1. barren land贫瘠的土地
2. a resurgence of religion再次掀起的宗教热潮
3. impediment to progress进步的绊脚石
4. entwined 交错的,缠绕的
5. erode/sap one’s confidence 削弱自信心
6. ebb and flow 有规律的起伏涨落
7. be at a low ebb处于低潮
8. be shorn of 有价值的东西被除去
9. thrust 猛推
10. yearn for渴望
11. deride=mock 嘲笑
12. abhor=detest=loathe憎恶
13. reversion 恢复