08年7.27第67期托福英语学习：托福词汇67

　　Words:

　　devastate vt. 毁坏

　　devastating adj. 破坏性的

　　devastation n. 毁坏

　　device n. 器械，装置

　　devious adj. (道路)曲折性，蜿蜒的；奸诈的，不正直的；远离大路的，偏僻的

　　devise vt. 设计；发明

　　devitalize v. 夺去生命力，失去生命力

　　devoid adj. 全无的，缺乏的

　　devote vt. 致力于，献身

　　devotee n. 皈依者，狂热者

　　devotion n. 热爱，忠诚

　　devour vt. 贪婪的吃，吞食

　　devout adj. 虔诚的，诚恳的

　　dexterous adj. 灵巧的，熟练的

　　diabolic adj. 魔鬼似的，残忍的

　　diabolical adj. 恶毒的，狠毒的

　　diagnose vt. 诊断

　　diagnostic adj. 诊断的

　　diagonal n./adj. 对角线的

　　diagram n. 图表

　　“How could something so small be so devastating?” John wondered as he walked through the debris. The devastation was beyond belief. The device had devastated the entire building and part of the neighboring area. The truck that brought it had traveled a devious route to avoid detection.

　　“What kind of diabolical mind would devise such a diabolic scheme?” I asked myself. “It must be someone completely devoid of compassion.” The explosion had ripped through a residential building, injuring hundreds of people. These recurring acts of violence had devitalized the area.

　　“I think I recognize the handiwork,” John said, as he examined a recovered piece of the device. “Do you see the diagonal circuitry?” he said, pointing his finger. “This is the work of a dexterous bomb maker. If I’m right, this circuitry will match the diagram I have in my file.”

　　“Exactly what are you saying?” I asked.

　　“This catastrophe is the work of the ‘ultra bomber, ’” John replied. “The ‘Ultra bomber’ is a devotee of an anti-government cult. In the last few years, his misguided devotion has led him to bomb several government buildings. He claims to be a devout Christian but that is clearly debatable. Christians do not devote their lives to killing people.”

　　“Let’s get the injured people out of the building,” I said. “They need to be diagnosed and treated. We don’t have the proper diagnostic equipment here with us.”

　　“Okay,” John replied. “But since it’s going to be a long night, would you mind if I devour a candy bar before we start?”

“这么小的东西怎么会有这么大的破坏性呢？”约翰一边走过爆炸现成的瓦砾堆，一边在纳闷。破坏力令人难以置信。这个爆炸装置摧毁了整个建筑物并波及周围的部分地区。承运卡车为了躲开侦查，专挑偏僻曲折的小道行驶。

　　“设计这么残忍的爆炸计划的人心有多狠毒啊！”我自然自语，“这个人肯定一点同情心都没有。”炸弹炸毁了一个居民楼，数百人受伤。暴力行为的重复出现使这一地区变得死气沉沉。

　　“我能看出这炸弹是手工做的。”约翰一边检查找到的一块炸弹碎片，一边说，“看见这个呈对角线的电路图了吗？”他用手指着残片说，“制作这个炸弹的人是个老手。如果我没说错，这个电路图与我卷宗里的那个图表真好一致。”

　　“你到底在说什么？”我问。

　　“这场灾难是极端恐怖分子制造的，”约翰回答，“这个放置炸药的人是个反政府教派的狂热信徒。在过去的几年里 ，对该教派走火入魔似的忠诚促使他炸毁了几栋政府大楼。他声称自己是虔诚的基督徒，但很明显这会引起人们的争议。

基督徒不会致力于杀戮无辜。”

　　“让我们把受伤人员救出大楼，”我说，“他们需要诊断治疗。我们没有随身携带专门的诊断设备。”

　　“好的，”约翰回答，“可既然我们又要熬夜了，在开始之前我想先吞下一块条形糖果你不介意吧？”