笑有很多好处。笑把人们联系在一起。在一些紧张的场合，笑声可以使人们放松精神。所以应该多与别人分享欢笑。 笑还对健康很有好处。有位著名作家在他的书里记述了他用喜剧和欢笑来治疗癌症的事。在你笑的时候，你的横膈膜会上下运动，而你的淋巴液也会加速运动，这些都对你的健康有好处。笑可以减轻压力放松肌肉，还可以加强你与别人的联系，特别是当你与别人语言不通时。当彼此以微笑回应时，双方的联系就加深了。 英语里有两种说法，第一种是笑是会传染的，就像病毒和病菌一样。另一种是笑是一种良药。
12.笑扮演的作用和角色比人们想象的复杂，发笑的原因众说纷纭，人们不仅在感觉良好时会由衷的笑，而且回应对方一些普通的话时或在一些不是令人舒服的场景中也会笑，如对滑稽可笑的东西感到惊讶时，会自然而然的笑；感到很窘迫，不知所措时难免也会发笑；甚至面临威胁时，笑可以作为一种数还紧张气氛的方法。The role of laughter is more complex than people have imagined. People laugh for a variety of reasons. People laugh not only when they feel good, but in response to mundane statements and in uncomfortable situations as well. For example, when people are surprised at funny-looking things, their natural reaction is laughter. Something seems awkward for a moment and people don't know what to do, so people laugh. Even in a threatening situation, laughter may serve as a way of calming down the tense atmosphere.
13. 我们为什么笑？令人信服的解释有待更多的证明。但全世界人们都相信笑有很多好处。笑能使人们保持身心健康，笑可以作为人与人之间交流的润滑剂，因为研究表明人们在社交场合中笑的可能性比独处时大，笑能消除人们之间的障碍，建立相互之间的联系。Why do we laugh? A convincing explanation waits for more confirmation. But people all over the world are convinced that it is pretty good to laugh. Laughter enables people to keep mentally healthy and laughter functions as some kind of social signal to strengthen a social bond because studies have shown that people are more likely to laugh in social settings than when they are alone. and it can break down barriers and forge a connection with each other.
Lesson 6. The Art of Asking Embarrassing Questions 1. A bit of wisdom and experience (go a long way). (大有帮助)。
2. …but I am convinced we should accompany our offspring (儿女) to university open days (we can make a difference to their futures.)(因为能对他们的未来产生影响)
3. （Nothing beats seeing for yourself.）（没有什么比亲眼目睹更好了）
4. （Many universities did their utmost to separate students from their parents.）（许多大学竭尽全力让他们的学生独立于他们的父母）…
5. So, (masquerading as a mature student)(乔装成一个老成学生), I often sneaked in to the back of the student sessions.
6. … and the chap at University of London (seemed a bit out of touch.)(好象表现失常)
7. （Armed with the answers to these questions）（对这些问题的答案心中有数）, applicants are better able to prepare.
8. And, of course, (they deserve almost all the credit when they get in.)(几乎所有的赞誉他们都受之无愧)… deserve:应受；get in:收获。
9. Whether children should study overseas has been boiling over into a hot issue. People?s views differ widely. Some people propose that it is not suitable for students to study abroad. For one thing, the costly tuition fee and higher living expenses will be a heavy financial burden for most families. For another, studying in a country with totally different custom and life style not only will cause language barrier, but also suffer culture shock which makes the students hard to adapt to. Finally, some students aren?t mature enough to distinguish right from wrong and may go astray. Advocates of studying overseas insist that it is beneficial. To begin with, it gives access to the first-rate facilities and student-oriented teaching system, a more
scientific method than the teacher-oriented mode prevailing in China. Moreover, living away from parents forces young people to cope with their friends and master interpersonal skills, which will benefit them all the lifetime. What?s more, studying abroad is an excellent chance for people to experience a new culture and broaden their horizon.
Personally, I advocate studying overseas for its advantages outweigh disadvantages.
