Language Point 1
Back in the good old days of stable economic expansion … (Para. 1)
Meaning: Back in a “better” period of time when there was steady growth in the economy…
Language Point 2
That’s not for me: I am going to play it safe in life. I am going to stay in my home town and have a nice comfortable career in a salaried job. (Para. 1)
Meaning: Something new, exciting, and creative in life is not suitable for me. I’ll be more cautious and prefer to stay in my home town and find a good, comfortable job with a salary.
play (it) safe: carefully avoid risks
I don’t think it will rain today, but I will play (it) safe and take a raincoat.我想今天不会下雨, 但为保险起见还是带上雨衣。
Let’s allow an extra ten minutes, just play (it) safe. 为了谨慎起见，我们再多安排10分钟吧。
Notice that in this expression, “it” can be omitted (by speakers of British English) without affecting the meaning.
Language Point 3
That second choice no longer exists for the vast majority of Americans. (Para. 1)
Meaning: For most Americans, it is now impossible to stay in such a safe career as is described in the second choice.
Language Point 4
No wonder young people are disaffected. No wonder they are not motivated to learn. (Para. 2)
Meaning: It is not surprising that young people nowadays are not satisfied or loyal. It is not surprising that they have no motivation for study.
disaffected: a. dissatisfied and lacking loyalty
Some of the government’s most loyal supporters are now becoming disaffected. 政府的一些最忠诚的支持者现在正变得越来越不满了。
Language Point 5
No wonder they are not motivated to learn. (Para. 2)
no wonder: it is not surprising …
She was caught in a shower? No wonder she is not feeling well. 她被阵雨淋着了？难怪她觉得身体不舒服。
I didn’t know that Barbara was Jack’s stepmother. No wonder she shows little care for him. 我以前不知道巴巴拉是杰克的继母。难怪她不怎么关心他。
Language Point 6
…they are not motivated to learn. (Para. 2)
motivate:
1) cause to want to do sth.
He was motivated by love, and expected nothing in return. 他的行动是出于爱心, 不求回报。
We have to try and motivate our sales people.我们得设法调动销售员的积极性。
There is little to motivate the kids to work hard at school. 没什么法子可调动孩子在学校里努力学习的积极性。
2) be the reason for (sb.’s action); cause (sb.) to act in a particular way
This murder was motivated by greed and hatred. 这宗谋杀案的动机是贪婪和仇恨。
Language Point 7
Young men, in particular, … (Para. 3)
in particular: especially
In particular, I admire the woman writer Virginia Wolf. 我尤其钦佩女作家弗吉尼亚•沃尔夫。
He remembered one of the lovely girls in particular. 他特别记住了那些可爱的女孩中的一位。
Language Point 8
Young men, in particular, are not happy with their prospects for the future. (Para. 3)
prospect: n.
1) sth. expected, chance of success
If she can bring in a few more good customers like that, her prospects with this company will look excellent. 要是她能再多带几个那样的好客户来，她在这个公司的前途将十分看好。
He is facing the prospect of living alone, far away from his parents. 他眼看着就要远离父母、单独生活。
It is a pleasant prospect for Jim to marry his beloved girlfriend and live a happy family life. 吉姆就要和心爱的女友结婚并过上幸福的家庭生活，这真是令人高兴的前景。
2) [C, U] possibility or strong chance of sth. happening
There’s a reasonable prospect of reaching the target for this year’s economic growth. 完成今年经济发展的目标应该是可能的。
There’s not much prospect that this war will be over soon. 这场战争不大可能很快结束。
Language Point 9
... civil servants, police and firemen, and fighter pilots ... (Para. 3)
civil servants: people employed in the civil service (that is, all the various departments of the government except the armed forces, law courts and religious organizations)
civil: a.
