轻松英语
 

Bring out这个片语大家都知道是“产生，带来”的意思，厂里一把手另谋高就了，大家都很挂念他，因为在他就任期间，我们职工的生活条件有了很大的改观。

　　

　　


When he was director of the factory, his greatest accomplishment was to bring out better living conditions for all the staff members.

　　


(当他是这个厂厂长时，最大的成绩就是给全体员工带来了很好的生活条件。)

　　

　　


片语bright out在这里意思就是指“带来”的意思即Be given something to somebody.　但是这个片语还有“使显露，衬托”的意思。先看一个例子：

　　


He brought out the significant aspects of the problem.

　　

　　

（他揭示了问题的重要方面。）

　　

　　


当bring out 作“显露，揭示，揭露”讲时，相当于make clear;　reveal;　demonstrate，而作为“衬托”讲时相当于serve as a foil to，set off.　其实这个意思也是从本意“带来，带出”之意发展而来的，大家可以仔细体会一下。再举两个例子：

　　

　　


Kelly is wearing a new outfit, that shade looks good on her. It brings out the blue in her eyes.

　　

　　


(Kelly穿了套新衣服，那颜色看起来很适合他，它衬托出他的蓝眼睛。)

　　

　　


I think that situations in the face of threat can bring out the best in people.


(我认为越是面临威胁，才能衬托出人性的美好。)

　　

　　



由于脚踝骨折，这几天来探望的人着实不少，所谓患难才见真情，一点也不言过其实呀！对了这里言过其实可以用lay it on thick来表示。

　　

　　


Don’t lay it on too thick. Tom, I know that my English isn’t that great.

　　

　　


(不要太言过其实了，Tom,我知道我的英文没有那么好。)

　　


lay it on thick在这里意思就是指“捧得过分，过分恭维”，我们说赞美别人要有艺术，捧得过分就是“拍马屁拍到马蹄子上去了”，受了刺激的野马还不脱僵而去？

　　

　　


When we compliment others, we must find something specific to praise and make sure our compliments are sincere, otherwise, they will think we’re laying it on a little thick.

　　

　　


(当称赞别人时，我们必须针对具体的事来称赞并确定我们的称赞是诚心的，否则，他们会认为我们有点言过其实。)

　　

　　


哥哥的书法不错，自己又受过不少影响同，在读书时跟着一位书法家还专门练习过两年书法，自认懂得点入门之道，所以随便“创作”了一幅，不料同事见了，啧啧称赞，一致奉我为大书法家。

　　

　　


My workmates considered my handwriting work a great artwork. But I think they’re just laying it on a little thick.

　　

　　


(我同事把我的书法作品视为一件伟大的艺术品。但我想他们实在是有点言过其实。)

　　

　　



结束语：要说隔壁的小靓国色天香，实在是有点言过其实（lay it on thick）,俗话说鲜花还需绿叶衬（bring out）,难怪她常与那个长得很丑的女人进进出出，当然就显得自己漂亮多了嘛！

本小女子在加拿大留学的时候住在别人家里，不花钱，可是要给人家做工；

　　


第【1】串：au pair 换工住宿的女孩

　　


She was an au pair girl when she studied in Canada.

　　



这样一来我省去了很多租房的费用；

　　


第【2】串：rent charge 租费

　　


The rent charge is a big headache for me.

　　



唯一要做的就是每天帮助房东到商场里面买东西，那里东西可真多，很多我在国内都没有见过;

　　


第【3】串：a great variety 品种繁多

　　


There is a great variety of goods in the supermarket.

　　



可是medkaoyan.commedkaoyan.commedkaoyan.commedkaoyan.com商场比较远，我只能坐车去，房东说，我可以打的，最后报销；

　　


第【4】串：mall medkaoyan.commedkaoyan.commedkaoyan.commedkaoyan.com商场

　　


Almost every weekend, my mother goes to the mall to buy some commodities.

　　



这样也好，我只要肯为他们跑腿就行了；

　　


第【5】串：to run errands 跑腿

　　


He is a green hand here and what he can do is to run errands.

　　



其余的时间我全部用来学习，出国嘛，重要的是深造，所以当别人建议我业余时间去打工，我没有，因为我认为那是真正的浪费时间

开留言板，见到一个学生的留言：


第【1】串：guest board 留言板；BBS=bulletin board system 电子公告牌系统


I will visit the bbs on my website everyday.



我们本来可以做朋友，可是，一想到你是老师我就来气，我最恨的就是老师了，我小的时候挨过老师的体罚。


第【2】串：get a toco 挨打，体罚


The teacher says that if I make mistakes again, I will get a toco!



我就回复他：你可以恨老师，就如你所说的那样。可是你不能恨我呀，又不是我体罚的你！事实上，更多的时候我们应该是朋友。


第【3】串：de facto 事实上，实际上


De facto, we are good friends and you don't need to be so courteous all the time.



过了两天，这个学生又到了我的留言板，她写下了很长的一段文字。她说：今天上来就是看看你有什么反应。到底是老师，很宽容很温和的一个人。好了，就交你一个朋友啦……。


第【4】串：one's reaction to 某人对...的反应


When you see a gang of wolves in the woods, what's your reaction to this situation?



她经常到我的网上来，我们竟真的成了好朋友。学生，其实很可爱啊！只要你真诚的去对待他们，他们同样会真诚的对待你。


第【5】串：vice versa 反之亦然


If you are kind to your students, they will be kind to you and vice versa.

谢谢了,学了不少...

爱是一种责任，需要两颗心共同承担；爱是一种默契，需要两个人相对交流；爱是一种付出，需要有接收的对方；爱是一种幸运，需要有时间去感受那份喜怒哀乐。


第【1】串：take in hand 承担


It is your duty. You have to take in hand!



爱一个人，却得不到回报，会让你受到伤害；但是，爱一个人，却永远没有勇气让那个人知道你的感觉，会让你更痛苦。


第【2】串：repayment 补偿


Love is giving, not asking for repayment!



爱一个人，是要她幸福；爱一个人，是要她离开烦忧；爱一个人，是要她每天容光焕发；爱一个人，是要她不再经受心灵的折磨；爱一个人，无论她在何方都为她默默的祈祷。


第【3】串：be aglow with health 容光焕发


Days ago, he is in a bad mood, but now he is aglow with health again.



爱一个人，无论自己身在何处都为她牵肠挂肚；爱一个人，情愿让自己受苦受累也要为她铺平道路。


第【4】串：pave the way for 为...铺道路


I don't know how to pave the way for success, even I am eager to know it.



爱一个人如果只是爱他（她）的优点，那只能说是爱他（她）的表面；只有爱上的是他（她）的缺点，那才能大声的告诉别人：我爱她（他）！因为缺点是与生俱来的——天性，才是最致命的，也最让人无法逃避，无法抗拒。


第【5】串：be born with 与生俱来


He is born with great talent and he is sure to go places someday.

An angry customer went back to a garage where he'd purchased an expensive battery for his car six months earlier.


　

一名怒气冲冲的顾客回到了一间修车厂。六个月前，他在这里为他的车子买了一块高档汽车电池。



"Listen," the customer grumbled to the owner of the garage, "when I bought that battery you said it would be the last battery my car would ever need. It died after only six months!"


　

“听着。”这名顾客想店主抱怨道，“我买电池的时候，你说过这将会是我的汽车最后一次需要买电池。但是，现在才过了六个月，这电池就没有用啦。”



"Sorry," apologized the garage owner. "I didn't think your car would last longer than that."


　

“对不起，”店主抱歉的说道，“我没有想到你的车子会比电池的寿命长。”

Sharon, Abbas Agree to Establish Four Committees沙龙，阿巴斯举行第四次峰会
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to establish four joint committees to pave the way for a lasting peace in the Middle East.

　　


以色列总理沙龙和巴勒斯坦总理阿巴斯达成协议举行第四次峰会，为中东铺平一条持久的和平道路。



Abbas pledged that the committees will deal with the release of Palestinian prisoners, trade, security and ways to bring an end to the violence.


　

阿巴斯承诺说，峰会会解决释放巴勒斯坦的囚犯，两边贸易，两国安全等问题。并且把暴力带向一个结束的边缘。



Sharon has reportedly told Abbas that Palestinian National Authority Chairman, Yasser Arafat can visit the Gaza Strip if he wishes to do so. He also said he is willing to make what he called "painful" compromise for peace, warning there will be no peace if terror continues.


　

沙龙向阿巴斯表示，如果巴勒斯坦主席阿拉法特愿意到加沙地区拜访的话，他会很受欢迎的。沙龙表示，他愿意为了和平作出“痛苦的让步”，但是，如果还有恐怖行为的话，是没有和平可言的。



Abbas said that a lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue, calling on all parties to exercise mutual respect.


　

阿巴斯说，持久的和平只有通过对话，各门派之间相互尊重才能实现。

Legally Blonde 2
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　

　　Reese had 70 different costumes and hair changes and we worked like dogs, we did a lot of singing and dancing and lots of gifts were given and it was fun, we had a great time。


“我们的表演就像只狗一样。里斯穿了70套不同的服装换了许多发型，我们唱了许多歌，跳了很多舞，也得到了很多（观众送）的礼物。我们过了一段很开心的时光。”



A pregnant Witherspoon was joined at the New York premiere by co-stars Luke Wilson and Sally Field, and also by her husband, Ryan Phillipe.


