英語四級閱讀理解習題英語四級閱讀理解習題英語四級閱讀理解習題xxx公司英語四級閱讀理解習題文件編號：文件日期：修訂次數(shù)：第1.0次更改批準審核制定方案設(shè)計，管理制度Unitone

ElementarySchoolsinearlyAmericaWhataccountsforthegreatoutburstofmajorinventionsinearlyAmerica--breakthroughssuchasthetelegraph,thesteamboatandtheweavingmachine?

Amongthemanyshapingfactors,Iwouldsingleoutthecountry'sexcellentelementaryschools;alaborforcethatwelcomedthenewtechnology;thepracticeofgivingpremiumstoinventors;andabovealltheAmericangeniusfornonverbal,"spatial"thinkingaboutthingstechnological.

Whymentiontheelementaryschools

Becausethankstotheseschoolsourearlymechanics,especiallyintheNewEnglandandMiddleAtlanticstates,weregenerallyliterateandathomeinarithmeticandinsomeaspectsofgeometryandtrigonometry.

Acuteforeignobserversrelatedamericanadaptivenessandinventivenesstothiseducationaladvantage.AsamemberofaBritishcommissionvisitingherein1853reported,"Withamindpreparedbythoroughschooldiscipline,theAmericanboydevelopsrapidlyintotheskilledworkman."

Afurtherstimulustoinventioncamefromthe"premium"system,whichprecededourpatentsystemandforyearsranparallelwithit.Thisapproach,originatedabroad,offeredinventorsmedals,cashprizesandotherincentives.

IntheUnitedStates,multitudesofpremiumsfornewdeviceswereawardedatcountryfairsandattheindustrialfairsinmajorcities.Americansflockedtothesefairstoadmirethenewmachinesandthustorenewtheirfaithinthebeneficenceoftechnologicaladvance.

Giventhisoptimisticapproachtotechnologicalinnovation,theAmericanworkertookreadilytothatspecialkindofnonverbalthinkingrequiredinmechanicaltechnology.AsEugeneFergusonhaspointedout,"Atechnologistthinksaboutobjectsthatcannotbereducedtounambiguousverbaldescriptions;theyaredealtwithinhismindbyavisual,nonverbalprocess.Thedesignerandtheinventorareabletoassembleandmanipulateintheirmindsdevicesthatasyetdonotexist."

Thisnonverbal"spatial"thinkingcanbejustascreativeaspaintingandwriting.robertfultononcewrote,"Themechanicshouldsitdownamonglevers,screws,wedges,wheels,etc.,likeapoetamongthelettersofthealphabet,consideringthemasanexhibitionofhisthoughts,inwhichanewarrangementtransmitsanewidea."

Whenalltheseshapingforces--schools,openattitudes,thepremiumsystem,ageniusforspatialthinking--interactedwithoneanotherontherichU.S.mainland,theyproducedthatamericancharacteristic,emulation.Todaythatwordimpliesmereimitation.Butinearliertimesitmeantafriendlybutcompetitivestrivingforfameandexcellence.inventionn.1.發(fā)明,發(fā)明物2.捏造,虛構(gòu)

inventorn.發(fā)明家,發(fā)明者

[聯(lián)想詞]

inventoryn.1.詳細目錄2.存貨清單breakthhroughn.1.突圍,突破2.重大成就,驚人發(fā)現(xiàn)

[聯(lián)想詞]

breakdownn.1.垮臺,破裂2.衰竭,衰弱3.損壞,故障4.分類premiumn.1.保險金2.額外費用3.獎品,贈品,額外津貼

a.1.高級的,優(yōu)質(zhì)的2.售價高的

[聯(lián)想詞]

subsidyn.津貼,補貼verbala.1.口頭的2.用言辭的,用文字的

[聯(lián)想詞]

vocala.發(fā)聲的,嗓音的spatiala.空間的,與空間有關(guān)的literacyn.識字,有文化,讀寫能力

literatea.1.有讀寫能力的2.有文化修養(yǎng)的stimulusn.1.促進2.刺激

[聯(lián)想詞]

provocationn.1.挑釁,挑撥2.刺激,激怒

provocativea.1.挑釁的,煽動的2.刺激的precedevt.在...之前,先于

precedentn.1.先例,范例,判例2.慣例patentn.專利,專利權(quán)

a.專利(權(quán))的,受專利保護的

vt.得到...的專利權(quán)originatevi.起源于,來自,產(chǎn)生

vt.創(chuàng)造,創(chuàng)始,開創(chuàng)

[聯(lián)想詞]

commencev.開始incentiven.刺激,鼓勵multituden.1.大量,許多2.大眾,民眾ambiguousa.引起歧義的,模式棱兩可的,含糊不清的

