Language Point 1
… when one of them started trying to remember … (Para. 1)
Note: start 和 begin 后面均可接带to的不定式或动词的-ing形式：
The baby started/began to cry/crying. 娃娃开始哭了。
当start或begin为-ing 形式时，必须后接带to的不定式：
The baby was just beginning/starting to cry. 娃娃刚开始哭。
Language Point 2
We paid off the money …(Para. 2)
pay off:
1) pay all the money that you owe for sth. 把钱全部还清
I’ve now paid off all my debt. 我现在已经还清所有的债务了。
He expected to pay off all the money shortly after he borrowed from his friends. 他预计不久就能还清向朋友们借的钱。
2) be successful 取得成功；得到好结果
All their hard work has paid off! The house is finished at last. 他们的辛勤努力终于有了结果！房子建成了。
Did your plan pay off? 你的计划成功了吗？
Language Point 3
…we owed on the house eight years ago. (Para. 2)
owe: v.
1) have to pay for sth. already done or given欠（债等）
I owed ten dollars to a friend. 我欠一个朋友10美元。
And now, add it all up and tell me how much I owe you? 好，把所有的都加起来，告诉我一共欠你多少？
2) have sth. for the reason given 归功于
She owed her life to the man. 全亏了那个男人她才活下来。
She owes her success to her hard work. 她的成功归因于辛勤的工作。
Language Point 4
… the house isn’t as valuable. (Para. 3)
Meaning: … the house isn’t as valuable as it was to you when you owed money on it.
valuable: a.
1) worth a lot of money 值钱的；贵重的
Is this watch valuable? 这块表值钱吗？
Did you buy anything valuable? 你买了什么值钱的东西吗？
2) very useful 很有价值的
Thank you for your valuable advice. 谢谢你宝贵的忠告。
This book is valuable to you in your studies. 这本书对你的研究工作会有很大的帮助。
Language Point 5
I’m in no way clever with money except when it comes to spending it. (Para. 4)
Meaning: I’m not at all good at using money wisely except that I spend it fast.
in no way: not at all 一点也不
I in no way want to discuss the matter with him now. 我现在根本不想和他讨论那件事。
Language Point 6
I’m in no way clever with money except when it comes to spending it. (Para. 4)
when it comes to (doing) sth.: when it is a question of (doing) sth. 涉及；至于
When it comes to the Internet technology, I know nothing. 说到互联网技术，我一窍不通。
Language Point 7
… I asked him in a voice that was louder than necessary for him to hear …(Para. 5)
in a voice: in a way that expresses sth. 以……声音
She talked to her son in a voice that was angry. 她和儿子讲话时声音里流露出愤怒。
She sings in a beautiful voice. 她的歌喉很动听。
Language Point 8
… I asked him in a voice that was louder than necessary for him to hear …(Para. 5)
more than necessary: more than needed 不必要
It is more than necessary for him to speak at this meeting. 他不必在这次会议上发言。
I don’t want to stay longer than necessary. 我不想呆得太久。
Language Point 9
As a matter of fact, I like it much more than I did when the bank owned part of it. (Para. 5)
Meaning: To tell the truth, I like the house much more than I did when I had to owe the bank money to buy the house.
as a matter of fact: to tell the truth 其实；事实上
I like her very much, as a matter of fact. 其实，我很喜欢他。
As a matter of fact, he hasn’t told me what happened last night: 事实上，他没有告诉我发生了什么事。
Language Point 10
…I like it much more than I did when the bank owned part of it. (Para. 5)
bank: n. [C] a place that keeps money safe for people 银行
She has put some money in the bank every month. 她每月在银行存一些钱。
He works in the Bank of China. 他在中国银行工作。
Language Point 11
My friend nodded and thought for a minute. (Para. 8)
a minute: a very short period of time 一会儿
I’ll be ready in a minute. 我马上就好了。
Just a minute, - I want to talk to you. 稍等片刻，我想跟你谈谈。
Language Point 12
… you should ask for …(Para. 9)
ask for: make a request for要求
She sat down at the table and asked for a cup of coffee. 她在桌子旁坐下，要了一杯咖啡。
Don’t serve water at meals unless(除非) someone asks for it. 除非有人要，就餐时别端水上去。
Language Point 13
I don’t know why this is such a popular subject of conversation these days, but our house is not for sale. (Para. 10)
Meaning: I don’t know why a lot of people are so interested in talking about it these days, but we don’t want to sell our house.
