给妈妈的一封信

Dear Mom,

　　Can you imagine that I’m now in the United States, a country so different from China? Everything is new and interesting! I made some friends on the trip over and they have been very kind and helpful. Still, you know how much I miss you and your cooking? My mouth waters at the mere¹ thought of those delectable² Chinese dishes you prepare. Last night, my friends invited me to dinner. They had some strange ways of describing their hunger. For instance, there was“I’m starving to death”,“I’m famished³”, and“I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse”, which has a similar expression in Chinese; I’m sure you know the one. How about“I’m making a pig of myself”! A little confusing, hmm? Anyway, this stuff may be useful to you

　　as an English teacher, so I’m also sending a tape. You can listen to our conversation and hear some real modern American English.

　　Your loving daughter,

　　Amber⁴

　　亲爱的妈妈：

　　您能想象出，我在美国这样一个与中国有着种种不同的国家里是如何生活的吗？这里所有的事情都是那么新鲜有趣。我现在交了许多新朋友，他们人很好，给了我很多帮助。但是，我仍然想念您，想念您做的饭菜。一想到那些饭菜，我就忍不住要流口水。好在我有一些朋友，上星期他们邀请我去学校附近的一家餐馆吃了一顿，我发现他们形容饿的方法很有意思，我得花点时间去熟悉熟悉。比如如果觉得饿了，我一般会说：“I’m so hungry”。可是，他们有很多古怪的说法。像：“I’m starving to death.”“I’m famished.”等等。最有趣的一句是“I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.”中文中有一句类似的话，我想您是知道的。还有一句话理解起来可能就有些困难了----“I’m making a pig of myself!”是不是有点糊涂了？不管怎么说，您在中国教英语，这些东西可能会有用。所以随信寄去一盘磁带，好让您听一听我们的交谈，了解一下“真正”的现代美国口语。

　　您的女儿

　　Amber

1 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

2 delectable   

adj.使人愉快的；美味的

参考例句：

• What delectable food you cook!你做的食品真好吃！
• But today the delectable seafood is no longer available in abundance.但是今天这种可口的海味已不再大量存在。

3 famished   

adj.饥饿的

参考例句：

• When's lunch?I'm famished!什么时候吃午饭？我饿得要死了！
• My feet are now killing me and I'm absolutely famished.我的脚现在筋疲力尽，我绝对是极饿了。

4 amber   

n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的

参考例句：

• Would you like an amber necklace for your birthday?你过生日想要一条琥珀项链吗？
• This is a piece of little amber stones.这是一块小小的琥珀化石。