　

主角瑞丝薇丝朋，顶着大肚子参加了在纽约的（《金发尤物2》））首映式。出席的还有她的担保人Luke Wilson和Sally Field，当然还有她的丈夫Ryan Phillipe.。



In “Legally Blonde 2” Witherspoon's Elle Woods, now a rising young lawyer at a prestigious law firm, is attempting to balance a demanding workload with her upcoming wedding to boyfriend Emmett Richmond, starring Luke Wilson.


　

在《金发尤物2》中，瑞丝薇丝朋扮演的艾尔，是一个年轻正义，享有威望的律师。原本只想一心一意和男友完婚，但是为了正义，她却把婚礼延期了。



Elle travels to Washington DC to change the laws on the use of animals for cosmetic testing. Though not welcomed by many, Elle inspires a few along the way to find voices of their own.


　

艾尔跑到了华盛顿，希望能够改变法律对把动物作为化装测试品的态度。尽管遇到了许多的挫折。但是，艾尔却（通过努力）获得了别人的支持。



The film is a follow-up to the very successful "Legally Blonde" which earned Witherspoon a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress and a Best Picture nomination.

这部电影是《金发尤物》的续集，使得瑞丝维丝朋在娱乐周刊调查中，获得了最受欢迎女主角的称号。

Taking a journey alone
一个人的出游更自由、更有弹性，令人向往，但也往往会出现更多危险和考验。那么，如何才能有一个安全而愉快的旅行呢？



When it comes to traveling, sometimes taking a journey alone can be great. Traveling solo（单独地） allows for a time of relaxation（放松） and self-discovery, when you can take the time to soak in（沉浸于） the finer things the world has to offer（提供）.



If you' re heading for a foreign country, don' t leave home without a bilingual（双语的） dictionary. It is important to learn phrases like "thank you," "hello," "please," and "I didn’t know she charged money for her time," in case you' re in a bind.



Instead of being an outsider（外人） looking in, try to transform yourself into a relaxed traveler who is not deterred（吓住） by minor（较小的） setbacks, such as long lines at the train station or delays in visiting hours of certain landmarks. If you planned accordingly, then you can afford to "waste" time at the busy tourist hotspots（热点）. Besides , you' re on vacation, and have nowhere to be!



【读书笔记】



旅行时，（When it comes to traveling）有时独自一人可能会感觉非常好。（sometimes taking a journey alone can be great）独自旅行让你有一段放松和自我发现的时间，（Traveling solo allows for a time of relaxation and self-discovery）能让你从容地沉湎于这世上更美好的东西。（, when you can take the time to soak in the finer things the world has to offer）



Soak本意是“浸泡”，一般指为了使某些东西变软和容易清理而做，比如：


Soak the beans overnight.


把豆子浸泡一整夜。


Just leave the dishes to soak; I’ll wash them later.


先把盘子泡上吧，等会儿我去刷。


这里，soak引申为“沉浸其中”的意思，通常和介词in连用，比如：


She soaked herself in detective stories.


她沉湎于侦探小说之中。



如果你正准备去国外，（If you' re heading for a foreign country）别忘了离家之前带上一本双语字典。（don' t leave home without a bilingual dictionary）学会“谢谢”、“你好”、“请”之类的短语会非常重要，（It is important to learn phrases like "thank you," "hello," "please,"）而且如果你陷入困境还要会说“我不知道她要收钱的”。（and "I didn’t know she charged money for her time," in case you' re in a bind.）



be heading (for)有两个意思，


1、表示“面临”的意思，比如：


They’re heading for a disaster.


他们将要面临灾难。


2、表示“出发,(船)驶往”的意思，比如：


Our ship was heading for Cuba.


我们的船是开往古巴的。


在表示这个意思的时候，另外一个类似的短语be headed for可以与之替换，举个例子：


What are you guys headed?


你们想去哪？



别让人看来好像从没出过门的样子，（Instead of being an outsider looking in）尽力做个能够不被小困难吓倒的放松的旅行者，（try to transform yourself into a relaxed traveler who is not deterred by minor setbacks）能应付火车站的长队（long lines at the train station）或者某些景点开放时间的延迟。（or delays in visiting hours of certain landmarks）



visiting hours原意是医院的“接待时间”，这里指某些景点由于保护的需要，对开放的时间有所限制，几段对外开放的时间就被称作visiting hours。



如果你相应地调整了自己的时间，（If you planned accordingly,）就应该能够在这些热闹的景点浪费得起时间。（then you can afford to "waste" time at the busy tourist hotspots）



而且，你已经在旅行旅途中，没有其他地方可去。（Besides , you' re on vacation, and have nowhere to be!）



【句型留言板】



Bind在口语中有“困境,尴尬处境”的意思，所以in a bind就是“陷入困境”的意思。举个例子：



当你的工作进展不顺利，遇到了障碍，业务停滞不前，就可以像下面这个人这样使用in a bind，


Their refusal to sign the contract has put us in a bind.


他们拒绝在合同上签字,这使我们陷入困境。



有时候，当我们对某件事拿不定主意，无法给别人一个满意的答复时，这种两难的境地也可以说是in a bind，比如：


When he asked me to marry him, I felt in a bind.


当他向我求婚时， 我感到很窘迫。

void any involvement with drugs
You should avoid any involvement with drugs while travelling because:


　

在旅行的时候，你应该避免有任何的吸食（或是携带）毒品行为。这是因为：



　　　Penalties can be severe, even for having a small amount on your person. Jail terms and even the death sentence have been handed down to dealing in illegal substances overseas.


　

　　（对吸毒或贩毒者）的惩罚是严厉的。在惩罚一些海外的违法交易上，监禁甚至是死刑都可能会出现，不管你吸食（或是携带）多少毒品。



　　　British consuls cannot get you out of prison. But the Consul will take action if your rights have been denied


　

　　 英国的法官不能够帮助你走出法庭，他只会在你的权利被（法庭）取缔时，采取行动。



　　　Don't carry parcels or luggage through customs for other people. 'If it's in your suitcase, it's your crime, and you will do the time.'


　

　　　不要帮助别人携带小包的行李过海关，如果你的皮箱里有（毒品），那就是你在犯罪了，而你就会为此而付出代价。



　　　Don't cross borders with people you don't know - or even 'new friends' - you could be detained as an accessory or accomplice to their smuggling.


　

　　　 不要带你不认识的人一起出境，或者是刚认识的“新朋友”。因为，如果那样，你可能会被拘留，而罪名是，同谋走私。



　　　Carry a doctor's prescription for any medicines you need, and keep a copy of the original prescription with your important documents.


　

　　　 带上医生给你的用药处方。以及，放一份处方的复件在你随身的重要文件中。（以防丢失，给贩毒分子可乘之机。）

Shock follows Turkey explosion 土耳其炸后余惊
Almost 200 people have been injured by a series of explosions at a petrol station in the centre of Turkey capital Ankara.


　

在土耳其首都安卡市中心的一个加油站连续发生爆炸，大约200多人受伤。



The explosion brought hundreds of local people onto the streets as they took in what had just happened.


　

爆炸引来了许许多多的当地群众观看，他们都想知道刚才究竟发生了什么事情。



One witness said he saw a fireball rise up into the air, another said he could see plumes of black smoke pouring into the night sky.


　

一名目击者称，他看到了一个火球升上了天空；而另外一名目击者也说，他看到了夜空中升起了大块的浓烟。



According to one newsagency it happened when a tanker was discharging liquefied petroleum gas at a station.


　

根据一家通讯社报道，爆炸发生时，一辆装满了石油的卡车正在加油站卸载。



Something caused the fuel to ignite with devastating consequences.


　

有不明的东西点燃了这些石油，最终导致了爆炸的发生。



In a hall above the station a wedding party was taking place with as many as 300 guests.


　

而在这个加油站的上一层，正在举行一个婚礼，当时有300多名客人在场。



Several ambulances took the injured to hospital amidst the chaos and confusion.

在一片混乱中，几辆救护车把伤者送往了医院。

meats and protein
Red meat such as lamb, beef and pork, poultry such as chicken and turkey, game including grouse, pheasant and duck, fish and eggs, as well as vegetarian alternatives such as nuts, beans, peas, lentils, tofu and other soya-based products.



新鲜的肉类是指羊肉、牛肉和猪肉，家禽类则有鸡肉、火鸡肉，野味则包括了松鸡、野鸡和鸭，鱼和蛋。而素食类则有蔬菜以及坚果、大豆、豌豆、扁豆、豆腐，以及其他的豆类制品。



Why do we need them?

　　

为什么我们需要它们？


These foods are important sources of protein, iron and zinc. Proteins are the building blocks of our body which maintain healthy tissues and repair any damage.


　



这些食物都富含有蛋白质、铁和锌等成分。蛋白质是身体的主要构成元素之一。它能维持我们的身体健康，并且修复我们身体的受损部分。



Proteins are made up of amino acids, most importantly the essential amino acids which cannot be made inside the body and so have to come from the food you eat.


