新世纪大学英语综合教程第一册第7单元Text B

What We Can Do to Improve Human Relationships

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1 Every day we encounter many people. How do we deal with them? Following are five lessons to make us think about the way we treat people.

2 First Important Lesson — Cleaning Lady

3 During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious (认真的，尽职的) student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

4 Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would be counted in for our quiz grade.

5 “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello'.”

6 I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

7 Second Important Lesson — Pickup in the Rain

8 One night, at 11:30 p.m., an elderly African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing (鞭打；猛烈打击) rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

9 She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.It read:

10 "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched (使浸湿) not only my clothes, but also my spirits.Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.

11 Sincerely

12 Third Important Lesson — Always Remember Those Who Serve

13 In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she abruptly replied. The little boy again counted his coins. “I'll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels (5分镍币) and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

14 Fourth Important Lesson — The Obstacles in Our Path

15 In ancient times, a King had a large rock placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the rock, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the huge rock had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the huge rock from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

16 Fifth Important Lesson — Giving When It Counts

17 Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion (输血) from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously (奇迹般地) survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies (抗体) needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I'll do it if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?” Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

Text Translation

                  如何改善人际关系
1    每天都会碰到很多人，我们应如何与他们相处呢？以下的五个例子，能引发我们思考该如何对待他人这一问题。
2    第一课 清洁女工
3    刚上大学的第二个月，老师安排了一次突击测验。我是一位勤恳认真的学生，前面的题都轻轻松松做完了，最后一题却把我难住了：“学校的清洁女工叫什么名字？”
4    这一定是开玩笑。我见过那清洁女工几次，她很高、深色头发、五十几岁，但我怎么会知道她的名字？我交了卷，空着最后一个问题没做。临下课前，有一位同学问最后一题算不算分。
5    “当然算分，”教授回答道，“在你们一生的经历当中，你们会遇见很多人，每一位都很重要。他们值得你去注意和关心，即使你所要做的仅仅是微笑和一声‘你好'”。
6    我一直没有忘记这一课，我也记住了她的名字叫多萝西。
7    第二课 雨中搭车
8    有一天晚上，已经十一点半了，一位年长的非裔美国妇女顶着狂风暴雨，站在阿拉巴马的高速公路旁。她的车抛锚了，急需搭顺路车。她全身湿透，于是决定招手拦下一辆车。一位年青的白人男子停下车来帮她，这在充满种族冲突的二十世纪六十年代简直是闻所未闻。这位男子把她送到安全的地方，帮她获得援助，并送她上了出租车。
9    她似乎很赶时间，不过她还是写下了男子的地址并向他表示感谢。七天后，有人敲男子的家门。令他惊奇的是，送到他门口的是一台巨型彩色电视机。上面还附了一张特别的纸条，上面写道：
10    “非常感谢你那天晚上在高速公路上帮我。那天晚上的大雨不仅淋湿了我的衣服，也使我的心情糟糕透顶，这时你出现了。因为你，我才能及时赶到我丈夫的病床前，见他最后一面。你这样帮助我，无私地帮助他人，上帝会保佑你的！
11    真诚的纳特•金•科尔太太”
12    第三课 常怀感激
13    那时，圣代冰淇淋还很便宜。有一天，一位十岁的小男孩走进一间宾馆的咖啡厅，在一张桌旁坐下。一位女服务员把一杯水放在他面前，“圣代冰淇淋多少钱一个？”他问道。“50美分，”女服务员回答道。小男孩把手从裤袋里边拿出来，仔细地数了数手上的硬币。“那么普通冰淇淋多少钱一个呢？”他又问道。这时候已经有很多人在等位子了，女服务员开始不耐烦了。“35美分，”她不耐烦地回答道。小男孩又数了数硬币，说：“那就给我一个普通冰淇淋吧。”女服务员拿来了冰淇淋、把账单放在桌上就走开了。小男孩吃完冰淇淋，去收银员处付了钱后就离开了。女服务员返回来擦桌子时，她流下了眼泪。在空碟的旁边整整齐齐地放着两个5分币和五个1分币。他没有要圣代冰淇淋就是为了留下足够的钱付给她小费。
14    第四课 路中障物
15    古时候，有一位国王让人把一块大石头放在路中间。然后他就躲在路旁，看看谁会去挪开这块巨石。国王手下的一些最富有的商人路过这里，他们都只是绕开石头过去了。许多人大声指责国王没有把道路清理好，但是谁也不去想办法把石头从路上弄走。这时候，有一位农夫挑了一担青菜走过来。他来到大石边，放下担子，就去推大石。一番用力推拉之后，他终于成功地把大石移到路旁去了。当他挑起担子准备离开时，突然发现在原来放大石的地方有一个钱袋，里面装有很多金币，还有一张国王写的纸条，说金币是送给挪开石头的人的。农夫学到了我们许多人永远也不会明白的道理！每一个障碍都为我们提供了一次改善境况的机会。
16    第五课 雪中送炭
17    很多年前，我在一家医院做义工时，认识了一个名叫莉兹的小女孩。她得了一种很严重的怪病，唯一康复的机会只有靠她五岁的弟弟输血给她，因为她弟弟也曾患同样的病并奇迹般地好了，而且体内还产生了抵抗这种疾病的抗体。医生把这一情况告诉了她的弟弟，问他是否愿意输血给姐姐。我看他仅仅犹豫了片刻，然后深深地吸了一口气，说，“我愿意，我会输血给她，只要能救她。”输血过程中，他躺在姐姐旁边的床上，看到她的面颊渐渐恢复红润，他像大家一样脸上露出微笑。随后他的脸色渐渐变得苍白，脸上的微笑也消失了，他抬起头看着医生，用颤抖的声音问道：“我是不是很快就要死了？”男孩太小，误解了医生的意思，他以为要救姐姐，就必须把全部的血都输给她。

