下载文档原格式
Unit 4account n.账户；解释；账目，账单；理由vi.解释；导致；报账vt.认为；把…视为acknowledge vt. 承认；答谢；报偿；告知已收到admirable adj. 令人钦佩的；极好的；值得赞扬的aesthetic adj. 美的；美学的；审美的，具有审美趣味的anonymity n. 匿名；匿名者；无名之辈balding adj. 变秃的behave vi. 表现；（机器等）运转；举止端正；（事物）起某种作用vt. 使守规矩；使表现得…belt n. 带；腰带；地带vt. 用带子系住；用皮带抽打vi. 猛击blast n. 爆炸；冲击波；一阵vi. 猛攻vt. 爆炸；损害；使枯萎budget n. 预算，预算费vt. 安排，预定；把…编入预算vi. 编预算，做预算adj. 廉价的casualty n. 意外事故；伤亡人员；急诊室challenge n. 挑战；怀疑vt. 向…挑战chaotic adj. 混沌的；混乱的，无秩序的chunk n. 大块；矮胖的人或物clash n. 冲突，不协调；碰撞声，铿锵声vi. 冲突，抵触；砰地相碰撞，发出铿锵声vt. 使碰撞作声collision n. 碰撞；冲突；（意见，看法）的抵触；（政党等的）倾轧commitment n. 承诺，保证；委托；承担义务；献身conclusion n. 结论；结局；推论congressional adj.国会的；会议的；议会的crash n. 撞碎；坠毁；破产；轰隆声；睡觉vi. 摔碎；坠落；发出隆隆声；破产vt. 打碎；使坠毁、撞坏；擅自闯入desperate adj. 不顾一切的；令人绝望的；极度渴望的dip vt. 浸，泡，蘸；舀取；把伸入vi. 浸；下降，下沉；倾斜；舀，掏n. 下沉，下降；倾斜；浸渍，蘸湿distinction n.区别；差别；特性；荣誉、勋章doze vi. 打瞌睡；假寐vt. 打瞌睡度过n. 瞌睡element n. 元素；要素；原理；成分；自然环境emotional adj.情绪的；易激动的；感动人的employee n. 雇员；从业员工essential adj. 基本的；必要的；本质的；精华的n. 本质；要素；要点；必需品flight n. 飞行；班机；逃走vt. 射击；使惊飞vi. 迁徙flotation n. 浮选（等于floatation）freeze vi. 冻结；冷冻；僵硬vt. 使…冻住；使…结冰n. 冻结；凝固grope vi. 摸索；探索vt. 摸索n. 摸索；触摸gull n. [鸟] 鸥；笨人；易受骗之人vt. 骗；欺诈harsh adj. 严厉的；严酷的；刺耳的；粗糙的；刺目的helicopter n. [航] 直升飞机vi. [航] 乘直升飞机vt. 由直升机运送high adj.高的；高级的；崇高的；高音调的n. 高水平；天空；由麻醉品引起的快感；高压地带adv. 高；奢侈地immovable adj.不动的；固定的；不改变的impact vt. 影响；撞击；冲突；压紧vi. 冲击；产生影响n. 影响；效果；碰撞；冲击力impersonal adj. 客观的；非个人的；没有人情味的；非人称的n.非人称动词；不具人格的事物injured adj. 受伤的；受损害的jet n. 喷射，喷嘴；喷气式飞机；黑玉adj. 墨黑的vt. 射出vi. 射出；[航] 乘喷气式飞机lifeline n. 生命线；救生索likewise adv. 同样地；也location n. 位置；地点；外景拍摄场地monument n.纪念碑；历史遗迹；不朽作品vt. 为…树碑preserve vt. 保存；保护；维持；腌；禁猎n.保护区；禁猎地；加工成的食品occasion n. 时机，机会；场合；理由vt. 引起，惹起possibility n. 可能性；可能发生的事物presidential adj. 总统的；首长的；统辖的principle n. 原理，原则；主义，道义；本质，本义；根源，源泉proof n.证明；证据；校样；考验；验证adj.防\耐…的；不能透入的；证明用的vt. 试验；校对；使不被穿透remark n. 注意；言辞vt. 评论；觉察vi. 谈论represent vt.代表；表现；描绘；回忆；再赠送vi. 代表；提出异议section n.截面；部分；部门；地区；章节vi. 被切割成片；被分成部分vt.把…分段；将…切片；对…进行划分skid n.打滑；刹车；滑轨，滑动垫木vt. 刹住，使减速；滚滑vi. 打滑slap vt. 拍击；侮辱；掌击；掴…的耳光n. 掴；侮辱；掌击；拍打声vi. 掴；拍击adv. 直接地；猛然地；恰好standoff n. 和局；僵持；冷淡；平衡adj. 冷淡的；有支架的stewardess n. 女管家；女干事；女服务员stick vt. 刺，戳；伸出；粘贴vi. 坚持；伸出；粘住n. 棍；手杖；呆头呆脑的人stunning adj. 极好的；使人晕倒的；震耳欲聋的v.把…打昏；使震耳欲聋；使大吃一惊survivor n. 幸存者；生还者；残存物tragedy n. 悲剧；灾难；惨案unidentified adj. 未经确认的；未辨别出的，身分不明的unique adj. 独特的，稀罕的；[数] 唯一的，独一无二的n. 独一无二的人或物universal adj. 普遍的；通用的；宇宙的；全世界的；全体的n. 一般概念；普通性。
Unit4爱因斯坦是外星人么艾伯特爱因斯坦被搞得筋疲力尽.连续第三个晚上，他的宝贝儿子汉斯，哭泣，让家人清醒直到黎明。
当艾伯特终于睡着了是时候起床去工作。
他不能跳过一天。
他需要工作来养活家人。
他轻快地走到专利局，在那里他是一个“技术专家，第三级，”艾伯特担心他的母亲。
她越来越虚弱，她不赞成他与米列娃结婚，关系紧张。
艾伯特看了一眼路过商店的橱窗。
他的头发是一个烂摊子；他忘了梳一遍。
工作。
家庭。
使收支平衡。
艾伯特感受到任何年轻的丈夫和父亲所有的压力和责任的。
放松，他彻底改变了物理学。
1905年，在年龄26时，四年前他找到了工作作为一个物理学教授，爱因斯坦出版了五个最重要的论文在科学史”——所有在他的空余时间写的。
”他证明了原子和分子的存在。
1905年之前，科学家们不清楚那些。
他认为光是小块（后来被称为“光子”），从而奠定了量子力的学基础，。
他描述了他的狭义相对论理论：空间和时间是同一个织物的线，他提出那是可弯曲，拉伸和扭曲的。
哦，顺便说一句，E = mc2。
在爱因斯坦之前，最后一个有这样突出创意的科学家，是艾萨克牛顿先生。
它发生在1666时，牛顿隔离自己母亲的农场去避免爆发在剑桥的瘟疫。
没有什么更好的事，他提出了他的万有引力。
几个世纪以来,历史学家称为1666牛顿的“奇迹年。
现在这些话有不同的意义:爱因斯坦和1905。
联合国已经宣布2005年“世界物理年“庆祝爱因斯坦“奇迹年的100周年。
现代流行文化吧爱因斯坦画一个bushy-haired superthinker。
我们被告之他的想法，是不可能远远领先于其他科学家。
他一定是从其他星球来的——也许是牛顿长大的同一个星球。
“爱因斯坦不是外星人，”哈佛大学物理学家和科学史家彼得笑到。
“他是他那个时代的人。
”他所有的1905年的文件揭开问题正在被其他科学家研究，成败参半，“如果爱因斯坦没有出生的，[文件]将最终由他人以某种形式写出来”Galison说。
1905年值得注意的是，一个人撰写的五个文件的全部，加上原有的，爱因斯坦以不敬的方式得到自己的结论。
Unit 4V ocabulary1．Translate the following expressions,Into English1. stay away from sth2. wind its way up to the mountain3. peek through the window4. address university students5. grab sb's arm6. set out for a place7. avoid eye contact8. pick up one's pace9. snatch a purse 10. do yoga11. keep one's head down12. row a boat13. escape punishment14. lose one's bearings15. unroll the sleeping bag16. whip round17. rip out the intestines18. camp outInto Chinese1.—件花格呢衬衣2.矿泉水3.角边眼镜4. 创建公园的管理人员5.享有特权的人的领地6.老年公民7..拦路强盗8. 娱乐中心9.一帮男孩10. 一条供人跑步的小路11.密不透风的树叶12.帝国大厦13.方向感14.在触手可及的地方：15.没有教养的人16.—次美的体验17.乱冲乱撞寻衅,18.从不间断记日记的人19.供游人遛马的小道2. Replace the parts in bold type with appropriate words and expressions from the text 1. rounded; came upon; assaulting2. avoid eye contact; is panicking3. frighten away4. spotted; got my bearings; emboldened5. enveloped; on my own6. shrieking; whipped round7. involuntarily called up the memory of; being sexually assaulted; pick up my pace/bolt8. consume staggering quantities of9. resumed; drifted from... to another3. Translate the following sentences into English.1.I saw a boat drifting along the river. I do not intend to be like this boat, drifting through life aimlessly.2. The peach trees in the valley were in full blossom, making it difficult to tear herself away from them. Some distance apart from her she saw a little hut with sweet country music drifting out of its windows.3. After my marriage, my friends and I drifted apart a little, and I was completely out of my element among those business people I had to work with. Their business discussionsbored me stiff.4. They already have all the necessary elements for a civil war. The international communityhas appealed to both sides for a peaceful settlement of their disputes.5. Many people think that the church is losing its appeal although it has accumulated moreand more wealth.6. The idea of business expansion appeals to me. Today the economy of many of our trade partners is beginning to pick up speed. Our domestic market is also projected to recovernext year.7. Reform always contains some elements of risk, but we risk a lot more without reform. Today most people find further reform appealing although there is bound to be opposition.8. He was furious (infuriated) when he read the letter. He tore it up and threw it into the wastepaper basket. Then he ripped a piece off his coat and using his own blood as ink, wrote his last letter.9. In hindsight (Looking back), we all feel that it was foolish to tear down (demolish) this beautiful city wall.10. You wait at home. I'll come and pick you up at around seven. Don't worry. The doctor has assured us that her health will pick up soon.4．Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.1. on, into, out2. within, as, toward3. in, to4. by, out of/from5. On, up, off6. on7. with8. on, at, at9. out, to10. across, for5. Point out and correct mistake(s) you find in the following sentences.1. "Platitude" cannot be very interesting because it has been repeated so many times by so many people and you will not assume that people have most likely never heard of it.2. A day that is cold will not be muggy. "Muggy" means unpleasantly warm and humid. 