Unit Ten Text I Things: The Throw-Away Society I. Library Work 1. Los Angeles: Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second- largest.

Unit TenText I Things: The Throw-Away Society

I. Library Work 1. Los Angeles: Los Angeles is the

largest city in California and the second-largest urban area in the U.S. Its population is 10,103,000 (in 2004).

I. Library Work

2. Greater London: The administrative area of Greater London combines the City of London, the City of Westminster and 31 other London boroughs, and encompasses what is commonly known simply as London, capital of the United Kingdom. It has a population of 7,172,036 (2001 census).

I. Library Work

3. Paris: 2107,700 (2004) 4. Barbie: It was named after the name B

arbara. In February of 1959, Barbie was first introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York (Barbie Dolls). Her creators, Ruth and Elliot Handler (co-founders of Mattel) modeled Barbie after the German doll known as Lilli. Lilli began as a cartoon

I. Library Work

character in a daily newspaper called the Bild-Zeitung (BillyBoy 19). This character, known for her large breasts and sexy clothing, was created for adult entertainment "a symbol of sex and pornography for the men of Germany". Handler

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discovered Lilli while shopping in Switzerland and brought the doll home for her daughter to play with. Ruth was inspired to create an adult doll for little girls. Handler had Jack Ryan, executive of Mattel, purchase the rights for Lilli and negotiate with a company from Tokyo to create a doll like Lilli. The reason for

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going overseas was in order to create an inexpensive new doll. Finally in 1958, Barbie Millicent Roberts was born 11 1/2 inches tall and weighing 11 ounces. She debuted as a teenage model in a black and white striped swimsuit

I. Library Work

that came with sunglasses, high-heeled shoes, and gold-colored hoop earrings. Her body was shapely with movable head, arms, and legs. Barbie was the first doll in America with an adult body.

II. Organization of the Text

1. Introduction of the thesis by illustration (Paragraphs 1 – 3)

1). The popularity of Barbie (which stands for the traditional relationship with our personal belongings) (1)

II. Organization of the Text

2). The new version of Barbie (which shows a more temporary relationship with our personal belongings) (2)

3). Statement of the thesis: Man's relationships with things are increasingly temporary (3)

II. Organization of the Text

2. Development of the thesis by analysis and exemplification (Paragraphs 4 – 12)

1). The appearance of the technological environment breeding such a relationship (4)

II. Organization of the Text

2). The influence of the technological environment: psychological impact on our attitudes and values (5 – 12)

a. Psychological impact on our attitudes and values (5 – 6)

b. Illustrations: diapers, bibs, napkins, ... (7)

II. Organization of the Text

c. Running against the heritage of poverty as in the case of France, Japan and England (8 - 9)

d. A typical illustration of the emergence of the new relationship with "things": the use of paper products (10 - 12)

II. Organization of the Text

3. A restatement of the thesis as an ending: We develop a throw-away mentality to match our throw-away products (Paragraph 13)

III. Key Points of the Text

Paragraph 1 adore: like very much 极喜欢，崇拜 eminently: very; perfectly 不寻常地，非常 E.g.: The discussion is eminently practic

al. 讨论非常实际。 His articles are comprehensive and em

inently comprehensible. 他的文章内容丰富又特别易于理解。

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new version: the new model, the new form. Version has different meanings in different contexts:

E.g.: Several versions (styles) of clothes for outing are on display.

What he said is a completely different version (account) from what we read in the newspaper.

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A modern version (rendering) of the Shaoxing Opera attracted a large audience.

