Para. 4
1. I remember the days when simply driving to and from work supplied me with the time-out I needed each day.
译文：
记得以前每天开车上下班的时候是我可以一个人独处的时间。
supply
vt. 提供，供应
e.g.
Our task is to supply vegetables all the year round.
我们的任务是全年供应蔬菜。
n. 供应（量）
A fixed supply of necessity should be shipped to the flood-stricken area in time.
固定数量的必需品应该及时地运到受水灾的地区。
2. Now, with a beeper strapped to my waist and a cell phone by my side, those days are over. I can be reached anytime, anywhere—even in my car.
此句中with a beeper strapped to my waist and a cell phone by my
Side是独立结构，作状语；a beeper 和a cell phone分别是过去分词短语strapped to my waist和介词短语by my side的逻辑主语。
译文：
现在，腰间别着传呼机和手机，那些时光已经一去不复返了。别人随时随地都会找到我——甚至在我开车时。
beeper
n. 传呼机，寻呼机
e.g.
The beeper as a popular communication tool in the 1980s has been replaced by cell phone now.
传呼机作为20世纪80年代的一种流行沟通工具现已被手机所替代。
to call, assemble, or warn by beeper
通过BP机寻呼、召集或警告
strap
vt. 用带扣住，捆扎
e.g.
a. He strapped his trunk.
他用带子捆皮箱。
b. Experienced travelers strap in without waiting to be asked.
有经验的旅客一就座便自动系好安全带。
waist
n. 腰，腰部
e.g.
a. She took in the waist of her dress.
她把衣服的腰身改小。
b. I want it a bit close around the waist.
我希望腰围稍紧一点。
reach:
vt. “与······取得联系”
e.g.
a. I called but couldn’t reach you.
我打电话给你，但没联系上。
b. I can be reached by phone if you want me to help you.
如要我帮忙，打电话能找到我。
Para. 5
1. It was once believed that the American housewife’s life would be less hectic and stressful with the introduction of appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. They were wrong.
译文：
人们曾经相信，随着家用电器，如电冰箱、洗衣机、烘干机、洗碗机、微波炉的使用，美国家庭主妇的生活就不会那么紧张忙碌，但他们错了。
It是形式主语，that…从句是真正的主语。
hectic:
adj. “乱哄哄的，激动的”
e.g.
Everybody was exhausted after a hectic day.
乱忙了一天，大家都筋疲力尽了。
stressful: adj. “紧张的，压力重的”
e.g.
a. They kept on doing their jobs under stressful conditions, which did harm to their health.
他们一直在紧张的状态下工作，这损害了他们的健康。
b. Life with several children is hard and stressful.
带着几个孩子的生活艰难且负担沉重。
appliance: n. “电器用具；装备”
e.g.
Vacuum cleaners, washing machines and refrigerators are household appliances.
真空吸尘器、洗衣机和电冰箱都是家用设备。
refrigerator
n. 冰箱
e.g.
a. Milk will keep for several days in a refrigerator.
牛奶在冰箱里可以保存几天。
b. The quality of the refrigerator is out of comparison.
这台冰箱的质量是无与伦比的。
dryer
n. 烘干机，干燥器（机）
e.g.
a. To dry and often style (hair) with a hand-held dryer.
用手持吹风机吹干和定型（头发）。
b. I wish I had my own washer and dryer.
我希望拥有自己的洗衣机和烘干机。
dishwasher
n. 洗碗碟机
e.g.
a. The dishwasher has worn off the glaze of these china.
这些瓷器经常用洗碗机清洗,光泽都消失了。
b. Then you have to act as a dishwasher yourself.
那么就由你来充当洗碗机吧。
microwave oven
n. 微波炉
e.g.
Diana's new flat has a washing machine, waste disposal, dishwasher, microwave oven, central heating and all the creature comforts.
黛安娜的新套房有洗衣机、废物处理机、洗碟机、微波炉和暖气装置等一切物质享受。