Lesson SixLesson SixButton, ButtonButton, Button

by Richard Mathesonby Richard Matheson

Biographic information about the authorBiographic information about the author

He was born February 20th, 1926 in New Jersey,He was born February 20th, 1926 in New Jersey, started writing at the age of eight), educated in j started writing at the age of eight), educated in journalism in New York and Missouri and saw actournalism in New York and Missouri and saw action during World War II. Born in New Jersey and ion during World War II. Born in New Jersey and raised in Brooklyn, Richard Burton Matheson firsraised in Brooklyn, Richard Burton Matheson first became a published author while still a child, wt became a published author while still a child, when his stories and poems ran in the "Brooklyn Ehen his stories and poems ran in the "Brooklyn Eagle"( The Brooklyn Eagle, also called The Brooagle"( The Brooklyn Eagle, also called The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, was a daily newspaper publishklyn Daily Eagle, was a daily newspaper published in Brooklyn, New York from October 26). ed in Brooklyn, New York from October 26).

A lifelong reader of fantasy tales, he made his prA lifelong reader of fantasy tales, he made his professional writing bow in 1950 when his short stofessional writing bow in 1950 when his short story "Born of Man and Woman" appeared in "The ory "Born of Man and Woman" appeared in "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction"; MathMagazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction"; Matheson turned out a number of highly regarded horeson turned out a number of highly regarded horror, fantasy and mystery stories throughout that ror, fantasy and mystery stories throughout that decade. He broke into films in 1956, adapting his decade. He broke into films in 1956, adapting his novel "The Shrinking Man" for the big-screen "Thnovel "The Shrinking Man" for the big-screen "The Incredible Shrinking Man."e Incredible Shrinking Man."

Seizing the chance he negotiated the chance to Seizing the chance he negotiated the chance to write the screenplay, and he was in. Various thinwrite the screenplay, and he was in. Various things lead to another, and he worked with and alongs lead to another, and he worked with and along side a lot of the big names in the business. Still g side a lot of the big names in the business. Still not exhausted of possibilities he moved onto telenot exhausted of possibilities he moved onto television, writing the screenplay for the first break ovision, writing the screenplay for the first break of a certain Steven Spielberg, then going on to crf a certain Steven Spielberg, then going on to create the top-rating telemovie up to that time The eate the top-rating telemovie up to that time The Night Stalker, along with its sequel The Night StrNight Stalker, along with its sequel The Night Strangler. angler.

Richard MathesonRichard Matheson’s View on Art’s View on Art

Richard Matheson is one of those worrisome people Richard Matheson is one of those worrisome people who always confuse advocates of little boxes labellewho always confuse advocates of little boxes labelled with genres and mediums. Indeed he's actively oppd with genres and mediums. Indeed he's actively opposed to such ideas. 'Do anything you can to destroy gosed to such ideas. 'Do anything you can to destroy genres' he says. 'A good story is a good story' . And thenres' he says. 'A good story is a good story' . And this man knows what he's talking about, and has writteis man knows what he's talking about, and has written some good stories in his time. n some good stories in his time.

A Tv play: Button, Button

Button, Button is an episode of The Twilight ZonButton, Button is an episode of The Twilight Zone. This episode was based off of the short story e. This episode was based off of the short story created by Richard Matheson, also titled "Button,created by Richard Matheson, also titled "Button, Button". Mare Winningham is the wife of a down Button". Mare Winningham is the wife of a down and out loser. One day, a smartly dressed strangand out loser. One day, a smartly dressed stranger comes to their door and tells them they will be er comes to their door and tells them they will be granted a large sum of money if they press the bgranted a large sum of money if they press the button within a special box he has. The catch ... outton within a special box he has. The catch ... once they press the button, someone somewhere nce they press the button, someone somewhere in the world will die -- someone they don't know. in the world will die -- someone they don't know.

After pressing the button, the stranger retuAfter pressing the button, the stranger returns and gives them the money, telling therns and gives them the money, telling them someone, somewhere has indeed died. m someone, somewhere has indeed died. He takes the box back telling them it will nHe takes the box back telling them it will next be given to someone else, who will be ext be given to someone else, who will be made the same offer ... someone they domade the same offer ... someone they don't know.n't know.

