UNIT 1
TEXT
Want to know how to improve your grades without having to spend more time studying? Sounds too good to be true? Well, read on...
How to Improve Your Study Habits
Terhaps you are an average student with average intelligence. You do well enough in school, but you probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily the case, however. You can receive better grades if you want to. Yes, even students of average intelligence can be top students without additional work. Here's how:
1. Plan your time carefully. Make a list of your weekly tasks. Then make a schedule or chart of your time. Fill in committed time such as eating, sleeping, meetings, classes, etc. Then decide on good, regular times for studying. Be sure to set aside enough time to complete your normal reading and work assignments. Of course, studying shouldn't occupy all of the free time on the schedule. It's important to set aside time for relaxation, hobbies, and entertainment as well. This weekly schedule may not solve all of your problems, but it will make you more aware of how you spend your time. Furthermore, it will enable you to plan your activities so that you have adequate time for both work and play.
2. Find a good place to study. Choose one place for your study area. It may be a desk or a chair at home or in the school library, but it should be comfortable, and it should not have distractions. When you begin to work, you should be able to concentrate on the subject.
3. Skim before you read. This means looking over a passage quickly before you begin to read it more carefully. As you preview the material, you get some idea of the content and how it is organized. Later when you begin to read you will recognize less important material and you may skip some of these portions. Skimming helps double your reading speed and improves your comprehension as well.
4. Make good use of your time in class. Listening to what the teacher says in class means less work later. Sit where you can see and hear well. Take notes to help you remember what the teacher says.
5. Study regularly. Go over your notes as soon as you can after class. Review important points mentioned in class as well as points you remain confused about. Read about these points in your textbook. If you know what the teacher will discuss the next day, skim and read that material too. This will help you understand the next class. If you review your notes and textbook regularly, the material will become more meaningful and you will remember it longer. Regular review leads to improved performance on test.
6. Develop a good attitude about tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. The world won't end if you don't pass a test, so don't worry excessively about a single test. Tests provide grades, but they also let you know what you need to spend more time studying, and they help make your knowledge permanent.
There are other techniques that might help you with your studying. Only a few have been mentioned here. You will probably discover many others after you have tried these. Talk with your classmates about their study techniques. Share with them some of the techniques you have found to be helpful. Improving your study habits will improve your grades.
NEW WORDS
average
n. ordinary 普通的；中等的
intelligence
n. ability to learn and understand 智力
necessarily
ad. inevitably 必定
case
n. what has really happened; actual condition 实情
additional
a. added 附加的，额外的
n. addition
weekly
a. done or happening every week 每周的；一周一次的
schedule
n. timetable 时间表
chart
n. (sheet of paper with) information written or drawn in the form of a picture 图（表）commit
vt. 指定...用于
aside
ad. to the side在旁边；到（向）一边
etc
(Latin, shortened form for et cetera) and other things等等
normal
a. usual正常的
reading
n. the act or practice of reading阅读
assignment
n. sth. given out as a task(布置的)作业
occupy
n. take up占用
relaxation
n. (sth. done for) rest and amusement休息，娱乐
relax
v.
hobby
n. what one likes to do in one's free time业余爱好
entertainment
n. show, party, etc. that people enjoy娱乐
entertain
vt.
solve
vt. find an answer to (a problem)解决（问题）
aware
a. having knowledge or understanding知道的；意识到的
furthermore
ad. moreover; in addition而且；此外
enable
vt. make (sb.) able (to do sth.)使（某人）能（做某事）
activity
n. sth. (to be) done 活动
adequate
a. as much as one needs; enough充分的；足够的
distraction
n. sth. that draws away the mind or attention分心（或分散注意力）的事物concentrate (on or upon)
vi. pay close attention (to)全神贯注（于）
skim
vt. read quickly to get the main ideas (of)略读
preview
vt. have a general view of (sth.) beforehand预习
content
n. what is written in a book, etc.内容
organize
vt. form into a whole组织
later
ad. 后来；以后
skip
vt. pass over略过
portion
n. part; share一部分；一份
double
v. make or become twice as great or as many（使）增加一倍comprehension
n. the act of understanding or ability to understand理解（力）mention
vt. speak or write about (sth.) in a few words提及
confused
a. mixed up in one's mind迷惑的，混淆的
confuse
vt.
textbook
n. a standard book for the study of a subject教科书；课本
performance
n. achievement成绩
meaningful
a. having important meaning or value富有意义的
attitude
n. what one thinks about sth.态度，看法
purpose
n. aim目的，意图
excessively
ad. too much过多地，过分地
excessive
a.
permanent
a. lasting for a long time; never changing持久的；永久的
technique
n. way of doing sth.技巧，方法
helpful
a. useful; providing help or wiling to help有益的；给予帮助的，肯帮忙的PHRASES & EXPRSSIONS
fill in
write in填写，填充
decide on
make a choice or decision about选定，决定
set aside
save for a special purpose留出
as well
also; too; in addition也，还；同样
be aware (of)
know (sth.); know (what is happening)知道，意识到
concentrate on
direct one's attention, efforts, etc. to全神贯注于
look over
examine (quickly)把...看一遍，过目
go over
review 复习
lead to
result in 导致
UNIT 2
TEXT
At sixty-five Francis Chichester set out to sail single-handed round the world. This is the story of that adventure.
Sailing Round the World
Before he sailed round the world single-handed, Francis Chichester had already surprised his friends several times. He had tried to fly round the world but failed. That was in 1931.
The years passed. He gave up flying and began sailing. He enjoyed it greatly. Chichester was already 58 years old when he won the first solo transatlantic sailing race. His old dream of going round the world came back, but this time he would sail. His friends and doctors did not think he could do it, as he had lung cancer. But Chichester was determined to carry out his plan. In August, 1963, at the age of nearly sixty-five, an age when many men retire, he began the greatest voyage of his life. Soon, he was away in this new 16-metre boat, Gipsy Moth.
Chichester followed the route of the great nineteenth century clipper ships. But the clippers had had plenty of crew. Chicheater did it all by himself, even after the main steering device had been damaged by gales. Chichester covered 14, 100 miles before stopping in Sydney, Australia. This was more than twice the distance anyone had previously sailed alone.
