Studying jungle plants is no bed of roses!
Flora smiled as she breathed in the humid air. Her dream had come true. She was finally in the jungle!
Flora was a scientist who studied plants in a lab, examining them one by one. Sometimes she felt like she couldn't see the forest for the trees. But here in the jungle, she could see the plants all living together.
Flora's boss, Dr. Greenleaf, had warned her that field work wasn't easy. "The grass is always grener on the other side," he had said.
But Flora loved the beautiful jungle plants. She only wished the team would stop and smell the roses so she could examine them more closely.
Flora said to Jared, the group leader, "It must be nice to do all your research out here."
Jared replied, "Sometimes it is, but every trip involves going out on a limb."
Just than, she heard thunder, and rain poured down on their heads. But the team kept moving toward the nearby mountains.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Different Ways to Describe a Heavy Rain
下大雨是heavy rain, 不要講 big rain,
另外可以用downpour n. 表示 a lot of rain that falls in a short time
bucket 也是可以形容下大雨的字,
大雨下的像是有人從天空把一桶一桶的水往下倒,
if rain comes down in buckets, it is raining very hard:
It's pouring buckets.
如果雨中有帶著風, 這種雨是橫著下的, 就可以說:
It's coming down in sheets. (像是床單在風中拍打一樣)
最後還有大家都學過的下大雨:
It's raining cats and dogs.
Grammar Gym
it must be nice to...
- It must be nice to do all your research out here.
- It must be nice to have your vacation completely paid for by someone else.
- It must be nice to finish all your work and not take anything home to do.
Language Lab
breathe v.
/ˈbriːð/
to take air into your lungs and send it out again:
- The doctor told me to breathe deeply while he was examining my lungs.
breath n.
/ˈbrɛθ/
- Alison took a deep breath before diving into the pool.
lab n.
a laboratory:
- The lab is equipped with top gear.
- The lab coasts are sterilized each day.
- Cindy is a lab technician in Harvard University.
research n.
careful study that is done to find and report new knowledge about something
- The lung cancer research lasted for three years.
research v.
to study (something) carefully
- The reporters are researching the background of this politician.
pour v.
to make a liquid or other substance flow out of or into a container by holding it at an angle:
- Tears poured down Rita's face when she discovered she had been fired.
- The waiter poured some coffee into my mug.
- The chef poured some syrup onto the pancakes.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140428baa2b7edd2cd93f132e46c3dd2756b74aabf3912c19173559dda291118eb045746d.wma
Monday, April 28, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME? (2)
Really!
Jeff doesn't spend that much time in front of a screen.
You would be astonished at how fast it all adds up.
Calculate all of his time on TV, computers, tablets and cellphones and see.
I guess so. But he's shown me several of the educational games on his tablet, so I'm not too worried.
He's learning things.
Yeah, but I doubt that your son plays educational games all the time.
I bet he's playing some violent video games, too.
Too much exposure to those can cause kids to become aggressive.
Well, Jeff's certainly not aggressive.
That's good.
Besides, screens really are the wave of the future.
Someday everything might be controlled by touching a screen.
So I think the earlier kids start, the more familiar they'll be with touchscreen technology.
It might even be an advantage in looking for a job someday.
We'll just have to wait and see about that.
I still think the key is to monitor our kids' screen use and encourage more outdoor activities.
Speaking of outdoor activities, Jeff's soccer game is about to end, so I've got to go.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Really?
really 感嘆詞
1. 真的呀，沒錯呀
Really! Jeff doesn't spend that much time in front of a screen.
2. 難以至信 (不相信的語氣)
Really! 有沒有搞錯啊？
Grammar Gym
to add up
to grow; to increase
- You would be astonished at how fast it all adds up.
- With all Henry has to do at the office and at home, it's no wonder he feels all that stress adding up.
- If you don't take care of your money problems soon, your bills and debt are going to add up.
to calculate the total of several numbers:
- We need to add up the amount from each receipt to see how much we spent.
