Sports for snow
While some like the slippery, hard ice others prefer soft snow. Of course, when they are shooting sown a mountain on skis, the snow isn't always gentle. Skis dominate snow sports and are used for many different games. People race down a course in alpine skiing or launch into the air for a ski jump. All a skier's best moves and tricks are on display in freestyle skiing. Snowboards are also popular, allowing for many of the same results.
Other snow choices
Growing tired of the snow sports already mentioned, athletes have developed many more. Lonely skiers tie themselves behind a dog or horse in high-speed skijoring. Others exercise their artistic side with ski ballet, much like figure skating on snow. However, some prefer to take off their skis, racing downhill in kayaks or on shovels. Players without anything to ride on can enjoy yukigassen, basically organized snowball fights.
No matter what is chosen - snowballs, skis or shovels - a world of fun is waiting.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Animal Similes 與動物相關的明喻
A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing with something else of a different kind. Often introduced with the words like or as.
In English there are quite a few similes that compare humans to animals. For instance, busy as a bee, this is a good way to describe someone who is constantly running around from one activity to another.
If you have a dog, you’ll be able to relate to this next simile, sick as a dog. Now dogs will eat anything, right? And sometimes what they eat makes them sick. So when you eat something that makes you throw up you’ll become sick as a dog.
Know anyone who can lift heavy things, then they are strong as an ox.
Someone who can’t see without their glasses might be blind as a bat. Now interestingly, this simile leads people to think that bats are blind but they are not, it’s just that their vision is terrible in broad daylight.
Okay, here’s another animal simile that can enrich your English, stubborn as a mule.
Hey, I know some people like that, okay, finally how about quiet as a mouse and proud as a peacock.
Language Lab
slippery adj.
difficult to stand on, move on, or hold because of being smooth, wet, icy, etc.
- The roads are quite slippery after the rain . You'd better drive slowly.
- Pam fell on the slippery tile floor in her bathroom.
not able to be trusted : tricky
- This con man is too slippery; you can't get any truth from him.
ski n.
one of a pair of long narrow pieces of wood, metal, or plastic that curve upward slightly in front, are attached to shoes, and are used for gliding over snow
- These professional skis are made of special material so they are lighter and faster.
- The ski resort is closed due to bad weather.
ski v.
to move or glide on skis over snow or water
- Sean skies every winter.
athlete n.
a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength
- Henry is determined to become a professional athlete.
- A good athlete must have a strong will and be self-disciplined.
athletic adj.
/æθˈlɛtɪk/
of or relating to athletes
- Jonah got the scholarship because of his athletic ability.
artistic adj.
/ɑɚˈtɪstɪk/
relating to art or artists
- Nina's impeccable skills and artistic talent made her a top designer at a very young age.
artistic adj.
having or showing the skill of an artist
- an artistic furniture arrangement
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20160114baa488305b4ebdb133d87fe8bc8c6cb9eacee41528a34558fa44c9a96bebad5bd36.wma
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Sunday, September 6, 2015
2015-09-05 The Birell Prague Grand Prix
- A race for all
- Sights and sounds
A night race on Prague's illuminated streets
At twilight in Prague today, the downtown streets will be busier than usual. Up to 9,000 runners will be participating in one of the international races in the Birell Prague Grand Prix.
A Race for All
Last year, nearly 70,000 participants from over 100 countries ran in RunCzech races, including the Grand Prix. One asset of the race is its appeal to all runners regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Anyone can participate in either the 10-kilometer race or the 3x10-kilometer team race, while 5-kilometer versions of both races are available for women.
Sights and Sounds
Runners and spectators alike get to enjoy the beauty of Prague with all races beginning and ending at Wenceslas Square. The Marathon Music Festival provides a lively soundtrck for the races with international tunes, dancing and other striking acts. Runners have the added benefit of free entry to certain museums and historical sites in Prague. With all that it offers for such a broad range of people, everyone can consider putting on their running shoes for the Birell Prague Grand Prix.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Letter X 教學主題: X 的廣泛用途
It’s the third least common letter in the English language and yet, it’s the most versatile letter in the alphabet. Which letter is it?
It’s x. X is versatile in its pronunciation, there are at least seven different ways to pronounce it and that’s not counting pronunciations introduced by loan words from other languages, like in the French word, prix, spelled p, r, i, x.
Besides serving as a letter to build words, x also serves as a versatile symbol representing many different things. For example, in 1765 x was first used in a letter to represent a kiss.
Later in 1827, x was first used to indicate a quality of certain liquors.
Of course, for centuries x has been used to symbolize math’s multiplication function from the mid 1600s, x signified an unknown quantity in algebra.
And I think it’s this usage of x indicating an unknown that word probably most familiar with, take the word, X-ray for example. The German scientist who discovered X-ray's used the letter x in naming them to indicate a new unknown kind of radiation.
So there’s the word X-ray, how many other English words begin with letter x, not many.
Language Lab
illuminate v.
to supply (something) with light : to shine light on (something)
- When the sun began to set, the streets were illuminated with neon lights.
to make (something) clear and easier to understand
- The professor loves to use graphs to illuminate his points.
regardless adv.
in spite of difficulty, trouble, etc. : without being stopped by difficulty, trouble, etc.
- Clark knew it would be hard to start a business, but he did it regardless.
regardless of : without being stopped or affected by (something)
- He runs every day regardless of the weather. [=he runs every day no matter what the weather is like]
- The club welcomes any new members, regardless of their backgrounds.
soundtrack n.
the sounds and especially the music recorded for a movie
- The soundtrack of the movie "My Fair Lady" has always been my favorite.
- The soundtrack of the movie alternates from classical music to folk songs.
entry n.
the act of entering something
- There's a "No Entry" sign on the door.
a person or thing that is entered in a contest
- The country's bid for entry to APEC was refused by the committee.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150905baa4de9f639827fa48f35887357c408fb85a83bca9255cac79a43d127ec4d670c5b.wma
Saturday, August 1, 2015
2015-08-31 The US Open
- The tournaments
- Women's singles
- Men's singles
Who will win in New York this year?
With the Australian Open, French Open and the Wimbledon Championships behinds us, the last 2015 Grand Slam event begins today. The next two weeks will be filled with thrills for tennis fans watching this year's US Open.
The tournaments
The US Open includes tournaments for men's and women's singles and doubles as well as mixed doubles, juniors and wheelchair matches. These events all take place in the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. The center is currently making strategic changes, adding and updating stadiums.
The first year, the all-volunteer effort drew only a few participants. Today, however, the festival averages around 30,000 people! Festival participants enjoy many aspects of Asian-Pacific American culture. The festival’s two stages feature music ranging from rock to jazz. Diverse cultural entertainment, including Chinese Lion dances, Hawaiian music and traditional Japanese drummers, is on display as well. Along with Asian food, Asian-inspired crafts can be purchased Japantown’s youth, with their energy, passion and creativity, remain an important part of this successful event.
Info Cloud
grand slam 大滿貫
What exactly is a grand slam?
Well, this would depend on who you are asking?
Right. If you are asking a baseball fan, a grand slam is a home run, it would all of the bases loaded giving the header’steam for runs at once.
If you talk to a tennis fan, a grand slam is winning all for major tennis competitions. The Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
And if you talk to a golf fan, a grand slam is winning the foremost prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf.
The master tournament, the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
So one might hit a grand slam in a baseball game, but intennis and golf one would have to win for tournaments in a year’s time.
But did you know that the term grand slam originated not from any sporting arena, but from the cart table. In the game of bridge, a grand slam is winning all thirteen tricks of a hand as opposed to a little slam winning twelve of the thirteen tricks.
Language Lab
tournament n.
a sports competition or series of contests that involves many players or teams and that usually continues for at least several days
- The women's golf tournament was broadcasted on Fox Sports Channel.
- Our team won in the first round of the tournament.
- The duo breezed into the semi-finals of the tennis tournament.
update v.
to change (something) by including the most recent information;
to make (something) more modern
- The bank recently updated its computer system for security reasons.
to give (someone) the most recent information about something
- I'll update you on the latest development of the personnel changes.
update n.
- news update
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Cricket (2)
The Ashes
Cricket is known to cause confusion for new spectators and rules can be discussed extensively. Test cricket, the sport's full professional form, also lasts up to five six-hour days! Still, the details and length of the sport don't keep away scores of fans. You won't find truer followers (or stronger rivals) than in England and Australia. The Ashes, a series of five Test cricket matches played between England and Australia, are played every two years.
The death of English cricket
In 1882, Australia beat England at cricket for the first time on home soil. In response to the defeat, a newspaper reported the death of English cricket. It read, "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." Ivo Bligh, captain of England's cricket team, vowed to bring back the Ashes from Australia the next season. A tiny urn, perhaps containing the ashes of a wicket piece, was given to him in Australia. English cricket may have died, but it rose from the Ashes and continues to this day.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150708baaa5b5360a646ee00bcd0a7d74f99c7dbdba3918a2f00c60b5982739ac41f6c849.wma
Cricket is known to cause confusion for new spectators and rules can be discussed extensively. Test cricket, the sport's full professional form, also lasts up to five six-hour days! Still, the details and length of the sport don't keep away scores of fans. You won't find truer followers (or stronger rivals) than in England and Australia. The Ashes, a series of five Test cricket matches played between England and Australia, are played every two years.
The death of English cricket
In 1882, Australia beat England at cricket for the first time on home soil. In response to the defeat, a newspaper reported the death of English cricket. It read, "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." Ivo Bligh, captain of England's cricket team, vowed to bring back the Ashes from Australia the next season. A tiny urn, perhaps containing the ashes of a wicket piece, was given to him in Australia. English cricket may have died, but it rose from the Ashes and continues to this day.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150708baaa5b5360a646ee00bcd0a7d74f99c7dbdba3918a2f00c60b5982739ac41f6c849.wma
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Cricket (1)
The most popular sport you probably know nothing about
Soccer (or football) can easily claim the greatest number of fans of any sport. But you might be surprised to find out what game is often named the runner-up - cricket.
A little like baseball ...
Both baseball and cricket share some feathers - a ball and a bat, throwers and runners. In cricket, a bowler throws a ball to the striker, like a batter, on the other team. Numerous players wait in the oval field to catch balls hit by the striker, hoping to manage an out. The similarities between the two sports mostly end there.
