Detailed Reading

Detailed Reading

• Unit1

Difficult Sentences• As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face

of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. (para5, line17)

This is an absolute construction （独立主格结构） used as an adverbial of behavior or way. Instead of v-ing form

we can also use v-ed form, adjective, adverbial, prepositional phrase, or even infinitive in this structure. More examples:

He groaned and fell to the floor, blood streaming from his nose.

He rushed into the room, his face covered with sweat.

Of the guests, none except the American notices this or sees the boy place a bowl of milk on the veranda just outside the open doors.(para6, line20)

Here we can’t use “and” to replace the word “or” in this sentence.

Because according to the grammar you must use “or” instead of “and” after a negative word such as “none” and “not”.More examples:

I do not like coffee or tea.

The situation is just not fair on the children or their parents.

Language Points

A heated discussion about whether men are braver than women is settled in a rather unexpected way.

heated: adj. angry; excited

NB:

At a heated moment in the discussion, I lost my self-control.SS

Ed and I used to stay up all night, drinking wine and having heated arguments about politics.

SS

In the heat of the argument, I became so excited that I shouted very loudly.

在激烈辩论中，我变得如此激动以至于大声叫了起来。

SS

TT

heated 的名词形式为 heat 意为“激烈 , 激动”。例如：

I first heard this tale in India, where it is told as if true — though any naturalist would know it couldn’t be. Later someone told me that the story appeared in a magazine shortly before the First World War. That magazine story, and the person who wrote it, I have never been able to track down.(para1)

The Dinner Party Mona Gardner

The country is India. A colonial official and his wife are giving a large dinner party. They are seated with their guests — officers and their wives, and a visiting American naturalist — in their spacious dining room, which has a bare marble floor, open rafters and wide glass doors opening onto a veranda.

track down: find (sb./sth.) by hunting or searching

警察需要你来帮助追捕杀人犯。The police need your help to track down the murderer.

SS

TT

It was almost two weeks before they tracked down the facts they needed.

SS

SentenceSentence

WordWord


bare:1. adj. 1) not covered; with no plants growing on it

TT

SS 如果我记得不错的话，在你家乡附近有座光秃秃的小山。If my memory serves me, there was a bare hill near your hometown.

2) no more than; mere

SS The candidate won the election by a bare majority.

2. v.reveal

SS The lady screamed as the snake bared its teeth.

The country is India. A colonial official and his wife are giving a large dinner party. They are seated with their guests — officers and their wives, and a visiting American naturalist — in their spacious dining room, which has a bare marble floor, open rafters and wide glass doors opening onto a veranda.(para2)

Before Reading

Global Reading

Detailed Reading After Reading

I first heard this tale in India, where it is told as if true — though any naturalist would know it couldn’t be. Later someone told me that the story appeared in a magazine shortly before the First World War. That magazine story, and the person who wrote it, I have never been able to track down.

The Dinner Party Mona Gardner

SentenceSentence WordWord


TT

SS He exposed a bare back to the sun.

他把赤裸的背部暴露在日光下。

SS He was already bald at the age of 25.

SS They found the body lying half naked in the grass.

CF: bare, bald, naked & nude这几个形容词都含“赤裸的”之意。

bare 指缺少必要的遮盖物。用于人时，多指身体的部分裸露。例如：

bald 指头上无发，地上无草木，树上无叶等。例如：

naked 指全身一丝不挂，暴露无遗。例如：TT 他 25 岁就秃顶了。

TT 他们发现尸体半裸着躺在草丛中。SS The children ran naked through the yard.

nude主要指人体裸露，也可指房间无装饰。例如：TT 孩子们光着身子跑过院子。

SS The boys went swimming in the nude.TT 男孩们光着屁股去游泳。

A spirited discussion springs up between a young girl who says that women have outgrown the jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse era and a major who says that they haven’t. (para3)

The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. She motions to the native boy standing behind her chair and whispers something to him. The boy’s eyes widen: he quickly leaves the room.

spring up: begin suddenly, increase or grow quickly and as if from nowhere

A strange idea sprang up in her mind.

Many buildings have sprung up in what was a desert.

SS

TT

许多楼房已在原是一片沙漠的地带涌现出来。SS




outgrow: vt. 1) grow more than

The boy has outgrown this suit.

He has outgrown his elder brother.

SS

TT

他长得比他哥哥还高。SS

2) grow too large for

3) lose or discard in the course of maturation

She outgrew her youthful idealism.TT

她长大成熟后不再拥有年轻时代的幻想。SS

He has outgrown these toys.SS



jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse

stick-in-the-mud people

a not-so-easy-to-operate machine

NB: 这是一个由定语从句 (the era) when they would jump on a chair at the sight of a mouse 变化而来的复合形容词。更多的例子如下：

“A woman’s reaction in any crisis,” the major says, “is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts.” (para4)

The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. She motions to the native boy standing behind her chair and whispers something to him. The boy’s eyes widen: he quickly leaves the room. SentenceSentence WordWord

crisis: n. time of difficulty, danger, etc.

Many American people lost their jobs in the economic crisis of 1929.