孩子们是否应该去国外留学一直是一个热门话题。人们的观点大相径庭。有些人认为学生不适合去国外学习，首先，高昂的学费和生活费对大多数家庭是一个沉重的经济负担；其次在一个风俗和生活方式完全不同的国家生活学习不仅会有语言障碍并且会经历“文化休克”，这会使许多学生难以适应，最后，一些学生不够成熟，难以辨别是非而可能走入歧途。 国外留学的推崇者们坚持国外留学是有益的。首先，国外学习能提供一流的教学设施和“学生为中心”的教学体制----一种比国内盛行的“以教师为中心”的教学方法更科学的教学方法。其次，远离父母亲可以迫使年轻人结交朋友、学会处理人际关系，这将让他们终身受益。 再者，留学国外是一次感受异国文化、开拓视野的绝佳机会。 就我个人而言，我赞成去国外留学因为利大于弊。
10. 在中国，每年的高考成绩公布后，学生家长会通过看学校简介、浏览网站等各种方法了解国内外大学的情况，竭力为自己的孩子选择一所理想的高等学府。甚至有些家长认为没有什么比亲眼目睹更好，会亲自带着孩子到学校去看看校园、学生宿舍、食堂，向有关部门如学生处以及所在专业进行咨询、了解情况。
After the scores of the matriculation are known, parents want to know more about universities home and abroad by reading prospectuses and surfing university websites, and do their utmost to choose an ideal institution of higher education for their children. Some parents even think that nothing beats seeing for themselves. They will take their children to see the campus, halls of residence, cafeterias. They make enquiries at such departments as Students Affairs Office to be better-informed. 11. 美国的一些大学对家长开放，设立开放日，是为了让家长了解学籍管理、住宿、伙食、学业负担、师资阵容、就业前景等情况，但父母与孩子对优先考虑事项会出现一些分歧，最后孩子通常还是应该听父母亲的，因为父母亲的一点智慧和一点经验就大有帮助。
Some universities in the U. S. are open to parents by setting up open days in order that parent can know more about academic administration, accommodations, food, workload, and job prospects. But there are some differences between their list of priorities. As a rule, children tend to listen to their parents because a bit of their parents? wisdom and experience go a long way.
Lesson 7 Cultural Globalization Is Not Americanization 1. That cultural imperialism（文化帝制）is said to (impose American values as well as products,)(将美国的价值观念以及文化产品强加于人), promote the commercial (促进经济)(at the expense of )(而牺牲) the authentic（诚信）, and (substitute shallow gratification for deeper satisfaction.)(用肤浅的得意来取代更高层次的满足) impose 强加，施影响；substitute:替换； shallow:浅薄的；gratification:满意
2. Globalization not only (increases individual freedom)(增加个性自由), but also (revitalize cultures and cultural artifacts)(使文化和文化工艺品重现活力) through foreign influences, technologies, and markets, Thriving cultures(繁荣的文化) (are not set in stone)(并非一成不变). Revitalize: 新生；artifacts: 史前古器物。
3. In some ways, America (is an outlier,)(只是个局外人), not a global leader, Most
of the world (has adopted the metric system born from the French Revolution)(已采取了法国大革命时期的公制); America persists with antiquated measurements(坚持陈旧的度量单位制) (inherited)(来自) its British-colonial past. 英国殖民地；inherit: 继承。 4. Local fare (地方节目)(glues more eyeballs to TV screens than American programs) (远比美国的电视节目吸引更多的眼球). Although (nearly three-quarters of television drama) (世界上出口的电视剧中接近四分之三) comes from the United States, most countries favorite shows are (homegrown) (国产的). Drama:戏剧艺术。
5. With one big exception: Cinema. Yet (Hollywood?s hegemony is not as worrisome as people think.)(好莱坞的一统天下并非如人们认为的那样可怕), Note first that Hollywood is less American than it seems. …To some extent, then, Hollywood is a global industry that (just happens to be in America.)(刚巧在美国), Rather than exporting Americana, it serves up pap (to appeal to a global audience) (吸引全球观众) hegemony: 霸权；worrisome: 令人不安的；serve up:提供；Pap: 仅供消遣的东西。
6. Germans (once objected to soccer, because it was deemed English) (曾抵制过英式足球，因为它被认为是英国的东西); now their soccer team is (emblematic of national pride) (民族自豪的象征). Deem: 认为，相信；emblematic: 象征（性）
7. English (may be all-conquering outside America,)(在美国之外的地区兴许是所向披靡的), but in some parts of the US, it is now (second to Spanish) (屈从于西班牙语) all-conquering: 所向无敌的
8. Individuals are forming new communities（个人在组建新的社团）, linked by (shared interests and passions)(共同的兴趣和激情), that (cut across national borders)（跨越国界）.Friendships（友谊）with foreigners met on holiday.(Scientists sharing ideas over the Internet)(科学家们通过因特网互享思想). Environmentalists(环境论者) campaigning together (using e-mail)(通过伊妹儿). House-music lovers swapping tracks (online)(在网上). Greater individualism (does not spell the end of community.)(并不意味着社团的终结). Campaign:开展运动。Swap:交换；track:乐曲；individualism: 个人主义。 9. People may (lament the passing of old ways.) (哀叹老方式的逝去). Indeed, many of the worries about globalization (echo age-old fears)(只是重复由来已久的担忧) about decline, a lost golden age, and so on. 衰退的、失去的黄金时代；echo:重复；lament: 哀悼，哀叹
