Language Point 1
Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. (Para.1)
write about: record 记录
I’m not interested in writing about her daily life. 我对记录她的日常生活没兴趣。
Language Point 2
Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. (Para.1)
diary: n. [C]
1) a book where one writes what one thinks and feels each day日记；日记本
I asked the students in my class and found few of them keep a diary. 我问了我们班的学生，发现很少有人写日记。
2) a book used for keeping a record of what one plans to do 日程记事本
I’ll look in my diary to see if I’m free tomorrow. 我得查一下记事本，看看明天有没有空。
Language Point 3
On the page headed May 17, 2157, she wrote, … (Para.1)
page: n. [C] one side of a piece of paper in a book, etc. 页；版
Please turn to Page 21 and do the exercises. 请翻到第21页，做上面的练习。
Language Point 4
It was a very old book, covered in dust. (Para.2)
dust: n. [U] dry dirt 灰尘，尘土
There was a lot of dust on the books. 这些书上积了很多灰。
vt. remove dust from sth. 除去灰尘
Let me dust the table before you put the books on it. 我先把桌子擦干净, 你再把书放上来。
Language Point 5
… all stories were printed on paper. (Para.2)
print: v. put words or pictures onto paper by machine 印刷
The printer can print 60 pages in a minute. 这台打印机一分钟能打印60页。
n.
1) [U] the letters, words, etc. printed on sth. 印刷字体
The print is too small; I can’t read without my glasses. 印出的字太小了，我不戴眼镜就看不清。
2) [C] a mark made by sth. pressing onto sth. else 印痕
The print of footsteps in the snow is very clear. 雪地上的脚印很清晰。
Language Point 6
The electric teacher had been giving her drill after drill in geography … (Para.6)
electric: a. working by electricity 电动的；用电的
It is reported that Japan has the fastest electric trains in the world. 据报道日本有世界上速度最快的电动机车。
Language Point 7
The electric teacher had been giving her drill after drill in geography … (Para.6)
drill: n.
1) [U; C] repeated exercises in training 反复练习
The teacher asked the students to do some pronunciation drills. 老师让学生做发音练习。
2) [C] a tool for making holes 钻；钻孔机
We need an electric drill to do this work. 我们做这项工作需要一把电钻。
v. use a drill to make a hole in sth. 钻洞；打眼
They are drilling for oil. 他们在钻井采油。
Language Point 8
The electric teacher had been giving her drill after drill in geography … (Para.6)
after: following continuously (顺序上) 紧密相连地
Day after day the rain continued. 雨一天天下个不停。
It seems to be just one problem after another. 看来问题是一个接着一个。
Language Point 9
… and she had been doing worse and worse until… (Para.6)
worse and worse: going down and down 越来越差
The work was getting along well, but his health grew worse and worse. 工作进展顺利，可他的身体却越来越糟了。
Language Point 10
… until her mother had finally sent for someone to fix the teacher. (Para.6)
send for: ask sb. to come (派人去)请某人
The manager sent for his secretary. 经理派人去叫他的秘书。
Language Point 11
…to fix the teacher. (Para.6)
fix: v.
1) repair 修理
Could you fix the television for me? 你能帮我修一下电视机吗？
2) put sth. in a place so that it will not move 固定；安装
We managed to fix the painting on the wall. 我们想办法把画固定在墙上了。
3) make a plan for sth. 安排
They’ve fixed a date for the wedding. 他们定下了举行婚礼的日子。
Language Point 12
The man came with a whole box of tools. (Para.7)
tool: n. [C] sth. that one uses to do a special job 工具
Farmers in some parts of the world still work with simple tools. 世界上一些地区的农民仍在用简陋的工具干活。
Language Point 13
… turned off the electricity, and started to repair the teacher, which was large and black and altogether ugly. (Para.7)
turn off: make sth. stop working 关上
He turned off the television and went to bed. 他关上电视，去睡觉了。
electricity: n. [U] power that is sent through wires and used for running machines, ect. 电；电力
They have already turned on the electricity. 他们已把电接通。
Language Point 14
…and started to repair the teacher, ... (Para.7)
repair: vt. make sth. broken good again 修理，修补
My watch has stopped. I’ll have it repaired. 我的表不走了，得送去修理。
n. [C; U] the act of making sth. broken good again 修理，修补
The store is closed for repairs. 这家商店现在停业整修。
Language Point 15
…which was large and black and altogether ugly. (Para.7)
altogether: ad.
1) completely 完全
I don’t altogether agree with you. 我并不完全同意你的意见。
2) counting everyone or everything 总共
I have altogether seven customers to serve this morning. 今天上午我要招待7位客人。
Language Point 16
There was a monitor that showed questions, and a hole where she had to put compositions and test papers. (Para.7)
hole: n. [C] an opening in sth. 洞 ；孔
I’m going to drill a hole in the wall. 我要在墙上钻一个洞。
Language Point 17
…where she had to put compositions and test papers. (Para.7)
composition: n. [C; U] a piece of writing or music 作文；乐曲
He played a piece of music of his own composition. 他演奏了一首自己创作的曲子。
Language Point 18
The electric teacher marked the papers in no time. (Para.7)
mark: vt.
1) give a number or letter for one’s work to show how good it is 评分
The teacher was marking the examination papers. 老师正在批试卷。
2) put a sign on sth. 作记号
I marked all the days we’re supposed to write to you. 我把所有我们该给你写信的日子都做了记号。
n.
