Sentence 1.1I was looking to return to New Orleans, where I’d grown up, to write a book.
Lesson 13 · Complete Study Guide
The Mansion: A Subprime Parable (Excerpts)
逐句双语 · 语法 · 全词汇美式 IPA · 具体修辞 · 全部练习答案
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段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我想回到我的成长之地新奥尔良,在那儿写一本书。
作用:开篇建立《The Mansion: A Subprime Parable (Excerpts)》的叙述或论证起点,交代核心对象,并为下文展开设定观察角度。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我想回到我的成长之地新奥尔良,在那儿写一本书。”;中部推进到“他们需要住的地方,但在新奥尔良找住房是件难事。”;最后落在“业主想卖房,买家想租房,结果是随处可见房屋“待售”的牌子,而大批的工人大老远乘公交上下班。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、转折/对照、并列/递进
核心句法
Owners want to sell, buyers want to rent, and the result is a forest of For Sale signs and an army of workers commuting from great distances.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- grown-up/ˈɡroʊn ˌʌp/长大的;成年人
- uproot/əˈprut/使某人) 迁移到他处居住
- turmoil/ˈtɝˌmɔɪl/混乱,骚乱,动乱
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 1.2The move would uproot my wife and three children from California, and I felt a little bad about that.
Sentence 1.3They needed a place to live, but places to live in New Orleans are hard to find.
Sentence 1.4Ever since Hurricane Katrina, the real estate market there has been in turmoil.
Sentence 1.5Owners want to sell, buyers want to rent, and the result is a forest of For Sale signs and an army of workers commuting from great distances.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:在每份房地产广告的最下边,我都发现印着同一个代理商的名字。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“在每份房地产广告的最下边,我都发现印着同一个代理商的名字。”;中部推进到“我给她打了电话,求她帮忙。”;最后落在“她仔细考虑了我的问题后,说:“我只知道一个适合你们的地方。”她 说,她曾把那里推荐给布拉德·皮特和安吉丽娜·朱莉,但是他们最……”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
She’d suggested it to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, she said, before selling them their more modest place in the French Quarter.
句型:简单句或并列句。含从属连词 before,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 从属标记为 before;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞every real estate ad I saw the name of the same agent使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号I only know of one place that would work for you.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 2.1At the bottom of every real estate ad I saw the name of the same agent.
Sentence 2.2One woman ruled the market, it seemed, and her name was Eleanor Farnsworth.
Sentence 2.3I called her and threw myself on her mercy.
Sentence 2.4She thought my problem over and then said, “I only know of one place that would work for you.”
Sentence 2.5She’d suggested it to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, she said, before selling them their more modest place in the French Quarter.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:那本来不应该是卖点,而应该是种警告。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“那本来不应该是卖点,而应该是种警告。”,再转入“本来我该问房租,却问了地址。”,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
That shouldn't have been a selling point; it should have been a warning.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 3.1That shouldn't have been a selling point; it should have been a warning.
Sentence 3.2I should have asked the price.
Sentence 3.3Instead, I asked the address.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:一看到这幢房子,我便明白了——是那幢豪宅。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“一看到这幢房子,我便明白了——是那幢豪宅。”;中部推进到“根本不敢想象站在这幢豪宅旁边,更不用说住在这里面了。”;最后落在“这幢豪宅简 直就是弗里克博物馆,但不对外开放。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、并列/递进
核心句法
It wasn’t just a mansion; it seemed like the biggest mansion on the street with all the mansions, St. Charles Avenue, an object of fascination for the tourists on the clanging streetcars.
句型:简单句或并列句。分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- conspicuously/kəˈnspɪkjuəsli/显著,显眼,引人注目
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Simile · 明喻As soon as I saw it以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞always felt a tiny bit unnerved使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Simile · 明喻like the biggest mansion on the street with all the mansions以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all the mansions使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Simile · 明喻as far as I could tell以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Antithesis · 对照But it was hard to imagine a human being standing beside it, much less living inside it, and as far as I could tell, none ever did.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调never any sign of life around it通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞never any sign of life around it使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 4.1As soon as I saw it, I knew it—the mansion.
Sentence 4.2The most conspicuously grand house in New Orleans.
Sentence 4.3As a child, I’d ridden my bike past it two thousand times and always felt a tiny bit unnerved.
Sentence 4.4It wasn’t just a mansion; it seemed like the biggest mansion on the street with all the mansions, St. Charles Avenue, an object of fascination for the tourists on the clanging streetcars.
Sentence 4.5But it was hard to imagine a human being standing beside it, much less living inside it, and as far as I could tell, none ever did.
Sentence 4.6There was never any sign of life around it; it was just this awesome, silent pile of pale stone.
Sentence 4.7The Frick Museum, but closed.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:比起外观,它的内部更是令人叹为观止,好像建筑师成心要看看一个富人究竟能挥霍多大的空间。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“比起外观,它的内部更是令人叹为观止,好像建筑师成心要看看一个富人究竟能挥霍多大的空间。”;中部推进到“卧室堪比巨型起居室。”;最后落在“此外,豪宅中还有十个浴室和七个卧室。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:条件/选择、并列/递进
核心句法
There were two of everything that the rest of the world has one of: two dining rooms, two full kitchens, two half kitchens.
句型:复合句/复杂句。使用 there be 存现结构,真正信息焦点位于 be 之后;含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 冒号后的内容解释、展开或列举冒号前的总括语,阅读时先抓总说,再分组处理细目。
词汇与短语
- ballroom/ˈbɔˌlrum/舞厅,舞场
- replica/ˈrɛplɪkə/仿制品,复制品(尤指建筑、 枪、艺术品)
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Metonymy · 借代Versailles以地点代凡尔赛和约及其战后政治。用高度凝练的关联名称压缩复杂社会背景。
- Allusion · 典故/用典Versailles借历史、神话或文学中的专名唤起其既有故事和价值判断。以极少文字引入更大的文化语境,并为当前论证提供类比或反讽参照。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞everything that the rest of the world has one of使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 5.1Inside, it was even more awesome than outside.
Sentence 5.2It was as if the architect had set out to show just how much space he could persuade a rich man to waste.
Sentence 5.3The entryway was a kind of ballroom, which gave way to a curved staircase, a replica of one in the palace of Versailles.
Sentence 5.4The living room wasn’t a kind of ballroom; it was a ballroom, with $80,000 worth of gold on the ceiling.
Sentence 5.5The bedrooms were the size of giant living rooms.
Sentence 5.6The changing rooms and closets and bathrooms were the size of bedrooms.
Sentence 5.7There were two of everything that the rest of the world has one of: two dining rooms, two full kitchens, two half kitchens.
Sentence 5.8Ten bathrooms and seven bedrooms.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我一向认为自己属于中上层阶级。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我一向认为自己属于中上层阶级。”;中部推进到“称自己是中上层阶级,就是说自己生活“富裕”, 而不必说自己“有钱”。”;最后落在“在中产阶级的圈子里与人竞争,我已经获得了巨大的成功。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择、并列/递进
核心句法
Upper middle class is the class into which I was born, the class to which I was always told I belonged, and the class with which, until this moment, I’d never had a problem.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;多重逗号成分构成长句,注意并列项、插入语与主谓主干的边界。
- 关系或连接标记为 which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 本句包含多层逗号成分;括出插入语和并列项后,剩余部分即为主要主谓骨架。
词汇与短语
- Middle-class/ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/中产阶级的
- upper-middle-class/ˈʌpɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/上层中产阶级的
- sneaky/ˈsniki/偷偷摸摸的,鬼鬼祟祟的
- designation/ˌdɛzəˈɡneɪʃən/名称,称号
- well-off/ˈwɛl ˌɔf/富裕的
- league/ˈliɡ/体育运动联合会,联赛
- Upper-middle-classness/ˌʌpɚˈmɪdəlˈklæsˌnəs/上层中产阶级身份或气质
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞always thought of myself使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调never had a problem通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比Upper middle class is the class into which I was born, the class to which I was always told I belonged, and the class with which, until this moment, I’d never had a problem.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞always told I belonged使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Repetition · 反复class关键词在同一句中有意多次出现,形成语义回环或结构支点。持续锁定中心概念,使论述具有强调和节奏推进作用。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号I’m well-off; I’m rich,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Simile · 明喻like I’m not only competing in the same financial league as most Americans—I’m winning以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 6.1Upper middle class—that’s how I’ve always thought of myself.
Sentence 6.2Upper middle class is the class into which I was born, the class to which I was always told I belonged, and the class with which, until this moment, I’d never had a problem.
Sentence 6.3Upper middle class is a sneaky designation, however.
Sentence 6.4It’s a way of saying “I’m well-off” without having to say “I’m rich,” even if, by most standards, you are.
Sentence 6.5Upper-middle-classness has allowed me to feel like I’m not only competing in the same financial league as most Americans—I’m winning!
Sentence 6.6Playing in the middle class, I have enjoyed huge SUCCESS.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:在这幢豪宅里,我现在发现中上层阶级的说法有问题:这并不是一个阶级,而是阶级与阶级之间的差距。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“在这幢豪宅里,我现在发现中上层阶级的说法有问题:这并不是一个阶级,而是阶级与阶级之间的差距。”;中部推进到“中产阶级指导孩子功课以便将来他们能有机会进入普林斯顿大学,而上层阶级人士则给普 林斯顿大学捐一幢新楼房。”;最后落在“他 的腿越伸越开,伸到不能再伸了,直到最后坠入深渊。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
A man struggling to hold on to the illusion that he is upper middle class has become like a character in a cartoon earthquake: he looks down and sees his feet being dragged ever farther apart by a quickly widening fissure.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;出现 be + 过去分词形式,应结合语义判断被动语态或分词形容词。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- be + 过去分词结构需结合施事与受事判断:是真正被动,还是已经形容词化的状态表达。
- 冒号后的内容解释、展开或列举冒号前的总括语,阅读时先抓总说,再分组处理细目。
词汇与短语
- Upper-middle-classness/ˌʌpɚˈmɪdəlˈklæsˌnəs/上层中产阶级身份或气质
- chasm/ˈkæzəm/两个人、团体或事物间的)巨大差距,分歧
- Middle-class/ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/中产阶级的
- upper-class/ˈʌpɚ ˌklæs/上层阶级的
- illusion/ˌɪˈluʒən/尤指对自己的)幻觉,幻想
- fissure/ˈfɪʃɚ/尤指岩石或土地的)裂缝,裂隙
- upper-middle-class/ˈʌpɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/上层中产阶级的
- splay/spleɪ/使)张开,展开(尤指身体部 位)
- abyss/əˈbɪs/深渊
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Simile · 明喻like a character in a cartoon earthquake以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 7.1In this house, I now glimpsed the problem with upper-middle-classness: it isn’t really a class.
Sentence 7.2It’s a space between classes.
Sentence 7.3The space may once have been bridgeable, but lately it’s become a chasm.
Sentence 7.4Middle-class people fantasize about travel upgrades; upper-class people can’t imagine life without a jet.
Sentence 7.5Middle-class people help their children with their homework so they'll have a chance of getting into Princeton; upper-class people buy Princeton a new building.
Sentence 7.6Middle-class people have homes; upper-class people have monuments.
Sentence 7.7A man struggling to hold on to the illusion that he is upper middle class has become like a character in a cartoon earthquake: he looks down and sees his feet being dragged ever farther apart by a quickly widening fissure.
Sentence 7.8His legs stretch, then splay, and finally he plunges into the abyss.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:这座豪宅及其所代表的一切,都位于深渊两端中那更具吸引力的一端。
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“这座豪宅及其所代表的一切,都位于深渊两端中那更具吸引力的一端。”,再转入“我赞叹道:“真是完美无瑕。””,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
This house, and everything it represents, stands on the more appealing side of the chasm.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- chasm/ˈkæzəm/两个人、团体或事物间的)巨大差距,分歧
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞everything it represents使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号It’s perfect,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 8.1This house, and everything it represents, stands on the more appealing side of the chasm.
Sentence 8.2“It’s perfect,” I said.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:每隔几天,我便用谷歌搜索这幢豪宅的信息,对着它出神。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“每隔几天,我便用谷歌搜索这幢豪宅的信息,对着它出神。”;中部推进到“对我的妻子和孩子,我只是说说找了个带游泳池的房 子,其浴室的数量够家里每人一间。”;最后落在“他们必须要亲眼看看 这豪宅,才会相信自己即将入住房子的样子,才能充分领会上层阶级的含义。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序、举例、并列/递进
核心句法
It didn’t occur to them that not only would they have their own bathrooms, they’d need to decide before dinner which of the two dining rooms to eat in—and afterward, which of the three dishwashers to not put their dishes in.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that, which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 before,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 关系或连接标记为 that、which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 before;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- upper-class/ˈʌpɚ ˌklæs/上层阶级的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞Every few days使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Metonymy · 借代the white house以建筑地点代美国行政当局。用高度凝练的关联名称压缩复杂社会背景。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比I told my wife and children only that I’d found a house with a swimming pool and enough bathrooms for everyone to have his or her own.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调Which is to say, they really had no idea what they were getting into.通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问How could they?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 9.1Every few days, I googled the house and stared at it.