for sale: If something is for sale, its owner wants to sell it. 待售
Is this house for sale? 这栋房子卖吗？
This painting is not for sale. 这幅画是非卖品。
Language Point 14
Our house is not a temporary investment. (Para. 10)
temporary: a. sth. that lasts for a short time 暂时的；临时的
We stood for a long time, hating the idea of our temporary separation. 我们站了很长时间，不愿意短暂的分离。
investment: n. [C;U] an amount of money that has been put in a business 投资
She made an investment in this new company. 她在这那家新公司有投资。
The government is trying to attract more investment into the car industry. 政府正努力吸引更多资金投到轿车制造业。
Language Point 15
It is not a tent in which to spend the night…(Para. 10)
tent: n. [C] a kind of a house made of cloth 帐篷
They put up a tent and slept in it yesterday. 昨天他们搭起帐篷就睡在里面了。
Every night the big tent was crowded with people. 每天晚上大帐篷里都挤满了人。
Language Point 16
…before we rise in the morning to go on to some other place. (Para. 10)
rise: v.
1) get up 起床
They rose very early in order to be in London by eight. 为了在8点钟之前赶到伦敦，他们很早就起床了。
2) go up 上升
Smoke was rising from the house. 烟从房子里冒出来。
Her voice rose in anger. 她气得嗓门高了起来。
rise: n. [C] an increase 增加
There has been a big rise in fuel price. 燃料价格大幅度上涨。
I’m hoping to get a rise next April. 我希望明年四月能加薪。
Note: 作“起床”解时，get up 比 rise 更为常用。
Language Point 17
It is the place we go to when we don’t feel like going anywhere. (Para. 10)
feel like doing sth.: want to do sth. 想要做某事
I feel like having a cup of tea. 我想要喝杯茶。
I feel like saying, "Why don’t you shut up?” 我想说：“你为什么不闭嘴？”
Language Point 18
One out of every five of the American population …(Para. 12)
out of: from among 从(……)中
Nine out of ten people prefer this model. 十个人中有九个都喜欢这个型号。
Three out of four people think that the plan is not practical. 四个人中有三个认为这个计划不切实际。
population: n. [C;U] the number of people who live in a place 人口
What is the population of your country? 你们国家人口有多少？
There’s been an increase in population here over the last ten years. 在最近十年中这里出现了人口的增长。
Language Point 19
… packs up his things and goes to live somewhere else. (Para. 12)
pack up: put things into a bag or suitcase before you go somewhere 收拾行李
Tomorrow we’ll pack up and go off. 明天我们将收拾好东西动身。
Language Point 20
… packs up his things and goes to live somewhere else. (Para. 12)
somewhere else: another place 别处
I’m going to the post first; then I’m going somewhere else. 我打算先去邮局，然后去别处。
“Have they gone to France?” “No, I think they’ve gone to somewhere else this year.”“他们去法国了吗？”“不，我想他们今年去了别处。”
Language Point 21
If the boss says …(Para. 15)
boss: n. [C] a person who is in charge of workers 老板；上司
I asked my boss for a holiday. 我向老板申请度假。
Who is in charge when the boss is away? 老板不在，谁说了算？
boss: v. give orders, esp. in an unpleasant way 发号施令
Don’t let Tom boss younger children about. 别让汤姆把你差来遣去的。
Language Point 22
Jobs are easier to come by than a home. (Para. 15)
come by: get sth. 得到
Vegetables are hard to come by here in winter. 冬天这里很难弄到蔬菜。
How did you come by two concert tickets? 你怎么弄到两张音乐会票的？
Language Point 23
I can’t imagine giving up my home because my job was moving. (Para. 15)
give up: stop trying to do sth. because you know you can’t do it 放弃；停止做
Don’t give up hope. Things will improve. 不要灰心，情况会好转的。
I’ve tried many times to give up smoking. 我曾经多次想要戒烟。
Language Point 24
I have put up twenty-nine Christmas trees near the window of the living room, each a little too tall. (Para. 16)
put up:
1) build or raise into position 搭起；竖立
The government has decided to put up a new office building. 政府决定建造一幢新的办公楼。
2) to stay for one or more nights 住宿
Can you put me up for the night? 让我在你家过一夜行吗？
