大学英语Book2 Unit 3

Section A

Journey through the odyssey years Background information 1.generation groups in the west

Generation gaps，referring to difference between young people and their elders，especially between children and their parents，have often been attributed to rapid cultural change，particularly musical tastes，fashion，culture and politics. Some special terms for different generations have thus been coined in English-speaking countries：

Generation Jones：A term used to describe the generation born right after World War ｜｜ in 1945 through 1965.It's usually identified with ?baby boomers?.Key characteristics assigned to these members are less optimism，distrust of government，and generally used to refer to people born in the 1960s.This generation marks the period of birth decline after the baby boom. The generation was pushed toward adulthood at an age earlier than any other recent generations. They are more ethnically diverse and better educated than the baby boomers.

Generation Y：Also known as the Millennial Generation and many of them are children of baby boomers .Their birth years range from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.It's generally marked by an increase use and familiarity with communications，media，and digital technologies.

Generation Z：Also known as the net or the internet Generation. In the US and other Western nations，it is a common name for the people born from the mid.1990s or early 2000s through to the present. This generation has spend their entire life with the World Wide Web and high tech gadgets.

2.the odyssey years

The term odyssey years originated from The odyssey，a long poem by the Greek author Homer，which is a sequel of the Greek hero，Odysseus. It describes Odysseus's long journey，trying to return home from adventures and war. For English speakers，as many as for many cultures，the very name of poem，The Odyssey，has become a special term for an epic journey，or great struggle. The man character in the epic poem（史诗），Odysseus，was wandering away from home and loved ones. During his journey of 10 years，he encountered repeated troubles and challenges. The key insight in Odyssey is that the essentials of the journey are not only outward

struggle against tremendous difficulties，but，more importantly，inward struggles leading to personal growth. His journey is the one of self-discovery and of combating his own

arrogance and pride from his young rebel heart. Therefore, it makes sense to borrow The Odyssey from Greek mythology to describe the rebellious years young people usually go through. The term odyssey year is a metaphor of this special stage for young people.

Detailed study of the text

1Most of us know about the phases of life which we label to parallel

different age groups and life stages childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.(Para.1)

Meaning: Most of us know about he different life stages that we describe according to different age groups: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

phase:n.[C] one of the sages of a process of development or change 阶段；时期 As time are changing, we’re entering a new phase in international relation.随着时代的变化，我们正进入国际关系的新阶段。 label;

vt. Attach a label onto sth. or write information on sth.贴标签于；用标签标明

Mom carefully labeled each jar with its content and the date.妈妈仔细地在每个罐子上标明装物和日期。 n.[C] a piece of paper or other material which gives you information about the object it is fixed to 标签

Remember to put your address labels on your suitcases.记得在你的箱子上系上你的地址标签 parellel：vt.

1） be equal or smile to sth. 与...相当或相似

His career parallels that of his father.他的事业和他父亲有相似之处。 2) be the same distant apart at every point along their whole length与...平行

The steam parallels the road for several miles.小溪与这条路平行数英里。 adolescence：n.[U]the time.usu.between the ages of 12 and 18，when a young person is developing into an adult 青春期

This another novel about the joys and sorrows of adolescence.这是另外一本关于青春期的快乐与悲伤的小说。

2We think of infancy before childhood and middle age before old age，

with each unique phase bringing its own peculiar set of challenges.（Para.1）

Meaning：We sequence the life stages of infancy，childhood，middle age

and old age according to their natural older，with each particular life stage facing its own featured challenges.

Sentence structure Note

?with+名词/代词+现代分词?作独立主格结构

?with+名词/代词+现代分词?构成独立主格结构，主要用作状语，可以表示伴随、方式、原因、时间等。with之后的名词和其后的现代分词构成主谓关系，其中现代分词表示主动或正在进行的动作。例如：

She sat down at the table，with each dish emitting a delicious smell.她在餐桌旁坐了下来，每道菜都发出扑鼻的香味。（状语表示伴随）

The girl sat there quite silent with her eyes fixing on the wall.女孩坐在那里一言不发，目不转睛地盯着墙壁。（状语表示方式）

With our food running out，we had to walk to a village for help.由于我们的食物即将吃完，我们不得不步行到一个村子寻求帮助.（状语表示原因） With summer coming，it is becoming hotter and hotter.随着夏季来临，天气变得越来越热。（状语表示时间） peculiar：a.

1）If sth. peculiar to a particular person，place or situation，it is a feature that only belongs to that person，or only exists in that place or situation为某人/某地/某事物所待有的

He likes to do things in his own peculiar way /manner/fashion他喜欢用自己独特的方法/方式做事

2）strange，unfamiliar，or a little surprising奇怪的；异常的

That young woman，wearing a man's hat，looks somewhat peculiar.那位年轻的女子带着一顶男人的帽子，看起来有点奇怪。

Usage NOTE

Peculiar, characteristic, unusual

Peculiar, characteristic 和unusual都可用作形容词，都含有表示‘有特点的，有特色的’等意思，但有细微差别。

1从词义上说，peculiar着重‘独特性’强调‘与众不同的’特征；characteristic

常强调所指性质，也可以表示这些性质使某一事物区别于其它的食物，unusual强调‘少见的’，与通常的情况‘截然不同的’或‘未曾预料的’特征。例如 The wine has a peculiar taste.这种酒有种独特的味道。

