CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“God is Dead.” Friedrich Nietzsche “Nietzsche is Dead.” God PPenelope blinked her eyes and pulled back. “What in the world do I have to do with the Fourth Awakening¹?” A sly smile covered Michael Walker’s face. “We’ll get to that in a few minutes. Right now we need to get you up to speed on the current Awakening. This will be right down your alley² with lots of who, what, where and when’s. You want to speculate on why we have so much information about the most recent Awakening?” “I have no idea.” “Come on. Humor me. There are always huge changes after a new Awakening. What do you think was one of the big ones between the Second and Third Awakenings? I’ll give you a hint, it’s your bread and butter.” Penelope drew in a breath and stared out the window of the Bronco at the West Virginia countryside as it whizzed by. Suddenly her eyes fl ew wide open. “Oh my God!” 144 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “I thought you could get there all by yourself.” “Written language! You’re right, that is a huge change.” “Precisely⁴,” Walker answered, beaming. “Unfortunately it also created some new problems.” “What kind of problems?” “After the Sumerians began to write on clay tablets, the dominant⁵ cultures of the time saw an opportunity.” “What kind of opportunity?” “The Chinese and the Egyptian were neck and neck in developing the first written language but the folks in power intentionally⁷ made this new media diffi cult⁶ to learn.” “Why?” “By limiting literacy to the ruling classes it helped protect their status. We’ve seen this type of thing repeated in different ways time and time again throughout history.” “So you’re saying that there are people who will exploit an Awakening for personal gain?” “Absolutely. The Egyptian scribe class was incredibly powerful and secretive; which is unfortunate since they didn’t leave any directions on how to translate all those hieroglyphics⁸ they created. That has been driving Egyptologists crazy for centuries. In China there are still over 47,000 characters in their alphabet with 4,000 in regular use. All of this was clearly designed to protect those already in power. Fortunately for the rest of us the suppression of emerging knowledge by ruling elites¹⁰ never works for very long.” “What does that mean?” “Around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, right at the beginning of the Th ird Awakening, it became clear a more universally understood written language that wasn’t controlled by the elites was needed. This is when we saw the emergence¹¹ of various Semitic languages, primarily Aramaic. Th ey lead to the Greek alphabet and the rest is, as they say, history.” “That’s interesting,” Penelope said as she mulled over Walker’s latest epiphany. “So the genie¹² was out of the bottle and there was no way for the ruling classes to keep it to themselves forever.” “Precisely,” Walker answered with a nod. “That would be one of those rough edges of an Awakening that can sometimes take a while to smooth off. Even after a written language became available, because of the high 145 The Fourth Awakening cost of producing the manuscripts it was still limited to the wealthy, religious and well educated classes. This didn’t start to change until around 600 years ago…” “Gutenberg’s Bible,” Penelope interrupted. “Precisely,” Walker answered as he nodded his approval. “That is also a perfect example of the time it can take for an Awakening to smooth itself out. It took us 2,500 years to go from alphabetic¹³ words to movable type printing presses.” “Hmm,” Penelope muttered under her breath as she pondered this latest nugget of wisdom from Michael Walker. Some of his theories were too fantastic to take seriously while others had an implicit¹⁴ logic¹⁵ that was difficult to deny. This was going to be a challenging story to write. As if reading her mind, Walker gave her a moment to process this new information. When he saw her shoulders relax, he continued. “Another big issue that arose with the written word is that it requires the use of mutually agreed upon symbolic¹⁶ language. This means the language and the descriptions they produce are subject to interpretation¹⁷ and are run through the filter of each individual’s experiences and prejudices.” “Sounds like the deconstruction theory that was rampant¹⁸ when I was in college,” Penelope said. “Exactly,” Walker said with a nod of appreciation¹⁹. “Suppose an ancient Egyptian scribe drew a hieroglyph⁹ he wanted to represent a tree. Someone else may see it as “shade” and another person as “fruit” and a third may see it as a symbol of