Unit Seven

On Ambition

If ambition is to be well regarded, the rewards of ambition--wealth, distinction, control over one's destiny--must be deemed worthy of the sacrifices made on ambition's behalf. If the tradition of ambition is to have vitality, it must be widely shared: and it especially must be highly regarded by people who are themselves admired, the educated not least among them. In an odd way, however, it is the educated who have claimed to have given up on ambition as an ideal. What is odd is that they have perhaps most benefited from ambition--if not always their own than that of their parents and grandparents. There is a heavy note of hypocrisy in this , a case of closing the barn door after the horses have escaped--with the educated themselves riding on them. Certainly people do not seem less interested in success and its signs not than formerly. Summer homes, European travel, BMWs-- the locations, place manes and name brands may change, but such items do not seem less in demand today than a decade or two years ago. What has happened is that people cannot confess fully to their dreams, as easily nad openly as once they could, lest they be thought pushing, acquisitive and vulgar. Instead, we are treated to fine hypocritical spectacles, which now more than ever seem in ample supply: the critic of American materialism with a Southampton summer home; the publisher of radical books who takes his meals in three-star restaurants; the journalist advocating participatory democracy in all phases of life, whose own children are enrolled in private schools. For such people and many more perhaps not so exceptional, the proper formulation is, "Succeed at all costs but avoid appearing ambitious."

The attasks in ambition are many and come from varions angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive, where they are not extremely unattractive. As a result, the support for ambition as a healthy impulse, a quality to be admired and fixed in the mind of the young, is probably lower than it has ever been in the United States. This does not mean that ambition is at an end, that people no longer feel its stirrings and promptings, but only that, no longer openly honored, it is less openly professed. Consequences follow from this, of course, some of which are that ambition is driven underground, or made sly. Such, then, is the way things stand: on the left angry critics, on the right stupid supporters, and in the middle, as usual, the majority of earnest people trying to get on in life.

destiny n. 1.命運 2.定數(shù),天命

destined a. 1.命中注定,預定的 2.以...為目的地的

deem vt. 認為,視為

hypocrisy n. 偽善,虛偽

location n. 1.位置,場所 2.外景拍攝地

locality n. 地區(qū),地點

situated a. 位于...的,坐落在...的

spectacle n. 1.演出,場面 2.景象,壯觀 3.[-s]眼鏡

ample a. 1.足夠的 2.寬敞的,面積大的

amplify vt. 1.放大,增強 2.擴大,詳述

exceptional a. 1.優(yōu)越的,杰出的 2.例外的,獨特的

[聯(lián)想詞]

abnormal a. 反常的,異常的

queer a. 1.奇怪的,異常的 2.不舒服的,眩暈的

ambitious a. 1.有抱負的,雄心勃勃的 2.有野心的

[聯(lián)想詞]

aspiration n. 強烈的愿望,志向,抱負

enroll vi.(in,on) 入學,加入 vt.招收,吸收

[聯(lián)想詞]

expel (expelled;expelling) vt. 1.把..除名,把..開除 2.驅(qū)逐 3.排出

formulate vt. 1.構(gòu)想出,規(guī)劃 2.系統(tǒng)地闡述

formulation n. 1.公式化 2.系統(tǒng)的闡述 3.規(guī)劃,構(gòu)想

impulse n. 1.沖動,一時的念頭 2.驅(qū)動,驅(qū)使 3.脈沖

[聯(lián)想詞]

propel (propelled,propelling) vt. 1.推進,推動 2.激勵,驅(qū)使

curb vt. 控制,約束 n. 控制,約束

sly a. 1.狡猾的,狡詐的 2.會意的,會心的

[聯(lián)想詞]

shrewd a. 機靈的,敏銳的,精明的

confidential a. 1.秘密的,機密的 2.表示信任的

Unit Eight

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cars

The use of the motor is becoming more and more widespread in the twentieth century; as an increasing number of countries develop both technically and economically, so a larger proportion of the world's population is able to buy and use a car. Possessing a car gives a much greater degree of mobility, enabling the driver to move around freely. The owner of a car is no longer forced to rely on public transport and is, therefore, not compelled to work locally. He can choose from different jobs and probably changes his work more frequently as he is not restricted to a choice within a small radius. Traveling to work by car is also more comfortable than having to use public transport; the driver can adjust the heating in winter and the air-conditioning in the summer to suit his own needs and preference. There is no irritation caused by waiting for trains, buses or underground trains, standing in long patient queues, or sitting on windy platforms, for as long as half an hour sometimes. With the building of good, fast motorways long distances can be covered rapidly and pleasantly. For the first time in this century also, many people are now able to enjoy their leisure time to the full by making trips to the country or seaside at the weekends, instead of being confined to their immediate neighborhood. This feeling of independence, and the freedom to go where you please, is perhaps the greatest advantage of the car.

when considering the drawbacks, perhaps pollution is of prime importance. As more and more cars are produced and used, so the emission from their exhaust-pipes contains an ever larger volume of poisonous gas. Some of the contents of this gas, such as lead, not only pollute the atmosphere but cause actual harm to the health of people. Many of the minor illnesses of modern industrial society, headaches, tiredness, and stomach upsets are thought to arise from breathing polluted air; doctors' surgeries are full of people suffering from illnesses caused by pollution. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to deal with the problem of traffic in towns; most of the important cities of the world suffer form traffic jams. In fact, any advantage gained in comfort is often cancelled out in city driving by the frustration caused by traffic jams: endless queues of cars crawling one after another at the intersections. As an increasing number of traffic regulation schemes are devised, the poor bewildered driver finds himself diverted and forced into one-way systems which cause even greater delays than the traffic jams they are supposed to prevent. The mounting cost of petrol and the increased tolls and road tax all add to the driver's worries. In fact, he must sometimes wonder if the motor car is such a blessing and not just a menace.

