The loss of the Titanic

原文

The great ship, Titanic, sailed for New York from Southampton on April 10th, 1912. She was carrying 1,316 passengers and crew of 891. Even by modern standards, the 46,000 ton Titanic was a colossal ship. At the time, however, she was not only the largest ship that had ever been built, but was regarded as unsinkable, for she had sixteen watertight compartments. Even if two of these were flooded, she would still be able to float. The tragic sinking of this great liner will always be remembered, for she went down on her first voyage with heavy loss of life.

Four days after setting out, while the Titanic was sailing across the icy water of the North Atlantic, huge iceberg was suddenly spotted by a lookout. After the alarm had been given, the great ship turned sharply to avoid a direct collision. The Titanic turned just in time, narrowly missing the immense walk of ice which rose over 100 feet out of the water beside her. Suddenly, there was a slight trembling sound from below, and the captain went down to see what had happened. The noise had been so faint that no one though that the ship had been damaged. Below, the captain realized to his horror that the Titanic was sinking rapidly, for five of her sixteen watertight compartments had already been flooded! The order to abandon ship was given and hundreds of people plunged into the icy water. As there were not enough lifeboats for everybody, 1,500 lives were lost.

译文

伟大的轮船泰坦尼克号于1912年4月10日从南安普敦启航前往纽约。她载有1,316名乘客和891名船员。即使按照现代标准,46,000吨的泰坦尼克号也是一艘巨大的船。然而在当时,她不仅是建造过的最大船只,而且被视为不会沉没,因为她有十六个水密舱。即使其中两个被淹没,她仍能漂浮。这艘伟大班轮的悲剧性沉没将永被铭记,因为她在处女航中就沉没了,造成大量生命损失。

启航四天后,当泰坦尼克号正穿越北大西洋冰冷的水域时,一座巨大的冰山突然被了望员发现。警报发出后,这艘巨轮急剧转向,以避免直接碰撞。泰坦尼克号及时转向,险些避开了那座高出水面100英尺的巨大冰墙。突然,从下方传来轻微的颤动声,船长下去查看发生了什么。声音如此微弱,以至于没有人认为船受到了损坏。在下面,船长惊恐地意识到泰坦尼克号正在迅速下沉,因为她的十六个水密舱中已有五个被淹没!弃船命令下达,数百人跳入冰冷的海水。由于救生艇不足以容纳所有人,1,500人丧生。

词汇表

ship

名词, 动词
英:/ʃɪp/
美:/ʃɪp/
定义
1. - A large boat for traveling on water, especially for carrying passengers or goods.

例子: The ship sailed across the ocean.

例子: They loaded the cargo onto the ship.

2. 运送 - To send or transport something, especially goods.

例子: We need to ship the package by tomorrow.

例子: The company ships products worldwide.

近义词
vessel: 更正式,常用于航海或法律语境,指任何水上交通工具,而 'ship' 通常指较大船只。
boat: 更通用,指较小的水上交通工具,'ship' 通常指海洋船只,与 'boat' 的规模和用途有区别。
craft: 泛指任何交通工具,包括飞机或船只,'ship' 更具体于水上。
反义词:
airplane, train, car
用法
常用于航海或运输语境中,作为名词时可与 'sail' 或 'cruise' 搭配;作为动词时常用于商业语境,如 'ship goods',无特定文化背景限制。
形式:
复数: ships, 过去式: shipped, 过去分词: shipped, 现在分词: shipping

关键句型 "Even if [clause], [main clause]"

定义

此句型用于表达假设条件,即使条件成立,主句结果也不会改变。结构为:Even if(即使)+ 从句(通常用一般过去时或过去时表示假设)+ 主句(常使用 would + 动词原形 表示可能结果)。根据《剑桥英语语法手册》,这是一种条件句的变体,强调条件下的结果,类似于条件从句的第二类,突出假设情景的不可避免性。

它常用于讨论假设或潜在风险,帮助学习者表达现实与虚拟的对比。

用法

此句型主要用于描述即使某事发生,结果也不会改变的场景,如文章中的 "Even if two of these were flooded, she would still be able to float."。规则:Even if 引导从句,通常用一般过去时(were flooded),主句用 would + 动词原形(would still be able to float),表示不太可能或假设的未来。

