Business Myths
Myth 3: I can learn as I go
Business owners often assume they will figure out how to run their businesses by trial and error. Unfortunately, a lack of experience in areas like finance, purchasing and sales can affect operations. Successful business people recognize their weaknesses and get help in those areas from the beginning.
Myth 4: I should have just enough money
One of the most common causes of business failure is a lack of money. Owners often underestimate business start-up costs and/or overestimate the income they will receive from sales. When developing a business, it is important to consider start-up and operations costs and to have realistic income expectations.
Myth 5: I'm ready to expand
Expanding a business is good but owners often confuse expansion with success. Successful expansion requires growth in many different areas, like human resources, production and sales, at the same time. Instead of worrying about expansion, keep your focus on well-planned, sustainable growth.
Avoiding these five myths won't guarantee the survivalof your business, but it will improve your chances of success.
trial and error n. 反覆試驗/不斷摸索
=> make mistakes trying something
eg: There's no shortcut to solve this problem, it's a process of trial and error.
=> 要解決這個問題並沒有捷徑，是一個不斷嘗試與摸索的過程。
eg: The experiment finally succeeded after a long period of trial and error.
=> 經過長期的不斷摸索這個實驗終於成功了。
operation n. 經營/運作
eg: The new branch office's operations are going very smoothly.
=> 新的分公司的營運非常順利。
eg: The manufacturing line's operation is monitored by the computer.
=> 生產線的運作是用電腦監控的。
sustain v. 維持
sustainable adj. 可持續的/永續的
=> capable of being maintained over a long period of time
eg: The sustainable development of this community is only possible when everyone participates.
=> 當大家都參與時，這個社區的永續發展才有可能實現。
assume
=> suppose something is true
underestimate v. 低估
=> guess too low
expansion n. 擴展/擴張/膨脹
=> increase in size/number
//== Chat room ==//
estimate v. 估計/預測/估算
underestimate v. 低估
overestimate v.高估
=> 這兩個動詞除了用在數字，也可以用在人身上
eg: I overestimated the mount of money you'll need for a vacation.
2010年7月29日 星期四
2010年7月28日 星期三
20100728 Business Myths (1)
Business Myths
Five mistakes that could kill your business
Operating your own business can be exciting, but it can also be risky. Avoiding the five mistakes below could help you limit your risks and make your business successful.
Myth 1: I need a big idea
Many people think their business needs a great idea to set it apart from the competition. Often, this leads them to put off starting or expanding a business while waiting for a big idea that never comes. While big ideas are great, not every business needs one. Many well-known corporations, including Sony and Hewlett-packard, started before having a great idea of what they would make or sell.
Myth 2: I have a good idea, so I'm ready
An idea, no matter how good, is just an idea. Far more important is a good business plan. A realistic plan, based on accurate information, maps out the path a business will take. It can also identify weaknesses and help a business avoid unnecessary traps. Planning is so important that even older businesses must usually submit plans to get financing or credit.
myth n. 迷思/錯誤的觀念。
=> commonly believed but false idea
eg: The book challenges the myth of women being less aggressive in their careers.
=> 這本書挑戰女性在職場上較為消極的迷思。
eg: The “thin equal beauty” myth causes many women to suffer from eating disorders.
瘦等於美的錯誤觀念讓許多女性因此得到飲食失調症。
expand v. 擴充/擴展
eg: The company will expand their business to Asia this year.
=> 公司今年會擴展業務到亞洲。
expansion n. 擴充/擴展
eg: The rapid expansion of new branches quickly raised the bank's status to number one.
=> 新分行的快速擴充很快的讓這家銀行進身為第一名的銀行。
map out (phr. v.) 籌畫/安排
map mapped mapped mapping
eg: Fiona’s parents already mapped out a future for her.
=> Fiona的父母親已經替他的未來做好了規劃。
eg: Peter mapped out where he will visit during his trip to Paris.
=> Peter規劃好去巴黎旅遊時要參觀的地點。
set something apart from something else
=> show your business to be different compared to the other business
put off
=> delay
expand
=> grow
corporation n.
map out 制訂
=> plan something in detail
eg: map out your future
//== Chat room ==//
business 商業/生意
business Un. 事情
risky business 冒險的事情
tricky business 難搞/棘手的事情
serious business 重要的事情
eg: Taking a test is a serious business.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Far more important is a good business plan.
=> A good business plan is far more important.
Far more important is ...
=> when you want to impress deeply on your opinions, start this kind of sentence
eg: When juliet's boss asked her to lie to their clients, she quit her job. Far more important to her is keeping her moral principle than making money.
eg: Marcus rarely attends parties; far more important to him is getting his thesis done.
Five mistakes that could kill your business
Operating your own business can be exciting, but it can also be risky. Avoiding the five mistakes below could help you limit your risks and make your business successful.
Myth 1: I need a big idea
Many people think their business needs a great idea to set it apart from the competition. Often, this leads them to put off starting or expanding a business while waiting for a big idea that never comes. While big ideas are great, not every business needs one. Many well-known corporations, including Sony and Hewlett-packard, started before having a great idea of what they would make or sell.
Myth 2: I have a good idea, so I'm ready
An idea, no matter how good, is just an idea. Far more important is a good business plan. A realistic plan, based on accurate information, maps out the path a business will take. It can also identify weaknesses and help a business avoid unnecessary traps. Planning is so important that even older businesses must usually submit plans to get financing or credit.
myth n. 迷思/錯誤的觀念。
=> commonly believed but false idea
eg: The book challenges the myth of women being less aggressive in their careers.
=> 這本書挑戰女性在職場上較為消極的迷思。
eg: The “thin equal beauty” myth causes many women to suffer from eating disorders.
瘦等於美的錯誤觀念讓許多女性因此得到飲食失調症。
expand v. 擴充/擴展
eg: The company will expand their business to Asia this year.
=> 公司今年會擴展業務到亞洲。
expansion n. 擴充/擴展
eg: The rapid expansion of new branches quickly raised the bank's status to number one.
=> 新分行的快速擴充很快的讓這家銀行進身為第一名的銀行。
map out (phr. v.) 籌畫/安排
map mapped mapped mapping
eg: Fiona’s parents already mapped out a future for her.
