Language Point 1
A standard criticism of sociological research is that it goes to great lengths to prove what most people with common sense already know. (Para. 1)
Meaning: People normally criticize sociological research for trying very hard by means of reason or evidence to show a fact that is already known to nearly all people with common sense.
Language Point 2
... to prove what most people with common sense already know. (Para. 1)
people with common sense: people who have natural ability to make good judgments and to act in a practical and wise way
Language Point 3
... it goes to great lengths to prove... (Para. 1)
go to great lengths: make a great deal of effort (to do sth.)
Some people go to great lengths to make their homes attractive. 有些人千方百计使他们的家令人钦羡。
They went to great lengths to keep the affair secret. 他们竭尽全力为这事保密。
This idiom may have various forms: go to any length(s) or go to all (or: great, some, considerable) lengths, which means: try very hard and be prepared to do anything, however dangerous, unpleasant, or wicked, in order to achieve something.
The famous actor went to great lengths to hide from news writers and photographers. 这位著名的男演员竭尽所能躲避记者和摄影师。
Language Point 4
Without exactly taking sides for or against that criticism,... (Para. 1)
take sides: If you take sides or take someone’s side in a conflict or war, you support one of the sides against the other.
Mother took sides with Alice against Father in the disagreement. 在这场争辩中母亲支持爱丽丝反对父亲。
He has never taken sides openly for or against his boss. 他从未公开支持或反对他的上司。
Language Point 5
... I want to describe a sociological exercise that might seem to validate it ... (Para. 1)
sociological exercise: a sociological experiment or field study
validate: v.
1) prove or confirm that a claim or statement is true or correct
The experiments are designed to validate his theory. 设计这些实验以证实他的理论。
Mr. Brown tried to validate his criticisms. 布郎先生试图证明他的批评是有道理的。
Can you validate your reasons against economic growth? 你能证明自己反对经济增长的观点站得住脚吗？
2) make (a reason, agreement, etc.) have value
In order to validate the agreement between yourself and your employer, you must both sign it. 为使你和雇主之间的聘约生效，双方都须签名。
valid: a.
1) (of a reason, view, etc.) having a strong firm base; that can be defended
Her excuse was not valid. 她的辩解是站不住脚的。
There is still no valid research that supports your theory. 目前还没有站得住脚的研究可以证明你的理论。
If you can’t give me a valid reason for breaking your promise, I won’t trust you again. 除非你能合情合理地解释你失信的原因，不然我不再相信你了。
2) having value; that can be used according to the law for a stated period or in certain conditions; legally effective
a train ticket valid for 3 months 有效期为3个月的火车票
Is this agreement valid? 这个协议有法律效力吗？
The marriage was held to be valid. 这桩婚姻被认为是有效的。
Language Point 6
... the experience made a common claim come alive. (Para. 1)
Meaning: ... the experience (= sociological exercise) made a commonly accepted statement become concrete and lively.
Language Point 7
... we made ourselves virtually unrecognizable to our friends... (Para. 2)
virtually: ad. almost; very nearly; in every way that is really important
My thesis is virtually finished; I’ve only a few changes to make in the writing. 我的论文大体上写好了，只有几个地方须作些修改。
It used to be virtually impossible to find restaurants outside the cities, but it’s much easier now. 过去在城市外几乎不可能找到餐馆，不过现在容易多了。
On the label, the milk is described as “virtually fat-free”. 在这种牛奶标签上写着 “基本上不含脂肪”的字样。
Language Point 8
We wore clothing slightly inappropriate for the weather, ... (Para. 2)
Meaning: We wore clothing which was a bit unfit for the weather,...
Language Point 9
We carried plastic bags of nameless possessions. (Para. 2)
nameless possessions: things of too little worth or value to name
Language Point 10
... a wrinkled skirt over sweat pants. (Para. 2)
wrinkled: a. getting folds or lines in sth.
His suit was wrinkled and he looked very tired. 他衣服皱巴巴的，人也显得很疲倦。
wrinkle:
1) v. (cause to) form into lines, folds, etc.