[聯(lián)想詞]

indefinitea.1.不明確的,含糊的2.無限期的

exdplicita.1.明確的,明晰的;詳述的2.直言的,毫不隱瞞的,露骨的manipulatevt.1.操縱,控制,影響2.操作,使用levern.1.杠桿2.途徑,工具,手段

vt.撬動,撬起wedgen.楔(子)vt.把...楔入,塞入

[聯(lián)想詞]

grooven.溝,槽

hingen.鉸鏈interactvi.相互作用,相互影響emulationn.1.競賽,競爭2.仿效,仿真imitationn.1.模仿2.仿制,仿制品3.贗品strivevi.努力,奮斗,力求sculpturen.1.雕刻,雕塑2.雕刻作品,雕塑品

[聯(lián)想詞]

carvevt.1.切,把...切碎2.雕刻,刻

engravevt.1.在...上雕刻2.使銘記,使牢記

statuen.雕像,塑像

bustn.1.胸像,半身像2.胸部,胸圍marblen.1.大理石diploman.畢業(yè)文憑,畢業(yè)證書,資格證書

[聯(lián)想詞]

diplomatn.1.外交官,外交家2.有交際手段的人,圓滑的人perpetuala.1.永久的,永恒的,長期的2.無休止的,沒完沒了的

UnitTwo

FightAgainYouthSmokingThreeyearsago,appalledbyhowmanychildrenwerebecomingaddictedtocigaretteseveryyear,theVicePresidentandIcommittedthisadministrationtostoppingthesaleandmarketingofcigarettestochildren.Today,thankstotheseeffortsandthepersistenceofstateattorneysgeneral,thepublichealthcommunity,andleadersinCongress,wehavethebestopportunityevertopasscomprehensiveanti-smokinglegislationthatwellsavemillionsofourchildrenfromapremature,painful,andverypreventabledeath.

Thisweek,inahistoricandresounding19to1vote,akeySenatecommitteegaveitsstampofapprovaltocomprehensivelegislationsponsoredbySenatorJohnMcCain,aRepublican,andSenatorFritzHollings,aDemocrat,thatwouldcutyouthsmokingbyhalfoverthenextdecade.Thisbillrepresentsadramaticstepforward.Itwouldraisethepriceofcigarettes,givetheFDAfullauthoritytoregulatetobaccoproducts,banadvertisingaimedatchildren,andprotecttobaccofarmers.

Westillhaveworktodointhislegislation.Aboveall,weneedtoputinplacetoughpenaltiesthatwillcostthetobaccoindustryifitcontinuestosellcigarettestoyoungpeople.JustthisweektheCentersforDiseaseControlreleasedadisturbingreportthatmorethanathirdofteenagersintheUnitedStatesnowsmoke,eventhoughit'sillegal.

Itistimetoholdtobaccocompaniesaccountable.Reducidngyouthsmokingmustbeveerybody'sbottomline.Let'sremember--thisisnotaboutpoliticsormoney,orseekingrevengeagainstthetobaccoindustryforpastpractices.We'renottryingtoputthetobaccocompaniesoutofbusiness;wewanttoputthemoutofthebusinessofsellingcigarattestokids.Thisweek'sprogressintheSenateshowswehaverealmomentuminbothpartiestodojustthat.

There'restillmalyissuestobeworkedoutandmanylongnightsahead.Butwehavewithinourgrasponeofthemostimportantpublichealthvictoriesournationhaseverachieved.

Finally,litmejustpauseamomenttoobservethe30thanniversaryofthedeathofoneofAmerica'sgreatestheroes,Dr.MartinLutherKing.Hisdream,deeplyrootedintheAmericanDream,isadreamforallAmericans.LetushereathomealwaysstrivetoheedDr.King'swordsandliveuptohislegacy.

--------BillClintonappallvt.使驚駭,使大吃一驚

[聯(lián)想詞]

terrifyvt.使害怕,使驚嚇

outragevt.激起...的義憤,激怒

n.1.義憤,憤慨2.暴行,駭人聽聞的事件addictn.1.有癮的人2.入迷的人

vt.使成癮,使入迷

[聯(lián)想詞]

cocainen.可卡因

toxica.有毒的,中毒引起的persistenta.1.堅持不懈的,執(zhí)意的2.持續(xù)的

persistencen.1.堅持不懈,執(zhí)意2.持續(xù)性,持續(xù)狀態(tài)

