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The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

单词提示

1.grumbled 发牢骚

2.dearly 极高的

3.insulted 辱骂

4.spat 吐口水，口角

5.cheapskate 小气鬼

6.gasped 喘气

7.swear 发誓

原文

CHAPTER TWO: The Loan

Meanwhile,in Venice, Antonio and Bassanio found Shylock.

He was at the Rialto, as usual.

"Shylock,I have a request for you," said Antonio.

"I'd like you to loan three thousand ducats to my best friend, Bassanio. I will sign the contract. I'll happily pay you back in a few days. I'll have plenty of money when my ships arrive."

"I have an idea," said Bassanio. "Why don't we go out to dinner? We can talk more about this loan. "  

"I never eat with Christians," grumbled Shylock. "I may lend them money or do business with them. But I don't eat with them. Not ever!"

"Very well," said Bassanio. "Why don't you just lend me the money, then?You know that Antonio will pay you back."

As Shylock listened to Antonio and Bassanio, he became angrier and angrier.

How foolish these two men were!

They knew how much he hated them.

And yet they were asking him for a loan!

He was determined to make Antonio pay dearly.

"Shylock!"yelled Antonio, "Are you going to lend us the money or not? Answer me!"

Shylock answered him slowly.

"Do you remember all of those times that you insulted me in a loud voice that everyone could hear? You once spat on me and called me a dog. And now you want to borrow money from me, a dog!"

"Look!I'm not asking you a favor. You can charge me any interest you want. I don't mind. My ships will arrive any day now."

"Alright,Antonio. I'm willing to lend you the money. I won't even charge you any interest. Just pay me back the loan on time."

Antonio couldn't believe his ears.

"What did you say?"

"I said you didn't know me. You always call me a cheapskate, but I am not. I will help you. I won't even charge you a single ducat. However, there's something I'm worried about. What if you don't pay me back?"

"Don't worry, Shylock. I'll pay you back."

"Well,I need some kind of a guarantee, don't I? Three thousand ducats is a lot of money. If you don't pay me back on time, I want a pound of flesh. I'll take a pound of flesh from any part of your body."

Antonio didn't like what Shylock proposed.

"No.I'd rather pay you interest if I'm late on the payment."

"I'm afraid that's no good," said Shylock as he laughed. "Do you think I'd take money from a fellow moneylender? Besides, this contract is only a joke! Do you think that any lawyer or judge would believe me? Would they really believe that I want a pound of your flesh? You don't have to worry about anything! It's my way of saying the bad feelings of the past between us are finished."

Antonio pulled Bassanio aside and spoke to him secretly.

"I don't want to do business with this man. He's evil. And I know that he'd take the pound of flesh from me if he could. Let's see if somebody else will lend us the money."

But Bassanio had other ideas.

"Who else in Venice can lend me this much money? Besides, this man is crazy. Don't worry about the guarantee. Nobody would make you pay a pound of flesh! Everyone will think he's nuts!"

So,Antonio agreed to the conditions of the loan.

The three men went to a lawyer and signed an agreement.

A strange smile came over Shylock's face.

In fact, Shylock wanted to take a pound of flesh from Antonio.

He'd hated Antonio for so long.

And he lost a lot of money because of this generous moneylender.

Bassanio took the money that Antonio had borrowed although he had a bad feeling about the loan contract.

He bought many gifts and clothes that he needed to propose to Portia.

He then loaded the gifts into a carriage.

He and his servant, Gratiano, went to Portia's house with the carriage.

When Bassanio arrived, Portia was delighted.

She had hoped that he would return for her.

She was in love with him.

"Portia,I'm so happy to see you again," said Bassanio.

"But I have something awful to tell you. I'm broke. I have no money."

"Bassanio!Don't worry about that! I have all of the money we need. Money means nothing tome. The only thing you have to worry about is choosing the right box. Then, we can live happily ever after."

Portia told Bassanio about her father's contract.

"Alright.I'll go choose the box now."

