大学英语自学教程上册11-25课文逐句翻译

Unit 11 Text A
The Great American Garage Sale
价廉物美的美国车库旧货展卖真不错
Not long ago,
不久前,
Charles Erickson and his familydecided to do some spring housecleaning.
查理士.艾里克逊和他的家人决定进行春季室内大清理.
Sorting through their possessions,
整理所的物件之后,
they came up with some 1,500 old, unwanted items
他们理出了1500来件旧的不用的东西
all sorts of things they wanted to get rid of.
全是些他们想处理掉的东西.
The Ericksons decided to do what a lot of other Americans are doing these days
艾里克逊一家决定按照当今许多美国人的做法
-have a "garage sale."
举办一次家庭旧贷展卖.
They posted homemade signs throughout the neighborhood
他们在整个街头贴出了自做的展卖标志,
ran an advertisement in the local newspaper,
在本地报纸登了广告,
then set out the unwanted objects on the front yard of their home
然后,在密电码歇根州布隆菲尔德山镇自家的庭院前
in Bloomfield Hills,Michigan,and waited to see if any one would come.
摆出那些无用的物件,等待是否有人来买.
The Ericksons needn't have worried.
艾里克逊一家根本不用担心,
Eager buyers bought all but 50 of the items in one weekend,
热心的买主在一个周末买走了除50件以外的全部东西,
leaving the family $ 442 richer.
给这家人增加了442美元的收入.
Garage sale, yard sale, basement sale
车库展卖,庭院展卖,地下室展卖
whatever they' re called and wherever they're held,
不管叫什么,在哪能儿举行,
Americans are having them in ever-in-creasing numbers.
美国人这样的做法正在与日俱增.
The variety of things put up for sale is really wonderful--dishes, books
展卖物品种类确实非同一般:碟盘,书籍,
used clothing, tools, tires, empty bottles, bicycles, furniture.
旧衣服,工具,轮胎,空瓶,自行车,家具等等.
A man in Atlanta, Georgia,
得治亚州亚特兰大市的一位男士,
even sold a full-size replica of a 1931 Ford
甚至卖掉了一辆1931年款式福特车的全尺寸复制品.
"You wouldn't believe the stuff people will buy
"你可能不会相信有人会买这些东西,
says Mrs.Jerry McNeely of Houston, Texas,
德克萨斯州休斯敦市的杰里.麦克尼利太太
who has held two garage sales with friends. "
和朋友一起举行了两次旧货展卖,她说:
"On the other hand,
这些东西,另一方面,
you wouldn' t believe some of the things people will put out to sell."
你又可能不相信有些东西人们会拿出来卖."
Why would Americans want to shop
为什么美国人愿意
by searching among someone else' s cast-offs?
在他人不要的旧货中寻觅要买的东西呢?
Rising living costs
不断上升的生活费用
are considered by almost everyoneas a reason both for holding sales
几乎每个人都认为,是举办旧货展卖
and for attending them.
和光顾旧

货展卖的原因.
The seller makes a little extra money and the buyer saves quite a lot,
车库展卖的物品的价格往往只有原来价格的很小部分,
since garage-sale items usually
所以卖主能挣一点额外的钱,
are priced at a very small part of their original cost.
买主则节省了许多钱.
But beyond that, they're fun.
此外,展卖很有趣,
Garage sales have become suburban social events,drawing people of all ages.
它们成为郊区的社交活动,吸引着不同年龄层次的人.
Neighbors enjoy meeting new peoples,
邻居们乐意认识新人,
some families even serve drinks and cakes.
有些家庭甚至招待饮料和点心.
One psychologist suggests that people are fedup with the computerization of their lives
一位心理学家提出,人们厌倦了生活的计算机化,
they may be searching for their roots.
他们也许在寻找自己的根.
Many of the younger buyers
许多年轻的买主
say they are turned off by the poor quality of modern goods
说他们已经对劣质的现代商品失去兴趣,
and are looking for remnants of a stronger and firmer era
他们在寻找更强盛和可靠时代遗留下来的东西,
when things were built to last.
那时的东西造得经久耐用.
Some people have made garage-sale shopping into a hobby;
有人已把在车库旧货展卖中买东西当顾了嗜好.
they spend their weekends going from sale to sale
他们周末逛完一家又一家,
hoping to run across a real treasure.
希望能巧遇一件真正的宝贝.
Says one long-time weekend bargain hunter,In the back of your mind
一位长期专在周末找便宜货的人说:
you have the hope of finding some fabulouspainting
"你心底里暗自希望能找到藏在什么地方的某幅珍奇的绘画
stored away somewhere or something else of great value for a bargain price."
或者廉价买到一些很有价值的物品."
Diana McLellan, a reporter for the Washington Star-News,wrote,
<<华盛顿星报>>的记者,黛安娜.麦克莱化写道:
"The garage sale is like the quality of mercy
"家庭旧货展卖的性质如同行善一样,
it blesses him that gives and him that takes.
它既降福予者也降福取者.
It separates clothes, toys, pots, cups,
它让衣服,玩具,茶壶,杯子.
forks and knives from their reluctant owners
叉子离开不情愿的主人,
and places them in loving new homes."
进入喜爱自己的新家."
How long will all this enthusiasm continue?
这样的激情还能继续多久?
Says one recent seller,"
最近一位卖主说:
Some day
"总有一天
the people who are buying are bound to be faced with the same peoblem we had--
那些买东西的人一定会面临我们遇到的同一问题-
getting rid of this stuff."
怎么打发掉这些东西."
Text B
American Stores
美国商店
In the United States
在美国,
you will find yourself being urgedfrom every page of every newspaper
你会觉得每一份,每一版的

