B
The Friday when everything changed
Our school didn't have water. Every day, two boys would go get it from the pump at the railway station. They had to walk a quarter of a mile each way.
It was a big deal. It meant you were big and strong enough to carry the water bucket. It also meant you could get away from school for half an hour each time.
Friday afternoons were for picking the two water boys for the next week. When our teacher, Miss Ralston, did that one afternoon, something strange happened.
Alma, my seatmate, raised her hand. Then, she said, “Why can’t girls go for the water too?” Everyone was so surprised that they sat in silence.
After a long pause, Miss Ralston answered, “I’ll think about that, and I’ll let you know next Friday.” Then, school let out, and the trouble started.
The boys didn’t want to lose their precious job. So, they made life difficult for Alma and the girls. They did many bad things, and they didn’t let the girls play softball at break.
Next Friday came, and Miss Ralston surprised everyone again. At break, she went to the softball field and got a bat(球棒). She stood at home base and shouted for a pitch(投球).
On the first throw, she missed the ball. When the second one came, she swung the bat and sent the ball high into the air. It flew across the field and out of sight.
“School’s in,” Miss Ralston said and left. In the final hour of school, she said, “Next week, Alma and Joyce will go for the water.”
词汇
pump /pʌmp/ n. 抽水机
railway /'reɪlweɪ/ n. 铁路,铁道
bucket /'bʌkɪt/ n. (有提梁的)桶
in silence 安静地,沉默地
pause /pɔːz/ n. 停顿
precious /'preʃəs/ adj. 珍贵的
softball /'sɒftbɔːl/ n. 垒球
miss /mɪs/ v. 错过
swing /swɪŋ/ v. (挥动某物)朝……打去(过去式 swung)
句型
1. It was a big deal. 这是一件重要的事情。
2. It meant you were big and strong enough to carry the water bucket. 这意味着你足够高大健壮,可以提得动水桶。
(sb) is+adj.+enough to do (某人)够……可以做
3. Everyone was so surprised that they sat in silence. 每个人都如此惊讶以至于他们安静地坐着。
so... that... 如此……以至于……
⇒ The little boy runs so fast that I can’t catch up with him.
理解
1. How did Miss Ralston prove that girls were as good as the boys?
She played softball well. On the first throw, she missed the ball. When the second one came, she swung the bat and sent the ball high into the air. It flew across the field and out of sight.
2. How can you prove yourself? Share your experience.
When I was in sixth grade, I failed in the exam and some boys laughed at me. I worked harder and did better than the boys. I proved that I could act as well as them.
