新视野大学英语 读写教程第二册 unit6-b

Section B

Judge by Appearances

A standard criticism of sociological research is that it goes to great lengths to prove what most people with common sense already know. Without exactly taking sides for or against that criticism, I want to describe a sociological exercise that might seem to validate³ it — except that, for me and a classmate (and maybe for some who read this account), the experience made a common claim come alive.
During spring break from a local college, my friend and I went downtown to shop. First, however, we made ourselves virtually unrecognizable to our friends and even to our families. We wore clothing slightly inappropriate for the weather, clean but not ironed, clearly not the styles worn by most visitors to the area. We carried plastic bags of nameless possessions. Both of us were slightly untidy. My friend wore a faded cotton shirt over a T-shirt and a wrinkled skirt over sweat pants. I wore a wool hat that concealed⁵ my hair and an unfashionable coat and glasses with sun shades that clipped on.
The aim was to look like street people and to observe what difference that made in the way other people responded to us — whether the appearance of poverty would invite prejudice on us. We were also prepared to act out some mildly unusual behavior that might speak of some emotional problems, without appearing seriously disturbed or dangerous. As it turned out, there was no need for dramatics; people turned us off or tuned⁷ us out on the basis of appearance alone.
Our first stop (after parking our cars near the railroad tracks) was in the bargain store of a local charity, where we politely asked access to a bathroom and were refused. Next we entered the lobby of a large hotel, where we asked for a coffee shop and a bathroom. The door man said, "You must go to the twentieth floor." We weren't up to trying our act at an exclusive restaurant, so we wandered around the first floor and left. From there we went to a second-hand⁸ shop, where we more or less blended with the customers, and then on to the upper-scale stores and coffee shops during the lunch hour.
It was prejudice time. Some of the children we encountered stared, pointed⁹, and laughed; adults gave us long, doubting looks. Clerks in stores followed our track to watch our every move. In a lunchroom a second assistant hurried to the side of the cashier, where they took my $2 check without asking for ID; it seemed worth that price to have us out the door. At one doorway¹⁰ a clerk physically¹¹ blocked the entrance apparently¹² to discourage our entry.
We had money to cover small purchases, and, apart from wearing down-scale clothing, we did nothing in any of these settings to draw attention to ourselves; we merely shopped quietly in our accustomed manner. At one establishment we did blow our cover when we ordered French rolls with two special coffees; that may have been too far out of character for "bag ladies". Elsewhere we encountered ribbing, imitating, lack of trust, and rude stares.
So what did we learn? Mostly what we expected, what everybody knows: people judge by appearances. Just looking poor brings with it prejudice, accompanied by removal of much of the social grace most of us take for granted. Lacking the culturally acceptable symbols of belonging in this setting, we became, to a degree, objects, with less inherent dignity as persons.
There was, however, one surprise — more accurately¹³, a shock. It became clear most strongly at the shop I mentioned earlier, the one where a clerk conspicuously¹⁴ positioned herself in the entrance on seeing us. I had just noticed the place and had turned to my companion, saying, "I've never seen this store. Let's go in." She looked at me with alarm: "You're not really going there, are you?"
I knew what she meant and shared her feeling. The place felt out of bounds for us. In a very few hours, we found ourselves accepting and internalizing the superficial and prejudiced judgments¹⁵ of ourselves that prevailed among the people we met; we catalogued ourselves. Undoubtedly¹⁶, it's a good lesson to learn, maybe especially for sociologists.
Words: 703

NEW WORDS

▲sociology
n. [U] scientific study of the nature and development of society 社会学

sociological
a. of sociology 社会学的，有关社会学的

sociologist¹⁷
n. [C] a student or expert in sociology 研究社会学的人，社会学家

valid²
a. 1. (of views or reasons, etc.) well based （指证明、理由）有充分根据的，合情合理的，健全的
2. lawfully¹⁸ effective 有效的，具有法律效力的

validate
vt. make sth. well based 证实

virtually
ad. in every important respect; almost 实际上，事实上，实质上；几乎

tidy
a. arranged in order 整洁的，整齐的
v. make sb./sth./oneself tidy （使）整洁，（使）整齐

untidy
a. not tidy 不整洁的，邋遢的，凌乱的，混乱的

▲wrinkle
v. (cause sth.) to form small lines （使）起皱纹
n. [C] a small line in the skin, esp. one of those on the face that are caused by age 皱纹

sweat
n. [U] natural liquid which comes through the skin when one is hot, ill, afraid, working hard, etc. 汗
vi. produce sweat, when hot, ill, afraid, or working hard 出汗，流汗

pants
n. 1. (pl.) 长裤，（宽松的）便裤
2. 内裤

wool
n. 1. [U] fine soft hair that forms the coats of sheep and goats 羊毛
2. [U] thread or cloth made from this 毛线，毛料

conceal⁴
vt. keep sth./sb. from being seen or known about; hide sth./sb. 隐藏，隐蔽，隐瞒

