新编大学英语综合教程4课后翻译

第一篇：新编大学英语综合教程4课后翻译

Unit 1

child.(活泼的举止是正常的)

John, but he can’t afford one.(速度快的车对······有吸引力)

3.Dave required a lot of time to study the 多种多样的论据)and she explained the project to me again.(我要求我的上司为我解释清楚)

5.Photographic film is very(对光很敏感)

6.can be a great help, especially in the early days.(互相鼓励)7.Jimmy cried when people(拿他开玩笑)

8.John won’t give up.He 坚持他的观点)

9.Ted always wants(成为注意的焦点)

10.Is it cheaper if 我们提前买票)Unit2 1.However,(这种搜索引擎的主要缺陷)is its tendency to include too much information.2.她从不吝惜自己的时间)—always ready to help other people.3.you may have known someone else for thancasual acquaintances(他们永远只是泛泛之交).4.(他怀疑这车不是他的)because everyone knew she had no money.5.It’s impossible to forget such horrific events — they will remain in the 它们会永远留在记忆中).6.In a world too often filled with(在这样一个常常充满各种不确定性的世界上), it is nice to have a safety net, something you can rely on.7.The earthquake happened(比该研究小组的预报提前了一年), but earthquakes are usually difficult to predict.8.I don’t mind being awakened once or twice in the middle of the night by my roommate habit of it(只要她不养成习惯).Unit3

1.Their study shows that sports skills over into personal life(可以运用到个人生活中).(更多地叫男生回答问题), because they tend to be the ones having trouble staying on task.put away(把要洗的衣服放好)before it was time to do the next batch.4.After her time in hospital, Jenny’s parents are afraid she has fallen behind academically(在学业上落后了).5.People are wondering over(谁会接班)when the old president dies.Unit4

这工作都得由他来完成)no matter how long it takes.2.(我们决定为买新车而放弃旅行), though it

was really hard for us to make the decision.3.He tried not to 让他的妻子参与公司的管理工作), because in most cases the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.(对未来几代人都是及其重要的)that open spaces and parklands are protected and maintained to a high standard to keep the city increasingly attractive.5.We have reached the agreement at the 解决这个问题的关键是更好的策划)

6.I propose(继续深入讨论这个问题)by considering critically the four theories well-known in this area.7.(这房子是完全新颖的设计)---neither the interior nor the exterior was copies of any existing buildings of the kind.8.Through all his life he has made efforts 增进两国间的相互了解).Unit5

1.One of the reasons they became good friends(他们成为好朋友的其中一个理由)was that they enjoyed the same sports and music.2.We will learn by our own experience what is best, and 不是靠重复别人的足迹).3.He will play in two tournaments in Japan, 这意味着他将错过世界杯)in his home country.是否表白自己很想他还是继续保持沉默).She had to think about her relationship again.5.Her mind was soothed by memories of her dad and of the days when she was a little girl(她还是个小女孩时同父亲一起住在乡下的日子).6.No matter how insignificant the findings 无论调查结果在当时是多么没有意义), it is important to record all of them properly.总是

受到父母的批评)can seriously hurt the children

and won’t reinforce what the parents try to teach.8.The danger of going too far(做过头的危险)was always present because he was talking too much.But he couldn’t help it.Unit6

(凭借他的记忆力好)and the many exams he had passed.2.She favors a bit of adventure as well as a certain degree of self-government children’s education is concerned(当涉及到她孩子的教育时).3.Most people who are sick with AIDS want to stay at home, rather than spend time unnecessarily in hospital(而不愿意毫无必要地呆在医院里).4.What if I choose to give small amounts of money regularly over a period of time(在一段时间内定期给少量的钱)instead of donating a large sum once for all?

5.I am afraid, Mr.Peterson, the answer is that(答案是这样的)we have to be more efficient than our European competitors.6.The museum 并不打算只关注现代艺术的某个具体方面), but prefers to offer material for the public to study and compare.7.She had decided not to go for a drive on such a windy day 即便能搞到一辆车).你已经同过去一刀两断，并已经开始全新的生活这一事实).Unit 7

1.Drops executed in the first two weeks of the course will leave no records on students’ transcript(在学生的成绩单上不会留下记录),but a drop executed during the third through eighth week will result in a grade of W(withdrawal).2.We often heard of stories about some people who could still think calmly and creativelywhen facing difficulties(当面临困难的时候).3.You should be aware that applications won’t be accepted if they’rebeyond the deadline(过了截止时间).4.The manager was so angry that hetossed the report on the desk(猛地把报告扔在桌子上)and shouted at Sam, “Get out!I don’t want to see you again!”

5.You must start bygetting rid of all the bad habits(改掉所有的坏习惯)your previous piano teacher taught you!

6.Some trees have grown too high and deprived the house of light(挡住了房中的光线).7.What would be the first word that would pop into your mind(跃入你的脑海)when you see Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh？ 8.Living on his own on the campus, he has learned tobudget his time(安排好时间).9.These detailswere supposed to be secrets(本应是机密),but were somehow leaked out.10.This is a reminder that proposals for state research fundingare due this Friday(本周五截止)

第二篇：大学体验英语综合教程4课后翻译完整版

第四册翻译

第一单元

1.随着职务的提升，他担负的责任也更大了。

With his promotion, he has taken on greater responsibilities.2.他感到他再没有必要对约翰承担这样的责任。

He felt he did not have to make such a commitment to John any more.3.闲暇时玛丽喜欢外出购物，与她相反，露茜却喜欢呆在家里看书。

Mary likes to go shopping in her spare time, as opposed to/while Lucy, who prefers to stay at home reading.4.充其量可以说他有抱负，用最糟糕的话来说，他是一个没有良心(conscience)或没有资格的权力追求者。

At best he’s ambitious, at worst a power-seeker without conscience or qualifications.5.我们已尽全力说服他，但是却毫无进展。

We have striven to be full to convince him, but we have made no headway.1.因特网的普及给人们提供了迅速、方便地获取信息的机会。

The popularity of Internet provides people with quick and convenient access to information.2.既然他不同意这个计划，再考虑此事就没有多大意义。

Since he doesn’t agree to this plan, there is not much point in thinking about it anymore.3.我本人没有看过这部影片，不过它应该是一部很好的片子。

I haven’t seen it myself, but it is supposed to be a very good film.4.如果你不努力，终将一事无成。

If you don’t work hard, you’ll end up nowhere.5.美国有义务首先采取行动禁止核武器。

It’s up to the United States to take the initiative in banning nuclear weapons.第二单元

1.要是他适合当校长，那么哪个学生都可以当。

He is no more fit to be a headmaster than any schoolboy would be.2.至于她的父亲，她不敢肯定是否会接收她和他的小孩。

