本文选自吴应时主编的《大学英语六级阅读真题精读——晨读伴侣》。本书对历年国家大学英语六级考试（CET-6）的仔细阅读部分进行了详尽而精准的分析、翻译和注释，对四六级考生有着事半功倍的效果，对提升整体英语能力也很有帮助。

学习导读：

爱德华•泰勒斯是美国知名的社会学家，其研究方向是社会问题。社会学专业的我，对这篇文章倍感亲切，但我如果就此文做题，并不会有任何优势，因为四六级的阅读考的并不是专业知识，而是你对文章观点的吸收和理解。说起英语，肯定离不开美国，毕竟它仍然是全球最大的经济体。经济学有一个亘古不变的原理，人们倾向于往经济更为发达的地区移民。于是，美国的移民问题总是那么热。下面就来看看社会学家在这个问题上是如何分析的。

The percentage (of immigrants (including those unlawfully present) 原) [in the United States] has been creeping 1[upward] [for years] [at 12.6 percent], it is [now] higher [than at any point] [since the mid 1920s].

多年来，美国移民（包括非法移民）的百分比一直在攀升，目前移民人口的比例是12.6%，创20世纪20年代中期以来的最高纪录。

注：1. creep vi. 爬行，蔓延；慢慢地移动（文中此意）；起鸡皮疙瘩；n. 爬行；毛骨悚然的感觉；谄媚者。例：

But in early trade on Tuesday, the price of oil started to creep higher again.

但在周二早盘交易，油价又开始爬升。

[选自：BBC: News | BUSINESS | Oil price creeps higher]

creep up 攀升。例：

The inflation rate has been creeping up to 10 per cent.

通货膨胀率已攀升至10%。

We are not about to go back to the days [when Congress [openly 1] worried about inferior 2 races polluting America’s bloodstream 3.] But [once again] we are wondering whether we have too many of the wrong sort 4 newcomers. Their loudest critics argue that the new wave (of immigrants) cannot, ^and indeed do not want to^, fit in [as (previous) generations did.]

我们并无意重返旧日，那时的国会公然担心劣等民族会污染美国的血统。但是现在我们再度质疑：是否来了太多不该来的人。嚷嚷得最大声的批判者说，新一轮的移民潮不会像以前几轮移民一样对美国有同类归属感——实际上这些移民根本就不想融入美国。

注：1. openly adv. 公开地，坦诚地，坦率地。例：

They have begun openly criticizing Lee, with some demanding his expulsion from the party.

他们已经开始公开批评李，一些人要求他开除党籍。

[选自：CNN: Magazine | The DPP's Godfather]

He openly declared himself as an atheist.

他公开宣布自己是无神论者。

短语：communicate openly 坦诚交流

state openly 公开声明

2. inferior adj. 差的，自卑的，下级的（文中此意）；n. 次品。例：

Most South Koreans regard people from this region as socially inferior – poor, uncouth and unruly.

大多数韩国人认为这一地区人都是社会地位低下、贫穷、笨拙、不守规矩的。

[选自：BBC: NEWS | Special Report | 1997 | Korean elections 97 | Kim Dae Jung: A political profile]

3. bloodstream n. [生理]血流，血液的流动。例：

Late in the disease, as the tumor burden increases, HL can spread through the bloodstream.

在疾病后期，随着肿瘤负担增加，霍奇金淋巴瘤可以通过血液传播。

[选自: CNN: News | Health | What is Hodgkin lymphoma's effect on the lymphatic system?]

After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for   growth and energy.

在消化后，葡萄糖进入血液，在那里被细胞消化，以供细胞能量和成长。

4. sort n. 种类，方式；品质（文中此意）；vi. 分类，协调，交往；vt. 将...分类，将...排序。例：

Over at All Nippon Airways (ANA), a purge of a different sort is in progress.