=> Fiona的父母親已經替他的未來做好了規劃。
eg: Peter mapped out where he will visit during his trip to Paris.
=> Peter規劃好去巴黎旅遊時要參觀的地點。
set something apart from something else
=> show your business to be different compared to the other business
put off
=> delay
expand
=> grow
corporation n.
map out 制訂
=> plan something in detail
eg: map out your future
//== Chat room ==//
business 商業/生意
business Un. 事情
risky business 冒險的事情
tricky business 難搞/棘手的事情
serious business 重要的事情
eg: Taking a test is a serious business.
//== Grammer on the go ==//
Far more important is a good business plan.
=> A good business plan is far more important.
Far more important is ...
=> when you want to impress deeply on your opinions, start this kind of sentence
eg: When juliet's boss asked her to lie to their clients, she quit her job. Far more important to her is keeping her moral principle than making money.
eg: Marcus rarely attends parties; far more important to him is getting his thesis done.
2010年7月27日 星期二
20100727 Bugs Bunny's Debut (1)
Bugs Bunny's Debut
What's up, Doc?
He has gray and white hair, long ears and turns 70 today. But he doesn't look his age, and he has amazing energy. Who or what is this creature? Bugs Bunny - the famouscartoon rabbit who is always chewing on a carrot!
First official appearance
Seventy years ago today, in the cartoon A Wild Hare, a hunter was hunting rabbits. A nameless rabbit suddenly emerged from a hole and said, "What's up, Doc?" That line became Bugs' signature phrase.
Popping up from the rabbit hole was Bugs Bunny's first appearance with this personality. This is why it is considered his first official appearance. Bugs, however, stayed nameless until his second appearance in the cartoon series Elmer's Pet Rabbit.
Popularity
According to the magazine TV Guide, Bugs Bunny is the greatest cartoon character in American history. He is a classic example of "the smart-aleck American comic." His tricks have made people laugh for generations. And even after 70 years, Bugs isn't about to slow down!
emerge v. 出現/顯露
=> come into view
eg: The full moon emerged from behind the clouds.
=> 滿月從雲層後出現。
eg: Bears emerged from the woods after hibernating.
=> 經過冬眠後，熊在樹林後出現。
emerging adj. 新興的/崛起中的
signature n. 特徵/標誌
signature phrase 口頭禪
eg: "I'll be back!" is the signature phrase of the Terminator.
=> "我會再回來!" 是魔鬼終結者的口頭禪。
eg: "Good night and good luck!" is the famous anchor's signature phrase.
=> 這位有名的主播的口頭禪"晚安並祝好運! " 。
smart-aleck adj. 自作聰明的
=> describe personality, you try to make people laugh, you are smart and you know you are smart
eg: The smart-aleck rookie detective got himself in trouble.
=> 這個自作聰明的菜鳥正在讓自己身陷危機。
eg: His smart-aleck comments made him the laughing stock of the class.
=> 他自以為聰明的評論讓他成為全班的笑柄。
debut n. 首次露面/初次登臺
=> first public appearance
chew v. 咀嚼/深思
hare n. 兔子
=> rabbit
signature phrase 口頭禪
personality n. 人格, 品格
=> the type person you are
smart-aleck adj. 【口】自作聰明之人
comic n. 連環漫畫
people of all ages
eg: Bugs make people of all ages laugh.
//== Chat room ==//
trick n. 魔術/把戲/惡作劇
magic tricks 魔術把戲
eg: His tricks have made people laugh for generations
=> 他的鬼把戲讓世世代代的觀眾歡笑
trickster 騙子
trick
= prank
= practical joke 惡作劇
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
And even after 70 years, Bugs isn't about to slow down!
=> And even after 70 years, Bugs isn't going to slow down.
not about to
=> not having the desire or plan to
eg: The secretary is not about to get herself in trouble by interrupting her boss' meeting.
eg: Don't worry. I'm not about to go out and tell your secret to other people.
What's up, Doc?
He has gray and white hair, long ears and turns 70 today. But he doesn't look his age, and he has amazing energy. Who or what is this creature? Bugs Bunny - the famouscartoon rabbit who is always chewing on a carrot!
First official appearance
Seventy years ago today, in the cartoon A Wild Hare, a hunter was hunting rabbits. A nameless rabbit suddenly emerged from a hole and said, "What's up, Doc?" That line became Bugs' signature phrase.
Popping up from the rabbit hole was Bugs Bunny's first appearance with this personality. This is why it is considered his first official appearance. Bugs, however, stayed nameless until his second appearance in the cartoon series Elmer's Pet Rabbit.
Popularity
According to the magazine TV Guide, Bugs Bunny is the greatest cartoon character in American history. He is a classic example of "the smart-aleck American comic." His tricks have made people laugh for generations. And even after 70 years, Bugs isn't about to slow down!
emerge v. 出現/顯露
=> come into view
eg: The full moon emerged from behind the clouds.
=> 滿月從雲層後出現。
eg: Bears emerged from the woods after hibernating.
=> 經過冬眠後，熊在樹林後出現。
emerging adj. 新興的/崛起中的
signature n. 特徵/標誌
signature phrase 口頭禪
eg: "I'll be back!" is the signature phrase of the Terminator.
=> "我會再回來!" 是魔鬼終結者的口頭禪。
eg: "Good night and good luck!" is the famous anchor's signature phrase.
=> 這位有名的主播的口頭禪"晚安並祝好運! " 。
smart-aleck adj. 自作聰明的
=> describe personality, you try to make people laugh, you are smart and you know you are smart
eg: The smart-aleck rookie detective got himself in trouble.
=> 這個自作聰明的菜鳥正在讓自己身陷危機。
eg: His smart-aleck comments made him the laughing stock of the class.
=> 他自以為聰明的評論讓他成為全班的笑柄。
debut n. 首次露面/初次登臺
=> first public appearance
chew v. 咀嚼/深思
hare n. 兔子
=> rabbit
signature phrase 口頭禪
personality n. 人格, 品格
=> the type person you are
smart-aleck adj. 【口】自作聰明之人
comic n. 連環漫畫
people of all ages
eg: Bugs make people of all ages laugh.
