Lesson 1

1. We're elevated 23 feet.

We're 23 feet above sea level.

2. The place has been here since 1915, and no hurricane has ever bothered it.

The house has been here since 1915, and no hurricane has ever caused any damage to it.

3. We can batten down and ride it out.

We can make the necessary preparations and survive the hurricane without much damage.

4. The generator was doused, and the lights went out.

Water got into the generator and put it out. It stopped producing electricity, so the lights also went out.

5. Everybody out the back door to the cars!

Everybody go out through the back door and run to the cars.

6. The electrical systems had been killed by water.

The electrical systems in the car had been put out by water.

7. John watched the water lap at the steps, and felt a crushing guilt.

As John watched the water inch its way up the steps, he felt a strong sense of guilt because he blamed himself for endangering the whole family by deciding not to flee inland.

8. Get us through this mess, will you?

Oh God, please help us to get through this storm safely.

9. She carried on alone for a few bars; then her voice trailed away.

Grandmother Koshak sang a few words alone and then her voice gradually grew dimmer and stopped.

10. Janis had just one delayed reaction.

Janis displayed rather late the exhaustion brought about by the nervous tension caused by the hurricane.

Lesson 2