新标准大学英语综合教程第三场unit6词汇学习及译文

The Last Leaf1 At the top of a three-story brick building, Sue and Johnsy had their studio. "Johnsy" was familiar for Joanna. One was from Maine; the other from California.They had met at a cafe on Eighth Street and found their tastes in art, chicorysalad and bishop sleeves so much in tune that the joint studio resulted.在一幢三层砖楼的顶层，苏和约翰西辟了个画室。

“约翰西”是乔安娜的昵称。

她们一位来自缅因州，一位来自加利福尼亚。

两人相遇在第八大街的一个咖啡馆，发现各自在艺术品味、菊苣色拉，以及灯笼袖等方面趣味相投，于是就有了这个两人画室。

2 That was in May. In November a cold, unseen stranger, whom the doctors called Pneumonia, stalked about the district, touching one here and there with his icy fingers. Johnsy was among his victims. She lay, scarcely moving on her bed, looking through the small window at the blank side of the next brick house.那是5月里的事。

到了11月，一个医生称之为肺炎的阴森的隐形客闯入了这一地区，用它冰冷的手指东碰西触。

约翰西也为其所害。

第六单元最后撤出的人：消防员的故事2001 年9 月11 日上午9 时59 分它似乎是从天而降。

在世贸中心北塔35 层的一组电梯旁，当时大约有20 多个人。

我们中绝大多数是消防员，个个都差不多精疲力竭了。

有的人大汗淋漓，有的脱掉了他们的消防战斗服，或是把它们扎在腰间。

有好几个人大口地喘着粗气。

其他人迫不及待地想要离开这儿。

我们所有的人都停了下来，想喘口气，清醒一下头脑，搞明白到底出了什么事。

我们已经在这儿拼命战斗了差不多一个小时了，有些人时间稍微短一点儿，可我们根本看不见哪里是尽头。

当然，我们也不知道自己还能干点儿什么，没有一点儿进展。

接着传来一阵巨大的响声，整个大楼开始颤动起来，我们都愣住了。

站在那儿一动不动。

不管本来要做什么，现在都只能等一下了。

可要等什么呢？我们不知道，但是还得等。

或许我们不用等，可是问题不在这儿。

问题是大家都站在那儿一动不动。

所有的人中间没有一个人动，只是有人抬头看了看天花板，想搞清楚这巨大的声响到底是从哪儿传来的。

好像我们都能透过天花板，很容易就找到答案似的。

没有人开口说话。

即便是有时间思考，我们也没有时间把思维转变成语言。

不管怎么说，我还有时间思考，有太多时间去想了，我思绪万千。

我想到了每一个可能发生的最糟糕的情况，还有一些别的事情。

大楼在剧烈摇晃着，像地震了似的，也像是游乐园里惊耸狂奔的过山车，可真正让我胆颤心惊的是这巨大的轰隆声。

这声音实在是太大了。

好像直接从我的身体中飞快地穿了过去。

我真想不出来是什么东西会发出如此大的响声。

好像一千辆失控了的火车朝我疾速驶来。

好像一群狂奔着的野兽。

又好像是山崩时发出的巨大轰鸣声。

太难用语言来形容了，但不管这该死的声音是什么，此刻它传得越来越快，声音越来越大，离我们越来越近，而我被困在其中，没有办法逃脱。

真是奇怪，这种时候你应该是没有时间思考的，可是你满脑子都在想着那些事。

我想到了老婆和孩子，只是在脑海里一闪而过，并不是把自己的人生都回顾了一番那样。

Unit11.We all sensed we were coming to the end of our stay here,that we would never get a chance li ke this again,and we became determined not to waste it.Most important of course were the fina l exams in April and May in the following year.No one wanted the humiliation of finishing last in c lass,so the peer group pressure to work hard was strong.Libraries which were once empty after f ive o’clock in the afternoon were standing room only until the early hours of the morning,and guys wo re the bags under their eyes and their pale,sleepy faces with pride,like medals proving their dilig ence.我们都觉得在校时间不多了，以后再也不会有这样的学习机会了，所以都下定决心不再虚度光阴。

当然，下一年四五月份的期末考试最为重要。

我们谁都不想考全班倒数第一，那也太丢人了，因此同学们之间的竞争压力特别大。

以前每天下午五点以后，图书馆就空无一人了，现在却要等到天快亮时才会有空座，小伙子们熬夜熬出了眼袋，他们脸色苍白，睡眼惺忪，却很自豪，好像这些都是表彰他们勤奋好学的奖章。

2Tomorrow?It’s all a lie;there isn’t a tomorrow.There’s only a promissory note that we are often not ina position to cash.It doesn’t even exist.When you wake up in the morning it’ll be today again and allthe same rules will apply.Tomorrow is just another version of now,an empty field that will remai n sounless we start planting some seeds.Your time,which is ticking away as we speak(at about60se condsa minute chronologically;a bit faster if you don’t invest your time wisely),will be gone and you’llhave nothing to show for it but regret and a rear-view mirror full of“could haves”,“should h aves”and“would haves”.明天行吗？明天只是个谎言；根本就没有什么明天，只有一张我们常常无法兑现的期票。

Unit6 A words and expressions1. firefighter n. [C] someone whose job is to make fires stop burning and help people to escape from other dangerous situations 消防队员fireman n. [C] a man whose job is to stop fires burning 男消防员firefighter& fireman:some people think that 'fireman' is a sexist term, and prefer the politically correct term 'firefighter'.2. raring a. very enthusiastic and eager to do sth. 急于做某事的；渴望做某事的e.g.1. She’s training hard and raring to run in the marathon.她正在刻苦训练，渴望参加马拉松比赛。