"The Twilight Zone" Profile in Silver/Button,"The Twilight Zone" Profile in Silver/Button, Button (1986) Button (1986)

Mr. Stward (in TV Series)

Norma Lewis (in TV Series)

pancakepancake

starfishstarfish

Life-insurance

One kind of insurances under the terms of the policy holder ( 投保人 ) makes regular payments (called premiums保险费 ) to the company and a sum of money (called indemnity 赔偿金 ) will be paid to the family members by the company at the death of the policy holder. Suppose someone holds a life insurance policy for $ 25, 000. That means at his death, whether natural or accidental, the insurance company will pay to his family a sum of $ 25,000 dollars. However, the life insurance premiums are decided by the company, according to the age and health condition of the policy holder.

FantasyFantasy

Fiction characterized by highly fanciful or sFiction characterized by highly fanciful or supernatural elements. a mode of fiction in upernatural elements. a mode of fiction in which the possible and the impossible are which the possible and the impossible are confounded so as to leave the reader (and confounded so as to leave the reader (and often the narrator and/or central character) often the narrator and/or central character) with no consistent explanation for the storywith no consistent explanation for the storys’s strange events. s’s strange events.

Tzvetan Todorov, in his Tzvetan Todorov, in his Introduction a la litteraIntroduction a la litterature fantastiqueture fantastique(1970: translated as (1970: translated as The FantaThe Fantasticstic ,1973), argures that fantastic narratives invo ,1973), argures that fantastic narratives involve an unresolved hesitation between the supernlve an unresolved hesitation between the supernatural explanation available in marvellous tales aatural explanation available in marvellous tales and the natural or psychological explanation offernd the natural or psychological explanation offered by tales of the uncanny. The literature of the fed by tales of the uncanny. The literature of the fantastic flourished in 19th-century ghost stories antastic flourished in 19th-century ghost stories and related fiction: Henry James’s mysterious taland related fiction: Henry James’s mysterious tale e The Turn of the ScrewThe Turn of the Screw (1898) is a classic exa(1898) is a classic example.mple.

About the Words and PhrasesAbout the Words and Phrases

appal (American English: appall) to make someone feel very shocked and upset

The decision to execute the two men has appalled many politicians.

The way we kill animals appals a lot of people

astound: to make someone very surprised or shocked [= astonish]:

Her elopement astounded her parents.

她的私奔使她的父母大为震惊。

He was perfectly astounded at the intelligence.

这个情报使他非常震惊。

The figures revealed by the report are astounding.

这份报告透露的数字使人震惊 .

counter: [intransitive and transitive]to say sth.in order to try to

prove that what sb. said was not true or as a reply to sth.

‘ ‘I could ask the same thing of you,’ she countered.

counter an argument/an allegation/a criticism etc

He was determined to counter the bribery allegations.

guarantee guarantee :give surety or assume respon:give surety or assume responsibility ;make certain ofsibility ;make certain of

We guarantee your satisfaction.

我们包您满意 Many shopkeepers guarantee satisfaction to customers. 许多商店老板对顾客保证满意。

This garment is guaranteed fireproof.

这种衣服保证防火。

inquireinquire :have a wish or desire to know so :have a wish or desire to know somethingmething

We must inquire further into the matter.

我们应当进一步调查此事。

Let's inquire how to get there.

咱们去打听一下怎样到那儿去。 He has inquired out the deployment of the enemy troops.

他已查出敌军的兵力部署情况。

repressrepress :put down by force or intimidation :put down by force or intimidation

The dictator represses all opposition as illegal.

All protest is brutally repressed by the regime.

这个独裁者把所有反对他的活动均视为非法加以镇压。

一切抗议活动都遭到当局的野蛮镇压 .

scoffscoff : : laugh at with contempt and derisionlaugh at with contempt and derision

Marco Polo was scoffed at. 马可 · 波罗曾受嘲弄。

David scoffed at her fears.

