英语课外阅读

英语课外阅读 Lovers Turn to Text Message to Say It’s Over 发个短信说分手. U R dumped—one in seven say they have suffered the same fate as Britney Spears’ ex-husband and been told it’s all over via text message or e-mail, a survey said. While hiding behind technology might appear a cowardly way of splitting up, it contrasts with the four percent who simply drop all communication with their lovers without notice. "Most of us send e-mails and texts everyday, so it comes as no surprise they are now being used to ditch someone—however distasteful this is," said Rob Barnes, who carried out the survey. "The results show one percent of the population would use a social networking site to dump a partner. It would be interesting to see how this changes as sites such as Facebook and MySpace become more apparent in our everyday lives." One of the most high-profile victims of dumping by text was Kevin Federline, who reportedly received news that pop singer Spears was filing for divorce while being filmed for a television show. The survey said 15 percent of the 2,194 people questioned had been dumped by text or e-mail, although a quarter of those in the most tech-savvy 18 to 24-year-old age group would choose the traditional method—a letter. “你被甩了”——每七个人中就有一个称他们遭到过与“小甜甜” 布兰妮的前夫同样的命运——通过短信或电子邮件的方式被告知关 系就此结束，一项调查如是说。 用科技作挡箭牌可算一种怯懦的分手方式，而与此形成对比的是，有 4%的人说也不说一声，就完全断绝与爱人的所有联系。“我们大多数 人每天都发送电子邮件和短信，现在用它来与某人分手也就不足为奇 了，不管这有多么令人不快，”主持此项调查的罗布?巴恩斯说，“调 查结果明，有1%的人会使用社交网站与情人分手。随着像Facebook 和MySpace这样的网站在日常生活中越来越普及，关注这一现象如何 变化是很有意思的。”被发短信甩掉的“最大牌的”受害者之一是凯 文?费德林，据爆料他是在录制电视节目时收到流行歌星“小甜甜” 的短信要求离婚的。 该调查称在受访的2,194人中，有15%曾被恋人发短信或电子邮件甩 掉，然而在18到24岁之间这一最具科技头脑的人群中，仍有1/4的 人会选择传统的分手:写信。 Remarks: 各位看《英语学习》可是为了学英语的，不是为了学怎么 跟情人分手的。如有人因本文遭受损失，恕本刊概不负责～. How Office Politics Dominates Our Shut-Eye1 英国人:工作压力 大，做梦也不忘 Trying to leave work at the office is proving to be a challenge for many British workers, with research revealing that heavy workloads, conflicts and bosses all make an appearance in dreams. Work-related issues are the number one topic featuring in dreams, with colleagues creeping into shut-eye time more than celebrities.2 More than 20 percent polled admitted that they regularly dream about their boss. According to the research one in three dream about work when they are stressed in their job and a quarter stated that they dream about a colleague if there was a conflict3 with them earlier that day. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 20 percent dreamed more if they were under pressure or stressed. The poll found that the average person dreams most nights, with only 12 percent saying they never dream. However, dreams often leave people confused, with 52 percent saying they do not make sense4 and 60 percent wishing they could know what they mean. Commenting on the survey carried out by One Poll for Premier Inn hotels, dreams expert Davina MacKail said: “This poll shows that whether we are asleep or awake a problem with a colleague or stress at work can really affect us.” 1. shut-eye:〈口〉睡觉。 2. issue: 问题;feature in: 为„„主要角色;creep into: 悄悄 地进入，潜入。 3. conflict: 冲突。 4. make sense: 有意义，解释得通。 Graduates Sell Advertising Space on Their Faces 英国毕业生出 租“脸孔”当广告牌 Two enterprising graduates are selling advertising space on their faces to pay off a combined student debt of almost ,50,000.1 Faced with a challenging job market, former Cambridge students Ed Moyse and Ross Harper are painting different company logos on to their faces. Anyone can buy the advertising space, from businesses to individuals or groups, on a day-to-day2 basis. The logos—which can be viewed at www.buymyface.co.uk—are then seen by everyone they pass as they go about their daily business. The graduates, who met on their first day at Selwyn College, Cambridge, started the business on October 1, 2011 and said they made ,3,500 in the first 10 days. The boys said they are “armed only with massive student debt and a firm grasp of the principles of viral advertising” as they attempt to survive for a year solely on income generated by transforming themselves into walking advertisements.3 Mr. Harper, 21, from Greenwich, south London, who studied neuroscience, said: “It’s our unconventional way of paying off our student debt.4 The graduate job market is incredibly hostile, and so we thought we’d try and bypass it altogether.5 We’ve seen so many students unsuccessfully applying for jobs, only to eventually settle in a career that they never really wanted. It’s just something a bit different and has taken off6 quite nicely.” 