重点讲解现代大学英语

　　One day in Nebraska a car pulled to the road shoulder. When I reached the window, I saw two little old ladies dressed in their Sunday finest." I know you're not supposed to pick up hitchhikers, but it's so far between towns out here, you feel bad passing a person," said the driver, who introduced herself as Vi. I didn't know whether to kiss them or scold them for stopping. This woman was telling me she'd rather risk her life than feel bad about passing a stranger on the side of the road.

　　Once when I was hitchhiking unsuccessfully in the rain, a trucker pulled over, locking his brakes so hard he skidded on the grass shoulder. The driver told me he was once robbed at knifepoint by a hitchhiker. "But I hate to see a man stand out in the rain," he added. "People don't have no heart anymore."

　　I found, however, that people were generally compassionate. Hearing I had no money and would take none, people bought me food or shared whatever they happened to have with them. Those who had the least to give often gave the most. In Oregon a house painter named Mike noted the chilly weather and asked if I had a coat. When he learned that I had "a light one," he drove me to his house, and handed me a big green army-style jacket. A lumber-mill worker named Tim invited me to a simple dinner with his family in their shabby house. Then he offered me his tent. I refused, knowing it was probably one of the family's most valuable possessions. But Tim was determined that I have it, and finally I agreed to take it.

　　一天，在内布拉斯加州，一辆车在路边停下。我向窗内看去，是两位穿节日盛装的小老太太。“我知道不该要求您搭乘过路人，但是这两个小镇距离太远，如果不理过路人，你会感到内疚的，”司机说，她自我介绍说名叫Vi。我不知道是该亲吻她，还是责备她停车。这位女士说，她更愿意冒生命危急，而不是置路边的陌生人于不顾而心怀愧意。

　　一个下雨天，我试图搭车，但是失败了。一位卡车司机把车开到路边，刹车太猛，车子刹到路沿上。这位司机告诉我，他曾被一个持刀的搭乘者抢劫。“但我不愿看到有人淋雨，”他说。“人们不是冷酷无情的。”

　　然而，我发现，人们通常都是有同情心的。他们听说我没钱，也不想要钱，就给我食物，或同我分享他们有的任何东西。没有什么东西的人总是给的最多。在俄勒冈州，一位油漆工意识到天冷，就问我是否有外套。当他听说我有“一件薄的”，就开车带我到他家，给我一件宽大、绿色的军装夹式克。一个叫 Tim的锯木厂工人邀请我去他那简陋的家，和他的家人共享简单的晚餐。然后把自己的帐篷送给我，我拒绝了，因为我知道，那可能是这个家庭最值钱的家当了。但是Tim坚持要我收下，最后，我只得收下了。

　　1.hitchhiker n. 搭便车的旅行者,短篇广告,顺便插入的广告

　　例句：

　　The driver stopped to pick up a hitchhiker.

　　司机停下来让一个搭车人上了车。

　　2.scold v. 责骂,训斥

　　例句：

　　Don't scold him; he is a mere child.

　　别责备他，他只不过是个孩子。

　　3.skid vt 打滑刹车(制件缺陷,走下坡路)

　　例句：

　　Even as he shouted the warning the car skidded.

　　就在他高喊注意的.时候，汽车滑动了。