新概念第三册
Lesson 56 Our neighbour,the river
单词精讲
boundary /'baund ri/n.界线;边界
【释义】划分不同区域、范围或实体的线或面;界限。例如:The river forms the boundary between the two countries.(这条河是两国之间的边界。)
【词源】源自中古英语“bounde”(界限)+“ - ary”(表示场所、地点的名词后缀)。
【短语】national boundary(国界);boundary line(界线)。
【例句】They set up a fence along the boundary of their property.(他们沿着自己财产的边界竖起了栅栏。)
spell(v. 招致,带来)
【释义】通常指带来(不好的结果、情况等);意味着。例如:His carelessness spells trouble for the whole team.(他的粗心给整个团队带来麻烦。)
【词源】源自古英语“spellian”,最初表示讲述、宣告,后来引申为预示、招致。
【短语】spell disaster(招致灾难);spell out(详细说明)。
【例句】These changes could spell the end of the traditional way of life.(这些变化可能意味着传统生活方式的终结。)
pump(v. 用泵抽)
【释义】使用泵这种设备来抽取(液体、气体等)或使(液体、气体等)流动。例如:They pump water from the well.(他们从井里抽水。)
【词源】可能是拟声词,模仿泵工作时的声音。
【短语】pump up(打气;激励);pump into(注入;灌输)。
【例句】The workers pump oil from the underground reservoir.(工人们从地下油库抽油。)
stall(n. 牲口棚)
【释义】一种简陋的建筑物,用于饲养家畜,如牛、马等。例如:The farmer keeps his horses in the stall.(农夫把他的马养在牲口棚里。)
【词源】源自古英语“steall”,表示地方、位置,后专指饲养家畜的地方。
【短语】cow stall(牛栏);stall door(牲口棚门)。
【例句】The stall was full of hay for the cows.(牲口棚里堆满了给牛吃的干草。)
overtake(v. 突然降临)
【释义】(不好的事情)突然发生或降临到(某人或某事)上;赶上,超过(尤指车辆)。例如:A storm overtook the hikers on the mountain.(一场风暴突然降临到山上的徒步旅行者身上。)
【词源】由“over - ”(在…之上、越过)+“take”(拿、取)组成,表示从上面赶上或超过,后引申为突然降临。
【短语】be overtaken by(被…突然侵袭);overtake a car(超车)。
【例句】Darkness overtook the village.(黑暗突然笼罩了村庄。)
attic(n. 顶楼)
【释义】位于房屋顶部的房间,通常是在屋顶下方的空间,可用于储存物品等。例如:They found some old boxes in the attic.(他们在顶楼发现了一些旧盒子。)
【词源】源自希腊语“attikos”,最初指雅典人的,因为雅典建筑的特点而指房屋的顶楼。
【短语】attic window(顶楼窗户);attic space(顶楼空间)。
【例句】The attic was full of dust.(顶楼满是灰尘。)
backwater(n. 回水河汊)
【释义】与主流分开的、水流缓慢或停滞的水域,如河汊;落后或不发达的地方。例如:The boat was moored in a backwater.(船停泊在一个回水河汊里。)
【词源】由“back”(后面、向后)+“water”(水)组成,表示水的回流部分。
【短语】in a backwater(在落后地区);backwater area(回水区)。
【例句】The village is a bit of a backwater.(这个村庄有点像落后地区。)
sweeping(adj. 范围广大的)
【释义】覆盖范围广的;全面的;笼统的。例如:The government announced a sweeping reform plan.(政府宣布了一个范围广大的改革计划。)
【词源】由“sweep”(v. 扫、清扫,其动作范围较大)+“ - ing”(形容词后缀)组成,表示像清扫一样涉及范围大的。
【短语】sweeping changes(全面的变革);sweeping statement(笼统的说法)。
【例句】His sweeping vision inspired many people.(他范围广大的视野激励了很多人。)
predecessor(n. 前任,前辈)
【释义】在某人之前担任某个职位或角色的人;在某事物之前存在的事物。例如:My predecessor in this job left a lot of useful information.(我在这个工作上的前任留下了很多有用的信息。)
【词源】由“pre - ”(在…之前)+“decessor”(走,源自拉丁语“decedere”)组成,表示在前面走的人,即前任。
【短语】immediate predecessor(直接前任);predecessor company(前身公司)。
【例句】The new model has many improvements over its predecessor.(这个新型号比它的前任有很多改进。)
critical(adj. 危急的)
【释义】处于危险或紧急状况的;关键的,决定性的。例如:The patient is in a critical condition.(病人处于危急状况。)
【词源】源自希腊语“kritikos”,与判断、批评有关,因为在危急时刻需要做出判断,所以有此义。
【短语】critical moment(关键时刻);critical situation(危急情况)。
【例句】This is a critical decision that will affect the future of the company.(这是一个将影响公司未来的关键决定。)
meadow(n. 草地,草场)
