section b ahead of the game reading more text b exercises words & expressions contents questions...
TRANSCRIPT
Section B
Ahead of the Game
Reading More
Text B
Exercises
Words & Expressions
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Questions Preview
Preview the following questions before reading the text.
1. In what way is the writer humorous?
2. What can we learn from the text?
3. What do you think of the ticket to a successful relationship?
4. What is the meaning of “ahead of the game”?
5. What is the meaning of ‘‘from above”?
Questions Preview
Words & Expressions
Text B
Reading More
A friend of mine was suffering from a lack of self-confidence after the end of a particularly difficult relationship. He was a bit concerned about returning to the dating world, worried that he had “lost his touch” with women.
Para. 1
Ahead of the Game
Text B
ChineseChinese
Unfortunately, soon after ending his previous relationship, he began to lose his hair, and he saw this as a sign from above that he was supposed to be alone for the rest of his life. “Who is going to want to date a man without hair?” he said to me. He was convinced that good hair was the ticket to a successful relationship. “What will she run her fingers through now?” he asked sadly. “The skin on top of my head?”
Para. 2
Text B
ChineseChinese
When he finally started asking women out again, he only took them to locations where a cap was acceptable—playing in the park, walking the dog, or any kind of sporting event where he could successfully hide his thinning top. This worked out fine for a while, but there are only so many sporting events to go to, and only so many sunny days to walk the dog.
Para. 3
Text B
ChineseChinese
One of the many great aspects of my friend’s character is that he really loves going out for a nice dinner. Back in college, we enjoyed many nights at the most expensive restaurants in town, spending too much money on bottles of wine and delicious food. Unfortunately, none of these restaurants allow caps to be worn. Hearing this, my friend was once again disappointed. Then, one day, he received a note in the mail saying that he had won a free dinner for two at a lovely new restaurant located in the business center of town.
Para. 4
Text B
ChineseChinese
“Congratulations!” the letter read. “ You and a guest have been chosen to sample and enjoy our wonderful cooking and atmosphere. Please find the enclosed gift certificate for fifty dollars!” My friend was delighted! Jumping up and down with happiness, he thought out loud about what to wear, what to order, when to go, and... who to take. He couldn’t wear a hat into this new restaurant, and wondered if there was a woman out there who wouldn’t be disappointed by his bare head.
Para. 5
Text B
ChineseChinese
After worrying for a few minutes, my friend shouted out, “I’m going!” Jumping up from his seat, he took on that all-too-familiar glow on his face as he quickly glanced through his address book for a possible date. At last, he landed on Sarah, the woman whom he had been interested in, from a distance, for months. He sat down in his favorite chair, dialed her number confidently, and asked her to join him—she accepted without even hesitating.
Para. 6
Text B
ChineseChinese
A few nights later, dressed to the nines and without a cap in sight, he and Sarah shared a perfect evening and have been wonderfully in love ever since. That was the best fifty dollars I’ve spent in a very long time!
Para. 7&8
Text B
ChineseChinese
Meaning: This title is a pun ( 双关语 ), because it has two meanings. we can read this title in two ways: (1) Ahead of the game, showing that this is a story related to one’s (bare) head; (2) Ahead of the game, meaning “being the winner in the game”. The writer tries to be humorous by using this title.
1 Ahead of the Game
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: One of my friends had an extremely difficult time with his ex-girlfriend and when they finally broke up, he lost all his confidence.
2 A friend of mine was suffering from a lack of self-confidence after the end of a particularly difficult relationship.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: He was a bit worried if he could successfully date another woman, because he was afraid he did not know how to deal with women.
3 He was a bit concerned about returning to the dating world, worried that he had “lost his touch” with women.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: Sadly, not long after he broke up with his ex- girlfriend, he began to lose his hair, and he thought that it was a hint given by God telling him that he would never be able to find another girlfriend.
4 Unfortunately, soon after ending his previous relationship, he began to lose his hair, and he saw this as a sign from above that he was supposed to be alone for the rest of his life.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: He firmly believed that to set up a good relationship with a lady, one must have good hair.
