In the square outside the Basilica, lovers of literature can sit at Caffe Florian, regarded as the oldest coffee house in Eurpoe. Charles Dickens, Henry James as well as Lord Byron enjoyed the aromatic drink here.
Venetian Activities
Art lovers should buy a museum pass and visit some of the city's exceptional museums. They can view works by Venetian masters like Giovanni Bellini, Titian and Tintoretto.
Murano Glass and Burano Lace
In the Venetian Lagoon, the island of Murano has been home to glassmakers since 1291. Tourists can visit factories, studios and the Glass Museum. Glass artists produce everything from simple souvenir pieces to beautiful works of contemporary art.
Only glass works made using traditional methods on Murano Island can be called Murano Glass. The nearby island of Burano is famous for lace making and colorful houses. Looking at the colorful houses and kaleidoscopic streets makes people feel as if they are waling in a fairy tale.
Language Lab
aromatic adj.
/ˌerəˈmætɪk/
having a noticeable and pleasant smell
- The beef turned aromatic after being simmered for 30 minutes.
- The aromatic herb can refresh you in no time.
exceptional adj.
unusually good : much better than average
- The actor has an exceptional ability to attract attention.
- The company's exceptional marketing strategies made them number 1 in the field.
contemporary adj.
happening or beginning now or in recent times
- Samuel doesn't like any classical art; he's more interested in contemporary art.
- Picasso was more famous than many other contemporary artists.
kaleidoscope adj.
/kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp/
a mixture of many different things
- The fashion designer used a kaleidoscopic range of fabrics in his winter collection.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20160405baaf22f066e959d7699a9c734aecdf04f97b1209433fc11e300a1b50c87372146c5.wma
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
Enchanting Venice (1)
- What is Venice known for?
- St. Mark's Basilica and Square
The City of Water attracts tourists with its history and beauty
Located in northeastern Italy, Venice is known for its cultural treasures, romantic atmosphere and unusual living-on-water experience. The city spreads out over 118 islands, which are linked by more than 400 bridges, in the Venetian Lagoon.
Venice's historical center consists of six regions. San Polo in the middle and San Marco in the south, the busiest main regions, are linked by the Rialto Bridge. The famous stone arch crosses Venice's main waterway -- the Grand Canal. When night falls, many tourists enjoy dinner at the outside tables by the Grand Canal while watching colorfully lit boats glide by.
St. Mark's Basilica and Square
Near the end of the S-shaped Grand Canal lies St. Mark's Basilica, a must-see. Inside, dazzling mosaics tell stories of Bible figures. Nearby are the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. These were made famous by Lord Byron, "I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and prison on each hand." Legend has it that if a couple passes under the bridge, their love will last forever.
Language Lab
arch n.
a usually curved part of a structure that is over an opening and that supports a wall or other weight above the opening
- A group of noisy tourists just passed by the arch and entered the old city.
- The bride and her father walked through a row of arches and entered the church.
the raised area on the bottom of the foot that is formed by a curved section of bones
- Because Martha has high arches, it's not easy to find shoes that fit her.
glide v.
to move in a smooth way
- The dancers glided on the dance floor effortlessly.
- The swans g gracefully glided across the pond.
— glide noun [singular]
- the graceful glide of the swan
- The plane went into a glide.
- Due to global warming, polar bears are on a fast glide to extinction.
dazzle v.
to cause (someone) to be unable to see for a short time
- I was dazzled by the grand street lights of Vegas.
- Many girls were dazzled by Jack's good looks.
dazzling adj.
- The model's blue eyes and dazzling smile are his trademarks.
mosaic adj.
/moʊˈzejɪk/
a decoration on a surface made by pressing small pieces of colored glass or stone into a soft material that then hardens to make pictures or patterns
- The mosaic fountain was designed and constructed by local art students.
- The mansion houses a beautiful collection of mosaics.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20160404baafda78eec4906f85f1a755da0bbd21ee7453acd10b9edfee7a6e68782a2475e63.wma
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Christmas in Williamsburg (1) 12/11
Three-hundred-year-old traditions come to life in this historic city
Imagine traveling back in time to experience Christmas in another century. You could see the way people dressed, ate, worked and celebrated holidays.
Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia, allows you to visit the past without time travel! As soon as you enter the historic town, you are transported back to the 1700s.
Lasting traditions
Compared with today's extensive holiday plans and preparation, a Colonial Christmas was much simpler. A typical Christmas for 18th-century Virginians included church, good food, a dance and visiting friends and family.
Historic Williamsburg offers many of those traditions, and a few more.
Illumination and fireworks
In the 18th century, major events were celebrated by shooting guns and lighting fireworks. Today you can witness Williamsburg's own illumination ceremony in early December, with fireworks displays throughout the town.
Christmas carols
Music was at the heart of 18th-century Christmas celebrations. The historic city still provides traditional music performances on instruments of the time. Best of all, you can participate and sing along with carolers on the streets.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: As Soon As vs. As Soon As Possible
Language Lab
Colonial adj.
/kəˈloʊnijəl/
of or relating to the original 13 colonies forming the United States;
in a style that was popular in the U.S. during the American colonial period (before 1776);
- The hotel is a renovated Colonial building.
- The restaurant was decorated with Colonial furniture.
colony n.
/ˈkɑːləni/
an area that is controlled by or belongs to a country and is usually far away from it
- Hong Kong used to be a British colony.
extensive adj. 廣擴的
large in size or amount : very full or complete
- The patient went through several extensive reconstructive surgeries after the accident.
- The director is famous for his extensive use of computer-animated images.
illumination n. [lumin 字根- 光]
/ɪˌluːməˈneɪʃən/
light that comes into a room, that shines on something, etc.
- Insufficient illumination might cause nearsightedness.
- The illumination in the room is too dim.
illuminations [plural] British : lights used as decorations
- The streets were decorated with colorful illuminations.
witness v.
to be present at (an event) in order to be able to say that it happened : to act as a legal witness of (something)
- We're witnessing how social networks are changing our lifestyles.
to see (something) happen
- Many people witnessed the terrorist attack.
witness n.
a person who sees something (such as a crime) happen
- The witness refused to testify.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151211baab85755939a40ccbafc07cfb4cbcc406d884317b9faa5a10d26018493b48781bd.wma
Imagine traveling back in time to experience Christmas in another century. You could see the way people dressed, ate, worked and celebrated holidays.
Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia, allows you to visit the past without time travel! As soon as you enter the historic town, you are transported back to the 1700s.
Lasting traditions
Compared with today's extensive holiday plans and preparation, a Colonial Christmas was much simpler. A typical Christmas for 18th-century Virginians included church, good food, a dance and visiting friends and family.
Historic Williamsburg offers many of those traditions, and a few more.
Illumination and fireworks
In the 18th century, major events were celebrated by shooting guns and lighting fireworks. Today you can witness Williamsburg's own illumination ceremony in early December, with fireworks displays throughout the town.
Christmas carols
Music was at the heart of 18th-century Christmas celebrations. The historic city still provides traditional music performances on instruments of the time. Best of all, you can participate and sing along with carolers on the streets.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: As Soon As vs. As Soon As Possible
Today, let’s take a look at two English expressions that sound almost alike, but are used very differently. The first one is as soon as, and the other is as soon as possible.
Yes, you heard correctly, the only difference between the two expressions is the word "possible". Let’s first take a look at as soon as possible.
Okay, we can say as soon as possible when we demand someone to do something immediately or right away. And it’s usually used in urgent situations. Can you give me the book as soon as possible?
Now, if Steve is really eager to get the book, he might say can you give me the book A S A P ?
Or I could combine the four letters and make it a word, I need the book ASAP [ei sa p].
So feel free to say, as soon as possible, A S A P or ASAP [ei sa p].
Now, the other expression “as soon as” is used to refer to twoactions one happening after the other. Can you call me as soon as you get the news from the hospital?
So in this example, the first action is receiving the news from the hospital and the second action is making the phone call.
Another way to say the same thing is by using the word “once”. For example, can you call me once you get the news from the hospital?
Yes, you heard correctly, the only difference between the two expressions is the word "possible". Let’s first take a look at as soon as possible.
Okay, we can say as soon as possible when we demand someone to do something immediately or right away. And it’s usually used in urgent situations. Can you give me the book as soon as possible?
Now, if Steve is really eager to get the book, he might say can you give me the book A S A P ?
Or I could combine the four letters and make it a word, I need the book ASAP [ei sa p].
So feel free to say, as soon as possible, A S A P or ASAP [ei sa p].
Now, the other expression “as soon as” is used to refer to twoactions one happening after the other. Can you call me as soon as you get the news from the hospital?
So in this example, the first action is receiving the news from the hospital and the second action is making the phone call.
Another way to say the same thing is by using the word “once”. For example, can you call me once you get the news from the hospital?
Language Lab
Colonial adj.
/kəˈloʊnijəl/
of or relating to the original 13 colonies forming the United States;
in a style that was popular in the U.S. during the American colonial period (before 1776);
- The hotel is a renovated Colonial building.
- The restaurant was decorated with Colonial furniture.
colony n.
/ˈkɑːləni/
an area that is controlled by or belongs to a country and is usually far away from it
- Hong Kong used to be a British colony.
extensive adj. 廣擴的
large in size or amount : very full or complete
- The patient went through several extensive reconstructive surgeries after the accident.
- The director is famous for his extensive use of computer-animated images.
illumination n. [lumin 字根- 光]
/ɪˌluːməˈneɪʃən/
light that comes into a room, that shines on something, etc.
- Insufficient illumination might cause nearsightedness.
- The illumination in the room is too dim.
illuminations [plural] British : lights used as decorations
- The streets were decorated with colorful illuminations.
witness v.
to be present at (an event) in order to be able to say that it happened : to act as a legal witness of (something)
- We're witnessing how social networks are changing our lifestyles.
to see (something) happen
- Many people witnessed the terrorist attack.
witness n.
a person who sees something (such as a crime) happen
- The witness refused to testify.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151211baab85755939a40ccbafc07cfb4cbcc406d884317b9faa5a10d26018493b48781bd.wma
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Churchill: The Polar Bear Capital of the World (3)
Other fun in Churchill
Churchill may be the polar-bear capital of the world, but the town offers year-round outdoor adventures. Beluga whales swim in the waters near Churchill from mid-June to mid-August. These great white mammals are called "sea canaries" because of all the almost bird-like sounds they make. Boats take visitors out to view the whales.The very adventurous can kayak among them or even snorkel with the friendly whales. Bird watchers also flock to Churchill in the spring and fall. They come to see more than 250 species of birds that nest or pass through Churchill every year.
