新概念英语第二册课文原文

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请给我寄一张明信片Postcardsalwaysspoilmyholidays.Lastsummer,IwenttoItaly.Ivisitedmuseumsandsatinpublicgardens.Afriendlywaitertaughtmeafewwordsof  Italian.'Thenhelentmeabook.Ireadafewlines,butIdidnotunderstandaword.EverydayIthoughtaboutpostcards.Myholidayspassedquickly,butIdidnotsendanycardstomyfriends.OnthelastdayImadeabigdecision.Igotupearlyandboughtthirty-sevencards.Ispentthewholedayinmyroom,butIdidnotwriteasinglecard!Lesson4Anexcitingtrip激动人心的旅行Ihavejustreceivedaletterfrommybrother,Tim.HeisinAustralia.Hehasbeenthereforsixmonths.Timisanengineer.HeisworkingforabigfirmandhehasalreadyvisitedagreatnumberofdifferentplacesinAustralia.HehasjustboughtanAustraliancarandhasgonetoAliceSprings,asmalltowninthecentreofAustralia.HewillsoonvisitDarwin.Fromthere,hewillflytoPerth.Mybrotherhasneverbeenabroadbefore,soheisfindingthistripveryexciting.Lesson5Nowrongnumbers无错号之虞MrJamesScotthasagarageinSilburyandnowhehasjustboughtanothergarageinPinhurst.PinhurstisonlyfivemilesfromSilbury,butMrScottcannotgetatelephoneforhisnewgarage,sohehasjustboughttwelvepigeons.Yesterday,apigeoncarriedthefirstmessagefromPinhursttoSilbury.Thebirdcoveredthedistanceinthreeminutes.Uptonow,MrScotthassentagreatmanyrequestsforsparepartsandotherurgentmessagesfromonegaragetotheother.Inthisway,hehasbegunhisownprivatetelephoneservice.Lesson6PercyButtons珀西·巴顿斯IhavejustmovedtoahouseinBridgeStreet.Yesterdayabeggarknockedatmydoor.Heaskedmeforamealandaglassofbeer.Inreturnforthis,thebeggarstoodonhisheadandsangsongs.Igavehimameal.Heatethefoodanddrankthebeer.Thenheputapieceofcheeseinhispocketandwentaway.Lateraneighbourtoldmeabouthim.Everybodyknowshim.HisnameisPercyButtons.Hecallsateveryhouseinthestreetonceamonthandalwaysasksforamealandaglassofbeer.Lesson7Toolate为时太晚Theplanewaslateanddetectiveswerewaitingattheairportallmorning.TheywereexpectingavaluableparcelofdiamondfromSouthAfrica.Afewhoursearlier,someonehadtoldthepolicethatthieveswouldtrytostealthediamonds.Whentheplanearrived,someofthedetectiveswerewaitinginsidethemainbuildingwhileotherswerewaitingontheairfield.TwomentooktheparcelofftheplaneandcarrieditintotheCustomsHouse.Whiletwodetectiveswerekeepingguardatthedoor,twoothersopened  theparcel.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.Atthatmomenteverybodybegantolaughandsing.Lesson10Notforjazz不适于演奏爵士乐Wehaveanoldmusicalinstrument.Itiscalledaclavichord(翼琴).ItwasmadeinGermanyin1681.Ourclavichordiskeptintheliving-room.Ithasbelongtoourfamilyforalongtime.Theinstrumentwasboughtbymygrandfathermanyyearsago.Recentlyitwasdamagedbyavisitor.Shetriedtoplayjazzonit!Shestruckthekeystoohardandtwoofthestringswerebroken.Myfatherwasshocked.Nowwearenotallowedtotouchit.Itisbeingrepairedbyafriendofmyfather's.Lesson11Onegoodturndeservesanother礼尚往来IwashavingdinneratarestaurantwhenHarrySteelecamein.Harryworkedinalawyer'sofficeyearsago,butheisnowworkingatabank.Hegetsagoodsalary,buthealwaysborrowsmoneyfromhisfriendsandneverpaysitback.Harrysawmeandcameandsatatthesametable.Hehasneverborrowedmoneyfromme.Whilehewaseating,Iaskedhimtolendme&2.Tomysurprise,hegavemethemoneyimmediately.'Ihaveneverborrowedanymoneyfromyou,'Harrysaid,'sonowyoucanpayformydinner!'Lesson12Goodbyeandgoodluck再见，一路顺风Ourncighbour,CaptainCharlesAlison,willsailfromPortsmouthtomorrow.Weshallmeethimattheharbourearlyinthemorning.Hewillbeinhissmallboat,Topsail.Tapsailisafamouslittleboat.IthassailedacrosstheAtlanticmanytimes.CaptainAlisonwillsetoutateighto'clocksoweshallhaveplentyoftime.Weshallseehisboatandthenweshallsaygood-byetohim.Hewillbeawayfortwomonths.Weareveryproudofhim.HewilltakepartinanimportantraceacrosstheAtlantic.Lesson13TheGreenwoodBoys绿林少年TheGreenwoodBoysareagroupofpopularsingers.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.Ifeltverynervouswhen.Iwentintohisoffice.HedidnotlookupfromhisdeskwhenIentered.AfterIhadsatdown,hesaidthatbusinesswasverybad.Hetoldmethatthefirmcouldnotaffordtopaysuchlargesalaries.Twentypeoplehadalreadyleft.Iknewthatmyturnhadcome.'Mr.Harmsworth,'Isaidinaweakvoice.'Don'tinterrupt,'heSaid.ThenhesmiledandtoldmeIwouldreceiveanextra&100ayear!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青年常驻MyauntJenniferisanactress.Shemustbeatleastthirty-fiveyearsold.Inspiteofthis,sheoftenappearsonthestageasayounggirl.Jenniferwillhavetotakepartinanewplaysoon.Thistime,shewillbeagirlofseventeen.Intheplay,shemustappearinabrightreddressandlongblackstockings.Lastyearinanotherplay,shehadtowearshortsocksandabright,orange-coloureddress.Ifanyoneeveraskedherhowoldsheis,shealwaysanswers,'Mydear,itmustbeterribletobegrownup!'lesson18Heoftendoesthis!他经常干这种事！AfterIhadhadlunchatavillageinn,Ilookedformybag.Ihadleftitonachairbesidethedoorandnowitwasn'tthere!AsIwaslookingforit,theinn-keepercamein.'Didyouhaveagoodmeal?'heasked.'Yes,thankyou,'Ianswered,'butIcan'tpaythebill.Ihaven'tgotmybag.'Theinn-keepersmiledandimmediatelywentout.Inafewminuteshereturnedwithmybagandgaveitbacktome.'I'mverysorry,'hesaid'Mydoghadtakenitintothegarden.Heoftendoesthis.'Lesson19Soldout票已售完'Theplaymaybeginatanymoment,'Isaid.  'Itmayhavebegunalready,'Susananswered.'Ihurriedtotheticket-office.'MayIhavetwoticketsplease?'Iasked.'I'msorry,we'vesoldout,'thegirlsaid.'Whatapity!'Susanexclaimed.Justthen,amanhurriedtotheticket-office.'CanIreturnthesetwotickets?'heasked.'Certainly,'thegirlsaid.'CouldIhavethosetwoticketsplease?'Iasked.'Certainly,'thegirlsaid,'buttheyarefornextWednesday'sperformance.'