I was only able to read the English version (translation) of Goethe’s works.

humanoid: (esp. of a machine) having human shape or qualities 似人的，有人类特点的

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-oid: like; in the form of E.g.: metalloid (like a metal) Mongoloid (like Monogolian) trade-in allowance: a reduced price one p

ays when one trade in something old for a new one 以旧换新打折价

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super-industrial world: very advanced industrial world

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texture: the degree of roughness or smoothness, coarseness or fineness, of a surface, substance, or material, esp. as felt by touch 质地，纹理，结构

iridescent: showing changing colors as light falls on it 色彩斑斓的，彩虹般的

E.g.: Soap bubbles are iridescent. 肥皂泡沫呈彩虹色。

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an iridescent novel 才华闪烁的小说 be iridescent with the glories of the pa

st 因既往的光荣事迹而灿烂发光 glisten: a sparkling, lustrous 明亮的 shin

e 闪耀，闪光 cityscape: the sight or view of a city -scape: a scenic view, as in a picture

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E.g.: landscape; moonscape; beachscape

Man-made things enter into and color his consciousness: His mind is filled with and influenced by artificial things.

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consciousness: one’s mind and thoughts E.g.: Doubts about his trustworthiness

never entered my consciousness.

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deride: laugh at or make fun of (something considered worthless); ridicule; scoff at; jeer at 嘲笑；嘲弄

E.g.: They derided his notion that man can conquer space.

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psychological impact: a strong influence on one’s way of thinking and behaving

impact: a strong influence caused by an idea, event, etc.

E.g.: Information technology has made a great impact on modern life.

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value judgments: judgments about the quality of something, based on opinion rather than facts 价值判断

clutch lingeringly and lovingly to the same doll: hold on to the same old doll faithfully / devotedly / persistently / with devotion and with love

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lingering: The literal meaning of this word is “slow to disappear,” e.g., a lingering illness, a lingering hope. In this context, lingeringly means “clinging to with devotion or clasping with love.”

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permanence and transience: These two are a pair of antonyms. The former signifies “long-lastingness or for a long time” and the latter is just the opposite.

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Transient and temporary are synonyms, but they are different in that temporary signifies “lasting for a time” ( 暂时的 ) while transient means “existing only for the moment” ( 稍纵即逝的 ).

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clip: (informal, esp. AmE) fast speed E.g.: They traveled on foot at a clip of 25

miles a day. 他们徒步旅行，一天走 25 英里。

keep the economy growing at a good clip 使经济保持高速增长

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bib: a piece of cloth or plastic tied under a child’s chin to protect its clothes when eating 围涎，围兜

ruthlessly eliminated: done away with / thrown out completely

The normal meaning of ruthlessly is “cruelly, mercilessly.” In this context, it means “firmly and completely.”

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E.g.: A decision was made ruthlessly to carry through the reform.

eliminate: get rid of or remove completely

E.g.: We hope to eliminate illiteracy before very long.

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Team A was eliminated ( 淘汰 ) in the second of round of the competition.

muffin: a small thick round bread-like cake, usually eaten hot with butter 松饼，小松糕

TV dinner: 盒装电视便餐 ( 一种速冻食品，食用时加热即可，便于食用而不中断看电视 )

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She is inextricably embedded in a throw-away culture: she becomes a part of the throw-away society from which she cannot break away

inextricably: inseparably

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E.g.: High birth rate and low life expectancy used to be inextricably linked in our country, but it is no longer so today.

embed: fix firmly and deeply in a mass of surrounding substance

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E.g.: He exerted so much strength that his knife got embedded in the chopping block.

A splinter ( 破片 ) was embedded in my finger.

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run counter to: conflict with; oppose; be opposite to

E.g.: The government’s actions run counter to their election promises.

run counter to / go against the grain: be contrary to one’s inclination or disposition

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grain: the natural arrangement of the lines of fiber in wood, etc., as seen on the surface that has been sawn 木材等的纹理；气质

E.g.: cut the meant in the direction of the grain 顺着纹理切肉

brothers similar in grain 气质相似的兄弟

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steep in: a. place and leave (something) in (liquid) for a long time; immerse in; soak in; submerge in

E.g.: If the clothes are very dirty, steep them in soapy water overnight.

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b. make (oneself) give one’s whole attention to and esp. learn about (something); fill (something) with (a quality); absorb in

E.g.: I have a talk to give on the famous writer next month, so first I must steep myself in his books.

This whole area is steeped in history.