Sentence 9.2Then a funny thing happened: it began to shrink.
Sentence 9.3Sure it’s big, I told myself, but houses come bigger.
Sentence 9.4The White House, for instance.
Sentence 9.5I told my wife and children only that I’d found a house with a swimming pool and enough bathrooms for everyone to have his or her own.
Sentence 9.6Which is to say, they really had no idea what they were getting into.
Sentence 9.7How could they?
Sentence 9.8It didn’t occur to them that not only would they have their own bathrooms, they’d need to decide before dinner which of the two dining rooms to eat in—and afterward, which of the three dishwashers to not put their dishes in.
Sentence 9.9To believe it, and to grasp its full upper-class implications, they'd need to see it.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:搬家那天,我们租了辆脏兮兮的金色现代索纳塔轿车,如同美国情景喜剧《比弗利山人》中的那家人那样把车挤得满 满的去看房。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“搬家那天,我们租了辆脏兮兮的金色现代索纳塔轿车,如同美国情景喜剧《比弗利山人》中的那家人那样把车挤得满 满的去看房。”,再转入“为了找点乐趣,我驾车在圣查尔斯大街来回溜达时,让他们猜猜这些大得无法想象的房子中,哪幢是我们 家。”,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
For fun, as I drive up and down St. Charles Avenue, I ask them to guess which of these improbably large houses is ours.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比On the day we move in, we’re all stuffed together, Beverly Hillbillies style, in a rented, dirty, gold Hyundai Sonata.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all stuffed together使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 10.1On the day we move in, we’re all stuffed together, Beverly Hillbillies style, in a rented, dirty, gold Hyundai Sonata.
Sentence 10.2For fun, as I drive up and down St. Charles Avenue, I ask them to guess which of these improbably large houses is ours.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“那一幢?”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“That one?”
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号That one?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问“That one?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 11.1“That one?”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“不是。”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“No.”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调“No.”通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号No.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 12.1“No.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“那幢!”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“That one!”
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号That one!引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 13.1“That one!”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:这样猜来猜去让我们头晕眼花。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“这样猜来猜去让我们头晕眼花。”;中部推进到“这幢豪宅占据了整个街区,但不知怎的,他们竟没有看到它。”;最后落在“它不是一个家,是个铸币厂。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
The thing takes up an entire city block, and somehow they can’t see it.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- giddy/ˈɡɪdi/傻乎乎的,激动不已的
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- implausible/ˌɪˈmplɔzəbəl/不切实际的,不太可行的
- mint/ˈmɪnt/铸币厂
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞entire city block使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 14.1The exercise turns giddy.
Sentence 14.2Each house is bigger than the last.
Sentence 14.3We pass in front of the mansion and they look right past it.
Sentence 14.4The thing takes up an entire city block, and somehow they can’t see it.
Sentence 14.5It’s too implausible.
Sentence 14.6It’s not a home.
Sentence 14.7It’s a mint.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我们绕了这个街区一圈,从它的后面接近,索塔纳缓缓驶入长长的私人车道,在壮观的石头停车门廊前停了下来。
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我们绕了这个街区一圈,从它的后面接近,索塔纳缓缓驶入长长的私人车道,在壮观的石头停车门廊前停了下来。”,再转入“八 岁的奎恩问道:“这是我们的新家?””,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
We circle around the block and approach from the rear, the Sonata rolling up the long driveway and coming to a stop beneath the grand stone porte-cochére.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号This is our new house?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问“This is our new house?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 15.1We circle around the block and approach from the rear, the Sonata rolling up the long driveway and coming to a stop beneath the grand stone porte-cochére.
Sentence 15.2“This is our new house?” asks Quinn, age eight. i6
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我说:“这就是我们的新家。”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“This is our new house,” I say.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号This is our new house,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 16.1“This is our new house,” I say.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:她紧张呼吸着。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
She begins to hyperventilate.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- hyperventilate/ˌhaɪpɚˈvɛntəˌleɪt/换气 过度
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 翻译时保持原文的信息焦点和语气强弱,避免逐词硬译;词义以本段语境为准。
Sentence 17.1She begins to hyperventilate.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“我的天我的天我的天哪!”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“Omigodomigodomigod!”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Omigodomigodomigod!引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 18.1“Omigodomigodomigod!”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:孩子们立马从那辆租来的索塔纳冲出来跑到私人车道上。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“孩子们立马从那辆租来的索塔纳冲出来跑到私人车道上。”;中部推进到“他们又蹦又跳,好像刚得了金美职业篮球联赛的冠军。”;最后落在“等我 们进到里面的时候,他们已气喘吁吁,接着便像一阵风似的跑开去视察他们的新家。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:条件/选择、并列/递进
核心句法
They leap up and down as if they’ve just won an NBA championship.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含从属连词 as if,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 从属标记为 if;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 19.1My small children plunge from the rental car into the driveway.
Sentence 19.2They leap up and down as if they’ve just won an NBA championship.
Sentence 19.3By the time we get inside, they’re gasping.
Sentence 19.4They sprint off to inspect their new home.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“还有一层!”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“There’s another floor!”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号There’s another floor!引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 20.1“There’s another floor!”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“爸爸!
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
先写““爸爸!”,再转入“有电梯!””,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
There’s an elevator!”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 21.1“Daddy!
Sentence 21.2There’s an elevator!”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我的孩子们爱我。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我的孩子们爱我。”,再转入“他们住上了带电梯的房子。”,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
They have a house with an elevator.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 22.1My children love me.
Sentence 22.2They have a house with an elevator.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:众人纷纷指责美国房地产不景气,但令人惊讶的是,很少有人注意到其衰退的根源。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“众人纷纷指责美国房地产不景气,但令人惊讶的是,很少有人注意到其衰退的根源。”;中部推进到“美林证券公司 的经纪人指责斯坦·奥尼尔;贝尔斯登公司的交易商责怪吉米·凯恩。”;最后落在“指责贷款人制造了房地产泡沫,就如同指责毒品贩子 造就了瘾君子。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、并列/递进
核心句法
There’s obviously a long list of people and ideas that can share in the blame: ratings agencies, mortgage brokers, big Wall Street firms, small Wall Street firms, Angelo Mozilo, Alan Greenspan.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;多重逗号成分构成长句,注意并列项、插入语与主谓主干的边界。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 冒号后的内容解释、展开或列举冒号前的总括语,阅读时先抓总说,再分组处理细目。
- 本句包含多层逗号成分;括出插入语和并列项后,剩余部分即为主要主谓骨架。
词汇与短语
- finger-pointing/ˈfɪŋɡɚ ˌpɔɪntɪŋ/指 责(指怪罪某人而不是去解决问题)
- bust/ˈbʌst/经济萧条
- mortgage/ˈmɔrɡədʒ/抵押贷款,按 揭;抵押贷款额
- Middle-class/ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/中产阶级的
- predisposition/ˌpridɪspəˈzɪʃən/行为方式 的)倾向;易患某疾病的倾向
- crack/ˈkræk/强效可卡因
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all the public finger-pointing about the American real est使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Metonymy · 借代wall street以地点代金融机构和金融力量。用高度凝练的关联名称压缩复杂社会背景。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比There’s obviously a long list of people and ideas that can share in the blame: ratings agencies, mortgage brokers, big Wall Street firms, small Wall Street firms, Angelo Mozilo, Al…多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞Every few weeks使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all of this misses the point使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Simile · 明喻like blaming the crack dealers for creating addicts以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 23.1In all the public finger-pointing about the American real estate bust, surprisingly little attention has been paid to its origin.
Sentence 23.2There’s obviously a long list of people and ideas that can share in the blame: ratings agencies, mortgage brokers, big Wall Street firms, small Wall Street firms, Angelo Mozilo, Alan Greenspan.
Sentence 23.3Every few weeks, The New York Times runs a piece exposing some new way in which a big Wall Street firm has exploited some poor or middle-class family.
Sentence 23.4The rich people on Wall Street blame their bosses.
Sentence 23.5The brokers at Merrill Lynch blame Stan O’Neal; the traders at Bear Stearns blame Jimmy Cayne.
Sentence 23.6Everyone blames Countrywide.
Sentence 23.7But all of this misses the point: however terrible the sins of the financial markets, they're merely a reflection of a cultural predisposition.
Sentence 23.8To blame the people who lent the money for the real estate boom is like blaming the crack dealers for creating addicts.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:美国人常常有种强烈的向往,那就是住上超出自己经济能力的房子。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“美国人常常有种强烈的向往,那就是住上超出自己经济能力的房子。”;中部推进到“很显然,这种渴望深入人心,几乎影响到每一个 人。”;最后落在“这种欲望是可以理解和接受的。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果
核心句法
This desire cuts so cleanly through the population that it touches just about everyone.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- lust/ˈlʌst/强烈的欲望(通常指对 权力或金钱的欲望)
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 24.1Americans feel a deep urge to live in houses that are bigger than they can afford.
Sentence 24.2This desire cuts so cleanly through the population that it touches just about everyone.
Sentence 24.3It’s the acceptable lust.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:以加西亚夫妇为例。
作用:以例证或假设具体化前文观点,使抽象判断转化为可观察、可检验的情境。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“以加西亚夫妇为例。”;中部推进到“但在2006年,他们偶然遇到了梦寐以求的房子。”;最后落在“其53.5万美元的价格远远超出了他们俩的支付能力。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序、举例、并列/递进
核心句法
On May 30, The New York Times ran a story about a couple, Lilia and Jesus Garcia, who were behind on their mortgage payments and in danger of losing their homes.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 who,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 who;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- mortgage/ˈmɔrɡədʒ/抵押贷款,按 揭;抵押贷款额
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- mansion-like/ˈmænʃən ˌlaɪk/宅邸般的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Simile · 明喻like qualities以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比The new property was in Linden, California, and, judging from its picture, had distinctly mansion-like qualities.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 25.1Consider, for example, the Garcias.
Sentence 25.2On May 30, The New York Times ran a story about a couple, Lilia and Jesus Garcia, who were behind on their mortgage payments and in danger of losing their homes.
Sentence 25.3The Garcias had a perfectly nice house near Stockton, California, that they bought in 2003 for 160 grand.
Sentence 25.4Given their joint income of $65,000, they could afford to borrow about $160,000 against a home.
Sentence 25.5But then, in 2006, they stumbled upon their dream house.
Sentence 25.6The new property was in Linden, California, and, judging from its picture, had distinctly mansion-like qualities.
Sentence 25.7Its price, $535,000, was a stretch.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:没过多久,市场行情急转直下。
作用:通过时间转换承接前文,推动事件发展,并为后续人物反应或结果作铺垫。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“没过多久,市场行情急转直下。”;中部推进到“他们欠银行约70万美元,面 临着被扫地出门的危险。”;最后落在“这个例子给我们的教 训是:太多美国人之所以陷入目前这种困境是因为他们将房子视为赚钱的工具。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
The mistake supposedly illustrated by the Garcias’ predicament was that they held on to their former home in Stockton as an investment.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- mortgage/ˈmɔrɡədʒ/抵押贷款,按 揭;抵押贷款额
- eviction/ɪˈvɪkʃən/驱逐
- predicament/prɪˈdɪkəmənt/困境,窘况,尴尬的处境
- bind/ˈbaɪnd/窘境,困境
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 26.1Then, of course, the market turned.
Sentence 26.2The Garcias failed to make their mortgage payments and couldn’t sell their original house.
Sentence 26.3They owed the bank about $700,000 and were facing eviction.
Sentence 26.4The mistake supposedly illustrated by the Garcias’ predicament was that they held on to their former home in Stockton as an investment.
