Unit Three Passage A Avoid
Misunderstanding
Part One: Vocabulary
Section A: Important Words
1. fail vi. 1) 失败：The plan failed. 计划失败了。
2) 未能：I failed to catch the train. 我未能赶上火车。
failure n. 1) 没做到，没发生：Her failure to come to the party was disappointing.
她未能参加聚会，令人失望。
2）失败，不及格：He was a failure as a pianist. 他不是个好的钢琴家。
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2. ratio n. 比，比率 （如等数学上的比率）：
The ratio of boys to girls was 3 to 2. 男孩与女孩的比率是三比二。
rate n. 百分率，费用，速度，等级： at any rate 无论如何
at this/ that rate 照这情形
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3. sophisticated a.1) 老练的：a sophisticated writer 富有经验的作家
2) 时髦的：a sophisticated woman 高雅的女士
3) 复杂的：sophisticated machinery 精密的机器
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4. volume n. 1) 卷、册： a book in two volumes 一部两册的书
2) 容量： What’s the volume of the barrel? 桶的容量是多少？
3) 音量： Turn down the volume of the radio. 把收音机得音量调小。
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5. vacuum n. 真空，真空吸尘器 (= vacuum cleaner真空吸尘器)
vacuum bottle 热水瓶； vacuum tube 真空管
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6. difference n. 差异，不同： I can’t see much difference
between the two.
我看不出这两个之间有多大差异。
different a. 不同的，于不同：My plan is different from yours. 我的计划与你的不同。
differentiate vt. 区分，区别：What differentiates cheese from butter?
奶酪和奶油怎么区分？
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7. sociology n. 社会学 biology 生物学 psychology 心理学
sociologist n. 社会学家 biologist 生物学家 psychologist 心理学家
sociological a. 社会学的 biological 生物学的 psychological 心理学的
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8. literacy n. [u] 识字，读写的能力：an adult-literacy campaign 成人识字/扫盲运动
computer-literacy 计算机基本知识
illiteracy n. [u] 文盲，不识字，无学识
literary a. 文学的，文艺的：literary works 文学作品；the literary world 文学界，文坛
literature n. 文学： English literature英国文学： popular literature 通俗文学
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9. subsequence n. [u] 随后，随后发生的事，结果
subsequent a. 随后的，其次的：a subsequent event 随后发生的事
the day subsequent to his arrival 他抵达后的第二天
subsequently ad. 随后，后来：It subsequently proved that he was right.
后来证明他是对的。
consequently ad. 所以，因此（= as a result）：
It rained heavily, consequently the game was called off.
雨下得很大，因此比赛取消了。
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10. infer vt. 推理，推论：I inferred from his words that he was not happy.
我从他的话推测出他并不快乐。
inference n. 推论，结论：He's came to this conclusion by inference.
他通过推理得出这个结论。
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11. thereby ad. 由此，因而：He become a British citizen, thereby gaining the right to vote.
他成了英国公民，因而得到了投票权。
therefore ad. 因此，所以，为此：These birds are very rare and therefore protected by law.
这些都是珍禽，因此受到法律的保护。
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12. reverse vt. 1) 颠倒： reverse the order 颠倒顺序
2) 倒退：He reversed the car. 他倒车。
n. 相反，反面：the reverse of a coin 硬币的背面
a. 相反的：in the reverse order 以相反的顺序,
the reverse side of the tape 磁带的反面
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13. latter a. 后者的，后面的：the latter half of the 19th
century 十九世纪后半期
n. 后者 (反former)：
As for English and Chinese, the latter
is more difficult than the former.