1) of or relating to ordinary people rather than the armed forces or the Church
civil aviation 民用航空
civil defence (美 defense) 民防
civil servant 文职人员，公务员
civil government 文职政府
2) within the country
Thousands of people have been driven from their homes by civil war. 成千上万的人因内战而被迫离开家园。
fighter pilots: the people who fly small, fast military airplanes
Note: Occupation terms that feature the word “men” are not usually considered
appropriate in modern English. Words like “fire fighters and police officers” are used instead of “firemen and policemen” because both men and women now hold these jobs.
Language Point 10
… while nearly 90% are committed to having both a career and a marriage based on equality. (Para. 3)
Meaning: … while nearly 90% of female students want to have a job and get married at the same time, with an equal status within the family.
Language Point 11
… while nearly 90% are committed to having both a career and a marriage… (Para. 3)
commit oneself to (doing / do) sth.: firmly decide to do sth. or have sth.
The government has promised to commit itself to keep peace. (or: The government has promised to be committed to peace.) 政府许诺要致力于维持和平。
Signing this form commits you to buying the goods. 你在这表格上签了字就得买这些货。
He has committed himself to support his brother’s children. 他已答应抚养他弟弟的孩子。
Language Point 12
By comparison, nearly half of male high-school students express their preference for a traditional, male-headed, one provider, nuclear family, … (Para. 4)
Meaning: Compared with female students, nearly half of male students prefer a traditional, male-dominated family consisting of father, mother, and children, with the father being the only bread-earner.
preference: n.
1) [U] (sing.) a liking for sth. (more than sth. else)
Of the two, my preference is for the smaller car. 这两辆车中我更喜欢那辆小的。
He always drinks red wine in preference to white. 他总爱喝红葡萄酒, 而不是白葡萄酒。
“Would you like tea or coffee?” “Either, I have no strong preference.” “你喜欢茶还是咖啡?”“哪样都行, 我没有特别偏好。”
2) [C] a thing that is liked better or best
I don’t know your preferences, so please help yourself. 我不知你喜欢吃什么, 请你自便吧。
What are your preferences in music? 你喜欢什么音乐？
Language Point 13
… the only two job fields that consistently receive large numbers of responses in open surveys are “professional athlete” and “media personality”. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Open surveys reveal that the only two jobs that are regularly a popular choice with male students are being a professional sportsman or a famous person working for the media.
Language Point 14
A large proportion of America’s young men ... (Para. 4)
proportion: n.
1) [C] a comparative part or share of a whole
What proportion of your salary goes to food? 你花在食物上的钱占你工资比例的多少？
A large proportion of the children come to school by bike. 很大一部分孩子骑自行车上学。
2) [U] relation of one thing to another in quantity, size, etc.
The proportion of men to women in the population has changed in recent years. 人口中男女比率近年来已发生了变化。
The tax increases in proportion to the amount of money you earn. 所得税按收入额成比例增加。
Language Point 15
If these people do not acquire some constructive vision of purpose for themselves, they are likely to be very destructive forces of resistance in society throughout their lives. (Para. 5)
Meaning: If these people can’t find a positive idea about the purpose of their lives, it is possible that, for all their lives, they will be negative forces within society.
Language Point 16
… acquire some constructive vision of … (Para. 5)
constructive: a. having a useful purpose, helpful
a very constructive suggestion 建设性的建议
a constructive attitude 积极的态度
constructive criticism 建设性批评
Language Point 17
… acquire some constructive vision of … (Para. 5)
vision: n. an idea；a picture seen in the mind
He has a very clear vision of the future. 他对未来有非常清晰明确的构想。
To turn the vision into reality is really a tough job. 把设想变为现实决非易事。
Language Point 18
… they are likely to be … (Para. 5)
be likely to: be expected to
He is not likely to succeed. 他不可能取得成功。
The economic growth is likely to continue for some 10 years. 经济增长可能会持续10年左右。
Language Point 19
One recent estimate is that … (Para. 5)
Meaning: An educated guess made recently is that …
Language Point 20
… are currently “disaffected and disconnected”. (Para. 5)
Meaning: … are now dissatisfied with everything, do not act loyally or obey others, and seem to have little relationship with other members of society.
