英文短篇故事（纽约）517 The World's 2nd Greatest Invention

 　　The students discussed their list of the world's greatest inventions. Then they voted² for their favorite. As Ms. Brown expected, smart phones won. She said, "Now, let's discuss inventions with no computer chips or moving parts. And no edible³ parts, either. Everything must be simple and portable⁴. Name your favorites. I'll write them on the board⁵. Later, we'll discuss them and vote¹ for our favorite. Johnny, let's start with you." Johnny said, "Surfboards!" Ms. Brown said, "They're a little too big for our list." Johnny said, "Skateboards!" Ms. Brown said, "No moving parts, please. I'll get back to you, Johnny. Sara?" Sara said, "Spoons!" Ms. Brown wrote "spoons" on the board. She called on each student. Students named baseball caps, flip-flops, and mirrors, among other things. Finally, she called on Johnny again. He said, "I've got the winner. It fits in your hand, and there's no moving parts—toilet paper!"

1 vote   

vt./vi.投票；选举；投票决定；n.投票，选票，表决，选举权，得票数

参考例句：

• The chairman asked us to vote on the plan.主席要我们对计划进行表决。
• They vote to choose a president.他们投票选举总统。

2 voted   

表决的

参考例句：

• Ten people voted in favour, five against and two abstained. 十人投票赞成，五人反对，两人弃权。
• Only 70% of the electorate voted in the last election. 在上次选举中，只有70%的选民参加了投票。

3 edible   

n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的

参考例句：

• Edible wild herbs kept us from dying of starvation.我们靠着野菜才没被饿死。
• This kind of mushroom is edible,but that kind is not.这种蘑菇吃得，那种吃不得。

4 portable   

adj.轻便的，手提式的；n.便携的东西

参考例句：

• I have a portable typewriter.我有一个便携式打字机。
• There is a pretty portable pair of steps in one corner of the room.屋角放着一架小巧玲珑的折梯。

5 board   

v.上（船；飞机等）；n.委员会，理事会，董事会，委员会；司，局，厅；木板，黑板

参考例句：

• We'd better board the train now.我们最好现在上火车。
• Passengers should board the train now.旅客现在应该上火车了。