Distant Education College, Jilin University
Lesson 18
A Young Detective’s Adventures:
The Mystery
1. Text Analysis
2. Exercises
3. Questions
For Discussion
Extensive Reading II
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Exercises
1. True/False Questions
2. Multiple-choice Questions
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. The blind girl thought Smith had no ability to solve the
mysterious deaths.
2. Smith thought what the girl said about poisonous plants
suggested that the second wife of Mr. Fitch died from food
poisoning.
3. Smith didn’t want to spend another night in Mr. Fitch’s house
because he wanted to tell Chief Hutch what had happened there
as soon as possible.
4. Amelia felt extremely guilty when her father died and she
nearly killed herself.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. The blind girl thought Smith had no ability to solve the
mysterious deaths. T
2. Smith thought what the girl said about poisonous plants
suggested that the second wife of Mr. Fitch died from food
poisoning.
3. Smith didn’t want to spend another night in Mr. Fitch’s house
because he wanted to tell Chief Hutch what had happened there
as soon as possible.
4. Amelia felt extremely guilty when her father died and she
nearly killed herself.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. The blind girl thought Smith had no ability to solve the
mysterious deaths. T
2. Smith thought what the girl said about poisonous plants
suggested that the second wife of Mr. Fitch died from food
poisoning. T
3. Smith didn’t want to spend another night in Mr. Fitch’s house
because he wanted to tell Chief Hutch what had happened there
as soon as possible.
4. Amelia felt extremely guilty when her father died and she
nearly killed herself.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. The blind girl thought Smith had no ability to solve the
mysterious deaths. T
2. Smith thought what the girl said about poisonous plants
suggested that the second wife of Mr. Fitch died from food
poisoning. T
3. Smith didn’t want to spend another night in Mr. Fitch’s house
because he wanted to tell Chief Hutch what had happened there
as soon as possible. F
4. Amelia felt extremely guilty when her father died and she
nearly killed herself.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. The blind girl thought Smith had no ability to solve the
mysterious deaths. T
2. Smith thought what the girl said about poisonous plants
suggested that the second wife of Mr. Fitch died from food
poisoning. T
3. Smith didn’t want to spend another night in Mr. Fitch’s house
because he wanted to tell Chief Hutch what had happened there
as soon as possible. F
4. Amelia felt extremely guilty when her father died and she
nearly killed herself. T
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Amelia was forbidden by her father’s will to live together
with her husband, so she had to live alone on the hill.
6. Mrs. Munsing could solve the mystery if there was not a
police investigation.
7. Amelia had to tell Smith the truth in order to prevent further
police investigations.
8. Smith investigated the daughter first. The girl was blind and
she kept many poisonous plants in her garden.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Amelia was forbidden by her father’s will to live together
with her husband, so she had to live alone on the hill. T
6. Mrs. Munsing could solve the mystery if there was not a
police investigation.
7. Amelia had to tell Smith the truth in order to prevent further
police investigations.
8. Smith investigated the daughter first. The girl was blind and
she kept many poisonous plants in her garden.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Amelia was forbidden by her father’s will to live together
with her husband, so she had to live alone on the hill. T
6. Mrs. Munsing could solve the mystery if there was not a
police investigation. F
7. Amelia had to tell Smith the truth in order to prevent further
police investigations.
8. Smith investigated the daughter first. The girl was blind and
she kept many poisonous plants in her garden.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Amelia was forbidden by her father’s will to live together
with her husband, so she had to live alone on the hill. T
6. Mrs. Munsing could solve the mystery if there was not a
police investigation. F
7. Amelia had to tell Smith the truth in order to prevent further
police investigations. T
8. Smith investigated the daughter first. The girl was blind and
she kept many poisonous plants in her garden.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Amelia was forbidden by her father’s will to live together
with her husband, so she had to live alone on the hill. T
6. Mrs. Munsing could solve the mystery if there was not a
police investigation. F
7. Amelia had to tell Smith the truth in order to prevent further
police investigations. T
8. Smith investigated the daughter first. The girl was blind and
she kept many poisonous plants in her garden. T
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. From their talk, Smith learned that the girl hated her
stepmothers.
