English–Chinese Study Reader

Ogden's 850

十五篇文章,仅用 Ogden 基本英语的 850 个词写成。中英对照,逐段呈现,适合熟记与背诵。

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Article 01

A Day in the Life of a Family

Every morning, a mother and father get out of bed early. The sun comes up in the east, and light goes through the curtain and the window. The baby in the room gives a little cry, and the daughter, a young girl, is the first to be awake.

每天早晨,母亲和父亲很早就起床。太阳从东方升起,光线透过窗帘和窗户照进来。房间里的婴儿发出一声轻轻的哭喊,女儿——一个年轻的女孩——是第一个醒来的。

The family have breakfast together at the table. There is bread with butter, cheese, an egg, some rice and soup, and a cup of milk for the boy. The cook puts meat and potato on a plate, and an orange and an apple for fruit. The meal is simple but good.

一家人围坐在桌前一起吃早餐。有面包配黄油、奶酪、一个鸡蛋、一些米饭和汤,还有给男孩的一杯牛奶。厨师把肉和土豆放在盘子里,水果是橙子和苹果。这顿饭简单但很好。

After the meal, the father takes his hat and coat. He is the manager of a company in town. He has the key to the office in his pocket. His walk to the station is not far — he goes down the street, past the church and the school, across the bridge, and there he is. The train comes on time. He gets a ticket and a seat, and the journey to his work is quite short.

饭后,父亲拿起他的帽子和外套。他是镇上一家公司的经理。办公室的钥匙就在他口袋里。步行到车站不远——沿着街道走,经过教堂和学校,穿过桥,就到了。火车准时到达。他买了票,找到座位,去上班的旅程很短。

The mother keeps the house clean. She does the wash, and makes the bed smooth and flat. She takes a brush to the floor, and puts a cloth over the shelf. The baby is in a basket near the door, happy and warm. The dog is on the step outside, and the cat is under a chair, fast in sleep.

母亲把家里收拾得干干净净。她洗衣服,把床铺得平整光滑。她用刷子刷地板,把布盖在架子上。婴儿在门边的篮子里,快乐而温暖。狗在外面的台阶上,猫在椅子下面,睡得很沉。

The daughter goes to school with a bag on her back. In the bag there is a book, a pen, a pencil, and some paper. She has a love of reading and learning. Her teacher gives attention to every question, and the girl has a quick mind. Education is important to this family.

女儿背着书包去上学。书包里有一本书、一支钢笔、一支铅笔和一些纸。她热爱阅读和学习。老师关注每一个问题,这个女孩头脑敏捷。教育对这个家庭很重要。

At the middle of the day, the son comes back from the farm. He is a strong young man, tall and healthy. He has been in the field with the sheep and the goat and the cow. He gives grain and water to the fowl and the pig. He takes a fork and a spade and does hard work on the earth. The growth of the plant in the garden gives him pleasure.

中午时分,儿子从农场回来。他是一个强壮的年轻人,高大而健康。他一直在田里照料绵羊、山羊和牛。他给家禽和猪喂谷物和水。他拿起叉子和铲子在地里辛勤劳作。花园里植物的生长让他感到愉悦。

In the evening, the family come together again. The fire gives heat and comfort. The mother makes a drink — it is a sweet, warm liquid. The father says a story about a journey he made long before, across the sea, to an island far in the south. The children give him all their attention. The story is about a ship with a white sail, a harbor with boats, a mountain covered in snow, and a strange animal in a dark forest.

傍晚,一家人又聚在一起。炉火带来温暖和舒适。母亲做了一杯饮品——一种香甜温热的液体。父亲讲起一个故事,关于他很久以前的一次旅行,穿越大海,到达南方遥远的一座岛屿。孩子们全神贯注地听着。故事讲的是一艘挂着白帆的船、一个停满小船的港湾、一座白雪覆盖的山,以及黑暗森林中的一只奇怪的动物。

Night comes. The wind is cold. The daughter takes a look at the moon and the stars through the window before she goes to sleep. The baby is quiet in bed. Tomorrow is another day.

夜幕降临。风很冷。女儿在入睡前透过窗户看了看月亮和星星。婴儿在床上安静地躺着。明天又是新的一天。

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Article 02

The Business of Trade

A nation does well when its trade is in good order. The government has an interest in the expansion of industry. The growth of business is necessary for the country.

当一个国家的贸易秩序良好时,它就会繁荣。政府对工业的扩张有着浓厚的兴趣。商业的增长对国家来说是必要的。

At the market, the exchange of goods is frequent. The price of cotton, wool, silk, and linen may go up or come down, and the rate of change is not the same from week to week. A manager keeps a record of every operation — the amount of profit, the loss, the debt, and the credit. The account has to be in balance.

在市场上,货物的交换很频繁。棉花、羊毛、丝绸和亚麻的价格可能上涨或下跌,变化的速度每周都不同。经理记录每一项业务——利润的数额、亏损、债务和信用。账目必须保持平衡。

An advertisement in the paper is one way to get attention. A company may send a statement to a representative about a new product. The committee gives its approval after discussion. The agreement is put in print, and a copy goes to every person in the organization.

报纸上的广告是吸引注意力的一种方式。公司可以就新产品向代表发送声明。委员会经过讨论后予以批准。协议被印刷出来,副本发给组织中的每一个人。

Insurance is of great value in business. If there is damage by fire or water, the owner gets payment. The property may have a burn or a crack, and the reward is based on a measure of the destruction. The decision is in the hands of the expert and the judge.

保险在商业中具有巨大价值。如果遭受火灾或水灾损害,业主会得到赔付。财产可能被烧毁或出现裂缝,赔偿金额取决于损毁程度。决定权在专家和法官手中。

Competition between companies is common. One company may make an offer at a cheap price. A comparison of quality and value is necessary before any selection. The tendency is for the better product to get more support from the public.

公司之间的竞争很常见。一家公司可能以低廉的价格提出报价。在做出任何选择之前,有必要对质量和价值进行比较。更好的产品往往会获得公众更多的支持。

Tax is the price a society has to give for the common good. The government puts a tax on salt, sugar, wine, and other things. The distribution of this money is a political question. Some say the government gives too much attention to military needs and not enough to education and the care of the poor.