But not much
While baseball is played on a diamond with four bases, cricket has a 20.1 -meter pitch with two ends. One batsman stands on each end with the bowler throwing from behind one of them. If the striker hits the ball well, the batsmen rack up runs by running to trade places. Then they perform this wsitch again and again before the bowler's team breaks a wicket. Wickets, structures at either end of the pitch, come apart when hit correctly.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150707baa7b039057a091930a7e346b8f21e2fdedcebab502c575a441835e341d35a43bb8.wma
Soccer (or football) can easily claim the greatest number of fans of any sport. But you might be surprised to find out what game is often named the runner-up - cricket.
A little like baseball ...
Both baseball and cricket share some feathers - a ball and a bat, throwers and runners. In cricket, a bowler throws a ball to the striker, like a batter, on the other team. Numerous players wait in the oval field to catch balls hit by the striker, hoping to manage an out. The similarities between the two sports mostly end there.
But not much
While baseball is played on a diamond with four bases, cricket has a 20.1 -meter pitch with two ends. One batsman stands on each end with the bowler throwing from behind one of them. If the striker hits the ball well, the batsmen rack up runs by running to trade places. Then they perform this wsitch again and again before the bowler's team breaks a wicket. Wickets, structures at either end of the pitch, come apart when hit correctly.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150707baa7b039057a091930a7e346b8f21e2fdedcebab502c575a441835e341d35a43bb8.wma
Friday, January 16, 2015
Lacrosse – The Fastest Game on Two Feet (1)
Why is this sport attracting new fans and players at a rapid pace?
On a field roughly the size of an American football field, a player wearing a helmet dodges a defender. He than swings a stick with a net on its end toward the goal. This sweeping motion sends a rubber ball flying from the net past a goalkeeper for a score.
The player -- pumping his fists in celebration -- has just scored a goal in lacrosse, a sport that has elements of hockey, soccer and American
in which new participants quickly find themselves hooked.
Lacrosse basics
In men's lacrosse, two teams of 10 players compete over four periods lasting 15 minutes each. Other than the goalkeeper, each team fields three attackmen, three mid-fielders and three defensemen. As in soccer, players cannot touch the ball with their hands. So, players use their stick, called a crosse, to keep the ball in play. They do this by cradling the ball in the net, called a head, on the end of their stick while darting across the field.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sporting Venue Names教學主題: 球場大不同
不同的球類有不同的球場名稱,
大型的戶外球場叫做field
golf的球場叫做 course
小型或有網子或室內的球場叫做court
溜冰場rink
Language Lab
defender n.
one of the players in a game such as football who have to defend their team's goal from the opposing team:
- John successfully ran past the defenders and scored.
someone who defends a particular idea, belief, person etc:
- Susan is a passionate defender of women's rights.
participant n.
someone who is taking part in an activity or event
- All the participants attending the training course will receive a certificate.
participate v.
to take part in an activity or event:
- Every member of the team needs to participate in the discussion.
field v.
if you field a team, an army etc, they represent you or fight for you in a competition, election, or war:
- The coach fielded his best players for yesterday's game.
- The country fielded their strongest athletes to participate in the Olympic games.
dart v.
to move suddenly and quickly in a particular direction:
- The woman darted across the street to chase her child.
- Right before the birthday girl walked in the door, her parents darted behind the sofa to surprise her.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150116baaffc3e906f2d7edd51f05897275acc0c4a971ed79d58ed48991d054290a4f3631.wma
On a field roughly the size of an American football field, a player wearing a helmet dodges a defender. He than swings a stick with a net on its end toward the goal. This sweeping motion sends a rubber ball flying from the net past a goalkeeper for a score.
The player -- pumping his fists in celebration -- has just scored a goal in lacrosse, a sport that has elements of hockey, soccer and American
in which new participants quickly find themselves hooked.
Lacrosse basics
In men's lacrosse, two teams of 10 players compete over four periods lasting 15 minutes each. Other than the goalkeeper, each team fields three attackmen, three mid-fielders and three defensemen. As in soccer, players cannot touch the ball with their hands. So, players use their stick, called a crosse, to keep the ball in play. They do this by cradling the ball in the net, called a head, on the end of their stick while darting across the field.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sporting Venue Names教學主題: 球場大不同
不同的球類有不同的球場名稱,
大型的戶外球場叫做field
golf的球場叫做 course
小型或有網子或室內的球場叫做court
溜冰場rink
Language Lab
defender n.
one of the players in a game such as football who have to defend their team's goal from the opposing team:
- John successfully ran past the defenders and scored.
someone who defends a particular idea, belief, person etc:
- Susan is a passionate defender of women's rights.
participant n.
someone who is taking part in an activity or event
- All the participants attending the training course will receive a certificate.
participate v.
to take part in an activity or event:
- Every member of the team needs to participate in the discussion.
field v.
if you field a team, an army etc, they represent you or fight for you in a competition, election, or war:
- The coach fielded his best players for yesterday's game.
- The country fielded their strongest athletes to participate in the Olympic games.
dart v.
to move suddenly and quickly in a particular direction:
- The woman darted across the street to chase her child.
- Right before the birthday girl walked in the door, her parents darted behind the sofa to surprise her.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150116baaffc3e906f2d7edd51f05897275acc0c4a971ed79d58ed48991d054290a4f3631.wma
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Get That Ball! (2)
One gripping part of a rugby game is the scrum. Requiring exceptional teamwork, a scrum restarts play during a match. The forwards from each team link themselves together. Forming this ball of humanity tales a special technique. Once the players are in place, they push the other team backward and kick at the ball to get possession of it. A team gains possession when the ball gets to the back of a scrum.
The intensity of the strength displayed is impressive. At international competitions, each team exerts three and a half tons of pressure on the opposing team!
Rugby Union World Cup tournaments are held every four years. The first one occurred in 1987 with Australia and New Zealand hosting. The next World Cup happens in 2015 and will be hosted by England. Thousands of fans will attend the matches and cheer on their favorite teams. Believe it or not, not one team who's won the Rugby World Cup has managed to win the next World Cup! But players and fans don't mind. They just enjoy the game.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Root, Route and Rout (三個易混淆的字)
1. root for somebody phrasal verb
to support a sports team or player by shouting and cheering
2. route n.
/ˈruːt/ 但有些人會發音 /ˈraʊt/ 所以容易跟 rout 混淆
a way from one place to another
- Which route should we take?
3. rout n.
/ˈraʊt/
a game or contest in which the winner easily defeats the loser by a large amount
Grammar Gym
Once the players are in place, they push the other team backward and kick at the ball to get possession of it.
Once [something] is in place, [subject] + [verb].
- Once the soldiers were in place, the commander gave the signal to attack.
- Once the dancers were in place, the music began to play.
Language Lab
grip v. [past tense and past participle gripped, present participle gripping]
to hold something very tightly
- The boy gripped his mother's arm and refused to enter the classroom.
to hold someone's attention and interest:
- The actor's performance gripped the audience.
gripping adj.
a gripping film, story etc is very exciting and interesting:
- a gripping story
humanity n.
[uncountable] people in general:
- A large crowd of humanity gathered to protest against the new policy.
[uncountable] the state of being human rather than an animal or machine
- The severe climate change will seriously affect humanity.
exert v.
to use your power, influence etc in order to make something happen
tournament n.
a competition in which players compete against each other in a series of games until there is one winner:
- The winner of the tennis tournament will get a prize of $20,000.
- The last round of the golf tournament will be broadcast live tomorrow night.
cheer somebody ↔ on phrasal verb
to shout encouragement at a person or team to help them do well in a race or competition
- Many locals went to the stadium to cheer on their home team.
- My son and I went to watch our favorite team play and cheered them on.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140906baaa31c807ffb323fc76be32743cdb045c2e8c6300b13a5b4f8965d7ccc3c4ed916.wma
The intensity of the strength displayed is impressive. At international competitions, each team exerts three and a half tons of pressure on the opposing team!
Rugby Union World Cup tournaments are held every four years. The first one occurred in 1987 with Australia and New Zealand hosting. The next World Cup happens in 2015 and will be hosted by England. Thousands of fans will attend the matches and cheer on their favorite teams. Believe it or not, not one team who's won the Rugby World Cup has managed to win the next World Cup! But players and fans don't mind. They just enjoy the game.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Root, Route and Rout (三個易混淆的字)
1. root for somebody phrasal verb
to support a sports team or player by shouting and cheering
2. route n.
/ˈruːt/ 但有些人會發音 /ˈraʊt/ 所以容易跟 rout 混淆
a way from one place to another
- Which route should we take?
3. rout n.
/ˈraʊt/
a game or contest in which the winner easily defeats the loser by a large amount
Grammar Gym
Once the players are in place, they push the other team backward and kick at the ball to get possession of it.
Once [something] is in place, [subject] + [verb].
- Once the soldiers were in place, the commander gave the signal to attack.
- Once the dancers were in place, the music began to play.
Language Lab
grip v. [past tense and past participle gripped, present participle gripping]
to hold something very tightly
- The boy gripped his mother's arm and refused to enter the classroom.
to hold someone's attention and interest:
- The actor's performance gripped the audience.
gripping adj.
a gripping film, story etc is very exciting and interesting:
- a gripping story
humanity n.
[uncountable] people in general:
- A large crowd of humanity gathered to protest against the new policy.
[uncountable] the state of being human rather than an animal or machine
- The severe climate change will seriously affect humanity.
exert v.
to use your power, influence etc in order to make something happen
tournament n.
a competition in which players compete against each other in a series of games until there is one winner:
- The winner of the tennis tournament will get a prize of $20,000.
- The last round of the golf tournament will be broadcast live tomorrow night.
cheer somebody ↔ on phrasal verb
to shout encouragement at a person or team to help them do well in a race or competition
- Many locals went to the stadium to cheer on their home team.
- My son and I went to watch our favorite team play and cheered them on.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140906baaa31c807ffb323fc76be32743cdb045c2e8c6300b13a5b4f8965d7ccc3c4ed916.wma
Friday, September 5, 2014
Get That Ball! (1)
Players must move fast and tackle hard in rugby
衝勁滿分的英式橄欖球！ 在英式橄欖球賽中，球員必須快速移動、大力擒抱
The crowd cheers and shouts as two 15-man teams take the field. Their goal? To carry or kick a ball over their opponent's try line. The game looks like a mixture of soccer and American football. In this rough-and-tumble sport, players carry the ball, kick the ball and tackle one another. Men play it; women play it; and so do children. In fact, played in more than 120 countries, rugby is tremendously popular! Legend says the sport of rugby was invented in 1823 at Rugby School in England.
