CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

“Before Enlightenment, chop wood carry water; after Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” Zen Proverb PPenelope leaned back in her chair and let this new information soak in. “Me?” “Yes, pumpkin¹. You. And you can pretty much expect a rock star greeting, by the way.” “Why?’ “He has told everyone that when we get you to the complex we’ll all be able to see our family and friends again.” “What?” Penelope was stunned². “It’s been rough on some of the crew, especially the married ones that for one reason or another couldn’t have their spouses³ join us. Walker kept them informed as best he could, but it has been rough.” “I still can’t believe you all volunteered to leave your family and friends behind.” Paula pulled back and gave Penelope a quizzical look. “Of course we did. You know how important this is.” Penelope shook her head. Something between a snort and a laugh escaped from Paula. “You still don’t get it, do you?” “Get what?” 201 The Fourth Awakening⁴ “If you have to ask, then you have to ask.” “You’re starting to sound exactly like…” Penelope caught herself before saying Walker. “He who must not be named.” Paula sat back and was visibly fl ushed. “That is like the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” For the first time Penelope studied her traveling companion. Th ey were close to the same age, with Paula maybe three to five years younger. Incredibly buff, with next to no body fat on her five-six frame, her complexion⁵ was dark and windswept like someone who spent most of the daylight hours out of doors. That healthy glow that went deeper than just a good tan seemed to be a pattern with all of the Hermes Project people she had met. She had milk chocolate brown eyes that twinkled when she smiled, but could turn serious quickly. Her auburn hair was close cropped and sun streaked⁶, and her nose looked as though it had been broken a time or two. Attractive, but not pretty by any standard, she carried herself with confi dence and a “take me the way I am or kiss my backside” attitude. She had not noticed before, but Paula was also wearing a different color “Zion National Park” shirt, similar to the one Penelope had on. The man thinks of everything. Anyone who saw them would assume they were old friends on vacation together. Paula flipped⁸ their trash in the garbage can and motioned toward the main entrance of the concourse. “We should be hittin’ the road; the shuttle will be leaving in a couple of minutes.” They walked in silence for a few moments as Penelope continued to digest all of this new information. Michael Walker was undoubtedly⁹ the most complex and multi-layered person she had ever met. He seemed to be completely sincere in his beliefs, plus he was handsome and rich. Why, she thought, was this man walking the streets unattached? They were nearly to the terminal door when Paula glanced over at Penelope and smiled. “What?” Penelope asked “When are you going to ask me?” “Ask you what?” “What you’re thinking right now.” “What?” “Does he have girlfriend? Is he gay?” “Who are you talking about?” Penelope walked a few more steps when it hit her. “Oh.” 202 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “Oh,” Paula said with a mischievous¹⁰ smile. “Lord Voldemort.” “How did you know that was what I was thinking?” “Good Lord, you‘ve been shoutin’ it so loud and so often it is startin’ to get annoying.” “Really?” “Ya. Really. When you’re sending out thoughts to the universe that loudly people like us can’t help but hear ‘em. Soon you’ll be, too.” “So you’re saying soon I’ll be hearing voices in my head?” Silently Penelope wondered if Walker had been hearing her thoughts on this issue as well. “Yep, well sort of.” “Isn’t that an early sign of insanity¹¹?” “It’s on our list.” “What is?” “To see how many people are in mental facilities who don’t belong there.” “You’re kidding?” “No. Those who believe God is telling them to go out and kill someone are probably right where they belong. But the rest may have been awakening, but made the mistake of mentioning the wrong thing to a mental health professional. It’s much worse if this happens to you in a place like Western Europe or the United States which has its head buried so deep in science they wouldn’t recognize a non-symbolic¹² state if it bit them in the ass⁷.” “Non-symbolic. He tried to explain that to me without much luck.” “Enlightened was getting so over used around the compound we sorta came up with a new way to describe it better,” Paula said with a laugh. “That’s the first one to stick.” “Doesn’t help me understand it any better.” Paula sighed and scrunched¹³ her face as she tried to find the right words. “Okay. Try this. We use language to communicate, right?” “Right.” “Our language is based on symbols. “Words such as sky, tree, sun, clouds all help us form a visual image so we can make ourselves understood by other people.” “So far so good.” “When you move into a non-symbolic state—some will call it 203 The Fourth Awakening enlightenment but that barely scratches the surface—the symbolic world is replaced.” “Replaced with what?” “A non-symbolic consciousness.” “The logic¹⁴ here escapes me.” “Spoken like a true Westerner. It is much easier to grasp the concept if you live in an Eastern culture.” “Care to explain that?” “Sure. Take India for example. They’re much better at