Lesson 51 Predicting the future
课文原文：
Predicting the future is notoriously difficult.
预测未来是出了名的困难。
Who could have imagined, in the mid 1970s, for example, that by the end of the 20th century, computers would be as common in people's homes as TV sets?
例如，在 20 世纪 70 年代中期，谁能想到到 20 世纪末，电脑会像电视机一样普及到千家万户？
In the 1970s, computers were common enough, but only in big business, government departments, and large organizations.
在 20 世纪 70 年代，电脑已经很常见了，但只出现在大型企业、政府部门和大型机构中。
These were the so-called mainframe machines.
这些就是所谓的大型主机。
Mainframe computers were very large indeed, often occupying whole air-conditioned rooms, employing full-time technicians and run on specially-written software.
大型主机确实非常庞大，常常要占满整个带空调的房间，需要全职技术人员操作，并且运行专门编写的软件。
Though these large machines still exist, many of their functions have been taken over by small powerful personal computers, commonly known as PCs.
尽管这些大型机器依然存在，但它们的许多功能已经被小型而功能强大的个人电脑（通常称为 PC 机）所取代。
In 1975, a primitive machine called the Altair, was launched in the USA.
1975 年，一台名为 “牛郎星” 的原始计算机在美国推出。
It can properly be described as the first 'home computer' and it pointed the way to the future.
它可以被恰当地称为第一台 “家用电脑”，并指明了未来的发展方向。
This was followed, at the end of the 1970s, by a machine called an Apple.
20 世纪 70 年代末，一台名为 “苹果” 的电脑紧随其后问世。
In the early 1980s, the computer giant, IBM produced the world's first Personal Computer.
20 世纪 80 年代初，计算机巨头 IBM 公司生产了世界上第一台个人电脑。
This ran on an 'operating system' called DOS, produced by a then small company named Microsoft.
这台电脑运行着一个名为 DOS 的 “操作系统”，该系统由当时还是小公司的微软开发。
The IBM Personal Computer was widely copied.
IBM 个人电脑被广泛仿制。
From those humble beginnings, we have seen the development of the user-friendly home computers and multimedia machines which are in common use today.
从这些简陋的开端，我们见证了如今广泛使用的、操作便捷的家用电脑和多媒体设备的发展。
Considering how recent these developments are, it is even more remarkable that as long ago as the 1960s, an Englishman, Leon Bagrit, was able to predict some of the uses of computers which we know today.
考虑到这些发展都是近几十年的事，早在 20 世纪 60 年代，英国人利昂・巴格里特就能够预测到我们如今熟知的一些电脑用途，这就更不寻常了。
Bagrit dismissed the idea that computers would learn to 'think' for themselves and would 'rule the world', which people liked to believe in those days.
巴格里特否定了当时人们普遍相信的 “电脑会学会独立思考并统治世界” 的说法。
Bagrit foresaw a time when computers would be small enough to hold in the hand, when they would be capable of providing information about traffic jams and suggesting alternative routes, when they would be used in hospitals to help doctors to diagnose illnesses, when they would relieve office workers and accountants of dull, repetitive clerical work.
巴格里特预见了这样一个时代：电脑会小到可以握在手中，能够提供交通拥堵信息并推荐替代路线，能在医院里帮助医生诊断疾病，还能将办公室职员和会计从枯燥、重复的文书工作中解放出来。
All these computer uses have become commonplace.
所有这些电脑用途如今都已成为现实。
Of course, Leon Bagrit could not possibly have foreseen the development of the Internet, the worldwide system that enables us to communicate instantly with anyone in any part of the world by using computers linked to telephone networks.
当然，利昂・巴格里特绝不可能预见到互联网的发展 —— 这个全球系统让我们可以通过连接电话网络的电脑，与世界任何地方的人即时通信。
Nor could he have foreseen how we could use the Internet to obtain information on every known subject, so we can read it on a screen in our homes and even print it as well if we want to.
他也无法预见我们可以如何利用互联网获取所有已知主题的信息，在家中的屏幕上阅读，甚至还可以按需打印出来。
Computers have become smaller and smaller, more and more powerful and cheaper and cheaper.