'To remain away from" is not the usual phrase. We say "to stay away from."3. "His nocturnal hammering" means his hammering throughout the night. It cannot happen in the day.4.... peeked through the impenetrable foliage: If it's impenetrable you cannot see clearly. In fact you can't see anything at all.5. If you were certain where you were you would not have lost your bearings.6. We usually say "grab" or "snatch" or "seize" instead of "grasp." Besides, women often carry purses rather than wallets which are usually for men. Then, people do not bolt calmly. They bolt when they run suddenly, especially when frightened.7. The woman was so frightening: The woman was "frightened," not "frightening." she started yelling uncontrollably: People usually yell when they are angry or excited Here "scream," "shriek" or "exclaim" will be more appropriate.8. a small boulder: "A boulder" is a very large stone or rock, therefore "a small boulder" is a contradiction in terms unless the boulder is small by comparison, though still too big be called a stone, and a boulder naturally is not something your sister can swing, swung it into the lake: The usual word is "throw" (or fling, toss, pitch, hurl). To swin£ something usually means a circular movement or a movement from side to side with one end fixed.9. condescending tune: It should be "condescending tone."10. a strong cold breeze: "A breeze" cannot be strong. It is light, gentle and soft.11. If something is at its most popular, it means that it can be enjoyed by ordinary people. (Unless you specify that it is popular with a certain type of people.)12. "Glare" means a harsh bright light. It is highly doubtful that you can see twinkling stars in the sky in a glare.shockingly beautiful: "Shockingly" usually has a negative connotation"13. We do not usually associate "lovely kids" with "on a rampage." And it is highly to have parents "zooming through the park with their kids on the rampage."14. whipped round slowly: "to whip round" is to turn round suddenly.15. drizzle heavily: "Drizzle" is to rain in very small drops, "to drizzle heavily" is example of contradiction in terms.all damp through and through: "Damp" means slightly wet.6. Study the following sentences. Ray attention to euphemisms—use of pleasant, mi or indirect words and phrases in place of more accurate or direct ones.1. visit the necessary: euphemism for "going to the toilet'2. passed away: euphemism for "died"3. What he said about his relationship with the secretary was not just misleading. It w bare-faced lie. "Misleading" therefore is a euphemism. So is "behave inappropriately.4. in his birthday clothes: euphemism for "naked'5. a little argument: It couldn't have been just a little argument if one ended up with “ a blackened eye," and the other "a few stitches.6. had not had any movements for four days: euphemism for "excretion'7. night soil: euphemism for "human waste," "feces," or "excrement"8. slow achievers: euphemism for "poor students"9. elderly citizens: euphemism for "old people" a little overweight: euphemism for "obesity"10. underprivileged people: euphemism for "poor people"developing countries: euphemism for "underdeveloped countries"Grammar1. Identify the subject in these sentences, and put in the blanks the right verb in brackets.1. (every Park official, city administrator, and police officer) tells, (they) agree2. (the police) were3. (convictions) were4. (Much) is5. (struggle) is6. (suggestion) was7. (opinions) prove8. (many a man) is9. (cluster) was10. (Methodists) were11. (combination) was2. Learn more about the function and use of except1 Study and summarize the use of except functioning as conjunction and preposition. The word "except" in these 10 sentences is either used as preposition or conjunction.1 As preposition, both "except" and "except for" are used to introduce the only person, thing, action, fact, or situation about which a statement is not true. There is no difference between "except" and "except for" except that at the beginning of a sentence, you must use "except for."2 As conjunction, "except" is not used by itself to introduce a clause, and it is used with that or a w/z-word (what/when/where/if, etc.).3 "Except" is often used with a prepositional phrase, e.g. except in/by/to, etc. •4 "Except" is also often used with an infinitive phrase with or without "to."1. except + prepositional phrase2. except +1ha/-clause3. except + noun phrase4. except + to-infinitive phrase5. except for + noun phrase6. except + fo-infinitive phrase7. except for + noun phrase8. except + when-clause shortened9. except + prepositional phrase10. except + that-clause2 Complete the sentences by translating the Chinese in brackets using except.1. except an explosion2. except to play a guitar3. except (to) relieve his pain4. except for about five minutes5. anything except in music6. except maybe to those who were dying7. except in our memory, except in our expectations of it8. except that yours are a little more radical9. except in sleep/dreams10. except how they got to know the criminal's exact whereabouts3 Translate these sentences using except.1. The climate of my hometown is pleasant except in January and August.2. Except when he is unwell, Wang Ning spends about 40 minutes a day jogging.3. About his special mission he told his family nothing except that he had to be away business for some time.4. His parents know that they don't have to do much for their son except to let him be himself.5. They asked for nothing except what was rightfully theirs.3. Study and analyze the grammatical structure of these involved sentences.1. This is a compound complex sentence. The two coordinate clauses are connected by conjunction "and." In the first coordinate clause Subject: anybody Predicate: knows Object: the city's essential platitude Subordinate clauses:1) "who knows anything about New York" modifying the subject "anybody"2) "that you don't wander around Central Park," a noun clause which is in apposition to the object "the city's essential platitude"Ill the second coordinate clause:Subject: the appealPredicate: in that was (the order of the link verb **was" and the predictive "in that" being inverted)Subordinate clause: it was the thing you don't do (here it is in apposition to the subject "the appeal")"Needless to say" is a parenthetical remark expressing the writer's opinion that what he says is obvious.2. This is also a compound complex sentence. The two coordinating clauses are connected by "but." They are:1) The park is now framed... by the city... (Here "enveloped even" is a parenthetical remark.)2) ... there was no escaping the recognition that this city... was very beautiful, ("com man-made, glaringly obtrusive, consuming wasteful and staggering quantities electricity and water and energy": This can be considered a shortened concession clawwith the conjunction "though" omitted.)4. Translate paragraphs 4-6 of the selection into Chinese.他站在下车的地方正犹豫不决的时候，听见那些年轻人向他走来，不仅是从他见到那些身影所在的那个方向，其他方向也有人朝他逼近。
