Unit_5_The_force_of_nature

Text I Force of Nature

Glossary

elm /elm/ n. any of various deciduous trees落叶树 of the genus Ulmus, characteristically having

arching or curving branches and serrated leaves with

asymmetrical bases. Elms are widely planted as shade

trees 榆树

radioactivity // n. spontaneous emission of radiation,

either directly from unstable atomic nuclei or as a

consequence of a nuclear reaction

single-minded // adj. characterized by having only

one aim or purpose and being determined to achieve it

made-up // adj. (of stories) that is invented, rather

than really existing or being true, fictional

exotic // adj. intriguingly unusual or different, as if

from another part of the world 由外国引进的，非本地的

encircle // v. to circle around

grave // adj. fraught充满不愉快的事情 with danger

or harm; serious

idolize // v. to worship sb. or sth. as an object of

adoration 将（某人）当作偶像崇拜

fantasy // n. the creative imagination; unrestrained

fancy 想象，幻想

shred // n. a small amount (of)

obsessively // adv. in a way that one cannot stop

doing a particular thing or behaving in a particular way

萦绕于心；有执着想法

revolutionize // v. to bring about a radical change in

使彻底变革

atomic // adj. of or relating to an atom or atoms

an atomic bomb/an atomic submarine/atomic

power/atomic warfare/atomic energy nuclear

pitiful // adj. inspiring or deserving pity

passion // n. strong emotion

tuberculosis // n. a serious infectious disease that

attacks many parts of the body, esp. the lungs结核病；（由指）肺结核

governess // n. a woman employed to educate and train

the children of a private household女家教

wind up to end up; finish up; be in a situation at the

end of a series of events, adventures, experiences, even

though it is not the original intention 使结束

disinherit // v. to exclude from inheritance or the right

to inherit 剥夺继承权

nursemaid // n. a woman employed to take care of

children 育婴女佣

drag by (of time) to pass in a tedious and prolonged

way

meager // adj. scanty; small and not enough （数量或大小）不足的

enrol // v. to enter one's own or sb.'s name on an official

register or list of members 入学，加入

vat // n. a large vessel, such as a tub, cistern, or barrel,

used to hold or store liquids 大桶，大盆

glisten // v. to shine by reflection with a sparkling

luster 闪亮

luminous // adj. emitting light, especially emitting

self-generated light 发光的，发亮的

stain // n. a discoloured spot or smudge

congeal // v. to cause to solidify or coagulate or to

undergo a process likened to solidification or

coagulation 使…凝结

radium // n. (化)镭：一种稀有的、有白色光泽、发光、高度放射性的金属元素，极少量地存在于沥青矿中

gritty // adj. showing resolution and fortitude; plucky

刚强的，刚毅的

shabby // adj. dilapidated or deteriorated in condition,

esp. through neglect; seedy因照管不善而破旧，变坏；破烂的，肮脏的

dank // adj. disagreeably damp or humid 阴湿的，阴冷的

prominent // adj. well-known; eminent 知名的，受人尊敬的

stable // n. a building for the shelter and feeding of

domestic animals, especially horses and cattle

toast // n. a person receiving much attention or

acclaim 极出名的人

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to propose a toast to the

bride and groom.

They drank a toast to the Queen.

After the success of her show she was the toast of

Broadway.

fete // v. to pay honor to 向…致敬

After it won the cup, the local football team was feted

everywhere it went.

acolyte // n. a devoted follower 助手

homage // n. special honor or respect shown or

expressed publicly 崇敬，致敬

exposure // n. an act of subjecting or an instance of

being subjected to an action or an influence

fierce // adj. extremely intense

sore // n. an open skin lesion, wound, or ulcer 痛处，伤处

draft // adj. （英）draught suited for or used for

drawing heavy loads

a draught horse

I asked for draught beer, not bottled beer.

defining // adj. giving a distinctive character to sth., or

encapsulating its character

inconsolable // adj. impossible or difficult to console

无法安慰的；极为伤心的

metamorphosis // n. a marked change in appearance,

character, condition, or function改变

cape // n. (a) cape-like state (of)

secrecy // n. the quality or condition of being secret or

hidden; concealment

polonium // n. [化] 钋

onset // n. beginning

X-ray // n. X光；X射线

fleet // n. a group of vessels or vehicles, owned or

operated as a unit 舰队；船队；车队；机群

aplastic // adj. unable to form or regenerate tissues

pernicious // adj. tending to cause death or serious

injury; deadly 恶性的；很有害的

anemia // n. a pathological deficiency in the

oxygen-carrying component of the blood, measured in

unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood

cell volume, or red blood cell number 贫血症

icon // n. one who is the object of great attention and

devotion; an idol 偶像

obstacle // n. sth. that opposes, stands in the way of, or

holds up progress

TEXT EXPLANATIONS

This narrative article is characterized by an objective and somewhat descriptive style. It may be divided into three

parts. The first part, which consists of the first three paragraphs, provides us with the background knowledge,

informing us why the writer idolized Marie Curie, briefly introduces the heroine and presents the writer's evaluation

of the heroine. The second part, which comprises paragraphs 4-13, is the body of the narrative story. This major part

provides us with true, descriptive, and impressive accounts of the heroine, focusing on her experiences in life and her

research work, and vividly telling us the major events that happened to her. The last paragraph, the last part or the

summarizing paragraph of the story, concisely points out the writer's understanding or assessment of Marie Curie's

life—truly glorious and tragic.

The questions below are to be discussed.

(1) Why did the author, when still a teenager, idolize Madame Curie?

She idolized Madame Curie because in her mind Curie was the strongest and most capable woman in the world; she

was both a loving mother and an outstanding scientist.

(2) Why is Marie Curie so famous in the world?

Firstly, she and her husband won a Nobel Prize in physics in 1903 for the discovery of radioactivity. Secondly, after