summer. Symbolic language is subject to individual interpretation. Communication can be like the old game of “telephone” we used to play as kids. You tell someone something and they pass it on then they pass it on. After the fourth or fi fth telling it sounds nothing like the original.” “Like two different people can read the same poem and come away with completely diff erent messages.” “Or no message at all. It comes down to the way the individual interprets the symbolic language and how receptive they are to the idea. If you think about it for a moment, all of your thoughts revolve²⁰ around symbols. While the changes a new Awakening brings are always easier to see in hindsight; it appears we may be heading to a new era where a non-symbolic understanding becomes the standard.” “You’re making words up again, aren’t you?” 146 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin Walker laughed. “Of course I am but that doesn’t make it any less valid²¹. Besides, people do it all the time. Globalization, e-mail, aerobicized, pop tarts²², SPAM. The list is nearly endless. ” Penelope chuckled²⁴ and shook her head. She hadn’t enjoyed a conversation this much in years. Walker had the ability to challenge her intellectually with a good natured calmness she found comfortable. “If you had to write the definition for non-symbolic for Webster’s, how would it read?” “You really can’t, because that would require symbols. But, people have been trying their best to write about and explain non-symbolic understanding for thousands of years. The concept is probably most familiar to you as enlightenment.” “Enlightenment? You’re kidding. Are you trying to tell me that the next phase of humanity will involve all of us becoming enlightened?” Walker shrugged²⁵ but didn’t answer. “You’re on a roll now. You want to take a shot at figuring out the key elements of the Th ird Awakening?” “Sure.” Penelope curled up in the seat with her feet under her like a cat. “How many key elements am I looking for?” “Two.” “Just two? That’s hardly your style.” “Think big picture here. Another hint. We’re still in the adjustment period for the Th ird Awakening.” “What does that mean?” “They are still the two most important things shaping our world today.” “That dramatically limits the field.” Penelope drew in a deep breath through her nose and allowed it to slowly escape between her lips. “Considering your disdain²⁶ for Washington I am going to guess politics is not one of them.” “Different forms of government come and go and politicians always think they are more important than they really are.” “Okay. Not politics.” Penelope rubbed her chin as she thought out loud. “Economic systems aren’t important enough.” “Right.” “What’s been around for the past 3,000 years?” Penelope’s eyes fl ew open. “Is it that simple?” “Yup.” 147 The Fourth Awakening “Oh my!” Penelope’s eyes danced as she pondered the possibilities. “Nothing conflicts with your revered²⁷ who, what, when, where, and why?” Penelope’s mind continued to race as she mentally thumbed through every book and article she had ever read before she absently shook her head. “Not yet.” “Excellent. Now if we can just get you over the final hump of realizing we are all connected through thought…” “Slow down, Skippy,” Penelope said as her eyes focused back on Walker. “While I will grant that you have an interesting theory here; I wouldn’t start fitting me for my choir²⁸ robes just yet. I have a few more questions.” “Okay.” “First off, I’m not even sure we’re talking about the same stuff . What do you think are the two most important elements of the Th ird Awakening?” “You fi rst.” A heavy silence settled over the Bronco as Penelope folded her arms across her chest and glared at Walker. “Why do I have to go fi rst?” Walker shrugged. “We are on the cusp of…” “Stop. STOP! You win.” Penelope shook her head in resignation. “Th e two key elements of the Third Awakening are Religion and Science.” “Give the lady from Charleston full marks. In the last 3,000 years we have seen the decline of the ancient faiths and rituals and the emergence of every major modern religion. Also, as the grip of religion has waned²⁹, the power of science has grown at an amazing rate. These twin pillars are, for better or worse, what hold up modern society.” “None of this supports your core argument that we are all connected through thought,” Penelope said with a sigh. “Did you know that between 800 BC and 400 BC, all around the world there was a religious explosion? This is when the key events in the Old Testament³⁰ occurred, from which emerged Judeo/Christian beliefs. At the same time Taoism