《现代大学英语听力2》听力原文及题目答案U n i t4本页仅作为文档封面，使用时可以删除This document is for reference only-rar21year.March《现代大学英语听力2》听力原文及题目答案Unit 4Unit 4Task 1【答案】1) They were orphans and had nobody to support them.2) Each boy was given only one bowl of gruel for supper and no more — far from enough.3) They boys were so hungry that they could not bear it any more. They decided that tone of them must ask the master for more gruel. Olive Twist was chosen by casting lots.4) He never thought that any boy would dare to ask for more food than the given portion. Therefore, he was both surprised and angry on hearing Oliver’s request. 5) He was struck on the head by the master and pushed out of the room. And for a week Olive remained prisoner in the cellar.【原文】Oliver Twist had no parents and lived in the workhouse.The room in which the boys had their food was a large stone hall. Each boy was given one bowl of gruel and no more. The bowls never needed washing. The boys polished them with their spoons. But still the boys were hungry.Oliver Twist and the other boys suffered from slow starvation for three months. At last they got so wild with hunger that one of the boys, who was tall for his age, said:"If this goes on, I am afraid I shall eat the boy who sleeps next me." He had wild hungry eyes and the boys believed him. The boys gathered and thought of a plan."One of us must walk up to the master at supper this evening and ask for more gruel," said one boy."Let us east lots," said another. "In that way we shall see who must go up to the master and ask for more."So they cast lots. The lot fell to Oliver Twist. He had to go up to the master and ask for moregruel.The evening came. The boys took their places and quickly ate up their gruel. Then they looked at Oliver. He rose from his place, bowl and spoon in hand, went up to the master and said, "Please, sir, I want some more." The master was a fat, healthy man, but he turned pale."What!" he said at last.Oliver repeated: "Please, sir, I want some more."The master struck Oliver on the head and pushed him out of the room.For a week Oliver remained a prisoner in the cellar.Task 2【答案】A. 1) F 2) F 3) TB.1) d 2) b【原文】Mark Twain was a famous American writer. There were many stories about him. One day Mark Twain was fishing. A stranger came along."Good morning!" said the stranger."Good morning!" said Mark Twain. "Nice weather we're having!""Very nice indeed," said the stranger. "How was fishing""Very good. I caught three trout here yesterday in just about an hour.""Is that so" said the stranger."Yes. I'm very fond of trout.""By the way," said the stranger, "do you happen to know who I am""No, I haven't any idea," said Mark Twain."Well, I'm the game warden of this county," said the stranger. "Fishing is not allowed here."Mark Twain paused a minute. Then he asked:"By the way, do you know who I am""No, I don't.""Well, I am the biggest liar in the country."Task 3【答案】A.Name: Lewis CarrollOccupation: mathematics; Oxford UniversityLiterary works: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; 1865;Through the Looking-Glass; 1871B.These stories are about a dream world in which Alice meets strange creatures and has interesting adventures.【原文】Which would you rather be A mathematician or a writer Perhaps you will never be faced with this kind of choice. Lewis Carroll was both a mathematician and a writer. He was a lecturer in mathematics at Oxford University. But he is better known as the author of two of the most famous children’ s books that have ever been written: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. The author’s real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, but he preferred to use the pen-name “Lewis Carroll” when he wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and this is the name we remember him by.Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published in 1865, when its author was 33 years old; it was followed by Through the Looking-Glass in 1871. Both books were written for a real girl called Alice, but they have been read by millions of children since they were first published. These stories are about a dream world in which Alice meets strange creatures and has interesting adventures . I’m sure you know this already, but if you don’t, you had better read the stories yourselves.Task 4【答案】the Greeks, closed the gates of the city and stayed behind the walls, the Greeks, a huge wooden horse, hide inside it, the horse, they stopped, hid their ships, Greek prisoner, the horse, The Greek soldiers, the wooden horse【原文】Many, many years ago there was a war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The Greek ships sailed up to the city of Troy. When the Trojans saw the Greek ships, they closed the gates of their city and stayed behind the walls. The Greeks attacked the city many times, but could not take it. Then one of the Greeks thought of a plan. The Greeks made a big wooden horse and had some soldiers hide inside the horse. In the morning the Greeks burned their camps and sailed away. Only the big wooden horse remained in front of the city gate.But the Greek ships did not sail far. The Greeks stopped at a place near Troy, where the Trojans could not see them, and hid their ships. At first the Trojans wanted to burn the wooden horse, but a Greek prisoner said, "Don't bum the horse. Bring it into Troy. It will help you."The horse was very big, and the Trojans could not bring it in through the gate. They had to make a hole in the wall. Then they brought the wooden horse into the city. The next day was a holiday in Troy. At night all the Trojan soldiers fell asleep after a heavy festive drinking.The Greek ships came back to Troy in the night. When everything was quiet, the Greek soldiers came out of the wooden horse and opened the gates of the city. The Greek army came into the city, killed many Trojans and took the city.Task 5【答案】A.1) c 2) aB.1) All the animals thought that he was the king of beasts. Actually he was a coward. He was afraid of human beings and other big animals. He roared only to scare them away and never really hurt them.2) Dorothy and her dog wanted to get back to Kansas. The Scarecrow wanted some brains and the Tinman wanted a heart. The Lion wanted to have courage.【原文】The following story has been taken from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. The book is a modern fairy tale and is one of the great favorites of American children.One day a tornado carried away Dorothy and her dog Toto from their home in Kansa sand landed them in the wonderful land of Oz. Here they made friends with two strange fellows, a scarecrow and a tin man. The four were now on their way to the Emerald City where the Great Oz lived.Just as the Tinman spoke there came from the forest a terrible roar, and the next moment a great Lion rushed into the road. With one blow of his paw he knocked the Scarecrow to the edge of the road, and then he hit the Tinman with his sharp claws.But, to the Lion's surprise, he could make no mark on the tin, though the Tinman fell over in the road and lay still.Little Toto, now that he had an enemy to face, ran barking towards the Lion. The great beast had opened his mouth to bite the dog. Dorothy feared that Toto would be killed. She forgot all danger and rushed forward. She slapped the Lion upon his nose as hard as she could, and cried out:"Don't bite Toto! You should be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little dog!""I didn't bite him," said the Lion, as he rubbed his nose with his paw where Dorothy had hit it."No, but you tried to," she said in anger. "You are nothing but a big coward.""I know," said the Lion, and he hung his head in shame. "I've always known it. But how can I help it""I don't know, I'm sure. But how can you hit a stuffed man like the poor Scarecrow""Is he stuffed" asked the Lion, in surprise, as he watched her pick up the Scarecrow and set him upon his feet, while she patted him into shape again."Of course he's stuffed," replied Dorothy. She was still angry."That explains it. He really went over easily," said the Lion. "It surprised me to see him turn around so. Is the other one stuffed also""No," said Dorothy, "he's made of tin." And she helped the Tinman up again."He