第7课：人类最好的朋友《走遍美国》

ACT 1-1  “我能感觉到。”

【故事梗概】

Alexandra已成为Robbie的益友。除了帮助Robbie学数学以外，她还经常同他一起听音乐和跳舞。一天一纸家书，勾起了Alexandra的乡愁。Alexandra有些情绪低落。为了让她高兴起来，Robbie提议两人一起出去吃点东西。

Alexandra: Robbie, this new Walkman is absolutely wonderful.

Robbie: Richard and Marilyn bought it for me for my birthday.

Alexandra: They're so thoughtful. You are very lucky, Robbie, to have such a nice family.

Robbie: Is something wrong, Alexandra?

Alexandra: No, nothing.

Robbie: Yes, there is. I can tell. What's the matter? Come on, you can tell me. What's up?

Alexandra: I don't know. Something's wrong.

Robbie: OK, let's talk.

Alexandra: I received a letter from my parents this morning.

Robbie: Did they write some bad news?

Alexandra: No.

Robbie: Well, then why are you so sad?

Alexandra: I miss them. I miss them very much.

Robbie: I'm sorry, Alexandra. But I understand.

Alexandra: The Molinas treat me so nicely, and I love being with your family so much ... but when I received the letter with photographs of my family, I cried. I cried because I miss them all.

Robbie: You really miss your family, don't you?

Alexandra: Yes. I know I must seem silly. It's not like I have nobody. I like the Molinas very much, and they're so kind to me.

Robbie: Hey, why don't we go out for a cheeseburger and French fries? That'll cheer you up. And you can use my Walkman.

Alexandra: That's a good idea. But if we go out, please don't complain about your math teacher or your math homework. I want to have fun.

Robbie: So do I.

【语言点精讲】

1. You are very lucky, Robbie, to have such a nice family.

动词不定式"to have such a nice family"用来表示"lucky"的理由。

such a nice family: 如此温暖的家庭，这么好的家人。"such a+形容词+单数名词" 比"a very+形容词+单数名词" 更有感情意味。

2. I can tell. 

我能感觉到。我知道这里面有什么事。我能看出来。

3. What's up?

怎么啦？出什么事了？这是非常口语化的一种表达方式。

与本情景中出现的"What's the matter? "，"Is something wrong?" 意思相同。

4. I know I must seem silly. 

我知道我看上去一定傻得可笑。我知道别人一定觉得我很可笑。

silly: 在这里的意思是“可笑的，滑稽的”。

5. Hey, why don't we go out for a cheeseburger and French fries? That'll cheer you up.

嗨，咱们出去吃点芝士汉堡包和炸土豆条怎么样？那会让你高兴起来的。

cheeseburger: 奶酪汉堡包，芝士汉堡包。

French fries: 炸土豆条。

cheer you up: 让你舒畅些，让你高兴起来。

6. But if we go out, please don't complain about your math teacher or your math homework. 

可是我们要是出去玩的话，请你不要抱怨你的数学老师和数学作业。

if we go out: 如果我们出去。这是一个由if引导的真实条件句。在if之后，使用动词现在时形式（go，而不是will go），来表示将来可能发生的事。

complain about: 抱怨，发牢骚。

7. I want to have fun. 

我想玩个痛快。我想高高兴兴地玩一场。

ACT 1-2  “听起来像是有只狗在叫。”

【故事梗概】

在Robbie和Alexandra准备出门的时候，他们发现了一只迷路的狗狗。Robbie按照狗狗脖子上的牌子上的电话号码打过去，发现那个电话已经停机了。

Robbie: I have to turn off the lights, or else my father will get really angry. He says I never turn them out when I leave. If they come home and they're on...

[He moves his index finger across his throat to show that his father will be angry. ]

Robbie: Do you hear something?

Alexandra: Yes. What was that?

Robbie: It sounded like a dog barking.

Alexandra: It sounded like a dog barking right here.

Robbie: Yeah.

[He opens the door. A dog is standing there. ]

Alexandra: A dog!

Robbie: A springer spaniel!Come on in! Make yourself at home.

Alexandra: Oh, you poor little thing. Come here.

Robbie: Come on.

