研究生英语阅读教程(基础级2版)课文09及其翻译.doc

The Weird World of TobaccoBy Anna Quidlen1 Imagine that millions of Americans are addicted to a lethal (poisonous/ deadly) drug, yet the Food and Drug Administration had repeatedly refused to regulate (control) it. Imagine that when (while) the FDA does its duty, an appeals court decides it cannot do so, that the drug is so dangerous that if the FDA regulated it, it would have to be banned.2 Welcome to the topsy-turvy (是非颠倒的) world of tobacco, where nothing much makes sense (be meaningful) except the vast profits, where tobacco-company executives slip-slide along the continuum (连续统一体) from aggrieved (sad) innocence to heartfelt (sincere真诚的) regret without breaking (shed blood) a sweat, and where the only people who seem to be able to shoot straight (hit the target命中目标的) are the jurors (judges) who decide the ubiquitous (common) lawsuits.3 The most recent panel (court) handed down a judgment of $ 145 billionthe largest jury award in historyon behalf of sick smokers in Florida. Lawyers for the tobacco companies thundered that the judgment would bankrupt them, yet the stock market scarcely (hardly) shuddered. Experts said the amount would likely (possible) be reduced when cooler judicial heads prevailed.4 The jurorswho gave up two years of their lives, listened to endless witnesses and yet deliberated (gave) only a few hourscould be forgiven if they felt theyd fallen down Alices rabbit hole into Wonderland, where the Queen of Hearts cries Off with their heads (Kill them) but no one is ever executed (killed).5 Al Gore, for instance, inspired (=encouraged) by the death of his sister from lung cancer, has insisted that he will do everything he can to keep cigarettes out of the hands of children. But he says he would never outlaw cigarettes because millions of people smoke. How many users mandate legality? What about the estimated 3.6 million chronic cocaine users, or the 2. 4 million people who admit to having shot (injected) or snorted heroin?6 I can almost feel all the smokers, tired of standing outside their office buildings puffing in the rain, jumping up and down and yelling, Tobacco is different from illicit drugs! Because it is legal? Now theres a circular argument.7 A hundred years ago the sale of cigarettes was against the law in 14 states. The Supreme Court had concluded of (about) cigarettes, They possess no virtue (good quality), but are inherently bad, and bad only. At the time (Then), Coca-Cola contained traces of cocaine, and heroin was in cough syrups.8 Since then tobacco companies have spread political contributions around like weedkiller on the lawn in summer, supporting largely complicit Republicans, who like free enterprise (and soft money) more than they hate emphysema. (George W. Bush responded to a question about the recent mega-settlement (judge/ decision) by bemoaning a litigious nation.)9 Responsibility-minded Americans accept (considered) the argument that individuals have the right to poison themselves, although studies showing that the vast majority of smokers began as minors (as young children) raise questions about informed consent.10 Official tobacco apologists (apology. n./ apologize. vt.) spent years insisting their product did not cause cancer, and then that it was not addictive (n.). Now theyve done a 180, arguing that since there is no such thing as a safe cigarette, the FDA, created to regulate the safety of products, cannot touch them. If this sounds (=is) like having it both ways, thats because it is.11 Meanwhile (=at the same time), Philip Morris makes large contributions to soup kitchens, ballet companies, museums and sheltersbeing a good citizen with the profits of a product that kills 400, 000 people a year. And magazines run articles about the dangers of cigarettes in the same issues that advertise them.12 Even tobacco foes have fudged (hesitated). When Dr. David Kessler ran (administrate) the FDA, he publicly concluded (said) what everyone already knew: that cigarettes are nothing more than a delivery device (media) for nicotine, a dangerous and addictive drug. But the agency did not take the obvious next step. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act forbids the sale (sell) of any drug that is not safe and effective, and part of the FDAs mandate (responsibility) is to regulate devices. Cigarettes are a device (media/ equipment). The drug and chemicals they deliver are patently (obviously) unsafe. Ergo (Therefore), cigarettes should be banned.13 Thats not going to happen in our lifetime. Too many tobacco farmers, too many tobacco addicts; a right to a livelihood (happiness), a right to a lifestyle. These arguments (reasons) hold for (support) legalizing illicit drugs as well, but never mind.14 Prohibition is a dirty word in America. But tobacco can in no way be compared with alcohol. Many people can and do drink safely and in moderation, while it is impossible to smoke without some pernicious health effects, and nearly (almost) all smokers can be described as addicts.15 Public-service announcements, catchy (attractive) commercials (advertisements) for kids, settlements with the states to recover (pay) health care costs: the tobacco companies, which once swore they were doing nothing wrong, are now willing to lose some ideological battles to win the war of the profit margin. One Philip Morris executive appearing at a recent (press) conference told Kessler, whose efforts to restrict sales and advertising aimed at children spawned (fought) a battle royal of billable hours, that he welcomed serious regulation (control) of the tobacco industry at the federal level. Now they tell us. 16 Why shouldnt the Marlboro men play the angles? The public and the pols have provided them with so many (chances to play angles).17 Here is the bottom line: cigarettes are the only legal product that, when (while) used as directed (directly) cause death. (843 words)ABOUT THE AUTHORAnna Quindlen (1956 ) is a graduate of Barnard College. As a columnist at The New York Times from 1981 to 1994, in 1990 Quindlen became only the third woman in the papers history to write a regular column for its influential Op-Ed page. In 1992 Quindlen won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. In 2000, Quindlen became the first writer ever to have books appear on the fiction, nonfiction, and self-help New York Times Best Seller lists.EXERCISESI. Reading ComprehensionA. Answer the following questions or complete the following statements.1. After a panel judgment of $ 145 billion was awarded, the stock market _.A. witnessed an immediate downturnB. soared in a matter of daysC. slightly increased in sales volumeD. remained almost unaffected2. Which of the following is closest in meaning to without breaking a sweat as used in Para. 2?A. Without much difficulty.B. Without much consideration.C. Without much delay.D. Without much guilt.3. After the jurors reached the $ 145 billion verdict, tobacco companies _.A. had to pay the amount as demandedB. didnt receive the punishment they deserveC. announced to apply for bankruptcyD. gave up profits for a better corporate image4. What is the reason given by Al Gore for not banning cigarettes?A. There are millions of smokers in the U. S.B. There are millions of tobacco farmers in the U. S.C. Tobacco companies are important tax-payers.D. Tobacco consumption is a stimulus to economy.5. Which of the following statements is true?A. Sale of cigarettes has always been a legal commercial activity.B. Use of cocaine or heroin has always been banned by law.C. Cigarettes are not as harmful as cocaine or heroin in nature.D. Cocaine or heroin used to be considered safer than cigarettes.6. We can draw the conclusion that the authors attitude toward Republican policy on tobacco is _. A. supportiveB. indifferentC. criticalD. obscure7. What is the present argument put forward by tobacco companies to reject FDA regulation?A. Little evidence proves that cigarettes can cause cancer.B. Few smokers show signs as tobacco addicts.C. FDA lacks the legal right to ban cigarettes.D. Smokers have the right to smoke as they wish.8. What does the author think of the arguments against banning cigarettes and the future of cigarettes?A. The arguments are strong, and cigarettes will not be banned.B. The arguments are strong, but cigarettes will be banned.C. The arguments are not strong, and cigarettes will be banned.D. The arguments are not strong, but cigarettes will not be banned.9. The authors primary purpose in writing this text is to _. A. prove the harmful effects of cigarettesB. advocate regulation and banning of cigarettesC. analyze the lawsuits against tobacco companiesD. call on smokers to give up cigarettes10. Tobacco companies are now willing to admit wrongdoing because they have their mind on _.A. smokers healthB. government regulationC. commercial profitD. public pressureB. Complete the following outline of the text by filling in the blanks.1. The world of tobacco is a weird world because _.2. Arguments for and against banning of tobacco Arguments against banning tobaccoArguments for banning tobaccoThe government represented by Al Gore argues that there are too many smokers.The arguments that there are too many smokers, too many tobacco farmers also hold for drugs such as heroine and cocaine. There is no reason that heroine and cocaine are banned while tobacco should not.Public opinion: Responsibility-minded Americans believe that individuals have the right to poison themselves.Many smokers beginning as minors have raised questions to the so-called informed consent. Tobacco companies:(1) In the past: Cigarettes were not dangerous and they were not addictive.(2) At present: No cigarettes are safe, the FDA, created to safeguard the safety of products, cannot regulate tobacco.(1) Cigarettes have been proved to be dangerous and addictive. A hundred years ago the sale of cigarettes was against the law in 14 states.(2) The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act forbids the sale of any drug that is not safe and effective, and part of the FDAs mandate is to regulate devices. Cigarettes are a device. The drug and chemicals they deliver are patently unsafe. Ergo, cigarettes should be banned. 3. Tobacco companies have tried to win support for their products by(1) making contributions to the Republicans to win their political support. (2) making contributions to soup kitchens, ballet companies, museums and shelters to build an image of being a good citizen. (3) admitting their wrong-doing in order to win the war of the profit margin. 4. Conclusion: The authors attitude toward tobacco: Tobacco should be banned. The future of tobacco: Tobacco may not be banned in our lifetime. II. VocabularyA. Read the following sentence% and decide which of the Jour choices below each sentences is closest in meaning to the underlined word.1. We now are provided with several television commentators (narrator) to explain the action to us, with the help of the ubiquitous slow-motion instant replay. (provider sb. with sth.)A. continuous (continue: vt./vi.)B. successfulC. ever-present (everlasting/ common)D. popular2. The jury deliberated (gave/ discussed) for eighteen minutes and recommended a sentence of from two to five years in the state penitentiary(监狱, 收容所, 教养所).A. spokeB. discussedC. complainedD. inquired3. Mr. Anna formally disbanded the fact-finding team Thursday because of Israels objections to the missions composition and mandate.A. motivationB. identityC. purposeD. authority4. The number of old people is on the rise (increasing), and with this fact comes the number of people with chronic diseases associated more with old age.A. enduring (lasting)B. painfulC. severeD. incurable5 In the 1984 revised version of The Black and White Truth about Basketball, Greenfield again challenges his readers by asserting that the two races have inherently different styles on the court.A. importantlyB. intrinsicallyC. inevitably(=unavoidably)D. interestingly6. I didnt speak to Dominick Dunne or Mark Fuhrman, because their points of view are unclear, and their factual recitations are patently false. (insincere)A. obviouslyB. improperlyC. unfortunatelyD. favorably( be in/ out of favor)7. Sophie asked her mother to pick her up from the camp a day earlier than scheduled (planned). Although Sophie was sick of camp and ready (willing) to come home, Ms. Wexler objected, and finally prevailed.A. consented (=agreed)B. disagreedC. triumphed (=won)D. changed8. In the years 1659 to 1681 the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston and the Christmas spirit was fined.A. forgone (gone forever)B. dislikedC. condemnedD. forbidden9. The personal computer is only a decade old, and the language it spawned (brought about) has made only minor (small/ unimportant) inroads in English, but this will change.A. processed (processed food)B. prohibitedC. producedD. pronounced10. The case of Hemant Lakhani, the Briton charged in the USA with attempting to sell a missile to an undercover agent from the FBI, has highlighted the threat posed by the ever-expanding illicit arms trade. (accuse sb. of sth./ charge sb. with sth./ highlighter)A. profitableB. illegal (=illicit)C. unacceptableD. notoriousB. Choose the best word or expression from thegiven for each blank Use each word or expression only once and make proper changes where necessary.the bottom lineon behalf ofperniciousbankruptheartfelthand downaddicted tolethaljudicialcatchy1. Smokers become addicted to nicotine, and on stopping smoking (when) the sudden loss of nicotine can cause unpleasant symptoms such as irritability, restlessness and craving for (longing for) a cigarette.2. If these are adhered to they go a long way to ensuring that those (those people) who are dying may do so with dignity and without the need to resort to a lethal dose of drugs. (tourist resort; turn to sb. for help)(tourist resort/ resort to fight = turn to sb./ sth. for help)3. We should take some comfort from the ability of the judicial system to fight back against corruption (corrupted officials).4. Tougher (severe/ harsh) punishments are being handed down (carried out) these days.5. Robin Thompson spoke on behalf of his colleagues about the issue (=problem).6. The bottom line was they would end up the contract if I ever revealed the truth of what happened.7. There is a pernicious culture of excellence: everything has to be not merely (only) good but the best.8. Neither the Trust Fund Bureau, the core of the system, nor any other parts of the FILP have any loans to borrowers who have gone (become) bankrupt, nor do they have any overdue loans to public (institute-)institutions.9. We expressed our heartfelt (sincere) thanks for helping us care for Daisy.10. The card has a catchy (=attractive) message: My heart beats at 90/min for you, my blood pressure rises to 120/80 thinking of you.III. ClozeThere are ten blanks in the following passage. Read the passage carefully and choose the right word or phrase from the list given below far each of the blanks. Change the form if necessary.polledend upcompare withethnicfueldie of legislation experienceapproximatelyhad been consideredStudies examining tobacco use among teenagers and minorities l fueled (urged) a drive to draft comprehensive tobacco 2 legislation in the United States Congress.A study published in the last months edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions weekly report showed that 42. 7 percent of 3 approximately 16,000 high school-age children 4 polled (surveyed) had used some type of tobacco product within the previous month. The study also found that the number of high school cigarette smokers rose by 32 percent in the past five years, including an 80 percent rise among black teenagers. Health officials were troubled (=worried) because low smoking rates among black teenagers 5 had been considered an ongoing (everlasting) success story.Titled Tobacco Use Among U. S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups was the first-ever report by a surgeon general to focus on tobacco use among racial and 6 ethnic minorities. According to the report, the rise of tobacco use among black teenagers means that 1.6 million blacks currently (at present) under the age of 18 will become regular smokers, and about 500, 000 of those will 7 die of a smoking-related disease.Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of death (=the first killer) and disease among blacks, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics, the report said. Although most groups, including blacks, have 8 experienced a drop (fall) in respiratory cancer rates, rates among Native Americans rose in the past five years. Nearly 40 percent of Native American adults smoke cigarettes, 9 compared with 25 percent of adults nationwide.Senators serving on the Senate Commerce Committee said the rise in tobacco use by minors was a deciding factor in their decision to approve a bill that could 10 end up (result in) costing the tobacco industry more than $ 500 billion over 25 years.IV. TranslationPut the following parts into Chinese.1. Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of tobacco, where nothing much makes sense except the vast profits, where tobacco-company executives slip-slide along the continuum from aggrieved Innocence to heartfelt regret without breaking a sweat, and where the only people who seem to be able to shoot straight are the jurors who decide the ubiquitous lawsuits.欢迎来到乌七八糟的烟草世界。在这里，除了巨大的利益，没有什么具有重要意义；在这里，烟草公司的负责人不费吹灰之力就能穿梭于不同角色之间，从表现愤愤不平的无辜转而变为诚心诚意的悔过；在这里，似乎惟一能够