The apples are beginning to wrinkle. 这些苹果开始起皱纹了。
Too much exposure to sun will wrinkle your skin. 过多阳光照射会使你的皮肤起皱纹。
He wrinkled his nose at her over the table. 他隔着桌子向她皱起了鼻子。
2) n.[C] small line in the skin, esp. one of those on the face that is caused by age
She’s beginning to get wrinkles around her eyes. 她的眼角开始有鱼尾纹了。
His face is covered with wrinkles. 他的脸上布满了皱纹。
There are some wrinkles in the back of your skirt where you’ve been sitting down. 你裙子后面一直坐着的地方有一些褶皱。
Language Point 11
... a wrinkled skirt over sweat pants. (Para. 2)
sweat pants: In American English, sweat pants are the part of a sweat suit that covers your legs. They are loose, warm and stretchy. People wear sweat pants to relax and do exercise.
Language Point 12
I wore a wool hat that concealed my hair... (Para. 2)
conceal: v. (from) hide; keep from being seen or known
She knew at once that he was concealing something from her. 她立即就明白了他有什么事隐瞒着她。
He tried to conceal his heavy drinking from his family. 他竭力向家人隐瞒他酗酒的习惯。
I tried to conceal my surprise when she said she was only 22. 当她说她只有22岁时，我尽力掩饰自己的惊讶。
Language Point 13
... glasses with sun shades that clipped on. (Para. 2)
Meaning: eyeglasses with dark glasses that are attached with clips.
Language Point 14
... look like street people ... (Para. 3)
street people: people who wander the streets all day, homeless people
Language Point 15
... to observe what difference that made in the way other people responded to us ... (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... to observe what effects that produced in the way other people reacted to us ...
Language Point 16
... whether the appearance of poverty would invite prejudice on us. (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... whether the fact that we looked very poor would cause people to have an unreasonable disapproval of us.
poverty: n. state of being poor
She had been worn down by poverty and illness. 贫困和疾病把她折磨倒了。
Two million people in the city live in poverty. 这座城市里有200万人生活在贫困中。
Language Point 17
... the appearance of poverty would invite prejudice on us. (Para. 3)
invite: vt. (seem to) encourage (sth. bad)
You’re just inviting trouble if you do that. 如果你这样做，那就是自找麻烦。
Some shops invite people to steal by making it too easy to take things. 有些商店里摆放的东西拿起来过于方便, 这会使人产生偷窃的念头。
prejudice: n. unfair and often unfavorable feeling or opinion not based on reason or enough knowledge, and sometimes resulting from fear or distrust of ideas different from one’s own
The government should issue a new law to discourage racial prejudice. 政府必须颁布一项新法令来消除种族偏见。
prejudice v.
1) cause (sb. or sb.’s mind) to have unfair and often unfavorable feeling or opinion (against/in favor of) sth. or sb.; influence
I don’t want to prejudice people against us. 我不想使人们对我们产生偏见。
His pleasant voice prejudices me in his favor. 他美妙的嗓音使我产生了偏爱。
2) weaken; harm (sb.’s case, expectations, etc.)
Your unreadable handwriting will prejudice your chances of passing the exam. 你字写得看不清, 会影响你通过考试。
Language Point 18
We were also prepared to act out some mildly unusual behavior... (Para. 3)
act out:
1) express (thoughts, unconscious fears, etc.) in actions and behavior rather than in words
They acted out their frustration. 他们用行动来发泄受挫失望的情绪。
Children’s strong feelings often get acted out in bad behavior. 孩子们的强烈的情感经常通过不良行为表现出来。
2) act a part, usu. in a real-life situation and for some purpose
She acted out the heroine’s part in detail. 她把女主人公这个角色演得惟妙惟肖。
She acted out the role of a wronged lover to make him feel guilty. 她装出一副受委屈的情人的样子，以让他感到内疚。
Language Point 19
... some mildly unusual behavior that might speak of some emotional problems,... (Para. 3)
mildly: ad. slightly, not deeply or seriously
I suggested it to him, but he seemed only mildly interested. 这事儿我向他建议过, 但他似乎兴趣不大。
speak of: be evident of or convey a quality, experience, or feeling
Her eyes speak of suffering. 她的眼中流露出痛苦的神情。
Her behavior speaks of suffering bravely borne. 她的行为反映了她勇敢承受着的痛苦。
The whole robbery spoke of inside knowledge on the part of the criminals. 整个抢劫案表明，罪犯掌握了内情。
Language Point 20
... without appearing seriously disturbed or dangerous. (Para. 3)
Meaning: …without looking seriously ill in the mind or being likely to cause danger to other people.