【释义】一片长满草的土地,通常用于放牧或作为干草的来源。例如:The cows are grazing in the meadow.(牛正在草场上吃草。)
【词源】源自古英语“m dwe”,与草地有关。
【短语】meadow grass(草地草);meadow land(草地)。
【例句】They had a picnic in the beautiful meadow.(他们在美丽的草地上野餐。)
juncture(n. 时刻,关头)
【释义】特定的时刻或情况,尤指事情发展过程中的重要节点。例如:At this juncture, we need to make a careful decision.(在这个关头,我们需要做出谨慎的决定。)
【词源】源自拉丁语“junctura”,由“jungere”(连接)的过去分词“junctus”+“ - ura”(名词后缀)组成,表示连接点,即时刻、关头。
【短语】at this juncture(在这个关头);critical juncture(关键时刻)。
【例句】The company is at a crucial juncture in its development.(公司正处于发展的关键关头。)
crown(v. 给…戴花环)
【释义】把花环、王冠等戴在(某人的头上);为(某人)加冕,表示荣誉等。例如:They crowned the winner with a laurel wreath.(他们给获胜者戴上桂冠。)
【词源】源自古英语“crownian”,与王冠(crown,n.)有关,最初表示给某人戴上王冠。
【短语】crown with(用…加冕;用…覆盖)。
【例句】The beauty queen was crowned with a diamond tiara.(选美皇后被戴上了钻石王冠。)
raft(n. 木筏)
【释义】由原木或木板捆绑在一起制成的水上漂浮物,可用于载人或运输货物等。例如:They built a raft to cross the river.(他们造了一个木筏来过河。)
【词源】源自古斯堪的纳维亚语“raftr”,表示木筏。
【短语】bamboo raft(竹筏);raft trip(木筏之旅)。
【例句】The raft floated slowly down the river.(木筏缓缓地顺流而下。)
holly(n. 一种冬青植物)
【释义】常绿灌木或小乔木,叶子通常有刺,果实为红色浆果,常用于圣诞节装饰等。例如:Holly is a traditional Christmas plant.(冬青是一种传统的圣诞节植物。)
【词源】源自古英语“holen”。
【短语】holly bush(冬青树);holly berries(冬青果)。
【例句】They decorated the house with holly for Christmas.(他们用冬青装饰房子过圣诞节。)
unduly(adv. 过度地)
【释义】超出适当的程度;不合理地。例如:Don't worry unduly about small mistakes.(不要过度担心小错误。)
【词源】由“un - ”(不)+“duly”(适当地,源自“due”(适当的)+“ - ly”(副词后缀))组成,表示不适当的程度,即过度地。
【短语】unduly influenced(过度影响);unduly worried(过度担心)。
【例句】The price should not be unduly high.(价格不应该过高。)
wreath(n. 花环)
【释义】用花、叶、树枝等编织成的环状物,可用于装饰或表示敬意等。例如:They laid a wreath at the war memorial.(他们在战争纪念碑前献上一个花环。)
【词源】源自古英语“writha”,表示扭曲、缠绕,因为花环是由东西缠绕而成的。
【短语】laurel wreath(桂冠);Christmas wreath(圣诞花环)。
【例句】The bride wore a beautiful wreath on her head.(新娘头上戴着一个美丽的花环。)
foundations(n. 地基)
【释义】建筑物底部的基础部分,支撑着整个建筑物;基础,根基(可用于比喻义)。例如:The builders are laying the foundations for the new house.(建筑工人正在为新房子打地基。)
【词源】由“found”(v. 建立,源自古法语“fondre”)+“ - ation”(名词后缀,表示行为、结果)+“s”(复数形式)组成,表示建立的基础,即地基。
【短语】lay foundations(打地基);shake the foundations(动摇根基)。
【例句】The storm damaged the foundations of the old building.(风暴损坏了旧建筑物的地基。)
occurrence(n. 偶发事件)
【释义】发生的事情,尤指意外或不常见的事件。例如:This is a rare occurrence in this area.(这在这个地区是一个罕见的偶发事件。)
【词源】由“occur”(v. 发生,源自拉丁语“occurrere”)+“ - ence”(名词后缀,表示行为、状态)组成,表示发生的事情,即偶发事件。
【短语】frequent occurrence(频繁发生的事件);unusual occurrence(不寻常的事件)。
【例句】The sudden occurrence of the earthquake shocked everyone.(地震的突然发生震惊了所有人。)
stoutly(adv. 牢固地,粗壮的)
【释义】以粗壮、结实的方式;坚定地。例如:The post was stoutly fixed in the ground.(柱子牢固地固定在地上。)
【词源】由“stout”(adj. 结实的、粗壮的,源自古法语“estout”)+“ - ly”(副词后缀)组成,表示以粗壮的方式。
【短语】stoutly built(粗壮建造的);stoutly defend(坚定地捍卫)。
【例句】He stoutly refused to change his mind.(他坚定地拒绝改变主意。)
proportion(n. 部分)
【释义】一个整体中的部分;比例,比率。例如:A large proportion of the students like music.(很大一部分学生喜欢音乐。)
