原文如下：
I arrived in London at last. The railway station was big, black and dark. I did not know the way to my hotel, so I asked a porter. I not only spoke English very carefully, but very clearly as well. The porter, however, could not understand me.
我终于到了伦敦。火车站很大，又黑又暗。我不知道去饭店的路该怎么走，于是向一个搬运工打听。我的英语讲得不但非常认真，而且咬字也非常清楚。然而搬运工却不明白我的话。我把问话重复了很多遍。他终于听懂了。
I repeated my question several times and at last he understood. he answered me, but he spoke neither slowly nor clearly. 'I am a foreigner,' I said. Then he spoke slowly, but I could not understand him. My teacher never spoke English like that!
他回答了，但他讲得既不慢也不清楚。“我是个外国人，”我说。于是他说得慢了，可我还是听不懂。我的老师从来不那样讲英语！我和搬运工相视一笑。接着，他说了点什么，这回我听懂了。“您会很快学会英语的！”他说。
The porter and I looked at each other and smiled. Then he said something and I understood it. 'You'll soon learn English!' he said. I wonder. In England, each person speaks a different language. The English understand each other, but I don't understand them! Do they speak English?
我感到奇怪。在英国，人们各自说着一种不同的语言。英国人之间相互听得懂，可我却不懂他们的话！他们说的是英语吗？
此文出自新概念第二册25课
新概念第二册第25课的课后习题答案：
创作背景：
新概念英语第二册《实践与进步》（Practice and Progress）是新概念英语系列的其中之一。同时也是《新概念英语青少版》4级、5级的蓝本。
特点是：
1、不重传授抽象知识，而重培养实际运用英语的技能；
2、分为许多分量适中的单元，循序小步前进，学习起来困难小，用力省，收效显著；
3、听、说、读、写四会并重，全面训练；
4、兼顾趣味和实用，课文短小精悍，语言自然地道，内容生动有趣；练习精当。
新概念英语第二册-Always young
I had an amusing1 experience last year. After I had left a small village in the south of France, I drove2 on the next town. On the way, a young man waved to me. I stopped and he asked me for a lift. As soon as he had got into the car, I said good morning to him in French and he replied in the same language. Apart from a few words, I do not know any French at all. Neither of us spoke3 during the journey. I had nearly reached the town, when the young man suddenly said, very slowly, 'Do you speak English?' As I soon learnt, he was English himself!
课文注释
1.I drove on the next town.我继续驶往下一个城镇。
句中的副词 on 有“继续地”，“不停顿地”意思。
2.on the way,在途中。
3.ask for a lift,要求搭车。
4.apart form,除了……以外。
5.As I soon learnt,he was English himself!我很快就知道，他自己就是个英国人。
参考译文
去年我有过一次有趣的经历。在离开法国南部的一个小村庄后，我继续驶往下一个城镇。途中，一个青年人向我招手。我把车停下，他向我提出要求搭车。他一上车，我就用法语向他问好，他也同样用法语回答我。除了个别几个单词外，我根本不会法语。旅途中我们谁也没讲话。就要到达那个镇时，那青年突然开了口，慢慢地说道“你会讲英语吗？” 我很快了解到，他自己就是个英国人！
新概念英语正版图书购买
自学导读
1．After I had left a small village in the south of France, I drove on to the next town. 在离开法国南部的一个小村庄后，我继续驶往下一个城镇。
（1）表示一个大范围中的某一个地方时要用介词in:
Beijing is in the north of China.
北京位于中国的北部。
（2）副词on紧跟在动词后面时可以表示“向前”、“继续下去”等意义：
He talked on until everybody had gone.
他滔滔不绝地讲到大家都走了。
I was reading when my friend called. After he had
gone, I went on to read.
我朋友来看我时我正在看书。他走了以后我便继续看书。
2．I stopped and he asked me for a lift. 我把车停下，他向我提出要求搭车。
名词lift的含义之一是“（给步行者）搭便车”、“免费搭车”：
Last night, I had to walk home. No one would give me a lift.
昨晚我不得不走回家。谁也不愿意让我搭车。
I was lucky today. I got a lift soon after I had left the village.
我今天运气好，离开村子不久就搭上了便车。
3．As soon as he had got into the car, I said good morning to him in French and he replied in the same language. 他一上车，我就用法语向他问早上好，他也同样用法语回答我。
（1）表示时间的固定短语as soon as通常表示“一……就……”，即两个动词之间相隔时间非常短：
Tell him the news as soon as you meet him.