Sentence 26.5The moral: Americans are in their current bind because too many of them saw houses as moneymaking opportunities.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:但真正的教训则是:如果一对中产阶级夫妇购买了与他们社会地位不相称的大房子,无力偿还抵押贷款,然后坐下来 向《纽约时报》的记者解释这一切,那么他们可以肯定,这位记者会忽视造成他们经济困难的原因,即美国人愿意不惜一 切代价购买超过自己经济能力的房子的这种奇特心理。
作用:承接前文并转折修正:先否定或限制上一层判断,再把论述推向新的方向。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
But the real moral is that when a middle-class couple buys a house they can’t afford, defaults on their mortgage, and then sits down to explain it to a reporter from the New York Times, they can be confident that he will overlook the reason for their financial distress: the peculiar willingness of Americans to risk it all for a house above their station.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 when,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 when;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- 冒号后的内容解释、展开或列举冒号前的总括语,阅读时先抓总说,再分组处理细目。
词汇与短语
- mortgage/ˈmɔrɡədʒ/抵押贷款,按 揭;抵押贷款额
- station/ˈsteɪʃən/社会地位;身份
- Middle-class/ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/中产阶级的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all for a house above their station使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 27.1But the real moral is that when a middle-class couple buys a house they can’t afford, defaults on their mortgage, and then sits down to explain it to a reporter from the New York Times, they can be confident that he will overlook the reason for their financial distress: the peculiar willingness of Americans to risk it all for a house above their station.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:在全美国,这种事的某种翻版已经成为一种社会模式。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“在全美国,这种事的某种翻版已经成为一种社会模式。”;中部推进到“没有必要假装认为美国人不知道他们根本买不起这样的房产,或者说他们是受了狡猾的 掮客或华尔街商人的诱惑才相信自己有能力的。”;最后落在“如果不是因为他们想要住上更大的房子,他们根本就不会遇到那些掮客。 贷款行业并非美国人渴望购买超出其经济能力的房子的根本原因……”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:条件/选择、时间/次序
核心句法
It’s no good pretending that Americans didn’t know they couldn't afford such properties, or that they were seduced into believing they could afford them by mendacious mortgage brokers or Wall Street traders.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;出现 be + 过去分词形式,应结合语义判断被动语态或分词形容词。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- be + 过去分词结构需结合施事与受事判断:是真正被动,还是已经形容词化的状态表达。
词汇与短语
- foreclosure/fɔˈrkloʊʒɚ/丧 失抵押品赎回权
- spring/ˈsprɪŋ/帮助……越狱
- mortgage/ˈmɔrɡədʒ/抵押贷款,按 揭;抵押贷款额
- mendacious/mɛˈndeɪʃəs/不真实的,虚假的
- money-lending/ˈmʌni ˌlɛndɪŋ/放贷的;借贷业务的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Metonymy · 借代wall street以地点代金融机构和金融力量。用高度凝练的关联名称压缩复杂社会背景。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调It’s no good pretending that Americans didn’t know they couldn't afford such properties, or that the通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调never would have met the mortgage brokers in the first place通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞never would have met the mortgage brokers in the first place使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 28.1Across America, some version of this drama has become a social norm.
Sentence 28.2As of this spring, one in eleven mortgages was either past due or in foreclosure.
Sentence 28.3It’s no good pretending that Americans didn’t know they couldn't afford such properties, or that they were seduced into believing they could afford them by mendacious mortgage brokers or Wall Street traders.
Sentence 28.4If they hadn't lusted after the bigger house, they never would have met the mortgage brokers in the first place.
Sentence 28.5The money-lending business didn’t create the American desire for unaffordable housing.
Sentence 28.6It simply facilitated it.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我们对这种渴望必须予以理解。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我们对这种渴望必须予以理解。”;中部推进到“由于美国中产阶级家庭 经济拮据、蒙受侮辱,成长于小房子里的中下层阶级的孩子觉得买个大一点的房子是头等大事,这也不足为奇。”;最后落在“令人不解 的是,为什么中上层阶级家庭的孩子,成长于足以让人艳羡的大房子里,却还是无可救药地被豪宅所吸引。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
Given the financial anxieties and indignities suffered by the American middle class, it’s hardly surprising that a lower-middle-class child who grows up in a small house feels a burning need to acquire a bigger one.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that, who,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that、who;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- lower-middle-class/ˈloʊɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/下层中产阶级的
- Middle-class/ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/中产阶级的
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- inexorably/ˌɪˈnɛksɚəbli/不可阻挡地,不可更改地
- upper-middle-class/ˈʌpɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/上层中产阶级的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Look how well ’m doing!引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 29.1It’s this desire we must understand.
Sentence 29.2More than any other possession, houses are what people use to say, “Look how well ’m doing!”
Sentence 29.3Given the financial anxieties and indignities suffered by the American middle class, it’s hardly surprising that a lower-middle-class child who grows up in a small house feels a burning need to acquire a bigger one.
Sentence 29.4The wonder is how an upper-middle-class child who grew up in a big and perfectly enviable house is inexorably drawn to a mansion.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:当你搬进一所超出你经济能力的房子时,第一件事就是你突然意识到你什么都需要,在你搬进去之前你连想都没想过 它们。
作用:通过时间转换承接前文,推动事件发展,并为后续人物反应或结果作铺垫。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“当你搬进一所超出你经济能力的房子时,第一件事就是你突然意识到你什么都需要,在你搬进去之前你连想都没想过 它们。”;中部推进到“这会是什么门?”;最后落在“但转念一想:也许我还需添置更多的衣服。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
Three weeks later, I noticed a door near the master-bedroom suite that I hadn’t seen before; it was like a magical door that someone had carved into the wall while I slept.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含 It is/was ... that/who 强调结构;含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 before, while,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 before、while;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- microcosm/ˈmaɪkrəˌkɑzəm/微观世界; 缩影
- master-bedroom/ˈmæstɚ ˌbɛˌdrum/主卧室
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞everything that you suddenly need—things that使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Simile · 明喻as big as the master bedroom we'd left behind in California以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all of my stuff使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Simile · 明喻like a magical door that someone had carved into the wall while I slept以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问What could it be?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞every stitch of clothing I owned使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Antithesis · 对照But the thought occurred: Maybe I need more clothes.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 30.1When you move into a house you cannot afford, the first thing you notice is everything that you suddenly need—things that, before you arrived, you didn’t even want.
Sentence 30.2The dressing room was a microcosm of our mansion’s ability to instruct.
Sentence 30.3It wasn’t a closet, but a room as big as the master bedroom we'd left behind in California.
Sentence 30.4Even after my wife had stored her countless pairs of shoes, there was more than enough space for all of my stuff.
Sentence 30.5Three weeks later, I noticed a door near the master-bedroom suite that I hadn’t seen before; it was like a magical door that someone had carved into the wall while I slept.
Sentence 30.6What could it be?
Sentence 30.7I opened it to find...another huge dressing room!
Sentence 30.8Inside, I could have fit every stitch of clothing I owned, three times over.
Sentence 30.9It seemed weird to just leave it empty, but I didn’t have anything left to put in it, so I closed the door and pretended the room wasn’t there.
Sentence 30.10But the thought occurred: Maybe I need more clothes.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:游泳池又是一例。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“游泳池又是一例。”;中部推进到“最初几周,我觉得这一切都太过奢侈了。”;最后落在“那些有泳池而没有泳池更衣室 的人们该如何是好啊?”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
This is what you need a pool house for—so you can make the transition from water to dry land without the trouble of walking the whole fifteen yards back into the house and climbing a long flight of stairs to the giant dressing room.
句型:简单句或并列句。分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- twenty-four/ˈtwɛnti ˌfɔr/二十四
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调not merely heated but was saltwater通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Antithesis · 对照Had we bothered to dip our fingers in, we’d have discovered that it was not merely heated but was saltwater.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all of this was excessive使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调How on earth did people with pools, but no special house adjacent to them, cope?通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Antithesis · 对照How on earth did people with pools, but no special house adjacent to them, cope?以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问How on earth did people with pools, but no special house adjacent to them, cope?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 31.1The pool was another example.
Sentence 31.2Because we moved in during the winter, we didn’t pay that much attention to it at first.
Sentence 31.3Had we bothered to dip our fingers in, we’d have discovered that it was not merely heated but was saltwater.
Sentence 31.4It was a full six weeks before we really even noticed the pool house.
Sentence 31.5Full bathroom, full kitchen, shiny new Viking range, and a fridge stuffed with twenty-four bottles of champagne.
Sentence 31.6For a few weeks I felt that all of this was excessive.
Sentence 31.7Then one day I became aware of the inconvenience of having to walk, dripping wet, from the pool back into the main house.
Sentence 31.8This is what you need a pool house for—so you can make the transition from water to dry land without the trouble of walking the whole fifteen yards back into the house and climbing a long flight of stairs to the giant dressing room.
Sentence 31.9From that moment on, it seemed to me terribly inconvenient to not have a pool house.
Sentence 31.10How on earth did people with pools, but no special house adjacent to them, cope?
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:豪宅所引发的问题与其他大多数房子所引发的问题不同。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“豪宅所引发的问题与其他大多数房子所引发的问题不同。”;中部推进到“如果你想找人,你得满房子 跑,这得花很长时间,而且要预先假定你要找的那个人不像你那样在空荡荡的房子里到处转悠。”;最后落在“我在 高她两段楼梯的地方,她给我打电话;我与她隔着一个房间,她也给我打电话。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择、时间/次序、举例、并列/递进
核心句法
If you wanted to find someone, you could run around the house, but that took ages and presupposed that the other person was not similarly wandering in the void.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 if,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 if;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- void/ˈvɔɪd/空处,空间
- trek/ˈtrɛk/尤指徒步的)长途艰苦旅行
- cost-benefit/ˈkɑst ˌbɛnəfɪt/成本—收益的
- six-year-old/ˈsɪks ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/六岁的;六岁儿童
- one-year-old/ˈwʌn ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/一岁的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调There’s been no room inside any home I’d ever lived in from which, if I yelled at the top of my lung通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞every other room使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Antithesis · 对照If you wanted to find someone, you could run around the house, but that took ages and presupposed that the other person was not similarly wandering in the void.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问How badly do I really want to find my six-year-old daughter?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问How much does my one-year-old son’s diaper really need to be changed?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 32.1The problems posed by the mansion were different from the problems posed by most other houses.
Sentence 32.2How to locate loved ones, for instance.
Sentence 32.3There’s been no room inside any home I’d ever lived in from which, if I yelled at the top of my lungs, I couldn’t be heard in every other room.
Sentence 32.4The mansion required a new approach to human communications.
Sentence 32.5Standing inside the mansion and screaming at the top of your lungs, you knew for certain that your voice wasn’t reaching at least half the house.
Sentence 32.6If you wanted to find someone, you could run around the house, but that took ages and presupposed that the other person was not similarly wandering in the void.
Sentence 32.7A trek up the Himalayan staircases quickly became the subject of an elaborate cost-benefit analysis.
Sentence 32.8How badly do I really want to find my six-year-old daughter?
Sentence 32.9How much does my one-year-old son’s diaper really need to be changed?
Sentence 32.10After a while, it seemed only natural to my wife to begin with the assumption that her husband could not be found.
Sentence 32.11Even when she knew for a fact that I was somewhere in the house, she’d begin her search with a phone call.
Sentence 32.12She’d call my cell when I was two flights up and she'd call my cell when I was a room away.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:虽然你找不到别人,但各种各样的人能找到你。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“虽然你找不到别人,但各种各样的人能找到你。”;中部推进到“豪宅还配有园丁、泳 池清理人、看管人和管家。”;最后落在“她养成了一个习惯, 当我搜索枯肠盯着我的电脑屏幕时,她冷不丁出现在我的右肩上方,以低沉而有回响的声音问道,“你的书写得怎么样……”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、转折/对照、并列/递进
核心句法
She developed a habit of turning up over my right shoulder without warning and, as I stared helplessly at my computer screen, booming, “How’s
句型:简单句或并列句。逗号后有现在分词/完成分词短语,通常作伴随、原因或结果状语。
- 逗号后的 -ing / having done 成分不另立限定谓语,通常补充伴随、原因或结果。
词汇与短语
- precede/prɪˈsid/先 于……(发生或存在)
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all sorts of people could find you使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比And so while there was, in theory, a great deal of privacy, there was, in practice, none.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 33.1Even though you couldn't find anybody, all sorts of people could find you.
Sentence 33.2People stumbled into other people’s spaces and terrified them.
Sentence 33.3The house was so vast that the sound waves that normally precede the arrival of a living creature got lost.
Sentence 33.4And so while there was, in theory, a great deal of privacy, there was, in practice, none.
Sentence 33.5The mansion came with a gardener, a pool man, a caretaker, and a housekeeper.
Sentence 33.6Any one of these people might turn up anyplace, anytime.
Sentence 33.7The housekeeper, a sweet woman, came twice a week.
Sentence 33.8She developed a habit of turning up over my right shoulder without warning and, as I stared helplessly at my computer screen, booming, “How’s
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:钱是另一个问题。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“钱是另一个问题。”;中部推进到“她说——用 不假思索的语气说,仿佛租金是这房子最不重要的事——“我得看看,但我想大概是十三。”十三。”;最后落在“她没有把数字说全的一个原因是,没有人能够促使自己真正说出这样的话:“你的租金是每个月1.3万美元。””,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择、时间/次序
核心句法
When I’d finally gotten around to asking the real estate agent what the mansion cost to rent, she’d said—in the most offhand tone, as if it were the least important thing about the house—‘I’ll have to see, but I think it’s around thirteen.”
句型:复合句/复杂句。含从属连词 as if, when,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 从属标记为 if、when;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调One reason is that no one can bring themselves to actually utter the sentence: “Your rent will be th通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Your rent will be thirteen thousand dollars a month.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 34.1Money was another problem.
Sentence 34.2It was suddenly going out faster than it was coming in.
Sentence 34.3When I’d finally gotten around to asking the real estate agent what the mansion cost to rent, she’d said—in the most offhand tone, as if it were the least important thing about the house—‘I’ll have to see, but I think it’s around thirteen.”
Sentence 34.4Thirteen.
Sentence 34.5The extra digits are just assumed.
