1. 认识这个词(基础篇)
词:recipe
英英释义:a way of doing something that will produce a particular result
例句:Ambition without action is a recipe for failure.
2. 体会这个词 (进阶篇)
“recipe”的本意是“菜谱”,它常常可以被引申为表示导致某个结果的“原因” “必备因素”。在一些场景中,我们可以用它来替换 cause,lead to 这些表示“导致”的表达。
recipe 常接介词 for,后面跟的名词可以是正向含义的,比如 success,happiness,这时 recipe 可以理解为“诀窍”;也可以是有负向意义的名词,比如 failure,disaster,chaos(混乱)。
比如我们想说成功的关键是要有好主意和执行力,我们就可以说:
Good ideas with great execution are a recipe for success.
execution/ˌɛksıˈkjuːʃən/
2 [ noncount ] : the act of doing or performing something
We put the plan into execution. [=we executed the plan]
比如我们想说光有雄心壮志,但是没有行动,到头来注定要失败,就可以说:
Ambition without action is a recipe for failure.
我们常说“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” 其实说的就是保持健康的配方,就是要吃有营养的食物。这时我们就可以把它改编成:
Eating nutrition-rich food is a recipe for good health.
这期的《经济学人》在点评美国的中期选举时就用到了 recipe。中期选举后,美国国会分裂,共和党和民主党分别掌管参众两院,《经济学人》认为这种分裂会导致一系列问题:
In a country where one chamber of the legislature is based on population and the other on territory, this division is a recipe for gridlock(僵局), poor governance and, eventually, disenchantment(幻想破灭) with the political system itself.
3. 从认识到会用(作业)
1)使用《牛津英语搭配词典》查“recipe”,了解它的常用搭配。
① a recipe for disaster/success
导致灾祸的原因;成功的诀窍
② sure recipe
(figurative) 可靠的方法:Turning away under a strong attack is a sure recipe for defeat. 遭遇犟劲攻击时躲避开来是获胜的要诀。
2)翻译下面的句子:
学好英语的诀窍是要有强烈的学习和练习意愿。
Strong willingness to study and practice is a recipe for learning good English.
(参考翻译:A(冠词) strong willingness to learn and practice is the recipe for English fluency.
或者 The recipe for English fluency requires a strong willingness to learn and practice.)
3)结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等,想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达。先简要描述这个场景,再造句。
场景:良好的精神面貌和高效行动是幸福生活的要诀。
造句:Good mental outlook and high efficiency action are a recipe for happy life.
Q:什么时候用冠词,什么时候可以不用冠词?
A:零冠词,一般用于许多专有名词、抽象名词和物质名词前。
如 Beijing、knowledge(知识)、lead(铅)
——《薄冰英语语法》 第三章 冠词 P55