Distant Education College, Jilin University
Lesson 17
A Young Detective’s Adventures:
Looking for Clues
1. Warm-up Questions
2. Text Analysis
3. Exercises
4. Questions
For Discussion
Extensive Reading II
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Warm-up Questions
1. Why didn’t the Chief want Smith to interfere with the Fitch
family?
2. Why did the Chief stress again and again that the deaths of the
Fitch women were accidental?
3. What would happen to Smith if he continued to bother with
the Fitch family?
4. What did Mr. Fitch ask Smith to do for him? And why?
5. How did Mr. Fitch receive Smith at his house?
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Questions for Discussion
1. What is Chief Hutch’s attitude towards the deaths of the three
Mrs. Fitches?
2. Why did Mr. Hutch adopt such an attitude toward the Fitch
family? What was his motive? What did he concern about,
maintaining the “status quo” or seeing the justice done?
3. If you were the detective, what would you do to begin your
investigation? Would you begin with Mr. Fitch himself or Darjo
or Mrs. Munsing or anyone else? Why?
4. From the part of story, what kind of man was Smith?
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Exercises
1. True/False Questions
2. Multiple-choice Questions
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True/False Questions
1. Chief Hutch was angry because Smith had been reading about the
three Mrs. Fitches in the old newspapers.
2. Mr. Fitch asked Chief Hutch to send Smith to investigate the
death of his last wife because Smith was new to the case.
3. Detective Smith took a bus to the Fitch house because Chief Hutch
didn’t think he was important enough to drive a police car.
4. Detective Smith thought the causes for the three deaths were
perhaps too obvious to be believed.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. Chief Hutch was angry because Smith had been reading about the
three Mrs. Fitches in the old newspapers. T
2. Mr. Fitch asked Chief Hutch to send Smith to investigate the
death of his last wife because Smith was new to the case.
3. Detective Smith took a bus to the Fitch house because Chief Hutch
didn’t think he was important enough to drive a police car.
4. Detective Smith thought the causes for the three deaths were
perhaps too obvious to be believed.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. Chief Hutch was angry because Smith had been reading about the
three Mrs. Fitches in the old newspapers. T
2. Mr. Fitch asked Chief Hutch to send Smith to investigate the
death of his last wife because Smith was new to the case. T
3. Detective Smith took a bus to the Fitch house because Chief Hutch
didn’t think he was important enough to drive a police car.
4. Detective Smith thought the causes for the three deaths were
perhaps too obvious to be believed.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. Chief Hutch was angry because Smith had been reading about the
three Mrs. Fitches in the old newspapers. T
2. Mr. Fitch asked Chief Hutch to send Smith to investigate the
death of his last wife because Smith was new to the case. T
3. Detective Smith took a bus to the Fitch house because Chief Hutch
didn’t think he was important enough to drive a police car. F
4. Detective Smith thought the causes for the three deaths were
perhaps too obvious to be believed.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
1. Chief Hutch was angry because Smith had been reading about the
three Mrs. Fitches in the old newspapers. T
2. Mr. Fitch asked Chief Hutch to send Smith to investigate the
death of his last wife because Smith was new to the case. T
3. Detective Smith took a bus to the Fitch house because Chief Hutch
didn’t think he was important enough to drive a police car. F
4. Detective Smith thought the causes for the three deaths were
perhaps too obvious to be believed. T
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True/False Questions
5. Detective Smith was eager to go to the Fitch house.
6. Mr. Fitch was pleased with Smith’s coming.
7. When the Chief told Smith about the rules in Flagstaff, Smith
pretended not to understand what he meant.
8. The most important rule the Chief had was not to bother with
the Fitch family, because it was the most powerful and richest
family in the town.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Detective Smith was eager to go to the Fitch house. T
6. Mr. Fitch was pleased with Smith’s coming.
7. When the Chief told Smith about the rules in Flagstaff, Smith
pretended not to understand what he meant.
8. The most important rule the Chief had was not to bother with
the Fitch family, because it was the most powerful and richest
family in the town.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Detective Smith was eager to go to the Fitch house. T
6. Mr. Fitch was pleased with Smith’s coming. F
7. When the Chief told Smith about the rules in Flagstaff, Smith
pretended not to understand what he meant.
