比較結構長難句分類解析

比較結構長難句分類解析

1. Science, in practice, depends far less on the experiments it prepares than on the preparedness of the minds of the men who watch the experiments.

【翻譯演練】 　____________________________

【參考譯文】 　實際上，科學更多地取決于觀察試驗者的腦力準備，而非科學所需要的實驗本身。

【結構分析】 　Science, in practice, depends far less on the experiments (it prepares)// than on the preparedness (of the minds) (of the men) (who watch the experiments).此句的整體結構可簡化為：Science...depends far less on A than B“科學更多地依賴B而非A”；第一段是句子的主干，主語是science，謂語是depends on，賓語是the experiments，其后it prepares是experiments的定語從句，省略了關系代詞that，雙逗號中間的in practice則是范圍狀語，被插入于句中，表示謂語動作發(fā)生的范圍；第二段是比較狀語，介詞表達on the preparedness和前面對應的介詞表達on the experiments形成比較關系，其中的（of the minds）（of the men）（who watch the experiments）是層層限定的關系，of the minds修飾preparedness，of the men修飾minds，who watch the experiments修飾men。

【詞匯精記】 　in practice 在實踐中，實際上；depend on 依賴于，取決于；preparedness 準備情況。

2. Yet their present development is wholly different, not so much because of different people even, but because of the different thoughts that exist in the minds of their inhabitants.

【翻譯演練】 　_____________________________

【參考譯文】 　然而他們當前的發(fā)展是迥然不同的，其原因根本不是人種的不同，而是存在于當地居民頭腦中思想的不同。

【結構分析】 　Yet their present development is wholly different,// not so much because of different people even , but because of the different thoughts (that exist in the minds of their inhabitants).第一段是句子的主干，主語是their development，謂語是系動詞is，表語是different；第二段是由not...but...構成框架的兩個對比原因狀語（not because of...but because of...），為了加強語氣，改寫成了not so much A even but B模式，可譯為：“根本不是A而是B”；句子末端的that從句是that引導的定語從句，修飾先行詞thoughts。

【詞匯精記】 　wholly 整個的；inhabitant 居民。

3. If experiments are planned and carried out according to plan as faithfully as the reports in the science journals indicate, then it is perfectly logical for management to expect research to produce results measurable in dollars and cents.

【翻譯演練】 　________________________

【參考譯文】 　如果科學實驗被計劃并且能夠像科學雜志所表明的那樣忠實地按照計劃加以實施的話，那么，管理方期待著研究能夠帶來可以用美元和美分計算的結果也是完全符合邏輯的。

【結構分析】 　If experiments are planned and carried out (according to plan) ( as faithfully) ( as the reports in the science journals indicate ),//then it is perfectly logical for management to expect research to produce results (measurable in dollars and cents).句子的整體結構是If..., then...“如果……，那么……”；第一段是If引導的條件狀語從句，其中主語是experiments，謂語是并列表達are planned and carried out，括號中的（according to plan）（as faithfully）是狀語，共同修飾carried out，而 as the reports in the science journals indicate 則是連接詞as引導的比較狀語從句，和前面的as形成搭配，修飾faithfully，其中的斜體表達in the science journals 是介詞短語作前面the reports的后置定語；第二段是主句，此處的then和前面的連詞if形成對應，以加強語氣；此段的結構是典型的It＋be＋adj.＋for sb. to do句型，句末括號部分是形容詞短語作后置定語，修飾前面的results。

【詞匯精記】 　carry out 實施；science journal 科學雜志；indicate 暗示，表明；perfectly 完美地，極其地；logical 符合邏輯的；management 管理方，管理；measurable 可計算的，可衡量的。

4. Television is one of the means by which these feelings are created and conveyed—and perhaps never before has it served so much to connect different peoples and nations as in the recent events in Europe.

【翻譯演練】 　_______________________

【參考譯文】 　電視是引發(fā)和傳遞這些感受的手段之一——在歐洲近來發(fā)生的事件中，它把不同的民族和國家連到一起，其作用之大，或許前所未有。

【結構分析】 　Television is one of the means (by which these feelings are created and conveyed)—//and perhaps never before has it served so much to connect different peoples and nations as in the recent events in Europe .本句的主干結構是and連接的并列句（不要被破折號干擾）；在破折號前的分句一里，by which引導定語從句，修飾先行詞means（之所以用by＋which是因為先行詞means的用法搭配：by a...means“通過……方式”）；在分句二里，因否定詞never置于句首，出現了倒裝結構，不僅如此，更大的難點是出現了比較結構never...so much...as...，這是比較結構在否定句中的特殊用法，通常表示最高級之意；分句二的正常語序是：perhaps it has never served so much to...as in...。

【詞匯精記】 　convey 表達，傳遞，運輸；serve much to 為……做出很大貢獻；connect different peoples and nations 把不同的民族和國家連到一起；by this means 通過這一方式。

5. But his primary task is not to think about the moral code which governs his activity, any more than a businessman is expected to dedicate his energies to an exploration of rules of conduct in business.

