English Intensive Reading 吉林大学远程教育学院    
Introduction
Text
Language Points
Grammar
 
  Lesson 7    Language Points  ( Page 6)
   
         
   
used to + v. 用于过去式中，“ 过去常常 ”
1. I used to go to cinema a lot, but I never get the time now.
我过去常去看电影，可现在总是抽不出时间来。
2. He didn’t use to/used not to like fish (but now he does).
他过去不喜欢吃鱼，现在喜欢了。
carried out, “ 执行，完成，实现 ”
同义短语：to perform or complete
1. We all have certain jobs to carry out. 我们大家都有一些工作要完成。
2. They are carrying out urgent repairs. 他们正在做抢修工作。
spent (v.) 原形 spend
主要用法：“用（钱），花费”；“消磨（时间），度过（时间）”
本文中的用法是“消磨（时间），度过（时间）
spend + time +(in) +doing
1. We spent a pleasant hour or two talking with our friends.
我们跟朋友交谈，愉快地度过了一两个小时。
2. He’s spent half his life writing this book.
他用了半辈子的功夫写这本书。
“ when the war is over.”
The war: Judging by the author’s life background, this must refer to the First World war.
根据作者的生活背景判断，这场战争是指第一次世界大战。
pick up “ 捡起，拾起 ”
同义短语：to hold of (something small or light) and lift it up from a surface.
1. I picked up a magazine that was lying on the table.
我捡起一本放在桌子上的杂志。
2. She picked up a stone and threw it at the window. 她捡起一块石头朝窗户扔去。
As he spoke, so lightly, tapping the end of his cigarette against the ashtray, she felt the strange beast that had slumbered so long within her bosom stir, stretch itself, yawn, pick up its ears, and suddenly bound to its feet, and fix its longing, hungry stare upon those far away places.
Meaning: The longing to travel to faraway placed is portrayed metaphorically as a beast within her heart --- that had been for long time asleep but had now been awakened by Vera’s companion’s extensive travels.
在他说话的时候，他轻轻地在烟缸上弹着烟头，她现在感到她体内的懒虫在蠢蠢欲动，她伸展着懒腰，打着哈欠竖起了耳朵，而且突然立起脚尖，双目渴望，贪婪地注视着远方。
It began to play in her mind as she spoke.
Meaning: She shivered, hearing the boatman’s song break out again… These are examples revealing how sensitive Vera is to music and art. And so is to love. 当她说话时，乐曲在她的脑海中荡然回旋。
was amazed at “ 吃惊的，惊异的 ”
同义短语：filled with great surprise or wonder
1. I was amazed at/by his calmness.
我对他的镇静表示吃惊。
2. We were amazed to hear the news.
我们听到这个消息，都大为吃惊。
He let it go at that.
Meaning: When Vera’s companion learns that she may have sold the piano, he doesn’t pursue it any longer to find out why --- for the reason that she no longer had any time for such thing, or she needed the money.
他没再追问下去。