综合英语二课文及翻译

2025-01-30 版权声明 我要投稿

综合英语二课文及翻译(精选5篇)

综合英语二课文及翻译 篇1

从问题重重到迎刃而解

Economic development is necessary if we want to improve society. There comes a time when the old must give way to the new, and it is not possible to preserve everything from our past as we move towards the future. Finding and keeping the right balance between progress and the protection of cultural sites can be a big challenge.

社会进步需要经济发展。新旧更替的时代已经带来,在走向未来的过程中,我们不可能将过去的一切都保存下来。在发展与文化遗址保护之间寻找恰当的平衡点,并加以保持,这可能是一项巨大的挑战。

Big challenges, however, can sometimes lead to great solutions. In the 1950s, the Egyptian government wanted to build a new dam across the Nile in order to control floods, produce electricity, and supply water to more farmers in the area. But the proposal led to protests. Water from the dam would likely damage a number of temples and destroy cultural relics that were an important part of Egypt’s cultural heritage. After listening to the scientists who had studied the problem, and citizens who lived near the dam, the government turned to the United Nations for help in 1959.

然而,巨大的挑战有时会带来伟大的解决方案。20世纪50年代,埃及政府打算在尼罗河上新建一座大坝,可以防洪、发电并为该地区更多的农民供水。但是,该提议引发了抗议。因为大坝泄流很可能会损坏许多寺庙,摧毁一批文物,而这些文物是埃及文化遗产的重要组成部分。在听取了研究该问题的科学家以及大坝附近居民的意见后,政府于1959年向联合国求助。

A committee was established to limit damage to the Egyptian buildings and prevent the loss of cultural relics. The group asked for contributions from different departments and raised funds within the international community. Experts investigated the issue, conducted several tests, and then made a proposal for how the buildings could be saved. Finally, a document was signed, and the work began in 1960.

委员会成立了,旨在减少对埃及建筑物的破坏和防止文物的损失。该委员会要求各部门予以支持,并在国际范围内筹集资金。专家们经过调查研究,多次测试,提出一个保住那些建筑的方案。最终,(埃及政府)签署了一份文件,于1960年开始动工。

The project brought together governments and environmentalists from around the world. Temples and other cultural sites were taken down piece by piece, and then moved and put back together again in a place where they were safe from the water. In 1961, German engineers moved the first temple. Over the next 20 years, thousands of engineers and workers rescued 22 temples and countless cultural relics. Fifty countries donated nearly $80 million to the project.

该项目汇集了来自世界各地的政府机构和环保人士。寺庙和其他文化遗址被逐块拆解,运至一个不受河水侵袭的安全地带。1961年,德国工程师搬迁了第一座寺庙。在随后的里,成千上万的工程师和工人拯救了22座寺庙和不计其数的文物。五十个国家向该项目捐赠了近8000万美元。

When the project ended in 1980, it was considered a great success. Not only had the countries found a path to the future that did not run over the relics of the past, but they had also learnt that it was possible for countries to work together to build a better tomorrow.

该项目于1980年完工,它被视为一个巨大的成功。这些国家不仅找到了一条不以牺牲古迹为代价的未来发展之路,而且明白了多个国家合作共创美好未来的可能性。

The spirit of the Aswan Dam project is still alive today. Perhaps the best example is shown by UNESCO, which runs a programme that prevents world cultural heritage sites around the world from disappearing. If a problem seems too difficult for a single nation, the global community can sometimes provide a solution.

综合英语二课文及翻译 篇2

Unit 5 Active reading

The lonely AmericanAmericans in the 21st century devote more technology to staying connected than any society in history, yet somehow the devices fail us: Studies show that we feel increasingly alone.Our lives are spent in a tug-of-war between conflicting desires – we want to stay connected, and we want to be free.We lurch back and forth, reaching for both.How much of one should we give up in order to have more of the other? How do we know when we’ve got it right?Yet people in this country continue to drift apart.We need to know why.First, let’s look at the frenetic busyness of our lives.Americans may be the only people in the world who believe that each individual has the right and the capacity to fit whatever he or she wants into one small life.America is the original “You can be anything you want if you really try, and it’s never too late to start trying!” country.A good friend described the impact of busyness on our neighborhoods brilliantly: “Being neighborly used to mean visiting people.Now being nice to your neighbors means not bothering them.” People’s lives are shaped by how busy they are.Lives also are shaped by the respect and deference that is given to busyness – especially when it is valued above connection and community.If people are considerate, they assume that their neighbors are very busy and so try not to intrude on them.Dropping by is no longer neighborly.It is simply rude.We treat socializing as if it’s a frivolous diversion from the tasks at hand rather than an activity that is essential to our well-being as individuals and as a community.Soon our not bothering to call people(or even email them)gets read by others as a sign that we are too caught up in the busy sweep of our own lives to have time for them.Our friends are not surprised.Our relatives may be indignant, but even they know how hard it is.An unspoken understanding develops.It’s too bad that we’ve lost touch, but that’s just the way it is.The pace of everyday life may push us toward isolation, but there is a pull, as well: a very seductive picture of standing apart as a victory, not a retreat.Ever since Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote his famous essay and Henry David Thoreau set out to embody the concept in his cabin on Walden Pond, a long series of American icons have idealized the concept of self-reliance.And when we do find ourselves isolated, by standing tall in our own minds, side by side with self-reliant heroes, each of us is suddenly no longer

alone but part of a group – a great American tradition of lonesome cowboys and go-it-alone entrepreneurs.That psychological magic becomes the spoonful of sugar that makes painful experiences of finding ourselves left out easier to swallow.We may have isolated ourselves without entirely meaning to, but we also have ended up in a place that looks a lot like where we always knew that we were supposed to stand.On the outside, proud to be there.It is also the last place on earth that a person would want to be.The consequences of social disconnection are both extensive and remarkably diverse.To begin with, social support is an important determinant of overall health.It has significant effects on longevity, on an individual’s response to stress, on immune functions, and on the incidence of a variety of specific illnesses.In diseases as varied as heart attacks and dementia, medical research repeatedly has found that social networks and social activity have a protective effect.Social isolation damages ecological health as well.The rising tide of single-person households strains the earth’s resources.Additionally, in our consumer-oriented culture, a common solution to not having enough people in one’s life is to turn to things, objects that will define one’s identity through possessions rather than through one’s place in a social world.(We once passed an elegant store in New York City whose name summed up the problem: More and More.We watched the shop from across the street, keeping a safe distance.)The truth is that if one can bring oneself to acknowledge loneliness, half the battle is won.It is not an easy half of a battle, however.When we began to talk about these ideas with friends, their first response was to passionately defend their styles of staying disconnected.Having chosen, like so many Americans, to step back, they explained how right the choice has been for them.Small daily choices – whether to go to a local store or order off the Internet, whether to pick up a ringing telephone or let it go to voicemail, whether to get together with a friend or pop in a DVD – end up defining one’s social world.These little decisions are cumulative.You step back a little from others.They step back a little from you.You feel a little left out.Feeling left out, unexamined, leads you to step back further.But feeling left out, when it’s examined,can lead people to work a little harder to reconnect.Loneliness was never the goal.It’s just the spot where too many people wind up.We get stuck because the world we have wandered away from is so frantic and demanding.We get stuck because we have dreamed about lonesome heroes who stand defiantly apart.We get stuck because we feel left out and stop looking for ways back in.We should remember that the outside was not meant to be our final destination.孤独的美国人在使人与人保持联系方面,21世纪的美国人投入了比历史上任何一个社会都要多的技术手段。然而这些手段却辜负了我们:研究表明我们感觉越来越孤单。我们的生命花在了两种相互矛盾的欲望之间的拉锯战上:我们想保持联系,但我们也想自由。我们在两者之间徘徊,两种状态都想达到。如果我们想在一方面得到,那我们需要在另一方面牺牲多少呢?我们怎么知道自己什么时候达到两者间的平衡呢?但是这个国家的人们还在疏远彼此。我们需要知道为什么。首先,让我们来看看我们生活中的疯狂忙碌状态。美国人可能是世界上唯一抱有这样一种理念的民族:每个人都有权利和能力在自己短暂的一生实现任何梦想。“如果你真的努力,你就能成为你想要成为的人。只要开始尝试,什么时候都不晚。”美国就是这种思想的发源地。有个好友恰如其分地描绘了忙碌对我们邻里生活的影响:“过去表示邻里友好就是要相互拜访。但现在,对邻居友好就意味着不要打扰他们”。人们的生活受他们忙碌程度的影响,同时也受给予这种忙碌状态的尊重及敬意程度的影响——特别是当忙碌被视为比相互联系及集体生活更重要时。如果人们考虑周到的话,他们会猜想他们的邻居非常忙所以尽量不去打扰。顺便拜访不再是亲近邻居的表现,那只会显得很没礼貌。我们把交际当做了手头诸多任务中一个不起眼的小插曲,而不是一项对于我们个人或集体的利益都很重要的活动。很快,我们不愿意打电话给别人(甚至也不发电邮),这种行为让别人以为我们太忙于我们自己的生活以至无暇顾及他们。我们的朋友并不觉得奇怪。我们的亲戚可能会生气,但即使是他们也知道其中的艰辛。于是大家达成了一种默契:失去联系是很糟糕的,但事情就是这样。日常生活的节奏可能会把我们推向孤独,但也有一种拉力将我们拉向孤独:独自一人是个诱人的画面,这是一种胜利,而不是一种逃避。自拉尔夫·沃尔多·爱默生为此写下著名的篇章,亨利·大卫·梭罗开始在他的瓦尔登湖湖畔的小屋中身体力行后,很多美国大人物都把自立这种概念理想化了。当我们发现我们确实被孤立,并与自立自强的英雄一起孤芳自赏时,我们每个人却突然变得不再是独自一人,而是一个群体中的一部分——一个伟大的美国传统群体,其中有孤独的牛仔及单打独斗的企业家。这个心理魔术变成了一种安慰,让我们发现自己被孤立不那么痛苦。也许我们孤立自己并非完全出于本意,但是我们最后所处的处境,和我们一直的预期非常相近。表面看来,我们引以为荣。这也是一个人在地球上最不愿意呆的地方。与社会脱节的后果深远而且复杂。首先,社会支持是决定全身健康的重要因素。它对于人的寿命、个体的抗压能力、免疫功能及许多特定疾病的发作都有深远的影响。医学研究不断发现社交网络及社会活动对很多疾病,比如心脏病和痴呆症,起着预防作用。与社会脱节同时也会影响生态健康。单人家庭的数量的增加造成了地球资源的紧张。此外,在我们以消费者为导向的文化中,对于生活中没有足够的朋友这个问题,一个普遍的解决方案是:用物品代替朋友,这样一来,通过对物体的占有来定义一个人的身份代替了用人的社交地位来定义的方式。(我们曾经路过纽约市的一家典雅的小店,店名就道出了这个问题:越来越多。我们保持着安全距离,隔着马路观察那家店。)事实是,如果有人能承认自己孤独,那么这场战役他就赢了一半。但这一半却不是那么容易赢得的。当我们开始与朋友讨论这些观点,他们的第一个反应是极力为自己与社会脱节的方式辩护。与许多美国人一样,他们选择了退后一步,并解释这个选择对他们来说是多么正确。日常生活中的小选择——是去当地的实体店还是在网上订购,是接起正在响的电话还是让对方语音留言,是与朋友聚聚还是自己看光碟——最终定义了一个人的社交世界。这些小决定的后果是一点点累积的。你远离他们一步他们就也远离你一步。你就感觉自己受到了一点点遗忘。感觉自己被遗忘,却不思考原因,你会更往后退。但如果感觉自己被遗忘,思考一下原因,就能作出一些努力去重新与社会联系。孤独从来都不是目标。但往往太多的人陷入此境。我们陷入是因为我们躲避的那个世界太疯狂太苛求了。我们陷入是因为我们梦想着成为孤独的英雄,能够站得远远地藐视一切。我们陷入是因为我们感到被遗忘却停止了寻找回归的路。我们应该记住外围不是我们最终的目的地。