‘You, a scientist!' he scoffed.

stackstack : :arrange in stacks; an orderly pile arrange in stacks; an orderly pile

Stack dishwasher and start wash cycle. 把碗碟整齐地堆放在洗碗机内并开始洗涤。

The floor was stacked high with bales of cotton. 地板上高高地堆放着许多包棉花。

Piles of lumber were stacked along the road. 大量的木材堆放在路边。

thrustthrust : : push forcefullypush forcefully

He thrust at her with a knife. 他持刀向她刺去。

She was thrusting in a question or two occasionally. 她不时地插嘴提出一两个问题

New railroads are rapidly thrusting into the hilly regions. 新的铁路线迅速向山区延伸。

tosstoss :throw with a light motion :throw with a light motion

He tossed the beggar a coin [tossed a coin to the beggar]. 他给乞丐扔了个硬币。

Let's toss to see who pays the bill. 让我们掷钱币决定谁来付帐。

He tossed about in his sleep all night. 他整夜翻来覆去睡不着。

Make Sentences with the Words anMake Sentences with the Words and Phrasesd Phrases

hesitate; smash; stiffen; authentic ; ; impulsiveimpulsive ; ; eccentric; eccentric; contemptuous; work up ; work up ; break in; cut off

break in: to interrupt someone when they are speaking

break in on I didn't want to break in on his telepho

ne conversation. break in with Dad would occasionally break in with

an amusing comment.

contemptuous: showing that you think someone or something deserves no respect

contemptuous glance contemptuous of He was openly contemptuous of his f

ather.

cut off: to interrupt someone and stop them from finishing what they

were saying: Emma cut him off in mid-sentence.

work up: to make someone very angry, excited, or upset about something

You're working yourself up again.

hesitate: Kay hesitated for a moment and then sa

id 'yes'. He was still hesitating over whether to l

eave or not. Don't hesitate to contact me if you nee

d any more

smash: Firemen had to smash the lock to get in. A stolen car smashed into the bus. The film smashed all box office records.

stiffen: He touched her, and she stiffened. Their opposition only stiffened my resolv

e.

authenticauthentic : :

An authentic account by an eyewitness. 一份目击者的真实证言。

It is an authentic work of Qi Baishi. 这是齐白石的真迹。

But no authentic works by him are preserved. 但作品的真迹并没有流传下来

impulsiveimpulsive : :

John is apt to be impulsive. 约翰易于冲动。

The rumor had its origin in an impulsive remark. 谣言源于一次冲动的谈话

eccentriceccentric

He's eccentric by disposition.

他秉性古怪。 A somewhat eccentric person; an oddball.

有些怪癖的人 ; 怪人 My neighbor is an eccentric young man.

我的邻居是个古怪的年轻人。

About the StoryAbout the Story

With a little imagination however, one migWith a little imagination however, one might feel that the author could be ridiculing thht feel that the author could be ridiculing the moral failings of humanity as a whole rate moral failings of humanity as a whole rather than a few individuals like Norma in thher than a few individuals like Norma in the story. As we all know that in recent histore story. As we all know that in recent history, many wars have been waged which havy, many wars have been waged which have brought terrible miseries and sufferings te brought terrible miseries and sufferings to people. o people.

One might note in passingOne might note in passing （顺便） （顺便） that in this that in this story the woman is the greedy and insensitive onstory the woman is the greedy and insensitive one, while it is her husband who has the high moral e, while it is her husband who has the high moral standards. Certainly this happens in real life as standards. Certainly this happens in real life as well, but it is not quite representative. Commitmewell, but it is not quite representative. Commitment to monetary goals regardless of human costs int to monetary goals regardless of human costs is far more common among men than women in ts far more common among men than women in the West. This is clearly evidenced by the overwhhe West. This is clearly evidenced by the overwhelming preponderance of men in prison for theft elming preponderance of men in prison for theft and murder compared to women.and murder compared to women.