税收是社会为公共利益必须付出的代价。政府对盐、糖、葡萄酒和其他物品征税。这笔钱的分配是一个政治问题。有人说政府过于关注军事需求,而对教育和贫困者的关怀不够。

Transport is the connection between the producer and the market. By ship, by train, by cart — goods go from one place to another. The development of the engine and the machine has been the cause of a great increase in the scale of distribution. Steam and steel have made the motion of heavy mass possible across a great distance.

运输是生产者和市场之间的纽带。通过船舶、火车、马车——货物从一个地方运到另一个地方。发动机和机器的发展极大地推动了分销规模的扩大。蒸汽和钢铁使重物的远距离运输成为可能。

The impulse of industry is ever forward. Invention and discovery are the base of new growth. The science of chemical process and electric power has had an important effect on the production of material. The future of any nation is dependent on its investment in knowledge, learning, and the development of the mind.

工业的动力始终向前。发明和发现是新增长的基础。化学工艺和电力科学对材料生产产生了重要影响。任何国家的未来都取决于它对知识、学习和智力发展的投入。

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Article 03

The Body and Its Senses

The body is a complex structure. The head is at the top. On the face, you see the eye, the nose, the mouth, the lip, the ear, and the chin. The brain is inside the head — it is the seat of the mind, of thought, and of memory. Every nerve in the body has a connection to the brain.

身体是一个复杂的结构。头在最上面。在脸上,你可以看到眼睛、鼻子、嘴巴、嘴唇、耳朵和下巴。大脑在头颅里面——它是心智、思想和记忆的所在。身体里的每一根神经都与大脑相连。

The neck is between the head and the chest. The throat is at the front of the neck. The heart is in the chest — a hollow muscle that gives a regular push of blood through the body. The stomach is lower, where digestion takes place. The back has the bone of the spine, and the skin covers all.

脖子在头和胸之间。喉咙在脖子前面。心脏在胸腔里——一块中空的肌肉,有规律地将血液泵送到全身。胃在更下面,消化在那里进行。背部有脊柱的骨骼,皮肤覆盖着一切。

The arm goes from the body to the hand. The hand has a thumb and four other fingers. The nail is at the end of every finger. A grip on a thing is made by the muscle of the arm and the hand. The knee is in the middle of the leg, and the foot is at the end, with a toe at the front.

手臂从身体延伸到手。手有一个拇指和另外四根手指。指甲在每根手指的末端。对物体的握力来自手臂和手的肌肉。膝盖在腿的中间,脚在末端,脚趾在前面。

Our senses let us have knowledge of the physical existence around us. The eye is for seeing, the ear for hearing, the nose for the sense of smell, the tongue for taste, and the skin for touch. These are the five senses of the body.

我们的感官让我们了解周围的物质世界。眼睛用来看,耳朵用来听,鼻子用来闻,舌头用来尝,皮肤用来触摸。这就是身体的五种感觉。

Disease is the opposite of healthy living. An ill person may have a cough, a pain in the chest, or a bad feeling in the stomach. A wound on the skin — a cut, a bite, a burn — may get dirty and become worse. A medical expert at the hospital will do a test and give an opinion. The reaction to the right medical care is almost ever good.

疾病是健康生活的反面。一个生病的人可能会咳嗽、胸口疼痛或胃里难受。皮肤上的伤口——割伤、咬伤、烧伤——可能会感染并恶化。医院的医学专家会做检查并给出意见。对正确医疗的反应几乎总是好的。

The teeth are in the mouth. A tooth is hard and white, made of bone-like substance. The tongue is a muscle that is necessary for talk and for the taste of food. The breath comes in and goes out through the nose and mouth. A sneeze is a sudden, violent burst of air from the nose.

牙齿在嘴里。牙齿坚硬而洁白,由类似骨骼的物质构成。舌头是一块肌肉,对说话和品尝食物都很必要。呼吸通过鼻子和嘴巴进出。喷嚏是从鼻子突然猛烈喷出的气流。

Sleep is a need of every living body. At night, the conscious mind comes to rest. The body is quiet, the eye is shut, and the breath is slow and deep. A good night of sleep makes the body ready for the new day. The effect of rest on the health of the body and mind is certain.

睡眠是每个活着的身体的需要。到了夜晚,意识归于平静。身体安静,眼睛闭合,呼吸缓慢而深沉。良好的夜间睡眠让身体为新的一天做好准备。休息对身心健康的效果是确定无疑的。

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Article 04

A Walk in Nature

Please come with me on a walk through the country. It is spring, and the weather is beautiful. The sky is clear and blue. The air is clean and elastic with the smell of flowers.

请和我一起去乡间散步。现在是春天,天气很美。天空晴朗湛蓝。空气清新而富有弹性,弥漫着花的香味。

We go out of town by a narrow road. There is a wall of brick on one side and a garden on the other. In the garden, a tree is covered with green leaf and white flower. A bird gives a song from a high branch. A bee goes from flower to flower, and an ant makes its way across the root of the tree. A small worm is in the soft earth near a seed that is only now starting to come up.

我们沿着一条窄路走出小镇。一边是砖墙,另一边是花园。花园里,一棵树上满是绿叶和白花。一只鸟在高高的树枝上唱歌。蜜蜂在花丛间飞来飞去,一只蚂蚁在树根上爬行。一条小虫子待在松软的泥土里,旁边有一颗刚刚开始破土而出的种子。

We go on, over a low stone bridge. Under it, a river of clear water makes a quiet sound as it goes over sand and stone. A fish gives a jump — a bright silver curve in the light. On the other side of the river, the land goes up in a gentle slope to a mountain.

我们继续前行,走过一座低矮的石桥。桥下,清澈的河水流过沙石,发出轻柔的声响。一条鱼跃出水面——在光线中划出一道明亮的银色弧线。河的另一边,地面以平缓的坡度向山上延伸。

The grass is tall and green. A snake makes a quick, smooth motion through it and is gone. A monkey in a tree at the edge of the forest takes a look at us with bright, round eyes. A butterfly — yellow and black — goes past.

