When reports came into London Zoo that a wild puma had been spotted forty-five miles south of London, 当伦敦动物园接到报告说,在伦敦以南 45 英里的地方发现一头野生美洲狮时。这个从句中以 that 引导的从句是 report 的同位语,用于进一步说明报告的内容。
feel obliged to do sth. 是“感到不得不做某事”的意思。
it left behind it a trail of, 它身后留下一串……。a trail of 作 left 的宾语,behind it 是状语,提到宾语之前是为了使句子的结构更紧凑。
puma fur was found clinging to bushes 中,clinging 是现在分词,此处作主语 puma fur 的主语补足语。下文中 As no pumas had been reported missing... 一句中,missing 也是现在分词作主语补足语。
in the possession of, 为……所有
0302 Thirteen equals one
woke up with a start: ... with a start, 由于受到了惊动,惊醒了。冒号后面是一个解释性的分句,是对 start 所作的具体说明。
recognize as, 认出是。
Whatever are you doing up here? 你究竟在这上面干什么?Whatever 用于疑问句中,用以加强 what 的语气,作“究竟什么”解,口语中很常用。
Yesterday certainly did give me a surprise! 你确实使我感到意外。在英语中助动词 do 可以表示强调。此时助动词 do 放在谓语动词之前。
Thirteen is not as good as one, but it's better than nothing. 敲 13 下虽然不如敲 1 下好,但总比 1 下不敲强多了。
0303 An unknown goddess
the Aegean island of Kea, 爱琴海的基亚岛。爱琴海是东地中海的一部分,位于希腊半岛和小亚细亚之前。它包括希腊半岛以外的许多岛屿。基亚岛位于希腊半岛东南方的海域里。
Ayia Irini, 阿伊亚•依里尼,意为“圣依里尼”,Irini 是希腊文,意为“和平”。
The city at one time must have been prosperous, for it enjoyed a high level of civilization. 这座古城肯定一度很繁荣,因为它曾享有高度的文明。must have been 是对过去的推测。at one time, 一度。
Roman times, 罗马时代。指古罗马(约公元前200 - 公元400)时期,那时罗马人在欧洲建立了帝国。
date from, 追溯到。
Classical times, 指古希腊,古罗马时代。
the goddess turned out to be..., 那位女神原来是……。
0304 The double life of Alfred Bloggs
People who work in offices are frequently referred to as 'white-collar workers', 那些坐在办公室的人,往往被称为“白领工人”。white-collar workers 往往指脑力劳动者,而体力劳动者则被称为 blue-collar workers, 蓝领工人。
for the simple reason that... 这里 that 引导的从句是 the reason 的同位语。
Such is human nature, that... such 位于句首,起强调作用,后面要用倒装语序,that 引导的是 such 的同位语从句。
as it did in the case of Alfred Bloggs who worked as a dustman for the Ellesmere Corporation. 正如给埃尔斯米尔公司当清洁工的艾尔弗雷德•布洛格斯的情况所造成的怪现象那样。as it did 中的 it 是指上一句中 that 从句所指的情况,而 did 是替代 give rise to curious situations。
half as much as he used to, 只相当于过去的一半
0305 The facts
go to extremes, 走极端
provide... with... 作“向……提供……”解。
to write an article on, 写一篇有关……的报道
lead to... 作“通往……”、“导致……”解。
go to press, 付印
Not only had the poor man been arrested, but he had been sent to prison as well. 这是 not only... but... as well 引导的并列句子,如果将 not only 置于句首,后面主谓语应采取倒装结构。
with its headlights on and its horn blaring, ... 这是 with 引导的独立主格结构,在句中表示伴随状况。
but he was too busy helping himself to diamonds to notice any pain. 但他只顾忙着抢劫钻石,根本顾不上疼痛了。这里 help oneself to sth. 是“擅自取用,侵占某物”的意思。
0307 Mutilated Ladies
Mutilated Ladies, 这是英国银行专门负责识别和鉴定残缺或被毁纸币的小组,其中 lady 是指英国纸币上印的女王头像。