▲clip
vt. 1. hold sth. together with devices 别在……上，夹住
2. cut sth. with scissors or some sharp tool to make it tidier 剪短，修剪
n. [C] a small metal or plastic object used for tying things together or holding them in position 夹子，别针

poverty
n. [U] state of being poor 贫穷，贫困

mild
a. 1. not deeply felt or seriously intended 轻微的，不严重的
2. (of a person or his manner) gentle; soft （指人或其举止）温和的，温柔的，和善的

mildly
ad. 1. slightly, not deeply or seriously 轻微地
2. in a gentle manner 温和地

emotional
a. 1. of the strong feelings of any kind 情感的，情绪的，感情的
2. causing or showing strong feelings 引发或表现强烈感情的

railroad
n. [C] railway 铁路

charity
n. 1. [C] a society or organization for helping¹⁹ people 慈善机构
2. [U] (generosity in) giving money, food, help, etc. to the people who are in need; help given in this way （慷慨）施舍；捐助，救济款

exclusive
a. 1. (of a high-class shop, goods sold in it, etc.) not found elsewhere; reserved for the rich 奢华的，高级的
2. limited to only one person or group of people 专一的，惟一的，独用的
n. [C] a story which is printed in one newspaper or magazine and no others 独家新闻，独家专文

wander
vi. 1. move around in an area or go from place to place without any special purpose 漫游，漫步，闲逛
2. (of a person or an animal) leave the right place or way（指人或动物）离群，迷失方向

blend
v. mix or combine together （使）混和，（使）混杂，（使）交融
n. [C] a combination of different kinds 混合物

scale
n. 1. [C] a method of dividing people based on how big, important, rich, etc. they are 等级，级别
2. [U, C] relative size, extent, etc. 规模，大小

upper-scale
a. high-class 上流的，高档的

down-scale
a. low-class 下等的，低档的

ID
n. [U] identification, way of proving who one is; official papers that do this 身份证明，证明身份的证件

▲identification
n. [U] the act of proving or showing the identity of sb. or sth. 鉴定，验明，认出

discourage
vt. 1. try to stop; persuade sb. not to do sth. 设法阻止，劝阻
2. make sb. feel less confident or less willing to do sth. 使泄气，使不想干

entry
n. 1. [C] the act of coming or going in 进入，入场
2. [C] a person or thing taking part in a race or competition 参加比赛的人或物

rib¹
vt. make fun of (sb.) in a friendly way 开玩笑，取笑

imitate
vt. 1. copy the speech, actions, dress, etc. of sb.; take or follow as an example 模仿，效仿
2. produce a copy of the real thing 仿制，仿造

rude
a. 1. (of a person or his manner) showing no respect; impolite （指人或其行为）无礼的，不礼貌的，粗野的
2. simple or simply made 简陋的，欠加工的

accompany
vt. 1. happen with sth. 伴随，和……一起发生
2. walk or travel with sb. 伴随，陪伴，陪同

grace
n. 1. (pl.) pleasing act or manner 风度
2. [U] quality of simple elegant beauty (esp. in smoothly²⁰ controlled movement) 优美，优雅
vt. give honor to sb./sth. 给……增光

symbol
n. 1. [C] an object that represents sth. because it is connected with it in a lot of people's minds 代表物，象征物
2. [C] an image, object, etc. that suggests or refers to sth. else 象征，标志
3. [C] a mark or sign with a particular meaning 记号，符号

