流利美国口语9.3

（单词翻译）

M: Does that ring a bell?

W: This is totally over my head. Will you explain again Mr. Brown?

M: The point is you should first remember the formula.

W: Algebra¹ is so difficult. I just don’t get it.

Dialogue 2.

W: How can I be through with such a whole bunch of books in 10 days?

M: You have to burn the mid-night oil I am afraid.

W: I have already pulled an allnighter for 5 days.

M: You are working too hard. You should have started earlier.

W: Yes, I know now, but it’s too late.

M: Well, it’s a good lesson.

Dialogue 3.

W: Oh, I made it. It’s A. How about you?

M: I bombed the test. How did you make it?

W: It’s a no brainer.

M: But it is driving me bananas. It’s unfair. I have finished all the assignments and the research paper for the final.

W: Don’t you know professor Keller is a killer²? He made several students flunk³ every term.

M: Anyhow, I don’t want to study any more. I just want some easy grades.

W: Don’t lose heart. You are so intelligent. You can still nail it in other tests next time.

M: Thank you. I wish I would.

Exercise.

1. I came to New York in 1990 to study at New York University.

2. I majored in software design.

3. I had a minor⁴ in applied⁵ mathematics.

4. Just after my graduation in 1994 I published a paper based on my final year research project that helped me get a job at GE in Beijing where I still work.

5. During my stay at New York University what struck me most was the teaching mode there, especially the seminars chaired by the professor who actually functioned as a model rater and resource person posing⁶ questions, making suggestions, and designing projects or stating specific cases that demanding solution.

6. At seminars each of us students was freer to go into deep discussions about the aspects of the seminar topic that particularly interested us.

7. Seminars required lengthy⁷ oral and reports on independent research. But this sometimes beat me.

8. Once I flunk the final of one of my required courses which has featured by seminars I took the course twice without success before I wanted to give up. However I passed for the third time. The overcoming of this burial gave me great courage in confidence to continue my future research.