How Much Should You Spend on Your Pet?
trivial adj. 瑣細的/不重要的
eg: Jim had a bike accident, but his injuries were trivial compared with when he crashed his car.
discretion n. 自己決定的自由
discretionary adj. 可任意支配的
eg: That is not one of our regualr bills, so please pay it out of our discretionary funds.
eg: The CEO of our company has discretionary grant to encourage those who work hard.
eg: Judeges have discretionary power to decide one's future.
jeopardize v. 危及某各對象/使某個對象陷入危機
eg: The student jeopardized her success on an important test by watching a movie instead of studying.
eg: The rushed decision to expand jeopardized the company's finances.
eg: Overworking can jeopardize your health.
conviction n. 信念/堅性
eg: Andy has strong convictions about politics and shares them with as many people as he can.
eg: It's Larry's conviction that only money can make him happy.
eg: Patricia has strong religious convictions.
eg: The woman's conviction to be a good mother is unshakable .
//== Chat room ==//
companion 配偶/同伴
=> a close friend or a mate
mate 配偶 (對澳洲人來說，mate指的是朋友)
=> husband/wife
spouse 配偶
acquaintance 認識但不是朋友的人，見了面會點個頭，但不會停下來聊天
associate 同事/朋友
=> people we work with
to associate
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Talk about ridiculous!
talk about
=> regarding what was just mentioned, that is
Today sentence means:
Whatever was just mentioned is ridiculous.
Sentence pattern:
talk about + description
=> When we want to comfirm or emphasize the description or impression
eg: Stuart lives a block away from his office, but he always rides his scooter to work. Talk about lazy!
eg: Terry had overslept but was still able to get to the airport in time to catch his flight. Talk about lucky!
2009年7月31日 星期五
2009年7月29日 星期三
20090729 -- How Sharks Work (2)
How Sharks Work
Sharks handle their electric sensing using cells located in the head. Whenever something moves using its muscles, a shark can detect the electric impulses flowing to those muscles. A shark can electrically "see" anything that has muscles even if it is hiding or the water is murky. Sharks even have vibration sensors in their skin. When something moves near the shark, tubes pick up the pressure changes and hairs inside the tubes send signals to the brain. This extra sense allows a shark to turn quickly and attack again.
When you put all these different senses together, it makes the shark a nearly ideal hunter. A shark can detect prey from miles away and then use eyes, electrosensing and movement sensing to home in. Strangely, sharks do not seem to use these senses to home in on people. The very low number of shark attacks tells us that shark don't hunt human prey on a regular basis. On the other hand, people love to hunt sharks.
Millions and millions of sharks die every year. Without protection, extinction is a definite possibility.
impulse n. (電)脈衝
=> small short/quick burst electricity
eg: When you touch something, your skin sends an impulse to your brain.
murky adj. 暗的/含糊的
eg: After the storm, the water was so murky we couldn't see the bottom of the lake.
eg: The water in the river became murky and dirty after the typhoon.
eg: The criminal was chained in a murky dungeon(地牢).
murky adj. 黑暗的/複雜的
=> not clear
eg: She wants to forget about her murky past and move on.
prey n. 獵物
eg: The eagle swooped down and caught it prey.
prey n. 人
eg: The thief is looking for his next prey.
prey v. 獵食
prey on
eg: Wolves prey on rabbits.
home in (v phr.)
home in on someone or something 針對/對準某個對象
eg: The fighter plane(戰鬥機) homed in on a tank on the ground.
eg: Our discussion should home in on the solution to the problem.
vibration n. 擺動
extinct adj. 絕種的
extinction n. 滅絕
eg: This kind of lion is in danger of extinction
eg: The dinosaur is extinct.
definite adj. 限定的
//== Chat room ==//
pick up 察覺/感應到
tubes pick up the pressure changes
=> here pick up means sense/detect
eg: A radar may pick up enemy planes.
pick up 很容易學會/有學習的天份
=> to learn naturally
eg: pick up a bad habit
pick up 購買
=> buy
eg: pick up some milk
eg: Can you pick up some milk for me?
pick up someone 去接某人
drop off 讓...下車
picked up by the police => be arrest 被警察逮捕
pick up speed => accelerate 加速
pickup n. 載貨用的小貨車
Sharks handle their electric sensing using cells located in the head. Whenever something moves using its muscles, a shark can detect the electric impulses flowing to those muscles. A shark can electrically "see" anything that has muscles even if it is hiding or the water is murky. Sharks even have vibration sensors in their skin. When something moves near the shark, tubes pick up the pressure changes and hairs inside the tubes send signals to the brain. This extra sense allows a shark to turn quickly and attack again.
When you put all these different senses together, it makes the shark a nearly ideal hunter. A shark can detect prey from miles away and then use eyes, electrosensing and movement sensing to home in. Strangely, sharks do not seem to use these senses to home in on people. The very low number of shark attacks tells us that shark don't hunt human prey on a regular basis. On the other hand, people love to hunt sharks.
Millions and millions of sharks die every year. Without protection, extinction is a definite possibility.
impulse n. (電)脈衝
=> small short/quick burst electricity
eg: When you touch something, your skin sends an impulse to your brain.
murky adj. 暗的/含糊的
eg: After the storm, the water was so murky we couldn't see the bottom of the lake.
eg: The water in the river became murky and dirty after the typhoon.
eg: The criminal was chained in a murky dungeon(地牢).
murky adj. 黑暗的/複雜的
=> not clear
eg: She wants to forget about her murky past and move on.
prey n. 獵物
eg: The eagle swooped down and caught it prey.
prey n. 人
eg: The thief is looking for his next prey.
prey v. 獵食
prey on
eg: Wolves prey on rabbits.
home in (v phr.)
home in on someone or something 針對/對準某個對象
eg: The fighter plane(戰鬥機) homed in on a tank on the ground.
eg: Our discussion should home in on the solution to the problem.
vibration n. 擺動
extinct adj. 絕種的
extinction n. 滅絕
eg: This kind of lion is in danger of extinction
eg: The dinosaur is extinct.
definite adj. 限定的
//== Chat room ==//
pick up 察覺/感應到
tubes pick up the pressure changes
=> here pick up means sense/detect
eg: A radar may pick up enemy planes.
pick up 很容易學會/有學習的天份
=> to learn naturally
eg: pick up a bad habit
pick up 購買
=> buy
eg: pick up some milk
eg: Can you pick up some milk for me?
pick up someone 去接某人
drop off 讓...下車
picked up by the police => be arrest 被警察逮捕
pick up speed => accelerate 加速
pickup n. 載貨用的小貨車
2009年7月28日 星期二
20090728 -- How Sharks Work (1)
How Sharks Work
The summer beach season is prime time for shark attacks. It seems like sharks are attacking all the time. But that is something of an illusion. The number of attacks is very small (only 23 in Florida in 2006). Have you ever wondered about the sharks themselves? It turns out that sharks are absolutely fascinating creatures.
How a shark hunts
Muscles and fins give the shark its speed and maneuverability in the water. A shark's front fins act like the wings of an airplane and let it "fly" through the water. The tail acts like a high-power propeller. But the big thing that gives the shark it edge in the ocean is its sensory package. The package includes the shark's eyes, ears, skin, nose and mouth, as well as electric sensing.
A shark's nose is probably its most important sense. If you were to put a single drop of blood in an Olympic-size swimming pool, a great white shark could smell that. And they can tell the direction that the smell is coming from. Many sharks can also hear sounds of distress from miles away.
prime adj. 首要的/主要的
prime time 最黃金的時段
=> the best quality
=> the most important
=> Here means the most popular/common/best time
eg: The busy intersaction is a prime location for a convenience store.
eg: Housewives are our prime custmoers.
eg: The prime time of restaurants is between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
eg: The Oscars will be broadcast during prime time.
absolutely adv. 絕對地/完全地
=> totally/completely
eg: These pictures you took of the mountains and river are absolutely beautiful!
fin n. 鰭
eg: The fins on a fish's body help it swim.
edge U. 優勢/優越的條件
=> advantage
eg: Ken's skill at playing basketball gave his team an edge during the game.
eg: Because of his language skills, he has an edge over the other applicants.
eg: Her years of experience gave her an extra edge in the field.
maneuver v. 巧妙的操縱
maneuverability n. 機動性/操縱的靈巧性
eg: Power-steering(動力方向盤) improves the maneuverability of a car.
illusion n. 錯覺/幻覺/假象
=> appear to be ture, acutally isn't
propeller n. 螺旋槳/推進器
distress n. 悲痛
//== Chat room ==//
prime time
=> TV prime time (7:00-10:00 pm) 電視黃金時段
prime time (課文) 全盛時期
=> most likely time
high time 應該立即做某件事的時刻
=> it's about time that something should be done.
eg: It's high time to clean up your room.
eg: It's high time for us to go.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
But that is something of an illusion.
=> But that is in some ways an illusion.
something of a 有幾分
=> to some extent
=> in some ways
eg: Although the performance was meant to be a high-class production, in the end, it turned out to become something of a joke.
eg: Ernesto enjoys being funny; he is something of a class clown.
The summer beach season is prime time for shark attacks. It seems like sharks are attacking all the time. But that is something of an illusion. The number of attacks is very small (only 23 in Florida in 2006). Have you ever wondered about the sharks themselves? It turns out that sharks are absolutely fascinating creatures.
How a shark hunts
Muscles and fins give the shark its speed and maneuverability in the water. A shark's front fins act like the wings of an airplane and let it "fly" through the water. The tail acts like a high-power propeller. But the big thing that gives the shark it edge in the ocean is its sensory package. The package includes the shark's eyes, ears, skin, nose and mouth, as well as electric sensing.
A shark's nose is probably its most important sense. If you were to put a single drop of blood in an Olympic-size swimming pool, a great white shark could smell that. And they can tell the direction that the smell is coming from. Many sharks can also hear sounds of distress from miles away.
prime adj. 首要的/主要的
prime time 最黃金的時段
=> the best quality
=> the most important
=> Here means the most popular/common/best time
eg: The busy intersaction is a prime location for a convenience store.
eg: Housewives are our prime custmoers.
eg: The prime time of restaurants is between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
eg: The Oscars will be broadcast during prime time.
absolutely adv. 絕對地/完全地
=> totally/completely
eg: These pictures you took of the mountains and river are absolutely beautiful!
fin n. 鰭
eg: The fins on a fish's body help it swim.
edge U. 優勢/優越的條件
=> advantage
eg: Ken's skill at playing basketball gave his team an edge during the game.
eg: Because of his language skills, he has an edge over the other applicants.
eg: Her years of experience gave her an extra edge in the field.
maneuver v. 巧妙的操縱
maneuverability n. 機動性/操縱的靈巧性
eg: Power-steering(動力方向盤) improves the maneuverability of a car.
illusion n. 錯覺/幻覺/假象
=> appear to be ture, acutally isn't
propeller n. 螺旋槳/推進器
distress n. 悲痛
//== Chat room ==//
prime time
=> TV prime time (7:00-10:00 pm) 電視黃金時段
prime time (課文) 全盛時期
=> most likely time
high time 應該立即做某件事的時刻
=> it's about time that something should be done.
eg: It's high time to clean up your room.
eg: It's high time for us to go.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
But that is something of an illusion.
=> But that is in some ways an illusion.
something of a 有幾分
=> to some extent
=> in some ways
eg: Although the performance was meant to be a high-class production, in the end, it turned out to become something of a joke.
eg: Ernesto enjoys being funny; he is something of a class clown.
2009年7月27日 星期一
20090727 -- Japanese Socks (1)
Japanese Socks
Traditional Japanese footwear finds fans around the world
Geisha, traditional Japanese entertainers skilled in music and dancing, move gracefully in platform flip-flops. But how do these ladies protect their feet, especially during cold Japanese winters? The answer is tabi, traditional white, split-toe socks that can be worn with flip-flops. Geisha, however, aren't the only ones who wear them. Japanese workers have worn heavy-duty tabi for generations. But now this age-old footwear is gathering all kinds of fans. Modern tabi come in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials. There are different styles, too, including the "five-fignered sock" that fits the toes like a glove. Both Japanese shops and online stores sell these trendy socks.
Not just for fashion
For the Japanese, feet are important and should be treated with care. Many Japanese, including shiatsu experts, claim that separting the big toe from the second toe increase circulation. Plus, they believe tabi ease pressure caused by walking on sidewalks and standing on trains.
So whether you're looking for fashion, health or comfort, buy a pair of tabi!
gracefully adv.
eg: The ballet dancer moved gracefully across the stage.
heavy-duty adj. 厚重的/耐用的
eg: You can't cut that wire with small scissors. You'll need a heavy-duty pair to do the job.
eg: The construction workers need to wear heavy-duty workboots to protect their feet.
eg: The heavy-duty tires can deal with all kinds of conditions on the road.
trend n. 時尚/流行
trendy adj. 時髦的/流行的
=> in style/fashion
eg: That trendy coffee shop offers live music on Friday nights.
eg: She wore a trendy hat to go with her new outfit(新行頭).
eg: Quincy opened a trendy restaurant in L.A.
cir-圈圈
circulation n. 循環
eg: Regular exercise helps promote good circulation.
eg: Exercise can improve blood circulation.
eg: Make sure there's good circulation of fresh air in the classroom.
circulation n. 報章雜誌的發行量
=> the movement of blood through vessals
eg: This magazine has a circulation of more than two million.
flip-flop 啪嗒啪嗒的響聲(或動作)
=> special sound
geisha n. (日本的)藝妓
platform n. 平台
tabi n. (日本人穿之)厚底短布襪
shiatsu n. 指壓
=> a form of Japanese masseage
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Modern tabi come in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials.
=> Modern tabi are available in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials.
come in
=> here come means "available"
=> When we want to talk about a variety of products, we use "come in".
eg: This style of jacket comes in three different sizes-small, medium, and large.
eg: Nowadays, cuckoo clocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
//== Chat room ==//
age-old adj. 古老的
=> very old
eg: an age-old tradition
old age 老年(只能用在有生命的東西)
eg: The man became very wealthy when he is old age.
aging 衰老的/老化的(只有中年人會衰老，不能小孩衰老中)
=> whole process of growing old
=> aging is used for people in the middle age
eg: My baby boy is aging (X).
Tabi have inspired some Western fashion designer to create some pretty unique shoes. The split-toe TABI design can eve be found in athletic shoes. For example, Nike sells a split-toe woman's shoe called Air Rift. Daisuke Matsuzaka the star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox is a big fan of split-toe socks. He reportedly has given pairs of tabi to his American teammates.
Traditional Japanese footwear finds fans around the world
Geisha, traditional Japanese entertainers skilled in music and dancing, move gracefully in platform flip-flops. But how do these ladies protect their feet, especially during cold Japanese winters? The answer is tabi, traditional white, split-toe socks that can be worn with flip-flops. Geisha, however, aren't the only ones who wear them. Japanese workers have worn heavy-duty tabi for generations. But now this age-old footwear is gathering all kinds of fans. Modern tabi come in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials. There are different styles, too, including the "five-fignered sock" that fits the toes like a glove. Both Japanese shops and online stores sell these trendy socks.
Not just for fashion
For the Japanese, feet are important and should be treated with care. Many Japanese, including shiatsu experts, claim that separting the big toe from the second toe increase circulation. Plus, they believe tabi ease pressure caused by walking on sidewalks and standing on trains.
So whether you're looking for fashion, health or comfort, buy a pair of tabi!
gracefully adv.
eg: The ballet dancer moved gracefully across the stage.
heavy-duty adj. 厚重的/耐用的
eg: You can't cut that wire with small scissors. You'll need a heavy-duty pair to do the job.
eg: The construction workers need to wear heavy-duty workboots to protect their feet.
eg: The heavy-duty tires can deal with all kinds of conditions on the road.
trend n. 時尚/流行
trendy adj. 時髦的/流行的
=> in style/fashion
eg: That trendy coffee shop offers live music on Friday nights.
eg: She wore a trendy hat to go with her new outfit(新行頭).
eg: Quincy opened a trendy restaurant in L.A.
cir-圈圈
circulation n. 循環
eg: Regular exercise helps promote good circulation.
eg: Exercise can improve blood circulation.
eg: Make sure there's good circulation of fresh air in the classroom.
circulation n. 報章雜誌的發行量
=> the movement of blood through vessals
eg: This magazine has a circulation of more than two million.
flip-flop 啪嗒啪嗒的響聲(或動作)
=> special sound
geisha n. (日本的)藝妓
platform n. 平台
tabi n. (日本人穿之)厚底短布襪
shiatsu n. 指壓
=> a form of Japanese masseage
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Modern tabi come in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials.
=> Modern tabi are available in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials.
come in
=> here come means "available"
=> When we want to talk about a variety of products, we use "come in".
eg: This style of jacket comes in three different sizes-small, medium, and large.
eg: Nowadays, cuckoo clocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
//== Chat room ==//
age-old adj. 古老的
=> very old
eg: an age-old tradition
old age 老年(只能用在有生命的東西)
eg: The man became very wealthy when he is old age.
aging 衰老的/老化的(只有中年人會衰老，不能小孩衰老中)
=> whole process of growing old
=> aging is used for people in the middle age
eg: My baby boy is aging (X).
Tabi have inspired some Western fashion designer to create some pretty unique shoes. The split-toe TABI design can eve be found in athletic shoes. For example, Nike sells a split-toe woman's shoe called Air Rift. Daisuke Matsuzaka the star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox is a big fan of split-toe socks. He reportedly has given pairs of tabi to his American teammates.
