西工大新编英语教程 5 Unit 6.pptVIP

Paragraph 14 Paraphrase: It was conversation I was hearing, the free, passionate, witty exchanges of studied minds as polished as fine tools. They were always courteous; no two ever spoke together; there were no asides; they all talked to the question before the house, and while they were on the job of exposition anyone, regardless of his side, would contribute his quota of facts, or his remembrance of some philosopher’s opinion or some poet’s perfect phrase for the elucidation or the beautification of the theme. (ll. 99-104) What I was hearing was the unrestrained, earnest, and sparkling interchanges of great intellect as sharp as first-rate tools. They were always polite, speaking one at a time; no one spoke to anyone in secret and no one digressed; they all spoke when there was an issue everyone was interested in; and while they were explaining something, anyone, no matter whether he was for or against the issue, would tell others what he knew about a philosopher’s opinion or a poet’s phrase in order to clarify or to beautify the theme. 24. studied minds as polished as fine tools – great intellectual faculties, great mental capacities as flawless as first-class tools 25. aside – words spoken by an actor to those watching the play, and not intended to be heard by the other characters; digression 旁白；离题的话 26. quota – a stated number of amount, or a limit on numbers 配额；限额；定额；定量 e.g. fulfill a quota 完成定额 over-fulfill the quota 超额完成 fill (meet) a quota 达到定额（或限额） have quotas on products like paper or specialty steel 对纸、特种钢之类的产品规定限额 the quota system 定额分配制 27. elucidation – the act of explaining or making clear (a difficulty or mystery) 阐明，解释 28. relish – great enjoyment, especially of food, pleasure and satisfaction 乐趣，享乐 e.g. He ate with great relish. 他吃得津津有味。 She took relish in showing her friends her jewelry. 她以向朋友炫示自己的珠宝首饰为乐。 The boy has no relish for sports. 这男孩不喜欢体育运动。 Paragraph 15 29. void – a