全新主题大学英语2 U1 T.doc

Book TwoUnit One Discovering the FutureSection AFuture ShockPART I Background Information1. MITThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological research. MIT is one of two private land-grant universities and is also a sea grant and space grant university.Founded by William Barton Rogers in 1861 in response to the increasing industrialization of the United States, the university adopted the German university model and emphasized laboratory instruction from an early date. Its current 168-acre (0.7 km2) campus opened in 1916 and extends over 1 mile (1.6 km) along the northern bank of the Charles River basin. MIT researchers were involved in efforts to develop computers, radar, and inertial guidance in connection with defense research during World War II and the Cold War. In the past 60 years, MITs educational programs have expanded beyond the physical sciences and engineering into social sciences like economics, linguistics, political science, and management. MIT enrolled 4,172 undergraduates, 6,048 postgraduate students, and employed 1,008 faculty members in the 2007/08 school year. Its endowment and annual research expenditures are among the largest of any American university. 72 Nobel Laureates, 47 National Medal of Science recipients, and 31 MacArthur Fellows are currently or have previously been affiliated with the university. 2. Boston Boston is a city in Massachusetts on the Atlantic coast, the most important city in New England, and one of the oldest cities in the US. Its famous colleges and universities include Harvard and MIT.3. Newbury StreetNewbury Street is located in the Back Bay area of Boston, Massachusetts. It runs roughly east-to-west, from the Boston Public Garden to Massachusetts Avenue (often called Mass Ave) where there is a entrance to the Mass Pike westbound. It is lined with historic 19th-century brownstones that contain hundreds of shops and restaurants, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals. The most expensive boutiques are located near the Boston Public Garden end of Newbury Street. The shops gradually become slightly less expensive and more bohemian toward Massachusetts Avenue.Newbury Street is an eclectic mix of shops in renovated brownstone buildings, with stores at all levels physically (basement, street level and above), stylistically (elegant to shabby), and financially (affordable to upscale). It is touted as one of the most expensive streets in the world. High end stores include Chanel, Johnny Cupcakes, Armani, Donna Karan, Burberry, Cartier, Loro Piana, Fendi, Gucci, Kate Spade, Bang & Olufsen, Valentino, Yves Saint-Laurent, Herms, Versace, Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Ermenegildo Zegna, as well as many more.4. Biosphere 2Biosphere 2, the fascinating 1.25-ha and up to 190, 000 m3 atmosphere glass-enclosed mesocosm in the Arizona desert, explores the bounds and frontiers of the new field of ecological engineering. This project set out to construct ecosystems or biomes, not monocultures, in a heavily subsidized environment, save for the sun, 50% of which did penetrate the glass, and the soil that was trucked in. Pumps were needed for the hydrologic cycle, blowers for atmospheric movement, and even a 165, 000 m3 lung to relieve the pressure that builds up in the glass enclosed system. More than 10 MW of electrical power generating capacity stands nearby. Ecosystems did flourish in the various biomes, never turning out exactly as they had been planned, but always giving information that provides insight on their true analogs in nature. CO2 concentrations soared and O2 concentrations dipped during those first years, showing us the importance of plants, microbes, soil carbon, and even building concrete on the systems biogeochemistry. This publication represents the most comprehensive assemblage of findings from Biosphere 2, findings that were subjected to a strong peer-review process. The papers range from calibrated models that describe the system metabolism, hydrologic balance, and heat and humidity, to papers that describe rainforest, mangrove, ocean, and agronomic system development in this CO2 -rich environment. But the real point that resonates is the shear magnitude of what it costs in money, material, and energy to create