A student named William Webb Ellis was playing in a soccer match. But he got bored with just kicking the ball, so he picked up the ball and ran with it. The rest, as they say, is history.
A rugby team has two kinds of players: backs and forwards. The backs are smaller, faster players. They are the ones who score most of the points, called tires. The forwards are bigger and heavier. They tackle players on the opposing team . Each exciting, energetic match lasts 80 minutes.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Rest Is History (眾所皆知的「歷史」)
history 歷史
make history 創造歷史, 指的是史上的第一次
當歐巴馬選上美國總統時, 他就是 made history,
因為他是史上第一的美國黑人總統,
history in the making
意思也是創造歷史, 只是時態上是正在創造歷史, 偉大的事情正在發生之意
the rest is history
故事說到這裡, 以下的大家都知道了, 不必多說
Grammar Gym
But he got bored with just kicking the ball, so he picked up the ball and ran with it.
[Someone] got bored with just..., so he/she....
- Jake got bored with just doing his homework, so he started to draw pictures in his workbook.
- Kylie got bored with just sitting in the waiting room, so she got up and went outside.
Language Lab
opponent n.
someone who you try to defeat in a competition, game, fight, or argument:
- The team defeated their opponents with ease.
- He's such a formidable opponent that you really need to watch out.
- The candidate's opponent has a very strong political background.
formidable adj.
very powerful or impressive, and often frightening
rough-and-tumble adj.
a situation in which people compete with each other, often in a cruel way
- Henry has a hard time adjusting to the rough-and-tumble political games.
- Sherry has succeeded in the rough-and-tumble fashion business.
the rest is history informal
used to say that everyone knows the rest of a story you have been telling
- The rest, as they say, is history, as we all know the success of Macintosh.
oppose v.
to disagree with something such as a plan or idea and try to prevent it from happening or succeeding:
- Many members of the committee opposed the proposal.
opposing adj.
opposing ideas, opinions etc are completely different from each other:
opposing teams, groups, or forces are competing, arguing, or fighting against each other:
- The two opposing parties are fighting in congress in the morning session.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140905baacdeee9b025c79a0ecf22fe5d371c1ef66eac04fef6533951f4c2e86ac85483ac.wma
衝勁滿分的英式橄欖球！ 在英式橄欖球賽中，球員必須快速移動、大力擒抱
The crowd cheers and shouts as two 15-man teams take the field. Their goal? To carry or kick a ball over their opponent's try line. The game looks like a mixture of soccer and American football. In this rough-and-tumble sport, players carry the ball, kick the ball and tackle one another. Men play it; women play it; and so do children. In fact, played in more than 120 countries, rugby is tremendously popular! Legend says the sport of rugby was invented in 1823 at Rugby School in England.
A student named William Webb Ellis was playing in a soccer match. But he got bored with just kicking the ball, so he picked up the ball and ran with it. The rest, as they say, is history.
A rugby team has two kinds of players: backs and forwards. The backs are smaller, faster players. They are the ones who score most of the points, called tires. The forwards are bigger and heavier. They tackle players on the opposing team . Each exciting, energetic match lasts 80 minutes.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Rest Is History (眾所皆知的「歷史」)
history 歷史
make history 創造歷史, 指的是史上的第一次
當歐巴馬選上美國總統時, 他就是 made history,
因為他是史上第一的美國黑人總統,
history in the making
意思也是創造歷史, 只是時態上是正在創造歷史, 偉大的事情正在發生之意
the rest is history
故事說到這裡, 以下的大家都知道了, 不必多說
Grammar Gym
But he got bored with just kicking the ball, so he picked up the ball and ran with it.
[Someone] got bored with just..., so he/she....
- Jake got bored with just doing his homework, so he started to draw pictures in his workbook.
- Kylie got bored with just sitting in the waiting room, so she got up and went outside.
Language Lab
opponent n.
someone who you try to defeat in a competition, game, fight, or argument:
- The team defeated their opponents with ease.
- He's such a formidable opponent that you really need to watch out.
- The candidate's opponent has a very strong political background.
formidable adj.
very powerful or impressive, and often frightening
rough-and-tumble adj.
a situation in which people compete with each other, often in a cruel way
- Henry has a hard time adjusting to the rough-and-tumble political games.
- Sherry has succeeded in the rough-and-tumble fashion business.
the rest is history informal
used to say that everyone knows the rest of a story you have been telling
- The rest, as they say, is history, as we all know the success of Macintosh.
oppose v.
to disagree with something such as a plan or idea and try to prevent it from happening or succeeding:
- Many members of the committee opposed the proposal.
opposing adj.
opposing ideas, opinions etc are completely different from each other:
opposing teams, groups, or forces are competing, arguing, or fighting against each other:
- The two opposing parties are fighting in congress in the morning session.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140905baacdeee9b025c79a0ecf22fe5d371c1ef66eac04fef6533951f4c2e86ac85483ac.wma
Sunday, March 9, 2014
THE 2014 WINTER PARALYMPICS
The Olympics may be over, but don’t put your flags down yet
The International Paralympic Committee welcomes you to Sochi, Russia, for the Paralympic Games. I'm sure there are questions, so let's get started with this informative meeting.
What does Paralympic mean?
Think of the word parallel mixed with the word Olympic - next to or with the Olympics. The Paralympics are competitions that take place after the Olympics but in the same location for athletes with disabilities.
What kind of disabilities do the athletes have?
Some athletes have lost limbs due to illness or injury, and others have poor vision.
Paralympic athletes may also be affected by several other disabilities, such as muscle or mental issues. That's why three of our five sports are divided into standing, sitting, and vision-challenged categories. I recommend that you try to watch a little of each category.
How do these categories affect the events?
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event. For the other two categories, special sit skis are used for sitting events, and guides lead vision-challenged athletes. Ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling are only open to athletes with lower-body disabilities.
Editor's Summary
Today, we have been talking about the Paralympics in Sochi Russia, the same location as the Olympics last month.
What does Paralympics really mean?
Well, parallel, to be along side of, the Olympics.
This is the Olympics for disabled people.
And the disabilities are varied.
Some people have lost limbs while others may not see very well or have mental or muscle problems.
There are three categories for the five sports in the Paralympics.
Those categories include standing, sitting, and vision-challenged.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Politically Correct
p. c. 政治正確
vision-challenged = blind
[too far] vertically challenged = short
Grammar Gym
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event.
... look(s) like ... that you won't know...
- This restaurant's soy cheese burgers look so much like regular cheese burgers that you won't know you're eating a vegetarian dish.
- These hidden cameras look so much like stones in a garden that you won't know you're being watched as you walk around them.
Language Lab
parallel adj.
/ˈperəˌlɛl/
very similar and often happening at the same time
- Parallel statements were announced by both companies.
— used to describe lines, paths, etc., that are the same distance apart along their whole length and do not touch at any point
- The canal runs parallel to Main Street.
disability n.
a condition (such as an illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental abilities
- The program is aimed to help people with serious physical disabilities.
disabled adj.
having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc
- The girl was born physically disabled.
issue n.
problems or concerns
- The main issue in this school is the curriculum.
- Money is not the issue, the right people is.
something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic
- The mayor expressed his personal view on the controversial issue.
category n.
a group of people or things that are similar in some way
- The files were sorted into five categories.
- Teen fashion is a separate category in the designer's collection.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140307baad62c321ed10ed78d86c13d43a26993a6bdfe83b451e315fd8bd51f3e245fbf41.wma
The International Paralympic Committee welcomes you to Sochi, Russia, for the Paralympic Games. I'm sure there are questions, so let's get started with this informative meeting.
What does Paralympic mean?
Think of the word parallel mixed with the word Olympic - next to or with the Olympics. The Paralympics are competitions that take place after the Olympics but in the same location for athletes with disabilities.
What kind of disabilities do the athletes have?
Some athletes have lost limbs due to illness or injury, and others have poor vision.
Paralympic athletes may also be affected by several other disabilities, such as muscle or mental issues. That's why three of our five sports are divided into standing, sitting, and vision-challenged categories. I recommend that you try to watch a little of each category.
How do these categories affect the events?
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event. For the other two categories, special sit skis are used for sitting events, and guides lead vision-challenged athletes. Ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling are only open to athletes with lower-body disabilities.
Editor's Summary
Today, we have been talking about the Paralympics in Sochi Russia, the same location as the Olympics last month.
What does Paralympics really mean?
Well, parallel, to be along side of, the Olympics.
This is the Olympics for disabled people.
And the disabilities are varied.
Some people have lost limbs while others may not see very well or have mental or muscle problems.
There are three categories for the five sports in the Paralympics.
Those categories include standing, sitting, and vision-challenged.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Politically Correct
p. c. 政治正確
vision-challenged = blind
[too far] vertically challenged = short
Grammar Gym
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event.
... look(s) like ... that you won't know...
- This restaurant's soy cheese burgers look so much like regular cheese burgers that you won't know you're eating a vegetarian dish.
- These hidden cameras look so much like stones in a garden that you won't know you're being watched as you walk around them.
Language Lab
parallel adj.
/ˈperəˌlɛl/
very similar and often happening at the same time
- Parallel statements were announced by both companies.
— used to describe lines, paths, etc., that are the same distance apart along their whole length and do not touch at any point
- The canal runs parallel to Main Street.
disability n.
a condition (such as an illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental abilities
- The program is aimed to help people with serious physical disabilities.
disabled adj.
having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc
- The girl was born physically disabled.
issue n.
problems or concerns
- The main issue in this school is the curriculum.
- Money is not the issue, the right people is.
something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic
- The mayor expressed his personal view on the controversial issue.
category n.
a group of people or things that are similar in some way
- The files were sorted into five categories.
- Teen fashion is a separate category in the designer's collection.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140307baad62c321ed10ed78d86c13d43a26993a6bdfe83b451e315fd8bd51f3e245fbf41.wma
Saturday, February 8, 2014
The 2014 Winter Olympics (2) (2014-02-08)
Join our guide for a tour of the 22nd Winter Games in Sochi, Russia
The train
All right, everyone, it's just a 30-minute ride from the coast to the mountains. When Sochi was chosen to host the Olympics, this train line was added to the city. Many of the buildings we visited on the coast were built for the games, too. The stadium we visited yesterday, the Iceberg Skating Palace, and many hotels here are new. Now let's enjoy the ride.