As for her father, she is not sure whether he will accept her and her baby.3.晚睡会损害健康而早睡早起有益于健康。

Staying up late will undermine one’s health while going to bed early and getting up early will benefit it.4.大使亲自向总理转达了总统的问候。

The ambassador personally conveyed the president’s message to the premier.5.这个女孩决定敞开心扉，把她看见的一切都告诉警方。

The girl decided to open up and tell the police what she had seen.1.过量的运动对身体健康弊多利少，所以我们必须控制运动量。

Excessive exercises do more harm than good to one’s health.Therefore, we must control the amount of exercise we do.2.他几次试图加入他们的谈话，但都由于胆小而放弃了。

He made a few attempts to join in their conversation, but he gave up out of timidness.3.就方便快捷而言，火车无法与飞机竞争。

Traims cannot compete with planes in terms of convenience and speed.4.就中美文化作一对比会有助于你尽快明白和适应在美国的学习环境。

Making a comparison between Chinese and American cultures will help you to understand and adapt to your study environment in the US.5.在公共汽车上年轻人给老弱病残让座是中国人的传统美德。

It is a traditional Chinese virtue for the young on the buses to yield their seats to the old, the weak, the sick and the disabled.第三单元

1.他理个发就要收500元，简直不可思议。

It is simply unbelievable for him to charge 500 dollars for a haircut.2.人民赋予你特权，你就应该全心全意为人民服务。

People grant you the privilege, so you should serve the people wholeheartedly.3.天气预报很重要，依据它我们才能决定什么时候出航。

The weather forecast is very important so that we can decide when to go to sea.4.炮声打破了往常周日早晨的宁静，人们强烈预感到战争就要来临。

The sound of guns violated the usual calm of Sunday morning, and people had a strong feeling that the war was coming.5.即使你每分钟看3页，到本周末你无论如何也看不完这本书。

Even though you read three pages per minute, you will by no means finish the book by the end of this weekend.1.他无需认真考虑就可轻易击败对手。

He can beat his opponent easily without giving a second thought.2.在根本不懂得驾驶的情况下，他居然把车开上了公路。

With little or no knowledge of driving, he drove the car onto the road.3.对这座桥梁的施工未经许可进行更改是违法的。

It is illegal to make an unauthorized change in the construction of the bridge.4.我会平静地接受这个事实，因为我知道如果我完不成任务，全队就有可能面临失败。I could accept this fact calmly because I knew if I weren't able to finish the mission, chances were that the team would be defeated.5.偏远山区里的孩子们严重缺乏科学文化知识。

Children in remote mountain areas are lacking in scientific and cultural knowledge.第四单元

1.我爷爷虽然70岁了，但他的爱好广泛，从下国际象棋到爬山，多种多样。

My grandfather's interests range from playing chess to climbing mountains although he is 70 years.2.真奇怪，汤姆的奶奶都80岁了还玩玩具娃娃。

Surprisingly, Tom's grandmother plays with dolls at the age of 80.3.他大功无私的精神和天赋使他适合担当大多数学生梦想得到的那项工作。

His selflessness and talent qualify him for the job most students dream to get.4.你如何解释他的那个怪梦？

What interpretation would you put on his odd /strange dream?

5.我们老板刚买的新轿车一小时能行驶200公里。(be capable of)

The brand-new car our boss has just bought is capable of making 200 kilometers an hour.1.在董事会议上他建议把这项轻松的工作留给身体不好的玛丽来做。(leave to)

He suggested at the board meeting that the easy task(should)be left to Mary whose health is poor.2.目前正在香港的布朗先生很有教学经验，他将在春天来我校给学生上课。(who)

Mr.Brown, who is in Hong Kong now, has a lot of teaching experience and will come to teach our students in the spring.3.这家旅馆是我市最好的旅馆，吃的东西很好，服务质量也不错。（be true of）

This is the best hotel in our city in which the food is very good and the same is true of the service.4.为了吸引更多的乘客坐船，船长向所有乘客保证乘船旅游十分安全。(assure)

In order to attract more passengers, the captain assured all the passengers of the safety of traveling by ship.5.他花了15万元买的那辆新车在一次事故中被严重损坏，已经无法修理了。（which, beyond）His new car, for which he paid ￥150000, was seriously damaged in an accident and was beyond repair.第五单元

1.他们登上的飞机起飞后立刻就消失了。

The airplane they boarded soared out of sight as soon as it took off.2.在会上,保守派反对提出的改革建议。

At the meeting, the two sides had a very hot debate.The reformers put forward many reforming measures, but conservatives were in opposition to the proposed changes.3.从长远看,我们必须学习更多的科技知识，除了我们的专业课程之外，懂得计算机、英语和驾驶是我们工作中必不可少的。

In the long run, we should learn more about science and technology.Besides the major subject, the knowledge of computers, English and driving is necessary in our work.4.为练成完美的体型,她每周做四次健身操。

She does gymnastic exercises four times a week in quest to achieve the perfect body.5.每天早晨，一些老人在公园里一边锻炼身体一边聊天。

Every the morning in the park some old people are doing physical exercises there, chatting with each other.1.难道我们采取措施改变现在的局面不更好吗？

Won’t it be better if we take measures to change the present situation?

2.我没有想到你有这样的本领。

I didn’t give him credit for such a skill.(I didn’t give credit to him for such a skill.)

3.虽然年纪很老了，他们到现在都还一直在学英语。

They have been learning English up to now, though in their advanced age.4.他因为生病已有7天没有去学校了。

He has not been to school for seven days because of illness.5.孩子们又唱又跳地冲出教室。

The children ran out of the classroom, jumping and singing.第六单元

1.她将她的少年时代描绘成一个幻想和发现的时期。

She portrayed her childhood as a time of wonder and discovery.2.试验表明，不抽烟的人比抽烟的人在工作中犯的错误要少。

Experiments showed that non-smokers committed fewer errors than smokers.3.球迷经常受到人们的重视，不是因为他们自身的成功，二十因为他们支持的球队获得了胜利。

Football fans are often highly regarded not for their own achievement, but through their connection to a team that wins.4.尽管演技高超，这部长达3个小时的电影还是未能抓住我们的注意力。

Despite the wonderful acting, the three-hour movie could not hold our attention.5.王教授是我唯一指望能救我儿子的大夫。

Professor Wang is the only doctor I can rely on to save my son.1.我们认为你的建议不恰当，应该放弃。

We don’t think your proposal quite in place, so you should give it up.2.他到家时，发现家里只有一些老人和病人。

When he arrived, he found nothing but the aged and the sick at home.3.就这台发动机的状况而言，它即使能发动也是奇迹了。

Given the condition of the engine, it is a wonder that it even starts.4.从就业来说，旅馆业是这个国家的第二大产业。

In terms of employment, the hotel industry is the second largest industry in this country.5.这个国家里,不管肤色如何，每一个人都有权住在他想住的地方。

Everyone in this country has the right to live where he wants to, regardless of the color of his skin.

