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the NBA.
After the battle Napoleon compared himself to other successful generals from history such as Alexander the Great.
5. far from: a long way from being; not at all
Examples:
? The dispute over the missing money is far from over.
? On graduation day your education is far from over. That’s why it’s sometimes called
commencement day.
6. no matter how: it makes no difference; however
Examples:
? Don’t believe the rumor, no matter how often you hear it.
? No matter how angry you are, you should try to control your temper.
7. couldn’t agree more: completely and enthusiastically agree.
Examples:
? I couldn’t agree more with the President’s speech about the environment. ? I couldn’t agree more with your excellent choice of friends.
8. make it back: return (but perhaps with some difficulty)
Examples:
? I’m going shopping, but I’ll try to make it back for dinner. ? I’ll make it back to our next college reunion if I can.
? Understanding the Text
1. When did Alisa tell her story, and where was she?
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Alisa told the story almost two years ago on a dormitory balcony.
2. How did the four girls spend the last day of their freshman year? They had lunch in the sandwich shop, tried on each other’s clothes and watched movies.
3. Why was it hard for the four girls to say goodbye at the end of the freshman year?
Because it seemed that the three months of summer vacation would be too long to endure apart from one another.
4. What is the author’s advice to freshmen reading the article? The author’s advice is to cherish freshman moments.
5. What was the most important lesson they learned from one another outside the classroom?
It’s the definition of friendship.
6. What kinds of careers would the four girls have after graduation according to the author’s imagination? A computer technician, a physician, an attorney and an architect.
? Passage B
? Think About It
1. What kinds of gifts (such as flowers or chocolates or jewelry) symbolize love best?
You may have different answers to this question. (Note: There are cultural difference here, with flowers and jewelry more popular in the West.)
2. Can love last after death, as in the song from “Titanic”? Can it last forever? You may have different answers to this question.
3. Do you believe that each person has one true love which is the only love in their life? You may have different answers to this question.
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? Related Information
1. Flowers in American Culture The giving of flowers on special occasions is very important in American culture. These flowers are usually given by the male to the female, especially to sweethearts, wives, or mothers. The times during the year when it is most appropriate to give flowers are wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and especially Valentine’s Day.
2. Valentine’s Day A holiday occurring on February 14th when flowers, gifts, chocolates, cards, and other symbols of love are often exchanged by affectionate persons.
3. Standing Order Instructions given to a merchant or other person to deliver a product or provide a service at regular intervals or whenever it is needed. For example, some standing orders are carried out weekly, monthly, or annually. Others, such as an order to shovel snow from a sidewalk or driveway, are only carried whenever they are needed. There are three main kinds of standing orders: a purchase order; a delivery order; and a service order.
? Notes to the Text
1. “Be My Valentine”:(para. 1)
a slogan often found on Valentine cards, which asks the recipient to be the sender’s special sweetheart
献给我心爱的人。
2. “My love for you will always grow with each passing year.” (para. 2)
Every year my love for you will increase. 我对你的爱将与日俱增。
3.…everything would still work out appropriately : (para. 3)
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…the whole situation will eventually be OK. …事情也会进展顺利。
4. …inserted them symbolically in a very special vase. (para. 4)
…placed in a vase that had a special meaning (in this case as a symbol of her husband’s love) …把它们郑重地插在一个很特别的花瓶里。
5. With loneliness and solitude, that tragedy has become her fate. (para. 5)
It has sadly become her fate to be alone and feel lonely. 孤独、寂寞，她的生活仿佛一场悲剧。
6. …provoking such intense pain? (para. 6)
…causing much pain? …勾起她无限的忧伤?
7. Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance. (para. 7)
He did not permit any uncertainty.
你的丈夫总是预先计划好一切，不会遗漏任何一件事情。
8. There is a standing purchase and delivery order that I have on file down here. (para. 8)
In the business records at my present location there is a written instruction to deliver the items mentioned at regular intervals or whenever they are needed, and an explanation of how they will be paid for.
我这儿有一份长期订单，您的丈夫早就把钱付了。
9. Then should ever I find out that he is no longer around…(para. 9)
If I ever find out he has died … 如果哪一年他不在… …
10. …both of us were blessed to have each other. (para. 12)
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…it’s fortunate that we could both have each other. … …我们如此幸运能够相互拥有对方。
? Summary of the Text
Summarize the passage using the tips below. received roses Valentine’s Day her husband died
the roses arrived as usual florist
Reference Summary
A woman named Rose always received roses from her husband on Valentine’s Day. When her husband died she did not expect any more roses. But a year later the roses arrived as usual anyhow. Not knowing who had sent the roses, she called the florist and learned her husband had ordered them for that year and many future years before he died.
Reference Summary
As she discovered from the note he had written, he had even told the florist exactly what to do if she too was dead. The loving husband thought he was being considerate, but perhaps he should have also considered his wife’s pain.
? Words and Expressions
1. insert: to put or place something in (something else)
Examples:
? They want to insert an advertisement in the newspaper. ? If you insert a coin into the slot, the machine will work.
2. in advance: ahead of time; beforehand
Examples:
? It’s unwise to spend your income in advance.
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