10. The aggressive (侵略性的)spread of market economics and communication technologies---often under the control of Western multinationals(跨国公司) – brings new challenges to local cultures and values in Africa and other non-Western societies. Sometimes it seems as if a tidal（潮汐的） wave of the worst Western culture is creeping (爬行的)across the globe like a giant (巨大的)strawberry milk shake(草莓奶昔) oozing(渗出, 泄漏) over the planet, with a flavor（滋味,风味）that is distinctly(显然)sweet（芳香的）, sickly（苍白的）and manifestly(明白的) homogenous(同质的). Suddenly, people all over Africa and the rest of the non-Westernized regions of the world, appear to be imbibing(吸收) materialistic（唯物主义的）and individualistic(个人主义的) values previously(先前) associated with Western culture. What explain this apparently abrupt (突然的, 生硬的)Westernization(西方化)? One major reason is the structural change in the world economy: globalization and the flood of goods dumped（倾倒）in poor countries that are marketed(在市场上交易) by mass seductive(诱人的) advertising which is blatantly(喧闹地) superficial(肤浅的) but nonetheless (但是)su
ccessful in creating fresh desires(新鲜的愿望) in peoples of traditional societies(传统社会的人们).
11. 语言是价值观念体系和文化表达形式的载体，是团体和个人身份的决定性因素。然而，据估计，世界上6000种语言中，超过50％的语言都处在消亡的边缘。事实上，平均每两个星期就有一种语言消亡。造成语言消亡的原因是多方面的，但英语在全球盛行难辞其咎，它的一统天下是令人担忧的。Languages are vehicles of value systems and of cultural expressions and they constitute a determining factor in the identity of groups and individuals. Yet, it is reckoned, more than fifty per cent of the world?s 6000 languages are on the verge of becoming extinct. And, as a matter of fact, one language disappears on average every two weeks. Many factors contribute to language extinction. But the English language prevalent worldwide is certainly to blame and its hegemony is worrisome.
12. 有大量证据表明，美国在许多方面无疑都扮演着全球领头羊的角色。它在输出其高科技产品和商业产品的同时，也在潜移默化地向世界兜售美国的价值观念。因此，有人对全球化嗤之以鼻，担心全球化其实就等同于美国化。这种担心并非夸大其辞。There is overwhelming/compelling evidence that the United States is undoubtedly a global leader in many ways. While exporting its high-tech products and commercial artifacts, the United States is imposing American values on the world. Therefore, some people turn their noses up at globalization, fearing that it is in fact equivalent to Americanization. Such fears are not over-blown. Lesson 8 At the Tailors 1. Between the chaos (混乱)of Regent Street and the opulent bustle（喧闹的）of
New Bond Street (is a little region that is curiously hushed) (有个静得离奇的小区域). It is made up of short streets that (pretend to run parallel to one another, but actually go off at all angles.) (装模作样的互相平行，但实际上朝着不同的角度延伸)。
2. The establishments(设施)there have (a certain air of dignified secrecy) (某种
高贵而神秘的气息)，not unlike that of servants of the old school（老派的仆人）, those impassive butlers（冷漠的男管家） who (appeared to know nothing, but really knew everything)(表面上一无所知，但事实上无所不知)。
3. The electric-light bills (电灯帐单)must be very modest indeed（确实不多）, for
(there are no flashing signs to assault the eye, no gaudily dressed window to tempt the feet to loiter.) ( 没有眩目的闪亮招牌，没有引人驻足的华丽橱窗装饰). 4. In a new world in which anything will do (so long as it arrives quickly and easily) (只要它来得快捷容易)，this region has fallen sadly behind the times. It (is still engaged in the old quest for perfection) （依然追求着过时的至善至美）。 5. That they are artists and not tradesmen is proved by the fact that, unlike tra
desmen, they (do not labor for pleasing their customers, but to please themselves.) (辛勤劳作并非要取悦顾客，而是要取悦他们自己)。
6. By the time I have been inside one of those places ten minutes (I have not a shred of self-respect left.) (我的自尊便荡然无存了)。…To stand like a dummy, (to be simply a shape of flesh and bone,) (只是件空有血肉和骨骼的躯体)，is bad enough, but (what make it much worse are the mirrors and lighting.) (镜子与灯光则更是雪上加霜).
