
Communication by Phone
Passage I
For Conversation Press #1
Text-related information
1.A Cell Phone 手机
A cell phone is a small telephone you can carry with you that operates through networks of radio antennas or space satellites. Other expressions of a cell phone:
a. a cellular phone/telephone
b. a mobile phone /telephone
c. a handset
2.ATM 自动取款机
ATM is the abbreviation for automated teller machine. ATMs are found in business districts and shopping malls. People use them to get cash from their bank accounts and in many places, to pay for gas, groceries, and other things.
3.A Voice Mail 有声邮件
A voice mail is a telephone answering system on which spoken messages are left by one person for another.
Difficult Sentences
1. (Title) For Conversation Press # 1
Analysis:For,means “with the purpose of”;Press # 1 , # stands for No., therefore #1 is read as No.1.
通话按1号键。
Example:For redialing, press the # key.
2. (Para. 3) I was walking in the park with a friend recently, and his cell phone rang, interrupting our conversation.
Analysis:interrupting our conversation,the present participle phrase used as an adverbial of the result。
最近我和一位朋友正在公园里散步,突然他的手机响起来,打断了我们的谈话。
Example:The child fell, striking his head against the door and hurting it slightly.
3. (Para. 3) There they were, talking and talking on a beautifully sunny day and I became invisible, absent from the conversation.
Analysis:talking and talking on a beautifully sunny day,the present participle phrase used as an accompanying phrase.
在一个阳光明媚的日子,他们在那儿谈啊谈,而我却被冷落,成了谈话的局外人。
Example:Marta sat in the armchair, reading an magazine.
4. (Para. 5) There we were, four friends zooming down the highway, unable to talk to one another because of a gadget designed to make communication easier.
Analysis:zooming down the highway, the present participle phrase used as an accompanying phrase; designed to make communication easier, the past participle phrase used as an post-modifier.
我们四位朋友坐在车里,飞驰在高速公路上,却因为有了那个被设计来方便通信的小玩艺儿而不能互相交谈。
Example:My room is on the fourth floor, its window overlooking the beach.
5. (Para. 6) Why is it that the more connected we get, the more disconnected I feel?
Analysis:“it” stands for the subject that-clause, where the comparative structure is used. Similar structure can be found in “What is it that ...?”
为什么我们联系得越多我却越感到失去了联系呢?
Example:Why is it that you know so much?
Why is it that this conclusion is wrong?
Why is it that she can sing better than I?
6. (Para. 7) As almost every conceivable contact between human beings gets automated, the alienation index goes up.
Analysis : As, conj. meaning “at the same time that…”
随着人们之间几乎每一种联系都变得自动化起来,疏远的指数就上升。
Example:They smiled as their eyes met.
As he entered, the hall burst into thunderous applause.
As I knew him better, I discovered that my first impression of him had been/was right.
We get wiser as we get older.
7. (Para. 8) Pumping gas at the station?
Analysis : It’s a elliptical sentence. The complete sentence should be: Are you pumping gas at the station?
你在加油站加油吗?
Example:(Are you) Making a deposit at the bank?(Para. 9)
8.(Para. 8) Why say good morning to the attendant when you can swipe your credit card at the pump and save yourself the bother of human contact?
Analysis : Here why… takes an infinitive phrase,it means “为什么要…,干吗要…”in Chinese。
既然你可以用信用卡在加油泵旁自动刷卡,免于与人打交道的麻烦,何必还要对加油站的工作人员打招呼呢?
Example:Why smoke when you know it is so unhealthy?
Why use wood when you can use plastic?
Why ask me to do it when you can do it yourself?
Why go there?
Why risk breaking the law?
9. (Para. 10) Some supermarket chains are using a self-scanner so you can check yourself out, avoiding those annoying clerks who look at you and ask how you are doing.
Analysis : avoiding…the present participle phrase used as an adverbial of result.
有些超市连锁店正在使用自动扫描仪,你可以自己结账,避开那些令人心烦的店员,他们总是看着你问长问短。
Example:She is unemployed, so she is looking for a job.
They opened fire, killing one of our soldiers.
10. (Para. 11) I am no Luddite.
Analysis : no means “not at all” .
我并不反对自动化。
Example:Don’t cheat her. She’s no fool.
She is no friend of mine.
11. (Para. 11) Giving them up isn’t an option —— they are great for what they are intended to do.
Analysis : great for means “very good for ”; what they are intended to do means “what they are designed to do ”
Example:Going there isn’t a good idea —— it’s too far away from here.
12.(Para. 11) It’s their unintended consequences that make me cringe.
Analysis :It’…that …here takes a emphatic structure.
只是他们无意中带来的后果却使我感到不寒而栗。
Example: It was David that (who) did it.
It was a key that I found in his pocket.
It was not until last year that he came to live in this city.
Language Points
1. lonely adj.
alone and feeling sad, lonesome 孤独的,寂寞的
FOR EXAMPLE:
Without friends, Selena felt lonely in the city she had just arrived in.
I shall have a companion in the house after all these lonely years.
