上外版大学英语写作精选第四册(8)

    If the works of man were removed below ground —— and， mind you， below the level of the natural world of the burrowing animals —— man would still occupy the surface with his farms， his forestry， his observation towers， his air terminals and so on， but the extent of that occupation would be enormously decreased. Indeed， as one imagines the underground world to become increasingly elaborate， one can visualize much of the food supply eventually deriving from hydroponic growth in artificially illuminated areas underground. The Earth's surface might be increasingly turned over to park and to wilderness， maintained at ecological stability.

    Fourth， nature would be closer. It might seem that to withdraw underground is to withdraw from the natural world， but would that be so？ Would the withdrawal be more complete than it is now， when so many people work in city buildings that are often windowless and artificially conditioned？ Even where there are windows， what is the prospect one views （if one bothers to） but sun， sky， and buildings to the horizon —— plus some limited greenery？

    And to get away from the city now？ To reach the real countryside？ One must travel horizontally for miles， first across city pavements and then across suburban sprawls.

    In an underworld culture， the countryside would be right there， a few hundred yards above the upper level of the cities —— wherever you are. The surface would have to be protected from too frequent， or too intense， or too careless visiting， but however carefully restricted the upward trips might be， the chances are that the dwellers of the new caves would see more greenery， under ecologically healthier conditions， than dwellers of surface cities to today.

    However odd and repulsive underground living may seem at first thought， there are tings to be said for it —— and I haven't even said them all.

    Phrases & Expressions

    expose to leave no longer covered or protected 使暴露在

    in the open在户外，在野外

    add to increase 增加

    on the stoke at exactly the time stated or agree upon 准点地

    at first thought when considered for the first 乍一想

    to a certain extent partly， to a certain degree 在一定程度上

    take up occupy （space， time， etc.） 占据

    deprive of take away from； prevent from using or having 剥夺

    mind you（used as an interj.） please note， take this fact into account 听着；请注意

    derive from come from； obtain from 来自，起源于；从……得到turn over give （to sb.） for use or care 移交；交给

    get away from succeed in leaving； escape 离开；逃脱