综合英语二课文及翻译 篇3

John Weier

Twenty-five years ago if you made a trip to the local library and perused the periodical section for articles on global warming, you’d probably have come up with only a few abstracts from hardcore science journals or maybe a blurb in some esoteric geopolitical magazine.As an Internet search on global warming now attests, the subject has become as rooted in our public consciousness as Madonna2 or microwave cooking.Perhaps all this attention is deserved.With the possible exception of another world war, giant asteroid, or an incurable plague, global warming may be the single largest threat to our planet.2 For decades human factories and cars have spewed billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the climate has begun to show some signs of warming.Many see this as a harbinger of what is to come.3 If we don’t curb our greenhouse gas emissions, then low-lying nations could be awash in seawater, rain and drought patterns across the world could change, hurricanes could become more frequent, and El Ninos could become more intense.Our Warming Planet

What has worried many people now is that over the past 250 years humans have been artificially raising the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.Our factories, power plants, and cars burn coal and gasoline and spit out a seemingly endless stream of carbon dioxide.We produce millions of pounds of methane by allowing our trash to decompose in landfills and by breeding large herds of methane-belching cattle.Nitrogen-based fertilizers, which we use on nearly all our crops, release unnatural amounts of nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.Once these carbon-based greenhouse gases get into the atmosphere, they stay there for decades or longer.According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)since the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels have increased 31 percent and methane levels have increased 151 percent.Paleoclimate readings taken from fossil records show that these gases, two of the most abundant greenhouse gases, are at their highest levels in the past 420,000 years.Many scientists fear that the increased concentrations of greenhouse gases have prevented additional thermal radiation from leaving the Earth.In essence, these gases are trapping excess heat in the Earth’s atmosphere in much the same way that a windshield traps solar energy that enters a car.Much of the available climate data appear to back these fears.5 Temperature data gathered from many different sources all across the globe show that the surface temperature of the Earth, which includes the lower atmosphere and the surface of the

ocean, has risen dramatically over several decades.Worldwide measurements of sea level show a rise of 0.1 to 0.2 meters over the last century.That’s an increase of roughly 1℃ every 4,000 years.Readings gathered from glaciers reveal a steady recession of the world’s continental glaciers.Taken together, all of these data suggest that over the last century the planet has experienced the largest increase in surface temperature in 1,000 years.Not surprisingly, many scientists speculate that such changes in the climate will probably result in hotter days and fewer cool days.6 According to the IPCC, land surface areas will increase in temperature over the summer months much more than the ocean.The mid-latitude to high-latitude regions in the Northern Hemisphere — areas such as the Continental United States, Canada, and Siberia — will likely warm the most.These regions could exceed mean global warming by as much as 40 percent.As far as human health is concerned, those hit hardest will probably be residents of poorer countries that do not have the funds to fend against changes in climate.7 A slight increase in heat and rain in equatorial regions would likely spark an increase in vector-borne diseases such as malaria.More intense rains and hurricanes could cause more severe flooding and more deaths in coastal regions and along riverbeds.Even a moderate rise in sea level could threaten the coastlines of low-lying islands such as the Maldives.All across the globe, hotter summers could lead to more cases of heatstroke and deaths among those who are vulnerable, such as older people with heart problems.The warmer temperatures may also lead to higher levels of near-surface ozone from cars and factories, which would likely cause more perilous air quality days and hospital admissions for those with respiratory problems.Taking Actions

Fortunately, we can take actions to slow down global warming.8 Global warming results primarily from human activities that release heat-trapping gases and particles into the air.The most important causes include the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, and deforestation.To reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides, we can curb our consumption of fossil fuels, use technologies that reduce the amount of emissions wherever possible, and protect the forests in the world.We can also do things to mitigate the impacts of global warming and adapt to those most likely to occur,9 e.g., through careful planning and other strategies that reduce our vulnerability to global warming.But we can’t stop there.We are also advocating policies that will combat global

warming over the long term, things like clean cars that run on alternative fuels, environmentally responsible renewable energy technologies, and stopping the clear-cutting of valuable forests.Clearly, global warming is a huge problem.It will take everyone — governments, industry, communities and individuals working together to make a real difference.Fortunately you can be part of them.关注全球气候变暖

二十五年前,如果你想去当地的图书馆通过各种期刊搜索关于全球气候变暖的文章的话,很可能你只能找到一些刊登在核心自然科学期刊或非常专业的地理科学杂志上的同类文章的摘要。然而,当今因特网搜索结果表明全球气候变暖,就像麦当娜或微波炉一样,成为所有人都十分关心的话题。

应该说公众对全球气候变暖的关注是很有必要的。除了一些可能的巨大灾害,例如新的世界大战、巨型小行星撞击地球、或是无法治愈的流行疾病等等,全球气候变暖可能是对地球的唯一最大威胁。近几十年来,人类的工厂和汽车向大气中排放了数十亿吨的温室气体,全球气候已经表现出了变暖的趋势。许多人认为这是灾难即将来临的不祥征兆。如果我们不再抑制温室气体的肆意排放,那么那些海拔很低的国家可能被海水淹没,同时多雨和干旱地区的分布也会发生变化,飓风将愈加频繁,而“厄尔尼诺”现象也会愈演愈烈。

地球正在变暖

现在令大多数人担忧的是在过去250年中人类已经人为地增加了大气中温室气体的浓度。我们的工厂、发电厂、汽车燃烧煤和汽油,排放出无穷尽的二氧化碳。我们任由垃圾在废渣填埋池里分解产生甲烷,还大量饲养胃里会产生甲烷气体的家畜,就这样我们人为制造了数百万吨的甲烷气体。我们几乎在所有的农田中都使用以氮为主要元素的化肥,导致超过正常数量的氧化氮进入大气之中。

一旦这些以碳为主要元素的温室气体进入大气层,它们就会存在几十年甚至更久。根据政府间气候变化问题专门研究小组的研究结果,自工业革命以来,空气中二氧化碳的含量增长了31%,甲烷气体的含量甚至增长了151%。从古代化石记录中得到的地质气候资料显示,这两种含量最多的温室气体(二氧化碳和甲烷)居过去42万年之首。许多科学家担心温室气体浓度日益增长会阻碍地球多余热量的散发。实际上,这些气体已经在阻碍地球大气中多余热量的散发,它们阻碍热量散发的原理就和汽车挡风玻璃阻碍太阳热量进入车厢是一样的。

大量可获得的气候数据证明人们的担忧是很有道理的。从全球各地搜集的气温数据显示地球表面温度,包括较低大气层和海洋表面温度,在过去几十年间剧烈上升。全球海平面测量数据也表明在上个世纪中,海平面上升了0.1—0.2米,也就是说海水温度每4000年上升大约1℃。冰川研究数据也显示全球大陆冰川正在逐步消融。总而言之,以上这些数据都

表明在过去一个世纪中,地球表面温度上升是近1000年里最快的。

很自然地,许多科学家推测这种种气候变化很可能会导致天气越来越热,凉爽的日子越来越少。根据政府间气候变化问题专门研究小组的研究,地表夏季温度上升幅度将远大于海面温度的上升幅度。北半球中高纬度地——例如美国大陆地区,加拿大和西伯利亚地区——温度上升将最为剧烈。这些地区温度上升幅度将超过全球平均温度上升幅度的40%。

就人类健康而言,那些受到最严重影响的将会是处于贫穷国家的居民,因为他们没有资金来抵御气候变化。在赤道地区,热量和降雨量少许增加就很可能会导致昆虫传播疾病的增加,例如疟疾。海岸地区与河道集中地区的降雨和飓风程度一旦变强,那将会造成更加严重的洪涝灾害和大批人员死亡。甚至海平面只是上升了一点,也会威胁到海拔很低的岛屿国家,例如马尔代夫。在全世界,更加炎热的夏天将导致更多人中暑,并且使那些体弱多病者,例如有心脏疾病的老人,失去生命。气温升高也会使近地面的臭氧含量增高,这些臭氧产生自工厂和汽车,并会使空气质量处于危险等级的日子越来越多,而且因为呼吸道疾病住院的人也会越来越多。

采取行动吧

幸运的是,我们可以多种采取措施来减缓全球变暖的进程。全球变暖很大一部分原因是人类活动排放出大量阻碍热量散失的气体和微粒子。其中最重要的原因是大量燃烧化石矿物燃料,例如煤炭、天然气和石油,还有就是滥砍滥伐。为了降低会阻碍热量散失的气体的排放,我们应该限制化石矿物燃料的使用,采取新技术降低所有有害气体的排放,并且保护我们的森林资源。

我们也可以设法减少全球气候变暖带来的负面效应,并且使自己适应可能发生的气候变化,例如,通过详细地规划和其他战略措施减少全球气候变暖带给我们的伤害。

然而这还远远不够。我们还应该通过政策提倡与全球气候变暖打一场持久战,例如,使用替代能源让汽车不再排放温室气体而变的清洁,使用对环境有利的可更新能源技术,并且停止砍伐宝贵的森林。

综合英语二课文及翻译 篇4

两个月以前,我在一份科普杂志上读到一篇有趣的文章,文章是关于不同文化背景下的人们是如何通过面部表情流露情感的。文章说,俄国人在面部表情中流露的情感最少——美国人流露的最多。这似乎非常有趣。但作为印度人,我觉得更有趣的是,研究人员还研究了哪个国家的人笑得最多。印度人在排行榜上几乎是垫底的——准确地说,位于第124 名,而丹麦人则居于首位。

这使我想到自己,以及自己的经历。我记得我的女儿——那时候她肯定是在八岁左右——曾经问我:“爸爸,为什么只有当外国人到家里来的时候你才微笑?” 我意识到自己确实像她说的那样。通常,只有当外国客人来访时我才微笑。有外国客人时,我会有意识地努力改变我正常的面部表情。从女儿提醒我之后,我决定开始更多地微笑,在家里这样,上班也一样。

起初,我得强迫自己微笑。我记得在什么地方读到过,我们皱眉的时候比微笑的时候动用的肌肉要多得多。可是我们依然需要努力才会微笑——那是一种习得的行为,而不是一种反射动作。但令人奇怪的是,只要我拉起嘴角的肌肉,就觉得快乐。换句话说,面部反应能增强其所表达的情感。

