With the start of BBC World Service Television, millions of viewers in Asia and America can now watch the Corporation's news coverage, as well as listen to it.
And of course in Britain listeners and viewers can tune in to two BBC television channels, five BBC national radio services and dozens of local radio station. They are brought sport, comedy, drama, music, news and current affairs, education, religion, parliamentary coverage, children's programmes and films for an annual licence fee of £83 per household.
It is a remarkable record, stretching back over 70 years - yet the BBC's future is now in doubt. The Corporation will survive as a publicly-funded broadcasting organisation, at least for the time being, but its role, its size and its programmes are now the subject of a nation-wide debate in Britain.
The debate was launched by the Government, which invited anyone with an opinion of the BBC - including ordinary listeners and viewers - to say what was good or bad about the Corporation, and even whether they thought it was worth keeping. The reason for its inquiry is that the BBC's royal charter runs out in 1996 and it must decide whether to keep the organisation as it is, or to make changes.
Defenders of the Corporation - of whom there are many - are fond of quoting the American slogan. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The BBC ain't broke, they say, by which they mean it is not broken (as distinct from the word broke, meaning having no money), so why bother to change it?
Yet the BBC will have to change, because the broadcasting world around it is changing. The commercial TV channels - ITV and Channel 4 - were required by the Thatcher Government's Broadcasting Act to become more commercial, competing with each other for advertisers, and cutting costs and jobs. But it is the arrival of new satellite channels - funded partly by advertising and partly by viewers' subscriptions - which will bring about the biggest changes in the long term.
55. The world famous BBC now faces ________. (A) the problem of new coverage (B) an uncertain prospect
(C) inquiries by the general public (D) shrinkage of audience
56. In the passage, which of the following about the BBC is not mentioned as the key issue?
(A) Extension of its TV service to Far East.
(B) Programmes as the subject of a nation-wide debate.
(C) Potentials for further international co-operations.
(D) Its existence as a broadcasting organisation.
57. The BBC's royal charter (line 4, paragraph 4) stands for ________.
(A) the financial support from the royal family
(B) the privileges granted by the Queen
(C) a contract with the Queen
(D) a unique relationship with the royal family
58. The foremost reason why the BBC has to readjust itself is no other than ________.
(A) the emergence of commercial TV channels
(B) the enforcement of Broadcasting Act by the government
(C) the urgent necessity to reduce costs and jobs
(D) the challenge of new satellite channels
翻译句子
1、The debate was launched by the Government, which invited anyone with an opinion of the BBC-including ordinary listeners and viewers-to say what was good or bad about the Corporation, and even whether they thought it was worth keeping.
[结构剖析] 这个句子的主干结构是 The debate was launched by the Government,使用了被动语态。后面 which 引导定语从句 which invited anyone with an opinion of the BBC…修饰 government,定语从句中不定式 to say 后面是两个并列的宾语从句,一个由 what 引导,一个由 whether 引导,两部分用 and 连接,副词 even 表示进一步强调。另外两个破折号之间的部分属于插入成分,是用来进一步定义 anyone 的。anyone 后面的 with 介词词组也是用来修饰 anyone 的。
[阅读重点] 重点是要弄清楚后面定语从句,两个宾语从句,还有插入成分之间的层次关系。另外要注意 be worth doing 的用法,这一结构本身就可以表达被动含义,因而 the Corporation was worth keeping 就是英国广播公司值得被保留的意思。
2、But it is the arrival of new satellite channels-funded partly by advertising and partly by viewers' subscriptions-which will bring about the biggest changes in the long term.
[结构剖析] 首先这个句子使用了强调结构 it is…which,which 指代前面的 channels。破折号中间部分的插入成分相当于定语,(which are) funded partly by advertising and partly by viewers' subscriptions 修饰 channels,其中 and 连接两个 partly by。
[阅读重点] 注意 bring about 在句中的含义是引起、导致、产生。
难句解析
1、They are brought sport, comedy, drama, music, news and current affairs, education, religion, parliamentary coverage, children's programmes and films for an annual licence fee of £83 per household.
[参考译文] 每户每年支付83英镑的的收视费用就可以收看体育运动、喜剧、戏剧、音乐、新闻与时事、教育、宗教、关于议会的报道、儿童节目和电影。
[结构剖析] 句子的主干结构是 They are brought…for an annual license fee…,其中谓语部分使用了被动语态。实际结构是 bring 后接双宾语 bring sb. sth.,在这句话中,直接宾语很长,是一系列名词的罗列,前面的名词用逗号连接,最后两个并列成分用 and 连接。
[阅读重点] 重点要注意 they 指代前面提到的 listeners and viewers,这里使用了 bring sb. sth. 这一结构的被动式 sb. was brought sth.。介词 for 在这里相当于 at the price of。另外 news and current affairs 中的 and 是连接 news 和 current affairs 的,而这个词组作为一个整体与其它的名词 music、education 等并列。
2、The Corporation will survive as a publicly-funded broadcasting organization, at least for the time being, but its role, its size and its programmes are now the subject of a nation-wide debate in Britain.
[参考译文] 英国广播公司将作为一个公共基金支持的广播组织存在下来,至少目前会这样,但是它的角色、它的规模和它的节目现在在英国成了全国上下的讨论话题。
[结构剖析] 句子的结构是 but 连接了两个转折关系的句子。其中 at least for the time being 前后用逗号与句子其它部分分开,是插入语。前一句子的主干结构是 The Corporation will survive as…,后一句子的主干结构是 its role, its size and its programs are now the subject…。
[阅读重点] The Corporation 指代前面提到的 BBC=British Broadcast Corporation。另外注意 as 的用法,这里它用作介词,是作为……的意思。publicly-funded 由公众提供资金的;nation-wide 全国范围内的。
3、The BBC ain't broke, they say, by which they mean it is not broken (as distinct from the word broke, meaning having no money), so why bother to change it?
5. affair 形势
[大纲词汇] affair n.事,事情,事件
[扩充词汇] affairs n.事务
[经典例句] China will never seek hegemony in the international affairs.
6. parliamentary 议会的
[大纲词汇] parliament n. 国会,议会
[衍生词汇] parliamentary a. 国会的,议会的
[经典例句] The new parliamentary building is designed by a famous architect.
7. annual 每年的
[大纲词汇] annual a. 每年的,年度的;n. 年刊,年鉴
[经典例句] The financial department submitted the annual report to the board.
8. household 家庭
[大纲词汇] household n.户,家庭,全家人
[经典例句] How many people are there in your household?
9. remarkable 值得注意的
[大纲词汇] remarkable a.值得注意的;显著的,异常的,非凡的
[经典例句] He has made remarkable progress in his study.
10. stretch back 回溯到
[大纲词汇] stretch v. 拉长,伸,延; n. 一段时间,一段路程;拉长,延伸
[经典例句] Their conflict stretched back over 20 years.
11. in doubt 悬而未决
[大纲词汇] doubt n./v.怀疑,疑虑 no doubt 无疑,必定
[扩充词汇] in doubt 有疑问,悬而未决
[经典例句] Whether they will adopt the design is still in doubt.
12. broadcasting 广播
[大纲词汇] broadcast v./n. 广播(节目)
[衍生词汇] broadcasting n.广播,播音
[经典例句] She works for a famous broadcasting company.
13. for the time being 目前
[扩充词汇] for the time being 目前
[经典例句] His nephew is living with me for the time being.
14. subject of … 的对象
[大纲词汇] subject n.主题,题目;学科,科目;主语 a. (to)易遭…的,受…支配的v. (to)使遭受,使服从
[经典例句] The minister of defense became the subject of criticism.
[联想记忆] reappear v.再现 remarry v.再婚
[经典例句] The government readjust its policy on import and export.
34. no other than 正是
[大纲词汇] other than 不同于
[扩充词汇] no other than 正是
[经典例句] Taking his money away is no other than killing him.
35. emergence 出现
[大纲词汇] emerge v.浮现,出现
[衍生词汇] emergence n.出现,浮现;露头
[词汇比较] emergency n.紧急情况,突发事件,非常时刻注意;两词虽只有一个字母之差,但意思截然不同,注意区分
[经典例句] The past ten years witnessed the emergence of many new enterprises.
36. enforcement 实施
[大纲词汇] enforce v.实行,执行;强制
[衍生词汇] enforcement n.实施,强制执行 enforceable a.可执行的
[经典例句] Many people are against the enforcement of the new Tax Law.作者: 幽幽草 时间: 2007-5-25 16:50 标题: 考研英语范文阅读模拟试题及答案解析(二)
In the last half of the nineteenth century capital and labor were enlarging and perfecting their rival organizations on modern lines. Many an old firm was replaced by a limited liability company with a bureaucracy of salaried managers. The change met the technical requirements of the new age by engaging a large professional element and prevented the decline in efficiency that so commonly spoiled the fortunes of family firms in the second and third generation after the energetic founders. It was moreover a step away from individual initiative, towards collectivism and municipal and state-owned business. The railway companies, though still private business managed for the benefit of shareholders, were very unlike old family business. At the same time the great municipalities went into business to supply lighting, trams and other services to the taxpayers.