recognizing enlightened souls since they aren’t so committed to rational thought as the end all to reality. In Western cultures they want everything proven scientifically. Over here we might look at someone as a crazy homeless guy muttering to himself. Over there he is a holy man and the folks look aft er him.” “Hmm,” Penelope said. “I did a paper on the Sadhus Holy Men when I was in college.” “Really? Why?” “Far Eastern religions were very hip¹⁵ back then.” “I had kinda dropped that one down the memory hole,” Paula said. “Come to think of it I still have my Ravi Shankar albums somewhere.” “So what you’re saying is there could be people who are Awakening and don’t know what’s happening to them?” “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Haven’t you felt like you were goin’ nuts for the past few months?” “I’ve wondered a bit off and on.” “And what if you had shared those feelings with your shrink?” “I probably would be taking Th ioridazine.” “There you go.” Penelope tucked her arm under Paula’s and pulled her closer. “Let’s get back to what matters, so does he have a girlfriend? Is he gay?” “Definitely single and available. His first wife died about ten years ago, and before the Project he apparently¹⁶ was quite the ladies’ man. Since then, not so much.” “Hmm,” Penelope said. “Interesting.” Finally a straight answer. “Interesting. That’s a good word for it. About every woman above the age of consent that stumbles across his path gets the hots for him.” Paula let her get on the shuttle first and checked behind them before boarding. 204 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “I’ve almost been tempted¹⁷.” Penelope thought that was a bit of an odd thing to say. “You don’t fi nd him attractive?” “He’s not exactly my type.” “Really? What is your type?” “You, actually.” Paula had a huge smile as she watched the blood drain from Penelope’s face. She patted Penelope’s arm. “Don’t worry, pumpkin, I’m not hitting on you. At my age I don’t have the time or energy anymore to try and convert a straight chick like you. Too big of a project, and it never works out for more than a few months anyway.” Penelope Drayton Spence, suburban¹⁸ housewife and mother of three, was speechless. There had been a moment in college with a friend named Melissa when she had briefly¹⁹ considered the possibility, but her Southern sensibilities and upbringing had ensured she let the opportunity pass. When she finally recovered the ability to speak she said, “I’m fl attered. I guess.” Penelope thought for a few moments and then her reporter’s instincts kicked in again. “What makes me your type?” “You’re pretty and feminine but tough enough that you don’t fold up like an accordion²⁰ when things get rough. You were great in the airport, by the way. Those two guards walked right up to and all you did was smile and keep walkin’. Very cool. The articles you’ve written so far have been absolutely kickin’. You’re smart as hell and, most important,” Paula waited until Penelope made eye contact. “You wouldn’t be surprised that Paul McCartney was in another group before Wings.” They both laughed. “My son is gay.” “Really?” Paula patted her on the leg. “Some say it’s genetic²¹. Maybe there’s hope for you.” . TThe mood on the Homeland Security Gulfstream was gloomy. The Director had ordered Marcus Wolfe and his team to return to Washington immediately for a personal debriefing²² on how a restrained suspect, surrounded by law enforcement officers, had been allowed to escape. In the past hour, there had been nearly a dozen reported sightings of Penelope Drayton Spence from Portland, Maine to San Diego, California and pretty much every place in between. 205 The Fourth Awakening . AAssistant Director Robert Smith had elected to stay in Salt Lake City on the remote possibility that one of the tips from the Mountain or Pacific Time zones panned out. Smith was sitting on one of the four barstools in the Club Room of the Radisson Hotel, located about halfway²³ between the airport and downtown Salt Lake City, nursing a second scotch²⁴ and water, and waiting. He had been there for about forty-five minutes and was just about to give up when he felt someone slide onto the stool next to him. He didn’t have to look up. “I’ve been expecting you.” “Hope I didn’t get you into too much trouble,” Michael Walker said. “Actually this last one worked out great.” Smith took a sip²⁵ of scotch. “You escaped about five minutes after Marcus took full responsibility for your safe delivery to Washington.” The Walker chuckled²⁶ softly. “He’s never lacked for self-confi dence.” Smith took another pull from his scotch. “Shepherd knows you have a mole²⁷ in the agency, and he’s sure it’s me.” “You’re the perfect candidate. I would suspect you, too.” “Thanks, that makes me feel much better.” The two men sat in silence for a moment before Walker said, “Th ey have to know the lid is about to blow off all of this one way or the other.” Smith leaned one elbow on the bar and turned toward Walker. “You wouldn’t throw the Spence woman to the wolves by letting her release classifi ed information…” “I don’t think it will come to that.” Walker said interrupting. Smith turned back and faced forward toward the bar. “I wouldn’t be so sure. For starters, there’s a group at the Pentagon that’s adamant²⁸ about not declassifying³⁰ this thing.” “True, but they’re not the ones taking the heat.” “Shepherd is certainly starting to feel it. He’s made Wolfe Agent-in-Charge, reporting directly to him.” “It was only a matter of time.” “I just don’t want to see any of your people get hurt.” “Marcus Wolfe doesn’t scare me. He may be a thug, but at least he is a completely predictable thug.” “He’s a very dangerous man, and if the Director told him to, he wouldn’t hesitate…” Smith let the last of the sentence dangle³¹ in the air, unspoken. 