英语听力精选进阶版 7046

(Li and Rob¹ are outdoors)

Rob: Ah, I love the outdoors! And this is the perfect spot for us to start our camping adventure, Li.

Li: Oh... yes... nature, Rob. You said this camping trip was an invitation I couldn't refuse. Well, I really couldn't as you were so insistent²...

Rob: Well, we can put the tent over there, next to that bush³...

Li: It would be a good place if it wasn't so close to an ant nest...

Rob: ...and we can light a fire near that rock...

Li: ...the wind might put out the fire...

Rob: It's just a breeze⁴.

Li: But it's bringing in the clouds. It's going to rain...

Rob: Li, nothing seems to please you, does it? Are you trying to tell me something?

Li: Well, the thing is...

Rob: Yes? What's the problem Li?

Li: It's just that the tent is a bit small and... well... you know what I mean…

Rob: Li, I don't know what you mean! Now just come on, just tell me what's wrong - don't beat around the bush!

Li: Beat around the bush? I'm not even touching⁶ the bush.

Rob: I know. In English, when you tell someone not to 'beat around the bush' you're telling them to stop avoiding saying things directly⁷.

Li: 明白了。在英语里如果有人对你说不要 'beat around the bush' 意思就是不要说话拐弯抹角。

Rob: Let's hear some examples.

My boss didn't beat around the bush this morning - he just told me straight: If you want a better salary, go and work somewhere else!

Dinner, cinema... Peter couldn't find the words to tell Kelly he wanted to break up. He spent the whole date beating around the bush. In the end, he broke up with her by text.

Rob: OK, now you know. So Li, stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is.

Li: The problem is: I hate camping!

Rob: Why didn't you say that before?

Li: You were so enthusiastic, I couldn't say "no" to your invitation.

Rob: I'm sorry, Li.

Li: And I'm sorry for beating around the bush. I should have just told you.

(Sound coming from the bush)

Li: And by the look of things we are both going to be sorry if we don't run to the car and get the hell⁵ out of here!

(A roar)

Rob: Oh there is a bear just behind the bush!

Li: A bear?! Let's run, Rob! Bye.

Rob: And it sounds like a really big bear! Let's go! Bye.

Li: Bye.

1 rob   

v.抢劫；vi.抢劫，盗窃；vt.非法剥夺，使丧失，抢劫

参考例句：

• Two men formed a plot to rob the bank.两人制定了抢劫那家银行的秘密计划。
• They were scheming to rob the bank.他们在密谋抢劫银行。

2 insistent   

adj.迫切的，坚持的

参考例句：

• There was an insistent knock on my door.我听到一阵急促的敲门声。
• He is most insistent on this point.他在这点上很坚持。

3 bush   

n.灌木，灌木丛，矮树

参考例句：

• This bush has grown up a lot in the last few months.这矮树丛几个月来已向上长高了很多。
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.一鸟在手，胜于二鸟在林。

4 breeze   

n.微风；轻而易举的事；vi.来去匆匆，急速走

参考例句：

• A little breeze is blowing in from the window.微风从窗户里吹进来。
• The clouds are pale and a light breeze is blowing.云淡风轻。

5 hell   

n.地狱，阴间；用以咒骂或表示愤怒，不满

参考例句：

• It's a hell of a hike from Sydney to Perth.从悉尼到珀斯的徒步旅行简直苦死了。
• The boss really gave me hell today.老板今天着实数落了我一通。

6 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

7 directly   

adv.直接地，径直地；马上，立即

参考例句：

• I will telephone you directly I hear the news.我一听到消息，马上打电话给你。
• She answered me very directly and openly.她非常坦率地、开门见山地答复了我。