重点讲解：
1. rather than 而非；胜于；而不是；
例句：One should take these precepts in the spirit rather than in the letter.
人们应该去理解这些格言的精神实质而不是死抠字面|l4P+&I9#K。
2. concentrate on 全神贯注；集中（心思）；
例句：I can't concentrate on my work when I'm tired.
我累了就无法集中精力工作+MEu5NoI0nEB5e25。
3. whittle down 逐渐减少；逐渐压缩…的人数；
例句：He had whittled eight interviewees down to two.
他已经逐渐将参加面试的人数由8人减少到2人=Gc_@gIV48%。
4. in the first place 起初；一开始；
例句：In the first place, we should solve this problem.
首先，我们应该解决这个问题Ru~j)bnCA&MXr5!F6^Q。
5. figure out 想出；理解；弄清；
例句：They might have figured out this riddle by now.
他们现在也许已经解开这个谜了s#+a.B&4IQ。