2009年7月25日 星期六
20090725 -- Eye-Catching Trees (1)
Eye-Catching Trees
These trees are so special that you’ll take another look!
Henry Ward Beecher, a 19th century minister wrote, "Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is the greatest. A vast and majestic tree is greater than that." Whether majestic or simply unusual, these trees stand out.
Baobabs
Found on the plains of Africa, these trees appear upside down. Their branches, which look more like roots, grow out of abnormally thick trunks. The trunks hold water, sometimes up to 120,000 liters, which helps baobabs survive in Africa's dry climates.
Banyans
Instead of growing up, these unique tress grow outward. From their branches hang aerial roots, which reach to the ground and eventually create new tree trunks. A large banyan tree may look like a forest. The world's largest such tree, the Great Banyan located in Kolkata, India, covers about one and a half hectares.
Redwoods and sequoias
These two related species, found mostly in California, literally stand out for their height and size. Coastal redwoods commonly grow over 100 m tall. Their slightly shorter relatives, giant sequoias, are simply massive. General Sherman, the world's largest tree, weights in at 120,000 kg.
These eye-catching trees are indeed natural treasures worth admiring.
majestic adj. 雄偉的/威嚴的
=> great/wonderful
eg: Peter wants to travel to China so he can see the majestic Great Wall.
stand out
stand out from someone 在一個群體中顯得特別突出
=> different from the other things aroud it
eg: Gareth's strong reading skills make him stand out from his classmates.
eg: Her mathematic skills made her stand out from her classmates.
eg: Her looks really stood out from other beauty contestants.
upside down adv. 上下顛倒的/倒過來的
=> turn 180 degree
eg: This book is turned upside down. You can't read it that way!
eg: The car landed upside down on the road.
eg: The books on the shelf were placed upside down.
upside down adv. 一片混亂地
eg: These naughty kids turned my house upside down.
outward adv. 向外
eg: Because of the heavy rain, the lake filled up and spread outward toward the nearby town.
Eye-Catching 引人注目的
=> catch your eye
=> grab your attention
minister 牧師/神職人員
=> a leader in a church
cathedral 天主教堂
=> a great big church
vast
=> big
slightly adv. 稍微地
=> just a little bit
eg: My next trip to America will be slightly longer than my last one.
aerial root
=> root on top from the air
hec=> one hundred
hectare 公頃
=> 10,000 square meters
literally adv. 按字面意義地
literally adv. (本課)確實地/沒有誇張地
=> to really do
eg: The whole town was literally destroyed by the flood.
eg: Our team literally sees each other every day of the week.
baobab 猴麵包樹(熱帶樹木)
banyan 榕樹
redwood 紅杉木
sequoia (產於美國加州的)紅杉
riddle:
What is the five English word where if you take away the four last letters, the words pronounce the same.
Anser: queue
//== Chat room ==//
church 教堂統稱
chapel 小教堂/附屬於大教堂的小教堂/學校醫院裡面的禮拜堂
=> small church
cathedral 大教堂
=> very beautiful church
一個大教堂通常有:
stained glass windows 彩色玻璃窗
towers 塔樓
columns 大型的柱子
mosaic 馬賽克裝飾
//== Grammer on the go ==//
These eye-catching trees are indeed natural treasures worth admiring.
indeed
=> certainly/without doubt
eg: The wedding is indeed cancelled.
eg: The secretary did indeed send the proposal last week.
be-verb or helping verb + indeed
eg: Is it raining outside? Yes, indeed.
eg: Gary is late again, right? Indeed, he is.
These trees are so special that you’ll take another look!
Henry Ward Beecher, a 19th century minister wrote, "Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is the greatest. A vast and majestic tree is greater than that." Whether majestic or simply unusual, these trees stand out.
Baobabs
Found on the plains of Africa, these trees appear upside down. Their branches, which look more like roots, grow out of abnormally thick trunks. The trunks hold water, sometimes up to 120,000 liters, which helps baobabs survive in Africa's dry climates.
Banyans
Instead of growing up, these unique tress grow outward. From their branches hang aerial roots, which reach to the ground and eventually create new tree trunks. A large banyan tree may look like a forest. The world's largest such tree, the Great Banyan located in Kolkata, India, covers about one and a half hectares.
Redwoods and sequoias
These two related species, found mostly in California, literally stand out for their height and size. Coastal redwoods commonly grow over 100 m tall. Their slightly shorter relatives, giant sequoias, are simply massive. General Sherman, the world's largest tree, weights in at 120,000 kg.
These eye-catching trees are indeed natural treasures worth admiring.
majestic adj. 雄偉的/威嚴的
=> great/wonderful
eg: Peter wants to travel to China so he can see the majestic Great Wall.
stand out
stand out from someone 在一個群體中顯得特別突出
=> different from the other things aroud it
eg: Gareth's strong reading skills make him stand out from his classmates.
eg: Her mathematic skills made her stand out from her classmates.
eg: Her looks really stood out from other beauty contestants.
upside down adv. 上下顛倒的/倒過來的
=> turn 180 degree
eg: This book is turned upside down. You can't read it that way!
eg: The car landed upside down on the road.
eg: The books on the shelf were placed upside down.
upside down adv. 一片混亂地
eg: These naughty kids turned my house upside down.
outward adv. 向外
eg: Because of the heavy rain, the lake filled up and spread outward toward the nearby town.
Eye-Catching 引人注目的
=> catch your eye
=> grab your attention
minister 牧師/神職人員
=> a leader in a church
cathedral 天主教堂
=> a great big church
vast
=> big
slightly adv. 稍微地
=> just a little bit
eg: My next trip to America will be slightly longer than my last one.
aerial root
=> root on top from the air
hec=> one hundred
hectare 公頃
=> 10,000 square meters
literally adv. 按字面意義地
literally adv. (本課)確實地/沒有誇張地
=> to really do
eg: The whole town was literally destroyed by the flood.
eg: Our team literally sees each other every day of the week.
baobab 猴麵包樹(熱帶樹木)
banyan 榕樹
redwood 紅杉木
sequoia (產於美國加州的)紅杉
riddle:
What is the five English word where if you take away the four last letters, the words pronounce the same.
Anser: queue
//== Chat room ==//
church 教堂統稱
chapel 小教堂/附屬於大教堂的小教堂/學校醫院裡面的禮拜堂
=> small church
cathedral 大教堂
=> very beautiful church
一個大教堂通常有:
stained glass windows 彩色玻璃窗
towers 塔樓
columns 大型的柱子
mosaic 馬賽克裝飾
//== Grammer on the go ==//
These eye-catching trees are indeed natural treasures worth admiring.
indeed
=> certainly/without doubt
eg: The wedding is indeed cancelled.
eg: The secretary did indeed send the proposal last week.
be-verb or helping verb + indeed
eg: Is it raining outside? Yes, indeed.
eg: Gary is late again, right? Indeed, he is.
2009年7月24日 星期五
20090724 -- A Car Drives Through It (2)
Conversation A
Lora: Let's go through the drive-thru at Mcdonald's today.
Jack: Why?
Lora: Because it's July 24.
Jack: So?
Lora: It's National Drive-Thru Day!
Jack: You're kidding.
Lora: No, I'm not.
Just think how much more hectic our lives would be without drive-thrus.
Jack: I suppose so. I use the ATM in the drive-through at the bank a lot.
Lora: Me too. But did you know there's a drive-thru convenience store in Missouri?And there is a drive-thru check-in at Hawaiian Airlines in Hawaii.
Jack: That's crazy!
Lora: It is. You can even get married at a drive-thru chapel in Las Vegas.
B: No thanks. That's one thing you should get out of the car to do!
Conversation B at the fast-food driver-thru
Jack: I thought drive-thrus were supposed to be fast. We've been over here over five minutes, and we haven't even order yet.
Lora: That's because the guy in the car ahead of us is asking too many questions.
Jack: Either that or ordering for a family of 10!
Lora: People need to use good manners at a drive-thru. It's for fast service. If you have lots of questions or making a big order, go inside.
Jack: Yes! And at banks, driver-throughs are not the place to discuss banking problems.
Lora: We should write a book on drive-thru manners!
Jack: Yes, but let's order lunch first. I'm starving, and it's finally our turn!
hectic adj. 忙亂的/忙碌的
eg: Mary's hectic day included going to five meetings and having four interviews.
eg: The first week of college is always hectic for freshmen. Everything is new to them.
eg: We got tired of the hectic pace of city life and moved to thesuburbs.
ATM [automated teller machine] n. 自動提款機
eg: You can use your bank card or credit card to get cash from an ATM.
manner n. 事情
manners n. (複數型名詞) 教養/規矩/禮貌
eg: Sean always says "please" and "thank you." He has very nice manners.
eg: The little boy need to be taught good manners.
eg: It's bad manners to speak on a cell phone loudly in a restaurant.
eg: Good table manners are learned at home.
starve v. 挨餓/餓死/感到飢餓
=> You're so hungry. You think you're going to almost die of hunger.
eg: Kevin is starving because he hasn't eaten since last night.
eg: The whole villages starved because the hurricane ruined their access to outside supplies.
eg: I'm starving. Let's order some pizza!
//== Chat room ==//
No thanks.
=> trying to be polite to people when they offer us something we dont' want.
propose v. 求婚
pop the question 求婚
No thanks. (當別人給你一樣東西，你要婉拒他)謝謝我不要，我心領了
No thanks. 不接受某件事，在這裡Jack說他絕對不會在drive-through結婚，這種作法無法苟同
= Thanks, but no thanks.
Lora: Let's go through the drive-thru at Mcdonald's today.
Jack: Why?
Lora: Because it's July 24.
Jack: So?
Lora: It's National Drive-Thru Day!
Jack: You're kidding.
Lora: No, I'm not.
Just think how much more hectic our lives would be without drive-thrus.
Jack: I suppose so. I use the ATM in the drive-through at the bank a lot.
Lora: Me too. But did you know there's a drive-thru convenience store in Missouri?And there is a drive-thru check-in at Hawaiian Airlines in Hawaii.
Jack: That's crazy!
Lora: It is. You can even get married at a drive-thru chapel in Las Vegas.
B: No thanks. That's one thing you should get out of the car to do!
Conversation B at the fast-food driver-thru
Jack: I thought drive-thrus were supposed to be fast. We've been over here over five minutes, and we haven't even order yet.
Lora: That's because the guy in the car ahead of us is asking too many questions.
Jack: Either that or ordering for a family of 10!
Lora: People need to use good manners at a drive-thru. It's for fast service. If you have lots of questions or making a big order, go inside.
Jack: Yes! And at banks, driver-throughs are not the place to discuss banking problems.
Lora: We should write a book on drive-thru manners!
Jack: Yes, but let's order lunch first. I'm starving, and it's finally our turn!
hectic adj. 忙亂的/忙碌的
eg: Mary's hectic day included going to five meetings and having four interviews.
eg: The first week of college is always hectic for freshmen. Everything is new to them.
eg: We got tired of the hectic pace of city life and moved to thesuburbs.
ATM [automated teller machine] n. 自動提款機
eg: You can use your bank card or credit card to get cash from an ATM.
manner n. 事情
manners n. (複數型名詞) 教養/規矩/禮貌
eg: Sean always says "please" and "thank you." He has very nice manners.
eg: The little boy need to be taught good manners.
eg: It's bad manners to speak on a cell phone loudly in a restaurant.
eg: Good table manners are learned at home.
starve v. 挨餓/餓死/感到飢餓
=> You're so hungry. You think you're going to almost die of hunger.
eg: Kevin is starving because he hasn't eaten since last night.
eg: The whole villages starved because the hurricane ruined their access to outside supplies.
eg: I'm starving. Let's order some pizza!
//== Chat room ==//
No thanks.
=> trying to be polite to people when they offer us something we dont' want.
propose v. 求婚
pop the question 求婚
No thanks. (當別人給你一樣東西，你要婉拒他)謝謝我不要，我心領了
No thanks. 不接受某件事，在這裡Jack說他絕對不會在drive-through結婚，這種作法無法苟同
= Thanks, but no thanks.
Taiwan to host first NBA game
from http://www.studentpost.com.tw/
Taiwan to host first NBA game 台灣將首次舉行美國職業籃球比賽
Taiwan will host a National Basketball Association (NBA) game for the first time when the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers play an exhibition game at the Taipei Arena on Oct. 8, a breakthrough for a country in which the NBA has a devoted following. NBA China CEO Tim Chen, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Sports Affairs Council Minister Tai Hsia-ling, and Chinese Taipei Basketball Association Chairman Wang Jen tar were on hand when the announcement was made, with Chen describing the game as the "best gift" for the long-term support of Taiwanese NBA fans.
Taipei will become the 8th Asian city to host an NBA exhibition or regular season game. Tokyo, Yokohoma and Saitama hosted six regular season two-game series between 1990 and 2003, while exhibitions have been held in recent years in Beijing, Guangzhou, Macau, and Shanghai.
"Oct. 8 will be a historic day for the NBA and millions of local fans in Taiwan. We are honored to present two of the best NBA teams to Taiwanese fans, who are full of passion for the game," Chen said.
According to the organizers, a series of NBA-related activities,
including the NBA Cares program that promotes social responsibility and community charity,
will be held before the game between the Nuggets and Pacers is played in the 12,874-seat Taipei Arena.
to host (v.) 主辦/舉辦
Beijing hosted the Olympics for the first time in 2008.
exhibition (n.) 展覽/展示
The National Museum of History is hosting an exhibition of ancient Mayan culture.
breakthrough (n.) 突破/進展
For a boy as timid as John, to have stood up to the class bully is a great personal breakthrough.
council (n.) 委員會/會議
Iran's Guardian Council discovered ballot discrepancies in 50 districts.
association (n.) 協會/會
The Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) provides better communication between students' parents and teachers.
announcement (n.) 公告/宣布
The teacher made an announcement reminding students to bring snacks for the field trip tomorrow.
to promote (v.) 促進/增進
Our best plan for peace is one that promotes equality for both sides.
on hand 在場
There weren't enough drinks on hand for the party, so Bob went out to buy some more.
a historic day 歷史性的日子
This is a historic day in our fight for independence.
full of passion 對…充滿熱情；熱愛
Kobe Bryant is a player who is full of passion for the game of basketball.
Taiwan to host first NBA game 台灣將首次舉行美國職業籃球比賽
Taiwan will host a National Basketball Association (NBA) game for the first time when the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers play an exhibition game at the Taipei Arena on Oct. 8, a breakthrough for a country in which the NBA has a devoted following. NBA China CEO Tim Chen, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Sports Affairs Council Minister Tai Hsia-ling, and Chinese Taipei Basketball Association Chairman Wang Jen tar were on hand when the announcement was made, with Chen describing the game as the "best gift" for the long-term support of Taiwanese NBA fans.
Taipei will become the 8th Asian city to host an NBA exhibition or regular season game. Tokyo, Yokohoma and Saitama hosted six regular season two-game series between 1990 and 2003, while exhibitions have been held in recent years in Beijing, Guangzhou, Macau, and Shanghai.
"Oct. 8 will be a historic day for the NBA and millions of local fans in Taiwan. We are honored to present two of the best NBA teams to Taiwanese fans, who are full of passion for the game," Chen said.
According to the organizers, a series of NBA-related activities,
including the NBA Cares program that promotes social responsibility and community charity,
will be held before the game between the Nuggets and Pacers is played in the 12,874-seat Taipei Arena.
to host (v.) 主辦/舉辦
Beijing hosted the Olympics for the first time in 2008.
exhibition (n.) 展覽/展示
The National Museum of History is hosting an exhibition of ancient Mayan culture.
breakthrough (n.) 突破/進展
For a boy as timid as John, to have stood up to the class bully is a great personal breakthrough.
council (n.) 委員會/會議
Iran's Guardian Council discovered ballot discrepancies in 50 districts.
association (n.) 協會/會
The Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) provides better communication between students' parents and teachers.
announcement (n.) 公告/宣布
The teacher made an announcement reminding students to bring snacks for the field trip tomorrow.
to promote (v.) 促進/增進
Our best plan for peace is one that promotes equality for both sides.
on hand 在場
There weren't enough drinks on hand for the party, so Bob went out to buy some more.
a historic day 歷史性的日子
This is a historic day in our fight for independence.
full of passion 對…充滿熱情；熱愛
Kobe Bryant is a player who is full of passion for the game of basketball.
2009年7月23日 星期四
20090723 -- A Car Drives Through It (1)
A Car Drives Through It
Eat, drink and even get married – all without leaving your car
When you're in a hurry, there's nothing more convenient than a drive-through. Often written "drive-thru," this convenience began due to Americass love affair with cars. Companies wanted to make it easier for people to do business without leaving their cars.
The first bank opened a drive-through in 1946. Fast-food restaurants followed in the late 1940s. Both fast-food restaurants and banks use microphones and speakers to communicate with customers. Fast-food customers give their orders from their car.