综合英语二课文及翻译 篇5

Unit 1 Growing Up Part II Language Focus Vocabulary Ⅰ1)、1.respectable 2.agony 3.put…down 4.sequence 5.hold back 6.distribute 7.off and on 8.vivid 9.associate 10.finally 11.turn in 12.tackle 2)、1.has been assigned to the newspaper’s Paris office.2.was so extraordinary that I didn’t know whether to believe him or not.3.a clear image of how she would look in twenty years’ time.4.gave the command the soldiers opened fire.5.buying bikes we’ll keep turning them out.3)、1.reputation, rigid, to inspire 2.and tedious, What’s more, out of date ideas 3.compose, career, avoid showing, hardly hold back Ⅱ.1.composed 2.severe 3.agony 4.extraordinary 5.recall 6.command 7.was violating 8.anticipate Ⅲ.1.at 2.for 3.of 4.with 5.as 6.about 7.to 8.in, in 9.from 10.on/upon Comprehensive Exercises Ⅰ.Cloze 1.1.hold back 2.tedious 3.scanned 4.recall 5.vivid 6.off and on 7.turn out/in 8.career 2.1.last 2.surprise 3.pulled 4.blowing 5.dressed 6.scene 7.extraordinary 8.image 9.turn 10.excitement Ⅱ.Translation 1.1.As it was a formal dinner party, I wore formal dress, as Mother told me to.2.His girlfriend advised him to get out of/get rid of his bad habit of smoking before it took hold.3.Anticipating that the demand for electricity will be high during the next few months, they have decided to increase its production.4.It is said that Bill has been fired for continually violating the company’s safety rules./Bill is said to have been fired for continually violating the company’s safety rules.5.It is reported that the government has taken proper measures to avoid the possibility of a severe water shortage./The local government is reported to have taken proper measures to avoid the possibility of a severe water shortage.2.Susan lost her legs because of / in a car accident.For a time, she didn’t know how to face up to the fact that she would never(be able to)walk again.One day, while scanning(through)some magazines, a true story caught her eye /she was attracted by a true story.It gave a vivid description of how a disabled girl became a writer.Greatly inspired, Susan began to feel that she, too, would finally be bale to lead a useful life.Unit2 I.Vocabulary 1..1)absolutely 2)available 3)every now and then 4)are urging/ urged 5)destination 6)mostly 7)hangs out 8)right away 9)reunion 10)or something 11)estimate 12)going ahead

2.Rewriting 1)It seemed that his failure in the examination was still on his mind.2)He was completely choked up by the sight of his team losing in the final minutes of the game.3)She was so lost in study that she forgot to have dinner.4)Something has come up and I am afraid I won’t be able to accomplish the project on time.5)The cost of equipping the new hospital was estimated at $2 million.3.Complete the sentences.1)were postponed the awful is estimated 2)reference not available an kind of 3)not much of a teacher skips go ahead

II.Collocation 1.to 2.for 3.at 4.from 5.in 6.to on 7.on 8.with

III.Usage 1.more or less 2.kind of/ sort of 3.something 4.kind of/ sort of 5.more or less 6.or something

Comprehensive exercises I.Cloze 1.text-related

1)choked up 2)awful 3)practically 4)neighborhood 5)correspondence 6)available 7 destination 8)reunion 9)Mostly 10)postponing 11)absolutely

2.Theme-related 1)how 2)savings 3)embarrassment 4)phone5)interrupted 6)touch 7)envelop 8)signed 9)message 10)needed

II.Translation 1.Translate the sentences.1)Half an hour had gone by, but the last bus hadn’t come yet.We had to walk home.2)Mary seems to be very worried about the Chinese exam because she hasn’t learned the texts by heart.3)Since the basketball match has been postponed, we might as well visit the museum.4)He stayed in Australia with his parents all the way through WWⅡ.5)Since I graduated from Nanjing University in 1985, I have kind of lost touch with my classmates.2.Translate the passage.It is not easy to keep in touch with friends far away.This is true in my case.It has been a couple of years since I left my old neighborhood and all the friends there.I have been meaning to write to them but things come up and I just don’t seem to find the time.They are always on my mind, however, and I think I will certainly make an effort to keep up correspondence with them in the future.Unit 3 I Vocabulary 1

1)brief 2)in terms of 3)cut off 4)tend

5)anyway 6)precise 7)in the form of 8)initiative 9)convey 10)in two minds 11)concept 12)grasp 2 1)has ensured their team a place in the Cup final.2)medical workers’ responsibility to heal the wounded and rescue the dying.3)entertain as well as educate the learner.4)can do without air and water.5)is likely to be held in June.3 1)lies in contact between

2)basis of is likely sufficient at the moment 3)the steady will be highly II Word Formation 1 regained 2 undecided 3 undersupplied 4 disabled 5 precondition 6 foresight 7 mispronounced 8 enrich IIIAntonyms

1)majority 2)accepted 3)increased 4)weaknesses 5)local 6)late 7)wrong 8)false Comprehensive exercises I Close 1.Text-related

1)highly 2)bring about 3)evident 4)rate 5)sufficient 6)put across 7)proportion 8)Hence 9)ensure 2.Theme-related

1)understand 2)travel 3)practical 4)use 5)Another 6)likely 7)affect 8)developments 9)supply 10)Someday II Translation 1)As is predicted by scientists, global pollution has become one of the most serious problems humans are faced with.2)Competition for these jobs is very tough –we have five times as many applicants this year as we did last year/ there are five times as many applicants this year as there were last year.3)As the facts show, educational programs need to fit into the national plan for economical development.4)The car burns too much gas, and moreover, the price is almost twice as much as I intend to pay.5)To understand a great international event, we, first of all, need to consider the historical and political background to it.2 It is hard to imagine how our forefathers could do without so many conveniences that modern technology has brought about.Back then only a small proportion of the population enjoyed the comforts of life.The majority didn’t even have sufficient food, not to speak of/ let alone the privilege of being educated.However, many people blame modern technology for creating so many problems.They want to slow down the rate of progress.But no one can put the clock back.Unit 4 Vocabulary 1)wreck 2)balance 3)approaching 4)handle 5)discard 6)Above all 7)diet 8)do with

9)checked on 10)cleaned up 11)weekly 12)principles 2.1)to look for survivors were abandoned after it had been/was determined that all the people in the sunken ship had died.2)was amazed that Bob left a well-paid job travel around the world.3)for a loan has been turned down by many a bank as her business is small and she could provide no guarantee.4)express her thoughts with precision, so people often misunderstand her.5)will weaken our determination to modernize our country in the shortest possible time.3.1)for sale hunting for be amazed by 2)become skilled handle their loans 3)character by calling on he passed away II Confusable words 1.1)personal 2)personnel

2.1)sometime 2)Sometimes 3)some time 4)sometime III Euphemism de hcgabf

Comprehensive Exercises I Close 1.Text-related

1)sponsored 2)determination 3)turned away 4)assumed 5)capacity 6)skilled 7)loan 8)character 9)hunting 10)for sale 11)send for 2.Theme-related

1)save 2)recent 3)modest 4)grow 5)dream

6)immigrants 7)business 8)engineering 9)invest 10)rich III Translation 1)It is reported that UN mediators have worked out a plan which they hope will be acceptable to both sides.2)Doris walked in the forest cautiously, afraid of being attacked by giant snakes.3)Earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters cannot be prevented, but action can be taken to protect life and property.4)I bought a new issue of my favorite sports magazine and hurried home, anxious to amuse myself reading it.5)Helen lacks confidence.I’ve never known anyone so unsure of herself.2.After graduating from college, Tony decided to start his own business.At the beginning, many a bank turned down his request for a loan.But he was not a bit discouraged, and continued to call on one banker after another seeking help.Impressed by his determination and optimism, one banker finally agreed to loan him the money.Now he has become a wealthy businessman.Talking about his amazing achievement, Tony says that it is important to create rather than wait for opportunities.Unit 5 Vocabulary I.1

1)monthly 2)acquaintances 3)classic 4)look;in the eye 5)manufactured 6)options 7)finance 8)replacement 9)survived 10)pick out 11)married 12)grabbed at 2.1)survived a car crash that killed both her parents.2)almost embarrassed to death when Sarah read my poem out to the whole class.3)of the Children’s Hospital will care for the seriously injured pupils.4)several phone calls making inquiries about the position of the Chief Financial Officer.5)straighten out all your financial problems if you join our club.3.1)inquiry;died of hunger;people survied 2)Instantly;give up his;retire;replace him;executive 3)his beloved;odd jobs;and all that II Word Formation 1.embarrassment 2.survivors 3.newly 4.marketable 5.monthly 6.competition 7.conceivable 8.respectable III.Usage 1.the poor 2.The deceased/The dead 3.the disabled 4.the French 5.The accused 6.the young 7.the unemployed 8.the latter…the former… Comprehensive Exercises I.Cloze 1.Text-related 1)died of 2)instantly 3)classic 4)ask around 5)surviving 6)retire 7)executive 8)replacement 9)stock 10)look…in the eye 2.Theme-related 1)impressed 2)diligence 3)Instead 4)Contrary 5)professionally 6)perform 7)personal 8)balance 9)commitment 10)revealed II.Translation 1.1)I’m not sure where you can find a good carpenter---you’d better ask around.2)Feeling a little embarrassed, he quickly cleared his throat and looked up at the painting on the wall.3)Michael was survived by three sons, two daughters, and his wife Elizabeth.4)As a financial expert, William advised us to invest our money in the stock market.5)We small retailers can’t compete with supermarkets in pricing and sales.2.My dad is a hard-working executive of a manufacturing firm.He works six days a week.Every day he has to straighten out various kinds of problems so that he often stays up late/nights.However, he tries his best to balance/maintain balance between work and family.On Sundays my dad usually stays at home and cares for us as much as he can.To my greatest joy, he cooks our favorite dished and plays ball with us.Unit 6 Homework Vocabulary Ⅰ

1.1.Fertile 2.Reflected 3.Overseas 4.Slim 5.Split 6.Sustained 7.Glow 8.Thrust 9.Keen 10.Bud 11.Previous 12.Whichever 2.1)The sickly smell of carpets and furniture in the bedroom disgusts me.2)Mary stopped corresponding with Henry after the death of her mother.3)A radio transmitter is best located at an isolated place far from cities.4)I was so absorbed in the game on TV that I didn’t hear Martin come in.5)The rough surface of the basketball helps players grip the ball.3.1)to broaden;make their way 2)disgusts;take a chance on 3)the grand;and overseas;reflected Ⅱ

1.1)frightened 2)afraid/ frightened 2.1)alike/similar 2)similar 3.1)alive 2)living 4.1)sleeping 2)asleep Ⅲ

1)disappointed 2)disappointment 3)disappointing 4)disappoint 5)disappointingly 6)disappointing 2.1)attractive 2)attract 3)attraction 4)attractively 5)unattractively 6)unattractive Comprehension Exercises ⅠCloze Text-related 1)Identifying 2)gripped 3)margins 4)corresponding 5)overseas 6)little 7)hesitate 8)grateful 9)made my way 10)going my way 2.Theme-related 1)first 2)ring 3)Nor 4)another 5)threw

