新概念英语第二册课文(背诵版)

("Lesson1Aprivateconversation私人谈话LastweekIwenttothetheatre.Ihadaverygoodseat.Theplaywasveryinteresting.Ididnotenjoyit.Ayoungmanandayoungwomanweresittingbehindme.Theyweretalkingloudly.Igotveryangry.Icouldnotheartheactors.Iturnedround.Ilookedatthemanandthewomanangrily.Theydidnotpayanyattention.Intheend,Icouldnotbearit.Iturnedroundagain.‘Ican'thearaword!’Isaidangrily.‘It'snoneofyourbusiness,’theyoungmansaidrudely.‘Thisisaprivateconversation!’Lesson2Breakfastorlunch?早餐还是午餐？ItwasSunday.InevergetupearlyonSundays.Isometimesstayinbeduntillunchtime.LastSundayIgotupverylate.Ilookedoutofthewindow.Itwasdarkoutside.‘Whataday!’Ithought.‘It'srainingagain.’Justthen,thetelephonerang.ItwasmyauntLucy.‘I'vejustarrivedbytrain,’shesaid.‘I'mcomingtoseeyou.’‘ButI'mstillhavingbreakfast,’Isaid.‘Whatareyoudoing?’sheasked.‘I'mhavingbreakfast,’Irepeated.‘Dearme,’shesaid.‘Doyoualwaysgetupsolate?It'soneo'clock!’Lesson3Pleasesendmeacard寄张明信片Postcardsalwaysspoilmyholidays.Lastsummer,IwenttoItaly.Ivisitedmuseumsandsatinpublicgardens.AfriendlywaitertaughtmeafewwordsofItalian.Thenhelentmeabook.Ireadafewlines,butIdidnotunderstandaword.EverydayIthoughtaboutpostcards.Myholidayspassedquickly,butIdidnotsendcardstomyfriends.OnthelastdayImadeabigdecision.Igotupearlyandboughtthirty-sevencards.Ispentthewholedayinmyroom,butIdidnotwriteasinglecard!Lesson4Anexcitingtrip激动人心的旅行Ihavejustreceivedaletterfrommybrother,Tim.HeisinAustralia.Hehasbeenthereforsixmonths.Timisanengineer.HeisworkingforabigfirmandhehasalreadyvisitedagreatnumberofdifferentplacesinAustralia.HehasjustboughtanAustraliancarandhasgonetoAliceSprings,asmalltowninthecentreofAustralia.HewillsoonvisitDarwinFromthere,hewillflytoPerth.Mybrotherhasneverbeenabroadbefore,soheisfindingthistripveryexciting.Lesson5Nowrongnumbers无错号之虞Mr.JamesScotthasagarageinSilburyandnowhehasjustboughtanothergarageinPinhurst.PinhurstisonlyfivemilesfromSilbury,butMr.Scottcannotgetatelephoneforhisnewgarage,sohehasjustboughttwelvepigeons.Yesterday,apigeoncarriedthefirstmessagefromPinbursttoSilbury.Thebirdcoveredthedistancethefirstthreeminutes.Uptonow,Mr.Scotthassentagreatmanyrequestsforsparepartsandotherurgentmessagesfromonegaragetotheother.Inthisway,hehasbegunhisownprivate‘telephone’service.Lesson6PercyButtons珀西·巴顿斯IhavejustmovedtoahouseinBridgeStreet.Yesterdayabeggarknockedatmydoor.Heaskedmeforamealandaglassofbeer.Inreturnforthis,thebeggarstoodonhisheadandsangsongs.Igavehimameal.Heatethefoodanddrankthebeer.Thenheputapieceofcheeseinhispocketandwentaway.Lateraneighbourtoldmeabouthim.Everybodyknowshim.HisnameisPercyButtons.Hecallsateveryhouseinthestreetonceamonthandalwaysasksforamealandaglassofbeer.Lesson7Toolate为时太晚Theplanewaslateanddetectiveswerewaitingattheairportallmorning.TheywereexpectingavaluableparcelofdiamondsfromSouthAfrica.Afewhoursearlier,someonehadtoldthepolicethatthieveswouldtrytostealthediamonds.Whentheplanearrived,someofthedetectiveswerewaitinginsidethemainbuildingwhileotherswerewaitingontheairfield.TwomentooktheparcelofftheplaneandcarrieditintotheCustomsHouse.Whiletwodetectiveswerekeepingguardatthedoor,twoothersopenedtheparcel.Totheirsurprise,thepreciousparcelwasfullofstonesandsand!Lesson8Thebestandtheworst最好的和最差的JoeSandershasthemostbeautifulgardeninourtown.Nearlyeverybodyentersfor‘TheNicestGardenCompetition’eachyear,butJoewinseverytime.BillFrith'sgardenislargerthanJoe's.BillworksharderthanJoeandgrowsmoreflowersandvegetables,butJoe'sgardenismoreinteresting.Hehasmadeneatpathsandhasbuiltawoodenbridgeoverapool.Ilikegardenstoo,butIdonotlikehardwork.EveryyearIenterforthegardencompetitiontoo,andIalwayswinalittleprizefortheworstgardeninthetown!Lesson9Acoldwelcome冷遇OnWednesdayevening,wewenttotheTownHall.ItwasthelastdayoftheyearandalargecrowdofpeoplehadgatheredundertheTownHallclock.Itwouldstriketwelveintwentyminutes'time.Fifteenminutespassedandthen,atfivetotwelve,theclockstopped.Thebigminutehanddidnotmove.Wewaitedandwaited,butnothinghappened.Suddenlysomeoneshouted,‘It'stwominutespasttwelve!Theclockhasstopped!’Ilookedatmywatch.Itwastrue.ThebigclockrefusedtowelcometheNewYear.Atthatmoment,everybodybegantolaughandsing.Lesson10Notforjazz不适于演奏爵士乐Wehaveanoldmusicalinstrument.Itiscalledaclavichord.ItwasmadeinGermanyin1681.Ourclavichordiskeptinthelivingroom.Ithasbelongedtoourfamilyforalongtime.Theinstrumentwasboughtbymygrandfathermanyyearsago.Recentlyitwasdamagedbyavisitor.Shetriedtoplayjazzonit!Shestruckthekeystoohardandtwoofthestringswerebroken.Myfatherwasshocked.Nowwearenotallowedtotouchit.Itisbeingrepairedbyafriendofmyfather's.Lesson11Onegoodturndeservesanother礼尚往来IwashavingdinneratarestaurantwhenTonySteelecamein.Tonyworkedinalawyer'sofficeyearsago,butheisnowworkingatabank.Hegetsagoodsalary,buthealwaysborrowsmoneyfromhisfriendsandneverpaysitback.Tonysawmeandcameandsatatthesametable.Hehasneverborrowedmoneyfromme.Whilehewaseating,Iaskedhimtolendmetwentypounds.Tomysurprise,hegavemethemoneyimmediately.‘Ihaveneverborrowedanymoneyfromyou,’Tonysaid,‘sonowyoucanpayformydinner!’Lesson12Goodbyeandgoodluck再见，一路顺风Ourneighbour,CaptainCharlesAlison,willsailfromPortsmouthtomorrow.We'llmeethimattheharbourearlyinthemorning.Hewillbeinhissmallboat,Topsail.Topsailisafamouslittleboat.IthassailedacrosstheAtlanticmanytimes.CaptainAlisonwillsetoutateighto'clock,sowe'llhaveplentyoftime.We'llseehisboatandthenwe'llsaygoodbyetohim.Hewillbeawayfortwomonths.Weareveryproudofhim.HewilltakepartinanimportantraceacrosstheAtlantic.Lesson13TheGreenwoodBoys绿林少年TheGreenwoodBoysareagroupofpopsingers.Atpresent,theyarevisitingallpartsofthecountry.Theywillbearrivingheretomorrow.Theywillbecomingbytrainandmostoftheyoungpeopleinthetownwillbemeetingthematthestation.TomorroweveningtheywillbesingingattheWorkers'Club.TheGreenwoodBoyswillbestayingforfivedays.Duringthistime,theywillgivefiveperformances.Asusual,thepolicewillhaveadifficulttime.Theywillbetryingtokeeporder.Itisalwaysthesameontheseoccasions.Lesson14DoyouspeakEnglish?你会讲英语吗？Ihadanamusingexperiencelastyear.AfterIhadleftasmallvillageinthesouthofFrance,Idroveontothenexttown.Ontheway,ayoungmanwavedtome.Istoppedandheaskedmeforalift.Assoonashehadgotintothecar,IsaidgoodmorningtohiminFrenchandherepliedinthesamelanguage.Apartfromafewwords,IdonotknowanyFrenchatall.Neitherofusspokeduringthejourney.Ihadnearlyreachedthetown,whentheyoungmansuddenlysaid,veryslowly,‘DoyouspeakEnglish?’AsIsoonlearnt,hewasEnglishhimself!Lesson15Goodnews佳音ThesecretarytoldmethatMr.Harmsworthwouldseeme.IfeltverynervouswhenIwentintohisoffice.HedidnotlookupfromhisdeskwhenIentered.AfterIhadsatdown,hesaidthatbusinesswasverybad.Hetoldmethatthefirmcouldnotaffordtopaysuchlargesalaries.Twentypeoplehadalreadyleft.Iknewthatmyturnhadcome.‘Mr.Harmsworth,’Isaidinaweakvoice.‘Don'tinterrupt,’hesaid.ThenhesmiledandtoldmeIwouldreceiveanextrathousandpoundsayear!Lesson16Apoliterequest彬彬有礼的要求Ifyouparkyourcarinthewrongplace,atrafficpolicemanwillsoonfindit.Youwillbeveryluckyifheletsyougowithoutaticket.However,thisdoesnotalwayshappen.Trafficpolicearesometimesverypolite.DuringaholidayinSweden,Ifoundthisnoteonmycar:‘Sir,wewelcomeyoutoourcity.Thisisa“NoParking”area.Youwillenjoyyourstayhereifyoupayattentiontoourstreetsigns.Thisnoteisonlyareminder.’Ifyoureceivearequestlikethis,youcannotfailtoobeyit!Lesson17Alwaysyoung青春常驻MyauntJenniferisanactress.Shemustbeatleastthirty-fiveyearsold.Inspiteofthis,sheoftenappearsonthestageasayounggirl.Jenniferwillhavetotakepartinanewplaysoon.Thistime,shewillbeagirlofseventeen.Intheplay,shemustappearinabrightreddressandlongblackstockings.Lastyearinanotherplay,shehadtowearshortsocksandabright,orange-coloureddress.Ifanyoneeverasksherhowoldsheis,shealwaysanswers,‘Darling,itmustbeterribletobegrownup!’Lesson18Heoftendoesthis!他经常干这种事！AfterIhadhadlunchatavillagepub,Ilookedformybag.Ihadleftitonachairbesidethedoorandnowitwasn'tthere!AsIwaslookingforit,thelandlordcamein.‘Didyouhaveagoodmeal?’heasked.‘Yes,thankyou,’Ianswered,‘butIcan'tpaythebill.Ihaven'tgotmybag.’Thelandlordsmiledandimmediatelywentout.Inafewminuteshereturnedwithmybagandgaveitbacktome.