Then they drive up next to a window in the building to receive their meals. Banking customers receive their cash from an automatic drawer. Coffee huts and pharmacies have windows where drivers pull up to get coffee or medicine. Alan Hilowitz, a spokesperson for the Starbucks Coffee Company, told The New York Times newspaper, "Drive-throughs are a matter of customer want and customer need. They serve a fast-pace world with people talking on cell phones and trying anything that will squeeze a little more int the day."
microphone n. 麥克風
=> 可簡稱為mic
eg: Speak into the microphone so everyone in the room can hear you.
eg: Please speak into the microphone so we can hear you.
eg: My cell phone has a built-in microphone, so I can record messages.
speaker n. 喇叭
=> speakers that projects you the sound
eg: Loud music came from the five big speakers near the stage.
eg: Many speakers were installed around the auditorium for the concert.
eg: There's no sound coming out from the left-hand speaker of the CD player.
automatic adj. 自動式地
eg: You don't have to turn on the water; it's automatic.
eg: automatic doors 自動門
eg: a fully-automatic washing machine
automatic adj. 自然而然的/一定會有的
eg: There's an automatic fine for overdue payments.
squeeze v. 擠
=> push a little more
eg: If we hurry, we can squeeze in luch before our noon meeting.
spokesperson n. 發言人
=> the person speaks for the company
love affairs 強烈的愛好
drawer n. 抽屜
pharmacy n. 藥房
//== Chat room ==//
America's love affair with cars 美國人對汽車強烈的愛好
love affair
=> American enthusiasm/passion for car
love affair 男女之間的戀情
in love 相愛的
eg: A young couple in love 一對情侶
eg: I'm in love with
in love 對一件事情的愛好
eg: I'm in love with baseball. 我瘋迷棒球
//== Grammer on the go ==//
"Drive-throughs are a matter of customer want and customer need.
= "Drive-throughs are a subject all about customer want and customer need.
be a matter of
= are a subject or situation all about
eg: The new airport regulations are a matter of national security.
eg: A Roman gladiator's (鬥劍者) performance in the arena is a matter of life of death.
Eat, drink and even get married – all without leaving your car
When you're in a hurry, there's nothing more convenient than a drive-through. Often written "drive-thru," this convenience began due to Americass love affair with cars. Companies wanted to make it easier for people to do business without leaving their cars.
The first bank opened a drive-through in 1946. Fast-food restaurants followed in the late 1940s. Both fast-food restaurants and banks use microphones and speakers to communicate with customers. Fast-food customers give their orders from their car.
Then they drive up next to a window in the building to receive their meals. Banking customers receive their cash from an automatic drawer. Coffee huts and pharmacies have windows where drivers pull up to get coffee or medicine. Alan Hilowitz, a spokesperson for the Starbucks Coffee Company, told The New York Times newspaper, "Drive-throughs are a matter of customer want and customer need. They serve a fast-pace world with people talking on cell phones and trying anything that will squeeze a little more int the day."
microphone n. 麥克風
=> 可簡稱為mic
eg: Speak into the microphone so everyone in the room can hear you.
eg: Please speak into the microphone so we can hear you.
eg: My cell phone has a built-in microphone, so I can record messages.
speaker n. 喇叭
=> speakers that projects you the sound
eg: Loud music came from the five big speakers near the stage.
eg: Many speakers were installed around the auditorium for the concert.
eg: There's no sound coming out from the left-hand speaker of the CD player.
automatic adj. 自動式地
eg: You don't have to turn on the water; it's automatic.
eg: automatic doors 自動門
eg: a fully-automatic washing machine
automatic adj. 自然而然的/一定會有的
eg: There's an automatic fine for overdue payments.
squeeze v. 擠
=> push a little more
eg: If we hurry, we can squeeze in luch before our noon meeting.
spokesperson n. 發言人
=> the person speaks for the company
love affairs 強烈的愛好
drawer n. 抽屜
pharmacy n. 藥房
//== Chat room ==//
America's love affair with cars 美國人對汽車強烈的愛好
love affair
=> American enthusiasm/passion for car
love affair 男女之間的戀情
in love 相愛的
eg: A young couple in love 一對情侶
eg: I'm in love with
in love 對一件事情的愛好
eg: I'm in love with baseball. 我瘋迷棒球
//== Grammer on the go ==//
"Drive-throughs are a matter of customer want and customer need.
= "Drive-throughs are a subject all about customer want and customer need.
be a matter of
= are a subject or situation all about
eg: The new airport regulations are a matter of national security.
eg: A Roman gladiator's (鬥劍者) performance in the arena is a matter of life of death.
Interest rates not likely to rise this FY - Ahluwalia
from : http://in.biz.yahoo.com/business-news/index.html
Interest rates not likely to rise this FY - Ahluwalia
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -
Interest rates in India are unlikely to rise during the course of the year and worries about a high fiscal deficit being sustained into the future were misplaced, a top policy adviser said on Wednesday.
"If you are asking me whether I think interest rates are going to harden in the course of the current year, I would not assume that," Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of India's Planning Commission, told reporters.
Analysts expect interest rates may start rising towards the end of the fiscal year as the government plans to borrow a record 4.51 trillion rupees ($93 billion) in 2009/10 to fund a widening fiscal deficit.
fiscal adj. 財政的/會計的
fiscal year 會計年度/財政年度
fiscal deficit 財政赤字
deficit n. 赤字
a foreign trade deficit 外貿逆差
sustain v. 支撐/承受/承擔
harden v. (價格/通貨等)變堅挺/上漲
deputy n. 代理/代理人
eg: You can cowork with my deputy when I am on the holiday.
deputy adj. 代理的/副的[Z]
eg: deputy mayor 代理市長
rupee n. 盧比(印度、斯里蘭卡、尼泊爾等的貨幣單位)
widen v. 放寬/加寬/擴大
eg: The street is now being widened.
Interest rates not likely to rise this FY - Ahluwalia
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -
Interest rates in India are unlikely to rise during the course of the year and worries about a high fiscal deficit being sustained into the future were misplaced, a top policy adviser said on Wednesday.
"If you are asking me whether I think interest rates are going to harden in the course of the current year, I would not assume that," Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of India's Planning Commission, told reporters.
Analysts expect interest rates may start rising towards the end of the fiscal year as the government plans to borrow a record 4.51 trillion rupees ($93 billion) in 2009/10 to fund a widening fiscal deficit.
fiscal adj. 財政的/會計的
fiscal year 會計年度/財政年度
fiscal deficit 財政赤字
deficit n. 赤字
a foreign trade deficit 外貿逆差
sustain v. 支撐/承受/承擔
harden v. (價格/通貨等)變堅挺/上漲
deputy n. 代理/代理人
eg: You can cowork with my deputy when I am on the holiday.
deputy adj. 代理的/副的[Z]
eg: deputy mayor 代理市長
rupee n. 盧比(印度、斯里蘭卡、尼泊爾等的貨幣單位)
widen v. 放寬/加寬/擴大
eg: The street is now being widened.
2009年7月22日 星期三
20090722 -- Get Ready for Unusual Darkness (1)
Get Ready for Unusual Darkness!
Watch the sun go dark in the middle of the day
Ready or not, a total solar eclipse will occur today where people in Asia can see it.
What causes a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun. This always happens during a new moon, but the angle of the moon's orbit keeps an eclipse from occurring every month. About twice a year, the earth and moon's orbits line up so that the moon's shadow falls somewhere on the earth's surface. That is when a solar eclipse occurs.
What is special about this eclipse?
This particular eclipse is special because it will be the longest total solar eclipse in this century. No one alive today will see a longer eclipse as the next long one will not occur until June 13,2132.
The route of the moon's umbral shadow will start in India and cut through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and mainland China. It will then cross Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curve southeast through the Pacific Ocean. It is there that the longest time of total darkness will occur - 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Those places not in direct path will see a partial eclipse from the moon's penumbral shadow.
solar adj. 太陽的
=> the sun
eg: Solar rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
eg: solar power 太陽能
eclipse n. 日食或月食的食
=> something in the sky usually reflects light, it's covered up and becomes dark
solar eclipse 日食
lunar eclipse 月食
partial eclipse of the sun 日偏食
total eclipse of the sun 日全食
eg: In 2010, two solar eclipses will occur.
eg: This Saturday there will be a partial eclipse of the sun.
eclipse v. 蝕/遮蔽
eg: The moon will be partially eclipsed this Friday night.
orbit n. 軌道
eg: The Earth's orbit around the sun is almost a perfect circle.
eg: The satellite was successfully lauched into the orbit of Mars.
eg: The spacecraft will be in orbit around the moon at 16:00.
orbit v. 繞軌道運行
eg: The shuttle is orbiting around the earth right now.
partial adj. 局部的
eg: Andrew could only give a partial description of the accident.
line up 排成一列/排隊
eg: The teacher told kids to line up before leaving the classroom.
eg: The librarian(圖書館員) is lining up the books in alphabetical order on the shelves.
umbral adj. (天) 本影的
=> the darkest part of the shadow
penumbral adj. 半陰影的
=> a partial shadow
//== Chat room ==//
once in a blue moon 很難得/千載難逢的
=> a long period of time
reach for the moon 試圖做很困難的/不可能完成的事
= reach the stars
=> trying to achieve for something that is very difficult
ask for the moon 做出不實際的要求
promise someone the moon 做出不實際的承諾
=> promise something that is impossible
//== More Info ==//
Several tour companies specialize in taking people into moon's umbral path to experience a total solar eclipse. One such company takes views on a 14-night tour to Polynesia where the grand finale is watching a three and a half minute total eclipse.
Another company takes eclipse viewers to China, where they stay on Emei Shan - a mountain which lies in the cener of the UMBRAL path - for FIVE full minutes of daytime darkness.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
The route of the moon's umbral shadow will start in India and cut through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and mainland China. It will then cross Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curve southeast through the Pacific Ocean.
uses different verbs : start, cut through, cross and curve
rather than just say go through
The author uses different verbs to make the route come alive in the article
zigzags, hugs, loops, snakes, winds
eg:
A road could zigzag its way through the forest.
A river can snake its way through the hills.
A path can hug the base of a mountain.
Watch the sun go dark in the middle of the day
Ready or not, a total solar eclipse will occur today where people in Asia can see it.
What causes a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun. This always happens during a new moon, but the angle of the moon's orbit keeps an eclipse from occurring every month. About twice a year, the earth and moon's orbits line up so that the moon's shadow falls somewhere on the earth's surface. That is when a solar eclipse occurs.
What is special about this eclipse?
This particular eclipse is special because it will be the longest total solar eclipse in this century. No one alive today will see a longer eclipse as the next long one will not occur until June 13,2132.
The route of the moon's umbral shadow will start in India and cut through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and mainland China. It will then cross Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curve southeast through the Pacific Ocean. It is there that the longest time of total darkness will occur - 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Those places not in direct path will see a partial eclipse from the moon's penumbral shadow.
solar adj. 太陽的
=> the sun
eg: Solar rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
eg: solar power 太陽能
eclipse n. 日食或月食的食
=> something in the sky usually reflects light, it's covered up and becomes dark
solar eclipse 日食
lunar eclipse 月食
partial eclipse of the sun 日偏食
total eclipse of the sun 日全食
eg: In 2010, two solar eclipses will occur.
eg: This Saturday there will be a partial eclipse of the sun.
eclipse v. 蝕/遮蔽
eg: The moon will be partially eclipsed this Friday night.
orbit n. 軌道
eg: The Earth's orbit around the sun is almost a perfect circle.
eg: The satellite was successfully lauched into the orbit of Mars.
eg: The spacecraft will be in orbit around the moon at 16:00.
orbit v. 繞軌道運行
eg: The shuttle is orbiting around the earth right now.
partial adj. 局部的
eg: Andrew could only give a partial description of the accident.
line up 排成一列/排隊
eg: The teacher told kids to line up before leaving the classroom.
eg: The librarian(圖書館員) is lining up the books in alphabetical order on the shelves.
umbral adj. (天) 本影的
=> the darkest part of the shadow
penumbral adj. 半陰影的
=> a partial shadow
//== Chat room ==//
once in a blue moon 很難得/千載難逢的
=> a long period of time
reach for the moon 試圖做很困難的/不可能完成的事
= reach the stars
=> trying to achieve for something that is very difficult
ask for the moon 做出不實際的要求
promise someone the moon 做出不實際的承諾
=> promise something that is impossible
//== More Info ==//
Several tour companies specialize in taking people into moon's umbral path to experience a total solar eclipse. One such company takes views on a 14-night tour to Polynesia where the grand finale is watching a three and a half minute total eclipse.
Another company takes eclipse viewers to China, where they stay on Emei Shan - a mountain which lies in the cener of the UMBRAL path - for FIVE full minutes of daytime darkness.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
The route of the moon's umbral shadow will start in India and cut through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and mainland China. It will then cross Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curve southeast through the Pacific Ocean.
uses different verbs : start, cut through, cross and curve
rather than just say go through
The author uses different verbs to make the route come alive in the article
zigzags, hugs, loops, snakes, winds
eg:
A road could zigzag its way through the forest.
A river can snake its way through the hills.
A path can hug the base of a mountain.
2009年7月21日 星期二
20090721-- The Final Mile (2)
The Final Mile
Technology experts often talk about the "last mile" problem, which refers to the difficulty of bringing Internet access to remote locations. In cities and suburbs, it's relatively easy to provide access for everyone. It is much more difficult to deliver access to those living far from cities, especially in developing countries. Internet service providers, for their part, have been reluctant to provide access to sparsely populated areas. The handful of Internet subscribers they would reach wouldn't justify the expense. But every year, technological advancements allow broadband access to reach more and more people.
Most broadband connections today run over existing cable TV and telephone lines although these technology aren't available everywhere. Some companies have delivered the Internet over standard power lines. Advancements in cheaper, more efficient fiber optics cables promise to bring blisteringly fast Internet connections to more users. Still, the last mile remains elusive. There will always be somewhere that doesn't have an affordable broadband connection. But someday that might not matter.
If the rapid progress in cell phone technolog is any indication, it may not be too long before an Internet connection simply follows you wherever you go.
sparse adj. 稀少的
sparsely adv. 稀少地/稀疏地
=> there are very very few
eg: Susan sat on the only chair in the middle of the sparsely decorated room.
eg: This sparsely populated area has no freeway.
eg: Dave just moved here, so his house is still sparsely furnished.
just adj.公平的
justify v. 証明...正當的/有充分理由的
=> have good reason
eg: The buses here are so quick that it is hard to justify owing a car.
eg: Higher productivity can justify the cost of purchasing new machines.
eg: No matter the reasons, you cannot justify your rudeness toward your parents.
blistering adj. 極高的/極快的
blisteringly adv. 極度地(大都用來修飾形容或是副詞)
=> very fast, extremely fast
eg: Sam was blisteringly quick and won the race easily.
eg: The cars raced by blisteringly fast.
eg: No one can work in such blisteringly harsh weather conditions.
elusive adj. 難以捉摸的
=> hard to define, difficult to describe
eg: Sandra is so elusive that it's hard to find her.
reluctant adj. 不情願的/勉強的[+to-v]
=> hesitant
eg: I'm reluctant to give up the game.
handful n. 少數/少量
//== Chat room ==//
the final mile
stretch n. 運動場上跑道直線的部份
the final stretch (接近終點的直線跑道)引申出來的意思為最後階段
eg: She's the final stretch of pregnancy. 懷孕的最後階段
the eleventh hour 最後時刻(常用來形容截止前的時刻)
=> the time before you run out of time
Technology experts often talk about the "last mile" problem, which refers to the difficulty of bringing Internet access to remote locations. In cities and suburbs, it's relatively easy to provide access for everyone. It is much more difficult to deliver access to those living far from cities, especially in developing countries. Internet service providers, for their part, have been reluctant to provide access to sparsely populated areas. The handful of Internet subscribers they would reach wouldn't justify the expense. But every year, technological advancements allow broadband access to reach more and more people.
Most broadband connections today run over existing cable TV and telephone lines although these technology aren't available everywhere. Some companies have delivered the Internet over standard power lines. Advancements in cheaper, more efficient fiber optics cables promise to bring blisteringly fast Internet connections to more users. Still, the last mile remains elusive. There will always be somewhere that doesn't have an affordable broadband connection. But someday that might not matter.
If the rapid progress in cell phone technolog is any indication, it may not be too long before an Internet connection simply follows you wherever you go.
sparse adj. 稀少的
sparsely adv. 稀少地/稀疏地
=> there are very very few
eg: Susan sat on the only chair in the middle of the sparsely decorated room.
eg: This sparsely populated area has no freeway.
eg: Dave just moved here, so his house is still sparsely furnished.
just adj.公平的
justify v. 証明...正當的/有充分理由的
=> have good reason
eg: The buses here are so quick that it is hard to justify owing a car.
eg: Higher productivity can justify the cost of purchasing new machines.
eg: No matter the reasons, you cannot justify your rudeness toward your parents.
blistering adj. 極高的/極快的
blisteringly adv. 極度地(大都用來修飾形容或是副詞)
=> very fast, extremely fast
eg: Sam was blisteringly quick and won the race easily.
eg: The cars raced by blisteringly fast.
eg: No one can work in such blisteringly harsh weather conditions.
elusive adj. 難以捉摸的
=> hard to define, difficult to describe
eg: Sandra is so elusive that it's hard to find her.
reluctant adj. 不情願的/勉強的[+to-v]
=> hesitant
eg: I'm reluctant to give up the game.
handful n. 少數/少量
//== Chat room ==//
the final mile
stretch n. 運動場上跑道直線的部份
the final stretch (接近終點的直線跑道)引申出來的意思為最後階段
eg: She's the final stretch of pregnancy. 懷孕的最後階段
the eleventh hour 最後時刻(常用來形容截止前的時刻)
=> the time before you run out of time
2009年7月20日 星期一
20090720-- The Final Mile (1)
The Final Mile
Bringing broadband to the backcountry
Sometimes we have to turn around and look behind us in order to see how far we've come. For me, it happened on a recent visit to a friend who lives on a farm some thirty minutes from town. I wanted to show him a video on YouTube that I liked, so we tried watching it over his dial-up Internet connection. The operative word here is tried. The video skipped and hiccupped. It stuttered and sputtered. It. Was. Agonizing.
