Lesson 69 But not murder
【Text】
I was being tested for a driving licence for the third time. I had been asked to drive in heavy traffic and had done so successfully. After having been instructed to drive out of town, I began to acquire confidence. Sure that I had passed, I was almost beginning to enjoy my test.
The examiner must have been pleased with my performance, for he smiled and said, Just one more thing, Mr. Eames. Let us suppose that a child suddenly crosses the road in front of you. As soon as I tap on the window, you must stop within five feet.
I continued driving and after some time, the examiner tapped loudly, Though the sound could be heard clearly, it took me a long time to react. I suddenly pressed the brake pedal and we were both thrown forward. The examiner looked at me sadly. Mr. Eames, he said, in a mournful voice, you have just killed that child!'
【课文翻译】
我第3次接受驾驶执照考试。按照要求在车辆拥挤的路上驾驶，我圆满地完成了。在接到把车开出城的指令后，我开始有了信心。确信我已通过考试，所以我几乎开始喜欢起这次考试。主考人对我的驾驶想必是满意的，因为他微笑着说：“埃姆斯先生，只剩1项了。让我们假设一个小孩子突然在你前面穿过马路。我一敲车窗，你必须把车停在5英尺之内。（车得立即停下来）”
我继续往前开着。过了一会儿，主考人砰砰地敲了起来。虽然声音听得很清楚，但我过了好一会儿才作出反应。我突然用力踩紧刹车踏板，结果我俩的身体都向前冲去。主考人伤心地看着我。“埃姆斯先生，”他以悲伤的声调说，“你刚刚把那个小孩压死了！”
New words and expressions 生词和短语
【生词讲解】
1.murder n. 谋杀，谋杀案
e.g. six murders in one week 一周之内的六起谋杀案
be guilty of murder犯谋杀罪。
commit murder进行谋杀
v. murder sb with sth 用--谋杀某人
e.g. He murdered his wife with a knife.
他用刀谋杀了他的妻子。
糟蹋：murder a piece of music 糟蹋了一首乐曲
murderer 谋杀犯，凶手
murderess 女凶手
Kill：(v.)---“杀”，“杀死”。普通用语。指任何一种致死行为。
Assassinate(v.)---“暗杀”。指出于政治目的进行的暗杀行为。
Murder(v.)---“谋杀”，“凶杀”。指非法地有目的的杀害他人。
Slaughter(v.)---“屠杀”。尤指为肉食而屠杀；还指错杀或残酷地杀死很多人。e.g. Two people were killed in a car accident.
在一次车祸中有两人丧生。
e.g. President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.
肯尼迪总统于1963年在达拉斯被暗杀。
e.g. It is said that one person was murdered on the beach.
据说一个人在海滩上被谋杀了。
e.g. Tens of thousands were slaughtered on the battlefields of Macedonia.
成千上万的人在马其顿战场上被杀死了。
2.instruct
及物动词vt.
1）指示,命令,吩咐
e.g. He instructed me to deliver it to a customer.
他吩咐我把东西送去给顾客。
2）教授;训练;指导[(+in)]
e.g. My job is to instruct her in English.
我的工作是教她英语。
3）通知,告知
e.g. My agent has instructed me that you still owe me $150.
我的代理人告诉我你还欠我一百五十美元。
4）【律】委派,委托
3. acquire
1）v. 取得，获得，学到（知识、技术、语言等），养成（习惯等）
e.g. Mary acquired a good knowledge of Chinese in five years' time.
acquire a habit of doing sth. 养成……的习惯
e.g. Tom acquired a habit of smoking.
acquire confidence 获得信心
V.1. (正式)购得,(尤指昂贵的或难以得到的东西)
e.g. The museum has managed to acquire an important work by Dali.
博物馆设法弄到了(西班牙超现实主义画家)达利的一副重要作品。