5 He was convinced that good hair was the ticket to a successful relationship.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: “What will she move her fingers through when she strokes my head, now that I don’t have hair on my head?”
6 What will she run her fingers through now?
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: When in the end he began to go out with women again, he only took them to places where he was allowed to wear a cap...
7 When he finally started asking women out again, he only took them to locations where a cap was acceptable...
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: ... or going to watch any kind of sporting event as long as he can wear a cap to cover his head on which the hair is getting thinner and thinner.
8 ... or any kind of sporting event where he could successfully hide his thinning top.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: In this way, things went on quite smoothly for some time, but it cannot last long because there are a limited number of sporting events that one can go to, and there are also a limited number of sunny days when one can take the dog out for a walk.
9 This worked out fine for a while, but there are only so many sporting events to go to, and only so many sunny days to walk the dog.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: In the past, when we were in college, we spent many nights enjoying ourselves at the most expensive restaurants in town, spending a lot of money drinking a lot of wine and eating tasty food.
10 Back in college, we enjoyed many nights at the most expensive restaurants in town, spending too much money on bottles of wine and delicious food.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: When he heard that one was not allowed to wear a hat at those expensive restaurants, my friend became hopeless again.
11 Hearing this, my friend was once again disappointed.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: The letter said, “We are happy to tell you that you have won a dinner for two.”
12 “Congratulations!” the letter read.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: We have chosen you and a guest of yours to taste our delicious food while enjoying the special character of our environment.
13 You and a guest have been chosen to sample and enjoy our wonderful cooking and atmosphere.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: Along with the letter, there is also a gift certificate in the envelope and it is worth 50 dollars.
14 Please find the enclosed gift certificate for fifty dollars!
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: ... he talked to himself about what he should wear for the special dinner...
15 ... he thought out loud about what to wear...
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: He... did not know if there would be any woman who would not care at all when she saw his hairless head.
16 He... wondered if there was a woman out there who wouldn’t be disappointed by his bare head.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: He jumped up from his seat and then quickly went through his address book to look for a woman who would possibly date him. While he was doing so, the look of pleasure he used to have came back to his face.
17 Jumping up from his seat, he took on that all-too-familiar glow on his face as he quickly glanced through his address book for a possible date.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: In the end, he fixed his attention on Sarah, the lady whom he had been interested in for several months, but dared not get close to her.
18 At last, he landed on Sarah, the woman whom he had been interested in, from a distance, for months.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: He sat down in the chair he liked most, and began to call her with confidence. On the phone, he asked her to go out to dine with him—and she agreed immediately.
19 He sat down in his favorite chair, dialed her number confidently, and asked her to join him—she accepted without even hesitating.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: A few nights later, wearing his best clothes but no hat, my friend spent a wonderful evening with Sarah. From then on, they have been in love with each other.
20 A few nights later, dressed to the nines and without a cap in sight, he and Sarah shared a perfect evening and have been wonderfully in love ever since.
Meaning of the Sentences
Meaning: That fifty dollars was worth more than any amount of money I have spent in a long time.
21 That was the best fifty dollars I've spent in a very long time!
Meaning of the Sentences
New Words
Words & Expressions
ahead
previous
disappoint
atmosphere
suffer
convince
locate
delight
favoritedistance
hesitate sight
Expressions
Words & Expressions
ahead of
suffer from
be concerned about
work out
take on
in/within sight
ever since
ahead adj. & adv. 【 1 】 in front; forward 在前面（的） e.g. Look out! There’s danger ahead. 小心！前方有危险。
【 2 】 in or into the future 未来；今后 e.g. If you cast your mind ahead 10 years, information services will play the leading role. 放眼未来的 10 年， 信息服务将占主导地位。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
ahead
2. 据报道，未来的世界将比我们现在生活的世界更拥挤、污
染更严重、生态更不平衡。
It was reported that the world in the years ahead would be more crowded, more polluted and less stable ecologically than the world we live in now.
1. 在演讲比赛中，他的分数稍稍领先。
In the speech contest, he was slightly ahead on points.
New Words
Expressions
ahead of
【 1 】 in advance of 在 ······ 之前 e.g. They finished their work ahead of time as we did ours.
