Lesson 58 A blessing in disguise
【Text】
The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased. The tree was planted near the church 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 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，谁就会死去。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！
【New words and expressions】
bleessing 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 reputatio n 名声 claim v 以?为其后果 victim n 受害者，牺牲品 vicar n 教区牧师 source n 来源 income n 收入 trunk n 树干 一． 单词讲解： ★ Blessing (single) 神恩，福气，福分，神的保佑；祷告 ask for God`s blessing 求神保佑 say a blessing 做祷告
a blessing in disguise 初看似乎不幸，过后看来却是幸运的事；祸中福。塞翁失马焉知非福 count one`s blessing 知足(数自己的福分）
bless v 求神赐福于某人或某事；赐予某人健康，幸福及成功
eg Bless those who are hungry, lonely or sick.求神赐福于那些饥饿，孤独或患病的人。 eg Mrs. White is blessed with 12 children. 太太有12个孩子，真有福气。
eg God bless you! 上帝保佑你！（用作感叹词，表示谢意或情义，或当人打喷嚏的时候
人
打
eg You`ve bought me a present ? Bless you! 你给我买了个礼物是吗？太感谢你了。
★ Disguise n 伪装
wear a beard as a disguise 带个络腮胡子来伪装
eg He was in disguise , so I couldn`t recognize him. 他乔装打扮过了，所以我没能辨认出来。 eg She made no disguise of her contempt. 她毫不掩饰的表示轻蔑之意。 v 伪装，假扮
eg I couldn`t disguise my anger. 我无法掩饰自己的愤怒。
eg He disuised himself as a woman for fun. 他男扮女装只为了好玩。 disguise one`s voice 改变说话的强调，发假声音
★ Tiny adj 极小的 tiny—tiner—tinest
Small adj 小的
little adj 小的（含有可爱之意） mini-(构成复合词)
minibus n 小公共汽车 miniskirt n 超短裙
minicab n 小的出租车
puny adj (贬义)弱小的，瘦小的，发育不全的，未充分发挥的 eg A tiny little girl was singing very well in TV.
一个纤小的女孩在电视上唱的很好。
★ possess
v 拥有
eg They possess three cars. 他们有三辆小汽车。 possess patience 有耐性 possess courage 有勇气
be possess with sth/be possess by sth (尤指人的思想） 被…控制，支配 She suddenly possessed with fear. 她突然被恐惧的情绪所控制。
eg She was suddenly possessed by fear. 她突然感到非常的害怕。
possession n [u](ownership) 领有，持有，具有 eg I`ve had possession of this house for 7 years. 我拥有这座房子已经7年了。
[c] 财产
eg He lost all his possessions in the fire. 他在大火中丧失所有的财产。
be in possession of sth 拥有某物
eg He is in lawful possession of a shotgun. 他合法地拥有一支猎枪。
possessor n 拥有者（owner）
possessed adj (被强烈的感情，恶魔等)缠附的，疯狂的 eg He studied like one possessed. 他拼命的用功。
eg He fought like a man possessed. 他进行了殊死的战斗。
eg Possession is nine points of the law. 现实占有，败一胜九（占有或控制某物者打起官司来总占上风）
★ cursed adj 可恨的，讨厌的（常做定语）
相当于 hateful, unpleasant
a cursed person 一个可恨的人 curse n 咒骂的话，咒语 be under a curse 被咒骂的
eg The witch laid a curse upon the princess.
那个巫婆诅咒这个公主。
The witch laid the princess under a curse. v 诅咒
eg He cursed (at) his bad luck .
他诅咒他的坏运气。
eg I cursed her for spoiling my plans.
因为她破坏我的计划所以我诅咒她。
★ Increase V 增加 Increase one?s speed 加速
eg The population has increased greatly. 人口急剧的增长。
increased profits 增大的利润
increase ['inkri:s] n 增加的量 a wage increase 工资增加额
eg an increase of nearly 50% over last year
比去年差不多了50%。
50%的增长 a 50% increase
add to
raise grow enlarge decline decrease reduce
★ Plant n. 树木，植物 1 n 植物，树木 wilde plant garden plant plants and animals 2. n 工厂，生产 a chemical plant a power plant
化工厂
电厂 野生植物 花园里的植物 动植物
增加，增加到 v提高，增加 t v 增加，成长 v 变大，扩大，增大
(数量，力量，权利等)削减 v
变少，变小 v v 减少
3 v 种植，栽种
eg We are going to plant trees around the house. 我们打算在房子周围种满树。 eg Farmers should know the time to plant. 农民应该知道种植的时间。
新概念英语第二册笔记 第58课