[聯(lián)想詞]

stubborna.1.頑固的,執(zhí)拗的,倔強的2.難對付的,難于克服的legislationn.1.法律,法規(guī)2,立法的,法律的制定

[聯(lián)想詞]

legitimatea.1.合情合理的2.合法的,法律認可的

judiciala.1.司法的,法庭的,審判的2.明斷的,公正的

suevi.1.控告,起訴2.要求,請求vt.控告,起訴

prosecutevt.1.對...提起公訴,告發(fā),檢舉2.繼續(xù)從事vi.起訴,告發(fā)

defendantn.被告

invalida.1.無效的,作廢的2.無可靠依據(jù)的n.病弱者,殘疾者

testifyvi.1.作證,證明2.表明,說明vt.作證,證明

testimonyn.1.證詞2.見證,證明prematurea.1.比預(yù)期時間早是2.不成熟的,倉促的authorityn.1.權(quán)力,管轄權(quán)2.官方,當局3.當權(quán)者,行政管理機構(gòu)4.權(quán)威,專家

authoritativea.1.權(quán)威性的,可信的2.專斷的,命令式的

authorizevt.授權(quán),批準

[聯(lián)想詞]

definitivea.1.最可靠的,權(quán)威性的2.決定性的accountablea.負起責任的revengen.報復(fù),報仇momentumn.1.動力,沖力,勢力2.動量

[聯(lián)想詞]

impetusn.1.推動,促進,刺激2.推動力strivevi.努力,奮斗,力求heedvt.留心,注意,聽從legencyn.遺贈的財物,遺產(chǎn)deadlya.1.致死的,致命的2.不共戴天的,殊死的3.極度的,十足的ad.非常,極度地]

[聯(lián)想詞]

drastica.1.極端的,嚴厲的2.激烈的,迅猛的epidemicn.1.流行病2.流傳,流行a.流行性的,流傳極廣的

lurevt.吸引,引誘,誘惑

UnitThree

BeautyIsMeaningless

Ayoungmanseesasunsetand,unabletounderstandortoexpresstheemotionthatitrousesinhim,concludesthatitmustbethegatewaytoaworldthatliesbeyond.Itisdifficultforanyofusinmomentsofintenseaestheticexperiencetoresistthesuggestionthatwearecatchingaglimpseofalightthatshinesdowntousfromadifferentrealmofexistence,differentand,becausetheexperienceisintenselymoving,insomewqyhigher.And,thoughthegleamsblindanddazzle,yettheydoconveyahintofbeautyandserenitygreaterthanwehaveknownorimagined.Greatertoothanwecandescribe,forlanguage,whichwasinventedtoconveythemeaningsofthisworld,cannotreadilybefittedtotheusesofanother.

Thatallgreatarthasthispowerofsuggestingaworldbeyondisundeniable.Insomemoods,Naturesharesit.ThereisnoskyinJunesobluethatitdoesnotpointforwardtoabluer,nosunsetsobeautifulthatitdoesnotwakenthevisionofagreaterbeauty,awisionwhichpassesbeforeitisfullyglimpsed,andinpassingleavesanindefinablelingingandregret.But,ifthisworldisnotmerelyabadjoke,lifeavulgarflareamidthecoolradianceofthestars,andexistenceanemptylaughbrayingacrossthemysteries,iftheseintimationsofasomethingbehindandbeyondarenotevilhumourbornofindigestion,orwhimsiessentbythedeviltomockandmaddenus,if,inaword,beautymeanssomething,yetwemustnotseektointerpretthemeaning.Ifweglimpsetheunutterable,itisunwisetotrytoutterit,norshouldweseektoinvestwithsignificancethatwhichwecannotgrasp.Beautyintermsofourhumanmeaningsisensea.1.強烈的,劇烈的,緊張的2.認真的,專注的3.熱情的,熱切的

intensifyv.(使)增強,(使)加劇aesthetica.1.美學的,審美的2.悅目的,雅致的gleamvi.1.閃亮,閃爍2.閃現(xiàn),流露n.1.閃光,閃亮2.閃現(xiàn),流露

[聯(lián)想詞]

sparklevi.1.發(fā)光,閃耀,閃爍2.活躍,煥發(fā)n.1.發(fā)光,閃耀,閃爍2.活力,生氣

glittervi.閃閃發(fā)光,閃耀n.閃光,燦爛的光輝2.耀眼,輝煌dazzlevt.使眩目n.1.耀眼的光2.令人贊嘆的東西serenityn.1.平靜,安詳2.晴朗,明朗denialn.1.否認2.拒絕

undeniablea.不可否認的vulgara.1.粗野的,下流的2.庸俗的,粗俗的

[聯(lián)想詞]

boscenea.1.淫穢的,下流的2.可憎的,可惡的flarevi.1.(火焰)閃耀2.突發(fā),突然發(fā)怒n.閃光信號,照明彈

[聯(lián)想詞]