I’m afraid I can’t put you up; you’ll have to go to a hotel. 我怕不能给你们提供住宿，你们得到旅馆去住。
Language Point 25
I have put up twenty-nine Christmas trees near the window of the living room, each a little too tall. (Para. 16)
Christmas: n. [C;U] 圣诞节
Christmas Day is on December 25. 圣诞节是在12月25日。
She bought a beautiful hat for her daughter as a Christmas gift. 她为女儿买了一顶漂亮的帽子作为圣诞礼物。
Language Point 26
Behind the curtain of the window nearest my wife’s desk, there is a section of wall…(Para. 17)
curtain: n. [C] a piece of cloth used to cover a window or door 窗帘； 幕
It is getting dark. I’d better draw the curtains. 天黑了，我还是把窗帘拉上吧。
The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. in the theatre. 戏7点开演。
Language Point 27
Behind the curtain of the window nearest my wife’s desk, there is a section of wall…(Para. 17)
section: n. [C] a part of a larger object, place, etc. （较大物体、地方等的）
The first section of the article provides background in formation. 文章第一部分提供了背景信息。
She cut the pizza into eight sections. 她把比萨饼切成八块。
Language Point 28
…there is a section of wall which is four inches wide that has missed the last four coats of paint so that the little chalk marks with dates opposite them would not be lost. (Para. 17)
Meaning: … there is a part of wall four inches wide that has not been painted the last four times so that we could see the little chalk marks with dates on the other side of them.
Language Point 29
…four inches wide that has missed the last four coats of paint…(Para. 17)
inch: n. [C] one twelfth of a foot英寸
Three inches of rain fell last night. 昨晚的降雨量有三英寸。
I’m five feet six inches tall. 我身高五英尺六英寸。
Language Point 30
…so that the little chalk marks …(Para. 17)
chalk: n. [C;U] a piece of limestone (石灰) used for writing on a blackboard 粉笔
The teacher wrote on the blackboard with a piece of chalk. 教师用一支粉笔在黑板上写字。
Do you need some colored chalk? 你需要彩色粉笔吗？
Language Point 31
…with dates opposite them would not be lost. (Para. 17)
opposite: prep. on the other side of 在……对面
He stands opposite me. 他站在我的对面。
I went to the shop opposite my flat tobuy some bread. 我去公寓对面的商店买面包。
opposite: a. as different as possible from sth. else 相反的；对立的
He turned and walked in the opposite direction(方向). 他转身朝着相反的方向走了。
The result was opposite to what we had expected. 结果和我们期望的完全相反。
Language Point 32
If something doesn’t work quite right, the carpet is worn …(Para. 18)
carpet: n. [C]
1) a soft covering for a floor, usu. made of wool 地毯
We need a new carpet in the bedroom. 卧室里该换块新地毯啦。
2) sth. thick that covers the ground 积在地面厚厚的一层
I saw a carpet of flowers in the country. 在农村我看到遍地的鲜花。
Language Point 33
…the toilet or bathroom basin leaks …(Para. 18)
toilet: n. [C] 厕所
I am going to the toilet. 我去上厕所。
She needs some toilet paper. 她需要手纸。
Language Point 34
…bathroom basin leaks …(Para. 18)
basin (washbasin): n.[C] a large fied bowl in a bathroom where you wash your hands and face 盥洗池
The basin is dirty and needs cleaning. 盥洗池脏了，需要清洗一下。
Language Point 35
…bathroom basin leaks …(Para. 18)
leak: v. let (a liquid or gas) pass through a hole 漏
The boat was leaking badly. 这条船渗水很厉害。
Do you remember the way the boat leaked? 你还记得那次船漏水的情景吗？
Language Point 36
…or you have a bad neighbor, you get used to them …(Para. 18)
neighbor: n. [C] someone who lives near you 邻居
Don’t wake the neighbors. 不要吵醒邻居。
The country has always had good relations with its neighbors. 这个国家与邻国一直有着良好的关系。
Language Point 37
…and, like your own shortcomings, you find ways to ignore them. (Para. 18)
Meaning: … and you try not to do anything about your own weaknesses and it is the same with your bad neighbors.
