[译文]今年的圣诞节过的十分无聊。与其说是过节，倒不如说我还记得有这么一个节日。
[分析]这句话有两个难点要理解：1）定语从句“makes this Christmas day” 2）宾语从句“it was” 只要把这两个地方理解透不难准确翻译这句话的。
「句2」做生意就得动真格的，决不能当儿戏。
[译文]In doing business we must play for keeps. It's no joking matter.
[分析]所谓“动真格的”的意思就是严肃认真地。直译会导致意思不明确。
段子：
今年的奥斯卡充分预示了歌舞片的复兴与对战争的关注。这两点都是美国人所关心的命题。一个是多年的夙愿，一个是危及自身的活火山。除了这些还有什么能让他们调转电视频道？我们就看着他们唱累了看看电视中的硝烟，或者由于战事紧张来依靠歌舞音乐来缓解神经吧。
译文：
This Oscar offered us a good illustration of people's new attention to the musicals and wars， both of which are attracting the American people in that one of them is their lifelong dream， and another one the active volcano threatening the country. We don't think there is any other news attracting their attention. Perhaps we can do nothing but sit there watching the shift of their attention from the cruel to the relaxing musicals.
[分析]1）“调转电视频道”的意思其实是吸引人们的注意力。2）“我们就看着他们唱累了看看电视中的硝烟，或者由于战事紧张来依靠歌舞音乐来缓解神经吧”这句话用一个“shift”就能把两句并为一句。