【翻譯演練】 　_________________________

【參考譯文】 　但是正如人們不期望商人致力于探究商業(yè)的行為規(guī)范一樣，他的主要任務也不是思考約束其行為的道德準則。

【結構分析】 　But his primary task is not to think about the moral code (which governs his activity),// any more than a businessman is expected to dedicate his energies to an exploration (of rules) (of conduct) (in business).從宏觀層面來看，此句的理解關鍵是要把握not...any more than...這一特殊比較結構，它表示兩者類比，意為“正如同不……一樣，……也不是……”；第一段括號內的表達是which引導的定語從句，修飾先行詞the moral code；第二段中句末的三個括號表達是層層限定關系，of rules修飾前面的exploration，of conduct修飾前面的rules，介詞短語in business修飾前面的conduct。

【詞匯精記】 　primary 首要的；moral code 道德準則（code表示密碼，法規(guī)，禮法）；govern 統(tǒng)治，管理；dedicate one's energies to 致力于；exploration 開發(fā)，探索；conduct (n.) 行為，(vt.) 疏導，實施。

6. They may teach very well, and more than earn their salaries, but most of them make little or no independent reflections on human problems which involve moral judgment.

【翻譯演練】 　__________________________

【參考譯文】 　他們可能教得很好，而且不只是為了賺錢，但是他們中的大多數對涉及人類道德判斷的問題很少或沒有進行獨立的思考。

【結構分析】 　They may teach very well, and more than earn their salaries,//but most of them make little or no independent reflections on human problems (which involve moral judgment).句子的整體結構是but連接的并列句；第一段主語是They，謂語是may teach，狀語分別是very well（方式狀語）和more than earn...（比較狀語）； more than 可譯為“不只是”，“比……更（多）”（如：I love you more than I can say）。

【詞匯精記】 　earn one's salaries 賺取薪水；reflection 反映，反射，反思；make reflections on 反思；independent 獨立的；involve 涉及，卷入，包括；moral judgment 道德判斷。

7. Social science is that branch of intellectual enquiry which seeks to study humans and their endeavors in the same reasoned, orderly, systematic, and dispassioned manner that natural scientists use for the study of natural phenomena.

【翻譯演練】 　____________________________

【參考譯文】 　社會科學是知識探索的一個分支，它力圖像自然科學家研究自然現象那樣，用理性、有序、系統(tǒng)和冷靜的方式研究人類及其目的。

【結構分析】 　Social science is that branch of intellectual enquiry//(which seeks to study humans and their endeavors in the same reasoned, orderly, systematic, and dispassioned manner ) ( that natural scientists use for the study of natural phenomena).第一段是句子的主干結構；第二段是which引導的定語從句修飾先行詞that branch of intellectual enquiry，從句的主語是關系代詞which，謂語是seeks to study，賓語是humans and their endeavors，后面畫線部分是方式狀語，表示謂語動作的發(fā)生方式；其中的斜體表達reasoned, orderly, systematic, and dispassioned 是并列的形容詞短語共同修飾manner；句末的that從句是定語從句修飾先行詞manner，也可理解為the same...that...比較結構。

【詞匯精記】 　branch 分支；intellectual（adj. ）智力的，知識的，（n.）知識分子；enquiry 詢問，探究，調查；endeavor 試圖，努力；humans 人類；endeavor 試圖，努力；reasoned 合理的；orderly（adj.）有序的；systematic 系統(tǒng)的；dispassioned 冷靜的；phenomena 現象（pl.）。

8. While there are almost as many definitions of history as there are historians, modern practice most closely conforms to one that sees history as the attempt to recreate and explain the significant events of the past.