草又高又绿。一条蛇快速而流畅地穿过草丛,转眼就不见了。森林边缘一棵树上的猴子用明亮的圆眼睛看着我们。一只蝴蝶——黄黑相间——从旁边飞过。

Here is a field of grain. The farmer has made use of a plough on the earth. The seed was put in before the last rain, and now there is a good start. The stem and the leaf have come up. By summer, the grain will be tall and gold.

这里是一片谷田。农民用犁翻过了土地。种子在上一场雨之前播下,现在长势很好。茎和叶已经冒出来了。到夏天,谷物会长得又高又金黄。

Further on, we see a group of sheep on a hill. There is a horse near a cork tree. A goat is on a rough bit of rock at the top. The horn of the goat makes a sharp angle against the sky. A fly is about its head, and it gives a shake.

再往前,我们看到山丘上有一群绵羊。一匹马在一棵栓皮树旁边。一只山羊站在山顶粗糙的岩石上。山羊的角在天空映衬下形成一个尖锐的角度。一只苍蝇在它头上飞,它晃了晃脑袋。

The weather takes a turn. A grey cloud comes across the sky from the west. There is a sound of thunder far away. The mist comes in low. A drop of rain, then another. We put up an umbrella and make our way back by a different road. The berry on a bush by the side is red and wet. The smell of the earth after rain is deep and fertile.

天气变了。一片灰色的云从西方飘过天空。远处传来雷声。薄雾低低地弥漫开来。一滴雨,又一滴。我们撑起雨伞,沿另一条路往回走。路边灌木上的浆果又红又湿。雨后泥土的气味深沉而肥沃。

By the time we come to town, the rain has gone and the sun gives a last ray of warm light in the west. It was a good walk. Now we have need of a rest and a warm meal.

等我们回到镇上时,雨已经停了,太阳在西边投下最后一缕温暖的光。这是一次愉快的散步。现在我们需要休息和一顿热饭。

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Article 05

Building a House

The building of a house is a long process. First, there is a need of a design. An expert in this field will make a picture on paper and give detail of every part — the roof, the wall, the floor, the door, and the window. The scale of the building and the degree of detail have to be right.

建造一栋房子是一个漫长的过程。首先,需要一个设计。该领域的专家会在纸上画出图样,给出每个部分的细节——屋顶、墙壁、地板、门和窗户。建筑的比例和细节的程度必须恰到好处。

The base is the first step. A hole is made deep in the earth and stone is put in. Then, brick by brick, the wall goes up. The structure has to be straight and strong. Iron and steel may be put in for support. The frame of the house takes form.

地基是第一步。在地下挖一个深坑,放入石头。然后,一块砖一块砖地砌墙。结构必须笔直而坚固。可以加入铁和钢来支撑。房子的框架逐渐成形。

A pipe goes under the floor for water. A drain takes waste water away. Wire goes through the wall for the electric light. Glass is put in every window. The roof is the last part to go on — it keeps out the rain and the cold.

水管铺在地板下面。排水管将废水排走。电线穿过墙壁,用于电灯照明。每扇窗户都装上玻璃。屋顶是最后安装的部分——它挡住雨和寒冷。

Inside, every room gets attention. The floor may be of wood. The wall gets a cover of paint or paper. A shelf is fixed to the wall. A hook is put in for a picture. The door has a lock and a key. A nail and a screw keep things in their place.

室内,每个房间都经过精心布置。地板可能是木质的。墙壁刷上油漆或贴上壁纸。架子固定在墙上。挂画的钩子也安装好了。门上有锁和钥匙。钉子和螺丝把东西固定在该在的位置。

For the bedroom, there is a bed with a cushion, a drawer for cloth, and a curtain at the window. The bathroom has a basin and a bath. For the living room, there is a table, a chair, and a clock on the wall. The kitchen has an oven, a kettle, a pot, and a plate on the shelf. A cup and a spoon and a knife and a fork are in the drawer.

卧室里有一张带靠垫的床、一个放衣物的抽屉和窗户上的窗帘。浴室有脸盆和浴缸。客厅里有一张桌子、一把椅子和墙上的时钟。厨房架子上有烤箱、水壶、锅和盘子。抽屉里放着杯子、勺子、刀和叉。

A house gives comfort, warmth, and a sense of peace to the family. It is a private space, safe from the noise of the public street. The view from the window may be of a garden or a square with a tree and a flower. The value of a good house is more than its price in money.

一栋房子给家庭带来舒适、温暖和安宁感。它是一个私密的空间,远离公共街道的喧嚣。窗外的景色可能是一座花园或一个有树有花的广场。一栋好房子的价值远超它的金钱价格。

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Article 06

Crime, Law, and Society

In every society, there is need of law and order. The authority of the government comes from the belief of the people that the system is good and right. The relation between the person and the nation is based on a form of agreement.

在每个社会中,都需要法律和秩序。政府的权威来自人民对制度公正合理的信念。个人与国家之间的关系建立在某种协议之上。

Crime is an act against the law. A person who does a crime may go to prison. The punishment is based on the degree of the wrong. A judge gives a decision after hearing all the facts. The protest of the person is taken into account. A representative may come before the judge to make an argument for the person. The purpose of the law is not only punishment but the hope of a change in behavior.

犯罪是违法行为。犯罪的人可能会进监狱。惩罚取决于错误的程度。法官在听取所有事实后做出裁决。当事人的抗辩会被考虑在内。代表可以在法官面前为当事人辩护。法律的目的不仅是惩罚,还有促使行为改变的希望。

Society has a need of respect among its members. A man or woman who is cruel, violent, or false to others is a danger. The effect of such behavior on the public is bad. Fear and disgust are the natural reaction. But hate is not the answer — an impulse of hate may do more damage than the first wrong.

社会需要成员之间的相互尊重。一个对他人残忍、暴力或虚伪的人是一种危险。这种行为对公众的影响是恶劣的。恐惧和厌恶是自然的反应。但仇恨不是答案——仇恨的冲动可能造成比最初的过错更大的伤害。

Religion is, for some, the base of right behavior. For others, the reason for being good comes from a sense of responsibility to the group. The discussion of this question is ever in process. There is no simple answer that all will give agreement to.

