*eccentric
a. (of people or their behaviour) unusual; not conventional or normal; slightly odd （人、行为举止）异乎寻常的；古怪的，怪僻的

tropical
a. of or found in the tropics 热带的；发生于热带的

carpet
n. 地毯

wallpaper
n. thick coloured or patterned paper for decorating the walls of a room 墙纸；壁纸

*peel
vi. (of a covering) come off in strips or small pieces 剥落；脱落
vt. (off) remove the outer covering from (a fruit, vegetable, etc.) 削去…的皮；剥去…的壳
n. the outer covering of fruits and vegetables （水果、蔬菜等的）皮

anniversary
n. a day which is an exact year or number of years after sth. has happened; a ceremony, feast, etc., held on this day 周年；周年纪念

mathematician
n. a person who studies mathematics 数学家

astronomer
n. a person who studies astronomy 天文学家

revolutionise, -ize
vt. cause a complete change in 使发生革命性剧变

*astronomy
n. the scientific study of the sun, moon. stars, planets, etc. 天文学

solar
a. 1. of, from or concerning the sun 太阳的；太阳产生的
2. using the sun's light and heat 利用太阳光（或太阳能）的

ancient
a. belonging to times that are long past 古代的；属于古代的

figuratively
ad. 比喻地；借喻地

*literally
ad. 1. according to the most basic and simple meaning of a word 字面上地；照文字地
2. exactly, really 确实地，真心地，不加夸张地

*elite
a. (Fr) (of people or organizations) considered to be the best of their kind（法）杰出的，卓越的；精锐的
n. a group of the most powerful, rich or talented people 精英阶层；实力集团

classical
a. 1. (of music) composed with serious intentions and having lasting value (as opposed to jazz or pop) 古典的；古典乐派的
2. being in accordance with ancient Greek or Roman models in literature or art or with later systems based on them 古典（指古希腊或古罗马文学、艺术等）的；基于古典文学艺术的

*instinctive
a. （出于）本能的；（出于）天性的

insight
n. deep understanding; the ability to see into the true nature of sth. 洞悉，深入了解；洞察力

pose
vt. 1. ask (a question, riddle, etc.) 提出（问题等）
2. create or present (a difficulty, etc.) 造成，引起（困难等）

initially
ad. at first; at the beginning 最初；开始

relate
v. 1. tell (a story) 讲述（故事）
2. see or show a connection between 使联系，显示出…与…的联系

underweight
a. weighing too little or less than is usual 重量不足

awkward
a. 笨拙的；使人尴尬的

peer
vi. (at, through) look very carefully or hard for not being able to see well 仔细看；费力地看
n. a person of the same age or status as you 同辈；同等地位的人

eyeglasses
n. =glasses 眼镜

inherit
vt. 1. have features or qualities similar to those of an ancestor 经遗传而得（性格、特征）
2. receive (money, property, etc.) as a result of the death of the previous owner 继承（金钱、遗产等）

lisp
n. 咬舌；口齿不清

crew
n. 1. a rowing team 全体划船队员
2. all the people working on a ship, an aircraft, etc.（船、飞机等的）全体人员

gap
n. 1. an opening or break between two things 豁口；缺口
2. 峡谷；山口
3. 差距；分歧；隔阂

mathematical
a. of or concerning mathematics 数学（上）的

progressive
a. 1. (of diseases, etc.) becoming increasingly worse in its later stages （疾病等）愈来愈严重的
2. moving forward continuously or by stages 向前进的；循序渐进的
3. favoring or eager for new ideas or changes 进步的；改革的

incurable
a. that cannot be cured 不可救药的；不能治愈的

nerve
n. 1. any of the threadlike parts of the body which form a system to carry feelings and messages to and from the brain 神经
2. strength or control of mind; courage 意志力；勇气

predict
v. see or describe (a future happening) in advance as a result of knowledge, experience, reason, etc. 预言，预测

*diagnose
vt. discover the nature of (a disease) 诊断（疾病）

wheelchair
n. 轮椅

synthesizer
n. ［电子］合成器；音响合成器