Frdric-Auguste
Section A Five Famous Symbols of American Culture
Background Information
the Statue of Liberty
The idea of creating the Statue of Liberty began in France at a dinner party hosted by Edouard Rene Lefebvre Laboulaye, a scholar. Laboulaye and Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, a sculptor, began to discuss the idea of presenting the United States with a monument to memorialize independence and human liberty.
Bartholdi sailed from France to New York on June 8, 1871, to propose the building of the statue to honor the friendship between France and the United States. As the ship pulled into New York Harbor, Bartholdi spotted the perfect location, Liberty Island.
During his trip to the United States, he met with US President Ulysses S. Grant; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet; Horace Greeley, a New York editor and politician; and others. Bartholdi traveled across the United States carrying a sketch of the statue and a small model. Everyone was receptive, but financial backing was difficult to find.
Barbie dolls
It was the late 1950s when Ruth Handler noticed her daughter playing with paper dolls and imagining them in grown-up roles. Since most dolls at the time were baby dolls, Ruth envisioned one that would inspire little girls to think about what they wanted to be when they grew up. Ruth created a teenage fashion model doll named Barbie (after her daughter), and the rest is history.
Barbie has been an integral part of the lives of millions of young girls. Her timeless appeal has resulted in a dedicated legion of fans that love to collect her..
Buffalo nickel
In 1911 sculptor James Earl Fraser began designing the "Buffalo" nickel. Fraser said the portrait on the "head's" side was a composite of three American Indians-Iron Tail, Big Tree and Two Moons. Fraser had the opportunity to study and photograph them when they stopped off in New York on their way to Washington to visit President Theodore Roosevelt. By borrowing features from each individual, Fraser was able to sketch the "ideal" portrait for the nickel.
The model for the "tail's" side of the coin was none other than Black Diamond, the most contrary animal in New York's Bronx Zoo. He was born of stock donated by the Barnum and Bailey circus. In his prime, his coat was unusually dark, and he weighed more than 1500 pounds.
Fraser stood for hours, trying to catch his form and mood in clay. But Black Diamond stubbornly refused to show his side view, and faced the artist most of the time. Only by bribing a zoo attendant to distract the animal was Fraser finally able to capture the likeness he wanted.
President William Howard Taft approved the art work, and the first "Buffalo" nickels were produced in February of 1913. Two Moons died in 1917, and Iron Tail and Big Tree in the 1920s. In the 1960s, a second Big Tree appeared at coin shows and claimed to be the Native American on the nickel. Although he claimed to have celebrated his 100th birthday in 1962, later records indicated he was actually only 87.
Uncle Sam
Historians aren't completely certain how the character "Uncle Sam" was created, or who (if anyone) he was named after.
The prevailing theory is that Uncle Sam was named after Samuel Wilson. Wilson was born in Arlington, Mass., on September 13, 1766. His childhood home was in Mason, New Hampshire. In 1789, he and his brother Ebenezer walked to Troy, New York.
During the War of 1812, Wilson was in the business of slaughtering and packing meat. He provided large shipments of meat to the US Army, in barrels that were stamped with the initials "US". Supposedly, someone who saw the "US" stamp suggested - perhaps as a joke - that the initials stood for "Uncle Sam" Wilson. The suggestion that the meat shipments came from "Uncle Sam" led to the idea that Uncle Sam symbolized the federal government.
Samuel Wilson died in 1854. His grave is in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.
The single most famous portrait of Uncle Sam is the "I WANT YOU" Army recruiting poster from World War I. The poster was painted by James Montgomery Flagg in 1916-1917.
New Words & Expressions
enlighten: v. give sb. more information about sth. so that he or she knows the truth 启发,开导
e.g. Can you enlighten me on this subject 你能给我讲讲这个题目吗
enlightened approach to teaching 启发式教学法
The object of his novel writing is to amuse and enlighten the general readers.
他写小说的目的在于使一般读者得到娱乐并受到教育.
It can be an enormously enlightening and exciting experience.
这是一次极有启发性,极令人兴奋的体验.
monument: n. a building or statue that is built to remind people of a famous person or event纪念碑
e.g. the Monument to the People's Heroes 人民英雄纪念碑
This pillar is a monument to all those soldiers who died in the Second World War.
这个石柱是一座献给所有二战阵亡将士的纪念碑.
alliance: n. a group of countries, political parties or people who have agreed to work together because
of the same interests or aims 同盟,联盟
e.g. a treaty of alliance 盟约
the working class in alliance with the peasantry 与农民结成联盟的工人阶级
The students tried to form an alliance between themselves and the workers.
学生试图与工人结成联盟.
The two parties were still too much apart to form an alliance.
两党分歧依然很大,无法结成同盟.
approve: v. accept, permit or officially agree to (sth.) 批准,同意
e.g. Congress approved the budget. 议会通过了这项预算.
