Unit One: A Class Act
TEXT COMPREHENSION
IV. Explain in your own words the following sentences taken from the text.
1. I was extremely excited when I imagined myself in attractive pictures like those of popular actresses in Hollywood.
2. I felt so frustrated that I was on the verge of tears when I wondered, as I had done innumerable times, why the unsympathetic teacher would not overlook my clothes even once and see how hard I tried to comply with the school policy and how eager I was to participate in all the activities.
LANGUAGE WORK
I. Explain the underlined parts in each sentence in your own words.
1). Because of the war, rationing was in place and most schools had relaxed their attitude to
wards proper uniforms, knowing how hard it was to obtain clothes.
 the amount of food, water, petrol or other necessary substances was limited; had become less severe or strict with
2). Every day I would battle back tears as I stood in front of my peers, embarrassed and, most often, alone.
 hold back; schoolmates
3). However, in my 12-year-old mind I had no choice but to see the punishment through. I knew it was very important not to let my well-meaning mother know about this ritual humiliation.
 endure the punishment; the embarrassment I had to go through every day
4). ... if she ever told my father he would have instantly been on the warpath in my defence.
 so angry and likely to argue with my teachers in order to protect me
5). There was none of my usual pleasure in putting on the cherished dress that day.
 the dress that I liked very much
6). At assembly I didn’t bother to wait for the command but trudged up to the stage of my own accord to endure the sniggers of the other girls and the beady eyes of the deputy head.
 walked slowly and reluctantly to the stage without being asked to do so
7). I consoled myself that I could at least lose myself in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities for a while at the back of the class to recover and regain my composure.
 I cheered myself up with the idea; get absorbed in the story of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and not think about anything else; calm down and get back my self-control
8). And then she came out with the most welcome sentence I had ever heard at that mean-spirited place.
 said unexpectedly; agreeable; vicious
9). I floated through the rest of the day buoyed by the warmth generated by her thoughtfully chosen words.
 was in high spirits; feeling happier and more confident due to
10). Although English Literature was her forte, that day Miss McVee taught me, and perhaps the whole class, a lesson in compassion that I have never forgotten.
 strong point; instilled in me, and perhaps the whole class, a feeling of pity, sympathy and understanding for someone who was suffering
TRANSLATION
I. Translate the following sentences into English, using the words or phrases given in brackets.
1).这家公司是由几名有事业心的年轻人创立的。(enterprising)
The company was started by a couple of enterprising young men.
2). 那是他唯一一次自己在午夜前睡觉的，因为他实在太累了。(of one’s own accord)
It was the only time when he went to bed of his own accord before midnight, because he was really too tired.
3). 经过长时间的仔细酝酿，书才得以完成。(meticulous)
Many hours of meticulous preparation have gone into writing the book.
4). 她从头到脚穿着一身黑。(be attired)
She was attired from head to foot in black.
5). 为攒我们去度假的钱，我节衣缩食整整一年。(scrimp and save)
I’ve been scrimping and saving all year to pay for our holiday.
6). 我知道他是好意，但我希望他别来管我们。(well-meaning)
I know he’s well-meaning, but I wish he’d leave us alone.
7). 当有人指出他犯了错误时，他非常生气。(indignant)
He became very indignant when it was suggested he had made a mistake.
8). 说了多少次了，安东尼，刀子和叉子要放入中间的抽屉！(umpteen)
I’ve told you for umpteen times, Anthony, knives and forks go in the middle drawer!
9). 缝纫恐怕不是我的专长。(forte)
I’m afraid sewing isn’t one of my fortes.
3d综合版10). 观众热烈的欢迎使她十分高兴。(buoy)
She was buoyed by the warm reception her audience gave her.
   
II. Translate the following passage into English.
参考译文
    The foreign students at New York University come from more than 130 countries. Fifty percent are from Asia, especially South Korea, Japan and China. Foreign students are studying in all fourteen schools within the university. These include arts and sciences, law, business and education. Seventy-five percent of the foreign students are in graduate school. About twenty-five percent are in four-year programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree.