
one bothers to) but sun, sky, and buildings to the horizon -- plus some
limited greenery?
65 And to get away from the city now? To reach the real countryside? One
must travel horizontally for miles, first across city pavements and then
across suburban sprawls.
In an underworld culture, the countryside would be right there, a few
hundred yards above the upper level of the cities -- wherever you are. The
70 surface would have to be protected from too frequent, or too intense, or too
careless visiting, but however carefully restricted the upward trips might
be, the chances are that the dwellers of . the new caves would see more
greenery, under ecologically healthier conditions, than dwellers of surface
cities do today.
75 However odd and repulsive underground living may seem at first thought,
there are things to be said for it - and I haven't even said them all.

New Words

virtually / ad. almost at
someday / ad. some uncertain future time
underground / a. below the surface of the earth;secret 地下的,
秘密的
ad. under the earth's surface; secretly
manmade / a. produced by people; not existing in nature
palatable / a. agreeable to the taste or ( fig. ) to the
mind; acceptable 可口的; 受欢迎的
association / n. an idea or object connected with another
idea in thought 联想
legend / n. an old story handed down from the past, esp.
one of doubtful truth 传说 ;传奇
spirit / n. 神灵；鬼怪
location / n . a place or position 场所, 位置
afterlife / n. the life after death as is believed by some
people 来世
torment / n. severe pain or suffering in mind or body 痛
苦; 折磨
volcanic / a. of, like, produced or caused by a volcano
eruption / n. outbreak of a volcano; ( an example of ) the
action of erupting ( 火山 ) 爆发
hellish / a. like hell; horrible, devilish
noxious / a. harmful to people, plants,or animals 有害的,
有度的
mankind / n. the human race 人类
downward / ad. towards a lower level or position
outermost / a. farthest from the inside or center
crust / n. 地壳
honeycomb / vt. fill with holes, tunnels, etc. 使成蜂窝状
gigantic / a. huge, enormous; of or like a giant 巨大的,
庞大的
ant / n. 蚂蚁
fog / n. very thick mist
variation / n. the action of varying; an example or degree
of varying 变化
equable / a. steady; not changing much 稳定的
constant a. unchanging; fixed 永恒的
simplify /vt. make simple; make easy to do or understand
earthqnake / n. sudden and violent movements of the earth's
surface 地震
tyranny / n. the cruel or unjust use of power to rule a
person or country 传制
vary / v. (cause to) be different 变化
variable / a. likely to vary; not steady 易变的
n. sth. which can vary in quantity or size 变量
externally / ad. outside
external / a.
artificial /a. not natural or real; manmade
adjust / vt. set right; change slightly, esp. in order to
make suitable for a particular job or new
conditions 调整；调节
convenience / n. personal comfort or advantage; the quality of
being convenient 便利, 方便
convenient / a.
stroke / n. sound made by a bell striking the hours 钟鸣
声
community / n. the people living in a particular area
considered as a whole; the area itself
社区( 居民 )
endeavo(u)r / n. effort, attempt 努力
vt. 试图
mobile / a. movable; able to move, or be moved, quickly
and easily 活动的
entail / vt. make (an event or action)necessary 使成为必须
jet / n. a narrow stream or streams of liquid,gas,etc.
coming forcefully out of a small hole; any
aircraft that is pushed through the air by
a jet engine 喷射; 喷气式飞机
lag / n. falling behind; interval between two related
events, processes, etc. 滞后;(事件等的)间隔
(长时间乘飞机旅行后产生的)时差反映
coast / n. the land on or close to the edge of the sea
海岸; 海滨
gear / vt. adjust, adapt; connect by gears
n. 齿轮; (汽车等的)排挡
stabilize / v. (cause to) become firm, steady,or unchanging;
( cause to ) keep in balance 使稳定; 使平衡
extent / n, degree; length; area; range 程度, 范围
encumber / vt. crowd, fill up; hinder,hamper the function of
塞满, 妨碍
communication / n. 通讯; 交通
recreation / n. play or amusement 娱乐
deprive / vt. take away from;prevent from using or enjoying
剥夺
species / n. 物种
habitat / n. natural home of a plant or an animal 产地; 栖
息地
involuntarily / ad. carried out without one's conscious wishes,
unintentionally 不自觉地; 无意识地
rat / n. 鼠
roach / n. 蟑螂
burrow / v. dig a hole in the ground 打( 地洞 )
n, a hole made in the ground (by foxes, rabbits,
etc. )
forestry / n. forest land; science of planting and caring
for forests 林地; 林学
terminal / n. a place or set of buildings for the use of
passengers 终点站
air terminal / n. a building at an airport for boarding and dis-
charging passengers from aircraft;a bus sta-
tion in the center of a town for passengers
going to or arriving from an airport 航空终
点站; 航空集散站
occupation / n. the act of occupying or the state or period of
being occupied
elaborate / a. worked out with great care; complicated 精心
制作的; 复杂的
visualize / vt. form a picture of ( sb. or sth.) in the mind;
imagine 想像
visual a. of or gained by seeing 视觉的
derive / vi. come ( from); originate 来(自), 起源(于)
vt. get
hydroponic / a. 溶液培养(学)的; 水栽法的
illuminate / vt. give light to; throw light on 照亮, 照明
wilderness / vt. wild uncultivated waste land 荒野
stability / n. the quality or state of being stable 稳定(性)
stable / a.
witbdraw / n. withdre move back or away; take out or away 撤退, 撤回
withdrawal / n. withdrawing or being withdrawn
condition / vt. bring into a desired state or oondition 使处
于良好状态
greenery / n. green leaves or plants 草木
countryside / n. land outside the cities and towns; country
area 农村
horizontally / ad. 水平地
horizontal / a.
pavement / n. (BrE) a paved surface or path at the side of
a street for people to walk on, ( AmE ) the
paved surface of a street (英)人行道;(美)铺
过的道路
suburban / a. of or in a suburb 郊区的
sprawl / n. a widespread untidy area,esp. of buildings 散
乱的街区
underworld / n. a region underground
culture / n. ideas, customs and art shared by a particular
society;a particular society or civilization
文化; 文明
intense / a. (of qualities) high in degree 强烈的
restrict / vt. keep within limits 限制
dweller / n. a person or animal that lives ( in the stated
place) ; inhabitant 居住者
repulsive / a. very unpleasant; causing strong dislike and
fear 令人厌恶的