//== Chat room ==//
trick n. 魔術/把戲/惡作劇
magic tricks 魔術把戲
eg: His tricks have made people laugh for generations
=> 他的鬼把戲讓世世代代的觀眾歡笑
trickster 騙子
trick
= prank
= practical joke 惡作劇
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
And even after 70 years, Bugs isn't about to slow down!
=> And even after 70 years, Bugs isn't going to slow down.
not about to
=> not having the desire or plan to
eg: The secretary is not about to get herself in trouble by interrupting her boss' meeting.
eg: Don't worry. I'm not about to go out and tell your secret to other people.
2010年7月21日 星期三
20100721 Do You Slang (2)
Do You Slang?
Slang affects both vocabulary and grammar. Take like. It can modify a verb, a noun, an adjective or an adverb. But mostly, it's used as a filler - a word that has no meaning that is added to a sentence. An example is "This car is like really slow." Another filler is stuff. This word, which means "and so on, " can follow just about any word or phrase: The restaurant sells snacks and stuff. Popular slang verbs include rule, which means something has superiority. "Our school rules!" Rock has somewhat the same meaning: "You rock" means you are great.
The word so when used to mean "very" is nothing new. But in the sentence "I am so over my ex-boyfriend", it means without a doubt. Some slang lasts for years, and some is very short-lived. No one knows why. The word OK started out as a slang misspelling of "all correct" but has become an acceptable adjective. Cool continues to thrive as well. On the other hand, to dig something, meanng to understand or enjoy it, has gone by the wayside. Learning slang can be fun and brighten up your language, but remember, what is here today is often gone tomorrow.
modify v. 修飾/修改
eg: My professor advised me to modify my report after he read it.
=> 我的教授讀了我的報告之後建議我要修改。
eg: The accounting system was recently modified to make it more efficient and accurate.
=> 為了更有效率和更精確會計系统最近作了修改。
thrive v. 繁盛/發展旺盛
eg: John's construction company still thrived during the recession.
=> John的建設公司在不景氣期間，仍然生意興榮。
eg: Cindy might look very timid but she thrives well under stress.
=> Cindy也許看起來膽子非常小，但是她在壓力下表現很好。
go by the wayside 被豎之高閣
wayside 路邊
eg: Cassettes and video tapes went by the wayside years ago. They are very hard to find now.
=> 卡帶和錄影带多年前就已經被豎之高閣。 現在連要找都很困難。
eg: Mark spent a fortune buying tools, but they have since gone by the wayside.
=> Mark花了大筆錢買的工具，但是從此之後他們就被豎之高閣了。
stuff
eg: I got relaxed and stuff.
//== Chat room ==//
Learning slang can be fun and brighten up your language.
=> 學習俚語會是一件有趣的事和使你的言語更生動。
brighten up 從陰暗轉為光明
brighten his day
eg: It's so good to see you. You brighten my day.
Slang affects both vocabulary and grammar. Take like. It can modify a verb, a noun, an adjective or an adverb. But mostly, it's used as a filler - a word that has no meaning that is added to a sentence. An example is "This car is like really slow." Another filler is stuff. This word, which means "and so on, " can follow just about any word or phrase: The restaurant sells snacks and stuff. Popular slang verbs include rule, which means something has superiority. "Our school rules!" Rock has somewhat the same meaning: "You rock" means you are great.
The word so when used to mean "very" is nothing new. But in the sentence "I am so over my ex-boyfriend", it means without a doubt. Some slang lasts for years, and some is very short-lived. No one knows why. The word OK started out as a slang misspelling of "all correct" but has become an acceptable adjective. Cool continues to thrive as well. On the other hand, to dig something, meanng to understand or enjoy it, has gone by the wayside. Learning slang can be fun and brighten up your language, but remember, what is here today is often gone tomorrow.
modify v. 修飾/修改
eg: My professor advised me to modify my report after he read it.
=> 我的教授讀了我的報告之後建議我要修改。
eg: The accounting system was recently modified to make it more efficient and accurate.
=> 為了更有效率和更精確會計系统最近作了修改。
thrive v. 繁盛/發展旺盛
eg: John's construction company still thrived during the recession.
=> John的建設公司在不景氣期間，仍然生意興榮。
eg: Cindy might look very timid but she thrives well under stress.
=> Cindy也許看起來膽子非常小，但是她在壓力下表現很好。
go by the wayside 被豎之高閣
wayside 路邊
eg: Cassettes and video tapes went by the wayside years ago. They are very hard to find now.
=> 卡帶和錄影带多年前就已經被豎之高閣。 現在連要找都很困難。
eg: Mark spent a fortune buying tools, but they have since gone by the wayside.
=> Mark花了大筆錢買的工具，但是從此之後他們就被豎之高閣了。
stuff
eg: I got relaxed and stuff.
//== Chat room ==//
Learning slang can be fun and brighten up your language.
=> 學習俚語會是一件有趣的事和使你的言語更生動。
brighten up 從陰暗轉為光明
brighten his day
eg: It's so good to see you. You brighten my day.
2010年7月20日 星期二
20100720 Do You Slang (1)
Do You Slang?
Making language more colorful one word or phrase at a time
Where do you find slang? It is like everywhere! And "way cool" - at least to some people. The dictionary defines slang as a kind of language mainly used in casual, playful speech whose terms are usually short-lived and change frequently. Slang coins new words and creates new meaings for old words. Who uses it? Everyone. And you'll find slang in almost every language. American teens have slang from the emphatic no way to the ubiquitous like that peppers their language. The slang word chillaxing combines the words chill and relax and means hanging out and doing nothing.
Older folks still use slang from their younger days. Examples include have a blast, which means to enjoy a great time, and don't have a cow, which means don't get upset. Today the Internet helps slang proliferate, but years ago Shakespeare's writings spread it. Some people say that one in every 10 words Shakespeare used in his plays was slang. His plays popularized a lot of terms - many of which are considered standard language today. Believe it or not, bedroom, employer, luggage, soft-hearted and embrace are among the words Shakespeare either coined or helped to popularize.
slang Un. 俚語
eg: "Kick back" is slang for. "relax".
