Learning 3,500 words from 40 short articles.
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Misspelling
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1. Fall in love with English
Hidingbehind the loose dusty curtain, a teenager packed up his overcoat into the suitcase. He planned to leave home at dusk, though there was thunder and lightning outdoors. He had got to do this, because he was tired of his parent's nagging about his English study, and did not want to go through it any longer. He couldn’t get along well with English, and disliked joining in English classes because he thought his teacher ignored him on purpose. As a result, his score in each exam never added up to over sixty. His partner was concerned about him very much. She understood exactly what he was suffering from, but entirely disagreed with his idea. In order to calm him down and sattle his problem, she talked with him face to face, and swapped a series of learning tips with him. The items she set down helped him find the highway to studying English well. The teenager was greatful and got great power from his friend’s words. Now, he has recovered from being upset, and has fallen in love with English.
- curtain (英/ˈkɜːtn/ 美/ˈkɜːrtn/): n. 窗帘, eg: Hiding behind the loose dusty curtain
- nag (/ˈnæɡ/): v. 唠叨, eg: because he was tired of his parent’s nagging about his English study
- swap (英/swɒp/ 美/swɑːp/): v. 交换, eg: and swapped a series of learning tips with him
- find the highway to doing sth.: 找到做某事的最佳捷径, eg: The items she set down helped him find the highway to studying English well.
2. Different Countries have Different kinds of Englishes
Voyages of people from England play an important part in spreading the English language. At present, English is frequently spoken as an official or common language in many countries, such as America, Singapore, Malaysia, and some African countries. All based on british English, the English spoken in these contries can be well understood by native speakers. But actually, these Englishes have been gradually changing in accent, spellings, expressions, and the usage of vocabulary. Because of this fact, you can make use of the differences to tell which country the foreigners of your block are from. For example, if the boss fluently commands his driver, come up straight to my apartment by elevator, and take some gas for my trucks and cabs, instead of requesting, please come to my flat by lift, and take some petrol for my lorries and taxis. You can recognize his American identity, while the latter suggests that he is British.
(公寓、电梯、汽油、卡车、出租车)的差异表达:
- 美:come up straight to my apartment by elevator, and take some gas for my trucks and cabs
- 英:please come to my flat by lift, and take some petrol for my lorries and taxis
3. A Hard Trip
My sister was fond of traveling. Ever since graduating, she had been determined to organize a trip to an old temple. Since transporting fare was expensive, she decided to use a bicycle to cycle there, not caring about the disadvantages. Her stubborn attitude was always her shortcoming. Once she made up her mind to do something, no one could persuade her to change her mind. Finally, we gave in as usual, though we perferred to take a train. After we prepared everything, including the schedule, relaible weather forecast, and insurance, we began our trip. Our journey was along a river flowing from the high altitude. Our pace was slow because the river frequently had many sharp bends through deep valleys, while the water seemed to boil. Just as I recorded in my journal, it was really a hard journey, but we also enjoyed great views. One night, I put my head on my pillow, a parcel of wool coats, and lay beneath the stars. When the flame in front of our cave went out at midnight, I found the sky so beautiful.
- fare (英/feə(r)/ 美/fer/): n. 票价, eg: Since transporting fare was expensive
- stubborn (英/ˈstʌbən/ 美/ˈstʌbərn/): adj. 固执的, eg: Her stubborn attitude was always her shortcoming
- bend (/bend/): n. (尤指道路或河流的)拐弯, eg: the river frequently had many sharp bends through deep valleys
- parcel (英/ˈpɑːsl/ 美/ˈpɑːrsl/): n. 包裹, eg: a parcel of wool coats
4. A Horrible Earthquake
Dirty water rose in wells and canals before the earthquake. But no one judged that an earthquake was coming. Suddenly, everything shook. It seemed as if the world was at an end. Millions of brick houses and a number of dams were distroyed. Railway tracks became useless bars. Pipes in mines burst and let out smelly steam. Huge cracks trapped cyclists everywhere. The next day this event was the headline or main title of all newspapers. With the reporters giving an outline of the disaster, the whole nation was shocked by the damage and victim’s extrame suffering. People were moved when they read that the survivors comforted each other by saying ‘Congratulations! You survived.’ So they not only expressed their sympathy sincerely, but also organized together to help the victims right away. The injured were rescued and the dead were buried. The frightened survivors were dug out from under the ruins, and were offered shelter, fresh water and electricity. Thanks to people’s help, the loss was minimized.
- canal (/kəˈnæl/): n. 运河, eg: Dirty water rose in wells and canals before the earthquake.
- dam (/dæm/): n. 水坝, eg: Millions of brick houses and a number of dams were distroyed.
- comfort (/ˈkʌmfət/): v. 安慰, eg: the survivors comforted each other
- sympathy (/ˈsɪmpəθi/): n. 同情, eg: they not only expressed their sympathy sincerely
5. The Great President
As the founder of the Republic, the president had many good qualities. Before coming to power, he was a generous lawyer. He was willing to selflessly help everyone who turned to him. He accepted no fee to offer legel guidences and opinions to those who were out of work or uneducated. Latter, believing all mankind to be equal, he devoted himself to stopping the unfair anti-black laws. He set up the black youth league and was voted to be the leader. However, though he kept peaceful principles without violence and terror, his mean enemies still blew up his house and attacked his relatives, and he himself couldn’t escape being sentenced to 30 years in prison. Not fearing of the prison guards' cruelty, he kept active and begged no mercy from them. As a metter of fact, he was always hopeful and never lost heart during the stage even though he was in trouble. Finally, people rewarded him with the leader’s position and a gold blanket.
- cruelty (/ˈkruːəlti/): n. 残忍, eg: Not fearing of the prison guards’ cruelty
6. A Brave Maid
A wooden vase from the Ming dynesty at the entrance of the reception hall amazed everyone. The artists designed it in a rare style and selected valuable jewels to decorate it. People thought highly of its fancy color of honey and the beautiful paintings on it. The vase used to belong to a former castle, but when the country was at war, the enemy troops exploded the castle.
Debateson how the vase survived went on and on. In order to remove people's doubt, a team of no less than 20 people carried out an informer investigation. The evidences they found showed that a maid took the vase apart and asked a sailor to sink it in a local well. She never gave away the secret, even under the cruel trial of the enemies, who were in search of treasures. It is worth giving this brave maid a fortune in return.
- vase (英/vɑːz/ 美/veɪs/): n. 花瓶, eg: A wooden vase from the Ming dynesty
- reception (/rɪˈsepʃn/): n. 接待, eg: at the entrance of the reception hall
- jewel (/ˈdʒuːəl/): n. 珠宝, eg: selected valuable jewels to decorate it
- troop (/truːp/): n. 部队, eg: the enemy troops exploded the castle
- debate (/dɪˈbeɪt/): n. 辩论, eg: Debates on how the vase survived went on and on
- trial (/ˈtraɪəl/): n. 审讯, eg: even under the cruel trial of the enemies
- fortune (英/ˈfɔːtʃuːn/ 美/ˈfɔːrtʃən/): n. 财富, eg: It is worth giving this brave maid a fortune in return.
7. A Fair Competition
Swifter, higher and stronger, stands for the spirit of Olympics. But fairness is the basis of this motto. Only when you win fairly, will you and your homeland deserve the great glory. But nowadays, unlike the ancient honest slave competitors, some hopeless athletes, who can’t bear the pain of training, cheat when taking part in games.
Medalsseem to have magical powers causing them to cheat, and the price money has replaced the motto as their only goal. So in the gymnastics event to be held in our city next month, one of the host’s responsibilities is to keep competitions fair. They advertised on posters outside the stadium to promise that every competitor is to have a regular physical examination in a gymnasium one after another. No one can bargain on this. The volunteers in charge will be very strict. It is foolish to cheat because they will not be admitted to compete and will even be fined as well.
- motto (英/ˈmɒtəʊ/ 美/ˈmɑːtoʊ/): n. 格言, eg: fairness is the basis of this motto
- athlete (/ˈæθliːt/): n. 运动员, eg: some hopeless athletes
- medal (/ˈmedl/): n. 奖章, eg: Medals seem to have magical powers causing them to cheat
- gymnastics (/dʒɪmˈnæstɪks/): n. 体操, eg: the gymnastics event to be held in our city
- stadium (/ˈsteɪdiəm/): n. 体育场, eg: They advertised on posters outside the stadium
- gymnasium (/dʒɪmˈneɪziəm/): n. 体育馆 (同gym), eg: have a regular physical examination in a gymnasium
8. Computers
The goal of early calculating machines was to simplify difficult sums. But with the help of new technology, electronic chips replaced tubes and a revolution of artificial intelligence has arisen. From then on, the appearance of computers totally changed our lives. They can not only download the information from the net when connected by the network or mobile phone signals, but also solve different types of logical problems. With operators as their coaches, they can even control rockets to explore the moon, and instruct androids with the human race’s characters to mop floors and watch over your naughty niece. Anyhow, computers are so helpful that they do bring happiness. However, computers are easily attacked by viruses. This reality has become a hard-to-deal-with-problem. As a result, computers are dangerous in a way. So personally, I worry about their universal applications in some fields, such as finance.