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.Theairportwasbuiltduringthewar,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,theyhavedecidedtousethepost-office.Letterswillcostalitt1emore,buttheywillcertainlytravelfaster.Lesson23Anewhouse新居Ihadaletterfrommysisteryesterday.ShelivesinNigeria.Inherletter,shesaidthatshewouldcometoEnglandnextyear.Ifshecomes,shewillgetasurprise.Wearenow  livinginabeautifulnewhouseinthecountry.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&5o.'Ifoundthisoutsidethisgentleman'sroom'shesaid.'Well,'Isaidtothemanager,'thereisstillsomehonestyinthisworld!'lesson25DotheEnglishspeakEnglish?英国人讲的是英语吗？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,eachmanspeaksadifferentlanguage.TheEnglishunderstandeachother,butIdon'tunderstandthem!DotheyspeakEnglish?lesson26Thebestartcritics最佳美术评论家IamanartstudentandIpaintalotofpictures.Manypeoplepretendthattheyunderstandmodernart.Theyalwaystellyouwhatapictureis'about'.Ofcourse,manypicturesarcnot'about'anything.Theyarejustprettypatterns.Weliketheminthesamewaythatwelikeprettycurtainmaterial.Ithinkthatyoungchildrenoftenappreciatemodernpicturesbetterthananyoneelse.Theynoticemore.Mysisterisonlyseven,butshealwaystellsmewhethermypicturesaregoodornot.Shecameintomyroomyesterday.'Whatareyoudoing?'sheasked.'I'mhangingthispictureonthewall,'Ianswered.'It'sanewone.Doyoulikeit?'Shelookedatitcriticallyforamoment.'It'sallright,'shesaid,'butisn'titupside-down?'Ilookedatitagain.Shewasright!Itwas!Lesson27Awetnight雨夜Lateintheafternoon,theboysputuptheirtentinthemiddleofafield.Assoonasthiswasdone,theycookedamealoveranopenfire.Theywereallhungryandthefoodsmeltgood.Afterawonderfulmeal,theytoldstoriesandsangsongsbythecampfire.Butsometimelateritbegantorain.Theboysfelttiredsotheypetoutthefireandcreptintotheirtent.Theirsleeping-bagswerewarmandcomfortable,sotheyallsleptsoundly.Inthemiddleofthenight,twoboyswokeupandbeganshouting.Thetentwasfullofwater!Theyallleaptoutoftheirsleeping-bagsandhurriedoutside.Itwasrainingheavilyandtheyfoundthatastreamhadformedinthefield.Thestreamwounditswayacrossthefieldandthenflowedrightundertheirtent!Lesson28Noparking禁止停车JasperWhiteisoneofthoserarepeoplewhobelievesinancientmyths.Hehasjustboughtanewhouseinthecity,buteversincehemovedin,hehashadtroublewithmotorists.whenhereturnshomeatnight,healwaysfindsthatsomeonehasparkedacaroutsidehisgate.Becauseofthis,hehasnotbeenabletogethisowncarintohisgarageevenonce.Jasperhasputup'NoParking'signsoutsidehisgate,butthesehavenothadanyeffect.Nowhehasputanuglystoneheadoverthegate.ItisoneoftheugliestfacesIhaveeverseen.IaskedhimwhatitwasandhetoldmethatitwasMedusa,theGorgon.Jasperhopesthatshewillturnmotoriststostone.Butnoneofthemhasbeenturnedtostoneyet!Lesson29Taxi!出租汽车！CaptainBenFawcetthasboughtanunusualtaxiandhasbegunanewservice.The'taxi'isasmallSwissaeroplanecalleda'PilatusPorter'.Thiswonderfulplanecancarrysevenpassengers.Themostsurprisingthingaboutit,however,isthatitcanlandanywhere:onsnow,water,orevenonaploughedfield.CaptainFawcett'sfirstpassengerwasadoctorwhoflewfromBirminghamtoalonelyvillageintheWelshmountains.Sincethen,CaptainFawcetthasflownpassengerstomanyunusualplaces.Oncehelandedontheroofofablockofflatsandonanotheroccasion,helandedinadesertedcarpark.CaptainFawcetthasjustrefusedastrangerequestfromabusinessman.ThemanwantedtoflytoRockall,alonelyislandintheAtlanticOcean,butCaptainFawcettdidnottakehimbecausethetripwastoodangerous.Lesson30  Footballorpolo?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.Frankisnowtheheadofaverylargebusinesscompany,butasaboyheusedtoworkinasmallshop.Itwashisjobtorepairbicyclesandatthattimeheusedtoworkfourteenhoursaday.Hesavedmoneyforyearsandin1938heboughtasmallwork-shopofhisown.DuringthewarFrankusedtomakesparepartsforaeroplanes.Atthattimehehadtwohelpers.Bytheendofthewar,thesmallwork-shophadbecomealargefactorywhichemployedsevenhundredandtwenty-eightpeople.Franksmiledwhenherememberedhishardearlyyearsandthelongroadtosuccess.Hewasstillsmilingwhenthedooropenedandhiswifecamein.Shewantedhimtorepairtheirson'sbicycle!Lesson32Shoppingmadeeasy购物变得很方便Peoplearenotsohonestastheyoncewere.Thetemptationtostealisgreaterthaneverbefore--especiallyinlargeshops.Adetectiverecentlywatchedawell-dressedwomanwhoalwayswentintoalargestoreonMondaymornings.OneMonday,therewerefewerpeopleintheshopthanusualwhenthewomancamein,soitwaseasierforthedetectivetowatchher.Thewomanfirstboughtafewsmallarticles.Afteralittletime,shechoseoneofthemostexpensivedressesintheshopandhandedittoanassistantwhowrappeditupforherasquicklyaspossible.Thenthewomansimplytooktheparcelandwalkedoutoftheshopwithoutpaying.Whenshewasarrested,thedetectivefoundoutthattheshop-assistantwasherdaughter.Thegirl'gave'hermotherafreedressonceaweek!lesson33Outofthedarkness冲出黑暗Nearlyaweekpassedbeforethegirlwasabletoexplainwhathadhappenedtoher.Oneafternoonshesetoutfromthecoastinasmallboatandwascaughtinastorm.Towardsevening,theboatstruckarockandthegirljumpedintothesea.Thensheswamtotheshoreafterspendingthewholenightinthewater.Duringthattimeshecoveredadistanceofeightmiles.Earlynextmorning,shesawalightahead.Sheknewshewasneartheshorebecausethelightwashighuponthecliffs.Onarrivingattheshore,thegirlstruggleduptheclifftowardsthelightshehadseen.Thatwasallsheremembered.Whenshewokeupadaylater,shefoundherselfinhospital.Lesson34Quickwork破案“神速”TedRobinsonhasbeenworriedalltheweek.LastTuesdayhereceivedaletter  fromthelocalpolice.Intheletterhewasaskedtocallatthestation.Tedwondered  whyhewaswantedbythepolice,buthewenttothestationyesterdayandnowheisnotworriedanymore.Atthestation,hewastoldbyasmilingpolicemanthathisbicyclehadbeenfound.Fivedaysago,thepolicemantoldhim,thebicyclewaspickedupinasmallvillagefourhundredmilesaway.Itisnowbeingsenttohishomebytrain.Tedwasmostsurprisedwhenheheardthenews.Hewas  amusedtoo,becauseheneverexpectedthebicycletobefound.ItwasstolentwentyyearsagowhenTedwasaboyoffifteen!Lesson35  Stopthief!