报纸,
and on practically every television station
每一家电视台都怂恿去购买各种各样的东西,
to buy all kinds of goods you are actually quite happy without.
实际上没有这些东西也无所谓.
Not only is there a wide range of prices for goods in America,
在美国,不仅商品的价格差别很大,
there is also a wide range in the quality of goods offered for sale.
销售品质量也大有不同.
Unlike some countries
和别的国家不一样,
Americans generally pay the price of a product without question,
美国人,往往照商品标价付钱,
instead of trying to get a lower price by bargaining.
平时不讨价还价来争取低价.
However, there are many "sales" in the United States,
不过,在美国却有许多"大减价"销售,
during which time stores will lower their normal prices.
在降价期间商店把价格格不从平时价格降下来.
This may all be very confusing to the visitor.
然而,令顾客困惑的是,
Which is the best product to buy out of hundreds to choose from?
在可供选择的上千种商品中买哪一种最好?
How are you going to know how to "get your money' s worth" when you shop?
买东西时怎样才能做到物有所值?
Perhaps the best advice is: Don't hurry.
也许最好的忠告是别心急,
Visit'various stories and determine the quality of goods
多看几家商店来确定商品的质量,
Examine them carefully.
仔细查看商品.
Read the advertisements so that you can compare prices.
看看广告可以比较价格
Explore and examine before you buy.
购买之前实地调查清楚.
There is a great variety of shops in the United States,
美国的商店也是各式各样,
ranging from very large stores called "department stores,"
其他商品的大商店即百货公司,
offering clothing,furniture, household :goods as well as many other goods
从卖服装,家具,家庭用品
to very small shops that specialize in just one kind of product.
到专卖一种商品的小店.
There are "discount houses" offering goods at low prices, and "dime stores"
有卖低价的商品的折扣商店,
specializing in a wide range of inexpensive items.
也有专卖各类低价商品的"一角钱"商店.
Most department stores in large cities
大城市的多数百货公司出售的商品,
carry averageto better quality products at average to higher prices.
其质量从中等到良好,价格从适中到较高不等.
However, they offer the shopper great convenience
不过它为顾客提供了很大的方便,
since they contain such a wide variety of products.
因为它们拥有如此大的商品选择范围.
If convenience isn't as important to you as price
如果你不嫌麻烦,但求价廉,
you may want to shop in some of the discount houses.
你可能想去扣商店买东西.
These stores have nearly as great a variety of goods as department stores
这些商店拥有的商品种类与百货公司几乎可以媲美,
but offer lower pri

ces.
但是价格更低.
They can do so or several reasons.
它们能做到这样有几方面的原因:
They don't offer the same services to buyers that department stores do;
不向顾客提供百货公司同样的服务;
there may be fewer sales people;
售货员更少;
and the store probably doesn't deliver purchases.
而且可能不用送货上门.
There are many small shops in America, as there are everywhere,
像许多其它地方一样,美国也有许多小商店,
that offer a more limited quantity of products.
经营数量有限的商品.
Usually run by a small number of sales people,
这些商店往往由少数几名售货员管理,
these shops offer products that range from inexpensive to very expensive
它们出售的商品有低价位的也有高价位的,
depending on the shop.
这取决于商店本身.
You are likely to receive more attention from the sales-people
你在小商店从售货员那里
in small shops than in department stores.
得到的关照可能比在百货公司多.
Another popular shop is the "dime store,
另一种流行的商店是"一角钱"商店,
sometimes referred to as the "five and ten."
有时称为"五分与一角"商店.
No longer selling many things for five or ten cents,
他们不再出售五分或一角的商品,
these stores got their name in the last century
因为这一名称是上个世纪取的,
when it was decided that a small profit on a great quantity of goods
当时确认薄利多销
would be betterthan a large profit on fewer sales.
比少销厚利更好.
Dime stores specialize in a wide variety of inexpensive items and today
一角钱商店专营各种低价商品,
prices range from a quarter or 50 cents up to several dollars.
今天的价格从25美分或者50美分到几美元不等.
If you need a small item and don't want to spend very Much,
如果你需要一件小商品,又不想花很多钱,
the dime store is likely to have just what you are looking for.
一角钱商店正好有你所需要的.
The United States is also known for its supermarkets
美国还以其超级市场著称,
where huge quantities of all kinds of food and household articles are sold
这里出售大量各种食品和家庭用品,
These stores offer good quality food at lower prices than smaller food stores
这里出售的食品的质量好且比小食品店的价格低.
The vast majority of Americans do all their food shopping in supermarkets.
绝大多数的美国人在超级市场购买他们全部所需的食品.
最值得光顾的是冷冻食品部.
With discoveries in methods to preserve food,
由于创造了多种保存食品的方法,
almost every kind of food can be frozen and yet keep its original flavor.
几乎每一种食品都能冷冻,并且能保持原味.
Since frozen foods require so little time to cook,
既然烹调冷漠食品的时间很短,
they have naturally become very popular everywhere in the country
冷冻食品自然成为全国

最受欢迎的食品.
Unit 12 Text A
How Dictionaries Are Made
词典是怎样编写的
It is widely believed that everyword has a correct meaning,
人们普遍相信,每个词都有个正确的词义,
that we learn these meanings mainly from teachers and grammarians and
我们主要是跟老师和语法家学习这些词义,
that dictionaries and grammarsare the supreme authority
词典和语法是
in matters of meaning and usage.
词义和用法的最高权威.
Few people ask by what authority the writers of dictionariesand grammars say what they say,
很少有问,编词典和写语法的人凭什么说出他们之所说的.
I once got into a dispute with an English womanover the pronunciation of a word andn
我有一次曾和一位英国妇女争论一个词的发音,
offered to look it up in the dictionary.
并且提出查查词典.
The English woman said firmly,"What for? I am English.
这位英国妇女语气十分坚决地说:"查词典干什么?我是个英国人,
I was born and brought up in England.
在英国出生,在英国长大的.
The way I speak is English,"
我说的就是英文."
Such self-assurance about one's own language
这种对自己语言的自信
is fairlycommon among the English.
在英国人当中是相当普遍的.
In the United States,however,
而在美国,
anyone who is willing to quarrel with the dictionary
谁要是想和词典辨论,
is regarded as either eccentric or mad.
会被认为不是异常就是发疯.
Let us see how dictionaries are made and how the editors arrive at definitions.
让我们看看词典是怎样编写的和编辑们怎样得出词的定义的.
What follows applies only to those dictionary offices where first-hand
下面所说的只适用于那些进行第一手
original research goes on--
创造性研究的词典编辑室,
not those in which editors simply copy existing dictionaries.
而不是那些编辑们单纯抄现有词典的编辑室.
The task of writing a dictionary
词典的编写是
begins with the reading of vast amounts of the literature of the period
从阅读拟编词典要涵盖的时期
or subject that the dictionary is to cover.
和主题的大量文献开始的.
As the editors read,they copy on cards every interesting or rare word,
编辑们在阅读文献的时候,
every unusual or peculiar occurrence of a common word,
要把这样一些资料记在卡片上:每个引起兴趣的词或不常见的词,
a large numher of common words in their ordinary uses,
每个常用词的不寻常的或特殊的出现情况,
and also the sentences in which each of these words appears.
大量的通常使用的常用词以及每个出现这样词的句子.
That is to say,the context of each wordis connected along with the word itself.
也就是说,把每个单词本身连同它出现的上下文一起收集起来.
For a really big job of dictionary writing,
对于一项真正巨大的词典编写任务,
such as the Oxford Engli