- tube (英/tjuːb/ 美/tuːb/): n. 电子管, eg: electronic chips replace tubes
- android (/ˈændrɔɪd/): n. 机器人, eg: instruct androids with the human race’s characters
- mop (英/mɒp/ 美/mɑːp/): v. 用(拖把或布)擦干, eg: mop floors
- niece (/niːs/): n. 侄女,外甥女, eg: watch over your naughty niece
9. Wildlife Protection
Dinosaursdied out because of an unexpected incident. But wildlife today disappears or is in danger just because human do harm to it. For example, tigers are hunted for fur to make carpets, so that they can only live in secure reserves. Grassland is distroyed without mercy, so that dust storms come into being affecting distant cities. Last year, scientists saw some monkeys rubbing themselves with the certain kind of insects to protect themselves from fierce mosquitoes biting. According to the result of the inspection, they found that insect contains a powerful drug. So local farmers were employed to catch the insects. The ending was that the insect disappeared from the whole zone. When told that it was a loss to humans, the farmers burst into laughter and responded, ``our real loss is our decreasing income.’’ We should appreciate the natural balance, and pay more attention to the importance of wildlife pretection. Not until we succeed in letting wildlife live in peace, can we smile in relief.
- dinosaur (英/ˈdaɪnəsɔː(r)/ 美/ˈdaɪnəsɔːr/): n. 恐龙, eg: Dinosaurs died out because of an unexpected incident
- carpet (英/ˈkɑːpɪt/ 美/ˈkɑːrpɪt/): n. 地毯, eg: tigers are hunted for fur to make carpets
- rub (/rʌb/): v. 摩擦, eg: some monkeys rubbing themselves with the certain kind of insects
- fierce (/fɪəs/): adj. 凶猛的, eg: protect themselves from fierce mosquitoes (mosquito 英/məˈskiːtəʊ/ 美/məˈskiːtoʊ/) biting
- inspection (/ɪnˈspekʃn/): n. 检验, eg: According to the result of the inspection
10. My First Band
I was very sensitive to music. Just dipping into the music books briefly, I could sing or play well. To be honest, I always dreamt of becoming a famous folk actor. I was so confident that I never decreased my devotion. I formed my first band called ‘rolling frog’. At the beginning, we relyed on performing on instruments in pubs or to passers-by to earn extra money in cash. Then we wore false beards to pretend to be the musicians whom people were familiar with. In addition, we attached humorous acts to our performances and played jokes on each other. Soon, our funny jazz became famous and the invitations to perform for broadcast stations began to come. Afterwards, we sorted out our attractive music and made a record in the studio. A million or so copies were sold and we became millionaires. It was painful that the band broke up finally, but above all I realized my dream to be a musician.
- dip into: 浏览, eg: Just dipping into the music books briefly
- folk (英/fəʊk/ 美/foʊk/): adj. 民间的, eg: a famous folk actor
- devotion (英/dɪˈvəʊʃn/ 美/dɪˈvoʊʃn/): n. 热爱, eg: I never decreased my devotion
- instrument (/ˈɪnstrəmənt): n. 乐器, eg: performing on instruments in pubs
- beard (英/bɪəd/ 美/bɪrd/): n. 胡须, eg: we wore false beards
11. An Interesting Festival
The agricultural feast takes place after the independence day. It is not a worldwild celebration, only Christians in Mexico look forward to its arrival for its religious origin. Long ago, human’s ancestors were bad, they fooled and played tricks on each other, and never kept their word. So god turned up and drowned all their crops. Humans starved day and night, weeping. In order to gain god’s forgiveness, a woman poet set off to see god. She admired god and kept apologizing. God was moved. With his permission, humans finally had good harvests again. So, to wipe sadness and remind themselves of the belief in god, people began the festival. On the festival, people gather in the open air, such as playground or parking lots, and energetically have fun with each other all night long as though they were never tired. When a beauty dressed up in lovely clothing reads poems in memory of the poet, everyone holds their breath. Then it is the custom that the bone of a rooster head is given to her as an award. Obviously, the story is not true, but the festival is interesting.
- feast (/fiːst): n. 盛宴, eg: The agricultural feast
- Christian (/ˈkrɪstʃən/): n. 基督徒, eg: Christians in Mexico
- ancestor (英/ˈænsestə(r)/ 美/ˈænsestər/): n. 祖先, eg: human’s ancestors were bad
- drown (/draʊn/): v. 淹没, eg: god turned up and drowned all their crops
- starve (英/stɑːv/ 美/stɑːrv/): v. 挨饿, eg: Humans starved day and night
- set off: 出发, eg: a woman poet set off to see god
- harvest (英/ˈhɑːvɪst/ 美/ˈhɑːrvɪstr/): n. 收成, eg: humans finally had good harvests again
- parking lot: 停车场, eg: such as playground or parking lots
12. Balanced Diet
Wangpeng earned his living by running a barbecue restaurant, which served delicious bacon, fried chicken breast, and mutton roasted with piper and garlic. But his food and discount attracted fewer and fewer customers. Finally, he was in debt. Yonghui's slimming restaurant served fresh peas, carrots, eggplants, and raw cucumbers with vinegar. As the hostess, she said fibres benefited customers’ digestion the most. In order not to let Yonghui get away with telling lies, Wangpeng spied on Yonghui despite her glare. But he was superised that she was losing her customers, too. Curiosity drove Wangpeng to consult an expert. The expert sighed and said, ``Both of your menus have weakness and limited strength. Your customers put on weight too easily, while Yonghui’s lose weight too quickly. So Wangpeng, cut down the fat of your food, and increase vegetables and fruits, like nuts, beans, mushrooms, peaches and lemons. You ought to combine the two menus and provide a balanced diet. ‘’ Before long, Wangpeng won his customers back.
- bacon (/ˈbeɪkən/): n. 培根, eg: a barbecue restaurant, which served delicious bacon
- mutton (/ˈmʌtn/ 羊肉) roasted (roast 英/rəʊst/ 美/roʊst/ 烤) with piper and garlic (英/ˈɡɑːlɪk/ 美/ˈɡɑːrlɪk/ 大蒜)
- pea (/piː/): n. 豌豆, eg: Yonghui’s slimming restaurant served fresh peas
- vinegar (英/ˈvɪnɪɡə(r)/ 美/ˈvɪnɪɡər/): n. 醋, eg: raw cucumbers with vinegar
- ought to: 应该, eg: You ought to combine the two menus
13. Sailing Home
This novel was about an unbelievable but genuine adventure. Its author was a black business man who was brought up in America. In 1956, he visited Africa, his birth place. One day, when he was wandering on the pavement near the bay enjoying the sea scenes, he lost his money and passport that he kept in an envelope. So he went to the embassy to seek help. But the ambassador with rude manners didn’t promit his staff to help though he bowed to him. Staring at his impatient face, he understood that it was the fault of his skin colour that accounted for their rejection. So he decided to take a chance to sail on a small boat home. He met a large amount of difficulty but was never stopped. On the contrary, difficulty pushed him to go ahead harder. Three months later, he was spotted by a ship by accident. He was in rags indeed. A maid even screamed when bringing him a steak and pineapple dessert. Aboard, he earned his passage by working as a barber and got home finally. As for the name of his novel, he couldn’t think of a better one than the phrase, ``go ahead’’.
- genuine (/ˈdʒenjuɪn/): adj. 真的, eg: an unbelievable but genuine adventure.
- embassy (/ˈembəsi/): n. 大使馆, eg: he went to the embassy to seek help
- ambassador (英/æmˈbæsədə(r)/ 美/æmˈbæsədər/): n. 大使, eg: the ambassador with rude manners
- bow (英/baʊ , bəʊ/ 美/baʊ , boʊ/): v. 鞠躬, eg: he bowed to him
- in rags: 衣衫褴褛, eg: He was in rags indeed.
- dessert (英/dɪˈzɜːt/ 美/dɪˈzɜːrt/): n. 甜点, eg: a steak and pineapple dessert
- phrase (/freɪz/): n. 短语, eg: he couldn’t think of a better one than the phrase
14. Explore MK-II
MK-II, a planet billions of kilometers away, is the origin of life in many religions. Physicists have proved the theory that its gentle climate and the pull of its gravity are similiar to the earth’s. And astronomers have found that oxygen atoms and carbon dioxide which are fundamental to life exist in its atmosphere through satellites. Cheered up by this news, biologists in their turn began to do some research to remove people’s puzzles. Now that there are some suitable conditions, does life really exist on this globe? Do they multiply by laying eggs, or giving birth to babies? Last month, a space ship was sent there. It’s a pity that this mission failed. Unlike the earch, MK-II is a much younger planet. Thus, masses of harmful acid clouds float everywhere, causing violent chain reactions to break out. These clouds not only blocked out the pilot's' sight, but also damaged the engine system. Luckily, the pilots watched out carefully and prevented the spaceship from crashing in time.