Churchill is also one of the top three places in the world to see the northern lights. January to March is the best time to catch this colorful dancing curtain of light. Nothing can top the excitement of flying over the ice on a sled pulled by a team of dogs. Breathe the crisp air and enjoy the crunch of the white snow as you travel. Churchill offers experiences of a life time any time of year!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Palindromes 教學主題: 迴文
Here at info cloud we’ve touched on a few of many ways people play with the English language like puns, anagrams and riddles. Today let’s look at perhaps the most difficult word play to create the palindrome.
Palindromes are words, phrases and sentences that lead the same forward as they do backward, while ignoring any punctuations, spacing and capitalization. Let’s look at some examples.
Okay, the word “kayak”,k, a, y, a, k is a very simple palindrome. It’s spelled the same forward as it is backward. “Race car” is a two-word palindrome.
Good, now let’s move into palindrome sentences. Good palindrome sentences once that makes sense are very rare. Here’s one to get us started. Norma is as selfless as I am, Ron?
Nice, how about “Mr.Owl ate my metal worm.”
Okay, perhaps the most well known palindrome sentence is the greatest, because it tells a little story, “A man, a plan, a canal: Panama”.
Ah, very clever! You know 30 years ago, a British man made it into the Guinness Book of records by writing the longest palindrome ever 65,000 words long. Now, we’re not sure it makes sense, but you have to admire the man’s dedication.
Language Lab
snorkel v.
to swim underwater while using a snorkel
- Alex snorkeled when he was in Hawaii on vacation.
- Many tourists to Penghu Island love to go snorkeling there.
dive v.
to jump into water with your arms and head going in first
- Indonesia has world-famous diving sites.
species n.
a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus
- A new species of butterfly was found in Taiwan.
- The white rhino is listed as an endangered species.
- Asian actresses are a rare species in Hollywood.
sled n.
a small vehicle that has a flat bottom or long, narrow strips of metal or wood on the bottom and that is used for moving over snow or ice
- Tanya's sled broke in half when she hit the tree.
- The light-weight motorized sled cost me a fortune.
sled v.
to ride on a sled especially down a hill
- We sledded to a nearby town to get some food.
crunch n.
the sound made when something hard is being chewed or crushed : a crunching sound
- The crunch of our footsteps was the only sound we could hear in the dark night.
to make the loud sound of something being crushed
- The ice crunched under our feet as we crossed the lake.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151125baa0373bc329f2ebf3955263707aa81335ee9e400fb636ba7f44dc63d5c83f8afa5.wma
Churchill may be the polar-bear capital of the world, but the town offers year-round outdoor adventures. Beluga whales swim in the waters near Churchill from mid-June to mid-August. These great white mammals are called "sea canaries" because of all the almost bird-like sounds they make. Boats take visitors out to view the whales.The very adventurous can kayak among them or even snorkel with the friendly whales. Bird watchers also flock to Churchill in the spring and fall. They come to see more than 250 species of birds that nest or pass through Churchill every year.
Churchill is also one of the top three places in the world to see the northern lights. January to March is the best time to catch this colorful dancing curtain of light. Nothing can top the excitement of flying over the ice on a sled pulled by a team of dogs. Breathe the crisp air and enjoy the crunch of the white snow as you travel. Churchill offers experiences of a life time any time of year!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Palindromes 教學主題: 迴文
Here at info cloud we’ve touched on a few of many ways people play with the English language like puns, anagrams and riddles. Today let’s look at perhaps the most difficult word play to create the palindrome.
Palindromes are words, phrases and sentences that lead the same forward as they do backward, while ignoring any punctuations, spacing and capitalization. Let’s look at some examples.
Okay, the word “kayak”,k, a, y, a, k is a very simple palindrome. It’s spelled the same forward as it is backward. “Race car” is a two-word palindrome.
Good, now let’s move into palindrome sentences. Good palindrome sentences once that makes sense are very rare. Here’s one to get us started. Norma is as selfless as I am, Ron?
Nice, how about “Mr.Owl ate my metal worm.”
Okay, perhaps the most well known palindrome sentence is the greatest, because it tells a little story, “A man, a plan, a canal: Panama”.
Ah, very clever! You know 30 years ago, a British man made it into the Guinness Book of records by writing the longest palindrome ever 65,000 words long. Now, we’re not sure it makes sense, but you have to admire the man’s dedication.
Language Lab
snorkel v.
to swim underwater while using a snorkel
- Alex snorkeled when he was in Hawaii on vacation.
- Many tourists to Penghu Island love to go snorkeling there.
dive v.
to jump into water with your arms and head going in first
- Indonesia has world-famous diving sites.
species n.
a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus
- A new species of butterfly was found in Taiwan.
- The white rhino is listed as an endangered species.
- Asian actresses are a rare species in Hollywood.
sled n.
a small vehicle that has a flat bottom or long, narrow strips of metal or wood on the bottom and that is used for moving over snow or ice
- Tanya's sled broke in half when she hit the tree.
- The light-weight motorized sled cost me a fortune.
sled v.
to ride on a sled especially down a hill
- We sledded to a nearby town to get some food.
crunch n.
the sound made when something hard is being chewed or crushed : a crunching sound
- The crunch of our footsteps was the only sound we could hear in the dark night.
to make the loud sound of something being crushed
- The ice crunched under our feet as we crossed the lake.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151125baa0373bc329f2ebf3955263707aa81335ee9e400fb636ba7f44dc63d5c83f8afa5.wma
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Churchill: The Polar Bear Capital of the World (2)
- What color is a polar bear's hair and skin?
- What do these bears spend most of their time doing?
The amazing polar bear
Polar bears are one of the world’s largest bears and inspire awe. When they stand, they measure 2.2 to 2.5 meters tall. They live in the Arctic, one of Earth’s coldest environments, and roam the ice in search of food. Their excellent sense of smell allows them to detect seals over 1 kilometer away.
The hairs on their snowy-looking coat aren’t actually white; they’re clear and hollow. The hair reflects light and traps heat to keep the polar bear warm.
Their skin is black, which also helps keep them warm. This heating system is very efficient – polar bears actually over heat more often than they suffer from the cold.
These magnificent bears spend most of their time hunting seals, who make breathing holes in the ice. The bears sit by these holes and wait – this can be minutes, hours or days. Then when the seals surface to breathe, the bears catch them. If the hunt is successful, the polar bear will feast. He or she can eat around 45 kilograms of seal blubber in one sitting!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Awful, Morphing Language : Awful 與 Awesome 的轉變
The words awesome and awful both have the same root and both have neutral suffixes, so it should follow that awful and awesome have similar meanings.
But they don’t, centuries ago the word awful did indeed carry with the positive meanings like amazing magnificent and worthy of reverential fear.
But awful’s connotation gradually turned negative. And it’s not difficult to see why. Worthy of fear and causing fear are two far remove from each other, are they?
No they are not. So from causing fear, awful’s meaning morphed into causing dread and then it took on other connotations like dreadful, ugly and unpleasant meanings that awful still has to this day.
Right, interestingly we can still see a trace of awful’s original positive meaning, but only in its adverb form“awfully,”phrases like, “that dinner was awfully good, or she is awfully pretty” are not uncommon.
Okay, years later the word awesome appeared, some say to fill the void created after awful turned bad. Awesome assumed awful’s original role as a good word, meaning amazing and breathtaking.
But it too is changing, awesome is gradually losing its intensity. Today people casually use awesome to describe anything, they think is pretty good, like a delicious meal or an entertaining movie.
Language Lab
awe n.
/ˈɑː/
a strong feeling of fear or respect and also wonder
- We were in awe of the amazing view of the Grand Canyon.
- People around Edward hold him in awe because he's a true genius.
awe v.
to fill (someone) with awe
- The audience was awed by the brilliant performance of the actor.
reflect v.
to show the image of (something) on a surface
- I saw myself reflected in the water.
- The still water of the lake reflects the moon and the stars in the sky.
to show (something) : to make (something) known
- The figures reflected a steady increase in sales.
magnificent adj.
very beautiful or impressive : very great
- Magnificent Jade Mountain is one of Taiwan's symbols.
- The couple got married in a magnificent castle in France.
- Jessica looks magnificent in that dress.
blubber n.
the fat on whales and some other animals that live in the water
- Whale blubber was used by aboriginals as a food source.
- Their thick layer of blubber helps keep seals warm in cold water.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151124baace41de367c9a54b08d217c9f2072fd96eb4e3f7048af820aa8c53f36916474c0.wma
Monday, November 23, 2015
Churchill: The Polar Bear Capital of the World (1)
Visit Churchill, Manitoba, for experiences of a lifetime!
Some of the late fall visitors to Churchill, Manitoba, don’t wear down jackets. They arrive in gorgeous white fur coats. These visitors cause quite a bit of excitement as they are the ones that everyone else goes to see. This main attraction – polar bears!
Located in northern Manitoba on the west side of Hudson Bay, Churchill is out in the middle of nowhere. But the bears like it that way. They spend summers on the tundra. In the fall, they wait anxiously along the shore of Hudson Bay for the ice to form. Then they go out into the frozen sea to hunt ringed seals – their favorite food. October and November are the best polar-bear viewing times. From tundra vehicles, visitors observe the bears. Some enjoy day trips or stay overnight on the mobile tundra-buggy lodge. Others stay at a wilderness lodge on the bears’ migration route to view the mighty creatures. These lodges can be reached only by air and feature luxury food and living arrangements.
Language Lab
Teaching Topic: The Boondocks 教學主題: 窮鄉僻壤
It’s not easy to find a language that hasn’t contributed at least one or two words to the English lexicon. Even Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines has added a couple words of its own. One is the word bundok, which means mountain.
At the end of the 19 century during the Spanish American War, US soldiers serving in the Philippines took this Tagalog word and used it to describe a remote or isolated area.
When the soldiers returned to the US, they brought the word back with them, but with the slightly different pronunciation and spelling, boondocks, spelled, b, o, o, n,d, o, c, k, s.