2. She was raring to get back to her work.她急切希望重新工作。

3. bearing n. [C] an exact position, usually measured from north（通常从北方算起的）方位，方向e.g. 1. The first thing is to learn to take a compass bearing第一件事就是学习辨别罗盘方向。

2. Follow the bearing to the next checkpoint.顺着这个方向到下一个检查点。

3. He is out of his bearings.他迷失方向了。

Unit6Active reading (1)Last man down: the fireman’s storyLanguage points1 Last man down: the fireman’s story (Title)The expression last man down, similar to last man standing, refers to the survivor or winner. The lastman down from the tower before it collapsed would be one of the bravest.2 There were about two dozen of us by the bank of elevators ... (Para 2)A bank of elevators means a set of lifts.3 Some had their turnout coats off, or tied around their waists. (Para 2) Turnout coats are the uniform firefighters wear when they turn out for a fire.4 Others were raring to go. (Para 2)The expression raring to go is an old form of rearing up, and means being eager to go like a horse.5 All of us were taking a beat to catch our breaths, and our bearings, figure out what the hell wasgoing on. (Para 2)To take a beat means to rest for a moment.A bearing is an exact compass reading measured in degrees. To take your bearings is to find where youare. Here it means both physically and mentally.6 We’d been at this thing, hard, for almost an hour, some a little bit less, and we were nowhere closeto done. (Para 2)To be at this thing is a slang expression which means to work on this mission. The expression nowhere close to done means someone is far from completing their work.7 Of course, we had no idea what there was left to do, but we hadn’t made a dent. (Para 2)A dent is a mark on a piece of metal as when you bump your car. To make a dent in something is to havean effect on it (imagine beating a piece of hard steel and not making any mark on it). To make a dent heremeans to achieve something. The firefighters had hardly begun their work.8 As if we could see clear through the ceiling tiles for an easy answer. (Para 3)Looking up for the source of the noise was only useful if you could see through the floors above, but itstill remained an instinctive reaction.9 The building was shaking like in an earthquake, like an amusement park thrill ride gone berserk …(Para 3)The word berserk was originally about ancient Viking warriors who worshipped a bear god (ber). Theywould go into a terrible rage or madness when fighting. It now means utterly and dangerously crazy.10 The way it coursed right through me. (Para 3)To course means to run or flow somewhere quickly. The noise and vibration have a strong physical effecton the writer.11 I thought about my wife and my kids, but only fleetingly and not in any kind of life-flashing-beforemy-eyes sort of way. (Para 4)Life flashing before my eyes is a claim made by someone who has near-death experiences, as in anaccident, of seeing a slow motion version of the most important events in their lives. Researchers say itmay be the reaction of the brain to trauma.Streets full of heroes Unit 619912 Or, “We’ll all meet at the big one.” (Para 4)After any fire, the fighters use the expression the big one to minimize that fire and suggest there willalways be a bigger one coming. It is a brave act of understatement.13 I never knew how it started, or when I’d picked up on it myself, but it was part of our shorthand. (Para 4)To pick up on it means to learn it and start using it. It is a slang expression. Shorthand is a system of writing used for taking down fast speech. It uses symbols for common wordsand can only be understood by people who learn it. Firemen have their own spoken shorthand (as do mostprofessions). To an outsider, the big one would not mean much, but as the writer explains it was rich inmeaning to him and his colleagues.14 I fumbled for some fix on the situation, thinking maybe if I understood what was happening I couldsteel myself against it. (Para 5)Some fix is a slang term which means a way of understanding.To steel oneself against something means to prepare oneself to do something unpleasant.15 A battalion commander for the New York Fire Department, he was on the sceneof the disaster … (Para 6)The Fire Department is divided up into battalions of up to 200 consisting of a number of companies ofabout 30 firefighters.Reading and understanding3 Choose the best summary of the extract.2 In this dramatic personal account, firefighter Richard Picciotto recalls what he was doing and thinking,just before the north tower of the World Trade Center collapsed on 11 September 2001.4 Answer the questions.1 Where was Richard Picciotto at 9:59 am on 11 September 2001?He was on the 35th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.2 Who was with him?About two dozen firefighters.3 What was everybody trying to do?They were resting and trying to work out what was going on.4 How long had they been in the building?Nearly an hour.5 What did they do when the noise started?They stood still.6 What was happening to the building?It was falling down.7 What did Picciotto start thinking about when he heard the noise?He started thinking about his family, job and the bagels in the kitchen.Unit 6 Streets full of heroes2008 Did Picciotto have the impression things were happening quickly or slowly? To him, it seems things were happening slowly while in truth they weren’t.9 How did Picciotto get out of the tower?He climbed through the rubble and led his men to safety.10 How many firefighters lost their lives?Altogether 343 firefighters.11 Why did Picciotto write Last Man Down?He wrote it as a tribute to his colleagues.Dealing with unfamiliar words5 Match the words in the box with their definitions.1 to make a fire stop burning (extinguish)2 the total number of people who have been killed or hurt (toll)3 an extremely difficult or frightening situation (nightmare)4 a very sad event that causes people to suffer or die (tragedy)5 as much as possible (utmost)6 impressive actions that prove someone is very brave (heroism)7 happening in a confused way and without any order or organization (chaotic)6 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 5.For