- climate (/ˈklaɪmət/): n. 气候, eg: its gentle climate and the pull of its gravity are similiar to the earth’s
- astronomer (英/əˈstrɒnəmə(r)/ 美/əˈstrɑːnəmər/: n. 天文学家, eg: astronomers have found that oxygen (英/ˈɒksɪdʒən/ 美/ˈɑːksɪdʒən/, n. 氧) atoms (/ˈætəm/, n. 原子) and carbon dioxide which are fundamental to life exist in its atmosphere through satellites (/ˈsætəlaɪt/, n. 卫星)
- pilot (/ˈpaɪlət/): n. 飞行员, eg: blocked out the pilot’s’ sight
15. A Journey Across Canada
After a quiz last autumn, Kuang crossed the continent eastward to toronto to visit his schoolmate, the distance measuring approximately 5 thousands kilometers. His train started from Vancouver, a city surrounded by mountains. After confirming his baggage was aboard the train, Kuang settled down in his seat. Having a gift for communication, he started chatting with another passager within 5 minutes. Their topics included the Canadian tranditions, the prime minister, the mixture of races, and the terrifying great fall. After a nice buffet at noon, he was pleased to find that the scenery was impressive. He saw beautiful harbours in the distance, wealthy urban areas, and maple forest that covered thoustands of acres. He even managed to catch sight of an eagle flying upward over bushes. Kuang reached toronto which lies slightly near the border at a misty dawn. There was frost and the broad downtown streets were very quiet. Though it was early, Kuang phoned his schoolmate at booth nearby at once rather than waiting for him to come. They had a good time together.
- continent (英/ˈkɒntɪnənt/ 美/ˈkɑːntɪnənt/): n. 大陆, eg: Kuang crossed the continent eastward to toronto (英/təˈrɒntəʊ/ 美/təˈrɑːntoʊ/)
- Vancourver (英/vænˈkuːvə(r)/ 美/vænˈkuːvər/): 温哥华
- buffet (英/ˈbʌfeɪ , ˈbʌfɪt/ 美/bəˈfeɪ , ˈbʌfɪt/): n. 自助餐, eg: After a nice buffet at noon
- harbour (英/ˈhɑːbə(r)/ 美/ˈhɑːrbər/): n. 港口, eg: He saw beautiful harbours in the distance
- acre (英/ˈeɪkə(r)/ 美/ˈeɪkər/): n. 英亩, eg: maple forest that covered thoustands of acres
- misty (/ˈmɪsti/): adj. 多雾的, eg: Kuang reached toronto wich lies slightly near the border at a misty dawn
- frost (英/frɒst/ 美/frɔːst/): n. 霜, eg: There was frost and the broad downtown streets were very quiet
- booth (英/buːð/ 美/buːθ/): n. 电话亭, eg: Kuang phoned his schoolmate at booth
16. A Woman Doctor - Lina
Born in a pigs' nest, Lina led a poor life in her childhood. She was looked down upon by the children of her generation, but she intended to become a doctor after she came across Lin Qiaozhi by chance who was delivering medical courses to an audience crowding around her. Before moving off, Lin inspired her to carry on her study. With Lin’s support, Lina entered an institude and studied hard sparing no time for entertainment. Her being outspoken and modest won respect for her. Her excellent arguing skills and observation ability put others into the shade. Now, Lina has bocome a specialist in human beings’ emergency sickness. Her kindness and considerate behavior to the poor were well-known. The organization she founded carried out campaigns and welfare projects to help cut the death rate for the poor. Her job was hard but worthwhile. She often refers to the connection between her achievement and Lin Qiaozhi, and says that her poor childhood is the bond between her and the poor.
- spare (英/speə(r)/ 美/sper/): v. 留出, eg: studied hard sparing no time for entertainment
- modest (英/ˈmɒdɪst/ 美/ˈmɑːdɪst/): adj. 谦逊的, eg: Her being outspoken and modest won respect for her
- welfare (英/ˈwelfeə(r)/ 美/ˈwelfer/): n. 福利, eg: carried out campaigns and welfare projects
17. A New Farming Way
Tuan was a farmer in Vietnam. For decades, he had been struggling to rid his family of hunger. However, it always confused him how to expand the output of his crops. This disturbing problem led to his regretting being a farmer. He would rather have chosen another job. One day, when skimming through a newspaper, Tuan read a comment on Yuan Longping. He underlined Yuan’s nationality and occupation, and then focused on his discovery and the statistics of his research. He found the knowledge Yuan circulated very pratical. Therefore, he made a summary and began to build up a new farming method. He planted super grain of rich nutrition and equipped himself to keep his crops roots free from bacteria and pests. He also enriched minerals in the soil while reducing chemical fertilizers. Though it cost him more time and freedom, he was full of hope. The next year, Tuan was sunburnt, but satisfied with his production very much. Thanks to Yuan Longping, he not only won the battle against hunger, but he could also export his crops abroad.
- Vitenam (英/ˌvjɛtˈnɑːm/ 美/viˌɛtˈnɑm/): 越南
- skim (/skɪm/): v. 浏览, eg: skimming through a newspaper
- circulate (英/ˈsɜːkjəleɪt/ 美/ˈsɜːrkjəleɪt/): v. 传播, eg: He found the knowledge Yuan circulated very pratical
- nutrition (英/njuˈtrɪʃn/ 美/nuˈtrɪʃn/): n. 营养, eg: He planted super grain of rich nutrition
- bacterium (英/bækˈtɪərɪəm/ 美/bækˈtɪriəm/): n. 细菌 (复数 bacteria 英/bækˈtɪəriə/ 美/bækˈtɪriə/), eg: keep his crops roots free from bacteria and pests
- mineral (/ˈmɪnərəl/): n. 矿物质, eg: He also enriched minerals in the soil
18. Chaplin, A Great Master of Humor
Chaplinwas an extraordinary performer, who starred in and directed many outstanding comedies. Few were bored watching his moustache, his gestures or his entertaining reactions when chased by detectives.
Beingdrunk, sliding on a banana skin, or whispering his own failures to nobody. He made us feel more content with our life without any verbal explanation. His particular sense of humor has astonished everybody throughout the world up to now. In a small budget film, he played a badly-off and homeless person wearing a wornout shoes and messy clothes. On one occasion, he was trapped by a snow storm in a vest mountainous area. Though he overcame many difficulties, he was’t fortunate enough. With all the porridge eaten up, he picked out a shoe and boiled it to eat. He cut off the leather bottom and chewed it like an pancake. According to an actress, his acting was so convincing and amusing, that everybody couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
- Chaplin (英/ˈtʃæplɪn/ 美/ˈtʃæplən/): 卓别林
- moustache (英/məˈstɑːʃ/ 美/ˈmʌstæʃ/): n. 胡子, eg: Few were bored watching his moustache
- whisper (英/ˈwɪspə(r)/ 美/ˈwɪspər/): v. 低语, eg: whispering his own failures to nobody
- verbal (英/ˈvɜːbl/ 美/ˈvɜːrbl/): adj. 口头的, eg: without any verbal explanation.
- astonish (英/əˈstɒnɪʃ/ 美/əˈstɑːnɪʃ/): v. 使惊讶, eg: His particular sense of humor has astonished everybody
- badly-off : 贫穷的, eg: he played a badly-off and homeless person
- porridge (英/ˈpɒrɪdʒ/ 美/ˈpɔːrɪdʒ/): n. 粥, eg: With all the porridge eaten up
- can’t help doing sth.: 不禁, eg: everybody couldn’t help bursting into laughter
19. A Misunderstanding
In general, spoken statements are the major way of communication, but body language and facial expressions also have such kinds of function. For example, yawning means being not interested, and turning one’s back to someone or swinging your fist shows your anger. But what those gestures really mean is subjective in different cultures. Thus, misunderstandings happen now and then in today’s world of cultural crossroads. Once, representing the adults’ education association, I went to the airport to meet an official of high rank from Columbia and take him to his dormitory and then to the canteen. After the flight arrived, I saw a man looking around curiously, so I approached to greet him. He suddenly dashed to hug me and kissed me on both cheeks. As a young girl, I felt truly embarrassed and put up my hands to defend myself. His false smile told me that he had lost face. Later, I received a cassette from him in which he recorded his apology. On hearing that Colubians were more likely to kiss others, I soon felt at ease.
- yawn (/jɔːn/): v. 打哈欠, eg: yawning means being not interested
- dormitory (英/ˈdɔːmətri/ 美/ˈdɔːrmətɔːri/): n. 宿舍, eg: take him to his dormitory
- cheek (/tʃiːk/): n. 面颊, eg: kissed me on both cheeks
- cassette (/kəˈset/): n. 磁带, eg: I received a cassette from him in which he recorded his apology
20. A Unique Theme Park
As soon as our shuttle got close to the theme park by the freeway, everyone came to life, and put on cloth sneakers in advance for an outing. Our translator paid for the admission, and we started enjoying the various attractions in the sunlight. According to the travel brochure, this unique park is famous for its well preserved minority culture. We experienced many deeds of the early settlers, such as swinging across rivers, hunting creatures in the jungle, or taking part in swords fighting tournaments. This park is also famous for its wooden souvenirs.
Whichever we bought in the central shop was made of wood, and wherever we went we could see minority carpenters working. They made wooden tools, wooden cartoon figures, wooden athletic products and so on. They even built a huge wooden engine with a length of 20 meters, which was modeled after a real one. This theme park is really a fantasy amusement park. No wonder it has become the brand of the local tourism.