10. Smith was anxious to report to his chief. He was sure that
the two women were murdered by the daughter and Mrs.
Munsing.
11. Mr. Fitch married Amelia for her wealth and deserted her
after he used up her money.
12. Amelia told Smith in her letter the facts about the deaths of
the three Mrs. Fitches.
13. The Police Chief did not want to offend people who had
more power than he had.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. From their talk, Smith learned that the girl hated her
stepmothers. T
10. Smith was anxious to report to his chief. He was sure that
the two women were murdered by the daughter and Mrs.
Munsing.
11. Mr. Fitch married Amelia for her wealth and deserted her
after he used up her money.
12. Amelia told Smith in her letter the facts about the deaths of
the three Mrs. Fitches.
13. The Police Chief did not want to offend people who had
more power than he had.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. From their talk, Smith learned that the girl hated her
stepmothers. T
10. Smith was anxious to report to his chief. He was sure that
the two women were murdered by the daughter and Mrs.
Munsing. F
11. Mr. Fitch married Amelia for her wealth and deserted her
after he used up her money.
12. Amelia told Smith in her letter the facts about the deaths of
the three Mrs. Fitches.
13. The Police Chief did not want to offend people who had
more power than he had.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. From their talk, Smith learned that the girl hated her
stepmothers. T
10. Smith was anxious to report to his chief. He was sure that
the two women were murdered by the daughter and Mrs.
Munsing. F
11. Mr. Fitch married Amelia for her wealth and deserted her
after he used up her money. F
12. Amelia told Smith in her letter the facts about the deaths of
the three Mrs. Fitches.
13. The Police Chief did not want to offend people who had
more power than he had.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. From their talk, Smith learned that the girl hated her
stepmothers. T
10. Smith was anxious to report to his chief. He was sure that
the two women were murdered by the daughter and Mrs.
Munsing. F
11. Mr. Fitch married Amelia for her wealth and deserted her
after he used up her money. F
12. Amelia told Smith in her letter the facts about the deaths of
the three Mrs. Fitches. T
13. The Police Chief did not want to offend people who had
more power than he had.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. From their talk, Smith learned that the girl hated her
stepmothers. T
10. Smith was anxious to report to his chief. He was sure that
the two women were murdered by the daughter and Mrs.
Munsing. F
11. Mr. Fitch married Amelia for her wealth and deserted her
after he used up her money. F
12. Amelia told Smith in her letter the facts about the deaths of
the three Mrs. Fitches. T
13. The Police Chief did not want to offend people who had
more power than he had. T
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
1. “She looked right at me, or I should say right through me.”
From this sentence we learned that ______.
A) she knew what Smith was thinking
B) she was blind
C) she looked directly into the eyes of Smith
D) she recognized Smith immediately
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
1. “She looked right at me, or I should say right through me.”
From this sentence we learned that ______. B
A) she knew what Smith was thinking
B) she was blind
C) she looked directly into the eyes of Smith
D) she recognized Smith immediately
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
2. The girl, born of Fitch’s _______ wife, _______.
A) first, was long-sighted
B) second, had poor vision
C) third, was blind
D) first, lost her sight
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
2. The girl, born of Fitch’s _______ wife, _______. D
A) first, was long-sighted
B) second, had poor vision
C) third, was blind
D) first, lost her sight
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
3. In the opinion of the blind girl, those other women her father
married _______.
A) did not belong to the Fitch family and died outside the hill
B) died easily like a weed taken away by the wind
C) did not die accidentally but were killed on purpose
D) were fated to die
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
3. In the opinion of the blind girl, those other women her father
married _______. D
A) did not belong to the Fitch family and died outside the hill
B) died easily like a weed taken away by the wind
C) did not die accidentally but were killed on purpose
D) were fated to die
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
4. Before Smith read the letter from Amelia, he ________.
A) discussed a lot of things about the Fitches with the Chief
B) was interested to continue the investigation
C) was unable to figure out who was the killer
D) was at a loss as to what to do
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
4. Before Smith read the letter from Amelia, he ________. C
A) discussed a lot of things about the Fitches with the Chief
B) was interested to continue the investigation
C) was unable to figure out who was the killer
D) was at a loss as to what to do
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
5. “We could never take such a crazy person into our
confidence.” This sentence implies that _____.