Alexandra: Poor baby.

Robbie: Where did you come from?

Alexandra: [She looks at the dog's identification tag. ]Her name's Gemma, and she belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Levinson. There's a phone number - five five five... eight four four eight. Robbie, maybe you should call them and tell the Levinsons we have their cute little spaniel.

Robbie: I've always wanted a springer spaniel. She's so cute.

Operator: The number you are calling - 555-8448 - is no longer in service.

Robbie: The number's no longer in service.

Alexandra: Oh, you poor, poor baby. You've lost your family.

Robbie: We'll find them. Don't worry, Alexandra.

【语言点精讲】

1. I have to turn off the lights, or else my father will get really angry.

我必须关上灯，要不然我父亲真要生气了。

turn off the lights: 关灯，闭灯。也可以说"turn out the lights"。

or else: 要不然，否则。相当于"if not"，用来说明后果。

get angry: 生气，发怒；变得生气。这里"get"的意思是“变成，成为”，用在形容词前或修饰形容词的副词之前时常有这种含义。

2. If they come home and they're on...

要是他们回来看见灯还亮着...

they're on: 在这里指灯还亮着。句型to be on中的on表示正在持续的一种状态。

3. It sounded like a dog barking.

听起来像是有只狗在叫。

sound like: 声音好像很熟悉，听起来像是...

4. Make yourself at home. 

别拘束，随便些，就像在自己家里一样。

5. Oh, you poor little thing. 

噢，你这可怜的小家伙。安慰小孩或动物时的常用语。

6. I've always wanted a springer spaniel.

我一直都想养条史宾格犬。

I've always wanted... : 我一直想要。这句话用的是现在完成时。这一时态表示发生过或直到现在还在进行的事，侧重与现在的关系。

springer spaniel: 史宾格犬，一种长毛垂耳猎狗

7. The number you are calling - 555-8448 - is no longer in service.

你要的电话555-8448是空号。

no longer in service: 不再使用，（电话）空号。

ACT 2-1  “让我想想。”

【故事梗概】

为了找到迷路的狗狗Gemma的主人，Robbie在为难时想到了防止虐待动物协会（ASPCA），因为过去他曾得到过他们的帮助。他想到给ASPCA打电话寻求帮助。

Robbie: Don't worry, Alexandra. We'll find the owner.

Alexandra: How, Robbie?

Robbie: Let me think.

Alexandra: Gemma, sit. Good Gemma. Give me your paw. Good Gemma. This dog is well trained.

Robbie: She likes you, too.

Alexandra: So how are we going to find the owners?

Robbie: With a little help from the ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They're the ones. We once found a cat. She was caught in the branches of our tree. And Dad called the ASPCA. They came and solved the problem.

Alexandra: Robbie, let's call them.

Robbie: Let me see - ASPCA... Here it is. ASPCA Animal Shelter, 555-7700.

【语言点精讲】

1. Let me think.

让我想想。用于回答问题前略加思考时。

2. This dog is well trained.

这条狗受过良好的训练。well trained: 受过很好训练的。

3. With a little help from the ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

靠ASPCA——美国禁止虐待动物协会帮忙。

ASPCA: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals的缩写。美国禁止虐待动物协会于1866年在纽约成立，其宗旨是保护动物。ASPCA组织负责对各种虐待动物的事情进行调查、核实并使“犯法”之人受到惩罚。这个组织有自己的动物保护机构及动物医院。ASPCA组织的工作人员还有权检查收养动物的人家、单位等以确保那里的动物得到良好的照顾。

4. They're the ones.

就得找他们。可以用the one或 the ones来确指某人或某物。在这里the ones指最好的人选。

5. ASPCA Animal Shelter

ASPCA动物收容所。shelter: 收容所，避难所。

ACT 2-2  “咱们走吧，到动物收容所去。”

【故事梗概】

Robbie给ASPCA动物收容所打了电话，那里的工作人员Linda接了他的电话。Robbie和Alexandra决定把Gemma送到ASPCA去。

Linda: Hello, ASPCA.

Robbie: Hello, my name is Robbie Stewart. I have a lost dog I'd like to bring to you. How late are you open?