Most of us are accustomed to a broadband Internet connection to the point of taking it for granted. Whether cable, DSL or mobile broadband, today's connections are many times faster than those in the days of the poky dial-up modem. Videos play smoothly, complex websites load quickly, and files download in a fraction of the time it would have taken ten years ago. (And the files are much bigger too.) There's a catch, of course: You have to live near enough to a major city to get broadband Internet.
If you don't, it's poky dial-up access for you. And for those living really far out, there may be no Internet access at all.
operate v. 操作/運作
operative adj. 重要的/關鍵的
=> the most important
operative word
=> 一段話中/一段文字中最關鍵的字
eg: The operative factor to her successful diet was exercise.
eg: When she was employed with the company, she made a lot of money. "Was" is the operative word here, because she just got fired last month.
sputter v. 發出拍啪的聲音
eg: The old car sputtered to life when Jordan turned the key.
eg: The air-conditioner sputtered for a while and then completely shut down.
sputter v. 結結巴巴地說話/慌亂的說話
eg: After he heard the news, he sputtered incoherently in a rage.
poky adj. 無生氣的/緩慢的
=> very slow
eg: We were stuck behind a poky old truck all the way down the road.
catch n. 問題
eg: Judy wants this particular book but there is a catch. She has to buy two others to get it.
eg: The price of the house is way too cheap. There must be a catch to it somewhere.
eg: The salary of this job is great, but the catch is that have to work night shifts(上夜班).
broadband n. 寬頻
broadband network 寬頻網路
dial-up 撥接
hiccup v. 打嗝
= hiccough
agonizing adj. 令人痛苦難忍的
DSL[digital subscriber line]
=> high speed Internet
//== Chat room ==//
backcountry 偏僻未開發的地區
wilderness (純樸的/未受污染的)曠野(像荒漠甘泉那樣的曠野)
the outback 偏僻未開發的地區(通常指澳洲內地)
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Most of us are accustomed to a broadband Internet connection to the point of taking it for granted.
to the point of 到...程度
= to the level of
= to the degree of
eg: The travelers were tired to the point of collapsing.
eg: Sandra was mad to the point of not being able to say anything at all.
Bringing broadband to the backcountry
Sometimes we have to turn around and look behind us in order to see how far we've come. For me, it happened on a recent visit to a friend who lives on a farm some thirty minutes from town. I wanted to show him a video on YouTube that I liked, so we tried watching it over his dial-up Internet connection. The operative word here is tried. The video skipped and hiccupped. It stuttered and sputtered. It. Was. Agonizing.
Most of us are accustomed to a broadband Internet connection to the point of taking it for granted. Whether cable, DSL or mobile broadband, today's connections are many times faster than those in the days of the poky dial-up modem. Videos play smoothly, complex websites load quickly, and files download in a fraction of the time it would have taken ten years ago. (And the files are much bigger too.) There's a catch, of course: You have to live near enough to a major city to get broadband Internet.
If you don't, it's poky dial-up access for you. And for those living really far out, there may be no Internet access at all.
operate v. 操作/運作
operative adj. 重要的/關鍵的
=> the most important
operative word
=> 一段話中/一段文字中最關鍵的字
eg: The operative factor to her successful diet was exercise.
eg: When she was employed with the company, she made a lot of money. "Was" is the operative word here, because she just got fired last month.
sputter v. 發出拍啪的聲音
eg: The old car sputtered to life when Jordan turned the key.
eg: The air-conditioner sputtered for a while and then completely shut down.
sputter v. 結結巴巴地說話/慌亂的說話
eg: After he heard the news, he sputtered incoherently in a rage.
poky adj. 無生氣的/緩慢的
=> very slow
eg: We were stuck behind a poky old truck all the way down the road.
catch n. 問題
eg: Judy wants this particular book but there is a catch. She has to buy two others to get it.
eg: The price of the house is way too cheap. There must be a catch to it somewhere.
eg: The salary of this job is great, but the catch is that have to work night shifts(上夜班).
broadband n. 寬頻
broadband network 寬頻網路
dial-up 撥接
hiccup v. 打嗝
= hiccough
agonizing adj. 令人痛苦難忍的
DSL[digital subscriber line]
=> high speed Internet
//== Chat room ==//
backcountry 偏僻未開發的地區
wilderness (純樸的/未受污染的)曠野(像荒漠甘泉那樣的曠野)
the outback 偏僻未開發的地區(通常指澳洲內地)
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Most of us are accustomed to a broadband Internet connection to the point of taking it for granted.
to the point of 到...程度
= to the level of
= to the degree of
eg: The travelers were tired to the point of collapsing.
eg: Sandra was mad to the point of not being able to say anything at all.
2009年7月19日 星期日
20090718 -- Road Trip Safety (1)
Road Trip Safety
Tips to keep you and your family safe on the road
Do you have any road trips planned for the summer? If so, why not review a few safety tips to help you travel safely?
Watch the road
Make sure you're well rested, and stay off your cell phone when you drive. Tiredness and cell phone usage cause serious accidents. When you drive, keep your eyes on the road and your mind on your driving. You may need to react quickly to avoid an accident.
Children's safety
Car crashes cause the most accidental deaths for children worldwide. In some places, child safety seats are required for children until they're over 145 cm. But no matter where you live, children under 13 always ride safest in the back seat.
Adult safety
Statistics show that when car accidents occur, seat belts save lives. People not wearing seat belt have a much higher death rate than those wearing them. Be sure to always wear yours; it's the most effective way to save your life!
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol and driving don't mix -- ever! In many places, drunk driving is the major cause of traffic accidents. Take your trip without the deadly addition of alcohol. This summer, make sure all your road trips end safely and happily!
crash n. 撞擊/毀損
eg: Laurie broke her lag in a car crash last Friday.
eg: Many passengers were injured in the car crash last night.
eg: The survivors of the train crash were rushed to the nearest hospital.
crash v. 撞擊
car crash 車禍
eg: A convertible(跑車) crashed into a store and the driver was seriously injured.
rate n. 比率
eg: The growth rate of children is much higher than 50 years ago because of better food.
eg: The birth rate of many European countries is decreasing continually.
eg: The unemployment rate is increasing due to the recession.
eg: The treatment has a high success rate in treating ulcers(胃潰瘍).
alcohol n.
eg: Never drive your car or motorcycle after drinking alcohol!
drunk adj.
=> a bit out of control. you have too much alcohol so your mind and senses don't work properly.
eg: When the policeman stopped the driver, it was easy to see that the driver was drunk.
deadly adv. 致命地
=> lead to death
eg: The deadly disease finally disappeared due to the development of the vaccine(疫苗).
eg: A deadly virus was found in the water.
tiredness n.
=> fell very tired/exhausted, have no energy
//== Chat room ==//
road trip = car trip ?
road trip 開車旅遊
=> travel by car
hit the road 上路
=> start a journey
eg: Let's hit the road! 我們上路吧
Let's get the show on the road! 開始工作/著手進行
=> get something started
the end of the road 無路可走/結束
=> the conclusion of something
down the road 未來
=> refer to the future
eg: Jack and Mary might have kids down the road.
rocky road 不順利/艱辛的人生道路
=> difficult time of their life
//== Grammer on the go ==//
If so, why not review a few safety tips to help you travel safely?
=> If you do have road trips planned for the summer, why not review a few safety tips to help you travel safely?
If so
=> If it is so
so
=> in the way that was just mentioned
In this text the way that was just mentioned is "Do you have any road trips planned for the summer?"
eg: The weather has been clear and sunny and will remain so until tomorrow.
eg: Billy has always been afraid of germs, and after he had that flu last month he became ever more so.
eg: Are you interested in the lastest fashions and designs? If so, then come visit the fashion fair at the mall.
Tips to keep you and your family safe on the road
Do you have any road trips planned for the summer? If so, why not review a few safety tips to help you travel safely?
Watch the road
Make sure you're well rested, and stay off your cell phone when you drive. Tiredness and cell phone usage cause serious accidents. When you drive, keep your eyes on the road and your mind on your driving. You may need to react quickly to avoid an accident.
Children's safety
Car crashes cause the most accidental deaths for children worldwide. In some places, child safety seats are required for children until they're over 145 cm. But no matter where you live, children under 13 always ride safest in the back seat.
Adult safety
Statistics show that when car accidents occur, seat belts save lives. People not wearing seat belt have a much higher death rate than those wearing them. Be sure to always wear yours; it's the most effective way to save your life!
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol and driving don't mix -- ever! In many places, drunk driving is the major cause of traffic accidents. Take your trip without the deadly addition of alcohol. This summer, make sure all your road trips end safely and happily!
crash n. 撞擊/毀損
eg: Laurie broke her lag in a car crash last Friday.
eg: Many passengers were injured in the car crash last night.
eg: The survivors of the train crash were rushed to the nearest hospital.
crash v. 撞擊
car crash 車禍
eg: A convertible(跑車) crashed into a store and the driver was seriously injured.
rate n. 比率
eg: The growth rate of children is much higher than 50 years ago because of better food.
eg: The birth rate of many European countries is decreasing continually.
eg: The unemployment rate is increasing due to the recession.
eg: The treatment has a high success rate in treating ulcers(胃潰瘍).
alcohol n.
eg: Never drive your car or motorcycle after drinking alcohol!
drunk adj.
=> a bit out of control. you have too much alcohol so your mind and senses don't work properly.
eg: When the policeman stopped the driver, it was easy to see that the driver was drunk.
deadly adv. 致命地
=> lead to death
eg: The deadly disease finally disappeared due to the development of the vaccine(疫苗).
eg: A deadly virus was found in the water.
tiredness n.
=> fell very tired/exhausted, have no energy
//== Chat room ==//
road trip = car trip ?
road trip 開車旅遊
=> travel by car
hit the road 上路
=> start a journey
eg: Let's hit the road! 我們上路吧
Let's get the show on the road! 開始工作/著手進行
=> get something started
the end of the road 無路可走/結束
=> the conclusion of something
down the road 未來
=> refer to the future
eg: Jack and Mary might have kids down the road.
rocky road 不順利/艱辛的人生道路
=> difficult time of their life
//== Grammer on the go ==//
If so, why not review a few safety tips to help you travel safely?
=> If you do have road trips planned for the summer, why not review a few safety tips to help you travel safely?
If so
=> If it is so
so
=> in the way that was just mentioned
In this text the way that was just mentioned is "Do you have any road trips planned for the summer?"
eg: The weather has been clear and sunny and will remain so until tomorrow.
eg: Billy has always been afraid of germs, and after he had that flu last month he became ever more so.
eg: Are you interested in the lastest fashions and designs? If so, then come visit the fashion fair at the mall.
2009年7月17日 星期五
20090717 The 2009 World Games (3)
The 2009 World Games
Boules sports
Based on an ancient Roman game, the name boules comes from the French word for balls. Teams of players take turns tossing balls toward a small ball. Players are awarded points if their large balls land closer to the small ball than those of their adversaries.
Climbing
A relatively new activity, competitive climbing has grown quickly in popularity. In climbing, athletes either race to the top of identical rock walls, or the compete to complete the most difficult climbing routes.
Rugby sevens
In rugby, teams of players carry, kick, pass and run a ball to scores as many points as possible. Unlike conventional rugby, which uses teams of 15 players, rugby sevens pits two teams of seven against each other in short 15-minute matches. The result is a game that maintains the essence of rugby but is extraordinarily fast-paced and requires a high degree of strategy. In Kaohsiung, rugby sevens will be held in a brand-new stadium. Since their beginning in 1981, the World Games have continuously grown in both size and importance. This year's Kaohsiung Games, with an estimated 4,500 athletes competing in 31 sports, promise to be the most successful and exciting yet.
boules n. 法國式滾球遊戲
adversary C.(可數名詞)對手
=> opponent
eg: Payton has been my adversary in the last three hockey games.
eg: Victor sees Johnny as his main adversary in the company.
eg: Germany and Brazil, long-time soccer adversaries, will compete against each other again this year.
relative adj. 相對的/相關的
relatively adv. 相對地/比較上地
=> comparatively
eg: Math is a relatively difficult subject for me.
eg: The cost of living here is relatively lower than Tokyo's.
eg: Relatively speaking, students who go to private schools achieve better grades.
essence n. 精髓/精華
=> essential
eg: Mr. Mitchell thinks that good planning is the essence of good decision-making.
eg: The essence of Japanese cuisine is the freshness of the ingredients and the layout of the food.
eg: The essence of cheerleading is teamwork.
essence n. 精油
eg: essence of chamomiles 小甘菊的精油
chamomile 甘菊
= camomile
extraordinarily adv. 格外地
eg: The cost of eating in that restaurant is extraordinarily high.
pit v. 使相鬥/使競爭
pit against
=> to make two opponent fight/compete each other
//== Chat room ==//
land v. 落地/
land on one feet 安然度過難關
land v. 獲得
=> gain
land a job 得到工作
land a fish 獲得魚
land a big price 抽到大獎
//== Grammer on the go ==//
A relatively new activity, competitive climbing has grown quickly in popularity.
=> Competitive climbing is a relatively new activity. + Competitive
climbing has grown quickly in popularity.
=> Competitive climbing is a relatively new activity and has grown
quickly in popularity.
eg: James is a third-year Ph.D. candidate. He is studying in Paris.
= A third-year Ph.D. candidate, James is studying in Paris.
eg: Karen is a serious ballet student. She is taking six classes per week.
= A serious ballet student, Karen is taking six classes per week.
Boules sports
Based on an ancient Roman game, the name boules comes from the French word for balls. Teams of players take turns tossing balls toward a small ball. Players are awarded points if their large balls land closer to the small ball than those of their adversaries.
Climbing
A relatively new activity, competitive climbing has grown quickly in popularity. In climbing, athletes either race to the top of identical rock walls, or the compete to complete the most difficult climbing routes.
Rugby sevens
In rugby, teams of players carry, kick, pass and run a ball to scores as many points as possible. Unlike conventional rugby, which uses teams of 15 players, rugby sevens pits two teams of seven against each other in short 15-minute matches. The result is a game that maintains the essence of rugby but is extraordinarily fast-paced and requires a high degree of strategy. In Kaohsiung, rugby sevens will be held in a brand-new stadium. Since their beginning in 1981, the World Games have continuously grown in both size and importance. This year's Kaohsiung Games, with an estimated 4,500 athletes competing in 31 sports, promise to be the most successful and exciting yet.
boules n. 法國式滾球遊戲
adversary C.(可數名詞)對手
=> opponent
eg: Payton has been my adversary in the last three hockey games.
eg: Victor sees Johnny as his main adversary in the company.
eg: Germany and Brazil, long-time soccer adversaries, will compete against each other again this year.
relative adj. 相對的/相關的
relatively adv. 相對地/比較上地
=> comparatively
eg: Math is a relatively difficult subject for me.
eg: The cost of living here is relatively lower than Tokyo's.
eg: Relatively speaking, students who go to private schools achieve better grades.
essence n. 精髓/精華
=> essential
eg: Mr. Mitchell thinks that good planning is the essence of good decision-making.
eg: The essence of Japanese cuisine is the freshness of the ingredients and the layout of the food.
eg: The essence of cheerleading is teamwork.
essence n. 精油
eg: essence of chamomiles 小甘菊的精油
chamomile 甘菊
= camomile
extraordinarily adv. 格外地
eg: The cost of eating in that restaurant is extraordinarily high.
pit v. 使相鬥/使競爭
pit against
=> to make two opponent fight/compete each other
//== Chat room ==//
land v. 落地/
land on one feet 安然度過難關
land v. 獲得
=> gain
land a job 得到工作
land a fish 獲得魚
land a big price 抽到大獎
//== Grammer on the go ==//
A relatively new activity, competitive climbing has grown quickly in popularity.
=> Competitive climbing is a relatively new activity. + Competitive
climbing has grown quickly in popularity.
=> Competitive climbing is a relatively new activity and has grown
quickly in popularity.
eg: James is a third-year Ph.D. candidate. He is studying in Paris.
= A third-year Ph.D. candidate, James is studying in Paris.
eg: Karen is a serious ballet student. She is taking six classes per week.
= A serious ballet student, Karen is taking six classes per week.
2009年7月16日 星期四
20090716 -- The 2009 World Games (2)
The 2009 World Games
With its mixture of Olympic spirit and diverse sports, the World Games take on a character all their own. Among the difference sports featured in Kaohsiung, be sure to watch for the following:
Tumbling
In tumbling, gymnasts use quick and complex bounds, springs and flips to move down a 25 m track. Tumbling uses many of the same skills as other gymnastic disciplines, but a six-second time limit makes it a particularly spectular sport to watch. During the games, tumbling and other gymnastic disciplines will be help in the state-of-the-art Kaoshiung Arena.
Tug-of-war
An event that relies heavily on strength and teamwork, tug-of-war is a sport with ancient roots. Two teams of eight pull on opposite ends of a rope. A team wins by pulling the center of the rope a full four m away from the opposition. In Kaohsiung, tug-of-war will be held at the National Sun Yat-Sen University.