在日本全日空航空公司，一种不同的清洗方式正在进展中。

[选自：CNN: REVOLT OF THE MANAGERS]

短语：all sort of 各种各样

sort of 有几分的，到某种程度的，稍稍

some sort of 某种的，多少有些，仿佛

sort out 挑选出

of sorts 各种各样的

that sort of thing 那类事情

We [now] know that these racist 1 views were wrong. [In time], Italians, Romanian sand members (of other so-called inferior races) became [exemplary 2] Americans and contributed [greatly], ^in ways too numerous to detail^, to 3   the building (of this magnificent 4 nation). There is no reason (why these new immigrants should not have the same success.)

现在我们知道这些种族主义的观点大错特错了。只要假日时日，意大利人、罗马尼亚人以及其他被称为“劣等民族“的人最后都会成为美国人中的典范，他们以各种各样的方式为建设伟大的美国而贡献良多。所以，没有理由不相信这些移民也能取得这样的成功。

注：1. racist adj. 种族主义的。

短语：racist groups/thugs 种族主义态度/暴徒例：

As well as trying to look less racist, the police are now targeting black problems.

警方目前在针对黑人的问题上试图看起来不那么种族主义。

[选自：ECONOMIST: Black boys Taking the rap]

Racist attitude had to be rubbished once and for all.

种族歧视的态度必须根除。

2.exemplary adj.典范的，惩戒性的，可效仿的。例：

We have lost a close friend, an outstanding leader, an exemplary Rifleman and a remarkable and decent man.

我们失去了一个好朋友，一位杰出的领袖，一个模范步兵和一个非凡的正直的勇士。

[选自：BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Cornwall | Heartfelt tribute to fallen comrade]

An exemplary person may well have the great charisma to affect others but does not necessarily know how to affect others.

一个模范的人很可能拥有对他人强大的号召力，但并不非要知道如何去影响他人。

3. 这里的to是跟前面contribute构成动词词组的，一起作谓语。

4. magnificent adj.高尚的，壮丽的，华丽的。例：

To inspire his parishioners, Suger built a magnificent church in the emerging Gothic style.

苏格兴建了一座壮丽的教堂，新式的哥特风格，以鼓舞他的教徒们。

[选自：WSJ: Book Review: In Search of Civilization]

These magnificent ancient buildings demonstrate the great intelligence of human.

这些壮丽的古代建筑显示了人类的高度智慧。

[Although children of Mexican immigrants do [better],] ^in terms of educational and professional attainment 1  ^, [than their parents], UCLA 2 sociologist {Edward Telles} has found that the gains don’t continue. [Indeed], the fouth generation is [marginally 3  ] worse off 4 [than the third]. James Jackson, ^of the University of Michigan^, has found a similar trend [among black Caribbean immigrants], Tells fears that Mexican-Americans may be fated to 5 follow in the foot steps (of American blacks) – that large parts of the community may become mired [in a seemingly permanent state] (of poverty and underachievement). [Like African-Americans], Mexican-Americans are [increasingly] relegated to segregated 6, substandard  7 schools, and their dropout rate is the highest [for any ethnic group] [in the country].

虽然墨西哥移民在教育和专业造诣上优于他们的父母，但是加州大学洛杉矶分校的社会学家爱德华·泰勒斯发现这种优势并没有持续下去，事实上墨西哥移民的第四代比第三代糟糕很多。密歇根大学的詹姆士·杰克森也发现，在加勒比黑人移民当中也有着类似的趋势。大部分美国人也可能都深陷无望的贫困、一生一事无成。泰勒斯担心墨西哥裔美国人也可能步其后尘。正如非裔美国人那样，越来越多的墨西哥裔美国人进入被隔离开来的不合格学校就读，而且其辍学率在全美各族裔中最高。

注：1. attainment n. 达成，成就，学识。例：

Since then new staff and governors have been brought in and pupil attainment has improved.

从那时起，随着新员工和理事的引进，学生的学习成绩提高了。

[选自：BBC: News | England | Tees | Darlington's Mount Pleasant Primary School praised]

They think it may contribute to intellectual growth and lead to the attainment of actual goals.