Right. And notice that s at the end, we always say this word in a plural form. Again, boondocks refers to the country side or any out of the way location. I might say, have you ever been to Albert’s house? He lives way out in the boondocks.
A more informal version of boondocks is boonies. If you are hiking out in the boonies, don’t expect to get a 3G signal.
More recently, boondocks has taken on the extended meaning of a town or even city and in the middle of nowhere that is considered backwards and unsophisticated.
Language Lab
down jacket
small and very soft feathers jacket
- a down pillow/comforter/jacket
anxiously adv.
afraid or nervous especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety
- Her parents waited anxiously for her to come home that night.
anxious adj.
/ˈæŋkʃəs/
They are anxious [=worried, concerned] about their son's health.
quite a bit of …out in the middle of nowhere= boondockswilderness
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151123baa6b1a798c90fff655322c2a318868f8bad88213232d057a0925a1bd05e7c5e666.wma
Some of the late fall visitors to Churchill, Manitoba, don’t wear down jackets. They arrive in gorgeous white fur coats. These visitors cause quite a bit of excitement as they are the ones that everyone else goes to see. This main attraction – polar bears!
Located in northern Manitoba on the west side of Hudson Bay, Churchill is out in the middle of nowhere. But the bears like it that way. They spend summers on the tundra. In the fall, they wait anxiously along the shore of Hudson Bay for the ice to form. Then they go out into the frozen sea to hunt ringed seals – their favorite food. October and November are the best polar-bear viewing times. From tundra vehicles, visitors observe the bears. Some enjoy day trips or stay overnight on the mobile tundra-buggy lodge. Others stay at a wilderness lodge on the bears’ migration route to view the mighty creatures. These lodges can be reached only by air and feature luxury food and living arrangements.
Language Lab
Teaching Topic: The Boondocks 教學主題: 窮鄉僻壤
It’s not easy to find a language that hasn’t contributed at least one or two words to the English lexicon. Even Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines has added a couple words of its own. One is the word bundok, which means mountain.
At the end of the 19 century during the Spanish American War, US soldiers serving in the Philippines took this Tagalog word and used it to describe a remote or isolated area.
When the soldiers returned to the US, they brought the word back with them, but with the slightly different pronunciation and spelling, boondocks, spelled, b, o, o, n,d, o, c, k, s.
Right. And notice that s at the end, we always say this word in a plural form. Again, boondocks refers to the country side or any out of the way location. I might say, have you ever been to Albert’s house? He lives way out in the boondocks.
A more informal version of boondocks is boonies. If you are hiking out in the boonies, don’t expect to get a 3G signal.
More recently, boondocks has taken on the extended meaning of a town or even city and in the middle of nowhere that is considered backwards and unsophisticated.
Language Lab
down jacket
small and very soft feathers jacket
- a down pillow/comforter/jacket
anxiously adv.
afraid or nervous especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety
- Her parents waited anxiously for her to come home that night.
anxious adj.
/ˈæŋkʃəs/
They are anxious [=worried, concerned] about their son's health.
quite a bit of …out in the middle of nowhere= boondockswilderness
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151123baa6b1a798c90fff655322c2a318868f8bad88213232d057a0925a1bd05e7c5e666.wma
Monday, November 2, 2015
[Advanced] Conquering The Last Frontier (1) (2014-11-03)
Visit Alaska in the winter and drink in spectacular snow-covered vistas
The thought of visiting Alaska in the winter may fill you with shivers and a longing to hibernate, but for adventure-seekers, it is prime playtime. Mesmerising mountains laden with snow create stunning backdrops, and the outdoor options are limitless. You can strap on snowshoes, grab a snowboard or skis, get a taste of dog mushing or cruise the backcountry on a snowmobile -- stubbornly called a snowmachine by locals.
Getting used to it
I visited in late January and early February and was smitten. I declared myself a future Alaskan. I vowed to buy Alaskan slippers, which are actually heavy-duty boots - XtraTufs - worn by many in the Last Frontier. I scoffed at the cold even as I slipped along icy streets in downtown Anchorage and wished for a thicker jacket. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I'm accustomed to the cold and congratulated myself on braving Alaska's winter temperatures. What I didn't know at the time was that my trip coincided with the fourth warmest January ever recorded in the city. I was simultaneously relieved and disappointed.
Escaping to a winter wonderland
Winter in Alaska may be downright cold, but this trip was an escape from the dreary rain back in [Washington]. I was enraptured with winter skies that were crisp and blue rather than bleak and grey.
When I set out to explore the winter wonderland around Anchorage, I bundled up but my Gore-Tex gear stayed shoved in the bottom of my pack. It's about appreciating the small things, right? Sunshine in the winter for a Northwesterner is no small thing. This brings me to my one grievance with taking a winter break in Alaska: longer hours of darkness. The sun did not design to come out until 9 a. m., which ruled out early alpine starts. Then again, it's a rare chance to sleep in.
☺ ☻
drink in [phrasal verb]
drink in (something) or drink (something) in :
to stop and look at or listen to something in order to enjoy it fully
- The view is so beautiful. Let's just take a minute to drink it all in.
conquer v.
to take control of (a country, city, etc.) through the use of force
- The city was conquered by the ancient Romans.
shiver n.
/ˈʃɪvɚ/
a small shaking movement caused by cold or strong emotion
longing n.
/ˈlɑːŋɪŋ/
a strong desire for something or someone
mesmerizing adj.
/ˈmɛzməˌraɪzɪŋ/
to hold the attention of (someone) entirely : to interest or amaze (someone) so much that nothing else is seen or noticed — usually used as (be) mesmerized
laden adj.
/ˈleɪdn̩/
loaded heavily with something : having or carrying a large amount of something
backdrop n.
the scene or scenery that is in the background
- The mountains provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding photos.
smitten adj.
in love with someone or something
- From the moment he saw her, he was smitten.
scoff v.
to laugh at and talk about someone or something in a way that shows disapproval and a lack of respect
- He scoffed when she told him that she planned to become an actress.
downright adv.
to the fullest degree : completely or totally
- The movie was downright stupid/bad/scary.
enrapture v.
to fill (someone) with delight
- Her melodious voice enraptured the audience.
bundled up phr v.
to wear enough clothing to keep very warm
grievance n.
/ˈgriːvəns/
a complaint or a strong feeling that you have been treated unfairly;
a feeling of having been treated unfairly
deign v.
/ˈdeɪn/
to agree to do something although you consider yourself too important to have to do it;
to do something that you think you should not have to do because you are too important — usually followed by to + verb
The thought of visiting Alaska in the winter may fill you with shivers and a longing to hibernate, but for adventure-seekers, it is prime playtime. Mesmerising mountains laden with snow create stunning backdrops, and the outdoor options are limitless. You can strap on snowshoes, grab a snowboard or skis, get a taste of dog mushing or cruise the backcountry on a snowmobile -- stubbornly called a snowmachine by locals.
Getting used to it
I visited in late January and early February and was smitten. I declared myself a future Alaskan. I vowed to buy Alaskan slippers, which are actually heavy-duty boots - XtraTufs - worn by many in the Last Frontier. I scoffed at the cold even as I slipped along icy streets in downtown Anchorage and wished for a thicker jacket. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I'm accustomed to the cold and congratulated myself on braving Alaska's winter temperatures. What I didn't know at the time was that my trip coincided with the fourth warmest January ever recorded in the city. I was simultaneously relieved and disappointed.
Escaping to a winter wonderland
Winter in Alaska may be downright cold, but this trip was an escape from the dreary rain back in [Washington]. I was enraptured with winter skies that were crisp and blue rather than bleak and grey.
When I set out to explore the winter wonderland around Anchorage, I bundled up but my Gore-Tex gear stayed shoved in the bottom of my pack. It's about appreciating the small things, right? Sunshine in the winter for a Northwesterner is no small thing. This brings me to my one grievance with taking a winter break in Alaska: longer hours of darkness. The sun did not design to come out until 9 a. m., which ruled out early alpine starts. Then again, it's a rare chance to sleep in.
☺ ☻
drink in [phrasal verb]
drink in (something) or drink (something) in :
to stop and look at or listen to something in order to enjoy it fully
- The view is so beautiful. Let's just take a minute to drink it all in.
conquer v.
to take control of (a country, city, etc.) through the use of force
- The city was conquered by the ancient Romans.
shiver n.
/ˈʃɪvɚ/
a small shaking movement caused by cold or strong emotion
longing n.
/ˈlɑːŋɪŋ/
a strong desire for something or someone
mesmerizing adj.
/ˈmɛzməˌraɪzɪŋ/
to hold the attention of (someone) entirely : to interest or amaze (someone) so much that nothing else is seen or noticed — usually used as (be) mesmerized
laden adj.
/ˈleɪdn̩/
loaded heavily with something : having or carrying a large amount of something
backdrop n.
the scene or scenery that is in the background
- The mountains provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding photos.
smitten adj.
in love with someone or something
- From the moment he saw her, he was smitten.
scoff v.
to laugh at and talk about someone or something in a way that shows disapproval and a lack of respect
- He scoffed when she told him that she planned to become an actress.
downright adv.
to the fullest degree : completely or totally
- The movie was downright stupid/bad/scary.
enrapture v.
to fill (someone) with delight
- Her melodious voice enraptured the audience.
bundled up phr v.
to wear enough clothing to keep very warm
grievance n.
/ˈgriːvəns/
a complaint or a strong feeling that you have been treated unfairly;
a feeling of having been treated unfairly
deign v.
/ˈdeɪn/
to agree to do something although you consider yourself too important to have to do it;
to do something that you think you should not have to do because you are too important — usually followed by to + verb
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Enjoy Jamaica (3)
"Out of many, one people"
Although the majority of the population has African ancestors, a typical Jamaican maybe multi-racial or have ancestors from several nations. These might be Spanish, British, French, Lebanese, Indian, Chinese or native Arawak. The culture, food and language of Jamaica strongly reflect the various origins of its people. Mi irie! A former British colony, Jamaica maintains English as its national language. However, Jamaicans commonly speak Patois, a dialect of English. This informal speech, made popular worldwide by reggae music, has roots in European and African languages.