It’s was not unusual for me to come home at two or three in the morning.凌晨两三点回家对我来说是很平常的事。

2

从用法上说，peculiar通常和介词to搭配，表示‘为某人或某物所特有’；

characteristic通常和介词of搭配，表示‘某物或某人有特性、特征、特色’；unusual通常和介词for搭配，表示‘对…不同寻常’ 例如：

Great minds in general look at life in a way peculiar to themselves.一般来说，伟大的思想家都以自己独特的眼光来看待生活。

With the friendly and generous care so characteristic of these people, they opened their house to over guests.这些人以特有的友好和慷概关爱，在家接待了多位客人。 It’s not unusual of teenagers to go through a phase when they feel ashamed of their parents, afraid that they might not live up to their friends’ standards.青少年经历为自己的父母感到羞愧的阶段时很平常的，他们生怕自己的父母达不到他们朋友所设的标准。

3 The challengers can be overcome by acquainting ourselves with them,

such as the child’s need to learn, the adult’s need to find the right career and build a family, and the senior’s need for support and good health care.(Para.1)

meaning: By familiarizing ourselves with the particular challenges such as the needs for different age groups: child, adult, and senior, we can surely overcome all these challenges.

Meaning beyond words：if we stay positive and optimistic, we’ll successfully handle the challenges at different life stages.

acquaint:vt.[fml.]give sb. information about sth. 介绍；使认识；使了解 Please acquaint us with you plans as soon as possible.请尽快将你的计划告诉我们

acquaint oneself with sth.; make an effort to learn about sth.使自己了解某事；使自己知悉某事

if you want to travel abroad, it’s worth your time and effort to acquaint yourself with the customs and social conventions of the countries you plan to visit.如果你想出国旅行，花些时间和精力去了解你计划去的哪些国家的习惯和社会习俗是值得的。

4 Interestingly, ideas about the stages of life are changing(Para.2)

Meaning beyond words: Since the sentence states that the ideas about life stages are changing, it’s predicable that the following text will focus on this topic.

5 In previous times, people didn’t have a solid idea of childhood as

being separate from adulthood.

A hundred years ago, no one thought of adolescence.(Para.3)

Meaning:In the past, people didn’t have a clear concept about separating childhood from adulthood. Children were simply seen as youngsters. Likewise, people didn’t think about the life stage of adolescence a hundred years ago. Previous: a.(only before noun)having happened or existed before the event, time, or thing that you are talking about now以前的；先前的

He has tow daughters from a previous marriage.他在前一次婚姻中育有两女。

6 Until recently it was understood as a norm that their induction to

adulthood was completed as soon as they graduated from college. They would now find a sensible job which would lead to a career.(Para.3)

Meaning: People used to consider it normal: As soon as students graduated from college, they would become part of the adult community and find a practical and reliable job toward a career.

Meaning beyond words: Things are no longer the same as they were in the past. College graduates won’t find an ideal job right after they graduate from school. Tt’ll take longer time before they start with their career. Induction: n.[C,U] the introduction of sb. into a new job, company official position, etc.,or the ceremony at which this is done就职；入门；就职仪式

Mrs. Simpson is responsible for the induction of the new library stuff.辛普森太太负责图书馆新职员的入职。

sensible: a.reasonable, practical, and showing good judgment合理的；切合实际的；明智的

It would be sensible to take an umbrella with you since there are dark clouds in the sky.因为天空已乌云密布，你带一把伞是明智的。

Usage NOTE

Sensible, sensitive

1 sensible表示‘明智的’，如：a sensible person(一个明智的人)，a sensible

plan(一个切合实际的计划)。A sensible person makes good decisions and judgments based on reason rather than emotion.一个明智的人会根据理智而不是情感来作出合理的决定和判断。

2sensitive在词义上表示?敏感的；易受影响的?。例如： A sensitive person

is easily upset by others people’s remarks or behavior.敏感的人很容易因他人的言论或行为而生气。

Sensitive to表示?对…过敏的；对…理解的?。例如：

Unfortunately, she is sensitive to penicillin, and I doubt whether any other drug will help her.不幸地是，他对青霉素过敏，我不能确定是否有其他药物可以帮助他。

We’re trying to make people more sensitive to the difficulties faced by working mothers.我们正在努力使人们更理解上班族妈妈所面临的困难。

7Then during this career they would start a family, ideally before they

turned 30(Para.3)

Meaning: While working on their career, they would get married to start their own family, preferably by age 30.

8 Today we have an equivalent need to recognize a new phase of life comes

after high school graduation, continues through college, and then leads to starting a family and having a career, the so-called odyssey

years.(Para.4)

Meaning: Today we are also required to recognize a new life stage which starts from high school graduation through college till they settle down with with a family and a career.This new phase might be called the odyssey years,the years of self-discovery. equivalent:

a. Having the same value, purpose, job, etc, as a person or thing of a different kind 等值的；同等的；相当的

His silence is equivalent to an approval.他的沉默等于同意.。

n.[C]sth. That is too expensive for me; it costs the equivalent of a whole year’s salary of mine.这辆车对我来说太贵了，它相当于我去全年的工资。 so-called: a.(only before noun) used to show that sth. or sb. Is usu. called a particular name如此称呼的；号称的

They’ve found the flight recorder, the so-called black box.他们发现了飞行记录器，即所谓的黑匣子。

9Recent trends show radical changes as young people are following a

different agenda. (Para.4)

Meaning: As young people are living a different lifestyle, the society has gone through tremendous changes.