206 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “I know, and I appreciate your concern, but it’s you I’m worried about. Shepherd is setting you up to take the fall.” “I know. They’re already moving me out of the loop.” “Th e offer is still open. I’ve got a spot for you whenever you’re ready.” “Judi and the girls would kill me if I asked them to move again.” “Then don’t move.” Robert Smith turned to face Walker. “What do you mean?” “If everything goes as expected, we’ll be opening a liaison³² offi ce in Washington next week. I’d like you to run it.” “Are you serious?” “Yes.” “I meant the part about being in Washington.” “Yes.” “Out in the open?” “Yes.” Smith shook his head and took another sip from his scotch. “Just when I didn’t think you could surprise me anymore. This Penelope Spence must be quite a lady.” “You have no idea, and neither does she.” “Has Altman gotten an fMRI yet?” Walker grew serious and his smile vanished. “No. Not yet.” “Does she know the danger she’s in just by spending so much time around you?” Walker sighed. “No, but she’s being watched 24/7.” “No repeats of the last time?” “Not if I can help it.” “Shepherd still thinks he can stop you.” “I know.” They both chuckled this time. “Where does the Secretary stand on all of this?” “He’s never seen the big picture on the Hermes Project, and he has enough on his plate that he just wants this to go away. It won’t take much of a push to get him to big foot Shepherd and declassify²⁹ Hermes.” “Excellent. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. If you don’t want to work for me,” Walker said, “how would you like Shepherd’s job?” “Too political for my taste. Besides, I don’t see him stepping down for this when he’s got me to blame.” “Things can change.” 207 The Fourth Awakening “I don’t think I want to hear this.” “I wouldn’t tell you, anyway. You’re too damned loyal.” Walker patted Smith on the shoulder. “Think of a number, Robert, that would get you to move over to our side, and don’t undersell yourself.” Walker reached into his pocket and placed a $50 bill on the bar. “Give it some thought. I’ll be in touch.” Robert Smith didn’t bother to look up or turn around; he knew that Walker would be gone. The bartender, seeing the cash on the bar walked over and picked up the fi fty. “You ready to pay out?” Smith nodded as he started to reach for his wallet and said, “Th at was from my friend.” A puzzled expression covered the bartender’s face. “Sir, you’ve been alone the entire evening.” Smith finished the rest of his scotch with a single gulp³³. “Of course I have.” . ZZhack was replaying the surveillance video from the Cincinnati Airport, again. Instead of wide angle security cameras that produced grainy images, the ones by the security gates were of higher quality and covered a much smaller area. The cameras were placed so it was impossible for passengers to conceal³⁴ their faces without drawing suspicion from the security people. It was definitely Penelope Drayton Spence; of that he was one hundred percent certain. After that, he wasn’t so sure. The only clear camera angle he had was just moments before Walker and the second Spence were arrested. The rest of the time, Walker and she had managed to cover their faces when they passed by, or they avoided the surveillance cameras all together. The guy had definitely done his homework. Somewhere, somehow, they had made the switch between the metal detector³⁵ in Cincinnati and the main concourse of Salt Lake City. The big question was had they made the switch at Cincinnati or Salt Lake City? When he knew the answer to that, he would have a much better idea where to search for her. It was a long shot, but Zhack began checking the other departure gates that had flights leaving around the same time from Cincinnati. Troy Sabrinsky wandered out of his room and began watching the 120-inch HD monitor. “Sup?” 208 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin Zhack put up the video of Penelope Spence as she went through the metal detector in Cincinnati. “This lady went through airport security in Cincinnati around noon Eastern. Somewhere between here and Salt Lake City, they made a switch to a woman who looked like her.” Troy watched the loop intently. “Got any other angles?” Th e image on the screen changed as it showed Walker and Spence putting on their shoes and walking down the corridor. Sabrinsky had him play the video loops several times. “What else is there?” “Here they are getting on the flight to Salt Lake City.” Zhack began playing the videos from the departure gates at 4X, slowing back down to normal speed when he saw Walker and Spence enter the frame. “This the only shot?” “Yeah. The chode did his homework. We got zip until here.” The two watched as the trio scrambled³⁶ to get on the jet. “Dude,” Sabrinsky said pointing. “Looks like her to me.” “The Director is all over my case since they arrested the wrong woman in Mormon Town. I’m not going 0 for 2.” “What about