Taste of the island
Jamaican food makes my mouth water! A few of my favorites include curry goat, rice and peas and patties. I prefer these dishes mild, but any dish can set the mouth on fire by adding Scotch-bonnet peppers. These peppers create the spiciness in the seasoning for “jerk,” mouth-watering barbecued pork, chicken or vegetables. I would return to Jamaica in an instant just to savor the food. But it’s easy to fall in love with this magnificent country and all it has to offer.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Hot Foods 教學主題: Hot之於食物的定義
In English there’re a few reasons why foods and drinks might be labeled hot. First they could be formally hot.
A pizza that just came out of the oven or coffee that just finished brewing is hot.
And dangerous, so but the coffee cool down a bit before you drink it, or you might burn your tongue.
Next, foods can be spicy hot, chili peppers, mustard and wasabi are all spicy hot foods. Note that even if these items were consumed straight from refrigerator they still be considered hot because they’re spicy.
Yes, a cold pepper still has the power to make your mouth burn. Okay how about what the Chinese called, shu uu shu sin. The idea is that foods and drinks contain a central hot and cold properties regardless of thermal heat or degree of spiciness.
Right, I believe chocolate is considered hot, pumpkins are neutral while a hot cup of tea is actually cold.
Right so we might see shu uu shu sin translated into English as Chinese food therapy. Westerners are gradually becoming aware of the health benefits of Chinese food therapy, and many are making it a part of their life style.
Language Lab
ancestor n.
a member of your family who lived a long time ago
- Benjamin can trace his ancestors back eight hundred years.
- Jennifer's ancestors were from Germany.
the form in which a modern machine, vehicle etc first existed
- Rhythm-and-blues is the immediate ancestor of rock 'n' roll.
dialect n.
a form of a language which is spoken only in one area, with words or grammar that are slightly different from other forms of the same language [↪ accent]
- Taiwanese and Hakka are common dialects in Taiwan, but the official language is Mandarin.
- The ministers translated the Bible into the local dialect.
mild adj.
not very strong or hot-tasting:
- The patient can only eat mild food after her surgery.
- The mild rain in the afternoon cooled down the temperature.
a mild person has a gentle character and does not easily get angry:
- Mike has a mild temper; I've never heard him raise his voice.
savor v.
to enjoy the taste or smell of (something) for as long as possible
- Don't rush! Take your time savoring our cuisine.
to enjoy (something) for a long time
- He not only can make money, but he also knows how to savor his success.
savor n.
a good taste or smell — usually singular
- The chicken has a savor of rosemary.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151022baada71a84ae7a724071b17c8760bcb016fc89e2e475c7e114514b80936103d1733.wma
Although the majority of the population has African ancestors, a typical Jamaican maybe multi-racial or have ancestors from several nations. These might be Spanish, British, French, Lebanese, Indian, Chinese or native Arawak. The culture, food and language of Jamaica strongly reflect the various origins of its people. Mi irie! A former British colony, Jamaica maintains English as its national language. However, Jamaicans commonly speak Patois, a dialect of English. This informal speech, made popular worldwide by reggae music, has roots in European and African languages.
Taste of the island
Jamaican food makes my mouth water! A few of my favorites include curry goat, rice and peas and patties. I prefer these dishes mild, but any dish can set the mouth on fire by adding Scotch-bonnet peppers. These peppers create the spiciness in the seasoning for “jerk,” mouth-watering barbecued pork, chicken or vegetables. I would return to Jamaica in an instant just to savor the food. But it’s easy to fall in love with this magnificent country and all it has to offer.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Hot Foods 教學主題: Hot之於食物的定義
In English there’re a few reasons why foods and drinks might be labeled hot. First they could be formally hot.
A pizza that just came out of the oven or coffee that just finished brewing is hot.
And dangerous, so but the coffee cool down a bit before you drink it, or you might burn your tongue.
Next, foods can be spicy hot, chili peppers, mustard and wasabi are all spicy hot foods. Note that even if these items were consumed straight from refrigerator they still be considered hot because they’re spicy.
Yes, a cold pepper still has the power to make your mouth burn. Okay how about what the Chinese called, shu uu shu sin. The idea is that foods and drinks contain a central hot and cold properties regardless of thermal heat or degree of spiciness.
Right, I believe chocolate is considered hot, pumpkins are neutral while a hot cup of tea is actually cold.
Right so we might see shu uu shu sin translated into English as Chinese food therapy. Westerners are gradually becoming aware of the health benefits of Chinese food therapy, and many are making it a part of their life style.
Language Lab
ancestor n.
a member of your family who lived a long time ago
- Benjamin can trace his ancestors back eight hundred years.
- Jennifer's ancestors were from Germany.
the form in which a modern machine, vehicle etc first existed
- Rhythm-and-blues is the immediate ancestor of rock 'n' roll.
dialect n.
a form of a language which is spoken only in one area, with words or grammar that are slightly different from other forms of the same language [↪ accent]
- Taiwanese and Hakka are common dialects in Taiwan, but the official language is Mandarin.
- The ministers translated the Bible into the local dialect.
mild adj.
not very strong or hot-tasting:
- The patient can only eat mild food after her surgery.
- The mild rain in the afternoon cooled down the temperature.
a mild person has a gentle character and does not easily get angry:
- Mike has a mild temper; I've never heard him raise his voice.
savor v.
to enjoy the taste or smell of (something) for as long as possible
- Don't rush! Take your time savoring our cuisine.
to enjoy (something) for a long time
- He not only can make money, but he also knows how to savor his success.
savor n.
a good taste or smell — usually singular
- The chicken has a savor of rosemary.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151022baada71a84ae7a724071b17c8760bcb016fc89e2e475c7e114514b80936103d1733.wma
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Enjoy Jamaica (2)
Tropical paradise
Hellshire Beach, a short drive from Kingston, is my favorite spot to soak in some sun and enjoy the ocean air. Whether in the sun or the shade, lunch – fried fish and festival (fried bread) – is personally delivered. And the oyster man stops by to serve up cold, fresh oysters.
A honeymoon destination, Jamaica offers newlyweds the perfect tropical escape. Beautiful, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water provide the ideal setting to rest and relax. The all-inclusive resort was first opened in Jamaica. Therefore, Jamaicans know all about taking care of guests’ every need.
In the mood for adventure
The island also offers plenty for the adventurous traveler. On the north coast in Montego Bay, my cousin and I went ziplining for the first time. Flying through the forest felt fantastic! True risk-takers head west Negril. Besides an amazing seven-mile stretch of beach, Negri has the place to cliff jump –Rick’s Cafe. I watched both experienced and first-time jumpers plunge over the cliff. Then I ended the day viewing a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Silent Letters, Why? 教學主題: 不發音的字母
Silent letters are a lot like mosquitoes they’re annoying and you don’t know when they strike next. Just like the other day I was listening to a man gave a fabulous speech. His English was excellent except for one word he kept mispronouncing, debt.
Ah, that silent b can be tricky.
And so it sounded like he kept saying [debit], a related but different word. Fact is no matter how long we’ve been speaking English; silent letters can unexpectedly appear and bite us.
As irritating as silent letters are, there are rational reasons for their existence. One is that during the Renaissance there was a classical language revival, people were rediscovering all the literary treasures from the ancient Greek and Latin languages.
That was when scholars in England began tweaking the spelling of certain English words, so they would conform to the Latin ideal. They fit, they were helping.
Umm, and that’s when the word “dette” got its silent b. Yes, the change made the word look more like its Latin root “debitum”,but it created more headaches for you and me.
Hum. Many other English words acquired silent letters for this same reason, words like reign, receipt and island.
Language Lab
soak v.
if you soak something, or if you let it soak, you keep it covered with a liquid for a period of time, especially in order to make it softer or easier to clean:
- Alex wants to do nothing but relax and soak up some sun in his backyard.
- Soak the red beans for two hours before cooking them.
- After a long day, Samantha just wanted to soak in a hot tub.
crystal-clear adj.
perfectly clear : able to be seen through completely
- The crystal-clear lake makes you want to dive into it.
perfectly easy to understand
- The conman's motivation is crystal-clear: he just wants your money.
conman n.
someone who tries to get money from people by tricking them
bask v.
/ˈbæsk/
to lie or relax happily in a bright and warm place
- We sat basking in the sun.
zipline n.
an inclined cable or rope with a suspended harness, pulley, or handle, down which a person slides for amusement.
- The tour features five different ziplines in the rainforest.
- Max went ziplining when he went to Whistler, Canada.
plunge v.
/ˈplʌnʤ/
always followed by an adverb or preposition : to fall or jump suddenly from a high place
- It's so hot today, I wish I could go to the beach and plunge into the cool water.
- The car plunged over the cliff and fell to the bottom of the valley.
newlyweds n.
a person who has recently married
- They took pictures of the happy newlyweds.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151021baa89b1ab522d67a0f6255360bf65d43d7a5512affb17ca0a30c91b3e49ce769afe.wma
Hellshire Beach, a short drive from Kingston, is my favorite spot to soak in some sun and enjoy the ocean air. Whether in the sun or the shade, lunch – fried fish and festival (fried bread) – is personally delivered. And the oyster man stops by to serve up cold, fresh oysters.
A honeymoon destination, Jamaica offers newlyweds the perfect tropical escape. Beautiful, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water provide the ideal setting to rest and relax. The all-inclusive resort was first opened in Jamaica. Therefore, Jamaicans know all about taking care of guests’ every need.
In the mood for adventure
The island also offers plenty for the adventurous traveler. On the north coast in Montego Bay, my cousin and I went ziplining for the first time. Flying through the forest felt fantastic! True risk-takers head west Negril. Besides an amazing seven-mile stretch of beach, Negri has the place to cliff jump –Rick’s Cafe. I watched both experienced and first-time jumpers plunge over the cliff. Then I ended the day viewing a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Silent Letters, Why? 教學主題: 不發音的字母
Silent letters are a lot like mosquitoes they’re annoying and you don’t know when they strike next. Just like the other day I was listening to a man gave a fabulous speech. His English was excellent except for one word he kept mispronouncing, debt.
Ah, that silent b can be tricky.
And so it sounded like he kept saying [debit], a related but different word. Fact is no matter how long we’ve been speaking English; silent letters can unexpectedly appear and bite us.
As irritating as silent letters are, there are rational reasons for their existence. One is that during the Renaissance there was a classical language revival, people were rediscovering all the literary treasures from the ancient Greek and Latin languages.
