新世纪大学英语2册U1B2 (4).doc

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1. Difficult Sentences
1. (Para. 1) There seems to be a natural cause-and-effect relationship between optimism and success.

Can you analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between optimism and success?
(=If you expect good things to happen, they usually do.)

2. (Para. 2) Optimism and pessimism are with powerful forces, and each of us must choose which we want, so as to shape our outlook and our expectations.

Why should each of us choose between optimism and pessimism to shape our outlook and our expectations?
(=Because there is enough good and bad in everyone’s life, which serves as a rational basis for us to choose either optimism or pessimism.)

3. (Para. 2) There is enough good and bad in everyone’s life — ample sorrow and happiness, sufficient joy and pain — to find a rational basis for either optimism or pessimism.

Translate this sentence into Chinese.
(=每个人的生命中都有足够的幸运与不幸——丰富的哀伤和喜悦、充足的欢欣与痛苦——令我们找到或乐观或悲观的理由。)

4. (Para. 3) I choose to highlight the positive and slip right over the negative.
What can we infer from this sentence?
(=The author chooses to be an optimist rather than a pessimist.)

5. (Para. 3) But when all is said and done, I find that the good in life is far greater and more important than the bad.

What is the implied meaning of this sentence?
(=Having experienced so many difficulties and crises, the author believes that the good in life is far greater and more important than the bad)
Translate this sentence into Chinese.
（=但是，当一切尘埃落定，我发现生命中的美好远比丑恶多。）

6. (Para. 4) Conversely, negative thoughts, attitudes, and expectations feed on themselves; they become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Why does the author say negative thoughts, attitudes, and expectations become a self-fulfilling prophecy?
(=There seems to be a natural cause-and-effect relationship between pessimism and failure. If you expect something to turn out bad, it probably will.)
Translate this sentence into Chinese.
(=反过来，悲观的想法、态度和期待也会自成因果：它们是能自我实现的预言。)

7. (Para. 5) That seemed like an odd question, but I felt fine and told him so.
What is the implied meaning of this sentence?
(=The author was feeling great on that beautiful day. Although he was a bit surprised to hear the attendant’s question, he still tells him the fact. )

8. (Para. 9) Optimism doesn’t need to be naive.

What does this sentence imply?
(=To be optimistic doesn’t mean to be simple-minded or happy blindly.)

9. (Para. 10) Optimism draws our attention away from negativism and channels it into positive, constructive thinking.

Paraphrase this sentence.
(=If we take an optimistic attitude towards life, we will look on the positive side of the situation and gradually cultivate a positive and constructive way of thinking. )
Translate this sentence into Chinese.
(=乐观精神使我们的注意力从消极的否定态度转向积极的、建设性的思考。)

2. Words and Expressions

1. in reverse: in the opposite way to normal or to the previous situation
US video recorders cannot play European tapes, and the same applies in reverse.

2. (Para.2) shape: v.
1) influence sth. such as a belief, opinion, etc. and make it develop in a particular way
People’s political beliefs are shaped by what they see in the papers.
It is true that a people’s character is, to a great extent, shaped by the environment they live in.
2) make sth. have a particular shape, especially by pressing it
（插入图片bird nest）
The bird shaped its nest from mud and sticks.
Children shaped the sand into a mound on the beach.
(插入声音文件shape)
(=We watched in amazement as she shaped the clay into a pot.)
3. (Para. 2) ample: adj.
1) more than enough
There is an ample supply of consumer goods.
The director of the company receives an ample salary.
2) (literary) large in a way that is attractive or pleasant
他胸怀广阔。
(=He’s got an ample bosom.)

4. (Para. 2) bless: v. ask God to protect sb. or sth.; have a special ability, good quality, etc.
（插入图片Jesus）
They brought the children to Jesus and he blessed them.
We were both blessed with good health.
（插入声音文件）
(=In some countries, the priest blesses the fields before seed is sown.)
愿上帝保佑你。
(=May God bless you.)

Pattern: be blessed with sth.

N.B. 注意该词的词性变化，它的名词与形容词分别为：blessing和blessed。

5. (Para. 2) curse:
1. v.
1) say or think bad things about sb. or sth. because they have made you angry
He cursed at) his bad luck.
She cursed him for ruining her life.
2) swear
Gilbert was cursing under his breath.

2. n.
1) a swear word or words that you say because you are very angry
He muttered a curse under his breath.
2) sth. that causes trouble, harm, etc.
（插入图片mice）
Mice are a curse in the country.
Gambling is often a curse.
他的财富最后害了他。
(=His wealth proved a curse to him.)