- shuttle (/ˈʃʌtl/): n. 班车, eg: As soon as our shuttle got close to the theme park by the freeway
- sneaker (英/ˈsniːkə(r)/ 美/ˈsniːkər/): n. 运动鞋, eg: put on cloth sneakers in advance for an outing
- brochure (英/ˈbrəʊʃə(r)/ 美/broʊˈʃʊr/): n. 手册, eg: According to the travel brochure
- minority (英/maɪˈnɒrəti/ 美/maɪˈnɔːrəti/): n. 少数民族, eg: this unique park is famous for its well preserved minority culture
- tournament (英/ˈtʊənəmənt/ 美/ˈtʊrnəmənt/): n. 锦标赛, eg: taking part in swords fighting tournaments
- souvenir (英/ˌsuːvəˈnɪə(r)/ 美/ˌsuːvəˈnɪr/): n. 纪念品, eg: This park is also famous for its wooden souvenirs
- carpenter (英/ˈkɑːpəntə(r)/ 美/ˈkɑːrpəntər/): n. 木匠, eg: wherever we went we could see minority carpenters working
21. A Strange Disease
When the construction of the firework factory came to the stage of painting, a pump was put in. Then all the painters in the neighborhood were defeated by a severe disease whose characteristic was alike to that of a bad burn. An expert physician was instructed to attend to the victims and haddle this case. He was enthusiastic but he didn’t foresee that it was a hard challenge. After simple enquiry, he announced that the polluted paint was to blame. But without positive evidence, people suspected and rejected his view, saying the theory he put forward made no sense. Being much more strict with himself, he contributed himself to the case. Apart from making enquiries, he made detailed charts and analysed the data cautiously. Finally, he drew a scientific conclusion, linking the disease to the radium in the pump. Exposed to radium, a kind of radioactive material in the universe, people absorbed radiation and got sick immediately.
Spinningthe pump backward, he took away the radium. The simple movement cured all the victims.
- pump (/pʌmp/): n. 水泵, eg: a pump was put in
- physician (/fɪˈzɪʃn/): n. 内科医生, eg: An expert physician was instructed to attend to the victims
- enquiry (英/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/ 美/ˈɪnkwəri/): n. 调查, eg: After simple enquiry
- radium (/ˈreɪdiəm/): n. 镭, eg: linking the disease to the radium in the pump
- spin (/spɪn/): v. 快速旋转, eg: Spinning the pump backward
22. Sightseeing in the United Kingdom
After the wedding, my cousin and his wife went to the united kingdom for nationwide sightseeing. He faxed a letter to me in English yesterday. To my delight, he no longer made any tense error, and his description roughly clarified my questions about the UK, its currency, its administration, the institution which devides it into four provinces and the historical conflicts and quarrels when Southern lreland broke away from the UK.
Unwillingto leave out any attraction, my cousin arranged his enjoyable journey carefully. One attractive place he visited was a castle in the countryside of Scotland which lies near a port. It used to be the headquarters of Communism union, but broke down during the war. Finding nothing could take the place of this splendid architecture, people accomplished rebuilding it in 1952. It was to their credit that all furnished rooms are consistent what they used to be. My cousin was thrilled by its collections consisting of statues plus royal uniforms folded in glass tanks. Though there was no possibility to buy some of these exhibits,
itwas conveninent to take photos which he sent me along with his fax.
- quarrel (英/ˈkwɒrəl/ 美/ˈkwɑːrəl/): v. 争吵, eg: the historical conflicts and quarrels when Southern Ireland (爱尔兰 英/ˈaɪələnd/ 美/ˈaɪərlənd/) broke away from the UK
- Scotland (英/ˈskɒtlənd/ 美/ˈskɑːtlənd/): 苏格兰
- headquarters (英/ˌhedˈkwɔːtəz/ 美/ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/): n. 总部, eg: It used to be the headquarters of Communism (共产主义 英/ˈkɒmjunɪzəm/ 美/ˈkɑːmjunɪzəm/) union
- splendid (/ˈsplendɪd/): adj. 辉煌的, eg: Finding nothing could take the place of this splendid architecture
- My cousin was thrilled by its collections consisting of statues (雕像 /ˈstætʃuː/) plus royal uniforms folded in glass tanks (箱 /tæŋk/).
23. An Air Crash
I was a previous typist in a post office. Because I could’t tolerate typing any more postage bills or postcodes on a typewriter every day, I resigned. With a greedy motivation of making big money, I took up working as a business representative for the G.E. ecology company, which produced goods by recycling useful materials from our dustbins. My new job left me good impressions in many aspects, expect that the working timetable was full of traveling by jets. Once, when speeding up, our jet was swallowed by a thunderstorm, which destroyed our GPS receiver, and made us lose sight of directions. A constantly flashing light showed that our jet was in danger. A steward instantly asked us to put on masks and fasten the safety belts, and then pressed the button to switch on the escaping capsule. It slid sideways out of the opening at once, and landed in the desert area safely. Lacking food and tablets, we were nervous and uncertain at first, but we all kept optimistic and made good adjustment to the situation. We swept up the surrounding mud to make our settlement and were back on our feet soon. Finally, guided by the smoke of our crashing jet, some local citizens came by carriages and saved us.
- postage (英/ˈpəʊstɪdʒ/ 美/ˈpoʊstɪdʒ/): n. 邮费, eg: I could’t tolerate typing any more postage bills or postcodes on a typewriter every day
- resign (/rɪˈzaɪn/): v. 辞职, eg: I resigned
- swallow (英/ˈswɒləʊ/ 美/ˈswɑːloʊ/): n. 吞咽, eg: our jet was swallowed by a thunderstorm
- steward (英/ˈstjuːəd/ 美/ˈstuːərd/): n. 乘务员, eg: A steward instantly asked us to put on masks and fasten the safety belts
- slid: slide的过去分词和过去式
- back on one’s feet: 重新振作起来, eg: We swept up the surrounding mud to make our settlement and were back on our feet soon.
24. An Amateur Journalist
Jane is a housewife, but delighted to work as an amateur journalist. It is a dilemma for her to rush between family and work, and it is also unusual for the news department to depend on the amateur to cover crimes. But Jane is really gifted, it is admirable that she is seldom accused of making mistakes. And eager to become more professional, she concentrates on her job and updates herself now and then. Once she is informed of a new case, her normal working process is as follows. First, she makes appointments with guilty people for interviews. So as to acquire accurate storys, she usually demands to record what they say. Meahwhile, a technically good colleague will assist her in taking photographs. Second, she assesses whether they are deliberately hiding the truth. If she is skeptical about their words, she will looking to the case herself. Third, she writes thorough stories ahead of the deadline and submits it to the senior chief editor, who polishes and approves every section. Finally, her storys will be published in different editions of their magazine.
- dilemma (/dɪˈlemə/): n. 困境, eg: It is a dilemma for her to rush between family and work
- colleague (英/ˈkɒliːɡ/ 美/ˈkɑːliːɡ/): n. 同事, eg: a technically good colleague will assist her in taking photographs
- skeptical (/ˈskeptɪkl/): adj. 怀疑的, eg: she is skeptical about their words
25. First Aid
A boy fell ill. His organs were damaged by the radiation of an infrared ray stove. But before the ambulance arrived, a number of other injuries happened to this unlucky boy over and over again. First, he was choked by some poisonous liquid from the kettle on the cupboard. Then his wrist skin was burnt by electric shock. Finally, his ankle was cut by a pan. Fortunately, the boy’s nurse give him proper temporary treatments accroding to his complex symptoms. She mildly squeezed the poisonous liquid out of his throat, and put bandages firmly in place to apply pressure to the ankle wound to stop bleeding. As for the burn, she used scissors to remove his sleeve, poured a basin of cold water over the burn to cool it, and put her hands on a damp blouse to cover his swollen tissue tightly. She also inspired his bravery to fight against the unbearable pain. Her first aid made a vital difference in saving his life. A ceremony was held to honor the nurse who overcame a variety of barriers to save the boy.
- infrafed (/ˌɪnfrəˈred/): adj. 红外的, eg: His organs were damaged by the radiation of an infrared ray stove.
- he was choked (窒息 英/tʃəʊk/ 美/tʃoʊk/) by some poisonous (有毒的 /ˈpɔɪzənəs/) liquid from the kettle (水壶 /ˈketl/) on the cupboard (橱柜 英/ˈkʌbəd/ 美/ˈkʌbərd/)
- symptom (/ˈsɪmptəm/): n. 症状, eg: the boy’s nurse give him proper temporary treatments accroding to his complex symptoms
- bleed (/bliːd/): v. 流血, eg: put bandages firmly in place to apply pressure to the ankle wound to stop bleeding
- As for the burn, she used scissors (剪刀 英/ˈsɪzəz/ 美/ˈsɪzərz/) to remove his sleeve (袖子 /sliːv/), poured a basin (盆 /ˈbeɪsn/) of cold water over the burn to cool it, and put her hands on a damp (潮湿的 /dæmp/) blouse (女式衬衫 英/blaʊz/ 美/blaʊs/) to cover his swollen (肿胀的 英/ˈswəʊlən/ 美/ˈswoʊlən/) tissue (组织 /ˈtɪʃuː/) tightly.