That was when scholars in England began tweaking the spelling of certain English words, so they would conform to the Latin ideal. They fit, they were helping.
Umm, and that’s when the word “dette” got its silent b. Yes, the change made the word look more like its Latin root “debitum”,but it created more headaches for you and me.
Hum. Many other English words acquired silent letters for this same reason, words like reign, receipt and island.
Language Lab
soak v.
if you soak something, or if you let it soak, you keep it covered with a liquid for a period of time, especially in order to make it softer or easier to clean:
- Alex wants to do nothing but relax and soak up some sun in his backyard.
- Soak the red beans for two hours before cooking them.
- After a long day, Samantha just wanted to soak in a hot tub.
crystal-clear adj.
perfectly clear : able to be seen through completely
- The crystal-clear lake makes you want to dive into it.
perfectly easy to understand
- The conman's motivation is crystal-clear: he just wants your money.
conman n.
someone who tries to get money from people by tricking them
bask v.
/ˈbæsk/
to lie or relax happily in a bright and warm place
- We sat basking in the sun.
zipline n.
an inclined cable or rope with a suspended harness, pulley, or handle, down which a person slides for amusement.
- The tour features five different ziplines in the rainforest.
- Max went ziplining when he went to Whistler, Canada.
plunge v.
/ˈplʌnʤ/
always followed by an adverb or preposition : to fall or jump suddenly from a high place
- It's so hot today, I wish I could go to the beach and plunge into the cool water.
- The car plunged over the cliff and fell to the bottom of the valley.
newlyweds n.
a person who has recently married
- They took pictures of the happy newlyweds.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151021baa89b1ab522d67a0f6255360bf65d43d7a5512affb17ca0a30c91b3e49ce769afe.wma
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Enjoy Jamaica (1)
- What kind of music is Jamaica known for?
On this Caribbean island everything is "No problem!"
I had not been back to my birth country for seven years. Previous visits to Jamaica had been to see relatives. However, the reason for my most recent visit was to be a tourist. My trip started in the busy capital of Kingston.
Kingston Town
I went to pay my respects to the most famous of Jamaicans, the late reggae singer Bob Marley. I toured his former home and recording studio, which are now the Bob Marley Museum. Because of Bob Marley, people all over the world are familiar with the “rhythm and rhyme” of Jamaica. It’s no wonder the museum is the city’s most visited tourist site.
Afterward I headed to Devon House, a 19th century mansion that has been converted into a historical site and shopping area. There, I saw a piece of Jamaica’s past and tasted the best ice cream on the island.
Blue Mountain Peak
I also took a hike in the Blue Mountains, located east of Kingston. On my way up, I passed coffee trees whose beans make the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Dropped Ds 教學主題: 消失的字尾D
When we speak there’s a natural tendency for us to shorten orskip certain sounds in words. We do this, because it’s convenient. It saves time and effort.
In other words, we’re lazy. There’re many different ways we skip sounds when we speak. One way is by dropping the letter d. Take ice cream for example. Originally, this frozen treat was called iced cream. But over the years the d disappeared.
More examples which also happen to be dairy products include skim milk and cream cheese. These two words used to be pronounced with d’s, like this, skimmed milk and creamed cheese.
Today there’re certain English words that are heading towards losing their d, but half in quite got in there, like tossed salad. Most people don’t pronounce the d, they just say toss salad.
Right! Toss salad of course isn’t officially correct, though someday it probably will be.
And in keeping with the food theme, how about iced tea, it’s another word that’s very close to dropping its d.
Right, ice tea is pretty much how everyone says it, so I think it’s just a matter of time before we all spell it without the d.
Language Lab
rhythm n.
a regular repeated pattern of sounds or movements
- I love the jazzy rhythm of the drum in this song.
- Alan has no sense of rhythm at all. It's impossible for him to be a professional singer.
- The gentle rhythm of the boat made me feel sleepy.
rhyme n.
/ˈraɪm/
one of two or more words or phrases that end in the same sounds
- This poem is not written in rhyme.
- Can you think of a rhyme for "tree"?
rhyme v.
to have or end with the same sounds
- The word "free" rhyme with "tree."
convert v.
to change something into a different form of thing, or to change something so that it can be used for a different purpose or in a different way
- The messages are converted into digital codes by a device.
- The chair can be converted into a table.
- The couple converted their study into a nursery.
hike n.
a long walk in the mountains or countryside:
- We went on a 5-mile hike in a forest near the camping site.
- I took a hike in the Blue Mountains.
take a hike
used to tell someone rudely to go away
- Why don't you take a hike if you're going to keep insulting people?
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20151020baae3e8cce6ac85fad645e2b1abd9dc019e0b049ec1bb4b34f49d9a220d045a73c4.wma
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
2015-09-03 Prague: One of Europe's Great Cities (1)
- Prague Castle
- St. Vitus Cathedral
Explore what some call, "The most beautiful city on earth!"
Famous Czech writer Franz Kafka once said, "Prague never lets you go..." Nothing could be truer. The Czech Republic's famous capital boasts a majestic castle, stunning bridges, gold-tipped towers and a swan-filled river. Once you visit Prague, the city's beauty will stay with you forever.
Here are some of the wonders that make it so memorable.
Prague Castle
This remarkable structure dates back to the ninth century and is considered the largest castle complex in the world. The castle sits on top of a hill and provides breathtaking views of the city below.
Down through the ages, buildings representing various building styles have been added to the complex. Today a walk through the grounds is like a lesson in the history of architecture.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague has been nicknamed "the city of a hundred spires." Yet in reality almost a thousand towers and spires dominate the skyline. Some of the most famous belong to St. Vitus Cathedral, one of Europe's most beautiful churches. Inside you'll find elaborately painted glass windows and valuable religious treasures.
Closer Look
dates back [=goes back]
- The story, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer dates back 140 years ago.
- The game hide and seek dates back to medieval times.
Language Lab
majestic adj.
/məˈʤɛstɪk/
large and impressively beautiful
- We were amazed by the majestic view of the Grand Canyon.
- The majestic Fuji Mountain is a national symbol of Japan.
remarkable adj.
unusual or surprising : likely to be noticed
- The actress' remarkable performance in this movie won her several awards.
- The patient made a remarkable recovery from major surgery.
nothing could be further from the truth
architecture n.
the art or science of designing and creating buildings
- The cathedral is a classic example of Gothic architecture.
- Jason majored in architecture.
architect n.
a person who designs buildings
- Thompson is the architect who designed the bridge.
elaborately adv.
made or done with great care or with much detail : having many parts that are carefully arranged or planned
- The wedding cake was elaborately designed by a famous baker in town.
elaborate adj.
- The movie's elaborate costumes were displayed in the museum.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150903baa841f737af29eb27c193de25f89349514b67fc5b18bc484996768b18dc8d9b071.wma
Thursday, August 13, 2015
2015-08-13 Find James Bond, "Bali Hai" scenery in Kauai's proud, culture-rich Hanalei (3)
- Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill
For schooling in a page of unique island history, I join a tour of Hawaii's only remaining rice mill, situated among the taro ponds. Rice was grown here commercially from the 19th century until Hawaii's rice industry collapsed in the 1960s.
The Ho'opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill is now in the middle of Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, off-limits to most visitors. So if you're a birder, the tour also offers chances to bolster your life list with possible glimpses of endangered species such as the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck).
The tour is highly personal. Leading it is 35-year-old Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama, whose family is in its sixth generation of farming the valley, which included operating the mill until its closure. Now, through a nonprofit, the family helps preserve the historic mill, which has been rebuilt and restored through many flash floods and two major hurricanes. She shows how scoops of rice moved on a conveyor belt powered at first by a water wheel. later by a hefty diesel engine.
The tour concludes with a demonstration of taro pounding using a lava-rock stone.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Permutations 名詞的排列組合
Permutations
/ˌpɚmjuˈteɪʃən/
one of the many different ways or forms in which something exists or can be arranged — usually plural
一個國家或文化裡頭,
越常見到的事物通常就會有越多的詞彙來形容他,
像芬蘭文就有超過30個單字用來形容不同種類的冰雪,
因為芬蘭長期處在冰雪當中,
義大利文有各式各樣的用來表示麵條的單字,
因為義大利把他們的麵發洋光大,
中國人的主食是米,
米在英文就叫做rice,
煮熟的米叫做飯,
在英文還是叫做rice,
中國人還是糯米飯, 小米粥...
這些在英文裡都叫做rice,
因為在西方很少吃飯,
就算吃飯也是配菜
Language Lab
off-limits adj.
/ˈɑːfˈlɪməts/
— used to say that people are not allowed to enter a place or use something
— often + to
- The warehouse area is off-limits to customers.
- The military base is off-limits to civilians due to security reasons.
bolster v.
/ˈboʊlstɚ/
to make (something) stronger or better : to give support to (something)
- The company needs to bolster its marketing strategies to survive in the market.
- The coach is good at bolstering his team members with pep talks.
closure n.
/ˈkloʊʒɚ/
a situation or occurrence in which something (such as a business or factory) closes forever
- The closure of the mines caused many workers to lose their jobs.
- The closure of the branch stores helped the company's finances to improve.
a feeling that a bad experience (such as a divorce or the death of a family member) has ended and that you can start to live again in a calm and normal way
- After saying goodbye to her ex-boyfriend, Sandy finally reached a sense of closure.
hefty adj.
/ˈhɛfti/
large and heavy; big and strong
- Kyle gave his brother a hefty push to get him on the train.
very large
- Teresa lost her job, and now she doesn't know how she's going to pay back her hefty loans.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150813baaca8b61900303ebdeee30236253b16bbf0ae85d535c38e40836dd07d066307559.wma
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
2015-08-12 Find James Bond, "Bali Hai" scenery in Kauai's proud, culture-rich Hanalei (2)
The old bridge doesn't keep visitors out, so Hanalei town has its share of touristy boutiques and galleries. But even their setting, such as the rustic Old Hanalei School retail complex (check out the vintage restrooms), beats your average strip mall.
Hanalei is home to one of the planet's prettiest little churches, circa 1912. Sunday services (10 a.m.) at the green-shingled, American Gothic-style Wai'oli Hui'ia Church, in the heart of town, include hymns sung in the Hawaiian language.
Visitors are welcome. The dress code is Aloha shirts, muumuus and flip-flops, with an occasional plumeria blossom in the hair.