6. (Para. 2) perspective: n.
1) a way of thinking about sth., especially one which is influenced by the type of person you are or by your experiences
You have the wrong perspective on that situation.
He views everything from a political perspective.
（插入声音文件）
(=The death of his father eight months ago has given him a new perspective on life.)
2) a sensible way of judging and comparing situations so that you do not imagine that sth. is more serious than it really is
She was under such stress that she lost all sense of perspective.
We must keep a sense of perspective about what he’s done.

7. (Para. 2) view: v.
1) think about sth. or sb. in a particular way
I view his action as a breach of trust.
2) look at sth., especially because it is beautiful or you are interested in it
The mountain is best viewed from the north side.

Collocations:
view sth. as sth.
view sth. from sth.

8. (Para.3) highlight:
1. v. make a problem or subject easy to notice so that people pay attention to it
The report highlights the problems of the unemployed.
（插入声音文件highlight）
(= I would like to highlight three challenges in the process of the development of cultural traditions. )

2. n. the most important, interesting, or enjoyable part of sth. such as a holiday, performance, or sports competition
The highlights of the match will be shown on TV tonight,
David Beckham viewed that season as the highlight of his career.
她的表演是那场演出中最精彩的部分。
(=Her performance was the highlight of the show. )

9. (Para.3) live through: experience difficult or dangerous conditions
He has lived through two wars and three revolutions.
The general has lived through more than five times of murdering.

10. (Para. 4) conversely: adv. used when one situation is the opposite of another
You can add the fluid to the powder or, conversely, the powder to the fluid.
American consumers prefer white eggs; conversely, British buyers like brown eggs.

11. (Para. 4) feed on / upon: if a feeling or process feeds on sth., it becomes stronger because of it; if an animal feeds on a particular food, it usually eats that food
Birds feed on seeds and berries.
（插入图片cattle）
Cattle feed chiefly on grass.
Hatred feeds on envy.
(=因妒生恨。)

CF: feed, nourish, nurture & supply
这些动词均含有“供养、提供、抚养”之意
feed普通用词，含义广泛。既可指给人或动物提供食物，又可指给植物以养料或为机器等加燃料等。
nourish指提供生长、健康或维持生存所必需的食物或养料，尤指用促进生长的营养品。句中事物名称往往做该动词的主语。
nurture表示在幼儿、幼苗的成长过程中予以细心的照料、保护或者可以指帮助计划、想法、感情等发展。
supply表示提供所需物品。

(Directions:) Fill in the blanks with the four words above. Change the form where necessary.

1. Milk, eggs, and meat _______ the bodies of growing boys and girls. (=nourish)
2. It is mother’s duty to _______ her children. (=nurture)
3. Most large towns are ________ with electricity. (=supplied)
4. The farmer’s wife _______ cattle and sheep every morning. (=feeds)
5. We want to the new project, not destroy it. (=nurture)

12. (Para. 5) odd: adj. different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way that you disapprove of or cannot understand
She gets odder as she grows older.
We always meet in odd circumstances.

CF: strange, odd, peculiar & curious
这些形容词均含有“奇怪的，奇异的，新奇的、好奇的”之意。
strange普通常用词，含义广泛，指陌生新奇的、奇怪的人或物。例如：
The doctor thought her strange behavior was caused by stress.
odd通常指不同寻常或者出乎意料之外的人或事物，往往令人困惑或感到奇怪。例如：
He is rather an odd man.
peculiar常指因为觉得陌生或者不熟悉而感到有点奇怪。例如：
This food has got a peculiar taste.
curious通常指非常奇特从而能引起人们的好奇心。例如：
It is a curious fact that he never works but has plenty of money.

13. (Para. 6) pull over: drive to the side of the road and stop your car, or to make sb. else do this
Pull (your car) over and let me pass!

14. (L41) pick up: get an illness
I picked up a virus while I was in America.

(Directions:) Match the definitions with the sentences.
1) let sb. get into your car
2) learn sth.
3) catch (an illness)
4) recover; regain
5) get sth.
6) improve; become better

1. We can pick up the tickets an hour before the play begins. (=5)
2. Unfortunately, many children picked up the flu. (=3)
3. The economy is starting to pick up now. (=6)
4. She picked up quite a lot of French when she lived in France. (=2)
5. You’ll soon pick up health when you get to the seaside. (=4)
6. He picked up the child and put her on his shoulder. (=1)

15. (Para.7) figure out:
think about a problem or situation until you find the answer or understand what has happened
I can’t figure out why he quit his job.
Have you figure out what’s wrong with your car?
我试图弄明白出了什么事。
(=I was trying to figure out what was happening.)