他们认为白日梦有助于智力的发展，能导致人们实现要达到的目标。

academic attainment学力

2. UCLA即University of California at Los Angeles加州大学洛杉矶分校，不过排名最好的是伯克利分校，UC Berkeley，这是多少文科学生心中的最高学术殿堂啊。

3. marginally adv.略微地，少量地；最低限度地。例：

Economists said the MAS move only marginally alters their forecasts for the U.S. dollar.

经济学家表示，金管局将略微改变对美元的预期。

[选自：WSJ: Singapore Grows Slowly, Central Bank Eases Policy]

Investments that even marginally improve the quality and reduce the risks of succession are well worth it.

这些投资，即使是轻微提高质量和降低继承的风险，都是很值得的。

4. be worse off 处境较坏，情况恶化。例：

While 21% of people thought England would be worse off, 19% said it would be better off.

19%的人认为英国会更好，而21%的人认为会更糟糕。

[选自：BBC: NEWS | Scotland | Nearly half of English oppose Scottish independence - poll]

But if measures that would increase stability fall victim to politics, everyone will be worse off.

但是，如果一项本可以提高稳定性的措施沦为政治受害者的话，所有人的处境都会变得更糟糕。

5. be fated to 注定。例：

The rule-makers are fated to be one step behind.

准则制定者注定要落后一步。

[选自：ECONOMIST: How far should finance be re-regulated?

Even then, America and Iran may be fated to lock horns in the Middle East. But the region, and the world, will be a good deal safer without the shadow of an Iranian bomb.

尽管如此，美伊两国还是难免会在中东地区发生摩擦，但是不管怎样，在没有伊朗核阴影存在的情况下，不管是中东地区还是世界都会感到更为安全些。

6. segregated adj. 被隔离的（文中此意）；v. 隔离（segregate的过去式）；分离。例：

Women are veiled and segregated, and are denied even the most basic human rights.

女人是蒙着面纱并被隔离的，她们甚至还被剥夺最基本的人权。

[选自：FORBES: Is It Time For An Arab Spring For Saudi Women? ]

Saudi women remain veiled and segregated and are forbidden to drive or to obtain their own identity cards.

沙特的女性依然佩戴面纱并被隔离开来，并且被禁止开车或获取自己的身份证。

7. substandard adj. 不合格的，标准以下的。例：

He paid me only sixty dollars, saying I used a substandard rubber made in China.

他只付给我60美元，说是我使用了不合格的中国制造的橡胶。

[选自：NEWYORKER: The House Behind a Weeping Cherry][中国制造的橡胶质量很好的，看来是根深蒂固的偏见使然。]

The report said that in addition to the fireworks, substandard insulation materials contributed to the fire.

报道称，除了燃放烟花，使用不合格保温板也是火灾成因之一。

substandard goods 劣等品

We have learned much about the foolish idea (of excluding people on the presumption) (of the ethnic / racial 1 inferiority 2). But what we have not yet learned is how to make the process (of Americanization 3 work) [for all]. I am not talking about requiring people to learn English or to adopt American ways; those things happen [pretty much] on their own, but [as arguments about immigration hear up 4 the campaign trail,] we [also] ought to ask some broader question (about assimilation 5  , about how to ensure that people), [once outsiders, don’t [forever] remain marginalized [within these shores].]

我们已经知道，依据民族的劣等性的假设而将人隔离开来是多么愚蠢的做法。但是我们不知道的是，如何使美国化的进程对所有人行之有效。我不是要求人们学习英语或者按照美国人的方式行事——因为这些事情可以自然而然的发生。在总统竞选活动中，移民问题又再次升温，我们也应该问些更广泛有关“同化”的问题，即如何保证这些过去的局外人不会在这个国家永远处于边缘地位。

注：1. racial adj. 种族的，种族间的；人种的。例：

Nothing has created more bitterness, for example, than forced busing to achieve racial balance.