=>"放鬆"是"relax"的俚語。
slang v. 說俚語
eg: These football players slang a lot when they're alone.
=> 這些足球員在沒有別人的時候，常常說俚語。
ubiquitous adj. 普遍存在的/無所不在的
=> in many places you see it
eg: When we went to the woods, we were attacked by the ubiquitous mosquitoes.
=> 當我們去樹林中，就被到處都是的蚊子給攻擊。
eg: It seemed difficult for the celebrity couple to get rid of the ubiquitous paparazzi.
=> 這隊名人夫婦想要擺脫無所不在的狗仔隊似乎很難。
proliferate v. 激增/擴散
=> increase in number/a mount
eg: Crimes proliferated in the downtown area and caused many people to move to the suburbs.
=> 市區的犯罪氾濫以致於許多人民搬到郊區。
eg: Computer companies proliferated in San Jose in the 90's.
=> 90年代的聖荷西的電腦公司激增.
slang n. 俚語
=> words/phrases that are used informally
Slang coins new words and creates new meaings for old words.
=> here coin means "to use it for the first time, to create"
emphatic adj. 強調的/著重的
=> being emphasize
soft-hearted adj.
=> kind, compassion
embrace v.擁抱
=> hug
//== Chat room ==//
slang v. 俚語
cram v. 以填鴨式的方式教學/惡補
all-nighter n. 通宵K書
bomb the test 完全失敗
cool adj. 酷
awesome adj. 很棒的
sweet adj. 很棒的
eg: That car is pretty sweet. 那部車很讚
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
Today the Internet helps slang proliferate, but years ago Shakespeare's writings spread it
Today.., but years ago...
=> Compare how things are now with how thing were before
eg: Today we have the convenience of using celular phones, but years ago, we had to depend on pay phones.
eg: Today women can have any hairstyle they like, but years ago, many cultures expected women to have long hair.
Making language more colorful one word or phrase at a time
Where do you find slang? It is like everywhere! And "way cool" - at least to some people. The dictionary defines slang as a kind of language mainly used in casual, playful speech whose terms are usually short-lived and change frequently. Slang coins new words and creates new meaings for old words. Who uses it? Everyone. And you'll find slang in almost every language. American teens have slang from the emphatic no way to the ubiquitous like that peppers their language. The slang word chillaxing combines the words chill and relax and means hanging out and doing nothing.
Older folks still use slang from their younger days. Examples include have a blast, which means to enjoy a great time, and don't have a cow, which means don't get upset. Today the Internet helps slang proliferate, but years ago Shakespeare's writings spread it. Some people say that one in every 10 words Shakespeare used in his plays was slang. His plays popularized a lot of terms - many of which are considered standard language today. Believe it or not, bedroom, employer, luggage, soft-hearted and embrace are among the words Shakespeare either coined or helped to popularize.
slang Un. 俚語
eg: "Kick back" is slang for. "relax".
=>"放鬆"是"relax"的俚語。
slang v. 說俚語
eg: These football players slang a lot when they're alone.
=> 這些足球員在沒有別人的時候，常常說俚語。
ubiquitous adj. 普遍存在的/無所不在的
=> in many places you see it
eg: When we went to the woods, we were attacked by the ubiquitous mosquitoes.
=> 當我們去樹林中，就被到處都是的蚊子給攻擊。
eg: It seemed difficult for the celebrity couple to get rid of the ubiquitous paparazzi.
=> 這隊名人夫婦想要擺脫無所不在的狗仔隊似乎很難。
proliferate v. 激增/擴散
=> increase in number/a mount
eg: Crimes proliferated in the downtown area and caused many people to move to the suburbs.
=> 市區的犯罪氾濫以致於許多人民搬到郊區。
eg: Computer companies proliferated in San Jose in the 90's.
=> 90年代的聖荷西的電腦公司激增.
slang n. 俚語
=> words/phrases that are used informally
Slang coins new words and creates new meaings for old words.
=> here coin means "to use it for the first time, to create"
emphatic adj. 強調的/著重的
=> being emphasize
soft-hearted adj.
=> kind, compassion
embrace v.擁抱
=> hug
//== Chat room ==//
slang v. 俚語
cram v. 以填鴨式的方式教學/惡補
all-nighter n. 通宵K書
bomb the test 完全失敗
cool adj. 酷
awesome adj. 很棒的
sweet adj. 很棒的
eg: That car is pretty sweet. 那部車很讚
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
Today the Internet helps slang proliferate, but years ago Shakespeare's writings spread it
Today.., but years ago...
=> Compare how things are now with how thing were before
eg: Today we have the convenience of using celular phones, but years ago, we had to depend on pay phones.
eg: Today women can have any hairstyle they like, but years ago, many cultures expected women to have long hair.
2010年7月19日 星期一
20100719 Cool as a Cucumber (1)
Cool as a Cucumber
This vegetable has more to offer than just taste
The delicate taste of a cucumber makes it a popular addition to salads. And the sour taste of a juicy pickle suits hamburgers and hot dogs perfectly. But there is more to a cucumber than its taste. Here are some other interesting uses: Do you ever forget to polish your shoes and later realize you have an important meeting? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over your shoes for a nice shine. In addition, the shine will help keep your shoes dry, so don't worry if it rains. Do your eyes feel sore and puffy?
Cut a couple of slices of cucumber and place one on each eye. Within a few minutes, your eyes should start feeling better. Does your bathroom mirror fog up after a shower? Eliminate the fog by rubbing a slice of cucumber over your mirror. And your bathroom will smell nice too.
Do you ever burn yourself while cooking? Cut up some cucumber and mix it with water in a blender. Then put the mixture on the burn. So remember, you can do more with cucumbers than eat them!
sore adj. 疼痛/酸痛的/發炎的
eg: Maggie's got a sore throat today. She can't even talk.
=> Maggie今天喉嚨痛。她連話都說不出來。
eg: My legs were sore after climbing the mountain.
=> 爬山之後我的腿很酸。
eg: The boy showed me his sore thumb.
=> 這個小男生把受傷的大拇指給我看。
eliminate v. 消除/消滅
=> remove, get rid of something
eg: Exercising can eliminate stress and anxiety quickly.