Wushu
The sport of modern wushu, based on traditional Chinese martial arts, is composed of two disciplines. In the first, called taolu(套路), athletes are judged on their performance of a serious of kicks, punches and jumps. In the second, called sanda(散打), athelets face off in full-contract sparring.
bound n. 跳躍
-> jump
eg: Charlotte jumped over the fence in one bound.
flip n. 翻轉
-> turn around
eg: Steve did an an amazing flip when he jumped into the pool.
oppose v. 反對
opposite adj. 相反的
opposition n. 反對/抵抗
opposition n. 對方的隊伍/對手(前面都要加the)(集合名詞，指整個團體)
=> the opposition
eg: The opposition in the speech contest will be tough.
eg: The opposttion has a strong defense, so today's game is going to be tough.
martial art 武術
eg: Ben has been practicing this particular martial art for most of his life.
state-of-the-art 最先進/最高級的(通常用來形容科技產品)
eg: They use state-of-the-art recording equipment at their studio.
eg: The museum uses a state-of-the-art security system.
spar v. 拳鬥/出拳/爭吵
sparred sparring
eg: The two boxes were sparring to test each other.
spar v. 爭吵
eg: This newlywed couple ae sparring over minor things again.
tumbling 翻跟頭/翻滾
gymnastic adj. 體操的/體操訓練的
gymnastic n. 體操課/體操技巧
tug-of-war 拔河
//== Chat room ==//
hand
=> slap 甩巴掌/掌擊
fist 拳頭
=> punch 用拳猛擊
punching the clock 打卡
punch in 簽到
punch out 簽退
pull punches (出拳時，不用權力)微婉的批評(通常用於否定句)
eg: What do you think of my performance? Don't pull any punches.
With its mixture of Olympic spirit and diverse sports, the World Games take on a character all their own. Among the difference sports featured in Kaohsiung, be sure to watch for the following:
Tumbling
In tumbling, gymnasts use quick and complex bounds, springs and flips to move down a 25 m track. Tumbling uses many of the same skills as other gymnastic disciplines, but a six-second time limit makes it a particularly spectular sport to watch. During the games, tumbling and other gymnastic disciplines will be help in the state-of-the-art Kaoshiung Arena.
Tug-of-war
An event that relies heavily on strength and teamwork, tug-of-war is a sport with ancient roots. Two teams of eight pull on opposite ends of a rope. A team wins by pulling the center of the rope a full four m away from the opposition. In Kaohsiung, tug-of-war will be held at the National Sun Yat-Sen University.
Wushu
The sport of modern wushu, based on traditional Chinese martial arts, is composed of two disciplines. In the first, called taolu(套路), athletes are judged on their performance of a serious of kicks, punches and jumps. In the second, called sanda(散打), athelets face off in full-contract sparring.
bound n. 跳躍
-> jump
eg: Charlotte jumped over the fence in one bound.
flip n. 翻轉
-> turn around
eg: Steve did an an amazing flip when he jumped into the pool.
oppose v. 反對
opposite adj. 相反的
opposition n. 反對/抵抗
opposition n. 對方的隊伍/對手(前面都要加the)(集合名詞，指整個團體)
=> the opposition
eg: The opposition in the speech contest will be tough.
eg: The opposttion has a strong defense, so today's game is going to be tough.
martial art 武術
eg: Ben has been practicing this particular martial art for most of his life.
state-of-the-art 最先進/最高級的(通常用來形容科技產品)
eg: They use state-of-the-art recording equipment at their studio.
eg: The museum uses a state-of-the-art security system.
spar v. 拳鬥/出拳/爭吵
sparred sparring
eg: The two boxes were sparring to test each other.
spar v. 爭吵
eg: This newlywed couple ae sparring over minor things again.
tumbling 翻跟頭/翻滾
gymnastic adj. 體操的/體操訓練的
gymnastic n. 體操課/體操技巧
tug-of-war 拔河
//== Chat room ==//
hand
=> slap 甩巴掌/掌擊
fist 拳頭
=> punch 用拳猛擊
punching the clock 打卡
punch in 簽到
punch out 簽退
pull punches (出拳時，不用權力)微婉的批評(通常用於否定句)
eg: What do you think of my performance? Don't pull any punches.
2009年7月15日 星期三
20090715 -- The 2009 World Games (1)
The 2009 World Games
Kaohsiung welcomes the world
This month, visitors from around the world converge on Kaohsiung to participate in one of the world's foremost athletic competitions – the World Games. Though independent of the Olympics, the World Games have much in common with their larger Olympic cousin. Both competitions follow the principles of the Olympic Charter, and both are held every four years. Like the Olympics, the World Games begin with an opening ceremony and conclude with a closing ceremony. But most importantly, both seek to unite people from around the world through friendly competition.
Though the similarities are important, the differences between the two competitions are what really set the World Games apart. Unlike the Olympics, the World Games do not require the host city to build new facilities, but encourage it to make use of existing venues. As a result, a broad range of cities from Duisburg, Germany, to Akita, Japan, is eligible to host the event.
More importantly, the World Games intentionally include sports that, while recognized by the International Olymplic Committee, are not included in the Olympic Games. Consequently, the World Games offer a collection of popular and exciting sports that appeal to a broad audience.
converge v. 聚集/會合
-> meet together
eg: Each morning the students converge on the playground to begin the school day.
eg: Medical professionals converged on the conference to exchange ideas.
eg: Many residents converged outside of the community center to protest the meeting.
charter n. 憲章
=> document that gives definitions to a organization
eg: The role of the school in the surrounding community is explained
in the university's charter.
venue n. 事情發生或集合的地點
=> a place where activities take place
eg: The city has prepared a number of terrific venues for both tourists and business visitors.
eg: The Hyatt Hotel, the venue for the film festival, is fully packed this week.
eg: The school's gymnasium is an ideal venue for our basketball competition.
eligible adj. 合格的/符合條件的
-> have legal right to do something
eligible for + 職務/機會
eligible to + 事
eg: Terry is meeting with the students who are eligible to join the school basketball team.
eg: Ricky is nearsighted, so he's not eligible for the air force.
eg: Susan already got her credentials, so she is eligible to teach now.
foremost adj. 第一流的/最重要的
conclude v. 結束
conclude with
= end with
eg: The meeting concluded just now.
host city 主辦城市
//== Chat room ==//
set aside 放在一邊/擱置在一旁
-> reserve
eg: She sets aside some money for rainy days.
set apart 使某樣東西顯得突出
eg: Her good looks set apart from classmates.
set about 著手開始
-> start/begin
eg: It all depends on how you set about it.
Kaohsiung welcomes the world
This month, visitors from around the world converge on Kaohsiung to participate in one of the world's foremost athletic competitions – the World Games. Though independent of the Olympics, the World Games have much in common with their larger Olympic cousin. Both competitions follow the principles of the Olympic Charter, and both are held every four years. Like the Olympics, the World Games begin with an opening ceremony and conclude with a closing ceremony. But most importantly, both seek to unite people from around the world through friendly competition.
Though the similarities are important, the differences between the two competitions are what really set the World Games apart. Unlike the Olympics, the World Games do not require the host city to build new facilities, but encourage it to make use of existing venues. As a result, a broad range of cities from Duisburg, Germany, to Akita, Japan, is eligible to host the event.
More importantly, the World Games intentionally include sports that, while recognized by the International Olymplic Committee, are not included in the Olympic Games. Consequently, the World Games offer a collection of popular and exciting sports that appeal to a broad audience.
converge v. 聚集/會合
-> meet together
eg: Each morning the students converge on the playground to begin the school day.
eg: Medical professionals converged on the conference to exchange ideas.
eg: Many residents converged outside of the community center to protest the meeting.
charter n. 憲章
=> document that gives definitions to a organization
eg: The role of the school in the surrounding community is explained
in the university's charter.
venue n. 事情發生或集合的地點
=> a place where activities take place
eg: The city has prepared a number of terrific venues for both tourists and business visitors.
eg: The Hyatt Hotel, the venue for the film festival, is fully packed this week.
eg: The school's gymnasium is an ideal venue for our basketball competition.
eligible adj. 合格的/符合條件的
-> have legal right to do something
eligible for + 職務/機會
eligible to + 事
eg: Terry is meeting with the students who are eligible to join the school basketball team.
eg: Ricky is nearsighted, so he's not eligible for the air force.
eg: Susan already got her credentials, so she is eligible to teach now.
foremost adj. 第一流的/最重要的
conclude v. 結束
conclude with
= end with
eg: The meeting concluded just now.
host city 主辦城市
//== Chat room ==//
set aside 放在一邊/擱置在一旁
-> reserve
eg: She sets aside some money for rainy days.
set apart 使某樣東西顯得突出
eg: Her good looks set apart from classmates.
set about 著手開始
-> start/begin
eg: It all depends on how you set about it.
20090714 -- Bucket of Berries (2)
Bucket of Berries
"Crazy? I am not crazy!" screamed Brown Bear.
"Now take it back!"
"Never!" shouted Grizzly.
"Now, now," interrupted the activity chairbear,
trying to take control of the situation.
But the two bears continued to squabble.
By this time, the other bears were taking sides.
Most took up for Brown Bear.
But a few defended Old Grizzly.
Then suddenly, Old Grizzly gave Brown Bear a big shove.
"There!" he said boldly.
"Take that!"
"Ahhh!" Everyone held their breath.
Brown Bear and Old Grizzly often argued,
but never before had they actually fought.
Everyone was silent. Everyone wondered what would happen next.
Just then ...
"Hey, everybody, take a look!" cried Scout unexpectedly.
"My bucket's full of berries!"
Scout's announcement took everyone by surprise!
In fact, no one knew what to say or do.
Finally Old Grizzly began to smile.
"My, my, Scout," he said, shaking his head from side to side.
"It looks like you're the winner!"
And he picked Scout up off the ground and gave him a big bear hug.
"Congratulations!" he grinned.
Bears and people, take notice!
Don't spend time arguing uselessly.
Instead, take advantage of the time you have.
squabble v. 為了小事爭吵發生口角
-> have a argument
squabble over/about something
eg: Let's not squabble about who will go first. I will.
eg: The two sisters squabbled about who take a shower first.
squabble n. 為了小事爭吵發生口角
eg: The silly family's squabble became a joke in the neighborhood.
shove n. 推/撞
-> strong push
give someone a shove 推/撞某人一下
eg: Mike gave me a shove and I fell into the pool! Splash!
eg: Wesley gave his sister a big shove and she fell on the ground.
shove v. 推/撞
eg: Everyone was pushing and shoving their way out of the auditorium(體育館) after the concert.
uselessly adv. 沒用地
eg: You're studying uselessly. The test was yesterday.
take advantage of something 利用
eg: We took advantage of the nice weather and went hiking.
take advantage of 利用某個對象以利己
eg: Hank took advantage of Mary's kindness and broke her heart.
take it back
take control of
take sides
-> support
take up for
grin v. 露齒而笑
bear hug
-> very big/strong hug
//== Chat room ==//
"Now, now," interrupted the activity chairbear
Now, now 小朋友做錯事，大人譴責他們可說Now, now
Now pay attention. 放在命令句的句首，當作提示語來引起別人的注意
My, my
=> Oh my goodness!
=> Oh! My.
=> 表示非常surprise
//== Grammer on the go ==//
"Now, now," interrupted the activity chairbear, trying to take control of the situation.
now, now 用於口語
-> gentle or polite way to show that he/she doesn't accept someone else saying or doing and would like to encourage different kinds of behaviors or response.
eg: "Now, now," said the teacher, "there's no need for any name-calling in the classroom."
eg: "Now, now, children, let's be quiet and find our seats for dinner quickly," said the babysitter.
"Crazy? I am not crazy!" screamed Brown Bear.
"Now take it back!"
"Never!" shouted Grizzly.
"Now, now," interrupted the activity chairbear,
trying to take control of the situation.
But the two bears continued to squabble.
By this time, the other bears were taking sides.
Most took up for Brown Bear.
But a few defended Old Grizzly.
Then suddenly, Old Grizzly gave Brown Bear a big shove.
"There!" he said boldly.
"Take that!"
"Ahhh!" Everyone held their breath.
Brown Bear and Old Grizzly often argued,
but never before had they actually fought.
Everyone was silent. Everyone wondered what would happen next.
Just then ...
"Hey, everybody, take a look!" cried Scout unexpectedly.
"My bucket's full of berries!"
Scout's announcement took everyone by surprise!
In fact, no one knew what to say or do.
Finally Old Grizzly began to smile.
"My, my, Scout," he said, shaking his head from side to side.
"It looks like you're the winner!"
And he picked Scout up off the ground and gave him a big bear hug.
"Congratulations!" he grinned.
Bears and people, take notice!
Don't spend time arguing uselessly.
Instead, take advantage of the time you have.
squabble v. 為了小事爭吵發生口角
-> have a argument
squabble over/about something
eg: Let's not squabble about who will go first. I will.
eg: The two sisters squabbled about who take a shower first.
squabble n. 為了小事爭吵發生口角
eg: The silly family's squabble became a joke in the neighborhood.
shove n. 推/撞
-> strong push
give someone a shove 推/撞某人一下
eg: Mike gave me a shove and I fell into the pool! Splash!
eg: Wesley gave his sister a big shove and she fell on the ground.
shove v. 推/撞
eg: Everyone was pushing and shoving their way out of the auditorium(體育館) after the concert.
uselessly adv. 沒用地
eg: You're studying uselessly. The test was yesterday.
take advantage of something 利用
eg: We took advantage of the nice weather and went hiking.
take advantage of 利用某個對象以利己
eg: Hank took advantage of Mary's kindness and broke her heart.
take it back
take control of
take sides
-> support
take up for
grin v. 露齒而笑
bear hug
-> very big/strong hug
//== Chat room ==//
"Now, now," interrupted the activity chairbear
Now, now 小朋友做錯事，大人譴責他們可說Now, now
Now pay attention. 放在命令句的句首，當作提示語來引起別人的注意
My, my
=> Oh my goodness!
=> Oh! My.
=> 表示非常surprise
//== Grammer on the go ==//
"Now, now," interrupted the activity chairbear, trying to take control of the situation.
now, now 用於口語
-> gentle or polite way to show that he/she doesn't accept someone else saying or doing and would like to encourage different kinds of behaviors or response.
eg: "Now, now," said the teacher, "there's no need for any name-calling in the classroom."
eg: "Now, now, children, let's be quiet and find our seats for dinner quickly," said the babysitter.
2009年7月14日 星期二
20090713 -- Bucket of Berries (1)
Bucket of Berries
Bring your bucket. We're going berry picking!
"Attention, all bears! Attention, all bears!"
called the activity chairbear for the annual picnic.
"The Bucket-of-Berries Contest is about to take place.
Those taking part should go to the berry patch immediately.
And don't forget to take along a bucket!"
Bears everywhere stopped what they were doing and rushed to the contest area.
After all, the Bucket-of-Berries Contest was the most exciting event of the day.
"Now gather around," the chairbear began.
"Let me take a moment to explain the rules. They're very simple.
When I say 'Go!' you may begin picking berries.
Fill your buckets as quickly as you can. But take care! Don't spill any.
Because as you know, the first bear to fill his bucket wins!
Now. is everybody ready? On your mark, get set. GO!
"Wait for me!" cried Scout.
"I'm coming too!"
"You?" laughed Old Grizzly.
"Why, you're just a cub, Scout. You're much too small,
and much too slow, to take us on!"
"I am smaller. And I am slower," agreed Scout.
"But I'll take my chances. Besides, gathering berries is fun.
If I do my best, it really doesn't matter if I win or lose."
"Good!" said Old Grizzly.
"Because you're not going to win. I am!"
"You?" growled Brown Bear.
"Don't take winning for granted. After all, I just might win instead!"
"That's ridiculous!" Grizzly hollered.
"Do you really think you can beat me? You're crazy!"
annual adj.
-> yearly
eg: Every summer our church has a big picnic. It's an annual event.
patch n. 一小塊田地
eg: The patch of land is very rocky.
eg: a vegetable patch 種青菜的田
eg: The tomato patch in our backyard was ruined by our neighbor's dog.
patch n. 補丁
eg: The patch on the little boy's pants is so obvious.
ridiculous adj. 荒謬的
-> foolish
eg: Elephants cannot ride bicycles! That's ridiculous!
take along 帶著/隨身攜帶
-> take it with you
eg: Don't forget to take along your belongs with you when you leave the bus.
eg: Terry took along his girlfriend to the company's banquet(宴會).
cub n. 幼獸
-> young bear
take palce
=> happen
take care
=> be careful
=> goodbye
spill v. 使溢出
eg: Don't cry over spilled milk. 覆水難收
take part
-> participate in
take someone on 挑戰/較量
=> challenge
=> compete with someone
eg: The bully(惡霸) at school always hits Sean, so today Sean finally took him on.
eg: Our basketball team will take on the state champion tonight.
take chances 冒險
=> take a risk in trying to do something
take something for granted 認為某事理所當然
holler v. 叫喊/發牢騷
//== Chat room ==//
bucket n. 水桶
a drop in the bucket 杯水車薪/數量很少
eg: The fund in the research is just a drop in the bucket.
kick the bucket 翹辮子(通俗的俚語)
=> die
basket case 無助/很窮的國家/虧錢即將要倒閉的企業
eg: After years of recession, a country is an economic basket case.
Bring your bucket. We're going berry picking!
"Attention, all bears! Attention, all bears!"
called the activity chairbear for the annual picnic.
"The Bucket-of-Berries Contest is about to take place.
Those taking part should go to the berry patch immediately.
And don't forget to take along a bucket!"
Bears everywhere stopped what they were doing and rushed to the contest area.
After all, the Bucket-of-Berries Contest was the most exciting event of the day.
"Now gather around," the chairbear began.
"Let me take a moment to explain the rules. They're very simple.
When I say 'Go!' you may begin picking berries.
Fill your buckets as quickly as you can. But take care! Don't spill any.
Because as you know, the first bear to fill his bucket wins!
Now. is everybody ready? On your mark, get set. GO!
"Wait for me!" cried Scout.
"I'm coming too!"
"You?" laughed Old Grizzly.
