自考综合英语1-14.docVIP

Lesson Fourteen Cipher in the Snow Jean E. Mizer 　　一个母亲再嫁，与继父一起生活，没有家庭温暖的少年，在学校里成绩不好，沉默寡言，默默无闻，极少参加学校活动。在一个寒冷的早晨，上学的路上，他突然倒了下去，死于“心力衰竭”。一位老师进行了家访，阅读了他的全部档案之后，发出了愤怒的呼声：“是学校的‘教育’扼杀了他的信心，‘教育’对他的早逝有不可推卸的责任。这是为什么 ? ” 　　 1 It started on a biting cold February morning. I was driving behind the Milford Corners bus as I did most snowy mornings on my way to school. It stopped short at a hotel, and I was annoyed, as I had to come to an unexpected stop. A boy staggered out of the bus, stumbled, and collapsed on the snowbank at the curb. The bus driver and I reached him at the same moment. His thin, hollow face was white even against the snow. 　　 2 Hes dead, the driver whispered. 　　 3 I glanced quickly at the scared young faces staring down at us from the school bus. A doctor! Quick! 　　 4 No use. I tell you hes dead. The driver looked down at the boys still body. He never even said he felt bad, he muttered, just tapped me on the shoulder and said, quietly, ‘Im sorry. I have to get off at the hotel.’ Thats all. Polite and apologizing. 　　 5 At school, the giggling morning noise quieted as the news went down the halls. I passed a group of girls. Who was it? Who dropped dead on the way to school? I heard one of them half-whisper. 　　 6 Dont know his name; some kid from Milford Corners was the reply. 　　 7 It was like that in the faculty room and the principals office. Id appreciate your going out to tell the parents, the principal told me. They havent a phone and, anyway, somebody from school should go there in person. Ill cover your classes. 　　 8 Why me? I asked. Wouldnt it be better if you did it? 　　 9 I didnt know the boy, the principal admitted. And in last years sophomore personalities column I note that you were listed as his favorite teacher. 　　 10 I drove through the snow and cold down the bad road to the Evans place and thought about the boy, Cliff Evans. His favorite teacher! I could see him in my minds eye all right, sitting back there in the last seat i