Do you think that the writer passed his driving test? Why?
I was being tested for a driving licence for the third time. I had been asked to drive in heavy traffic and had done so successfully. After having been instructed to drive out of town, I began to acquire confidence. Sure that I had passed, I was almost beginning to enjoy my test. The examiner must have been pleased with my performance, for he smiled and said. 'Just one more thing, Mr.Eames. Let us suppose that a child suddenly crosses the road in front of you. As soon as I tap on the window, you must stop within five feet.' I continued driving and after some time, the examiner tapped loudly, Though the sound could be heard clearly, it took me a long time to react. I suddenly pressed the brake pedal and we were both thrown forward. The examiner looked at me sadly. 'Mr.Eames,' he said, in a mournful voice, 'you have just killed that child!'
New words and expressions 生词和短语
murder n. 谋杀
instruct v. 命令，指示
acquire v. 取得，获得
confidence n. 信心
examiner n. 主考人
suppose v. 假设
tap v. 轻敲
react v. 反应
brake n. 刹车
pedal n. 踏板
mournful adj. 悲哀的
Notes on the text 课文注释
1 driving licence,驾驶执照。
2 After having been instructed to drive out of town,在接到把车开出城的指令后。介词after 后面接动名词完成式的被动结构，整个介词短语作时间状语，相当于一个时间状语从句 After I had been instructed to...。
3 Sure that I have passed,确信我已通过考试，sure 的前面省略了being.
4 The examiner must have been pleased,主考人对我的驾驶想必是满意的。这里must+have+过去分词来对过去的事情表示推测。