SS

CF: crisis & emergency这两个名词都有“危急”之意。

crisis 含义广泛，可指国家存亡、历史、经济或人的生命、疾病等面临危急关头；也可指好的或恶化的转折点。emergency 多指突然发生的出乎意料的紧急情况或事故。

A spirited discussion springs up between a young girl who says that women have outgrown the jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse era and a major who says that they haven’t.

“A woman’s reaction in any crisis,” the major says, “is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts.” The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. She motions to the native boy standing behind her chair and whispers something to him. The boy’s eyes widen: he quickly leaves the room.

Collocation:

at a crisisbring to a crisis

come to a crisis

face a crisis

在紧急关头使陷入危机陷入危机面临危机

pass a crisis 渡过危机 , 脱离危险期

“A woman’s reaction in any crisis,” the major says, “is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts.”


feel like: have a liking for, wish for; want (sth. to do sth.)

Mary doesn’t feel like playing tennis today because she feels tired.

SS

多么好的天气啊！我真想去游泳。SS

What lovely weather! I do feel like a swim.TT





count: vi. be of value or importance

你读了多少书并不重要，而你读了什么书才是真正重要的。

SS

It is not how much you read but what you read that really counts.

TT


“A woman’s reaction in any crisis,” the major says, “is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts.”


argument: n. 1) discussion by persons who disagree; dispute

The two teams were having an argument over the score.

SS

His argument, however, does not hold water.TT

2) reason given to support or disapprove sth.

There are many arguments against smoking. SS

然而 , 他的论点是站不住脚的。SS

The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. (para5)


“A woman’s reaction in any crisis,” the major says, “is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts.” The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. She motions to the native boy standing behind her chair and whispers something to him. The boy’s eyes widen: he quickly leaves the room.


argument, conflict, debate & dispute这几个名词均有“争执、不和”之意。

argument 指辩论双方均以事实或理由来说服对方的辩论。conflict 指双方坚持已见、互不妥协，怀有敌意的争论，多暗示分歧极为严重，有时用语言无法解决，只得诉诸武力。 debate 通常指经过仔细组织和计划的个人或团体之间的辩论。dispute 普通用词，特指长时间，言词激烈，针锋相对的争辩。

CF:



contract: vi. 1) make or become tighter or narrower

Her stomach contracted at the sight of a cobra.SS

Metal contracts as it cools.TT

2) make or become smaller or shorter

金属遇冷收缩。SS

3) settle or arrange by formal arrangement

Our shop contracted with a local clothing firm for 100 coats a week.

TT

我们商店与本地一家服装厂签订了每周 100件外衣的合同。SS

The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. (para5)

“I want to know just what control everyone at this table has. I will count three hundred — that’s five minutes — and not one of you is to move a muscle. Those who move will forfeit 50 rupees. Ready!”


His first impulse is to jump back and warn the others, but he knows the commotion would frighten the cobra into striking. He speaks quickly, the tone of his voice so commanding that it silences everyone. (para8)

impulse: n. sudden wish to do sth.

Don’t act on impulse. You will regret it later.SS

She bought the dress on impulse.SS

Collocation:

a man of impulseact on impulse

feel an impulse to do sth.

易冲动的人意气用事，凭冲动行事有做某事的冲动


warn: vt. give notice of possible danger to; inform in advance of what may happen

We had warned him of the danger but he turned a deaf ear to our warning.

SS

The boys were warned not to play with the matches.SS

Pattern: warn sb. of sth.; warn sb. not to do sth.; warn sb. that-clause

She warned us that the winter would be severe.

她曾提醒我们，那个冬季将非常寒冷。TT

SS




Of the guests, none except the American notices this or sees the boy place a bowl of milk on the veranda just outside the open doors.

The American comes to with a start. In India, milk in a bowl means only one thing — bait for a snake. He realizes there must be a cobra in the room. He looks up at the rafters — the likeliest place — but they are bare. Three corners of the room are empty, and in the fourth the servants are waiting to serve the next course. There is only one place left — under the table.

His first impulse is to jump back and warn the others, but he knows the commotion would frighten the cobra into striking. He speaks quickly, the tone of his voice so commanding that it silences everyone.


CF:

caution 主要指针对有潜在危险而提出的警告，含小心从事的意味。例如：

warn 含义与 caution相同，但语气较重，尤指后果严重。例如：

advise 普通用词，泛指劝告，不涉及对方是否听从劝告。例如：

caution, warn, advise 这些动词均有“劝告、忠告、警告”之意。

医生劝告我注意饮食中的脂肪量。I received a caution from the doctor about fat in my diet.

TT

SS

他的医生建议他不要抽烟。

His doctor advised him against smoking.

TT

SS

我的工作就是给失业者提供如何找到工作的咨询。

My job involves counseling unemployed people on how to find work.

TT

SS





frighten sb. into doing sth.: cause sb. to do sth. by frightening him

A cobra emerged from behind the rock. This frightened the girl into screaming.

SS

Pattern: frighten sb. into (doing) sth.; frighten sb. out of doing sth.; frighten sb. + adv.

