Unit Two Section A: Environmental Protection throughout the World About the text Ecology is the study of the relationships among plants, animals, people, and their environment, and the balance among these relationships. New England is the most northeastern region of the U.S.A., including the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. It was so named by John Smith when he explored it in 1614. A New Englander is a native or resident of New England. Grand Banks is a vast extension of the ocean off southeast Newfoundland（纽芬兰岛）in the North Atlantic, one of the world’s greatest cod-fishing grounds. Islam is a religion and social way of life based on the teachings of Mohammed as preserved in the Koran (可兰经) and the Sunna (伊斯兰教教规). It is centered in Mecca (麦加), and includes the worship of gods represented by holy stones called the Kaaba (建于麦加的伊斯兰教寺院内的圣堂). Mecca or Makkah, with a population of 200,000, is the chief holy city of Islam, capital of the Hejaz (汉志省, 沙特阿拉伯省名), Saudi Arabia, in a valley surrounded by hills, 80 km. from the Red Sea. It was the birthplace of Mohammed. Its economy depends upon pilgrims (朝圣者). Text Structure: problem-solution The “problem-solution” is one of the most common patterns we have in writing. There are some possible differences in the pattern but the basic parts are problems and solutions. Air pollution Air pollution is one of the major problems of the modern world. A great deal of energy is needed to run the factories of modern industrial nations. Automobiles, trains, planes and buses need energy, too. Nearly all of this energy is produced by burning fuels. The burning produces wastes, some of which remain in the air, causing air pollution. Scientists are finding ways to stop air pollution especially in big industrial areas. They are studying new ways of generating electricity that may be doing less damage to the environment. In the meantime, many power plants are being modernized to give off less polluting material. Also, engineers try to design and locate new power plants to do minimum damages to the environment. However, we still have a long way to go before we have a clean world. Nearly all of the countries are trying hard to prevent and control air pollution .There indeed seems to be no end to tasks that environmentalists will be required to do. People will continually find new ways to control pollution.. New Words undertake vt.1.(start to) make oneself responsible for (sth.) 担任，承担 ---The lawyer undertook the case without a fee.这律师免费承办那个案件。 2. agree or promise to do sth. 同意做，要做，答应 ---He undertook to finish the job by Friday. 他答应星期五之前完成这项工作。 ---We can't undertake that you will make a profit. 我们不能保证你会获利。 initiative n.1. [C] action taken to solve a difficulty 解决困难所采取的行动，初步行动 ---The government is making some fresh initiatives to try to deal with the problem. 政府正在采取某些新的积极行动，来设法解决这一问题。 2. the ~ (sing.) power or right to take action 采取行动的能力（权利或权力），主动权，优先权 ---He likes to take the initiative in making acquaintances.他喜欢主动交朋友。 ---He helped me on his own initiative.他主动帮助我。 abundant a.1.more than enough; plenty 很多的，丰富的，充裕的 ---We have an abundant supply of fruit. 我们有充裕的水果供应。 2.(in / with) having plenty of sth., rich in sth. 富于，富有 ---The country is abundant in natural resources. species n.(pl. unchanged) group of animals and plants only different in little details from the others, and able to breed with each other but not with other groups 特指生物的物种，种类 ---Some species of animals have become extinct because they could not adapt to a changing environment.