‘I'mverysorry,’hesaid.‘Mydoghadtakenitintothegarden.Heoftendoesthis!’Lesson19Soldout票已售完Theplaymaybeginatanymoment,’Isaid.‘Itmayhavebegunalready,’Susananswered.Ihurriedtotheticketoffice.‘MayIhavetwoticketsplease?’Iasked.‘I'msorry,we'vesoldout,’thegirlsaid.‘Whatapity!’Susanexclaimed.Justthen,amanhurriedtotheticketoffice.‘CanIreturnthesetwotickets?’heasked.‘Certainly,’thegirlsaid.Iwentbacktotheticketofficeatonce.‘CouldIhavethosetwoticketsplease?’Iasked.‘Certainly,’thegirlsaid,‘butthey'refornextWednesday'sperformance.Doyoustillwantthem?’‘Imightaswellhavethem,’Isaidsadly.Lesson20Onemaninaboat独坐孤舟Fishingismyfavouritesport.Ioftenfishforhourswithoutcatchinganything.Butthisdoesnotworryme.Somefishermenareunlucky.Insteadofcatchingfish,theycatcholdbootsandrubbish.Iamevenlesslucky.Inevercatchanything----notevenoldboots.Afterhavingspentwholemorningsontheriver,Ialwaysgohomewithanemptybag.‘Youmustgiveupfishing!’myfriendssay.‘It'sawasteoftime.’Buttheydon'trealizeoneimportantthing.I'mnotreallyinterestedinfishing.Iamonlyinterestedinsittinginaboatanddoingnothingatall!Lesson21Madornot?是不是疯了？Aeroplanesareslowlydrivingmemad.Ilivenearanairportandpassingplanescanbeheardnightandday.Theairportwasbuiltyearsago,butforsomereasonitcouldnotbeusedthen.Lastyear,however,itcameintouse.Overahundredpeoplemusthavebeendrivenawayfromtheirhomesbythenoise.Iamoneofthefewpeopleleft.SometimesIthinkthishousewillbeknockeddownbyapassingplane.Ihavebeenofferedalargesumofmoneytogoaway,butIamdeterminedtostayhere.EverybodysaysImustbemadandtheyareprobablyright.Lesson22Aglassenvelope玻璃信封Mydaughter,Jane,neverdreamedofreceivingaletterfromagirlofherownageinHolland.Lastyear,weweretravellingacrosstheChannelandJaneputapieceofpaperwithhernameandaddressonitintoabottle.Shethrewthebottleintothesea.Sheneverthoughtofitagain,buttenmonthslater,shereceivedaletterfromagirlinHolland.Bothgirlswritetoeachotherregularlynow.However,theyhavedecidedtousethepostoffice.Letterswillcostalittlemore,buttheywillcertainlytravelfaster.Lesson23Anewhouse新居Ihadaletterfrommysisteryesterday.ShelivesinNigeria.Inherletter,shesaidthatshewouldcometoEnglandnextyear.Ifshecomes,shewillgetasurprise.Wearenowlivinginabeautifulnewhouseinthecountry.Workonithadbegunbeforemysisterleft.Thehousewascompletedfivemonthsago.Inmyletter,Itoldherthatshecouldstaywithus.Thehousehasmanylargeroomsandthereisalovelygarden.Itisaverymodernhouse,soitlooksstrangetosomepeople.Itmustbetheonlymodernhouseinthedistrict.Lesson24Itcouldbeworse不幸中之万幸Ienteredthehotelmanager'sofficeandsatdown.Ihadjustlost￡50andIfeltveryupset.‘Ileftthemoneyinmyroom,’Isaid,‘andit'snottherenow.’Themanagerwassympathetic,buthecoulddonothing.‘Everyone'slosingmoneythesedays,’hesaid.Hestartedtocomplainaboutthiswickedworldbutwasinterruptedbyaknockatthedoor.Agirlcameinandputanenvelopeonhisdesk.Itcontained￡50.‘Ifoundthisoutsidethisgentleman'sroom,’shesaid.‘Well,’Isaidtothemanager,‘thereisstillsomehonestyinthisworld!’Lesson25DotheEnglishspeakEnglish?讲的是英语吗？IarrivedinLondonatlast.Therailwaystationwasbig,blackanddark.Ididnotknowthewaytomyhotel,soIaskedaporter.InotonlyspokeEnglishverycarefully,butveryclearlyaswell.Theporter,however,couldnotunderstandme.Irepeatedmyquestionseveraltimesandatlastheunderstood.Heansweredme,buthespokeneitherslowlynorclearly.‘Iamaforeigner,’Isaid.Thenhespokeslowly,butIcouldnotunderstandhim.MyteacherneverspokeEnglishlikethat!TheporterandIlookedateachotherandsmiled.ThenhesaidsomethingandIunderstoodit.‘You'llsoonlearnEnglish!’hesaid.Iwonder.InEngland,eachpersonspeaksadifferentlanguage.TheEnglishunderstandeachother,butIdon'tunderstandthem!DotheyspeakEnglish?Lesson26Thebestartcritics最佳艺术评论家IamanartstudentandIpaintalotofpictures.Manypeoplepretendthattheyunderstandmodernart.Theyalwaystellyouwhatapictureis‘about’.Ofcourse,manypicturesarenot‘about’anything.Theyarejustprettypatterns.Weliketheminthesamewaythatwelikeprettycurtainmaterial.Ithinkthatyoungchildrenoftenappreciatemodernpicturesbetterthananyoneelse.Theynoticemore.Mysisterisonlyseven,butshealwaystellsmewhethermypicturesaregoodornot.Shecameintomyroomyesterday.‘Whatareyoudoing?’sheasked.‘I'mhangingthispictureonthewall,’Ianswered.‘It'sanewone.Doyoulikeit?’Shelookedatitcriticallyforamoment.‘It'sallright,’shesaid,‘butisn'titupsidedown?’Ilookedatitagain.Shewasright!Itwas!Lesson27Awetnight雨夜Lateintheafternoon,theboysputuptheirtentinthemiddleofafield.Assoonasthiswasdone,theycookedamealoveranopenfire.Theywereallhungryandthefoodsmelledgood.Afterawonderfulmeal,theytoldstoriesandsangsongsbythecampfire.Butsometimelateritbegantorain.Theboysfelttiredsotheyputoutthefireandcreptintotheirtent.Theirsleepingbagswerewarmandcomfortable,sotheyallsleptsoundly.Inthemiddleofthenight,twoboyswokeupandbeganshouting.Thetentwasfullofwater!Theyallleaptoutoftheirsleepingbagsandhurriedoutside.Itwasrainingheavilyandtheyfoundthatastreamhadformedinthefield.Thestreamwounditswayacrossthefieldandthenflowedrightundertheirtent!Lesson28Noparking禁止停车JasperWhiteisoneofthoserarepeoplewhobelievesinancientmyths.Hehasjustboughtanewhouseinthecity,buteversincehemovedin,hehashadtroublewithcarsandtheirowners.Whenhereturnshomeatnight,healwaysfindsthatsomeonehasparkedacaroutsidehisgate.Becauseofthis,hehasnotbeenabletogethisowncarintohisgarageevenonce.Jasperhasputup‘NoParking’signsoutsidehisgate,butthesehavenothadanyeffect.Nowhehasputanuglystoneheadoverthegate.ItisoneoftheugliestfacesIhaveeverseen.IaskedhimwhatitwasandhetoldmethatitwasMedusa,theGorgon.Jasperhopesthatshewillturncarsandtheirownerstostone.Butnoneofthemhasbeenturnedtostoneyet!Lesson29Taxi!出租汽车！CaptainBenFawcetthasboughtanunusualtaxiandhasbegunanewservice.The‘taxi’isasmallSwissaeroplanecalleda‘PilatusPorter’.Thiswonderfulplanecancarrysevenpassengers.Themostsurprisingthingaboutit,however,isthatitcanlandanywhere:orsnow,water,orevenonaploughedfield.CaptainFawcett'sfirstpassengerwasadoctorwhoflewfromBirminghamtoalonelyvillageintheWelshmountains.Sincethen,CaptainFawcetthasflownpassengerstomanyunusualplaces.Oncehelandedontheroofofablockofflatsandonanotheroccasion,helandedinadesertedcarpark.CaptainFawcetthasjustrefusedastrangerequestfromabusinessman.ThemanwantedtoflytoRockall,alonelyislandintheAtlanticOcean,butCaptainFawcettdidnottakehimbecausethetripwastoodangerous.Lesson30Footballorpolo？足球还是水球？TheWayleisasmallriverthatcutsacrosstheparknearmyhome.IlikesittingbytheWayleonfineafternoons.ItwaswarmlastSunday,soIwentandsatontheriverbankasusual.Somechildrenwereplayinggamesonthebankandthereweresomepeoplerowingontheriver.Suddenly,oneofthechildrenkickedaballveryhardanditwenttowardsapassingboat.Somepeopleonthebankcalledouttothemanintheboat,buthedidnothearthem.Theballstruckhimsohardthathenearlyfellintothewater.Iturnedtolookatthechildren,butthereweren'tanyinsight:theyhadallrunaway!Themanlaughedwhenherealizedwhathadhappened.Hecalledouttothechildrenandthrewtheballbacktothebank.Lesson31Successstory成功者的故事YesterdayafternoonFrankHawkinswastellingmeabouthisexperiencesasayoungman.Beforeheretired,Frankwastheheadofaverylargebusinesscompany,butasaboyheusedtoworkinasmallshop.Itwashisjobtorepairbicyclesandatthattimeheusedtoworkfourteenhoursaday.Hesavedmoneyforyearsandin1958heboughtasmallworkshopofhisown.Inhistwenties,Frankusedtomakesparepartsforaeroplanes.Atthattimehehadtwohelpers.Inafewyearsthesmallworkshophadbecomealargefactorywhichemployedsevenhundredandtwenty-eightpeople.Franksmiledwhenherememberedhishardearlyyearsandthelongroadtosuccess.Hewasstillsmilingwhenthedooropenedandhiswifecamein.Shewantedhimtorepairtheirgrandson'sbicycle!Lesson32Shoppingmadeeasy购物变得很方便Peoplearenotsohonestastheyoncewere.Thetemptationtostealisgreaterthaneverbefore----especiallyinlargeshops.Adetectiverecentlywatchedawell-dressedwomanwhoalwayswentintoalargestoreonMondaymornings.OneMonday,therewerefewerpeopleintheshopthanusualwhenthewomancamein,Soitwaseasierforthedetectivetowatchher.Thewomanfirstboughtafewsmallarticles.Afteralittletime,shechoseoneofthemostexpensivedressesintheshopandhandedittoanassistantwhowrappeditupforherasquicklyaspossible.Thenthewomansimplytooktheparcelandwalkedoutoftheshopwithoutpaying.Whenshewasarrested,thedetectivefoundoutthattheshopassistantwasherdaughter.Thegirl‘gave’hermotheratreedressonceaweek!Lesson33Outofthedarkness冲出黑暗Nearlyaweekpassedbeforethegirlwasabletoexplainwhathadhappenedtoher.Oneafternoonshesetoutfromthecoastinasmallboatandwascaughtinastorm.Towardsevening,theboatstruckarockandthegirljumpedintothesea.Thensheswamtotheshoreafterspendingthewholenightinthewater.Duringthattimeshecoveredadistanceofeightmiles.Earlynextmorning,shesawalightahead.Sheknewshewasneartheshorebecausethelightwashighuponthecliffs.Onarrivingattheshore,thegirlstruggleduptheclifftowardsthelightshehadseen.Thatwasallsheremembered.Whenshewokeupadaylater,shefoundherselfinhospital.Lesson34Quickwork破案“神速”DanRobinsonhasbeenworriedallweek.LastTuesdayhereceivedaletterfromthelocalpolice.Intheletterhewasaskedtocallatthestation.Danwonderedwhyhewaswantedbythepolice,buthewenttothestationyesterdayandnowheisnotworriedanymore.Atthestation,hewastoldbyasmilingpolicemanthathisbicyclehadbeenfoundFivedaysago,thepolicemantoldhim,thebicyclewaspickedupinasmallvillagefourhundredmilesaway.Itisnowbeingsenttohishomebytrain.Danwasmostsurprisedwhenheheardthenews.Hewasamusedtoo,becauseheneverexpectedthebicycletobefound,ItwasstolentwentyyearsagowhenDanwasaboyoffifteen!Lesson35Stopthief!捉贼RoyTrentonusedtodriveataxi.Ashortwhileago,however,hebecameabusdriverandhehasnotregrettedit.Heisfindinghisnewworkfarmoreexciting.WhenhewasdrivingalongCatfordStreetrecently,hesawtwothievesrushoutofashopandruntowardsawaitingcar.Oneofthemwascarryingabagfullofmoney.Royactedquicklyanddrovethebusstraightatthethieves.Theonewiththemoneygotsuchafrightthathedroppedthebag.Asthethievesweretryingtogetawayintheircar,Roydrovehisbusintothebackofit.Whilethebatteredcarwasmovingaway,Roystoppedhisbusandtelephonedthepolice.Thethieves'carwasbadlydamagedandeasytorecognize.Shortlyafterwards,thepolicestoppedthecarandbothmenwerearrested.Lesson36AcrosstheChannel横渡海峡DebbieHartisgoingtoswimacrosstheEnglishChanneltomorrow.SheisgoingtosetoutfromtheFrenchcoastatfiveo'clockinthemorning.Debbieisonlyelevenyearsoldandshehopestosetupanewworldrecord.SheisastrongswimmerandmanypeoplefeelthatsheissuretosucceedDebbie'sfatherwillsetoutwithherinasmallboat.Mr.Harthastrainedhisdaughterforyears.TomorrowhewillbewatchingheranxiouslyassheswimsthelongdistancetoEngland.Debbieintendstotakeshortrestseverytwohours.Shewillhavesomethingtodrinkbutshewillnoteatanysolidfood.MostofDebbie'sschoolfriendswillbewaitingforherontheEnglishcoast.AmongthemwillbeDebbie'smother,whoswamtheChannelherselfwhenshewasagirl.Lesson37TheOlympicGames奥林匹克运动会TheOlympicGameswillbeheldinourcountryinfouryears'time.Asagreatmanypeoplewillbevisitingthecountry,thegovernmentwillbebuildingnewhotels,animmensestadium,andanewOlympic-standardswimmingpool.Theywillalsobebuildingnewroadsandaspecialrailwayline.TheGameswillbeheldjustoutsidethecapitalandthewholeareawillbecalled‘OlympicCity’.Workerswillhavecompletedthenewroadsbytheendofthisyear.Bytheendofnextyear,theywillhavefinishedworkonthenewstadium.ThefantasticmodernbuildingshavebeendesignedbyKurtGunter.Everybodywillbewatchinganxiouslyasthenewbuildingsgoup.WeareallveryexcitedandarelookingforwardtotheOlympicGamesbecausetheyhaveneverbeenheldbeforeinthiscountry.Lesson38Everythingexcepttheweather唯没考虑天气Myoldfriend,Harrison,hadlivedintheMediterraneanformanyyearsbeforehereturnedtoEngland.HehadoftendreamedofretiringinEnglandandhadplannedtosettledowninthecountry.Hehadnosoonerreturnedthanheboughtahouseandwenttolivethere.Almostimmediatelyhebegantocomplainabouttheweather,foreventhoughitwasstillsummer,itrainedcontinuallyanditwasoftenbitterlycold.Aftersomanyyearsofsunshine,Harrisongotashock.HeactedasifhehadneverlivedinEnglandbefore.Intheend,itwasmorethanhecouldbear.Hehadhardlyhadtimetosettledownwhenhesoldthehouseandleftthecountry.Thedreamhehadhadforsomanyyearsendedthere.Harrisonhadthoughtofeverythingexcepttheweather.Lesson39AmIallright?我是否痊愈?WhileJohnGilbertwasinhospital,heaskedhisdoctortotellhimwhetherhisoperationhadbeensuccessful,butthedoctorrefusedtodoso.Thefollowingday,thepatientaskedforabedsidetelephone.Whenhewasalone,hetelephonedthehospitalexchangeandaskedforDoctorMillington.Whenthedoctoransweredthephone,Mr.Gilbertsaidhewasinquiringaboutacertainpatient,aMr.JohnGilbert.HeaskedifMr.Gilbert'soperationhadbeensuccessfulandthedoctortoldhimthatithadbeen.HethenaskedwhenMr.Gilbertwouldbeallowedtogohomeandthedoctortoldhimthathewouldhavetostayinhosptialforanothertwoweeks.ThenDr.Millingtonaskedthecallerifhewasarelativeofthepatient.‘No,’thepatientanswered,‘IamMr.JohnGilbert.’Lesson40Foodandtalk进餐与交谈Lastweekatadinnerparty,thehostessaskedmetositnexttoMrs.Rumbold.Mrs.Rumboldwasalarge,unsmilingladyinatightblackdress.ShedidnotevenlookupwhenItookmyseatbesideher.Hereyeswerefixedonherplateandinashorttime,shewasbusyeating.Itriedtomakeconversation.‘Anewplayiscomingto“TheGlobe”soon,’Isaid.‘Willyoubeseeingit?’‘No,’sheanswered.‘Willyoubespendingyourholidaysabroadthisyear?’Iasked.‘NO,’sheanswered.‘WillyoubestayinginEngland?’Iasked.“No,’sheanswered.Indespair,Iaskedherwhethershewasenjoyingherdinner.‘Youngman,’sheanswered,‘ifyouatemoreandtalkedless,wewouldbothenjoyourdinner!’Lesson41Doyoucallthatahat?你把那个叫帽子吗？‘Doyoucallthatahat?’Isaidtomywife.‘Youneedn'tbesorudeaboutit,’mywifeansweredasshelookedatherselfinthemirror.Isatdownononeofthosemodernchairswithholesinitandwaited.Wehadbeeninthehatshopforhalfanhourandmywifewasstillinfrontofthemirror.‘Wemustn'tbuythingswedon'tneed,’Iremarkedsuddenly.Iregrettedsayingitalmostatonce.‘Youneedn'thavesaidthat,’mywifeanswered.‘Ineedn'tremindyouofthatterribletieyouboughtyesterday.’‘Ifinditbeautiful,’Isaid.‘Amancanneverhavetoomanyties.’‘Andawomancan'thavetoomanyhats，’sheanswered.Tenminuteslaterwewalkedoutoftheshoptogether.Mywifewaswearingahatthatlookedlikealighthouse!Lesson42Notverymusical并非很懂音乐AswehadhadalongwalkthroughoneofthemarketsofOldDelhi,westoppedatasquaretohavearest.Afteratime,wenoticedasnakecharmerwithtwolargebasketsattheothersideofthesquare,sowewenttohavealookathim.Assoonashesawus,hepickedupalongpipewhichwascoveredwithcoinsandopenedoneofthebaskets.Whenhebegantoplayatune,wehadourfirstglimpseofthesnake.Itroseoutofthebasketandbegantofollowthemovementsofthepipe.Wewereverymuchsurprisedwhenthesnakecharmersuddenlybegantoplayjazzandmodernpopsongs.Thesnake,however,continuedto‘dance’slowly.ItobviouslycouldnottellthedifferencebetweenIndianmusicandjazz!Lesson43OvertheSouthPole飞越南极In1929,threeyearsafterhisflightovertheNorthPole,theAmericanexplorer,R.E.Byrd,successfullyflewovertheSouthPoleforthefirsttime.Though,atfirst,Byrdandhismenwereabletotakeagreatmanyphotographsofthemountainsthatlaybelow,theysoonranintoserioustrouble.Atonepoint,itseemedcertainthattheirplanewouldcrash.Itcouldonlygetoverthemountainsifitroseto10,000feet.Byrdatonceorderedhismentothrowouttwoheavyfoodsacks.Theplanewasthenabletoriseanditclearedthemountainsby400feet.ByrdnowknewthathewouldbeabletoreachtheSouthPolewhichwas300milesaway,fortherewerenomoremountainsinsight.Theaircraftwasabletoflyovertheendlesswhiteplainswithoutdifficulty.Lesson44Throughtheforest穿过森林Mrs.AnneSterlingdidnotthinkoftheriskshewastakingwhensheranthroughaforestaftertwomen.Theyhadrusheduptoherwhileshewashavingapicnicattheedgeofaforestwithherchildrenandtriedtostealherhandbag.Inthestruggle,thestrapbrokeand,withthebagintheirpossession,bothmenstartedrunningthroughthetrees.Mrs.Sterlinggotsoangrythatsheranafterthem.Shewassoonoutofbreath,butshecontinuedtorun.Whenshecaughtupwiththem,shesawthattheyhadsatdownandweregoingthroughthecontentsofthebag,sosheranstraightatthem.Themengotsuchafrightthattheydroppedthebagandranaway.