The ending tends to rely on a gimmickThe ending tends to rely on a gimmick （暗机关）（暗机关） . Nor. Norma is willing to accept another person's death as long as ma is willing to accept another person's death as long as she doesn't know the person. While this point supposedlshe doesn't know the person. While this point supposedly gains in strength by the fact that she is punished by the y gains in strength by the fact that she is punished by the death of her husband, the more important and profound death of her husband, the more important and profound point gets lost. It, in fact, is not an unknown "old Chinese point gets lost. It, in fact, is not an unknown "old Chinese peasant" or "diseased native in the Congo" who dies becpeasant" or "diseased native in the Congo" who dies because of her greed and insensitivity. The suggestion is thaause of her greed and insensitivity. The suggestion is that if it were one of these people, it would have mattered mt if it were one of these people, it would have mattered much less, and that it only matters because it is her husbauch less, and that it only matters because it is her husband whom she has killed.nd whom she has killed.

The story tries to tell people that they shouThe story tries to tell people that they should not covet ill-gotten wealth. Those who arld not covet ill-gotten wealth. Those who are liable to be tempted by it often bring nothe liable to be tempted by it often bring nothing but misfortune on themselves. The Hering but misfortune on themselves. The Heroine, Norma, is both foolish, selfish and evoine, Norma, is both foolish, selfish and even cruel. The author presents this image ben cruel. The author presents this image before our eyes through a series of her psyefore our eyes through a series of her psychological activities.chological activities.

The Parts of the StoryThe Parts of the Story

The story can be divided into three parts. The story can be divided into three parts. The first part, from the beginning to “She hThe first part, from the beginning to “She hung up angrily”, tells about the first appearung up angrily”, tells about the first appearance of the box, the box owner’s explanatiance of the box, the box owner’s explanation of the use of the button in the box, and on of the use of the button in the box, and reactions of the heroine and her husband treactions of the heroine and her husband to his words.o his words.

The second part, from “The package was lThe second part, from “The package was lying …” to “… and hurried to dress for worying …” to “… and hurried to dress for work”, tells about the reappearance of the box.k”, tells about the reappearance of the box. It also begins to reveal Norma’s foolishne It also begins to reveal Norma’s foolishness, yet the stress is on the exposure of the ss, yet the stress is on the exposure of the evil and selfish side of her innermost being.evil and selfish side of her innermost being.

The third part, from “She had just turned oThe third part, from “She had just turned over…” to the end, tells about Norma’s feeliver…” to the end, tells about Norma’s feelings at being fooled when she has learnt angs at being fooled when she has learnt about her husband’s sudden death in a subbout her husband’s sudden death in a subway accident. In the end the author expresway accident. In the end the author expresses his biting sarcasm in the form of a queses his biting sarcasm in the form of a question raised by Mr. Steward.stion raised by Mr. Steward.

About the TextAbout the Text

1) The title1) The title The repeated use of the word “Button” eThe repeated use of the word “Button” e

xpresses the heroine’s strong feeling of axpresses the heroine’s strong feeling of amazement and resentment when she founmazement and resentment when she found herself fooled in the end.d herself fooled in the end.

The package was lying…The package was lying…

package:package: something wrapped in paper, pa something wrapped in paper, packed in a box and then sent by mail or delicked in a box and then sent by mail or delivered [= parcel British English]vered [= parcel British English]

There's a package here for a Miami Lakes There's a package here for a Miami Lakes address.address.

[American English]: the paper or plastic co[American English]: the paper or plastic container that food or other goods are sold in ntainer that food or other goods are sold in [= packet British English][= packet British English]

was lying:was lying: the past progressive is used to the past progressive is used to introduce the background of the storyintroduce the background of the story

a cube-shaped carton sealed with tape:a cube-shaped carton sealed with tape: a carton having the shape of a cube, whica carton having the shape of a cube, which was fastened or closed with (sticky) tape.h was fastened or closed with (sticky) tape. Similar expressions: Similar expressions:

a heart-shaped candy; a a heart-shaped candy; a star-shaped fishstar-shaped fish

cubecube:: a solid object with six equal square a solid object with six equal square sidessides

cartoncarton: a small box made of cardboard or : a small box made of cardboard or plastic that contains food or a drinkplastic that contains food or a drink

seal:seal: to close an envelope, package etc b to close an envelope, package etc by using something sticky to hold its edges iy using something sticky to hold its edges in placen place

lamb chop: special cuts of meat flamb chop: special cuts of meat from a young sheeprom a young sheep

broiler: broiler: American EnglishAmerican Englisha special area of a special area of aa stovestove used for cooking food undeused for cooking food under direct heat [= grill r direct heat [= grill British EnglishBritish English]]

Inside the carton was a push-button unit faInside the carton was a push-button unit fastened to a small wooden box.stened to a small wooden box.