【翻譯演練】 　___________________________

【參考譯文】 　幾乎每個歷史學家都對歷史有自己的定義，但現代實踐最趨向于認為：歷史是試圖重現過去的重大史實并對其加以解釋的努力。

【結構分析】 　While there are almost as many definitions of history as there are historians ,//modern practice most closely conforms to one (that sees history as the attempt) (to recreate and explain the significant events of the past).句子的主干是第二段，其中主語是modern practice，謂語是conforms to，賓語是one，后面是關系代詞that引導的定語從句，修飾先行詞one，句末是不定式短語to recreate...作后置定語，修飾前面的the attempt；第一段是While引導的讓步狀語從句，修飾后面主句的謂語動詞，以加強語氣；從句中as...as結構表示同級比較。

【詞匯精記】 　definition 定義；historian 歷史學家；modern practice 現代實踐；most closely 最接近地；conform to 遵守，與……保持一致；see...as... 把……視作；recreate 再現，重現（不能說重新創(chuàng)造歷史）；events 事件，此處引申為“史實”。

9. Social science methodologies had to be adapted to a discipline governed by the primacy of historical sources rather than the contemporary world.

【翻譯演練】 　___________________________

【參考譯文】 　社會科學研究法一定要符合以歷史史料而不是以當今的世界需求為首位的指導原則。

【結構分析】 　Social science methodologies had to be adapted to a discipline//(governed by the primacy) (of historical sources rather than the contemporary world).第一段是句子的主干，主語是Social science methodologies，謂語是had to be adapted to，賓語是a discipline；第二段括號中的成分governed by...是過去分詞短語作后置定語，修飾前面的名詞a discipline，緊隨其后的是介詞短語of...，作前面primacy的后置定語；其中，historical sources和the contemporary world形成對比反差。

【詞匯精記】 　methodology 方法論，研究法；be adapted to 適應；discipline 紀律，戒律，引申為“原則”；govern 統(tǒng)治，支配，控制；primacy 首要，首位；historical sources （術語）史料；contemporary 當代的。

10. And since 1991, productivity has increased by about 2% a year, which is more than twice the 1978～1987 averages.

【翻譯演練】 　___________________________

【參考譯文】 　自從1991年以來，生產率每年大約增長2％，這是1978年～1987年平均增長率的兩倍多。

【結構分析】 　And since 1991, productivity has increased by about 2% a year, (which is more than twice the 1978～1987 averages). by about 2%和a year分別作謂語動詞has increased的程度和時間狀語，which引導非限制性定語從句，對先行詞2％進行補充說明；此句最大的特點是出現了倍數表達：twice/three times/half/one third/three fourths the＋n.表示“是n.的兩倍／三倍／二分之一／三分之一／四分之三”。

【詞匯精記】 　productivity 生產率；increase by 增長了（increase to 增長到）；average（可作形容詞和名詞）平均的或平均（值）。

11. But surely that does not mean environmentalists concerned about uncontrolled industrial growth are anti-science, as an essay in U. S. News & World Report last May seemed to suggest.

【翻譯演練】 　_________________________

【參考譯文】 　但是，可以肯定這并不意味著關注工業(yè)無節(jié)制增長的環(huán)保主義者就是反科學的，正如去年五月《美國新聞與世界報道》上的一篇文章似乎表明的那樣。

【結構分析】 　But surely that does not mean//environmentalists (concerned about uncontrolled industrial growth) are anti-science ,// as an essay (in U. S. News & World Report) last May seemed to suggest.此句的主干是That does not mean (that...)，主語是that，謂語是does not mean，賓語是后面的從句；第二段是mean的賓語從句，省略了that引導詞，在第二段中主干是畫線的environmentalists are anti-science ，括號中的部分是過去分詞短語作后置定語修飾environmentalists；第三段是as引導的非限制性定語從句，也是本句重點：as是關系代詞，代替前面的主句的內容，在此定語從句中作suggest的賓語。 as引導的非限制性定語從句翻譯時，as常譯為“正如，正像”，給人的印象如同一個比較狀語從句；此外，最后一段中的括號成分是介詞短語in...作后置定語，修飾前面的essay。

【詞匯精記】 　surely 肯定地；mean 意味著；environmentalist 環(huán)保主義者；be concerned about 關注；uncontrolled 失控的；industrial growth 工業(yè)增長；anti-science 反科學的；suggest 暗示，表明。

12. As a result, California's growth rate dropped during the 1970s, to 18.5 percent—little more than two thirds the 1960s' growth figure and considerably below that of Western states.