‘Thestrapneedsmending,’saidMrs.Sterlinglater,‘buttheydidnotstealanything.’Lesson45Aclearconscience问心无愧Thewholevillagesoonlearntthatalargesumofmoneyhadbeenlost.SamBenton,thelocalbutcher,hadlosthiswalletwhiletakinghissavingstothepostoffice.Samwassurethatthewalletmusthavebeenfoundbyoneofthevillagers,butitwasnotreturnedtohim.Threemonthspassed,andthenonemorning,Samfoundhiswalletoutsidehisfrontdoor.Ithadbeenwrappedupinnewspaperanditcontainedhalfthemoneyhehadlost,togetherwithanotewhichsaid:‘Athief,yes,butonly50percentathief!’Twomonthslater,somemoremoneywassenttoSamwithanothernote:‘Only25percentathiefnow!’Intime,allSam'smoneywaspaidbackinthisway.Thelastnotesaid:‘Iam100percenthonestnow!’Lesson46Expensiveanduncomfortable既昂贵又受罪WhenaplanefromLondonarrivedatSydneyairport,workersbegantounloadanumberofwoodenboxeswhichcontainedclothing.Noonecouldaccountforthefactthatoneoftheboxeswasextremelyheavy.Itsuddenlyoccurredtooneoftheworkerstoopenupthebox.Hewasastonishedatwhathefound.Amanwaslyingintheboxontopofapileofwoollengoods.Hewassosurprisedatbeingdiscoveredthathedidnoteventrytorunaway.Afterhewasarrested,themanadmittedhidingintheboxbeforetheplaneleftLondon.Hehadhadalonganduncomfortabletrip,forhehadbeenconfinedtothewoodenboxforovereighteenhours.Themanwasorderedtopay￡3,500forthecostofthetrip.Thenormalpriceofaticketis￡2,000!Lesson47Athirstyghost嗜酒的鬼魂ApublichousewhichwasrecentlyboughtbyMr.IanThompsonisupforsale.Mr.Thompsonisgoingtosellitbecauseitishaunted.Hetoldmethathecouldnotgotosleeponenightbecauseheheardastrangenoisecomingfromthebar.Thenextmorning,hefoundthatthedoorshadbeenblockedbychairsandthefurniturehadbeenmoved.ThoughMr.Thompsonhadturnedthelightsoffbeforehewenttobed,theywereoninthemorning.Healsosaidthathehadfoundfiveemptywhiskybottleswhichtheghostmusthavedrunkthenightbefore.WhenIsuggestedthatsomevillagersmusthavecomeinforafreedrink,Mr.Thompsonshookhishead.Thevillagershavetoldhimthattheywillnotacceptthepubevenifhegivesitaway.Lesson48Didyouwanttotellmesomething?你想对我说什么吗？Dentistsalwaysaskquestionswhenitisimpossibleforyoutoanswer.Mydentisthadjustpulledoutoneofmyteethandhadtoldmetorestforawhile.Itriedtosaysomething,butmymouthwasfullofcottonwool.HeknewIcollectedmatchboxesandaskedmewhethermycollectionwasgrowing.HethenaskedmehowmybrotherwasandwhetherIlikedmynewjobinLondon.InanswertothesequestionsIeithernoddedormadestrangenoises.Meanwhile,mytonguewasbusysearchingouttheholewherethetoothhadbeen.Isuddenlyfeltveryworried,butcouldnotsayanything.Whenthedentistatlastremovedthecottonwoolfrommymouth,Iwasabletotellhimthathehadpulledoutthewrongtooth.Lesson49Theendofadream美梦告终Tiredofsleepingonthefloor,ayoungmaninTeheransavedupforyearstobuyarealbed.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hebecametheproudownerofabedwhichhadspringsandamattress.Becausetheweatherwasveryhot,hecarriedthebedontotheroofofhishouse.Hesleptverywellforthefirsttwonights,butonthethirdnight,astormblewup.Agustofwindsweptthebedofftheroofandsentitcrashingintothecourtyardbelow.Theyoungmandidnotwakeupuntilthebedhadstrucktheground.Althoughthebedwassmashedtopieces,themanwasmiraculouslyunhurt.Whenhewokeup,hewasstillonthemattress.Glancingatthebitsofwoodandmetalthatlayaroundhim,themansadlypickedupthemattressandcarrieditintohishouse.Afterhehadputitonthefloor,hepromptlywenttosleepagain.Lesson50Takenforaride乘车兜风Ilovetravellinginthecountry,butIdon'tlikelosingmyway.Iwentonanexcursionrecently,butmytriptookmelongerthanIexpected.‘I'mgoingtoWoodfordGreen,’IsaidtotheconductorasIgotonthebus,‘butIdon'tknowwhereitis.’‘I'lltellyouwheretogetoff,’answeredtheconductor.Isatinthefrontofthebustogetagoodviewofthecountryside.Aftersometime,thebusstopped.Lookinground,IrealizedwithashockthatIwastheonlypassengerleftonthebus.‘You'llhavetogetoffhere.’theconductorsaid.‘Thisisasfaraswego.’‘IsthisWoodfordGreen?’asked.‘Ohdear,’saidtheconductorsuddenly.‘Iforgottoputyouoff.’‘Itdoesn'tmatter,’Isaid.‘I'llgetoffhere.’‘We'regoingbacknow,’saidtheconductor.‘Well,inthatcase,Iprefertostayonthebus,’Ianswered.Lesson51RewardforVirtue对美德的奖赏Myfriend,Hugh,hasalwaysbeenfat,butthingsgotsobadrecentlythathedecidedtogoonadiet.Hebeganhisdietaweekago.Firstofall,hewroteoutalonglistofallthefoodswhichwereforbidden.ThelistincludedmostofthethingsHughloves:butter,potatoes,rice,beer,milk,chocolate,andsweets.YesterdayIpaidhimavisit.IrangthebellandwasnotsurprisedtoseethatHughwasstillasfatasever.Heledmeintohisroomandhurriedlyhidalargeparcelunderhisdesk.Itwasobviousthathewasveryembarrassed.WhenIaskedhimwhathewasdoing,hesmiledguiltilyandthenputtheparcelonthedesk.Heexplainedthathisdietwassostrictthathehadtorewardhimselfoccasionally.Thenheshowedmethecontentsoftheparcel.Itcontainedfivelargebarsofchocolateandthreebagsofsweets!Lesson52Aprettycarpet漂亮的地毯WehavejustmovedintoanewhouseandIhavebeenworkinghardallmorning.Ihavebeentryingtogetmynewroominorder.ThishasnotbeeneasybecauseIownoverathousandbooks.Tomakemattersworse,theroomisrathersmall,soIhavetemporarilyputmybooksonthefloor.Atthemoment,theycovereveryinchoffloorspaceandIactuallyhavetowalkonthemtogetinoroutoftheroom.Ashortwhileago,mysisterhelpedmetocarryoneofmyoldbookcasesupthestairs.Shewentintomyroomandgotabigsurprisewhenshesawallthosebooksonthefloor.‘ThisistheprettiestcarpetIhaveeverseen,’shesaid.Shegazedatitforsometimethenadded,‘Youdon'tneedbookcasesatall.Youcansithereinyoursparetimeandreadthecarpet!’Lesson53Hotsnake触电的蛇AtlastfiremenhaveputoutabigforestfireinCalifornia.Sincethen,theyhavebeentryingtofindouthowthefirebegan.Forestfiresareoftencausedbybrokenglassorbycigaretteendswhichpeoplecarelesslythrowaway.Yesterdaythefiremenexaminedthegroundcarefully,butwerenotabletofindanybrokenglass.Theywerealsoquitesurethatacigaretteenddidnotstartthefire.Thismorning,however,afiremenaccidentallydiscoveredthecause.Henoticedtheremainsofasnakewhichwaswoundroundtheelectricwiresofa16，000-voltpowerline.Inthisway,hewasabletosolvethemystery.Theexplanationwassimplebutveryunusual.Abirdhadsnatchedupthesnakefromthegroundandthendroppeditontothewires.Thesnakethenwounditselfroundthewires.Whenitdidso,itsentsparksdowntothegroundandtheseimmediatelystartedafire.Lesson54stickyfingers粘糊的手指Afterbreakfast,IsentthechildrentoschoolandthenIwenttotheshops.ItwasstillearlywhenIreturnedhome.Thechildrenwereatschool,myhusbandwasatworkandthehousewasquiet.SoIdecidedtomakesomemeatpies.InashorttimeIwasbusymixingbutterandflourandmyhandsweresooncoveredwithstickypastry.Atexactlythatmoment,thetelephonerang.Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreannoying.IpickedupthereceiverbetweentwostickyfingersandwasdismayedwhenIrecognizedthevoiceofHelenBates.Ittookmetenminutestopersuadehertoringbacklater.AtlastIhungupthereceiver.Whatamess!Therewaspastryonmyfingers,onthetelephone,andonthedoorknobs.Ihadnosoonergotbacktothekitchenthanthedoorbellrangloudenoughtowakethedead.Thistimeitwasthepostmanandhewantedmetosignforaregisteredletter!Lesson55Notagoldmine并非金矿Dreamsoffindinglosttreasurealmostcametruerecently.Anewmachinecalled‘TheRevealer’hasbeeninventedandithasbeenusedtodetectgoldwhichhasbeenburiedintheground.Themachinewasusedinacaveneartheseashorewhere--itissaid-piratesusedtohidegold.Thepirateswouldoftenburygoldinthecaveandthenfailtocollectit.Armedwiththenewmachine,asearchpartywentintothecavehopingtofindburiedtreasure.Theleaderofthepartywasexaminingthesoilneartheentrancetothecavewhenthemachineshowedthattherewasgoldundertheground.Veryexcited,thepartydugaholetwofeetdeep.Theyfinallyfoundasmallgoldcoinwhichwasalmostworthless.Thepartythensearchedthewholecavethoroughlybutdidnotfindanythingexceptanemptytintrunk.Inspiteofthis,manypeopleareconfidentthat‘TheRevealer’mayrevealsomethingofvaluefairlysoon.Lesson56Fasterthansound!比声音还快！Onceayear,araceisheldforoldcars.Alotofcarsenteredforthisracelastyearandtherewasagreatdealofexcitementjustbeforeitbegan.OneofthemosthandsomecarswasaRolls-RoyceSilverGhost.ThemostunusualcarwasaBenzwhichhadonlythreewheels.Builtin1885,itwastheoldestcartakingpart.Afteragreatmanyloudexplosions,theracebegan.Manyofthecarsbrokedownonthecourseandsomedriversspentmoretimeundertheircarsthaninthem!Afewcars,however,completedtherace.Thewinningcarreachedaspeedoffortymilesanhour---muchfasterthananyofitsrivals.Itspeddownhillattheendoftheraceanditsdriverhadalotoftroubletryingtostopit.Theracegaveeveryoneagreatdealofpleasure.Itwasverydifferentfrommoderncarracesbutnolessexciting.Lesson57CanIhelpyou,madam?您要买什么，夫人？