Words and Expressions

I. Vocabulary

1.       skylight (n.) : a window in a roof or ceiling

2.       thermodynamics (n.) : the branch of physics dealing with thereversible transformation of heat into other forms or energy,esp. mechanicalenergy．and with the lawsgoverning such conversions of energy

3.  genetics (n.):the branch of biology that deals with heredityand variation in similar or related animals and plants

4.       ★mutation (n.) : a change,as in form,nature,qualities,etc.

5.       ★discredit (v.) : reject as untrue;disbelieve

6.       corollary (n.) : an inference or deduction

7.       ★homogeneous (adj.) : of the same race or kind

8.       ★clarity (n.) : the quality or condition of being clear; clearness

9.       streamline (v.) : design or construct with a contour thatoffers the least resistance in moving through air,water,etc.

10.   ★asset (n.) : anything owned that has exchange value;a valuable ordesirable thing to have

11.   cylinder (n.) : the chamber in which the piston moves in areciprocating engine

12.   carburetor (n.) : an apparatus for carbureting air or gas;eap．a device in which air ismixed with gasoline spray to make an explosive mixture in an internal—combustion engine

13.   transmission (n.) : the part of an automobile,truck,etc．that transmits motiveforce from the engine to the wheels,usually by means of gears or hydrauliccylinders

14.   mall (n.) : a completely enclosed, airconditioned shoppingcenter

15.   ★cosmopolitan (adj.) : common to or representative of all or many parts ofthe world; not national or local

16.   ★imperative (n.) : a binding or compelling rule,duty, requirement,etc．

17.   ★catastrophe (n.) : a disastrous end,bringing overthrow or ruin;any greatand sudden calamity,disaster or misfortune

18.   ★reminisce (v.) : think,talk,or write about remembered events or experiences

19.   ★blasphemy (n.) :profane or contemptuous speech,writing。or action concerning Godor anything held as divine:any remark or action held to be irreverent ordisrespectful

20.   ★rehabilitation (n.) : the restoration to reputation,rank,etc．

21.   ★plasticity (n.) : state or quality of being easily shaped or moulded

22.   insubstantial (adj.) : not substantial;not real;imaginary;notsolid or firm

23.   ★undermine (v.) : wear away at the base or foundation; injure;weaken

24.   molecule (n.) : smallest unit into which a substance can be dividedwithout a change in its chemical nature

25.   galaxy (n.): any of innumerable large groupings of stars,typically containing millions to hundreds of billions of stars

26.   artifact (n.) : any object made by human work

27.   ★skepticism (n.) : doubting attitude

28.   particle (n.) : a piece of matter so small as to beconsidered without magnitude though having inertia and the force of attraction

29.   juxtaposition (n.) : the act of placing,or the state of beingplaced,side by side or close together

30.   collage (n.) : an art form in which bits of objects,asnewspapers,cloth,pressed flowers,etc．,are pasted together on a surface inincongruous relationship for their symbolic or suggestive effect

31.   ad hoc ([Latin]) : for this specific parpose;for a specialcase only,without general application

32.   ★static (adj.) : not moving or progressing;at rest;inactive;stationary

33.   virtuosity (n.) : great technical skill in some fine art,esp． in the performance ormusic,interest in or taste for the fine arts;esp．, a sensitive but amateur interest

34.   lacy (adj.) : of lace;like lace

35.   ★etch (v.) : engrave(a metal plate,glass,etc．)by the action of an acid,esp．by coating the surfacewith wax and letting acid eat into the lines or areas laid bare with a specialneedle

36.   ★assertive (adj.) : marked by or expressing forceful statements or claims

37.   bulldozer (n.) : a large,shovellike blade on the front of atractor for pushing or moving earth,debris,etc．,a tractor with such a blade

38.   truss (n.) : an architectural bracket or modillion;a bundleor pack构架,托座;束,捆,扎

39.   bleary (adj.) : dim or blurred as the eyes are from lack ofrest or when one first awakens

40.   ★malice (n.) : active川will;desire to harm another or to do mischief

41.   granite (n.) : a very hard,crystalline,plutonic rock,gray topink in color,consisting of feldspar,quartz,and smaller amounts of darkferromagnesian minerals

42.   vault (n.) : a secure room,often with individual safe-depositboxes。for the safe keeping ofvaluables or money as in a bank

43.   slot-machine : a machine,as a vending machine,worked byinserting a coin in a slot

44.   trailer (n.) : a cart,wagon,or large van,designed to bepulled by an automobile,truck,or tractor,for hauling freight

45.   transaction (n.) : something transacted

46.   haze (n.) : a thin vapor of fog,smoke,dust,etc．,in the air that reducesvisibility

II. Expressions

1. in the fullness of time: at the appropriate or right time; eventually 在适当的时候,时机成熟时,终于

     例: I’m sure he’ll tell us what’sbothering him in the fullness of time.

我肯定他会在适当的时候告诉我们他的困扰的。

2. in the middle distance : the normal distance for the eye to observeobjects通常肉眼看到物体的距离

     例: The building is in the middledistance, so we can see it clearIy.

楼房跟我们距离适中,我们能很清晰地看到。