enclosed healthy ecosystems, not a trivial point if we are some day interested in habitation in space. Biosphere 2 operational costs and annualized construction costs, in the order of $10 million per year, allows us to estimate the real cost of recreating planet Earth ecosystems. The ecological message is clear we should appreciate and try to understand the workings of the ecosystems and the biosphere that we have. Biosphere 2 helps us do that in many ways. PART II Language Study1. innovation is sparking and the next chapter in Greater Bostons evolution is unfolding. (Para. 1) new ideas are emerging and the next step for Greater Bostons development is becoming clear. innovation: n. U invention or use of new ideas, methods, equipment, etc. （观念、方法、设备等）革新，创新，发明 companies that reward creativity and innovation 鼓励创造与革新的公司 Innovation and hard work are the cornerstones of this company. 创新和勤奋是这家公司立足的基石。 Technical innovation is instrumental in improving the qualities of products. 技术革新有助于提高产品的质量。 spark: vi. produce small pieces of fire or light 产生火花What made the electric wire spark?是什么使电线打火？ The damp wood crackled and sparked.潮湿的木头噼啪作响。v. be the cause of trouble or violence 引起，导致（麻烦、暴力） I dont want to talk to her because it will only spark off a row. 我不想同她说话，因为那只会引起争吵。The protests were sparked by the firing of two restaurant employees. 抗议是由解雇两名饭店雇员引发的。n. C very small piece of brightly burning material produced by a fire or by hitting or rubbing two hard objects together火花，火星 A single spark could set the whole hillside on fire. 星星之火可以使整个山坡燃烧起来。 The sparks shot up like thousands of shooting stars into the still night air. 火花升腾象数千流星冲入寂静的夜空。evolution: n. U 1) gradual change and development of an idea, situation, or object演变；逐步发展 In the politics Britain has preferred evolution to revolution. 英国在政治上喜欢渐进而不喜欢革命。 Cultural and social evolution has now become extremely rapid. 现在文化和社会方面的发展日新月异。2) scientific idea that plants and animals develop gradually from simpler to more complicated forms （动植物的）进化（论） Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection 达尔文提出的物竞天择的进化论 In the course of evolution, some birds have lost the power of flight. 在进化的过程中，有些鸟类丧失了飞行的能力。2. That knowledge will reshape everything in our city, from the way it looks at ground level to the skyline we see above, and from the clothes we wear to the cars we drive and the homes in which we live. (Para. 1)We know the evolution will shape the city in a new way, from the layout of the city on the ground to the outline of the skyscrapers in the sky to the clothes we wear, the cars we drive and the homes in which we live.reshape: vt. change the shape or structure of something 重塑；改编的形状；改组reshape the nations foreign policy 重新制定国家的对外政策 I know how difficult it is to reshape the attitudes and the structure of our society.我知道要改变我们社会的态度和结构是如何困难。skyline: n. C shape made by tall buildings or hills against the sky （建筑物或山在天空映衬下的）轮廓（线）the city skyline of tall buildings 高楼鳞次栉比的城市空中轮廓线 From across the river we saw the full sweep of the Manhattan skyline.从河对面我们看见了整个曼哈顿的空中轮廓线。3. On the third floor of the Media Lab in the Technology Square, the center of whats supposed to be the New Boston, Ryan Chin, a 30-year-old doctoral student is leading a team of young astronautical engineers, urban planners, architects, and neuroscientists developing a concept car under the direction of Mitchell and with the help of architect Frank Gehry. (Para. 2) On the third floor of the Media Lab in the Technology Square, which is considered as the center of the New Boston, Ryan Chin, a 30-year-old doctoral student, is leading a group of young astronautical engineers, urban planners, architects, and neuroscientists. They are developing a concept car under the guidance of Mitchell and with help from architect Frank Gehry.4. Chin says that its only a matter of time before the parking dilemma is largely eliminated. (Para. 2) Chin says that the parking difficulty will be mostly solved sooner or later.a matter of time: used for saying that something will certainly happen 时间问题Its only a matter of time before John achieves success.约翰迟早会成功的，这只是个时间问题。We must do something about that dead tree; its only a matter of time before it falls down and injures somebody.我们必须对那棵枯树进行处理，它迟早要倒下来，可能会砸伤人的。largely: ad. to a great extent 在很大程度上The family moved from a largely rural community to the city.