Language Point 21
As it turned out, there was no need for dramatics; ... (Para. 3)
Meaning: As it proved to be, there was no need for us to show too much feeling to impress people.
turn out: prove to be; come to be known
It turned out that she was my sister’s friend. 她原来是我姐姐的朋友。
As events turned out, we were right to have decided to leave early. 正如结果所证明的，我们决定早点离开是对的。
dramatics: n. behavior which seems to show too much feeling and which is done purposely to impress people
Language Point 22
...people turned us off or tuned us out on the basis of appearance alone. (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... people made us leave or paid no attention to us any more simply because of what we looked like.
turn off: (originally) leave (one road) for another; (here) make (sb. or sth.) leave; drive away
We turned off the motorway at exit 31 into a side road. 我们在第31号出口处离开了高速公路拐入支路。
Unwanted visitors will be turned off my land. 不受欢迎的来访者将被从我的土地上请走。
Language Point 23
...people turned us off or tuned us out on the basis of appearance alone. (Para. 3)
tune out: ignore, stop listening or paying attention to
The children tuned out their mother’s commands. 孩子们不理会母亲的吩咐。
She tuned out after I said no extra money was involved. 在我说了不再追加资金投入后, 她就不想再听了。
You have to just tune him out when he gets angry. 他生气时, 你只能不理他。
Language Point 24
... in the bargain store of a local charity, ... (Para. 4)
bargain store: a store where cheap things are sold
charity: n.
1) [C] society or organization for helping people
Money from the sale of these cards will go to local charities. 卖这些贺卡所得的钱将捐献给地方慈善组织。
Many charities sent money to help the victims of the flood. 许多慈善机构寄款救济洪灾灾民。
2) [U] (generosity in) giving money, food, help, etc. to the people who are in need; help given in this way
The old man was too proud to accept what he regarded as charity. 那个老人太要强了，不肯接受他认为的施舍。
They live on charity. 他们靠救济过日子。
Language Point 25
... we politely asked access to a bathroom ... (Para. 4)
access: n.
1) means of entering; way in; entrance
The only access to the hill is across the fields. 要到那小山去唯有穿过田地。
2) means or right of using, reaching, or entering
Students need easy access to books. 学生们需要有方便的借书途径。
A commonly used phrase is easy / difficult of access, which means “easy / difficult to reach”.
He is a man easy (difficult) of access. 他是个容易（难以）见到的人。
Language Point 26
We weren’t up to trying our act at an exclusive restaurant, ... (Para. 4)
Meaning: We were not rich enough to do the research or the field study at an exclusive restaurant,...
be (or: feel) up to (doing sth.): be capable of (doing sth.), be well or brave enough to (do it)
Mother is sick and not up to going out to the grocery store. 母亲病了, 体力不支, 不能出门到杂货店去买东西。
I don’t feel up to going to work today. 我今天身上不舒服，不能去上班了。
He wants to compete at an international level, but I don’t think he’s up to it. 他想在国际水平上竞争，但我认为他还不到那个水平。
Notice that in the phrase “be up to”, “to” is a preposition, so the following verb should be used in its -ing form.
Language Point 27
... trying our act at an exclusive restaurant,... (Para. 4)
exclusive: a.
