大学英语精读第2册 第1课 课文及课后答案

1、UNIT1TEXT这是一篇幽默的散文。但是在你读完文章这后你将会十分确定地发现作者是在非常严肃的写这篇文章。在地球上有生命吗? 阿特.布奇沃德这是金星这周最令人激动的事情。金星的科学家首次成功发射了一颗人造卫星到地球，并且它到达以后一直送回信号和照片。人造卫星被指引到一个名叫曼哈顿的地区，(以金星伟大的天文学家-曼哈顿教授命名，他在20000光年以前首次通过望远镜发现这个地方)。因为非常好的天气情况和非常强的信号，金星人科学家能够得到非常有价值的信息关于载人飞碟登上地球的可能性。一次新闻发布会在金星的技术协会举行。“我们已经得出了结论,以上周的人造卫星登陆为基础,”佐格教授说,“在地球上没有生

2、命。”“您是如何知道这件事情的？”金星晚报的科学记者问道。“首先，曼哈顿地区的地面由坚硬的混凝土构成，没有任何东西能在那里生长。其次，地球的大气充满了一氧化碳和其他有害的气体。没有什么人呼吸这种空气还能存活。”“对我们的飞碟计划这意味着什么呢？”“我们将自己携带氧气，它意味着飞碟要比我最初计划的要重很多。”“在您的研究中您还发现其它的危险了吗？”“看这张照片。你可以看到黑色的云层盘旋在地球的表面。我们叫它联合爱迪生云层。我们并不知道它是如何产生的，但是它给我们再来很多麻烦，我们必须做进一步的测试在我们从金星出发之前。”“在这里你将注意到这似乎是一条河，但是人造卫星发现它已经被污染了并且水不能被

3、饮用。这意味我们不得不自己携带水，这会更加增加飞碟的重量。”“先生，在照片上那些所有的小黑点是什么呢？”“我们不能确定。它们看起来是由金属制成了，并沿着一定的轨迹运行。它们排放出废气，噪音并且不断地撞向对方。在许多的路上都有很多的金属制成的物品，当飞碟着陆时保证它不被其中一个撞到是不可能完成的事情。”“那些像石笋的突出物是什么呢？”“它们是某种会在晚上发光的花岗岩的形成物。”格洛姆教授说,从他们看起来快擦到蓝天了就把它们命名为摩天大楼。“如果您说的这些都是真的，那是不是意味着我们的人造卫星项目会耽搁几年呢？”“是的，一旦获得额外的资金我们就会继续进行。”“佐格教授，为什么当确定地球没有生命时我

4、们还要花费几十亿的钱来让飞碟登陆地球上呢？”“因为如果我们金星人能可学会在地球的大气中呼吸，那么我们将可以生活在世界上任何一个地方。”It is a humorous essay. But after reading it you will surely find that the author is you will surely find that the author is most serious in writing it.Is There Life on Earth? Art BuchwaldThere was great excitement on the planet of V

5、enus this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since.The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof. Manhattan, who fi

6、rst discovered it with his telescope 20,000 light years ago.)Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. A press conference was held at the Venus Inst

7、itute of Technology."We have come to the conclusion, based on last week's satellite landing," Prof, Zog said, "that there is no life on Earth.""How do you know this?" the science reporter of the Venus Evening Star asked."For one thing, Earth's surface in th

8、e area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive.""What does this mean as far as our flying saucer program is concerned?&quo

9、t;"We shall have to take our own oxygen with us, which means a much heavier flying saucer than we originally planned.""Are there any other hazards that you discovered in your studies?""Take a look at this photo. You see this dark black cloud hovering over the surface of Eart

10、h? We call this the Consolidated Edison Belt. We don't know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have to make further tests before we send a Venus Being there.""Over here you will notice what seems to be a river, but the satellite findings indicate it

11、is polluted and the water is unfit to drink. This means we shall have to carry our own water, which will add even greater weight to the saucer.""Sir, what are all those tiny black spots on the photographs?""We're not certain. They seem to be metal particles that move along ce

12、rtain paths. They emit gases, make noise and keep crashing into each other. There are so many of these paths and so many metal particles that it is impossible to land a flying saucer without its being smashed by one.""What are those stalagmite projections sticking up?""They'r

13、e some type of granite formations that give off light at night. Prof. Glom has named them skyscrapers since they seem to be scraping the skies.""If all you say is true, won't this set back the flying saucer program several years?""Yes, but we shall proceed as soon as the Grub

14、start gives us he added funds.""Prof. Zog, why are we spending billions and billions of zilches to land a flying saucer on Earth when there is no life there?""Because if we Venusians can learn to breathe in an Earth atmosphere, them we can live anywhere."NEW WORDSHumorous a.