捉贼！RovTrentonusedtodriveataxi.Ashortwhileago,however,hebecameabus-driverandhewasnotregrettedit.Heisfindinghisnewworkfarmoreexciting.WhenhewasdrivingalongCatfordStreetrecently,hesawtwothievesrushoutofashopandruntowardsawaitingcar.Oneofthemwascarryingabagfullofmoney.Royactedquicklyanddrovethebusstraightatthethieves.Theonewiththemoneygotsuchafrightthathedroppedthebag.Asthethievesweretryingtogetawayintheircar,Roydrovehisbusintothebackofit.Whilethebatteredcarwasmovingaway,Roystoppedhisbusandtelephonedthepolice.Thethieves'carwasbadlydamagedandeasytorecognize.Shortlyafterwards,thepolicestoppedthecarandbothmenwerearrested.Lesson36AcrosstheChannel横渡海峡ErnaHartisgoingtoswimacrosstheEnglishChanneltomorrow.SheisgoingtosetoutfromtheFrenchcoastatfiveo'clockinthemorning.Ernaisonlyfourteenyearsoldandshehopeslosetupanewworldrecord.Sheisastrongswimmerandmanypeoplefeelthatsheissuretosucceed.Erna'sfatherwillsetoutwithherinasmallboat.MrHarthastrainedhisdaughterforyears.TomorrowhewillbewatchingheranxiouslyassheswimsthelongdistancetoEngland.Ernaintendstotakeshortrestseverytwohours.Shewillhavesomethingtodrinkbutshewillnoteatanysolidfood.MostofErna'sschoolfriendswillbewaitingforherontheEnglishcoast.AmongthemwillbeErna'smother,whoswamtheChannelherselfwhenshewasagirl.Lesson37TheOlympicGames奥林匹克运动会TheOlympicGameswillbeheldinourcountryinfouryears'time.Asagreatmanypeoplewillbevisitingthecountry,thegovernmentwillbebuildingnewhotels,animmensestadium,andafinenewswimmingpool.'Theywillalsobebuildingnewroadsandaspecialrailway-line.TheGameswillbeheldjustoutsidethecapitalandthewholeareawillbecalled'OlympicCity'.Workerswillhavecompletedthenewroadsbytheendofthisyear.Bytheendofnextyear,theywillhavefinishedworkonthenewstadium.ThefinemodernbuildingshavebeendesignedbyKurtGunter.Everybodywillbewatchinganxiouslyasthenewbuildingsgoup.WeareallveryexcitedandarelookingforwardtotheOlympicGamesbecausetheyhaveneverbeenheldbeforeinthiscountry.Lesson38Everythingexcepttheweather惟独没有考虑到天气Myoldfriend,Harrison,hadlivedintheMediterraneanformanyyearsbeforehereturnedtoEngland.HehadoftendreamedofretiringinEnglandandhadplannedtosettledowninthecountry.Hehadnosoonerreturnedthanheboughtafinehouseandwenttolivethere.Almostimmediatelyhebegantocomplainabouttheweather,foreventhoughitwasstillsummer,itrainedcontinuallyanditwasoftenbitterlycold.Aftersomanyyearsofsunshine,Harrisongotashock.HeactedasifhehadneverlivedinEnglandbefore.Intheend,itwasmorethanhecouldbear.Hehadhardlyhadtimetosettledownwhenhesoldthehouseandleftthecountry.Thedreamhehadhadforsomanyyearsendedthere.Harrisonhadthoughtofeverythingexcepttheweather.Lesson39AmIallright?我是否痊愈？WhileJohnGilbertwasinhospital,heaskedhisdoctortotellhimwhetherhisoperationhadbeensuccessful,butthedoctorrefusedtodoso.Thefollowingday,thepatientaskedforabedside  telephone.Whenhewasalone,hetelephonedthehospitalexchangeandaskedforDoctorMillington.Whenthedoctoransweredthephone,MrGilbertsaidhewasinquiringaboutacertainpatient,aMrJohnGilbert.HeaskedifMrGilbert'soperationhadbeensuccessfulandthedoctortoldhimthatithadbeen.HethenaskedwhenMrGilbertwouldbeallowedtogohomeandthedoctortoldhimthathewouldhavetostayinhospitalforanothertwoweeks.ThenDrMillingtonaskedthecallerifhewasarelativeofthepatient.'No,'thepatientanswered,'IamMrJohnGilbert.'Lesson40Foodandtalk进餐与交谈Lastweekatadinner-party,thehostessaskedmetositnexttoMrsRumbold.MrsRumboldwasalarge,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.'Ineednotremindyouofthatterribletieyouboughtyesterday.''Ifinditbeautiful,'Isaid.'Amancanneverhavetoomanyties.''Andawomancan'thavetoomanyhats,'sheanswered.Tenminuteslaterwewalkedoutoftheshoptogether.Mywifewaswearingahatthatlookedlikealighthouse!Lesson42Notverymusical并非很懂音乐AswehadhadalongwalkthroughoneofthemarketsofOldDelhi,westoppedatasquaretohavearest.Afteratime,wenoticedasnake-charmerwithtwolargebasketsattheothersideofthesquare,sowewenttohavealookathim.Assoonashesawus,hepickedupalongpipewhichwascoveredwithcoinsandopenedoneofthebaskets.Whenhebegantoplayatune,wehadourfirstglimpseofthesnake.Itroseoutofthebasketandbegantofollowthemovementsofthepipe.Wewereverymuchsurprisedwhenthesnakecharmersuddenlybegantoplayjazztunesandmodernpopsongs.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MrsAnneSterlingdidnotthinkoftheriskshewastakingwhensheranthroughaforestaftertwomen.Theyhadrusheduptoherwhileshewashavingapicnicattheedgeofaforestwithherchildrenandtriedtostealherhandbag.Inthestruggle,thestrapbrokeand,withthebagintheirpossession,bothmenstartedrunningthroughthetrees.MrsSterlinggotsoangrythatsheranafterthem.Shewassoonoutofbreath,butshecontinuedtorun.Whenshecaughtupwiththem,shesawthattheyhadsatdownandweregoingthroughthecontentsofthebag,sosheranstraightatthem.Themengotsuchafrightthattheydroppedthebagandranaway.'Thestrapneeds  mending,'saidMrsSterlinglater,'buttheydidnotstealanything.'Lesson45Aclearconscience问心无愧Thewholevillagesoonlearntthatalargesumofmoneyhadbeenlost.SamBenton,thelocalbutcher,hadlosthiswalletwhiletakinghissavingstothepost-office.Samwassurethatthewalletmusthavebeenfoundbyoneofthevillagers,butitwasnotreturnedtohim.Threemonthspassed,andthenonemorning,Samfoundhiswalletoutsidehisfrontdoor.Ithadbeenwrappedupinnewspaperanditcontainedhalfthemoneyhehadlost,togetherwithanotewhichsaid:'Athief,yes,'butonly5opercentathief!'