他们跟我们一样，也提前完工了。 【 2 】 in or into a more successful position than 胜过；优于 e.g. The girl got well ahead of the rest of the class in
painting. 小女孩画的画比班上其他同学的都好。
Exercises
Expressions
ExercisesExercises
ahead of
2. 游戏节目结束的时候，我以领先 300 分的成绩获胜。
I was ahead of the game by 300 points when the game show was over.
1. 如果我们合作，我们就有可能提前完成这项工程。
If we work together, we should be able to complete the project ahead of schedule.
Expressions
suffer
v. 【 1 】 experience or have to deal with something painful or unpleasant 遭受；承受 e.g. The party suffered a heavy defeat in the general election.
那个党派在大选中惨败。 【 2 】 experience pain, difficulty, or loss 遭受痛苦；受损害 e.g. Being away from home for half a year, he suffered from
homesickness. 离家半载，他饱受思乡之苦。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
suffer
2. 事故后她的大脑受到了损伤，无法开口说话了。
After the accident she suffered brain damage and couldn’t speak.
1. 再这样下去，我们将面临资源匮乏和环境污染的问题。
If we go on like this, we shall suffer from lack of resources and pollution in the future.
New Words
Expressions
ExercisesExercises
suffer from （ 尤指长期或习惯性地）患有（疾病等）；为 ······ 所苦
耳聋的人苦于无法听到声音。
e.g. Mostly males suffer from that disease; women seldom get it. 通常男性易患此疾病，而女性则很少。
Expressions
Deaf people suffer from the problem of being unable to hear sounds.
previous
adj. 【 1 】 happening or existing before the one mentioned 在先的；以前的
e.g. The previous century produced many great artists. 上世纪产生了许多伟大的艺术家。 【 2 】 before a particular time or event 在 ······ 之前
e.g. The writer has published two novels previous to this. 在此之前，这位作家已经出版了两本小说。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
previous
2. 上星期，这个可怜的家伙把右腿给弄断了。而在这之前，他
的左腿已在一起车祸中断了。
The poor guy broke his right leg last week. Previous to that, he had broken his left leg in a car accident.
1. 律师引用了以前的一个案例作为辩护的依据。
The lawyer cited a previous case to support his argument.
New Words
ExercisesExercises
convince v. 使确信；使信服
e.g. They’re convinced that the picture is genuine. 他们相信这幅画是真品。
警察确信女孩被谋杀了。
The police were convinced that the girl had been murdered.
New Words
ExercisesExercises
disappoint v. 使失望
e.g. Not to disappoint your clients is the key to the success of your business. 不让你的客户失望是你生意成功的关键。
我女儿看我没有买来她要的那种玩具娃娃时，非常失望。
My daughter was very disappointed when she saw I did not bring back the doll she wanted.
New Words
locate
adj. 【 1 】 fix or set in a certain place; situate 坐落于 e.g. A new factory is to be located in this area. 一家新工厂将建在这个地区。 【 2 】 find the position of 找出；查明 ······ 的位置
e.g. X-rays are used to locate breaks in bones. X 光被用来确定骨折的位置。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
locate
2. 这些新增的观测站能帮助我们确定许多小震级地震的发生地点。
These additional stations help us to locate many small earthquakes.
1. 上海位于中国东部。
Shanghai is located in eastern China.
New Words
ExercisesExercises
atmosphere n. 气氛； 环境
e.g. The restaurant has a very sweet atmosphere and is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. 这家餐馆环境温馨，是享用浪漫晚餐的理想场所。
这篇文章说，社会环境和习俗的突变造成了文化冲击。
According to the passage, culture shock results from the sudden change of the social atmosphere and customs.
New Words
delight
vt. cause (someone) great satisfaction or joy 使高兴；使欣喜 e.g. I am delighted to be invited to your wedding party. 我很高兴受邀参加您的婚礼。n. a great pleasure or joy; something or someone that gives great
pleasure 高兴；使人高兴的东西（或人） e.g. Reading is the delight of my son: he would rather read than
watch TV. 看书是我儿子的爱好：他情愿看书，不愿看电视。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
delight
2. 演出精彩极了；我当时高兴得忍俊不禁。
It was a very wonderful show; I could hardly keep from laughing with delight.
