課文詳注 Further notes on the text
    1．What's the matter？怎么啦？
    相當(dāng)于 What's wrong？或 Tell me what's wrong。這個句型通常用來詢問發(fā)生了什么事。假如要特別提及某人，可以在后面加上介詞with，如：
    What's the matter with you?
    你怎么啦？
    What's the matter with Claire?
    克萊爾怎么啦？
    2．Mum，兒語中小孩子對母親的稱呼。
    與此相似，dad是對父親的兒語稱呼。
    3．There's = There is。
    它表示“有”、“存在”，為 there be結(jié)構(gòu)的一般現(xiàn)在時縮略形式。
    4．Two ice creams please．請拿兩份冰淇淋。
    相當(dāng)于 Give us two ice creams，please。請參見 Lessons 3～4課文注釋。ice cream是物質(zhì)名詞。物質(zhì)名詞前加不定冠詞 a或基數(shù)詞表示一種、一份、一客、一類、一陣等。
    語法 Grammar in use
    1．there be結(jié)構(gòu)（1）
    在說明或詢問人、物等的存在時即可使用there be結(jié)構(gòu)。說There's an ice cream man比說An ice cream man is there更合乎習(xí)慣，也更為自然。there be結(jié)構(gòu)可將重要的新信息置于句末，以示強(qiáng)調(diào)。此結(jié)構(gòu)中的實(shí)際主語是be后面的名詞。因此，假如該名詞是單數(shù)就用is，如是復(fù)數(shù)則為are。
    2．人稱代詞與be
    英文中系動詞be（是）必須根據(jù)不同的人稱代詞作相應(yīng)的變化。請參見Lessons15～16語法部分中有關(guān)be的一般現(xiàn)在時形式的內(nèi)容，包括某些縮略形式，如：they are not =they aren't =they're not，we are not = we aren't =we're not。詞匯學(xué)習(xí) Word study
    1．thirsty adj.
    （1）渴的，口干的：
    We're tired and thirsty.
    我們又累又渴。
    （2）（土地等）干旱的：
    a dry and thirsty land 干旱的土地
    （3）渴望的，渴求的（for，after）：
    The students there are thirsty for knowledge.
    那里的學(xué)生有強(qiáng)烈的求知欲。
    2．matter n.
    （1）事情，事件：
    It's a private matter.
    這是件私事。
    He's not very interested in financial matters.
    他對財(cái)政方面的事情并不太感興趣。
    （2）麻煩事，困難：
    What's the matter, Anna?
    怎么了，安娜？
    What's the matter with Steven?
    史蒂文是怎么回事？
    練習(xí)答案 Key to written exercises
    Lesson 20
    A
    1 Those children are tired.
    2 Their mother is tired, too.
    3 That ice cream man is very busy.
    4 His ice creams are very nice.
    5 What's the matter, children? We are thirsty.
    6 What's the matter, Tim? I am tired.
    B
    1 Are the children tired or thirsty?
    They're not tired. They're thirsty.
    2 Are the postmen cold or hot?
    They're not cold. They're hot.
    3 Are the hairdressers thin or fat?
    They're not thin. They're fat.
    4 Are the shoes small or big?
    They're not small. They're big.
    5 Are the shops shut or open?
    They're not shut. They're open.
    6 Are his cases heavy or light?
    They're not heavy. They're light.
    7 Are grandmother and grandfather young or old?
    They're not young. They're old.
    8 Are their hats old or new?
    They're not old. They're new.
    9 Are the policemen short or tall?
    They're not short. They're tall.
    10 Are his trousers short or long?
    They're not short. They're long.