Awomaninjeansstoodatthewindowofanexpensiveshop.Thoughshehesitatedforamoment,shefinallywentinandaskedtoseeadressthatwasinthewindow.Theassistantwhoservedherdidnotlikethewayshewasdressed.Glancingatherscornfully,hetoldherthatthedresswassold.Thewomanwalkedoutoftheshopangrilyanddecidedtopunishtheassistantnextday.Shereturnedtotheshopthefollowingmorningdressedinafurcoat,withahandbaginonehandandalongumbrellaintheother.Afterseekingouttherudeassistant,sheaskedforthesamedress.Notrealizingwhoshewas,theassistantwaseagertoserveherthistime.Withgreatdifficulty,heclimbedintotheshopwindowtogetthedress.Assoonasshesawit,thewomansaidshedidnotlikeit.Sheenjoyedherselfmakingtheassistantbringalmosteverythinginthewindowbeforefinallybuyingthedressshehadfirstaskedfor.Lesson58Ablessingindisguise?是因祸得福吗？ThetinyvillageofFrinleyissaidtopossessa‘cursedtree’.Becausethetreewasmentionedinanewspaper,thenumberofvisitorstoFrinleyhasnowincreased.Thetreewasplantednearthechurchfiftyyearsago,butitisonlyinrecentyearsthatithasgainedanevilreputation.Itissaidthatifanyonetouchesthetree,hewillhavebadluck;ifhepicksaleaf,hewilldie.Manyvillagersbelievethatthetreehasalreadyclaimedanumberofvictims.Thevicarhasbeenaskedtohavethetreecutdown,butsofarhehasrefused.Hehaspointedoutthatthetreeisausefulsourceofincome,astouristshavebeencomingfromallpartsofthecountrytoseeit.Inspiteofallthathasbeensaid,thetouristshavebeenpickingleavesandcuttingtheirnamesonthetree-trunk.Sofar,notoneofthemhasbeenstruckdownbysuddendeath!Lesson59Inorout?进来还是出去？Ourdog,Rex,usedtositoutsideourfrontgateandbark.Everytimehewantedtocomeintothegardenhewouldbarkuntilsomeoneopenedthegate.Astheneighbourscomplainedofthenoise,myhusbandspentweekstraininghimtopresshispawonthelatchtolethimselfin.Rexsoonbecameanexpertatopeningthegate.However,whenIwasgoingoutshoppinglastweek,Inoticedhiminthegardennearthegate.Thistimehewasbarkingsothatsomeonewouldlethimout!Sincethen,hehasdevelopedanotherbadhabit.Assoonasheopensthegatefromtheoutside,hecomesintothegardenandwaitsuntilthegateshuts.Thenhesitsandbarksuntilsomeoneletshimout.Afterthisheimmediatelyletshimselfinandbeginsbarkingagain.YesterdaymyhusbandremovedthegateandRexgotsoannoyedwehavenotseenhimsince.Lesson60Thefuture卜算未来Atavillagefair,Idecidedtovisitafortune-tellercalledMadamBellinsky.Iwentintohertentandshetoldmetositdown.AfterIhadgivenhersomemoney,shelookedintoacrystalballandsaid:‘Arelationofyoursiscomingtoseeyou.Shewillbearrivingthiseveningandintendstostayforafewdays.Themomentyouleavethistent,youwillgetabigsurprise.Awomanyouknowwellwillrushtowardsyou.Shewillspeaktoyouandthenshewillleadyouawayfromthisplace.Thatisall.’AssoonasIwentoutside,IforgotallaboutMadamBellinskybecausemywifehurriedtowardsme.‘Wherehaveyoubeenhiding?’sheaskedimpatiently.‘Yoursisterwillbehereinlessthananhourandwemustbeatthestationtomeether.Wearelatealready.’Asshewalkedaway,Ifollowedheroutofthefair.Lesson61TroublewiththeHubble哈勃望远镜的困境TheHubbletelescopewaslaunchedintospacebyNASAonApril20,1990atacostofoverabilliondollars.RightfromthestarttherewastroublewiththeHubble.Thepicturesitsentuswereverydisappointingbecauseitsmainmirrorwasfaulty!NASAisnowgoingtoputthetelescoperight,soitwillsoonbesendingupfourastronautstorepairit.TheshuttleEndeavourwillbetakingtheastronautstotheHubble.Arobot-armfromtheEndeavourwillgrabthetelescopeandholditwhiletheastronautsmakethenecessaryrepairs.Ofcourse,theHubbleisabovetheearth'satmosphere,soitwillsoonbesendingustheclearestpicturesofthestarsanddistantgalaxiesthatwehaveeverseen.TheHubblewilltellusagreatdealabouttheageandsizeoftheuniverse.Bythetimeyoureadthis,theRubble'seagleeyewillhavesentusthousandsandthousandsofwonderfulpictures.Lesson62Afferthefire大火之后Firemenhadbeenfightingtheforestfirefornearlythreeweeksbeforetheycouldgetitundercontrol.Ashorttimebefore,greattreeshadcoveredthecountrysideformilesaround.Now,smokestillroseupfromthewarmgroundoverthedesolatehills.Winterwascomingonandthehillsthreatenedthesurroundingvillageswithdestruction,forheavyrainwouldnotonlywashawaythesoilbutwouldcauseseriousfloodsaswell.Whenthefirehadatlastbeenputout,theforestauthoritiesorderedseveraltonsofaspecialtypeofgrassseedwhichwouldgrowquickly.Theseedwassprayedoverthegroundinhugequantitiesbyaeroplanes.Theplaneshadbeenplantingseedfornearlyamonthwhenitbegantorain.Bythen,however,inmanyplacesthegrasshadalreadytakenroot.Inplaceofthegreattreeswhichhadbeengrowingthereforcenturies,patchesofgreenhadbeguntoappearintheblackenedsoil.Lesson63Shewasnotamused她并不觉得好笑JeremyHampdenhasalargecircleoffriendsandisverypopularatparties.Everybodyadmireshimforhisgreatsenseofhumour---everybody,thatis,excepthissix-year-olddaughter,Jenny.Recently,oneofJeremy'sclosestfriendsaskedhimtomakeaspeechataweddingreception.ThisisthesortofthingthatJeremyloves.HepreparedthespeechcarefullyandwenttotheweddingwithJenny.Hehadincludedalargenumberoffunnystoriesinthespeechand,ofcourse,itwasagreatsuccess.Assoonashehadfinished,Jennytoldhimshewantedtogohome.Jeremywasalittledisappointedbythisbuthedidashisdaughterasked.Onthewayhome,heaskedJennyifshehadenjoyedthespeech.Tohissurprise,shesaidshehadn't.Jeremyaskedherwhythiswassoandshetoldhimthatshedidnotliketoseesomanypeoplelaughingathim!Lesson64TheChannelTunnel海峡隧道In1858,aFrenchengineer,AiméThomédeGamond,arrivedinEnglandwithaplanforatwenty-one-miletunnelundertheEnglishChannel.HesaidthatitwouldbepossibletobuildaplatforminthecentreoftheChannel.Thisplatformwouldserveasaportandarailwaystation.Thetunnelwouldbewell-ventilatediftallchimneyswerebuiltabovesealevel.In1860,abetterplanwasputforwardbyanEnglishman,WilliamLow.Hesuggestedthatadoublerailwaytunnelshouldbebuilt.Thiswouldsolvetheproblemofventilation,forifatrainenteredthistunnel,itwoulddrawinfreshairbehindit.Forty-twoyearslateratunnelwasactuallybegun.If,atthetime,theBritishhadnotfearedinvasion,itwouldhavebeencompleted.Theworldhadtowaitalmostanother100yearsfortheChannelTunnel.ItwasofficiallyopenedonMarch7,1994,finallyconnectingBritaintotheEuropeancontinent.Lesson65Jumboversusthepolice小象对警察LastChristmas,thecircusowner,JimmyGates,decidedtotakesomepresentstoachildren'shospital.DressedupasFatherChristmasandaccompaniedbya‘guardofhonour’ofsixprettygirls,hesetoffdownthemainstreetofthecityridingababyelephantcalledJumbo.Heshouldhaveknownthatthepolicewouldneverallowthissortofthing.ApolicemanapproachedJimmyandtoldhimheoughttohavegonealongasidestreetasJumbowasholdingupthetraffic.ThoughJimmyagreedtogoatonce,Jumborefusedtomove.Fifteenpolicemenhadtopushveryhardtogethimoffthemainstreet.Thepolicehadadifficulttime,buttheyweremostamused.‘Jumbomustweighafewtons,’saidapolicemenafterwards,‘soitwasfortunatethatwedidn'thavetocarryhim.Ofcourse,weshouldarresthim,butashehasagoodrecord,weshalllethimoffthistime.’Lesson66Sweetashoney!像蜜一样甜！In1963aLancasterbombercrashedonWallisIsland,aremoteplaceintheSouthPacific,alongwaywestofSamoa.Theplanewasn'ttoobadlydamaged,butovertheyears,thecrashwasforgottenandthewreckremainedundisturbed.Thenin1989,twenty-sixyearsafterthecrash,theplanewasaccidentallyrediscoveredinanaerialsurveyoftheisland.Bythistime,aLancasterbomberinreasonableconditionwasrareandworthrescuing.TheFrenchauthoritieshadtheplanepackagedandmovedinpartsbacktoFrance.Nowagroupofenthusiastsaregoingtohavetheplanerestored.IthasfourRolls-RoyceMerlinengines,butthegroupwillneedtohaveonlythreeofthemrebuilt.Imaginetheirsurpriseanddelightwhentheybrokeopenthepackingcasesandfoundthatthefourthenginewassweetashoney---stillinperfectcondition.Acolonyofbeeshadturnedtheengineintoahiveanditwastotallypreservedinbeeswax!Lesson67Volcanoes火山HarounTazieff,thePolishscientist,hasspenthislifetimestudyingactivevolcanoesanddeepcavesinallpartsoftheworld.In1948,hewenttoLakeKivuintheCongotoobserveanewvolcanowhichhelaternamedKituro.Tazieffwasabletosetuphiscampveryclosetothevolcanowhileitwaseruptingviolently.Thoughhemanagedtotakeanumberofbrilliantphotographs,hecouldnotstaynearthevolcanoforverylong.Henoticedthatariverofliquidrockwascomingtowardshim.Itthreatenedtosurroundhimcompletely,butTazieffmanagedtoescapejustintime.Hewaiteduntilthevolcanobecamequietandbewasabletoreturntwodayslater.Thistime,hemanagedtoclimbintothemouthofKiturosothathecouldtakephotographsandmeasuretemperatures.Tazieffhasoftenriskedhislifeinthisway.Hehasbeenabletotellusmoreaboutactivevolcanoesthananymanalive.Lesson68Persistent纠缠不休Icrossedthestreettoavoidmeetinghim,buthesawmeandcamerunningtowardsme.ItwasnousepretendingthatIhadnotseenhim,soIwavedtohim.IneverenjoymeetingNigelDykes.Heneverhasanythingtodo.Nomatterhowbusyyouare,healwaysinsistsoncomingwithyou.Ihadtothinkofawayofpreventinghimfromfollowingmearoundallmorning.