Lesson 45 The power of the press新闻报道的威力虚拟语气

In democratic countries any efforts to restrict the freedom of the press are rightly condemned.

In civilized society any act of discrimination against women is rightly condemned. ^{在文明社会，任何歧视妇女的行径都应该受谴责。}

1. Act is condemned. ^{行为受到谴责。}
2. Any Act is rightly condemned. ^{任何行为都理应受到谴责。}
3. Any act of discrimination against women is rightly condemned.^{加上修饰 “xxx的行为”}

the press / the Press ^新闻界

• This exhibition received a great deal of attention in the press, for though the pictures were supposed to be the work of famous artists, they had in fact been painted by Dickie.

rightly ^{adv. for a good reason 应该}

• They could be saved so much misery and expense if they chose to live in the city where they rightly belong.

condemn A for / as B ^{for因为B而谴责A、as 把A谴责是B}

• The movie was condemned for its sexism.
• The terrorist attack was condemned as an act of barbarism and cowardice.

In democratic countries any efforts to restrict the freedom of speech are rightly condemned.  ^{在民主国家，任何限制言论自由的企图都应该受谴责。}

However, this freedom can easily be abused.

be abused ^被滥用

• Can any service be abused for the wrong purpose? ^{那么一项服务有可能被滥用而造成不良后果吗？}
• This rule was brought into being because the old law was abused. ^{由于旧的法律遭到滥用，这条规则便应运而生。}
• Will you stand by and watch while your friend is abused? ^{当你的朋友受伤害时，你会袖手旁观吗？}

Stories about people often attract far more public attention than political events.

attract attention ^{吸引注意力，引起关注}

• Anything to create a scene and attract attention will do. ^{只要能当众大闹，吸引人们的注意，做什么都行。}
• They want to attract attention. ^{他们想吸引注意。}
• He shouted to attract attention. ^{他大声呼喊以引人注意。}
• A light and whistle are provided for you to attract attention. ^{一个照明灯和哨子供你引起注意使用。}

public / media / press attention ^{公众/媒体/新闻界的关注}

• Her case attracted a great deal of media attention.
• She hates being the object of public attention. ^{她讨厌成为公众关注的对象。}
• Most of the press attention has been focused on the international section of this vast event. ^{绝大多数的媒体的注意力都集中在了国际间对此项大事的片段上。}

far / much / even / still / yet … ^{加强比较级（通常加到比较级前“多得多、甚至、依然、还...”）}

slightly / a little / a bit … ^{稍微 / ...一点儿}

• These days, people who do manual work often receive far more money than clerks who work in offices.
• To compensate for his unpleasant experiences in hospital, the man drank a little more than was good for him.
• He is finding his new work far more exciting.
• Letters will cost a little more, but they will certainly travel faster.

Though we may enjoy reading about the lives of others, it is extremely doubtful whether we would equally enjoy reading about ourselves.

it is doubtful if / whether / (that) … ^{值得怀疑的是/是否...}

• It is doubtful if he will survive.
• It's doubtful whether the car will last another year.
• It is doubtful that the missing airmen will ever be found.

虚拟语气的省略

…, it is extremely doubtful whether we would equally enjoy reading about ourselves if we read about ourselves. ^{相当于虚拟语气}

• To ignore this would be a mistake. ^{大家都不会忽略}
• It would be a mistake to ignore this. ^{变为形式主语}
• A picnic would not be any fun without you. ^{你肯定在现场}
• Your wife would not be pleased to hear you say that. ^{不大可能的假设}
• It would be a shame to stay indoors on such a beautiful day. 

Though we may enjoy playing jokes on others, it is extremely doubtful whether we would equally enjoy others playing jokes on ourselves. ^{尽管我们可能喜欢对别人恶作剧，但是我们是否喜欢别人对我们恶作剧是极其可疑的。}

Acting on the contention that facts are sacred, reporters can cause untold suffering to individuals by publishing details about their private lives.

act on ... ^{take action in accordance with or as a result of sth. 依照…行事}

• She is acting on the advice of her lawyers.
• Police say they acted on information received.
• Acting on a sudden impulse, I collected several dozen, put them in a paper bag, and took them to Robert.

