新视野大学英语 读写教程第一册 unit2-c

Section¹ C

Teenage² Talk

At school, Sandy often went to the library with her best friend, Autumn, who came to America from Japan. They were in the same grade, even though Autumn was a year older. They helped each other with homework, worked on research³ for class assignments⁴ and talked about their problems.
Sandy explained her parents didn't like her makeup⁵ or her music and were getting very strict. Autumn's parents made her study on Saturday nights but Sandy didn't tell her parents. She didn't want to give them any ideas! 1. ______
The teenagers shared many secrets, trusting each other entirely⁶. Sandy told Autumn about her telephone conversations with her brother Bill. An only child, Autumn liked hearing⁷ about Sandy's brother.
Sandy didn't tell anyone Autumn had a boyfriend⁸. Autumn's parents didn't permit⁹ her to date and insisted¹⁰ Autumn attend¹¹ Japanese school on Saturdays. During lunch, she visited her boyfriend, Jackson, at an ice cream shop near where he worked. Autumn described Jackson as very funny, always telling jokes and making her laugh. After seeing Jackson, Autumn usually shared his jokes with Sandy.
Autumn looked sad.
"What's the matter, Autumn?" asked Sandy.
"I wish I could really go out with Jackson, not just see him in secret. I do not often lie to my parents, but I have to lie about Jackson."
"I understand," said Sandy, "but you're lucky. At least you have a boyfriend."
"I feel lucky. He's so good looking, smart and funny. I really like him. I just wish I didn't have to keep secrets from my parents." 2.______
"I know what you mean. My brother, Bill, has been calling me, but doesn't want me to tell my parents."
"Why not?" asked Autumn.
"He's having a really hard time in school — failing one of his really difficult classes. I'm worried about him."
"Maybe your parents could help him. He should probably talk to them. What class is it?"
"Higher level¹² math. Math was never his best subject," answered Sandy.
"He always seemed like a really bright person," said Autumn. 3. ______
"That's just an act," said Sandy. "Bill has a really hard time paying attention. You and I help each other work things out and do a lot together. Bill can't do that. He won't let anybody know he isn't perfect. That's why he doesn't want me to say anything to our parents, but they need to know. I promised I wouldn't tell them. What should I do? His grades are very low. If he fails, my parents will be so upset." 4. ______
"If you promised, you can't tell. But he sounds like he needs help."
"You're right, Autumn. He's mentioned dropping out of school. I'm so worried because my parents would feel terrible. I just don't know what to do."
"I don't get it. Why does he have to drop out? He's only failing one class," said Autumn.
"He feels he just doesn't fit in at college. He's very quiet, by himself and doesn't like to go to parties too much. He likes to sit at home, listen to music, and draw. He's kind of a dreamer¹³." 5. ______
"Is he very unhappy?" asked Autum quietly.
"I'm not sure," said Sandy. "When I ask, he says no, but sometimes he doesn't really answer."
"That's brave — to ask," said Autumn.
" He's my brother. I want to help him," Sandy said. "College isn't right for him because he doesn't like to study. But I can't tell my parents because they go crazy when anything is not perfect," said Sandy. 6. ______
"That's probably why he doesn't tell them," said Autumn. "Sandy, this is a serious problem. He's in trouble and needs help — maybe more than you can give."
"Maybe we shouldn't talk like this, but I'm worried about him. It's so awful when you have to keep secrets. I hate secrets," said Sandy. 7. ______
"I do too," smiled Autumn, "but I'm glad you told me. My problem with Jackson doesn't seem so bad now."
Sandy smiled at her friend. "I'm happy for you. I think you need to stop thinking¹⁴ about Jackson so much. If your parents find out, you'll have a huge problem."
"You're right. I'd better get going. I'll call you tonight at eight o'clock."
"OK. Thanks for listening."
"No problem."

1 section   

n.部分，章节，地段；断面，剖面；部门，科；阶层，界；vt.把…分成段

参考例句：

• There is one section of very long road to leave. 有一段很长的路要走。
• How many people work in your section?你部门有多少人？

2 teenage   

adj.青少年的；十几岁的

参考例句：

• His voice is very high for a teenage boy.对一个十几岁的男孩来说，他的嗓音很尖。
• He is too old now for teenage parties.他年龄太大了，不适于参加少年聚会。

3 research   

n.探索；调查；研究 vt./vi.调查；研究

参考例句：

• Research has shown that women live longer than men.调查表明女性比男性寿命长。
• The research group is ready to start its work.这个研究小组已准备好随时开始工作。

4 assignments   

n.分配( assignment的名词复数 )；工作；任命；归属

参考例句：

• You will need to complete three written assignments per semester. 你每学期要完成三个书面作业。
• Headquarters was swamped by an avalanche of applications for battle assignments. 请战书像雪片似地飞向指挥部。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

6 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

7 hearing   

n.听，听见，听到，听说，听取；听力，听证会，诉讼，审讯

参考例句：

• I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.我盼望着不久收到你的信。
• The old man's hearing is poor.那位老人听力差。

8 boyfriend   

n.男朋友

参考例句：

• The girl was so angry that she hung up on her boyfriend.那姑娘一气之下挂断了男朋友的电话。
• My boyfriend gathered some beautiful flowers for me. 我的男朋友为我采来一些美丽的花。

9 permit   

n.许可证，许可，执照；vt.允许，容许；vi.容许

参考例句：

• The doctor will not permit mother up until her leg is better.在母亲的腿好些之前,医生不允许她起床。
• The soldiers had orders to permit no stranger through.士兵们接到命令不许任何陌生人通过。

10 insisted   

坚持

参考例句：

• Figlio, vai anche tu a vedere spesso il sangue? -insiste' il nonno. 他爷爷继续说：“我儿，你也常去卖血？”。 来自互联网

11 attend   

vt.参加，注意，照料；vi.专心，留意，待命

参考例句：

• Tomorrow I shall attend a meeting.明天我将参加会议。
• I think I can attend.我想我能出席。

12 level   

n.水平，水准，标准；adj.同高的，平坦的，齐平的；v.弄平，瞄准，对准

参考例句：

• Our level is very low.我们的水平很低。
• The water level has been raised by 1.1 metres.水位提高了1.1米。

13 dreamer   

n.做梦的人；空想家，梦想家

参考例句：

• The young dreamer refused to accept the actuality.年轻的梦想家不愿接受这个事实。
• You are nothing more than a dreamer.你不过是个梦想家而已。

14 thinking   

n.思考，思想；adj.思考的，有理性的；vbl.想，思考

参考例句：

• All thinking men will protest against it.凡是有思想的人都会抗议这件事。
• Thinking is mainly performed with words and other symbols.思想主要是用言语和其他符号来表达的。