Word List of Text A

Word Explanation for Text A

hold on  

continue in spite of difficulties      继续（坚持）下去

e.g.  1. It’s a difficult task, but if we hold on we’ll succeed in the end.

  2. We should hold on to our business during the recession.

    在经济衰退时期我们要把业务坚持下去。

defy      vt.  

make impossible or unsuccessful; refuse to obey      使不可能，使落空；违抗

e.g.  1. The forest fire spread so fast that it defied any attempt to control it.

            2. These criminals who had defied the law were eventually punished.

            这些无视法律的罪犯终于得到了惩罚。

Collocations:

        defy the authority          反抗权威

    defy the government    蔑视政府

    defy severe cold           不畏严寒

       CF:  oppose, defy & resist         这些动词均含有“反抗”、“抵抗”之意。

 oppose            普通用词，可表不同程度的抵抗。例：

       This new plan has been stubbornly opposed since it was put forward.

 defy          指公开地、勇敢地反对或抵抗，有时含公然挑衅之意。例：

       He defied the court order by leaving the country.

 resist        指积极地反抗一种攻击、暴力或诱惑。例：

      Our troopers are resisting the enemy’s attacks.

    The little boy couldn’t resist the temptation and ate up all the cake.

given       prep.  

if one takes into account 如果考虑到，倘若

e.g.  1. Given (the fact) that they’re inexperienced, they’ve done a good job.

           2. Given the company’s poor achievement in the first half of the year, we decided that the investment be left aside.

  考虑到公司上半年业绩不佳，我们决定暂缓这次投资。

interact      vi.  

[(with)] (of people) act together orco-operatively, esp. so as to communicate with each other;act or have an effect on each other 

[常与with连用]（指人）一起活动或互相合作（尤指为互相联系）；互相作用；互相影响

e.g.  1. Language teachers should know how to interact with their students in class.

           2. Teachers should interact with students frequently to ensure a good class atmosphere.

            师生之间应频繁互动，才能有好的课堂氛围。

give and take  

willingness of each person to give way to (some of ) the other’s wishes; willingness to compromise           互相让步（迁就）；妥协

e.g.  1. There has to be a lot of give and take in any successful marriage.

2. If the dispute is to be resolved there must be some give and take.

   若要争执得以解决，双方就要互相让步。

build … on / upon  

base on           建立在……之上

e.g.  1. Don’t build your hopes on his promises; he never keeps his word.

            2. A good marriage should be built on mutual understanding.

        好的婚姻应该建立在相互理解的基础上。

affection      n. 

fondness; gentlelasting love, like that of a parent for a child 

感情；挚爱，钟爱，（父母对子女的）慈爱

e.g.  1. The old man has a deep and strong affection for the town where he grew up.

           2. The old man felt great affection for hisgranddaughter.

                      老人很疼爱他的孙女。

CF:   affection, love & attachment     这些名词均含“爱”、“热爱”之意。

affection        指对人的爱慕或深厚、温柔的感情，强调感情的深沉。例：

           Father looked at his little daughter in the white wedding dress with great affection and a little sadness.

love            比 affection 的语气更强。表示一种难以控制的激情。例：

         The young pair are in love with each other.

attachment      通常用于书面文字中，既可指对某人某物的喜欢，又可指出自理智对某人或某物的热爱，尤指长时间的爱。例：

     I never realize my attachment to the comforts of home until I have to leave it.

ideal        n.  

[often pl.] (a belief in) high principlesor perfect standards       [常用复数]    理想

e.g.  1. She’s spent her whole life in pursuit ofher ideal of becoming a well-known writer.

     2. He finds it hard to live up to his ideals.

          他认为很难按自己的理想办事。

era       n. 

period in history marked by an important event or development 

（以重大事件或重要发展为标志的）历史时期，时代

e.g.  1. The Tang Dynasty was an era of prosperity in the history of China.

  2. Some say the computer has ushered in a new era.

      有人说电脑开辟了一个新时代。

restraint       n.  

[C (on)]      sth. that restrains; restriction;[U] often apprec the quality of beingrestrained or restraining oneself 

[常与on连用] 限制（物）；〖常褒〗克制，抑制，遏制

e.g.  1. Lack of space is the main restraint on the firm’s business expansion.