a firefighter arriving on the scene of a fire the first few minutes are usually the most (1) chaotic.He has to (2) extinguish the fire, he also needs to find out if human lives are in danger. When people aretrapped inside a building he must act swiftly to prevent (3) tragedy, or, –in the (4) nightmare scenario – tokeep the death (5) toll to a minimum. Actions like these require the (6) utmost degree of (7) heroism.7 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.1 He’s a very honest, fair and well-behaved sort of person. (decent)2 I’d like to express my thanks for everything you’ve done for me. (gratitude)3 There was a group of cows standing in the corner of the field. (herd)4 There have been very big increases in food prices over the last few months. (massive)5 All the people should leave the building immediately when the alarm sounds. (evacuate)6 She has displayed all the qualities needed for being a leader in her job. (leadership)8 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.1 If you are raring to go, are you eager to (a) leave, or (b) start an activity?2 If you get your bearings, do you (a) lose your way, or (b) find out where you are?3 If you are nowhere close to done, do you (a) still have a lot more work to do to finish the job, or (b) stillfeel strong and ready to work?4 If you haven’t made a dent in something, have you (a) made good progress, or (b) hardly begun the job?5 Is a racket (a) a loud and unpleasant noise, or (b) a low musical sound?Streets full of heroes Unit 62016 If something goes berserk, is it (a) quiet and well-behaved, or (b) out of control?7 Does whatever the hell it was suggest that the writer (a) knew exactly whatthe noise was, or (b) didn’tknow what the noise was?8 If something is part of the shorthand, can you (a) easily understand it, or(b) not understand it?9 If you are fumbling for a fix, are you (a) trying to understand something, or (b) trying to stay where you are?Active reading (2)Language points1 “Suddenly,” she wrote in her syndicated column, “I saw on the sidewalka figure of a man.” (Para 1)A syndicated column is a regular newspaper article sold to newspapers all around the country.2 “I felt certain that somewhere along the line she would stub her toe,” said Perkins, thinking ofWashington’s fishbowl atmosphere. (Para 3)To stub her toe means to do damage to herself or get hurt.In a fishbowl atmosphere, everyone can see what is happening in the fishbowl. The sentence means Perkins was sure sooner or later she would get into trouble and be criticized.3 I don’t know how she did it. What to lay it to? (Para 3)The expression what to lay it to means “how can one explain it?”.4 … “that a crippled man, victim of a cruel affliction, was able for more than ten years to ride thestorms of peace and war at the summit of the US …” (Para 3)A man in a wheelchair with a terrible disease could lead his country well both during the Great Depressionand World War.5 “Most people who have played second violin all their lives never have an opportunity to play firstviolin,” remarked Perkins. (Para 4)People who play second violin are those who do not lead or give solos and who are always of lesserimportance. To play first violin means to be the leader and take the initiative.6 “Now, if you want to know what I think about Mrs Roosevelt, she istuh-riffic! …” (Para 5)The word tuh-riffic means terrific. It is pronounced with a strong regional accent.7 On a trip to India ... introduced to the Indian Parliament by Pandit Nehru as “a representative ofresurgent humanity”. (Para 6)The expression resurgent humanity refers to recovering from the horrors of thefirst half of the 20thcentury. A representative of resurgent humanity refers to an example of the most admirable and progressivetype of person.Reading and understanding2 Choose the best way to complete the sentences.1 Eleanor Roosevelt became a volunteer (c) .(a) when she met her husband(b) when her husband became President of the US(c) as a young woman(d) when she saw a homeless man in the street2 When she became the wife of the president (c) .(a) she gave up her job(b) she began to write for a newspaper(c) she reinvented the role of First Lady(d) she found it difficult to reconcile family life and public affairsStreets full of heroes Unit 62073 When she held her first press conference (a) .(a) she didn’t allow men to atte nd(b) she pushed her husband in on a wheelchair(c) she made speeches(d) her involvement in politics shocked people4 While Roosevelt was president, Eleanor (c) .(a) stayed a full-time wife and mother(b) made a lot of people angry(c) defended the rights of women and Afro-Americans(d) became the host of a television programme5 After her husband died she (c) .(a) retired from public life(b) became the only female delegate to the United Nations(c) helped implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(d) started writing for a newspaper6 In the last years of her life she (b) .(a) went to live in India(b) continued to promote the rights of women(c) was given a new task by President Kennedy(d) gave up her interest in politicsDealing with unfamiliar words3 Match the words in the box with their definitions.1 someone who is chosen to represent a group of other people at a meeting (delegate)2 to believe that something is the cause of someone or something else (ascribe)3 a newspaper or television reporter, especially one who deals with a particular subject or area(correspondent)4 a very high level of skill or ability (genius)5 to control someone or something, often in a negative way, because you have more power or influence(dominate)6 used about a feeling or thought you do not realize you have (unconscious)7 to watch something in order to check that it works in the way that it should (oversee)4 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 3.Eleanor Roosevelt showed her (1) genius for getting the support of other (2) delegates in the UNAssembly. She was a great speaker who knew how to (3) oversee important meetings without being seento (4) dominate them. She was also a talented (5) correspondent and she wrote a daily column for manyyears. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s success as president was (6) ascribed by many to her support and wonderfulcharacter. She became involved in politics because of her sense of right and wrong and an (7) unconsciousneed to help people.Unit 6 Streets full of heroes2085 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.1 He has been unable to use his legs since birth. (crippled)2 We need to call a meeting for world leaders about this issue. (summit)3 The first thing I read in the newspaper is the regular section about the arts. (column)4 Our class visit to the United Nations was a wonderful experience. (marvelous)5 It’s import ant to try to influence politicians about the need to improve transport facilities in our area.(lobby)6 How many millions of people live in the very poor areas of Mumbai? (slums)6 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.1 In a fishbowl atmosphere, are you (a) likely, or (b) unlikely to see what everyone is doing?2 Is a mishap a (a) positive, or (b) negative experience?3 If you have a humane attitude, are you (a) kind and caring, or (b) cruel and uncaring?4 If you win over someone to your cause, do you (a) defeat them, or (b) persuade them to join you?5 Does an affliction make your life (a) easy, or (b) difficult?6 If you ride the storm, do you (a) survive it, or (b) fall victim to it?7 Is a superlative performance (a) very good, or (b) just good?8 If a politician has a throng of admirers, are there (a) many people, or (b)a few who like them?9 If you are on a par with someone, are you in (a) the same position, or (b) different positions?Language in useword formation: gender-inclusive language1 Look at the sentences from the passages and answer the questions.Last man down: The fireman’s storyWe were firefighters, mostly, and we were in various stages of exhaustion.Streets full of heroes Unit 6211Please join Life magazine as we honor the power and humanity of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt by inductingher into the Hall of Heroes.1 What meaning do fireman and firefighter share?Someone whose job is to fight fires.2 What extra meaning is included in the word fireman?The person is male.3 Does the word heroes refer to men, women, or both?Both.2 Replace the underlined words with gender-inclusive language.1 Miss Read was the headmistress at school, and I was very fond of her. (headteacher)2 Mother Teresa and Eleanor Roosevelt are two great heroines of our time. (heroes)3 There were a lot of policemen standing at the entrance to the factory. (police officers)4 More than three hundred firemen died in the fire. (firefighters)5 We’ll ask one of our salesgirls to come and help you. (salespersons) Why is it that …?3 Rewrite the sentences using Why is it that ...?1 I don’t know why we haven’t been able to solve the problem of slums in this town.Why is it that we haven’t been able to solve the problem of slums in this town?2 I don’t know why we are not able to organize fair elections in this part of the world.Why is it that in this part of the world we are not able to organize fair elections?3 I don’t know why they never employ qualified people in this hotel.Why is it that in this hotel they never employ qualified people?4 I don’t know why the system of welfare is still not working properly in this country.Why is it that in this country the system of welfare is still not working properly?5 I don’t know why you always find such an easy answer to all the questionsI ask.Why is it that you always find such an easy answer to all the questions I ask?adj. + though it + be4 Rewrite the sentences using adj. + though it + be.1 My time in the United States was short, but it was interesting.My time in the United States, short though it was, was interesting.2 The scenes of destruction were terrible, but not surprising.The scenes of destruction, terrible though they were, were not surprising.3 The rescue operation cost a lot of money, but it was successful.The rescue operation, costly though it was, was successful.Unit 6 Streets full of heroes2124 The lesson he gave was extremely interesting, but it was soon forgotten. The lesson he gave, interesting though it was, was soon forgotten.5 Mother Teresa may have been old, but she was extremely active.Mother Teresa, old though she may have been, was extremely active.6 His actions may have been unconscious, but they have had very serious consequences.His actions, unconscious though they may have been, have had very serious consequences.collocations5 Complete the sentences with the correct form of suitable expressions from the collocation box. Sometimesmore than one collocation is possible.1 My grandfather died suddenly after a massive heart attack.2 There was a column of smoke in the sky for days after 9/11.3 Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a daily / newspaper column for nearly 30 years.4 The stress began to take a toll on their marriage.5 The final death toll might be much higher than the police at first thought.6 How many newspaper columns have been written about the heroes of the last century?7 Do you have to pay a toll to drive on the motorway?8 Your idea was brilliant – a stroke of genius!9 My hero is my English teacher. He has a genius for helping us understand Shakespeare.10 When she died she left a massive amount of money to charity.6 Translate the paragraphs into Chinese.1 I thought how we firemen were always saying to each other, “I’ll see you at the big one.” Or, “We’ll allmeet at the big one.” I never knew how it started, or when I’d picked up on it myself, but it was part ofour shorthand. Meaning, no matter how big this fire is, there’ll be another one bigger, somewhere downthe road. We’ll make it through this one, and we’ll make it through that one, too. I always said it, at bigfires, and I always heard it back, and here I was, thinking I would never say or hear these words again,because there would never be another fire as big as this. This was the big one we had all talked about,all our lives, and if I hadn’t known this before – just before these chilling moments – this sick, blacknoise now confirmed it. (这段话由许多短句构成，要注意短句间语气的连接。