Word Study

Key Words:

encounter vt.	significant   a.	deserve   vt.	endure vt.
attach vt.	assist vt.	inquire   vi.	obstacle n.
blame vt.	approachvt.	strain vi.	recovery n.
fade    vi.	tremble vi.

encounter vt. 

1. fml to meet sb. without planning to 〖正式〗邂逅

e. g.  1. The story is simple a man and a woman encounter each other and are attracted to each other.

2. She was the most remarkable woman he had ever encountered.

synonyms: come across, run into, bump into

2. fml meet or have to deal with (sth. bad, esp. a danger or a difficulty); be faced with 〖正式〗遇到；遭遇(尤指危险或困难等）

e. g. 1. The environmental problems they found in this city were among the worst they had ever encountered.

2. The government has encountered strong opposition to its plans to raise income tax.

significant a.  of noticeable importance, effort, or influence 重要的，重大的，有意义的，影响深远的

e. g. 1. All their customs and cultures have made a very significant contribution to the way we live.

2. Please inform us if there are any significant changes in your plans.

Noun: significance

Antonym: insignificant

deserve vt.  [not in progressive forms] have earned by one’s actions or character ; be worthy of [不用进行式] 应受，应得，值得

e. g. 1. Honors do not always go to those who deserve them.

2. Paula deserves a special mention for all the help she has given us.

Collocations:

deserve to do sth.

richly / fully / thoroughly, etc. deserve sth.

deserve a rest / break / holiday, etc.

deserve all / everything one gets

endure vt.  bear (pain, suffering, etc.) patiently or for a long time （长时间地）忍受，忍耐（痛苦、苦难等）；容忍

e.g.  1. They endured tremendous hardship on their journey to the South Pole.

2. They had to endure a long wait before the case came to trial.

Synonyms: bear, stand, put up with

attach vt.  [(to)] fasten in position; fix or connect [常与to连用]系，绑；贴；固定；联结；附着

e.g.  1. Be careful of the handle — it’s not very well attached.

2. Please attach a recent photograph to your application form.

Compare “detach”:

detach vt.  unfasten sth. from sth.; disconnect sth. 将某物拆下；拆开某物；分开某物

e.g.  You can detach the hood if you prefer the coat without it.

assist vt.   [(in, with)] fml help or support [常与in或with连用]〖正式〗帮助，协助

e.g.  1. Here are some good sources of information to assist you in making the best selection.

2. Two men are assisting the police with their enquiries.

inquire vt.  [(about, into)] ask information [常与about或into连用]询问，打听

e.g.  1. The police are inquiring into the disappearance of the jewellery.

2. I am writing to inquire about your advertisement in The Times.

Collocations:

inquire about sth.

inquire sth. of sb.

inquire how / whether / why, etc.

inquire into sth.

inquire after sb. / sth.

obstacle n.  [(to)] sth. which prevents action, movement or success [常与to连用] 障碍（物），妨碍，阻碍，干扰

e.g.  1. The biggest obstacle in our way was a tree trunk in the road.

