新概念英语第三册01-04

Confirm = be sure = be certain (confirm vt.确定)

Unless it is cornered = if it is not cornered (unless conj.如果不, 除非)

-- He will accept the job unless the salary is too low.



The search proved difficult, for the puma was often observed at one place in the morning

and at another place twenty miles away in the evening.

search = hunt



Wherever it went, it left behind it a trail of dead deer and small animals like rabbits.

把某物留在后面：leave behind

-- Wherever he went, the wound left behind him a trail of blood.（n.血）



Paw prints were seen in a number of places and puma fur was found clinging to bushes.

英文表达方式习惯用被动语态, 突出客观事实。而中文则善于运用动作的执行者。

puma fur was found clinging to bushes. （被动）

à We found the puma fur clinging to bushes. （主动）

-- clinging to bushes是现在分词短语做宾补

Several people complained of "cat-like noises' at night and a businessman on a fishing trip

saw the puma up a tree.

complain of/about sth 抱怨某事

on+名词：强调动作正在进行

-- on the rise 在上升 / on the increase 在增加

-- on the watch 在观看 / on the match 在比赛中

-- on the fishing trip 在钓鱼的途中 / on holiday 在度假



The experts were now fully convinced that the animal was a puma, but where had it come

from?

Fully（adv.充分地, 完全地）= completely = entirely



As no pumas had been reported missing from any zoo in the country, this one must have

been in the possession of a private collector and somehow managed to escape.

sth be in the possession of sb = sth be in sb's possession 某物归某人所有(主语是物)

-- The beautiful car is in my possession.= The beautiful car is in the possession of me.

Sb be in possession of sth 某人拥有某物(主语是人)

-- I am in possession of the beautiful car.（in possession of… 做表语）

-- The person in possession of the big house is excited. （in possession of… 做定语）

take possession of… 拥有…



The hunt went on for several weeks, but the puma was not caught.

Went on = lasted （last vi.继续, 持续）



It is disturbing to think that a dangerous wild animal is still at large in the quiet countryside.

It is disturbing to think that... 一想到…就心理不安

-- It is disturbing to think that I fail my examination

in the quiet countryside 在宁静的山村