有一些动物已经灭种了,因为它们不能适应环境的变化 ---No species of performing artists is as self-critical as a dancer 所有艺术家的类型中，没有象舞蹈家那样严格地自我要求了 [典型试题] The wolf and the dog belong to the same _______. A. category B. sort C. type D. species kind: 指动植物的种类，对客观上相似的事物进行分类 ---A butterfly is a kind of insect. / Fruits of this kind soon decay. category: 指有确切定义的群体 ---Chicken is one of the export items in the food category. sort: 对人或事进行大致地归类，主观性较强 ---She is the sort of girl I like, always happy and smiling. type: 指客观界限比较明显的同类事物 ---You can have two types of cloth for your curtain. ambitious a.1. showing or requiring a particular desire of this kind 显示或需要雄心的 His plans are ambitious; he wants to master French, German and Spanish before he is twenty. 他的计划雄心勃勃；他想在20岁前掌握法语、德语和西班牙语. 2. full of strong desires, esp. for money or success 充满野心的，雄心勃勃的（尤指为金钱或功名的） ---She is ambitious for power/social position. 她极欲获得权力/社会地位。 ---be ambitious of success渴望成功 ---She is ambitious to succeed in life as a female news writer. 她渴望自己作为一名女新闻工作者在生活中取得成就。 diverse a.1.of different kinds; various 种类不同的，多种多样的 ---His interests are very diverse.他的兴趣很广泛。 2.different (from each other); not the same 不同的，相异的 ---we are diverse from each other on how to raise children. 在怎样养育孩子的问题上，我们有迥然不同的看法。 series n.[pl. unchanged] number of things, events, etc. of a similar kind, esp. placed or happening one after another 一连串，一系列，连续的事物（件） ---He saw a series of white arrows painted on the road. 他看见马路上画有一连串白色箭头。 [典型试题] This country has had a ______ of brilliant statesmen in this century. A. sequence B. series C. succession D. chain Sequence强调事情发生的先后逻辑顺序 ---The history professors were dealing with these events in historical sequence. Series指彼此间有共同的关系，有独立的个性，但又构成一个整体 ---The boy asked a series of questions on summer camp. Succession指互相跟随，一般按照时间次序而且没有中断,一个接一个： ---Reports of victory came in quick succession. Chain暗示紧密连接或联系在一起的一系列东西： ---Their act set off a chain of revolts throughout the country. Series既是单数形式又是复数形式。当它具有“一套”的单数意思时，它使用单数动词，即使当 series 紧接着 of 和一个复数名词时也是如此： ---A series of lectures is scheduled. 一套演讲已安排好了。当它有“一套或多套”的复数意思时，它使用复数动词： ---Two series of lectures are scheduled: one for experts and one for laypeople. 两套演讲已安排好了：一套为专业人员，一套为非专业人员 finance vt. provide money for (a project, etc.) 为（项目）提供经费，为……提供资金 ---The government will finance the building of the new roads with the taxes it collects.政府将用它所征得的税收为修建这条新公路提供资金。 n.1. [U] management of (esp. public) money 理财（尤指公款），金融财政 ---People who work in banks know about finance.在银行工作的人懂金融。 2.（pl.） money available to a person, company or country （个人、公司、政府的）财源，资金 ---Unless we get more finance, we'll have to close the branch offices. 如果得不到更多的资金,我们就不得不关闭所有的分支办事处。 conflict n.1. [C, U] (of opinions, desires, etc.) opposing; difference; clash （指意见、欲望）冲突，抵触 ---Everyone was aware that the couple were in conflict with each other. ---No one expected this to be the last conflict between the two countries. vi. be against or in disagreement with; clash 与... ...相反, 抵触, 冲突 ---All these actions by the NATO conflicted with the universally accepted international laws.北约的这些行动都与公认的国际法相抵触。 Fight通常指身体的或象征性的冲突 ---A fight was scheduled between the world boxing champion and the challenger.世界拳击冠军和挑战者之间将有一场比赛。 struggle本义是“挣扎”， 指克服某种障碍或困难， 以达到某种目的 ---They were struggling for peace. 他们为和平而斗争。 conflict严重不一致， 而引起抵触或冲突 ---Their account of the causes of the war conflicts with ours. contaminate vt. make sth./sb. dirty or polluted by adding dangerous or disease-carrying matter 污染，玷污，弄脏，污损 --- The river was contaminated with waste. ---They are contaminating the minds of our young people with these rotten ideas. 他们正用这些腐朽的思想污染着我们青年人的头脑。 fund n.1. [C] sum of money saved or made available for a particular purpose 专款，基金 ---A fund was set up to protect the rare plants. 为保护珍稀植物设立了一项基金 2. [sing.] stock of supply of sth. 贮藏，储存 --- The nursery teacher's got a fund of amusing stories. ---They have a fund of experience to draw on. 他们有丰富的经验可利用。 