Linda: We're open till nine P.M.

Robbie: Thank you. I'll bring the dog over by nine.

Linda: Thanks. Bye.

Robbie: Thanks. Good-bye.

Alexandra: They're still open?

Robbie: They're open until nine o'clock. We have two and a half hours. Let's take Gemma by there now. They'll find the owner.

Alexandra: I hope so. I'm so sad to see this little dog without her family.

Robbie: I'm sure they'll find the owner. But if they don't, I'll adopt her. She's so cute. Look at those eyes. She's hard to resist. Don't you just love her?

Alexandra: I'd like to keep her, too. But I'll be going home to Greece at the end of the semester. She just wants love and affection. Come on, Robbie. Let's get her to the animal shelter, so they can find her owners quickly. Don't worry, Gemma. We'll get you home. It's not easy being away from home.

Robbie: Come on, poochie. Atta girl! Let's go. We're off to the animal shelter.

【语言点精讲】

1. How late are you open？

你们几点下班？你们开门到几点钟？

2. Let's take Gemma by there now.

咱们现在就把Gemma送去吧。

by: 去，到。

3. Look at those eyes. She's hard to resist.

你看看她的眼睛，真招人喜欢。

hard to resist: 惹人喜爱，人见人爱，无法抗拒。

4. Come on, poochie.

来吧，小狗。

poochie: 狗。口头用语，pooch比poochie 更口语一些。

5. Atta girl!

意思相当于That's a good girl! (真是个好女孩!)

Atta girl! 和 Atta boy! 都是很口语化的表达法。用这些词句来称赞小动物、小孩，干得好，好样的等。

6. We're off to the animal shelter.

咱们走吧，到动物收容所去。

be off: 出发，上路。

ACT 2-3  “我是认真的。”

【故事梗概】

Robbie和Alexandra争取时间，把小狗Gemma带到了ASPCA动物收容所。在 Linda Aborn的办公室里，Robbie得知了如在48小时内找不到狗主人，他可以申请领养Gemma。

Linda: Your name?

Robbie: Robbie Stewart. And this is Alexandra Pappas.

Linda: Your name will do, Mr. Stewart. Your address?

Robbie: 46 Linden Street, Riverdale.

Linda: Where did you find the dog?

Alexandra: She found us.

Linda: You tried calling the number on the collar?

Robbie: Yes, but the number's no longer in service.

Linda: And there's no address on the dog tag?

Alexandra: There's no other information.

Linda: No ID number. Without that, it's hard.

Alexandra: You will try to find the dog's owner.

Linda: Oh, we'll try, believe me.

Robbie: And if you don't?

Linda: Yes?

Robbie: If you don't…can I… can I adopt the dog?

Linda: Why, yes. If the owners don't claim the dog in forty-eight hours, then you can apply for adoption.

Robbie: How do I do that?

Alexandra: You really want to?

Robbie: Yes, I'm serious. If no one comes to claim Gemma, I'd like to adopt her.

Linda: It's not difficult.

【语言点精讲】

1. Your name will do.

有你的名字就可以了。

不及物动词 do在这里表示“够了，能行”。

2. No ID number. Without that, it's hard.

没有登记号码。没有的话，可难找啊。

ID: identification. 识别证，身份证的缩写形式。

3. You will try to find the dog's owner.

你会尽力找到狗的主人的。

注意这里Alexandra重读了”will”。will重读时不只表示未来，而且带有较强的感情色彩，表示较强的意愿或承担做某事，有时也表示固执、不听劝阻。

4. If the owners don't claim the dog in forty-eight hours, then you can apply for adoption.

如果狗的主人在48小时内不来认领，那么你就可以申请领养了。

claim: 认领，要求（应得的权利）。

apply for: 申请，请求。

5. How do I do that?

我该怎么（申请领养她）呢？

这个句子可以用来询问事情的办理过程、处理程序。第一个do在此与can和should意思相同。

6. I'm serious. 

我是认真的。还可以说: I mean business.或者I mean what I say.

ACT 3-1  “人类最好的朋友就是他的狗。”

【故事梗概】

动物收容所的Linda在为Robbie和Alexandra进一步解释领养一只狗所必需的各种条件，那是相当的繁琐啊~~

Linda: OK. If you want to adopt an animal, first we need to know some references.

