托福阅读之慢车道生活

 各种汽车广告中，我们总能看到车辆飞驰而过，如风般飘逸，如光般迅疾;各种大电影中，机车发动时，引擎轰鸣，下一秒便如箭离弦，消失在道路尽头……这个时代，巨大的压力化成强大的动力，推着所有人往前飞奔，似乎所有人都崇尚“速度与激情”，而作者却喜欢在空无一人的林荫道上，慢悠悠地开车，为什么呢?

　　There are moments in life when you’re in the middle of some activity and think, “I love doing this. Love it!” Maybe it happens on the golf course , or camping, or when you’re having dinner at a favorite restaurant. There are so many things to love about modern life.

　　I’m in love with 35 miles per hour.

　　It’s a difficult kind of love to talk about in this era of TV commercials and big-budget movies that constantly promote and glorify¹ images of supercharged vehicles with roaring engines and smoking tires thundering across city streets in endless pursuit of high-octane adventure.

　　My personality has never had a fast-and-furious side. This aversion to speed began early: I learned to ski during elementary school, and while everyone around me was schussing and swooping² downhill, I got really good at traveling along in short segments of about one or two hundred feet, then pulling off to a secluded⁴ spot where I could rest, survey the surrounding terrain⁵, and plan the next portion of my methodical, low-risk descent.

　　I vividly⁶ recall going to Disneyland as a young teenager and being emotionally thrashed on the Matterhorn bobsled ride. Other kids were howling with delight at the sharp turns and steep drops while I was mentally repeating the phrases “Please be over soon” and “I don’t want to die.”

　　In high school, I thoroughly⁷ enjoyed driver’s education class because of the no-need-to-hurry approach the instructors⁸ emphasized. The day my ride-along teacher said, “OK, I think we’re ready for the expressway ” wasn’t an occasion for any internal celebration.

　　Do not, however, assume I spend most of my road time cowering⁹ behind the steering¹¹ wheel. Freeway fright is not my copilot. After 45-plus years on the road, I can handle a vast range of traffic tribulations¹². I’ve had my share of white knuckles¹⁴ and sweaty palms but not one accident since a fender bender in college. I go with the flow, and if the flow is doing 65 or 70 m.p.h. in bumper-to-bumper formation, well, as Tim Gunn likes to say on Project Runway, “Make it work!”

　　But in solitary¹⁶ situations, alone on some suburban¹⁷ boulevard or country lane, I like to ease off the gas pedal, settle in at a steady 35 m.p.h., and achieve an authentic¹⁸ state of cruising nirvana.

　　It’s a speed that allows me to appreciate my surroundings because the scenery doesn’t flash by in a blur¹⁹. There’s also a significant safety factor because slowing down means I have more time to react and avoid potholes²⁰, bouncing balls, bull elk²², or other hazards that may appear unexpectedly.

　　This is my way of pushing back against the relentlessly²³ increasing pace of our high-intensity, on-demand society.

　　Think of it as the automotive equivalent of a trail ride. When you saddle up for an equestrian²⁴ excursion, you don’t race across the countryside at a full gallop²⁵. It’s much nicer to mosey along and find pleasure in the journey.

　　Let me be clear about one crucial point: I would never, ever try to impose my personal commitment to mild motoring on anyone else.

　　I’m careful to pursue it only in private moments so as not to anger or annoy other motorists. They do their thing; I do my thing (when conditions permit).

　　“You’re the only person I know,” one friend said, “who waits until no one else is around so you can drive below the speed limit.” Is it possible I’m the only person in America with this particular passion? All I can say in response is that we humans often do strange things for love, and my emotions aren’t likely to change.

　　When I’m in the driver’s seat, with nothing but wide-open blacktop in both directions, 35 m.p.h. is the velocity²⁶ of Cupid’s arrow.