3. [pl.] resources of finance; money 财源，金钱，现款 --- The project was abandoned for want of funds.这计划因为缺少资金而作罢。 vt. provide (an organization, a project, etc.) with money （为公共机构、工程项目）提供资金 --- The work is funded by the government.这项工程由政府提供基金。 sponsor vt.1. support (a person, organization or activity) by giving money, encouragement or other help 赞助，支持 ---The team is sponsored by NIKE, so the players wear the letters NIKE on their shirts. 这支队伍是由耐克公司赞助的，因此运动员都穿着带NIKE字样的运动服。 2. start; hold 发起，举办，主办 --- The exhibition was sponsored by the Society of Culture. 这个展览会是由文化学会主办的。 generate vt.1. produce 生成，产生（光、热、电等） --- When coal burns, it generates heat. 2. cause to exist; produce 引起，产生 ---The new development will generate 1500 new jobs. 新的发展将带来1500个新的工作职位。 impact n.1. [C] （usu. sing.） strong impression or effect on sb./sth. 对... ...的强烈的印象或影响 ---Her speech made a great impact on everyone. v.1. to leave a powerful effect on a situation or person 影响，作用 ---Falling trade rates have impacted on the country's economy. 贸易成交率的下降对这个国家的经济造成了影响。 2. strike, hit 碰撞，撞击 ---The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise. 球撞击球棒时发出了很大的声响。 frown v.1. (on/upon) disagree; disapproved 不赞成，反对 ---Many doctors frown on a diet which has a lot of fat. 许多医生都不赞成饮食中脂肪含量过高。 2. 皱眉，蹙额 ---The teacher frowned at the class of noisy children but it had no effect. 老师朝班上那些吵闹的孩子们皱起了眉头，但没有任何效果。 n.[C] 皱眉 ---I noticed a slight frown of disagreement on his face. 从他的脸上我注意到了他不赞同地略微皱了一下眉。 shelter n.1. [U] a living place 住所，住处 ---The farmers' immediate need is for food, clothing and shelter. 农民们最迫切的需要是衣、食和住。 2. [C] structure built to give protection, esp. from rain, wind or attack 掩蔽部，掩蔽处，躲避处 ---Everyone looked for a shelter from the bad weather. 人人都寻找躲避恶劣天气的地方。 3. [U] condition of being protected, kept safe, etc. 掩蔽，遮蔽，保护 --- We took shelter from the storm in a barn.我们在一个谷仓里躲避暴风雨。 vt. give shelter to （sb./sth.）; protect （sb./sth.）掩蔽，遮蔽，庇护 ---He is trying to shelter his boss from critical comment. 他竭力使他的老板不受批评。 vi. find a place that gives shelter; take shelter 躲难，避难 ---We sheltered under a tree until the rain passed. 我们躲在树下直到雨过去。 wage vt. begin and carry on (a war, campaign, etc.) 发起，进行（战争、运动等） ---The city is waging a campaign against smoking. 这座城市正在开展一场戒烟运动。 n.[pl.] regular (usu. per week) pay made or received for work or services 工人等拿的“工资”叫做 wages, 一般按日、按时或按件计算 ---He took his wages home to his wife every Friday. salary: 指公职人员、职员等拿按年、按月或按周计算的薪水 ---He gets a good salary, but he always borrows money from his friends and never pays it back. induce vt.1. persuade or influence sb. to do sth. 引诱，诱导 ---What induced you to do such a foolish thing? 2. bring sth. about; cause 导致，引起 --- His illness was induced by overwork. convert v.1. change one's belief, attitude, etc. （使）改变（信仰或态度等） ---He honestly converted to Christianity. 他真诚地改信了基督教。 --- She managed to convert him to her opinion. 2. change sth. from one form or use to another 改变，转变 --- That building has been converted into a school. target vt. aim at sth.; cause to have an effect on a particular, intentionally limited group 把... ...作为目标 ---This sales campaign was targeted at the youth market. 这次推销活动是以青年为对象的。 --- Steel production was targeted for 60,000 tons last year. 钢产量去年指标定为六万吨。 concern with: be busy with; interest oneself in 忙于，从事，关心 ---There's no need to concern yourself with this matter; we're dealing with it. 你不必挂念这件事情，我们正在处理。 ---We are concerned more with the product development. 我们更为关心产品的开发。 spring up: appear, develop, grow, etc. quickly or suddenly 迅速或突然的出现，发生，长出 --- Many new factories have sprung up in my home town. --- New businesses were springing up rapidly.新兴商业迅速涌现。 as a result of : because of 因... ... ---The flight was delayed as a result of fog. 航班因雾而误点。 ---The number has declined as a result of the recent drop in sales. 数量由于近来销售的下降而减少了。 aim at: intend or try to do 意欲或试图做 --- He aimed the gun at the enemy officer.他用枪瞄准了敌军官。 ---She is aiming at winning a gold medal at the next sports meeting. 她希望在下一次运动会上能赢得一枚金牌。 ---The factory must aim at developing new models of machines. 该工厂必须致力于研制新型机械。 agree to: say "yes" to (an idea, opinion, suggestion etc.) 同意，允诺，赞成 ---Is he going to agree to our idea? 他会赞成我们的建议吗？ ---Do you agree to my arrangement? 你同意我的安排吗？ agree with: ---I quite agree with you / what you say. agree on: ---We finally agreed on a price for the house. set up: establish or create (sth.) 建立，创立 ---A special committee has been set up to investigate the case. ---They needed the money to set up a special school for poor children. lead to: have sth. as its result 导致 ---This mistake has led to a great confusion. 这个错误使人大为困惑。 ---Ignoring safety rules led to a sad accident. 忽视安全规则导致了悲剧的发生。 Language Points But in recent years, as environmental damage has increased, signs of change have sprung up in various pockets around the world. (Para.1) Meaning: However, because lately the environment is increasingly damaged, people in a number of areas all over the world have changed their attitudes quickly and even taken action towards the damage. pocket: n. a small area or group that exists separated from others like it ---The newly established government controls the main part of the city except for a few pockets of resistance. 除了少数地区还在抵抗, 新政府控制了城市的主要区段。 ---There is a pocket of unemployment in the industrial areas. 工业区有少数失业者。 ... the fishing grounds off what would become eastern Canada and New England held abundant cod and other species. (Para. 2) Meaning: Cod and other types of fish existed in great quantities in the fishing grounds, at a short distance away from the places that would later become eastern Canada and New England. off: prep. in the sea near ... 在离…海的附近 ---They found an island off the coast of southeast.他们在东南沿海发现了一小岛 ---The ship sank six miles off Shanghai. 船在离上海6英里处的海面上沉没。 Much of the country has already been clear-cut, and soil erosion has been extensive. (Para. 5) Meaning: Many rain forests in the country have already been removed, and a large amount of top covering of the earth in which plants grow has been worn away. clear-cut:1) vt. to cut down all the trees in a forest area ---No one is allowed to clear-cut the pine forest in this region. 严禁砍伐这一地区的松林。 2) a. clear in shape; easy to recognize, quite distinct ---There is a clear-cut shape of the mountains against the blue sky. 在蓝天的映衬下, 群山轮廓分明。 ---The company has clear-cut plans for future expansion. 公司对未来的发展有明确的计划。 But in 1991, under pressure from environmentalists around the world, Brazil reversed course. It ended tax favors that had encouraged clearing of the Amazon rain forest, and agreed to a plan to finance new forest protection projects. (Para. 7) Meaning: However, because environmentalists all over the world put forcible influence on the government of Brazil in 1991, the government changed its policy to the opposite, stopped giving tax cuts which encouraged people to remove the Amazon rain forest, and agreed to a plan to provide money for new forest protection projects. reverse course: change one’s course of action completely. Here the phrase means that the government of Brazil changed its policies to the opposite. tax favor: a lower tax as a favor or inducement 税收优惠 The government promises it will protect the region’s native people, but questions remain as to its true level of commitment. (Para. 8) Meaning: Though the government makes a promise to give protection to the native people, the Amazon Indians who live in the area, people still have doubts about its actual efforts to keep the promise. as to: used at the beginning of a sentence in order to introduce a slightly different subject that is still connected to the previous one, similar to “with regard to”, “as regards”, “as for”, showing what something refers to ---As to (doing) that, I haven’t decided yet. 