1) limited to a specific kind, e.g., for socially suitable people and charging a lot of money
This is an exclusive shop. 这是专营高档商品的店。
This is one of the most exclusive hotels in the city. 这是城里最高级的宾馆之一。
2) not shared with others in a certain group
This company has an exclusive right to film the novel. 这家公司享有把这部小说拍成电影的专有权。
This room is for the exclusive use of guests. 这间房间专供客人使用。
Language Point 28
... so we wandered around the first floor and left. (Para. 4)
wander: v.
1) move about (an area) without a fixed course, aim, or purpose
We wandered through the stores, hoping to get ideas for his birthday present. 我们在那几家商店兜了一转，希望得到启发，能买到送给他的生日礼物。
2) move away (from the main idea)
Jack always wanders in his talks. 杰克说话总是东拉西扯。
Language Point 29
... where we more or less blended with the customers, ... (Para. 4)
more or less: almost, nearly
I’ve more or less finished reading this book. 我差不多快读完这本书了。
The project was more or less a success. 这个项目大体上是成功的。
blend:
1) v. (cause to) mix
Blend the eggs and milk together. 把鸡蛋和牛奶调和在一起。
I tried to blend into the crowd, but I was obviously not dressed for the occasion. 我试图融入人群中，但很明显我的穿着不合这种场合。
2) n. a uniting or combination of some things
Which blend of coffee would you like? 你喜欢往咖啡里放些什么？
His manner was a blend of friendliness and respect. 他的态度既友善又毕恭毕敬。
Language Point 30
It was prejudice time. (Para. 5)
Meaning: It was a time when people were filled with prejudice.
Language Point 31
Clerks in stores followed our track to watch our every move. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Clerks in stores walked after us to watch our every movement.
follow one’s track: be after sb.
We followed his track(s) through the snow. 我们顺着他在雪地里的足印前进。
The hunters followed the tracks of the animal for hours. 猎人循着动物的脚印追了几个小时。
Language Point 32
... where they took my $2 check without asking for ID; it seemed worth that price to have us out the door. (Para. 5)
Meaning: ... where they took my $2 check without asking to see my ID; it seemed worth that 2 dollars to get us out of the door.
ID: n. (= identification)
1) [U] way of proving who one is; official papers that do this
We were asked to show some identification before the guards let us in. 保安在让我们进去前要求我们出示身份证明。
Can I see your identification, please? 我能看看你的证件吗？
2) [U] the process of naming or finding out who sb. is
The identification of the murdered woman took place last week. 上星期对被谋杀的妇女的身份进行了鉴定。
The identification of the accident victims took some time. 查明事故中遇难者的身份花费了一些时间。
Language Point 33
At one doorway a clerk physically blocked the entrance apparently to discourage our entry. (Para. 5)
discourage: vt.
1) try to prevent (an action) esp. by showing disfavor; put difficulties in the way of
We discourage smoking on the university grounds. 我们反对在校园里抽烟。
What discourages me from going camping is the rain! 阻止我去露营的就是这场雨。
Notice that if “discourage” is followed directly by a verb, the verb should be in the -ing form.
2) take away courage and spirit from
It may be difficult to do at first. Don’t let this discourage you. 开始做时会有困难, 你不要因此而没有信心。
The thought of how much work she had to do discouraged her. 一想到要干那么多的活儿，她就心灰意冷。
Language Point 34
At one establishment we did blow our cover ... (Para. 6)
establishment: n.
1) (here) a shop, business, or organization occupying a particular building or place
Shops and other business establishments in this city remain closed today. 今天这个城市的商店和其他商业单位都依然关着门。
2) the act of creating or beginning an organization or method
The establishment of new industry by the Government took several years. 政府花了几年时间建立起了新的工业体系。
Language Point 35
At one establishment we did blow our cover ... (Para. 6)
blow one’s cover: cause one’s true identity or the true nature of one’s work to be revealed
Asking those kinds of questions could blow my cover. 问那些问题会暴露我的身份。
The enemy’s cover was blown. 敌人的掩护身份暴露了。
I was pretending to be her sister until she blew my cover. 直到她揭露真相，我一直假装是她的姐姐。
Language Point 36
... that may have been too far out of character for “bag ladies”. (Para. 6)
out of character: unlike one’s usual nature
Rose is a nice girl; her loss of temper was indeed out of character. 罗丝是个温文尔雅的姑娘，她突然大发脾气实在是料想不到的。
His behavior last night was quite out of character. 昨晚他的举止颇有点反常。
I can’t believe he would have quarreled; it seems so out of character. 我不相信他会吵架——这似乎太不符合他的性格了。
The opposite of “out of character” is “in character”, which means “like one’s usual nature”.
