3500 words in 40 short articles

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1. Fall in Love with English

TIP

Hiding behind the loose dusty curtain, a teenager packed up his overcoat into the suitcase. He planned to leave home at dusk though there was thunder and lightning outdoors. He had got to do this because he was tired of his parents' nagging about his English study and did not want to go through it any longer. He couldn't get along well with English and disliked joining in English classes because he thought his teacher ignored him on purpose. As a result, his score in each exam never added up to over 60.

His partner was concerned about him very much. She understood exactly what he was suffering from, but entirely disagreed with his idea. In order to calm him down and settle his problem, she talked with him face to face and swapped a series of learning tips with him. The items she set down helped him find the highway to studying English well.

The teenager was grateful and got great power from his friend's words. Now, he has recovered from being upset and has fallen in love with English.

Vocabulary

loose
not firmly held or fastened in place

dusty
covered in dust

curtain
a piece of material, especially cloth, that hangs across a window or opening to make a room or part of a room dark or private

overcoat
a long thick coat worn in cold weather

suitcase
a large, rectangular container with a handle, for carrying clothes and possessions while travelling

dusk
the time before night when it is not yet dark

thunder
the sudden loud noise that comes from the sky especially during a storm

lightning
a flash of bright light in the sky that is produced by electricity moving between clouds or from clouds to the ground

nag
to criticize or complain often in an annoying way, especially in order to try and make someone do something

swap
to give something and be given something else instead

series
a number of similar or related events or things, one following another

set down
to write or print something, especially to record it in a formal document

highway
a public road, especially an important road that joins cities or towns together

2. Different Countries Have Different Kinds of Englishes

TIP

Voyages of people from England play an important part in spreading the English language. At present, English is frequently spoken as an official or common language in many countries, such as America, Singapore, Malaysia and some African countries. All based on British English, the English spoken in these countries can be well understood by native English speakers. But actually, these Englishes have been gradually changing in accents, spellings, expressions and the usage of vocabulary.

Because of this fact, you can make use of the differences to tell which country the foreigners of your block are from. For example, if a boss fluently commands his driver, “Come up straight to my apartment by elevator and take some gas for my trucks and cabs”, instead of requesting, “Please come to my flat by lift and take some petrol for my lorries and taxis”, you can recognize his American identity, while the latter suggests that he is British.

Vocabulary

voyage
a long trip, especially by ship

frequently
often

fluently
If you speak a language or read fluently, you speak or read easily, well, and quickly

block
the distance along a street from where one road crosses it to the place where the next road crosses it, or one part of a street like this, especially in a town or city

US	UK
apartment	flat	a set of rooms for living in, especially on one floor of a building
elevator	lift	a device like a box that moves up and down, carrying people or goods from one floor of a building to another or taking people up and down underground in a mine
gas	petrol	a liquid obtained from petroleum, used especially as a fuel for cars and other vehicles
truck	lorry	a large road vehicle that is used for transporting large amounts of goods
cab	taxi	a car with a driver who you pay to take you somewhere

3. A Hard Trip

TIP

My sister was fond of traveling. Ever since graduating, she had been determined to organize a trip to an old temple. Since transporting fare was expensive, she decided to use a bicycle to cycle there not caring about the disadvantages. Her stubborn attitude was always her shortcoming. Once she made up her mind to do something, no one could persuade her to change her mind. Finally, we gave in as usual though we preferred to take a train. After we prepared everything, including the schedule, reliable weather forecast and the insurance, we began our trip.

Our journey was along a river flowing from a high altitude. Our pace was slow because the river frequently had many sharp bends through deep valleys, where the water seemed to boil. Just as I recorded in my journal, it was really a hard journey. But we also enjoyed great views. One night, I put my head on my pillow--a parcel of wool coats, and lay beneath the stars. When the flame in front of our cave went out at midnight, I found the sky so beautiful!

Vocabulary

be fond of
to like someone or something very much; to like doing something

determined (adj.) determine (v.)
wanting to do something very much and not allowing anyone or any difficulties to stop you

temple
a building used for the worship of a god or gods in some religions

transport

1. the movement of people or goods from one place to another
2. a system of vehicles, such as buses, trains, aircraft, etc. for getting from one place to another

fare
the money that you pay for a journey in a vehicle such as a bus or train

stubborn
A stubborn person is determined to do what he or she wants and refuses to do anything else.

shortcoming
a fault or a failure to reach a particular standard

make up her mide
to decide

give in
to finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time

forecast
a statement of what is judged likely to happen in the future, especially in connection with a particular situation, or the expected weather conditions

insurance
an agreement in which you pay a company money and they pay your costs if you have an accident, injury, etc.

altitude
height above sea level

bend
a curved part of something

valley
an area of low land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it

parcel
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

wool
the soft, thick hair that grows on the bodies of sheep and some other animals

flame
a stream of hot, burning gas from something on fire

cave
a large hole in the side of a hill, cliff, or mountain, or one that is underground

go out
If a light or something that is burning goes out, it stops producing light or heat.

4. A Horrible Earthquake

TIP

Dirty water rose in wells and canals before the earthquake. But no one judged that an earthquake was coming. Suddenly, everything shook. It seemed as if the world was at an end. Millions of brick houses and a number of dams were destroyed. Railway tracks became useless bars. Pipes in mines burst and let out smelly steam. Huge cracks trapped cyclists everywhere.

The next day, this event was the headline or main title of all newspapers. With the reporters giving an outline of the disaster, the whole nation was shocked by the damage and the victim's extreme suffering. People were moved when they read that the survivors comforted each other by saying “Congratulations! You survived!”. So they not only expressed their sympathy sincerely, but also organized together to help the victims right away. The injured were rescued and the dead were buried. The frightened survivors were dug out from under the ruins and were offered shelter, fresh water and electricity. Thanks to people's help, the loss was minimized.

Vocabulary

well
a deep hole in the ground from which you can get water, oil, or gas

canal
a long, thin stretch of water that is artificially made either for boats to travel along or for taking water from one area to another

brick
a rectangular block of hard material used for building walls and houses

dam
a wall built across a river that stops the river's flow and collects the water, especially to make a reservoir (= an artificial lake) that provides water for an area

track
the pair of long metal bars fixed on the ground at an equal distance from each other, along which trains travel

bar
a long, thin, straight piece of metal or wood

mine
a hole or system of holes in the ground where substances such as coal, metal, and salt are removed

burst
to break open or apart suddenly, or to make something do this

let out
to cause something to come out

smelly
having an unpleasant smell

steam
the hot gas that is produced when water boils

crack
a very narrow space between parts of something

trap
If someone or something is trapped, that person or thing is unable to move or escape from a place or situation.

cyclist
someone who rides a bicycle

outline
a description of the main facts about something

disaster
(an event that results in) great harm, damage, or death, or serious difficulty

extreme
very large in amount or degree

suffering
physical or mental pain that a person or animal is feeling

sympathy
(an expression of) understanding and care for someone else's suffering

sincerely
honestly and without pretending or lying

rescue
to help someone or something out of a dangerous, harmful, or unpleasant situation

dig
to break up and move soil using a tool, a machine, or your hands

shelter
(a building designed to give) protection from bad weather, danger, or attack

5. The Great President

TIP

As the founder of the republic, the president had many good qualities. Before coming to power, he was a generous lawyer. He was willing to selflessly help everyone who turned to him. He accepted no fee to offer legal guidance and opinions to those who were out of work or uneducated. Later, believing all mankind to be equal, he devoted himself to stopping the unfair anti-black laws. He set up the Black Youth League and was voted to be the leader.

However, though he kept peaceful principles without violence and terror, his mean enemies still blew up his house and attacked his relatives, and he himself couldn't escape being sentenced to 30 years in prison. Not fearing of the prison guards' cruelty, he kept active and begged no mercy from them. As a matter of fact, he was always hopeful and never lost heart during the stage even though he was in trouble. Finally, people rewarded him with the leader's position and a gold blanket.

Vocabulary

republic
a country without a king or queen, usually governed by elected representatives of the people and a president

turn to
to ask a person or organization for help or support

fee
an amount of money paid for a particular piece of work or for a particular right or service

guidance
help and advice about how to do something or about how to deal with problems connected with your work, education, or personal relationships

mankind
the whole of the human race, including both men and women

devote himself to stopping
to give all of something, especially your time, effort, or love, or yourself, to something you believe in or to a person

anti-
opposed to or against

league
a group of people or countries who join together because they have the same interest

principle
a basic idea or rule that explains or controls how something happens or works

mean
frightening and likely to become violent

blow up
to destroy something or kill someone with a bomb, or to be destroyed or killed by a bomb

be sentenced to
to decide and say officially what a punishment will be

cruelty
cruel behaviour or a cruel action
cruel: extremely unkind and unpleasant and causing pain to people or animals intentionally

keep active
busy with a particular activity，have a lot to do

mercy
kindness that makes you forgive someone, usually someone that you have authority over

lose heart
to stop believing that you can succeed

6. A Brave Maid

TIP

A wooden vase from the Ming Dynasty at the entrance of the reception hall amazed everyone. The artists designed it in a rare style and selected valuable jewels to decorate it. People thought highly of its fancy colour of honey and the beautiful paintings on it.

The vase used to belong to a former castle. But when the country was at war, the enemy troops exploded the castle. Debates on how the vase survived went on and on. In order to remove people's doubt, a team of no less than 20 people carried out an informal investigation. The evidences they found showed that a maid took the vase apart and asked a sailor to sink it in a local well. She never gave away the secret even under the cruel trial of the enemies who were in search of treasures. It is worth giving this brave maid a fortune in return.

Vocabulary

maid
a woman who works as a servant in a hotel or in someone's home

vase
a container used for holding cut flowers or for decoration

dynasty
a series of rulers or leaders who are all from the same family, or a period when a country is ruled by them

reception
the place in a hotel or office building where people go when they first arrive

hall
the area just inside the main entrance of a house, apartment, or other building that leads to other rooms and usually to the stairs

valuable
worth a lot of money

think highly of
to admire or say admiring things about someone:

fancy
decorative or complicated

castle
a large strong building, built in the past by a ruler or important person to protect the people inside from attack

troops
soldiers on duty in a large group

explode
to break up into pieces violently, or to cause something to do this

debate
(a) serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part

on and on
continuing for a long time

informal
(of situations) not formal or official, or (of clothing, behaviour, speech) suitable when you are with friends and family but not for official occasions

take sth apart
to separate something into its different parts

sink
to dig a hole in the ground, or to put something into a hole dug into the ground

give away
to tell people something secret, often without intending to

trial
the hearing of statements and showing of objects, etc. in a law court to judge if a person is guilty of a crime or to decide a case or a legal matter

treasure
very valuable things, usually in the form of a store of precious metals, precious stones, or money

7. A Fair Competition

TIP

Swifter, Higher and Stronger stands for the spirit of the Olympics. But fairness is the basis of this motto. Only when you win fairly will you and your homeland deserve the great glory. But nowadays, unlike the ancient honest slave competitors, some hopeless athletes who can't bear the pain of training cheat when taking part in games. Medals seem to have magical power causing them to cheat, and the prize money has replaced the motto as their only goal.

