大学英语精读第一册第2课内容及笔记

大学英语精读第一册第2课内容及笔记

　导语：航行是指船由水路从一处至另一处，下面我分享一篇有关航行的英语课文，欢迎学习!

　Unit Two: Sailing Round the World

TEXT

　At sixty-five Francis Chichester set out to sail single-handed round the world. This is the story of that adventure.

　Sailing Round the World

　Before he sailed round the world single-handed, Francis Chichester had already surprised his friends several times. He had tried to fly round the world but failed. That was in 1931.

　The years passed. He gave up flying and began sailing. He enjoyed it greatly. Chichester was already 58 years old when he won the first solo transatlantic sailing race. His old dream of going round the world came back, but this time he would sail. His friends and doctors did not think he could do it, as he had lung cancer. But Chichester was determined to carry out his plan. In August, 1963, at the age of nearly sixty-five, an age when many men retire, he began the greatest voyage of his life. Soon, he was away in this new 16-metre boat, Gipsy Moth.

　Chichester followed the route of the great nineteenth century clipper ships. But the clippers had had plenty of crew. Chicheater did it all by himself, even after the main steering device had been damaged by gales. Chichester covered 14, 100 miles before stopping in Sydney, Australia. This was more than twice the distance anyone had previously sailed alone.

　He arrived in Australia on 12 December, just 107 days out from England. He received a warm welcome from the Australians and from his family who had flown there to meet him. On shore, Chichester could not walk without help. Everybody said the same thing: he had done enough; he must not go any further. But he did not listen.

　After resting in Sydney for a few weeks, Chichester set off once more in spite of his friends' attempts to dissuade him. The second half of his voyage was by far the more dangerous part, during which he sailed round the treacherous Cape Horn.

　On 29 January he left Australia. The mext night, the blackest he had ever known, the sea became so rough that the boat almost turned over. Food, clothes, and broken glass were all mixed together. Fortunately, bed and went to sleep. When he woke up, the sea had become calm the nearest person he could contact by radio, unless there was a ship nearby, Wild be on an island 885 miles away.

　After succeeding in sailing round Cape Horn, Chichester sent the followiing radio message to London:" I feel as if I had wakened from a nightmare. Wild horses could not drag me down to Cape Horn and that sinister Southern Ocean again."

　Juat before 9 o'clock on Sunday evening 28 May, 1967, he aeeived back in England, where a quarter of a million people were waiting to welcome him. Queeh Elizabeth II knigthed him with the very sword that Queen Elizabeth I had sailed round the world for the first time. The whole voyage from England and back had covered 28, 500 miles. It had taken him nine months , of which the sailing time was 226 days. He had done what he wanted to accomplish.

　Like many other adventurers, Chichester had experienced fear and conquered it. In doing so, he had undoubtedly learnt something about himself. Moreover, in the modern age when human beings depend so much on machines, he had given men throughout the world new pride.

NEW WORDS

　single-handed

　a & ad. (done) by one person alone 单独的`(地)

　adventure

　n. 冒险(活动)

　solo

　a. single-handed 单独的

　transatlantic

　a. crossing the Atlantic Ocean 横度大西洋

　lung

　n. part of the body with which one breathes 肺

　cancer

　n. 癌

　determined

　a. with one's mind firmly made up 下定了决心的

　determine

　v.

　determination

　n.

　retire

　vi. stop working at one's job(because of age) 退休

　voyage

　n. sea journey 航海;航行

　route

　n. way from one place to another 路线

　clipper

　n. 快速帆船

　crew

　n. group of people who work together on a ship or aeroplane 全体船员;全体乘务员

　steer

　vt. make (esp. a boat or road vehicle) go in a particular direction 为...撑舵

　device

　n. a piece of equipment　设备;装置

　steering device

　n. 操舵装置

　damage

　vt. cause harm or injury to 损坏

　ad. harm, injury 损坏

　gale

　n. very strong wind　大风

　cover

　vt. travel (a certain distance)　行过(一段距离)

　previously

　ad. before 以前

　previous

　a.

