英文短篇故事（纽约）445 The World's Greatest Invention

 　　The teacher asked his twelfth-grade students to name the most important invention. Among other things, they named the Internet, computers, smart phones, bicycles, and light bulbs. They named fishhooks, sewing machines, clocks, electric guitars, cat litter, and indoor plumbing¹. He asked, "Now, which is most important to you?" They voted. Smart phones were most important. He said, "Okay. I want all of you to promise me one thing. Promise not to use any bathrooms or water fountains² for the next 24 hours. If you need a drink of water, go to the river. If you need to wash or bathe, go to the river. If you need to go to the bathroom, go to the river." The students groaned³. The teacher asked, "Shall we vote again?" Peter said, "No. We got it. Indoor plumbing isn't sexy, but it's better than all the other inventions combined." The others murmured and nodded.

1 plumbing   

n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究

参考例句：

• She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche. 她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。
• They're going to have to put in new plumbing. 他们将需要安装新的水管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 fountains   

n.喷水( fountain的名词复数 )；喷泉；来源；人工喷泉

参考例句：

• 'I go through no streets and past no fountains. “我不从街上走，也不从泉水过。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
• The fountains in the park play on Sundays. 公园里的喷泉星期天才喷水。 来自辞典例句

3 groaned   

v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦

参考例句：

• He groaned in anguish. 他痛苦地呻吟。
• The cart groaned under the weight of the piano. 大车在钢琴的重压下嘎吱作响。 来自《简明英汉词典》