So, in the gymnastics event to be held in our city next month, one of the host's responsibilities is to keep competitions fair. They advertised on posters outside the stadium to promise that every competitor is to have a regular physical examination in a gymnasium one after another. No one can bargain on this. The volunteers in charge will be very strict. It is foolish to cheat because they will not be admitted to compete and will even be fined as well.

Vocabulary

swift
happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way

stand for
to support or represent a particular idea or set of ideas

motto
a short sentence or phrase that expresses a belief or purpose

ancient
of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time

slave
a person who is legally owned by someone else and has to work for that person

gymnastics
physical exercises and activities performed inside, often using equipment such as bars and ropes, intended to increase the body's strength and the ability to move and bend easily

stadium
a large closed area of land with rows of seats around the sides and often with no roof, used for sports events and musical performances

gymnasium
a large room with equipment for exercising the body and increasing strength

bargain
to try to make someone agree to give you something that is better for you, such as a better price or better working conditions

in charge
being the person who has control of or is responsible for someone or something

fine
to charge someone an amount of money as a punishment for not obeying a rule or law

8. Computers

TIP

The goal of early calculating machines was to simplify difficult sums. But with the help of new technology, electronic chips replaced tubes and a revolution of artificial intelligence has arisen. From then on, the appearance of computers totally changed our lives. They can not only download information from the net when connected by the network or mobile phone signals, but also solve different types of logical problems.

With operators as their coaches, they can even control rockets to explore the moon and instruct androids with the human race's characters to mop floors and watch over your naughty niece. Anyhow, computers are so helpful that they do bring happiness.

However, computers are easily attacked by viruses. This reality has become a hard-to-deal-with-problem. As a result, computers are dangerous in a way. So, personally, I worry about their universal applications in some fields, such as finance.

Vocabulary

chip
a very small piece of semiconductor, especially in a computer, that contains extremely small electronic circuits and devices, and can perform particular operations

tube
a long cylinder made from plastic, metal, rubber, or glass, especially used for moving or containing liquids or gases

revolution
a big change or improvement in the way that something works or looks, or in the way that people do a particular activity

arise
to start to happen or exist

artificial
made by people, often as a copy of something natural

intelligence
the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason

rocket
a large cylinder-shaped object that moves very fast by forcing out burning gases, used for space travel or as a weapon

instruct
to order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

android
a robot (= machine controlled by computer) that is made to look like a human

the human race
all the people in the world, considered as a group

mop

• to use a mop to wash something
• a stick with soft material attached to one end, especially used for washing floors

watch over
to protect someone and make certain that they are safe

naughty
When children are naughty, or their behaviour is naughty, they behave badly or do not do what they are told to do.

virus
a computer program or part of a computer program that can make copies of itself and is intended to prevent the computer from working normally

in a way
from some points of view

universal
existing everywhere or involving everyone

9. Wildlife Protection

TIP

Dinosaurs died out because of an unexpected incident. But wildlife today disappears or is in danger just because humans do harm to it. For example, tigers are hunted for fur to make carpets so that they can only live in secure reserves; grassland is destroyed without mercy so that dust storms come into being affecting distant cities.

Last year, scientists saw some monkeys rubbing themselves with a certain kind of insects to protect themselves from fierce mosquitoes biting. According to the result of the inspection, they found that the insect contains a powerful drug, so local farmers were employed to catch the insects. The ending was that the insects disappeared from the whole zone. When told that it was a loss to humans, the farmers burst into laughter and responded, “Our real loss is our decreasing income.”

We should appreciate the natural balance and pay more attention to the importance of wildlife protection. Not until we succeed in letting wildlife live in peace, can we smile in relief.

Vocabulary

dinosaur
a type of reptile that became extinct about 65,000,000 years ago. There were many different types of dinosaur, some of which were extremely large.

die out
to become less common and finally stop existing

incident
an event that is either unpleasant or unusual

wildlife
animals and plants that grow independently of people, usually in natural conditions

fur
the thick hair that covers the bodies of some animals, or the hair-covered skin(s) of animals, removed from their bodies

carpet
(a shaped piece of) thick material used for covering floors

reserve
an area of land kept in its natural state, especially for wild animals to live in and be protected

grassland
a large area of land covered with grass

rub
to press or be pressed against something with a circular or up-and-down repeated movement

insect
a type of very small animal with six legs, a body divided into three parts and usually two pairs of wings, or, more generally, any similar very small animal

fierce
physically violent and frightening

mosquito
a small flying insect that bites people and animals and sucks their blood

inspection
the act of looking at something carefully in order to discover information

burst into laughter
to suddenly begin to laugh

in relief
a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended

10. My First Band

TIP

I was very sensitive to music. Just dipping into the music books briefly, I could sing or play well. To be honest, I always dreamt of becoming a famous folk actor. I was so confident that I never decreased my devotion.

I formed my first band called "Rolling Frog". At the beginning, we relied on performing on instruments in pubs or to passers–by to earn extra money in cash. Then we wore false beards to pretend to be the musicians whom people were familiar with. In addition, we attached humorous acts to our performances and played jokes on each other. Soon, our "funny jazz" became famous and invitations to perform for broadcast stations began to come. Afterwards, we sorted out attractive music and made a record in a studio. A million or so copies were sold and we became millionaires.

It was painful that the band broke up finally. But above all, I realized my dream to be a musician.

Vocabulary

band
a group of musicians who play modern music together

dip into
quick look

folk
modern music and songs that are written in a style similar to that of traditional music

devotion
loyalty and love or care for someone or something

form
to begin to exist or to make something begin to exist

roll
to (cause something to) move somewhere by turning over and over or from side to side

frog
a small animal that has smooth skin, lives in water and on land, has long powerful back legs with which it jumps from place to place, has no tail, and is usually greenish-brown in colour

rely on
to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone or something in order to continue, to work correctly, or to succeed

instrument
an object, such as a piano, guitar, or drum, that is played to produce musical sounds

pub
a place, especially in Great Britain or Ireland, where alcoholic drinks can be bought and drunk and where food is often available

passer–by
someone who is going past a particular place

humorous
funny, or making you laugh

broadcast
a television or radio programme

record
to store sounds or moving pictures using electronic equipment so that they can be heard or seen later

or so
approximately, about, around, close to a particular number or time although not exactly that number or time

copy
a single book, newspaper, record, or other printed or recorded text of which many have been produced

break up
the coming to an end of a business or personal relationship, caused by the separation of those involved

above all
most importantly

11. An Interesting Festival

TIP

The Agricultural Feast takes place after the Independence Day. It is not a worldwide celebration. Only Christians in Mexico look forward to its arrival for its religious origin:

Long ago, humans’ ancestors were bad. They fooled and played tricks on each other and never kept their word. So God turned up and drowned all their crops. Humans starved day and night, weeping. In order to gain God’s forgiveness, a woman poet set off to see God. She admired God and kept apologizing. God was moved. With his permission, humans finally had good harvests again. So, to wipe sadness and remind themselves of the belief in God, people began the festival.

On the festival, people gather in open air, such as playgrounds or parking lots, and energetically have fun with each other all night long, as though they were never tired. When a beauty dressed up in lovely clothing reads poems in memory of the poet, everyone holds their breath. Then, it is the custom that the bone of a rooster head is given to her as an award.

Obviously, the story is not true, but the festival is interesting.

Vocabulary

agricultural
used for farming or relating to farming

feast
a special meal with very good food or a large meal for many people

christian
someone who believes in and follows the teachings of Jesus Christ

religious
relating to religion

ancestor
a person related to you who lived a long time ago

play tricks on
to confuse someone or cause problem for them

drown
to cover or be covered, especially with a liquid

crop
(the total amount collected of) a plant such as a grain, fruit, or vegetable grown in large amounts:

weep
to cry tears

poet
a person who writes poems

set off
to start on a trip

harvest
the time of year when crops are cut and collected from the fields, or the activity of cutting and collecting them, or the crops that are cut and collected

wipe
to slide something, especially a piece of cloth, over the surface of something else, in order to remove dirt, food, or liquid

playground
a place where a particular group of people enjoy themselves

lot
an area of land

energetically
with a lot of energy

rooster
an adult male chicken

12. Balanced Diet

TIP

Wang Peng earned his living by running a barbecue restaurant, which served delicious bacon, fried chicken breast and mutton roasted with pepper and garlic. But his food and discount attracted fewer and fewer customers. Finally, he was in debt. Yong Hui’s slimming restaurant served fresh peas, carrots, eggplants, and raw cucumbers with vinegar. As the hostess, she said fibres benefited customers' digestion the most. In order not to let Yong Hui get away with telling lies, Wang Peng spied on Yong Hui despite her glare. But he was surprised that she was losing her customers, too.

Curiosity drove Wang Peng to consult an expert. The expert sighed and said, “Both of your menus have weakness and limited strength. Your customers put on weight too easily, while Yong Hui’s lose weight too quickly. So, Wang Peng, cut down the fat of your food and increase vegetables and fruits, like nuts, beans, mushrooms, peaches and lemons. You ought to combine the two menus and provide a balanced diet.”

Before long, Wang Peng won his customers back.

Vocabulary

barbecue
a meal that is prepared and eaten outdoors using such a frame, often during a party

bacon
meat from the back or sides of a pig, often eaten fried in thin slices

fried
cooked in hot oil or fat

breast
the meat from the front part of the body of a bird or other animal

mutton
the meat from an adult sheep eaten as food

roast
to cook food in an oven or over a fire

pepper
a grey or white powder produced by crushing dry peppercorns, used to give a spicy, hot taste to food

garlic
a plant of the onion family that has a strong taste and smell and is used in cooking to add flavour

debt
something, especially money, that is owed to someone else, or the state of owing something

slimming
the act of trying to become thinner by eating less food

eggplant
an oval, purple vegetable that is white inside and is usually eaten cooked

raw
(of food) not cooked

cucumber
a long, thin, pale green vegetable with dark green skin, usually eaten uncooked in salads

vinegar
a sharp-tasting liquid, made especially from sour wine, malt, or cider, that is used to add flavour to or to preserve food

fibre
a substance in certain foods, such as fruit, vegetables, and brown bread, that travels through the body as waste and helps the contents of the bowels to pass through the body easily

digestion
the process by which your body digests food, or your ability to digest food
digest to change food in your stomach into substances that your body can use

despite
without taking any notice of or being influenced by; not prevented by

glare
a long, angry look

curiosity
an eager wish to know or learn about something

sigh
to breathe out slowly and noisily, expressing tiredness, sadness, pleasure, etc.

bean
a seed, or the pod containing seeds, of various climbing plants, eaten as a vegetable

mushroom
a fungus with a round top and short stem. Some types of mushroom can be eaten

13. Sailing Home

TIP

This novel was about an unbelievable but genuine adventure. Its author was a black businessman who was brought up in America. In 1956, he visited Africa, his birthplace. One day, when he was wandering on the pavement near the bay enjoying the sea scenes, he lost his money and passport that he kept in an envelope. So he went to the embassy to seek help, but the ambassador with rude manners didn’t permit his staff to help though he bowed to him. Staring at his impatient face, he understood that it was the fault of his skin colour that accounted for their rejection. So he decided to take a chance to sail on a small boat home.

