[The Guardian] The Guardian view on alcohol: drinking less is good for you
The Guardian view on alcohol: drinking less is good for you
Alcohol is physically bad for you in any quantity; and the more you drink, the worse its health effects. The gigantic report on the subject published last week is unequivocal and authoritative. The report was based on enormous amounts of data: 28 million people around the world were examined in 592 studies to estimate the health risks.
The variety of ways in which alcohol can kill or damage people comes as a shock. It is the trade-off between cancer and heart disease which leads the researchers to reject the notion that moderate drinking has health benefits compared with abstinence: they find that the increased risk of cancers outweighs the diminished risk of heart disease among middle-aged moderate drinkers.
Perhaps the most startling single finding is that two-thirds of the world’s population don’t drink at all. They manage without a drug apparently essential to civilised life in the west. The question is whether those of us in the other third should try to emulate them.
Alcohol is bad for judgment and can promote a destructive solipsism. But it can also stimulate imagination, courage and friendship in a way that is hard to achieve otherwise. There is a reason why wine is tightly linked to paradise in religious poetry. A world without drink might find itself poorer as well as richer.
The report is right that many people should drink less than they do. Perhaps the real benefit of moderate drinking is not that it protects the heart, but that it requires a little self-discipline.
- alcohol:(n) [‘ælkəhɒl] 酒精, drinks such as beer or wine that contain a substance which can make you drunk. back
I don’t drink alcohol anymore. 我不再喝酒了.
people with alcohol problems. 有酗酒问题的人
- gigantic:(a) [dʒaɪ’gæntɪk] 巨大的, extremely big. back
a gigantic skyscraper. 摩天大樓.
Who wants to board a gigantic floating condominium? 誰想登上一座巨大的水上公寓？
- unequivocal:() [ʌnɪ’kwɪvək(ə)l] 明確的, 毫不含糊的, completely clear and without any possibility of doubt. back
His answer was an unequivocal ‘No.’ 他的回答是毫不含糊的“不”.
- authoritative:(a) [ɔː’θɒrɪtətɪv; -,teɪtɪv] 權威的, 可信的 back
-1. an authoritative book, account etc is respected because the person who wrote it knows a lot about the subject.
the most authoritative work on English surnames. 有关英语姓氏的最权威著作.
He showcased his military savvy and impressed Americans as an authoritative voice on foreign policy. 他展示了自己的軍事頭腦, 讓美國人印象深刻, 並視他為外交政策的權威代言人.
-2. behaving or speaking in a confident determined way that makes people respect and obey you.
He has a commanding presence and an authoritative voice. 他仪态庄重，声音威严.
- enormous:(a) [ɪ’nɔːməs] 巨大的, very big in size or in amount. back
But we can not igore its enormous vitality for its simplicity! 可不因为它的简单而忽略了它巨大的生命力!
- come as a shock:(phrases) 非常震驚 back
The collapse of the company came as a shock to us all. 公司的倒闭让我们所有人都感到震惊.
come as: 以…身份 (出現)
At one level this should come as no surprise. 某種層面上這不應該讓人感到驚訝.
New ideas come as a result of building upon previous ones. 新的想法來於以往經驗知識的積累.
- shock:(n) [ʃɒk] 震驚 back
-1. if something that happens is a shock, you did not expect it, and it makes you feel every surprised, and usually upset. 令人震惊的事
the news of his death came as a great shock to everyone. 他去世的消息让所有人都非常震惊.
it was a shock to find/discover etc that
it was a shock to hear that the factory would have to close. 听说工厂将被迫关闭，真是很震惊.
-2. the feeling of surprise and disbelief you have when something very unexpected happens, especially something bad or frightening. 吃惊，震惊，惊愕
She was shaking with shock and humiliation. 她又是震惊，又是羞辱，身体直发抖.
the shock of (doing) sth
Mom’s never really gotten over the shock of Dad’s death. 妈妈一直没有从爸爸去世的打击中完全恢复过来.
-3. a medical condition in which someone looks pale and their heart and lungs are not working correctly, usually after a sudden very unpleasant experience.
He was bleeding from the head and suffering from shock. 他头部流血，陷入休克状态.
He is clearly in a state of shock. 他显然处于休克状态.
The tanker driver was treated for shock and released. 油罐车司机因休克接受治疗后已经出院.
- notion:(n) [‘nəʊʃ(ə)n] 慨念, 見解, an idea, belief, or opinion. back
She had no notion what he meant. 她根本不明白他是什么意思.
misguided notions of male superiority. 男尊女卑的错误观念.
The traditional notion of marriage goes back thousands of years. 传统的婚姻观念可追溯到几千年以前.
She had only a vague notion of what she wanted to do. 她对自己想做什么只有一个模糊的概念.
the notion that human beings are basically good. 人性本善的观念.