　　Vocabulary

　　1. slow lane: 慢车道。

　　2. golf course: 高尔夫球场。

　　3. era: 时代，时期;commercial: (电视或电台的)商业广告;budget: 预算;constantly: 持续不断地，重复地;glorify: 吹捧，美化;supercharged: (汽车引擎)增压的，提高功率的;roaring: 轰鸣的，发出巨响的;tire: 轮胎;high-octane: 激动人心的，富有活力的。

　　4. 我没有“速度与激情”那一面。personality: 个性，性格;fast-and-furious: 迅速的，猛烈的，此处借用了电影名《速度与激情》(Fast and Furious)。

　　5. aversion: 厌恶，反感;schuss: 直线下滑;swoop³: 向下猛冲，俯冲;segment: 部分，片段;pull off: 停靠(路边);secluded: 僻静的，隐蔽的;terrain: 地形，地势;portion: 部分;methodical: 有条不紊的，井然有序的;descent: 下坡。

　　6. vividly: 清晰地;thrash: 猛烈摆动，剧烈扭动;Matterhorn bobsled: 马特洪雪橇过山车。

　　7. howl: 高声嚷，大声呼叫;steep: 急剧的。

　　8. expressway: 高速公路。

　　9. cower¹⁰: (因恐惧而)蜷缩，畏缩;steering wheel: 方向盘。

　　10. freeway: 高速公路;fright: 惊骇，恐惧;copilot: 副驾驶员。

　　11. tribulation¹³: 问题，麻烦，困难。

　　12. 虽然我也有指节发白、掌心冒汗的时候，但除了大学时期那次轻微事故外，我没出过任何意外。knuckle¹⁵: 指节，指关节;fender bender: 轻微交通事故。

　　13. flow: (人群或事物)流动，持续移动;bumper-to-bumper: 一辆接一辆的;Tim Gunn: 提姆?冈恩，知名时尚品牌丽资?克莱本(Liz Claiborne)的首席设计师;Project Runway: 《天桥骄子》，是一档关于时装设计的美国真人秀节目。

　　14. 但当我独自一人行驶在郊区的某条林荫大道或乡间小路上时，我喜欢松开油门，放缓速度，以每小时35英里的车速前进，真正进入享受缓慢前行的美妙天堂的状态。solitary: 单独的，独自的;suburban: 郊区的，城外的;boulevard: 林荫大道;ease off: 缓和，减轻;gas pedal: 加速装置，油门;cruising: 以平稳速度行驶的，缓慢行进的;nirvana: 极乐世界，和美之地。

　　15. flash by: 一闪而过;blur: 模糊不清。

　　16. pothole²¹: 路面坑洼;bull elk: 公麋鹿;hazard: 危险，危害。

　　17. relentlessly: 不停地，不间断地。

　　18. automotive: 汽车的;equivalent: 相等物，对应物;trail: 乡间小路，林间小道。

　　19. 你备好马匹，骑马出游时，是不会在乡间纵马疾驰的。saddle up: 给马装上鞍;equestrian: 骑马的，马术的;excursion: 短途旅行，远足;at a full gallop: 疾驰，飞奔。

　　20. mosey: 闲逛，漫步。

　　21. 有一点很关键，我要说清楚：喜欢开慢车是我个人爱好，我绝对不会把这个观点强加给任何人。crucial: 至关重要的，关键性的;impose sth. on sb.: 把……强加于。

　　22. blacktop: 柏油路;velocity: 速度，速率;Cupid’s arrow: 丘比特之箭。

1 glorify   

vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化

参考例句：

• Politicians have complained that the media glorify drugs.政治家们抱怨媒体美化毒品。
• We are all committed to serving the Lord and glorifying His name in the best way we know.我们全心全意敬奉上帝，竭尽所能颂扬他的美名。

2 swooping   

俯冲，猛冲( swoop的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The wind were swooping down to tease the waves. 大风猛扑到海面上戏弄着浪涛。
• And she was talking so well-swooping with swift wing this way and that. 而她却是那样健谈--一下子谈到东，一下子谈到西。

3 swoop   

n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击

参考例句：

• The plane made a swoop over the city.那架飞机突然向这座城市猛降下来。
• We decided to swoop down upon the enemy there.我们决定突袭驻在那里的敌人。

4 secluded   

adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• Some people like to strip themselves naked while they have a swim in a secluded place. 一些人当他们在隐蔽的地方游泳时，喜欢把衣服脱光。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This charming cottage dates back to the 15th century and is as pretty as a picture, with its thatched roof and secluded garden. 这所美丽的村舍是15世纪时的建筑，有茅草房顶和宁静的花园，漂亮极了，简直和画上一样。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 terrain   

n.地面，地形，地图

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

6 vividly   

adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地

参考例句：

• The speaker pictured the suffering of the poor vividly.演讲者很生动地描述了穷人的生活。
• The characters in the book are vividly presented.这本书里的人物写得栩栩如生。

