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新视野大学英语 读写教程第二册 unit2-b

时间:2005-12-13 16:00:00

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(单词翻译)

Section B

Green Spaces in Cities

Where do children play? Years ago, any open field, any vacant lot, any group of trees — these were the places where children played. As families left family farms, small towns, and the countryside, and moved into cities, the places for their children to play in became rarer. Children in the cities had few options, fewer choices of places to play.
In fact, all people's lives change a lot when they move to the city. In cities, homes are built on top of one another — in enormous apartment buildings. The feeling of private space and ownership no longer exists in houses literally1 piled one on the other.
Psychologists have been studying the changes people experience when they leave rural areas and move into urban environments. One clear finding from their studies is that people need green spaces for better mental health. Children can play on paved2 playgrounds. That's true. However, they just don't have as much fun as children in small towns. Without grass and trees and bushes and, yes, dirt and mud to get dirty in, children miss an important part of childhood. The human soul, it seems, needs to stay close to its roots.
Adults can plant lots of things like bulbs in window boxes and large containers. However, tending window boxes isn't the same as being an amateur3 gardener and growing peas, tomatoes and salad greens in a backyard garden. The lack of green space is now recognized and understood as a problem.
City planners — the people who design neighborhoods — have begun to work on a solution. They want to build more parks, but land in cities is quite costly4. So they look for land that no one else wants. Along rivers, under power lines, near ditches and highways — these are the spaces that no one uses and they are everywhere. Why not use these unused spaces for green areas? Neighborhood groups have coordinated6 their efforts to clean up the trash or garbage. Soil from new building projects in the city has been trucked by lorries into these areas. This soil has been dumped along the sides of rivers, and strong walls have been erected8 to hold it there. Trees and bushes have been planted; the roots of these plants will hold the soil, too, and the green leaves make the area beautiful.
"People in and near cities have little opportunity to experience parks or unprotected open spaces, and that's becoming a problem," says Mister Ernest Cook, a senior vice9 president of the Trust for Public Land (TPL). This organization was started over twenty-one years ago. Its purpose is to protect land and public resources for people. In the past nineteen years, TPL has completed up to a thousand conservation projects in Canada and the United States.
In Portland, Maine, the land along the old train tracks near the coast has become a green belt of trails between areas characterized12 by housing developments and those characterized by downtown businesses. To Mister Charles Jordan, the director of the Portland Parks and Recreation Department, it's just a beginning. Jordan has plans for an environmental university — a huge urban park (5,000 acres ). It will include different environments, from canals and wetlands to forests. Jordan's plans include a network of trails and paths for people to use for excursions all over the city. He also wants to build a green belt from Portland, across Canada and the United States, all the way back to the Pacific Ocean. Communities across the continent could be connected by such a green belt.
Other cities have comparable13 projects. In Phoenix14, Arizona, for instance, the sides of the Salt River bed that have washed away are becoming a park. In Baltimore, a long strip of land (which was used for dumping garbage) is becoming a series of biking and walking trails. These trails will link a dozen neighborhoods and the downtown business areas. In some cities, the bicycle paths connect every area to every other area. In Flagstaff, Arizona, a thousand miles of bike trails lead into the San Francisco Peaks, the highest summit15 in the state.
In other areas, planners have made places for bicycle trails and playgrounds, for public gardens and private garden plots, and paths for walking and running excursions. The costly result is a growing greenness in the cities and a healthier environment for all the civilians17 who live there.
Words: 728

NEW WORDS

vacant
a. 1. not filled or occupied; empty 未被占用的,空着的
2. (position or post) unfilled (职位、工作等)空缺的
3. showing no interest or activity 茫然的,空虚的

rare
a. 1. not often happening or seen, etc.; not common 稀有的,罕见的;冷僻的
2. not common and as a result sometimes valuable 稀罕的,珍奇的

option
n. 1. [C] a thing that is or may be chosen; a choice 供选择的事物,可选择的事物;选择
2. [U] power or freedom of choosing; choice 选择权,选择自由,选择

enormous
a. very large 巨大的,庞大的,极大的

private
a. 1. of, belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group only; personal 私人的,个人的,私用的,私有的
2. not to be told to others; secret 秘密的,私下的
3. of, belonging to or run by an individual or a self-governed company rather than the State; not state-controlled 私营的,私立的;非国家控制的

ownership
n. [U] state of being an owner; (right of) possession 物主身份;拥有(权)

