Language Point 1
… lost its first game after 29 straight victories at home … (Para.1)
victory: n. [C;U] the act of winning or the state of having won 胜利；赢
They won a great victory last night. 昨天晚上他们大获全胜。
Our victory was only a narrow one. 我们的胜利是侥幸的。
Language Point 2
Now we can focus on winning, rather than on not losing. (Para.1)
focus on: place stress on; pay attention to 聚焦；注重
Today we’re going to focus on the question of homeless people. 今天我们要集中讨论无家可归者的问题。
Language Point 3
Meyer showed a spirit of working towards positive goals … (Para.1)
spirit: n.
1)[U] sb.’s mind or soul 精神
He was beaten by the secret police, but they couldn’t break his spirit. 他遭到秘密警察的殴打，但他毫不妥协。
On the lonely island I saw another world, another life, the life of the spirit. 在孤岛上我见到另一个世界，另一种生活，精神方面的生活。
2) [U] the central quality or force of sth. that makes it special 本质；精神
You should try to understand the spirit of the law. 你应该努力理解法律的精神。
Language Point 4
… pouring one’s energy into the task, and not looking behind and making excuses for past events. (Para.1)
pour into: put into a large quantity 大量注入
The government has been pouring money into the steel industry. 政府一直在拔巨款支持钢铁工业。
He is pouring his energy into the task of helping the poor. 他把大量的精力投入到了帮助穷人的工作中去。
Language Point 5
… pouring one’s energy into the task, and not looking behind and making excuses for past events. (Para.1)
energy: n.
1)[U] the quality of being full of life and action 活力
Young people usually have more energy than the old. 年轻人通常比老年人有活力。
2) [U] the power which does work or drives machines能量
Human life was changed again by electrical energy. 电能再次改变了人类的生活。
Language Point 6
…and not looking behind and making excuses for past events. (Para.1)
look behind: look back 回首
When we fail, we shouldn’t look behind all the time; we should look forward and go ahead. 当我们失利的时候，不应该始终回想过去 。我们应该向前看，往前走。
Language Point 7
…and not looking behind and making excuses for past events. (Para.1)
make excuses for: look for reasons for 寻找借口
It’s natural for people to make excuses for what they have done wrong, because they have to protect themselves. 人们为做错事找借口是正常的，因为他们必须保护自己。
Language Point 8
For a lot of people, the word “failure” carries with it a feeling of coming to an end; …(Para.2)
Meaning: For a lot of people, the word “failure” expresses the meaning of not being successful; ...
Language Point 9
For a lot of people, the word “failure” carries with it a feeling of coming to an end; … (Para.2)
failure: n.
1) [C;U] a lack of success in doing sth. 失败；未做成
Her plan ended in failure. 她的计划以失败告终。
His failure to explain the noise from the machine worried us. 他无法解释机器发出的噪音，这让我们担心。
2) [C; U] no production of sth. expected 不足；失灵
He died from a heart failure. 他死于心力衰竭。
3) [C] a person, effort, or thing that fails 失败的人、努力或事
As a writer, he was a failure. 作为一位作家，他是失败的。
Language Point 10
For a lot of people, the word “failure” carries with it a feeling of coming to an end;… (Para.2)
come to an end: stop 停止
The holiday was coming to an end and we started to think about going back to work. 假期快结束了，我们也就想着回去工作的事了。
Language Point 11
… failure is a beginning, a seed of hope. (Para.2)
seed: n.
1)[C;U] the part of some plants that may grow into a new plant 种子
We’ve bought a bag of grass seed for the garden. 我们为花园买了一袋草种。
2)sth. from which growth begins根源
He did the work carelessly and it became the seed of his future trouble. 他工作马虎，造成了以后的麻烦。
a seed of hope: a sign of hope which will bring about other hopes 希望的种子
There is a seed of hope that we can raise more cattle because the beef market is growing well. 养牛大有希望，因为牛肉市场发展良好。
Language Point 12
Leaders don’t allow themselves to be held prisoner by the fear of failure. (Para.2)
Meaning: Leaders don’t want to have their possible choices of action limited by the fear of failure.
Language Point 13
Leaders don’t allow themselves to be held prisoner by the fear of failure.(Para.2)
be held prisoner: be kept as a prisoner; be closely controlled 被监禁；被控制
It seems that I am held prisoner by so much work. 这么多的工作弄得我无法分身。
prisoner: n. [C] sb. kept in a prison for some crime or while waiting to be tried 囚犯；拘留犯
The prisoners tried to escape but failed. 犯人们企图逃跑，但是失败了。
Language Point 14
… instead, they rely on words like “false start”. (Para.2)
false: a.
