probe
v. 1). examine (sth.) closely 刺探，查究，探究，彻底调查
The matter must be probed to the bottom. 这件事必须彻底调查。 She tried to probe his mind to find out what he was thinking.
The police are probing (into) trading which breaks the law. 警方正在调查非法交易活动。
2).explore or examine (sth.) with or as if with a probe （用探针或探测器）检查，探查
The surgeon probed for the bullet in the man's back. Searchlights probed the night sky. 探照灯探索夜空。
The police are probing (into) trading which breaks the law. 警方正在调查非法交易活动。
n.1). [C] 探针，探子（医生用来检查伤口的一种钝头细长工具） 2). [C] (esp. in news) complete and careful enquiry into sth. (尤为新闻用语) 刺探，查究，彻底调查
a probe into the activities of drug dealers 对贩毒分子活动的调查
In their official probe, they found proof of wicked moral practices within the company.
他们在正式调查中，发现了这个公司内部腐败的证据。 28. Time is, therefore, always ticking in our inner ear. (Para.4)
Meaning: So we are always aware of the fact that time is precious and time is flying.
tick vi. (of a clock, etc.) make a sequence of quiet short regularly repeated sounds
（指钟表等）滴答滴答地响
My watch doesn't tick because it's electronic. 我的表不滴答作响，因为它是电子表。
While we waited the taxi's meter kept ticking away.
在我们等待时，出租汽车的计程表一直在滴滴答答地响着。 vt. put a (√) beside (a point, etc.) 在（项目旁）打上勾号
The jobs that are done have been ticked off. 那些已完成的工作（旁边）都已打了勾。
Tick the names of the people who have accepted the invitation.
n. 1.[C] light and regularly repeated sound, esp. that of a clock or watch （尤指钟表等）滴答声 2.[C] a mark (√) 勾号(√)
The teacher put a tick against the numbers that were correct. 老师在正确的数字旁打上了勾。
29. Consequently, we work hard at the task of saving time. (Para.5)
Meaning: As a result, we try our best to invent and produce things that
can help save time.
consequently ad. as a result; so 因此，所以
My car broke down and consequently I was late. 我的汽车半路上出了毛病，所以来晚了。
I spent most of my money in the first week and consequently had very little to eat during the last few days of the holidays. 我在假期的第一周就用掉了大部分钱，因此最后几天几乎没什么可吃的了。
The bank refused to help the company; consequently it went out of business.
银行拒绝帮助这家公司，公司因此倒闭了。 save: v. prevent or escape the waste of (money, etc.) It will save time if we go by taxi instead of walking. 如果我们乘出租车，而不是步行去, 就能节省时间。 If you buy the family-size box it will save you two dollars. 如果你买这种家庭用大包装，就能节约两元钱。 30. ... especially given our traffic-filled streets. (Para.5)
Meaning: ... especially when we take into account our busy streets that are often full of traffic.
given: prep. taking into account
Given their inexperience, they've done a good job. 考虑到他们缺乏经验，他们算做得 不错了。
Given her interest in children, teaching should be the right career for her. 看她对孩子们的兴趣，教书应是适合她的职业。 We can also use \Given that they are inexperienced, they've done a good job. 考虑到他们缺乏经验，这工作他们算做得不错了。
Notice that \followed by a noun phrase, while \is followed by a finite clause. 31. We, therefore, save most personal visiting for after-work hours or for social weekend gatherings. (Para.5)
Meaning: So, if we want to pay or receive a personal visit, we can do it after work or on the weekend when there is a social gathering. save for keep sth. for future use; not use up (sth.) 储存，储蓄 Save your strength for the hard work you'll have to do later. 养精蓄锐以应付今后你得去从事的繁重工作。
Can you save it for later? 你能不能把这留到以后（等我空闲的时候）告诉我？
32. To us the impersonality of electronic communication has little or no relation to the significance of the matter at hand. (Para.6)
Meaning: When we communicate through electronic means, which may seem not involving human feelings, it does not mean that we regard the
matter under discussion unimportant. significance n. 1.[U] meaning意义
What is the significance of this sign? 这个符号的意义是什么？
Could you explain to me the significance of this part of the agreement? 2.[U] importance 重要性
Few people realized the significance of the discovery. 当时几乎没有人意识到这一发现的重要性。
Money at this period held no significance for him. 在这段时间里金钱对他来说毫无意义。
The significance for college students of doing a part-time job is more than money and experience. 大学生打工的意义还不仅在于钱和经验。 33. ... the matter at hand. (Para.6)
at hand: under discussion or being considered
Her question was not related to the matter at hand. 她提的问题跟正在考虑的事情无关。
The phrase \ The great day is at hand. 重大节日即将到来。
Realizing that the end of his career is near at hand, he looked for some additional income. 意识到退休在即, 他寻找额外的收入。
Having the right equipment at hand will be very helpful. 手边有合适的设备可用将非常有帮助。
Remember to keep a note-book at hand all the time. 记住要随时带好笔记本。
Apart from \All three phrases mean exactly the same. 34. In some countries no major business is conducted without eye contact, requiring face-to-face conversation. (Para.6)
Meaning: In some countries, important business must be carried out with eye contact, and through face-to-face conversation.