Phrases & Expressions

expose to leave no longer covered or protected 使暴露在
in the open 在户外，在野外
add to increase 增加
on the stroke at exactly the time stated or agreed upon 准点地
at first thought when considered for the first time 乍一想
to a certain extent partly, to a certain degree 在一定程度上
take up occupy ( space, time, etc. ) 占据
deprive of take away from; prevent from using or having 剥夺
mind you (used as an interj.)please note, take this fact into
acoount 听着; 请注意
derive from come from; obtain from 来自, 起源于; 从…得到
turn over give ( to sb . ) for use or care 移交; 交给
get away from succeed in leaving; escape 离开; 逃脱

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CET4-07 THE LUCHEON

     Unit Seven

      Text

               A young man finds  it  very difficult to say no to a
          woman  and  as  a  result  he   gets   into  trouble. The
          restaurant to which he has agreed to take his luncheon
          date  is  far too  expensive  for  his   small  pocketbook.
          How, then, will he  be able to avoid the embarrassing
          situation?

                                THE LUNCHEON

W. Somerset Maugham
I caught sight of her at the play, and in answer to her beckoning I
went over during the interval and sat down beside her. It was long since I
had last seen her, and if someone had not mentioned her name I hardly
think I would have recognised her. She addressed me brightly.
5 "Well, it's many years since we first met. How time does fly! We're
none of us getting any younger. Do you remember the first time I saw you?
You asked me to luncheon. "
Did I remember?
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I had a tiny apart-
10 ment in the Latin Quarter overlooking a cemetery, and I was earning barely
enough money to keep body and soul together. She had read a book of mine
and had written to me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently I
received from her another letter saying that she was passing through Paris
and would like to have a chat with me; but her time was limited, and the
15 only free moment she had was on the following Thursday; she was spending
the morning at the Luxembourg and would I give her a little luncheon at
Foyot's afterwards? Foyot's is a restaurant at which the French senators
eat, and it was so far beyond my means that I had never even thought of
going there. But I was flattered, and I was too young to have learned to say
20 no to a woman. (Few men, I may add, learn this until they are too old to
make it of any consequence to a woman what they say.) I had eighty francs
(gold francs ) to last me the rest of the month, and a modest luncheon
should not cost more than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two
weeks I could manage well enough.
25 I answered that I would meet my friend --- by correspondence --- at
Foyot's on Thursday at half past twelve. She was not so young as I expect-
ed and in appearance imposing rather than attractive. She was, in fact, a
woman of forty ( a charming age, but not one that excites a sudden and
devastating passion at first sight), and she gave me the impression of hav-
30 ing more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary for any
practical purpose. She was talkative, but since she seemed inclined to talk
about me I was prepared to be an attentive listener.
I was startled when the bill of fare was brought, for the prices were a
great deal higher than I had anticipated. But she reassured me.
35 "I never eat anything for luncheon, " she said.
"Oh, don't say that ! " I answered generously.
"I never eat more than one thing. I think people eat fax to much
nowadays: A little fish, perhaps. I wonder if they have any sal,mon. "
Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was not on the bill of
40 fare, but I asked the waiter if there was any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had
just come in, it was the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The
waiter asked her if she would have something while it was being cooked.
"No, " she answered, "I never eat more than one thing. Unless you have
a little caviare. I never mind caviare. "
45 My heart sank a little. I knew I could not afford caviare, but I oould
not very well tell her that. I told the waiter by all means to bring
caviare. For myself I chose the cheapest dish on the menu and that was a
mutton chop.
"I think you are unwise to eat meat, " she said. "I dan't know how you
50 can expect to work after eating heavy things like chops. I don't believe in
overloading my stomach. "
Then came the question of drink.
"I never drink anything for luncheon, " she said.
"Neither do I, " I answered promptly.
55 "Except white wine," she proceeded as though I had not spoken. "These
French white wines are so light. They're wonderful for the digestion . "
"What would you like?" I asked, hospitable still, but not exactly effu-