The growth of the limited liability company and municipal business had important consequences. Such large, impersonal manipulation of capital and industry greatly increased the numbers and importance of shareholders as a class, an element in national life representing irresponsible wealth detached from the land and the duties of the landowners; and almost equally detached from the responsible management of business. All through the nineteenth century, America, Africa, India, Australia and parts of Europe were being developed by British capital, and British shareholders were thus enriched by the world's movement towards industrialization. Towns like Bournemouth and East Bourne sprang up to house large comfortable classes who had retired on their incomes, and who had no relation to the rest of the community except that of drawing dividends and occasionally attending a shareholders' meeting to dictate their orders to the management. On the other hand Shareholding meant leisure and freedom which was used by many of the later Victorians for the highest purpose of a great civilization.
The shareholders as such had no knowledge of the lives, thoughts or needs of the workmen employed by the company in which he held shares, and his influence on the relations of capital and labour was not good. The paid manager acting for the company was in more direct relation with the men and their demands, but even he had seldom that familiar personal knowledge of the workmen which the employer had often had under the more patriarchal system of the old family business now passing away. Indeed the mere size of operations and the numbers of workmen involved rendered such personal relations impossible. Fortunately, however, the increasing power and organisation of the trade unions, at least in all skilled trades, enabled the workmen to meet on equal terms the managers of the companies who employed them. The cruel discipline of the strike and lockout taught the two parties to respect each other's strength and understand the value of fair negotiation.
59. It's true of the old family firms that ________.
(A)they were spoiled by the younger generations
(B)they failed for lack of individual initiative
(C)they lacked efficiency compared with modern companies
(D)they could supply adequate services to the taxpayers
60. The growth of limited liability companies resulted in ________.
(A)the separation of capital from management
(B)the ownership of capital by managers
(C)the emergence of capital and labour as two classes
(D)the participation of shareholders in municipal business
61. According to the passage, all of the following are true except that ________.
(A)the shareholders were unaware of the needs of the workers
(B)the old firm owners had a better understanding of their workers
(C)the limited liability companies were too large to run smoothly
(D)the trade unions seemed to play a positive role
第二段第四句将股东阶层称为饱食终日(comfortable)者,他们与别人的关系仅限于抽取红利,他们偶尔也参加一次股东会,对企业的管理指手画脚(dictate their orders)。第三段指出,他们不了解工人,不关心工人。这里使用的显然是一种批评的语气。
翻译句子
1、The change met the technical requirements of the new age by engaging a large professional element and prevented the decline in efficiency that so commonly spoiled the fortunes of family firms in the second and third generation after the energetic founders.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干结构是 The change met…requirements…and prevented the decline…。其中 by engaging a large professional element 是介词词组作状语,说明 met the technical requirements of the new age 的方式。decline in efficiency 后面的 that 引导定语从句修饰前面的 decline in efficiency。
2、Such large, impersonal manipulation of capital and industry greatly increased the numbers and importance of shareholders as a class, an element in national life representing irresponsible wealth detached from the land and the duties of the landowners; and almost equally detached from the responsible management of business.
[结构剖析] 这个句子的主干结构是…manipulation…increased the numbers and importance of shareholders as a class…。其中 an element 是 class 的同位语,representing irresponsible wealth 是现在分词作定语修饰前面的 element,detached from 则是过去分词作后置定语,相当于是省略了 which is 的定语从句。and 连接两个 detached from,都修饰前面的 wealth。
[阅读重点] 理解 an element 是 a class 的同位语是理解此句的关键。只要分清句子的主语、谓语动词的中心词,就能够抓住句子的主要意思。在速度的时候,也可以先抓住主句而略过 an element 后面的部分不看。另外句中一些短语的意思也会影响到对整句的理解,如:detach from 与……相分离;irresponsible wealth 不负责任的财富,在本句中指的是股东们虽然拥有大量财富,但并不参与公司的运作,不承担任何经营管理的责任。
3、The shareholders as such had no knowledge of the lives, thoughts or needs of the workmen employed by the company in which he held shares, and his influence on the relations of capital and labour was not good.
[结构剖析] 这个句子是 and 连接的两个并列句。第一个句子的主干结构是 The shareholders had no knowledge…。在第一个句子中,employed 作定语修饰前面的workmen,相当于省略了who were (employed by)……。which 引导定语从句 in which he held shares 修饰前面的 company。第二句的主干结构 his influence…was not good 是常见的主语+系动词+表语结构。
[阅读重点] 第一分句中要认清 employed by 和后面 which 引导的从句都修饰什么成分的。另外,在阅读本句中,指代关系也非常重要,要看清代词 he 和 his 都是指代前面的 shareholders。作者: 幽幽草 时间: 2007-5-25 16:50 标题: 考研英语范文阅读模拟试题及答案解析(三)
Rumor has it that more than 20 books on creationism/evolution are in the publisher's pipelines. A few have already appeared. The goal of all will be to try to explain to a confused and often unenlightened citizenry that there are not two equally valid scientific theories for the origin and evolution of universe and life. Cosmology, geology, and biology have provided a consistent, unified, and constantly improving account of what happened. Scientific creationism, which is being pushed by some for equal time in the classrooms whenever the scientific accounts of evolution are given, is based on religion, not science. Virtually all scientists and the majority of non-fundamentalist religious leaders have come to regard scientific creationism as bad science and bad religion.
The first four chapters of Kitcher's book give a very brief introduction to evolution. At appropriate places, he introduces the criticisms of the creationists and provides answers. In the last three chapters, he takes off his gloves and gives the creationists a good beating. He describes their programmes and tactics, and, for those unfamiliar with the ways of creationists, the extent of their deception and distortion may come as an unpleasant surprise. When their basic motivation is religious, one might have expected more Christian behavior.
Kitcher is philosopher, and this may account, in part, for the clarity and effectiveness of his arguments. The non-specialist will be able to obtain at least a notion of the sorts of data and argument that support evolutionary theory. The final chapter on the creationists will be extremely clear to all. On the dust jacket of this fine book, Stephen Jay Gould says: This book stands for reason itself. And so it does-and all would be well were reason the only judge in the creationism/evolution debate.
67. Creationism in the passage refers to ________.
(A)evolution in its true sense as to the origin of the universe
(B)a notion of the creation of religion
(C)the scientific explanation of the earth formation
(D)the deceptive theory about the origin of the universe
68. Kitcher's book is intended to ________.
(A)recommend the views of the evolutionists
(B)expose the true features of creationists
(C)curse bitterly at this opponents
(D)launch a surprise attack on creationists
69. From the passage we can infer that ________.
(A)reasoning has played a decisive role in the debate
(B)creationists do not base their argument on reasoning
(C)evolutionary theory is too difficult for non-specialists
(D)creationism is supported by scientific findings
70. This passage appears to be a digest of ________.
参阅第67题题解。文章最后一句指出,它的确代表了理性本身,如果理性是造物主义理论与进化论之争的惟一裁判者,问题就容易解决了。本句是一个虚拟条件句,等于说:all would be well if reason were the only judge in the creationism/evolution debate.
1、In the last three chapters, he takes off his gloves and gives the creationists a good beating. He describes their programs and tactics, and, for those unfamiliar with the ways of creationists, the extent of their deception and distortion may come as an unpleasant surprise.
[结构剖析] 第一句话的主体结构是…he takes off…and gives…,第二句是 and 连接的两个并列句。在第二个分句中,前面插入了一个介词词组 for those unfamiliar with the ways of creationists,其中 unfamiliar 相当于省略了 who are 的定语从句,修饰 those。
[阅读重点] 第一句话中,作者把写书比喻成拳击,因而要抨击神造说/特创论的时候,用了 takes off his gloves and gives the creationists a good beating 这样的句子。第二句中,关键要弄清楚 their programs and tactics, their deception and distortion 中的两个 their 指代的都是 creationists,而不是指那些对神造论者的处事方式不熟悉的人。
2、On the dust jacket of this fine book, Stephen Jay Gould says: This book stands for reason itself. And so it does-and all would be well were reason the only judge in the creationism/evolution debate.