15、 funny; that makes people laugh 幽默的a.1. 幽默的,诙谐的;滑稽的,可笑的They were imaginative, quick, and humorous.他们富有想像力,反应快且富于幽默感。Humor n.n.1. 幽默感U2. 幽默UHumor is often more than a laughing matter.幽默常常不只是一笑了之的事。He has a good sense of humor.他富于幽默感。3. 心情,情绪SThe boss is in no humor to talk to you right now.此刻老板没有心情同你

16、说话。4. 气质,性情Uvt.1. 迎合;迁就It's not always wise to humor a small child.迁就小孩子不总是明智的。Essay n. 散文，随笔n.C1. 论说文;散文,随笔,小品文(+on/about)The professor wrote an essay on Homer.这位教授写了一篇关于荷马的文章。Excitement n. the state or quality of being excitedn.1. 刺激;兴奋,激动UThe baby's first step caused great excitement in t

17、he family.婴儿迈出了第一步使全家大为兴奋。2. 令人兴奋的事;刺激的因素CThe visiting circus was an excitement to every child in town.马戏团的到来使镇上每个孩子都感到兴奋。Planet n. large body in space that moves round a star, esp. round the sun 行星n.1. 行星CThe planets move around the sun.行星绕着太阳转。Venusian a. of or having to do with the planet Venus 金

18、星的 n. supposed Venus being 金星人a.1. 金星的n.1. 想像中的金星人Satellite n. spacecraft that goes round the planet earth and sends back radio and television signals; heavenly body that goes round a planet （人造）卫星n.C1. 【天】卫星The number of known satellites in the solar system rose to 32.太阳系里已知的卫星数量增加到三十二个。2. 人造卫星The

19、space shuttle orbited a communications satellite.航天飞机将一颗通讯卫星送入轨道。3. 随从,追随者,谄媚者Three thousand armed satellites escorted his steps.三千名武装随从紧跟其后。4. 卫星国家,附庸国家The former Russian satellites now turn to the West for help.从前俄国的卫星国现在转向西方要求援助。5. 卫星城镇;卫星组织The party consolidates its power by building up satellit

20、e organizations.这个党通过建立卫星组织巩固它的权力。Signal n. 信号，暗号n.C1. 信号;暗号+to-v+thatA red lamp is used as a danger signal.红灯用作危险信号。2. 信号器;交通指示灯;【铁】信号机The train must stop when the signal's red.信号机是红色时,火车必须停驶。Astronomer n. person who studies the science of the sun, moon, stars and planets 天文学家n.1. 天文学家CTelescop

21、e n. instrument with special glasses used for seeing distant thingsn.C1. (单筒)望远镜He looked through his telescope at the approaching ship.他透过望远镜看着驶近的轮船。2. 缩叠式旅行袋Extremely ad. very 极端，非常ad.1. 极端地;极其;非常We got on extremely well.我们相处得极好。I am extremely sorry.我非常抱歉。This is an extremely difficult task.这是一项极其

22、困难的任务。Extremea.1. 末端的,尽头的ZBThere's a Chinese restaurant at the extreme end of the street.在这条街的尽头有一家中国餐馆。2. 极端的,极度的;最大的ZBYour invitation gave him extreme joy.你的邀请使他高兴极了。The took extreme measures to conserve fuel.他们采取极端的手段节约燃料。3. 急进的;激烈的;狂热的;偏激的Extreme conservatives were purged from the political

23、organization.极端保守分子被清洗出那个政治组织。Feasibility n. possibility of being carried out or done 可行性n.1. 可行性;可能性Feasible a.a.1. 可行的;可实行的+to-vIt was not feasible to build a bridge at that point.在那个地点造桥是不可行的。That is a feasible scheme.那是一个可行的方案。2. 可能的;合理的This is a feasible story.这事情是可能的。3. 可用的;合适的(+for)This land

24、is feasible for cultivation.这块地适合耕作。Manned a. Occupied by one or more persons 载人的a.1. 由人操纵的;由人驾驶的;载人的Saucer n. 浅碟；茶托n.C1. 茶托;浅碟She offered me tea in her best cup and saucer.她用她最好的茶杯和茶碟请我用茶。2. (放花盆的)垫盘3. 浅碟形物Flying saucer n. 飞碟Conference n. Meetingn.1. (正式)会议;讨论会,协商会C(+on)I attended a conference on d