Language Lab
astonish v.
to surprise someone very much [= amaze]
- The kid's talent in math astonished his teacher.
astonished adj.
very surprised about something [= amazed]
astonished by/at
- I was astonished at the customer service department's efficiency.
aggressive adj.
behaving in an angry, threatening way, as if you want to fight or attack someone:
- Jason becomes really aggressive when he drinks.
- These bulldogs are trained to be aggressive.
very determined to succeed or get what you want:
- The company is aggressive in the Asian market.
wave of the future n.
an idea, product, or movement that is viewed as representing forces or a trend that will inevitably prevail
- Hybrid cars are the wave of the future.
- Using robots in mass production is the wave of the future.
touchscreen n.
- Customers use a touchscreen to order their meals.
- The winner of the game show is decided by a touchscreen voting system.
Jeff doesn't spend that much time in front of a screen.
You would be astonished at how fast it all adds up.
Calculate all of his time on TV, computers, tablets and cellphones and see.
I guess so. But he's shown me several of the educational games on his tablet, so I'm not too worried.
He's learning things.
Yeah, but I doubt that your son plays educational games all the time.
I bet he's playing some violent video games, too.
Too much exposure to those can cause kids to become aggressive.
Well, Jeff's certainly not aggressive.
That's good.
Besides, screens really are the wave of the future.
Someday everything might be controlled by touching a screen.
So I think the earlier kids start, the more familiar they'll be with touchscreen technology.
It might even be an advantage in looking for a job someday.
We'll just have to wait and see about that.
I still think the key is to monitor our kids' screen use and encourage more outdoor activities.
Speaking of outdoor activities, Jeff's soccer game is about to end, so I've got to go.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Really?
really 感嘆詞
1. 真的呀，沒錯呀
Really! Jeff doesn't spend that much time in front of a screen.
2. 難以至信 (不相信的語氣)
Really! 有沒有搞錯啊？
Grammar Gym
to add up
to grow; to increase
- You would be astonished at how fast it all adds up.
- With all Henry has to do at the office and at home, it's no wonder he feels all that stress adding up.
- If you don't take care of your money problems soon, your bills and debt are going to add up.
to calculate the total of several numbers:
- We need to add up the amount from each receipt to see how much we spent.
Language Lab
astonish v.
to surprise someone very much [= amaze]
- The kid's talent in math astonished his teacher.
astonished adj.
very surprised about something [= amazed]
astonished by/at
- I was astonished at the customer service department's efficiency.
aggressive adj.
behaving in an angry, threatening way, as if you want to fight or attack someone:
- Jason becomes really aggressive when he drinks.
- These bulldogs are trained to be aggressive.
very determined to succeed or get what you want:
- The company is aggressive in the Asian market.
wave of the future n.
an idea, product, or movement that is viewed as representing forces or a trend that will inevitably prevail
- Hybrid cars are the wave of the future.
- Using robots in mass production is the wave of the future.
touchscreen n.
- Customers use a touchscreen to order their meals.
- The winner of the game show is decided by a touchscreen voting system.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME? (1)
Can kids have too much screen time?
Sean and Tim are having coffee.
Sorry, Tim. I need to check this text.
Oh, my son is sending me a reminder to pick him up after soccer practice.
How old is Jeff now?
He's 8.
And he has a cellphone?
Sure. How else is he going to keep in touch with us?
We got him a tablet computer for his birthday, too.
So how much screen time is he allowed every day?
As much as he wants! He's a good kid.
Don't you give him any limitations?
We just tell him when to turn everything off and go to bed.
What about your daughter Alice?
We limit her screen time to two hours a day.
We discourage too much media use.
Why? Face it, Tim.
Kids today need to know how to use computers.
But they need to do other things, too.
The more time kids spend with screens, the more likely they are to get fat or have behavior problems.
Come on! You've seen Jeff, and he is certainly not fat.
He gets plenty of exercise.
That's true. But believe it or not, most kids his age spend more than seven hours a day with screens.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Onomatopoeia 擬聲字
bark 狗叫聲
meow 喵
purr 貓很舒服發出的聲音
roar 獅子的吼聲
hiss 蛇的聲音
沒有生命的生物也有擬聲字:
beep 手機聲
Grammar Gym
believe it or not:
something is true and it doesn't matter whether the listener agrees with it or not
- But believe it or not, most kids his age spend more than seven hours a day with screens.