第三篇：全新版大学英语综合教程4课后翻译

：Mr.Doherty and his family are currently engaged in getting the autumnharvest in on the farm.：We must not underestimate the enemy.They are equipped with the most sophisticated weapons.：Having been cut of a job/Not having had a job for 3months, Phil is getting increasingly desperate.Sam, as the project manager, is decisive, efficient, and accurate in his judgment.：Since the chemical plant was identified as the source of solution, the village neighborhood committee decided to close it down at the cost of 100 jobs.Unit2：There was an unusual quietness in the air, except for the sound of artillery in the distance.：The expansion of urban areas in some African countries has been causing a significant fall in living standards and an increase in social problem.The research shows that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are closely correlated with global temperatures.The frequency of the bus service has been improved from 15 to 12 minutes recently.：The diver stood on the edge of the diving board, poised to jump at the signal from the coach.Unit3Despite the inadequate length of the airstrip in this emergency landing, the veteran pilot managed to stop the plane after taxiing for only a short while.：Grilled by the reporters, the movie star eventually blurted(out)that she had undergone two plastic surgeries.：We have the technology and our partner has the capital.Working together, we’ll have the future in our hands.If I had known beforehand that you would bring so many friends home, I would have made better preparations.You see, I have barely enough food and drinks for a snack.People gave generously upon learning that new school rooms with stronger structures were to be built in the earthquake-stricken area.Unit4：Due to his pessimistic outlook on the European economy, John has moved his assets from Europe to elsewhere.：Ilike hiring young people.They are earnest learners and committed to work.：Unlike her girl friends who center their lives on their children, Mary cares more about her personal growth.4.有一大批同事们和你意见不合，这是怎么回事：Why is it that a considerable number of colleagues are at odds with you?

5.中国政府出台了一系列政策以加强同发展中国家的合作：The Chinese government has introduced a variety of policies to strengthen cooperation with developing countries.我的直觉是亨利会设法参加这次探险，因为他有一点冒险家的气质：I have an instinct that Henry will seek to join the expedition, because he is something of an adventurer.2.即使置身于一个嘈杂的环境中，他也能坚持做手头的工作：He is capable of sticking to the task at hand, even if he is exposed to noises.3.这个商标是依据迄今有效的法律注册的：The trademark was registered in accordance with the laws hitherto in force.4.奇怪的是，许多人资源帮助组织会议，但是只有少数几人到场：Oddly enough, many people volunteered to help organize the meeting, but only a few turned up.The teacher’s affectionate words, along with his candid comments, changed the way Mike perceived the society and himself.They are exploring the new frontiers of medical science in an attempt to find remedies for incurable diseases/ cures for diseases that are beyond remedy so far.Her unique teaching methods apart, Ms Wilson, my math teacher, never tried to cram knowledge into my head.The regular weather forecast by the Central TV Station keeps us up with the changes of weather wherever we go on a trip.4.可怕的爆炸引起了一场大火，并造成这栋大楼部分坍塌：The appalling explosion started a big fire and caused the partial collapse of the building.In the modern world, there are more ways than ever to waste away time, and all kinds of distractions are eating into our precious time.Some high-ranking officers of the armed forces started a coup, toppling the government and throwing the country into chaos.2.下滑的市场粉碎了她快速致富的幻想：The falling market shattered the illusion about getting rich quickly.Thinking back on the history of World War II, we can see that the formation of the Allies was the natural product of the development of political and military circumstances then.：Paul felt stung when Jim called him a religious fanatic.But as he was in no mood for q quarrel not in a quarreling mood, he simply pretended not to hear it.：People say that time heals all wounds.But for those who have lost their loved ones in the event, will time fill up the void in their hearts?

：Janet was just the kind of girl Mike knew he could trust, so he bared his heart to her on their first date.：At first the girls played on the fringe of the dark forest, now laughing, now screaming, but before long they were out of sight.3.足球队员一下飞机，就见一个车队在等待着他们的到来：The moment the football players disembarked from the plane, they saw a fleet of cars waiting for their arrival.4.卡森谴责他的对手用误导的信息来玷污他的人品：Carson condemned his opponent for using misleading information to smear his character.5.亚历克斯将一个塞满钞票的钱包交给了警察。他说他是在跳下校车时在马路边上捡到的：Alex gave the policeman a wallet stuffed with banknotes.He said he had found it on the curb when he hopped off his school bus.丙晨工作室制

第四篇：大学英语综合教程1课后翻译

Unit 1

1.这个婴儿还不会爬，更不要说走了。

The baby can't even crawl yet,let alone walk!

2.威尔声称谋杀案发生时他正在与一群朋友吃饭，但是我认为他在说谎。Will claimed he was dining with a group of friends at the time of the murder , but in my opinion he told a lie.3.一定程度上阅读速度与阅读技巧密切相关；有了阅读技巧，你就可以更好地应对课外阅读了。

To a certain extent the speed of reading is colsely related to reading skills;and with reading skills you cam cope with outside calss reading better.4.根据规则他俩都可以参加比赛。

Acccording to the regulation/rule, they both can play the game/participate in the game.5.有些人想当然地认为日语中的没一个词在汉语中都有对应的词语。

Some peopleassume that there is a Chinese equivalent for every Japanese word.6.我们已将所有的相关信息告知了警方。

We have passed all rlevant information on to the police.7.关于那件事你问我再多的问题也没用，因为我是不会回答你的。

There is no use asking me any more questions about that matter because I won'tanswer.8.事先没有仔细阅读合同就签了名是吉姆的错误。

It was a mistake on Jim's part to sign the contract without reading it carefully.9.他们拒绝向我们提供所需要的全部信息。

They refused to provide us with all the information we need.10.这起事故与三年前发生的一起事故极为相似。

This accident is very similar to the one that happened three years ago.11.这部影片是根据莎士比亚的戏剧改编的。

The film is based on a play by Shakespeare.12.如果你的英语和电脑技术都能掌握好，那么你在谋职时就一定比别人更有优势。

If you have a good command of English and computer skills, you will surely have an advantage over others in finding a job.Unit 2

1.很多老师不赞同这种做法。

Many teachers frowned on this practice.2.当我想从草地上传过去的时候，有位老人在旁边怒视我。

An old man glared at me when I was trying to cut across the law.3.当我提到我的父亲时，她的脸上露出了认出我的笑容。

When I mentioned my father, she showed a smile of recognition on her face.4.我的大孩子比较听话，而小的那个非常倔。