The mountains
Welcome to the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains! Ten of this year's 15 Olympic competitions are being held here, and many are starting today. Most are skiing events such as freestyle or ski jumping. Please don't be alarmed by the gunshots - the biathlon event mixes skiing with shooting. Sliding events like the bobsled races will also be held in the mountains.
That brings to an end today's Olymic tour. Enjoy your time at the Olympics, and don't forget to watch the Paralympic Games next month!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How Olympic Cities Are Chosen
如果一個城巿想要成為Olympic主辦城巿(host city),
他必需先向國際奧委會申請, 並說服委員們這個城巿是理想舉辦奧運的地方,
要成為主辦奧運的城巿, 最主要的就是硬體的建設,
如果沒有足夠的設施, 就要建造新的設施,
例如今天課文提到的Sochi被選為主辦城巿後,
就興建了一條火車, 蓋了體育館, 還有海邊很多建築物,
除了硬體之外, 當地人的態度也相當重要,
奧委會還會在當地居民做調查,
看看當地人有沒有熱誠想成為主辦城巿
Grammar Gym
in the mountains
there are mountains all around
in the mountain
inside the mountain
- Gold was found inside that mountain.
on the mountains
- Somewhere on that mountain is a log book for mountain climbers to record their names when they've reached the top.
Language Lab
line n.
the path along which something moves or is directed
- The new shuttle bus line stops at the domestic airport.
- The commuter line is always packed during rush hour.
a company that owns or controls such a system
- The bus line has been making a profit ever since it changed its marketing manager.
palace n.
the official home of a king, queen, president, etc.
- The palace was built a hundred years ago, but it still looks splendid.
splendid adj.
/ˈsplɛndəd/
very impressive and beautiful
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing.
- The courtyard at Buckingham Palace is famous for its beautiful garden.
competition n.
the people or groups that are competing against you, especially in business or in a sport
- The swimming competition attracted many viewers.
- Our team lost the competition.
contest n.
a competition or a situation in which two or more people or groups are competing with each other
- a beauty contest
bring to an end
- Hopefully the treaty can bring to an end the severe conflict between the two countries.
- Having agreed on the price, the negotiations were brought to an end.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140208baa2cdb7620e39520589cdd999ccc45faad6120a2407fb3010d0d1d9405300823ad.wma
The train
All right, everyone, it's just a 30-minute ride from the coast to the mountains. When Sochi was chosen to host the Olympics, this train line was added to the city. Many of the buildings we visited on the coast were built for the games, too. The stadium we visited yesterday, the Iceberg Skating Palace, and many hotels here are new. Now let's enjoy the ride.
The mountains
Welcome to the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains! Ten of this year's 15 Olympic competitions are being held here, and many are starting today. Most are skiing events such as freestyle or ski jumping. Please don't be alarmed by the gunshots - the biathlon event mixes skiing with shooting. Sliding events like the bobsled races will also be held in the mountains.
That brings to an end today's Olymic tour. Enjoy your time at the Olympics, and don't forget to watch the Paralympic Games next month!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How Olympic Cities Are Chosen
如果一個城巿想要成為Olympic主辦城巿(host city),
他必需先向國際奧委會申請, 並說服委員們這個城巿是理想舉辦奧運的地方,
要成為主辦奧運的城巿, 最主要的就是硬體的建設,
如果沒有足夠的設施, 就要建造新的設施,
例如今天課文提到的Sochi被選為主辦城巿後,
就興建了一條火車, 蓋了體育館, 還有海邊很多建築物,
除了硬體之外, 當地人的態度也相當重要,
奧委會還會在當地居民做調查,
看看當地人有沒有熱誠想成為主辦城巿
Grammar Gym
in the mountains
there are mountains all around
in the mountain
inside the mountain
- Gold was found inside that mountain.
on the mountains
- Somewhere on that mountain is a log book for mountain climbers to record their names when they've reached the top.
Language Lab
line n.
the path along which something moves or is directed
- The new shuttle bus line stops at the domestic airport.
- The commuter line is always packed during rush hour.
a company that owns or controls such a system
- The bus line has been making a profit ever since it changed its marketing manager.
palace n.
the official home of a king, queen, president, etc.
- The palace was built a hundred years ago, but it still looks splendid.
splendid adj.
/ˈsplɛndəd/
very impressive and beautiful
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing.
- The courtyard at Buckingham Palace is famous for its beautiful garden.
competition n.
the people or groups that are competing against you, especially in business or in a sport
- The swimming competition attracted many viewers.
- Our team lost the competition.
contest n.
a competition or a situation in which two or more people or groups are competing with each other
- a beauty contest
bring to an end
- Hopefully the treaty can bring to an end the severe conflict between the two countries.
- Having agreed on the price, the negotiations were brought to an end.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140208baa2cdb7620e39520589cdd999ccc45faad6120a2407fb3010d0d1d9405300823ad.wma
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Ice Hockey
Some describe hockey as the fastest game in the world
It can travel at speeds up to 160.9 kilometers per hour. Men, women and children wear skates and chase it around the ice. They try to hit it with sticks. What is it? A hockey puck! The puck is made of rubber and isn't very big. It takes a lot of skill to move it around the ice. But that's what the game of ice hockey is all about. Players hit the puck and try to get it into the other team's goal.
Many people play hockey just for fun. But each year, professional teams play for the Stanley Cup. That is hockey's most cherished prize. One would think people would be careful with such an important prize, but no. It was once left by the side of the road by accident!
Hockey's popularity is especially high in Russia and Canada. In fact, it's Canada's national sport. Both Canada and Russia have won eight Olympic gold medals in men's hockey. That's more than any other country. Both hope to bring home the gold at next month's Winter Olympics.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Tropical Nations at Winter Games?
冬季奧運也有熱帶國家(the tropics)參與,
最出名的就是 1988年參加冬奧 Jamaican bobsled team 牙買加國家雪車隊
Grammar Gym
One would think people would be careful with such an important prize, but no.
One would think ... , but no.
- One would think that a GPS would give me clear directions, but no. I actually got lost.
- One would think that a hotel package deal would include a free breakfast, but no.
- We had to pay for breakfast.
Language Lab
skate n. 溜冰鞋;
- Rita got a pair of white ice skates for her birthday.
roller-skate n. 四輪溜冰鞋
skate v. 溜冰
- The kids skated on the frozen lake.
goal n. 目標, 球門, 進球得分
- The placekicker successfully kicked the ball into the goal.
- The quarterback scored the goal with ease.
cherish v. 愛護, 珍惜
- Mom cherished all the love letters Dad wrote to her when he was working abroad.
- We only have three days here in Paris. Let's cherish every moment.
popularity n. 流行, 普及, 名氣
- The popularity of the band increased tremendously after they released their latest album.
popular adj. 受歡迎的, 流行的
- This popular cellphone is out of stock right now.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140109baade722fcf8f0fada1d26ab90196f58e9f35939c201d57b575a15d1301fcdfb810.wma
It can travel at speeds up to 160.9 kilometers per hour. Men, women and children wear skates and chase it around the ice. They try to hit it with sticks. What is it? A hockey puck! The puck is made of rubber and isn't very big. It takes a lot of skill to move it around the ice. But that's what the game of ice hockey is all about. Players hit the puck and try to get it into the other team's goal.
Many people play hockey just for fun. But each year, professional teams play for the Stanley Cup. That is hockey's most cherished prize. One would think people would be careful with such an important prize, but no. It was once left by the side of the road by accident!
Hockey's popularity is especially high in Russia and Canada. In fact, it's Canada's national sport. Both Canada and Russia have won eight Olympic gold medals in men's hockey. That's more than any other country. Both hope to bring home the gold at next month's Winter Olympics.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Tropical Nations at Winter Games?
冬季奧運也有熱帶國家(the tropics)參與,
最出名的就是 1988年參加冬奧 Jamaican bobsled team 牙買加國家雪車隊
Grammar Gym
One would think people would be careful with such an important prize, but no.
One would think ... , but no.
- One would think that a GPS would give me clear directions, but no. I actually got lost.
- One would think that a hotel package deal would include a free breakfast, but no.
- We had to pay for breakfast.
Language Lab
skate n. 溜冰鞋;
- Rita got a pair of white ice skates for her birthday.
roller-skate n. 四輪溜冰鞋
skate v. 溜冰
- The kids skated on the frozen lake.
goal n. 目標, 球門, 進球得分
- The placekicker successfully kicked the ball into the goal.
- The quarterback scored the goal with ease.
cherish v. 愛護, 珍惜
- Mom cherished all the love letters Dad wrote to her when he was working abroad.
- We only have three days here in Paris. Let's cherish every moment.
popularity n. 流行, 普及, 名氣
- The popularity of the band increased tremendously after they released their latest album.
popular adj. 受歡迎的, 流行的
- This popular cellphone is out of stock right now.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140109baade722fcf8f0fada1d26ab90196f58e9f35939c201d57b575a15d1301fcdfb810.wma
Thursday, December 12, 2013
All About Bikes (1)(2)(3)
Grab your bike and hit the road!
When did you first learn to ride a bike? Even if it was long ago, chances are you still remember how. With bikes available for many different styles of riding, there's no excuse not to get out and ride!
Bikes for commuting
For getting to work, you'll want a bike that's comfortable and sturdy. Choose one that can handle going across holes in the road. Popular choices include mountain bikes and hybrid bikes, also known as cross bikes. Of the two, hybrids offer a more comfortable ride since they are lighter and have smoother tires. A cheaper alternative is a city bike. It may be less attractive, but it offers a more comfortable seat.
Bikes for exploring
For riding through mud and over rocks and surfaces that aren't paved, nothing beats a mountain bike! These bikes are designed to be ridden on dirt or rocky trails. They have low gears that help riders handle steep trails. Nearly all mountain bikes offer a front shock. Bikes with both front and rear shocks can handle large bumps.
Bikes built for speed
If going fast is your goal, you'll want to choose a road bike. These bikes are lighter than other bikes, so riders can go faster. The downside is that their frames aren't made to handle riding over small holes in the road. But for pushing the limits of speed, nothing beats a road bike. The style of handlebars normally used on road bikes forces riders to bend forward while pedaling. This position offers less wind resistance and makes faster speeds possible. Road bikes come with more gears than other bikes, so riders can go up and down steep mountain roads more easily.
Bike care and maintenance
Whatever bike you choose to ride, bike company Merida suggests doing a few things before every ride.