对某些人来说,宗教是正确行为的基础。对另一些人来说,行善的理由来自对群体的责任感。关于这个问题的讨论始终在进行。没有一个简单的答案能让所有人都同意。

The condition of the poor is a shame on any society that does well in business but gives no care to those who have little. The distribution of property and the level of comfort among different groups is a political question of great importance. Education and health care are the right of every person.

穷人的境况是任何商业发达却不关心弱势群体的社会的耻辱。财产的分配和不同群体之间的生活水平是一个极为重要的政治问题。教育和医疗是每个人的权利。

Peace among nations is the desire of all good people. War is a cruel, violent, and wrong use of power. The destruction it does to the body and mind, to the family and the country, is complete. The memory of war is bitter. But the fear of attack from an opposite side keeps the military ready. This is the sad and complex condition of our time.

国家间的和平是所有善良人们的愿望。战争是对权力残酷、暴力和错误的使用。它对身心、对家庭和国家的摧毁是彻底的。战争的记忆是苦涩的。但对来自对立方攻击的恐惧让军队保持戒备。这就是我们这个时代令人悲伤而复杂的处境。

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Article 07

Art, Music, and the Pleasures of the Mind

Art is the attempt to give form to feeling. A picture, a song, a verse of prose or fiction — all are ways of putting the experience of the mind before others. The artist may use paint and canvas, the writer a pen and paper, the musician an instrument and voice.

艺术是将感受赋予形式的尝试。一幅画、一首歌、一段散文或小说——都是将内心体验呈现给他人的方式。艺术家可以用颜料和画布,作家用笔和纸,音乐家用乐器和声音。

Music has rhythm. It may be loud or quiet, quick or slow, high or low. A song may be sweet and happy, or sad and full of regret. The sound of a bell, the whistle of the wind, the laugh of a baby — these are a sort of natural music. But the art of music is in the selection and organization of sound into harmony.

音乐有节奏。它可以是响亮的或轻柔的,快速的或缓慢的,高亢的或低沉的。一首歌可以是甜美快乐的,也可以是忧伤而充满遗憾的。铃声、风的呼啸、婴儿的笑声——这些是一种自然的音乐。但音乐的艺术在于对声音进行选择和组织,使之成为和谐之音。

Reading is one of the great pleasures. A good book gives amusement and knowledge at the same time. Fiction takes us to other places, other times. We may see through the eye of a person in a different country, and come to have an understanding of their feeling and thought. A library is a store of such experience, open to all.

阅读是一大乐趣。一本好书同时带来娱乐和知识。小说把我们带到其他地方、其他时代。我们可以透过另一个国度的人的眼睛去看,从而理解他们的感受和思想。图书馆是这种体验的宝库,对所有人开放。

Writing is both art and teaching. The prose of a good writer is clear and clean. The verse of a great one has a power that goes deep into the mind. The purpose of writing is connection — one mind to another, across time and space.

写作既是艺术也是教育。好作家的散文清晰而干净。伟大作家的诗句有一种深入人心的力量。写作的目的是连接——跨越时间和空间,从一个心灵到另一个心灵。

The humor in a story is a thing of value. A good laugh is healthy for the body and the mind. The smile is the mark of a happy person. The trick of humor is in the surprise — a twist at the end that we did not see coming.

故事中的幽默是有价值的。开怀大笑有益于身心健康。微笑是一个快乐的人的标志。幽默的诀窍在于出人意料——一个我们没有预料到的结尾转折。

Play is not only for children. The amusement of a game, the competition of a sport, the pleasure of a swim in the sea — all are necessary for a full and happy existence. The balance between work and play is the secret of a healthy and wise life.

玩耍不仅仅是给孩子的。游戏的乐趣、运动的竞争、在海里游泳的快乐——这些都是充实而幸福的生活所必需的。工作与玩耍之间的平衡是健康而明智的生活的秘诀。

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Article 08

Small Things and Useful Objects

In a pocket, a man may keep a ring, a stamp, a receipt, a match, some cord, a pin, a button, and a bit of chalk. These are small, common things, but every one has a use.

在口袋里,一个人可以装着一枚戒指、一张邮票、一张收据、一根火柴、一些绳子、一根别针、一颗纽扣和一小块粉笔。这些都是小而常见的东西,但每一样都有用途。

A camera takes a picture. A map gives direction. A card may have a name and number on it. A flag has a special sign and color for each nation. A compass needle points to the north. A parcel is sent by post, and the stamp is the mark of payment.

相机拍照。地图指引方向。卡片上可能有名字和号码。旗帜上有每个国家特有的标志和颜色。指南针的针指向北方。包裹通过邮寄发出,邮票是付款的标志。

In the house, there are many useful things on the shelf. A bottle with a cork, a box of soap, a tin of polish, scissors, a comb, a brush, a sponge, a net for the hair, and a basket of fruit. The drawer has a hammer, a rod, a screw, a nail, and a bit of wire. A bucket is by the door, and a pump is in the garden for water.

家里的架子上有许多有用的东西。带软木塞的瓶子、一盒肥皂、一罐抛光剂、剪刀、梳子、刷子、海绵、发网和一篮水果。抽屉里有锤子、杆子、螺丝钉、钉子和一小截铁丝。门边有一只桶,花园里有一个抽水泵。

Cloth comes in many forms. A shirt, a skirt, a dress, a boot, a shoe, a sock, a stocking, a glove, a collar, and a band for the hat — all are made of cloth, leather, or some other material. The collar may be of linen, the glove of leather, the boot of thick brown material.

布料有很多形式。衬衫、裙子、连衣裙、靴子、鞋子、短袜、长袜、手套、领子和帽带——都是用布料、皮革或其他材料制成的。领子可能是亚麻的,手套是皮革的,靴子是厚实的棕色材料。

A chain is a line of metal rings. A whip is a long leather cord with a grip. A rail is a long, parallel rod of steel. A wheel is round and may be on a cart or a carriage. A brake makes the wheel stop. A bell gives a sound when it gets a blow.

链子是一串金属环。鞭子是带有握柄的长皮绳。铁轨是平行的长钢条。轮子是圆的,可以装在手推车或马车上。刹车使轮子停止。钟被敲打时发出声响。

A jewel may be a thing of great price and beauty. Gold and silver are the metals most used for ornament. A ring on the finger, a chain about the neck — these are common forms of jewel.