我现在还常回想起小的孩子在中学毕业后是如何执意要出国读书的。

My first born was quite obedint ,whereas my younger child was very stubborn.I can still reacll now how the younger child insisted on going abroad to study after he finished his secondary school.5.当海啸袭来时，许多东南亚国家遭受了巨大的损失。

Coutries in South East Asia sustained gerat losses when the tsunami struch the area.6.每当做母亲的拿弟弟跟哥哥作比较，弟弟就要抗议。

Ever time the mother treis to compare the younger brother with his elder brother, the younger on will protest.7.当他初到这个新学校的时候，发现自己与其他同学格格不入。

He found himself unable to fit in with his classmates when he first came to this school.8.她脸上气急败坏的表情实在把我吓坏了。我再也不敢说个不字。

The fury on her face terrified me.I dared not say no to her again.9.怪不得你最后闯出祸来，原来你从来不听你父母的管教。

No wonder you ended up in trouble.You never followed your parents' advice.10.他花了整整两年的时间才慢慢适应了这个新环境。

It took him two years to adapt to the new environment.Unit 3

1.威廉非常喜欢那女孩子，所以他尽力讨好她，并且很有信心可以赢得她的心。William likes the girl a lot so he tries very hard to imperss her and is optimistic that he will win her heart.2.他有创造性，对未来也有很好的判断力，可就是喜欢秘而不宣。

He is very creative and has a good vision of the future, but he likes to keep things to himself.3.他们来自一个贫穷的小山村，那里的人们远离现代文明。

They came from a poor village where people were shut off from modern civillization.4.我们要努力工作，争取达到我们所订下的目标。

We must work hard and make an effort to achieve the goals that we have set.5.我们应该满足于我们所拥有的一切，不该对周围的事情过分吹毛求疵。

We should learn to becontent with all that we have and should not be too critical about things around us.6.他们经常代表学校参加辩论赛；今晚我们将聚会庆祝他们的成功。

They often represent our school in debating competitions;tonight we will throw a party to celebrate their success.7.通过读书，他不仅开阔了视野，而且学会了不但完善自己的人格。

Through reading, not only has he expanded hie horizon, he has also learned to keeping improving his character.8.为把那个女孩从火中救出，两名警察牺牲了他们的生命。

Two policemen sacrificed lives in order to save that girl from the fire.9.稳定的、无冲突的夫妻关系对家庭中的孩子有好处。

A stable relationship without conflicts between husband and wife benfits the

children in the family.Unit 4

1.我们一知道成绩就互相联系吧！

Let's get in touch as soon as we know the results of the text/exam.2.那音乐激起他强烈的思乡之情。

The music aroused an intense feeling of homesikeness in him.3.你已经工作了一上午了，该休息一下了。

You've been working all morningin other words, you failed.9.她病得很厉害，必须停止工作。

She was so ill that she had to leave off work.10.现在没办法知道结果会怎样，案子的决定权在法官手里，我们所能做的就是等待。

There is no way to tell what is going to happen.The case is in the hands of the judge, and all we could do is to wait.Unit 5

1.我们是好朋友，可他居然将这么大的一件事瞒着我，实在令我吃惊。

We are good friends;however, he kept such an important matter from me ,which took me by surprise.2.考试得不了一百分不要紧。重要的是别失去自信心。

It doesn't matter if you can not get full marks for the exam;what matters is not to lose confidence in yourself.3.昨天晚上他和我聊天，并安慰我说，这种病并不难治，还没人死于这种病。He chatted with me last night and reassured methat the disease was not hard to cure and that nobady had ever died of it.4.她决心用钢铁般的意志来克服生活中的种种障碍。

She was determined to overcome all the obstacles in her life with a will of iron.5.是事实他早就收到我的钱了，却有意不给我回条确认。这实在让我气坏了。

It turned out that he had already received my money, but did not aknowledge the receipt of it on purpose.This really drove me crazy.6.他是个害羞和沉静的男孩，在走上讲台叙述自己的经历之前，他悄悄地坐在礼堂的一角集思冥想。

He is a shy and silent boy.Before he went onto the stage to share his experiences, he sat quietly in a corner of the auditorium, gathering his thoughts.7.他当场承认他要出国留学，因为他相信国外的教育会给他将来的研究国祚打开大门。

He admitted on the spot that he would go overseas for further study as he believed overseas education would open the door to his future research.8.看到自己一个美丽的姑娘，玛丽的叔叔的脸上满是笑容。

Mary's uncle's face lit up when he saw his niece had turned into a pretty young lady in just a few years.Unit 6

1.直起身来，脚要跟上音乐拍子。

Straighten up！You feet should keep time to the rhythm of the music.2.她将一张纸条悄悄塞在了他的手中。他看了以后很不高兴，以为她在取笑他。She slipped a note into his hand.He was very unhappy after reading it, as he thought that she was making fun of him.3.小偷被抓住时，求我们饶恕他。他说他头食物是因为他的妈妈快饿死了，家里几乎一点吃的都没有了。

The thief pleaded for out mercy when he was caught.He said he had stolen the food beacuse his mother wa staving todeath and there was barely and food left in the house.4.既然他们要求更多的电力供应，我们应该满足他们的要求，减轻他们的压力。They have made a request for more electricity supplies, which we should satisfy in order to release them from the pressure they are under.5.他们将酒瓶传了一圈，每人喝了一口后，就向森林深处走去。

They made the rounds with wine bottle;each took a gulp and then they set out for the forest.6.我的电视上订购了一台新的。网上商店会派人送货上门。

My TV set broke down;I have ordered a new one online and the shop is going to have it delivered to the door.7.他的话令所有人不快，大家都停止了吃饭。过了一会儿，大家继续吃饭，但每个人都看上去心事重重。

His words made everyone unhappy and stop eating.After a while, they resumed eating, but they all looked as if something was weighing on their minds.8.像他这么一个温文尔雅的人居然如此粗鲁地打断我们。我们都无法置信地看着他。

We stared at him in dis belief, astonished that someone as gentle as he is could interrupt us so rudely.Unit 7

1.我们刚开始一个新工作，肯定会有很多东西不熟悉。

Whenever we start a new job, there are bound to be a lot of things we may not be familiar with.2.这种新药已经成功地用在动物身上，但这并不意味着它将在人类身上也适用。This new medicine/drug has successfully been used on animals, but this doesn't mean that it can be applied to humans.3.他这次演讲比赛没能得第一名主要是因为他缺乏信心。

His failure to win the first prize in the speech competition is largely due to his lack of confidence.4.对于一般人来说，忧郁症很容易跟压力混淆，因为忧郁症也可是是某些压力的反应。

To the general public, depression can be easily confused with stress, as it may be a response to some types of stress.5.世界粮食的生产将越来越难跟上世界人口的日益增长。