6)deliberately 7)reasoned 8)himself 9)restaurant 10)matter ⅡTranslation 1)Before I went off to university, my grandfather gave me a few words of wisdom which impressed me deeply.Never tell my parents about my injuries and I’ll be very grateful to you(for it).At the meeting some of our colleagues put forward sensible suggestions about improving our working environment.The management has/have agreed to grant the workers a 10% pay rise in response to union pressure.It was very thoughtful of the hostess to give the house a thorough cleaning before we arrived.Not rich himself, Uncle Li never hesitates to help others.Previous to/Before his retirement, through Project Hope he located the addresses of two country kids who grew up in poor families but had a keen desire to study.From then on he sent them money regularly.Later the two made their way to college, and even got a chance to study overseas.Unit 7 Content Questions Pair Work 1.He thinks animals will probably do their best thinking when it serves their own purposes, not when scientists ask them to.2.Because he believes they may encounter animal intelligence in their daily life.3.He regards them as a new window on animal intelligence.4.She wanted to get more pineapple.5.He expanded the money supply by breading chips in two.6.It shows he is clever and sly.He ate up the fruit leaving nothing but stems to share with Miles.7.They say that animals cooperate when they learn it is in their interest to do so.8.The author thinks that what behaviorists say is right, but he doesn’t think their explanation is satisfactory enough.9.Because Orky was the most intelligent animal she had worked with.10.Corky is a female whale because she is Orky’s mate and delivered a baby whale.11.Because she thought the orange must have rolled off somewhere inaccessible.12.Towan hid his orange underneath his foot.The act reveals some animals are intelligent enough to know how to deceive.Text Organization 1.Eugene Linden wants to tell the reader that animals do have, at least, some limited intelligence, and the personal experiences of those who are in close contact with animals are more convincing evidence than that any experiments can provide.2.Let’s Make a Deal: Some animals are intelligent enough to know how to bargain with people.Tale of a Whale: Animals like whales can assess a situation and act accordingly.Primate Shell Game: Animals can attempt to deceive.Language Sense Enhancement 1.(1)controversy(2)consciousness(3)explore(4)serves their own purposes(5)encounter(6)lack of it(7)convinced(8)mental feats(9)captivity(10)humans Language Focus I.Vocabulary 1.1)go(very)far 2)has expanded 3)in the interest(s)of 4)only to 5)encountered 6)has cooperated 7)assessed 8)(had)switched 9)horizons 10)gaze 11)disaster 12)wiped out 2.1)… a long/long running controversy over whether the book should be published or not 2)… felt relieved after her first meeting with Tom had gone smoothly 3)...suddenly went wrong with my computer when I was in the middle of writing the essay 4)… is obvious that our company is still maintaining its composition as market leader in software.5)… give in until they give her a pay rise 3.1)have undertaken, original, to explore 2)evidence convinced, underneath, extending to 3)to negotiate, encounter, to figure out, explore II.Confusable Words 1.firstly 2.first, first 3.At first 4.First/Firstly 5.first 6.First 7.at first 8.first III.Usage 1.animal intelligence whose 2.zoo keeper where 3.eye contact through what 4.money supply of what 5.killer whale what kind 6.baby whale how old 7.family member of what 8.sea turtle what kind/where Comprehensive Exercises I.Cloze 1.(1)emergency(2)evidence(3)original(4)sizing up(5)negotiates(6)reveal(7)make a deal(8)dominant(9)in their interest(s)(10)deceiving(11)controversy(12)judgment(13)explore 2.(1)protect(2)However(3)type(4)situation(5)sights(6)together(7)rang(8)associate(9)without(10)environment II.Translation 1.1)A local business undertook the project but went bankrupt before it was completed.2)Let’s make a deal—you wash my car, and I’ll let you use it tonight.3)We got to the village which we thought must have been wiped out in the severe earthquake, only to find it slightly damaged.4)My garden is dry and shady—few plants thrive in that condition 5)Mystery still surrounds the exact truth behind the film star’s death/exact circumstance of the film star’s death.2.When I was young I used to visit the zoo in my hometown.There what attracted me most was a couple of tigers, especially the male.They were dept in a huge iron cage at first, but later were released from it and moved to a place called Tiger Hill.Twenty years later I revisited the zoo and was relieved to find Tiger Hill was still there, but greatly extended.Moving around now were six tigers, old and young, instead of two!Unit8 Pair work

1.She was amazed at the author’s ability to do mental calculation.2.Children can’t spell correctly;their knowledge of word history and geography is non-existent 3.He didn’t want to compete with the hard-working Asians at U.C.L.A.He preferred a less intellectually challenging life.4.A modern industrial state cannot function with an idle, ignorant labor force.5.To use the media to dramatize and drive home the message to today’s teenagers.6.He is fed up with the book he is forced to red.7.They can’t read or write.They place their hopes on their children.8.He works as a cleaner in a factory owned by the Japanese.9.Because he has no education, no useful skill, and no discipline.10.Americans stop demanding good education foe children.Machines do all the complex work and there is little manual work to be done.America is poorer than Japan and European countries.11.Hard work education, saving and discipline help a nation rise from the ashes.12.He finally comes to realize the importance of study.Work on your own 1.Part one paras.1-10 Teenagers’ idleness and ignorance will produce serious effects on all concerned and society as a whole.Part two paras.11-24 Kevin 1990 comes to realize in his dream how greatly lack of education costs his forebears, himself, his children and the society they live in, and how important it is to study hard.2.Part one Teenagers’ intellectual laziness and ignorance Part two Kevin 1990, his forebears(with the exception of his intellectual father),and his children lead a poor, miserable life.America is on the decline.There is no law and order in the country.America children have no chance to receive a good education.Businesses in America are owned by wealthy Europeans and Asians.Language sense enhancement Indifference(1)Summed up(2)Preferred(3)Financial(4)

Accumulated(5)Intellectual(6)Affect(7)Industrial 8)Idle(9)Break down(10)Vocabulary I 1.1.industrial 2.idle3.is functioning4.intellectual5.scared6.handful 7.luxury 8.private 9.work up 10.slice 11.miracle 12.was jammed 2.1.to be seriously affected by the rise in gas prices。2.is a matter of total indifference to me.3.drove home the point that they needed extra people 4.was found after they searched for it for a long time 5.had run out of water by the time they got to the camp 3.1.manual and complex its financial 2.was very upset make a living by swore was/became much better off 3.handful ignorant of paintings/ works summed up II 1.The young man made $5 an hour in his summer job.2.What made you change your mind? 3.I’m sure Jason will make a good lawyer.4.The vet put something down the dog’s throat to make it vomit.5.The story makes interesting reading.6.Five and five make ten.7.On foot they can only make about 20 miles a day.8.I don’t think she’ll ever really make it to the top III 1

(1)developing(2)develo p(3)development(4)develop(5)developing developed 2(1)amazed(2)amazes(3)amazingly(4)amazing(5)amazement Comprehensive exercise I.CLOZE 1.TEXT-RELATED(1)complex(2)idle(3)make a living by(4)accumulated(5)affect(6)function(7)faculties(8)ignorant(9)wake up 2.THEME-RELATED(1)dormitory(2)passing(3)leaping(4)department(5)burned(6)destroyed(7)seriously(8)marriages(9)report(10)perspective

II TRANSLATION 1)Without his personal file, an applicant can hardly expect to get/ be employed as a teacher.2)With enough ice, we would be able to chill the drinks.3)In my humble opinion, reading us the most pleasant way to spend one’s leisure.4)Some people said it was simply a miracle that the American athlete Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.5)The washing machine has broken down, so we have to wash our clothes by hand.This morning I heard an interesting piece of news over my portable radio: a man of 36 and his son of 10 attend the same class competing with each other for high marks.The story goes/ It’s like this: The man, Li Wei by name, was too idle to learn anything when young.With little education, with no useful skills, he could hardly earn an adequate living wage.His life experiences drove home to him the point that he had to acquire knowledge before he was able to accumulate wealth.So Li Wei swore that he would go to school with his son, determined to learn.翻译: 第一单元

成长

课文A 我们写作时常常被告诫,脑子里要有读者,笔者所云一定要符合读者的口味和兴趣。但有一位读者特别不该忘记。你能猜出是谁吗?当拉塞尔·贝克找到这个问题的答案时,他自己和别人都感到大为惊讶。

为自己而写

拉塞尔·田克

从孩提时代,我还住在贝尔维尔时,我的脑子里就断断续续地转着当作家的念头,但直等到我高中三年级,这—一想法才有了实现的可能。在这之前,我对所有跟英文课沾边的事都感到腻味。我觉得英文语法枯燥难懂。我痛恨那些长而乏味的段落写作,老师读着受累,我写着痛苦。

弗利格尔先生接我们的高三英文课时,我就准备着在这门最最单调乏味的课上再熬上沉闷的一年。弗利格尔先生在学生中以其说话干巴和激励学生无术而出名。据说他拘谨刻板,完全落后于时代。我看他有六七十岁了,古板之极。他戴着古板的毫无装饰的眼镜,微微卷曲的头发剪得笔齐,梳得纹丝不乱。他身穿古板的套装,白衬衣领扣外的领带打得——丝不苟。他救着古板的尖下巴,古板的直鼻梁,说起话来—·本正经,字斟句酌,彬彬有礼,活脱脱一个橱稽的老古董。

我作好准备,打算在弗利格尔先生的班上一无所获地混上—·年,不少日子过去了,还真率出所料。后半学期我们学写随笔小品文。弗利格尔先生发下一张家庭作业纸,出了不少题供我们选择。像“暑假二三事”那样傻乎乎的题目倒是一个也没有,但绝大多数—样乏味。我把作文题带回家,——直没写,直到要交作业的前一天晚上。我躺在沙发上,最终不得不面对这一讨厌的功课,便从笔记本里抽出作文题目单粗粗—看。我的目光落在“吃意大利细面条的艺术”这个题目上。…

这个题目在我脑海里唤起了一连串不同寻常的图像。贝尔维尔之夜的清晰的回忆如潮水一般涌来,当时,我们大家——起围坐在晚餐桌旁——艾伦舅舅、我母亲、查理舅舅、多丽丝、哈尔舅舅——帕特舅妈晚饭做的是意大利细面条。那时意大利细面条还是很少听说的异国食品。多丽丝和我都还从来没吃过,在座的大人也是经验不足,没有—个吃起来得心应手的。艾伦舅舅家诙谐有趣的场景全都重现在我的脑海中,我回想起来,当晚我们笑作—团,争论着该如何地把面条从盘子上送到嘴里才算合乎礼仪。

突然我就想描述那…切,描述当时那种温馨美好的气氛,但我把它写下来仅仅是想白得其乐,而不是为弗利格尔先生而写。那是我想重新捕捉并珍藏在心中的一个时刻。我想重温那个夜晚的愉快。然而,照我希望的那样去写,就会违反我在学校里学的正式作文的种种法则弗利格尔先生也肯定会打它—个不及格。没关系。等我为自己写好了之后,我可以再为弗利格尔先生写点什么别的东西。

