Lesson 46 The Raft Trip 木筏之旅
Words:
confidential adj. 秘密的，机密的
configuration n. 轮廓，【化】构型
confine vt. 限制
confinement n. 限制，禁闭
confining adj. 狭窄的
confirm vt. 证实，使。。。更坚定
confirmation n. 确认，证实
confiscate v. 没收，充公
conflict n. 争论，冲突，斗争
confluence n. 汇集
conform vi. 遵守，顺从；符合
conformity n. 遵照；顺从；一致，符合
confront vt. （使）面对，正规
confuse vt. 搞乱，使糊涂
confusion n. 混乱，混淆
congenial adj. （因性情、志趣等相近）彼此合得来的；惬意的
congenital adj. 先天的，天生的
congested adj. 堵塞的；拥挤的
congestion n. 拥挤，拥塞
congratulation n. 祝贺，道喜
“It’s my first rafting trip,” I said. “But that’s confidential information, okay?” The river guide nodded in agreement. Although the raft was a bit confining, it was a very congenial atmosphere. Everyone was also very careful to conform to the rules and procedures so that nobody would get hurt. There’s no room for confusion or conflict when you’re in the dangerous rapids. Conformity is important to safety.
It wasn’t long before we were facing the most dangerous part of the river, the confluence. This is the area where two rivers flow into one. Our guide started organizing our four rafts into a single-file configuration. Then, with his horn, he sent a confirmation signal to the other guides. Two beeps echoed from each raft confirming that they were ready to run through the confluence.
We approached the confluence at the perfect speed. Suddenly, we noticed another group of rafts coming from the opposite river. They entered the confluence at the same time, creating congestion and several collisions between our rafts. The stock of this near disaster aggravated my congenital heart condition.
Our licensed guide was very upset because this was not supposed to be a congested river. He soon discovered that the other rafting group was not licensed to be on the river that day. He confronted their leader and threatened to have the authorities confiscate their equipment. The leader apologized and claimed he was confused by the dates. He promised to confine his group to the left side of the river for the rest of the day. Our guide told him that such confinement would not be necessary but that he should keep a safe distance from our rafts.
The trip ended safely and we all received congratulations for a job well done.
“这是我第一次做木筏，”我说道。“不过这是个秘密，可别说哦。”河道向导点点头答应了、虽说木筏有点窄，但气氛宜人。大家非常小心地遵从种种规则和程序，以免有人受伤。在危险的湍流上绝不可有丝毫的混乱或是冲突。服从对安全很重要。
很快，我们来到河上最危险的一段——汇流处，这是两条河交汇的地方。我们的向导开始组织大家将四条木筏合并组成单列纵队的队形结构。然后，他吹了一声号角，向其他向导发出确认信号。两条木筏各传来一声嘟的信号，确定他们已一切就绪，准备冲过汇流处。
我们以恰到好处的速度来到汇流处。突然，我们注意到从对面那条河上漂过来一组木筏。与我们同时，他们也来到汇流处，造成河道拥堵，两边的木筏还发生了好几次碰撞。这几近灾难的突发事件加重了我的先天性心脏衰弱。
我们的持照向导相当恼火，因为河道不该出现拥堵现象。他很快发现另一队木筏那天是不允许在河上走了。他劈头盖脸就威胁那边的带头人，要让当局没收他们的器材。那位带头人表示道歉并声称他弄混了日期。他保证接下来他的木筏会限制在河道左边活动。我们的向导告诉他，这种限制就不必了，只要他能同我们的木筏保持一段安全距离就行。
Lesson 47 The Meeting 会议
Words:
congregate v. 聚集
congress n. 国会，议会
congressional adj. 会议的，大会的；国会的
congressman n. 国会议员
conjectural adj. 推测的
conjure v. 变魔术，变戏法
connect v. 连接；联系；联合；沟通
connection n. 连接；（s）亲属；熟人，关系户；由共同利益结合在一起的人
connivance n. 默许，共谋
connive v. 纵容，默许，共谋
connoisseur n. 鉴赏家，行家
conscience n. 良心，良知
conscientious adj. 尽责的，一丝不苟的；凭良心的
conscious adj. 有意识的，神志清醒的；意识到的
consciousness n. 意识，知觉
consecrate v. 使神圣，给。。。祝圣；奉献
consecutive adj. 连续的
consequence n. 结果，后果
consequently adv. 从而，因此
“Come in,” said Congressman Jones. Jones has been a member of the congress for 20 years. In that time, he had made numerous influential connections and had become wealth enough to be a connoisseur of fine wines. He offered some to his guest. “What can I do for you?” Jones asked the man in the suit.
