Lesson Seven

The Rivals Martin Armstrong

About the author

Martin Armstrong (1882-1974) was an English journalist and novelist. He published two novels Lover’s Leap and Snakes in the Grass, eight collections of short stories and poems.

About the text In this story the author describes two gentlemen

who meet on the train. One of them does a very unusual thing---throw his suitcase out of the traveling train and that results in a strange conversation between them. The conversation is full of fencing and rivalry, and in the end it turns out that the one that appears less smart at first is just as sharp as the other. The chief merit of the story is the quick wit displayed by both parties and the charm of the English language used in the verbal fencing.

structure paragraph1-paragraph2—the beginning The two men’s psychological activities after Mr. H

arraby’s strange action. paragraph3-paragraph46—the climax The conversation between the two men which is ful

l of fencing and rivalry. paragraph47 — the end Mr. Harraby’s confession.

Word Study bubble with v. be full of (happy) feelings; bursting

with e.g. bubble with excitement gather v. to know or to think that sth is true; und

erstand e.g. I gather that you want to see the manager. occupant n. someone who is in a room, vehicle, e

tc at a particular time. pitch v. to throw

Word study

recollection n. the ability to remember sth; the act of remembering

reflect v. to think about sth very carefully remark v. to say sth, esp about sth you

have just noticed rival n. person competing with another rivals in love 情敌

Language point 1.The train was traveling at a good sixty miles an hou

r…(1) a good sixty miles: at least sixty miles 2.then the two men exchanged a sharp glance and…

as a result of his exertion. (1) Then the two men looked at each other briefly and sever

ely. Mr. Crowther went on with his reading, while Mr. Harraby-Ribston went back to his seat and sat for some time breathing with difficulty and his face became redder because of his great effort to throw his suitcase.

3. … and so Mr. Crowther made a point of not reacting.(2)

make a point of doing sth: do sth because you think it important or necessary.

e.g. He always makes a point of letting people know that he is a professor.

4. I don’t know about that (7): I don’t think so; I don’t agree with you. Used to show that you slightly disagree with what the other people has just said.

5. in so far as (16): to the degree that sth is connected with it.

6. launch out(22): to burst out or plunge boldly into a speech or action

e.g. He launched out a long series of excuses for his behavior.

7. Clothes, hairbrushes and so on… my unusual action. (23)

Clothes, hairbrushes and so on are all somewhat related to my marriage and will bring back memories which I want bury for ever. That was why I threw out my suitcase.

get/be rid of sth: be free from sth so that it won’t bother you any more.

8. be given to(26): to have a tendency to; to tend toward

e.g. she is much given to giggling. The boy is given to reading in bed. 9. pride oneself on sth/doing sth (27): be prou

d of sth e.g. She prides herself on her garden. 10. to have sth/sb to oneself (32): to be the onl

y person in a place, using something or talking to somebody.

e.g. My husband is away from home, so now I can have the computer to myself.

11. I should have said that reticence was not your strong point.(42)

You’re too much a chatterbox, and could not be trusted to keep a secret.

Here euphemism is used to avoid offending Mr. Harraby-Ribston. More examples:

Let me put it this way, modesty is not your strong point. She knew that her daughter was not a sweet angle. 12. to take sth well（ 47） : to react well when you find o

ut. e.g. He took it quite well when the doctor told him the truth.

Discussion

1.How would you describe Mr. Harraby-Ribston? Is he the kind of man you would like to have as a traveling companion?

2.The story was a battle of wits. In view of their confessions in the end who do you think finally won this battle?

Keys to the exercises

vocabulary

1. translate 1.to resume her writing 2.to betray his true feelings 3.to arouse great anger 4.to make a fool of oneself 5.to inform everyone concerned 6.to reach our destination 7.to make inquiries1 8.to suffer a terrible pain 9. to pitch a stone 10.to make a point of doing something

11.to infringe on my privacy12.to abandon the research13.to launch a new project14.to start one’s life afresh15.to adopt a new method 16.to provoke a violent reaction17.to appreciate your support18.to recover one’s missing car19.to resent the unfair treatment 20.to involve dealing with all kinds of people

3.translate

1.Our school sports meet is due to take place next Saturday.

2.Due to the repeated floods and droughts, farming has been very unstable in this area.

3.She suddenly realized that their rent would be due the next day.

4.They finally identified the object flying due north as a swan.

5.Many people believe that in due course. Chinese farmers will learn to compete successfully in international markets.

6.With due respect, I don’t think we should adopt a wait-and-see policy.

7.According to this agreement, the two countries should inform each other of their major military actions.

8.He was criticized because he did not take immediate action when he was informed that the submarine had sunk.

9.Although he lived in this little but all his life, Zhu Geliang was extremely well-informed.

10.During the “Culture Revolution”, people were not only encouraged but also forced to inform on each other.

11.At that time scholars strongly advised us to preserve the city wall. But we were not farsighted enough to adopt their proposal.

12.To see how he loved his mother, you would never guess that he was adopt.

13.This classic novel describes a group of people in the Song dynasty, who, like Robin Hood, robbed the rich to help the poor.

14.The robbed her of everything she had and threw her out of the car.

15.Don’t ever reach out for things things that do not belong to you, because sooner or later you will be caught.

16.Out goal is to build a society that is rich, free and just. But we can’t reach that destination without pain and suffering.

17.I had a terrible dream. I dreamed that I was running after something I wanted. But it was always beyond my reach.

18.At that time ,Cao Cao believed that final victory was within his easy reach. He didn’t know that a terrible defeat was waiting for him.

4.Fill in the blank with the appropriate words

1up,on2in3up4in5out6up7out8out9about

10.out, down11.Along12.Around (round)

6.Complet the following sentences

1 to2 As for3 to4 on5 as, fool6 for the matter7 for that matter8 in, by

9 For all10 For all11 line12 up13 On the contrary14 on/for15 so far as16 into, involve

7.Choose the right words in their proper forms

1. company① ②company ③companion ④companion2. hideous① ② tedious ③ tedious

3. such① ② so ③ so ④ such4. rate① ② speed/rate ③ pace/speed ④ pace/speed ⑤speed, speed

Grammar 3.put the verbs in the correct form

1. had known, wouldn’t have gone2. were elected, would enforce3. hadn’t overslept, would have arrived4. had told, would have agreed5. had paid, would speak and write6. could see, would value7. were given, would choose8. to be disturbed

9. being disturbed10. has been invited, to be held11. being criticized12. to be excused, to be judged13. being exposed14. being discriminated15. to be given

4.translate the sentences

1. My uncle says that if he were five years younger, he would work towards a Ph.D. degree.

2. If nations could really respect each other, war would be a thing of the past.

3. Would Michael Dell have done better if he hadn’t quit but had finished college?

4. He believes that if it hadn’t been for his handicap he might not have achieved so much.

5.choice

1. B2. D3. C4. D5. B6. C7. B8. C9. D

10. A11. C12. B13. A14. C15. C