08年7.25第65期托福英语学习：托福词汇65

　　Words:

　　designing adj. 狡猾的，蓄意的

　　desirable adj. 令人向往的，令人满意的

　　desire n. 欲望，要求；vt. 想要

　　desirous adj. 渴望的

　　desist v. 停止，中止

　　desolate adj. 荒凉的；孤独凄凉的；不幸的，悲惨的

　　dispatch v. 派遣，发送；迅速处理

　　desperate adj. 情急拼命的，铤而走险的；危急的

　　despicable adj. 可鄙的，卑劣的

　　despise vt. 轻视

　　despoil v. 夺取，掠夺

　　despoiler n. 掠夺者

　　despondent adj. 失望的，沮丧的。消沉的

　　despotism n. 专制，暴政

　　dessert n. 餐后甜点

　　destination n. 目的地

　　destine vt. 命运注定；预定，指定（供某种用途）

　　destitution n. 穷困，缺乏

　　destruction n. 破坏，毁灭

　　destructive adj. 破坏的，毁坏性的

　　Once upon a time, there lived a despicable king who was known for his despotism. Practically everyone who knew him despised him. He used his ruthless and destructive armies to despoil everybody who lived within reach of his realm. The money he obtained, he destined for his own retirement.

　　His army of despoilers caused a great deal of destruction and left many people in a state of destitution. Some people felt so despondent that they chose to commit suicide rather than lice a desolate life. Some felt so desperate that they began stealing to feed their families.

　　The king had only one weakness. He had a sweet tooth. He was strongly desirous of anything made out of sugar. There was nothing he desired more than a beautiful and tasty dessert. He would dispatch his soldiers to the four corners of his realm to find the most desirable ingredients. No destination was too far. Then he would have his designing chef create the most aesthetic and appetizing treats.

　　Because of his appetite for sweets, the King became very fat. The King’s physician often pleaded with him to desist from consuming sugar. However, the King refused to listen. One day, the King lost consciousness while eating his favorite dessert. His face fell into the dessert and he died.

　　Nobody had a kind word to say about him at his funeral. Nevertheless, on his headstone were written a few nice words: “Here lies a sweet person who died in his favorite dessert.”

　从前，有一个卑鄙的国王，以其暴政二臭名昭著。实际上，每个知道他的人都鄙视他。他动用其破坏性的军队残暴地掠夺国内的人民。掠夺来的钱财被指定为养老专用。

　　他的掠夺成性的军队给国家、人民造成巨大的破坏，很多人生活再贫困当中。一些人消沉了，他们宁可自杀也不要过这种悲惨的生活。一些人绝望了，以至于他们开始偷窃来养家糊口。

　　这个国王只有一个致命的弱点。他喜欢甜食。他对任何糖制品都有强烈的渴望。没有什么能比漂亮味美的餐后甜点更令他向往了。他会派军队到全国各地寻找最令人满意的配料，目的地有多远都无所谓。然后命令他那机智灵巧的厨师做出最令人赏心悦目、令人垂涎欲滴的美食佳肴。

　　因为爱吃甜食，国王发胖了。医生经常请求他停止吃甜食。然而，国王哪里肯听。终于有一天，国王在吃他最喜欢的甜食时昏倒了。他的脸扑到在甜食上死了。

　　葬礼上没有人为他说一句好听的话。然而，他的墓碑上却写着一句有趣的话——这里躺着的是一个吃着最爱吃的甜食食物的爱吃甜食的人。