　

蛋白质能够产生氨基酸，氨基酸对人体非常重要，但是人体并不能够自己产生氨基酸，所以，氨基酸只能从食物中获得。



If you are vegetarian or vegan it is advisable to make sure you eat a variety of different protein sources to ensure that you get a full complement of the essential amino acids.


　

如果你是一个素食者或者是半素食者，请一定要保证摄取大量不同种类的富含蛋白质食物。从而保证你能够补充到足够的氨基酸。



How much should we eat?


　

我们需要吃多少？



Most people only need to eat moderate amounts to get the protein they need - health professionals recommend that 10-15 per cent of energy in our diet should come from proteins.


　

许多人只需要吃上足够满足他们对蛋白质所需的食物的可以了。健康专家则建议：我们日常食物中应该有10-15%的能量是来自蛋白质。



Government recommendations to prevent cancer advise eating less red meat and to eat a mixture of foods from this group.


　

政府部门则建议，为了预防癌症，人们应当少吃肉类，应该吃一些上述食物中的混合品。



Fish is recommended at least twice a week - especially oily fish, such as herring, mackerel or sardines.


　

一个星期最少吃上两次鱼是被推荐的，但这鱼不应该是油性鱼，比如说是青鱼、鲭和沙丁鱼。

以前念书时没有好好的学习英语，成天就知道伙同寝室的男生去约女生逛街。工作一年才发现英语是多么的重要，所以决定改过自新好好学习。对了，这里改过自新可以用片语turn over a new leaf来表示。


When Shaq was a junior high school student, he played pranks to attract attention. But everyone was scornful to it. So he then turned over a new leaf and decided to drop the pranks and tried his best to study.

　　

　　


(当Shaq是一个初中生时，他为引人注意常做恶作剧。但每个人都不屑一顾。所以后来他改过自新，决定停止做恶作剧并努力学习。)


这里turn over a new leaf 意思就是指“痛改前非，改过自新”的意思。Turn over这里是‘翻个’，即整个翻转过来的意思，大家知道，树木每年春天都要翻出新芽，这样整个夏天看起来才生气勃勃呀！这个片语正是从这个意思发展而来，树木翻出(turn over )新的叶片来（a new leaf），又一个崭新的开始!所以turn over a new leaf就是指reform，start　afresh(重新开始，改过自新)。其实很多时候，我们还看到人们用这个片语来表示“开始新的人生，谱写新的篇章”，比如：


Their highly efficient, programmatic and creative work will turn over a new leaf in the course of healthy development of Beijing real estate industry.

　　


（通过高效务实和创造性的工作，为北京房地产事业的健康发展演绎新的传奇，谱写新的篇章。）



正因为自己知道英语的重要性，所以总是教侄儿要认真学习。这小子还真不赖，才上小学一年级就可以进行一些招呼、祝贺之类的英文了，不过当你表扬他时，他总是假装说“一般一般啦！”，我想他肯定是在求取更多的赞赏了(fish for compliments)。


Don’t keep saying your English is poor. Your English is really great! I think you are just fishing for compliments!

　　

　　


(不要一直说你的英文很烂啦！你的英语真的很好，我想你只是在求取赞赏吧！)


fish for compliments 在这里意思是指求取赞赏，故意要别人说赞扬的话。Fish for本来的意思就是指拐弯抹角的打听或谋取某事，加上一个赞美（compliments）意思自然明了。哥哥在书法上很不错的，不过他这个人就有点故意求取赞赏了。你看看他怎么说的：


I hope you don`t think I`m fishing for a compliment, but have you had a chance to appreciate my new handwriting work? The reviews are good, but I`d like to hear what you think about it."

　　

　　


(我希望你不会认为我在求取赞赏，不过你有没有欣赏我的新书法作品呢？反映不错，我倒是想听听你的意见。)



结束语：赞美人也要讲究艺术，接受赞美同样也要讲究艺术，对于西方人来讲，如果你只是简单的说一声“谢谢夸奖”，他们就有可能认为你在求取赞赏（fish for compliments）.看来，要处理好这些事情确实需要费一翻功夫，到时你才可以turn over a new leaf。

What are these fish nibbling at? It's cabbage! Many visitors are surprised that fish could be vegetarians too. Why is there a need to feed fish vegetables?


　　


这些鱼都在吃什么？它们在吃卷心采啊！许多观看的人都感到十分的惊奇，鱼也吃蔬菜！但是，为什么要喂这些鱼蔬菜呢？



Aquarium officials say it is because these fish usually eat too much fish and meat, so they became a bit obese.


　

水族馆的工作人员告诉大家，因为这些鱼平时吃太多鱼类和肉类了，所以身材走了样，太胖了。



They decided to feed them vegetables to help them slim down and simultaneously, help them get more much-needed vitamins.


　

他们决定喂这些鱼些蔬菜，以帮助它们减肥，同时，也补充些维生素。



Because they were worried that vegetables might spoil in the water and make it murky, aquarium officials decided to use harder vegetables such as cabbage and carrots.


　

但是，因为担心蔬菜会把水质破坏，并且遮住水缸的光线。所以他们决定采用硬质蔬菜喂养。例如红萝卜和卷心菜。



These fish attack their feed with gusto. This scene also provides parents with a vivid picture they can use to teach their children, don't be a picky eater.

　　

　　

鱼儿们兴奋的吃着它们的"食物"。这也正好给家长一个教育小朋友的机会，吃饭要和鱼儿一样，不要挑食哦！

英语中其实还有很多表达是在字典里或许多其他的书籍上看不到的，你必须切实的与地道的美国人生活在一起才可以学到。比如今天我听到的一段美国女孩子之间的对话，先让我们来看一看吧！


Wen:It's so fun here! Nobody laughs at my dancing. I really feel welcome! I think I have changed from the shy wallflower!　I like to dance with the black!


（这里真好玩，没有人笑我跳舞，我真的感到很受欢迎！我想我已经不再是一个害羞的无人理睬的女子了。我喜欢和黑人跳舞。）


Nikki:We always say, “Once you go black, you never go back!”


（我们总是说“一旦你了解黑人，你就再也不想过从前的生活”



先来看第一个表达wallflower,从字面组合意义上看我们很容易就知道它的意思是指“墙花，壁花”。这个表达本意是指具有芳香的黄、红或棕色花的桂竹香，之所以被称为 wallflower是因为它以生活于物体表面（如旧墙面、岩石成或矿井面）而闻名。但是在上面这个对话中wallflower是什么意思呢？从译文中我们知道，他就是指那些在舞会上没有人理睬的女子。广泛的讲这个表达是指One who does not participate in the activity at a social event because of shyness or unpopularity.即在社交场合因羞涩或受人冷落而不参加某一活动之人。略有经验的人都知道，舞会上一般那些不受人青睐的女子总是羞涩的坐在墙边，所以现在美国人多用来形容那些在舞会上没有舞伴而受到冷落的女子。比如：


I want to invite that wallflower to dance, she hasn’t have danced with someone till now!


(我想邀请那个受到冷落的女子跳舞，她到现在都还没有和任何人跳过。)


wallflower的这个比喻意义最早发现于埃贝尔·普利德夫人1820年名为郡办舞会的作品中。大家需要注意的是虽然该词起初只用来描绘女子，后来却男女都适用。



第二个表达是Once you go black you never go back! 这是一个黑人俗谚，意思是“一旦你開始了解黑人，你就再也不想過從前的生活”。这个片语主要是为了表明黑人的文化是非常吸引人的――如果你学习黑人的生活方式，或是给黑人交往，做朋友，一体验到黑人的生活，你就回不去原来的生活了。当然这有一点文化的暗示在里面，比如黑人看起来很健康，有运动细胞等。不过有些人会認為黑人的床上功夫了得，性能力很强，所以他們也會用這句話來表示“一旦你和黑人發生過關係，你就不會想再回去過從前的日子”。当然这到底是真是假，我们不知道，不过人各有所好嘛，记住这个意思就行了。再看个例子：


Honey, once you go black, you never go back! So you must think it seriously.


(親愛的，一旦你了解黑人，你就不會想過從前的生活了！所你最好想清楚。)



结束语：wallflower可以直接译为“受到冷落的人”，当然随着经济文化的发展，后来也还演变为另一个意思，指不受投资人青睐的保险机构、公司或企业。Once you go black you never go back这是一个俚语，意思是“一旦你開始了解黑人，你就再也不想過從前的生活”，当然可以直接简洁的译为“一旦了解黑人，你就会爱上他们的）。

2

可不可以告诉俺你从哪找的啊？

考研

美国加拿大大面积停电



NEW YORK (Reuters) - The blackout in North American plunged the streets of New York and other major U.S. and Canadian cities into darkness, forcing millions to spend a night in the sweltering summer heat without air conditioning, lights or television.



