一、Reading
John has been trying to learn how to play the guitar. He has been taking lessons for half a year. However, he hasn't been studying seriously. He has only been going to his lessons every now and then. Moreover, he seldom practices. On the other hand, his cousin, Tim, has been playing the guitar for about three months. He plays much better than John. Tim isn't more talented than john, though. He is just more determined.
二、解析
■ John has been trying to learn how to play the guitar.
- 时态：现在完成进行时
- 主：John
- 谓：has been trying
- 宾：to learn how to play the guitar.
- 虚词：to
- 谓：learn
- 宾：how to play the guitar.（“疑问词+不定式”结构）
- 疑问词：how
- 不定式：to play the guitar.
- 虚词：to
- 谓：play
- 宾：the guitar.
try to + 动词原型：设法要...
■ He has been taking lessons for half a year.
- 时态：现在完成进行时
- 主：He
- 谓：has been taking
- 宾：lessons
- 时状：for half a year.
- 介：for
- 宾：half
- 定：a year.
take lessons：修习课程
half a year / a month / an hour：半年/半个月/半小时
■ However, he hasn't been studying seriously.
- 时态：现在完成进行时
- 主：he
- 谓：hasn't been studying
- 状：seriously.
■ He has only been going to his lessons every now and then.
- 时态：现在完成进行时
- 主：He
- 状：only
- 谓：has been going
- 宾：to his lessons
- 介：to
- 宾：his lessons
- 时状：every now and then.
every now and then：偶尔
■ Moreover, he seldom practices.
- 状：Moreover
- 主：he
- 状：seldom
- 谓：practices.
■ On the other hand, his cousin, Tim, has been playing the guitar for about three months.
- 时态：现在完成进行时
- 状：On the other hand（介短，做副词用）
- 主：his cousin
- 同：Tim
- 谓：has been playing
- 宾：the guitar
- 时状：for about three months.
- 介：for
- 状：about
- 宾：three months
■ He plays much better than John.
- 主：He
- 谓：plays
- 状：much better than John.
■ Tim isn't more talented than john, though.
= However, Tim isn't more talented than john.
- 时态：一般过去时
- 主：Tim
- 系：isn't
- 表：more talented than john,
- 状： though.
though：放在句尾且前有逗号，译为“然而”，等于 however
■ He is just more determined.
- 主：He
- 系：is
- 状：just（强调作用）
- 表：more determined.
三、语法
- 复习现在完成进行时的句型运用。
- 修饰比较级的副词用法。
以上语法详见教材讲解。