4. At the end of adolescence, however, the brain shuts down half of that capacity, preserving only those modes of thoughts that have seemed most valuable during the first decade or so of life.
【分析】復合句。句子主干為 the brain shuts down half of that capacity...。現在分詞短語 preserving...作結果狀語,其中包含 that 引導的定語從句,修飾 modes of thoughts。
【譯文】然而,在青春期末期,大腦就關閉了一半的能力,只保留了那些在人生的前十年左右看起來最有價值的思維方式。
【臨摹】因為擔心地震來臨,很多小學早早關門放假了。
5. The current emphasis on standardized testing highlights analysis and procedure, meaning that few of us inherently use our innovative and collaborative modes of thought.
【分析】復合句。主干為 The current emphasis ...highlights analysis and procedure...。現在分詞短語 meaning that 作伴隨狀語,其中 that 引導的從句作 meaning 的賓語。
【譯文】目前對標準化測試的注重突出了分析和程序這兩種思維模式,也就意味著我們中很少有人本能地運用我們創新和合作的思維模式。
【點撥】1)emphasis 為名詞,意思是“強調,重點”,常與 on/upon 搭配使用,常見短語是 put emphasis on sth.。2)highlight 屬于常考詞匯,作及物動詞講時意為“強調,突出,使顯著”,作名詞時意為“最突出的、最精彩的部分,最重要或最有趣的事情。”3) collaborative"(用作定語)合作的,協作的"。