The Parliament has approved a program of education reform. 国会通过了一个教育改革方案.
Collocation
approve of: say, show or feel that sth. is good 赞成,称许,满意
e.g. She would never do anything that was not approved of by her parents.
她从来不会做她父母不同意的事儿.
I approve of your trying to make some money, but please don't neglect your studies.
我赞成你设法赚些钱,但不要荒废学业.
affection: n. a. feeling of fondness, love 喜爱, 爱情,爱慕之情
e.g. He retained a tender affection for his wife to the end of his life.
他对他妻子的温情一直持续到他生命的最后一刻.
He feels a deep/great affection for his parents. 他深爱他的父母.
She had developed quite an affection for the place. 她渐渐爱上了这个地方.
assemble: v. 1) fit together (the parts of sth.) 组装,装配
e.g. … assemble the parts of a watch 装配表的零件
Some boys like to assemble model airplanes. 有些男孩喜欢组装模型飞机.
2) (cause people or things to) come together; collect (使)集合,(使)聚集
e.g. … assemble statistics收集数据
The pupils were assembled in the school hall.学生们聚集在学校的礼堂.
The leaders assembled in Shanghai for the meeting. 领导们聚集在上海开会.
version: n.1) a thing which is based on sth. else but which has some details that are different
版本;型号
e.g. the movie version of a novel 根据小说改编的电影
Did you read the whole book or only the short version 你是读了全书还是只读了简写本
Two different versions of "Gone with the Wind" are now being made in Hollywood.
目前好莱坞在拍摄两部不同版本的《乱世佳人》.
This dress is a cheaper version of the one we saw in that shop.
这件连衣裙是我们在那家商店看到的那件的廉价仿制品.
the five-door version of the Ford 五门型的福特汽车
2) an account of an event, etc. from the point of view of one person 叙述,说法
e.g. There were contradictory/different versions of what happened. 他们对发生的事情说法不一.
The official version of the event is that the police were attacked and were just trying to defend themselves. 对事件的官方说法是警察受到了袭击,他们只是想自卫.
universally: ad. worldwide or in all situations; (believed or accepteD. by everyone
全体地,普遍地,无例外地
e.g. The universally held opinion is that she is mad. 普遍的看法是她疯了.
It is a universally acknowledged truth that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. 一个富有的单身汉一定需要一个妻子,这是一个普遍公认的真理.
a universally accepted point of view 人人接受的观点
Derivative
universal: a. 1) concerning all members of a group 全体的,一致的,普遍的
e.g. a universal truth 普遍真理
There's universal agreement on this issue. 在这个问题上大家观点一致.
2) for all people; widespread 通用的,广泛的,万能的
e.g. There is no language on earth that is completely universal. 世界上没有一种完全通用的语言.
This machine has a universal use in the home. 这种机器在家庭中有广泛的用途.
3) (done, found, etc.)in all parts of the world宇宙的,全世界的
e.g. Football is a universal game. 足球是全球性的运动. universal travel 环球旅行
The law of gravity is universal. 引力定律适用于宇宙万物.
medieval: a. of the Middle Ages, about AD 1100-1400 中世纪的
e.g. in medieval times 在中世纪 medieval art 中世纪艺术
medieval architecture 中世纪建筑 medieval history 中世纪史
a medieval building 中世纪的建筑物
The conditions are positively medieval. 条件十分简陋.
inspire: v.1) give sb. a feeling of wanting and being able to do sth. good, create a work of art, etc. 给……以灵感
e.g. His wife inspired his first novel. 他的第一部小说的灵感来自于他妻子.
He wrote a piece of music inspired by bird songs. 他受小鸟歌唱的启示谱写了一支乐曲.
2) fill sb. with confidence or eagerness, esp. so that they feel they can achieve sth. difficult or special 鼓舞,激励
e.g. The young painter had the example of Picasso to inspire and guide him.
这们青年画家有毕加索的榜样激励并指引着他.
Our work is to motivate those voters and inspire them to join our cause.
我们的工作是发动那些投票人,促使他们加入我们的事业.
alongside: prep. 在... ...旁边,和... ....一起
e.g. They fought resolutely alongside the revolutionary people.
他们非常坚定地同革命群众战斗在一起.
It 's a pleasure to work alongside such men. 和这些人在一起工作真愉快.
The dog sat alongside the master. 狗坐在主人旁边.
Conversion
alongside: ad. along the side 在旁边,并排地
e.g. The car parked alongside. 这辆车靠边停着.
a garden with a small river running alongside 旁边有一条涓涓细流的花园
stretch: v.1) make sth. longer, wider or tighter by pulling 拉长,拉紧,伸展
e.g. We stretched the rope tight. 我们将绳子拉紧.