【翻譯演練】 　________________________________

【參考譯文】 　因此，加利福尼亞的增長率在二十世紀七十年代的時候下降到了18.5％，這大約僅僅是二十世紀六十年代增長率的三分之二，并且遠遠低于西部諸州的增長率。

【結構分析】 　As a result, California's growth rate dropped (during the 1970s), (to 18.5 percent)//—( little more than two thirds the 1960s' growth figure and considerably below that of Western states).破折號之前的第一段是句子的主干，during the 1970s和to 18.5 percent分別是時間狀語和程度狀語，表示謂語動作dropped發(fā)生的時間和程度；破折號后面由two thirds the...和below...并列組成，是前面18.5 percent的非限制性定語，相當于非限制性定語從句的省略(which was) little...and...below...。 因為to 18.5 percent后接了長長的修飾語，所以為了避免頭重腳輕結構失衡，才將時間狀語during the 1970s前置到了程度狀語前，因為drop＋to形成相對固定的搭配。此外，two thirds the＋n.是倍數表達，詳見前文的解釋。

【詞匯精記】 　as a result 結果，因此；growth rate（相當于growth figure） 增長率；drop to 下降到；little more than 大約僅僅（no more than/nothing more than 僅僅）；considerably 程度大地；Western states 特指美國西部諸州。

13. Thus, just as earlier theories have explained the mobility of the continents, so hot spots may explain their mutability inconstancy.

【翻譯演練】 　___________________________________

【參考譯文】 　因此，就像較早的理論可以解釋大陸的移動性一樣，熱點也可以解釋它們的不定性。

【結構分析】 　Thus, just as earlier theories have explained the mobility (of the continents),// so hot spots may explain their mutability (inconstancy).此句的主干結構是Just as...so...“正像……一樣，……亦如此”；第一段是as引導的比較狀語從句，第二段是句子的主干。 此處的so并非連接詞，而是副詞，和前面的as形成對應，以加強語氣（比如：Just as a coin has two sides, so it is true of this case. 正如一枚硬幣有兩面，因此這一情形亦如此）。

【詞匯精記】 　mobility 移動性；continent 大陸；hot spot （地理術語）熱點；mutability（相當于inconstancy）不定性。

14. As is true of any developed society, in America a complex set of cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies all social interrelationships.

【翻譯演練】 　________________________________

【參考譯文】 　就像任何發(fā)達社會一樣，在美國，一系列復雜的文化標志、觀念和習俗構成了所有社交關系的基礎。

【結構分析】 　 As is true of any developed society,//in America a complex set of cultural signals, assumptions, and conventions underlies all social interrelationships.第一段是as引導的非限制性定語從句，它作為關系代詞代替整個第二段的主句內容，可譯為“正如，正像”；第二段中的畫線斜體部分是主句的主語，謂語動詞是underlies，賓語是all social interrelationships。 as引導的非限制性定語從句位置很靈活，可置于句首、句中和句末。

【詞匯精記】 　be true of 對于……是真實的；developed society 發(fā)達社會，發(fā)達國家；complex 復雜的；a set of 一系列的；cultural signal 文化信號（標志）；assumption 假設，觀點（此處作為復數可引申為“觀念”）；convention 習俗；underlie 處于……的下方，構成……的基礎；social interrelationship 社交關系。

15. Perhaps selections for the caring professions, especially medicine, could be made less by good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity and sympathy.

【翻譯演練】 　_________________________

【參考譯文】 　為護理職業(yè)選擇人員，尤其是為醫(yī)療護理職業(yè)，也許應該更多地考慮他們是否細心且具有同情心，而不是看他們的化學成績如何。

【結構分析】 　Perhaps selections (for the caring professions, especially medicine), could be made less by good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations (as sensitivity and sympathy).此句的主干結構可簡略為：Perhaps selections...could be made less by A and more by B，句子的主語是selections，謂語是could be made，后面是兩個動作發(fā)出者的比較；第一個括號中的成分是selections的后置定語，第二個括號中的as sensitivity and sympathy和前面的such形成搭配，亦是后置定語，修飾前面的considerations。

【詞匯精記】 　make selections 作選擇；profession 職業(yè)；the caring profession 護理職業(yè)；grade 分數，級別；chemistry 化學；sensitivity 敏感；sympathy 同情心。

16. Sir Alexander Fleming did not, as legend would have it, look at the mold (霉) on a piece of cheese and get the idea for penicillin there and then.

【翻譯演練】 　_____________________________

【參考譯文】 　Alexander Fleming 爵士并不像傳奇中所描述的那樣一看到奶酪上的霉當時當地就產生了青霉素的想法。

【結構分析】 　Sir Alexander Fleming did not, as legend would have it , look at the mold (霉) on a piece of cheese and get the idea (for penicillin) there and then .此句的主語是Sir Alexander Fleming，謂語是并列的look at和get，賓語分別是the mold和the idea for penicilli，狀語分別是on a piece of cheese（地點狀語，修飾look at）和there and then（地點和時間狀語，修飾get）；但此句的插入成分才是理解的關鍵：as引導的表達并非插入語，是比較狀語從句居中的情況，鑒于前面主句是否定形式did not，故要發(fā)生否定轉移，翻譯時要關注此語法點。

【詞匯精記】 　Sir（和人名連用時）爵士；legend 傳奇；as legend would have it （習語）像傳奇中所描述的那樣；penicillin 青霉素；there and then 當時當地。

17. New forms of thought as well as new subjects for thought must arise in the future as they have in the past, giving rise to new standards of elegance.

