would

由於剛看到文法書假設語氣的部份,現在看到would都會停下來想一下....
其實我感覺我對於"would"的用法,理解程度和熟練度都還不太夠,

我很好奇,底下這句跟假假設語氣有沒有關係?

Ms. Allan would be one of just 400 patients, the letter said, and she would have his help navigating the local health care system.

(原文:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/31/business/yourmoney/31doctor.html?ex=1280462400&en=0962198848cd4876&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&_rmoc.semityn.www
)

我的疑問:
1.第一個would是不是假設語氣?
如果是,那意思因該就是付費後Ms Allan成為400位付費病人之一,但我覺得很不合理,都付了錢了還和400個人同等級....
所以我一直不知道那個would放在那邊做什麼,我甚至覺得寫成
" Ms. Allan is one of just 400 patients" 還比較合理

2.第二個would是否就是假設語氣?
意思是雖然現在不是,但如我付費後就能有" his help navigating the local health care system."

Microsoft Store

這句話是在一篇評論"微軟商店"(類似蘋果專賣店)的新聞看到的.
大概猜得出來這句話的意思大概是

"曾經輝煌的微軟,模仿著蘋果的零售策略" 
(似乎還帶著一點嘲諷的意味??)

A somewhat snarky but data-driven piece on Microsoft aping Apple's retail strategy and how it shows the desperation of this once-mighty company.


我有幾個疑問
1.動詞在那?? "but"的前後看來看去都找不到動詞
2."somewhat snarky" 比較確切的意思?
3."data-driven piece on" 看不太懂這段的意思




原文:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57499419-75/yes-a-microsoft-store-wows-a-naysayer/

affluent drivers

在書上看到一句話
Some affluent drivers consider speeding tickets the price they pay for driving as fast as they please.

這句話大概看得懂意思因該是
"有些有錢的駕駛人把罰單當作是可以讓他們隨心所欲超速的費用"

不過英文我一直接不太起來前後兩段
前半段
"Some affluent drivers consider speeding tickets"
後半段
"  the price they pay for driving as fast as they please"
總覺得前後接不太起來.
是否有簡略一些關係代名詞一類的東西嗎?

如果是我可能會這樣寫
Some affluent drivers consider speeding tickets as the price (that) they pay for driving as fast as they please.