Language Point 21
These are the folks who are joining the gangs in inner cities… (Para. 5)
gang: n. a group of people who go around together, socialize together, cause trouble together and are often involved in criminal activities
Don’t get mixed up with that gang. They are making trouble everywhere. 不要和这帮人混在一起。他们到处惹事生非。
He was killed in a fight with another gang. 他在跟另外一帮人打架时被杀死了。
Language Point 22
…the gangs in inner cities… (Para. 5)
inner city: the central part of a city, esp. an area with a high (usu. poor) population, and old buildings in poor condition
The government plans an extensive building program to bring new life to the inner cities. 政府正制订大规模建筑规划, 以振兴旧城区。
Language Point 23
… and swelling the ranks of the rural military gangs. (Para. 5)
Meaning: … and expanding the size and number of armed gangs in rural areas by joining them.
swell: v.
1) (cause to) become greater
The newly-arrived farmers from the countryside swelled the ranks of the unemployed population in the big city. 从农村新来的农民增加了这座大城市的失业人口。
We asked them to come to the meeting to swell the numbers. 我们叫他们来参加会议以壮声势。
2) (cause sth. to) become larger
His knee swelled up after the fall. 摔跤后他的膝盖肿起来了。
His heart swelled with pride as he stood watching his daughter win the race. 当他站在一边看见女儿在赛跑中夺魁, 心中无限自豪。
Language Point 24
… and swelling the ranks of the rural military gangs. (Para. 5)
ranks: n. ordinary members of an organization, esp. of the armed forces
join the ranks of the unemployed 加入失业者大军
Language Point 25
So this is a very pregnant moment, not only for the future of America, but also for all of the mature industrial economies and, ultimately, for the world at large. (Para. 6)
Meaning: So this time in history is full of meaning and/or emotion, not only for the future of America, but also for all developed industrial countries, and finally, for the world in general.
Language Point 26
So this is a very pregnant moment, … (Para. 6)
a pregnant moment: a moment with a special meaning which is not obvious but which people are aware of or a moment full of meaning, and pointing toward a certain but unknown result
Language Point 27
... but also for all of the mature industrial economies ... (Para. 6)
Meaning: ... but also for all of the countries with a developed industrial economic system
economy: (here) a country with a particular economic system
Language Point 28
… for the world at large. (Para. 6)
at large: in general
People at large approve of the new policy. 人们普遍赞成这项新政策。
Among employees at large the support for the change is zero. 雇员中基本上没有人支持这一改革。
Language Point 29
It is an uncertain moment, a scary moment. (Para. 6)
Meaning: It is a moment in history when there are so many doubtful and changeable things that people in general are filled with fear.
Language Point 30
… familiar patterns fade, familiar solutions fail, and familiar options disappear. (Para. 6)
Meaning: …we do not live our lives, solve our problems, or make our choices in the same way as we used to.
Language Point 31
… the books and periodicals that are warning society about the removal of jobs, … (Para. 6)
Meaning: … the books and magazines or newspapers that are warning society about the danger of unemployment,...
periodical:
1) n. a magazine or newspaper that is published regularly
The periodical is published every two weeks. 这本杂志每两星期出版一次。
2) a. happening repeatedly over a period of time periodical fits of coughing 定期发作的咳嗽
Middle-aged people should have periodical medical checks. 中年人应该定期体检。
Language Point 32
… and wage decreases only serve to increase public anxiety -- a slow-motion variation of shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater. (Para. 6)
Meaning: …and (reading acticles about) wages that are getting smaller and smaller will only cause the public to feel more anxious — this will surely result in a dangerous confusion and panic, just like a slow-motion version of the panic that results from someone shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater.
Language Point 33
… a slow-motion variation of shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater. (Para. 6)
slow-motion: action which takes place at a much slower speed than in real life, as seen in special effects in movies
a slow-motion replay of the footballer scoring a goal 用慢动作重放球员进球的情况
variation: sth. that is presented in a slightly different form
All your ideas are just variations on his theory. 你的所有观点只不过是把他的理论改头换面而已。
Language Point 34
These alarming forecasts are largely simple projections of the past two or three decades of workplace trends. (Para. 7)
Meaning: These alarming forecasts are mainly simple predictions about the future, based on the way employment trends have been changing during the past twenty or thirty years.