- put one’s hands on: 找到
- vital (/ˈvaɪtl/): adj. 至关重要的, eg: Her first aid make a vital difference in saving his life
26. Abstract Art
Abstract art used to be controversial. On one hand, the artists stopped painting delicate figures, but attempted to adopt special techniques to give people different visual impacts. On the other hand, their works including sculptures carved out of marble or fragile clay, were all with a specific aim of showing feelings. Some conventional scholars who were allergic to abstract art said it was evidently ridiculous, are neither art nor geometry. Their traditional art committee predicted its soon disappearing. But nowadays, abstract art has become part of the permanent possessions of the contemporary civilization. Galleries along the Madison avenue give scores of superb exhibitions on typical abstract works, appealing to many who have a preference for abstract art. The shadow of Egypt, a cafe in this district, has become the home to those aggressive abstract artists. Consequently, it is not a coincidence for you to meet one of these artists with great reputation in the flash. They are asked for signatures, and given bunches of fragrant flowers, plus they’re given a great deal of praise by their faithful fans.
- controversial (英/ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃl/ 美/ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃl/): adj. 有争议的, eg: Abstract art used to be controversial.
- sculpture (英/ˈskʌlptʃə(r)/ 美/ˈskʌlptʃər/): n. 雕塑, eg: sculptures carved out of marble (大理石 英/ˈmɑːbl/ 美/ˈmɑːrbl/) or fragile clay
- allergic (英/əˈlɜːdʒɪk/ 美/əˈlɜːrdʒɪk/): adj. 对…十分反感, eg: Some conventional scholars who were allergic to abstract art
- committee (/kəˈmɪti/): n. 委员会, eg: traditional art committee
- abstract art has become part of the permanent (permanent 永久的 英/ˈpɜːmənənt/ 美/ˈpɜːrmənənt/) possessions (possession 财产 /pəˈzeʃn/) of the contemporary (contemporary 当代的 英/kənˈtemprəri/ 美/kənˈtempəreri/) civilization
- scores of: 许多, eg: Galleries along the Madison avenue give scores of superb exhibitions on typical abstract works
- fragrant (/ˈfreɪɡrənt/): adj. 芳香的, eg: given bunches of fragrant flowers
- praise (/preɪz/): n. 赞扬, eg: they’re given a great deal of praise by their faithful fans
27. A Russian Poem
Since childhood, Anton had often recited poems,
accompaniedby pianists and violinists at wedding ceremonies before brides and bridegrooms exchanged rings. Gradually, he found writing poems the most appropriate way to convey his joy and sorrow.
Whenhis poem, contradictory blank, won him a national championship and a scholarship to the Moscow university from a sponsor, he was just an unknown librarian. After getting his diploma, he devoted his life to writing poems. Using concrete but flexible language, and the minimum of words is his style. He tried out different patterns and preferred nursery rhyme in particular. The following is a translation of one of his works made up of three sections: Little sparrow with heavy load, ran out of energy and very cold. No compass and all sweat salty, can you go through the endless darkness? Little balloon let out by the thread, flew over cottages and was very glad. With warmth transformed from sunlight, he said he could forever fly. Take it easy, little balloon, don’t tease the sparrow with his wound. On the bare branch and have a rest, this diamond heart would eventually get success.
- recite (/rɪˈsaɪt/): v. 朗诵, eg: Anton had often recited poems
- accompanied by pianists and violinists (violinist 小提琴手 /ˌvaɪəˈlɪnɪst/) at wedding ceremonies before brides (bride 新娘 /braɪd/) and bridegrooms (bridegroom 新郎 /ˈbraɪdɡruːm/) exchanged rings
- convey (/kənˈveɪ/): v. 传达, eg: he found writing poems the most appropriate way to convey his joy and sorrow
- contradictory (英/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪktəri/ 美/ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəri/): adj. 矛盾的, eg: contradictory blank
- librarian (英/laɪˈbreəriən/ 美/laɪˈbreriən/): n. 图书管理员, eg: he was just an unknown librarian
- diploma (英/dɪˈpləʊmə/ 美/dɪˈploʊmə/): n. 文凭, eg: After getting his diploma
- nursery rhyme (英/ˈnɜːsəri raɪm/ 美/ˈnɜːrsəri raɪm/): 童谣, eg: He tried out different patterns and preferred nursery rhyme in particular
- compass (/ˈkʌmpəs/): n. 指南针, eg: No compass and all sweat salty
- balloon (/bəˈluːn/): n. 气球, eg: Little balloon let out by the thread
- cottage (英/ˈkɒtɪdʒ/ 美/ˈkɑːtɪdʒ/): n. 村舍, eg: flew over cottages and was very glad
- tease (/tiːz/): v. 嘲笑, eg: don’t tease the sparrow with his wound
28. Let’s Help Adolescents
Whether they are male or female, adolescents feel like deciding on everything themselves in spite of parents’ instruction. Especially when they face problems like sex, mental stress, et al, which make them feel ashamed and embarrassed. Thus they often automatically get into troubles due to their imperfect comprehension and judgement. Some are addicted to cigarettes. Only several packets of which will hurt their lungs and make them breathless quickly. Others can't quit drinking alcohol, whose harmful effects include causing young pregnant women to abort, or give birth to abnormal babies. The worst is drug abuse. For the withdrawal is tough once their bodies are accustomed to the drugs. Meanwhile, those who share needles bought from illegal chemists are at great risk of being infected with desperate AIDS. If so, neither injecting nor taking pills can guarantee their survival. However, don’t be disappointed at, or have prejudice against our children so easily. After all, being awkward is an appendix of youth. As long as we strengthen our communication with them, instead of only banning this or banning that, we will surely help them avoid anything unfit.
- adolescent (/ˌædəˈlesnt/): n. 青少年, eg: adolescents feel like deciding on everything themselves in spite of parents’ instruction
- addicted (/əˈdɪktɪd/): adj. 上瘾的, eg: Some are addicted to cigarettes.
- abort (英/əˈbɔːt/ 美/əˈbɔːrt/): v. 流产, eg: causing young pregnant women to abort
- withdrawal (/wɪðˈdrɔːəl/): n. 撤回, eg: For the withdrawal is tough once their bodies are accustomed to the drugs.
- needle (/ˈniːdl/): n. 针, eg: those who share needles bought from illegal chemists are at great risk of being infected with desperate AIDS
- prejudice (/ˈpredʒudɪs/): n. 偏见, eg: have prejudice against our children so easily
- awkward (英/ˈɔːkwəd/ 美/ˈɔːkwərd/): adj. 难对付的, eg: being awkward is an appendix of youth
29. Refresh Our Environment
As the director stated on behalf of his researching group, the data of this graph makes a clear presentation of the future environmental tendency. On one hand, the quantity of fuel keeps on decreasing by 9 percent per year, while the growth of a wide range of pollution has been a global trend. On the other hand, the mildly but steadily going up of the average temperature is resulting catastrophes like widespread floods. Without disagreement, they subscribe to the view that it is humans' existence and their randomly consuming energy that result in this phenomenon. Many people have a commitment that developing nuclear power or energy from outer space will stop bad consequences coming about. However, scientists and educators are opposed to this view even if ours needs maybe met on the whole. They tend to advocate refreshing our circumstances by saving energy and recycling waste. It is suggested that we use energy-saving appliances such as electrical motors, microwaves, and so on, and not be casual about little things, like recycling a can. So please glance around and see what you can do. So long as everybody makes contribution, we will not have to put up with this problem anymore.
- tendency (/ˈtendənsi/): n. 趋势, eg: the data of this graph makes a clear presentation of the future environmental tendency
- fuel (/ˈfjuːəl/): n. 燃料, eg: the quantity of fuel keeps on decreasing by 9 percent per year
- catastrophe (/kəˈtæstrəfi/): n. 灾难, eg: the mildly but steadily going up of the average temperature is resulting catastrophes like widespread floods
- circumstance (英/ˈsɜːkəmstəns/ 美/ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/): n. 环境, eg: They tend to advocate refreshing our circumstances by saving energy and recycling waste
- appliance (/əˈplaɪəns/): n. 器具, eg: energy-saving appliances such as electrical motors, microwaves, and so on
30. A Volcano Eruption
As the best candidate, I was appointed to collect and evaluate information for a database about diverse natural disasters, such as hurricanes, typhoons, or thunderstorms. Sometimes I did this by giving out questionnaires to those who went through them, but sometimes I had to go through actual disasters myself. The Musaki volcano was one of them. At that time, I lived in a bungalow along side the volcano with a novelist, who came for the appreciation of its eruption. One day, when I was drawing diagrams on the balcony, and he was bathing inside, the volcano erupted unexpectedly. The ash and lava fountains shooting highly in th sky varied from fifty to one hundred meters in height. It was absolutely fantastic. I even noticed a rainbow appear in the fog caused by heat wave. But, glancing through our surroundings, I foresaw the potential danger and found no guarantee of our safety. The uncomfortable gas almost made us unconscious. Sweats of anxiety began to drop. Managing to stop panicking and trembling, we quickly put on our protective suits, helmets, and boots, and eventually made our way to a safe place. How lucky we were, even though my precious equipment and documents were all burnt to the ground.
