常春藤生活英语【97】最牛中国

New things are happening in China as it moves into the future. This month, National Geographic¹ Channel will report on some interesting stories of change.

For a long time, Japan has been in the lead in making eco-2cars. Now, China wants to try, too. Instead of developing expensive new technology3, though, China is trying to produce eco-cars by using parts that are already available. So far, it is working, and The Eco-car Challenge will show you how.

In a place where the old and new are mixed together, life can be tricky². Some parents in China are now worried because their only child4 is around the age that is considered suitable for marriage. With the need for security5 in their old age, parents want their only child to marry well. Therefore, in an effort to help their children out, parents are trying to be matchmakers6. The children, however, are not always happy about this. Watch Match-making Parents to see how hard these parents are working just for a wedding.

For more news on China, watch NGC's Shanghai Bus Terminal7. You will find out how something as simple as riding a bus can get very complicated⁵ during the Chinese New Year.

在中国迈向未来的同时，新鲜事正在当地发生。本月份，国家地理频道将报导一些有趣的改变。

长久以来，日本在制造环保汽车方面一直领先群雄。如今中国也想试试身手。不过中国是尝试用现有的零件来制造环保汽车，以代替研发昂贵的新科技。到目前为止这个方法还算行得通，《绿色上路》将为您呈现这是如何办到的。

在一个新旧交融的地方，日子可能不单纯。中国的一些父母现在正因他们接近适婚年龄的独生子女而担心不已。为了他们老年生活所需的保障，父母想要他们的独生子女有段好姻缘。因此，为了帮他们的孩子一把，父母们正试着做媒人。不过孩子们可不一定欣然接受。请收看《小皇帝与独苗苗的终生大事》，看看这些父母为了一场婚礼是多么劳心费力。

想要知道更多中国的新情报，请收看国家地理频道的《巴士站人生》。您将发现像搭公交车般简单的事，在农历新年期间会变得多么地错综复杂。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. tricky　a. 棘手的；困难的
Fixing your computer is a tricky task.
修理你的计算机是个困难的任务。
2. complicated　a. 复杂的
This novel is too complicated for me.
这本小说对我来说太复杂了。

Phrases for Learning⁶

1. be in the lead　　居领先地位
Our product is in the lead in this industry.
我们的产品在这个业界傲视群雄。
2. so far　　到某一点∕程度∕距离为止
So far, no one has broken Jon's record.
截至目前还没人能破阿强的纪录。
3. in an effort to + 原形动词　　为了完成∕达成……
Greg has gone on a diet in an effort to lose some weight.
葛瑞为了减重而展开节食。
4. help + 人 + out　　帮某人一把；分担某人的工作
Can you help me out with the housework?
你可以帮我分担家务吗？

Extra Words

1. advancing　a. 前进的，进步的
2. eco-　prefix⁷ 与环境相关的，生态的
3. technology　n. 科技
4. only child　n. 独生子∕女
5. security³　n. 保障
6. matchmaker　n. 媒人
7. terminal⁴　n.（飞机、公交车等的）终点站

Grammar Check

You will find out how something as simple as riding a bus...
（您将发现像搭公交车般简单的事……）
本句中的"as...as..."为原级比较句构。"as...as..."可用于肯定句或否定句中，而"so...as..."则只用于否定句中。
Adam is so smart as Max. (×)
→ Adam is as smart as Max. (○)
（亚当和麦斯一样聪明。）
Angel doesn't work as hard as I.
＝ Angel doesn't work so hard as I.
（安琪工作没我认真。）

1 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

2 tricky   

adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的

参考例句：

• I'm in a rather tricky position.Can you help me out?我的处境很棘手，你能帮我吗？
• He avoided this tricky question and talked in generalities.他回避了这个非常微妙的问题，只做了个笼统的表述。

3 security   

n.安全，安全感；防护措施；保证(金)，抵押(品)；债券，证券

参考例句：

• A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
• There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时，机场的保安措施很严密。

4 terminal   

n.终端机，终点，末端；adj.终点的，按期的，致死的

参考例句：

• The car has reached its terminal speed and can run faster no longer.这辆车的速度已达到了极限，不能再跑更快了。
• There's a taxi stand outside the terminal.在终点站的外面有出租车。

5 complicated   

adj.错综复杂的，麻烦的，结构复杂的

参考例句：

• The poem is so complicated that I cannot make out its meaning.这首诗太复杂，我理解不了它的意思。
• This is the most complicated case I have ever handled.这是我所处理过的最为复杂的案子。

6 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

7 prefix   

n.前缀；vt.加…作为前缀；置于前面

参考例句：

• We prefix "Mr."to a man's name.我们在男士的姓名前加“先生”。
• In the word "unimportant ","un-" is a prefix.在单词“unimportant”中“un”是前缀。