第24课
ambiguous
a. 引起歧义的，模棱两可的，含糊不清的
The President's ambiguous directions confused the staff, who didn't know what to do.
总统含糊的指令让他的下属有些茫然，不知如何是好。

authentic
a. 真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的
Can you distinguish between an authentic antique and a fake one?
你能辨认古董真品和赝品吗？
Nowadays it's quite difficult to tell an authentic news report from an invented one, especially news about the celebrities.
现在有的新闻报道可谓是真假难辨，尤其是对于那些名流们的报道。

compulsory
a. 必须做的，强制性的，（课程）必修的
Is English a compulsory course in your school?
在你们学校，英语是必修的课程吗？
A nine year compulsory education is implemented in China.
中国实行9年义务教育。

conspicuous
a. 显眼的，明显的
She's always conspicuous because of her bright clothes and queer hair style.
因为她衣着鲜艳，发型古怪，所以总是惹人注目。

decisive
a. 决定性的；坚定的，果断的；决断的
Waterloo was the decisive battle of the whole war.
滑铁卢一役左右了整个战局。

deteriorate
vi. 恶化，变坏
He Long's health had deteriorated while he was in prison.
贺龙在狱中时健康状况已经越来越恶化了。
In many developing countries, the ecosystem has deteriorated for the sake of economic development.
许多发展中国家的生态环境 因为经济发展而日趋恶化。

diversion
n. 转移，转向，消遣，娱乐；（修路时的）临时绕行路
Some students marred their writings by a diversion into irrelevant material.
一些学生由于插入无关材料偏离主题而把作文写糟了。

engagement
n. 订婚，婚约；约会
The two lovers had an engagement to meet secretly after dark.
两个恋人约好在天黑以后秘密约会。
Their engagement was announced in the local paper.
他们订婚的消息已登在当地报纸上。

expire
vi. 期满，（期限）终止；断气，死亡
My passport expires in a month.
我的护照再过一个月就到期了。

fluctuate
vi. 波动，涨落，起伏
The prices of vegetables and fruits fluctuate with the seasons.
蔬菜和水果的价格随季节而波动。

haul
vt.（用力）拖，拉；（用车等）拖运，运送n. 拖，拉，拖运；一次获得（或偷得等）的数量
When dusk came, the fishermen hauled the boat up onto the shore.
黄昏降临，渔夫们用力把船拖上岸。
Raised for its milk, meat, and hide, the reindeer is also used to haul things from place to place.
饲养驯鹿除了要获取奶、肉和皮革之外，还要用来把东西从一个地方运送到另一个地方。

illuminate
vt. 照明，照亮；阐明，启发
Tian'anmen Square really looks magnificent at night when it is illuminated.
在夜晚灯光的照耀下，天安门广场看起来确实很壮观。

indignation
n. 愤怒，愤慨，义愤
The manager expressed his indignation at being unfairly dismissed by the president.
经理对他被总裁不公平解雇一事愤愤不平。

integrity
n. 正直，诚实，诚恳；完整，完全，完善
One of the company philosophies of American International Assurance (AIA) is "integrity".
美国友邦保险公司的信条之一就是"诚信为本"。

invaluable
a. 非常宝贵的，极为贵重的，无价的
Good health, not wealth, is an invaluable blessing.
健康，不是财富，才是千金难买的福气。