- hurricane (英/ˈhʌrɪkən/ 美/ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/): n. 飓风, eg: natural disasters, such as hurricanes, typhoons, or thunderstorms
- questionnaire (英/ˌkwestʃəˈneə(r)/ 美/ˌkwestʃəˈner/): n. 调查问卷, eg: giving out questionnaires to those who went through them
- volcano (英/vɒlˈkeɪnəʊ/ 美/vɑːlˈkeɪnoʊ/): n. 火山, eg: The Musaki volcano was one of them
- bungalow (英/ˈbʌŋɡələʊ/ 美/ˈbʌŋɡəloʊ/): n. 平房, eg: I lived in a bungalow along side the volcano
- eruption (/ɪ’rʌpʃ(ə)n/): n. 喷发, eg: who came for the appreciation of its eruption
- balcony (/ˈbælkəni/): n. 阳台, eg: I was drawing diagrams on the balcony
- fountain (英/ˈfaʊntən/ 美/ˈfaʊntn/): n. 喷泉, eg: lava fountains shooting highly in th sky
- fog (英/fɒɡ/ 美/fɑːɡ/): n. 雾, eg: the fog caused by heat wave
- unconscious (英/ʌnˈkɒnʃəs/ 美/ʌnˈkɑːnʃəs/): adj. 无意识的, eg: The uncomfortable gas almost made us unconscious
- anxiety (/æŋˈzaɪəti/): n. 焦虑, eg: Sweats of anxiety began to drop
- panicking (/ˈpænɪkɪŋ/): v. (使)惊慌, panic的现在分词
- tremble (/ˈtrembl/): v. 颤抖, eg: Managing to stop panicking and trembling
- helmet (/ˈhelmɪt/): n. 头盔, eg: put on our protective suits, helmets, and boots
31. Defeat Disability
Yang's ambition was to get an architect certificate, or become a bowling master. But when he was conducting experiments with the microscope in the basement, a tank on the bench exploded, sending him flying outwards through the exit. He was out of breath, while knowing he lost his eyesight, as well as seventy percent of his hearing. In other words, he was disabled. Feeling clumsy, he was annoyed at first, though nobody made fun with him. He cut out going outdoors and just sat around at home, talking to his parrot or tortoise silently. His sister resigned to help him in many ways. Her assistance and encouragement were so beneficial to his psychology that he adapted to his disability soon, and became outgoing again. In a college accessible to him, he studied politics and literature. He always sat in the front row near the entry without any absence and, with the help of his handy laptop, he studied well by means of dictation. His thesis, abolishing slavery, met with all professors’ approval. After class, he and his companions often played drum music, which was noisy but suitable for his hearing. After graduation, he made high profits by designing software for a firm. All in all, in his community, he won his dignity and people’s congratulations. He always wished all the best to his disabled fellows and encouraged them. Never mind. All you have is adequate to get your achievement.
- Yang’s ambition (ambition /æmˈbɪʃn/ n. 志向) was to get an architect certificate (certificate 英/səˈtɪfɪkət , səˈtɪfɪkeɪt/ 美/sərˈtɪfɪkət , sərˈtɪfɪkeɪt/ n. 证书), or become a bowling (bowling 英/ˈbəʊlɪŋ/ 美/ˈboʊlɪŋ/ n. 保龄球) master.
- clumsy (/ˈklʌmzi/): adj. 笨拙的, eg: Feeling clumsy, he was annoyed at first
- tortoise (英/ˈtɔːtəs/ 美/ˈtɔːrtəs/): n. 乌龟, eg: talking to his parrot or tortoise silently
- psychology (英/saɪˈkɒlədʒi/ 美/saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/): n. 心理, eg: Her assistance and encouragement were so beneficial to his psychology
- dictation (/dɪkˈteɪʃn/): n. 听写, eg: he studied well by means of dictation
- thesis (/ˈθiːsɪs/): n. 毕业论文, eg: His thesis, abolishing slavery
- dignity (/ˈdɪɡnəti/): n. 尊严, eg: he won his dignity and people’s congratulations
- adequate (/ˈædɪkwət/): adj. 充足的, eg: All you have is adequate to get your achievement
32. Happy Marriage needs Fighting for
As a talented navy officer, he was bound to be busy. When his wife rang him up to declare her divorce alarm, he was still scanning a digital counter to check the data so as to give an assesment of the theoretical framework for a biochemical weapon. His junior stuff's sympathy made him feel embarrassed. His wife was a part-time clerk. With his high bonus, she lived in a grand house with elegant cushions and bedding. Her favor was reading stars’ biographies or absurd fictions with endless chapters in her armchair. People envied her leisure life very much. But in fact, she was tired of being left alone. She sent e-mails to his mailbox every week to state her thinking and asked for his accompaniment, but never received reply of satisfaction. Tired of his explanation that he must obey the orders, she filed for divorce. Because he desires to get their holy affection back, he set other affairs aside. He trimmed his fingernails short, and changed his overweight figure as well as his awful haircut. He wore an apron to prepare delicious cuisine for her. He also bought her a necklace and piles of flowers hoping that their receiver could turn around. After being tested out for three month in all, he eventually succeeded.
- be bound to: 注定, eg: he was bound to be busy
- divorce (英/dɪˈvɔːs/ 美/dɪˈvɔːrs/): n. 离婚, eg: his wife rang him up to declare her divorce alarm
- theoretical (英/ˌθɪəˈretɪkl/ 美/ˌθiːəˈretɪkl/): adj. 理论的, eg: the theoretical framework for a biochemical weapon
- junior (英/ˈdʒuːniə(r)/ 美/ˈdʒuːniər/): adj. 地位(或职位、级别)低下的, eg: His junior stuff’s sympathy made him feel embarrassed
- clerk (英/klɑːk/ 美/klɜːrk/): n. 职员, eg: His wife was a part-time clerk
- elegant (/ˈelɪɡənt/): adj. 优雅的
- cushion (/ˈkʊʃn/): n. 垫子, eg: a grand house with elegant cushions
- absurd (英/əbˈsɜːd/ 美/əbˈsɜːrd/): adj. 荒谬的
- fiction (/ˈfɪkʃn/): n. 小说, eg: absurd fictions with endless chapters
- leisure (英/ˈleʒə(r)/ 美/ˈliːʒər/): adj. 闲暇的, eg: People envied her leisure life very much
- apron (/ˈeɪprən/): n. 围裙, eg: He wore an apron to prepare delicious cuisine for her.
- cuisine (/kwɪˈziːn/): n. 菜肴
- necklace (/ˈnekləs/): n. 项链
- pile (/ˈeɪprən/): n. 一堆, eg: piles of flowers
33. Mark and a Seal
Mark rented an accommodation with his pension near the shore. He paid annual visits there to enjoy the vivid beauty in the depths of the pure sea. Once, with his underwater telescope and flashlight, Mark dived along the boundary between the steep reef and the area of seaweed conservation. Suddenly, an awesome Antarctic seal with sharp teeth appeared opposite him. Every cell in his body was scared to death. But soon he was aware that he wasn’t the target of an attack. With a neat wound in its lip caused by a shark, this grey seal was washed upside down by the tide time after time. But it tried to jog Mark as if to urge him to help it. So Mark abandoned fleeing away. With its teamwork, Mark used a net to drag the seal to the shallow water. Without pausing, he helped it out after a simple operation and settled it in the narrow cave by the seaside. Everytime he brought tasty fish, it would yell and suck his hands happily.
Witnesses said their anecdotesreflected the magic dimension of the relationship between humans and animals.
- seal (/siːl/): n. 海豹
- accommodation (英/əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃn/ 美/əˌkɑːməˈdeɪʃn/): n. 住处, eg: Mark rented an accommodation with his pension near the shore
- pension (英/ˈpenʃn , ˈpɒ̃sjɒ̃/ 美/ˈpenʃn , pɑːnsiˈoʊn/): n. 养老金
- flashlight (/ˈflæʃlaɪt/): n. 手电筒, eg: with his underwater telescope and flashlight
- reef (/riːf/): n. 礁, eg: the boundary between the steep reef
- Antarctica (英/ænˈtɑːktɪk/ 美/ænˈtɑːrktɪk/): n. 南极, eg: an awesome Antarctic seal with sharp teeth
- jog (英/dʒɒɡ/ 美/dʒɑːɡ/): v. 轻撞, eg: it tried to jog Mark
- flee (/fliː/): v. 逃走, eg: So Mark abandoned fleeing away.
- anecdote (英/ˈænɪkdəʊt/ 美/ˈænɪkdoʊt/): n. 轶事, eg: their anecdotes reflected the magic dimension
34. Helping the Remote Village.
A year ago, the famous astronaut received an invitation by airmail from a remote village. Intending to sniff some fresh air, he and his interpreter paid a fortnight visit there. It was a privilege for them to be there, but they were shocked by what they saw. The tracks were muddy, the river was drying up. Most villagers only possessed one broom, a few tins, and several jars, and their rectangular grass huts with round angles were surrounded by weeds. Besides, their school had no roof and platform. And the students had no concept of clicking a computer at all. They were badly in need. Soon, the astronaut made a generous voluntary donation to the village. There were textbooks for students, sewing machines for tailors, and tractors for farmers. His distribution catalogue also included operating a clinic and a trunk library as well as giving weekly lessons to teach relevant farming knowledge like how to dry out seeds or raise oxen. He himself not only helped to do some paperwork, but also purchased grills for boys to toast potatoes and combs for girls who were dying to get one. The other day, he heared from the villagers again inviting him to participate in the donation anniversary. For political and security reasons, he couldn’t ajust his outgoing arrangement, otherwise he would go. But his deeds were remembered forever.