It was entirely in character for Olive to put her baby first. 凡事以自己的孩子为先, 这完全符合奥利夫的性格。
Language Point 37
Elsewhere we encountered ribbing, imitating, lack of trust, and rude stares. (Para. 6)
rib: vt. make fun of in a friendly way
She was continuously ribbed about her accent. 她的口音常受到别人的取笑。
His brothers ribbed him about his new girlfriend. 他的兄弟们因他交上了新的女友而跟他开玩笑。
imitate: vt.
1) copy the speech, actions, dress, etc. of sb.; take or follow as an example
He’s very clever at imitating his friends. 他很善于模仿朋友的讲话和动作。
Some of the young men try to imitate their musical heroes from the past. 一些年轻男子试图模仿他们心中的往日音乐偶像。
2) produce a copy of the real thing
They produce man-made chemicals which exactly imitate particular natural ones. 他们生产完全仿照某些天然化学品的人造制品。
He imitated the works of Picasso. 他仿制毕加索的作品。
rude: a.
1) (of a person or his manner) showing no respect; impolite
It’s rude not to say “thank you” when you are given something. 别人给你东西时不说“谢谢”是不礼貌的。
He’s got no manners; he’s rude to everyone. 他没有礼貌——他对每个人都很粗鲁。
2) simple or simply made
We built a rude shelter from rocks on the beach. 我们用海滩上的岩石建了一个简易住所。
These are rude stone tools. 这是些粗糙的石制工具。
Language Point 38
Just looking poor brings with it prejudice, accompanied by removal of much of the social grace most of us take for granted. (Para. 7)
Meaning: The appearance of poverty alone brings to you other people’s unfavorable feelings and opinions, together with the loss of much of polite and well-mannered social behavior. Most of us accept such politeness and good manners as normal without questioning its rightness.
Language Point 39
Just looking poor brings with it prejudice, accompanied by removal of much of the social grace ... (Para. 7)
accompany: vt.
1) happen or exist at the same time
Thunder accompanies lightning. 雷声伴着闪电。
Fever is almost always accompanied by cough. 发烧几乎总是伴有咳嗽。
2) go with, as on a journey
Ken agreed to accompany me on a trip to Africa. 肯答应陪我去非洲旅行。
Would you like me to accompany you to your room? 你想让我陪你去你房间吗？
Language Point 40
... removal of much of the social grace most of us take for granted. (Para. 7)
grace: n.
1) the ways of behaving and doing things which are considered polite and well-mannered
Ken is sadly lacking in the social graces. 可惜肯缺乏社交礼仪。
Her reading and her social graces had made her a very pleasant companion. 她的学识和社交风度使她成了一位非常令人愉快的同伴。
2) [U] quality of simple elegant beauty (esp. in smoothly controlled movement)
Joanna has natural grace and elegance. 乔安娜具有自然的优雅风姿。
The skaters moved over the ice with a smooth grace. 滑冰者在冰上的姿态流畅优雅。
grace: v. ornament; give pleasure to (by one’s / its presence)
We were graced with the presence of our chairman. 承蒙主席的光临,不胜荣幸。
Many great people will be gracing the opening night of the play. 许多重要人物的光临将为此剧的首演增色不少。
Language Point 41
Lacking the culturally acceptable symbols of belonging in this setting, we became, to a degree, objects, with less inherent dignity as persons. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Because we didn’t have culturally acceptable symbols which show we belong in this setting, to some extent we came to be regarded as objects which have less dignity than humans are born to have.