Portia started to worry.

What if he chose the wrong box?

"Don't choose today. I have a bad feeling. I want you to wait."

"Wait!But the sooner I choose, the sooner I can marry you. I can't wait any longer."

"Then let me hire a musician. Maybe the music will help you think more clearly."

A little while later, a musician came.

He began to play soothing music.

Bassanio slowly walked over to the golden chest.

He looked at it carefully.

"This can't be it," he said to himself. "It's too obvious. Everyone would choose the golden one first. I think Portia's father wanted to separate the wise men from the fools."

Then,he walked over to the silver chest. "If men didn't choose the golden chest, then they would choose this one. That's obvious, as well."

Bassanio's eyes settled on the lead chest.

"This is the least obvious choice. I don't think anyone else would choose this one."

He opened the box.

He gasped.

He couldn't believe his eyes!

Int he box was a small picture of Portia.

Bassanio could now marry her!

He was so happy that he couldn't even speak.

Portia put her arms around him and said, "Oh, Bassanio! I'm the luckiest woman in the world. Yesterday, I was just a girl with a lot of money. Today, I'll be a wife. Please, take this ring and show me you will accept my proposal. Put it on and promise me that you'll never take it off."

"I am lucky, too," said Bassanio. "Yesterday, I was poor and lonely. Today,I will be married to the most beautiful woman in the world. I promise that I'll wear this ring forever. Until I die! I swear!"

It was a very happy moment.

Gratiano felt that it was a good time to ask Bassanio something.

"Since you're getting married, I'd like to get married, too."

"Well,that's wonderful," said Bassanio. "But who are you going to marry?"

"I want to marry Nerissa."

Bassanio and Portia were very surprised.

"I didn't know you wanted to get married, Nerissa," cried Portia. "This is a great day!"

That evening the couples got married.

Bassanio and Gratiano wore golden rings that they promised never to take off.

They were the happiest men in the world.

听前提示

一、三遍英文，一遍中文，再一遍英文。

二、从听懂的词入手，理解句子含义。

三、根据中英文意思，听不懂的多听几遍。

原文

151.

Will you listen to me for a few minutes?

您愿意听我说几分钟话吗？

152.

Can you tell me where the nearest bus stop is?

你能把最近的公车站指给我看吗?

153.

I'd love to find out why she said so.

我很想找出她为什么这么说的原因。

154.

He rushed into the room with his coat on.

他穿着大衣冲进房间。

155.

The more books you read, the more you'll know.

你看的书越多，你知道的越多。

156.

We have less than five minutes to evacuate the whole building.

我们有不到五分钟来疏散整栋楼的人。

157.

I wonder why they left my name off the list.

我很奇怪他们为什么没把我的名字加在名单上。

158.

About how much will I have to pay for all the treatments?

我大概一共要付多少医药费？

159.

She did not visit me on Sunday but on Monday.

她没有在星期天来找我，而是星期一。

160.

How large is the population of New York City?

纽约市的人口有多少？

听前提示

一、每期提供10个单词，每个单词都会有2-3个例句，方便理解记忆。

二、每个单词和句子都会重复5遍，其中第2遍为慢速，有助于识别。

三、本材料的整体难度较低，可以用来听力磨耳朵和单词查漏补缺。

Day 7

61.

Afraid

a.害怕的；担心的

I'm afraid of snakes.

我怕蛇。

He isn't afraid of death.

他不怕死亡。

I'm afraid that I might make you angry.

恐怕我可能会让你生气。

I want to ask her out but I'm afraid of being rejected.

我想请她出去但我害怕被拒绝。

62.

After

prep.在.….以后；次于

Don't chase after fame.

不要追逐成名。

She arrived shortly after us.

她在我们之后不久就到了。

Please look after my luggage.

请照顾好我的行李。

Brush your teeth after each meal.

每顿饭后刷牙。

She died at the age of 69 after a long illness.

她长期患病后去世，享年69岁。

63.