He arrived in Australia on 12 December, just 107 days out from England. He received a warm welcome from the Australians and from his family who had flown there to meet him. On shore, Chichester could not walk without help. Everybody said the same thing: he had done enough; he must not go any further. But he did not listen.
After resting in Sydney for a few weeks, Chichester set off once more in spite of his friends' attempts to dissuade him. The second half of his voyage was by far the more dangerous part, during which he sailed round the treacherous Cape Horn.
On 29 January he left Australia. The mext night, the blackest he had ever known, the sea became so rough that the boat almost turned over. Food, clothes, and broken glass were all mixed together. Fortunately, bed and went to sleep. When he woke up, the sea had become calm the nearest person he could contact by radio, unless there was a ship nearby, Wild be on an island 885 miles away.
After succeeding in sailing round Cape Horn, Chichester sent the followiing radio message to London:" I feel as if I had wakened from a nightmare. Wild horses could not drag me down to Cape Horn and that sinister Southern Ocean again."
Juat before 9 o'clock on Sunday evening 28 May, 1967, he aeeived back in England, where a quarter of a million people were waiting to welcome him. Queeh Elizabeth II knigthed him with the very sword that Queen Elizabeth I had sailed round the world for the first time. The whole voyage from England and back had covered 28, 500 miles. It had taken him nine months , of which the sailing time was 226 days. He had done what he wanted to accomplish.
Like many other adventurers, Chichester had experienced fear and conquered it. In doing so, he had undoubtedly learnt something about himself. Moreover, in the modern age when human beings depend so much on machines, he had given men throughout the world new pride.
NEW WORDS
single-handed
a & ad. (done) by one person alone 单独的（地）
adventure
n. 冒险（活动）
solo
a. single-handed 单独的
transatlantic
a. crossing the Atlantic Ocean 横度大西洋
lung
n. part of the body with which one breathes 肺
cancer
n. 癌
determined
a. with one's mind firmly made up 下定了决心的
determine
v.
determination
n.
retire
vi. stop working at one's job(because of age) 退休
voyage
n. sea journey 航海；航行
route
n. way from one place to another 路线
clipper
n. 快速帆船
crew
n. group of people who work together on a ship or aeroplane 全体船员；全体乘务员steer
vt. make (esp. a boat or road vehicle) go in a particular direction 为...撑舵device
n. a piece of equipment设备；装置
steering device
n. 操舵装置
damage
vt. cause harm or injury to 损坏
ad. harm, injury 损坏
gale
n. very strong wind大风
cover
vt. travel (a certain distance)行过（一段距离）
previously
ad. before 以前
UNIT 3
TEXT
They say that blood is thicker than water, that our relatives are more important to us than others. Everyone was so kind to the old lady on her birthday. Surely her daughter would make an even bigger effort to please he?
The Present
It was the old lady's birthday.
She got up early to be ready for the post. From the second floor flat she could see the postman when he came down the street, and the little boy from the ground floor brought up her letters on the rare occasions when anything came.
Today she was sure the would be something. Myra wouldn't forget her mother's birthday, even if she seldom wrote at other times. Of course Myra was busy. Her husband had been made Mayor, and Myra herself had got a medal for her work the aged.
The old lady was proud of Myra, but Enid was the daughter she loved. Enid had never married, but had seemed content to live with her mother, and teach in a primary school round the corner.
One evening, however, Enid said, "I've arranged for Mrs. Morrison to look after you for a few days, Mother. Tomorrow I have to go into hospital--just a minor operation, I'll soon be home."
In the morning she went, but never came back--she died on the operating table. Myra came to the funeral, and in her efficient way arranged for Mrs. Morrison to come in and light the fire and give the old lady her breakfast.
Two years ago that was, and since then Myra had been to see her mother three times, but her husband never.
The old lady was eight today. She had put on her best dress. Perhaps--perhaps Myra might come. After all, eighty was a special birthday, another decade lined or endured just as you chose to look at it.
Even if Myra did not come, she would send a present. The old lady was sure of that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was excited--like a child. She would enjoy her day.
Yesterday Mrs. Morrison had given the flat an extra clean, and today she had brought a card and a bunch of marigolds when she came to do the breakfast. Mrs. Grant downstairs had made a cake, and in the afternoon she was going down there to tea. The little boy, Johnnie, had been up with a packet of mints, and said he wouldn't go out to play until the post had come.
"I guess you'll get lots and lots of presents," he said, "I did last were when I was six."
What would she like? A pair of slippers perhaps. Or a new cardigan. A cardigan would be lovely. Blue's such a pretty colour. Jim had always liked her in blue. Or a table lamp. Or a book, a travel book, with pictures, or a little clock, with clear black numbers. So many lovely things.
She stood by the window, watching. The postman turned round the corner on his bicycle. Her heart beat fast. Johnnie had seen him too and ran to the gate.
Then clatter, clatter up the stairs. Johnnie knocked at her door.
"Granny, granny," he shouted, "I've got your post."
He gave her four envelopes. Three were unsealed cards from old friends. The fourth was sealed, in Myra's writing. The old lady felt a pang of disappointment.
"No parcel, Johnnie?"
"No, granny."
Maybe the parcel was too large to come by letter post. That was it. It would come later by parcel post. She must be patient.
Almost reluctantly she tore the envelope open. Folded in the card was a piece of paper. Written on the card was a message under the printed Happy Birthday -- Buy yourself something nice with the cheque, Myra and Harold.
The cheque fluttered to the floor like a bird with a broken wing. Slowly the old lady stooped to pick it up. Her present, her lovely present. With trembling fingers she tore it into little bits.