contention ^{n. (fml.) 观点，论点}

• I would reject that contention. ^{我不会同意那种观点。}
• It is our client's contention that the fire was an accident. ^{我们当事人的看法是这场火灾属于意外。}
• The main bone of contention is the temperature level of the air-conditioners. ^{主要的争议点是空调温度。}

untold ^{adj. = immeasurable 无法估量、衡量、罄竹难书的}

• Chemical seepage has caused untold damage. ^{化学品泄漏已造成了难以估量的损失。}
• These gases cause untold damage to the environment. ^{这些气体对环境造成难以估计的破坏。}
• An Olympic gold medal can lead to untold riches for an athlete. ^{一枚奥运金牌能为一名运动员带来数不尽的财富。}
• This age-old struggle for control had led to untold bloody wars. ^{这种由来已久的对控制权的争夺已经导致了无数的血腥战争。}

Acting on the contention that children should be obedient to their elders, parents can cause untold suffering to their adult offspring by interfering in their marriages. ^{父母亲依照子女应该顺从长辈这一观点干涉成年子女的婚姻，可能给他们的成年子女造成不尽的痛苦。}

Newspapers exert such tremendous influence that they can not only bring about major changes to the lives of ordinary people but can even overthrow a government.

exert … on … ^{施加(影响)在...上}

• …, for advertising exerts a subtle influence on us.
• My wife exerts a lot of pressure on me to make more money.

Religions exert such tremendous influence that they can not only bring about major changes to the spiritual outlook of ordinary people but can even determine the destiny of the world. ^{宗教有如此大的影响，它们不但会给普通人的精神面貌带来重大 变化，甚至还可能决定世界的命运。}

The story of a poor family that acquired fame and fortune overnight, dramatically illustrates the power of the press.

acquire fame and fortune overnight ^{讯速成名获利}

• With the success of their first record, they acquired fame and fortune overnight.

illustrate ^{v. to make the meaning of sth clearer by using examples, pictures, etc. （用例子、图表 等）说明，阐明}

• To illustrate my point, let me tell you a little story.
• The lecturer illustrated his point with a diagram on the blackboard.

amply / clearly / dramatically / graphically / vividly illustrate … ^{充分/清楚/戏剧性/生动地说明…}

• One example may amply illustrate this point.
• The example of the United States graphically illustrates this point.

The example of an obscure shampoo that became a household name overnight, dramatically illustrates the power of advertising.^{一个原本默默无闻的洗发水迅速变得家喻户晓的例子戏剧化 地说明了广告宣传的力量。}

The family lived in Aberdeen, a small town of 23, 000 inhabitants in South Dakota.

a town of 11,000 inhabitants  ^{有11000名居民的小镇}

• a city of six million inhabitants ^{一座有六百万居民的城市}
• a school of 1,200 students ^{一所有1200名学生的学校}

As the parents had five children, life was a perpetual struggle against poverty.

As the parents had five children, they perpetually struggled against poverty.  ^中式英语

• The life of a Christian is a perpetual struggle against self. ^{基督徒的生活就是永远和自我的搏斗。}
• Speculation in stocks is a perpetual struggle against fear and greed. ^{炒股就是永远和恐惧与贪婪的搏斗。}

They were expecting their sixth child and were faced with even more pressing economic problems.

be expecting (a baby) ^{怀孕的委婉的说法}

• When is your baby due? ^预产期
• She gave birth to twins. ^{生了双胞胎}
• She aborted after 2 months. ^流产了
• She is on maternity leave. ^休产假

be faced with … ^{面临着（某一个棘手的问题）}

• …, for then man was faced with a real need to understand something about the seasons.
• After buying a new chain I was faced with the insurmountable task of putting the confusing jigsaw puzzle together again.
• So, faced with the Danish advance, Alfred did not risk open battle but harried the enemy.

pressing ^{adj. urgent 紧急的}

• It is one of the most pressing problems facing this country. ^{它是该国面临的最紧迫的问题之一。}
• Opposition party leaders are now pressing for the entire election to be annulled. ^{反对党领袖们现在正在迫切要求宣布整个选举无效。}
• I have more pressing things to attend to. ^{我有更紧迫的事情要做。}
• These questions have never seemed more pressing. ^{这些问题似乎从未像现在这样紧迫。}

pressing problem / matter/ need etc. ^{紧迫的问题/事情/需要等。}

• a pressing need for housing
• Poverty is a more pressing problem than pollution.

