Language Point 1
Having too many choices when shopping is considered by many people to be a big problem today. (Para.1)
Meaning: Many people believe that having too many varieties of one thing when you do shopping is a big problem today.
consider：vt.
1) believe to be; regard 认为；把……看作
I consider him the most suitable person for the job. 我认为他是这份工作最合适的人选。
They considered themselves to be very lucky. 他们认为自己很幸运。
2) think carefully about 考虑
Your question will be carefully considered. 你提的问题会得到仔细考虑。
I have already begun to consider the possibility of joining their company. 我已开始考虑加入他们公司的可能性。
Language Point 2
Some experts are beginning to wonder if many varieties of one thing may be too much of a good thing. (Para.1)
Meaning: Some experts are beginning to ask if having too many varieties of one thing is not a good thing.
expert： n. [C] a person with special skills or knowledge in some certain subject专家
She is an expert in teaching children. 她是儿童教育方面的专家。
What an expert can do in minutes may take you hours. 专家几分钟内能做完的事，你也许要花上几个小时。
a. very skillful 专家的，内行的
He’s an expert cook. 他是烹饪高手。
I think we should get expert advice on the problem. 对于这个问题，我认为要问问专家的意见。
She’s expert at hiding her feelings. 她善于掩饰自己的情感。
Note: The phrase “too much of a good thing” is used to talk about something that is usually pleasant but has become unpleasant because it has gone too far or become too big.（好事过了头，反而不好。）
Language Point 3
…if many varieties of one thing may be too much of a good thing. (Para.1)
variety：n.
1) [C] a different form or kind 种类
This fruit is a variety of orange. 这种水果是桔类的一种。
They grow fourteen different varieties of roses. 他们栽培了14个品种的玫瑰。
2) [C; U] difference in quality, type, or character 多样化
I don’t like to eat the same food very often. I like variety. 我不喜欢总是吃同一种食品，我喜欢换换花样。
I don’t like the present job because it doesn’t have variety. 我不喜欢目前这份工作，因为它单调乏味。
Language Point 4
Was trying to find the right thing to eat difficult? (Para.2)
Note: trying to find the right thing to eat 是动名词短语，在本句中作主语。动名词由动词原形加词尾-ing而成，在句中可以作与名词相同的句子成分，如主语或宾语：
Traveling to other countries can be very exciting. 出国旅行是很激动人心的。
She enjoys playing the piano. 她喜欢弹钢琴。
Language Point 5
Some stores have more than … (Para.2)
store：n.
1) [C] a shop 商店
You won’t get that in every store. 你不是在每家商店都能买到那东西的。
Do you know when this store opens in the morning? 你知道这家商店上午几点开门吗？
2) [C; U] supply of sth. for future needs 贮藏（品）
We’ll go back and get our stores. 我们将回家取些贮备品。
Our stores have fallen short. 我们的贮备品已经不足了。
v. set aside sth. for future use 贮藏
Foods store well in the refrigerator (冰箱). 食品在冰箱里能保鲜。
Information can be stored in a computer. 信息可存入电脑。
Language Point 6
… and more are on the way. (Para.2)
Meaning: … and more varieties of breakfast food are arriving.
on the way: in the process of coming or going 在进程中；即将到来
More trouble was on the way, I was certain. 我肯定更多的麻烦要来了。
Heavy rain is on the way. 快要下大雨了。
Language Point 7
… people can spend a large part of their lives making decisions about what to buy. (Para.2)
Meaning: … people can spend most of the time in their lives deciding what they should buy.
a large part of: most of 大部分
A large part of my job needs me to deal with the public. 我的大部分工作需要与公众打交道。
She spent a large part of her life bringing up her children. 她的大半生用在抚养子女上。
Language Point 8
… people can spend a large part of their lives making decisions about what to buy. (Para.2)
make a decision: choose sth. or do sth. after thinking 决定，抉择
I must make a decision about what I’m going to do after I leave school. 中学毕业以后做什么，我要有个打算。
“Have you made a decision yet?” “No, I’m still thinking about it.” “你做出决定了吗？” “没有，我还在考虑。”
Language Point 9
… a simple trip to buy butter, sugar, and carrots could take all day. (Para.2)
Meaning: … it could take you all day to buy such simple things as butter, sugar, and carrots.