NEW WORDS
relative
n. 亲属，亲戚
present
n. gift 礼物，赠品
postman
n. 邮递员
rare
a. not happening often 罕见的；不常发生的
occasion
n. special time; time when sth. happens 时刻，时机；场合
mayor
n. chief official of a city or town 市长
medal
n. 奖章
aged
a. old
content
a. satisfied; pleased 满意的；高兴的
primary
a. first; earliest 首要的；最初的
arrange
vi. make preparations; plan 作安排，筹划
minor
a. not serious or important 较小的；次要的
operate
vi. cut the body in order to set right or remove a diseased part 开刀，动手术
operating table
n. a special table in a hospital, where operations are done 手术台
funeral
n. 葬礼
efficient
a. able to plan and work well 效率高的
decade
n. ten years
endure
vt. bear (pain, suffering, etc.) 忍受，忍耐
spot
n. a round area that is different from the main surface 点，斑点brighten
vt. make bright or brighter 使发光；使发亮
cheek
n. either side of the face below the eye 面颊
extra
a. additional 额加的，外加的
clean
n. cleaning
bunch
n. things of the same kind that are tied together （一）束，（一）串marigold
n. 万寿菊（花）
packet
n. small parcel box 小包（裹）
mint
n. 薄荷糖
slipper
n. 拖鞋
cardigan
n. （羊毛）开衫
clatter
n. a number of rapid short knocking sounds 咔嗒声
granny
n. (colloq. for)grandmother
envelope
n. a paper cover for a letter 信封
unsealed
a. 未密封的
seal
vt.
sealed
a. 密封的
writing
n. handwriting 书法；笔迹
pang
n. sudden, sharp pain 剧痛
disappointment
n. sadness because one does not get what one hopes for 失望disappoint
vt.
parcel
n. 包裹
reluctantly
ad. unwillingly 不情愿地，勉强地
reluctant
a.
fold
vt. bend into two or more parts 折叠
cheque
n. 支票
flutter
vt. move quickly to and fro in the air 飘动
stoop
vi. bend the body forwards and downwards 弯腰
tremble
vi. shake uncontrollably with quick short movements 颤抖PHRASES & EXPRESSIONS
at other times
on other occasions 在别的时候；平时
round / around the corner
very near in distance or time 在附近；即将来临
after all
in spite of everything; it must be remembered 毕竟；终究be sure of
对...有把握，确信
pick up
take hold of and lift up from a surface 拿起，捡起PROPER NAMES
Myra
迈拉（女子名）
Enid
伊妮德（女子名）
Morrison
莫里森（姓氏）
Grant
格兰特（姓氏及男子名）
Johnnie
约翰尼（John的昵称）
Jim
吉姆（James的昵称）
Harold
previous
a.
attempt
n. try 试图，尝试
dissuade
vt. prevent (sb.) from doing sth. by reasoning 劝阻
treacherous
UNIT 4
TEXT
Many people in the United States spend most of their free time watching television. Certainly, there are many worthwhile programs on television, including news, educational programs for children, programs on current social problems, plays, movies, concerts, and so on. Nevertheless, perhaps people should not be spending so much of their time in front of the TV. Mr Mayer imagines what we might do if we were forced to find other activities.
Turning off TV: a Quiet Hour
I would like to propose that for sixty to ninety minutes each evening, right after the early evening news, all television broadcasting in the United States be prohibited by law.
Let us take a serious, reasonable look at what the results be if such a proposal were accepted. Families might use the time for a real family hour. Without the distraction of TV, they might sit around together after dinner and actually talk to one another. It is well known that many of our problems -- everything, in fact, from the generation gap to the high divorce rate to some forms of mental illness -- are caused at least in part by failure to communicate. We do not tell each other what is disturbing us. The result is emotional difficulty of one kind or another. By using the quiet family hour to discuss our problems, we might get to know each other better, and to like each other better.
On evenings when such talk is unnecessary, families could rediscover more active pastimes. Freed from TV, forced to find their own activities, they might take a ride together to watch the sunset. Or they might take a walk together (remember feet?) and see the neighborhood with fresh, new eyes.
With free time and no TV, children and adults might rediscover reading. There is more entertainment in a good book than in a month of typical TV programming. Educators report that the generation growing up with television can barely write an English sentence, even at the college level. Writing is often learned from reading. A more literate new generation could be a product of
the quiet hour.
A different form of reading might also be done, as it was in the past: reading aloud. Few pastimes bring a family closer together than gathering around and listening to mother or father read a good story. The quiet hour could become the story hour. When the quiet hour ends, the TV networks might even be forced to come up with better shows in order to get us back from our newly discovered activities.
At first glance, the idea of an hour without TV seems radical. What will parents do without the electronic baby-sitter? How will we spend the time? But it is not radical at all. It has been only twenty-five years since television came to control American free time. Those of us thirty-five and older can remember childhoods without television, spent partly with radio -- which at least involved the listener's imagination -- but also with reading, learning, talking, playing games, inventing new activities. It wasn't that difficult. Honest. The truth is we had a ball.
NEW WORDS
worthwhile
a. good enough for the time or effort needed; valuable 值得花时间（或精力）的；有价值的
program (me)
n. performance on radio or television 节目
educational
a. of or for education; providing education or information 教育的；有教育意义的
current
a. of the present time 当前的
social
a. of or in society 社会的
movie
n. film that one sees at a cinema 电影
nevertheless
conj. but; however 然而，不过
propose
vt. suggest 建议
broadcasting
n. the action of sending out sound (or images) by radio (or television) 广播
prohibit
v & n. forbid by law 禁止
proposal
vt. suggestion 提议，建议
actually
n. in actual fact, really 实际上
generation
n. all the people about the same age （一）代
gap
n. an empty space between two things or two parts of a thing; a wide difference of opinion, character, or the like 缺口，间隙；分歧，隔阂
divorce
n. end of a marriage by law 离婚
rate
n. 率
mental
a. of the mind 精神的；思想上的
communicate
vi. share or exchange opinions, ideas, etc. 交流意见，思想等
disturb
vt. make (sb.) worried 使烦恼
emotional
a. 感情的
pastime
n. anything done to pass time pleasantly 消遣，娱乐
sunset
n. the going down of the sun; the time when the sun goes down日落（时分）neighborhood
n. the area around a point or place 邻近地区；地段
adult
n. 成年人
typical
a. 典型的
educator
n. a person whose profession is education 教育家
barely
ad. hardly 仅仅，勉强；几乎没有
literate
a. able to read and write 能读写的；有文化的
product
n. sth. made or grown 产品
network
n. 广播（或电视）联播公司；广播（或电视)网
glance
n. quick look 一瞥；扫视
radical
a. extreme; very different 激进的
electronic
a. 电子的
electron
n.