在语法体系中,它属于条件句家族,与 if 条件句相关,但 Even if 更强调让步,暗示条件成立时结果的坚韧。横向比较:与简单 if 句(如 "If it rains, we’ll stay home")相比,Even if 更强调整体结果的稳定性,例如与 "Although" 相比,Even if 涉及假设,而 "Although" 是事实让步;与 "Unless" 相比,Even if 假设条件发生,Unless 则避免条件。

跨语法联系:它与情态动词 would 结合,常用于虚拟语气,还可扩展到三类条件句,帮助学生连接到其他假设结构如 "If I were you"。

注意事项

学生常犯错误包括:误用时态,如用一般现在时代替过去时(错误:"Even if it rains, I go",正确:"Even if it rained, I would go");或忽略主句的情态动词,导致句子不完整。纠正建议:练习时,确保从句用过去时,主句用 would,并注意语境的假设性。

另一个问题是混淆 Even ifIf,如将 Even if 用于真实条件。提供例句:

错误示例:Even if I study hard, I will fail. (如果意图强调假设失败可能性)
正确示例:Even if I study hard, I might still fail, but I'll try.

练习

原创例子:假设讨论旅行安全,你可以说:"Even if it rains heavily, we would still go hiking." 学生可替换 [clause],如 "Even if the bus is late, we would still arrive on time.",并在日常场景中应用,例如计划周末活动时说:"Even if I'm tired, I would still join the party."

这种替换能让学生适应不同假设情景,加深对句型的掌握。

额外内容

背景知识:Even if 起源于英语中让步从句的演变,常见于文学和历史叙述,如泰坦尼克号文章中用于强调船的安全设计。对比分析:与西班牙语的 "Aunque" 类似,但英语更依赖时态变化;在中文中,类似 "即使…也…",但英语通过语法结构增强礼貌和假设感。学习此句型能帮助学生在讨论风险或假设时更精确,例如在现代语境中用于气候变化辩论。

关键句型 "Not only [clause], but [clause]"

定义

此句型用于强调两件事或特征,其中第一件事通常更重要,结构为:Not only + 第一从句 + but + 第二从句,表示并列强调。文章中如 "She was not only the largest ship that had ever been built, but was regarded as unsinkable." 根据《牛津现代英语语法》,这是一种并列结构,用于突出对比或附加信息,增强表达的戏剧性。

它帮助学习者构建复杂句子,突出事物的多重方面。

用法

此句型常用于描述事物的多个优点或事实,规则:Not only 后跟一个从句或短语,but 后跟另一个, inversion(倒装)有时出现(如文章中)。在语法体系中,它属于并列连词结构,与其他连接词相关。横向比较:与 "Both... and..." 相比,Not only... but... 强调优先级(not only A, but B),而 "Both... and..." 平等强调;与 "As well as" 相比,Not only... but... 更正式,更适合书面语。

跨语法联系:它常与从句结合,如定语从句(that had ever been built),学生可扩展到其他并列结构如 "Not only... but also..." 以增加流畅性。

注意事项

学生易犯错误包括:遗漏倒装或不一致的结构,如 "Not only she was large, but also fast"(错误,应为 "Not only was she large, but she was also fast");或不平衡的从句。纠正建议:练习时,确保主语和动词一致,并使用 "but also" 增强完整性。

常见偏误是过度使用,导致句子冗长,提供例句:

错误示例:Not only the ship was big, but it was fast too.
正确示例:Not only was the ship big, but it was also fast.

练习

原创例子:在描述朋友时说:"Not only is he smart, but he is also kind." 学生可替换内容,如 "Not only is the movie exciting, but it is also educational.",并在写作中应用,例如日记中描述事件:"Not only did I enjoy the trip, but I learned a lot."

替换练习能提升学生的表达多样性。

额外内容

背景知识:此句型源于拉丁修辞学,用于强调,在英语文学中常见,如历史叙述。对比分析:与法语的 "Non seulement... mais aussi..." 相似,但英语更灵活;在中国文化中,类似 "不但…而且…",帮助学习者桥接母语。掌握后,可用于辩论或故事讲述,提升说服力。