He felt lonely when his best friend moved to another place.
2. recently adv.
not too long ago; starting not too long ago and still going on, (syn.) currently 最近;近来
FOR EXAMPLE:
I saw my friend recently; we had dinner together last week.
Recently, my brother has been working on his master’s degree at the university.
I’ve only recently begun to learn German.
3.evidently adv.
as it appears, seemingly, (syn.) apparently 明显, 显然
Mr. Lowenberg evidently regarded this as a great joke.
From the warm temperature and abundant flowers, it is evidently spring here.
Evidently your sister was sensitive on the topic of operations.
4.preferable adj. (to)
better or more suitable, to be preferred 更可取的; 更好的
FOR EXAMPLE:
She found life in the city preferable to her quiet life in the country.
Your idea is preferable to mine。
A dark suit is preferable to a light one for evening wear。
Gradual change is preferable to sudden, great change.
Milk is fine, but cream would be preferable.
In other uses “continue” is preferable.
5.connect v.
to attach, join together; to reach sb. by telephone 连接,接通
A moment, please. I’ll connect you.
The telephone operator connected me with the human resources department.
I was again connected to the wrong person.
I connected the antenna to the TV set.
A new road connects the two small cities.
6.unable adj.
not able, incapable 不能的, 不会的
I am unable to cycle to school because my bicycle is broken.
He is unable to walk because of a bad ankle.
He is unable to do the job for lack of experience.
7.advance n.
an improvement, (syn.) breakthrough 前进, 进展
Nothing could stop the advance of the soldiers.
With the advance of winter the days grows shorter.
There have been great advances in medicine in the last 50 years.
This model is a great advance on previous ones.
Under this system popular science education made great advances.
in advance of:
(1) in front of 在…前面
She walked 2 yards in advance of her husband.
Don’t get too far in advance of the others.
(2) earlier than 比…早
British summer time is one hour in advance of Greenwich Mean Time.
(3)more highly developed 比…先进
Their training facilities are far in advance of anything we have.
in advance: ahead of time
Everything had been fixed in advance.
8.deposit
V.to place sth. valuable, such as money, in a bank or brokerage account; to place valuables for safekeeping 存放, 存储
He deposited his money in the bank.
Sam deposited ten dollars in his savings account.
He deposited his luggage in the corner beside the tall clock.
The guests are depositing their hats there.
Pay
We should like you to deposit a tenth of the price of the house.
We deposited $300 on the car.
n. a partial payment to hold goods or property until the buyer makes complete payment 定钱, 押金
I made a deposit on the house and signed a ten-year mortgage.
She left a deposit on the coat.
Mrs. Heckler deposited her jewelry in a safe.
a current deposit 活期存款
a fixed deposit 定期存款
on deposit 存(款)
I have almost $5000 on deposit in my account.
9. insert v.
to put sth. into, between, or among 插入, 嵌入
The old lady carefully inserted the letter into an envelope carefully.
The professor inserted a comment in the margin.
A film of oil is inserted between the sliding surfaces of a bearing.
10. chain n.
a series of related things or events; a group of stores, restaurants 一连串;连锁店
The king’s murder started a chain of events that led to a war.
That bookstore is part of a chain; you can find the chain stores in cities all over the country.
11. account n.
money kept in a bank for present or future use 账目,账户
FOR EXAMPLE:
I have an account with this bank.
I have a checking account at Metropolitan Bank.
He opened an account at my bank in your name.
The accounts were perfectly in order.
12. consequence n.
the result of doing sth. 结果, 后果
He drank heavily and died as a consequence.
I’m quite willing to accept the consequence.
He does not consider the consequences.
as a consequence(in consequence) 结果
We hadn’t enough money to pay our bus fare, and in consequence we had to walk.
as a consequence(in consequence) of
As a consequence of his laziness, he was fired.
13. invisible: can’t be seen
vision n.
visible
in-: infamous inexact inefficient
14. pet: v. to touch an stroke somebody, especially a child or animal in a kind lovely way
15. zoom: to go somewhere or do something very quickly
zoom past/through/off
He zoomed past on her Honda.
16. intimacy n. :a state of having a close personal relationship with someone 亲密,亲近
intimate a
17. alienation:separation f
Passage II
Communication By Phone in the U.S.
Related Information
1.the White Pages 白页
The white pages of the American phone book list people and businesses and their phone numbers. People are listed by their last names. Next to each name is an address and telephone number. Names are listed in alphabetical order. They are listed in the order of letters of the alphabet.
How to find the name you need in the white pages? At the top of each page are two guide names. The name on the left is the first name on the page. The name on the right is the last name on the page. Use the guide names to find the page you need. Then look for the name you need on that page. Sometimes several people have the same last names. These last names will be listed in the alphabetical order of their first names.
2. The Yellow Pages
The yellow pages of the American phone book list names, addresses, and phone numbers of businesses. Doctors, lawyers, and dentists are also found in the yellow pages. Businesses are listed under headings in the yellow pages. If you want to find an insurance agent, you can look under the heading Insurance.