My T-shirt stretched when I washed it. 我的T恤衫洗后变大了.
2). (a piece of land or water, etc.) spread over a large area or distance 扩展,延伸,延续
e.g. The plain stretched endlessly before them. 他们眼前的平原绵延无边.
The countryside stretched far and wide into the darkness. 乡村延伸到漫无边际的黑暗中.
The long white beaches stretch for miles along the coast.
长长的白色海滩沿着海岸绵延数英里.
settlement: n.1) the movement of a new population into a place to live there 殖民,移民,拓居
e.g. When did the settlement of Carolina begin 卡罗来纳的殖民开拓是何时开始的
the settlement of the American West 往美国西部的移民
2) an agreement, usu. official, that ends an argument; the act of reaching this kind of agreement
解决;协议
e.g. Can you come to a settlement/ reach a settlement 你们能达成协议吗
After the settlement of our differences, we became friends.
我们之间的不一致解决了之后,我们成为了朋友.
Our objective must be to secure a peace settlement. 我们的目标必须是确保达成和平协议.
She accepted an out-of-court settlement of $4,000. 她接受了4,000美元的庭外和解
frontier: n.1) the border between two countries, or (esp. in the past in the US) the border between cultivated land where people live and wild land 边境,边界,(美国靠近未开发地带的)边远地区(In British English, a frontier is a border between two countries. The usual American word is border. 在英国英语中,frontier指两国间的边界,美国英语中通常用border.)
e.g. a town on the frontier边疆城镇
Sweden has frontiers with Norway and Finland.瑞典和挪威和芬兰相邻.
Heavy fighting took place last night at the frontier. 昨晚在边境上发生了激战.
We crossed the frontier between France and Italy. 我们穿越了意大利和法国之间的边界.
2) (usu. pl.) the border between what is known and what is not known 前沿,新领域
e.g. The frontiers of medical knowledge are being pushed farther onwards as time goes on.
随着时间的推移,医学领域不断地在拓宽.
Space is the final frontier for human race to explore.
太空是人类最后一块尚未开拓的领域.
herd: n. a large group of animals of the same type that live and feed together 兽群, 牧群
e.g. a herd of whales, swans, deer, cows, cattle一群鲸鱼,天鹅,鹿,奶牛,牛
a herd of job seeker一大群找工作的人
The herd are scattered over the hills. 牧群散布在群山上.
Compare:
flock: n 1) a group of sheep, goats or birds
2) (+ of) infml a crowd; large number of people e.g. a flock of tourists
3) the group of people who regularly attend a church
e.g. The priest warned his flock against breaking God's law.
school: n (of) a large number of one kind of fish or certain other sea animals swimming together
e.g. a school of fish; a school of whales
swarm: n 1) a large group of insects moving in a mass, esp. bee with a QUEEN
2) (of) also swarms - a moving crowd of people or mass of animals
e.g. Swarms of tourists jostled through the square.
inspect: v. 1) look at sth. closely or in great detail 检查
e.g. All food shops should be inspected regularly. 所有的食品商店都应定期检查.
A dentist inspects the pupils' teeth twice a year.牙医每年要给这些学生检查两次牙齿.
The detective inspected the room for fingerprints. 侦探检查房间寻找指纹.
2) make an official visit to make sure that rules are being obeyed, work is being done properly, etc. 视察
e.g. The visiting president inspected the troops.前来访问的总统检阅了部队.
Several government officials came to inspect our factory last week.
几名政府官员上星期来我们工厂视察.
contract: n. a legal document that states and explains a formal agreement between two different
people or groups 合同,契约
e.g. Our shop has entered into/made a contract with a clothing firm to buy 100 coats a week.
我们商店和一家制衣公司签定了合同每星期购买空100件大衣.
They might try to take legal action against you if you break the contract.
如果你违反合同,他们可能会对你采取法律行动.
a temporary contract 临时合同
They signed a three-year contract with a major record company.
他们与一家大唱片公司签了三年合同.
Conversion
contract: v. 1) make a written legal agreement with sb. for a purpose 订合同,订契约
e.g. They contracted to build a new bridge.他们签了合同要建一座桥.
We've contracted with the company for the food at the event.
我们和这家公司签订了在活动期间提供食物的合同.
2) get an illness or disease染病,得病
e.g. … contract a bad habit 沾染上坏毛病
He contracted huge debts by rash spending. 他随便花钱而陷入了巨额的债务.
He contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. 他因输血染上了艾滋病.
3) become or make sth. smaller or shorter收缩
e.g. Metals contract in cold weather. 金属天冷收缩.
"I'm" is the contracted form of "I am". I'm是I am的缩写形式.