a large bank note, 面额很大的纸币。
whiter than white, 这是英国有关洗衣粉的电视广告中常用的一句话。这里的意思是纸币上的字迹、图案均被洗掉了,可以译为“比白纸还白”。
they found a beautifully-cooked wallet and notes turned to ash, 他们发现一只煮得很好看的钱包,钞票已烧成了灰。过去分词短语 turned to ash 作宾语 notes 的补足语,这后半句话可以看成 they found ... that notes had been turned to ash。
0308 A famous monastery 著名的修道院
Now that a tunnel has been built through the mountains, 由于一条穿山隧道已经开通。now that 是连词,当“既然”,“由于”讲,引导一个原因状语从句,说明一种新情况。
As there are so many people about, ... about 为副词,作“在附近”,“到处”讲。也可用 around 表示。
The monks prefer winter to summer, 修道士们喜欢冬天而不喜欢夏天。prefer...to... 有“喜欢……而不喜欢……”的意思,to 的前后要用名词或动名词来表示所对比的事物或活动。
0309 Flying cats
Cat never fail to fascinate human beings. 在这句话中有一个否定词 never 和一个含有否定意义的动词 fail,这两个否定词就组成了双重否定,而双重否定往往用来表示肯定。这句话可以译成:“猫总能引起人们的极大兴趣”。
be based on, 在……基础之上。
have ... in common, 有……共同之处。
the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves, 猫跌落的距离越长,它们就越不会伤害自己。“the + 形容词或副词的比较级…… the + 形容词或副词的比较级”的结构常用来表示比较关系,往往可以译成“越……越……”。be likely to 是“很可能会”的意思。
0310 The loss of the Titanic “泰坦尼克”号的沉没
sail for, 驶往……。
even by modern standard, 即使依照现代标准来衡量。by 作“依照”“按照”讲。
regarded as unsinkable, 被认为是不会沉没的。regard... as... 当“把……当作……”讲。
she went down on her first voyage with heavy loss of life, 她首航就下沉,造成大批人员死亡。go down 是“下沉”的意思。
narrowly missing, 勉强避开。
Below, the captian realized to his horror, 在下面,船长惊恐地发现。below 是个副词。
0311 Not guilty 无罪
the Green Channel, 绿色通道,指海关专供没有携带征税物品进关的旅客所走的通道。
hidden in his suitcase 是过去分词短语作定语,修饰 watches,它相当于一个定语从句:which were hidden in his suitcase。
looking me in the eye, 直盯着我的眼睛,这是分词短语作状语,表示方式,修饰 asked。
The officer went through, 这里 go through 作“检查”讲。
in a dreadful mess (or in a mess), 乱七八糟,混乱透了。
I saw the Officer's face light up. 我看到那位官员的脸上露出了得意的神色。
You should have declared them. 你早该申报了。“should + 不定式的完成式”表示本该做而未做之事。
be exempt from 作“免除”“豁免”讲。
0312 Life on a desert island 荒岛生活
imagine ... to be ..., 作“想象……是……”、“设想……是……”讲。不定式 to be 引导的短语作宾语补足语。
quite the opposite, 完全相反,截然不同。
starve to death, 饿死。
... wished they had stayed there longer. ……还真希望在那里多呆些日子。wish 引导的宾语从句常用虚拟语气。
as one of them put it, 正如其中一位所说的。
0313 'It's only me' “是我,别怕”
would be going, 是过去将来进行时,用来表示过去预计将要发生的动作。
fancy-dress party, 化妆舞会。
dress up as, 化装成……。
try it on, it 指 costume, try on 是“试穿”“试戴”。
just as..., 正当……的时候。
She had told him to come straight in if ever she failed to open the door to leave the bread on the kitchen table. 她曾告诉过他,如果她没去开门,他可以直接进来,把面包放在厨房的桌子上。if ever 在条件句中表示强调,可译作“任何时候”。to come straight in 指“直接进来”。
0314 A noble gangster 贵族歹徒
in return for..., 作“作为……的报答”讲。
out of business, 倒闭,破产。
