Its other significant attribute1 was2 that it was just over the line inside what was then the Cupertino-Sunnyvale School District3, one of the safest and best in the valley4.

长难句解析

解：主语1+系动词2+表语从句3+同位语4

析：本句的主语为“Its other significant attribute”，系动词为“was”，其后为that引导的表语从句“it was just over the line inside what was then the Cupertino-Sunnyvale School District”，其后“one of the safest and best in the valley”作“Cupertino-Sunnyvale School District”的同位语。

重点词汇词组

1.tinker with sth. 对...稍作修补/修理

Instead of the country admitting its error, it just tinkered with the problem.

该国未承认自己的错误，只是对这个问题稍作修改。

【相关俚语】

tinker around with sth. 摆弄某物

Dad was always tinkering around with engines.

爸爸总是摆弄引擎。

2.attribute 属性；性质；特征

Patience is one of the most important attributes in a teacher.

耐心是教师最重要的品质之一。

【常见搭配】

attribute sth. to sth. 把…归因于；认为…是由于

The committee refused to attribute blame without further information.

如果没有进一步的情况，委员会拒绝归罪于任何人。

3.appreciate 欣赏；赏识；重视

His talents are not fully appreciated in that company.

他的才干在那家公司未受到充分赏识。

【常见搭配】

appreciate the significance/value of sth. 理解某事的重要性/价值

He did not fully appreciate the significance of signing the contract.

他没有充分认识到签署合同的重要性。

4.come to an end 结束

I was heartsick, for I felt that the splendid years of my carefree childhood had come to an end.

我很难过，因为我觉得我无忧无虑的美好童年生活结束了。

【相关俚语】

(reach) the end of the line/road (达到)尽头，极限；穷途末路

A defeat in the second round marked the end of the line for last year's champion.

第二轮的失利表明去年的冠军得主已卫冕无望。

5.confront sb. 与 (某人) 对峙

She pushed her way through the mob and confronted him face to face.

她从那群暴民中挤出来，与他当面对峙。

【常见搭配】

be confronted with sth. 面对（某事物）

Most people when confronted with a horse will pat it.

大多数人遇见马时都会轻轻地拍拍它。

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