美国语文第四册 第88期:竞争(1)

 　　Frank's father was speaking to a friend, one day, on the subject of competition at school. 一天，弗兰克的爸爸正在和一个朋友聊天，内容是关于校园内竞争的。

　　He said that he could answer for it that envy is not always connected with it. 他说自己敢负责任地说，嫉妒并不总是和竞争联系在一起。

　　He had been excelled by many, but did not recollect¹ ever having felt envious² of his successful rivals; 很多人都比他优秀，但他不记得自己曾经嫉妒过对手的成功。

　　"nor did my winning many a prize from my friend Birch," said he, "ever lessen³ his friendship for me." “我从朋友波驰那里赢过很多奖，”他说，“但这丝毫没有削弱他和我的友谊。”

　　In support of the truth of this, a friend who was present related an anecdote⁴ which had fallen under his own notice in a school in his neighborhood. 为支持这种说法的真实性，在场的一位朋友讲述了他注意到的一个故事，就发生他家社区的学校里。

　　At this school the sons of several wealthy farmers, and others, who were poorer, received instruction. 在这所学校里，一些富农的孩子和贫农的孩子一起上课接受教育。

　　Frank listened with great attention while the gentleman gave the following account of the two rivals: 弗兰克全神贯注地听着，这位绅士讲述了以下关于两名竞争对手的故事。

　　It happened that the son of a rich farmer and the son of a poor widow came in competition for the head of their class. 一个富农的儿子和一个穷寡妇的儿子在班里竞争当班长。

　　They were so nearly equal that the teacher could scarcely decide between them; 他们两人的成绩不分伯仲，老师也没法决定让谁来当。

　　some days one, and some days the other, gained the head of the class. 有些时候其中一个人的成绩是班上最好的，过些天另外一个人的成绩又是最好的。

　　It was determined⁵ by seeing who should be at the head of the class for the greater number of days in the week. 最后决定，谁在一周里成绩好的时间长就由谁来当班长。

　　The widow's son, by the last day's trial, gained the victory, 在最后一天的角逐中，寡妇的儿子获得了胜利，

　　and kept his place the following week, till the school was dismissed for the holidays. 并将优势保持到了接下来的一周，直到学校假期的来临。

1 recollect   

v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得

参考例句：

• He tried to recollect things and drown himself in them.他极力回想过去的事情而沉浸于回忆之中。
• She could not recollect being there.她回想不起曾经到过那儿。

2 envious   

adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的

参考例句：

• I don't think I'm envious of your success.我想我并不嫉妒你的成功。
• She is envious of Jane's good looks and covetous of her car.她既忌妒简的美貌又垂涎她的汽车。

3 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。

4 anecdote   

n.轶事，趣闻，短故事

参考例句：

• He departed from the text to tell an anecdote.他偏离课文讲起了一则轶事。
• It had never been more than a family anecdote.那不过是个家庭趣谈罢了。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。