214. The first is our pressing need to believe that the world makes sense, that there is a cause for every effect and a reason for everything that happens.

译文　首先，我们需要切实地相信，世界是有意义的，任何结果都是有原因的，任何事情的发生都是有原因的。

点睛　本句的主干是The first is our pressing need to believe that...。其中，that the world makes sense和that there is a cause for every effect and a reason for everything中的两个that都引导believe的宾语从句；that happens为定语从句，修饰everything。

pressing在本句中作形容词，表示“紧迫的；切实的”。如：

Pressing business kept him in London, so he sent his deputy on to represent him in Italy. 紧急事务迫使他留在伦敦，所以他派代理人代表他先赶到意大利去。

make sense意为“有意义；言之有理”。如：

It doesn't make sense to buy that expensive coat when these cheaper ones are just as good. 这些便宜的大衣也很好，没必要非买那件贵的不可。

考点归纳　与sense有关的表达还有：

make no sense意为“没有意义”，与本句中make sense的意义正好相反。如：

Of course, it will make no sense unless India develops, too. 当然，若印度不同时发展，这是没有意义的。

make sense of意为“弄懂”。如：

Can you make sense of what she says? 你明白她说的是什么意思吗？

a sense of意为“……感”。如：a sense of direction（方向感）、a sense of responsibility（责任感）等。如：

He has a good sense of humor. 他很有幽默感。