She once laughed at herself when she went through the dreaded¹ ritual of crawling onto her stationary² bike at dawn and pedaling away, going nowhere as the sun crept up and lightened her little gym. For a woman whose public veneer³ was a somber⁴ face behind an intimidating⁵ black robe, she was amused at what people would think if they could see her on the bike, in old sweats, hair a mess, eyes swollen⁶, face unadorned with cosmetics⁷. But that was a long time ago. Now she just went through the routine with little thought of how she looked or what anyone might think. Of particular concern now was the fact that she had gained five pounds over the holidays, eleven since her divorce. The gaining had to be stopped before the losing could commence. At fifty-one, the pounds were clinging now, refusing to burn away as quickly as when she was younger.

         Sheila McCarthy was not a morning person. She hated mornings, hated getting out of bed before her sleep was finished, hated the cheery voices on television, hated the traffic on the way to the office. She didn't eat breakfast, because she hated breakfast food. She hated coffee. She had always secretly loathed⁸ those who reveled in their early morning exploits-the joggers, yoga nuts, workaholics, hyperactive soccer moms.

         As a young circuit court judge in Biloxi, she had often scheduled trials for 10:00 a.m., a scandalous hour. But it was her court and she made the rules.

         Now she was one of nine, and the tribunal on which she served clung desperately⁹

点击收听单词发音  

1 dreaded
adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句：
The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。 He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》

2 stationary
adj.固定的，静止不动的
参考例句：
A stationary object is easy to be aimed at.一个静止不动的物体是容易瞄准的。 Wait until the bus is stationary before you get off.你要等公共汽车停稳了再下车。

3 veneer
n.(墙上的)饰面，虚饰
参考例句：
For the first time her veneer of politeness began to crack.她温文尔雅的外表第一次露出破绽。 The panel had a veneer of gold and ivory.这木板上面镶饰了一层金和象牙。

4 somber
adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的
参考例句：
He had a somber expression on his face.他面容忧郁。 His coat was a somber brown.他的衣服是暗棕色的。

5 intimidating
vt.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的现在分词)
参考例句：
They were accused of intimidating people into voting for them. 他们被控胁迫选民投他们的票。 This kind of questioning can be very intimidating to children. 这种问话的方式可能让孩子们非常害怕。

6 swollen
adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀
参考例句：
Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。 A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。

7 cosmetics
n.化妆品
参考例句：
We sell a wide range of cosmetics at a very reasonable price. 我们以公道的价格出售各种化妆品。 Cosmetics do not always cover up the deficiencies of nature. 化妆品未能掩饰天生的缺陷。

8 loathed
v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的过去式和过去分词 )；极不喜欢
参考例句：
Baker loathed going to this red-haired young pup for supplies. 面包师傅不喜欢去这个红头发的自负的傻小子那里拿原料。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Therefore, above all things else, he loathed his miserable self! 因此，他厌恶不幸的自我尤胜其它！ 来自英汉文学 - 红字

9 desperately
adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地
参考例句：
He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。 He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

10 gushed
v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话
参考例句：
Oil gushed from the well. 石油从井口喷了出来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 Clear water gushed into the irrigational channel. 清澈的水涌进了灌溉渠道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

11 wrecks
n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉
参考例句：
The shores are strewn with wrecks. 海岸上满布失事船只的残骸。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》 My next care was to get together the wrecks of my fortune. 第二件我所关心的事就是集聚破产后的余财。 来自辞典例句

12 analyze
vt.分析，解析 (=analyse)
参考例句：
We should analyze the cause and effect of this event.我们应该分析这场事变的因果。 The teacher tried to analyze the cause of our failure.老师设法分析我们失败的原因。

13 treadmill
n.踏车；单调的工作
参考例句：
The treadmill has a heart rate monitor.跑步机上有个脉搏监视器。 Drugs remove man from the treadmill of routine.药物可以使人摆脱日常单调的工作带来的疲劳。

14 convertible
adj.可改变的，可交换，同意义的；n.有活动摺篷的汽车
参考例句：
The convertible sofa means that the apartment can sleep four.有了这张折叠沙发，公寓里可以睡下4个人。 That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了。

15 supreme
adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的
参考例句：
It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。 He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

16 judicial
adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的
参考例句：
He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。 Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

17 legislative
n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的
参考例句：
Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。 Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

18 retirement
n.退休，退职
参考例句：
She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。 I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

19 predecessor
n.前辈，前任
参考例句：
It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。 The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

20 rumor
n.谣言，谣传，传说
参考例句：
The rumor has been traced back to a bad man.那谣言经追查是个坏人造的。 The rumor has taken air.谣言流传开了。

21 consensus
n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识
参考例句：
Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？ What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

22 activist
n.活动分子，积极分子
参考例句：
He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。 He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

23 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

24 influential
adj.有影响的，有权势的
参考例句：
He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。 He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

25 broker
n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排
参考例句：
He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。 I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。

26 underneath
adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面
参考例句：
Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。 She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

27 suite
n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员
参考例句：
She has a suite of rooms in the hotel.她在那家旅馆有一套房间。 That is a nice suite of furniture.那套家具很不错。

28 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。

29 makeup
n.组织；性格；化装品
参考例句：
Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。 Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

30 kit
n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物
参考例句：
The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。 The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