你一遇见他就把这消息告诉他。
（2）表示用某种语言作为交际手段时介词用in，表示讲某种语言时可以不加介词：
speak English/ French 讲英语／法语
That book is written in German.
那本书是用德语写的。
He replied the question in English.
他用英语回答了这个问题。
语法 Grammar in use
过去完成时(The simple past perfect tense)
过去完成时由 had+ 过去分词构成，它表示过去某时或某动作发生之前已经完成的动作或情况，即“较早的过去”。在用
过去完成时态的句子中，常用的连词有 when, after, as soon as, until, by that time等：
When I woke up in the morning, she had already had
her breakfast.
当我早上醒来时，她已经吃过早饭了。
After he had said goodbye to us all, Captain Alison started his journey.
当艾利森船长和我们大家都道了别之后，他就启程了。
Did you really ring the police?
你真的给警方打电话了？
It was a mistake. I realized it as soon as I had rung them.
我犯了个错误。刚给他们打完电话我就意识到了。
I didn't know that she was a famous actress until you had told me.
直到你告诉我时我才知道她是位名演员。
常与现在完成时连用的副词如already, just, never, never…before也常与过去完成时连用，以强调事件发生的先后次序：
The boys loved the zoo. They had never seen wild animals before.
男孩们喜欢动物园，以前他们从没见过野兽。
在有些用过去完成时的句子中没有明确的时间状语，但通过上下文可以看出动作发生的先后
词汇学习 Word study
1．ask与ask for
ask最常用的意思是“问”、“询问”：
I asked (Mary) a question.
我（向玛丽）问了一个问题。
它也可以表达“请求”、“要求”或“邀请”等意思：
They asked Tony to sing a song.
他们请托尼唱支歌。
They asked her to spend the weekend with them.
他们邀请她一起度周末。
ask for表示“要”、“要求”：
You are always asking for help.
你总是要人帮忙。
I asked for a cup of coffee, but they gave me a cup of tea.
我要的是一杯咖啡，但他们却给了我一杯茶。
2．except, except for与apart from
3者都表示“除……以外”，有时可以互相代替使用：
Everyone has helped in some way apart from/ except for/except you.
每个人都帮了点忙，只有你没有。
I have no other books except/ except for these.
除了这些书以外我再没有其他书了。
但是 except不用于句首，except for/ apart from则可以：
Apart from/ Except for you, everyone has helped in some way.
除了你，每个人都帮了点忙。
3．短语 which of, either of, neither of与 both of
这些短语都可用于指两个人或两件事。
（1）当询问在两个或更多的人或事物中偏爱哪一个或选择哪一个时，可用 which:
I like both of these bags. Which of the two do you prefer?
这两个包我都喜欢。你喜欢哪一个？
（2）either与neither都是对两个人或物而言（后接单数名词）。either指 one or the other（不是这个就是那个），either和 neither 后跟of时则指两个事物中的每一个：
(3）both只指两个人或物。当它用在名词前时，of可有可无：
Both books/ Both of the books are interesting.
两本书都很有趣。
当both用在代词前面时，其后必须加of:
Both of us/ them left early.
我们俩／他们俩都走得很早。
I love both of you.
我爱你们俩。
练习答案 Key to written exercises
1．关键句型练习答案
A 1 I drove on to the next town after I had left a small village.2 I said good morning to him in French as soon as he had got into the car.
3 I had nearly reached the town, when the young man said:‘Do you speak English?’
C 1 After she had written the letter, she went to the post office.
2 After he had had dinner, he went to the cinema.
3 When I had fastened my seat belt, the plane took off.
4 We did not disturb him until he had finished work.
5 As soon as he had left the room, I turned on the radio.
6 He had been very ill before he died.
D 1 regretted 2 had begun/ began 3 arrived
2．难点练习答案
1 Except for 2 both of 3 Apart from
4 asked…ask for 5 neither of…asked
3．多项选择题答案
1 b 2 c 3 a 4 c 5 d 6 b
7 c 8 b 9 c 10 b 11 b 12 b
New words and expressions 生词和短语
amusing adj. 好笑的，有趣的
amused5:感到好笑的
amuse4 v.
动词后面会加人做宾语
The story amused me.
The story is amusing.
i am amused.
interesting:有意思
The book is interesting.
The book is amusing.
funny:好笑的，可以指贬义，开心的，令人开心的
interesting/funny story
experience n. 经历
经验：不可数名词
经历：可数名词
He has a lot of experience.
He has a lot of experiences.