Meaning beyond words: Young people tend to behave rebelliously, which is contrary to the traditional way and beyond the expectations of their parents. radical:a.

1)used fore saying that a change or way of doing sth. is new and very different from the usual way(改变或方式)彻底的，根本的

2) To work within our budget, we need to make some radical changes to our operating procedures.为了配合预算，我们对操作程序需要一些根本的改变。 2）used for saying that an idea is very new and different, and against what most people think or believe激进的；前卫的

There is political tension between radical and conservation politicians.激进与保守的政客之间的政治关系紧张。

agent:n.[C] all the things that need to be done or that need to be thought or solved日常工作事项

There are no excursions or sightseeing trips on his agenda. It’s just work,work,work.他的日常工作事项中没有短途出行或观光，除了工作还是工作。

10 They take breaks from school, live with friends and often return to

living with their parents. (Para.4)

Meaning:They stop going to school for a while live with friends and often even return to living with their parents

Meaning beyond words:They obviously have more freedom than older generation.

take a break from:rest for a short period of time when you stop doing sth.

中断；暂停 She took a break from her work to make herself some coffee and then resumed a few minutes later.她暂停了一会工作，给自己跑了一点咖啡，然后几分钟后继续工作。

11 Similarly, they fall in and out of love, quit one jib and try another

or even shift to a new career. (Para.4)

Meaning: Likewise they fall in and out of love, give up one job and try another, or change to a completely different profession.

Meaning beyond words: Before they finally settle down, college graduates need to accumulate life experiences-to discover themselves during their odyssey years.

quit:v.(infml.)leave a job, school, etc, esp. Without completely finishing it 离开（工作岗位，学校等）；离任，离校

The majority of smokers say that they would like to quit smoking.大多数的吸烟者说他们是想戒烟的。 shift：

V. move form one place or position to another or make sth. do this(使)移动；（使）转移（地点或位置）

The wind is expected to shift to the east tomorrow.预计明天会向东移。 n.[C] a change in the way people think about sth.,in the way sth. Is done,etc.(想法、做法等的）改变

The company reacted quickly to shifts in consumer demand.该公司对消费者需求的变化反应迅速。

12 So,we need to recognize the new stage,the odyssey years,which many

now consider to be an unavoidable stage in reaching adulthood.(Para.4) Meaning:Therefore,it is necessary to recognized this unavoidable new stage, where young people explore life in order to reach adulthood.

13 People who were born prior to the 60s or 70s in the last century tended

to frame their concept of adulthood based upon achieving certain accomplishments: moving away from home, becoming financially independent, finding the right spouse and staring a family.(Para.5)

Meaning: People born before the 1960s or 1970s were likely to define the term adulthood according to certain accomplishments, such as moving away from home, having financial independence, and starting a family with a good husband or wife.

prior:a.(fml.) happening, existing, or done before a particular time 先前的，之前的，事先的

Illegally parked cars may be removed at any time without prior notice.违章停放的车辆随时会被挪走，无需事先告知。

prior to sth.:(fml.) before sth.在某事之前，先于某事 Although his aunt was gravely ill with cancer, she didn’t suffer the weeks

prior to her death.虽然他的姑姑患了癌症，病得很重，但他在去世前的几个星期并没有遭受痛苦。

tend to do sth.:usu. do a particular thing 倾向于；往往会，易于做某事 People tend to need less sleep as they get older.随着年纪的增长，人们需要的睡眠会变少。 frame:

Vt.(fml.) carefully plan the way you’re going to ask a question, make a statement, etc.(小心措辞以）表达

She wondered how she was going to frame the question.她不知道怎么来提这个问题。

n.[C] a structure made of wood, metal, plastic, etc. that surrounds sth. such as a picture or window, and holds it in place框架，边框

The wind rattled through the cracks of the window frames.风穿过窗框的裂缝咯咯作响。

base upon/on:use sth. as the thing from which sth. is developed以。。。为基础；以...为根据

These are the key factors for being a successful speaker, and they are based on my pwn experience.这些是成为一名成功的演说家的关键因素是以我自己的经验为基础的。

spouse:n.[C](fml.) a husband or wife 配偶

People can never be too careful when they choose a spouse.人们在选择配偶时要格外谨慎。

14 But that emphasis on stability did not remain static. Today, young

people are unlikely to do the same.(Para.5)

Meaning: However, stability didn’t stay the same forever since young people since young people today are doing things differently from their parents,

Meaning beyond words: Young people today are unlikely to behave the same way as was at one time considered as the norm: moving away from home, becoming financially independent, finding the right spouse and starting a family right after they graduated from college.

stability:n.[U] a situation in which things happen as they should and there are no harmful changes稳固，稳定

In order to prosper, a country must have political economic and social stability.为实现繁荣昌盛，一个国家必须在政治、经济和社会上保持稳定。 static:a, not moving,changing,or developing不动的，不变化的，不发展的，静止的

Although oil prices never remain static, they have, at least, been stable for the last few months.虽然油价不会保持不变，但至少在过去的几个月是一直保持稳定的。

15 During the odyssey years, a high proportion of young people are

delaying marriage, child bearing, and even employment. (Para.5)

Meaning: Many young people postpone getting married, having children and taking a job during their odyssey years.

