for the descriptions given by people who claimed to have seen the puma were extraordinarily similar.

因为凡是声称见到过美洲狮的人们所描述的情况竟是出奇地相似。

He told him he had better return it or he would call the police.

告诉他最好把羊交还，否则就去叫警察。

he may even, in times of real need, do a little work;

确实需要的时候，他甚至可能干一点儿活，

but he was in such a bedraggled condition than an assistant refused to serve him.

但店员见他浑身泥水的样子，竟不肯接待他。

Precautions of this sort are necessary, for it is impossible to foretell the exact nature of the difficulties which will confront the pot-holer.

作出这样的准备是必要的，因为无法预见到洞穴探险者究竟会遇到什么性质的困难。

The story of a poor family that acquired fame and fortune overnight, dramatically illustrates the power of the press.

下面这户穷人一夜之间出名发财的故事戏剧性地说明了新闻报道威力。