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,forhehadbeenconfinedtothewoodenboxforovertenhours.Themanwasorderedtopay&345forthecostofthetrip.Thenormalpriceofaticketis&230!Lesson47Athirstyghost嗜酒的鬼魂ApublichousewhichwasrecentlyboughtbyMrIanThompsonisupforsale.MrThompsonisgoingtosellitbecauseitishaunted.Hetoldmethathecouldnotgotosleeponenightbecauseheheardastrangenoisecomingfromthebar.Thenextmorning,hefoundthatthedoorshadbeenblockedbychairsandthefurniturehadbeenmoved.ThoughMrThompsonhadturnedthelightsoffbeforehewenttobed,theywereoninthemorning.Healsosaidthathehadfoundfiveemptywhiskybottleswhichtheghostmusthavedrunkthenightbefore.WhenIsuggestedthatsomevillagersmusthavecomeinforafreedrink,MrThompsonshookhishead.Thevillagershavetoldhimthattheywillnotaccepttheinnevenifhegivesitaway.Lesson48Didyouwanttotellmesomething?你想对我说什么吗？Dentistsalwaysaskquestionswhenitisimpossibleforyoutoanswer.Mydentisthadjustpulledoutoneofmyteethandhadtoldmetorestforawhile.Itriedtosaysomething,butmymouthwasfullofcotton-wool.HeknewIcollectedbirds'eggsandaskedmewhethermycollectionwasgrowing.HethenaskedmehowmybrotherwasandwhetherIlikedmynewjobinLondon.InanswertothesequestionsIeithernoddedormadestrangenoises.Meanwhile,mytonguewasbusysearchingouttheholewherethetoothhadbeen.Isuddenlyfeltveryworried,butcouldnotsayanything.Whenthedentistatlastremovedthecotton-woolfrommymouth,Iwasabletotellhimthathehadpulledoutthewrongtooth.Lesson49Theendofadream美梦告终Tiredofsleepingonthefloor,ayoungmaninTeheransavedupforyearstobuyarealbed.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hebecametheproudownerofabedwhichhadspringsandamattress.Becausetheweatherwasveryhot,hecarriedthebedontotheroofofhishouse.Hesleptverywellforthefirsttwonights,butonthethirdnight,astormblewup.Agustofwindsweptthebedofftheroofandsentitcrashingintothecourtyardbelow.Theyoungmandidnotwakeupuntilthebedhadstrucktheground.Althoughthebedwassmashedtopieces,themanwasmiraculouslyunhurt.Whenhewokeup,hewasstillonthemattress.Glancingatthebitsofwoodandmetalthatlayaroundhim,themansadlypickedupthemattressandcarrieditintohishouse.Afterhe  hadputitonthefloor,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?'Iasked.'Ohdear,'saidtheconductorsuddenly.'Iforgottoputyouoff.''Itdoesn'tmatter,'Isaid.'I'llgetoffhere.''Wearegoingbacknow,'saidtheconductor.'Well,inthatcase,Iprefertostayonthebus,'Ianswered.Lesson51Rewardforvirtue对美德的奖赏Myfriend,Herbert,hasalwaysbeenfat,butthingsgotsobadrecentlythathedecidedtogoonadiet.Hebeganhisdietaweekago.Firstofall,hewroteoutalonglistofallthefoodswhichwereforbidden.ThelistincludedmostofthethingsHerbertloves:butter,potatoes,rice,beer,milk,chocolate,andsweets.YesterdayIpaidhimavisit.IrangthebellandwasnotsurprisedtoseethatHerbertwasstillasfatasever.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.Forestfireareoftencausedbybrokenglassorbycigaretteendswhichpeoplecarelesslythrowaway.Yesterdaythefiremenexaminedthegroundcarefully,butwerenotabletofindanybrokenglass.Theywerealsoquitesurethatacigaretteenddidnotstartthefire.Thismorning,however,afiremanaccidentallydiscoveredthecause.Henoticedtheremainsofasnakewhichwaswoundroundtheelectricwiresofa16,000-voltpowerline.Inthisway,hewasabletosolvethemystery.Theexplanationwassimplebutveryunusual.Abirdhadsnatchedupthesnakefromthegroundandthendroppeditontothewires.Thesnakethenwounditselfroundthewires.Whenitdidso,itsentsparksdowntothegroundandtheseimmediatelystartedafire.Lesson54Stickyfingers粘糊的手指Afterbreakfast,IsentthechildrentoschoolandthenIwenttomarket.ItwasstillearlywhenIreturnedhome.Thechildrenwereatschool,myhusbandwasatworkandthehousewasquiet.SoIdecidedtomakesometartsfortea.InashorttimeIwasbusymixingbutterandflourandmyhandsweresooncoveredwithstickypastry.Atexactlythatmoment,thetelephonerang.Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreannoying.IpickedupthereceiverbetweentwostickyfingersandwasdismayedwhenIrecognizedthevoiceofMrsBates.Ittookmetenminutestopersuadehertoringbacklater.AtlastIhungupthereceiver.Whatamess!Therewaspastryonmyfingers,onthetelephone,andonthedoor-knobs.Ihadnosoonergotbacktothekitchenthanthedoor-bellrangloudenoughtowakethedead.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！Onceayeararaceisheldforoldcars.Alotofcarsenteredforthisracelastyearandtherewasagreatdealofexcitementjustbeforeitbegan.OneofthemosthandsomecarswasaRolls-RoyceSilverGhost.ThemostunusualcarwasaBenzwhichhadonlythreewheels.Builtin1885,itwastheoldestcartakingpart.Afteragreatmanyloudexplosions,theracebegan.Manyofthecarsbrokedownonthecourseandsomedriversspentmoretimeundertheircarsthaninthem!Afewcars,however,completedtherace.Thewinningcarreachedaspeedoffortymilesanhour--muchfasterthananyofitsrivals.Itspeddownhillattheendoftheraceanditsdriverhadalotoftroubletryingtostopit.Theracegaveeveryoneagreatdealofpleasure.Itwasverydifferentfrommoderncarracesbutnolessexciting.Lesson57CanIhelpyou,madam?你要买什么，夫人？