Language Point 1
It is a popular myth that great geniuses — the Einsteins, Picassos and Mozarts of this world — spring up out of nowhere as if touched by the finger of God. (Para.1)
Meaning: Most people mistakenly believe that great geniuses such as Einstein, Picasso and Mozart appear suddenly and unexpectedly and they seem as if they were created by God.
Language Point 2
…spring up out of nowhere… (Para.1)
spring up: appear or develop quickly and/or suddenly
For some unknown reason prickles sprang up all over her shoulders and down the length of both arms. 不知道什么原因，她的整个肩膀和两条胳膊突然感到刺痛。
Where a panel is composed of just two people, a direct rivalry may spring up about who is in charge. 如果一个讨论组只有两个人组成，就会出现谁来负责的直接竞争。
Language Point 3
…spring up out of nowhere… (Para.1)
out of nowhere: appear suddenly and unexpectedly
The thought swam into her mind out of nowhere and she felt vaguely guilty when she realised it was a great relief to have this excuse. 这个想法不知怎么冒了出来，当她意识到找这个借口是一种逃脱的时候，隐约感到内疚。
Unaccompanied children also cross this crossing and they are very vulnerable to vehicles which seem to appear out of nowhere. 没人陪伴的小孩也过这个十字路口。这时，他们很容易被不知道从哪儿冒出的车撞倒。
Language Point 4
…supposedly born into a family of manual workers, … ( Para.1)
supposedly: ad. according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)
He was supposedly delivering some papers to her but I think it was just an excuse to see her. 据说他正在给她送一些文章，但我认为这只是他想见她的借口。
In public they have to boast about the training revolution they are supposedly leading. 在公开场合他们不得不吹嘘据称是由他们领导的培训革命。
There is a supposedly simple explanation for what happened. 据说对发生的事有一个简单的解释。
Language Point 5
A professor who studies early learning has attacked this myth, … (Para. 2)
Meaning: A professor who specializes in the education of children at their early age has spoken strongly against this myth.
Language Point 6
… when he looked into Gauss's childhood, … (Para.2)
look into: examine
The Inquiry looked into the problem of understaffing in many colleges and tried to find a solution. 咨询机构调查了很多高校面临的人员配备不足的问题，并努力寻求解决的办法。
The case is being looked into; when we have anything to report we'll write to them. 案子正在调查中，如果有什么情况我们可以书面向他们报告。
Language Point 7
His father had supervised manual workers, not been one, … (Para. 2)
Meaning: His father had watched over manual workers to make certain they worked properly but he himself was not a manual worker, …
Language Point 8
His father had supervised manual workers, not been one, … (Para. 2)
supervise: v. watch over (an activity or job) to make certain that it is done correctly, or watch over (sb.) to make certain that they are behaving correctly or are safe
The UN is supervising the distribution of aid to those areas worst affected by the fighting. 联合国负责监督分配援助物资给受战争影响最严重的地区。
Her new job involves supervising the company's operation in Japan. 她的新工作包括监督公司在日本的经营业务。
The teachers take it in turn to supervise the children at playtime. 游戏时间内老师们轮流指导孩子们的活动。
Language Point 9
It is the same story with other geniuses. (Para.3)
Meaning: Einstein, Picasso and Mozart's growing-up stories are very similar to that of Gauss. It's environment not genes that creates a genius.
Language Point 10
…who fascinated his son… (Para.3)
fascinate: v. attract or interest sb. very much
I was fascinated by Charlotte's stories of life in Hollywood. 夏洛特在好莱坞生活的故事深深吸引了我。
He was fascinated to discover that they had both been born in the same town on the same day. 他饶有兴趣地发现他们两人是同一天在同一个镇上出生的。
Anything to do with aeroplanes and flying fascinates him.凡是跟飞机和飞行有关的东西都让他着迷。
Language Point 11
…with practical displays of physics. (Para.3)
display: n. an occasion or performance to show sth. happening, or a particular quality, feeling
There will be a big firework display for the President's birthday. 总统生日那天将有大型礼花表演。
The festival of Luchia is a dazzling display of the art, music and dance of an ancient culture. 露切亚节展示了令人眩目的古代艺术、音乐和舞蹈文化。
Language Point 12
" In every case, when you look into the backgrounds of great people, there is this pattern of very early stimulation by a parent or teacher figure," the professor says. (Para.3)
Meaning: Invariably, the professor says, when you closely examine the great people's backgrounds, there is always a parent or a person who serves as a teacher supporting and guiding them at a very early period.
