Language Point 1
… living on Morningside Avenue, Harlem. (Para.1)
avenue: n.
1) [C] a broad street in a town, sometimes having trees on each side （城市的）大街；林荫道
Pleasant
avenues lead out from the center of the town. 赏心悦目的大道由市中心通往各处。
The avenues of the city were crowded with shoppers. 城里大街上熙熙攘攘挤满了购物的人。
2) [C] a way of getting sth. done 途径
The best
avenue to success is hard work. 勤奋是通往成功的最佳途径。
Language Point 2
They say our earliest memories usually involve something bad, and mine do. (Para.1)
involve: vt.
1) include as a necessary part 包括
Caring for a one-year-old baby involves work such as making special meals. 照看一岁的婴儿需要做一些诸如烹调特殊食物之类的工作。
2) cause to become connected or concerned 使卷入
I’m involved in a research project(项目) at the moment. 我正忙于一项研究工作。
Language Point 3
I was playing on the floor and stuck a piece of metal into an electricity outlet. (Para.1)
on the floor: 在地板上
The policemen found some blood on the floor near the kitchen. 警察在靠近厨房的地板上发现了一些血迹。
Language Point 4
I was playing on the floor and stuck a piece of metal into an electricity outlet. (Para.1)
stick sth. into: force sth. into 插入；刺入
Don’t stick pins into the chair. 不要把别针插入椅子里。
Language Point 5
…a piece of metal into an electricity outlet. (Para.1)
a piece of: 一片；一页；一条
Shall I give you a piece of advice on this problem? 关于这个问题，我给你一点忠告好吗？
metal: n. [C;U] 金属
Metal can carry heat and electricity. 金属能导热和导电。
Language Point 6
…into an electricity outlet. (Para.1)
outlet: n.
1)[C] 电源插座
Where is the wall outlet in the room? 这个房间墙上的电源插座在哪里？
2）[C] the opening by which sth. is let out 出口（孔）
Clean the sink outlet. 清洗洗涤槽出水口。
Language Point 7
I remember the blinding light and the shock almost lifting me off the floor. (Para.1)
Meaning: I remember that the very bright light and the electric shock I got almost broughtme off the floor.
lift: vt. raise; bring from a lower to a higher level 举起
Reaching inside, and using both hands, he lifted the baby out. 他双手伸进去把婴儿抱了出来。
n.
1) a machine that takes people and things up and down in a high building 电梯
Shall we use the stairs or take the lift? 我们是走楼梯还是坐电梯？
2) a free journey in another person’s car 搭车
Can you give me a lift to the station? 让我搭你的车去车站好吗？
Language Point 8
And I still remember a frightened Gram… (Para.1)
frightened: a. full of fear 受惊的
The frightened child kept crying when he saw his mother. 受惊的孩子看到母亲时还在哭个不停。
Language Point 9
… Gram scolding and holding me at the same time. (Para.1)
scold: v. speak angrily (for sth. wrong that has been done) 责骂
The father scolded his son for coming home late. 儿子晚回家，父亲训了他一顿。
Language Point 10
… Gram scolding and holding me at the same time. (Para.1)
at the same time: meanwhile 同时
Quantity and quality should be considered at the same time. 应该同时考虑到数量和质量。
Language Point 11
… much sharp discussion occurred, followed by more scolding and attention. (Para.1)
Meaning: … they had a very serious talk, blamed me angrily, and began to keep a close eye on me.
Language Point 12
…much sharp discussion occurred … (Para.1)
sharp: a.
1) strict; serious 严厉的
She was sharp with her son because he was late for dinner. 她儿子回家吃饭晚了，她对他说话很严厉。
2) having a thin cutting side or point 锋利的；尖的
I was hurt by a sharp-pointed needle. 我被一枚尖针刺了一下。
Language Point 13
…much sharp discussion occurred … (Para.1)
discussion: n. [C;U] the act of talking about sth. 讨论
We’ll hold a discussion about our future plans. 我们将举行一次关于未来规划的讨论会。
Language Point 14
… they loved me and cared about me. (Para.1)
care about: feel concerned about or interested in 关心，关注；爱护
If you care about your health, I advise that you do morning exercises every day. 如果你真正注意健康的话，我劝你天天做早操。
Language Point 15
When I was nine, trouble struck the Powell family. (Para.2)
strike: v.
1) come upon suddenly, as with bad effect突然降临; 突然发作
He was stricken by a heart attack. 他心脏病突然发作。
2) hit sharply or forcefully 打；撞
The ship struck a rock and began to sink. 船撞在岩石上，开始下沉。
n.
1) a sudden charge 袭击；打击
They started a new round of air strikes on the enemy bases. 他们对敌人的根据地发动了新一轮空袭。
2) a time when no work is done because there is no agreement e.g. over pay or working conditions 罢工
The teachers there are on strike. 那里的教师正在罢课。
Language Point 16
… from the third to the fourth grade, but into … (Para.2)
grade: n.
