Admittedly it was an unusual pie dish, for it was eighteen feet long and six feet wide.

Admittedly ^{adv.诚然，不可否认地}

• It's only a theory, admittedly, but the pieces fit together.^{得承认这只是一种理论，但其各部分自成一体。}
• Admittedly, it is rather expensive but you don't need to use much.^{它的确很贵，但不需要用得很多。}
• What these unintended consequences might be is admittedly far from clear.^{不可否认的是，目前完全不清楚这些意想不到的后果可能是什么。}

It had been purchased by a local authority so that an enormous pie could be baked for an annual fair.

so，so that ^{引导目的与结果状语从句}

• We paid him immediately, so (that) he left contented. ^{结果状语从句}
• We paid him immediately, so (that) he would leave contented. ^{目的状语从句}

• The pie committee decided that the best way to transport the dish would be by canal, so they insured it for the trip.
• In the new country he became absorbed in making a new life for the two of us, so that he gradually ceased to grieve.
• This time they fixed heayy metal clamps to both sides of the dish so that they could fasten the chains.
• This time he was barking so that someone would let him out!
• The one with the money got such a fright that he dropped the bag.
• The ball struck him so hard that he nearly fell into the water.

bake ^{v. to cook food in an oven without extra fat or liquid 烘焙}

• During a radio programme, a company of biscuit manufacturers once asked listeners to bake biscuits and send them to their factory.

fair ^{n. a large public event where goods are bought and sold, usually from tables which have been specially arranged for the event, and where there is often entertainment 大型集市，庙会}

• At a village fair, I decided to visit a fortune-teller called Madam Bellinsky.
• I wanted them to get a fair deal. ^{我希望他们得到一个公平的交易。}
• Every autumn I go to the county fair. ^{每个秋季我都去县里的集市。}

The pie committee decided that the best way to transport the dish would be by canal, so they insured it for the trip.

decide ^{不一定译为“决定”}

decide 常常译为”（在考虑之后）确定，断定， 认为”，尤其是其后加 that 引导的宾语从句时。

• From then on, Harry decided that this little game he had invented might prove to be expensive.
• I decided that I must have taken a wrong turning somewhere.

Shortly after it was launched, the pie committee went to a local inn to celebrate.

shortly before / after ... ^{不久之前/之后…}

• The accident happened shortly before midday. ^介词
• I saw him shortly before he died. ^连词
• Police arrived at the scene shortly after midnight.

launch ^{v. to put a boat or ship into the water 使船下水}

• The lifeboat was launched immediately to rescue the four men.

inn ^{n. a small hotel or pub, especially an old one in the countryside（乡下的）酒馆，客栈}

• I always feel at home at Ye Olde Starre Inn. ^{在昨日星辰客栈，我总是觉得非常舒适安逸。}
• I learnt that the house had formerly been an inn. ^{我得知这座房子以前是家客栈。}
• She washed her face at the pump in front of the inn. ^{她在客栈前的水泵旁洗了洗脸。}
• The inn gift shop stocks quality Indian crafts and sundries. ^{这个小旅馆的礼品店备有优质的印度工艺品和其他杂品。}

At the same time, a number of teenagers climbed on to the dish and held a little party of their own.

hold ^{v.拿住、担任、举行...} 

• The Olympic Games will be held in our country in four years' time.
• Once a year, a race is held for old cars.
• A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan.
• A match was held at Stilton, where both men fought for an hour.

Dancing proved to be more than the dish could bear, for during the party it capsized and sank in seven feet of water.

be more than ... can / could... ^{是...不能/无法...}

• When my old friend Brian urged me to accept a cigarette, it was more than I could bear.
• In the end, it was more than he could bear.
• This was more than we could bear, so we decided to spend our last day exploring the countryside.
• The pain is more than I can bear.
• The story is more than I can believe.
• The beauty of the West Lake is more than words can describe.
• The weather turned out to be very good, which was more than we could expect.

capsize ^{vt.倾覆（特指船）；翻覆；弄翻 vi.翻；倾覆；翻覆}

• We were afraid (that) we were going to capsize the boat. ^{我们担心会把船弄翻。}
• Be careful not to capsize the boat. ^{小心不要使船倾覆。}
• Don't rock the boat or it will capsize! ^{不要摇晃小船，否则它会翻的。}
• A sudden strong wind capsize their boat. ^{突然一阵强风弄翻了他们的船。}