Awomaninbluejeansstoodatthewindowofanexpensiveshop.Thoughshehesitatedforamoment,shefinallywentinandaskedtoseeadressthatwasinthewindow.Theassistantwhoservedherdidnotlikethewayshewasdressed.Glancingatherscornfully,hetoldherthatthedresswassold.Thewomanwalkedoutoftheshopangrilyanddecidedtopunishtheassistantnextday.Shereturnedtotheshopthefollowingmorningdressedinafurcoat,withahandbaginonehandandalongumbrellaintheother.Afterseekingouttherudeassistantsheaskedforthesamedress.Notrealizingwhoshewas,theassistantwaseagertoserveherthistimewithgreatdifficulty,heclimbedintotheshopwindowtogetthedress.Assoonasshesawit,thewomansaidshedidnotlikeit.Sheenjoyedherselfmakingtheassistantbringalmosteverythinginthewindowbeforefinallybuyingthedressshehadfirstaskedfor.Lesson58Ablessingindisguise?是因祸得福吗？ThetinyvillageofFrinleyissaidtopossessa'cursedtree'.Becausethetreewasmentionedinanewspaper,thenumberofvisitorstoFrinleyhasnowincreased.Thetreewasplantednearachurchfiftyyearsago,butitisonlyinrecentyearsthatithasgainedanevilreputation.Itissaidthatifanyonetouchesthetree,hewillhavebadluck;ifhepicksaleaf,hewilldie.Manyvillagersbelievethatthetreehasalreadyclaimedanumberofvictims.Thevicarhasbeenaskedtohavethetreecutdown,butsofarhehasrefused.Hehaspointedoutthatthetreeisausefulsourceofincomeastouristshavebeencomingfromallpartsofthecountrytoseeit.Inspiteofallthathasbeensaid,thetourists-havebeenpickingleavesandcuttingtheirnamesonthetree-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Infuture,astronautswillberequiredtodescendfromaspaceshipwhileitisstillinspaceandtoreturntoit.Theabilitytodothiswillbenecessaryinfutureflightstodistantplanets.Scientistsarenowtryingtodiscoverifthisispossible.ThespaceshipAstrawhichlefttheearthashorttimeago,willbetravellingthreehundredmilesintospace.Atacertainpoint,theAstrawillstopforashorttimeandanastronautwillattempttoleavethestationaryspaceshipandthenreturntoit.Weshallnotknowwhethertheexperimenthasbeensuccessfuluntilwehavereceivedaradiomessage.Thefirstmessageisexpectedtoarriveat7o'clockthisevening.Bythattime,theAstrawillhavebeenflyingthroughspaceforseventeenhoursandwillhavecircledtheearthagreatmanytimes.Whenthefirstradiomessageshavebeenreceived,theresultsofthetripwillbeannouncedimmediately.Lesson62Afterthefire大火之后Firemenhadbeenfightingtheforestfirefornearlythreeweeksbeforetheycouldgetitundercontrol.Ashorttimebefore,greattreeshadcoveredthecountrysideformilesaround.Now,smokestillroseupfromthewarmgroundoverthedesolatehills.Winterwascomingonandthehillsthreatenedthesurroundingvillageswithdestruction,forheavyrainwouldnotonlywashawaythesoilbutwouldcauseseriousfloodsaswell.Whenthefirehadatlastbeenputout,theforestauthoritiesorderedseveraltonsofaspecialtypeofgrass-seedwhichwouldgrowquickly.Theseedwassprayedoverthegroundinhugequantitiesbyaeroplanes.Theplaneshadbeenplantingseedfornearlyamonthwhenitbegantorain.Bythen,however,inmanyplacesthegrasshadalreadytakenroot.Inplaceofthegreattreeswhichhadbeengrowingthereforcenturies,patchesofgreenhadbeguntoappearintheblackenedsoil.Lesson63Shewasnotamused她并不觉得好笑GeoffreyHampdenhasalargecircleoffriendsandisverypopularatparties.Everybodyadmireshimforhisfinesenseofhumor--everybody,thatis,excepthissix-year-olddaughter,Jenny.Recently,oneofGeoffrey'sclosestfriendsaskedhimtomakeaspeechataweddingreception.ThisisthesortofthingthatGeoffreyloves.HepreparedthespeechcarefullyandwenttotheweddingwithJenny.Hehadincludedalargenumberoffunnystoriesinthespeechand,ofcourse,itwasagreatsuccess.Assoonashehadfinished,Jennytoldhimshewantedtogohome.Geoffreywasalittledisappointedbythisbuthedidashisdaughterasked.Onthewayhome,heaskedJennyifshehadenjoyedthespeech.Tohissurprise,shesaidshehadn't.Geoffreyaskedherwhythiswassoandshetoldhimthatshedidnotliketoseesomanypeoplelaughingathim!Lesson64TheChannelTunnel海峡隧道Inl858,aFrenchengineer,AimeThomedeGamond,arrivedinEnglandwithaplanforatwenty-onemiletunnelacrosstheEnglishChannel.HesaidthatitwouldbepossibletobuildaplatforminthecentreoftheChannel.Thisplatformwouldserveasaportandarailwaystation.Thetunnelwouldbewell-ventilatediftallchimneyswerebuiltabovesea-level.In1860,abetterplanwasputforwardbyanEnglishman,WilliamLow.Hesuggestedthatadoublerailwaytunnelshouldbebuilt.Thiswouldsolvetheproblemofventilation,forifatrainenteredthistunnel,itwoulddrawinfreshairbehindit.Forty-twoyearslateratunnelwasactuallybegun.If,atthetime,theBritishhadnotfearedinvasion,itwouldhavebeencompleted.Recently,therehasagainbeengreatinterestintheideaofaChannelTunnel.Ifitisbuilt,itwillconnectBritaintoEuropeforthefirsttimeinhistory.Lesson65Jumboversusthepolice小象对警察LastChristmas,thecircusowner,JimmyGates,decidedtotakesomepresentstoachildren'shospital.DressedupasFatherChristmasandaccompaniedbya'guardofhonour'ofsixprettygirls,hesetoffdownthemainstreetofthecityridingababyelephantcalledJumbo.He,shouldhaveknownthatthepolicewouldneverallowthissortofthing.ApolicemanapproachedJimmyandtoldhimheoughttohavegonealongaside-streetasJumbowasholdingupthetraffic.ThoughJimmyagreedtogoatonce,Jumborefusedtomove.Fifteenpolicemenhadtopushveryhardtogethimoffthemainstreet.Thepolicehadadifficulttime,buttheyweremostamused.'Jumbomustweighafewtons,'saidapolicemanafterwards,'soitwasfortunatethatwedidn'thavetocarryhim.Ofcourse,weshouldarresthim,butashehasagoodrecord,weshalllethimoffthistime.'Lesson66Sweetashoney!像蜜一样甜！