电脑变得越来越小、越来越强大，也越来越便宜。
This is what makes Leon Bagrit's predictions particularly remarkable.
正是这一点，让利昂・巴格里特的预测显得格外了不起。
If he, or someone like him, were alive today, he might be able to tell us what to expect in the next fifty years.
如果他，或者像他这样的人今天还活着，或许就能告诉我们未来 50 年可以期待些什么。
课文分析：
1.Predicting the future is notoriously difficult.
句子类型：陈述句（主系表结构）
核心结构：动名词短语 Predicting the future 作主语 + 系动词 is + 表语 notoriously difficult
语法要点：
动名词短语作主语，谓语动词用单数形式 is
notoriously 为副词，修饰形容词 difficult，表 “众所周知地、出了名地”
释义：预测未来是出了名的困难。
2.Who could have imagined, in the mid 1970s, for example, that by the end of the 20th century, computers would be as common in people's homes as TV sets?
句子类型：特殊疑问句（含宾语从句）
核心结构：疑问词 Who + 谓语 could have imagined + 插入语 in the mid 1970s, for example + 宾语从句 that by the end of the 20th century, computers would be as common in people's homes as TV sets
语法要点：
could have imagined 为情态动词 + 完成式，表 “过去本可能做到但实际未发生的事”，用于虚拟语气
宾语从句中 by the end of the 20th century 为时间状语，主句为过去时 could have imagined，从句用过去将来时 would be
as common...as... 同级比较结构，表 “和…… 一样普遍”
释义：例如，在 20 世纪 70 年代中期，谁能想到到 20 世纪末，电脑会像电视机一样普及到千家万户？
3.In the 1970s, computers were common enough, but only in big business, government departments, and large organizations.
句子类型：并列陈述句（转折关系）
核心结构：时间状语 In the 1970s + 分句 1 computers were common enough + 转折连词 but + 分句 2 (they were common) only in big business, government departments, and large organizations（省略结构）
语法要点：
enough 修饰形容词 common 时后置，表 “足够地”
分句 2 省略了与分句 1 重复的主语和系动词 they were common，避免冗余
释义：在 20 世纪 70 年代，电脑已经很常见了，但只出现在大型企业、政府部门和大型机构中。
4.These were the so-called mainframe machines.
句子类型：陈述句（主系表结构）
核心结构：主语 These + 系动词 were + 表语 the so-called mainframe machines
语法要点：
so-called 为复合形容词，修饰 mainframe machines，表 “所谓的”，常带轻微贬义或说明性质
mainframe machines 为专有名词，指 “大型主机计算机”
释义：这些就是所谓的大型主机。
5.Mainframe computers were very large indeed, often occupying whole air-conditioned rooms, employing full-time technicians and run on specially-written software.
句子类型：陈述句（含现在分词伴随状语）
核心结构：主语 Mainframe computers + 系动词 were + 表语 very large indeed + 三个并列的现在分词 / 过去分词短语作伴随状语 occupying...rooms, employing...technicians and run on...software
语法要点：
indeed 为副词，加强语气，表 “确实、实在”
伴随状语中，occupying 和 employing 为现在分词，与主语 computers 是主动关系；run on 实际为过去分词 run（与 written 呼应），表 “运行（软件）”，与主语是被动关系（被软件驱动），属于并列结构的省略
释义：大型主机确实非常庞大，常常要占满整个带空调的房间，需要全职技术人员操作，并且运行专门编写的软件。
6.Though these large machines still exist, many of their functions have been taken over by small powerful personal computers, commonly known as PCs.
句子类型：让步状语从句复合句
核心结构：让步状语从句 Though these large machines still exist + 主句 many of their functions have been taken over by small powerful personal computers, commonly known as PCs
语法要点：
Though 引导让步状语从句，表 “尽管”，不能与 but 连用
主句用现在完成时的被动语态 have been taken over by，表 “已经被…… 接管 / 取代”
commonly known as PCs 为过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰 personal computers，表 “通常被称为个人电脑的”
释义：尽管这些大型机器依然存在，但它们的许多功能已经被小型而功能强大的个人电脑（通常称为 PC 机）所取代。
7.In 1975, a primitive machine called the Altair, was launched in the USA.