proportion:n.[C,usu.sing](~of) a part of number or amount, considered in relation to the whole部分；份额 It is a sad reality that children make up a large proportion of the world’s population who suffers from hunger.儿童占世界上遭受饥饿人口的很大部分，这是一个悲哀的现实。

16 The odyssey years can saddle young people with enormous pressure to

move forward quickly.(Para.6) Meaning:The odyssey years can make young people feel much stressed to move ahead quickly. saddle:

V. put a saddle on a horse给（马）装鞍具；装上马鞍

Why don’t we saddle a couple of horses and go for a ride?我们为什么不给几匹马装上鞍具去跑一圈呢？ n[C] a seat,often made of leather, used on a horse,bicycle,motorcycle,etc.马鞍；（自行车、摩托车等的）车座

When i watch horse racing on television, I wish I was back in the saddle.我在电视剧上观看赛马时，我希望自己又回到了马鞍上。

saddle sb. with sth.:give sb, sth, that is difficult to deal with 使某人承担苦差事；使某人负重担

The company is saddled with debt due to the consequence of an increased cost of production,生产成本的提高使该公司陷入了债务。

17 As the sole heir and focus of their parents’ expectations, hopes and

dreams, some react with rebellious and prideful attitudes and behavior toward their parents.(Para.6)

Meaning: Being the only heir and focus of their parents’ expectations, hopes and dreams, some young people behaved rebelliously and proudly toward their parents.

heir:n.[C] the person who has the legal right to receive the property or title of another person when they die 继承人

The king’s eldest son is the heir to the royal seat of power.国王的长子是王位的权力继承人。 rebel:

n.[C] sb. Who opposes or flights against people in authority造反者，反叛者

A Red Cross car drove into the rebel territory to help the wounded.红十字会的车开进反叛军的领地去帮助伤员。

vi. Oppose sb. in authority accepted ways of doing things造反；反抗（权威或常规）

The people rebelled against the harsh new government.人民反抗苛刻的新政府。

rebellious:a. deliberetely nor obeying people in authority or rules of behavior叛徒的，翻盘的，反抗的。

Her teachers regard her as a rebellious, trouble-making girl, but in fact she never causes any trouble.她的老师认为他是一个有逆反心理、且会制造麻烦的女孩，可事实上她从来都不会惹麻烦。

18 They often resent the pressure they’re felling and keep a distance

from their parents or even run away from home.(Para.6)

Meaning:They often feel upset about the stress have and stay away from their parents or even secretly leave home.

resent:vt. Feel angry or upset because you think you have been treated unfairly or without enough respect对...感到愤恨（不满）

The young girl bitterly resented her father’s new wife.这个年轻女孩极为憎恨父亲的新妻子。

keep a distance from: stay far enough away from sb. or sth, be safe保持距离

When driving fast on the highway, you should always keep a distance from the car in front of you to avoid hitting that car.在高速公路上快速行驶时，应该总是跟前面的车保持一定的距离，以免撞上。

run away from：leave a place.esp.secrectly，in order to escape from sb. or sth.（尤指）秘密地逃跑，出逃

Her mother's continual criticizing drove her into running away from home.她母亲不断批评她，促使她离家出走。

19Their confusion comes from the difficulties to make parents understand

them and the fluid journey of discovery they need in this phase of their lives.（Para.6）

Meaning：They get confused because it's hard to communicate with their parents and also because the journey of self-discovery they need in this particular life stage is full of uncertainty.

Meaning beyond words：In addition to the uncertainty of this newly added life stage，there is a generation gap between parents and children，which could be frustrating to young people. fluid：

a. likely to change 不固定的；易变的

The military situation is still very fluid.军事局势仍然非常不确定。 n.[C，U]a liquid 液（体）

If you have a fever，you should drink plenty of fluids.如果发烧，就需要吸入大量的液体。

20To get away from this confusion an?d upset，many young people resort

to computer games，iPods，iPhones，or iPads to help distract them from their pain and stress.（Para.6）

Meaning:In order not to be bothered by this confusion and frustration and to forget

about their pain and stress, many young people turn to computer games,,iPods,iPhones,or iPads.

Meaning beyond words: As young people can’t bear such big stress, they try to do something which will make them feel better to temporarily enjoy themselves and get rid of their parents.

get away from: avoid sth. That is difficult or unpleasant, or sth. That limits what one can do in some way摆脱（困难或不愉快的事，或某种限制）Playing tennis is good exercise and also allows me to get away from thinking about my work.打网球是一项很好的运动，它也能让我不去想我的工作。

resort:vi.(fml.)(~to)do sth. Extreme or unpleasant in order to solve a problem采取，诉说（不好的事物）I think we can solve this problem without resorting to legal action.我认为我们可以不诉诸法律就解决这个问题。

distract: vt. get sb’s attention and prevent them from concentrating on sth.分散，转移（注意力）I decided to ignore the rumor as I did not want anything to distract me from writing the paper.我决定对谣言不予理睬，因为我不希望有任何事打扰我写论文。

21 Likewise, their parents are feeling more anxious.(Para.7)

Meaning: Their parents become more restless as well.

Meaning beyond words: As their grown children would not listen to their advice, parents are getting more worried about what direction their children may move to.

