人大芸窗研究生英语阅读教程Lesson.ppt

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1、1 Lesson OneSpillonomics:Underestimating Risk2Catalogue Background InformationWarm-up QuestionsMain IdeaLanguage PointsDifficult Sentences Keys to the Exercises3David Leonhardt is an economics journalist with The New York Times.He joined The Times in 1999 and writes both the“Economics Scene”column a

2、nd for the Times Sunday Magazine.Before coming to The Times,he wrote for BusinessWeek and The Washington Post.In April Background Information42011 he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in the“Commentary”category for“his graceful penetration of Americas complicated economic questions,from the federal budge

3、t deficit to health care reform”.Background Information5 Deepwater Horizon is the name given to an ultra-deep ocean-drilling operation that was located about 250 miles southwest of Houston,Texas,in Gulf of Mexico.The drilling extended from a platform on the ocean surface,down about 4,000 feet(about

4、1.2 Km)to the ocean floor,and then another 31,000 feet Background Information6 (about 9.3 Km)below the ocean floor into the crude oil deposit.It was the deepest well of its type ever drilled.In 2010,worldwide,Deepwater Horizon was the largest of about 200 such platforms capable of drilling in waters

5、 a mile deep(1.6 Km)or more.Background Information7BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoTuesday,April 20.News broke that an explosion occurred at 11 p.m.EST on BPs Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico,52 miles southeast of the Louisiana port of Venice.Background Information 8 Explosion Backg

6、round Information According to the Coast Guard,11 to 15 crew members were reported missing,of the total 126 workers aboard the rig at the time of the blast.The rig was drilling,but not in production.Deepwater Horizon oil rig9 Background Information Press the icon on the right and watch Obama:BP agre

7、es to pay 10The Oil Pollution Act(石油污染法)was passed by the 101st United States Congress,and signed by President George H.W.Bush,to mitigate and prevent civil liability from the future oil spills off the coast of the United States.Background Information11The law stated that companies must have a“plan

8、to prevent spills that may occur”and have a“detailed containment and cleanup plan”for oil spills.Background Information12 Wall Street a collective name for the major U.S.financial interests (banks,insurance companies,investment companies,etc.),mostly based in New York City.Background:In the early 16

9、00s Manhattan Island,the main portion of todays New York City,had a Background Information13 Background Informationsmall population.For protection,a large wall was built near the shore;a roadway ran alongside the wall.As the area developed into a town the roadway was named Wall Street.Today it is an

10、 eight-block area with sky-crapers,very tall buildings,containing the headquatersand offices of many of the major banking and invest-ment companies of America and the world.14Warm-up Questions 1.Do you think British Petroleum is the victim of an unfortunate accident,or did the company fail in the ma

11、nagement of potential risks?2.At the time of maximizing profits,what should a responsible company do?3.What are the challenges in developing economy without harming the environment?15 Main IdeaHumans often participate in very risky behavior,particularly if events are extremely rare,the rewards are l

12、arge and the consequences seem to be small.The author begins with two examples of risky behaviors that resulted in serious unexpected consequences:1)A major undersea oil spill in 2010.2)The collapse of the U.S.financial markets in 2009.In the first 16 Main Ideaexample a small group of corporate exec

13、utives took undue risks.In the second example a large segment of the American public,and many,many financial de-cision makers were surprised.The article goes on todiscuss two types of risks:1)Where a bad event is difficult to imagine and risk is underestimated;falling property values is the example.

14、2)A bad event is too 17 Main Ideaeasy to imagine and risk is overestimated;commercial air travel vs.travel by personal car is the example.The last part of the article discusses the possible role of government in helping all parties avoid taking inappropriate risks,either by passing laws and regula-t

15、ions,or through providing factual information and explaining the risks.18Language Points 1.spillonomics The author has created this word to su-ggest the topic of his article.Spill suggests oil spills,which will be a major example;“-onomics”is intended to suggest economics,the financial consequences

16、of oil spills.This article was published about two months following the biggest,most costly,and most environ-mentally damaging oil spill.19Language Points2.in retrospect(line 1,para.1)thinking back to a time in the past,especially with the advantage of knowing more now than you did then 回想起来，我们本应该为学

17、校多节约些钱。In retrospect,we should have saved more money for college.回想起来，我们是如何出的错就很明显了。In retrospect,its obvious how we went wrong.20Language Points 3.rig n c (line 1,para.1)1)a large structure that is used for getting oil from the ground under the sea Oil rig21Language Points 2)to dishonestly arrange

18、the result of an election or competition before it happens;to fix 她谴责对手操纵投票。She accused her opponents of rigging the vote.他们操纵国内市场以使当地企业受益。They rig their domestic markets in favour of local businesses.22Language Points rig blew means the structure exploded.Here it refers to the extremely large open-