这家人从一个以农村社区为主的地方搬到了城市。The business of a bank is largely contracted through its individual branches.银行的业务大部分是通过各个分行进行的。5. In a few years, he says, when the whole area is wireless, . (Para. 2)He says that a few years later when this area achieves the goal of communication without wire, .6. No more blind searching, and potentially less cursing as well. (Para. 2)The drivers wont have to look for a parking place blindly any more and they will probably have less reason to curse.potentially: ad. possibly true in the future, but not true now 可能地；潜在地The conflict among these workers is a potentially dangerous situation.工人中的这次冲突是一个潜在的危险情况。This crisis is potentially the most serious in the organizations history.这可能是这个组织历史上最严重的一次危机。Both types of love have their glories, and both have potentially negative aspects. 两种形式的爱各有各的光彩，但也有各自潜在的消极面。7. It will cut the inefficiency of driving around block after block looking for a space. (Para. 2) It will take less time to drive around among buildings to find a parking space.inefficiency: n. C/U inefficient way in which someone does something 无效率；低效率；不称职He received serious critical comments on his inefficiency in the work.他由于工作效率低而受到严厉批评。When they won the victory, they fell into inefficiency and corruption.当他们获得胜利之后就变得无能和腐败起来。The massive inefficiency of his administration and the galloping inflation promoted by his policies were eroding governmental stability and social cohesion. 政府机构臃肿，效率低下，他的政策又加剧了通货的恶性膨胀，这些都损害着政府的稳定和社会的团结。8. predict (Para. 3): vt. say that something will happen in the future 预测；预言；预料；预计Industry leaders predict that another 8,000 jobs could be lost by the end of the year.各行业的领导者都预测，到年底还会有8 000人失业。The truth is that most people are pretty bad at predicting what will make them happy.事实上大多数人都无法预知什么能让自己快乐。9. Martin Taubman, head of a nonprofit biomedical research organization, has been working on a vaccine that targets bacteria that cause tooth decay. (Para. 3)Martin Taubman, the leader of a nonprofit biomedical organization, has been working to develop a new vaccine that will prevent the bacteria which cause tooth decay.work on: exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something all the time 从事于His dancing technique is good but he needs to work on his fitness.他的舞蹈技巧很好，但他需要努力增强体质。Professor Bonnet has been working for many years on molecules of this type.博内教授多年来一直从事这种分子的研究工作。bacterium: n. C (pl. bacteria) unicellular micro-organism lacking an organized nucleus, esp. of a kind causing disease 细菌The surgeon must assume that all operative wounds will contain bacteria. 外科医生必须假定所有手术伤口都将含有细菌。Though some bacteria cause food poisoning and infectious diseases in humans, most are harmless and many are beneficial.虽然一些细菌会引起食物中毒或传染疾病给人类，但大多数细菌对人类无害，而其中有许多反而有益。decay: n. U process or result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for 腐烂；腐朽 Bacteria cause the decay of dead plants and animals in the nature. 大自然中细菌使死去的植物和动物腐烂。He had ordered piles and other bridge timbers to be covered with olive oil as a precaution against decay.他已下令要将所有的桩木和桥梁都用橄榄油涂刷以预防腐朽。v. be destroyed gradually by natural processes; destroy something in this way (使）腐烂；（使）腐朽You should know that too much sugar will decay your teeth. 你应该知道吃太多糖会蛀蚀牙齿。When the plants died and decayed, they formed layers of organic materials. 当这些植物死亡腐烂时，它们就形成一层层有机物。10. typical (Para. 4): a. 1) having the usual qualities or features of a particular type of person, thing or group 典型的，具有代表性的 Like his father he was also a typical novelist of his time. 像他的父亲一样，他也是那个时代有代表性的小说家。 The following example will illustrate a typical method for solving such problems. 下面举一个解决这类问题的典型方法的例子。2) having characteristic of a particular person, thing, or type 特有的，独特的If they reappear, they manifest themselves in certain typical ways.一旦它们重复出现就会以特有的方法表现出来。The garden reflects the style of typical architecture of southern China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.此园具有明清两代南方园林建筑的艺术风格。11. plastic surgeon (Para. 4): doctor whose job is to improve the appearance of a part of someones body, either to repair an injury or to make them more attractive 整形外科医生；整容医生The plastic surgeon diagnosed my illness as a rare bone disease.整形外科医生诊断出我的病是一种罕见的骨病。The best plastic surgeon in the country performed a face-lift for her.全国最好的整容医生为她整了容。