Lesson 3 课文精读 · The Road to Destruction
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
Part 1 第1部分
对话一
"This morning, it took me 40 minutes to go downtown. More roadworks on the A10!"
"今天早上，我花了40分钟去市中心。A10公路上的很多地方在施工!"
对话二
"Oh really? It took me over an hour. There was an accident on the M11."
"真的吗？我花了一个多小时。M11公路上发生了一起事故。"
第1段
How often have you heard these conversations? How often do we get stuck in traffic jams? How often do we arrive at work or school, stressed out, tired and angry? For many people, the answer is every day. But personal anger and stress are nothing compared to the real costs socially. Here are some figures about Britain:
你每隔多久会听到这样的谈话？有多少次我们碰到交通阻塞而动弹不得？又有多少次，当我们抵达工作地点或学校时感到心力交瘁、心烦气躁？对很多人来说，答案是每天。但是和真正的社会损失相比，个人的愤怒和焦虑根本不值一提。以下是一些关于英国的数据：
数据清单（关于英国）：
- In the last 20 years, the number of cars on the roads has gone up by 25%. There are now 32 million cars.
在过去的20年里，道路上的汽车数量增加了25%。现在有3200万辆汽车。 - Over the last decade, an average of 2,500 people have died every year in vehicle accidents.
在过去十年中，每年平均有2500人死于交通事故。 - Traffic is one of the major causes of global warming and climate change, as car engines produce various types of greenhouse gases.
交通是全球变暖和气候变化的主要原因之一，因为汽车发动机会产生各类温室气体。 - Almost 30,000 deaths per year are caused by air pollution.
每年有近3万人死于空气污染。 - Some types of cancer are related to traffic pollution.
多种癌症与交通污染有关。
Part 2 第2部分
第2段
We know that cars are bad for us. But we all make excuses: "The buses are terrible"; "The trains are always late"; "I haven't got time to walk". I'm talking about myself, too. To be frank, I'm addicted to my car. When I asked Jenny Trowe of Greenpeace for advice about how to give up, she told me five things:
我们知道汽车带来的危害，但总能找到借口:"公共汽车很糟糕""火车总是晚点""我没有时间走路"。我说的也包括我自己。坦率地说，我离不开车。当我向绿色和平组织的詹妮·特洛维询问如何放弃车时，她给了五条建议：
建议清单（绿色和平组织 Jenny Trowe 的五条）：
- Use your legs. In 2014, over 55% of car journeys were under eight kilometres. Instead of taking short car journeys, we could easily walk or cycle. Leg power can save your money, keep you fit and help you live longer. Regular exercise also cuts the risk of heart disease by 50%!
走路。2014年，超过55%的汽车行程不到8公里。可以轻易地用走路或骑行来代替短途的开车出行。利用脚力行走可以省钱，保持健康并帮助延长寿命。经常锻炼也能降低50%患心脏病的风险！ - Use public transport. Up to 90 people can travel in one bus, while the same number will need at least 18 cars. Sometimes it can take a little bit longer, but so what? You can relax, read a book, talk to someone—who knows?
使用公共交通工具。一辆公共汽车最多可以乘坐90人，而乘坐小轿车这些人至少需要18辆。有时坐公共汽车可能需要更长的时间，但那又怎样？你可以放松一下、读一本书、和别人交谈——谁知道呢? - Think before you go. Do you really have to go to that shopping centre on the other side of town? What about the shops around the corner? Before you get into your car, think about whether you really need to make that journey.
出发之前先想想。你真的要去镇上另一边的那个购物中心吗？拐角处的商店怎么样？在上车之前，想想你是否真的需要开车去那个地方。 - Share cars. If you really have to use a car, share journeys with someone else. It is much cheaper and kinder to the environment.
共享汽车。如果不得不用车，与其他人共用一辆车。这样更便宜，也更环保。 - Take action! We often think there is nothing we can do about the noise, pollution and danger of traffic. There is. If your street is full of heavy traffic, talk to your neighbours about it. Write to the papers. Go to the city government. Ask for a speed limit. Do whichever of these things that suit you. Don't just sit around and complain!
采取行动！我们经常觉得面对噪音、污染和交通危险，自己无能为力。其实可以有所为。如果你那条街的交通繁忙，去和邻居们谈谈，向媒体反映，去市政府，申请设置限速。做你能做的任何事情，别光坐在那里抱怨！
结尾段
All quite simple, isn't it? Five easy ways to improve our environment. Well, I'm sorry I have to finish this article, but I've got to pick up my daughter from school at 4 pm. Then I've got to drive to the supermarket to do the shopping. After that, I have to take my son to a party. The traffic is going to be horrible, but what can I do?