video from other fl ights boarding?” “I didn’t see anything.” “Run it.” “k.” When the video of the Miami flight boarding began to play, Troy shouted. “Stop!” “What?” “Go back.” Zhack ran the video backward until Troy held up his fi nger. Troy walked up to the screen where the people were nearly life-size as the video played. “Give me three shots. This one, the one of them boarding the Salt Lake City flight, and a view of Spence’s ass after she cleared security in Cincinnati.” “Buttboy eh?” Zhack goaded³⁷. With a few keystrokes, the three images were side by side up on the screen. “You blind geezer, they made the switch at Greater Cincinnati.” Troy Sabrinsky motioned toward the three images on the HD screen in front of them. “WTF are you talking about?” Sabrinsky picked up a laser pointer and used it to circle the white thread 209 The Fourth Awakening on the back of Penelope’s skirt after she had passed through Cincinnati security, then on the skirt back of the lady boarding the flight with Michael Walker. “Dude. You got a one hundred percent positive ID, right?” “Right, so?” “When she went through security she had a white thread on the back of her skirt, and it wasn’t there when she boarded the flight to Salt Lake City.” “It could have fallen off .” “And happened to land on the exact same spot on somebody else’s ass?” Sabrinsky muscled Zhack out of the way and took charge of the keyboard. The frame of the trio boarding the Salt Lake City flight vanished and the other two frames claimed the open space. He zoomed³⁸ in on the back of the skirt in both frames. “Right there, dude. She’s getting on the Miami fl ight.” Sabrinsky circled the thread on the back of the woman’s skirt. While the woman headed for the Sunshine State had on a diff erent blouse and a floppy³⁹ hat, she wore the same shoes, the same skirt and, more importantly, the same white thread. Zhack, not liking⁴⁰ to be upstaged, was visibly pissed as he reached for the phone to call the Director. “Who’s your daddy?” Troy started gloating and did a little victory dance that would have earned him a “Geek of the Week” award at any dance club in America. . TThe fifteen-mile trip over the pass between Victor, Idaho and Jackson Hole, Wyoming would probably have been more impressive during daylight hours. In the dark, and with no moon, it was closer to a ride on Space Mountain than a Chamber⁴¹ of Commerce photo op. The shuttle swayed and groaned⁴² as it labored⁴³ up the pass, then swayed and groaned as it went down the other side with the driver riding the brakes. At the bottom of the pass she could see a few lights, then quite a few more some distance away. Penelope was expecting to be in Jackson immediately when they got over the mountain, so she was surprised to see a sign saying “Wilson, Population 1412”. They drove for another ten minutes before they arrived at anything that could remotely be considered a town. Taking a left on US 89/US 26, she saw the first indication they had returned to civilization. The street sign said they were on “Broadway”, but it wasn’t much like the one Penelope had gotten used to during her 210 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin years at Columbia. There were fewer fast food restaurants than she had expected for a tourist town, only a McDonald’s on the right side of the road and a Wendy’s on the left. She noticed that many of the buildings were constructed from logs instead of brick and siding. None were more than two or three stories high. Off further to the right she could make out the shadow of a mountain and thought she caught glimpses of ski lifts. It was hard to tell in the dark. “That’s Snow King,” Paula said as she motioned toward the mountain. Penelope never cared much for cold weather. Fourteen generations living in South Carolina had bred it out of her DNA⁴⁴, and her ex-husband had felt the same. On the few occasions they had taken a winter vacation, they had always opted⁴⁵ for the tropical rather than the arctic. The shuttle arrived at what could generously be called the heart of town and took a left at North Glenwood, pulling up in front of the Wort Hotel. The historic landmark⁴⁶ was located in downtown Jackson just a block off of the town square. Stepping inside, Penelope found the hotel with the unfortunate name decorated with lodge⁴⁷ pole furnishings and bright western style fabrics⁴⁸. A sweeping⁴⁹ staircase that split halfway up, forming an impressive “Y” on its way to the second floor was similar to the style in many Southern plantations⁵⁰. It was unlikely, though, that any of the antebellum mansions⁵¹ of the old Confederacy would have had a stuff ed buffalo⁵² head mounted on the wall of the foyer. Paula handled the check-in; Penelope found their double room to be smaller than she had expected, but comfortable and very clean. Th e room was rustic⁵³ with two full-sized beds and an assortment⁵⁴ of Western style decorations. Paula claimed the bed closest to the door. “Do not leave this room without me under any circumstances. Period. Understood?” Paula said fi rmly. “Understood. “Good.” Paula opened her carry-on, handed Penelope a pair of pajamas⁵⁵, and smiled. “The rest of your clothes will be here soon.” “What?” “Don’t worry about it. Get some rest; you have a huge day tomorrow.” “What happens tomorrow?” “We’re taking you to the compound, and you’re going to get to see the Hermes Project fi rst hand.”