sh Dictionary,millions of such cards are collected,
比如像编写牛津英语词不典,要收集几百万张这样的卡片,
and the task of editing occupies decades.
而编写任务要占去几十年的时间.
As the cards are collected, they are alphabetized and sorted.
卡片收集好之后, 要把它们按字母排序和整理.
When the sorting is completed, there will be for each word
整理工作结束之后,
anywhere from two or three to several hundred quotations,each on its card.
每个词可有从两 三条到几百条引文作为例句,每条都写在一张卡片上.
To define a word, then,
为要给一个词下定义,
the dictionary editor placesbefore him the stack of cardsillustrating that word;
词典编辑面前摆放着一摞说明这个词的卡片,
each of the cards represents an actual use of the word
每张卡片代表一们文学上或历史上
by a writer of some literary ox historical importance.
重要的作家对该词的一种实际用法.
He reads the cards carefully, discards some, re-reads the rest,
词典编辑认真阅读每张卡片,
and divides up the stack according to what he thinks are the several senses of the word.
有些就废弃 不用了,
Finally, he writes his definitions,
后他要写定义.
followlng the hard-and-fast rule that each definition must be based on what
这时他应严格遵循一条规则:
the quotationsin front of him reveal about the meaning of the word.
每个定义都必须根据他面前的提示该词词义的引文.
The editor cannot be influenced by what he thinks a given word ought to mean
编辑不能受到他自己认为某个词应是什么词义的影响.
He must work according to the cards, or not at all
他必须根据卡片资料进行工作,要不就别干.
The writing of a dictionary, therefore,is not a task of setting up authoritative statements
所以说,编写词典这一任务不是提供一些关于词的
about the "true meanings" of words,
准确词义"的权威说法,
but a task of recording, to the best of one' s ability,
而是尽最大可能地记录很久以前的
what various words have meant to authors in the distant or immediate past.
或不久以前的作家们对各个词所认定的词义是什么.
If, for example, we had been writing a dictionary in 1890
假如说我们曾在1890年,
or even as late as 1919,
或者甚至晚在1919年编写了一部词典,
we could have said that the word "broadcast"means "
我们可以说," broadcast "一词的词义是"散播,撒播"
to scatter" (seed, for example),
(如散播种子)
but we could not have stated that from 1921 on,
但我们不可能说,这个词的最常用的词义从1921年起
the most common meaning of the word should become
应该变成
"to send out programs by radio or television."
"用广播或电视发送节目".
In choosing our words when we speak or write,
我们说话或写作的时的选词
we can be guided by the historical record p

rovided us by the dictionary
应以词典提供的历史记录为指南,
but we cannot be bound by it, because new situations,
但不就应被它束缚住,因为新情况,
new experiences,new inventions,new feelings,are always forcing us to give new uses to old words.
新经验,新发明,
looking under a "hood,"
新看法总是迫使我们给旧词以新的用法.
we should ordinarily, have foundfive hundred years ago, a monk;
500年前,如果我们朝" hood"下看去,我们一般会看到一个修道士;
today, we find a car engine.
而今在" hood"下面看到的却是一台汽车发动机.
Text B
Reading Provides Necessary Survival Skills
阅读给我们必要的生存技能
With the coming of the television age
随着电视时代的到来
and the increasing emphasis on pictures and sound in all quartets of our society,
和社会各人方面都日益强调图象和声音，
many people would have us believe
很多人企图使我们相信，
that we are moving rapidly away from reading as a necessary life skill.
我们正迅速离开阅读这一必要的生活技能。
But this is not the case at all.
但情况完全不是这 样。
Good reading is a more important life skill than ever before
好的阅读能力比过去任何时候都是更重要的生活技能，
and the printed word continues to be the cornerstone
印刷的资料继续是
of both higher education
受高等教育
and better positions in the job market.
和在人材市场中谋求更好职位的基础。
For students, almost all studying involves reading.
对学生来说，几乎所有的学习都涉及阅读。
For adults,reading is day to day,
对成年人来说，阅读天天进行，
either a stumbling blockor a smooth path to pleasure and opportunity.
它要么是通往乐趣和机遇的平坦道路，要么是一块绊脚石。
This is why good reading habits are not only an important study skillfor the student,
这就是为什么好的阅读习惯不仅是学生的重要学习技能，
but also an important life skill for anyone.
对任何人也是一项重要生活技能。
SCANNING-You can get a good idea about the material
浏览----你一开始用一会儿
by taking a few moments right off to read the title,
阅读一下书名，章节标题等，
chapter headings,section titles and headlines.
你就能对所读的材料有个很好的概念。
The purpose of scanning
浏览的目的是
is to get a quick understanding of what to expect from the reading,
能很快了解可以从阅读中得到什么，
so that you will know what you are reading as you go along.
以便你在阅读过程中能明白你读的东西的意思。
Maps, charts, graphs and pictures are clues that will help the reader
地图，图表，曲线和图片都是有益的线索，
to cue in on the content and organization of the material.
读者理解所读材料的内容和组织提供一些启示。
This simple technique of scanning
浏

览这一简单的技巧
can help you read for ideas
能够帮助你获取大意，
because you will know ,where you are going when you begin to read.
因为当你开始阅读的时候你应该知道你的阅读走向。
READING SPEED--Another good reading habit is reading fast.
阅读速度——另一个好的阅读习惯昌读得太快。
The expression "haste makes waste" does not apply to reading.
“欲速则不达”这个说法不适用于阅读，
In fact, most people read much too slowly.
事实上,很多人读得太慢.
Right now you are probably reading this slower than you need
现在你就可能读得比很好理解
for good comprehension.
所需 要的速度要慢.
Studies show that fast readers are the best readers,
研究表明,读得快的读者是最好的读者,
and that slow readers
而读得慢的读者
often lose their concentrationand comprehension abilities
常常会作不到精神集中或正确理解都常常会减弱，
because their minds will wander our of boredom.
因为他们会由于厌烦而思想溜号。
Remember, nothing hurts concentration more than reading too slowly.
要记住,没有什么比读得太慢可能影响精神集中的了.
Your mind will keep up with your reading speed if you ask it to.
你的思路可与阅读速度保持同步,
By always reading at your top speed, you challenge your understanding
如果你要求这样的话,通过以你的最快速度阅读,
and make it easier for your mind to concentrate on the material.
你向你的理解力提出挑战,使你的思想更容易集中在你阅读的材料上.
VOCABULARY BUILDING--
扩大词汇----
For a person with good reading habits,
对一个具有良好阅读能力的人来说,
a printed page contains not onlywords but ideas,
一张印刷页面上不只包括词汇,它还包括看法,
actions,thoughts and feelings.
行动,思想和感情.
But all these things are built on words.
但所有这些都依赖词汇.
The more words you are familiar with,
你认识的词愈多,
the less you are aware of reading words
你愈不会感到像在读词,
and the more you are aware of content and meaning.
而会更多地感到你在读内容和意义.
Expanding your vocabulary
扩大词汇
will help you to read more effectively and rapidly
会帮助你读得更有效果,更快.
Many people simply skip over words they do not understand.
很多人单纯地跳过他们不认识的词.
This, naturally, hurts their overall comprehension.
这自然会妨害他们从整体上理解阅读材料.
Other people stop at each new word and look it up in the dictionary
另一些人每碰到一个生词都要停下来查词典.
but this method can slow down your reading
这种方法会降低你的阅读速度,
affecting concentration and comprehension.
影响思想集中和理解.
But you can build your vocabulary without using a dictionary each time.
不过你可以扩大你的词汇而不每次都查词典.