等我写完时已是半夜时分,再没时间为弗利格尔先生写——篇循规蹈矩、像模像样的文章了。第二天上午,我别无选择,只好把我为自己而写的贝尔维尔晚餐的故事交了上去。两天后弗利格尔先生发还批改过的作文,他把别人的都发了,·就是没有我的。我正准备着遵命—放学就去弗利格尔先生那儿挨训,却看见他从桌上拿起我的作文,敲了敲桌子让大家注意听。

“好了,孩子们,”他说。“我要给你们念一篇小品文。文章的题目是:吃意大利细面条的艺术。”

于是他开始念了。是我写的!他给全班大声念我写的文章。更不可思议的是,全班同学都在听着他念,而且听得很专心。有人笑出声来,接着全班都笑了,不是轻蔑嘲弄,而是乐乎乎地开怀大笑。就连弗利格尔先生也停顿了两三次,好抑制他那丝拘谨的微笑。我尽力不流露出得意的心情,但是看到我写的文章竟然能使别人大笑,我真是心花怒放。就在十——年级,可谓是最后的时刻,我找到了一个今生想做的事。这是我整个求学生涯中最幸福的——刻。弗利格尔先生念完后说道:“瞧,孩子们,这就是小品文,懂了没有。这才是一知道吗——这才是小品文的精髓,知道了没有。祝贺你,贝克先生。”他这番话使我沉浸 在十全十美的幸福之中。

第二单元

友谊

课文A

老朋友天各一方,你心有何感?你是否努力保持联系?有时候写信的事很容易会一拖再拖,总以为明天有的是时间。然而,正如这则故事所表明的,有时我们拖得太晚了。也许读一读这个故事会让你提起笔来。

出租车司机拥有的就剩一封信

福斯特·韩克洛

他准是完全沉浸在所读的东西里了,因为我不得不敲挡风玻璃来引起他的注意。

他总算抬头看我了。“你出车吗?”我问道。他点点头,当我坐进后座时,他抱歉地说:“对不起,我在读一封信。”听上去他像是得了感冒什么的。“我不着急,”我对他说。“你接着把信读完吧。”

他摇了摇头。“我已经读了好几遍了。我想我都能背出来了。”

“家书抵万金啊,”我说。“至少对我来说是这样,因为我老是在外旅行。”我估量他有六七十岁了,便猜测说:“是孩子还是孙子写宋的?”

“不是家里人,”他回答说。“不过,”他接着说,“想起来,也可以算是一家人了。埃德老伙计是我最老的朋友了。实际上,过去我俩总是以‘老朋友’相称的——就是说,当我俩相见时。我这人就是不大会写东西。”

“我看大家写信都不那么勤快,”我说。“我自己笔头就很懒。我看,你认识他挺久了吧?” “差不多认识了一辈子了。我俩小时候就一起玩,所以我俩的友谊确实很长了。” “一起上的学?”.

“都一起上到高中呢。事实上,我俩从小学到高中都在一个班里。” “保持这么长久友谊的人可真不多见啊,”我说。

“其实呢,”司机接着说,“近25到30年来,我跟他一年只见一两次面,因为我从原来住的老街坊搬了出来,联系自然就少了,虽说你一直放在心上。他在的时候可真是个大好人。” “你刚才说他‘在的时候’。你是说——?” 他点了点头。“前两个星期过世啦。”

“真遗憾,”我说。“失去朋友真不是个滋味,失去个真正的老朋友更让人受不了。” 他开着车,没有接话儿。我们沉默了几分钟,可我知道他还在想着老埃德。他又开口时,与其说是跟我说话,还不如说是自言自语:“我真该一直保持联系。真的,”他重复道,“我真该—直保持联系。”

“是明,”我表示赞同,“我们都该与老朋友保持更多的联系。不过总是有事情冒出来,好像就是抽不出空来。”

他耸了耸肩。“我们过去总能抽出空来,”他说。“信里还提到呢。”他把信递给我。“你看看吧。”

“谢谢你,”我说,“不过我不想读你的信。这纯属私事。”

司机耸,一耸肩。“老埃德人都死了。没什么私事不私事了。念吧,”他催促说。信是用铅笔写的。称呼写着“老朋友”,而开头第一句话让我想到自己。“早就想写信了,可就是——拖再拖。”信里接着写道,他常常回想从前两人住在一个街坊时的快乐时光。信里提到些事,可能对司机很重要,比如“那次蒂姆·谢打破窗子,那年万圣节前夕,我们把老帕克先生的大门拴了起来,还有卡尔弗太太老是在放学后把咱俩留下训斥的那阵子”。“你们俩准是在一起度过了不少时光,”我对他说。

“就跟信里写的那样,”他回答说,“我俩在那个时候能花的只有时间。”他摇头叹道:“时间吓可。”

信里接下来的那段我觉得有点凄凉:“信的开头我写着‘老朋友’,因为这么多年来,我们这对老朋友渐渐都老了。我们这些人当中留下的也不多了。”

“你要知道,”我对他说,“信里说我们这些人当中留下的不多了,说得一点不错。比如说,每次我去参加老同学聚会,来的人总是越来越少。” “时间不饶人啊,”司机说。

“你们俩以前在一起工作吗?”我问他。

“不,不过没成家时我俩总在一起闲荡。后来,两人都成了家,就不时相互串门。可最近这二三十年来,主要就是寄寄圣诞卡了。当然,我俩都总在卡上写几句——通常是关于各自家里的情况,不是吗,孩子们在干些什么,谁搬到哪儿,添了个小孙子,都是这类事——可一直都没正儿八经地写过信什么的。”

“这一处写得好,”我说。“这里写道:‘你多年的友谊对我非常重要,远比我能说出来的重要得多,因为我不擅长说这样的话。,,我颔首称是。“这话准让你听着开心,是吧?” 司机说了句什么,可我没听明白,因为他似乎哽噎得厉害。于是我接着说:“我也真想收到这样一封老朋友的来信。”

我们快到目的地了,于是我跳到最后一段。“因此我想你一定想知道我惦记着你。”信末署名:“老朋友汤姆”。我们在我的旅店前停下,我把信递了回去。“很高兴能和你聊聊,”我将衣箱从车上提下时说。汤姆?信的署名是汤姆?

“我节的你朋友叫埃德,”我说。“为什么他署名汤姆呢?”

“这封信不是汤姆写给我的,”他解释说。“我是汤姆。这是我在得知他去世前写给他的信。所以我一直没寄出。”

他神情有点悲伤,似乎想看清远处什么东西。“我想我真该早些写这封信。” 我进了旅馆房间之后,没有马上打开箱包。首先我得写封信——而且要寄出去。

第三单元

理解科学

课文A 霍金教授认为使每个人都了解科学是干什么的非常重要。在这篇文章中,他对其中的缘由作了解释。

公众科学观

斯蒂芬.霍金

无论我们是否愿意,我们生活的世界在过去一百年间已经变化了许多,而且在未来的一百年里可能变化更多。有人想中止这种种变化,回到那个他们认为更纯洁更朴素的时代。但正如历史所表明的,过去并非那么美妙。过去对享有特权的少数人不算太糟,但即便他们也:无从享受现代医疗,而生育对妇女来说风险极大。对占人口大多数的民众而言,生活是艰难、残忍而又短暂的。

不管怎样,即使有人想这么做,他也无法将时钟拨回到早先的时代。知识与技术不可能说忘就忘了。也没有人能阻止未来的进一步发展。即使所有用于研究的政府资金都被取消(现政府最擅此事),竞争的力量仍将继续带来技术的发展。更何况,没有人能阻止探究求索之士去思索基础学科,无论他们是否会为此得到酬劳。唯一能阻止进一步发展的办法或许是一个压制任何新事物的全球政府,但人类的进取心与创造力如此旺盛,即便这个政府也不会成功。它所能做到的只是延缓变化的速度。

如果我们承认,我们无法阻止科学技术改变我们的世界,我们至少可以努力确保科技带来的变化方向正确。在——个民主社会里,这意味着公众需要对科学有—个基本的了解,从而可以作出明达的决定,而不是把决定留给专家去作。目前,公众对科学存有矛盾之心。公众期望科技新发展带来的生活水准的稳定提高能继续,但又怀疑科学,因为他们不懂科学。那个在实验室里设法制造弗兰肯斯泰因的疯狂的科学家的卡通人物清楚地体现了公众的这种怀疑。这也是人们之所以支持各种绿色组织的—个重要因素。但公众同时也对科学深感兴趣,尤其是对天文学,诸如《夜空》之类的电视连续剧观众不少以及科幻小说读者甚多就是明证。

怎么样才能利用这种兴趣,向公众提供所需要的科学知识,以便其在酸雨、温室效应、核武器以及基因工程等问题上作出明达的决定呢?显然,必须把基础建立在学校课程上。但在学校里,科学往往被教得枯燥乏味。孩子们死记硬背应付考试,他们看刁;出科学与他们的周围世界的联系。更有甚者,科学常常是用公式来教的。虽然公式是阐述数学概念的——种简单而精确的方式,它们却使大多数人望而生畏。前不久我写了—“本通俗读物,当时有人告诫我说,我每使用个公式就会使销量减半。我只使用了—个公式,即爱因斯坦那个著名的公式,E=mc2:。如果;用这个公式的话,也许我能多卖出—倍的书。私学家和工程师倾向于用公式阐述观点,因为他们需要知道量的精确值。但对我们其余的人来说,对科学概念有个质的认识就已足够,这可以用文字和图表来表述,大可不必使用公式。人们在学校学到的科学知识可以提供—个基本的框架。但如今科学进步的速度如此之快,个人离开学校或大学后新的发展层出不穷。我在学校从未学过分子生物学或晶体管,但基因工程和计算机是极有可能改变我们未来生活的两项发展。有关科学的通俗读物和杂志文章能帮助人们了解新发展,但即使是最畅销的科普读物也只有—部分人阅读。只有电视能赢得真:广大的观众。电视上有些相当优秀的科学节目,但其他的节目把科学奇迹简单地作为魔术播出,既不加以说明,也展现它们与科学观念的整体框架的关系。电视科学节目的制片人应该认识到,他们负有教育民众的重任,而不仅仅是为他们提供娱乐。

当今世界充满危险,因此就有了那个令人毛骨悚然的玩笑,说我们尚未受到外星文明造访的原因在于:但凡文明发展到我们目前的程度,它们往往就自我毁灭了。然而我对公众的明智充满信心,因而相信,我们将证明这一说法是错误的。

第四单元

美国梦

课文A 美国梦对不同的人有不同的意义。但对许多人,尤其是对移民而言,它意味着改善自己生活的机会。对于他们,美国梦的含义就是才能与勤劳能让你从小木屋走向白宫。托尼·特里韦索诺并没有爬到那么高,但他成功地使自己的梦想成真

托尼·特里韦索诺的美国梦

弗雷德里克·c·克罗弗德

他来自意大利罗马以南某地一个满地石子的农庄。他什么时候怎么到美国的,我不清楚。不过,有天晚上,我看到他站在我家车库后面的车道上。他身高五英尺七、八左右,人很瘦。“我割你的草坪,”他说。他那结结巴巴的英语很难听懂。