这些都很简单，不是吗？五种简单方法就可以改善环境。好吧，很抱歉我要结束这篇文章了，因为下午4点我得去学校接女儿。然后开车去超市购物，还得带儿子去参加一个派对。交通将会非常糟，但我能怎么办呢？
二、重点单词
destruction n.：毁灭，破坏。The Road to Destruction
roadworks n.：道路施工（复数）。More roadworks on the A10
downtown adv./n.：市中心（的），去市中心。go downtown
accident n.：事故，意外。There was an accident
stuck adj.：被困住的，动弹不得的。get stuck in traffic jams
jam n.：堵塞。traffic jams
stressed adj.：焦虑的，心力交瘁的。stressed out, tired and angry
anger n.：愤怒，气恼。personal anger and stress
stress n.：压力，焦虑。anger and stress
compare v.：比较，对比。compared to the real costs
cost n.：代价，损失；费用。the real costs socially
figure n.：数据，数字。some figures about Britain
decade n.：十年。Over the last decade
average n./adj.：平均数；平均的。an average of 2,500 people
vehicle n.：车辆，交通工具。vehicle accidents
major adj.：主要的，重要的。the major causes
climate n.：气候。climate change
engine n.：发动机，引擎。car engines
various adj.：各种各样的。various types of greenhouse gases
greenhouse n.：温室。greenhouse gases
death n.：死亡。30,000 deaths per year
pollution n.：污染。air pollution
cancer n.：癌症。Some types of cancer
relate v.：联系，关联。are related to
excuse n.：借口，理由。we all make excuses
frank adj.：坦率的，直率的。To be frank
addicted adj.：上瘾的，离不开的。I'm addicted to my car
journey n.：行程，出行。car journeys
cycle v.：骑自行车。walk or cycle
fit adj.：健康的。keep you fit
regular adj.：定期的，经常的。Regular exercise
exercise n.：锻炼，运动。Regular exercise
cut v.：减少，降低。cuts the risk of heart disease
risk n.：风险，危险。the risk of heart disease
disease n.：疾病。heart disease
transport n.：交通，运输。public transport
relax v.：放松。You can relax
share v.：共用，分享。share journeys with someone else
environment n.：环境。kinder to the environment
action n.：行动。Take action
noise n.：噪音。the noise, pollution and danger
danger n.：危险。danger of traffic
neighbour n.：邻居。talk to your neighbours
government n.：政府。the city government
limit n.：限制，限度。a speed limit
suit v.：适合，适宜。things that suit you
complain v.：抱怨，发牢骚。sit around and complain
horrible adj.：糟糕的，可怕的。The traffic is going to be horrible
三、一词多义与熟词生义
stuck 常见义为 stick 的过去分词"粘贴、刺入"，课文 get stuck in traffic jams 中作形容词，意为"被困住的、动弹不得的"，get stuck in 为固定搭配。
stressed out 常见义为"紧张的、有压力的"，课文 arrive ... stressed out, tired and angry 中意为"心力交瘁的、疲惫焦虑的"，与 tired、angry 并列，程度更重。
figure 常见义为"身材、图形、人物"，课文 Here are some figures about Britain 中意为"数据、数字"，是说明文引出统计时的高频用法。
average 常见义为形容词"平均的"，课文 an average of 2,500 people 中作名词，意为"平均数"，an average of 后接具体数字表示"平均有……"。
cost 常见义为"费用、成本"（金钱），课文 the real costs socially 中意为"（社会付出的）代价、损失"，是抽象引申义，复数表多方面的代价。
major 常见义为名词"（大学）专业"，课文 one of the major causes 中作形容词，意为"主要的、重要的"。
relate 常见义为"讲述、叙述（故事）"，课文 are related to traffic pollution 中用于被动，意为"与……有关联、与……有牵连"。
excuse 常见义为动词"原谅"，课文 we all make excuses 中作名词，意为"借口、托词"，make excuses（找借口）为固定搭配。
frank 常见义为形容词"坦率的"，课文 To be frank 中构成插入语，意为"坦率地说、说实话"，用于主动承认不足，语气诚恳。
addicted 常见义为"上瘾的"（多指烟酒、毒品），课文 I'm addicted to my car 中幽默引申为"离不开、对……成瘾"，把开车比作戒不掉的瘾。
journey 常见义为"旅程"（多指长途），课文 over 55% of car journeys were under eight kilometres 中指"（日常短途的）出行、行程"，说明多数开车其实只需短距离。
power 常见义为"力量、电力、权力"，课文 Leg power 中为幽默造词，意为"脚力、走路的能力"，与 car（汽车动力）相对。