baby-sitter
n. someone who looks after a child when the parents are away for a short time （代人临时）照看婴儿
childhood
n. time when one is a child 童年
partly
ad. not completely; in some degree 部分地；在一定程度上
involve
vt. have as a part or result （必须）包括
imagination
n. the ability to imagine 想像力
learning
n. the gaining of knowledge or skill through studying; knowledge or skill gained through studying 学习；学问，知识
invent
vt. produce (sth.) for the first time 发明
PHRASES & EXPRESSIONS
generation gap
failure of the younger and older generations to communicate and understand one another 代沟
in part
in some degree; partly 在一定程度上；部分地
grow up
change from a child to a man or a woman 成长，长大
bring together
cause to meet 使相聚
come up with
think of; produce 想出；提出
at first glance
when first seen or thought about乍一看；最初考虑时
have a ball
(sl.) enjoy oneself, have a very good time 玩得开心
PROPER NAMES
Mayer
迈耶（姓氏）
the United States
美国
a. more dangerous than it seems 暗藏危险的；奸诈的
cape
n. 海角
rough
a. (of weather or the sea) stormy; not calm （气候）有暴风雨的；（海）波涛汹涌的
ad. luckily 幸运地；幸亏
fortunate
a.
contact
vt. get in touch with 联系，接触
nearby
ad. close by 在附近
following
a. next; to be mentioned immediately 接着的；下列的
waken
v. (cause to) wake 唤醒；醒来
nightmare
n. terrible dream 恶梦
drag
vt. pull along with great effort 拖，拉
sinister
a. 凶恶的，邪恶的
knight
n. 爵士
vt. 封... 为爵士
sword
n. 剑，刀
accomplish
vt. finish successfully完成
conquer
vt. overcome征服
undoubtedly
ad. certainly无疑地
moreover
ad. in addition此外，而且
human
a. of or concerning people人们
being
n. a living thing, esp. a person生物；人PHRASES & EXPRESSIOMS
set out
begin a course if action着手，开始
give up
atop doing放弃
be determined to (do)
have a strong will to (do)决心（做）
(completely) alone
in spite of
not taking notice of; not caring about 尽管；虽然
by far
by a large amount or degree...得多
turn over
(cause to) fall over, upset（使）翻倒，（使）倾覆
can not help
can not keep oneself from禁不住
PEOPER NAMES
Francis Chichester
弗朗西斯. 奇切斯特
Gipsy Moth
吉普赛. 莫斯
Sydney
悉尼（澳大利亚城市）
Cape Horn
合恩角（智利）
London
伦敦
Elizabeth
伊丽莎白（女子名）
Drake
德雷克（姓氏）
UNIT 5
TEXT
A miserable and merry Christmas? How could it be?
A Miserable, Merry Christmas
Christmas was coming. I wanted a pony. To make sure that my parents understood, I declared that I wanted noting else.
"Nothing but a pony?" my father asked.
"Nothing," I said.
"Not even a pair of high boots?"
That was hard. I did want boots, but I stuck to the pony. "No, not even boots."
"Nor candy? There ought to be something to fill your stocking with, and Santa Claus can't put a pony into a stocking,"
That was true, and he couldn't lead a pony down the chimney either . But no. "All I want is a pony," I said. "If I can't have a pony, give me nothing, nothing."
On Christmas Eve I hung up my stocking along with my sisters.
The next morning my sisters and I woke up at six. Then we raced downstairs to the fireplace. And there they were, the gifts, all sorts of wonderful things, mixed-up piles of presents. Only my stocking was empty; it hung limp; not a thing in it; and under and around it -- nothing. My sisters had knelt down, each by her pile of gifts; they were crying with delight, till they looked up and saw me standing there looking so miserable. They came over to me and felt my stocking: nothing.
I don't remember whether I cried at that moment, but my sisters did. They ran with me back to my bed, and there we all cried till I became indignant. That helped some. I got up, dressed, and driving my sisters away, I went out alone into the stable, and there, all by myself, I wept. My mother came out to me and she tried to comfort me. But I wanted no comfort. She left me and went on into the house with sharp words for my father.
My sisters came to me, and I was rude. I ran away from them. I went around to the front of the house, sat down on the steps, and, the crying over, I ached. I was wronged, I was hurt. And my father must have been hurt, too, a little. I saw him looking out of the window. He was watching me or something for an hour or two, drawing back the curtain so little lest I catch him, but I saw his face, and I think I can see now the anxiety upon on it, the worried impatience.
After an hour or two, I caught sight of a man riding a pony down the street, a pony and a brand-new saddle; the most beautiful saddle I ever saw, and it was a boy's saddle. And the pony! As he drew near, I saw that the pony was really a small horse, with a black mane and tail, and one white foot and a white star on his forehead. For such a horse as that I would have given anything.
But the man came along, reading the numbers on the houses, and, as my hopes -- my impossible hopes -- rose, he looked at our door and passed by, he and the pony, and the saddle. Too much, I fell upon the steps and broke into tears. Suddenly I heard a voice.
"Say, kid," it said, "do you know a boy named Lennie Steffens?"
I looked up. It was the man on the pony, back again.
"Yes," I spluttered through my tears. "That's me."
"Well," he said, "then this is your horse. I've been looking all over for you and your house. Why don't you put your number where it can be seen?"
"Get down," I said, running out to him. I wanted to ride.
He went on saying something about "ought to have got here at seven o'clock, but--"
I hardly heard, I could scarcely wait. I was so happy, so thrilled. I rode off up the street. Such
a beautiful pony. And mine! After a while I turned and trotted back to the stable. There was the family, father, mother, sisters, all working for me, all happy. They had been putting in place the tools of my new business: currycomb, brush, pitchfork -- everything, and there was hay in the loft.
But that Christmas, which my father had planned so carefully, was it the best or the worst I ever knew? He often asked me that; I never could answer as a boy. I think now that it was both. It covered the whole distance from broken-hearted misery to bursting happiness -- too fast, A grown-up could hardly have stood it.