珠宝可能是价值连城而美丽的东西。金和银是最常用于装饰的金属。手指上的戒指、脖子上的链子——这些是常见的珠宝形式。

An umbrella is for the rain. A fan is for the heat. A whistle is a sign to others. A candle gives light when there is no other. Powder may be medical or for the face. Paste is sticky and is used to make paper or card keep together. Wax is used for a seal, and ink is for writing. Jelly is a soft, sweet food.

雨伞用来遮雨。扇子用来驱热。哨声是向他人发出的信号。蜡烛在没有其他光源时提供照明。粉末可能是药用的或化妆用的。糨糊是粘的,用来把纸或卡片粘在一起。蜡用来封印,墨水用来书写。果冻是一种柔软甜美的食物。

Poison is a danger. Even a small amount of some liquid or powder may do death. The sign on the bottle is a mark of this danger.

毒药是危险的。即使是少量的某种液体或粉末也可能致命。瓶子上的标志就是这种危险的警示。

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Article 09

Transport, Ships, and Machines

Transport by sea is as old as history. A ship with a great sail goes across the water, pushed forward by the wind. The vessel may be made of wood or steel. In the harbor, the porter takes the parcel and bag to and from the ship. The captain keeps order and gives direction to the men.

海上运输和历史一样古老。一艘挂着大帆的船在水面上行驶,被风推向前方。船可能由木头或钢铁制成。在港口,搬运工把包裹和行李搬上搬下船。船长维持秩序,给船员们指示方向。

The invention of the steam engine was a great event in history. The machine made it possible to go against the wind, and the rate of transport by sea had a sudden increase. Coal was the substance that gave the fire for steam.

蒸汽机的发明是历史上的一件大事。这台机器使逆风航行成为可能,海上运输速度骤然提高。煤炭是为蒸汽提供火力的物质。

On land, the train is a common form of transport. The rail goes from station to station, across the country, through the mountain. The engine at the front gives a great pull, and the carriage with its seat and window goes smoothly on the rail. The wheel and the brake and the spring and the steel — all are part of the machine.

在陆地上,火车是常见的交通方式。铁轨从一个车站通往另一个车站,横贯全国,穿越山脉。前面的机车产生巨大的牵引力,带着座位和窗户的车厢在铁轨上平稳行驶。车轮、刹车、弹簧和钢材——都是这台机器的组成部分。

A plane goes through the air at a great rate. The flight from one side of the earth to the other may take only hours. The wing of the plane keeps it up, and the engine gives it forward motion. The invention of the plane was the work of brothers, and their discovery made a complete change to the distance between nations.

飞机以极快的速度穿过空中。从地球的一端飞到另一端可能只需几个小时。飞机的翼让它保持在空中,发动机给它向前的动力。飞机的发明是兄弟俩的杰作,他们的发现彻底改变了国家之间的距离。

A boat is small and may be used on a river or near the land. The boy or girl may take a boat out on the sea for pleasure. A cord keeps the sail in position, and a knot at the end makes it safe.

小船体积小,可以在河上或近岸使用。男孩或女孩可以划船出海取乐。绳索使帆保持在位,末端的结让它安全牢固。

The automobile is a machine for driving on the road. The engine, the wheel, the brake, the horn — all have a purpose. The pipe takes the gas to the engine. The glass at the front gives a clear view. The rubber tire keeps the grip on the road. But driving at a high rate is a danger, and the law puts a limit on it.

汽车是在公路上行驶的机器。发动机、车轮、刹车、喇叭——每样都有用途。管道将燃油输送到发动机。前方的玻璃提供清晰的视野。橡胶轮胎保持对路面的抓地力。但高速驾驶是危险的,法律对此有限制。

The pump is a machine for moving liquid. It may put water up from under the earth or take oil from deep in the ground. The plough — or plow — is a machine for the farm. It makes the earth ready for the seed. A bulb of electric light is a small but important invention. The screw and the spring are in almost every machine.

泵是用来输送液体的机器。它可以从地下抽水或从深层取油。犁是农场用的机器。它使土地做好播种的准备。电灯泡是一项小而重要的发明。螺丝和弹簧几乎存在于每一台机器中。

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Article 10

Feelings, Relations, and the Inner Life

The inner life of a person is deep and complex. Feeling is at the base of all experience. Love, hate, fear, hope, desire, regret, shame, disgust, surprise, amusement — these are some of the feelings that give color to our days.

一个人的内心世界是深邃而复杂的。感受是一切体验的基础。爱、恨、恐惧、希望、渴望、遗憾、羞耻、厌恶、惊讶、愉悦——这些是给我们的日子增添色彩的一部分情感。

Love is the attraction between persons. A man and a woman may be married and have a family — a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister. The relation of father and mother to their children is one of care and teaching. The birth of a baby is an event of great joy. The kiss and the smile are signs of love.

爱是人与人之间的吸引。一男一女可以结婚组成家庭——有儿子、女儿、兄弟、姐妹。父母与子女的关系是关爱和教导。婴儿的诞生是一件大喜事。亲吻和微笑是爱的标志。

Hate is the opposite of love. It is a dark and bitter feeling. The impulse to do damage, to crush, to give pain — this is hate. But the wise person keeps control of such impulses. The reaction of the mind to hate is doubt and regret. It is feeble to give way to hate, and foolish to let it have authority over the self.

恨是爱的反面。它是一种阴暗而苦涩的情感。想要伤害、想要碾碎、想要施加痛苦的冲动——这就是恨。但智者能控制这种冲动。心灵对仇恨的回应是怀疑和后悔。屈服于仇恨是软弱的,让它主宰自我是愚蠢的。

Fear is a necessary feeling. It keeps us safe from danger and attack. But fear may become too great and take control. A person in fear may have a shock and be unable to make any move or decision. The support of a friend at such a time is of great value.