关于 (做) 那件事, 我尚未决定。 But more often than not “as to” is just used to mean “on the subject of”, “concerning”, “about”. ---They should make decisions as to whether the student needs more help. 对于这位学生是否需要更多帮助，他们必须作出判断。 ---He is very uncertain as to whether it is the right job for him. 关于这个工作是否适合自己，他实在拿不准。 commitment: n. a sure promise that one will do it; something that regularly takes up one’s time because of an agreement one has made or because of responsibilities that one has; a strong belief in an idea or method ---We made a commitment to keep working together. 我们承诺继续一起工作。 --- I've taken on too many commitments.我承担的义务太多了。 commit: vt. 1) do sth. wrong, bad, or unlawful ---commit crime / an error / suicide 犯罪 / 犯错 / 自杀 ---If you commit a crime you can never escape being punished. 2) (to) promise (esp.oneself, one’s property, etc.) to a certain cause, position, opinion, or course of action ---You don’t have to commit yourself to anything over the phone. 你不必在电话里承诺什么。 ---He was too young to commit himself fully to marriage. 他太年轻不能完全承担结婚的义务。 Grammar Enrichment: 主语和谓语的一致 集合名词作主语,如表示整体概念则用单数谓语形式; 如表示成员则用复数谓语形式, 常见的这部分名词有: army, audience, class, club, committee, company, family, crowd, group, government, jury, team The football team consists of 20 plays. The football team are having a bath now. 有些集合名词如folk, people, police, youth, cattle, poultry等跟复数谓语形式 The police have caught the murderer. 单复数同形的名词做主语,要根据意义来决定谓语的形式, 长见的这部分名词有：aircraft, deer, fish, means, sheep, species, series, works, crossroads, headquarters The species of fish are numerous. / This species of rose is very rare. Every means has been tried. / The means of communication are interrupted. the+形容词做主语,如表示一类可数的人或物时, 用复数谓语形式, 如表示一类不可数的事物时, 则用单数谓语形式 The old are well looked after by the government. The agreeable is not always the useful. 表示成双成对东西的名词,若被a pair修饰, 用单数谓语形式;否则, 用复数谓语形式 These trousers are made in Shanghai. This pair of trousers is made in Shanghai. 用and连接的两个名词做主语, 如表示同一个人或物时, 用单数谓语形式; 如指不同的人或物, 用复数谓语形式 The secretary and manager was present at the meeting. The secretary and the manager were present at the meeting. Early to bed and early to rise is a good habit. 但: both…and连接两个名词做主语, 用复数谓语形式 Both the secretary and manager have agree to be present at the meeting. 如主语是and连接的两个名词,前面有every, each, many a, no 等修饰时, 用单数谓语形式 During the holidays, every trains and steamboats was crowded. Many a student has seen this picture. 单数名词+with, along with, together with, combined with, as well as, rather than等所跟的名词做主语时, 要遵循语法一致的原则, 用单数谓语形式 Tom as well as his classmates was invited to the party. Dr. Smith, together with his wife and two sons is to arrive on the evening flight. 由or, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also等连接的两个名词做主语时,谓语动词的单复数符合邻近一致的原则 One or two friends are coming this evening. Neither I nor he is to blame. all, half, most, none, some, the remainder (of), the rest (of), the plenty (of) 等代词做主语时, 要遵循意义一致的原则, 谓语动词的单复数要根据它们所替代的词的含义来确定 Most of his spare time was spent in reading./Most of the houses in this town are new. Half of the oranges are bad. /Half of the food is unfit to eat. 由合成代词some(any, no, every)+thing(body, one) 做主语, 由代词each, either, neither, another, the other做主语, 以及由限定词either, neither, each, every, many a, more than one等+名词做主语时,均跟单数谓语形式 Nothing but tree was to be seen. Every man, woman, and child is now aware of the terrible consequences of smoking. No one except my parents knows anything about it. More than one student is involved in the matter. 