▲literally
ad. in a way that follows exactly the original; exactly 照字义,逐字地;真正地

urban
a. of, located in or living in a city or town 都市的,位于都市的,住在都市的

▲pave
vt. cover (a surface) with flat stones or bricks or tar10 给(道路路面)铺上石板或砖

mud
n. [U] soft wet earth 湿泥,泥

childhood
n. [C, U] condition or period of being a child 童年时期,孩提时代

bulb
n. 1. [C] 长在土里的植物球茎(如百合、洋葱、郁金香等植物)
2. [C] 电灯泡

container
n. [C] a box, bottle, etc. in which sth. is kept, transported, etc. 容器(箱、瓶等)

amateur
a. taking part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job, or (of an activity) done for pleasure, not as a job 业余的,非专业的
n. [C] a person who practices a sport or arts skill without receiving money for it (指不为赚钱而从事体育或艺术的)业余爱好者

gardener
n. [C] a person who works in a garden, either for pay or as a hobby (因爱好或挣钱) 在花园从事劳动的人,园丁

pea
n. [C] 豌豆,豌豆属植物

salad
n. 1. [U] 适于生吃的莴笋、莴苣或其他蔬菜
2. [C, U] 沙拉(凉拌菜),生菜

costly
a. costing much; expensive 昂贵的,代价高的

ditch
n. [C] a narrow water course dug at the edge of a field, road, etc., esp. to hold or carry off water(在田边、路边挖的,尤指用来储水或排水的)沟,渠道

lorry
n. [C] 卡车

erect7
vt. 1. build, set up; establish 建造,建立
2. set straight up; put up 竖立,直立
a. standing18 on end 竖直的,挺直的,直立的

mister
n. (略作Mr. , 全称很少用于书面)先生

vice
a. acting19 instead of 代理的,副的

nineteen
num. 十九,十九个

conservation
n. [U] prevention of loss, waste, damage, destroying, etc. 保护,保存, 节省

trail
n. 1. [C] a path, esp. through country 小道,崎岖小路
2. [C] a mark or sign in the form of a long line left by sth. or sb. passing by 踪迹,痕迹
v. 1. drag; be dragged along behind 拖,拉,下垂
2. fall behind (在比赛中)落后,失利
vt. follow the trail of; track 追踪,尾随

characterize11 (英characterise)
vt. 1. be common to (sb./sth.) 成为……的特征,以……为特征
2. describe... by stating its main qualities 描绘(人或物的)特征,归纳(人或物的)特征

housing
n. 1. [U] houses, flats, etc. 住宅或公寓,住宿(集合名词)
2. [U] providing houses or flats for people 提供住宿,住房供给

recreation
n. [C, U] (means of) entertaining oneself after work; relaxation20 休养,娱乐,消遣,精神放松

acre
n. 英亩(=4,840平方码或约4,047平方米)

canal
n. [C] a long water way cut through land for boats or ships to travel along, or to carry water from one place to another 运河,沟渠

excursion
n. [C] a short journey for pleasure 短途旅行,远足

comparable
a. 1. similar, that can be compared, equal to 相似的,同类的
2. meriting21 being compared 可比的,比得上的

strip
n. [C] a long narrow piece (of material, etc.) or area (of land, etc.) 狭长的一块(材料)或一片(土地)
vi. take off one's clothes 脱去衣服
vt. 1. take off (clothes, parts, etc.) from sb./sth. 剥去,揭去,除去(衣服、遮蔽物、某部分)
2. take away (money, honors, etc.) from sb. 剥夺……的(钱财、荣誉等)

summit
n. 1. [C] highest point; top, esp. of a mountain 最高点;(尤指山的)顶,绝顶
2. [C] a meeting between the heads of two or more governments, esp. of the world's most powerful countries 两国或两国以上(尤指世界上最强的国家)政府首脑的最高级会谈

plot
n. 1. [C] a small marked or measured piece of land, esp. for a special purpose (尤指用于某特定目的)小块土地, 小块地皮
2. [C] (plan or sketch22 of the) events in the story of a play or novel (戏剧或小说的故事)情节
3. [C] a secret plan made by several people to do sth. 秘密计划,阴谋
v. make a secret plan (to do sth.); plan (sth.) with others 密谋;计划

civilian16
n. [C] a person not serving in the armed forces or the police force 平民

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

open field
field which is not covered with trees, etc. 旷野

in fact
in truth; really 事实上,实际上

on top of
over or above 在……之上

work on
give one's attention to doing or trying to do 致力于

power line
【电】电力线,输电线,电源线

coordinate5 one's efforts to
work together efficiently23 齐心努力

clean up
make a place clean by removing the dirt 清扫,收拾,清理

up to
reach a certain number or amount 多达,直到

for instance
as an example; for example 例如

wash away
(of water) remove or carry (sb./sth.) away to another place (指水)洗掉,冲走

lead into
(of a road, etc.) provide a way (for sb.) to enter (a place) 通往,通向

PROPER NAMES

Ernest Cook
欧内斯特·库克

Portland
波特兰(美国缅因州西南部港市)

Maine
缅因州(美国州名)

Charles Jordan
查尔斯·乔丹

Pacific
太平洋

Phoenix
菲尼克斯(美国亚利桑那州首府)