句子类型：陈述句（被动语态）
核心结构：时间状语 In 1975 + 主语 a primitive machine（后置定语 called the Altair 修饰）+ 被动语态谓语 was launched + 地点状语 in the USA
语法要点：
called the Altair 为过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰 machine，相当于定语从句 which was called the Altair
was launched 为一般过去时的被动语态，表 “被推出 / 发布”
释义：1975 年，一台名为 “牛郎星” 的原始计算机在美国推出。
8.It can properly be described as the first 'home computer' and it pointed the way to the future.
句子类型：并列陈述句（递进关系）
核心结构：分句 1 It can properly be described as the first 'home computer' + 并列连词 and + 分句 2 it pointed the way to the future
语法要点：
分句 1 用情态动词的被动语态 can be described as，表 “可以被恰当地描述为……”
分句 2 为一般过去时 pointed the way to，为固定搭配，表 “指明了…… 的方向”
释义：它可以被恰当地称为第一台 “家用电脑”，并指明了未来的发展方向。
9.This was followed, at the end of the 1970s, by a machine called an Apple.
句子类型：陈述句（被动语态）
核心结构：主语 This + 被动语态谓语 was followed + 插入语 at the end of the 1970s + 状语 by a machine called an Apple
语法要点：
was followed by 为一般过去时的被动语态，表 “紧随其后的是……”
called an Apple 为过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰 machine
释义：20 世纪 70 年代末，一台名为 “苹果” 的电脑紧随其后问世。
10.In the early 1980s, the computer giant, IBM produced the world's first Personal Computer.
句子类型：陈述句（主谓宾结构）
核心结构：时间状语 In the early 1980s +主语 the computer giant, IBM（同位语 IBM 补充说明 the computer giant）+ 谓语 produced + 宾语 the world's first Personal Computer
语法要点：
the computer giant, IBM 中 IBM 是 the computer giant 的同位语，解释说明 “计算机巨头” 具体指谁
the world's first 为名词所有格作定语，修饰 Personal Computer
释义：20 世纪 80 年代初，计算机巨头 IBM 公司生产了世界上第一台个人电脑。
11.This ran on an 'operating system' called DOS, produced by a then small company named Microsoft.
句子类型：陈述句（主谓宾结构，含多个后置定语）
核心结构：主语 This + 谓语 ran on + 宾语 an 'operating system' + 后置定语 1 called DOS + 后置定语 2 produced by a then small company named Microsoft
语法要点：
ran on 为固定搭配，表 “运行（系统 / 软件）”
多个过去分词短语作后置定语：called DOS 修饰 operating system；produced by... 修饰 DOS；named Microsoft 修饰 company
then 在此处为形容词，表 “当时的”，修饰 small company
释义：这台电脑运行着一个名为 DOS 的 “操作系统”，该系统由当时还是小公司的微软开发。
12.The IBM Personal Computer was widely copied.
句子类型：陈述句（被动语态）
核心结构：主语 The IBM Personal Computer + 被动语态谓语 was widely copied
语法要点：
was widely copied 为一般过去时的被动语态，widely 为副词修饰 copied，表 “被广泛仿制 / 复制”
释义：IBM 个人电脑被广泛仿制。
13.From those humble beginnings, we have seen the development of the user-friendly home computers and multimedia machines which are in common use today.
句子类型：陈述句（含定语从句）
核心结构：状语 From those humble beginnings + 主语 we + 谓语 have seen + 宾语 the development + 后置定语 of the user-friendly home computers and multimedia machines + 定语从句 which are in common use today
语法要点：
From those humble beginnings 为介词短语作状语，表 “从这些简陋的开端”
现在完成时 have seen 表 “从过去到现在持续的动作 / 经历”
which 引导定语从句，修饰先行词 home computers and multimedia machines，从句用一般现在时 are in common use，表 “如今被广泛使用的”
释义：从这些简陋的开端，我们见证了如今广泛使用的、操作便捷的家用电脑和多媒体设备的发展。
14.Considering how recent these developments are, it is even more remarkable that as long ago as the 1960s, an Englishman, Leon Bagrit, was able to predict some of the uses of computers which we know today.