Sentence 34.6One reason is that no one can bring themselves to actually utter the sentence: “Your rent will be thirteen thousand dollars a month.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:像我这种家庭出身的人不应该支付每月1.3万美元的租金。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“像我这种家庭出身的人不应该支付每月1.3万美元的租金。”;中部推进到“当我不经意地告诉我母亲我需要付的金额时,她只是 说:“噢,迈克尔。”其语气完全像她听我说我开着卡车轧死了邻居或者我被诊断得了……”;最后落在“一个月l.3万 美元可能是新奥尔良创新高的房租,但这其实只是房子的基本租金。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择、时间/次序
核心句法
When I let it slip to my mother what I'd be paying, she just said, “Oh, Michael,” in exactly the same tone she'd have used if I’d informed her that I’d just run over the neighbor with a truck or been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 if, when,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语;出现 be + 过去分词形式,应结合语义判断被动语态或分词形容词;多重逗号成分构成长句,注意并列项、插入语与主谓主干的边界。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 if、when;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- be + 过去分词结构需结合施事与受事判断:是真正被动,还是已经形容词化的状态表达。
- 本句包含多层逗号成分;括出插入语和并列项后,剩余部分即为主要主谓骨架。
词汇与短语
- pancreatic/ˌpænkriˈætɪk/胰腺的
- ante/ˈænti/需)预付的款项
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比When I let it slip to my mother what I'd be paying, she just said, “Oh, Michael,” in exactly the same tone she'd have used if I’d informed her that I’d just run over the neighbor w…多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Oh, Michael,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 35.1Thirteen thousand dollars a month is not the rent I was raised to pay.
Sentence 35.2When I let it slip to my mother what I'd be paying, she just said, “Oh, Michael,” in exactly the same tone she'd have used if I’d informed her that I’d just run over the neighbor with a truck or been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Sentence 35.3Thirteen thousand dollars a month might be a record rent in New Orleans, but it was really just the ante.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:第一批账单送达的时候,我们才在那儿呆了三个星期。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“第一批账单送达的时候,我们才在那儿呆了三个星期。”;中部推进到“水是这座豪宅用的。”;最后落在“我本以为发现了其中最后一台,但是在我们入住两 个月之后,我偶然打开一个陈列柜,又发现了一台电视。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
The pool, the fountains, the sprinklers that came on in the wee hours to keep the great lawn lush and green—all were suddenly necessary.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- spring/ˈsprɪŋ/帮助……越狱
- spring-water/ˈsprɪŋ ˌwɔtɚ/泉水
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- wee/ˈwi/很小的(多 用于苏格兰英语)
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问(The drinking water came in truckloads from a spring-water company.) How did we use so much water?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
- Repetition · 反复water关键词在同一句中有意多次出现,形成语义回环或结构支点。持续锁定中心概念,使论述具有强调和节奏推进作用。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all were suddenly necessary使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问Who was I to argue?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 36.1We'd been there only three weeks when the first bills arrived.
Sentence 36.2Utilities were $2,700.
Sentence 36.3That turned out not to include water, which was another $1,000.
Sentence 36.4Think of it: $1,000 a month for water you don’t drink.
Sentence 36.5(The drinking water came in truckloads from a spring-water company.) How did we use so much water?
Sentence 36.6You might reasonably ask.
Sentence 36.7The answer is, we didn’t.
Sentence 36.8The mansion did.
Sentence 36.9The pool, the fountains, the sprinklers that came on in the wee hours to keep the great lawn lush and green—all were suddenly necessary.
Sentence 36.10So, it turned out, was cable, at $800 a month.
Sentence 36.11Who was I to argue?
Sentence 36.12I wasn’t even entirely sure how many televisions we had.
Sentence 36.13Nine, at least.
Sentence 36.14I thought I'd found the last of them when, two months after we'd arrived, I opened a cabinet and found another.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:一天,我小女儿迪克西放学后走进豪宅问我:“爸爸,什么是沃巴克斯老爹?”她搭了一位新朋友的保姆的车回来,那 位保姆不知道我们住在哪儿。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“一天,我小女儿迪克西放学后走进豪宅问我:“爸爸,什么是沃巴克斯老爹?”她搭了一位新朋友的保姆的车回来,那 位保姆不知道我们住在哪儿。”,再转入“朋友的妈妈没有告诉保姆我们家怎么走,而只是说:“他们住在沃巴斯克老爹的房子里。””,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:时间/次序
核心句法
Instead of giving the babysitter directions, the friend’s mother had just said, “They live in the Daddy Warbucks house.”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比Walking into the mansion after school one day, my younger daughter, Dixie, asked, “Daddy, what’s a Daddy Warbucks?”多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Daddy, what’s a Daddy Warbucks?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号They live in the Daddy Warbucks house.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 37.1Walking into the mansion after school one day, my younger daughter, Dixie, asked, “Daddy, what’s a Daddy Warbucks?”
Sentence 37.2She’d caught a ride with a new friend’s babysitter, who didn’t know where we lived.
Sentence 37.3Instead of giving the babysitter directions, the friend’s mother had just said, “They live in the Daddy Warbucks house.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我们搬过来正好第十一天就有人来向我要钱了。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我们搬过来正好第十一天就有人来向我要钱了。”;中部推进到“两天后,我们 请另一个老朋友吃晚饭,希望她能宣传一下捐款的事。”;最后落在““他正想方设法以最佳的方式结识你。”她说道。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
A former schoolmate was calling on behalf of our high school; its fundraising department had somehow learned that I’d not only moved back to town but had moved into the mansion.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- whim/ˈwɪm/突发的念头,一时的兴致(尤指没有重要或正当的理由时)
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Antithesis · 对照A former schoolmate was calling on behalf of our high school; its fundraising department had somehow learned that I’d not only moved back to town but had moved into the mansion.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号It’s funny you should say that,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号He’s trying to figure out the best way to approach you,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 38.1The first request for money came exactly eleven days after we arrived.
Sentence 38.2A former schoolmate was calling on behalf of our high school; its fundraising department had somehow learned that I’d not only moved back to town but had moved into the mansion.
Sentence 38.3My old school friend had a number in mind, somewhere between $25,000 and $100,000.
Sentence 38.4Two days later, we had another old friend to dinner and—in hopes that she'd spread the word—I spoke of my amazement that anyone thought we could fork over 100 grand on a whim.
Sentence 38.5“It’s funny you should say that,” she said.
Sentence 38.6She’d just spoken with the director of a New Orleans museum, who had also heard we'd moved into the mansion.
Sentence 38.7“He’s trying to figure out the best way to approach you,” she said.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我们入住两个月来,都坐在正式的餐厅里,头顶上是镀金的天花板和水晶枝形吊灯,吃着纸盘盛着的袋装指环状馅 饺。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我们入住两个月来,都坐在正式的餐厅里,头顶上是镀金的天花板和水晶枝形吊灯,吃着纸盘盛着的袋装指环状馅 饺。”;中部推进到“我们好像是l959年末古巴的农民,刚刚搬入一所位于哈瓦那的大宅,它富有的前主人由于惧怕革命而仓皇逃走了。”;最后落在“当 时五岁的迪克西脱口而出:“我讨厌人们说,‘噢,我喜欢你的房子’,因为我还得回答,‘这不是我的房子。’”奎恩对此补充 道……”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
Dixie, then five, blurts out, “I hate it when people say, ‘Oh, I love your house, because then I have to say, ‘It’s not my house: ” To which Quinn adds, “Yeah, I hate it when people say, “You must be rich?”
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 because, when,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语;有过去分词短语,通常表示被动或完成并作后置修饰/状语;多重逗号成分构成长句,注意并列项、插入语与主谓主干的边界。
- 关系或连接标记为 which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 because、when;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- 冒号后的内容解释、展开或列举冒号前的总括语,阅读时先抓总说,再分组处理细目。
- 本句包含多层逗号成分;括出插入语和并列项后,剩余部分即为主要主谓骨架。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all sit in the formal dining room使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比Dixie, then five, blurts out, “I hate it when people say, ‘Oh, I love your house, because then I have to say, ‘It’s not my house: ” To which Quinn adds, “Yeah, I hate it when peopl…多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Yeah, I hate it when people say, “You must be rich?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问ay, ‘Oh, I love your house, because then I have to say, ‘It’s not my house: ” To which Quinn adds, “Yeah, I hate it when people say, “You must be rich?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 39.1A couple of months into our stay, we all sit in the formal dining room, under the gilded ceiling and the crystal chandelier, eating packaged tortellini off paper plates.
Sentence 39.2We are Cuban peasants in late 1959 who have just moved into a Havana mansion on the heels of the rich owner, who has fled in terror from the revolution.
Sentence 39.3Dixie, then five, blurts out, “I hate it when people say, ‘Oh, I love your house, because then I have to say, ‘It’s not my house: ” To which Quinn adds, “Yeah, I hate it when people say, “You must be rich?”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:这样的情况前所未有。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“这样的情况前所未有。”;中部推进到“他们穿上最 有公主范儿的裙子,跑到前院,绕着大理石喷泉翩翩起舞,向平民们挥手致意。”;最后落在“我是住在这豪宅里的女孩。””,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
They'd throw on their most princess-like dresses and run out front and dance around the malfunctioning marble fountain, pissing water in all the wrong directions, and wave to the commoners.
句型:简单句或并列句。逗号后有现在分词/完成分词短语,通常作伴随、原因或结果状语。
- 逗号后的 -ing / having done 成分不另立限定谓语,通常补充伴随、原因或结果。
词汇与短语
- cringe/ˈkrɪndʒ/畏缩,退缩;感到难堪
- princess-like/ˈprɪnsɛs ˌlaɪk/公主般的
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Simile · 明喻like ducks to water以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比They'd see the St. Charles streetcar rolling past, and the tourists gawking and pointing at their new house, and their first reaction was not to cringe but to perform.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Antithesis · 对照They'd see the St. Charles streetcar rolling past, and the tourists gawking and pointing at their new house, and their first reaction was not to cringe but to perform.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Simile · 明喻like dresses and run out front and dance around the malfunctioning marble fountain以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比They'd throw on their most princess-like dresses and run out front and dance around the malfunctioning marble fountain, pissing water in all the wrong directions, and wave to the c…多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞all the wrong directions使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比One morning, as Quinn descended the staircases, overdressed for school, she announced, “I need to look good.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 40.1This was new.
Sentence 40.2My children had taken to their new splendor like ducks to water.
Sentence 40.3They'd see the St. Charles streetcar rolling past, and the tourists gawking and pointing at their new house, and their first reaction was not to cringe but to perform.
Sentence 40.4They'd throw on their most princess-like dresses and run out front and dance around the malfunctioning marble fountain, pissing water in all the wrong directions, and wave to the commoners.
Sentence 40.5One morning, as Quinn descended the staircases, overdressed for school, she announced, “I need to look good.
Sentence 40.6I’m the girl who lives in the mansion.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:她们明明知道自己不是富人,还假装如此。
作用:承接前文并转折修正:先否定或限制上一层判断,再把论述推向新的方向。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“她们明明知道自己不是富人,还假装如此。”,再转入“几个月后,这种假装的吸引力渐渐消退。”,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序
核心句法
But after a few months, the charm of pretending to be something they know they are not is wearing off.
句型:简单句或并列句。含从属连词 after,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 从属标记为 after;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Antithesis · 对照But after a few months, the charm of pretending to be something they know they are not is wearing off.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 41.1But after a few months, the charm of pretending to be something they know they are not is wearing off.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:每个美国孩子在其一生的某个时刻都会意识到,物质财富的分配不是任意的,也与个人选择无关,成年人用钱这个工 具来把自己分为三六九等,而确立等级最简单的方式就是通过他们的房子。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“每个美国孩子在其一生的某个时刻都会意识到,物质财富的分配不是任意的,也与个人选择无关,成年人用钱这个工 具来把自己分为三六九……”;中部推进到“但当有一天,某个人的房子比你所见到的更寒酸或更气派,你就会意识 到:房子不仅仅是房子。”;最后落在“它是别人用来给我评定等级的工具之一。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
There’s a moment in the life of every American child when it dawns on him or her that the divvying up of material spoils is neither arbitrary nor a matter of personal choice, that money is a tool used by grownups to order and rank themselves, and that the easiest way. to establish those rankings is through their houses.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;含从属连词 when,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 从属标记为 when;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- arbitrary/ˈɑrbəˌtrɛri/任意的;专横的,武断的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比There’s a moment in the life of every American child when it dawns on him or her that the divvying up of material spoils is neither arbitrary nor a matter of personal choice, that …多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞every American child when it dawns on him or her that the di使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Antithesis · 对照But then one day someone’s house is either so much humbler or so much grander than anything you've ever seen that you realize: A house is not just a house.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Repetition · 反复house关键词在同一句中有意多次出现,形成语义回环或结构支点。持续锁定中心概念,使论述具有强调和节奏推进作用。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 42.1There’s a moment in the life of every American child when it dawns on him or her that the divvying up of material spoils is neither arbitrary nor a matter of personal choice, that money is a tool used by grownups to order and rank themselves, and that the easiest way. to establish those rankings is through their houses.
Sentence 42.2At first, everyone's house appears more or less the same; at any rate, you don’t spend much time dwelling on the differences.
Sentence 42.3But then one day someone’s house is either so much humbler or so much grander than anything you've ever seen that you realize: A house is not just a house.