shortcoming: n. [C] a weakness 短处；缺点
Although she has many shortcomings, I still think she is one of the best teachers in the school.虽然她有许多缺点，我仍然认为她是学校里最好的老师之一。
As a leader, she had many shortcomings. 作为领导，她有许多不足之处。
Language Point 38
Our house provides me with a simple pleasure every time I come home to it. (Para.19)
Meaning: Every time I come home, I feel really satisfied with our house.
Language Point 39
I am welcomed by familiar furniture when I enter and I’m warmed by everything in our house which may merely be dust, but it is our dust and I like it. (Para. 19)
Meaning: When I come into the house, I’m delighted to see the furniture that I know so well, and even dust gives me a pleasant feeling of friendliness because it is our home.
Language Point 40
I am welcomed by familiar furniture …(Para. 19)
familiar: a. knowing well 熟悉
I am not familiar with this computer. 我不熟悉这台计算机。
As I am a newcomer, many things are still not familiar to me. 我刚来，还有许多事情对我来说很生疏。
Language Point 41
I am welcomed by familiar furniture …(Para. 19)
furniture: n. [U] chairs, beds, tables, etc. 家具
This old table is a very valuable piece of furniture. 这张旧桌子是件很珍贵的家具。
They bought a new set of furniture. 他们买了一套新家具。
Language Point 42
…when I enter and I’m warmed by everything in our house …(Para. 19)
enter: v.
1) come or go into a place 进去
Don’t enter without knocking. 进屋前先敲门。
They stopped talking when she entered the room. 她一进屋他们就不再谈话了。
2) write down sth. (in a notebook, account, etc.) （在笔记、账本等上）登记，登录
Please enter your name, and date of birth. 请填上你的姓名和出生日期。
I’ve entered the business information onto the computer. 我已经把这些商业信息输入电脑。
3) become a member of an organization, a school, etc. 成为……的一员；就读 入读（学院）
He asked her what school she would enter. 他问她想进哪所学校。
Language Point 43
…which may merely be dust …(Para. 19)
merely: ad. only 仅仅；只是
I merely suggested you should do it again. 我只是建议你应该重新做。
Language Point 44
The talk of moving came up at dinner one night ten years ago. (Para. 20)
come up:
1)come to consideration 被提出；被提及
Your question never came up in discussion. 你提的问题在讨论中从未被人提起过。
The accident came up at the meeting. 那次事故在会上提出来讨论了。
2)happen unexpectedly 发生(意想不到的事情)
I’ll let you know if anything comes up. 如果发生什么事，我会告诉你的。
I’ll be late home — something’s just come up at work. 我回家要晚一些，因为工作上刚才出了点事。
Language Point 45
… but at one point he looked up from his plate …(Para. 20)
look up: raise the eyes 抬头看
She looked up and smiled. 她抬头微笑。
I looked up and saw the police. 我抬起头来看见了警察。
Language Point 46
… but at one point he looked up from his plate …(Para. 20)
plate: n. [C] a round flat thing that you put food on 盘子；碟子
She cooked a plate of fish. 她烧了一盘鱼。
Language Point 47
…and asked, “We’re settled here. …”(Para. 20)
settle: v.
1) go to live in a new place and stay there 定居 ；落户
His family is going to settle in Canada. 他们一家要去加拿大定居。
How did you come to settle here? 你怎么到这儿来定居的？
2) decide on; make the last arrangements about 决定；确定
He helped me settle on which car to buy. 他帮助我决定买哪一辆车。
They settled a day for the meeting. 他们确定了开会的日子