恐惧是一种必要的情感。它让我们远离危险和攻击。但恐惧可能会变得过于强大而失去控制。处于恐惧中的人可能受到惊吓,无法做出任何行动或决定。在这种时候,朋友的支持弥足珍贵。

Hope is the belief that the future will be good. It keeps the mind in motion, forward, even when the condition of the present is bad. A person with no hope is in a low, sad place. The loss of hope is a form of death of the mind.

希望是对未来美好的信念。它让心灵保持运转,不断向前,即使当下的境况很糟糕。一个没有希望的人处于低落、悲伤的境地。失去希望是心灵的一种死亡。

The sense of self is the most private part of a person. It is the "I" at the middle of all experience. Self-respect, self-knowledge, and self-control — these are the qualities of a responsible and conscious being. The observation of the self is one of the most important acts of the mind.

自我意识是一个人最私密的部分。它是所有经历的中心的那个"我"。自尊、自知和自控——这些是一个负责任的、有意识的存在所具备的品质。自我观察是心灵最重要的活动之一。

The desire for approval and respect from others is natural and common. But the wise person does not make the opinion of others the only measure of value. There is an inner quality — true, separate, and free — that is the self at its best. The discovery of this self is, for some, the purpose of existence.

渴望得到他人的认可和尊重是自然而普遍的。但智者不会把他人的评价作为衡量价值的唯一标准。有一种内在的品质——真实、独立、自由——那是最好的自我。发现这个自我,对某些人来说,就是存在的目的。

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Article 11

Seasons, Weather, and the Earth

The earth goes about the sun in a year. The year has four seasons: spring, summer, the fall, and winter. Every season has its own weather and its own beauty.

地球绕太阳一圈是一年。一年有四个季节:春、夏、秋、冬。每个季节都有自己的天气和独特的美。

In spring, the ice and snow go away. The earth is wet and soft. The seed comes to life, and green growth is everywhere. The river is full. The bird comes back from the south. Rain is frequent, but the days get longer and warmer.

春天,冰雪消融。大地湿润而松软。种子苏醒过来,绿色的生长随处可见。河水涨满。鸟儿从南方飞回来。雨水频繁,但白天越来越长,越来越暖。

Summer is the time of heat and light. The days are long, the sky is bright and blue, and the air is dry. The grain is tall in the field. The flower is in full color. The insect is everywhere — the bee, the ant, the fly, the butterfly. The fruit on the tree — the apple, the berry, the orange — comes to its full size and taste. It is the season for a swim in the sea, a walk in the country, or rest under a tree.

夏天是炎热和光明的时节。白天很长,天空明亮湛蓝,空气干燥。田里的谷物长得很高。花朵盛开着。昆虫无处不在——蜜蜂、蚂蚁、苍蝇、蝴蝶。树上的水果——苹果、浆果、橙子——长到了最饱满的大小和味道。这是在海里游泳、在乡间散步或在树下休息的季节。

The fall is a time of change. The leaf on the tree goes from green to yellow, red, and brown, then comes down. The wind is cold. The days get short. The farmer takes the grain from the field. It is the time of the last meal from the land before winter.

秋天是变化的季节。树上的叶子从绿变黄、变红、变褐,然后落下。风变冷了。白天变短了。农民从田里收割谷物。这是冬天来临前大地提供的最后一餐。

Winter is the dead time of the year. The earth is hard and cold. Snow covers the mountain and the field. Ice is on the river. The tree is without leaf. The night is long, and the day is grey and dark. But there is a rough beauty in winter — the white of the snow, the sharp edge of the ice, the smoke from a fire going up into a still, cold sky.

冬天是一年中万物沉寂的时节。大地坚硬而寒冷。雪覆盖着山和田野。河面结了冰。树木没有叶子。夜晚漫长,白天灰暗。但冬天有一种粗犷的美——雪的洁白、冰的锐利边缘、炊烟升入寂静寒冷的天空。

The weather is ever in change. A bright morning may become a dark, loud night of thunder and rain. The mist may come in from the sea and make the view short. The dust of a dry day may give way to the wet of a sudden storm. The observation of weather is an old science, but the behavior of the air is still not completely under our control.

天气总在变化。一个晴朗的早晨可能变成雷雨交加的黑夜。雾可能从海上飘来,让视野变得很短。干燥天气的尘土可能被一场突如其来的暴风雨取代。天气观测是一门古老的科学,但空气的行为仍然没有完全在我们的控制之下。

The compass points give us direction on the earth. North is cold, south is warm. East is where the sun comes up; west is where it goes down. These four words are the base of all direction and all maps.

罗盘的方位在地球上给我们指引方向。北方寒冷,南方温暖。东方是太阳升起的地方;西方是太阳落下的地方。这四个词是所有方向和所有地图的基础。

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Article 12

Small Creatures and the Living World

Among all living things, the small creatures are the most interesting. The insect is everywhere on earth. The ant is a worker — it goes in a long line, takes food to its home under the earth, and keeps the group together with a form of chemical sign. The bee makes a sweet substance from the flower. The fly is common and not well-loved, but it has its place in the living system.

在所有生物中,小动物是最有趣的。昆虫在地球上无处不在。蚂蚁是勤劳的工作者——它们排成长队,把食物搬回地下的家,并通过一种化学信号让群体保持团结。蜜蜂从花中酿造甜美的物质。苍蝇很常见,不太受人喜爱,但它在生态系统中有一席之地。

The bird has a wing and a feather. It may be of any color — red, blue, green, yellow, black, or white. The song of the bird is free music. Some birds go far to the south in winter and come back north in spring. The egg of the bird is a delicate thing — thin and smooth, with new life inside.

鸟有翅膀和羽毛。它可以是任何颜色——红、蓝、绿、黄、黑或白。鸟的歌声是自由的音乐。有些鸟在冬天飞往遥远的南方,春天再飞回北方。鸟蛋是精巧的东西——薄而光滑,里面孕育着新生命。

The fish has no leg and no lung. It goes through the water by a motion of its tail and fin. Some fish are bright and beautiful; others are dark and strange. The net of the fisherman is a danger to the fish, but there is a need to keep some limit on the take, or the supply will come to an end.