sive.
She gave me a bright and amicable flash of her white teeth.
60 "My doctor won't let me drink anything but champagne. "
I fancy I turned a trifle pale. I ordered half a bottle. I mentioned
casually that my doctor had absolutely forbidden me to drink champagne.
"What are you going to drink, then?"
"Water. "
65 She ate the caviare and she ate the salmon. She talked gaily of art and
literature and music. But I wondered what the bill would come to. When my
mutton chop arrived she took me quite seriously to task.
"I see that you're in the habit of eating a heavy luncheon. I'm sure
it's a mistake. Why don't you follow my example and just eat one thing?
70 I'm sure you'd feel ever so much better for it. "
"I am only going to eat one thing, " I said, as the waiter came again
with the bill of fare.
She waved him aside with an airy gesture.
"No, no, I never eat anything for luncheon. Just a bite, I never want
75 more than that, and I eat that more as an excuse for conversation than any-
thing else. I couldn't possibly eat anything more unless they had some of
those giant asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris without having some
of them. "
My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops, and I knew that they
80 were horribly expensive. My mouth had often watered at the sight of them.
"Madame wants to know if you have any of those giant asparagus, " I
asked the waiter.
I tried with all my might to will him to say no. A happy smile spread
85 over his broad, priest-like face, and he assured me that they had some so
large, so splendid, so tender, that it was a marvel.
"I'm not in the least hungry, " my guest sighed, "but if you insist I
don't mind having some asparagus. "
90 I ordered them.
"Aren't you going to have any?"
"No, I never eat asparagus. "
"I know there are people who don't like them. The fact is, you ruin
your taste by all the meat you eat. "
95 We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic seized me. It was not
a question now how much money I should have left over for the rest of the
month, but whether I had enough to pay the bill. It would be embarrassing
to find myself ten francs short and be obliged to borrow from my guest . I
could not bring myself to do that. I knew exactly how much I had, and if
100 the bill came to more I made up my mind that I would put my hand in my
pocket and with a dramatic cry start up and say it had been picked. Of
course, it would be awkward if she had not money enough either to pay the
bill. Then the only thing would be to leave my watch and say I would come
back and pay later.
105 The asparagus appeared. They were enormous, juicy, and appetising. I
watched the wicked woman thrust them down her throat in large mouthfuls,
and in my polite way I spoke about the condition of the drama in the
Balkans. At last she finished.
"Coffee?" I said.
110 "Yes, just an ice-cream and coffee, " she answered.
I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself and an ice-cream
and coffee for her.
"You know, there's one thing I thoroughly believe in, " she said, as
she ate the ice-cream. "One should always get up from a meal feeling one
115 could eat a little more. "
"Are you still hungry?" I asked faintly.
"Oh, no, I'm not hungry; you see, I don't eat luncheon. I have a cup
of coffee in the morning and then dinner, but I never eat more than one
thing for luncheon. I was speaking for you. "
120 "Oh, I see! "
Then a terrible thing happened. While we were waiting for the coffee
the head waiter, with an ingratiating smile on his false face, came up to us
bearing a large basket full of huge peaches. They had the blush of an inno-
cent girl; they had the rich tone of an Italian landscape. But surely
125 peaches were not in season then? Lord knew what they cost. I knew too - a
little later, for my guest, going on with her conversation, absentmindedly
took one.
"You see, you've filled your stomach with a lot of meat" --- my one
miserable little chop--- "and you can't eat any more. But I've just had a
130 snack and I shall enjoy a peach. "
The bill came, and when I paid it I found that I had only enough for a
quite inadequate tip . Her eyes rested for an instant on the three francs
I left for the waiter, and I knew that she thought me mean. But when I
walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month before me and not a
135 penny in my pocket.
"Follow my example, " she said as we shook hands, "and never eat more
than one thing for luncheon. "
"I'll do better than that, " I retorted. " I'll eat nothing for dinner
tonight. "
140 "Humorist!" she cried gaily, jumping into a cab. "You're quite a hu-
morist ! "
But I have had my revenge at last. I do not believe that I am a vindic-
tive man, but when the immortal gods take a hand in the matter it is par-
donable to observe the result with complacency. Today she weighs twenty-
145 one stone