22 They may make allowances for a transition phase from student life to adult life,

but they get upset when they see the transition of their grown children’s lives moving away from their expectations and stretching five years to seven years, and beyond.(Para.7) Meaning: Parents may accept their grown children to delay the transition period from student life to adult life, but they find their children moving away from what they expected and when they extend the period to too many years. allowance:n.

1)(make ~s for) accept behavior that you would not normally accept because you know why sb. Has behaved that way体量；原谅

You should make allowances for him; he’s been quite ill recently.你应该体谅他，他最近身体相当不适。

2)[C,usu,sing.] an amount of money that sb. Receives regularly in order to pay for the things they need定期补贴；津贴

I couldn’t have managed at college if I hadn’t had an allowance from my parents.如果没有我父母的补贴，我根本念不完大学 transition:n.[C,U] (fml.) the process of changing from one situation, form, or state to another过渡；转变；变迁

The health-care system is in tremendous transition at the moment, but unfortunately not all of the changes are positive for patients.医疗保健系统目前正处于重大转变期，可是很不幸，不是所有的改变都对病人有利。

23 The parents don’t even detect a clear sense of direction in their children’s

lives. They look at them and see the things that are being delayed. (Para.7) Meaning: The parents even lose track of their children’s lives, so they just look at them and see how the things that should be done are being postponed.

Meaning beyond words: Parents are very worried about their grown children’s future but simply don’t know what to do to help.

24 It’s hard to predict what’s next. New guidelines haven’t been established

yet, and everything seems to give way to a less permanent version of itself. (Para.8) Meaning: It is hard to say in advance what will happen next. Since no new social rules or instructions have been set up yet, everything seems to be temporary or unfixed.

predict: vt.say sth. That will happen before it happens 预言；预料；预测

It’s still not possible to accurately predict the occurrence of earthquakes.地震的发生仍然无法准确的预测。 Predict, anticipate

predict和anticipate 都是动词，都含有?预言；预料?之意。 1 predict 表示?预言；预料?之意时，往往是根据内心感受、经验、证据或迹象；anticipate 表示?预言；预料?之意时，往往根据以往的经验、自己的向往、设想来推测。例如:

In fact, no one can predict whether his idea will end up with a great success for our business.事实上，没人能预测他的想法是否最终会使我们的业务取得成功。

I anticipate a lot of interest in my newspaper advertisement.我预料我在报纸上登的广告会一起人们很大的兴趣。

2 predict是及物动词，后可接名词词组名词作宾语，后接动词不定式时常用语被动结构。 Unemployment is predicted to increase to 700,00 by the end of the year.预计事业人口到今年年底将增至70万。

Anticipate 是及物动词，一般接名词、动名词或名词从句作宾语，可用于被动结构；anticipate 后不能跟动词不定式。

A good manufacturer must try to anticipate what his customers will want and decide what shall be produced.一位优秀的制造商必须努力预料顾客需要什么，然后决定生产什么。

guideline: n. [C,usu,pl.] rules or instructions about the best way to do sth. 指导方针；指导原则 The European Union has issued guidelines for appropriate levels of pay for part-time manual workers.欧盟已发布有关支付兼职体力劳工适当酬劳的指导原则。

give way to: be replaced by sth. else 被…取代

He was greatly disappointed over his boss’ decision against giving him a pay raise, and soon his disappointment gave way to anger.他对老板不给他加薪的决定感到非常失望，很快他的失望变成了愤怒。 version: n.[C]

1) a form of sth. that is different from other forms or from the original版本；改编形式The computerized version, which contains all the same information, costs

th

only a 10 of the price of the printed book.电脑版本包含了印刷本的所有信息，而成本只是印刷本价格的十分之一。

2) a description of tth. that happened according to one person(根据个人的观点对

事件的)描述，说法 I am inclined to accept the official version of the many reports about how the events developed after the heavy rain flooded the village.对大雨淹没后村庄后各种事件如何发展的众多报道中，我倾向于接受版本的报道。

25 There’s been a shift in the status and balance of power between the genders,

too. More women are getting degrees than men.(Para.8)

Meaning: There’s also been a change in the social status and power between male and female. Now more women are getting degrees than men.

status: n. [U] sb.’s position in a profession or society, esp. Compared to other people社会地位（尤指与其他人相比）

Many wealthy people drive expensive cars as a sign of their high social status.许多有钱人开昂贵的轿车作为他们社会地位高的标志。

26 Male wages have remained stable over the past decades, while female wages have

boomed. (Para.8)

Meaning: Male wages have remained steady over the past decades; in contrast, female wages have been on the increase.

stable: a. Steady and not likely to move or change 稳定的；不变的

After several part-time jobs, he’s now got a stable job in a bank.做了几份兼职工作后，他现在在一家银行找到了一份稳定的工作。

boom: vi. (usu. In progressive) experience a period of economic success, with a lot of trade and business activity (国家、地区或行业)繁荣，迅速发展

Because people have more money to spend and more vacation time to enjoy, the leisure industry in this country is booming.因为人们有很多的钱消费，有更多的时间休假，这个国家的休闲产业正在蓬勃发展。

27 Apart from anything else, this has had an implicit effect on courtship. Educated

women can get many of the things they want, such as security, accomplishment, and identity without marriage.(Para.9) Meaning: In addition to anything else, the delay has affected romantic relationships in a subtle way. Unmarried but educated women can still have many of the things that they want, such as security, accomplishment and identity.