It is becoming increasingly difficult for world food productiong to keep pace with the continuing growth of the world' population.6.要成功地得到一份工作，需要很多因素在一起发挥左右脑更，这些因素包括你的技能、文凭和工作经验。

To successfully get a job , a lot of factors need to come into play, including your skills, diploma and work experience.Unit 8

1.法官要求记者不要公开受害人的姓名。

The judge asked the reporters not to disclose the name of the victim.2.老师费尽苦心务使我们全都理解他说的话。

The teacher took pains to make sure that we all understood what he said.3.最近学校在学业优秀的学生中进行了一项调查。

Recently the school conducred a survey among those students who have attained academic exellence.4.他说他要接受这份工作，我们要求他写封信证实。

He said he would accept the job , so we asked him to confirm his acceptance by writing us a letter.5.乔治学习很努力，他要尽量利用学习机会。

George studies very hard.He wants to make the most of his chance to learn.6.我们不能去。第一，天太冷。另外，我们正忙着。

We can't go.To begin wich, it's too cold.Besides, we're busy.7.该是有人公开讲清楚这些基本事实的时候了。

It's about time that someone spoke up for these basic truths/facts.8.不要说做这事没用，长远看会有好结果的。

Don't say it is profitless to do this.The effort will pay off in the long run.

第五篇：新编大学英语4翻译

新编大学英语4课文翻译及课后答案

Unit 1

享受幽默—什么东西令人开怀？ 听了一个有趣的故事会发笑、很开心，古今中外都一样。这一现象或许同语言本身一样悠久。那么，到底是什么东西会使一个故事或笑话让人感到滑稽可笑的呢？ 我是第一次辨识出幽默便喜欢上它的人，因此我曾试图跟学生议论和探讨幽默。这些学生文化差异很大，有来自拉丁美洲的，也有来自中国的。我还认真地思考过一些滑稽有趣的故事。这么做完全是出于自己的喜好。为什么听我讲完一个笑话后，班上有些学生会笑得前仰后合，而其他学生看上去就像刚听我读了天气预报一样呢？显然，有些人对幽默比别人更敏感。而且，我们也发现有的人很善于讲笑话，而有的人要想说一点有趣的事却要费好大的劲。我们都听人说过这样的话：“我喜欢笑话，但我讲不好，也总是记不住。”有些人比别人更有幽默感，就像有些人更具有音乐、数学之类的才能一样。一个真正风趣的人在任何场合都有笑话可讲，而且讲了一个笑话，就会从他记忆里引出一连串的笑话。一个缺乏幽默感的人不可能成为一群人中最受欢迎的人。一个真正有幽默感的人不仅受人喜爱，而且在任何聚会上也往往是人们注意的焦点。这么说是有道理的。甚至有些动物也具有幽默感。我岳母从前经常来我们家，并能住上很长一段时间。通常她不喜欢狗，但却很喜欢布利茨恩—我们养过的一条拉布拉多母猎犬。而且，她们的这种喜欢是相互的。布利茨恩在很小的时候就常常戏弄外祖母，当外祖母坐在起居室里她最喜欢的那张舒适的椅子上时，布利茨恩就故意把她卧室里的一只拖鞋叼到起居室，并在外祖母刚好够不到的地方蹦来跳去，一直逗到外祖母忍不住站起来去拿那只拖鞋。外祖母从椅子上一起来，布利茨恩就迅速跳上那椅子，从它那闪亮的棕色眼睛里掠过一丝拉布拉多式的微笑，无疑是在说：“啊哈，你又上了我的当。” 典型的笑话或幽默故事由明显的三部分构成。第一部分是铺垫（即背景），接下来是主干部分（即故事情节），随后便是妙语（即一个出人意料或令人惊讶的结尾）。如果这个妙语含有一定的幽默成分，这个笑话便会很有趣。通常笑话都包含这三部分，而且每部分都必须交代清楚。如果讲故事或说笑话的人使用听众都熟悉的手势和语言，则有助于增强效果。我们可以对幽默这种娱乐形式，进行分析，从而发现究竟是什么使一个有趣的故事或笑话令人发笑。举例来说，最常见的幽默有以下几种，包括了从最显而易见的幽默到比较微妙含蓄的幽默。“滑稽剧”是最明显的幽默。它语言简单、直截了当，常常以取笑他人为乐。说笑打闹这种形式过去是、现在仍然是滑稽说笑演员和小丑的惯用技巧。它为不同年龄、不同文化背景的人们所喜爱。几乎本世纪的每个讲英语的滑稽说笑演员都曾以这样或那样的方式说过下面这则笑话。一位男士问另一位男士：“昨晚我看到的那位和你在一起的贵妇是谁？”那位男士回答道：“那可不是什么贵妇，那是我老婆。”这个笑话的幽默之处在于第二位男士说他的妻子不是一位贵妇，也就是说她不是一个高雅的女人。这个笑话并没有因为经常讲而变得不再那么好笑。由于这是一个经典笑话，观众都知道要说什么，而且因为大家对这个笑话很熟悉而更加珍爱它。中国的相声是一种特殊的滑稽剧。相声中两名中国喜剧演员幽默地谈论诸如官僚主义者、家庭问题或其他一些有关个人的话题。相声随处都能听到，无论是在乡村的小舞台上，还是在北京最大的剧院里，抑或在广播、电视上。它显然是中国人家喻户晓的一种传统的幽默形式。“俏皮话”不像滑稽剧那样浅显，它是因语言的误用或误解而引人发笑。我特别喜欢的一个例子是三位年长的绅士在英国乘火车旅行的故事。当火车慢慢停下来时，第一位绅士问道：“这是Wembley(温布利)吗？”“不，”第二位绅士说：“是Thursday(星期四)。”“我也是，”第三位说道，“让我们下车喝杯啤酒吧。”我们知道上了年纪的人往往耳背，因此会把Wembley（温布利）听成了Wednesday（星期三），把Thursday（星期四）听成了thirsty（渴了），这样一来就为第三位老人的妙语做好了铺垫。著名的中国漫画家和幽默家丁聪便是一位俏皮话大师。在他的一幅幽默漫画中，一位老师说：“你为什么一字不改地抄别人的作业？”那位年轻的学生回答道：“我没有一字不改地抄。我把作业上的名字改成自己的了。”在丁聪的另一幅经典漫画里，一位生气的父亲问道：“告诉我，1加2等于几？”儿子说：“我不知道。”这位不耐烦的父亲接着说道：“比方说，你、你妈妈和我，我们加起来一共是几个，傻瓜？”儿子得意地回答道：“是三个傻瓜。” 这些故事无论是漫画还是笑话，是由演滑稽剧的喜剧演员说还是由搭档的相声演员讲，都为各地人们所喜爱。人们喜爱这些有趣的故事，因为它们贴近现实生活，而且里面那些出人意料的妙语十分有趣。双关语是一种更微妙的俏皮话。它使用的技巧是利用发音相似的词或同一个词的不同意思。有些批评家认为双

