The history of cutlery
Knives
Of all the eating utensils used today, knives have the longest history, dating back to early civilization. They weren't used food initially, but as tools or weapons, and were first made from stone, then bronze, and later iron. Eventually people began using knives to cut food, stab it and put it in their mouths. Because knives were costly, dinner guests would bring their own to a meal.
Spoons
Though knives are older, spoons have been used as eating utensils longer. During the Stone Age, people used shells to scoop food and bring it to their mouth; later, handles were added, making the first official spoons.
Forks
In 1075 a Turkish princess used a golden fork to pierce her food at her wedding in Venice, Italy. She was criticized heavily as was England's Queen Elizabeth I when she ate with a fork in the 1600s. But as travelers spread this eating custom all around Europe, it finally became commonplace during the 17th century. North Americans didn't fully embrace the use of forks until the early 1800s.
Today, however, a knife, fork and spoon can be found at every place on almost every Western dinner table.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Silent K
knife/knives
knock, know, knee, knob
古英文kn的字有發 k音,
但14,15世紀發生the Great Vowel Shift (母音大推移) 語言轉變
同時the printing press, 印刷機問世, 保留原有字拼法, 造成今日k不發音的情形
Grammar Gym
She was criticized heavily as was England's Queen Elizabeth I when she ate with a fork in the 1600s.
as was England's Queen Elizabeth I
as + [a helping verb] + subject
- Kylie was a vegetarian, as were the rest of her family.
- Leonard finished his homework within one hour, as did his brother.
Language Lab
cutlery n. 刀具, 餐具
knives, forks, and spoons that you use for eating and serving food
- Mom put her cutlery in the dining room cabinet.
- While enjoying a steak, it's important to use the right cutlery.
crockery n. 瓷器, 杯盤
cups, dishes, plates etc [ cutlery]
- This expensive crockery and cutlery are their wedding gifts.
bronze n. 青銅, 銅;
a hard metal that is a mixture of copper and tin:
- The statue of the artist was made from bronze.
- Exhibit No. 121 is a Bronze Age shield.
bronze adj. 銅製的
/ˈbrɑːnz/
made of bronze:
- The bronze medal for the swimming competition goes to Germany.
pierce v. 穿破, 刺破,
to make a small hole in or through something, using an object with a sharp point:
- Luckily the knife didn't pierce the police officer's arm very deeply.
打孔, 打洞
to have a small hole made in your ears, nose etc so that you can wear jewelry through the hole:
- Joanne got her ears pierced when she was only 12.
commonplace adj. 普通的, 平常的, 平凡的;
happening or existing in many places, and therefore not special or unusual:
- smartphones are commonplace among teenage kids.
commonplace n. 平常的, 司空見慣的事
something that happens or exists in many places, so that it is not unusual:
- It has become commonplace for children to still live with their parents after they become adults.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140531baae08dd1dbb2a325e0bf9955dd63e506792e97293dfed2eaa257c188067b47ae12.wma
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Eating Utensils Around the World (1)
Discover the many unique ways people feed themselves
"Don't eat with your hands!"
When you were young, how often did your mother admonish you for eating with your fingers instead of the proper utensils? She wanted to teach you good table manners. Yet in some parts of the world, it's acceptable to eat with your hands and a variety of other eating implements.
China
Chopsticks probably originated in China around 1200 B.C. Food was cut into small pieces in order to cook faster, requiring less fuel, and, thus, easy to pick up with sticks. Over the years, chopsticks made their way to Korea, Japan and other Asian nations. The concepts is the same, but the sticks themselves differ in length and shape.
Ethiopia
Injera, a large, thin and spongy sourdough bread, serves as plate and spoon for diners in Ethiopia. People tear off pieces of the bread, place it over the food, grab a bite with a pinching motion and lift the bread and food into their mouths.
India and Malaysia
Eating with one's fingers is culturally acceptable in India but only those of the right hand. The left hand is considered dirty. Fingers are also used for eating in Malaysia, with a banana leaf often serving as the plate.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Adjective Order
形容詞的順序:多閱讀, 就可以了解自然的運用
a large, thin and spongy sourdough bread
number, opinion, size, shape, age, color, origin, material
- One stunning, enormous, rectangular, ancient, gray, French, stone castle.
- A great, green dragon.
Grammar Gym
Over the years, chopsticks made their way to Korea, Japan and other Asian nations.
to make one's way to ... :To go in a certain direction or toward a certain place or point
- Aron made his way across the big parking lot to put his things in his car.
- Will all the shoppers in the store, it was hard for Brenda to make her way to the cashier counter.
Language Lab
admonish v. 勸戒, 責備
to tell someone severely that they have done something wrong
- Grace admonished her son for staying up so late.
- Steven was admonished for his tardiness.
admonishment n. 勸戒, 責備
- The kids ignored their parents' admonishment about not swimming and went anyway.
implement n. 工具, 器械;
a tool, especially one used for outdoor physical work
- The museum displayed hunting implements used in the Stone Age.
implement v. 實施, 實行
to take action or make changes that you have officially decided should happen
- The new policy will be implemented next year.
utensil n.
/jʊˈtɛnsəl/
a simple and useful device that is used for doing tasks in a person's home and especially in the kitchen;
a thing such as a knife, spoon etc that you use when you are cooking:
spongy adj. 海綿式的, 吸水式的
soft and full of holes that contain air or liquid like a sponge
- The cake is spongy and moist.
sponge n. 海綿
a piece of a soft natural or artificial substance full of small holes, which can suck up liquid and is used for washing
- Young kids' minds are like a sponge, ready to absorb any information.
pinch v. 夾, 捏, 掐
to press a part of someone's skin very tightly between your finger and thumb, especially so that it hurts:
- My older sister used to pinch me when I was little.
- When I won the lottery, I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
pinch n.
when you press someone's skin between your finger and thumb:
- Joey gave his daughter a playful pinch on her cheek.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140530baa74e8456fdfef76d6e9211af4321efb65aa3abd81323b7629a8f08178d2538a4b.wma
"Don't eat with your hands!"
When you were young, how often did your mother admonish you for eating with your fingers instead of the proper utensils? She wanted to teach you good table manners. Yet in some parts of the world, it's acceptable to eat with your hands and a variety of other eating implements.
China
Chopsticks probably originated in China around 1200 B.C. Food was cut into small pieces in order to cook faster, requiring less fuel, and, thus, easy to pick up with sticks. Over the years, chopsticks made their way to Korea, Japan and other Asian nations. The concepts is the same, but the sticks themselves differ in length and shape.
Ethiopia
Injera, a large, thin and spongy sourdough bread, serves as plate and spoon for diners in Ethiopia. People tear off pieces of the bread, place it over the food, grab a bite with a pinching motion and lift the bread and food into their mouths.
India and Malaysia
Eating with one's fingers is culturally acceptable in India but only those of the right hand. The left hand is considered dirty. Fingers are also used for eating in Malaysia, with a banana leaf often serving as the plate.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Adjective Order
形容詞的順序:多閱讀, 就可以了解自然的運用
a large, thin and spongy sourdough bread
number, opinion, size, shape, age, color, origin, material
- One stunning, enormous, rectangular, ancient, gray, French, stone castle.
- A great, green dragon.
Grammar Gym
Over the years, chopsticks made their way to Korea, Japan and other Asian nations.
to make one's way to ... :To go in a certain direction or toward a certain place or point
- Aron made his way across the big parking lot to put his things in his car.
- Will all the shoppers in the store, it was hard for Brenda to make her way to the cashier counter.
Language Lab
admonish v. 勸戒, 責備
to tell someone severely that they have done something wrong
- Grace admonished her son for staying up so late.
- Steven was admonished for his tardiness.
admonishment n. 勸戒, 責備
- The kids ignored their parents' admonishment about not swimming and went anyway.
implement n. 工具, 器械;
a tool, especially one used for outdoor physical work
- The museum displayed hunting implements used in the Stone Age.
implement v. 實施, 實行
to take action or make changes that you have officially decided should happen
- The new policy will be implemented next year.
utensil n.
/jʊˈtɛnsəl/
a simple and useful device that is used for doing tasks in a person's home and especially in the kitchen;
a thing such as a knife, spoon etc that you use when you are cooking:
spongy adj. 海綿式的, 吸水式的
soft and full of holes that contain air or liquid like a sponge
- The cake is spongy and moist.
sponge n. 海綿
a piece of a soft natural or artificial substance full of small holes, which can suck up liquid and is used for washing
- Young kids' minds are like a sponge, ready to absorb any information.
pinch v. 夾, 捏, 掐
to press a part of someone's skin very tightly between your finger and thumb, especially so that it hurts:
- My older sister used to pinch me when I was little.
- When I won the lottery, I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
pinch n.
when you press someone's skin between your finger and thumb:
- Joey gave his daughter a playful pinch on her cheek.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140530baa74e8456fdfef76d6e9211af4321efb65aa3abd81323b7629a8f08178d2538a4b.wma
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Should You Join a Gym? (2)
K: I enjoy exercising outside in the fresh air, so paying to work out indoors seems pointless to me.
J: I disagree. You can't run outside in bad weather, and anyway it's healthier to do a variety of exercises.
K: I don't mind running in the rain or in cold weather. I vary my exercise routine, though. Sometimes I exercise inside at home. That way I don't waste time traveling to and from the gym.
J: Since I hired my personal trainer six months ago, I've lost 20 pounds. I couldn't have done that without her diet and exercise tips and the motivation she gives me.
K: You can find a lot of free diet and exercise information online.
J: Maybe, but I don't trust the accuracy of online articles.
K: If you pay attention, it's pretty easy to find reliable online sources. Or you can buy books or workout videos, which cost much less than a gym membership.
J: Yeah, but knowing I'm scheduled to meet my trainer at the gym helps me stay disciplined.
K: I'm glad. But I prefer biking, hiking or jogging. Anyway, have fun at the gym.
J: I will. Have a good run!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Number Rules
英文寫作規則, 小於10的數字應該拼出來,
10 跟10以上的數字要用阿拉伯數字代表,
但如果是一句話, 就要拼出來,
除非是個年份, 就要用阿拉伯數字,
還有年齡, 一定要用阿拉伯數字
例如:
- Thanks a million!
- I bought a dozen donuts for breakfast.
- Twenty times I tried calling you last night.
- 1998 was a great year!
Grammar Gym
J: Yeah, but knowing I'm scheduled to meet my trainer at the gym helps me stay disciplined.
K: I'm glad.
I'm glad. = I'm glad to hear that. = I'm glad that happened.
I'm sorry. (if you hear about something unfortunately, then you can say "I'm sorry.")
I'm sorry to hear that. (I'm sorry that happened.)
Language Lab
pointless adj. 沒有意義的, 無謂的
worthless or not likely to have any useful result:
- Their many pointless arguments didn't help the couple communicate at all.
