circumstance ['sə:kəmstəns]
the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action
the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have
situations and events that affect and influence your life and that are not in your control
n. 环境，情况；事件；境遇；仪式，礼仪；形式；排场

circum-circulus环，圈
stan-stand
站在周围的东西→环境

短语
in easy (或 good,flourishing) circumstances 生活舒适，境况优裕
in narrow circumstances 生活于贫困环境之中
in no circumstances 在任何情况下决不，无论如何不，决不
in the circumstances 在这种情况下，情况既然这样
mere(或 poor, remote) circumstance [美国口语]无关紧要(或无足轻重)的人(或物)
not a circumstance to [美国口语]完全不能与…相比；远不如…
without circumstance 不拘礼仪，不拘形式；随便地

例句
The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
警察们正在调查死者周围的情况。
Those events were the product of particular historical circumstances.
那些事件是特殊历史条件的产物。
Funerals of very famous people are always conducted with great pomp and circumstance.
著名人士的葬礼通常会举办得十分盛大壮观。

stable ['steibl] （ sta+able →能站的→稳定的）
a building in which horses are kept
firmly fixed or not likely to move or change
describes someone who is mentally healthy
n. 马厩；牛棚
adj. 稳定的；牢固的；(性格、感情、态度)坚定可靠的，不动摇的；持重的
vi. 被关在马厩
vt. 赶入马房

短语:
1.lock (或 close, shut) the stable door after (或 when) the horse has been stolen 贼去关门，亡羊补牢
2.out of the same stable 具有相同的社会背景；出身相同
3.smell of the stable (言谈举止)具有所从事职业的特征，三句话不离本行

例句
The fields give high and stable yields regardless of climatic circumstances.
不管气候条件如何, 这块地总是保持高产稳产。
I'm glad she has become such a stable character.
我很高兴她变得如此沉稳。

obstacle ['ɔbstəkl] (ob 反 +sta+acle →障碍物）
something that blocks you so that movement, going forward or action are prevented or made more difficult
n. 障碍，干扰；妨害物

例句
His reluctance to compromise is an obstacle to his political success.
他不肯妥协是他政治上成功的一个障碍。
Her parents' opposition is an obstacle to her marriage.
她父母的反对是她结婚的障碍。
Lack of education is an obstacle of success.
缺乏教育是成功的障碍。

昨日重现

2003年12月CET-4真题
Not having a good command of English can be a serious _____ preventing you from achieving your goals.

A.obstacle
B.fault
C.offense
D.distress
答案A