关语是最低级的幽默，但我不同意这种观点。双关语与其他形式的幽默相比需要更细微、更巧妙的语言技巧；然而，简单的双关语甚至很小的孩子也能利用。例如，谜语或脑筋急转弯问题常使用双关语做铺垫、制造故事情节，而且更多地是用在妙语部分。双关语是我最早懂得的幽默。记得大约在五岁时我听到了下面这个谜语。一个人问：“什么东西整个儿是黑的、白的和红的？”另外一个人通常猜不出来，于是问道：“我不猜了。是什么呀？”出谜语的人回答：“是报纸。”如果你知道在英语中“red（红色）”和“read（读）”的读音一样但意思完全不同，答案就很明显了。12 DOUBLE ENTENDRES（法语中的“一语双关”）是双关语的特殊形式, 其中的词或短语有双重意思。两个意思往往很不相同，一个比较恰当，另一个往往比较粗俗—但并不总是这样。我喜欢那个关于一位中学教师和校长因看见学生在学校操场上接吻而感到担心的故事。故事并不过火。那位教师对学生们说；“我和校长已经决定停止在学校操场上接吻。”听到笑声，她意识到她没有把意思表达清楚，于是补充说：“我的意思是不能再在我们的鼻子下面发生接吻这样的事了。”当然，这个解释并没有纠正她的第一句话，反而使这个笑话的双重含义变得更加好笑。一些专业的幽默家认为如今的幽默大多缺乏智慧，不够巧妙。他们不喜欢在幽默中过多使用有色情意味或粗俗的语言，而且觉得大多数幽默家缺乏创造性。的确，现在有些幽默令人震惊，但我认为这不是幽默的过错。幽默本身是活泼健康的，它还会继续生存下去，只因为每天都有有趣的事情发生。一些有幽默感的人会看到听到这些有趣的事情，并把它们编成妙趣横生、令人开心的笑话和故事。

Unit 2

便笺的力量 我当体育编辑，最早是为蒙比利埃（俄亥俄州）的《企业导报》工作，当时我很少收到体育迷的来信。因此，一天早晨放在我桌上的一封来信把我吸引住了。打开来信，我看到了下面的话：“关于老虎队的述评很不错，再接再厉。”签名的是体育编辑堂?沃尔夫。当时我只是一个十几岁的小伙子（为每一竖栏写一英寸文字，稿酬总计达15美分），因此他的话最鼓舞人心了。我把这封信一直放在书桌的抽屉里，后来它的边角都卷起来了。每当我怀疑自己不是当作家的料时，重温一下堂的便笺，就又会树起信心来。后来，我逐渐对堂有所了解，知道给各行各业的人写快捷而鼓舞人心的便笺是他养成的习惯。他告诉我说：“当我使别人充满信心时，我也感觉好极了。” 因此毫不奇怪，他的朋友圈子就像附近的伊利湖那么大。去年他去世了，享年75岁。电话与悼函像潮水般涌向报社，都来自于曾经得到过他激励（文字）的人们。多年来，我努力效仿堂以及我的其他朋友，他们关心别人，常写一些鼓舞人心的话语，因为我觉得，他们这样做是很有意义的。在这样一个惯于冷漠、无动于衷的世界上，这种便笺给人们带来了温暖和安慰。我们都时不时地需要鼓励，大家知道几行赞扬的话会改变一个人的一天，甚至一生。那么，这些激励人心的便笺的作者为什么寥若晨星呢？我猜想很多人回避写，是因为他们太看重人们的看法。他们担心会被误解，怕别人觉得他们自作多情或者言不由衷。还有，写也要花时间，远不如打电话方便。当然打电话的缺点是：说过的话留不住。而一张便笺使我们的良好意愿显得更加珍贵。便笺是白纸黑字记录在案的东西，而且我们写下的字可以反复阅读，细细品味并珍藏起来。尽管写便笺会多花一些时间，但一些非常忙的人也在这么做，其中包括乔治?布什。有人说，他政治上的成功在很大程度上归功于他那枝随时准备写字的笔。这是怎么回事呢？在他整个职业生涯中，每次与人们接触之后，他几乎都随后写封信，内容亲切——一句赞美之辞，一行表扬的话，或一段感谢语。他不仅写给朋友和同事，还写给萍水相逢的人以及完全陌生的人——比如那位借伞给他的人，后来收到他热情的赞扬信，感到很惊讶。那些通常做作的公司高层经理们，其领导作风只能被形容为强硬、冷漠、脱离群众。甚至这些人也开始学习写便笺去鼓舞人心，且从中获益匪浅。唐纳德?彼得森，福特公司的前主席，把每天写便笺鼓励同事当作一件日常工作。该公司在80年代时走出低谷取得成功主要是他的功劳。“我只不过匆匆地在备忘录或信的角上写一些鼓舞人心的话，然后传递出去，”他说道。“每天最重要的一段时间，就是鼓舞那些为你工作的人的那10分钟。” “太多的时候，”他发表自己的看法说，“那些我们真正喜欢的人并不知道我们是怎么看待他们的。太多的时候，我们会以为，我并没有说过什么批评的话，为什么非得去说好话呢？我们忘了，人类需要正面的肯定或鼓励——事实上，我们靠这个取得进步，获得成功！” 怎样才能写出振奋精神、温暖人心的信呢？只要我们怀有要表示感激之情的心愿。写这种便笺的高手都具有我所谓的 “４S”技巧。１）真诚(sincere)。没人要听虚假的赞美。２）简短(short)。如果不能用三句话表达出你的意思，你很可能过火了，写得太长。３）具体(specific)。赞扬一位业务伙伴 “演讲精彩”太笼统含糊；告诉他“关于沃伦?巴菲特的投资策略讲得很精彩”才是一语中的。４）自然(spontaneous)。这使得便笺充满了生气，洋溢着热情，并使读者的心灵长久地感受这种生气和热情。16 当你非得到处找写信用品时，写出来的东西就难以自然，因此我总是把纸、信封和邮票放在手边，甚至在旅行时也是如此。信封信笺不需要很花哨，重要的是要表达的思想。17 那么，你周围又有谁值得你写便笺表示感谢或鼓励呢？一位邻居？为你服务的那位图书馆管理员？一位亲戚？你的市长？你的伙伴？一位教师？你的医生？你不必富有诗意。如果你需要一个写的理由，就找一个生活中的重要事件，例如你们共同参加的某个特殊事件的周年纪念日、生日或者节日。例如，过去的25年里，我总是为远方的朋友每年准备一张圣诞卡，而且常常在上面亲笔写上一句感谢或祝贺的话。鉴于圣诞节的氛围，就一年来所取得的成功与得到的好运特意表示谢忱似乎是最恰到好处的。不要吝啬你的赞美之言。像“最了不起的”、“最聪明的”、“最漂亮的”这种最高级的表达法——使大家都感到高兴。即使你的赞美之词稍稍超前了一点也没关系，记住，梦想的实现往往孕育于期望之中。今天，我收到了以前的老板和精神导师诺曼?文森特?皮尔的一封温暖的赞扬信。这张小小的便笺上满是鼓舞人心的词句，这促使我坐到了打字机前来完成几封我早就该写的信。我不知道这些信会不会使别人的一天别有意义，但是，对我自己确实如此。正如我的朋友堂?沃尔夫所说的：使别人充满信心，也就使我自己感觉很好。