BOOK3 UNIT 1抓螃蟹大学最后一年的秋天，我们的心情变了。

刚刚过去的夏季学期的轻松氛围、即兴球赛、查尔斯河上的泛舟以及深夜晚会都不见了踪影，我们开始埋头学习，苦读到深夜，课堂出勤率再次急剧上升。

我们都觉得在校时间不多了，以后再也不会有这样的学习机会了，所以都下定决心不再虚度光阴。

当然，下一年四五月份的期末考试最为重要。

我们谁都不想考全班倒数第一，那也太丢人了，因此同学们之间的竞争压力特别大。

以前每天下午五点以后，图书馆就空无一人了，现在却要等到天快亮时才会有空座，小伙子们熬夜熬出了眼袋，他们脸色苍白，睡眼惺忪，却很自豪，好像这些都是表彰他们勤奋好学的奖章。

还有别的事情让大家心情焦虑。

每个人都在心里盘算着过几个月毕业离校之后该找份什么样的工作。

并不总是那些心怀抱负、成绩拔尖的高材生才清楚自己将来要做什么，常常是那些平日里默默无闻的同学早早为自己下几个阶段的人生做好了规划。

有位同学在位于麦迪逊大道他哥哥的广告公司得到了一份工作，另一位同学写的电影脚本已经与好莱坞草签了合约。

我们当中野心最大的一位同学准备到地方上当一个政党活动家，我们都预料他最终会当上参议员或国会议员。

但大多数同学不是准备继续深造，就是想在银行、地方政府或其他单位当个白领，希望在20出头的时候能挣到足够多的薪水，过上舒适的生活，然后就娶妻生子，贷款买房，期望升职，过安稳日子。

感恩节的时候我回了一趟家，兄弟姐妹们免不了不停地问我毕业后有什么打算，我不知道该说什么。

实际上，我知道该说什么，但我怕他们批评我，所以只对他们说了别人都准备干什么。

父亲看着我，什么也没说。

夜深时，他叫我去他的书房。

我们坐了下来，他给我们俩各倒了杯饮料。

“怎么样？”他问。

“啊，什么怎么样？”“你毕业后到底想做什么？”他问道。

父亲是一名律师，我一直都认为他想让我去法学院深造，追随他的人生足迹，所以我有点儿犹豫。

过了会儿我回答说：“我想旅行，我想当个作家。

”我想这不是他所期待的答案。

Unit 1 Catching Crabs1 In the fall of our final year, our mood changed. The relaxed atmosphere of the preceding summer semester, the impromptu ball games, the boating on the Charles River, the late-night parties had disappeared, and we all started to get our heads down, studying late, and attendance at classes rose steeply again. We all sensed we were coming to the end of our stay here, that we would never get a chance like this again, and we became determined not to waste it. Most important of course were the final exams in April and May in the following year. No one wanted the humiliation of finishing last in class, so the peer group pressure to work hard was strong. Libraries which were once empty after five o'clock in the afternoon were standing room only until the early hours of the morning, and guys wore the bags under their eyes and their pale, sleepy faces with pride, like medals proving their diligence.2 But there was something else. At the back of everyone's mind was what we would do next, when we left university in a few months' time. It wasn't always the high flyers with the top grades who knew what they were going to do. Quite often it was the quieter, less impressive students who had the next stages of their life mapped out. One had landed a job in his brother's advertising firm in Madison Avenue, another had got a script under provisional acceptance in Hollywood. The most ambitious student among us was going to work as a party activist at a local level. We all saw him ending up in the Senate or in Congress one day. But most people were either looking to continue their studies, or to make a living with a white-collar job in a bank, local government, or anything which would pay them enough to have a comfortable time in their early twenties, and then settle down with a family, a mortgage and some hope of promotion.3 I went home at Thanksgiving, and inevitably, my brothers and sisters kept asking me what I was planning to do. I didn't know what to say. Actually, I did know what to say, but I thought they'd probably criticize me, so I told them what everyone else was thinking of doing.4 My father was watching me but saying nothing. Late in the evening, he invited me to his study. We sat down and he poured us a drink.5 "So?" he said.6 "Er … so what?"7 "So what do you really want to do?" he asked.8 My father was a lawyer, and I had always assumed he wanted me to go to law school, and follow his path through life. So I hesitated.9 Then I replied, “I want to travel, and I w ant to be a writer.”10 This was not the answer I thought he would expect. Travel? Where? A writer? About what? I braced myself for some resistance to the idea.11 There was a long silence.12 "Interesting idea," he said finally.13 There was another long silence.14 "I kind of wish I'd done that when I was your age."15 I waited.16 "You have plenty of time. You don't need to go into a career which pays well just at the moment. You need to find out what you really enjoy now, because if you don't, you won't besuccessful later."17 "So how do I do this?“18 He thought for a moment. Then he said, "Look, it's late. Let's take the boat out tomorrow morning, just you and me. Maybe we can catch some crabs for dinner, and we can talk more."19 It was a small motor boat, moored ten minutes away, and my father had owned it for years. Early next morning we set off along the estuary. We didn't talk much, but enjoyed the sound of the seagulls and the sight of the estuary coastline and the sea beyond.20 There was no surf on the coastal waters at that time of day, so it was a smooth half-hour ride until my father switched off the motor. "Let's see if we get lucky," he said, picked up a rusty, mesh basket with a rope attached and threw it into the sea.21 We waited a while, then my father stood up and said, "Give me a hand with this," and we hauled up the crab cage onto the deck.22 Crabs fascinated me. They were so easy to catch. It wasn't just that they crawled into such an obvious trap, through a small hole in the lid of the basket, but it seemed as if they couldn't be bothered to crawl out again even when you took the lid off. They just sat there, waving their claws at you.23 The cage was brimming with dozens of soft shell crabs, piled high on top of each other. "Why don't they try to escape?" I wondered aloud to my father.24 "Just watch them for a moment. Look at that one, there! He's trying to climb out, but every time the other crabs pull him back in," said my father.25 And we watched. The crab climbed up the mesh towards the lid, and sure enough, just as it reached the top, one of its fellow crabs reached out, clamped its claw onto any available leg, and pulled it back. Several times the crab tried to defy his fellow captives, without luck.26 "Now watch!" said my father. "He's starting to get bored with this game."27 Not only did the crab give up its lengthy struggle to escape, but it actually began to help stop other crabs trying to escape. He'd finally chosen an easy way of life.28 Suddenly I understood why my father had suggested catching crabs that morning. He looked at me. "Don't get pulled back by the others," he said. "Spend some time figuring out who you are and what you want in life. Look back at the classes you're taking, and think about which ones were most productive for you personally. Then think about what's really important to you, what really interests you, what skills you have. Try to figure out where you want to live, where you want to go, what you want to earn, how you want to work. And if you can't answer these questions now, then take some time to find out. Because if you don't, you'll never be happy."29 He paused.30 "So you want to travel?" he asked.31 "Yes," I replied.32 "Better get you a passport. And you want to be a writer?"33 "I think so."34 "Interesting choice. We've never had a writer in the family," he said.35 My father started the motor and we set off back home.抓螃蟹1 大学最后一年的秋天，我们的心情变了。

