Language Point 1
Saturday, April 7 (Para. 1)
Notice that the date shows that the following is a piece of diary. Students are advised to pay close attention to the diary form, especially the tense that is used to describe the events of the day.
Language Point 2
Steve and I hauled trash for four solid hours continuously, except for about five minutes when we stopped to talk. (Para. 2)
Meaning: Steve and I carried trash for four full hours continuously, during which we only stopped to have a chat for about five minutes.
haul: vt. pull with effort
The man hauled the big fish into the boat. 渔民将那条大鱼拖进船里。
solid: a. without breaks
I read the novel for three solid hours. 这小说我读了整整三个小时。
continuously: ad. without a stop
He boasted about his new car almost continuously since he came into the office. 他进办公室后几乎一直在吹嘘他的新车。
Language Point 3
My shoulder hurt wickedly each time I put another full barrel on it, and my legs occasionally trembled as I was heading to the street. (Para. 2)
Meaning: Each time when I put another full barrel of trash on my shoulder, it hurt me badly, and sometimes my legs even shook as I was walking to the street.
wickedly: ad. badly, very intensely
The story is wickedly funny. 这故事非常有趣。
My back aches wickedly. 我的背痛得厉害。
tremble: vi. shake uncontrollably
He trembled with fear. 他害怕得发抖。
He felt the earth tremble under him. 他觉得脚下的大地在震动。
head to: go to
Which classroom are you heading to? 你到哪个教室去？
Language Point 4
But the rest of me said, "Go, trashman, go." (Para. 2)
Meaning: But my mind told me: "Keep going, trashman. Don't stop."
Language Point 5
I could not have imaged there would be joy in this. (Para. 3)
Meaning: In the very beginning, I didn't see in my mind or picture that there would be joy in the job.
Please notice the subjunctive mood used in the sentence.
image: vt. make a copy of the form of something; make picture of; see in the mind
Try to image being on the moon. 设想一下在月球上会是怎么个样子。
Can you image a world without wars and fighting? 你能设想一个没有战争、没有冲突的世界吗？
It is hard to image a society without law. 很难设想一个没有法律的社会会是个什么样子。
image: n. a copy of object(s); mental picture of an object
I cannot make an image of that old novel in my mind. 这本小说在我脑海里的印象已不深了。
He is the very imag of his father. 他的长相酷似他父亲。
Language Point 6
Dump. (Para. 3)
dump: vt. drop carelessly, throw away
They kept dumping their garbage in the woods until the local police came. 警察到来之前， 他们一直在往树林里倒拉圾。
The factories dumped so much waste material into the rivers that the water became polluted. 这些工厂把那么多的废物排入河中，以致于河水受到了污染。
dump: n. place for dumping waste垃圾场
Language Point 7
Saturday meant most adults were at home on the route. (Para. 4)
Meaning: On Saturdays I saw fewer people on the road because most adults were at home as they didn't need to go out for work.
route: n. way from one place to another
What route do I take to Rome? 到罗马我该走哪条路？
The route is dangerous for a car in winter. 冬天在这条路上开车是危险的。
Language Point 8
I thought this might mean more exchanges as I made the rounds today. (Para. 4)
Meaning: I thought their staying at home might provide more chances for exchanging
greetings as I went around collecting trash from door to door today.
make the rounds (also do or go the rounds): visit a number of people or places, usually in an established order
Whenever we go back to the place my wife was born, we always have to make the rounds of her relatives. 每次去我妻子的老家，我们都得一家一家地走亲戚。
In hospitals, night nurse are making their usual rounds. 医院里，值夜班的护士正在例行查房。
The guard makes the rounds of the building. 看守人在房子周围来回查看。
Language Point 9
Many people were out-doors working in their gardens or greenhouses. (Para. 4)
greenhouse: n. glass building for growing plants
He works in his greenhouse on Sundays. 在星期天，他在他的温室里工作。
Language Point 10
Most looked approachable enough. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Most of them seem friendly and easy to talk to.
approachable: a. easy to approach and talk to
He is so friendly and approachable that you can talk to him at any time. 他很友好、平易近人，你随时可以和他交谈。
Language Point 11
There wasn't time for lengthy talks but enough to exchange greetings that go with civilized ways. (Para. 4)
Meaning: There was no time to talk long but enough time to exchange some warm greetings in order to show you've got good behavior.
go with: match, suit
These white shoes don't go with your black suit. 这双白色鞋子和那件黑色西服颜色不相配。
She is shopping for a new diamond to go with her ring. 她在购买一粒新钻石以配到她的戒指上。
civilize: vt. bring from a lower stage of development to a very developed stage of social
organization
It takes years to civilize a racial war area. 使一个有种族冲突的地区接受文明，需要多年的时间。
I believe a civilized man has good manners. 我相信文明的人必定行为举止有礼貌。
Language Point 12
That is where I got my shock. (Para. 5)
Meaning: I got surprised when I tried to greet people.
Language Point 13
I said hello in quite a few yards before the message registered that this wasn't normally done. (Para. 6)
Meaning: When I said hello to them, in the many yards around the homes where I collected garbage, people's nonverbal responses lead me to understand that I shouldn't have spoken to them.
"The message" here refers to "that this wasn't normally done". The response the greeted people made to his greetings helped him to understand that he was doing something other garbagemen never did and were not expected to do. This can be seen from what follows in the next sentences and paragraphs.
register: vt. 1) record, show, make mental note of
The earthquake registered 5.3 points on the Richter scale. 这次地震是里氏五点三级。
That he left the city registered his negative attitude toward it. 他离开这个城市表明他不喜欢这里。
2) write in a list or record 登记
Visitors are asked to register their names on the book. 请来客在簿子上签名。
All students have to register before the beginning of the new school year. 在新学年开始之前，所有学生都要登记注册。
Language Point 14
...who looked me in the eye... (Para. 6)
Meaning: ...who looked straight at me without blinking
Please notice that the phrase here shows that people are cold in their attitudes toward "I" , regarding him as a completely strange fellow.
look someone in the eye: look straight at someone without blinking and without showing feeling; look straight into someone's face
He looked her in the eye but said nothing. 他看着她的眼睛，一言不发。
Language Point 15
I felt human then. (Para. 6)
Meaning: I felt that I was a human being, not an animal of some sort.
Language Point 16
But most often the response was either nothing at all, or a surprised stare because I had spoken. (Para. 6)
Meaning: But in most cases people didn't say anything in return, or they simply stared at me, feeling surprised at my greeting.
response: n. a reply; an action done in answer
It seems that the child has some difficulties in making responses. 看来这个小孩在作反应方面有困难。
The study of behavior of every kind is a study of responses to situations and events. 对各种行为的研究实际上是对各种环境和事件反应能力的研究。
Language Point 17
At the sound of my greeting, she gathered her housecoat tightly about her and retreated quickly indoors. (Para. 7)
Meaning: When she heard my greeting, she was in a sort of shock and pulled her housecoat tightly around her and quickly returned back into the house.
Language Point 18
At the sound of my greeting, ...(Para. 7)
at the sound of...: when I heard ...
At the sound of steps, the chief ran away. 听到脚步声，小偷逃走了。
At the sound of the train, the children jumped with joy, as they knew they could see their father soon. 听到火车声，孩子们欣喜雀跃，因为他们知道很快能见到他们的父亲了。
Language Point 19
...and retreated quickly indoors. (Para. 7)
retreat: vi. move back, especially when forced; escape
The major decided to retreat because his men did not have enough arms to fight on. 上校决定撤退，因他没有足够的武器打下去。
They retreated from the flood to the top of a hill. 他们从洪水中撤退，退到一个小山顶上。
A brave man will not retreat from the real world. 勇敢的人不逃避现实。
indoors: ad. inside a building
Please take care that "indoor" is an adjective.