【词源】源自拉丁语“proportio”,由“pro - ”(按照、相对于)+“portio”(部分)组成,表示相对于整体的部分,即比例。
【短语】in proportion(成比例);proportion of(…的比例)。
【例句】The proportion of men to women in this department is about 2:1.(这个部门男女比例大约是2:1。)
submerge(v. 浸没)
【释义】使(某物)完全被水或其他液体覆盖;沉浸(于某种情感或状态中)。例如:The flood submerged the small village.(洪水浸没了这个小村庄。)
【词源】由“sub - ”(在…下面)+“merge”(v. 合并、吞没,源自拉丁语“mergere”)组成,表示在下面吞没,即浸没。
【短语】submerge in(浸没在…;沉浸于…);be submerged(被浸没)。
【例句】The diver submerged himself in the water.(潜水员将自己浸没在水中。)
site(v. 使位于)
【释义】使(建筑物、设施等)位于某个特定的地方。例如:They decided to site the factory near the river.(他们决定把工厂建在河边。)
【词源】源自古法语“site”,表示地点、位置,用作动词表示使位于某个地点。
【短语】site on(位于…上);be sited at(位于…)。
【例句】The new stadium will be sited in the center of the city.(新体育场将位于城市中心。)
grapple(v. 抓住)
【释义】紧紧抓住(某人或某物);努力解决(难题等)。例如:He grappled with the thief to get his wallet back.(他抓住小偷想要夺回自己的钱包。)
【词源】源自古法语“grappeler”,与抓住(grapnel,n. 抓钩)有关,表示像用抓钩一样抓住。
【短语】grapple with(与…搏斗;努力克服);grapple hook(抓钩)。
【例句】Scientists are grappling with the problem of climate change.(科学家们正在努力解决气候变化的问题。)
二、课文精讲
The river which forms the eastern boundary of our farm has always played an important part in our lives. Without it we could not make a living.
-boundary / ba n.d r.i/ n.分界线;边界
-play a part in 扮演....的角色。
-Without it we could not make a living.没有它我们就无法生存下去。without it 起非真实条件句的作用,make a living,谋生。
译文:位于农场东边分界线的河流在我们的生活中总是扮演着重要的角色。没有它,我们就无法生活。
There is only enough spring water to supply the needs of the house, so we have to pump from the river for farm use. We tell the river all our secrets.
-spring water 泉水。
-infinitely / n.f .n t.li/ adv.非常;无限地;极大地
译文:泉水只足够用于必要的生活用水,所以农田里的用水只能从河流里抽取。我们会把自己的秘密倾诉给河流听。
We know instinctively, just as beekeepers with their bees, that misfortune might overtake us if the important events of our lives were not related to it.
-instinctivley / n st k.t vli/ adv. 本能地
-misfortune / m s f .t u n/ n.不幸;厄运;不幸事故;灾难
-overtake / .v te k/ v.突然降临于;意外发生在
译文:就像养蜂人知晓他们的蜜蜂,我们也会出于本能地知道,如果我们生命中的重大事件不与河流有关的话,不幸就要降临在我们的身上。
We have special river birthday parties in the summer. Sometimes we go upstream to a favourite backwater, sometimes we have our party at the boathouse, which a predecessor of ours at the farm built in the meadow hard by the deepest pool for swimming and diving.
-backwater / b k.w .t r/ n.回水,滞水
-predecessor / pri .d ses. r/ n.前任,前辈;原有事物,前身
-meadow / med. / n.(常指有野花的)草地,牧场
-hard by …,在……近旁。
译文:夏天,我们会有特别的河边生日派对。有时,我们的派对会选择举办在上流的回水处,有时会在船坞里,船坞由一位前辈建造在农场的草地上,就在用来游泳和潜水的最深的水池边上。
In a heat wave we choose a midnight birthday party and that is the most exciting of all.
- in a heat wave,在大热天。
译文:在大热天,我们会举办午夜生日派对,那是最激动人心的。
We welcome the seasons by the riverside, crowning the youngest girl with flowers in the spring, holding a summer festival on Midsummer Eve, giving thanks for the harvest in the autumn, and throwing a holly wreath into the current in the winter.