Meaning beyond words: In terms of romantic relationships, educated women can always get more advantages than men. apart

Ad. Separated by a distance or , less commonly ,by time（空间、时间方面）成距离，相间隔 The two men, who had consumed too much alcohol and were now fighting, had to be dragged apart in case they would hurt each other. 两个喝了很多酒的男人在打架，人们不得不把他们拖开，以防他们互相伤害。 a. Separate 分离的；分隔的

We’ve been apart for too long, but we’ll soon be together again.我们已经分开太久，但我们将很快在一起。

apart from : (AmE) in addition to sb. or sth.

Apart from the international flight, the children have to pay for their own expenses on the trip

除了国际航班的飞机票，孩子们必须支付旅行中自己的花费。

have an effect on : make a change that is produced in one person or thing by another对…产生作用

The radiation leak after the earthquake had a disastrous effect on the people living in the affected area as well as the environment. 地震后的辐射物泄露对居住在受灾地区的人们和灾区环境造成了灾难性的影响。

implicit: a.(fml.) forming a central part of sth. but without being openly stated 隐含其中；的不名言的

He interpreted her open comments as an implicit criticism of the government.他把她的公开评论理解为对政府的含蓄的批评。

28 However, both genders are having a harder time finding suitable mates to build

their lives with. (Para.9)

Meaning: However, it has become difficult for both males and females to find their appropriate partners whom they can build their future with.

Meaning beyond words: The difficulty for both genders to find a suitable spouse is caused by the transition phase.

29 Considering all of this, it’s beneficial to know that even though graduates

are delaying many things after college, surveys show they still hold highly traditional aspirations.(Para.9)

Meaning : When thinking about all of this, it’s good to know that even if graduates are delaying many things after college , surveys show they still keep highly traditional desires and goals. considering: prep.& conj. Used to say that you are thinking about a particular fact when you are giving your opinion考虑到；鉴于 She did well finding her way around the big city , considering she’d only been there once before 考虑到她以前只去过那个大城市一次，她能找到路已经很了不起了。

30 For example, this contemporary generation rates parenthood even more highly than

previous generations did! (Para.9) Meaning: Young people, for instance, think of parenting more important than previous generations did.

Meaning beyond words: Young people think that the quality of their own parents’ parenting was inadequate and their own parenting should be of a higher quality. contemporary: a. Belonging to the present time 当代的

Although the story was written more than a hundred years ago , it has a contemporary feel to it.虽然这个故事是一个一百多年以前写的，但它还是给人一种当代的感觉。

31 This new phase will likely grow more pronounced in the coming years. (Para.10)

Meaning : This new phase in the development of young people will continue to spread and gain easier recognition in the near future.

32 Nations around the world have witnessed similar trends toward delaying marriage

between higher education and settling down with a career and family.(Para.10) Meaning: The whole world has noticed a similar tendency-grown children delay marriage and spend more years than generations before them, wandering at higher education and settling down with a career and family. witness : vt.

1) used for saying that sth. happened at a particular time or in a particular place 是发生（某事件）的时间或地点。

The modern society has witnessed the increasing phenomenon of the single parent family.现代社会已目睹了单亲家庭不断增加的现象。

2) see sth. happen , esp. a crime or an accident 目击，亲眼看见（尤指罪行或事故发生）

Several residents claim to have witnessed the attack.几位居民称目击了这个袭击事件。

33 Nevertheless, graduates shouldn’t be deceived into thinking they can back off

simply because things have become more difficult.(Para.11)

Meaning : However, graduates shouldn’t get the wrong assumption that they can give up because things have become harder.

deceive: vt. make sb. believe sth. that is not true 欺骗

Advertisers are now forbidden to deceive customers with false claims.现在已禁止广告商用不实之词来欺骗消费者。

deceive sb. into doing sth .: trick sb in order to make them do what you want them to do 欺骗某人做某事

I was in my room reading when the sound of the door closing deceive me into thinking my family had gone out.我正在房间里看书时，关门的声音让我误以为我的家人都出去了。 Deceive, cheat 1 deceive 作及物动词用，表示欺骗；蒙骗；行骗，指用虚假、哄骗、隐瞒等手段以假乱真，使人产生误解或错觉而相信假的东西，上当受骗。

Honeyed words may deceive people for some time , but they cannot stand the test of time and practice 花言巧语蒙骗人于一时，但是却经不起时间的实践的检验。

Cheat 作及物动词用时，表示欺骗；骗取，常指用不公平的手段、不诚实的方法骗取某物。 The greedy shopkeeper often cheats customers by selling fake goods 这个黑心的老板经常出手假货欺骗客户。

Cheat 作不及物动词用时，表示作弊。

He cheated on (in) the examination. 他考试作弊。 2 deceive 的施动者为enemy, rival, agent等，受动者常为受骗的对象如firm, purchaser, shopper等，常用搭配为deceive sb into doing sth ，介词into的宾语常为believing ,thinking ,buying ,selling等。

He deceived the shopkeeper into purchasing a large quantity of fake commodities.他骗店主采购了大量的假冒商品。

Cheat 表示骗取时，其宾语一般是人。常用搭配为 cheat sb (out)of sth. 介词of后常接fortune, wealth, achievement ,success等。

He cheated me (out) of my watch. 他骗走了我的手表。

back off : stop supporting sth , or decide not to do sth, you were planning to do 放弃；退出

Jerry backed off the project when he realized how much work was involved to do a good job completing it.当杰瑞意识到需要多少工作量才能完成这个项目时，他放弃了。

34 A large number of people chasing relatively fewer opportunities can create string

competitive pressure.(Para.11)

Meaning : A large number of people competing for fewer jobs can put a lot of stress on young people.

