Vocabulary1.flame◎n. The whole building was soon in flames. burst into flames※literary a sudden strong feelinga flame of passion anger desire hope◎v. literary to become suddenly bright with light or colour, especially red or orange: Erica’s cheeks fla med (with anger.)sh---lace◎something firmly to something else,or to tie two things together firmly using a ropeAfter lashing the boat to the bank, we ran for shelter from the storm.◎to hit/attack sth. with violent forceThe man lashed the horse to go faster.Giant waves /wind/rain/sea lashed the sea wall.◎if an animal lashes its tail, or if its tail lashes, it moves its tail fast and violently from side to side, often when it is angry◎to criticize someone angrily –used especially in newspapers: Democrats lashed Republican plans, calling them extreme.Gallins lashed back at those who accused him of corruption.※Olson lashed out at the media.(critcize sb. suddenly)She would suddenly lash out at other children.( to suddenly try to hit sb)n. (作为惩罚的)鞭打,抽打:They each received 20 lashes for stealing.*eye‧brow /ˈaɪbraʊ/眉毛lash/eyelash睫毛3.scoff◎If you scoff at something, you laugh at it in a way that shows you think it is ridiculous David scoffed at her fears.Officials scoffed at the idea.‘You, a scientist!’ he scoffed.It’s easy to scoff when you haven’t tried it yourself.4.sway◎to move slowly from one side to another:The trees swayed gently in the breeze.※to influence someone so that they change their opinion:Don’t allow yourself t o be swayed by his promises.5.illusion◎a false or wrong belief or idea错误的观念；幻想illusion that: Many people still have the illusion that full employment is possible. create/give/maintain the illusion: This description creates the illusion that we can solve all our environmental problemsbe under no illusion/illusions (=not have a false idea): We are under no illusion that this money will be enough.have no illusions (=realize that something is difficult or unpleasant): I had no illusions about the task that lay ahead.◎an appearance or effect that is different from the way that things really areGlass bricks in the bathroom gave the illusion of lightness and space.For some time, Yeltsin’s rule provided an illusion of stability.c.f. a false belief about yourself or the situation you are inunder a delusion (that)错觉He is under the delusion that I am going to cheat him.6.steady◎CONTINUOUS continuing or developing gradually or without stopping, and not likely to change:Paul is making steady progress.a steady rainIt’s hard to find a steady, well-paying job.◎NOT MOVING firmly held in a particular position ⇨stable◎sb. is reliable /sensible理智的，可靠的He was firm and steady unlike other men she knew.There were tears in her eyes, but her voice was steady.He could not me et Connor’s steady gaze.7.de'va'stating◎badly damaging something（比damaging程度更深）Acid rain has a devastating effect/impact on the forest.It will be a devastating blow/result/consequence for the town if the factory closes.◎(因破坏力之强而，贬) making someone feel extremely sad or shocked/impressive:It is devastating to be diagnosed with a terminal illness.The party suffered a devastating defeat in the local election.◎(强调威力之大，褒)impressive and powerfulhis devastating performance in the 100 metres Her smile was devastating.8.rumble（deep sound）◎v.to make a continuous deep sound Thunder rumbled in the distance.We could hear thunder rumbling in the distance.※to move forwards making a continuous deep soundLorries rumble past their homes.※if a disagreement rumbles on, it continues for a long timeDiscussions rumble on over the siting/location of the new airport.◎n. a series of long low soundsI heard a rumble of thunder. | the low rumble of a train approaching◎v.if your stomach rumbles, it makes noises because you are hungryI'm so hungry my stomach's rumbling.◎v.(BrE, informal) to discover the truth about sb or what they are trying to hide穿帮They knew they had been rumbled.9.careen◎mainly AM 主美To careen somewhere means to rush forward in an uncontrollable way.The bus careened off the road and plunged into a river.※to be in a situation that changes quickly in an uncontrolled wayThe country has careened from one crisis to another.an economic system careening towardscollapse10. purgatory◎Purgatory in Roman Catholic belief, a place where the souls of dead people suffer until they are pure enough to enter heaven※[uncountable] something that makes you suffer – used humorously:Sewing is relaxation for some, purgatory for others.11.ultimate(extreme in some aspects)adj./n. ◎(end)You use ultimate to describe the final result or aim of a long series of events.He said it is still not possible to predict the ultimate outcomeour ultimate goal / aim / objective / target The ultimate decision lies with the parents.