- Buying name brands in pointless to me. I don't understand why people pay so much for logos.
motivation n. 動力, 動機
eagerness and willingness to do something without needing to be told or forced to do it
- A motivation to learn must come from within; it can't be forced.
motivate v. 激勵, 激發
to be the reason why someone does something
- The coach is good at motivating his team to win.
accuracy n. 精確性, 正確度
the ability to do something in an exact way without making a mistake:
- The reporters questioned the accuracy of the figures reported by the governor.
accurate adj. 正確的, 準確的
correct and true in every detail
- The carpenter made an accurate measurement of my kitchen cupboards.
discipline v. 管教
to punish someone in order to keep order and control
disciplined adj. 規律的, 受過訓練的, 訓練有素的
obeying rules and controlling your behavior:
- Bruce is a trustworthy and well-disciplined police officer.
- These children are very disciplined and obedient.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140529baa30c9157c4fbf49d36ef65e7f504779e8eef4fda54c124f5b293b909f08f389d5.wma
J: I disagree. You can't run outside in bad weather, and anyway it's healthier to do a variety of exercises.
K: I don't mind running in the rain or in cold weather. I vary my exercise routine, though. Sometimes I exercise inside at home. That way I don't waste time traveling to and from the gym.
J: Since I hired my personal trainer six months ago, I've lost 20 pounds. I couldn't have done that without her diet and exercise tips and the motivation she gives me.
K: You can find a lot of free diet and exercise information online.
J: Maybe, but I don't trust the accuracy of online articles.
K: If you pay attention, it's pretty easy to find reliable online sources. Or you can buy books or workout videos, which cost much less than a gym membership.
J: Yeah, but knowing I'm scheduled to meet my trainer at the gym helps me stay disciplined.
K: I'm glad. But I prefer biking, hiking or jogging. Anyway, have fun at the gym.
J: I will. Have a good run!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Number Rules
英文寫作規則, 小於10的數字應該拼出來,
10 跟10以上的數字要用阿拉伯數字代表,
但如果是一句話, 就要拼出來,
除非是個年份, 就要用阿拉伯數字,
還有年齡, 一定要用阿拉伯數字
例如:
- Thanks a million!
- I bought a dozen donuts for breakfast.
- Twenty times I tried calling you last night.
- 1998 was a great year!
Grammar Gym
J: Yeah, but knowing I'm scheduled to meet my trainer at the gym helps me stay disciplined.
K: I'm glad.
I'm glad. = I'm glad to hear that. = I'm glad that happened.
I'm sorry. (if you hear about something unfortunately, then you can say "I'm sorry.")
I'm sorry to hear that. (I'm sorry that happened.)
Language Lab
pointless adj. 沒有意義的, 無謂的
worthless or not likely to have any useful result:
- Their many pointless arguments didn't help the couple communicate at all.
- Buying name brands in pointless to me. I don't understand why people pay so much for logos.
motivation n. 動力, 動機
eagerness and willingness to do something without needing to be told or forced to do it
- A motivation to learn must come from within; it can't be forced.
motivate v. 激勵, 激發
to be the reason why someone does something
- The coach is good at motivating his team to win.
accuracy n. 精確性, 正確度
the ability to do something in an exact way without making a mistake:
- The reporters questioned the accuracy of the figures reported by the governor.
accurate adj. 正確的, 準確的
correct and true in every detail
- The carpenter made an accurate measurement of my kitchen cupboards.
discipline v. 管教
to punish someone in order to keep order and control
disciplined adj. 規律的, 受過訓練的, 訓練有素的
obeying rules and controlling your behavior:
- Bruce is a trustworthy and well-disciplined police officer.
- These children are very disciplined and obedient.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140529baa30c9157c4fbf49d36ef65e7f504779e8eef4fda54c124f5b293b909f08f389d5.wma
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Should You Join a Gym? (1)
Are gym memberships and personal trainers worth the cost?
Julie is on her way to the gym when she bumps into her friend Kaitlyn.
J: Hi, Kaitlyn! Where are you going?
K: I'm going for a run by the river to train for a marathon. Would you like to come?
J: I can't. I'm going to the gym. I meet my personal trainer three mornings every week. I'm trying to get in shape, but I've been really busy lately.
K: Why would you exercise indoors on a beautiful day like today? You don't have to belong to a gym to stay fit, you know.
J: Maybe you don't, but when I'm tired or busy, I tend not to exercise. So I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. Knowing she's waiting for me helps me stop making excuses. You should join a gym! We could go together.
K: But gyms are so expensive.
J: They're worth it. Gym members have access to all the facilities, including the pool, the weight rooms and the workout rooms. I often alternate between the different cardio machines. And I like trying the different classes the gym offers and meeting people there.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Gym Etiquette
monopolize equipment 霸佔器材
weights 鐵片
free weights 亞鈴
Grammar Gym
Gym members have access to all the facilities, including the pool, the weight rooms and the workout rooms.
to have access to [something]
- Only certain guests have access to the business lounge.
- For obvious security reasons, very few people have access to the queen's personal quarters.
- If you have this key, it means you have access to the company car.
- Only the leaders of the research department have access to the data files.
Language Lab
personal trainer n. 私人教練
- Monica has a full-time personal trainer who goes on tour with her.
- Diane has worked as a personal trainer for years.
marathon n. 馬拉松;
- Luke ran his first marathon when he was 12.
adj. 馬拉松式的
- My husband and I had a marathon discussion about our marriage problems.
facility n. 設施
rooms, equipment, or services that are provided for a particular purpose:
- All the facilities here are only open to our staff.
- The resort has many recreational facilities for all age groups.
- There are no medical facilities in this area.
alternate v. 輪流, 交替
if two things alternate, or if you alternate them, they happen one after the other in a repeated pattern
- Betty and her sister alternate taking care of their father.
- Sabrina's feelings alternated between extreme joy and deep sorrow at the news.
Julie is on her way to the gym when she bumps into her friend Kaitlyn.
J: Hi, Kaitlyn! Where are you going?
K: I'm going for a run by the river to train for a marathon. Would you like to come?
J: I can't. I'm going to the gym. I meet my personal trainer three mornings every week. I'm trying to get in shape, but I've been really busy lately.
K: Why would you exercise indoors on a beautiful day like today? You don't have to belong to a gym to stay fit, you know.
J: Maybe you don't, but when I'm tired or busy, I tend not to exercise. So I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. Knowing she's waiting for me helps me stop making excuses. You should join a gym! We could go together.
K: But gyms are so expensive.
J: They're worth it. Gym members have access to all the facilities, including the pool, the weight rooms and the workout rooms. I often alternate between the different cardio machines. And I like trying the different classes the gym offers and meeting people there.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Gym Etiquette
monopolize equipment 霸佔器材
weights 鐵片
free weights 亞鈴
Grammar Gym
Gym members have access to all the facilities, including the pool, the weight rooms and the workout rooms.
to have access to [something]
- Only certain guests have access to the business lounge.
- For obvious security reasons, very few people have access to the queen's personal quarters.
- If you have this key, it means you have access to the company car.
- Only the leaders of the research department have access to the data files.
Language Lab
personal trainer n. 私人教練
- Monica has a full-time personal trainer who goes on tour with her.
- Diane has worked as a personal trainer for years.
marathon n. 馬拉松;
- Luke ran his first marathon when he was 12.
adj. 馬拉松式的
- My husband and I had a marathon discussion about our marriage problems.
facility n. 設施
rooms, equipment, or services that are provided for a particular purpose:
- All the facilities here are only open to our staff.
- The resort has many recreational facilities for all age groups.
- There are no medical facilities in this area.
alternate v. 輪流, 交替
if two things alternate, or if you alternate them, they happen one after the other in a repeated pattern
- Betty and her sister alternate taking care of their father.
- Sabrina's feelings alternated between extreme joy and deep sorrow at the news.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
What's Behind That Smile? (2)
What your smile says
Researchers have named several different types of smiles including:
The love smile
This involves a soft gaze, an open smile and the head bent to the side.
The "I'm listening" smile
Usually this smile is faint and shows a few teeth. The eyebrows are slightly raised indicating that the person is interested in what's being said.
The clueless smile
With this smile, the person glances up with raised eyebrows. He also wears a half-smile that seems to say, "I don't understand what's going on."
The embarrassed smile
This is a small smile with the eyes looking down.
The impatient smile
Here the head is often raised slightly higher on one side than the other. And the mouth is closed over the teeth, offering a tight smile.
The amused smile
The person wearing this smile usually has a wide, open-mouthed expression. The head is thrown back with the eyes nearly closed in laughter.
The next time you smile, remember what your expressions say to others. And do your best to make all your smiles genuine!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Reading Non-verbal Language
微笑可以取消口中說出的話 negate
例如: shut your mouth 是叫人住嘴
這是一句很不友善的話,
但如果說的時候, 面帶微笑, 別人會認為你在開玩笑,
所以 我們要學會 read facial expressions
讀別人臉上的表情
Grammar Gym
He also wears a half-smile that seems to say, "I don't understand what's going on."
seems to say: to show a certain feeling
- This poor plant seems to say, "I'm dying! I need water!"
- Jonah's car is so dirty, and it seems to say, "Please give me a bath!"
Language Lab
gaze n. 凝視, 注視;
/ˈgeɪz/
a long steady look:
- Darlene tried to avoid Adam's gaze because she was shy.
- I felt uncomfortable under his steady gaze.
gaze v. gaze at someone 凝視
to look at someone or something for a long time, giving it all your attention, often without realizing you are doing so [= stare]
- Daisy sat in her armchair, gazing at the fire.
glance v. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] n. 快速的看, 一瞥
/ˈglæns/
to quickly look at someone or something
- Daniel kept glancing at his watch to make sure he wouldn't miss the meeting.
glance n.
a quick look:
- We exchanged nervous glances when our boss showed up in the office unexpectedly.
impatient adj. 不耐煩, 沒耐性的
annoyed because of delays, someone else's mistakes etc
- The crowd, who was waiting for the arrival of the singer, started to get impatient.
- Barbara gets impatient with her kids when she's under stress.
amuse v. 娱樂, 使開心
to make someone laugh or smile:
- My kids told jokes on the train ride to amuse themselves.
amused adj. 被逗笑的, 愉快的, 調皮的
if you are amused by something, you think it is funny and you smile or laugh
amused at/by
- There was an amused look on David's face.
Researchers have named several different types of smiles including:
The love smile
This involves a soft gaze, an open smile and the head bent to the side.
The "I'm listening" smile
Usually this smile is faint and shows a few teeth. The eyebrows are slightly raised indicating that the person is interested in what's being said.
The clueless smile
With this smile, the person glances up with raised eyebrows. He also wears a half-smile that seems to say, "I don't understand what's going on."
The embarrassed smile
This is a small smile with the eyes looking down.
The impatient smile
Here the head is often raised slightly higher on one side than the other. And the mouth is closed over the teeth, offering a tight smile.
The amused smile
The person wearing this smile usually has a wide, open-mouthed expression. The head is thrown back with the eyes nearly closed in laughter.
The next time you smile, remember what your expressions say to others. And do your best to make all your smiles genuine!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Reading Non-verbal Language
微笑可以取消口中說出的話 negate
例如: shut your mouth 是叫人住嘴
這是一句很不友善的話,
但如果說的時候, 面帶微笑, 別人會認為你在開玩笑,
所以 我們要學會 read facial expressions
讀別人臉上的表情
Grammar Gym
He also wears a half-smile that seems to say, "I don't understand what's going on."
seems to say: to show a certain feeling
- This poor plant seems to say, "I'm dying! I need water!"