really hurt my claws," said the Lion. "When they scratched against the tin it made a cold shiver min down my back. What is that little animal you are so kind to" "He is my dog, Toto," answered Dorothy."Is he made of tin, or stuffed" asked the Lion. "Neither. He's a meat dog," said the girl."Oh. He's a curious animal, and seems really small, now that I look at him. No one thinks of biting such a small, little thing except a coward like me," continued the Lion sadly."What makes you a coward" asked Dorothy. She looked at the great beast in wonder, for he was as big as a small horse."I don't know," replied the Lion. "I suppose I was born that way. All the other animals in the forest expect me to be brave, for the Lion is everywhere thought to be the King of Beasts. I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was afraid and got out of my way. Whenever I've met a man I've been very much frightened; but I just roared at him, and he has always min away as fast as he could go. If the elephants, tigers and bears ever tried to fight me, I would run away — I'm such a coward; but just as soon as they hear me roar, they all try to get away from me, and of course I let them go.""But that isn't right. The King of Beasts shouldn't be a coward," said the Scarecrow. "I know it," said the Lion, and he wiped a tear from his eye with the tip of his tail. "It is a great sorrow, and it makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger, my heart begins tobeat fast.""Perhaps you have heart disease," said the Tinman."It may be so," said the Lion."If you have," continued the Tinman, "you should be glad, for it proves you have a heart. For my part, I have no heart; so I can't have heart disease.""Perhaps," said the Lion, "I am a coward because I have a heart.""Have you brains" said the Scarecrow."I suppose so. I've never looked to see," replied the Lion."I am going to the great Oz to ask him to give me some," remarked the Scarecrow, "for my head is stuffed with straw.""And I am going to ask him to give me a heart," said the Tinman."And I am going to ask him to send me and Toto back to Kansas," added Dorothy. "Do you think Oz can give me courage" asked the Cowardly Lion."Just as easily as he can give me brains," said the Scarecrow."Or give me a heart," said the Tinman."Or send me back to Kansas," said Dorothy."Then if you don't mind, I'll go with you," said the Lion, "for life is hard without courage.""You will be very welcome," answered Dorothy, "for you will help to keep away the other wild beasts. I think they must be more cowardly than you if they allow you to scare them so easily.""They really are," said the Lion, "but that doesn't make me any braver, and as long as I know myself to be a coward I shall be unhappy."So once more the little company set off upon the journey. The Lion walked at Dorothy's side. Toto did not like the Lion at first, because he could not forget how nearly he had been crushed between the Lion's great jaws; but after a time he became more at ease, and before long Toro and the Cowardly Lion became good friends.Task 6【答案】A.1) Civil War2) first, equality3) battlefields, bloodiest4) ordinaryB.1) d 2) c【原文】Walt Whitman is often called the poet of American democracy. He lived during the American Civil War, and he admired President Abraham Lincoln very much.Whitman was the first American poet who wrote about tree equality among all people. In a poem called "Song of Myself" he compared himself to all other people, and he found no difference. He wrote:"...every atom belonging to me... belongs to you."In the same poem Whitman spoke up for women. He wrote:"The Female equally with the Male I sing."He also wrote:"In the faces of men and women I see God." and "A great city is that which has the greatest men and women."Whitman understood war and the results of war. He worked in a hospital, taking care of wounded men. In a description of northern soldiers who had returned from prisons in the south he wrote: "The sight is worse than any sight of battlefields or any collection of wounded, even the bloodiest." In Whitman's words: "The real war will never get in the books."Whitman was the first important American poet to write about ordinary people, using ordinary language.Task 7【答案】A.1) A red, red rose that’s newly spring in June and the melody that’s sweetly played in tune.2) He will love her till all the seas are dried and the rocks melt in the sun. his love will last as long as the sands of life run(there is life on earth).3) Yes, he is, and he will come back no matter how far it is.B.June---tune I---dry sun---run while ---mile【原文】O, my love is like a red, red rose,That is newly sprung in June.O, my love is like the melody,That is sweetly played in tune.As fair are you, my lovely lass,So deep in love am I,And I will love you still, my Dear,Till all the seas go dry.Till all the seas go dry, my Dear,And the rocks melt with the sun!O I will love you still, my Dear,While the sands of life shall run.And fare you well, my only Love,And fare you well a while!And I will come again, my Love,Although it were ten thousand mile!Task 8【答案】1) Tall stories, that is, unlikely ones.2) Because he wanted to be a member of a certain club.3) He went there because he was told that a lion came there each evening to drink water.4) Sixteen times.5) He killed sixteen lions.【原文】A famous French writer who wrote many books about England and the English people once wrote about the Englishman's fondness for improbable or tall stories. In one of his books about the First World War, an English priest tells the following story: He had wanted to become a member of a certain club in Africa. In order to become a member, each person had to shoot at least one lion. The priest had never shot an animal in his life. So, armed with a rifle and accompanied by a young African boy, the priest set out one evening for a pool in the jungle where he was told a lion came each evening to drink. He waited patiently for a few hours until shortly before midnight when he heard a rustling noise. Sure enough a few yards away the head of a lion appeared above a bush that separated the priest and the pool. He aimed and fired. The head of the lion immediately fell behind the bush but a moment later reappeared. So the priest aimed and fired again. The head of the lion immediately fell behind the bush but a moment later reappeared. The priest fired again: the same result. He remained calm because he knew he had brought sixteen bullets with him. After his fourth attempt his aim seemed to become more and more inaccurate. In fact, after his fifteenth attempt the African boy had to warn him, "This is your last chance. If you miss this time, we are in trouble."The priest then realized how serious the situation was, so he took a deep breath, aimed very carefully and fired. They waited a moment, then slowly counted up to twenty: the head of the lion did not reappear. The priest was certain that at last he had shot his lion. They rushed forward together to the spot behind the bush. And what do you think they found Sixteen lions.Task 9【答案】I. a young prince who lived on landA. rose to the surface of the sea and waited for the prince to come to herB. never cameII. a