was being followed by Confucianism in China. The same was happening with Shintoism in Japan, and Hinduism and Buddhism³¹ in India, and later Islam.” “Your point being?” “If we are not connected by thought, how did all of these simultaneous religious explosions happen?” “Surely you can see the logical fallacy,” Penelope said with a dismissive 148 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin wave of her hand. “You’re starting from a false premise³² that we are all connected through thought then using that to draw a conclusion.” “What’s false about it?” “Your job is to convince me that you are right. It’s not my job to convince you that you are wrong.” “Fair enough,” Walker answered. “Let’s try another one. Let’s go back to art.” Penelope nodded her agreement. “In the early days of Greek art they made some spectacular vases.” “Okay.” “At precisely the same moment the Jomon Culture in Japan and the people on the Korean peninsula were creating nearly identical work.” “Sorry,” Penelope answered. “We’re running in circles here, Michael. Without some sort of concrete proof I’m more inclined to go with coincidence, unknown trade channels, or some other logical argument over your psychic³³ connection theory.” “I didn’t expect this to be easy,” Walker said with a smile. “Your pigheadedness is a refreshing³⁴ change.” “What does that mean?” Penelope demanded. “Usually I have this type of conversation with someone who is sitting on the edge of their chair hanging on my every word. These are people who want to believe me; sometimes are desperate to believe me.” “Sorry,” Penelope said with a substantially less than sincere laugh. “I guess I’m just not one of your Awakening groupies.” “No, you’re not. That’s why you’re perfect.” “Perfect?” Penelope said as she pulled further away from Walker. “Th at’s a bit of a reach.” “What I meant,” Walker said with his usual calmness. “Is that you are the perfect person for me to be talking to right now. If I can fi gure out how to reach you and make you understand; then together we’ll be able to reach the world.” “You are a very odd man,” Penelope said while shaking her head. “Th anks.” Penelope didn’t bother to correct him; she was lost too deeply in thought. For about five minutes they rode in silence as she mentally poked³⁵ and jabbed at everything Walker had told her. She had to admit a lot of it made sense, but that’s the way con³ men hook you. They bury a lie within a kernel³⁶ of truth. She glanced over and studied his profi le; he 149 The Fourth Awakening certainly didn’t look or act like a nut job. He had a coolness about him that was so sincere it was almost jarring. Penelope rubbed her chin and cleared her throat. “Let me be sure I’ve got all of this.” Walker nodded but did not answer. “200,000 years ago Homo sapiens emerged from the primordial³⁷ goo. That’s the First Awakening.” “Right.” “Over the next 150,000 years they start to slowly develop into something resembling us today.” “Right.” “50,000 years ago there was a Second Awakening where people started to become self-aware and realize they are mortal with all the baggage that entails³⁸.” Walker nods his agreement. “They begin forming larger social groupings and started looking for spiritual answers through myths and rituals.” “Right.” “Around 14,000 years ago, in the later stages of the Second Awakening, there is a change in the global climate and this process of self-discovery accelerates.” “And continues to accelerate through the present day.” “3,000 years ago is the Third Awakening which is basically the double edged sword of science and religion.” “Religion had been around for a lot longer in a variety of forms. Science was the new comer to the game.” “You’re pretty confident the Fourth Awakening is about to happen.” “It has already started.” “Really,” Penelope said deadpan³⁹. “My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.” “Received, signed for and opened.” “Here we go again,” Penelope said while shaking her head. “Th is is going to be another one of those things I’m not ready to understand yet. Right?” “Right.” “I give up. Tell me something to make me believe the Fourth Awakening has started.” “The breakdown⁴⁰ of relations between science and religion is a good one.” “What are you talking about now?” “The relationship has always been a bit strained but it broke into the 150 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin open when Galileo and the Pope had their little dust up.” “That was 400 years ago!” Penelope protested. Walker just smiled. “You really need to be thinking in longer time lines. For a universe that is who knows how old and a