英语在世界语言中的难度（英读廊是什么原因让有的人更聪明一些）

* 用英语自身来理解和学习英语是最好的方式，《英读廊》是《满庭说英语》中的拓展阅读系列，这一系列的文章力求帮助大家在英语阅读能力上有所提升，并树立英语思维；* 推荐的阅读的方法是：先原文，适当看解析阅读，还有疑惑再看双语对照。* 解析中英语单词的音标使用Dictcom和IPA双音标标注，如果需要了解Dictcom音标，请参看我们的《dictionary所用的音标体系》一文。* 本篇文章难度系数7.6，由《小仙英语伴读》人工智能难度分析系统提供评分。#英语思维#

#英语#

【编者按】这不一定是终极的答案，人类一直在探求这个；这也不是鸡汤，但应该是对你有用的。

What makes people clever and why are some smarter than others?【译】是什么让人聪明？为什么有些人比其他人聪明？【语法】smarter than 形容词或副词比较级 than，是“比...更...”的意思；例句：He is younger than me. 他比我（更）年轻。He runs faster than me. 他比我跑得（更）快。【单词】clever ['klev-er]['klevə] adj. 聪明的；灵巧的【单词】smarter 原型：smart [smahrt][smɑːt] adj. 时髦的；漂亮的；聪明的；敏捷的；整洁的；厉害的

I am currently doing my GCSE's in high school and I have to revise every night to stay at the level I am working at.【译】我目前正在高中念普通中等教育证书，我必须每晚复习，以保持我目前的水平。【用法】have to do sth. 表示“必须”、“不得不”、“只好”、“（被迫）很勉强”去做某事，后面跟动词原形，与情态动词 must 近义但区别在于：have to 表示客观的需要，must 表示说话人主观上的看法，既主观上的必要。例句：My brother was very ill, so I had to call the doctor in the middle of the night. 我弟弟病得很厉害，我只得半夜里把医生请来。(客观上需要做这件事) He said that they must work hard. 他说他们必须努力工作。（主观上要做这件事）【单词】currently ['kur-uhnt-lee, 'kuhr-]['kʌrəntli] adv. 现在；通常；当前【单词】revise [ri-'vahyz][rɪ'vaɪz] n. 校订；修正；再校稿 v. 校订；修正；校正【专有名词】GCSE [ˌdʒiːsiːes'iː] abbr. 英国的普通中等教育证书(=General Certificate of Secondary Education)，相当于中学毕业的学历证明

However, there is another person in my year who is one of the smartest people in the country.【译】然而，在我这一届中，还有一个人是这个国家最聪明的人之一。【单词】smartest 原型：smart 形容词最高级 [smahrt][smɑːt] adj. 时髦的；漂亮的；聪明的；敏捷的；整洁的；厉害的 vi. 刺痛；难过；烦恼 n. 刺痛；苦恼 adv. （=smartly）

Seriously, in the national math test thing he was the 1% of 100 marks out of everybody in the country who took the test.【译】说真的，在全国数学考试中，他在全国参加考试的人中排在前百分之一。【单词】Seriously 原型：seriously 副词 ['seer-ee-uhs-lee]['sɪəriəsli] adv. 严肃地；认真地；严重地【单词】math [math][mæθ] n. 数学【单词】everybody ['ev-ree-bod-ee, -buhd-ee]['evribɒdi] pron. 每人；人人；各人

He never has to study for exams and knows everything.【译】他从来不必为考试而学习，什么都会。【单词】exams 原型：exam [ig-'zam][ɪɡ'zæm] n. 考试

What does he have different from me?【译】他和我有什么不同？

He almost certainly does study.【译】他几乎可以肯定地保持不断学习。

However, he's probably been studying more consistently than you since a very young age.【译】而且，他可能从很小的时候就比你更能坚持学习。【单词】consistently [kuhn-'sis-tuhnt-lee][kən'sɪstəntlɪ] adv. 一致地；始终如一地

