普通高中课程标准实验教科书 英语选修9 Unit 2 Sailing the ocea

SINDBAD'S SECOND ADVENTURE
      On the second evening Sindbad's friends were eager to hear his second adventure. "Tell us," they said, "of more wonders that you have seen!" So Sindbad began describing his second adventure.
      "For many years I was happy, but as time passed I longed to visit distant lands and cities again.So having purchased some goods, I set out again in a new ship with a strong crew. Aided by a favourable¹ wind we sailed for many days selling goods and buying more. At last we arrived at an island unknown to us all. It had trees covered with delicious fruit as well as many beautiful flowers.The birds sang in the trees and rivers flowed quietly by. We left the ship and I wandered off on my own through some grasslands² and sat down by a stream. It was so peaceful and warm that I presently³ fell asleep.
        I cannot tell how long I slept but when I awoke the ship had gone. Seeing the ship disappearing into the distance, I threw myself down on the sand and cried bitterly. At last realizing that this was hopeless, I climbed the tallest tree to examine my unknown island home. From its top I looked in all directions. Suddenly I noticed something extremely tall, round and white in the centre of the island, and I knew I must discover what the shape was. So I set off. As I drew near I found to my astonishment⁴ that the object had no entrance.The surface was also so smooth and slippery⁵ that it was impossible to climb. Yet it was tall enough to be a building so I was confused. As I walked round it I counted my steps - there were fifty altogether. But the mystery solved itself when an enormous⁶ bird appeared out of the sky. This bird settled on the white object covering it completely - so I quickly guessed that it must be an egg of some sort.
      Terrified, I hid behind a tree. But at the same moment I realized that perhaps the bird could help me escape from the island. So I quickly took the rope tied round my waist and attached it to the bird's leg. I told myself that perhaps it would carry me away from this lonely island to a civilized⁷ land. In any case, I argued in my head, that wherever I was taken must be better than where I was now.
        I lay awake all night fearing to sleep in case the bird flew away while I slept. At daybreak the bird rose into tlae sky carrying me with it. I clung⁸ fast to the rope, too frightened to look down. At last we came to rest on the top of a high hill. Quickly untying⁹ myself I looked around me. There seemed to be nothing but long sticks. But as I looked I saw the bird pick up one of these long objects and disappear back uo into the sky. Looking up, I saw the object move and understood at once that it must be a large snake. So being careful where I walked, I ran down the hillside into a dark valley. There I sat down and cried bitterly for the second time. At last when I could cry no more I looked about me. Surprisingly the ground was shining. This seemed strange but as I examined the rocks more closely¹⁰ I saw that they were large diamonds. They were so perfect that they made the whole valley glitter¹¹ in the sun. Choosing the largest diamonds with care, I filled my pockets with as many as I could.
         But what good were these diamonds to me if there was no food or water nearby? Should I walk around and try to find a way to escape? I Stood undecided. If I moved on, I might find myself in even more danger. But if I didn't, I might be forced to spend my life forever in this valley. What was I to do?

1 favourable   

adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的

参考例句：

• The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
• We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。

2 grasslands   

n.草原，牧场( grassland的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Songs were heard ringing loud and clear over the grasslands. 草原上扬起清亮激越的歌声。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Grasslands have been broken and planted to wheat. 草原已经开垦出来，种上了小麦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 presently   

adv.不久，一会儿；现在，目前

参考例句：

• I'll go to see your uncle presently.我一会儿就去看望你叔叔。
• He is presently living in New York.他目前住在纽约。

4 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

5 slippery   

adj.滑的；油滑的，狡猾的，不可靠的

参考例句：

• We found it very slippery under foot.我们感到地上很滑。
• Mind out,the steps are slippery!注意，台阶很滑！

6 enormous   

adj.巨大的；庞大的

参考例句：

• An enormous sum of money is injected each year into teaching.每年都有大量资金投入到教学中。
• They wield enormous political power.他们行使巨大的政治权力。

7 civilized   

a.有教养的，文雅的

参考例句：

• Racism is abhorrent to a civilized society. 文明社会憎恶种族主义。
• rising crime in our so-called civilized societies 在我们所谓文明社会中日益增多的犯罪行为

8 Clung   

v.附着于( cling的过去式和过去分词 )；抓紧或抱住；坚持；依恋，依附于

参考例句：

• The Prime Minister clung to his job like a limpet, despite calls for him to resign. 首相不顾有人要求他辞职，死赖在他的职位上不下台。
• She clung to the hope that her son was not dead. 她抱定儿子并没有死的希望不放。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 untying   

untie的现在分词

参考例句：

• The tying of bow ties is an art; the untying is easy. 打领带是一种艺术，解领带则很容易。
• As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 33他们解驴驹的时候，主人问他们说，解驴驹作什么？

10 closely   

adv.紧密地；严密地，密切地

参考例句：

• We shall follow closely the development of the situation.我们将密切注意形势的发展。
• The two companies are closely tied up with each other.这两家公司之间有密切联系。

11 glitter   

vi.闪光(耀)；n.闪光，灿烂光辉，耀眼，辉煌

参考例句：

• The child was attracted by the glitter of the Christmas tree decorations.这孩子被圣诞树上闪耀的装饰物吸引住了。
• Beneath its surface glitter,the fashion industry is a tough place to work in.时装业表面上光彩迷人，但其实是个辛苦的行业。