cut 常见义为"切、割、剪"，课文 cuts the risk of heart disease by 50% 中意为"降低、减少（风险/数量）"，后接 by + 幅度。
suit 常见义为名词"套装、西装"，课文 Do whichever of these things that suit you 中作动词，意为"适合于、适宜于"，指符合自身情况。
pick up 常见义为"捡起、拾起"，课文 pick up my daughter from school 中意为"（开车）接某人"，是日常高频义项。
horrible 常见义为"可怕的、令人恐惧的"，课文 The traffic is going to be horrible 中弱化为"糟糕透了的、极坏的"，用于口语抱怨。
四、重点词块
go downtown 去市中心
roadworks on ... ……上的道路施工
get stuck in traffic jams 被困在交通堵塞中
arrive at work or school 到达工作地点或学校
stressed out 心力交瘁的，焦虑不安的
compared to / with 与……相比
the real costs 真正的代价
go up by 增长了（……幅度）
the number of ... ……的数量
an average of 平均有……
vehicle accidents 交通事故
the major causes of 是……的主要原因
global warming 全球变暖
climate change 气候变化
car engines 汽车发动机
various types of 各类，多种
greenhouse gases 温室气体
air pollution 空气污染
be caused by 由……引起
be related to 与……有关
be bad for 对……有害
make excuses 找借口
to be frank 坦率地说
be addicted to 对……上瘾，离不开
ask sb. for advice 向某人征求建议
give up 放弃
car journeys 汽车出行/行程
instead of 而不是，代替
leg power 脚力（走路出行）
save your money 省钱
keep you fit 使你保持健康
regular exercise 经常锻炼
cut the risk of 降低……的风险
heart disease 心脏病
public transport 公共交通
up to 多达，至多
so what 那又怎样
think before you go 出发前先想想
on the other side of town 在城镇的另一边
around the corner 在拐角处，就在附近
get into your car 上车
make that journey 走那一趟路
share cars 拼车，共用汽车
be kinder to the environment 对环境更友好
take action 采取行动
heavy traffic 繁忙的交通
write to the papers 向报社/媒体反映
the city government 市政府
ask for a speed limit 申请设置限速
sit around 闲坐着，无所事事
pick up sb. 接某人
do the shopping 购物
what can I do 我能怎么办呢
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】"This morning, it took me 40 minutes to go downtown. More roadworks on the A10!"
【主干】... it took me 40 minutes to go downtown.
【分层】It takes sb. + 时间 + to do sth. 为固定句型，it 为形式主语，真正主语是不定式 to go downtown；go downtown 中 downtown 作副词，意为"去市中心"；后句 More roadworks on the A10 为省略句（名词短语），完整理解为 There are more roadworks ...，是口语中常见的简洁表达。
【译文】"今天早上，我花了40分钟去市中心。A10公路上的很多地方在施工!"
【考点】It takes sb. + 时间 + to do 句型；省略句（口语）。
【原句 2】How often have you heard these conversations? How often do we get stuck in traffic jams? How often do we arrive at work or school, stressed out, tired and angry?
【主干】How often have you heard ...? How often do we get stuck ...? How often do we arrive ...?
【分层】三个 How often 开头的特殊疑问句构成排比，how often 对频率提问，意为"多久一次"；第一句用现在完成时 have heard 强调"至今听过多少次"，后两句用一般现在时表经常性；stressed out, tired and angry 为三个并列的形容词（短语）作主语补足语，说明抵达时的状态。
【译文】你每隔多久会听到这样的谈话？有多少次我们碰到交通阻塞而动弹不得？又有多少次，当我们抵达工作地点或学校时感到心力交瘁、心烦气躁？
【考点】How often 频率提问；排比句；形容词作主语补足语。
【原句 3】But personal anger and stress are nothing compared to the real costs socially.
【主干】... personal anger and stress are nothing ...
【分层】compared to the real costs 为过去分词短语作状语，相当于 if they are compared to ...，表"相比之下"；be nothing 意为"算不了什么、微不足道"；socially 为副词作后置状语，意为"在社会层面"。
【译文】但是和真正的社会损失相比，个人的愤怒和焦虑根本不值一提。
【考点】过去分词短语作状语；be nothing 表程度；副词 socially 的用法。
【原句 4】In the last 20 years, the number of cars on the roads has gone up by 25%.
【主干】... the number of cars ... has gone up ...
