UNIT THREE Word Study 1. character n. (1)[C] (指个人、民族、社会特有的) 天性, 性格；特色；（事物的）特性 ---He has a strong but gentle character. 他有坚强但温柔的性格。 ---The new buildings have changed the character of the village. 新建筑改变了这个村庄的特点。 (2)[C] 字 ---The characters in Chinese writing look like small pictures. 汉字看起来象是一幅幅小图画。 (3)[C]（书、剧中的）人物 ---I find all the characters in his new play very real. 我觉得他那出新戏中所有的人物都很真实。 2. tolerance n. (1)[U] willingness or ability to accept sth. 容忍，宽容 ---religious / racial tolerance 宗教 / 种族上的宽容 (2)[U] the ability to bear sth. unpleasant 忍耐力 My tolerance of heat is greater after having lived in the Far East for a couple of years. 在远东住了几年后，我耐热的能力增强了许多。 tolerant a. (~ of / towards sb. / sth.) 宽容的，容忍的 ---There is a general feeling that the president has been too tolerant of corruption. 大家普遍认为总统对腐败行为太过宽容了。 tolerate v. (usually in negatives) 容忍,忍受 ---I won’t tolerate such behavior / your behaving in this way. compromise [C, U] 妥协，折衷，和解 ---The government has made a compromise with other party leaders over the date of the next general election. 政府与其它党派领导人就下届大选日期达成了妥协。 vi. settle a difference, etc., by making a compromise妥协，折衷 --- We can not compromise on such terms. 我们不能根据这样的条件和解。 vt. bring sb. / sth. / oneself into danger by foolish acts危及...的安全，使受牵连 ---Such conduct will compromise your reputation. 如此举动将会损害你的名誉。 subtle a. (1)not easy to tell or describe; fine; slight难于觉察或描述的，精巧的，巧妙的 ---a subtle style 巧妙的方式 ---a subtle distinction 微妙的差别 ---a subtle observer敏锐的观察者 ---subtle fingers灵巧的手指 (2)secret; tricky诡秘的，狡诈的 ---I fall for that subtle plot every time! 我每次都中了那狡猾的圈套。 illusion n. (1)[C] false idea, belief or impression错误的观点、信念或印象 ---The boss was under the illusion that the project would be completed on time.老板误以为这个项目会准时完成。 (2)[C] thing that a person wrongly believes to exist; false idea假象 ---The calm on the street is an illusion—people are very angry. mutual a. （指感情或行动）相互的; (两人或多人) 共同的，共有的 ---Their working well together was based on mutual respect, trust and understanding. 他们的合作是建立在互相尊重、信任和理解基础上的。 ---mutual interests 共同的利益 [试题]When two people feel the same about each other, their feeling are ____. A. visible B. common C. joint D. mutual compatible a. (1)able to exist together （指人、思想、论点、原则等）适合的，可共存的 ---Their marriage came to an end because they were simply not compatible with each other. 他俩简直无法和睦相处,所以就离婚了。 (2)(of equipment) able to use together (指设备) 兼容的，配套的 ---The computer program isn't compatible with this operating system. 计算机程序与这套操作系统不兼容。 incompatible a. not able to live or work happily with sb. ---It was only when we started living together that we found out how incompatible we were. 只是在我们开始一起生活之后才发现我们是多么的合不来。 overlook vt. (1)fail to see or notice sth.; miss漏看，没注意到，忽略 ---The secretary is very careful and never overlooks any little points. 秘书是个很细心的人她从不忽视细节。 (2)pretend not to notice; forgive 不予注意，宽恕 ---She overlooked his offensiveness and tried to pretend nothing had happened. 她没有计较他的无礼，并尽量装作没事的样子。 (3)have or give a view of (a place) from above 俯视，眺望 ---The house on the hill overlooks the village. 从小山上的房子可以俯视村庄。 expectation n. [U] firm belief that sth. will happen; 期待，期望 ---Considering the problems he's had, there can be little expectation of his winning the match. 考虑到他最近所遇到的问题，几乎无法期望他能在这场比赛中获胜。 (pl.) confident feelings (about sth.)（对某事）有信心的指望 ---People had great expectations of him. 人们对他的期望值很高。 [常见短语] fall short of sb. 's expectations辜负某人的期望 live up to sb.'s expectations / come up to sb.'s expectations不辜负某人的期望 beyond (one's) expectation出乎意料(之外), 较预期的更大[好] contrary to (one's) expectation与所预料的相反 [比较]expectation anticipation hope 都含有“预期”、“期望”的意思。 