- Jonah's car is so dirty, and it seems to say, "Please give me a bath!"
Language Lab
gaze n. 凝視, 注視;
/ˈgeɪz/
a long steady look:
- Darlene tried to avoid Adam's gaze because she was shy.
- I felt uncomfortable under his steady gaze.
gaze v. gaze at someone 凝視
to look at someone or something for a long time, giving it all your attention, often without realizing you are doing so [= stare]
- Daisy sat in her armchair, gazing at the fire.
glance v. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] n. 快速的看, 一瞥
/ˈglæns/
to quickly look at someone or something
- Daniel kept glancing at his watch to make sure he wouldn't miss the meeting.
glance n.
a quick look:
- We exchanged nervous glances when our boss showed up in the office unexpectedly.
impatient adj. 不耐煩, 沒耐性的
annoyed because of delays, someone else's mistakes etc
- The crowd, who was waiting for the arrival of the singer, started to get impatient.
- Barbara gets impatient with her kids when she's under stress.
amuse v. 娱樂, 使開心
to make someone laugh or smile:
- My kids told jokes on the train ride to amuse themselves.
amused adj. 被逗笑的, 愉快的, 調皮的
if you are amused by something, you think it is funny and you smile or laugh
amused at/by
- There was an amused look on David's face.
Monday, May 26, 2014
What's Behind That Smile? (1)
What does your smile really tell others about you?
Many who have seen Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting Mona Lisa have wondered about her smile. Was she nervous, happy or sad? No one knows for sure. But one thing is certain. Smiles convey much more than happiness or joy. The simple expression can show joy and contentment. Yet it can also mask feelings of sadness or embarrassment. Psychologists say that about 50 types of smiles cover a full range of emotions.
Is it real?
How can you tell the difference between a real smile and a fake one? Researchers say that a real smile involves your entire face, especially around the eye area. Often, your cheeks will move up, and your eyes will look smaller. And little lines will usually form at the outside corners. With a forced or fake smile, only your lips will turn up. This involves little or no movement in your upper face muscles.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Reading Between the Lines
read between the lines 揣摩字裏行間的訊息, 體會弦外之音
Grammar Gym
- This involves little or no movement in your upper face muscles.
little or no [something]: don't need much or any of a certain thing.
- It takes little or no money to help with this charity project, and everyone is welcome to join.
- Putting this shelf together requires very little or no effort.
Language Lab
convey v. 傳達, 表達
to communicate or express something, with or without using words:
- In every one of Gary's picture, a sense of loneliness is conveyed.
- In this article, the author conveys a serious concern about global warming.
contentment n. 滿足, 心滿意足 [uncountable]
the state of being happy and satisfied [≠ discontent]:
- The couple lives a life of contentment with their children.
content adj. 滿意的, 滿足的
- Sherry is quite content with her present life.
researcher n. 研究員
- Every researcher on the team was assigned a different sample to study.
involve v. 牽涉,包括
to include or affect someone or something:
- Running a restaurant involves more than just cooking.
- The couple tried to involve everyone around them in their quarrels.
Many who have seen Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting Mona Lisa have wondered about her smile. Was she nervous, happy or sad? No one knows for sure. But one thing is certain. Smiles convey much more than happiness or joy. The simple expression can show joy and contentment. Yet it can also mask feelings of sadness or embarrassment. Psychologists say that about 50 types of smiles cover a full range of emotions.
Is it real?
How can you tell the difference between a real smile and a fake one? Researchers say that a real smile involves your entire face, especially around the eye area. Often, your cheeks will move up, and your eyes will look smaller. And little lines will usually form at the outside corners. With a forced or fake smile, only your lips will turn up. This involves little or no movement in your upper face muscles.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Reading Between the Lines
read between the lines 揣摩字裏行間的訊息, 體會弦外之音
Grammar Gym
- This involves little or no movement in your upper face muscles.
little or no [something]: don't need much or any of a certain thing.
- It takes little or no money to help with this charity project, and everyone is welcome to join.
- Putting this shelf together requires very little or no effort.
Language Lab
convey v. 傳達, 表達
to communicate or express something, with or without using words:
- In every one of Gary's picture, a sense of loneliness is conveyed.
- In this article, the author conveys a serious concern about global warming.
contentment n. 滿足, 心滿意足 [uncountable]
the state of being happy and satisfied [≠ discontent]:
- The couple lives a life of contentment with their children.
content adj. 滿意的, 滿足的
- Sherry is quite content with her present life.
researcher n. 研究員
- Every researcher on the team was assigned a different sample to study.
involve v. 牽涉,包括
to include or affect someone or something:
- Running a restaurant involves more than just cooking.
- The couple tried to involve everyone around them in their quarrels.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
The Meaning of Work (2)
Second, there are career-oriented people who see their job as a place to find achievement and gain a sense of identity. These are the people who don't mind working overtime. In fact, some people love their job so much that they become workaholics! They are more comfortable in the office than at home. According to the study, being close to a career-oriented father while growing up means there's a good chance you'll share his perspective. Oddly, having a mother with this viewpoint seems to have little influence.
Third, there are calling-oriented workers - folks who view their job as a way to make a positive impact upon the world. They are more concerned with improving the world around them than earning a large salary.
In the study, those who expressed a strong calling orientation came from homes where both parents were calling-oriented. This suggests that adolescents need the support of both parents in order to have the confidence to put personal ideals first and career success second.
The good news is - we still have choices. Whether we share our parents' views of work or not, we can still find a career that suits us.
Grammar Gym
- According to the study, being close to a career-oriented father while growing up means there's a good chance you'll share his perspective.
[Doing something] while [doing something else] means there's a good chance you'll...
- Having an internship position while finishing school means there's a good chance you'll gain some valuable working experience before you start your first job after graduation.
- Doing my laundry while finishing up my homework means there's a good chance I'll have free time later.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: First Known Usage
workaholic 這個字是在1968年形成的,
原先有alcoholic這個字,
1970年代又有golfaholic/ chocoholic,
80年代又出現新字: shopaholic,
我們可以認識這些字是因為語言學者記錄下來
first known usage首次的始用是什麼時候,
我們可以從這些字的時間,
了解當時社會風氣和文化
Language Lab
identity n.
someone's identity is their name or who they are
- Teenagers are looking for a way to develop their sense of identity.
- The true identity of the suspect has not yet been established.
identify v.
to recognize and correctly name someone or something:
- We need more test results to identify where the problem is.
perspective n. [spect字根-看]
a way of thinking about something, especially one which is influenced by the type of person you are or by your experiences [↪ viewpoint]
- The director used a woman's perspective in the film.
perspective on
- The book looks at several different perspectives on democracy movements.
calling n.
a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work
- James finally realized that helping people in need is his calling.
- Oscar devotes himself to his calling as a physician.
adolescent n. / adj.
a young person, usually between the ages of 12 and 18, who is developing into an adult
- Young adolescents are looking for interesting things to do.
- Kevin had a short period of adolescent rebellion when he was 16.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140524baa26345fddf07a1de4f99bc2784c3f5431a908ef870521e79850d3effc2ac2b7e7.wma
Third, there are calling-oriented workers - folks who view their job as a way to make a positive impact upon the world. They are more concerned with improving the world around them than earning a large salary.
In the study, those who expressed a strong calling orientation came from homes where both parents were calling-oriented. This suggests that adolescents need the support of both parents in order to have the confidence to put personal ideals first and career success second.
The good news is - we still have choices. Whether we share our parents' views of work or not, we can still find a career that suits us.
Grammar Gym
- According to the study, being close to a career-oriented father while growing up means there's a good chance you'll share his perspective.
[Doing something] while [doing something else] means there's a good chance you'll...
- Having an internship position while finishing school means there's a good chance you'll gain some valuable working experience before you start your first job after graduation.
- Doing my laundry while finishing up my homework means there's a good chance I'll have free time later.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: First Known Usage
workaholic 這個字是在1968年形成的,
原先有alcoholic這個字,
1970年代又有golfaholic/ chocoholic,
80年代又出現新字: shopaholic,
我們可以認識這些字是因為語言學者記錄下來
first known usage首次的始用是什麼時候,
我們可以從這些字的時間,
了解當時社會風氣和文化
Language Lab
identity n.
someone's identity is their name or who they are
- Teenagers are looking for a way to develop their sense of identity.
- The true identity of the suspect has not yet been established.
identify v.
to recognize and correctly name someone or something:
- We need more test results to identify where the problem is.
perspective n. [spect字根-看]
a way of thinking about something, especially one which is influenced by the type of person you are or by your experiences [↪ viewpoint]
- The director used a woman's perspective in the film.
perspective on
- The book looks at several different perspectives on democracy movements.
calling n.
a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work
- James finally realized that helping people in need is his calling.
- Oscar devotes himself to his calling as a physician.
adolescent n. / adj.
a young person, usually between the ages of 12 and 18, who is developing into an adult
- Young adolescents are looking for interesting things to do.
- Kevin had a short period of adolescent rebellion when he was 16.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140524baa26345fddf07a1de4f99bc2784c3f5431a908ef870521e79850d3effc2ac2b7e7.wma
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Josh Hutcherson: Boy No More (2)
The boy finds balance
Josh began to realize the conflicts in balancing his life at an early age. Though he continues to call Kentucky home, acting takes him to different places. Much of Bridge to Terabithia, featuring Josh as the lead, was filmed in New Zealand. While traveling may be fun, Josh was kept from seeing much of the country because of his education. Young actors must have at least three hours of tutoring a day, sometimes done between takes.
The boy in the plot
Now 22 years old, Josh has over 20 films under his belt. The list includes both Hunger Games films with two more to come this year and next. That series, Express, Terabithia and some of Josh's other films have been adapted from books. "Every time I read anything," he says, "I automatically imagine myself as the boy in the plot." Josh's family has even started JetLag Productions to make more books into films. Though Josh is now a young man, audiences can tell the boy's imagination and spirit remain.
Grammar Gym
- Though he continues to call Kentucky home, acting takes him to different places.
to call home: to make a phone call and talk to someone who's at home
to call [somewhere] home: to think of somewhere as being the place where one belongs
- Although Sharon was born in Toronto, she grew up in Asia and calls Hong Kong home.
- Nina is from San Francisco, but after working in Europe for over ten years, she now calls London home.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Jet Lag
可當名詞片語
- Do you feel any jet lag? Yes, I'm suffering from jet lag.
- I am jet-lagged.
Language Lab
tutor v.
to teach someone as a tutor:
- Eileen tutors many disadvantaged kids in her community.
tutor n.
someone who gives private lessons to one student or a small group, and is paid directly by them
- Zack is my math tutor.
tutoring n.
- Sean needs private tutoring to catch up with the other students.
take v.
to get hold of something in your hands:
take n.
an occasion when a film scene, song, action etc is recorded
- The director finally said "OK" after 10 takes.
