Unit 2 A life's work 名著选萃-【优学精讲】2024-2025学年高中英语选择性必修第三册教用Word(外研版)

Meg on the Party Excerpt from Little Women 美国南北战争时期，一个普通家庭的四个姐妹的成长之路。 Someone then came to ask Meg to dance, so she heard no more those words, but was quite upset① the rest of the night, though② she tried not to let her upset show it. That night, Meg had difficulty sleeping③， and woke up more anxious and upset than when she went to sleep. The next morning at breakfast, however, Meg realized, as④ she looked around at the other girls present⑤， that⑥ they treated her with more respect, took quite an interest in what⑦ she said, and looked at her with eyes full of curiosity⑧. All this surprised and pleased her, and put her more at ease for the coming party on Thursday. Belle informed⑨ her that she planned to invite “your friend, Mr.Laurence，” though Meg again explained he was simply a friend, rather than a lover. Meg was feeling so cheerful before the party on Thursday, that⑩ Sallie finally convinced⑪ her to wear one of her beautiful silk dresses. Meg couldn't refuse the offer so kindly made⑫， particularly⑬ after Sallie and her sisters promised to turn her into “a little beauty”. That evening, the girls made Meg into a fine lady, curling her hair, making up her face, and giving⑭ her earrings, a necklace and bracelets (手镯) to wear. “I'm afraid to go down to the party，” said Meg to Sallie, after seeing⑮ in the mirror that she was “a little beauty”， but not finding herself as she looked. “You don't look a bit like yourself, but you are very nice，” returned⑯ Sallie, trying⑰ not to care that Meg looked prettier than she did. That evening, Meg danced and laughed with young gentlemen, but suddenly stopped when she saw Laurie. He was staring at⑱ her in surprise and disapproval⑲. “I'm glad you came, I was afraid you wouldn't，” she said, trying to look confident⑳ in her new look. “Jo wanted me to come, and tell her how you looked, so I did，” answered Laurie. “What will you tell her？” asked Meg, full of curiosity. “I will say that I didn't know you, as㉑ you look so grown­up㉒ and unlike yourself. I'm quite afraid of you.” “Oh，” Meg said nervously㉓ after a pause, “Oh, Laurie, I want you to do me a favor㉔. Please don't tell them at home about my dress tonight. They won't understand the joke, and it'll worry Mother. I will tell them myself all about it, but I'd rather do it myself.” “I promise that I won't say a word to them.” “Thank you, just say that I looked pretty well, and was having a good time.” Later that evening, as Meg was resting in one of the side rooms after dancing, she heard someone pass by, saying— “They are making a fool of㉕ that little girl. I wanted you to see her, but they have spoilt㉖ her entirely. She's nothing but㉗ a doll tonight.” “Oh, dear！” said Meg to herself. “I wish I'd㉘ worn my own things, then I would not have felt so uncomfortable and ashamed of㉙ myself.” The next Saturday, Meg went home, quite eager㉚ to be with her family again. “It does seem pleasant to be quiet, and not have company manners㉛ all the time. Home is a nice place, though it isn't splendid㉜，” said Meg, the day after her returning home, sitting㉝ on the sofa with her mother and Jo. Meg had told everyone her adventures and what a charming time㉞ she had had, but after the younger girls went to bed, and she was left alone㉟ with her mother and Jo. She decided she must explain what had happened at the parties. “Marmee, I need to tell you something.” “I thought so; what is it, dear？” Meg then explained what had happened at the two parties, and how terrible she had felt after the second. Her mother was quite worried, however, after hearing that the other girls believed she and Laurie to be lovers. “Now, my dear, I want you to forget that foolish gossip (闲言碎语) as soon as you can. I was very unwise㊱ to let you go among people of whom㊲ I know so little. I am more sorry than I can express for the trouble it has caused you㊳， Meg. Now, think nothing more of what those foolish people said. One thing to remember: Mother is always ready to be your confidante (知己), and you will always be the pride and comfort of my life.” ①upset adj.沮丧的；不开心的 ②此处为though引导让步状语从句。 ③“have difficulty (in) doing sth.”意为“做某事有困难”。 ④此处为as引导时间状语从句。 ⑤present adj.出席，到场 ⑥此处为that引导宾语从句。 ⑦此处为what引导宾语从句。 ⑧curiosity n．好奇 ⑨inform v．告知 ⑩“so...that...”意为“如此……以至于……”。　 ⑪convince v．说服 ⑫此处为v.­ed作后置定语。 ⑬particularly adv.尤其；特别 ⑭此处为v.­ing作状语。 ⑮此处为“介词＋doing”结构。 ⑯return [熟词生义] v．回答说 ⑰此处为v.­ing作状语。 ⑱stare at凝视 ⑲disapproval [熟词生义] n．不快 ⑳confident adj.自信的 ㉑此处为as引导原因状语从句。 ㉒grown­up adj.成熟的 ㉓nervously adv.紧张地 ㉔do sb. a favor 帮某人一个忙 ㉕make a fool of 捉弄；使出丑 ㉖spoil v．破坏；毁坏 ㉗nothing but只不过 ㉘此处为虚拟语气。 ㉙feel ashamed of 为……感到羞愧 ㉚此处为形容词作状语。 eager adj.渴望的；热切的 ㉛company manners虚礼 ㉜splendid adj. 华丽的 ㉝此处为v.­ing作伴随状语。 ㉞a charming time 玩得痛快的时光 ㉟leave alone独处 ㊱unwise adj.愚蠢的；不明智的 ㊲此处为“介词＋whom”引导定语从句。 ㊳此处为省略关系词的定语从句。 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $