英语播客EnglishPod 202

 A:    We’ve been over this a thousand times. The data
       is irrefutable! Look,  we’ve done extensive re-
       search, built studies, and read the literature, and
       there is conclusive¹ evidence to support my theory!

 B:    Horowitz, I beg to differ. Even in your most recent
       study, the investigative approach was flawed! You
       know as well as I do that the collection of data
       was not systematic², and there is a large margin³
       of error. To draw a definitive⁴ conclusion based on
       that data would be misleading

 A:    That is preposterous⁵!

 B:    You are trying to single-handedly solve one of the
       world’s greatest mysteries, and yet you are oblivi-
       ous to the fact that you are wrong!

 A:     I am not wrong! The chicken came first!
 B:     No! The egg came first!
 

1 conclusive   

adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的

参考例句：

• They produced some fairly conclusive evidence.他们提供了一些相当确凿的证据。
• Franklin did not believe that the French tests were conclusive.富兰克林不相信这个法国人的实验是结论性的。

2 systematic   

adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的

参考例句：

• The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
• The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。

3 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

4 definitive   

adj.确切的，权威性的；最后的，决定性的

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• No one has come up with a definitive answer as to why this should be so.至于为什么该这样，还没有人给出明确的答复。

5 preposterous   

adj.荒谬的，可笑的

参考例句：

• The whole idea was preposterous.整个想法都荒唐透顶。
• It would be preposterous to shovel coal with a teaspoon.用茶匙铲煤是荒谬的。