Because of this, his brain has been trained over many years to be able to take in information more quickly.【译】正因为如此，他的大脑经过多年的训练，能够更快地接收信息。【固定用法】be able to do sth. 能够，会(做)；有能力(或办法、机会)做某事；例句：I am able to pick you up on the short wave radio. 我能用短波收音机收听到你的信号。【短语】take over 表示“接管；接收”。如：I intend you to take over. 我打算让你来接管。【单词】brain [breyn][breɪn] n. 脑；智力；智者【单词】trained 原型：train [treyn][treɪn] vt. 训练；培训；vi. 进行锻炼，接收训练；练习

Of course, there is a genetic element to the ability to learn... but I guarantee he wasn't born with an understanding of trigonometry, nor with an ability to analyse Shakespeare.【译】当然，学习能力有遗传因素。。。但我保证他不是天生就懂得三角学，也没有分析莎士比亚的能力。【短语】of course 当然【单词】genetic [juh-'net-ik][dʒə'netɪk] adj. 遗传的；基因的；起源的【单词】element ['el-uh-muhnt]['elɪmənt] n. 要素；元素；元件【单词】ability [uh-'bil-i-tee][ə'bɪləti] n. 能力；才能【单词】learn [lurn][lɜːn] v. 学会；学习；得知【单词】guarantee [gar-uhn-'tee][ˌɡærən'tiː] vt. 保证；担保【单词】born [bawrn][bɔːn] adj. 出生的；与生俱来的 动词bear的过去分词.【单词】trigonometry [trig-uh-'nom-i-tree][ˌtrɪɡə'nɒmətri] n. 三角法【单词】analyse ['an-l-ahyz]['ænəlaɪz] vt. 分析；细察【专有名词】Shakespeare n. 莎士比亚（英国诗人、剧作家）

It only comes with practice.【译】（这些能力）只有在实践、练习后才会有。

But the amount of practice it requires will vary from one person to another, and a key part of that is how used to learning your brain has already become.【译】但是，它所需要的练习量会因人而异，其中一个关键部分就是如何习惯在挡墙大脑的状态下进行学习。【短语】part of ... （某事物的）一部分；例句：He received part of his education in England. 他有一部分教育是在英国接受的。【单词】requires 原型：require [ri-'kwahyuhr][rɪ'kwaɪə] v. 要求；需要；命令；规定【单词】vary ['vair-ee]['veəri] v. 改变；变化；使多样化

The good news is that the brain is constantly adapting - the phrase that you can't teach an old dog new tricks has been proven to be wrong.【译】好消息是大脑在不断地适应——不能教老狗新技能的说法已经被证明是错误的。【单词】constantly ['kon-stuhnt]['kɒnstəntli] adv. 不断地；经常地【单词】adapting 原型：adapt [uh-'dapt][ə'dæpt] vt. 改编；使适应 vi. 适应；适合【单词】phrase [freyz][freɪz] n. 短语；习语；措辞【单词】teach [teech][tiːtʃ] vt. 教；教导；教授；教训 vi. 给予指导【单词】tricks 原型：trick [trik][trɪk] n. 花招；把戏；诀窍【单词】proven 原型：prove [proov][pruːv] v. 证明；检验

So if you want to train your brain to be able to do the same, then just take every learning opportunity you have from now on.【译】所以，如果你想训练你的大脑，使之能够做到同样的事情，那么就从现在开始抓住你所有的学习机会。

Over the course of the next few years your brain, too, will be adapted to learn, and you will find the task relatively easy by the time you finish your degree, if that's the path you choose to take.【译】在接下来的几年里，你的大脑也会适应学习，当你完成学业时，你会发现这项任务相对容易，如果你选择了这条路的话。

【单词】task [task, tahsk][tɑːsk] n. 任务；工作 vt. 交给某人（任务)；使做艰苦的工作【单词】relatively ['rel-uh-tiv-lee]['relətɪvli] adv. 相对地；比较地【单词】finish ['fin-ish]['fɪnɪʃ] v. 完成；结束【单词】path [path, pahth][pɑːθ] n. 路线；小路；路程【单词】choose [chooz][tʃuːz] v. 选择；决定