1) not true 错误的；不正确的
“True-or-False” questions are sometimes very difficult. “是非题”有时候非常难。
2) not real 假的
This tooth of mine is false. 我这颗牙是假牙。
Language Point 15
One leader said in an interview, … (Para.3)
interview: n. [C]
1)a meeting at which a person, usu. someone famous, is asked about his or her opinions or life 采访
The press is going to have an interview with our president. 报社将采访我们的总裁。
2)a meeting to decide if a person is suitable for a job 面试；面谈
It is popular now for those who ask for a job to sit for an interview. 找工作要参加面试现在已经很普遍。
v.
1)ask sb. questions in an interview 采访
I wanted to interview him about his research work. 我要给他做个访问，了解有关他研究工作的情况。
2) talk to someone to see if they are suitable for a job 面试
We interviewed 20 people for the job. 为这份工作我们对20个人进行了面试。
Language Point 16
… the great tightrope walker,… (Para.4)
tightrope: n. [C] a tightly stretched rope or wire, high above the ground, on which tightrope walkers perform 钢丝
She is training as a tightrope walker. 她正在接受走钢丝的训练。
Language Point 17
… usually walked without a net below him. (Para.4)
net: n. [C; U] material with open spaces between knotted thread, string, or wire 网；网状物
Beckham was hit down near the net and was seriously wounded. 贝克汉姆在球门旁被撞倒，伤势严重。
The value of the relationship net should not escape the attention of study. 关系网的价值值得研究。
Language Point 18
He fell 23 metres to his death … (Para.4)
metre (meter): n. [C] a measure of length equal to 100 centimetres (厘米) 公尺，米
I’m 1.70 metres tall. 我的身高是1米70。
We use metres and Americans use feet. 我们用公制，美国用英制。
Language Point 19
… during a midday walk in downtown San Juan … (Para.4)
midday: n. [U] the middle of the day 正午；中午
The temperature at midday is not the highest. 正午的气温并不是最高的。
Language Point 20
… during a midday walk in downtown San Juan … (Para.4)
downtown: a. of the center or main business area of a town or city 城镇中心区的；商业区的
To have an office room in a downtown area costs a lot. 在市中心设一间办公室开销很大。
ad. in the center or main business area of a town or city 在城镇中心地带或商业区
They buy foods at local shops but go downtown for clothes. 他们在本地的商店里购买食品，但买衣服则去市中心。
Language Point 21
... it seemed to me that he put all his energy into not falling rather than walking the tightrope. (Para.4)
Meaning: It seemed to me that all the time he was thinking about not falling rather than about walking the tightrope.
Language Point 22
… it seemed to me that he put all his energy into not falling rather than walking the tightrope. (Para.4)
Note: rather than 用作连词，其前后所连部分的词性通常要保持一致。例如：
He was engaged in writing a letter rather than reading the newspaper. 他那时是在写信而不是看报纸。
We are doing this for our brother classes rather than for ourselves. 我们做这个是为了兄弟班级而不是为我们自己。
Language Point 23
… watched the workers install the tightrope … (Para.4)
install: vt. set up 安装；设置
We’re waiting to have our new washing machine installed. 我们正等着新洗衣机安装妥当。
Language Point 24
… who operated a large company that does business in construction … (Para.6)
operate: v.
1) be in action 经营；管理，掌管
Many companies operate mail order services now. 现在很多公司经营邮购业务。
2) cause to work 操作；工作
To operate a machine is not always easy. 操作机器并不一定容易。
I don’t understand how this machine operates. 我不明白这部机器是怎样运作的。
The new law doesn’t operate in our favor. 这项新法律对我们不利。
Language Point 25
Maybe I’m a strange animal, but I don’t worry. (Para.7)
Meaning: Maybe I have qualities that other people don't have, but I don’t worry about failure.