　　

　　

【参考译文】纽约（路透社）美国北部的大面积停电使得纽约和其他美国大城市以及加拿大一些城市街道一片黑暗，数百万的市民不得不在没有空调、电灯和电视的情况下度过闷热的夏夜。


　　


【讲解】在这里引用一下中国日报新闻词汇对blackout的解释，这个词的基本的意思是停电a period of darkness caused by a failure of the electric power supply。“blackout”还可以解释为短时的知觉丧失a loss of consciousness for a short time，例如：She had a blackout after the accident and couldn't remember what had happened.事故发生后她一时昏了过去，记不得当时出了什么事。


plunge，To cast suddenly, violently, or deeply into a given state or situation. 使突然陷入，突然地、猛烈地或深深地投进一种特定的状态或情形：the street was plunged in cool shadow.街道突然陷入荫凉之中。



　　

　　

More than 12 hours after the power outage began at about 4 P.M. EDT, most of New York was pitch black and only a few sections of the nation's largest city had electricity. Thousands of commuters, who were unable to make it home, slept in the streets of Manhattan. Authorities were unsure what caused the power outage, except to say it was not the work of saboteurs. Some blamed the outage on North America's aging electricity transmission grid, which saw its greatest expansion in the years following World War II.


　　

　　


【参考译文】美国东部时间14日下午4点大面积停电后12个多小时内，纽约绝大部分地方一片漆黑，只少数地方还有电力照明。成千上万的乘客由于无法回家而露宿曼哈顿街头。美官方还未确定停电原因，但否认停电与恐怖活动有关。一些人指责事故原因是北美老化的电路传输网，这家公司自二战以来一直进行大规模的线路扩充。



　　

　　

【讲解】pitch在本文中的意思是Any of various thick, dark, sticky substances obtained from the distillation residue of coal tar, wood tar, or petroleum and used for waterproofing, roofing, caulking, and paving. 沥青。as black as pitch是习惯用语，意思是漆黑的，所以pitch black的意思也是漆黑。



commuter在美语里指One that travels regularly from one place to another, as from suburb to city and back. 通勤者, 经常（乘火车）往返者；使用月（季）票乘车者。urban commuter，市区定期票旅客；commuter movement，(近郊)经常［长期车票］客流；commuter time，上下班时间。



sabotage，Treacherous action to defeat or hinder a cause or an endeavor; Deliberate subversion. 暗中破坏，故意捣乱。 saboteur，One that commits sabotage.蓄意破坏者。The soldiers shot the three saboteurs. 士兵们击毙了那3名破坏者。


　　

　　

　　

Bush vowed that the government would investigate what caused the outage and promised to prevent a recurrence.


　　

　　


【参考译文】布什表示政府会调查停电原因，防止停电事件再次发生。



【讲解】recurrence，再现；重现。More care in the future will prevent recurrence of the mistake.将来的小心可防止错误的重现。习惯用语have recurrence to是罕见语，用来作求助于..., 求援于..., 依靠...讲。

'Lousy' study shows clothing 70,000 years old


　



A study of body lice suggests that humans started wearing clothes 70,000 years ago, scientists say.


　　

　　

　

科学家称,一项对体虱的研究表明,人类穿衣服的历史有7万年之久.

　　

　　



The genetic study of lice strongly suggests they - and clothing - arose soon after modern homo sapiens began moving out of Africa and into the cooler regions of Europe.

　　

　　


　

对虱子起源的研究,强而有力的说明,随着人类衣服的产生,虱子也就滋生了,并且由非洲进入到气候较冷的欧洲地区.



　　

　　

Lice provide a unique insight into the development of clothing, according to the researchers working in Germany.

　　

　　

　　


　

根据德国的研究人员表示,虱子为衣服的发展史提供了洞察线索.

　　

　　



Only humans carry this particular species of louse, which lays its eggs in clothing.


　　

　　

　　

　

只有人类的衣服可以提供这一特殊的养料给虱子,并且让虱子在里面下蛋繁衍.

　　

　　



"It seems fairly obvious that the body louse arose when humans made frequent use of clothing," molecular anthropologist Mark Stoneking said.


　　

　　

　

生物分子及人类学专家Mark Stoneking说,“很明显的是,体虱是在人类能够制造并且频繁使用衣服的时候才出现的.”



　　

　　

Mr Stoneking and colleagues Ralf Kittler and Manfred Kayser, all of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, report their findings in this week's issue of the journal Current Biology.


　　

　　

　

Stoneking先生和他的同事, Ralf Kittler 和Manfred Kayser,他们都是德国莱比锡马科斯普朗可人类进化研究所的成员.他们在本周<<近代科学>>杂志发表了这一研究结果.

轻松英语

一个人要找个知心的朋友并不容易，所以有句俗话叫“人生得一知己足矣！”，如果你有了一个真心的朋友，你们的交情一定很深厚了。这里“交情深厚的”，可以用一个比较传神的英文表达来表示：be joined at the hip.

　　


The two are joined at the hip.

　　

　　


（这两个交情很深厚）


hip本来的意思是指“臀部”即the two areas at the sides of someone’s body between the tops of their legs and their waists.如果有两个人的hip是连接在一起的(be joined),其密切程度就可见一斑了， 所以用这个片语来表示“交情极厚的”。又如：


John and May are joined at the hip. Whatever difficulties anyone of the two suffered from, they always helped each other.

　　

　　


(John 和 May交情很深。不管他们中的哪一个遇到困难，他们总是相互帮助。)


　　

　　

　　


生活中也有些自称为“交情很深的”人，他们多半都是酒肉朋友，二两白酒下肚就豪言壮语，信口开河起来。对了，这里信口开河可以用英文：shoot from the hip来表示。


Sorry, I said that. I shouldn’t have shot from the hip.

　　

　　


(对不起，我说了那些话，我不该信口开河的。)


shoot from the hip 意思是“信口开河”，即speak without thinking or speak impulsively。如果你说某人是shoot from the hip，那么你的意思就是说这个人对情况的反映或发表自己的看法意见很迅速，根本没有仔细的思考过，即if you say that someone shoot from the hip, you mean that they react to situations or give their opinion very quickly, without stopping to think. For another example:

　　

　　

You don’t have to shoot from the hip, you have the leisure to think, to decide.

　　

　　


(你不必信口开河，你有时间想一想，并决定。)

　　

　　


记得读书时有一次和一个女生讨论一个问题，室友下来就一个劲的说我喜欢上那个女的了，这简直是信口开河，胡说八道。


　　

　　

They thought I had got the hots for Lily? It was shooting from the hip!


(他们说我迷恋上李丽了？这简直是胡说八道！ )

China Promulgates New Marriage Registration Regulations


　



China has issued a new marriage registration regulation signed by Premier Wen Jiabao. The regulation will become effective on October the first this year.

　　

　　


由国家总理温家宝签署,我国颁布了新的婚姻法.该部新婚姻法将于今年十月首次生效.

　　

　　



The new regulation simplified the procedure of marriage registration, stipulating that people who want to get married will no longer need to get the papers of their marital status from their work units and a marital health check from hospital.

　　

　　


　

新的婚姻法简化了许多结婚登记手续环节.新婚姻法规定,要结婚的男女不再需要从工作单位获得结婚证明,也不需要到医院进行健康检查.

　　

　　



It also stipulates that a resident in the mainland wanting to marry a foreigner or a mainlander wanting to marry a resident in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan or an overseas Chinese, he or she should get relevant papers from the marital registration department to prove they are single and healthy.


　　

　　

　

新婚姻法还规定,如果大陆人士想要和外国人结婚,或者是大陆人士要和香港,澳门,台湾或者是海外华侨结婚,他或她应该到婚姻注册部门获取相关的证明,证明他(她)们是否都是单身或健康.



　　

　　

The regulation says any ones who lives together without the registration will not be protected by law.

　　

　　

婚姻法规定,未进行结婚登记,就以夫妻身份同居者将不在法律保护之列.

Golden anniversary


An aged farmer and his wife were leaning against the edge of their pig-penwhen the old woman wistfully recalled that the next week would mark their golden wedding anniversary.




　

一位上了年纪的农民和他的妻子面对面斜考在猪圈的边上。这位老妇女希望能在下个星期为他们的金婚纪念日做些什么。





"Let's have a party, Jack," she suggested. "Let's kill a pig."




　

“我们举办个晚会吧，”她建议说，“我们应该杀条猪。”





The farmer scratched his grizzled head. "Rose" he finally answered,"I don't see why the pig should take the blame for something that happened fifty years ago."




　

这位农民伯伯扫了扫他头上花白的头发，“路丝，”他回答到，“我不明白，为什么偏要这头猪为已经发生了50年的错误负责。”

Researchers link gene to dyslexia



Finnish researchers say they have found a gene they believe could be important in causing dyslexia, the most common learning disorder among children.




　

芬兰研究人员称，他们已经发现了一种基因。他们认为这种基因是引起诵读困难重要原因。诵读困难是孩童中普遍出现的学习杂乱现象。





Pinpointing the genetic changes that underlie dyslexia could help scientists understand what causes it and perhaps find better ways to help people with dyslexia overcome the disorder.




　

通过研究有诵读困难者的基因，科学家发现了是什么引起诵读苦难的原因，并且为找到找到一个好的方法克服诵读困难和学习杂乱提供了可能。





Dyslexia affects anywhere between 3 per cent and 10 per cent of the population and is characterised by difficulties recognising and reading words.