butter: n. [U] the hard yellow fat made from milk or cream 黄油
He likes eating bread and butter. 他喜欢吃抹了黄油的面包。
I added butter and sugar to my shopping list. 我在购物单上加了黄油和食糖两样东西。
Language Point 10
… a simple trip to buy butter, sugar, and carrots could take all day. (Para.2)
sugar: n. [C; U] sweet substance used to sweeten food and drink 食糖
I take sugar in my coffee. 我爱喝加糖的咖啡。
Do you take sugar in tea? 你喝茶加糖吗？
How many sugars do you want in your tea? 你想在茶里加几块糖？
carrot: n. [C] a long thin orange-colored vegetable that grows under the ground 胡萝卜
We grow carrots in our garden. 我们在菜园里种了一些胡萝卜。
My mother usually cooks fish with carrots and peas. 我母亲做鱼时常放些胡萝卜和青豆。
Language Point 11
It’s tiring to spend extra time shopping. (Para.2)
tiring: a. causing to feel weak 令人疲倦的
It’s a tiring job. 这是一项累人的工作。
After a very tiring day of looking after the children, she went to bed early. 辛苦照料孩子们一天后，她早早地上床睡觉了。
tire: v. cause to feel weak as a result of using a lot of energy 使疲劳
The old man never tires of talking about his past. 讲起他的过去老人总是不厌其烦。
The children had really tired me out. 孩子们真把我累坏了。
tired: a. feeling that one needs to rest or sleep 疲倦的
She was tired after a day’s hard work. 辛劳了一天，她感到很疲倦。
I read until my eyes were tired. 我看书一直看到眼睛累了。
Language Point 12
It’s tiring to spend extra time shopping. (Para.2)
spend time doing sth.: give or use time 花时间做某事
I spent two hours talking with him on the organization of the program. 我花了两个小时同他讨论项目的组织工作。
He spent half his life writing this book. 他花了半生时间写这本书。
Language Point 13
Some shoppers, of course, don’t mind this at all. (Para.3)
Meaning: Some shoppers think that having too many choices is a good thing.
of course: naturally; certainly 自然，当然
Of course, having children has changed their lives a lot. 当然，有了孩子使他们的生活大大改变了。
“Can I use your phone?” “Of course you can.” “我可以借用你的电话吗？”“当然可以。”
course: n.
1) [C; U] a way taken by a car, plane, etc. 路线
The airplane changed course to avoid the storm. 为了避开暴风雨，飞机改变了航向。
The boat was on its right course. 那只船在它的航线上航行。
2) [C] a set of lessons or studies 课程
I took a course in writing. 我选修了写作。
I made a list of the main courses I had taken this year. 我把今年上过的主要课程列了张表。
Language Point 14
…don’t mind this at all. (Para.3)
mind：v.
1) have a reason against 反对；介意
I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee. 来一杯咖啡也好。
Would you mind my closing the window? 你介意我关上窗户吗？
2) be careful about; pay close attention to 小心
Mind out! There’s a car coming. 当心！有辆汽车开过来了。
Mind you, don’t fall! 小心，别摔跤！
n.