【翻譯演練】 　__________________________

【參考譯文】 　同過去一樣，在將來必然會出現新的思維方式和新的思維對象，并帶來新的完美標準。

【結構分析】 　New forms of thought as well as new subjects for thought must arise in the future as they have in the past , giving rise to new standards of elegance . as well as連接兩個邏輯上并列的主語，must arise作句子謂語，三個畫線成分都是狀語：in the future作時間狀語，as they have in the past是as引導的比較狀語從句，giving rise to...是現在分詞短語作結果狀語，分別表示謂語動詞must arise發(fā)生的時間、比較和結果狀況。

【詞匯精記】 　new forms of thought 新的思維方式；subject 主題，對象；new subjects for thought 新的思維對象；arise 出現；give rise to 引起，產生，帶來；elegance 優(yōu)雅；standard 標準；new standards of elegance 完美的新標準。

18. Probably there is not one here who has not in the course of the day had occasion to set in motion a complex train of reasoning, of the very same kind, though differing in degree, as that which a scientific man goes through in tracing the causes of natural phenomena.

【翻譯演練】 　________________________

【參考譯文】 　很可能，在一天當中，這里的每一個人都會經歷一系列復雜的推理活動，這一推理活動和科學工作者在探尋自然現象起因時所經歷的推理活動屬于同一種類，盡管程度有所不同。

【結構分析】 　Probably there is not one here (who has not in the course of the day had occasion to set in motion a complex train of reasoning)//, of the very same kind, (though differing in degree), as that (which a scientific man goes through in tracing the causes of natural phenomena ).第一段須關注：①主句和who引導的定語從句中雙否定詞帶來的理解障礙；②in the course of the day這一時間狀語分隔了謂語部分has...had；③in motion分隔了動詞set和賓語a complex set of reasoning的動賓關系。第二段須關注：①of the very same kind是介詞短語作后置定語，因較長之故用逗號和前面的reasoning分隔開來；②of the very same kind和 as that...是the same...that結構，表示比較；③括號中的though differing in degree是讓步狀語居中的情況，可最后處理；④as后的that指代前面的reasoning，和前面的reasoning形成比較；⑤that后的which引導定語從句修飾that，使其內容更為具體，此從句中的畫線部分是in doing結構，作從句謂語goes through的時間狀語。

【詞匯精記】 　course 過程，（一道）菜，航向，課程；in the course of（相當于during）在……期間；in the course of the day 在一天當中；had occasion to do 有機會做；set...in motion 使運轉，經歷；complex 復雜的；a train of 一系列的；reasoning（因-ing，故為動詞之意）推理；go through 經歷；in doing 在做某事的時候（方面）；trace 探尋，探索；cause 起因，事業(yè)；phenomena 現象（pl.）。

19. There is more agreement on the kinds of behavior referred to by the term than there is on how to interpret or classify them.

【翻譯演練】 　__________________________________________

【參考譯文】 　在該術語所指的行為種類方面要比怎樣對其進行詮釋和解讀方面有著更多的共識。

【結構分析】 　There is more agreement on the kinds (of behavior) (referred to by the term) than there is on (how to interpret or classify them).此句的整體結構可簡化為：There is more agreement on A than (there is) on B，譯為：“在A方面比在B方面有著更多的共識”，在本質上屬于兩個范圍狀語的比較；括號中的of behavior是kinds的后置定語，referred to...是過去分詞短語作前面behavior的后置定語；句末括號中的how to...是一個復合不定式，相當于名詞作介詞on的賓語。

【詞匯精記】 　agreement 一致，共識，協(xié)議；refer to 參考，指；term 術語；interpret 詮釋，口譯；classify 分類。

20. It is entirely reasonable for auditors to believe that scientists who know exactly where they are going and how they will get there should not be distracted by the necessity of keeping one eye on the cash register while the other is on the microscope.