句子类型：复合句（含现在分词状语、形式主语结构、定语从句）
核心结构：现在分词短语作状语 Considering how recent these developments are + 形式主语结构 it is even more remarkable that... + 主语从句 as long ago as the 1960s, an Englishman, Leon Bagrit, was able to predict some of the uses of computers + 定语从句 which we know today
语法要点：
Considering... 为现在分词短语作原因状语，表 “考虑到……”，后接宾语从句 how recent these developments are
it is remarkable that... 为形式主语结构，it 是形式主语，真正的主语是 that 引导的从句，避免句子头重脚轻
which we know today 为定语从句，修饰 the uses of computers
释义：考虑到这些发展都是近几十年的事，早在 20 世纪 60 年代，英国人利昂・巴格里特就能够预测到我们如今熟知的一些电脑用途，这就更不寻常了。
15.Bagrit dismissed the idea that computers would learn to 'think' for themselves and would 'rule the world', which people liked to believe in those days.
句子类型：复合句（含同位语从句、非限制性定语从句）
核心结构：主语 Bagrit + 谓语 dismissed + 宾语 the idea + 同位语从句 that computers would learn to 'think' for themselves and would 'rule the world' + 非限制性定语从句 which people liked to believe in those days
语法要点：
dismissed the idea that... 为固定搭配，that 引导同位语从句，解释说明 the idea 的具体内容
同位语从句中用过去将来时 would learn/would rule，表 “过去对未来的预测”
which 引导非限制性定语从句，修饰前面整个句子描述的 “电脑会统治世界的想法”，补充说明当时人们的态度
释义：巴格里特否定了当时人们普遍相信的 “电脑会学会独立思考并统治世界” 的说法。
16.Bagrit foresaw a time when computers would be small enough to hold in the hand, when they would be capable of providing information about traffic jams and suggesting alternative routes, when they would be used in hospitals to help doctors to diagnose illnesses, when they would relieve office workers and accountants of dull, repetitive clerical work.
句子类型：复合句（含多个并列定语从句）
核心结构：主语 Bagrit + 谓语 foresaw + 宾语 a time + 四个并列的 when 引导的定语从句，修饰 a time
语法要点：
foresaw 为 foresee 的过去式，表 “预见、预知”
四个 when 引导的定语从句并列，共同修饰 a time，表 “…… 的时代”，构成排比结构，增强语势
从句中用过去将来时 would be/would be capable/would be used/would relieve，表 “对未来的预测”
be capable of doing 固定搭配，表 “有能力做某事”；relieve sb. of sth. 固定搭配，表 “使某人摆脱 / 解除某事”
释义：巴格里特预见了这样一个时代：电脑会小到可以握在手中，能够提供交通拥堵信息并推荐替代路线，能在医院里帮助医生诊断疾病，还能将办公室职员和会计从枯燥、重复的文书工作中解放出来。
17.All these computer uses have become commonplace.
句子类型：陈述句（主系表结构，现在完成时）
核心结构：主语 All these computer uses + 现在完成时系动词 have become + 表语 commonplace
语法要点：
have become为现在完成时，表 “从过去到现在的变化，如今已成为……”
commonplace为形容词，表 “司空见惯的、普遍的”
释义：所有这些电脑用途如今都已成为现实。
18.Of course, Leon Bagrit could not possibly have foreseen the development of the Internet, the worldwide system that enables us to communicate instantly with anyone in any part of the world by using computers linked to telephone networks.
句子类型：复合句（含同位语、定语从句）
核心结构：插入语 Of course + 主语 Leon Bagrit + 谓语 could not possibly have foreseen + 宾语 the development of the Internet + 同位语 the worldwide system + 定语从句 that enables us to communicate instantly with anyone in any part of the world by using computers linked to telephone networks
语法要点：
could not possibly have foreseen 为情态动词 + 完成式，表 “过去绝不可能做到的事”，用于虚拟语气
the worldwide system 是 the Internet 的同位语，解释说明互联网的性质
that 引导定语从句修饰 system，从句中 enable sb. to do sth. 固定搭配，表 “使某人能够做某事”；linked to telephone networks 为过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 computers
释义：当然，利昂・巴格里特绝不可能预见到互联网的发展 —— 这个全球系统让我们可以通过连接电话网络的电脑，与世界任何地方的人即时通信。
19.Nor could he have foreseen how we could use the Internet to obtain information on every known subject, so we can read it on a screen in our homes and even print it as well if we want to.