- You might think it's important to be number one in class, but believe it or not, it does not matter ten years down the road.
- Many people think bats are blind, but believe it or not, these animals can actually see.
Language Lab
reminder n.
something that makes you notice, remember, or think about something
- The monument is a reminder of the cruelty of war.
something, for example a letter, that reminds you to do something which you might have forgotten
- The bank sent me another reminder for my house payment.
tablet computer n.
- I bought a digital pen for my tablet computer.
- The tablet computer's memory is sufficient for ordinary users.
face it
(=used when saying something that is hard for someone to accept)
- Let's face it. I'll never be a great dancer.
- Face it! You can't get any loans from a bank in your condition.
behavior n. [uncountable]
the things that a person or animal does
- You need to apologize for your rude behavior.
- This professor is famous for his studies of the behavior of whales.
behave v.
to do things that are good, bad, sensible etc [= act]:
- Irene doesn't know how to behave in front of her boyfriend's parents.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140417baa34b04799291d88ed739215ac8b9f711b723043c3356b1c0f4f20bac8360f40db.wma
Sean and Tim are having coffee.
Sorry, Tim. I need to check this text.
Oh, my son is sending me a reminder to pick him up after soccer practice.
How old is Jeff now?
He's 8.
And he has a cellphone?
Sure. How else is he going to keep in touch with us?
We got him a tablet computer for his birthday, too.
So how much screen time is he allowed every day?
As much as he wants! He's a good kid.
Don't you give him any limitations?
We just tell him when to turn everything off and go to bed.
What about your daughter Alice?
We limit her screen time to two hours a day.
We discourage too much media use.
Why? Face it, Tim.
Kids today need to know how to use computers.
But they need to do other things, too.
The more time kids spend with screens, the more likely they are to get fat or have behavior problems.
Come on! You've seen Jeff, and he is certainly not fat.
He gets plenty of exercise.
That's true. But believe it or not, most kids his age spend more than seven hours a day with screens.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Onomatopoeia 擬聲字
bark 狗叫聲
meow 喵
purr 貓很舒服發出的聲音
roar 獅子的吼聲
hiss 蛇的聲音
沒有生命的生物也有擬聲字:
beep 手機聲
Grammar Gym
believe it or not:
something is true and it doesn't matter whether the listener agrees with it or not
- But believe it or not, most kids his age spend more than seven hours a day with screens.
- You might think it's important to be number one in class, but believe it or not, it does not matter ten years down the road.
- Many people think bats are blind, but believe it or not, these animals can actually see.
Language Lab
reminder n.
something that makes you notice, remember, or think about something
- The monument is a reminder of the cruelty of war.
something, for example a letter, that reminds you to do something which you might have forgotten
- The bank sent me another reminder for my house payment.
tablet computer n.
- I bought a digital pen for my tablet computer.
- The tablet computer's memory is sufficient for ordinary users.
face it
(=used when saying something that is hard for someone to accept)
- Let's face it. I'll never be a great dancer.
- Face it! You can't get any loans from a bank in your condition.
behavior n. [uncountable]
the things that a person or animal does
- You need to apologize for your rude behavior.
- This professor is famous for his studies of the behavior of whales.
behave v.
to do things that are good, bad, sensible etc [= act]:
- Irene doesn't know how to behave in front of her boyfriend's parents.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140417baa34b04799291d88ed739215ac8b9f711b723043c3356b1c0f4f20bac8360f40db.wma
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
RULERS OF THE SKY (3)
Montana Raptor Conservation Center
The modern world is a dangerous place for these magnificent birds. They can be hit by cars or injured in collisions with power lines. They can eat poisoned meat or ingest lead from hunters' guns. They can become tangled in wire or string. Thankfully, there are places like the Montana Raptor Conservation Center in Bozeman, Montana, where injured birds get a second chance at life and freedom. At the center, volunteers do their best to rehabilitate injured birds. Some die from their injuries, but around 32 percent are eventually released. Some spend a few weeks or months at the center, while others may need a year or more to recover.
