UNIT 11 Section Ⅱ LESSON 1 LIVING IN A COMMUNITY(教用Word)-【优学精讲】2025-2026学年高中英语选择性必修第四册（北师大版）

Section Ⅱ　LESSON 1　LIVING IN A COMMUNITY

Drummer① Hits the Road

　　Ma Ming， drummer for the rock band “Storm”， had to pack② his bags.He moved out of his rented flat after complaints③ from his neighbours about disturbing④ the peace.

　　Being single， Ma Ming often held parties at night， but the biggest problem was his tendency to drum⑤ late at night.[1]Ma Ming’s neighbours said they were being driven mad being exposed to such noise.[2]The flat-owner said if he had known that Ma Ming was a drummer， he wouldn’t have rented the flat to him.The neighbours quickly realised they were in trouble when he moved in.And from then on， they rarely got a full night’s sleep.They couldn’t relax or read a book without plugging⑥ their ears.One neighbour also claimed⑦ that Ma Ming had a bad influence on his teenage son.

　　In the end， the community council took action.“We took a vote⑧， and came to a resolution⑨.We gave Ma Ming a warning⑩.We told him that he ought to cease⑪ drumming or leave the property⑫，” a council member said.“Getting enough sleep is important for people’s health and， after such a chorus⑬ of complaints， we had to take action.”

　　Ma Ming’s departure⑭ has pleased his neighbours.“Life will go back to normal now，” they said.

　　For Ma Ming’s version of the story， we found him in a hotel in Shanghai.[3]Ma Ming felt that they were prejudiced⑮ against him.[4]He’s bitter⑯ over the fact that people thought of his music as “noise”.Otherwise he didn’t really mind having to leave the flat.“Living in a hotel means the hotel staff makes the bed every day and I don’t have to do my own washing！ Anyhow⑰， I’m now looking for a remote⑱ house on the edge of the city.”

　　[3]句中that引导表语从句。

　　[4]句中that引导同位语从句，解释说明名词fact的具体内容。 

　　Grandpa Arrested⑲ After One Shower Too Many

　　Eighty-year-old retired tailor⑳， James McKay， spent Saturday night in a cell after hitting 30-year-old Keith Smith over the head with his walking stick.[5]McKay’s wife， Laurene said that， while McKay is usually a peaceful and pleasant person， he had been driven to this act of violence㉑ by literally㉒ getting wet just once too often.He could no longer tolerate㉓it.

　　Smith lives above the McKays.He is a keen gardener， and also a fish collector.[6]Unfortunately， the water he sent over his balcony every day ended up on the McKays’ floor， or too often， on the unsuspecting㉔ McKays themselves.

　　“[7]For the last two weeks， since Smith moved into the flat above us， we dared not go onto our balcony，” said Laurene.[8]She added that it wasn’t only the water falling onto their balcony from Smith watering his plants that bothered㉕ them， but also the way he cleaned his fish tanks. “We’d be sitting there happily reading our newspapers， when suddenly so much water would come from above that we’d be as wet as if we had showered㉖ with our clothes on！ We could hardly get rid of㉗ the smell of fish！”

　　And on Saturday evening it was just too much.“It was James’ birthday，” Laurene recalled㉘，“and it was such a beautiful night to enjoy the starry㉙ night outside.I made him a birthday cake.[9]The candles were a great sight㉚ as you can imagine， but James didn’t get to blow㉛ them out.” Instead， Smith emptied㉜ one of his larger tanks over his balcony and both the McKays and the cake were wet through㉝.“I have never seen him move so fast and I couldn’t stop him.He was up there in a flash㉞.”

　　Smith is not going to take things further with the police.He has also promised to change his ways from now on.And what of James McKay？As he left the police station， a large crowd of supporters sang him “Happy Birthday”.“Definitely the most exciting birthday ever！” said the cheerful old man.“The best since my youth， I’d say！”

①drummer n.鼓手

②pack vi.& vt.打包

n.包，包裹

③complaint n.投诉

④disturb vt.干扰，打扰，使中断

⑤drum vi.击鼓，打鼓

⑥plug vt.把……塞住，堵塞；填塞

plug their ears堵住他们的耳朵

⑦claim vt.声称

⑧vote n.投票（指行为）；票数

⑨resolution n.决定；解决

⑩warning n.警告，警示；告诫

⑪cease vi.& vt.停止，终止，结束

⑫property n.房产；所有物；财产

⑬chorus n.齐声；副歌；合唱团

a chorus of 异口同声地

⑭departure n.离开，起程

⑮prejudiced adj.有偏见的，有成见的，歧视的