- The scene needed more than 15 takes before it was done right.
under one's belt
to have achieved something useful or important:
- Once you get this project under your belt, it will be easy to get promoted.
- He's a man with a lot of work experience under his belt.
automatically adv.
as the result of a situation or action, and without you having to do anything more;
without thinking about what you are doing:
- Jessica automatically answered "yes" when the boss asked her to work overtime.
- Your bank statement will be e-mailed to you automatically.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140522baa1a0c0271a8a36f77ed2d0603fb112cf410d23e3e0f2707a8fc5dcecb46fe085f.wma
Josh began to realize the conflicts in balancing his life at an early age. Though he continues to call Kentucky home, acting takes him to different places. Much of Bridge to Terabithia, featuring Josh as the lead, was filmed in New Zealand. While traveling may be fun, Josh was kept from seeing much of the country because of his education. Young actors must have at least three hours of tutoring a day, sometimes done between takes.
The boy in the plot
Now 22 years old, Josh has over 20 films under his belt. The list includes both Hunger Games films with two more to come this year and next. That series, Express, Terabithia and some of Josh's other films have been adapted from books. "Every time I read anything," he says, "I automatically imagine myself as the boy in the plot." Josh's family has even started JetLag Productions to make more books into films. Though Josh is now a young man, audiences can tell the boy's imagination and spirit remain.
Grammar Gym
- Though he continues to call Kentucky home, acting takes him to different places.
to call home: to make a phone call and talk to someone who's at home
to call [somewhere] home: to think of somewhere as being the place where one belongs
- Although Sharon was born in Toronto, she grew up in Asia and calls Hong Kong home.
- Nina is from San Francisco, but after working in Europe for over ten years, she now calls London home.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Jet Lag
可當名詞片語
- Do you feel any jet lag? Yes, I'm suffering from jet lag.
- I am jet-lagged.
Language Lab
tutor v.
to teach someone as a tutor:
- Eileen tutors many disadvantaged kids in her community.
tutor n.
someone who gives private lessons to one student or a small group, and is paid directly by them
- Zack is my math tutor.
tutoring n.
- Sean needs private tutoring to catch up with the other students.
take v.
to get hold of something in your hands:
take n.
an occasion when a film scene, song, action etc is recorded
- The director finally said "OK" after 10 takes.
- The scene needed more than 15 takes before it was done right.
under one's belt
to have achieved something useful or important:
- Once you get this project under your belt, it will be easy to get promoted.
- He's a man with a lot of work experience under his belt.
automatically adv.
as the result of a situation or action, and without you having to do anything more;
without thinking about what you are doing:
- Jessica automatically answered "yes" when the boss asked her to work overtime.
- Your bank statement will be e-mailed to you automatically.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140522baa1a0c0271a8a36f77ed2d0603fb112cf410d23e3e0f2707a8fc5dcecb46fe085f.wma
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Love Is Blind (2)
As the Gauvains took in more children, dormitories and a school were built. In 2008, Bethel moved to a site on a farm. They later added special gardens that allowed the kids to help out.
A family feel
Since its founding, Bethel has opened a total of four foster care projects in China. Together, they make up the Love is Blind part of Bethel's efforts. They are run like family homes, full of hope and laughter. That's why the children refer to Delphine and Guillaume as Faguo Mama (法國媽媽) and Faguo Baba (法國爸爸).
Don't assume the staff is soft on the kids, though. They teach the kids how to perform daily routines independently. In addition, the kids have classes. Delphine boasts that all of Bethel's kids are fluent in English before turning 18.
The Gauvains and their three kids moved to the Philippines in 2012 after devoting 10 years to Bethel China. They still remain involved with Bethel's leadership. And in their new location, they have opened a community center to help train people with work skills.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Children vs. Kids
children 正式, 稱呼別人小孩用children比較妥當
自已的小孩可用kids, 聽起來比較親密
古英文中有許多en字尾來表示複數,
但這個用法如今只有三個單字了,
children (child)
brethern (brother)
oxen (ox)
Grammar Gym
- Together, they make up the Love is Blind part of Bethel's efforts.
Together, they make up the...
- In this university hall, there's the Chinese Department, Korean Department and Japanese Department. Together, they make up the School of East Asian Studies.
- There is merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel and several other rides on the east side of the park. Together, they make up the Family Fun section of the park.
Language Lab
site n.
a place where something important or interesting happened
- The developers are interested in buying this site for their new development.
- The site of the crime was blocked for further investigation.
- The noises coming from the construction site really bother me.
refer v.
refer someone as phrasal verb
to mention or speak about someone or something:
- The team members refer to their coach as Rocky.
- Maria referred to her trip to London in her column.
boast v.
to talk too proudly about your abilities, achievements, or possessions:
- Cindy boasted that she was a straight-A student in high school.
- It's sad to know that the only thing he can boast about is his wealth.
devote v.
to use all or most of your time, effort etc in order to do something or help someone [= dedicate]
devote to something
- Jackson has devoted his life to music.
- A lot of resources and effort have been devoted to this fundraising event.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140520baaf94a17bfc337fc6eae6c5911a4b6e0fbe08ffe07d58ca996efc4cb27ee5a7ca3.wma
A family feel
Since its founding, Bethel has opened a total of four foster care projects in China. Together, they make up the Love is Blind part of Bethel's efforts. They are run like family homes, full of hope and laughter. That's why the children refer to Delphine and Guillaume as Faguo Mama (法國媽媽) and Faguo Baba (法國爸爸).
Don't assume the staff is soft on the kids, though. They teach the kids how to perform daily routines independently. In addition, the kids have classes. Delphine boasts that all of Bethel's kids are fluent in English before turning 18.
The Gauvains and their three kids moved to the Philippines in 2012 after devoting 10 years to Bethel China. They still remain involved with Bethel's leadership. And in their new location, they have opened a community center to help train people with work skills.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Children vs. Kids
children 正式, 稱呼別人小孩用children比較妥當
自已的小孩可用kids, 聽起來比較親密
古英文中有許多en字尾來表示複數,
但這個用法如今只有三個單字了,
children (child)
brethern (brother)
oxen (ox)
Grammar Gym
- Together, they make up the Love is Blind part of Bethel's efforts.
Together, they make up the...
- In this university hall, there's the Chinese Department, Korean Department and Japanese Department. Together, they make up the School of East Asian Studies.
- There is merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel and several other rides on the east side of the park. Together, they make up the Family Fun section of the park.
Language Lab
site n.
a place where something important or interesting happened
- The developers are interested in buying this site for their new development.
- The site of the crime was blocked for further investigation.
- The noises coming from the construction site really bother me.
refer v.
refer someone as phrasal verb
to mention or speak about someone or something:
- The team members refer to their coach as Rocky.
- Maria referred to her trip to London in her column.
boast v.
to talk too proudly about your abilities, achievements, or possessions:
- Cindy boasted that she was a straight-A student in high school.
- It's sad to know that the only thing he can boast about is his wealth.
devote v.
to use all or most of your time, effort etc in order to do something or help someone [= dedicate]
devote to something
- Jackson has devoted his life to music.
- A lot of resources and effort have been devoted to this fundraising event.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140520baaf94a17bfc337fc6eae6c5911a4b6e0fbe08ffe07d58ca996efc4cb27ee5a7ca3.wma
Monday, May 19, 2014
Love Is Blind (1)
A French couple helps blind orphans live life to the fullest
When it comes to blessing others, some people make lofty plans that end up going nowhere. But that's not the case with Delphine and Guillaume Gauvain. When they opened an orphanage for blind children in China, they planned to bless the kids. But they were willing to learn along the way.
Path to China
The French couple's first step was moving from Canada to Hong Kong. Their first step toward serving orphans was adopting David, a Chinese boy with a birth defect. Guillaume, a jazz pianist, first met David while playing at the boy's foster home. As soon as David ran up to him, Guillaume was immediately hooked!
In search of people they could help, the couple moved to Beijing in 2002. After some research, they discovered that blind children needed a staggering amount of special care.
That's why they started Bethel - a foster care program focusing on blind children. In December 2003 they rented a house and received their first three children. Because two of the children were autistic as well as blind, Delphine was overwhelmed at first. But she soon found ways to help the kids.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Exclamation Point
美國:驚嘆號 exclamation point
英國:驚嘆號 exclamation mark
使用原則就是不要過度使用
- Guillaume was immediately hooked!
課文中這句使用驚嘆號,
表示當時感受到的強烈情緒,
本文只有這句使用驚嘆號,
要記得正式的文章更要避免使用驚嘆號
Grammar Gym
- When it comes to blessing others, some people make lofty plans that end up going nowhere.
to go nowhere
- Because of the rain, we went nowhere and just stayed in the house.
- We discovered we were going nowhere with the plan, so we had to think of a new plan.
- The meeting was going nowhere, so we decided to take a break.
Language Lab
lofty adj.
1: lofty mountains, buildings etc are very high and impressive:
- lofty pine trees 高聳的松樹
2: lofty ideas, beliefs, attitudes etc show high standards or high moral qualities
- Many people admire William for his lofty ideals.
3: seeming to think you are better than other people - used to show disapproval:
- Nicky's lofty attitude made his colleagues stay away from him.
birth defect n.
something wrong with a baby when it is born
- Prenatal care can help reduce the chance of birth defects.
- The girl was born with multiple birth defects.
staggering adj.
extremely great or surprising [= amazing]
- Billy had accumulated a staggering fortune by the age of 30.
- The company made a staggering 50% increase in sales last year.
autistic adj.
a mental disorder (=problem) that makes people unable to communicate properly, or to form relationships
- Ian is autistic, and he seldom interacts with others.
autism n.
a mental disorder (=problem) that makes people unable to communicate properly, or to form relationships
- Both of Jonah's children suffer from autism.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140519baae63e64c18b21710f58c72820e0ff1aa2db8b63540a0ffda9fccc64417e642331.wma
When it comes to blessing others, some people make lofty plans that end up going nowhere. But that's not the case with Delphine and Guillaume Gauvain. When they opened an orphanage for blind children in China, they planned to bless the kids. But they were willing to learn along the way.
Path to China
The French couple's first step was moving from Canada to Hong Kong. Their first step toward serving orphans was adopting David, a Chinese boy with a birth defect. Guillaume, a jazz pianist, first met David while playing at the boy's foster home. As soon as David ran up to him, Guillaume was immediately hooked!
In search of people they could help, the couple moved to Beijing in 2002. After some research, they discovered that blind children needed a staggering amount of special care.
That's why they started Bethel - a foster care program focusing on blind children. In December 2003 they rented a house and received their first three children. Because two of the children were autistic as well as blind, Delphine was overwhelmed at first. But she soon found ways to help the kids.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Exclamation Point
美國:驚嘆號 exclamation point
英國:驚嘆號 exclamation mark
使用原則就是不要過度使用
- Guillaume was immediately hooked!
課文中這句使用驚嘆號,
表示當時感受到的強烈情緒,
本文只有這句使用驚嘆號,
要記得正式的文章更要避免使用驚嘆號
Grammar Gym
- When it comes to blessing others, some people make lofty plans that end up going nowhere.
to go nowhere
- Because of the rain, we went nowhere and just stayed in the house.