-holly wreath 冬青花环。
译文:我们在河边迎接各个季节的到来,春天会为最年轻的女孩带上花环,夏至前夜会举办夏日联欢,秋天会庆获丰收,冬季会往河流里献上冬青花环。
After a long period of rain the river may overflow its banks. This is a rare occurrence as our climate seldom goes to extremes.
-overflow / .v fl / v.(液体)溢出,泛滥
-occurrence / k r. ns/ n. 发生的事;事件;遭遇
-go to extreme 走极端。
译文:在漫长的雨季后,河水可能会泛滥。但这也很少发生,因为我们这里的极端气候很少。
We are lucky in that only the lower fields, which make up a very small proportion of our farm, are affected by flooding, but other farms are less favourably sited, and flooding can sometimes spell disaster for their owners.
-favourably / fe v r bli/ adv. 顺利地;有利地;好意地
-site /sa t/ v.使坐落于
-spell /spel/ v.意味着灾难/会招致麻烦(等等)
译文:幸运的是,我们农场里只有一小部分低洼的农地会受洪水的影响,但是其他位置不好的农场,洪水有时就会对农场主带来灾难。
One bad winter we watched the river creep up the lower meadows. All the cattle had been moved into stalls and we stood to lose little.
-creep /kri p/ v.通常指为避免注意而)缓慢行进,悄悄移动,潜行
-cattle / k t. l/ n. 牛
-stall /st l/ n.(农场建筑中圈养单只牲畜的)隔栏,分隔间
-stand to lose,处于损失的境况之中。
译文:有一个糟糕的冬季,我们看着低洼的草地被河水慢慢地吞噬。所有的牛都被赶到了隔栏中,我们没有太大的损失。
We were, however, worried about our nearest neighbours, whose farm was low lying and who were newcomers to the district. As the floods had put the telephone out of order, we could not find out how they were managing.
-put…out of order,使……出故障。
译文:然而,我们依旧担心离我们家最近的那些邻居,他们的农场地势较低,而他们也是新搬入这个地区的。由于洪水导致通讯全断了,我们也无法知道他们应对得如何。
From an attic window we could get a sweeping view of the river where their land joined ours, and at the most critical juncture we took turns in watching that point.
-attic / t. k/ n.阁楼
-sweeping / swi .p / adj.影响广泛的,大的
-juncture / d k.t r/ n.时刻;关头
-take turns 轮流,依次。
译文:从阁楼的窗户,我们可以看到河流的全景,我们和邻居的土地也在那里交汇。在最危机的时刻,我们轮流观察着那里的情况。
The first sign of disaster was a dead sheep floating down. Next came a horse, swimming bravely, but we were afraid that the strength of the current would prevent its landing anywhere before it became exhausted.
译文:灾难的第一预兆,就是一头死羊漂浮在河面上。接着,又漂来了一匹马,努力地在河里挣扎着,但恐怕河流的强度无法让它在力气用尽前安全着陆。
Suddenly a raft appeared, looking rather like Noah's ark, carrying the whole family, a few hens, the dogs, a cat, and a bird in a cage.
-raft /rɑ ft/ n.筏子;木筏,木排
-Noah's ark,诺亚方舟。这是摘自《圣经·旧约》《创世纪》中的典故。诺亚是故事中上帝用洪水消灭人类后的新始祖;诺亚借助一方形大船,与他家属及每种动物雌雄各一逃脱了洪水之灾。
译文:突然,出现了一个木筏,仿佛‘诺亚方舟’,载着所有的家人,几只母鸡,几条狗,一只猫和一只笼中鸟。
We realized that they must have become unduly frightened by the rising flood, for their house, which had sound foundations, would have stood stoutly even if it had been almost submerged.
-unduly / n d u .li/ adv. 过度地;不适当地;不正当地
-sound /sa nd/ adj.无损伤的;完好的;健康的,健全的
-stoutly / sta t.li/ adv.不屈不挠地,顽强地
-submerge /s b m d / v.(使)潜入水中,(使)没入水中;浸没
译文: 我们意识到,他们一定是被洪水吓坏了。他们的房屋,有着良好的地基,即使几乎被完全淹没,也能依旧坚挺不倒。
The men of our family waded down through our flooded meadows with boathooks, in the hope of being able to grapple a corner of the raft and pull it out of the current towards our bank. We still think it a miracle that they were able to do so.
-wade /we d/ v.(在水中)艰难地行进,涉水,蹚
-boathook / b t.h k/ n.(一端有钩的)撑篙,船竿
-grapple / ɡr p. l/ v.抓住;格斗;抓斗机;设法解决;搏斗;用抓钩钩住
译文:我家的男人们用带着船竿,蹚过被洪水淹没的草地,希望能够钩住木筏,把木筏拉到我们这边的河岸上。我们至今还认为我们能够成功做到这件事,简直是个奇迹。