Blood is only expelled from the heart when it contracts. 当心脏收缩时,血液才被泵出心脏.
evolve: v. (cause to) develop gradually (使)演变,(使)演化,(使)发展
e.g. The simple plan evolved into a complicated scheme.
这个简单的计划演变成了一个复杂的计划.
Some people still do not believe that man evolved from monkeys.
有些人依然不相信人是由猴子演变而来的.
Derivative
evolution: n. gradual development进化,演化
e.g. the evolution of seasons 季节的转换
the evolution from childhood to manhood 从孩童到成人的成长变化
recruit: v. persuade sb. to become a new member of an organization, esp. the army
招募,征兵,吸收(新成员)
e.g. They were recruited this week. 他们这星期入伍的.
Even young boys are now being recruited to the army.
甚至连年幼的男孩子现在也被招募入伍.
The state is recruiting young people to the teaching professions.
这个州在招聘年轻人从事教学工作.
Conversion
recruit: n. a new member of an organization, esp. the army 新兵,新成员
e.g. Give the recruits their uniforms. 发给新兵制服.
The new recruits were trained for six months and then sent to the war front.
新兵训练六个月后被送上了前线.
New recruits to our music club are always welcome. 欢迎新成员加入我们的音乐俱乐部.
work on sth: have sth. as the subject of thought or effort 从事于,致力于
e.g. They were still working on the sketch.他们还在做这张草图.
I want to work on perfecting my style before trying anything new.
在尝试新的东西之前,我想努力改进我的风格.
go ahead: 1) be allowed to continue (with sth.); take place, as after a difficulty进行,继续
e.g. While she was away he went ahead with the work and got a lot done.
她没在的时候他一直继续这项工作并已完成很多.
In spite of the chairman's illness, the meeting will go ahead as planned.
尽管主席生病了,但会议仍照计划继续进行.
2) move in front of sth. or sb.走在前面
e.g. You go ahead and I'll follow; I'm not quite ready.你先走我随后就来,我现在还没完全准备好.
Go ahead, what are you waiting for 往前走,你还等什么
3) begin, especially to speak开始
e.g. "May I start " "Yes, go ahead." "我可以开始了吗 ""是的,说吧."
Go ahead, we're all listening. 说吧,我们听着呢.
come up with: find or produce (an answer, a solution, etc.) 找到,想出(答案,解决办法等)
e.g. She came up with a new idea for increasing sales. 她想出了一个扩大销路的新主意.
Scientists have come up with new ways of saving energy. 科学家找到了节省能源的新途径.
save sb. from: prevent sb. or sth. from having or doing sth. bad 拯救,使免于
e.g. A sailor saved him from drowning.一名水手把溺水的他救上来.
Thank you; you saved me from making a fool of myself. 谢谢,你使我明白过来,没有干蠢事.
What can we do to save him from the results of his own mistakes
我们怎样才能使他避免自食其果呢
go against: be opposite to; be not in favor of; act against与... ... 相反,违背
e.g. This action goes against my conscience.这种行为违背了我的良知.
Lying goes against my principles. 说谎有悖于我的原则.
Language Points
In the mid-1870s, French artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was working on an enormous project called Liberty Enlightening the World,… (Para. 2)
enlighten: vt. give sb. more information about sth. so that he or she knows the truth
A few devoted doctors have fought for years to enlighten the profession. 一些富有献身精神的医生奋斗了多年来发展这一专业.
I cannot remember how the trains turned round to return to London. Could you please enlighten me 我记不得火车是如何绕回到伦敦的,你能告诉我吗
It can be an enormously enlightening and exciting experience. 这是一次极有启发性,极令人兴奋的体验.
His mother could not approve of her son's affection for a woman she had never met, … (Para. 2)
Meaning: His mother was not pleased that her son loved a woman she had never known,
but Bartholdi went ahead and married his love in 1876. (Para. 2)
Meaning: but Bartholdi continued loving the woman and married her in 1876.(his love: the woman he loveD.
That same year Bartholdi had assembled the statue's right arm and torch, and displayed them in Philadelphia. (Para. 3)
Meaning: In the same year when he got married, Bartholdi had put the statue's right arm and torch together, and then showed them in Philadelphia.
He needed someone whose face represented suffering yet strength, someone more severe than beautiful. (Para. 3)
Meaning: He needed someone whose face showed that she had suffered a lot but remained strong, someone who looked more plain than attractive.
Ruth came up with the idea for Barbie after watching her daughter play with paper dolls. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Ruth had an idea of making Barbie dolls after she had watched her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls.
a joke gift for adults described as having the appearance of "a woman who sold sex". (Para. 7)
Meaning: a gift for adults which is intended as a joke and which is described as having the appearance of "a woman who sold sex".