TheHatheldPuffinisamodernaero-plane,butitsdesigner,MrJohnWimpenny,isfindingitdifficulttogetitofftheground.Thereasonforthisisthatthisplaneisalsoabicycle.Itspilothastopedalhardtogetitintotheair.AfterMrWimpennyhadtheplanebuilt,itwastestedthoroughly.In1961,itwasthefirstman-poweredaircrafttoflyhalfamile.Whilebeingflownbyachampionamateurcyclistin1963,theplanecrashedonanairfield.Sincethen,MrWimpennyhashaditrebuilt.Hehashadthelengthofthewingsincreasedsothattheynowmeasure93feet--almostaslongasthoseofaDakota.Manypeoplehaveshowninterestinthisnewandunusualsport.Butthoughaircyclistsmaylearnhowtoflyovershortdistances,andmay,eventually,evengetacrosstheEnglishChannel,itisdoubtfulwhethertheywillevercycleacrosstheAtlantic.Lesson67Volcanoes火山HarounTazieffthePolishscientist,hasspenthislife-timestudyingactivevolcanoesanddeepcavesinallpartsoftheworld.In1948,hewenttolakeKivuintheCongotoobserveanewvolcanowhichhelaternamedKituro.Tazieffwasabletosetuphiscampveryclosetothevolcanowhileitwaseruptingviolently.Thoughhemanagedtotakeanumberofbrilliantphotographs,hecouldnotstaynearthevolcanoforverylong.Henoticedthatariverofliquidrockwascomingtowardshim.Itthreatenedtosurroundhimcompletely,butTazieffmanagedtoescapejustintime.Hewaiteduntilthevolcanobecamequietandhewasabletoreturntwodayslater.Thistime,hemanagedtoclimbintothemouthofKiturosothathecouldtakephotographs  andmeasuretemperatures.Tazieffhasoftenriskedhislifeinthisway.Hehasbeenabletotellusmoreaboutactivevolcanoesthananymanalive.Lesson68Persistent纠缠不休Icrossedthestreettoavoidmeetinghim,buthesawmeandcamerunningtowardsme.ItwasnousepretendingthatIhadnotseenhim,soIwavedtohim.IneverenjoymeetingBertDykes.Heneverhasanythingtodo.Nomatterhowbusyyouare,healwaysinsistsoncomingwithyou.Ihadtothinkofawayofpreventinghimfromfollowingmearoundallmorning.'Hullo,Bert,'Isaid.'Fancymeetingyouhere!''Hullo,Elizabeth,'Bertanswered.'Iwasjustwonderinghowtospendthemorning--untilIsawyou.You'renotbusydoinganything,areyou?''No,notatall,'Ianswered.'I'mgoingto...''Wouldyoumindmycomingwithyou?'heasked,beforeIhadfinishedspeaking.‘Notatall,'Ilied,'butI'mgoingtothedentist.''ThenI'llcomewithyou,'heanswered.'There'salwaysplentytoreadinthe'waitingroom!'lesson69Butnotmurder!并非谋杀！Iwasbeingtestedforadrivinglicenceforthethirdtime.Ihadbeenaskedtodriveinheavytrafficandhaddonesosuccessfully.Afterhavingbeeninstructedtodriveoutoftown,Ibegantoacquireconfidence.SurethatIhadpassed,Iwasalmostbeginningtoenjoymytest.Theexaminermusthavebeenpleasedwithmyperformance,forhesmiledandsaid,'Justonemorething,MrEames.Letussupposethatachildsuddenlycrossestheroadinfrontofyou.AssoonasItaponthewindow,Iwantthecartobestoppedimmediately.'Icontinueddrivingandaftersometime,theexaminertappedloudly.Thoughthesoundcouldbeheardclearly,ittookmealongtimetoreact.Isuddenlypressedthebrakepedalhardandwewereboththrownforward.Theexaminerlookedatmesadly.'MrEames,'hesaid,inamournfulvoice,'youhavejustkilledthatchild!'lesson70  Redfordanger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.IftheHousesofParliamenthadhotbeenburneddownin1834,thegreatclockwouldneverhavebeenerected.BigBentakesitsnamefromSirBenjaminHallwhowasresponsibleforthemakingoftheclockwhenthenewHousesofParliamentwerebeingbuilt.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.Itwasover30feetinlengthandhada2500horse-powerengine.AlthoughCampbellreachedaspeedofover304milesperhour,hehadgreatdifficultyincontrollingthecarbecauseatyreburstduringthefirstrun.Afterhisattempt,Campbellwasdisappointedtolearnthathisaveragespeedhadbeen299milesperhour.However,afewdayslater,hewastoldthatamistakehadbeenmade.Hisaveragespeedhadbeen301milesperhour.Sincethattime,racingdrivershavereachedspeedsofover400milesanhour.Following  hisfather'sfootstepsmanyyearslater,SirMalcolm'sson,Donald,alsosetupaworldrecord.Likehisfather,hewasdrivingacarcalledBluebird.Lesson73Therecord-holder纪录保持者Littleboyswhoplaytruantfromschoolareunimaginative.Aquietday'sfishing,oreighthoursinacinemaseeingthesamefilmoverandoveragain,isusuallyasfarastheyget.Theyhaveallbeenputtoshamebyaboywho,whileplayingtruant,travelled1600miles.Hehitch-hikedtoDoverand,towardsevening,wentintoaboattofindsomewheretosleep.Whenhewokeupnextmorning,hediscoveredthattheboathad,inthemeantime,travelledtoCalais.Noonenoticedtheboyashecreptoff.Fromthere,hehitch-hikedtoParisinalorry.Thedrivergavehimafewbiscuitsandacupofcoffeeandlefthimjustoutsidethecity.ThenextcartheboystoppeddidnottakehimintothecentreofParisashehopeditwould,buttoPerpignanontheFrench-Spanishborder.TherehewaspickedupbyapolicemanandsentbacktoEnglandbythelocalauthorities.Hehassurelysetuparecordforthethousandsofboyswhodreamofevadingschool.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.'Nowyougutoutofhere,allofyou!'heshouted:'I'msheriffhere.Doyouseethatnotice?Itsays"NoCamping"-incaseyoucan'tread!''Look,sheriff,'saidRockwall,'don'tbetoohardonus.I'mRockwallSlingerandthisisMerlinGreeves.''Oh,isit?'saidthesheriffwithasneer.'Well,I'mBrinksleyMeers,andmyothernameisGloriaGleam.Nowyougetoutofherefast!'lesson75  SOS呼救信号Whenalightpassengerplaneflewoffcoursesometimeago,itcrashedinthemountainsanditspilotwaskilled.Theonlypassengers,ayoungwomanandhertwobabydaughters,wereunhurt.Itwasthemiddleofwinter.Snow  laythickontheground.Thewomanknewthatthenearestvillagewasmilesaway.Whenitgrewdark.sheturnedasuitcaseintoabedandputthechildreninsideit,coveringthemwithalltheclothesshecouldfind.Duringthenight,itgotterriblycold.Thewomankeptasnearasshecouldtothechildrenandeventriedtogetintothecaseherself,butitwastoosmall.Early,nextmorningsheheardplanespassingoverheadandwonderedhowshecouldsendasignal.Thenshehadanidea.Shestampedouttheletters'SOS'inthesnow.Fortunately,apilotsawthesignalandsentamessagebyradiotothenearesttown.Itwasnotlongbeforeahelicopterarrivedonthescenetorescuethesurvivorsoftheplanecrash.Lesson76AprilFoolsDay愚人节'Toendourspecialnewsbulletin,'saidthevoiceofthetelevisionannouncer,'wearetakingyoutothemacaronifieldsofCalabria.Macaronihasbeengrowninthisareaforoversixhundredyears.Twooftheleadinggrowers,GiuseppeMoldovaandRicardoBrabante,tellmethattheyhavebeenexpectingasplendidcropthisyearandharvestinghasbegunearlierthanusual.Hereyoucanseetwoworkerswho,betweenthem,havejustfinishedcuttingthreecart-loadsofgoldenbrownmacaronistalks.Thewholevillagehasbeenworkingdayandnightgatheringandthreshingthisyear'scropbeforetheSeptemberrains.Ontheright,youcanseeMrsBrabanteherself.Shehasbeenhelpingherhusbandforthirtyyearsnow.MrsBrabanteistalkingtothemanagerofthelocal  