We play many sports indoors, but baseball is not an indoor sport. 许多运动项目是在室内进行的，但垒球不是一项室内运动。
They carried the benches indoors as it was raining outside. 外面下雨了，他们把凳子搬进屋里。
Language Point 20
Steve raged spontaneously about these things on the long ride to the dump. (Para. 8)
Meaning: Steve could not restrain him out of control anger and talked angrily about these things on the long way to the dump.
rage: vi. talk with out of control anger
He began to rage against his bad luck. 他开始愤愤地叙说自己的倒霉事儿。
n. (sudden feeling of) severe anger 狂怒
He flew into a rage. 他勃然大怒。
Joan's bad behavior sent her mother into a rage.琼的粗暴无礼令他母亲极为生气。
In a fit of rage, he broke the valuable glass.盛怒之下，他把贵重的杯子摔破了。
spontaneously: ad that happens in a natural way
Classmates should be spontaneously warm or friendly toward each other. 同班同学相互间应该真心地热情和友好。
The crowd burst into cheers spontaneously at the skilled play. 由于表演精彩，人群中爆发出了喝彩声。
Language Point 21
The way most people look at you, you'd think a trashman was a monster. (Para. 9)
Meaning: Judging from the way most people look at you, you would think that a trashman was no human but a huge, ugly animal.
Notice that "the way" introduces a clause.
The way he works, you'd think he is a master. 看他工作的样子，你会以为他是个专家。
monster: strange usually large and frightening animal
A cow with two heads is a real monster. 长着两个头的牛真是个怪物。
Language Point 22
Say hello and they stare at you in surprise. They don't realize we're human. (Para. 9)
Meaning: When you say hello to them, they get surprised and stare at you with no words at all. They don't realize that we are human just like them.
Language Point 23
One lady put ashes in her trashcan. (Para. 10)
ash : n. matter left when something has been burnt
The ash from his cigarette fell on the floor. 香烟上的烟灰掉到地上。
After the big fire in the village, nothing remained but ashes. 村子里发生了一场大火后，只剩下一片灰烬。
Language Point 24
Who are you to say what goes? You're nothing but a trashman. (Para. 10)
Meaning: How dare you say I should not put the ashes in the trashcan? You are only a trashman.
Who are you to say ...: What right do you have to say ...
Who are you to say what I shall do? 你有什么权利说我该干什么？
Please notice that this expression is very challenging and usually said in anger.
Language Point 25
Listen, lady, I've got an I.Q. of 137, ... (Para. 10)
I.Q.: intelligence quotient (This is a psychological term. )
An I.Q. of 137 is a high level of mental ability. 137的智商是高智商。
Language Point 26
...and I graduated near the top of my high school class. (Para. 10)
graduate: v. complete one's studies and receive a certificate or diploma
He graduated in English language and literature from London University. 他毕业于伦敦大学英语语言文学专业。
Language Point 27
... but my wife's folks don't. (Para. 11)
Meaning: ... but my wife's relatives don't.
folk: n. one's relatives
You can refer to your close family, especially your mother and father, as your folks. 你可以把你的家人，尤其是父母，说成是你的亲属。
a. of or having to do with the common people, their beliefs, stories, customs, and the like 民间的，民俗的
folk culture 民俗文化
folk music 民间音乐
folk dance 民间舞蹈
folk art 民间艺术
Language Point 28
I believe we're doing a service people need, like being a police officer or a fire fighter.(Para. 11)
Meaning: I believe we're doing a service people need. It's no different from being a police officer or a fire fighter.
Language Point 29
I'm not ashamed of it, but I don't go around boasting about it either. (Para. 11)
Meaning: Although I don't feel embarrassed or shame about my job, I don't go around telling people that I'm very proud of it.
be ashamed of: feel embarrassed or shame about
I feel ashamed of myself for making such a silly mistake. 犯了这样的低级错误，我感到惭愧。
People should feel ashamed of polluting their environment. 人们应该为污染环境而感到内疚。
boast about (also boast of): speak too proudly of
It's disgusting to hear him boasting about his new car. 听他吹嘘他的新车真让人恶心。
Language Point 30
A friend of my wife yelled at her kids one day ...(Para. 12)
yell: vi. shout out
Don't yell at me. It's not my fault. 别冲着我吼。那不是我的错。
The lost man yelled, hoping someone in the woods would hear him. 迷路的人大声叫喊，希望树林里有人能听到。
Language Point 31
Stay away from those trashmen. (Para. 12)
Meaning: Don't get close to those trashmen.
