VOA标准英语2011--Pursuing Academic Adequacy in College

Pursuing Academic Adequacy in College

College students are back in class across America. But not all of their courses involve the rigor¹ of, say, paleontology or advanced calculus².
Every American college has what are called "gut³” courses. They’re ones in which it’s not terribly hard to earn an “A.” Sometimes they're called "Mickey Mouse" courses because a child could pass them. “Underwater Basket Weaving” is the usual, sarcastic⁴, example. Or courses like “Brewing Beer” and “The Science of Surfing.”
All three really exist. Underwater basket weaving involves dipping reeds or stalks of plants into water, letting them soak, and then fashioning baskets out of them.
At Green Mountain College in Vermont, students can major - meaning take several classes - in whitewater rafting. And many colleges offer a subject called “Golf for Business and Life.” Now that’s a gut course if we ever heard one.
Or is it?
Turns out, “Golf for Business and Life” is not just an excuse to knock a few balls down the fairway. Its designers say it will teach you to play a passable round of golf. But more importantly, it will reveal the secrets of business deals and interview strategies on the golf course.
Ethics⁵, too, which are supposed to be scrupulous⁶ in golf and - most Americans would agree - could use some improvement in business.
For a century now, barons⁷ of industry and other big-shot men have sealed business deals over rounds of golf. Women have only lately been admitted to the cozy⁸ networks of golfers who build contacts, friendships and trust - three essential ingredients to business success. So plenty of women sign up for this golf class.
And registration⁹ for “Golf for Business and Life” fills fast. Shh. Quiet now. Mickey Mouse is lining¹⁰ up his putt.

1 rigor   

n.严酷，严格，严厉

参考例句：

• Their analysis lacks rigor.他们的分析缺乏严谨性。||The crime will be treated with the full rigor of the law.这一罪行会严格依法审理。

2 calculus   

n.微积分；结石

参考例句：

• This is a problem where calculus won't help at all.对于这一题，微积分一点也用不上。
• After studying differential calculus you will be able to solve these mathematical problems.学了微积分之后，你们就能够解这些数学题了。

3 gut   

n.[pl.]胆量；内脏；adj.本能的；vt.取出内脏

参考例句：

• It is not always necessary to gut the fish prior to freezing.冷冻鱼之前并不总是需要先把内脏掏空。
• My immediate gut feeling was to refuse.我本能的直接反应是拒绝。

4 sarcastic   

adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的

参考例句：

• I squashed him with a sarcastic remark.我说了一句讽刺的话把他给镇住了。
• She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.她冷嘲热讽地拿别人的缺点开玩笑。

5 ethics   

n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准

参考例句：

• The ethics of his profession don't permit him to do that.他的职业道德不允许他那样做。
• Personal ethics and professional ethics sometimes conflict.个人道德和职业道德有时会相互抵触。

6 scrupulous   

adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的

参考例句：

• She is scrupulous to a degree.她非常谨慎。
• Poets are not so scrupulous as you are.诗人并不像你那样顾虑多。

7 barons   

男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨

参考例句：

• The barons of Normandy had refused to countenance the enterprise officially. 诺曼底的贵族们拒绝正式赞助这桩买卖。
• The barons took the oath which Stephen Langton prescribed. 男爵们照斯蒂芬？兰顿的指导宣了誓。

8 cozy   

adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的

参考例句：

• I like blankets because they are cozy.我喜欢毛毯，因为他们是舒适的。
• We spent a cozy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。

9 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

10 lining   

n.衬里，衬料

参考例句：

• The lining of my coat is torn.我的外套衬里破了。
• Moss makes an attractive lining to wire baskets.用苔藓垫在铁丝篮里很漂亮。