8. The most important rule the Chief had was not to bother with
the Fitch family, because it was the most powerful and richest
family in the town.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Detective Smith was eager to go to the Fitch house. T
6. Mr. Fitch was pleased with Smith’s coming. F
7. When the Chief told Smith about the rules in Flagstaff, Smith
pretended not to understand what he meant. F
8. The most important rule the Chief had was not to bother with
the Fitch family, because it was the most powerful and richest
family in the town.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
5. Detective Smith was eager to go to the Fitch house. T
6. Mr. Fitch was pleased with Smith’s coming. F
7. When the Chief told Smith about the rules in Flagstaff, Smith
pretended not to understand what he meant. F
8. The most important rule the Chief had was not to bother with
the Fitch family, because it was the most powerful and richest
family in the town. T
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True/False Questions
9. The Chief told Smith if he continued to investigate the Fitch
family’s case, he would fire him.
10. The three women all died of food poisoning.
11. Mr. Fitch asked Smith to look into the cause of his last wife’s
death.
12. Smith thought Mr. Fitch an honest man. He could not have
murdered his three wives.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. The Chief told Smith if he continued to investigate the Fitch
family’s case, he would fire him. T
10. The three women all died of food poisoning.
11. Mr. Fitch asked Smith to look into the cause of his last wife’s
death.
12. Smith thought Mr. Fitch an honest man. He could not have
murdered his three wives.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. The Chief told Smith if he continued to investigate the Fitch
family’s case, he would fire him. T
10. The three women all died of food poisoning. F
11. Mr. Fitch asked Smith to look into the cause of his last wife’s
death.
12. Smith thought Mr. Fitch an honest man. He could not have
murdered his three wives.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. The Chief told Smith if he continued to investigate the Fitch
family’s case, he would fire him. T
10. The three women all died of food poisoning. F
11. Mr. Fitch asked Smith to look into the cause of his last wife’s
death. T
12. Smith thought Mr. Fitch an honest man. He could not have
murdered his three wives.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
True/False Questions
9. The Chief told Smith if he continued to investigate the Fitch
family’s case, he would fire him. T
10. The three women all died of food poisoning. F
11. Mr. Fitch asked Smith to look into the cause of his last wife’s
death. T
12. Smith thought Mr. Fitch an honest man. He could not have
murdered his three wives. F
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Multiple-choice Questions
1. According to Chief Hutch, there were more rules in Flagstaff
than in New York because _______.
A) Flagstaff is a city that is much smaller than New York
B) Mr. Fitch should be protected from being killed
C) the Fitch family should be kept from being disturbed
D) there were more parking violations in Flagstaff
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
1. According to Chief Hutch, there were more rules in Flagstaff
than in New York because _______. C
A) Flagstaff is a city that is much smaller than New York
B) Mr. Fitch should be protected from being killed
C) the Fitch family should be kept from being disturbed
D) there were more parking violations in Flagstaff
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Multiple-choice Questions
2. Chief Hutch talked again and again about the accidental deaths
of the Fitch wives in order that Detective Smith would stop
________.
A) reading the old newspapers
B) going to Mr. Fitch’s house
C) talking with Mrs. Munsing
D) thinking about and investigating all those deaths
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
2. Chief Hutch talked again and again about the accidental deaths
of the Fitch wives in order that Detective Smith would stop
________. D
A) reading the old newspapers
B) going to Mr. Fitch’s house
C) talking with Mrs. Munsing
D) thinking about and investigating all those deaths
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Multiple-choice Questions
3. Chief Hutch did not want to send Smith up to look into the
death of Fitch’s last wife because __________.
A) he disliked Smith
B) he thought Smith might interfere with Mr. Fitch’s affairs
C) Detective Smith was inexperienced
D) both B and C
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
3. Chief Hutch did not want to send Smith up to look into the
death of Fitch’s last wife because __________. D
A) he disliked Smith
B) he thought Smith might interfere with Mr. Fitch’s affairs
C) Detective Smith was inexperienced
D) both B and C
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Multiple-choice Questions
4. The Chief turned to Smith with a look of astonishment on his
face while talking to Mr. Fitch on the phone because ________.
