Lesson 9 “A More Perfect Union” (Part Ⅰ)一、词汇短语1. improbable adj. not likely to be true or to happen不可能的2. persecution n. the state of treating someonecruelly or unfairly over a period of time, especially because of theirreligious or political beliefs 迫害3. stalemate n. a situation in which it seems impossible tosettle an argument or disagreement, and neither side can get anadvantage 僵局，僵持4. embed v. to fix something firmly into a substance or solid object 使插入，使嵌入5. parchment n. a substance made from animal skin, used inthe past for writing on; a document, manuscript, or diploma onparchment （用于书写正式文件的）仿羊皮纸；毕业文凭6. obligation n. the state of being forced to dosomething because it is your duty, or because of a law, etc.义务，职责，债务7. unyielding adj. if a person is unyielding, they are not easilyinfluenced and they are unlikely to change their mind坚强的，不屈的，执着的8. decency n. honest, polite behavior that follows acceptedmoral standards and shows respect for others庄重，正派，体面9. inheritance n. the money, property, etc. that you receivefrom somebody when they die; the fact of receiving something whensomebody dies遗传，遗产10. sear v. 1) to burn the surface of something in a way that is sudden andpowerful烧焦，使枯萎; 2) to cause somebody to feel sudden and great pain 烙印11. coalition n. a union of two or more political partiesthat allows them to form a government or fight an election together（政党之间的）联盟，联合12. bubble v. to form bubbles使沸腾，使冒泡13. primary n. (American English) in the U.S. a local meeting ofvoters of a given political party to nominate candidates for public office,select delegates to a convention, etc.（政党中的）初选14. scour v. to search very carefully and thoroughly through an area,a document etc.彻底搜寻，擦亮，洗涤15. exit poll n. a way of guessing the results ofan election by asking people who have just finished voting who theyvoted for选举投票后民意测验16. polarization n. the act ofseparating or making people separate into two groups withcompletely opposite opinions两极分化17. divisive adj. causing people to be split into groups thatdisagree with or oppose each other分裂的，造成不和的18. spectrum n. a complete range of opinions, people,situations etc. going from one extreme to its opposite范围，幅度；光谱19. wide-eyed adj. having little experience and therefore verywilling to believe, trust or accept somebody/something睁大眼睛的，天真的，吃惊的20. reconciliation n. an end to a disagreementand the start of a good relationship again和解，调和21. pastor n. a person, as a priest or minister, in spiritual andjurisdictional charge of a parish, church, congregation or community牧师22. incendiary adj. an incendiary speech, piece of writingetc. is intended to make people angry（演讲、文章等）煽动性的23. denigrate v. to blacken; disparage the character orreputation of; defame 贬低，诋毁，诽谤，污蔑24. unequivocal adj. not ambiguous; plain, clear明确的，不含糊的25. nagging adj. complaining for a long time and difficult to stop唠叨的，挑剔的26. rabbi n. (Judaism) a scholar and teacher of the Jewish law; now,specifically an ordained Jew, usually the spiritual head of a congregation,qualified to decide questions of law and ritual and to perform marriages,etc.拉比（犹太人的学者），法学博士，法师，先生27. endemic n. an endemic disease or problem is always presentin a particular place, or among a particular group of people风土的，地方性的28. stalwart adj. loyal; brave, valiant; firm, unyielding坚定的，健壮的29. professed adj. used to describe a belief or a position thatsomebody has publicly made known公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的30. sermon n. a speech given as instruction in religion or morals,esp. by a priest, minister, or rabbi during services, using a text fromScripture训诫，说教，布道31. You Tube n. a video-sharing website on which users canupload, share, and view videos, created in 2005 and bought by GoogleInc., and is now operated as a subsidiary of Google一种视频网站32. marine adj. connected with the sea and the creatures andplants that live there海的，海产的；航海的，海运的33. seminary n. a college where priests, ministers or rabbis are trained神学院34. reverend adj. the title of a member of the clergy that is alsosometimes used to talk to or about one（对教士的尊称）可尊敬的，教士的35. chronicle n. a written record of events in the order in which they happened 编年史36. predominantly adv. mostly; mainly主要地，显著地，占主导地位地37. gang-banger n. (American English) a member of a violentgang暴力团伙中的一员38. raucous adj. sounding unpleasantly loud 沙哑的，粗嘎的39. bawdy adj. bawdy songs, jokes, stories etc. are about sex and arefunny, enjoyable, and often noisy（歌曲、笑话、故事等）下流的，淫秽的40. jarring adj. making someone feel annoyed or shocked不和谐的，刺耳的；让人震惊或恼火的41. baptize v. to give somebody baptism给人施洗礼（作为入基督教的标志），命名（作为洗礼仪式的一部分）42. derogatory adj. showing a critical attitude towards somebody贬损的，不敬的43. courtesy n. polite behavior that shows respect for other people谦恭，礼貌44. disown v. to say that you no longer want to be connected withsomeone or something, especially a member of your family orsomething that you are responsible for否认，与断绝关系45. cringe v. to feel very embarrassed and uncomfortable aboutsomething畏缩，阿谀，奉承，感到难堪46. crank n. someone who has unusual ideas and behaves strangely举止奇怪的人47. demagogue n. a political leader who tries to make peoplefeel strong emotions in order to influence their, opinions—used toshow disapproval蛊惑民心的政客，煽动者48. amplify v. 1) to increase something in strength, especiallysound放大，增强2) to add details to a story, statement, etc.详述二、课文精解1. Barack Obama: 奥巴马2008年3月18日的演讲《更加完善的联邦》是他总统竞选活动中最重要的演讲之一。