+s(a/an),经历；原形，经验
experienced6:有经验的
He is an experienced doctor.
wave v. 招手
wave to sb;向某人招手
lift n. 搭便车
be动词＋形容词/介词
be动词后面不能是名词，一旦是名词，就认为主语和后面的名词是等号关系
I am a teacher.
I was a lift.
take a bus/taxi/lift
take a lift:搭便车
I take a list.
The student gave me a lift.
give sb a lift:让某人搭便车
B wants to take a lift.
A will give B a lift.
thumb lift :拇指便车
I want to take a list.
reply v. 回答
answer
He answered/replied.
answer sth/reply to sth.
answer the letter：回信
I will reply to the letter.
language n. 语言
native language：母语
mother tongue
The native language is Chinese.
My mother tongue is Chinese.
journey n. 旅行
begin a trip：开始一个旅行
begin a journey
trip,travel,tour
trip：短距离旅行或出差
go on Business/go on a trip
travel：周游（长途）
tour,为了玩
tourist：游客
journey：所有的旅行
go on a journey, 3 days' journey
2 hours' journey
voyage：旅行（海上）
flight：空中飞行
journey：偏重于陆地旅行
trip;travel;tour;journey;voyage;flight
课文讲解
搭便车：take a lift
给某人搭便车：give sb a lift
路程，旅行：journey
经历：experience.
一般有意思，interesting、funny, amusing顷向于让某人笑出声
I had an amusing experience last year.
after,从句的标志，后面叫时间主语从句
when,while,as：当什么时候，until,before,after
简单句当中一个谓语，有从句有主句，从句一个谓语动词，主句一个谓语动词
after：在什么什么之后，主句的动作发生在从句之后，从句的动作发生在主句的
前面，从句的动作发生在前，主句的动作发生在后
如果两个都是过去时，同时发生，会用进行时态；如果一先一后，发生在前的动作
为过去完成时（had done）
after后面的从句一个变成过去时，一个变成过去完成时，一定是从句用过去完成时。
before：在什么什么之前，主句发生在从句之前，主句用过去完成时。
地点做介词短语修饰前面的名词
in the south of
表达方位的表达方式一共有3个介词，in,on,to
没有相接的，是相离的，to
接壤，on
在什么里面，in
drive to：开车去某地，drive on (on:继续），on加在动词的后面表示继续
on the way：在路上，在途中
wave to sb：冲某人挥手
I stopped=I stopped the car.
ask sb for sth：请求某人要求得到什么东西
as soon as：一...就...户名一定要加一个句子（时间主语从句），
后面的先发生
As soon as I had received the letter,I ringed/called him back.
只要是状语从句，一旦遇到将来时，变为一般现在时
As soon as you arrive,you must call me.
As soon as 强调两个动作几乎是连在一起的
say goodbye,say sorry,say hello,say good morning to him
用某种语言：in＋某种语言
I speak English.I say a word in Chinese.
reply 要想加宾语要加 to
in the smae language
as soon as：一...就...
As soon as I had entered the room,I took off my coat at once.
apart from：除了什么之外，except
except,except for,apart from
1.when except is used at the beginning of a sentence,it is followed by for.
2.apart from习惯上喜欢放句首，apart from=except=besides
如果认为整体之中做这件事情的人除了整体之外，还有这个人也做了，是加号
如果认为整体之中做这件事情的人除了整体之外，这个人没有做，是减号
All the passengers are millionaire7 except us. 减号
3.except：从整体之中减掉，besides 如果放在句首，统一用apart from
4.except for含有对整体中的某一个方面不满意
The article is very good except for his handwriing.
except for 可以不放在句首，强调整体当中某一方面除外，剩下的整体都不错
Except for his height,he is very excellent.
Special difficulties
I invited everyone except George. Except for George I invited everyone.
Except for/apart from this,everything is in order.
Exercise
1.except for
3.apart from(Except for)
except for=apart from,喜欢放在句首
except和besides可放句子中间，besides指在整体上加上，except要从整体减掉
not at all：一点点都不
I don't like it. I don't like it at all.
apart from=except
Apart from my sister,I like everyone.
Apart from a few words,I know any French
neither
during the journey：在旅途当中，自始自终
neither of sb,either of sb
either of sb：什么当中的任何一个
neither of sb：什么当中的任何一个都不
either,neither 都是指两个当中的任何一个
如果不只两个人，就变成none of
none,neither一旦出现，这句话就不会再有not
I don't like the book,My sister doesn't like it either.
Neither of us likes it.
nearly：将要
when: 就在此时
I had nearly reached Home when I found my mother standing8 there.