‘Hello,Nigel,’Isaid.‘Fancymeetingyouhere!’‘Hi,Elizabeth,’Nigelanswered.‘Iwasjustwonderinghowtospendthemorning---untilIsawyou.You'renotbusydoinganything,areyou?’‘No,notatall,’Ianswered.‘I'mgoingto…’‘Wouldyoumindmycomingwithyou?’heasked,beforeIhadfinishedspeaking.‘Notatall,’Ilied,‘butI'mgoingtothedentist.’‘ThenI'llcomewithyou,’heanswered.‘There’salwaysplentytoreadinthewaitingroom!’Lesson69Butnotmurder!并非谋杀！Iwasbeingtestedforadrivinglicenceforthethirdtime.Ihadbeenaskedtodriveinheavytrafficandhaddonesosuccessfully.Afterhavingbeeninstructedtodriveoutoftown,Ibegantoacquireconfidence.SurethatIhadpassed,Iwasalmostbeginningtoenjoymytest.Theexaminermusthavebeenpleasedwithmyperformance,forhesmiledandsaid,‘Justonemorething,Mr.Eames.Letussupposethatachildsuddenlycrossestheroadinfrontofyou.AssoonasItaponthewindow,youmuststopwithinfivefeet.’Icontinueddrivingandaftersometime,theexaminertappedloudly.Thoughthesoundcouldbeheardclearly,ittookmealongtimetoreact.Isuddenlypressedthebrakepedalhardandwewereboththrownforward.Theexaminerlookedatmesadly.‘Mr.Eames,’hesaid,inamournfulvoice,‘youhavejustkilledthatchild!’Lesson70Redfordanger危险的红色Duringabullfight,adrunksuddenlywanderedintothemiddleofthering.Thecrowdbegantoshout,butthedrunkwasunawareofthedanger.Thebullwasbusywiththematadoratthetime,butitsuddenlycaughtsightofthedrunkwhowasshoutingruderemarksandwavingaredcap.Apparentlysensitivetocriticism,thebullforgotallaboutthematadorandchargedatthedrunk.Thecrowdsuddenlygrewquiet.Thedrunk,however,seemedquitesureofhimself.Whenthebullgotclosetohim,heclumsilysteppedasidetoletitpass.Thecrowdbrokeintocheersandthedrunkbowed.Bythistime,however,threemenhadcomeintotheringandtheyquicklydraggedthedrunktosafety.Eventhebullseemedtofeelsorryforhim,foritlookedonsympatheticallyuntilthedrunkwasoutofthewaybeforeoncemoreturningitsattentiontothematador.Lesson71Afamousclock一个著名的大钟WhenyouvisitLondon,oneofthefirstthingsyouwillseeisBigBen,thefamousclockwhichcanbeheardallovertheworldontheB.B.C.IftheHousesofParliamenthadnotbeenburneddownin1834,thegreatclockwouldneverhavebeenerected.BigBentakesitsnamefromsirBenjaminHallwhowasresponsibleforthemmakingoftheclockwhenthenewHousesofParliamentwerebeingbuilt.Itisnotonlyofimmensesize,butisextremelyaccurateaswell.OfficialsfromGreenwichObservatoryhavetheclockcheckedtwiceaday.OntheB.B.C.youcanheartheclockwhenitisactuallystrikingbecausemicrophonesareconnectedtotheclocktower.BigBenhasrarelygonewrong.Once,however,itfailedtogivethecorrecttime.Apainterwhohadbeenworkingonthetowerhungapotofpaintononeofthehandsandsloweditdown!Lesson72AcarcalledBluebird“蓝鸟”汽车Thegreatracingdriver,SirMalcolmCampbell,wasthefirstmantodriveatover300milesperhour.HesetupanewworldrecordinSeptember1935atBonnevilleSaltFlats,Utah.Bluebird,thecarhewasdriving,hadbeenspeciallybuiltforhim.Itwasover30feetinlengthandhada2,500-horsepowerengine.AlthoughCampbellreachedaspeedofover304milesperhour,hehadgreatdifficultyincontrollingthecarbecauseatyreburstduringthefirstrun.Afterhisattempt,Campbellwasdisappointedtolearnthathisaveragespeedhadbeen299milesperhour.However,afewdayslater,hewastoldthatamistakehadbeenmade.Hisaveragespeedhadbeen301milesperhour.Sincethattime,racingdrivershavereachedspeedsover600mitesanhour.Followinginhisfather'sfootstepsmanyyearslater,SirMalcolm'sson,Donald,alsosetupaworldrecord.Likehisfather,hewasdrivingacarcalledBluebird.Lesson73Therecord-holder纪录保持者Childrenwhoplaytruantfromschoolareunimaginative.Aquietday'sfishing,oreighthoursinacinemaseeingthesamefilmoverandoveragain,isusuallyasfarastheyget.Theyhaveallbeenputtoshamebyaboywho,whileplayingtruant,travelled1,600miles.HehitchhikedtoDoverand,towardsevening,wentintoaboattofindsomewheretosleep.Whenhewokeupnextmorning,hediscoveredthattheboathad,inthemeantime,travelledtoCalais.Noonenoticedtheboyashecreptoff.Fromthere,hehitchhikedtoParisinalorry.Thedrivergavehimafewbiscuitsandacupofcoffeeandlefthimjustoutsidethecity.ThenextcartheboystoppeddidnottakehimintothecenterofParisashehopeditwould,buttoPerpignanontheFrench-Spanishborder.TherehewaspickedupbyapolicemanandsentbacktoEnglandbythelocalauthorities.Hehassurelysetuparecordforthethousandsofchildrenwhodreamofevadingschool.Lesson74Outofthelimelight舞台之外Anancientbusstoppedbyadryriverbedandapartyoffamousactorsandactressesgotoff.Dressedindarkglassesandoldclothes,theyhadtakenspecialprecautionssothatnooneshouldrecognizethem.Butastheysoondiscovered,disguisescansometimesbetooperfect.‘Thisisawonderfulplaceforapicnic,’saidGloriaGleam.‘Itcouldn'tbebetter,Gloria,’BrinksleyMeersagreed.‘Nonewspapermen,nofilmfans!Whydon'twecomemoreoften?’Meanwhile,twootheractors,RockwallSlingerandMerlinGreeves,hadcarriedtwolargefoodbasketstoashadyspotundersometrees.Whentheyhadallmadethemselvescomfortable,astrangerappeared.Helookedveryangry.‘Nowyougetoutofhere,allofyou!’heshouted.‘I'msheriffhere.Doyouseethatnotice?Itsays“NoCamping”----incaseyoucan'tread!’‘Look,sheriff,’saidRockwall,‘don'tbetoohardonus.I'mRockwallSlingerandthisisMerlinGreeves.’‘Oh,isit?’saidthesheriffwithasneer.‘Well,I'mBrinksleyMeers,andmyothernameisGloriaGleam.Nowyougetoutofherefast!’Lesson75SOS呼救信号Whenalightpassengerplaneflewoffcoursesometimeago,itcrashedinthemountainsanditspilotwaskilled.Theonlypassengers,ayoungwomanandhertwobabydaughters,wereunhurt.Itwasthemiddleofwinter.Snowlaythickontheground.Thewomanknewthatthenearestvillagewasmilesaway.Whenitgrewdark,sheturnedasuitcaseintoabedandputthechildreninsideit,coveringthemwithalltheclothesshecouldfind.Duringthenight,itgotterriblycold.Thewomankeptasnearasshecouldtothechildrenandeventriedtogetintothecaseherself,butitwastoosmall.Earlynextmorning,sheheardplanespassingoverheadandwonderedhowshecouldsendasignal.Thenshehadanidea.Shestampedouttheletters‘SOS’inthesnow.Fortunately,apilotsawthesignalandsentamessagebyradiotothenearesttown.Itwasnotlongbeforeahelicopterarrivedonthescenetorescuethesurvivorsoftheplanecrash.Lesson76AprilFools'Day愚人节‘Toendourspecialnewsbulletin,’saidthevoiceofthetelevisionannouncer,‘we'regoingovertothemacaronifieldsofCalabria.Macaronihasbeengrowninthisareaforoversixhundredyears.Twooftheleadinggrowers,GiuseppeMoldovaandRiccardoBrabante,tellmethattheyhavebeenexpectingasplendidcropthisyearandharvestinghasbegunearlierthanusual.Hereyoucanseetwoworkerswho,betweenthem,havejustfinishedcuttingthreecartloadsofgoldenbrownmacaronistalks.Thewholevillagehasbeenworkingdayandnightgatheringandthreshingthisyear'scropbeforetheSeptemberrains.Ontheright,youcanseeMrs.Brabanteherself.Shehasbeenhelpingherhusbandforthirtyyearsnow.Mrs.Brabanteistalkingtothemanagerofthelocalfactorywherethecropisprocessed.Thislastsceneshowsyouwhatwillhappenattheendoftheharvest:thefamousCalabrianmacaroni-eatingcompetition!SignorFratelli,thepresentchampion,haswoniteveryyearsince1991.Andthatendsourspecialbulletinfortoday,Thursday,April1st.We'renowgoingbacktothestudio.’Lesson77Asuccessfuloperation一例成功的手术ThemummyofanEgyptianwomanwhodiedin800B.C.hasjusthadanoperation.ThemummyisthatofShepenmutwhowasonceasingerintheTempleofThebes.AstherewerestrangemarksontheX-rayplatestakenofthemummy,doctorshavebeentryingtofindoutwhetherthewomandiedofararedisease.Theonlywaytodothiswastooperate.Theoperation,whichlastedforoverfourhours,provedtobeverydifficultbecauseofthehardresinwhichcoveredtheskin.Thedoctorsremovedasectionofthemummyandsentittoalaboratory.TheyalsofoundsomethingwhichtheX-rayplatesdidnotshow:asmallwaxfigureofthegodDuamutef.Thisgodwhichhastheheadofacowwasnormallyplacedinsideamummy.Thedoctorshavenotyetdecidedhowthewomandied.Theyfearedthatthemummywouldfalltopieceswhentheycutitopen,butfortunatelythishasnothappened.Themummysuccessfullysurvivedtheoperation.Lesson78Thelastone?