　

诵读困难影响了全球3%-10%人口，它的症状表现在患者在辨认和阅读文字方面感到困难。





Studies suggest people with dyslexia process information in a different area of the brain from the average person, even though they are often of average, or above-average, intelligence.



　

研究发现,一般人的大脑都会不同程度存在有影响诵读困难的基因信息，不管他是平均年龄下的人,还是不在平均年龄范围的人.甚至聪明人也不例外!





Some evidence shows they use the right side of the brain for reading instead of the left side, which is better set up for processing words.



　

一些现象显示,诵读困难者使用右脑进行阅读,而不是用左脑.但是,科学证明,左脑在处理文字方面要比右脑的效率要高.





The resulting problems can hold children back in school if they do not get special attention.



这样得到的问题就是,如果孩童不能在课堂上集中注意力的话,他们就很容易遇到学习障碍.

考研英语对策分析


　● 试卷考什么?


　　抽象概括地讲，英语试卷重点考查考生英语的语言运用能力；具体则主要表现在三个方面：


（1）考查考生对基本语法知识和特殊语法现象的掌握程度。常见的是一个复杂的题干中考查一个基本的语法，或是在一个简单的题干中考查一个特殊的语法现象。


（2）考查考生对基本词法的掌握和词汇的特殊搭配。常见的是在一个语法结构复杂的题干中考查某个词汇的基本用法，或是在某个比较简单的题干中考查某些词汇的特定搭配。


（3）考查学生对复杂句子的理解和表达。这尤其体现在阅读理解和英译汉之中。

　

● 考生存在的最大问题是什么?


阅卷发现，考生在考研英语的复习中主要存在以下三方面问题。


（1）基本语法知识掌握不牢。比如说搞不清不同时态的根本区别，不清楚非限定动词的正确运用，更谈不上对特殊语法现象的熟练掌握，因此面对语法知识的的考查题不知道如何分析从而得出正确答案，只能是连蒙带猜，对了不知道为什么对，错了也不知道为什么错，甚至看了题解也还是不明所以。


（2）词法知识薄弱。只是简单地记住了《考试大纲》规定的词汇的基本词义(有的考生甚至连这一点都不能做到)，把几个形异义近的词放在一起就无从选择了，更不要说试题还常常将形近义近的词放在一起考，有时还掺进一些语法知识方面的要求。这种薄弱性在词汇考题和完形填空中表现得最为突出。


（3）对复杂句、长难句的理解能力普遍较差。一看到长一些、结构复杂一些的句子就把握不住句子的句干结构，搞不清句子的含义，见到这样的句子就犯愁，看到篇章中多几个这样的句子就发触，一点自信心都没有了。


　● 怎么办?

考研英语复习必须完成三个基本任务。


（1）较为扎实地掌握基本语法知识并熟悉一些常考的特殊语法现象。这种掌握不能只停留在背一些语法的条条框框，而必须是能在具体的语境中把握其语法的运用，能熟练地分析其语法结构，只有这样才能在试题涉及到语法考查时胸有成竹。


（2）必须全面地掌握大纲词汇，包括词根、词缀、近义辨析、同义比较、固定搭配等，因为根本就没有简单明了地考查某个词的基本意义的试题，而最常见的是考词义辨析与搭配。


（3）必须越过复杂长难句这一难关。因为对句子的理解能力，关系到所有的考试题型。语法与词汇题的正确解答必须建立在对题句的正确理解之上，目前几乎所有这些题句经过命题人员的研磨，其含义都不是一目了然的，而题句读不懂，正确解题就失去了基础；完形填空和阅读理解则直接地建立在对句子的理解之上，因为任何篇章都是由段构成的，而段落又是由句子构成的，最终的基本的单位是句子。考生常常觉得难读懂，关键的环节是篇章中有某些句子读不懂，从而抓不住整个篇章的含义。完形填空题只要能读懂，其题目一般来说并不难，不外乎考查一些词的用法(几乎占50%)或基本的语法知识，只要语法与词汇能有一定的掌握，是应该能拿到较高的分数的。阅读理解题型中，大纲考查的要求并不高，如果换成是阅读一个中文篇章，任何一个正常智力的人都能达到这些考查要求，也就说回答大纲要求的这几类问题并不需要太高的智力水平。比如说第一种类型"掌握所读材料的主旨和大意"，在让你读懂一个中文的篇章然后问你"这篇文字说了些什么"，你难道还会回答不出吗?!回答如此简单的问题你还用得着要什么"技巧"和"密诀"吗?!这里的前提是阅读一个中文篇章，那么考生为什么在阅读理解题型中回答如此不费智力的问题也感到困难呢?根本的、唯一的原因就在于他篇章读不懂，因为它是英文的，其中首要的因素又在于篇章中有一些句子他把握不了其含义。英译汉题型就更不待言了，要能准确地翻译，一是要读懂整个篇章，因为选择出来要翻译的句子的准确含义一定是与整个篇章的正确理解相关的；二是要能准确地把握要翻译的句子的结构，否则根本不可能翻出来，而这些句子通常就是复杂长难句。写作看似与句子无关，实际上关系非常密切。所有考生都有一个感受，就是写作时难以下笔成文。原因何在呢?这里固然有词汇量不够的原因，但根本的决定性的原因还是句子关没有过，试想想所谓写作是写什么，不就是写一个一个的句子吗?!只不过这些句子应该有机地组成一个篇章，但要这些句子组成一个篇章还不容易吗，你中文水平再不好，将十多句话组成一个短文还是绰绰有余吧。因此，对英文句子的理解与把握是统领性的，对任何一类题的正面解答都有非常重要的意义，尤其是对完形填空、阅读理解、英译汉、写作四种题型几乎就是充分必要的条件，而这四种题型的分值是80分。

桑普拉斯永别江湖



本栏目是由世博英语（360abc.com）cissy原创编写！带领您体验英语新闻的精髓！世博英语版权所有！未经书面授权，请勿转载！



桑普拉斯永别江湖


Sampras says goodbye


Mon Aug 25, 6:43 PM ET Add U.S. National - AFP to My Yahoo!



【参考译文】桑普拉斯告别网坛



NEW YORK (AFP) - Pete Sampras formally confirmed his retirement from competitive tennis here, saying after an unprecedented 14 Grand Slam singles titles that "I know in my heart it's time".



【参考译文】曾经14次夺得大满贯赛单打冠军的皮特-桑普拉斯正式确认退出网坛，他表示：“我心里清楚，确实是放弃网球的时候了。”



【讲解】retirement,Withdrawal from one's occupation, business, or office. 退休，退职。从某人的职业、事业或公职中的退出。



grand slam，The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. 大满贯，全胜，在所有重大的或特定的赛事中获胜，尤指在职业巡回赛上。



Two weeks past his 32nd birthday, Sampras spoke before a US Open farewell ceremony saying he has no desire to make a comeback.



【参考译文】桑普拉斯今年32岁，他的生日刚刚过去两周。桑普拉斯在公开告别仪式上表示，自己没有打算再回来。



【讲解】farewell的意思是离别，通常用于修饰另一个名词，如a farewell party; a farewell glance.告别晚会；离别时的一瞥。常见的习惯用语有bid farewell/ take farewell,告别, 辞行。



comeback，A return to formerly enjoyed status or prosperity. 恢复有利的地位或成功的恢复。在这里指的是复出的意思。例如：The film star made an unexpected comeback.明星出乎预料的复出了。



Sampras win Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in last year's US Open final. It turned out to be the last match he would ever play, although he had not announced such plans until last week.



【参考译文】在去年美国公开网球赛上，桑普拉斯以四局6-3/6-4/5-7/6-4的比分战胜美国网坛高手安德烈阿加西。虽然桑普拉斯直到上周才决定退役，但美网赛将成为他的最后一次比赛。



Sampras finished atop the rankings for an unprecedented six consecutive years from 1993 through 1998 and won seven titles in eight years at Wimbledon from 1993 to 2000. But he was never able to complete a career Slam by winning the French Open



【参考译文】桑普拉斯曾在1993至1998期间连续6次获得冠军，在1993至98年8年期间获得七次温网冠军。但可惜的是他一直未能在法国公开赛上称雄。



consecutive，Following one after another without interruption, successive. 连续的,一个跟一个不中断的；连续的： absent on three consecutive days; won five consecutive games on the road.接连三天都缺席；一路上连续赢了五场比赛。 虽然这个词很常用，但是它指在两个顺序事件之间没有插入任何其它事件，可以对照sequential、参阅concurrent、simultaneous加以比较。



title在本文中指的是A championship.冠军。title match，锦标赛。



slam在本文中首字母大写，它的意思是The winning of all the tricks or all but one during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 满贯，全盛。

French Star Zidane Sticking by Plans to Quit in 2005



　　

　　Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane has reiterated his plans to retire in two years when his contract with the Spanish club expires.


　



　


皇家马德里球员，齐内丁.齐达内多次宣布，两年后，他将正式退役。也就是他和皇家马德里俱乐部合同期满后。



The 31-year-old French star hinted that retirement was on his mind last year, suggesting that the Euro 2004 championship could be his last as an international player.


