英語單詞為什麼這麼難記憶，難理解?因為英語中有不少單詞，其本身存在互相矛盾的兩個意思，如果不弄清楚，有時會給我們的英語閱讀帶來一定困擾。特定情況下，只能聯絡上下文語境以弄清它們的具體意思。
1. sanction
1.“制裁”&“批准”
Economic sanctions will only be lifted when the aggressor nation withdraws its troops.
只有侵略國撤回其軍隊，經濟制裁才會解除。
They tried to get official sanction for the scheme.
他們想使計劃獲得正式批准。
2. overlook
2.“檢查;監視”&“忽視;忽略”
I am overlooking her work.
我正在檢查她的工作。
I think there is one key fact that you have overlooked.
我認為你忽略了一個重要的事實。
3. finished“
3.“完成的”&“失敗的”
Are you finished with that drill?
你的那個練習做完了嗎?
This financial crisis means that the government's economic policy is finished.
這次金融危機意味著政府的經濟政策失敗了。
4. dust
4.“擦去……的灰塵”&“在……上撒粉末”
I was dusting the mantelpiece when I noticed a crack.
我在擦壁爐臺的時候發現了一道裂紋。
Dust the top of the cake with icing sugar.
在蛋糕上撒些糖霜。
5. left
5. “留下”&“離開”
He left the house by the back door.
他從房子的後門離開了。
His shoes left muddy marks on the floor.
他的鞋在地板上留下了泥印。
6. trim
6.“新增，裝飾”&“修剪，剪枝”
The children are trimming up a Christmas tree with ribbons, laces.
孩子們正在往聖誕樹上掛彩帶和蕾絲。
He trimmed dead branches off a tree.
他從樹上剪掉枯枝。
7. cleave
7. “劈開;分開”&“粘住;緊貼”
With one blow of the knight's axe, he clove the rock in twain (= into two pieces).
武士大斧一揮，將石頭劈成了兩半。
The ancient ivy cleaved to the ruined castle walls.
古老的常春藤緊緊攀附在破敗的城堡牆上。
注意：表“粘住;緊貼”時，cleave通常與to連用。
8. scan
8. “細看，審視”&“粗略地看”
She anxiously scanned the faces of the men leaving the train.
她急切地盯著一張張下火車的人的臉。
I scanned through the booklet but couldn't find the address.
我很快地翻閱了一遍小冊子，但沒有找到那個地址。
9. fast
9. “快速的”&“固定的”
Computers are getting faster all the time.
計算機一直在提速。
She made her end of the rope fast to a tree.
她把繩子的一頭牢牢地綁在樹上。
10. off
10.“關掉”&“響起”
She turned off the TV.
她關掉了電視。
The alarm went off.
鬧鈴響了起來。
11. weather
11. “經受住”&“受侵蝕”
The company weathered the recession.
這家公司挺過了經濟衰退。
The rock was weathered.
岩石風化了。
12. screen
12.“放映;播出”&“遮掩;遮蔽”
The programme was not screened on British television.
這個節目沒有在英國電視上播出過。
She raised her hand to screen her eyes from the bright light.
她抬手遮住耀眼的亮光。