- moderate:(a) [‘mɒd(ə)rət] back
-1. not very large or very small, very hot or very cold, very fast or very slow etc. 中等的, 適度的
Even moderate amounts of alcohol can be dangerous. 喝酒即使不多也会有危险.
a moderate degree of success. 一定程度上的成功
a student of moderate ability. 能力一般的学生
Moderate exercise, such as walking, is recommended. 建议适度锻炼，比如散步.
-2. having opinions or beliefs, especially about politics, that are not extreme and that most people consider reasonable. 不极端的，温和的；稳健的.
the more moderate members of the party. 党内观点较为温和的党员.
a moderate politician. 温和派政治家
-3. staying within reasonable or sensible limits. 有节制的，不过分的.
a moderate smoker. 吸烟有节制的人
moderate wage demands. 合理的工资要求
- abstinence:(n) [‘æbstɪnəns] 節制, 戒酒, 禁食 back
the practice of not having something you enjoy, especially alcohol or sex, usually for reasons of religion or health.
Such periods of abstinence were regularly punctuated with periods of alcohol abuse. 这样的戒酒期总是有规律地被酒精滥用时期打断.
“Treatment available in a correctional facility will help more people than just abstinence,” she said. 他說: “在勞教所提供的治療比戒絕更能幫助更多的人.”
- outweighs:(v) [aʊt’weɪ] 比…重要, 比…有價值 back
-1. if one thing outweighs another, the first thing is of greater importance, benefit, or significance than the second thing. (在重要性或意义上) 超过
The advantages of this deal largely outweigh the disadvantages. 这笔交易的利远大于弊.
-2. If you outweigh someone, you are heavier than them. 比 (某人) 重
Young outweighed her opponent by about 60 pounds. Young 比她的对手重约60磅.
- diminished:(a) [dɪ’mɪnɪʃt] 減弱的 back
diminish:(v) [dɪ’mɪnɪʃ] 減少,
-1. to become or make something become smaller or less. （使）减少，（使）减小
The party’s share of the electorate has diminished steadily. 支持这个政党的选民比例持续下降.
These drugs diminish blood flow to the brain. 这些药物会减少流向脑部的血液量.
-2. to deliberately make someone or something appear less important or valuable than they really are. 削弱，贬低〔重要性或价值〕
Don’t let him diminish your achievements. 别让他贬低你的成就.
But that’s not to diminish the importance of his discoveries. 不过，这也不是要贬低他的发现的重要性.
-3. diminishing returns
when the profits or advantages you are getting from something stop increasing in relation to the effort you are making. 收益递减，报酬递减
- Perhaps:(adv) [pəˈhæps] 也許 back
-1. used to say that something may be true, but you are not sure. 可能，大概，也许
Perhaps she’s next door. 她也许在隔壁.
Perhaps it will snow tomorrow. 明天可能会下雪.
It won’t take so long next time, perhaps. 也许下次不用那么久.
‘I don’t think you understnad.’ ‘Well, perhaps not.’ “我想你不明白.”“嗯，也许吧.”.
-2. used to give your opinion, when you do not want to be too definite. 也许〔用于表达不十分确定的观点〕
This is perhaps her finest novel yet. 这或许是她迄今为止最好的一部小说.
The industrial revolution was, perhaps, the most important event in history. 工业革命也许是历史上最重要的事件.
-3. used to say that a number is only a guess. 也许，可能〔用于表示某个数字仅仅是猜测〕
The room was large, perhaps, 20 feet square. 这个房间很大，可能有20英尺见方.
Perhaps 200 people were there. 那里可能有200人.
- startling:(a) [‘stɑːtlɪŋ] 令人吃驚的 back
very unusual or surprising. 惊人的；令人震惊的
Paddy’s words had a startling effect on the children. Paddy 的话在孩子们身上产生了惊人的效果.
a startling discovery. 令人震惊的发现.
You’re bound to witness some startling moments if you let them put their own art onstage. 如果你讓他們把自己的藝術幫上舞台, 你一定會見證一些驚人的時刻.
it is startling to do sth
It is startling to read that his father never visited him in hospital. 读到他父亲从未去医院看望过他的事，真叫人吃惊.
- population:(n) [pɒpjʊ’leɪʃ(ə)n] 人口 back
-1. the number of people living in a particular area, country etc.
Nearly 70 percent of the population still live in the countryside. 人口中差不多有70%仍住在乡村.
India has a population of more than one billion. 印度有超过10亿人口.
-2. all of the people who live in a particular area. 〔某一地区的〕全体居民
Most of the world’s population doesn’t get enough to eat. 世界上大多数人都吃不饱.
white/French/urban etc population (= part of the group of people who live in a particular area who are white, French etc) 白人/法国/城市等的人口
South Florida has a large Jewish population. 南佛罗里达有很多犹太人.
-3. centre of population/population centre 人口中心区域
Cromer is the main centre of population in this area. Cromer 是该地区主要的人口集中区域.
- apparently:(adv) [ə’pærəntlɪ] back
-1. used to say that you have heard that something is true, although you are not completely sure about it. 据说
Apparently the company is losing a lot of money. 据说该公司目前亏损很大.
