2012年ESL之日常生活 06 Describing Shapes and Sizes

 

Describing Shapes and Sizes 

Carson: Your apartment is going to look fabulous¹ once I’m finished decorating it! 

Brooke: I really appreciate you taking the time to help me choose some furniture, but I’d really like to keep the look conservative and traditional. 

Carson: Nonsense! You have a fabulous new apartment and I’m going to help you make the most of it. Look at that oval mirror. It’ll look fantastic in your hall. 

Brooke: That mirror is gigantic! I don’t think I want anything that size. How about this rectangular one? 

Carson: That’s too puny² for that space. Oh, look at this triangular³ bookcase. It would really complement⁴ the fireplace in the den⁵. 

Brooke: I don’t think that bookcase is very functional⁶. The shelves are so narrow and it’s an odd shape. It really looks nice, but I need furniture that I can actually use. I like this one better. 

Carson: How boring! You need something that makes a statement. How about this chair? It’s fabulous! 

Brooke: It’s a humongous circle on the floor with a cushion on top of it. I don’t think anyone would ever sit on it. 

Carson: Yes, but in design, you have to consider form before function. 

Brooke: That’s where we differ. I actually have to live in this apartment, remember? 

 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse 

1 fabulous   

adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的

参考例句：

• We had a fabulous time at the party.我们在晚会上玩得很痛快。
• This is a fabulous sum of money.这是一笔巨款。

2 puny   

adj.微不足道的，弱小的

参考例句：

• The resources at the central banks' disposal are simply too puny.中央银行掌握的资金实在太少了。
• Antonio was a puny lad,and not strong enough to work.安东尼奥是个瘦小的小家伙，身体还不壮，还不能干活。

3 triangular   

adj.三角（形）的，三者间的

参考例句：

• It's more or less triangular plot of land.这块地略成三角形。
• One particular triangular relationship became the model of Simone's first novel.一段特殊的三角关系成了西蒙娜第一本小说的原型。

4 complement   

n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足

参考例句：

• The two suggestions complement each other.这两条建议相互补充。
• They oppose each other also complement each other.它们相辅相成。

5 den   

n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室

参考例句：

• There is a big fox den on the back hill.后山有一个很大的狐狸窝。
• The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into tiger's den.不入虎穴焉得虎子。

6 functional   

adj.为实用而设计的，具备功能的，起作用的

参考例句：

• The telephone was out of order,but is functional now.电话刚才坏了，但现在可以用了。
• The furniture is not fancy,just functional.这些家具不是摆着好看的，只是为了实用。