Arizona
亚利桑那州(美国州名)

Baltimore
巴尔的摩(美国马里兰州中北部港市)

Flagstaff
弗来格斯达佛市


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 literally 28Wzv     
adv.照字面意义,逐字地;确实
参考例句:
  • He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
  • Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候,她不走到真正要昏厥了,决不肯坐下来。
2 paved ea3a5881afb55ec285ac278f45d11836     
v.铺( pave的过去式和过去分词 );为…铺平道路
参考例句:
  • a paved area near the back door 后门旁一块石板地
  • The wide paved road degenerated into a narrow bumpy track. 铺好的宽阔道路渐渐变窄,成了一条崎岖不平的小径。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 amateur 1xjzR     
adj.业余的,非专业的;n.业余爱好者
参考例句:
  • He made an amateur attempt to build a cupboard.他很外行地试做了一个碗柜。
  • Although Tom's only an amateur he's a first-class player.虽然汤姆只是个业余爱好者,但却是一流的高手。
4 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
5 coordinate oohzt     
adj.同等的,协调的;n.同等者;vt.协作,协调
参考例句:
  • You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
  • Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。
6 coordinated 72452d15f78aec5878c1559a1fbb5383     
adj.协调的
参考例句:
  • The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
  • The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
7 erect 4iLzm     
n./v.树立,建立,使竖立;adj.直立的,垂直的
参考例句:
  • She held her head erect and her back straight.她昂着头,把背挺得笔直。
  • Soldiers are trained to stand erect.士兵们训练站得笔直。
8 ERECTED ERECTED     
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立
参考例句:
  • A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
  • A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。
9 vice NU0zQ     
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的
参考例句:
  • He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
  • They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。
10 tar 1qOwD     
n.柏油,焦油;vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于
参考例句:
  • The roof was covered with tar.屋顶涂抹了一层沥青。
  • We use tar to make roads.我们用沥青铺路。
11 characterize Qr1zG     
v.以...为特征,描述...的特征,描绘
参考例句:
  • We ordinarily characterize an action as responsible if it was intended.如果行为是有意的,我们一般将其特征归为应负责任的。
  • We may characterize an atomic state by a quantum number L.我们可以用量子数L描写一个原子的状态。
12 characterized b5a3a6f8ba328c165c65eecbe476fb72     
adj.[医]具有特征的v.是…的特征( characterize的过去式和过去分词 );以…为特征;描述(人或物)的特性;使…具有特点(或最引人注目的特征)
参考例句:
  • Mozart's music is characterized by its naivety and clarity. 莫扎特的音乐特色是纯朴兴清澈。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The world situation is characterized by turbulence and intranquility. 世界局势动荡不安。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
13 comparable fXsye     
adj.相似的,同类的,可比的,比得上的
参考例句:
  • A fire is comparable with the sun,both give light and heat.火可以和太阳相比,两者都可以发光发热。
  • No horse has a speed comparable to that of his.没有一匹马的速度能比得上他的马。
14 phoenix 7Njxf     
n.凤凰,长生(不死)鸟;引申为重生
参考例句:
  • The airline rose like a phoenix from the ashes.这家航空公司又起死回生了。
  • The phoenix worship of China is fetish worship not totem adoration.中国凤崇拜是灵物崇拜而非图腾崇拜。
15 summit eHezk     
n.最高点,峰顶;最高级会议;极点
参考例句:
  • They climbed up the mountain and reached the summit.他们爬山,最终达到了山顶。
  • The summit of the mountain is lost in the cloud and mist.山顶隐没在云雾之中。
16 civilian uqbzl     
adj.平民的,民用的,民众的
参考例句:
  • There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
  • He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。
17 civilians 2a8bdc87d05da507ff4534c9c974b785     
平民,百姓( civilian的名词复数 ); 老百姓
参考例句:
  • the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
  • At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后,至少有300名平民下落不明。
18 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
19 acting czRzoc     
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的
参考例句:
  • Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她,她只是假装的。
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代,她的表演生涯黯然失色。
20 relaxation MVmxj     
n.松弛,放松;休息;消遣;娱乐
参考例句:
  • The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
  • She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。
21 meriting 66ceab59718b26a09a1f414cff3fa62d     
值得,应获得( merit的现在分词 ); [宗教](因行善而)应得(善报); 应受赏(或罚),应受报答; [宗教]积德
参考例句:
  • The coolies in the cities are also a force meriting attention. 都市苦力工人的力量也很可注意。
  • The cultural exchange is a process of learning and meriting from each other. 文化交流是个互相学习、相借鉴的过程。
22 sketch UEyyG     
n.草图;梗概;素描;v.素描;概述
参考例句:
  • My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
  • I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。
23 efficiently ZuTzXQ     
adv.高效率地,有能力地
参考例句:
  • The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
  • Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。

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