He met a large amount of difficulty but was never stopped. On the contrary, difficulty pushed him to go ahead harder. Three months later, he was spotted by a ship by accident. He was in rags indeed. A maid even screamed when bringing him a steak and pineapple dessert. Aboard, he earned his passage by working as a barber and got home finally.

As for the name of his novel, he couldn’t think of a better one than the phrase “Go Ahead”.

Vocabulary

sail
When a boat or a ship sails, it travels on the water.

genuine
If something is genuine, it is real and exactly what it appears to be.

wander
to walk around slowly in a relaxed way or without any clear purpose or direction

pavement
a path with a hard surface on one or both sides of a road, that people walk on

bay
a part of the coast where the land curves in so that the sea is surrounded by land on three sides

embassy

1. the group of people who represent their country in a foreign country
2. the building that these people work in

ambassador
an important official who works in a foreign country representing his or her own country there, and who is officially accepted in this position by that country

rude manners

rude not polite; offensive or embarrassing
manners polite ways of treating other people and behaving in public

bow
to bend your head or body forward, especially as a way of showing someone respect or expressing thanks to people who have watched you perform

account for
to explain the reason for something or the cause of something

contrary
opposite

spot
to see or notice someone or something, usually because you are looking hard

rag
a torn piece of old cloth

steak
a thick, flat piece of meat or fish, especially meat from a cow

pineapple
(the yellow flesh and juice of) a large tropical fruit with a rough orange or brown skin and pointed leaves on top

aboard
on or onto a ship, aircraft, bus, or train

passage
a journey, especially over the sea
work your passage to do work on a ship during your trip instead of paying for a ticket

barber
a man whose job is cutting men's hair

14. Explore MKII

TIP

MKII, a planet billions of kilometers away, is the origin of life in many religions. Physicists have proved the theory that its gentle climate and the pull of its gravity are similar to the earth’s. And astronomers have found that oxygen atoms and carbon dioxide, which are fundamental to life, exist in its atmosphere through satellites. Cheered up by this news, biologists, in their turn, began to do some research to remove people’s puzzles—Now that there are some suitable conditions, does life really exist on this globe? Do they multiply by laying eggs or giving birth to babies?

Last month, a spaceship was sent there. It’s a pity that this mission failed. Unlike the earth, MKII is a much younger planet. Thus, masses of harmful acid clouds float everywhere causing violent chain reactions to break out. These clouds not only blocked out the pilots’ sight but also damaged the engine system. Luckily, the pilots watched out carefully and prevented the spaceship from crashing in time.

Vocabulary

religion
the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and worship

physicist
a person who studies physics or whose job is connected with physics

gravity
the force that attracts objects towards one another, especially the force that makes things fall to the ground

astronomer
someone who studies astronomy
astronomy the scientific study of the universe and of objects that exist naturally in space, such as the moon, the sun, planets, and stars

oxygen atom
oxygen a chemical element that is a gas with no smell or colour. Oxygen forms a large part of the air on earth, and is needed by animals and plants to live.
atom the smallest unit of any chemical element, consisting of a positive nucleus surrounded by negative electrons. Atoms can combine to form a molecule:

carbon dioxide
the gas carbon dioxide, which is the gas formed when carbon is burned or when people or animals breathe out

atmosphere
the mixture of gases around the earth

satellite
a device sent up into space to travel around the earth, used for collecting information or communicating by radio, television, etc.

biologist
a scientist who studies biology
biology the scientific study of the natural processes of living things

now that
used to give an explanation of a new situation

globe
the world

multiply
of living things, to increase by producing new young animals, bacteria, etc.

masses of
a large amount or number

acid
containing acid, or having similar qualities to an acid

break out
If something dangerous or unpleasant breaks out, it suddenly starts.

15. A Journey Across Canada

TIP

After a quiz last autumn, Kuang crossed the continent eastward to Toronto to visit his schoolmate, the distance measuring approximately 5,000 kilometers.

His train started from Vancouver, a city surrounded by mountains. After confirming his baggage was aboard the train, Kuang settled down in his seat. Having a gift for communication, he started chatting with another passenger within 5 minutes. Their topics included the Canadian traditions, the Prime Minister, the mixture of races, and the terrifying Great Fall. After a nice buffet at noon, he was pleased to find that the scenery was impressive. He saw beautiful harbours in the distance, wealthy urban areas and maple forest that covered thousands of acres. He even managed to catch sight of an eagle flying upward over bushes.

Kuang reached Toronto which lies slightly near the border at a misty dawn. There was frost and the broad downtown streets were very quiet. Though it was early, Kuang phoned his schoolmate in a booth nearby at once rather than waiting for him to come. They had a good time together.

Vocabulary

approximately
close to a particular number or time although not exactly that number or time

aboard the train
aboard on or onto a ship, aircraft, bus, or train

settled down
to become quiet and calm, or to make someone become quiet and calm

Prime Minister
the leader of the government in some countries

mixture
a substance made from a combination of different substances, or any combination of different things

race
one of the main groups to which people are often considered to belong, based on physical characteristics that they are perceived to share such as skin colour, eye shape, etc.

fall
often used in place names to mean a very wide waterfall, often made of many separate waterfalls

buffet
a meal where people serve themselves different types of food

scenery
the general appearance of the natural environment, especially when it is beautiful

harbour
an area of water next to the coast, often protected from the sea by a thick wall, where ships and boats can shelter

in the distance
at a point that is far away

wealthy
rich

urban
of or in a city or town

maple
a type of large tree that grows in northern areas of the world, or the wood of this tree

acre
a unit for measuring area, equal to 4,047 square metres or 4,840 square yards

eagle
a large, strong bird with a curved beak that eats meat and can see very well

bush
a plant with many small branches growing either directly from the ground or from a hard stem, giving the plant a rounded shape

slightly
a little

misty
If the weather is misty, there is mist in the air that makes it difficult to see into the distance

dawn
the period in the day when light from the sun begins to appear in the sky

frost
the thin, white layer of ice that forms when the air temperature is below the freezing point of water, especially outside at night

broad
very wide

booth
a small space like a box that a person can go into

16. A Woman Doctor - Lina

TIP

Born in a pigs’ nest, Lina led a poor life in her childhood. She was looked down upon by the children of her generation. But she intended to become a doctor after she came across Lin Qiaozhi by chance, who was delivering medical courses to an audience crowding around her. Before moving off, Lin inspired her to carry on her study. With Lin’s support, Lina entered an institute and studied hard sparing no time for entertainment. Her being outspoken and modest won respect for her. Her excellent arguing skills and observation ability put others into the shade.

Now, Lina has become a specialist in human beings’ emergency sickness. Her kindness and considerate behavior to the poor were well known. The organization she founded carried out campaigns and welfare projects to help cut the death rate for the poor. Her job was hard but worthwhile. She often refers to the connection between her achievement and Lin Qiaozhi, and says that her poor childhood is the bond between her and the poor.

Vocabulary

nest
a structure built by birds or insects to leave their eggs in to develop, and by some other animals to give birth or live in

lead a poor life

look down upon

come across

move off
to change from one subject to another when talking or writing ❓

inspire
to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it

institute
an organization where people do a particular type of scientific, educational, or social work, or the buildings that it uses

modest
not usually talking about or making obvious your own abilities and achievements

put others into(in) the shade
to be so good that another person or thing does not seem important or worth very much

welfare
help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it, especially because they do not have enough money

worthwhile
useful, important, or good enough to be a suitable reward for the money or time spent or the effort made

bond
a close connection joining two or more people

17. A New Farming Way

TIP

Tuan was a farmer in Vietnam. For decades, he had been struggling to rid his family of hunger. However, it always confused him how to expand the output of his crops. This disturbing problem led to his regretting being a farmer. He would rather have chosen another job.

One day, when skimming through a newspaper, Tuan read a comment on Yuan Longping. He underlined Yuan’s nationality and occupation, and then focused on his discovery and the statistics of his research. He found the knowledge Yuan circulated very practical. Therefore, he made a summary and began to build up a new farming method. He planted super grain of rich nutrition and equipped himself to keep his crops roots free from bacteria and pests. He also enriched minerals in the soil while reducing chemical fertilizers. Though it cost him more time and freedom, he was full of hope.

The next year, Tuan was sunburnt but satisfied with his production very much. Thanks to Yuan Longping, he not only won the battle against hunger, but he could also export his crops abroad.

Vocabulary

decade
a period of ten years

rid
to free a person or place of something unwanted or harmful

disturbing
making you feel worried or upset

skim through
to read or look at something quickly to understand the main points, without studying it in detail

underline
to emphasize(to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to)

occupation
a person's job

statistics
information based on a study of the number of times something happens or is present, or other numerical facts

circulate
to send something such as information, ideas, or documents from one person to another:

grain
a seed or seeds from a plant, especially a plant like a grass such as rice or wheat

nutrition
the substances that you take into your body as food and the way that they influence your health

bacteria (plural of bacterium)
a type of very small organism that lives in air, earth, water, plants, and animals, often one that causes disease

pest
an insect or small animal that is harmful or damages crops

mineral
a valuable or useful chemical substance that is formed naturally in the ground

fertilizer
a natural or chemical substance that is spread on the land or given to plants, to make plants grow well

18. Chaplin - A Great Master Of Humour

TIP

Chaplin was an extraordinary performer who starred in and directed many outstanding comedies. Few were bored watching his moustache, his gestures or his entertaining reactions when chased by detectives. Being drunk, sliding on a banana skin or whispering his own failures to nobody, he made us feel more content with our life without any verbal explanation. His particular sense of humor has astonished everybody throughout the world up to now.

