一、 重点单词
1. substantiate证实
同义词：validate
例句：
There is little scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.
几乎没有能证实这些断言的科学证据。

2. hypothetical假设的
同义词：theoretical、if-then
例句：
After all, we have no clue about the nature of these hypothetical aliens, why assume they're friendly?
毕竟，我们对这些假设的外星人的本性毫不了解，为什么要假设他们是友好的呢？

3. likable讨人喜欢的，可爱的
同义词：lovely、taking
例句：Some people find you highly likable while others find you a bit annoying, depending on the case.
有些人会觉得你非常可爱，另一些人却会觉得你有些讨厌，这要看情况而定。

4. formality走形式；正规程序
同义词：ceremony、service
例句：
Some contracts are a mere formality.
有些合同纯属走形式。

二、 重点短语
1. have (no) basis in有（无）基础、根据
例句：
However, those views have no basis in reality—which isn't really what he was after anyway.
但是那些观点不是以事实为基础的——无论如何都不是他真正追求的。

2. in jail坐牢
同义短语：be imprisoned、put into prison、send to prison
例句：
If I don't, I get locked in jail or they tell me to get out of the country. 跟读
如果不缴税，我会被关到监狱,或者被驱逐出境。

3. get caught被抓，被逮捕
例句：
Because when haddock face a net, they swim up to escape and get caught.
因为当黑线鳕鱼看到一个网，它们会向上游逃跑但是却被捕捉。

4. top man能人；头目；高层人物
例句：
When he’s done, he goes to China and becomes the top man there.
称霸之后，他又移师中国，十年成为业界领头羊。

5. sign off (on)签字
例句：
They were supposed to review it and sign off that you captured all the requirements.
他们应该审阅这个文档，然后签收，表示您已经掌握了所有需求。

三、 实用口语
1. He'll make a good witness.
他将是一个好证人。
【分析】
这个句子中的make,和平常所见的有所不同。它的意思是：成为（have the right qualities to be）
例句：
She'll make a good actress, if she gets the right training.
如果她得到恰当训练，她会成为一名好演员。

2. For how things have unfolded these last few months, you and me.
为了过去几个月来发生的事，我们之间的事。

3. It's just not a smart move.
这招并不明智。