 2. As they grow older, kids begin to rebel against the restraints imposed by their parents.

      随着孩子们渐渐长大，他们开始反抗父母的管束。

curl         vt.  

twist into or form a curl or curls      使弯曲

e.g.  1. She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet under her.

 2. He yawned and curled his body and fell alseep.

      他打了个呵欠，蜷拢起身子，睡着了。

preserve       vt.  

[(from)]   prevent (sb. orsth.) from being harmed or destroyed

 [常与from连用]   保护；保存（使免受破坏）

e.g.  1. There is much we can do to preserve the environment from being polluted.

  2. What can we do to preserve the natural resources from ruin?

     我们怎么做才能保护自然资源不遭破坏?

haste      n.  

[U] too much speed,often with bad or unwanted results; quick movement or action, esp. when one hasvery little time to do sth.; speed       过速，急忙；性急；匆忙，仓促

e.g.  1. In his haste to leave, he almost forgot to say goodbye to his host. 

            2. More haste, less speed.            欲速则不达。

via      prep.  

by means of; using    通过，借助于

e.g.  1. I frequently send messages to my friends via my mobile phone.

 2. The Olympics were telecast live via satellite.

      奥运比赛通过人造卫星做实况转播。

horrify         vt. 

shock greatly; fill with horror            使震惊；使感到恐怖

e.g.  1. I’ve seen this kind of disasters so many times that this latest one just doesn’t horrify me any more.

 2. The pictures of the car crash horrified us.

    这些车祸的照片把我们吓坏了。

state of affairs 

circumstancesor conditions; situation     情况；局势

e.g.  1. They’ve lost everything in the floods — it’s a sad state of affairs.

  2. The present state of affairs cannot be allowed to go on.

     目前的情况不得再继续下去了。

acquire       vt.  

gain (sth.) by one’s own ability, efforts or behaviour

（靠自己的能力、努力或行为而）获得，得到（某事物）

e.g.  1. She has acquired a good knowledge of English by self-study.

        2. Some people go back for their education to acquire another degree or diploma to impress the society.

              有些人回到学校去接受教育，是想再取得一个学位或一张文凭，以增强自己在社会上的地位。

CF: acquire, obtain, gain & get       这些动词均含“获得”、“取得”、“得到”之意。

acquire      强调通过不断的、持续的努力而获得某物，也指日积月累地渐渐地获得。书面语用词。例：

                    It takes years to acquire a good knowledge of English.

obtain     较正式用词，着重指通过付出巨大努力而得到所需或盼望已久的东西。例：

                    He always manages to obtain what he wants.

gain         强调指经过努力或有意识行动而取得某种成就，获得某种利益或好处。例：

                    Recently he gained a small fortune in real estate.

get         普通用词，使用广泛，可指以任何方式得到某物，也不一定要经过努力。例：

                    I got nothing but trouble for my efforts.

in short  

put it into as few words as possible; all I mean is     简单地说；总而言之

e.g.  1. The baby cried and cried day and night and often fell sick; in short, the new-born gave them no peace.

 2. In short, the book was  an exciting story about a detective.

   简单地说，那本书是关于一位侦探的刺激故事。

sincerity      n.  

[U] the quality ofbeing sincere; honesty and lack of deceit    诚挚，真诚，诚意

e.g.  1. I may say in all sincerity that your help is very valuable.

  2. We were impressed by his sincerity and hospitality.

       他的诚恳和好客给我们留下了很深的印象。

let sb. loose (on sth.)   

allow sb. to dealwith sth. in their own way      让……任意（放手）行动

e.g.  1. He’s too young to behave properly; you shouldn’t let him loose.

           2. Father let his son loose on the family business after his retirement.

           父亲退休后就放手把家里的生意交给了儿子。

forge        vt.  

form byheating and hammering; fig  create (usu. a lasting relationship) by means of much hard work; make a copy of (sth.) in order to deceive 

锻造；〖比喻〗（靠艰苦工作）建立（通常为长期关系）；伪造；假冒

e.g.  1. True unity and friendship can only be forged through trials and tribulations.