　

现年31岁的法国巨星称，他在去年的时候，就有退役的念头拉。而作为一名职业球员，2004年的欧洲杯将会是他职业生涯的最后一次国际性比赛。



Zidane and the rest of his superstar team-mates including David Beckham, Ronaldo and Luis Figo are in south-western China for a week-long training session as part of an Asian promotional tour.

　　

　　

齐达内和他的其他队友，包括，大卫－贝克汉姆，罗纳尔多，以及菲哥。以及在中国西南的昆明待了训练了一个星期。这也是皇马亚洲之旅的一部分。

Hemingway look-alike crowned 最像海明威的人



　　A silver-bearded electrical contractor with a love for fishing has won Key West's Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest.


　



　


一位长有花白胡子的电力工程师，赢得了在美国东彻斯特举行的最像海明威竞赛的第一名。有趣的是，这位“海明威”的业余爱好也是钓鱼。



The competition is held as part of an annual celebration of the author's work and out-sized persona.


　

这种竞赛是（该地区）每年一度举行的庆典里的一部分，主要是找出谁最像某个作家或是名人。



Brown-eyed and soft spoken Mike Stack, 62, of Eastchester, New York, stood out among 24 mostly bawdy finalists and took top honours at a Key West bar.


　

褐色的眼睛，语气温和的Mike Stack，今年62岁，来自美国纽约州东南部的东彻斯特，在24名长着“名人脸”的参赛选手中，以高分获得了第一名。



Stack wore a beige sports vest, khaki pants and white shirt.


　

Stack当时穿着米色的运动内衣和一条黄褐色的短裤，另外，还穿了件白色t－恤。



"I'm shaking like heck. It's a great honour," Stack said, before fellow past winners sprayed him with champagne, prompting him to say: "I hate champagne."


　

在过后喝香槟酒庆贺获胜时，Stack 说，“这（获奖）对我来说是很大的荣幸，我要像摇饲草架那样（摇香槟）。但是，我讨厌香槟。”



The Nobel prize-winning Hemingway wrote To Have and To Have Not while living in Key West at the southern tip of Florida during the 1930s.


　

20世纪30年代，诺贝尔文学奖获得者，海明威居住在佛罗里达南部的Key West时，写下了《To Have and To Have Not》。



Stack said his main similarity to Hemingway was a shared love of fishing.


　

而Stack则说，他和海明威最相似的地方，应该时他们都喜欢钓鱼。



He said he once harpooned a 2,000-pound shark off the coast of New York.

　　

他称，他曾经在纽约海面上，用鱼叉捕获过一条重达2.000磅的鲨鱼。

Adultery, a tricky word to define



WASHINGTON-Every scandal has its own language. There stood Kelly Flinn, Air Force first lieutenant, pioneer female B-52 pilot, accused of "adultery" and its cover-up. "How can they accuse her of 'adultery?'" asked a colleague. "She's single. The married guy was the ' adulterer.'"



Yes and no. The noun "adultery," which appeared in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," comes from the Latin verb "adulterare," "to corrupt," from which we also get "adulterate." (It's not the root of "adult;" that's from "adultus," past participle of "adolescere," "to grow up ")



The word is poetically defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "violation of the marriage bed." Other dictionaries use variations of "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone not his or her spouse." In general speech, "adultery" is "an extramarital affair" or, more informally, "playin' around."



Originally only males could be accused of adultery, while women were seen as victims. It was dramatized by Nathaniel Hawthorne in his 1850 novel, "The Scarlet Letter'' the "A" for " adultery" was "embroidered and illuminated'' on Hester Prynne's breast as a punishment.



Under most religious law, the married participant is an "adulterer" and the single one merely a "fornicator." Under the common-law rule, however, "both participants commit 'adultery' if the married participant is a woman," Bryan Garner, editor of Black's Law Dictionary says.



"But if the woman is the unmarried one, both participants are fornicators, not 'adulterers."



What do courts say today? "Under modern statutory law," Garner says, "some courts hold that the unmarried participant is not guilty of 'adultery' (that only the married participant is), but others hold that both participants are 'adulterers. '"



The Armed Services Manual for Courts Martial, Article 134, "Adultery," says that the act has occurred when sexual intercourse has taken place and "the accused person or the other person was married to someone else."



Both participants in an "adulterous" relationship are therefore engaging in "adultery," no matter which one is married.



To move on: Lieutenant Flinn was also charged with "fraternization". Coined in 1611, the verb "fraternize" meant "to agree "as brothers" "from the Latin "frater", "brother".



In today's sexually integrated armed forces, "fraternize'' has developed a new sense. Here's the Air Force regulation: "Unprofessional relationships, especially 'fraternization', erode good discipline, respect for authority," etc.








New Words and Expressions





1. adultery: 通奸

2. cover-up: 掩盖手段，掩盖办法

3. an extramarital affair 婚外恋

4. It was dramatized by Nathaniel Hawthorne in his 1850 novel, "the Scarlet Letter" 纳撒尼尔·霍桑在其1850年的小说《红字》中曾对通奸有过生动的描写

5. was embroidered and illuminated on 被绣饰在……上

6. fornicator: 通奸者（未婚或无夫妻关系的男女，或已婚者与未婚异性的通奸者）

7. statutory law: 制定法，成文法（指国家机关按法定职权范围和程序制定的法律）

8. fraternization: （尤指第二次世界大战在西德占领区)英美士兵与德国妇女的亲密关系(尤指发生性关系)

New senior officials appointed in HK



　　

　　

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa announced yesterday the appointments of Henry Tang Ying-yen as new financial secretary and Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong as secretary for security. He praised both for their leadership skills and rich experience.


　　


【参考译文】香港行政长官董建华8月4日宣布，任命唐英年为财政司长，李少光为保安局长。董建华对二人的领导能力和丰富阅历给予了赞赏。

　　



【讲解】appointment，The act of appointing or designating for an office or position.任命。the appointment of a chairman ，主席职位；fill a vacancy by appointment，任命人员填补空缺。

　　

　　



As Lee assumes his new post, he relinquishes his position as commissioner of the Independent Commission against Corruption -- a job he took on a little more than a year ago. Only tipped as a favorite candidate last week, Tang said Hong Kong is facing unprecedented challenges of economic transition, unemployment, budget deficit and deflation. "Although we are facing stern economic hardships, we should not forget our unique strengths and good economic fundamentals,'' he said, adding that the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Hong Kong and the mainland is one of the territory's major strengths.

　　



【参考译文】李少光上任后，卸去刚刚从事一年多的廉政专员职务。唐英年上周起成为热门入选人员，他表示香港现在面临史无前例的挑战，这包括经济过渡、失业、财政赤字以及通货紧缩。唐英年还说不应忽视香港独特的优势和经济基础，并补充说香港与内地更紧密经贸关系安排（简称CEPA）是另一主要优势。



　　

【讲解】relinquish，To retire from; give up or abandon.离开；放弃或抛弃。relinquish a claim，放弃要求；relinquish bad habits，戒除不良习惯。与relinquish有几个近义词，they have in common the sense of letting something go or giving something up.他们都包含有放弃的意思。现在简单介绍一下这几个词。

　　

　　


＃Relinquish, 不能忍受放弃这个主意。意味着让步，如向压力或上级权威，经常是希望这样的行动将是暂时性的：


＃Resign：暗示着不抵抗的屈服或默认，如因为毫无希望而产生的。


＃Abandon和 surrender在意味不存在已失去的东西的回归或恢复的希望是一致的，但是这两个词的区别是 surrender意味着强迫、命令或力量之下的行动：


＃Cede暗示着正式的转让，如权力或领地的让渡。


＃Waive意味着自愿地放弃某事物的决定，如权力或要求。


＃Renounce是正式地放弃某事物，通常是原则性的事物。

　　

unprecedented，Having no previous example:没有前例的。unprecedented economic rowth.史无前例的经济增长。


　　

　　


deflation，A persistent decrease in the level of consumer prices or a persistent increase in the purchasing power of money because of a reduction in available currency and credit.通货紧缩。

　　

　　



stern，Hard, harsh, or severe in manner or character，在方式或性格上严峻的：a stern disciplinarian.一个严格的实施纪律者。



Wong would not comment openly on the case when asked how he would deal with the incident relating to ex-financial secretary Antony Leung's car purchase. "We will deal with the matter fairly, impartially and in compliance with the law,” he said. "But whether there will be a prosecution is for the secretary for justice to decide."


　　

　　


【参考译文】李没有公开评论有关前财政司长梁锦松的汽车购买事件，他说：“我们将按照法律对事件进行公正无私的处理。但将由司法部长决定是否要对梁锦松事件进行起诉。


　　

【讲解】impartial,Not partial or biased; unprejudiced.不偏不倚的；没有偏见的。



in compliance with，遵照， 依从， 屈从。



prosecute，To initiate civil or criminal court action against. 对…提起公诉，对…提起民法或刑法诉讼行为。He was prosecuted for robbery.他因抢劫而被起诉。



Henry Tang vowed to make use of the market force of the Pearl River Delta area to develop high value-added, innovative and high-tech industries and to enhance Hong Kong's role in the delta.