Language Point 13
"…there is this pattern of very early stimulation by a parent or teacher figure," the professor says. (Para. 3)
stimulation: n. arousal, encouragement
Even as a child, he received powerful stimulation from his teachers. 甚至当他是个孩子时，他就从老师们那儿得到了巨大的激励。
Foreign travel can act as a great stimulation for the mind. 国外旅游能大大激发人们的新思路。
Economists have advised the government to reduce interest rates in order to give some kind of stimulation to the economy. 经济学家建议政府降低利率来刺激经济发展。
Language Point 14
There is plenty of evidence that, too often, pressure from parents results in children suffering fatigue rather than becoming geniuses. (Para.4)
Meaning: Much evidence points to the fact that, quite often, parental pressure leads not so much to a child's intelligence as to his tiredness.
Language Point 15
…suffering fatigue… (Para.4)
fatigue: n. a feeling of great tiredness
Symptoms of the illness include fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. 这种病的症状是发烧、疲劳和没有胃口。
Long hours spent in front of a computer screen can cause fatigue of the eye muscles. 长时间坐在电脑前会令眼部肌肉疲劳。
Increasing numbers of people in high positions are suffering from fatigue and stress-related illnesses. 越来越多担任高级职务的人感到劳累不堪，而且患有与压力有关的疾病。
Language Point 16
One study has identified two kinds of parent style… (Para. 4)
identify: v. discover or notice the existence of sth.; recognize sth. or sb.
After years of research scientists have identified the virus that is responsible for the disease. 经过多年研究，科学家们找到了引发该疾病的病毒。
Experts are examining the engine but the cause of the problem has not yet been identified. 专家们正在检查引擎，但是毛病还未找到。
The airline hopes that most of those who died in the crash will be identified by their families. 航空公司希望家属能辨认出大部分死于空难的人。
Language Point 17
Supportive parents were those who would go out of their way to help their children follow their favorite interests and praised whatever level of achievement resulted. (Para.5)
Meaning: Supportive parents were those who would make a special effort to help their children do whatever they find great interest in and praise even very small progress ever made.
Language Point 18
…who would go out of their way… (Para.5)
go out of one's way: make a special effort to help sb. even when this causes one difficulty or inconvenience
My friend goes out of his way to pick me up to play golf. 我的朋友特地来接我去打高尔夫球。
Jennifer went out of her way to help Vicky to feel comfortable in her new job. 詹尼弗想尽办法帮助维基适应新工作。
They really went out of their way to make us feel welcome. 他们确实是尽了全力让我们感受到欢迎。
Language Point 19
…steering them towards certain fields… (Para.5)
steer: v. take control of a situation and influence the way in which it develops
He's very good at steering the conversation so that we talk about him. 他很擅长引导谈话内容，因此我们谈起了他。
She has steered the company away from financial ruin. 她领导公司避免了财政危机。
He successfully steered the company onto a new course.他成功地将公司带上了新路。
Language Point 20
The children were given electronic devices; … (Para. 6)
Compare "device" with "devise"
device: n. new invention, means of doing sth.
devise: vt. invent
He invented a device for warning pilots when there was bad weather ahead. 他发明的一种装置可以在前方天气恶劣时向飞行员发出预警。
A device can be attached to a private telephone which keeps a record of all calls made and their cost. 有一种装置可以安装在私人电话上，记录所有打出去的电话和电话费用。
Anyone who can devise a means of recording television programs without recording the advertisements will make a fortune. 谁能创造一种办法在收录电视节目时不收录广告，谁就会发财。
He managed to devise a system of bonus payments to encourage hardworking staff. 他设计了一种奖金制度以激励工作努力的员工。
Language Point 21
…when these made a sound, they had to make a note of what they were doing and assess how happy and alert they felt. (Para.6)
Meaning: …when these made a sound, they had to write down /record what they were doing and make a judgment about how happy and watchful they felt.
Language Point 22
…when these made a sound, they had to make a note of what they were doing and assess how happy and alert they felt. (Para.6)
make a note of: record (sth. that one wishes to remember)
He made a mental note of the title.他记住了标题。
Will all members please make a note of the date of our next meeting? 请全体成员记下我们下次会议的日期。
I made a careful note of where I had left the bag, so as to be sure to find it on my return. 我仔细地记下了我把包放在哪儿，这样回来时肯定能找到它。
Compare:
take a note of, take note of
I'll just take a note of your name and address. 我要记下你的姓名和地址。
You should take note of what she tells you because she knows their strategy well. 你应该留意她对你说的话，因为她很清楚他们的策略。
Language Point 23
…and assess how happy and alert they felt. (Para.6)
assess: v.
1) make a judgement about the nature or quality of sb. or sth.
The booklet aims to help parents assess recent educational changes. 这本小册子的目标是帮助家长评估近来的教育变化。
This test provides an excellent way of assessing applicants' suitability. 这场考试是评估应聘者是否适应这份工作的很好的方法。
2) calculate the amount or value of sth.