conduct vt. 1).carry out, direct, manage 进行, 指导, 管理
We have been conducting a survey of the region. 我们对该地区进行了调查。
He should learn how to conduct a meeting. 他应该学会如何主持会议。 2). act as the path for (electricity, heat, etc.) 传导 (电、 热等） Copper conducts electricity well.
n. [U] person's behavior (esp. its moral element) 行为，品行
The prisoner was set free early because of good conduct. 那个囚犯因表现好而被提前释放。
Nobody can stand such shameless conduct. 没有人能容忍如此不知羞耻的行为。
35. ... people are meeting increasingly on television screens, conducting teleconferences to settle problems ... (Para.6)
Meaning: People are meeting more and more through television, holding teleconferences to solve problems...
teleconference: n. an electronic network-based form of exchange 电信会议
settle: vt. solve
settle an argument解决争端 settle the case结案 settle a bill 结账 settle an account 还债 36. ... to obtain all kinds of information. (Para.7)
obtain vt. get sth.; come to own or control sth. (by buying, borrowing, taking, etc.)
取得，获得，买到，借到
He always manages to obtain what he wants. 他想要的他总能弄到。 Further information can be obtained from our head office. 可以从我们的总部获得更多的资料。
The news writer immediately set out to obtain the important facts. 那位新闻记者立即着手去设法了解这些重要的事实。
Notice: obtain 是指通过长期或很大努力获得渴望已久的东西。gain 则较 obtain 更进一步，需要付出更大的努力。而acquire 指通过不断的学、问慢慢获取知识、技术等抽象的东西。
37. .. whereas the postal service is less efficient. (Para. 7) whereas: conj. but, in contrast: while
We thought she did not like us, whereas in fact she was very shy. They want a house, whereas we would rather live in a flat.
In this sense, \is readily replaceable by \without any change in meaning.
Their country has plenty of oil, while (or: whereas) ours has none.
38. Unless a certain amount of time is allowed to elapse, it seems in their eyes as if the task being considered were insignificant, not worthy of proper respect. (Para.8)
Meaning: If a certain amount of time is not allowed to pass, it will give the impression, in their opinion, that the task being considered is not important or not properly respected.
in one's eyes: in the opinion or judgment of someone
In the eyes of the critical professionals, he can do no wrong. 在评论家看来，他是不会错的。
The expert is always right in the eyes of everybody. 在大家的心目中，专家总是对的。
be worthy of (should) be given (sth.) 值得的，配得上的
Their efforts are worthy of your support. 他们的努力值得你们的支持。
Two points in this report are especially worthy of notice. 这篇报告中有两点尤其值得注意。
Compare: be worth + n/v-ing/what-clause ( not an infinitive verb ) be worthy of + n/pron. be worthy to do sth.
Section B Culture Shock New Words& Expressions 1. desirable
a. worth having; be wished for 令人向往的；值得有的；合意的
It is most desirable that they should both come. 他们俩人都来最理想了。
Main Street is a very desirable location for a large department store. 主要街道是开设大型百货商店的理想地段。 2. fascinating
a. having great attraction or delight 有极大吸引力的，迷人的 The sight was so fascinating that I could not take my eyes off it. 景色如此迷人，我都无法移开视线。
The story of his adventures was fascinating to listen to. 听他讲他的冒险经历真有趣。 3. spite
n. in spite of: not being prevented by (sb./sth.); regardless of (用于短语) 虽然；不顾，尽管
They went out in spite of the rain. 尽管下雨，他们还是外出了。
In spite of all of his efforts he failed. 尽管他作了种种努力,但还是失败了。
(U) desire to hurt, offend another person; ill will 恶意； 怨恨
I'm sure he only said it out of spite. 我相信他把那件事说出来完全是出于恶意。
He wrote that article from pure spite. 他写那篇文章纯粹是为了泄愤。 4. clash
vi. 1). disagree seriously (about sth.) 严重不一致，冲突
The couple clashed on the question of where to spend their holidays. 夫妻俩对上哪儿去度假意见不一致。
Richard clashed frequently with Goldsmith. 理查德经常和戈德史密斯发生冲突。
2). come together and fight冲突，交锋，遭遇
They clashed with the police in the street. 他们在街上和警察发生了冲突。
n. 1).serious disagreement; arguing 严重不一致，争论