Pick up a handheld lauhala fan, woven from the leaves of a hala tree, from a basket by the door if there's not enough breeze through the open windows. Their stained glass has a colorful theme of tropical flowers and banana leaves.
After the service, look behind the church for Christian missionaries Abner and Lucy Wilcox's 1837-vintage home. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with its lava-rock chimney, classic koa furniture and a master bedroom where Lucy gave birth to eight sons.
Editor's Summary
...
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Dying Languages 消失中的語言
Language Lab
vintage adj.
/ˈvɪntɪʤ/
used to describe something that is not new but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc.
- I like the vintage decoration of this cafe.
- The vintage design of the cover of the band's album has been vastly discussed online.
- Britney has a whole collection of vintage Disney cartoons.
vast adj.
very great in size, amount, or extent
strip mall n.
a long building that is divided into separate shops which usually have outside entrances and which share a parking lot
- You can find authentic local food here in the strip mall.
- The suburban strip mall is where most people who live nearby do their grocery shopping.
weave v.
/ˈwiːv/
[weaves; wove /ˈwoʊv/ or weaved; woven /ˈwoʊvən/ or weaved; weaving]
- The old lady is weaving a blanket from wool.
- The basket was woven from willows.
missionary n.
a person who is sent to a foreign country to do religious work (such as to convince people to join a religion or to help people who are sick, poor, etc.)
- These missionaries built the first school in this area.
of or relating to missionaries
- Our church started our missionary work in India last year.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150812baa9e465a7477af0f9ec98a0a7430bae100d58cba7a914e5b6e2a7e4b8aafc229bc.wma
Hanalei is home to one of the planet's prettiest little churches, circa 1912. Sunday services (10 a.m.) at the green-shingled, American Gothic-style Wai'oli Hui'ia Church, in the heart of town, include hymns sung in the Hawaiian language.
Visitors are welcome. The dress code is Aloha shirts, muumuus and flip-flops, with an occasional plumeria blossom in the hair.
Pick up a handheld lauhala fan, woven from the leaves of a hala tree, from a basket by the door if there's not enough breeze through the open windows. Their stained glass has a colorful theme of tropical flowers and banana leaves.
After the service, look behind the church for Christian missionaries Abner and Lucy Wilcox's 1837-vintage home. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with its lava-rock chimney, classic koa furniture and a master bedroom where Lucy gave birth to eight sons.
Editor's Summary
...
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Dying Languages 消失中的語言
Language Lab
vintage adj.
/ˈvɪntɪʤ/
used to describe something that is not new but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc.
- I like the vintage decoration of this cafe.
- The vintage design of the cover of the band's album has been vastly discussed online.
- Britney has a whole collection of vintage Disney cartoons.
vast adj.
very great in size, amount, or extent
strip mall n.
a long building that is divided into separate shops which usually have outside entrances and which share a parking lot
- You can find authentic local food here in the strip mall.
- The suburban strip mall is where most people who live nearby do their grocery shopping.
weave v.
/ˈwiːv/
[weaves; wove /ˈwoʊv/ or weaved; woven /ˈwoʊvən/ or weaved; weaving]
- The old lady is weaving a blanket from wool.
- The basket was woven from willows.
missionary n.
a person who is sent to a foreign country to do religious work (such as to convince people to join a religion or to help people who are sick, poor, etc.)
- These missionaries built the first school in this area.
of or relating to missionaries
- Our church started our missionary work in India last year.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150812baa9e465a7477af0f9ec98a0a7430bae100d58cba7a914e5b6e2a7e4b8aafc229bc.wma
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
2015-08-11 Find James Bond, "Bali Hai" scenery in Kauai's proud, culture-rich Hanalei (1)
This hidden area has culture and history to offer
"Defend Hanalei" says the bumper sticker on a rusty, surfboard-loaded pickup puttering slowly down the winding, two-lane road in front of my rental car. I [am] approaching a bridge into Kauai's green, green Hanalei Valley.
The bridge itself is a political statement aimed at keeping "progress" out of this isolated community on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Over centuries, Native Hawaiians farmed taro and other food crops in this fertile valley. Native crops gave way to a boom of rice farming in the 19th century.
Today, waterfalls thread thousands of feet down emerald-green hillsides beyond ponds that once again grow taro, now used in traditional dishes plus everything from hummus to smoothies.
Travel across the valley through Hanalei (say "haw-na-LAY") town, then into the Bali Hai" area of Kauai.
There rainbows arch across cockscomb-jagged hills above some of the island's best snorkeling beaches.
"South Pacific" was filmed here. A former James Bond - actor Pierce Brosnan - has a home here. Every morning, hikers by the score set out from the Kuhio Highway's end to tackle the challenging Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali cliffs.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Hawaiian Words 夏威夷詞彙
Language Lab
putter v.
/ˈpʌtɚ/
to make small popping sounds while moving slowly
- A rusty old motorcycle puttered down the road in front of us.
putter around [phrasal verb] US :
to spend time in a relaxed way doing small jobs and other things that are not very important
- Monica loved to putter around her mother's kitchen when she was a kid.
rental adj.
the amount of money paid or collected as rent
- The rental car costs $80 per day.
- The rental fee of the apartment was raised again this year.
rental n.
- a car rental company
smoothies n.
a thick, cold drink that is made of fruit mixed with milk, yogurt, or juice
- Mom made strawberry smoothies for tonight's dessert.
jagged adj.
/ˈʤægəd/
having a sharp, uneven edge or surface
- Jagged cliffs are a common background in Chinese paintings.
- Watch out for the jagged edge of the broken glass!
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150811baa3c76257b4bad29091f9ad15b4d4cce2075f454ac19d9763e1934bd35f56dabe0.wma
"Defend Hanalei" says the bumper sticker on a rusty, surfboard-loaded pickup puttering slowly down the winding, two-lane road in front of my rental car. I [am] approaching a bridge into Kauai's green, green Hanalei Valley.
The bridge itself is a political statement aimed at keeping "progress" out of this isolated community on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Over centuries, Native Hawaiians farmed taro and other food crops in this fertile valley. Native crops gave way to a boom of rice farming in the 19th century.
Today, waterfalls thread thousands of feet down emerald-green hillsides beyond ponds that once again grow taro, now used in traditional dishes plus everything from hummus to smoothies.
Travel across the valley through Hanalei (say "haw-na-LAY") town, then into the Bali Hai" area of Kauai.
There rainbows arch across cockscomb-jagged hills above some of the island's best snorkeling beaches.
"South Pacific" was filmed here. A former James Bond - actor Pierce Brosnan - has a home here. Every morning, hikers by the score set out from the Kuhio Highway's end to tackle the challenging Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali cliffs.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Hawaiian Words 夏威夷詞彙
Language Lab
putter v.
/ˈpʌtɚ/
to make small popping sounds while moving slowly
- A rusty old motorcycle puttered down the road in front of us.
putter around [phrasal verb] US :
to spend time in a relaxed way doing small jobs and other things that are not very important
- Monica loved to putter around her mother's kitchen when she was a kid.
rental adj.
the amount of money paid or collected as rent
- The rental car costs $80 per day.
- The rental fee of the apartment was raised again this year.
rental n.
- a car rental company
smoothies n.
a thick, cold drink that is made of fruit mixed with milk, yogurt, or juice
- Mom made strawberry smoothies for tonight's dessert.
jagged adj.
/ˈʤægəd/
having a sharp, uneven edge or surface
- Jagged cliffs are a common background in Chinese paintings.
- Watch out for the jagged edge of the broken glass!
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150811baa3c76257b4bad29091f9ad15b4d4cce2075f454ac19d9763e1934bd35f56dabe0.wma
Friday, July 10, 2015
Things to See and Do in Toronto (2)
The CN Tower
Most will agree that if you only do one thing in Toronto, you must visit the CN Tower. This iconic structure, built the 1970s, looks like a giant doctor's needle and is the highest freestanding building in the world. Glass elevators wait to take you 553 meters to the top where you are rewarded with terrific views!
St. Lawrence Market
Sights and smells delight your senses as you stroll through Toronto's famous St. Lawrence Market. In 1803, at the market's outset, farmers brought in fresh vegetables on Saturdays, but today the popular landmark permanently houses over 120 vendors. In 2012, National geographic named St. Lawrence Market the world's best food market.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma, Toronto's only castle is also one of the city's greatest historical monuments. In 1911, 300 men began construction on the mansion and finished it three years later at a cost of over US$3 million. Walking into the magnificent home is like stepping back into an era of European splendor. The 98-room castle has towers, tunnels, secret passages, balconies, and a five-acre garden, all fit for a king or queen.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150710baab1833fdfc8af3df74229adb8deebdedfbcec790a2f4a8ccd15a7a3b41af09936.wma
Most will agree that if you only do one thing in Toronto, you must visit the CN Tower. This iconic structure, built the 1970s, looks like a giant doctor's needle and is the highest freestanding building in the world. Glass elevators wait to take you 553 meters to the top where you are rewarded with terrific views!
St. Lawrence Market
Sights and smells delight your senses as you stroll through Toronto's famous St. Lawrence Market. In 1803, at the market's outset, farmers brought in fresh vegetables on Saturdays, but today the popular landmark permanently houses over 120 vendors. In 2012, National geographic named St. Lawrence Market the world's best food market.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma, Toronto's only castle is also one of the city's greatest historical monuments. In 1911, 300 men began construction on the mansion and finished it three years later at a cost of over US$3 million. Walking into the magnificent home is like stepping back into an era of European splendor. The 98-room castle has towers, tunnels, secret passages, balconies, and a five-acre garden, all fit for a king or queen.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150710baab1833fdfc8af3df74229adb8deebdedfbcec790a2f4a8ccd15a7a3b41af09936.wma
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Things to See and Do in Toronto (1)
Visit the city that is home to the world
Toronto bears the distinction of being the capital of Ontario, Canada, yet people sometimes refer to it as "New York City run by the Swiss." The city boasts world-class restaurants, shopping and theaters in the midst of clean sidewalks and friendly people. Because Toronto is situated on the banks of Lake Ontario, the city has always been an important port town. Early on, it was a French trading post that was later taken over by the British and named "York" in 1793.
From 1825 to 1851, the town grew from 720 people to 30,775, changing its status from a trading post to an important administrative and commercial center. In 1834, it officially became a municipality and received a new name - "Toronto."