Afternoon

n.下午，午后

I trained heavily yesterday afternoon.

昨天下午下了大雨。

Why don't we go swimming this afternoon?

我们今天下午为什么不去游泳？

Are you ready for this afternoon's meeting?

你准备好参加今天下午的会议了吗？

64.

Afterwards

adv.过后，后来

Shortly afterwards I met her again.

不久之后我又见到了她。

Let's go out now and eat afterwards.

我们现在出去然后再吃饭吧。

65.

Again

ad.又一次；而且

See you again.

再见。

I think that we should try again.

我想我们应该再试一次。

I'll start again from the beginning.

我会从头开始重新开始。

That customer came back to complain again.

那个买家又回来抱怨了。

66.

Against

prep.倚在；逆，对着，反抗

That's against the law.

那是违法的。

Everyone was against them.

每个人都反对他们。

He is leaning against the rail.

他靠在铁轨上。

The boat is going against the current.

这艘船正在逆流而行。

He plans on taking legal action against the company.

他计划对该公司采取法律行动。

67.

Age

n.年龄；时代 vt.变老

She is about my age.

她差不多我的年龄了。

He looks old for his age.

他看起来年纪大了。

A tour company, the retirement age is 60.

在我们公司，退休年龄为60岁。

Wisdom does not automatically come with age.

智慧不会随着年龄的增长而自动出现。

68.

Agency

n.经办；代理；代理处

My wife works in a travel agency.

我妻子在一家旅行社工作。

He works for a big advertising agency.

他在一家大型广告公司工作。

Could you recommend a good travel agency?

你能推荐一家好的旅行社吗？

69.

Aggressive

a.侵略的；好斗的

He is an aggressive person.

他是一个好斗的人。

It is a dangerous aggressive dog.

这是一只危险的侵略性狗。

He gets aggressive when he's drunk.

喝醉的时候他会变得好斗。

70.

Ago

ad.以前

It happened a long time ago.

它发生在很久以前。

She left home ten minutes ago.

她十分钟前离开家了。

I quit smoking three years ago.

我三年前戒烟了。

She gave birth to twins a week ago.

她一周前生了双胞胎。

A century ago most people walked to work.

一个世纪前，大多数人步行去上班。

词汇提示

1.suburban 郊区

2.shopping cart 购物车

3.aisles 过道

4.food court 美食广场

5.bump 碰上

原文

Shopping at the Mall

At one time in North America, most people shopped downtown on Main Street.

Most businesses were at the center of town.

When people started using automobiles, however,they moved away from downtown.

In time, most people lived in the suburbs.

Eventually, stores and small shopping plazas were built in suburban areas.

Still, most of the big stores were downtown.

But as more and more cars were on the roads, driving and parking downtown became a problem.

There wasn't room for a lot of cars to park downtown.

People also didn't want to fight downtown traffic just to go shopping.

So in the 1950s and 1960s, there was the beginning of large suburban shopping malls and plazas.

Plazas were a row of stores attached to one another.

Malls were usually a double row of stores with a roof connecting both rows.

This means that shoppers did all their shopping inside.

Large department stores and grocery stores were usually part of the mall, but there were many smaller stores as well.

When you came to the mall and went inside, many people would get a shopping cart.

You can walk along the aisles, putting your purchases in the cart.

When you are finished shopping, you can push your shopping buggy out to the car.

Many malls also have buggies or strollers for pushing small children along.

There can be a lot of walking in a trip to the mall.

In fact, some people go to the mall just to exercise.

A half dozen laps around the mall every morning amount to a pretty good workout.

However, there are always places to sit down when you get tired.

Most malls have a food court.

This is an open area with a lot of tables and chairs.

Usually there are a dozen or more small restaurants circled around the food court.

The department stores often have full-size restaurants.

Malls have large parking lots.

Unlike downtown, you don't pay to park at the mall.

On a busy day, finding a space close to the store can be a challenge.

Many people go to the malls when the weather is bad.