Unit6Active reading (1)Last man down: the fireman’s storyLanguage points1 Last man down: the fireman’s story (Title)The expression last man down, similar to last man standing, refers to the survivor or winner. The lastman down from the tower before it collapsed would be one of the bravest.2 There were about two dozen of us by the bank of elevators ... (Para 2)A bank of elevators means a set of lifts.3 Some had their turnout coats off, or tied around their waists. (Para 2) Turnout coats are the uniform firefighters wear when they turn out for a fire.4 Others were raring to go. (Para 2)The expression raring to go is an old form of rearing up, and means being eager to go like a horse.5 All of us were taking a beat to catch our breaths, and our bearings, figure out what the hell wasgoing on. (Para 2)To take a beat means to rest for a moment.A bearing is an exact compass reading measured in degrees. To take your bearings is to find where youare. Here it means both physically and mentally.6 We’d been at this thing, hard, for almost an hour, some a little bit less, and we were nowhere closeto done. (Para 2)To be at this thing is a slang expression which means to work on this mission. The expression nowhere close to done means someone is far from completing their work.7 Of course, we had no idea what there was left to do, but we hadn’t made a dent. (Para 2)A dent is a mark on a piece of metal as when you bump your car. To make a dent in something is to havean effect on it (imagine beating a piece of hard steel and not making any mark on it). To make a dent heremeans to achieve something. The firefighters had hardly begun their work.8 As if we could see clear through the ceiling tiles for an easy answer. (Para 3)Looking up for the source of the noise was only useful if you could see through the floors above, but itstill remained an instinctive reaction.9 The building was shaking like in an earthquake, like an amusement park thrill ride gone berserk …(Para 3)The word berserk was originally about ancient Viking warriors who worshipped a bear god (ber). Theywould go into a terrible rage or madness when fighting. It now means utterly and dangerously crazy.10 The way it coursed right through me. (Para 3)To course means to run or flow somewhere quickly. The noise and vibration have a strong physical effecton the writer.11 I thought about my wife and my kids, but only fleetingly and not in any kind of life-flashing-beforemy-eyes sort of way. (Para 4)Life flashing before my eyes is a claim made by someone who has near-death experiences, as in anaccident, of seeing a slow motion version of the most important events in their lives. Researchers say itmay be the reaction of the brain to trauma.Streets full of heroes Unit 619912 Or, “We’ll all meet at the big one.” (Para 4)After any fire, the fighters use the expression the big one to minimize that fire and suggest there willalways be a bigger one coming. It is a brave act of understatement.13 I never knew how it started, or when I’d picked up on it myself, but it was part of our shorthand. (Para 4)To pick up on it means to learn it and start using it. It is a slang expression. Shorthand is a system of writing used for taking down fast speech. It uses symbols for common wordsand can only be understood by people who learn it. Firemen have their own spoken shorthand (as do mostprofessions). To an outsider, the big one would not mean much, but as the writer explains it was rich inmeaning to him and his colleagues.14 I fumbled for some fix on the situation, thinking maybe if I understood what was happening I couldsteel myself against it. (Para 5)Some fix is a slang term which means a way of understanding.To steel oneself against something means to prepare oneself to do something unpleasant.15 A battalion commander for the New York Fire Department, he was on the sceneof the disaster … (Para 6)The Fire Department is divided up into battalions of up to 200 consisting of a number of companies ofabout 30 firefighters.Reading and understanding3 Choose the best summary of the extract.2 In this dramatic personal account, firefighter Richard Picciotto recalls what he was doing and thinking,just before the north tower of the World Trade Center collapsed on 11 September 2001.4 Answer the questions.1 Where was Richard Picciotto at 9:59 am on 11 September 2001?He was on the 35th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.2 Who was with him?About two dozen firefighters.3 What was everybody trying to do?They were resting and trying to work out what was going on.4 How long had they been in the building?Nearly an hour.5 What did they do when the noise started?They stood still.6 What was happening to the building?It was falling down.7 What did Picciotto start thinking about when he heard the noise?He started thinking about his family, job and the bagels in the kitchen.Unit 6 Streets full of heroes2008 Did Picciotto have the impression things were happening quickly or slowly? To him, it seems things were happening slowly while in truth they weren’t.9 How did Picciotto get out of the tower?He climbed through the rubble and led his men to safety.10 How many firefighters lost their lives?Altogether 343 firefighters.11 Why did Picciotto write Last Man Down?He wrote it as a tribute to his colleagues.Dealing with unfamiliar words5 Match the words in the box with their definitions.1 to make a fire stop burning (extinguish)2 the total number of people who have been killed or hurt (toll)3 an extremely difficult or frightening situation (nightmare)4 a very sad event that causes people to suffer or die (tragedy)5 as much as possible (utmost)6 impressive actions that prove someone is very brave (heroism)7 happening in a confused way and without any order or organization (chaotic)6 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 5.For a firefighter arriving on the scene of a fire the first few minutes are usually the most (1) chaotic.He has to (2) extinguish the fire, he also needs to find out if human lives are in danger. When people