as long ago as, 作“追溯到”、“早在”讲。注意要与 as long as 区分开,后面这个短语作“只要”或“长达……之久”讲。
people would rather pay large sums of money than have their life work destroyed by gangsters, 人们情愿支付一大笔钱,也不愿自己毕生的心血毁于歹徒之手。
made a name for himself, 出名了。
be at war with..., 与……处于战争状态。
in times of peace, 在和平时期。
a sort of hero, 某种英雄。sort of 作“可以说是一种”讲。
0315 Fifty pence worth of trouble 五十便士的麻烦
with some children, 介词 with 此处作“对于”讲。
go a long way, 可以维持很久。
If fifty pence pieces are not exchanged for sweets, 如果 50 便士的硬币没有用来换糖果的话。exchange... for... 作“以……换……”讲,注意英语中的便士有两种复数形式 pence 和 pennies,但用法不同。如:a fifty pence 是指 1 个 50 便士的硬币,而 fifty pennies 是指 50 个 1 便士的硬币。
have found their way there, 其中 there 是指储蓄罐。find one's way 在这里作“进入”讲,即“放到(储蓄罐)里”。
what is more, 更有甚者。是固定词组,此处用作插入语。
0316 Mary had a little lamb 玛丽有一头小羔羊
it would not prove difficult, 是不难做到的。prove 是连系动词,作“证明是”讲,本句子与 it would not be difficult 相同。
accuse sb. of (doing) sth. 作“指责、指控某人做某事”解。
he had better return it, 他最好把羔羊还给迪米特里。had better 用来表达一种建议,建议在将来某一具体场合采取的动作。这个短语比 should 和 ought to 的语气更强烈,常带有威胁、告诫或催促的意思。
denied taking it..., deny 后面可接动名词作宾语,也可接宾语从句。
apologize to sb. for (doing) sth., 是“因(做)某事向某人道歉”的意思。
0317 The longest suspension bridge in the world 世界上最长的吊桥
describe... as... 作“把……描绘成”、“认为……”讲。
located within two small hills in the midst of which flowed a great river, 位于两座小山之间,一条大河涛涛流过。located... 是过去分词短语作定语,修饰 situation;in the midst of which 引导一个定语从句,which 指 two small hills。in the midst of, 在……之中。
by no means, 无论如何,绝不。
be named after sb., 以某人的名字命名。
be taken into account, 被考虑到。
It has been estimated..., 据估计,……。
be packed with... 作“挤满……”、“装满……”解。
0318 Electric currents in modern art 现代艺术中的电流
The idea that ... is mistaken. 此处 that 引导的从句作 idea 的同位语。
take no interest in ..., 作“对……不感兴趣”解。
cannot have failed to notice, 不至于没注意到。“cannot + have + 过去分词”表示对过去的事所作的不肯定的推测。
move in response to a gust of wind, 随风飘荡。in response (to) 作“回答”、“响应”、“作出反应”讲。此处是“(展品)随风而动”的意思。
be familiar to ... 是“为……所熟悉”的意思。
Lined up against the wall, 靠墙排列着。
like traffic lights which have gone mad, 就像失去控制的红绿灯一样。go mad 作“发疯”、“发狂”讲。
on and off (off and on) 作“断断续续地”、“有时”讲。
These peculiar forms not only seemed designed ..., 其中 seemed 是系动词,seemed designed 作用与 were designed 是一样的。
0319 A very dear cat 一只贵重的宝贝猫
share ... with ..., 作“与……分享、合用……”解。
be in safe hands, 在可靠的人那里。
she changed her mind, 她改变了主意。
keep one's word, 遵守诺言。
sure enough, 无疑,果然。
Considering ... he was dear in more ways that one! considering ... 是介词短语,作“考虑到……”、“就……而言”解,此处作原因状语。dear 不仅作为“可爱”讲,还可作“昂贵”讲。此处有一语双关之意。in more ways than one (way) 作“在更多方面”解。
0320 Pioneer pilots 飞行员的先驱
