Lesson Ten What Is It Like to Be Poor.docVIP

Lesson Ten What Is It Like to Be Poor? New Words Expressions Prosaically[pr?u＇zeiikli] adv. Prosaic: adj. boring, ordinary, or lacking in imagination乏味的，平淡无奇的，缺乏想象力的 e.g: a prosaic writing style乏味的写作风格 People said he’d been a pirate, but the truth was more prosaic.人们说他曾作过海盗，但事实远没那么有传奇性。 “Prosaic” is derived from “prose”, which is seen as dull and unromantic, while by contrast, poetry is looked upon as sth interesting and imaginative, It’s a shame that they make lovely music in such a prosaic (commonplace) building. It is officially and prosaically known as Boritaka 200 – more romantically as the Lost City. Squalid: [＇skw?lid] adj. dirty and unpleasant because of a lack of care or money（因）无人料理或缺钱而）污秽的，肮脏的 e.g: How can anyone live in such squalid conditions?人怎么能住在如此污秽的环境中？ a tiny squalid apartment肮脏的小套房 Shift: (old use) a clever trick or method or devices or ways of managing in spite of difficulties.手段，计谋 A shift is an ingenious expedient adopted in a time of need or emergency, e.g. Poverty has reduced him to desperate shifts. The lazy man tried every shift to avoid doing his work. Note: The meaning of “shift” is old-fashioned today, but is still found in these expressions: ①shift for oneself (get along by taking whatever course is available), e.g. There’s only enough food for two of us, so the rest of you will have to shift for yourselves. ② make shift (manage or contrive to do sth) He makes shift to pick up a scanty（不够的，不足的，勉强够用的） livelihood. Crust[kr?st] n. the hard brown outer surface of bread or the baked pastry on a pie面包皮；点心的油酥皮 Crust-wiping: (British Usage) adopting a different posture [＇p?st??] or attitude; stripping off one’s outward appearances and revealing one’s true self. Secrecy: [＇si: kr?si] [U] the process of keeping sth secret, or the state of being kept a secret保密，秘密状态 e.g. I must stress the need for absolute secrecy about the project. 我必须强调对这项计划绝对保密的必要。 be sworn to secrecy已发誓保密： I really can’t tell you, I’ve been sworn to secrecy. F