[结构剖析] 第一句话中是主语+谓语动词+直接引语。第二句表示对第一句中的观点的赞同,破折号后作进一步解释;其中隐含一个 if 引导的状语从句表示虚拟语气。在正式的文体中,倒装可以用来代替 if 引导的表示假设的状语从句。were reason the only judge in the creationism/evolution debate 相当于 if reason were the only judge in the creationism/evolution debate。
[阅读重点] 注意 so it does 的用法:so+主语+助动词,表示对前面表述的观点的赞同,注意这一结构与 so+助动词+主语 结构的区别。后者表示也的意思,只用在肯定句当中。另外应注意破折号后解释部分中的条件句里时态的运用:if 条件状语从句中使用过去时 were,主句中用过去将来时 would do,是作出与现在事实相反的假设。
补充难句翻译
①The goal of all will be to try to explain to a confused and often unenlightened citizenry that there are not two equally valid scientific theories for the origin and evolution of universe and life.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干结构是 The goal… will be to try to explain…,其中 explain 后面接的是双宾语:explain to sb. sth.,这里 sth. 是 that 引导的宾语从句 there are not…。
[阅读重点] all 指代上文提到的书籍,要注意 origin 和 evolution 是并列的,而universe 和 life 是并列的。而 confused 和 unenlightened 也是并列的。
②Scientific creationism, which is being pushed by some for equal time in the classrooms whenever the scientific accounts of evolution are given, is based on religion, not science.
[结构剖析] 句子的主体结构是… creationism is based… on religion, not science,其中which 引导了一个非限定性定语从句 which is being pushed by some for equal time in the classroom…修饰 creationism,在这一定语从句中,whenever 引导了一个时间状语从句 whenever the scientific accounts of evolution are given。
Personality is to a large extent inherent-A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is important to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their children.
One place where children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools adopt the win at all costs moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A-types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying: Rejoice, we conquer!
By far the worst form of competition in schools is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well. The merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.
Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A youngsters change into B's. The world needs types, and schools have an important duty to try to fit a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.
If the preoccupation of schools with academic work was lessened, more time might be spent teaching children surer values. Perhaps selection for the caring professions, especially medicine, could be made less by good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity and sympathy. It is surely a mistake to choose our doctors exclusively from A- type stock. B's are important and should be encouraged.
63. According to the passage, A-type individuals are usually ________.
be bound to意为:肯定、注定。问题中be opposed意为反对。第三段指出,学校中最糟糕的竞争方式(by far用于强调最高级形式)是极力强调考试(disproportionate意为:不相称的,过分的),很少有学校让学生集中精力做自己善于做的事情。通过考试来竞争有无益处(merits)是个值得探讨的问题(questionable),但是,明知道自己会失败还去竞争的做法肯定(对人的心理,如:自信心、自我认识等)是有害的。
1、But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is important to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their children.
[阅读重点] 要正确理解本句,重点在于抓住单词的正确意思。questionable 可疑的,值得疑问的;而后面的 knowledge 如果理解成知识那么这句话就怎么也看不懂了,在这里它的意思应该是知道,知晓,因此 in the knowledge of 应被理解为在了解……的情况下。
3、Perhaps selection for the caring professions, especially medicine, could be made less by grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity and sympathy.
[结构剖析] 本句的主干是… selection…could be made less by… and more by…。两个逗号隔开的是对于 caring professions 的进一步具体说明。
[阅读重点] 注意在阅读的时候抓住 less… and more…的结构,同时注意 more 后面的可能要更加重要一些。
补充难句翻译
1、The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A-types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows.
[结构剖析] 本句的主干是 The current passion… produces a two-layer system;passion后面的介词 for 的宾语比较复杂,是一个 make sb. do sth. 的结构,而主句的宾语 a two-layer system 后面有一个非限定性的定语从句。
[阅读重点] 可以先抓主干,然后再分析其它成分,另外在理解的时候也要有一定的想象力,比如 compete against the clock 不能从字面上理解为和钟表竞争,而应该理解成与时间竞争/和时间赛跑。
2、One place where children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution.
[参考译文] 孩子们吸收A类个性的地方是学校。就学校的本质而言,它是一个高度竞争的机构。
[结构剖析] 本句的主干是 One place…is school,这个简单句的主语和谓语都有一个定语从句修饰,前面的是限定性的,后面的是非限定性的,并且在其里面还有一个插入成分 by its very nature。
[阅读重点] 可以先抓主干,然后再分析那两个定语从句,另外注意 soak up 的意思是吸收,摄取,其实即使我们不是很清楚这个词组的意思,只要我们抓住 soak 的基本意思浸泡,浸湿,浸透,词组的意思也能猜出来。
语言点详解
1. to a large extent 在很大程度上
[大纲词汇] extent n.广度,宽度,长度;程度,限度
[经典例句] His attitude will influence the result to a large extent.
2. inherent 天生的
[大纲词汇] inherent a.固有的,内在的,天生的 inherit v.继承
[经典例句] Parents should be waken to the inherent nature of their children.
3. bring about 造成
[大纲词汇] bring about 带来,造成
[经典例句] The new policy brought about many improvements in the employment of women.
4. offspring 后代
[大纲词汇] offspring n.子孙,后代;结果,产物
5. profound 深刻的
[大纲词汇] profound a.深刻的,意义深远的;渊博的,造诣深的
[经典例句] The city has undergone a profound change in the past few years.
6. soak up 吸收
[大纲词汇] soak v.浸泡,浸湿,浸透
[经典例句] The earth soaks up rainwater.
7. sport achievements 夸耀成就
[大纲词汇] sport n.运动;pl.运动会 sportsman n.运动员
[扩充词义] sport v.炫耀,夸示
[经典例句] The young man sported a roll of money his father gave him to his friends.
It was 3: 45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary debates, Australia's Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on-line service, Death NET. Says Hofsess: We posted bulletins all day long, because of course this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history.
The full import may take a while to sink in. The NT Rights of the Terminally Ill law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right-to-life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia-where an aging population, life-extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part-other states are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia. In the US and Canada, where the right-to-die movement is gathering strength, observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling.
Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death-probably by a deadly injection or pill-to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed as terminally ill by two doctors. After a cooling off period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally Ill law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks, he says.
51. From the second paragraph we learn that ________.
(A)the objection to euthanasia is slow to come in other countries
(B)physicians and citizens share the same view on euthanasia
(C)changing technology is chiefly responsible for the hasty passage of the law
(D)it takes time to realize the significance of the law's passage
52. When the author says that observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling, he means ________.
(A)observers are taking a wait-and-see attitude towards the future of euthanasia
(B)similar bills are likely to be passed in the US, Canada and other countries
(C)observers are waiting to see the result of the game of dominoes
(D)the effect-taking process of the passed bill may finally come to a stop
53. When Lloyd Nickson dies, he will ________.
(A)face his death with calm characteristic of euthanasia
(B)experience the suffering of a lung cancer patient
(C)have an intense fear of terrible suffering
(D)undergo a cooling off period of seven days
54. The author's attitude towards euthanasia seems to be that of ________.
1、Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right-to-life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill land the haste of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back.
[结构剖析] 第一句话中,有用逗号松散连接的两个表示对比的句子:Some have breathed…others…bitterly attacked…,其中 others 之后是介词词组:including churches, right-to-life groups and the Australian Medical Association 对 others 进行进一步的解释。its passage 中的 its 指代前面提到的 the bill。第二句使用了被动语态,与第一句是转折关系。
[阅读重点] tide 本意是潮水、潮汐的意思,这里的引申含义是趋势、趋向;turn the tide 使形式转变、改变局面。bill 这里是法案的意思。另外要理解 some 和 others 的对比关系。
2、In Australia-where an aging population, life-extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part-other states are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia.
[结构剖析] 这个句子的主体结构是… other states are going to consider…。句首的 In Australia 是介词词组表示地点状语,后面 where 引导定语从句 where an aging population, life-extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part,进一步解释 Australia 的具体情况。
[阅读重点] 注意破折号中说各种因素都发挥了作用,是指对其它州考虑制定关于安乐死的法律这件事而言的。另外注意 consider 的用法,consider 后面一般接 V-ing 的形式或 that 引导的宾语从句。
补充难句翻译
1、After six months of arguing and final 16hours of hot parliamentary debates, Australia's Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die.
[结构剖析] 句子的主体结构是 Australia's Northern Territory became the first legal authority…;句首是表示时间的介词词组作状语:after six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary debates;后面的动词不定式 to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die 相当于定语从句 which allows doctors to…,修饰 legal authority;who 引导定语从句 who wish to die 修饰前面的 patients。
[阅读重点] 理解句子的关键在于剔除庞杂的修饰成分,抓住句子的主干。
2、After a cooling off period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met.
