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Lesson 59 Collecting 收藏

Listen to the tape then answer the question below.

What in particular does a person gain when he or she become a serious collector?

People tend to amass possessions, sometimes without being aware of doing so.

Indeed they can have a delightful surprise when they find something useful which they did not know they owned. Those who never have to move house become

indiscriminate collectors of what can only be described as clutter. They leave

unwanted objects in drawers, cupboards and attics for years,in the belief that they

may one day need just those very things. As they grow old, people also accumulate

belongings for two other reasons, lack of physical and mental energy,both of which

are essential in turning out and throwing away,and sentiment. Things owned for a

long time are full of associations with the past, perhaps with relatives who are dead,

and so they gradually acquire a value beyond their true worth.

Some things are collected deliberately in the home in an attempt to avoid waste.

Among these I would list string and brown paper, kept by thrifty people when a parcle has been opened , to save buying these two requisites . Collecting small items

can easily become a mania. I know someone who always cuts sketches out from

newspapers of model clothes that she would like to buy if she had the money. As

she is not rich,the chances that she will ever be able to afford such purchases are

remote; but she is never sufficiently strong-minded to be able to stop practice. It is

a harmless habit, but it litters up her desk to such an extent that every time she opens it, loose bits of paper fall out in every direction.

Collecting sa a serious hobby is quite different and has many advantages. It provide relaxation for leisure hours, as just looking at one's treasures is always a joy.

One does not have to go outside for amusement, since the collection is housed at

home. Whatever it consists of,stamps,records,first editions of books, china,glass,

antique furniture,pictures,model cars,stuffed birds,toy animals, there is always

something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest

addition, to verifying facts in reference books. This hobby educates one not only in

the chosen subject, but also in general matters which have some bearing on it.

There are also other benefits. One wants to meet like-minded collectors, to get

advice, to compare notes,to exchange articles, to show off the latest find. So one's

circle of friends grows. Soon the hobby leads to travel, perhaps to a meeting in

another town,possibly a trip abroad in search of a rare specimen,for collectors are

not confined to any one country. Over the years, one may well become an authority

on one's hobby and will very probably be asked to give informal talks to little

gatherings and then,if successful, to larger audiences. In this way self-confidence

grows,first from mastering a subject, then from being able to talk about it. Collecting

by occupying spare time so constructively,makes a person contented, with no time

for boredom.

New words and expressions 生词和短语

amass v.积聚 relaxation n. 休息，娱乐

indiscriminate adj.不加选择的 verify v.查证，核实

clutter n.一堆杂物 bearing n.关系，联系

string n.细线 like-minded adj.志趣相投的

requisite n.必需品 specimen n.标本

mania n.癖好 constructively adv.有益的，积极的

sketch n.草图，图样 contented adj.心满意足的

remote adj.(机会，可能性少的，小的 ) boredom n.烦恼，无聊

strong-minded adj.意志坚强的

Notes on the text 课文注释

1、in the belief that,这个介词短语在句子中作谓语动词leave的状语。

2、those very things,就是那些东西，very在这里起强调作用。

3、for two other reasons,lack of physical and mental energy,...and sentiment,在这个句子中，lack of ...和sentiment是两个并列的成分，作reasons的同位语，而both of which ... 是 physical and mental energy的非限定性定语从句。

4、beyond their true worth,超过它们的实际价值。

5、to such an extent that,达到了这样的程度，that 后面的从句作extent的同位语。

6、as just looking at one's treasures is always a joy, 因为欣赏自己收藏的珍品总会充满了乐趣。as是连词，引导原因状语从句。

7、have some bearing on it.与它有关。