Sentence 42.4It’s one of the tools people use to rank me.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:孩子们基本上都是共产主义者。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“孩子们基本上都是共产主义者。”;中部推进到“据我所知,我的孩子从未多想他们的房子对他们以及他们在社会上的地位 的重要性。”;最后落在“这种情况最近发生了变化。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
Seeing other children’s material prosperity, they follow their first instinct, which isn’t to understand it or stew about it.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- stew/ˈstu/思考;担忧
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Simile · 明喻As far as I knew以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调never given much thought to what their house said about them and their通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞never given much thought to what their house said about them使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 43.1Children are basically Communists.
Sentence 43.2Seeing other children’s material prosperity, they follow their first instinct, which isn’t to understand it or stew about it.
Sentence 43.3It’s to ask for some of it—to get invited to the mansion.
Sentence 43.4As far as I knew, my children had never given much thought to what their house said about them and their place in the world.
Sentence 43.5They'd been friends with rich kids and poor kids, without dwelling on the differences.
Sentence 43.6That had just changed.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我很想向他们解释,但还是忍住了:没有跟他们解释为什么他们的痛苦或许是一种很好的磨炼,可以为他们将来成人 后的美国生活作准备;为什么我们这个国家明显到处都是金融骗子,随时准备捷足先登住进超过我们经济能力的房子;如 果他们想适应社会,为什么他们必须学会如何应对压力。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“我很想向他们解释,但还是忍住了:没有跟他们解释为什么他们的痛苦或许是一种很好的磨炼,可以为他们将来成人 后的美国生活作准备;为什么我们这个国……”,再转入“他们将不得不为了自己而接受这些重要的教训。”,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:条件/选择、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
I resist the urge to explain how their misery might be good training for grown-up American life; how we are, quite obviously, a nation of financial impostors, poised to seize the first opportunity to live in houses we cannot afford; and how, if they want to fit in, they'll need to learn to handle the stress.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含从属连词 if,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语;有过去分词短语,通常表示被动或完成并作后置修饰/状语;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明;多重逗号成分构成长句,注意并列项、插入语与主谓主干的边界。
- 从属标记为 if;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
- 本句包含多层逗号成分;括出插入语和并列项后,剩余部分即为主要主谓骨架。
词汇与短语
- poised/ˈpɔɪzd/摆好姿势)准备行动 的
- grown-up/ˈɡroʊn ˌʌp/长大的;成年人
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比I resist the urge to explain how their misery might be good training for grown-up American life; how we are, quite obviously, a nation of financial impostors, poised to seize the f…多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 44.1I resist the urge to explain how their misery might be good training for grown-up American life; how we are, quite obviously, a nation of financial impostors, poised to seize the first opportunity to live in houses we cannot afford; and how, if they want to fit in, they'll need to learn to handle the stress.
Sentence 44.2They will have to learn these important lessons for themselves.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:相反,我把注意力转移到生存上。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“相反,我把注意力转移到生存上。”;中部推进到“它想把我们赶走。”;最后落在“但如果我们没有这样做,它便准备来硬的。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择
核心句法
The mansion was not satisfied with making us uneasy.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 45.1Instead, I turn my attention to survival.
Sentence 45.2The mansion was not satisfied with making us uneasy.
Sentence 45.3It wanted us out.
Sentence 45.4It preferred us to leave quietly, without a fuss.
Sentence 45.5But if we didn’t, it was prepared to get violent.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:在一个慵懒的周日下午,豪宅施暴的第一个迹象出现了。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“在一个慵懒的周日下午,豪宅施暴的第一个迹象出现了。”;中部推进到“原来是电梯莫名其妙地震动停住了,我的女儿们,还有她们十岁大的 堂姐,都被困在了电梯里。”;最后落在“这位电梯工转身对我说:“使我惊讶的是,你竟然让她们用电梯。””,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
I was fathering my one-year-old son by teaching him how best to watch an NBA game—which is to say, in high-def with surround sound.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;分号或破折号连接/补充多个信息层次,阅读时先拆分主干再处理插入说明。
- 关系或连接标记为 which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 分号或破折号划分较大的意义层次:先分别找各层主干,再判断并列、转折或补充关系。
词汇与短语
- inkling/ˈɪŋklɪŋ/略知;模糊的印象
- high-def/ˌhaɪˈdɛf/高清晰度的
- one-year-old/ˈwʌn ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/一岁的
- ten-year-old/ˈtɛn ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/十岁的;十岁儿童
- melodramatically/ˌmɛlədrəˈmætɪkli/夸张地
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比For a good twenty minutes, I grunted and groaned and sweated and pretended that this wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号I’m surprised you let them in there.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 46.1The first inkling of this came one lazy Sunday afternoon.
Sentence 46.2I was fathering my one-year-old son by teaching him how best to watch an NBA game—which is to say, in high-def with surround sound.
Sentence 46.3Our bliss was disrupted by the cry of a small child.
Sentence 46.4It was muted, as if someone were calling out from inside the walls.
Sentence 46.5It was from inside the walls.
Sentence 46.6Our girls, with their ten-year-old cousin, were trapped inside the elevator, which had mysteriously jolted to a stop.
Sentence 46.7I tried to yank the metal gate off its hinges to get into the shaft, but failed.
Sentence 46.8It wouldn't have mattered anyway, as they were between floors.
Sentence 46.9For a good twenty minutes, I grunted and groaned and sweated and pretended that this wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.
Sentence 46.10Then I called the caretaker, who gave me the number of the man who had made the elevator work in the first place.
Sentence 46.11By some miracle, he was around and willing to drive the twenty miles from his house to ours on a Sunday.
Sentence 46.12Two hours later, the girls, sobbing melodramatically, were sprung.
Sentence 46.13The elevator man turned to me and said, “I’m surprised you let them in there.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“为什么?”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“Why?”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Why?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问“Why?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 47.1“Why?”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“她没跟你说过那只猫么?”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“She didn’t tell you about the cat?”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号She didn’t tell you about the cat?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问“She didn’t tell you about the cat?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 48.1“She didn’t tell you about the cat?”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:没人跟我说过有关那只猫的事。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“没人跟我说过有关那只猫的事。”;中部推进到“那只猫总是跟着它的亿万富翁主人乘电梯,乘上电梯时,这只猫跳出了主人的怀抱, 把头伸出金属门外。”;最后落在“它的头被夹断了。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
As they ascended, the cat had jumped out of the owner’s arms and stuck its head out of the metal gate.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调No one told me about the cat that had been riding up in the elevator with its billionaire owner.通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 49.1No one told me about the cat that had been riding up in the elevator with its billionaire owner.
Sentence 49.2As they ascended, the cat had jumped out of the owner’s arms and stuck its head out of the metal gate.
Sentence 49.3Its head had been chopped off.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:我停掉了电梯。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
I shut down the elevator.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 翻译时保持原文的信息焦点和语气强弱,避免逐词硬译;词义以本段语境为准。
Sentence 50.1I shut down the elevator.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:几天后,我们接到了一个电话。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“几天后,我们接到了一个电话。”;中部推进到“我明白了,这座豪宅安装了小摄像头,实际上能让它监视住在里面的人。”;最后落在“我走进 地下室,发现了摄像控制盘,把我能找到的插头都拔掉了。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
“We want to let you know that we received a message from the equipment-supervision device on your control panel,” said the voice on the other end of the line.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- equipment-supervision/ɪˈkwɪpmənt ˌsupɚˌvɪʒən/设备监管
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- video-control/ˈvɪdioʊ kəˌntroʊl/视频监控或视频控制的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问The what on the what?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比The mansion, I learned, was equipped with tiny cameras that enabled it, in effect, to watch its inhabitants.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Simile · 明喻as many plugs as I could find以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 51.1A few days later, the phone rang.
Sentence 51.2“We want to let you know that we received a message from the equipment-supervision device on your control panel,” said the voice on the other end of the line.
Sentence 51.3The what on the what?
Sentence 51.4The mansion, I learned, was equipped with tiny cameras that enabled it, in effect, to watch its inhabitants.
Sentence 51.5One of these, apparently, had malfunctioned.
Sentence 51.6I went into the basement, found the video-control panel, and yanked out as many plugs as I could find.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:第二天下午,我感到房子里凉飕飕的。
作用:通过时间转换承接前文,推动事件发展,并为后续人物反应或结果作铺垫。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“第二天下午,我感到房子里凉飕飕的。”;中部推进到“我找到许多温度自动调节器,将它们从不知怎的急剧下降后的20度全部调回到 22度。”;最后落在“但这座房子对我的要求置之不理;无论我做什么,它都准确地保持在20度。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:并列/递进
核心句法
I hunted down the many thermostats and turned them back up, from the 68 degrees to which they'd somehow plummeted, to 72.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 which,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 which;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调The house ignored the request; no matter what I did, it remained at exactly 68 degrees.通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 52.1The next afternoon, the house felt chilly.
Sentence 52.2I hunted down the many thermostats and turned them back up, from the 68 degrees to which they'd somehow plummeted, to 72.
Sentence 52.3The house ignored the request; no matter what I did, it remained at exactly 68 degrees.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:在我试图调节豪宅温度后的第二天一大早,报警器铃声大作。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“在我试图调节豪宅温度后的第二天一大早,报警器铃声大作。”;中部推进到“这是报警器公司打来的,他们想知道我 们的密码。”;最后落在“电话另一端的女士说:“对不起,你的密码有误。”接着,正当我低声下气地求她“别,请别,让 我再试一次”时,她迅速把电话挂了。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
“I’m sorry, we don’t have that as a password,” said the lady on the other end of the phone, and then, as I begged and pleaded (“No, please, no!
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句;多重逗号成分构成长句,注意并列项、插入语与主谓主干的边界。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 本句包含多层逗号成分;括出插入语和并列项后,剩余部分即为主要主谓骨架。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调“I’m sorry, we don’t have that as a password,” said the lady on the other end of the phone, and then通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比“I’m sorry, we don’t have that as a password,” said the lady on the other end of the phone, and then, as I begged and pleaded (“No, please, no!多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号I’m sorry, we don’t have that as a password,引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 53.1The day after I tried to change the mansion’s temperature, early in the morning, the alarm went off.
Sentence 53.2Then the phone rang.
Sentence 53.3It was the alarm company, wanting to know our password.
Sentence 53.4I gave it to them.
Sentence 53.5“I’m sorry, we don’t have that as a password,” said the lady on the other end of the phone, and then, as I begged and pleaded (“No, please, no!
Sentence 53.6Let me try again!”), she quickly hung up.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:没多久,两辆警车闪着警灯冲进我们家的私人车道。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“没多久,两辆警车闪着警灯冲进我们家的私人车道。”;中部推进到“在我的外表看起来与犯罪分子最惊 人地相像的时候,豪宅给警察“打了电话”:我只穿了内裤和T恤衫,头发乱蓬蓬的,没有丝毫的证据证……”;最后落在“他们要是把我也抓了我该怎么办?”),让她贴近我,好像她是我的人体盾 牌。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:条件/选择、并列/递进
核心句法
The mansion had phoned the cops at exactly the moment I appeared most shockingly arrestable: wearing only underpants and a T-shirt, hair sticking up in six different directions, and without a trace of evidence that I belonged there.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含关系或连接成分 that,需结合先行词辨认定语从句/名词从句。
- 关系或连接标记为 that;应逐一确认先行词,避免把定语从句误作新的主句。
- 冒号后的内容解释、展开或列举冒号前的总括语,阅读时先抓总说,再分组处理细目。
词汇与短语
- squad/ˈskwɑd/特别行动小组
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- T-shirt/ˈti ˌʃɝt/T恤衫
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Rhetorical Question · 反问/设问What if they arrest me too?以问句形式提出论点、质疑默认立场或引导下文,重点不在索取一个现场回答。把读者卷入推理过程,并加强语气或制造段落转折。
翻译与理解难点
- 长句先找限定谓语,再把定语从句、状语、同位语和插入语逐层拆开;中文可按逻辑顺序分译。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 54.1Moments later, two squad cars with lights flashing sped into our driveway.
Sentence 54.2Four police officers leapt out and banged on the front door.
Sentence 54.3The mansion had phoned the cops at exactly the moment I appeared most shockingly arrestable: wearing only underpants and a T-shirt, hair sticking up in six different directions, and without a trace of evidence that I belonged there.
Sentence 54.4I grabbed Dixie (“Daddy, I don’t want to go!
Sentence 54.5What if they arrest me too?”) and pulled her close to me, as a kind of human shield.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“先生,我们是听到报警器的信号才来的。”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“Sir, we’re responding to an alarm signal.”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Sir, we’re responding to an alarm signal.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 55.1“Sir, we’re responding to an alarm signal.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“这显然是个误会。
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
先写““这显然是个误会。”,再转入“很抱歉打扰你们。””,形成前提—发展、描写—评价或问—答关系。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“It was obviously a mistake.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 56.1“It was obviously a mistake.
