Using Language 课文精读 · 改变我们对宇宙认识的人
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Albert Einstein, who is perhaps the greatest scientist in modern physics, is often considered one of the smartest men who ever lived. He made numerous contributions to the world, the most well-known being the general theory of relativity and the famous formula E=mc². Einstein was not only a genius; he was a courageous and kind figure loved by many people.
阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦，也许是现代物理学中最伟大的科学家，通常被认为是有史以来最聪明的人之一。他对世界做出了许多贡献，其中最著名的是广义相对论和著名的公式 E=mc²。爱因斯坦不仅是个天才，他还是一个勇敢而善良、深受许多人喜爱的人物。
第2段
At the age of 16, he tried to go to university in Switzerland. Although he did extremely well in mathematics and physics, he failed to pass the general part of the entrance examination. After studying for another year, he passed the exam, entered university in 1896 and graduated in 1900. After spending two years looking for a job as a teacher, Einstein took a position as a clerk in the Swiss patent office. While working there, out of a strong passion for knowledge, he continued to study and earned a doctorate in physics in 1905. That same year, later recorded as a miracle year in science, he published four extraordinary physics papers. Following this, he gradually became famous around the world as the new Isaac Newton. After four years, he was able to quit his job at the patent office and do full-time research at a university. In 1922, he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
16岁时，他曾试图去瑞士上大学。尽管他在数学和物理方面成绩优异，但他未能通过入学考试的综合部分。经过又一年的学习，他通过了考试，于1896年进入大学，1900年毕业。在找了两年的教师工作后，爱因斯坦在瑞士专利局谋得一份职员的工作。在此工作期间，出于对知识的强烈热情，他继续学习，并于1905年获得物理学博士学位。同年，他发表了四篇杰出的物理学论文，这一年后来被誉为科学史上的奇迹之年。此后，他逐渐以"新艾萨克·牛顿"闻名于世。四年后，他得以辞去专利局的工作，在一所大学从事全职研究。1922年，他因对光电效应的解释而被授予1921年诺贝尔物理学奖。
第3段
Circumstances changed in 1933, when Hitler came to power in Germany. Einstein, who was Jewish, found the doors of academic institutions closed to him. As a consequence, he had to flee Germany. After spending time in Europe, he finally took up a position as a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, USA. Following that, he continued to make great achievements in physics and mathematics.
1933年，当希特勒在德国掌权时，情况发生了变化。身为犹太人的爱因斯坦发现学术机构的大门对他关闭了。结果，他不得不逃离德国。在欧洲待了一段时间后，他终于在美国普林斯顿高等研究院担任研究员。此后，他在物理学和数学方面继续取得巨大成就。
第4段
To the public, he was seen as a slightly odd-looking but kind and funny man. He had a thick moustache and long white hair, which sometimes stood on end as though he had just received an electric shock. Although he was a genius, he sometimes forgot things, like his friends' birthdays. But despite his peculiarities, he was loved by his friends and neighbours. There is even a story about how he helped a little girl who knocked on his door and asked for help with her homework. In fact, Einstein often encountered people on the street who would stop him and ask him to help explain things. After many such occasions, he finally started saying, "Pardon me! Sorry! Always I am mistaken for Professor Einstein!"
在公众看来，他是一个外表略显古怪但善良又有趣的人。他胡须浓密，白发很长，有时竖立着，就好像刚遭了电击。虽然他是个天才，但他有时会忘事，比如朋友的生日。尽管他有这些怪癖，他仍深受朋友和邻居们的喜爱。甚至还有一个关于他如何帮助一个小女孩的故事：女孩敲开他的门，请他帮忙做家庭作业。事实上，爱因斯坦经常在街上遇到拦住他、请他帮忙解释事情的人。经过许多这样的场合后，他终于开始说："对不起！抱歉！我总是被误认为是爱因斯坦教授！"
第5段
On 18 April 1955, it was reported that Einstein had passed away, and the whole world mourned the great loss of a brilliant scientist.
1955年4月18日，据报道爱因斯坦与世长辞，全世界都为一位杰出科学家的逝世而哀悼。
二、重点单词
contribution n.：贡献；捐献。made numerous contributions to the world
relativity n.：相对论；相对性。the general theory of relativity
genius n.：天才；天赋。Einstein was not only a genius
courageous adj.：勇敢的；有胆量的。a courageous and kind figure
entrance n.：入口；进入；入学。the entrance examination
passion n.：热情；酷爱。out of a strong passion for knowledge
doctorate n.：博士学位。earned a doctorate in physics
extraordinary adj.：非凡的；异常的。four extraordinary physics papers
institution n.：机构；制度。academic institutions
peculiarity n.：特性；怪癖。despite his peculiarities
mourn v.：哀悼；忧伤。the whole world mourned ...
