Language Point 1
...I was looking into skin cream that claimed to beat back the destruction that comes with age, … (Para. 1)
Meaning: …I was investigating skin cream that was said to be able to resist against the wrinkles resulting from the ageing process, …
Language Point 2
...I was looking into skin cream… (Para. 1)
look into: examine
A working party has been set up to look into the problem. 已成立一个特别工作组来调查该问题。
The police are looking into the past record of the man. 警察正在调查此人的档案。
Language Point 3
…beat back the destruction… (Para. 1)
beat back: force sb. or sth. to go back
The firemen beat back the blaze (= stopped it from spreading).消防队员控制了火势。
Three police officers beat back the intense heat and smoke from the fire and saved the children. 三名警官冒着大火的高温和浓烟，救出了孩子们。
Compare:
beat: v.
1) to beat sth. that is going to happen is to take action before the thing happens
Let's try to beat the traffic problems by leaving early in the morning. 为了避免交通堵塞，我们早晨尽量早点出发吧。
2) defeat sb. in a game or competition
Their recent wins have proved they're still the ones to beat (= the most difficult team to beat). 他们最近的胜利证明他们队仍然是最难对付的。
Language Point 4
…her worries poured out. (Para. 1)
Meaning: …she expressed all her worries eagerly.
Language Point 5
…her worries pour out (Para. 1)
pour out: tell; express (feelings or sb.'s words) quickly or eagerly
Wave after wave of pent-up emotion poured out. 郁积已久的情感波涛般地滚滚而出。
The whole story then came pouring out. 整个故事随后一倾而出。
She poured out her troubles to me over a cup of coffee. 她边喝咖啡边向我倾吐她的烦恼。
My friend poured her fears out to me over the long-distance call. 我的朋友打长途电话向我倾诉她的恐惧。
Language Point 6
Fingering her beautiful but finely-lined features, she explained that, although she knew her discovery had more to do with the shock resulting from the sudden end of a six-year relationship than early ageing, she just had to do something about it. (Para. 1)
Meaning: While touching her beautiful but slightly-wrinkled face with her fingers, she explained that she knew these wrinkles were more connected with the shock caused by the sudden end of a six-year relationship than with early ageing, but she just had to take some measure for it.
Language Point 7
Fingering her beautiful but finely-lined features, … (Para. 1)
finger: v.
1) touch or feel sth. with the fingers
Gary sat fingering his beard, saying nothing. 加里坐在那里手捻着胡子，一言不发。
Fingering her suntanned face, Mary regretted exposing herself too much to the sun. 玛丽摸着晒黑的脸后悔晒太阳太多。
2) accuse sb. of doing sth. illegal
The victim fingered the suspect as one of the killers. 受害者指认该嫌疑犯正是凶手之一。
Who fingered him for the burglaries? 谁指认过他入室盗窃？
Language Point 8
…her discovery had more to do with the shock resulting from the sudden end of a six-year relationship than early ageing, … (Para. 1)
have /be to do with: have a connection with; concern (sth. or sb.)
The rise in prices has to do with the increased cost of oil. 物价的上涨与石油成本上扬有关。
It is clear that there must be some aspects of language learning which have to do with learning habits related to a particular culture. 很显然，语言学习有一些方面肯定和某种相关文化的学习习惯有关。
I had nothing to do with their decision. 他们的决定与我无关。
His book is to do with human behaviour. 他的书是关于人类行为的。
Language Point 9
…to renew herself, … (Para. 2)
Meaning: …to start her new life with a new look, …
Language Point 10
…to renew herself, … (Para. 2)
renew: v. begin sth. again after a pause or an interruption
The army renewed its assault on the capital. 军队再次发起对首都的攻击。
We have to renew our efforts to attract young players. 我们还要继续努力来吸引年轻选手。
The annual dinner is a chance to renew acquaintance with old friends. 每年举行的聚餐是一次与老朋友联络感情的机会。
I hope that the decision to give me the Nobel Peace Prize will encourage all those who pursue the cause of peace to renew their efforts with a spirit of optimism and strength. 我希望颁发给我诺贝尔和平奖的决定将激励所有追求和平事业的人本着乐观主义的精神和意志力继续奋斗。
Language Point 11
…I thought the claims of such miracle cures were ridiculous. (Para. 2)
Meaning: …I believed that claims made by these so called wonderful cures that they could beat back the destruction resulting from ageing were unreasonable and deserved to be laughed at.
