Section III
Maintaining a Sharp Eye
Passage II : Read the Text
When I Was in America
For most people the holiday season is a time of joy and family reunions. For me, it is a time of mixed emotions—for I have been away from my family and friends in Iran while studying in the United States. Rather than lock myself in my loneliness, I have tried each Christmas to learn a little more about the culture of the country and know more about my American friends.
A tie-clasp I still wear reminds me repeatedly of the Christmas of 1989, which was quite memorable. All my classmates had eagerly looked forward to the holiday time. I had no vacation because I was short of money. My check from home had not arrived on schedule because of the crush of holiday mail.
One day I walked to the campus to pick up my mail at the International Students office. But the all important check still had not arrived. Maria, a Mexican-American student, who worked as a temporary secretary in the department when others left for their holidays, must have seen me as I left the mailbox with disappointment showing on my face. She invited me to spend Christmas Eve with her family. I accepted all too gladly.
Maria's family was not rich. They lived in a modest small house. Maria introduced me to her parents, her aunt and her sister, who welcomed me warmly. Maria's father could only speak Spanish, so he talked to me while Maria's sister acting as interpreter. The kind look in his eyes and his relaxed behavior made me feel right at home.
The dinner was very elaborate. Each dish had a special feature, sauce and blend of seasonings. Maria's aunt ate while standing at a corner of the small, old table. I felt a little uncomfortable, knowing that I was occupying her place, but her gesture expressed the sincere hospitality with which Maria's whole family received me. After dinner, Maria chose a small package from under the Christmas tree and handed it to me. Inside I found the tie-clasp I still use to this day.
Looking at the tie-clasp, I knew I would always regard it as a memento of an unforgettable evening of good friendship during a hard and lonely period of my life.
Difficult Sentences
1. (Para. 1) Rather than lock myself in my loneliness, I have tried each Christmas to learn a little more about the culture of the country and know more about my American friends.
Rather than： rather than 后省略不定式符号“to”
each Christmas：时间状语
Translation：但是我并没有沉溺于个人的孤独。我一直在努力利用每一个圣诞节的机会更多地了解这个国家的文化，更多地知道一些有关我美国朋友的情况。
Example：Rather than make money, he came to the country all the way to help sick children each Children’s Day.
2. (Para. 2) A tie-clasp I still wear reminds me repeatedly of the Christmas of 1989, which was quite memorable.
I still wear：定语从句（省略that）修饰“tie-clasp”
Which：引导非限制性定语从句
Translation：我有一只迄今仍然随身佩带的领带夹，它不时让我想起1989年的圣诞节。那是一个令人难忘的日子。
Example：A map I always carry in my bag helps me repeatedly with directions, which is really valuable for a person without much sense of directions like me.
3. (Para. 3) Maria, a Mexican-American student, who worked as a temporary secretary in the department when others left for their holidays, must have seen me as I left the mailbox with disappointment showing on my face.
as：prep. 作为
must have seen: 表示肯定的判断
as: conj. 引导时间状语从句
Translation：由于其他人都离开学校去度假了，一位名叫玛丽亚的美籍墨西哥学生在系里担任临时秘书。她一定是看到了我离开邮箱时流露在脸上的沮丧和失望。
Example：Li Xin, an American-Chinese girl, who stayed in the room as a baby-sitter, must have noticed my two little brothers as they hung their empty socks on the fireplace with great expectation.
4. (Para. 4) The kind look in his eyes and his relaxed behavior made me feel right at home.
made me feel right at home: V+O+OC Structure
Translation：他眼睛中流露出的和蔼目光以及他随和的举止使我感觉完全就跟在自己家里一样自在。
Example：He said he was quite satisfied. But his long face made me feel just the opposite.
5. (Para. 5) I felt a little uncomfortable, knowing that I was occupying her place, but her gesture expressed the sincere hospitality with which Maria’s whole family received me.
knowing that: 现在分词短语作时间状语
which: 引导定语从句
Translation：我觉得有些不安，因为我知道我占了玛利亚姑妈的位置。但是她的手势却向我表达了她真诚的亲情，玛利亚全家就是用这种热情好客款待我的。
Example：He shouted at the top of his voice, knowing that the crowds could hardly hear him; but their cheering revealed such warmth with which they welcomed him as a hero.
6. (Para. 6) Looking at the tie-clasp, I knew I would always regard it as a memento of an unforgettable evening of good friendship during a hard and lonely period of my life.
Looking at the tie-clasp: 现在分词短语作时间状语
of an unforgettable evening of good friendship during a hard and lonely period of my life: 后置定语
Translation：望着这只领带夹，我知道我将会把它视作一个永久的纪念，它记录了在我生活最孤独寂寞的那段时光中一个充满友情的令人难忘的夜晚。
Example：Reading the words again and again, she realized she would use them as her motto of life in the fierce struggle against her disease.
Important Words
1. reunion n. meeting with family members or old friends, etc. after separation 团圆，重聚
e.g. Many students go home for a family reunion on the Mid-autumn Festival.
They had a happy reunion on the fiftieth anniversary of their university.
2. emotion n. excited state of mind or strong feelings 情绪，情感
e.g. She told the story in a voice touched with deep emotion.
His argument relies too much on emotion rather than on reason.
3. loneliness n. state of feeling sad or melancholy caused by lacking of companions 孤独, 孤单
lonely adj.孤独的，孤单的
e.g. Loneliness is the worst enemy for the spacemen.
She sang to herself to rid her of the loneliness.
4. repeatedly adv. again and again 再三地，重复地
repeat v.重复
e.g. He read the words repeatedly to lock them in memory.
Whatever she says, she’d say it repeatedly.
5. crush v. crowd of people or things gathered together 挤满, 积压
e.g. There was a frightful crush at the gate of the cinema.
The crush proved a danger with few emergency exits in the hall.
6. temporary adj. lasting for a short time only 临时的,暂时的
temporarily adv. 临时地，暂时地
e.g. The hut was used as a temporary office.
Don’t worry. The bumping of the airplane is only temporary.
7. disappointment n. the state of mind of failing to get what is expected
失望, 沮丧
disappoint vt. disappointed adj.
e.g. He suffered terrible disappointment when she failed to come.
To the children’s disappointment, it rained the whole night before the picnic.
8. modest adj. not large in size or amount 简陋的, 适度的
modest adj.谦虚的
e.g. He should accept my modest requirement.
The well-known scholar lives in a rather modest little house.
9. behavior n. ways of behaving oneself 行为, 举止
e.g. His improper behavior towards the guests shows his rudeness.
One’s behavior should go with one’s words.
10. gesture n. movement of hand or head to indicate an idea or feeling 手势,姿态
e.g. Is thumbing a gesture for a lift?
Can you make out what his gesture means?
11. hospitality n. friendly and generous reception of guests 好客, 款待
e.g. The Chinese enjoy a reputation of their hospitality.
The hostess’ hospitality put us at ease.
12. unforgettable adj. that cannot be forgotten 令人难忘的, 忘不了的
e.g. She spent an unforgettable time in the mountainous area.
This failure is an unforgettable lesson for me.