1

Text A

A Test of True Love

Book 2, Unit 4

2

New Words

3

eyesight

视力好 good eyesight

视力差 poor eyesight

4

volunteer

volunteer to do sth. volunteer for sth. 主动做某事

volunteer sb. for sth. 自作主张分配某人某事

5

identical

be identical to

6

destination

destination / terminal

destination: 目的地，终点 terminal: 终点站，航空客运站

7

decrease

on the decrease = on the decline 减少，降低

a decrease in sth.

8

decline

v. 拒绝，谢绝 decline sth. decline to do sth.

n. 减少，降低 on the decline 减少，降低 falling into decline 变弱，失去影响

9

objection

objection to

10

forbid

forbid sb. from doing

forbid sth.

forbid sb. to do sth.

11

fancy

take a fancy to 被某物吸引，爱上某人

take one’s fancy 吸引某人

12

vanish

disappear / fade / vanish / die away

disappear fade vanish die away

从视线中消失，“看”不见

一般用语

渐渐消失

突然化为乌有，指非常彻底地而且往往是神秘莫测地消失

声音的消失，“听”不见

13

compress

compress sth. into 压缩

compressed air 压缩空气

14

longing

longing for sth.

15

resist

resist doing

adj. be resistant to

n. resistance to

16

Text Structure Analysis

17

Text Structure Analysis

(Para. 1) Beginning of the Story

(Para. 2~3) Who was that woman? How had she given him strength? What had happened between them?

(Para. 4) What had happened after they fell in love?

(Para. 5~7) Did they meet as planned?

(Para. 8~9) Was the young woman the very one he had been waiting for so impatiently?

(Para. 10) How did the woman who addressed him look?

(Para. 11) What was Blandford thinking then with the old lady before him?

(Para. 12~13) What was the result? What did the man do?

(Para. 14) What did the old woman say?

Questions Used as a Means of Clarifying the Organization

18

Para. 1

When?

Where?

Who?

What?

Why?

six minutes to six

in Grand Central Station

John Blandford, a tall young army officer

focused eyesight on the clock

in six minute he would see a special woman

19

Grand Central Station in New York

20

Grand Central Station in New York

21

Para.1

In six minutes he would see the woman who had filled a special place in his life for the past thirteen months, a woman he had never seen, yet whose written words had been with him and had given him strength without fail.

written words: letters 信件

without fail: with complete certainty 必定，一定 I’ll bring you the book without fail. He’s there every Friday without fail.

22

paraphrase: After six minutes he would see the woman who had been

so special in his life for the past thirteen months. He had never met this woman before, but her letters to him has stayed with him and had certainly given him strength.

translation: 六分钟后，他将见到一位在过去 13个月里在他的生命里占有特殊位置的女子。一位他素未谋面，却通过书信始终给予他力量的女子。

In six minutes he would see the woman who had filled a special place in his life for the past thirteen months, a woman he had never seen, yet whose written words had been with him and had given him strength without fail.

23

Para. 2~3

Who was that woman?

How had she given him strength? What had happened between them?

Hollis Meynell, who wrote him letters wishing him safety and courage and giving him support. (Para. 2)

For 13 months, she had written to him even when not getting his letters of reply. During war time, her letters gave him courage to survive. Gradually, he believed he loved her, and she loved him. (Para. 3)

24

Para. 2

And although they all got strength from it, and appreciated her support of their cause, John Blandford was the only person to write Ms. Meynell back.

cause: a goal or principle served with dedication and zeal 她一直致力于废除核武器的事业。 She’s committed to the cause of nuclear disarmament.

paraphrase: And although John and his friends all got strength from her let

ter and felt thankful for her support of their cause, only he wrote a letter to her in reply.

25

Para. 2

Aboard the cargo ship that was taking him into enemy territory, he stood on the deck and read her letter to him again and again.

translation:

站在即将带他进入敌人领地的货船甲板上，他一遍又一遍地读着她的来信。

26

Para. 3

During the difficult days of war, her letters nourished him and gave him courage.

nourish: used metaphorically here. meaning maintain, encourage, strengthen

大学学习培养了他的批判性思维能力。 University study nourished his ability to think critically.

27

Para. 3

As long as he received letters from her, he felt as though he could survive.

as long as: on condition that, if p.87 Sentence Structure IX

28

Para. 4

What had happened after they fell in love?