I wasn’t there. but apparently it went well. 我当时不在，但是据说事情进展顺利.
-2. according to the way someone looks or a situation appears, although you cannot be sure. 看来，似乎，好像
She turned to face him, her anger apparently gone. 她转过身面对着他，好像怒气已经消退了.
- civilised:(a) [‘sivilaizd] 文明的 back
But if they do accept it, it will be much easier for believers in different religions to have civilised debates without coming to blows. 但是如果他们真的接受了这个观点，不同宗教的信徒间将更容易进行文明的争论而不用彼此挥拳相向.
- emulate:(v) [‘emjʊleɪt] 模仿 back
to do something or behave in the same way as someone else, especially because you admire them. 〔尤因为仰慕而〕效仿，模仿
He hoped to emulate the success of Wilder. 他希望效仿怀尔德的成功.
- destructive:(a) [dɪ’strʌktɪv] 有害的, 消極的 back
causing damage to people or thins. 毁灭性的，造成破坏的
the destructive power of modern weapons. 现代武器的破坏力
What is good for the individual can be destructive to the family. 个人的利益对于家庭来说有可能是破坏性的.
- solipsism:(n) [‘sɒlɪpsɪz(ə)m] 唯我論 back
the idea in philosophy that only the self exists or can be known. 唯我论〔认为只有自我存在并可知〕
- stimulate:(v) [‘stɪmjʊleɪt] back
-1. to encourage or help an activity to begin or develop further. 刺激，促使，促进
stimulate growth/demand/the economy etc
the President’s plan to stimulate economic growth. 总统刺激经济增长的计划.
-2. to encourage someone by making them excited about and interested in something. 激发，鼓励，激励.
Her interest in art was stimulated by her father. 她对艺术的兴趣是她父亲激发的.
stimulate sb to do sth
An inspiringg teacher can stimulate students to succeed. 一位具启发能力的教师能够激励学生取得成功.
-3. to make a plant or part of the body become active or stronger. 使活跃；使强壮
Light stimulates plant growth. 光促进植物的生长.
- poetry:(n) [‘pəʊɪtrɪ] 詩 back
-1. poems in general, or the art of writing them. 诗，诗歌；作诗的艺术
he reads a lot of poetry. 他大量阅读诗歌
-2. a quality of beauty, gracefulness, and deep feeling. 诗意，诗情；诗一般的美
His golf swing is poetry in motion. 他打高尔夫球的挥杆动作透出行云流水般的优雅.
pure/sheer poetry
The way she moves on the court is sheer poetry. 她在球场上的动作简直太优美了.
- self-discipline: 自律 back
巨大的
huge
-1. extremely large in size, amount, or degree:
a huge dog. 一条大狗.
These shoes make my feet look huge. 这双鞋让我的脚看上去大极了.
a huge amount/sum/quantity etc
huge sums of money.大笔大笔的钱
a huge loss/profit/increase etc
a huge increase in cost. 成本的大幅提高
a huge range/variety/selection etc
a huge range of issues. 大量问题
a huge success/disappointment etc
The play was a huge success. 该剧大获成功.
a huge difference/gap etc
The new system has made a huge difference. 用了新系统以后大不一样了.
-2. very popular or famour:
David Hasselhoff is huge in Germany. 大卫·哈塞尔霍夫在德国很受欢迎.
enormous
very big in size or in amount:
an enormous amount of money. 巨款
The team made an enormous effort. 该队付出了巨大的努力.
gigantic
extremely big:
Looking from a distance like a gigantic arch, it is a continuous loop, a kind of square doughnut. 从远处看像一座巨大的拱门，实际上它是一个连续的环，有点像方形面包圈.
massive
-1. very large, solid, and heavy:
The bell is massive, weighing over 40 tons. 那口钟非常大，有40多吨重.
the castle’s massive walls. 城堡高大厚实的围墙.
-2. unusually large, powerful, or damaging:
My phone bill was massive last month. 上个月我的电话费数额巨大.
Club members can get a massive discount of £50. 会员可以有50英镑的大折扣.
- massive stroke/heart attack etc
He suffered a massive stroke. 他有过一次严重中风.
- massive argument/row etc
I had a massive argument with her. 我和她大吵了一架.
-3. extremely good:
Listen to this. It’s a massive song. 听听这个，非常棒的一首歌.
tremendous
-1. very beig, fast, powerful etc
Suddenly, there was a tremendous bang, and the whole station shook. 突然一声巨响，整个车站都晃动了.
She was making a tremendous effort to appear calm. 她竭力表现出平静的样子.
She praised her husband for the tremendous support he had given her. 她称赞丈夫给了她巨大支持.
Sales have been tremendous so far this year. 今年到目前为止，销售额十分惊人.
This plan could save us a tremendous amount of money. 这个计划能给我们节省一大笔钱.
-2. excellent
She’s got a tremendous voice, hasn’t she? 她有一副绝好的嗓子，对吧？