Mattel refashioned the doll into a decent, all-American - although with an exaggerated breast size - version and named it after Barbara, who was then a teenager. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Mattel Toy Company changed the doll into a model that was respectable,
purely American, yet with big breasts, and named the new-born doll after Barbara, who was just a teenager at that time.
Please note that "decent, all-American" modifies the word "version".
Since her introduction in 1959, Barbie has become the universally recognized Queen of the Dolls. (Para. 8)
Meaning: Since her introduction in 1959, Barbie has been known to everyone as Queen of the Dolls.
Now more than sixty years old, Barbara - who declines interviews but is said to have loved the doll - may be the most famous unknown figure on the planet. (Para. 9)
Meaning: Barbara, who is now more than sixty years old and who refuses
interviews but is said to have loved the doll, is probably the most famous
person in the world with her real name being unknown.
The real Ken, who died in 1994, was disgusted by the doll that made his family famous. (Para. 10)
Meaning: The real Ken, who died in 1994, disliked the doll that made his family famous.
Grant Wood instantly rose to fame in 1930 with his painting American Gothic, an often-copied interpretation of the solemn pride of American farmers. (Para. 12)
Meaning: Grant Wood became famous immediately when he finished his painting
American Gothic in 1930. The painting, which is often copied in other forms of
art such as posters, cards, and souvenirs, reflects his understanding of the sincere pride of American farmers.
but the faces in his composition were what captured the world's attention. (Para. 12)
Meaning: but the faces in his painting were the most attractive.
But the Buffalo nickel, produced from 1913 to 1938, honored a pair of connected tragedies from the settlement of the American frontier - the destruction of the buffalo herds and the American Indians. (Para. 16)
Meaning: But the Buffalo nickel, which was produced from 1913 to 1938, honored two tragedies - the killing of the buffalo herds and the destruction of the American Indians - which were closely connected and took place as the result of the settlement of the American frontier.
While white people had previously been used as models for most American coins , famed artist James Earle Fraser went against tradition by using three actual American Indians as models for his creation. (Para. 17)
Meaning: In the previous years coin makers had used white people as models for most American coins. In contrast, James Earle Fraser, who was a famous artist, broke this tradition and used three actual American Indians as models for his creation. (One was Two Moons of the Cheyenne, the second was Iron Tail of the Sioux, and the third's identity was uncertain but may have been Big Tree of the Kiowa.)
Section B Engelbreit's the Name, Cute Is My Game
New Words & Expressions:
cute a. 1) charming and attractive 娇小可爱的
e.g. The baby wore a cute dress.这小孩儿穿了件很可爱的衣服.
He's got a really cute baby brother. 他有个逗人喜爱的小弟弟.
2) clever 聪明的,伶俐的
e.g. Don't be so cute!别那么鬼! That's a cute trick. 那是个聪明的鬼把戏.
e.g. With a combination of womanly beauty and childlike cuteness, Marilyn Monroe's charm was great. 玛丽莲・梦露有着成熟女性的美丽,又有着孩子般的可爱,她魅力无比.
crush v. 1) upset or shock sb. badly 压倒,压垮
e.g. The news that his wife had been killed in the accident completely crushed him.
妻子在事故中丧生的消息把他彻底击垮了.
He has almost been crushed by failures. 他几乎被失败击垮了.
His hopes were crushed by the chairman's remarks. 主席的一席话使他的希望破灭了.
2) defeat sb./sth. completely 打败
e.g. The military government has successfully crushed all opposition.
军事政府成功地击败了所有的反对者.
The rebellion was crushed by the government forces. 政府军队已把叛乱镇压下去.
3) press sth. very hard so that it is broken 压碎,压坏
e.g. The machine crushes wheat grain to make flour.机器把小麦压成了面粉.
Don't crush the box, there are eggs inside. 别压坏箱子,里面有鸡蛋.
retail n. the activity of selling goods to the public, usu. in small quantities 零售
e.g. … sell goods by retail 零售 retail dealer零售商
Retail sales were lower than expected this year. 今年的零售额比预期的要低.
the recommended retail price 建议零售价
The opposite of retail is wholesale. 零售的反义词是批发.
Conversion
retail: v. sell goods to the public in shops or by post 零售
e.g. This shirt retails for eight dollars.这件衬衣零售八美金.
This model of computer is retailing at $650. 这种型号的计算机零售价是650美元.
We retail most of the products to overseas customers.
我们把这些产品大部分零售给海外顾客.
bold a. 1) (of people's behavior) brave and confident; not afraid 勇敢的,无畏的
e.g. I determined to be bold and speak the truth. 我决定勇敢地说出事实.
Not many people are bold enough to say exactly what they think.
有胆量直言自己想法的人不多.
The little boy was bold enough to walk in the dark street.
这小男孩胆子大,敢走在黑暗的大街上.
