胡敏讀故事記托福詞匯044：幾何課 Geometry Class
“You have to conceal your boredom,” John whispered to me, waking me from my nap.
“你得掩飾一下你的厭倦情緒，”約翰低聲對我說道，一面把我從瞌睡中喚醒。
“I can’t conceive of a way to hide it,” I replied with a yawn. I had been sitting in geometry class for two hours, waiting for the professor to conclude his lecture about concentric circles and concaved figures. I understand the concept of geometry but how often am I really going to use it in everyday life? When would I ever need to compute the circumference of a circle? I’m not very interested in conceptual thinking. I’m more interested in studying about how to maintain concord between neighboring third-world countries.
“我想不出掩飾的法子，”我打著哈欠回答道。我已經(jīng)上了兩個小時的幾何課，一直等著教授結(jié)束這個關(guān)于同心圓和凹面圖的講座。我理解幾何的概念，但日常生活中我哪里用的著那玩意?我?guī)讜r曾需要計算圓周長了?我對概念思考不甚感興趣。我更有興趣了解相鄰的第三世界國家間是如何維持和睦關(guān)系的。
“Are you going to the concert tonight?” John whispered again. “They’re playing a wonderful new concerto. You make a conciliatory gesture towards Jane by inviting her to come with you.”
“你晚上去聽音樂會嗎?”約翰又低聲說道，“今晚會演奏一出新的協(xié)奏曲，特棒。你可以邀請簡跟你一塊來，就算是和解的表示。”
“Sorry John, I have basketball practice,” I replied. “My foolish conceit and male pride won’t allow me to contact Jane. She slapped my face last time. That’s a pretty conclusive statement, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway, I’m not ready for a relationship and all the concomitant pain that comes with it.”
“對不起，約翰，我得練籃球，”我回答道，“我愚蠢的自負和男人的驕傲不允許我跟簡聯(lián)系，要知道她上次打了我一計耳光。那算是一切結(jié)束的表示吧，你覺得呢?不管怎樣，我不準備戀愛了，也受不了一切隨之而來的痛苦。”
“Your conception of a relationship is a bit warped.” John whispered back. “All that’s required is a concerted effort between two people. Perhaps you should be more concise when you talk to Jane about your feelings.”
“你對戀愛的認識有點偏激。”約翰低聲回答到，“只要兩個人共同努力就行了。也許你跟簡傾訴感情時應(yīng)該更簡明扼要些。”
“Enough! I concede!” I replied with a grin. “I’ll invite your sister to the concert. But I’m going to need your help to concoct a story that will help me save face!”
“夠了!我讓步!我笑著回答，“我將邀請你妹妹去聽音樂會。但你得幫我編造個故事，好給我留點臉面!”
Words:
compute vt. 計算
concave adj. 凹的
conceal vt. 隱藏，隱瞞
concede v. (不情愿地)承認;讓步;承認失敗
conceit n. 自負，自高自大
conceive vt. 構(gòu)思，設(shè)想
concentric adj. 同心的
concept n. 概念，觀念
conception n. 概念，認識
conceptual adj. 概念上的
concert n. 音樂會;一致，一起
concerted adj. 商議好的，協(xié)定的
concerto n. 協(xié)奏曲
conciliatory adj. 調(diào)和的，撫慰的
concise adj. 簡潔的，簡明的
conclude v. 推斷;做出結(jié)論;vi.結(jié)束
conclusive adj. 決定性的;最后的
concoct v. 調(diào)制;編造，虛構(gòu)
concomitant adj. 伴隨而來的
concord n. 和睦