最后一枝吗？Afterreadinganarticleentitled‘CigaretteSmokingandYourHealth’Ilitacigarettetocalmmynerves.IsmokedwithconcentrationandpleasureasIwassurethatthiswouldbemylastcigarette.ForawholeweekIdidnotsmokeatallandduringthistime,mywifesufferedterribly.Ihadalltheusualsymptomsofsomeonegivingupsmoking:abadtemperandanenormousappetite.Myfriendskeptonofferingmecigarettesandcigars.TheymadenoefforttohidetheiramusementwheneverIproducedapacketofsweetsfrommypocket.AftersevendaysofthisIwenttoaparty.EverybodyaroundmewassmokingandIfeltextremelyuncomfortable.WhenmyoldfriendBrianurgedmetoacceptacigarette,itwasmorethanIcouldbear.Itookoneguiltily,lititandsmokedwithsatisfaction.Mywifewasdelightedthatthingshadreturnedtonormaloncemore.Anyway,asBrianpointedout,itistheeasiestthingintheworldtogiveupsmoking.Hehimselfhasdoneitlotsoftimes!Lesson79Byair乘飞机Iusedtotravelbyairagreatdealwhen1wasaboy.MyparentsusedtoliveinSouthAmericaandIusedtoflytherefromEuropeintheholidays.AflightattendantwouldtakechargeofmeandIneverhadanunpleasantexperience.IamusedtotravellingbyairandonlyononeoccasionhaveIeverfeltfrightened.Aftertakingoff,wewereflyinglowoverthecityandslowlygainingheight,whentheplanesuddenlyturnedroundandflewbacktotheairport.Whilewewerewaitingtoland,aflightattendanttoldustokeepcalmandtogetofftheplanequietlyassoonasithadtoucheddown.Everybodyonboardwasworriedandwewerecurioustofindoutwhathadhappened.Laterwelearntthattherewasaveryimportantpersononboard.Thepolicehadbeentoldthatabombhadbeenplantedontheplane.Afterwehadlanded,theplanewassearchedthoroughly.Fortunately,nothingwasfoundandfivehourslaterwewereabletotakeoffagain.Lesson80TheCrystalPalace水晶宫PerhapsthemostextraordinarybuildingofthenineteenthcenturywastheCrystalPalace,whichwasbuiltinHydeParkfortheGreatExhibitionof1851.TheCrystalPalacewasdifferentfromallotherbuildingsintheworld,foritwasmadeofironandglass.Itwasoneofthebiggestbuildingsofalltimeandalotofpeoplefrommanycountriescametoseeit.Agreatmanygoodsweresenttotheexhibitionfromvariouspartsoftheworld.Therewasalsoagreatdealofmachineryondisplay.ThemostwonderfulpieceofmachineryonshowwasNasmyth'ssteamhammer.Thoughinthosedays,travellingwasnotaseasyasitistoday,steamboatscarriedthousandsofvisitorsacrosstheChannelfromEurope.OnarrivinginEngland,theyweretakentotheCrystalPalacebytrain.Thereweresixmillionvisitorsinall,andtheprofitsfromtheexhibitionwereusedtobuildmuseumsandcolleges.Later,theCrystalPalacewasmovedtoSouthLondon.Itremainedoneofthemostfamousbuildingsintheworlduntilitwasburntdownin1936.Lesson81Escape脱逃Whenhehadkilledtheguard,theprisonerofwarquicklydraggedhimintothebushes.Workingrapidlyinthedarkness,hesoonchangedintothedeadman'sclothes.Now,dressedinablueuniformandwitharifleoverhisshoulder,theprisonermarchedboldlyupanddowninfrontofthecamp.Hecouldhearshoutinginthecampitself.Lightswereblazingandmenwererunninghereandthere:theyhadjustdiscoveredthataprisonerhadescaped.Atthatmoment,alargeblackcarwithfourofficersinsideit,stoppedatthecampgates.Theofficersgotoutandtheprisonerstoodtoattentionandsalutedastheypassed.Whentheyhadgone,thedriverofthecarcametowardshim.Themanobviouslywantedtotalk.Hewasratherelderlywithgreyhairandclearblueeyes.Theprisonerfeltsorryforhim,buttherewasnothingelsehecoulddo.Asthemancamenear,theprisonerknockedhimtothegroundwithasharpblow.Then,jumpingintothecar,hedroveoffasquicklyashecould.Lesson82Monsterorfish?是妖还是鱼？Fishermenandsailorssometimesclaimtohaveseenmonstersinthesea.Thoughpeoplehaveoftenlaughedatstoriestoldbyseamen,itisnowknownthatmanyofthese‘monsters’whichhaveattimesbeensightedaresimplystrangefish.Occasionally,unusualcreaturesarewashedtotheshore,buttheyarerarelycaughtoutatsea.Sometimeago,however,apeculiarfishwascaughtnearMadagascar.Asmallfishingboatwascarriedmilesouttoseabythepowerfulfishasitpulledontheline.Realizingthatthiswasnoordinaryfish,thefishermanmadeeveryeffortnottodamageitinanyway.Whenitwaseventuallybrought.toshore,itwasfoundtobeoverthirteenfeetlong.Ithadaheadlikeahorse,bigblueeyes,shiningsilverskin,andabrightredtail.Thefish,whichhassincebeensenttoamuseumwhereitisbeingexaminedbyascientist,iscalledanoarfish.Suchcreatureshaverarelybeenseenalivebymanastheyliveatadepthofsixhundredfeet.Lesson83Aftertheelections大选之后TheformerPrimeMinister,Mr.WentworthLane,wasdefeatedintherecentelections.Heisnowretiringfrompoliticallifeandhasgoneabroad.Myfriend,Patrick,hasalwaysbeenafanaticalopponentofMr.Lane'sRadicalProgressiveParty.Aftertheelections,PatrickwenttotheformerPrimeMinister'shouse.WhenheaskedifMr.Lanelivedthere,thepolicemanondutytoldhimthatsincehisdefeat,theex-PrimeMinisterhadgoneabroad.Onthefollowingday,Patrickwenttothehouseagain.Thesamepolicemanwasjustwalkingslowlypasttheentrance,whenPatrickaskedthesamequestion.Thoughalittlesuspiciousthistime,thepolicemangavehimthesameanswer.Thedayafter,Patrickwenttothehouseoncemoreandaskedexactlythesamequestion.Thistime,thepolicemanlosthistemper.‘Itoldyouyesterdayandthedaybeforeyesterday,’heshouted,‘Mr.Lanewasdefeatedintheelections.Hehasretiredfrompoliticallifeandgonetoliveabroad!’‘Iknow,’answeredPatrick,‘butIlovetohearyousayit!’Lesson84Onstrike罢工Busmenhavedecidedtogoonstrikenextweek.ThestrikeisduetobeginonTuesday.Nooneknowshowlongitwilllast.Thebusmenhavestatedthatthestrikewillcontinueuntilgeneralagreementisreachedaboutpayandworkingconditions.Mostpeoplebelievethatthestrikewilllastforatleastaweek.Manyownersofprivatecarsaregoingtooffer‘freerides’topeopleontheirwaytowork.Thiswillrelievepressureonthetrainstosomeextent.Meanwhile,anumberofuniversitystudentshavevolunteeredtodrivebuseswhilethestrikelasts.Allthestudentsareexpertdrivers,butbeforetheydriveanyofthebuses,theywillhavetopassaspecialtest.Thestudentsaregoingtotakethetestintwodays'time.Evenso,peoplearegoingtofinditdifficulttogettowork.Butsofar,thepublichasexpresseditsgratitudetothestudentsinletterstothePress.Onlyoneortwopeoplehaveobjectedthatthestudentswilldrivetoofast!Lesson85Nevertoooldtolearn活到老学到老Ihavejustreceivedaletterfrommyoldschool,informingmethatmyformerheadmaster,Mr.StuartPage,willberetiringnextweek.Pupilsoftheschool,oldandnew,willbesendinghimapresenttomarktheoccasion.Allthosewhohavecontributedtowardsthegiftwillsigntheirnamesinalargealbumwhichwillbesenttotheheadmaster'shome.WeshallallrememberMr.Pageforhispatienceandunderstandingandforthekindlyencouragementhegaveuswhenwewentsounwillinglytoschool.AgreatmanyformerpupilswillbeattendingafarewelldinnerinhishonournextThursday.Itisacuriouscoincidencethatthedaybeforehisretirement,Mr.Pagewillhavebeenteachingforatotaloffortyyears.Afterhehasretired,hewilldevotehimselftogardening.Forhim,thiswillbeanentirelynewhobby.Butthisdoesnotmatter,for,ashehasoftenremarked,oneisnevertoooldtolearn.Lesson86Outofcontrol失控Asthemantriedtoswingthespeedboatround,thesteeringwheelcameawayinhishands.Hewaveddesperatelytohiscompanion,whohadbeenwaterskiingforthelastfifteenminutes.Bothmenhadhardlyhadtimetorealizewhatwashappeningwhentheywerethrownviolentlyintothesea.Thespeedboathadstruckabuoy,butitcontinuedtomoveveryquicklyacrossthewater.Bothmenhadjustbeguntoswimtowardstheshore,whentheynoticedwithdismaythatthespeedboatwasmovinginacircle.Itnowcamestraighttowardsthemattremendousspeed.Inlessthanaminute,itroaredpastthemonlyafewfeetaway.Afterithadpassed,theyswamonasquicklyastheycouldbecausetheyknewthattheboatwouldsoonreturn.Theyhadjusthadenoughtimetoswimoutofdangerwhentheboatagaincompletedacircle.Onthisoccasion,however,ithadsloweddownconsiderably.Thepetrolhadnearlyallbeenusedup.Beforelong,thenoisedroppedcompletelyandtheboatbegantodriftgentlyacrossthewater.Lesson87Aperfectalibi极好的不在犯罪现场的证据‘Atthetimethemurderwascommitted,Iwastravellingonthe8o'clocktraintoLondon,’saidtheman.‘Doyoualwayscatchsuchanearlytrain?’askedtheinspector.‘OfcourseIdo,’answeredtheman.‘Imustbeatworkat10o'clock.MyemployerwillconfirmthatIwasthereontime.’‘Wouldalatertraingetyoutoworkontime?’askedtheinspector.‘Isupposeitwould,butInevercatchalatertrain.’