Unit 3

一、重点词汇

1. resign vi. & vt. 辞职

【课文原句再现】 In 1961， Sinclair resigned from his job and founded his own company.

1961年Sinclair辞去工作并创建了自己的公司。

【点拨】 resign from sth. 辞职;辞去（某职务）

Two members resigned from the board in protest. 董事会的两名成员辞职以示抗议。

Why did you decide to resign？ 你为什么决定辞职？

【拓展】 resign oneself to... 听任;顺从

She resigned herself to her fate. 她只好听天由命了。

We had to resign ourselves to making a loss on the sale. 我们只好接受销售造成的亏损了。

2. optional adj. 非必须的，可选的

【课文原句再现】 Having proper motivation is not optional—it is another key to success.

必须要有适当的动机，它是成功的另一个关键因素。

【点拨】 选修课 optional / elective subjects; 必修课 compulsory subjects

Is English an optional lesson， or does everyone have to learn it？ 英语是选修课还是每个人必修的课程？

【拓展】 option n. 选择;选修课;供选择的事物

Maybe a career as a local grocer would be a better option. 可能做一名当地的杂货店店主会是更好的选择。

have no option / choice / alternative but to do something 别无选择只能做某事

I have no option but to go. 我别无选择除了走。

3. tire vi. & vt.（使）疲劳，疲倦

【课文原句再现】 By the end of the 1980s， Sinclair had tired of his various businesses， and was throwing himself into British Mensa， a club for clever people.

到20世纪80年代结束的时候，Sinclair对他的各项生意已感到厌倦，而将精力投入到针对高智商人士的英国门萨俱乐部。

【点拨】 He has made a good recovery but still tires easily. 他已康复得不错，但仍然容易感到疲劳。

tire of... 对……感到厌倦;对……腻烦

There are plenty of restaurants for those who tire of shopping. 厌烦购物的人有很多餐馆可去。

【拓展】 tired adj. 疲倦的;厌倦，厌烦

be tired out = be worn out 疲惫不堪

be tired of... = be bored with... 厌倦了……

They were cold， hungry and tired out. 他们又冷又饿，疲惫不堪。

She was tired of hearing about their trip to India. 她听腻了关于他们印度之行的事。

4. thirst n. 渴望，渴求;口渴

a thirst for knowledge 如饥似渴的求知欲

Thousands are dying of thirst. 成千上万的人都干渴得奄奄一息。

thirsty adj. 渴的;渴望，渴求，热望

We were hungry and thirsty. 我们又饥又渴。

He is thirsty for power. 他拼命想掌权。

5. bless vt. 保佑，祝福

【课文原句再现】 What blesses my father most is being able to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. 最让我父亲感到幸福的是，他能够养家糊口，能让我们有栖身之所。

What blesses her is that her children have all achieved a lot in their careers. 让她感到幸福的是她的孩子们在事业上都各有所成。

The priest blessed the ship before it left port. 牧师在船离港之前为其祝福。

【拓展】 be blessed with... 有幸拥有，有幸得到

The boy was blessed with great talent. 这个小男孩天资聪颖。

He is blessed with excellent health. 他身体好极了，真有福气。

6. shrink vi. & vt. 退缩;缩水;（使缩小）

【课文原句再现】 My father has been successful as he never shrinks from helping others. 我的父亲是成功的，因为在帮助别人时他从不退缩。