“I am the lawyer for a conglomerate in your district who is very interested in submitting some special legislation,” the suited man said.
“I hope you’re not expecting me to conjure a yes vote on legislation that only serves the nest interested of bug business,” said the Congressman.
“Not at all,” said the lawyer. “All we need is your influence and backdoor connections to get it passed.”
“It sounds to me like a connivance,” the Congressman replied. “I’m a very conscientious legislator and I have a serious conscience.”
“We already know that about you, Congressman Jones,” said the lawyer. “It may seem that I’m thinking like a man who had lost consciousness in an accident. In fact, it was conscious decision on your part to choose someone like you to help us.”
“Listen, I didn’t get elected to five consecutive terms by conniving with people like you. I only connect with influential people to help my community. People respect my congressional achievements. They know that I do not make conjectural judgments and consequently, they reelect me every time. People congregate
to hear me speak. I’ve even helped them consecrate a church.”
“Trust me Congressman Jones,” the lawyer said with a smile. “Your assistance in our Save the Whale’s legislation won’t result in any negative consequences.”
“Why didn’t you say it was to save the whales?” Jones said with a laugh. “I’d love to help.”
“请进。”琼斯议员说道。琼斯已经做了20年的议会成员。20年间，他结识了无数有影响力的关系户，并日益富足，成为品尝佳酿的专家。他请客热喝了点好酒。“我能为你做点什么？”琼斯向那个西装革履的男人问道。
“我是您所在地区的一家联合大企业的律师，我们公司很想提交一些特殊的法律议案。”那个穿西装的人说道。
“您可别指望我会为那些专为大企业谋利的法律变出一张赞成票。”议员说道。
“完全没有，”律师道，“您只需运用您的影响力和各种后门关系使这一法律得以通过就行。”
“你看这似乎是共谋吧，”议员回答道，“我是一名尽职尽责的立法者，我有一颗严正良心。”
“这些我们早就知道，琼斯议员。”律师说道。“也许我的思维方式看起来像个在事故中失去知觉的人。事实上，我方是有意识地选择五任当选议员的。
“听着，我可不是靠同你们这样的人搞些阴谋才连续五任当选议员的。我跟权势交往不过是为了帮助我所在的社区。人们尊敬我是因为议会取得了不少成就。他们知道我不会做些主观臆测的决断，因此我每次都能重新当选。人们聚集在一起听我演说。我甚至帮助他们为教堂祝圣。”
“相信我，琼斯议员，”律师微笑着说，“就我们提出的‘拯救鲸鱼’法案来说，您的协助不会带来任何负面后果。”
“你怎末不早说要是拯救鲸鱼呢？”琼斯微笑到，“我很愿意帮忙。”
Lesson 48 The Speech演讲
Words:
conservation n. 保存，保持
conservative adj. 保守的，谨慎的；守旧的
conservatism n. 保守主义，守旧性
conservatory n. 音乐学院
conserve vt. 保存，保藏
considerable adj. 相当大（或多的）；值得考虑的；相当可观的
considerate adj. 考虑周到的，体贴的
consideration n. 体谅，考虑
consistent adj. 一致的，稳定的
console vt. 安慰，慰藉
consolidate v. 巩固；合并
consonant adj. 协调一致的，符合的
consort vi. 陪伴，结交
consortium n. 协会，联盟，（国际）财团
conspicuous adj. 显著的，显眼的，引人瞩目的
conspiracy n. 阴谋
conspire v. 共谋，阴谋
constant adj. （恒久）不变的，持续的；一再重复的
constellation n. 星座；灿烂的一群
consternation n. 惊愕，惊惶，失措
It was the morning of my speech and I was a bit nervous. I took my daughter to the conservatory for her music lessons before going to the meeting. She wore a conspicuous red dress with stars in the form of a constellation. Her style was consonant with her personality. I looked her in the eye and said, “I don’t want you to consort with those students who were suspended from school last week, okay?”