During wintry weather, the malls are busy.

Likewise, in really hot summer weather, people go to the malls to get cool.

The climate there is always the same.

People don't go to the malls just to shop.

They also go to meet people.

Usually, you bump into friends and neighbours there.

Old people, as well as teenagers, go there to see friends.

Usually the malls sponsor special events.

With lots to see and do, malls are a popular place to "hang out."

翻译

在购物中心购物


曾经有一段时间，在北美，大多数人在市中心的主街购物。
大多数企业都在市中心。
然而，当人们开始使用汽车时，他们就离开了市中心。
当时，大多数人住在郊区。
最终，商店和小型购物广场在郊区建成。
不过，大多数大商店都在市中心。
但是随着越来越多的汽车上路，在市中心开车和停车成了一个问题。
市中心没有足够的地方停放很多汽车。
人们也不想为了去购物而与市中心的交通堵塞作斗争。
因此，在20世纪50年代和60年代，大型郊区购物中心和广场开始出现。
广场是一排彼此相连的商店。
购物中心通常是两排商店，两排商店之间有屋顶连接。
这意味着购物者在室内购物。
大型百货商店和杂货店通常是购物中心的一部分，但也有许多较小的商店。
当你来到商场，走进去的时候，很多人会推着购物车。
你可以沿着过道走，把买的东西放到购物车里。
当你买完东西后，你可以把你的购物手推车推到汽车上。
许多商场也有童车或婴儿车，用来推小孩子。
去购物中心的路上可能要走很多路。
事实上，有些人去购物中心只是为了锻炼身体。
每天早上绕着购物中心跑六圈就是一次很好的锻炼。
然而，当你累的时候，总有地方可以坐下来。
大多数商场都有美食广场。
这是一个有很多桌椅的开放区域。
通常有十几家或更多的小餐馆围绕着美食广场。
百货公司通常有大型餐厅。
购物中心有很大的停车场。
不像市中心，在购物中心停车不用付钱。
在繁忙的日子里，找一个离商店近的地方可能是一个挑战。
天气不好的时候，许多人去购物中心。
冬天的时候，商场很热闹。
同样，在非常炎热的夏天，人们去商场凉快。
那里的气候总是一样的。
人们去购物中心不只是为了购物。
他们也去见人。
通常，你会在那里遇到朋友和邻居。
老人和青少年都去那里看望朋友。
通常商场会赞助一些特别的活动。
购物中心有很多景点和活动，是一个受欢迎的“闲逛”的地方。

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

单词提示

1.merchants 商人

2.lead 铅

原文

CHAPTER ONE: The Moneylenders

I have a story to tell.

It is a story of love and hatred.

A story of giving and taking.

A story of laughter and tears.

This story was told a longtime ago.

But it still has as much meaning today as it did then.

It happened in a city called Venice in Italy.

This beautiful city rests like a crown jewel on the Adriatic Sea.

There lived a moneylender named Shylock in Venice.

He earned a lot by lending money to merchants.

Many people hated Shylock.

Some people hated him because he forced merchants to repay him in terrible ways.

Others hated him simply because he was Jew.

Of all the merchants who lived in Venice, one hated Shylock more than the others.His name was Antonio.

Thiswas because Antonio was a very generous moneylender.

Helent money to people in trouble and often didn't charge them interest.

Shylockhated Antonio as well.

Shylock lost a lot of business because of Antonio's generosity.

More importantly, Shylock hated Antonio because he was a Christian.

And Antonio hated Shylock because he was a Jewish.

In those days, Jews and Christians didn't like each other.

They couldn't agree about anything.

They couldn't understand each other's religion or culture.

Antonio and Shylock often ran into each other at the Rialto.

The Rialto was the business center of Venice.

When the two met, they would have arguments.

Antonio would often yell at Shylock for the heartless way of doing business.

Shylock often thought about ways to get even with Antonio.

Almost everyone in Venice really liked Antonio.

