Lily的Scalers Talk第八轮新概念朗读持续力训练Da

L37-1：The Westhaven Express

We have learnt to expect that trains will be punctual. After years of conditioning, most of us have developed an unshakable faith in railway timetables. Ships may be delayed by storms; flights may be cancelled because of bad weather, but trains must be on time. Only an exceptionally heavy snowfall might temporarily dislocate railway services. It is all too easy to blame the railway authorities when something does go wrong. The truth is that when mistakes occur, they are more likely to be ours than theirs.

After consulting my railway timetable, I noted with satisfaction that there was an express train to Westhaven. It went direct from my local station and the journey lasted mere hour and seventeen minutes. When I boarded the train, I could not help noticing that a great many local people got on as well. At the time, this did not strike me as odd. I reflected that there must be a great many local people besides myself who wished to take advantage of this excellent service.

express /ɪkˈspres/ 快车、高速的

punctual  /ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/  准时的

condition  使习惯于

unshakable  /ʌnˈʃeɪkəbl/ 不可动摇的

faith /feɪθ/ 信任、信仰、信心

exceptionally  /ɪkˈsepʃənəli/ 例外地、破例

dislocate /ˈdɪsloʊkeɪt/ 打乱计划

temporarily /ˈtɛmpəˌrɛrəlɪ/ 暂时

blame /bleɪm/ 责怪

consult   /kənˈsʌlt/ 查阅、咨询、请教

can't help doing  禁不住。。。

strike me as odd  使我感到奇怪

odd /ɑːd/ 怪异的、异常的

reflect /rɪˈflekt/ 细想、认真思考，反映;映出(影像);反射

take advantage of  利用

advantage  /ədˈvæntɪdʒ/ 有利条件;有利因素;优势;

今天虽然是晚上才来学习，不过，文章不算难。还是通篇过了一遍。