‘Atwhattimedidyouarriveatthestation?’‘Attentoeight.Iboughtapaperandwaitedforthetrain.’‘Andyoudidn'tnoticeanythingunusual?’‘Ofcoursenot.’‘Isuggest,’saidtheinspector,‘thatyouarenottellingthetruth.Isuggestthatyoudidnotcatchthe8o'clocktrain,butthatyoucaughtthe8.25whichwouldstillgetyoutoworkontime.Yousee,onthemorningofthemurder,the8o'clocktraindidnotrunatall.ItbrokedownatFerngreenstationandwastakenofftheline.’Lesson88Trappedinamine困在矿井里Sixmenhavebeentrappedinamineforseventeenhours.Iftheyarenotbroughttothesurfacesoontheymaylosetheirlives.However,rescueoperationsareprovingdifficult.Ifexplosivesareused,vibrationswillcausetheroofoftheminetocollapse.Rescueworkersarethereforedrillingaholeonthenorthsideofthemine.Theyintendtobringthemenupinaspecialcapsule.Iftherehadnotbeenahardlayerofrockbeneaththesoil,theywouldhavecompletedthejobinafewhours.Asitis,theyhavebeendrillingforsixteenhoursandtheystillhavealongwaytogo.Meanwhile,amicrophone,whichwasloweredintotheminetwohoursago,hasenabledthementokeepintouchwiththeirclosestrelatives.Thoughtheyarerunningoutoffoodanddrink,themenarecheerfulandconfidentthattheywillgetoutsoon.Theyhavebeentoldthatrescueoperationsareprogressingsmoothly.Iftheyknewhowdifficultitwastodrillthroughthehardrock,theywouldloseheart.Lesson89Aslipofthetongue口误Peoplewilldoanythingtoseeafreeshow----evenifitisabadone.WhenthenewsgotroundthatacomedyshowwouldbepresentedatourlocalcinemabytheP.andU.BirdSeedCompany,weallrushedtoseeit.Wehadtoqueueforhourstogetinandtheremusthavebeenseveralhundredpeoplepresentjustbeforetheshowbegan.Unfortunately,theshowwasoneofthedullestwehaveeverseen.Thosewhofailedtogetinneednothavefeltdisappointed,asmanyoftheartisteswhoshouldhaveappeareddidnotcome.Theonlyfunnythingsweheardthateveningcamefromtheadvertiseratthebeginningoftheprogramme.Hewasobviouslyverynervousandforsomeminutesstoodawkwardlybeforethemicrophone.Assoonasheopenedhismouth,everyoneburstoutlaughing.Weallknowwhatthepoormanshouldhavesaid,butwhatheactuallysaidwas:‘ThisisthePooandEeSeedBirdCompany.Goodladies,eveningandgentlemen!’Lesson90What'sforsupper?晚餐吃什么？FishandchipshasalwaysbeenafavouritedishinBritain,butastheoceanshavebeenoverfished,fishhasbecomemoreandmoreexpensive.SoitcomesasasurprisetolearnthatgiantfishareterrifyingthediversonNorthSeaoilrigs.Oilrigshavetoberepairedfrequentlyanddivers,whooftenhavetoworkindarknessahundredfeetunderwater,havebeenfrightenedoutoftheirwitsbygiantfishbumpingintothemastheywork.Nowtheyhavehadspecialcagesmadetoprotectthemfromthesemonsters.Thefisharenotsharksorkillerwhales,butfavouriteeatingvarietieslikecodandskatewhichgrowtounnaturalsizes,sometimesasmuchastwelvefeetinlength.Threefactorshavecausedthesefishtogrowsolarge:thewarmwaterroundthehotoilpipesunderthesea;theplentifulsupplyoffoodthrownoverboardbythecrewsontherigs;thetotalabsenceoffishingboatsaroundtheoilrigs.Asaresult,thefishjusteatandeatandgrowandgrowinthelovelywarmwater.Whoeatswho?Lesson91Threemeninabasket三人同篮ApilotnoticedaballoonwhichseemedtobemakingforaRoyalAirForceStationnearby.Heinformedthestationatonce,butnoonetherewasabletoexplainthemystery.Theofficerinthecontroltowerwasveryangrywhenheheardthenews,becauseballoonscanbeagreatdangertoaircraft.Hesaidthatsomeonemightbespyingonthestationandthepilotwasorderedtokeeptrackofthestrangeobject.Thepilotmanagedtocircletheballoonforsometime.Hecouldmakeoutthreemeninabasketunderitandoneofthemwasholdingapairofbinoculars.Whentheballoonwasoverthestation,thepilotsawoneofthementakingphotographs.Soonafterwards,theballoonbegantodescendanditlandednearanairfield.Thepolicewerecalledin,buttheycouldnotarrestanyone,forthebasketcontainedtwoMembersofParliamentandtheCommandingOfficerofthestation!AstheCommandingOfficerexplainedlater,onehalfofthestationdidnotknowwhattheotherhalfwasdoing!Lesson92Askingfortrouble自找麻烦ItmusthavebeenabouttwointhemorningwhenIreturnedhome.Itriedtowakeupmywifebyringingthedoorbell,butshewasfastasleep,soIgotaladderfromtheshedinthegarden,putitagainstthewall,andbeganclimbingtowardsthebedroomwindow.Iwasalmosttherewhenasarcasticvoicebelowsaid,‘Idon'tthinkthewindowsneedcleaningatthistimeofthenight.’IlookeddownandnearlyfellofftheladderwhenIsawapoliceman.IimmediatelyregrettedansweringinthewayIdid,butIsaid,‘Ienjoycleaningwindowsatnight.’‘SodoI,’answeredthepolicemaninthesametone.‘Excusemyinterruptingyou.Ihatetointerruptamanwhenhe'sbusyworking,butwouldyoumindcomingwithmetothestation?’‘Well,I'dprefertostayhere,’Isaid.‘Yousee,I'veforgottenmykey.’‘Yourwhat?’hecalled.‘Mykey,’Ishouted.Fortunately,theshoutingwokeupmywifewhoopenedthewindowjustasthepolicemanhadstartedtoclimbtowardsme.Lesson93Anoblegift崇高的礼物Oneofthemostfamousmonumentsintheworld,theStatueofLiberty,waspresentedtotheUnitedStatesofAmericainthenineteenthcenturybythepeopleofFrance.Thegreatstatue,whichwasdesignedbythesculptorAugusteBartholdi,tooktenyearstocomplete.TheactualfigurewasmadeofcoppersupportedbyametalframeworkwhichhadbeenespeciallyconstructedbyEiffel.BeforeitcouldbetransportedtotheUnitedStates,asitehadtobefoundforitandapedestalhadtobebuilt.ThesitechosenwasanislandattheentranceofNewYorkHarbour.By1884,astatuewhichwas151feettallhadbeenerectedinParis.Thefollowingyear,itwastakentopiecesandsenttoAmerica.BytheendofOctober1886,thestatuehadbeenputtogetheragainanditwasofficiallypresentedtotheAmericanpeoplebyBartholdi.Eversincethen,thegreatmonumenthasbeenasymboloflibertyforthemillionsofpeoplewhohavepassedthroughNewYorkHarbourtomaketheirhomesinAmerica.Lesson94Futurechampions未来的冠军Experimentshaveprovedthatchildrencanbeinstructedinswimmingataveryearlyage.AtaspecialswimmingpoolinLosAngeles,childrenbecomeexpertatholdingtheirbreathunderwaterevenbeforetheycanwalk.Babiesoftwomonthsolddonotappeartobereluctanttoenterthewater.Itisnotlongbeforetheyaresoaccustomedtoswimmingthattheycanpickupweightsfromthefloorofthepool.Agamethatisverypopularwiththeseyoungswimmersistheunderwatertricyclerace.Tricyclesarelineduponthefloorofthepoolsevenfeetunderwater.Thechildrencompeteagainsteachothertoreachtheotherendofthepool.Manypedaltheirtricycles,butmostofthemprefertopushordragthem.Somechildrencancoverthewholelengthofthepoolwithoutcomingupforbreathevenonce.WhethertheywilleverbecomefutureOlympicchampions,onlytimewilltell.Meanwhile,theyshouldencouragethoseamonguswhocannotswimfiveyardsbeforetheyaregaspingforair.Lesson95Afantasy纯属虚构WhentheAmbassadorofEscalopiareturnedhomeforlunch,hiswifegotashock.Helookedpaleandhisclotheswereinafrightfulstate.‘Whathashappened?’sheasked.‘Howdidyourclothesgetintosuchamess?’‘Afireextinguisher,mydear,’answeredtheAmbassadordrily.‘UniversitystudentssettheEmbassyonfirethismorning.’‘Goodheavens!’exclaimedhiswife.‘Andwherewereyouatthetime?’‘Iwasinmyofficeasusual,’answeredtheAmbassador.‘Thefirebrokeoutinthebasement.Iwentdownimmediately,ofcourse,andthatfool,Horst,aimedafireextinguisheratme.HethoughtIwasonfire.Imustdefinitelygetthatfellowposted.’TheAmbassador'swifewentonaskingquestions,whenshesuddenlynoticedabigholeinherhusband'shat.‘Andhowcanyouexplainthat?’sheasked.‘Oh,that,’saidtheAmbassador.‘Someonefiredashotthroughmyofficewindow.Accurate,don'tyouthink?Fortunately,Iwasn'twearingitatthetime.IfIhadbeen,Iwouldnothavebeenabletogethomeforlunch.’Lesson96Thedeadreturn亡灵返乡AFestivalfortheDeadisheldonceayearinJapan.Thisfestivalisacheerfuloccasion,foronthisday,thedeadaresaidtoreturntotheirhomesandtheyarewelcomedbytheliving.Astheyareexpectedtobehungryaftertheirlongjourney,foodislaidoutforthem.Specially-madelanternsarehungoutsideeachhousetohelpthedeadtofindtheirway.Allnightlong,peopledanceandsing.Intheearlymorning,thefoodthathadbeenlaidoutforthedeadisthrownintoariverorintotheseaasitisconsideredunluckyforanyonelivingtoeatit.Intownsthatarenearthesea,thetinylanternswhichhadbeenhunginthestreetsthenightbefore,areplacedintothewaterwhenthefestivalisover.Thousandsoflanternsslowlydriftouttoseaguidingthedeadontheirreturnjourneytotheotherworld.Thisisamovingspectacle,forcrowdsofpeoplestandontheshorewatchingthelanternsdriftingawayuntiltheycanbeseennomore.您好，欢迎您阅读我的文章，本WORD文档可编辑修改，也可以直接打印。阅读过后，希望您提出保贵的意见或建议。阅读和学习是一种非常好的习惯，坚持下去，让我们共同进步。",)