These include checking and greasing the chain, checking the tire pressure and testing the brakes. For new bikes, Merida recommends and inspection after three to six weeks of riding. The reason? Several parts on the bike will shift and change, so fixing them will help your bike last longer.
Getting the appropriate fit
Choose a bike with a frame height that fits your body. When you are standing over the bike, there should be a comfortable distance between the top bar and your body. The recommended distance is 25 to 50 millimeters for road bikes and 40 to 100 millimeters for mountains bikes. Next, adjust the seat height. Getting the right height will help you feel comfortable while pedaling. Move the seat until your leg is slightly bent when the pedal is at its lowest point. Finally, adjust your bike's handlebars so that you can reach them with your elbows slightly bent.
Supporting the biking community
If you're eager to start riding, Merida sponsors several community activities that help spread the love of biking. This past summer, they sponsored a bike DIY camp for youth in Taipei. Participants gained experience in bike assembly and maintenance as well as learned proper riding techniques. The company also encourages bicyclists to ride in 1919's annual charity bike event. Whether you're young or old, there's nothing like biking. Get out and pedal today!
When did you first learn to ride a bike? Even if it was long ago, chances are you still remember how. With bikes available for many different styles of riding, there's no excuse not to get out and ride!
Bikes for commuting
For getting to work, you'll want a bike that's comfortable and sturdy. Choose one that can handle going across holes in the road. Popular choices include mountain bikes and hybrid bikes, also known as cross bikes. Of the two, hybrids offer a more comfortable ride since they are lighter and have smoother tires. A cheaper alternative is a city bike. It may be less attractive, but it offers a more comfortable seat.
Bikes for exploring
For riding through mud and over rocks and surfaces that aren't paved, nothing beats a mountain bike! These bikes are designed to be ridden on dirt or rocky trails. They have low gears that help riders handle steep trails. Nearly all mountain bikes offer a front shock. Bikes with both front and rear shocks can handle large bumps.
Bikes built for speed
If going fast is your goal, you'll want to choose a road bike. These bikes are lighter than other bikes, so riders can go faster. The downside is that their frames aren't made to handle riding over small holes in the road. But for pushing the limits of speed, nothing beats a road bike. The style of handlebars normally used on road bikes forces riders to bend forward while pedaling. This position offers less wind resistance and makes faster speeds possible. Road bikes come with more gears than other bikes, so riders can go up and down steep mountain roads more easily.
Bike care and maintenance
Whatever bike you choose to ride, bike company Merida suggests doing a few things before every ride.
These include checking and greasing the chain, checking the tire pressure and testing the brakes. For new bikes, Merida recommends and inspection after three to six weeks of riding. The reason? Several parts on the bike will shift and change, so fixing them will help your bike last longer.
Getting the appropriate fit
Choose a bike with a frame height that fits your body. When you are standing over the bike, there should be a comfortable distance between the top bar and your body. The recommended distance is 25 to 50 millimeters for road bikes and 40 to 100 millimeters for mountains bikes. Next, adjust the seat height. Getting the right height will help you feel comfortable while pedaling. Move the seat until your leg is slightly bent when the pedal is at its lowest point. Finally, adjust your bike's handlebars so that you can reach them with your elbows slightly bent.
Supporting the biking community
If you're eager to start riding, Merida sponsors several community activities that help spread the love of biking. This past summer, they sponsored a bike DIY camp for youth in Taipei. Participants gained experience in bike assembly and maintenance as well as learned proper riding techniques. The company also encourages bicyclists to ride in 1919's annual charity bike event. Whether you're young or old, there's nothing like biking. Get out and pedal today!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Making Old Sports New (2)
Bossball
This exciting sport is part volleyball and part soccer. But unlike both of those sports, players jump up and down throughout the game. That's because it's played on an inflatable volleyball court with a trampoline on either side of the net. One player bounces on the trampoline while up to four others stand around it. A team can touch the ball six times before sending it back across the net. Each player may touch the ball once with arms or twice with other body parts.
Cycleball
Another fun game to watch, cycleball is like indoor soccer on wheels. Each player rides a special bike designed for the game. Like soccer, a team must put the ball in a goal. However, there is a catch.
The ball can only be touched with the bike's wheels or the players' heads. This game requires a lot of practice to learn the skills needed. Though these sports may not be common, give them a look or even a try.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Win vs. Beat
This lesson about sports give us good reason to review the difference between the words, "win" and "beat."
Now, some people, even native English speakers, use these two words as if they were synonymous, but they're not.
So, let's try to clear up the confusion.
OK. Use "win" when you want to focus on the competition.
For example, you win a game or you win a race.
Using "beat" on the other hand, puts the focus on the person or the team that loses.
You beat your opponent.
Your opponent beat you or your team beat the other team.
Now, when using "win", you don't need an object because it's understood or unstated.
That's why you can say, "we will win", but you cannot say, "we will win you."
Right! However, when using "beat", you do need that object.
For example, we will beat you.
Unless you are trying to gain a person's affection or support.
Used in this way, a boy might try to win a girl's affection by sending her flowers.
That is the only time "win" is followed by an object.
But again, to summarize, you win a competition, but you beat a person.
win (在競賽、遊戲、選舉中)獲勝
1.著眼於competition
2.不及物動詞，不需要受詞
3.當及物動詞時，表示獲得、贏得something.
- We won the game.
- We will win.(不可說We will win you.)
我們將會獲勝
- I win a girl's heart. 我贏得一個女孩的芳心
beat 打敗、勝過
1.著眼於person
2.及物動詞，需要受詞
- We beat our opponent. 我們打敗了對手
- They beat us. 他們把我們打敗了
- We will beat you. 我們會把你們打敗
Grammar Gym
to give something a look- to look at something with attention
- Though these sports may not be common, give them a look or even a try.
- Jerry saw a strange statue not far from him and he decided to walk over and give it a look.
- The manager handed the report to his secretary and asked her to give it a look.
Language Lab
unlike prep.不像某人
completely different from a particular person or thing
- Unlike most teenagers, Ricky doesn't like playing online games.
與大部分青少年不同Ricky不喜歡玩線上遊戲
- It was so unlike Alex to talk back to his teacher.
Alex居然和老師頂嘴，真的不像他
inflatable adj.可充氣的、可膨脹的 in-進入
inflate v.充氣、使膨脹
to add air or gas to (something, such as a tire or a balloon) and make it larger
- Kids are playing in the inflatable castle.
孩子們在充氣的城堡裡玩
- The inflatable pad is part of our camping equipment.
這個充氣式的墊子是我們的露營裝備之一
- The flight attendant is demonstrating how to inflate a life jacket.
空服員正在示範如何將救生衣充氣
indoor adj.室內的 outdoor 室外的 indoors adv. [compare outdoor]
done, living, located, or used inside a building
- There is an indoor swimming in the school.
- Maggie prefers outdoor exercises than indoor sports.
- The cold weather kept the kids indoors.
冷天讓孩子們都留在室內
- It's great to go outdoors and get some fresh air.
到戶外走走、呼吸新鮮空氣，很舒服
catch n.圈套、陷阱、隱藏的困難
a hidden problem or difficulty
- The job offer is way too good, there must be a catch somewhere.
這個工作條件太好了，一定有問題
- The restaurant provides meals, but the catch is that you'll be too busy to eat.
餐廳會提供餐點，但問題是你會忙到沒時間吃飯
v.抓接住
to get hold of and stop an object such as a ball that is moving through the air
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20131026baa5ef15b26a5c8268a04978695832bb221d58b477d9fa767197b613e89954ff12d.wma
This exciting sport is part volleyball and part soccer. But unlike both of those sports, players jump up and down throughout the game. That's because it's played on an inflatable volleyball court with a trampoline on either side of the net. One player bounces on the trampoline while up to four others stand around it. A team can touch the ball six times before sending it back across the net. Each player may touch the ball once with arms or twice with other body parts.
Cycleball
Another fun game to watch, cycleball is like indoor soccer on wheels. Each player rides a special bike designed for the game. Like soccer, a team must put the ball in a goal. However, there is a catch.
The ball can only be touched with the bike's wheels or the players' heads. This game requires a lot of practice to learn the skills needed. Though these sports may not be common, give them a look or even a try.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Win vs. Beat
This lesson about sports give us good reason to review the difference between the words, "win" and "beat."
Now, some people, even native English speakers, use these two words as if they were synonymous, but they're not.
So, let's try to clear up the confusion.
OK. Use "win" when you want to focus on the competition.
For example, you win a game or you win a race.
Using "beat" on the other hand, puts the focus on the person or the team that loses.
You beat your opponent.
Your opponent beat you or your team beat the other team.
Now, when using "win", you don't need an object because it's understood or unstated.
That's why you can say, "we will win", but you cannot say, "we will win you."
Right! However, when using "beat", you do need that object.
For example, we will beat you.
Unless you are trying to gain a person's affection or support.
Used in this way, a boy might try to win a girl's affection by sending her flowers.
That is the only time "win" is followed by an object.
But again, to summarize, you win a competition, but you beat a person.
win (在競賽、遊戲、選舉中)獲勝
1.著眼於competition
2.不及物動詞，不需要受詞
3.當及物動詞時，表示獲得、贏得something.
- We won the game.
- We will win.(不可說We will win you.)
我們將會獲勝
- I win a girl's heart. 我贏得一個女孩的芳心
beat 打敗、勝過
1.著眼於person
2.及物動詞，需要受詞
- We beat our opponent. 我們打敗了對手
- They beat us. 他們把我們打敗了
- We will beat you. 我們會把你們打敗
Grammar Gym
to give something a look- to look at something with attention
- Though these sports may not be common, give them a look or even a try.
- Jerry saw a strange statue not far from him and he decided to walk over and give it a look.
- The manager handed the report to his secretary and asked her to give it a look.
Language Lab
unlike prep.不像某人
completely different from a particular person or thing
- Unlike most teenagers, Ricky doesn't like playing online games.
與大部分青少年不同Ricky不喜歡玩線上遊戲
- It was so unlike Alex to talk back to his teacher.
Alex居然和老師頂嘴，真的不像他
inflatable adj.可充氣的、可膨脹的 in-進入
inflate v.充氣、使膨脹
to add air or gas to (something, such as a tire or a balloon) and make it larger
- Kids are playing in the inflatable castle.
孩子們在充氣的城堡裡玩
- The inflatable pad is part of our camping equipment.