                             New Words

    luncheon / n. & vi.              (formal word for) lunch
   beckon / vt.                        signal to (sb. ) by a motion of the hand or
                                                     head 向...招手或点头示意
  apartment / n.                      a single room;(AmE) flat or a set of rooms
                                                 房间；(美)一套公寓住房
  Latin / a.                             拉丁的
        n.                             拉丁文
  quarter / n.                       division of a town, esp. one of a special
                                                   class of people (都市的) 区 , 街
  overlook/ vt.                       have a view of from above; fail to see or
                                                    notice 俯视；忽略
  presently /ad.                      soon;(AmE)at the present time 不久;(美)目前
  chat/ n. , vi.                       (have) a friendly informal conversation 闲
                                谈, 聊天
  senator / n.                          a member of a senate 参议员, 上议员
  means/ n.                             money, income, or wealth, esp. large enough
                                                     to afford all one needs 财富, 资产
  franc / n.                             the unit of money in France,Belgium.Switzer-   
                                                     land, and some other countries 法郎
  modest /a.                           not large in quantity, size, value, etc.不
                                太大的; 适度的
  imposing / a.                        impressive because of size, appearance, or
                                                     dignity 仪表堂堂; 宏伟的
  attractive a.                          having the power to attract; pleasing 吸引
                                人的；有魅力的
  charming / a.                        very pleasing; fascinating 有魅力的
  devastating / a.                     destructive; causing ruin; sweeping every-
                                                      thing before it 毁灭性的; 压倒一切的
  passion / n.                          strong feeling or enthusiasm, esp. of love
                                                     or anger 激情
  impression / n.                      印象
  talkative / a.                          having the habit of talking a great deal;
                                                    fond of talking 好说话的; 健谈的
  inclined / a.                          likely; tending (to) ;encouraged 有…倾向的
  attentive / a.                         listening carefully; doing acts to satisfy
                                                    the needs of another 专注的;体贴的,殷勤的
  startle / vt.                           give a shock of surprise to; cause to move
                                              or jump 使吃惊, 使惊跳
  fare / n.                               food, esp. as provided at a meal 食物
     bill of fare                      a list of dishes; menu 菜单
  reassure / vt.                        set a person's mind at rest 使安心
  generously / ad.                with readiness to give money,help,kindness,
                                                     etc. 慷慨地，大方地  
  generous / a.
   nowadays / ad.                    at the present time, now
   salmon / n.                          鲑鱼
  menu / n.                            a list of courses at a meal or of dishes
                                                       that can be served in a restaurant 菜单
  mutton / n.                          meat from a fully grown sheep 羊肉
  chop / n.                             a small piece of meat with bone in it (连骨
                                 的)块肉
  overload / vt.                       put too large a load on or in; overburden
                                                   使过载
  digestion / n.                        消化
  hospitable / a.                      generous in the treatment of a guest 好客的
  effusive / a.                          (of feelings, signs of pleasure, gratitude,
                                                      etc.)pouring out too freely; too demons-
                                                      trative or emotional 热情洋溢的; 感情(过
                                多)流露的
  amicable / a.                        friendly; peaceful
    flash / n.                               a sudden, quick bright light; a sudden
                                                      display 闪烁; 闪现
   champagne / n.                     香槟酒
   fancy / vt.                             suppose, imagine
    trifle / n.                               a thing, event, etc. of little value or
                                                     importance 琐事
   forbid  (forbade                   command (sb. ) not to do sth. ; refuse to
          or forbad ,                     allow (sb.) to have,use,enter,etc.禁止
        forbidden  ) / vt.