A) he was afraid that Smith might overhear his phone
conversation
B) he was surprised that Mr. Fitch learned the news so quickly
that Smith was interested in the three deaths
C) he was astonished that Mr. Fitch wanted Smith to investigate
the death of his last wife
D) he was surprised that Fitch should have asked the police to
look into the matter
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
4. The Chief turned to Smith with a look of astonishment on his
face while talking to Mr. Fitch on the phone because ________. C
A) he was afraid that Smith might overhear his phone
conversation
B) he was surprised that Mr. Fitch learned the news so quickly
that Smith was interested in the three deaths
C) he was astonished that Mr. Fitch wanted Smith to investigate
the death of his last wife
D) he was surprised that Fitch should have asked the police to
look into the matter
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Multiple-choice Questions
5. When he had nearly reached Mr. Fitch’s house, Smith ____.
A) stopped at the roadside to enjoy the peaceful surroundings
B) couldn’t believe that a murder had happened in such a quiet
and beautiful place
C) realized that Mrs. Munsing had deceived the police
D) begun to think about the real causes of the three deaths
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
5. When he had nearly reached Mr. Fitch’s house, Smith ____. B
A) stopped at the roadside to enjoy the peaceful surroundings
B) couldn’t believe that a murder had happened in such a quiet
and beautiful place
C) realized that Mrs. Munsing had deceived the police
D) begun to think about the real causes of the three deaths
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Multiple-choice Questions
6. What can you conclude from the story about Darjo?
A) He hated strangers.
B) He didn’t like policeman to come to the Fitch’s house.
C) He didn’t believe what Detective Smith said.
D) He was very faithful to the Fitch family.
Answer
Distant Education College, Jilin University
Multiple-choice Questions
6. What can you conclude from the story about Darjo? D
A) He hated strangers.
B) He didn’t like policeman to come to the Fitch’s house.
C) He didn’t believe what Detective Smith said.
D) He was very faithful to the Fitch family.
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Text Analysis
When I walked into the Chief’s office, I saw from the look on
his face that he was not going to give me good news.
“You like working here?” he asked without expecting an
answer. “Well, you got to learn the rules. We all have rules and
maybe here we have more rules than you did in New York. Rules
keep us honest, you know what I mean?”
I said I didn’t.
“Don’t get smart with me. You know what I mean. Our rules
keep us from getting in one another’s way. You know what I
mean.”
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Text Analysis
I still didn’t understand his point, but I nodded my head.
“That’s good. Now, Rule Number One is we don’t bother with
the Fitch family.” He looked straight into my eyes and I stared
back into his. I didn’t understand how the rule of avoiding
someone would keep us honest. He slowed down his speech and
raised his voice to make sure I would understand. “The Fitch
family has been good to this town. They built this building we are
sitting in and they built the courthouse. They built the school we
all send our children to and they have given almost all of the
police officers loans to buy homes. So we don’t like to bother
them unnecessarily. You know what I mean?”
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Text Analysis
I was beginning to understand. “Of course, Chief. There’s no
need to bother any citizen unnecessarily.”
“Then why in heaven’s name were you reading old newspapers
about the accidental deaths of the Fitch women?” He stressed
accidental to make sure that I knew that there was no doubt
about the cause of the deaths. I wondered how he knew I had
been reading the old clippings. He answered my unvoiced
question.
“My brother told me you have been in twice asking for stories
on the Fitches. You want to tell me why?”
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Text Analysis
I replied that a new person in town must be familiar with all
the major happenings of the town that formed the town’s history.
“I’ll tell you all you need to know. And what you need to know
is that the deaths were accidental. The first Mrs. Fitch was flying
her own small plane which got lost and was never found again.
The second woman died of food poisoning.”
“What kind of food poisoning?”
“FOOD! FOOD! FOOD poisoning. What more do you need to
know?”
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Text Analysis
Nothing. I knew the third and last Mrs. Fitch had fallen off a
cliff while walking with her stepdaughter. There didn’t seem to be
any pattern to the deaths except that they all happened to wives
of Mr. Fitch.
“Now, if I hear you’re messing around in the Fitches’ business
again, you’ll be on the first bus back to that city you came from.”
At that moment the intercom buzzed and the Chief answered it.
“Yeah? Sure, put him on. Good morning, Mr. Fitch … How are
you this morning? Well, we couldn’t be better down here …
nothing more serious than a few parking violations … Yes, she
was down here, but you know how old people get at times … yes,
I didn’t pay much attention to her story, you know.”