Language Point 12
When it comes to beauty who wants to know the truth? (Para. 2)
Meaning: As far as beauty is concerned, no one wants to know the truth; instead, they want to hide and cover the truth.
Language Point 13
When it comes to beauty who wants to know the truth? (Para. 2)
when it comes to sth.: as far as sth. is concerned
When it comes to computers and Internet, students all become excited，each eager to say something about their experience. 谈到计算机和因特网，学生们都很兴奋，急切地想说出自己的体会。
When it comes to mathematics, my son feels confident, whereas when it comes to Chinese, he feels frustrated. 提起数学我儿子很有信心，而对于中文则感到灰心。
When it comes to make-up, I'm absolutely convinced that cosmetics are the greatest protector of the skin yet devised. 提起化妆，我绝对相信化妆品是迄今为止发明出来的最好的保护皮肤的东西。
Language Point 14
Our ability to believe what we want to has, in the past, made life easy for the beauty industry. (Para. 3)
Meaning: In the past, our belief that we are able to hold ageing back has rendered the beauty industry an easy existence.
Language Point 15
Fuelled by the immense value attached to youth, it has made millions out of vacant promises of renewing faces and bodies. (Para. 3)
Meaning: The importance that youth is believed to have has made the beauty industry develop rapidly and it has made millions of dollars out of empty promises of renewing faces and bodies.
Language Point 16
Fuelled by the immense value… (Para. 3)
fuel: v. supply sth. with material that can be burnt to produce heat or power; make sth. stronger
Uranium is used to fuel nuclear plants. 铀被用作核电站的燃料。
Higher salaries helped to fuel inflation. 调高工资助长了通货膨胀。
The pool building boom is fueled by many things. 修建游泳池的热潮是由许多因素引起的。
The feeling of false prosperity may help to fuel demand and inflation. 人们对虚假繁荣的感觉可以帮助刺激需求和通货膨胀。
Language Point 17
…attached to youth, … (Para. 3)
attach to:
1) believe that sth. is important or worth thinking about
I attach great importance to this research. 我认为该研究很重要。
The experts wouldn't attach too much weight to these findings. 专家们对这些发现不太看重。
The enormous importance people attached to these issues seems eventually to have encouraged the parties to address them in a more practical way. 人们对这些问题的极大重视似乎最终促使各方用更切合实际的方式来解决它们。
2) fasten or join one thing to another
I attach a copy of my notes to the letter for your information. 我在信中附了一份我的说明供你参考。
They have attached a number of conditions to the agreement. 他们给协议附加了一系列条件。
Language Point 18
…vacant promises… (Para. 3)
vacant: a.
1) having no real value or meaning
vacant promises 空洞的许诺
2) empty, not being used
Sometimes an additional flat is vacant for visiting family or friends from a distance who wish to stay overnight. 有时，另一套房子是空着的，用来接待那些远道而来打算过夜的亲朋好友。
There is a room vacant, as it happens. 事实是有间空房间。
3) the situation of a position available for sb. to take
When the post finally fell vacant, they offered it to Frank. 当该岗位最终有空缺时，他们把它给了弗兰克。
Language Point 19
To give skin care scientific authority, beauty counters have now stolen a thin covering of respectability from the hospital clinic. (Para. 3)
Meaning: In order to make skin care scientifically authorized, beauty counters have imitated the way the hospital clinics conduct their business.