- We discovered we were going nowhere with the plan, so we had to think of a new plan.
- The meeting was going nowhere, so we decided to take a break.
Language Lab
lofty adj.
1: lofty mountains, buildings etc are very high and impressive:
- lofty pine trees 高聳的松樹
2: lofty ideas, beliefs, attitudes etc show high standards or high moral qualities
- Many people admire William for his lofty ideals.
3: seeming to think you are better than other people - used to show disapproval:
- Nicky's lofty attitude made his colleagues stay away from him.
birth defect n.
something wrong with a baby when it is born
- Prenatal care can help reduce the chance of birth defects.
- The girl was born with multiple birth defects.
staggering adj.
extremely great or surprising [= amazing]
- Billy had accumulated a staggering fortune by the age of 30.
- The company made a staggering 50% increase in sales last year.
autistic adj.
a mental disorder (=problem) that makes people unable to communicate properly, or to form relationships
- Ian is autistic, and he seldom interacts with others.
autism n.
a mental disorder (=problem) that makes people unable to communicate properly, or to form relationships
- Both of Jonah's children suffer from autism.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140519baae63e64c18b21710f58c72820e0ff1aa2db8b63540a0ffda9fccc64417e642331.wma
Friday, May 16, 2014
Experience Chicago (3)
For a view of Chicago from above, head for the Willis Tower. The skyscraper is 110 stories tall. Be prepared to wait in line for several hours to go to the top, though. The tower and its Skydeck are very popular. After reaching the Skydeck, step out into one of the glass boxes if you dare. Only a sheet of glass lies between you and the street far below! For a similar view without the wait, go to the John Hancock Building instead. The view from the top is especially breathtaking at night.
If buildings interest you, take the popular architecture boat trip on the Chicago River. You'll hear interesting stories of Chicago's famous buildings. For another view from above, head to Navy Pier and ride its 15-story Ferris wheel. You can enjoy the other rides and attractions on the pier as well.
With so much to see and do and eat, what's not to love about Chicago?
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Acrophobia 懼高症
acro 高度 /phobia 恐懼
vertigo 暈眩
phobia有不同種類:
claustrophobia 幽避恐懼症
arachnophobia 蜘蛛恐懼症
Grammar Gym
what's not to love?
- With so much to see and do and eat, what's not to love about Chicago?
- With a park, a post office and so many stores nearby, what's not to love about this neighborhood?
- With a generous salary, an office building close to the metro station and a fantastic team of coworkers to work with, what's not to love about this job?
Language Lab
dare v.
to be brave enough to do something that is risky or that you are afraid to do - used especially in questions or negative sentences:
- Nobody in the office dares to offend our boss.
to try to persuade someone to do something dangerous or embarrassing as a way of proving that they are brave
- I dare you to stand outside for ten minutes in this kind of weather.
breathtaking adj.
very impressive, exciting, or surprising:
- The girl's breathtaking beauty made her stand out in the crowd.
- The hotel's breathtaking view of the valley attracts many tourists.
architecture n.
the art or science of designing and creating buildings
- The movie theater is a typical example of art deco architecture.
- Lesley majored in architecture when he was in college.
attraction n. [attract v.]
something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do
- Universal Studios is one of the most popular attractions in L.A.
a feature or quality that makes someone or something interesting or enjoyable
- Romantic comedies hold a special attraction for me.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140517baa13e96266dd4dd5233fb7914ba47e36b4f5afc28063cc865734b221773d13ff8a.wma
If buildings interest you, take the popular architecture boat trip on the Chicago River. You'll hear interesting stories of Chicago's famous buildings. For another view from above, head to Navy Pier and ride its 15-story Ferris wheel. You can enjoy the other rides and attractions on the pier as well.
With so much to see and do and eat, what's not to love about Chicago?
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Acrophobia 懼高症
acro 高度 /phobia 恐懼
vertigo 暈眩
phobia有不同種類:
claustrophobia 幽避恐懼症
arachnophobia 蜘蛛恐懼症
Grammar Gym
what's not to love?
- With so much to see and do and eat, what's not to love about Chicago?
- With a park, a post office and so many stores nearby, what's not to love about this neighborhood?
- With a generous salary, an office building close to the metro station and a fantastic team of coworkers to work with, what's not to love about this job?
Language Lab
dare v.
to be brave enough to do something that is risky or that you are afraid to do - used especially in questions or negative sentences:
- Nobody in the office dares to offend our boss.
to try to persuade someone to do something dangerous or embarrassing as a way of proving that they are brave
- I dare you to stand outside for ten minutes in this kind of weather.
breathtaking adj.
very impressive, exciting, or surprising:
- The girl's breathtaking beauty made her stand out in the crowd.
- The hotel's breathtaking view of the valley attracts many tourists.
architecture n.
the art or science of designing and creating buildings
- The movie theater is a typical example of art deco architecture.
- Lesley majored in architecture when he was in college.
attraction n. [attract v.]
something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do
- Universal Studios is one of the most popular attractions in L.A.
a feature or quality that makes someone or something interesting or enjoyable
- Romantic comedies hold a special attraction for me.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140517baa13e96266dd4dd5233fb7914ba47e36b4f5afc28063cc865734b221773d13ff8a.wma
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Experience Chicago (2)
When you're tired of viewing art inside, go outside and explore nearby Millennium Park. On a hot day, play in the Crown Fountain with its glass brick towers. Admire yourself in the shiny surface of the nearby Cloud Gate. Locals call it "the Bean" because of its shape. The 110-ton sculpture reflects the city's famous buildings. Then head over to McDonald's Cycle Center. There, you can rent a bike and ride along the shore of Lake Michigan. Or join a bike tour of another area of the city.
All that exploring will make you hungry. And finding a great place to eat downtown is easy! Try a Chicago hot dog with mustard, tomatoes, hot peppers and more. Or head to Gino's East of Chicago for some delicious, cheesy deep-dish pizza. The restaurant's walls are covered with writing and pictures. If you're not a hot dog or pizza fan, don't worry. Chicago has more than 6,000 other restaurants to choose from.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Deep Dish vs. Thin Crust
芝加哥有名的 deep-dish pizza 深盤pizza,
跟一般紐約的 think-crust pizza 薄片 pizza,
1. 二者不一樣的就是crust (餅皮)
think-crust 經過烘烤之後, 揉嫩且可以折疊,
紐約人會把pizza當成三明治折起來吃,
芝加哥人deep-dish pizza因為非常厚, 所以會用刀叉吃,
2. toppings 指的是暗餡料,
傳統的pizza是把toppings放在top,
芝加哥是把toppings 放在餅皮裡面,
有約一英吋高度, 所以pizza裡面有濃濃的起司和餡料,
3. servings 每一份的量
薄片pizza可以當點心, 不一定要當正餐
深盤pizza是要坐下來當正餐食用
Grammar Gym
all that exploring
all that + [verb-ing]
"All that exploring will make you hungry."
- Henry doesn't want to go the the mall because all that shopping makes him feel bored.
- All that arguing in the office caused Nora to feel exhausted.
Language Lab
shiny adj.
smooth and bright:
- Frank is wearing a pair of shiny black leather shoes.
- The model in the shampoo commercial has beautiful, shiny black hair.
rent v.
to regularly pay money to live in a house or room that belongs to someone else, or to use something that belongs to someone else:
- Clair rented an apartment right next to her school.
rent n.
the money that someone pays regularly to use a room, house etc that belongs to someone else:
- The tenant wires his rent directly to my account every month.
mustard n.
/ˈmʌstɚd/
a yellow sauce with a strong taste, eaten especially with meat
- Victor loves to put French mustard on his hotdogs.
- The pork is seasoned with pepper and mustard.
cheesy adj. [cheese n.]
/ˈtʃiːzi/
1: tasting like cheese or containing cheese
- These cheesy crackers are my children's favorite snack.
2: cheap and not of good quality:
- Edward loves to sing cheesy, silly songs to cheer up. [=corny]
condiment n.
/ˈkɑːndəmənt/
something (such as salt, mustard, or ketchup) that is added to food to give it more flavor
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140516baa2df636080cbacab6201800e006ea0fca11c1fa482b525240e1341cbb75e80f6b.wma
All that exploring will make you hungry. And finding a great place to eat downtown is easy! Try a Chicago hot dog with mustard, tomatoes, hot peppers and more. Or head to Gino's East of Chicago for some delicious, cheesy deep-dish pizza. The restaurant's walls are covered with writing and pictures. If you're not a hot dog or pizza fan, don't worry. Chicago has more than 6,000 other restaurants to choose from.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Deep Dish vs. Thin Crust
芝加哥有名的 deep-dish pizza 深盤pizza,
跟一般紐約的 think-crust pizza 薄片 pizza,
1. 二者不一樣的就是crust (餅皮)
think-crust 經過烘烤之後, 揉嫩且可以折疊,
紐約人會把pizza當成三明治折起來吃,
芝加哥人deep-dish pizza因為非常厚, 所以會用刀叉吃,
2. toppings 指的是暗餡料,
傳統的pizza是把toppings放在top,
芝加哥是把toppings 放在餅皮裡面,
有約一英吋高度, 所以pizza裡面有濃濃的起司和餡料,
3. servings 每一份的量
薄片pizza可以當點心, 不一定要當正餐
深盤pizza是要坐下來當正餐食用
Grammar Gym
all that exploring
all that + [verb-ing]
"All that exploring will make you hungry."
- Henry doesn't want to go the the mall because all that shopping makes him feel bored.
- All that arguing in the office caused Nora to feel exhausted.
Language Lab
shiny adj.
smooth and bright:
- Frank is wearing a pair of shiny black leather shoes.
- The model in the shampoo commercial has beautiful, shiny black hair.
rent v.
to regularly pay money to live in a house or room that belongs to someone else, or to use something that belongs to someone else:
- Clair rented an apartment right next to her school.
rent n.
the money that someone pays regularly to use a room, house etc that belongs to someone else:
- The tenant wires his rent directly to my account every month.
mustard n.
/ˈmʌstɚd/
a yellow sauce with a strong taste, eaten especially with meat
- Victor loves to put French mustard on his hotdogs.
- The pork is seasoned with pepper and mustard.
cheesy adj. [cheese n.]
/ˈtʃiːzi/
1: tasting like cheese or containing cheese
- These cheesy crackers are my children's favorite snack.
2: cheap and not of good quality:
- Edward loves to sing cheesy, silly songs to cheer up. [=corny]
condiment n.
/ˈkɑːndəmənt/
something (such as salt, mustard, or ketchup) that is added to food to give it more flavor
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140516baa2df636080cbacab6201800e006ea0fca11c1fa482b525240e1341cbb75e80f6b.wma
Experience Chicago (1)
Chicago offers fun and food for all!
You've probably heard of The Big Apple. That name make you think of New York City. But have you heard of The Big Onion? No? That is one nickname for America's third-largest city, Chicago. It comes from the Native America word for the area that means "wild onion." You won't find any wild onions downtown. But you might feel the strong winds blowing off Lake Michigan. That's why the city is more often called "the Windy City."