1. 听到妻子的建议，他又惊讶又欣喜。
He was surprised and delighted with his wife’s suggestion.
New Words
distance
n. 【 1 】 (singular) a distant point or place 远处； 远方 e.g. Perhaps distance learning can fit our needs. 远程教育也许能满足我们的需要。 【 2 】 the amount of space or time between two points or events （ 空间或时间上的）距离；间隔 e.g. It’s within walking distance. 步行能到那儿。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
distance
2. 你所在的城市距桂林有多远？
What’s the distance from your city to Guilin?
1. 从这儿你能清晰地看到远处的那座岛屿。
From here you can see quite clearly the island in the distance.
New Words
favorite
adj. most loved or liked 最受喜欢的 e.g. Red is my favorite color. 红色是我最喜欢的颜色。n. something or someone that is loved above all others 最受喜爱
的东西（人） e.g. This suit is my husband’s favorite. 这套西装是我丈夫最喜欢的。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
favorite
2. 她所有的书我都喜欢，但这本是我最喜欢的。
I like all her books but this one is my favorite.
1. 与人交谈是我最喜欢做的事情之一。
Talking with people is one of my favorite activities.
New Words
ExercisesExercises
hesitate v. 踌躇；犹豫不决
e.g. If I were you, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy that jacket. 如果我是你的话，我会毫不犹豫地买下那件夹克衫。
如果你需要什么的话，请马上告诉我们。
In case you need something, please don’t hesitate to ask me.
New Words
sight
n. 【 1 】 presence in one’s view, the range of what can be seen 视野
e.g. It was raining and no boats were in sight. 天空下着雨，看不见一艘船。 【 2 】 the seeing of something （观）看；（瞥）见 e.g. He always faints at the sight of blood. 他一看到血就会昏过去。
Exercises
New Words
ExercisesExercises
sight
2. 一看到那座房子，麦琪就哭了起来。
Maggie burst into tears at the sight of the house.
1. 他信奉“ 眼不见心不烦”的处世方式。
He has acted on the principle of “out of sight, out of mind”.
New Words
Expressions
ExercisesExercises
in/within sight 看得见
小男孩希望看见鸟，可是一只也看不见。
e.g. The train is still in sight. 还能看得见那列火车。
Expressions
The little boy hoped to see a bird, but there was none in sight.
ExercisesExercises
be concerned about 担心； 操心
他母亲一直以来对他非常关心，但是他好像一点也不在乎。
e.g. Is it a waste of time to be concerned about other people’s troubles? 关心他人的烦恼是不是在浪费时间呢？
Expressions
His mother has been concerned about him all the time, but he seems not to care at all.
ExercisesExercises
work out 产生结果；结果是
她每天学 3 个新词，以此来增加词汇量，效果相当不错。
e.g. Things did not work out as they had expected. 事情并不像他们想象的那样。
Expressions
She tried to increase her vocabulary by learning three new words every day and this worked out very well.
take on
【 1 】 begin to have (a quality or appearance) 露出；呈现 e.g. With the spring flowers, the city with a long history is now taking on another look. 春花怒放，古城呈现一派新貌。 【 2 】 accept (work or responsibility, etc.) 接受（工作）； 承担 （责任） e.g. Single-parent children often take on some of the housework. 单亲家庭的孩子经常做些家务活。
Exercises
Expressions
ExercisesExercises
take on
2. 我开始后悔接受这项工作了：它实在太难了。
I’m beginning to regret that I took on that job: it’s too difficult.
1. 1904 年移居巴黎后，毕加索的画色调更趋于暖色，作品更趋于
乐观。
After he moved to Paris in 1904, Picasso’s paintings took on a warmer, more optimistic mood.
Expressions
ExercisesExercises
ever since 从此以后
自从我们使用了新名字后，一切都有所好转。
e.g. He left last year and has been away ever since. 他去年走的，此后就一直不曾回来。
Expressions
Things have changed better ever since we began to use the new name.
