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I was being tested for a driving licence for the third time.
我第三次接受驾驶执照考试。
was being tested 是过去进行时的被动结构；for the third time 表示这已不是第一次失败。
I had been asked to drive in heavy traffic and had done so successfully.
我被要求在拥挤的交通中驾车，而且我顺利地做到了。
had been asked 是过去完成时被动；had done so 指代前面的 drive in heavy traffic。
After having been instructed to drive out of town, I began to acquire confidence.
在被要求把车开出城后，我开始有了信心。
After having been instructed... 是完成式被动动名词结构；acquire confidence 表示“逐渐获得信心”。
Sure that I had passed, I was almost beginning to enjoy my test.
我确信自己已经通过，几乎开始享受这场考试了。
Sure that... 是形容词短语作状语；心理变化非常关键。
The examiner must have been pleased with my performance, for he smiled and said.
主考人对我的驾驶想必是满意的，因为他微笑着说：“埃姆斯先生，只剩1项了。
'Just one more thing, MrEames.
让我们假设一个小孩子突然在你前面穿过马路。
Let us suppose that a child suddenly crosses the road in front of you.
我一敲车窗，你必须把车停在5英尺之内。”
As soon as I tap on the window, you must stop within five feet.'
“我一敲车窗，你就必须在五英尺以内把车停下。”
within five feet 是考试标准；as soon as 突出反应速度要求。
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.
过了一会儿，主考人砰砰地敲了起来。
I suddenly pressed the brake pedal and we were both thrown forward.
我突然踩下刹车踏板，我们俩都猛地向前冲去。
pressed the brake pedal 写最后的慌乱补救。
The examiner looked at me sadly.
主考官悲伤地看着我。
looked at me sadly 在幽默上先压低气氛。
'MrEames,' he said, in a mournful voice, 'you have just killed that child!'
主考人伤心地看着我。
单元概要
本课写作者第三次参加驾照考试，本以为已经通过，结果因为反应过慢在最后一项测试中“撞死了一个假想中的孩子”。重点在于心理变化、过去完成被动，以及结尾那句黑色幽默式评语。
精读导图 1. 先写作者第三次考试，前半程表现不错。 2. 再写他误以为自己已经稳过，情绪开始放松。 3. 最后在“模拟突发情况”中反应太慢，结尾被一句话判死刑。 精读关注 - must have been 的推测 - 心理从 confident 到 crash 的反差
单词表
| 单词 | 音标 | 释义 | 精讲 |
|---|---|---|---|
| licence | /ˈlaɪsns/ | 执照 |
|
| instruct | /ɪnˈstrʌkt/ | 指示；命令 |
|
| acquire | /əˈkwaɪə(r)/ | 获得 |
|
| examiner | /ɪɡˈzæmɪnə(r)/ | 主考官 |
|
| suppose | /səˈpəʊz/ | 假设 |
|
| tap | /tæp/ | 轻敲 |
|
| react | /riˈækt/ | 反应 |
|
| brake | /breɪk/ | 刹车 |
|
| mournful | /ˈmɔːnfl/ | 悲伤的 |
|
短语
| 短语 | 意思 |
|---|---|
| for the third time | 第三次 |
| drive in heavy traffic | 在拥挤交通中驾车 |
| acquire confidence | 获得信心 |
| must have been pleased | 想必很满意 |
| within five feet | 在五英尺以内 |
| take a long time to react | 花很长时间才反应过来 |
| be thrown forward | 被猛地甩向前方 |
语法点
过去完成被动与完成式结构
had been asked / After having been instructed... 都在考试叙事里帮助区分“先被要求”再“开始考试感受”。
相似句：
- He had been told to wait outside.
- After having been warned, she drove more carefully.
must have been 表过去推测
The examiner must have been pleased... 表示作者当时根据主考官笑了这一迹象作出的推测。
相似句：
- He must have forgotten the meeting.
- They must have been shocked by the news.
Sure that ... 作状语
Sure that I had passed... 把作者的心理状态浓缩成一句，后面的失败因此更有反差。
相似句：
- Sure that she was right, she spoke confidently.
- Certain that he would win, he relaxed too early.
读写提示
- 这课要写清心理变化：紧张、放松、自信、失手。
- 结尾是黑色幽默，概括时不要把它写成真实事故。
- 考试类叙事常见“前面顺利、最后翻车”的结构，很适合积累。
- 关键词不在重交通本身，而在反应速度和判断。
考点
4
考点
4第 1 / 4 题
作者为什么会觉得自己快通过了？