這個充氣式的墊子是我們的露營裝備之一
- The flight attendant is demonstrating how to inflate a life jacket.
空服員正在示範如何將救生衣充氣
indoor adj.室內的 outdoor 室外的 indoors adv. [compare outdoor]
done, living, located, or used inside a building
- There is an indoor swimming in the school.
- Maggie prefers outdoor exercises than indoor sports.
- The cold weather kept the kids indoors.
冷天讓孩子們都留在室內
- It's great to go outdoors and get some fresh air.
到戶外走走、呼吸新鮮空氣，很舒服
catch n.圈套、陷阱、隱藏的困難
a hidden problem or difficulty
- The job offer is way too good, there must be a catch somewhere.
這個工作條件太好了，一定有問題
- The restaurant provides meals, but the catch is that you'll be too busy to eat.
餐廳會提供餐點，但問題是你會忙到沒時間吃飯
v.抓接住
to get hold of and stop an object such as a ball that is moving through the air
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20131026baa5ef15b26a5c8268a04978695832bb221d58b477d9fa767197b613e89954ff12d.wma
Friday, October 25, 2013
Making Old Sports New (1)
New ways to play your favorite games
Basketball, baseball and soccer are classic sports that people will always enjoy. And yet we keep changing popular games like these in new ways to keep them fresh.
Underwater hockey
This game is played in swimming pools with two teams of six players. Each player has flippers, a snorkel and a stick used for hitting a puck. Each team earns points by hitting the puck into its underwater goal.
Other team members must be ready to take the puck when a team member goes up for air. That makes underwater hockey a true team sport.
Chessboxing
A sport can also be revised by mixing it with another game. In chessboxing, two players compete on the chess board and in the ring. First, their minds are tested in a game of chess. Then they use their strength in a round of boxing. They repeat this for 11 round. The winner beats the loser in chess, knocks him out while boxing or gets more boxing points.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How to Cheer on a Team
This month's sports feature gives us a good excuse to discuss how to cheer on a sports team.
Knowing how to cheer a team on to victory in English isn't as easy as it might be in certain other languages.
The reason is the cheer depends on who it is exactly you want to cheer for.
That's right!
You can cheer the whole team on or just the team's offense or just the defense or you can cheer on an individual player.
Or if you and your friends feel like it, you can cheer against the other team.
But again, each cheer would be different, depending on who you're cheering for.
Also, the cheer you use will depend on which sport is being played.
If we use basketball as an example, a good cheer to use at the game would be, "Defense! Defense!"
But that's not something you hear at a baseball game.
OK.
Here is a good all purpose cheer you can use in any sport including under water hockey and chess boxing.
Insert the team's name or player's name between the phrases, "let's go."
The cheer will sound something like this, "Let's go, Ken, let's go! Let's go, Ken, let's go!"
OK.
Got it.
Language Lab
popular adj.受歡迎的、廣受大眾喜愛的
liked by a lot of people
- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular sites in Europe.
艾菲爾鐵塔是歐洲最受歡迎的景點之一
unpopular adj.不受歡迎的
not liked by most people
- Such an attitude made him unpopular in the company.
這種態度讓他在公司裡不受歡迎
underwater adj.水中的、水面下的
below the surface of an area of water, or able to be used there:
- The underwater lights make the fountain shine at night.
水中的照明燈讓這個噴水池在夜裡閃閃發亮
- Underwater aerobics is great for expecting moms because it's mild yet burns a lot of calories.
水中有氧舞蹈非常適合孕婦，因為既溫和又可消耗許多卡路里
revise v. 修改、修正；調整
to change something because of new information or ideas;
to change a piece of writing by adding new information, making improvements, or correcting mistakes
- Teresa spent a lot of time revising her English report.
Teresa花了許多時間，修改她的報告。
- After comparing themselves with their competitors, the company revised their prices.
經過與競爭者的比較後，公司決定要調整他們的價格。
compete v.競爭 competition n.
to try to gain something and stop someone else from having it or having as much of it
compete against
- Our team will compete against last year's state champion tonight.
我們的隊伍今天晚上要和去年的州冠軍決勝負
- The fierce competition attracted a large audience.
激烈的競爭，吸引了許多的觀眾
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20131025_333db.wmv
Basketball, baseball and soccer are classic sports that people will always enjoy. And yet we keep changing popular games like these in new ways to keep them fresh.
Underwater hockey
This game is played in swimming pools with two teams of six players. Each player has flippers, a snorkel and a stick used for hitting a puck. Each team earns points by hitting the puck into its underwater goal.
Other team members must be ready to take the puck when a team member goes up for air. That makes underwater hockey a true team sport.
Chessboxing
A sport can also be revised by mixing it with another game. In chessboxing, two players compete on the chess board and in the ring. First, their minds are tested in a game of chess. Then they use their strength in a round of boxing. They repeat this for 11 round. The winner beats the loser in chess, knocks him out while boxing or gets more boxing points.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How to Cheer on a Team
This month's sports feature gives us a good excuse to discuss how to cheer on a sports team.
Knowing how to cheer a team on to victory in English isn't as easy as it might be in certain other languages.
The reason is the cheer depends on who it is exactly you want to cheer for.
That's right!
You can cheer the whole team on or just the team's offense or just the defense or you can cheer on an individual player.
Or if you and your friends feel like it, you can cheer against the other team.
But again, each cheer would be different, depending on who you're cheering for.
Also, the cheer you use will depend on which sport is being played.
If we use basketball as an example, a good cheer to use at the game would be, "Defense! Defense!"
But that's not something you hear at a baseball game.
OK.
Here is a good all purpose cheer you can use in any sport including under water hockey and chess boxing.
Insert the team's name or player's name between the phrases, "let's go."
The cheer will sound something like this, "Let's go, Ken, let's go! Let's go, Ken, let's go!"
OK.
Got it.
Language Lab
popular adj.受歡迎的、廣受大眾喜愛的
liked by a lot of people
- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular sites in Europe.
艾菲爾鐵塔是歐洲最受歡迎的景點之一
unpopular adj.不受歡迎的
not liked by most people
- Such an attitude made him unpopular in the company.
這種態度讓他在公司裡不受歡迎
underwater adj.水中的、水面下的
below the surface of an area of water, or able to be used there:
- The underwater lights make the fountain shine at night.
水中的照明燈讓這個噴水池在夜裡閃閃發亮
- Underwater aerobics is great for expecting moms because it's mild yet burns a lot of calories.
水中有氧舞蹈非常適合孕婦，因為既溫和又可消耗許多卡路里
revise v. 修改、修正；調整
to change something because of new information or ideas;
to change a piece of writing by adding new information, making improvements, or correcting mistakes
- Teresa spent a lot of time revising her English report.
Teresa花了許多時間，修改她的報告。
- After comparing themselves with their competitors, the company revised their prices.
經過與競爭者的比較後，公司決定要調整他們的價格。
compete v.競爭 competition n.
to try to gain something and stop someone else from having it or having as much of it
compete against
- Our team will compete against last year's state champion tonight.
我們的隊伍今天晚上要和去年的州冠軍決勝負
- The fierce competition attracted a large audience.
激烈的競爭，吸引了許多的觀眾
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20131025_333db.wmv
Monday, September 30, 2013
The Benefits of Sports
Seven good reasons to start playing your favorite sport today!
Hitting a tennis ball, throwing a baseball or kicking a soccer ball bring hours of enjoyment. But did you know that participating in sports has lots of benefits, too?
The benefits include:
Greater confidence: Winning helps you feel a sense of accomplishment and feel good about yourself.
Becoming a good sport:
Winning feels great, but losing teaches you how to deal with disappointments in life while still maintaining a positive attitude.
Improved math skills:
Players use math skills as they calculate team scores, etc.
New friends:
Playing on a team gives you the chance to meet people with the same interests.
Disease prevention :
Playing sports helps prevent cancer, heart disease, depression and other diseases. Playing also helps to build healthy bones.
A healthy lifestyle:
Kids who play sports are less likely to smoke or take drugs because of the negative effects on their performance.
Reduced stress:
Playing sports helps to reduce stress. Exercise releases a chemical ( endorphin ) in the brain that makes you feel happy and less anxious.
Whether playing competitive sports or just a social game, you should have fun. So get up and get active because there are lots of good reasons to go out and play!
Grammar Gym
"...losing teaches you how to deal with disappointments in life while still maintaining a positive attitude."
[Situation 1]+while still maintaining [Situation 2]
- Robert was able to compete in several tennis tournaments while still maintaining good grades in school.
- Miriam was able to attend classes during the day while still maintaining two jobs.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sport, the Verb
Now that you know all the benefits of playing sports, there is one more thing we'd like to talk about when it comes to the word "sport".
And that is "sport", the verb. Hey Steve, have you see the funky hat people are sporting these days.
Uhh... hahaha... yeah Ken. It looks really cool. I'd love to sport one of those.
Ok friends, did you catch that? "You can sport a hat."
Now, even though it's basically used as a noun, "sport" can be a verb. To "sport" means to display or show off. So, if you are sporting that funky hat, like Ken is, you're wearing it so that everyone can see it.
Some men like to sport a mustache, goatee, or a beard because they think they look good with it.
Hmm... Maybe I'll grow a goatee and sport it.
I'd like to see that.
Language Lab
good sport
a good sport
[countable usually singular] also good sport old-fashioned a helpful cheerful person who lets you enjoy yourself be a sport (=used when asking someone to help you);
used with good, bad, etc., to say if someone has behaved politely or not after losing a game or contest;
informal + old-fashioned : someone who is kind or generous;
informal + old-fashioned — used as a friendly way to address someone (especially a man)
- No one wants to play with a person who isn't a good sport.
- George is always a good sport while playing basketball.
calculate v.
to find out how much something will cost, how long something will take etc, by using numbers
- We need to calculate the sum of our total costs before giving you our estimate.
calculation n.
/ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/
a process or result of calculating something [count]
- We did a rough calculation of the profit we can get from this deal.
prevention n.
when something bad is stopped from happening
- The research team is working on cancer prevention.
prevent v.
to stop (something) from happening or existing
prevent somebody/something (from) doing something
- Exercise can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
competitive adj.
of or relating to a situation in which people or groups are trying to win a contest or be more successful than others : relating to or involving competition
- Claire is a very competitive tennis player.
compete v.
to try to get or win something (such as a prize or reward) that someone else is also trying to win : to try to be better or more successful than someone or something else
- You have to work hard to excel in this competitive environment.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130930_d4974.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130930baa18ed8ffb747f4a77e97e3326dbefa582835a5f498e93f9f495b88ada40e71c31.wma
Hitting a tennis ball, throwing a baseball or kicking a soccer ball bring hours of enjoyment. But did you know that participating in sports has lots of benefits, too?
