M11-M20

M11 Power Without Pollution

课文

Pollution is a big problem in almost all the big cities of the world. City people are, therefore, becoming more and more worried about how they can get rid of pollution. They are also concerned about whether the government is doing enough to protect the environment.

However, people in Ireland don’t have these worries. They are sure that they have found the answer to the problem. They use windmills (风车). These windmills can create power without creating pollution. This method is so successful that other countries are thinking of doing the same. Why not? What works for Ireland can work for any other country.

沧海遗珠

• I’m ready. = I’m all set. 我准备好了。
• During the power failure, the lights went out. 停电的时候，灯熄灭了。
  • power failure 停电
  • go out 出去；熄灭
• The happy couple don’t seem to have a worry in the world.
• You should get rid of the bad habit. = You should rid yourself of that bad habit.
• almost 修饰形容词或副词时，这些形容词或副词必须是具有完全性概念的词类，比如 all, every, any, no, always 等

M12 Stop the Noise

对话

Mr. Chen is talking to his neighbor Mrs. Wang.

C: May I have a word with you?

W: Sure. What’s the problem?

C: It’s about your son. I’m tired of his making so much noise at all hours of the day.

W: I’m sorry. I’m sure he’s not doing it on purpose.

C: I’m sure he’s not. But we can do without the noise pollution, you know?

W: You’re absolutely right. By the way, how was your party last night? It sure sounded like you had a great time.

C: Uh…

沧海遗珠

• 区分
  • have a word with… 与……谈话
  • have words with… 与……吵架
• stingy 小气
• You bet. = Of course.
• can do without… 无……亦可以
  • Fish cannot do without water.
• You should gain some weight. 你应该胖一点
  • You lost weight. 你瘦了。
• step on one’s foot 踩到某人的脚
• I’m always on the ball. 我总是机灵的。我时刻准备着。

M13 Health Comes First

课文

Smoking is bad in that it is harmful to one’s health. In spite of the fact that doctors have even warned that it causes cancer, people still keep on smoking.

In some Western countries, however, people are beginning to kick the bad habit. They realize that health should come first. To help them quit smoking, there are laws against cigarette advertising and smoking in public places. This is praiseworthy except that Western countries are now selling cigarettes in the East in great numbers than ever. That they are doing this is immoral, don’t you think?

沧海遗珠

• ashtray 烟灰缸

• once and for all 永远

• Health is wealth. 健康就是财富。

  • Health is above wealth.

• miser /ˈmaɪzər/ 守财奴

• in that = because

  • in that 是副词连词，而不是 in + that 从句

• be in good/poor health

• Working at a computer all day is harmful to the eyes.

• warn…against… 警告某人某事

  • The teacher warned the new student against cutting class. 老师警告那个新来的学生不要旷课。

• kick the bad habit = get rid of the bad habit

• In spite of the fact + that 从句，主句 = Despite the fact + that 从句，主句

  • In spite of working 2 jobs, he can hardly make ends meet.
    • = Despite working 2 jobs, he can hardly make ends meet.
  • In spite of the fact that I lent my friend $1 million, his company went bankrupt.
    • Despite the fact that I lent my friend $1 million, his company went bankrupt.

M14 Quit Cold Turkey

对话

Jane is talking to her boyfriend.

J: You promised me that you were going to give up smoking. What’s that in your hand?

B: I’m sorry. I really want to except that every time I get nervous, I can’t help smoking.

J: That’s just an excuse.

B: No. It’s true. I’ve tried everything: chewing gum, biting my fingernails and even meditation, but nothing works.

J: Well, if you want to be with me, you’ll just have to quit cold turkey.

B: That will work.

沧海遗珠

• Quit cold turkey. 断然戒烟/毒。
• can’t help doing… 忍不住做……
  • = can’t resist doing…
  • = can’t help but do…
• promise
  • promise sb. + that 从句
  • promise sb. to do…
  • make a promise to do…
• Any luck? 运气咋样？
• admire vt. 钦佩；赞美 vi. 钦佩；称赞
• meditation 打坐，冥想

M15 Don’t Rely on Luck

课文

Passing exams is every student’s dream. Failing them is their nightmare. So, to realize their dreams, many students try anything. They even go to fortunetellers, buy lucky charms and follow old customs.

In Korea, many students bury something personal in the university they want to enter. They believe that these things will act as magnets and “pull” them into the university. Whether it works or not, nobody really knows. At least it does ease the student’s minds about passing exams. Remember, though, you can’t always rely on luck. There is no substitute for hard work.

沧海遗珠

• fortuneteller 算命者
• gambler 赌徒；投机商人
• lucky charm 幸运符，护身符
• 区分
  • parasol 阳伞
  • umbrella 雨伞
• It is an Eskimo (爱斯基摩人) custom to rub noses as a greeting.
• bury myself in… 埋头……
  • bury + 反身代词 + in…
• cemetery n. 墓地，公墓
• The rude young man pushed his way through the crowd. 那个粗鲁的年轻男子在人群中推挤而过。
• You are being modest. 你此时很谦虚。
• Whether it works or not, nobody really knows.
  • = Whether or not it works, nobody really knows.

M16 Study or Flunk 用功读书否则考砸锅

对话

Kim bumps into her classmates, Pak.

K: What’s the matter, Pak? You look depressed. Did someone just die or what (或是什么的)?