- astronaut (/ˈæstrənɔːt/): n. 宇航员, eg: the famous astronaut received an invitation
- sniff (/snɪf/): v. 闻, eg: Intending to sniff some fresh air
- interpreter (英/ɪnˈtɜːprətə(r)/ 美/ɪnˈtɜːrprətər/): n. 口译员, eg: he and his interpreter paid a fortnight visit there
- fortnight (英/ˈfɔːtnaɪt/ 美/ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/): n. 两周
- privilege (/ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ/): n. 荣幸, eg: It was a privilege for them to be there
- Most villagers only possessed (possess /pəˈzes/ v. 拥有) one broom (broom /bruːm/ n. 扫把), a few tins (tin /tɪn/ n. 罐头) and several jars (jar 英/dʒɑː(r)/ 美/dʒɑːr/ n. 罐子) and their rectangular grass huts (hut /hʌt/ n. 棚屋)
- sew (英/səʊ)/ 美/soʊ/): v. 缝纫, eg: sewing machines for tailors
- tractor (英/ˈtræktə(r)/ 美/ˈtræktər/): n. 拖拉机, eg: tractors for farmers
- catalogue (英/ˈkætəlɒɡ/ 美/ˈkætəlɔːɡ/): n. 目录, eg: His distribution catalogue also included operating a clinic and a trunk library
- but also purchased grills (grill /ɡrɪl/ n. 烤架) for boys to toast (toast 英/təʊst/ 美/toʊst/ v. 烤) potatoes and combs (comb 英/kəʊm/ 美/koʊm/ n. 梳子) for girls who were dying to get one.
35. Study in America
Nan Nan’ father runs an enterprise near the Ming Tombs selling batteries and drills to the Daqing oilfield. Hoping to get the qualification to help govern it, Nan Nan made much preparation and then left her motherland with her visa to study in America. Having reached her destination, she settled in an inn recommended by the travel agent. As far as Nan Nan was concerned, she always kept it up in China, but she had to acknowledge it was not easy to adjust herself to the new academic requirements, which were not parallel with China’s. Though she was occupied with lectures and seminars day in and day out, the essays she drafted were still contradicted by her tutors. As for her routine life, she felt that it was hard to fit in, too. For example, she found English idioms difficult to understand. And it was out of the question to eat delicious Chinese foods though many optional cafeterias served abundant substitutes. In addition, she had to wait in a queue early for the minibus that took her to school, and it was usually so cold that she felt numb. What bothered her most was that she received no apology when her sleeping was disturbed by a barking dog in a shopkeeper's cage. Luckily, with her parents comforting her by videophone, she became autonomous soon and eventually got her bachelor's degree successfully.
- enterprise (英/ˈentəpraɪz/ 美/ˈentərpraɪz/): n. 企业, eg: Nan Nan’ father runs an enterprise
- tomb (/tuːm/): n. 坟墓, eg: near the Ming Tombs
- inn (/ɪn/): n. 小旅馆, eg: she settled in an inn recommended by the travel agent
- seminar (英/ˈsemɪnɑː(r)/ 美/ˈsemɪnɑːr/): n. 研讨会, eg: she was occupied with lectures and seminars
- contradict (英/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt)/ 美/ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt/): v. 反驳, eg: the essays she drafted were still contradicted by her tutors
- tutor (英/ˈtjuːtə(r)/ 美/ˈtuːtər/): n. 导师
- routine (/ruːˈtiːn/): adj. 日常的, eg: As for her routine life
- idiom (/ˈɪdiəm/): n. 成语, eg: she found English idioms difficult to understand
- queue (/kjuː/): n. 队列, eg: she had to wait in a queue
- numb (/nʌm/): adj. 麻木的, eg: it was usually so cold that she felt numb
- shopkeeper (英/ˈʃɒpkiːpə(r)/ 美/ˈʃɑːpkiːpər/): n. 店主, eg: a barking dog in a shopkeeper’s cage
- autonomous (英/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/ 美/ɔːˈtɑːnəməs/): adj. 自主的, eg: she became autonomous soon
- bachelor (英/ˈbætʃələ(r)/ 美/ˈbætʃələr/): n. 学士, eg: got her bachelor’s degree
36. Immigrate to America
Attracted by the boom in America, my nephew teamed up with a Korean to illegally cross the Bering Strait in the Arctic to America. To avoid the custom’s punishment, they hid in a small ferry called the north pole seagull. Sitting back to back without sleeping, showering, and shaving for three days, and had no chance to mourn their lost luggage when landing. The hardship of this crossing was apparent. At first, he made a living by means of raising cattle, and then was hired in an aircraft industries. He lived in a Catholic district. Taking in a small percentage of Pakistani immigrants, the majority of the residents were from Italy and Denmark, who all kept up their customs and cultures. Different blocks here were distinctly marked out and indicated from the racial angle. It was unfair and needed reforming. But with nowhere else to go, my nephew lived on and managed to make a life for himself. My nephew’s fortune came when he bravely helped a conductor brake a tram to stop it from slipping out of the rails. The man was elected vice chairman of the socialist party later. It occurred my nephew that he could grasp this opportunity to ask for his help. The man who was thankful helped him apply to the civil authority for the right to live in in America by inserting his brave deed into his documents. Unlike a great many other applicants, his application was approved by the federal justice ministry. Before long, he started his own bakery and lived a better life.
- nephew (/ˈnefjuː/): n. 外甥, eg: my nephew teamed up with a Korean
- Korean (/kəˈriən/): n. 韩国人
- strait (/streɪt/): n. 海峡, eg: cross the Bering Strait in the Arctic to America
- ferry (/ˈferi/): n. 渡船, eg: they hid in a small ferry
- north pole seagull (/ˈsiːɡʌl/):北极海鸥
- mourn (英/mɔːn)/ 美/mɔːrn/): v. 哀悼, eg: mourn their lost luggage when landing
- hardship (英/ˈhɑːdʃɪp)/ 美/ˈhɑːrdʃɪp/): n. 困难, eg: The hardship of this crossing was apparent
- industry (/ˈɪndəstri/): n. 工业, eg: then was hired in an aircraft industries
- catholic (/ˈkæθlɪk/): adj. 天主教的, eg: He lived in a Catholic district
- immigrate (/ˈɪmɪɡreɪt/): v. 移民, eg: As for her routine life
- immigrant (/ˈɪmɪɡrənt/): n. 移民, eg: a small percentage of Pakistani immigrants
- Pakistani (/ˌpækɪˈstɑːni/): n. 巴基斯坦人
- Denmark (英/ˈdenmɑːk)/ 美/ˈdenmɑːrk/): n. 丹麦
- he bravely helped a conductor (英/kənˈdʌktə(r))/ 美/kənˈdʌktər/ 列车长) brake (/breɪk/ 刹车) a tram (/træm/ 有轨电车) to stop it from slipping (slip /slɪp/ 滑离) out of the rails.
- vice (/vaɪs/): adj. 副的, eg: The man was elected vice chairman
- federal (/ˈfedərəl/): adj. 联邦的, eg: the federal justice ministry
- bakery (/ˈbeɪkəri/): n. 面包店, eg: he started his own bakery
37. Be Careful about Cloning
After a series of initial experiments and corrections, the scientist’s hard work paid off when the twin clone turkeys were hatched with normal feather and claws. This breakthrough possibily enabled people to bring their adored pets back to life. However, it bothered him from time to time that their health was in poor condition because they were unable to resist illnesses. This drawback cast him down.
Merelytwo weeks later, the clones and their carrier died, which struck frustration into his heart. He retired before he attained his ambition, and became a member of an opera chorus to relieve his depression. Shortly afterwards, the media published a conservative argument objecting to cloning owing to moral problems, and suggested the constitution include compulsory regulations to forbid obtaining commercial profits from cloning. When interviewed, the scientist stared at the decorations on the ceiling, thinking for a while, and then said, `` I’m not in favor of any arbitrary assumption, but undertaking cloning does differ from the straightforward procedure making loafs out of flour. Until we accumulate enough exact knowledge, any practice is in vain and is bound to fail.
Altogether, being more careful is reasonable, or we may walk into a side road. ‘’
- the twin clone turkeys were hatched (hatch /hætʃ/ 孵化) with normal feather and claws (claw /klɔː/ 爪子).