the English Channel, 英吉利海峡。大西洋延伸的部分,长约 350 英里(约 560 公里),讲英法两国的领土分开。
Over a year passed before the first attempt was made. 一年多时间之后,才有人进行了第一次尝试。
pick up 此处作“(从海里)救起”解。
did not give up easily, 不轻易作罢。give up 作“放弃”讲。
It looked as if there would be an exciting race across the Channel. 看起来似乎有一场精彩的飞越英吉利海峡的比赛。as if 引导的从句作起系动词作用的 look 的表语,其中谓语动词 would be 表示与未来的事实不相符的虚拟结构。
they were known as 'prizefighters',他们被称作“职业拳击手”。be known as ..., 被称作……。
until 1860, when the Marquis of Queensberry drew up the first set of rules 中,以 when 引导的从句是定语从句,修饰前面的年代 1860 年。draw up 是“制定”、“草拟”的意思。a set of, 一套。Marquise of Queensberry, 昆斯伯里侯爵,是指第 8 位昆斯伯里侯爵约翰•修托•道格拉斯(1844-1900),苏格兰贵族。他制定的“昆斯伯里规则”至今仍是拳击比赛规则。
change ... into ..., 把……变成……;bring ... to ..., 把……引入……。
in his day, 在他的全盛时期。day 此处指“幸运或顺利的时期”。
He was adored by rich and poor alike. 人们不论贫富都很崇拜他。rich and poor 是固定词组,意为“富人和穷人”。有的形容词可用作名词,但前面要加 the。
rise of fame, 成名。
Humphries turned against him, 汉弗莱斯与他反目成仇。
at Stilton, where both men fought for an hour 中,以 where 引导的从句作 Stilton 的定语。
bet on ..., 在……上押(赌金)。
It was not until his third match in 1790 that he finally beat Humphries ... 这是一个 it 引导的强调句。被强调的部分 not until his third match in 1790 放在 It was 之后,句子的其他部分放在引导词 that 之后。
both these ships, 这两艘船。也可写成 both of these ships 或 both ships。
The first of the two ships to reach Java ..., 两艘船中首先到达爪哇的……。不定式短语 to reach Java 此处做定语,修饰 first,中间被另一个修饰 first 的介词短语 of the two ships 所分开。
take the lead, 领先。lose one's lead, 失去领先地位。
There is no doubt that if she had not lost her rudder she would have won the race easily. 毫无疑问,如果中途没有失去舵,“卡蒂萨克”号肯定能在比赛中轻易夺冠。这是一个虚拟语气的句子,是对过去的一种假设。
0326 Wanted: a large biscuit tin 收购大饼干筒
No one can avoid being influenced by advertisements. 没有人能避免受广告的影响。avoid 一词需接动名词作宾语,being influenced 是动名词一般式的被动语态。
Much as we may pride ourselves ..., 尽管我们可以自夸……,虽然我们可以为……感到自豪。这是一个让步状语从句,连词 much as 可以译成“虽然很……”。
get something for nothing, 免费得到
go wrong, 出差错,出毛病。
the response to this competition, 对这一竞赛的反响。
0327 Nothing to sell and nothing to buy 不卖也不买
in the light of, 依据,按照。
in terms of, 从……方面(说来),按照。
grudge paying 中,grudge 作“吝惜”、“不愿”解,后面要接名词或动名词。这句话中的 this service 指上文 to save our lives。
The conditions of society are such that ... such 此处为代词,作“这样”解。that 所引导的从句,可视为同位语从句。
be free from ..., 作“不受……的影响”解,后面常接 pain(痛苦),trouble(苦恼),danger(危险)一类的词语。
By having to sleep in the open, 由于不得不在露天过夜,这一介词短语作原因状语。
in times of real need, 确实需要的时候。
put them in the same class as beggars, 把他们归为乞丐一类。the same ... as ..., 像……一样。
0328 Five pounds too dear 五镑也太贵
I had no sooner go off the ship that I was assailed ..., 我刚刚一下船就被……人纠缠住了。no sooner ... that ... 作“刚……就……”将。