An osprey that had her feathers singed from head to talons spent 15 months at the center. She flew away to freedom last September. The birds that cannot return to the wild continue to live at the center and become education birds. Teams of volunteers take the birds to schools and public gatherings to teach people about raptors and their habits.
The Montana Raptor Conservation Center's efforts keep these magnificent birds flying in the skies where they belong.
Grammar Gym
[subject] keeps [object] [doing something in a place].
- The Montana Raptor Conservation Center's efforts keep these magnificent birds flying in the skies where they belong.
- The church's afterschool program helps to keep kids focusing on their schoolwork and off the streets where they don't belong.
- The government funding keeps these single moms working at home where they not only earn a living but can also be with their children.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Power vs. Electricity
electricity 剛搬到新家可用這個字
- There is no electricity in the house.
power 日常生活中比較常用這個字
- power outage 停電
- Please turn off the power. 請把電關了
- Leave the power on. 不要關掉
- power company 電力公司
- power line 電線
Language Lab
collision n.
/kəˈlɪʒən/
an accident in which two or more people or vehicles hit each other while moving in different directions
- The collision of two trains caused a lot of casualties.
- The bumper of my car was dented in the collision.
a strong disagreement between two people or groups
- The movie showed the collision between two generations.
rehabilitate v. [re-再一次/ habi 居住]
to help someone to live a healthy, useful, or active life again after they have been seriously ill or in prison
- The team successfully rehabilitated this patient.
rehab (縮寫)
to make people think that someone or something is good again after a period when people had a bad opinion of them
a program for helping people who have problems with drugs, alcohol, etc.— often used after in or into
- The pop star is under treatment in a rehab center.
singe v.
/ˈsɪnʤ/
to burn the surface of something slightly, or to be burned slightly
- Eileen singed her dress by accident while she was ironing it.
- Angela got too close to the stove and singed her hair.
conservation n.
the protection of natural things such as animals, plants, forests etc, to prevent them being spoiled or destroyed [= preservation]
- The conservation area is only accessed by authorized persons.
- The organization is devoted to soil conservation. 致力放水土保持
conserve v.
to protect something and prevent it from changing or being damaged [= preserve]
- The people of this town put a lot of effort into conserving this old building.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140416baa65a5b54a3b80d139caedfb9a10dcf8cb9b34c212ce4bed53f676ce4aca5ec6dc.wma
The modern world is a dangerous place for these magnificent birds. They can be hit by cars or injured in collisions with power lines. They can eat poisoned meat or ingest lead from hunters' guns. They can become tangled in wire or string. Thankfully, there are places like the Montana Raptor Conservation Center in Bozeman, Montana, where injured birds get a second chance at life and freedom. At the center, volunteers do their best to rehabilitate injured birds. Some die from their injuries, but around 32 percent are eventually released. Some spend a few weeks or months at the center, while others may need a year or more to recover.
An osprey that had her feathers singed from head to talons spent 15 months at the center. She flew away to freedom last September. The birds that cannot return to the wild continue to live at the center and become education birds. Teams of volunteers take the birds to schools and public gatherings to teach people about raptors and their habits.
The Montana Raptor Conservation Center's efforts keep these magnificent birds flying in the skies where they belong.
Grammar Gym
[subject] keeps [object] [doing something in a place].
- The Montana Raptor Conservation Center's efforts keep these magnificent birds flying in the skies where they belong.
- The church's afterschool program helps to keep kids focusing on their schoolwork and off the streets where they don't belong.
- The government funding keeps these single moms working at home where they not only earn a living but can also be with their children.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Power vs. Electricity
electricity 剛搬到新家可用這個字
- There is no electricity in the house.
power 日常生活中比較常用這個字
- power outage 停電
- Please turn off the power. 請把電關了
- Leave the power on. 不要關掉
- power company 電力公司
- power line 電線
Language Lab
collision n.
/kəˈlɪʒən/
an accident in which two or more people or vehicles hit each other while moving in different directions
- The collision of two trains caused a lot of casualties.