【翻譯演練】 　_________________________

【參考譯文】 　審計員完全有理由相信有著明確目標并且知道如何實現目標的科學家不應該被這種必要性分心：一只眼睛盯著收銀機，同時另一只眼睛盯著顯微鏡。

【結構分析】 　It is entirely reasonable (for auditors) to believe //that scientists (who know exactly where they are going and how they will get there ) should not be distracted by the necessity (of keeping one eye on the cash register while the other is on the microscope).第一段是句子的主干，屬于典型的It is＋adj . for sb. to do模式，此句中it是形式主語，真正的主語是不定式to believe...，for auditors是believe的動作發(fā)出者；第二段是that引導的名詞性從句，作前面believe的賓語（即賓語從句），其中主語是scientists，謂語動詞是should not be distracted，后接動作發(fā)出者by the necessity；賓語從句須關注：①從句主語scientists后面是who引導的定語從句，修飾先行詞scientists，此定語從句中，主語是關系代詞who，謂語是know，賓語是where和how并列引導的兩個名詞從句（即賓語從句）；②句末括號中，介詞of短語作前面necessity的后置定語，在此后置定語中 while 又引導一從句，和前面的內容形成對比反差。

【詞匯精記】 　entirely 完全地；reasonable 完全合理的；auditor 聽眾，審計員；distract 分散注意力；necessity 必要性；the cash register 現金收銀機；cash 現金；register 登記；microscope 顯微鏡；while 然而。

21. No longer are contributions to computer technology confined to any one country; nowhere is this more true than in Europe.

【翻譯演練】 　_________________________

【參考譯文】 　對電腦技術的貢獻不再局限于任何單一的國家，這一點在歐洲尤其如此。

【結構分析】 　No longer are contributions (to computer technology) confined to any one country;// nowhere is this more true than in Europe.此句是由分號斷開的兩個分句組成；分句一出于強調的目的采用否定詞置于句首倒裝模式，本質結構是contributions (to computer technology) are no longer confined to any one country；分句二亦采用此類倒裝模式，但此句還有一特殊比較結構，其比較原理是：當一個具體事物同一類事物進行比較并用于否定的句式結構時，常表示最高級（具體事物）的含義；在本句中nowhere實際上相當于not anywhere，暗含一類事物，和in Europe這一具體事物進行比較，根據原理則in Europe是最“true”的。例如：

Nobody is more selfish than him in this class. 他是這個班里最自私的人。

【詞匯精記】 　contribution to 對……的貢獻；be confined to 局限于；computer technology 電腦技術；Europe 歐洲。

22. There is no social problem it is more incumbent upon us to understand than this of the role of custom.

【翻譯演練】 　______________________________

【參考譯文】 　我們最責無旁貸需要理解的社會問題是風俗的作用。

【結構分析】 　There is no social problem (it is more incumbent upon us to understand) than this (of the role) (of custom).此句的比較原理同上句，即：當一個具體事物同一類事物進行比較并用于否定的句式結構時，常表示最高級（具體事物）的含義。此句no social problem中的social problem是一類事物，而比較連詞than后面的this（指代social problem）則是一個具體事物，基于原理，this of the role of custom是最“incumbent upon us to understand”的。 it is more incumbent upon us to understand是定語從句修飾前面的先行詞problem，但此從句結構較特殊：①省略了關系代詞that；②從句里的it是形式主語，真正的主語是to understand...。

【詞匯精記】 　incumbent 負有義務，負某種責任；it is incumbent upon sb. to do sth. 某人有責任做某事；role 角色，作用。

23. There is probably no better way for a foreigner (or an Englishman) to appreciate the richness and variety of the English language than by studying the various ways in which Shakespeare uses it.

【翻譯演練】 　________________________________

【參考譯文】 　對于一名外國人（或英國本國人）而言，如果想欣賞英語語言的豐富性和多樣性，最好的方式莫過于研究莎士比亞駕馭英語的各種手法。

【結構分析】 　There is probably no better way {for a foreigner (or an Englishman) to appreciate the richness and variety of the English language} than by studying the various ways (in which Shakespeare uses it).句子的主干結構是：There is probably no better way (...) than by studying the various ways (...)，括號部分是修飾語，修飾限制各自前面的名詞。此句的結構本質同上句；better way泛指一類事物，比較連詞than后面的by studying...是一個具體事物，基于原理可知，by studying...是最好的欣賞英語的方式。

