托福课文阅读单词记忆：第三篇

　　平板上形状扭曲的骨架

　　A silversmith was commissioned to make a replicaof a sinuous skeleton on a slab. However, a localpriest was skeptical of its religious significance andsaid that it was a sin to simulate such a sinisterthing. The silversmith said with a sigh that it wassilly to be filled with such skepticism over such athing of simplicity as it does not signify anythingreligiously significant whatsoever. The priest wasnon-plussed, but there was nothing he could do as itwas perfectly legal to make such a replica. The silversmith proceeded to make a sketch ofthe skeleton on a slab and make a mold of silt as silt is finer than sand and perfect formaking molds. He then poured the molten silver into the mold, being careful not to singehimself. He looked at the replica and decided that the skeleton was too skimpy. He knew hehad to do it again, and this time he would not skip anything important and certainly not skimpwith the silver. His second effort was a success. The sales of the skeleton replica skyrocketed, and his business never slackened after that. His silver replica became so popular that therewere advertisements placed for it all around the city. One day, he was driving downtown and hesaw two large advertisements of his skeleton being placed on skyscrapers opposite each otherabove the city streets. He thought to himself, "Simultaneous advertising is a wonderful idea."

　　一位银匠受人委托，在平板上复制一具形状扭曲的骨架。但是，一个本地牧师对这件事情的宗教意义表示怀疑，他说复制这么一件邪恶的东西是一种罪行。银匠叹了口气说，对这么一件简单的东西表示这种怀疑是愚蠢的，因为它根本不意味着有什么宗教意义。牧师很狼狈，但由于制作这样的复制品完全合法，他无计可施。银匠开始在平板上绘制骨架的草图，然后用淤泥做了个模具，因为淤泥比沙子精细，适合做模具。他把熔化的银水小心翼翼地倒入模具，以免烫着自己。他看了看复制品，觉得骨架做得太省料。他知道得重做，这一次他不会遗漏任何重要之处，当然也不会吝啬银子。第二次努力获得成功。这具骨架的复制品销量直线上升，此后他的生意从未清淡过。他的银制复制品大受欢迎，城里到处都张贴着广告。一天，他开车去市中心，看见摩天大楼上正在张贴两大幅有关他的骨架复制品的广告，在城市大街上空彼此相望。他想，"同步做广告是个奇妙的主意。"