1. The most thrilling explanation is,unfortunately,a little defective. Some economists argue that powerful structural changes in the world have upended the old economic models that were based upon the historical link between growth and inflation.
【译文】可惜的是,这最令人震惊的解释也有缺陷。一些经济学家认为,世界经济结构强有力的变化已经推翻了那个以经济增长和通货膨胀的历史关联为基础的旧的经济模式。
【析句】第一个句子相对比较简单。第二个句子的主干是Some economists argue,宾语是一个从句,而从句的宾语又跟了一个定语从句(that were based upon the historical link between growth and inflation),修饰the old economic models。
【讲词】upend一词由动词短语end up衍生而来,意为“结束,推翻”。defective意为“有缺陷的;(智商或行为有)欠缺的”,或“有缺陷的人(物)”。 He is defective in moral sense.(他不能分辨邪正。)His speech can only be described as defective.(他的演讲很有不妥之处。)
2. “Is this what you intended to accomplish with your careers?” Senator Robert Dole asked Time Warner executives last week. “You have sold your souls,but must you corrupt our nation and threaten our children as well?”
【译文】 参议员罗伯特•多尔上星期质问时代华纳公司高层人士时说:“难道这就是你们要成就的事业吗?你们已经出卖了自己的灵魂,难道你们还非要腐化我们的国家,威胁我们的孩子不成?”
【析句】 这是一个有直接引语的复杂句。首先抓住核心句Senator Robert Dole asked Time Warner executives last week,其前后是直接引语。这个直接引语的前半部分是一个一般疑问句,后面由两个转折关系的句子构成,由连词but连接。第二个分句中, but后面的句子是一个一般疑问句,由情态动词must引导,包括由and这个连词连接的两个并列部分(corrupt our nation和threaten our children as well)。
【讲词】 corrupt意为“(使)腐败;腐烂;贿赂”,既可作动词也可作形容词。He was sent to prison for trying to corrupt a tax official with money.(他因企图向税务官员行贿而被判入狱。)You are corrupted at heart.(你心术不正。)The text was corrupted by careless copyists.(原文因抄写员粗心而有讹误。)