=> 運動可以快速消除壓力和焦慮。
eg: The troops eliminated their enemies with smart strategies.
=> 這個部隊用了靈巧的戰術消滅了他們的敵人。
eg: The organization's goal is to eliminate racial discrimination in the society.
=> 這個組織的目標在於除去社會中的種族歧視。
mix v. 混合
mixture n. 混合物
eg: This punch is a mixture of three different juices.
=> 這種綜合果汁是三種不同果汁的綜合物。
eg: When you watch a thriller you feel a mixture of fear and excitement.
=> 當你在看驚恐片的時候，你感覺既恐懼又興奮。
cucumber n. 黃瓜
delicate adj. 脆的/易碎的/嬌貴的
=> soft
pickle n. (醃魚/蔬菜等的)鹽滷/泡菜水
puffy adj. 脹大的/肥滿的
=> look very full
slice n. 薄片/切片/片
blender n. 攪拌機/混合器
//== Chat room ==//
cool as a cucumber 非常的沉著/冷靜/泰然自若
go bananas 勃然大怒/情緒失控
a hot potato 燙手山芋
peanuts 【俚】無甚價值之物/小數額/很少量的錢
eg: He is willing to work for peanuts.
=> 他願意為很低的待遇工作。
eg: My bicycle cost me peanuts.
=> 我以很便宜的價格買到我的腳踏車
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
And the sour taste of a juicy pickle suits hamburgers and hot dogs perfectly.
=> And the sour taste of a juicy pickle matches hamburgers and hot dogs perfectly.
to suit something perfectly
suit
=> to match
eg: Soft classical music suits a romantic candlelight dinner perfectly.
eg: Anna likes bright colors, so that orange dress suits her taste perfectly.
This vegetable has more to offer than just taste
The delicate taste of a cucumber makes it a popular addition to salads. And the sour taste of a juicy pickle suits hamburgers and hot dogs perfectly. But there is more to a cucumber than its taste. Here are some other interesting uses: Do you ever forget to polish your shoes and later realize you have an important meeting? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over your shoes for a nice shine. In addition, the shine will help keep your shoes dry, so don't worry if it rains. Do your eyes feel sore and puffy?
Cut a couple of slices of cucumber and place one on each eye. Within a few minutes, your eyes should start feeling better. Does your bathroom mirror fog up after a shower? Eliminate the fog by rubbing a slice of cucumber over your mirror. And your bathroom will smell nice too.
Do you ever burn yourself while cooking? Cut up some cucumber and mix it with water in a blender. Then put the mixture on the burn. So remember, you can do more with cucumbers than eat them!
sore adj. 疼痛/酸痛的/發炎的
eg: Maggie's got a sore throat today. She can't even talk.
=> Maggie今天喉嚨痛。她連話都說不出來。
eg: My legs were sore after climbing the mountain.
=> 爬山之後我的腿很酸。
eg: The boy showed me his sore thumb.
=> 這個小男生把受傷的大拇指給我看。
eliminate v. 消除/消滅
=> remove, get rid of something
eg: Exercising can eliminate stress and anxiety quickly.
=> 運動可以快速消除壓力和焦慮。
eg: The troops eliminated their enemies with smart strategies.
=> 這個部隊用了靈巧的戰術消滅了他們的敵人。
eg: The organization's goal is to eliminate racial discrimination in the society.
=> 這個組織的目標在於除去社會中的種族歧視。
mix v. 混合
mixture n. 混合物
eg: This punch is a mixture of three different juices.
=> 這種綜合果汁是三種不同果汁的綜合物。
eg: When you watch a thriller you feel a mixture of fear and excitement.
=> 當你在看驚恐片的時候，你感覺既恐懼又興奮。
cucumber n. 黃瓜
delicate adj. 脆的/易碎的/嬌貴的
=> soft
pickle n. (醃魚/蔬菜等的)鹽滷/泡菜水
puffy adj. 脹大的/肥滿的
=> look very full
slice n. 薄片/切片/片
blender n. 攪拌機/混合器
//== Chat room ==//
cool as a cucumber 非常的沉著/冷靜/泰然自若
go bananas 勃然大怒/情緒失控
a hot potato 燙手山芋
peanuts 【俚】無甚價值之物/小數額/很少量的錢
eg: He is willing to work for peanuts.
=> 他願意為很低的待遇工作。
eg: My bicycle cost me peanuts.
=> 我以很便宜的價格買到我的腳踏車
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
And the sour taste of a juicy pickle suits hamburgers and hot dogs perfectly.
=> And the sour taste of a juicy pickle matches hamburgers and hot dogs perfectly.
to suit something perfectly
suit
=> to match
eg: Soft classical music suits a romantic candlelight dinner perfectly.
eg: Anna likes bright colors, so that orange dress suits her taste perfectly.
2010年7月16日 星期五
20100716 What's the Beef With Meat (1)
What's the Beef With Meat?
Vegetables are the key to be a healthy diet, but can they take the place of meat?
To eat meat or not to eat meat, that is the question. Mark, whose girlfriend is a vegetarian, has recently decided to give up meat. He is discussing his decision with his friend Daniel.
Conversation A
Daniel: So is there anything new with you and Jessie?
Mark: Not much, but I have decided to become a vegetarian.
Daniel: You're giving up meat?
Mark: Well, Jessie and I have talked a lot about it.
Daniel: I guess I'm not really surprised. I knew she would win you over eventually.
Mark: But I've done my own research too. You should see the news reports about farm and slaughterhouse conditions. What those animals endure is horrible.
Daniel: But those reports always exaggerate reality. I'm sure most farmers treat their animals well. Besides, eating meat is natural and healthy for humans.
Mark: Actually, my main motivation for becoming a vegetarian is health.
Daniel: How so?
Mark: A vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and a healthy weight.
Daniel: But on the other hand, meat is a great source of iron and protein. It's much easier to eat a balanced diet if you include meat.
beef Un. 牛肉
beef n. 不滿/抱怨/牢騷
beef with someone 對某人的抱怨
eg: Janet's beef with her boss is that she got transferred to another office.