A report consistently brought back by visitors to the US is how friendly, courteous, and helpful most Americans were to them. To be fair, this observation is also frequently made of Canada and Canadians, and should best be considered North American. There are, of course, exceptions. Small-minded officials, rude waiters, and ill-mannered taxi drivers are hardly unknown in the US. Yet it is an observation made so frequently that it deserves comment.
For a long period of time and in many parts of the country, a traveler was a welcome break in an otherwise dull existence. Dullness and loneliness were common problems of the families who generally lived distant from one another. Strangers and travelers were welcome sources of diversion, and brought news of the outside world.
The harsh realities of the frontier also shaped this tradition of hospitality. Someone traveling alone, if hungry, injured, or ill, often had nowhere to turn except to the nearest cabin or settlement. It was not a matter of choice for the traveler or merely a charitable impulse on the part of the settlers. It reflected the harshness of daily life: if you didn't take in the stranger and take care of him, there was no one else who would. And someday, remember, you might be in the same situation.
Today there are many charitable organizations which specialize in helping the weary traveler. Yet, the old tradition of hospitality to strangers is still very strong in the US, especially in the smaller cities and towns away from the busy tourist trails. I was just traveling through, got talking with this American, and pretty soon he invited me home for dinner-amazing. Such observations reported by visitors to the US are not uncommon, but are not always understood properly. The casual friendliness of many Americans should be interpreted neither as superficial nor as artificial, but as the result of a historically developed cultural tradition.
As is true of any developed society, in America a complex set of cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies all social interrelationships. And, of course, speaking a language does not necessarily mean that someone understands social and cultural patterns. Visitors who fail to translate cultural meanings properly often draw wrong conclusions. For example, when an American uses the word friend, the cultural implications of the word may be quite different from those it has in the visitor's language and culture. It takes more than a brief encounter on a bus to distinguish between courteous convention and individual interest. Yet, being friendly is a virtue that many Americans value highly and expect from both neighbors and strangers.
55. In the eyes of visitors from the outside world, ________.
(A)rude taxi drivers are rarely seen in the US
(B)small-minded officials deserve a serious comment
(C)Canadians are not so friendly as their neighbors
(D)most Americans are ready to offer help
56. It could be inferred from the last paragraph that ________.
(A)culture exercises an influence over social interrelationship
(B)courteous convention and individual interest are interrelated
(C)various virtues manifest themselves exclusively among friends
(D)social interrelationships equal the complex set of cultural conventions
57. Families in frontier settlements used to entertain strangers ________.
(A)to improve their hard life
(B)in view of their long-distance travel
(C)to add some flavor to their own daily life
(D)out of a charitable impulse
58. The tradition of hospitality to strangers ________.
(A)tends to be superficial and artificial
(B)is generally well kept up in the United States
(C)is always understood properly
(D)has something to do with the busy tourist trails
B 意为:礼貌的习惯与个人兴趣互相影响。最后一段第五句可译为:仅靠在公共汽车上瞬时相遇来区别礼貌是出自于文化习惯还是个人的兴趣是不够的。根据本段的主旨和全文的主旨,这句话应该理解为:判断一个人表现出的礼貌行为究竟仅产生于其个人素质还是产生于文化的熏陶,仅看其个别的、偶然的行为是不行的。换言之,如果他随时随地表现为礼让,或者,如果生活在某一区域或国家的人都表现为礼让,那末,你才能判定礼貌行为不是一种个人现象,而是一种社会文化现象。
C 意为:各种美德仅表现在朋友关系中。这一点文章最后一段没提到。最后一段所举的朋友一词的例子旨在说明:在不同文化中,相同的概念未必有同一内涵或外延。
D 意为:社会关系等于一系列复杂的文化习俗。根据该段第一句,二者是决定与被决定关系,并非等同关系。见上文分析。
A 意为:改善艰苦的生活。根据上文分析可见,陌生人受欢迎的原因主要是因为他们所带来的精神效应,而非物质生活效应。第三段提到,拓荒地区(frontier)的残酷现实也是形成美国人礼貌传统的原因。一个孤独的旅游者有问题自然求助于路边最近的居住点,这对旅游者来说不是一个选择问题(即:他别无选择),对就近的定居者来说,提供必要的帮助也不仅仅是出于怜悯(charitable impulse)。这反映的是日常生活的严酷现实:如果定居者不接收并帮助他,就没有别人了,另外,有一天定居者本人也可能处于同一境地。
2、The casual friendliness of many Americans should be interpreted neither as superficial nor as artificial, but as the result of a historically developed cultural tradition.
[结构剖析] 这个句子的主干结构是 The casual friendliness should be interpreted neither as A nor B…but as C,使用了被动语态。其中 neither…nor… 结构后用的是同样词性的成分:形容词 superficial 和 artificial。
[阅读重点] 注意 neither…nor…but 结构的使用:既不是……也不是……而是……,重点在but之后。as the/a result of:作为……的结果,由于……而……。
3、As is true of any developed society, in America a complex set of cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies all social interrelationships.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干结构是 … cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies…interrelationships。
[阅读重点] 注意 as 在这里是一个代词,表示这一情况,这一事实。可以参考以下的例句来理解 as 的用法:The night had turned cold, as is usual around here. 夜晚变得很冷,在这一带经常如此。
补充难句翻译
1、There are, of course, exceptions. Small-minded officials, rude waiters, and ill-mannered taxi drivers are hardly unknown in the US. Yet it is an observation made so frequently that it deserves comment.
[结构剖析] 这是一个简单句。traveling alone 是现在分词作定语修饰前面的 someone, if hungry, injured, or ill… 实际上是简略的 if 引导的状语从句,相当于 if (he is) hungry, injured, or ill,这里作插入成分。另外 have sth.+动词不定式 这一结构中的动词不定式通常是相当于定语部分,修饰前面的 sth.,这里就是:没有可以投靠(to turn to/动词不定式)的地方(nowhere/sth.)。
[阅读重点] 注意 turn to 这里的引申含义是投靠、求助于、求教于的意思。
3、It was not a matter of choice for the traveler or merely a charitable impulse on the part of the settlers.
A report consistently brought back by visitors to the US is how friendly, courteous, and helpful most Americans were to them. To be fair, this observation is also frequently made of Canada and Canadians, and should best be considered North American. There are, of course, exceptions. Small-minded officials, rude waiters, and ill-mannered taxi drivers are hardly unknown in the US. Yet it is an observation made so frequently that it deserves comment.
For a long period of time and in many parts of the country, a traveler was a welcome break in an otherwise dull existence. Dullness and loneliness were common problems of the families who generally lived distant from one another. Strangers and travelers were welcome sources of diversion, and brought news of the outside world.
The harsh realities of the frontier also shaped this tradition of hospitality. Someone traveling alone, if hungry, injured, or ill, often had nowhere to turn except to the nearest cabin or settlement. It was not a matter of choice for the traveler or merely a charitable impulse on the part of the settlers. It reflected the harshness of daily life: if you didn't take in the stranger and take care of him, there was no one else who would. And someday, remember, you might be in the same situation.
Today there are many charitable organizations which specialize in helping the weary traveler. Yet, the old tradition of hospitality to strangers is still very strong in the US, especially in the smaller cities and towns away from the busy tourist trails. I was just traveling through, got talking with this American, and pretty soon he invited me home for dinner-amazing. Such observations reported by visitors to the US are not uncommon, but are not always understood properly. The casual friendliness of many Americans should be interpreted neither as superficial nor as artificial, but as the result of a historically developed cultural tradition.
As is true of any developed society, in America a complex set of cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies all social interrelationships. And, of course, speaking a language does not necessarily mean that someone understands social and cultural patterns. Visitors who fail to translate cultural meanings properly often draw wrong conclusions. For example, when an American uses the word friend, the cultural implications of the word may be quite different from those it has in the visitor's language and culture. It takes more than a brief encounter on a bus to distinguish between courteous convention and individual interest. Yet, being friendly is a virtue that many Americans value highly and expect from both neighbors and strangers.
55. In the eyes of visitors from the outside world, ________.
(A)rude taxi drivers are rarely seen in the US
(B)small-minded officials deserve a serious comment
(C)Canadians are not so friendly as their neighbors
(D)most Americans are ready to offer help
56. It could be inferred from the last paragraph that ________.
(A)culture exercises an influence over social interrelationship
(B)courteous convention and individual interest are interrelated
(C)various virtues manifest themselves exclusively among friends
(D)social interrelationships equal the complex set of cultural conventions
57. Families in frontier settlements used to entertain strangers ________.
(A)to improve their hard life
(B)in view of their long-distance travel
(C)to add some flavor to their own daily life
(D)out of a charitable impulse
58. The tradition of hospitality to strangers ________.
(A)tends to be superficial and artificial
(B)is generally well kept up in the United States
(C)is always understood properly
(D)has something to do with the busy tourist trails
B 意为:礼貌的习惯与个人兴趣互相影响。最后一段第五句可译为:仅靠在公共汽车上瞬时相遇来区别礼貌是出自于文化习惯还是个人的兴趣是不够的。根据本段的主旨和全文的主旨,这句话应该理解为:判断一个人表现出的礼貌行为究竟仅产生于其个人素质还是产生于文化的熏陶,仅看其个别的、偶然的行为是不行的。换言之,如果他随时随地表现为礼让,或者,如果生活在某一区域或国家的人都表现为礼让,那末,你才能判定礼貌行为不是一种个人现象,而是一种社会文化现象。
C 意为:各种美德仅表现在朋友关系中。这一点文章最后一段没提到。最后一段所举的朋友一词的例子旨在说明:在不同文化中,相同的概念未必有同一内涵或外延。
D 意为:社会关系等于一系列复杂的文化习俗。根据该段第一句,二者是决定与被决定关系,并非等同关系。见上文分析。
A 意为:改善艰苦的生活。根据上文分析可见,陌生人受欢迎的原因主要是因为他们所带来的精神效应,而非物质生活效应。第三段提到,拓荒地区(frontier)的残酷现实也是形成美国人礼貌传统的原因。一个孤独的旅游者有问题自然求助于路边最近的居住点,这对旅游者来说不是一个选择问题(即:他别无选择),对就近的定居者来说,提供必要的帮助也不仅仅是出于怜悯(charitable impulse)。这反映的是日常生活的严酷现实:如果定居者不接收并帮助他,就没有别人了,另外,有一天定居者本人也可能处于同一境地。
2、The casual friendliness of many Americans should be interpreted neither as superficial nor as artificial, but as the result of a historically developed cultural tradition.
[结构剖析] 这个句子的主干结构是 The casual friendliness should be interpreted neither as A nor B, but as C,使用了被动语态。其中 neither…nor… 结构后用的是同样词性的成分:形容词 superficial 和 artificial。
[阅读重点] 注意 neither…… nor…… but 结构的使用:既不是……也不是……而是……,重点在 but 之后。as the/a result of:作为……的结果、由于……而……。
3、As is true of any developed society, in America a complex set of cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies all social interrelationships.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干结构是…cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies…interrelationships。
[阅读重点] 注意 as 在这里是一个代词,表示这一情况,这一事实。可以参考以下的例句来理解 as 的用法:The night had turned cold, as is usual around here. 夜晚变得很冷,在这一带经常如此。
补充难句翻译
1、There are, of course, exceptions. Small-minded officials, rude waiters, and ill-mannered taxi drivers are hardly unknown in the US. Yet it is an observation made so frequently that it deserves comment.
[结构剖析] 第一个句子使用了 there be 句型,其中 of course 是插入语。第二句是主语+系动词+表语结构。第三句话中使用了 so…… that 结构:其中 made so frequently 是过去分词作定语,修饰前面的 observation.
[阅读重点] 第一句中的 of course 作插入语,用逗号与句子的其它部分分开,在开始阅读的时候可以不看。注意第二句话中使用了双重否定表示肯定:hardly unknown 等于pretty well-known。另外注意 so…… that 结构的用法:太……以至于。另外 observation这里的意思是因观察而得出的意见。另外 it deserves comment 中的 it 指代前面的observation。
2、Someone traveling alone, if hungry, injured, or ill, often had nowhereto turn except to the nearest cabin or settlement.
[结构剖析] 这是一个简单句。traveling alone 是现在分词作定语,修饰前面的someone,if hungry, injured, or ill…实际上是简略的 if 引导的状语从句,相当于 if (he is) hungry, injured, or ill…,这里作插入成分。另外 have sth.+动词不定式 这一结构中的动词不定式通常是相当于定语部分,修饰前面的 sth,这里就是:没有可以投靠(to turn to/动词不定式)的地方(nowhere/sth.)。
[阅读重点] 注意 turn to 这里的引申含义是投靠、求助于、求教于的意思。
3、It was not a matter of choice for the traveler or merely a charitable impulse on the part of the settlers.
Technically, any substance other than food that alters our bodily or mental functioning is a drug. Many people mistakenly believe the term drug refers only to some sort of medicine or an illegal chemical taken by drug addicts. They don't realize that familiar substances such as alcohol and tobacco are also drugs. This is why the more neutral term substance is now used by many physicians and psychologists. The phrase substance abuse is often used instead of drug abuse to make clear that substances such as alcohol and tobacco can be just as harmfully misused as heroin and cocaine.
We live in a society in which the medicinal and social use of substances (drugs) is pervasive: an aspirin to quiet a headache, some wine to be sociable, coffee to get going in the morning, a cigarette for the nerves. When do these socially acceptable and apparently constructive uses of a substance become misuses? First of all, most substances taken in excess will produce negative effects such as poisoning or intense perceptual distortions. Repeated use of a substance can also lead to physical addiction or substance dependence. Dependence is marked first by an increased tolerance, with more and more of the substance required to produce the desired effect, and then by the appearance of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the substance is discontinued.
Drugs (substances) that affect the central nervous system and alter perception, mood, and behavior are known as psychoactive substances. Psychoactive substances are commonly grouped according to whether they are stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens. Stimulants initially speed up or activate the central nervous system, whereas depressants slow it down. Hallucinogens have their primary effect on perception, distorting and altering it in a variety of ways including producing hallucinations. These are the substances often called psychedelic (from the Greek word meaning mind-manifestation) because they seemed to radically alter one‘s state of consciousness.
59. Substances abuse (line 5, paragraph 1) is preferable to drug abuse in that ________.
(A) substances can alter our bodily or mental functioning if illegally used
(B) drug abuse is only related to a limited number of drugtakers
(C) alcohol and tobacco are as fatal as heroin and cocaine
(D) many substances other than heroin or cocaine can also be poisonous
60. The word pervasive (line 1, paragraph 2) might mean ________.
A 意为:兴奋剂对心智有积极影响。第三段前三句指出,影响中枢神经系统、改变感知觉和行为的药物属于对神经起显著作用的(psychoactive)物质,它们通常分为兴奋剂、抑制剂或幻觉剂。兴奋剂具有开始加快或激活中枢神经的作用,而抑制剂则具有减缓作用。但是,无论是哪种作用,其影响都是有害的。参阅第一段最后一句。
C 意为:抑制剂是对神经起显著作用的物质中最坏的一种。第三段提到了三钟影响人的意识与行为的物质(见上文),但并未指出哪种效果最坏。
D 意为:三种对神经起显著作用的物质经常被一起使用。这一点第三段也未提到。
翻译句子
1. We live in a society in which the medicinal and social use of substances (drugs) is pervasive: an aspirin to quiet a headache, some wine to be sociable, coffee to get going in the morning, a cigarette for the nerves.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干就是 We live in a society…,后面 which 引导定语从句 in which the medicinal and social use of substances (drugs) is pervasive,修饰 society。冒号后面的部分是并列关系的名词词组,用来举例说明前面提出的观点,开始时可以略去不看。
2. Dependence is marked first by an increased tolerance, with more and more of the substance required to produce the desired effect, and then by the appearance of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the substance is discontinued.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干结构是 Dependence is marked first by…and then by…;逗号隔开的成分 with+n.+过去分词:with more and more of the substance required to produce the desired effect 作状语,用来进一步解释药物依赖的第一种表现。when the substance is discontinued 是表示时间的状语从句。
[阅读重点] 注意 and 连接两个 by 开始的介词词组是并列关系,这样就能抓住句子的主干了。另外注意名词在这里的特殊意义:dependence 指对药物的依赖,withdrawal 的意思是停止用药。
补充难句翻译
1. The phrase substance abuse is often used instead of drug abuse to make clear that substances such as alcohol and tobacco can be just as harmfully misused as heroin and cocaine.
2、Psychoactive substances are commonly grouped according to whether they are stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens.
[参考译文] 精神刺激性药品通常按照他们是否是兴奋剂,镇静剂或致幻剂来划分。
[结构剖析] 这是一个简单句。句子的主干部分是 Psychoactive substances are…grouped according to…,使用了被动语态。其中 whether 引导宾语从句 whether they are stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens 作介词 according to 的宾语。
[阅读重点] group 这里用作动词,是分类的意思。
语言点详解
1. alter 改变
[大纲词汇] alter v. 改变,变更 alteration n. 改变,变更
[经典例句] The outstanding performance of the troupe altered their attitude.