　　

　　


【参考译文】唐英年决心利用珠江三角洲地区的市场力量，发展高附加值、高科技创新产业，提高香港在三角洲的地位。

'American Wedding' tops the US box office
Movie American Wedding, the third film in the romantic comedy American Pie series, took the biggest slice of the US box office action over the weekend, preliminary figures report.


　



　


据报道，美国喜剧系列电影，《美国派3：美国婚礼》，在周末首映中，一举夺得美国票房的第一名。



The movie, which sees teenage Sweethearts head to the altar, grossed an estimated $US34.2 million in its debut weekend, box office-trackers Exhibitor Relations said.


　

电影首映举办方称，电影剧情描述（男主角）历经校园生涯后终于要踏上红毯，（迎接另一个人生阶段。）周末首映的收入为3430万美元。



Last week's leader, Spy Kids 3D: Game Over, dropped to second place with an expected take of $US20.1 million.


　

而上周的冠军，《特工小子3》本周将到了第二名的位置。其票房收入为2010万美元。



Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl sailed into third place with $US19.1 million.


　

由约翰尼·德普主演的《加勒比海的海盗》，这部海洋冒险片本周以1910万美元的收入名列票房收入第三名。



回到目录

Computer System for the Blind Makes Debut in China

Developed by departments under the Chinese Academy of Science, a Chinese Braille Computer System has successfully gone through the verification, by which the blind can fully enjoy the convenience of computer.


　

由中科院下属部门研制开发，一套汉语盲人用点字法计算机系统，已经成功的通过了核查。相信通过这一系统，盲人也能享受到由计算机带来的乐趣了。



The system uses a special kind of keyboard technology, with which the blind can get audio explanations and relating words while reading Braille publications, Chinese or ASCII.


　

该套系统采用了一种特殊的键盘技术，使盲人能够通过语音解说和（用手）“阅读”相关汉语和ASCII等代码，（从而达到上网或使用计算机的目的。）



This system provides several automatic transforms translating Chinese to Braille code and allows the blind to "read" Chinese articles directly.


　

该系统配备了几套自动转换装置，可以自动的把汉语翻译称盲人用点字代码，那样，盲人就可以直接“阅读”（计算机上）的文章了。



The system can also automatically distinguish simplified Chinese characters from the traditional Chinese characters, and Chinese from English, making the user able to "read" all kinds of information on the screen.

　　

　　

　　 这套系统还能自动的把繁体汉字转化为简体汉字，并且能将英语翻译称汉语。这样就能确保使用者能够“阅读”所有显示器上出现的不同种类的信息

Computer Help


Last week my wife and I purchased a new computer. We ran into some difficulties while setting it up so we called the customer support phone number we found in the manual.


　

上周，我和太太去买了一台新电脑。在装机的时候，我们遇到了些困难。于是，我们找到用户手册上写的客户服务电话号码。



I picked up the phone and called the number. A man answered the phone and I explained the problem to him.


　

我拿起电话并拨通了这个号码。一个男人接通了电话，于是我把疑问告诉了他。



He began rattling off computer jargon. This confused us even more.


　

他很友好的告诉了我一大串计算机行话。这令我们更加的迷惑了。



"Sir," I said politely, "Can you explain what I should do as if I were a small child?"


　

“先生，”我客气的对他说，“你能解释一下我该怎样做吗？你就当我是一个小孩子来教，好不好？”



"Okay," the computer support guy said, "Son, could you please put your mommy on the phone?"

　　

“好吧，”这位接待客户的家伙说，“儿子，快叫你妈妈来听电话。”

Italian scientists unveil first cloned horse




Italian scientists have succeeded in creating the world's first cloned horse.

　


意大利科学家成功的培育了第一匹克隆马。



　　

Prometea, a healthy female, was born during an natural delivery on May 28, 2003 in Italy after a normal, full-term pregnancy.


　

这匹克隆马叫Prometea，是一匹雌性马。她由一匹正常母马孕育，经过正常胚胎期后。Prometea在意大利2003年5月28日这天降临这个世界。

　　

　　

The foal weighed in at 36 kilograms and is the first animal known to be carried and born by the mother from which she was cloned.


　

这匹克隆的小马驹的体重是36公斤。是目前所知的第一匹由母体提供细胞，并由母体孕育的克隆马。



Prometea's birth adds to a list of animals that have been successfully cloned including mice, cattle, goats, rabbits, cats and pigs.


　　

　　　

Prometea的出生，让那张已经写有成功克隆老鼠，山羊，牛兔子，猫和猪的清单上添加了马这一种族。



　　

"This is the first horse that has been cloned from an adult cell, Dr Cesare Galli, of the Laboratory of Reproductive Technology, said.


　

意大利生殖技术实验室的Cesare Galli教授说，这是世界上第一匹从成年体细胞中克隆出来的马。



　　

　　

"People would not have expected it to be possible," Dr Galli said.


　

Cesare 教授说，“人们从来都没有想过，她会被成功克隆出来。”

　　

　　



Dr Galli and his team reported their success in the science journal Nature.

　　

　　

Cesare教授和他的伙伴们，把这一成功消息发布在了自然科技刊物上。

Getting help from the Internet
It's only natural to feel anxious when you or a loved one is diagnosed with a serious or rare medical condition. Whether or not it involves a spell in hospital, medical worries can be distressing not just for the person concerned, but for their family and friends as well.


　　


当你或者是你深爱着的人被确诊患上了严重的，或者是罕见的病时。你很自然会感到担心。无论是否有住院治疗，自然的担忧都会不仅给患者，还给患者家庭以及亲朋好友带来痛苦。


　



In these circumstances, it's quite normal to need support. It might simply be a cuddle from a loved one, or a shoulder to cry on - but maybe you want to know more about the condition and how it might change your life。

　　


　

在这种情况下，你就需要外界的帮助。简单的帮助，是深爱着的人给你一个拥抱，或者是有个肩膀分担你的压力。但是，也许你会更需要的是，希望了解更多有关病情的知识，并且了解疾病会怎么影响，改变你的生活。



In the past, the main way to find out more about your condition, other than by asking a doctor, has been to look in a medical dictionary - or perhaps to write a letter to an official support group.


　　

　

在过去，了解病况的主要方法，除了询问医生，就是去查询一些医疗书籍，或者是写信到一些官方的协助组织寻求帮助。（例如，红十字会）


　



Support groups can be wonderful sources of help - and these days, thanks to the Internet, they are much easier to find.

　　

　　

这些协助组织，能够给你提供源源不绝的帮助。而在今天，由于互联网的出现，你将很容易获得这些帮助。

英语阅读的技巧
首先说明本文不鼓吹技巧，技巧是建立在一定实力基础上的。技巧的作用是锦上添花，而不是用来建立空中楼阁。本文只针对那些有一定基础的同学。不知道各位研友是否有这样的感觉，即复习到一定阶段后，单词背完了，也能在规定时间内把阅读做完，但总感觉自己的判断和标准答案隔一层纸，拿捏不准，有种雾里看花的感觉，4个里总错那么一两个。这个时候就该考虑提高一下做题的技巧了。

关于技巧我谈两点。一是技巧从何而来。其实做题的技巧归根到底来自对考试本身的研究，不同的考试有不同的技巧。为了说明这个问题，我以四六级和考研的阅读为例谈一下自己的切身体会。四六级属于过关性考试，它的阅读以细节为主，5个小题，估计有3到4个是细节题，剩下一两个是主旨题，因此相应的技巧就是先看看选项，然后到文章中search一下就ok,只要你够仔细，一般不会失手。而考研属于选拔性考试，它的阅读相应以对文章把握为主，4个小题里估计只有1-2个细节题，如果还按照上面的方法，那肯定死菜了。此时应当是先看文章，力图把握文章主旨，从高处着眼，先理出个头绪再看题，这样才不会被选项所迷惑。二是如何找出适合自己的技巧。上面说的是技巧因考试而异，下面说的是技巧因人而异。每个人都有自己的倾向性，因此做题时难免会被自己已有的习惯所误导。因此你会发现老错一类题，甚至是一错再错，比如两个选项，一个从大处着眼，一个从小处着眼，它们都没什么硬错，但困扰你的是如何选。有时你从大处着眼，但答案偏偏告诉你“选项X更贴近原文”，有时你从小处着眼，但答案偏偏告诉你“选项X更能概括原文的主旨”，你因此而郁闷不已，但我要说这是正常的。考试总有一个标准答案，命题人也是人，他也总有一个倾向，你的任务就是尽量使自己的尺度、习惯接近命题人的标准，这才是一切技巧的根本。因此建议大家好好看看历年的真题，尤其是模棱两可的时候，更要认真揣摩，使自己的思路尽量往命题人的标准上靠。因此对真题的研究是一切技巧的根本。切不可迷信一些参考书，生搬硬套，要相信自己。

最后提出一个公式，即 阅读高分 = 扎实的单词基础 + 大量的阅读 + 对真题的研究。扎实的单词基础就不用说了，单词不会绝对不行。谈到大量的阅读我要多说一句，就是如何对待诸如《XXX考研阅读XX篇》一类书。对这些书的定位要明确，即它只能用来扩大阅读量，多读没害处，但切忌过分在意做题的对错。每篇都要认真地读一读，力求读懂，但如果遇到自己的选项和答案不一致，最好一笑而过，千万不要去钻牛角尖，这毕竟不是真题，没必要较真儿，如果因此把思路都带歪了，那就得不偿失。

最后祝大家好运，good luck!

