III. Words and Expressions

Paragraph1

surpass v.

exceed,be greater than

e.g.   The student was surpassing himself inmathematics.

Tom’s performance surpassed allexpectations.  

 

correlative a.

having or showing a relation to sth. else

e.g. Rights,whether moral or legal, can involve correlative duties.

Derivations:

 correlate (v.) correlation (n.)

Comparison: relative (to) a.

If sth. is relative to sth. else, it varies according to the speed or levelof the other thing.

e.g. The amount of petrol a car uses is relative to its speed.

If sth. is relative to a particular subject, it is connected with it.

e.g. Arethese documents relative to the discussion?

 

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proportion n.

the correct relation in size, degree, etc. betweenone thing and another or between the parts of a whole

e.g. When a teacher decides upon his students’comprehensive score for a course taken, he has to consider the proportion ofexamination to coursework.

Your legs are very much inproportion to the rest of yourbody.

I think a certain amount of worry about work is very natural, but you'vegot to keep it in proportion.

a sense of proportion

= the ability to understand what is important and what is not.

 

due a.

proper,adequate

e.g. They will surely meet with due punishment.

Due care must be taken while oneis driving.

 

disinterested a.

having no personal involvement or receiving no personal advantage, andtherefore able to judge a situation fairly

e.g.  a disinterested observer/judgment

a piece of disinterestedadvice

Derivations:

 interest (v.)  interested (a.)   interesting (a.)

 

spectacular a.

attractingexcited notice, gradually unusual

e.g. Theparty suffered a spectacular loss in the election.

We’ve had spectacular successwith the product.

 

lunatic n.

a person who is mad, foolish, or wild

e.g.Hedrives like a lunatic.

 

end n.

a goal ordesired result

e.g. Do you have a particular end in mind?

He wanted science students totake an interest in the arts, and to this end he ran literature classes at hishome on Sunday afternoons.

 

inculcate v.

fix beliefs or ideas insomeone's mind, especially by repeating them often

e.g. Our football coach has worked hard to inculcate ateam spirit in/into the players.

They will try to inculcate youwith a respect for culture.

 

10) emancipation: n.

freedomfrom political, moral, intellectual or social restraints offensive to reason orjustice

e.g. women’s / female emancipation

black emancipation

the emancipation of mankind

the emancipation of the serfs

Synonyms:

freeing,liberation, unyoking 

 

inherently ad.  

existing as a natural orbasic part of sth.

e.g. There’s nothing inherently wrong with his ideas.

Mountaineering is inherently dangerous.

Power stations are themselves inherently inefficient.

Synonyms:

intrinsically, essentially,innately

 

the philosopher’sstone and the elixir of life

These are two of the major preoccupations of alchemy.The philosopher's stone could convert all metal into what was considered itsmost refined form, the element gold. The elixir of life would instill perpetualyouth.

 

confer on / upon

give or grant (an official title, degree, honour, right or advantage tosomeone)

e.g. The minister may have exceeded the powersconferred on him by Parliament.

An honorary doctorate wasconferred on him by PekingUniversity.

 

appalling a.  
horrifying, shocking

e.g. When will this appalling war end?

Prisoners were kept in themost appalling conditions.

The plight of the starvingrefugees is appalling.

Derivations:

appal (v.) appalled (a.)

 

vice n.

evil or unprincipled conduct, criminal or immoralbehaviour

e.g.Greed, pride, envy,dishonesty and lust are considered to be vices.

The chief of police saidthat he was committed to wiping out vice in the city.

 

admixture n.

a thing added, esp. as a minor ingredient

e.g. green with an admixture of black

 

enmity n.

a feelingof hate

e.g. enmity between Protestants and Catholics

family feuds and enmities

Synonyms:

 hostility, animosity, opposition, resentment,

 

instill v.

gradually but firmly establish (an idea or attitude, especially adesirable one) in a person’s mind

e.g. It is part of a teacher’s job toinstill self-confidence into his/her students.

Synonym:

inculcate

 

impartiality n.

the condition of treating all rivals or disputantsequally

e.g.  The state must ensure theindependence and impartiality of the justice system.

His impartialitywas highly suspect.

Derivations:

partial (a.), partiality (n.), partially (ad.), impartial (a.),impartially (ad.)

Synonyms:

fairness, justice, objectivity, neutrality open-mindedness

 

 

 

 

IV. Sentences：

Paraphrase/ explanation

1.       Most people would agree that,although our age far surpasses all previous ages in knowledge, there has beenno correlative increase in wisdom. (Paragraph 1)

Paraphrase:

Mostpeople believe that knowledge is not equal to wisdom as past history hassuggested that the acquisition of knowledge does not necessarily lead to theincrease of wisdom.

2.       Of these I should put first asense of proportion: the capacity to take account of all the important factorsin a problem and to attach to each its due weight. (Paragraph 2)

Explanation:

The wholesentence means that among the contributing factors of wisdom, I should regard asense of proportion as the top priority. It refers to the ability to get acomprehensive view of a problem, and at the same time, to know which aspect ismore important and which is less.

3.       Many eminent historians have donemore harm than good because they viewed facts through the distorting medium oftheir own passions.  (Paragraph 3)

Paraphrase:

Viewpointsof many distinguished historians have proved harmful because their opinionswere biased and distorted by their narrow feelings.

4.      Even an end which it would be noble to pursue if it were attainable maybe pursued unwisely if it is inherently impossible of achievement. (Paragraph4)

Paraphrase:

It would be unwise to pursue a goal that is bound tofail, although it might be noble to do so.

5.       I think the essence of wisdom isemancipation, as far as possible, from the tyranny of the here and now. (Paragraph 5)

Paraphrase:

I think the essence of wisdom is to get one’shorizons free from the confinement of time and space.