- adore (英/əˈdɔː(r))/ 美/əˈdɔːr/): v. 热爱, eg: bring their adored pets back to life
- cast down (英/kɑːst daʊn)/ 美/kæst daʊn/): 使沮丧
- struck (/strʌk/): v. 碰撞, strike的过去分词和过去式
- chorus (/ˈkɔːrəs/): n. 合唱团, eg: became a member of an opera chorus
- relieve (/rɪˈliːv/): v. 缓解, eg: relieve his depression
- constitution (英/ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃn)/ 美/ˌkɑːnstɪˈtuːʃn/): 宪法
- compulsory (/kəmˈpʌlsəri/): adj. 强制性的, eg: the constitution include compulsory regulations
- the straightforward procedure (英/prəˈsiːdʒə(r))/ 美/prəˈsiːdʒər/ 步骤) making loafs (loaf 英/ləʊf)/ 美/loʊf/ 面包) out of flour (英/ˈflaʊə(r)/ 美/ˈflaʊər/ 面粉)
38. Strange Patent Applications
I set about working in the current patent office after resigning from the court personnel. Competent and dynamic, I never feel passive while diving into the identifications of whether applications are valid and practical according to the new version of the criteria. With the expectation of distinguishing their own importance, some people leave the beaten track, and file strange products with us now and then. For example, lantern that can be attached on your forehead, cubic walnuts, refrigerator made of straw and glue, perfume that nobody can bear to smile, and so on. Once, a man made a triangle helicopter out of stainless wires and string. He called us up, and merrily claimed that it was stable and convinent to use, and never out of order. I asked him to hang on, but this innocent man just rang off and set out to fly from his courtyard. I dialed his number in the directory trying to ring him back, but never got through. Merciful God blessing, an abrupt freezing rainfall made his powder wet. Luckily, the trouble was without any extension except that he crashed into a greengrocer's, making all the ripe fruits become messy jam. When people seized this crasy man with caution, and sobered him by tapping his face, he complained about the bad weather, instead of associating his failure with his unscientific design.
- personnel (英/ˌpɜːsəˈnel/ 美/ˌpɜːrsəˈnel/): n. 人事部门, eg: resigning from the court (英/kɔːt)/ 美/kɔːrt/ 法院) personnel
- competent (英/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/ 美/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/): adj. 称职的, eg: Competent and dynamic
- criteria (英/kraɪ’tɪəriə/ 美/kraɪ’tɪriə/): n. 标准, criterion的复数, eg: according to the new version of the criteria
- beaten (/ˈbiːtn/): adj. 被压实的, eg: beaten track 惯例
- lantern (英/ˈlæntən/ 美/ˈlæntərn/ 灯笼) that can be attached on your forehead, cubic walnuts (/ˈwɔːlnʌt/ 核桃), refrigerator made of straw (/strɔː/ 稻草) and glue
- stainless (/steɪnləs/): adj. 不锈钢的, eg: stainless wires and string
- merrily (/ˈmerəli/): adv. 快乐地, eg: and merrily claimed that it was stable and convinent to use
- innocent (/ˈɪnəsnt/): adj. 天真的, eg: this innocent man just rang off
- courtyard (英/ˈkɔːtjɑːd/ 美/ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/): n. 庭院, eg: set out to fly from his courtyard
- dial (/ˈdaɪəl/): v. 拨打, eg: I dialed his number in the directory (/dəˈrektəri/ 号码簿)
- an abrupt (/əˈbrʌpt/ 突然的) freezing rainfall made his powder (英/ˈpaʊdə(r)/ 美/ˈpaʊdər/ 火药) wet
- greengrocer (英/ˈɡriːnɡrəʊsə(r)/ 美/ˈɡriːnɡroʊsər/): n. 蔬菜水果商, eg: he crashed into a greengrocer’s
- ripe (/raɪp/): adj. 成熟的, eg: making all the ripe fruits become messy jam
- seize (/siːz/): v. 抓住, eg: people seized this crasy man with caution
- sober (英/ˈsəʊbə(r)/ 美/ˈsoʊbər/): v. 使变得冷静, eg: sobered him by tapping his face
39. Pronunciation and Status
An ambassador and a referee were consulting a professor on the caption of a Buddhistic alphabet, when a sobbing woman stopped them to sell an antique musical bathtub. Her dirty garment and the handkerchief around her waist were badly in need of senting to a laundry. The ambassador uncomfortably gave her a handful of pence from his wallet and said, ‘Take this fortune away, troublesome woman.’ When her figure faded away, the brilliant professor said, ‘You are mistaken and your inproper remake on her should be condemned. In terms of this extraordinary woman, you can’t classify her status by her horrible clothes or disgusting nails.
Herclean woolen vest and stocking, especially her classic pronunciation, all suggested her upper status.’ The ambassador gave a whistle in amazement, and advised making her acquaintance. The professor hesitated for a while, then compromised. The outcome was that she was an authentic superior police officer. When they were shown in her office and saw her once more, she brought them a teapot of tea and some cookies, laughing and saying, ‘I rubbed some cream and wax on my garment, and passed myself off as a shabby woman among thieves and robbers to investigate a plot. Generally speaking, your overloooking me and my adaptation are the best help, but my pronunciation seemed to have betrayed me.’
- ambassador (英/æmˈbæsədə(r)/ 美/æmˈbæsədər/): n. 大使
- referee (/ˌrefəˈriː/): n. 裁判
- Buddhistic (/ˈbʊdɪstɪc/): adj. 佛教的, eg: the caption of a Buddhistic alphabet
- a sobbing (sob 英/sɒb/ 美/sɑːb/ 啜泣) woman stopped them to sell an antique (/ænˈtiːk/ 古老的) musical bathtub (英/ˈbɑːθtʌb/ 美/ˈbæθtʌb/ 浴缸)
- Her dirty garment (英/ˈɡɑːmənt/ 美/ˈɡɑːrmənt/ 服装) and the handkerchief (英/ˈhæŋkətʃɪf/ 美/ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/ 手帕) around her waist (/weɪst/ 腰)
- pence (/pens/): n. 便士, penny的复数, eg: a handful of pence from his wallet
- condemn (/kənˈdem/): v. 谴责, eg: your inproper remake on her should be condemned
- Her clean woolen vest (/vest/ 背心) and stocking (英/ˈstɒkɪŋ/ 美/ˈstɑːkɪŋ/ 长筒女袜)
- acquaintance (/əˈkweɪntəns/): n. 相识, eg: advised making her acquaintance
- authentic (/ɔːˈθentɪk/): adj. 真正的, eg: she was an authentic superior police officer
- teapot (英/ˈtiːpɒt/ 美/ˈtiːpɑːt/): n. 茶壶, eg: a teapot of tea
- I rubbed (rub /rʌb/ 抹) some cream and wax (/wæks/ 蜡) on my garment
- shabby (/ˈʃæbi/): adj. 破烂的, eg: passed myself off as a shabby woman
- plot (英/plɒt/ 美/plɑːt/): n. 阴谋, eg: investigate a plot
- betray (/bɪˈtreɪ/): v. 背叛, eg: my pronunciation seemed to have betrayed me
40. A Sly Murder
When giving a lecture about the significance of punctuation, the academic professor was interrupted and arrested by the police for murdering his wife, a receptionist of a kindergarten. The police found some photos he deleted from the E-album showing that they used have a gay life. But, fed up with her wrinkled face, he murdered her instead of divorcing her to avoid fortune devision. He cut up a kind of seashell with a sharpened knife and hammered it into powder on a skateboard, and made at most one gram which was enough to accelerate one’s pulse until he or she dies. This kind of poison can date back to 10000 BC when people rubbed it on spears to kill beasts. The professor mixed the poison with onion, watermelon, and yogurt for his wife.
Howlingand scratching her chest, she felt dizzy and died soon. After tentative examination, the police assumed she died of heart disease. But systematic botanical analyses showed that the watermelon spit on the messy mat and the quilt was poisonous. Regradless of exhaustion and starvation, the acute and skillful policeman used radioactive equipment to make sure the category of the poison.
Primitiveand not ample as their alternative equipment was, they got perfect accuracy somehow. People applauded the police and the woman’s family can look ahead with relief now.
- sly (/slaɪ/): adj. 狡猾的, eg: A Sly Murder
- punctuation (/ˌpʌŋktʃuˈeɪʃn/): n. 标点符号, eg: the significance of punctuation
- arrest (/əˈrest/): v. 逮捕, eg: the academic professor was interrupted and arrested by the police
- kindergarten (英/ˈkɪndəɡɑːtn/ 美/ˈkɪndərɡɑːrtn/): n. 幼儿园, eg: a receptionist of a kindergarten
- album (/ˈælbəm/): n. 相册, eg: some photos he deleted from the E-album
- gay (/ɡeɪ/): adj. 愉快的, eg: they used have a gay life
- feed up with: 对…厌烦, eg: fed up with her wrinkled (/ˈrɪŋkld/ adj. 有皱纹的) face
- spear (英/spɪə(r)/ 美/spɪr/): n. 矛, eg: people rubbed it on spears to kill beasts
- howl (/haʊl/): v. 怒号, eg: Howling and scratching her chest
- dizzy (/ˈdɪzi/): adj. 头晕的, eg: she felt dizzy and died soon
- tentative (/ˈtentətɪv/): adj. 暂定的, eg: tentative examination
- systematic (/ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/ adj. 系统的) botanical (/bəˈtænɪkl/ adj. 植物学的) analyses
- the watermelon spit on the messy mat (/mæt/ n. 垫子) and the quilt (/kwɪlt/ n. 被子) was poisonous.
- primitive (/ˈprɪmətɪv/): adj. 原始的, eg: Primitive and not ample as their alternative equipment was
- applaud (/əˈplɔːd/): v. 鼓掌, eg: People applauded the police