Language Point 1
“Women hold up half the sky.” (Para.1)
Meaning: Women are as important as men in society.
hold: vt.
1) bear the weight of sth. 支撑；承受……的重量
My legs were too weak to hold me. 我的双腿无力，几乎站不住了。
The bridge (桥) can’t hold so many people. 这座桥承受不住这么多人。
2) have sth. in one’s hands or arms 拿着，抱着
Hold my hand. This is a busy road. 拉住我的手，这条路上车多。
The woman was holding a baby in her arms. 那位妇人怀中抱着婴儿。
Language Point 2
However, research shows that perhaps women do more than their half of “holding up the sky.” (Para.1)
Meaning: However, research shows that perhaps women do more work than men and are more important in society.
Language Point 3
Many reports have come out on the conditions and rights of women throughout the world. (Para.2)
Meaning: Many reports have been written about the lives and rights of women in every part of the world.
come out: appear 出现
The stars came out as soon as it was dark. 天一黑，星星就出来了。
When will her new book come out? 她的新书何时出版？
Language Point 4
… 90 percent of all countries... (Para.2)
percent (英 per cent): n. [C] one part in every hundred 百分之一
Ninety percent of the people who work here are men. 在这里工作的人90%都是男性。
The price(价格) of bread has gone up by 50 percent in two years. 面包的价格在两年内已上涨了50%。
Language Point 5
… 90 percent of all countries have official organizations to... (Para.2)
official: a.
1) of or from the government 官方的
In the country there are four official languages. 这个国家有四种官方语言。
I would like to know what is in that official letter. 我想知道那封公函的内容。
2) known publicly; formal 公开的；正式的
The news is now official –– they are getting married！ 消息现在已经公开——他们准备结婚了！
The government will hold an official dinner for the foreigners working in China. 政府将举行一次正式宴会，招待在华工作的外国人。
Language Point 6
… 90 percent of all countries have official organizations to... (Para.2)
organization: n.
1) [C] a group of people with a particular goal 团体，组织，机构
He works for an organization that helps old people. 他在一个敬老机构里工作。
The United Nations is a large organization. 联合国是一个庞大的组织。
2) [U] the arrangement or planning 组织，安排
She is busy with the organization of her son’s party. 她忙于筹备儿子的晚会。
Good organization makes your work easier. 组织有序会使你的工作容易一些。
Language Point 7
…to improve the lives of women. (Para.2)
improve:
1) vt. make better 改进，改善
Farmers(农民)are working hard to improve their soil(土壤). 农民们正在努力改良土壤。
We meet here because we all want to improve our English. 我们聚在这里是因为我们都想提高自己的英语。
2) vi. become better 进步，提高
Your English has improved a lot this year, but you must improve your spelling. 你的英语今年有很大的进步，但是你得减少拼写错误。
His health is improving. 他的健康状况有所好转。
Language Point 8
… countries have laws to protect the rights of women. (Para.2)
law: n. [C] a rule of a country that says what people may and may not do 法律；法规
A law has recently been made about wearing seat-belts(安全带) in the back of cars. 最近就汽车后座乘客系安全带的问题制定了一条法律。
There is a law against stealing. 盗窃是犯法的。
There should be a law against smoking(吸烟) in public places. 应当制定一项禁止 在公共场所吸烟的法规。
Language Point 9
… countries have laws to protect the rights of women. (Para.2)
protect: vt. keep sb. or sth. safe 保护
Wear a hat to protect your head against the sun. 戴上帽子以免头部晒伤。
Parents try to protect their children from danger. 父母尽量保护子女不受侵害。
It was interesting to watch the bird trying to protect its young. 我看到那只鸟在设法保护幼鸟，觉得很有趣。
Language Point 10
… has programs to improve … (Para.2)
program: n. [C]
1) a plan of what is to be done 计划，方案
The government also supports(支持) an adult education (成人教育) program. 政府也支持成人教育计划。
What’s your program for tomorrow? 你明天有什么安排？
2) things to be performed at a concert or a sports event, etc. 节目；节目单
Did you watch the TV program about Japan last night? 你昨晚看了关于日本的电视节目了吗？
Do you want to watch the program on American customs and culture? 你想收看介绍美国风俗和文化的节目吗？
Note: 指计算机程序时，美式英语与英式英语都用 program。指其他意义时，英式英语的拼法是
programme，而美式英语的拼法是 program。
They were asked to write a program. 他们被要求编写一个程序。
Language Point 11
… especially women and children. (Para.2)
especially: ad.