Language Point 20
Sales staff in white coats “diagnose” skin types on “computers” and blind customers with the science of damaged molecules and DNA repair. (Para. 3)
Meaning: Sales clerks wearing white coats identify the customers' skin types on computers and fool customers unaware of the truth with the science of damaged molecules and DNA repair.
Language Point 21
… “diagnose” skin types…(Para. 3)
diagnose: v. say exactly what an illness or the cause of a problem is
Just imagine the stress and pressure that many people and their families experience when AIDS or HIV is first diagnosed. 想象一下当艾滋病或艾滋病毒最初被诊断出来的时候，病人和他们的家庭所承受的压力。
He has recently been diagnosed with rheumatism. 最近他刚刚被诊断患有风湿病。
Compare:
diagnosis: n. the act of discovering or identifying the exact cause of an illness or a problem
They are waiting for the doctor's diagnosis. 他们在等待医生的诊断。
An accurate diagnosis was made after a series of tests. 确切的诊断终于在经过一系列化验后得出。
Language Point 22
Providing the “drugs” for this game, the industry has created new skin therapies… (Para. 3)
Meaning: By giving the “drugs” in its plan to attract more customers, the beauty industry has invented new skin treatments… The word “game” here means a way of behaving in which a person uses a particular plan, usually in order to gain an advantage for himself or herself.
Language Point 23
…the industry has created new skin therapies … (Para. 3)
therapy: n. the treatment of a physical problem or an illness
Most patients undergo some sort of drug therapy for leukemia. 大多数病人患了白血病要经过药物治疗。
The people should be offered relaxation therapy and stress management, and advice on diet and exercise. 这些人应该接受放松疗法和压力控制，以及一些关于饮食和运动的建议。
The next stage in the economic shock therapy will be freeing energy prices. 经济休克疗法的下一步将是放开能源价格。
Language Point 24
… don't just sit on the surface but actually interact with the cells. (Para. 3)
interact with: have an effect on (sth. else or one another)
Some bacteria's genes interact with those of many plants. 一些细菌的基因和许多植物的基因相互作用，相互影响。
Certain vitamins will interact closely with calcium ions. 某些维生素会与钙离子发生密切的相互作用。
It is only after the child has interacted with the external world that the construction of language as abstract reference becomes feasible at a sufficiently sophisticated level. 只有当孩子接触外部世界后，作为抽象指代的语言结构才会在相当复杂的层面上变得切实可行。
Language Point 25
The increasingly exaggerated claims made by manufacturers about their products' ability to get rid of wrinkles have worried doctors. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Doctors are worried about the fact that the manufacturers have increasingly overstated their products' function to remove wrinkles.
Language Point 26
The increasingly exaggerated claims…(Para. 4)
exaggerate: v. make sth. seem longer, better, worse or more important than it really is
The hotel was really filthy and I'm not exaggerating. 这家旅馆真脏，我一点都不夸张。
Demand for satellite television has been greatly exaggerated. 对卫星电视的需求被极大地夸大了。
Compare:
exaggerated: a. made to seem larger, better, worse or more important than it really is or needs to be; done in a way that makes people notice it
She has an exaggerated sense of her own importance. 她自认为重要得不得了。
He looked at me with exaggerated surprise. 他带着夸张的惊讶神色望着我。
Language Point 27
The advertisements declare that active ingredients stimulate cells deep in the skin's layers to divide, so replacing old cells and effectively renewing the skin. (Para. 4)
Meaning: According to the advertisements, active ingredients can stimulate cells deep in the skin's layers to divide, so substituting old cells and successfully renewing the skin.
Language Point 28
The advertisements declare that active ingredients stimulate cells deep in the skin's layers to divide… (Para. 4)
ingredient: n.
1) (usu. pl.) things used to make sth.