2. mental functioning 心理功能
3. drug addict 吸毒者
[扩充词汇] addict n. 入迷的人,上瘾的人; v. 使沉溺,使人迷,使上瘾
4. alcohol 酒精
[大纲词汇] alcohol n. 酒精,乙醇;含酒精的饮料
[衍生词汇] alcoholic n.酒鬼;a.酒精的
[经典例句] His mother told him to keep off alcohol.
5. illegal 非法的
[大纲词汇] illegal a.不合法的,非法的
[经典例句] The state forbids illegal possession of firearms.
6. neutral 中性的
[大纲词汇] neutral a.中立的;中性的,中和的
[经典例句] He tried to keep neutral in the conflicts between his friends.
7. psychologist 心理学家
[大纲词汇] psychology n. 心理学
[衍生词汇] psychologist n.心理学家
8. phrase 词
[大纲词汇] phrase n.短语,词语,习语
[经典例句] This phrase was used wrongly in the sentence.
9. abuse 滥用
[大纲词汇] abuse v./n.滥用;虐待;漫骂
[经典例句] Drug abuse has become a serious social problem nowadays.
10. instead of 代替
[大纲词汇] instead ad.代替,顶替 instead of 代替,而不是;不是…(而是)
[经典例句] Her brought two assistants with her instead of one.
11. misuse 滥用
[扩充词汇] misuse v. 错用,误用,滥用
[构词方法] mis-后缀,表示不当,错,误
[联想记忆] misunderstand v.误解 miscalculate v.误算
[经典例句] You should not misuse his kindness and take his advantage.
12. heroin 海洛因
[大纲词汇] heroin n.海洛因
13. cocaine 可卡因
14. pervasive 普遍的
[扩充词汇] pervasive a.到处弥漫的;普遍的,流行的
[经典例句] Pollution is one of the most pervasive problems today.
15. aspirin 阿斯匹林
16. sociable 善于交际的
[扩充词汇] sociable a.好交际的,合群的;社交的
[经典例句] Although she is nice to everyone, she is not a sociable person.
17. get going 开始工作
[扩充词汇] get going 开始,开始谈话(或工作等)
[经典例句] He suggested we get going with our work.
18. constructive 有建设性的
[大纲词汇] construct v.建设,建造,构造;创立
[衍生词汇] constructive a.建设性的,有积极意义的
[经典例句] The company gave constructive response to their criticism.
19. first of all 首先
[经典例句] First of all, your reaction should be justified.
20. in excess 过量
[大纲词汇] excess a.过量的,额外的;n.过量,过剩 in excess of 超过
[经典例句] The materials you keep in excess will cost you too much money.
21. negative effects 负面影响
[大纲词汇] negative a.否定的,消极的,反面的,负的,阴性的;n.负数;(摄影)底片
22. perceptual 感觉的
[扩充词汇] perceptual a. 感知的,感觉的;感性的 perceptual response 知觉反应perceptual knowledge 感性知识
23. physical addiction 身体上瘾
[扩充词汇] addiction n.人迷,嗜好;瘾 heroin addiction海洛因瘾
24. withdrawal symptoms 脱瘾的不舒服症状
[大纲词汇] withdraw v.收回,撤消;缩回,退出;提取(钱)symptom n. 症状,征候,征兆
[衍生词汇] withdrawal n.收回,取回,撤回;戒毒(脱瘾)的过程
25. discontinue 停止
[扩充词汇] discontinue v.停止,中断,终止
[经典例句] We have to discontinue the projects because of a lack of fund.
26. nervous system 神经系统
[大纲词汇] nerve n.神经;勇气,胆量 nervous a.神经的;神经过敏的,紧张不安的
27. perception 感知
[大纲词汇] perceive v.察觉,感知;理解,领悟
[衍生词汇] perception n.察觉,感觉,感知;认识,看法
[经典例句] His perception of the change came in a flash.
28. peychoactive 作用于精神的,影响(或改变)心理状态的
[构词方法] psycho-前缀,表示精神:心理
[联想记忆] psychoanalysis n. 精神分析 psychobiology n.精神生物学
29. stimulant 兴奋剂
[扩充词汇] stimulant n.引起兴奋的食品(或饮料等);兴奋剂;刺激物,影响力
[经典例句] Coffee and tea are stimulants.
30. depressant 镇静剂
[大纲词汇] depress v.压抑,降低;使沮丧,压下
[衍生词汇] depressant n.镇静剂
31. hallucinogen 幻觉剂
32. speed up 使加速
[大纲词汇] speed up 使加速
[经典例句] You have to speed up your rate of work.
33. activate 启动
[大纲词汇] activate v.使活动,启动
[经典例句] He ordered the workers to activate the engine.
34. slow down 降低(速度)
[大纲词汇] slow down(使)放慢,减速
[经典例句] She asked her son to slow down the car because she felt dizzy.
35. primary effect 最初的作用
36. hallucination 幻觉
[扩充词汇] hallucination n.幻觉;妄想
[经典例句] He was undergoing some perceptive hallucination.
37. psychedelic 迷幻药的
[扩充词汇] psychedelic a.迷幻药的;引起幻觉的 a psychedelic indulgence 迷幻沉洒psychedelic art 迷幻艺
35. mind manifesting 显示内心想法的
[大纲词汇] manifest v.表明,证明,显示;a.明白的,明了的
[联想记忆] mind-altering a.麻痹神经的
39. radically 极度地
[大纲词汇] radical a. 基本的,重要的;激进的,极端的;根本的
[经典例句] Attitudes towards education will have to change radically.
40. fatal 致命的
[大纲词汇] fatal a. 致命的,毁灭性的
[经典例句] He collapsed at the fatal blow on his head.
41. piercing 刺穿的
[大纲词汇] pierce v刺破,刺穿
[经典例句] They pursued their way in the piercing coldness.
No company likes to be told it is contributing to the moral decline of a nation. Is this what you intended to accomplish with your careers? Senator Robert Dole asked Time Warner executives last week. You have sold your souls, but must you corrupt our nation and threaten our children as well? At Time Warner, however, such questions are simply the latest manifestation of the soul-searching that has involved the company ever since the company was born in 1990. It’s a self-examination that has, at various times, involved issues of responsibility, creative freedom and the corporate bottom line.
At the core of this debate is chairman Gerald Levin, 56, who took over for the late Steve Ross in 1992. On the financial front, Levin is under pressure to raise the stock price and reduce the company’s mountainous debt, which will increase to $ 17.3 billion after two new cable deals close. He has promised to sell off some of the property and restructure the company, but investors are waiting impatiently.
The flap over rap is not making life any easier for him. Levin has consistently defended the company’s rap music on the grounds of expression. In 1992, when Time Warner was under fire for releasing Ice-T’s violent rap song Cop Killer, Levin described rap as lawful expression of street culture, which deserves an outlet. The test of any democratic society, he wrote in a Wall Street Journal column, lies not in how well it can control expression but in whether it gives freedom of thought and expression the widest possible latitude, however disputable or irritating the results may sometimes be. We won’t retreat in the face of any threats.
Levin would not comment on the debate last week, but there were signs that the chairman was backing off his hard-line stand, at least to some extent. During the discussion of rock singing verses at last month’s stockholders’meeting. Levin asserted that music is not the cause of society’s ills and even cited his son, a teacher in the Bronx, New York, who uses rap to communicate with students. But he talked as well about the balanced struggle between creative freedom and social responsibility, and he announced that the company would launch a drive to develop standards for distribution and labeling of potentially objectionable music.The 15-member Time Warner board is generally supportive of Levin and his corporate strategy. But insiders say several of them have shown their concerns in this matter. Some of us have known for many, many years that the freedoms under the First Amendment are not totally unlimited, says Luce. I think it is perhaps the case that some people associated with the company have only recently come to realize this.
63. Senator Robert Dole criticized Time Warner for ________.
(A)its raising of the corporate stock price
(B)its self-examination of soul
(C)its neglect of social responsibility
(D)its emphasis on creative freedom
64. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
(A)Luce is a spokesman of Time Warner.
(B)Gerald Levin is liable to compromise.
(C)Time Warner is united as one in the face of the debate.
(D)Steve Ross is no longer alive.