English humour:Friendly Pig

A man was on a walking holiday in a foreign country. He became thirsty so decided to ask at a stranger's home for something to drink.


　

一个男子在乡间徒步旅行。当他感到口渴的时候，他向一间陌生的房子走去，决定向主人讨点水喝。



The lady of the house invited him in and served him a bowl of soup by the fire.


　

女主人招待他进屋，并且给了他一碗冒着热气的汤。



There was a wee pig running around the kitchen - running up to the visitor and giving him a great deal of attention.


　

这时，一只小猪正围着厨房在转，然后，它跑到男子的身边，死死地盯着他。



The visitor commented that he had never seen a pig this friendly.


　

男子很感慨，他可从来都没有见过这么好客的猪。



The housewife replied: "Ummm, he's not that friendly. That's his bowl you're using"

　　

　　

女主人则回答说，“不是的，它可没有那么好客。只是因为你用了它的碗而已！”

“终结者”要竞选加州州长
　　

　　The “Terminator” actor and a moderate 56-year-old Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger ended weeks of speculation, and made the announcement while being taped for an episode of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”.


　

　

　


外表温和、稳健的共和党人，“终结者”表演者，阿诺-施瓦辛格，经过长达一周的考虑，终于在接受“今晚与杰-雷诺谈谈”电台节目采访时，公布了他要参加加州州长竞选的决定。



He instantly became the best known of the declared candidates seeking to replace the recalled Democrat Gray Davis.


　

消息一传出，阿诺-施瓦辛格立即成为了众多已然公布要参加州长竞选的候选人中的焦点。



But Arnold wasn't the only Californian announcing his candidacy on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, talk radio host Arianna Huffington announced her candidacy as an independent.


　

但是，阿诺并不是唯一一个，在周三宣布要竞选加州州长的人。早些时候，亚利安娜.贺芬顿在电台宣布，她将以无党派人士的身份参加州长竞选。



Magazine publisher Larry Flynt also let it be known this week that he too would try to unseat Governor Davis.


　

而杂志期刊发行人赖瑞佛林特也在本周宣布，他将会竞选已经落马的前州长戴維斯的职位。



A spokeswoman says overall around 550 people have indicated to state officials they wish to be candidates. But, a much smaller number have actually paid the necessary fees to become official candidates.

　　

　　

一位发言人称，已经有超过550人向政府报名，要参加竞选加州州长。但是，真正已经向政府交纳竞选必须费用的人却相当的少！

地道英语

生活中总有一些人不愿意发表自己的看法，尤其是当别人争论得不可开交时，他们更是保持沉默，不轻易的表示自己到底支持哪一方，这样的人英语中有一个很形象的片语可以用来形容――sit/be on the fence， 先看一个例子：


He likes sitting on the fence on important issues。


他喜欢在一些重要问题上保持中立。

　　


这里片语sit on the fence 意思就是保持中立，不偏向哪一方，但又可以随时偏向某一方。用英语解释就是to avoid saying which side of an argument you support. If you sit on the fence, you avoid supporting a particular side in a discussion or argument. 如：


He is a man who never sits on the fence. So he is not afraid of making decisions on some issues.

　　


(他不是一个属于骑墙派的人，所以在一些问题上他不怕作决定。)

　　

　　


片语sit on the fence在上面的例句中被译为骑墙派，从字面上看，一个人如果处在即将越过的栅栏上(fence),当然既可以越过去，又可以折返回来，所以说他们是保持中立的。但这个片语原指处于墙上的植物，两边都可以倒，所以用来形容意志不坚定，有时形容人时带有“懦弱，圆滑”之意。



　　

　　

生活中那些经验老成，阅历丰富的人在处理许多问题时总给人骑墙派的感觉，也许我们真的不能说人家是“圆滑”的，但于我也许是不成熟的表现，每当别人在争论某一问题时，我总是急切的希望立刻表现出自己的意见。

　　


I always keen to express my opinion when falling to an argument with others.

　　

　　


(当与别人发生争论时，我总是急于表达自己的观点。)

　　

　　


让我们看看在这个句子中的另一个片语：keen to do something. 它的意思是指“热切的希望做某事”, if you keen to do something, you want strongly to do something or want something to happen very much. Keen本来的意思就是指“热心的，渴望的”，所以这个片语的意思很好理解的。自从十六提出全面建设小康社会的宏伟目标后，人民的生活水平正快速提高，房子，票子和车子，一个都不能少，所以厂里的许多同事准备学驾驶，而那些有经济头脑的人就事先买了辆私家车，准备出租。


Many people who bought a private car keen to lend their cars to other people for earning more money.

　　

　　


(许多买了私家车的人热切的希望把车子租了去，从而争更多的钱。)

　　



结束语：记得上政治课时，老师总是告诉我们：冷战时期，其他国家面对苏美两个超级大国的殊死较量，总是保持中立(sit on the fence)。也许是性格使然，我从来对政治都不感兴趣，反而热衷于英语学习(keen to study English)。

施瓦辛格要竞选加州州长

Schwarzenegger to run for California governor




【参考译文】施瓦辛格将竞选加州州长



【讲解】run for，竞选, 赶快去请。



LOS ANGELES (AP) —Famous Hollywood movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger ended the suspense Wednesday and jumped into the race for California governor, instantly becoming the best-known of the declared candidates. Schwarzenegger, 56, announced his decision during a taping of the television talk show with Jay Leno, calling it one of the toughest decisions he's made.


　　

　　


【参考译文】洛杉矶（美联社）－好莱坞著名影星阿诺德.施瓦辛格周三宣布将参加利福尼亚州州长罢免选举，从而打消了几个星期以来关于他是否参选的悬疑，也使他成为州长候选人名单中最耀眼的人物。现年56岁的施瓦辛格是在著名谈话节目主持人杰伊.莱诺的节目中宣布上述消息的，并表示这个决定是他一生中所作的最为艰难的决定之一。



【讲解】suspense，The state or quality of being undecided, uncertain, or doubtful. 悬而未决未决的、不确定的或怀疑的状态或性质。Please tell us what happened, we are all waiting in suspense. 请告诉我们发生了什么事，我们都在着急地等着。习惯用语keep (sb.) in suspense，让(人)担心[挂念], 使处于紧张等待状态；in suspense，悬而未决; 处于焦灼等待状态, 心神不宁。



tough，Demanding or troubling; difficult. 困难的费力的或麻烦的，困难的：skipping the toughest questions.跳过最困难的问题。a tough job，棘手的工作；a tough customer，难伺候的客人。



"The politicians are fiddling, fumbling and failing," he said. "The man that is failing the people more than anyone is Gray Davis. He is failing them terribly, and this is why he needs to be recalled and this is why I am going to run for governor."


　　

　　


【参考译文】施瓦辛格说，“（加州的）政客们在胡弄，在瞎搞，太让人失望了。而最让人失望的就是格雷.戴维斯（现任加州州长），他让人民极度失望，这就是为什么他需要被罢免的原因，也是我为什么要竞选州长的原因。”



【讲解】fiddle，To occupy oneself in an aimless or desultory way: 瞎搞; 胡混。使自己处于一种无目的或无条理的状态。 liked to fiddle with all the knobs and dials.喜欢瞎搞所有的旋钮和转盘。常用词组fiddle away，To waste or squander,浪费。fiddled away the morning with unnecessary tasks.一早上的时间都浪费在不必要的工作上了。



fumble，To make a mess of; bungle.弄乱；搞糟。He fumbled about in his pockets for the ticket.他(瞎)摸着衣兜找票。另外还有笨手笨脚地做事情的意思，He fumbled the door open.他笨拙地把门打开。


recall，在美语有取消罢免的意思。



　　

　　

It also is the latest force to bedevil Californians, who in recent years have endured an energy crisis, the collapse of the dot-com economy and budget deficits. Residents now face the prospect of higher car taxes and college fees to close the state's budget gap.


　　

　　

　　

【参考译文】加州现在情况不佳，近来曾经受了能源危机、网络经济崩溃和财政赤字。为了减少政府的预算差距，加州居民现在还面临着更加高额的车税和教育费用。



【讲解】bedevil，To torment mercilessly, plague; To spoil, ruin.残忍地虐待、烦扰；毁灭，破坏。He is bedeviled by his mistaken ideas.他被错误思想弄糊涂了。This wine is bedeviled.这酒混了。

Life Is Not Fair
A：What is it when a man talks nasty to a woman?


B：Sexual Harassment.

　　


　

A：一个男人对一个女人说些挑逗的话会是什么情况呢？


B：性骚扰！

　　



A：What is it when a woman talks nasty to a man?


B：$3.99 a minute.

　　

　　

　　

A：那当一个女人对另外一个男人说些挑逗的话呢？


B：每分钟3.99美元。