=> Janet因為老闆把她調到另一個辦公室而抱怨。
eg: The employees' main beef with the company is the long working hours.
=> 員工對公司的抱怨最主要是工作時間太長。
ex- 向外
exaggerate v. 誇張/誇大
=> make the story bigger
eg: The side-effect of the vaccine was exaggerated by the press.
=> 這個疫苗的副作用被媒體誇張報導了。
eg: I'm not exaggerating! The fish I caught was over 25 pounds.
=> 我沒有誇張!我捉到的魚超過25磅。
associate v. 聯想/與...有關連
eg: People associate Hollywood with fame and wealth.
=> 人們都把好萊塢與名聲和財富連想在一起。
eg: Smoking is often associated with lung cancer.
=> 抽煙經常和肺癌有關聯。
What's the beef with something?
=> What don't you like about something?
vegetarian n. 素食主義者的
slaughterhouse 屠殺場
//== Chat room ==//
give up 放棄
eg: I give up.
=> 我已經死了這條新，我放棄/我認輸
give up something 停止/終止/戒掉某物
eg: gived up smoking 戒煙
eg: Mark has recently decided to give up meat.
=> Mark要戒掉吃肉
give up on 離棄/對某人感到失望
eg: Father gave up on his son.
give yourself up 屈服/投降/向警方自首
2010年7月15日 星期四
20100715 Trekking Through the Trees (2)
Trekking Through the Trees
Spending time in the trees
From the walkway, tourists can enjoy a spectacular view from canopy heights. Word about this unique form of ecotourism continues to spread and has become increasingly popular among travelers. Canopy walkways include a serious of suspension bridges stretched through canopy treetops and across several large and small ravines. Tourists who are willing to brave the heights enjoy a bird's eye view of the fascinating life that exists among the canopy branches. The more adventurous can opt to enjoy soaring through the jungle rooftop on a zipline excursion.
Those who are willing and brave are first fitted with a special body harness and taken through a safety training course. Once they have completed it, participants climb up ladders to reach platforms located to reach platforms located within the canopy branches. Finally, after being fastened onto a steel cable, participants take a deep breath and jump! Immediately, they are "flying" through the trees and over deep ravines, no doubt taking in a beautiful view as they glide through the air. While canopy walking and zipline excursions are not for everyone, those willing to brave the heights find delight in the canopy's beauty.
a bird's eye view 鳥瞰
eg: We took the ferris wheel and had a wonderful bird's eye view of the city.
=> 我們摩天輪並且欣賞了城市美麗的全景
eg: The pilot took many pictures from the bird's eye view of the military base.
=> 這位風行員從高空照了許多軍事基地的照片
soar v. 高速飛翔/遨翔
eg: The eagle soared above the ocean.
=> 老鷹在海面上遨翔
eg: The audience watched the jets soaring by in the sky.
=> 觀眾欣賞噴射機高速飛過天際
soar v. 急速上升
eg: Oil prices have soared in the past three months.
=> 油價在過去三個月急速上升
harness n. 安全鎖具
eg: The coach told the students to double-check their parachute harnesses before they jumped out of the plane.
=> 教練要學員在跳出飛機之前再次檢查他們的降落傘的安全鎖具
eg: The rider is very short, so the riding harness needs to be adjusted.
=> 騎士非常矮小，所以馬具需要調整
spectacular adj. 壯觀的
=> wonderful to see
ecotourism n. 到生態環境保存完好的自然地區所作的旅行
suspension bridge 吊橋
ravine n. 溝壑/深谷
=> a place of the earth that has been formed by water
zipline excursion
zipline 繩索
=> strong medal cable, people also attach themselves too
excursion n. 遠足/短途旅行
=> very short fun journey
glide v. 滑動/滑行
//== Chat room ==//
tourist who are willing to brave the heights
=> 勇於克服懼高症的遊客
brave v. 勇敢的面對
=> face a difficult/dangerous situation
eg: brave the bad weather 勇敢地面對壞天氣
eg: brave the elements(大自然的力量，像風雷雨等)
=> 如果在大風雨的晚上出門，就是brave the elements
guts n. 勇氣/毅力/膽量
=> courage
eg: Do you have the guts to swim with the sharks?
eg: He had the guts to take on the rubber.
eg: He has a lot of guts. 他有很大的膽量
//== More Infomation ==//
You can enjoy "the treetop life" in a rainforest or deciduous forest canopy depending on what part of life world you're visiting. For example, a tropical zipline adventure could be had the Monteverdi Cloud Forest Preserve in Costa Rica. The canopy includes over 400 bird species, 100 mammal species, 1,200 reptile and amphibian species, and 2,500 plant species. Amazing.
2010年7月14日 星期三
20100714 Trekking Through the Trees (1)
Trekking Through the Trees
Adventure awaits in the treetops
Tarzan's effortless flights through jungle treetops have had humans living vicariously through him for decades. If only swinging from branch to branch through the jungle rooftop were as feasible for real people. Thanks to canopy trekking, now it is! Today, humans can walk or "fly" through leafy treetops, all the while enjoying nature at its finest.
How it all started
Humans have long been drawn to the mysteries of rainforest canopies. Suspended at around 40 m in the air, these canopies are the most productive habitats on Earth.
As much as 40 percent of the world's species spend their lives living among the canopy branches! That's not surprising seeing as the green canopy leaves receive so much sunlight that there is constant food and warmth. Scientists were among the first to understand the vast diversity of rainforest canopies. In the 1970s they began to study canopies by using ropes to access their heights and building platforms for long-term surveillance. Today, even more elaborate methods are used to study the canopies. One of those methods, canopy walkways, has recently become more than a science project - canopy walkways are now popular tourist attractions too.
trek v. 健行
=> go for a walk, usually for long distances
trek trekked trekked trekking
eg: We trekked through the forest and reached the lake in the afternoon.
=> 我們健行穿過森林並且下午到達了湖邊。
eg: Sam and his friends went treakking in the mountains last weekend.
=> 山姆和他的朋友上個週末到山上健行。
vicariously adv. 間接地/代替地
eg: Through the author's description we can vicariously experience his exotic journey.