planet that is over four billion years old, 400 years is the blink of an eye.” Penelope shook her head and sighed. “Amazing,” she muttered under her breath. “What?” “Nothing. Please continue.” “For the past 500 or so years the political power of the church has waned while the power of science has flourished. With a few exceptions most of the people today live in societies with secular⁴¹ governments.” “So? What does any of this prove?” “Nothing,” Walker said flatly. “And everything.” Penelope closed her eyes, scratched her forehead and then motioned for Walker to continue. “For many scientists knowledge hit a tipping point about 150 years ago. Universities began to switch from being religious institutions to being based on the German research model. Leading scientists were declaring that soon they would have no new major discoveries to make. While skeptical⁴² of religion, before that time all of the great minds were looking to science to prove there was a God, not to disprove it.” “I suppose you have a theory of why they suddenly turned their back on God in the 19th century?” “Would you be surprised if I didn’t?” “Frankly, yes. And I’m betting it will be a doozy.” “Dinosaurs.” “Dinosaurs?” “Yes.” “I can’t wait to hear this one.” “In the early 19th century, when Western scientists figured out those old bones they had been digging up for centuries were not dragons or animals that had perished in Noah’s Biblical flood but animals that had roamed the planet millions of years earlier, it pretty much shot down the theory of Earth being built in six days. To many this was as startling as Copernicus disproving the long held belief that the earth was the center of the universe. At that point, science pretty much gave up on religion as 151 The Fourth Awakening superstition⁴⁴ and myth.” “Let me get this straight. You’re claiming that the current skepticism about religion got its start because of the discovery of dinosaur⁴³ bones?” “No. They’ve been at each other’s throats for thousands of years; that was just the proverbial last straw.” “That moves the bar, even by your standards.” “Thanks.” He held up his hand and stopped her before she could reply. “I know.” “Don’t let me slow you down. Please continue.” “Recently we’ve seen a reversal where a large number of truly gift ed scientists have returned to the spiritual and the mystical for answers to the big questions science can’t answer.” “Big questions?” “Why are we here, and how did we get here? How was the universe formed, and who or what formed it?” Walker continued, “Th e advance in human knowledge during this period has been astounding⁴⁵ and appears to be accelerating. In the 20th century we went from the fi rst motorized flight to walking on the moon in less than 70 years. Cures for diseases were discovered and life expectancies⁴⁶ doubled, then doubled again. Th e industries that dominated modern society at the end of the 20th century—air travel, automobiles⁴⁷, computers, instant mass communication, motion pictures, television, the Internet—none of these even existed a hundred years earlier.” “Are you ever going to get to the point?” “The point is our current organized religions are not filling our needs and science is so tied up in symbolic thought it can no longer support its own weight.” “I have no idea what that means,” Penelope said while shaking her head. “Basically it all goes back to how each of us tries to avoid the ending of our existence. Religion offered one solution, often in the form of things that could be done to ensure survival of our consciousness aft er physical death. Science offers another path; immortality⁴⁸ though the knowledge you create outliving you.” “So the idea is that death is the big motivator.” “The possibility of non-existence it brings, actually. There’s a long line of schemes for this that probably started not long after we realized the possibility. “Such as?” 152 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “Well, virtually all culture relates to this. It gives us the opportunity to perpetuate⁴⁹ something larger than ourselves that we’re tied to and will out live us. Making contributions to one or more of our cultural institutions serves the same purpose. For millennia⁵⁰ this was about the best you could hope for, aside from religion. The problem is that it doesn’t take a genius to see that contributions made to Sumerian culture didn’t last forever. Rather than knowledge relating to a culture, science off ers the opportunity to create universally relevant knowledge and thus a higher form of immortality so, practical benefits aside, it’s not hard to see why it caught on. “Go on.” Spence