The list of ingredients included 500g of sugar and 200ml of cream. 清单上列出的成分包括500克糖和200毫升的奶油。
What ingredients do you need for this cake beside flour and sugar? 除了面粉和糖，做这种蛋糕还需要什么原料？
Importing the ingredients through wholesalers has not been a problem. 通过批发商进口原料还不是什么问题。
2) one of essential parts of a certain situation
A subtle mind and a firm editorial hand were essential ingredients in the success of The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich, first published in 1950. 敏锐的思想和稳健的社论式文笔是E.H.冈布里奇的作品《艺术的故事》在1950年首次出版时成功的根本因素。
Trust is an essential ingredient in a successful marriage. 信任是成功婚姻的基本要素。
Language Point 29
…ingredients stimulate cells deep in the skin's layers…(Para. 4)
stimulate: v.
1) make sth. develop or become more active; encourage sth.
The exhibition has stimulated interest in her work. 展览激发了人们对她工作的兴趣。
In the event of the horse being stimulated, perhaps by a strange noise or object, the muscles around the mouth will be contracted, resulting in tightened lips. 如果马受了陌生的噪音或物体的刺激，它嘴部周围的肌肉将会收缩，导致双唇绷紧。
The article can be used to stimulate discussion among students. 这篇文章可以用来激起学生的讨论。
2) make sb. interested and excited about sth.
Parents should give children books that stimulate them. 家长应该送给孩子能启发心智的书籍。
The international conference stimulated him to study the subject in more depth. 这次国际会议激励着他更加深入地研究该课题。
Curiosity about animal behavior was greatly stimulated by the publication of
The Origin of Species (1859). 《物种起源》（1859）这本书的出版大大激发了人们对动物行为的好奇心。
Language Point 30
If normal cells can be stimulated to divide, then abnormal ones could also be prompted to multiply, so causing or accelerating skin cancer. (Para. 5)
Meaning: If the statement that normal cells can be stimulated to divide is accepted as true, then the statement must also be accepted as true that those cells that are not normal could also be caused to reproduce and increase, so causing or quickening skin cancer.
Language Point 31
If normal cells can be stimulated to divide, then abnormal ones could also be prompted to multiply, … (Para. 5)
if… then: This structure is used to say when the first of the two statements is accepted as true, then the second statement must also be accepted as true.
If the answer is “yes”, then we must decide on an appropriate course of action. 如果回答是肯定的，那么我们必须决定恰当的做法。
“John is the best basketball player in our club.” “Nonsense! If John is our best player, then I'm Yao Ming!” “约翰是我们俱乐部里最好的篮球选手！”“胡说！如果约翰是我们的最好选手，那么我就是姚明了。”
Language Point 32
… then abnormal ones could also be prompted to multiply, so causing or accelerating skin cancer. (Para. 5)
abnormal: a. different from what is usual or average, esp. in a way that is not desirable
By carrying out a smear test, doctors can detect the abnormal cells that might become cancerous in time and then treat them easily and simply. 通过用显微镜观察涂片，医生们能发现那些可能致癌的反常细胞，然后轻而易举地对付它们。
Many parents thought at that time it was abnormal for a boy to be interested in ballet. 那时，许多父母认为一个男孩对芭蕾感兴趣是不正常的。
We had rather abnormal weather last year.去年的天气相当反常。
Language Point 33
…then abnormal ones could also be prompted to multiply, so causing or accelerating skin cancer. (Para. 5)
prompt: v. make sb. decide to do sth.; cause sth. to happen
The discovery of the bomb prompted an increase in security. 发现炸弹后保安措施大大加强了。
His speech prompted an angry outburst from a man in the crowd. 他的演讲引起人群中一人愤怒的大喊。
The thought of her daughter's wedding day prompted her to lose some weight. 想到要参加女儿的结婚典礼，她决定减减肥。
The hastily arranged visit has been prompted by growing concern in Russia over the state of economic ties between the two countries. 这次仓促安排的访问缘于俄罗斯国内对两国经济关系状况越来越多的关注。
Language Point 34
…be prompted to multiply, so causing or accelerating skin cancer. (Para. 5)
multiply: v.
