【问】 Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world? Surely because progressof a particular kind is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and moremanifest.(New Concept English，Book 4，P.87)

[原译]为什么进步这个思想在现代世界上显得这样了不起呢?当然，这是因为某一种进步确实正在我们的周围发生，并且正在变得越来越明显。(中译本)

particular在这里是作“某一种”理解吗?

【答】 particular在这里的意思是“特殊的”(special，unusual)。progress of a particular kind(一种特殊类型的进步)是指extraordinary progress in the accumulation of knowledge。