Collocation:

be frightened offrighten away / off

frighten sb. into / out of doing sth.

frighten to death

害怕 , 对…感到恐惧吓跑 , 吓走

用恐吓手段迫使某人做 / 不做某事吓死了




tone: n.

The colors of the birds in the picture matched the tones of the sky. SS

1) quality in one's voice, style

Don't speak to me in that tone.

别用那种腔调跟我说话。TT

SS

2) the effect of light and shade

3) sound with regard to highness, lowness, or strength

Tom's guitar has a nice tone.

汤姆的吉他音质很好。TT

SS

The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying “... two hundred and eighty…” when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. Screams ring out as he jumps to slam the veranda doors safely shut.

“You were right, Major!” the host exclaims. “A man has just shown us an example of perfect self-control.”

“Just a minute,” the American says, turning to his hostess. “Mrs. Wynnes, how did you know that cobra was in the room?”

A faint smile lights up the woman’s face as she replies: “Because it was crawling across my foot.”


emerge: vi. come or appear (from somewhere)

He emerged from behind the tree.SS

The sun emerged from behind the clouds.

太阳从云层后面露出来。

TT

SS

CF:

emerge 强调缓缓出现的过程。appear 强调公开露面，被看见。loom 指朦胧出现，好像从雾中浮现出来一样。

emerge, appear & loom 这三个动词均有“出现”之意。

The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying “... two hundred and eighty…” when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. (para10)

The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying “... two hundred and eighty…” when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. (para10)

make for:

When the class was over, everyone made for the dining room.

SS

Poor service does not make for satisfied customers.SS

1) move (esp. quickly) towards

2) cause; lead to; result in; help; favor sth.

The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying “... two hundred and eighty…” when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. Screams ring out as he jumps to slam the veranda doors safely shut. (para10)


ring out: (of a voice, bell, etc.) sound loudly and clearly

Cheers rang out from the crowd waiting in front of the building.

SS

突然一声枪响，紧接着是一片寂静。SS

A shot rang out, and then there was silence.TT

The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying “... two hundred and eighty…” when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. Screams ring out as he jumps to slam the veranda doors safely shut. (para10)


slam: v. shut noisily and with great force

He slammed the door so hard that the glass crashed.

SS

The door suddenly slammed.SS

Tom slammed the window.TT

汤姆使劲关上窗户。 SS

A faint smile lights up the woman’s face as she replies: “Because it was crawling across my foot.” (para13)


faint: adj. weak or slight; indistinct

他因饥饿而晕倒了。SS

There is a faint hope that she may be cured.SS

He felt faint for lack of food.TT

A faint smile lights up the woman’s face as she replies: “Because it was crawling across my foot.” (para13)


light up:

The sun rose and began to light up the sky.SS

Her face lighted / lit up when she heard the good news. SS

1) cause to be bright with light or colour; give light to

2) (cause to) become bright with pleasure or excitement

After Reading

Writing Practice

— Combining Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions and Conjunctive Adverbs

A brief introduction

1. Coordinating conjunction

1) Coordinating conjunctions are the words which connect words, phrases, and clauses. There are mainly seven coordinating conjunctions. An easy way to remember them is to think of the word FANBOYS. See the following table.

for and nor but or yet so

F A N B O Y S

2) The following are the examples to show how to connect words, phrases, and clauses with coordinating conjunctions. Remember, when using a conjunction to join two sentences, use a comma before the conjunction.

COORDINATINGCONJUNCTIONS

SAMPLE SENTENCES

for

and

nor

but

or

yet

so

I cannot tell whether she is old or young, for I have never seen her.

We have tickets for the symphony and the opera.

Sam was not at the meeting, nor was he at work yesterday.

It's an old car, but it's very reliable.

Shall we go out to the cinema or stay at home?

The sun was shining, yet it was quite cold.

I wanted to sit in the front of the balcony, so I ordered my tickets early.

2. Conjunctive adverb

1) Conjunctive adverbs are the words which connect two clauses. Conjunctive adverbs show cause and effect, sequence, contrast, comparison, or other relationships. They usually appear between independent clauses or sentences, but may join a dependent clause to a main (independent) clause. The common conjunctive adverbs are as follows:

accordingly, again, also, besides, consequently, finally, furthermore,

however, incidentally, moreover, namely, nevertheless, otherwise, then,

therefore, thus

2) The following are the examples to show how to use conjunctive adverbs. Notice the conjunctive adverb separates two independent clauses (sentences). Punctuate conjunctive adverbs using a semicolon (;) at the end of the first clause, followed by a comma (,) after the conjunctive adverb.

CONJUNCTIVEADVERBS

SAMPLE SENTENCES

consequently

furthermore

accordingly

Most computer users have never received any formal keyboard training. Consequently, their keyboard skills are inefficient.

The majority of Americans increased their wealth in the past decade. Furthermore, the gains were substantial.

There aren't many jobs available. Accordingly, companies receive hundreds of resumés for every opening.

moreover

nevertheless

thus

Using language is a very complex enterprise. Moreover, there is more to communication than merely putting sentences together.

What you said was true. It was, nevertheless, a little unkind.

The houses were used for soldiers. Thus, the structures survived the Civil War.

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