shunt
v
1
(a) [Tn, Tn.pr, Tn.p]
move (a railway locomotive, wagons, etc) from one track to another 使(火车头、 货车等)转轨、 调轨
shunting a train into a siding 把火车开到岔轨上.
(b) [I, Ipr, Ip]
(of a train) be shunted (指火车)转轨, 调轨.
2 (fig infml 比喻, 口)
(a) [Tn.pr, Tn.p]
move sb/sth to a different (often less important) place 将(某人[某事物])转至另一(常指次要)地方
She's been shunted off to an office in the annexe. 她已调到附属建筑的办事处去了.
The luggage was shunted slowly into the lift. 已把行李慢慢移进电梯里.
(b) [Tn.pr] change the direction or course of (sth); divert 改变(某事物)的方向或路线; 转移
shunt the conversation towards more pleasant topics 转换话题谈些愉快的事.
Next, if it is not a story, get an idea of the organization of the book. Read the back cover and the introduction. Look at the pictures and the short texts below them. Turn to the front of the book and look at the contents. This way you can decide whether