PART 1 Expression
1. Unfortunately, Gandhi didn't stop by my home to offer me his sage advice and wisdom.
sage: (a.) very wise, especially as a result of a lot of experience
(n.) 圣人 someone, especially an old man, who is very wise
Heaven and earth are ruthless, they treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, he treats the people as straw dogs. （《道德经》里的：“天地不仁，以万物为刍狗；圣人不仁，以百姓为刍狗。”）
2. We would have regular gatherings where all the parents and kids would get together for a potluck and hang out afterward.
potluck/ pot luck: a meal in which everyone who is invited brings sth to eat
Can you bring a salad? It's a potluck.
take pot luck: to have a meal at sb's home in which you eat whatever they have available, rather than food which has been specially bought for the occasion
I'm not sure what there is in the fridge -- you'll have to take pot luck.
3. But to me, having the first twenty-five years of my life already mapped out seemed too regimented and stifling.
The regimen of having a fixed class schedule and doing homework started wearing on me.
regiment: [ˈredʒɪment] (v. ) to organize and control people firmly and usually too strictly (通常作被动语态) 严格地管制
the regimented routine of boarding school
regimen: [ˈredʒɪmən] formal, a special plan of food, exercise etc that is intended to improve your health SYN regime
a regimen of morning stretching exercise
Patients maintain a strict dietary regimen.
4. My curiosity was piqued.
pique: [pi:k] (n.) a feeling of being annoyed or upset, especially because someone has ignored you or insulted you
He stormed out in a fit of pique.
(v.) to make sb fell annoyed or upset, especially by ignoring them or making them look stupid
Privately, Zarich was piqued that his offer was rejected.
pique one's interest/ curiosity: to make sb feel interested in sth or sb
She was hostile to him, which piqued his curiosity.
5. A woman answered the phone and started talking to me in a sultry voice.
sultry: 1. (weather) hot and wet SYN humid;
a hot and sultry day
2. a woman who is sultry makes other people feel strong sexual attraction to her
a sultry film star
She threw Carlo a sultry glance.
sultriness: (n.)
6. The $2,000 investment was recouped within a couple of months.
recoup: [rɪˈku:p] to get back an amount of money you have lost or spent 回本
The movie will have to be a huge hit to recoup its cost.
He was desperate to try and recoup his losses.