7 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

8 instructors   

指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The instructors were slacking on the job. 教员们对工作松松垮垮。
• He was invited to sit on the rostrum as a representative of extramural instructors. 他以校外辅导员身份，被邀请到主席台上。

9 cowering   

v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He turned his baleful glare on the cowering suspect. 他恶毒地盯着那个蜷缩成一团的嫌疑犯。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He stood over the cowering Herb with fists of fury. 他紧握着两个拳头怒气冲天地站在惊魂未定的赫伯面前。 来自辞典例句

10 cower   

v.畏缩，退缩，抖缩

参考例句：

• I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.我决不会在任何一位大师面前发抖，也不会为任何恐吓所屈服。
• Will the Chinese cower before difficulties when they are not afraid even of death?中国人死都不怕，还怕困难吗？

11 steering   

n.操舵装置

参考例句：

• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
• Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵，口吻也马上变得温和了。

12 tribulations   

n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦

参考例句：

• the tribulations of modern life 现代生活的苦恼
• The film is about the trials and tribulations of adolescence. 这部电影讲述了青春期的麻烦和苦恼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 tribulation   

n.苦难，灾难

参考例句：

• Even in our awful tribulation we were quite optimistic.即使在极端痛苦时，我们仍十分乐观。
• I hate the tribulation,I commiserate the sorrow brought by tribulation.我厌恶别人深重的苦难，怜悯苦难带来的悲哀。

14 knuckles   

n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝

参考例句：

• He gripped the wheel until his knuckles whitened. 他紧紧握住方向盘，握得指关节都变白了。
• Her thin hands were twisted by swollen knuckles. 她那双纤手因肿大的指关节而变了形。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 knuckle   

n.指节；vi.开始努力工作；屈服，认输

参考例句：

• They refused to knuckle under to any pressure.他们拒不屈从任何压力。
• You'll really have to knuckle down if you want to pass the examination.如果想通过考试，你确实应专心学习。

16 solitary   

adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士

参考例句：

• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
• The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。

17 suburban   

adj.城郊的，在郊区的

参考例句：

• Suburban shopping centers were springing up all over America. 效区的商业中心在美国如雨后春笋般地兴起。
• There's a lot of good things about suburban living.郊区生活是有许多优点。

18 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

19 blur   

n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚

参考例句：

• The houses appeared as a blur in the mist.房子在薄雾中隐隐约约看不清。
• If you move your eyes and your head,the picture will blur.如果你的眼睛或头动了，图像就会变得模糊不清。

20 potholes   

n.壶穴( pothole的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Potholes are also home to tiny desert animals. 洞穴也是弱小动物的家。 来自互联网
• If you're going to enjoy the good times, you've certainly got to deal with some potholes. 如果要享受甜美的胜利果实，当然要应付这些战绩不佳的指责压力。 来自互联网

21 pothole   

n.坑，穴

参考例句：

• As the car sped over a pothole she lurched forward.车子飞驶过一个坑洼时，她身子猛地向前一倾。
• The young teacher knows every pothole in the 10-minute ride to school.这位年轻的老师熟悉这条往学校的10分钟路上的每一个坑洞。

22 elk   

n.麋鹿

参考例句：

• I was close enough to the elk to hear its labored breathing.我离那头麋鹿非常近，能听见它吃力的呼吸声。
• The refuge contains the largest wintering population of elk in the world.这座庇护所有着世界上数量最大的冬季麋鹿群。

23 relentlessly   

adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断

参考例句：

• The African sun beat relentlessly down on his aching head. 非洲的太阳无情地照射在他那发痛的头上。
• He pursued her relentlessly, refusing to take 'no' for an answer. 他锲而不舍地追求她，拒不接受“不”的回答。

24 equestrian   

adj.骑马的；n.马术

参考例句：

• They all showed extraordinary equestrian skills.他们的骑术都很高超。
• I want to book two equestrian tickets.我想订两张马术比赛的票。

25 gallop   

v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展

参考例句：

• They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。
• The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。

26 velocity   

n.速度，速率

参考例句：

• Einstein's theory links energy with mass and velocity of light.爱因斯坦的理论把能量同质量和光速联系起来。
• The velocity of light is about 300000 kilometres per second.光速约为每秒300000公里。