　attempt

　n. try 试图，尝试

　dissuade

　vt. prevent (sb.) from doing sth. by reasoning 劝阻

　treacherous

　a. more dangerous than it seems 暗藏危险的;奸诈的

　cape

　n. 海角

　rough

　a. (of weather or the sea) stormy; not calm (气候)有暴风雨的;(海)波涛汹涌的

　fortunately

　ad. luckily 幸运地;幸亏

　fortunate

　a.

　contact

　vt. get in touch with 联系，接触

　nearby

　ad. close by 在附近

　following

　a. next; to be mentioned immediately 接着的;下列的

　waken

　v. (cause to) wake 唤醒;醒来

　nightmare

　n. terrible dream 恶梦

　drag

　vt. pull along with great effort 拖，拉

　sinister

　a. 凶恶的，邪恶的

　knight

　n. 爵士

　vt. 封... 为爵士

　sword

　n. 剑，刀

　accomplish

　vt. finish successfully　完成

　conquer

　vt. overcome　征服

　undoubtedly

　ad. certainly　无疑地

　moreover

　ad. in addition　此外，而且

　human

　a. of or concerning people　人们

　being

　n. a living thing, esp. a person　生物;人

PHRASES & EXPRESSIOMS

　set out

　begin a course if action　着手，开始

　give up

　atop doing　放弃

　be determined to (do)

　have a strong will to (do)　决心(做)

　(all) by oneself

　(completely) alone

　in spite of

　not taking notice of; not caring about 尽管;虽然

　by far

　by a large amount or degree...得多

　turn over

　(cause to) fall over, upset　(使)翻倒，(使)倾覆

　can not help

　can not keep oneself from　禁不住

　PEOPER NAMES

　Francis Chichester

　弗朗西斯. 奇切斯特

　Gipsy Moth

　吉普赛. 莫斯

　Sydney

　悉尼(澳大利亚城市)

　Cape Horn

　合恩角(智利)

　London

　伦敦

　Elizabeth

　伊丽莎白(女子名)

　Drake

　德雷克(姓氏)

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大学英语精读第三册第8课Daydream a Little

　导语：白日梦是指清醒时的脑内所产生的'幻想及影像，通常是开心的念头、希望或野心。下面是一篇关于白日梦的英语课文，欢迎大家来学习。

Text

　Daydreaming has always had reputation, but now scientific research has revealed that daydreaming may actually improve your mental health and creativity. It can even help you achieve your desired goals.

　Daydream a Little

　Eugene Raudsepp

　"Daydreaming again, Barb? You'll never amount to anything if you spend your time that way! Can't you find something useful to do?" Many youngsters have heard words like those from their parents. And until recently this hostile attitude towards daydreaming was the most common one. Daydreaming was viewed as a waste of time. Or it was considered and unhealthy escape from real life and its duties. But now some people are taking a fresh look at daydreaming. Some think it may be a very healthy thing to do.

　Attitudes towards daydreaming are changing in much the same way that attitudes towards night dreaming have changed. once it was thought that nighttime dreams interfered with our needed rest. But then researchers tried interrupting the dreams of sleepers. They learned that sleepers who aren't allowed to dream lost the benefits of rest. They become tense and anxious. They become irritable. They have trouble concentrating. Their mental health is temporarily damaged. To feel well again, they must be allowed to dream.

　Now researchers are finding that daydreaming may also be important to mental health. Daydreaming, they tell us, is a good means of relaxation. But its benefits go beyond this. A number of psychologists have conducted experiments and have reached some surprising conclusions.

　Dr. Joan T. Freyberg has concluded that daydreaming contributes to intellectual growth. It also improves concentration, attention span, and the ability to get along with others, she says. In an experiment with school children, this same researcher found that daydreaming led the children to pay more attention to detail. They had more happy feelings. They worked together better. Another researcher reported that daydreaming seemed to produce improved self-control and creative abilities.