NEW WORDS
miserable
a. causing unhappiness; very unhappy 悲惨的
merry
a. cheerful, full of lively happiness, fun, etc. 欢乐的，愉快的
pony
n. a small horse 矮种马；小马
boot
n. 长统靴
candy
n. (AmE) sweets 糖果
sticking
n. 长（统）袜
chimney
n. 烟囱
eve
n. 前夕
fireplace
n. 壁炉
mixed-up
a. (different things) put together混合的，混杂的
limp
a. soft; not stiff or firm软的；松沓的
kneel
v. go down or remain on the knee(S)跪下
indignant
a. angry at sth. unfair气愤的；愤慨的
stable
n. building for keeping and feeding animals, esp. horses马厩weep
v. cry哭泣；流泪
rude
a. not at all polite粗鲁的，不礼貌的
wrong
vt. treat unjustly委屈
curtain
n. 窗帘
lest
conj. for fear that唯恐，以免
anxiety
n. fear caused by uncertainty about sth.焦虑
impatience
n. inability to wait calmly不耐烦，急躁
patience
n.
brand
n. 商标，牌子
brand-new
a. entirely new and unused崭新的
saddle
n. 马鞍
mane
n. 马鬃
forehead
n. that part of the face above the eyes and below the hair 前额kid
n. child
splutter
v. speak quickly and confusedly (from excitement, etc.) 语无伦次地说scarcely
ad. hardly, almost not 几乎不，简直不
scarce
a.
thrill
vt. excite greatly使非常激动
trot
vi. run or ride slowly, with short steps（马）小跑
currycomb
n. a special comb used to rub and clean a horse马梳
pitchfork
n. 干草叉
hay
n. dried grass 干草
loft
n. a room over a stable, where hay is kept 草料棚
broken-hearted
a. filled with grief; very sad 心碎的；极其伤心的
misery
n. the state of being very unhappy, poor, ill, lonely, etc. 悲惨；不幸；苦难happiness
n. the state of being happy 快乐；幸福
grown-up
a. & n. (of) an adult person 成人（的）
PHRASES & EXPRESSIONS
make sure
ct so as to make something certain 确保；查明
nothing but
nothing other than; only 除了...以外没有什么；仅仅，只不过
stick to
refuse to give up or change 坚持，不放弃
hang up
fix (sth,) at a high place so that it does not touch the ground挂起
or something
(used when the speaker is not sure) 诸如此类
catch sight of
see suddenly or for a moment 看到，发现
draw near
mover near接近
break into
suddenly start (to cry, laugh, etc.) 突然...起来
in place
in the right place在适当的位置
PROPER NAMES
Santa Claus
圣诞老人
Christmas Eve
圣诞前夜
Lennie Steffens
伦尼.斯蒂芬斯
UNIT 6
TEXT
San set out to improve efficiency at the shirt factory but, as we find out later in this unit, his plans turned out not quite as he had expected.
Sam Adams, Industrial Engineer
If you ask my mother how I happened to become an industrial engineer, she'll tell you that I have always been one.
She means that I have always wanted everything to be well organized and neat. When I was still in elementary school, I liked to keep my socks in the upper left-hand drawer of my bureau, my underwear in the upper right drawer, shirts in the middle drawer, and pants, neatly folded, in the bottom drawer.
In fact, I was the efficiency expert for the whole family. I used to organize my father's tools, my mother's kitchen utensils, my sister's boyfriends.
I needed to be efficient. I wanted to be well organized. For me, there was a place for everything and everything was always in its place. These qualities gave me a good foundation for a career in industrial engineering.
【晨读英语美文100篇】晨读英语美文中英对照版英语晨读365 116 Virtue 美德 Sweet day,so cool,so calm,so bright! 甜美的白昼，如此凉爽、安宁、明媚！ The bridal of the earth and sky- 天地间完美的匹配----- The dew shall weep thy fall to-night; 今宵的露珠儿将为你的消逝而落泪； For thou must die. 因为你必须离去。 Sweet rose,whose hue angry and brave, 美丽的玫瑰，色泽红润艳丽， Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye, 令匆匆而过的人拭目而视，Thy root is ever in its grave, 你的根永远扎在坟墓里， And thou must die. 而你必须消逝。 Sweet spring,full of sweet days and roses, 美妙的春天，充满了美好的日子和芳香的玫瑰， A box where sweets compacted lie, 如一支芬芳满溢的盒子， My music shows ye have your closes, 我的音乐表明你们也有终止， And all must die, 万物都得消逝。 Only a sweet and virtuous soul, 唯有美好而正直的心灵， Like season'd timber,never gives; 犹如干燥备用的木料，永
不走样； But though the whole world turn to coal, 纵然整个世界变为灰烬， Then chiefly lives. 它依然流光溢彩。 英语晨读365 115 Equipment 装备 Figure it out for yourself, my lad. You have got all that the great have had: two arms, two legs, two hands, two eyes, and a brain to use if you'd be wise. With this equipment they all began, so start for the top and say" I can". Look them over the wise and the great. They take their food from a common plate. With similar knives and forks they use; with similar laces they tie their shoes. The world considers them brave and smart, but you know--- you have got all they had when they made their start. You can triumph and come to skill; you can be great if you only will. You are well equipped for the fight you choose you have arms and legs and brains to use. And people who have risen, great deeds to do started their lives with no more than you. You are the handicap you must face. You are the one who must choose your place. You must say where you want to go, and how much you will study the truth to know. God has equipped you for life, but he lets you decide what you want to be.