aretrapped inside a building he must act swiftly to prevent (3) tragedy, or, –in the (4) nightmare scenario – tokeep the death (5) toll to a minimum. Actions like these require the (6) utmost degree of (7) heroism.7 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.1 He’s a very honest, fair and well-behaved sort of person. (decent)2 I’d like to express my thanks for everything you’ve done for me. (gratitude)3 There was a group of cows standing in the corner of the field. (herd)4 There have been very big increases in food prices over the last few months. (massive)5 All the people should leave the building immediately when the alarm sounds. (evacuate)6 She has displayed all the qualities needed for being a leader in her job. (leadership)8 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.1 If you are raring to go, are you eager to (a) leave, or (b) start an activity?2 If you get your bearings, do you (a) lose your way, or (b) find out where you are?3 If you are nowhere close to done, do you (a) still have a lot more work to do to finish the job, or (b) stillfeel strong and ready to work?4 If you haven’t made a dent in something, have you (a) made good progress, or (b) hardly begun the job?5 Is a racket (a) a loud and unpleasant noise, or (b) a low musical sound?Streets full of heroes Unit 62016 If something goes berserk, is it (a) quiet and well-behaved, or (b) out of control?7 Does whatever the hell it was suggest that the writer (a) knew exactly whatthe noise was, or (b) didn’tknow what the noise was?8 If something is part of the shorthand, can you (a) easily understand it, or(b) not understand it?9 If you are fumbling for a fix, are you (a) trying to understand something, or (b) trying to stay where you are?Active reading (2)Language points1 “Suddenly,” she wrote in her syndicated column, “I saw on the sidewalka figure of a man.” (Para 1)A syndicated column is a regular newspaper article sold to newspapers all around the country.2 “I felt certain that somewhere along the line she would stub her toe,” said Perkins, thinking ofWashington’s fishbowl atmosphere. (Para 3)To stub her toe means to do damage to herself or get hurt.In a fishbowl atmosphere, everyone can see what is happening in the fishbowl. The sentence means Perkins was sure sooner or later she would get into trouble and be criticized.3 I don’t know how she did it. What to lay it to? (Para 3)The expression what to lay it to means “how can one explain it?”.4 … “that a crippled man, victim of a cruel affliction, was able for more than ten years to ride thestorms of peace and war at the summit of the US …” (Para 3)A man in a wheelchair with a terrible disease could lead his country well both during the Great Depressionand World War.5 “Most people who have played second violin all their lives never have an opportunity to play firstviolin,” remarked Perkins. (Para 4)People who play second violin are those who do not lead or give solos and who are always of lesserimportance. To play first violin means to be the leader and take the initiative.6 “Now, if you want to know what I think about Mrs Roosevelt, she istuh-riffic! …” (Para 5)The word tuh-riffic means terrific. It is pronounced with a strong regional accent.7 On a trip to India ... introduced to the Indian Parliament by Pandit Nehru as “a representative ofresurgent humanity”. (Para 6)The expression resurgent humanity refers to recovering from the horrors of thefirst half of the 20thcentury. A representative of resurgent humanity refers to an example of the most admirable and progressivetype of person.Reading and understanding2 Choose the best way to complete the sentences.1 Eleanor Roosevelt became a volunteer (c) .(a) when she met her husband(b) when her husband became President of the US(c) as a young woman(d) when she saw a homeless man in the street2 When she became the wife of the president (c) .(a) she gave up her job(b) she began to write for a newspaper(c) she reinvented the role of First Lady(d) she found it difficult to reconcile family life and public affairsStreets full of heroes Unit 62073 When she held her first press conference (a) .(a) she didn’t allow men to atte nd(b) she pushed her husband in on a wheelchair(c) she made speeches(d) her involvement in politics shocked people4 While Roosevelt was president, Eleanor (c) .(a) stayed a full-time wife and mother(b) made a lot of people angry(c) defended the rights of women and Afro-Americans(d) became the host of a television programme5 After her husband died she (c) .(a) retired from public life(b) became the only female delegate to the United Nations(c) helped implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(d) started writing for a newspaper6 In the last years of her life she (b) .(a) went to live in India(b) continued to promote the rights of women(c) was given a new task by President Kennedy(d) gave up her interest in politicsDealing with unfamiliar words3 Match the words in the box with their definitions.1 someone who is chosen to represent a group of other people at a meeting (delegate)2 to believe that something is the cause of someone or something else (ascribe)3 a newspaper or television reporter, especially one who deals with a particular subject or area(correspondent)4 a very high level of skill or ability (genius)5 to control someone or something, often in a negative way, because you have more power or influence(dominate)6 used about a feeling or thought you do not realize you have (unconscious)7 to watch something in order to check that it works in the way that it should (oversee)4 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 3.Eleanor Roosevelt showed her (1) genius for getting the support of other (2) delegates in the UNAssembly. She was a great speaker who knew how to (3) oversee important meetings without being seento (4) dominate them. She was also a talented (5) correspondent and she wrote a daily column for manyyears. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s success as president was (6) ascribed by many to her support and wonderfulcharacter. She became involved in politics because of her sense of right and wrong and an (7) unconsciousneed to help people.Unit 6 Streets full of heroes2085 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.1 He has been unable to use his legs since birth. (crippled)2 We need to call a meeting for world leaders about this issue. (summit)3 The first thing I read in the newspaper is the regular section about the arts. (column)4 Our class visit to the United Nations was a wonderful experience. (marvelous)5 It’s import ant to try to influence politicians about the need to improve transport facilities in our area.(lobby)6 How many millions of people live in the very poor areas of Mumbai? (slums)6 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.1 In a fishbowl atmosphere, are you (a) likely, or (b) unlikely to see what everyone is doing?2 Is a mishap a (a) positive, or (b) negative experience?3 If you have a humane attitude, are you (a) kind and caring, or (b) cruel and uncaring?4 If you win over someone to your cause, do you (a) defeat them, or (b) persuade them to join you?5 Does an affliction make your life (a) easy, or (b) difficult?6 If you ride the storm, do you (a) survive it, or (b) fall victim to it?7 Is a superlative performance (a) very good, or (b) just good?8 If a politician has a throng of admirers, are there (a) many people, or (b)a few who like them?9 If you are on a par with someone, are you in (a) the same position, or (b) different positions?Language in useword formation: gender-inclusive language1 Look at the sentences from the passages and answer the questions.Last man down: The fireman’s storyWe were firefighters, mostly, and we were in various stages of exhaustion.Streets full of heroes Unit 6211Please join Life magazine as we honor the power and humanity of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt by inductingher into the Hall of Heroes.1 What meaning do fireman and firefighter share?Someone whose job is to fight fires.2 What extra meaning is included in the word fireman?The person is male.3 Does the word heroes refer to men, women, or both?Both.2 Replace the underlined words with gender-inclusive language.1 Miss Read was the headmistress at school, and I was very fond of her. (headteacher)2 Mother Teresa and Eleanor Roosevelt are two great heroines of our time. (heroes)3 There were a lot of policemen standing at the entrance to the factory. (police officers)4 More than three hundred firemen died in the fire. (firefighters)5 We’ll ask one of our salesgirls to come and help you. (salespersons) Why is it that …?3 Rewrite the sentences using Why is it that ...?1 I don’t know why we haven’t been able to solve the problem of slums in this town.Why is it that we haven’t been able to solve the problem of slums in this town?2 I don’t know why we are not able to organize fair elections in this part of the world.Why is it that in this part of the world we are not able to organize fair elections?3 I don’t know why they never employ qualified people in this hotel.Why is it that in this hotel they never employ qualified people?4 I don’t know why the system of welfare is still not working properly in this country.Why is it that in this country the system of welfare is still not working properly?5 I don’t know why you always find such an easy answer to all the questionsI ask.Why is it that you always find such an easy answer to all the questions I ask?adj. + though it + be4 Rewrite the sentences using adj. + though it + be.1 My time in the United States was short, but it was interesting.My time in the United States, short though it was, was interesting.2 The scenes of destruction were terrible, but not surprising.The scenes of destruction, terrible though they were, were not surprising.3 The rescue operation cost a lot of money, but it was successful.The rescue operation, costly though it was, was successful.Unit 6 Streets full of heroes2124 The lesson he gave was extremely interesting, but it was soon forgotten. The lesson he gave, interesting though it was, was soon forgotten.5 Mother Teresa may have been old, but she was extremely active.Mother Teresa, old though she may have been, was extremely active.6 His actions may have been unconscious, but they have had very serious consequences.His actions, unconscious though they may have been, have had very serious consequences.collocations5 Complete the sentences with the correct form of suitable expressions from the collocation box. Sometimesmore than one collocation is possible.1 My grandfather died suddenly after a massive heart attack.2 There was a column of smoke in the sky for days after 9/11.3 Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a daily / newspaper column for nearly 30 years.4 The stress began to take a toll on their marriage.5 The final death toll might be much higher than the police at first thought.6 How many newspaper columns have been written about the heroes of the last century?7 Do you have to pay a toll to drive on the motorway?8 Your idea was brilliant – a stroke of genius!9 My hero is my English teacher. He has a genius for helping us understand Shakespeare.10 When she died she left a massive amount of money to charity.6 Translate the paragraphs into Chinese.1 I thought how we firemen were always saying to each other, “I’ll see you at the big one.” Or, “We’ll allmeet at the big one.” I never knew how it started, or when I’d picked up on it myself, but it was part ofour shorthand. Meaning, no matter how big this fire is, there’ll be another one bigger, somewhere downthe road. We’ll make it through this one, and we’ll make it through that one, too. I always said it, at bigfires, and I always heard it back, and here I was, thinking I would never say or hear these words again,because there would never be another fire as big as this. This was the big one we had all talked about,all our lives, and if I hadn’t known this before – just before these chilling moments – this sick, blacknoise now confirmed it. (这段话由许多短句构成，要注意短句间语气的连接。