生活英语对话 Episode 36: Test results

本单元是关于考试结果的对话

John:How did you do in the economics test Helen?
Helen: I failed miserably¹.
John: Oh poor you! I got 98%. Didn't want to get a perfect score. Might have looked a bit suspicious, given me recent track record. Bet you wished you'd sneaked³ a peek⁴ at the answers when you had your chance.
Helen: Oh I don't ...
John: You're a fool! It was the easiest bit of photocopying⁵ I've ever done.
Prof. Lewis: John, Helen hello!
John: Oh good morning Professor Lewis. I was just saying how much I've been enjoying your lectures recently.
Prof. Lewis: Oh really? Helen, I think it's about time we had a little chat, don't you? Come to my office later and make an appointment, OK?


Vocabulary:（词汇）

me recent track record:
my performance or achievements in the last few months or years (note in some regional accents 'me' is used instead of 'my'
我最近几个月或几年的表现或成就

to sneak² a peek (informal):
to look at something quickly and furtively⁶
偷瞄

本单元的语言点是现在完成时态，现在完成时一般是动作发生在过去，强调对现在产生的影响，请看下面的解释和例句。

The present perfect

The uses:（用法）

We can use the present perfect to:

1. talk about a past action that has a result in the present:
For example, 'She has gone for a break'. She isn't in the room now because she left the room for her break some time before now.

2. tell recent news:
For example, 'The Prime Minister has died'.

3. talk about a period of time which started in the past and which continues up to the present:
For example, 'It was the easiest bit of photocopying I've ever done.'.

If we refer to the time when Helen and John sat their exam, then we use the past simple.
How did you do in the test?
I failed miserably.



The form:（句型）

The present perfect has two parts - the main verb and the auxiliary⁷ verb. For information about the form of the present perfect, see language point The Present Perfect in Episode – Emergency.


Been and gone:

These two verbs are related to the verb 'go' Both are used in the present perfect but they have different meanings:

She has been to Japan (some time in the her life but she isn't in Japan just now).

They have gone to Japan (and they are still in Japan, they haven't come back yet).


Adverbs of time:（时间副词）

There are some adverbs of time that are commonly used with the present perfect.

Ever - In the entire time from the minute the speaker was born until the present moment
This is the most delicious cake I've ever eaten.

Just - This means it happened recently, not a long time ago
She's just gone for a break.

Never - This means it has not happened, not even once
She's never eaten Polish food.

Already - This emphasises that something has happened before now
She's already made an appointment to see the professor.

The adverb goes between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.


Other time expresssions:（其他表达方式）

There are some time expressions that are commonly used with the present perfect:

recently
since Christmas/New Year
since breakfast/lunch-time
for a long time/ages
so far
in the last few days/months/years

1 miserably   

adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地

参考例句：

• The little girl was wailing miserably. 那小女孩难过得号啕大哭。
• It was drizzling, and miserably cold and damp. 外面下着毛毛细雨，天气又冷又湿，令人难受。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

3 sneaked   

v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状

参考例句：

• I sneaked up the stairs. 我蹑手蹑脚地上了楼。
• She sneaked a surreptitious glance at her watch. 她偷偷看了一眼手表。

4 peek   

vi.偷看，窥视；n.偷偷的一看，一瞥

参考例句：

• Larry takes a peek out of the window.赖瑞往窗外偷看了一下。
• Cover your eyes and don't peek.捂上眼睛，别偷看。

5 photocopying   

v.影印，照相复制（photocopy的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• All photocopying machines need careful usage, and regular cleaning and maintenance. 所有照像复制机都需要小心使用、定期擦洗和维修。 来自辞典例句
• A trademark used for a photocopying process or machine employing xerography. 商标名，用于采用静电复印术的影印过程或机器。 来自互联网

6 furtively   

adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地

参考例句：

• At this some of the others furtively exchanged significant glances. 听他这样说，有几个人心照不宣地彼此对望了一眼。
• Remembering my presence, he furtively dropped it under his chair. 后来想起我在，他便偷偷地把书丢在椅子下。

7 auxiliary   

adj.辅助的，备用的

参考例句：

• I work in an auxiliary unit.我在一家附属单位工作。
• The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of blackout.这家医院装有备用发电系统以防灯火管制。