expectation指“盼望某事发生”或“认为某事会发生”, 如: ---It's our expectation that you will do well. 我们期望你干得出色。 anticipation指“基于先见、预知的期待或希望”, 在一般情况下多指好的事情, 如: ---We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival. 我们在车站等着, 期待她的到来。 hope 指“主观认为某事会发生或出现, 但缺少根据或把握”, 如: ---They have great hopes of winning. 他们获胜的希望极大。 resistance n. (~ to sb. / sth.) (1)[U] be against sth. 反对，敌对 ---The idea met with some resistance. (2)[U] (sing.)(action of) using force to be against sth. / sb. 抵抗, 对抗 ---A good diet helps the body to build up resistance to disease. 良好的日常饮食可增强身体的抗病能力。 counsel vt. advise, give advice and support to 劝告, 忠告, 辅导, 提供咨询 ---He counseled them to give up the plan. 他劝他们放弃这个计划。 n. [U] advice; ideas 劝告，意见，建议 ---vocational counsel就业指导 ---Good counsel does no harm. <谚>忠言有利无害。 harbor vt. (1) keep (sth.) secretly in one's mind 心怀，怀有 ---He harbors a wish to be a world championship. 他内心怀有当一名世界冠军的愿望。 (2) give shelter to (a criminal, etc.); protect 庇护，窝藏（罪犯），隐匿 ---Harboring criminals is an offense in law. 窝藏罪犯是犯法的。 n. [C, U] place of shelter for ships 港，港口 ---All the ships stayed in the harbor during the storm. 在风暴期间所有的船只都停泊在港湾里。 reservation n. (1)[U, C] (esp. pl.) (讲出或未讲出的) 保留条件，限制条件 ---I accept your statement without reservation. 我完全相信你的话。 ---I have my reservations about his ability to do this job. 我对于他做这项工作的能力持保留看法。 (2)[C] order of seats, etc. 预订座位(车票 、机票等) ---If you want to go to the concert, you'll have to make a reservation. 如果你想去听音乐会，你得（事先）预订（票）. prejudice n. [C] 偏见或成见 ---A judge must be free from prejudice. 法官不应存有偏见。 ---She has a prejudice against modern music. 她对现代音乐怀有偏见。 vt. (1) cause sb. to have a prejudice; influence sb. 有偏见 (或偏爱) ---These facts prejudiced them against her. 这些事实促使他们对她有偏见。 ---His honesty and sincerity prejudiced us in his favor. 他的真诚使我们对他产生好感。 (2) cause harm to; make weak 伤害，损害 ---Your bad spelling may prejudice your chances of getting this job. 你糟糕的拼写可能会使你丧失获得这份工作的机会。 confirm v. (1) 证实，证明，确定; （通过电话、书信）确定，确认（安排、会议） ---Please confirm your telephone message by writing to me. 请给我来封信，好进一步证实你在电话中传达的消息。 ---I'd like to confirm a reservation for a double room on the first of July. 我想确认一下预订7月1日一间双人房。 (2) to make firmer; strengthen 使更坚强；加强： ---The recent airplane crash confirms my belief that stronger safety regulations are needed. 最近的坠机事件使我更坚信我们需要更健全的安全法规 suspect vt. (1) have an idea of the existence or truth of (sth.); believe 猜想，疑有，觉得 ---I suspect they are very disappointed. 我猜想他们很失望 (2) feel doubt about (sth.); mistrust 怀疑，不信任 ---The police suspect her of murder. 警察怀疑她犯了谋杀罪. ---He seems poor, but I suspect that he has quite a lot of money. 他看上去很穷，可是我怀疑他很有钱。 [C] a person suspected of a crime, etc. 嫌疑犯 ---The police have caught two suspects in connection with the bank robbery. 警方逮捕了两名涉嫌银行抢劫案的嫌疑犯。 a. not to be trusted; possibly false 靠不住的，不可信的，可疑的 ---His fitness is suspect, so we can't risk including him in the team. 他的健康令人怀疑，所以我们不能冒险接受他入队。 [试题]He was ___ of selling state secretes and arrested last month. A. doubted B. suspected C. respected D. inspected hesitate v. 犹豫, 踌躇, 迟疑;不愿，勉强 ---He who hesitates is lost. 当断不断，必受其患。 ---We do not hesitate to give our lives for our country, let alone suffer some hardships.我们不惜为国献身,更不必说吃点苦了。 ---Don't hesitate to tell us if you have a problem. 如果你有困难，就马上告诉我们。 proceed vi. go to a further or the next stage; go on 着手，继续进行 ---After stopping to rest, they proceeded up the hill. 停下来休息以后，他们又继续上山。 ---Tell us your name and then proceed with your story. 先把你的名字告诉我们,然后说你的事情。 