1) in particular 特别
I hate getting up early, especially in winter. 我讨厌早起，尤其是在冬天。
I love to spend some time in the countryside, especially in spring. 我喜欢在乡村里过一段时间，尤其是春天。
2) for a particular purpose 专门
The book is designed(设计)especially for children. 这本书是专门为儿童设计的。
I bought these flowers especially for you. 这些花我是专为你买的。
Language Point 12
… can get various methods of birth control. (Para.2)
various: a. of several kinds; different from one another 各种各样的
We sell this hat in various colors and sizes. 我们出售的这种帽子颜色、尺码齐全。
There has been snow today in various parts of the country. 今天全国许多不同地区都下了雪。
Language Point 13
… can get various methods of birth control. (Para.2)
method: n. [C] a way of doing sth. 方法；办法
They decided on a new method to award good students. 他们决定采取一种新的方法奖励优秀学生。
He has his own method of doing his work. 他干这项工作有他自己的方法。
Language Point 14
… can get various methods of birth control. (Para.2)
birth: n.
1) [U; C] the act of being born or bearing young 出生；生育
Last year there were more births than deaths. 去年的出生人数大于死亡人数。
What’s your date(日期) of birth? 你是哪天出生的？
2) [U] family origin 出身
She’s always lived in England but she’s German by birth. 她一直在英格兰居住，但她是德裔。
The little boy is Chinese by birth. However, he can speak good English. 这小男孩是中国血统，但是他能说一口流利的英语。
Language Point 15
… can get various methods of birth control. (Para.2)
control:
1)n. [U] the power of influence or command 掌握，控制，管理
A teacher must be in control of the class. 教师必须能控制课堂。
Who has control of the government? 谁操纵着政府的大权？
2)vt. have a directing influence over 控制，管理
He can’t control his dog. 他管不住自己的狗。
The girl couldn’t control herself any longer and started to cry. 女孩再也忍不住，哭了起来。
One family controls the company(公司). 这家公司由一个家族控制。
Language Point 16
… while in the past, many countries … (Para.2)
in the past: before 从前，过去
But all that is in the past. 但这一切都成了过去。
In the past he was a mailman, and now he’s a farmer. 从前他曾当过邮递员，现在他是个农民。
Language Point 17
Although most countries have … (Para.3)
although: conj. in spite of the fact that; though 虽然，尽管
Although she was tired, she stayed up(不睡觉) to watch the late night film on TV. 她虽然很累，但是仍然熬夜看电视台播放的午夜电影。
Although she was ill, she went to work. 她虽然病了，但还是上班去了。
Although it was an official report, people did not believe it. 尽管这是官方的报道，但人们并不相信。
Note: Although 和 though 意思相同，但 although 常用于较正式的场合。
Language Point 18
… many of these organizations don’t do anything. (Para.3)
Meaning: … many of these organizations don’t do anything to improve women’s lives.
Language Point 19
Women make up 50 percent of the world’s people … (Para.3)
Meaning: 50 percent of the world’s people are women …
make up: form 构成，组成
Different groups make up our society. 我们的社会由不同的群体组成。
Language Point 20
… but nearly 66 percent of all working hours are worked by women. (Para.3)
Meaning: … but almost 66 percent of all the work hour is done by women.