eruptvi.1.(火山等)噴發(fā)2.(戰(zhàn)爭等)爆發(fā),突然發(fā)生

ignitevt.點燃,引發(fā)radianta.1.容光煥發(fā)的,喜形于色的2.光芒四射的,光輝燦爛的3.輻射的

[聯(lián)想詞]

radiatev.1.發(fā)出(光或熱),輻射2.流露,顯示

radioactivea.放射性的,有輻射的brayvi.1.(驢)叫2.以響而粗的聲音說(或笑)whimsyn.1.怪念頭,離奇的想法2.稀奇古怪

[聯(lián)想詞]

bizarea.怪誕的,奇形怪狀的

weirda.1.古怪的,離奇的2.怪誕的,神秘可怕的mockvt.1.嘲笑,嘲弄2.(為了取笑)模仿vi.嘲笑,嘲弄

a.1.模擬的,學習的2.假的,假裝的

UnitFour

WaitinginLine

TheBritishqueueupandtheAmericanswaitinline,exceptforNewYorkers,whowaitonline.Nooneseemstoknowthereasonforthislocalidiom.Itis

somethingtoponderwhilewaitingin/online.

Anotherthingtoponder:ItisestimatedthatAmericansspednduptofiveyearsoftheirlivesinthattedious,wearybutunavoidableprocessknownaswaiting.Studiesshowthatotherwiserationalpeopleactirrationallywhenforcedtostandinlineorwaitincrowds,evenbecomingviolent.

Queuesareagrimrealityofcitylife.Whilethereseemstobenoconsensusonthecity'sworstline,theonesmentionedmostoftenintalkshereandtherewerelunchtimelinesatbanksandpostofficesand,amongyoungerpeople,movielinesandcollege-registrationlines.

"Banklines,"saidMarkSloane,aninvestor."Nomatterwhattimeofdayyoubank,thenumberoftellersisinadequatetothenumberofpatrons.Evenwhenthebankisopenyouseelonglinesinfrontofthemoneymachinesoutside."

"Supermarkets,"saidEdFrantz,agraphicartist,whoonceabandonedafullshoppingcartinthemiddleofalongcheckoutline.Itwasnotapoliticalact."Thelinewasfilledwithcouponclippersandcheckwriters,"herecalled."AndsuddenlyIhadtowalkaway.Foodnolongermattered."

Inanylinethefundamentalruleisfirstcome,firstserved,orwhatdsocialscientistscall"distributivejustice."Exceptionsmaybemade,say,infancyrestaurantswheretheheadwaitershavetheirfavorites,but,ingeneral,theruleprevails.

Ifmiserylovescompany,sodosportsfans.Dr.LeonManndocumentedthisseveralyearsagowhen,asaHarvardprofessor,hestudiedthelongovernightqueuesforticketstoballgamesinhisnativeAustralia.

"Outsidethestadiumsomethingofacarnivalatmosphereprevails,"hewroteinTheAmericanJournalofSociology."Thedevoteessing,sipwarmdrinks,playcardsandhuddletogether."

Liketheteamstheyhadcometowatch,thefansinlinetooktimeouts.Someworkedinshifts,withcertainmembersleavingtotakenapsoreatmeals,whileotherssavedtheirplacesinline.Somestakedclaimsinlinewithitemsofpersonalpropertysuchassleepingbagsandfoldingchairs."Duringtheearlyhoursofwaiting,"Dr.Mannnoted,"thequeuesoftenconsistedofonepartpeopletotwopartsinanimateobjects."

NobodyhaseverseriouslystudiedHelenQuinn'sSaturdaymorninglineforMetropolitanOperatickets,butperhapssomeoneshould--MissQuinnisnotanofficialattheMet.

For15yearsstandeesattheoperahavebeendoingjustthat,thankstoMissQuin'sticketingsystem.Shemakes,datesandnumbershertickets--oneforeachofthe175standingroomspotsavailable--anddispensesthemtoearlybirds.Assuredofaplace,ticketholdersthenleaveandreturnshortlybefore8A.M.tolineupfortherealtickets.idiomn.1.習語,成語2.風格,特色ponderv.思索,考慮,沉思

[聯(lián)想詞]

contemplatevt.1.盤算,計議2.思量,周密考慮3.注視,凝視wearya.1.疲勞的,疲倦的2.使疲勞的,令人厭倦的vi.厭倦的,不耐煩

[聯(lián)想詞]

tiresomea.令人疲勞的,令人厭倦的grima.1.討厭的,糟糕的2.嚴厲的3.嚴酷的,無情的consensusn.[單](意見等)一致,一致同意patronn.1.資助人,贊助人2.老主顧,顧客resentvt.對...表示忿恨,怨恨graphica.1.生動的,形象的2.繪畫的,文字的,圖表的couponn.1.禮券,優(yōu)惠券2.配券,票證clipn.1.夾子,回形針,別針2.彈夾,彈倉3.剪,修剪4.剪報,電影片斷

vt.(clipped;clipping)1.夾住,扣住2.剪,修剪3.削減,縮短

[聯(lián)想詞]

clampn.夾頭,夾具,夾鉗vt.(用夾具等)夾緊,固定prevailvi.1.流行,盛行2.獲勝,占優(yōu)勢3.說明,勸說,誘使

prevalenta.流稈的,普遍的miseryn.1.痛苦,苦惱,苦難2.悲慘的境遇,貧苦carnivaln.1.表演會2.慶祝,歡宴3.狂歡節(jié)