A) they couldn’t believe what Munsing said because she was
very stupid
B) Munsing was easily confused and probably would have
misunderstood the truth about the Fitch family
C) they would like to tell Munsing the truth of the mystery but
she was too foolish
D) Munsing was insane and therefore could not be trusted
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
5. “We could never take such a crazy person into our
confidence.” This sentence implies that _____. B
A) they couldn’t believe what Munsing said because she was
very stupid
B) Munsing was easily confused and probably would have
misunderstood the truth about the Fitch family
C) they would like to tell Munsing the truth of the mystery but
she was too foolish
D) Munsing was insane and therefore could not be trusted
More
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
6. “We had not counted on your cleverness, however.” These
words showed that Amelia ______.
A) thought Smith was very clever and had worked out who the
killer was
B) didn’t think that Smith had the ability to solve the
mysterious deaths
C) knew very clearly about Smith’s methods and ideas
concerning the investigation
D) had not expected to meet such a skillful investigator
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
6. “We had not counted on your cleverness, however.” These
words showed that Amelia ______. D
A) thought Smith was very clever and had worked out who the
killer was
B) didn’t think that Smith had the ability to solve the
mysterious deaths
C) knew very clearly about Smith’s methods and ideas
concerning the investigation
D) had not expected to meet such a skillful investigator
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Questions for Discussion
1. What do you think of Amelia’s letter? Did she tell the truth?
Please explain your answer.
2. Do you think the deaths of the second and the third Mrs.
Fitches were accidental? Could the daughter have murdered
both of them? Or were their deaths a cooperative effort between
mother and daughter?
3. What would you do if you were Smith? Would you arrest the
mother and daughter on suspicion of murder? Would you arrest
Mr. Fitch for the crime of having more than one wife at the
same time? Or would you drop the case?
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
My balcony looked directly onto the garden, and I saw a
young woman I hadn’t seen before on the porch. She was
tending the plants and carefully and slowly touching each one.
That must be the daughter, I thought; at the same time, I made
my decision to start my investigation with her.
The house was quiet as I passed through the halls and found
the door that opened onto the garden. As I approached the
garden, the girl looked up quickly and said in a frightened voice,
“Who’s there? Who’s there?”
She looked right at me, or I should say right through me.
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
“My name is Dwight Smith. I’m a guest of your father.”
“You must be with the police,” she said. “My father said
someone was coming to investigate.” She turned back to her
plants. “I didn’t recognize your step and you frightened me. But
now I will know it, and you won’t be able to surprise me
anymore. You may ask me questions if you want. I know all
about police investigations. I have listened to a lot of stories
about famous detectives. Dwight Smith is such a common name
though. It won’t sound very romantic in the newspapers when
they write about all the famous crimes that you solve.”
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
I laughed and said I didn’t expect to find many crimes in
Flagstaff.
“Then why are you here? You don’t believe that these women
whom my father married really died an accidental death, do
you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. I think she had already
lost any faith she had in me.
“Nothing on earth is an accident. My blindness is not an
accident. These plants are not an accident. Those women my
father married were not part of this hill. They were not part of
the scheme of things; it was obvious they had to be taken away,
like a weed in a garden.”
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
“This has a beautiful flower,” I said, hoping to express my
interest in the garden when I really wanted to hear more about
this blind girl’s hatred of the two intruders, her stepmothers.
“Where? Let me feel. Yes, it may be beautiful. It has a very
delicate smell. But it’s very poisonous, you know.”
“Why do you have poisonous plants in your garden?”
“Oh, I have lots of them. Sometimes the most beautiful,
innocent flower is deadly. Can you see the foxglove there?” She
pointed toward some tall plants with purple flowers.
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
I began to think about the second wife, who died from food
poisoning. I looked around the garden to see if there were any
other dangerous plants I could recognize.