65. In face of the recent attacks on the company, the chairman ________.
(A)stuck to a strong stand to defend freedom of expression
(B)softened his tone and adopted some new policy
(C)changed his attitude and yielded to objection
(D)received more support from the 15-member board
66. The best title for this passage could be ________.
B 意为:它对灵魂的自我检验。第一段第三句指出,对时代沃纳公司来说,多尔所质疑的问题只不过是公司自创立以来一直进行的自我反省的最新表述,在公司发展的不同阶段,这一自我反省涉及(社会)责任、创作自由、公司利润(bottom line)。换言之,在公司的发展过程中,社会责任、创作自由、公司能否赚钱这三者之间的矛盾一直困扰着公司。根据公司董事长列文的话(见第三段),公司把创作自由放在了发展的首位。这造成了它对作品的社会影响的忽视,所以,后来列文改变态度以后,承认应该在创作自由和社会责任上寻找一个平衡点(见第四段)。可见,多尔参议员所指责的正是公司的所作所为带来的不良社会影响,这样他就击中了要害。
D 意为:它对创作自由的强调。见上文分析。
64.(D)回答这一问题主要涉及对第二段第一句中 late 的理解。
除其他意思外,该词有前,已故的等意思。一般来讲,该词加在人名或称呼前时译作已故的、如:the late Mr. Green 已故格林先生,her late husband 她的前夫(已故),若加在头衔前,则要据情况而译,如:the late president 前总统(也可能已故,也可能仅指刚刚卸职)。第二段第一句可译为:处于争议中心的是董事长杰拉德?列文,他在 1992年前董事长史蒂夫?罗斯去世后继任,今年 56 岁。
A 意为:路斯是时代沃纳公司的发言人。在最后一段第二句,路斯仅被称作 insider(内部人士,知情人士),他说:我们有些人多年来一直知道(宪法)第一修正案中所规定的自由并非是无限制的自由,我想可能公司的某些人最近才意识到这一点。他的话说明了公司领导内部对处理创作自由和社会影响这一对矛盾上的不同看法、也暗含着对公司一贯政策(过于强调创作自由)的批评。可见,他并非公司指派的发言人,而仅代表自己。
B 意为:列文倾向于妥协。根据第三段中列文所说的话,他是一个持强硬立场的人。他说:检验任何民主社会的标准不是看它如何严厉地控制(思想的)表达,而是看它是否给人以最大限度的思想和表达思想的自由。我们不会屈服于任何威胁。但是,在这次的争议中,虽然列文也在为公司发行的音乐作品争辩,但他也做出了某些程度的让步(参阅第四段第一句)。由此可见,列文并非是个易于妥协的人。
[结构剖析] 第一个句子是一个简单句。flap over rap 是句子的主语,is making 是谓语,使用了结构:make+n.+adj.。第二个句子也是一个简单句。
[阅读重点] 第一句中的重点是掌握 to make life easier 这个表述方法,其它部分都是辅助这个短语的。另外,对于 flap 一词的理解也至关重要,在这里它的意思是焦虑、兴奋状态的意思。第二句中的主干是 defend somebody on the grounds of something(为某种理由或手段为某人辩护)。expression 这里的意思是 the quality of singing or playing a musical instrument with feeling,即表达方式、腔调,尤指雄辩的语调、富有表情的唱腔。注意 consistently 是一贯地,一向地的意思,不要与 constantly 混淆。
2、The test of any democratic society, he wrote in a Wall Street Journal column, lies not in how well it can control expression but in whether it gives freedom of thought and expression the widest possible latitude, however disputable or irritating the results may sometimes be…
1、Is this what you intended to accomplish with your careers? Senator Robert Dole asked Time Warner executives last week. You have sold your souls, but must you corrupt our nation and threaten our children as well?
[结构剖析] 这是一个有直接引语的复杂句。首先抓住核心句 Senator Robert Dole asked Time Warner executives last week,其前后是直接引语。这个直接引语的前半部分是一个一般疑问句,后面由两个转折关系的句子构成,由连词 but 连接。第一个分句是一个简单句,but 后面的句子是一个一般疑问句。由情态动词 must 引导,包括由 and 这个连词连的两个并列部分,corrupt our nation 和 threaten our children as well 在后面 threaten out children as well 这部分的主语 you 被省略了。
[阅读重点] 关键要理解 but 后面的一般疑问句,这里并不是表示疑问,而是反问、诘问的意思。当并列复合句的第二个子句的主语与第一个子句的主语相同时,第二个子句的主语可以省。as well 这里是 in addition、also、too 也的意思,经常用于句尾。
2、It’s a self-examination that has, at various times, involved issues of responsibility, creative freedom and the corporate bottom line.
[参考译文] 这是一种在不同时期会涉及责任、创作自由和公司底线问题的自我反省。
[结构剖析] 这是一个有定语从句的复杂句。阅读时首先注意主干为 It is a self-examination…;that 后面引导的是限定性定语从句,修饰 self-examination;定语从句的宾语是一个 of 词组,其核心是 issues;在介词 of 后面是三个并列的短语,都是用来修饰和限定 issues 的。这三个短语因为是并列的关系,所以只在最后一个短语前面使用并列连词 and。at various times 是插入语,将动词的两部分分开了。
[阅读重点] 这句话的核心在于 self-examination,后面的部分都是用于修饰这个词,要正确理解其意思是自我反省、自我检讨。而 corporate bottom line 所指的是一个公司所能做出的事情或者所能容忍的新闻工作者自由发挥的最大限度。
3、During the discussion of rock singing verses at last month’s stockholders’ meeting, Levin asserted that music is not the cause of society’s ills and even cited his son, a teacher in the Bronx, New York, who uses rap to communicate with students.
[结构剖析] 句子的主干是 Levin asserted that…… that even cited……。During…… stockholder’s meeting 这一部分是表示时间的状语从句。music is not the cause of society’s ills 是直接引语,作为动词 asserted 的宾语。his son 是动词 cited 的宾语,后面的 a teacher in the Bronx, New York 是宾语 his son 的同位语,最后面的 who uses rap to communicate with students 是修饰 his son 的定语从句。
[阅读重点] 这个句子比较长,但是只要抓住 … Levin asserted that… and even cite…这样的句子主干,就能明晰 Levin 的主要观点,其它部分的理解也就水到渠成了。
4、I think it is perhaps the case that some people associated with the company have only recently come to realize this.
[参考译文] 我想大概情况是这样的:与公司有关系的一些人直到最近才意识到这一点。
[结构剖析] I think……是这句话的主干,后面的部分是这句话的宾语从句。在宾语从句当中 that 引导一个同位语从句,说明 case 的具体情况是 some people associated with the company have only recently come to realize this。associated with 相当于简略的定语从句,修饰前面的 people。
[阅读重点] 重点是要理解 that 引导的是同位语从句,后面的部分说明 case 的具体情况。名词 fact、dream、idea、notion、proposal 和 news 等等都常常被同位语从句所修饰。
语言点详解
1. contribute to促成
[大纲词汇] contribute v.(to)贡献,捐助,捐献;投稿
contribution n.贡献;捐献(物)
[扩充词汇] contribute to促成,有助于
[经典例句] Air pollution contributes to quite a number of diseases.
2. accomplish实现
[大纲词汇] accomplish v.完成
[经典例句] They are ordered to accomplish to mission in 3 days.
3. corrupt使…腐化
[大纲词汇] corrupt v.贿赂,收买;a.腐化的,贪污的
[衍生词汇] corruption n.腐败
[经典例句] He was accused of having corrupted officials in the government.
4. soul-searching良心上的自我反省
[扩充词汇] soul-search v.深刻反省
soul-searching n.深刻反省,自我解剖
5. corporate公司的
[扩充词汇] corporate a.公司的;法人的,合伙的
[经典例句] These deeds will definitely damage the corporate image.
6.bottom line账本底线
7. at the core of在…的中心
[大纲词汇] core n.果核;中心,核心
[经典例句] The issue lies at the core of the discussion.
8. take over接管
[大纲词汇] take over接管,接办
[经典例句] The company went downward since he took over.
9. late已故的
[大纲词汇] late a.迟的,晚的,晚期的;已故的;ad.迟地,晚地
[经典例句] The late president was always respected by the people.
10. on the financial front就财政方面而言
[大纲词汇] front n.前面,正面;前线,战线,阵线a.前面的,前部的v.面对,朝向
[经典例句] The government has made great progress in the educational front.
11. under pressure受到压力
[大纲词汇] pressure n.压(力);强制,压迫,压强
[经典例句] The director was under great pressure to veto the decision.
12. stock price股票价格
13. mountainous山一样的
[大纲词汇] mountainous a.多山的,山一般的
[经典例句] The homework assigned to us is mountainous.
14. close a deal做成一笔交易
[大纲词汇] deal n.数量,程度;交易
[经典例句] The deal is not close yet and it is not the time to celebrate.
15. sell off卖掉
[扩充词汇] sell off卖掉
[经典例句] She sold off her house in downtown and moved to the suburb.
16. restruture重组
[扩充词汇] restructure v.再构成,重建;重组
[经典例句] It is our urgent task to restructure our economy.