In a small budget film, he played a badly-off and homeless person wearing worn-out shoes and messy clothes. On one occasion, he was trapped by a snowstorm in a vast mountainous area. Though he overcame many difficulties, he wasn’t fortunate enough. With all the porridge eaten up, he picked out a shoe and boiled it to eat. He cut off the leather bottom and chewed it like a pancake. According to an actress, his acting was so convincing and amusing that everybody couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Vocabulary

extraordinary
very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange

performer
a person who entertains people by acting, singing, dancing, or playing music

star in
If a film, play, etc. stars someone, or if someone stars in a film, play, etc., they are the main actor in it:

outstanding
clearly very much better than what is usual

moustache
hair that a man grows above his upper lip

gesture
a movement of the hands, arms, or head, etc. to express an idea or feeling

whisper
to speak very quietly, using the breath but not the voice, so that only the person close to you can hear you

content
pleased with your situation and not hoping for change or improvement

verbal
spoken rather than written

astonished
very surprised

badly-off
in a difficult financial situation

worn-out
no longer usable because of too much use

overcome
to defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something

porridge
a thick, soft food made from oats boiled in milk or water, eaten hot for breakfast

leather
animal skin treated in order to preserve it, and used to make shoes, bags, clothes, equipment, etc.

chew
to crush food into smaller, softer pieces with the teeth so that it can be swallowed

amusing
entertaining and funny

burst

1. to break open or apart suddenly, or to make something do this
2. to feel a strong emotion, or strong wish to do something

19. A Misunderstanding

TIP

In general, spoken statements are the major way of communication, but body language and facial expressions also have such kinds of function. For example, yawning means being not interested and turning one’s back to someone or swinging your fist shows your anger. But what those gestures really mean is subjective in different cultures. Thus, misunderstandings happen now and then in today’s world of cultural crossroads.

Once, representing the Adults’ Education Association, I went to the airport to meet an official of high rank from Columbia and take him to his dormitory and then to the canteen. After the flight arrived, I saw a man looking around curiously. So I approached to greet him. He suddenly dashed to hug me and kissed me on both cheeks. As a young girl, I felt truly embarrassed and put up my hands to defend myself. His false smile told me that he had lost face.

Later, I received a cassette from him, in which he recorded his apology. On hearing that Columbians were more likely to kiss others, I soon felt at ease.

Vocabulary

statement
something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion

facial
of or on the face

yawn
to open the mouth wide and take a lot of air into the lungs and slowly send it out, usually when tired or bored

swing
to move an object or your fist in an attempt to hit something or someone

fist
a hand with the fingers and thumb held tightly in

subjective
influenced by or based on personal beliefs or feelings, rather than based on facts

crossroad
a road that crosses another road

represent
to speak, act, or be present officially for another person or people

association
a group of people who work together in a single organization for a particular purpose

dormitory
a large room containing many beds, for example in a boarding school

canteen
a place in a factory, office, etc. where food and meals are sold and can be eaten, often at a lower than usual price

approach
to come near or nearer to something or someone

dash
to go somewhere quickly

cheek
the soft part of your face that is below your eye and between your mouth and ear

defend
to protect someone or something against attack or criticism

cassette
a flat rectangular device containing a very long strip of magnetic material that is used to record sound and/or pictures, or a machine that uses such devices

at ease
relaxed

20. A Unique Theme Park

TIP

As soon as our shuttle got close to the theme park by the freeway, everyone came to life and put on cloth sneakers in advance for an outing. Our translator paid for the admission, and we started enjoying the various attractions in the sunlight.

According to the travel brochure, this unique park is famous for its well preserved minority culture. We experienced many deeds of the early settlers, such as swinging across rivers, hunting creatures in the jungle, or taking part in swords fighting tournaments.

This park is also famous for its wooden souvenirs. Whichever we bought in the central shop was made of wood, and wherever we went we could see minority carpenters working. They made wooden tools, wooden cartoon figures, wooden athletic products and so on. They even built a huge wooden engine with a length of 20 metres, which was modeled after a real one.

This theme park is really a fantasy amusement park. No wonder it has become the brand of local tourism.

Vocabulary

shuttle
a vehicle or aircraft that travels regularly between two places

freeway
a wide road for fast-moving traffic, especially in the US, with a limited number of places at which drivers can enter and leave it

come to life
to become more exciting or start to seem more real

sneaker
a type of light, comfortable shoe that is suitable for playing sports

in advance
before a particular time, or before doing a particular thing

admission
the money that you pay to enter a place

attraction
An attraction is also something that makes people want to go to a place:

brochure
a type of small magazine that contains pictures and information on a product or a company

minority
a group of people in a country or area who are of a different race, or have a different culture or religion to that of most other people there

deed
an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one

settler
a person who arrives, especially from another country, in a new place in order to live there and use the land

swing
to move easily and without interruption backwards and forwards or from one side to the other, especially from a fixed point, or to cause something or someone to do this

creature
any large or small living thing that can move independently

jungle
a tropical forest in which trees and plants grow very closely together

sword
a weapon with a long, sharp metal blade and a handle, used especially in the past

tournament
a competition for teams or single players in which a series of games is played, and the winners of each game play against each other until only one winner is left

souvenir
something you buy or keep to help you remember a holiday or special event

carpenter
a person whose job is making and repairing wooden objects and structures

figure
a person of a particular kind, especially one who is important or distinctive in some way ❓

athletic
of or relating to sports

model
to copy or create something based on something else

21. A Strange Disease

TIP

When the construction of the firework factory came to the stage of painting, a pump was put in. Then, all the painters in the neighbourhood were defeated by a severe disease whose characteristic was alike to that of a bad burn.

An expert physician was instructed to attend to the victims and handle this case. He was enthusiastic, but he didn’t foresee that it was a hard challenge. After simple enquiry, he announced that the polluted paint was to blame.

But without positive evidence, people suspected and rejected his view, saying the theory he put forward made no sense. Being much more strict with himself, he contributed himself to the case. Apart from making enquiries, he made detailed charts and analysed the data cautiously. Finally, he drew a scientific conclusion, linking the disease to the radium in the pump. Exposed to radium, a kind of radioactive material in the universe, people absorbed radiation and got sick immediately.

Spinning the pump backward, he took away the radium. This simple movement cured all the victims.

Vocabulary

pump
a piece of equipment that is used to cause liquid, air, or gas to move from one place to another

defeat
to cause someone or something to fail

severe
causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious

characteristic
a typical or noticeable quality of someone or something

physician
a medical doctor, especially one who has general skill and is not a surgeon

instruct
to order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

attend to sb
to help someone or deal with something

enthusiastic
eager to do or have something

foresee
to know about something before it happens

pollute
to make an area or substance, usually air, water, or soil, dirty or harmful to people, animals, and plants, especially by adding harmful chemicals

put forward
to state an idea or opinion, or to suggest a plan or person, for other people to consider

contributed
to give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with other people

apart from
except for or not considering

cautiously
in a careful and well-considered way that avoids risk

radium
a radioactive chemical element that is used in the treatment of some diseases, especially cancer

radioactive
having or producing powerful and dangerous energy that comes from the breaking up of atoms

absorb
to take something in, especially gradually

radiation
a form of energy that comes from a nuclear reaction and that can be very dangerous to health:

spin
to (cause to) turn around and around, especially fast

22. Sightseeing in the United Kingdom

TIP

After the wedding, my cousin and his wife went to the United Kingdom for nationwide sightseeing. He faxed a letter to me in English yesterday. To my delight, he no longer made any tense error. And his description roughly clarified my questions about the UK--its currency, its administration, the institution which divides it into four provinces, and the historical conflicts and quarrels when Southern Ireland broke away from the UK.

Unwilling to leave out any attraction, my cousin arranged his enjoyable journey carefully. One attractive place he visited was a castle in the countryside of Scotland, which lies near a port. It used to be the headquarters of the Communism Union but broke down during the war. Finding nothing could take the place of this splendid architecture, people accomplished rebuilding it in 1952. It was to their credit that all furnished rooms are consistent with what they used to be. My cousin was thrilled by its collections consisting of statues plus royal uniforms folded in glass tanks. Though there was no possibility to buy some of these exhibits, it was convenient to take photos, which he sent me along with his fax.

Vocabulary

sightseeing
the activity of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holiday

delight
a feeling of great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness

institution
a custom or tradition that has existed for a long time and is accepted as an important part of a particular society

quarrel
an angry disagreement between two or more people or groups

leave out
to not include someone or something

headquarter
to have the main offices of an organization in a particular place

Communism Union

Communism the belief in a society without different social classes in which the methods of production are owned and controlled by all its members, and everyone works as much as they can and receives what they need, or a social and political system based on this belief

Union the act or the state of being joined together

break down

splendid
excellent, or beautiful and impressive

architecture
a particular type of building

to someone's credit
used to say that someone should be praised for something, although there may be other things about them that are not good

consistent
always behaving or happening in a similar, especially positive, way

thrilled
extremely happy about something

consisting of
to be made of or formed from something

statue
an object made from a hard material, especially stone or metal, to look like a person or animal

royal
belonging or connected to a king or queen or a member of their family

fold
to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way

tank
a container that holds liquid or gas

exhibit
an object that is shown to the public in a museum, etc.

23. An Air Crash

TIP

I was a previous typist in a post office. Because I couldn’t tolerate typing any more postage bills or postcodes on a typewriter every day, I resigned. With a greedy motivation of making big money, I took up working as a business representative for the G.E Ecology Company, which produced goods by recycling useful materials from our dustbins. My new job left me good impressions in many aspects except that the working timetable was full of traveling by jets.

Once, when speeding up, our jet was swallowed by a thunderstorm, which destroyed our GPS receiver and made us lose sight of the directions. A constantly flashing light showed that our jet was in danger. A steward instantly asked us to put on masks and fasten the safety belts, and then pressed a button to switch on the escaping capsule. It slid sideways out of the opening at once and landed in a desert area safely. Lacking food and tablets, we were nervous and uncertain at first. But we all kept optimistic and made good adjustment to the situation.

We swept up the surrounding mud to make our settlement and were back on our feet soon. Finally, guided by the smoke of our crashing jet, some local citizens came by carriages and saved us.

Vocabulary

typist
a person whose job is to type letters, reports, and other documents

tolerate
to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them

postage
the money that you pay for sending letters and parcels through the post

greedy
wanting a lot more food, money, etc. than you need

representative
someone who speaks or does something officially for another person or group of people

ecology
the relationships between the air, land, water, animals, plants, etc., usually of a particular area, or the scientific study of this

dustbin
a large container for rubbish from a house or other building, usually made of strong plastic or metal and kept outside

impression
an idea or opinion of what something or someone is like

aspect
one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc.

swallow
to cause food, drink, pills, etc. to move from your mouth into your stomach by using the muscles of your throat

constantly
all the time or often

steward
a person who serves passengers on a ship or aircraft

instantly
immediately

switch
a small device, usually pushed up or down with your finger, that controls and turns on or off an electric current

capsule
a small container with medicine inside that you swallow

tablet
a small, solid piece of medicine

optimistic
hoping or believing that good things will happen in the future

sweep up
to clean something

mud
earth that has been mixed with water

settlement
a place where people come to live or the process of settling in such a place

carriage
a vehicle with four wheels that is usually pulled by horses and was used mainly in the past

24. An Amateur Journalist

TIP

Jane is a housewife, but delighted to work as an amateur journalist. It is a dilemma for her to rush between family and work, and it is also unusual for the News Department to depend on an amateur to cover crimes. But Jane is really gifted. It is admirable that she is seldom accused of making mistakes. And, eager to become more professional, she concentrates on her job and updates herself now and then.