25、isarmament last week.我上周参加了一个裁军会议。2. 讨论,会谈US1(+with)The teacher was in conference with parents after school.放学后教师和家长进行了商谈。Press conference n. meeting arranged by an important person to which news reporters are invited to listen to a statement or ask questions 记者招待会Technology n. 技术n.1. 工艺学;工艺,技术CUMan

26、y people call the age we live in the age of technology.许多人把我们生活的时代叫做工业技术时代。2. 术语,专门语UConclusion n. decision or opinion reached by reasoning 结论n.1. 结论;推论;决定C+thatThey drew different conclusions from the facts.他们从这些事实中引出了不同的结论。2. 结尾,结局C3. 终结,结束USThe debate did not come to a conclusion until midnight.辩

27、论直到午夜才结束。4. (条约等的)缔结;(买卖等的)议定U(+of)The conclusion of this agreement is in the interests of both sides.签订这份合同对双方都有好处。Conclude v.vt.1. 结束(+by/with)We concluded our meeting at 9 o'clock.我们九点钟结束了会议。2. 推断出,断定WY+thatWhat can you conclude from these observations?你从这些观察中能得出什么结论?3. 缔结(条约)(+with)4. (最后)决定

28、(为)+to-v+thatHe concluded that he would wait a little longer.他决定再等一会儿。He concluded to quit on pay day.他决定在发薪水这天辞职。vi.1. 结束,终了(+with)The meeting concluded after two hours.两小时后会议结束了。Reporter n. person who gathers news for a newspaper, magazine, or radio or TV station 记者n.C1. 报告人,申报人The reporter was in

29、terrogated again.申报人又被讯问了一次。2. 记者;通讯员He became a reporter for the Herald Tribune.他成为先驱论坛报的记者。Compose vt. make up, form 组成，构成Vt.组成,构成H(+of)Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.水是由氢和氧组成的。1. 作(诗,曲等);构(图)He spent his spare time composing poetry.他用空余时间写诗。2. 使安定,使平静,使镇静She composed herself to answer t

30、he letters.她静下心来写回信。Concrete n. building material made by mixing cement with sand, small stones and water 混凝土n.U 1. 具体物2. 混凝土;凝结物These buildings are made of concrete and steel.这些房屋是用钢和混凝土建成的。Atmosphere n. all the gases round the earth; air in a place 大气，空气n.1. 大气the S2. (某特定场所的)空气SThe atmosphere of

31、the city is very much polluted.那个城市的空气受到严重污染。3. 气氛S1The talk was conducted in a cordial atmosphere.会谈是在热情友好的气氛中进行的。4. 情趣;魅力UThe ancient palace has a lot of atmosphere.这座古老的宫殿很有魅力。Carbon n. 碳Monoxide n. 一氧化物Deadly a. causing death; likely to cause death 致命的a.1. 致命的,致死的;毒性的This is a deadly poison.这是一种

32、致命的毒药。2. 不共戴天的;殊死的BHe is my deadly enemy.他是我的死敌。3. 死一般的BThere was deadly silence in the valley.山谷里死一般的沉寂。4. 【口】非常的,极度的Bdeadly dullness极度的沉闷5. 【口】非常无聊的,令人厌烦的Our maths classes are pretty deadly.我们的数学课非常枯燥。Gas n. 气体n.1. 气体UCThere are several kinds of gas in the air.空气中有几种气体。2. 【矿】瓦斯U3. 可燃气;煤气;沼气UGas is

33、 now widely used for cooking and heating.现在普遍用煤气烧饭,取暖。Survive vi. remain alive; continue to live or exist 活下来；幸存 vt. Remain alive after; live longer than 经历.后还活着；比.活得长vt.1. 在.之后仍然生存,从.中逃生Only two passengers survived the air-crash.这次飞机失事只有两名乘客幸免于死。2. 比.活得长;丧失(配偶,亲人等)She survived her husband by twenty

34、 years.她丈夫去世后她又活了二十年。vi.1. 活下来,幸存;残留(+on)Few survived after the flood.洪水后极少有人生还。Survival n. n.1. 幸存;残存U2. 幸存者;残存物CThe old man is a survival of the past age.这老人乃上一个时代的遗老。Program n. plan of what is to be done 计划n.C1. 节目单;程序表The last item on the program was a grand display of fireworks.最后一项节目是大型烟火表演。2.