Here are two roles:
下面有两条规则:
1. Pause for a moment on each new word and let it register in your mind.
1.每遇到生词时稍停一下,把它暂记在脑子里.
2. Try to guess what the word means from context clues,
2.根据上下文线索,根据该生词周围的词试图猜测其意义.
from the words around it.What happens with this method
采用这种方法的结果是
is that you will see the word again and again
你以后会一再碰到这个词.
Each time you will have a stronger impression of the meaning.
你每碰到它一次,你对它的意义的印象会加深一次.
Soon, the new word will be familiar and its meaning clear.
很快这个词就变成熟词,而它的词义你也清楚了.
The key to the method is to be alert to new words.
使用这个方法的关键是对生词的警觉.
Don't skip over then.
不要跳过它们.
You'll find you are adding to your vocabulary each day
你将发现你的词汇中每天都增添新词,
and a good strong vocabulary is great help to reading qucikly
有效而巨大的词汇将有力地帮助你以高的速度
and with strong comprehension.
和强的理解力进行阅读.
Good reading habits like these
像这样的良好阅读习惯
can help studentsand working adults alike to be more successful.
可以帮助学生以及已经工作的成年人取得更大的成功.
The special world of school and the real world of school
由于增添了诸如良好的阅读习惯这类简单但却重要的生活技能,
and of everyday life can be more comfortable productive
学校的特殊世界和学校与
and rewarding with the additiion of simple
日常生活的真实世界就会变得更加舒适,
yet important life skillssuch as good reading habits.
更富于成果并从中得到更多的回报.
Unit 13 text A
Insurance
保险
An insurance agent called me this morning.
今天早上一们保险代理人给我打电话,
This particular agent wanted to discuss my automobile coverage,
想和我讨论给我汽车承保的问题,
but the next agent to call might be interested in my life insurance program
而下一位打电话来的保险代理人
my health insurance,or fire protection for my home and furniture.
则对我的寿险,健康险,我的住宅和家具 的防火险感兴趣.
The American consumer often feels constantly disturbed by insurance agents
美国消费都时常感觉到不断受到保险代理人的打扰.
Many agents selling many different policies
很多推销各种不同保险的代理人
call us by phone and sometimes even come to our doors.
给我们打电话,有时甚至还直闯我们的家门.
These insurance agents are always friendiy, well dressed,
这些保险代理人通常都彬彬有礼,衣冠楚楚,
and eager to be of help.
一副乐于效劳的样子.
Yet few Americans really enjoy visiting with these eager helpful men and women.
然而没有几个美国人真正喜欢这些
We are not happy when they ca

ll us;
迫切要帮助我们的男男女女的拜访
we are on guard when they visit our homes
我们也怀有戒心.
They are never really our friends;at best, they are a necessary evil.
他们从来就不是我们真正的朋友,充其量也不过是我们不愿见到而又缺少不了的人.
Three reasons why we are unwilling to discuss insurance can be suggested
我们不愿意谈论保险,有三条理由.
First of all, insurance is expensive.
首先,保险太贵.
A young father who purchases a fairly small life insurance policy
一位年青的父亲买了一分数额挺小的保单,
agrees to pay a sum of $200 every year for 40 years-a total of $ 8,000.
同意40年内每年支付200美元共8000美元.
Many college students pay $ 800 to $1,000 per year for car insurance.
很多大学生每年花800美元到1000美元给汽车投保.
In effect,they pay as much for the insurance as they do for the car itself
事实上,他们买保险的钱和汽车的钱一样多.
Health insurance that pays for modern medical miracles
美国人为健康保险,
often costs Americans as much as $2,000 every year.
每年因采用现代医学的各种特效成果而支付的健康保险也多达2000美元.
Adequate insurance is expensive;
购买足够的保险昂贵,
it is a major item for most families,
是大部分家庭的一笔主要支出.
Insuranee also reminds us that we live in an unsafe world
保险还提醒我们是生活在一个不安全的世界里.
We are human and we must face the possibilities of illness,injury
我们是人,必须面对疾病,受伤,
death, and financial loss.
死亡和经济损失的种种可能性.
Our rational minds recognize the many unfortunate events that can occur,
理智使我们认识到很多不幸事件会发生,
but in our hearts we hope that we might be spared.
但在心里我们却希望能得以幸免.
Serious injury or death is not a pleasant subjectto discuss or even consider.
严重受伤或死亡并不是我们高兴谈论或甚至愿意考虑的问题.
We are afraid; we would rather talk about football or the weather
我们觉得害怕,因此更愿意谈谈足球,天气
or what we had for lunch.
或午饭吃了什么.
Finally, insurance is a difficult, complex subject.
最后,保险是一个困难,复杂的话题.
No one understands it completely and only a few insurance professionals
没有人完全明白它,只有少数的专业保险人员
really feel comfortable in a discussion
能真正游刃有余地谈论投保汽车,
of automobile, life,and major medical coverages.
人寿和主要的医疗险别.
We feel inadequate and try to hide our ignorance by avoiding discussions of insurance.
我们感到知之不足,所以想逃避谈论保险,以掩饰我们的无知.
Yet these three reasons for not discussing insurance provide three excellent reasons:
然而,这三个不谈论保险的理由恰恰是
why we should learn more about it.
为什么我们应该