The sentence is an inverted one.The sentence is an inverted one. push-button:push-button: [only before noun] operate [only before noun] operate

d by pressing a button with your finger:d by pressing a button with your finger:

Mr. Steward will call on you…Mr. Steward will call on you…

call on:call on: visit [intransitive] visit [intransitive] alsoalso call rocall round British English to stop at a house or otund British English to stop at a house or other place for a short time to see someone her place for a short time to see someone or do somethingor do something

She called round for a chat.She called round for a chat. call on somebodycall on somebody Let's call on James on the way home.Let's call on James on the way home.

I’ll get it:I’ll get it: I’ll go and see who the visitor is. I’ll go and see who the visitor is. It is a commonly used expression in daily liIt is a commonly used expression in daily life. "Get" here means 'take' or 'deal with'. Afe. "Get" here means 'take' or 'deal with'. Also: I'll get it (I’ll answer the phone).lso: I'll get it (I’ll answer the phone).

Norma repressed a smile:Norma repressed a smile:

= She wanted to smile, but didn't because = She wanted to smile, but didn't because it would not be polite. She thought the visitit would not be polite. She thought the visitor was a salesman who had left the packaor was a salesman who had left the package by her door. She believed he was there ge by her door. She believed he was there to persuade her to buy the package. to persuade her to buy the package.

a sales pitcha sales pitch

salesmen's way of persuading people to bsalesmen's way of persuading people to buy the goods they are trying to selluy the goods they are trying to sell

whatchamacallitwhatchamacallit

informal way of referring to something whoinformal way of referring to something whose name one either does not know or remse name one either does not know or remember. The word is actually formed by puttember. The word is actually formed by putting together the phrase, “What you might cing together the phrase, “What you might call it.”all it.”

"Monetarily?" she challenged"Monetarily?" she challenged

=Is it valuable monetarily? Does it have a =Is it valuable monetarily? Does it have a high value in terms of money?high value in terms of money?

challenge: challenge: to stop someone and demanto stop someone and demand proof of who they are, and an explanatiod proof of who they are, and an explanation of what they are doing:n of what they are doing:

We were challenged by the security guard We were challenged by the security guard at the gate.at the gate.

11) Mr. Steward reached into his pocket…11) Mr. Steward reached into his pocket… reach intoreach into something / reach something something / reach something withdraw:withdraw: [transitive] [transitive] literaryliterary to take an object to take an object

out from inside somethingout from inside something withdraw something from somethingwithdraw something from something She withdrew a document from her briefcase.She withdrew a document from her briefcase. bell-unit dome:bell-unit dome: dome looking like a bell dome looking like a bell

12) a practical joke:12) a practical joke: a trick played on so a trick played on somebody in order to make him appear ridicmebody in order to make him appear ridiculous or to amuse othersulous or to amuse others

13) Not at all. The offer…13) Not at all. The offer… offer: offer: the promise of doing this and gettinthe promise of doing this and gettin

g the money is trueg the money is true

You aren' t making sense:You aren' t making sense: It's hard to un It's hard to understand what you are talking about. You derstand what you are talking about. You are talking nonsense.are talking nonsense.

15) picked up the subject:15) picked up the subject: started talking started talking about the push-button unit again. Cf. to drabout the push-button unit again. Cf. to drop the subjectop the subject

16) A sick joke: 16) A sick joke: one in bad taste about a one in bad taste about a serious or important or highly valued thingserious or important or highly valued thing

17) Norma slid beneath the covers.17) Norma slid beneath the covers. slid: slid: (the past form of slide) to move do(the past form of slide) to move do

wnwardwnward covers: covers: quiltquilt

18) impulsively:18) impulsively: acting on impulse. She s acting on impulse. She suddenly picked up the torn card and droppuddenly picked up the torn card and dropped them into her purse without giving too ed them into her purse without giving too much thought to it.much thought to it.