=> 我們可以透過作者的敘述彷彿親身經歷他的異國之旅。
eg: Those who are addicted to online games live vicariously through computers and stop living in the real world.
=> 網路遊戲上癮者透過電腦而生活，他們停止在真實的世界上生活。
sur- 在...之上
surveillance n. 監視/監督
under surveillance 在某人監視之下
=> observation
eg: The thief tampered with several surveillance cameras.
=> 竊賊破壞了好幾臺監視錄影機。
eg: The police put the suspect under surveillance last week.
=> 警察從上星期開始監視這名嫌疑犯。
Tarzan 泰山 (美國作家E.R.Burroughs的作品"人猿泰山"之主角)
feasible adj. 可行的/可實行的
=> possible, able to be done
canopy n. 遮雨篷/天篷
habitat n. (動物的)棲息地
seeing as
=> considering the fact that
=> realizing the fact that
diversity n. 多樣性
=> the quality of several different kinds of something
eg: The U.S.A has a diversity of people.
//== Chat room ==//
thanks to you 跟 thank you 不一樣
thanks to
= because of
thanks to you (可以用於好事和壞事，用在壞事往往帶著諷刺的語氣)
=> because of you
eg: Thanks to you, I was late to the meeting
=> 因為你的關係，我開會遲到了
eg: Thanks to your foolishness, we lost a lot of money.
=> 多謝你的愚蠢，我們損失了一大筆錢。
No thanks to you.你沒有功勞
=> You give me no help.
eg: I finally got my license. No thanks to you.
=> 我最後拿到駕照了，你沒有幫我任何忙
Thanks, but no thanks. 不要，謝謝
=> a polite way of turning down an offer
=> 可以用來婉拒別人的句子
=> 如果別人想要請你吃飯，你不想要去則你可以禮貌地說：Thanks, but no thanks.(我心領了)
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
If only swinging from branch to branch through the jungle rooftop were as feasible for real people.
=> I wish that swinging from branch to branch through the jungle rooftop were as feasible for real people.
if only (informal way)
=> I wish
eg: I wish my house were bigger.
=> If only my house were bigger.
eg: I wish the theater tickets were cheaper.
=> If only theater tickets were cheaper.
2010年7月13日 星期二
20100713 The Panama Canal Connecting Oceans (2)
The Panama Canal: Connecting Oceans
American President Theodore Roosevelt quickly took over where the French crew had left off. He bought the canal property and sent a team of workers to finish the project. Led by John Stevens, the American team got rid of the mosquitoes. This effort helped the team of nearly 40,000 workers to stay healthy and productive. The team used gigantic steam shovels to make a path for the canal. But even with the help of such lare equipment, the work progressed slowly.
Finally, after nearly 10 years of non-stop digging, the canal successfully opened in 1914. The story didn't make the headlines, though. The public was focused on World War I. Therefore the canal wasn't dedicated until July 12, 1920. Since the canal first opened, more than 960,000 ships have traveled through it. The Panama Canal has become an important link in global shipping. A journey that took weeks now takes hours.
crew n. 工作人員
eg: The camera crew already set up their equipment in the press conference room.
=> 攝影員已經在記者會的會場中設置好他們的裝備。
eg: The cabin crew started their service after the captain made the announcement.
=>機長廣播之後，機組人員就開始服務。
product n. 產品
productive adj. 產量高的
eg: a productive land 產量豐富的土地
productive adj. 效率高的/成效高的
eg: The meeting was very productive. A lot of important decisions were made.
=> 這個會議很有成效。很多重要決定都已經定案。
headline n. 頭條新聞/報紙的頭板
eg: The couple's wedding was in the headlines of the newspaper today.
=> 這對婚禮的新人是今天在報紙的頭條新聞。
make the headlines 成為頭條新聞
eg: The scandal surrounding the mayor made today's headlines.
=> 有關市長的醜聞今天成為頭條新聞。
gigantic adj. 巨大的, 龐大的
=> very large/huge, enormous
steam shovel 蒸汽挖土機
dedicate v. 以...奉獻/以...供奉
take over
= take charge of
//== Chat room ==//
英文有許多不可數名詞像
equipment 所有的裝備
luggage 行李
candy 糖果
如果要數的話，可以用piece
eg: a piece of candy 一顆糖果
eg: three pieces of luggage 三件行李
eg: five pieces of equipment 五個工具
work 是工作，也是不可數
可用jobs, tasks, projects, chores 來表示不同的工作項目
scenery U. 景色
views C. 視野
eg: I likes the views from Taipei 101.
eg: I like the scenery from Taipei 101.
//== Grammar on the Go ==//
The story didn't make the headlines.
=> The canal was finished. This event was treated as a news story.
make the headlines 成為頭條新聞
= make headlines
headlines
=> the title of a newspaper article
make
=> become or be treated as important news
eg: The young girl's darling attempt to rescue a horse in a burning barn made the headlines.
eg: The politician's son made the headlies when he was caught driving without a license.
2010年7月12日 星期一
20100712 The Panama Canal Connecting Oceans (1)
The Panama Canal: Connecting Oceans
A short canal saves ships thousands: of miles
European sailors in the 1500s sought a shortcut to the west coasts of the Americas. Back then, this trip required sailing around Cape Horn, which is the southernmost tip of South America. But Spanish explorer Vasco de Balboa's discovery offered hope. When he crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513, he discovered how narrow it was. Only 80.5 km of land separated the Atlantic from the Pacific! The Spanish surveyed the area in hopes of building a canal. But the local governor decided it was impossible.
Fast-forward to 1869. Ferdinand de Lesseps had completed the 163-km-long Suez Canal, a waterway linking Europe and Asia. France asked him to repeat his success at Panama. He agreed to try. When digging started in 1881, de Lesseps thought building a canal across Panama would be easy. But he didn't realize that digging in a jungle would be so dangerous. De Lesseps and his team abandoned their project after thousands of workers died from diseases caused by mosquitoes.
seek v. 尋求/追求
seek sought sought
eg: The charity organization is seeking financial support from the government.
=> 這個慈善組織正在尋求政府的財務上的支持。
eg: We sought a solution to the problem but found no answer.