Unit 3

从文化角度看性别角色 在过去的几十年里，已经无数次地证实了这样一个事实：构成男子阳刚之气和女子阴柔之气的各种不同类型的行为、情感、和兴趣都既是遗传又是文化熏陶的结果。在成长的过程中，每个孩子学会了细微的行为举止，数量之多数以百计，这一切都带有文化的烙印，成了他们性别特征的一部分。有些行为举止是直接学到的。也就是说，别人教孩子如何恰如其分地行事, 男有男的规矩, 女有女的标准。另一些跟性别有关的具体举止是无意识地或间接地学会的，因为文化为女孩子和男孩子提供的形象、向往的目标以及成人的榜样各不相同。例如，最近对美国公立学校的一项研究显示，在教育中存在一种男孩比女孩更受偏爱的文化偏见。据研究人员反映，这种偏爱是无意的、不知不觉的，但它确实存在，并每年都在影响着数百万计学生的生活。为了研究在教育中存在的性别偏爱，戴维?赛德克博士和迈拉?赛德克博士夫妇录制了教师在课堂上课的情形。他们的研究显示，许多自认为无性别偏爱的教师惊奇地发现，从录像带上看他们竟是那么偏心。从幼儿园到研究生课程，都可以看到教师们请男生回答问题的次数远比女生多。这对学习过程有着巨大的影响，因为总的来说，那些积极的课堂活动参与者对学习更加乐观有信心，并能在今后取得更大的成就。事实上，在20世纪60年代末期，当美国东北部多所最好的女子学院向男生开放之后，教授们和女学生们都发现男孩们正在“接管”课堂讨论，而女生积极参与的程度则明显下降。近年来，在法学院和医学院的课堂上也发现了类似的情况：与男生相比女生处于次要的地位。赛德克夫妇所做的研究显示，教师有时候会按照固有的性别模式给女孩子和男孩子不同布置的任务，这样便不知不觉地使女孩子不能像男孩子一样积极地参与。例如，有位教师在给幼儿园的孩子上自然科学课时，不断地让小男孩去操作科学“实验”，而让女孩子只是做一些安放材料的工作。既然使用课堂材料动手操作是早期教育的一个重要方面，这些女孩子就这样被剥夺了重要的学习经历，这会影响到她们今后的整个人生。美国教师中一个具有代表性的想法是，男孩擅长数学和自然科学，这些学科都是“难懂的”、“适合于男性的”，而女孩会在语言和阅读技能上比男孩强。这是教育中性别偏见的另一种表现。结果美国的男孩们确实在阅读上出了问题，而在数学方面女孩尽管在九岁以前一直比男孩强，但此后却落在了他们后面。这成了预言自我应验的一个例子。然而这些特征是文化造成的，而非遗传的原因。例如，在德国，读书学习都被看作是“适合于男性的”，于是在阅读上有问题的便是女孩子了。而在日本，由于早期教育似乎不分性别，女孩和男孩在阅读上就旗鼓相当。在教育过程中对女孩和男孩的不同态度始于家庭。例如，有一项研究显示了这样一种情况：让学龄前儿童看一幢房子的图片，然后要他们说出家里允许他们走开多远，这时男孩所指的范围要比女孩大得多，女孩指出的范围很有限，而且离家很近。女孩们不像男孩那样受到鼓励去发展求知欲和动手能力，尽管这些正是与外部世界打交道时有用的；对女孩灌输的结果是：对自己家外面的世界充满了恐惧，且期望别人对自己的优良品格和循规蹈矩的服从精神加以认可。这类教诲从家庭一直延续到课堂。于是，在课堂里我们常常可以看到女孩们更依赖教师，更注重作业的形式和整

洁而非内容，更在乎她们所给的答案是否“正确”而不在乎智力方面的独立自主以及分析能力和创造能力的提高。教育过程占据了孩子除睡眠以外的大部分时间，社会则通过这一过程加强了它固有的价值观，并按其传统的、期望的模式造就了不同性别的人。

Unit 4

关于创造力的培养——鼓励孩子思考 教育界和商业界的专家们说, 具有创造性是通向光明前程的关键。本文将介绍一下学校和家长如何才能鼓励孩子发展这一至关重要的能力。如果1925年迪克?德鲁听从了他老板的意见，也许我们就不会有遮护胶带这种用品 了。现在我们几乎离不开它。德鲁当时就职于“明尼苏达制造和矿业公司”，通常称为3M公司。在工作中，他研制了一种用于胶带有黏性那面的物质，黏性很强，能使物体粘在一起。但是老板却不让他做进一步的研究。最后德鲁只好利用自己的时间改进了这种胶带。这种胶带现已被人们广泛使用。而他原来工作过的3M公司也从自己的失误中吸取了教训：现在该公司鼓励员工抽出15%的工作时间专门用来开动脑筋搞创新。现在这种策略已被越来越多的公司所采用，而且全国各地的专家认为，对待孩子也应仿效这种做法，无论是在家里还是在学校。他们认为，如果我们教育孩子进行创造性思维，他们就能在明天的社会中更好地发挥作用。受益于创造性的不只限于音乐和艺术领域。能取得成功的学生和成人都是那些会寻求各种办法解决问题的人。5 创造性并非与生俱来，也不一定就是高智慧的特征。一个人智力高并不意味着他必然能创造性地发挥才智。创造性是指能利用已有的资源想出新点子，而这些点子有助于解决某方面的问题。遗憾的是，学校还没有想到要促使学生发挥创造性。许多教育者十分看重考试分数，强调阅读、写作和数学能力，往往因追求正确的答案而牺牲了对创造性的培养。其结果是，孩子们能够反馈所学的知识，却不知道如何灵活地应用知识。比如，他们可能熟记乘法表，却不会用它来解决数学应用题。然而，在有些学校里，教育者们正逐渐认识到这一问题，并致力于研究能启发学生创造性的新的教学方法。一些教师把基础知识和要求学生发挥想象力的活动结合起来。比如，教师不再简单地问学生哥伦布何时发现了新大陆，他们可能让学生思考如果哥伦布首先到达的不是加勒比地区而是纽约，情况会是如何。要回答这一问题，学生必须应用自己掌握的关于哥伦布、纽约和加勒比地区的知识。教师们认为即便学生的回答会很可笑，也毫无关系，这也许是通向创造性的重要一步。专家认为，在课堂以及在家里，必须允许孩子们有些荒唐的念头。家长和教师们则有责任和孩子共同努力，使那些念头成为切实可行的建议。最好的办法是通过提问来鼓励孩子，同时对他们的想法和新点子表示赞赏。专家认为必须创造一个可以自由发挥创造力的氛围，一个尊重和赞赏而不是鄙视或不理会荒诞想法的环境。8 在家里，家长可以做一些鼓励孩子发挥创造力的事情。如果遇到合适的问题，家长可以就该问题征求孩子的意见，让他们参与决策。家长可以帮助孩子了解不同的决策将会带来的各种后果。家长还应鼓励孩子大声谈论他们正在做的事情。思维能力和语言能力是紧密相关的。大声地谈论有助于提高语言能力和思维能力。具有幽默感对于开发孩子的创造力也非常重要。当家长表现出幽默时，孩子们就看到了最地道的创造性。从本质上看，幽默跨越了常规界限，打破了固有模式。要创造往往也得如此。给孩子一些选择的余地也很重要。应该允许孩子自己做决定并清楚其后果，要让孩子从尽可能早的年龄开始这样做。做决定有助于培养思维能力，即便只是在午餐的两种食物的选择上做决定也行。随着孩子慢慢长大，家长应让孩子自己做主支配时间或金钱；当他们作出错误的决定时，不要不假思索地给予过多的帮助。这种做法可能会使孩子迷惑不解，但这没有关系。因为富有创造力的人有很强的动力，使他们能够从混乱中创造秩序。这是他们的一个最重要的特点。