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Text Analysis
The Chief turned to me with a look of astonishment on his
face. “Well, if you want, but I don’t really see the need. Yes, sir.
I’ll be glad to help you settle the issue once and for all. I’ll send
up Rodriquez to check on it immediately. … Who, sir? Why, sir?
But he’s just new, sir. He doesn’t know anything about the town,
sir. Oh, I see. OK, sir. Yes, he’s right here, if you would like to
talk to him.”
The Chief put his hand over the receiver and said, “It’s Fitch;
he wants you to come up and investigate the death of his last
wife.”
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Text Analysis
Fitch seemed very concerned when I talked to him on the
phone. He said he had heard Mrs. Munsing, his cook, was
worried that there was some mystery connected with the death of
his wife, and he would like the air cleared once and for all. He
thought I would be a good one to be put on the case, because I
would bring a fresh approach to the problem. I think what he
wanted to say was that he didn’t trust any of these small-town
cops to do an efficient job. But I thanked him for his confidence
and told him I would be out to his house soon.
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Text Analysis
The Fitch house was thirty miles outside of Flagstaff. It was set
back into the mountains with a steep, narrow road as the only access
to the property. The Chief said that all the police cars had been
assigned to senior officers, so I would have to take a bus. The bus
turned off the main road before we reached the road to the Fitch
home, so I had to walk the last two miles. The air was cool in the
mountains, unlike the still heat of the city. But I was hot from the
walk, and I stopped at the gate to the private road leading up to the
Fitch home. I sat on a rock and surveyed the peaceful surroundings
and knew that the Fitch cook must be wrong. This place was too
quiet, too peaceful, to be the site of a murder, let alone three murders.
On the other hand, the motive is classic: husband marries rich
women, kills them and inherits their fortunes. But that would be too
obvious. Nothing like that happens now in the twentieth century.
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Text Analysis
I started toward the house but stopped when I heard a noise
behind me. I turned around and saw a man dressed in a straw hat
and a long cape like those worn by the Navaho shepherds in the
region. He also had a rifle in his left hand.
“State your business, stranger.”
“I’m with the police. I …”
“Police don’t walk; they drive,” he said raising the rifle level
with his shoulder. “Doesn’t seem right you being on this land.
Looking at things you ain’t supposed to be seeing.”
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Text Analysis
“I’m here at the invitation of Mr. Fitch. He called the police
station and asked someone to come up.”
“He didn’t tell me nothing about it.”
“Couldn’t we just go up to the main house and ask if Mr. Fitch
is expecting me?”
“Visitors come on Sunday … Today ain’t but Thursday. I don’t
like changes. It’s not good.” He motioned for me to precede him
up the path.
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Text Analysis
By the time we reached the porch of the house, the whole
household had assembled. They were obviously curious about
who was being led to their house at gunpoint.
“Darjo, is that any way to treat a guest?” said an older man
with a face that tried to look friendly and welcoming, but
somehow did not succeed.
“He didn’t come in a car,” replied Darjo as if that was a
suitable reason to question someone at gunpoint.
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Text Analysis
“My apologies again for your inhospitable welcome. We are
very glad you were able to come on such short notice. I presume
you will be able to spend the evening with us here. That might
facilitate your investigation. Let me introduce you to the
household. This Ms. Ryan, my personal secretary; she has been
with the family for 15 years ever since my first wife was killed in
the airplane accident. But we will talk of that later. Mrs. Munsing,
please show our guest to his room.” He took me by the elbow and
led me toward this woman, white with fear. It was the same
woman who had dropped her groceries in front of my house last
week.
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Text Analysis
In his businesslike manner Mr. Fitch had seen to everything,
and I was led away to my room.
(to be continued)
From The Great Preposition Mystery,
ed., Lin Lougheed, Washington, D.C., 1981.
Approximately 1,200 words.
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Words to Know
stress [stres] vt. 强调，着重
=place emphasis on
e.g. The director stressed that point in particular.
厂长特别强调了那一点。
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Words to Know
clipping [5klIpIN] n. （报纸，杂志等的）剪辑，剪报
=something cut off or out, especially an item clipped from a
newspaper or magazine
e.g. In his room, there are clippings of various sports events.