1) [C] head; brain 头脑；心思
The idea never came to my mind. 我从来没有这种想法。
I don’t know what is in his mind. 我不知道他的心思。
2) [C] the state of normal mental functioning 健全的心智
He’s not in his right mind. 他精神不太正常。
I think the boy is sound in body and mind. 我认为这孩子身心都很健康。
Language Point 15
… if you want to buy a tin of beer, you stand in line for half an hour. (Para.3)
tin：n. [C]
1) a small closed metal box for food, drink, etc. 罐头
Keep the tin well closed. 把罐头盖紧。
She bought a fish tin in the store. 她在商店里买了一听鱼罐头。
2) a metal box for food, etc., with a removable cover 有盖的金属盒
I gave her a tin of biscuits for her birthday. 我送给她一盒饼干作生日礼物。
Put the cakes in that tin！ 把蛋糕放在盒子里！
Language Point 16
… if you want to buy a tin of beer, you stand in line for half an hour. (Para.3)
beer：n. [C; U] an alcoholic drink with a slightly bitter taste, made from malt 啤酒
Would you like a glass of beer? 你要不要喝杯啤酒？
The boy brought them Five-Star beer made in China. 男孩给他们带来中国产的五星啤酒。
Language Point 17
…you stand in line for half an hour. (Para.3)
stand in line: wait in a queue 排队等候
We stood in line waiting for the tickets. 我们排队购票。
The students were standing in line to be examined. 学生们排成一队准备接受检查。
Language Point 18
In the end, you lose … (Para.3)
in the end: at last; finally 最后，终于
I looked for the key for hours and in the end I found them in the car. 我花了好长时间找钥匙，结果在汽车里找到了。
He wanted to go home early but in the end he left at midnight. 他本想早些回家，可是动身的时候已经是午夜时分了。
Language Point 19
But this way it’s much more pleasant. (Para.3)
Meaning: But in this way, you find shopping much more enjoyable.
Language Point 20
… than losing time: stress. (Para.4)
stress: n.
1) [C; U] worry resulting from pressure 压力
The doctor told her that she was suffering from stress. 医生说她是受精神压力影响。
He’s under a lot of stress because his parents are both very ill. 由于父母都病得很重，他的压力很大。
2) [U] the importance placed on sth. 重要性；强调
They place too much stress on money and position. 他们太看重金钱与地位了。
There should be more stress on learning foreign languages in schools. 学校应该更重视外语学习。
vt. give special importance to 强调
He stressed the need for careful planning. 他强调了仔细规划的必要性。
The article stresses the importance of better public relations. 那篇文章强调良好公共关系的重要性。
Language Point 21
You can go into a major shopping area and after one hour it feels like your mind is dead. (Para.5)
Meaning: You can go into a large shopping area and after one hour you feel as if you can't think any more.
major：a. greater in size, number, importance, seriousness, etc. 较大（多、重要）的；主要的
That major road had been closed because of the heavy snow. 由于大雪，那条主干道已被封闭。
I spend the major part of the evening reading newspapers. 我晚上大部分时间都用来读报。
vi. (in) study as the chief subject 主修
He majored in Japanese in the university. 他在大学里主修日语。
What do you plan to major in? 你准备主修什么专业？
n. [C] a chief or special subject at a university 大学主修科目
English is my major. 英语是我的主修科目。
His major is chemistry. 他的主修科目是化学。
Language Point 22
…and after one hour it feels like your mind is dead. (Para.5)
Note: 在本句里，词组feel like意思是“似乎，好像”。作此义时，it常为句子的主语，例如：
It feels like it is going to snow soon. 看来快要下雪了。
It feels like years. 感觉好像已有很多年了。
Language Point 23
… too many things to pick from … (Para.5)
pick：vt.
1) choose; select 挑选
The students have to pick three courses from a list of fifteen. 学生必须从十五门课中挑选三门。
I picked a book to read. 我挑了一本书看。
2) pull or break off from a tree or plant 采，摘
He picked her a rose. 他摘了一朵玫瑰给她。
They’re picking apples from the tree. 他们正在从树上摘苹果。
Language Point 24
… consider environmental problems … (Para.5)
environmental: a. of or about the natural conditions 环境的
We talked about environmental problems. 我们谈论了环境问题。
The environmental effect of this new factory could be very great. 这家新工厂对环境造成的影响可能很大。
He studied environmental science. 他从事环境科学的学习。
Language Point 25
… whether the product is harmful to … (Para.5)
product: n.
1)[C] sth. made 产品
This product is changing the nation’s sleeping habits once again. 这一产品正在又一次改变这个国家人民的睡眠习惯。
2)[C] a result 结果，成果
The plan was the product of days of thought. 这个计划是多日思考的结果。
Language Point 26
… whether the product is harmful to … (Para.5)
be harmful to: cause damage or hurt to 对……有害
Smoking is harmful to health. 吸烟有害健康。
Bright light can be harmful to your eyes. 强光可能对眼睛有害。
Language Point 27
“It’s a very big job,” he says, “well beyond the level of stress that our parents knew 20 years ago.” (Para.5)
Meaning: It’s a huge task. Shoppers’ stress today is much greater than that our parents knew 20 years ago.
beyond：prep. more than; outside the limits of 超出
What happened was beyond my control. 发生的事是我控制不了的。
Medicine should be kept beyond children’s reach. 药物应该放在孩子们拿不到的地方。
ad. on the other side or further on 在另一边；在更远处
We could see the mountains and the sea beyond. 我们可以看见远处的山和海。
We climbed the wall and looked into the garden beyond. 我们爬上墙去看那边的花园。
Language Point 28
“It’s a very big job,” he says, “well beyond the level of stress that our parents knew 20 years ago.” (Para.5)
level：n. [C] a general standard of quality or quantity 水平
We must increase the level of our production. 我们必须提高生产水平。
You can go on from where you are now and build a new level of friendship. 你们可以在现有的基础上向前发展，将友谊提高到新的水平。
a.
1) the same in height or standard 同高度（水准）的
The table is level with the edge of the window. 桌子与窗沿齐平。
2) having a flat and smooth surface 平的
The floors of the old house are fairly level. 这座旧房子的地板相当平整。
We built our new house on level ground. 我们把新房子建在了平地上。
Language Point 29
… having too many choices is one of the reasons why some people buy too many things. (Para.6)
Meaning: … having too many varieties of one thing is one of the reasons why some people buy too many things.
Language Point 30
… has 187 belts in her house, and most of them have … (Para.6)
belt： n. [C] a band worn around the waist 腰带
I’ve bought a new leather belt. 我买了条新皮带。
She’s wearing a coat with a belt. 她穿了件有腰带的上衣。
Language Point 31
… has 187 belts in her house, and most of them have … (Para.6)
Note: 当most后接名词，而名词前又有the, this, my等限定词时，必须用most of, 例如:
Most of the people I invited were able to come. 我邀请的客人大部分都能出席。
It rained most of the time we were there. 我们在那里的时候，差不多一直在下雨。
Language Point 32
… the most expensive exercise bicycle will … (Para.6)
bicycle: n. [C] a two-wheeled machine that one rides by pushing its pedals 自行车
I go to work by bicycle. 我骑自行车上班。
You may get a lot of fun from riding bicycles. 你能从骑自行车中获得很多乐趣。
v. ride a bicycle 骑自行车
He usually bicycles to school. 他通常骑自行车上学。
Language Point 33
… body-building equipment … (Para.6)
build：vt.
1) develop 培养，发展
Relationship building is very important in a business. 在一个企业中，发展人际关系非常重要。
Using an English-English dictionary is helpful to the building of thinking in English. 使用英英词典有助于培养用英语思维的习惯。
2) make sth. by putting pieces together 建造
When was your house built? 你的房子是什么时候建的？
They’ve built a new bridge across the river. 他们在河上建了一座新桥。
3) set up or develop 建立，建设
The government is trying to build a modern society. 政府正致力于建设一个现代化的社会。
This book is said to help one to build a new life. 据说这本书能帮助你建立新生活。
Language Point 34
… body-building equipment … (Para.6)
equipment: n. [U] sth. needed for a certain activity 设备
This is a very important piece of equipment. 这是一件非常重要的设备。
Pens, pencils and paper are writing equipment. 钢笔、铅笔和纸张都是书写用品。
Note: equipment是不可数名词。若指一件器具，要用a piece of equipment。
Language Point 35
… this problem is as serious and dangerous as using drugs or drinking too much. (Para.7)
Meaning: … this problem is as serious and dangerous as the problem of using drugs or drinking too much.
as … as: the same as 同……一样
I haven’t got as many clothes as you have. 我没有你的衣服多。
It’s not as cold as it was yesterday. 今天没有昨天那么冷。
Reading an article is sometimes as tiring as writing one. 有时读一篇文章就像写一篇文章那样累。
Language Point 36
… this problem is as serious and dangerous as using drugs or drinking too much. (Para.7)
drug：n.