1)[C] a class for the work of a particular year of school courses （学校的）年级
A middle school in China usually has six grades. 中国的中学一般有六个年级。
2) [C] a particular level of state or quality （按品质分的）等级
The paper this factory produces is of very good grade. 这家工厂生产的纸张质量很好。
3) [C] a mark for study at school 分数
Research shows that girl students get higher grades at school than boy students do. 研究显示，女生的学习分数比男生高。
v.
1) set a level for sth. 分级别
These potatoes are graded according to size and quality. 这些土豆按大小和质量分出等级。
2) give marks to 打分
I’ll grade these papers right after the examination. 考试一结束我就会给卷子打出分数。
Language Point 17
…but into the bottom form … (Para.2)
bottom: n. [C;U] the lowest part of sth. 底部
Look at the picture at the bottom of page 23. 参看第23页下面的图片。
I found the keys at the bottom of my bag. 我在包的底部找到了钥匙。
Language Point 18
This was the sort of secret to be whispered with shaking heads in our family circle. (Para.2)
Meaning: This was the sort of thing to be passed on only by the members of our family who felt that I was not a good boy.
Language Point 19
This was the sort of secret to be whispered with … (Para.2)
whisper: vt.
1) suggest (sth.) or pass (information) secretly 私下传说，秘密流传
It’s whispered that he’ll study abroad. 有人私下传说他要出国留学。
2) speak or say very quietly 低语
The two girls are whispering in their room. 那两个女孩子在房间里低声耳语。
Language Point 20
… shaking heads in our family circle. (Para.2)
circle: n.
1) [C] a group of people connected 圈子; ……界
Outside of his own circle, he is not very popular. 在他所在的圈子以外他并没有什么名气。
2) [C] sth. having the general shape of a ring 圆圈
The children are standing in a circle on the playground. 孩子们在操场上站成一个圈。
v. move around in a circle 环绕
This man-made satellite circles the earth. 这颗人造卫星环绕地球运转。
Language Point 21
Education was the escape door, the way up and out for people from the West Indies. (Para.3)
Meaning: For people from the West Indies, going to school was a means of seeking a better life and leaving their hometown.
Language Point 22
Education was the escape door … (Para.3)
escape: n. [C;U] the act of finding a way out 逃脱
There were two escapes from this prison last week. 上星期这所监狱有两起越狱事件。
v.
1) get away 逃走；逃脱
They managed to escape from the burning building by breaking the windows.他们砸开窗户，从着火的房子里逃了出来。
2) avoid 逃避；避开
She escaped death by inches when the wall fell down. 墙塌下来，差点把她砸死。
Birds have the nature to fly south to escape winter. 鸟类有飞到南方过冬的习性。
Language Point 23
My sister was already an excellent student … (Para.3)
excellent: a. very good 极好的
He speaks excellent French. 他说一口流利的法语。
Suddenly I had an excellent idea. 突然间我有了一个绝好的主意。
Language Point 24
The explanation is that I lacked drive … (Para.3)
explanation: n. [C;U] a speech that explains sth. 解释
No satisfying explanation has yet been given. 尚未发现令人满意的解释。
Language Point 25
…I lacked drive … (Para.3)
lack: v. be without; not have 缺乏
The company lacks money to develop new products. 公司缺少资金来开发新产品。
n. [U] the state of not having sth. 缺乏
Lack of rest made her tired. 她因缺少休息而感到疲倦。
Language Point 26
… I lacked drive … (Para.3)
drive: n. [U] an active quality of mind with energy or motivation that gets things done 冲劲；动力
The headmaster thinks he needs some young men with brains and drive. 校长认为他需要一些有头脑、有干劲的年轻人。
v.
1)move or travel in a car, bus, etc. 驾驶
He has bought a car and is now learning to drive. 他买了一辆车，现在正在学驾驶。
He loaded the truck(卡车) and drove off. 他在卡车上装好货物后便开车离去了。
2) force to go 赶走；逼迫
The bad weather had driven tourists away. 恶劣的天气把游客都赶走了。
The pain nearly drove her mad. 疼痛几乎使她发狂。
Language Point 27
… and didn’t worry about … (Para.3)
worry about: be anxious about 操心；担忧
They worried very much about the experiment because it did not progress smoothly. 由于实验进展不顺利，他们非常担忧。
Language Point 28
I was not much of an athlete either … (Para.4)
not much of: not good or skilled at不很好
She’s not much of a cook. 她的烹饪技术不太好。
He’s very good at basketball, but he’s not much of a swimmer. 他篮球打得很好，但不善于游泳。
Language Point 29
I was not much of an athlete either … (Para.4)
athlete: n. [C] a person trained or skilled in sports 运动员
Chinese athletes won two gold prizes in the latest winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City in the United States. 中国运动员在美国盐湖城举行的刚结束的这一届冬奥会上获得了两枚金牌。
Language Point 30
… once counted thirty-six of them. (Para.4)
count: v.