用作运算的数词做主语时,其谓语常用单数形式 Ten plus ten makes/equals/is twenty. 数词和表示时间、度、量、衡、温度、金钱等名词做主语表示一定的量或总和其谓语一般用单数形式 Twenty years in prison was the penalty he had to pay. Ten thousand dollars is quite a large sum. 但: Twenty years have passed since his father died. 分数和百分数修饰可数或不可数名词做主语时, 谓语动词的单复数要根据它们所表示的意义 Only 20 percent of the work was done yesterday. About 20 percent of the students are absent today. 由kind(form, type, sort)of 等修饰的主语, 谓语动词的单复数要根据这些词的单复数,而不是它们后面所跟的名词 A new type of bus is now on show. Some new forms of art were discussed at the meeting. a number of, a variety of, a group of 修饰名词做主语时, 谓语常用复数形式, 但是the number of, the variety of做主语时, 谓语常用单数形式 A number of students are from the south. The number of students has doubled in the past three years. Section B Green Spaces in Cities Reading Skill: Finding Out Word Meanings The particular reading skill introduced for this unit is finding out word meanings through context clues. In the text we list as many as 7 different ways of finding out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. The context clues that might be helpful for you to recognize the meaning of a new word include. Definition: The female mosquito is a vampire and lives on blood.吸血昆虫 Examples: Today young couples who are just starting their households often spend lots of their money on appliances, for instance, washing-machines, refrigerators and color televisions.家用电器 Synonyms (同义词): Mother was tall, fat, and middle-aged. The principal of the school was an old woman, almost as chubby as Mother, but much shorter. 胖的 Antonym (反义词): Unlike her gregarious sister, Jane is a shy person, who does not like to go to parties, or to make new friends.好交际的 Unlike its plant-eating relative, the polar bears is tygradic.食肉的 Context clues: The type of meter is called multimeter, which is used to measure electricity. 万用表 Common knowledge: Smoking has been shown to be extremely kroon to the health.危险的 In January and February, the gradsfig months of the year, people tried to stay indoors as much as possible.最冷的 Word part clues: They overestimated the interviewee’s ability and asked him a lot of difficult questions. 过高估计 New Words vacant a.1. not filled or occupied; empty 未被占用的，空着的 --- Are there any rooms vacant in this hotel? 2. (position or post) unfilled （职位、工作等）空缺的 --- He wants to apply for a vacant position in an office. 3. showing no interest or activity 茫然的，空虚的 ---She has a vacant expression on her face. 她的脸上是一片茫然的神色。 ---His mind seemed completely vacant. 他的脑子里似乎一片空白。 private a.1. of, belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group only; personal 私人的，个人的，私用的，私有的 ---A private car gives a much greater degree of comfort and mobility. 私人小汽车能给人很大的舒服和机动性。 2. not to be told to others; secret 秘密的，私下的 --- Can I speak to you in private?我可以私下同你谈谈吗？ ---This letter is strictly private. 这封信是绝密的。 3. of, belonging to or run by an individual or a self-governed company rather than the State; not state-controlled 私营的，私立的，非国家控制的 ---Banks should be supporting small, private businesses. 银行应该支持小型私营企业。 ---The news came through private channels.消息是私下[小道儿]传出来的。 literally ad. in a way that follows exactly the original; exactly 照字义，逐字地，真正地 --- There are children in the world who literally do not know how to boil water. ---Idioms usually cannot be translated literally in another language. 成语通常不能用另一种语言逐字翻译。 characterize vt.1. be common to (sb./sth.) 成为... ...的特征，以... ...为特征 --- This kind of behavior characterizes the criminal mind. 这种举止是罪犯的心理特征。 ---The education approach there is characterized by an emphasis on success in exams. 重视考试是那里的教育制度的特点。 2. describe … by stating its main qualities 描绘（人或物的）特征，归纳（人或物的）特征 ---The story characterizes the wolf as a tricky and cruel animal. 