The benefits include:
Greater confidence: Winning helps you feel a sense of accomplishment and feel good about yourself.
Becoming a good sport:
Winning feels great, but losing teaches you how to deal with disappointments in life while still maintaining a positive attitude.
Improved math skills:
Players use math skills as they calculate team scores, etc.
New friends:
Playing on a team gives you the chance to meet people with the same interests.
Disease prevention :
Playing sports helps prevent cancer, heart disease, depression and other diseases. Playing also helps to build healthy bones.
A healthy lifestyle:
Kids who play sports are less likely to smoke or take drugs because of the negative effects on their performance.
Reduced stress:
Playing sports helps to reduce stress. Exercise releases a chemical ( endorphin ) in the brain that makes you feel happy and less anxious.
Whether playing competitive sports or just a social game, you should have fun. So get up and get active because there are lots of good reasons to go out and play!
Grammar Gym
"...losing teaches you how to deal with disappointments in life while still maintaining a positive attitude."
[Situation 1]+while still maintaining [Situation 2]
- Robert was able to compete in several tennis tournaments while still maintaining good grades in school.
- Miriam was able to attend classes during the day while still maintaining two jobs.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sport, the Verb
Now that you know all the benefits of playing sports, there is one more thing we'd like to talk about when it comes to the word "sport".
And that is "sport", the verb. Hey Steve, have you see the funky hat people are sporting these days.
Uhh... hahaha... yeah Ken. It looks really cool. I'd love to sport one of those.
Ok friends, did you catch that? "You can sport a hat."
Now, even though it's basically used as a noun, "sport" can be a verb. To "sport" means to display or show off. So, if you are sporting that funky hat, like Ken is, you're wearing it so that everyone can see it.
Some men like to sport a mustache, goatee, or a beard because they think they look good with it.
Hmm... Maybe I'll grow a goatee and sport it.
I'd like to see that.
Language Lab
good sport
a good sport
[countable usually singular] also good sport old-fashioned a helpful cheerful person who lets you enjoy yourself be a sport (=used when asking someone to help you);
used with good, bad, etc., to say if someone has behaved politely or not after losing a game or contest;
informal + old-fashioned : someone who is kind or generous;
informal + old-fashioned — used as a friendly way to address someone (especially a man)
- No one wants to play with a person who isn't a good sport.
- George is always a good sport while playing basketball.
calculate v.
to find out how much something will cost, how long something will take etc, by using numbers
- We need to calculate the sum of our total costs before giving you our estimate.
calculation n.
/ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/
a process or result of calculating something [count]
- We did a rough calculation of the profit we can get from this deal.
prevention n.
when something bad is stopped from happening
- The research team is working on cancer prevention.
prevent v.
to stop (something) from happening or existing
prevent somebody/something (from) doing something
- Exercise can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
competitive adj.
of or relating to a situation in which people or groups are trying to win a contest or be more successful than others : relating to or involving competition
- Claire is a very competitive tennis player.
compete v.
to try to get or win something (such as a prize or reward) that someone else is also trying to win : to try to be better or more successful than someone or something else
- You have to work hard to excel in this competitive environment.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130930_d4974.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130930baa18ed8ffb747f4a77e97e3326dbefa582835a5f498e93f9f495b88ada40e71c31.wma
Saturday, August 17, 2013
[Advanced] Yani Tseng (2) (2010-02-02)
"She is herself on and off the golf course," golf analyst Dottie Pepper said in June. "She's a really fun kid to hang out with, and her enthusiasm, her work ethic is what really does set her apart. You look at her, incredible athlete, wants to win, whether she's playing you on the pool table or like standing up there at the 16th hole at Corning and saying, 'OK. Give me the driver. I'm going for it.' She's a real breath of fresh air.
"Her emotions stand out so much, "Pepper added. "she genuinely is appreciative of where she is, and she's just a great kid."
When she can travel back to Taiwan- twice a year- all she wants to do is relax because she's so busy with junior clinics and teaching kids aobut her experience playing golf in America.
A role model
"She's... a role model," Kim said. "That's amazing that she can inspire a lot [of] kids back home."
Then agian, who could blame her for not wanting to leave her cozy home in sunny Florida?
A homeowner at 20, Tseng bought Sorenstam's Orlando, Florida, residence in April. There was a catch, though.
"I still feel like this is Annika's house," Tseng said. "Before she left, she said," 'You have to fill all the trophy cases."'
Notes and Vocabulary
breath of fresh air (idiom)
someone or something that is new and different and makes everything seem more exciting
junior clinics (n phr)
introductory golf instruction for groups of children and teenagers, covering beginning fundamentals of golf and conduct on the course
"Her emotions stand out so much, "Pepper added. "she genuinely is appreciative of where she is, and she's just a great kid."
When she can travel back to Taiwan- twice a year- all she wants to do is relax because she's so busy with junior clinics and teaching kids aobut her experience playing golf in America.
A role model
"She's... a role model," Kim said. "That's amazing that she can inspire a lot [of] kids back home."
Then agian, who could blame her for not wanting to leave her cozy home in sunny Florida?
A homeowner at 20, Tseng bought Sorenstam's Orlando, Florida, residence in April. There was a catch, though.
"I still feel like this is Annika's house," Tseng said. "Before she left, she said," 'You have to fill all the trophy cases."'
Notes and Vocabulary
breath of fresh air (idiom)
someone or something that is new and different and makes everything seem more exciting
junior clinics (n phr)
introductory golf instruction for groups of children and teenagers, covering beginning fundamentals of golf and conduct on the course
Monday, August 12, 2013
[Advanced] Yani Tseng (1) (2010-02-01)
This 21-year-old pro golfer was surprised by success
台灣高球小天后曾雅妮
二十一歲的職業高球手曾雅妮對突如其來的成功感到喜出望外
Colleagues call her the Se Ri Pak of Taiwan, Annika Sorenstam used to roam the game room and gym in her Orlando, Florida, home and no female golfer has ever eclipsed the $2 million earnings mark faster.
All Yani Tseng is doing is trying to keep up with her ascension to the No. 2 world ranking since turning pro in 2007.
"I feel like I [grew] up too fast," Tseng said with a smile. "Everything I didn't expect."
She has eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts, including a win at the LPGA Corning Classic in May. And, she sits No. 2 on the money list behind Jiyai Shin.
Tseng's "drive"
"I just want to do my best" said Tseng, a native of Taiwan. "It's not, "I wanna beat Lorena [Ochoa]. I want to be No. 1'."
One area in which Tseng is No. 1 is with the driver. She's the biggest hitter from the tee on the LPGA Tour with a 273-yard average rip. Distance is one facet of Tseng's game that appeals to even novice golf fans.
"They're all impressed with how far she hits," Tour player In-Kyung Kim said. But take the clubs out of Tseng's hands and she still has the style and image to attract followers.
Keen on Twitter, Tseng tweets about last night's Korean supper, her brand new high heels and everything in between.
Vocabulary
colleague n.
someone you work with, used especially by professional people: a colleague of mine from the bank
- She discussed the idea with some of her colleagues.
roam v.
to walk or travel, usually for a long time, with no clear purpose or direction
- The dogs are allowed to roam around.
- Chickens and geese roam freely in the back yard.
- You shouldn't let your children roam the streets.
eclipse v.
to become more important, powerful, famous etc than someone or something else, so that they are no longer noticed
- The economy had eclipsed the environment as an election issue.
ascension n. [uncountable]
when someone moves to a more important or higher position or job: his ascension to the ranks of senior management
driver n.
a type of long, thin stick with a wooden head, used in golf
tee n. in golf, the place where you begin to hit the ball at each area of play
rip n. a long shot from the tee
facet n.
one part of a subject or situation that has many parts; one of several parts of someone's character, a situation etc
- He has travelled extensively in China, recording every facet of life.
appeal to
if someone or something appeals to you, they seem attractive and interesting
novice n.
a person who is not experienced in a situation
keen adj.
very interested, eager or wanting to do something very much
台灣高球小天后曾雅妮
二十一歲的職業高球手曾雅妮對突如其來的成功感到喜出望外
Colleagues call her the Se Ri Pak of Taiwan, Annika Sorenstam used to roam the game room and gym in her Orlando, Florida, home and no female golfer has ever eclipsed the $2 million earnings mark faster.
All Yani Tseng is doing is trying to keep up with her ascension to the No. 2 world ranking since turning pro in 2007.
"I feel like I [grew] up too fast," Tseng said with a smile. "Everything I didn't expect."
She has eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts, including a win at the LPGA Corning Classic in May. And, she sits No. 2 on the money list behind Jiyai Shin.
Tseng's "drive"
"I just want to do my best" said Tseng, a native of Taiwan. "It's not, "I wanna beat Lorena [Ochoa]. I want to be No. 1'."
One area in which Tseng is No. 1 is with the driver. She's the biggest hitter from the tee on the LPGA Tour with a 273-yard average rip. Distance is one facet of Tseng's game that appeals to even novice golf fans.
"They're all impressed with how far she hits," Tour player In-Kyung Kim said. But take the clubs out of Tseng's hands and she still has the style and image to attract followers.
Keen on Twitter, Tseng tweets about last night's Korean supper, her brand new high heels and everything in between.
Vocabulary
colleague n.
someone you work with, used especially by professional people: a colleague of mine from the bank
- She discussed the idea with some of her colleagues.
roam v.
to walk or travel, usually for a long time, with no clear purpose or direction
- The dogs are allowed to roam around.
- Chickens and geese roam freely in the back yard.
- You shouldn't let your children roam the streets.
eclipse v.
to become more important, powerful, famous etc than someone or something else, so that they are no longer noticed
- The economy had eclipsed the environment as an election issue.
ascension n. [uncountable]
when someone moves to a more important or higher position or job: his ascension to the ranks of senior management
driver n.
a type of long, thin stick with a wooden head, used in golf
tee n. in golf, the place where you begin to hit the ball at each area of play
rip n. a long shot from the tee
facet n.
one part of a subject or situation that has many parts; one of several parts of someone's character, a situation etc
- He has travelled extensively in China, recording every facet of life.
appeal to
if someone or something appeals to you, they seem attractive and interesting
novice n.
a person who is not experienced in a situation
keen adj.
very interested, eager or wanting to do something very much
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
[Advanced] Ariel Hsing—Table Tennis’ Rising Star (3)
By 2009, her record included finals appearances at several big junior events. By 2011, facing older players, she had won a Pan American Games bronze and a U.S. women's championship.