　But that's only part of the story. The most remarkable thing about daydreaming may be its usefulness in shaping our future lives as we want them to be. Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser believed that much of his success was due to the positive use of daydreaming. He maintained that "you can imagine your future." Florence Nightingale dreamed of becoming a nurse. The young Thomas Edison pictured himself as an inventor. For these notable achievers, it appears that their daydreams came true.

　Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick believed that the way we picture ourselves is often the way we turn out. He offered this advice: "Hold a picture of yourself ? in your mind's eye, and you will be drawn toward it. Picture yourself vividly as defeated, and that will make victory impossible. Picture yourself as winning, and that will contribute immeasurably to success. Do not picture yourself as anything, and you will drift ?"

　The experiences of some athletes seem to confirm this belief. For instance, John Uelses, a former pole-vaulting champion, used daydreaming techniques before each meet. He would imagine himself winning. He would vividly picture himself clearing the bar at a certain height. He would go over all the details in his mind. He would picture the stadium and the crowds. He'd even imagine the smell of the grass and the earth. He said that this exercise of the imagination left memory traces in his mind that would later help his actual performance.

　Why would a mental vision of success help produce real success? Dr. Maxwel Maltz, a surgeon and author, say this: "Your nervous system cannot tell the difference between an imagined experience and real experience. In either case it reacts automatically to information that you give it ? It reacts appropriately to what you think or imagine to be true."

　He believes that purposeful daydreaming builds new "memories" in the brain. These positive memories improve a person's self-image. And self-image has an important effect on a person's action and accomplishments.

　Can you use purposeful daydreaming to shape your own future? Why not try? Here is how those who believe in creative daydreaming recommend going about it. Choose a time when you can be alone and undisturbed. Close your eyes, to permit your imagination to soar more freely. Many people find that they get best results by pretending that they are sitting before a large screen. They project the desired image of themselves onto that screen.

　Now picture yourself ? as vividly as possible ?the way you want to be. Remember to picture your desired goals as if you had already attained them. Go over all the details of this picture. See them clearly and sharply. Impress them strongly on your memory. The resulting memory traces will supposedly start affecting your everyday life. They will help lead you to the attainment to your goals.

　Of course daydreaming is no substitute for hard work. If it's athletic achievement you want, you also have to get lots of practice in your sport. You have to work hard to develop skills. If it's school success you're after, you can't neglect studying Daydreaming alone can't turn you into your heart's desire. But in combination with the more usual methods of self-development, it might make a critical difference. It could be the difference between becoming merely good at something and becoming a champion.

　If what researchers are saying is true, a life lived without fantasies and daydreams isn't as rich and rewarding as life can be. So they suggest setting aside a few minutes each day for daydreaming. By so doing, you may improve your physical and mental well-being. By taking a ten-or fifteen-minute "vacation" into the realm of imagination each day, you may add much to the excitement and enjoyment of your life. And who knows: You might see your own daydreams come true.

New words

　hostile

　a. unfriendly; belonging to an enemy 敌对的

　view

　vt. consider, regard

　escape

　n. & v. 逃跑;逃避

　nighttime

　a. occurring at night

　interfere

　vi. get in the way of another 干涉;妨碍

　interference n.

　researcher

　n. advantage, profit, good effect 益处

　tense

　a. feeling or showing nervous anxiety 紧张的

　irritable

　a. easily annoyed or made angry

　means

　n. method or way

　psychologist

　n. person who has studied or is skilled in psychology 心理学家

　contribute

　vi. help in bringing about 贡献

　growth

　n. growing; development

　concentration

　n. concentrating or being concentrated

　span

　n. length of time during which sth. Continuses or works well 一段时间

　self-control

　n. control of one's own feelings, behavior, etc.