17. the flap over rap由于说唱引起的焦虑
[大纲词汇] flap n.垂下物,帽檐,袋盖;n./v.拍打,拍动
[经典例句] Everything was working smoothly and there is no flap.
15. rap music说唱音乐
[扩充词汇] rap n.说唱(一种音乐形式)
19. on the ground of以…为理由
[扩充词汇] on the ground of根据,以…为理由
[经典例句] He refused to give her the job on the ground of ill-health.20.under fire受到攻击
[扩充词汇] under fire受到攻击(批评或责难)
[经典例句] The basic policy is under fire.
21. release发行
[大纲词汇] release v.释放,解放;发表,发行
[经典例句] Her new book was released only a few day ago.
22. outlet发泄的方法
[大纲词汇] outlet n.出路,出口;发泄方法,排遣
[经典例句] The child needs an outlet for all the energy.
23. lie in在于
[大纲词汇] lie v.躺,平放;位于lie in在于
[经典例句] The possible solution of the issue lies in his apology.
24. latitude自由
[大纲词汇] latitude n.纬度
[扩充词义] latitude n.(言语、行动等的)自由
[经典例句] He gave me considerable latitude in how I spend the money.
25. disputable有争议的
[大纲词汇] dispute v.争论
[衍生词汇] disputable a.有争议的,可商榷的
[经典例句] His claim to the land is highly disputable.
26. irritating令人恼火的
[大纲词汇] irritate v.激怒,恼火,使急躁
[衍生词汇] irritating a.令人恼火的
[经典例句] She was terribly disturbed by the irritating noise in the next door.
27. retreat退让
[大纲词汇] retreat v.撤退,退却
[经典例句] She retreated to her desk and continued with her work.
28. in the face of面对
[经典例句] He won‘t give up his effort in the face of difficulty.
29. comment on评论
[大纲词汇] comment n.注释,评论,意见;v.(on)注释,评论
[经典例句] They refused to comment on the conflicts between the two parties.
Much of the language used to describe monetary policy, such as steering the economy to a soft landing or a touch on the brakes, makes itself sound like a precise science. Nothing could be further from the truth. The link between interest rates and inflation is uncertain. And there are long, variable lags before policy changes have any effect on the economy. Hence there is an analogy that likens the conduct of monetary policy to driving a car with a blackened windscreen, a cracked rearview mirror and a faulty steering wheel.
Given all these disadvantages, central bankers seem to have had much to boast about of late. Average inflation in the big seven industrial economies fell to a mere 2.3% last year, close to its lowest level in 30 years, before rising slightly to 2.5% this July. This is a long way below the double-digit rates which many countries experienced in the 1970s and early 1980s.
It is also less than most forecasters had predicted. In late 1994 the panel of economists which The Economist polls each month said that America’s inflation rate would average 3.5% in 1995. In fact, it fell to 2.6% in August, and is expected to average only about 3% for the year as a whole. In Britain and Japan inflation is running half a percentage point below the rate predicted at the end of last year. This is no flash in the pan; over the past couple of years, inflation has been consistently lower than expected in Britain and America.
Economists have been particularly surprised by favourable inflation figures in Britain and the United States, since conventional measures suggest that both economies, and especially America’s, have little productive slack. America’s capacity utilisation, for example, hit historically high levels earlier this year, and its jobless rate (5.6% in August) has fallen below most estimates of the natural rate of unemployment-the rate below which inflation has taken off on the past.
Why has inflation proved so mild? The most thrilling explanation is, unfortunately, a little defective. Some economists argue that powerful structural changes in the world have upended the old economic models that were based upon the historical link between growth and inflation.
67. From the passage we learn that ________.
(A)there is a definite relationship between inflation and interest rates
(B)economy will always follow certain models
(C)the economic situation is better than expected
(D)economists had foreseen the present economic situation
68. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
(A)Making monetary policies is comparable to driving a car.
(B)An extremely low jobless rate will lead to inflation.
(C)A high unemployment rate will result from inflation.
(D)Interest rates have an immediate effect on the economy.
69. The sentence This is no flash in the pan (line 5, paragraph 3) means that ________.
(A)the low inflation rate will last for some time
(B)the inflation rate will soon rise
(C)the inflation will disappear quickly
(D)there is no inflation at present
70. The passage shows that the author is ________ the present situation.
(A)critical of (B)puzzled by (C)disappointed at (D)amazed at
答案及试题解析
67.(C)意为:经济形势比预想的好。
第三段指出,它(指:平均通货膨胀率)也比多数预测者预测的低。《经济学家》杂志每月调查的经济学家小组称:1995年美国平均通货膨胀率会达3.5%左右,但是,8月份它实际降至2.6%,全年也不过3%左右;在英国和日本,平均通货膨胀率比上年底预测的低0.5个百分点(或:半个百分点)。而且,在过去几年里一直是如此(this is no flash in the pan):在英美两国,平均通货膨胀率一直比预测的要低。
A意为:通货膨胀与利率有直接关系。第一段第二句明确指出:利率与通货膨胀间的关系是不确定的。
B意为:经济(的运行)总是遵循某些模式(或:规律)。第一段指出,使经济软着陆使经济刹车,人们经常使用这样的词来形容货币政策的作用,听起来它似乎是一门严谨的学问。事实远非如此(Nothing could be further from the truth.它根本就不是一门严谨精确的学问)。下文从持续低的通货膨胀率的意外的形势来说明了经济运行难以预测。
[结构剖析]这是一个并列句,前后用分号隔开两个子句,是递进关系。第一句话中,no 可以用 not a 代替。后面一个句子中 inflation 是主语,使用了被动语态的现在完成时态。lower 是表语, than expected 和 in Britain and America, 以及前面的 over the past couple of years 都是介词短语作状语。
[阅读重点]首先应该注意到那个分号,可以把分号前后分别作为一个简单句单独对待。另外在后面一个句子中,应该抓住 inflation has been…… lower…… 这个基本结构(被动语态,现在完成时态)。flash in the pan 是习语,意思是 a sudden success that will not be repeated, 接近汉语中的昙花一现。
2、The most thrilling explanation is, unfortunately, a little defective. Some economists argue that powerful structural changes in the world have upended the old economic models that were based upon the historical link between growth and inflation.
[结构剖析]在第一个句子里面,主干是 …… explanation is…… a little defective. 这是一个主语+系动词+表语结构。副词 unfortunately 是插入语,作状语。第二个句子的主干并不复杂:…… economists argue that……,代词 that 后面是宾语从句。这个宾语从句的基本结构为 structural changes…… have upended…… models……,其中 structural changes是主语,have upended 是现在完成时态的谓语,models 是宾语。这个宾语 models 后面是一个 that 引导的限定性定语从句,修饰 models.
[阅读重点]第一个句子相对比较简单。第二个句子看着很长,但是只要明确了句子的主干,就很容易把整个句子看明白。可以先甩掉宾语从句中的那个定语从句(that were based upon the historical link between growth and inflation),这样这个句子结构就显得简单多了。然后再接这个定语从句,整句的意思就浮出水面了。另外注意 upend 一词由动词短语end up衍生而来,意为结束,推翻。
补充难句翻译
1、Much of the language used to describe monetary policy, such as steering the economy to a soft landing of a touch on the brakes,makes it sound like a precise science. Nothing could be further from the truth.
[结构剖析]在第一个句子中,其主干为Much of the language……, makes it sound like……。used to describe monetary policy是用于修饰language的定语,后面的such as steering the economy to a soft landing of a touch on the brakes是对前面的language进行进一步说明。第二个句子是一个简单句。
[阅读重点]如上所述的句子主干被确定之后,句子就不难理解了。为了简化这个句子以便于理解,可以先把such as引导的部分忽略不看,那样整个句子就比较好掌握了。注意make it sound like a precise science当中it指代前面提到的monetary policy.
2、Hence the analogy that likens the conduct of monetary policy to driving a car with a blackened windscreen, a cracked rearview mirror and a faulty steering wheel.
[结构剖析]这句话承接前面陈述的原因。hence后面只是一个名词词组,中心词是the analogy,后面that引导定语从句修饰前面的analogy with a blackened windscreen, a cracked rearview and a faulty steering wheel是介词词组修饰前面的名词car.注意此句没有谓语动词,只是一个名词性的短语。
[阅读重点]理解这句话的关键在于hence的用法。hence的意思是for this reason,因此,所以,主要用于书面语,是副词,可以连接一个完整的句子,也可以只跟一个名词。例如:Baby found a pot of paint,hence all the marks on the wall.另外liken A to B意思是把A与B相比,把A比作B.
3、Economists have been particularly surprised by favorable inflation figures in Britain and the United States, since conentional measures suggest that both economies, and especially America‘s, have little productive slack.