他的房间里有各种体育赛事的剪报。
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Words to Know
intercom [5IntEkRm] n. 对讲机
=an electronic intercommunication system, as between two
rooms
e.g. The boss used the intercom to tell his secretary to come to
his office.
老板用对讲机叫他的秘书来他的办公室。
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Words to Know
violation [9vaiE5leiFEn] n. 违章
=the act or an instance of violating or the condition of being
violated
e.g. The driver was fined because of a violation of signal.
司机因为违犯交通信号而被罚款。
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Words to Know
issue [5Isju:] n. 问题
=the essential point; crux
e.g. Those experts are discussing the issue of how to provide
adequate child care.
专家们正在讨论如何提供适当的儿童护理的问题。
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Words to Know
cop [kRp] n. （美俚）警察
=a police officer
e.g. Don't you think that the cops might be the best people to
ask for help?
难到你不认为警察是求助的最合适的人吗？
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Words to Know
efficient [I5fIFEnt] adj. 效率高的
=producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or
unnecessary effort
e.g. This new copy machine is more efficient than the old one.
这台新复印机比那台旧的效率高。
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Words to Know
access [5Akses] n. 通道，接近…的机会
=a means of approaching, entering, exiting, or making use of;
passage
e.g. The only access to that ancient castle is along a muddy track.
到那座古老城堡去的唯一通道是一条泥泞小路。
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Words to Know
assign [E5saIn] vt. 把…分配给
= set apart for a particular purpose; designate
e.g. The monitor was assigned to take notes for the meeting.
班长被分派作会议记录。
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Words to Know
senior [5si:njE] adj. 地位（或级别）较高的
=being in a position, rank, or grade above others of the same set
or class
e.g. A senior officer will enjoy certain privilege in the army.
一位高级军官在军中享有某些特权。
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Words to Know
survey [sE5veI] vt. 环视，审视
= inspect carefully; scrutinize
e.g. Two women were surveying the other people on the
platform.
两个女子正在审视月台上的其他人。
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Words to Know
surroundings [sE5raJndINz] n. 环境
=the environment
e.g. The house is in beautiful surroundings.
这座房屋四周的环境优美。
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Words to Know
motive [5mEJtIv] n. 动机，目的
=an emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse
e.g. His motive for working so hard is that he needs money.
他这么卖命干的目的在于他需要钱。
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Words to Know
shepherd [ `FepEd ] n. 牧羊人，羊倌
=one who herds, guards, and tends sheep
e.g. A wolf came to attack the herds when the shepherd was
away.
狼趁牧羊人不在的时候来攻击牧群。
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Words to Know
region [5ri:dVEn] n. 地方，区域
=area
e.g. Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region.
内蒙古是一个自治区。
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Words to Know
motion [5mEJFEn] vi. 打手势，示意
=signal by making a gesture
e.g. The director motioned to the accountant to enter.
经理示意让会计进来。
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Words to Know
precede [prI5si:d] vt. 先于，位于…之前
= come, exist, or occur before in time
e.g. He preceded his speech with welcome to the guests.
他在正式讲演前, 先对来宾表示欢迎。
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Words to Know
inhospitable [In5hRspItEbl] adj. 不友好的，不好客的
=unfriendly
e.g. The inhospitable behavior of the host irritated the guests.
主人不友好的举动激怒了客人们。
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Words to Know
facilitate [fE5sIlIteIt] vt. 使容易，使便利
= make easy or easier
e.g. The new underground railway will facilitate the journey to
all parts of the city.
新的地下铁路将为去城市各处提供方便。
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Words to Know
businesslike [5bIznIslaIk] adj. 井井有条的
=methodical and systematic
e.g. The couple maintained a businesslike attitude toward their
divorce.
这对夫妇以一种实际的态度对待他们的离婚。
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
keep from 防止，阻止
e.g. We must keep them from getting to know our plans.
我们必须防止他们知道我们的计划。
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
get in 插手，参与
e.g. He got in the ongoing project halfway.
他在中途参与到这个正在进行的项目中来。
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
in heaven’s name 究竟
e.g. What in heaven’s name are you doing?
你究竟在干什么？
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
mess around/about in 干预，插手
e.g. Don't mess around in the affairs of others.
别干预他人之事。
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
at times 有时
e.g. At times, she will walk to work instead of driving.