Headings are listed in alphabetical order. Businesses are listed in alphabetical order under each heading. Some businesses also have ads under the heading.
But there are no residential listings. Businesses appear in both the white pages and the yellow pages, but the yellow pages give more information about the services these businesses provide.
3. The blue pages
The blue pages list numbers of federal government services, state offices, country offices, city offices and public schools.
4.Pay Phone 公用自动收费电话
A pay phone is a public telephone operated by inserting coins or credit cards.
Difficult Sentences
1. (Para. 3) On dial-direct calls, you’ll be cut off at the end of the time you paid for unless you put more money in the slot.
Analysis:unless conj. introducing an adverbial clause of condition.
您打直拨电话时,除非您往机器里多放钱,否则交费时间结束电话自动断开。
2.(Para. 5) For example, New York City has one area code, but so does the whole state of Oregon.
Analysis:so does…here takes an inverted order.
例如,纽约市有一个区号,但俄勒冈州也有一个区号。
Example: She loves animals, and so does her husband.
3.(Para. 7) This means that you can make the call again to the right number without having to pay more money; or you can have the phone company mail you a credit coupon that has the same value as the phone call.
Analysis:as pron .often used after such or same .
这意味着您不必多花钱可以重新接通电话;或者您可以让电话公司给您邮一张价值相当的信用卡优惠券。
Example: He thinks the same as I do.
I got the same grade as you did.
Important Words
1. directions n.
(how to do sth.), guidance, instructions 指示,说明 嘱咐,指引
I follow your directions.
The teacher gave me directions for the experiment.
Follow the directions on the medicine bottle.
He give us directions to town.
He asked for directions to get to the railway station.
He gave me full directions to enable me to find his house.
The directions which tell you how to assemble the model are printed on the box.
1.combination n.
two or more things, ideas, or events put together 结合
Chicken soup is a combination of pieces of chicken, vegetables, and water.
Technology is the combination of scientific knowledge with practical skills and operations.
The three basic techniques may be used singly or in combination.
2.rate n.
the cost of sth.; a speed, velocity 价格, 收费率;率; 速度
The rate for a trip on that bus is $15 per person.
The room rates at the hotel ranged from $10 to $35 per day.
The plants grow at a great rate.
Their rate of speed was 75 miles per hour.
4. plus prep.
increased by adding 加, 加上
Five plus nine is fourteen (5+9=14).
The bill came to thirty dollars plus tax.
The cost is a pound plus 10 pence for postage.
5. classify v.
to put (things, ideas, etc.) in groups with similar characteristics, (syn.) to be categorized 分类
The biologist classified that big plant as a flower, not a tree.
Cells can be classified in/into two groups.
These methods can be classified roughly under five headings.
6. value n.
worth; quality 价值;价格
The value of this home has doubled since we bought it.
This book is a ten-dollar value that is now on sale for five dollars.
The value of the British pound is less than it was 100 years ago.
7. advertise v.
to sell, (syn.) to promote a product or service
(为…)登广告
Our company advertises on television and in newspaper.
We advertised for a baby sitter.
Mr. Smith advertised his house for rent.
8. charge n.
an amount asked as payment 费用
There is no charge for this delivery.
What is the charge for a night in that hotel?
No charge is made for repairs.
They’re happy to give their services free of charge.
9. booth n.
Small enclosure or compartment for a specific purpose (有某中用途的)小房间
eg: a polling booth 投票间
10. combination n.
joining or mixing together of two or more things or people; state of being joined or mixed together (两个或俩个以上事物或人)结合,混合,联合,组合,合并,化合
eg: The combination of yellow and blue forms green.
The combination of the 50 states forms the United States of America.
The firm is working on a new product in combination with several overseas partners.
公司正在联合几家海外合伙人制造新产品。
combine v.
The colonies combined to form the the United States.
11. out of 用完,卖完
eg: We’re out of water.
He discovered that he was our of cigarettes.
The grocer was our of coffee.
Martin ran out of money.
One of our units ran out of ammunition.
12. arrange vt.
1) +n. or pron.
I have arrange a taxi.
Arrange the matter at your own convenience.
Before going away, he arrange his business affairs.
Now everything is arranged.
2)+to do sth.
Martin to meet him next day.
I’ve to see Francis tomorrow. Morning.
Robbie had for this man to come whenever needed.
I’ve for a car to pick them up at the station.
3) +that-clause
We arrange that we would not draw any water in the lavatory.
Mama had arrange that Mrs. B. should come in occasionally to help us.
It was that they should leave the following spring.
Vi.
Let’s try and arrange so that we can get there at one o’clock.
13. toll
money paid for the use of a road, bridge, harbor, etc( 道路、桥梁、港口等的)使用费,通行费,停泊费
toll-bridge bridge at which a toll is charged 收费桥
toll-gate gate across a road to prevent anyone padding until the toll has been paid (收费路上的)收费门
toll-house house occupied by the person who collects tolls on a road ,etc 收费亭,收费所,收费处