[聯(lián)想詞]

feastn.1.盛宴,筵席2.節(jié)日sociologyn.社會學sipv.(sipped,sippig)小口地喝,抿,呷n.小口喝huddlevi.1.聚集在一起2.把身子蜷成一團vt.使聚集在一起

n.擠在一起的人,一堆雜亂的東西inanimatea.1.無生命的,非動物的2.無生氣的,單調(diào)的metropolitana.大城市的,大都會的dispensevt.1.分配,分發(fā)2.配(藥),發(fā)(藥)3.實施,執(zhí)行

[聯(lián)想詞]

dispersevi.1.分散,散開2.消散,消失vt.1.使分散,趕散2.使消散,驅(qū)散

UnitFive

AggressivePatriotisminSportsSomepeoplebelievethatinternationalsportcreatesgoodwillbetweenthenations.Otherssaythattheoppositeistrue:thatinternationalcontestsencouragefalsenationalprideandleadtomisunderstandingandhatred.Thereisprobablysometruthinbotharguments,butinrecentyearstheOlympicgameshavedonelittletosupporttheviewthatsportsencouragesinternationalbrotherhood.Notonly,wastherethetragicincidentinvolvingthemurderofathletes,butthegameswerealsoruinedbylesserincidentscausedprincipallybyminornationalcontests.

Onecountryreceiveditssecond-placemedalswithvisibleindignationafterthehockeyfinal.Therehadbeennoisyscenesattheendofthehockeymatch,theusersobjectingtothefinaldecisions.Theywereconvincedthatoneoftheirgoalsshouldnothavebeendisallowedandthattheiropponents'victorywasunfair.Theirmanagerwasinaragewhenhesaid:"Thiswasn'thockey.HockeyandtheInternationalHockeyFederationarefinished."ThepresidentoftheFederationsaidlaterthatsuchbehaviorcouldresultinthesuspensionoftheteamforatleastthreeyears.

TheAmericanbasketballteamannouncedthattheywouldnotyieldfirstplacetoRussia,afteradisputableendtotheircontest.Thegamehadendedindisturbance.ItwasthoughtatfirstthattheUnitedStateshadwon,byasinglepoint,butitwasannouncedthattherewerethreesecondsstilltoplay.ARussianplayerthenthrewtheballfromoneendofthecourttotheother,andanotherplayerpoppeditintothebasket.ItwasthefirsttimetheUSAhadeverlostanOlympicbasketballmatch.TheAmericanplayersthenvotednottoreceivethesilvermedals.

Incidentsofthiskindwellcontinueaslongassportisplayedcompetitivelyratherthanfortheloveofthegame.InthepresentorganizationoftheOlympicsthereisfartoomuchthatencouragesaggressivepatriotism.tragica.1.悲慘的,可悲的2.悲劇(性)的

[聯(lián)想詞]

dreadfula.1.糟透了的,極不合意的2.極端的,極其大的3.可怕的,令人畏懼的

pathetica.1.差勁的,令人生厭的2.可悲的,可憐的,引起憐憫的

disastrousa.1.災(zāi)難性的,造成災(zāi)害的2.極壞的,很糟的

catastrophen.大災(zāi)難,災(zāi)禍

destructivea.破壞(性)的,毀滅(性)的

comica.喜劇的,滑稽的incidentn.1.發(fā)生的事2.事件,事變

incidencen.[單]發(fā)生率

incidentallyad.順便說及,順便提一句indignationn.憤怒,憤慨,義憤

indignanta.憤怒的,憤慨的,義憤的

[聯(lián)想詞]

furyn.1.狂怒,暴怒2.狂暴,猛烈

furiousa.1.狂怒的,暴怒的2.強烈的,激烈的

dismayn.1.失望,氣餒2.驚恐,驚愕vt.1.使失望,使氣餒2.使驚恐,使驚愕hockeyn.曲棍球

[聯(lián)想詞]

versusprep.1.以...為對手,對2.與...相對,與...相比之下federationn.1.聯(lián)合會2.聯(lián)邦suspensionn.1.暫停,中止2.停止參加,暫時剝奪3.懸架,懸置機構(gòu)4.懸浮液5.懸,掛,吊disturbancen.1.擾亂,打擾2.騷亂,混亂3.心神不安,煩惱