更多地了解保险的极好理由.
Insurance is expensive.
保险很贵,
In a lifetime,many of us spend as much on insurance as we do on the purchase of a home.
我们很多人一生中花在买保险上的钱和买房的钱一样多.
If we are to spend our money, intelligently,
如果我们想花钱花得明智,
we need information about the products and services available.
就需要了解关于现有产品及服务的信息.
We don't depend entirely on salespeople when we buy a car
我们并不完全依赖销售人员.
a house, or a suit of clothes.
当我们买车,购房,添置衣物时,
Neither should we depend entirely on the agent when we buy insurance.
同样,买保险时我们也不应完全依赖代理 人.
We need a basic knowledge of insurance coverages if we are to be intelligent consumers.
如果想做明智的消费者,我们就须掌握保险险别的基本知识.
The intelligent consumer look problems in the face.
聪明的顾客能正视问题.
Although accident, illness, and death are not pleasant subjects,
虽然事故,疾病和死亡不是令人愉快的事情,
each of us knows we face these possibilities.
但每个人都知道我们面临着这些可能性.
It is better that we plan for these situations by finding means to deal with them
我们对联这些情形作出计划,找到应付它们的方法,
than to just hope that they will somehow go away.
这就比仅仅希望这些厄运能远离我们要好得多.
Although insurance can be complex,
虽然保险是复杂的,
its basic conceptsare neither difficult nor impossible to learn.
但其基本概念并不困难,也并非学不会.
Quite the opposite.
相反,
Insurance fundamentals can be understood by those willing to study them.
那些愿意学习的人就能理解保险的基本原理.
Serious study provides knowledge.
经过认真的学习才能得到知识.
The study of insurance is an effectiveproven method of dealing with the insurance ignorance faced
学习保险是解决许多美国家庭面临的保险无知的一种办法,
by many American families.
这种办法是行之有效和经过实践验证了的.
Text B
What Is Money and What Are Its Functions?
什么是货币及它有些什么功能
Money is something you've been familiar with through out your life.
货币是你一生都熟悉的东西.
In fact, you may already consider yourself an expert on the subject.
事实上,你也许已经认为自己是这个问题的专家了.
You regularly use money to measure the value of things you own.
你经常用货币衡量你拥有的财产.
You also have some of it in your pocket and in bank accounts.
你在口袋里,银行账户上也有一定数量的货币.
It might surprise you to learn
如果你听说经济学家
that there's a great deal of disagreement among economists about what money is and how to measure it.
关于什么是货币及如何 衡量它有许多争议,你可能会很惊讶.
Money serves a n

umber of functions,
货币有很多功能,
and any definition of money must consider all of its functions.
任何关于货币的定义都必须考虑它所有的功能 .
The four major functions of money
货币的四大功能是:
are as a medium of exchangea standard of value,
交换的媒介,价值的标准,
a standard of deferred payment, and a store of value.
延期付款的标准和价值的储存手段.
A Medium of Exchange.
交换的媒介.
As a generally accepted medium of exchange,
作为一个被广泛接受的交换媒介,
money rules out the need for barter,
货币排除了物物交换,
the direct exchange of one item for another.
即一个物品与另一个物品直接交换的必要性.
Barter is a very inconvenient means of trading
易货是一种非常不便的贸易手段,
because it requires the double coincidence of wants.
因为它要求买卖双方的要求完全吻合.
A seller with a good or service to offer
一个卖都有某商品出售或服务提供,
must search for a buyerwho has exactly what the seller desires.
必须寻找恰好有他希望要的东西方的买者.
For example, if a baker wants meat,
例如,面包师想要肉,
he must search for a person
就要在以货易货制度下
who sells meatand wants bread under a barter system.
找一个卖肉眼并且需要面包的人.
Because money is generally accepted as payment for any purchase,
因为货币被广泛接受为任何买卖的支付手段,
a baker who sells bread for money
卖面包挣钱的面包师傅可以
can use the money to buy meator anything else he wants.
拿钱买肉或别的他想要的任何东西.
A Standard of Value.
价值的标准.
Money provides a unit of account
货币作为衡量价值的标准,
that serves as a standard to measure value
可作为记帐的单位.
The value of an item is a measure of what a person will sacrifice to obtain it.
某一物品的价值可用一个人为获得该物品需要支付货币的多少不衡量.
How much is a two week vacation in Hawaii worth to you?
到夏威夷度假两个星期你要花费多少?
If you're like most people,
如果你和大多数人一样,
you'll probably respond to such a question
就可能这样回答问题,
by valuing the vacation in dollars--
即以货币计算这个度假的开销----
say $2,000--rather than in terms of other things (like your car).
比如说2000美元,而不是用别的东西,如你的汽车作为计算单位.
Whether or not you're conscious of it,
不管你意识到与否,
you're constantly valuing items in dollars.
你经常有货币确定物品的价值.
As a standard of value,
作为价值的标准
money allows the addition of values of many different itemsas automobiles, repairs,
货币使我们可以累加许多不同物品,如汽车,修理,
and all other goods and services.
和所有别的物品以及服务等的价值.
The concept of GNP is useless
没有如美元这样的货币单位

作为价值的标准,
without a standard of valuesuch as the dollar.
国民生产总值的概念是毫无用处的.
A Standard of Deferred Payment.
延期付款的标准.
Many contracts involve promises to pay sums of money in the future.
很多合同涉及到将来付款的承诺.
The unit of account for deferred payment of debts is also money.
延期偿清债务的结算单位也是货币.
If you borrow money to buy a car,
如果你借钱买车,
the loan contract specifies how much you must pay back every month
贷款协议明确规定每月你必须偿还的钱数
and the number of months required to satisfy your obligation.
以及要求你履行债务的月数.
However, money serves its function as a standard of deferred paymerit
但是,只有某货币的购买力在整个一段时间内保持相对稳定,
only if its purchasing power remains fairly constant over time.
该货币才能起到延期付款的功能.
If the price level rises,
如果物价上涨,
the future purchasing power of moneyover time will go down.
货币的购买力在将来一段时间后就会下降.
Similarly,a decrease in the price level will increase the futurepurchasing power of money,
同样,物价下跌,未来的货币购买力就要增加.
A Store of Value.
价值的储存手段.
Money can also serve as a store of value
货币还可以作为一种价值的储存手段,
that can he quickly converted to goods and services.
它能迅速转换成商品及服务.
Money as the actual medium of exchange is completely liquid,
货币作为实际的交换媒介完全是可变的,
meaning it can immediately be converted to goodsand services
意思是它可以马上被转换为商品和服务,
without any inconvenience or cost.
没有任何不便也无须花费.
Other assets that serve as stores of value must first be sold
别的作为价值储存的资产必须先出售
to be converted into a generally accepted medium of exchange.
转换成一种能广泛接受 的交换媒体.
There are often costs and inconvenience associatedwith liquidating other assets.
这些资产变现时总须花费,也不方便.
Holding money as a store of value
因此,持币作为价值储存手段
thus can reduce the transaction costsinvolved in everyday business.
可以减少日常商务活动中的交易成本.
Unit 14 text A
The importance of Being Kind and Polite
友善和礼貌的重要性
"Frankly, I think you're boring."
"老实说,我觉得你很乏味."
Why do we seldom hear people speak so honestly?
为什么我们很少听到人们说话如此坦城?
Unless you want to end a relationship,
除非你想结束与他或她的关系,
you don't tell another person what you think of her or him like this.
你当然不会像这样告诉他或她你的真实想法.
Failing to be impressed by a friend's collection of stamps,
如果一个朋友向你展示他的集邮册,你丝毫未被打动;
yawning when a golfer tells you about that great