From the porch, Ms. Ryan was calling for us to come in to tea.
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
I did not sleep well that night. I listened to every sound. And there
were lots of them. I decided I would not spend another night in that
house. I planned to finish my investigation and leave that morning. I
would let the Chief figure out who killed the wives. But I knew he
didn’t really want to know. Nobody wanted to know. And maybe
they weren’t murdered. It all could have been accidental: a missing
plane, food poisoning, a fall. But what if someone fixed the motor of
the plane so it would malfunction at a certain point; what if someone
put some poisonous leaves in the food; what if the third wife was
pushed off the cliff rather than fell? Did the same person kill all
three? Or was the first an accident and the second two murders?
Were the last two wives killed by one person or by two different
people?
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
I left the Fitch house without saying thank you to my hosts. I
ran down the hill and stopped a passing car. I had a lot to tell
the Chief. I wondered how much he already knew.
The car that picked me up stopped in front of the police
station; inside I was told the Chief was away for a few days. My
tale would have to wait. I spent the afternoon at my desk trying
to piece the story together. At five o’clock, I had finished my
report and returned to Mrs. Johnson’s house.
It was just like being home with my mother again. She
handed me a letter that had been delivered by hand in the
afternoon.
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
Dear Mr. Smith,
We always had such a quiet life on the hill. When my father
was alive, he never allowed visitors. Darjo was the only person
my father had confidence in; he never had any in me. Nor in my
choice of a husband. When he died of a heart attack after my
marriage, I blamed myself and was overcome with guilt. I
would have killed myself, but I had a little daughter to take care
of and a husband I loved. To keep the land and the money, my
husband and I were prohibited by my father’s will from living
together. It seemed that the only way to provide for my
daughter and husband and still stay close to the land I loved
was to “disappear.” Small plane crashes are very convenient.
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
It was a very difficult life for both my husband and me.
Fortunately I had the comfort of the good Sisters of the Valley
who sheltered me. I never had to worry about their talking to
someone about me.
My husband was not a good businessman, as my father had
suspected. He began to lose our fortune, and we were faced with
selling the land I loved and perhaps separation. I reluctantly
agreed to his plan to marry a wealthy woman. That plan was
helped along by the efforts of Ms. Ryan, a very capable woman
who was my best friend in school.
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
One wife led to another, and you know the rest. What you
don’t know is: how did those women die? And why did we call
the police in?
Mrs. Munsing was letting her suspicions run in unpleasant
directions, and we could never take such a crazy person into our
confidence. We thought we could appease her with a police
investigation. We felt safe leaving the investigation to our local
police; we had not counted on your cleverness, however. The
Chief of Police is a kind soul, but not very intelligent. He was
more concerned with keeping my husband’s goodwill than in
doing his duty. Besides the deaths were accidental in a manner
of speaking.
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
Mrs. Munsing herself killed the second Mrs. Fitch, but only
by her own stupidity. She mistakenly used the leaves of a
poisonous plant instead of mint in the lemonade she gave the
second Mrs. Fitch. But was that her fault really? I grew the
plant and my blind girl picked the leaves and gave them to Mrs.
Munsing. The rest was fate.
The death of the third Mrs. Fitch was fate as well. She
became frightened when she saw me coming toward her down
the narrow cliff path. She took an unfortunate step backwards
and fell off the cliff. Could I really be to blame?
Previous
Next
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
I’m sorry we won’t be able to answer any more of your
questions. You got more information than you need, anyway.
We wish you every possible success in Flagstaff.
Warmly,
Amelia Fitch
From The great Preposition Mystery,
ed., Lin Lougheed, Washington, D.C., 1981.
Approximately 1,200 words.
Previous
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
balcony [5bAlkEnI] n. 阳台
=a platform that projects from the wall of a building and is
surrounded by a railing, balustrade, or parapet
e.g. Xiao Wang does morning exercises in his balcony every day.
每天小王都在阳台上做早操。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
tend [tend] vt. 照料，看护
=take care of
e.g. Peter will tend the store while his father is away.