2) not shy, esp. in a way that shows a lack of respect 冒失的,唐突的,鲁莽的
e.g. If I may be so bold, you still haven't mentioned why you're here.
请恕我冒昧,你还没有提到你来此的原因呢.
One student was made so bold as to argue with the professor.
有一个学生真冒失,竟然与教授争执起来.
Would you think me bold if I asked how much your hat cost
倘若我问一问你的帽子是多少钱买的,你会觉得我冒失吗
3) (of the appearance of sth.) strongly marked; clearly formed 醒目的;轮廓清晰的
e.g. The room was decorated in bold colors. 房间的颜色很鲜艳.
4) (of printed letters) in thick, dark type 粗(字)体的,黑(字)体的
e.g. The title was written in bold type. 标题用黑体字.
overall (pl.) a piece of clothing that covers both the upper and lower parts of the body and is worn esp. over other clothes to protect them 工作服,工装裤
e.g. workers in blue overalls 穿蓝工作服的工人
Conversion
overall: 1). a. including everything 全面的,综合的,全体的
e.g. The overall situation is encouraging.总的形式是令人鼓舞的.
The overall cost of the work will be about $200. 全部制作费用大约是200美元.
2) ad. speaking generally about sth.全面地,总地
e.g. Overall, I can say that we are pleased with the year's work.
总的说来,我们对这一年的工作很满意.
bare a. 1) not covered by clothing 裸露的
e.g. Don't walk around outside in your bare feet. 不要光着脚在屋外到处走.
bare arms 赤裸的手臂
She killed him with her bare hands. 她徒手把他杀死了.
2) empty; without its usual covering 空的;光秃的,无遮盖的
e.g. The purse was bare.钱包是空空的.
The room was completely bare of furniture. 房间里什么家具也没有.
distinctive: a. that distinguishes sth. by making it different from others clearly different from others and therefore easy to recognize有特色的,与众不同的
e.g. Beer has a very distinctive smell.啤酒的味道与众不同.
She's got a very distinctive way of dressing. 她穿衣服很有特点.
His voice was very distinctive. 他的声音很特别.
Compare
distinct 1) different in kind; separate 种类不同的,有区别的,分开的
e.g. Mice are distinct from rats. 小老鼠和大老鼠是有区别的.
Those two ideas must be kept distinct from one another. 必须把那两种思想区分开.
2) easily heard, seen, felt or understood; definite 清楚的,清晰的,明显的
e.g. The photograph is not distinct.这张照片不是很清晰.
There's a distinct smell of cigarettes every time he comes into the room.
他每次进房间,都带着一股浓重的烟味.
I had the distinct impression that she was lying. 我当时明显觉得她在说谎.
elaborate a. complicated; carefully prepared and finished 精细复杂的,精心制作的
e.g. I want a plain skirt to go with that shirt ― nothing too elaborate.
我需要一条简单的裙子配那件衬衫――样式不要太复杂.
They're making the most elaborate preparations for the wedding.
他们在为婚礼做极为周详的准备.
elaborate plans 详尽的计划
conversion
elaborate: v. describe or explain sth. in detail详细叙述
e.g. Can you elaborate a little on the theory 你能就这个理论再说得详细一点吗
Please elaborate your proposals a little.请把你的计划做得更详细一些.
comprise v. 1) have as parts or members 由... ... 组成,包括,包含
e.g. The British Parliament is comprised of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
英国议会由上院和下院组成.
The United Kingdom comprises/consists of/is composed of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
2) be the parts or members of 组成,构成
e.g. Workers and peasants comprise 80 to 90 percent of China's population.
工人和农民占中国人口总数的百分之八十至九十.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland constitute/comprise ( together form ) the United Kingdom.
acid a. 1) severe and sharp 尖酸刻薄的,讽刺的
e.g. Unfortunately, the book has none of the acid remarks of her earlier writings.
不幸的是,这本书里丝毫没有她早期作品中的讽刺言论.
acid humor 辛辣的幽默 say in an acid tone 说话尖刻
2) (of a fruit, etc.) having a sharp, sour taste 酸味的,酸的
e.g. A lemon is an acid fruit. 柠檬是带酸味的水果.
Vinegar has an acid taste. 醋有酸味.
Conversion
acid: n. a type of chemical substance containing hydrogen, which can react with and sometimes dissolve other materials 酸,酸性物质
e.g. Acids are sour substances, many of which are poisonous.酸是酸性物质,许多都有有毒.
Some acids burn hole in wood and cloth.有些酸能把木头和布烧出洞来
Vinegar is an acid. 醋是一种酸.
imaginary: a. existing only in the mind; not real 想像中的,虚构的
e.g. The story is not real; it is only imaginary. 这个故事不是真的,是想象出来的.
Ghosts are imaginary. 鬼是想象出来的.
