王强口语 第一册 Short conversation 006

　　Lesson Six
Short Conversations
The Mystery Benefactor¹
Blackard: Whit², we're broke. We're on the verge³ of going out of business. But someone promised us a lot of money to do this class, and we think it's someone connected with the class. But we don't know who! So...
Whittaker: So you don't want to offend anyone, just in case. And that's why you're doing this program.
Blackard: Exactly.
Whittaker: Oh, that certainly explains a lot. I'm glad to know that it's only a problem with judgment7.
Blackard: Judgment⁴?
Whittaker: Well, if you want my humble⁵ opinion...
Blackard: Oh, yes, yes.
Whittaker: ... you've put yourself in an impossible position.
Blackard: I know, I know.
Whittaker: Not only are you trying to please everyone in the entire class, but you've let money become the center of your thinking!
Blackard: But we're going broke, Whit! I had to do something!
Whittaker: But is this the best thing to do? I'm sure whoever gave you the money wanted you to be less concerned about offending your students than to guide and instruct them, so they'd be good at acting⁶.
Blackard: And if they aren't very good?
Whittaker: Then it's better to be truthful⁷ and help them understand that.

1 benefactor   

n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人

参考例句：

• The chieftain of that country is disguised as a benefactor this time. 那个国家的首领这一次伪装出一副施恩者的姿态。
• The first thing I did, was to recompense my original benefactor, my good old captain. 我所做的第一件事, 就是报答我那最初的恩人, 那位好心的老船长。

2 whit   

n.一点，丝毫

参考例句：

• There's not a whit of truth in the statement.这声明里没有丝毫的真实性。
• He did not seem a whit concerned.他看来毫不在乎。

3 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

4 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

5 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

6 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

7 truthful   

adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的

参考例句：

• You can count on him for a truthful report of the accident.你放心，他会对事故作出如实的报告的。
• I don't think you are being entirely truthful.我认为你并没全讲真话。