新东方背诵文选 L20 The Historical Significance of American R
时间：2018-12-15 作者：英语课 分类：新东方背诵文选
英语课
The ways of history are so intricate and the motivations of human actions so complex that it is always hazardous 1 to attempt to represent events covering a number of years, a multiplicity of persons, and distant localities as the expression of one intellectual or social movement; yet the historical process which culminated 2 in the ascent 3 of Thomas Jefferson to the presidency 4 can be regarded as the outstanding example not only of the birth of a new way of life but of nationalism as a new way of life. The American Revolution represents the link between the seventeenth century, in which modern England became conscious of itself, and the awakening 5 of modern Europe at the end of the eighteenth century. It may seem strange that the march of history should have had to cross the Atlantic Ocean, but only in the North American colonies could a struggle for civic 6 liberty lead also to the foundation of a new nation. Here, in the popular rising against a "tyrannical" government, the fruits were more than the securing of a freer constitution. They included the growth of a nation born in liberty by the will of the people, not from the roots of common descent, a geographic 7 entity 8, or the ambitions of king or dynasty. With the American nation, for the first time, a nation was born, not in the dim past of history but before the eyes of the whole world.
1 hazardous
adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的
- These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
- Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。
2 culminated
v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 )
- a gun battle which culminated in the death of two police officers 一场造成两名警察死亡的枪战
- The gala culminated in a firework display. 晚会以大放烟火告终。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 ascent
n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高
- His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
- Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。
4 presidency
n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)
- Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
- Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。
5 awakening
n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的
- the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
- People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。
6 civic
adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的
- I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
- The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。
7 geographic
adj.地理学的，地理的
- The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法