1.arid ['ærid] adj. 干燥的, 不毛的 adj. 枯燥的，無趣的

How can people make a living in this arid area?
這片不毛之地上的人們怎么謀生呢？

2.precipitous adj. 險峻的

From a precipitous height we look at the town spread out below.
我們從險峻的高處眺望鋪展在下面的城鎮。

3.wretched adj. 可憐的, 不幸的, 卑鄙的，質量差的，惡劣的

He felt wretched after illness.
他病后感到苦惱。

4.instill [in'stil] v. 滴注,逐漸灌輸(尤指思想或情感)

The idea was gradually instilled in the mind of the young prince.
那種思想已逐漸灌輸到了年幼的王子的頭腦中。

5.conspiracy n. 陰謀

He revealed their conspiracy to overthrow the government.
他泄露了他們推翻政府的陰謀。

6.haze [heiz] n. 薄霧

My mind was in a complete haze.
我完全糊涂了。

7.disillusionment n. 幻滅感

8.sensuality [sensju'æliti] n. 淫蕩, 縱欲

A city or place of great luxury, sensuality, and often vice and corruption.
巴比倫式的城市指奢華糜爛的城市或地區, 經常是罪惡和腐敗的

9.vacillation n. 躊躇，動搖，優柔寡斷

You are expected to answer the call with immediate actions and not with vacillation.
希望大家聞風而動, 不要舉棋不定。

10.blur vt.& vi. 使...模糊,弄臟 n. 污點,模糊

The racing cars passed in a blur.
競賽的汽車影綽不清地飛馳而過。

11.sentimentality [.sentimen'tæliti] n. 多愁善感, 傷感