Language Point 35

I think it's sort of a cynical notion...(Para. 12)

sort of: to some degree; rather

Isn't it sort of foolish to loan money to a cheat?

把钱借给骗子不是有点儿傻吗？

Cf.: a sort of: something like; a kind of 一种

They went there in a sort of car.

他们坐一辆有点像轿车的玩艺儿去那儿了。

cynical: a. not believing; doubting or making fun of

He has a cynical view of the world.

他以玩世不恭的态度看待世界。

The boys made several cynical remarks to cover up their disappointment at being left out of the play.

男孩子们说了几句玩世不恭的话，以掩盖他们对被排除在剧组之外的不满。

notion: n. 1. idea; understanding 思想；理解

He has no notion of what I mean.

他不理解我的意思。

2. opinion 见解

One common notion is that red hair goes with a quick temper.

人们常常认为红头发意味脾气暴躁。

This article deals with some modern notions about the Internet.

这篇文章说的是现代人对因特网的一些看法。