I took the ring to the jeweller to have its value assessed. 我把戒指拿到珠宝商那儿去估价。
The total value of the painting is assessed at $20 million. 这幅画的总价估计是2,000万美元。
Language Point 24
…and assess how happy and alert they felt. (Para.6)
alert: a. able to think quickly; quick to notice things
An alert postman noticed two men breaking into the house. 一个警觉性很高的邮递员注意到了有两名男子正在闯入那幢房子。
After the recent bomb attacks, the public are being warned to be alert at all times and to look out for any suspicious packages. 炸弹袭击事件后，公众被提醒要时刻保持警惕，注意任何可疑邮件包裹。
v. warn sb. about a dangerous or urgent situation
When he realized that one engine was not working the pilot alerted air traffic control center. 当飞行员意识到一个引擎坏了时，他通知了空中交通管制中心。
n. a situation in which people are watching for danger and ready to deal with it
Security forces were on full alert against a possible terrorist attack. 安全部队对可能发生的恐怖袭击保持了高度警戒。
Language Point 25
The children who fared best… (Para.7)
fare: v. progress; get on
How did you fare in your exams? 你考试考得怎么样？
Low-paid workers will fare well under this government. 低收入的工人们在这届政府的任期里将会好起来。
Language Point 26
Children whose parents were stimulating without being supportive were candidates for fatigue. (Para.8)
Meaning: Children with demanding but impatient parents were most likely to get exhausted.
Language Point 27
…children pick up not only language skills… (Para.9)
pick up: get information or a skill by chance rather than by making a deliberate effort
I picked up quite a lot of Turkish when I was in Istanbul. 我在伊斯坦布尔时学到了不少土耳其语。
We need someone who'll pick the job up quickly. 我们需要一个能很快担当该工作的人。
Language Point 28
One reason why prodigies such as Picasso and Einstein had a head start in life was that they had parents who demonstrated how to think about subjects like art or physics at a very early age. (Para.9)
Meaning: One reason why exceptionally gifted people such as Picasso and Einstein had an advantage over others was that they had parents who show them how to think about subjects like art or physics since they were very young.
Language Point 29
…such as Picasso and Einstein had a head start in life… (Para.9)
have a head start: have an advantage over others in a particular activity, esp.
as a result of starting doing it before others
I had a head start in driving because my father was an instructor. 因为父亲是教开车的，我比别人在开车上起步要早。
Electronics is a very competitive business and the Japanese have a head start over us. 电子行业竞争非常激烈，日本已走在了我们前面。
Language Point 30
…who demonstrated how to think… (Para.9)
demonstrate: v.
1) show and explain how sth. works or how to do sth.
Always demonstrate to children the right way to cross the road safely. 要始终向孩子们示范如何安全地过马路。
President Bush was anxious to demonstrate that he had a strong foreign policy. 布什总统急于表明他的外交政策是强硬的。
2) take part in a public meeting or march, usu. as a protest or to show support for sth.
Thousands of workers and students demonstrated against U.S. involvement in the war. 成千上万的工人和学生游行示威，反对美国卷入战争。
Language Point 31
…but the fathers in question… (Para.10)
in question: under consideration; being talked about
The goods in question had been stolen. 该批货已被盗。
He was surprised to see the woman in question enter the shop. 看到那位被谈论的妇女走进商店，他感到很吃惊。
I stayed at home on the night in question. 人们谈到的那个晚上我待在家里。
Language Point 32
It is not just the time spent that counts, but also the way in which a parent talks. (Para.11)
Meaning: Not only the amount of time that a parent spent with his/her child that matters, but also the way he/ she talks to the latter.
Language Point 33
It is not just the time spent that counts, … (Para.11)
count: v. have value or importance; matter
I've always believed that happiness counts more than money. 我一直认为快乐比金钱更重要。
If people spoil their voting papers, their votes don't count. 如果选民把选票弄坏了，他们的投票就不算数了。
My opinion doesn't count for anything around here. 我的意见在这儿无足轻重。
Language Point 34
A parent who only gives a brief reply to a child's questions or gives dull answers will be passing on a negative, narrow-minded style of thinking. (Para.11)
Meaning: A parent only giving a short reply or unenlightening answers to a child's questions will be teaching a harmful thinking style that can restrict the child's mind.