shot he made on the 14th hole,
如果一个高尔球手告诉你他在打第十四洞时打了如何漂亮的一杆,而你却打了个哈欠;
or falling asleep when friends show picturesfrom their last trip to Sault Ste. Marie are all things that educated people try not to do.
或者当朋友们向你炫耀他们上次苏圣玛丽之旅的照片时,你却睡着了,这些都是有教养的人所尽力避免的行为
This is what manners are about:
这就是礼义的内容:
acting in a civilized way to avoid misunderstanding friction, and conflict.
以文明的方式行事,避免误解,摩擦和冲突.
There are no laws enforcing respect.
并没有法律强迫你去遵重别人.
Yet we cannot interact with others without some rules of behavior,
然而我们与别人打交道却不能没有一定的行为准则,
rules that are set by some form of social consensus.
这些准则是由某种形式的社会公论所决定的.
These guidelines represent what a majority of people consider acceptable
这些标准代表了大多数人的意见,
and what they consider unacceptable.
认为什么可以接受,什么不可以接受.
Rude people are those whose behavior shows little respect for the rules that the majority follow.
某些人的行为很少尊重大多数的所遵从的准则,他们就是粗鲁的人.
For instance, because they talk at home while the television is on
比如,因为人们在家看电视的时候可以谈话,
many people think they can talk at movies as well.
很多人就认为在电影院里照样可以谈话.
They are not even aware that this habit will botherthe other members of the audience.
他们甚至意识不到这个习惯会影响其他观众.
Restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections,
餐馆设有烟区和非吸烟区,
and most smokers are polite enough to ask,
而且多数吸烟者在点烟以前总会礼貌地问一句,
"Do you mind if I smoke?" before lighting up.
"我吸烟您介意吗?"
Restaurants should also have cellular-phone and no-cellu-hr-phone sections
餐馆也应设移动电话或非移动电话区.
A new class of rude people has been born:
一种新的举止粗鲁的阶层正在兴起:
the look-at-me phone users whoee boring conversationsare just as dan-gerous to our mental health
就是那些"看我多神气"的打电话的人.他们乏味的电话聊天就像烟雾
as smoke is to our lungs.
有害于肺部一样危害着人们的精神健康.
Sometimes, it is better to remain unknown
有时候,与其让别人憎恨,
than to make people hate you.
还不如自己默默无闻.
There are many children and adolescents whose behavior is gener-ally unacceptable.
很多儿童和青少年的举止总的来说不可接受.
They swear no matter who is around them
不管身边有谁,他们照样骂人,
they listen to their Walkmans while the teacher is talking to them.
老师和他们谈话的时候,他们都照样听"随身听".
Indifferent parents who refuse

to discipline their childrenare not helping them.
满不在乎的家长拒绝用纪律约束孩子,这不是在帮自己的子女.
Kids who have no idea what being polite meanswill pay the price sooner or later.
不知礼貌为何物的孩子们迟早是要付出代价的.
When they join the work force,
当他们工作以后,
their employers and associates alike will soon realize that the behavior of these rude young people
老板和同事早晚会察觉这些举止粗鲁的年轻人
is closer to that of animals than civilized individuals.
更像动物而不像文明人.
When they lose a few contracts because they
当他们因谈话时满嘴食物
talk with their mouth full or when they say "Bob" to someone who should be "Mr.Johnson,"
而丢掉了几个合同,或本应称"约翰逊先生"但却叫他"鲍勃"时,
these grown-up kids,because of their ignorance,
这些长大了的孩子们,由于他们的无知,
will never understand why others are getting aheadand they are not.
永远不明白为什么别人在取得成功,而自己却不能.
Every little bit of kindness helps.
每一丁点的友善都会让人受益匪浅.
With manners,the best rule is the one that works.
对于仪态来说,什么奏效,什么就是最好的准则.
It is easier to look and sound attractive when we are nice to other people
当我们和颜悦色待人时,我们更容易看上去并听起来都充满魅力.
Being polite and showing respectcan give us an edge.
彬彬有礼和尊重别人
Why do we need an edge?
会使我们占有优势?
Success in life often starts with a job we like,
生活中的成功总是开始于一份我们喜欢的工作,
and since getting a job is usually based on making the right impression,
而给人一个好印象是得到一份工作的关键,
it is always a good idea to be kind and polite.
所以和善待人,彬彬有礼永远不失为一个好主意.
Text B
Why We Walk in Circles
为什么我们走路会转圈
"Pin the Tail on the Donkey"
"给驴安尾"
is always funwhen you're watchlng rather than pinning.
的游戏就永远乐趣无穷.如果你只是旁观者而不是游戏者,
It is somewhat'surprising to see how the blindfolded performers act.
观看那些蒙着眼的游戏者的表现有点让人惊奇.
Instead of going straight,they always wander off to one side or the other
他们总是歪向这边或那边,而不是一直向前走.
The greater the distance to the donkey, the farther they go astray.
距离驴子越远,他们偏得越厉害.
Have you ever wondered why they are unable to walk straight ahead?
你是否会问为什么他们不能走直线行走呢?
It is a well-known fact that a person will move in a circle
这是一个众所周知的事实,
when he cannot use his eyes to control his direction.
即当一上人不能用眼睛控制他的方向时,他会绕圈走.
Dark nights, dense fogs, blinding snowstorms,
黑夜,浓雾,让人盲目的暴风雪天气
thick fores