三、一词多义与熟词生义
figure 常见义"数字、人物、图形"，课文中 a courageous and kind figure 指"人物、人士"，偏褒义。
position 常见义"位置、姿势"，课文中 took a position as a clerk / researcher 意为"职位、职务"。
stand 常见义"站立"，课文中 stood on end 为固定搭配，意为"（头发）竖起来、直立"。
encounter 常见义"遭遇（困难）"，课文中 encountered people 意为"偶然遇到、碰见（人）"。
occasion 常见义"场合、时机"，课文中 After many such occasions 指"这样的情形 / 场合"。
四、重点词块
be considered ... 被认为是……
make contributions to 对……做出贡献
the general theory of relativity 广义相对论
at the age of 在……岁时
fail to do 未能做……
out of a passion for 出于对……的热爱
earn a doctorate 获得博士学位
be awarded ... for 因……而被授予……
come to power 掌权；上台
as a consequence 结果；因此
take up a position 担任 / 就任某一职位
make achievements 取得成就
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】Albert Einstein, who is perhaps the greatest scientist in modern physics, is often considered one of the smartest men who ever lived.
【主干】Albert Einstein is often considered one of the smartest men.
【分层】who is perhaps ... 为非限制性定语从句修饰 Einstein；one of the smartest men 后接 who ever lived 限制性定语从句；in modern physics 为介词短语作定语。
【译文】阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦，也许是现代物理学中最伟大的科学家，通常被认为是有史以来最聪明的人之一。
【考点】非限制性定语从句；one of + 最高级 + 复数名词 + 定语从句；被动语态。
【原句 2】He made numerous contributions to the world, the most well-known being the general theory of relativity and the famous formula E=mc².
【主干】He made numerous contributions to the world.
【分层】the most well-known being ... 为独立主格（名词 + 现在分词）作状语，补充说明贡献中最著名者；being 的逻辑主语是前文的 contributions。
【译文】他对世界做出了许多贡献，其中最著名的是广义相对论和著名的公式 E=mc²。
【考点】独立主格结构（名词 + doing）；逗号后非谓语动词作补充说明。
【原句 3】He had a thick moustache and long white hair, which sometimes stood on end as though he had just received an electric shock.
【主干】He had a thick moustache and long white hair.
【分层】which 引导非限制性定语从句修饰 hair；as though 引导方式状语从句，从句用虚拟语气 had received 表示与过去相反。
【译文】他胡须浓密，白发很长，有时竖立着，就好像刚遭了电击。
【考点】非限制性定语从句；as though 引导虚拟语气状语从句。
六、语法点清单
1. 非限制性定语从句（who / which）
who is perhaps ... 与 which sometimes stood on end 均修饰先行词，用逗号隔开，补充说明。
2. 独立主格结构
the most well-known being ...。形式为"名词 + 现在分词"，在句中作状语，逻辑主语独立于主句。
3. as though 引导的虚拟语气
as though he had just received an electric shock。与过去事实相反，用过去完成时。
4. 被动语态（一般过去时 / 现在时）
is often considered ...；was awarded ...。强调"被认为 / 被授予"。
5. 介词短语作定语 / 状语
in modern physics；out of a strong passion for knowledge；for his explanation of the photoelectric effect。
6. 并列结构
a clerk ... / a courageous and kind figure；mourned the great loss of a brilliant scientist。
七、逻辑链
总评（第1段）：定调——爱因斯坦是伟大的科学家，更是善良勇敢的人
↓
求学历程（第2段）：少年求学受挫 → 专利局自学 → 1905奇迹年 → 诺贝尔奖
↓
命运转折（第3段）：1933年纳粹掌权，流亡美国，继续科研
↓
人格侧写（第4段）：外表古怪却和善，小事见真性情
↓
落幕（第5段）：1955年逝世，举世哀悼
这是一篇"总—分—总"的人物传记：第1段先立人物形象；第2—4段按时间线与侧面（求学、流亡、性格）展开；第5段以逝世收束，呼应开头的"伟大"。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：... is often considered one of the ... who ever lived.
课文：Albert Einstein ... is often considered one of the smartest men who ever lived.
仿写：She is often considered one of the most devoted teachers who ever taught in this school.（她常被认为是本校历史上最敬业教师之一。）——用于人物评价。
模板 2：... made numerous contributions to ..., the most well-known being ...
课文：He made numerous contributions to the world, the most well-known being the general theory of relativity ...
仿写：The scientist made numerous contributions to medicine, the most well-known being the new vaccine.（这位科学家对医学贡献良多，最著名的是新疫苗。）——用于列举成就。
模板 3：Although he did well in ..., he failed to ...
课文：Although he did extremely well in mathematics and physics, he failed to pass ...
仿写：Although he did well in theory, he failed to apply it in practice.（尽管理论出色，他却未能应用于实践。）——用于转折铺垫。
模板 4：As a consequence, he had to ...
课文：As a consequence, he had to flee Germany.
仿写：As a consequence, he had to give up his original plan.（结果，他不得不放弃原定计划。）——用于因果衔接。
模板 5：... was awarded ... for ...
课文：he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
仿写：She was awarded the prize for her pioneering research.（她因开创性研究而获奖。）——用于写荣誉。
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