Sentence 56.2Sorry to trouble you.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:一阵沉默。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
Silence.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 翻译时保持原文的信息焦点和语气强弱,避免逐词硬译;词义以本段语境为准。
Sentence 57.1Silence.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:“我们只是租住在这儿。”
作用:以人物对话推进情节和观念冲突;语气、答非所问、重复或反转同时承担人物刻画作用。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:语义承接与信息递进
核心句法
“We're just renting the place.”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号We're just renting the place.引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
Sentence 58.1“We're just renting the place.”
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:警察开车走了,来得快去得慢。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“警察开车走了,来得快去得慢。”;中部推进到“刚开 始,你以为你控制着那匹马。”;最后落在“你为自己一开始要 去假扮什么牛仔而感到羞愧。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
Then you try to guide it as much as two feet off the assigned path, and it resists and takes control of the steering.
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- pretense/priˈtɛns/假装,做作
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Simile · 明喻like one of those old horses you find at dude ranches以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
- Metaphor · 隐喻The house had a mind of its own把宅邸写成具有独立意志的力量,不使用 like/as 等明示比较词。把抽象社会、心理或科学关系压缩成可感的空间和物质形象。
- Simile · 明喻as much as two feet off the assigned path以 like 或 as...as 明示两个对象之间的相似性。把抽象判断转化为具体形象,帮助读者迅速把握特征。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 59.1The police drove away, more slowly than they’d arrived.
Sentence 59.2But they weren’t the problem.
Sentence 59.3The house had a mind of its own, like one of those old horses you find at dude ranches.
Sentence 59.4You begin with the assumption that you are in control of the beast.
Sentence 59.5Then you try to guide it as much as two feet off the assigned path, and it resists and takes control of the steering.
Sentence 59.6You are left feeling ashamed of whatever cowboy pretense you had to begin with.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:这所大宅现在开始表达它的不满。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“这所大宅现在开始表达它的不满。”;中部推进到“检修人员来了之 后,检查了一番,直摇头,又走了。”;最后落在“一个房间十分闷热,而另一个房间却非常凉爽,而这两个房间处在同一楼层,这可真令人称奇。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:转折/对照、条件/选择、并列/递进
核心句法
The grand public spaces continued to be pleasant and comfortable, as if the mansion, in chasing us out, had no interest in sullying its public reputation.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含从属连词 as if,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 从属标记为 if;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- mansion/ˈmænʃən/宅第,公馆
- eviction/ɪˈvɪkʃən/驱逐
- tantamount/ˈtæntəˌmaʊnt/行动、建议、计划等几乎)等于某事,无异于某事
- air-conditioning/ˈɛr kəˌndɪʃənɪŋ/空气调节;空调系统
- ballroom/ˈbɔˌlrum/舞厅,舞场
- putatively/ˈpjutətɪvli/公认地,被普遍认可地
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞All by itself使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调nothing they could see that was wrong with even one of the mansion’s mas通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Hyperbole / Absolute Diction · 夸张/绝对化措辞nothing they could see that was wrong with even one of the man使用全称、极端范围或绝对数量词扩大表达程度。强化作者情绪和判断力度;理解时需结合上下文而非机械按字面取值。
- Antithesis · 对照The ballroom, interestingly, was still 68 degrees, but the bedrooms were now 83.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Antithesis · 对照The house not only had microclimates, but also a unifying theme.以 but 等转折标记把方向相反的判断置于相近结构中。突出矛盾、反转或价值冲突,使论点更鲜明。
- Litotes / Negative Emphasis · 曲言/否定强调The grand public spaces continued to be pleasant and comfortable, as if the mansion, in chasing us o通过否定、双重否定或弱化措辞表达强烈判断。语气比直接断言更克制,却能产生反向强化。
- Enumeration / Parallelism · 列举/排比Amazingly, it could be 83 degrees and humid in one room and 68 and dry in another—on the same floor.多个同类词组、分句或结构连续排列。累积细节、加强节奏,并使论证或描写更有气势。
翻译与理解难点
- 破折号或分号承担补充、转折或并列分层,翻译时要保留层次而不必机械照搬标点。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
- 被动结构应根据中文习惯处理为主动、无主句或“被”字句,重点保留施受关系。
Sentence 60.1Now the mansion was expressing its resentment.
Sentence 60.2It committed an act that, for a New Orleans house in summer, is tantamount to eviction.
Sentence 60.3All by itself, with the temperature outside rising into the low 90s, it shut down its air conditioning.
Sentence 60.4I do not mean that any of its eleven air-conditioning units broke.
Sentence 60.5A broken unit can be repaired.
Sentence 60.6The repairmen came and went, shaking their heads.
Sentence 60.7There was nothing they could see that was wrong with even one of the mansion’s massive air compressors.
Sentence 60.8The problem was deep inside the walls, perhaps in the wiring.
Sentence 60.9The ballroom, interestingly, was still 68 degrees, but the bedrooms were now 83.
Sentence 60.10The house not only had microclimates, but also a unifying theme.
Sentence 60.11The grand public spaces continued to be pleasant and comfortable, as if the mansion, in chasing us out, had no interest in sullying its public reputation.
Sentence 60.12Only its putatively private spaces—bedrooms, bathrooms—were uninhabitable.
Sentence 60.13Amazingly, it could be 83 degrees and humid in one room and 68 and dry in another—on the same floor.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:过后我们赶紧逃之夭夭,回到我们原来的地方:中上层阶级。
作用:承接前文继续发展中心话题,通过事实、描写、解释或评价补充新的论证层次。
行文结构与逻辑
先写“过后我们赶紧逃之夭夭,回到我们原来的地方:中上层阶级。”;中部推进到“途 经赫斯特城堡,他们下车跟随导游进去参观。”;最后落在“导游对她宽容地笑了笑,问她有什么问题。”,构成起点—展开—落点的层次。
主要关系:因果、条件/选择、时间/次序、并列/递进
核心句法
A few minutes into it, as they stood in one of William Randolph Hearst’s many bedrooms, the guide asked if anyone had a question.
句型:复合句/复杂句。含从属连词 if,构成时间、原因、让步、条件或比较状语。
- 从属标记为 if;它们分别组织让步、原因、时间、条件或选择关系。
词汇与短语
- Middle-class/ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/中产阶级的
- upper-middle-class/ˈʌpɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/上层中产阶级的
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Plain Exposition · 平实说明本段主要依靠叙述或逻辑说明推进,没有足以独立判定的显性修辞格;表达效果来自事实顺序和语义衔接。
翻译与理解难点
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 61.1And so we fled, back to where we’d come from: the upper middle class.
Sentence 61.2Obviously this presents new problems.
Sentence 61.3Even as my children grew weary of pretending they were richer than they are, they became accustomed to living as the rich do.
Sentence 61.4On the way back to California, my wife drove Quinn, who’d just turned nine, across the Southwest and then up the coast.
Sentence 61.5They came to Hearst Castle and stopped to take the guided tour.
Sentence 61.6A few minutes into it, as they stood in one of William Randolph Hearst’s many bedrooms, the guide asked if anyone had a question.
Sentence 61.7My child raised her hand.
Sentence 61.8The guide smiled indulgently and called on her.
段落完整解析
段落主旨与篇章作用
主旨:奎恩问道:“为什么这房间这么小?” (摘自《美国2009年最佳散文》)
作用:收束全文:回应前文的中心问题,把局部叙述或论证提升为结论、余韵或主题判断。
行文结构与逻辑
段落围绕一个完整表达展开,核心判断、补充成分和语气重点集中在同一语义单元中。
主要关系:因果
核心句法
“Why,” Quinn asked, “is it so small?”
句型:简单句或并列句。以直接陈述为主;先确认主语、限定谓语和宾语/表语,再处理介词短语。
- 阅读顺序应为:先确定主语和限定谓语,再接宾语或表语,最后回填介词短语、修饰语和语气成分。
词汇与短语
- 本段以常用词为主;重点应放在词语搭配、指代和上下文语义上。
修辞手法、原文证据与效果
- Quotation / Scare Quotes · 引语/讽刺引号Why,; is it so small?引号可能保存原话,也可能标示作者与流行标签、陈词滥调之间的距离。保留时代声音,并提示读者不要毫无保留地接受被引说法。
翻译与理解难点
- 对话需保留人物的语气、停顿和言外之意,不能只传递字面信息。
- 代词和关系词必须回指到明确对象;先确认先行词,再决定中文是否需要补出名词。
Sentence 62.1“Why,” Quinn asked, “is it so small?”
课文精解
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1. I called her and threw myself on her mercy:throw oneself on/upon one’s mercy表示“祈求某人帮助(宽恕)自己”。例:I threw myself on his mercy and told him that I had woken up late and had forgotten my calculator. 我请他帮忙,并告诉他我早晨 起晚了,忘带计算器了。 2. The space may once have been bridgeable, but lately it’s become a chasm:bridgeable意为“可以弥合的”。例:Until that gap is bridgeable, China’s stray dogs would best be advised to keep their tails down.在这一社会差距还未能缩小之前,中国的流浪狗们 最好先夹着尾巴走路了。chasm表示“鸿沟”。 3. ...they stumbled upon their dream house: stumble on/across/ upon表示“偶然发现(碰见)”。例: Police have stumbled across a huge drugs ring.警方无意中发现了一个庞大的贩毒集团。 4. As of this spring, one in eleven mortgages was either past due or in foreclosure:as of/from表示“自某一时间(日期)起”。 例:As of now, there will be no more paid overtime.从现在起不再有加班费。 5. One reason is that no one can bring themselves to actually utter the sentence:bring oneself to do something表示“拿出勇气…… 做某事;下决心”例:She couldn’t bring herself to admit her mistake.她无法承认错误。 6. I spoke of my amazement that anyone thought we could fork over 100 grand on a whim:fork over/out/up表示“(不情愿地) 大把花钱”。例:I had to fork out $600 on my car when I had it serviced.我把车送去检修,花了600美元。 7. Dixie, then five, blurts out, I hate it when people say:blurt out表示“(通常因紧张或激动而)不假思索地说出,脱口而出, 说漏嘴”。例:Peter blurted the news out before we could stop him.我们还没来得及阻止,彼得就脱口说出了那个消息。 8. ... the charm of pretending to be something they know they are not is wearing off:wear off指“(疼痛或某种效果)逐渐减少 (消失)”。例:The effects of the anaesthetic were starting to wear off.麻醉剂的效力逐渐消退。 9. ...when it dawns on him or her that the divvying up of material spoils is neither arbitrary nor a matter of personal choice:divvy up表示“分享,分摊”。例:We can divvy up the profits between us.我们可以分享利润。
文体与修辞总解
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1. 文体 本文是一篇对豪宅的记叙文(a piece of narration)。 作者运用大量描述、论证和说明手法,用生动幽默的语言讲述住进豪宅的亲生经历,揭示了美国次贷危机的真实原因。与 大众观点有所不同,作者认为这场危机是由美国人民在文化上迷恋大房子,并习惯将其视为成功的象征。没有批评华尔街 上的公司,作者认为美国人民自己才是造成经济危机的原因。 2. 修辞 本文涉及的修辞手法主要有metaphor(隐喻),hyperbole(夸张)和personification(拟人)等,这在前面单元已经介绍, 此处不再赘述。
常见修辞区分
| 手法 | 核心差异 | 判定方法 |
|---|---|---|
| Metaphor 隐喻 / Simile 明喻 | 隐喻直接等同,明喻用 like、as 等标记相似。 | 先找比较标记;有标记通常是明喻,无标记再判断是否跨概念映射。 |
| Metaphor 隐喻 / Personification 拟人 | 拟人是把人的动作、感官或意志赋给非人对象。 | 只有出现人的能力时才判拟人;一般形象替换判隐喻。 |
| Metonymy 借代 / Synecdoche 提喻 | 借代依赖一般关联;提喻必须是部分与整体关系。 | 地点代机构是借代,mind/hand 等身体部分代人常是提喻。 |
| Transferred Epithet 移就 / Personification 拟人 | 移就是形容词的逻辑修饰对象发生转移;拟人是主语获得人的属性。 | 追问形容词本来应该形容谁;若只是修饰错位而无人的动作,就是移就。 |
| Parallelism 排比 / Antithesis 对照 | 排比要求结构相近;对照还要求意义方向相反。 | 相同结构可以只是累积;出现 but、while、more/less 等反向意义时可能兼有对照。 |
| Irony 反讽 / Paradox 隽语式矛盾 | 反讽存在字面与真实态度反差;悖论表面矛盾但逻辑可成立。 | 判断作者是否在嘲讽字面说法;若重点是揭示复杂真理,则更接近悖论。 |
| Hyperbole 夸张 / Litotes 曲言 | 夸张扩大程度;曲言用否定或弱化表达强意。 | all/never/endless 常提示夸张;far from/not uncommon 等常提示曲言。 |
| Enumeration 列举 / Climax 层进 | 列举只堆叠项目;层进要求强度、范围或情绪逐步增强。 | 检查能否任意调换顺序;若换序破坏递进,才是层进。 |
| Antonomasia 换称 / Metonymy 借代 | 换称多用固定别名、头衔或典型专名替代对象;借代只需一般关联。 | Big Apple 代纽约是换称;Wall Street 代金融界通常判借代。 |
| Euphemism 委婉语 / Understatement 低调陈述 | 委婉语回避禁忌、粗鲁或尴尬说法;低调陈述则有意减弱任何程度。 | 先问是否存在被社会习惯回避的直白词;若没有,只是缩小程度,则偏向低调陈述。 |
| Ellipsis 省略 / Fragment 句子残缺 | 修辞性省略依靠上下文仍能恢复成分;错误残句则缺乏可恢复依据。 | 补回省去的主语、谓语或重复结构后语义完整,才可判为 ellipsis。 |
| Symbolism 象征 / Metaphor 隐喻 | 隐喻通常作用于局部表达;象征意象会跨段或贯穿全文反复承载主题。 | 一次性的形象替换多为隐喻;反复出现并与人物命运、主题对应的 loons 属于象征。 |
| Analogy 类比 / Simile 明喻 | 明喻通常比较一个形象特征;类比会让两套关系或系统在较长论证中对应。 | 一句 like 比较常是明喻;用钟表系统解释生态系统则是类比。 |
| Rhetorical Question 反问/设问 / Genuine Question 真问 | 修辞问句用于强调或引出论点;真问以取得未知信息为目的。 | 看上下文是否立即自答、答案是否显然,以及说话人是否真的等待信息。 |
| Repetition 反复 / Anaphora 首语反复 | 反复可出现在任何位置;首语反复要求连续分句或句子用同一开头。 | 只有重复位于多个结构的起首位置时,才进一步判为 anaphora。 |
| Alliteration 头韵 / Assonance 元音韵 | 头韵重复词首辅音;元音韵重复重读元音。 | 按声音而非拼写判断;前者看开头辅音,后者看词内部重读元音。 |
| Allusion 用典 / Quotation 引语 | 用典只需唤起熟知人物或故事,不一定逐字引用;引语明确保存他人原话。 | 出现 Faust、Paradise Lost 等文化专名多为用典;带出处的原句则还可同时构成引语。 |
完整词汇与美式 IPA
mansion /ˈmænʃən/
宅第,公馆
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subprime /ˌsʌbˈpraɪm/
银行或贷款机构提供给那些不具备资格享受优惠利率(prime rate)贷款的客户的次级贷款
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parable /ˈpɛrəbəl/
寓言
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uproot /əˈprut/
使某人) 迁移到他处居住
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turmoil /ˈtɝˌmɔɪl/
混乱,骚乱,动乱
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conspicuously /kəˈnspɪkjuəsli/
显著,显眼,引人注目
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unnerve /əˈnɝv/
气馁;使不 知所措
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ballroom /ˈbɔˌlrum/
舞厅,舞场
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replica /ˈrɛplɪkə/
仿制品,复制品(尤指建筑、 枪、艺术品)
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league /ˈliɡ/
体育运动联合会,联赛
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sneaky /ˈsniki/
偷偷摸摸的,鬼鬼祟祟的
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designation /ˌdɛzəˈɡneɪʃən/
名称,称号
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chasm /ˈkæzəm/
两个人、团体或事物间的)巨大差距,分歧
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illusion /ˌɪˈluʒən/
尤指对自己的)幻觉,幻想
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fissure /ˈfɪʃɚ/
尤指岩石或土地的)裂缝,裂隙
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splay /spleɪ/
使)张开,展开(尤指身体部 位)
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abyss /əˈbɪs/
深渊
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implication /ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən/
含 义,暗示
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giddy /ˈɡɪdi/
傻乎乎的,激动不已的
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implausible /ˌɪˈmplɔzəbəl/
不切实际的,不太可行的
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mint /ˈmɪnt/
铸币厂
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hyperventilate /ˌhaɪpɚˈvɛntəˌleɪt/
换气 过度
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finger-pointing /ˈfɪŋɡɚ ˌpɔɪntɪŋ/
指 责(指怪罪某人而不是去解决问题)
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bust /ˈbʌst/
经济萧条
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mortgage /ˈmɔrɡədʒ/
抵押贷款,按 揭;抵押贷款额
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predisposition /ˌpridɪspəˈzɪʃən/
行为方式 的)倾向;易患某疾病的倾向
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crack /ˈkræk/
强效可卡因
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lust /ˈlʌst/
强烈的欲望(通常指对 权力或金钱的欲望)
