Lesson 44 Geometry Class 幾何課
Words:
compute vt. 計算
concave adj. 凹的
conceal vt. 隱藏，隱瞞
concede v. （不情愿地）承認；讓步；承認失敗
conceit n. 自負，自高自大
conceive vt. 構思，設想
concentric adj. 同心的
concept n. 概念，觀念
conception n. 概念，認識
conceptual adj. 概念上的
concert n. 音樂會；一致，一起
concerted adj. 商議好的，協定的
concerto n. 協奏曲
conciliatory adj. 調和的，撫慰的
concise adj. 簡潔的，簡明的
conclude v. 推斷；做出結論；vi.結束
conclusive adj. 決定性的；最后的
concoct v. 調制；編造，虛構
concomitant adj. 伴隨而來的
concord n. 和睦
“You have to conceal your boredom,” John whispered to me, waking me from my nap.
“I can’t conceive of a way to hide it,” I replied with a yawn. I had been sitting in geometry class for two hours, waiting for the professor to conclude his lecture about concentric circles and concaved figures. I understand the concept of geometry but how often am I really going to use it in everyday life? When would I ever need to compute the circumference of a circle? I’m not very interested in conceptual thinking. I’m more interested in studying about how to maintain concord between neighboring third-world countries.
“Are you going to the concert tonight?” John whispered again. “They’re playing a wonderful new concerto. You make a conciliatory gesture towards Jane by inviting her to come with you.”
“Sorry John, I have basketball practice,” I replied. “My foolish conceit and male pride won’t allow me to contact Jane. She slapped my face last time. That’s a pretty conclusive statement, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway, I’m not ready for a relationship and all the concomitant pain that comes with it.”
“Your conception of a relationship is a bit warped.” John whispered back. “All that’s required is a concerted effort between two people. Perhaps you should be more concise when you talk to Jane about your feelings.”
“Enough! I concede!” I replied with a grin. “I’ll invite your sister to the concert. But I’m going to need your help to concoct a story that will help me save face!”
“你得掩飾一下你的厭倦情緒，”約翰低聲對我說道，一面把我從瞌睡中喚醒。
“我想不出掩飾的法子，”我打著哈欠回答道。我已經上了兩個小時的幾何課，一直等著教授結束這個關于同心圓和凹面圖的講座。我理解幾何的概念，但日常生活中我哪里用的著那玩意？我幾時曾需要計算圓周長了？我對概念思考不甚感興趣。我更有興趣了解相鄰的第三世界國家間是如何維持和睦關系的。
“你晚上去聽音樂會嗎？”約翰又低聲說道，“今晚會演奏一出新的協奏曲，特棒。你可以邀請簡跟你一塊來，就算是和解的表示。”
“對不起，約翰，我得練籃球，”我回答道，“我愚蠢的自負和男人的驕傲不允許我跟簡聯系，要知道她上次打了我一計耳光。那算是一切結束的表示吧，你覺得呢？不管怎樣，我不準備戀愛了，也受不了一切隨之而來的痛苦。”
“你對戀愛的認識有點偏激。”約翰低聲回答到，“只要兩個人共同努力就行了。也許你跟簡傾訴感情時應該更簡明扼要些。”
“夠了！我讓步！我笑著回答，“我將邀請你妹妹去聽音樂會。但你得幫我編造個故事，好給我留點臉面！”