1. enterprising: 有创业精神的;pay off: 付清，还清;debt: 债 务。 2. day-to-day: 按日的，一天一天的。 3. massive: 大量的;grasp: 理解，掌握;viral advertising: 病 毒式广告(网络公司的一种广告方式，让计算机用户通过电子邮件在 不知不觉中收发广告或图文);此处指在脸上打广告也是一种“病毒 式广告”; solely: 仅仅。 4. neuroscience: (研究大脑的)神经科学;unconventional: 非 传统的。 5. hostile: 恶劣的，不利的;bypass: 避开。 6. take off: 突然开始成功。 Bribery in India: A Website for Whistleblowers 印度网站揭露 行贿真相 Imagine if you had to pay a bribe to see your newborn baby, get your water supply connected or obtain your driving license. It’s an everyday fact of life in India—but campaigners are now fighting back, using people power and the Internet. “Uncover the market price of corruption”, proclaims the banner on the homepage of ipaidabribe.com. It invites people to share their experiences of bribery, what a bribe was for, where it took place and how much was involved. Launched in August, the site gives Indians a chance to vent their frustrations anonymously and shine a spotlight on the impact of corruption on everyday life. “I did the driving test correctly but still the official said I was driving too slow, I realized his intention so gave him 200 Rupees and got the thing done,” is a typical example of a posting. The website was the brainwave of Ramesh and Swati Ramanathan. Having lived in the US and the UK for several years, they were dismayed on their return to see how widespread corruption had become and decided to do something about it. The website has evolved into a consumer comparison site where people can also get information and advice in different languages on how to avoid paying bribes. So far, nearly 10,000 bribe experiences have been reported across 347 cities and 19 government departments. Solving the problem of bribery in India is not going to happen overnight. But ipaidabribe.com shows that ordinary people can be turned from the victims of corruption into part of the solution. bribery: 行贿，受贿，下文中的bribe为名词，意为“贿赂，用来 买通别人的钱财(或物品、好处等)”;whistleblower:(尤指组织 内部的)告发者，告密者。 campaigner: 参加(或发起)运动的人，文中指反腐败人士;people power: 人民的(反对)力量。 corruption: 腐败;proclaim: 表明，显示;banner: 横幅;homepage: (互联网的)首页，主页。 该网站邀请人们分享自己的行贿经历、行贿原因、行贿地点以及行贿 金额。 vent: 表达，发泄情感(尤指愤怒);frustration:(frustration: frustration:);frustration:;挫折，失望;anonymously: 匿名 地;spotlight: 公众注意中心。 Rupee: 卢比(印度货币单位);post: 发贴子。 brainwave: 灵感，妙计。 dismay: 使失望;widespread: 普遍的，广泛的。 evolve into: 逐渐发展成„„。 American Dream for Many Is Better Life for Kids美国梦:为孩 子打造美好生活 For most Americans giving their children a better life or having a successful business or career is their version of the American Dream, according to a new poll.1 Their children’s welfare was the top priority for 53 percent of Americans questioned about the American Dream in a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair survey. It surpassed2 job prospects, getting rich overnight, owning a home, doing better than your parents, and becoming famous, which despite reality television was chosen by only three percent. Americans were evenly split on whether it is a good idea to have a prenuptial agreement3 before getting married. Not surprisingly 60 percent of separated or divorced couples said they thought it was a smart move. And despite a steady stream of diet books, 56 percent of Americans said they never try to lose weight and 27 percent said they try to slim down4 once or twice a year. A whopping 70 percent of Americans said that they would not feel safer if concealed weapons were allowed in classrooms to prevent shootings such as the one that occurred at Virginia Tech in August 2007.5 1. welfare:健康，幸福;priority: 优先考虑的事;60 Minutes/Vanity Fair survey: 美国电视节目“60 Minutes”与《名 利场》杂志合办的调查。 2. surpass: 超过，优先于。 3. prenuptial agreement: 婚前。 4. slim down: 瘦身。 5. whopping: 庞大的;concealed: 隐藏的;Virginia Tech: (美 国)弗吉尼亚理工大学。2007年，美国弗吉尼亚理工大学发生恶性 校园枪击案，枪击造成33人死亡，凶手本人开枪自尽。 