If you waste today, you will destroy the last page of your life. 如果浪费了今天，你将失去你生命中最后一天。 While there is life there is hope. 一息若存，希望不灭。 I am a slow walker,but I never walk backwards. ( America) 我走得很慢，但是我从来不会后退。（亚伯拉罕.林肯美国） Never underestimate your power to change yourself! 永远不要低估你改变自我的能力！ Nothing is impossible! 没有什么不可能！ Nothing for nothing. 不费力气，一无所得。 The man who has made up his mind to win will never say "impossible ". (Bonaparte Napoleon ,French emperor ) 凡是决心取得胜利的人是从来不说“不可能的”。( 法国皇帝拿破仑. B.) I will greet this day with love in my heart. 我要用全身心的爱来迎接今天 Do what you say,say what you do 做你说过的，说你能做的 I can make it through the rain. I can stand up once again on my own. 我可以穿越云雨，也可以东山再起(Mariah Carey-through the rain) All things come to those who wait. 苍天不负有心人 A thousand-li journey is started by taking the first step. 千里之行，始于足下。 Never, never, never, never give up (Winston Churchill) 永远不要、不要、不要、不要放弃。（英国首相丘吉尔） A man is not old as long as he is seeking something. A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. (J. Barrymore) 只要一个人还有追求，他就没有老。直到后悔取代了梦想，一个人才算老。（巴里摩尔）You have to believe in yourself . That's the secret of success.(Charles Chaplin , American actor ) 人必须相信自己，这是成功的秘诀。 (美国演员卓别林. C.) One's real value first lies in to what degree and what sense he set himself.(Einstein Germany) 一个人的真正价值首先决定于他在什么程度上和在什么意义上从自我解放出来。（爱因斯坦德国） One thing I know,that is I know nothing.(Socrates Greek) 我所知道的一件事就是我一无所知。（苏格拉底古希腊） Cease to struggle and you cease to live. -- Thomas Carlyle 生命不止，奋斗不息。 -- 卡莱尔 Victory won't come to me unless I go to it. -- 胜利是不会向我们走来的，我必须自己走向胜利。 -- 穆尔
星火四级晨读英语美文100篇【励志感悟】第7篇 Excuses Some people go through life standing at the excuse counter. People say they'd like to do this or that,but...then they offer all the excuses in the world why they can't do whatever it is.No matter what the excuses are,the only thing usually limiting them is their own self-perception. If I've learned anyhing,I've learned a person--any person--can do just about anything they set their mind to.The only thing they need is a willingness to work for what you want,patience to learn what you need to know,and just a little bit of belief in yourself,but you only need a seed.Your faith in yourself will grow with you as you move forward. If you self-perception is that you can't accompilsh somthing because you're not smart enough,then take the time to learn what you need to know and your self-perception will change. If your self-perception is that you can't accompilsh something because you never finsh anything you start,then go finsh something and change your self-perception. If your self-perception is that you're too lazy,too bust,too unworthy,too unfocused,too depressed,too dependent on others,the you're right.You are that because you believe that,but you can change that! Life is change,and the past doesn't equal the future.Your today is the result of your past beliefs and actions.Change your beliefs and action and you change your future.If you think you can or you can't,you're right.You are what you think. Think about that the next time you need an excuse. 翻译： 借口 有些人站在“借口”这一柜台后虚度一生。 有人说，自己想做这个，想做那个，但是······于是便给出他们所能找到的各种借口，来解释自己为什么不能去做这些事。无论借口是什么，大概唯一能限制他们行动的只是他们的自我意识。 如果说我学到了什么，那就是我意识到一个人——任何人——都可以做他决定想做的一切。你唯一需要的是：为理想而努力的意志，学习所需知识的耐心和一点点自信。其实最需要的只是自信的一粒小小的种籽。自信会随着你的进步而增强。如果你自以为不够聪明而无法成功，那就花时间去学习你所需要的知识，这样你的自我感觉就会改变。 如果你认为自己太懒惰，太忙碌，太无足轻重，太不专心，太消沉，太依赖别人，太这样太那样而不能成大器，那么你是对的。你相信如此，便会如此。但你能改变一切。 生活无时无刻不在变化，过去不等于将来。你的现在是你过去的信念与行动的结果。改变信念和行动就会改变你的未来。你认为自己能或不能，你都是对的。你就是你所认为的样子。 下次需要找借口时，请好好想想
英语经典短篇美文欣赏 【篇一：英语经典短篇美文欣赏】 一生必读的英文经典美文48篇一生必读的英文经典美文48篇新概念英语晨读系列：一生必读的48 篇英文经典美文上册，是英语听力频道英语美文栏目下的内容，48篇英语美文，mp3和文本。思想结 晶改变人生命运，经典美文提高生活品位。 【篇二：英语经典短篇美文欣赏】 目录： ??第一篇：youth 青春 ??第二篇：three days to see(excerpts)假如给我三天光明（节选）??第三篇：companionship of books 以书为伴（节选） ??第四篇：if i rest, i rust 如果我休息，我就会生锈 ??第五篇：ambition 抱负 ??第六篇：what i have lived for 我为何而生 ??第七篇：when love beckons you 爱的召唤 ??第八篇：the road to success 成功之道 ??第九篇：on meeting the celebrated 论见名人 ??第十篇：the 50-percent theory of life 生活理论半对半 ??第十一篇：what is your recovery rate? 你的恢复速率是多少？??第十二篇：clear your mental space 清理心灵的空间 ??第十三篇：be happy 快乐 ??第十四篇：the goodness of life 生命的美好 ??第十五篇：facing the enemies within 直面内在的敌人 ??第十六篇：abundance is a life style 富足的生活方式 ??第十七篇：human life a poem 人生如诗 ??第十八篇：solitude 独处 ??第十九篇：giving life meaning 给生命以意义 ??第二十篇：relish the moment 品位现在 ??第二十一篇：the love of beauty 爱美 ??第二十二篇：the happy door 快乐之门 ??第二十三篇：born to win 生而为赢 ??第二十四篇：work and pleasure 工作和娱乐 ??第二十五篇：mirror, mirror--what do i see镜子,镜子,告诉我 ??第二十六篇：on motes and beams 微尘与栋梁 ??第二十七篇：an october sunrise 十月的日出
晨读英语美文100篇 Passage1. Knowledge and Virtue Knowledge is one thing, virtue is another; good sense is not conscience, refinement is not humility, nor is largeness and justness of view faith. Philosophy, however enlightened, however profound, gives no command over the passions, no influential motives, no vivifying principles. Liberal Education makes not the Christian, not the Catholic, but the gentleman. It is well to be a gentleman, it is well to have a cultivated intellect, a delicate taste, a candid, equitable, dispassionate mind, a noble and courteous bearing in the conduct of life—these are the connatural qualities of a large knowledge;they are the objects of a University.I am advocating, I shall illustrate and insist upon them;but still, I repeat, they are no guarantee for sanctity or even for conscientiousness,and they may attach to the man of the world, to the profligate,to the heartless, pleasant, alas, and attractive as he shows when decked out in them.Taken by themselves, they do but seem to be what they are not;they look like virtue at a distance, but they are detected by close observers, and in the long run;and hence it is that they are popularly accused of pretense and hypocrisy,not, I repeat, from
