Smash and grab
咋橱窗抢劫
The expensive shops in a famous arcade near Piccadilly were just opening. At this time of the morning, the arcade was almost empty. Mr Taylor, the owner of a jewellery shop was admiring a new window display. Two of his assistants had been working busily since 8 oclock and had only just finished. Diamond necklaces and rings had been beautifully arranged on a background of black velvet. After gazing at the display for several minutes, Mr Taylor went back into his shop.
The silence was suddenly broken when a large car, with its headlights on and its horn blaring, roared down the arcade. It came to a stop outside the jewelers. One man stayed at the wheel while two others with black stockings over their faces jumped out and smashed the window of the shop with iron bars. While this was going on, Mr Taylor was upstairs. He and his staff began throwing furniture out of the window. Chairs and tables went flying into the arcade. One of the thieves was struck by a heavy statue, but he was too busy helping himself to diamonds to notice any pain. The raid was all over in three minutes, for the men scrambled back into the car and it moved off at a fantastic speed. Just as it was leaving, Mr Taylor rushed out and ran after it throwing ashtrays and vases, but it was impossible to stop the thieves. They had got away with thousands of pounds
worth of diamonds.

4. Two of his assistants had been working busily since 8 oclock and had only just finished.
他手下2名店员从早上8点就开始忙碌，这时刚刚布置完毕。

语言点1:句子结构分析:用过去完成进行时had been working强调过去某一时间开始一直延续下去的动作，常与sicne引导的时间状语搭配。

语言点2:表示“忙碌”的短语总结:

（1）get/have one's hand full 一天到晚忙个不停
（2）be on the go 忙忙碌碌
（3）be on the run 整天奔波
（4）be as busy as a bee 忙得团团转

5. Two of his assistants had been working busily since 8 oclock and had only just finished.
钻石项链，戒指漂亮地陈列在黑色丝绒上面。

语言点1:句子结构分析:用过去完成时的被动语态形式had been arranged描述diamond的摆放形式。

语言点2:arrange on表示“摆放”，相近的词汇还有:display 陈列；exhibit 展出；spread out 展开；lay out 展示

6. After gazing at the display for several minutes, Mr Taylor went back into his shop.

泰勒先生站在橱窗外凝神欣赏了几分钟就回到了店里。

语言点1:句子结构分析:“after+现在分词”构成时间状语从句的省略式。本句可以还原为:After he had gazed at the display for several minutes,Mr.Taylor went back into his shop.

语言点2:gaze at表示“盯着看”，与之意思相近的短语总结:

Focus on 关注
Fix on (目光，注意力等)集中于
Stare at 凝视
Glare at 怒目而视
Gape at 目瞪口呆地凝视
Watch closely 近距离看