P: Well, someone is going to soon.

K: Oh, my God! Really? Who is it?

P: Me. I flunked the exam and my dad’s going to kill me.

K: How come you flunked? I thought you did everything the fortuneteller told you to do.

P: I thought so, too. I was sure of passing. That’s why I went go see him this morning.

K: Well, what did he say?

P: He said I flunked because I did everything very well except that I forgot one thing.

K: What’s that?

P: I didn’t study.

沧海遗珠

• flunk vi. 考试不及格 vt. 使不及格
  • fail 的俚语用法
• bump into… 偶遇……，和……不期而遇
  • = run into…
  • come across…
  • encounter…
• …or what? ……还是什么的？
• It depresses me to be broke (身无分文的).

M17 A Computer Car

课文

You are in a strange city. It’s late at night and you’re tired. But you can’t find your hotel. You sigh a deep sigh (你深深叹了一口气). It seems like your are dreaming a terrible dream. What is happening?

This situation often happens to people who travel by car. But it may become a thing of the past. New auto computers are being designed to tell you how to reach your destination. A small screen in your car displays a map of the city and shows you where you are. Just give the computer the name of your hotel. You’ll see it on the map. To top it off, a voice will give you directions while you drive. With a car like this, what else would you expect?

沧海遗珠

• You sigh a deep sigh. 你深深叹了一口气。
  • sigh a sigh = utter a sign = heave a sigh 叹了一口气
• the handicapped 残疾人 = handicapped people
• vendor n. 卖主；小贩；供应商；[贸易] 自动售货机
• to top it off 更糟糕的是，更棒的是
• deceased 死亡的，已故的
• hearty /ˈhɑːrti/ adj. 衷心的；丰盛的；健壮的；精神饱满的
• 有些不及物动词，其后跟同系名词作宾语：
  • die → death
  • dream → dream
  • laugh → laugh
  • live → life
  • sigh → sigh
  • sleep → sleep
  • smile → smile

M18 Nothing Is Perfect

对话

The computer in Dan’s car is helping him reach his hotel. (D=Dan; C=Computer)

D: OK, computer, how do we get there?

C: Go one block and take a left.

D: That looks easy. (He turns right.)

C: Left! I said “left”, you idiot!

D: Sorry! Wow, you don’t have to get so angry.

C: I’m sorry. I guess I’m just having a bad day.

D: A bad day? You’re a computer! How can you have a bad day?

C: Well, I think I’ve got a virus.

D: Ha! And I thought computer could never be wrong.

沧海遗珠

• Go one block. = Go for one block. 往前走一个街区。（for 常常省略）
• take a left = take/make a left turn 左转
• mood n. 情绪，语气；心境；气氛
  • in a good/bad mood
  • be in the mood for… 有心情做……
    • I’m in the mood for dancing.
• While traveling in South Africa, the man caught a virus and died.
• Today is not my day. 今天真倒霉。
  • = It’s not my day today.
• let out one’s emotion 发泄某人的情绪
• I do not function properly today. 我今天身体/运作不太好。
  • function n. 功能；[数] 函数；职责；盛大的集会 vi. 运行；活动；行使职责
• go wrong doing…
• wrong sb. 不公正/诽谤对待某人

M19 Blame It on Men

课文

What’s the real reason women get fat? It’s not chocolate or ice cream. According to a recent report which was published in London, it’s men! A magazine suggested men have a special warning written on their foreheads: “I can make you fat!” What do you think of that idea?

The report claims that when women fall in love, they tend to eat more. When they get married, they cook more. And when they get pregnant, of course, they gain weight. They blame it on men. So, girls, if you want to lose weight, you don’t have to go on a diet; just dump your boyfriends!

沧海遗珠

• blame sb. for… = blame … on sb.
• chocolate （不可数 ）
  • a chocolate bar 一块巧克力
• ice cream （不可数）
  • a scoop of ice cream 一勺冰淇凌
  • a gallon of ice cream
• throw up 呕吐；抛起；匆匆建造；放弃
• bulimia /buˈlɪmiə,buˈliːmiə/ 暴食症
• anorexia /ˌænəˈreksiə/ 厌食症
• She is pregnant. = She is expecting.
• When is your baby due? 预产期是什么时候?
• safe landing 安全着陆
  • I wish you happy landings.

M20 A Weighty Problem

对话

Eve and Adam are talking.

E: Do you know I’ve put on 5 kilos since going out with you?

A: Why’s that?

E: You’re always taking me to fancy restaurants.

A: Well, you don’t have to eat so much when we eat out, you know.

E: But I can’t resist all the delicious food.

A: Besides, it’s not cheap.

E: I guess you’re right. Maybe I should start cooking again. (Adam turns pale.)

A: Uh…Let’s just forget about your weight problem, OK? I don’t care how fat your are.

E: Really?

沧海遗珠

• pun /pʌn/ n. 双关语，俏皮话 v. 说双关语，说俏皮话；把（泥土，碎石等）击打成团

• carry a lot of weight with sb. 对某人颇具影响力

• Adam’s apple 喉结

• 区分

  • cook 厨师（可用于日常做饭好的人）
  • chef 特指（饭店里的）厨师

• weighty adj. 沉重的，重大的

• I’ll be on a date with Mary tonight. 我今晚要和玛丽约会。

• cheap 廉价的（亦指品质低劣），小气的（指人）