英语四级阅读关键句：211. About six years ago I was eatin

211. About six years ago I was eating lunch in a restaurant in New York City when a woman and a young boy sat down at the next table; I couldn't help overhearing parts of their conversation.

译文

大概六年前我在纽约市的一家餐厅正吃着饭，一位妇女和一个小男孩在邻桌坐了下来，于是我无意中听到了他们的对话。

点睛

本句包含两个分句。前一个分句的主干是I was eating lunch，其前的About six years ago是介词短语作状语，其后的when a woman and a young boy sat down at the next table为状语从句。后一个分句的主干是I couldn't help overhearing parts。

couldn't help doing是个固定表达，意为“禁不住做某事，情不自禁地做某事”。如：

She couldn't help smiling. 她禁不住笑了起来。

overhear意为“无意中听到，偷听到”。如：

I happened to overhear what he said. 我碰巧听到他说的话。