Lesson 37 The process of ageing衰老过程

At the age of 12 years, the human body is at its most vigorous.

at the age of... ^在…岁时

• At the age of 12 years, the human body is at its most vigorous.^{在 12 岁时，人体处于最旺盛的状态。}
• She started learning piano at the age of six.^{她在六岁时开始学习钢琴。}
• Most people retire at the age of 65.^{大多数人在 65 岁时退休。}

at its most vigorous ^{处于最旺盛/有活力的状态}

• The human body is at its most vigorous at the age of 12 years.^{人体在 12 岁时处于最旺盛的状态。}
• The garden is at its most vigorous in the spring.^{花园在春天处于最旺盛的状态。}
• The economy was at its most vigorous right before the downturn.^{经济在低迷期前正处于最旺盛的状态。}

It has yet to reach its full size and strength, and its owner his or her full intelligence; but at this age the likelihood of death is least.

has yet to reach ^{尚未达到/还没有达到}

• It has yet to reach its full size and strength.^{它尚未达到其完全的尺寸和力量。}
• The committee has yet to reach a final decision on the proposal.^{委员会尚未就该提案做出最终决定。}
• The new technology has yet to fully realize its potential.^{这项新技术尚未完全实现其潜力。}

full size and strength ^{完全的尺寸和力量}

• It has yet to reach its full size and strength.^{它尚未达到其完全的尺寸和力量。}
• It takes many years for an oak tree to reach its full size and strength.^{一棵橡树需要很多年才能达到其完全的尺寸和力量。}

likelihood of death is least ^{死亡的可能性最小}

• At this age the likelihood of death is least.^{在这个年龄，死亡的可能性最小。}
• The forecast says the likelihood of rain is slight.^{天气预报说下雨的可能性很小。}
• We calculated the likelihood of the system failure.^{我们计算了系统故障的可能性。}

Earlier, we were infants and young children, and consequently more vulnerable; later, we shall undergo a progressive loss of our vigour and resistance which, though imperceptible at first, will finally become so steep that we can live no longer, however well we look after ourselves, and however well society, and our doctors, look after us.

consequently (adv.) ^{因此/所以/结果}

• We were infants and young children, and consequently more vulnerable.^{我们曾是婴儿和幼儿，因此更加脆弱。}
• The road was blocked by snow; consequently, traffic was severely delayed.^{道路被雪堵塞了；因此，交通严重延误。}
• He missed the deadline and consequently lost the contract.^{他错过了截止日期，因此失去了合同。}

vulnerable (adj.) ^{脆弱的/易受伤害的}

• We were consequently more vulnerable.^{因此我们更加脆弱。}
• Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the flu virus.^{老年人特别容易受到流感病毒的伤害。}
• The remote location made the camp vulnerable to attack.^{偏远的位置使得营地容易受到攻击。}

undergo a progressive loss of... ^{遭受/经历逐渐失去…}

• We shall undergo a progressive loss of our vigour and resistance.^{我们将经历活力和抵抗力逐渐失去。}
• The old buildings will undergo a progressive renovation over the next decade.^{这些旧建筑将在未来十年内经历逐步翻新。}
• The patient will undergo a series of medical tests before the surgery.^{患者在手术前将接受一系列的医学检查。}

imperceptible at first ^{一开始难以察觉}

• The loss of vigour is imperceptible at first.^{活力的失去一开始是难以察觉的。}
• The change in temperature was so slight it was imperceptible at first.^{温度的变化如此之小，以至于一开始难以察觉。}
• His improvement was **imperceptible at first**, but became clear over time.^{他的进步一开始难以察觉，但随着时间的推移变得清晰。}

become so steep that... ^{变得如此急剧以至于…}

• The loss will finally become so steep that we can live no longer.^{这种失去最终会变得如此急剧，以至于我们无法再活下去。}
• The path began to become so steep that we needed ropes to climb.^{道路开始变得如此陡峭，以至于我们需要绳索才能攀爬。}

look after ^{照顾/照料}

• However well we **look after ourselves**, and however well society, and our doctors, look after us.^{无论我们自己照顾得多么好，也无论社会和我们的医生照顾得多么好。}
• She needs someone to **look after her pet** while she is away.^{她离开时需要有人照顾她的宠物。}
• It's important to **look after your health** by eating well and exercising.^{通过饮食良好和锻炼来照顾自己的健康是很重要的。}

This decline in vigour with the passing of time is called ageing.