) Not that I believe a word of what you t) Not that I believe a word of what you told us: old us: I am curious about the unit, but it dI am curious about the unit, but it does not mean that I believe what you told oes not mean that I believe what you told me.me.

20) It's quite authentic: 20) It's quite authentic: The offer is genuiThe offer is genuine or the information is true.ne or the information is true.

21) Well, of all the nerve, she thought.21) Well, of all the nerve, she thought. = = She is angry that Mr. Steward assumed thShe is angry that Mr. Steward assumed that she would want the package. Here "nerat she would want the package. Here "nerve" means impudence. "Of all the nerve," ive" means impudence. "Of all the nerve," is an elliptical sentence. The words left out s an elliptical sentence. The words left out are: "This is the limit/worst kind (of all impuare: "This is the limit/worst kind (of all impudence I've ever seen)".dence I've ever seen)".

… … and put it in a bottom cabinet: and put it in a bottom cabinet: bottom cabinet: the lowest lay of the bottom cabinet: the lowest lay of the

cabinetcabinet

23) some eccentric millionaire: 23) some eccentric millionaire: any straany strange-acting millionaire, a millionaire who benge-acting millionaire, a millionaire who behaves in peculiar ways. Notice the use ofhaves in peculiar ways. Notice the use of "some" with singular nouns which indicate "some" with singular nouns which indicates that the person, place etc. is unknown or s that the person, place etc. is unknown or not specific. not specific.

I've read the story before in some book.I've read the story before in some book.

How would you define it?: How would you define it?: What would yWhat would you say it is if it is not murder? How would you say it is if it is not murder? How would you describe the nature of it?ou describe the nature of it?

25) If you don’t even know the person? 25) If you don’t even know the person? = = She is actually saying that it is not murdShe is actually saying that it is not murder if someone you don't know dies when yer if someone you don't know dies when you push the button and cause the death.ou push the button and cause the death.

26) Are you saying what I think you are?26) Are you saying what I think you are? = Are you saying that you are going to = Are you saying that you are going to do it?do it?

Arthur was so shocked when he heard whArthur was so shocked when he heard what Norma said that he simply could not beliat Norma said that he simply could not believe it.eve it.

27) "The point is," Norma broke in ...:27) "The point is," Norma broke in ...: the point; the most important or essential pthe point; the most important or essential p

art of what she is trying to say.art of what she is trying to say. broke in; interruptedbroke in; interrupted

28) What has the amount …: 28) What has the amount …: What has tWhat has the amount of money got to do with us?he amount of money got to do with us?

29) A chance to buy that cottage29) A chance to buy that cottage cottage: a small house in the countrycottage: a small house in the country

30) All right, take it easy…30) All right, take it easy… take it easy: spoken used to tell someone take it easy: spoken used to tell someone

to become less upset or angryto become less upset or angry

What is the occasion?What is the occasion? Arthur asked this because his wife got up Arthur asked this because his wife got up

earlier than usual and cooked a big breakfearlier than usual and cooked a big breakfast.ast.

33) His voice was guarded: 33) His voice was guarded: He answereHe answered her cautiously.d her cautiously.

34) get involved in:34) get involved in: to take part in an acti to take part in an activity or event, or be connected with it in sovity or event, or be connected with it in some wayme way

35 draw back:35 draw back: to hold oneself at a distanc to hold oneself at a distance.e.

cut him off: cut him off: cut him short. She broke in, ncut him short. She broke in, not letting him finish what he was saying, ot letting him finish what he was saying,

37) average people:37) average people: people regarded as people regarded as ordinary and normal.ordinary and normal.

38) to get so worked up over nothing: 38) to get so worked up over nothing: to to become so upset for no reason. This may become so upset for no reason. This may refer to her argument with her husband, herefer to her argument with her husband, her own conflict over whether to push the butr own conflict over whether to push the button or not, or simply to the "chill of terror" ton or not, or simply to the "chill of terror" which swept over her just after she pushed which swept over her just after she pushed the button.the button.