Today Ontario's capital is the fourth largest city in North America and is home to more than 6 million people. Many new arrivals are foreign immigrants, bringing more than 140 languages to the region, and making Toronto the most multiculturally diverse city on earth. The food, music and customs of almost every nation can be found in the capital city.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150709baa63c32136ba715aedcbc5d7c2908e865f525b58302649ebf170aebd65a60bcb6a.wma
Toronto bears the distinction of being the capital of Ontario, Canada, yet people sometimes refer to it as "New York City run by the Swiss." The city boasts world-class restaurants, shopping and theaters in the midst of clean sidewalks and friendly people. Because Toronto is situated on the banks of Lake Ontario, the city has always been an important port town. Early on, it was a French trading post that was later taken over by the British and named "York" in 1793.
From 1825 to 1851, the town grew from 720 people to 30,775, changing its status from a trading post to an important administrative and commercial center. In 1834, it officially became a municipality and received a new name - "Toronto."
Today Ontario's capital is the fourth largest city in North America and is home to more than 6 million people. Many new arrivals are foreign immigrants, bringing more than 140 languages to the region, and making Toronto the most multiculturally diverse city on earth. The food, music and customs of almost every nation can be found in the capital city.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150709baa63c32136ba715aedcbc5d7c2908e865f525b58302649ebf170aebd65a60bcb6a.wma
Friday, February 20, 2015
Seeing the Great Wall
The Great Wall captures the imagination of all who visit
The Great Wall or changcheng (中國的長城) snakes more than 6,000 kilometers. It goes from the Gobi Desert (戈壁) to the Yellow Sea (黃海). First built to keep out invaders, it is now a popular tourist attraction. People hike the whole length of the wall or just explore different sections.
Badaling (八達嶺)
Five different sections of the wall lie near Beijing and can be accessed easily. Of these, Badaling is the most famous. This section is one of the closest to the city and, thus, the most convenient for visitors. Tourists cover it like ants. This part is also the easiest to walk since it has had the most repairs.
Jinshanling (金山嶺)
About two hours away by bus lies Jinshanling. This well-preserved section of the wall has not been repaired since 1570! If you’re looking for a peaceful walk and amazing views, this is the spot to visit. During spring and summer, you can see a “cloud sea” below you as you walk the wall.
Huangyaguan (黃崖關)
Not far from Tianjin (天津) lies another spectacular section of the Great Wall, Huangyaguan. Built over 1400 years ago, it received major repairs in 1984. The 3-kilometer section boasts 20 water towers and one water gate. This section is like a miniature representation of the entire Great Wall. Some areas are quite steep and narrow, but the scenery is impressive.
Several cultural attractions are situated in the cultural district near the wall. See the Bagua Castle (八卦城), which looks like a maze. And in the Longevity Garden, you can find over 10,000 writing sytles of the character "shou" (壽).
Jiayuguan (嘉峪關)
Out west in Gansu sits another restored section of the wall. About six kilometers from Jiayuguan City, you can visit Jiayuguan. It was the starting place for the section of the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty. This pass is the best preserved of the Great Wall military forts. The wall surrounds an inner city with interesting buildings to explore.
Ningxia (寧夏)
In nearby Ningxia, the Great Wall winds 1.506 kilometers through the region. Here you can find the oldest part of the wall. Built in the Qin Dynasty, it zigzags about from Gansu Province and into Ningxia. Many, many people died building this section. The builders had to first beat the earth into powder. Then they sifted it and finally steamed it before pounding it into the wall.
Shanhaiguan (山海關)
You'll find the eastern end of the wall near the city of Shanhaiguan. Here the wall meets the sea, forming a unique sight called the Old Dragon's Head. A large fort stands here as well as the wall. The east tower of the Shanhai Pass is called the First Pass Under Heaven. Stand near the tower to see the roaring sea on one side and the Great Wall on the other.
Wherever you choose to visit the Great Wall, you will be amazed. It is like no other structure on Earth.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Oronyms教學主題: 同音不同字的詞串
"amaze" or "a maze"
聽到/əˈmeɪz/ 到底是聽到"驚訝"還是"一個迷宮"
"ice cream" or "I scream"
Language Lab
boast v.
to have (something that is impressive)
- This national park boasts a wide variety of wildlife.
- The country boasts a rich cultural and artistic heritage.
to express too much pride in yourself or in something you have, have done, or are connected to in some way
- Larry loves to boast about his wealth.
miniature adj. [mini字根-小]
/ˈmɪnijəˌtʃuɚ/
very small : tiny
- I bought this miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty in a souvenir store in New York.
- Michael looks like a miniature version of his big, handsome dad.
restore v.
to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
- The cathedral was beautifully restored and looks even more splendid than before.
- After a long period of economic depression, people needed to have their confidence restored in the domestic market.
fort n.
a strong building or group of buildings where soldiers live
- Even though the fort was built in the 12th century, it's well preserved.
- This old Spanish fort became a popular site for tourists.
zigzag v.
zigzags; zigzagged; zigzagging
to move along a path that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
- The trail zigzags to the top of the hill..
a line that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
- The zigzag path leads us to the bottom of the valley.
powder n.
a dry substance made up of very tiny pieces of something
- The chef crushed the nuts until they became powder.
powder v.
to put powder on (your face or body)
- The lady powdered her face and put on some lipstick, too.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150218baa042e54b3178b817e08fdac59beb89a08937b14f3aa7c29492e2e5fa4eb0f8edc.wma
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150219baab87bee5984a05f9e4320a23479f8c3a7be87903fcc02d2df6778c6a85390f23b.wma
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150220baa1ab66787280012ee223800adf89aad8fdd09fda7e56f802458292c627eb4ad5b.wma
The Great Wall or changcheng (中國的長城) snakes more than 6,000 kilometers. It goes from the Gobi Desert (戈壁) to the Yellow Sea (黃海). First built to keep out invaders, it is now a popular tourist attraction. People hike the whole length of the wall or just explore different sections.
Badaling (八達嶺)
Five different sections of the wall lie near Beijing and can be accessed easily. Of these, Badaling is the most famous. This section is one of the closest to the city and, thus, the most convenient for visitors. Tourists cover it like ants. This part is also the easiest to walk since it has had the most repairs.
Jinshanling (金山嶺)
About two hours away by bus lies Jinshanling. This well-preserved section of the wall has not been repaired since 1570! If you’re looking for a peaceful walk and amazing views, this is the spot to visit. During spring and summer, you can see a “cloud sea” below you as you walk the wall.
Huangyaguan (黃崖關)
Not far from Tianjin (天津) lies another spectacular section of the Great Wall, Huangyaguan. Built over 1400 years ago, it received major repairs in 1984. The 3-kilometer section boasts 20 water towers and one water gate. This section is like a miniature representation of the entire Great Wall. Some areas are quite steep and narrow, but the scenery is impressive.
Several cultural attractions are situated in the cultural district near the wall. See the Bagua Castle (八卦城), which looks like a maze. And in the Longevity Garden, you can find over 10,000 writing sytles of the character "shou" (壽).
Jiayuguan (嘉峪關)
Out west in Gansu sits another restored section of the wall. About six kilometers from Jiayuguan City, you can visit Jiayuguan. It was the starting place for the section of the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty. This pass is the best preserved of the Great Wall military forts. The wall surrounds an inner city with interesting buildings to explore.
Ningxia (寧夏)
In nearby Ningxia, the Great Wall winds 1.506 kilometers through the region. Here you can find the oldest part of the wall. Built in the Qin Dynasty, it zigzags about from Gansu Province and into Ningxia. Many, many people died building this section. The builders had to first beat the earth into powder. Then they sifted it and finally steamed it before pounding it into the wall.
Shanhaiguan (山海關)
You'll find the eastern end of the wall near the city of Shanhaiguan. Here the wall meets the sea, forming a unique sight called the Old Dragon's Head. A large fort stands here as well as the wall. The east tower of the Shanhai Pass is called the First Pass Under Heaven. Stand near the tower to see the roaring sea on one side and the Great Wall on the other.
Wherever you choose to visit the Great Wall, you will be amazed. It is like no other structure on Earth.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Oronyms教學主題: 同音不同字的詞串
"amaze" or "a maze"
聽到/əˈmeɪz/ 到底是聽到"驚訝"還是"一個迷宮"
"ice cream" or "I scream"
Language Lab
boast v.
to have (something that is impressive)
- This national park boasts a wide variety of wildlife.
- The country boasts a rich cultural and artistic heritage.
to express too much pride in yourself or in something you have, have done, or are connected to in some way
- Larry loves to boast about his wealth.
miniature adj. [mini字根-小]
/ˈmɪnijəˌtʃuɚ/
very small : tiny
- I bought this miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty in a souvenir store in New York.
- Michael looks like a miniature version of his big, handsome dad.
restore v.
to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
- The cathedral was beautifully restored and looks even more splendid than before.
- After a long period of economic depression, people needed to have their confidence restored in the domestic market.
fort n.
a strong building or group of buildings where soldiers live
- Even though the fort was built in the 12th century, it's well preserved.
- This old Spanish fort became a popular site for tourists.
zigzag v.
zigzags; zigzagged; zigzagging
to move along a path that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
- The trail zigzags to the top of the hill..
a line that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
- The zigzag path leads us to the bottom of the valley.
powder n.
a dry substance made up of very tiny pieces of something
- The chef crushed the nuts until they became powder.
powder v.
to put powder on (your face or body)
- The lady powdered her face and put on some lipstick, too.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150218baa042e54b3178b817e08fdac59beb89a08937b14f3aa7c29492e2e5fa4eb0f8edc.wma
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150219baab87bee5984a05f9e4320a23479f8c3a7be87903fcc02d2df6778c6a85390f23b.wma
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150220baa1ab66787280012ee223800adf89aad8fdd09fda7e56f802458292c627eb4ad5b.wma
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Winter in Iceland (2)
4. Explore Reykjavik.
Winter has little impact on the number of activities you can enjoy in Iceland's capital. Learn about Iceland's Viking past at Reykjavik 871 (they have the best collection in town) or the National Museum. Get to know the city on a guided bike or Segway tour. And ward off the cold by "coffee cupping," or tasting various kinds of coffee, at any of the dozens of small cafes in town.
