埃拉托色尼之死The death of Eratosthenes

常用词汇

同义词与近义词

常用短语与固定搭配

• in old age：在晚年。原文用法：in old age Eratosthenes became...
• either ... or ...：要么……要么……。原文用法：either blind or almost blind
• be unable to：不能……。原文用法：unable to read
• commit suicide：自杀。原文用法：he committed suicide
• voluntary starvation：自愿绝食。原文用法：by voluntary starvation

常用句式

• It is told that ...：据说……。原文例句：It is told that in old age Eratosthenes became either blind or almost blind from opthalmia...

长难句解析

It is told that in old age Eratosthenes became either blind or almost blind from opthalmia, and, not wishing to continue life unable to read, he committed suicide by voluntary starvation.

• 主干：Eratosthenes became either blind or almost blind ... and ... he committed suicide。
• 修饰与从句：It is told that ... 中 it 为形式主语，that 引导主语从句；in old age 为时间状语；from opthalmia 说明失明原因；not wishing to continue life unable to read 为现在分词短语表原因/伴随；unable to read 说明生活状态；by voluntary starvation 说明自杀方式。
• 逻辑关系：句子先以传闻语气交代事实，再说明病因，最后以“不愿继续无法读书的生活”解释自杀动机。

语言使用特点

• 历史轶事常用 It is told that ... 等无人称结构，既传达信息又保持客观距离。
• 动词 commit 与 suicide 构成固定搭配，表示“自杀”，是英语中的习惯用法。

迁移练习

1. 用英文概括埃拉托色尼之死的原因。
2. 用 not wishing to ... 结构改写句子：He didn't want to miss the bus, so he got up early.
3. （思考题）如果你是埃拉托色尼的学生，你会如何劝慰失明的老师？