2. Fear of change is an obstacle to progress.

Collocations:
put / place obstacles in the way (of sth.)
overcome an obstacle
remove an obstacle
main / biggest / greatest obstacle
major / serious obstacle
insuperable obstacle
formidable obstacle 
legal obstacle
political obstacle

blame vt.  consider (sb. or sth.) responsible for (sth. bad) 责怪，怪罪，把……归咎于

e.g.  1. They blamed the failure of the talks on the Russians.

2. Don’t blame me – it’s not my fault.

Usage:

blame sb. / sth. for sth.   

blame sth. on sb. / sth.

sb. / sth. is to blame (for sth.)

partly / largely / entirely, etc. to blame

I don’t blame you / you can hardly blame him, etc.

don’t blame me

sb. only has himself / herself to blame

approach vt.  1. move towards or nearer to sb. or sth. 走近；靠近，接近

e.g.  1. As the train approached a station, its whistle sounded shrilly.

     2. The total amount raised so far is approaching $1000.

2. be similar in quality or character to (sb. / sth.) （在性质或特点上）接近（某人[某事物]）

e.g. Few writers even begin to approach Shakespeare’s greatness.

莎士比亚的伟大, 鲜有作家能望其项背。
3. go to (sb.) for help or support or in order to offer sth. （为求助或提供某事物）接近（某人）

e.g. We’ve just approached the bank for/about a loan.

我们已经找了银行寻求贷款。
4. begin to tackle (a task, problem, etc.) 着手处理（事务、难题等）

e.g. Before trying to solve the puzzle, let us consider the best way to approach it.

要想解决这一难题, 咱们先来考虑一下如何着手方为上策。

strain vi.  make (too) great efforts; damage or weaken (oneself or a part of the body) through too much effort or pressure 使劲，竭尽全力，（过分）努力；(因过分用力而）损伤，拉伤，扭伤(自己或身体某个部位）

e.g.  1. She was straining to keep her head above the water.

2. You’ll strain your eyes trying to read in this light.

recovery n.  [(from)] a return to good health, a strong condition, etc.; the getting back of sth. [常与from连用]恢复健康，复原; 重获；复得

e.g.  1. Ann made a quick recovery from her operation.

2. At last the economy is showing signs of recovery.

3. There is a reward for information leading to the recovery of the missing diamonds.

fade vi.  disappear or die gradually 逐渐消失

e.g.  1. Hopes of a peace settlement are beginning to fade.

2. All other issues fade into insignificance compared with the struggle for survival.

Collocations:

fade in（使画面）清晰度逐渐增强；（使音量）逐渐增大

eg.  Additional background sound is faded in at the beginning of the shot.

fade out（使画面）清晰度逐渐减弱；（使音量）逐渐减小

eg.  As the programme ended, their conversation was faded out.

tremble vi.  shake uncontrollably with quick short movements, usu. from fear, excitement, or weakness 颤抖，发抖，震颤，战栗

e.g.  1. His mouth became dry, his eyes widened, and he began to tremble all over.

2. Greene was on his feet now, his body trembling with rage.

Expressions:

deal with	breeze through
go by	come along
make it	right   away

deal with  take action about 对付，应付，处理

e.g.  1. This topic is dealt with at greater length in the following chapter.

2. They should deal properly and fairly with any complaint.

Synonyms: cope with, handle

breeze through  pass (a test) easily 毫不费力地通过（考试）

e.g.  1. She had reviewed her lessons so thoroughly that she simply breezed through the exam.

     2. She breezed through the song as though she’d been singing it for years.

go by  pass (in place or time) (时光）逝去；经过(某处）

e.g.  1. Things will get easier as time goes by.

         2. Hardly a week goes by without some food scare being reported in the media.

come along  appear or arrive by chance 偶然出现，产生

e.g.  1. I got the job because I came along at the right time.

2. Take any job opportunity that comes along.

make it  arrive in time 及时到达

e.g.  1. It rained hard; we still made it in time for the ceremony.

2. With blood pouring from his leg, he made it to a nearby house.

3. The flight leaves in twenty minutes — we’ll never make it.

right away  esp. AmE at once; without delay 〖尤美〗立即，马上

e.g.  1. Don’t worry; I will go and find your child right away.

2. I want it sent right away.

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