Save Money but Lose Weight with Korean Banks 韩国银行:减肥 存款花样多 Hana Bank, the banking arm of Hana Financial Group, sells an instalment savings product called “S-Line,” a Korean word that means an hourglass figure—just one reflection of the current Korean obsession with being slim and in shape.1 The more calories2 a customer burns, the higher interest rate the bank gives. If a customer loses more than five percent of their weight within a year, or holds a gym3 membership, the bank grants special rates. The working-out-for-higher-interest savings account has fetched up 400 billion won ($221 million) from nearly 50,000 customers since 2008.4 Other banks take a slightly different tack5. Top lender Kookmin Bank, the banking arm of KB Financial Group Inc, launched a smartphone product, taking advantage of the country’s smartphone boom.6 Customers use this to click on an icon of coffee or a taxi on their smartphone instead of drinking coffee or taking a cab—and directly deposit money.7 Woori Bank sells a bicycle fixed deposit, allowing clients to benefit from vowing to ride a bicycle to commute, as communicated with a written statement, or swiping its credit card for public transportation.8 The bank also provides free bicycle insurance. For Park, who wants to save money for several years but fears burning a hole in his wallet by following his fitness resolution since many gym memberships in Seoul are expensive,9 such banks’ plans give him guarded hope. “They all sound very good,” Park said, though he added that he’d have to double check and make sure the plans helped him lose where he wants to—and only there. 1. banking arm: 银行业务分部;instalment savings product: 零 存整取理财产品;hourglass figure: 沙漏形体型;in shape: 处于 良好的健康状况。 2. calorie: 卡路里，热量单位。 3. gym: 体育馆，健身馆。 4. working-out-for-higher-interest: 为了高利息，卖力减肥， work out意为“筋疲力尽”;fetch up: 产生;won: 韩元，韩国货 币单位。 5. tack: 策略，方法。 6. smartphone: 智能手机;boom: 迅速发展，繁荣。 7. icon: 图标;deposit: 存(款)，也作名词“存款”。 8. commute: 通勤;swipe credit card for public transportation: 乘公共交通时刷信用卡付费。 9. burn a hole in one’s wallet: 钱在钱包里留不住;fitness resolution: 减肥决心。 The Key to 100 Million Mysteries 一亿个秘密的钥匙 The average Briton has nine keys on their key ring—and no idea what at least two of them are for, according to a study. This suggests that there are more than 100 million “mystery keys” in the country, weighing more than 1,000 tons. The poll, by Esure insurance, found that the average woman owned 10 keys but didn’t know what two of them did. Men own an average of eight, but again the purpose of two of these is unknown. The research also found that, while the average bunch comprises nine keys, more than a quarter of those polled owned between 10 and 15 different keys, with a further nine percent of people possessing 21 or more separate keys. The poll also found that one in five homes had a key hidden within 10 feet of the front door, with the most common hiding place a garden rock, followed by plant pots and door mats. One in 10 respondents did not bother to change locks after losing a set of keys, and two thirds left a set of keys with neighbours, family or friends. The over-55s are the most trusting, and frequently leave keys with others, while a third of under-25s said they had never done so. Secret of Match Success 比赛成功的秘诀 Sports coaches who wear suits on match days and tracksuits1 on training days are more likely to get the best out of their teams, according to new research. Sports scientists at the University of Portsmouth studied the effect a coach’s appearance had on the players’ impressions of their competence2. Dr. Richard Thelwell said: ‘‘We have found that the clothing that coaches wear can have a direct effect on the players’ perceptions3 of the coach’s ability. Players look to their coach to provide technical skills, to motivate them and to lead them. A coach in a suit suggests strategic prowess4 which is obviously ideal for a match. In our study, coaches wearing a suit were perceived as being more strategically competent than those wearing sporting attire5. However, when wearing sporting attire, they were perceived to be more technically competent than those in a suit.’’ Dr. Thelwell said: ‘‘First impressions can have a powerful and long-lasting effect, no matter how quickly those judgments were made. From the research, we know that sportsmen and women make snap decisions about their opponents based on first impressions.6 Such impressions then often influence the expectations of the performance outcome that ultimately results in success or failure. In coaching it is vital a strong rapport7 develops between the coach and the athlete. Sportsmen and women have to be willing to be persuaded to push the boundaries physically and mentally because the coach believes they can push harder or even because the coach just tells them to but, to date,8 very little research has been done on what happens in those first few moments, and more importantly whether the athlete is prepared to go along with the ideals of the coach.’’ 