就英语和中文而言，我觉得后者比前者难。
later a. 后来的，更晚的：He was happy in his later life. 他晚年很幸福。
ad. 其后，随后，后来 (反earlier)：See you later. 再见！
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14. analogize v. 作类似说明
analogy n. 相似，类似，比喻：
The author draws an analogy between the way water moves in waves and the way light travels. 作者用水的波动作比喻，来说明光的运行方式。
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15. barrier n. 栅栏，屏障，障碍： Being jealous is a barrier to friendship. 嫉妒是友谊的障碍。_____________________________________________________________________
16. concerning prep. 关于（= about）
regarding
prep. 关于（= about）：
I have no objection regarding your plan.关于你的计划我没有意见。
表示“关于”的词和词组还有许多，为了方便记忆，可以归纳为：
1) 与regard有关：in regard to, with regard to, regarding, as regards
1) 与respect有关：in respect to, in respect of, with respect to, respecting
2) 其他：as to, concerning, 口语中最常用about。
as far as …be concerned 就…而言
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17. tackle v. 处理： I don’t know how to tackle the problem. 我不知道如何处理这个问题。_____________________________________________________________________
18. adopt v. 1) 采纳，采用：He adopted her idea. 他采纳了她的建议。
2) 收养： He adopted the orphan. 他收养了那个孤儿。
adoption n. 采用，收养：The adoption of the wrong idea leads to the failure.
采纳了错误的意见导致了他的失败。
adapt vt. 适合，适应：We had to adapt our teaching methods to meet the new situation.
我们不得不使我们的教学方法适应新的情况。
vi. 适应：He adapted easily to new surroundings. 他很快就适应了新环境。
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19. hypothesis n. 假设，假说，假定：
Columbus
sailed east to prove the hypothesis that the earth is round.
哥伦布向东航行以证明地球是圆的的假说。
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20. valid a. 1) 有根据的，有理由的：He had no valid objection to the plan.
他对那个计划没有正当的反对理由。
2) 有效的：The ticket is valid for two days. 票在两天内有效。
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21. particle n. 微粒，颗粒： small particles of rain/ sand 小雨滴/ 小沙粒
22. elapse vi. （时间）逝去，流逝：Three months have elapsed since he left home.
自他离家后三个月已经过去了。
23．attain v. 达到，获得：He finally attained his objectives. 他终于实现自己的目标。
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Section B: Word Distinction
1. agree with, agree to, agree on/upon
I
agree with you. 我同意（你的意见）。 Do you agree to it? 你同意吗？
I
agree ______ what you say. 我同意你的话。
agree
with （事实、陈述等）彼此一致，与相吻合
The
witnesses’ statements just don’t agree with each other. 几个见证人的陈述彼此不一致。
agree
to （不得不）接受：
We will never get him to agree to this arrangement. 我们永远无法让他接受这样的安排。
agree on/ upon 就…取得一致意见， 就 …达成协议
We’ve agreed on Nanjing for our holiday next year. 我们决定明年去南京度假。
The two sides have agreed on the date of meeting. 双方确定了见面的时间。
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2． apart from 1) 除了…外（别无） = except, except for, with the exception of
2) 除了…外（尚有） = besides, aside from, in addition to
Apart from the injuries to his face and hands, he broke both legs.
除了脸上和手上的伤外，他还折了腿。
Apart from his nose, he’s quite good-looking.
除了他的鼻子外，他长得挺好看。
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Section C: Important Phrases
1. fall into 陷入（错误，愤怒等）
The man suddenly fell into a rage. 那个人突然勃然大怒。
2. be bound up with 与…有密切关系
Your success will be bound up with your effort. 你的成功将同你的努力密切相关。
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3. in practice 实际上，事实上，在实践中
It sounded like a good idea, but in practice it didn’t work.
这听起来象是个好主意，但做起来却行不通。
4. as regards 至于，关于
As regards doing that, I haven’t decided yet. 关于做那件事，我还没有同意。
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5. as far as … be concerned 至于，就…而言
As far as nuclear
power is concerned, it will be the most promising source of energy in the
future. 就核能而言，它将是最有前途的能源。
6. break down 破除，打破
Newcomers have broken down many of the old ideas. 新来的人打破了许多旧观念。
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Part Two: Text and Structure:
Para. 1: Central idea of the passage: A
few reasons for misunderstanding.