19、water drilling platform,designed to drill for oil in very deep ocean waters.In this context,“to blow”means to explode,or to rupture,is in“to blow up.”In this event both the surface drilling platform exploded,and the oil well opening on the ocean floor ruptured,broke open.23Language Points 4.BP (line

20、 1,para.1)Short for British Petroleum(英 国石油公司),the primary international company,based in Great Britain,that was in charge of the drilling operation.Several other major companies had roles to play also.24Language Points 5.reputation n c (line 2,para.1)the opinion that people have about someone or st

21、h because of what has happened in the past 该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.这所大学有良好的学术声誉。This college has a good academic reputation.25Language Points to earn/gain/establish a reputation as stha good/bad reputation26Language Points 6.refinery n c(line 3,para.1

22、)a factory where sth such as oil or sugar is made purer Oil/petroleum refinery27Language Points 7.regulator n (line 3,para.1)a person or organization appointed by a government to regulate an area of activity such as banking or industry 将指定一个独立的管理机构来保证公平竞。An independent regulator will be appointed to

23、 ensure fair competition.政府会继续起到监察者和调控者的作用吗?Will government maintain its role of watchdog and regulator?28Language Points 8.panel n(line 3,para.1)a small group of people who are chosen to do sth,for example to discuss sth in public or to make a decision 他组织了一个学者小组为他出谋划策。He assembled a panel of schol

24、ars to advise him.顾问小组不同意该决定。The advisory panel disagreed with the decision.A panel29Language Points9.corrode vt (line 5,para.1)if a metal corrodes,or if sth corrodes it,it is slowly destroyed by the effect of water,chemicals etc.酸雨毁坏树木，腐蚀建筑物。Acid rain destroys trees and corrodes buildings.调查人员发现地下管

25、道严重腐蚀。The investigators found that the underground pipes were badly corroded.30Language Points2)written to gradually make sth weaker or destroy it completely 他警告说腐败正在侵蚀警察队伍。He warns that corruption is corroding police.和正在侵蚀他灵魂的痛苦相比较，这种折磨倒 更容易承受。Suffering was easier to bear than the bitterness corrod

26、ing his spirit.31Language Points 10.Prudhoe Bay（line 5,para.1）Prudhoe Bay(普拉德霍湾)is on the far north shore of Alaska,above the Arctic Circle(北极 圈).It is a shipping point for oil from the largest oil fields in North America.It is arctic waters that are frozen over for most of the year,and the region i

27、s considered very environmentally sensi-tive.32Language Points11.upbraid vt fml （line 6,para.1）to criticize in a harsh and severe manner 他妻子开始指责他不把孩子放在心上。His wife set about upbraiding him for neglecting the children.他本想因为我偷偷溜出去训我一顿的，可是他 没有这样做。Hed meant to upbraid me for sneaking off,but he didnt.33L

28、anguage Points Synonyms:blame,reprimand,censure,criticize 34Language Points 12.stem from v prep (line 1,para.2)1)to develop as a result of sth else 她的头疼是视力问题造成的。Her headaches stemmed from vision problems.价格与租金的跌落是由20世纪80年代建设过热造 成的。The collapse in prices and rents stems from over-building in the 1980

29、s.35Language Points 2)vt to stop sth from happening,spreading,or developing 采取措施旨在制止非法移民倾向。The measures are meant to stem the tide of illegal immigration.你必须止住伤口流血。You must stem the flow of blood from the wound.to stem the tide/flow/flood of sth36Language Points Synonyms:arrest,bar,block,bridle,cont

30、rol,curb,delay,foil,govern,halt,hamper,hinder,hold back,impede,inhibit,keep in check,obstruct,regulate,rein,repress,restrain,retard,slow,slow down,stop,stunt,thwart 37Language Points 13.obsession n(line 1,para.2)an extreme unhealthy interest in sth or worry about sth,which stops you from thinking ab

31、out anything else 她会努力忘记对我的迷恋。She would try to forget her obsession with me.对于他来说，赌博是无法摆脱的。For him,gambling is an obsession.38Language PointsUseful expressions:to become an obsession unhealthy/dangerous obsession national/American/British etc obsession to the point of obsession to border on/upon obs

32、ession:be almost as bad as an obsession39Language Points e what may (line 1,para.2)whatever happens;no matter what happens;under any circumstances 不管怎样，我要使问题水落石出。Come what may,Im going to fight the case out.不管怎么样，反正我们今天必须完成这项工作。Come what may,we must finish this work today.40Language Points15.cost n(

33、last line of para.2)1)the amount of money that you have to pay in order to buy,do,or produce sth 这项工程需要巨大的费用。This project entails enomous cost.该药昂贵，影响广泛应用。The high cost prohibits the widespread use of the drug.41Language Points 2)plural the money that you must regularly spend in order to run a busin

34、ess,a home,a car etc 为保持竞争力，我们必须降低成本。We have to reduce costs in order to remain competitive.成本降低了30%到50%。Costs have been cut by 30 to 50 per cent.42Language PointsUseful expressions:to pay the cost of sth to meet/bear the cost(of sth):to pay for sth to cover the cost(of sth):to pay for all of sth th

