常春藤生活英語(yǔ)：Waiting for Doughnuts 甜甜圈悲歌

Nick found a newly opened doughnut store on the way home. Because he felt curious and hungry, he decided to buy some. Despite the long line of people that were already waiting in front of the shop, Nick lined up. He waited for almost an hour, but he didn't intend to give up.

The whole time, Nick kept picturing the delicious doughnuts and all of the flavors he could choose from. The closer he got to the counter, the more excited he became.

Finally, it was Nick's turn to be served. Just as he was ready to order, the clerk apologized and told him the doughnuts were all sold out. Nick was really upset. After waiting for so long, all he got was an empty stomach and a huge disappointment.

尼克在回家途中發(fā)現(xiàn)了一家新開(kāi)的甜甜圈店。出于好奇和饑腸轆轆，他決定要買(mǎi)些來(lái)嘗嘗。盡管客人已在店前大排長(zhǎng)龍，尼克還是排了隊(duì)。他等了將近一個(gè)小時(shí)，卻不打算放棄。

在排隊(duì)的這段時(shí)間里，尼克不斷地想象著美味的甜甜圈以及所有他能選擇的口味。他愈是靠近柜臺(tái)，心中愈是興奮。

終于輪到尼克被接待了。當(dāng)他正準(zhǔn)備要開(kāi)口點(diǎn)選時(shí)，店員竟向他道歉，并告訴他所有的甜甜圈都賣完了。尼克沮喪的不得了。經(jīng)過(guò)如此漫長(zhǎng)的等待，他所等到的只有個(gè)空蕩蕩的胃和極大的失望。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. curious　a. 好奇的

I'm curious about what's inside that box.

我很好奇那盒子里有什么東西。

2. despite　prep. 盡管，任憑

Despite the rain, they went hiking.

盡管下雨，他們還是去健行。

3. picture　vt. 想象，設(shè)想

The result isn't what I pictured it would be.

結(jié)果跟我想象中的不一樣。

4. serve　vt. 接待(顧客)

The waitress wasn't very polite when she served us.

女服務(wù)生在接待我們時(shí)顯得不是很有禮貌。

Phrases for Learning

1. it is + 所有格 + turn　　輪到某人

Today, it is your turn to wash the dishes.

今天換你洗碗了。

2. be sold out　　賣光

The tickets for the concert were all sold out.

那場(chǎng)音樂(lè)會(huì)的票全都銷售一空了。

Tips In Use

Despite the long line of people...

(盡管客人……大排長(zhǎng)龍……)

1. despite + 名詞∕動(dòng)名詞　　盡管∕雖然……

= in spite of + 名詞∕動(dòng)名詞

People still rely on cars in spite of the rising oil prices.

(盡管油價(jià)上漲，人們?nèi)砸蕾嚻嚒?

2. despite the fact + that 子句　　盡管∕雖然……

= in spite the fact + that 子句

Despite the fact that he's turning 25, Mike still acts childish.

(盡管麥克都快滿二十五歲了，他的行為仍十分幼稚。)

注意:

由于 despite 及 in spite of 均視為介詞，故其后不可直接接 that 子句作受詞，而須先在其后加 the fact 作其受詞，然后再接 that 子句，此 that 子句乃其前 the fact 的同位語(yǔ)。