35、 节目,表演,演出What is your favorite television program?你最喜爱的电视节目是什么?3. 计划;方案;程序What is the program for tomorrow?明天计划做什么?4. (政党的)纲领5. (教学)大纲;课程This college offers an excellent art program.这所大学艺术课程极佳。Concern vt. be of importance or interest to; have an effect on 涉及，关系到vt.W1. (不用被动语态)关于2. 涉及,关系到;影响到The lett

36、er is chiefly concerned with export commodities.这封信主要是关于出口商品的。The news concerns your brother.这消息与你兄弟有关。3. 使担心;使不安H(+about/for)The boy's poor health concerned his parents.那男孩健康状况不佳,使他的父母亲忧虑。He is concerned for her safety.他担心她的安全。4. 使关心H(+about/with)He was very concerned about her.他对她非常关心。Oxygen n

37、. 氧，氧气Originally ad. formerly 起初，原来ad.1. 起初,原来It was originally a toy factory.那原来是一家玩具工厂。Original a.a.1. 最初的,本来的;原始的ZBThe original price of the car was a bit too high.这辆汽车的原价太高了一点。2. 有独创性的;新颖的;奇特的He is an original dramatist.他是个有独创性的剧作家。3. 原作的;原本的BThis is an original painting by Picasso.这是一幅毕加索的原作。Ha

38、zard n. Dangern.1. 危险;危害物;危险之源C(+to)A soldier's life is full of hazards.士兵的生活充满了危险。Hover vi. stay in or near one place in the air 盘旋vi.1. (鸟等)盘旋;(直升飞机)停留在空中The helicopter hovered over the house.直升飞机停留在那房子上空。2. 徘徊;停留The dogs hovered around me while I was fixing their dinner.我给狗儿们弄吃的时候它们围着我转。3. 犹豫

39、,彷徨(+between)She is hovering between life and death.她在生死之间徘徊。Consolidated a. united; combined 联合的Consolidate vt.vt.1. 合并,联合,统一The government hoped to consolidate ten states to form three new ones.政府希望把十个州合并成三个新的州。2. 巩固,加强The troops consolidated their position.部队巩固了阵地。Belt n. area that has some speci

40、al quality; zone (地)带(常大写)地带,地区Iowa is in the corn belt.衣阿华州地处玉米带。the Cotton Belt棉花地带Indicate vt. show vt.1. 指示;指出+(that)+wh-The light above the elevator indicated that the elevator was then at the fifteenth floor.电梯上方的灯指示那时电梯在十五楼。2. 表明;象征;暗示+(that)+wh-His hesitation indicates unwillingness.他的犹豫表明不愿

41、意。Indication n. n.1. 指示;指点;表示U(+of)This map gives no indication of the heights of the hills.这张地图没有标出这些山的高度。2. 征兆;迹象;暗示CU(+of)+thatThere are indications that the weather is changing.有好些迹象显示天气要变了。3. 【矿】【美】有开采价值的迹象C4. 指示器读数The speedometer indication was 45 miles.速度计读数是四十五英里。Pollute vt. make (air, water

42、, soil, etc) dirty with manmade waste 污染vt.1. 污染,弄脏Garbage pollutes our rivers and lakes.垃圾污染我们的河川湖泊。2. 玷污,败坏Our store never sells books which pollute the mind.我们书店从不出售污染心灵的书籍。Pollution n.n.U1. 污染We have freed the lake from pollution.我们已经清除了该湖的污染。2. 污染物;污染地区She was horrified by all the pollution on

43、the beach.她对海滩上的污染感到震惊。Unfit a. not good enough; not suitablea.1. 不相宜的,不合适的;不胜任的(+for)+to-vPhil is clearly unfit to hold a senior position.菲尔显然不能胜任高级职务。This meat is unfit for human consumption.这种肉人不宜食用。2. (身体上)不强健的He was rejected as medically unfit.他因健康不合格而遭淘汰Particle n. 粒子，微粒n.C1. 微粒;颗粒(+of)Particl

44、es of dirt settled on the tablecloth.尘埃落在台布上。2. 极小量(+of)There is not a particle of truth in his report.他的报告没有一点真实性。3. (物)粒子,质点He is studying the properties of these particles.他在研究这些粒子的性质。Emit vt. send out 散发，射出vt.1. 散发,放射;发出The chimney emitted thick smoke into the air.烟囱向空中散发出浓烟。2. 发表(意见等);发出声音John

