Unit ELEVEN: TEXT I
Words and Expressions
1) spasm (l. 1)
n. an involuntary muscular contraction; here a sudden violent spell (of)
  痉挛；（感情等的）一阵发作
  e.g. a spasm of pain  阵痛
    a spasm of coughing  一阵咳嗽
    a spasm of the stomach  胃痉挛
  synonyms: spell; fit; convulsion
2) futile (l. 3)
adj. ineffective; unsuccessful
e.g. All his attempts to unlock the car were futile, because he was using the wrong key.
synonyms: futile; barren; bootless; fruitless; unavailing; useless; vain
The central meaning shared by these adjectives is “producing no result or effect”
a futile effort      徒劳
a barren search      白费劲的研究
bootless entreaties  无用的乞求
fruitless labors      无收益的劳动
an unavailing attempt 无效的尝试
a useless discussion  没有结果的讨论；
vain regrets        毫无意义的悔恨
3) insinuate (l. 4)
vt. introduce something indirectly and subtly 使巧妙的进入; suggest something unpleasantly and indirectly 暗示；含沙射影
e.g. Are you insinuating that I’m telling a lie?
你这是在暗示我是在说谎吗？
~ doubts into sb.’s mind  使某人慢慢产生怀疑
~ oneself into sb.’s favour  巧妙地逐渐逐渐取得某人的宠信
4) convulsive (l. 4)
adj. having a violent involuntary contraction; spasmic; spasmodic
collocation: ~ rage 震怒
a ~ movement of the muscles 肌肉痉挛
5) illumination (l. 5)
n. enlightenment; edification  启迪；教诲
6) recuperation (l. 6)
n. getting back strength; getting free from worry  恢复；复原
7) improvise (l. 10)
vi & vt. make or do without preparation, sufficient material, etc. 即兴创作；临时准备
e.g. He improvised a dinner for the unexpected guests.
他为不速之客临时准备了晚餐。
If an actor forgets his words, he has to improvise.
如果一个演员忘了台词，他必须临时现编。
~ a poem  即席作诗
8) sedulously (l. 12)
adv. diligently; assiduously  勤勉；勤奋；坚忍不拔
9) vivifying fruits (l. 12)
results that give one relaxation/refreshment
vivify: vt. to give or bring life to; animate
vivify a puppet  使木偶变得有活力（有生气）
10) command (l. 26)
vt. have within reach; be master of  掌握；对……有支配权
e.g. This island country commands immense natural resources.
这个岛国有极其丰富的自然资源。
11) caprice (l. 27)
n. sudden wish to have or do something; whim; fancy; （fad狂热；一时的爱好） 反复无常；怪想
e.g. He acted not from reason, but from caprice.
    他不是凭理智，而是凭幻想来行事。
12) banish (l. 42)
vt. drive out; get rid of; dismiss  放逐；驱逐（出境）；消除
e.g. Banish that thought from your mind.
  你不要那样想了/打消这个念头吧。
  banish sb. from 放逐，（尤指）驱逐出境
13) undue (l. 6)
adj. excessive; not just, proper, or legal  不当；过分；过度
  with undue haste 过于仓促
  Don't treat the matter with undue haste. 不要草率地处理此事。
  show undue concern over sb. / sth. 对某人（某事）表现过分关心
14) aggravate (l. 16)
vt. make worse or more serious  使恶化；加重
e.g. His bad temper was aggravated by his headache.
头疼使他的脾气更坏。
Don't aggravate me, child.
孩子, 不要惹我生气。
          grav- 意思是重（heavy），同根词还有：grave（adj. 重大的；严重的）；gravity（n. 重力）
15) in vain (l. 28)
徒然；枉然；无结果地
e.g. The police tried in vain to break up the protest crowds.
警察企图驱散抗议的人,但没有成功。
All our work was in vain.
我们所有的工作都白费了。
II. Paraphrase
1. The more you attempt to shake off your worry, the harder it will be for you to get rid of it..
2. It is not a good idea to begin thinking of pursuing a hobby when you have already grown old.
sort of是什么意思英语3. It is no good believing that you are in a position to enjoy at a moment’s notice any pastime which happens to catch your fancy; pleasure comes from exerting one’s talents in a hobby suited to one’s circumstances.
4. Since those very wealthy people can afford to get access to almost anything they may think of and to turn the most fanciful ideas into reality, there is nothing in this world that can interest or excite them any more. To them, a new pleasure, a new excitement may very often make them even more bored about life.
5. In fact, it is probably those whose work provides them with their enjoyment are those who are most in need of periodic distractions from their work.
III. Translate the following into English (page 121)
1. His attempt at insinuating that John was the culprit turned out to be futile.
2. He is very clever at improvising excuses when he fails to do what is expected of him.
3. His trip to Tibet will gratify his desire to see Potala. (the Potala Palace)
4. This corporation commands excellent/rich/abundant human resources.
5. Think of an alternative way of entertaining your guests. Don’t always show them VCDs.
6. It is harmful to indulge in whims and caprices.
7. Try not to lay your hands on anything that you are not entitled to.
8. He did not come to the competition. It may well be that he had forgotten all about it.
Some synonyms:

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