上外版大学英语写作精选第三册(7)

    STOCKTON takes a step up on the stairs then stops and turns back toward them. His face is expressionless.

    HARLOWE： （with phony laughter desperately trying to relieve situation） Block party's not a bad idea. （looking around at the others） Anything to get back to normal.

    STOCKTON： （looks from face to face and slowly shakes his head） Normal？ （a pause） I don't know. I don't know what "normal" is. I thought I did， but I don't any more.

    HARLOWE： I told you we'd pay for the damages——

    STOCKTON： （stares at him） The damages？ （he nods） I wonder if we realize just what those damages are？ （he looks from face to face again） Maybe the worst of them was finding out just what we're like when we're normal. The kind of people we are. Just underneath the surface. I mean all of us. A lot of naked animals who attach such great importance to staying alive that they claw their neighbors to death just for the privilege. （he leans against the stairway wall， suddenly desperately tired， very softly as he turns away from them） We were spared a bomb tonight……but I wonder if we weren't destroyed even without it.

    He continues up the steps.

    HEW WORDS

    shelter n.  （sth. that gives） cover or protection   掩蔽（处）

    synopsis （pl. synopses）

    n. summary or outline （of a book， play， etc.）提要，梗概

    celebration n.  marking （of an event or a special occasion） with public or private rejoicings 庆祝

    celebrate v.

    midst n.  middle part prep. amidst

    missile n.  导弹

    afterwards ad. later， after that

    bomb n.  炸弹

    abridge vt. make shorter by using fewer words 缩略，删节

    grab vt. take roughly， snatch eagerly

    dialog（ue）

    n.  对话，对白

    portable a.  that can be easily carried or moved 手提式的

    carry vt. a person who reads news or introduces people on radio or television

    employee n.  a person who is employed

    civil defense a civilian emergency program for protecting people and their property against enemy attacks or natural disaster 民防

    post n.  place of duty岗位

    design vt. intend； make a drawing or patterns of （sth.） 设计

    basement n.  a room or rooms in a house which are below street level 地下室

    pool vt. put （thing or money） together， esp. for common advantage 把……集中在一起（共用）

    stuff n.  things in a mass； matter

    chorus n.  sth. said or cried by many people at one time； song fro all to sing together 齐声说的话（或喊声）合唱

    assent n.  agreement

    entrance n.  gate， door， or other opening by which one enters 入口处

    overtake vt. catch up with 赶上

    crazy a.  mad， foolish

    accommodate vt. have enough space for； provide with a room in which to live or stay 容纳；向……提供住宿

    accommodation n.

    plead vi. make continual and deeply felt requests 恳求（used for expressing surprise or disapproval）

    whirl vi. move or travel rapidly； move quickly round and round 飞速移动；旋转

    infant n.  child during the first few years of its life 婴儿

    precious a.  highly valued； of great value or beauty 珍贵的

    deserve vt. Have a right to； be worthy of 值得

    illogical a.  be against logic； without logic 不合逻辑的；无缘由的