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One of the most interesting books of the 20th century was the novel, Catch 22. In the novel, the term 'a catch 22 situation' was introduced. The term has nothing to do with catching anything. It has a much deeper meaning, and it describes a kind of logical conundrum that’s worth exploring.

conundrum = 难解的问题

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First, it’s important to put the phrase into context. In the novel, a group of American bomber pilots is on an island in the Mediterranean. They face death almost every day when they fly their bombing missions. Many have already lost their lives. The remaining pilots know that it is only a matter of time before they will be the next victims.

bomber pilot = 轰炸机飞行员

Mediterranean = 地中海

mission = 任务，使命

victim = 牺牲者，受害者

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One of the characters in the novel is a doctor. It is his job to see that the pilots are fit to fly. In particular, there is a rule that says he has to ground anyone who is crazy. To ground them means to remove them from active duty so that they don’t fly.

ground = 使停飞，阻止……起飞

active duty = 现役

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Some of the men believed in the principles they were fighting for. They were willing to give their lives for their country. But to others, this was crazy. They thought the whole thing was insane. One of them, Yossarian, wanted out. He was friends with the doctor, and he wanted the doctor to ground him. When Yossarian asked the doctor to ground him, the doctor replied: “You’re wasting your time. You’re not crazy”. Yossarian told him to ask one of the other pilots, Clevinger, to tell him how crazy he was. “There is no point. He’s crazy,” The doctor replied. ”Crazy people can’t decide whether you are crazy or not.”

“Clevinger isn’t crazy! he’s one of the sanest pilots here.”

“So he’s obviously out of his head,” said the Doc. “He’s got to be insane to keep on flying combat missions after all the close calls he’s had.”

“Well, if he’s crazy, why don’t you ground him?”

“I can’t unless he asks to be grounded. That’s part of the rule.”

“So all he has to do is ask?”

“No, then I can’t ground him.”

“So there is a catch,” said Yossarian, trying to get things straight.

“Sure, there’s a catch,” said the Doc, with a slight smile. “Catch 22. If he asks, then he can’t be crazy. Only those who are crazy are grounded”.

“That’s some catch,” observed Yossarian.

“It’s the best there is,” the Doc replied.

principle = 原则

fight for = 为……而战斗

give one's life for … = 为……献出生命，为……牺牲

insane = 疯狂的，非常愚蠢的

Exercises:

1. While writing this piece, the author was probably having fun.

2. Why couldn't the doctor ground Clevinger?

Clevinger hadn't asked to be grounded.

3. To be sane means to be in a healthy state of mind.

4. A close call is a narrow escape from danger, such as surviving a serous accident.

Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:

1. What does it mean to ground a pilot?

>> To ground them means to remove them from active duty so that they don’t fly.

2. Why did the doctor say he couldn't ground Clevinger?

>> “I can’t unless he asks to be grounded. That’s part of the rule.”

Fill in the blanks:

1. “So he’s obviously out of his head,” said the Doc. “He’s got to be insane to keep on flying combat missions after all the close calls he’s had.”

2. Some of the men believed in the principles they were fighting for. They were willing to give their lives for their country. But to others, this was crazy. They thought the whole thing was insane. One of them, Yossarian, wanted out. He was friends with the doctor, and he wanted the doctor to ground him.

Put the sentences below in order:

(1) In particular, there is a rule that says he has to ground anyone who is crazy.

(2) One of the characters in the novel is a doctor.

(3) It is his job to see that the pilots are fit to fly.

(4) To ground them means to remove them from active duty so that they don’t fly.

Correct Order: (2) (3) (1) (4)

Repeat & Read Sentences:

1. In the novel, the term 'a catch 22 situation' was introduced.

2. One of the characters in the novel is a doctor.

3. They thought the whole thing was insane.

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4. In particular, there is a rule that says he has to ground anyone who is crazy.

5. If he asks to be grounded he isn't crazy, but he can't be grounded unless he's crazy.