1. The fact that the apple fell down toward the earth and not up into the tree answered the question he had been asking himself about those larger fruits of the heavens, the moon and the planets.
【译文】苹果向下落到地面不是向上飞到树上,这一事实回答了他长期以来一直对天空中更大果实--月球和行星所存有的疑问。
【析句】这个句子的主干是The fact... answered the question。主语The fact跟了一个同位语从句(the apple fell down toward the earth and not up into the tree)。宾语the question跟了一个定语从句(he had been asking himself about those larger fruits of the heavens, the moon and the planets)。
【讲词】fact(事实)词义虽然简单,但是在英语中会作主语或宾语,特别是介词的宾语,这种情况可能会给理解增加一些困难。We have to be aware of that fact that there is censorship in every country in the world.(我们必须认识到这样一个事实,即全世界每个国家都存在审查制度。)Apart from the fact that this is mislabeled, you could not guarantee that others would recognize these conventions, or even follow them.(不仅这种说法不对,而且你无法保证其他人会认识到这些习俗,或者甚至会遵守这些习俗。)
2. In talking to some scientists, particularly younger ones, you might gather the impression that they find the "scientific method" a substitute for imaginative thought.
【译文】在和一些科学家,特别是年轻科学家交谈时,你可能会有这样一种印象:他们认为“科学方法”可以代替创造性思维。
【析句】这个句子的主干是you... gather the impression。句子的状语(In talking to some scientists,particularly younger ones)较长。that they find the "scientific method" a substitute for imaginative thought是定语从句,修饰the impression。
【讲词】 substitute意为“替代,替身”。Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality.(幻想的意义并不仅仅在于作为失意的现实的替代物。)Silk was once substituted as a writing material.(丝绸曾一度是书写材料的替代品。)The coach has to find a substitute for the injured forward.(教练必须为受伤的前锋寻找一位替补队员。)