1. To begin, I'd like to hear about your experiences. (P14）首先，我想听听大家的感受。

(1) to begin (with) 首先；第一；起初

I'm not going. To begin (with), I haven't a ticket, and secondly, I don't like the play. 我不去。一来我没票，二来我不喜欢这出戏。

To begin (with), he had no money, but later he became quite rich. 他起初没钱，可是后来相当富有了。

(2) hear about 听说

I've only just heard about his success. 我刚听说他成功的消息。

(3) experience 经历，感受(nc.)；经验（nu.）

Mr. Kroll is an officer with experience, who has many odd experiences. 克罗尔先生是个有经验的军官，他有许多奇怪的经历。

2. It would have been easier if I had someone with me who could explain the dishes to me. (P14) 如果有人能给我说明一下这些菜，我会感到舒适些。

本句使用了虚拟语气。表示与过去事实相反时，虚拟条件句的谓语部分用“had + 过去分词”，主句谓语动词用“would / could / might / should + have + 过去分词”；表示与将来事实相反时，虚拟条件句的谓语可以用“should + 动词原形”或“were to + 动词原形”，主句谓语则用“should / would / could / might + 动词原形”。

I could have seen her yesterday if I had got to the station earlier. 我昨天要是早一点到达车站的话就会见到她了。

If she came, I would say sorry to her. 她要是来的话，我就向她道歉。

If it should rain, the crops could be saved. 如果要是下场雨的话，庄稼或许还有救。

3. There are also taboos (something forbidden in a culture) that differ from culture to culture. (P15) 不同的文化有不同的禁忌。

⑴ forbid (forbade / forbad, forbidden) vt. 禁止，常构成：forbid sth. / (one's) doing sth. / sb. to do sth.    

Her father forbade their marriage. 她的父亲不允许他们俩结婚。  

Smoking should be forbidden in public places. 公开场所应该禁止吸烟。   

Her father forbad her to go out alone. 她爸爸不许她单独外出。  

⑵ differ from 与…… 相异 / 不同

Chinese differs greatly from French in pronunciation. 汉语发音与法语大不相同。