　creative

　a. having the power to create; inventive

　remarkable

　a. deserving attention; unusual, out of the ordinary 显著的;非凡的

　shape

　vt. influence and determine the course or form of 形成，塑造

　industrialist

　n. one owing an industry or engaged in its management

　maintain

　vt. state or assert as true; keep up 断言;维持

　picture

　vt. imagine; make a picture of

　inventor

　n. a person who makes up or produces sth. new

　notable

　a. outstanding; worthy of notice 著名的;值得注意的

　achiever

　n. one who achieves; winner

　vividly

　ad. in a lively manner 生动地;逼真的

　vivid a.

　immeasurably

　ad. to an extent or degree too great to be measured; beyond measure

　driftvi. float or be driven along by wind, waves or currents 漂(流)

　athlete

　n. person who is trained and skilled in physical exercises and who competes in games that need strength and speed 运动员

　pole-vaulting

　n. jumping with the help of a long pole held in the hand 撑竿跳

　champion

　n. person or team taking the first place in competition 冠军

　meet

　n. (AmE) gathering esp. for competitive sports

　clear

　vt. get past or over without touching

　bar

　n. 横竿;杆;条状物

　stadium

　n. 露天体育场

　trace

　n. mark showing that sb. or sth. has existed or happened 痕迹

　memory trace

　chemical change occurring in the brain when new information is absorbed and remembered 记忆痕(脑部吸收或记忆信息时所产生的化学变化)

　vision

　n. sth. seen in the mind's eye; the power of imagination 想象(力)

　automatically

　ad. 自动地;无意识地

　automatic a.

　appropriately

　ad. properly, suitably

　appropriate a.

　purposeful

　a. having a conscious purpose

　self-image

　n. view of oneself 自我形象

　accomplishment

　n. sth. completely and successfully done 成就

　recommend

　vt. advise or suggest; speak favorably of 建议;推荐

　soar

　vi. fly or go up high in the air; rise 翱翔;升腾

　screen

　n. white surface on which cinema films, TV programs, etc. are sown 银幕;屏幕

　project

　vt. cause a picture from a film or slide to fall on a surface, etc. 映，投射

　goal

　n. one's aim or purpose 目标

　attain

　vt. succeed in arriving at, esp. after effort, reach 获得;达到

　attainment

　n. the act of attaining; (usu. pl) sth. successfully reached or learnt, esp. a skill

　substitute

　n. a person or thing acting in place of another 代替者;代用品

　athletic

　a. having to do with active games and sports; of or concerning athletes

　achievement

　n. sth. successfully finished or gained 成就

　after

　prep. in pursuit of; in search of

　neglect

　vt. pay no attention to; give no or not enough care to 忽视

　combination

　n. joining or putting together 结合

　method

　n. way of doing sth.

　merely

　ad. only; simply

　well-being

　n. health and happiness; welfare 康乐;安康

　vacation

　n. time of rest and freedom from work of school; holiday

　realm

　n. area; kingdom 领域;王国

　enjoyment

　n. the act or fact of enjoying; pleasure; satisfaction

PHRASES & expression

　amount to

　develop into; be equal to

　interfere with

　hinder, affect; interrupt 干扰;妨碍

　contribute to

　help to achieve; give help towards 有助于

　get along with

　have a friendly relationship with

　due to

　because of; cause by

　come true

　happen just as was wished, expected, or dreamt

　go about

　make a start at; undertake 着手做

PROPER NAMES

　Barb

　巴勃(女子名，Barbara 的昵称)

　Joan T. Freyberg

　琼.T.弗赖伯格

　Kaiser

　凯泽(姓氏)

　Florence Nightingale

　佛洛伦斯.南丁格尔

　Fosdick

　福斯迪克(姓氏)

　Uelses

　尤尔塞斯(姓氏)

　Maxwell Maltz

　马克斯韦尔.莫尔茨

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