1) get the total number 计算
This machine can count how many people have used it. 这台机器能自动计算出有多少人使用过它。
2) say the numbers in order 数数
The child has started learning to count. 这个小孩已经开始学习数数了。
Language Point 31
One day, I was playing baseball … (Para.4)
baseball: n.
1) [U] 棒球运动
I’m interested in football, basketball and baseball. 我对足球、篮球和棒球很感兴趣。
2) [C] the ball used in playing this game 棒球
The child likes playing with a baseball. 这个小孩喜欢拿着棒球玩。
Language Point 32
I hoped he would keep on going … (Para.4)
keep on: continue 继续；坚持
The boy kept on talking even though the teacher had asked him to stop. 尽管老师叫他别说话，那男孩还是不肯住嘴。
Language Point 33
All the while my father was there, I never connected ¾ no matter how hard I tried … (Para.4)
all the while: all the time 一直；始终
All the while I am wondering: will I arrive in time? 我一直在想：我能及时赶到吗？
Language Point 34
…I never connected ¾ no matter how hard I tried … (Para.4)
connect: v.
1) hit or strike with good effect 击中
He connected on 10 of 11 free throws. 11个任意球中他击中了10个。
2) join one to another; unite 连接
A good student must connect what he reads with what he sees. 好学生必须把他所读的东西和他所看到的东西联系起来。
Language Point 35
…I never connected -- however; in whatever way although no matter how hard I tried … (Para.4)
no matter how: however; in whatever way无论怎样；尽管
I’ll finish the job, no matter how long it takes. 不管要花多少时间，我也要做完这项工作。
Language Point 36
I would miss, again and again, every time … (Para.4)
again and again: many times 很多次
I’ve told you again and again not to do that! 我一再告诉你不要那么做。
He said he was sorry again and again. 他再三道歉。
Language Point 37
I can still feel the burning feeling of being embarrassed. (Para.4)
Meaning: I can still feel the strong feeling of being shy and worried about what my father would think of me.
Language Point 38
In truth, he probably wasn’t really disappointed … (Para.4)
in truth: in fact 事实上
I thought the lesson would be boring, but in truth it was rather interesting. 这堂课我本来以为很沉闷，其实很有趣。
Language Point 39
… but the lessons did not take with me, and they soon ended. (Para.5)
Meaning: … but as I had no musical ability, I failed to make any progress and soon I gave up the piano.
Language Point 40
I later studied the flute. (Para.5)
flute: n. [C] 长笛
He gave up the flute and decided to learn the violin. 他放弃长笛，改学小提琴。
Language Point 41
Marilyn thought the noise coming out of it … (Para.5)
noise: n. [C;U] sound, esp. a loud or unpleasant sound 噪音；杂音
What’s making those funny noises? 什么东西在发出这么奇怪的声音？
Language Point 42
I gave up the flute too. (Para.5)
give up: stop doing sth. 放弃做某事
Although the market is becoming smaller and smaller, our president will not give up. 尽管市场正在萎缩，但是我们的老板不愿意放弃。
Language Point 43
… had no musical ability. (Para.5)
musical: a.
1) having a gift and interest in music 有音乐才能的
One of his musical friends died young. 他的一位通晓音乐的朋友英年早逝。
2) of or producing music 音乐的
The shop sells all kinds of musical instruments(乐器). 这家商店出售各式各样的乐器。
Language Point 44
Still, I was a contented kid, growing up in the security of the circles within circles my family had formed. (Para.5)
Meaning: Still, I was a happy kid, growing up under the close protection of the family.
Language Point 45
Still, I was a contented kid, growing up …(Para.5)
contented: a. satisfied; happy 满足的；满意的；甘愿的
比较content: a. satisfied; happy 满足的；知足的
contented多用作定语，而content则多用作表语。例如：
After the big dinner, he had a contended smile on his face. 饱餐之后，他脸上露出了满足的笑容。
She is always content with life. 她总是对生活很满足。
Language Point 46
Family members were a chain of people who looked out for, pushed, and helped each other. (Para.5)
Meaning: Family members were a group of close relatives who looked after, encouraged, and helped each other.
Language Point 47
Family members were a chain of people …(Para.5)
chain: n.
1) [C] a number of connected things 一连串
There is a chain store near the school. 学校附近有一家连锁店。
2) [C;U] metal rings fitted into one another 链条
He fastened his pet(宠物) dog by a chain. 他用链条拴住了他的宠物狗。
v. limit with a chain 拴住；束缚
With a sick husband, she was chained to the house all day. 丈夫有病，她整天被困在家里。
Language Point 48
… people who looked out for, pushed …(Para.5)
look out for: take care of; keep watching照看；关注，留心
She looked out for her sister’s children one afternoon a week. 每星期有一个下午她照管姐姐的孩子。
The birds are always looking out for anyone coming to them. 鸟儿一直留神看是否有人走近他们。
