胡敏读故事记单词托福词汇051（在线收听）

Lesson 51 At the Convention 在会上

Words:

contrary adj. 相反的，对抗的

contrast vt. 对照之后的悬殊差别/对比，对照

contravene v. 违反，抵触

contrite adj. 悔悟的，悔罪的，痛悔的

contrive vt. 设计，发明；设法

controversial adj. 引起或可能引起争论的

controversy n. 争论，辩论

convention n. 会议，传统

conventional adj. 传统的，习俗的

converge vi. 聚合，集中于一点，会聚

conversant adj. 亲近的，熟悉的

conversation n. 会话，非正式会谈

converse vi. 谈话，交谈

conversion n. 转变；改变信仰

convert vt. 转换；转变信仰

converter n. 炼钢用的转炉；转换器

convex adj. 凸出的

convict vt. 证明。。。有罪，宣判。。。有罪

conviction n. 确信，深信，坚信

convincing adj. 令人信服的，有说服力的

“Tom, are you enjoying the automobile convention?” I asked. Tom did not answer. He was too busy conversing with the pretty salesgirl sitting next to him. “I hate to break up your conversation, Tom, but I really need your help. I’m not conversant with the theory behind this new fuel converter. What causes the conversion and why does it have a convex casing?”

“I’m not sure how it converts fuel to energy,” Tom replied with a contrite smile. “But their salesgirls are very convincing.” Tom returned his attention to the attractive young salesgirl.

Contrary to popular belief, attending an automobile convention is hard work. I say this with conviction. In contrast with Tom’s goals of socializing, I contrive to learn new and complex things. Some of the brightest inventors converge at these automobile conventions. I enjoy listening to them discuss the latest controversies. I love it when they argue about how to replace conventional technology. I’ve heard some convincing arguments in favor of converting to electric cars. However, it is still a controversial issue. One thing is for true. We will not be seeing any electric can in our lifetime.

“Hey, Tom,” I whispered, rather harshly. “Come on. You’re 75 years old and you can barely walk. She’s only 20. You conduct contravenes the rules of etiquette!”

“I don’t care!” He snapped back in a shaky voice. “Convict me if you want, but I’m only guilty of true love.” The salesgirl smiled politely.

“Oh, no, not again!” I said, shaking my head with a smile.

“汤姆，这次汽车会议感觉怎么样？”我问道。汤姆没有回答。他正忙着与坐在身边的那位漂亮的金发女推销员交谈。“我不愿打扰你们的谈话，汤姆，但我的确需要你的帮助。关于这个新型燃料转换器的工作原理我不太熟悉，是什么引起的转变？它为什么有个凸起的外壳呢？”

“我不太清楚它是如何把燃料转变成能的。”汤姆回答道，脸上露出歉疚的笑容。“但他们的女推销员是令人信服的。”说完，他的注意力又回到那个迷人的女推销员身上去了。

与普通人的想法相反，参加汽车会议对我来说是件艰苦的工作。这一点我确信不疑。汤姆来的目的是社交。相比之下，我想设法学些新鲜、复杂一点的东西。这些汽车会议云集了一些最优秀的发明家。我喜欢听他们讨论最近引起争议的问题。他们关于如何取代传统技术的争论的争论我更是津津有味。我还听见了赞成转变为电力汽车的很有说服力的论点。但是我电力汽车仍然是一个有争议的话题。有一件事是肯定的——我们在有生之年是看不到电力汽车了。

“嗨，汤姆，”我压低声音很严肃的说，“算了吧，你都75岁了，老的快走不动了。她才刚刚20岁。你的行为不合道德规范。”

“我不管！”他反驳道，声音有些颤抖。“如果想判我有罪，你只管判好了。但我只会因真爱而判有罪。”听了这话，女推销员彬彬有礼地报以微笑。

“噢，别再这样了！”我边说边笑着摇了摇头。