Lesson 94 At the News Station 在新闻台

Words:



facsimile n. 摹本；复制品，赝品;电传真，传真图像，传真图文像



faction n. 派别，宗派，小集团



factious adj. 好搞派系的，喜倾轧的



factor n. 因素，变量



factual adj. 事实的，实际的



faculty n. 教职工总称；才能，能力



fade vi. 逐渐消失，退色，枯萎



faint adj. 微弱的，模糊的，无力的，暗淡的



fairly adv. 公平地；相当地



faithful n. 信徒；



adj. 忠实的



fake n. 赝品，假货



falcon n. (猎鸟用的)猎鹰



fallible adj. 易错的，可能犯错的



falter v. 蹒跚，犹豫，退缩



familiarize vt. 熟悉



famine n. 饥饿，饥荒



famish vt. 使挨饿



fanatical adj. 狂热的；入迷的



fanaticism n. 狂热，盲信



fanciful adj. 爱空想的，奇异古怪的，花哨的



fancy adj. 新奇的，精美的；昂贵的；高档的



“Did you read the news facsimile?” Tom asked. “Another fanatical religious faction has taken hostages at the embassy. These factious groups are more violent than their predecessors and their fanaticism is even more irrational. I am pretty sure it will be a major factor in their demise. Their strength will fade in a few years.”



“I’m not sure about that,” Bill replied. “Their followers are pretty faithful. Part of the problem is that they cannot distinguish between a true religious leader and a fake. Many of the followers are extremely poor. They come from villages that are suffering from famine. They are willing to listen to anyone who will give them a warm meal and a promise of a better life. As a result, they often follow leaders with fancy houses and fanciful clothing. I suppose a dearth of food can famish you and make you anxious to believe any promise of a better life, regardless of your mental faculty. I just hope our negotiators don’t falter and give in to those fanatics.”



“Desperation makes all of us fallible,” Tom said. “However, we should familiarize ourselves with the facts before we make any judgments. I’m going to send you there to obtain a factual account. I know you’ll report the story fairly and accurately.”



“Thanks, but what should I do about the story I was working on?” asked Bill.



“The story about the falcon?” asked Tom. “Give it to the new reporter in the faint blue dress. As a beginner, she’s still fallible. She’ll be glad to receive an easy assignment.”



“看了新闻传真通信了吗？”汤姆问，“又有一个狂热的宗教派别在大使馆扣押了人质。这些宗教派组织比他们的前辈更残暴，他们的狂热变得越发丧失理性了。我敢断定这将是导致他们灭亡的一个主要因素。他们的势力几年后就回渐渐衰弱下去。”



“对此我还不敢断定，”比尔回答，“他们的追随者很忠诚。部分原因在于他们区分不开真假宗教领袖。很多追随者都很穷，他们来自正遭受饥荒的农村。谁能给他们一口热饭、一个改善生活的许诺，他们就听谁的。所以，他们常常跟那些拥有豪华住宅和穿着花哨衣服的人身后。我想无论你的心里承受能力有多强，食物匮乏会使你挨饿，这会使你急于相信任何能改善生活的许诺。我只希望我们去谈判的人不会退缩，不要屈服于这些狂热之徒。”



“绝望使我们都容易犯错误，”汤姆说，“我们自己应先熟悉情况，再作出判断。我要派你去获得真实的报道。我知道你会公正准确地报道这一事件的。”



“谢谢，可我目前手头的报道怎么办？”比尔问。



“那个关于猎鹰的报道？”汤姆问，“交给哪儿穿暗蓝色衣服新来的记者吧。她初出茅庐，仍然是容易出错的。她会很高兴接受这个轻松的任务。”