Unit 1

一、词汇短语

Text I

1．catastrophic [kAtE5strCfik] adj. relating to, or involving great damage or suffering灾难的，与灾难有关的：a catastrophic news一个灾难性消息

2．misfortune [mis5fC:tFun] n. very bad luck, or something that happens to you as a result of bad luck不幸，厄运：Man often accuses nature for his own misfortune.人常因自身的不幸责怪老天。

3．desperately [5despErEtli] adv. extremely or dangerously绝望地，拼命地，极严重地：He was desperately weak, and not too articulate.他非常虚弱，吐字也不清楚。

4．menace [5menEs] n. a） a danger or threat危险，威胁：A man who drives fast is a menace to other people.开快车的人对其他人是个威胁。b） v. to threaten威胁：These measures menace our liberty.这些措施威胁着我们的自由。

5．lull [lQl] n. a） a relatively calm interval暂时的平息：This is just the lull before the storm.这只是暴风雨前的暂时平静。b） vt. to make someone feel calm or safe使安静；缓和，哄骗：lull a person’s fears消除某人的恐惧

6．deceptive [di5septiv] adj. seems to be one thing but is in fact very different; misleading骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的：Appearances are very often deceptive.外表往往是靠不住的。

7．impostor [im5pCstE] n. someone who pretends to be someone else in order to trick people冒充者，骗子：He was an imposter who masqueraded as a teacher.他是位冒牌老师。

8．far-reaching [5fB:5ri:tFiN] adj. having a great influence or effect影响深远的：far-reaching reforms有深远意义的改革

9．address [E5dres] v. to make a formal speech to a large group of people演说：I beg leave to address the Council.我请求允许向议会发表演说。

10．petty [5peti] adj. small and unimportant琐碎的，次要的：He graduated from petty theft to bank robbery.他从小偷小摸发展到抢劫银行。

11．conviction [kEn5vikFn] n. a very strong belief or opinion确信，坚定的信仰：I say so with the full conviction.我确有信心这样说。

12．apparently [E5pArEntli] adv. distinctly, evidently, obviously, plainly显然；似乎：Apparently, you have done a lot of work.很明显你们已经作了很多工作。

13．overwhelming [ovE5welmiN] adj. very great in amount势不可挡的，压倒的；巨大的：overwhelming joy压倒一切的欢乐；an overwhelming disaster不可抗拒的灾害

14．liquidate [5likwideit] v. a） to kill someone or destroy something清除：Hitler tried to liquidate the Jews in Germany.希特勒试图全部消灭德国的犹太人。b） to close a business or company and sell the things that belong to it, in order to pay its debts清算，偿付：liquidate assets清理资产

15．sponge [spQNdV] n. a） a piece of a soft natural or artificial substance full of small holes, which can suck up liquid and is used for washing海绵 b） to wash something with a sponge用海绵擦

16．slate [sleit] n. a dark grey rock that can easily be split into flat thin pieces页岩；石板：I love the slate bridge.我很喜欢石板桥。

17．flinch [5fliNtF] vi. unwilling to do something or avoid doing something退缩，畏缩：He did not flinch from his duty.他不逃避自己的职责。

18．persevere [pE:si5viE] vi. to continue trying to do something in a very determined way in spite of difficulties坚持不懈，锲而不舍：Persevere and you’ll succeed.只要你坚持不懈，你自会成功。

19．stern [stE:n] adj. serious and strict严厉的，严格的，严峻的：His voice grew stern.他的声音变得很严厉。

20．station [5steiFn] n. social rank or position地位；身分：He was exalted to the most eminent station.他被提升到最显赫的地位。

Text II

1．dynasty [5dainEsti] n. a period of time when a particular family ruled a country王朝；世家：It is the most powerful democratically elected dynasty in history.这是历史上民主选举的最有势力的王朝。

2．succession [sEk5seFn] n. a） a following of one thing after another in time连续：She has been awarded first prize four years in succession.她已连续四年获得一等奖。b） the sequence in which one person after another succeeds to a title, throne, dignity, or estate继位，继承：There was a dispute about the rightful succession to the throne.对于王位的合法继承权有过一场争论。

3．campaign [kAm5pein] n. a） several related operations aimed at achieving a particular goal; a race between candidates for elective office 运动；活动；战役：presidential campaign总统竞选 b） vi. go on a campaign; go off to war 参加竞选；参加活动；作战：We are campaigning for equal rights for women.我们正在开展妇女拥有平等权利的运动。

4．bent [bent] n. special natural skill or interest in a particular area 爱好：musical/artistic/literary bent音乐/艺术/文学爱好

5．make-believe [5meikbili:v] n. when you imagine or pretend that something is real or true假装；幻想：indulge in make-believe沉溺于幻想中

6．venerate [5venEreit] v. regard with respect尊敬，崇拜：In most countries old people are venerated.在大多数国家中，老人均受到尊重。

7．decry [di5krai] v. condemn谴责：He decried the lack of support for the arts in this country.他谴责在这个国家里对艺术缺乏支持。

8．appease [E5pi:z] v. to make someone less angry or stop them from attacking you by giving them what they want使平息，使满足：I want to appease the hostility between him and me.我希望能够平息我跟他之间的敌意。

9．justify [5dVQstifai] v. prove to be just, right, or valid证明…是正当、正确或有效的；为…辩解：Wealth must justify itself in happiness.财富必须在快乐中证明自身。