◎(basic)You use ultimate to describe the original/basic source or cause of something. Plants are the ultimate source of all foodstuffs...The ultimate cause of what's happened seems to have been the advertising campaign.◎(important)You use ultimate to describe the most important or powerful thing of a particular kind.the ultimate power of the central government My experience as player, coach and manager has prepared me for this ultimate challenge. ◎(worst)Treachery was the ultimate guilt◎n. the ultimate in something is the best or most modern example of something:The plane was the ultimate in air technology in the '60s.12.confusion◎困惑◎混淆To avoid confusion, please write the children's names clearly on all their school clothes.◎a situation in which things are untidy, badly organized, or not clear=chaos≈pandemonium: a situation in which there is a lot of noise, activity and confusion, especially because people are feeling angry or frightened骚动Pandemonium broke out when the news was announced.13.rip◎vi./vt. to tear something or be torn quickly and violentlyJodie ripped the letter open.I ripped my jeans on the fence.I heard the tent rip.rip something to shreds (=destroy something completely by tearing it): Her skirt was ripped to shreds.He ripped off his shirt and dived into the water.14.soak---wet的动词◎to put sth in liquid for a time so that it becomes completely wetI usually soak the beans overnight.A sudden shower of rain soaked the audience.15.bolt◎nuts and bolts螺帽和螺栓◎a bolt of silk一匹布◎v. [transitive] to lock a door or window using a boltDid you remember to bolt the back door?to fasten two things together using a boltbolt something to something: The chairs were all bolted to the floor.bolt something together: The hut was made from metal units that had been bolted together.◎If a person or animal bolts, they suddenly start to run very fast, often because something has frightened them.I made some excuse and bolted for the exit.16.transfer◎v./n.to move someone or something from one place to anotherHelen was transferred from marketing to sales./We’re currently dealing with the paperwork for your transfer.transfer their attention from study to practical life.Wait until the cakes cool before transferring them to a plate.The children will transfer to a new school in September.I need to transfer £500 to my daughter’s account.We’re being transferred to another plane in Amsterdam.17.reassure◎to make someone feel less worried about somethingThey tried to reassure her, but she still felt anxious.◎making you feel less worried or frightened comforting:a reassuring smileit is reassuring (for somebody) to do somethingIt’s reassuring to know that problems are rare.18.wade◎to walk through deep water:We had to wade across the river※You shouldn't have waded in with all those unpleasant蹚浑水，介入◎wade through something phrasal verbto read or deal with a lot of boring papers or written work:Each day Parkin wades through lengthy court reports.19. gasp◎to take a quick deep breath with your mouth open, especially because you are surprised or in pain倒抽气She gasped at the wonderful view.They gasped in astonishment at the news.◎to have difficulty breathing or speakingHe came to the surface of the water gasping for air.She managed to gasp out her name.※n. to give a gasp of horror / surprise / reliefSentence &Phrase1.He used to enjoy watching as storms lashed the windows of his office.2.He would be one of thousands cast into an extraordinary purgatory that morning.3.For some , it was a matter of geography-not just which tower they worked in or on which floor ,but in which corner of the building.4.Others faced an ultimate moral dilemma5.They had worked together off and on for 14 years.6.There was no sign of him.7.表快速跑：race for sp./run up to sb.bolt down/ hurry down8.The rumbles seemed to sap the man of his last gasps of energy.9.have a gathering10.Piece by piece ,she developed a picture of his escape.---the picture began to faded on the 36th floor.11.panicked workers作定语a panicky looking做表语12.different activities=varied activities13.tackle the problems=deal with the problems 14.I stiffened my back and faced him.15.stagger=totter=walk unsteadily。