Once she is informed of a new case, her normal working process is as follows: first, she makes appointments with guilty people for interviews. So as to acquire accurate stories, she usually demands to record what they say. Meanwhile, a technically good colleague will assist her in taking photographs. Second, she assesses whether they are deliberately hiding the truth. If she is skeptical about their words, she will look into the case herself. Third, she writes thorough stories ahead of the deadline and submits it to the senior chief editor, who polishes and approves every section. Finally, her stories will be published in different editions of their magazine.

Vocabulary

delighted
very pleased

amateur
taking part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job

dilemma
a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two different things you could do

concentrate
to direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem

be informed of
to tell someone something

accurate
correct, exact, and without any mistakes

demand
to ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows that you do not expect to be refused

assess
to judge or decide the amount, value, quality, or importance of something

deliberately
intentionally, to have as a plan or purpose

skeptical
doubting that something is true or useful

thorough
detailed and careful

polish
improve, refine, or add the finishing touches to

25. First Aid

TIP

A boy fell ill. His organs were damaged by the radiation of an infrared ray stove. But before the ambulance arrived, a number of other injuries happened to this unlucky boy over and over again. First, he was choked by some poisonous liquid from the kettle on the cupboard. Then his wrist skin was burnt by electric shock. Finally, his ankle was cut by a pan.

Fortunately, the boy’s nurse gave him proper temporary treatments according to his complex symptoms. She mildly squeezed the poisonous liquid out of his throat and put bandages firmly in place to apply pressure to the ankle wound to stop bleeding. As for the burn, she used scissors to remove his sleeve, poured a basin of cold water over the burn to cool it and put her hands on a damp blouse to cover his swollen tissue tightly. She also inspired his bravery to fight against the unbearable pain. Her first aid made a vital difference in saving his life.

A ceremony was held to honour the nurse who overcame a variety of barriers to save the boy.

Vocabulary

first aid
basic medical treatment that is given to someone as soon as possible after they have been hurt in an accident or suddenly become ill

fall ill
to change to a particular condition from a different one

organ
a part of the body of a person, animal, or plant that performs a special job

infrared ray stove

infrared Infrared light is a type of light that feels warm but cannot be seen
ray a narrow beam of light, heat, etc. travelling in a straight line from its place of origin
stove a large box-shaped device that is used to cook and heat food, either by putting the food inside or by putting it on the top

choked
If you choke, or if something chokes you, you stop breathing because something is blocking your throat

kettle
a container for boiling water, that has a lid, handle, and spout and is made from plastic or metal

wrist
the part of the body between the hand and the arm

electric shock
a sudden painful feeling that you get when electricity flows through your body

pan
a metal container that is round and often has a long handle and a lid, used for cooking things on top of a cooker

symptom
any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease

squeeze
to press something firmly, especially from all sides in order to change its shape, reduce its size, or remove liquid from it

bandage
a long, narrow piece of cloth that is tied around an injury or a part of someone's body that has been hurt

firmly
in a way that will not become loose

in place
If something is in place, it is in its usual or correct position

scissors
a device used for cutting materials such as paper, cloth, and hair, consisting of two sharp blades that are joined in the middle, and two handles with holes to put your fingers through

sleeve
the part of a piece of clothing that covers some or all of the arm

pour
to make a substance flow from a container, especially into another container, by raising just one side of the container that the substance is in

basin
an open, round container shaped like a bowl with sloping sides, used for holding food or liquid
a basin of the amount of something that a basin can hold

damp
slightly wet, especially in a way that is not pleasant or comfortable

blouse
a shirt for a woman or girl

swollen
larger than usual

tissue
a group of connected cells in an animal or plant that are similar to each other, have the same purpose, and form the stated part of the animal or plant

inspire
to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it

make a difference
to improve a situation

ceremony
(a set of) formal acts, often fixed and traditional, performed on important social or religious occasions

barrier
anything used or acting to block someone from going somewhere or from doing something, or to block something from happening

26. Abstract Art

TIP

Abstract art used to be controversial. On one hand, the artists stopped painting delicate figures but attempted to adopt special techniques to give people different visual impacts. On the other hand, their works, including sculptures carved out of marble or fragile clay, were all with a specific aim of showing feelings. Some conventional scholars who were allergic to abstract art said it was evidently ridiculous and neither art nor geometry. Their Traditional Art Committee predicted its soon disappearing.

But nowadays, abstract art has become part of the permanent possessions of contemporary civilization. Galleries along the Madison Avenue give scores of superb exhibitions on typical abstract works, appealing to many who have a preference for abstract art. The Shadow of Egypt, a café in this district, has become the home to those aggressive abstract artists. Consequently, it is not a coincidence for you to meet one of these artists of great reputation in the flesh. They are asked for signatures and given bunches of fragrant flowers plus they are given a great deal of praise by their faithful fans.

Vocabulary

controversial
causing disagreement or discussion

delicate
able to measure very small changes

adopt
to accept or start to use something new

impact
a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person

sculpture
the art of forming solid objects that represent a thing, person, idea, etc. out of a material such as wood, clay, metal, or stone, or an object made in this way

carved
to make something by cutting into especially wood or stone, or to cut into the surface of stone, wood, etc.

marble
a type of very hard rock that has a pattern of lines going through it, feels cold, and can be polished to become smooth and shiny

fragile
A fragile object is easily damaged or broken

clay
thick, heavy soil that is soft when wet, and hard when dry or baked, used for making bricks and containers

conventional
traditional and ordinary

scholar
a person who studies a subject in great detail, especially at a university

allergic
having a strong dislike of something

evidently
in a way that is easy to see

geometry
the area of mathematics relating to the study of space and the relationships between points, lines, curves, and surfaces

committee
a small group of people chosen to represent a larger organization and either make decisions or collect information for it

predict
to say that an event or action will happen in the future, especially as a result of knowledge or experience

permanent
lasting for a long time or for ever

possession
something that you own or that you are carrying with you at a particular time

contemporary
existing or happening now, and therefore seeming modern

civilization
human society with its well developed social organizations, or the culture and way of life of a society or country at a particular period in time

scores of
a lot of things or people

superb
of excellent quality; very great

appeal
to interest or attract someone

preference
the fact that you like something or someone more than another thing or person

aggressive
showing anger and a willingness to attack other people

consequently
as a result

reputation
the opinion that people in general have about someone or something, or how much respect or admiration someone or something receives, based on past behaviour or character

in the flesh
in real life, and not on TV, in a film, in a picture, etc.

fragrant
with a pleasant smell

27. A Russion Poem

TIP

Since childhood, Anton had often recited poems, accompanied by pianists and violinists, at wedding ceremonies before brides and bridegrooms exchanged rings. Gradually, he found writing poems the most appropriate way to convey his joy and sorrow. When his poem Contradictory Blank won him a national championship and a scholarship to the Moscow University from a sponsor, he was just an unknown librarian.

After getting his diploma, he devoted his life to writing poems. Using concrete but flexible language and the minimum of words is his style. He tried out different patterns and preferred nursery rhyme in particular. The following is a translation of one of his works made up of 3 sections:

Little sparrow with heavy load, Ran out of energy and very cold; No compass and all sweat salty, Can you go through the endless darkness? Little balloon let out by the thread, Flew over cottages and was very glad; With warmth transformed from sunlight, He said he could forever fly; Take it easy, little balloon; Don’t tease the sparrow with his wound; On the bare branch and have a rest; This diamond heart will eventually get success.

Vocabulary

accompany
to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something

violinist
a person who plays a violin
a wooden musical instrument with four strings that is held against the neck and played by moving a bow across the strings

bride
a woman who is about to get married or has just got married

bridegroom
a man who is about to get married or has just got married

appropriate
suitable or right for a particular situation or occasion

convey
to express a thought, feeling, or idea so that it is understood by other people

sorrow
(a cause of) a feeling of great sadness

contradictory
If two or more facts, pieces of advice, etc. are contradictory, they are very different from each other

championship
a high-level competition to decide who is the best, especially in a sport

diploma
a document given by a school, college, or university to show that you have successfully completed a course of study

concrete
clear and certain, or real and existing in a form that can be seen or felt

nursery rhyme
a short and usually very old poem or song for young children

sparrow
a small, grey-brown bird that is especially common in towns

load
the amount of weight carried

compass
a device for finding direction with a needle that can move easily and that always points to magnetic north

sweat
the clear, salty liquid that you pass through your skin

thread
(a length of) a very thin fibre

cottage
a small house, usually in the countryside

tease
to laugh at someone or say unkind things about them, either because you are joking or because you want to upset that person

bare
without any clothes or not covered by anything

diamond
a transparent, extremely hard precious stone that is used in jewellery, and in industry for cutting hard things

28. Let's Help Adolescents

TIP

Whether they are male or female, adolescents feel like deciding on everything themselves in spite of parents’ instruction, especially when they face problems like sex, mental stress, etc., which make them feel ashamed and embarrassed. Thus they often automatically get into troubles due to their imperfect comprehension and judgement. Some are addicted to cigarettes, only several packets of which will hurt their lungs and make them breathless quickly. Others can’t quit drinking alcohol, whose harmful effects include causing young pregnant women to abort or give birth to abnormal babies. The worst is drug abuse, for the withdrawal is tough once their bodies are accustomed to the drugs. Meanwhile, those who share needles bought from illegal chemists are at great risk of being infected with desperate AIDS. If so, neither injecting nor taking pills can guarantee their survival.

However, don’t be disappointed at or have prejudice against our children so easily. After all, being awkward is an appendix of youth. As long as we strengthen communication with them instead of only banning this or banning that, we will surely help them avoid anything unfit.

Vocabulary

adolescent
a young person who is developing into an adult

comprehension
the ability to understand completely and be familiar with a situation, facts, etc.

addicted
unable to stop taking drugs, or doing something as a habit

lung
either of the two organs in the chest with which people and some animals breathe

alcohol
a clear liquid that can make you drunk, also used as a solvent (= a substance that dissolves another) and in fuel and medicines

abnormal
different from what is usual or average, especially in a way that is bad

abuse
to use something for the wrong purpose in a way that is harmful or morally wrong

withdrawal
the act or process of taking something away so that it is no longer available, or of someone stopping being involved in an activity

accustomed
familiar with something

needle
a very thin, hollow, pointed piece of metal that is connected to a syringe and used to take blood from the body or to put drugs or medicine in

infect
to pass a disease to a person, animal, or plant

prejudice
an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge

awkward
difficult to use, do, or deal with

appendix
a separate part at the end of a report, legal document, book, etc. which gives extra information

29. Refresh Our Environment

TIP

As the director stated on behalf of his researching group, the data of this graph makes a clear presentation of the future environmental tendency. On one hand, the quantity of fuel keeps on decreasing by 9% per year while the growth of a wide range of pollution has been a global trend. On the other hand, the mildly but steadily going up of the average temperature is resulting in catastrophes like widespread floods. Without disagreement, they subscribe to the view that it is humans’ existence and their randomly consuming energy that result in this phenomenon.

