society.教育的主要职能之一是帮助未来的公民在社会上找到自己的位置。 vi.
work or operate in the correct way 正常工作；正常运转
If the Internet stopped functioning, the consequent losses could be measured in tens of billions of dollars. 如果因特网停止运作，由此产生的损失可用数百亿美元来衡量。
span
n.
[C] a period of time between two dates or events （两个日期或事件之间的）时距，期间 Property gained within the span of marriage such as salary is considered jointly owned property. 婚姻存续期间获得的财产，如工资，都视为夫妻共同财产。
The average life span for Americans is now more than 74 years. 美国人的平均寿命现在超过了74年。
scratch
n. [C]
1 (from ~) from a point where nothing has been there, so you have to do everything yourself 从零开始；从头开始；白手起家
It may be the first time in years when you have had to start from scratch making new friends. 这可能是多年来的第一次你不得不从头开始结交新朋友。
2 a thin mark or cut on the surface of sth. or on sb.‘s skin （物件或皮肤上的）刮痕，划痕 The scratch on the watch was almost too minute to see. 手表上的划痕几乎小得看不见。
tune
vt.
1 (also ~ up) make small changes to an engine so that it works as well as possible 调整，调节（发动机）使达到最佳状态
In order to keep drivers safe, mechanics are urged to make sure that car engines are properly tuned up. 为了保证司机的安全，一定要敦促机械师确保汽车发动机已调整好。 2 make small changes to a musical instrument so that it will produce the correct notes 为（乐器）调音，定弦
Someone is coming tomorrow to tune the piano. 明天会有人来给钢琴调音。
adjust
v.
change or move sth. slightly to improve it or make it more suitable for a particular purpose 调整；调节
The figures have been adjusted for inflation. 数据因通货膨胀而作了调整。 vi.
get used to a new situation by changing your ideas or the way you do things 适应 He soon adjusted to army life. 他很快就适应了军队生活。
destination
n.
[C] the place that sb. or sth. is going to 目的地；终点
Not only did he help me find the right bus, he also accompanied me to my destination and paid the entrance fee to the museum. 他不但帮我找到了正确的公车，还陪我到达了目的地，并为我支付了进入博物馆的门票。
precise
a.
exact, clear and correct 精确的；准确的
In preparing scientific reports, a student should explain his findings in precise language. 在准备科学报告时，学生应该用精确的语言来解释他的发现。
beneficial
a.
having a good effect 有利的；有帮助的；有用的
The researcher is attempting to show how parents can have beneficial conversations with their children. 这位研究者正试图示范父母可以如何跟他们的孩子展开有益的对话。
asset
n.
1 [C] a major benefit 有利条件；长处
Knowing a foreign language is an important skill, a major social and business asset that will bring new life to the worlds of travel and entertainment. 懂外语是一门重要的技能，是促进社交和商贸的一个有利条件，它会给旅游和娱乐业带来新的生机。
2 [C, usu. pl.] the things that a company owns, that can be sold to pay debts 资产；财产 In addition to the money in a bank account, my assets include my house, my car, and my furniture. 除了银行账户里的钱以外，我的资产还包括房子、车子和家具。
sour
a.
having a sharp acid taste, like the taste of a lemon or a fruit that is not ready to be eaten 酸的
In my mouth I have a sour, vinegar taste coming from the pit of my stomach. 在我的嘴里有从胃中返出的醋酸味。
subjunctive
a.
used in grammar to express doubt, wishes, etc. （语法中的）虚拟语气的 n.
（语法中的）虚拟语气
Please notice the subjunctive mood used in the sentence. 请注意在句子中的虚拟语气。
Phrases and expressions
be/feel obliged to do sth.
if you are obliged to do sth., you have to do it because the situation, the law, a duty, etc. makes it necessary （因形势、法律、义务等关系而）非做不可，迫使
I think Valentine‘s Day is a waste of time, but I still feel obliged to send my wife a card. 我觉得情人节是在浪费时间，但我还是觉得有义务送贺卡给我妻子。
get/be serious about
if you are serious about sth., you really mean it and are not joking or pretending 对…是认真的；并非开玩笑的
When you are staying with your roommates, you cannot get too serious about privacy. 你和你的室友相处的时候，不能太计较隐私。
run into sb.
(infml.) meet sb. by chance 偶然遇见某人
You forgot all about your cousin‘s birthday until you suddenly ran into her today. 要不是你今天偶然遇见了你表姐，你已全然忘记了她的生日。
fresh from
having just come from a particular place or experience 刚从…来的；刚有…经历的 School principals should not expect teachers, fresh from college, to deal with a large group of difficult children. 学校的校长不应该指望刚从大学毕业的老师来应付一大群难以对
付的孩子。
I‘ve returned to the office, fresh from New York. 我刚从纽约回来，现已回到了办公室。
distinguish between
recognize and understand the difference between two or more things or people 区分；辨别
The ability to read in a critical way involves the ability to distinguish between facts and the writer‘s opinions or interpretations. 批判性阅读能力包括区分什么是事实、什么是作者自己的看法或解释的能力。
Some Christians do not want to distinguish between what are facts and what is myth. 一些基督徒不想辨别什么是事实，什么是神话。
nail sth. down
1 fasten sth. to sth. else with nails 钉；将某物钉牢
Will you nail down that loose board in the floor? 请把那块松动的地板钉牢好吗？ 2 (infml.) reach a final and definite agreement or decision about sth. 最终确定；对某事作出定论
Two days isn‘t enough to nail down the details of an agreement. 要把协议的所有细节都确定下来，两天的时间是不够的。
thrust sth. upon sb.
(usu. passive) force sb. to do or accept sth. 迫使某人做某事；迫使某人接受某事 She never enjoyed the fame that was thrust on her. 对于强加给她的名声，她从未感到过开心。
get/feel/be lost
be unable to understand sth. because it is new, difficult, complicated, etc. 迷惘；困惑；不知所措
When you read faster, your comprehension goes up because instead of getting lost in the words, you see the general picture. 当你快速阅读的时候，理解力会上升，因为你看到的是一个整体画面，而没有拘泥于单个词汇。
become/be attracted to sth.
become/be interested in sth. 对某事/物产生兴趣