句子类型：复合句（倒装句，含宾语从句、条件状语从句）
核心结构：否定词 Nor 开头的倒装句 Nor could he have foreseen... + 宾语从句 how we could use the Internet to obtain information on every known subject + 结果状语从句 so we can read it on a screen in our homes and even print it as well if we want to
语法要点：
Nor 位于句首，句子需部分倒装，将情态动词 could 提前，结构为 Nor + 助动词/情态动词 + 主语 + 谓语，表 “也不……”，承接上一句的否定含义
could have foreseen 与上一句呼应，表 “过去绝不可能预见”
结果状语从句中 if we want to 为条件状语从句，to 后省略了 read or print it，避免重复
释义：他也无法预见我们可以如何利用互联网获取所有已知主题的信息，在家中的屏幕上阅读，甚至还可以按需打印出来。
20.Computers have become smaller and smaller, more and more powerful and cheaper and cheaper.
句子类型：陈述句（主系表结构，现在完成时）
核心结构：主语 Computers + 现在完成时系动词 have become + 三个并列的比较级结构 smaller and smaller, more and more powerful and cheaper and cheaper
语法要点：
have become 现在完成时，表 “从过去到现在持续的变化”
比较级 + and + 比较级结构，表 “越来越……”，此处并列三个结构，形成排比，强调电脑的发展趋势
释义：电脑变得越来越小、越来越强大，也越来越便宜。
21.This is what makes Leon Bagrit's predictions particularly remarkable.
句子类型：陈述句（含表语从句）
核心结构：主语 This + 系动词 is + 表语从句 what makes Leon Bagrit's predictions particularly remarkable
语法要点：
what 引导表语从句，在从句中作主语，相当于 the thing that，表 “…… 的事 / 点”
makes sth. + adj. 结构，表 “使某物变得……”，此处 particularly remarkable 作宾语补足语
释义：正是这一点，让利昂・巴格里特的预测显得格外了不起。
22.If he, or someone like him, were alive today, he might be able to tell us what to expect in the next fifty years.
句子类型：虚拟条件句（对现在的虚拟）
核心结构：虚拟条件句 If he, or someone like him, were alive today + 主句 he might be able to tell us what to expect in the next fifty years
语法要点：
对现在情况的虚拟语气：条件句用一般过去时（be 动词统一用 were），主句用 would/might/could + 动词原形，此处 were alive 表示 “如果他现在还活着（但事实是他已经去世了）”
what to expect 为 “疑问词 + 不定式” 结构，作 tell us 的宾语，相当于 what we can expect
释义：如果他，或者像他这样的人今天还活着，或许就能告诉我们未来 50 年可以期待些什么。
词汇分析：
一、核心词汇
1.notoriously /nəʊˈtɔːriəsli/
释义：臭名昭著地；出了名地
词根：notorious adj. 众所周知的（多指不好、难做到）
2.primitive /ˈprɪmətɪv/
释义：原始的；简陋的；早期的
3.launch /lɔːntʃ/
释义：推出（产品）；发射；发起
4.mainframe /ˈmeɪnfreɪm/
释义：大型主机；主计算机
5.occupy /ˈɒkjupaɪ/
释义：占据（空间 / 时间）；占用
6.air-conditioned /eə kəndɪʃnd/
释义：有空调的
7.humble /ˈhʌmbl/
释义：简陋的；卑微的；不起眼的
8.user-friendly /ˌjuːzə ˈfrendli/
释义：易于使用的；人性化的
9.multimedia /ˌmʌltiˈmiːdiə/
释义：多媒体的
10.remarkable /rɪˈmɑːkəbl/
释义：显著的；非凡的；了不起的
11.dismiss /dɪsˈmɪs/
释义：不予考虑；摒弃；不理会
12.foresee /fɔːˈsiː/
释义：预见；预知（过去式 foresaw）
13.alternative /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/
释义：可供替代的；备选的
14.diagnose /ˈdaɪəɡnəʊz/
释义：诊断（疾病）；判断
15.relieve /rɪˈliːv/
释义：减轻；使摆脱；缓解
16.repetitive /rɪˈpetətɪv/
释义：重复乏味的；反复的
17.clerical /ˈklerɪkl/
释义：文书的；职员的
18.commonplace /ˈkɒmənpleɪs/
释义：adj. 司空见惯的；平凡的
19.instantly /ˈɪnstəntli/
释义：立刻地；即时地