said rubbing her chin. “The basic underpinning⁵¹ of science is universally understood truth. As they have piled more and more on, it is starting to buckle⁵².” Walker smiled. “When the big ideas from the previous Awakening start to collapse⁵³ then a new Awakening is on the horizon.” “That’s your proof ? “I’m guessing that means you are not buying any of it.” “No…no…no,” Penelope said shaking her head. “I buy a great deal of it. In fact much of it is hard to argue with. It’s just two small parts are giving me trouble.” “Namely?” “I don’t see any great collapse in science or any proof of us being connected through thought.” Penelope pursed her lips and shook her head. “Sorry.” As usual, Michael Walker appeared unmoved. If he was disappointed or hurt, nothing in his body language or facial expression showed it. “Are you willing to listen to more arguments?” “Of course,” Penelope answered quickly. “But please don’t take this to mean I can’t still write your story for you… ” Walker cut her off by patting her gently on the knee. Penelope looked down as she felt a jolt⁵⁴ of energy similar to a static electricity shock only more powerful. She froze when her peripheral⁵⁵ vision caught sight of a bright violet glow surrounding Michael Walker. It instantly vanished as she gasped⁵⁶ and turned her head to look directly at him. “What?” “I thought I saw something.” “What did you see?” 153 The Fourth Awakening “It was nothing, really.” “Penelope. Considering all the seemingly outrageous⁵⁷ things I’ve told you in the past few hours, do you really think anything you could say would surprise me?” She chuckled. “Good point. I thought I saw you surrounded by a fi eld of light.” “Excellent!” “Why did I just know you were going to say that?” “What color was it?” “Color?” “Yes, what color?” “I don’t know. Deep blue.” “Purple, maybe?’ “More like violet.” He patted her on the leg again. “Th at’s excellent!” “What does it mean?” “It means you’re getting close to believing me. Right now your energy fi eld is yellow, which is the color of inspiration, intellect and shared action.” “You can see my energy field?” Penelope thought for a moment then added, “I have an energy fi eld?” “Everyone has one,” Walker answered as if surprised by the question. “Plus, everyone has the ability to see them but few realize it.” “I was only able to catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye, but when I looked at you directly it went away.” “That’s common at first. You mentioned earlier that you don’t have an instructor⁵⁸ or teacher.” “No, I go down to a local yoga class occasionally.” “What did you learn there?” “Not much; mostly just some stretches and breathing exercises. Th ey seemed more interested in selling outfits⁵⁹ and mats.” “They didn’t teach you any meditation⁶⁰ techniques?” “Not really.” Penelope was a bit embarrassed. “When I was a teenager I had a book on Vipassana Meditation. I just started meditating⁶¹ the way I remember doing it then.” “So,” Walker said calmly. “You reached this level of spiritual development basically on your own?” “Spiritual development? Please.” 154 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin Walker laughed again. “Carl is going to eat you up with a spoon.” “Carl?” “Dr. Altman.” Penelope nodded that no further explanation was required. “If we can just get you past your pigheadedness…” “I prefer steadfast⁶².” “I’m sure you do,” Walker said with a chuckle²³ that caused the corners of Penelope’s mouth to curve into a smile. A Cheshire cat smile covered Walker’s face. “How long have you been doing this?” “Doing what?” “Yoga. Meditating.” “Off and on forever. Seriously for about a year.” “Hmm.” “What?” Penelope asked. “There are Buddhist⁶³ monks⁶⁴ who spend a lifetime in a monastery⁶⁶ and never reach your level of development.” “Really?” “Don’t get too full of yourself. There are also uneducated peasants who wake up one morning in a state of enlightened bliss⁶⁷ with no idea that anything has even changed.” “So someone can have this handed to them without even knowing they’re receiving it, while a monk⁶⁵ can spend a lifetime seeking it and never fi nd it?” “The universe has a great sense of humor.” “You have to admit this entire Awakening concept is a bit hard to swallow in a single sitting.” “I know. Unfortunately we’re on a tight schedule, but at the rate you’re progressing I’m sure it will make more sense to you soon.” “What does that mean?” “Your alarm clock has already gone off and the Fourth Awakening has already started, which is the problem.” “What problem? “So far we’ve only talked about the benefits of an Awakening. Th ere is a dark side.”