=> 我們很努力想要尋求解決問題的方法，但是還沒有找到答案。
survey n. 調查報告
survey v. 勘查/檢視
eg: Engineers surveyed the surrounding area before building the dam.
=> 工程師在建造水壩之前勘測了附近的區域。
eg: Victor went to his farm to survey the tornado's damage.
=> Victor到農場巡視龍捲風所造成的損失。
abandon v. 放棄/中止
=> leave something alone
eg: We had to abandon the project due to insufficient funds.
=> 因為資金不足我們只好中止這項計劃。
eg: The mountaineers abandoned their attempt to reach the top because of bad weather conditions.
=> 因為天候不佳，這些登山者只好放棄了他們登頂的嘗試。
canal n. 運河
=> a very narrow area of water made by people
explorer n. 探險家/勘探者
Isthmus of Panama 巴拿馬海峽
fast-forward
=> move ahead quickly
waterway n. 水路/航道
=> another word for canal
//== Chat room ==//
the Panama Canal 巴拿馬運河
kennel 狗屋
= doghouse (美國人常用doghouse)
to be in the doghouse 因為做錯事受冷落受懲罰
A short canal saves ships thousands: of miles
European sailors in the 1500s sought a shortcut to the west coasts of the Americas. Back then, this trip required sailing around Cape Horn, which is the southernmost tip of South America. But Spanish explorer Vasco de Balboa's discovery offered hope. When he crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513, he discovered how narrow it was. Only 80.5 km of land separated the Atlantic from the Pacific! The Spanish surveyed the area in hopes of building a canal. But the local governor decided it was impossible.
Fast-forward to 1869. Ferdinand de Lesseps had completed the 163-km-long Suez Canal, a waterway linking Europe and Asia. France asked him to repeat his success at Panama. He agreed to try. When digging started in 1881, de Lesseps thought building a canal across Panama would be easy. But he didn't realize that digging in a jungle would be so dangerous. De Lesseps and his team abandoned their project after thousands of workers died from diseases caused by mosquitoes.
seek v. 尋求/追求
seek sought sought
eg: The charity organization is seeking financial support from the government.
=> 這個慈善組織正在尋求政府的財務上的支持。
eg: We sought a solution to the problem but found no answer.
=> 我們很努力想要尋求解決問題的方法，但是還沒有找到答案。
survey n. 調查報告
survey v. 勘查/檢視
eg: Engineers surveyed the surrounding area before building the dam.
=> 工程師在建造水壩之前勘測了附近的區域。
eg: Victor went to his farm to survey the tornado's damage.
=> Victor到農場巡視龍捲風所造成的損失。
abandon v. 放棄/中止
=> leave something alone
eg: We had to abandon the project due to insufficient funds.
=> 因為資金不足我們只好中止這項計劃。
eg: The mountaineers abandoned their attempt to reach the top because of bad weather conditions.
=> 因為天候不佳，這些登山者只好放棄了他們登頂的嘗試。
canal n. 運河
=> a very narrow area of water made by people
explorer n. 探險家/勘探者
Isthmus of Panama 巴拿馬海峽
fast-forward
=> move ahead quickly
waterway n. 水路/航道
=> another word for canal
//== Chat room ==//
the Panama Canal 巴拿馬運河
kennel 狗屋
= doghouse (美國人常用doghouse)
to be in the doghouse 因為做錯事受冷落受懲罰
2010年7月2日 星期五
20100701 Mackinac Island (1)
Mackinac Island
A place where horsepower takes on it new meaning
Imagine a vacation where you can sit quietly on a big porch and look out over blue water. Imagine no loud engines or car horns interrupting that quiet. Instead, the clip-clop of horses' hooves fills your ears. You'll find that on Mackinac Island, Mich. Located in Lake Huro off the coast of northern Michigan, the 3.8-square-mile island is accessible only by boat or plane. Its location made it attractive first to Native Americans and then to Europeans. Missionaries and fur traders arrived in the 17th century. In time, British and then American soldiers were also posted here.
In the 19th century, commercial fishermen used the island as a base. After the American Civil War (1861-1865), people wanted to escape the cities, and throngs of tourists found beauty and relaxation on Mackinac. The island became America's second national park in 1875.
But in 1895, the nation transferred it to Michigan, and Mackinac became Michigan's first state park. In 1898, when the automobile age threatened to come to the island, the city council banned the "horseless carriage." That policy allows the island to keep its 19th century atmosphere.
access n. 進入/使用
accessible adj. 可以進入的/可使用的
eg: The class website is only accessible for the listed students.
=> 只有列在名單上的學員可以進入班級的網頁。
eg: The village is easily accessible by car or boat.
=> 這個村莊坐汽車或小船都可以輕鬆到達。
post v. 軍隊駐紮
=> sent to work here, talk about soldier
eg: The troops have been posted in the valley for days.
=> 部隊已經在這個山谷駐紮了好幾天。
post v. 佈署/安排
eg: The chief posted 2 police officers at the eyewitness' home.
=> 院長在目擊者的家中佈署了2名警官。
post n. 崗哨
eg: The soldier remained at his post by order.
=> 這位士兵接受命令要留在崗哨上。
trans- 超越/通過
transfer v. 轉讓/調動/改變
transfer transfferred transferred / transferring
eg: After working 5 years in sales, Lisa was transferred to management.
=> 在業務單位服務5年之後，Lisa被轉移到管理部門。
porch n. 門廊/入口處
clip-clop
=> the sound that hourse made
hoof n. 蹄
throng n. 人群/大群
=> a very large number of people
missionary n. 傳教士
//== Chat room ==//
commercial n. (電視)廣告
commercial adj. 營利本位的/商業性的
commerce n. 商業/貿易/交易
commercial fishermen 商業漁夫
commercial businesses 一般的公司行號
commercial success 商業成就
profit n. 利潤/盈利/收益/紅利
non-profit organization 非營利的組織
=charity 慈善機構
//== More Information ==//
Quite a few people stay on Mackinac Island during the winter. When the lake water freezes, people travel to the mainland by way of snowmobile. After Christmas, Islanders drill a trail of holes in the ice and plant Christmas trees in them. That way, if a blizzard comes, people can still find their way back to the island-by following the trees.
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)