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eviction /ɪˈvɪkʃən/
驱逐
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predicament /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
困境,窘况,尴尬的处境
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bind /ˈbaɪnd/
窘境,困境
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default /dɪˈfɔlt/
违约,拖欠
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station /ˈsteɪʃən/
社会地位;身份
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foreclosure /fɔˈrkloʊʒɚ/
丧 失抵押品赎回权
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mendacious /mɛˈndeɪʃəs/
不真实的,虚假的
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inexorably /ˌɪˈnɛksɚəbli/
不可阻挡地,不可更改地
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microcosm /ˈmaɪkrəˌkɑzəm/
微观世界; 缩影
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presuppose /ˌprisəˈpoʊz/
正式]以.……为前提,预先假定
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void /ˈvɔɪd/
空处,空间
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trek /ˈtrɛk/
尤指徒步的)长途艰苦旅行
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precede /prɪˈsid/
先 于……(发生或存在)
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pancreatic /ˌpænkriˈætɪk/
胰腺的
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ante /ˈænti/
需)预付的款项
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sprinkler /ˈsprɪŋklɚ/
浇草地等的)洒水器
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wee /ˈwi/
很小的(多 用于苏格兰英语)
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whim /ˈwɪm/
突发的念头,一时的兴致(尤指没有重要或正当的理由时)
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gild /ˈɡɪld/
给……镀金,给……涂上金 色
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gawk /ˈɡɔk/
呆呆地看
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cringe /ˈkrɪndʒ/
畏缩,退缩;感到难堪
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arbitrary /ˈɑrbəˌtrɛri/
任意的;专横的,武断的
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stew /ˈstu/
思考;担忧
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imposter /ˌɪˈmpɔstɚ/
冒名顶替者
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poised /ˈpɔɪzd/
摆好姿势)准备行动 的
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inkling /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/
略知;模糊的印象
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melodramatically /ˌmɛlədrəˈmætɪkli/
夸张地
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spring /ˈsprɪŋ/
帮助……越狱
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thermostat /ˈθɝməˌstæt/
恒温器
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plummet /ˈplʌmət/
价值或数量)骤然跌 落,暴跌
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squad /ˈskwɑd/
特别行动小组
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dude ranch /ˈdud ˌræntʃ/
美国供游客骑马和像牛仔一样生 活的)度假牧场
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pretense /priˈtɛns/
假装,做作
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tantamount /ˈtæntəˌmaʊnt/
行动、建议、计划等几乎)等于某事,无异于某事
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compressor /kəˈmprɛsɚ/
压气机,压缩机
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sully /ˈsʌli/
弄脏,玷污,破坏
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putatively /ˈpjutətɪvli/
公认地,被普遍认可地
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air-conditioning /ˈɛr kəˌndɪʃənɪŋ/
空气调节;空调系统
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cost-benefit /ˈkɑst ˌbɛnəfɪt/
成本—收益的
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equipment-supervision /ɪˈkwɪpmənt ˌsupɚˌvɪʒən/
设备监管
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grown-up /ˈɡroʊn ˌʌp/
长大的;成年人
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high-def /ˌhaɪˈdɛf/
高清晰度的
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lower-middle-class /ˈloʊɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/
下层中产阶级的
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mansion-like /ˈmænʃən ˌlaɪk/
宅邸般的
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master-bedroom /ˈmæstɚ ˌbɛˌdrum/
主卧室
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Middle-class /ˈmɪdəl ˌklæs/
中产阶级的
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money-lending /ˈmʌni ˌlɛndɪŋ/
放贷的;借贷业务的
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one-year-old /ˈwʌn ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/
一岁的
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princess-like /ˈprɪnsɛs ˌlaɪk/
公主般的
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six-year-old /ˈsɪks ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/
六岁的;六岁儿童
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spring-water /ˈsprɪŋ ˌwɔtɚ/
泉水
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T-shirt /ˈti ˌʃɝt/
T恤衫
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ten-year-old /ˈtɛn ˌjɪr ˌoʊld/
十岁的;十岁儿童
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twenty-four /ˈtwɛnti ˌfɔr/
二十四
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upper-class /ˈʌpɚ ˌklæs/
上层阶级的
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upper-middle-class /ˈʌpɚ ˌmɪdəl ˌklæs/
上层中产阶级的
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Upper-middle-classness /ˌʌpɚˈmɪdəlˈklæsˌnəs/
上层中产阶级身份或气质
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video-control /ˈvɪdioʊ kəˌntroʊl/
视频监控或视频控制的
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well-off /ˈwɛl ˌɔf/
富裕的
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全部习题与参考答案
教材习题
Exercises I. Oral Presentation Make a five-minute presentation in class based on your research, Suggested topics: 1. Angelo Mozilo 2. Alan Greenspan 3. Stan O’Neal. aT , TE EST EY TT - eT aden dal a II. Questions A. Questions on the Content 1. What did the mansion look like outside and inside? Why did the writer say the upper-middle class isn’t a class but a space between classes? What was the origin of the American real estate bust according to the writer? What lesson did the story about the Garcias teach? Pick out one example from the essay to show how space is wasted in the mansion. aie What were some of the problems posed by the mansion? How were they different from the problems posed by most other houses? Why did the writer say that the mansion chased them out? 8. How does the essay end? Why did the writer want to end this way? Re B. Questions on Structure and Style 1. Why is the essay entitled “The Mansion: A Subprime Parable”? 2. What are the main modes of writing used in this essay? Give examples to illustrate your point. 3. What is the function of Paragraphs 6 and 7? 4, What is the function of the section containing Paragraphs 23 to 29? 5. What methods does the writer use to make his writing vivid and interesting? Give examples to illustrate your point. 6. Comment on the sentence: “The mansion was not satisfied with making us uneasy. It wanted us out.” (Para. 45) 7. How is the mansion personified? III. Paraphrase Explain the following sentences in your own words, bringing out any implied meanings. 1. The space may once have been bridgeable, but lately it’s become a chasm. (Para. 7) 10. But all of this misses the point: however terrible the sins of the financial markets, they’re merely a reflection of a cultural predisposition. (Para. 23) But then, in 2006, they stumbled upon their dream house. (Para. 25) . The moral: Americans are in their current bind because too many of them saw houses as moneymaking opportunities. (Para. 26) Across America, some version of this drama has become a social norm. (Para. 28) . The dressing room was a microcosm of our mansion’s ability to instruct. (Para. 30) The house was so vast that the sound waves that normally precede the arrival of a living creature got lost. (Para. Sears When I let it slip to my mother what I'd be paying, she just said, “Oh, Michael,” in exactly the same tone shed have used if I'd informed her that I'd just run over the neighbor with a truck or been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (Para. 35) But after a few months, the charm of pretending to be something they know they are not is wearing off. (Para. 41) There’s a moment in the life of every American child when it dawns on him or her that the divvying up of material spoils is neither arbitrary nor a matter of personal choice, that money is a tool used by grownups to order and rank themselves, and that the easiest way to establish those rankings is through their houses. (Para. 42) IV. Practice with Words and Expressions A. Look up the dictionary and explain the meaning of the italicized words and phrases. 10. 11, 12. 1. The move would uproot my wife and three children from California... (Para. 1) 2, ...and always felt a tiny bit unnerved. (Para. 4) 3. ...an object of fascination for the tourists on the clanging streetcars. (Para. 4) 4, Middle-class people fantasize about travel upgrades... (Para. 7) 5. 6 7 8 9 It's a mint. (Para. 14) . Inall the public finger-pointing about the American real estate bust... (Para. 23) . ...that they bought in 2003 for 160 grand. (Para. 25) . They owed the bank about $700,000 and were facing eviction. (Para. 26) . Utilities were $2,700. (Para. 36) ...we could fork over 100 grand on a whim. (Para. 38) ...which isn’t to understand it or stew about it. (Para. 43) .. like one of those old horses you find at dude ranches. (Para. 59) B. Study the different meanings of the prefix sub- and give two examples of each meaning. C. The following sentences all contain figures of speech. Explain their meaning in plain, non-figurative language. ile ...the result is a forest of For Sale signs and an army of workers commuting from great distances. (Para. 1) 2. Asa child, I'd ridden my bike past it two thousand times... (Para. 4) The Frick Museum, but closed. (Para. 4) . Upper-middle-classness has allowed me to feel like I'm not only competing in the Ye same financial league as most Americans—I’m winning! (Para. 6) 5, A man struggling to hold on to the illusion that he is upper middle class has become like a character in a cartoon earthquake: he looks down and sees his feet being dragged ever farther apart by a quickly widening fissure. (Para. 7) 6. Then a funny thing happened: it began to shrink. (Para. 9) 7. To blame the people who lent the money for the real estate boom is like blaming the crack dealers for creating addicts. (Para. 23) 8. Inside, I could have fit every stitch of clothing I owned, three times over. (Para. 30) 9. A trek up the Himalayan staircases quickly became the subject of an elaborate cost-benefit analysis. (Para. 32) 10. My children had taken to their new splendor like ducks to water. (Para. 40) V. Translation A. Translate the following sentences into Chinese. 1. That shouldn't have been a selling point; it should have been a warning. I should have asked the price. Instead, I asked the address. (Para. 3) 2. There were two of everything that the rest of the world has one of: two dining rooms, two full kitchens, two half kitchens. (Para. 5) 3. Middle-class people help their children with their homework so they'll have a chance of getting into Princeton; upper-class people buy Princeton a new building. (Para. 7) 4. It didn’t occur to them that not only would they have their own bathrooms, they need to decide before dinner which of the two dining rooms to eat in—and afterward, which of the three dishwashers to not put their dishes in. (Para. 9) 5. Americans feel a deep urge to live in houses that are bigger than they can afford. (Para. 24) 6. It's no good pretending that Americans didn’t know they couldn't afford such properties, or that they were seduced into believing they could afford them by mendacious mortgage brokers or Wall Street traders. (Para. 28) 7. If they hadn't lusted after the bigger house, they never would have met the mortgage brokers in the first place. (Para. 28) 8. When you move into a house you cannot afford, the first thing you notice is everything that you suddenly need—things that, before you arrived, you didn't even want. (Para. 30) 9. We are Cuban peasants in late 1959 who have just moved into a Havana mansion on the heels of the rich owner, who has fled in terror from the revolution. (Para. 39) 10. Youare left feeling ashamed of whatever cowboy pretense you had to begin with. (Para. 59) B. Translate Paragraphs 31 and 60 into Chinese. oo ~~, Read, Think and Comment Below is a passage from the book Freefa// (2010) by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz. Read it and prepare to respond to the following questions: What is the passage about? What is the main idea of each paragraph? How are the paragraphs logically organized? The only surprise about the economic crisis of 2008 was that it came as a surprise to so many. For a few observers, it was a textbook case that was not only predictable but also predicted. A deregulated market awash in liquidity and low interest rates, a global real estate bubble, and skyrocketing subprime lending were a toxic combination. It was clear that things were horribly awry. What was different about this crisis from the multitude that had preceded it during the past quarter century was that this crisis bore a “Made in the USA” label. And while previous crises had been contained, this “Made in the USA” crisis spread quickly around the world. We liked to think of our country as one of the engines of global economic growth, an exporter of sound economic policies—not recessions. The last time the United States had exported a major crisis was during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The basic outlines of the story are well known and often told. The United States had a housing bubble. When that bubble broke and housing prices fell from their stratospheric levels, more and more homeowners found themselves “underwater.” They owed more on their mortgages than what their homes were valued. As they