【詞匯精記】 　appreciate 欣賞，鑒賞；richness 豐富性；variety 多樣性。

24. There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves.

【翻譯演練】 　____________________________

【參考譯文】 　世界上沒有任何景象會比一個漂亮女人為自己心愛的人做飯時的景象更打動人的了。

【結構分析】 　There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that (of a beautiful woman) (in the act) (of cooking dinner for someone) (she loves).句子的主干結構是畫線部分，后面括號中的成分是連環(huán)后置定語：介詞短語of a...修飾前面的that，介詞短語in the act修飾前面的woman，介詞短語of cooking...修飾前面的act，最末括號中的she loves是省略了關系代詞that或who的定語從句，修飾先行詞someone；主干結構本質上等同于No spectacle on earth is more appealing than that...，比較原理同上文所講，即此句no spectacle中的spectacle泛指一類事物，比較連詞后面的that指代具體的一個spectacle，基于原理，that應該是最高級的內容（最打動人的景象）。

【詞匯精記】 　spectacle 景觀，景象；appealing 打動人的，有感染力的；in the act of 在做……之時。

25. Could any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that of gunners using science to shatter men's bodies while, close at hand, surgeons use it to restore them?

【翻譯演練】 　_____________________________

【參考譯文】 　例如，會有情景比這更可怕更怪誕的嗎？——炮手用科學毀滅人的身體而外科醫(yī)生就在附近用科學搶救被炮手毀滅的身體。

【結構分析】 　 Could any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that (of gunners) (using science to shatter men's bodies while, close at hand, surgeons use it to restore them)?句子的主干是畫線部分（ that指代的對象是spectacle），后面的括號部分皆為that的后置定語；主干結構本質上等同于No spectacle could be more grimly whimsical than that...，原理同上文所講，any spectacle是一類事物，that指代一具體事物，故that應為最高級之意（最荒誕可怕的）。

【詞匯精記】 　spectacle 景觀，景象；grimly 可怕地，恐怖地；whimsical 荒誕的；gunner 炮手；shatter 毀滅，摧毀；close at hand 近在咫尺的地方，就在眼前；surgeon 外科醫(yī)生；restore 恢復。

26. The individual TV viewer invariably senses that he or she is nothing more than an anonymous, statistically insignificant part of a huge and diverse audience.

【翻譯演練】 　___________________________

【參考譯文】 　個體電視觀眾總是感覺自己僅僅是龐大而又多樣的觀眾群體中一個無名且數量上微不足道的組成部分。

【結構分析】 　The (individual) (TV) viewer (invariably) senses//that he or she is nothing more than an (anonymous, statistically insignificant) part (of a huge and diverse audience).此句的主干是The...viewer（主語）senses（謂語）that he or she is nothing more than an...part...（賓語從句），括號中的成分除invariably（頻度狀語）外，皆為相關名詞的前后置定語。

【詞匯精記】 　individual 個體，個人；viewer 觀眾（尤指電視觀眾）；invariably 總是；sense 感覺；nothing more than/no more than/little more than 僅僅，只不過（例如：It is no more than a joke. 這只不過是一個玩笑而已）；anonymous 匿名的；statistically 統(tǒng)計地；insignificant 微不足道的，無足輕重的；diverse 各種各樣的；audience 觀眾，聽眾。

27. What he did was no less than a miracle.

【翻譯演練】 　______________________________

【參考譯文】 　他所做的一切完全是個奇跡。

【結構分析】 　What he did was no less than a miracle.此句的主語是what引導的名詞性從句（即主語從句），謂語是系動詞was，表語是a miracle，no less than屬于加強語氣的程度狀語，表示“完全，已經，都”之意。

【詞匯精記】 　no less than/nothing less than/little less than 完全，已經，都（例如：He is no less than 12. 他都12歲了）；miracle 奇跡。

28. Nothing is less instructive than a machine.

【翻譯演練】 　__________________________

【參考譯文】 　沒有任何事物比機器更缺乏教育意義的了（機器是最沒有教育意義的）。

【結構分析】 　 Nothing is less instructive than a machine.此句的結構原理前文已講過，即當比較結構用于否定句，并且是一個具體事物和整個同類事物比較時，那么通常表示（具體事物）最高級之意；基于此原理：比較連詞than后的a machine應是最高級之意（即在instructive方面它是最“l(fā)ess”的）。例如：

Nothing is more natural than a child's trust in his mother. 孩子對于母親的信任是最自然不過的了；

Nobody is less emotional than Tom. Tom是世上最沒有感情的人。

【詞匯精記】 　instructive 有教育意義的，指導性的。

29. The robot has no more emotion than the car.

【翻譯演練】 　_____________________________

【參考譯文】 　機器人和汽車一樣沒有情感。

【結構分析】 　The robot has no more emotion than the car. no more...than... 意為“和……一樣的不……”，例如：

He is no more sad than I. 他和我一樣的不傷感。

【詞匯精記】 　robot 機器人；emotion 情感。

30. Old books that have ceased to be of service should no more be abandoned than should old friends who have ceased to give pleasure.