Many people have a commitment that developing nuclear power or energy from outer space will stop bad consequences coming about. However, scientists and educators are opposed to this view even if our needs may be met on the whole. They tend to advocate refreshing our circumstances by saving energy and recycling waste. It is suggested that we use energy-saving appliances such as electrical motors, microwaves and so on and not be casual about little things like recycling a can. So please glance around and see what you can do. So long as everybody makes contribution, we will not have to put up with this problem anymore.

Vocabulary

state
to say or write something, especially clearly and carefully

on behalf of
representing

presentation
a talk giving information about something

tendency
If there is a tendency for something to happen, it is likely to happen or it often happens.

fuel
a substance that is used to provide heat or power, usually by being burned

steadily
gradually

catastrophe
a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction

widespread
existing or happening in many places and/or among many people

subscribe
to give support, sanction, or approval; consent or agree (to)

existence
the fact of something or someone existing

consume
to use fuel, energy, time, or a product, especially in large amounts

phenomenon
something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something unusual or interesting

commitment
willingness to give your time and energy to a job, activity, or something that you believe in

advocate
to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something

circumstance
a fact or event that makes a situation the way it is

appliance
a device, machine, or piece of equipment, especially an electrical one that is used in the house, such as a cooker or washing machine

casual
not taking or not seeming to take much interest

as/so long as
used to say that something must happen before something else can happen

put up with
to accept or continue to accept an unpleasant situation or experience, or someone who behaves unpleasantly

30. A Volcano Eruption

TIP

As the best candidate, I was appointed to collect and evaluate information for a database about diverse natural disasters, such as hurricanes, typhoons or thunderstorms. Sometimes I did this by giving out questionnaires to those who went through them. But sometimes I had to go through actual disasters myself. The Musaki Volcano was one of them.

At that time, I lived in a bungalow alongside the volcano with a novelist, who came for the appreciation of its eruption. One day, when I was drawing diagrams on the balcony and he was bathing inside, the volcano erupted unexpectedly. The ash and lava fountains shooting highly in the sky varied from 50 to 100 meters in height. It was absolutely fantastic! I even noticed a rainbow appear in the fog caused by a heat wave.

But, glancing through our surroundings, I foresaw the potential danger and found no guarantee of our safety. The uncomfortable gas almost made us unconscious. Sweats of anxiety began to drop. Managing to stop panicking and trembling, we quickly put on our protective suits, helmets and boots and eventually made our way to a safe place. How lucky we were even though my precious equipment and documents were all burnt to the ground!

Vocabulary

candidate
a person who is competing to get a job or elected position

evaluate
to judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something

diverse
including many different types of people or things

hurricane
a violent wind that has a circular movement, especially in the West Atlantic Ocean:

typhoon
a violent wind that has a circular movement, found in the West Pacific Ocean

questionnaire
a list of questions that several people are asked so that information can be collected about something

volcano
a mountain with a large, circular hole at the top through which lava (= hot liquid rock) gases, steam, and dust are or have been forced out

bungalow
a house that usually has only one storey (= level), sometimes with a smaller upper storey set in the roof and windows that come out from the roof

appreciation
the act of recognizing or understanding that something is valuable, important, or as described

eruption
an occasion when a volcano explodes, and flames and rocks come out of it, or the act of doing this

balcony
an area with a wall or bars around it that is joined to the outside wall of a building on an upper level

ash
the soft grey or black powder that is left after a substance, especially tobacco, coal, or wood, has burned

lava
hot liquid rock that comes out of the earth through a volcano, or the solid rock formed when it cools

fountain
a stream of water that is forced up into the air through a small hole, especially for decorative effect, or the structure in a lake or pool from which this flows

unconscious
in the state of not being awake and not aware of things around you, especially as the result of a head injury

panicking(panic)
a sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought and action

trembling
shaking slightly in a way that you cannot control, for example because you are frightened, angry, or excited, or because of illness

boot
a type of shoe that covers the whole foot and the lower part of the leg

precious
of great value because of being rare, expensive, or important

31. Defeat Disability

TIP

Yang’s ambition was to get an architect certificate or become a bowling master. But when he was conducting experiments with a microscope in the basement, a tank on the bench exploded, sending him flying outwards through the exit. He was out of breath while knowing he lost his eyesight as well as 70% of his hearing. In other words, he was disabled.

Feeling clumsy, he was annoyed at first though nobody made fun of him. He cut out going outdoors and just sat around at home talking to his parrot or tortoise silently. His sister resigned to help him in many ways. Her assistance and encouragement were so beneficial to his psychology that he adapted to his disability soon and became outgoing again. In a college accessible to him, he studied politics and literature. He always sat in the front row near the entry without any absence and, with the help of his handy laptop, he studied well by means of dictation.

His thesis, Abolishing Slavery, met with all professors’ approval. After class, he and his companions often played drum music, which was noisy but suitable for his hearing. After graduation, he made high profits by designing software for a firm. All in all, in his community, he won his dignity and people’s congratulations.

He always wished all the best to his disabled fellows and encouraged them, “Never mind! All you have is adequate to get your achievement.”

Vocabulary

bowling
a game played inside, in which you roll a heavy ball down a track to try to knock down a group of pins (= tall, thin wooden objects)

conduct
to organize and perform a particular activity

microscope
a device that uses lenses to make very small objects look larger, so that they can be scientifically examined and studied

tank
a container that holds liquid or gas

bench
a long table for working on, for example when you are making something

as well as
in addition (to)

clumsy
awkward in movement or manner

parrot
a tropical bird with a curved beak, often kept as a pet and trained to copy the human voice

tortoise
an animal with a thick, hard shell that it can move its head and legs into for protection. It eats plants, moves very slowly, and sleeps during the winter.

psychology
the scientific study of the way the human mind works and how it influences behaviour, or the influence of a particular person's character on their behaviour

adapt
to change, or to change something, to suit different conditions or uses

accessible
able to be reached or easily obtained

literature
written artistic works, especially those with a high and lasting artistic value

absence
the fact of not being where you are usually expected to be

handy
useful or convenient

means
a method or way of doing something

thesis
a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher college or university degree

abolish
to end an activity or custom officially

slavery
the activity of legally owning other people who are forced to work for or obey you

companion
a person you spend a lot of time with often because you are friends or because you are travelling together

drum
a musical instrument, especially one made from a skin stretched over the end of a hollow tube or bowl, played by hitting with the hand or a stick

firm
a company offering a professional service, for example a company of lawyers

All in all
considering all the different parts of the situation together

dignity
calm, serious, and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you

adequate
enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose

32. Happy Marriage Needs Fighting For

TIP

As a talented navy officer, he was bound to be busy. When his wife rang him up to declare her divorce alarm, he was still scanning a digital counter to check the data so as to give an assessment of the theoretical framework for a biochemical weapon. His junior staff’s sympathy made him feel embarrassed.

His wife was a part-time clerk. With his high bonus, she lived in a grand house with elegant cushions and bedding. Her favour was reading stars’ biographies or absurd fictions with endless chapters in her armchair. People envied her leisure life very much. But in fact, she was tired of being left alone. She sent emails to his mailbox every week to state her thinking and ask for his accompaniment, but never received reply of satisfaction. Tired of his explanation that he must obey the orders, she filed for divorce.

Because he desired to get their holy affection back, he set other affairs aside. He trimmed his fingernails short and changed his overweight figure as well as his awful haircut. He wore an apron to prepare delicious cuisine for her. He also bought her a necklace and piles of flowers hoping that their receiver could turn around.

After being tested out for 3 months in all, he eventually succeeded.

Vocabulary

bound
certain or extremely likely to happen

theoretical
based on the ideas that relate to a subject, not the practical uses of that subject

biochemical
connected with the chemistry of living things

clerk
a person who works in an office, dealing with records or performing general office duties

grand
impressive and large or important

elegant
graceful and attractive in appearance or behaviour

cushion
a bag made of cloth, plastic, or leather that is filled with soft material, often has an attractive cover, and is used especially on chairs for sitting or leaning on

biography
the life story of a person written by someone else

absurd
stupid and unreasonable, or silly in a humorous way

fiction
the type of book or story that is written about imaginary characters and events and not based on real people and facts

envy
to wish that you had something that another person has

leisure
the time when you are not working or doing other duties

accompaniment
to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something

holy
very religious or pure

affection
a feeling of liking for a person or place

trim
to make something tidier or more level by cutting a small amount off it

apron
a piece of clothing worn over the front of other clothes to keep them clean when doing a dirty or messy job, especially cooking

cuisine
a style of cooking

piles of
a lot of something

turn around
any change from one thing to its opposite

33. Mark and a Seal

TIP

Mark rented an accommodation with his pension near the shore. He paid annual visits there to enjoy the vivid beauty in the depths of the pure sea.

Once, with his underwater telescope and flashlight, Mark dived along the boundary between the steep reef and the area of seaweed conservation. Suddenly, an awesome Antarctic seal with sharp teeth appeared opposite him.

Every cell in his body was scared to death. But soon, he was aware that he wasn’t the target of an attack. With a neat wound in its lip caused by a shark, this grey seal was washed upside down by the tides time after time. But it tried to jog Mark as if to urge him to help it. So Mark abandoned fleeing away. With its teamwork, Mark used a net to drag the seal to the shallow water. Without pausing he helped it out after a simple operation and settled it in a narrow cave by the seaside.

Every time he brought it tasty fish, it would yell and suck his hands happily. Witnesses said their anecdotes reflected a magic dimension of the relationship between humans and animals.