factorywherethecropisprocessed.Thislastsceneshowsyouwhatwillhappenattheendoftheharvest:thefamousCalabrianmacaroni-eatingcompetition!SignorFratelli,thepresentchampion,haswoniteveryyearsince1961.Andthatendsourspecialbulletinfortoday,Thursday,April1st.Wearenowreturningyoutothestudio.'Lesson77Asuccessfuloperation一例成功的手术ThemummyofanEgyptianwomanwhodiedin800B.C.hasjusthadanoperation.ThemummyisthatofShepenmutwhowasonceasingerintheTempleofThebes.AstherewerestrangemarksontheX-rayplatestakenofthemummy,doctorshavebeentryingtofindoutwhetherthewomandiedofararedisease.Theonlywaytodothiswastooperate.Theoperation,whichlastedforoverfourhours,provedtobeverydifficultbecauseofthehardresinwhichcoveredtheskin.Thedoctorsremovedasectionofthemummyandsentittoalaboratory.TheyalsofoundsomethingwhichtheX-rayofthegodDuamutef.Thisgodwhichhastheheadofacowwasnormallyplacedinsideamummy.Thedoctorshavenotyetdecidedhowthewomandied.Theyfearedthatthemummywouldfalltopieceswhentheycutitopen,butfortunatelythishasnothappened.Themummysuccessfullysurvivedtheoperation.Lesson78  Thelastone?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IusedtotravelbyairagreatdealwhenIwasaboy.Myparents,usedtoliveinSouthAmericaandIusedtoflytherefromEuropeintheholidays.AnairhostesswouldtakechargeofmeandIneverhadanunpleasantexperience.IamusedtotravellingbyairandonlyononeoccasionhaveIeverfeltfrightened.Aftertakingoff,wewereflyinglowoverthecityandslowlygainingheight,whentheplanesuddenlyturnedroundandflewbacktotheairport.Whilewewerewaitingtoland,anair-hostesstoldustokeepcalmandtogetofftheplanequietlyassoonasithadtoucheddown.Everybodyonboardwasworriedandwewerecurioustofindoutwhathadhappened.Laterwelearntthattherewasaveryimportantpersononboard.Thepolicehadbeentoldthatabombhadbeenplantedontheplane.Afterwehadlanded,theplanewassearchedthoroughly.Fortunately,nothingwasfoundandfivehourslaterwewereabletotakeoffagain.Lesson80  TheCrystalPalace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,unusualcreatures  arewashedtotheshore,buttheyarerarelycaughtoutatsea.Sometimeago,however,apeculiarfishwascaughtnearMadagascar.Asmallfishing-boatwascarriedmilesouttoseabythepowerfulfishasitpulledontheline.Realizingthatthiswasnoordinaryfish,thefishermanmadeeveryeffortnottodamageitinanyway.Whenitwaseventuallybroughttoshore,itwasfoundtobeoverthirteenfeetlong.Ithadaheadlikeahorse,bigblueeyes,shiningsilverskin,andabrightredtail,Thefish,whichhassincebeensenttoamuseumwhereitisbeingexaminedbyascientist,iscalledanoarfish.Suchcreatureshaverarelybeenseenalivebymanastheyliveatadepthofsixhundredfeet.Lesson83Aftertheelections大选之后TheformerPrimeMinister,MrWentworthLane,wasdefeatedintherecentelections.Heisnowretiringfrompoliticallifeandhasgoneabroad.Myfriend,Crawley,hasalwaysbeenafanaticalopponentofMrLane'sRadicalProgressiveParty.Aftertheelections,CrawleywenttotheformerPrimeMinister'shouse.WhenheaskedifMrLanelivedthere,thepolicemanondutytoldhimthatsincehisdefeat,theex-PrimeMinisterhadgoneabroad.Onthefollowingday,Crawleywenttothehouseagain.Thesamepolicemanwasjustwalkingslowlypasttheentrance,whenCrawleyaskedthesamequestion.Thoughalittlesuspiciousthistime,thepolicemangavehimthesameanswer.Thedayafter,Crawleywenttothehouseoncemoreandaskedexactlythesamequestion.Thistime,thepolicemanlosthistemper.'Itoldyouyesterdayandthedaybeforeyesterday,'heshouted,'MrLanewasdefeatedintheelections.Hehasretiredfrompoliticallifeandgonetoliveabroad!''Iknow,'answeredCrawley,'butIlovetohearyousayit!'Lesson84Onstrike罢工Busmenhavedecidedtogoonstrikenextweek.ThestrikeisduetobeginonTuesday.Nooneknowshowlongitwilllast.Thebusmenhavestatedthatthestrikewillcontinueuntilgeneralagreementisreachedaboutpayandworkingconditions.Mostpeoplebelievethatthestrikewilllastforatleastaweek.Manyownersofprivatecarsaregoingtooffer'freerides'topeopleontheirwaytowork.Thiswillrelievepressureonthetrainstosomeextent.Meanwhile,anumberofuniversitystudentshavevolunteeredtodrivebuseswhilethestrikelasts.Alltheyoungmenareexpertdrivers,butbeforetheydriveanyofthebuses,theywillhavetopassaspecialtest.Thestudentsaregoingtotakethetestintwodays'time.Evenso,peoplearegoingtofinditdifficulttogettowork.Butsofar,thepublichasexpresseditsgratitudetothestudentsinletterstothePress.Onlyoneortwopeoplehaveobjectedthatthestudentswilldrivetoofast!Lesson85Nevertoooldtolearn活到老学到老Ihavejustreceivedaletterfrommyoldschoolinformingmethatmyformerhead-master,MrRegmaldPage,willberetiringnextweek.Pupilsoftheschool,oldandnew,willbesendinghimapresenttomarktheoccasion.Allthosewhohavecontributedtowardsthegiftwillsigntheirnamesinalargealbumwhichwillbesenttotheheadmaster'shome.WeshallallrememberMrPageforhispatienceandunderstandingandforthekindlyencouragementhegaveuswhenwewentsounwillinglytoschool.AgreatmanyformerpupilswillbeattendingafarewelldinnerinhishonournextThursday.Itisacuriouscoincidencethatthedaybeforehisretirement,MrPagewillhavebeenteachingforatotaloffortyyears.Afterhehasretired,hewilldevotehimselftogardening.Forhim,thiswillbeanentirelynewhobby.Butthisdoesnotmatter,for,ashehasoftenremarked,oneisnevertoooldtolearn.Lesson86Outofcontrol失控Asthemantriedtoswingthespeed-boatround,thesteering-wheelcameawayinhishands.Hewaveddesperatelytohiscompanion,whohadbeenwater-skiingforthelastfifteenminutes.Bothmenhadhardlyhadtimetorealizewhatwashappeningwhentheywerethrownviolent1yintothesea.Thespeed-boathadstruckabuoy,butitcontinuedtomoveveryquicklyacrossthewater.Bothmenhadjustbeguntoswimtowardstheshore.whentheynoticedwithdismaythatthespeed-boatwasmovinginacircle.