[聯(lián)想詞]

harassmentn.1.侵擾,騷擾2.煩惱,困苦patriotismn.愛國主義,愛國精神,愛國心 patriotn.愛國者,愛國主義者

patriotica.愛國的,有愛國心的,顯示愛國精神的UnitSix

MannersArePracticallyNon-ExistentMannersnowadyasinmetropolitancitieslikeLondonarepracticallynon-existent.Itisnothingforabig,strongschoolboytoelbowanelderlywomanasideinthedashforthelastremainingseatonthetubeorbus,muchlessstandupandofferhisseattoher,asheought.Infact,itissaddeningtonotethatifamandoesofferhisseattoanolderwoman,itisnearlyalwaysaContinentalmanoronefromtheoldergeneration.

Thisquestionofgivingupseatsinpublictransportismucharguedaboutbyyoungmen,whosaythat,sincewomenhaveclaimedequality,theynolongerdeservetobetreatedwithcourtesyandthatthosewhogoouttoworkshouldtaketheirturnintheratracelikeanyoneelse.Womenhaveneverclaimedtobephysicallyasstrongasmen.Evenifitisnotagreed,however,thatyoungmenshouldstandupforyoungerwomen,thefactremainsthatcourtesyshouldbeshowntotheold,thesickandtheburdened.Arewereallysolosttoallidealsofunselfishnessthatwecansitthereindifferentlyreadingthepaperorabook,sayingtoourselves"Firstcome,firstserved,"whileagreyhairedwoman,amotherwithayoungchildoracripplestands

Yetthisisalltoooftenseen.

Conditionsintravelarereallyveryhardoneveryone,weknow,buthardshipissurelynoexcuse.Sometimesonewonderswhatwouldhavebeenthebehaviourofthesestuotyoungmeninapackedrefugeetrainoratrainonitswaytoaprison-campduringtheWar.Wouldtheyhaveconsidereditonlyrightandtheirproperduetokeepthebestplacesforthemselvesthen

Olderpeople,tiredandirritablefromaday'swork,arenotangels,either--farfromit.Manyabriskargumentoraninsultingquarrelbreaksoutasthewearyqueuespushandshoveeachothertogetonbusesandtubes.Onecannotcommendthis,ofcourse,butonedoesfeelthereisjustalittlemoreexcuse.

Ifcitiesaretoremainpleasantplacestoliveinatall,however,itseemsimperative,notonlythatcommunicationsintransportshouldbeimproved,butalsothatcommunicationbetweenhumanbeingsshouldbekeptsmoothandpolite.Allovercities,itseemsthatpeoplearetootiredandtoorushedtobepolite.Shopassistantswon'tbothertoassist,taxi-driversgrowlateachotherastheydashdangerouslyroundcorners,busconductorpullthebellbeforetheirdesperatepassengershavehadtimetogetonorofferthebus,andsoonandsoon.Itseemstousthatitisuptotheyoungandstrongtodotheirsmallparttostopsuchdeterioration.名人名言

Youmaybedisappointedifyoufail,butyouaredoomedifyoudon'ttry.

----BeverlySillsmetropolitana.大城市的,大都會的

[聯(lián)想詞]

municipala.市的,市政的courtesyn.1.謙恭有禮2.有禮貌的舉止(或言詞)cripplen.跛子,傷殘人vt.1.使跛,使受傷致殘2.嚴重削弱,使陷于癱瘓stouta.1.發(fā)胖的,胖而大的2.結(jié)實的,牢固的3.勇敢的,大膽的,頑強的

[聯(lián)想詞]

sturdya.1.強壯的,結(jié)實的,堅固的2.堅定的,堅強的

hardya.1.強壯的,堅強的,能吃苦耐勞的2.耐寒的

robusta.強壯的,健康的

musculara.肌肉發(fā)達的,強壯的

fragilea.1.易碎的,脆的,易損壞的2.虛弱的,脆弱的irritatevt.1.使惱怒,使煩躁2.使(身體某部分)不適,使疼痛

irritablea.1.易怒的,急躁的2.(器官等)過敏的

[聯(lián)想詞]

aggravatevt.1.加重,加劇,使惡化2.激怒,使惱火angeln.1.天使2.可愛的人briska.1.輕快的,生氣勃勃的2.興隆的,繁忙活躍的3.寒冷而清新的