They felt that he was kind and honest.

The merchants especially admired him.

They knew that he would help them when they were in hard times.

Antonio's best friend was a young man named Bassanio.

Bassanio's family was very rich.

His parents had given him money, but Bassanio had spent it all.

He had wasted his money on wine and good food.

He had traveled and he had had fun.

And,of course, he ended up without any money.

This was very common for young men during that time.

In the past, Antonio had helped him in many ways.

In fact, he already owed Antonio lots of money.

Antonio never said "no" to Bassanio.

It seemed Antonio was happy to share his money with his friends.

One day, Bassanio came to Antonio for another loan.

"Antonio!I have great news! I've fallen in love with someone! Her name is Portia. She's the most beautiful woman in the world! And not only that, she's rich, too. Her father passed away recently, and she's going to inherit lots of money!"

"That's wonderful news, Bassanio," said Antonio.

"It sounds like she is a wonderful woman, but does she love you as much as you love her?"

"Of course, she does. When she looks at me, her eyes are full of love and respect.Listen. I want to buy some gifts for her. The only problem is that I don't have any money right now. I know I owe you a lot of money, but can I borrow a little more? I promise I'll pay you back."

"Bassanio!You know that my money is your money. I'd gladly lend it to you anytime. The only problem is that I don't have any money right now. I've spent all of my money on merchandise. I can't help you. I'm sorry."

"What should I do?" asked Bassanio.

"She'll never marry me unless I give her some gifts."

"Don't worry," said Antonio. "I know what you can do. You can borrow money from a moneylender named Shylock. He always has money on hand. He'll certainly lend you money if I sign a loan agreement. And the ships will come in any day now. I'll make lots of money when my merchandise arrives. I'll pay him back then."

"Thanks,Antonio. You really are a great friend!"

While Bassanio and Antonio were out to find Shylock, Portia was facing her own problems.

Portia's father had arranged conditions of her marriage before he died.

He didn't trust Portia's judgment.

He felt that she would choose an unsuitable person to marry.

So,before he died, he had put three chests in a room.

One chest was made of gold, one of silver and one of lead.

In one of these chests was a small picture of Portia.

If a suitor chose the right box, he would find the picture.

That meant that he could propose to Portia.

Portia's father believed that the best husband would know which box to choose.

If he found the wrong box, he would have to leave the house right away.

He wouldn't be allowed to marry Portia.

In addition, he wouldn't be able to marry anyone or have a girlfriend for the restof his life.

Every suitor had to sign a contract agreeing to these conditions.

It was a big risk for them.

But Portia's father felt that his daughter was worth the risk.

Portia lived in a small town called "Belmont."

She had many men visit her house.

They all wanted to marry her because she was rich and beautiful.

She was tired of having these strange men come to her house.

She was also unhappy that her father didn't trust her judgment.

Portia often talked to her servant, Nerissa, about her problems.

Nerissa was more of a friend than a servant.

"Why couldn't my father just trust me?" she asked Nerissa one day.

"Your father was right," said Nerissa. "There are so many badmen out there.They just want to marry you for your money."

"But the men who come here are so boring. They have bad manners, and they are vain. Some of them drink too much wine. Some of them even smoke! Ah! I'm so sick of these guys!"

Portia was a very independent person.

She was capable of making decisions for herself.

She also believed that she was smarter than most men.

Portia was sad.

She thought that she would have to marry a boring, stupid man with bad habits.

"Not one of these guys is decent. What should I do?"

"Do you remember the man from Venice?" asked Nerissa.

Portia's eyes sparkled.

"Yes.I remember him. Bassanio. How could I forget? He was so much better than all of the other men who came here. He was handsome and gentle. He was charming, kind,and intelligent. But it's hopeless! He'll never sign my father's contract. I'ma woman who can't even choose her own husband. I'm so unlucky!"

Another servant then entered the room.

"Madam,a message has arrived from the Prince of Morocco. He will be arriving tomorrow."