witchA. changed her fish’s tail into a pair of human legsB. she gave the witch her tongueIII. the prince’s palaceA. her feet hurt terriblyB. didn’t love herⅣ. a young princessA. drive back into the seaB. a spirit of the air and lived forever【原文】Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. In Copenhagen harbor, you can see a statue of the Little Mermaid. I wonder if you know her story. It's a sad one.That Little Mermaid fell in love with a young prince who lived on the land. Every night she used to rise up to the surface of the sea and sit staring at his palace, waiting for him to come to her. But he never came.Finally she visited a witch. The witch changed her fish's tail into a pair of human legs so that she could go and live on land. But in return, the Little Mermaid had to give her tongue to the witch, so that she could never sing or speak again. She loved the prince so much that she gave it happily.She went and lived in the prince's palace, and every night, she danced for him, although her strange new feet caused her terrible pain. But she didn't mind the pain. She waited and waited for the prince to fall in love with her.But, although the prince liked the Little Mermaid very much, he didn't love her. He fell in love with a young princess and they got married. On their wedding night, the Little Mermaid sadly dived back into the sea. She had no tail now, only legs, and she thought that she would die. She didn't die, though. Because of her kind heart, she became a spirit of the air and lived forever.Task 10【答案】A.1) b 2) c 3) b 4) a 5) aB.No. 1[e] No. 2 [b] No. 3 [a] [d] [c]【原文】1) A wolf thought that by disguising himself as a sheep he could get enough to eat. So he put on a sheepskin and joined the flock without being discovered. At sunset the shepherd shut him with the sheep in the fold. Then he felt hungry, so he picked up his knife and killed one of the sheep for his supper. But it was the wolf that he killed.2) A bird in a cage at a window used to sing during the night. A bat which heard her came up and asked why she never sang by day, but only by night. She explained that there was a good reason: she was caught while she was singing in the daytime, and this had taught her a lesson. "One must be careful before one is caught, not after," said the bat.3) Monkeys are said to have a strange habit. When twins are born to them, the mother will take care of only one of the twins. She will hold it tightly to her breast and neglect the other. But the one taken care of will die because it cannot breathe freely, while the neglected one will grow up strong and healthy.4) A gnat alighted on a bull's horn. After it had stayed there a long time and felt like moving on, it asked the bull if he would like it to go now. "I didn't notice when you came," replied the bull, "and I shall not notice if you go."5) A reed and an olive tree were quarrelling one day. They wanted to see which one was the stronger. Finally the olive tree said to the reed, "You are weak. You are easily bent by the wind." But the reed did not say a word. Before long a storm arose.The reed was tossed about and bent by the winds, but it was not hurt. The olive tree stood bravely against the storm and was broken by its force.Task 11【答案】I.A. struck a rock and began to break up.B. sank tooC. had survivedII.A. he was tied very firmly by a large number of fine ropes.B. about forty little men shot at him with their arrows, which hurt like needles.C. the little men gave him all the bread, meat and wine they had.III.was seven feet by three feet, equipped with twenty-two wheels and pulled by fifteen hundred little horses【原文】Gulliver was travelling by ship. The ship struck a rock and began to break up. Some of the sailors and Gulliver got away in a boat, but that sank too. In the end Gulliver was the only person who survived-who didn't drown. He kept on swimming, and just managed to reach land. By that time it was already evening. Gulliver kept on walking, but by then he was so exhausted that he lay down on the grass, and fell sound asleep.He slept until the following morning. When he woke up, he could not move. His arms and legs were tied to the ground, very firmly, and so was his hair. There were a large number of very fine, thin ropes across his body, he discovered, and these prevented him from moving.Gulliver could just manage to look down his body — that was all he could do —and there he saw, advancing up his body, about forty little men. These little men were only about six inches high. They were dressed as soldiers, and each one carried a bow and arrow. Gulliver shouted out, and when he did this, all the soldiers ran away, though they gradually came back again.Gulliver decided to try to escape. He managed to break some of the ropes, and he was also able to free his head. But when he began to move, the soldiers shot at him with their arrows. These arrows were small but sharp like needles, and they hurt Gulliver. He decided to keep still and when he did so, the soldiers stopped shooting at him with their arrows.By this time Gulliver was feeling very hungry, so he put his finger to his mouth, to show the little people that he needed food. They understood this, and they brought him bread and meat. Gulliver ate all the bread and meat, and then indicated that he was thirsty. Again he was understood, and the people brought him wine. In fact Gulliver drank all the wine that was available — all they had.After that one of the king's officers came up to Gulliver. He spoke to him, and indicated that he had to go to the city, to the capital of the island. This was what the king had ordered. Guliver asked to be set free, but the officer refused. Gulliver againthought of trying to escape, but he remembered those arrows which the soldiers had shot at him, and he decided to do nothing. In any case he soon fell asleep, because of all the wine he had drunk.While he was asleep, the people on the island made arrangements — got everything ready — to take Gulliver to the capital. They managed to get him on a cart which they had built specially to take him to the city. It was seven feet long, and three feet wide, and it had twenty-two wheels in all. It took about three hours to get Gulliver on the cart, and fifteen hundred horses to pull the cart to the city.Task 12Aesop was a very clever man who lived in Greece thousands of years ago. He wrote many good fables. He was known to be fond of jokes. One day, as he was enjoying a walk he met a traveler, who greeted him and said, “Kind man, can you tell me how soon I shall get to town”“Go,” Aesop answered.“I know I must go”, said the traveler, “but I should Like you to tell me how soon I shall get to town.”“Go,” Aesop said again angrily.“This man must be mad,” the traveler thought and went on.After he had gone some distance, Aesop shouted after him, “You will get to town in two hours.” The traveler turned around in astonishment. “Why didn’t you tell me that before” he asked.“How could I have told you before” answered Aesop. “I did not know how fast you could walk.。