1 pumpkin   

n.南瓜

参考例句：

• They ate turkey and pumpkin pie.他们吃了火鸡和南瓜馅饼。
• It looks like there is a person looking out of the pumpkin!看起来就像南瓜里有人在看着你！

2 stunned   

adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。
• The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。

3 spouses   

n.配偶，夫或妻( spouse的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Jobs are available for spouses on campus and in the community. 校园里和社区里有配偶可做的工作。 来自辞典例句
• An astonishing number of spouses-most particularly in the upper-income brackets-have no close notion of their husbands'paychecks. 相当大一部分妇女——特别在高收入阶层——并不很了解他们丈夫的薪金。 来自辞典例句

4 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。

5 complexion   

n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格

参考例句：

• Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
• Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。

6 streaked   

adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹

参考例句：

• The children streaked off as fast as they could. 孩子们拔脚飞跑 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• His face was pale and streaked with dirt. 他脸色苍白，脸上有一道道的污痕。 来自辞典例句

7 ass   

n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人

参考例句：

• He is not an ass as they make him.他不象大家猜想的那样笨。
• An ass endures his burden but not more than his burden.驴能负重但不能超过它能力所负担的。

8 flipped   

轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥

参考例句：

• The plane flipped and crashed. 飞机猛地翻转，撞毁了。
• The carter flipped at the horse with his whip. 赶大车的人扬鞭朝着马轻轻地抽打。

