Language Point 1
The story began on a downtown Brooklyn street corner. (Para. 1)
Meaning: The story started at a street corner in the downtown areas of Brooklyn. Here "downtown" is used as an adjective. For example:
in downtown Shanghai 在上海闹市区
"On" can be replaced by other prepositions but they may not have the same meaning. We can also say: at / around a street corner 在街角处
Language Point 2
An elderly man had collapsed while crossing the street, ... (Para. 1)
Meaning: An old man had fallen to the ground and lost consciousness while he was crossing the street.
elderly, old or senior: when we speak of people, we may use either "old" or "elderly" or "senior"; when speaking of places or objects, we tend to use "old" only. Please compare:
an old church古老的教堂
an old / elderly lady年长的女士
Notice that "elderly" is a polite way of saying "old", and "senior" is the best way usually.
Please also pay attention to the "while"-clause. The subject and the verb "be" can be omitted. Here in the text "... while he was crossing the street" is shortened to ".... while crossing the street". Some other conjunctions indicating time or condition can also be used in this way. Please read:
While discussing the matter, they started to argue in a very loud voice. 讨论这个问题时, 他们竟然高声争吵起来。
When young, he lived in a very poor mountain village in northwestern China. 年轻时, 他住在中国西北部一个十分贫穷的山村里。
As soon as finished, the job seemed too easy for them. 一旦完成, 这件工作对他们来说似乎太容易了。
Language Point 3
... an ambulance rushed him to Kings County Hospital. (Para. 1)
Meaning: an ambulance sent him quickly to Kings County Hospital.
rush: This verb has both a transitive and intransitive use. Here it is used transitively. Please compare the two uses of the verb:
They rushed out of the house into the street. (intransitive use) 他们匆忙跑出屋子, 来到街上。
They rushed doctors and medical supplies to the scene of the accident.(transitive use) 医生和医疗设备被急送至事故发生地。
Language Point 4
...when he came to now and again, ... (Para. 1)
Meaning: ...when he recovered consciousness now and again.
come to: This phrase is shortened from "come to oneself", which means "recover consciousness". When spoken, "to" should be stressed.
now and again: at times, sometimes.
This phrase has the same meaning as several other similar phrases: "every now and then" and "now and then".
Language Point 5
...the man repeatedly called for his son. (Para. 1)
Meaning: ...the man repeatedly asked to see his son.
call for: demand, ask to see
The customer called for the waiter. 顾客要服务员过去。
This sort of work calls for a lot of patience. 做这类工作需要极大的耐心。
Language Point 6
From a worn letter located in his pocket, ... (Para. 2)
Meaning: From a worn letter found in his pocket, ...
worn: a. old and torn because of repeated thumbing through and reading
located in his pocket: which was located (= found) in his pocket
Here the -ed verb phrase (participial phrase) is used as a post modifier and refers to "a worn letter".
In the last part of the same sentence we have "... his son was a Marine stationed in North Carolina". Here "stationed" plays the same role, meaning: "who was stationed ...".
Language Point 7
...emergency-room... (Para. 2)
Meaning: a place in a hospital where people hurt in accidents are taken to for medical help.
This is in American English. In British English this room is called "casualty". Look at the following sentence:
They rushed her to Casualty but she was dead on arrival. (BrE) 他们赶紧把她送到急救室, 但是她刚到那儿就死了。
Language Point 8
... a Marine stationed in North Carolina. (Para. 2)
Meaning: a Marine who was staying in North Carolina for military duty.
station: to put (a person) into a certain place especially for military duty.
During most of my time in the army, I was stationed in Germany. 在陆军服役期间, 我大部分时间驻扎在德国。
Language Point 9
... Red Cross ... (Para. 3) 红十字会
Meaning: an international organization whose aim is to offer protection and help to people suffering as a result of wars, natural disasters, etc. Its sign is a red cross on a white ground.
Language Point 10
... the North Carolina Marine Corps ... (Para. 3) (美国) 海军陆战队
Meaning: It is a US armed force made up of soldiers who serve on naval ships and on land. The Marine Corps is also shorted as "Marines". The Marine Corps are often considered to be the toughest and most skilled soldiers in the US armed forces. They are often sent into battle first.
Language Point 11
... set out in an army vehicle. (Para. 3)
Meaning: ... started the journey by riding in an army vehicle
set out: start a journey.
This phrase can be replaced by "set forth" or "set off".
They set off in search of the lost child. 他们出发去寻找失踪的小孩。
Language Point 12
... serviceman ... (Para. 4)
Meaning: a member of the army, navy, etc. If the member is a woman, we use "servicewoman". And it is also possible to say "service person".
Language Point 13
... the oxygen tent. (Para. 5)
Meaning: the tent-like equipment inside which oxygen can be supplied to people who are ill.
Language Point 14
The Marine wrapped his strong fingers around the old man's limp ones, ... (Para. 5)
Meaning: The Marine held the old man's weak fingers inside his own strong fingers.
Language Point 15
... squeezing a message of love and encouragement. (Para. 5)
Meaning: showing feelings of love and encouragement by squeezing (the old man's fingers).
Language Point 16
... dimly-lit ward ... (Para. 6)
Meaning: a ward which was not brightly lit.
Language Point 17
... offering words of hope and strength. (Para. 6)
Meaning: saying something so as to give the old man hope and strength.
Language Point 18
... the nurse urged the Marine to rest for a while. (Para. 6)
Meaning: ... the nurse tried hard to persuade the Marine to take a rest.
urge: vt. try very hard to persuade
They urged us to give our support. 他们强烈要求我们提供援助。
Language Point 19
... the banging of an oxygen tank ... (Para. 7)
Meaning: the sharp loud noise caused by moving an oxygen tank
oxygen tank: a large, long, steel container for storing liquid oxygen which is used in a hospital to supply oxygen to people who are ill
Language Point 20
... the laughter of the night staff exchanging greetings, ... (Para. 7)
Meaning: the laughter of the hospital staff on night duty who were greeting each other
Language Point 21
... the cries and moans ... of other patients. (Para. 7)
Meaning: the cries and soft low sounds of pain ... made by other patients.
Language Point 22
... Now and then ... (Para. 7)
Meaning: at times, sometimes.
This phrase has the same meaning as "every now and then" or "now and again"
I like to visit art shows now and then. 我时常去看美术展。
Language Point 23
The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son through most of the night (Para. 7)
Meaning: The dying man did not say anything, only kept his son's hand tightly in his own hand for the greater part of the night.
hold to: keep in understanding, cling to.
This phrase is often used metaphorically. Look at the following examples:
I still hold to my former opinions. 我仍坚持原先的看法。
Do you still hold to your plan of going to Australia? 你是否仍坚持要去澳大利亚?
Language Point 24
... and went to inform the nurse. (Para. 8)
Meaning: ... and went to tell the nurse about the death of the old man
inform: vt. tell; give information or knowledge to.
This verb is often used together with "of" or "about" or followed by a personal object or a that-clause. Look at the following examples:
I wasn't informed of / about the decision until too late. 有人通知我这个决定的时候, 已为时太晚。
I informed him that I would not be able to attend the meeting. 我告知他我无法出席会议。
Language Point 25
... the nurse's station ... (Para. 9)
Meaning: a special space set apart in a hospital where nurses work and do paper-work
Language Point 26