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,Iwastravellingonthe8.0o'clocktraintoLondon,'saidtheman.'Doyoualwayscatchsuchanearlytrain?'askedtheinspector.'OfcourseIdo,'answeredtheman.'Imustbeatworkat10.0o'clock.MyemployerwillconfirmthatIwasthereontime.''Wouldalatertraingetyoutoworkontime?'askedtheinspector.'Isupposeitwould,butInevercatchalatertrain.''Atwhattimedidyouarriveatthestation?''Attentoeight.Iboughtapaperandwaitedforthetrain.''Andyoudidn'tnoticeanythingunusual?''Ofcoursenot.''Isuggest,'saidtheinspector,'thatyouarenottellingthetruth.Isuggestthatyoudidnotcatchthe8.0o'clocktrain,butthatyoucaughtthe8.25whichwouldstillgetyoutoworkontime.Yousee,onthemorningofthemurder,the8.0o'clocktraindidnotrunatall.ItbrokedownatFerngreenstationandwastakenofftheline.'Lesson88Trappedinamine困在矿井里Sixmenhavebeentrappedinamineforseventeenhours.Iftheyarenotbroughttothesurfacesoontheymaylosetheirlives.However,rescueoperationsareprovingdifficult.Ifexplosivesareused,vibrationswillcausetheroofoftheminetocollapse.Rescueworkersarethereforedrillingaholeonthenorthsideofthemine.Theyintendtobringthemenupinaspecialcapsule.Iftherehadnotbeenahardlayerofrockbeneaththesoil,theywouldhavecompletedthejobinafewhours.Asitis,theyhavebeendrillingforsixteenhoursandtheystillhavealongwaytogo.Meanwhile,amicrophone,whichwasloweredintotheminetwohoursago,hasenabledthementokeepintouchwiththeclosestrelatives.Thoughtheyarerunningoutoffoodanddrink,themenarecheerfulandconfidentthattheywillgetoutsoon.Theyhavebeentoldthatrescueoperationsareprogressingsmoothly.Iftheyknewhowdifficultitwastodrillthroughthehardrock,theywouldloseheart.Lesson89Aslipofthetongue口误Peoplewilldoanythingtoseeafreeshow--evenifitisabadone.WhenthenewsgotroundthatavarietyshowwouldbepresentedatourlocalcinemabytheP.andU.BirdSeedCompany,weallrushedtoseeit.Wehadtoqueueforhourstogetinandtheremusthavebeenseveralhundredpeoplepresentjustbe-foretheshowbegan.Unfortunately,theshowwasoneofthedullestwehaveeverseen.Thosewhofailedtogetinneednothavefeltdisappointedasmanyoftheartisteswhoshouldhaveappeareddidnotcome.Theonlyfunnythingsweheardthateveningcamefromtheadvertiseratthebeginningoftheprogramme.Hewasobviouslyverynervousandforsomeminutesstoodawkwardlybeforethemicrophone.Assoonasheopenedhismouth,everyoneburstoutlaughing.Weallknowwhatthepoormanshouldhavesaid,butwhatheactuallysaidwas:'ThisisthePooandEeSeedBirdCompany.Goodladies,eveningandgentlemen!'lesson90Whatsforsupper？晚餐吃什么？ThoughBrazilisoneoftherichestcountriesintheworld,muchofithasnotyetbeendeveloped.ItwasmainlyforthisreasonthattheBraziliangovernmentdecidedtohaveanewcitybuilt600milesnorth-westofRiodeJaneiro.DesignedbythegreatarchitectLucioCosta,thenewcity,Brasilia,replacedRiodeJaneiroasthecapitalofBrazifin1960.Brasiliahasbeencarefullyplannedformodernliving.Itswideroads,whichcantakefourteenlanesoftraffic,havebeenkeptawayfromlivingareas.Childrendonothavetocrossbusystreetstogotoschool.Housewivescanvisit-shoppingcentresonfoot,forinthesespeciallydesignedlivingareas,carsareunnecessary.Atfirst,thegovernmenthadgreatdifficultyinpersuadingpeopletoleaveRioandtosettleinBrasilia.Since1960,however,thepopulationhasbeengrowingallthetime.Brasiliahasquicklyestablisheditselfasthecapitalofthecountry.TheideatohavethecapitalmovedsofarinlandwillhaveagreateffectonthefutureofBrazil.Lesson91Threemeninabasket三人同篮ApilotnoticedaballoonwhichseemedtobemakingforaRoyalAirForceStationnearby.Heinformedthestationatonce,butnoonetherewasabletoexplainthemystery.Theofficerinthecontroltowerwasveryangrywhenheheardthenews,becauseballoonscanbeagreatdangertoaircraft.Hesaidthatsomeonemightbyspyingonthestationandthepilotwasorderedtokeeptrackofthestrangeobject.Thepilotmanagedtocircletheballoonforsometime.Hecouldmakeoutthreemeninabasketunderitandoneofthemwasholdingfield-glasses.Whentheballoonwasoverthestation,thepilotsawoneofthementakingphotographs.Soonafterwards,theballoonbegantodescendanditlandednearanairfield.Thepolicewerecalledin,buttheycouldnotarrestanyone,forthebasketcontainedtwoMembersofParliamentandtheCommandingOfficerofthestation!AstheCommandingOfficerexplainedlater,onehalfofthestationdidnotknowwhattheotherhalfwasdoing!Lesson92Askingfortrouble自找麻烦ItmusthavebeenabouttwointhemorningwhenIreturnedhome.Itriedtowakeupmywifebyringingthedoor-bell,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,astatuewhichwas151feettall,hadbeenerectedinParis.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?''Afire-extinguisher,mydear,'answeredtheAmbassadordrily.'UniversitystudentssettheEmbassyonfirethismorning.''Goodheavens!'exclaimedhiswife.'Andwherewereyouatthetime?''Iwasinmyofficeasusual,'answeredtheAmbassador.'Thefirebrokeoutinthebasement.Iwentdownimmediately.ofcourse,andthatfool,Horst,aimedafire-extinguisheratme.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.Thousandsoflanternsslowlydriftouttoseaguidingthedeadontheir  returnjourneytotheotherworld.Thisisamovingspectacle,forcrowdsofpeoplestandontheshorewatchingthelanternsdriftingawayuntiltheycanbeseennomore.