Vocabulary

accommodation
a place to stay or live

pension
an amount of money paid regularly by the government or a private company to a person who does not work any more because they are too old or have become ill

shore
the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or wide river

vivid
very brightly coloured

telescope
a cylinder-shaped device for making objects that are far away look closer and larger, using a combination of lenses, or lenses and curved mirrors

boundary
a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something

steep
(of a slope) rising or falling at a sharp angle

reef
a line of rocks or sand just above or just below the surface of the sea, often dangerous to ships

seaweed
a green, brown, or dark red plant that grows in the sea or on land very close to the sea

Antarctic
the very cold area around the South Pole that includes Antarctica and the surrounding seas

seal
a large mammal that eats fish and lives partly in the sea and partly on land or ice

cell
the smallest basic unit of a plant or animal

neat
tidy, with everything in its place

lip
one of the two soft parts that form the upper and lower edges of the mouth

tide
the rise and fall of the sea that happens twice every day

jog
to push or knock someone or something slightly, especially with your arm

urge
to strongly advise or try to persuade someone to do a particular thing

flee
to escape by running away, especially because of danger or fear

net
material made of threads of rope, string, wire, or plastic with spaces between them, allowing gas, liquid, or small objects to go through, or an object made with this material that is used to limit the movement of something

shallow
having only a short distance from the top to the bottom

yell
to shout something or make a loud noise, usually when you are angry, in pain, or excited

suck
to pull in liquid or air through your mouth without using your teeth, or to move the tongue and muscles of the mouth around something inside your mouth, often in order to dissolve it

witness
a person who sees an event happening, especially a crime or an accident

anecdotes
a short, often funny story, especially about something someone has done

dimension
a part or feature or way of considering something

34. Helping the Remote Village

TIP

A year ago, the famous astronaut received an invitation by airmail from a remote village. Intending to sniff some fresh air, he and his interpreter paid a fortnight visit there. It was a privilege for them to be there, but they were shocked by what they saw. The tracks were muddy. The river was drying up. Most villagers only possessed one broom, a few tins and several jars and their rectangular grass huts with round angles were surrounded by weeds. Besides, their school had no roof and platform, and the students had no concept of clicking a computer at all. They were badly in need.

Soon, the astronaut made a generous voluntary donation to the village. There were textbooks for students, sewing machines for tailors and tractors for farmers. His distribution catalogue also included operating a clinic and a trunk library, as well as giving weekly lessons to teach relevant farming knowledge like how to dry out seeds or raise oxen.

He himself not only helped do some paperwork but also purchased grills for boys to toast potatoes and combs for girls who were dying to get one. The other day, he heard from the villagers again inviting him to participate in the donation anniversary. For political and security reasons, he couldn’t adjust his outgoing arrangement-otherwise he would go. But his deeds were remembered forever.

Vocabulary

astronaut
a person who has been trained for travelling in space

sniff
to smell something by taking air in through your nose

interpreter
someone whose job is to change what someone else is saying into another language

fortnight
a period of two weeks

privilege
an opportunity to do something special or enjoyable

muddy
covered by or containing mud (= wet, sticky earth)

broom
a brush with a long handle and bristles (= short, stiff hairs or pieces of plastic), used for cleaning the floor or the ground

tin
a closed metal container in which food is sold

jar
a glass or clay container with a wide opening at the top and sometimes a fitted lid, usually used for storing food

rectangular
shaped like a rectangle

rectangle a flat shape with four 90° angles and four sides, with opposite sides of equal length

hut
a small, simple building, usually consisting of one room

weed
any wild plant that grows in an unwanted place, especially in a garden or field where it prevents the cultivated plants from growing freely

voluntary
done, made, or given willingly, without being forced or paid to do it

donation
money or goods that are given to help a person or organization, or the act of giving them

sew
to join two pieces of cloth together by putting thread through them with a needle

tailor
someone whose job is to repair, make, and adjust (= make changes to) clothes, especially someone who makes jackets, trousers, coats, etc. for men

tractor
a motor vehicle with large back wheels and thick tyres, used on farms for pulling machinery

catalogue
to record something, especially in a list

clinic
a building, often part of a hospital, to which people can go for medical care or advice relating to a particular condition

trunk

1. a large, strong container that is used for storing clothes and personal possessions, often when travelling or going to live in a new place
2. a covered space at the back of a car, for storing things in

raise
to take care of a person, or an animal or plant, until they are completely grown

oxen
a bull (= male cow)

grill
a frame of metal bars over a fire on which food can be put to be cooked

comb
a flat piece of plastic, wood, or metal with a thin row of long, narrow parts along one side, used to tidy and arrange your hair

be dying to
to be extremely eager to have or do something

adjust
to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective, or suitable

deed
an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one

35. Study in America

TIP

Nannan’s father runs an enterprise near the Ming Tombs selling batteries and drills to the Daqing Oilfield. Hoping to get the qualification to help govern it, Nannan made much preparation and then left her motherland with her visa to study in America. Having reached her destination, she settled in an inn recommended by the travel agent.

As far as Nannan was concerned, she always kept it up in China. But she had to acknowledge it was not easy to adjust herself to the new academic requirements, which were not parallel with China’s. Though she was occupied with lectures and seminars day in and day out, the essays she drafted were still contradicted by her tutors.

As for her routine life, she felt that it was hard to fit in, too. For example, she found English idioms difficult to understand. And it was out of the question to eat delicious Chinese foods though many optional cafeterias served abundant substitutes. In addition, she had to wait in a queue early for the minibus that took her to school and it was usually so cold that she felt numb. What bothered her most was that she received no apology when her sleeping was disturbed by a barking dog in a shopkeeper’s cage.

Luckily, with her parents comforting her by videophone, she became autonomous soon and eventually got her bachelor’s degree successfully.

Vocabulary

enterprise
an organization, especially a business, or a difficult and important plan, especially one that will earn money

tomb
a large stone structure or underground room where someone, especially an important person, is buried

drill
a tool or machine that makes holes

parallel
used to describe an event or situation that happens at the same time as and/or is similar to another one

occupy
to fill, exist in, or use a place or period of time

lecture
a formal talk on a serious subject given to a group of people, especially students

seminar
an occasion when a teacher or expert and a group of people meet to study and discuss something

draft
to write the first version of a document such as a letter, essay, or law, which may have details added, changed, or corrected later

contradict
(of people) to say the opposite of what someone else has said, or (of one fact or statement) to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong

tutor
a teacher at a British college or university who teaches one student or a small group

fit in
to feel that you belong to a particular group and are accepted by that group

idiom
a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own

out of the question
not possible or not allowed

optional
If something is optional, you can choose if you want to do it, pay it, buy it, etc.

cafeteria
a restaurant (often in a factory, a college, or an office building) where people collect food and drink from a serving area and take it to a table themselves after paying for it

abundant
more than enough

substitutes
to use something or someone instead of another thing or person

numb
If a part of your body is numb, you are unable to feel it, usually for a short time

barking
crazy or extremely silly

autonomous
independent and having the power to make your own decisions

bachelor’s degree
a first degree at college or university

36. Immigrate to America

TIP

Attracted by the boom in America, my nephew teamed up with a Korean to illegally cross the Bering Strait in the Arctic to America. To avoid the Customs’ punishment, they hid in a small ferry called the North Pole Seagull, sitting back to back without sleeping, showering and shaving for 3 days, and had no chance to mourn their lost luggage when landing. The hardship of this crossing was apparent.

At first, he made a living by means of raising cattle and then was hired in aircraft industries. He lived in a Catholic district. Taking in a small percentage of Pakistani immigrants, the majority of the residents were from Italy and Denmark, who all kept up their customs and cultures. Different blocks here were distinctly marked out and indicated from the racial angle. It was unfair and needed reforming. But with nowhere else to go, my nephew lived on and managed to make a life for himself.

My nephew’s fortune came when he bravely helped a conductor brake a ream❓ to stop it from slipping out of the rails. The man was elected vice chairman of the Socialist Party later. It occurred to my nephew that he could grasp this opportunity to ask for his help. The man who was thankful helped him apply to the civil authority for the right to live in America by inserting his brave deed into his documents. Unlike a great many other applicants, his application was approved by the Federal Justice Ministry. Before long, he started his own bakery and lived a better life.

Vocabulary

boom
a period of sudden economic growth, especially one that results in a lot of money being made

team up
to join another person, or form a group with other people, in order to do something together

strait
a narrow area of sea that connects two larger areas of sea

Arctic
the very cold area around the North Pole

ferry
a boat or ship for taking passengers and often vehicles across an area of water, especially as a regular service

pole
either of the two points at the most northern and most southern ends of the earth, around which the earth turns

seagull
a bird that lives near the sea and has short legs, long wings, and white and grey feathers

mourn
to feel or express great sadness, especially because of someone's death

cattle
a group of animals that includes cows, buffalo, and bison, that are often kept for their milk or meat

Catholic
Roman Catholic 天主教

immigrant
a person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently

resident
a person who lives or has their home in a place

distinctly
in a way that is clearly separate and different from something else

mark out
to show the shape or position of something by drawing a line around it

indicate
to show, point, or make clear in another way:

racial
happening between people of different races

conductor
a railway official who travels on and is responsible for a train

brake
to make a vehicle go slower or stop, using its brake or brakes

rail
one of the two metal bars attached to the ground on which trains travel

elect
to decide on or choose, especially to choose a person for a particular job, by voting

vice
used as part of the title of particular positions. The person who holds one of these positions is next below in authority to the person who holds the full position and can act for them

chairman
a person in charge of a meeting or organization

the Socialist Party
社会党

occur
(especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen

grasp
If you grasp an opportunity, you take it eagerly

civil
not military or religious, or relating to the ordinary people of a country

authority
a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity

justice
the system of laws in a country that judges and punishes people

ministry
in Britain and some other countries, a department of the government led by a minister

before long
soon

37. Be Careful About Cloning

TIP

After a series of initial experiments and corrections, the scientist’s hard work paid off when the twin clone turkeys were hatched with normal feather and claws. This breakthrough possibly enabled people to bring their adored pets back to life. However, it bothered him from time to time that their health was in poor condition because they were unable to resist illnesses. This drawback cast him down. Merely 2 weeks later, the clones and their carrier died, which struck frustration into his heart. He retired before he attained his ambition and became a member of an opera chorus to relieve his depression.

Shortly afterwards, the media published a conservative argument objecting to cloning owing to moral problems, and suggested the constitution include compulsory regulations to forbid obtaining commercial profits from cloning.

When interviewed, the scientist stared at the decorations on the ceiling, thinking for a while, and then said, “I’m not in favour of any arbitrary assumption, but undertaking cloning does differ from the straightforward procedure of making loafs out of flour. Until we accumulate enough exact knowledge, any practice is in vain and is bound to fail. Altogether, being more careful is reasonable or we may walk into a side road.”