1. tracksuit:(训练时穿的)长袖运动服，田径服。 2. competence: 能力，技能。 3. perception: 认识，看法。 4. prowess:(某活动或领域的)杰出才能，高超本领。 5. attire:(尤指华丽或正式的)服装。 6. snap: 迅速的;opponent: 对手。 7. rapport: 融洽的关系，和谐的关系。 8. push the boundaries: 努力突破;to date: 迄今为止。 Rich Women Prefer Attractive Older Men 多金女青睐魅力熟男 Psychologists in Scotland have found that as women become more financially independent, they want an older, more attractive male partner. Studies have previously found that women place greater emphasis on whether a man can provide for them, while men place more importance on good looks. The new study revealed that as women earn more and become more independent, their tastes actually change. The study was conducted online with 3,770 heterosexual1 participants, about equal numbers of men and women, who were asked questions about their background and personal situation, and their level of financial independence. Participants ranked a series of criteria such as physical attraction, financial prospects and sense of humor in order of importance, with these results matched against their income and financial independence.2 The finding suggests that greater financial independence gives women greater confidence in choosing their partner. Instinctive preferences for material stability and security become less important, physical attractiveness becomes more important, and the age of a woman’s partner also increases. The popular stereotype3 of powerful women adopting male patterns of behavior is strongly questioned by these new results. 1. heterosexual: 异性恋的。 2. criteria: criterion的复数形式，标准，尺度;match against: 与„„相比。 3. stereotype: 固定的看法。 British Food No Longer a Turn-off1 for Tourists 英国食物重获 游客青睐 Foreigners have for decades branded British food as bland and unhealthy, but a new survey suggested the country’s culinary reputation is changing—although the French remain unimpressed.2 A survey of 26,000 people in 36 countries by VisitBritain, the national tourism body, found that a majority of people in 27 nations disagreed with the statement that “British food is very bad”. Russia, Estonia3 and Egypt were the most enthusiastic about British food, while Spain, Italy, Japan and France—the latter has long been skeptical about the culinary delights of its neighbour—were the least impressed. The researchers also asked would-be travellers their views on what for many is the classic British dish—a breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon and black pudding, with the possible addition of mushrooms and grilledtomatoes.4 Asked how much they agreed with the statement, “I’ve always wanted to try a full English breakfast”, only the Irish and the Germans were ambivalent5, and among the keenest were visitors from Russia, Brazil and India. 1. turn-off: 令人倒胃口的东西，令人厌烦的事物。 2. brand: 加污名于„„，谴责;bland: 淡而无味的;culinary: 烹 饪的。 3. Estonia: 爱沙尼亚，波罗的海沿岸三国之一。 4. would-be: 想要成为„„的;grill: 烤。 5(ambivalent: 态度模糊的，不确定的。 Background Noise “Makes Food Taste Bland1” 飞机餐难吃怪噪音 The blandness of airline meals has long been a complaint among passengers—but research suggests that the chefs may not be to blame. A study has found that high levels of background noise can diminish the sensitivity of people’s palates, making food taste less appealing.2 Experts believe that the roar of an aircraft’s jet engines could explain why diners are so often left unimpressed by the food dished up by cabin crew.3 The researchers also discovered that pleasant sounds can increase people’s enjoyment of meals. The findings could help restaurateurs choose the right music and ambience to enhance diners’ experiences.4 Blindfolded volunteers were given a range of foods including flapjacks and cheese crackers to try while being played different levels of white noise.5 Their responses indicated that people had a less acute sense of the sweetness and saltiness of foods the louder the noise was played.6 However, participants had a heightened sense of the crunchiness of foods the noisier it became.7 Researcher Dr. Andy Woods said: “Our research has revealed that flavours can taste less strong in loud background noise. In addition, just as enjoyable music can enhance the eating experience, if you dislike the background noise it can reduce your liking of that food. Based on these findings, a salad bar chain wanting to serve crunchy salads may find that they benefit from louder music, whereas a restaurant that serves salty food could consider turning the background music down to reduce the need for additional sodium in their food.”8 He said it intends to undertake more research to explain the findings. It is thought that background noise may distort the brain’s ability to accurately gauge the senses.9 “We could ultimately work out the perfect soundtrack10 to enhance any meal,” added Dr. Woods. 