我问他叫什么名字。“托尼·特里韦索诺,”他回答说。“我割你的草坪。”我对托尼讲,本人雇不起园丁。

“我割你的草坪,”他又说道,随后便走开了。我走进屋子,心里有点不快。没错,眼下这大萧条的日子是不好过,可我怎么能把一个上门求助的人就这么打发走呢? 等我第二天晚上下班回到家,草坪已修整过了,花园除了草,人行道也清扫过了。我便问太太是怎么回事。

“有个人把割草机从汽车库里推出来就在院子里忙活起来,”她回答说。“我还以为是你雇他来的。”’

我就把前晚的事跟她说了。我俩都觉得奇怪,他怎么没提出要工钱。

接下来的两天挺忙·,我把托尼的事给忘了。我们在尽力重整业务,要让一部分工人回厂里来。但在星期五,回家略微早了些,我又在汽车库后面看到了托尼。我对他干的活夸奖了几句。

“我割你的草坪,”他说。

我设法凑了一小笔微薄的周薪,就这样托尼每天清扫院子,有什么零活,他都干了。我太太说,但凡有重物要搬或有什么要修理的,他挺派得上用场。

夏去秋来,凉风阵阵。“克罗先生,快下雪了,”有天晚上托尼跟我说。“等冬天到了,你让我在厂里干扫雪的活。” 啊,对这种执着与期盼,你又能怎样呢?自然,托尼得到了厂里的那份活儿。几个月过去了。我让人事部门送上一份报告。他们说托尼干得挺棒。一天我在汽车库后面我们以前见面的地方看到了托尼。“我想学徒,”他说。,我们有个挺不错的培训工人的徒工学校。可我怀疑托尼是否有能力学会看图纸、用千分尺,是否胜任做精密加工工作。尽管如此,可我怎么能拒绝他呢? 托尼减了薪水当了徒工。几个月之后,我收到报告,他已从徒工学校毕业,成了熟练磨工。他学会了在千分尺上辨识一百万分之一英寸,会用镶嵌着金刚石的工具制作砂轮。我和太太都挺高兴,觉得他的事总算有了个令人满意的结局。

一两年过去了,我在托尼惯常等我的地方又看到了他。我们聊起了他的工作,接着我问他有什么要求。

“克罗先生,”他说,“我想买房。”在小镇边上,他看到有房出售,完全是幢破房。我去见——·位当银行家的朋友。“人品贷款你干不干?”我问。“不干,”他说。“我们承担

不起。没门。”

“哎,等等,”我应道。“有个人干活勤勉,人品端正,这一点我担保。他有个好工作。眼下,你从你那块地上—分钱也得不到。那块地空在那儿要好多年呢。至少他会付你利息嘛。” 那位银行家勉强开了两干美金抵押贷款,没要托尼首付就把房子给了他。托尼乐不可支。从那以后,只要我家附近有什么被人扔弃的零星杂物,坏了的屏风啦,五金器具啦,包装纸板啦,托尼都要收起来拿回家,看他这个样子真是有意思。

约摸过了两年,我在我们见面的老地方又看到了托尼。他身子似乎挺直了些,人也见胖了,样子挺自信。

“克罗先生,我卖房子!”他得意地说。“我得了八千美金。” 我非常吃惊。“可是,托尼,没了房子你住哪儿呢?” “克罗先生,我买农庄。”

我们坐下聊了起来。托尼告诉我说,拥有一个农庄是他的梦想。他喜欢番茄,辣椒以及意大利菜肴中相当重要的其它各种蔬菜。.他把在意大利的妻子和儿子女儿都接来了。他在小镇周边到处找,终于找到一处没人要的一小块地产,有一幢房,还有间小棚。他正在把家搬到农庄去。

又过了一些时候,在一个星期日的下午托尼来了,他穿戴得整整齐齐。和他一起来的还有另一位意大利人。他告诉我,他说服了儿时的,伙伴前来美国。托尼为他作经济担保。他眼里露出顽皮的神情,对我说,他俩来到他经营的小农庄时,他的朋友惊奇地站住说,“托尼,你是个百万富翁啦!”

后来,在战争期间,公司里传出了一个消息。托尼去世了。

我让公司的人去他家看看,确保各项事宜都得到妥善安置。他们看到农场上长着绿油油的蔬菜,小屋布置得舒适温馨,院子里有一辆拖拉机,还有一辆不错的汽车。孩子受过教育都工作了,托尼身前没有分文欠债。

托尼去世后,我一直想着他的经历。他的形象在我心目中越来越高大。最后,我觉得他就和美国那些最大的实业家一样高大、自豪。

他们都通过同样的途径,本着同样的价值观和原则获得了成功:远见、执着、自制、乐观、自尊,以及最重要的,正直。

托尼不是从最低——级阶梯往上爬的,他是从地下室往上爬的。托尼的事业很小,那些最大的实业家的事业很大。但究其实两者的资产负债表完全一样。惟——的不同是你把小数点点在什么地方。.

托尼?特里韦索诺来到美国寻求美国梦。但他没有找到什么美国梦——他为自己创造了个美国梦。他的全部拥有是天宝贵的二十四小时,而他—刻也没有浪费。

第五单元

爱情

课文A 一个你从没有见过的人给你寄来一封信或打来一个电话,而你不知不觉地想象着这个人是个什么样儿,赋予这个隐秘的声音一张面孔。这事儿你干得来吗?有时候是很容易搞错的。

爱情故事

道络·贝尔

约翰·布兰查德从长凳上站起身来,整了整军装,留意着格兰德中央车站进出的人群。他在寻找一位姑娘,一位佩带玫瑰的姑娘。他知其心,但不知其貌。十二个月前,在佛罗里达州的一个图书馆,他对她产生了兴趣。他从书架上取下一本书,很快便被吸引住了,不是被书的内容,而是被铅笔写的眉批。柔和的笔迹显示出其人多思善虑的心灵和富有洞察力的头脑。

在书的前页,他找到了前一位拥有人的姓名,霍利斯·梅奈尔小姐。他花了…—番工夫和努力,找到了她的地址。她住在纽约市。他给她写了一封信介绍自己,并请她回复。第二天他被运往海外,参加第二次世界大战。

在接下来的一年当中,两人通过信件来往增进了了解。每——封信都如—颗种子撒入肥沃的心灵之土。浪漫的爱情之花就要绽开。布兰查德提出要一张照片,可她拒绝了。她解释道:如果你对我的感情是真实的,是诚心诚意的,那我的相貌如何并不重要。设想我美丽动人。我将会——直深感不安,惟恐你只是因为我的容貌就贸然与我相爱,而这种爱情令我憎恶。设想本人相貌平平(你得承认,这种可能性更大)。那我一直会担心,你和我保持通信仅仅是出于孤独寂寞,无人交谈。不,别索要照片。等你到了纽约,你会见到我,到时你可再作定夺。且记,见面后我俩都可以自由决定中止关系或继续交往——无论你怎么选择……” 他从欧洲回国的日子终于到了。他们安排了两人的第一次见面——晚上七点,纽约格兰德中央车站。

“你会认出我的,”她写道,“我会在衣襟上戴一朵红玫瑰。”于是,晚上七点,他候在车站,寻找——位过去一年里在自己生活中占据了如此特殊地位的姑娘,…—位素未谋面,但其文字伴随着他、始终支撑着他精神的姑娘。

且让布兰查德先生告诉你接下来发生的事吧:

一位年轻的姑娘向我走来,她身材颀长纤细。一头卷曲的金发披在秀美的耳后;眼睛碧蓝,如花似玉。她的双唇和下颌线条柔和,却又柔中见刚,她身穿浅绿色套装,犹如春天一般生气盎然。

我朝她走去,完全忘了去看她有没有戴玫瑰花。

我走过去时,她双唇绽开撩人的微笑。“和我同路吗,水兵?”她小声问道。我情不自禁,再向她走近一步。可就在这时,我看到了霍利斯·梅奈尔。她差不多就站在姑娘的正后面,早已年过四十,灰白的头发用卡子向上别着,头上带着一顶旧帽子。她体态臃肿,粗圆的脚髁上套着一双低跟鞋。

穿着绿色套装的姑娘快步走开了。我觉得自己好像被分成了两半,一方面热切地想去追赶她,但另一方面我又渴望那一位以其心灵真诚陪伴我并成为我的精神支柱的女人。她站在那儿,苍白的圆脸显得温柔理智,灰色的眼睛透出热情善良。我没有迟疑。我手里紧握着那本小小的让她辨认我的蓝色羊皮面旧书。这不会是爱情,但将是某种珍贵的、或许比爱情更美妙的东西,一种我曾经感激,并将永远感激的友情。

我挺胸站立,敬了个礼,并举起手中的书奸让那位女士看。不过在我开口说话的时候,失望的痛苦几乎使我哽咽。“我是约翰·布兰查德中尉,想必您就是梅奈尔小姐。很高兴您来见我。可否请您赏光吃饭?”

妇女的脸上绽开了笑容。“我不知道是怎么回事,孩子,”她回答说,“可是刚才走过去的 那位穿绿色套装的姑娘,她央求我把这支玫瑰插在衣服上。她还说,要是你请我吃饭的话;我I 就告诉你,她就在街对面那个大饭店里等你。她说这是一种考验!”

梅奈尔小姐的智慧不难理解,也令人称奇。心灵的本质是从其对不美的事物的态度中反,习映出来的。

“告诉我你所爱者是谁,”何赛写道,“我就知道你是什么样的人。”

第六单元

动物智能

课文A

温饱,睡眠?它们的思维可能要比这深刻得多。

动物到底想些什么

尤金·林登

多年来,我写了大量关于动物智能实验、以及围绕这些实验所产生的争议的文章。动物真的有思想,即我们所说的意识吗?在考虑是否会有比设计教动物人类手势语的实验更好的方式探索动物智能时,我悟出了现在看来是显而易见的一点:如果动物能思维,它们会在能为自己所用的时候,而不是在科学家让它们思维的时候作出最佳思维。

于是我开始与兽医、动物研究人员以及动物园饲养员交谈。他们大都不研究动物智能,但他们每天都碰到或碰刁;到动物智能。他们讲述的故事开启了我相信是研究动物智能的一扇新的窗口:即动物在对付樊笼生活和地球上的主宰物种一人类——时所表现的高超的思维技技能。

让我们做笔交易

请考虑这一情况:哥伦布动物园的一位动物保护主义者查伦·延德里觉察到一头叫做科洛的雌性大猩猩在玩弄一件可疑的物品。延德里走过去,给了科洛一些花生,却被翻了个白眼。意识到这是在讨价还价,延德里加大了筹码,又给了一片菠萝。这时候,科洛一边望着延德里,一边摊开手,露出了一根钥匙链。

见不是危险或珍贵物品,延德里松了一口气,把菠萝给了考勒。科洛真是个精明的还价者,它把钥匙链拉断,给了延德里一段,或许在算计着,要是每一小段都能换片菠萝,我干嘛要全都给她?