Language Point 35
These alarming forecasts are largely projections of the past two or three decades of workplace trends. (Para. 7)
forecast: n. prediction, statement of what is expected to happen
a forecast of a small increase in the price 对价格略微上涨的预测
a forecast of a 3% growth in the economy 对经济增长3%的预测
Language Point 36
These alarming forecasts are largely projections of the past two or three decades of workplace trends. (Para. 7)
projection: n. a guess of future possibilities, esp. based on the general direction of events at a particular time
These figures show our projection of the town’s population increase in the next ten years. 这些数字反映了我们对未来十年这个城市人口增长的预测。
Language Point 37
… in the absence of plausible alternative explanations for the gloomy economic news of the past 15 — 20 years and the gloomier prospects implicit in the projections of those trends, … (Para. 7)
Meaning: … being unable to find any other explanations that may account for the frustrating economic news of the past 15— 20 years and for an even worse future predicted by those trends,…
Language Point 38
… in the absence of plausible alternative explanations… (Para. 7)
plausible: a. seeming to be right or reasonable
Your explanation sounds plausible, but I’m not sure I believe it. 你的解释听起来有理, 但我不一定相信。
Language Point 39
… in the absence of plausible alternative explanations for… (Para. 7)
alternative:
1) a. that can be had, used, etc. instead of sth.
There are alternative ways of working out the puzzle. 还有其他的方法可以用来解开这个谜。
2) n. sth. that can be had, used, etc. instead of sth.
Is there no alternative to solve that problem? 就没有别的办法可以解决那个问题了吗？
Language Point 40
…for the gloomy economic news … (Para. 7)
gloomy: a.
1) (that makes people) sad and disappointed
Our future seems gloomy. 我们的前景似乎很黯淡。
In spite of the gloomy economic forecasts, the manufacturers are all confident about their prospects. 尽管经济方面的预测令人沮丧，制造商们对前景还是很乐观的。
He is such a gloomy person; you can never get him to smile. 他是如此郁郁寡欢, 你根本没法让他脸上露出笑容来。
2) dark or unlighted
a gloomy day 阴暗的一天
We ran past the gloomy corner. 我们跑着穿过那个阴暗的角落。
Language Point 41
... the gloomier prospects implicit in the projections of those trends, … (Para. 7)
Meaning: ... more disappointing pictures clearly predicted by those trends,...
implicit: a.
1) understood without being directly expressed, clearly intended even though it is not said
Their request for money seems to contain an implicit threat. 他们索取金钱的要求似乎暗含着威胁。
She didn’t openly attack the plan, but the fact that she was against it was implicit in her silence when others were saying things in support of it. 她并没有公开攻击这项计划, 但当别人表示支持该计划时她却保持沉默, 这本身就隐含着反对。
2) unnecessary to be questioned
I have implicit trust in your abilities. 我完全相信你的能力。
All her life she had implicit faith in God. 她一生笃信上帝。
Language Point 42
... fearful for the future ... (Para. 7)
Meaning: ...nervous about and afraid of what might happen in the future ...
fearful: a.
1) nervous and afraid
He was fearful of her anger / that she might be angry. 他害怕她生气。
2) terrible, horrifying
a fearful storm / earthquake 可怕的暴风雨 / 地震
What a fearful waste of time! 多么惊人的时间浪费啊!
Language Point 43
... might very well take backward steps. (Para. 7)
backward: a.
1) directed towards the back or the starting point
a backward glance 向后一瞥
He took a backward step and ran away. 他向后退了一步，跑了。
2) having made or making less than normal progress
a backward child 迟钝的孩子
Some backward parts of the country have no electricity. 这个国家的某些落后地区还没用上电。
Language Point 44
These steps will principally serve the interests of the economically dominant groups who want to protect their assets and resources from the forces of change. (Para. 7)
Meaning: These steps will be taken mainly in the interest of those economic groups who hold domination and want to protect their properties from damage caused by change.