鱼没有腿,没有肺。它通过尾巴和鳍的运动在水中穿行。有些鱼色彩鲜艳而美丽;有些则黯淡而奇特。渔夫的网对鱼是一种危险,但有必要对捕捞量保持一定的限制,否则资源将会枯竭。

The snake has no arm and no leg. It goes by a smooth, slow motion on its stomach. Some are of no danger to man, but others have a poison bite. The skin of the snake is elastic and has a strange, delicate beauty.

蛇没有手臂也没有腿。它靠腹部平滑而缓慢地移动。有些对人无害,但有些具有毒咬。蛇的皮肤富有弹性,有一种奇特而精致的美。

The worm is in the soft, wet earth. It has a simple body with no bone. But the worm has great value — it keeps the earth loose and fertile. The rat is a small animal with sharp teeth. It is not dear to man, because it does damage to food and property.

蠕虫生活在柔软潮湿的泥土里。它有一个简单的身体,没有骨头。但蠕虫有很大的价值——它使土壤保持松散和肥沃。老鼠是一种长着尖牙的小动物。它不讨人喜欢,因为它会破坏食物和财物。

The monkey is among the most interesting of all animals. Its face, its hand, its eye — all seem near to man. It has a quick brain and a sense of humor. The monkey in the tree is ever in motion — a jump here, a grip there, a twist of the body, a look of surprise.

猴子是所有动物中最有趣的之一。它的脸、手、眼睛——都和人很相似。它有敏捷的大脑和幽默感。树上的猴子总是在动——这里一跳,那里一抓,身体一扭,一副惊讶的表情。

The cat and the dog are the animals most common in the house. The cat is quiet, separate, and independent. The dog is loud, happy, and dependent on its owner. The horse is for work and transport. The cow gives milk. The goat goes on rough and high land where no cow may go. The sheep gives wool for cloth. The pig is fat and round.

猫和狗是家里最常见的动物。猫安静、独立、自成一派。狗嗓门大、快乐,依赖它的主人。马用来劳作和运输。牛产奶。山羊在牛去不了的崎岖高地上行走。绵羊提供做布的羊毛。猪又胖又圆。

Every living thing, from the smallest worm to the greatest whale, has a place in the system of life on earth. The connection among all living things is one of the great discoveries of science.

每一个生物,从最小的蠕虫到最大的鲸鱼,都在地球的生命系统中有一席之地。所有生物之间的联系是科学的伟大发现之一。

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Article 13

Government, Authority, and Public Life

The government of a nation has authority over its people. This authority comes from law, not from force. In a good system, the representative of the people is responsible for the decision of the government. The selection of the representative is by the public, and the process is open and regular.

一个国家的政府对人民拥有权威。这种权威来自法律,而非武力。在一个好的制度中,人民的代表对政府的决策负责。代表的选举由公众进行,过程公开而有规律。

The secretary of the government keeps a record of every act, statement, and decision. The committee gives its opinion after observation and discussion. The protest of the public is a sign that something is wrong, and the government has to give attention to it.

政府秘书记录每一项行为、声明和决定。委员会在观察和讨论后给出意见。公众的抗议是某些事情出了问题的信号,政府必须给予关注。

Military power is necessary for the defense of a nation, but it is a sad fact that armies have ever been used for attack as well. The army with its gun, its flag, and its uniform is a sign of national power. But the true power of a nation is in its people — their education, their health, their industry, and their belief in right and wrong.

军事力量对国防是必要的,但令人悲哀的事实是,军队也一直被用于进攻。拥有枪支、旗帜和制服的军队是国家力量的象征。但一个国家真正的力量在于它的人民——他们的教育、健康、勤勉以及对是非的信念。

The political system of a country has an effect on every part of public life. The division of authority, the degree of private property, the level of tax, the form of the law — all these are political questions. There is no one answer that is right for all nations, because the condition, the history, and the culture of every country are different.

一个国家的政治制度对公共生活的方方面面都有影响。权力的划分、私有财产的程度、税收的水平、法律的形式——这些都是政治问题。没有一个答案对所有国家都是正确的,因为每个国家的条件、历史和文化都不同。

The prison is the last step of the system of law. It is the place for those who have done a crime so serious that the only safe thing is to keep them separate from society. But the true purpose of prison is not only punishment — it is the hope of change, the chance of a new start.

监狱是法律体系的最后一步。它是为那些犯下严重罪行的人准备的——唯一安全的做法就是让他们与社会隔离。但监狱的真正目的不仅是惩罚——还有改变的希望、重新开始的机会。

The news of a nation comes to the people by paper, by print, by the electric signal. The reading of the news is a daily act for most persons. But the news may be false or mixed with opinion. The wise reader keeps a sense of doubt and does not take every statement as true without observation of the facts.

一个国家的新闻通过报纸、印刷品和电信号传达给人民。阅读新闻是大多数人的日常行为。但新闻可能是虚假的或掺杂了观点。聪明的读者保持一种怀疑意识,不会在未观察事实的情况下把每一条声明都当作真话。

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Article 14

Odds and Ends

A boy takes a bath in the morning. He puts on a clean shirt and trousers with a pocket and collar. He gets a parcel — inside there is a tray, a plate, and a small chest of tin. There is a note, and he takes a reading. It says: "Dear friend, I send you these as a mark of respect. May they give you much use."

一个男孩早上洗了个澡。他穿上有口袋和领子的干净衬衫和裤子。他收到一个包裹——里面有一个托盘、一个盘子和一个小锡箱。还有一张便条,他读了一下。上面写着:"亲爱的朋友,我把这些寄给你作为敬意的象征。希望它们对你有用。"

He goes out to the street. At the store, he sees a shelf of things: a pipe, a blade for a knife, a rod of brass, some thread on a roll, a pack of needles, a rope of hemp. He gets a receipt for his payment.

他走上街头。在商店里,他看到架子上摆着各种东西:一根管子、一把刀刃、一根黄铜杆、一卷线、一包针和一条麻绳。他为付款拿到了一张收据。

He goes past an arch of stone to the library, where the air is still and the floor has the smell of old leather. He takes a seat at a window. On the wall, there is a map and a clock. A pencil is on the table, and a slip of paper is at the side. He puts his hand flat on the page of a book and starts his reading. The print is thin but clear.