"Great!Another unsuitable suitor! I wonder what problems this one will have."

听前提示

一、三遍英文，一遍中文，再一遍英文。

二、从听懂的词入手，理解句子含义。

三、根据中英文意思，听不懂的多听几遍。

原文

141.

You have changed so much that I can hardly recognize you.

你变了那么多，以至于我几乎认不出你了。

142.

Hey,I may have no money, but I still have my pride.

嗨，我可能没钱，但我仍然有我的自尊。

143.

It is necessary for you to go there immediately.

你必需马上去那儿。

144.

I'd like to ask you a few more questions.

我想再问你几个问题。

145.

The accident seemed to have something to do with the heavy snow.

事故似乎和厚厚的积雪有关。

146.

I hate when other people make me wait a long time.

我讨厌别人让我等很久。

147.

The rivers were flooded by the heavy rain.

大雨使河水泛滥。

148.

The assignment took me longer than I had expected.

我用了比我预期更长的时间完成了作业。

149.

Does he go to school on foot or by bicycle?

他走路去学校还是骑车去学校？

150.

I would like to have a look at your collection of stamps.

我想看看您的邮票收藏。

听前提示

一、每期提供10个单词，每个单词都会有2-3个例句，方便理解记忆。

二、每个单词和句子都会重复5遍，其中第2遍为慢速，有助于识别。

三、本材料的整体难度较低，可以用来听力磨耳朵和单词查漏补缺。

Day 6

51.

Advantage

n.有利条件，优势；优点；v.有利于，有助于，利用

I don't want to take advantage of anyone.

我不想利用任何人的优势。

What are the advantages of this technology?

这项技术的优势是什么？

I wonder what the advantage of this technique is.

我想知道这种技术的优势是什么。

Each plan has its own advantages and disadvantages.

每个计划都有其自身的优点和缺点。

52.

Adventure

n.冒险（经历），奇遇；v.冒险；大胆说出

He told us a very exciting adventure story.

他给我们讲了一个非常激动人心的冒险故事。

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing"-Helen Keller"

“人生要么是大胆的冒险，要么什么都不是”-海伦·凯勒。

53.

Advertise

v.为.….…做广告，登广告

I advertised my car for sale.

我宣传我的车要出售。

We advertised the concert quite widely.

我们非常广泛地宣传了这场音乐会。

54.

Advertisement

n.广告；广告活动，广告宣传

He cut the advertisement out of the newspaper.

他把报纸上的广告剪掉了。

The advertisement will appear in five magazines.

该广告将出现在五本杂志上。

55.

Advertising

n.广告活动，广告业；（总称）广告；v.登广告；

He works for a big advertising agency.

他在一家大型广告公司工作。

Cigarette advertising has been banned.

香烟广告已被禁止。

56.

Advice

n.忠告，劝告，建议

Thanks for your advice.

谢谢你的建议。

I will act on your advice.

我会根据你的建议行事。

You'd better act upon his advice.

你最好听他的建议行事。

If you take my advice, your chances of winning will increase significantly.

如果你听从我的建议，你获胜的机会将大大增加。

57.

Advise

v.通知，告知；劝告，建议

I advised him to take a rest.

我劝他休息一下。

She advised him to walk instead of taking a bus.

她建议他走路而不是坐公共汽车。

The doctor advised him to cut down on drinking.

医生建议他减少饮酒。

58.

Affair

n.公共事务，事情，事件；男女私通，风流韵事

He had an affair with a co-worker.

他和一位同事有染。

I don't want to be involved in this affair.

我不想卷入这件事。

This has nothing to do with you. It's not your affair.

这跟你没关系这不是你的事。

59.

Affection

n.喜爱，关爱；爱恋，爱慕之情

He tried to gain her affection.

他试图赢得她的喜爱。

He has a deep affection for her.

他对她有深厚的感情。

I have a great affection for Paris.

我非常喜欢巴黎。

60.

Afford

v.买得起；有（时间）做某事；承担得起

Can we afford a new car?

