考研英语：历年真题阅读要点之1993-Text 3

　　A granted patent is the result of a bargain struck between an inventor and the state, by which the inventor gets a limited period of monopoly (垄断) and publishes full details of his invention to the public after that period terminates.

　　granted patent“授权专利”;bargain“交易，契约”;monopoly动词形式monopolize;terminate“结束，终止”。

　　Only in the most exceptional circumstances is the lifespan of a patent extended to alter this normal process of events.

　　only+状语位于句首，句子部分倒装，同时谓语动词是单独出现的be，所以部分倒装转化为全部倒装。正常语序The lifespan of a patent extended to alter this normal process of events only in the most exceptional circumstances. extended to“延伸至”，过去分词短语充当后置定语。

　　..., the shelves of the library attached to the patent office contain details of literally millions of ideas... Indeed, patent experts often advise anyone wishing to avoid the high cost of conducting a search through live patents that the one sure way of avoiding violation of any other inventor’s right is to plagiarize a dead patent. Likewise, because publication of an idea in any other form permanently invalidates further patents on that idea, ... Much modern technological advance is based on these presumptions of legal security.

　　be attached to“附属于”;literally“不夸张地”，针对副词，其实不认识也无所谓，几乎没什么影响。第二句的主干结构patent experts advise anyone... that...;plagiarize“剽窃，抄袭”。likewise“同样地”，说明两句说的是类似的内容;invalidate“使无效”。be based on“依据，以...为基础”;presumption“推测，假设”，动词presume;legal“法律的，合法的”，反义词illegal“非法的，违法的”;security“安全，保证”，反义词insecurity，动词和形容词形式secure;legal security“法律保障”。

　　Anyone closely involved in patents and inventions soon learns that most “new” ideas are, in fact, as old as the hills. It is their reduction to commercial practice, either through necessity or dedication, or through the availability of new technology, that makes news and money. The basic patent for the theory of magnetic recording dates back to 1886. Many of the original ideas behind television originate from the late 19th and early 20th century. Even the Volkswagen rear engine car was anticipated by a 1904 patent for a cart with the horse at the rear.

　　involved in过去分词短语充当后置定语，“涉及，参与”;as old as the hills“极古老，陈年老旧的”。第二句是强调句型it is... that...;reduction to commercial practice“简化成商业实践”;dedication“奉献”;availability“可用性”。magnetic recording“磁录音”;date back to“追溯到”。original“最初的”，动词originate，短语originate from“起源于”;rear“后方的”;anticipate“预测”。