1 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

2 alley   

n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路

参考例句：

• We live in the same alley.我们住在同一条小巷里。
• The blind alley ended in a brick wall.这条死胡同的尽头是砖墙。

3 con   

n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的

参考例句：

• We must be fair and consider the reason pro and con.我们必须公平考虑赞成和反对的理由。
• The motion is adopted non con.因无人投反对票，协议被通过。

4 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

5 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

6 cult   

n.异教，邪教；时尚，狂热的崇拜

参考例句：

• Her books aren't bestsellers,but they have a certain cult following.她的书算不上畅销书，但有一定的崇拜者。
• The cult of sun worship is probably the most primitive one.太阳崇拜仪式或许是最为原始的一种。

7 intentionally   

ad.故意地，有意地

参考例句：

• I didn't say it intentionally. 我是无心说的。
• The local authority ruled that he had made himself intentionally homeless and was therefore not entitled to be rehoused. 当地政府裁定他是有意居无定所，因此没有资格再获得提供住房。

8 hieroglyphics   

n.pl.象形文字

参考例句：

• Hieroglyphics are carved into the walls of the temple. 寺庙的墙壁上刻着象形文字。
• His writing is so bad it just looks like hieroglyphics to me. 他写的糟透了，对我来说就像天书一样。

9 hieroglyph   

n.象形文字， 图画文字

参考例句：

• Each picture,or hieroglyph,represents either an idea or a sound.每一图画或者每一个象形代表着一种想法或者一种声音。
• The hieroglyph for"king's son"can be translated as "son-in-law" or "grandfather".象形文字“国王的儿子”还可译为“女婿”或“祖父”。

10 elites   

精华( elite的名词复数 )； 精锐； 上层集团； （统称）掌权人物

参考例句：

• The elites are by their nature a factor contributing to underdevelopment. 这些上层人物天生是助长欠发达的因素。
• Elites always detest gifted and nimble outsiders. 社会名流对天赋聪明、多才多艺的局外人一向嫌恶。

11 emergence   

n.浮现，显现，出现，（植物）突出体

参考例句：

• The last decade saw the emergence of a dynamic economy.最近10年见证了经济增长的姿态。
• Language emerges and develops with the emergence and development of society.语言是随着社会的产生而产生，随着社会的发展而发展的。

12 genie   

n.妖怪，神怪

参考例句：

• Now the genie of his darkest and weakest side was speaking.他心灵中最阴暗最软弱的部分有一个精灵在说话。
• He had to turn to the Genie of the Ring for help.他不得不向戒指神求助。

13 alphabetic   

adj.照字母次序的，字母的

参考例句：

• A generic name for a device that can store and process numeric and alphabetic in formation. 能存储和处理数字与字母信息的设备的总称。 来自辞典例句
• A coded character set whose character set is an alphabetic character set. 一种编码字符集，它的字符集是一种字母字符集。 来自互联网

14 implicit   

a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的

参考例句：

• A soldier must give implicit obedience to his officers. 士兵必须绝对服从他的长官。
• Her silence gave implicit consent. 她的沉默表示默许。

15 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

16 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

17 interpretation   

n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理

参考例句：

• His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
• Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。

18 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

19 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

20 revolve   

vi.(使)旋转；循环出现

参考例句：

• The planets revolve around the sun.行星绕着太阳运转。
• The wheels began to revolve slowly.车轮开始慢慢转动。

21 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？

22 tarts   

n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 )；轻佻的女人；妓女；小妞

参考例句：

• I decided to make some tarts for tea. 我决定做些吃茶点时吃的果馅饼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They ate raspberry tarts and ice cream. 大家吃着木莓馅饼和冰淇淋。 来自辞典例句