Unit 6

风险与你 在说不定的某个时候，我们大家都曾充当过疑病症患者的角色,只凭一些轻微的症状便怀疑自己得了某种可怕的病。有的人只要一听说一种新的疾病，就会去检查，看自己是否可能患了这种病。然而，对疾病的恐惧并非我们唯一的恐惧。同样，患病的危险也并非我们唯一会遇上的危险。现代生活中充满了各种各样的威胁，诸如对我们生命的威胁，对我们平和心境的威胁，对我们家人的威胁，对我们未来的威胁。从而产生了好些问题，我们不得不问自己：我买的食品安全吗？给孩子们的玩具会伤害他们吗？我们家的人是不是不该吃熏肉？我度假时会不会遭抢劫？我们的疑

虑就无休止地增加。对生活中风险的担忧与疑病症有相似之处；二者的恐惧或忧虑皆起因于信息不全面。但二者之间也存在一个明显的差别。疑病症患者通常可以求助于医生，以便澄清疑虑——要么你得了你所怀疑的疾病，要么你没得。但当涉及到其它形式的风险时，事情就要困难得多，因为对许多风险来说，情况并不那么简单。风险几乎总是一个可能性的问题而无确定性可言。你也许会问：“我该不该系安全带？”如果你坐的车要与其它车正面相撞，那当然该系安全带。倘若你的车侧面被撞，结果你被困在车里，又因安全带装置遭破坏而无法挣脱，那怎么办呢？这是否意味着你该再花些钱在车内安一个保险气袋呢？同样，在正面相撞的情况下，保险气袋完全可以救你一命。但是，万一正当你在高速公路上开车时，保险气袋突然意外充气膨胀，从而导致了本来绝不会发生的事故，那又该如何是好？ 上面说的这一切，只是从另一角度说明我们所做的事没有一件是百分之百安全的。有些风险——常常是潜在的重大风险——与我们的每个业余爱好、所做的每项工作、所吃的每种食物有关，换句话说，与所进行的任何活动有关。但我们又不能，也不该因危险存在于我们将要做的每件事，而变成战战兢兢的神经症患者。有些活动是比其它活动更危险。关键在于要让自己了解相应的风险，然后相机行事。例如，两车相撞时，大车总的说来要比小车安全些。可究竟能安全多少呢？答案是这样：在一起严重的车祸中坐小车丧生的可能性是坐大车的两倍左右。然而，大车通常比小车贵（并且消耗更多的汽油，由此给环境带来了更大的风险！）。那么我们该怎样确定什么时候值得为降低风险增加花费呢？例如，避免风险最保险的做法也许是去买一辆坦克或装甲车，从而把撞车时死亡或受伤的风险降到最小。然而，即便你买得起，这笔额外的费用以及忍受坦克或装甲车所带来的不便是否值得呢？ 在我们尚不知所涉及的风险程度之前，我们还无法回答这些问题。那么，我们该如何去衡量风险程度呢？有些人似乎认为答案只不过是一个简单的数字。例如，我们知道每年大约有25,000 人死于车祸。相比之下，每年只有大约300人死于矿山事故和灾难。这难道就意味着乘坐汽车要比采矿危险得多吗？未必。事实是，在美国每年大约有两亿人经常性地以车代步；而大概只有70万人从事采矿作业。我们评估一种风险时，所需要的有关数字是一个比率或分数。该分数的分子告诉我们在某个特定时期由于从事某种特定活动而丧生或受伤的人数；其分母告诉我们在这一时期从事这种活动的总人数。这样，所有的风险程度都是由比率或分数表示，其大小介于0（无风险）到1（完全风险）之间。7 通过把所有风险都简化为这种比率或分数，我们便可以开始比较不同种类的风险，如比较采矿与乘坐汽车。这个比率越大，也就是说它越接近1，那么有关活动的风险就越大。在刚才讨论的例子中，我们可以用每一活动中死亡的人数除以参与该活动的总人数，从而找出汽车旅行与采煤的相对安全性。此处，我们可以很清楚地看到，乘坐汽车旅行的风险是每一万人中大约有一人丧生；而就采矿而言，其危险程度是每一万矿工中大约有四人死亡。所以，尽管在车祸中丧生的人远比采矿要多，其实后者的风险是前者的四倍。这些比率使我们能够对毫不相干的活动或情形的危险性加以比较，即便差别如苹果与橘子那样大也能比较。如果你反对冒险，你就会选择风险比率较小的活动。如果你无所畏惧，那么你往往会对高比率不太在乎，除非它们大得令人难以承受。我们一旦明白了风险是永远无法从任何情况中完全去除的，因而就没有绝对安全的事，我们也就会明白问题的关键不是要彻底避免风险，而是要理智地管理风险。风险管理需要两大要素：常识以及与我们可能要承担的风险的性质和程度相关的信息。