Part I
Part II
Exercises
1. I have been busy recently, ______________ this week.2. A key task is to get pupils to see for themselves the ____________
between success and hard work.3. On the __________ night, she had promised not to say a word, but
the next day, the whole town knew the secret.4. Mary is ___________ that love rather than money is the key to happiness.
locate convince delight relationship enclose confident delicious bare previous particularly
particularly
relationship
previous
convinced
Fill in the blanks with the words given below, changing the form if necessary. Fill in each blank with one word only.
Part I Using the Right Word
5. I thought the whole meal was good and the soup was particularly ______________.6. The first Mcdonald’s restaurant is _________ in Downey, Southern California.7. I was __________when I knew my best friend had won the race.8. In contrast to your belief that we will fail, I am __________ that we will succeed.
delicious
located
delighted
confident
Part I Using the Right Word
locate convince delight relationship enclose confident delicious bare previous particularly
1. The doctor did not tell the family that Tom would be likely to suffer _______ heart disease for fear of frightening them.
2. People all over the world should be concerned ________ drug and pollution ( 污染 ) problems.
3. When the girl asked them if she could ask her boyfriend ______, her parents gave her a negative answer.
4. After losing touch ________ his younger sister for twenty years, Brown was amazed to find that they were both living in the same state.
from
about
out
with
Part II Working with Expressions
Fill in each of the blanks in the following sentences with a suitable preposition or adverb.
5. We are confident that our city will take ______ a new look in
the 21st century.
6. All the people landed _______ her and her face turned red.
7. The words on the sign are so large that we can see them _____
a distance.
8. When the clouds moved in, the moon was no longer ______
sight.
on
on
from
in
Part II Working with Expressions
Para 1
“绝顶”妙计
我的一位朋友在结束了一段特别坎坷的恋情后，自信心受到很大的打击。对于重新开始约会，他有点担心，生怕自己与女人早已“断了电”。
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Para 2
糟糕的是，在结束恋情后不久，他就开始脱发，他认为这是上帝在预示他将孑然一身度过余生。“谁愿意跟一个秃头男人约会呢？”他对我说。他深信一头漂亮的头发是建立圆满关系的关键。“如今她的手指能在我头上抚摸到什么呢？”他悲哀地说：“我的头皮吗？”
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Para 3
当他终于又开始和女人约会时，他只带她们去那些可以戴帽子的地方——在公园里游玩、遛狗或任何一种体育活动，只要他能成功地掩盖自己头发日益稀疏的脑袋。这样维持一段时间还行，毕竟可参加的体育活动种类有限，适合遛狗的好天气也有限啊！
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Para 4
我朋友有很多不同凡响的特点，其中一点就是他非常喜欢去餐馆享用美妙的晚餐。以前念大学时，我们俩在城里最贵的餐馆度过了许多美好的夜晚，美酒佳肴，花钱无数。不幸的是，在这些餐馆里都不能戴帽子。得知这个情况后，我朋友又一次泄了气。然而，有一天，他收到一封信，通知他得了奖，可以在一家新开张的位于本城商业中心的漂亮餐馆免费享用一次双人晚餐。
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Para 5
“祝贺您！”信上说：“您和您的朋友被选中前来体验和享受我们的出色厨艺和美妙氛围。随信附上一张价值 50 美元的抵餐券！”我的朋友高兴极了！他兴奋地跳了起来，还自言自语说着要穿什么衣服、点什么菜、什么时候去，还有……带谁一起去。他可不能戴着帽子进那家餐馆，也不知道哪里能找到一位不会对他的光头失望的女士。
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Para 6
就这样担心了一会儿，我朋友大喊，“我要去！”他从座位上跳起来，飞快地翻看通讯录寻找可能的人选，脸上又浮现起了再熟悉不过的飞扬神采。最后，他锁定了萨拉，他关注她已有几个月了，不过，只是在远处默默地注视。他坐在他心爱的椅子上，自信地拨通她的电话，邀请她和自己共进晚餐。她爽快地答应了。
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Para 7-8
几天之后，衣着笔挺、光头毕现的他和萨拉一起度过了一个美好的夜晚，从此以后两人恩爱无比。
这 50 美元是我长久以来花得最值的钱！
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