The genetic component, is far more important in this case, though as mentioned the person is achieving near the top of the country.【译】在这种情况下，基因成分要重要得多，尽管正如之前所提到的那样，那个人（的智力）接近于是国家的尖子。【短语】far more 多得多的，更...的多的；例句：A bicycle's often far more convenient than a car in busy cities. 在热闹的都市里骑自行车往往比坐汽车方便得多。【单词】component [kuhm-'poh-nuhnt, kom-][kəm'pəʊnənt] n. 零部件；元件；组成部分；成分【单词】mentioned 原型：mention ['men-shuhn]['menʃn] vt. 提到；说起 n. 提及；说起【单词】achieving 原型：achieve [uh-'cheev][ə'tʃiːv] v. 完成；达到；实现

When you are one of the best at anything, it is a junction of effort AND genes which are at play.【译】当你在任何事情上都是最优秀的人之一，那就是努力和发挥作用的基因的结合。【单词】junction ['juhngk-shuhn]['dʒʌŋkʃn] n. 连接；会合处；交叉点【单词】effort ['ef-ert]['efət] n. 努力；努力的成果【单词】genes 原型：gene [jeen][dʒiːn] n. 基因

You can practice as much as you want.【译】尽可能地多加练习，你想练多少就练多少。【用法】as...as 意为"和……一样"，表示同级的比较。 其基本结构为：as adj./adv. as sth.；例如：This film is as interesting as that one. 这部电影和那部电影一样有趣。

You're not going to become a concert violinist with mere effort.【译】你不可能仅仅靠努力就成为一名音乐会上的小提琴手。【单词】concert ['kon-surt]['kɒnsət] n. 音乐会【单词】violinist [vahy-uh-'lin-ist][ˌvaɪə'lɪnɪst] n. 小提琴手【单词】mere [meer][mɪə] adj. 仅仅的；纯粹的

It takes will talent to be the best.【译】只有结合个人意愿加上天赋才能成为最好的。【单词】talent ['tal-uhnt]['tælənt] n. 天赋；才能，才艺；天才；人才

He probably has more neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to make new connections and change ones.【译】他可能具有更多的神经可塑性，即大脑建立新的联系和改变联系的能力。【单词】neuroplasticity [noor-oh-pla-'stis-i-tee][njuərɒplæs'tɪsɪtɪ] 神经塑性【单词】connections 原型：connection [kuh-'nek-shuhn][kə'nekʃn] n. 联系；关系；连接

Evolution did not necessarily select for the smartest humans, just humans that are smart enough.【译】进化并不一定选择最聪明的人类，只选择足够聪明的人类。【短语】not necessarily表示“未必；不一定”。如：Frustrations are not necessarily bad things in life.【单词】Evolution 原型：evolution [ev-uh-'loo-shuhn][ˌiːvə'luːʃn] n. 进化；发展；演变【单词】necessarily [nes-uh-'sair-uh-lee, -'ser-][ˌnesə'serəli] adv. 必然地；必定地；必需地【单词】select [si-'lekt][sɪ'lekt] v. 选择；挑选

But that leaves a lot of wiggle room.【译】但这留下了很大的回旋余地。【单词】leaves 原型：leave [leef][liːf] v. 离开，留下，剩下【单词】wiggle ['wig-uhl]['wɪɡl] v. 扭动；摆动 n. 扭动；蠕动

Intelligence has a cost.【译】智慧是有代价的。【单词】Intelligence 原型：intelligence [in-'tel-i-juhns][ɪn'telɪdʒəns] n. 智力；理解力