Language Point 35
…will be passing on… (Para.11)
pass on:
1) give or leave to people who are younger or live later
These different abilities may be passed on through several generations. 这些不同的能力也许是通过几代人传下来的。
2) give sb. an illness, a message or information
Janet stayed at home for a couple of days because she didn't want to pass on her cold to anyone else. 珍妮特在家待了几天，她不想把感冒传给别人。
Could you pass on my thanks for all these lovely gifts? 你能不能代为表达我对这些可爱的礼物的谢意。
Language Point 36
…will cultivate an open and creative thinking style.(Para. 11)
cultivate: v. try to acquire or develop a relationship, an attitude, etc.; make the mind, feelings, etc. more educated and sensitive
They are cultivating relationships with these countries.他们正在同这些国家发展关系。
At this school we aim to cultivate the minds of all the children we teach.在这所学校里，我们力图陶冶所教学生的情操。
Language Point 37
…these children have an advantage over their peer group… (Para.12)
have an advantage over: be better, more effective, and more useful than sth. else
The fact that this computer is so simple to use means that it has an advantage over most other systems. 这台电脑使用起来很简便，这意味着它的操作系统比大多数其他电脑有优势。
Language Point 38
…their peer group… (Para.12)
peer: n. a person who is the same age or who has the same social status as you
Everyone wants to be successful in the eyes of their peers. 每个人都希望在同龄人的眼中是成功的。
At about three years old, children begin to take an interest in their peers. 孩子在三岁左右时开始对其他同龄的孩子感兴趣了。
Compare:
peer: v. look closely or carefully at sth., esp. when one cannot see it clearly
Roger peered into the dark corridor to see what was making the noise. 罗杰费力地向黑乎乎的长廊里张望，想看看是什么在发出噪音。
James peered at the writing on the picture as he was short-sighted. 詹姆斯费劲地看着画上的文字，因为他是个近视眼。
Language Point 39
Would such parents be guaranteed to have a genius as their child? (Para. 13)
Meaning: Would such parents be sure to have a genius as their child?
Language Point 40
… be guaranteed to have a genius… (Para.13)
guarantee: v. make sth. certain to happen
We guarantee that you won't lose your jobs when the company is taken over. 我们保证公司被接管后你们不会失业。
I can't guarantee the plan will work, but I'll give it a try. 我不能保证这项计划一定能行，但我愿意试试。
All of our food is guaranteed free of artificial preservatives.我们生产的所有食品保证不含人造防腐剂。
Our products are guaranteed to last for years.我们担保我们的产品经久耐用。
Language Point 41
…geniuses need to be lucky in both their genes and their parents. (Para. 14)
Meaning: …both genes and the environment in which a child lives play an important role in producing a genius.
Language Point 42
The most significant implication would seem to be that while most people are in a good position to fulfill their biological potential —barring serious illnesses or a poor diet during childhood — it is far from certain that they will grow up in an environment where that capacity will be developed. (Para.14)
Meaning: Biologically speaking, most people, except for those who are seriously ill or undernourished at a young age, would seem to be able to take good advantage of their genes. Most significantly, however, they can not be guaranteed to realize their genetic potential unless they're born into a family with both supportive and stimulating parents.
Language Point 43
The most significant implication would seem to be that…(Para. 14)
implication: n. a thing that is suggested or implied; a thing that is not openly stated
What are the implications of the new law? 新法律意味着什么？
I know that the company is cutting back its spending but I'm not sure what the implications are for our department. 我知道公司在削减开支，但我不能确定这对我们部门意味着什么。
From what she said I thought the implication was that they were splitting up. 根据她所说的，我认为她暗示他们要分手。
He blames me and, by implication, my whole family, for his unhappiness. 对他自己的不幸福，他责怪我，也含蓄地责怪我的全家。
This book has the crucial implication that understanding how one kind of animal develops will help us understand the development of all the others. 这本书有一个至关重要的含义，即了解一种动物生长发育的过程将帮助我们了解所有其他动物的生长。
Language Point 44
…while most people are in a good position to… (Para.14)
be in a (good) position to do: having enough authority or power to do
Only the president is in a position to order the release of the prisoners. 只有总统才能下令释放这些囚犯。
When I have read the whole report I shall be in a better position to comment. 读完整篇报告之后，我才能更好地作出评论。
Language Point 45
…barring serious illnesses… (Para.14)
barring: prep. unless, except
Barring bad weather, we will have a picnic tomorrow. 除非天气不好，我们明天将去野餐。
Barring the boss, we all went out for drinks on Friday. 除了老板，我们星期五都去喝酒了。
Nothing barring a major disaster can prevent her from becoming a main attraction — Barbara is a star in the ascendant. 除非发生什么大灾难，否则什么都不能阻碍她成为众人关注的焦点——芭芭拉是位正在走红的明星。
Language Point 46
…it is far from certain… (Para.14)
far from: not at all
We are far from happy with the results of the election. 我们对选举结果一点也不满意。
Jim, selfish? Far from it, he's terribly generous. 吉姆，自私？才不是呢，他非常慷慨。
Far from taking my advice, he did just what I had warned him against. 他非但不接受我的忠告，反而做了我曾警告他不要做的事。
Language Point 47
So although knowing more about the biology of genius is all very interesting, it is research into better parenting and educational techniques that will have lasting significance. (Para.15)
Meaning: Therefore, although it's quite interesting to know more about a genius's genetic makeup, it will be much more significant to study better parental stimulation and educational techniques.
