新视野大学英语视听说教程 2 Unit 10-5

IV. Speaking Out
Model 1 Shake off your fear of darkness!
Bob: People are frightened of lots and lots of different things. Are you frightened of anything in particular?
Laura: Well, I’m afraid of walking alone in an open field at night.
Bob: What are you afraid of?
Laura: I don’t know exactly. Sometimes a shadow ahead scares me stiff¹. Sometimes the sudden cry of a bird or something startles² me.
Bob: What are you staying by yourself in a dark room?
Laura: That can be even worse. When it’s absolutely dark and silent, I wouldn’t dare walk anywhere. And I wouldn’t dare make a sound. I just want to hide under a blanket.
Bob: If you are scared of the dark, you’ll miss a lot of interesting experiences.
Laura: I guess so.
Bob: To get the most out of life, you should find a doctor to help you shake off your fear of the dark.
Laura: Yeah, that’s good advice.
 

1 stiff   

adj.严厉的，激烈的，硬的，僵直的，不灵活的

参考例句：

• There is a sheet of stiff cardboard in the drawer.在那个抽屉里有块硬纸板。
• You have to push on the handle to turn it,becanse it's very stiff.手柄很不灵活，你必须用力推才能转动它。

2 startles   

n.使惊跳，使大吃一惊( startle的名词复数 )v.使惊跳，使大吃一惊( startle的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• What a disordered state you are in! The least thing--nothing--startles you! 一点点小事——什么事都没有——也都叫你吃惊！ 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
• \"I see my appearance startles you.\" “看来我的外表把你给吓着了。” 来自互联网