What should you do first? If you want to enjoy great art, head for the Art Institute of Chicago. With nearly 1 million square feet to explore, be sure you're wearing your walking shoes! Download the free Art Institute tours app, and enjoy over 50 tours of the collections. Visit the impressionist gallery to enjoy the colorful paintings by Monet, Seurat and others. Don't miss the Thorne Rooms, located in the museum's basement. These 68 tiny rooms are beautiful and detailed.
Grammar Gym
- You've probably heard of The Big Apple. That name make you think of New York City.
- We've all heard of the wheat belt. It makes us think about the Great Plains in America.
Language Lab
experience v.
to feel or be affected by (something)
- Lawrence has never experienced this kind of treatment in his life.
experience n.
the process of doing and seeing things and of having things happen to you
- Cathy doesn't have sufficient experience to be a sales manager.
nickname n.
a name (such as “Moose” or “Lady Bird”) that is different from your real name but is what your family, friends, etc., call you when they are talking to you or about you
- Karl got his nickname because of his height.
- The nickname for my boss is "Diva."
- Joseph's nickname is Joey.
nickname v.
to give (someone) a name that is not that person's real name : to give a nickname to (someone)
- We nicknames our teacher "Doctor."
explore v.
- Let's explore the market and see what's there.
gallery n.
- Many famous paintings are hanging in this gallery.
detailed adj.
- Look at this beautiful drawing. It's very detailed.
fountain n.
- Water seems to jump and dance in the fountain.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140515baaafd1686651315e30b3d4ffc0328ed24139d190d7f153df249cd8c30b74c712e5.wma
You've probably heard of The Big Apple. That name make you think of New York City. But have you heard of The Big Onion? No? That is one nickname for America's third-largest city, Chicago. It comes from the Native America word for the area that means "wild onion." You won't find any wild onions downtown. But you might feel the strong winds blowing off Lake Michigan. That's why the city is more often called "the Windy City."
What should you do first? If you want to enjoy great art, head for the Art Institute of Chicago. With nearly 1 million square feet to explore, be sure you're wearing your walking shoes! Download the free Art Institute tours app, and enjoy over 50 tours of the collections. Visit the impressionist gallery to enjoy the colorful paintings by Monet, Seurat and others. Don't miss the Thorne Rooms, located in the museum's basement. These 68 tiny rooms are beautiful and detailed.
Grammar Gym
- You've probably heard of The Big Apple. That name make you think of New York City.
- We've all heard of the wheat belt. It makes us think about the Great Plains in America.
Language Lab
experience v.
to feel or be affected by (something)
- Lawrence has never experienced this kind of treatment in his life.
experience n.
the process of doing and seeing things and of having things happen to you
- Cathy doesn't have sufficient experience to be a sales manager.
nickname n.
a name (such as “Moose” or “Lady Bird”) that is different from your real name but is what your family, friends, etc., call you when they are talking to you or about you
- Karl got his nickname because of his height.
- The nickname for my boss is "Diva."
- Joseph's nickname is Joey.
nickname v.
to give (someone) a name that is not that person's real name : to give a nickname to (someone)
- We nicknames our teacher "Doctor."
explore v.
- Let's explore the market and see what's there.
gallery n.
- Many famous paintings are hanging in this gallery.
detailed adj.
- Look at this beautiful drawing. It's very detailed.
fountain n.
- Water seems to jump and dance in the fountain.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140515baaafd1686651315e30b3d4ffc0328ed24139d190d7f153df249cd8c30b74c712e5.wma
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Amazing Egg
Good news for those who enjoy eating eggs！
Chock-full of nutrients, eggs have been called the total package when it comes to healthy foods. But with decades of warnings about them being unhealthy, could eggs really be all they're cracked up to be?
The concerns
For years, medical professionals advised against eating too many eggs because of their high cholesterol content. Many people followed this advice because of the stated link between high blood cholesterol levels and heart disease. Failing to find a direct link between eggs and heart disease, a 25-year study revealed that eating high-cholesterol foods doesn't necessarily increase blood cholesterol levels. In addition, in 2000 the American Heart Association (AHA) revised its guidelines and stated that people with healthy cholesterol levels could enjoy eggs once again.
The benefits
When it comes to nutrition, eggs contain 13 essential nutrients, one of which is critical to healthy brain function. Other nutrients have benefits such as helping to prevent blindness and aiding in weight management.
Packed with protein but low in calories, eggs can be prepared in dozens of different ways and can be eaten with any meal.
As with anything, moderation is the key, but if you're looking for a nutritious, convenient and cheap food, it's hard to beat the humble egg.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Lifestyle Diets
vegetarian 素食主義: 不吃肉, 但有些吃魚跟蛋
vegan 全素
ethical vegan 道德全素食主義者, 不吃肉而且主動的幫助動物
fruitarian 水果主義者, 只吃植物能夠再長出來的部份
賈伯司當時就是fruitarian所以命名他的公司為Apple
Grammar Gym
When it comes to: speaking about
- Chock-full of nutrients, eggs have been called the total package when it comes to healthy foods.
- Lucas is usually very easygoing, but when it comes to politics, he becomes very defensive.
- Selena may seem like a shy person, but when it comes to shopping, she can be quite aggressive.
Language Lab
chock-full adj.
completely full — usually + of
- That department store is chock-full of customers during Christmas season.
- The room is chock-full of toys.
cracked up to be
used to say that something is not as good as people say it is:
- Joseph isn't as smart as he's cracked up to be.
- Being rich and famous isn't what it's c racked up to be.
moderation n. [uncountable]
if you do something in moderation, such as drinking alcohol or eating certain foods, you do not do it too much
- The doctor advised more moderation in eating sweets.
moderate adj.
not very large or very small, very hot or very cold, very fast or very slow etc
- Moderate exercise is necessary if you want to keep fit.
nutritious adj.
food that is nutritious is full of the natural substances that your body needs to stay healthy or to grow properly
- Mom's cooking is not only nutritious but also tasty.
nutrient n.
a chemical or food that provides what is needed for plants or animals to live and grow
- The power drink contains all sorts of nutrients.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140514baa509d001f030561e4899e1dde6ea58d31056557e6d0da284b77cf5f9f40d39adb.wma
Chock-full of nutrients, eggs have been called the total package when it comes to healthy foods. But with decades of warnings about them being unhealthy, could eggs really be all they're cracked up to be?
The concerns
For years, medical professionals advised against eating too many eggs because of their high cholesterol content. Many people followed this advice because of the stated link between high blood cholesterol levels and heart disease. Failing to find a direct link between eggs and heart disease, a 25-year study revealed that eating high-cholesterol foods doesn't necessarily increase blood cholesterol levels. In addition, in 2000 the American Heart Association (AHA) revised its guidelines and stated that people with healthy cholesterol levels could enjoy eggs once again.
The benefits
When it comes to nutrition, eggs contain 13 essential nutrients, one of which is critical to healthy brain function. Other nutrients have benefits such as helping to prevent blindness and aiding in weight management.
Packed with protein but low in calories, eggs can be prepared in dozens of different ways and can be eaten with any meal.
As with anything, moderation is the key, but if you're looking for a nutritious, convenient and cheap food, it's hard to beat the humble egg.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Lifestyle Diets
vegetarian 素食主義: 不吃肉, 但有些吃魚跟蛋
vegan 全素
ethical vegan 道德全素食主義者, 不吃肉而且主動的幫助動物
fruitarian 水果主義者, 只吃植物能夠再長出來的部份
賈伯司當時就是fruitarian所以命名他的公司為Apple
Grammar Gym
When it comes to: speaking about
- Chock-full of nutrients, eggs have been called the total package when it comes to healthy foods.
- Lucas is usually very easygoing, but when it comes to politics, he becomes very defensive.
- Selena may seem like a shy person, but when it comes to shopping, she can be quite aggressive.
Language Lab
chock-full adj.
completely full — usually + of
- That department store is chock-full of customers during Christmas season.
- The room is chock-full of toys.
cracked up to be
used to say that something is not as good as people say it is:
- Joseph isn't as smart as he's cracked up to be.
- Being rich and famous isn't what it's c racked up to be.
moderation n. [uncountable]
if you do something in moderation, such as drinking alcohol or eating certain foods, you do not do it too much
- The doctor advised more moderation in eating sweets.
moderate adj.
not very large or very small, very hot or very cold, very fast or very slow etc
- Moderate exercise is necessary if you want to keep fit.
nutritious adj.
food that is nutritious is full of the natural substances that your body needs to stay healthy or to grow properly
- Mom's cooking is not only nutritious but also tasty.
nutrient n.
a chemical or food that provides what is needed for plants or animals to live and grow
- The power drink contains all sorts of nutrients.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140514baa509d001f030561e4899e1dde6ea58d31056557e6d0da284b77cf5f9f40d39adb.wma
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Leo, the Taxi Driver (2)
What do you think you're doing?!
Don't ask questions.
Just pull away from the curb and out into traffic, and no one will get hurt.
All right.
So where are we going?
I thought I told you not to ask me any questions!
For now, just keep driving straight until I tell you otherwise.
OK.
You're taking this all pretty well.
See that movie theater on the corner there?
Well, I want you to make a right there and drive this little taxi through that residential area to the highway.
Then you're going to drive me north and right out of the state.
Which road should I take?
That street will lead me to both of the freeways that run north out of California.
Why don't you just choose whichever roads will get me out of the state the fastest.
OK. Look. I have a family that lives here in San Francisco.
They'll be worried about me if they haven't heard anything for a few hours.
Do you mind if I just let them know that I'll be a while?
No, you may not. And stop asking me questions!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Can a Car Be Pulled?
pull 開車
- pull up to the house 開到房子前面
- He pulled the car into the driveway.
- He pulled the car off the road.
- He pulled the car out of the parking lot.
- I got pulled over by the police today.
- Pull away from the curb and out into traffic.
Grammar Gym
Do you mind if I just let them know that I'll be a while?
be a while: to take a long time
- Why don't you guys go first? I'm still working, and it will be a while.
- Since it will be a while before the next bus comes, why don't you go get a snack?
Language Lab
otherwise adv.
except for what has just been mentioned
- Sarah has always believed that her husband was innocent and has never thought otherwise.
used when saying what would have happened or might have happened if something else had not happened:
- You'd better change your attitude. Otherwise, you might get fired.
residential adj.
a residential part of a town consists of private houses, with no offices or factories
- Mark's new house is located in a residential area of Chicago.
- This part of the city is undergoing residential zoning. No industry will be allowed here.
lead v.
to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently
- I opened the door that led to the basement.
- All roads in the amusement park lead to the castle in the center.
freeway n.
a very wide road in the US, built for fast travel [↪ motorway, expressway, highway]:
- The freeway system in Los Angeles is quite complicated.
- There's an accident on northbound Freeway 101.
highway 通常有紅綠燈
Don't ask questions.
Just pull away from the curb and out into traffic, and no one will get hurt.
All right.
So where are we going?
I thought I told you not to ask me any questions!
For now, just keep driving straight until I tell you otherwise.
OK.
