胡敏读故事记单词托福词汇201

　　201. The sinuous¹ skeleton on a slab²平板上形状扭曲的骨架 sigh-slacken
A silversmith was commissioned to make a replica³ of a sinuous skeleton on a slab. However, a local priest was skeptical⁴ of its religious significance and said that it was a sin to simulate such a sinister⁵ thing. The silversmith said with a sigh that it was silly to be filled with such skepticism over such a thing of simplicity⁶ as it does not signify anything religiously significant whatsoever⁷. The priest was non-plussed, but there was nothing he could do as it was perfectly⁸ legal to make such a replica.
The silversmith proceeded to make a sketch⁹ of the skeleton on a slab and make a mold of silt¹⁰ as silt is finer than sand and perfect for making molds. He then poured the molten silver into the mold, being careful not to singe¹¹ himself. He looked at the replica and decided¹² that the skeleton was too skimpy. He knew he had to do it again, and this time he would not skip anything important and certainly not skimp¹³ with the silver. His second effort was a success. The sales of the skeleton replica skyrocketed, and his business never slackened after that. His silver replica became so popular that there were advertisements placed for it all around the city. One day, he was driving downtown and he saw two large advertisements of his skeleton being placed on skyscrapers¹⁵ opposite each other above the city streets. He thought to himself, “Simultaneous advertising¹⁶ is a wonderful idea.”
sigh vi.叹息
significance n. 意义,含义,重要性
significant adj.有意义的,重要的,重大的
signify vt.表示,意味
silly adj.傻的,糊涂的
silt n.淤泥
silversmith n.银器匠
simplicity n.简单,朴素
simulate vt.模拟,模仿
simultaneous adj.同时的,同时发生的
sin n.罪过,过失
singe v.微烧,烫焦
sonister adj.邪恶的,不祥的
sinuous adj.蜿蜒的,迂回的
skeleton n.骨架,梗概
skeptical adj.怀疑的,多疑的
skepticism n.怀疑
sketch n.草图vt.打草稿,画草图
skimp v.节省花费,节俭,吝啬
skimpy adj.吝啬的,贫乏的
skip v.跳,逃过,遗漏
skyrocket vi.猛涨,突增
skyscraper¹⁴ n.摩天大楼
slab n.厚片,板层
slacken v.减缓,放慢,松弛

1 sinuous   

adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的

参考例句：

• The river wound its sinuous way across the plain.这条河蜿蜒曲折地流过平原。
• We moved along the sinuous gravel walks,with the great concourse of girls and boys.我们沿着曲折的石径,随着男孩女孩汇成的巨流一路走去。

2 slab   

n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上

参考例句：

• This heavy slab of oak now stood between the bomb and Hitler.这时笨重的橡木厚板就横在炸弹和希特勒之间了。
• The monument consists of two vertical pillars supporting a horizontal slab.这座纪念碑由两根垂直的柱体构成，它们共同支撑着一块平板。

3 replica   

n.复制品

参考例句：

• The original conservatory has been rebuilt in replica.温室已按原样重建。
• The young artist made a replica of the famous painting.这位年轻的画家临摹了这幅著名的作品。

4 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

5 sinister   

adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的

参考例句：

• There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。
• Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值，而且包藏祸心。

6 simplicity   

n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯

参考例句：

• She dressed with elegant simplicity.她穿着朴素高雅。
• The beauty of this plan is its simplicity.简明扼要是这个计划的一大特点。

7 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

8 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

9 sketch   

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。

10 silt   

n.淤泥，淤沙，粉砂层，泥沙层；vt.使淤塞；vi.被淤塞

参考例句：

• The lake was almost solid with silt and vegetation.湖里几乎快被淤泥和植物填满了。
• During the annual floods the river deposits its silt on the fields.每年河水泛滥时都会在田野上沉积一层淤泥。

11 singe   

v.(轻微地)烧焦；烫焦；烤焦

参考例句：

• If the iron is too hot you'll singe that nightdress.如果熨斗过热，你会把睡衣烫焦。
• It is also important to singe knitted cloth to obtain a smooth surface.对针织物进行烧毛处理以获得光洁的表面也是很重要的。

12 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

13 skimp   

v.节省花费，吝啬

参考例句：

• She had to skimp to send her son to college.她必须节俭来供她儿子上大学。
• Older people shouldn't skimp on food or heating.老年人不应过分吝惜食物或取暖方面的开销。

14 skyscraper   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• The skyscraper towers into the clouds.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。
• The skyscraper was wrapped in fog.摩天楼为雾所笼罩。

15 skyscrapers   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• A lot of skyscrapers in Manhattan are rising up to the skies. 曼哈顿有许多摩天大楼耸入云霄。
• On all sides, skyscrapers rose like jagged teeth. 四周耸起的摩天大楼参差不齐。

16 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。