35 So, from the outset, keep you resume professional and up-to-date.(Para.11)

Meaning: Therefore, from the very beginning you need to keep your resume well-written, and you must often revise it as necessary.

outset:n.(at/from the ~) at or from the beginning of an event or process 从开头时；从一开始 Many customers have complained that there have been trouble with the new coffee shop right from the outset of its opening day.很多客人都抱怨这个新咖啡店从开张起就一直麻烦不断。 resume:n.[C] (BrE CV) a short written account of your education and your previous jobs that you send to an employer when you are looking for a new job 个人简历

To get only one interview, a college graduate must count on sending out at least one hundred resumes.仅为得到一次面试，一个大学毕业生就必须发送至少一百分简历。 up-to-date ; a . Including all the latest Information 包含最新消息的

Great trouble is taken to keep our textbooks op-to-date and keep their information current.我们废了很大的力气来更新我们的教科书，并保证这些书的信息是最新的。

36 To reinforce this essential message, success moving through the odyssey years will come to

those who don?t expect to achieve their goals right away but know that they must have the strength ,capacity and confidence to endure over the long term.(Para.12)

Meaning: Success only belongs to those young people who are not too anxious about their immediate achievements and who have long-term goals and fine qualities such as strength, capacity and confidence in order to sustain through the long odyssey years.

reinforce: vt . Give support to opinion ,idea, or feeling and make it stronger 强化，加强（观点、思想或感觉）

His rude behavior at the party merely reinforced my previous dislike of him.他在派队上的粗鲁行为只是增强了我对他以前就有的厌恶感。

37 Stay strong,be positive ,and keep focused! Someday you will look back and wonder at the

vast changes as you passed though the odyssey years.(Para.12)

Meaning: Remain strong, be positive, and keep focused on your goals. Someday when you look back you would feel surprised at what you have achieved through the odyssey years.

Wonder at: feel surprised and unable to believe sth.对…感到惊讶

Visitors to mountainous areas tend to wonder at the speed with which the weather can change in such areas.去山里观光的游客会对这个地区天气变化之快感到诧异。

Section B Finding my way back home

Reading skills

Understanding figurative language

Understanding figurative language is the reading skill introduced in this unit.

Figurative language uses words or expressions with a meaning that in different from the literal interpretation. When a writer uses literal language, he is simply stating the facts as they are. Figurative language, in comparison, uses exaggerations or alterations. Figurative language is very common in poetry, but is also used in prose and nonfiction writing

Background information

Global instability

With the ever-changing cultural and societal values people experience today, the best measure of success is your ability to instability. From about 1946 to the 1960s people enjoyed a stable era after World War II. Most people married young, settled down, had children and chased the so-called American dream which was defined by material possessions and a comfortable life. Beginning with the 1960s, young people were more restless than their parents? generation; nevertheless, they still ended up pursuing the dreams of their parents. Today?s world, however, is marked by global economic instabilities and faster than ever changes. For young people now, mobility is a more desirable goal than stability. This is especially true for the odyssey years. The main character in Text B is a typical young man with a rebellious heart, pride and arrogance. Running away from home, he started his odyssey journey after he completed high school. The adventure during this period provides young people with a good opportunity to explore and speculate on their life goals. Consequently, the adventure becomes a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness. A decade of wandering frequently occurs between adolescence and adulthood.

Hitchhiking

The author ran away from home after he graduated from high school, trying to discover himself through his exploration. He was hitchhiking on his way back home,

trying to get free rides from drivers of passing vehicles. The word hitchhiking is a compound word composed of hitch (a form of travel in which the traveler tries to get a ride from another traveler, usually a car or truck driver) and hiking (walking lengthy distances in the countryside or wilderness). The word refers to a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their automobile or other road vehicles to travel a distance that may either be short or travel a distance that may either be short or long. The latter may require many rides from different people; a ride is usually, but not always, free. If one wishes to indicate that they need a ride, they must simply make a hand gesture.

Detailed study of the text

1”Dear Dad,” I wrote, “I want to come home from my exile.”(Para.1)

Meaning beyond words: The young man now regrets that he ran away from home. exile：

n. [sing.U] a situation in which sb. Is forced to leave their country and live in another country, because of some reasons, usu. For political reasons流放，放逐，流亡（通常指因政治原因）

The king went into exile because the political situation in his country made it dangerous for him to stay at home.由于该国家的政治局势，留在国内会使国王处于危险境地，所以他流亡到了国外。

Vt.（usu. Passive) force sb. To leave their country,esp. For political reasons(尤指因政治原因而）迫使（某人）流亡国外

The monarch was exiled because of the coup.因为政变，君主被迫流亡国外。

2After many hours of thinking as I sat by the side of a busy highway, I tore the page

in half and crushed into a small hall. I?d started this letter many times but would always fall into despair.