【翻譯演練】 　_____________________________

【參考譯文】 　不再有價值的舊圖書和不再讓你快樂的老朋友一樣，不應該被拋棄。

【結構分析】 　Old books (that have ceased to be of service) should no more be abandoned than should old friends (who have ceased to give pleasure).因括號中的成分是后置定語從句，故此句結構可簡化為：A should no more be abandoned than should B“A和B一樣不應該被拋棄”。

【詞匯精記】 　cease 停止；abandon 拋棄；give pleasure 帶來樂趣。

31. Language is a part of our organism and no less complicated than it.

【翻譯演練】 　____________________________

【參考譯文】 　語言是我們有機體的一部分，它和有機體一樣的復雜。

【結構分析】 　Language is a part of our organisms and no less complicated than it. no less...than... 意為“和……一樣的……”，例如：

He is no less pleased than I (am). 他和我一樣的高興。

【詞匯精記】 　organism 有機物；complicated 復雜的。

32. She knew better than to go out alone on such a night.

【翻譯演練】 　______________________________

【參考譯文】 　她不至于傻到在這樣的夜晚單獨外出。

【結構分析】 　She knew better than to go out alone on such a night.這是一個特殊的比較結構： know better than to do sth. 不至于（愚蠢或糊涂到）做某事。

33. The hardship of the work was more than an ordinary man can bear.

【翻譯演練】 　_______________________________

【參考譯文】 　該工作的艱難不是一般人所能忍受的（該工作的艱難超出了一般人所能忍受的程度）。

【結構分析】 　The hardship of the work was more than an ordinary man can bear.此句中的 more than 接近“否定”的概念；從字面上看，than前后的比較對象程度不一，前面程度強后面程度弱，所以有時便可引申理解為對前者的“肯定”，對后者的“否定”。例如：

I love you more than I can say. 愛你在心口難開；

Their dancing proved to be more than the dish could bear. 結果表明此碟子無法承受他們在上面跳舞。

【詞匯精記】 　hardship 困難，艱難；bear 承載，忍受。

34. The importance of studying English cannot be overemphasized.

【翻譯演練】 　__________________________________

【參考譯文】 　學習英語的重要性怎么強調都不為過。

【結構分析】 　The importance (of studying English) cannot be over emphasized.此種結構中：cannot＋over-～ 或cannot＋too 都表示“肯定”之意，且語氣強烈（類似于“雙重否定”）。例如：

A woman can never have too many hats. 一個女人擁有再多的帽子也不算多。

【詞匯精記】 　overemphasize 過度強調。

35. Science moves forward, they say, not so much through the insights of great men of genius as because of more ordinary things like improved techniques and tools.

【翻譯演練】 　______________________________

【參考譯文】 　他們說，科學的發(fā)展與其說源于天才偉人的真知灼見，不如說源于改進了的技術和工具等更為普通的東西。

【結構分析】 　Science moves forward, (they say), not so much through the insights (of great men of genius) as because of more ordinary things (like improved techniques and tools).句子主干結構是：Science moves forward, not so much through A as because of B 科學的進步與其說是源自A倒不如說源自B，they say是插入語，其他兩個括號成分皆是前面相關名詞的后置定語；not so much...as是個特殊的比較結構，應該熟記，其意為：“與其……不如……”； 此處的介詞through意思相當于because of。

【詞匯精記】 　insight 洞察力；genius 天才；the insights of great men of genius 天才偉人的真知灼見；ordinary things 普通事物；improve 改進；technique 技術；tool 工具；they say 他們說（插入語，按照漢語習慣，翻譯時放在句首）。

36. These proposals sought to place greater restrictions on the use and copying of digital information than exist in traditional media.

【翻譯演練】 　_______________________________

【參考譯文】 　這些提議旨在對使用和拷貝數字信息施行比傳統(tǒng)媒體領域所施行的更為嚴格的限制措施。

【結構分析】 　這個句子的省略出現在than之后，補全應是：These proposals sought to place greater restrictions (on the use and copying of digital information) than ( those that ) exist in traditional media.主語是These proposals，謂語是sought to place，其中的sought是seek的過去式，賓語是greater restrictions，介詞短語on the use...information是其定語；than之后的those指代前面的greater restrictions，緊隨其后的that從句是其定語從句；此句中，比較連詞than后面為了避免和前面的表達重復，把比較對象進行了省略處理。

【詞匯精記】 　proposal 提議，建議；seek to do 努力做……；restriction 限制，限制措施；copying 拷貝；digital 數字的；media 媒體。