【分层】In the last 20 years 为"in/during the last + 时间段"结构，常与现在完成时连用；主语 the number of cars 为单数（the number of 表"……的数目"，谓语用单数，区别于 a number of 用复数）；go up by + 百分比 意为"上升了……"，by 引出变化的幅度。
【译文】在过去的20年里，道路上的汽车数量增加了25%。
【考点】现在完成时与 in the last ... 连用；the number of 主谓一致；go up by + 幅度。
【原句 5】Traffic is one of the major causes of global warming and climate change, as car engines produce various types of greenhouse gases.
【主干】Traffic is one of the major causes ..., as car engines produce ...
【分层】one of + 复数名词 为"……之一"，谓语用单数 is；as 在此引导原因状语从句，意为"因为、由于"（相当于 because/since）；various types of greenhouse gases 中 various 修饰 types，of 后接复数名词。
【译文】交通是全球变暖和气候变化的主要原因之一，因为汽车发动机会产生各类温室气体。
【考点】one of + 复数名词；as 引导原因状语从句。
【原句 6】Instead of taking short car journeys, we could easily walk or cycle.
【主干】... we could easily walk or cycle.
【分层】Instead of 为介词短语，后接动名词 taking short car journeys，意为"而不是、代替"；主句用 could + 动词原形表"可以（这样做）"，语气委婉，提出可行替代方案；walk or cycle 为并列动词原形。
【译文】可以轻易地用走路或骑行来代替短途的开车出行。
【考点】instead of + 动名词；could 表建议/可能性。
【原句 7】Up to 90 people can travel in one bus, while the same number will need at least 18 cars.
【主干】Up to 90 people can travel ..., while the same number will need ...
【分层】Up to 意为"多达、至多"，后接具体数字；while 在此不表"当……时"而表对比，意为"而、然而"，连接两个并列分句；the same number 回指前文的 90 people；at least 意为"至少"，与 up to 形成数量对照。
【译文】一辆公共汽车最多可以乘坐90人，而乘坐小轿车这些人至少需要18辆。
【考点】up to 表数量上限；while 表对比；at least。
【原句 8】Before you get into your car, think about whether you really need to make that journey.
【主干】... think about whether you really need to make that journey.
【分层】Before 引导时间状语从句；主句为祈使句 think about ...，后接 whether 引导的宾语从句（whether 意为"是否"）；从句中 need to do 为实义动词用法，make that journey 意为"走那一趟（路）"。
【译文】在上车之前，想想你是否真的需要开车去那个地方。
【考点】before 时间状语从句；祈使句；whether 引导的宾语从句。
【原句 9】We often think there is nothing we can do about the noise, pollution and danger of traffic. There is.
【主干】We often think (that) there is nothing ... There is.
【分层】think 后接省略 that 的宾语从句；从句中 we can do 为省略关系代词的定语从句，修饰 nothing（nothing 为不定代词，关系代词只能用 that，此处省略）；about the noise, pollution and danger of traffic 为介词短语作状语；后句 There is 为省略句，完整为 There is something we can do，用简短补充表转折"其实有的（可以做）"。