23 chuckle   

vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑

参考例句：

• He shook his head with a soft chuckle.他轻轻地笑着摇了摇头。
• I couldn't suppress a soft chuckle at the thought of it.想到这个，我忍不住轻轻地笑起来。

24 chuckled   

轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
• She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情，她就轻轻地暗自发笑。

25 shrugged   

vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
• She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

26 disdain   

n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑

参考例句：

• Some people disdain labour.有些人轻视劳动。
• A great man should disdain flatterers.伟大的人物应鄙视献媚者。

27 revered   

v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• A number of institutions revered and respected in earlier times have become Aunt Sally for the present generation. 一些早年受到尊崇的惯例，现在已经成了这代人嘲弄的对象了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Chinese revered corn as a gift from heaven. 中国人将谷物奉为上天的恩赐。 来自辞典例句

28 choir   

n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• The church choir is singing tonight.今晚教堂歌唱队要唱诗。

29 waned   

v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡

参考例句：

• However,my enthusiasm waned.The time I spent at exercises gradually diminished. 然而，我的热情减退了。我在做操上花的时间逐渐减少了。 来自《用法词典》
• The bicycle craze has waned. 自行车热已冷下去了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

30 testament   

n.遗嘱；证明

参考例句：

• This is his last will and testament.这是他的遗愿和遗嘱。
• It is a testament to the power of political mythology.这说明，编造政治神话可以产生多大的威力。

31 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

32 premise   

n.前提；v.提论，预述

参考例句：

• Let me premise my argument with a bit of history.让我引述一些史实作为我立论的前提。
• We can deduce a conclusion from the premise.我们可以从这个前提推出结论。

33 psychic   

n.对超自然力敏感的人；adj.有超自然力的

参考例句：

• Some people are said to have psychic powers.据说有些人有通灵的能力。
• She claims to be psychic and to be able to foretell the future.她自称有特异功能，能预知未来。

34 refreshing   

adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的

参考例句：

• I find it'so refreshing to work with young people in this department.我发现和这一部门的青年一起工作令人精神振奋。
• The water was cold and wonderfully refreshing.水很涼，特别解乏提神。

35 poked   

v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交

参考例句：

• She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. 她用胳膊肘顶他的肋部。
• His elbow poked out through his torn shirt sleeve. 他的胳膊从衬衫的破袖子中露了出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

36 kernel   

n.(果实的)核，仁；(问题)的中心，核心

参考例句：

• The kernel of his problem is lack of money.他的问题的核心是缺钱。
• The nutshell includes the kernel.果壳裹住果仁。

37 primordial   

adj.原始的；最初的

参考例句：

• It is the primordial force that propels us forward.它是推动我们前进的原始动力。
• The Neanderthal Man is one of our primordial ancestors.的尼安德特人是我们的原始祖先之一.

38 entails   

使…成为必要( entail的第三人称单数 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需

参考例句：

• The job entails a lot of hard work. 这工作需要十分艰苦的努力。
• This job entails a lot of hard work. 这项工作需要十分努力。

39 deadpan   

n. 无表情的

参考例句：

• Some people don't catch his deadpan humor,that makes it even funnier.有些人不能了解他那种无表情的幽默，因此更有趣。
• She put the letter on the desk in front of me,her face deadpan,not a flicker of a smile.她把那封信放在我面前的桌子上，故意一 脸严肃，没有一丝的笑容。

40 breakdown   

n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌

参考例句：

• She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
• The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。

41 secular   

n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的

参考例句：

• We live in an increasingly secular society.我们生活在一个日益非宗教的社会。
• Britain is a plural society in which the secular predominates.英国是个世俗主导的多元社会。

42 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

43 dinosaur   

n.恐龙

参考例句：

• Are you trying to tell me that David was attacked by a dinosaur?你是想要告诉我大卫被一支恐龙所攻击？
• He stared at the faithful miniature of the dinosaur.他凝视著精确的恐龙缩小模型。

44 superstition   

n.迷信，迷信行为

参考例句：

• It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信。
• Superstition results from ignorance.迷信产生于无知。

