编者按：信守承诺，就是讲究信用，这样的品质是我们每一个人都要好好学习的。下面是一篇关于承诺的英语小故事，很适合初中生阅读学习。
时过境迁，会改变很多事情，无论当初承诺的是什么。下面说到的这对主人公，时间让他们发生了什么改变呢?
I’ve Got You Covered
(我帮你搞定)
Abigail and Jeremy got divorced about 15 years ago.
大约15年前，阿比盖尔和杰里米离婚了。
Abigail did not want to see a lawyer, worried that it might turn ugly.
阿比盖尔不想找一位律师，她担心这可能会变成丑闻。
So she talked to Jeremy, who agreed that it was a good idea to not use lawyers.
所以她和杰里米交谈，他同意不请律师，并觉得这是个好主意。
He said not to worry, he would take care of her.
他说不用担心，他会照顾她的。
She said she wasn’t looking for a free ride—she could take care of herself.
她说她不是在寻找一个免费的车--她可以照顾自己。
But, Jeremy insisted, he would help her out, then or whenever she needed money.
但是，杰里米坚持说，当她需要钱的时候，他会帮助她。
It was the least he could do for her, since she was not taking 50 percent of his income and property.
这是他能为她做的最后一件事的，因为她没有分割他的收入和财产的50%。
So, Jeremy gave her $10,000 before they got divorced, because Abigail said that would be all she would need to finish getting her master’s degree and start teaching.
所以，杰里米在离婚前给了她一万美元，因为阿比盖尔说，她将需要完成硕士学位并成为教师。
And that was it. For the next 10 years after getting her degree, Abigail worked as a teacher.
就是这样在获得学位后的未来10年中，阿比盖尔曾担任过教师。
She liked her job and the people she worked with.
她喜欢她的工作以及和她一起工作的人。
Unfortunately, a tornado wiped out the entire school and half the town.
不幸的是，龙卷风毁灭了整个学校和一半的城镇。
Many teachers got laid off.
许多老师失业了。
Abigail spent a month visiting family and friends, but then had to find a new job.
阿比盖尔花了一个月的时间访问了家人和朋友，但很难找到新的工作。
She decided to change careers.
她决定改变职业生涯。
To do so, she needed to go back to school for two years.
要这样做的话，她需要回学校学习两年。
Her tuition and living expenses would cost her $25,000.
她的学费和生活费将达到25000美元。
She called Jeremy.
她给杰里米打电话。
She and Jeremy had remained friendly over the years.
她和杰里米多年来一直保持友好关系
“Jeremy, I need a big favor,” she said over the phone.
“杰里米，我需要很大的帮助，”她通过电话说到。
“Sure, Abi, you name it,” Jeremy replied agreeably.
“当然，阿比，你应得的，”杰里米答应了。
Jeremy had a great job and a good life.
杰里米有一个不错的工作和优渥的生活。
She told him that she had been laid off, and she needed $25,000 for a degree and a new career.
她告诉他，她已经被解雇了，她需要25000美元的学位和新的职业生涯。
The friendliness left Jeremy’s voice.
杰里米的声音变得不再友好
She reminded him of his promise ten years ago to help her out whenever she needed it.
她提醒他十年前的承诺，在她需要时帮助她。
“Yeah, Abi, but that was ten years ago.
“是的，阿比，但那是十年前。
That’s history now, right?
“是的，阿比，但那是十年前?
Have you tried your local bank?”
你试过当地的银行吗?“
相关句型辨析
But, Jeremy insisted, he would help her out, then or whenever she needed money.
但是，杰里米坚持说，当她需要钱的时候，他会帮助她。
一
1. instead意为“代替”“替代”，作副词用，通常位于句尾。如位于句首时常用逗号与后面阁开。instead 在顺接句子中作“代替”讲，而在转折(或逆转)句子中作“然而”讲。
例如：Lily isn't here. Ask Lucy instead.
Lily不在这儿，去问Lucy吧. [注意]当instead在祈使句中时，只能位于句末。
2. she didn't answer me, instead, she asked me another question.
她没有回答我，反而问了我另外一个问题。
二
1. instead of是介宾短语，其意与instead相同，不同之处在于它后面常接宾语，起宾语多由名词、代词、介词、短语、动词 + ing 形式充当。
例如：We'll ask Li Mei instead of Mary.
我们将去问李梅而不问玛丽。
2. I'll go instead of her.
我会替她去。
知识讲解老师：Linda
公众号：小橙少儿英语
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