“Okay dad,” she replied. “Don’t worry about your speech,” she added. “You’ve already spent considerable time on it. I know you’ll do well.”
“That’s very considerate of you to be thinking about my speech,” I replied. “You may need to console me later with a Big Mac from McDonalds.”
When I arrived at the meeting, the room was already full of conservative people. I wasted no time and walked up to the podium to start my speech. “We need to consolidate our efforts to conserve our natural resources,” I said, maintaining a constant forceful tone. “But conservation alone will not solve the problems facing our country. The oil companies conspire every year to increase the price of oil. They create consternation by claiming that our supply is running short. It is a conspiracy to keep the prices higher than they should be. We need to form a consortium to give thorough consideration to this serious problem. Big changes may be needed and we should not let our conservatism hold us back. We should also be prepared to maintain a consistent and unified position on the issue.”
My speech continued for another 15 minutes and ended to the sound of loud applause. “Whem, I’m glad it’s over,” I mumbled to myself. “Forget the Big Mac, I need a beer.”
这天早上我要去演讲，还有点紧张。我先送女儿去音乐学院上音乐课，然后再去开会。她穿着一条星星点点的鲜红裙子，那些星星形如星座。她的衣着风格很符合她的性格。我正视着女儿，说道：“你不要跟那些上周被勒令停学的学生交往，明白吗？”
“好的，爸爸，”她回答道，“别担心你的演讲，”她补充了一句，“你在演讲上花了不少时间，我知道你肯定做的好。”
“你真体贴，还想着我的演讲，”我回答道，“也许过会儿你就得用麦当劳的巨无霸汉堡来慰劳我了。”
我来到会场时，屋子里已经坐满了保守派人士。我立刻走上讲坛，开始演讲。“我们需要努力加强对自然资源的保护，”我说道，始终如一地保持着一种铿锵有力的声调。“但光是保护还不能解决我们国家面临的诸多问题。原油公司每年都图谋着要提高油价。他们声称原油供应量不足，造成大家惊恐万分。这是个阴谋，意在将油价维持在正常售价之上。我们需要结成联盟，全面考虑这一严重问题。我们有必要进行大变革，不能因为保守主义而裹足不前，在这一问题上，我们一定要坚持一贯联合的立场。”
Lesson 49 Jack-of-all-trades, Master of None
Words:
constituent n. 成分，要素
constitute vt. 建立（政府），组成，构成
constitution n. 组织，宪法
constrain n. 约束，限制
constrict vt. 约束；收缩；压紧；堵塞
construct vt. 建造；创立
constructive adj. 建设性的，有积极效果的
construe v. 解释，把。。。理解为
consult vt. 咨询，请教
consultant n. 顾问，咨询者
consume vt. 消费，消耗；大吃大喝
consumer n. 消费者
consumption n. 消耗，消费
contact vt. 使接触，与。。。联系
contagious adj. 传染性的，会感染的
contain vt. 包含，容纳
container n. 容器，集装箱
contaminate vt. 弄脏，污染，感染
contemplate v. 沉思，对。。。做周密考虑
I like being a congressman because I am fond of helping people. Many citizens think that it is an easy job, but in fact, it is very different. I get many calls from people who need things or want to complain about someone. Often, I do not have the answer.
Last week, a constituent contacted me and asked me to help him construe an article contained within the constitution. I had to hire a lawyer as a consultant. After consulting the lawyer, I was able to give the constituent some constructive suggestions and to constrain him to follow the law.
Consumers often call to complain about bad products or bad services. I recall one instance where a man complained that a restaurant had contaminated his container of food. He was very angry and showed no constraint. Fortunately, he did not consume the bad food. I asked him to contemplate who might have done it. At my request, he constructed a time line of the previous day’s events. We concluded that, after he departed the restaurant, he had momentarily left his food container within the reach of some monkeys in his laboratory. He conceded that the monkeys were probably responsible for the partial consumption of his food and the soiling of his food container.
Other voters call for emergency reasons. For example, one person called to report the outbreak of a contagious disease that constricts breathing. I had no idea what he was talking about. All I could do was to notify the local police and the World Health Organization.
The position of congressman truly constitutes several different jobs.
