marvel(l)ous
a. wonderful; astonishing
steak
n. 牛排；大块肉（或鱼）片
sour
a. 酸的
eel
n. 鳗鲡
diplomacy
n. 外交
encouraging
a. 鼓舞人心的
dent
n. a hollow in a hard surface made by a blow or pressure; initial progress凹痕，凹坑，初步进展
reproduce
vt. produce the young of (oneself or one's own kind) 生殖，繁殖
bodily
a. of the human body; physical
harm
n. damage or wrong 伤害
audience
n. the people gathered in a place to hear or see; a chance to be heard 观众；听众；陈述意见的机会
snarl
vt. speak in a harsh voice 咆哮着说
bonus
n. an extra payment to workers 奖金
thoughtful
a. give to or indicating thought 沉思的，思考的
cash
n. money in coins or notes 现金
activist
n. a person taking an active part esp. in a political movement 激进分子
work force
n. total number of workers employed in a particular factory, industry or area 工人总数；劳动人口
competitive
a. 竞争的
organizer
n. person who organizes things 组织者
mediation
n. 调解
party
n. one of the people or sides in an agreement or argument 一方；当事人
gradually
ad. slowly and by degrees.
gradual
a.
shrink (shrank, shrunk)
vi. become less or smaller 减少；变小
deadline
n. fixed limit of finishing a piece of work 最后期限
station wagon
n. 小型客车，客货两用车
minimum (pl. minima or minimums)
n. the smallest possible amount, number, etc. 最低限度的量、数等
minimum wage
n. the lowest wage permitted by law or by agreement for certain work 法定最工资
odd
a. strange; unusual
goings-on
n. activities, usu. of an undesirable kind
carton
n. a cardboard box for holding goods 纸板箱（或盒） curbside
n. the area of sidewalk at or near curb （curb: 人行道的镶边石）
enlist
vt. obtain the support and help of; cause to join the armed forces 取得……的支持和帮助；征募
trash
n. waste material to be thrown away; rubbish 垃圾
pickup
n. a small light truck with an open back used for light deliveries 小卡车；轻型货车
overhear
vt. hear by chance; hear without the knowledge of the speaker(s)无意中听到；偷听到
finance
n. money matters; (used in pl.) money; (science of ) the management of funds 财政；钱财；金融
geez
int.哎呀，呀
sale
n. the act of selling sth.
Phrases & Expressions
pull up
bring or come to a stop （使）停下
a piece of cake
(informal) sth. very easy to do
even as
just at the same moment as
know better than
be wise or experienced enough not (to do sth.) 明事理而不至于
be at
be occupied with, be doing
make a dent (in)
make less by a very small amount; reduce slightly; make a first step towards success(in)减少一点；取得初步进展
cut into
reduce; decrease 减少
have no business
have no right or reason 无权，没有理由
settle for
accept, although not altogether satisfactory （无可奈何地）满足于
settle one's account
pay what one owes 结帐
quite a while
a fairly long time
draw(sb.'s) attention to
make sb. notice, or be aware of
for sale
intended to be sold
for rent
available to be rented
be done with
stop doing or using; finish 做完，不再使用
may/might/could as well
with equal or better effect 不妨，还不如，最好
Proper Names
Montgomery Ward
蒙哥马利—沃德百货公司
Sears, Roebuck
西尔斯—罗百克百货公司