If they had only had one more child, the fact would have passed unnoticed.

if + S. + had done, S. + would / should / could / might + have done ^{与过去事实相反的虚拟}

• If, at the time, the British had not feared invasion, it would have been completed.
• If there had not been a hard layer of rock beneath the soil, they would have completed the job in a few hours.
• It has been estimated that if the bridge were packed with cars, it would still only be carrying a third of its total capacity.
• There is no doubt that if she had not lost her rudder she would have won the race easily.

unnoticed ^{adj. without being noticed 无人注意的}

• I tried to slip up the stairs unnoticed.

But for the letter of thanks, the act of kindness might have gone / passed unnoticed. ^{要不是这封感谢信，这件善举可能就不为人知地过去了。}

They would have continued to struggle against economic odds and would have lived in obscurity.

odds ^{n. difficulties 困难}

•  ...families in terrible circumstances, who have stayed together against all odds.  ^{…状况糟糕的家庭，似乎不可能维持下去，却仍然住在一起。}
• He reckons the odds are against the plan going ahead.  ^{他认为该计划不太可能进行下去。}

But they suddenly became the parents of quintuplets, four girls and a boy, an event which radically changed their lives.

radically change / alter… ^{彻底改变了…}

• Computers have radically changed our lives.
• Relativity and quantum mechanics have radically altered our picture of nature.
• radical changes in education ^{教育的根本变化}

He suddenly won the lottery of ten million dollars, nearly 100 times the amount of his annual income, an event which radically changed his life. ^{他突然间中了一千万美元的大奖，几乎是他年收入的 100 倍，这件事彻底改变了他的生活。}

The day after the birth of the five children, an aeroplane arrived in Aberdeen bringing sixty reporters and photographers.

The day after the birth of the five children ^{五个孩子出生后的第二天}

• Four days after setting out, while the Titanic was sailing across the icy waters of the North Atlantic, a huge iceberg was suddenly spotted by a look-out.
• A man who had broken his right leg was taken to hospital a few weeks before Christmas.

Television cameras and newspapers carried the news to everyone in the country.

carry ^{v. to publish or broadcast a news story 刊登，播出（新闻报道等）}

• All the papers carried the story the next day.
• Several papers carry the photograph of Mr. Anderson.  ^{好几家报纸都刊登了安德森先生的照片。}

When Beijing won to right to host the 2008 Olympic Games, Television cameras and newspapers carried the news to everyone in the world. ^{当北京赢得了 2008 年奥林匹克运动会主办权的时候，电视摄像机和报纸把这一消息传遍了全世界。}

Newspapers and magazines offered the family huge sums for the exclusive rights to publish stories and photographs.

exclusive ^{adj. available or belonging only to particular people, and not shared 独家的，独享的}

• Our group will have exclusive use of a 60-foot boat. ^{我们组将有一条专用的60英尺的船。}
• He told the magazine in an exclusive interview: "All my problems stem from drinking."   ^{他在一次独家采访中告知那家杂志：“我所有的问题源于饮酒。”}
• Some papers thought they had an exclusive.  ^{一些报社以为他们有一条独家报道。}

Gifts poured in not only from unknown people, but from baby food and soap manufaturers who wished to advertise their products.

pour in ^{涌入（“水”涌入的派生意义）}

• Letters of complaints poured in.
• Donations poured in for the earthquake victims in China.

advertise a product ^宣传产品

• The company spent millions to advertise their new product. ^{公司花费了数百万来宣传他们的新产品。}
• It gives the merchant a wider market in which to advertise a product or service.^{它使商家更广泛的市场，宣传产品或服务。}
• Slogan: a phrase used to advertise a product, a company or an organization. ^{广告口号：一个用以推销商品跟公司、机构的短语、短句。}

The old farmhouse the family lived in was to be replaced by a new ＄500, 000 home.

be replaced by ^{被…所取代、代替}

• He was replaced by Lt. Frank Fraser. ^{他由弗兰克•弗雷泽少尉来取代。}
• The mist had been replaced by a kind of haze that seemed to amplify the heat. ^{这薄雾已经被一种热汽代替了，这似乎加重了炎热的程度。}
• The deathly pallor of her skin had been replaced by the faintest flush of colour. ^{她皮肤死一般的苍白已被极微弱的一点颜色所取代。}