5. Take a dip.
No matter what time of year you go, your trip to Iceland is not complete without a soak in one of the piping hot geothermal pools.
This is the Icelandic equivalent of a hot spring. Even when snow is falling, you'll find Icelanders outdoors, enjoying a relaxing dip in one of these pools. One of the most famous is Blue Lagoon, a spa that boasts pools, steam rooms, caves and a restaurant.
Come for the thinner crowds and cheaper off-season prices, and stay for the spectacular natural wonders around the island. Although Iceland may be an unusual choice for a winter vacation, its unexpected charms will make this a trip you'll want to take again!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Pronouncing “The”教學主題: The的發音
定冠詞 the
1. /ði/ before vowel sounds
2. /ˈðiː/ when said with emphasis
3. /ðə/ before consonant sounds
Closer Look
"your trip to Iceland is not complete without a soak in one of the piping hot geothermal pools."
[Subject] is not complete without [something].
- Your Roman holiday is not complete without a taste of gelato.
- Your tour through this university is not complete without a peek inside its famous library.
Language Lab
ward off phrasal verb
to do something to try to protect yourself from something bad, such as illness, danger, or attack:
- This app can ward off unwanted calls.
- Have a cup of hot chicken soup; it will ward off the cold right away.
geothermal adj.
/ˌʤiːjoʊˈθɚməl/
relating to or coming from the heat inside the earth:
- Many houses in this area use geothermal energy for their heating systems.
- The geothermal condition of the volcano is being monitored by a research team.
equivalent n.
something that has the same value, purpose, job etc as something else:
- This position requires a double degree or its equivalent.
equivalent adj.
equivalent to
- This amount of exercise is equivalent to running three miles.
unexpected adj.
used to describe something that is surprising because you were not expecting it:
- The unexpected visit from my parents caught me by surprise.
unexpectedly adv.
- The raise came unexpectedly, but actually at a really good time.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150124baa9c995e77bcd04f437e95b8eff8e174c1c206fb1f0a1e87946dfadbaaae9790fe.wma
Winter has little impact on the number of activities you can enjoy in Iceland's capital. Learn about Iceland's Viking past at Reykjavik 871 (they have the best collection in town) or the National Museum. Get to know the city on a guided bike or Segway tour. And ward off the cold by "coffee cupping," or tasting various kinds of coffee, at any of the dozens of small cafes in town.
5. Take a dip.
No matter what time of year you go, your trip to Iceland is not complete without a soak in one of the piping hot geothermal pools.
This is the Icelandic equivalent of a hot spring. Even when snow is falling, you'll find Icelanders outdoors, enjoying a relaxing dip in one of these pools. One of the most famous is Blue Lagoon, a spa that boasts pools, steam rooms, caves and a restaurant.
Come for the thinner crowds and cheaper off-season prices, and stay for the spectacular natural wonders around the island. Although Iceland may be an unusual choice for a winter vacation, its unexpected charms will make this a trip you'll want to take again!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Pronouncing “The”教學主題: The的發音
定冠詞 the
1. /ði/ before vowel sounds
2. /ˈðiː/ when said with emphasis
3. /ðə/ before consonant sounds
Closer Look
"your trip to Iceland is not complete without a soak in one of the piping hot geothermal pools."
[Subject] is not complete without [something].
- Your Roman holiday is not complete without a taste of gelato.
- Your tour through this university is not complete without a peek inside its famous library.
Language Lab
ward off phrasal verb
to do something to try to protect yourself from something bad, such as illness, danger, or attack:
- This app can ward off unwanted calls.
- Have a cup of hot chicken soup; it will ward off the cold right away.
geothermal adj.
/ˌʤiːjoʊˈθɚməl/
relating to or coming from the heat inside the earth:
- Many houses in this area use geothermal energy for their heating systems.
- The geothermal condition of the volcano is being monitored by a research team.
equivalent n.
something that has the same value, purpose, job etc as something else:
- This position requires a double degree or its equivalent.
equivalent adj.
equivalent to
- This amount of exercise is equivalent to running three miles.
unexpected adj.
used to describe something that is surprising because you were not expecting it:
- The unexpected visit from my parents caught me by surprise.
unexpectedly adv.
- The raise came unexpectedly, but actually at a really good time.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150124baa9c995e77bcd04f437e95b8eff8e174c1c206fb1f0a1e87946dfadbaaae9790fe.wma
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Christmas in Quebec City (2)
Celebrate history
This year visitors to Quebec City will have something extra to celebrate - the 350th anniversary of Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral. This cathedral is the oldest in North America and boasts a dazzling interior. Walk around inside, and admire the works of art.
Fun in the snow
There's more Christmas fun to be had outside Quebec City on the slopes of the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort. On December 22, Santa arrives via dogsled, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the week.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141223baada3c5b19a41d9a44d15a0c70adfd467b09a902e1342ab621cc78a7c230a770f0.wma
This year visitors to Quebec City will have something extra to celebrate - the 350th anniversary of Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral. This cathedral is the oldest in North America and boasts a dazzling interior. Walk around inside, and admire the works of art.
Fun in the snow
There's more Christmas fun to be had outside Quebec City on the slopes of the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort. On December 22, Santa arrives via dogsled, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the week.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141223baada3c5b19a41d9a44d15a0c70adfd467b09a902e1342ab621cc78a7c230a770f0.wma
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Exploring Greece (3)
Enjoy your stay
Experience Greek hospitality for yourself, and skip the big city hotels. Instead, book your stay at a smaller location. Guesthouses and B&Bs are often less expensive and just as nice. You'll get to know the owners and the neighborhood quickly. Places like these will bring you closer to the Greek community. And you'll save a lot of money!
Don't forget to clean your plate! Greek food is full of flavor, and it's healthy! Greece is known for its delicious olives, cheeses and honey, to name only a few.
Order signature dishes like moussaka and spanakopita, with a Greek salad topped with fresh tomatoes and feta. Then try some baklava for dessert. You'll probably want seconds of everything!
Art, history, nature, food - Greece has it all! You'll leave this beautiful and ancient country with lots of good memories. Make sure to send some postcards before you leave. Your friends will want to hear all about your trip!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Ampersand (&的由來)
B&B= bed and breakfast
& = and = ampersand
200年前, 英文有27個字母,
在XYZ之後, 還有~"Et" 這個字是拉丁文, 表示 and,
後來因為當時始用草寫的字體,
大寫的E 彎起來多了一條小尾巴,
漸漸的就演變成 &,
and per se and 這個符號自己的意思是and,
讀快一點最後這個等號就變成 ampersand
Grammar Gym
Greece is known for its delicious olives, cheeses and honey, to name only a few.
[Subject] is known for ..., ... and ..., to name only a few.
- Paris is known for its food, fashion and fine arts, to name only a few.
- This university is known for its football team, beautiful campus and graduate school programs, to name only a few.
Language Lab
hospitality n.
[uncountable] friendly behaviour towards visitors:
- During our stay in the country, people's hospitality really touched us.
hospitable adj.
friendly, welcoming, and generous to visitors
- Our neighbors are very hospitable. They invite us over for dinner quite often.
flavor n.
[countable] the particular taste of a food or drink:
- The sesame oil added a little eastern flavor to our pasta.
- Strawberry is my favorite flavor of ice cream.
flavor v.
to give something a particular taste or more taste
- Mom put some herbs in the soup to flavor it.
signature adj.
closely associated with someone or something : making a person or thing easy to recognize
- The black dress is the designer's signature style of elegance with an edge.
- Prime rib is the restaurant's signature dish. Almost every customer orders it.
seconds n.
[plural] : another serving of food taken after you are finished with the first serving
- I'm totally full. I can't have seconds of anything.
- Grandma's chili was amazing. We all had seconds.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141015baaad3421deeb6df4a26b05b24c80d9e8d43ba7e61510113b183ec82e57115ffb9d.wma
Experience Greek hospitality for yourself, and skip the big city hotels. Instead, book your stay at a smaller location. Guesthouses and B&Bs are often less expensive and just as nice. You'll get to know the owners and the neighborhood quickly. Places like these will bring you closer to the Greek community. And you'll save a lot of money!
Don't forget to clean your plate! Greek food is full of flavor, and it's healthy! Greece is known for its delicious olives, cheeses and honey, to name only a few.
Order signature dishes like moussaka and spanakopita, with a Greek salad topped with fresh tomatoes and feta. Then try some baklava for dessert. You'll probably want seconds of everything!
Art, history, nature, food - Greece has it all! You'll leave this beautiful and ancient country with lots of good memories. Make sure to send some postcards before you leave. Your friends will want to hear all about your trip!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Ampersand (&的由來)
B&B= bed and breakfast
& = and = ampersand
200年前, 英文有27個字母,
在XYZ之後, 還有~"Et" 這個字是拉丁文, 表示 and,
後來因為當時始用草寫的字體,
大寫的E 彎起來多了一條小尾巴,
漸漸的就演變成 &,
and per se and 這個符號自己的意思是and,
讀快一點最後這個等號就變成 ampersand
Grammar Gym
Greece is known for its delicious olives, cheeses and honey, to name only a few.
[Subject] is known for ..., ... and ..., to name only a few.
- Paris is known for its food, fashion and fine arts, to name only a few.
- This university is known for its football team, beautiful campus and graduate school programs, to name only a few.
Language Lab
hospitality n.
[uncountable] friendly behaviour towards visitors:
- During our stay in the country, people's hospitality really touched us.
hospitable adj.
friendly, welcoming, and generous to visitors
- Our neighbors are very hospitable. They invite us over for dinner quite often.
flavor n.
[countable] the particular taste of a food or drink:
- The sesame oil added a little eastern flavor to our pasta.
- Strawberry is my favorite flavor of ice cream.
flavor v.
to give something a particular taste or more taste
- Mom put some herbs in the soup to flavor it.
signature adj.
closely associated with someone or something : making a person or thing easy to recognize
- The black dress is the designer's signature style of elegance with an edge.
- Prime rib is the restaurant's signature dish. Almost every customer orders it.
seconds n.
[plural] : another serving of food taken after you are finished with the first serving
- I'm totally full. I can't have seconds of anything.
- Grandma's chili was amazing. We all had seconds.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141015baaad3421deeb6df4a26b05b24c80d9e8d43ba7e61510113b183ec82e57115ffb9d.wma
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