31 awfully
adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地
参考例句：
Agriculture was awfully neglected in the past.过去农业遭到严重忽视。 I've been feeling awfully bad about it.对这我一直感到很难受。

32 rumors
n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷
参考例句：
Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

33 standing
n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的
参考例句：
After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。 They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

34 zipper
n.拉链；v.拉上拉链
参考例句：
The zipper is red.这条拉链是红色的。 The zipper is a wonderful invention.拉链是个了不起的发明。

35 tugged
v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. 她拽了拽他的袖子引起他的注意。 A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 他的嘴角带一丝苦笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

36 rattled
慌乱的，恼火的
参考例句：
The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. 卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。 Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled. 每逢公共汽车经过这里，窗户都格格作响。

37 demise
n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让
参考例句：
He praised the union's aims but predicted its early demise.他赞扬协会的目标，但预期这一协会很快会消亡。 The war brought about the industry's sudden demise.战争道致这个行业就这么突然垮了。

38 countless
adj.无数的，多得不计其数的
参考例句：
In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。 I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

39 deflected
偏离的
参考例句：
The ball deflected off Reid's body into the goal. 球打在里德身上反弹进球门。 Most of its particles are deflected. 此物质的料子大多是偏斜的。

40 partnership
n.合作关系，伙伴关系
参考例句：
The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。 Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

41 lawsuit
n.诉讼，控诉
参考例句：
They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。 He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。

42 retail
v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格
参考例句：
In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。 These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

43 murky
adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗
参考例句：
She threw it into the river's murky depths.她把它扔进了混浊的河水深处。 She had a decidedly murky past.她的历史背景令人捉摸不透。

44 loyalties
n.忠诚( loyalty的名词复数 )；忠心；忠于…感情；要忠于…的强烈感情
参考例句：
an intricate network of loyalties and relationships 忠诚与义气构成的盘根错节的网络 Rows with one's in-laws often create divided loyalties. 与姻亲之间的矛盾常常让人两面为难。 来自《简明英汉词典》

45 worthy
adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的
参考例句：
I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。 There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

46 replacement
n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品
参考例句：
We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。 They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

47 coordination
n.协调，协作
参考例句：
Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。 The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

48 egos
自我，自尊，自负( ego的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Their egos are so easily bruised. 他们的自尊心很容易受到伤害。 The belief in it issues from the puerile egos of inferior men. 这种信仰是下等人幼稚的自私意识中产生的。

49 plunged
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降
参考例句：
The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。 She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

50 bucks
n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃
参考例句：
They cost ten bucks. 这些值十元钱。 They are hunting for bucks. 他们正在猎雄兔。 来自《简明英汉词典》

51 expenditures
n.花费( expenditure的名词复数 )；使用；（尤指金钱的）支出额；（精力、时间、材料等的）耗费
参考例句：
We have overspent.We'll have to let up our expenditures next month. 我们已经超支了，下个月一定得节约开支。 来自《简明英汉词典》 The pension includes an allowance of fifty pounds for traffic expenditures. 年金中包括50镑交通费补贴。 来自《简明英汉词典》

52 folders
n.文件夹( folder的名词复数 )；纸夹；（某些计算机系统中的）文件夹；页面叠
参考例句：
Encrypt and compress individual files and folders. The program is compact, efficient and user friendly. 加密和压缩的个人档案和folders.the计划是紧凑，高效和用户友好。 来自互联网 By insertion of photocopies,all folders can be maintained complete with little extra effort. 插入它的复制本，不费多大力量就能使所有文件夹保持完整。 来自辞典例句

53 actively
adv.积极地，勤奋地
参考例句：
During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。 We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

54 dubious
adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的
参考例句：
What he said yesterday was dubious.他昨天说的话很含糊。 He uses some dubious shifts to get money.他用一些可疑的手段去赚钱。

55 activists
n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )
参考例句：
His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。 Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

56 adjourning
（使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的现在分词 )
参考例句：
Before adjourning, councillors must stop procrastinating and revisit this controversial issue. 在休会之前，参议员必须停止拖延，重新讨论这个引起争议的问题。 They decided upon adjourning the session. 他们决定休会。

57 secrecy
n.秘密，保密，隐蔽
参考例句：
All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。 Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。

58 mere
adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过
参考例句：
That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。 It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

59 bicker
vi.(为小事)吵嘴，争吵
参考例句：
The two children used to bicker about who should do the washing-up.这两个小孩子过去常为该由谁洗餐具一事而争吵。 They always bicker when they meet at school.在学校见面时他们总是争吵。

60 negligence
n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意
参考例句：
They charged him with negligence of duty.他们指责他玩忽职守。 The traffic accident was allegedly due to negligence.这次车祸据说是由于疏忽造成的。

61 ailments
疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 )
参考例句：
His ailments include a mild heart attack and arthritis. 他患有轻度心脏病和关节炎。 He hospitalizes patients for minor ailments. 他把只有小病的患者也送进医院。

62 sterling
adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)
参考例句：
Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？ Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。

63 appalling
adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的
参考例句：
The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions.恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。 Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.这种骇人听闻的行径罪无可恕。

64 soothed
v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦
参考例句：
The music soothed her for a while. 音乐让她稍微安静了一会儿。 The soft modulation of her voice soothed the infant. 她柔和的声调使婴儿安静了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》