John Blandford asked her for a photo, but Hollis Meynell declined his request, saying that he could make his decision when they met in New York. (Para. 4)

29

Para. 4

She explained her objection: …

raise an objection to 提出异议，表示反对 一些经理表示反对过分裁员。 Some managers have raised objections to laying off too many e

mployees.

have an objection to 反对 琳达不反对她女儿对未来事业的设想。 Linda has no objection to her daughter’s idea about her future ca

reer.

30

Para. 4

Remember, both of us are free to stop or to goon after that – if that’s what we choose …

be free to do sth.: be able to act as one wants

你完全有自由选择自己的道路。 You’re totally free to choose your own course.

假期中我们想干什么就干什么。 During the holiday we are free to do what we like.

31

Para. 5~7

Did they meet as planned?

One minute to six, John Blandford saw a young woman coming toward him. She was beautiful, just like springtime coming alive. Instinctively he moved toward her, without noticing that she was not wearing a rose which was supposedly agreed between them before. (Para. 5~7)

32

Para. 5

Blandford’s heart leaped.

leap: v. 跳动 leap and cheer 踊跃欢呼 leap forward 跃进 leap at 急切地抓住（机会等）

paraphrase: Blandford was so excited that his heart beat fast.

33

Para. 6

Her figure was long and thin, her spectacular golden hair lay back in curls from her small ears. Her eyes were blue flowers; her lips had a gentle firmness. In her fancy green suit she was like springtime come alive.

translate: 她身材修长而苗条，漂亮的金色卷发卷曲在小巧的耳后。她的眼睛如蓝色的花朵，双唇间有着一种温柔的坚毅。她身穿别致的绿色套装，犹如春天般生气盎然。

34

Para. 8~9

Was the young woman the very one he had been waiting for so impatiently?

Suddenly the young woman addressed him: “Going my way, soldier?” Uncontrollably, he made one step closer to her. Then he saw Hollis Meynell. (Para. 8~9)

35

Para. 8

Going my way, soldier?

paraphrase:

Are you going in the same direction that I’m going, soldier?

36

Para. 10

How did the woman who addressed him look?

Surprisingly, she was the woman standing behind the beautiful girl, a woman well past forty, just like a fossil to his young eyes, with patches of gray hair and with her thick legs shaking. But she was the woman who wore a red rose on her coat. (Para. 10)

37

Para. 10

…, her hair sporting patches of gray.

sport: v. wear sth. or have hair in a particular style He sported a collarless jacket. He sported a red moustache.

translate: 头发斑斑灰白

38

Para. 11

What was Blandford thinking then with the old lady before him?

With the young beautiful girl vanished, he was of two minds: his strong desire to follow the young woman and his deep longing to meet the woman whose spirit had truly brought warmth to him. Now here he found the woman he expected to meet was standing before him: Her face was gentle and intelligent and her gray eyes had a warm, kindly look. (Para. 11)

39

Para. 12~13

What was the result? What did the man do?

John Blandford resisted the urge to follow the younger woman. He took out the book which was to identify him to Hollis Meynell. He held the book out toward the woman. (Para. 12~13)

40

Para. 12

Blandford resisted the urge to follow the younger woman, though it was not easy to do so.

the urge to: an impulse suppress an urge to lauge

… it was not easy to do so p.87 Sentence Structure VIII formal subject

41

Para. 14

What did the old woman say?

The old woman told him that she didn’t know what this was all about. She was wearing the rose out of the request from the young lady who just passed by. And the old woman said, “If you asked me to go out with you, I should tell you that she’s waiting for you in that big restaurant near the highway. It was some kind of a test. (Para. 14)

42

Expressions in Text

43

1. 自愿参军2. 祝某人平安3. 出发那天4. 感激某人的支持5. 收到某人的回信6. 战争的艰苦岁月7. 从未减少过8. 谢绝某人的要求9. 解释反对的理由

volunteer for military service

wish sb. safety

on the day of departure

appreciate sb’s support receive sb’s reply

the difficult days of war

without decrease

decline one’s request

explain one’s objection

English Equivalents of Chinese

44

10.可以自由做某事11.感到与某人有联系12. 犹如春天般生气盎然13.嘴角露出笑容14.与某人同路15.向某人靠进一步16. 一位四十好几的妇女17.让别人认出他18.因某事而感激某人

be free to do sth.

feel a connection with sb.

like springtime comes alive

smile forms on one’s lipsgo sb’s way

make one step closer to sb.

a woman well past forty

identify him to others

be thankful to sb. for sth.

English Equivalents of Chinese

45

Discussion

46

Should Love Be Tested?

What is true love? Your interpretation.

Key ingredients of true love?

What are your comments on John Blandford and Ms. Meynell respectively?

Your conclusion: should love be tested?