Language Point 21
They do most of the housework … (Para.3)
housework: n. [U] the work that is needed to keep a house clean and tidy 家务
She remained(留下) at home and did the housework. 她留在家里干家务。
After breakfast she helped her mother with the housework. 早饭后她帮助母亲干家务。
Note: 注意与homework (家庭作业)区分。
当 most 后接名词，而名词前又有the, this, my 等词时，必须用 most of :
Most of the people I invited were able to come. 我邀请的客人大部分都能出席。
Language Point 22
… and most of the cooking and washing of clothes. (Para.3)
cooking: n. [U]
1) making food ready to eat 烹调
Who does the cooking in your family? 你们家谁做饭？
In our house, I do the cleaning and my husband does the cooking. 在家里，我打扫卫生，我丈夫做饭。
2) what one cooks 饭菜
He missed his mother’s cooking when he left home. 他离家以后很怀念母亲做的饭。
Italian cooking 意大利饭菜
cook:
1) v. prepare food by heating 做饭菜, 烹调
My father cooked us a meal. 父亲给我们做了一顿饭。
I am learning to cook. 我正在学烹饪。
I have learned a lot about Chinese culture by cooking Chinese food for my family. 通过给家人做中国饭菜，我学到了许多有关中国文化的知识。
2) n. [C] a person who cooks 厨师
She works as a cook in a big hotel. 她是一家大酒店的厨师。
My sister is a good cook. 我姐姐的烹饪技术很好。
Language Point 23
… and most of the cooking and washing of clothes. (Para.3)
washing: n. [U]
1) the act of cleaning clothes, etc. with water 洗衣服
I usually do the washing on Monday. 我通常在星期一洗衣服。
I don’t mind(在乎) washing, but I hate ironing(熨). 洗衣服我不在乎，但我讨厌熨衣服。
2) clothes that one needs to wash or that one has washed 需要洗或已洗好的衣服
Could you put the washing in the machine? 你把要洗的衣服放到洗衣机里好吗？
Shall I take the washing outside to dry? 我把洗过的衣服晾在外面好吗？
Language Point 24
… women also work outside the home. (Para.3)
outside: prep.
1) on the outer side of 在……的外面
Leave your dirty shoes outside the door. 把你那双脏鞋放在门外。
Outside the house it was not so dark. 屋子外面不太暗。
2) beyond the limits of 在……之外，超出……的界限
You may do anything you want outside office hours. 在办公时间以外你做什么都行。
3)ad. on or to the outside 在外面，向外面
Please wait outside for a few minutes. 请在外面稍候。
Come outside and see the garden! 出来到花园看看吧！
Language Point 25
Women hold almost 40 percent of all the world’s jobs. (Para.3)
Meaning: Women hold almost 40 percent of all the jobs in the world.
Language Point 26
… they earn only about half … (Para.3)
earn: vt. get (money) by working 挣钱
He was helping his father to earn money to take care of the family. 他已经在帮助父亲挣钱养家了。
How much do teachers earn in your country? 在你们国家教师的收入怎样？
Language Point 27
… and they earn nothing for their housework. (Para.3)
Meaning: … and they don’t get any money for doing housework.
Language Point 28
… women produce more than half of the food. (Para.4)
produce: vt.
1)make goods, often in large numbers 生产，制造
Many things can be produced from coal and oil. 煤炭和石油可以用来制造很多东西。
The factory has not begun to produce anything yet. 那家工厂还没有开始生产。
2) grow or bring into existence naturally 出产
East Africa produces coffee. 东非出产咖啡。
3) make sth. happen 引起，产生
His hard work has produced good results. 他很努力，因而取得了好成绩。
Her talk produced laughter(笑声). 她的讲话引起一片笑声。
Language Point 29
… 80 percent of all agricultural work … (Para.4)
agricultural: a. farming 农业的
The farmer bought some new agricultural machines. 这位农民买了一些新的农业机械。
Many customs started from agricultural activities(活动). 许多习俗起源于农业活动。
Language Point 30
… to help poor countries with their agricultural and economic development. (Para.4)
Meaning: … to help poor countries to improve their agriculture and economy.
development: n.
1) [U] the act of becoming or making sth. or sb. become more advanced 发展
The development of this type of agriculture will take several years. 发展这种农业需要几年的时间。
We studied the development of babies in their first year of life. 我们研究了婴儿一岁时的生长过程。
2) [C] new things or new events 新事物，新情况
There are new developments in science almost every day. 科学上的新发现几乎每天都有。
We are waiting for new developments. 我们正在等待新的消息。
Language Point 31
… these programs gave money and training to men but not to women. (Para.4)
Meaning: …only men could receive money and training from these programs.
training: n. [U] process of preparing or being prepared for a job (or sport) 训练
It takes many years of training to be a doctor. 当一名医生需要多年的训练。
She received some training in the job. 她接受了一些有关这项工作的培训。
She is in training for the Olympic Games. 她正在为参加奥运会进行训练。
Language Point 32
Now this is changing. (Para.4)
Meaning: Now this situation is changing.