7. He has one of those tight, healthy-looking, clean-shaven faces, (like a brownish apple;)（像个浅棕色苹果）and (looks something between a priest, a surgeon, and a solicitor who occasionally rides to hounds.) (看上去既象牧师、外科医生，又像偶尔骑马纵犬打猎的律师).
8. When he once (condescended to tell me)(屈尊告诉我) about his boy (who is
at a public school) I (felt immensely flattered and rushed to agree with everything he said.) (受宠若惊，连忙对他所说的一切表示赞同)。Immensely 非常；flatter 使高兴，使满意。
9. 由于竞争激烈，他不得不整天忙于工作，几乎抽不出时间给年迈的父母打电话，更不用说常回家看看他们了。每次想起父母他心中总是充满歉意，他明白他有负于父母的恩情。Owing to the fierce competition, he was compelled to be busy with his work all day long. He could hardly afford the time to phone his aged parents, to say nothing of going back often to take care of them. He never thought of his parents without feeling apologetic, knowing that he was unworthy of their kindness.
Owing to the fierce competition,he was forced to be busy with his work all day long.He could hardly afford the time to phone his aged parents,to say nothing of going back to take care of them.When he thought of his parents,he felt apologetic and knew that he was unworthy of their kindness.
10. 在J.B.P看来，穿戴整齐似乎要耗费大量的时间。因此，他总是乐于穿的松松垮垮，看上去就好像是和衣而睡的那样。他弄不明白有人是如何做到既穿得整洁漂亮，又能做事的。It seemed to J. B. Priestley that wearing clothes properly was a full-time job. Therefore, he always cheerfully bagged and sagged as if he had slept in his suits. And he could not understand how a man could contrive to look neat and spruce and do anything else.
It seemed to J.B.Priestley that wearing clothes properly was a full-time job.So he always cheerfully bagged and sagged as if he had slept in his suits.He couldn't understand how a man could contrive to look neat and spruce and do anything else
11. 这位神情严肃的年轻人，周身上下透着傲慢。很难想象你竟然赢得了他的好感。The sober（冷静的）young man has a certain air of arrogance（傲慢态度）about him. It is incredible （难以置信的）that you should have wrung friendliness out of him. Wring－榨取，强求
12．For it is not the large houses that live in the memory of the visitor. He goes through (仔细检查)them as a matter of duty（作为一项任务）, and forgets about them as a matter of course（过程）. The pictures that linger in his mind（在头脑中闪现）, called up （使想起）in a moment by such sensations（感觉）as the smell of roses or of new-mowed hay（刚收割的干草）, are of a simpler nature（朴素的本性）. A little cottage（小村舍）nestling amidst the wayside trees（坐落在路旁树丛中的）, the blue smoke curling up against the green（蓝烟缠绕绿树）, and a bower of roses round the door环绕门前的玫瑰花）; or perhaps a village street of which the name has been long forgotten, with its rambling old inn（散布路边的小客栈）, and, a little distance away, the grey church-tower in its township（镇区） of tombstones（墓碑）---these are the pictures of Old England that are carried away （运走）to other chimes（钟）. And it is the cottage, more homely（家常的） than the inn, more sacred t