我们能买得起一辆新车吗?

I was unable to afford the trip.

我负担不起这次旅行。

None of them could afford $50 for a ticket.

他们都买不起 50美元的门票。

The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house.

现实情况是，对于购买房屋的花费我们负担不起。

词汇提示

1.tales 故事

2.plot 构思

3.essence 本质

4.sworn 发誓

5.nanny 保姆

6.widower 鳏夫

7.proper 得体的

8.dubious 可疑的

9.pirate 海岛

10.spinster 老处女

11.traits 特点

12.feisty 易怒的

13.fiery 暴躁的

14.addictive 沉迷的

原文

Romance Novels

Novels are imaginary stories about people and events.

They are written to entertain and amuse.

Two thousand years ago, Greek writers told tales of young lovers.

Usually the lovers were separated by terrible events and were reunited only after much hardship and suffering

This plot idea is still in use today.

The most popular books for women today in North America are romance novels.

This means that romance publishing is big business and very competitive.

Companies survey their readers to determine the kinds of stories they like.

One survey asked readers whether or not they would like more references to sex in their novels.

Usually,romances are about love, not sex.

The essence of the romance is to create suspense by putting obstacles in the way of the lovers.

One simple obstacle is to make the hero and the heroine as different as possible.

For example, an Eastern school teacher meets a Western cowboy.

Of course, at first they don't like each other at all; but in time, they fall in love.

Quite often the heroine is a spinster who has sworn never to marry.

Or perhaps she has a special dislike for the hero and his family.

The romance writer must come up with a plausible way to bring the two together.

Sometimes,the heroine - out of a sense of duty – will move in with the hero to help him raise his children.

Or she may be a professional nanny who moves in with a widower.

A favorite plot is the marriage of convenience.

Two people who don't like each other get married for financial or political reasons, or for the sake of the children.

Later,of course, they fall in love.

Inmost cases, there is some particular obstacle to marriage.

Often either the hero or the heroine already has children, and he or she doesn't expect that anyone will want to take on their ready-made family.

Sometimes,one or the other has a physical disability, or is of a different race, class,or background.

For example, the heroine may come from a very strict and proper family, while the hero may have a dubious reputation, or even be a criminal.

The interest of the story lies in how these very different people come together.

Usually,the hero is a very masculine type – a cow boy, engineer, military man, pirate,gambler, etc.

The heroine is usually very female, but may have tomboy or spinster traits.

She frequently has a strong personality and a temper and is described as feisty or fiery.

A good example of the two types is Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind."

Nearly every romance novel will contain some promotional offer to encourage readers to order more books.

Romances can be addictive, and some women read them almost non- stop.

Some romances are very well written, but the majority follows a set formula.

That way, the reader always knows what to expect.