I wanted to go home-home to my parents and sisters, but would always hesitate...I didn?t know if it was feasible.(Para.1)

Meaning beyond words: The young man was having an inner struggle. On one hand, he was anxious to go back to his home and reunite with his parents and sisters. On the other hand, he was afraid of facing his parents. He hesitated and wondered whether he was still allowed to return home.

fall into: start to have a particular mood, esp. suddenly(尤指突然）陷入（某种心境） The failure gave me such a strong feeling of frustration that I fell into a deep pain.失败让我体验到了强烈的挫败感，我陷入深深的痛苦之中。

hesitate:vi. Pause before saying or doing sth. Because of nervousness and uncertainty 犹豫：迟疑

No matter what the request, as long as it?s legal, don?t hesitate to ask.无论什么要求，只要是合法的，就要毫不犹豫的提出来

feasible:a. Possible or likely to succeed 可行的：可能的

With the extra resources and money, the plan to build a new school for the village

now seems feasible.有了额外的资源和资金，为了这个村庄筹建一所新学校的计划现在看来似乎是可行的。

Usage NOTE Feasible, possible

Feasible, possible都是形容词，都表示可能

1feasible指理论上和操作上“可行的；行得通的”，强调是可以实现的、可执行的、能被做或使完成的。

It?s quite clear that the electric car is technically feasible,相当明显，电动汽车在技术上使可行的。

2possible 指在“客观上可能存在或法伤的”，强调不确定性。例如 It?s possible that the train will be delayed.列车将有可能晚点。

3 My parents had insisted I go to college; our family code demanded it but I was tired of school. I hated it. I was determined not to go.（Para.2)

Meaning: Following the rules of our family tradition, my parents required me to go to college after my high school graduation, but I was so bored with school already that I simple didn?t want to go. ★code:n.

1)[C] a set of rules about how sth, should be done or how people should behave.准则；规范；行为规范

All members of the association must adhere to a strict code of behavior.该协会的所有成员必须遵守严格的行为准则。

2）[C.U] a system of words, letters, or symbols that you use instead of ordinary writing, so that you use instead of ordinary writing, so that the information can only be understood by sb. Else who knows the system密码；代码；代号

Goods that you order must have a product code.你订购的货物肯定都有产品代码。

★be tired of: be bored with sth. Because it is no longer interesting or has become annoying对（做）某事感到厌烦

I think I need a vacation; I?m so tired of doing the same job day after day.我觉得我需要休假，我很厌倦日复一日做相同的工作。

4 And, besides, my father was too strict with me.(Para.2)

Meaning beyond words: He ran away from his family because he was bored with school and also because his father was too tough on him.

★be strict with sb.: expect people to obey rules or do what you say对（某人）严格；对（某人）严厉

My parents were very strict with me when I was young.我小的时候，父母对我非常严厉。

5 The allowance he gave me was pitiful. I had multiple jobs to do around the farm.I hated the work, finding it hollow and dull! I was miserable.(Para.2)

Meaning: My father only gave me very little pocket money though I had to do various jobs on the farm. The work on the farm was so meaningless and boring that I felt bad and unhappy. Meaning beyond words: The young man can no longer bear such a life! It?s just too much!

Note In American culture, parents usually give children some money for the household things they help with. In the text, the young man also got some money from his father for the jobs he did the family farm.

★hollow;a.

1)with no real meaning无意义的，虚有其表的

She had something of a hollow victor; she won the case but lost all her saving in legal fees.这是一场没有意义的胜利--她胜诉了，但为支付法律费用，他失去了所有的积蓄 2）empty inside 空的；中空的，空心的

Hollow blocks are used because they are lighter.使用空心的砌块是因为它们更轻。 ★miserable; a. Extremely unhappy or uncomfortable苦恼的；痛苦的；难受的

Living on her own makes her feel miserable because she is used to having the company of her family。他自己一个人生活觉得很痛苦，因为她已习惯了有家人陪伴。

6There had been a fight between my father and me. Like a volcano erupting, I

snapped.(Para.3)

Meaning: I had a heated argument with my father, consequently, I burst into anger, just like a volcano exploding all of a sudden.

Meaning beyond words: The author uses a simile to vividly describe how angry he was when arguing with his dad, like a volcano.

volcano:n.[C] a mountain that forces hot gas, rocks, ash and melted rock into the air through a hole at the top火山

an extinct/active/dormant volcano一个死/活/跃/休眠火山 erupt;vi.

1) if a volcano erupts, it explodes inside and flames, rocks and melted rocks come out of the top(火山）爆发，喷发

The volcano of Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980,and it devastated a large area of Washington State1980年圣海伦火山喷发，摧毁了华盛顿大面积的土地。 2）if fighting, violence ,noise, etc. Erupt, it starts suddenly(搏斗、暴力事件、噪音等）突然发生，爆发

At the end of a hot summer, violence erupted in the inner cities.一个炎热的夏末，在内陆城市爆发了暴力事件。

snap;vi. Suddenly lose control and become extremely angry or upset because a situation has become too annoying or difficult突然发怒；突然崩溃

There?s no need to snap at me;it?s not my fault that you lost your wallet.没有必要对我发火，你丢钱包不是我的错。

7 I threw some things into a bag and left angrily. My father shouted after me, ?If you

leave, don?t come back!?My mother cried and I have seen her grief and tears a hundred times during sleepless nights.(Para.3)

Meaning beyond words: That was how he broke the tie with his family. Since then, he had been in exile, away from home. However, he has been regretting his action and thinking about home all the time.

8 The letter had to be written. (Para.4)

Meaning beyond words: No matter how hard and unpredictable finding his way home was, he had to finish writing the letter.

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