他穿过一道石拱门来到图书馆,那里空气静谧,地板散发着旧皮革的气味。他在窗边找了个座位。墙上有一幅地图和一只钟。桌上放着一支铅笔,旁边有一张纸条。他把手平放在书页上,开始阅读。印刷字体纤细但清晰。

Outside, a man at the rail gives a whistle. A carriage goes past with a horse and a whip. There is dust in the air. At the edge of the town, a woman in a skirt and a stocking puts up a flag on a stick. The flag is mixed with red, white, and blue. It gives a shake in the wind.

外面,一个站在栏杆旁的人吹了声口哨。一辆马车载着马和鞭子驶过。空气中有灰尘。在小镇的边缘,一个穿着裙子和长袜的女人在杆子上升起一面旗帜。旗帜由红、白、蓝三色混合而成。它在风中飘动。

The boy goes on his way back. He sees a circle of children at play in a square. A ball goes up and comes down. A girl on a swing goes forward and back. A baby gives a laugh.

男孩踏上回家的路。他看到广场上一圈孩子在玩耍。一只球抛上去又落下来。一个女孩在秋千上前后摆动。一个婴儿发出笑声。

He goes past a hospital. There is a woman at the window. She is old and tired, but there is a bright look in her eye. She gives a smile and a small wave.

他经过一家医院。窗边有一位女人。她年老而疲倦,但眼中有明亮的光芒。她露出微笑,轻轻挥了挥手。

At home, he sees his sister. She has a jewel at her throat — a silver chain with a small blue stone. Her hair has a comb in it. She has new shoes and a new dress, delicate and loose. "You seem quite well," he says. "Yes," she says with a smile. "Please come in."

到家后,他看到姐姐。她脖子上戴着一件珠宝——一条银链子缀着一颗小蓝石。头发上别着一把梳子。她穿着新鞋和新裙子,精致而宽松。"你看起来很好,"他说。"是的,"她微笑着说。"请进来吧。"

They have a meal — soup, bread, meat, some jelly, and fruit. Then a cup of wine. They have talk of this and that — the weather, the news, the family. The evening is quiet, the room is warm, and the light is soft.

他们吃了一顿饭——汤、面包、肉、一些果冻和水果。然后是一杯酒。他们东聊西聊——天气、新闻、家人。傍晚是安静的,房间是温暖的,灯光是柔和的。

He gives a thought to his existence — the past, the present, the future. He has had loss and pain, but he has had love and hope as well. Life, he sees, is not ever quite complete, not ever quite certain. But it is, even so, a thing of value.

他思考着自己的存在——过去、现在和未来。他经历过失去和痛苦,但也拥有过爱和希望。他看到,生活永远不是完全完整的,也永远不是完全确定的。但即便如此,它仍然是有价值的。

He takes a last look at the moon — round, bright, and high — and goes to sleep.

他最后看了一眼月亮——圆圆的、明亮的、高悬的——然后入睡了。

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Article 15

A Meeting at the Mine

Yesterday, the chief of the mine had a meeting with the general manager. The meeting was late — it did not start till the second hour of the afternoon. The reason? An error in the adjustment of the apparatus had made trouble. A copper pipe was broken, and a unit of the automatic system was not able to run.

昨天,矿场的主管和总经理开了个会。会议迟到了——直到下午两点才开始。原因是什么?设备的调校出了差错,造成了麻烦。一根铜管断了,自动系统的一个单元无法运行。

The manager made a suggestion: "How about a guide? A guide may lead the new workers and help them while they are learning the rules." The chief said, "That is a kind idea, though I have a theory that the probable cause of the error is not the workers but the stiff, old apparatus."

经理提了一个建议:"派个向导怎么样?向导可以带领新工人,在他们学习规则的过程中给予帮助。"主管说:"这是个好主意,不过我有个推测,错误的可能原因不是工人,而是那些又硬又旧的设备。"

In addition, the male and female servants had a fight in the kitchen. One was angry because the other had taken a cake off the board. The cake was for the meeting. "Why did you do that?" — "I did not see the letter with the request on it."

此外,男仆和女仆在厨房里打了一架。一个人很生气,因为另一个人把板上的蛋糕拿走了。那个蛋糕是为会议准备的。"你为什么那样做?"——"我没看到上面写着要求的那封信。"

A second point was about the weight of the produce from the mine. The range of output in the last month was not normal. Some days the amount was equal to what was expected; on others it was quite low. The current stage of the mine is a wide stretch of solid rock, and the acid used to make it soft takes a long time.

第二个议题是关于矿场产出物的重量。上个月的产量范围不正常。有些天的数量和预期的相等;另一些天则相当低。矿场目前的阶段是一大片坚固的岩石,用来软化它的酸需要很长时间。

Outside the mine, the flame of a lamp was hanging from a bent iron rod. A worker had to lift a heavy box and join it to the apparatus by a stitch of wire. He gave a rub to the nut to make it tight, then put the board in its place. The shade of a gray tree was over him while he did the work, and a star was just coming out in the sky.

矿场外面,一盏灯的火焰挂在一根弯曲的铁杆上。一个工人需要把一个重箱子举起来,用一截铁丝把它接到设备上。他擦了擦螺母把它拧紧,然后把板放到位。他干活的时候,一棵灰色的树的阴影笼罩着他,天空中一颗星星刚刚出现。

He took a minute to look at his watch. There was boiling water on the fire for his drink. He made a fold in his letter and put it in a pocket. The language of the letter was very simple — every word was clear. He had no trouble with the reading. The hour was late, but he was not in a smash to go. He gave a stretch, took a look at the night, and went off to his room.

他花了一分钟看了看手表。火上有开水准备给他泡饮品。他把信折了一下,放进口袋。信的语言非常简单——每个词都很清楚。他读起来毫无困难。时间已经晚了,但他并不急着走。他伸了个懒腰,看了看夜色,回到了自己的房间。

A servant was waiting at the left side of the door. As an example, it is the rule of the house that every person — of any sex — gets a kick of the ball before the day is done. It is a small thing, but it is the way here.

一个仆人在门的左边等着。举个例子,这里的规矩是每个人——不论性别——在一天结束前都要踢一脚球。这是件小事,但这里就是这样的。