Language Point 42
...we became, to a degree, objects, with less inherent dignity as persons. (Para. 7)
to a degree: to some extent, partly, not very much
I think that’s true to a degree, but the situation is not quite so simple. 我认为那有几分是事实, 但情况并不那样简单。
inherent: a. existing as a natural or born quality of sb. / sth.
There is an inherent weakness in the design. 这个设计有个内在的固有弱点。
There are dangers inherent in almost every sport. 每种运动都有其危险性。
Language Point 43
... where a clerk conspicuously positioned herself in the entrance ... (Para. 8)
Meaning: ... where a shop assistant stood in the entrance in a conspicuous manner ...
conspicuously: ad. being easily seen, noticeable or conspicuous
The red flag rose conspicuously over the beautiful city. 红旗十分醒目地在这座美丽城市的上空飘扬。
He is conspicuously not present at the meeting. 他的缺席会议引人注目。
position oneself: place oneself
Language Point 44
The place felt out of bounds for us. (Para. 9)
Meaning: We felt that we were not allowed to go into the place.
out of bounds (for or: to):
1) If a place is out of bounds, people are not allowed to go there.
Most of the bars are placed out of bounds to the army. 酒吧多数设在士兵不得进入的禁区。
2) If something is out of bounds, people are not allowed to do it, use it, see it, or know about it.
Violent TV programs are out of bounds to children. 孩子们不准看暴力电视片。
Language Point 45
... internalizing the superficial and prejudiced judgments of ourselves ... (Para. 9)
internalize: v. make (esp. a principle or a pattern of behavior) a conscious or unconscious part of the self as the result of learning or repeated experience in society
He had not expected the people to internalize the values of equal rights so readily. 他没有料到人民这么快就接受了权力平等的价值观念。
Present-day children easily internalize violent behavior through movies and TV programmes. 由于电影和电视节目, 现在的孩子容易产生暴力行为。
Over time she internalized her parents’ attitudes towards her boyfriend. 渐渐地, 她接受了父母对她男朋友的看法。
Language Point 46
... the superficial and prejudiced judgements of ourselves ... (Para. 9)
superficial: a.
1) not deep
You have only a superficial knowledge of the subject. 你对该学科只有粗浅的了解。
I only have a superficial knowledge of French. 我对法语只懂些皮毛。
2) of or on the surface only
The driver only got superficial cuts. 这位司机只是受了些外伤。
There are superficial similarities between the two cars, but actually they’re quite different. 乍一看这两辆车差不多，但实际上差别很大。
Language Point 47
... prevailed among the people we met; ... (Para. 9)
prevail: vi.
1) (used with among or in) (continue to) exist or be widespread
This custom still prevails among the members of the older generation. 这一风俗仍在老一辈人们中流行。
This is a strange custom that still prevails. 这是个仍然盛行的奇怪风俗。
2) (used with against or over) fight successfully, gain control or victory; win a fight
I do hope he will prevail over his opponents. 我真希望他能战胜他的对手。
The enemy prevailed over the native population. 敌人打败了当地居民。
I am sure that common sense will prevail in the end. 我相信最终理性将占上风。
Language Point 48
... we catalogued ourselves. (Para. 9)
catalogue: v. make a list of things; put ... into different groups
Can you catalogue the furniture you sell and send me a copy of it? 你能不能把你销售的家具编个目录，寄给我一份。
Many rare plants have not yet been catalogued. 许多珍稀植物还未被归类。
This report is the first try to catalogue the effects of smoking. 这份报告第一次试图将吸烟所造成的后果进行分类。
Catalogue: n.
1) [C] (book having a) complete list of items, usu. in a special order and with a description of each
a library catalogue 图书馆目录
In order to help us finish our thesis, Professor Wang gave us a reference catalogue. 为了帮助我们完成论文，王教授给我们开了一份参考书目。
2) a number of things, especially bad things, considered or discussed one after another
We had a catalogue of accidents in July. 七月份我们遭遇了接二连三的不幸事件。
She gave a catalogue of the mistakes he had made in the past. 她一一列举了他过去所犯的各种错误。