ts all these can keep a traveler from seeing where he is going
以及茂密的森林－－所有这些都使旅行者看不清自己的去向．
Then he is unable to move in any fixed direction, but walks in circles.
于是他就不能沿着某一固定的方向行走，而是绕田圈子．
Animals act the same way.
动物也是如此．
You have probably heard the saying
你可能听说过一句谚语：
"running around like a chicken with its head cut off."
＂像被砍掉头的鸡一样绕圈．＂
Well, a chicken with its head cut off actually does run around in circles.
真的，头被砍掉的鸡还真昌绕着圈子跑．
Blind birds fly in circles.
眼瞎的鸟儿也是绕圈子飞．
And a blindfolded dog will swim in circles.
还有，被蒙胧住眼睛的狗游泳时也绕着圈游．
A Norwegian biologist, F.O. Guldbergdecided
一位挪威生物学家古尔伯格
that this problem of circular movementwas worth investigating.
认为这种转圈运动问题值得研究．
He collected many true stories on the subject.
就此课题了收集了许多真实的故事．
One of his stories is about people rowing on a lake
其中一个故事是讲在一个有雾的黑漆漆的夜里，
during a fog on a dark night.
一群人在湖上划船．
One group of rowers who tried to cross three miles of water
这群划船的人想穿过3英里的水面
in foggy weathernever succeeded in reaching their goal.
却怎么也达不到他们的目标.
Without knowing it,they rowed in two large circles.
他们不知不觉地划了两个大圆圈.
When they finally got to the shore,
当他们终于靠岸时,
they discovered that they were at the spot they had started from.
发现又回到了出发的地方.
After studying many stories such as this,
研究了许多这样的故事以后,
Professor Guldberg wrote an article in which he discussed
古尔伯格教授撰文讨论了
Circular Motion as the Basic Motion of Animals.
"转圈运动是动物的基本运动方式".
"A simple example will help you to understand his explanation ofwhy we walk in circles.
一个简单的例子可以帮助你理解他对为什么我们走路会转圈这个问题做的解释.
Have you ever wound up a toy automobile and started it off across the floor?
你曾经给一辆玩具汽车上满发条并让它们地板上跑过吗?
Then you know that it will rarely travel in a straight path.
那么你就知道它很少能沿一条直线运动.
It will travel, instead, in some kind of are, or curve.
相反,它会跑成一条弧线或一条曲线.
If it is to travel in a straight llne,
如果让它跑成直线,
the wheels on both sideshave to be of exactly equal size.
两边的轮子就要完全一样大小.
If they are not,
如果不是,
the little automobile turns toward the sidewith the smaller wheels.
小玩具汽车就会向较小的轮子那边转.
Circular, movement in walking is caused in much the same way.
行走时的

转圈现象 也是由十分相同的原因引起的.
Us-ally a manwalking will "watch his step" and "look where he is going."
通常一个人走路时会"注意脚下"并"看清方向".
He needs his senses' especially his eyesto get to the point he intends to reach.
他需要运用他的感觉,特别是眼睛,以到达自己要去的地方.
When he cannot use his eyes to guide his steps,
当他不能用眼睛引导脚步时,
he will walk straight only if he takes a stepof the same length with each foot.
只有两脚迈出的步伐完全一样他才能走得笔直.
In most people,however,muscle development is not the same in both legs
然而对于多数人来说,两腿的肌肉发达程度并不一样,
so that it is probable that the steps will be uneven.
所以走起步来很可能不匀称.
The difference may be so small that no one is aware of it.
这种差异也许很小以至于没有人会注意到它.
But small as his, it can cause circular movement.
但是虽然差异很小,它却能千百万边境转圈移动.
Let us suppose that a man's left foot takes a step 20 inches long
假设一个人左脚每步走20英寸
and that his right foot takes a step 30 inches long.
而右脚每步走30英寸.
Now suppose he takes ten step
现在假设他走了10步
--five with his left footand five with his right.
----左脚5步右脚5步.
His left foot will travel 100 inches.
其左脚将走100英寸.
His right foot will travel 150 inches.
其右脚则走了150英寸.
This sounds impossible. One foot cannot remain 50 inches behind the other
这听起来不太可能.一只脚不可能落后于另一只脚50英寸.
What really happens?At each step the man turns a little bit to the left.
事实会怎样呢?每走一步,这个人就往左偏一点.
Sooner or later he makes a complete circle
迟早他就会走完整的一圈.
The tracks of his feet, however, make two circles, one inside the other
他的足迹,就这样,形成内外两个圈.
His left foot makes the smaller circle because it is taking smaller steps
他的左脚走了内圈,因为左脚步伐较小.
His right foot makes the larger circle because it is taking larger steps
他的右脚走了外圈,因为右脚步伐较大.
This is why a person may walk in an are when he sets out in a straight line.
这就是一个人往前走直线却反而走出弧线来的原因.
The muscles of a man's arms are no more identical than the muscles of his legs
一个人手臂的肌肉和他的两腿的肌肉一样不是完全相同的.
This explains why the rowers who set out to cross the lakeat night rowed in a circle.
这就解释了为什么划船的人在夜间想划过湖面反而却划成圆圈.
By the same rule, a bird's wings do not develop evenly
同样的规则 ,鸟儿的翅膀也发育不均衡,
and so it will fly in circles when blinded.
于是当蒙住鸟儿的眼睛时,它就会转圈飞.
Thus,dear readers,our circular mystery has a very straight answ

