Sentence 53

英文原文:

He then set up experiments with caged starlings and found that their orientation was, in fact, in the proper migratory direction except when the sky was overcast, at which times there was no clear direction to their restless movements.

TPO-11(2006.12.8):Orientation and Navigation

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参考翻译:

他于是对关在笼子里的椋鸟进行了实验,并且发现:它们其实是朝着适当的迁徙方向飞行,除了天空多云时,在这些(多云的)时候,它们焦躁不安地飞行,没有明确的方向。

知识点小结:

1.词组“set up”的意思是“建立,设置,安排”。比如“set up blocks on the road”(设置路障)、“set up a meeting”(安排会议)等。

2.句子的主干是“He set up experiments and found that...”, “that...”后面的内容是实验发现的内容。

3. “orientation”的意思是“目标,方向”。它的动词形式是“orient”,意思是“to direct sb./sth. toward sth.; to adapt sb./sth. for a particular purpose”(朝向,确定方向,使适应)。比如“a commercially oriented organization”(一个商业性的机构)、“policies oriented to the needs of working mothers”(针对职业母亲的需要而制定的政策)等。

4.词组“in the direction”的意思是“朝……的方向,在……的方向”。

5. “at which times...”是非限制性定语从句,用于修饰前面的“when the sky was overcast”,该定语从句可还原为“at times when the sky was overcast, there was...”(在天空多云的时候……)。

与本次句子解析相关的阅读题目:

Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the underlined sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

He then set up experiments with caged starlings and found that their orientation was, in fact, in the proper migratory direction except when the sky was overcast, at which times there was no clear direction to their restless movements.

A. Experiments revealed that caged starlings displayed a lack of directional sense and restless movements.

B. Experiments revealed that caged starlings were unable to orient themselves in the direction of their normal migratory route.

C. Experiments revealed that the restless movement of caged starlings had no clear direction.

D. Experiments revealed that caged starlings' orientation was accurate unless the weather was overcast.

汉英翻译练习:

我们应该经常设法利用自身的知识和经验去解决问题,除非当所做的决定很重要,可能会造成不可弥补的大错时,在这些时候,寻求他人的建议能更好地确保我们所做决定的正确性,以避免不必要的损失。

参考翻译:

We should always try to solve problems based on our own knowledge and experience, except when the decision to be made is too important and may have potentially irreparable consequences. At these times, it is better to seek other people's advice, as this helps ensure that the decision we make is proper and avoid unnecessary losses.

请将以上句子扩充而成的中文段落翻译成英文:

① 我们应该经常设法利用自身的知识和经验去解决问题,除非当所做的决定很重要,可能会造成不可弥补的大错时,在这些时候,寻求他人的建议能更好地确保我们所做决定的正确性,以避免不必要的损失。② 下面,我将分别阐述在哪种情况下应该依靠自己,在哪种情况下应该寻求他人的建议。

大家想一想,该翻译练习是不是可以用到下面的托福写作中呢?

写作题目:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

It is better to use our personal knowledge and experience to solve problems, rather than asking other people for advice.

——2009.3.7

勇哥批改学生翻译练习:

Victor Liszt

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