    gaily / ad.                             in a happy and joyous manner
    literature / n.                        文学(作品)
    airy / a.                                light-hearted; affected 轻盈的;做作的
  bite / n.                               piece cut off by biting
    asparagus / n.                       (sing. or pl. ) 芦笋
  water / vi.                            (of the eyes or mouth) fill with watery
                                                      liquid,esp. tears or saliva
   Madame / n.                        used as a title of respect for a woman(esp.
                                                      a foreign married woman) 夫人
  might / n.                             power, strength, force
   will / vt.                                influence or compel,by exercising the power
                                                     of the mind 以意志力使
  assure / vt.                           tell firmly and with confidence esp. with
                                               the aim of removing doubt 保证；使确信
  tender / a.                            delicate; not hard or difficult to bite
                                                     through 柔弱的;柔嫩的
  marvel / n.                           a wonderful thing,sth.causing great surprise
   sigh / vi.                               let out a deep breath slowly and with a
                                                     sound(indicating sadness,tiredness,relief,
                                                     etc.) 叹气
  ruin / vt.                              destroy or spoil (completely) 毁灭
           n.                         a condition of destruction and decay
   panic / n.                             sudden,uncontrollable terror or anxiety恐慌
  oblige / vt.                          compel; require, bind ( sb. ) by a promise,
                                                    oath, etc. 强迫；使不得不
  dramatic / a.                       of drama; sudden or exciting, like an event
                                                    in a stage play
   pick / vt.                              steal
    juicy / a.                              having a lot of juice 多液汁的
  appetising / a.                     arousing or exciting the desire for food 引
                               起食欲的 ,美味可口的
  wicked / a.                         very bad, evil 邪恶的
  thrust / vt.                          push suddenly or violently; make a forward
                                                     stroke with a sword,knife,etc.猛推;刺,戳
  throat / n.                           咽喉
  mouthful n.                      as much (food or drink) as fills the mouth
   drama / n.                          a play for the theatre,radio or TV;composi-
                                                     tion,presentation and performance of such
                                                     plays戏剧
  head waiter / n.                 a  man  in  charge  of  the  waiters  in  a
                                                     restaurant,hotel, or dining car
   ingratiating / a.                    making oneself very pleasant to sb.in order
                                                     to gain favour 讨好的, 奉承的
  peach / n.                          桃子
  blush / n.                           reddening of the face, from shame or confu-
                                                     sion
   innocent / a.                       (of people) simple, not able to recognize
                                                      evil; not guilty 天真的; 无罪的
  landscape / n.                    a wide view of natural scenery; a picture
                                                       of such a scene 风景 ;风景画
  Lord / n.                            God 上帝, 主
  snack / n.                          a small, usu. hurriedly eaten meal 小吃
  instant / n.                         a moment of time
   mean / a.                             ungenerous; unkind 吝啬的; 刻薄的
  retort / vt.                          make a quick,angry and often amusing answer
                                                 反驳
  humorist / n.                     a  person  who  makes  jokes  in  speech or
                                                       writing
         humor / n.               幽默
  cab / n.                             a carriage for public hire; taxi
   revenge / n.                       报仇，报复
           vt.                     替…报仇
  vindictive / a.                    unforgiving; having or showing a desire for
                                                     revenge
   immortal / a.                      living for ever 不朽的
  pardonable / a.                  that can be forgiven
   complacency / n.               self-satisfaction 自鸣得意
  stone / n.                           the British unit of weight equal to 14
                                                     pounds (6.35 kilos)