1. fall into 陷入（错误）
2. deal with 处理
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Para. 2: The first reason:
Different
interpretations of the same word lead to misunderstanding.
1. be bound up with 与…有密切联系
2. a set of 一组，一套
3. agree upon 同意, 达成一致
4. identify with 联系，区分
5. in practice 实际上 （反in theory理论上）
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Para. 3-4: The second reason: False
logical reasoning.
1. apart from =besides, except for 除…以外
2. draw conclusions = reach/ arrive at/ come to conclusions 得出结论
3. as follows 如下
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Para. 5: The third reason: Confusion of
cause and effect.
1. over the ages 多年以来
2. reach the conclusion 得出结论
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Para. 6: Some other reasons:
Faulty analogizing and the restricting effect on
further research of somewhat established concepts.
1.
a barrier to 障碍，阻碍
2.
on the other hand 另一方面
3.
tend to 倾向于
4.
interfere with 干扰
5.
as far as … is concerned 至于，就…而言
6.
build up 建立
7.
broke down 破除，打破
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Para. 7: conclusion: Suggested ways to
avoid misunderstanding to all kinds of people.
fall into errors 犯错误
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Part Three: Comprehensive Questions:
1. People frequently fall into avoidable errors because of ________.
A. terrible luck B. a failure to reason correctly
C. absent-mindedness D. a failure to pay attention
_B____________________________________________________________________
2. If the researcher performed a delicate experiment, using the manufacturer’s oxygen, it might be __________.
A. a pleasure B. a success C. a challenge D. a failure
____D_________________________________________________________________
3. The parasites left sick persons because __________.
A. they could make persons healthy
B. the persons’ bodies became too hot for the parasites to live on
C. they should have to transmit fever to other people
D. they had already made the persons sick
____B________________________________________________________________
4. List the factors that may influence reasoning.
1.___________________________________
2.___________________________________
3.___________________________________
4.___________________________________
5.___________________________________
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1. Unreasonable inference.
2. Confusion of cause and effect.
3. Faulty analogizing.
4. The restricting effect on further research of concepts which are widely accepted as satisfactory.
5. The role of authority as a resistance to further reconsideration or investigation.
5. When using oxygen in a delicate experiment, a research requires the element to be _______.
A. in a pure state B. in a solid state
C. such as supplied by the manufacturer D. with some other substances
______A_______________________________________________________________
6. The concept of light as waves ______ the concept of light as a stream of particles.
A. has given way to B. is not so valid as
C. is equally valid as D. has replaced
______C_______________________________________________________________
7. The role of authority may influence reasoning by _____________.
A. adopting a totally false hypothesis
B. building up a powerful resistance to further investigation
C. interfering with another equally valid concept
D. faulty analogizing
_____B________________________________________________________________
It frequently happens that people fall into avoidable errors, for which there are many reasons.
The first reason is that people use words differently. For example, what one person means is not the same as another does, or they do not differentiate clearly between several varieties of the “same” thing, which may easily lead to misunderstanding.
The second one is that people sometimes commit logic mistakes such as unreasonable inference, confusion of cause and effect, faulty analogizing. In the history of science, there are many instances, where the force of authority built up powerful resistance to further development of a concept.
The scientists have the same possibilities to fall into errors of reasoning as ordinary citizens. If they know more of this important subject, they will be better equipped to achieve success in their work and perform their functions as scientists and citizens.
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1. fall into 陷入（错误，愤怒等）
The man suddenly fell into a rage. 那个人突然勃然大怒。
We fell into conversation as the train pulled out of the station. 火车出站时我们谈了起来。
The story falls into three parts. 故事分三部分。
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2. be bound up with 与…有密切关系
Your success will be bound up with your effort. 你的成功将同你的努力密切相关。
The welfare of the individual is bound up with the welfare of the country.