"No"! She struggled to her feet: "No"! She struggled to her feet: 'No' is u'No' is used for expressing great surprise, doubt or sed for expressing great surprise, doubt or disbelief. She rose to her feet with a great disbelief. She rose to her feet with a great effort.effort.

41) Something cold pressed at her skull:41) Something cold pressed at her skull: She was so stunned that she could feel nShe was so stunned that she could feel no pain or anything as she removed the butto pain or anything as she removed the button unit from the wastebasket.on unit from the wastebasket.

42) It wasn’t her voice shrieking so; it c42) It wasn’t her voice shrieking so; it couldn’t be:ouldn’t be: She screamed to Mr Steward She screamed to Mr Steward over the phone in such a way that even shover the phone in such a way that even she herself couldn’t recognize her voice. She e herself couldn’t recognize her voice. She had never screamed at people like that.had never screamed at people like that.

About the ExcercisesAbout the Excercises

Explain the following in bold type.Explain the following in bold type. a … carton a … carton sealedsealed with tape: with tape: fastened or cfastened or c

losedlosed She was sure now it was a She was sure now it was a sales pitchsales pitch. s. saa

lesmen’s way of persuading people to buy lesmen’s way of persuading people to buy the goods they are trying to sellthe goods they are trying to sell

Is this a Is this a practicalpractical joke? joke? giving someone a giving someone a surprise or shock, or to make them look stsurprise or shock, or to make them look stupidupid

You aren’t You aren’t making sensemaking sense. . to have a clear to have a clear meaning and be easy to understandmeaning and be easy to understand

If it is, it’s a If it is, it’s a sicksick one. one. in bad taste about a in bad taste about a serious or important or highly valued thingserious or important or highly valued thing

Not thatNot that I believe a word of what you told I believe a word of what you told us. us. It does not mean that…It does not mean that…

““Well, Well, of all the nerveof all the nerve,” she thought. ,” she thought. havinhaving done something unsuitable or impolite, wg done something unsuitable or impolite, without seeming to be embarrassed about bithout seeming to be embarrassed about behaving in this wayehaving in this way

““The point is,” Norma The point is,” Norma broke inbroke in.. interrupted interrupted All right, All right, take it easytake it easy. . Telilng someone to Telilng someone to

become less upset or angrybecome less upset or angry

… … in order to study reactions, see if there’in order to study reactions, see if there’s s guilt …, whateverguilt …, whatever! ! guilt which is hard to guilt which is hard to explain or defineexplain or define

Ridiculous, she thought, to get so Ridiculous, she thought, to get so worked worked upup over nothing. over nothing. to become so upset for nto become so upset for no reasono reason

She remembered Arthur’s life-insurance She remembered Arthur’s life-insurance ppolicy olicy for…for…a contract with an insurance coa contract with an insurance company, or an official written statement givimpany, or an official written statement giving all the details of such a contractng all the details of such a contract

Complete these sentencesComplete these sentences

1) “Mrs. Lewis? = Are you Mrs. Lewis?1) “Mrs. Lewis? = Are you Mrs. Lewis? 2) “Monetarily?” = It could prove very val2) “Monetarily?” = It could prove very val

uable monetarily?uable monetarily? 3) “Something wrong?” = Is there someth3) “Something wrong?” = Is there someth

ing wrong?ing wrong? 4) “Up to you.” = It’s up to you.4) “Up to you.” = It’s up to you.

5) “Well, why not?” = Well, why cannot you 5) “Well, why not?” = Well, why cannot you come in?come in?

6) “I don’t care to know.” = I don’t care to k6) “I don’t care to know.” = I don’t care to know what it was.now what it was.

7) “Could be.” = Could it be some kind of p7) “Could be.” = Could it be some kind of psychological research? sychological research?

8) “Not that I believe a word of what you to8) “Not that I believe a word of what you told us.” = That I call is not that I believe a wld us.” = That I call is not that I believe a word of what you told us.ord of what you told us.