Vocabulary

pay off
If something you have done pays off, it is successful

hatch
to (cause an egg to) break in order to allow a young animal to come out

feather
one of the many soft, light things that cover a bird's body, consisting of a long, thin, central part with material like hairs along each side

claw
one of the sharp curved nails at the end of each of the toes of some animals and birds

breakthrough
an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem

adore
to love someone very much, especially in a way that shows a lot of admiration or respect, or to like something very much

resist
to fight against something or someone that is attacking you

drawback
a disadvantage or the negative part of a situation

cast down
lower someone's spirits; make downhearted

merely
only；used to emphasize that you mean exactly what you are saying and nothing more

strike (struck)
to cause a person or place to suffer severely from the effects of something very unpleasant that happens suddenly

frustration
disappointment or discouragement, or a discouraging situation

attain
to reach or succeed in getting something

opera
a musical play in which all or most of the words are sung, or plays and music of this type

chorus
a group of people who are trained to sing together

relieve
to improve an unpleasant situation

depression
the state of feeling very unhappy and without hope for the future

afterwards
after the time mentioned

conservative
not usually liking or trusting change, especially sudden change

object
to feel or express opposition, dislike, or disapproval

moral
relating to the standards of good or bad behaviour, fairness, honesty, etc. that each person believes in, rather than to laws

constitution
the set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs

compulsory
If something is compulsory, you must do it because of a rule or law

regulation
an official rule or the act of controlling something

commercial
related to making money by buying and selling things

arbitrary

1. based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason
2. using unlimited personal power without considering other people's rights or wishes

assumption
something that you accept as true without question or proof

undertake
to do or begin to do something, especially something that will take a long time or be difficult

straightforward
easy to understand or simple

procedure
a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing something

loaf
bread or cake that is shaped and baked in a single piece and can be sliced for eating

flour
powder made from grain, especially wheat, used for making bread, cakes, pasta, pastry, etc.

accumulate
to collect a large number of things over a long period of time

vain
unsuccessful; of no value

a side road
a smaller road off a main road

38. Strange Patent Applications

TIP

I set about working in the current Patent Office after resigning from the court personnel. Competent and dynamic, I never feel passive while diving into the identifications of whether applications are valid and practical according to the new version of the criteria.

With the expectation of distinguishing their own importance, some people leave the beaten track and file strange products with us now and then, for example, lantern that can be attached on your forehead, cubic walnuts, refrigerator made of straw and glue, perfume that nobody can bear to smell, and so on.

Once, a man made a triangle helicopter out of stainless wires and string. He called us up and merrily claimed it was stable and convenient to use, and never out of order. I asked him to hang on, but this innocent man just rang off and set out to fly from his courtyard. I dialed his number in the directory trying to ring him back, but never got through.

Merciful God blessing, an abrupt freezing rainfall made his powder wet. Luckily, the trouble was without any extension except that he crashed into a greengrocer’s making all the ripe fruits become messy jam. When people seized this crazy man with caution and sobered him by tapping his face, he complained about the bad weather instead of associating his failure with his unscientific design.

Vocabulary

set about
to start to do or deal with something

patent
the official legal right to make or sell an invention for a particular number of years

court
a place where trials and other legal cases happen, or the people present in such a place, especially the officials and those deciding if someone is guilty

personnel
the people working in an organization or for a particular type of employer

competent
able to do something well

dynamic
having a lot of ideas and enthusiasm

passive
not acting to influence or change a situation; allowing other people to be in control

identification
the act of recognizing and naming someone or something

criterion(criteria)
a standard by which you judge, decide about, or deal with something

distinguish

1. to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another
2. to see, hear, or experience something, esp. with difficulty

beaten
A beaten path or track is one that people walk along regularly so that the ground has become hard and the path is clear.

lantern
a light inside a container that has a handle for holding it or hanging it up, or the container itself

forehead
the flat part of the face, above the eyes and below the hair

cubic
Having the shape of a cube

cube a solid object with six square sides of equal size

walnut
a nut with a slightly bitter taste, a series of folds in it, and a hard shell

straw
the dried, yellow stems of crops such as wheat, used as food for animals or as a layer on the ground for animals to lie on, and for making traditional objects

perfume
a liquid with a pleasant smell, usually made from oils taken from flowers or spices and often used on the skin

triangle
a flat shape with three straight sides

stainless
with no marks on it, or made of a substance that is not damaged by air or water and that does not change colour

wire
a piece of thin metal thread that can be bent, used for fastening things and for making particular types of objects that are strong but can bend

string
(a piece of) strong, thin rope made by twisting very thin threads together, used for fastening and tying things

dial
to operate a phone or make a phone call to someone by choosing a particular series of numbers on the phone

merciful
kind and forgiving

abrupt
sudden and unexpected, and often unpleasant

powder
a loose, dry substance that consists of extremely small pieces, usually made by breaking something up and crushing it

greengrocer
a person who owns or works in a shop that sells fresh vegetables and fruit

ripe
(of fruit or crops) completely developed and ready to be collected or eaten

jam
a sweet, soft food made by cooking fruit with sugar to preserve it. It is eaten on bread.

seize
to take something quickly and keep or hold it

caution
great care and attention

sober
to become more calm and serious, or to make someone do this

39. Pronunciation and Status

TIP

An ambassador and a referee were consulting a professor on the caption of a Buddhistic alphabet when a sobbing woman stopped them to sell an antique musical bathtub. Her dirty garment and the handkerchief around her waist were badly in need of sending to a laundry. The ambassador uncomfortably gave her a handful of pence from his wallet and said, “Take this fortune away, troublesome woman.”

When her figure faded away, the brilliant professor said, “You are mistaken and your improper remark on her should be condemned. In terms of this extraordinary woman, you can’t classify her status by her horrible clothes or disgusting nails. Her clean woolen vest and stockings, especially her classic pronunciation, all suggested her upper status.” The ambassador gave a whistle in amazement, and advised making her acquaintance. The professor hesitated for a while, then compromised.

The outcome was that she was an authentic superior police officer. When they were shown in her office and saw her once more, she brought them a teapot of tea and some cookies, laughing and saying, “I rubbed some cream and wax on my garment and passed myself off as a shabby woman among thieves and robbers to investigate a plot. Generally speaking, your overlooking me and my adaptation are the best help. But my pronunciation seemed to have betrayed me.”

Vocabulary

ambassador
an important official who works in a foreign country representing his or her own country there, and who is officially accepted in this position by that country

referee
a person who is in charge of a sports game and who makes certain that the rules are followed

caption
a short piece of text under a picture in a book or article that describes the picture or explains what the people in it are doing or saying

Buddhistic
of or relating to or supporting Buddhism 佛教的

alphabet
a set of letters arranged in a fixed order, used for writing a language

sob
to cry noisily, taking in deep breaths

antique
something made in an earlier period that is collected and considered to have value because it is beautiful, rare, old, or of high quality

bathtub
a long plastic, metal, or ceramic container that is filled with water so that you can sit or lie in it to wash your whole body

garment
a piece of clothing

handkerchief
a square piece of cloth or paper used for cleaning the nose or drying the eyes when they are wet with tears

waist
the part of the body above and slightly narrower than the hips

a handful of
an amount of something that can be held in one hand

penny(pence)
the smallest unit of money in the UK, of which there are 100 in a pound, or a small coin worth this much. You use "pence" or, more informally, "p" when you are talking about the units of money and pennies when you are talking about the coins themselves.

troublesome
causing a lot of problems for someone

remark
to give a spoken statement of an opinion or thought

condemn
to criticize something or someone strongly, usually for moral reasons

in terms of
used to describe which particular area of a subject you are discussing

classify
to divide things or people into groups according to their type, or to say which group or type something or someone belongs to

vest
to divide things or people into groups according to their type, or to say which group or type something or someone belongs to

whistle
to make a high sound by forcing air through a small hole or passage, especially through the lips, or through a special device held to the lips

acquaintance
used in some expressions about knowing or meeting people

compromise
an agreement in an argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change their opinion in order to agree

outcome
a result or effect of an action, situation, etc.

authentic
If something is authentic, it is real, true, or what people say it is

superior
having a higher position than someone else in a company or organization

rub
to press or be pressed against something with a circular or up-and-down repeated movement

cream
a soft substance that you rub into your skin

wax
a solid substance containing a lot of fat that becomes soft and melts when warm

pass off as
to pretend that something is a particular thing when it is not

shabby
looking old and in bad condition because of being used for a long time or not being cared for

plot
a secret plan made by several people to do something that is wrong, harmful, or not legal, especially to do damage to a person or a government

adaptation
the process of changing to suit different conditions

40. A Sly Murder

TIP

When giving a lecture about the significance of punctuation, the academic professor was interrupted and arrested by the police for murdering his wife, a receptionist of a kindergarten. The police found some photos he deleted from their e-album showing that they used to have a gay life. But, fed up with her wrinkled face, he murdered her instead of divorcing her to avoid fortune division.

He cut up a kind of seashell with a sharpened knife, and hammered it into powder on a skateboard, and made at most one gram, which was enough to accelerate one’s pulse until he or she dies. This kind of poison can date back to 10,000 BC when people rubbed it on spears to kill beasts. The professor mixed the poison with onion, watermelon and yogurt for his wife. Howling and scratching her chest, she felt dizzy and died soon.

After tentative examination, the police assumed she died of heart disease. But systematic botanical analyses showed that the watermelon spit on the messy mat and the quilt was poisonous. Regardless of exhaustion and starvation, the acute and skilful policemen used radioactive equipment to make sure the category of the poison. Primitive and not ample as their alternative equipment was, they got perfect accuracy somehow.

People applauded the police and the woman’s family can look ahead with relief now.

Vocabulary

significance

1. importance
2. special meaning

punctuation
(the use of) special symbols that you add to writing to separate phrases and sentences to show that something is a question, etc.

receptionist
a person who works in a place such as a hotel, office, or hospital, who welcomes and helps visitors and answers the phone

kindergarten
the first year of school, for children aged five

fed up with
If you are fed up with something, you are bored, annoyed, or disappointed because you have experienced it for too long

wrinkled
(of skin) having small lines because of old age

seashell
the empty shell of a small sea creature, often one found lying on the beach

hammer
to hit or kick something with a lot of force

skateboard
a flat, narrow board with two small wheels under each end, which a person stands on and moves forward by pushing one foot on the ground

gram(g)
a unit of measurement of weight equal to 0.001 kilogram

accelerate
to happen or make something happen sooner or faster

pulse
the regular beating of the heart, especially when it is felt at the wrist or side of the neck

spears
a weapon consisting of a pole with a sharp, usually metal, point at one end, that is either thrown or held in the hand

beast
an animal, especially a large or wild one

yogurt
a slightly sour, thick liquid made from milk with bacteria added to it, sometimes eaten plain and sometimes with sugar, fruit, etc. added

hjowling
(of people) making a lot of noise

chest
the upper front part of the body of humans and some animals, between the stomach and the neck, containing the heart and lungs

dizzy
feeling as if everything is turning around, and that you are not able to balance and may fall over

tentative
(of a plan or idea) not certain or agreed, or (of a suggestion or action) said or done in a careful but uncertain way because you do not know if you are right

systematic
according to an agreed set of methods or organized plan

botanical
involving or relating to plants or the study of plants

spit
to force out the contents of the mouth, especially saliva

mat
a small piece of strong material that covers and protects part of a floor

quilt
a decorative cover for a bed

exhaustion
the state of being extremely tired

starvation
the state of having no food for a long period, often causing death

acute
used to describe intelligence, senses, etc. that are very good, accurate, and able to notice very small differences

primitive
of or typical of an early stage of development; not advanced or complicated in structure

ample
more than enough

alternative
An alternative plan or method is one that you can use if you do not want to use another one.

accuracy
the fact of being exact or correct

applaud
to say that you admire and agree with a person's action or decision