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1、Unit TwelveA Red Light for ScofflawsFrank TrippettAbout the AuthorFrank Trippett: (1926 - ) now senior editor of Time magazine, has had a lifelong career in journalism. He has served as a writer and editor at such national publications as Look and Newsweek and is the author of three books: The State
2、s United They Fall (1967), The First Horseman (1974), and Child Ellen (1975). The text first appeared in Time, in which the author takes a wider view of what happens when individuals bend small laws for their own convenience.Language Points1. Nothing is more than Outwardly they are in comparative de
3、gree, but inwardly they are in supreme degree. And other similar patterns:Nothing could be more obvious than the evidence supporting Riesman.To my mind nothing is more horrible than being all alone in the world.No one is so foolish as to believe that anything happens by chance.Scarcely any part of t
4、he world affords so great a variety in so small an area as our own island.Now there is no greater pleasure than to go to bed in the evening and know that the washing up is being done by the machine.No creature has received more praise and abuse than the common garden snail.2. duck out (of)to try to
5、avoid (a difficulty or unpleasant responsibility)You cant duck out now, you made a solemn promise.No parent can duck out of his duty to his children.Its unlawful to try to duck out of paying taxes.3. add up toto mean or suggestThis conversation add up to a difference of opinion between us.He made a
6、number of criticisms, but they didnt add up to much. (没有多大价值)4. waneto grow gradually smaller or less after being full or complete; to loose power, wealth or influenceThe Roman Empire rapidly wane in power in the 5th century.Summer wanes as autumn approaches.5. not to mentionnot to say; not to speak
7、 of, etc.1) Innocent drivers and pedestrians pay .a repetitious price in frustration, inconvenience and outrage, not to mention a justified sense of moral peril.2) He cannot afford the ordinary comforts of life, not to speak of luxuries.3) We are too busy to take a long vacation this year, not to me
8、ntion the fact that we cant afford it.4) As a matter of fact, all great discoverers worthy of the name have at one time or another been regarded as dreamers, not to say mad.6. cannot help being harmed “cannot help + doing”; “cannot but + do”, or “cannot help but”: cannot fail to; be compel or oblige
9、d to, 1) The red-light runner, however, shows no respect whatever for the social rules, and society cannot help being harmed by any repetitious and brazen display of contempt for the fundamentals of order.2) I cannot but feel thankful that it formed such a material part of my education.3) I cannot h
10、elp forming some opinion of a mans character from his dress.4) We cannot help but believe in the youth who is always trying to improve himself.5) The little child was so beautiful, kind and good, that no one who saw her could help being attracted by her.7. for allin spite of1) He is still poor for a
11、ll he has worked.2) For all his wealth, he was lonely and unhappy.8. stereotypicalof a fixed pattern to represent a type of person or event1) She believes that she is not a good mother because she is not a stereotypical women who spends all her time with the children.2) She has a stereotypical view
12、of teachers believing that they are all as unfair as hers were when she was a girl.9. skirtto avoid (a question, subject, difficulty etc.)The speech was disappointing; it skirted all the main questions.10. take fromremove1) The police overpowered the gunman and took his gun from him.2) No government
13、 should be allowed to take their rights from the native people.Word Study1. abound v. to exist in large number or great quantityabound in / abound with: to have in large fronts or great quantity1) Scofflaws abound in amazing variety.2) The land abounds in springs and streams of water.3) The jungle a
14、bounds with snakes.4) The book abounds in printing mistakes.2. exempt adj. freed from a duty, service, payment, etc.exempt v. to make someone or something exempt1) Bicyclists often ride as though two-wheeled vehicles are exempt from all traffic laws.2) His bad health exempted him from military servi
15、ce.3) A number of MPs supported a motion to exempt certain industries from the provisions of the Bill.4) Persons over sixty are exempt from jury services.5) Nobody should be exempt from doing some of the unpleasant jobs in the running of the camp.3. plague v. to cause continual discomfort, suffering
16、, or trouble to;to make rather angry, esp. by some repeated action plague n. quick-spreading, quick-killing disease; a widespread and harmful mass or number; a continually troublesome person or thing 1) That a plague that child is!2) Youve been plaguing me with silly questions all day!3) On the 14th century the plague killed one-third of the population of Europe.4) At this time of year university admissions are plagued with inquiries from anxious applicants.4. pose v. to