Robbie: References? People we know?

Linda: Friends, teachers...We need to talk to some people about you. We want to be sure that you're responsible and that you can take good care of an animal. Then you have to fill out this form about your family background.

Robbie: Is that it?

Linda: No, there's more. We need to know about your history with animals. Have you ever owned an animal?

Robbie: Yes. We had a cat when I was eight years old. I love cats.

Linda: Do you have any animals now?

Robbie: Unfortunately, no.

Alexandra: Anything else?

Linda: We also like to know your reasons for wanting an animal.

Alexandra: Just to hold it and cuddle with it. Just to have as a pet. I love animals.

Robbie: To have a friend - a pal. You know, man's best friend is his dog.

Linda: And one thing more. If you're under twenty-one years of age…

Robbie: That's me.

Linda: Then an adult must sign for you.

Alexandra: Uh-oh.

Robbie: No problem. My parents will think it's a good idea. I'll be back with them.

Alexandra: If the real owners don't come to claim Gemma

Linda: After forty-eight hours. But please call first.

Robbie: Thanks for your information and for being so helpful.

Linda: It's my pleasure. Nice talking to both of you.

【语言点精讲】

1. If you want to adopt an animal, first we need to know some references.

如果你想领养一个动物，我们首先需要知道一些旁证材料。

reference: 证明人；证明人所提供的资料（有关某人人品、能力等情况）。

2. Then you have to fill out this form about your family background.

然后你得填写这张有关你家庭背景的表格。

fill out : 等同于fill in，填表。

family background: 家庭背景情况。

3. Is that it?

就这些吗？就这些手续啦？完了吗？

it 在这里表示“一切必要的手续”。

4. Have you ever owned an animal?

你曾经养过动物没有？

Have you ever done...? 可以用来询问对方是否有过做某事某种经验。ever: 曾经。

5. Unfortunately, no.

很遗憾，没有。

unfortunately: 很不幸，很遗憾。在表达遗憾的心情时的常用语。

6. To have a friend - a pal. You know, man's best friend is his dog.

我想要有个朋友，—个伙伴。你知道，人的最好的朋友就是他的狗。

pal: 好友，伙伴。

man's best friend: 人类最好的朋友。这一句是指狗可以成为一个人最亲密的伙伴。

7. And one thing more.

还有一件事。这句话可以用来补充前面说过的话，追加信息。

8. I'll be back with them.

我会和他们一起来。be back: 回来，再过来。

ACT 3-2  “二位，可以点菜了吗？”

【故事梗概】

Robbie和Alexandra告别了Linda。离开动物收容所之后，他们去了一家饭馆吃东西。Alexandra还在担心着小狗Gemma。

Robbie: Thanks again. Bye.

Alexandra: Maybe the real owners will come to claim her.

Robbie: Her eyes look so sad. She must really miss them.

Linda: I see you're both animal lovers.

Robbie: We are.

Alexandra: Good-bye, Miss Aborn. We'll call in a couple of days.

Linda: Good-bye, and thanks for bringing Gemma in.

Robbie: Bye.

Alexandra: I keep thinking about the dog - about Gemma, alone in the animal shelter.

Robbie: I know. But I promise you, Alexandra, the dog is just fine. They're very kind to the animals.

Alexandra: I know they are. I mean about her being alone. Even if they are kind to Gemma, she's still alone, without her family.

Waiter: Ready, folks?

Robbie: Are you ready, Alexandra?

Alexandra: Yes, I'm ready. I'll have the chef's salad, please.

Robbie: I will have a cheeseburger, medium rare, with raw onion, and French fries, please.

Waiter: Anything to drink?

Alexandra: A diet cola, please.

Robbie: Ginger ale with lots of ice for me, thank you.

Waiter: I've got it. Thanks.

Robbie: Aren't you surprised that the animal shelter is so careful about finding homes for the animals?

Alexandra: No, I'm not.