12. plastic surgery (Para. 4): medical operations to improve the appearance of a part of someones body, either to repair an injury or to make them more attractive 整形外科手术；整容手术 Indian surgeons are best known for their great skill in plastic surgery.印度外科医生的整形外科技巧是非常有名的。It found that men were most likely to take suggestions about plastic surgery as an insult.调查结果发现，男人往往把对方提出要自己整容的建议视为对自己的污辱。13. Not because more people will get plastic surgery, he says, but because rejuvenating ones appearance will become integrated with the prevention and treatment of the aging processes that usually concern primary-care physicians and specialists. (Para. 4) The reason why people look much younger is not because they get medical operations, but because they combine looking younger with processes for preventing and treating aging. Usually this is the concern of primary-care physicians and specialists.not but : used after a negative for introducing what is true instead 不是而是His death was not a tragedy, but a release from pain and suffering.他的死不是悲剧，而是从疼痛和痛苦中的一种解脱。He stole, not because he wanted the money but because he liked stealing.他偷窃，并不是因为他需要钱，而是因为他喜欢偷窃。Not because he is rich, but because he is kind-hearted and filial, she marries him at last.她嫁给他不是因为他有钱，而是因为他善良又孝顺。rejuvenate: vt. make someone look or feel young and strong again 使（某人）变得年轻；使（某人）恢复活力The mountain air will rejuvenate you and help you forget all your troubles.山上的空气将使你变得年轻，并且帮助你忘了所有烦恼。To rejuvenate the nation, Chinas education must take an entirely new posture to meet the challenges of the 21st century through reform and innovation.为了实现国家的复兴，中国教育必须要以崭新的姿态迎接21世纪的挑战，走改革创新之路。integrate: vt. combine two or more things in order to make an effective system 使结合；使合并（成为有效的系统） integrated circuit 集成电路Care will also be taken to integrate the buildings with surrounding architecture. 还要注意将这些建筑与周边建筑融为一体。We should go a step further to integrate science and technology with economic development.我们应该进一步解决科技和经济结合的问题。v. join in the life and customs of a group or society, or to help someone do this 使融入（某群体或社会）；使打成一片The immigrants are not finding it easy to integrate into the life of our cities. 移民发现融入我们的城市生活并不简单。 We can not find the reason for the failure of such groups to integrate into modern urban society. 我们找不出这类群体未能融入现代都市社会的原因。aging: n. U process of growing old 变老；老化；变旧Aging is accompanied by a slow degeneration of his mental faculties.他随着年纪增长，智力逐渐衰退。 What he desired most, as an aging man and precarious actor, was respect rather than admiration.作为一个上了年纪的老人和日暮途穷的演员，他最希望得到的不是崇拜而是尊重。Note: primary-care: medical treatment and advice that you get in your local community from a doctor or nurse, rather than treatment from a specialist 基础护理，最初的保健护理（指从当地社区的医生或护士处得到的治疗和建议，而非专科医生的治疗）14. In 2050, Newbury Street will still be the center of the citys haute couture, but designers wont be limited to needles and thread. (Para. 5)In 2050, Newbury Street will still be the center of fashion of the city, but designers wont just use needles and thread to design clothes. 15. fashion (Para. 5): n. 1) C piece of clothing that is in the current mode 时装 Fashions have changed a lot since I was a little girl.现在的时装和我小时候流行的样子变化很大。Youll have to book early if you want to see that fashion show. 你要想看那场时装表演的话，就得早些预定座位。2) C style of dress that is popular at a particular time （衣服的）时新样式，流行款式 Platform sandals are this summers fashion. 厚底坡跟凉鞋是今夏的时尚。Mens fashions change more slowly than womens. 男式服装流行款式的变化比女式服装要慢。 3) U popular style of clothes, hair, behavior, etc. at a particular time, that is likely to change （衣服、头发等）流行样式；（行为等的）时髦；时尚 Changes in fashion come from changes in economic strength.时尚的变化来自于经济实力的变化。She always dresses in a very conservative way; she does not follow the latest fashion.她一直穿着很保守；她不追求时尚。vt. make something, often using a lot of skill or care 精工制作；精心制成 toy guns fashioned from bits of wood 用木头精心制成的玩具枪 Softley has fashioned a satisfying film out of Henry James novel. 索福特雷根据亨利詹姆斯的小说精心拍摄了一部令人满意的电影。 16. heat (Para. 5): v. make or become hot or warm 使热，使暖；变热，变暖 A large house like this must be expensive to heat. 为这样的大房子供暖花销一定很高。 If a metal bar is heated, the greater the heat applied, the larger the expansion. 若金属棒被加热，热量越高，它就越膨胀。17. And fashions made to order on the spot with the help of body-scan software will increasingly help designers cu