胡敏读故事记托福词汇044：几何课 Geometry Class
“You have to conceal your boredom,” John whispered to me, waking me from my nap.
“你得掩饰一下你的厌倦情绪，”约翰低声对我说道，一面把我从瞌睡中唤醒。
“I can’t conceive of a way to hide it,” I replied with a yawn. I had been sitting in geometry class for two hours, waiting for the professor to conclude his lecture about concentric circles and concaved figures. I understand the concept of geometry but how often am I really going to use it in everyday life? When would I ever need to compute the circumference of a circle? I’m not very interested in conceptual thinking. I’m more interested in studying about how to maintain concord between neighboring third-world countries.
“我想不出掩饰的法子，”我打着哈欠回答道。我已经上了两个小时的几何课，一直等着教授结束这个关于同心圆和凹面图的讲座。我理解几何的概念，但日常生活中我哪里用的着那玩意?我几时曾需要计算圆周长了?我对概念思考不甚感兴趣。我更有兴趣了解相邻的第三世界国家间是如何维持和睦关系的。
“Are you going to the concert tonight?” John whispered again. “They’re playing a wonderful new concerto. You make a conciliatory gesture towards Jane by inviting her to come with you.”
“你晚上去听音乐会吗?”约翰又低声说道，“今晚会演奏一出新的协奏曲，特棒。你可以邀请简跟你一块来，就算是和解的表示。”
“Sorry John, I have basketball practice,” I replied. “My foolish conceit and male pride won’t allow me to contact Jane. She slapped my face last time. That’s a pretty conclusive statement, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway, I’m not ready for a relationship and all the concomitant pain that comes with it.”
“对不起，约翰，我得练篮球，”我回答道，“我愚蠢的自负和男人的骄傲不允许我跟简联系，要知道她上次打了我一计耳光。那算是一切结束的表示吧，你觉得呢?不管怎样，我不准备恋爱了，也受不了一切随之而来的痛苦。”
“Your conception of a relationship is a bit warped.” John whispered back. “All that’s required is a concerted effort between two people. Perhaps you should be more concise when you talk to Jane about your feelings.”
“你对恋爱的认识有点偏激。”约翰低声回答到，“只要两个人共同努力就行了。也许你跟简倾诉感情时应该更简明扼要些。”
“Enough! I concede!” I replied with a grin. “I’ll invite your sister to the concert. But I’m going to need your help to concoct a story that will help me save face!”
“够了!我让步!我笑着回答，“我将邀请你妹妹去听音乐会。但你得帮我编造个故事，好给我留点脸面!”
Words:
compute vt. 计算
concave adj. 凹的
conceal vt. 隐藏，隐瞒
concede v. (不情愿地)承认;让步;承认失败
conceit n. 自负，自高自大
conceive vt. 构思，设想
concentric adj. 同心的
concept n. 概念，观念
conception n. 概念，认识
conceptual adj. 概念上的
concert n. 音乐会;一致，一起
concerted adj. 商议好的，协定的
concerto n. 协奏曲
conciliatory adj. 调和的，抚慰的
concise adj. 简洁的，简明的
conclude v. 推断;做出结论;vi.结束
conclusive adj. 决定性的;最后的
concoct v. 调制;编造，虚构
concomitant adj. 伴随而来的
concord n. 和睦