父亲不在时彼德负责看店。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
solve [sRlv] vt. 解释，解答
=find a solution to
e.g. Can you solve the riddle?
你能解开这个谜吗？
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
romantic [rE5mAntIk] a. 传奇式的
=relating to, or characteristic of romance
e.g. Robinson Crusoe’s romantic adventures became the bedside
stories of thousands of children round the world.
罗宾逊•克鲁索传奇式的冒险成为全世界成千上万孩子的床边
故事。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
scheme [ski:m] n. 计划，方案
=a systematic plan of action
e.g. He thought of a scheme to get some money.
他想出了一个弄钱的方案。
the scheme of things （事物的）格局
e.g. It seemed that the scheme of things had been set even before
we started.
看起来事物的格局在我们开始之前就确定了。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
intruder [In5tru:dE] n. 闯入者，入侵者
=the person who comes in rudely or inappropriately
e.g. Any intruder of the private land will be sent to the police.
私人土地上的任何闯入者将被送交警方。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
delicate [5delikit] a. （气味）清淡的
=pleasing to the senses, especially in a subtle way
e.g. Since I often have a stomachache, I prefer delicate food.
因为我经常胃痛，所以我喜欢清淡的食物。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
innocent [5InEsEnt] a. 单纯的，无罪的，无害的
= sinless，legally blameless，innocuous
e.g. Do you call these innocent amusements?
你把这些叫做无害的娱乐吗?
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
foxglove [5fRks^lQv] n. （植）毛
地黄
=any of several herbs of the genus
Digitalis
e.g. Foxgloves in Europe have a long
cluster of large, tubular, pinkish-purple
flowers and leaves that are the source of
the drug digitalis.
产于欧洲的毛地黄，有一长簇管状的、淡
红紫色大花和叶子，这些是毛地黄药的来
Return
源。
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
purple [5pE:pl] n.&a. 紫色（的）
=any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and
red
e.g. His face became purple with rage.
他的面孔气得发紫。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
malfunction [mAl5fQNkFEn] vi. 失灵，发生故障
= fail to function
e.g. The two engines on the same side malfunctioned at the same
time.
一侧的两台发动机同时失灵。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
overcome [EJvE5kQm] vt. （感情等）使受不了，压倒
=overpower, as with emotion; affect deeply
e.g. We were overcome with joy.
我们喜出望外。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
prohibit [prE5hIbIt] vt. 禁止，阻止
= forbid by authority
e.g. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the process of handling
explosive materials.
在处理易爆物时,严格禁止吸烟。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
reluctantly [ri5lQktEntlI] ad. 勉强地
=unwillingly
e.g. He went away reluctantly.
他很不愿意地离去了。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
appease [E5pi:z] vt. 平息，满足（好奇心）
= soothe，satisfy
e.g. The angry passenger was appeased by their apology.
他们道了歉,那位旅客的气也消了。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
goodwill [^Jd5wIl] n. 好意，信誉
= an attitude of kindness or friendliness; benevolence
e.g. The exchange of goodwill missions greatly contributes to a
better understanding between the two countries.
互派友好代表团大大有助于两国的相互了解。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
will [wIl] n. 遗嘱
=testament
e.g. Have you made your will yet?
你立下遗嘱了吗？
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
piece [pi:s]
1. n.（常与of连用）=a thing considered as a unit or an element
of a larger thing, quantity, or class; a portion 一部分，块, 件,
片, 篇, 张
e.g. He took a piece of the cake.
他拿了一块蛋糕。
2. vt. 常与together 连用）=join or unite the pieces of 拼凑,连接，
接上接合或拼合起…的碎片
e.g. She pieced together an account of what had gone on during
the stormy meeting.
她把在那场激烈的会议上所发生的一切拼凑起来，并把它们陈
诉出来。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Words to Know
crazy [5kreIzI]
1. = mad; insane 疯狂的；精神错乱的；蠢的
e.g. He‘s crazy to drive his car so fast.
他把车开得这样快，真是疯了。
2. = enthusiastic or preoccupied 着迷的；狂热的
e.g. She's crazy about dancing.