decline in vigour ^{活力的衰退/下降}

• This decline in vigour with the passing of time is called ageing.^{这种随着时间流逝而来的活力衰退被称为衰老。}
• The team showed a noticeable **decline in vigour** during the second half of the game.^{球队在比赛的下半场表现出明显的活力下降。}
• The doctor noted a gradual **decline in the patient's physical vigour**.^{医生注意到患者体力的逐渐衰退。}

with the passing of time ^{随着时间的流逝}

• This decline in vigour **with the passing of time** is called ageing.^{这种随着时间流逝而来的活力衰退被称为衰老。}
• The memories faded **with the passing of time**.^{随着时间的流逝，记忆褪色了。}
• His understanding of the subject deepened **with the passing of time**.^{随着时间的流逝，他对这个主题的理解加深了。}

It is one of the most unpleasant discoveries which we all make that we must decline in this way, that if we escape wars, accidents and diseases we shall eventually 'die of old age', and that this happens at a rate which differs little from person to person, so that there are heavy odds in favour of our dying between the ages of 65 and 80.

unpleasant discoveries ^{令人不快的发现}

• It is one of the most unpleasant discoveries which we all make that we must decline.^{这是我们所有人都做出的一个最令人不快的发现，那就是我们必然会以这种方式衰退。}
• The investigation led to several **unpleasant discoveries** about the company's past.^{调查导致了几个关于公司过去的令人不快的发现。}

die of old age ^{死于年老/老死}

• If we escape wars, accidents and diseases we shall eventually 'die of old age'.^{如果我们逃脱战争、事故和疾病，我们最终将“老死”。}
• The great artist finally **died of old age** in his sleep.^{这位伟大的艺术家最终在睡梦中老死。}
• In a healthy society, most people should expect to **die of old age**.^{在一个健康的社会里，大多数人应该期望老死。}

differs little from person to person ^{人与人之间差别不大}

• This happens at a rate which differs little from person to person.^{这以一种人与人之间差别不大的速度发生着。}
• The symptoms of the common cold **differ little from person to person**.^{普通感冒的症状人与人之间差别不大。}
• The average response time **differs little from person to person** in this test.^{在这项测试中，平均反应时间人与人之间差别不大。}

heavy odds in favour of... ^{对…非常有利（可能性非常大）}

• There are heavy odds in favour of our dying between the ages of 65 and 80.^{我们很有可能在 65 岁到 80 岁之间死亡。}
• The team had **heavy odds in favour of winning** the championship this year.^{该队今年赢得冠军的可能性非常大。}
• Given the success of the pilot program, there are **heavy odds in favour of the full rollout**.^{鉴于试点项目的成功，全面推广的可能性非常大。}

Some of us will die sooner, a few will live longer -- on into a ninth or tenth decade.

on into a... decade ^{持续到…的十年/进入…的十年}

• A few will live longer -- on into a ninth or tenth decade.^{少数人会活得更久——持续到九十岁或一百岁。}
• The author continued writing **on into his eighth decade**.^{这位作者持续写作直到他八十多岁。}
• The ancient tradition has continued **on into the third millennium**.^{这个古老的传统已经持续到第三个千年。}

But the chances are against it, and there is a virtual limit on how long we can hope to remain alive, however lucky and robust we are.

the chances are against it ^{可能性很小/机会渺茫}

• But the chances are against it.^{但可能性很小。}
• She is still hoping for a promotion, but the chances are against it this year.^{她仍在希望升职，但今年机会渺茫。}
• They tried to fix the old machine, but **the chances were against it** working again.^{他们试图修理这台旧机器，但它再次工作的可能性很小。}

virtual limit on... ^{对…的实际限制}

• There is a virtual limit on how long we can hope to remain alive.^{我们能期望活多久有一个实际的限制。}
• The budget imposed a **virtual limit on the number of staff** they could hire.^{预算对他们可以雇佣的员工数量施加了实际的限制。}

remain alive ^{保持活着/存活}

• There is a virtual limit on how long we can hope to remain alive.^{我们能期望保持活多久有一个实际的限制。}
• The survivors struggled to remain alive after the shipwreck.^{幸存者在沉船后努力存活下来。}
• It's a miracle that the plant managed to **remain alive** without water for so long.^{这株植物在没有水的情况下能存活这么长时间，简直是个奇迹。}

robust (adj.) ^{强健的/健康的} 

• However lucky and robust we are.^{无论我们多么幸运和强健。}
• He looks surprisingly robust for someone who has just recovered from a long illness.^{对于一个刚从长期疾病中恢复过来的人来说，他看起来出奇地强健。}
• The economy remained **robust** despite global uncertainty.^{尽管全球存在不确定性，经济仍然保持强健。}