例如，为了达到种族平衡，没有比强制校车接送产生更多痛苦的了。

[选自：CNN: To Restore America]

racial character人种性状

Is there racial discrimination in this country?

这个国家是否存在种族歧视?

ethnic adj. 种族的；人种的

ethnic unity 民族团结

ethnic cultural diversity民族文化多样性

ethnic group 民族；种族群；种族群体；民族构成

前者更多的强调人种、肤色、文化差异，后者则可以被用在民族，更强调种族性。

2. inferiority n.下级，劣等，下等；下部；自卑情绪。例：

Africans must educate themselves to acquire knowledge to be free of want, hunger, disease and inferiority complexes.

非洲人必须主动学习去获取知识，远离欲望、饥饿、疾病和自卑情结。

[选自：BBC: NEWS | Have Your Say | Africa: Can the world do more?]

The enemy forces were reduced to absolute inferiority.

敌军已经处于绝对劣势。

inferiority complex  自卑情结

feeling of inferiority  自卑感

【词根】interior  差的，自卑的；下级，次品

3. Americanization 美国化 例：

Mr. Rangel notes repeatedly that parents never push back against his schools' assimilation and Americanization efforts (or against their English-immersion curriculum).

兰格尔反复指出，父母从不反抗他学校的同化和美国化的努力(或反对他们的英语课程)。

[选自：WSJ: The Weekend Interview with Juan Rangel: The Masters of Hispanic Destiny]

Americanization education 美国化教育

4. hear up加热一下。例：

I hear music up above.

音乐却在脑海回荡。

It will take at least one month for the broken hone to hear up.

骨折至少要一个月的时间才能愈合。

5. assimilation n.吸收，同化。例：

For adults, assimilation is a perfectly natural response to new technology.

对于成年人来说，吸收新技术是再自然不过的反应了。

[选自：WSJ: Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and the Terrifying Truth About New Technology]

[社会学](民族的)同化，文化的吸收

[语言学]（语音的）同化

（食物等）吸收

【词根】assimilate  吸收，同化

assimilative  同化的，同化力的

assimilable 可同化的，可吸收的

assimilatory  同化的，同化作用的

assimilator 吸收者，同化者

That is a much larger question [than what should happen [with undocumented 1workers], or how [best] [to secure the border 2],] and it is one (that affects not only newcomers but groups (that have been [here] [for generations].)) It will have [more] impact [on our future] [than where we decide to set the admissions bar 3[for the latest ware] (of would-be Americans).] And it would be nice [if we [finally] got the answer .]

这个问题，比“对没有合法身份的工人应采取什么政策”、“怎样才能保证边境安全”之类的问题更为重要。这个问题不但影响到新移民，也影响到那些在美国生活了好几代的族群。比起决定对新一轮的未来美国公民制定怎样的接收标准，这个问题对未来产生的影响更大一些。我们最好能够找到合适的解决对策。

注：1. undocumented adj.无事实证明的，无正式文件的。例：

With an estimated million undocumented aliens in New York, he reasoned, it would be best to get them licensed.

他推断，在纽约估计有数百万的非法移民，让他们得到许可当然是最好不过的。

[选自：NEWYORKER: The Humbling of Eliot Spitzer]

The place is rife with smugglers, dealers, undocumented immigrants, and slaves.

这里到处都是走私者、交易商、无证移民甚至奴隶。

undocumented worker 无证工人

undocumented immigration 非法移民

2. border n. 边境，边界，国界（文中此意）；vt. 接近；与...接壤；vi. 接界，近似。例：

Dozens of herds in Powys and across the border in Shropshire are currently under investigation.

许多在波厄斯郡以及越过边境到达什罗普郡的牛群目前正在接受检验。

[选自：BBC: NEWS |WALES | Cattle TB tests 'months behind']

3. bar n. 条，棒；阻碍（文中此意）；vt. 禁止，阻拦；prep. 除...之外。

bar code条形码

steel bar 钢筋

space bar 空格键