▲ inherent
a. existing as a natural or born quality of sb./sth. 固有的，与生俱来的

▲dignity
n. 1. [U] calm or serious manner or style 尊严，端庄
2. [U] the sense that you have of your own importance and value 自尊感，自我价值感

accurate
a. exactly correct 确切的，精确的

accurately
ad. exactly, correctly 精确地，准确地

▲conspicuous
a. easily seen; noticeable 显而易见的，引人注目的，显著的

conspicuously
ad. noticeably 显著地，显眼地

bound
n. 1. (usu. pl.) limits 边界，界限，边区
2. [C] a quick large jump 跳跃，跳跃向前
a. certain, very likely 一定……，必定……
vi. jump or run with jumping movements 跳，跃

internal
a. 1. of or on the inside 内部的，在内部的
2. of political, economic, etc. affairs within a country, rather than abroad 国内的，内政的
3. of the mind 内心的

internalize
vt. accept as your own, so that it becomes a natural and important part of your character 使内在化

superficial
a. 1. not deep 肤浅的，浅薄的
2. of or on the surface only 表面的，表面上的

prevail
vi. 1. exist or happen generally 盛行，流行
2. fight successfully (against sb./sth.) 获胜，战胜，胜（过）

catalogue (catalog)
vt. list (sth./sb.) in a special order 把……编入目录，为……编目录
n. [C] (book having a) complete list of items, usu. in a special order and with a description of each 目录
undoubtedly
ad. without doubt 确实地，无疑地

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

go to great lengths to do
make a great deal of effort to do 竭尽全力去做

be inappropriate for
not suitable for; not right and proper for 不适当的，不合适的

act sth. out
1. express (thoughts, unconscious fears, etc.) in actions and behavior rather than in words 实行，（把想法等）付诸行动
2. act a part, usu. in a real-life situation and for some purpose （通常在真实生活中为某种目的）表现，扮演

speak of sth.
suggest sth. 表明，暗示

turn out
prove to be; come to be known 证实是，原来是

turn sb. off
drive sb./sth. away (from a place) （从……）撵走，逐走（某人或某物）

tune⁶ out
ignore, stop listening or paying attention to 不理会, 不理睬

up to sth.
capable of sth. 能做，胜任

more or less
almost 几乎，差不多

follow one's track
be after sb./sth.跟着

apart from
except for 除开，撇开，除……以外

blow one's cover
reveal 泄露，暴露

out of character
not representative of a person's character 不合……个性的

turn to sb.
face sb. 转向（某人），扭向（某人）

1 rib   

n.肋骨，肋状物

参考例句：

• He broke a rib when he fell off his horse.他从马上摔下来折断了一根肋骨。
• He has broken a rib and the doctor has strapped it up.他断了一根肋骨，医生已包扎好了。

2 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？

3 validate   

vt.（法律）使有效，使生效

参考例句：

• You need an official signature to validate the order.你要有正式的签字，这张汇票才能生效。
• In order to validate the agreement,both parties sign it.为使协议有效，双方在上面签了字。

4 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

5 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

6 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

7 tuned   

adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• The resort is tuned in to the tastes of young and old alike. 这个度假胜地适合各种口味，老少皆宜。
• The instruments should be tuned up before each performance. 每次演出开始前都应将乐器调好音。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 second-hand   

adj.用过的，旧的，二手的

参考例句：

• I got this book by chance at a second-hand bookshop.我赶巧在一家旧书店里买到这本书。
• They will put all these second-hand goods up for sale.他们将把这些旧货全部公开出售。

9 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

10 doorway   

n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径

参考例句：

• They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
• Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。

11 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

12 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

13 accurately   

adv.准确地，精确地

参考例句：

• It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
• Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。

14 conspicuously   

ad.明显地，惹人注目地

参考例句：

• France remained a conspicuously uneasy country. 法国依然是个明显不太平的国家。
• She figured conspicuously in the public debate on the issue. 她在该问题的公开辩论中很引人注目。

15 judgments   

判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判

参考例句：

• A peculiar austerity marked his judgments of modern life. 他对现代生活的批评带着一种特殊的苛刻。
• He is swift with his judgments. 他判断迅速。

16 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

17 sociologist   

n.研究社会学的人，社会学家

参考例句：

• His mother was a sociologist,researching socialism.他的母亲是个社会学家，研究社会主义。
• Max Weber is a great and outstanding sociologist.马克斯·韦伯是一位伟大的、杰出的社会学家。

18 lawfully   

adv.守法地，合法地；合理地

参考例句：

• Lawfully established contracts shall be protected by law. 依法成立的合同应受法律保护。 来自口语例句
• As my lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, till death parts us. 当成是我的合法丈夫，无论疾病灾难，直到死亡把我们分开。 来自电影对白

19 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

20 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。