Do you speak English?问的是一个事实 你说英语吗？你是说英语国家的人吗？
Do you swim? 你去游泳吗？Can you swim?你会游泳吗？
As I learnt. learn:知道，得知
我得知：I learn; 我知道：I know
As we know,the New Concept9 English is very good.
As＋主语＋动词＋逗号＋句子，As：正如
As I think,it is the coldest day in the year.
As my mother said/As I heard
As he said,English is easy to learn.
himself,反身代词单独放在句尾，起强调作用
I read English myself.
总结
as soon as+从句，表示时间，一...就...
apart from=except for,放在句首，除了什么之外
neither of:两者之间都不，一旦出现，这句话里面不会再出现not
三者或三者以上之间都不：none of
As I learnt,正如......
As sb do sth,一定要加逗号，再加另外一个句子
英语当中的第一句话往往起着概述的作用
有两种方式可以背诵：一种是硬背，另一种是先理解，然后按照事情的发展顺序背
Key structures过去完成时
过去完成时：过去的过去或两个动作都在过去，一个动作在前，一个在后，
发生在前的动作为过去完成时
过去完成时一定要以一个过去时态在铺垫，这个动作一定要发生在had done之后
until：直到什么时候为止，直到什么时候才
until，在后面一个从句之前发生了主句
until,主句和从句两个都用一般过去时对，主句和从句然后一个用过去完成是也对
I had not understood the problem until he explained it.
4.We hadn't disturbed him until he finished work.
We didn't disturb him until he had finished work.
We didn't disturb him until he finished work.
after后面会家过去完成时，before后面会加一般过去时
Exercises D
1.The moment后面直接加从句，The moment = as soon as
一般过去时，regretted
2.before引导的从句用一般过去时，主句用过去完成时
had begun
3.arrived,过去完成是一定要和过去的过去有关
Special difficulties
a.ask and ask for
ask sth：问什么什么东西，ask a question/ask sb
ask for sth：要求得到，ask for the answer
c.which of ,either of, neither of ,both of
either of :两者当中的任何一个
neither of：两者都不
which of :那一个，which of the two
both of：两者都
Which of the two do you like?
I want both of them.I want either of them.I want neither of them.
Exercise
2.both of
4.asked,ask for
5.either of,前面有not
Multiple choice questions
6....b...
French不可数，不能用many
plenty of：足够多的
not much: a little
not a little: much
7....c....
neither不会和not连用
either：任何一个
both：两个都
neither of,不能说we neither,只能说neither of us
11...b...
responded和replied用法一样
replied后面加宾语一定要加to, answer直接加
9....c...
salute10：军礼，军人的问候
10...b...
tramp11：流浪汉
hitch12 hiker13：搭便车的人
passenger：乘客，付车钱
12. almost=nearly
just as 正当...时候 ＋时间主语从句
Why doesn't Aunt Jennifer tell anyone how old she is?
My aunt Jennifer is an actress. She must be at least thirty-five years old. In spite1 of this, she often appears on the stage as a young girl. Jennifer will have to take part in a new play soon. This time, she will be a girl of seventeen. In the play, she must appear in a bright red dress and long black stockings3. Last year in another play, she had to wear short socks and a bright, orange-coloured dress. If anyone ever asks her how old she is, she always answers, 'Darling, it must be terrible to be grown up!'
New words and expressions 生词和短语
appear v. 登场，扮演
stage n. 舞台
bright adj. 鲜艳的
stocking2 n. （女用）长筒袜
sock n. 短袜
参考译文
我的姑姑詹妮弗是位演员，她至少也有35岁了。尽管如此，她却常在舞台上扮演小姑娘。詹妮弗很快又要参加一个新剧的演出。这一次，她将扮演一个17岁的少女。演出时她必须穿一条鲜红色的裙子和黑色的长筒袜。去年在演另一个剧时，她不得不穿短袜和一件鲜艳的橘红色的衣服。一旦有人问起她有多大年纪，她总是回答：“亲爱的，长成大人真可怕啊！”
新概念英语正版图书购买
New words and expressions 生词和短语
appear v. 登场，扮演
appear：显示，露面≠disappear(都是不及物动词）
The plane disappeared.
The plane appeared.
The actor appeared.
appear as：扮演...角色
He appeared as a prince.
on the stage;在舞台上
appear on the stage as....
My aunt appeared on the stage as young girl.
I work as a teacher.
She worked as a nurse.
appear：露面，显得
He appears nervous.
He appears happy.
