Some friends of my family had this irritating habit. The only thing todo was ask them to come half an hour later than the other guests. Then they arrivedjust when we wanted them.

　　13.Some friends of my family had this irritating habit.

　　我家有几个朋友就有这有令人恼火的习惯。

　　14.The only thing to do was ask them to come half an hour later than the otherguests.

　　唯一的办法就是请他们比别的客人晚来半小时。

　　语言点 ask sb. to do sth.的意思是“请求某人做某事”。later than的意思是“比…晚”。

　　15.Then they arrived just when we wanted them.

　　这样，他们可以恰好在我们要求的时间到达。

　　语言点 句子结构分析：when引导时间状语从句。