You're taking this all pretty well.
See that movie theater on the corner there?
Well, I want you to make a right there and drive this little taxi through that residential area to the highway.
Then you're going to drive me north and right out of the state.
Which road should I take?
That street will lead me to both of the freeways that run north out of California.
Why don't you just choose whichever roads will get me out of the state the fastest.
OK. Look. I have a family that lives here in San Francisco.
They'll be worried about me if they haven't heard anything for a few hours.
Do you mind if I just let them know that I'll be a while?
No, you may not. And stop asking me questions!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Can a Car Be Pulled?
pull 開車
- pull up to the house 開到房子前面
- He pulled the car into the driveway.
- He pulled the car off the road.
- He pulled the car out of the parking lot.
- I got pulled over by the police today.
- Pull away from the curb and out into traffic.
Grammar Gym
Do you mind if I just let them know that I'll be a while?
be a while: to take a long time
- Why don't you guys go first? I'm still working, and it will be a while.
- Since it will be a while before the next bus comes, why don't you go get a snack?
Language Lab
otherwise adv.
except for what has just been mentioned
- Sarah has always believed that her husband was innocent and has never thought otherwise.
used when saying what would have happened or might have happened if something else had not happened:
- You'd better change your attitude. Otherwise, you might get fired.
residential adj.
a residential part of a town consists of private houses, with no offices or factories
- Mark's new house is located in a residential area of Chicago.
- This part of the city is undergoing residential zoning. No industry will be allowed here.
lead v.
to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently
- I opened the door that led to the basement.
- All roads in the amusement park lead to the castle in the center.
freeway n.
a very wide road in the US, built for fast travel [↪ motorway, expressway, highway]:
- The freeway system in Los Angeles is quite complicated.
- There's an accident on northbound Freeway 101.
highway 通常有紅綠燈
Monday, May 12, 2014
Leo, the Taxi Driver (1)
Where is this stranger going？
Leo was tired of being a taxi driver. For years he had driven passengers to the most exciting places in San Francisco, only to be left on the outside looking in. He wanted to be part of the action, but nothing ever happened to him.
Today was like any other day：driving people to fancy stores, expensive restaurants and important office buildings.
"I have to break out of this routine," he thought as he pulled up to a stop light. But how could he? He was a taxi driver, and nothing every happened to taxi drivers. Maybe it was time for a career change, or even retirement. That would free up some time for fun activities around the city.
Feeling weary, Leo was about to turn off his sign when a flurry of activity caught his eye. A frantic-locking young woman pounded down the sidewalk, dodging people as she ran. Suddenly she darted over to his taxi, threw open the door and dove inside. Before Leo could even make an objection to her actions, however, he felt something cold poke into his side. "Drive!" she snarled at him. He looked down and saw a gun in her hand, aimed straight at him.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sidewalk vs. Pavement
sidewalk 人行道 (美國)
pavement 人行道 (英國), 對美國人來說是馬路的路面
tarmac 在英國也可指人行道, 不過在美國指的是飛機跑道的路面
Grammar Gym
- Feeling weary, Leo was about to turn off his sign when a flurry of activity caught his eye.
Feeling..., [subject] was about to ... when [something happened].
- Feeling hungry, Mark was about to go to the kitchen when the telephone rang.
- Feeling sleepy, Lena was about to go to bed when she suddenly smelled smoke.
Language Lab
on the outside looking in 旁觀者
- Helen is too young for the ball, so she complained that she could only be on the outside looking in.
break out of something [phrasal verb]
to take (something) from the place where it is stored so that it can be used
- Fiona has a strong desire to break out of her boring daily routine.
break out of somewhere [phrasal verb] 逃出某個地方
to escape from a prison, jail, etc.
- The fugitives broke out of prison and hid in the mountains.
poke v.
to push your finger or something thin or pointed into or at someone or something
- Sandy poked my arm to get my attention.
to stick out so that a part can be seen
- My little sister poked her head into my room to see what I was doing.
snarl v. [no object]
/ˈsnɑrəl/
to say something in an angry or annoyed way — often + at
- The drunk man snarled at the security guard, "Leave me alone!"
- The dog snarled at the thief who was trying to get into the house.
Leo was tired of being a taxi driver. For years he had driven passengers to the most exciting places in San Francisco, only to be left on the outside looking in. He wanted to be part of the action, but nothing ever happened to him.
Today was like any other day：driving people to fancy stores, expensive restaurants and important office buildings.
"I have to break out of this routine," he thought as he pulled up to a stop light. But how could he? He was a taxi driver, and nothing every happened to taxi drivers. Maybe it was time for a career change, or even retirement. That would free up some time for fun activities around the city.
Feeling weary, Leo was about to turn off his sign when a flurry of activity caught his eye. A frantic-locking young woman pounded down the sidewalk, dodging people as she ran. Suddenly she darted over to his taxi, threw open the door and dove inside. Before Leo could even make an objection to her actions, however, he felt something cold poke into his side. "Drive!" she snarled at him. He looked down and saw a gun in her hand, aimed straight at him.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sidewalk vs. Pavement
sidewalk 人行道 (美國)
pavement 人行道 (英國), 對美國人來說是馬路的路面
tarmac 在英國也可指人行道, 不過在美國指的是飛機跑道的路面
Grammar Gym
- Feeling weary, Leo was about to turn off his sign when a flurry of activity caught his eye.
Feeling..., [subject] was about to ... when [something happened].
- Feeling hungry, Mark was about to go to the kitchen when the telephone rang.
- Feeling sleepy, Lena was about to go to bed when she suddenly smelled smoke.
Language Lab
on the outside looking in 旁觀者
- Helen is too young for the ball, so she complained that she could only be on the outside looking in.
break out of something [phrasal verb]
to take (something) from the place where it is stored so that it can be used
- Fiona has a strong desire to break out of her boring daily routine.
break out of somewhere [phrasal verb] 逃出某個地方
to escape from a prison, jail, etc.
- The fugitives broke out of prison and hid in the mountains.
poke v.
to push your finger or something thin or pointed into or at someone or something
- Sandy poked my arm to get my attention.
to stick out so that a part can be seen
- My little sister poked her head into my room to see what I was doing.
snarl v. [no object]
/ˈsnɑrəl/
to say something in an angry or annoyed way — often + at
- The drunk man snarled at the security guard, "Leave me alone!"
- The dog snarled at the thief who was trying to get into the house.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
What Is Self-Tracking All About? (2)
Where it all began
Monitoring daily activities isn't a new concept. In years past, athletes and their coaches kept notes
detailing nutrition, training and sleep patterns in order to achieve an athletic goal. Similarly, doctors have also helped patients to document parts of their lifestyles and eating habits to help fight allergies, headaches and other health issues. However, it wasn't until 2007 that Wired magazine editors Gary Wolf and Kim Kelly, who started tracking every move they made, coined the term "Quantified Self." Wolf says that new tools will change our sense of self with the purpose of making us more effective in the world.
Disadvantages
Although self-tracking has many advantages, Dennis Nash, president of Data Speaks Health Solutions, says self-tracking has its drawbacks. Once people start tracking their daily activities, it can become an addiction. Also, they might begin to worry too much about their health. While self-tracking doesn't guarantee that one's quality of life will improve, it can highlight the importance of eating well and exercising daily. After all, the Quantified Self Movement's primary focus is motivating people to exert enough energy to make healthier choices.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Creating Emphasis with Contrast
emphasize
在日常生活中我們會用不同的語調強調不同的關鍵字,
在寫作時可用粗體字或斜體字來表示要強調語氣,
還有另一種是用contrast 二樣東西的對比
Grammar Gym
while: at the same time
- Sam went to the store while Molly was at work.
while: although
- While bears generally don't attack people, it's important to keep a safe distance if you see one in the park.
- While it may appear to be a nice sunny day to go out on the lake, please be careful of a sudden change in the weather.
- While self-tracking doesn't guarantee that one's quality of life will improve, it can highlight the importance of eating will and exercising daily.
Info Cloud
document v.
to write about something, film it, or take photographs of it, in order to record information about it
- The director made the film to document this special child's short but meaningful life.
- The effects of the treatment were carefully documented by the research team.
coin v.
to invent a new word or expression, especially one that many people start to use:
- The phrase "All's well that ends well" was coined by Shakespeare.
- Renowned computer programmer Grace Hopper coined the term "bug" back in the 50s.
addiction n.
a strong desire to do or have something regularly
- Henry's drug addiction ruined his life.
addiction + to + noun 說明哪一種癮
the need to take a harmful drug regularly, without being able to stop
- Rachel is now in rehab to cure her addiction to heroin.
addict n.
someone who is unable to stop taking drugs
- a TV addict
exert v.
to use your power, influence etc in order to make something happen:
- Clark exerted his influence in politics to make sure the bill would pass.
exert oneself
to work very hard and use a lot of physical or mental energy:
- Exert yourself, and make your dreams come true! 全力以赴, 讓自己的夢想實現!
Friday, May 9, 2014
What Is Self-Tracking All About? (1)
Collecting personal data could lead to self-improvement
Have you ever monitored something about yourself? Perhaps you've tracked how many kilometers you've run, how many hours you've slept or how many calories you've eaten in a day.
If so, you've taken part in a movement called the "Quantified Self Movement." Individuals gather information about their daily activities in this widespread movement, also called self-tracking. This may sound difficult, but technology is making the process easier.
Perhaps you've wanted to change a bad habit and couldn't. Self-tracking may be your answer. The idea is to take information about your everyday activities and analyze it to help attain a healthier lifestyle.
Recently, tools such as smartphones, journals and apps, along with newly released wearable gadgets, are making self-tracking extremely easy. Today, one can use Fitbit, the Jawbone UP, Google Glass or a smart watch to record personal data including hours slept, stress levels, heart rate and mood.
So why does a person self-track? Someone may be trying to lose weight or improve their sleep patterns. Another person feels tried after eating. Self-tracking could help him to identify what foods make him sleepy and modify his diet accordingly.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The 10 Most Used English Words
英國牛津大學做了一個追踪,
10個英文單子是生活中最常用的英文單字,
而這10個英文字足以用來生活中25%的英文單字,
而日常生活中最當用到的50%的單字也只不過100個
Grammar Gym
the idea: the purpose
- Self-tracking may be your answer. The idea is to take information about your everyday activities and analyze it to help attain a healthier lifestyle.
- The idea of the art gallery is to not only promote local artwork but to also allow artists to have a place to sell their crafts.
- All students are required to find an internship position. The idea is to give students a chance to learn in a real workplace.
Language Lab
quantify v.
to calculate the value of something and express it as a number or an amount:
- It's difficult to quantify one's talent.
- It's impossible to quantify the damages the typhoon caused.
quantity n.
an amount or number of something
- A large quantity of food was stored for winter.
widespread adj.
common over a wide area or among many people
- The premier received widespread support from the public.
- There's widespread discontent among the employees.
discontent adj.
not pleased or satisfied
gadget n.
a small, useful device
- Mom loves to buy kitchen gadgets and experiment with them.