"Why, you're just a cub, Scout. You're much too small,
and much too slow, to take us on!"
"I am smaller. And I am slower," agreed Scout.
"But I'll take my chances. Besides, gathering berries is fun.
If I do my best, it really doesn't matter if I win or lose."
"Good!" said Old Grizzly.
"Because you're not going to win. I am!"
"You?" growled Brown Bear.
"Don't take winning for granted. After all, I just might win instead!"
"That's ridiculous!" Grizzly hollered.
"Do you really think you can beat me? You're crazy!"
annual adj.
-> yearly
eg: Every summer our church has a big picnic. It's an annual event.
patch n. 一小塊田地
eg: The patch of land is very rocky.
eg: a vegetable patch 種青菜的田
eg: The tomato patch in our backyard was ruined by our neighbor's dog.
patch n. 補丁
eg: The patch on the little boy's pants is so obvious.
ridiculous adj. 荒謬的
-> foolish
eg: Elephants cannot ride bicycles! That's ridiculous!
take along 帶著/隨身攜帶
-> take it with you
eg: Don't forget to take along your belongs with you when you leave the bus.
eg: Terry took along his girlfriend to the company's banquet(宴會).
cub n. 幼獸
-> young bear
take palce
=> happen
take care
=> be careful
=> goodbye
spill v. 使溢出
eg: Don't cry over spilled milk. 覆水難收
take part
-> participate in
take someone on 挑戰/較量
=> challenge
=> compete with someone
eg: The bully(惡霸) at school always hits Sean, so today Sean finally took him on.
eg: Our basketball team will take on the state champion tonight.
take chances 冒險
=> take a risk in trying to do something
take something for granted 認為某事理所當然
holler v. 叫喊/發牢騷
//== Chat room ==//
bucket n. 水桶
a drop in the bucket 杯水車薪/數量很少
eg: The fund in the research is just a drop in the bucket.
kick the bucket 翹辮子(通俗的俚語)
=> die
basket case 無助/很窮的國家/虧錢即將要倒閉的企業
eg: After years of recession, a country is an economic basket case.
2009年7月12日 星期日
20090711 Emma Roberts (2)
Emma Roberts
Film success
In 2006, Emma returned to the big screen in Aquamarine as a girl who found a mermaid in a swimming pool. Then in 2007, she played her biggest role yet - teenage detective Nancy Drew, in the film version of the best-selling mystery novels.
Earlier this year, Emma starred in the movie Hotel for Dogs in which she and her little brother opened a shelter for stray dogs. Emma also appeared in two independent films this year, both of which premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
A bright future
As she takes on more grown-up film roles, Emma hopes to follow in the footsteps of actors like Shia KaBeouf and Anne Hathaway. She admires the way they effortlessly transitioned from children's roles to more mature roles. For now, however, Emma's next "role" will involve hitting the books! This fall Emma, who has been homeschooled most of her life, plans to start university. She hopes to devote most of her time to studying literature but says she'll be keeping her eyes open for movie projects. There's no doubt wherever she is on campus or on set - this Hollywood heir will continue to make a name for herself!
version n. 版本/形式
eg: Which version of the story did you enjoy most : the book, the play or the movie?
eg: The latest version of this computer game is already out of stock.
eg: The Chinese version of this novel will be published in September.
version n. 說法
eg: David's version of the quarrel is completely different from his wife's.
stray adj. 流浪的
eg: Melissa started a local organization taht helps stray cats and dogs find good homes.
hit the books 為了考試趕緊K書
eg: After playing soccer all afternoon, Tommy hit the books because he had a big test the next day.
eg: Tomorrow is the final exam. I need to go home and hit the books now.
eg: Since Diane stayed up hitting the books all night last night, she looked very tired today.
heir n. 後嗣/繼承人
heir to
eg: That young man is the heir to an oil fortune. One day, he will inherit billions of dollars.
eg: The royal couple has been married for 10 years but still have no heir to the throne.
eg: Eric is heir to this large estate in Wales.
mermaid n. 美人魚
stray dog
=> dog have no home and no owner
independent adj. 獨立的
prestigious
=> well-known
=> well-respective
premiere v. 初次上演
-> to give a first public performance of
make a name for oneself
-> work to make yourself distinct/different from some other people around you
//== Chat room ==//
homeschool v. 在家教育
homeschooling 在家教育
homeschooling child
brick-and-mortar school 實質的有教學場所的學校
-> family base home school
-> brick is the material to construct the building 磚頭
-> mortar help the brick together 水泥和沙子的混合物
brick-and-mortar stores 實質的商店
<->
online stores 線上商店
virtual stores 虛擬商店
National Spelling Bee 全國英文拼字比賽
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Then in 2007, she played her biggest role yet ...
-> Then in 2007, she played her biggest role up to now ...
yet
= at this time
= up to the present
eg: Last week, the Thompson family received the best news yet - Mrs Thompson's test result showed that she does not have cancer.
eg: Stanley ate 40 hotdogs in the minutes at the school carnival; this is the school's fastest record yet.
Film success
In 2006, Emma returned to the big screen in Aquamarine as a girl who found a mermaid in a swimming pool. Then in 2007, she played her biggest role yet - teenage detective Nancy Drew, in the film version of the best-selling mystery novels.
Earlier this year, Emma starred in the movie Hotel for Dogs in which she and her little brother opened a shelter for stray dogs. Emma also appeared in two independent films this year, both of which premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
A bright future
As she takes on more grown-up film roles, Emma hopes to follow in the footsteps of actors like Shia KaBeouf and Anne Hathaway. She admires the way they effortlessly transitioned from children's roles to more mature roles. For now, however, Emma's next "role" will involve hitting the books! This fall Emma, who has been homeschooled most of her life, plans to start university. She hopes to devote most of her time to studying literature but says she'll be keeping her eyes open for movie projects. There's no doubt wherever she is on campus or on set - this Hollywood heir will continue to make a name for herself!
version n. 版本/形式
eg: Which version of the story did you enjoy most : the book, the play or the movie?
eg: The latest version of this computer game is already out of stock.
eg: The Chinese version of this novel will be published in September.
version n. 說法
eg: David's version of the quarrel is completely different from his wife's.
stray adj. 流浪的
eg: Melissa started a local organization taht helps stray cats and dogs find good homes.
hit the books 為了考試趕緊K書
eg: After playing soccer all afternoon, Tommy hit the books because he had a big test the next day.
eg: Tomorrow is the final exam. I need to go home and hit the books now.
eg: Since Diane stayed up hitting the books all night last night, she looked very tired today.
heir n. 後嗣/繼承人
heir to
eg: That young man is the heir to an oil fortune. One day, he will inherit billions of dollars.
eg: The royal couple has been married for 10 years but still have no heir to the throne.
eg: Eric is heir to this large estate in Wales.
mermaid n. 美人魚
stray dog
=> dog have no home and no owner
independent adj. 獨立的
prestigious
=> well-known
=> well-respective
premiere v. 初次上演
-> to give a first public performance of
make a name for oneself
-> work to make yourself distinct/different from some other people around you
//== Chat room ==//
homeschool v. 在家教育
homeschooling 在家教育
homeschooling child
brick-and-mortar school 實質的有教學場所的學校
-> family base home school
-> brick is the material to construct the building 磚頭
-> mortar help the brick together 水泥和沙子的混合物
brick-and-mortar stores 實質的商店
<->
online stores 線上商店
virtual stores 虛擬商店
National Spelling Bee 全國英文拼字比賽
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Then in 2007, she played her biggest role yet ...
-> Then in 2007, she played her biggest role up to now ...
yet
= at this time
= up to the present
eg: Last week, the Thompson family received the best news yet - Mrs Thompson's test result showed that she does not have cancer.
eg: Stanley ate 40 hotdogs in the minutes at the school carnival; this is the school's fastest record yet.
2009年7月10日 星期五
20090710 -- Emma Roberts (1)
Emma Roberts
This young star has more than just her aunt's famous smile
In first grade, Emma Roberts' teacher asked her students to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up. While the other kids wrote "astronaut" or "doctor," Emma wrote "actress." That's not surprising, considering she visited her first movie set when she was only 2 weeks old - and has been on them ever since. As the daughter of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts and the niece of superstar Julia Roberts, Emma has acting in her blood. The bright-eyed 18-year-old is proving she has true movie star talent and not just a famous name.
After several small movies roles, including ones alongside Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis and her anut Julia, Emma's big break come in 2004. That year, she began starring in Unfabulous, a hit serious on kids' network Nickelodeon. She played the lead role of Addie Singer, an unpopular junior high schooler who wrote her own songs. While filming the show, she became one of the first adolescent actors to keep an ongoing blog about working on a TV show. Emma used it to let fans in on behind-the-scences action as well as introduce them to Hollywood lingo
nominate v. 提名/推薦
-> put forward for special honor
nominate for/as
nominee n. 提名人
eg: Several Grammy-nominated singers performed at the sold-out concert.
eg: Sandra was nominated for the chairperson of the committee.
eg: We nominated Paul as the leader of our study group.
in one's blood 來自家傳的天賦
= run in one's family
eg: As the grandson of a governor and the son of a mayor, Bill has politics in his blood.
eg: Geoffrey has singing in his blood. His father is a famous tenor.
eg: Many of Frankie's family are good at math. It runs in the family.
alongside prep. 在某個對象的旁邊
-> beside
eg: Nancy landed a newspaper job alongside some of the best reporters in the state.
eg: Hank parked his car alongside ours.
eg: Yvonne sat alongside her best friend Janet during the class.
adolescent adj. 青少年的/青春期的
-> a person between childhood and adult
-> teenager
eg: Thousands of excited adolescent girls showed up for the Jonas Brothers concert.
niece n. 姪女/外甥女
lingo n. 行話
eg: You had better to learn the lingo before you study economics.
-> vacabulary/language
//== Chat room ==//
the suffix -ess is the one that means female
actress
waitress
stewardess (客機、輪船)女服務員/女幹事/女管家
gender-neutral 性別中立
policeman 男警
policewoman 女警
->police officer
waitor
waitress
-> server
actor 男性演員
actress 女性演員
課文中用actor和actress來形容Emma，用actress是因為Emma為女演員，
one of the first adolescent actors -> 指的是廣義的所有青少年演員，因此用了男女都適用的actors
stewardess
-> flight attendant 空服員
//== Did you know ==//
Last year, Vanity Fair magazine added Emma to its elite "Bright Young Hollywood" list.
Emma is extremely close to her aunt, Julia Roberts.
Many claim that the two are look-alikes.
Emma loves to read and play volleyball.
Her favorite actors are Matt Damon and Johnny Depp.
Her favorite actresses are Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz.
Emma has a cat named Coco Chanel.
This young star has more than just her aunt's famous smile
In first grade, Emma Roberts' teacher asked her students to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up. While the other kids wrote "astronaut" or "doctor," Emma wrote "actress." That's not surprising, considering she visited her first movie set when she was only 2 weeks old - and has been on them ever since. As the daughter of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts and the niece of superstar Julia Roberts, Emma has acting in her blood. The bright-eyed 18-year-old is proving she has true movie star talent and not just a famous name.
After several small movies roles, including ones alongside Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis and her anut Julia, Emma's big break come in 2004. That year, she began starring in Unfabulous, a hit serious on kids' network Nickelodeon. She played the lead role of Addie Singer, an unpopular junior high schooler who wrote her own songs. While filming the show, she became one of the first adolescent actors to keep an ongoing blog about working on a TV show. Emma used it to let fans in on behind-the-scences action as well as introduce them to Hollywood lingo
nominate v. 提名/推薦
-> put forward for special honor
nominate for/as
nominee n. 提名人
eg: Several Grammy-nominated singers performed at the sold-out concert.
eg: Sandra was nominated for the chairperson of the committee.
eg: We nominated Paul as the leader of our study group.
in one's blood 來自家傳的天賦
= run in one's family
eg: As the grandson of a governor and the son of a mayor, Bill has politics in his blood.
eg: Geoffrey has singing in his blood. His father is a famous tenor.
eg: Many of Frankie's family are good at math. It runs in the family.
alongside prep. 在某個對象的旁邊
-> beside
eg: Nancy landed a newspaper job alongside some of the best reporters in the state.
eg: Hank parked his car alongside ours.
eg: Yvonne sat alongside her best friend Janet during the class.
adolescent adj. 青少年的/青春期的
-> a person between childhood and adult
-> teenager
eg: Thousands of excited adolescent girls showed up for the Jonas Brothers concert.
niece n. 姪女/外甥女
lingo n. 行話
eg: You had better to learn the lingo before you study economics.
-> vacabulary/language
//== Chat room ==//
the suffix -ess is the one that means female
actress
waitress
stewardess (客機、輪船)女服務員/女幹事/女管家
gender-neutral 性別中立
policeman 男警
policewoman 女警
->police officer
waitor
waitress
-> server
actor 男性演員
actress 女性演員
課文中用actor和actress來形容Emma，用actress是因為Emma為女演員，
one of the first adolescent actors -> 指的是廣義的所有青少年演員，因此用了男女都適用的actors
stewardess
-> flight attendant 空服員
//== Did you know ==//
Last year, Vanity Fair magazine added Emma to its elite "Bright Young Hollywood" list.
Emma is extremely close to her aunt, Julia Roberts.
Many claim that the two are look-alikes.
Emma loves to read and play volleyball.
Her favorite actors are Matt Damon and Johnny Depp.
Her favorite actresses are Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz.
Emma has a cat named Coco Chanel.
20090709 -- Moving to America (2)
Moving to America
SC: Some people say it is easier to come in illegally and then stay.
RA: I don't think so. There have been some major moves in the U.S. system to limit the immigration of illegal entries. There are a number of provisions that say if you come in illegally you basically closethe door on future immigration. An illegal entry is something that is very difficult to overcome.
SC: What about students overstaying their visas?
RA: If they overstay, they could be subject to arrest and deportation. But a student going into a job offer has a little bit of a unique situation. If they do overstay, they can take certain steps to correct it and reestablish immigration status. However, the law is much more unyielding if someone comes for work and overstays his or her visa.
SC: Is there any advice you would give people who are interested in getting into the United States?
RA: Individuals interested in coming to the U.S. should get a good immigration attorney. They need someone who can analyze their situation and intentions and come up with a long-term strategy. Immigrating to the United States is not something that most people can do alone.
provision n. 預定
provision n. 規定/條款
eg: This provision in the school housing agreement states that there is no smoking in the dorms.
eg: Tom accepted the job offer with the provision that he gets two months vacation each year.
eg: As a caution, we inserted several provisions in our contract.
status n. 定位/身分/狀況
eg: Tricia needs to stay in school if she wants to keep her status as a student.
eg: Please state your marital status (婚姻狀況) on the application form.
eg: His status on the tax-report form is self-employed.
un-否定的
yielding 讓步
unyielding adj. 不讓步的/不容易妥協
eg: We debated for over two hours, but Michelle was unyielding.
eg: The government showed their unyielding commitment to improve the economy.
intention n.
eg: Maggie has good intentions, but she cannot keep a secret.
//== Chat room ==//
subject 主詞/科目
be subject to 遭受/容易受到
-> open/explose to something
eg: they could be subject to arrest 他們可能遭受逮捕
eg: The prices are subject to change. 價格可能有變動
subject v. (發音不同) 遭受到
eg: The prisoner was subjected to torture. 遭受到酷刑
SC: Some people say it is easier to come in illegally and then stay.
RA: I don't think so. There have been some major moves in the U.S. system to limit the immigration of illegal entries. There are a number of provisions that say if you come in illegally you basically closethe door on future immigration. An illegal entry is something that is very difficult to overcome.
SC: What about students overstaying their visas?
RA: If they overstay, they could be subject to arrest and deportation. But a student going into a job offer has a little bit of a unique situation. If they do overstay, they can take certain steps to correct it and reestablish immigration status. However, the law is much more unyielding if someone comes for work and overstays his or her visa.
SC: Is there any advice you would give people who are interested in getting into the United States?
RA: Individuals interested in coming to the U.S. should get a good immigration attorney. They need someone who can analyze their situation and intentions and come up with a long-term strategy. Immigrating to the United States is not something that most people can do alone.
provision n. 預定
provision n. 規定/條款
eg: This provision in the school housing agreement states that there is no smoking in the dorms.
eg: Tom accepted the job offer with the provision that he gets two months vacation each year.
eg: As a caution, we inserted several provisions in our contract.
status n. 定位/身分/狀況
eg: Tricia needs to stay in school if she wants to keep her status as a student.
eg: Please state your marital status (婚姻狀況) on the application form.
eg: His status on the tax-report form is self-employed.
un-否定的
yielding 讓步
unyielding adj. 不讓步的/不容易妥協
eg: We debated for over two hours, but Michelle was unyielding.
eg: The government showed their unyielding commitment to improve the economy.
intention n.
eg: Maggie has good intentions, but she cannot keep a secret.
//== Chat room ==//
subject 主詞/科目
be subject to 遭受/容易受到
-> open/explose to something
eg: they could be subject to arrest 他們可能遭受逮捕
eg: The prices are subject to change. 價格可能有變動
subject v. (發音不同) 遭受到
eg: The prisoner was subjected to torture. 遭受到酷刑
2009年7月8日 星期三
20090708 -- Moving to America (1)
Moving to America
The ins and outs
SC: What qualifies someone to live or work in the U.S.?
RA: Well, there are three basic ways to come to the United States on a permanent basis. Most people immigrate based on close family relationships. The second category is based on employment. If you have skills needed in the United States, it could be grounds for immigranting. The third basic way is if you are suffering from persecution back in your home country. About 800,000 individuals get permanent residence in a given year. About 600,000 individuals get residence based on family connections. About 140,000 are based on employment and maybe 50,000 are based on fear of persecution.