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disposable products: things to be used once and then thrown away

E.g.: disposable paper cups 一次性纸杯 disposability n.: having the quality of bei

ng disposed of

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We were almost awed by the fact...: Awe as a noun means “a mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might”

E.g.: The imprisoned soldiers were in awe of their captors. 这些被关押的士兵对俘虏他们的人非常惧怕。

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When used as a verb, to awe is to inspire with awe.

E.g.: No difficulty could awe these young men. 任何困难都吓不倒这些年轻人。

be in awe of 敬畏，怕。 be struck with awe 懔然敬畏。 keep somebody in awe 使 某人敬畏。

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stand in awe of 敬畏 We felt awe when contemplating the w

orks of Bach. 当注视巴赫的作品时，我们肃然起敬。

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lo and behold: (interjection and informal) an expression of surprise at something unexpected

lo: (old use for) look, an interjection for attracting attention 瞧

behold: (literary and old use) have in sight, see, an interjection for attracting attention, more formal than "lo" or "look".

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Dentamatic throw-away toothbrush: Apparently Dentamatic is a trade name used by the manufacturer, meaning “having to do with the teeth.” 一次性洁齿牌牙刷

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-atic: of … quality E.g.: aquatic 水生的 chromatic 色彩的，颜色的 lunatic 精神错乱的

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quasi-paper: imitation paper, synthetic paper

quasi / kweizai ‵ /: resembling; seeming E.g.: quasi-liberal 近乎自由主义的 quasi-justice 近似的公正 quasi-contract 准契约

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boutique / bu ti:k‵ /: a small shop (usu. for women) selling up-to-date clothes and other personal articles of the newest kind 时装商店

gaily: with bright colors or trimmings; showily 华丽地

apparel: clothes, esp. of a fine or special sort; garb 衣服（尤指外套）

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sumptuous: grand and expensive 豪华的；华丽的；奢侈的

E.g.: sumptuous furniture / meal / evening dress

train: a part of a long dress (e.g. one worn for a wedding) that spreads over the ground behind the wearer 长袍（裙）拖地的部分

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caption: words shown or printed with a picture, drawing, etc., to explain the subject or give further information ( 图片等的 ) 解说词； ( 电影 ) 字幕

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cutout: a figure (to be) cut out of wood or paper ( 供 ) 剪下的图样 ( 或图形 )

benign: in a kind and gentle way; of no danger to health; not recurrent or progressive; not malignant 仁慈地，亲切地 ; 良性地

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E.g.: a benign tumor 良性肿瘤 Compare: a malignant tumor 恶性肿瘤

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feature: advertise as a special feature 以…为特色；是…的特色

E.g.: The new type engines feature high speed, small size and economical operating costs. 这种新型发动机以高速、小型和操作费用低为特色。

Round-the-clock service features this store. 日夜服务是这家商店的特色。

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devil-may-care: gay, careless, and wild in behavior; reckless 不顾一切的；轻率的，漫不经心的；嬉闹的；无忧无虑的；逍遥自在的

E.g.: a devil-may-care approach to life 无忧无虑的处世态度

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line: a type of goods ( 一类 ) 货色；货物的类，种

E.g.: the best-selling line in scarf 最畅销的一种围巾

There is a full line of electrical supplies. 各种电器一应俱全。

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The department store is selling a new line of ( 或 in) winter coats. 百货商店正在出售一种新款式的冬令大衣。

cellulose: the material from which the cell walls of plants are made, used in making paper, plastic, many artificial materials, etc. 纤维素

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a set of radically altered values with respect to property: a set of completely changed principles and beliefs in one’s view about property

with respect to: concerning (used especially to introduce a new subject or one that has been mentioned earlier)

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E.g.: With respect to your application for the job, we’ll soon let you know our decision.