I appears tired.
stage n. 舞台
on the stage：在舞台上
in the stage：在某一阶段
bright adj. 鲜艳的
bright red：鲜红色
bright yellow：明**
bright blue：宝蓝色
stocking n. （女用）长筒袜
sock n. 短袜
课文讲解
actress：女演员
actor：男演员
以-or,-er结尾的，是男性
以-ress结尾的，是女性
waiter：男服务员
waitress：女服务员
prince：王子
princess：公主
god：神（God：上帝）
goddess：女神
lion：公狮子
lioness：母狮子
doctor：男医生
woman doctor：女医生
thirty-five years old：三十五岁
must be
must + 动词原形：＂不得不，必须：（对现在的）推测＂
least……little的级＂至少，最少＂
at most……＂最多＂
She is fifteen years old.
She must be fifteen years old.
She must be at most fifteen years old.
She must be at least fifteen years old.
She must be a model.
in spite of：尽管
in spite of this：尽管如此
In spite of this,I still like school.
join:参加了某一种团体
take part in :参加某一种活动
attend：出席
join the army：参军
join the party：入党
join us:(口)加入我们中来
join sb./sth.
take part in the race：参加比赛
take part in a play
take part in the party
attend meeting：参加会议，出席会议
attend the party：出席宴会
attend class：上课
This time：这一次
a girl of seventeen
She is eighteen years old.
She is a girl of eighteen.
She is a old man of sixty.
must do：必须做 ＝have to; 推测
in……（介词）穿着...样的衣服 （＋颜色、衣服）
用介词短语取代动词，避免了一句话中出现两个动词
The boy in green.
in a bright red dress：鲜红色的连衣裙
long black stocking：长的黑色长筒袜
last year in another play（表示扮演过很多的角色）
had to：必须（不能加介词，＋动词原形）
bright,orange-coloured dress：鲜艳的桔**衣服
ever==at any time：任何时候（时间副词）
it must be：一定（推测）
must +原形……对现在的推测
it……形式主语，用不定式做真正的主语
grown up：（形容词短语）成年人
grow up：（人）成长
be a grown-up4：作为一个成年人
must be thirty-five years old
It is a secret/privacy.
I forget it.
Key structures
Must的用法：
Must+原形……(1)＝have to＂不得不，必须＂
(2)（对现在的）推测
在过去时的句子中，要用have to 来表示＂必须＂
have to……可以有任意时态
She will have to...
She had to...
She has to...
She has/I have had to...
have to……作为实义动词，否定式为don't have to
will not have to
didn't have to
对现在的推测：must do
对过去的推测：must have done
在 I think.he thinks...的从句中，一定要用事实说话。
（3）...b...
in one's opinion=I think "就某人看来＂
Special difficulties
(a) As:
As a young girl...(介词)"作为"
As I learned,...(代词)＂正如＂
As I am busy==because＂由于＂
As I was leaving the house...==when＂当...时＂
Do as you are told. as……方式状语从句的引导词
I work as...＂作为...工作＂
(b) Dress,Suit,Costume5:
dress：＂裙子，晚礼服，连衣裙＂（女式）
suit：＂套装＂（男式）
costume：＂演出服，民族服装，某一年代所穿的服装＂
(c)Grow,Grow up：
grow：＂长＂
grow up：＂生长，成长＂（指人）
Exercises B. Choose the correct words in the following sentences:
(1)...grow...
(2)...suit...
(3)...costume...
fancy-dress-party：化妆舞会
hire：雇，租
(4)...dress...
Must:推测；必须＝have to
Multiple choice questions
(1)...d...
suggest：暗示
right age：适合的年龄
too...to...：太...以至于不能
(2)...b...
She must be...推测
exactly:(副词) 确切地 exact words
(7)...
it is + a.+to do... 形式主语＂某人做某件事情..."
It is troublesome to learn English.
It is troublesome for us to learn English.
(for sb.)为逻辑主语
have to do =...is necessary
You have to go home.=It is necessary for you to go home.
(8).....
appear：扮演
seems：看起来，似乎
be on show：展览，演出
show：显示，给...看
be presented：出席 √
be present：出席(≠be absent：缺席)
(11)...a...
instead of：代替
sock：短袜
either...or...：或者...或者
stocking：长筒袜（女用）
neither...nor...：即不...也不...
in stead of 后面的词，往往是没做或不做的事情
(12)....d...
grown up：成年人（的）
grow up；成长
adolescent：青春期的(13-16岁) adolescent criminal：青春期犯罪
teenager：十几岁的人(10-20岁)
adult：成年人