9 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

10 mischievous   

adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的

参考例句：

• He is a mischievous but lovable boy.他是一个淘气但可爱的小孩。
• A mischievous cur must be tied short.恶狗必须拴得短。

11 insanity   

n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐

参考例句：

• In his defense he alleged temporary insanity.他伪称一时精神错乱，为自己辩解。
• He remained in his cell,and this visit only increased the belief in his insanity.他依旧还是住在他的地牢里，这次视察只是更加使人相信他是个疯子了。

12 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。

13 scrunched   

v.发出喀嚓声( scrunch的过去式和过去分词 )；蜷缩；压；挤压

参考例句：

• The snow scrunched underfoot. 雪在脚下发出嘎吱嘎吱的声音。
• He scrunched up the piece of paper and threw it at me. 他把那张纸揉成一个小团，朝我扔过来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 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。

15 hip   

n.臀部，髋；屋脊

参考例句：

• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line.新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

16 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

17 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。

18 suburban   

adj.城郊的，在郊区的

参考例句：

• Suburban shopping centers were springing up all over America. 效区的商业中心在美国如雨后春笋般地兴起。
• There's a lot of good things about suburban living.郊区生活是有许多优点。

19 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

20 accordion   

n.手风琴；adj.可折叠的

参考例句：

• The accordion music in the film isn't very beautiful.这部影片中的手风琴音乐不是很好。
• The accordion music reminds me of my boyhood.这手风琴的乐声让我回忆起了我的少年时代。

21 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

22 debriefing   

n.任务报告，任务报告中提出的情报v.向（外交人员等）询问执行任务的情况( debrief的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• We've got the rescued soldiers in there for debriefing. 我们把被救的士兵带到了这里做一个报告。 来自电影对白
• Attention, all fighters are to return to moon base for debriefing. 注意，所有战斗机返回月球基地做任务报告。 来自互联网

23 halfway   

adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途

参考例句：

• We had got only halfway when it began to get dark.走到半路，天就黑了。
• In study the worst danger is give up halfway.在学习上，最忌讳的是有始无终。

24 scotch   

n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的

参考例句：

• Facts will eventually scotch these rumours.这种谣言在事实面前将不攻自破。
• Italy was full of fine views and virtually empty of Scotch whiskey.意大利多的是美景，真正缺的是苏格兰威士忌。

25 sip   

v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量

参考例句：

• She took a sip of the cocktail.她啜饮一口鸡尾酒。
• Elizabeth took a sip of the hot coffee.伊丽莎白呷了一口热咖啡。

26 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。

27 mole   

n.胎块；痣；克分子

参考例句：

• She had a tiny mole on her cheek.她的面颊上有一颗小黑痣。
• The young girl felt very self- conscious about the large mole on her chin.那位年轻姑娘对自己下巴上的一颗大痣感到很不自在。

28 adamant   

adj.坚硬的，固执的

参考例句：

• We are adamant on the building of a well-off society.在建设小康社会这一点上，我们是坚定不移的。
• Veronica was quite adamant that they should stay on.维罗妮卡坚信他们必须继续留下去。

29 declassify   

v.撤销保密

参考例句：

• These reports were only declassified last year.这些报告去年才被撤销了密级。
• Does the president have the power to declassify information?总统有权利解密相关信息吗？

30 declassifying   

v.对（机密文件等）销密( declassify的现在分词 )

参考例句：

31 dangle   

v.(使)悬荡，(使)悬垂

参考例句：

• At Christmas,we dangle colored lights around the room.圣诞节时，我们在房间里挂上彩灯。
• He sits on the edge of the table and dangles his legs.他坐在桌子边上，摆动著双腿。

32 liaison   

n.联系，（未婚男女间的）暖昧关系，私通

参考例句：

• She acts as a liaison between patients and staff.她在病人与医护人员间充当沟通的桥梁。
• She is responsible for liaison with researchers at other universities.她负责与其他大学的研究人员联系。