Language Point 45
These steps will principally serve the interests… (Para. 7)
principally: ad. for the most part, mainly, chiefly
The decrease in our sales is principally because the market is becoming smaller. 销售额的下降主要是因为市场缩小了。
principal: a. main
My principal reason for leaving that job was the unfair treatment I received. 我辞职的主要原因是受到了不公平的待遇。
Our principal concern is how to keep our advantages over our competitors. 我们主要关心的是如何保持相对于我们竞争对手的优势。
Language Point 46
…of the economically dominant groups who want to protect their assets and resources from the forces of change. (Para. 7)
economically dominant groups: groups of people who hold more important positions than any other groups in the economy, normally due to having greater wealth
assets and resources: money, property and any other type of reserves means
Please pay special attention to the adverb “economically” here:
economically: ad.
1) having to do with economics, the production of wealth and the ways it is shared by people in a society; concerning economy
Economically, even if a business does not have all the money it needs, it can still survive. 从经济学上讲，企业即使缺乏所需的资金也照样能生存。
In our reading passage, “economically” is used in this sense.
2) having to do with saving money or not wasting it
Try to live more economically. 要设法生活得更节俭一些。
Notice that the word “economically” has two adjective forms (economical and economic), which have different meanings.
economical: a. careful in spending money, tending to save money (Note that this word comes from the noun “economy”.)
An economical housewife saves money by carefully organizing how and when she spends money. 节俭的家庭主妇善于通过精心地安排如何花钱及什么时候花钱来节约开支。
A good manager is economical in the use of his funds. 好的经理在使用资金方面会精打细算。
The President made other government leaders aware of the need to be more economical. 总统使其他的政府领导人意识到节约开支的必要性。
economic: a. of or having to do with economics (Note that this word comes from the noun “economics”.)
Economic problems have to do with the production, sharing and consumption of goods. 经济问题涉及到产品的生产，分配和消费。
In the following sentence we have both “economic” and “economical”.
Mrs. Brown was uneconomical in budgeting household expenses and the family had to move to a smaller house for economic reasons. 布朗太太在安排家庭开销方面不够节俭，结果这家人不得不为了节省开支而搬到较小的房子里去住。
Language Point 47
Social and economic progress will grind to a halt and more and more jobs will be eliminated by the negative side of this transformation. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Social and economic progress will come to a stop slowly but painfully, and more and more people will lose jobs owing to the negative effect of this change.
Language Point 48
Social and economic progress will grind to a halt… (Para. 7)
grind to a halt: ( economy, progress, etc.) gradually becomes slower or less active until (it) stops
The peace progress ground to a halt and both parties went back to the battlefield. 和平进程渐渐停顿了下来，双方又回到了战场上。
Language Point 49
… more and more jobs will be eliminated by … (Para. 7)
eliminate: vt. remove, get rid of, take away
If a food or drink is not healthy, eliminate it from your diet. 如果某种食物或饮料无益于健康，就把它从食谱中去掉。
Why not eliminate unnecessary words from your essay? 为什么不把那些不必要的词从你的文章中删掉呢？
Language Point 50
The anger and frustration displayed by people ... (Para. 7)
display: vt.
1） show signs of having (a quality or emotion, etc.)
She displayed great self-control when they told her the news. 当他们把消息告诉她时, 她表现出极大的自制力。
Her writing displays natural talent. 她的文章显示出了她的天赋。
2） put sth. on show
The new fashions for the season are displayed in the shop windows. 应季的新时装在橱窗里展示了出来。
It’s the first time the painting has been displayed to the public. 这幅画是首次公开展览。
The word “display” is also used as a noun with a related meaning.
The goods were in the shop window display. 商品在橱窗里展示着。
There is going to be an art display in the public park this evening. 今晚在公园里有艺术展览。
a sudden display of temper 突然发脾气
