We expect the building work to be completed ahead of schedule.我们希望建筑工程能提前完工。语言点：ahead of schedule 比时间表早，也就是“提前”的意思

The population of the city is close to a million. 这个城市的人口接近一百万。语言点：close to 接近，将近

It was useless to pretend innocence.装无辜是没用的。语言点：pretend v. 假装；innocence n. 无罪，清白

Recently he's been working an extra two hours a day. 最近他每天加班两小时。语言点：extra a. 额外的，附加的

He wants the job purely for reasons of vanity and ambition. 他之所以想得到那份工作，纯粹是为了满足自己的虚荣心和野心。语言点：for reasons of... 出于某些原因

They don't know how to run a business. 他们不懂如何经营公司。语言点：run a business 经营公司，这里的business相当于company

This photograph from our wedding is my greatest treasure. 这张婚礼上的照片是我最宝贵的财富。语言点：treasure n. 财富，珍宝

In spite of the heavy rain, she went to the shop. 尽管下着大雨，她还是去了商店。语言点：in spite of 虽然，尽管

Let's get down to the facts. Where were you last night? 我们就直说吧，你昨晚在哪里？语言点：get down to the facts 说正题；说实话

The lake was covered with a sheet of ice.湖面上盖上了一层冰。语言点：sheet: a wide flat area of sth. such as water or ice 一大片，一层

I'm afraid that won't be possible, much as we'd like to. 尽管我们很想这样做，但恐怕不行了。语言点：much as = although 尽管，虽然

No matter what happened, he would not say a word. 不管发生什么事，他都不会说一句话。语言点：say a word (about sth.): to tell other people (about sth.) 跟别人说

The doctor examined the soldier's wound carefully.大夫仔细检查了战士的伤口。语言点：examine v. 检查，诊察

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.不入虎穴，焉得虎子。语言点：venture v. 拿……冒险，以……做赌注

I'm saving up for a new car. 我在为买新车攒钱。语言点：save up for sth. 为将来可以买某物而存钱

The company is in the process of moving to new offices. 这家公司开始搬去新办公室了。语言点：be in the process of (doing) sth. 已经开始做某事但还没做完

She has often spoken up for the rights of working mothers. 她经常为在职母亲的权利辩护。语言点：speak up for sb./sth. 为……辩护，替……讲好话

Beggars can't be choosers.饥者不得择食。语言点：要饭的哪能挑肥拣瘦，表达人穷志短，有实力才有自由。看下面的对话：
A: Let me wear your green dress; I don't like the blue

Fortunately we were blessed with fine weather. 很幸运，天公作美。语言点：be blessed with sth.: to be lucky in having a particular thing 幸运地享有某物

The lake was covered with a sheet of ice.湖面上盖上了一层冰。语言点：sheet: a wide flat area of sth. such as water or ice 一大片，一层

They are arguing over who should pay the bill. 他们为谁应该付款而争论不休。语言点：argue over sth. 辩论/争论某事

The sun was shining and the sky was crystal clear. 阳光闪耀，天空湛蓝。语言点：crystal clear: absolutely clear 清澈透明的；极其明白，十分清楚

He's got no conscience at all about leaving me to do the housework. 对于把家务活都留给我做这件事，他一点负罪感都没有。语言点：have no conscience about sth. = n

It took me ages to learn how to spell it right.我花了很长时间才学会正确拼写它。语言点：ages/an age: a long time 很长时间

The desk was littered with papers.桌子上乱七八糟地扔了很多纸。语言点：litter A with B: 将B乱扔在A处