20.particularly /pəˈtɪkjələli/
释义：尤其；特别地
二、高级固定搭配
1.predict the future
预测未来
2.in the mid 1970s
20 世纪 70 年代中期
3.as common as…
和…… 一样普及 / 普遍
4.so-called + 名词
所谓的……
5.take over
接管；取代；接替
6.personal computer (PC)
个人电脑
7.point the way to the future
指明未来发展方向
8.be described as…
被描述为……；被称作……
9.be followed by…
紧随其后的是……
10.run on an operating system
运行某一操作系统
11.from humble beginnings
从不起眼 / 简陋的开端
12.in common use
普遍使用；通用
13.as long ago as the 1960s
早在 20 世纪 60 年代
14.dismiss the idea that…
摒弃…… 这种观点 / 想法
15.think for themselves
独立思考；自主思考
16.rule the world
统治世界；主宰一切
17.be capable of doing sth.
有能力做某事
18.traffic jams
交通拥堵
19.alternative routes
备选路线；替代路线
20.relieve sb. of sth.
使某人摆脱某事；减轻某人负担
21.linked to telephone networks
连接到电话网络
22.obtain information on…
获取关于…… 的信息
23.smaller and smaller
越来越小（比较级叠加结构）
三、拓展高频搭配
1. notorious 拓展搭配
·notoriously difficult 出了名的困难
·notoriously unreliable 出了名的不可靠
·notoriously hard to define 极难定义
2. launch 拓展搭配
·launch a new product 推出新产品
·launch a campaign 发起一场运动
·launch a website 上线一个网站
3. occupy 拓展搭配
·occupy one’s time 占用某人时间
·occupy a leading position 占据领先地位
·be occupied with 忙于……
4. humble 拓展搭配
·humble origin 出身卑微
·humble opinion 拙见（书面礼貌用语）
·humble background 普通家境
5. remarkable 拓展搭配
·remarkable achievement 非凡成就
·remarkable progress 显著进步
·it is remarkable that… 令人瞩目的是……
6. dismiss 拓展搭配
·dismiss doubts 打消疑虑
·dismiss rumours 辟谣
·dismiss as irrelevant 认为…… 无关紧要而不予理会
7. foresee 拓展搭配
·foresee potential problems 预见潜在问题
·foresee the trend 预判趋势
·foresee consequences 预知后果
8. alternative 拓展搭配
·alternative energy替代能源
·alternative solution 备选解决方案
·alternative approach 另一种方法
9. relieve 拓展搭配
·relieve stress 缓解压力
·relieve pressure 减轻压力
·relieve poverty 缓解贫困
10. commonplace 拓展搭配
·become commonplace变得司空见惯
·a commonplace phenomenon 普遍现象
11. instant 系列拓展
·instant communication 即时通讯
·instant access to information 即时获取信息
12. take over 进阶拓展
·take over the market 占领市场
·take over traditional jobs 取代传统工作
13. be capable of 写作升级
·be capable of handling challenges 有能力应对挑战
·be capable of adapting to changes 能够适应变化
四、重点语法
1.动名词作主语
Predicting the future is difficult.
2.could have done 虚拟语气
本可能……；当时本该……
3.过去分词作后置定语
a machine called… / computers linked to…
4.it 形式主语
It is remarkable that…
5.多个 when 定语从句排比
a time when…, when…, when…
6.Nor 开头部分倒装
Nor could he have foreseen… 他也无法预见……
7.虚拟语气对现在假设
If he were alive today, he might…
长难句分析：
长难句 1
原句
Who could have imagined, in the mid 1970s, for example, that by the end of the 20th century, computers would be as common in people's homes as TV sets?
结构拆解
主干：Who could have imagined + that 宾语从句
插入语：in the mid 1970s, for example
宾语从句内部：by the end of... 时间状语 + 主谓 + as...as... 同级比较
语法核心
1.could have done：情态动词 + 现在完成时
表示过去本可以想象，但实际没人想到，含蓄虚拟。
2.宾语从句时态呼应
主句过去式 could have imagined → 从句用过去将来时 would be。
3.as + adj. + as 同级比较
结构：as common as 和…… 一样普及。
4.插入语分隔句式
两个插入语把谓语和宾语从句隔开，造成句式拉长。
学习注意要点
·看到by + 过去时间，主句过去时，从句必用过去将来时；
·疑问句中带插入语，不要被逗号打断找不准主干；
·as...as 中间只能用形容词原级，不能用比较级。
译文
举例来说，在 20 世纪 70 年代中期，谁能料到到 20 世纪末，电脑会和电视机一样走进寻常百姓家呢？
长难句 2
原句
Mainframe computers were very large indeed, often occupying whole air-conditioned rooms, employing full-time technicians and run on specially-written software.
结构拆解
主干：Mainframe computers were very large
后置伴随状语：
occupying... , employing... , and run on...三个分词并列
语法核心
1.现在分词作伴随状语
occupying /employing 与主语是主动关系，用现在分词；
2.并列分词结构混搭
run 是过去分词，表被动：主机被运行在特制软件上；
3.分词并列省略
三个状语共用一个主语，后两个省略逻辑主语。
4.specially-written 合成形容词：副词 + 过去分词作定语。
学习注意要点
·并列分词不一定全是现在分词，主动 doing、被动 done 混搭是高频考点；
·逗号后连续多个分词短语，都是修饰主句主语；
·注意 run 原形 / 过去式 / 过去分词同形，不要认错词性。
译文
大型主机体积确实十分庞大，往往占据整间空调机房，需要专职技术人员维护，并且依靠专用编写的软件运行。
长难句 3
原句
Though these large machines still exist, many of their functions have been taken over by small powerful personal computers, commonly known as PCs.
结构拆解
让步状语从句：Though these large machines still exist
主句：many of their functions have been taken over by...
后置定语：commonly known as PCs修饰 personal computers
语法核心
1.Though 引导让步状语从句
though 不能和 but 连用，中式英语大忌；
2.现在完成时被动语态
have been taken over 已经被取代 / 接管；
3.过去分词短语作后置定语
known as = which are known as 省略定语从句。
学习注意要点
·英文有 though 无 but，有 but 无 though；
·be taken over by写作万能搭配：被…… 取代、接管；
·逗号后的 known as /called/named 都是后置定语，往前找修饰名词。
译文
尽管这些大型主机依然存在，但它们的许多功能已被体积小巧、性能强大的个人电脑（即 PC 机）所取代。
长难句 4
原句
Considering how recent these developments are, it is even more remarkable that as long ago as the 1960s, an Englishman, Leon Bagrit, was able to predict some of the uses of computers which we know today.
结构拆解
状语：Considering 现在分词短语作原因状语 + 宾语从句 how recent...
主句形式主语：it is remarkable that...
真正主语：that 主语从句
定语从句：which we know today 修饰 uses of computers
语法核心
1.Considering (that)... 分词连词
意为 “考虑到……”，直接引导状语；
2.It 形式主语句型
It is + 形容词 + that 从句，真正主语后置，避免头重脚轻；
3.as long ago as + 时间：早在…… 年代；
4.which 限制性定语从句修饰先行词物。
学习注意要点
·写作必背句型：It is remarkable that...令人格外瞩目的是……
·Considering 放句首，直接作状语，不用再加连词；
·长句先抓骨架：It is remarkable that... 再看从句内部细节。
译文
考虑到这些发展都是近些年才出现的，早在 20 世纪 60 年代，英国人里昂・巴格里特就能预测出我们如今熟知的电脑诸多用途，这就更显得非同凡响。
长难句 5
原句
Bagrit dismissed the idea that computers would learn to 'think' for themselves and would 'rule the world', which people liked to believe in those days.