lost their homes, many also lost their life savings and their dreams for a future—a college education for their children, a retirement in comfort. Americans had, in a sense, been living in a dream. The richest country in the world was living beyond its means, and the strength of the US economy, and the world’s, depended on it. The global economy needed ever-increasing consumption to grow; but how could this continue when the incomes of many Americans had been stagnating for so long? Americans came up with an ingenious solution: borrow and consume as if their incomes were growing. And borrow they did. Average savings rates fell to zero—and with many rich Americans saving substantial amounts, that meant poor Americans had a large negative savings rate. In other words, they were going deeply in debt. Both they and their lenders could feel good about what was happening: they were able to continue their consumption binge, not having to face up to the reality of stagnating and declining incomes, and the lenders could enjoy record profits based on ever-mounting fees. The economy was out of kilter: two-thirds to three quarters of the economy (of GDP) was housing related: constructing new houses or buying contents to fill them, or borrowing against old houses to finance consumption. It was unsustainable—and it wasn't sustained. The breaking of the bubble at first affected the worst mortgages (the subprime mortgages, lent to low-income individuals), but soon affected all residential real estate. When the bubble popped, the effects were amplified because banks had created complex products resting on top of the mortgages. Worse still, they had engaged in multibillion-dollar bets with each other and with others around the world. This complexity, combined with the rapidity with which the situation was deteriorating and the banks’ high leverage (they, like households, had financed their investments by heavy borrowing), meant that the banks didn't know whether what they owed to their depositors and bondholders exceeded the value of their assets. And they realized accordingly that they couldn't know the position of any other bank. The trust and confidence that underlie the banking system evaporated. Banks refused to lend to each other—or demanded high interest rates to compensate for bearing the risk. Global credit markets began to melt down. At that point, America and the world were faced with both a financial crisis and an economic crisis. The economic crisis had several components: there was an unfolding residential real estate crisis, followed not long after by problems in commercial real estate. Demand fell, as households saw the value of their houses collapse and as their ability—and willingness—to borrow diminished. There was an inventory cycle—as credit markets froze and demand fell, companies reduced their inventories as quickly as possible. And there was the collapse of American manufacturing.
学习指南参考答案
A. 1. Outside, the biggest mansion on St. Charles Avenue looked impressive, awesome and silent to such an extent that the writer found it hard to imagine anybody living in it, a closed Frick Museum as the writer put it. While inside, it was more awesome than outside since it has a ballroom-like entryway, expensive huge gold-ceilinged living room, seven giant bedrooms, ten bathrooms, two dining rooms, two full kitchens, and two half kitchens. 2. Because they are situated in the gap between the upper and the working class. 3. The origin of the American real estate bust comes from the American people’s lust for bigger houses which are considered as a symbol of the home owner’s social status. 4. If you buy a house you cannot afford, you are likely to lose everything. 5. There are many examples of the wasted space, for example, when the author and his family live there, they cannot find each other easily. Even if he yells at the top of his lungs, his voice may disappear somewhere in the huge space. As a result, his wife couldn’t find him without a cell phone. 6. One problem is its huge space which makes communication between family members very difficult. In smaller houses, you can be heard if you yell at the top of your lungs, but not in the big mansion. Another one is its high maintenance fees. Apart from its exorbitant rent, you have to pay for its high utilities which can amount to a few thousand dollars a month, because it comes with a gardener, a pool man, a caretaker, a housekeeper, 10 televisions, 11 air-conditioning units, etc. Smaller houses are much simpler and cheaper. 7. First, the house elevator malfunctioned and locked his two girls inside; then the mansion’s supervision device phoned the cops to come as an alarm signal; finally the worst thing came when its massive air compressors were irreparable and the writer and his family had to flee from this house. 8. The essay ends with the writer’s nine-year-old child Quinn’s question to the guide of Hearst Castle, “Why is it so small?” The writer probably wants to indicate that the real cause of America’s economic crisis is their obsessive lust for bigger houses. B. 1. Because the writer wants to draw people’s attention to the lesson with his real-life experiences. The main purpose of a parable is to teach a lesson in an interesting way. The writer’s story is like a parable because it reveals the real cause of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis. 2. The main modes of writing used in the text are narration, exposition and argumentation respectively. This is basically a story told in a uniquely humorous way by Michael Lewis. So we know what he did in the beginning, and what happened after they moved in. Exposition is used when he tries to explain the difference between the upper class and the lower class, and what problems the mansion posed. His employment of argumentation can be found in his comment on the real cause of America’s Subprime Mortgage Crisis from Para. 23 to Para. 29. 3. Paragraph 6 and 7 serve as a transition from the beginning of this article to the following unfolding of the story. The reader may understand clearly why he likes this mansion that much. 4. These paragraphs provide the writer’s comments on the real cause of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis. It is also the theme of this subprime parable. 5. The writer employs a large number of figurative devices which bring his writing to life. 1) Hyperbole It’s not a home. It’s a mint. (Para. 14) / the Himalayan staircases (Para. 32) 2) Metaphor The Frick Museum, but closed. (Para. 4) / a replica of one in the palace of Versailles (Para. 5) / They live in the Daddy Warbucks house. (Para. 37) 3) Simile A man struggling.. .has become like a character in a cartoon earthquake... (Para. 7) / My children had taken to their new splendor like ducks to water. (Para. 40) 4) Personification The house had a mind of its own. (Para. 59) / Now the mansion was expressing its resentment. (Para. 60) 6. The mansion can make people living in it believe they are rich and powerful, which is not the reality and thus makes the occupants feel uneasy. The mansion is so expensive and can malfunction so badly that the writer and his family find it hard to survive in it and have to move out. Again, this sentence acts as a transition from the uneasy part of the house to the following eviction part of the house. 7. The house is compared to a person who has his own feelings. It makes the occupants feel uneasy and drives them out. It ignores the writer’s request for a higher temperature and calls the police to come to check out. In Para. 59, the writer compares the mansion to a horse at dude ranches. People who live in it cannot control the mansion, on the contrary, the real master is the mansion itself. 1. In the past the gap was bridgeable, that is, people could still move upward from middle class to upper class since the gap is not so wide; but lately the gap has widened so much that it is hard to cross. 2. But people failed to realize the essential point. It’s true that the financial markets made terrible mistakes. However, that’s only a reflection of a tendency of cultural illness. 3. But then they came upon by chance a house they had dreamed of owning. 4. The practical lesson taught by the story of the Garcias was that Americans are in their current trouble because too many of them regard houses as opportunities for making money. 5. Throughout America, there are various versions of such dramatic events like what happened to the Garcias, and they have become a social pattern. 6. The dressing room is an example representing the mansion’s ability to teach us something. 7. The house was so big that the sound of footsteps got lost in the large space. 8. Accidentally, I told my mother the money I have to pay for the mansion. When she heard this, she was too shocked to say anything except uttering “Oh, Michael,” as if this were a piece of bad news about me as terrible as I had run over somebody in a traffic accident or been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 9. But a few months later, the great attractiveness of pretending to be something they knew they are not gradually disappears. 10. There’s a moment in the life of every American child when they realize for the first time that the way wealth is shared is not random; people are not rich or poor with no reason. Neither can people choose the level of their wealth. Money is a tool to put people in a social hierarchy. A. 1. uproot: to remove or force from home or native land; to displace from a country or a traditional habitat 2. unnerve: to deprive of courage, confidence or self-control; to cause to feel weak and nervous 3. streetcar, a type of bus that runs on electricity along metal tracks in the road 4. upgrade: an improvement or enhancement of the condition, status, etc. of a person or thing 5. mint a large amount of money; a place where notes and coins are produced 6. finger-pointing: the act of making explicit and often unfair accusations of blame 7. grand: a thousand dollars 8. eviction: recovering (property) from a person by legal process; putting (a tenant) out by legal process 9. utilities: services such as gas, electricity, water 10. fork over, to give money to someone or something, or spend money on something 11. stew, to be in a state of suppressed agitation, worry, or resentment 12. dude ranch: a holiday place in the US where you can ride horses and live like a cowboy B. 1. sub-: under, beneath, from beneath submarine subsoil 2. sub-: lower in rank, position, importance than; inferior or subordinate subprime substandard 3. sub-: to a lesser degree than, somewhat, slightly subhuman subaquatic 4. sub-: so as to form a division into smaller or less important parts; forming such a division subgroup subspecies 5. sub-: near, bordering on, nearly, almost subantarctic subtropical C. 1. As a result, lots of houses were put up for sale but very few people want to buy them. So, a large group of workers had to travel long distances back and forth between home and work. 2. As a child, I’d ridden my bike past the mansion many, many times. 3. The house was so grand that it resembled the famous Frick Museum in New York, but the difference is the museum is open to the public while the house is not. 4. My social status of being a member of the upper middle class has made me feel like I’m not only competing in the same financial game as most Americans but I’m winning in the game. 5. A man trying desperately to hold on to the false idea that he is upper middle-class, namely, between middle class and upper class, is just like a character in a cartoon earthquake: He looks down and sees his feet being dragged farther and farther apart by a quickly widening deep crack caused by the earthquake. 6. In the beginning the mansion appeared incredibly enormous but, curiously enough, it became a little bit smaller each time I looked at it. 7. It was unfair to blame the money lenders for the real estate boom because they only reflected people’s desire for bigger houses just as drug dealers merely reflect the needs of drug addicts, rather than creating them. 8. The dressing room was large enough for me to put in three times the number of all the clothes I had. 9. Before I decided to climb the long and high staircases to look for someone, I had to think carefully if it was the best way or worth the effort. 10. My children had adapted very quickly to living in this grand house. V. See the translation of the text. 1. This passage is about how the American economic crisis started and how it developed into a global economic recession. 2. The first paragraph mainly introduces the causes of the economic crisis: a deregulated market awash in liquidity and low interest rates, a global real estate bubble, and skyrocketing subprime lending were a toxic combination. The second paragraph is about how the current “Made in the USA” crisis spread quickly around the world. The third paragraph focuses on the origin of the crisis: the United States had a housing bubble. The fourth paragraph centers on the real reason behind the housing crisis: the richest country in the world was living beyond its means. The fifth paragraph points out that the breaking of the bubble at first affected the worst mortgages, but immediately affected all residential real estate. The sixth paragraph talks about how the housing mortgage crisis caused the financial crisis. The last paragraph explains that America and the world were faced with both a financial and an economic crisis and the American manufacturing collapsed finally. 3. The paragraphs are organized according to the cause and effect of the economic crisis.