It would also be possible to come to the United States on a temporary basis. This would enable you to come for a variety of activities, including work, visit, study, etc. Generally speaking, there are no limits to temporary immigration.
SC: What's the best way to get in? Is it better to enter as a student and then stay, or to enter as a professional?
RA: It depends on the person's background. But remember, student visas are only temporary. The nice thing about starting as a student is that is can give you, presumably, a good background to enter the U.S. labor market. And that could eventually help you attain permanent residence.
permanent adj. 永久的/固定的
eg: Carl's family is living in a rented apartment, but they are looking for a more permanent home.
eg: a permanent job 固定的工作
eg: a permanent address 永久的地址
temporary adj. 暫時的
eg: The medicine can only provide temporary relief of your pain.
emigrate v. 移居國外
immigrate v. 遷移/移民進入
eg: Justin and Allison are hoping to immigrate to Australia next summer.
eg: Nick immigrated with his parents from Greece in 1967 and now lives in Queene New York.
eg: Maria and her family emigrated to England in 1952.
category n. 種類
eg: The teacher divided the students into two categories those who could swim and those who could not.
residence n. 居民
eg: Michael received permanent residence after working in America for 10 years.
labor adj. 勞工的
eg: There is an important meeting this week between the city's two biggest labor group.
presume v. 推測
presumably adv. 大概/假定/可能
eg: This proposal will presumably cause a lot of reaction.
eg: Josh is late. Presumably he missed the exit on the freeway.
persecution n. 迫害/困擾
eg: That guy met with severe persecution.
//== Chat room ==//
floor 地板
ground 地面
grounds (建築物)庭院
ground n. (本文章)動機/理由
-> the basis reason for some action you want to take\
eg: These are private grounds. 這裡是私人的庭院
eg: grounds for immigranting 移民的理由
eg: He resigned on the grounds of ill health(因病辭職).
country 國家
the country 鄉下
home country 祖國
The ins and outs
SC: What qualifies someone to live or work in the U.S.?
RA: Well, there are three basic ways to come to the United States on a permanent basis. Most people immigrate based on close family relationships. The second category is based on employment. If you have skills needed in the United States, it could be grounds for immigranting. The third basic way is if you are suffering from persecution back in your home country. About 800,000 individuals get permanent residence in a given year. About 600,000 individuals get residence based on family connections. About 140,000 are based on employment and maybe 50,000 are based on fear of persecution.
It would also be possible to come to the United States on a temporary basis. This would enable you to come for a variety of activities, including work, visit, study, etc. Generally speaking, there are no limits to temporary immigration.
SC: What's the best way to get in? Is it better to enter as a student and then stay, or to enter as a professional?
RA: It depends on the person's background. But remember, student visas are only temporary. The nice thing about starting as a student is that is can give you, presumably, a good background to enter the U.S. labor market. And that could eventually help you attain permanent residence.
permanent adj. 永久的/固定的
eg: Carl's family is living in a rented apartment, but they are looking for a more permanent home.
eg: a permanent job 固定的工作
eg: a permanent address 永久的地址
temporary adj. 暫時的
eg: The medicine can only provide temporary relief of your pain.
emigrate v. 移居國外
immigrate v. 遷移/移民進入
eg: Justin and Allison are hoping to immigrate to Australia next summer.
eg: Nick immigrated with his parents from Greece in 1967 and now lives in Queene New York.
eg: Maria and her family emigrated to England in 1952.
category n. 種類
eg: The teacher divided the students into two categories those who could swim and those who could not.
residence n. 居民
eg: Michael received permanent residence after working in America for 10 years.
labor adj. 勞工的
eg: There is an important meeting this week between the city's two biggest labor group.
presume v. 推測
presumably adv. 大概/假定/可能
eg: This proposal will presumably cause a lot of reaction.
eg: Josh is late. Presumably he missed the exit on the freeway.
persecution n. 迫害/困擾
eg: That guy met with severe persecution.
//== Chat room ==//
floor 地板
ground 地面
grounds (建築物)庭院
ground n. (本文章)動機/理由
-> the basis reason for some action you want to take\
eg: These are private grounds. 這裡是私人的庭院
eg: grounds for immigranting 移民的理由
eg: He resigned on the grounds of ill health(因病辭職).
country 國家
the country 鄉下
home country 祖國
2009年7月7日 星期二
20090707 -- Fantasy Sports (2)
Fantasy Sports
Building your team
There are several different ways to assemble your fantasy team, depending on your league. In public leagues, any users from around the world can join and compete. Hattrick only offers public leagues, so it chooses a team for you when you sign up. You can then trade your athletes with other users in your league. Yahoo! offers public and private leagues, where the user decides who can join. This means you can create a league and play against all of your friends.
Once you've create your league, you hold a draft. This is when the users in your league decide who gets which athletes on their team. But how do you know whom to pick for your team? You can choose athletes from any professional team in the sport. Your success is determined by how well the real athletes do in the season. Choose the athletes that have the best statistics and chances are you'll win.
assemble v. 集合/收集
-> put it together
eg: The little boy was very excited to assemble his new bicycle.
eg: All employees were assembled at the conference hall to attend the meeting.
eg: Over 2000 people assembled to welcome the winning team back home.
eg: The research team is assembling all necessary data for the project.
athlete n. 運動員
eg: The athlete spends most of his time training his body and mind.
draft n. (美)(職業運動的)選拔制度
eg: The sports league held a draft for all of the free players.
eg: military draft
determine v. 決定/斷定
-> controlled by
eg: Sally's father told her that success in life is determined by one's attitude.
eg: The test results will determine which course level you go to.
eg: The future of the company is determined by the success of their new product.
statistics n. 統計數字(複數型名詞)
eg: the statistics of unemployment 失業統計數字
eg: Statistics show that woman live happier lives than men after retirement.
league n. 聯盟
-> a group of people/team compete with one another
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Choose the athletes that have the best statistics and chances are you'll win.
= Choose the athletes that have the best statistics and it's very possible you'll win.
chances are
= it's very possible
eg: You should bring a book with you; chances are you're going to have to wait at the airport for a long time.
eg: I've decided to stay home; chances are it's going to rain.
//== Chat room ==//
league 聯盟
-> association/organization
League of Nations 國際聯盟
Ivy League 長春藤聯盟
league
-> sports league 體育聯盟
Major League Baseball 美國職棒大聯盟
league
-> a class or a category
out of one's league (不屬於某人能力的項目)超過某人能力的範圍
-> if someone is out of their league, they are doing something they are not prepared for
eg: Jonathan is out of his league when he join the marathon runners at the start of line.
Building your team
There are several different ways to assemble your fantasy team, depending on your league. In public leagues, any users from around the world can join and compete. Hattrick only offers public leagues, so it chooses a team for you when you sign up. You can then trade your athletes with other users in your league. Yahoo! offers public and private leagues, where the user decides who can join. This means you can create a league and play against all of your friends.
Once you've create your league, you hold a draft. This is when the users in your league decide who gets which athletes on their team. But how do you know whom to pick for your team? You can choose athletes from any professional team in the sport. Your success is determined by how well the real athletes do in the season. Choose the athletes that have the best statistics and chances are you'll win.
assemble v. 集合/收集
-> put it together
eg: The little boy was very excited to assemble his new bicycle.
eg: All employees were assembled at the conference hall to attend the meeting.
eg: Over 2000 people assembled to welcome the winning team back home.
eg: The research team is assembling all necessary data for the project.
athlete n. 運動員
eg: The athlete spends most of his time training his body and mind.
draft n. (美)(職業運動的)選拔制度
eg: The sports league held a draft for all of the free players.
eg: military draft
determine v. 決定/斷定
-> controlled by
eg: Sally's father told her that success in life is determined by one's attitude.
eg: The test results will determine which course level you go to.
eg: The future of the company is determined by the success of their new product.
statistics n. 統計數字(複數型名詞)
eg: the statistics of unemployment 失業統計數字
eg: Statistics show that woman live happier lives than men after retirement.
league n. 聯盟
-> a group of people/team compete with one another
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Choose the athletes that have the best statistics and chances are you'll win.
= Choose the athletes that have the best statistics and it's very possible you'll win.
chances are
= it's very possible
eg: You should bring a book with you; chances are you're going to have to wait at the airport for a long time.
eg: I've decided to stay home; chances are it's going to rain.
//== Chat room ==//
league 聯盟
-> association/organization
League of Nations 國際聯盟
Ivy League 長春藤聯盟
league
-> sports league 體育聯盟
Major League Baseball 美國職棒大聯盟
league
-> a class or a category
out of one's league (不屬於某人能力的項目)超過某人能力的範圍
-> if someone is out of their league, they are doing something they are not prepared for
eg: Jonathan is out of his league when he join the marathon runners at the start of line.
2009年7月6日 星期一
20090706 -- Fantasy Sports (1)
Fantasy Sports
Run a professional sports team without leaving your computer
Have you ever dreamed of managing your own sports team? In the world of fantasy sports, you can do it with just an Internet connection.
How does it work? The easiest way to play fantasy sports is through websites like Hattrick and Yahoo! Sports.
If you like soccer, Hattrick is the site for you. With nearly 1 million users, it's the world's most popular fantasy soccer website. Users can choose the language in which the site appears, and there is no cost to join.
Yahoo!, on the other hand, offers a wide range of sports in English only and some extra paid options. Yahoo! features the four biggest American sports - American football, baseball, basketball and hockey. If you want to try something different, Yahoo! also offers fantasy golf and auto racing. Once you pick a sport, sign up for the service you like the most. Then pick your username and password to log on and get your team. Now the fun begins.
fantasy n. 空想/幻想/夢想
-> dream. pretty impossible to experience
eg: John's fantasy is that he will play baseball for the New York Yankees someday.
manage v. 管理/經營
eg: Managing his employees' work schedules was a struggle for the restaurant owner.
eg: Henry manages a car-declershipe in Texas.
eg: Vivian is capable of managing large projects.
eg: When you're a mon and employed full-time
sign up 報名參加
eg: Misty signed up to receive her favorite magazine, Studio Classroom, in the mail.
eg: Bobby already signed up for an English class at the community center.
sign up to do something 報名去做某事
eg: Marlene signed up to sell cookies at the fair.
password n. 通行密碼
eg: Tim couldn't access his bank account because he had forgotten his passowrd.
eg: The experts suggest not to use birthdays as passwords.
eg: You have to enter your password before entering this system.
eg: The 8-digit password is randomly picked by the computer.
run a team
= manage a team
hockey 曲棍球
eg: ice hockey 冰上曲棍球
username 使用者名稱
-> you use the user name for the website
//== Chat room ==//
a wide range/scope of something 各式各樣的東西
= a broad range of something
= an array of something
= a wide spectrum of something
= a variety of something
eg: a wide range of knowledge
//== More Info ==//
Fantasy Sports is growing quickly in popularity. Three years ago it was estimated that in North America alone, almost 20 million people played fantasy sports. After just one year that number jumped to almost 30 million people. One reason this is significant is because Fantasy Sports has the ability to create A LOT of revenue. Three years ago Fantasy Sports was estimated to have a $3-4 BILLION annual economic impact on the sports industry.
Run a professional sports team without leaving your computer
Have you ever dreamed of managing your own sports team? In the world of fantasy sports, you can do it with just an Internet connection.
How does it work? The easiest way to play fantasy sports is through websites like Hattrick and Yahoo! Sports.
If you like soccer, Hattrick is the site for you. With nearly 1 million users, it's the world's most popular fantasy soccer website. Users can choose the language in which the site appears, and there is no cost to join.
Yahoo!, on the other hand, offers a wide range of sports in English only and some extra paid options. Yahoo! features the four biggest American sports - American football, baseball, basketball and hockey. If you want to try something different, Yahoo! also offers fantasy golf and auto racing. Once you pick a sport, sign up for the service you like the most. Then pick your username and password to log on and get your team. Now the fun begins.
fantasy n. 空想/幻想/夢想
-> dream. pretty impossible to experience
eg: John's fantasy is that he will play baseball for the New York Yankees someday.
manage v. 管理/經營
eg: Managing his employees' work schedules was a struggle for the restaurant owner.
eg: Henry manages a car-declershipe in Texas.
eg: Vivian is capable of managing large projects.
eg: When you're a mon and employed full-time
sign up 報名參加
eg: Misty signed up to receive her favorite magazine, Studio Classroom, in the mail.
eg: Bobby already signed up for an English class at the community center.
sign up to do something 報名去做某事
eg: Marlene signed up to sell cookies at the fair.
password n. 通行密碼
eg: Tim couldn't access his bank account because he had forgotten his passowrd.
eg: The experts suggest not to use birthdays as passwords.
eg: You have to enter your password before entering this system.
eg: The 8-digit password is randomly picked by the computer.
run a team
= manage a team
hockey 曲棍球
eg: ice hockey 冰上曲棍球
username 使用者名稱
-> you use the user name for the website
//== Chat room ==//
a wide range/scope of something 各式各樣的東西
= a broad range of something
= an array of something
= a wide spectrum of something
= a variety of something
eg: a wide range of knowledge
//== More Info ==//
Fantasy Sports is growing quickly in popularity. Three years ago it was estimated that in North America alone, almost 20 million people played fantasy sports. After just one year that number jumped to almost 30 million people. One reason this is significant is because Fantasy Sports has the ability to create A LOT of revenue. Three years ago Fantasy Sports was estimated to have a $3-4 BILLION annual economic impact on the sports industry.
2009年7月4日 星期六
20090704 -- The Iberian Peninsula (3)
The Iberian Peninsula
Good things come in small sizes One of the oldest nations in Europe is the tiny country of Andorra, with an area of only 468 square kilometers. Nestled in a basin ringed by majestic mountain peaks, Andorra displays an almost fairy-tale quality. Great skiing beautiful scenery and duty-free shopping attract more than 10 million visitors annually to this tiny country in the northeast corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
Discover Portugal
During the 16th century, Portuguese explorers sailed around the world, looking for new lands to conquer. Today, visitors flock to what used to be called "the Iberian Peninsula's best-kept secret" - sunny Portugal.
Built on seven hills, the capital city of Lisbon offers sensational views of land and sea. Visitors marvel at the city's mixture of modern shops, restaurants and medieval mountain, such as the famous sixth-century St. George's Castle. Each year, thousands of tourists visit one of Europe's most popular coastal areas, Portugal's Algarve. Over 100 km of beautiful make Algarve a beach-lover's paradise! If what you are looking for is an international experience, then make the Iberian Peninsula your next destination and lose yourself in its world of cultures.
nestle v. 舒適地安頓下來
eg: Nestled under a warm blanket, the kitchen fell sound asleep.
sensation n. 感覺/知覺
sensational adj. 很棒的
eg: The author has written a sensational new book about his journey across Africa.
eg: Kevin's sensational new convertible attracts a lot of attentions.
eg: She looked sensational(漂亮) after she lost weight.
marvel v.
eg: During each show, the audience marvels at the tricks the magician performs.
destination n. 目的地
eg: Sandy is interested in a beach destination for her next vacation, but her husband likes the mountains.
eg: The destination of this flight is Washington DC.
eg: When we reached our destination, we were tired and hungry.
destination n. 目標
eg: His future destination is becoming a scientist.
duty n. 稅
duty-free 免稅的
eg: She bought many duty-free items on the flight back home.
eg: Hong Kong is the duty-free region.
eg: The company provides duty-free shopping online.
//== Did you know ==//
The people of Andorra can expect to live a long time. With an average of 83 years, is has one of the highest life expectacy rates in the world. Compare that rate to one of lowest in the world: the average person in Swaziland can expect to live a mere 32 years. Some reasons for the longerity o the Andorrans is the pleasant mountaint climate, prosperous economy and good health care.
//== Chat room ==//
excursion 遠足/短途的旅行
-> a short trip
eg: Let's go on an excursion.
off the beaten path 較冷門的路線
-> it's not very popular place
travel light 打包輕便
on the fly (還沒落地前的高飛球)匆忙的/隨性的
-> quickly make the plan for the trip
= spontaneous
Good things come in small sizes One of the oldest nations in Europe is the tiny country of Andorra, with an area of only 468 square kilometers. Nestled in a basin ringed by majestic mountain peaks, Andorra displays an almost fairy-tale quality. Great skiing beautiful scenery and duty-free shopping attract more than 10 million visitors annually to this tiny country in the northeast corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
Discover Portugal
During the 16th century, Portuguese explorers sailed around the world, looking for new lands to conquer. Today, visitors flock to what used to be called "the Iberian Peninsula's best-kept secret" - sunny Portugal.
Built on seven hills, the capital city of Lisbon offers sensational views of land and sea. Visitors marvel at the city's mixture of modern shops, restaurants and medieval mountain, such as the famous sixth-century St. George's Castle. Each year, thousands of tourists visit one of Europe's most popular coastal areas, Portugal's Algarve. Over 100 km of beautiful make Algarve a beach-lover's paradise! If what you are looking for is an international experience, then make the Iberian Peninsula your next destination and lose yourself in its world of cultures.
nestle v. 舒適地安頓下來
eg: Nestled under a warm blanket, the kitchen fell sound asleep.
sensation n. 感覺/知覺
sensational adj. 很棒的
eg: The author has written a sensational new book about his journey across Africa.
eg: Kevin's sensational new convertible attracts a lot of attentions.
eg: She looked sensational(漂亮) after she lost weight.
marvel v.
eg: During each show, the audience marvels at the tricks the magician performs.
destination n. 目的地
eg: Sandy is interested in a beach destination for her next vacation, but her husband likes the mountains.
eg: The destination of this flight is Washington DC.
eg: When we reached our destination, we were tired and hungry.
destination n. 目標
eg: His future destination is becoming a scientist.
duty n. 稅
duty-free 免稅的
eg: She bought many duty-free items on the flight back home.
eg: Hong Kong is the duty-free region.
eg: The company provides duty-free shopping online.
