The Goose

    The pure white feathers of a goose put even the newly-fallen snow to blush．Proud of this dazzling gift of nature，she considered herself intended for a swan，rather than for that which she was．Accordingly，separating herself from her companions，she swam，solitarily and majestically，round the pond．She now stretched her neck，the treacherous¹ shortness of which she endeavoured to obviate² with all her might．Then she tried to give it the graceful³ bend，which designates the beautiful swan the bird of Apollo．But in vain，it was toostiff，and with all her pains，she remained a ridiculous goose，without inspiring a single beholder⁴ with the least idea of her resemblance to a swan．How many geese are there，without wings，who，for similar as-sumption，become laughing-stocks to their neighbours！
    Exercises：
    判断对（T）、错（F）：
    ① The goose became so proud because of her feathers．② She wanted to be a swan，rather than to be that which she was．③ At last she succeeded through her great efforts．④ She became a laughing-stock to her neighbours．

1 treacherous   

adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的

参考例句：

• The surface water made the road treacherous for drivers.路面的积水对驾车者构成危险。
• The frozen snow was treacherous to walk on.在冻雪上行走有潜在危险。

2 obviate   

v.除去，排除，避免，预防

参考例句：

• Improved public transportation would obviate the need tor everyone to have their own car.公共交通的改善消除了每人都要有车的必要性。
• This deferral would obviate pressure on the rouble exchange rate.这一延期将消除卢布汇率面临的压力。

3 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

4 beholder   

n.观看者，旁观者

参考例句：

• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 看起来觉得美就是美。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet. 有人说艺术是一种幽会，因为艺术家和欣赏者可在幽会的乐趣中相遇在一起。 来自《简明英汉词典》