Lesson 57 Can I help you, madam?
A woman in jeans stood at the window of an expensive shop. Though she hesitated for a moment, she finally went in and asked to see a dress that was in the window. The assistant who served her did not like the way she was dressed. Glancing at her scornfully, he told her that the dress was sold. The woman walked out of the shop angrily and decided to punish the assistant next day. She returned to the shop the following morning dressed in a fur coat, with a handbag in one hand and a long umbrella in the other. After seeking out the rude assistant she asked for the same dress. Not realizing who she was, the assistant was eager to serve her this time with great difficulty, he climbed into the shop window to get the dress. As soon as she saw it, the woman said she did not like it. She enjoyed herself making the assistant bring almost everything in the window before finally buying the dress she had first asked for.
fur coat 皮大衣
umbrella [ʌmˈbrelə]
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!
disguise[dɪsˈɡaɪz] 假扮;装扮
possess [pəˈzes] 拥有;具有(特质)
curse [kɜːrs] 诅咒
evil reputation 声名狼藉
reputation [ˌrepjuˈteɪʃn] 名誉;名声
claim [kleɪm] 夺去（生命），宣称;声称;断言;要求
victim [ˈvɪktɪm] 受害者;罹难者;
vicar [ˈvɪkər] 牧师
so far 目前为止，如此程度
tourist [ˈtʊrɪst] 旅行者，游客
strike down 击倒 过去式struck
今天读这两篇课文很快，因为实在是太困了。现在都哈欠连天的。好在文章不算难，读3-4遍就可以录音了。
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