resolve vt. (1)end (a problem or difficulty) 解决，解除 ---The couple resolved their differences and made an effort to get along. 这对夫妻解决了他们的矛盾，并努力和睦相处。 (2)decide; determine 决定，决心 ---The company resolved to take further action against the thieves. 公司决定采取进一步的防盗措施。 II. Phrases and Expressions ups and downs: the changing of good and bad luck好运坏运交替；盛衰；浮沉 ---He stuck by her through all life's ups and downs. 他始终不渝地陪伴她历尽了人生的荣辱浮沉。 ---Like most married couples we've had our ups and downs, but life is like that. 像大多数已婚夫妇一样, 我们也经历过波折起伏。可生活就是那样的。 work out: （1）develop in a certain way; turn out 按某种方式发展，结果为 ---How the situation will eventually work out only time can tell. 情况最后将会是怎样，只有以后才能知道。? （2）find by reasoning or figuring; solve sth.? 得出, 算出来 ，解决 ---The police couldn’t work out how the thieves had entered the building. 警察查不出窃贼是怎么进入那幢建筑物的。 have nothing to do with: 与……无关, 不跟……往来 ---In the evening he likes to read books which have nothing to do with his work. 晚上他喜欢看一些与他的工作无关的书籍。 ---He's a thief and a liar; I'd have nothing to do with him, if I were you. 他又偷东西又撒谎，我要是你我才不跟他来往呢。 at one’s worst: showing the most unpleasant side of sb. 最差的一面 ---I'm at my worst in the morning.我早晨的时候感觉最不好。 ---This problem over late paying has shown him at his worst. 这个迟延付款的问题显示出了他为人最糟糕的一面。 take care of: be responsible for; deal with 负责，处理 ---Her secretary took care of all her appointments. 她的约会都由她的秘书负责安排。 III. Language points 1. Gail and I imagined a quiet wedding. (Para. 1) : Gail and I planned to have a wedding without many people or without much activity.? imagine: vt. (Here) plan to have, think about having ...? ---We imagine a quiet holiday at home for this summer after a busy year. 忙碌了一年,? 我们打算今年夏天在家过个安静的假期。 ---It’s hard to imagine living in a place where there are no telephones or cars. 很难想象生活在一个没有电话、没有汽车的地方会是个什么样子。? 2. But through it all we had honestly confronted the weaknesses and strengths of each other’s characters. (Para. 1)?: But in experiencing all the ups and downs we had honestly faced and tried to deal with the weak sides and good sides of each other’s characters.? through: prep. from the beginning to the end of? ---I have read halfway through the article but found it uninteresting. 这篇文章我看到一半, 可是觉得它枯燥无味。? ---The company is going through a very difficult period. 3. Instead of congratulations upon hearing our news, Deborah counseled Gail to be really sure she was doing the right thing.(Para.5) : When Deborah heard our plans, she did not express her congratulations but advised Gail to be really sure that it was the marriage she did want.? upon: prep. (the same as “on”) immediately after, directly after ---Upon (or: On) hearing the news, she burst into tears. ---He got a good job upon (or: on) graduation. … ours was an ideal marriage with every indication that it would last forever. (Para.7): Our marriage was perfectly good and it was very likely that it would last forever. “every” : “as much as possible” or “total; entire”. ---There is every chance that she will succeed. 她完全有机会取得成功。? ---There is every reason to believe that he is telling the truth. 有充分理由相信他说的是真话。? indication: n. a sign that suggests or indicates something? ---There are some indications that interest rates will soon fall. 某些迹象表明不久利率将下调。 5. Why the haste? (Para.10) : Why do you want to get married in such a hurry?? In why-questions we often have ellipsis (省略). ---Why bother waiting any longer? (= Why should we bother waiting any longer?) 为什么我们还得费工夫等下去呢?? ---Why not make one for yourself instead of buying one? (= Why do you not make one for yourself instead of buying one?)? Then why the rush? Buy time, buy time … (Para.12) : Then why do you want to get married so soon? Delay your decision about marriage that seems too soon.? buy time: delay an action or decision that seems to be coming too soon? ---She tried to buy time by doing a lot of talking. 她企图以滔滔不绝的谈话来拖延时间。 … it’s never too late to change your mind. (Para.21)?: You can change your mind any time, however soon or late.? ---One is never too old to learn. (= No one is so old that he cannot learn.)? 活到老学到老。? ---It is never too late to mend. (proverb) （谚）亡羊补牢未为晚也。 IV. Grammar ---Appositives An appositive is usually a noun, a noun phrase or clause added to another noun or pronoun as an explanation. The appositive may directly follow the noun or pronoun it modifies or be separated from it by a comma or a dash, depending on their relationship. (A) noun or noun phrase used as appositive 1.This is Mr. Blake, director of our hospital. 2. He read all kinds of books, ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign. 3.Qinghai Lake, the largest inland body of salt water in China, lies 3195 meters above sea-level. 4. The whole plan was completed within three months, half the usual time. (B) Appositive Clause 常跟同位语从句的名词有fact, idea, news, hope, conclusion, certainty, evidence, suggestion, order, problem, doubt, indication等。例如： The doctors came to the conclusion that the patient was suffering from cancer. My suggestion that we stick to our original plan was finally accepted. The fear that he might not be able to finish the work disturbed him greatly. The discovery that every heavenly body has gravity was made by Newton. 通常情况下同位语从句多由引导，但随着与其同位的名词不同，也可由whether, when, where, how, what, why 等引导。例如： They are faced with the problem whether they should continue the work. I have no idea when he will return. 同位语从句有时不是紧跟有关名词的后面。例如： They heard the news on the radio that a typhoon was coming. An idea occurred to him that he might borrow the money from his father. 同位语 从句和定语从句的区别 从意义上来说，前者对名词加以补充说明，后者对名词进行修饰和限定。 从结构上来说，前者由连接词引导，连接词在句中不担当任何成分；后者由关系词引导，关系词在句中担当一定的成分。 The idea that one can do the work without thinking is wrong. The idea that you put forward at the meeting is wrong. IV. Text Structure Analysis ??? In Passage A, the writer uses one of the common ways to present one’s opinion. The structure can be described in the following chart.? ?Presentation of some ideas, opinions or arguments.  ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????  ?Correct or reject the ideas, opinions or arguments.  ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????  ?Presentation of some other, or different or even opposing ideas, opinions or arguments.  ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????  ?Facts, or reasons, or examples to support the ideas, opinions or arguments presented.    ? ?? Please look at the following chart again! The writer presented two different ideas: one about her early idea and the other about others’ idea. Then she goes on to reject both of them. The two ideas and the rejects are parallel to each other. In text structure analysis, we call them a Matching Relationship of compatibility. In other words, the two parts compare with each other in their similarity. Both of the ideas are not correct and are followed by corrections. So, we can also call them parallel structure. 　 　 　 The mother’s original opinion: To start with I must admit that at first I harbored reservations about a mixed marriage, prejudices you might even call them.   