1) increase or make sth. increase very much in number or amount
Poor irrigation, transport, education, and medicine multiplied the chances of disaster for the peasants. 不良的灌溉和运输条件，以及贫乏的教育和医疗状况，都增加了农民们受灾的可能性。
Cigarette smoking multiplies the risk of cancer. 吸烟增加患癌症的危险。
2) reproduce in large numbers
Rabbits multiply rapidly.兔子繁殖很快。
It is possible to multiply these bacteria in the laboratory. 在实验室繁殖这些细菌是可能的。
Language Point 35
…be prompted to multiply, so causing or accelerating skin cancer. (Para. 5)
accelerate: v. happen or make sth. happen faster or earlier than expected
Inflation continued to accelerate. 通货膨胀还在持续加速。
Exposure to the sun can accelerate the ageing process.曝晒于太阳之下会加速衰老过程。
This process has accelerated in the last 20 years of the 20th century and, we argue, reached completion in the first 2 years of the 21st century. 我们认为这一进程在20世纪的最后20年内加快了速度，而在21世纪的前两年完成了。
Language Point 36
A new arrival on the anti-wrinkle front… (Para. 5)
Meaning: A newly-manufactured product for removing wrinkles…
Language Point 37
…it contains extracts of fish, marine plants, and shrimp shells, … (Para. 6)
Meaning: …it contains substances obtained from fish, sea plants and shrimp shells, …
Language Point 38
But can shrimp shells really do the trick with wrinkles? (Para. 7)
Meaning: But can shrimp shells really be effective in removing wrinkles?
Language Point 39
But can shrimp shells really do the trick with wrinkles? (Para. 7)
do the trick: succeed in solving a problem or achieving a particular result
I don't know what it was that did the trick, but I am definitely feeling much better. 我不知道到底是什么起了作用，但我确确实实感觉好多了。
Another turn of the pliers would do the trick. 再转动一次钳子就好了。
Language Point 40
…a different doctor who specializes in the study of the skin is unimpressed by the data… (Para. 9)
Meaning: …another doctor who is a specialist in skin study does not think that the data is particularly good or interesting…
Language Point 41
…one in which any studies can be published for a fee. (Para. 9)
Meaning: …one magazine in which any studies can be published after a sum of money is submitted.
Language Point 42
Such controversy is a familiar ground to Brian Newman, … (Para. 10)
Meaning: Such controversy is a familiar subject to Brian Newman, …
Language Point 43
In no way discouraged, … (Para. 10)
Meaning: Not discouraged at all, …
Language Point 44
In no way discouraged, … (Para. 10)
in no way: by no means
We can in no way allow this to continue. 我们决不能允许这件事再继续下去。
The football players have tried their best: they are in no way to blame. 足球运动员已经尽了最大努力，他们决不应该受到责备。
In no way did I wish to diminish the importance of these services or the importance of the people who worked in them. 我决不想贬低这些服务业或其从业人员的重要性。
Language Point 45
Sadly, youth and beauty have become the currency of our society, buying popularity and opportunity. (Para. 11)
Meaning: It is sad that youth and beauty have become value-attached and can be used to buy popularity and opportunity in our society.
Language Point 46
The value of age and experience is denied, and women in particular feel the threat that the visible changes of ageing bring. (Para. 11)
Meaning: When the value of age and experience is no longer taken into consideration, and people, especially women, feel that the apparent changes caused by growing old will threaten them.
Language Point 47
The value of age and experience is denied, … (Para. 11)
deny: v.
1) refuse to admit or accept sth.