1)[C] a material used for exciting body or mind 成瘾性毒品
I am sure he’s taking drugs. 我肯定他在吸毒。
Tobacco and alcohol can be dangerous drugs. 烟酒都是会使人上瘾的危险麻醉品。
2) [C] a medicine 药
This drug works very well. 这种药非常有效。
The doctor gave my mother a new drug for her cancer. 医生给了我母亲一种治疗癌症的新药。
Language Point 37
They think that owning things makes them feel better… (Para.8)
Meaning: They think that buying many things makes them feel better …
Language Point 38
… director of a program … (Para.8)
director: n. [C] sb. who controls an organization or some work 主管；负责人
He is our new school director. 他是我们的新校长。
Who is the club director? 谁是俱乐部主任？
Language Point 39
… something they can’t afford … (Para.8)
afford：vt.
1) have the money for 买得起
We can’t afford a new car this year. 我们今年还买不起新车。
I can’t afford to buy this house. 我买不起这房子。
2) be able to spend, give, do, etc. 承担得起
I just can’t afford the time. 我花不起这时间。
We can’t afford to lose such an important customer. 失去这样一位重要顾客，我们可担当不起。
Note: afford 通常用在can，could或be able to 之后。
Language Point 40
When material objects are used as a way to make yourself feel better … (Para.8)
Meaning: When you want to make yourself feel better by buying many things …
object：n.
1) [C] a thing that can be seen or felt 物品
He took out an object I had never seen before. 他拿出一样我以前从未见过的东西。
There are various objects in the room. 房间里有各种各样的东西。
2) [C] an aim; a purpose 目的
His object in life is to become a scientist. 他的人生目标是成为一名科学家。
What’s the object of the study? 这项研究的目的是什么？
vi. be against 反对
I’d like to close the window if no one objects. 如果没有人反对的话，我想关上窗户。
I object to going there tonight since everybody is so tired today. 我反对今晚去那里，因为今天大家都太累了。
Language Point 41
Rather than deal with the problem … (Para.8)
rather than: instead of 胜于；而不是
We had better go home rather than wait here. 我们最好回家，而不是在这里等下去。
Can we do it now rather than tomorrow? 我们可否今天做而不是明天做？
Language Point 42
Rather than deal with the problem … (Para.8)
deal with:
1) treat 对付，处理
That man is difficult to deal with. 那人很难对付。
All the letters will be dealt with by me. 所有的信件都将由我处理。
2)do business with 与……交易
We used to sell farm products to this store, but now we no longer deal with it. 过去我们把农产品卖给这家商店，但现在已不和它打交道了。
Language Point 43
… helps patients to change … (Para.9)
patient: n. [C] a person who is ill 病人
Several patients are waiting to see this doctor. 好几名病人在等这位医生看病。
The hospital can hold 500 patients. 这家医院可住500名病人。
a. showing the ability to put up with trouble 有耐心的
He is a patient father. 他是位耐心的父亲。
That teacher is patient with all his students. 那位老师对所有的学生都很耐心。
Language Point 44
… also tries to get to the root of the patient’s problem. (Para.9)
Meaning: … also tries to find out the main cause of the patient’s problem.
root: n.
1) [C] the fact or condition by which sth. is caused 根源
Let’s try to get to the root of this problem. 让我们来探究一下这个问题的根源。
His illness has its roots in the death of his mother. 他的病是由他母亲去世引起的。
2) [C; U] the part of a plant under the ground which takes in food and water from the soil （植物的）根
Trees often have deep roots. 树的根通常都很深。
The new flowers have taken root. 新栽的花已经长根了