16. (Para. 7) reflect: v.
1) if a surface reflects light, heat, or sound, it sends back the light, etc. that reaches it; if a person or a thing is reflected in a mirror, glass, or water, you can see an image of the person or thing on the surface of the mirror, glass, or water
（插入图片tree reflected）
Look at the trees reflected in the lake.
The sight of my face reflected in the mirror never pleases me.
（插入声音文件reflect）
(=Although planets give off no light of their own, they reflect the light from the sun and look like stars at night.)
2) show or be a sign of a particular situation or feeling
Her sad looks reflected the thoughts passing through her mind.
The increase in crime reflects rising unemployment.
Modern society asks for modern facilities. Modern facilities reflect the modern flavour.
3) think carefully about sth., or to say sth. that you have been thinking about
I need time to reflect on your offer.
He reflected how difficult it would be to escape.
决定做一件事之前应考虑可能产生的后果。
(=You should reflect on the likely result before you decide to do something.)

17. (Para. 7) profound: adj.
1) showing strong, serious feelings
* He has a profound sense of guilt.
* He opened the door with a profound sigh.
2) showing great knowledge and understanding
We all consider him to be a profound statesman.
He is good at expressing profound truths in simple language,
中华文明博大精深、源远流长,为人类文明进步作出了巨大贡献。
(=The Chinese civilization, extensive and profound, and with a long history behind it, has contributed tremendously to the progress of human civilization.)

CF: deep & profound
这两个形容词都有表示“深的”之意。
deep普通用词，可用于比喻，表示“深刻”、“深奥”、“深谋远虑”等。例如：There is a deep wound in the old tree.
profound语气较强，较为庄重，多指抽象的事物，多用于比喻，含有“极为深刻、深奥的”之意。例如：
It is hard for you to grasp such a profound theory.

18. (Para. 8) affirmation: n. strengthening a feeling, belief, or idea; stating publicly that something is true
（插入图片Titanic）
The movie Titanic is an affirmation of the power of love.

19. (Para. 8) accomplish: v. succeed in doing sth., especially after trying very hard
We tried to settle the argument but accomplished nothing.
We have accomplished all we set out to do.

CF: accomplish, achieve, fulfill & complete
这些动词均含有“完成”之意。
accomplish指经过艰苦的努力之后成功地完成了规定的工作、计划、任务等，侧重达到预期目的的整个过程。
achieve指通过持续的努力而完成或实现某事，特别强调由于非常努力以及克服困难后达到目的。
fulfill指达到预定的目标，如计划的完成、职责的履行、诺言的实现、任务的完成等，侧重于完成心愿或者尽义务的意思。
complete指完成一件指派或预定的任务，或完善、完整未完成的部分，一般指经过比较长的时间以后完成了任务。

(Directions:) Fill in the blanks with the four words above. Change the form where necessary.

1. Brown was a brilliant musician but he had never _______ his early promise. (=fulfilled)
2. They _______ the difficult task assigned to them. (=accomplished)
3. The construction work of the new steel plant has already been ________ . (=completed)
4. It is more difficult for a woman to _______ success in modern society. (=achieve)
5. I’ll my obligation to the best of my ability. (=fulfill)
6. They conducted a series of experiments that their purpose. (=achieved)

20. (Para. 9) address: v.
1) make a formal speech to a large group of people
The governor was invited to address the conference.
2) if you address an envelope, package, etc., you write on it the name and address of the person you are sending it to
The letter is addressed to the occupier of the house.
（插入声音文件）
(=He gave in to curiosity and opened the letter addressed to his wife.)
3) (formal) if you address a problem, you start trying to solve it
We must address ourselves to the problem of drugs among young people.
It is time we addressed ourselves to the main item on the agenda.

21. (Para. 9) criticize: v. express your disapproval of sb. or sth., or to talk about their faults
He was criticized by the committee for failing to report the accident.
Ron does nothing but criticize and complain all the time.

Pattern: criticize sb. / sth. (for doing sth.)

N.B. 注意该词的词性变化，它的名词与形容词分别为：criticism和critical。

22. (Para. 10) channel: v.
1) send water through a passage
The river had channeled its way through the soft rock.
2) control or direct people or things to a particular place, work, situation, etc
We must channel all our energies into the new scheme.
Drugs from government pharmacies were being channeled into illegal drug markets.

23. (Para. 10) tackle: v.
1) try to deal with a difficult problem
We should be together to tackle all the challenges.
Police have launched an initiative to tackle rising crime.

2) talk to sb. in order to deal with a difficult problem
You’ll have to tackle her parents about her bad behaviour.
（插入声音文件）
(=When are you going to tackle your brother about that money he owes me?
3) start fighting sb., especially a criminal
He tackles fearlessly.
My husband tackled the burglar and made him drop everything.