我喜欢做个议员，因为我喜欢帮助别人。许多公民认为当议员是份简单的差事，实则不然，议员难做啊。我接到许多人打来的要东西或是抱怨人的电话，我常常是无言以对。
上星期，一位选民跟我联系，让我帮他解释一下宪法中包含的某则条款。我只好请来一位律师做顾问。向律师请教一番后，我方才为那位选民提供了一些建设性意见，并强制他依法办事。
消费者常常打电话，抱怨劣质产品或劣质服务。我记得有一次一个男人投诉饭店弄脏了他的饭盒。他火冒三丈，一点也不克制自己的脾气。幸好他没有吃那些脏食。我让他好好想想还有谁可能这么干。在我的请求下，他编制出一份罗列前一天所有活动的时间表。我们得出的结论是，他离开饭店后，曾有片刻时间将饭盒放在实验室里一些猴子能够得到的地方。他不情愿地承认也许是猴子偷吃了部分食物，还弄脏了他的饭盒。
其他一些选民则是为急事打来电话。例如，一个人打电话举报一些突发的窒息性传染病。我根本不明白他在讲什么，只能通知当地警方还有世界卫生组织。
Lesson 50 The Boxing Announcer’s Script 拳击解说员的广播稿
Words:
contemporary adj. 当代的，现代的；n. 同代人，同龄人
contemptible adj. 可鄙的，令人轻视的
contemptuous adj. 藐视的，傲慢的
contender n. 竞争者；争夺者
content n. 内容，容量；adj. 满足的
contented adj. 满足的，心安的
contention n. 争论，争辩；争夺，竞争
context n. 上下文，语境
contiguous adj. 接近的，接壤的
continent n. 大陆
continental adj. 大陆的，大陆性的
contingent adj. 可能发生的，偶然的；依条件而定的
continuation n. 继续，延长
continuity n. （时间或空间上的）连续性，连贯性
continuum n. 连贯统一体；一系列
contour n. 轮廓；周线，等高线
contract v. 收缩；定契约，立合同;n. 契约，合同
contraction n. 缩短，收缩
contradict vt. 与。。。矛盾，同。。。抵触
contradictory adj. 反对的，矛盾的
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the fight that will determine the heavyweight champion of the continent.
In the end corner is a contender from outside the continental United States. You can tell he is a rude and contemptible man by the content of his hostile comments. However, he claims that he is actually a gentle person with a contemporary attitude. He asserts that the media quotes his words out of context to make him look bad. Judging by his size, I don’t think anyone would dare to contradict him. Physically, he has the contour of a huge body builder. Tonight, he can earn as much as $500,000 under his fight contract. However, these earnings are contingent upon whether he wins the match. Some say that he won’t be contented unless he wins by a knockout.
In the blue corner is the current champion of the contiguous 48 states. He really wants to win the continental title tonight. He says he wants to maintain continuity between the two titles because they are both part of the continuum of world-class titles. The current champion is usually a very friendly person. However, tonight, he is a contemptuous fighter. He says he’s tired of the challenger’s contradictory statements. You can bet that his aggression will be focused on the challenger tonight.
For several months, both men have been in vicious contention for the continental title. Tonight is a continuation of their brutal dispute. So, let the battle begin!
女士们，先生们，欢迎大家前来观战，今天的拳击赛将角逐产生美洲重量级拳击冠军。
红色角落里的冠军争夺者来自美国大陆以外的国家。从他充满仇意的言语内容中，大家不难看出他是个粗野可鄙的人。但他声称自己实际是一位思想现代的绅士。他坚称媒体不顾上下文就引用他的话，实属故意丑化他的断章取义之举。凭他的体型，我想没人敢反驳他。身体上，他拥有一名高大健美者的外形。他只需稍微紧紧胳膊上的肌肉就能吓坏大多数人。根据他的拳击合同，今晚他的酬金将高达50万美元。但这比收入还要取决于他能否赢得这场比赛。有人说他不把对手击倒在地就不会满足。
蓝色角落里的是今年全美48大接壤州的冠军。他确实想赢得今晚的美洲冠军称号。她说他想保持两大冠军称号间的连续性，因为他们都是一系列的世界级冠军称号的一部分。今年的冠军通常十分友好。但今晚，他是一名傲慢的战士。他说他对手那些自相矛盾的词语令他感到腻烦。你可以打赌今晚他将集中精力挑战对手。