go to great lengths to do sth., 竭力做某事。
get rid of, 摆脱。
as a special favour, 作为一种特殊的优惠。
throw up his arms in despair, 绝望地举起双手。
0329 Funny or not? 是否可笑?
whether we find a joke funny or not, 这是一个名词性的从句,在句子中作主语。
be bound up with, 与……联系在一起。
you would find it difficult not to laugh at, say, Charlie Chaplin's earyly films. 比如说,你看了查理•卓别林的早期电影很难不发笑。句中的 say 是插入语,可译作“比如说”。查理•卓别林是电影史上最有名的演员之一。他在诸如《淘金记》(1924)这类电影中扮演的流浪汉“小人物”在各种不利的条件下仍获得了成功。
stem from, 起源于。
come into fashion, 开始流行,时兴起来。
judge for yourself, 你自己来判断。
take heart, 振作精神。
the man drank a little more than was good for him. 这个人稍微多喝了一点酒。此句 than 后面省略了主语 what, be good for sb. 是“对某人有益”的意思。
0330 The death of a ghost 幽灵之死
every time (= whenever) 作“每当……”解,引导时间状语从句。
stay up, 熬夜,不睡觉。
In time, it became an accepted fact that ..., 最后,……已成为公认的一个事实。in time 作“终于”,“最后”讲。that 引导的从句作 fact 的同位语。
none other than ..., 不是别人正是……。
0331 A lovable eccentric 可爱的怪人
set out to do sth., 打算,企图做某事。
draw attention to ..., 作“引起对……的注意”讲。
without being conscious that ..., 没有意识到……。这是介词短语作状语,be conscious that ... 作“意识到……”解。
This invariably wins them the love and respect of others. 这常常赢来人们对他们的爱戴和尊敬。win sb. sth., 作“使某人获得某事(物)”讲。
add ... to ..., 把……添加到……。
this side of his life, 他生活中这方面的情况。这里指的是 He was a shrewd and wealthy businessman.
be caught in, 作“突然遇上,碰上”讲。
Recognizing who the customer was, the manager was most apologetic ..., 由于经理认出这个顾客是谁了,便竭力赔礼道歉……。这句话用现在分词短语作原因状语,most 在这里起加强语气的作用,相当于 very。
insisted on the assistant's counting, 坚持让店员点清。insist on 后接动名词,the assistant's 是动名词的逻辑主语。
0332 A lost ship 一艘沉船
on its way home, 返航途中。
for the sunken ship he was trying to find ..., for 作“因为”将,引导并列句;he was trying to find 是定语从句修饰主语 ship。
under the impression that, 以为,认为。
be of great interest, 很有趣。
parts of which it was possible to read, which 指先行词 log book, 所引导的是定语从句,it 是形式主语,不定式 to read 是真实主语,parts of which 作 read 的宾语。
piece together ... (or piece ... together) 作“综合”、“拼凑”讲。come to light, 被搞清,被知道。
War Museum, 军事博物馆。指伦敦的帝国军事博物馆,其中展出第一次世界大战和第二次世界大战的军事物品。
0333 A day to remember 难忘的一天
get out of control, 失去控制。
It is as if a single unimportant event set up a chain of reactions. 就好像一件无关紧要的小事引起了一连串的连锁反应。as if 引导的从句中用的是虚拟语气;set up, 引起,产生;a chain of, 一连串。
however wise or eminent, 不管他们是多么精明、多么杰出。however 为连接副词,作“不管……如何”解,所引导的让步状语从句中经常可以省略某些词,此处省略了 they are。
quite independent of human interference, 完全不受人的干预。be independent of, 不受。
it serves him right, 他罪有应得。
in part, 部分地,在某种程度上。
of its own accord, 自愿地,自动地。
impossible to resist the temptation to say ..., 情不自禁地说……。
0336 A chance in a million 百万分之一的机遇
being ... to a conclusion, 作“使……结束”讲。
bring about, 造成,导致。
and so on, 等等,诸如此类。
do sometimes conspire 中,do 为助动词,对谓语动词起强调作用。
while on a walking tour ..., while 后面省略了主谓结构 he was。在表示时间、地点、条件让步等状语从句中,从句的主语如与主句的主语相同,常省略从句的主语和谓语。