45 astounding   

adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词)

参考例句：

• There was an astounding 20% increase in sales. 销售量惊人地增加了20%。
• The Chairman's remarks were so astounding that the audience listened to him with bated breath. 主席说的话令人吃惊，所以听众都屏息听他说。 来自《简明英汉词典》

46 expectancies   

期待，期望( expectancy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Each of us came with his own expectancies. 我们每个人都有自己的希望。
• In fact, modern lifestyles are actually exacerbating the gap between male and female life expectancies. 实际上，现代生活方式确实加大了男女寿命差别的鸿沟。

47 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

48 immortality   

n.不死，不朽

参考例句：

• belief in the immortality of the soul 灵魂不灭的信念
• It was like having immortality while you were still alive. 仿佛是当你仍然活着的时候就得到了永生。

49 perpetuate   

v.使永存，使永记不忘

参考例句：

• This monument was built to perpetuate the memory of the national hero.这个纪念碑建造的意义在于纪念民族英雄永垂不朽。
• We must perpetuate the system.我们必须将此制度永久保持。

50 millennia   

n.一千年，千禧年

参考例句：

• For two millennia, exogamy was a major transgression for Jews. 两千年来，异族通婚一直是犹太人的一大禁忌。
• In the course of millennia, the dinosaurs died out. 在几千年的时间里，恐龙逐渐死绝了。

51 underpinning   

n.基础材料；基础结构；（学说、理论等的）基础；（人的）腿v.用砖石结构等从下面支撑（墙等）( underpin的现在分词 )；加固（墙等）的基础；为（论据、主张等）打下基础；加强

参考例句：

• Underpinning this success has been an exemplary record of innovation. 具有典范性的创新确保了这次成功。 来自辞典例句
• But underpinning Mr Armstrong's technology changes is a human touch. 但阿姆斯特朗技术变革的支柱是人情味。 来自互联网

52 buckle   

n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲

参考例句：

• The two ends buckle at the back.带子两端在背后扣起来。
• She found it hard to buckle down.她很难专心做一件事情。

53 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

54 jolt   

v.（使）摇动，（使）震动，（使）颠簸

参考例句：

• We were worried that one tiny jolt could worsen her injuries.我们担心稍微颠簸一下就可能会使她的伤势恶化。
• They were working frantically in the fear that an aftershock would jolt the house again.他们拼命地干着，担心余震可能会使房子再次受到震动。

55 peripheral   

adj.周边的，外围的

参考例句：

• We dealt with the peripheral aspects of a cost reduction program.我们谈到了降低成本计划的一些外围问题。
• The hotel provides the clerk the service and the peripheral traveling consultation.旅舍提供票务服务和周边旅游咨询。

56 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

57 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。

58 instructor   

n.指导者，教员，教练

参考例句：

• The college jumped him from instructor to full professor.大学突然把他从讲师提升为正教授。
• The skiing instructor was a tall,sunburnt man.滑雪教练是一个高高个子晒得黑黑的男子。

59 outfits   

n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He jobbed out the contract to a number of small outfits. 他把承包工程分包给许多小单位。 来自辞典例句
• Some cyclists carry repair outfits because they may have a puncture. 有些骑自行车的人带修理工具，因为他们车胎可能小孔。 来自辞典例句

60 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

61 meditating   

a.沉思的，冥想的

参考例句：

• They were meditating revenge. 他们在谋划进行报复。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics. 这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

62 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。

63 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

64 monks   

n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。
• He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》

65 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

66 monastery   

n.修道院，僧院，寺院

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• She was appointed the superior of the monastery two years ago.两年前她被任命为这个修道院的院长。

67 bliss   

n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福

参考例句：

• It's sheer bliss to be able to spend the day in bed.整天都可以躺在床上真是幸福。
• He's in bliss that he's won the Nobel Prize.他非常高兴，因为获得了诺贝尔奖金。