Reporters kept pressing for interviews so lawyers had to be employed to act as spokesmen for the family at press conferences.

press (sb.) for sth. ^{迫切要求，一再敦促}

• Reporters pressed (him) for an explanation.
• I pressed (him) for his consent to our marriage.

act as … ^{临时担任某种工作}

• The box acts as a seat. ^主动
• My brother speaks French — he can acts as interpreter. ^{被动(人做主语)}
• Alfred the Great acted as his own spy, visiting Danish camps disguised as a minstrel.

act as if ^{假装、好像、伪装、行为象什么一样}

• Gesticulating wildly, the man acted as if he found my offer outrageous, but he eventually reduced the price to £10.
• He acted as if he had never lived in England before.

act as = serve as / function as / be used as … ^{当做…来使用}

• The sofa will serve as a bed for a night or two. ^{沙发可以当床凑合一两夜。}
• A typical PDA can function as a mobile phone and a personal organizer. ^{一部典型的个人数字助理可以兼具手机和个人记事簿功能。}
• Art may be used as a vehicle for propaganda. ^{艺术可以用作宣传的工具。}

press conference ^{记者招待会}

• She gave her reaction to his release at a press conference.  ^{她在一次新闻发布会上就他的释放做出了回应。}
• The press conference was a complete shambles. ^{记者招待会一片混乱。}
• The President will be giving a press conference this afternoon. ^{总统今天下午将举行记者招待会。}

While the five babies were still quietly sleeping in oxygen tents in a hospital nursery, their parents were paying the price for fame.

oxygen tent ^{n. a clear covering put over the head and upper body of an ill person to provide oxygen to help them breathe 氧气帐，氧幕}

• Meanwhile, he's got a hospital full of patients in oxygen tents that need mitral valve replacement, and he said, 'You can't wait on this. ^{在这同时呢，医院吸氧室里挤满了患者，他们需要替换冠状瓣膜。于是他说，你们不能再等了。}

nursery ^{n. a room in a hospital where babies that have just been born are looked after 医院的婴儿室}

• He has painted murals in his children's nursery.  ^{他在他家的育儿室画上了壁画。}
• It's been made into a nursery for thee. ^{它已经变成了你的育儿室。}
• The babies were bawling in the nursery. ^{托儿所的婴儿都在啼哭。}

pay the price for sth. ^{为某事付出代价}

• Being recognized wherever you go is the price you pay for being famous. 
• Pollution is the price we pay for an overpopulated, over industrialized planet. 

It would never again be possible for them to lead normal lives.

lead / live a … life ^{过着...的生活}

• They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well. 

They had become the victims of commercialization, for their names had acquired a market value.

be / become the victim of … ^{成为了...的受害者}

• Only when he saw that the man was actually telephoning the police did he realize that they had all been the victims of a hoax.
• A man without an education, many of us believe, is an unfortunate victim of adverse circumstances, deprived of one of the greatest twentieth-century opportunities.

commercialization ^{n. 商业化}

• When experts cite possible harm from the commercialization of laser enrichment, they often point to Iran. ^{当专家列举激光浓缩商业化可能带来的危害时，他们常常指向伊朗。}
• There are three dozen universities in the UK which are actively engaged in advanced research training and commercialization work. ^{在英国，有36所大学积极从事高级研究培训和商业化工作。}
• These roads made possible a reduction in transportation costs and thus stimulated the commercialization of agriculture along their routes. ^{这些道路使得运输成本能够降低，从而刺激了沿线农业的商业化。}

commercialize / commercialise ^{vt. [usually passive] to be more concerned with making money from sth. than about its quality, used to show disapproval 使商业化}

• Christmas has become so commercialized.

market value ^{n. the value of a product, building etc. based on the price that people are willing to pay for it, rather than the cost of producing it or building it 市场价值}

• He must sell the house for the current market value. ^{他必须按照目前的市场价格出售这套房子。}
• The house now has a market value of one million pounds. ^{这栋房子目前的市场价值为100万英镑。}
• Unmodernized property can sell for up to 40 percent of its modernized market value. ^{未经现代化改造的房地产售价至多是其现代化改造后市价的40%。}

Instead of being five new family members, these children had immediately become a commodity.

instead of …, … ^{本该…， 却…}

• Instead of becoming a doctor, however, he became a successful writer of detective stories.