1. bland:(食物)淡而无味的。 2. diminish: 减弱;palate: 味觉;appealing: 吸引人的。 3. roar: 咆哮声，轰鸣声;jet engine: 喷气发动机;dish up: 提供;cabin crew: 机舱乘务人员。 4. restaurateur: 餐馆老板;ambience: 环境，氛围;enhance: 提高，增进。 5. blindfolded: 被蒙住眼睛的;flapjack: 煎饼，烤饼;cheese cracker: 奶酪薄脆饼干;white noise: 白噪音，用以掩盖其他杂音的声音。 6. acute: 敏锐的;saltiness: 咸味。 7. heightened: 更强烈的;crunchiness: 嘎吱嘎吱声，下文的crunchy为形容词，表示“发嘎吱嘎吱声的”。 8. salad bar chain: 连锁沙拉吧，沙拉吧指(餐馆或超市中的)沙拉自助柜或凉拌菜自助长条桌;sodium: 钠。 9. distort: 扭曲，使不正常;gauge: 判断，估计。 10. soundtrack: (电影)配乐。 Short Breaks Make People Happier than One Long Holiday 休短假比休长假更开心 Taking frequent short breaks is better for you than one long holiday, research has found. Psychologists believe that people who use their holiday allowance in bursts rather than all in one go are happier.1 People who take so-called mini-breaks2 have more happy memories than those who holiday for an extended period of time, they claimed. Psychologists suggested that holidaymakers break up extended time away by doing some work in the middle of their break saying this would make them more appreciative of their time away from the office.3 The explanation is that people’s enjoyment wanes as they become accustomed to their holiday lifestyle.4 Prof. Ariely, who teaches at Duke University in North Carolina, said: “On a long vacation, day seven is less good than day one because it’s not as exciting. That’s why in general, going away four times [a year] provides more benefit than you would expect, and going away for one week provides less benefit than you would expect.” However, other experts disagree. Tim Harford, the author of Dear Undercover Economist, said that taking an increased number of trips would only increase the stress associated with travelling to and from a holiday destination. He said: “If you pack three times as many holidays into the same amount of leave, you can expect three times as much trouble. It’s not obvious to me that it’s worth it.” 1. holiday allowance: 容许的假期;in bursts: 一阵一阵地;in one go: 一口气。 2. mini-break: 短暂假期。 3. holidaymaker: 度假者;appreciative: 感激的，承认有价值的。 4. wane: 减弱，变少;become accustomed to: 对„„变得习以为 常。 Attractive Women Overlooked for Certain Jobs? “男性工作”:美女也没便宜占 Too hot to be an engineer or prison guard? Good looks can kill a woman’s chances of snaring jobs considered “masculine,”1 according to a study by the University of Colorado Denver Business School. Attractive women faced discrimination2 when they applied for jobs where appearance was not seen as important. These positions included job titles like manager of research and development, director of finance, mechanical engineer and construction supervisor.3 They were also overlooked for categories like director of security, hardware salesperson, prison guard and tow-truck driver.4 “In these professions being attractive was highly detrimental to women,” researcher Stefanie Johnson said in a statement, adding that attractive women tended to be sorted into positions like receptionist or secretary.5 “In every other kind of job, attractive women were preferred. This wasn’t the case with men which shows that there is still a double standard when it comes to gender 6.” While the researchers found good-looking women were ruled out7 for certain jobs, they found that attractive men did not face similar discrimination and were always at an advantage. But Johnson said beautiful people still enjoyed a significant edge8 when it came to the workplace. They tended to get higher salaries, better performance evaluations, higher levels of admission to college, and more favorable judgments in trials.9 “In every other kind of job, attractive women were preferred,” said Johnson, who chided those who let stereotypes affect hiring decisions.10 1. snare:(用陷阱、罗网等)捕捉，此处指找工作;masculine: 适 于男性的。 2. discrimination: 差别对待，歧视。 3. director of finance: 财务总监;construction supervisor: 施 工监理。 4. director of security: 保安部主管;tow-truck: 吊拖车，托运 车。 5. detrimental: 有害的，不利的;receptionist:(诊所、事务处 等的)接待员。 6. gender: 性别。 7. rule out: 把„„排除在外。 8. edge: 优势。 9. performance evaluation: 业绩评价;trial: 审判。 10. chide: 责备;stereotype: 成见。 