er.
因此,亲爱的读者,我们的圆圈奥秘却有着一个非常直截了当的答案.
Unit 15 text A
How TV Violence Affects Kids
电视暴力怎样影响孩子
For more than a quarter of a century, evidence has been increasing
在四分之一的世纪还多一些的时间里,愈来愈多的证据表明,
that children's exposureto violence on television
孩子们看电视里的暴力场面
has long-lasting effects on their behavior.
对他们的行为有着持久的影响.
Between 1982 and 1986, the amount of television time allocated each week
在1982年到1986年期间,每周电视节目中
to violent programs increased significantly.
暴力节目的时间有很大的增长.
And the number of violent acts on television in the past years
在过去几年中,电视中的暴力行为的数量
has increased from about 19 to 27 per hour.
从每小时大约19个增加到27个.
Given the amount of time that children watch television,
假定孩子们有这么多的时间看电视,
it has become one of the most powerful models they want to follow.
那么暴力便成为他们想要模仿的最有影响力的榜样之一.
The Position Statement on Media Violence in Children's Lives,
全美国儿童教育协会最近就传媒暴力影响儿童生活问题
recently adopted by the National Associationfor the Education of Young Children,
发表立场声明,声明还指出学龄前儿童
points out that preschool children are particularly easily affected by the median
特别容易受传媒的影响,
because they are not yet fully able to distinguish fantasy from reality
因为这时的儿童还没有充分能力区分幻想与现实,
and their understanding of the underlying motives for behavior
不能很好地理解某些行为内在的动机
and the subtleties of moral conflicts is not yet well developed.
以及道貌岸然德冲突的微妙性.
For example, the rapid recoveries of people on TV from violent attacks
例如,在电视里,人们受暴力袭击后迅速恢复健康,
give children an unrealistic picture of the injuries that have been suffered
就能使孩子对人体所受伤害产生了不现实的想法
Effects on Play
对孩子游戏的影响
Children naturally often want the toys shown on and advertised during these programs.
孩子们常常很自然地想到电视节目里展现的或者做了广告的那些玩具.
And with these toys, their play tends to be more imitative than imaginative.
有了这些玩具后,他们游戏时更倾向于模仿,而不是按自己的想像进行.
Children simply imitate the behavior observed during the program,
儿童单纯地模仿电视节目中看到的行为,
thus undermining both the imaginative and the expressive functions of play
这样会与暴力有关的玩具范围狭小,
The narrow range of most violence-related toys advertised on television
这会危及游戏在帮助儿童
jeopardizes the role of play in helping children
更好地理解自

己的感情
make better sense of their own feelings and interpret their world.
与解释周围世界中的作用.
Some research even suggests that children apply the behaviors observed on TV programs
有的研究甚至认为,儿童会把电视节目中
to their real-life situations.
看到的行为搬到现实生活中去.
Parents Can Help
父母能起的作用
It is a good idea for parents to monitor the amountas well as the kind of television their preschool child watches.
父母监管学龄前儿童所看电视的数量和种类,这是一个分主意.
If your child appears to be crazy about war play and weapons,
如果孩子似乎对打仗游戏和武器着迷时,
it would be a good idea to control his viewing.
最好要控制他观看电视.
Controlling viewing is easier to do during the preschool yearsthan during the school years,
控制学龄前儿童比控制上学后的儿童要容易.
so you should initiate a pattern of restricted television watching now.
因此从现在起应当制定一套限制看电视的办法.
Help your child to interpret what she sees
要帮助孩子理解所看的内容----
to think of explanationsfor the events depicted
想一想怎样才能解释所描述的事件,
and to imagine how the show is put together.
想像一下该戏是怎么连贯起来的.
Make simple critiques of a show
对节目作一些简单的评论,
without implying that her fascination with the drama and the weapons makes her guiltyby association.
但不要有任何暗示,使孩子联想到由于自己对剧情和武器的着迷而感到内疚.
Ask the teachers of your child' s preschoolabout their policy on war play and toy weapons.
可以请教孩子的老师有关他们对打仗游戏和玩具武器的态度.
Many preschool teachers do not like to have commercially made toy weaponsbrought into the classroom
许多幼儿园的老师
and welcome hearing your concerns about this matter.
不喜欢孩子把商业性的玩具武器带进教室,
Look for other parents who share your views.
他们愿意听听你们对这种事的关心.
Work together to control the amount of violent programs watched
还可以找找与你们看法一致的其父母.
and the number of violent toys found in the home.
大家共同努力控制观看暴力电视节目的数量,控制家中的暴力玩具 的数目.
Try to arrange play dates for the children as an alternative to TV viewing
设法给孩子规定游戏的时间,以取代看电视.
Or look for videos of healthy,nonviolent programs for children,
或者给孩子找一些内容健康,非暴力的录相节目,鼓励他们观看,
and encourage their use as an attractive alternative to violent television programs.
以此作为更有吸引力的手段替代暴力电视节目.
Text B
Why Don't Girls Think Like Boys ?
女孩的思维方式为什么秘男孩不同？
Do you believe that only boys do well in science?
你是否相信只有男孩才能学好科学？

Does it seem to you that girls have better vocabularies than boys?
你是否感到女孩掌握词汇比男孩强？
In your opinion,are boys better at building things.
你的意见是不是男孩更善于制作物件？
If your answer to each of those questions is "Yes," you are right,
如果你对其中任何一个问题的回答是肯定的话，
according to an article in Current Science.
那么按照《当代科学》中的一篇文章的看法，你是正确的。
There are exceptions, but here are the facts.
虽然也有例外，但是以下都是事实。
On the average, males score higher on tests that measure mathematical reasoning,
在测试数学推理、机械能力和解题技能方面，
mechanical ability,and problem-solving skills.
男性一般得分较高；
Females show superior ability
在测试词汇、拼写和记忆方面
in tests measuring vocabularyspelling, and memory.
女性表现出更强的能力。
But these differences will probably not always exist.
但这些差异可能并非总是如此。
In the future, a person's abilities may not be determined by sex.
将来一个人的能力可能不由性别决定，
As one scientist says, "Nothing is impossible for a person to be or do."
正如一位科学家所说“人欲成名或成事，未有不可成者”。
In several recent studies, young babies have been observed
在最近几次研究中，人们对幼儿进行观察和试验，
and tested to discover how different abilities ere developed.
以便了解不同的能力是怎样形成的。
A scientific team headed by Jerome Kagana
哈佛大学心理学家杰罗姆’卡根
psychologist at Harvard University,
领导的科学小组研究了
is studying the thinking ability of children 11 1/2 months old.
11个半月的幼儿的思维能力。
The test is a simple one.
试验很简单，
The baby, while seated on its mother's lap
被试小孩坐在母亲的膝盖上
watches a "show" on a small theater stage.
观看一家小戏院舞台上的“表演”。
In act 1 of the show,
表演的第一幕是
an orange-colored block is lifted from a blue box
一块橘红色的积木从一只蓝色盒子里取出,
and moved slowly across the stage.
慢慢地从舞台一头移到另一头,
Then it is returned to the box.
然后放回到盒子里.
This is repeated six times.
这个过程重复六次。
Act 2 is similar, except that the orange block is smaller.
第二幕类似，不同的是橘红色积木比较小。
Baby boys do not seem to notice the difference in the size of the block,
男孩似乎没有注意到积木体积上的变化，
but girls immediately become excited
而女孩很快兴奋起来，
and begin to make noises that sound like language.
并发出听起来像语言的声音，
They seem to be trying to talk.
似乎企图说些什么。
It is known that bones, muscles,and nerves develop faster in baby girls.
大家知道女孩的骨骼、肌肉和神