第六十二讲

   Para. 2
   Thanksgiving Day also marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in stores and shops of every kind. The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year. Some American households will even put up a Christmas tree this early, although most will wait until a couple of weeks before Christmas Eve.
   Language Points:
   Explanation of Difficult Sentences
   1) although most will wait until a couple of weeks before Christmas Eve.
   Analysis: The word although introduces a concessive clause, in which the phrase to put up a Christmas tree is omitted. This early here refers to the time immediately after the    Thanksgiving Day, this being used as an Adverb meaning “so”.
   Translation: 一些美国家庭甚至会在那时就早早地竖起了圣诞树, 虽然大部分人将会把这件事留到圣诞夜之前的几个星期才去做。
   Example: Some students have begun to prepare for the final examination, although most will wait until a few weeks before the tests.

   Para. 3
   Christmas is a family holiday. This feeling is expressed in the song “I’ll be home for Christmas.” The sweet melody of “Silent Night, Holy Night” often makes people far away from their family feel nostalgic. Those who cannot join the family will send a Christmas card home to express greetings of the season. At home family and friends gather to sing Christmas songs and play games. Children are kept busy with gifts they believe to be brought to them by Santa Claus. Adults often talk over a cup of tea or coffee. Christmas dinner may be similar to Thanksgiving dinner; candy and fruitcake are especially associated with this holiday. Though Christmas is now celebrated widely the world over, it still maintains its “home, sweet home” flavor.
   Language Points:
   Explanation of Difficult Sentences
   1) Children are kept busy with gifts they believe to be brought to them by Santa Claus.
   Analysis: Be kept busy with…means “be occupied with, be busy doing sth.” In the gifts they believe to be brought to them by Santa Claus, they believe is a comment clause that can be omitted, thus leaving the passive infinitive phrase to be brought to them by Santa Claus as a postmodifier of gifts.
   Translation: 每年11月的第四个星期四的感恩节是唯有美国才有的节日。它可以追溯到第一批欧洲人移居到新大陆的时期。
   Example: English is one of the most important courses for the Chinese students which is compulsory in almost all the colleges and universities.
   2. Important Words
   1) express: v. show or make known by words, looks, action; clearly and definitely state表述，表达；说明
   e.g. I find it very difficult for me to express how grateful I am for your kindness.
   The heartfelt smile expresses her joy at the good news.
   You should learn to express yourself in good English.
   She expressed her determination in this letter.
   2) join: v. put together, unite; come into the company 联接；参加，加入
   e.g. Where does the river join the sea?
   Will you join us in the walk? Why don’t you join in our conversation?
   3) associate: v. join or connect, be often in the company of ... 联系，联络，有关系
# associate … with … 把……和……联系起来
   e.g. I don’t want to associate myself with that matter.
   Don’t associate with these dishonest persons.
   We always associate the Great Wall with China.
   4) maintain: v. continue to keep up, retain 保持，维护；保养，供养
   e.g. Teachers should maintain close ties with the students.
   You’d better maintain 30 miles an hour in this area.
   The workers are busy maintaining the roads before winter comes.
   How could the students maintain themselves only by doing part time jobs?
   You should learn to maintain your rights as a citizen.
   Exercises：See the textbook.