A figure skater or tennis player of similar talent might have attracted lucrative sponsorships; the most a young American table tennis player could hope for was free clothing and equipment.
Hsing figures he has spent $40,000 a year on coaches and travel. He quit his job at IBM to work from home, making time to ferry his daughter through her busy schedule.
"Every three months," he says, "we beg her to stop so we can get back to normal."
The family made a deal at the very start: Ariel could pursue table tennis only if she maintained high grades.
"Education comes first," her father says. "If she gets a B, she has to stop playing until she raises it to an A." So far, she has earned those A's.
Making sacrifices
Ariel does not see anything extraordinary about this balancing act; she describes it in the most practical terms.
"I can't make a living from table tennis," she says. "If I don't go to college, what's my career going to be?"
But this double life comes at a cost. She has no time to hang out with friends on weekends and concedes, "There are a lot of things I've missed out on."
After Ariel's last training session ends around 7 p.m., she returns home with no rest in sight.
"Dinner and studying," she says. "If I have a lot to do, I stay up late."
Her bedroom is decorated with posters of her icon, Zhang Yining, a table tennis legend. Zhang attended the Beijing Shichahai Sports School, where she could focus mainly on the game.
Life is very different for Ariel as she hunkers down to review English composition.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130731ada56317d9091357661b4090dc80eac2940cee4ca782a3818689a38d4a41f0bfc79.wma
A figure skater or tennis player of similar talent might have attracted lucrative sponsorships; the most a young American table tennis player could hope for was free clothing and equipment.
Hsing figures he has spent $40,000 a year on coaches and travel. He quit his job at IBM to work from home, making time to ferry his daughter through her busy schedule.
"Every three months," he says, "we beg her to stop so we can get back to normal."
The family made a deal at the very start: Ariel could pursue table tennis only if she maintained high grades.
"Education comes first," her father says. "If she gets a B, she has to stop playing until she raises it to an A." So far, she has earned those A's.
Making sacrifices
Ariel does not see anything extraordinary about this balancing act; she describes it in the most practical terms.
"I can't make a living from table tennis," she says. "If I don't go to college, what's my career going to be?"
But this double life comes at a cost. She has no time to hang out with friends on weekends and concedes, "There are a lot of things I've missed out on."
After Ariel's last training session ends around 7 p.m., she returns home with no rest in sight.
"Dinner and studying," she says. "If I have a lot to do, I stay up late."
Her bedroom is decorated with posters of her icon, Zhang Yining, a table tennis legend. Zhang attended the Beijing Shichahai Sports School, where she could focus mainly on the game.
Life is very different for Ariel as she hunkers down to review English composition.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130731ada56317d9091357661b4090dc80eac2940cee4ca782a3818689a38d4a41f0bfc79.wma
[Advanced] Ariel Hsing—Table Tennis’ Rising Star (2)
Ariel's first stop is a club with nine tables and more than a dozen badminton courts.
One of her numerous personal coaches is waiting to begin the workout.
Their shots zip back and forth with blurry speed. Ariel never stops moving, bouncing, trying to stay in position so that, even on wide balls, she can maintain a compact, powerful swing.
The coach exhorts her in Chinese, insisting that she transition quickly from offense to defense, adapting to the nuances of each point.
"Good players are trickier," Ariel says. "They can change their tactics fast."
The drills continue for two hours -- she banks as many as 25 to 30 hours of training each week -- before it comes time for another session with a different coach at a club down the road. Along the way, she stops to wolf down a turkey sub.
"Two of my many talents," she says with a grin. "Eating and sleeping."
An early prediction
Ariel's mother- Xin Jiang, grew up in the Henan province of China.
Later, she had immigrated to the U.S. and married a fellow computer engineer from Taiwan named Michael Hsing. They frequented a table tennis club near their home.
One night they could not find a baby-sitter and brought along their 7-year-old daughter. Ariel showed immediate potential, catching the eye of the club's coach and prompting a brash prediction from her mother.
On the drive home, Jiang told her husband: "When Ariel makes the Olympics, we will pay for the grandparents to go but what about the other relatives?"
Michael Hsing recalls: "I thought she was a little crazy."
But within a few years, Ariel began rising through the junior ranks, developing a "two-wing attack" -- hitting hard from both the forehand and backhand sides -- as she traveled the nation and then the world to compete.
Ariel enrolled at the private Valley Christian High last year. A counselor watches her shift focus the instant she steps on campus.
"Usually you see people go one way or the other, all sports or all academics," Erik Ellefsen says. "I've never seen a student like this before."
The change is so complete that classmates were startled when a documentary crew recently followed her around. Many had no idea she was an elite athlete. They just thought of her as a smart kid who misses a lot of school.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130730ada445db76a44df426e1456de7c4adaebb1e4f2031a57513b8cb4d92db24ec862da.wma
One of her numerous personal coaches is waiting to begin the workout.
Their shots zip back and forth with blurry speed. Ariel never stops moving, bouncing, trying to stay in position so that, even on wide balls, she can maintain a compact, powerful swing.
The coach exhorts her in Chinese, insisting that she transition quickly from offense to defense, adapting to the nuances of each point.
"Good players are trickier," Ariel says. "They can change their tactics fast."
The drills continue for two hours -- she banks as many as 25 to 30 hours of training each week -- before it comes time for another session with a different coach at a club down the road. Along the way, she stops to wolf down a turkey sub.
"Two of my many talents," she says with a grin. "Eating and sleeping."
An early prediction
Ariel's mother- Xin Jiang, grew up in the Henan province of China.
Later, she had immigrated to the U.S. and married a fellow computer engineer from Taiwan named Michael Hsing. They frequented a table tennis club near their home.
One night they could not find a baby-sitter and brought along their 7-year-old daughter. Ariel showed immediate potential, catching the eye of the club's coach and prompting a brash prediction from her mother.
On the drive home, Jiang told her husband: "When Ariel makes the Olympics, we will pay for the grandparents to go but what about the other relatives?"
Michael Hsing recalls: "I thought she was a little crazy."
But within a few years, Ariel began rising through the junior ranks, developing a "two-wing attack" -- hitting hard from both the forehand and backhand sides -- as she traveled the nation and then the world to compete.
Ariel enrolled at the private Valley Christian High last year. A counselor watches her shift focus the instant she steps on campus.
"Usually you see people go one way or the other, all sports or all academics," Erik Ellefsen says. "I've never seen a student like this before."
The change is so complete that classmates were startled when a documentary crew recently followed her around. Many had no idea she was an elite athlete. They just thought of her as a smart kid who misses a lot of school.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130730ada445db76a44df426e1456de7c4adaebb1e4f2031a57513b8cb4d92db24ec862da.wma
Sunday, July 28, 2013
[Advanced] Ariel Hsing—Table Tennis’ Rising Star (1)
This young woman is an elite athlete in a low-profile sport
David Wharton | Olympic dream is a DIY effort
The day begins around 7 a.m., at the back of the house, in a room outfitted with rows of fluorescent lights, a ping-pong table and little else.
This is where Ariel Hsing comes to practice alone. She starts by crouching silently at one end of the table, then springs up and, with a flick of her paddle, sends a serve whizzing across the net.
The 16-year-old repeats this motion hundreds of times, the balls collecting against a far wall. She must concentrate on hitting with maximum spin, but other thoughts occasionally creep in.
Thoughts of precalculus and English composition.
"That's when I step back from the table," she says. "I try to calm down."
Life can get complicated for a girl who falls in love with -- and becomes very good at -- a sport not many people care about in this country.
If she lived in Europe or Asia, she might be enrolled in a sports academy, training full-time and looking forward to a pro career.
But the U.S. has no such academies for table tennis. "The options in North America are not so good," a national coach says . Ariel must think about a future beyond the game.
Leading a double life
So this cheerful teenager -- with colorful barrettes in her straight, black hair -- divides her time between training and high school. Grades are important because she hopes to get into Stanford or Harvard.
That means waking up early, staying up late and constantly shifting her attention from twisting serves to stacks of homework due for honors math class.
"It can be tough," she says. "You have to lead a double life."
When their only child began playing seriously, the Hsings set aside a spare bedroom for live-in coaches -- talented players they brought over from China -- and added the practice space in back.
After morning drills, Ariel attends school until 1 p.m. -- she took extra classes in advance of this Olympic year -- then heads for afternoon training sessions.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130729ada44f89452884a8e752b0910921539aadc2cf804c1ca8fe66267c17b66d0557fe0.wma
David Wharton | Olympic dream is a DIY effort
The day begins around 7 a.m., at the back of the house, in a room outfitted with rows of fluorescent lights, a ping-pong table and little else.
This is where Ariel Hsing comes to practice alone. She starts by crouching silently at one end of the table, then springs up and, with a flick of her paddle, sends a serve whizzing across the net.
The 16-year-old repeats this motion hundreds of times, the balls collecting against a far wall. She must concentrate on hitting with maximum spin, but other thoughts occasionally creep in.
Thoughts of precalculus and English composition.
"That's when I step back from the table," she says. "I try to calm down."
Life can get complicated for a girl who falls in love with -- and becomes very good at -- a sport not many people care about in this country.
If she lived in Europe or Asia, she might be enrolled in a sports academy, training full-time and looking forward to a pro career.
But the U.S. has no such academies for table tennis. "The options in North America are not so good," a national coach says . Ariel must think about a future beyond the game.
Leading a double life
So this cheerful teenager -- with colorful barrettes in her straight, black hair -- divides her time between training and high school. Grades are important because she hopes to get into Stanford or Harvard.
That means waking up early, staying up late and constantly shifting her attention from twisting serves to stacks of homework due for honors math class.
"It can be tough," she says. "You have to lead a double life."
When their only child began playing seriously, the Hsings set aside a spare bedroom for live-in coaches -- talented players they brought over from China -- and added the practice space in back.
After morning drills, Ariel attends school until 1 p.m. -- she took extra classes in advance of this Olympic year -- then heads for afternoon training sessions.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130729ada44f89452884a8e752b0910921539aadc2cf804c1ca8fe66267c17b66d0557fe0.wma
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)