The mother corrects her original opinion: But when I met Mark I found him a charming and intelligent young guy. Any mother would be proud to have him for a son-in-law. So, color has nothing to do with it.  　    　 ?? The mother presents others’ opinion: Yes, my friends talk. Some even express shock at what you’re doing.   ?? Then the mother rejects that opinion, too: But they live in a different world. So you see, Mark’s color is not the problem.  　       Section B Rich Meeting His Future Mother-in-law I. Reading Skill Recognizing Differences between Facts and Opinions ??? Most reading passages contain ideas based on fact and opinion. It is very important to know when we are reading facts and when we are reading a writer’s opinion. The ability to recognize differences between fact and opinion can help us to achieve a deeper level of understanding in our reading. ??? Facts are statements that tell what really happened or what really is the case. A fact can be proved or disproved with direct evidence. It is something known by actual experience or observing. For example: ??? Gail and I imagined a quiet wedding. During our two years together we had experienced the usual ups and downs of a couple learning to know, understand, and respect each other. (Para. 1, Reading Passage A, Unit 3) ???Opinions are statements of belief, judgment or feeling. They show what someone thinks or feels about a subject. Some words can serve as clues to statements of some kinds of opinion. For example, probably, perhaps, usually, often, sometimes, on occasion are used to limit a statement of fact and to indicate the possibility of other opinions. Other words, such as I believe, I think, in my opinion, I feel, I suggest, say clearly that an opinion will follow. Look at the following examples: ??? 1. Any mother would be proud to have him for a son-in-law. (Para. 7, Reading Passage A, Unit 3) ??? 2. When we met I saw him as my beloved, intelligent, charming, and caring. (Para. 7, Reading Passage A, Unit 3) ??? 3. I’m sure that time will only confirm what we feel deeply about each other. (Para. 8, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)? ??? 4. Maybe our children will have some problems, but whose children don’t? (Para. 18, Reading Passage A, Unit 3)??? 5. But when I met Mark I found him a charming and intelligent young guy. (Para. 6, Reading Passage A, Unit 3) ??? But it is not always easy to tell opinion from fact. A writer often combines the two in such a way that we do not always notice where fact ends and opinion begins. When we have a mixture of fact and opinion in a single statement, we must decide whether the main point of the sentence is essentially fact or opinion. Sometimes an opinion is presented as if it were a fact: ??? My biggest worry is that you may be marrying Mark for the same wrong reasons that I married your father. (Para. 7, Reading Passage A, Unit 3) ???But one thing they’ll always have: our love and devotion. (Para. 19, Reading?Passage A, Unit 3) ??? On the surface it is a statement of fact, but actually it is only a promise, something yet to be realized in the future. II. Word Study ingredient n. (1)[C] （构成某种食品的各种）成分，配料 ---The list of ingredients included 500g of sugar and 200ml of cream. 配料单上列出的成份包括500克糖和200毫升的奶油。 (2)[C]（形成某事物的）因素 ---the ingredients of sb.'s character 构成某人性格的种种要素 ---Trust is a key ingredient in a successful marriage. 信任是成功婚姻的关键要素。 concerning prep. about (sb. / sth.) 关于 ---I spoke to him concerning his behavior. 我和他谈了他的行为。 ---If you have any information concerning the recent event at the station, please contact the police. 要是你了解任何有关最近车站所发生事情的情况，请与警方联系。 [试题]The speech which he made ____ the project has bothered me greatly. A. being concerned B. concerned C. be concerned D. concerning anticipate vt. (1) see (what is going to happen) and then act事前处理，预先准备 ---Anticipating that it would soon be dark, all of them took flashlights. 考虑到天很快就会黑下来，他们大家都带了手电筒。 (2) expect (sth.) 预料，预期，期待 ---We anticipate great pleasure from our visit to London. 我们期待伦敦之行过得非常愉快。 ---We anticipate hearing from you again.我们期待再接到你们的来信。 [试题]The doctors don’t ____ that he will live much longer. A. manifest B. articulate C. anticipate D. monitor compact a. (of person or an animal) small, strong, and well-built 结实的 ---a wrestler of compact build.结实的摔跤选手 closely and neatly packed together紧凑的，小巧的 ---compact disc (CD) 激光唱片 ---compact clusters of flowers.紧密的花束 spot n. (1) [C] 粉刺，丘疹 ---Teenagers suffer a lot from spots. 青少年常常因长粉刺而颇感苦恼。 ---Stop picking your spots! 不要挑你的粉刺！ (2) [C] a small mark小点，斑点，污点 ---I wore that skirt with the green spots. 我穿着那条有绿点点的裙子。 (3) [C] a particular place or point地点，处所 ---This looks like a nice spot for a picnic. 看来这是个很好的野餐场所。 ---I'll show you the exact spot where I fell off my bike. 我会指给你看我从自行车上摔下来的确切地点。 vt. (1) mark with spots玷污 ---a table spotted with ink 墨迹斑斑的桌子 (2) 认出，发现 ---If you spot any mistakes in the article just mark them with a pencil. 如果你在文章里发现了什么错误，就用铅笔把它们标出来。 ---spot a friend in the crowd在人群中认出一个朋友 6. compel vt. make sb. do sth.; force 强迫，迫使 ---He was compelled by illness to suspend his experiment. 他因病不得不暂时中断实验。 ---Duty compelled the soldiers to volunteer for the mission. 责任驱使军人必须志愿加入此任务 7. behalf n. [U] interest; side 利益，方面 on someone's behalf 代表, 为……的利益 in behalf of [现罕用][美]为了...的利益 ---On behalf of my husband and myself I thank you. 我代表我的丈夫和我本人向您表示感谢。 I thank you for all the trouble you have taken in my behalf. 谢谢你为我费了这么多的心。 [试题] ___ all the staff, I would like to wish you a good retirement. A. In honor of B. In place of C. On behalf of D. On account of proclaim (1) make sth. known publicly宣告，宣布，公布，声明 ---The ringing bells proclaimed the birth of the queen's son. 响亮的钟声宣告了王子的诞生。 ---A national holiday was proclaimed. 宣布了一个国定假日。 (2) show or make it clear表明，显示 ---His accent proclaimed that he was a Scot. 他的口音表明他是苏格兰人。 Wearing hats that proclaimed their favorite team the football fans flooded into the bar. 足球迷们戴着代表他们所喜欢的球队的帽子潮水般地涌入酒吧。 somehow adv. (1) in some way; by some means以某种方法或方式，设法 ---We must stop him from seeing her somehow. 我们得设法阻止他看到她。 ---It won't be easy, but we we'll get across the river somehow. 这将不是件简单的事情，但我们能想办法过河去。 (2) for a reason that is unknown由于某种未知的理由 ---Somehow the dogs had escaped. 不知怎么的，那些狗跑了。 ---I always knew I'd get the job, somehow. 说不出什么道理，我总觉得我会得到那份工作。 modest a. (1) having a not too high opinion of one's abilities, qualities, etc. 谦虚的，虚心的 ---The young man is very modest about his success. 这个年轻人对自己的成功表现得很谦虚。 (2) not large in amount, size, etc. 适中的，适度的 ---His needs are quite modest. 他的需求一点不过分。 ---There has been a modest development in housing conditions for the poor. 穷人的住房条件有了一定的改善。 II. Phases and Expressions come up with: find or produce (an answer, a solution, etc.) 找到，想出 (答案，解决方法) ---She came up with a new idea for increasing sales. ---I hope you can come up with a better plan than that. [试题]Very few scientists ___ completely new answers to the world’s problems. A. come up with B. come out C. come round D. come up to win (sb.) over: gain (sb.'s) support or favor争得 (别人的) 支持或恩惠 ---She's against the idea, but I'm sure I can win her over. 