英语四级词汇考点归纳：减少

　　Unlike physical energy, which is finite and diminishes with age, emotional energy is unlimited and has nothing to do with genes or upbringing.

　　英语四级译文:

　　身体能量是有限的，而且会随着年龄的增长而减少，而精神的能量则是无限的，它与基因或成长经历无关。

　　四级词汇讲解:

　　本句的主干是emotional energy is unlimited and has nothing to do with genes or upbringing。unlike physical energy作整句的方式状语，其中还带有一个which引导的非限定性定语从句，修饰physical energy。

　　finite意为“有限的”。如:

　　We should treasure our finite fossil fuel reserves.我们应该珍惜有限的矿物燃料储备。

　　finite的反义词为infinite(无限的)。如:

　　It is difficult to grasp the concept of infinite space.掌握无限的空间概念是很难的。

　　英语四级考点归纳:

　　diminish, decrease, reduce都可以译为“减少”，三者的区别在于:

　　※ diminish强调的是程度的降低。如:

　　1) He likes to diminish the skills of others.他喜欢贬低别人的技能。

　　2) As he turned the knob, the sound diminished.他一转旋钮，声音就变小了。

　　※ decrease强调的是感情变弱或者数量的减少。如:

　　1) His interest in this subject gradually decreases.他对这门学科的兴趣逐渐减退。

　　2) They are making further efforts to decrease military spending.他们正在做进一步的努力，来减少军费开支。

　　※ reduce强调的是程度的降低、数量的减少或者能力的降低。如:

　　1) The new government's prime task is to reduce the level of inflation.新政府的首要任务是降低通货膨胀水平。

　　2) Taking extra vitamins may reduce your liability to colds.多吃一些维生素会降低你患感冒的可能性。