pour scorn on ..., 作“讥笑……”讲。
point out, 指出,提请注意。
be acquainted with, 已知道。
needless to say, 不用说,当然。
become of, 结果如何,发生了……情况。
0337 The Westhaven Express
they are more likely to be ours than theirs, 这些错误往往是我们而不是铁路当局造成的。they 指 mistakes;ours, theirs 此处用斜体字表示强调,应该重度。
I could not help noticing that ..., 我不禁注意到……,can't help doing 是“禁不住……”的意思。
strike me as odd, 使我感到奇怪。
Neither was I surprised, 这是以 neither 开头的句子,要用倒装语序。
It suddenly dawned on me ..., 我突然明白了,……。
a note of triumph, 胜利者的调子。
in black and white, 白纸黑字。
0338 The first calendar 最早的日历
what is more, 作“而且”、“再者”解,是插入语。
CD-ROM, 是 compact disc read-only memory 的缩写。
as it were, “可以说”,是插入语。
be faced with, 作“面临”、“面对”解。
shed light on ..., 使……清楚地显出来,解释。
come into being, 产生,形成。
Ice Age, 冰川时期。
0339 Nothing to worry about 不必担心
get sb. to do sth., 说服某人做某事。
not in the least, 一点儿也不,完全不。
It was not that Bruce always underestimated difficulties. 这并不是说布鲁斯总是低估困难。
sooner or later, 作“迟早”、“总有一天”讲。
giving way to a stretch of plain, 出现了一片草原。give way to ..., 此处作“为……所替代”解。
charge at, 冲向。
0340 Who's who 真假难辨
It has never been explained why ..., 在这个句子中真正的主语是以 why 引导的主语从句。
specialize in, 专门从事
inviting the fire brigade, 是动名词短语,此处作主语。put out 作“扑灭”、“熄灭”讲。
dress up as, 装扮成。
they were not to take him seriously, (他们)不要把他当回事。take 此处作“对待”、“接受”讲,多指对人、对事物的态度和反应。
grateful to the student for this piece of advance information, 对这个学生事先通报情况表示感谢。be grateful to sb. for sth., 对某人因某事表示感谢。
as he pleased, 是方式状语从句,后面省略了 to do, 可译作“随他的便”。
be under arrest, 被逮捕,拘禁。
Only when ... did he realize that ...。在这句话中,only 加上状语从句放在句首,因此主句的主谓语要用倒装的句式。
0341 Illusions of pastoral peace 宁静的田园生活的遐想
city born and city bred, 城里生,城里长。这是由“名词+过去分词”构成的合成形容词,此处作原因状语。
go into raptures, 变得欣喜若狂起来。at the mere mention of, 一提到。
be under an illusion, 作“有……的错觉”讲,that 引导的是同位语从句。
beyond me, 我所无法理解的。
do without, 没有……也行。
draw to a close, 结束,告终。
you never have to make do with second best, 你从来不必用二等品来凑合。make do with ..., 凑合着用……。
0342 Modern caveman 现代洞穴人
as it has come to be known, 正如已逐渐为人所了解的那样,此处作插入语。
it is the desire ... or the chance ... that ... 这是强调句式,被强调的部分是句子的主语 the desire ... or the chance ...
rig up, 装配,搭起。
Grenoble, 格里诺布尔,是法国东南部伊泽尔河上的一座大城镇,尤以它的大学而著称。
The cave might never have been discovered had not the entrance been spotted by ..., 如果不是……偶然发现这个洞口的话,这个洞也许永远不会为人所知。这是表示与过去事实不相符的虚拟语气结构,句中的非真实条件句 had not the entrance been spotted by ... 由于省略了 if,因此要用倒装句式。
edge one's way, 此处作“侧身徐徐向前移动”讲。
which they found was caused ... of the cave. which was caused ... of the cave 是定语从句,修饰 sound;they found 此处作插入语。shooting down ... of the cave 是现在分词短语作定语,修饰 waterspout。
0343 Fully insured 全保险
in the event of, 作“倘若”、“万一”、“如果发生”讲。
