美国语文第五册 第207期:考试(3)

 　　"Your theory is at least a very ingenious one," observed Locke, and I am reminded by it of another of the natural phenomena¹, “你的理论至少是极为巧妙的，”洛克沉吟道，由此，我联想到另外一个自然现象，

　　of the true explanation of which I have not been able to satisfy myself. 对此我尚且无法得到满意的真实解释，

　　It is this: what makes the earth freeze harder and deeper under a trodden path than the untrodden earth around it? 即：踩踏道路与未经踩踏道路相比，什么原因造成前者地面比后者地面结冰坚硬厚实？

　　All that I have asked, say it is because the trodden earth is more compact. But is that reason a sufficient one? 我想问的是，原因在于踩踏后的地面更为密实，不过，这一理由足够充分吗？

　　"No," said Bunker, but I will tell you what the reason is, for I thought that out long ago. “不，” 邦克说，不过，我会告诉你其中原因，因为很久前我已弄清这一问题。

　　You know that, in the freezing months, much of the warmth we get is given out by the earth, 你要知道，在结冰季节里，即使并非持续进行，我们获得的大多暖气由地面不时地往外发散，

　　from which, at intervals², if not constantly, to some extent, ascend³ the warm vapors⁴ to mingle⁵ with and moderate the cold atmosphere above. 在一定程度上，暖空气上升与其上方的冷空气混合，然后减弱。

　　Now these ascending⁶ streams of warm air would be almost wholly obstructed⁷ by the compactness of a trodden path, 上升的暖气流几乎被践踏后坚实路面完全阻隔，

　　and they would naturally divide at some distance below it, 从而在地面下以某种距离自然间隔，

　　and pass up through the loose earth on each side, leaving the ground along the line of the path,to a great depth beneath it, 再通过周边松软土层向上发散，使得成段路面到地表下相当深度冰冷僵硬，

　　a cold, dead mass, through which the frost would continue to penetrate⁸, 严霜持续从地层渗透往下，

　　unchecked by the internal heat, which, in its unobstructed ascent⁹ on each side, 但地表下端热量无法遏制，周围上升热量无法拦阻，

　　would be continually checking or overcoming the frost in its action on the earth around. 运动中地表周围的暖气流将与冷气流持续抗衡甚至最终成功遏制对方。

1 phenomena   

n.现象

参考例句：

• Ade couldn't relate the phenomena with any theory he knew.艾德无法用他所知道的任何理论来解释这种现象。
• The object of these experiments was to find the connection,if any,between the two phenomena.这些实验的目的就是探索这两种现象之间的联系，如果存在着任何联系的话。

2 intervals   

n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息

参考例句：

• The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴，有阵雨。
• Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。

3 ascend   

vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上

参考例句：

• We watched the airplane ascend higher and higher.我们看着飞机逐渐升高。
• We ascend in the order of time and of development.我们按时间和发展顺序向上溯。

4 vapors   

n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• His emotions became vague and shifted about like vapors. 他的心情则如同一团雾气，变幻无常，捉摸不定。 来自辞典例句
• They have hysterics, they weep, they have the vapors. 他们歇斯底里，他们哭泣，他们精神忧郁。 来自辞典例句

5 mingle   

vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往

参考例句：

• If we mingle with the crowd,we should not be noticed.如果我们混在人群中，就不会被注意到。
• Oil will not mingle with water.油和水不相融。

6 ascending   

adj.上升的，向上的

参考例句：

• Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。

7 obstructed   

阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止

参考例句：

• Tall trees obstructed his view of the road. 有大树挡着，他看不到道路。
• The Irish and Bristol Channels were closed or grievously obstructed. 爱尔兰海峡和布里斯托尔海峡或遭受封锁，或受到了严重阻碍。

8 penetrate   

v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解

参考例句：

• Western ideas penetrate slowly through the East.西方观念逐渐传入东方。
• The sunshine could not penetrate where the trees were thickest.阳光不能透入树木最浓密的地方。

9 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。