1) [C] a number or letter given for one’s work to show how good it is 分数；等级
I believed she had tried her best, though her mark in the exam was not so high. 尽管她的考试分数不是很高，但我相信她尽力了。
2) [C] sth. left on a clean surface 痕迹
There is a dirty mark on the tablecloth. 桌布上有块污渍。
Language Point 19
The electric teacher marked the papers in no time. (Para.7)
in no time: very quickly 立刻，马上
He went back in no time after he received the call. 他接到电话后马上就回去了。
Language Point 20
… he added, pronouncing the word “centuries” proudly and carefully. (Para.9)
pronounce: vt.
1) make the sound of a letter or word 发音
The teacher pronounced each word slowly and clearly. 老师每个词都读得很慢，也很清楚。
2) state sth. officially 宣布，宣告
She pronounced herself ready. 她宣布自己准备好了。
Language Point 21
… he added, pronouncing the word “centuries” proudly and carefully. (Para.9)
carefully: ad. with great care 小心地
Place the glasses carefully. 这些玻璃杯要轻放。
Language Point 22
She read the book for a while, then said, “Anyway, they had a teacher.” (Para.10)
for a while: for some time 一段时间
They chatted for a while before supper. 他们吃晚饭前聊了一会儿。
Language Point 23
Anyway, they had a teacher. (Para.10)
anyway: ad.
1)in spite of sth. else 不管怎样
It doesn’t make much difference because we are going to be late anyway. 这没有多大关系，我们反正要迟到了。
2)a word that is used to support what one has just said 再说；反正
He was not interested in the party and anyway he didn’t have time. 他对晚会不感兴趣，再说他也没时间。
Note: 在口语中
anyway 常用于以下两种情况：
1) 表示说话人要回到主题上来, 例如:
That’s an interesting idea. But anyway, as I was saying … 这主意很有意思，可是正如我刚才所说的……
2) 表示结束一个主题，开始另一个主题, 例如:
Anyway, shall we go on to the next point now? 好吧，我们接着谈下一点好吗？
Language Point 24
… he just told the kids things and … (Para.13)
kid: n. [C] a child 小孩
I’m taking the kids to the zoo this afternoon. 今天下午我带孩子们去动物园。
v. make sb. believe sth. that is not true, esp. playfully 戏弄；开玩笑
You must be kidding me! 你一定是在耍我！
He’s not really hurt; he’s only kidding. 他并没有真的受伤，只不过是开个玩笑。
Language Point 25
A man isn’t smart enough. (Para.14)
smart: a.
1) clever; able to think quickly 聪明的；机灵的
He thought of himself as the smartest student in the class. 他认为自己是班里最聪明的学生。
2) clean and well-dressed 整洁的；漂亮的
He looks smart in his new clothes. 他穿着新衣服显得很神气。
Language Point 26
Margie wasn’t prepared to argue. (Para.16)
be prepared to do: be ready to do 准备做
He is prepared to do further research on the living habits of this animal. 他准备就这种动物的生活习性作更深入的研究。
Language Point 27
I wouldn’t want a strange man in my house … (Para.16)
strange: a.
1) unfamiliar 陌生的，不熟悉的
A strange man was saying “hello” to me. 一个陌生人在同我打招呼。
2) unusual; surprising 不寻常的；奇怪的
Did you hear that strange noise? 你听见那种奇怪的声音了吗？
Language Point 28
Tommy screamed with laughter. (Para.17)
laughter: n. [U] the act or sound of laughing 笑；笑声
He has a face that invites laughter. 他有一张引人发笑的脸。
with laughter: laughingly 笑着地
We ended our conversation with laughter. 我们笑着结束了谈话。
Language Point 29
… a teacher has to fit the mind of each boy or girl it teaches, … (Para.20)
Meaning: … an electric teacher has to meet the special needs of each boy or girl who uses it.
Language Point 30
… and each kid has to be taught in a different way. (Para.20)
in a different way: differently 不同地
If you look at the problem in a different way, you will find it not so simple. 如果你换一种方式看这个问题，就会发现它并不那么简单。
Language Point 31
… and the electric teacher was waiting for her. (Para.22)
wait for: keep on staying until sb. or sth. comes 等待
She is afraid of being alone and is waiting anxiously for her companion to come. 她害怕独自一人，正焦急等待着她同伴的到来。
Language Point 32
The monitor lit up, …(Para.23)
light up:
1)(cause to) become bright （使）发亮，放光
The sky was lit up by the fireworks (焰火). 焰火照亮了天空。
2) look pleased and happy 喜形于色
His face lit up when we told him the good news. 我们把好消息告诉他时，他喜形于色。
Language Point 33
… put yesterday’s homework in the proper hole. (Para.23)
proper: a. right; correct 适合的，适当的
It is not proper to go into other people's houses with your hat on. 戴着帽子拜访人家不太合适。
Language Point 34
Margie sighed and threw a dirty sock at the machine. (Para. 24)
sigh: vi. breathe once deeply when one is sad, tired, or pleased 叹息
He sighed because he had missed all the opportunities (机会). 他叹了口气，因为他已错过了所有的机会。
n. [C] the act or sound of sighing 叹息
“I wish I had some money,” he said with a sigh. 他叹了口气说：“我要是有点儿钱就好了。”
Language Point 35
Margie sighed and threw a dirty sock at the machine. (Para. 24)
throw … at: send sth. through the air towards 向……投掷
He ran after the man and threw a stone at him. 他追赶那个人，向他投了一块石头。
Language Point 36
… in the yard outside. (Para. 24)
yard: n. [C] a piece of ground next to a building, usually with a wall or a fence 院子，庭院
There are many flowers in their back yard. 他们的后院里有许多花。