如果动物能在以物换物中显示技能,又何尝不会在使用钱币中再露一手?在田纳西大学人类学家琳·迈尔斯进行的一项手势语研究中,有头名叫夏特克的猩猩就这么做了。夏特克悟出,如果它干些诸如清理房间的事,他就能挣些硬币,好用来买好吃的,还可以坐迈尔斯的车外出兜风。但这头猩猩对钱币的理解似乎远远超出了简单的交易。迈尔斯一开始用塑料片充当硬币,而夏特克竟认定,它可以把塑料片拗成两片,以此扩大钱币供应量。而当迈尔斯改用金属片时,夏特克找到了一些锡箔,试图复制。

迈尔斯还试图教会夏特克一些好习惯,诸如节俭和与人分享。当我在它目前居住的亚特兰大动物园见到这头猩猩时,我果然见到它与人分享的一例,足以令任何人羡慕。迈尔斯给了夏特克——些葡萄,要求它与人分享,它很快吃完了所有的葡萄。随后,它似乎是想起了迈尔斯要它与人分享,便把梗儿递给了迈尔斯。

鲸鱼的故事

动物为什么会愿意与人合作?行为主义者会说,动物认识到合作于已有利时就会这么做。这没有错,但我觉得这一解释尚不充分。

动物行为顾问盖尔·劳尔说起过她了解的一头虎鲸奥基。“在我照管过的动物当中,它是最聪明的,”她说。“它会审时度势,再根据自己的判断采取行动。”

比如有次它救了一个家族成员。奥基的配偶科基生幼鲸时,那条幼鲸一开始情况不妙,饲养员把幼鲸用担架抬出水糟,实施紧急护理。他们把幼鲸送回水槽时,出了事情。当工人把担架停在高出水面几英尺处的时候,幼鲸开始呕吐。饲养员担心它会窒息,但他们无法接近幼鲸提供帮助。

奥基显然看出了问题,它游到担架下,让其中一人站在它头上。这种事从来没有训练它做过。然后,奥基用尾部保持平衡,让饲养员接近,并松开了那条420磅重的幼鲸,以便让它滑入水中,获得帮助。·

灵长目动物的骗术

有时动物的智能可以从其欺骗的企图中得以证明。西雅图伍德兰公园动物园饲养员海伦·休曼回忆道,一天她从喂食窗口给猩猩梅拉蒂扔了个桔子。梅拉蒂没有移动身体去接,而是眼睛直视休曼,伸出手来。休曼以为桔子准是滚到一边拿不到了,就又给了它一个。可当梅

拉蒂走开时,休曼却注意到原来那只桔子就藏在它另—只手里。

猩猩园的头领托温目睹了这个把戏。第二天,这头雄猩猩也是眼睛盯着休曼,装作没有接到桔子。“你肯定没拿到吗?”休曼问道。它仍直视着她,同时把手伸了出来。她让步了,又给了它—·个,随后却看见它把桔子藏在脚下。

智能究竟是什么?如果生命就是讲物种的生存——而智能是为了生存——那么我们根本无法与大脑只有豌豆大刁、的海龟相提并论,海龟早在人类出现很久之前便已存在,并经历了使恐龙灭绝的重大灾难而生存下来。尽管如此,想到除了我们人类,尚有其它物种,即便它们的视野比我们还狭小,却也能退后一步,清醒地审视周围的世界,不由人深感宽慰。

第七单元

突发事件

课文A 初看上去像是一个旧盒子或破衣裳。可紧接着他们就明白过来到底是什么了。

“铁轨上有孩子!”

左克·墨菲

1989年5月1日,星期一,新泽西州的拉姆齐上午天气宜人。凯特·普里查德俯身站在车尾行李箱前,费力地收拾着刚买回家的一袋袋食品杂货。她听到远处火车的鸣笛声。联合铁路公司的火车经过的地方离普里查德家不到三百英尺,可在后院与铁轨之间没有栅栏,只有一排长得密密的树木。然而,她的两个儿子,三岁半的托德和十八个月的斯科特,就在近旁私家车道上玩耍。

“就呆在这儿,”凯特说。“妈妈去把食品放好,然后我们进屋吃午饭,好吗?” “好!”托德一面说,一面竖起大拇指,做着他以前看他父亲做的这个手势。“好!”斯科特随声应和,试着模仿他哥哥的样子。他们望着母亲提着几个袋袋走进屋子。

凯特关好冰箱门匆匆走出屋来。还好。两个孩子正在原地玩耍。

当她从车后行李箱里又提出几个袋袋时,凯特听见有一列火车疾驶而过——是特快客车,她根据车速判断。她又将几个袋袋拿进屋去。

火车的声音显然把两个孩子的注意吸引到铁轨上。两人穿过那排树木,爬上笔陡的路基,跪在地上玩了起来。

往西几千英尺处,一辆货车缓缓地朝两个孩子驶宋。头顶上的灯向司机里奇·坎普纳发出信号,指示前面那辆客车已经开走,他们可以每小时40英里的正常速度继续运行。司机调整了加速器,转身面对列车员安东尼·法尔佐。安东尼中等身材,长得结结实实,现年35岁,已经为联合铁路公司干了差不多十六、七年。“你周末都干点啥,安东尼?”

“唉,不干什么。大多是瞎混——看点儿电视,然后睡觉。还能干什么?” 坎普纳笑了。“嘿,你最好悠着点,安东尼——你都快成派对狂了。”

两人哈哈大笑。就在他们大笑的时候,正以21英里的时速运行的机车开始加速。里奇和安东尼在同——瞬间发现火车前方有什么东西。

“那前面是什么?”司机问道。安东尼没回答。他日不转睛盯着前方看,试图辨识前方铁 轨上那怪形怪状的东西。是盒子?还是旧衣裳? 猛然间,两个人都明白过来那是什么东西。里奇用尽全力猛地紧急刹车,并拉响了汽笛。汽笛嘶鸣,与此同时安东尼大声嚷道:“铁轨上有孩子!”

安东尼冲出驾驶室,跳到车轮上方六英尺处一条狭窄人行踏板上,接着跑到摇摆的火车头前。他疾速攀下铁梯,停在梯子最后一级上,离他脚下飞速掠过的铁路路基有两英尺。现在,他可以清楚地看到两个孩子,他们正坐在铁轨旁边。安东尼拼命挥手示意,并大声喊叫:“走开!走开!”

他心里计算着火车的减速速度,痛苦地哼了一声。我们绝对不可能及时停车的。托德和斯科特正玩得起劲,没听到火车的声音。最后,当火车轰隆隆驶近时,斯科特抬头—看,惊呆了。

尽管火车在减速,安东尼知道车速仍比他奔跑的速度快。所以,他强迫自己等待,等到离孩子足够近的时候,他再一跃而下一把将他们抓住。在孩子与火车头前的犁雪机锋利的雪铲只有约十英尺的时候,安东尼从梯子上纵身向前一跃。他落在铁轨旁拳头大小的散石上,使尽力气才保持住平衡。他跨出两大步,几乎就要够着两个孩子了。两个孩子吓坏了,目瞪口呆地望着他。安东尼纵身跃起,朝他们扑去。

火车汽笛不停地嘶鸣,凯特·普里查德听着就像是被铁锤猛击了一下。“孩子!”她一声惊叫,冲出屋门。两个孩子不见了!铁道,她心想。我得去铁道那儿!安东尼身子砸下地时,他一边护着托德,一边伸出一只手臂去抓斯科特,好把他拉离铁轨。但火车压了过来。安东尼只见雪铲的黑色钢刃击中幼孩的下巴,将他的头往后一推,铲子从他脸上括过。顿时,鲜血从孩子额头溅出。

车身猛撞安东尼工作服的后背,把尼龙布都撕破了。但安东尼还是把斯科特完全拉到了自己身下。

他死了,安东尼心想。他毛骨悚然,一阵恶心。他的脸紧贴在石子上,使尽力气将两个孩子往下压,火车就从他们上面驶过,离他们只有几英寸。

凯特奔到停下的火车前,首先看到的便是托德。她的大儿子失去控制,在那儿乱蹦乱跳,大声哭喊。但凯特看出他没受伤。她抓过他紧紧抱住。随后她看见第三节车厢下一动不动躺着一个人。只见这人身子下面斯科特的脑袋上黑糊糊一片血污。凯特冲过去。“斯科特!”她尖声叫道。

安东尼扭转身子面对着她。“女士,”他对她说,声音很镇静。“回家去。叫警察和救护车来。”凯特没听进他的话,伸着手要抱孩子。安东尼又开口了,口气严厉了许多,“夫人,听着!回家打电话叫警察——叫救护车,快!”

凯特飞奔回家,打了电话,又通过寻呼机找到她丈夫加里。

第一辆警车到达时,安东尼仍然紧抱着年幼的斯科特。列车员从孩子的哭声知道他还活着,但斯科特可能有内伤,稍一动弹就有可能加重伤势。因此安东尼坚持让急救人员先对孩子进行检查,然后才放手。真是奇迹,斯科特伤势不重,只需缝十三针。

雪铲与地面之间只有十四英寸。记者后来问安东尼他在冒生命危险救孩子之前有否犹豫。“没有,”他回答道。“我当时所想到的就是那两个孩子前头还有整个人生,如果我不采取行动,他们必死无疑。我决不能让这样的悲剧发生。”

事故发生后不久,安东尼去普里查德家探望。他还记得他用双臂抱住托德和斯科特并将两人举起的情景。“这让我想起当时在火车底下我护着他们的情景。再一次抱住他们的感觉是奇特的——也是美妙的。”

普里查德夫妇说,自从第一次来探望之后,安东尼几乎成了他们家庭的一员。他们还说,现在有道栅栏把他们的街坊与铁轨隔开了。

第八单元

解决一个教育问题

课文A 本杰明.斯坦编了一个故事,以使美国青年彻底认识他们必须改变对教育的态度。读一读这个故事,看看你是否认为它对我们大家同样也有教育意义。

关于懒散少年的语言故事

本杰明.斯坦

去年一个秋日,我文件夹用完了,便去杂货店买。我拿了一大把文件夹搁在柜台上,问一个十几岁的售货员多少钱。“不知道,”她回答说。“反正单价12美分。” 我数了数文件夹。“二十三个,单价12美分,总共2.76美金,不含税,”我说。“你心算的?”她惊奇地问道。“你怎么会算出来的?” “靠魔力,”我说。“真的?”她问。

略受教育的成年人没有谁不会为这样的经历难过。虽然我们的孩子似乎比以往任何时候都要温厚和气,他们却如此无知——对自己的无知状况也如此无知——以至使我感到可怕。在我最近任教的一所私立大学,一个六十人的四年级班上,没有一个学生写短文时不犯拼写错误。没有一个学生例外。

更有甚者,他们对这种种的无知却毫不在乎,实在令人不寒而栗。一位朋友的聪明但却很懒散的十六岁儿子在解释他为什么不想上加州洛杉矶分校时说的话是对这种态度的高度概括。“我不想去那儿跟亚洲人竞争,”他说。“他们用功,什么都知道。”