[聯(lián)想詞]

energetica.精力充沛的,充滿活力的

slacka.1.不活躍的,蕭條的,清淡的2.懈怠的,馬虎的3.松(馳)的

n.(繩索等)松弛部分vi.懈怠,懶散wearya.1.疲勞的,疲倦的2.使人疲勞的,使人厭倦的vi.(of)厭煩,不耐煩shovevt.1.亂推,擠2.亂塞,隨意做vi.用力推,擠n.猛推commendvt.1.表揚,稱贊2.推薦imperativea.1.必要的,緊急的,極重要的2.命令的n.必要的事,必須完成的事growlvi.1.(動物)發(fā)狺狺聲2.低志咆哮著說話

[聯(lián)想詞]

howlvi.嚎叫,吼叫,(風)呼嘯n.嚎叫,吼叫,(風)呼嘯

yellvi.號叫,叫喊n.號叫,叫喊

mutterv.n.輕聲低語,小聲抱怨

mutea.1.緘默的,無聲的2.啞的,舉說話的3.(字母)不發(fā)聲的vt.消除(聲音),減輕聲音

murmurv.n.小聲說話,小聲抱怨,咕噥

buzzn.嗡嗡聲vi.發(fā)出嗡嗡聲deterioratevi.變壞,惡化

deteriorationn.變壞,惡化,墮落

[聯(lián)想詞]

crumblevt.弄碎vi.崩潰,瓦解perfectionn.完美,完善

[聯(lián)想詞]

intacta.完整無缺的,未經(jīng)觸動的,未受損傷的

UnitSeven

OnAmbition

Ifambitionistobewellregarded,therewardsofambition--wealth,distinction,controloverone'sdestiny--mustbedeemedworthyofthesacrificesmadeonambition'sbehalf.Ifthetraditionofambitionistohavevitality,itmustbewidelyshared:anditespeciallymustbehighlyregardedbypeoplewhoarethemselvesadmired,theeducatednotleastamongthem.Inanoddway,however,itistheeducatedwhohaveclaimedtohavegivenuponambitionasanideal.Whatisoddisthattheyhaveperhapsmostbenefitedfromambition--ifnotalwaystheirownthanthatoftheirparentsandgrandparents.Thereisaheavynoteofhypocrisyinthis,acaseofclosingthebarndoorafterthehorseshaveescaped--withtheeducatedthemselvesridingonthem.Certainlypeopledonotseemlessinterestedinsuccessanditssignsnotthanformerly.Summerhomes,Europeantravel,BMWs--thelocations,placemanesandnamebrandsmaychange,butsuchitemsdonotseemlessindemandtodaythanadecadeortwoyearsago.Whathashappenedisthatpeoplecannotconfessfullytotheirdreams,aseasilynadopenlyasoncetheycould,lesttheybethoughtpushing,acquisitiveandvulgar.Instead,wearetreatedtofinehypocriticalspectacles,whichnowmorethaneverseeminamplesupply:thecriticofAmericanmaterialismwithaSouthamptonsummerhome;thepublisherofradicalbookswhotakeshismealsinthree-starrestaurants;thejournalistadvocatingparticipatorydemocracyinallphasesoflife,whoseownchildrenareenrolledinprivateschools.Forsuchpeopleandmanymoreperhapsnotsoexceptional,theproperformulationis,"Succeedatallcostsbutavoidappearingambitious."

Theattasksinambitionaremanyandcomefromvarionsangles;itspublicdefendersarefewandunimpressive,wheretheyarenotextremelyunattractive.Asaresult,thesupportforambitionasahealthyimpulse,aqualitytobeadmiredandfixedinthemindoftheyoung,isprobablylowerthanithaseverbeenintheUnitedStates.Thisdoesnotmeanthatambitionisatanend,thatpeoplenolongerfeelitsstirringsandpromptings,butonlythat,nolongeropenlyhonored,itislessopenlyprofessed.Consequencesfollowfromthis,ofcourse,someofwhicharethatambitionisdrivenunderground,ormadesly.Such,then,isthewaythingsstand:ontheleftangrycritics,ontherightstupidsupporters,andinthemiddle,asusual,themajorityofearnestpeopletryingtogetoninlife.destinyn.1.命運2.定數(shù),天命

destineda.1.命中注定,預(yù)定的2.以...為目的地的deemvt.認為,視為hypocrisyn.偽善,虛偽locationn.1.位置,場所2.外景拍攝地

localityn.地區(qū),地點

situateda.位于...的,坐落在...的spectaclen.1.演出,場面2.景象,壯觀3.[-s]眼鏡amplea.1.足夠的2.寬敞的,面積大的

amplifyvt.1.放大,增強2.擴大,詳述exceptionala.1.優(yōu)越的,杰出的2.例外的,獨特的

[聯(lián)想詞]

abnormala.反常的,異常的

queera.1.奇怪的,異常的2.不舒服的,眩暈的ambitiousa.1.有抱負的,雄心勃勃的2.有野心的

[聯(lián)想詞]

aspirationn.強烈的愿望,志向,抱負enrollvi.(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formulatevt.1.構(gòu)想出,規(guī)劃2.系統(tǒng)地闡述