Language Point 33
International organizations and … (Para.4)
international: a. existing or carried on between nations 国际的
English and Spanish(西班牙语) are widely used in international trade. 在国际贸易中，英语和西班牙语被广泛使用。
There will be an international football match(比赛) in Shanghai next week. 下周上海将举行一场国际足球比赛。
The WTO is an international organization. 世界贸易组织是一个国际性机构。
Language Point 34
… improve their production of … (Para.4)
production: n. [U]
1) process of producing 生产
This is one of the stages(阶段) in the production of paper. 这是纸张生产中的一个阶段。
China leads the world in the production of silk(丝绸). 中国在丝织品生产上居世界领先地位。
2) the quantity produced 产量
Production of rice has increased in the last few years. 最近几年稻米的产量增加了。
Language Point 35
… agricultural products like wheat and potatoes. (Para.4)
product: n. [C] sth. produced by nature or by man 产品，产物
We have to find the right product for the market(市场). 我们要找出适合市场需要的产品。
The store(商店) sells agricultural products. 这家商店出售农产品。
Language Point 36
… agricultural products like wheat and potatoes. (Para.4)
wheat: n. [U] a plant with grain that can be made into flour 小麦
The farmer went to look at his wheat fields. 农民去查看他的麦地。
This bread is made from wheat. 这种面包是用小麦做的。
Language Point 37
… agricultural products like wheat and potatoes. (Para.4)
potato: n. [C;U] 土豆；马铃薯
Mum made the potato salad(色拉). 妈妈做了土豆色拉。
Linda was cooking potatoes for supper. 琳达在烧土豆做晚餐。
Potato is important in Western(西方的) food. 土豆是西方人的重要食品。
Language Point 38
… she gets up, washes, and eats. (Para.5)
get up: get out of bed 起床；站起来
What time do you usually get up? 你通常几点钟起床？
I got up, and then sat down again. 我站起来，接着又坐下了。
Language Point 39
It takes her a half hour to walk to the fields... (Para.5)
Meaning: She spends half an hour walking to the fields...
Language Point 40
She collects wood for cooking … (Para.5)
collect: vt.
1) bring together to form a group 收集，采集，聚集
All the exam papers will be collected at the end. 全部试卷会在考试结束时收回。
Collect the books and put them on my desk. 把书收在一起，放在我桌子上。
The boys collected all the waste paper lying about after the picnic(野餐). 野餐后男生们把四处散落的废纸收集起来。
2) gather a number of things of one type over a period of time as a hobby 收集，收藏
He used to collect stamps. 他以前爱集邮。
John collects foreign clocks and watches. 约翰收藏外国钟表。
Language Point 41
She collects wood for cooking … (Para.5)
wood: n.
1) [U] the hard solid substance of a tree covered by the bark 木，木材
Put some more wood on the fire. 再往火里添点柴。
Most of the things in this room are made of wood. 这间屋里大多数东西都是木制的。
2) (pl.) a group of trees, smaller than a forest 树林
You may take a walk in the woods. 你可以到树林里去散散步。
We had a picnic(野餐) in the woods near our house. 我们在家旁边的林子里野餐。
Language Point 42
… washing the dishes … (Para.5)
wash: v. clean with water 洗，洗涤
I’ll wash the dishes, you dry. 我来洗碗，你把它们擦干。
Wash your hands before you eat. 饭前洗手。
She washed and then went to bed. 她洗了洗就去睡觉了。
This shirt needs washing. 这件衬衫该洗了。
Language Point 43
Should there be a change in the lives of women? (Para.6)
Meaning: Should the lives of women be improved?
Language Point 44
Are women supposed to do the housework? (Para.6)
Meaning: Should the women do the housework?
be supposed to: be expected to or have to 应该或需要(做某事)
You’re supposed to be sitting with me. 你应当和我坐在一起。
The train was supposed to arrive ten minutes ago. 火车应该在10分钟前到达。
Language Point 45
The family is changing quickly in many societies. (Para.7)
Meaning: The family is quickly becoming different in many societies.
society: n.
1) [C;U] a group of people with shared language, customs and laws 社会
Drug is dangerous to society. 毒品对社会是有危害的。
Women are as important as men in building a new society. 在一个新社会的建设中，女性和男性同样重要。
Our society is made up of many different groups. 我们的社会由许多不同的群体组成。
2)[C] an organization of people who share a particular interest or purpose; a club 社会团体；协会
The Royal(皇家) Society gave the Curies one of its highest awards. 皇家学会授予居里夫妇最高的奖励。
She joined the university film society. 她加入了大学里的电影协会