新概念一生必读的英语经典美文第45篇：做你自己（双语） 新概念英语晨读系列之一生必读48篇英文美文，美文不仅可以开阔视野，拓宽知识面，还可以净化思想，涤荡心灵，使人生臻45. Do something for yourself 做你自己 As a little boy, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday aftemoons at my grandfather's farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of winding stonewalls, the house and barn provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me. I was used to parlors neat as a pin that seemed to whisper, "Not to be touched!" 我小时候最喜欢在爷爷的农场里度过每个星期天的下午。爷爷的农场在宾夕法尼亚州西部。农场四周都围上了绵延几英里的石墙。房子和谷仓给我这个城市男孩带来了无穷的快乐时光。我习惯了城里整洁的客厅，似乎在低声说：“不要摸！”。 I can still remember one afternoon when I was eight years old. Since my first visit to the farm, I'd wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stonewalls surrounding the property. My parents would never approve. The walls were old; some stones were missing, others loose and crumbling. Still, my yearning to scramble across those walls grew so strong. One spring afternoon, I summoned all my courage and entered the living room, where the adults had gathered after dinner. 我仍能记得我8岁那年一天下午的情景。因为我第一次去农场，所以我很想上那农场四周的那些石墙。可我的父母是绝不会同意的。这些墙年深日，有的石头不见了，有的石头松动倒塌了。然而，我渴望这些墙的欲望非常强烈。一个春天的下午，我鼓足勇气，走进客厅，大人们午饭后都聚在这里。 "I, uh, I want to climb the stonewalls," I said hesitantly. Everyone looked up. "Can I climb the stonewalls?" Instantly a chorus went up from the women in the room. "Heavens, no!" they cried in dismay. "You'll hurt yourself!" I wasn't too disappointed; the response was just as I'd expected. But before I could leave the room, I was stopped by my grandfather' s booming voice. "Hold on just a minute," I heard him say, "Let the boy climb the stonewalls. He has to learn to do things for himself." “我，呃，我想爬那石墙，”我犹豫地说道。大家都抬起头。“我能去爬那些石墙吗？”屋里的女人们马上齐声叫了起来。“天哪，不能！”她们惊慌地叫首，“你会伤着自己的！”我并没有太失望，我早就预料会是这样的回答。但还没等我离开客厅，爷爷低沉的声音拦住了我。“等一会儿，”我听到他说“让孩子爬那些石墙吧。他必须学会自己做一些事。” "Scoot," he said to me with a wink, "and come and see me when you get back." For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventure. I'll never forget what he said. "Fred," he said, grinning, "you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there's only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are." “快走吧，”他对我眨眨眼说。“你回来后找我。”接下来的两个半小时，我爬上了这些古老的石墙，别提有多肝硬变。后来，我把自己冒险经历告诉了爷爷。我永远也不会忘记他说
星火四级晨读英语美文100篇【励志感悟】第17篇 The Power of Beauty One of the most successful, influential and beloved women in American history, Eleanor Roosevelt once said that she had one regret: she wished she had been prettier. Who hasn’t felt the same way? We are all too aware of our physical imperfections. To overcome them, we spend billions upon billions of dollars every year on cosmetics, diet products, fashion, and plastic surgery. Why do we care so much about how we look? Because it matters. Because beauty is powerful. Because even when we learn to value people mostly for being kind and wise and funny, we are still moved by beauty. No matter how much we argue against it or pretend to be immune, beauty exerts its power over us. There is simply no escape. Aristotle said, “Beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction.” It’s not fair, but it’s true. We simply treat beautiful people better than we do others. Attach a photograph of a beautiful author to an essay, and people will think that is more creative and more intelligently written than exactly the same essay accompanied by the photo of a homely author. Our sensitivity to physical beauty is not something we can control at will. We are born with it. Experiments conducted by psychologist Judith J. Langlois showed that even small infants prefer to look at attractive faces. Before they have met a single supermodel, before they have watched a single TV show, before they have opened up a single fashion magazine, they are drawn to the same faces which adults have judged to be attractive. There are more important things in life than beauty. But as Etcoff says, “We have to understand beauty, or we will always be enslaved by it.” If you aim to be wise and kind and funny, it doesn’t mean that you can’t also try your best to look beautiful. There’s no reason to feel guilty about being moved by beauty’s power. It moves us all. 翻译： 美的力量 身为美国史上最成功、最有影响力且最受人喜爱的女性之一的罗斯福夫人曾说她有一个遗憾：她希望自己长得更漂亮。谁没有过同样的想法呢？我们都强烈感觉到自己身体的缺陷。为了克服缺陷，我们每年都要花费几十亿美元--在化妆品、减肥食品、流行时尚与整容手术上。 我们如此这么在意自己的外貌？因为它很重要。因为美的力量很大。因为即使我们学着基本上去看重仁慈、智能、风趣的人，但我们仍会受到美的感动。无论我们多么用力辩驳，或假装对它免疫，美仍然对我们产生影响。根本无法逃避。 亚里斯多德说：“美是比任何介绍信都要有用的推荐函。”这并不公平，但却是事实。我们就是会对美丽的人比较好。把一位美丽作家的照片贴在作品上，读者就会认为这篇文章较有创意，写得更有智能。完全相同的文章配上相貌平凡的作家照片，评价就会较低。 我们对外在美的敏感，不是可以控制自如的。我们天生就这么敏感。心理学家朱迪丝蓝洛斯的实验显示，就连小婴儿也喜欢看漂亮的脸。他们从来没有见过超级名模、没看过电视节目，也没翻开过时尚杂志，却已经受到大人也认为有魅力的脸庞所吸引。 人生中有比美丽更重要的事，但就如艾特考夫所说：“我们必须了解美，否则我们永远都会是它的奴隶。”如果你的目标是要聪明、仁慈又风趣，这并不代表你就不能尽力让自己变得漂亮。被美的力量感动，并不需要有罪恶感，因为所有的人都受它感动。
