Notes on the text
课文注释
1 A skeleton in the cupboard，直译为“柜中骷髅”，此系一成语，作“家丑”解。
2 conceal sth, from sb. 作“对某人隐瞒某事”解。
3 The reader's hair stands on end，读者感到毛骨悚然。
4 to varying degrees，在不同程度上。
5 stood in front of it petrified，站在柜前吓呆了。
stand此处表示处于某种状态，起系动词的作用，后面常接形容词、介词短语或过去分词，表示主语处于某种状态中的特征，可视作表语。
6 the impression that it was about to leap out…，
that引导的从句作impression的同位语。be about to do sth. ，表示按照计划即将做的动作。
参考译文
在小说中，我们经常读到一个表面上受人尊重的人物或家族，却有着某种多年不为人所知的骇人听闻的秘密。英语中有一个生动的说法来形容这种情况。惊人的秘密被称作“柜中骷髅”。在小说的某个戏剧性时刻，可怕的秘密泄漏出来，接着便是某人的声誉扫地。当读者读到小说最后几页了解到书中女主人公，那位一向待大家很好的可爱的老妇人年轻时一连毒死了她的5个丈夫时，不禁会毛骨悚然。
这种事发生在小说中是无可非议的。尽管我们人人都有各种大小秘密，连最亲密的朋友都不愿让他们知道，但我们当中极少有人有柜中骷髅。我所认识的唯一的在柜中藏骷髅的人便是乔治·卡尔顿，他甚至引以为自豪。乔治年轻时学过医，然而，他后来没当上医生，却成了一位成功的侦探小说作家。有一次，我在他家里度周末，过得很不愉快。这事我永远不会忘记。乔治把我领进客房，说这间房间很少使用。他让我打开行装后下楼吃饭。我将衬衫、内衣放进两个空抽屉里，然后我想把随身带来的两套西服中的一套挂到大衣柜里去。我打开柜门，站在柜门前一下子惊呆了。一具骷髅悬挂在眼前，由于柜门突然打开，它也随之轻微摇晃起来，让我觉得它好像马上要跳出柜门朝我扑过来似的。我扔下西服冲下楼去告诉乔治。这是比“骇人听闻的秘密”更加惊人的东西，这是一具真正的骷髅啊！但乔治却无动于衷。“噢，是它呀！他笑着说道，俨然在谈论一位老朋友。“那是塞巴斯蒂安。你忘了我以前是学医的了。”
Comprehension理解
Give short answers to these questions in your own words as far as possible. Use one complete sentence for each answer.
1 Explain the saying ‘a skeleton in the cupboard’.
2 What was the terrible secret of the dear old lady who had always been so kind to everybody?
3 What does George Carlton do for a living?
Summary writing
摘要写作
In not more than 80 words describe the writer's experiences from the moment he was shown to the guestroom. Use your own words as far as possible. Do not include anything that is not in the last paragraph.
Composition
作文
In not more than 250 words write a continuation of the above passage in the first person. Use the ideas given below. Do not write more than four paragraphs.
Title: A Week-end with Sebastian.
Introduction: George Carlton refused to remove skeleton ---- nowhere to put it.
Development: How I spent the night ---- very uncomfortable ---- took Sebastian out of the cupboard ---- walked around the house with him looking for somewhere to put him ---- maid just going to bed ---- saw Sebastian walking around ----screamed ---- Carton appeared ---- the scene.
Conclusion: Two years later I read about myself and Sebastian in one of Carlton's detective stories.
Exercises 练习
1 We often read in novels … (1. 1) Note the position of often here. Write similar sentences using the words frequently, rarely, always and never. (IKS 2b) （参见第2册第2课关键句型练习b）
2 we do not want even our closest friends to learn. (11. 10-11) Note this pattern. Write two sentences in the same way using the verbs teach and allow. (ISD 11a) （参见第2册第11课难点a）
3 few of us have skeletons in the cupboard. (1. 11) Write sentences illustrating the difference between: few and a few; little and a little. (IKS 32b) （参见第2册第32课关键句型b）
4 he is very proud of the fact. (1. 12) Which words normally follow these words: aware, ready, patient, afraid, fortunate, curious, dependent, different, skilful, familiar and close. (IKS 70) （参见第2册第70课关键句型）
5 The sudden movement of the door made it sway. (1. 18) Note this use of make. Write two sentences using make and let. (IKS 57) （参见第2册第57课难点）
6 ‘Oh, that, ’ he , said … (1. 21) Note this use of speech marks. (ISD 26) （参见第2册第26课难点）Write this piece of conversation again using speech marks:
You must see Arsenic and Old Lace again Tom said. It's a wonderful film. No thank you I answered. I don't think I could stand it. 1 saw it years ago said Tom. I shall never forget those dear old ladies. And I shall never forget that dreadful moment when Boris Karloff suddenly appeared at the window I said. I nearly jumped out of my seat.