有时她会选择不开车而是走着去上班。
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
once and for all 一劳永逸地，彻底地
e.g. Once and for all, we can't agree!
最后再说一遍,我们不能同意!
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
let alone 更不用说
e.g. Their ancestors had been dirt poor and never saw royalty,
let alone hung around with them.
他们的祖先穷得要命，从来没有见过王族成员，更不用说和他
们在一起了。
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Useful Phrases and Expressions
see to 注意，照料
e.g. When you start the engine, you must see to it that the car is
in neutral.
开发动机时,一定要使汽车的离合器处于空档位置。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
“Don’t get smart with me.”
别跟我耍滑头。
Don’t get smart with me:
Don’t think you are clever with that reply. (His Chief thinks
Dwight Smith pretends not to understand what he means.)
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
There didn’t seem to be any pattern to the deaths except that
they all happened to wives of Mr. Fitch.
看来，三人的死亡没有固定模式，只不过这三人恰好都是菲奇
先生的妻子。
我们可将except that看作连词，表示“除了……之外，只是”
的意思，后面跟句子；经常可与but that换用：
e.g. Tony and his brother have little in common except that they
share the same interest in cricket．
除了对板球有共同的兴趣以外，托尼同他兄弟几乎没有共同之
处。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
It was set back into the mountains with a steep, narrow road as
the only access to the property.
菲奇庄园隐伏在深山之中，唯一的通道是一条又陡又窄的小路。
as the only access to the property:
as the only way to the Fitch house
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
This place was too quiet, too peaceful, to be the site of a murder,
let alone three murders.
这个地方幽深宁静，简直不可能是杀人害命的地方，何况是三
次谋杀呢。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Doesn’t seem right you being on this land. Looking at things
you ain’t supposed to be seeing.
我看你不太对劲，站在这地方东张西望地看你不该看的东西。
Looking at things you ain’t supposed to be seeing:
You’re looking at things you should not see.
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
He motioned for me to precede him up the path.
他用枪示意让我在前面沿着通道走向庄园。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
They were obviously curious about who was being led to their
house at gunpoint.
很显然，他们都想看看这个用枪押着来到庄园的人是谁。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
“Darjo, is that any way to treat a guest?”
“大乔，有那样接待客人的吗？”
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
In his businesslike manner Mr. Fitch had seen to everything.
菲奇先生面面俱到，对每件事都作了妥善的安排。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
put him on:
put him on the telephone line
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Useful Phrases and Expressions
Navaho [ `nAvEhEJ ]:
a member of a large tribe of American Indians living in New
Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
“He didn’t tell me nothing about it.” :
(nonstandard) “He didn’t tell me anything about it.”
他没跟我说起过。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
By the time we reached the porch of the house, the whole
household had assembled.
等到我们到达房子的门廊的时候,全家人都聚在那里。
by the time 表示“到……时”，该结构所引导的从句通常与完
成式连用：
e.g. By the time the Olympics begins, everything will have been
ready.
到奥运会开始的时候，一切都将准备好了。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
When I walked into the Chief’s office, I
saw from the look on his face that he was
not going to give me good news.
当我走进警长办公室时，从他脸上的表
情看，我知道他不会有好消息告诉我。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
Our rules keep us from getting in one another’s way.
我们的规定要求我们不去干涉别人的事。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
“Then why in heaven’s name were you reading old newspapers
about the accidental deaths of the Fitch women?”
“那你究竟为什么非要阅读有关菲奇太太们意外死亡的旧报纸
呢？”
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
I didn’t understand how the rule of avoiding someone would
keep us honest.
我不明白这种回避某人的规定怎能使我们秉公执法。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
He stressed accidental to make sure that I knew that there was
no doubt about the cause of the deaths.
他强调意外，以确保我知道了她们的死因无可置疑。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
I replied that a new person in town must be familiar with all the
major happenings of the town that formed the town’s history.
我回答道，—个初到这里的人必须熟悉形成镇史的所有重大事
件。
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
“Now, if I hear you’re messing around in the Fitches’ business
again, you’ll be on the first bus back to that city you came from.”
“如果我再听说你插手菲奇家的事情，你干脆就坐头班车返回
你来的城市去。”
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Distant Education College, Jilin University
Difficult Sentences
… and he would like the air cleared once and for all.
…… 他想彻底澄清事实。
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