A: I find Paul difficult to understand.

　　B: That is because he does not articulate his words very clearly.

　　articulate a. 1. 善于表达的，发音清晰的;2. 表达得清楚有力的

　　vt. 1. 明确有力地表达;2. 清晰地吐(字)，清晰地发(音)

　　A: The army has amassed a huge amount of artillery.

　　B: Let’s hope they don’t have to use it.

　　artillery n. 1. 火炮，大炮;2. 炮兵(部队)

　　A: Do you think that we ascend into heaven when we die?

　　B: I am not sure. I am still undecided.

　　ascend vi. 渐渐上升，升高

　　vt. 攀登，登上

　　A: I couldn’t ascertain whether he was joking or serious.

　　B: Don’t worry, he has a strange sense of humor.

　　ascertain vt. 查明，弄清，确定

　　A: Your father ascribed beauty and intelligence to you.

　　B: Thanks for the compliment.

　　ascribe vt. 1. (to)把...归因于;2. 把...归属于

　　A: The man’s body came ashore five days after he went missing from the ship.

　　B: Oh, how terrible, that must have been the one that was found on the beach yesterday.

　　ashore ad. 在岸上，上岸

　　A: It is my aspiration to become a doctor.

　　B: Well, if you stick to your goals I am sure you can do it.

　　aspiration n. 强烈的愿望，志向，抱负

　　A: I do not think I have achieved enough yet.

　　B: Well, if you always aspire to do your best then you will not be unhappy.

　　aspire vi. 渴望，追求，有志于

　　A: Is that a donkey or an ass ?

　　B: Neither, it is a small horse.

　　ass n. 1. 笨蛋，傻瓜; 2. 驴

　　A: Did you hear that there was an attempted assassination on the president?

　　B: Yes, but it was not true, somebody was spreading rumours.

　　assassination n. 刺杀，暗杀

　　A: We were warned about the risk of assault in the city.

　　B: Good, it is always better to be aware of the dangers.

　　assault vt. (武力或口头上的)攻击，袭击

　　A: He asserted his points strongly during the debate.

　　B: Why didn’t he win it then?

　　assert vt. 1. 肯定地说，断言2. 维护，坚持

　　A: I think that guy is too rude.

　　B: Really, I think he is just trying to assert himself .

　　assert oneself 坚持自己的权利，显示自己的权威

　　A: I think that the new student has assimilated well into his new environment.

　　B: Perhaps, but he does not seem to have many friends.

　　assimilate vt. 1. 吸收，消化;2. 使同化

　　vi. 1. 被吸收，被消化;2. 被同化

　　A: I gave Linda an assorted box of sweets for her birthday.

　　B: Did you not know that chocolates were her favourite?

　　assorted a. 各种各样的，混杂的，什锦的

　　A: I received assurances that I would get help.

　　B: And did they come through?

　　assurance n. 1. 把握，信心;2. 保证，表示保证(或鼓励、安慰)的话;3. (人寿)保险

(责任编辑：田学江)