Unit 4Preview2.Do the following exercises.1.Paraphrase the following sentences.1.He had opened his eyes when the sun rose,scratched (because he had an itch on the skin), relieved himself like a dog at the roadside…Notice the euphemism “done his business.”The author could not have used the normal expression”used the toilet”because there was no toilet.2.Live simply and freely.Pay no attention to conventions, which are unnatural and useless. Avoid or get rid of all those unnecessary things that make our life complicated and wasteful…3.They own and control him. He is their slave. In order to get some goods that have no true value and will be useless very soon, he has sold the only true, lasting good, his own independence.4.He knew very well what he lived for:it was to change people’s values, to make them know the true meaning of life…5.He was the most popular/important/successful person at this particular moment or his century…2.Translate the words in bold type.1.我们那调皮的猫把我们的新沙发套都抓破了。
Unit1Phrase1.猛然敲门 bang the door2.向国王陛下欢呼 cheer His Majesty3.凝视那雕像 contemplate the statue4.设计/发明一种新方法 devise a new way5.获得一种名声 gain a reputation6.鼓舞人民 inspire the people7.低下头 sink one’s head8.象征/代表国家 symbolize the nation9.暖和双手 warm one’s hands10.毁了某人的健康 ruin one’s health11.扮演重要的角色 play an important role/part in12.解决这个问题 settle the issueSentence1.I know I could rely on my brother to stand by me whatever happened.我知道，不管发生什么情况,我都可以依靠兄弟的支持。
2.As a rule， the younger generation tends to be more interested in the presentrather than the past unlike the older generation， but both generations will stand to lose if they do not respect the other’s needs.一般来说,年轻一代与老一辈不同，他们对现在而不是对过去感兴趣。
但这两代人如果不互相尊重对方的需要，就都会遭受损失。
3.The Chinese written language has been a major factor for integrating the wholenation.中国的书面文字是国家完整统一的一个重要因素。
Unit1Phrase1.猛然敲门bang the door2.向国王陛下欢呼cheer His Majesty3.凝视那雕像contemplate the statue4.设计/发明一种新方法devise a new way5.获得一种名声gain a reputation6.鼓舞人民inspire the people7.低下头sink one’s head8.象征/代表国家symbolize the nation9.暖和双手warm one’s hands10.毁了某人的健康ruin one’s health11.扮演重要的角色play an important role/part in12.解决这个问题settle the issueSentence1.I know I could rely on my brother to stand by me whatever happened.我知道，不管发生什么情况，我都可以依靠兄弟的支持。
2.As a rule, the younger generation tends to be more interested in the present rather than thepast unlike the older generation, but both generations will stand to lose if they do not respect the other’s needs.一般来说，年轻一代与老一辈不同，他们对现在而不是对过去感兴趣。
但这两代人如果不互相尊重对方的需要，就都会遭受损失。
3.The Chinese written language has been a major factor for integrating the whole nation.中国的书面文字是国家完整统一的一个重要因素。
4.In traditional Chinese art and literature, the bamboo and the pine tree always symbolize moreintegrity and uprightness.在中国的传统艺术和文学中，竹子和松树往往象征着道德上的正直和刚正不阿。
Unit4 一叶扁舟顺河漂流。
我不想像这小舟一样没有目标，随波逐流地了此一生。
我看见1. t intend to be like this boat, drifting through life aimlessly. I do noI saw a boat drifting along the river. 不远处，她看见一家农舍，从窗户内传来了美妙的乡村音乐。
在前面的桃花全都盛开了，让她留恋忘返。
山谷里2. apart from her, she saw a Some distanceThe peach trees in the valley were in full blossom, making it difficult to tear herself away from them. little hut with sweet country music drifting out of its window. 那些一起共事的商界人士当中十分不自在。
而我夹在，我和朋友的来往慢慢变少了。
结婚以后 3. 的生意经我厌烦透了。
他们说 outof my element among those business people I had to work , and I was completely After my marriage, my friends and I drifted apart a little discussions bored me stiff . Their businesswith. 已向双方呼吁，希望他们和平解决争端。
国际社会已经具有发生内战的所有要素。
他们之间 4. community has appealed to both sides for a peaceful settlement The internationalThey already had all the necessary elements for a civil war. of their disputes. 了越来越多的财富。
Unit1Phrase1.猛然敲门 bang the door2.向国王陛下欢呼 cheer His Majesty3.凝视那雕像 contemplate the statue4.设计/发明一种新方法 devise a new way5.获得一种名声 gain a reputation6.鼓舞人民 inspire the people7.低下头 sink one’s head8.象征/代表国家 symbolize the nation9.暖和双手 warm one’s hands10.毁了某人的健康 ruin one’s health11.扮演重要的角色 play an important role/part in12.解决这个问题 settle the issueSentence1.I know I could rely on my brother to stand by me whatever happened.我知道，不管发生什么情况,我都可以依靠兄弟的支持。
2.As a rule， the younger generation tends to be more interested in the presentrather than the past unlike the older generation， but both generations will stand to lose if they do not respect the other’s needs.一般来说,年轻一代与老一辈不同，他们对现在而不是对过去感兴趣。
但这两代人如果不互相尊重对方的需要，就都会遭受损失。
3.The Chinese written language has been a major factor for integrating the wholenation.中国的书面文字是国家完整统一的一个重要因素。
I knew I could expect my brother to stand by me whatever happened.As a general rule, young people tend to be more interested in the present and the future.Both sides will stand to lose if they do not compromise.It is our hope to integrate all the courses and teaching materials. The Chinese written language has been a major factor for integrating our nation.In traditional Chinese art, the bamboo stands for moral integrity and uprightness.The great majority of the people stand for reform.Queen Elizabeth the First ruled England for 45 years，and the country prospered under her rule.The truth is always in the hands of a small minority at first. That's the rule.Democracy means that the majority rules, but the minority's right to disagree is also respected. These two basic rules are of equal importance.A nation cannot be strong unless it is well-integrated economically, politically and culturally as well as geographically.The party was boring, so she slipped out of the room and went home.The road was muddy. He slipped and fell into the river.One day I was drowning my sorrows in a restaurant because I was broke when he came and slipped a roll of money into my hand. The Court of Florida ruled that it was necessary to recount the votes. The idea that the sun moves round the earth ruled ancient scholars for more than a thousand years.The hutongs are an integral part of old Beijing.Days slipped by and I still had not made much progress.He weighed every word carefully lest he should make a mistake. Her health was such that she would not go out in the sun even in winter lest she got sunstroke.It is a miracle how our company has become a multinational in such a short span of time.The average life span in that country has increased from 42 years to 50 years in a matter of two decades.The conflict between the two countries has spanned more than half a century.There are four bridges spanning the river.I’m much obliged to you. Without your help, I would never have finished the book.No, you are not obliged to go to the party. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.She’s always ready to oblige when people come to her for help. In the valley is a small lake right between a meadow and a hill. It is a perfect spot for a picnic.Sitting in a shady spot, he soon dozed off.He criticized me on the spot when he saw me throw a plastic bad down by the roadside.It was a white shirt with blue spots. It looked quite pretty.The detective spotted the suspect, and he walked over and arrested him.One of the balloons popped, and it gave me quiet a start.It is very impolite to keep popping in and out of the classroom when the class is still going on.When he saw the young man ready to pay for the BMW in cash, his eyes almost popped out of his head.In those countries, water is worth a lot more than oil. Friends will often bring ten dollars’ worth of water as a gift.When this project is completed, it will benefit about a hundred thousand people. It will be well worth the effort and investment. This movie is not worth seeing twice. In fact, it is not worth seeing at all.I think it is worthwhile to visit that place. I hear they have kept alltheir traditional house intact — houses that were built in Ming-Qing styles.Jia Baoyu was sick and tired of being his father’s worthy son. He yearned for freedom.The cause of the aircraft crash is so far unknown.The cause of global warming is still hotly debated among scientists. He devoted all his life to the cause of environmental protection. The river has caused us a lot of trouble in history.What do you think caused the upsurge in international terrorism? We must try and unite with those who have opposed us.There is always opposition to any progress and reform.Some people are always opposed to new things.A lot of those loans were never repaid. That high ratio of bad debts finally led to the financial crisis in this second economic power in the world.The Business Bank now offers a special loan to students who can’t pay for their education.The boy asked Mrs. Stow for the loan of her binoculars.She concluded her speech by saying that she hoped she could come again some day and see more of the country.As soon as they concluded the investigation, they were to report tothe Security Council.During his visit, he will conclude a new trade agreement with India. Based on those reasonable doubts，the jury had to conclude that the boy was not guilty.She is flying to New York by way of Tokyo.I’d like to say a few words about the situation in the sixties of the last century by way of an introduction to the movie.They decided to recall their ambassador by way of protest. Import of the country’s beef was suspended because of the mad cow scare. During the war, they had to suspend the construction of the railway. it was a serious offence to take drugs, Robert was suspended from school for two weeks.She was reading in a hammock suspended from two tree branches. The sales suspension has brought us heavy losses.This is perhaps the longest suspension bridge in Asia.The author is very good at creating suspense.He used to watch wit great envy children of wealthy people go to school.I rather envy their school for its beautiful campus.She averted her face so that people would not see her blush.He has always had an aversion to publicity.The governmen t’s policy succeeded in averting a serious economic recession.Michael Jordan is the envy of many black kids.Every summer, hundreds of thousands of people are sent to guard the riverbanks against floods.it was not easy to get the golden apple, for it was guarded by a furious giant.Xicheng was practically unguarded so Zhuge Liang narrowly escaped being captured.The prisoners of war killed the guards and escaped into the woods. He is probably the greatest guard in the history of basketball. They took Americans off guard by launching a sudden attack on a Sunday.There were two armed soldiers standing guard at the bridge. Napoleon exhibited his military talent early in life.These exhibits are all insured and carefully guarded.When the exhibition is over，the exhibit will be given to the host country as gifts.She is going to exhibit some of her most recent sculptures at the National Art Gallery.We need to increase our oil import in the coming years to meet thegrowing Demand for energyOur profit has increased by 20% in the past two years.The number of privately-owned cars has increased five times (fivefold ) in five years.The number of mobile phone owners in our city has increased from 20 thousandto about half a million in less than 5 years.She propped her bike against a tree.The local economy is largely propped up by tourism.He was fast asleep with his head propped on a big rock.You need strong props to keep the tower from leaning any further. Flight 901 is due to land at the airport at 8:55.Many foreign observers say that the next man to land on the moon may very well be a Chinese.One of the stones they threw landed on the head of a young soldier. If you go on like this, you will land yourself in a jail.I landed a powerful punch to his chin and sent him sprawling. When you approach a drowning person, you must not let him grip your hands.Reports of the sundden appearance of these whales gripped the interest of the whole city.If she lost grip on the rope, she’d fall 1,000 feet to sure death. You mu st keep a grip on yourself. Don’t despair.Our government did everything possible to defend the value of our currency.The total value of our exports to that country in the first nine months this years has reachd $94 billion.A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.(Charles Darwin)At college, students acquire certain values. This is an important part of their education.If your value your life, quit smoking.This painting is valued at $20 million.We will achieve this result at any cost.Our economy began to grow by leaps and bounds as a result of the reform and open policy.His repressive policies only resulted in his quick fall.Many of our present problems in a way to dispose of nuclear waste. The fact that you like somebody may dispose you to like his ideas also.So far we still have not found a safe way to dispose of nuclear waste.These shoes fit me perfectly. I’ll take them.This set of furniture fits into our sitting room.The innkeeper found that the man fit the description of the wanted murder suspect.To keep fit, you should avoid eating too much salt, sugar and fat. The water was no longer even fit to swim in, let alone to drink. He was suddenly seized by a fit of laughter.She has had fits every now and then since she was a child.This subway will be extended to cover the whole city.I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to you.The effect of the economic reform will naturally extend to other fields.Many people prefer government bonds to stocks.This kind of jacket is out of stock.This is one of his stock jokes. I have heard it many times.Zhuge Liang pretended to be very calm and succeeded in fooling Sima Yi who did not know that the city was really unguarded.He pretended that nothing had happened.She pretended to be listening，but actually her mind had already wandered far away.I don’t want to pretend that I’m an expert on this subject.How would you compare your life today with your life before the reform started?If you com pare American students with Chinese students, you’ll find some interesting similarities and differences.Social Darwinists believe that we can compare our human society to the animal world.These mass-produced chickens do not compare with the chickens we used to raise at home.Our exports to that region increased by 30% compared with the same period the previous year.The water-pipe has burst. We must get it fixed immediately.It sounded like the bursting of a ballono.As usual, the Giant Panda House was bursting with children.You can see that the students are bursting with question.There were about 800 people watching a play when some thirty armed terrorists burst into the theater.The man was bursting to tell his fellow-traveler why he had pitched his suitcase out of the train window.When the prisoners burst into song, the prison warden was frightened.The spaceship left the launching-pad and rose majestically, soon becoming a little dot.The whole area is now dotted with factories.The company has camp-sites dotted around the country.Young people are more likely to rebel against old traditions.He was quite a rebel even when he was a boy.He declared that all the rebels would be pardoned if they laid down their arms.。