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

curbvt.控制,約束n.控制,約束slya.1.狡猾的,狡詐的2.會意的,會心的

[聯(lián)想詞]

shrewda.機靈的,敏銳的,精明的

confidentiala.1.秘密的,機密的2.表示信任的

UnitEight

TheAdvantagesandDisadvantagesofCarsTheuseofthemotorisbecomingmoreandmorewidespreadinthetwentiethcentury;asanincreasingnumberofcountriesdevelopbothtechnicallyandeconomically,soalargerproportionoftheworld'spopulationisabletobuyanduseacar.Possessingacargivesamuchgreaterdegreeofmobility,enablingthedrivertomovearoundfreely.Theownerofacarisnolongerforcedtorelyonpublictransportandis,therefore,notcompelledtoworklocally.Hecanchoosefromdifferentjobsandprobablychangeshisworkmorefrequentlyasheisnotrestrictedtoachoicewithinasmallradius.Travelingtoworkbycarisalsomorecomfortablethanhavingtousepublictransport;thedrivercanadjusttheheatinginwinterandtheair-conditioninginthesummertosuithisownneedsandpreference.Thereisnoirritationcausedbywaitingfortrains,busesorundergroundtrains,standinginlongpatientqueues,orsittingonwindyplatforms,foraslongashalfanhoursometimes.Withthebuildingofgood,fastmotorwayslongdistancescanbecoveredrapidlyandpleasantly.Forthefirsttimeinthiscenturyalso,manypeoplearenowabletoenjoytheirleisuretimetothefullbymakingtripstothecountryorseasideattheweekends,insteadofbeingconfinedtotheirimmediateneighborhood.Thisfeelingofindependence,andthefreedomtogowhereyouplease,isperhapsthegreatestadvantageofthecar.

whenconsideringthedrawbacks,perhapspollutionisofprimeimportance.Asmoreandmorecarsareproducedandused,sotheemissionfromtheirexhaust-pipescontainsaneverlargervolumeofpoisonousgas.Someofthecontentsofthisgas,suchaslead,notonlypollutetheatmospherebutcauseactualharmtothehealthofpeople.Manyoftheminorillnessesofmodernindustrialsociety,headaches,tiredness,andstomachupsetsarethoughttoarisefrombreathingpollutedair;doctors'surgeriesarefullofpeoplesufferingfromillnessescausedbypollution.Itisalsobecomingincreasinglydifficulttodealwiththeproblemoftrafficintowns;mostoftheimportantcitiesoftheworldsufferformtrafficjams.Infact,anyadvantagegainedincomfortisoftencancelledoutincitydrivingbythefrustrationcausedbytrafficjams:endlessqueuesofcarscrawlingoneafteranotherattheintersections.Asanincreasingnumberoftrafficregulationschemesaredevised,thepoorbewildereddriverfindshimselfdivertedandforcedintoone-waysystemswhichcauseevengreaterdelaysthanthetrafficjamstheyaresupposedtoprevent.Themountingcostofpetrolandtheincreasedtollsandroadtaxalladdtothedriver'sworries.Infact,hemustsometimeswonderifthemotorcarissuchablessingandnotjustamenace.mobilityn.1.流動性,移動性2.機動性

mobilizevt.1.動員2.調(diào)動vi.動員起來

[聯(lián)想詞]

summonvi.1.召喚2.(up)鼓起勇氣3.召開,召集irritatevt.1.使惱怒,使煩躁2.使(身體某部分)不適,使疼痛radiusn.半徑air-conditioningn.空調(diào)設(shè)備,空調(diào)系統(tǒng)drawbackn.缺點,欠缺,不利條件

[聯(lián)想詞]

setbackn.挫折,倒退,失敗

handicapn.1.缺陷2.障礙vt.(handicapped;handicapping)妨礙,使不利productivea.1.多產(chǎn)的,富饒的2.富有成效的

productivityn.生產(chǎn)力,生產(chǎn)率surgeryn.1.外科,外科手術(shù)2.手術(shù)室

surgeonn.外科醫(yī)生

[聯(lián)想詞]

dentistn.牙科醫(yī)生

wardn.病房

bandagen.繃帶vt.用繃帶包扎intersectionn.道路交叉口,交點

[聯(lián)想詞]

junctionn.聯(lián)結(jié)點,交叉口,樞紐

overpassn.天橋,立交橋

barricaden.路vt.在...設(shè)路障bewildervt.使迷