2. But brain researchers have discovered that when we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel paths, and even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks.
【分析】多重复合句。句子主干为 brain researchers have discovered that...。that 引导的从句作宾语,宾语从句的主干为 we create parallel paths, and even entirely new brain cells;when 引导时间状语从句。第二个 that 引导的定语从句修饰先行词 paths,从句和先行词被插入语 and...cells 分开了。
【译文】但是,大脑研究人员发现,在我们有意识地培养新习惯的同时,我们也创造了平行路径——甚至是全新的脑细胞——这些平行路径能使我们的思路转入到新的创新轨道。
【点拨】1) parallel 在此为形容词,“平行的,同方向的”,注意它作动词时的用法,如 They paralleled his life with those of the saints.(他们将他的生活与圣人的生活相比。)。2) train 本句中意思是“一连串,一系列”。
【临摹】从隔壁房间突然传来的吵闹声打断了我的思路。
3. In fact, the more new things we try—the more we step outside our comfort zone— the more inherently creative we become, both in the workplace and in our personal lives.
【分析】复合句。本句中包含 the more...the more 结构。注意第一个 the more 后谓语和宾语倒装,第二个 the more 引导的句子是前面从句的补充说明,第三个 the more 引导的句子为主句,注意表语和系动词的倒装。
【译文】事实上,我们越是尝试新的东西——我们越能跨出自己的舒适区——我们在职场上和在个人生活中就会变得越有创造性。
【点拨】1) comfort zone 指“舒适区”。2) inherently 意为“天性地,固有地”。
【临摹】人愈有学问,往往愈是谦虚。