the bigger the risk an insurance company takes, the higher the premium you will have to pay. 保险公司承担的风险越大,你付的保险费就越高。这里又是一个“the + 形容词比较级,the + 形容词比较级”的例子,汉语可译成“越……越……”。
make a claim for ..., 作“要求得到……”讲。
put into operation, 使……运转。
for one agonizing moment, 在令人忐忑不安的瞬间。
set up, 激起。
0344 Speed and comfort 又快捷又舒适
take your mind off the journey, 摆脱旅途的困扰。take one's mind off sth. 是“把某人的注意力从某事上移开”的意思。
in snatches, 断断续续地。
more often than not, 经常。
But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. 但就速度和舒适而论,什么也不能和飞机相比。介词 for 此处作“就……而论”讲。
keep you occupied, 使你有事可做。
0345 The power of the press 新闻报道的威力
read about (= of) ..., 作“读到……”讲。
it is extremely doubtful whether ... ourselves. it 是先行主语,替代以 whether 引导的主语从句。
act on..., 根据……行动。
bring about, 根据……行动。
South Dakota, 南达科他,美国中北部的一个州。面积 77,047 平方英里(约 200,000 平方公里)。这个州以粮食生产和矿产名称。
struggle against ... odds, 与恶运搏斗。
If they had only had one more child, the fact would have passed unnoticed. 如果他们只是添了一个孩子,这件事就不会引起任何人注意。这是虚拟语气,用来表示与过去的事实相反的假设。unnoticed 是过去分词作方式状语,修饰 passed。
The rise to fame was swift. 出名太快了。to fame 作 rise 的定语。
the exclusive rights to publish, 独家报道(出版)权。
pour in, 作“大量流入”、“源源而来”解。
press for ..., 作“迫切要求……”讲。
0346 Do it yourself 自己动手
So great is our passion for doing ..., 这句话的基本巨型是 so ... that ... 引导的结果状语从句,为了强调 great 这个词,把 so great 提到句首,因此主谓语要倒装。
you have the choice of very expensive organically-grown vegetables or a steady diet of pesticides every time you think you're eating fresh salads and vegetables, 你可以两者择一:或是选用价格昂贵、有机培植的蔬菜,或是当你认为在享用新鲜色拉和新鲜蔬菜的时候,实际上每次都不断地吃进杀虫剂。the choice of ... or ..., 在……和……之间选择。
taking a path which led out of the town 是现在分词短语作时间状语,which 引导定语从句修饰 path。意即“走上了一条出镇的小路”。
(be) fast asleep, 熟睡,此处作定语,修饰 boatman。
the only sign of life being an ugly-looking black goat, 这是一个由名词和分词组成的独立主格结构,作状语,说明 seemed deserted。
be shy of ..., 作“对……畏缩”、“害怕……”解。
come to life, 苏醒过来,活跃起来。
0349 The ideal servant 理想的仆人
air one's views on ..., 作“对……发表意见”讲。
be attached to, 喜爱,喜欢。
persist in doing sth., 坚持做某事。
free from dust, 一尘不染。
Aunt Harriet presided over an invisible army of servants ... 句中的 preside over 是“统辖”、“指挥”的意思。由于她雇用过许多仆人,人数之多已可以称作一只队伍(army);而由于她不断解雇又不断雇用,因此这支队伍在一定程度上也就变得无形了。
refer to them as, 把他们称作……。
what was, ..., an enlightened policy, 算得上是一项开明政策。in that 是书面用语,作“因为”、“既然”讲。
While she always criticized ..., while 作“虽然”讲,引导让步状语从句;to the end of her days, 直到她去世前。
0350 New Year resolutions 新年的决心
dos and don'ts, 要做的事和不要作的事。
year in year out, 年复一年。
a thousand and one, 许许多多。
beyond attainment, 做不到的,达不到的。
carry out, 实行,照办,执行。
slip back into our bad old ways, 滑回到那些坏的老习惯上去。
keep ... to oneself, 作“将……秘而不宣”,“保密”讲。
of an evening = in the evenings。
apply oneself to, 全力以赴地干。
It was this that betrayed me. 这是强调句型,被强调的部分 this 指 sat down ... in an exhausted condition.
