365个英语简短小故事-303. The Careful Reader

Simon, a college grad, always pointed¹ out the errors in his brother Brevyn's emails. "When are you going to stop confusing 'its' with 'it's'?" he often asked. Brevyn, a high school grad, said that nobody ever noticed anyway.

Brevyn knew that Simon was “book smart,” but he didn't think Simon was very “street smart.” Years ago, Simon had bought stereo² speakers from a street vendor³. When he arrived home, he called Brevyn over to help him set up the speakers. Simon was excited because he had gotten the speakers at half price. The brand new speaker boxes said Panasonic, Model No. A-682ST, Made in Japan, etc.

But Simon was disappointed and angry when he discovered that the boxes contained only old magazines. Brevyn was amused. “Did you get a receipt⁴?” Brevyn asked. “Did you ask the guy about his return policy? Did he tell you where his 'store' is going to be tomorrow?”

Brevyn visited Simon to show him the new tires he had just put on his Honda Accord⁵. While they were talking in Simon's living room, Simon showed Brevyn an air pump he had recently purchased. “If your new tires ever go low, you can pump them up super-fast with this. It pumps air into the tire on the downstroke and the upstroke.”

Brevyn said, “You must be kidding. I’ve never heard of a pump that pumps air on the upstroke.” Brevyn tried out the pump. “There’s no air coming out of here on the upstroke,” he told Simon.

“Of course there is. Read the label on the pump.”

Brevyn read the label. “Ha! Listen to this: ‘High volume air flow on both up and down strokes⁶.’ The air ‘flows,’ all right, but it flows in on the upstroke, not out. The label writer tricked you, Mr. English Major. What have you got to say for yourself?”

"Let’s go outside," Simon said. "Maybe I can find a small nail in one of your new tires."

 

1 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

2 stereo   

adj.有立体视觉的，立体声的；n.固定形象，立体声

参考例句：

• She had the stereo on at full blast.她把立体声音响开到了最大音量。
• This program is being broadcast in stereo.这个节目正用立体声播放。

3 vendor   

n.卖主；小贩

参考例句：

• She looked at the vendor who cheated her the other day with distaste.她厌恶地望着那个前几天曾经欺骗过她的小贩。
• He must inform the vendor immediately.他必须立即通知卖方。

4 receipt   

n.收据，收条；收到，接到

参考例句：

• We are in receipt of your letter of the 10th.我们收到了您十日的来函。
• I asked for a receipt.我要一张收据。

5 accord   

vt.给予（欢迎、称颂等） vi./n.符合，一致

参考例句：

• Most people are in accord with their desire for peace.在渴望和平这一点上，大多数人都是一致的。
• The hearts of our people accord with those of yours.我们两国人民心心相印。

6 strokes   

中风； a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain.； （游泳或划船的）划( stroke的名词复数 )； 中风； （打、击等的）一下； （成功的）举动

参考例句：

• Apply the paint thickly in even strokes. 涂颜料要厚，笔画要匀。
• To improve your tennis strokes you try using a different grip. 为了提高你网球的击球法，你试试用另一种握拍方法。