Lesson 87 A perfect alibi

'At the time the murder was committed, I was travelling on the 8 o'clock train to London,' said the man.

'Do you always catch such an early train?' asked the inspector.

'Of course I do,' answered the man. 'I must be at work at 10 o'clock. My employer will confirm that I was there on time.'

'Would a later train get you to work on time?' asked the inspector.

'I suppose it would, but I never catch a later train.'

'At what time did you arrive at the station?'

'At ten to eight. I bought a paper and waited for the train.'

'And you didn't notice anything unusual?'

'Of course not.'

'I suggest,' said the inspector, 'that you are not telling the truth. I suggest that you did not catch the 8 o'clock train, but that you caught the 8.25 which would still get you to work on time. You see, on the morning of the murder, the 8 o'clock train did not run at all. It broke down at Ferngreen station and was taken off the line.'

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【Pronunciation】

1. 注意元音发音

1）/ei/ later （t发d）

2）/i/ employer

3）answer的a的发音，注意与/e/区分

4）said/sad; sit/sat/seat

2. at的a常常弱读

3. later/inspector/notice的t，在这种非重读音节中都发/d/

【Words & Expression】

1. alibi n. 不在犯罪现场

图片发自App

2. debunk v. to show that an idea or belief is false His claims were later debunked by fellow academics

3. discard

图片发自App

4. blatant adj. something bad that is blatant is very clear and easy to see, but the person responsible for it does not seem embarrassed or ashamed 明目张胆的，公然的，露骨的

eg: blatant discrimination

5. allergy

图片发自App

allegic

图片发自App

6. burn one's bridges/boats 自绝后路，破釜沉舟

自掘坟墓 dig one's own grave; work for one's own destruction