35、e cost of doing sth at a cost of$10/$100 etc high/low cost 43Language Pointsfull/total cost extra/additional costrising/escalating cost at no extra cost(to somebody)labour/transport/legal etc costs running/operating costs:what it costs to organize an event or run a business44Language Points Synonyms

36、:amount,charge,expenditure,expense,fare,figure,payment,price,rate,value45Language Points 16.executive n (line 1,para.3)a manager in an organization or company who helps make important decisions 一位优秀的高级管理人员通常与人们相处得很好。A good executive usually gets on well with people.公司前行政主管形容乔丹是耐克形象的化身。A former compa

37、ny executive describes him as the embodiment of Nikes image.a senior/top executive46Language Points 17.hit n (line 2,para.3)1)if sth hits a person,place,or thing,it affects them very badly.他在我头上轻轻敲了一下。He gave me a gentle hit on the head.他在射击中中了50发。He scored 50 hits in the shooting.47Language Points

38、2)very popular and successful 这本书立刻获得成功。The book was an immediate hit.他为人热情、富有同情心,深得女士的欢心。He was warm,sympathetic and a terrific hit.48Language Points 18.get our hands around (line 3,para.4)to understand,to get the main idea.Sometimes stated as get our heads around”.49Language Points19.likelihood n(

39、line 6,para.4)the degree to which sth can reasonably be expected to happen;probability 感染的可能性极小。The likelihood of infection is minimal.制裁完全可能发挥作用。There is every likelihood that sanctions will work.50Language Points in all likelihood:almost certainly 如果我拒绝了，十有八九我就要失业。If I refused,it would in all like

40、lihood mean Id lose my job.51Language Points Synonyms:chance,hope,possibility,probability,prospect 52Language Points20.proverbial adj (line 6,para.4)well-known,famous 他们的慷慨大度是出名的。Their generosity is proverbial.美国孩子的独立是众所周知的。The independence of American children is proverbial.53Language Points the pr

41、overbial black swan(line 6,para.4)A rare and unexpected event that was thought very unlikely to occur,but when it does,it has extremely large consequences.Swans are white,it was once thought that any color other than white was impo-ssible,particularly a black swan.When naturally54Language Points occ

42、urring black swans were discovered in Australia,their existence shattered a long-held belief.There-fore,a“black swan event”is an event thought to have been impossible,and when it occurs profundly shakes conventional thought.55Language Points 21.explode vt&vi (last but 2nd line of para.4)to burst,or

43、to make sth burst,into small pieces,usually with a loud noise and in a way that causes damage 校车被炮火击中，引爆了油箱。A school bus was hit by gunfire which exploded the fuel tank.56Language Points Synonyms:backfire,blast,blow up,burst,detonate,erupt,go off,make an explosion,set off,shatter57Language Points 22

44、.assume vt (last but 2nd line of para.4)1)to take as true or as a fact without actual proof 每个人都误认为有人会带来甜点。Everyone assumed wrongly,that someone else was bringing dessert.2)to take to or upon oneself 当事人双方都违反合同的，应当各自承担相应的 责任。In case of bilateral breach,the parties shall assume their respective liabi

45、lities accordingly.58Language Points 3)to present a false appearance of 装腔作势、过分卖弄的人，总是要露原形的。They who assume a character that does not belong to them generally betray themselves by overacting it.4)to undertake the duties of(an office)克劳斯先生将任总经理一职，手下有4位经理。Mr.Cross will assume the role of Chief Executi

46、ve with a team of four directors.59Language Points 23.Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan (line 1,para.5)are the current and former chairmen of the U.S.Federal Reserve Board(美国联邦储备局),often called “The Fed”.This politically indepen-dent board is very important in making decisions about the American banki

47、ng and economic system.60Language Points 24.real estate (line 2,para.5)property in the form of land or houses 最近房地产生意很景气。There is the recent boom in real estate.我父亲委托了一名房地产经纪人来卖我们的房子。My father commissioned a real estate agent to sell our house.房地产开发商 a real estate developer 61Language Points 25.bubb

48、le n (line 2,para.5)1)In the stock market,a bubble exists when investors become overly con-fident in the current and future value of some type of investment.As more people compete to invest,the value increases.This makes the investment seem good,more people compete to buy shares and the value in cre

49、ases more.This cycle continues and the value continues to rise.Most of this value is not real,62Language Points but is based on the uninformed and incorrect assup-tions of investors.They do not consider carefully the true value and risk.At some point in time the excessive valuing becomes evident to

50、some people and they begin to sell their shares,the value drops.Others seeing this also decide to sell their shares,and the value falls rapidly.At this time we say“the bubble has burst.”63Language Points 2)sth lacks firmness,solidarity;delusive scheme 这个西洋镜终会被戳穿，只是时间问题。It is a matter of time before