stay away from: keep away from, remain at a distance from
Visitors to the natural park are told to stay away from wild animals. 到天然公园参观的人被告知别靠近野生动物。
Language Point 32
I had originally planned to stay at this employment for only two days but now I'm going to continue. (Para. 13)
Meaning: At first I had planned to do this job for just two days but now I'll go on with it.
originally: ad. in the beginning
Originally it was a battlefield; now it is a beautiful city. 原先这里是战场，现在已是一座美丽的城市。
stay at: remain behind at
He decided to stay at his job as a trashman for another two years. 他决定再当两年垃圾工。
employment: n.paid work
He is out of employment. 他失业了。
The employment interview is on Friday. 求职面试时间定在星期五。
Language Point 33
...even if my shoulder muscle is sore. (Para. 13)
muscle: n. pieces of spring-like material in the body
In order to build his muscles he does lots of exercises every day. 为使肌肉发达起来，他每天做大量的锻炼。
After the game, all of the muscles in his arms and legs were aching. 比赛之后，他感到手臂和腿部肌肉都在胀痛。
The tennis player could hit the ball hard because his muscles were so strong. 由于羽毛球运动员肌肉发达，所以击球力量很大。
sore: a. painful, especially from a wound or hard use
My leg is still sore from the operation. 我的腿现在还因做了手术而感到疼痛。
My muscles were sore because I had exercised too much. 我因锻炼过度而肌肉发痛。
She stayed home from school because she had a sore throat and a fever.她待在家里，没有去上课，因为她喉咙痛，还发烧。
Language Point 34
And, contrary to what people think, I don't get dirty on the job. (Para. 13)
Meaning: People think I will get dirty on the job, but the opposite is true.
contrary to: completely different from
Contrary to what the fans had expected, the football team lost. 与球迷的期望相反，球队还是输了。
Language Point 35
I left this country a little cleaner than I found it this morning. (Para. 14)
Meaning: When I finished my job this evening, I found the country was cleaner than it
had been this morning.
Notice the structure "leave + n. + adj. (or -ing/-ed)
I left the room clean. 我离开时房间干干净净。
I left the job not done. 我离开时工作没做完。
I left him waiting at the station. 我把他丢在车站等侯。
Please compare this with what you have learned about "my HIV test results returned positive" in Passage B, Unit 5.
Language Point 36
Frankly, I'm proud. (Para. 14)
frankly: ad. to be honest
Frankly, the paper is far from perfect. 说实话，这论文远远够不上完美。
Language Point 37
... a society which praises its philosophers and looks down on its plumbers is in for trouble. (Para. 15)
Meaning: ... a society which values its philosophers whether they are good or not and does not value its excellent plumbers will certainly have trouble.
philosopher: n. a person who studies the nature and being of existing, what is real, morals, etc.
To a society both philosophers and plumbers are important. 对一个社会来说，哲学家和管道工同样重要。
be in for: unable to escape; sure to get or have
The weather report says we are in for a storm. 天气预报说将会有风暴。
Language Point 38
Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water. (Para. 15)
Meaning: Neither the pipes nor theories will stand up to inspection because of low quality.
"Hold water" here means "stand up to inspection". For further explanation, please to Background Knowledge No. 3.
Notice that the agreement between the subject and predicate is decided by what follows "nor". For example
Neither his colleagues nor his boss accepts his idea. 他的同事和老板都不接受他的主张。
theory: general laws and methods rather than practice
It's ideal to have one's theory based on practice. 理想的是把理论建立在实践的基础上。
hold water: be effective
I think these official papers will hold water. 我想这些官方文件会有用。
He made suggested quite a few ideas about the managing of the company, but none of them held water. 他就公司的管理问题提了好几个建议，但没一个管用。
Language Point 39
He might have gone a step further and called for respect for both our economists and our trashmen; otherwise, they'll both leave garbage behind. (Para. 15)
Meaning; He might have gone on to demand that the society respect both our economists and our trashmen; otherwise it will live in garbage.
call for: demand, ask for
Bad managing calls for a change. 管理这么差，必须有所改变。
The thief's actions called for a heavy punishment, and the judge sentenced him to ten years in prison. 那个小偷的行为应予严惩，法官判了他10年监禁。
leave behind: forget to take
The plane is about to take off, and yet I left my ticket behind. 飞机就要起飞了，可我却忘了带机票。