高三英语晨读经典80篇10 感谢大耳朵友“ramoondio”提供的听力原文 It seems that some people go out of their way to get into trouble.That’s more or less what happened the night that Nashville Police Officer Floyd Hyde was on duty. “I was on the way to a personal-injury accident in West Nashville.As I got onto Highway40,blue lights and sirens going,I fell in behind a gold Pontiac Firebird that suddenly seemed to take off quickly down the highway.The driver somehow panicked at the sight of me.He was going more than a hundred miles an hour and began passing cars on the shoulder.” But Hyde couldn’t go after him.Taking care of injured people is always more important than worrying about speeders,so the officer had to stay on his way to the accident.But he did try to keep the Firebird in sight as he drove,hoping another nearby unit would be able to step in and stop the speeding car.As it turned out,keeping the Firebird in sight was not that difficult.Every turn the Pontiac made was the very turn the officer needed to get to the accident scene. Hyde followed the Pontiac all the way to his destination.At that point he found another unit had already arrived at the accident scene.His help wasn’t needed.Now he was free to try to stop the driver of the Firebird, who by this time had developed something new to panic about. “Just about that time”,Hyde says,“I saw fire coming out from under that car,with blue smoke and oil going everywhere.He’d blown his engine. Now he had to stop.” “After I arrested him,I asked him why he was running.He told me he didn’t have a driver’s license.” That accident cost the driver of the Firebird plenty－a thousand dollars for the new engine－not to mention the charges for driving without a license,attempting to run away,and dangerous driving.
星火晨读四级英语美文篇 篇一：星火四级晨读英语美文100篇【励志感悟】第18篇星火四级晨读英语美文100篇【励志感悟】第18篇 What is Life About ? What is life about? We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love to do. One day when we look back, we will realize that we don t really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of work and play, family and personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your life.Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life,the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile. Life is short. Do not take life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy life! 翻译：生活的意义生活是关于什么的呢?我们每天努力地去赚更多的钱，去得到权力和认可。我们忽视了我们的健康，忽视了与家人在一起的时间，忽视了欣赏周围的美丽，忽视了自己的爱好。某一天当我们往回看的时候，我们会发现自己其实真正需要的并不是太多，但是时光不能倒转，我们也找不回失去的东西。生活不是赚钱，不是去追求权利和别人的认可。生活绝对不只是工作! 工作只是帮助我们去生存，以便于我们享受生活中的荚丽和快乐。生活是一种工作时间和玩乐时间，家庭时间和个人时间的平衡。你必须自己去决定怎么去平衡你的生活。确定你自己最先做什么，明白什么是可以迟些做的，但是总体来说，让你的一些决定跟着你的本能走。快乐是生活的意义和目的，是人类存在的整个目标。所以，放松点，去做那些你想做的事情，重视自然。生活是脆弱的，短暂的。不要把生活想得理所当然，过一种平衡的生活方式，去享受生活吧。篇二：星火四级晨读英语美文100篇【励志感悟】第20篇星火四级晨读英语美文100
星火四级晨读英语美文100篇【励志感悟】第18篇 What is Life About ? What is life about? We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love to do. One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of work and play, family and personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life,the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile. Life is short. Do not take life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy life! 翻译： 生活的意义
星火书业晨读英语美文100篇六级前十篇中英翻译版 Passage1. Knowledge and Virtue Knowledge is one thing, virtue is another; good sense is not conscience, refinement is not humility, nor is largeness and justness of view faith. Philosophy, however enlightened, however profound, gives no command over the passions, no influential motives, no vivifying principles. Liberal Education makes not the Christian, not the Catholic, but the gentleman. It is well to be a gentleman, it is well to have a cultivated intellect, a delicate taste, a candid, equitable, dispassionate mind, a noble and courteous bearing in the conduct of life—these are the connatural qualities of a large knowledge;they are the objects of a University.I am advocating, I shall illustrate and insist upon them;but still, I repeat, they are no guarantee for sanctity or even for conscientiousness,and they may attach to the man of the world, to the profligate,to the heartless, pleasant, alas, and attractive as he shows when decked out in them.Taken by themselves, they do but seem to be what they are not;they look like virtue at a distance, but they are detected by close observers, and in the long run;and hence it is that they are popularly accused of pretense and hypocrisy,not, I repeat, from their own fault,but because their professors and their admirers persist in taking them for what they are not,and are officious in arrogating for them a praise to which they have no claim.Quarry the granite rock with razors, or moor the vessel with a thread of silk,then may you hope with such keen and delicate instruments as human knowledgeand human reason to contend against those giants, 知识是一回事，美德是另一回事。好意并非良心，优雅并非谦让，广博与公正的观点也并非信仰。哲学，无论多么富有启迪和深奥莫测，都无法驾驭情感，不具备有影响力的动机，不具有导致生动活泼的原理。文科教育并不造就基督教徒抑或天主教徒，而是造就了绅士。造就一个绅士诚为美事。有教养的才智，优雅的情趣，正直、公正而冷静的头脑，高贵而彬彬有礼的举止--这些是与渊博的学识生来固有的品质, 它也是大学教育的目的。对此我提倡之，并将加以阐释和坚持。然而我要说的是，它们仍然不能确保圣洁，或甚至不能保证诚实。它们可以附庸于世故的俗人，附庸于玩世不恭的浪子。唉，当他们用它伪装起来时，就更增加了他们外表上的冷静、快活和魅力。就其本身而言，它们似乎已远非其本来面目，它们似乎一远看的美德，经久久细察方可探知。因此它们受到广泛的责难，指责其虚饰与伪善。我要强调，这绝非是因为其自身有什么过错，而