08年8.9第80期托福英语学习：托福词汇80

　　Words:

　　duration n. 持续的时间

　　duress n. 强迫，监禁

　　dusk n. 薄暮，黄昏

　　dusky adj. 微暗的，肤色黑的

　　dwarf n. 侏儒 vt. 把。。。显得矮小

　　dwell vi. 居住，生活于

　　dwelling adj. 住处，寓所

　　dye n. 颜料，染料；vt. 染色

　　dynamic adj. 动力的；动态的，有活力的

　　dynamics n. 动力学

　　dynasty n. 朝代，王朝

　　eager adj. 渴望的，热心的

　　ebb n. 退潮；v. 退潮，衰退

　　eccentric adj./n. 古怪的（人），异常的（人）

　　eccentricity n. 反常，怪癖

　　eclecticism n. 折衷主义

　　eclipse n. 日食，月食；vt. 使失色；盖过

　　ecological adj. 生态的，生态学的

　　ecologist n. 生态学者

　　economize vi. 节约，节省

　　“The duration of your study time is becoming shorter and shorter,” Mary said to her son, as she tried to brighten the dusky appearance of his room. “You used to be a dynamic student. I’m going to start restricting your TV time if you don’t start studying harder.”

　　“I can’t study under duress,” Tom replied. “Besides, after dusk, I feel so tired. My school subjects are so boring this year.”

　　“As long as you dwell in my dwelling, you will need to follow my rules,” said Mary with a firm tone in her voice. “I have to economize every month just to pay your private school tuition. Now tell me exactly what you are studying.”

　　“Well, in art class, we’re learning to dye our tee shirts,” Tom replied. “In oceanography class, we’re studying the theory behind wave dynamics and ebb currents. In Chinese history class, we’re reading about the emperors of the Tang Dynasty. In astronomy class, we’re examining the last full eclipse of the sun. In philosophy class, we’re practicing eclecticism. In botany class, we’re dissecting dwarf plans. In biology class, our professor is teaching us about ecological diversity.”

　　“Is your biology teacher an ecologist?” Mary asked.

　　“Yes, and he is a bit eccentric,” Tom replied. “He wears the exact same clothes every day.”

　　“Some intellectuals are known for their eccentricity,” Mary added. “What do you think of his teaching ability?”

　　“I find it to be very good,” replied Tom. “I’m always eager to study for his class.”

　　“Good,” replied Mary with a smile. “I’ll be expecting you to score an ‘A’ in that class.”

“你学习的持续时间越来越短了。”玛丽一边把房间微暗的墙壁擦亮，一边对儿子说，“你过去可是个充满活力的学生。如果你在不开始加把劲，我要开始限制你看电视的时间了。”

　　“强迫之下我学不了。”汤姆回答。“此外，黄昏过后，我就太累的，而且今年我们学校开的课程也太乏味了。”

　　“只要你住在我的寓所，就必须服从我的规定。”玛丽语气坚定地说，“我必须每月都要节省，只是为了给你交私立学校的学费。现在给我确切地说说你们都在学些什么？”

　　“好吧。美术课上我们在学染T恤衫。”汤姆回答，“在海洋学课上，我们学习关于海浪动力学和退潮洋流的理论知识。中国历史课上，我们读有关唐代皇帝的书。天文课上，我们研究上次出现的月全食。哲学课上，我们连续用折衷主义分析问题。植物学课上，我们解剖矮小植物。生物学课上，教授正教我们关于生态多样性的知识。”

　　“你们生物学老师是个生态学者吗？”玛丽问。

　　“是的，但他有点古怪，”汤姆说，“他每天都穿完全一样的衣服。”

　　“有些知识分子是以他们的古怪行为著称的。”玛丽接着说，“你认为他的教学能力怎么样？”

　　“我觉得很好。”汤姆回答，“我总是盼着上他的课。”

　　“很好，”玛丽笑着说，“我期盼着你这门课得‘A’”。