Text II The Do-It-Yourselfers

I. Organization of the Text 1. Examples of self-service model

(Paragraph 1 – 11) 1) AT & T Company (1) 2) Self-service fuel pumps (2 – 3) 3) Electronic banking (4)

I. Organization of the Text

4) Self-service supermarket and discount store (5 – 7)

5) Whirlpool’s service “Cool-Line” (8 – 11)

2. Conclusion: self-service is a widespread pattern that cuts across many industries (Paragraph 12)

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creak: make the sound of a badly-oiled door when it opens 嘎吱作响的 , 摇摇欲坠的 , 运转不灵的

E.g.: The rusty hinges creaked when the door opened. 门开时生锈的铰链嘎吱嘎吱作响。

The oxcart creaked along. 牛车嘎吱嘎吱响着缓慢向前。

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punch: hit hard with the fist 用拳猛击，用力打击

E.g.: He punched the man in (on) the nose. 他对着那人的鼻子猛击一拳。 punch a typewriter 按键打字

punch out numbers on a telephone 在电话键盘上按号码

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squeeze: a difficult state of affairs caused by short supplies, tight controls, or high costs 困窘，拮据

E.g.: the squeeze between low wages and high prices 工资低物价高造成的经济拮据

manpower (housing) squeeze 人力（住房）紧缺

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inflict a tight squeeze on the consumer 给消费者带来严重的经济压力

bonanza: something very profitable 富矿脉；财源；繁荣；幸运

E.g.: The investment was a bonanza. 那项投资获利甚丰。

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a tourist bonanza 旅游业的繁荣 a bonanza of fresh milk 大量的鲜牛奶

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account for: give an explanation or reason for; take up 解释，说明；占

E.g.: account for one’s action 为自己的行动提出解释

It accounts for 30% of all railway accidents. 这占了全部铁道事故的 30% 。

prosumer: 自助消费者

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teller: (esp. AmE) a person employed to receive and pay out money in a bank 出纳

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externalize: give outward expression to (feelings), esp. by words 给。。。以外形；使外表化；使具体化

E.g.: Spoken language eternalizes thought. 言语使思想外表化。

eternalize all religions 把一切宗教都视为仅具外表形式

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lament: feel or express deep sorrow (for or because of) 悲叹；哀悼

E.g.: lament this great loss 痛惜这巨大的损失

lament one’s folly (carelessness) 悔恨自己的愚蠢（粗心）

lament for a friend 哀悼一位朋友

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lament over the death of a young inventor 为一位年轻发明家的逝世而悲痛

wind up: bring to an end （使）结束；把（事物）料理停当

E.g.: The meeting finally wound up in the small hours. 会议终于在次日凌晨结束。

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He wound up his speech with a quotation. 他以一句引语结束他的演讲。

He wound up his business and personal affairs before joining the army. 他把公私事物料理妥贴才去参军。

He wound up drunk. 他把自己灌醉了。

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You’ll wind up in hospital if you drive so fast. 如果开这么快的车，你会进医院的。

in effect: for all practical purposes; it is more or less true to say 实际上；实质上

E.g.: They have in effect already been punished without trial. 他们实际上未经审讯就已被惩罚。

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few and far between: rare; not happening often 稀少的；相隔很久才发生的；彼此相距很远的

E.g.: Good novels are few and far between these days. 近来好的小说很少。

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knock down: demand E.g.: knock somebody down for a song 要求某人唱一首歌

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emanate from: come from E.g.: Fragrance emanates from flowers. 花朵散发芬芳。

Much of the criticism against him emanated from his political opponents. 对他的抨击大都来自他的政敌。

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given: if one takes into account 考虑到 E.g.: Given their inexperience, they’ve do

ne a good job. 考虑到他们缺乏经验，这工作他们做得不错。

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guru: an Indian priest or teacher of religious practices that produce peace of mind 古鲁（指印度教、锡克教的宗教教师或领袖）

E.g.: the guru of the right 右翼的领袖 the great guru of contemporary poets

当代诗坛的伟大盟主

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Mr. Johnson, my guru in these matters 在这些事情上的我的导师约翰逊先生

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cut across: go beyond or across the limits of 超越；影响到

E.g.: an issue that cuts across party lines 超越党派界线的有争议问题

a development that cuts across all strata of society 影响遍及所有社会阶层的一项事态发展

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prosumption: 自助消费