ACT 3-3 “你真了不起！ ”

【故事梗概】

Philip给Robbie讲了自己申请大学选择专业时的经历。原来Philip当年也是很有主见，要自己来选择和塑造自己的前途。Philip评价Robbie“真是Stewart家的人”

Philip: Let me tell you something, Robbie. Something that might be surprising to you.
Robbie: What? Tell me.
Philip: Well, Grandpa wanted me to study engineering, like him. Well, I wasn't clear about my future, but I knew engineering was not for me.
Robbie: What did you tell Grandpa?
Philip: The truth.
Robbie: Then you're not upset about my not wanting to go into medicine?
Philip: I'm not upset at all. I'm just happy that we're able to talk about it.
Robbie: I am too, Dad.
Philip: I suppose you want to apply to Columbia.
Robbie: Yes, but I also want to apply to several other colleges.
Philip: I thought you wanted to go to Columbia.
Robbie: Well, I might want to go to Columbia. But I might not. I just want to be able to make my own decision.
Philip: You're a real Stewart!
Robbie: And if I think about it long enough, you never know …
Philip: Never know what?
Robbie: If I make my own decision, I might choose Michigan.
Philip: Robbie, you're something! You know, when I was your age, I said exactly the same thing to Grandpa.

【语言点精讲】

1. Well, I wasn't clear about my future, but I knew engineering was not for me.
嗯，我当时对自己的未来也不很清楚，但我知道我不该学工程。
be clear about: 对…清楚，关于…很明白。
not for me: 这里指“某事不适合我”。

2. I suppose you want to apply to Columbia.
我猜想你想申请上哥伦比亚大学。
I suppose : 我猜，我认为，我推想。
apply to: 正式申请，向…要求

3. You're a real Stewart!
a real Stewart: 真是Stewart家的人。Philip是指Robbie有自己的主见。从这点来讲，他和Stewart家的人具有同样的个性。

4. And if I think about it long enough, you never know …
再说，如果我考虑的时间够长的话，说不定……
you never know: 说不定，说不准。

5. You're something!
你真了不起！something 在 you're something 中，表示某种了不起的给人以深刻印象的物或人。

6. You know, when I was your age, I said exactly the same thing to Grandpa.
When I was your age: 当年我像你这么大的时候。
I said exactly the same thing: 我说的话跟你现在的一模一样。