其实,无论他是否愿意,这位年轻人都将不得不去跟亚洲人竞争。他不能永远躺在先辈积累的经济、物质与人力资本上。用不了多久,他懒于用脑的结果将严重影响他的生活方式,也将影响我们其他所有的人。一个现代工业化国家无法靠一支懒散、无知的劳动大军运行。飞机会坠落。计算机会出故障。汽车会抛锚。

为使这样的美国青年彻底认识到这…·点,我的愚见是:拍一—部电影,或电视连续剧,生动地描述我们国家的今天如何来之不易——而要丧失这—·切又何其容易。下面我奉献一篇寓言故事。

故事开始时,我们的主人公凯文·汉利1990,一名十七岁的高三学生,正坐在自己房间里,心情痛苦。他父母—千定要他准备欧洲史考试。而他则想去买一副激光唱片随身听的耳机。他被迫要读的书——《各国的财富》——让他打瞌睡。

凯文进入梦乡,时值1835年,他是他本人的曾太祖父,十七岁,是爱尔兰克雷郡的——个农民。他住在小小的陋室里,睡在一头猪旁。他老是挨饿,总是要找吃的。他最大的心愿是学会读书写字,以便找一个职员的工作。有了固定的工资,他就能养活自己,贴补家用。但汉利的贫穷使他无从享受上学这样的奢侈。没有教育,没有钱,他无能为力。他惟一的希望寄托在孩子身上。如果他们能接受教育,他们就会生活得好一些。

我们的寓言故事快速展开。现在凯文·汉利1990成了他自己的曾祖父,凯文·汉利1928。他也是十七岁,在匹兹堡一家钢铁厂工作。他的父亲从爱尔兰来到美国,参加过纽约地铁的修建。凯文·汉利1928比自己的父亲和祖父境遇好多了。他能读书写字。他的工资比先辈在爱尔兰时的收入高多了。

接下来凯文·汉利1990梦见自己成了他自己的祖父凯文·汉利1945。他正在硫黄岛与死敌日本军队作战。他总是又热又饿又害怕。一天晚上他在散兵坑里与一个朋友讲自己为什么在那儿作战:“这样我的儿子、孙子就能生活在和平安全的环境里。等我回国了,我要勤奋工作,让儿子上大学,这样他就可以干脑力活/L,而不是靠卖苦力生活。”

接着凯文·汉利1990成了他自己的父亲凯文·汉利1966。他终日用功,这样就可以上大学,进法学院。他住在漂亮的房子里。他—…生在和平环境中过着富裕的生活。他对女朋友说,等他有了儿子,他不会像他父亲逼他那样逼自己的儿子整天读书。

就在这时,凯文·汉利1990被自己的梦惊醒了。他离开了爱尔兰,离开了那家钢铁厂,离开了硫黄岛,不由松了口气。他又睡着了。

他接着做梦,这次成了他自己的儿子凯文·汉利2020。枪声日夜不停。他那整个一代人忘却了过去为什么要有法律,因此现在没有法律了。人们丝毫不关心政治,政府不为工人阶级提供服务。

凯文2020的父亲,自然就是凯文1990本人,在日本人开的一家工厂当清洁工。凯文2020在一家专为有钱的欧洲人和亚洲人开的酒店里当行李工。公共教育到六年级为止。美国人早就不再要求自己的孩子接受良好的教育。

凯文1990最后梦见的是他自己的孙子。凯文2050没有有用的技能。日本制造的机器包揽了所有复杂的工作,没有什么体力活可做。没有受过教育,没有受过训练,他挣不到足够的钱养活自己。他住在贫民窟,没有暖气,没有卫生设备,无法不受四邻干扰,靠搜捡破烂度日。

总之,他的生活就像凯文·汉利1835在爱尔兰时一模一样。可是有一天,凯文·汉利2050与一位研究美国衰亡史的来访日本人类学家交上了朋友。那人跟凯文解释说,如果一个人没有钱,教育能提供积累金融资本所必需的人力资本。勤奋、教育、节俭、纪律能成就一切。“我们就是这样从一百多年前你们打败我们的战争废墟中站起来的。”

“美国在战争中打败日本?”凯文2050问道。他惊讶之极。这听起来就像说巴西在1990年打败美国一样不可思议。凯文2050发誓,如果他有孩子的话,他一定要让他们工作、上学、学习并约束自己。“能凭自己的脑力,而不是靠偷窃为生,”他说,“那将会是个奇迹。” 凯文1990醒了过来,身旁放着他的那本《各国的财富》他打开书,跳入眼帘的第一句话就是:“一个不能恰当运用人类智力的人极可能比懦夫更可鄙。” 凯文的父亲走了进来。“好了,儿子,”他说。“咱们去看耳机吧。” “抱歉了,爸爸,”凯文1990说。“我得看书学习了。”

AppendixⅡ

Chinese Translations of Text B(Units 1-8)参考译文 第一单元

成长

课文B 夏天打工时,作者常常替巴卢先生修剪草坪。惟一的问题是,巴卢先生似乎从来没钱支付工钱。然而,他实际上所给予的却远比工钱珍贵。

夏日阅读

迈克尔·多里斯

十四岁那年,我在暑假里替人修剪草坪挣些钱,不出几个星期,我就有了不少客户。客户们种植的花卉我得记住不能剪去,他们会将东西遗落在草地上或故意插在地里,通过这些我逐渐认识了他们。我对大多数客户了解至深,事先就能知道他们会抱怨些什么,哪些特别的要求不能掉以轻心。(1)而且,我从邻居偏爱的付款方式中了解到了一点他们的情况:有的按干的活儿给钱,有的按月支付——或者有的压根儿不付钱。

$2先生属于最后一类,而且他总有理由。有一天他兑不开一张五十元的钞票,又有一天他支票用完了,还有一天我上门时他干脆就溜出去了。撇开钱这档子事,他倒也还是个挺不错的老头,每次看见我,老远就挥手或脱帽致意。我猜他退休金不多,可能出过工伤,整不了自己的园子。没错,我全都记着帐,可我对这点钱并没太在意。(2)也就是剪剪草,何况$2先生住宅外面的那一点草坪修剪起来花不了多少时间。

到了一年中最热的七月中旬,一天傍晚前,我走过他家,他开了门,示意我进去。门厅里凉凉的,帘子遮去了阳光,过了一会儿我的眼睛才适应室内的暗淡光线。“我欠你工钱,”巴卢先生开口道,“不过……” 我想省得他费神找新的借口了,就说,“没事。别放在心上。”

“银行把我的账弄错了,”他没理我的碴儿,接着说。“一两天里就会改过来。在这当儿,我想你不妨挑——两本书作为我的首付款。”

他朝墙那边指了指,我这才发现到处都堆着书。就跟图书馆一样,只不过没有分门别类罢了。“别着急,”巴卢先生鼓动说。“读也好,借也好,留着也行。找你喜欢的。你平常都爱读什么书啊?”

“我不知道。”我的确不知道。我通常是弄到什么就读什么,从药房里买到的平装书,图书馆里借得到的书、杂志,到麦片包装盒背面的说明,还有连环漫画,什么都看。有意识地找出一本特别的书来读对我是件新鲜事,不过我觉得这主意挺不错——于是我开始在书堆中翻找起来。

“这么多书你都读过啊?”

“这不算多,”巴卢先生说。“这根本不算多,只不过是我自己的藏书,都是值得再读——遍的。”

“那就替我找一本吧。”

他眉一抬,头一侧,望着我,就像是在给我量体裁衣似的。过了片刻,他略—“点头,便在一堆书中搜寻,然后递给我一本暗红色封面的精装本,挺厚的。“《最后的正义》,”我念道。“安德烈·施瓦兹巴特著。是讲什么的?” “你来告诉我,”他说。“下个星期。”

晚饭后我坐在室外一张不舒服的餐椅里打开了书。(3)读了几页,院子就消息了,夏夜也消失了;我一下子就进入了二战期间纳粹对犹太人的大屠杀这一令人悲痛的惨剧中,进入了以一个正派人物为代表的善与恶之间非同寻常的冲突中。书译自法文,译文优美朴素,令人不忍释手。天色终于暗了下来,我回到室内,读了一个通宵。时至三—卜年后的今天,我仍清晰地记得当时的经历。那是我初次有心地接触世界文学,我被一部小说所能包含的集聚的力量深深震撼。但我缺乏足够的词汇表达我的情感,因此,第二个星期,当巴卢先生问我“怎么样”时,我只回答说:“书真好。” “那就留着吧,”他说。“要不要我再介绍一本?”

我点点头,拿到了一本平装本的玛格丽特·米德的《萨摩亚人的成年》。

长话短说,无论当年还是次年,巴卢先生分文未付我替他割草的工钱,但我在达特默思大学教了十五年的人类学。(4)盛夏阅读不是我原先认为的仅仅借以消磨时光的娱乐,不是躺在吊床上无忧无虑、打开书本就什么都忘掉的一种消遣(虽然自从那个夏天以来我曾多次以这种方式自娱自乐)。一本书,如果在恰当的时候,恰当的季节,在日常事务的间歇中出现在你的面前,就会改变你此后的人生道路。

第二单元

友谊

课文B 如果我不能挺住的话,我的朋友就会死在那里,老猎手比尔·麦金托什一次又一次地告诫自己。

决不抛弃朋友

吉姆·赫奇森

“下午去看足球赛吗?”比尔·麦金托什问59岁的罗伊斯·韦丁。他们两人正在澳大利亚的虹镇尤里卡饭店喝啤酒。罗伊斯摇摇头。“我答应我妈给我家的一块地烧荒。”

比尔瘦削而结实,79岁,但看上去远没有那么老。他望着外面的炎热空气。——阵轻风自北向南吹,这条件最适宜烧荒了。不过比尔对罗伊斯独自干这活不放心。这个农夫有条腿不好,行走很费劲。

两人曾一起从一个农场走到另一个农场寻些活儿干,迄今已是30年的好朋友了。如今比尔独自一人住在镇东12英里处,靠打狐狸和野兔勉强过活。他两个星期一次前来小镇购物,会会帮着经管自家的农场的罗伊斯。“我帮你一把,”比尔说。

两人坐着罗伊斯的车动身了。没多一会儿他们就颠簸在一条沙土路上,朝一块面积120公顷、杂草丛生的田地开去。“火是除去这玩意儿的惟一办法,”比尔说。他们用根50英尺长的链条把一个旧轮胎绑在牵引杆上。比尔在轮胎上浇透汽油,划根火柴一点,便跳进车里。两人从农田的南边缓缓开车逆风而行,所过之处留下一条燃着的草带。开到地当中,车猛地朝前——颠,没等察觉,就陷进了一个被草遮着的沙堆。

微风突然转向,朝两人身后吹来,而且越吹越强。火仗风势,烧得炽热,一条火带顿时就变成——道火墙,直扑两人而来。“咱们快离开这儿!”罗伊斯说道。他拼命想把车倒出沙堆。可车轮在软沙里越转陷得越深。

火顿时就扑到两人身上。比尔推开车门,却听得一声巨响,油箱爆炸了,车子飞离地面三英尺,他自己则被抛到空中。车子摔回地面后,罗伊斯发现自己被方向盘卡住,动弹不得。这时,车座和车顶也都烧着了。

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