读故事

　　Michael is flying back to Australia after visiting his aunt in New York.He is an amateur clown and his ambition is to become a full time performer.Beforehe boards the airplane, Michael goes into the airport store for a gift for his wife.With his small allowance, he has the two alternatives of a teddy bear or an alarm clock made of aluminum.He takes the clock, as he always needs to make allowances for her never being on time.Fifteen minutes later, Michael is sitting comfortably in his seat.He says hello to the man sitting alongside, asks for some alcohol, and dozes off.Suddenly, a tap on the shoulder awakens him.He looks around and finds that the plane hasn't gained any altitude; it's still on the ground.What amazes him is that two policemen then force him to get off the plane and into a police car.Michael also notices that the police take a suitcase into an ambulance.The suitcase and his own look very alike.This alerts Michael that something has happened.When they arrive at the police station, Michael is very surprised to see the Australian Ambassador there, talking to an officer from the office of Alliance of Allies against Terrorism, who keeps looking at Michael with alert eyes.Michael's suitcase is lying on one of the tables, with everything thrown out: some clothes, a key ring with the alphabet on it, a bottle of wine and the clock. The policemen seem to be on the alert against something and their expressions alter when they see the clock—the crew thought it was a bomb and alerted the police!

　　记单词

　　alarm 1. 惊恐，忧虑; 2. 警钟，报警器，闹钟; 3. 警报vt 使惊恐，使担心

　　alcohol 含酒精的饮料，酒精

　　alert 警觉的，留神的，注意的

　　vt 1. 向…报警，使警惕; 2. 使认识到，使意识到n 1. 警戒(状态)，戒备(状态); 2. 警报

　　on the alert警戒着，随时准备着，密切注意着

　　alike 同样的，相像的

　　ad 1. 一样地，相似地; 2. 同样程度地

　　alliance 结盟，联盟

　　allowance 津贴，补贴，零用钱

　　make allowance(s) for 1. 考虑到，顾及; 2. 体谅，原谅

　　ally 1. 同盟国，同盟者; 2. 支持者v. (使)结盟，(使)联合

　　alongside 在旁边，沿着边，并排地prep.1. 在…旁边，沿着…的边; 2. 和…在一起

　　alphabet 字母表

　　alter 改变，改动，变更

　　alternative 1. 两者择一的，供选择的，供替代的; 2. 另类的，他择性的n 1. 取舍，抉择，供选择的东西; 2. 选择的自由，选择的余地

　　altitude 1. 高度，海拔

　　2. pl 高处，高地

　　aluminium见aluminum

　　aluminum 铝

　　amateur 1. 业余爱好者，业余运动员; 2. 外行，粗通某一行的人

　　a 1. 业余爱好的，业余(身份)的; 2. 外行的

　　amaze 使大为惊奇，惊愕

　　ambassador 大使，使节，派驻国际组织的代表

　　ambition 1. 抱负，雄心，野心

　　2. 企望得到的东西

　　ambulance 救护车

　　amid 在…中间，在…之中，被…围绕

　　迈克尔去纽约看望了他姑妈，现在正要飞回澳大利亚。他是一个业余小丑，他的雄心就是成为一名专业演员。上飞机之前，迈克尔到机场商店给他妻子买礼物。他的零用钱很少，只有两个选择的余地：玩具熊和铝制闹钟。他买了钟，因为他经常要原谅她的不守时。15分钟以后，迈克尔舒舒服服地坐在座位上，他向旁边的人打了个招呼，要了一杯含酒精的饮料，然后打起了瞌睡。突然，他的肩头被人拍了一下，他醒来一看，飞机并没有上升到任何高度，还在地上趴着。使他惊愕的是，两名警察过来押着他下了飞机，然后又上了一辆警车。迈克尔还注意到另外一些警察拎着一只箱子上了救护车，而这只箱子看起来很像是他的。迈克尔这才意识到一定出了什么事。到警局的时候，迈克尔惊奇地发现澳大利亚大使也在场，正和反恐怖活动同盟国联盟办公室的一名官员谈话，他不断地用警觉的眼神看着迈克尔。迈克尔的箱子搁在一张桌子上，东西全被掏了出来：一些衣服、一个带字母表的钥匙扣、一瓶酒和那只闹钟。警察好像随时准备着应付什么，看到是只闹钟时他们的表情改变了——原来机组人员把闹钟当成了炸弹，并且向警察报了警!