//== Did you know ==//
The people of Andorra can expect to live a long time. With an average of 83 years, is has one of the highest life expectacy rates in the world. Compare that rate to one of lowest in the world: the average person in Swaziland can expect to live a mere 32 years. Some reasons for the longerity o the Andorrans is the pleasant mountaint climate, prosperous economy and good health care.
//== Chat room ==//
excursion 遠足/短途的旅行
-> a short trip
eg: Let's go on an excursion.
off the beaten path 較冷門的路線
-> it's not very popular place
travel light 打包輕便
on the fly (還沒落地前的高飛球)匆忙的/隨性的
-> quickly make the plan for the trip
= spontaneous
2009年7月3日 星期五
20090703 -- The Iberian Peninsula (2)
The Iberian Peninsula
Catalonia, Spain
One of the most unique regions in all of the Iberian Peninsula is Catalonia, Spain, with its own culture, cuisine, and language - Catalan. Located along Spain's northeastern coastline, Catalonia consists of four provinces, including the regional capital city of Barcelona. At one time, around 1,000 castles stood in Catalonia. Though many now lie in ruins, several of the remaining castles still stand around Barcelona. One such piece of history is Montjuic Castle, a medieval castle that houses two museums and offers impressive views of the city and harbor below.
No trip to Barcelona is complete without seeing La Sagrada Familia, the city's awe-inspiring church that has been under construction since 1882. Barcelona's favorite son and famous architecture, Antoni Gaudi directed the project for 40 years, until his death in 1926. With construction ongoing, it is hoped that the church will be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death in 2026.
"The pride of Spain"
Don't leave Catalonia without sampling Spain's legendary ham, Jamon lberico de Bellota. The ham is produced mainly Iberian black pigs whose diet consists mostly of acorns, which give the meat its rich, nutty flavor.
province n. 省
eg: Quebec is a largely Frence-speaking province in eastern Canada.
medieval adj. 中世紀的
-> 1000 - 1500 AD
eg: While Sam was in Europe, he toured several villages that dated back to medieval times.
awe 敬畏
insipiring 振奮人心的
awe-inspiring adj. 令人敬畏的/令人讚嘆的
eg: Beethoven wrote some of the most awe-inspiring music of all time.
eg: The awe-inspiring view of Niagara Falls amazes coutless visitors.
eg: We sat on the beach to admire the awe-inspiring sunset.
ongoing adj. 正在進行中/前進的
=> keep going on
eg: The project is ongoing and may not be finished for another year.
eg: Negotiations between the bus company and the union are ongoing.
eg: The experiment is part of onging research of human behavior.
favorite son 因成就驚人而被景仰的同胞/同鄉
favorite daughtor
eg: Yao-Ming, favorite son of China, is now playing for the Houston Rockets.
favorite son 那一黨推出的政黨候選人
acorn n. 橡實
//== Grammer on the go ==//
One such piece of history is Montjuic Castle.
-> One of this kind of history is Montjuic Castle.
-> An example of this kind of castle is Montjuic Castle.
such adj.
-> of this kind
eg: Bradley believes there is no such thing as a free lunch; everything comes with a price.
eg: We need a secretary who can speak English, Chinese, and Japanese; where can we find such a person?
//== Chat room ==//
stay put 留在原地
on the go 到處奔波
-> going from place to place and you're really busy
-> If you have a lot of different places that you have to go to today.
Today you are on the go.
eg: His boss always keeps him on the go.
eg: I'm staying put this year. I don't have money to travel.
go it alone 自己來/自己動手
-> go by myself
go all out 毫不保留放手一搏
-> not put a lot of efforts to the trip
go-getter 積極進取的人
-> A person who has a lot of energy and wants to succeed at doing something
Catalonia, Spain
One of the most unique regions in all of the Iberian Peninsula is Catalonia, Spain, with its own culture, cuisine, and language - Catalan. Located along Spain's northeastern coastline, Catalonia consists of four provinces, including the regional capital city of Barcelona. At one time, around 1,000 castles stood in Catalonia. Though many now lie in ruins, several of the remaining castles still stand around Barcelona. One such piece of history is Montjuic Castle, a medieval castle that houses two museums and offers impressive views of the city and harbor below.
No trip to Barcelona is complete without seeing La Sagrada Familia, the city's awe-inspiring church that has been under construction since 1882. Barcelona's favorite son and famous architecture, Antoni Gaudi directed the project for 40 years, until his death in 1926. With construction ongoing, it is hoped that the church will be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death in 2026.
"The pride of Spain"
Don't leave Catalonia without sampling Spain's legendary ham, Jamon lberico de Bellota. The ham is produced mainly Iberian black pigs whose diet consists mostly of acorns, which give the meat its rich, nutty flavor.
province n. 省
eg: Quebec is a largely Frence-speaking province in eastern Canada.
medieval adj. 中世紀的
-> 1000 - 1500 AD
eg: While Sam was in Europe, he toured several villages that dated back to medieval times.
awe 敬畏
insipiring 振奮人心的
awe-inspiring adj. 令人敬畏的/令人讚嘆的
eg: Beethoven wrote some of the most awe-inspiring music of all time.
eg: The awe-inspiring view of Niagara Falls amazes coutless visitors.
eg: We sat on the beach to admire the awe-inspiring sunset.
ongoing adj. 正在進行中/前進的
=> keep going on
eg: The project is ongoing and may not be finished for another year.
eg: Negotiations between the bus company and the union are ongoing.
eg: The experiment is part of onging research of human behavior.
favorite son 因成就驚人而被景仰的同胞/同鄉
favorite daughtor
eg: Yao-Ming, favorite son of China, is now playing for the Houston Rockets.
favorite son 那一黨推出的政黨候選人
acorn n. 橡實
//== Grammer on the go ==//
One such piece of history is Montjuic Castle.
-> One of this kind of history is Montjuic Castle.
-> An example of this kind of castle is Montjuic Castle.
such adj.
-> of this kind
eg: Bradley believes there is no such thing as a free lunch; everything comes with a price.
eg: We need a secretary who can speak English, Chinese, and Japanese; where can we find such a person?
//== Chat room ==//
stay put 留在原地
on the go 到處奔波
-> going from place to place and you're really busy
-> If you have a lot of different places that you have to go to today.
Today you are on the go.
eg: His boss always keeps him on the go.
eg: I'm staying put this year. I don't have money to travel.
go it alone 自己來/自己動手
-> go by myself
go all out 毫不保留放手一搏
-> not put a lot of efforts to the trip
go-getter 積極進取的人
-> A person who has a lot of energy and wants to succeed at doing something
2009年7月2日 星期四
20090702 -- The Iberian Peninsula (1)
The Iberian Peninsula
A world of cultures in one unique region
Some say that Europe stops at the Pyrenees Mountains - the snowcapped mountain range that acts like a natural fence separating France from the Iberian Peninsula. Even though the statement isn't accurate, visitors easily notice many features that make the Iberian Peninsula look and feel different from its neighbors to the north.
Spain and Portugal comprise the majority of the peninsula, with Gibraltar Andorra and a small portion of France sharing the remainder. As the crossroads of Africa and Europe, the region has for centuries been a melting pot with many nations contributing to the area's interesting culture.
Britain, without the rain
At the southern tip of the peninsula lies Gibraltar, a British territory. English is the official language, fish and chips can be found with ease, and phone calls can even be made from London-style red phone booths. Must-sees are the famous Rock of Gibraltar, which stands 426 m tall and is home to a centuries-old fortress and the Barbary apes, Gibraltar's most famous locals. Ride up the rock to Europa Point for breathtaking views of both Africa and Europe. You'll feel like you've reached the very edge of the European continent -and indeed you have!
peninsula n. 半島
eg: My grandparents live in Miami, which is located at the southern end of the Florida peninsula.
eg: There's a lighthouse on the peninsula.
eg: Seoul is the largest city of the Korea Peninsula.
remain v. 剩餘
remainder n. 剩下部份/剩餘的人貨物
-> leftover
eg: You can take three dozen cookies to school tomorrow and we'll keep the remainder here at home.
eg: It was sunny for an hour this morning, but the remainder of the day has been rainy.
eg: The remainder of the food was kept in the fridge.
fortress n. 要塞/堡壘
-> strong military defense
eg: Our tour group climbed all 458 steps to the top of the ancient fortress.
breathtaking adj. 驚人的
-> it's so excellent/beautiful that it take your breath away
eg: The breathtaking beauty of a sunset is hard to capture in a photograph.
melting pot 文化/種族融合之處
eg: New Your City is a melting pot of many races.
eg: Fusion food is a melting pot of cuisines from many cultures.
comprise
= make up
phone booths 電話亭
//== Chat room ==//
multicultural adj. 具有多種文化的
diverse adj. 多樣的
-> a various
-> different kinds
culturally diverse 文化多樣的
-> there are many different cultures
diverse selection
pluralistic adj. 多元的
plural (文法)複數
ethnic group 有自己語言習俗的族群
(像是山東人和廣東人屬於不同的ethnic group，但是屬於同一個race)
A world of cultures in one unique region
Some say that Europe stops at the Pyrenees Mountains - the snowcapped mountain range that acts like a natural fence separating France from the Iberian Peninsula. Even though the statement isn't accurate, visitors easily notice many features that make the Iberian Peninsula look and feel different from its neighbors to the north.
Spain and Portugal comprise the majority of the peninsula, with Gibraltar Andorra and a small portion of France sharing the remainder. As the crossroads of Africa and Europe, the region has for centuries been a melting pot with many nations contributing to the area's interesting culture.
Britain, without the rain
At the southern tip of the peninsula lies Gibraltar, a British territory. English is the official language, fish and chips can be found with ease, and phone calls can even be made from London-style red phone booths. Must-sees are the famous Rock of Gibraltar, which stands 426 m tall and is home to a centuries-old fortress and the Barbary apes, Gibraltar's most famous locals. Ride up the rock to Europa Point for breathtaking views of both Africa and Europe. You'll feel like you've reached the very edge of the European continent -and indeed you have!
peninsula n. 半島
eg: My grandparents live in Miami, which is located at the southern end of the Florida peninsula.
eg: There's a lighthouse on the peninsula.
eg: Seoul is the largest city of the Korea Peninsula.
remain v. 剩餘
remainder n. 剩下部份/剩餘的人貨物
-> leftover
eg: You can take three dozen cookies to school tomorrow and we'll keep the remainder here at home.
eg: It was sunny for an hour this morning, but the remainder of the day has been rainy.
eg: The remainder of the food was kept in the fridge.
fortress n. 要塞/堡壘
-> strong military defense
eg: Our tour group climbed all 458 steps to the top of the ancient fortress.
breathtaking adj. 驚人的
-> it's so excellent/beautiful that it take your breath away
eg: The breathtaking beauty of a sunset is hard to capture in a photograph.
melting pot 文化/種族融合之處
eg: New Your City is a melting pot of many races.
eg: Fusion food is a melting pot of cuisines from many cultures.
comprise
= make up
phone booths 電話亭
//== Chat room ==//
multicultural adj. 具有多種文化的
diverse adj. 多樣的
-> a various
-> different kinds
culturally diverse 文化多樣的
-> there are many different cultures
diverse selection
pluralistic adj. 多元的
plural (文法)複數
ethnic group 有自己語言習俗的族群
(像是山東人和廣東人屬於不同的ethnic group，但是屬於同一個race)
2009年7月1日 星期三
20090701 -- Summer Drinks (1)
Summer Drinks
Enjoy summer with a cold drink
In summer, nothing refreshes better than a nice cold drink, and people have a lot of choices.
Many reach for iced tea. In America, the drink first became popular in the South in the 19th century. There, people often add sugar while the tea is still hot and then chill it. This favorite Southern drink is called "sweet tea." In Asia, teas are traditionally served hot, but now tea stands offer iced teas as well. Customers can personalize their order, choosing just the right flavor and amount of sugar and ice.
In India, people enjoy a cooling drink called Iassi, which is made with yogurt. This easy-to-make drink can be served sweet or salty, or with added fruit. Throughout Latin America, people enjoy avena, which means oatmeal. Those who love the oatmeal drink claim it's healthy and delicious! And don't forget drinks made with fruit.
In America, nothing says "summer" better than lemondade made from the juice of freshly squeezed lemons. Smoothies, often made with fruit, milk and sugar mixed together, are favorites in both America and Asia.
So what are you thirsty for?
refresh v. 使清新/使清涼
eg: A cool shower is a great way to refresh yourself on a hot summer day.
chill v. 冷卻食物
-> cool it down
eg: Let the potato salad chill in the refrigerator before you serve it.
eg: Allow the cheesecake to chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours before you serve it.
eg: We chilled our soda in the creek(溪水) while fishing.
flavor n. 口味
-> the way something taste
eg: My favorite of ice cream is strayberry.
squeeze v. 擠/壓
eg: The sandwich had mayonnaise and mustard squeezed onto it.
eg: He squeezed the water out of the wet mop(拖把).
eg: Jean ordered a glass of freshly squeezed oragne juice.
squeeze v. 勉強擠出
eg: Even though she is very busy, Susan managed to squeeze in a short vacation.
personal adj. 個人的/私人的
personalize v. 使個人化/使個性化
-> make something personal
eg: She personalized her room with a lot of her own paintings.
personalize v. 標上自己姓名
eg: All of his stationary(文具) is personalized.
oatmeal n. 燕麥片
smoothie n. 歐美流行的傳統飲料，smoothie是由多種天然水果，果汁和零脂冷凍優格新鮮現調而成的飲品
//== Chat room ==//
sweet tea 甜茶(美國南方，餐館有賣的地方就算美國南方)
unsweetened tea
sugar substitute 代糖
-> sometimes called artificial sweetener 人工甜味劑
-> Sweet'n Low is one brand of artificial sweetener
Splenda
Equal
//== Chat room ==//
In the summer, nothing refreshes better than a nice cold drink
-> A nice cold drink is the most refreshing thing in the summer.
something is the most adjective
-> Nothing verb better than something (stronger impression)
eg: This hotel is the most expensive one in the city.
eg: This painting is the most famous one in the museum.
eg: Nothing says "I love you" better than a diamond ring.'
eg: Nothing stops the itch of a bug bite better than this skin cream.
eg: Nothing relaxes tight muscles better than a nice hot bath.
Enjoy summer with a cold drink
In summer, nothing refreshes better than a nice cold drink, and people have a lot of choices.
Many reach for iced tea. In America, the drink first became popular in the South in the 19th century. There, people often add sugar while the tea is still hot and then chill it. This favorite Southern drink is called "sweet tea." In Asia, teas are traditionally served hot, but now tea stands offer iced teas as well. Customers can personalize their order, choosing just the right flavor and amount of sugar and ice.
In India, people enjoy a cooling drink called Iassi, which is made with yogurt. This easy-to-make drink can be served sweet or salty, or with added fruit. Throughout Latin America, people enjoy avena, which means oatmeal. Those who love the oatmeal drink claim it's healthy and delicious! And don't forget drinks made with fruit.
In America, nothing says "summer" better than lemondade made from the juice of freshly squeezed lemons. Smoothies, often made with fruit, milk and sugar mixed together, are favorites in both America and Asia.
So what are you thirsty for?
refresh v. 使清新/使清涼
eg: A cool shower is a great way to refresh yourself on a hot summer day.
chill v. 冷卻食物
-> cool it down
eg: Let the potato salad chill in the refrigerator before you serve it.
eg: Allow the cheesecake to chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours before you serve it.
eg: We chilled our soda in the creek(溪水) while fishing.
flavor n. 口味
-> the way something taste
eg: My favorite of ice cream is strayberry.
squeeze v. 擠/壓
eg: The sandwich had mayonnaise and mustard squeezed onto it.
eg: He squeezed the water out of the wet mop(拖把).
eg: Jean ordered a glass of freshly squeezed oragne juice.
squeeze v. 勉強擠出
eg: Even though she is very busy, Susan managed to squeeze in a short vacation.
personal adj. 個人的/私人的
personalize v. 使個人化/使個性化
-> make something personal
eg: She personalized her room with a lot of her own paintings.
personalize v. 標上自己姓名
eg: All of his stationary(文具) is personalized.
oatmeal n. 燕麥片
smoothie n. 歐美流行的傳統飲料，smoothie是由多種天然水果，果汁和零脂冷凍優格新鮮現調而成的飲品
//== Chat room ==//
sweet tea 甜茶(美國南方，餐館有賣的地方就算美國南方)
unsweetened tea
sugar substitute 代糖
-> sometimes called artificial sweetener 人工甜味劑
-> Sweet'n Low is one brand of artificial sweetener
Splenda
Equal
//== Chat room ==//
In the summer, nothing refreshes better than a nice cold drink
-> A nice cold drink is the most refreshing thing in the summer.
something is the most adjective
-> Nothing verb better than something (stronger impression)
eg: This hotel is the most expensive one in the city.
eg: This painting is the most famous one in the museum.
eg: Nothing says "I love you" better than a diamond ring.'
eg: Nothing stops the itch of a bug bite better than this skin cream.
eg: Nothing relaxes tight muscles better than a nice hot bath.
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