       2. Their long-term reciprocal relationship is forged by the both sides.

          他们长期的互惠合作是双方共同促成的。

Word Explanation for Text B

moist      a.  

usu.  apprec             slightly wet         〖一般褒〗潮湿的，微湿的

e.g.  1. This plant grows in amoderately moist environment.

2. I like the air just as moist and warm asthat in a tropical area.

engaged      a.  

having agreed to marry    已订婚的

e.g.  1. John got engaged to her when travelling last winter.

2. They announced to the assembled guests that they were engaged to be married.

pursue      vt.  

tryto achieve sth.; continue steadily with; carry on    努力实现，追求；继续从事，进行

e.g.  1. She is pursuing her studies at the same university as her brother did five years ago.

2. She pushed herself to pursue a musical career.

fascinate      vt.  

attract and hold the interest or attention of     强烈地吸引，把……迷住

e.g.  1. The idea of traveling around the world has always fascinated her.

2. The audience was fascinated by their superb performance.

grace      n.  

[U] a fine and attractive quality in movement or form （  动作、体态的）优美；优雅自然

e.g.   1. She declined the invitation with grace.

2. She was a beautiful girl with the grace and poise of a natural model.

delicacy      n.  

[U] the quality of being delicate   细致；精致

e.g.   1. Repairing damaged nerves is an operation with great delicacy.

2. The delicacy of roses makes them unfit for an extreme climate.

bathe      vi.  

AmE     have a bath    〖美〗洗澡

e.g.    1. It is unwise to bathe immediately after a meal.

2. It was hot, and we decided to bathe in the cool, inviting stream.

haircut      n.  

an occasion of having the hair cut   理发

e.g.  1. The barber gave him a shave and a haircut.

2. If I have time tomorrow, I think I’ll get a haircut.

towel      vt.  

rub or dry with a towel    用毛巾擦（擦干）

e.g.    1. Do towel the children down very thoroughly, or they might catch cold.

2. I toweled my son down very thoroughly, because he was wet to the skin.

manipulate      vt.

work with skillful use of the hands; control or influence sb. / sth.

（熟练地用手）操作；控制，影响

e.g.  1. Though he is just seven, he can manipulate the computer rather skillfully.

  2. A clever politician knows how to manipulate his supporters.

maximum     n.     (pl.   maximums or maxima) 

 the largest number, amount, etc.     最大值；最大量

e.g.    1. The classroom holds a maximum of 50 people, not one more.

   2. The speed limit is 40 miles an hour. Don’t exceed this maximum.

minimum      n.       (pl. minimums or minima)

the smallest number, amount, etc.     最小量；最低限度

e.g.    1. Repairing your car will cost a minimum of $200.

   2. Passengers may only take aboard the aircraft a minimum of hand luggage.

complaint      n.  

[C (about, against)]   a statement ofdissatisfaction, unhappiness, pain, etc. 

[常与 about 或 against 连用]   诉苦的话；怨言；牢骚

e.g.    1. Even though his workload is heavy, he never makes any complaints.

    2.  We’ve received a lot of complaints of bad workmanship.

marketing       n. 

 [U] the branch of business concerned withadvertising, publicity 

(宣传), etc. 市场学；销售业务

e.g.    1. The ranges of his business include the production and marketing of automobiles.

2. Mr. Smith takes care of marketing and publicity.

agonizing     a.  

causing great pain or anxiety      引起痛苦（焦虑）的

e.g.    1. Tim was hurt in the traffic accident suffering from agonizing pain.

2. All the people are yearning for an early end to this agonizing situation.

overjoyed       a. 

extremely pleased; full of joy     极为高兴的，非常开心的

e.g.    1. She was overjoyed to get a letter from her son who is now working in Africa.

   2. They will be overjoyed to find you safe and sound.

clip        vt.  

cut with scissors oranother sharp instrument, esp. in order to make shorter or neater

（用剪刀等）修剪

e.g.    1. I like to clip pictures out of newspapers and keep them in a big box.

   2. The dog’s fur was clipped short for the show.

file        vt.  

rub or cut with a file    锉

e.g.     1. He tried to file the nail sharp.

 2. He filed the wood smooth.

dresser      n.  

AmE     a chest of drawers (衣柜), used esp. for clothing, often with a mirror on top 

〖美〗带镜衣柜

e.g.    1. He folded the clothes and carefully put them in the dresser.

