胡敏讀故事記托福詞匯069：多面性格 A Multi-dimensional Personality
“He looks very dignified in that business suit,” said Mary, as her eyes wandered in the man’s direction. “In fact, he would dignify just about anything he chooses to wear. Dignity like that can only come from a good background and superior training.”
“穿著那套西裝，他看上去很高貴。”瑪麗說著，她迷離的目光轉向了那個男人。“事實上，他無論穿什么，都能顯出高貴。這種高貴只能來自良好的出身和高級的培養(yǎng)。”
“What are you talking about?” said John. “We were having an important discussion about diplomacy and the next thing I know, you’re talking about that diplomatic courier in the dingy suit over there.”
“你在說什么?”約翰問，“我們剛剛還在進行一個有關外交工作的重要討論，可你現(xiàn)在又在談論那邊衣著邋遢的外交信使了。”
“Please pardon my digression,” said Mary. “I didn’t mean to diminish the importance of our conversation. I usually become digressive when I am exhausted or bored. Sometimes, I feel I need to dilate my pupils to remain attentive. Could it be the carbon dioxide in my respiratory system?”
“請原諒我離題了，”瑪麗說，“我并不想貶低我們談話的重要性。通常我疲憊厭倦時，就會離題。有時，我覺得需要擴大瞳孔才能精神集中。是不是因為我呼吸系統(tǒng)中的二氧化碳在作怪?”
“No,” John said, “but perhaps you should dilute your alcoholic drinks with water. It’s hard to be a diligent listener when you’re drunk.”
“不會，”約翰說，“但也許你該在你含酒精的飲料中加水稀釋后再喝，喝醉了酒就很難再當盡職的聽眾了。”
“I try to listen diligently,” replied Mary. “Don’t you see? That is my dilemma. If I don’t think alcohol, I tend to wander off the subject. Sometimes, I feel I’m wandering off into another dimension, especially with the dim lights in this place.”
“我在努力盡職地聽，”瑪麗回答，“你沒看見嗎?這就是我的困境。如果我不喝酒，我會難以忍受此類無聊的討論。如果我喝了酒，我往往會走神跑題。有時，尤其是置身于這里暗淡的燈光中，我感覺我在游離主題進入另一個范圍。”
“If I had a dime for every time you’ve wandered off the subject, I’d be a wealthy man!” said John. “Perhaps you’d be more serious about this job if you weren’t such a dilettante. It’s a good thing for you that you have a multi-dimensional personality.”
“如果你每次思想開小差，我提醒你都能掙一角錢的話，我很快會成為富翁的。”約翰說，“如果你不是個業(yè)余愛好者，也許對此工作你會更認真些。你的性格具有多面性，真是太好了。”
Words:
dignified adj. 有尊嚴的，莊嚴的，高貴的
dignify vt. 使尊榮，使顯貴
dignity n. 尊嚴，高貴
digression n. 離題，扯到枝節(jié)上
dilate vt. 使膨脹，使擴大
dilemma n. 困境，進退兩難
dilettante n. 業(yè)余愛好者
diligent adj. 勤勉的，勤奮的
diligently adv. 勤勉地，盡職地，小心翼翼地
dilute vt. 稀釋，淡化
dim adj. 暗淡的，模糊的
dime n. (美)一角硬幣
dimension n. 尺寸，長度，寬度，深度;面積，大小;范圍，重要性
dimensional adj. 尺寸的;(用以構成復合詞)。。。維
diminish v. (使)減少，(使)變小;減低(某人/物)重要性，貶低
dingy adj. 骯臟的;顏色發(fā)暗的，無光澤的
dioxide n. 二氧化碳
diplomacy n. 外交，交際手腕
diplomatic adj. 外交的;老練的