Normal people tend to forget this process unless and until they are reminded of it.

tend to do sth. ^{倾向于/往往会做某事}

• Normal people tend to forget this process unless and until they are reminded of it.^{除非有人提醒，否则普通人往往会忘记这个过程。}
• He tends to arrive late for meetings, so we start without him.^{他往往会迟到开会，所以我们不等他了。}
• The weather tends to be quite warm in this region during the summer.^{夏季该地区的天气往往相当暖和。}

unless and until ^{除非/直到}

• Normal people tend to forget this process unless and until they are reminded of it.^{除非有人提醒，否则普通人往往会忘记这个过程。}
• The building will remain closed unless and until the safety inspection is complete.^{这座建筑将保持关闭，除非安全检查完成。}
• We will not release the funds unless and until we receive final authorization.^{除非我们收到最终授权，否则我们不会发放资金。}

be reminded of sth. ^{被提醒某事}

• Normal people tend to forget this process unless and until they are reminded of it.^{除非有人提醒，否则普通人往往会忘记这个过程。}
• I was suddenly reminded of my appointment by a phone call.^{一个电话突然提醒了我我的预约。}
• The familiar scent reminded her of her childhood home.^{这熟悉的香味让她想起了她的童年故居。}

We are so familiar with the fact that man ages, that people have for years assumed that the process of losing vigour with time, of becoming more likely to die the older we get, was something self-evident, like the cooling of a hot kettle or the wearing-out of a pair of shoes.

be familiar with the fact that... ^{对…这一事实很熟悉} 

• We are so familiar with the fact that man ages, that people have assumed the process was self-evident.^{我们对人会衰老这一事实太熟悉了，以至于人们一直认为这个过程是自明的。}
• Most students are familiar with the fact that exercise is good for health.^{大多数学生对运动有益健康这一事实很熟悉。}
• The scientist was already **familiar with the fact that certain elements react to light**.^{这位科学家对某些元素会与光反应这一事实已经很熟悉了。}

lose vigour with time ^{随着时间失去活力}

• The process of losing vigour with time was assumed to be self-evident.^{随着时间失去活力的过程被认为是自明的。}
• Many old houses start to lose their structural vigour with time.^{许多老房子开始随着时间失去结构活力。}
• The debate started strong but began to lose vigour with time.^{这场辩论开始时很激烈，但随着时间开始失去活力。}

self-evident (adj.) ^{不言而喻的/自明的}

• People have assumed that the process was something self-evident.^{人们一直认为这个过程是某种自明的东西。}
• It is **self-evident** that proper funding is necessary for the project's success.^{很明显，适当的资金对项目的成功是必要的。}
• The importance of clean water should be **self-evident** to everyone.^{清洁水的重要性对每个人来说都应该是不言而喻的。}

wearing-out of sth. ^{…的磨损/耗损}

• Something self-evident, like the cooling of a hot kettle or the wearing-out of a pair of shoes.^{某种自明的东西，就像热壶的冷却或一双鞋的磨损。}
• The constant use led to the rapid **wearing-out of the machinery**.^{不断的使导致机械的快速磨损。}
• Proper maintenance can slow down the **wearing-out of car tires**.^{适当的维护可以减缓汽车轮胎的磨损。}

They have also assumed that all animals, and probably other organisms such as trees, or even the universe itself, must in the nature of things 'wear out'.

in the nature of things ^{根据事物的本性/自然而然地}

• They have assumed that all organisms must in the nature of things 'wear out'.^{他们一直认为，所有有机体自然而然地会“磨损”。}
• It was expected, in the nature of things, that the old system would eventually fail.^{根据事物的本性，人们预计旧系统最终会失败。}
• Such mistakes happen in the nature of things when dealing with complex data.^{在处理复杂数据时，此类错误自然而然地会发生。}

wear out ^{耗损/磨损殆尽}

• All organisms must in the nature of things 'wear out'.^{所有有机体自然而然地会“磨损”。}
• I need a new coat because my old one has completely **worn out**.^{我需要一件新外套，因为我旧的那件已经完全磨损了。}
• The batteries of the remote control **wear out** quickly with heavy use.^{遥控器的电池在大力使用下很快就会耗尽。}

Most animals we commonly observe do in fact age as we do, if given the chance to live long enough; and mechanical systems like a wound watch, or the sun, do in fact run out of energy in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics (whether the whole universe does so is a moot point at present).

