读故事

　　The torrent of rain stopped the tournament for good.Each family raced with children in tow to the nearest tents where they could listen to transistor radios to hear if the storm would get worse.It wouldn't and the rain soon ceased.The transition back to the tournament grounds was quick as they all trampled through the mud back to their tranquil seats where they could watch one man try and toss another out of the circle.Everyone tramped the mud off their feet and sat back down with the others who had sought refuge from the rain in the tram that brought them all to the tournament.

　　When the next fighter entered towing his trademark wagon of weapons the crowd stood and cheered.This fighter's weapons were often toxic because of the chemicals he put on them and fights always ended with the tragic loss of the other fighter's life.He was a transient fighter but they had all heard of him.They all hoped it would be an interesting transaction that would transcend all of their expectations.

　　When the local fighter stood his tract of ground against the newcomer his traits also became clear:he fought with two swords.Then the fight began.There were no rules and no transcript to be followed.It just began.

　　The newcomer scored first with a knife that he threw at the local fighter as he was in transit from one section of the circle to another.The local fighter quickly fell down dead,poisoned.The crowd stood and roared their disapproval.They chased the newcomer away.He was transient once again for not putting up a fair fight and disappointing the crowd.

　　记单词

　　torrent n.1.奔流，激流，洪流2.爆发，迸发，(话语等的)连发

　　toss vi.1.扔，抛，掷2.猛抬(头)

　　3.拌(食品)4.(up)(打赌等时)掷(钱币)5.使摇动，使颠簸vi.1.(up)掷钱币来决定2.翻来覆去n.1.掷钱币来决定2.猛抬头

　　tournament n.比赛，锦标赛

　　tow vi./n.拖，拉，牵引

　　in tow(被)拖着，陪伴着

　　toxic a.有毒的，因中毒引起的

　　tract n.1.传单，小册子2.大片(土地或森林)

　　trademark n.1.商标，牌号

　　2.特征，标记

　　tragic a.1.悲惨的，可悲的

　　2.悲剧(性)的

　　trait n.特征，特点，特性

　　tram n.有轨电车

　　tramp n.1.流浪者2.长途跋涉，徒步旅行3.沉重的脚步声v.踏着沉重的脚步走(过)，踩踏

　　trample vi.1.踩，践踏2.无视，伤害，侵犯

　　tranquil a.平静的，安静的，安宁的

　　transaction n.交易，业务

　　transcend vi.超出，超越(经验、理性、信念等)的范围

　　transcript n.1.抄本，副本，文字记录2.学生成绩报告单

　　transient a.1.短暂的，转瞬即逝的2.临时的，暂住的

　　transistor n.晶体管，晶体管收音机

　　transit n.运输，载运

　　in transit在运输中，在途中

　　transition n.过渡，转变

　　倾盆大雨使比赛停止了。每家都拉着孩子们跑到最近的帐篷里，并从晶体管收音机里收听是否还会有更大的暴风雨。消息说不会，而且雨很快就停了。他们很快转向比赛场地，踩着泥巴回到了安静的座位上，他们可以在那里观看一名选手如何想办法把另外一名选手扔出比赛场地。每个人都踩踏着把脚上的泥弄掉，然后和那些乘有轨电车来看比赛并在车上躲雨的人一起坐了下来。

　　当下一名选手拖着他那有标记的武器车上场时，人群起身并欢呼起来。这名选手的武器经常是有毒的，因为他在上面抹了化学药品，比赛结束时另一名选手总是悲惨地丢掉了性命。他是一名临时选手，但他们听说过他。他们都希望这场比赛将是一次有意思的交易，能超出他们所有的希望。

　　本地选手在新来的选手对面站在了自己的场地上，他的特点也很清楚：他用两把剑进行比赛。然后比赛就开始了。比赛没有规则，也不做文字记录。它就这样开始了。

　　新来者首先用刀得分，他从赛场的这边跑到那边，在途中把刀扔向了本地选手。本地选手很快中毒倒地身亡。观众站起来怒吼着表示不满。他们把新来者赶跑了。由于他比赛不公平，使观众大失所望，所以这次他又只当了一回临时选手。