In the novel the writer creates an imaginary world that is completely different from ours.
作家在小说中创造了一个完全不同的世界.
Compare:
imaginable: a. (often used after a noun) that one can think of可以想象的
e.g. This is the only solution imaginable. 这是唯一可以想象的解决方法.
His house was equipped with every luxury imaginable. 他这栋房子极尽奢华之能事.
imaginative: a. having or showing imagination想像力丰富的
e.g. She's always full of imaginative ideas. 她经常有新奇的念头.
His writing is highly imaginative. 他的写作极富想像力.
feature: n. 1). a typical quality or important part 特点,特征,特色
e.g. Heavy rains are a feature of the weather near the equator. 多雨是赤道地区的天气特点.
Mountains and lakes are the main features of the landscape of Wales.
山峦和湖泊是威尔士景色中的主要特色.
2). any of the noticeable parts of the face, body, structure, etc. 面貌,相貌
e.g. He could recall her features very distinctly. 他能很清晰地回忆起她地面容.
His figure was slender and graceful, his features good. 他的身材颀长优美,脸长得很漂亮.
3). a special article in a newspaper or magazine about a particular subject 特写,专题报道
e.g. All news and features deal with local people and happenings.
所有的新闻和特写都有是关于当地的人的当地的事儿的.
There was a feature in the local newspaper about the high cost of housing.
当地报纸上有一篇关于住房费用高的专题报道.
a front-page feature 头版特写
Conversion
feature: v. have as a prominent characteristic 以... ... 为特征, 给... ...以显著地位
e.g. Round-the-clock service features this store. 二十四小时服务是这家商店的特色.
This week's broadcast features a report on victims of domestic violence.
本周特别播放有关家庭暴力的受害者的报道.
The film features many well-known actors. 很多明星参加这部电影的演出.
influential a. having power or influence 有影响力的,有说服力的
e.g. He was a very influential man in the government. 他在政府里是很有影响力的一个人.
an influential politician 有影响力的政治家
collocation
be influential in: have influence on 对... ...有影响
e.g. He was influential in getting the hostages set free. 他对人质的获释起到了一定的作用.
She was influential in persuading the government to make the new law.
在说服政府制订这项新法令一事上她起了重要作用.
venture v. 冒险,敢于
e.g. No one ventured to interrupt the speaker. 没人敢冒险打断说话的人.
Don't venture into the jungle without a guide. 没有向导不要冒险进入丛林.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 不入虎穴,焉得虎子.
The company has decided to venture into computer production as well as design.
公司决定不仅从事计算机设计,也涉足计算机生产.
plunge v. 1) go, jump, dive, fall, etc. suddenly and with force into sth. 纵身投入,一头进入
e.g. He plunged into water to save the child. 他跳入水中救了孩子.
He moved the lid and plunged his hand in. 他移去盖子,将手伸了进去.
He turned and plunged into the crowd. 他转身冲入人群.
2). (cause to) enter a certain state or condition (使)陷入
e.g. We do not readily plunge into battle with such powerful forces.
我们不会贸然和这么强大的军队开战.
He plunged deep into thought. 他陷入沉思.
A power failure plunged the room into darkness.
with an eye to showing an interest in or concern for 关注
e.g. All his investments were made with an eye to the future. 他所有的投资都是着眼于未来.
John is going to college with an eye to becoming a lawyer.
约翰进入大学学习是想成为一名律师.
The greeting cards are finely made, with an eye to color and style.
这些贺卡做得很精致,色彩和风格很讲究.
dress up 1) wear one's best clothes 穿着盛装
e.g. Don't bother to dress up 0 come as you are. 不必为着装费心,你就穿平常的衣服来吧.
Are we going to dress up for the wedding, or is it informal
我们是要穿礼服去参加婚礼,还是这仅仅是一次结婚便宴
Mary (was) dressed up for the party. 玛丽穿上漂亮的衣服去参加晚会.
2) make sth. or sb. seem different or more attractive 装饰,修饰
We shall dress the room up for Christmas. 为迎接圣诞节,我们将把房间布置得漂亮一些.
You can dress these old chairs up in new covers. 你可以用新布套将这些旧椅子打扮一番.
bother with worry about; bother about 为 ... ... 操心,为... ... 费心
e.g. Don't bother yourself with the arrangements of the holiday. 别为假日的安排操心.
Don't bother with seeing me off. 不用麻烦来送我.
have / keep/ with one's feet ( planted/set ) on the ground : (be) realistic and practical
实事求是(的),脚踏实地(的)
e.g. Mrs. Smith was a dreamer, but her husband was a man with his feet on the ground.
史密斯太太是个空想家,而她丈夫则是个脚踏实地的人.
John has his feet on the ground; he knows he cannot learn everything at once.
约翰是个脚踏实地的人,他知道不可能一时半刻就学会一切.