- This electric can opener is our chef's favorite gadget.
modify v.
to change some parts of (something) while not changing other parts
- The proposal was modified to meet the client's needs.
- You need to modify your tone when talking to your elders.
modification n.
the act or process of changing parts of something : the act or process of modifying something
- The existing computer system needs modification.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140509baabf96e06f42874e2954fe208e8edd4bc54fff6724e2333e1a364742b9f4f7b15b.wma
Have you ever monitored something about yourself? Perhaps you've tracked how many kilometers you've run, how many hours you've slept or how many calories you've eaten in a day.
If so, you've taken part in a movement called the "Quantified Self Movement." Individuals gather information about their daily activities in this widespread movement, also called self-tracking. This may sound difficult, but technology is making the process easier.
Perhaps you've wanted to change a bad habit and couldn't. Self-tracking may be your answer. The idea is to take information about your everyday activities and analyze it to help attain a healthier lifestyle.
Recently, tools such as smartphones, journals and apps, along with newly released wearable gadgets, are making self-tracking extremely easy. Today, one can use Fitbit, the Jawbone UP, Google Glass or a smart watch to record personal data including hours slept, stress levels, heart rate and mood.
So why does a person self-track? Someone may be trying to lose weight or improve their sleep patterns. Another person feels tried after eating. Self-tracking could help him to identify what foods make him sleepy and modify his diet accordingly.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The 10 Most Used English Words
英國牛津大學做了一個追踪,
10個英文單子是生活中最常用的英文單字,
而這10個英文字足以用來生活中25%的英文單字,
而日常生活中最當用到的50%的單字也只不過100個
Grammar Gym
the idea: the purpose
- Self-tracking may be your answer. The idea is to take information about your everyday activities and analyze it to help attain a healthier lifestyle.
- The idea of the art gallery is to not only promote local artwork but to also allow artists to have a place to sell their crafts.
- All students are required to find an internship position. The idea is to give students a chance to learn in a real workplace.
Language Lab
quantify v.
to calculate the value of something and express it as a number or an amount:
- It's difficult to quantify one's talent.
- It's impossible to quantify the damages the typhoon caused.
quantity n.
an amount or number of something
- A large quantity of food was stored for winter.
widespread adj.
common over a wide area or among many people
- The premier received widespread support from the public.
- There's widespread discontent among the employees.
discontent adj.
not pleased or satisfied
gadget n.
a small, useful device
- Mom loves to buy kitchen gadgets and experiment with them.
- This electric can opener is our chef's favorite gadget.
modify v.
to change some parts of (something) while not changing other parts
- The proposal was modified to meet the client's needs.
- You need to modify your tone when talking to your elders.
modification n.
the act or process of changing parts of something : the act or process of modifying something
- The existing computer system needs modification.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140509baabf96e06f42874e2954fe208e8edd4bc54fff6724e2333e1a364742b9f4f7b15b.wma
Monday, May 5, 2014
Taking Up a Challenge
A big challenge becomes a valuable experience
Extracurricular activities also contributed to my exchange experience. Besides the basketball and football teams, there was a speech team at school. As a foreigner I was afraid that I wouldn't be good enough to compete. But after several discussions with my host family, I decided to take up the challenge. I wanted to improve both my English and my public speaking skills. The hardest part was conquering my fear of speaking in front of people. At first, I would just go blank because I was so nervous. But gradually, I became less fearful when I looked at the audience.
After two months of daily training, the speech meets began. Surprisingly, I started winning awards! As the season progressed, I felt more confident and enjoyed speaking in front of people. At the season's end, I even got into a subsection in the Minnesota high school league competition!
I really grew a lot during this time. I conquered my fear of speaking in public. Also, I learned how to communicate with an audience. It was a very valuable experience.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Stage Fright 上台恐懼症
沒有人是天生的演說家,
無論是政治人物, 歌手,
所以都是要經過練習,
平常也許在朋友的婚禮需要give a toast,
public speaking 是要經過練習
Grammar Gym
At first, I would just go blank because I was so nervous.
to go blank: to become empty
- The screen went blank.
- After working hard all day, Fred's mind goes blank.
- It's easy to go blank when you have had to deal with so much stress.
Language Lab
extracurricular adj.
/ˌɛkstrəkəˈrɪkjəlɚ/
extracurricular activities are not part of the course that a student is doing at a school or college
- Millie's parents encouraged her to participate in some extracurricular activities.
- Timothy's involvement in extracurricular activities is a big plus for his college application.
conquer v.
to gain control over something that is difficult, using a lot of effort
- It took a lot of effort for Mike to conquer his stage fright, but he did.
to get control of a country by fighting:
- Alexander the Great conquered many countries when he was alive.
subsection n.
a part of a section, especially in a legal document
- Our overseas subsection is located in Singapore.
- Eric's basketball team won the subsection title last night.
communicate v.
to exchange information or conversation with other people, using words, signs, writing etc:
communicate with
- Preschool teachers have their ways of communicating with young kids.
communication n.
- Janet's communication skills need to be polished.
Extracurricular activities also contributed to my exchange experience. Besides the basketball and football teams, there was a speech team at school. As a foreigner I was afraid that I wouldn't be good enough to compete. But after several discussions with my host family, I decided to take up the challenge. I wanted to improve both my English and my public speaking skills. The hardest part was conquering my fear of speaking in front of people. At first, I would just go blank because I was so nervous. But gradually, I became less fearful when I looked at the audience.
After two months of daily training, the speech meets began. Surprisingly, I started winning awards! As the season progressed, I felt more confident and enjoyed speaking in front of people. At the season's end, I even got into a subsection in the Minnesota high school league competition!
I really grew a lot during this time. I conquered my fear of speaking in public. Also, I learned how to communicate with an audience. It was a very valuable experience.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Stage Fright 上台恐懼症
沒有人是天生的演說家,
無論是政治人物, 歌手,
所以都是要經過練習,
平常也許在朋友的婚禮需要give a toast,
public speaking 是要經過練習
Grammar Gym
At first, I would just go blank because I was so nervous.
to go blank: to become empty
- The screen went blank.
- After working hard all day, Fred's mind goes blank.
- It's easy to go blank when you have had to deal with so much stress.
Language Lab
extracurricular adj.
/ˌɛkstrəkəˈrɪkjəlɚ/
extracurricular activities are not part of the course that a student is doing at a school or college
- Millie's parents encouraged her to participate in some extracurricular activities.
- Timothy's involvement in extracurricular activities is a big plus for his college application.
conquer v.
to gain control over something that is difficult, using a lot of effort
- It took a lot of effort for Mike to conquer his stage fright, but he did.
to get control of a country by fighting:
- Alexander the Great conquered many countries when he was alive.
subsection n.
a part of a section, especially in a legal document
- Our overseas subsection is located in Singapore.
- Eric's basketball team won the subsection title last night.
communicate v.
to exchange information or conversation with other people, using words, signs, writing etc:
communicate with
- Preschool teachers have their ways of communicating with young kids.
communication n.
- Janet's communication skills need to be polished.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Tips for Getting the Most out of a “Photowalk” (2)
Sign up for someone else's walk
If you'd like to meet new people but would rather not do all the planning yourself, find out what's going on in your area. A quick search online for photowalk clubs , or scanning sites like Meetup.com or Craigslist will reveal what's happening near you.
Invite anyone, on matter their skill level
You'll be surprised at what you learn from people who claim to know nothing about photography. Even with a simple point-n-shoot camera, they can capture some outstanding images. So bring Aunt Betty or your 10-year-old nephew or anyone else whose company you might enjoy on a walk, and keep open mind.
If you'd like to meet new people but would rather not do all the planning yourself, find out what's going on in your area. A quick search online for photowalk clubs , or scanning sites like Meetup.com or Craigslist will reveal what's happening near you.
Invite anyone, on matter their skill level
You'll be surprised at what you learn from people who claim to know nothing about photography. Even with a simple point-n-shoot camera, they can capture some outstanding images. So bring Aunt Betty or your 10-year-old nephew or anyone else whose company you might enjoy on a walk, and keep open mind.
[Advanced] The Cost of Convenience (1)
Today’s lifestyle is shaped by technology–for better and for worse
[by Bruce Newman- San Jose Mercury News]
With a fierce hold on the bedrock tool of our time, 21st-century man wraps his life around a most modern convenience — the smartphone — and begins his day, thumbs flying.
These portals in the palm of our hands are passports to a nearly friction-free online world, where long lines are banished, where Bach and the Beatles wait to be summoned from our pockets, and where global positioning satellites descend from the cloud with maps.
The upheaval has reordered our lives around easier, faster and more impersonal ways of doing almost everything. We’ve been swept up in a global “service economy” that distributes entire industries into new categories of digitally-enabled winners and brick-and-mortar losers.
It also has upended the relationship between digital natives, who find all this convenience so natural, and their graying elders, warily embracing technology’s possibilities, while missing quaint modalities like face-to-face conversation.
Phones and family
As the Moore family wakes up, eyes blink open, and screens blink on in every room of their home. Randy, 18, sleeps with his iPhone. Dylan, 14, doesn’t know where his mobile phone is, and doesn’t care. But 12-year-old sister Alyssa sleeps with her iPhone under her pillow.
When her father comes to wake her, he often finds her in bed, phone already in hand — thumbs flying. “Which is somewhat disturbing to me,” Bill, 58, said.
He has been pulled along by his family into a world of e-commerce, e-vites and just enough convenience that he has surrendered.
By 7 a.m. on most days, Bill has already answered emails and texts from employees at his construction business. He used to have to drive all over the San Francisco Bay Area to deliver design plans to prospective customers; now he texts them, and usually gets an annotated response within minutes.
[by Bruce Newman- San Jose Mercury News]
With a fierce hold on the bedrock tool of our time, 21st-century man wraps his life around a most modern convenience — the smartphone — and begins his day, thumbs flying.
These portals in the palm of our hands are passports to a nearly friction-free online world, where long lines are banished, where Bach and the Beatles wait to be summoned from our pockets, and where global positioning satellites descend from the cloud with maps.
The upheaval has reordered our lives around easier, faster and more impersonal ways of doing almost everything. We’ve been swept up in a global “service economy” that distributes entire industries into new categories of digitally-enabled winners and brick-and-mortar losers.
It also has upended the relationship between digital natives, who find all this convenience so natural, and their graying elders, warily embracing technology’s possibilities, while missing quaint modalities like face-to-face conversation.
Phones and family
As the Moore family wakes up, eyes blink open, and screens blink on in every room of their home. Randy, 18, sleeps with his iPhone. Dylan, 14, doesn’t know where his mobile phone is, and doesn’t care. But 12-year-old sister Alyssa sleeps with her iPhone under her pillow.
When her father comes to wake her, he often finds her in bed, phone already in hand — thumbs flying. “Which is somewhat disturbing to me,” Bill, 58, said.
He has been pulled along by his family into a world of e-commerce, e-vites and just enough convenience that he has surrendered.
By 7 a.m. on most days, Bill has already answered emails and texts from employees at his construction business. He used to have to drive all over the San Francisco Bay Area to deliver design plans to prospective customers; now he texts them, and usually gets an annotated response within minutes.
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