commonly observe ^{通常观察到}

• Most animals we commonly observe do in fact age as we do.^{我们通常观察到的大多数动物实际上像我们一样会衰老。}
• The migratory birds commonly observe along the coast are different each season.^{沿海岸通常观察到的候鸟每个季节都不同。}
• This phenomenon is **commonly observed** in laboratory settings.^{这种现象在实验室环境中通常观察到。}

if given the chance to... ^{如果给机会去…}

• Most animals age as we do, if given the chance to live long enough.^{如果给机会活得足够长，大多数动物会像我们一样衰老。}
• The artist can produce magnificent work if given the chance to express his creativity.^{如果给机会表达他的创造力，这位艺术家可以创作出宏伟的作品。}
• The problem can be solved easily **if given the chance to implement the new software**.^{如果给机会实施新软件，这个问题可以很容易解决。}

run out of energy ^能量耗尽

• Mechanical systems like the sun do in fact run out of energy.^{像太阳这样的机械系统实际上确实会能量耗尽。}
• The hikers had to stop when they suddenly **ran out of energy**.^{徒步旅行者突然能量耗尽时不得不停下来。}
• Our car almost **ran out of gas** before we reached the next town.^{在到达下一个城镇之前，我们的车几乎燃油耗尽。}

in accordance with... ^{根据/与…一致}

• Mechanical systems run out of energy in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics.^{机械系统根据热力学第二定律能量耗尽。}
• All company procedures must be executed **in accordance with the safety regulations**.^{所有公司程序必须根据安全规定执行。}
• The judge made the ruling **in accordance with established legal precedent**.^{法官根据既定的法律先例做出裁决。}

moot point ^{有争议的问题/未决的问题}

• Whether the whole universe does so is a moot point at present.^{整个宇宙是否如此目前是一个有争议的问题。}
• Whether the early dismissal of the CEO was legal remains a **moot point**.^{提前解雇首席执行官是否合法仍然是一个有争议的问题。}
• The success of the long-term strategy is a **moot point** until the market changes.^{长期战略的成功是一个未决的问题，直到市场发生变化。}

But these are not analogous to what happens when man ages.

be not analogous to ^{与…不相似/不类比}

• But these are not analogous to what happens when man ages.^{但这些与人类衰老时发生的事情不相似。}
• The financial crisis of 2008 was not analogous to the crash of 1929.^{2008 年的金融危机与 1929 年的崩盘不相似。}
• His problem is not analogous to yours; the circumstances are completely different.^{他的问题与你的不相似；情况完全不同。}

A run-down watch is still a watch and can be rewound.

run-down (adj.) ^{（机器）停止运转的/（人）疲惫不堪的}

• A run-down watch is still a watch and can be rewound.^{一个停止运转的表仍然是一个表，可以被重新上发条。}
• The hospital staff were completely **run-down** after the intense week.^{医院工作人员在紧张的一周后完全疲惫不堪。}
• The old factory building looked very **run-down**.^{那座旧工厂大楼看起来非常破旧。}

be rewound ^{被重新上发条/重新卷绕}

• A run-down watch is still a watch and can be rewound.^{一个停止运转的表仍然是一个表，可以被重新上发条。}
• The old projector tape needs to **be rewound** before the next viewing.^{旧投影机胶带需要在下次观看前被重新卷绕。}

An old watch, by contrast, becomes so worn and unreliable that it eventually is not worth mending.

by contrast ^{相比之下/对照地}

• An old watch, by contrast, becomes so worn and unreliable.^{相比之下，一块旧表变得如此磨损和不可靠。}
• His brother is very outgoing; by contrast, he is quite reserved.^{他的哥哥非常外向；相比之下，他相当内向。}
• The north side of the island is rocky and wild; by contrast, the south side is sandy and calm.^{岛的北侧多岩石且荒凉；相比之下，南侧多沙且平静。}

worn and unreliable ^{磨损且不可靠}

• An old watch becomes so worn and unreliable.^{一块旧表变得如此磨损和不可靠。}
• The old machine was worn and unreliable and needed constant repairs.^{这台旧机器磨损且不可靠，需要持续维修。}

not worth mending ^{不值得修理}

• An old watch eventually is not worth mending.^{一块旧表最终不值得修理。}
• The damage to the roof was so extensive that it was **not worth mending**.^{屋顶的损坏是如此严重，以至于不值得修理。}
• He concluded that the broken bicycle was **not worth mending**.^{他断定这辆坏了的自行车不值得修理。}

But a watch could never repair itself -- it does not consist of living parts, only of metal, which wears away by friction.

repair itself ^自我修复

• A watch could never repair itself.^{一个表永远无法自我修复。}
• The human body has an amazing ability to repair itself after injury.^{人体在受伤后具有惊人的自我修复能力。}
• The new building material is designed to repair itself when small cracks appear.^{这种新的建筑材料设计成在出现小裂缝时可以自我修复。}

consist of ^{由…组成/构成}

• It does not consist of living parts, only of metal.^{它不是由有生命的部件组成的，而只有金属。}
• The committee **consists of ten members** from various departments.^{该委员会由来自不同部门的十名成员组成。}
• The simple meal **consisted of bread and soup**.^{这顿简单的饭菜由面包和汤组成。}

wear away by friction ^{因摩擦而磨损}

• Only of metal, which wears away by friction.^{只有金属，金属因摩擦而磨损。}
• The constant movement caused the rope to **wear away by friction**.^{不断的运动导致绳子因摩擦而磨损。}
• The stone steps were **worn away by centuries of footsteps**.^{石阶被数百年的脚步磨损。}

We could, at one time, repair ourselves --well enough, at least, to overcome all but the most instantly fatal illnesses and accidents.

at one time ^{曾经/一度}

• We could, at one time, repair ourselves -- well enough to overcome all but the most fatal illnesses.^{我们曾经能够自我修复——至少足以克服除了最致命的疾病和事故之外的所有一切。}
• This ancient city was at one time the capital of a vast empire.^{这座古老的城市曾经是一个庞大帝国的首都。}
• He was at one time a very successful businessman, though he is retired now.^{他曾经是一位非常成功的商人，尽管他现在退休了。}

overcome all but... ^{克服除…之外的所有一切}

• To overcome all but the most instantly fatal illnesses and accidents.^{克服除了最致命的疾病和事故之外的所有一切。}
• The athlete managed to overcome all but the final hurdle in the race.^{这位运动员设法克服了比赛中除最后一个障碍之外的所有一切。}
• The new security system is designed to **overcome all but the most sophisticated attacks**.^{新的安全系统旨在克服除了最复杂的攻击之外的所有一切。}

Between 12 and 80 years we gradually lose this power; an illness which at 12 would knock us over, at 80 can knock us out, and into our grave.

gradually lose this power ^{逐渐失去这种能力}

• Between 12 and 80 years we gradually lose this power.^{在 12 岁到 80 岁之间，我们逐渐失去这种能力。}
• The organization has been gradually losing its influence over the past decade.^{该组织在过去十年中一直在逐渐失去影响力。}
• Elderly people may gradually lose their sense of taste.^{老年人可能会逐渐失去他们的味觉。}

knock sb. over ^{使某人病倒/击倒某人}

• An illness which at 12 would knock us over, at 80 can knock us out.^{一种在 12 岁时会使我们病倒的疾病，在 80 岁时可以击垮我们。}
• The severe flu knocked him over for two weeks.^{严重的流感使他病倒了两周。}

knock sb. out ^{击垮某人/使某人失去意识}

• An illness which at 12 would knock us over, at 80 can knock us out, and into our grave.^{一种在 12 岁时会使我们病倒的疾病，在 80 岁时可以击垮我们，并把我们送进坟墓。}
• The intensity of the training session completely **knocked the new recruits out**.^{训练课程的强度彻底击垮了新兵。}
• The boxer was **knocked out** in the first round of the fight.^{这名拳击手在比赛的第一回合就被击倒了。}

If we could stay as vigorous as we are at 12 , it would take about 700 years for half of us to die, and another 700 for the survivors to be reduced by half again.

stay as vigorous as... ^{保持像…一样旺盛}

• If we could stay as vigorous as we are at 12.^{如果我们能保持像我们在 12 岁时一样旺盛。}
• The athlete manages to **stay as vigorous as** he was ten years ago.^{这位运动员设法保持得像十年前一样旺盛。}
• The company's mission is to **stay as vigorous as** a start-up, despite its size.^{该公司的使命是尽管规模很大，但仍保持得像一家初创企业一样旺盛。}

be reduced by half ^{被减少一半}

• Another 700 for the survivors to be reduced by half again.^{再过 700 年，幸存者将再次被减少一半。}
• After the drought, the crop yield was **reduced by half**.^{干旱之后，作物产量被减少了一半。}
• The meeting time was **reduced by half** due to a late start.^{由于迟到，会议时间被减少了一半。}