翻译

浪漫小说

小说是关于人和事的虚构故事。
它们是为了娱乐和娱乐而写的。
两千年前，希腊作家讲述了年轻恋人的故事。
通常，这对恋人因可怕的事件而分离，只有在经历了许多艰难困苦之后才得以重聚
这种情节构思至今仍在使用。
当今北美最受女性欢迎的书是爱情小说。
这意味着浪漫小说出版是一门大生意，竞争非常激烈。
公司会调查他们的读者，以确定他们喜欢的故事类型。
一项调查询问读者是否希望在他们的小说中更多地提到性。
通常，浪漫是关于爱，而不是性。
浪漫的本质是通过在恋人的道路上设置障碍来制造悬念。
一个简单的障碍是让男女主角尽可能地不同。
例如，一个东部学校的老师遇到了一个西部牛仔。
当然，一开始他们根本不喜欢对方;但随着时间的推移，他们相爱了。
女主角往往是一个发誓不结婚的老处女。
或者她对男主角和他的家人有一种特别的厌恶。
浪漫小说的作者必须想出一个合理的方法把这两者结合在一起。
有时，出于责任感，女主角会搬去和男主角住在一起，帮助他抚养孩子。
或者她可能是个职业保姆，搬去跟鳏夫住。
最受欢迎的情节是便利婚姻。
两个不喜欢对方的人因为经济或政治原因结婚，或者为了孩子。
当然，后来他们坠入爱河。
在大多数情况下，结婚会遇到一些特殊的障碍。
通常，男主角或女主角都已经有了孩子，他或她不希望有人愿意接受他们现成的家庭。
有时，其中一方有身体残疾，或来自不同的种族、阶级或背景。
例如，女主角可能来自一个非常严格和适当的家庭，而男主角可能有一个可疑的名声，甚至是一个罪犯。
这个故事的趣味在于这些截然不同的人是如何走到一起的。
通常，男主角都是非常男性化的类型——牛郎、工程师、军人、海盗、赌徒等等。
女主角通常很女性化，但也可能有假小子或老处女的特征。
她经常有强烈的个性和脾气，被描述为好斗或暴躁。
这两种类型的一个很好的例子是《乱世佳人》中的瑞德·巴特勒和斯嘉丽·奥哈拉。
几乎每本言情小说都会包含一些促销活动，以鼓励读者订购更多的书。
浪漫小说会让人上瘾，有些女人几乎不停地读。
有些爱情小说写得很好，但大多数都遵循一套套路。
这样，读者总是知道会发生什么。

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

原文

Chapter Nine: Home in England

When I came back to England, I felt like a stranger in the country.

Many things were different, and not many people remembered me.

I went home to York, but my father and mother were dead, and also my two brothers.

I did find the two sons of one of my brothers.

They were happy to learn that I was alive, and I was pleased to find some family.

After some months I decided to go down to Lisbon in Portugal.

I had friends there who could help me to sell my land in Brazil, and I needed the money.

Friday came with me. 

He was always a good and true friend to me. 

In Lisbon, I found the Portuguese captain who took me in his ship to Brazil all those years ago. 

It was good to see him again, and he helped me with my business. 

Soon I was ready to go home again - by land.

No more adventures and dangers by sea for me!

It was a long, hard journey.

We had to cross the mountains between Spain and France in winter, and the snow was deep.

Poor Friday was very afraid of the snow.

In his country it was always hot, and he did not like cold weather.

Back in England I found a house and began to live a quiet life.

My two nephews came to live with me.

The younger one wanted to be a sailor, and so I found him a place on a ship.

After a while I married, and had three children, two sons and a daughter.

Then my wife died, and my nephew, who was now the captain of a ship, came home to see me.

He knew that I did not really like a quiet life.

'I have a fine ship, uncle,' he said. 'I'm going out to the East Indies - India, Malaya, the Philippines ... Why don't you come with me?'.

And so, in 1694, I went to sea again, and had many more adventures.

Perhaps one day I'll write another book about them.

THE END

听前提示

一、三遍英文，一遍中文，再一遍英文。

二、从听懂的词入手，理解句子含义。

三、根据中英文意思，听不懂的多听几遍。

原文

131.

Their trip was postponed because of the rain.

他们的旅行因为下雨延期了。

132.

The fire broke out after the staff went home.

在全体职员回家后，火灾发生了。

133.

I told you not to talk about the matter in her presence.

我跟你说过她在的时候不要说这件事。

134.

My grandfather sometimes talks to himself when he is alone.

我祖父一个人的时候，有时会自言自语。

135.

He picked up a mirror and examined his tongue.

他拿了面镜子细看自己的舌头。

136.

Can you put up with the way he behaves?

你能容忍他做事的方式吗？

137.

It was raining heavily when I got up this morning.

我今天早上起来的时候雨下得很大。

138.

I'll come and see you one of these days.

这些天我会抽一天来看你的。

139.

He was moved to tears when he heard the news.

当他听到那个新闻的时候，他感动得哭了。

140.

Water is liquid. When it freezes, it becomes solid.

水是液体。冻起来就成了固体。