9) “Well, whatever —” = Well, 9) “Well, whatever —” = Well,

10) “If you don’t even know the person?”10) “If you don’t even know the person?” 11) “Why has the amount—”11) “Why has the amount—” 12) “A chance to buy that cottage.”12) “A chance to buy that cottage.” 13) “In what way?”13) “In what way?”

Useful phrases and idiomsUseful phrases and idioms

to press forwardto press forward 拥挤前行　　　　　拥挤前行　　　　　 　　 to bend over somethingto bend over something 俯身在什么上面俯身在什么上面 to detach oneself fromto detach oneself from 某人离开什么人 某人离开什么人 to be far behind in somethingto be far behind in something 在什么方面远远在什么方面远远

落后落后 to make something overto make something over 缝补 缝补 peel potatoespeel potatoes 削土豆皮削土豆皮

Word formation: Word formation:

Suffix: -ed [Suffix: -ed [ 形容词后缀形容词后缀 ] 1.] 1. 加在名词之后，加在名词之后，表示“有…的”，“如…的”， “…的”表示“有…的”，“如…的”， “…的”

dark-haired; gifted; winged; dark-haired; gifted; winged; skilled skilled

2. 2. 加在动词之后， 表示“已…的”，“被加在动词之后， 表示“已…的”，“被…的”，“有…的”， “…了的”…的”，“有…的”， “…了的”

failed failed 已已失败了失败了的的 ; fixed; fixed 被被固定固定的的 ; li; liberatedberated 解放了解放了的的 ; educated ; educated 受过教育受过教育的的

10) Translate: 10) Translate:

A b)The rice fields are turning into a glorious yellA b)The rice fields are turning into a glorious yellow. The harvesting season is drawing.ow. The harvesting season is drawing.

e) I’d like to draw everybody’s attention to the ime) I’d like to draw everybody’s attention to the immediate danger we are facing.mediate danger we are facing.

f) A plan to turn Hainan Island into a tourist centf) A plan to turn Hainan Island into a tourist center has already been drawn up. And I believe, befer has already been drawn up. And I believe, before long this beautiful island will begin to draw/atore long this beautiful island will begin to draw/attract more and more tourists.tract more and more tourists.

i) If we adopt this new method/technique, we can i) If we adopt this new method/technique, we can cut/reduce the cost by half.cut/reduce the cost by half.

m) Paper-cutting is a traditional art in our country.m) Paper-cutting is a traditional art in our country. n) Cut the meat into small cubes of about one inn) Cut the meat into small cubes of about one in

ch. Next put in a bit of soya sauce, ginger, wine ch. Next put in a bit of soya sauce, ginger, wine and a dash of gugar, and then simmer it. and a dash of gugar, and then simmer it.

B a)Would you care to go to the reception tonighB a)Would you care to go to the reception tonight?t?

c) While at college, you should involve yourself ic) While at college, you should involve yourself in activities of all kinds so as to meet people and n activities of all kinds so as to meet people and gain experience.gain experience.

f) It involves quite a lot of risks. We must inform f) It involves quite a lot of risks. We must inform everyone of this decision.everyone of this decision.

g) We must keep ourselves well-informed of the lg) We must keep ourselves well-informed of the latest developments in our own fields.atest developments in our own fields.

h) His family has not yet been informed of his deh) His family has not yet been informed of his death.ath.

i) There are too many technical terms in it. No oni) There are too many technical terms in it. No one can make any sense out of it.e can make any sense out of it.

k) What can I do to repay for what she did for me k) What can I do to repay for what she did for me during my illness?during my illness?

m) A storm swept over this area last night.m) A storm swept over this area last night. n) Of all the things you could do!n) Of all the things you could do! r)These people have no idea that education is thr)These people have no idea that education is th

e key to the whole modernization effort.e key to the whole modernization effort. s)It’s a special day today. I’ll take a little whiskey.s)It’s a special day today. I’ll take a little whiskey. t) English is useful. After graduation, you could bt) English is useful. After graduation, you could b

e an interpreter, or a teacher, or a diplomat, whae an interpreter, or a teacher, or a diplomat, whatever. tever.