A blessing in desguise?

【课文】

The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because the tree was mentioned in a newapaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased. The tree was planted near thechurch fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation. It is said that if anyone touches the tree, he will have bad luck; if he picks a leaf, he will die. Many villagers believe that the tree has already claimed a number of victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down, but so far he has refused. He has pointed out that the tree is a useful source of income, as tourists have been coming from all parts of the country to see it. In spite of all that has been said, the tourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. So far, not one of them has been struck down by sudden death!

【课文翻译】

据说弗林利这个小村庄里有一棵“该诅咒的树”。就因为报上提到过这棵树，所以现在来弗林利参观的人越来越多。该树是50年前栽在教堂附近的，但只是近几年才得到了一个坏名声。据说，谁要是触摸了这棵树，谁就会交上恶运，如果谁摘了一片树叶，谁玉会死去。很多村民相信此树已经害了不少人。人们曾请求教区的牧师叫人把树砍掉，但他直到现在也没有同意。他指出，由于人们从全国各地纷纷前来参观这棵树，它成了一个有用的财源。尽管有上述种种说法，但游客们还是照常摘树叶和把他们的名字刻在树干上。然而到目前为止，还没有一个人暴死呢!

【生词汇总】

blessing n. 福分，福气

disguise n. 伪装

tiny adj.极小的

possess v.拥有

cursed adj.可恨的

increase v.增加

plant v.种植

church n.教堂

evil adj.坏的

reputation n.名声

claim v.以......为其后果

victim n.受害者，牲牺品

vicar n.教区牧师

source n.来源

income n.收入

trunk n.树干

【短语汇总】

is sad to do据说

cut down砍断砍倒

so far目前为止，直到现在

【知识点讲解】

1，be said to do据说(The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree')

有多种表示，比如is claimed to do，is considered to do等

the rain is said to be the biggest in history.据说这场雨是史上最大。

2，强调句(it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation)

后面的连接词用that，如果前面紧跟着的是个人的话也可以用who。实际上所谓的强调句是主语从句的一种变形形式，说白了就是主语从句。

例：it is you that I want marry，not her.我要娶得人是你，不是她。

更多关于新概念英语的考试资料可点击下载查看：进入资料下载