个人的福利同国家的财富密切相关。
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3. in practice 实际上，事实上，在实践中
It sounded like a good idea, but in practice it didn’t work.
这听起来象是个好主意，但做起来却行不通。
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4. as regards 至于，关于
As regards doing that, I haven’t decided yet. 关于做那件事，我还没有同意。
In my opinion, she was no artist at all as regards dancing.
在我看来，她在舞蹈方面没有一点艺术性。
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5. as far as … be concerned 至于，就…而言
As far as nuclear power is concerned, it will be the most promising source of energy in the future. 就核能而言，它将是最有前途的能源。
This is all rubbish as far as I am concerned. 就我看这全是垃圾。
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6. break down 破除，打破
Newcomers have broken down many of the old ideas. 新来的人打破了许多旧观念。
She broke down completely and had to go into hospital. 她完全跨了，只好住院。
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Exercise:
Choose one answer that best completes the sentences.
1. When a fire broke _____ at the National Exhibition in London, at least ten priceless paintings were completely destroyed. off / down / out / up
__out___________________________________________________________________
2. My uncle ______ Mary a good student.
considers / knows / suggests / believes
___considers__________________________________________________________________
3. I’ve put on so much weight that my clothes don’t _____ me any
more.
fit / suit / agree with / match
____fit/suit/ agree
with______________________________________________________
4. The lecture was rather boring, but the _____ discussion proved fruitful.
subsequent / consequent / latter / successive
___subsequent___________________________________________________________
5. I have given _____ thought to the matter.
considerable/ considerate /considering / considerably
__considerable___________________________________________________________
6. The police used tear gas to break ______ the demonstration.
into / through / away / up
___up__________________________________________________________________
7. _______ this point, he is correct.
As regard / With regard / In regard / As regards
__As regards_____________________________________________________________
8. ____ from this point of view, the question will be of great
importance.
Considering / To consider / Considered / Having been considered
____Considered____________________________________________________________
9. The two parties failed to agree _____ the terms of the
contract.
on / with / to / in
____on_________________________________________________________________
10. _____ dishonesty, he is a good boy.
Except / Except for / Besides / Apart from
____Except for/ Apart from__________________________________________________
Ex. 4
1. A
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. A
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Ex. 5
1. volume
2. reverse
3. barriers
4. valid
5. attain
6. particle
7. complicated
8. concerning
9. sum
10. sophisticated
11. thereby
12. transient
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Ex. 6 A
1. up
2. to
3. up
4. out
5. into
6. from
7. up … with
8. with
9. on
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B
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. B
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Ex. 7
1. insures
2. proportional
3. sympathized
4. absent
5. significance
6. edition
7. dynamical
8. quotation
9. peculiar
10. probability
11. respective
12. interpretation
13. density
14. consequence
15. corresponding
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Ex. 8
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. C
11. D
12. A
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Ex. 9
1. 在intelligence 一词中，我们遇到的问题是： 一个词所表示的可能不仅仅是一件事物，而是许多事物—在这种情况下，它表示一组十分复杂的能力，对这些能力的数量和特点，专家们意见并不一致，而非专家对此则了解得更少。
2. 有一个例子，说的是一位年轻的社会学家在某一社区调查识字情况，他从官方的纪录中发现，百分之五十以上的人口是女性。
3. 例如，把光的运动与波相比，是一种比拟方法，实际上，在19世纪的大部分时间内，它为已观察到的现象提供了令人满意的解释，但是它因此干扰了另一个同样有效的概念（即光是一种粒子流）的发展。
至于第三种因素，科学史上有许多实例表明，权威的力量所起的作用能对进一步的研究形成一股极其强大的阻力。在有些情况下，要经过若干实际，才能使这种阻力最终破除，例如达尔文的进化论就是如此。