【语言点精讲】

1. Even if they are kind to Gemma, she's still alone, without her family.

即使他们对Gemma很好，她还是孤零零的，没有亲人。

even if: 即使；虽然。

be kind to sb.: 对某人很好，很友善。

2. Ready, folks?

二位，可以点菜了吗？

folks: 伙伴，朋友，诸位。这是在非正式场合，表示友好的称呼，很口语化。在本语境中，因为侍者与Robbie和Alexandra是同龄人，都是年轻人，这样称呼显得亲切，要是随便称有身份的人或年长者为folks，就不礼貌了。

3. I'll have the chef's salad, please.

chef's salad: 主厨色拉，配料常包含莴苣、西红柿、火鸡、火腿和奶酪。

4. I will have a cheeseburger, medium rare, with raw onion, and french fries, please.

我要一个干酪汉堡包，偏嫩一些的，加上生葱头和炸土豆条。

I will have…: 我要…。这是点菜的常用说法。

medium rare: 偏嫩一些，五分熟的。raw: 生的，未煮的。

其他的表示食物烹调熟度的表达方式还有：well done（很熟的），medium well（偏老，偏烂一些），medium（适中），rare（颇生的）。

5. A diet cola, please.

diet cola: 不含糖的可乐饮料

6. I've got it. Thanks.

明白了，谢谢。

I've got it.: 我明白了，我懂了。

ACT 3-3  “有个好消息，同时还有个坏消息。”

【故事梗概】

在饭馆里，服务员端来了Robbie和Alexandra点的东西。他们边吃东西边聊天。当天晚上稍后的时候，在Stewart家，Robbie和Alexandra正在跳舞时，Robbie接到了来自Linda的电话。他被告知迷路的小狗Gemma已经被主人认领回去了。

Waiter: And a cheeseburger, medium rare, with onion and French fries. And a ginger ale with lots of ice. Salad dressing?

Robbie: Hey, I wanted you to hear my new sound system when the dog scratched on the front door. Let's finish eating, and then we'll go back to my house. I want you to hear my new tapes. I've got some great new dance music.

Robbie: Hello. Stewart residence.

Linda: Hello. Is Robbie Stewart there?

Robbie: This is he. Who's this?

Linda: This is Linda Aborn from the animal shelter.

Robbie: It's Linda from the animal shelter. Yes, Linda. Hi.

Linda: We have good news and bad news, Robbie.

Robbie: Oh?

Linda: The good news is that the Levinsons have come by to pick up the dog. The bad news is, you won't be able to adopt the dog.

Robbie: That's OK.

Linda: Come by one day and look at some of the other dogs. I'm sure there's one for you. Thanks, Robbie. And the Levinsons thank you for bringing their dog to us.

Robbie: Thanks, Linda. Bye.

Alexandra: The owners claimed Gemma?

Robbie: That's right.

Alexandra: I'm glad for the dog.

Robbie: I guess I am, too. She said if I come by, she'll help me find another dog.

Alexandra: Come on. Let's dance.

【语言点精讲】

1. Hello. Stewart residence. 

你好。这里是Stewart家。

Stewart residence: Stewart公馆，Stewart 宅邸。这是打电话时的正式用语。

2. This is he. 

我就是。当电话里要找的人就是接电话者时，常用"This is he."或"This is she."来回答，另一种说法是"Speaking"。此处请注意中英文表达上的差异。中文说: 我就是Stewart，英文不能说"I am Stewart."，而说"This is he." 因为双方只能听见彼此的声音，看不见对方，故不用"I"。

3. Who's this? 

您是哪位？在打电话的时候，用于询问对方的身份。此时不说 "Who are you? "

4. This is Linda from the animal shelter.

我是动物收容所的Linda。

打电话的时候常用"This is + 自己的名字"来做介绍自己的身份。

5. It's Linda from the animal shelter.

是动物收容所的Linda打来的电话。Robbie在告诉Alexandra电话是谁打来的。此处用it，而不是she做主语。

1—5均为打电话用语，相对来说，这些说法以及使用场合都比较固定。

6. We have good news and bad news, Robbie.

Robbie，我们有个好消息，同时还有个坏消息。

good news and bad news: （有）好消息和坏消息。美国人喜欢这样说。并常说 First, the good news… Now, the bad news…