2. Lydia stood looking at herself in the mirror of they ellow bedroom’s dresser.

grief      n.  

[U] great sorrow or feelings of suffering     悲痛，忧伤

e.g.    1. She went nearly mad with grief after the child died.

   2. A flash of grief came upon her when she heard the news.

icy      a.  

extremely cold; covered with ice     冰冷的；结满冰的，冰封的

e.g.     1. He urged me to drive carefully on the icy roads.

    2. It is difficult to keep one’s balance onan icy pavement.

presence        n.  

the fact of being in a particular place     存在；出席，到场

e.g.    1. He never seems at ease in my presence. Why is he so afraid of me?

   2. Jane had done a lot of preparatory work before the presence of the president.

yield        vi. 

[(to)]   fml or lit      give up control (of); surrender 

[常与to连用]    〖正式或文〗放弃；投降，屈服

e.g.    1. We love peace, yet we are not the kind of people who yield to any military threat.

   2. Since you won’t yield to persuasion, we’ll try what force can do.

undo        vt.  

unfasten (sth. tied or wrapped)     解开，松开，打开

e.g.    1. He bent down and undid his shoe laces.

   2. Winston undid the bit of string that held the parcel together.

resemble      vt.  

[not in progressive forms; no pass.]  look like or besimilar to sb. or sth.

 [不用进行式；无被动态]   像；类似

e.g.    1. She resembles her father in facial features, but she’s not at all like him in character.

   2. The boys resemble each other in that they both have ginger hair and round faces.

graceful       a.  

attractively and usu. effortlessly fineand smooth; full of grace     优美的；文雅的

e.g.  1. So graceful was the ballet dancer that she just seemed to glide.

 2. Despite her great age, she was very graceful indeed.

fit into    

find or have sufficient space or room for sth. in a place

找到或尚有足够的地方容纳某物

e.g.    1. Our bedroom is so small that we can’t fit into another chair.

   2. She folded the letter so that it would fit into her bag.

in the course of 

during     在……期间；在……过程中

e.g.    1. They hope to see those famous ancient buildings in the course of their brief stay in London.

    2. My heart beat thick in the course of the interview.

reach for sth.  

stretch out (one’shand) in order to touch, grasp or take sth. 

伸出（手）以触到、抓到或拿到某物

e.g.    1. She reached into her bag for a coin and gave it to the beggar.

   2. The law breaker was overpowered before he could reach for his knife.

in vain   

uselessly; without a successful result    白费地，徒劳无益地

e.g.  1. All my work was in vain; I had to do it again.

2. Her father tried to persuade her to go back home with him, but in vain.

Read and Explore

Text A    Unit 2

     Love is anoverwhelming joy that is beyond description. It is human nature to yearn forand indulge in love, but true love takes a lot of understanding, much sharingand caring, and plenty of affection. What is true love? How deep is your love?The author shares her views with the younger generation on these questions.

How Deep Is Your Love?

MansiBhatia

1     Love to some is like a cloud

       To some as strong as steel

        For some a way of living

        For some a way to feel   

       And some say love is holding on

       And some say let it go

       And some say love is everything

      Some say they don’t know

2       At some stage or the other in our lives we experience the gnawing pangs of an emotion which defies definition. It’s a feeling that can only be felt and not described. An overwhelming joy that comes together with its share of sadness. Love.

3       Given the busy nature of our lives, it’s to be appreciated that we even find the time to indulge in matters of the heart. But at the same time I wonder if we even understand its true depth. I remember having countless crushes while in school. My math teacher, our neighbour’s son, my best friend’s brother and lots of others whom I fancied for the colour of their eyes, the shape of their moustaches or just the way they walked. Harmless puppy loves that are as brief as soap bubbles. I can laugh about all those silly and adventurous thoughts and acts now but at that time nothing could be more serious an affair for me. Then came the stage of real relationships.

4       Being in an all girls’ school I hardly had the opportunity to interact with members of the opposite gender. Socials between our school and the boys’ college, therefore, would be awaited anxiously. Those three hours of unhesitant attention by a group of well-groomed young gentlemen provided us with enough content to talk and feel exhilarated about for the next four weeks.

5       And even then there was no real need of having a boyfriend.

6       I somehow grew up believing that love would happen when it had to. And sure enough it did. It came at an age when I had a career, a long-term plan and a more or less settled life (and nowI am not yet 25!). I was mature enough to enter a relationship which demands a lot of give and not so much of take.

7       Love was a magnificent building I built onthe foundation of friendship. It took time to blossom. It took a lot of understanding, loads of sharing and caring, and plenty of affection to become what it is today. And it meant a meeting of minds. You might say that I belong to the traditional school of romance. But in my opinion, love needs to be nurtured. And it has to be distinguished from the intense but short-lived love or the pleasures of the flesh.

8       Our parents’ generation was fed lavishly with ideals. It was an era of constraints, restraints, respect, admiration, and plenty of romance. The long skirts, the quiet and unpretentious looks, the curled longhair, the calmness, the shy glance — these are all so frequently remindful of a bygone era. An age when the distance between the sexes somehow managed to help preserve the holiness of love and relationships.

9       The younger generation, with its openness and fading lines of proximity, has jumped on the bandwagon of love with so much haste that it is difficult for them to distinguish between physical attraction and mental compatibilities. What we have been exposed to via the media have fast paced our sensibilities so much that taking things slow requires effort on our parts.

10      I am amazed when I hear stories of school kids bragging about the number of physical relationships they have had. I am horrified to learn that girls barely eighteen have already been in and out of seven to eight “hook ups”.

11       I am sorry to learn about the kind of emotional baggage these kids are carrying in what are purely unemotional relationships. Some might blame the current state of affairs on peer pressure. But has anyone ever stopped to figure out where this peer pressure originates? Do any of us try and understand who is responsible for this shift? Does anyone bother to study the state of mind of the teenagers?

12       The mindset of this generation is all too evident in the way it handles its personal life. There are more relationships being distorted under the pressures of lust than ever before. There is more focus on physical beauty than on inner charm. There is more of closeness and less of intimacy. Thereis more of passion and less of emotion. There is more of acquiring and less of sharing. There is more of opportunism and less of selflessness. In short, there is more of ME and less of US.

13      We have hardened ourselves so much in this competitive age that we have forgotten the essence of relationships. There’s much more to being someone’s lover than gifting them red roses and fifty-cent cards. What about gifting our object of affection, our time, our company, our support, our friendship? What about setting priorities in our lives and focusing on each with sincerity? What about trying to be self-sufficient emotionally before letting ourselves loose?What about giving ourselves, and others, time and space to forge relationships? What about working towards meaningful and lasting friendships? What about honouring our commitments? What about channeling our energies and emotions towards building lifelong bonds rather than wasting them on seasonal relationships?

14       We have but one life and we must experience everything that can make us stronger. True love happens once in a lifetime. And we should not have become so tired by our frivolous acts that when it comes we aren’t able to receive it with open arms. 

课文 A 参考译文

你的爱有多深

曼茜·巴蒂亚

1                  有人认为爱如浮云

有人认为爱坚强如铁

有人认为爱是一种生活方式

有人认为爱是一种感觉

有人说爱要执着

有人说爱不要约束

有人说爱是生命的全部

有人说不知道爱为何物

2   在我们生命中的某个阶段，我们会经历某种难以名状的情感所带来的阵阵折磨。这种情感只能体会，无法用语言描述。莫大的喜悦伴随着丝丝的伤感一同降临，这就是爱。

3  在紧张忙碌的生活中，我们竟能找到时间沉湎于感情之中，这的确令人感佩。然而，此时我想知道：我们是否懂得爱到底有多么深刻。记得上学的时候，我迷恋的对象真是数不清：我的数学老师、邻居的儿子、好朋友的弟弟，还有另外一些因为眼睛的颜色、胡子的形状或走路的姿势而让我倾慕的人。年少时的爱慕，不会带来伤害，如肥皂泡一样转瞬即逝。那些稚气、大胆的想法和行为，现在想来大可一笑了之。但是，在那时，对我来说，没有比恋爱更重要的事了。接着就进入了真正“谈”情“说”爱的阶段。