【译文】我们经常觉得面对噪音、污染和交通危险，自己无能为力。其实可以有所为。
【考点】省略 that 的宾语从句；不定代词 nothing 的定语从句（that 省略）；省略句表转折。
六、语法点清单
1. It takes sb. + 时间 + to do sth.
it took me 40 minutes to go downtown. it 为形式主语，真正主语是不定式；表"做某事花费某人多少时间"，同类还有 sth. costs sb. + 时间、sb. spends + 时间 + doing 三种表达需注意介词与主语搭配。
2. How often 对频率提问
How often have you heard these conversations? how often 询问动作发生的频率，常用一般现在时或现在完成时回答（every day / once a week / never 等），是本课开篇设问三连的主力句式。
3. 过去分词短语作状语（compared to / with）
... are nothing compared to the real costs. compared to 为固定短语作状语，表"与……相比"，逻辑主语是句子主语（personal anger and stress），因是"被比较"故用过去分词。
4. 现在完成时与 in/over the last ... 连用
In the last 20 years, the number ... has gone up by 25%.；Over the last decade, an average of 2,500 people have died ... "in/over the last + 时间段"意为"在过去的……里"，常搭配现在完成时表从过去持续至今的变化或累计。
5. as 引导原因状语从句
... as car engines produce various types of greenhouse gases. as 表"因为、由于"，语气弱于 because，常用于补充说明已知原因，位置多在主句之后。
6. while 表对比
Up to 90 people can travel in one bus, while the same number will need at least 18 cars. while 作并列连词表"而、然而"，连接两个意义相对的分句，突出数量或方式的反差。
7. instead of + 动名词
Instead of taking short car journeys, we could easily walk or cycle. instead of 为介词短语，后必须接名词、代词或动名词，表"代替、而不是"，是提出替代方案的常用结构。
8. 反义疑问句与祈使句
All quite simple, isn't it?（前句为省略句，完整为 It is all quite simple，故反问用 isn't it）；Take action! / Don't just sit around and complain!（祈使句表号召与劝诫，否定式用 Don't + 动词原形）。
七、逻辑链
场景·共情（对话一、二）：两段日常对话——"40分钟""一个多小时"——用路人抱怨把读者拉进堵车的真实处境
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设问·升级（第1段前三句）：三连 How often（听对话？堵车？到岗时心力交瘁？）——答案是"每天"；随即用 But 转折：个人愤怒微不足道，真正的代价在社会层面
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数据·量化（数据清单）：汽车20年增25%至3200万辆 → 每年平均2500人死于交通事故 → 交通是全球变暖与气候变化主因（温室气体）→ 每年近3万人死于空气污染 → 部分癌症与交通污染相关（由车多 → 伤亡 → 气候 → 健康，层层加码）
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自省·借口（第2段）：明知车有害，却人人找借口（公交糟、火车晚、没时间走）；作者自陈"也包括我自己""坦率地说我离不开车"——承认问题方能求解
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求解·五策（建议清单）：①用脚走（55%行程不足8公里，省钱健身，心脏病风险降50%）②乘公交（1辆公交≈18辆小轿车，慢一点又何妨）③出发前先想（是否非去不可）④拼车（更省钱更环保）⑤采取行动（谈邻居、报媒体、找政府、申请限速，别光抱怨）
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反讽·收束（结尾段）："都很简单，不是吗？"—话锋一转，作者自己下午4点接女儿、开车逛超市、送儿子赴派对，"交通会很糟，但我能怎么办呢？"——知行脱节的自我反讽，呼应上文"找借口"，把倡议落回真实的自省
这是一篇"问题—对策"式环保议论文（夹叙夹议，带反讽收尾）：Part 1由两段生活对话切入，用三连设问放大共鸣，再以五组数据把"堵车"从个人烦恼升级为社会议题；Part 2先点破"人人找借口"的心理（含作者自嘲），再借绿色和平组织之口给出五条可操作的替代方案，结构上"承认难处—给出办法"完整对应；结尾段是全篇最精妙的一笔——作者刚列完五条建议，转头自己却要开车接孩子、逛超市，"but what can I do?"一句把"知易行难"的自嘲推到极致，既避免说教，又让读者在会心一笑中被反问：那我呢？
八、写作迁移
模板 1：How often do we ... ? —— 设问开篇引发共鸣
课文：How often do we get stuck in traffic jams? How often do we arrive at work or school, stressed out, tired and angry?
仿写：How often do we check our phones at the dinner table? How often do we sit together yet say nothing at all?（我们有多少次在餐桌上刷手机？有多少次坐在一起却一句话也说不出？）——用排比设问开篇，瞬间拉近读者、引出议题。
模板 2：... is one of the major causes of ... , as ... —— 因果论证
课文：Traffic is one of the major causes of global warming and climate change, as car engines produce various types of greenhouse gases.
仿写：Wasting food is one of the major causes of resource loss, as every wasted meal costs water, land and labour.（浪费食物是资源损耗的主要原因之一，因为每一顿被倒掉的食物都耗费了水、土地与人力。）——先给结论再补原因，是议论文论证的标准句式。
模板 3：Instead of doing A, we could easily do B. —— 提出替代方案
课文：Instead of taking short car journeys, we could easily walk or cycle.
仿写：Instead of buying a new phone every year, we could easily repair the old one and keep it longer.（与其每年换一部新手机，我们完全可以修好旧的、用得更久些。）——用 instead of + 动名词引出更优选择，语气务实。
模板 4：To be frank, ... —— 坦率自陈（自嘲/承认不足）
课文：To be frank, I'm addicted to my car.
仿写：To be frank, I'm addicted to short videos—I reach for my phone the moment I sit down.（坦率地说，我对短视频上瘾了——一坐下就伸手去摸手机。）——用插入语主动暴露缺点，比空喊口号更有说服力，适合"自我反思"类文章。
模板 5：Don't just sit around and ... ! —— 号召行动
课文：Don't just sit around and complain!（别光坐在那里抱怨！）
仿写：Don't just sit around and wait for someone else to fix it—start with the small things you can do today.（别只是坐着等别人来解决——从今天能做的小事开始。）——祈使句否定式收尾，短促有力，适合倡议类文章的结尾号召。
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