詞匯輔導：通過閱讀學習英語六級詞匯(十五)
時間：
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英語六級詞匯
UNIT FIFTEEN
What Is Going to Be Done with All This Knowledge?
Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world ? Surely because progress of a particular kind is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and more manifest. Although mankind has undergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress the accumulation of knowledge. Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual could be communicated to another by means of speech. With the invention of writing, a great advance was made, for knowledge could then be not only communicated but also stored. Libraries made education possible, and education in its turn added to libraries: the growth of knowledge followed a kind of compound-interest law, which was greatly enhanced by the invention of printing.
All this was comparatively slow until, with the coming science, the tempo was suddenly raised. Then knowledge began to be accumulated according to a systematic plan. The trickle became a stream; the stream has now become a torrent. Moreover, as soon as new knowledge is acquired, it is now turned to practical account. What is called 'modern civilization' is not the result of a balanced development of all man's nature, but of accumulated knowledge applied to practical life. The problem now facing humanity is: What is going to be done with all this knowledge ? As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged weapon which can be used equally for good or evil. It is now being used indifferently for both. Could any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that of gunners using science to shatter men's bodies while, close at hand, surgeons use it to restore them ? We have to ask ourselves very seriously what will happen if this twofold use of knowledge, with its ever-increasing power, continues.
loom n. 織布機 vi.1.隱現 2.即將來臨
manifest a.明顯的,顯然的,明了的 vt.1.顯示,表明,證明 2.使顯現
[聯想詞]
disclose vt. 揭露,泄露,透露
tempo n. 1.速度 2.節奏
trickle vi. 1.淌,滴,流出 2.慢慢移動,逐漸消散
[聯想詞]
splash v.濺,潑 n.1.濺潑聲 2.濺出的水 3.斑點
surge vi.1.蜂擁而出 2.洋溢,奔放 3.洶涌
humanity n. 1.人類,人 2.人生 3.人道,仁慈 4.人文學科
torrent n. 1.奔流,急流 2.爆發
[聯想詞]
outbreak n.1.爆發 2.突然發生
erupt vi. 1.噴發 2.爆發,突然發生
spectacle n. 1.演出,場面 2.景象,壯觀 3.[-S]眼鏡
grim a. 1.討厭的,糟糕的 2.嚴厲的 3.嚴酷的,無情的
[聯想詞]
stern a.嚴厲的,嚴格的,嚴峻的
whimsical a. 1.多怪念頭的 2.異想天開的,想入非非的 3.心血來潮的 4.反復無常的
[聯想詞]
eccentric a.古怪的,怪癖的
sober a. 1.未醉的,清醒的 2.嚴肅的,持重的 v .(使)醒酒,(使)清醒
shatter vt. 1.使粉碎 2.使破滅,使震驚 vi.碎裂
What Is Going to Be Done with All This Knowledge?
Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world ? Surely because progress of a particular kind is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and more manifest. Although mankind has undergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress the accumulation of knowledge. Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual could be communicated to another by means of speech. With the invention of writing, a great advance was made, for knowledge could then be not only communicated but also stored. Libraries made education possible, and education in its turn added to libraries: the growth of knowledge followed a kind of compound-interest law, which was greatly enhanced by the invention of printing.
All this was comparatively slow until, with the coming science, the tempo was suddenly raised. Then knowledge began to be accumulated according to a systematic plan. The trickle became a stream; the stream has now become a torrent. Moreover, as soon as new knowledge is acquired, it is now turned to practical account. What is called 'modern civilization' is not the result of a balanced development of all man's nature, but of accumulated knowledge applied to practical life. The problem now facing humanity is: What is going to be done with all this knowledge ? As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged weapon which can be used equally for good or evil. It is now being used indifferently for both. Could any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that of gunners using science to shatter men's bodies while, close at hand, surgeons use it to restore them ? We have to ask ourselves very seriously what will happen if this twofold use of knowledge, with its ever-increasing power, continues.
loom n. 織布機 vi.1.隱現 2.即將來臨
manifest a.明顯的,顯然的,明了的 vt.1.顯示,表明,證明 2.使顯現
[聯想詞]
disclose vt. 揭露,泄露,透露
tempo n. 1.速度 2.節奏
trickle vi. 1.淌,滴,流出 2.慢慢移動,逐漸消散
[聯想詞]
splash v.濺,潑 n.1.濺潑聲 2.濺出的水 3.斑點
surge vi.1.蜂擁而出 2.洋溢,奔放 3.洶涌
humanity n. 1.人類,人 2.人生 3.人道,仁慈 4.人文學科
torrent n. 1.奔流,急流 2.爆發
[聯想詞]
outbreak n.1.爆發 2.突然發生
erupt vi. 1.噴發 2.爆發,突然發生
spectacle n. 1.演出,場面 2.景象,壯觀 3.[-S]眼鏡
grim a. 1.討厭的,糟糕的 2.嚴厲的 3.嚴酷的,無情的
[聯想詞]
stern a.嚴厲的,嚴格的,嚴峻的
whimsical a. 1.多怪念頭的 2.異想天開的,想入非非的 3.心血來潮的 4.反復無常的
[聯想詞]
eccentric a.古怪的,怪癖的
sober a. 1.未醉的,清醒的 2.嚴肅的,持重的 v .(使)醒酒,(使)清醒
shatter vt. 1.使粉碎 2.使破滅,使震驚 vi.碎裂