33 gulp   

vt.吞咽，大口地吸（气）；vi.哽住；n.吞咽

参考例句：

• She took down the tablets in one gulp.她把那些药片一口吞了下去。
• Don't gulp your food,chew it before you swallow it.吃东西不要狼吞虎咽，要嚼碎了再咽下去。

34 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

35 detector   

n.发觉者，探测器

参考例句：

• The detector is housed in a streamlined cylindrical container.探测器安装在流线型圆柱形容器内。
• Please walk through the metal detector.请走过金属检测器。

36 scrambled   

v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞

参考例句：

• Each scrambled for the football at the football ground. 足球场上你争我夺。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He scrambled awkwardly to his feet. 他笨拙地爬起身来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

37 goaded   

v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人

参考例句：

• Goaded beyond endurance, she turned on him and hit out. 她被气得忍无可忍，于是转身向他猛击。
• The boxers were goaded on by the shrieking crowd. 拳击运动员听见观众的喊叫就来劲儿了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

38 zoomed   

v.（飞机、汽车等）急速移动( zoom的过去式 )；（价格、费用等）急升，猛涨

参考例句：

• Traffic zoomed past us. 车辆从我们身边疾驰而过。
• Cars zoomed helter-skelter, honking belligerently. 大街上来往车辆穿梭不停，喇叭声刺耳。 来自《简明英汉词典》

39 floppy   

adj.松软的，衰弱的

参考例句：

• She was wearing a big floppy hat.她戴了顶松软的大帽子。
• Can you copy those files onto this floppy disk?你能把那些文件复制到这张软盘上吗？

40 liking   

n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢

参考例句：

• The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
• I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

41 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

42 groaned   

v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦

参考例句：

• He groaned in anguish. 他痛苦地呻吟。
• The cart groaned under the weight of the piano. 大车在钢琴的重压下嘎吱作响。 来自《简明英汉词典》

43 labored   

adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转

参考例句：

• I was close enough to the elk to hear its labored breathing. 我离那头麋鹿非常近，能听见它吃力的呼吸声。 来自辞典例句
• They have labored to complete the job. 他们努力完成这一工作。 来自辞典例句

44 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

45 opted   

v.选择，挑选( opt的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was co-opted onto the board. 她获增选为董事会成员。
• After graduating she opted for a career in music. 毕业后她选择了从事音乐工作。

46 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

47 lodge   

v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆

参考例句：

• Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗？
• I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。

48 fabrics   

织物( fabric的名词复数 )； 布； 构造； （建筑物的）结构（如墙、地面、屋顶）：质地

参考例句：

• cotton fabrics and synthetics 棉织物与合成织物
• The fabrics are merchandised through a network of dealers. 通过经销网点销售纺织品。

49 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

50 plantations   

n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Soon great plantations, supported by slave labor, made some families very wealthy. 不久之后出现了依靠奴隶劳动的大庄园，使一些家庭成了富豪。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• Winterborne's contract was completed, and the plantations were deserted. 维恩特波恩的合同完成后，那片林地变得荒废了。 来自辞典例句

51 mansions   

n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Fifth Avenue was boarded up where the rich had deserted their mansions. 第五大道上的富翁们已经出去避暑，空出的宅第都已锁好了门窗，钉上了木板。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Oh, the mansions, the lights, the perfume, the loaded boudoirs and tables! 啊，那些高楼大厦、华灯、香水、藏金收银的闺房还有摆满山珍海味的餐桌！ 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

52 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

53 rustic   

adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬

参考例句：

• It was nearly seven months of leisurely rustic living before Michael felt real boredom.这种悠闲的乡村生活过了差不多七个月之后,迈克尔开始感到烦闷。
• We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.我们希望新鲜的空气和乡村的氛围能帮他调整自己。

54 assortment   

n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集

参考例句：

• This shop has a good assortment of goods to choose from.该店各色货物俱全，任君选择。
• She was wearing an odd assortment of clothes.她穿着奇装异服。

55 pajamas   

n.睡衣裤

参考例句：

• At bedtime,I take off my clothes and put on my pajamas.睡觉时，我脱去衣服，换上睡衣。
• He was wearing striped pajamas.他穿着带条纹的睡衣裤。