【词组解析】

1. equivalent to 等于,相当于

（1）Eight kilometres is roughly equivalent to five miles.

八公里约等于五英里。

（2）The gangsters offered him a sum equivalent to a whole year's earnings.

       歹徒提出要给他一笔相当于他一年收入的钱。

2. essential to/for 必不可少

（1）Cooperative activity is essential to effective community work.

要把社区工作做好，协作活动是必不可少的。

（2）Breathable, waterproof clothing is essential for most outdoor sports.

大多数户外运动衣服必须透气且防水。

3. even if/though 即使,虽然

（1）I wouldn't lose courage even if I should fail ten times.

即使要失败十次，我也绝不灰心。

（2）He's the best teacher, even though he has the least experience.

他虽然经验最少，却是最出色的老师。

4. ever so 非常,极其

（1）He is ever so diligent.

他勤奋极了。

（2）Thank you ever so much.

真是太谢谢你了。

5. every now and then 时而,偶尔

（1）I like to smoke a big cigar every now and then.

我喜欢不时地抽一支大雪茄。

（2）I see him every now and then, but not often.

我偶尔看见他，但不经常看见他。

【练习】

英译中：

（1）Changing her job like that is equivalent to giving her the sack.

（2）It is essential for us to know all the facts.

（3）He's the best teacher even though he has the least experience.

（4）"The man I saw said they hired ever so many people."

（5）She looked out of the window every now and then.