【迷你小对话1】

　　A: Since Bob came back from the war he’s been a pale shadow of a man.

　　B: He certainly has gone downhill. Maybe after he recovers from his injuries, he will be as courageous and confident as before.

　　A: Bob战后回来，看上去已经不成人样了。

　　B: 他的确不如以前了。也许等他伤养好了，他又能像以前那样勇敢自信了。

　　【迷你小对话2】

　　A: Our debating season has been a complete washout – we’ve lost every contest.

　　B: Maybe we should recruit some new and better brains.

　　A: 我们这次辩论赛整个一个失败，所有辩论都输掉了。

　　B: 也许我们应该招几个更聪明的新人。

　　【语言点精讲】

　　pale shadow of a man: shadow指的是人的影子。pale shadow，苍白的影子是指这个影子比正常人的dark shadow颜色要淡。整个短语用来形容一个人没有能够展现出真正的实力或素质。

　　go downhill: 走下坡路。形容某事已经发生了负面的转变并每况愈下。

　　injury: 伤。

　　season: 赛季。

　　look/be washout: 形容某人看起来不是很健康。

　　recruit: 征召，招募。