reading

Question 1

to bow out

Answer 1

abandonar, deixar. bow out sendo usado para se referir a um político ou uma pessoa que ocupa um cargo público qualquer. Em casos assim, podemos dizer que a pessoa está “se afastando” ou “se retirando” da vida pública. Em outros casos, a tradução de bow out pode exigir um complemento – veja a primeira das frases abaixo.

Outros casos podem exigir ainda outras traduções: bow out of a profession equivale a “deixar uma profissão”, enquanto que, quando bow out é usado sem complemento (she’s bowing out now) e portanto não especifica a coisa que está sendo “deixada”, uma boa tradução é simplesmente “sair”.

• The candidate bowed out after news of his scandal went public.
  O candidato retirou sua candidatura após a notícia sobre o escândalo ter se tornado pública
• I’m afraid I must bow out, gentlemen. Please continue the game without me.
• After five years as chairman, I felt it was time I bowed out.
  Após cinco anos como presidente, senti que estava na hora de me afastar.
• she bowed out of being the dean of the school
• He said he was bowing out of the race for senator.

Question 2

as a buffer

Answer 2

/ˈbʌf.ɚ/
a silly old man:
Silly old buffer!

something or someone that helps protect from harm:
- I bought a house as a buffer against inflation.
to provide protection against harm

Question 3

as a matter of fact

Answer 3

in fact,actually
used to add emphasis to what you are saying, or to show that it is the opposite of or different from what went before, used to add something more to what you have just said:
- The shoes are still stylish, and as a matter of fact , I’m wearing a pair right now.
- I don’t work. In fact, I’ve never had a job.
“Are you new around here?” “As a matter of fact, I’ve lived here for ten years.”

Note:
Used to emphasize what you are saying, often because it is surprising.

Question 4

i open my eyes and nudge ben´s arm

Answer 4

/nʌdʒ/
to push something or someone gently, especially to push someone with your elbow (= the middle part of your arm where it bends) to attract the person’s attention:
- The children were giggling and nudging each other.
- He nudged the cat off the sofa so that he could sit down.

Question 5

stiffens beneath his touch