mobility n. 1.流動性,移動性 2.機動性

mobilize vt. 1.動員 2.調(diào)動 vi.動員起來

[聯(lián)想詞]

summon vi. 1.召喚 2. (up)鼓起勇氣 3.召開,召集

irritate vt. 1.使惱怒,使煩躁 2.使(身體某部分)不適,使疼痛

radius n. 半徑

air-conditioning n. 空調(diào)設備,空調(diào)系統(tǒng)

drawback n. 缺點,欠缺,不利條件

[聯(lián)想詞]

setback n. 挫折,倒退,失敗

handicap n. 1.缺陷 2.障礙 vt. (handicapped;handicapping) 妨礙,使不利

productive a. 1.多產(chǎn)的,富饒的 2.富有成效的

productivity n. 生產(chǎn)力,生產(chǎn)率

surgery n. 1.外科,外科手術(shù) 2.手術(shù)室

surgeon n. 外科醫(yī)生

[聯(lián)想詞]

dentist n.牙科醫(yī)生

ward n.病房

bandage n.繃帶 vt.用繃帶包扎

intersection n.道路交叉口,交點

[聯(lián)想詞]

junction n.聯(lián)結(jié)點,交叉口,樞紐

overpass n.天橋,立交橋

barricade n. 路 vt.在...設路障

bewilder vt. 使迷惑,難住

[聯(lián)想詞]

perplex vt. 使困惑,使復雜化

baffle vt. 使困惑,難住

toll n. 1.過路費 2.(事故等的)傷亡人數(shù),損失 v.(緩慢而有規(guī)律的)敲(鐘)

divert vt. 1.使轉(zhuǎn)向,使改道 2.轉(zhuǎn)移,轉(zhuǎn)移...的注意力 3.使娛樂

diversion n. 1.轉(zhuǎn)移,轉(zhuǎn)向 2.消遣,娛樂 3.臨時繞行路

bless v. 1.使有幸得到,使具有 2.為...祈神賜福

blessing n. 1.祈神賜福 2.幸事,恩惠

menace n. 1.具有危險的人 2.威脅,威嚇 vt. 威脅,威嚇

[聯(lián)想詞]

intimidate vt. 恐嚇,威脅

bully vt.欺負,威嚇 n.恃強欺弱者

jeopardize vt. 危及,損害

terrify vt. 使害怕,使驚嚇

terrific a. 1.可怕的,嚇人的 2.極度的,極大的

Unit Nine

The Definition of a Gentleman

It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about him. His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or convenience in arrangements of a personal nature: like an easy chair or a good fire, which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue, though nature provides both means of rest and animal heat without them. The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast; - all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to made every one at their ease and at home. He has his eyes on all his company: he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome.

He makes light of favors while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except when compelled, defends himself by a mere retort, he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets every thing for the best. He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insulates evil which he dare not say out. From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend. He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his destiny. If he engages in controversy of any kind, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blunder.

名人名言

It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

The great tragedy of life is not that men perish ,but that they cese to love.

inflict vt. (on,upon)把...強加給,使遭受,使承擔

[聯(lián)想詞]

afflict vt.使苦惱,折磨

alleviate vt.減輕,緩解,緩和

hinder vt.阻礙,妨礙

[聯(lián)想詞]

detain vt. 1.拘留,扣留 2.留住,耽擱

jolt n. 1.震動,搖動,顛簸 2.震驚

collision n. 1.碰撞 2.沖突,抵觸

collide vi.1.碰撞 2.沖突

[聯(lián)想詞]

coincide vi. 1.同是雪生2.相等,相一致 3.位置重合,重疊

coincidence n. 1.巧合,巧事 2.一致,符合

suspicious a. 1.猜疑的,疑心的 2.可疑的 3.表示懷疑的

gloom n. 1.昏暗,陰暗 2.憂郁,沮喪

gloomy a. 1.憂郁的,沮喪的 2.令人失望的 3.昏暗的

bashful a. 局促的不安的,羞怯的

absurd a. 荒謬的,荒唐的

[聯(lián)想詞]

insane a. 1.蠢極的,荒唐的 2.精神失常的,瘋狂的

hysterical a.情緒異常激動的

confer (conferred;conferring) vi.商談,商議 vt.授予,賦予

retort v.反駁 n.反駁

[聯(lián)想詞]

refute vt.反駁,駁斥

slander n.誹謗,詆毀

gossip n. 1.流言蜚語 2.愛說長道短的人

scrupulous a. 1.有顧忌的 2.細致的

insulate vt. 隔離,使隔絕

prudence n. 1.審慎,小心 2.精明,深謀遠慮 3.節(jié)儉

indolent a. 1.懶惰的,怠惰的 2.令人困倦的

malice n.惡意,怨恨

bereavement n.喪親,喪友

blunder n. (因無知粗心等造成的)錯誤 vi.1.跌跌撞撞地走 2.犯錯誤

[聯(lián)想詞]

stagger vi.搖晃,蹣跚 vt. 1.使吃驚 2.使錯開

stumble vi. 1.絆腳,絆倒 2.跌跌撞撞地走 3.結(jié)結(jié)巴巴

tumble vi. 1.跌倒,摔下 2.翻滾 3.不由自主的卷入 4.(價格等)暴跌