Note: animal在此处意为“与众不同的人，奇特的东西”。
Language Point 26
… I start out realizing … (Para.7)
start out:
1) begin 开始
He started out knowing that it was difficult when he took over the job. 他接手这项工作的时候，才开始明白这工作很艰巨。
2) begin a career or life 开始创业
Joy started out as a secretary in a business office. 乔伊刚开始工作是在一家公司当秘书。
Language Point 27
To worry puts our mind in a cage that prevents clear thinking. (Para.7)
cage: n. [C] a box with metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept; sth. like this 笼子；笼状物
If we make a promise to others, we put ourselves in a cage. 一旦我们许诺了别人，我们就使自己受到限制。
Language Point 28
… took responsibility for two major “mistakes”. (Para.8)
take responsibility for: have the duty of looking after sb. or sth. 负有责任
I take full responsibility for losing the money. 我对丢失这笔钱负有完全的责任。
Language Point 29
It’s like learning to ski. (Para.8)
ski: vi. travel on snow wearing long, narrow pieces of wood, etc. on one’s feet, as a sport 滑雪
We plan to go skiing in the winter vacation. 我们计划寒假去滑雪。
Language Point 30
… understood by these captains of industry … (Para.9)
captain: n. [C]
1) the leader of a group 队长；领头人
Captains in factories are not well paid. 工厂里小组长的工资并不高。
2) sb. in command of a ship or aircraft 船长；机长
Are we ready to sail, Captain? 船长，我们准备开船吗？
captains of industry: 工业巨头
Language Point 31
they were uniform in their ability to profit from it. (Para.9)
Meaning: … they were alike in being able to learn from failure.
Language Point 32
… they were uniform in their ability to profit from it. (Para.9)
uniform: a. with every part the same 一致的，统一的
The equipment used to keep a uniform temperature is called an air-conditioner. 用以保持恒温的设备叫空调。
n. [C] a certain type of clothing which all members of a group wear 制服
New York City policemen wear dark blue uniforms. 纽约市的警察穿深蓝色的制服。
Language Point 33
… they were uniform in their ability to profit from it. (Para.9)
profit from: gain advantage from 获益；得利
You can profit from my mistakes and prevent them in your work. 你可以从我的失误中得到教训，以防在你的工作中重蹈覆辙。
Language Point 34
They used the healthy energy coming from … (Para.9)
healthy: a. producing or showing good health 有益健康的；显示健康的
It’s hard to breathe healthy air if we live in a city of busy traffic. 住在交通繁忙的城市里很难呼吸到有益于健康的空气。
Language Point 35
Almost every “false step” was regarded as an opportunity and not as the end of the world. (Para.9)
Meaning: Failure was considered as a fresh start to success and not as something extremely serious.
Language Point 36
Almost every “false step” was regarded as an opportunity and not as the end of the world. (Para.9)
be regarded as: be thought of as 被认为是
Life is regarded as a play. Everyone has a role in it. 生活被看作是一出戏。每个人都在其中扮演一个角色。
regard: vt. consider 认为，视作
I have always regarded him highly. 我总是把他看得很高。
We regard these developments with serious concerns. 我们甚为关注这些发展。
n. attention and care 重视；关心；考虑
He has no regard for her feelings. 他根本不在乎她的感觉。
Language Point 37
… who founded IBM and … (Para.10)
found: vt. start 建立；开创
This castle is founded on solid rock. 这座城堡建造在坚固的岩石上。
The Romans founded a great city on the banks of this river. 罗马人在这条河的两岸建立了一座雄伟的城池。
This story is founded upon facts. 这个故事是根据事实写的。
Language Point 38
… and was its guiding force for over 40 years … (Para.10)
guide: vt. lead 引导；当导游
The government will guide the country through the difficult time. 政府将带领全国人民度过困难时期。
n. [C] sth. or sb. that shows the way 指南；导游
One’s feelings are often poor guides for actions. 人的感情一般不能很好的指导行动。
Language Point 39
… took a big risk on a product … (Para.10)
risk: n. [C; U] the chance of being in danger 危险；风险
Construction workers face a lot of risks in their daily lives. 建筑工人在日常生活中面临许多风险。
The disease is spreading, and all young children are at risk. 疾病正在蔓延，所有的孩子都有危险。
Anyone swimming in this river does so at his own risk. 在这条河中游泳如有意外责任自负。
He saved my life at the risk of losing his own. 他冒着生命危险救了我。
vt. place sb. or sth. in danger 使……遭受危险；冒……风险
It is advertised even by cigarette companies that to smoke is to risk one’s health. 甚至香烟生产商也宣传：吸烟损害健康。
take a risk: do dangerous things 冒风险
You have to take a lot of risks in your job. 你在工作中得冒许多风险。
Language Point 40
…climbed up the stairs to… (Para.10)
stair: n. (pl.) fixed steps built for going from one level to another 楼梯
It is regarded as fun by children to go up and down stairs. 孩子们觉得在楼梯上爬上爬下很有趣。
Language Point 41
We’ve just spent 10 million dollars educating you! (Para.10)
educate: vt. teach; train 教育；训练
Students have become well educated in art. 学生们在艺术上受到了良好的教育。