45、emitted a few curses.约翰发出几声诅咒。3. 发行(纸币等);投放Emission n.Crash v. fall or strike suddenly, violently and noisily 坠落，猛撞vi.1. (发出猛烈声音地)碰撞,倒下,坠落The motorcycle crashed into the fence.摩托车猛地撞在围栏上。2. (飞机等)坠毁,撞坏An airliner crashed west of Denver last night.昨夜一架客机在丹佛西边坠毁。3. (发出很响声音地)冲,闯Q4. 发出撞击声,发出爆裂声Listen to

46、the thunder crash.听劈雷发出的巨响。5. 失败;垮台;破产His company crashed last year.他的公司去年破产了。6. 【俚】(免费)宿夜;睡I'd crashed Friday afternoon - I hadn't completely recovered from the infection.我星期五下午昏睡过去了,我发炎还没完全恢复过来。7. 【电脑】死机The PC just crashed.那部个人电脑刚死机了。vt.1. (发出猛烈声音地)撞击,砸碎2. 使(飞机等)坠毁,使(飞机等)撞坏3. (发出很响声音地)冲,闯O

47、They crashed their tanks through the railings.他们开着坦克哗啦一声冲过围栏。4. 【口】无票进入(会场等),闯入5. 【电脑】死机X crashed the system.X把那个系统搞得死机了。Smash v. (cause to) break into pieces violently （使）碎裂vt.1. 粉碎;打碎,打破(+up)He got drunk and began to smash things.他喝醉了并开始砸东西。2. 击溃,击毁Our artillery smashed the enemy defenses.我们的炮兵摧毁了

48、敌人的防御工事。3. 猛掷;挥(拳等)OHe smashed his fist against the table.他挥拳猛击桌子。4. 【口】使破产5. 【网】打高压球得(分),猛扣(球)vi.1. 碎裂The cup dropped on the floor and smashed into pieces.杯子掉在地上,摔得粉碎。2. 猛撞,猛冲QThe car smashed into a wall.汽车猛撞到墙上。3. 破产;瓦解,垮掉(+up)Many small businesses smashed up during the slump.许多小企业在经济衰退时破了产。4. 【网】

49、打高压球,扣球Stalagmite n. 石笋Projection n. that stands out from a surface 凸出物Project v. vt.1. 计划;规划The government projected a tax decrease.政府计划降低税收。2. 投掷,发射,喷射(+at/into)The fountain projects a stream of water.喷泉喷出一股水。3. 投射(光线等);映(+on/onto)They were delighted to see their holiday slides projected on a scre

50、en.他们高兴地看到他们度假的幻灯片在屏幕上放映出来。4. 突出;使凸出5. 阐述;表明.的特性,使呈现特性He had projected himself as a reformer in the presidential campaign.他在总统竞选中曾以改革者的姿态出现。6. 预计,推断Can you project our sales in the coming year?你能预测我们来年的销售情况吗?7. 【心】把(自己的感情等)投射给(别人)(+on/upon/onto)vi.1. 突出,伸出(+from/into)Nails that project from the wall

51、 may tear your clothes.墙上突出的钉子会撕破你的衣服的。Type n. a particular kind, class or group 类型，种类n.1. 类型,型式,样式C(+of)What type of house would you prefer to live in?你喜爱住哪一类房子?2. 典型;榜样CHe is a perfect type of pedant.他是个十足的书呆子典型。Granite n. hard grey stone sued for building 花岗岩n.U1. 花岗岩,花岗石2. 坚毅;冷酷无情He was a despot

52、 with a heart of granite.他是个铁石心肠的暴君。Formation n. that is formed; way in which is formed 形成（物）n.1. 形成,构成,组成Uthe formation of one's character性格的形成2. 构成物;形态,结构CUClouds are formations of condensed water vapor.云是水汽凝聚而成。3. 队形;阵式UCThey marched in parade formation.他们以列队的阵式行进。Skyscraper n. very tall building 摩天大楼n.C1. 摩天楼,超高层大楼The skyscrapers block our view.摩天大楼挡住了我们的视线。Scrape vt. rub with rough or sharp 刮，擦vt.1. 刮,擦;括(或擦)干净He scraped the potatoes before frying.他炸马铃薯前先将马铃薯刮皮。2. 刮落,擦去,削掉O(+off/away/out)He scraped the paint from the surface.他