fend off, 档回,避开。
doze off, 打瞌睡。
0351 Predicating the future 预测未来
in the mid 1970s, 在 20 世纪 70 年代中叶。
so-called, 号称,所谓的。
Mainframe computers were very large indeed ... software. 在这句话中,现在分词短语 occupying 和 employing 以及过去分词短语 run 均作主语 mainframe computers 的修饰部分。
take over, 接管,接受。
home computer, 家用电脑。
a then small company, 那时候规模尚小的一个公司。
dismiss the idea that ..., 不考虑……这个想法。
the Internet, the worldwide system that ..., 后面的这个短语用来进一步说明名词 the Internet,是它的同位语,这种用法在科技类的文章中很常见。
0352 Mud is mud 实事求是
a delicate shade of green, 浅绿色。
If you were to ask, 这里用 was/were 加动词不定式来表示过去预计发生并且发生了的事情。
come into the possession of, 占有,得到。
cure someone of ..., 治好某人的……。
on the spot, 当场。
put out, 烦恼,不安,不高兴。
out of stock, 脱销。
keep a straight face, 板着面孔,一本正经。
0353 In the public interest 为了公众的利益
in the interest of, 符合……的利益。
in the belief that ..., 自以为……。
be qualified to do sth., 胜任做某事。
be subject to ..., 受……的控制,应服从……。
complaints large and small, 程度不同的怨言,large and small 作名词 complaints 的定语。这样两个意义相反的形容词并用是要置于被修饰的词之后。
in writing, 以书面形式。
in detail, 详细地。
on one's behalf, 代表某人。
in question, 当事的,所涉及的。
put an end to, 制止,结束。
0354 Instinct or cleverness 是本能还是机智
do more harm than good, 害多益少。
wage war on, 对……开展。
does nothing to prevent, 不能阻止……。
go about ..., 做……。
stand in awe, 肃然起敬。
0355 From the earth: Greeting 来自地球的问候
Milky Way, 银河。
Whether a planet can support life depends on ..., 一颗行星是否能支持生命取决于……。在这句话中,以 whether 引导的名词性从句作句子的主语。
I had expected to be near my objective by now, 我本以为这时已经接近目的地了。“expect 的过去完成时+不定式的一般式”,表示过去想做而未做的事。
become (be) absorbed in ..., 作“专心致志于……”、“全神贯注于……”讲。
lack for nothing, 什么也不缺。
he made me promise to go on my own, 他要我答应一定单独回故乡一趟。promise 是不带 to 的动词不定式,作宾语补足语;on one's own 作“单独”、“靠自己的力量”解。
It was not that ... at all. 和下文的 But ... territory. 这两个句子实际用的使一个完整的句型:not that ... but that ... (不是因为……而是因为……)。
0358 A spot of bother 一点儿小麻烦
with every step of the way home, 这里介词 with 引起的短语作状语,表示“随……(情况发生某种变化)”。
her thoughts were on lunch and a good rest, 她只想着午餐和好好休息。
reprimand sb. for ..., 因为……而训斥某人。
yet following her regular practice, 然而按照她的惯例。这时现在分词短语作方式状语,修饰 had shut。
as clear as daylight, 十分清楚。
it might be more prudent to have someone with her, 有人陪伴她可能更谨慎一些。it 是形式主语,不定式短语 to have someone with her 是真正的主语。
being careful to touch nothing 是现在分词短语作状语,修饰 went through。
skeleton key, 万能钥匙。
0359 Collecting 收藏
in the belief that, 这个介词短语在句子中作谓语动词 leave 的状语。
those very things, 这是那些东西,very 在这里起强调作用,可译作“正是那个(些)”,“正是所要的”。
for two other reasons, lack of physical and mental energy, ... and sentiment, 在这个句子中,lack of ... 和 sentiment 是两个并列的成分,作 reasons 的同位语,而 both of which ... 是 physical and mental energy 的非限定性定语从句。
beyond their true worth, 超过它们的实际价值。
to such an extent that, 达到了这样的程度,that 后面的从句作 extent 的同位语。
as just looking at one's treasures is always a joy, 因为欣赏自己收藏的珍品总会充满了乐趣。as 是连词,引导原因状语从句。
have something bearing on it, 与它有关。
0360 Too early and too late 太早和太晚
Only in a sparsely-populated ... is it possible ..., 这是一个倒装句,因为 only 放在句首。
for the matter in hand, 为手中的事。
if late for a dinner party, 在以 if, when, though 等连词引导的从句中,当其谓语为 be 时,而主语又与主句的主语相同,从句往往可以将主语和谓语省去。上句 if 后就省略了 he is。
cut things fine, 把时间安排得不留余地。
The over-punctual can be as much a trial to others the unpunctual. 到得过早的人和迟到的人同样使人无法忍受。as much as, 和……一样。
half an hour too soon (=half an hour earlier), 早到半个小时。