她热衷于跳舞。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
figure out 弄明白
e.g. I couldn't figure out who the lady with the sunglasses was.
我想不出那位戴墨镜的夫人是谁。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
pick up （停下来）把…带走
e.g. The bus picks up commuters at three stops.
公共汽车在三个站载送通勤者。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
by hand 专人送（交）的（非邮寄的）
e.g. I arranged my parcel to be delivered by hand instead of by
mail.
我安排专人送去我的包裹而没有邮寄它。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
provide for 抚养，提供生计
e.g. Providing for one's children is not only a way to show love,
but also a duty regulated by law.
抚养子女不仅是关爱的表现，也是法律规定的义务。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
count on 指望，依赖
e.g. You can count on my help.
你可以依赖我的帮助。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
in a manner of speaking 可以说
e.g. In a manner of speaking, you are also a winner.
可以说，你也是个赢家。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Dwight Smith is such a common name though. It won’t sound
very romantic in the newspapers when they write about all the
famous crimes that you solve.
德怀特•史密斯是个十分普通的名字。若是有人在报纸上报导
你侦破的著名案件，你的名字可不够浪漫。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
“They were not part of the scheme of things; it was obvious
they had to be taken away, like a weed in a garden.”
“她们不是我们这个圈子里的人，她们显然就得像花园里的杂
草一样被除掉。”
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
To keep the land and the money, my husband and I were
prohibited by my father’s will from living together.
按照我父亲的遗嘱，我要想继承他的地产和钱财就不能和我丈
夫生活在一起。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Fortunately I had the comfort of the good Sisters of the Valley
who sheltered me.
=Luckily the nuns in the convent of the Valley helped and
concealed me.
幸好我得到了当地修道院修女的庇护。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Mrs. Munsing was letting her suspicions run in unpleasant
directions, and we would never take such a crazy person into
our confidence.
曼星太太对两位夫人的丧命表示怀疑，而且总是向坏处想，我
们岂能信任这样古怪的人。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
But what if someone fixed the motor of the plane so it would
malfunction at a certain point; what if someone put some
poisonous leaves in the food; what if the third wife was pushed
off the cliff rather than fell?
但是如果有人在发动机上做了手脚，使飞机中途发生故障，那
会是什么结果?如果有人在食物中放入毒叶，又将会怎样?如果
第三个太太是被推下悬崖而不是自己摔下去的，那将意味着什
么？
what if 表示“假如…将会发生什么?”、“要是…将会怎么样
呢?”：
e.g. What if he has told a lie?
如果他说的是谎话．那怎么办?
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Sometimes the most beautiful, innocent flower is deadly.
有时最美丽、圣洁的花卉往往有致命的毒性。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
I would let the Chief figure out who killed the wives.
我要让警长自己来考虑是谁杀了这几位太大。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Darjo was the only person my father had confidence in; he
never had any in me. Nor in my choice of a husband.
大乔是我父亲唯一信任的人．他从不信任我，也不信任我选择
的丈夫。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
It seemed that the only way to provide for my daughter and
husband and still stay close to the land I loved was to
“disappear.”
看来既能供养女儿和丈夫又能继续呆在我热爱的土地上的唯一
办法，是我自己“失踪”。
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
But now I will know it, and you won’t be able to surprise me
anymore.
但既然我了解了你的脚步声，你现在就不会吓到我了。
anymore:
now
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
porch
A covered platform,
usually having a
separate roof, at an
entrance to a building.
门廊建筑物入口处
有顶的平台，通常有
单独的屋顶
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
She took an unfortunate
step backwards and fell off
the cliff. Could I really be
to blame?
她向后退去,不幸掉下悬崖.
这能怪我吗?
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
She mistakenly used the leaves of a
poisonous plant instead of mint in the
lemonade she gave the second Mrs.
Fitch.
他五八度也当作柠檬里
的薄荷给了第二位
FITCH太太
Return
Distant Education College, Jilin University
She took an unfortunate step backwards
and fell off the cliff. Could I really be to
blame?
她向后退去,不幸掉下悬崖.这能怪我吗?
Return