Ted dreams of sudden riches, but Henry keeps his feet on the ground and expects to work for money. 托德梦想一夜暴富,而亨利则脚踏实地,期望劳动致富.
date back to have existed since 始于(某时期)
e.g. Our friendship dates back to 1960. 我们的友谊始于1960年.
These societies dated as far back as a century ago.这些社团开始于一个世纪前.
Their quarrel dates back to last year. 他们去年就开始不和了.
take off ( of an idea or a product, etc.) suddenly become successful or popular
(指思想,产品等)突然受欢迎,流行
e.g. With the coming of winter, the product suddenly took off. 冬天将临,这种产品突然畅销起来.
2). leave the ground and begin to fly 起飞 e.g. The plane took off on time. 飞机正点起飞.
3). remove sth from one's body 脱掉 e.g. He took off his wet shoes. 他脱掉了湿鞋.
Language Points
Mary Engelbreit was a talented but struggling artist in her mid-twenties when she flew to New York from her native Saint Louis, hoping to find work illustrating children's books ― her life's goal. (Para. 1)
Meaning: When she flew to New York from her native land Saint Louis, Mary Engelbreit was a talented young artist who tried hard to succeed. Her hope at that time was to find work making pictures for children's books. That was also her life's goal.
… when all the book publishers she visited turned her down. (Para. 1)
Meaning: … when all the book publishers she had been to refused to employ her.
"I was crushed",Engelbreit admits. (Para. 2)
Meaning: "I was badly upset," Engelbreit admits. (or "My heart was broken," Engelbreit admits.)
Greeting cards seemed a come-down from her high expectations, but the advice stayed with her, and she decided to give it a try. (Para. 2)
Meaning: She didn't expect to draw greeting cards at all for she had aimed very high, but in spite of the disappointment, she took the advice and decided to have a try at greeting cards.
come-down: n. (also comedown) loss of importance or social position; a fall or reduction
She used to have servants: now she finds it a come-down to have to do the work herself. 她过去雇有佣人,现在她得自己干活,觉得很委屈.
She runs a retail company with shops in nine cities (16 more are planneD., and her products are carried by 25,000 retailers. (Para. 3)
Meaning: She runs a company that sells goods to the public. The company has its shops in nine cities (and is planning to have another 16 shops).
It's probably no accident that one of Engelbreit's bolder cards shows a young girl in overalls, her bare feet up on a desk, a farm field in the window behind her. (Para. 3)
Meaning: Probably it is not by chance that one of Engelbreit's daring cards shows a young girl dressed in overalls, with her bare feet up on a desk and a farm field in the window behind her.
Once you know Engelbreit's distinctive style, you can recognize her cards from 20 paces a Meaning: Once you get familiar with Engelbreit's unique style, you can tell her cards from 20 paces away: they are bright, funny, with a feeling of affection for things in the past.
Her cards usually have elaborate border designs comprised of repeated images… (Para. 4)
Meaning: Her cards usually have beautiful and complex border designs that consist of images used over and again…
Ann Estelle (named after her grandmother) is the imaginary representative of Mary's outlook. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Ann Estelle (who was named after her grandmother) is a created image that represents Mary's views on life.
Engelbreit is cheerful, down-to-earth, humorous, and always cute. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Engelbreit is happy, practical, humorous, and always lovely.
Indeed, it's her trademark. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Indeed, being cute is her distinctive feature. Here "it" refers to cuteness.
She adds, "As the world gets more complicated, it's nice to have old-fashioned stuff around to help people cope with the demands of modern life." (Para. 5)
Meaning: She adds, "As the world gets more complicated, it's good to have old things on hand to help people deal with the pressures of modern life."
She ignored her teachers' advice to become an English teacher and didn't bother with going on to a university because "I was ready to plunge into my life as an artist." (Para. 8)
Meaning: She didn't take her teachers' advice that she should become an English teacher, nor did she take the trouble to go on to study in a university because, as she says, "I was ready to start my life as an artist."
Children, pets, even "good old Mom" started showing up on her cards. (Para.10)
Meaning: Children, pets, even "good old Mom" started to appear on her cards.
show up: appear; turn up
Only thirty members showed up for the yearly meeting.只有30个会员参加了年会.
Her work became "pictures of daily life, things everyone's been through". (Para. 10)
Meaning: Her work became "pictures of daily life, things that everyone has been familiar with".
In 1986 she licensed the copyrights to the cards to Sunrise Publications, who now manages their production and distribution, allowing her to focus on other projects. (Para. 11)
Meaning: In 1986, she gave the right to use the cards to Sunrise Publications, who now manages the production and sales of their products. This allowed her the time and energy to concentrate on other projects.way ― bright, funny, and with an eye to the past. (Para. 4)
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