这个故事把狼描绘成一种狡猾和残酷的野兽。 ---In her novel, she characterizes the whole year as a period of changes. 在她的小说中，她将这一年度归纳为一个充满变化的时期。 comparable a.1. similar, that can be compared, equal to 相似的，同类的 --- A comparable car would cost far more in Europe. 2. meriting being compared 可比的，比得上的 --- A fire is comparable with the sun; both give light and heat. ---His poems are by no means comparable to Shelley's. 他写的诗无法与雪莱相比。 plot v. make a secret plan (to do sth.); plan (sth.) with others 密谋，计划 ---The army is plotting the takeover of the government. 军队密谋推翻政府。 ---I can't believe that he's plotting against his own father. 我不敢相信他计划反对他的父亲。 work on: give one's attention to doing or trying to do 致力于 ---He is working on a new novel. 他正在写一部新小说。 ---You will have to work on the weak points in your English if you want to pass the examination. 假如你想通过考试，就得努力攻克你英语方面的薄弱环节。 coordinate one's efforts to: work together efficiently 齐心协力 ---We must coordinate our efforts to help the poor. ---A number of societies are coordinating their efforts to send out food to the area worst affected by the flood. 许多社会组织都在协力往受水灾最严重的地区运送食物。 clean up: make a place clean by removing the dirt 清扫，收拾，清理 --- The waiter hurried to clean up the pieces of the broken plates. 服务员赶紧把盘碟的碎片打扫干净。 To make a large profit, often in a short period of time: 赚钱，发大财获得巨大收益，通常指在很短一段时间内： --- He really cleaned up at the football pools today. 他在今天的足球赌注中发了大财。 up to: reach a certain number or amount 多达，直到 ---I can take up to four people in my car. 我的车最多能带4个人。 ---Research suggests that up to two thousand people have taken this drug. 研究表明多达两千人已经服用了这种药物。 wash away: (of water) remove or carry sb./sth. away to another place （指水）洗掉，冲走 --- Heavy rains washed the topsoil away.大雨把表层土冲蚀掉了 --- The waves had washed the swimmer away. lead into: (of a road, etc.) provide a way (for sb.) to enter ( a place) 通往，通向 ---This path leads halfway into the forest and then stops. 这条小路通到森林的中部就断了。 Language Points In cities, homes are built on top of one another -- in enormous apartment buildings. (Para. 2) Meaning: Tall buildings that contain different sets of rooms on different floors are built in cities and these rooms are taken by people as their homes. The feeling of private space and ownership no longer exists in houses literally piled one on the other. (Para. 2) Meaning: Because the flats where people live are built on different floors, that is, on top of one another, people don’t have the feeling of owning them personally as they used to have when living in separate houses. Without grass and trees and bushes and, yes, dirt and mud to get dirty in, children miss an important part of childhood. (Para. 3) Meaning: If there were not the grass, trees or bushes where children could play and if children didn’t have the chance to become dirty because of playing with dirt and mud, they would fail to enjoy their childhood fully. The human soul, it seems, needs to stay close to its roots. (Para. 3) Meaning: It appears to be true that humans need to live near nature, that is, green space is of great importance in building up people’s minds, characters, thoughts, spirits and feelings. However, tending window boxes isn’t the same as being an amateur gardener and growing peas, tomatoes and salad greens in a backyard garden. (Para. 4) Meaning: Taking care of plants grown in window boxes is, however, not similar to working in a garden behind a house and planting peas, tomatoes and salad greens for enjoyment. Soil from building projects in the city has been trucked by lorries into these areas. (Para. 5) truck: vt. transport by truck (usually used in passive voice). This use is mainly American English. ---The liquor was sold legally and trucked out of the state. 酒可以合法销售，并可用卡车运出州外。