                         Phrases & Expressions
    catch sight of                           see suddenly or unexpectedly
   in answer to                              in response to
   keep body and soul together     remain alive, esp.by earning enough money to
                                                           feed oneself 勉强维持生活
  pass throug                              go through ; experience 穿过 ; 经历
  be beyond one's means            be more than one can afford 付不起
  cut out                                     leave out 停止使用, 戒除
  at first sight                              when seen for the first time 乍看之下;第一眼就
  be inclined to                            be likely to; tend to 易于…的; 倾向于, 想
  come in                                    become seasonable or available 上市; 有供应
  can/could not very well             can/could not reasonably 不好
  by all means                             certainly; at al1 costs 一定; 务必
  a trifle                                      somewhat, a little
   come to                                    amount to 总计
  take ( sb. ) to task                    criticize ( sb. ) 申诉( 某人 )
   be in the habit of                       have the habit of 习惯于
 (not) in the least                     (not) at al1
   leave over                             leave as a remainder ( the best part having
                                                           being consumed) 留下 , 剩下
 bring oneself to                         make oneself (do) ; force onesslf to 强迫自己
 make up one's mind                  choose what to do; decide 决定
 start up                                     make a sudden movement due to surprise, alarm,
                                                           pain, etc. 惊动,惊起
 speak for                                  make a request for; speak on behalf of 要求得
                                   到；为…说话，为…辩护
 in season                                  available, fresh for use as food 正在当令之时
 go on with                                continue doing
  take/have a hand in                    be partly responsible for; share (an activity)
                                                      参加, 介入

                         Proper Names

     Paris                                巴黎（法国首都）
  the Luxemb(o)urg            卢森堡宫（巴黎）
  Foyot                              副伊约（巴黎一餐馆）
  the Balkans                       巴尔干半岛各国；巴尔干山脉
  Lord                                God; Jesus Christ

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