4   我在女子学校学习，和男孩子交往的机会寥寥无几，因此，我热切地期待着我们学校和男子学校举办的联谊会。联谊会上，一群精心打扮的年轻男子毫无顾忌地盯着我们。这三个小时中的点点滴滴，成了我们在以后四个星期中足够的谈资，我们在议论时，心情澎湃。

5   即使是在那个时候，我也没有真正交男朋友的需要。

6  在我的成长岁月中，不知何故，我相信爱情该来的时候自然会来。事实果真如此。当我有了稳定的工作，有了长期的计划和比较安定的生活时（我现在还不到25岁呢！），爱情降临了。我也比较成熟了，能够步入不贪图许多回报而需要大量付出的感情关系。

7   我的爱情是在友谊这块地基上建起的高楼大厦。爱情经过旷日持久的培养才开花。我和我的恋人相互理解、同甘共苦、相互关心，投入了丰富的感情，才使爱情发展到今天。爱情意味着情投意合。你也许会说，我属于浪漫的传统派。但是，依我看，爱情需要培养。我们必须把爱情同强烈而短暂的激情或身体的愉悦区别开来。

8   我们的父辈，被灌输了太多的（爱情）理想。那是一个约束、压抑、崇敬、仰慕和十足浪漫的年代。长裙、娴静质朴的外表、卷曲的长发、恬静的气质、羞怯的目光——这一切常使人想起一个消逝久远的年代。从某种程度上来说，那个时代异性之间的距离帮助他们维持了恋爱的神圣性。

9   年轻的一代人，由于观念开放，随着男女之间交往界线的消退，他们便急于赶浪头，匆忙恋爱，以至于难以区分身体的互相吸引与心灵的相投。我们从媒体中接触到的人和事，使我们的感情历程大大加速，要想慢慢地体会自己的感受，确实需要付出努力。

10  每每听到学校的孩子们夸口说自己有过多少次性关系的经历，我都十分惊讶。年仅18岁的女孩们已有过七八次跟异性“勾勾搭搭”的经历，我感觉极其惊骇。

11   这些青少年在全然没有感情的关系中所背负的感情包袱，令我深感难过。也许有些人会把他们目前的感情状况归结为同龄人之间所施加的压力。但是，可曾有任何人停下来想一想同龄人之间的压力来自何处？我们是否尝试着弄清楚是谁造成了这样的转变？可曾有人费神去研究青少年的心理呢？

12   从这一代人处理个人生活的方式上，我们很容易看出他们的思想倾向。跟从前相比，现在有更多的情感在欲望的压力下扭曲。他们更注重外表的美丽而忽视内在的魅力。两性交往随便了，亲密无间却少了；激情多了，感情却少了；个人获得的多了，相互间分享的少了；寻机获利的现象多了，无私的奉献少了。简而言之，“自我”多了，爱的分享少了。

13   在这个竞争激烈的年代，我们已经变得麻木不仁，将恋爱的实质抛于脑后。作为恋爱中的人，不只是意味着把红色的玫瑰花和五毛钱一张的卡片送给恋人，我们要做的事情还很多。我们将自己的时间、陪伴、支持和友谊作为礼物送给自己的恋人了吗？我们是否确定了生活中最重要的事情，而后真诚地做好每一件事？我们是否先在情感上成熟起来，再尽情地追求爱情？我们是否给自己、给他人足够的时间和空间以巩固恋情的发展？我们是否为了追求有意义的、永恒的友谊而不遗余力？我们是否履行了自己的承诺？我们是否将自己的精力和感情倾注于终生不渝的关系而不是浪费在朝秦暮楚的关系中？

14   人的生命只有一次，我们必须去体验能使我们更为坚强的每件事。真正的爱情一生只有一次。我们本不该任由轻佻的行为令自己身心疲惫，而当真正的爱情到来时，我们却没有能力伸开双臂迎接它的降临。

1. Why did the narrator hesitate to hire Stevie?

2. What removed the narrator’s doubts? How?

3. What was the life of Stevie and his mother like?

4. How was it that Stevie missed work one morning in threeyears?

5. How did the staff and the trucker regulars react to thenews of Stevie’s health conditions?

6. Was Stevie looking forward to the day when he could returnto work? Why?

7. How did people react when Stevie and his mother werepresented with the $10,000 donation tucked within the napkins? What did Steviedo then?

8. What does the story tell us?