1. Nowadays plastic is often used to ______ for rubber. (看到for用substitute)
2. The team ______ James with John in the match today. (with用replace)
3. Despite the fact that the old couple leads a very plain life
解析:Despite有"尽管"之意,看似连词,实际上却是介词。相当于in spite of,一般后接名词,如:Despite the bad weather we enjoyed our holiday.(尽管天气不好,我们的假期仍过得很愉快。)原句需填入部分是一个单句,因此要用"despite the fact that..."结构。让步状语从句还可以用although引导,即:Although the old couple leads a very plain life.
4. we should apply what we learned to the practical work
解析:汉语里的"所学的东西",在英语里可以由关系代词what引导的宾语从句来表达。由于汉语语言的表达方式与英语不一样,初学者在翻译此类句子时往往按照汉语的顺序,一字不漏地译出来,却不会使用what从句来代替。请看下例:我经常在想上次见到你时你所说的话。如果把这句话译成I often think about the words you said last time we met就会太生硬、罗嗦。应该译成I often think about what you said last time we met. 本题"我们所学到的知识"可以译成what we learned。本题的另外一个考点是:"将......运用于......"可译成apply...to...。
5. I am compelled to give up doing sports
解析:around the corner不是指在拐角处,而是说某事即将来临,这里可以翻译成"迫在眉睫"。有的同学错误地将"不得不做某事"译成decide to do sth.,这样就无法准确传递出原文地感情色彩。由于考试迫在眉睫,所以"我"不得不放弃运动。这里是被迫"放弃"。而decide to do是主观意志决定去做。"不得不"的说法在英文里有:have to,cannot but,cannot help but,cannot choose but,have no alternative but等。