HannahLin的ScalersTalk第四轮新概念朗读持续力

Lesson 58 A blessing in disguise

The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased. The tree was planted near the church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation. It is said that if anyone touches the tree, he will have bad luck; if he picks a leaf, he will die. Many villagers believe that the tree has already claimed a number of victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down, but so far he has refused. He has pointed out that the tree is a useful source of income, as tourists have been coming from all parts of the country to see it. In spite of all that has been said, the tourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. So far, not one of them has been struck down by sudden death!

ˈlɛsən 58 ə ˈblɛsɪŋ ɪn dɪsˈgaɪz? 

ðə ˈtaɪni ˈvɪləʤ əv Frinley əz sɛd tə pəˈzɛs ə kɜrst tri. 

bɪˈkəz ðə tri wəz ˈmɛnʃənd ɪn ə ˈnuzˌpeɪpər, ðə ˈnʌmbər əv ˈvɪzətərz tə Frinley həz naʊ ɪnˈkrist.

 ðə tri wəz ˈplæntəd nɪr ðə ʧɜrʧ ˈfɪfti jɪrz əˈgoʊ, bət ɪt əz ˈoʊnli ɪn ˈrisənt jɪrz ðət ɪt həz geɪnd ən ˈivəlˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən. 

ɪt əz sɛd ðət ɪf ˈɛniˌwʌn ˈtʌʧəz ðə tri, hi wɪl həv bæd lʌk; ɪf hi pɪks ə lif, hi wɪl daɪ. 

ˈmɛni ˈvɪlɪʤərz bɪˈliv ðət ðə trihəz ɔlˈrɛdi kleɪmd ə ˈnʌmbər əv ˈvɪktəmz.

 ðə ˈvɪkər həz bɪn æskt tə həv ðə tri kʌt daʊn, bət soʊ fɑr hi həz rəˈfjuzd. 

hi həzˈpɔɪntəd aʊt ðət ðə tri əz ə ˈjusfəl sɔrs əv ˈɪnˌkʌm, əz ˈtʊrəsts həv bɪn ˈkʌmɪŋ frəm ɔl pɑrts əv ðə ˈkʌntri tə si ɪt. 

ɪn spaɪt əv ɔl ðət həz bɪn sɛd, ðə ˈtʊrəsts həv bɪn ˈpɪkɪŋ livz ənd ˈkʌtɪŋ ðɛr neɪmz ɑn ðə tri-trʌŋk. 

soʊ fɑr, nɑt wʌn əv ðəm həz bɪn strʌk daʊn baɪ ˈsʌdən dɛθ!

任务配置：

L0+L1+L4

possess

used in negative sentences and questions

to make sb do sth that seems strange or unreasonable. 使言行失常

What possessed him to say such a thing? 他着了什么魔说出这种话？

reputation

The weather in England is living up to its reputation. (is exactly as expected)

英国的天气真是名副其实。

to earn/ establish/ build a reputation

gain

idiom

gain ground: to become more powerful and successful 变得更强大，更有成效，更成功；有进步；获得进展

Sterling continues to gain ground against the dollar. 英镑对美元的比价继续坚挺。

evil

idiom:

the evil hour/ day/ moment (often humorous) the time when you have to do sth difficult or unpleasant 倒霉的时候（日子、时刻）

比较不熟悉的用法是“害处；坏处；弊端”：

the evil of drugs/ alcohol 

social evils 社会弊端

claim trunk

可以指树干，人的躯干；也可以指大象的鼻子；还有本文中的大箱子。

swimming trunks 男式游泳裤

(Lesson 55 Not a gold mine)

练习感悟：

越练越难听的感觉又回来了，哈哈