For an extreme example, look at Autistic savants: super smart at some things, but at the cost of others, usually social interaction.【译】举一个极端的例子，看看自闭症学者：在某些事情上超级聪明，但以其他事情为代价，通常是社交。【单词】extreme [ik-'streem][ɪk'striːm] adj. 极度的；极端的 n. 极端；极限【单词】savants 名词复数形式 n. 学者（savant的复数）；专家【单词】social ['soh-shuhl]['səʊʃl] adj. 社会的；社会阶层的；群居的；社交的；好交际的；合群的【单词】interaction [in-ter-'ak-shuhn][ˌɪntər'ækʃn] n. 相互作用；相互影响；互动交流【专有名词】Autistic ['aw-tiz-uhm][ɔː'tɪstɪk] adj. 自闭的

So part of it is just winning the evolutionary lottery.【译】所以部分原因就是赢得了进化的青睐。【单词】winning 原型：win [win][wɪn] v. 赢；赢得；获胜；获得【单词】evolutionary [ev-uh-'loo-shuh-ner-ee][ˌiːvə'luːʃənri] adj. 进化的；发展的；演变的【单词】lottery ['lot-uh-ree]['lɒtəri] n.

Some people are lucky enough to be born rich, some people are lucky enough to be born hot, some people are lucky enough to be born smart (and occasionally some really lucky bastard gets all of them).【译】有些人幸运地生来富有，有些人幸运地出生就被关注，有些人幸运地生来聪明（偶尔一些真正幸运的家伙会得到所有这些）。【单词】lucky ['luhk-ee]['lʌki] adj. 幸运的；带来好运的【单词】rich [rich][rɪtʃ] adj. 富有的；富饶的；丰富的【单词】hot [hot][hɒt] adj. 热的；辣的；强烈的 adv. 激动地；趁热地 v. （使）变热【单词】occasionally [uh-'key-zhuh-nl-ee][ə'keɪʒnəli] adv. 偶尔地【单词】bastard ['bas-terd]['bɑːstəd] n. 家伙，私生子；混蛋

Part of it may also just be an inherent love of learning.【译】它的一部分可能只是一种内在的对学习的热爱。【单词】inherent [in-'her-uhnt, -'heer-][ɪn'hɪərənt] adj. 固有的；内在的

I love learning, I think the universe is an infinitely interesting place.【译】我喜欢学习，我认为宇宙是一个无限有趣的地方。【单词】universe ['yoo-nuh-vurs]['juːnɪvɜːs] n. 宇宙；万物；世界【单词】infinitely ['in-fuh-nit]['ɪnfɪnətli] adv. 无限地；无穷地

The cost of all that is that I don't keep up with pop culture pretty much at all.【译】所有这些的代价是我根本跟不上流行文化。【单词】pop [pop][pɒp] adj. 通俗的；流行的；热门的【单词】culture ['kuhl-cher]['kʌltʃə] n. 栽培；文化【单词】pretty ['prit-ee]['prɪti] adv. 相当地

I'm also super jealous of all my creative friends who actually have the motivation to write and draw and create.【译】我也非常嫉妒我所有有创造力的朋友，他们有写作、绘画和创作的动力。【单词】jealous ['jel-uh s]['dʒeləs] adj. 妒忌的；羡慕的；嫉妒的【单词】creative [kree-'ey-tiv][kri'eɪtɪv] adj. 创造的，创造性的；创作的【单词】motivation [moh-tuh-'vey-shuhn][ˌməʊtɪ'veɪʃn] n. 动机；动力；刺激；积极性【单词】draw [draw][drɔː] v. 画【单词】create [kree-'eyt][kri'eɪt] v. 创造；造成

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.【译】每个人都有优点和缺点。【单词】strengths 原型：strength [strengkth][streŋθ] n. 力气；强度；力量；长处【单词】weaknesses 原型：weakness ['week-nis]['wiːknəs] n. 软弱；弱点；嗜好

That's good for evolution, because it means the species can adapt to more situations.【译】这有利于进化，因为这意味着整个物种可以适应更多的环境。【单词】evolution [ev-uh-'loo-shuhn][ˌiːvə'luːʃn] n. 进化；发展；演变【单词】species ['spee-sheez, -seez]['spiːʃiːz] n. 种类；（单复同）物种【单词】adapt [uh-'dapt][ə'dæpt] vt. 改编；使适应 vi. 适应；适合