delight使愉快,spot發(fā)現(xiàn),honor system誠信制度
笑話原文】
Can Be Trusting?
Everything about country customs delighted my neighbors who had moved to our small town from the city. Then one day they spotted a sign, “Fresh Eggs for Sale,” at a roadside stand where payment was on the honor system.
“Why can’t everyone be this trusting?” they said as they put their money in a box and took a carton. When they got home and opened it, they found 11 eggs.
中文譯文】
能信任嗎?
我們的鄰居剛從城市搬到我們這個小鎮(zhèn)上來。一切有關(guān)農(nóng)村習(xí)俗的事情都使他們感到高興。有一天,他們看到路邊小攤有一個牌子“出售新鮮雞蛋”,是用那種傳統(tǒng)的無人售貨的方式。他們把錢放進(jìn)一個盒子,拿到了一打雞蛋,并且感慨地說:“為什么人們不能都這樣信任別人呢?”回到家里,打開盒子,他們看到里面只有11個雞蛋。
詞匯講解】
1.trusting容易相信的。the trusting nature of a small child幼兒輕信的天性。She’s not a trusting girl.她不是個輕易相信別人的人。
2.custom習(xí)俗。也可以指“顧客”:I shall withdraw my custom from that shop.我再也不去那家店鋪買東西了。它還可以指“海關(guān)”:How long will it take us to pass the Customs?通過海關(guān)檢查要花費(fèi)我們多少時間?也可以作形容詞用,是“定制的”的意思:custom shoes定做的鞋子
3.spot發(fā)現(xiàn)。spot a mistake發(fā)現(xiàn)錯誤;He was the first to spot the danger.他是第一個發(fā)覺險情的人。“使有污漬”:His trousers were spotted with mud.他的褲子上有泥漬。
4.payment付款/支付的款項(xiàng)。a cheque payment for rent支付房租的支票;payment in advance預(yù)付;payment in arrear拖欠。When can I expect payment?什么時候可以付我錢?
5. honor system誠信制度,指出于信任而不加監(jiān)督的制度,如學(xué)校的無監(jiān)考考試制、監(jiān)獄的無看守監(jiān)禁制等等。Self-service stores must run on the honor system.自助商店必須采用無人監(jiān)督的誠信制。
6.carton紙盒。a carton of cigarettes一條香煙;a carton of milk 一盒牛奶。也可以作動詞,是“用紙盒裝”的意思:cartoned dairy products盒裝奶制品。