She denied all knowledge of the incident. 她否认了解这起事件。
The department denies responsibility for what has happened. 该部门拒绝对所发生的事情负责。
2) refuse to allow sb. to have sth. that they want or ask for
The students complained that they were denied access to the computers. 学生们抱怨不允许他们使用计算机。
Justice must not be denied to anyone, however poor he may be.任何人均应受到公平待遇，无论其如何贫穷。
Language Point 48
…and women in particular feel the threat… (Para.11)
in particular:
1) especially or particularly
He loves Brazilian football players in particular. 他尤其喜欢巴西足球队员。
Foreign friends love Chinese food in particular. 外国朋友尤其喜爱中国食物。
For present purposes, three items in particular merit comment. 就当前的目的而言，有三点尤其值得评论。
2) special or specific
Is there anything in particular you'd like for dinner? 你正餐想要点什么特别的？
She directed the question at no one in particular. 她提的问题并未针对某个具体的人。
Language Point 49
But as a woman's power is still strongly perceived to be tied up with the ability to bear children, ageing demonstrates to the world her decline, her uselessness for her primary function. (Para. 11)
Meaning: But because woman's power is still firmly believed to be linked with the ability to give birth to children, ageing shows openly to the public that her main function is failing and becoming useless.
Language Point 50
But as a woman's power is still strongly perceived to be tied up with the ability to bear children, … (Para. 11)
perceive: v. come to an opinion about (sth.), or have a belief about (sth.)
This magazine is often perceived to be superficial. 这本杂志经常被认为很肤浅。
I perceived him to be a rather shy sort of man. 我以为他是个很腼腆的人。
How do the French perceive the British? 法国人是如何看待英国人的？
They are likely to do so only if the perceived benefits exceed the expected costs. 只有当可知利益超出预期花费时，他们才可能这么做。
Language Point 51
But as a woman's power is still strongly perceived to be tied up with the ability to bear children, … (Para. 11)
be tied up with: be connected or linked to sth. else
Her behaviour is tied up with her feelings of guilt. 她的行为举止和她的负罪感有联系。
His state of depression isn't just because of the job — it's tied up with his home life. 他的沮丧不仅仅源于工作；这也和他的家庭生活有关。
Language Point 52
…ageing demonstrates to the world her decline, her uselessness for her primary function. (Para. 11)
demonstrate: v. show sth. clearly by giving proof or evidence
These results demonstrate convincingly that our publicity campaign is working. 这些结果令人信服地表明我们的宣传活动见了成效。
His sudden departure had demonstrated how unreliable he was. 他的突然离去表明他是多么不可靠。
Language Point 53
Wrinkles are symbolic of the decline of her ability to reproduce. (Para. 11)
Meaning: Wrinkles mean that they are losing the ability to bear children.
Language Point 54
Wrinkles are symbolic of the decline…(Para. 11)
symbolic: a. containing symbols, or being used as a symbol
He shook his fist in a symbolic gesture of defiance. 他晃动拳头以示挑衅。
The Channel Tunnel has enormous symbolic significance for a united Europe. 英吉利海峡海底隧道对于统一的欧洲具有极大的象征意义。
The gesture was a strong symbolic expression of dissatisfaction felt by growing numbers of people at the threat to the future of the African elephant. 这个手势代表着越来越多的人所感受到的对非洲象将来所受威胁的强烈不满。
Language Point 55
While the media continues to show men of all ages alongside young, smooth-skinned women as a vision of success, women will go on investing in pots of worthless rubbish. (Para. 12)
Meaning: If the media continues to show successful men of different ages in company with young and smooth-skinned women as an image of success, women will go on spending lots of money buying these useless things.
Language Point 56
…a vision of success, … (Para.12)
vision : n.
1) an idea or a picture in one's imagination
He had a vision of a world in which there would be no wars. 他构想了一个没有战争的世界。
The word conjures up visions of home and family. 这个单词让我们忆起家和亲人。
2) the ability to see; the area that can be seen from a particular position
The couple moved outside her field of vision. 那对夫妇消失在她的视野之外。
He glimpsed something on the edge of his vision. 他的视线余光瞥见了某样东西。
Language Point 57
…investing in pots of worthless rubbish. (Para.12)
invest in: spend money on sth. in order to make it better or more successful
The government has invested heavily in public transport. 政府已大力投资公共交通。
Too much hope, too much sacrifice, has been invested in it. 对这件事我们寄予了太多的希望，付出了过多的牺牲。