她是反对这个主意的，但是我确信我能把她争取过来。 --- The lawyer won over the jury by his moving defense. 律师以他那富有感染力的辩护征服了陪审团。? hit it off (with sb.): have a friendly relationship with each other相处得很好 ---Do you hit it off with your husband's mother? 你和你丈夫的母亲合得来吗？ ---I didn't really hit it off with his friends. 我和他的朋友并不很合得来。 IV. Language Points My instructions are in my fingers. (Para.4)?Meaning: (Unlike Auntie Suyuan who can only cook while looking at directions,) I am so skilled that I can prepare and cook without much thinking as if my fingers did it by themselves.? I had seen her expression when she opened the door, her forced smile as she surveyed him from head to toe, checking her judgment of him against that already given to her by Auntie Suyuan. (Para.5)?Meaning: When she opened the door I had seen her face with an unnatural smile while she carefully looked at Rich all over his body. By doing so she tried to make sure whether her judgment of Rich was in agreement with what she had learned about Rich from Auntie Suyuan.? forced smile: smile produced unwillingly (thus unnatural) or with difficulty? Notice the use of “forced” in the following sentences:? I thought their laughter was rather forced. 我认为他们的笑相当勉强。? The airplane had to make a forced landing because two of the engines were on fire. 由于有两个引擎着火，飞机只好迫降。 He was a bit on the short side, compactly built. (Para.6)?Meaning: He was a little too short and had a small, but well-shaped body.? on the … side: rather, a little too …? I like the house but I think the price is a bit on the high side. 我喜欢那房子, 但觉得价格太高了点。? The weather is on the cold side. 天气有点凉。? Those shoes are on the large side. 那双鞋大了一点。? built: If you say that someone is built in a particular way, you are describing the kind of body they have.? He is a huge man, built like an oak tree. 他体格魁梧，身材像一棵橡树。? a well-built man 体格强壮的人 As is the Chinese cook’s custom, my mother always made negative remarks about her own cooking. (Para.15) as (is) ...: Here“as”is used as a relative pronoun, introducing a relative clause whose antecedent is not just a noun phrase, but a whole clause, or sentence.? As is common knowledge, she is very popular among her students. 众所周知, 她极受学生欢迎。? She is very popular among her students, as is common knowledge. 她极受学生欢迎, 这是众所周知的事。? When a sentential relative clause appears at the end of the whole sentence, “as” can be replaced by “which”. She is very popular among her students, which is common knowledge.? More examples:? As was expected, she has married again. 正如所料, 她又结婚了。? Things then improved, as / which was unexpected. 随后情况有了起色, 这是始料未及的。 It is too bad to eat. (Para.16) Meaning: This dish is so bad that it is not good for eating. By saying so the mother again wanted to show her politeness in? the usual traditional Chinese way.? Notice that in English the structure “too + to + verb” usually contains a negative element, just like the above sentence in the passage. More examples:? It is too cold to go swimming. (= It is so cold that we cannot / should not go swimming.) 天气太冷, 不能去游泳。? It is too good an opportunity to miss. (= It is such a good opportunity that we should not / must not miss.) 这机会太好了, 千万不能错过。? But when the structure has an added “only”, the meaning becomes positive.? Examples: We were only too pleased to be able to help you. (= We were very pleased to be able to help you.) 能够帮你忙, 真是太高兴了。? I am only too delighted to accept your invitation. (= I am very delighted to accept your invitation.) 我非常愉快接受你的邀请。