Britons Spend Six Months of Their Lives Discussing Weather 英 国人一生六个月谈天气 Famously weather-obsessed1 British people spend on average six months of their lives talking about whether it’s going to rain or shine, according to a survey published recently. Speculation about whether it’s going to be wet, complaints about the cold and exclamations about the heat are also the first points of conversation with strangers or business acquaintances for 58 percent of Britons,2 it said. The study of 2,018 adults by pollsters ICM found Britons talk about the weather for about 49 hours every year and the subject comes up more often than work, TV, sport or gossip.3 Nineteen percent of over 65s questioned also believe they can predict the weather as well as a professional weatherman.4 The most usual explanation for the fascination with weather is that it is so changeable here—although this does not explain why other meteorologically challenged countries are not similarly interested.5 Whatever the reason, “these findings prove that we really are a nation obsessed by our climate,” said Paul Llewellyn of Lloyds TSB Insurance, which commissioned6 the poll. 1. weather-obsessed: 对天气着迷的。 2. speculation: 猜测;exclamation: 大呼小叫; acquaintance: 熟人。 3. pollster: 民意调查分析机构;gossip: 流言蜚语。 4. over 65s: 65岁以上的老人;weatherman: 天气预 报员。 5. fascination: 着迷，强烈爱好;meteorologically challenged: 气象状况不稳定的。 6. commission: 委托进行。 Queen Elizabeth II Wants a Pay Rise 女王要求涨工资 The Queen is demanding her first pay rise in 20 years to plug a looming ,6 million deficit in the royal household’s finances.1 Palace officials have warned the Treasury they need a dramatic rise in the ,7.9 million annual civil list to maintain spending on state duties.2 The request is politically explosive at a time when the new coalition is imposing draconian ,6 billion public sector cuts to bring down Britain’s record deficit.3 The ,7.9 million grant covers the cost of the official royal household, from banquets and furnishings to housemaids and footmen.4 The Queen’s treasurer Sir Alan Reid has told Government officials that the monarch’s expenditure is running at ,6 million more than the annual allowance. The shortfall is being met by an emergency reserve which is due to run out in 2012—the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.5 The civil list is negotiated every ten years and the Government has to report to Parliament on the grant by July 3 at the latest. Courtiers say the Queen should, at least, expect an increase to her annual funding which takes account of inflation over the past two decades.6 Prices have soared7 by 80 percent in that time. The current level of the civil list was agreed by former prime minister John Major in 1990, and frozen by Tony Blair in 2000. Palace officials have since been dipping into a surplus accumulated in the 1990s, which peaked with a cash reserve of ,35 million.8 However, this is down to ,14 million and due to run out in 2012. One royal courtier said: “The Queen has only been able to manage by very prudent financial management and by drawing on reserves.”9 The monarchy costs more than ,41.5 million a year in public funds, equivalent to 69p a year for each taxpayer—excluding the cost of security. About 70 percent of the ,7.9 million civil list expenditure goes on staff salaries. It also pays for official functions such as garden parties, receptions and entertainment. Graham Smith, of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, said the request was a “national disgrace”. He said: “The palace is demanding more money because it has been wasteful, secretive and incompetent.” But Edward Leigh, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee which monitors the royal finances, said: “The Queen needs substantially more money to carry out her duties and responsibilities. The Queen and the Royal Family do a fantastic job considering their very small resources.” 1. plug: 堵塞(漏洞);loom: (战争、威胁等)阴森地逼近。 2. Treasury: (英国)财政部;civil list: 皇室费，王室专款。 3. explosive: 爆炸性的，极有争议的;coalition: 结合，联合，此处指由英国保守党和自由民主党新结成的联合政府;draconian: 严厉的，残酷的;public sector: (英国)政府资助(或控制)的企业(或社会慈善事业等)。 4. grant: 授予物(如土地、权利、补助金等);footman: 男仆。 5. shortfall: 不足之数，差额;emergency reserve: 紧急预备费;the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year: 女王登基“钻石年”，指女 王登基60周年。 6. courtier: 侍臣;take account of: 考虑到;inflation: 通货膨胀。 7. soar: 猛增。 8. dip into a surplus: 动用剩余款项;peak: 达到最高点。 9. prudent: 节俭的，善于经营的;draw on: 动用。