文档介绍：Unit 7
The Rivals
Text A
About the Author •MARTIN ARMSTRONG (1882 - 1974)
•Armstrong was born at 2 Jesmond
Gardens, Newcastle.
• The family was well-to-do and Armstrong
recalled fortable childhood in the
novel Victorian Peep-Show (1938). After
university studies he became a journalist
and novelist.
•He published two novels, Lover’s Leap and Snakes in the Grass, eight collections of short stories and poems.
Background information
This text describes an interesting conversation that takes place in a train between two Englishmen. Its chief merit is the quick wit displayed by both parties, and the charm of the English language used in
this verbal fencing.
Introduction to the Text
In this story, the author describes
two gentlemen who meet on the train. One of them does a very unusual
thing, which results in a strange
conversation between them.
The conversation is full of fencing and rivalry, and in the end, it turns our that
the one that appears to be less smart at first is just as sharp as the other.
destination(p1)
A popular holiday destination 旅游胜地
London seems destined to lose some of its best talents.
The Song sisters knew they were destined for great things.
send products destined for Saudi Arabia.
We are masters of our own destiny.
Companion(p1):sb you spend time with or are traveling with
Fred has been her constant ~ for the last 5 years.
My traveling ~
Cf. company
Company: the state of having other people with you, usu. Pleasant.
Ross always enjoys the ~ of women.
I’m grateful for their ~ on my way back.
You are in good ~, for the prime minister made a similar slip before.
(不必觉得丢脸,因为名人也如此)
have ~ ; in ~ ; keep ~ ; in ~ with sb; keep ~ with sb
Kuwait, in ~ with other Gulf oil states, is concerned to avoid any oil price shocks.
Exertion(p1):use in a strong or determined way(a formal use)
Exert influence, authority, or pressure
He exerted considerable influence on the thinking of munity on these issues.
Youngsters get so absor