结构拆解
主干：Bagrit dismissed the idea
同位语从句：that computers would... 解释 idea 具体内容
非限制性定语从句：which people liked to believe... 修饰前面整件事
语法核心
1.同位语从句 that
that 只起连接作用，不充当句子成分，解释抽象名词 idea/fact/news；
2.过去将来时 would + 动词原形
立足于过去，展望过去的未来；
3.which 非限制性定语从句
逗号隔开，指代前面整句话内容，不指代单个名词。
学习注意要点
·区分：定语从句 that 要作成分，同位语从句 that 不作成分；
·逗号后的 which 大多指代整件事，不是就近某个单词；
·dismiss the idea that... 写作高级句式：摒弃…… 的观点。
译文
巴格里特摒弃了那种认为电脑会学会独立思考并主宰世界的观点，而这一观点在当时却广为人们所认同。
长难句 6
原句
Nor could he have foreseen how we could use the Internet to obtain information on every known subject, so we can read it on a screen in our homes and even print it as well if we want to.
结构拆解
否定倒装句：Nor could he have foreseen...
宾语从句：how we could use...
结果状语从句：so we can read...
条件状语从句：if we want to
语法核心
1.否定词置于句首，部分倒装
Nor + 助动词 / 情态动词 + 主语 + 谓语
正常语序：He could not have foreseen either.
2.could have foreseen虚拟语气：本不可能预见；
3.if we want to不定式省略，后面省略 read or print it，避免重复。
学习注意要点
·否定词 Nor / Neither / Never / Seldom 放句首，必须部分倒装；
·倒装是考试、写作高分亮点，可直接仿写；
·不定式省略只保留 to，不加宾语，是地道书面表达。
译文
他也无法预见，我们可以利用互联网获取各类已知领域的信息，在家中屏幕上阅读，愿意的话甚至还可以打印出来。
句型分析：
句型 1
课文原句
Predicting the future is notoriously difficult.
句型骨架
Doing sth. is notoriously + 形容词.
套用逻辑
动名词短语作主语，用来开篇点明「做某事是出了名的……」，适合作文开头引入话题。
仿写例句
Mastering a foreign language is notoriously challenging.
例句翻译
掌握一门外语是出了名的有难度。
句型 2
课文原句
Who could have imagined that by the end of the 20th century, computers would be as common in people's homes as TV sets?
句型骨架
Who could have imagined that by the end of + 时间，某事物 would be as + 形容词 + as 对比事物？
套用逻辑
反问句式 + 过去将来时，用于对比变迁、时代发展，雅思 / 考研图表、议论文万能开篇。
仿写例句
Who could have imagined that by the end of this decade, online learning would be as popular as traditional schooling?
例句翻译
谁能想到，到这个十年末，线上学习会和传统在校教育一样普及？
句型 3
课文原句
From those humble beginnings, we have seen the development of the user-friendly technology which are in common use today.
句型骨架
From those humble beginnings, we have seen the development of + 抽象事物 / 科技 / 行业 + which are widely used nowadays.
套用逻辑
用于描述事物从简陋开端到如今蓬勃发展，适合科技、社会发展类作文。
仿写例句
From those humble beginnings, we have seen the development of smart devices which are in common use today.
例句翻译
从那些简陋的开端开始，我们见证了如今被广泛使用的智能设备的发展。
句型 4
课文原句
It is even more remarkable that as long ago as the 1960s, someone was able to predict the great changes brought by modern technology.
句型骨架
It is even more remarkable that as long ago as + 时间，某人 was able to predict + 趋势 / 变化 / 影响.
套用逻辑
形式主语高分句型，用来强调早年就有人预判到如今的趋势，论证观点极强。
仿写例句
It is even more remarkable that as long ago as twenty years ago, experts were able to predict the influence of social media.
例句翻译
早在二十年前，专家们就能够预判社交媒体带来的影响，这一点显得尤为不凡。
句型 5
课文原句
If someone like him were alive today, he might be able to tell us what to expect in the next few decades.
句型骨架
If + 虚拟人物 / 群体 + were alive today, he might be able to tell us what to expect in the next + 时间段.
套用逻辑
现在虚拟语气，假设先贤、前辈在世，预判未来发展，议论文结尾万能升华句。
仿写例句
If great educators were alive today, they might be able to tell us what to expect in the next fifty years of education.
例句翻译
倘若伟大的教育家如今还在世，或许能告诉我们未来五十年教育领域会迎来怎样的变化。