the plane clipped it at a moment of high traffic, one routine thus intersecting another and disrupting both. Then, too, there was the location of the event. Washington, the city of form and regulations, turned chaotic, deregulated, by a blast of real winter and a single slap of metal on metal. The jets from Washington National Airport that normally swoop around the presidential monuments like famished gulls are, for the moment, emblemized by the one that fell; so there is that detail. And there was the aesthetic clash as well—blue-and-green Air Florida, the name a flying garden, sunk down among gray chunks in a black river. All that was worth noticing, to be sure. Still, there was nothing very special in any of it, except death, which, while always special, does not necessarily bring millions to tears or to attention. Why, then, the shock here?就这次灾难而言，这次灾难和其他灾难一样很严重，但并不特殊，当然也绝对不在美国有记载的伤亡人数最多的空难之列。
The man in the water1 As disasters go, this one was terrible, but not unique, certainly not among the worst US air crashes on record2. There was the unusual element of the bridge, of course, and the fact that the plane hit it at a moment of high traffic. Then, too, there was the location of the event. Washington, the city of form and rules, turned chaotic by a blast of real winter and a single slap of metal on metal. The jets from Washington National Airport that normally fly around the presidential monuments like hungry gulls are, for the moment represented by the one that fell. And there was the aesthetic clash as well—blue-and-green Air Florida, the name of a flying garden, to be sure. Still, there was nothing very special in any of it, expect death, which while always special, does not necessarily bring the nation to tears or to attention. Why, then, the shock here?2 Perhaps because the nation saw in this disaster something more than a mechanical failure. Perhaps because people saw in it no failure at all, but rather something successful about themselves. Here, after all, were two forms of nature in collision, the elements and human character. Last Wednesday, the elements, indifferent as ever, brought down Flight 90. And on that same afternoon, human nature—groping and struggling—rose to the occasion.3 Of the four acknowledged heroes of the event, three are able to account for their behavior. Donald Usher and Eugene Windsor, a park police helicopter team, risked their lives every time they dipped their skids into the water to pick up survivors. On television, side by side, they described their courage as all in the line of duty. Lenny Skutnik, a 28-year-old employee of the Congressional Budget Office, said: ”It’s something I never thought I would do”—referring to his jumping into the water to drag an injur ed woman to shore. Skutnik added that “somebody had to go in the water,” delivering every hero’s line that is no less admirable for being repeated. In fact, nobody had to go into the water. That somebody actually did so is part of the reason this particular tragedy sticks in the mind.4 But the person most responsible for the emotional impact of the disaster is the one known at first simply as “the man in the water.” Balding, probably in his 50s, a huge mustache. He was seen clinging with five other survivors to the tail section of the airplane. This man was describedby Usher and Windsor as appearing alert and in control. Every time they lowered a lifeline and flotation ring to him, he passed it on to another of the passengers. “In a mass casualty, you’ll find people like him,” said Windsor. “But I’ve never seen one with that commitment.” When the helicopter came back for him, the man had gone under. His selflessness was one reason the story held national attention; his anonymity another. The fact that he went unidentified gave him a universal character. For a while he was Everyman, and thus proof (as if one needed it) that no man is ordinary.5 Still, he could never have imagined such a capacity in himself. Only minutes before his character was tested, he was sitting in the ordinary plane among the ordinary passengers, dutifully listening to the stewardess telling him to fasten his seat belt and saying something about the “no smoking sign.” So our man relaxed with the others, some of whom would owe their lives to him. Perhaps he started to read, or to doze, or to regret some harsh remark made in the office that morning. Then suddenly he knew that the trip would not be ordinary. Like every other person on that flight, he was desperate to live, which makes his final act so stunning.6 For at some moment in the water he must have realized that he would not live if he continued to hand over the rope and ring to others. He had to know it, no matter how gradual the effect of the cold. He felt he had no choice. When the helicopter took off with what was to be the last survivor, he watched everything in the world move away from him, and he let it happen.7 Yet there was something else about our man that kept our thoughts on him, and which keeps our thoughts on him still. He was there, in the essential, classic circumstance. Man in nature. The man in the water. For its part, nature cared nothing about the five passengers. Our man, on the other hand, cared totally. So age-old battle began again in the Potomac. For as long as that man could last, they went at each other, nature and man; the one making no distinctions of good and evil, acting on no principles, offering no lifelines; the other acting wholly on distinctions, principles and, perhaps, on faith.8 Since it was he who lost the fight, we ought to come again to the conclusion that people are powerless in the world. In reality, we believe the opposite, and it takes the act of the man inthe water to remind us of our true feelings in this matter. It is not to say that everyone would have acted as he did, or as Usher, Windsor and Skutnik. Yet whatever moved these men to challenge death on behalf of their fellows is not peculiar to them. Everyone feels the possibility in himself. That is the enduring wonder of the story. That is why we would not let go of it. If the man in the water gave a lifeline to the people gasping for survival, he was likewise giving a lifeline to those who watched him.9 The odd thing is that we do not even really believe that the man in the water lost his fight. “Everything in Nature contains all the powers of Nature.” said Emerson. Exactly. The man in the water had his own natural powers. He could not make ice storms, or freeze the water until it froze the blood. But he could hand life over to a stranger, and that is a power of nature too. The man in the water set himself against an immovable, impersonal enemy; he fought it with kindness and he held it to a standoff. He was the best we can do.。