- The bumper of my car was dented in the collision.
a strong disagreement between two people or groups
- The movie showed the collision between two generations.
rehabilitate v. [re-再一次/ habi 居住]
to help someone to live a healthy, useful, or active life again after they have been seriously ill or in prison
- The team successfully rehabilitated this patient.
rehab (縮寫)
to make people think that someone or something is good again after a period when people had a bad opinion of them
a program for helping people who have problems with drugs, alcohol, etc.— often used after in or into
- The pop star is under treatment in a rehab center.
singe v.
/ˈsɪnʤ/
to burn the surface of something slightly, or to be burned slightly
- Eileen singed her dress by accident while she was ironing it.
- Angela got too close to the stove and singed her hair.
conservation n.
the protection of natural things such as animals, plants, forests etc, to prevent them being spoiled or destroyed [= preservation]
- The conservation area is only accessed by authorized persons.
- The organization is devoted to soil conservation. 致力放水土保持
conserve v.
to protect something and prevent it from changing or being damaged [= preserve]
- The people of this town put a lot of effort into conserving this old building.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140416baa65a5b54a3b80d139caedfb9a10dcf8cb9b34c212ce4bed53f676ce4aca5ec6dc.wma
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
RULERS OF THE SKY (2)
All Shapes and Sizes
The approximately 420 species of birds of prey come in many sizes and shapes. The smallest falcon weighs just 28 grams, while the Andean condor weighs in at 13 kilograms and has a wingspan of more than three meters! Birds of prey, or raptors, can be found on every continent and in habitats from dense tropical jungles to icy mountainsides to hot, dry deserts.
These birds play an important role in the balance of nature. Without them, there would soon be too many animals for the amount of food available, and many animals would die of starvation.
Many raptors also help humans by eating the pests that destroy crops. The predators also eliminate sick animals that can spread disease. Birds of prey are excellent parents. Eagles carry egg shells and other debris away from their nests, so other predators cannot find their chicks. Eagles often return to the same nest year after year and just add a little more nesting material to it. The largest eagle nest found was about three meters wide, six meters tall and weighted more than 1814 kilograms!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Baby Animal Names
eaglet n.
a young eagle
elver n.
a young eel
chick n.
a baby bird; eagle chicks
calf n.
the baby of a cow, or of some other large animals, such as an elephant;
the young of various other large animals (such as the elephant or whale)
cub n.
the baby of a wild animal such as a lion or a bear;
a young animal that eats meat
puppy n.
a young dog
kitten n.
a young cat
piglet n.
a young pig
duckling n.
a young duck
bunny n.
a young rabbit;
a word for a rabbit, used especially by or to children
Grammar Gym
to come in many... and...
The approximately 420 species of birds of prey come in many sizes and shapes.
- Many people think chili peppers are all long and red; but in reality, chili peppers come in all shapes and colors.
- Although trench coats started out as a long khaki color military coat, they now come in many colors and lengths.
Language Lab
approximately adv. [proxim字根-靠近]
an approximate number, amount, or time is close to the exact number, amount etc, but could be a little bit more or less than it [= rough; ≠ exact]
- Approximately 20,000 people went to the concert.
approximate adj.
almost correct or exact
- The approximate cost of the renovation of the house would be 100,000 dollars.
starvation n.
[noncount] : suffering or death caused by having nothing to eat or not enough to eat: the condition of someone who is starving
- The people in this area are threatened by starvation and disease.
starve v.
to suffer or die from lack of food: to suffer extreme hunger
- People are starving because of the drought.
- I'm starving. I need to get some food now.
apex n.
the top or highest part of something pointed or curved
predator n.
an animal that kills and eats other animals [↪ prey]
- Antelopes' speed can help them escape predators such as lions or tigers.
prey n. [singular,uncountable]
an animal, bird etc that is hunted and eaten by another animal [= predator]
- The eagle swooped down on its prey.
debris n. [uncountable]
/dəˈbriː/ s不發音
the pieces of something that are left after it has been destroyed in an accident, explosion etc:
- Debris from the aircraft was found in various places.
- After the bombing, pieces of debris were scattered everywhere.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140415baa91437fe05fd69533badda48c7680168e46ad3404d63917e8fa26ab380cc8a98b.wma
The approximately 420 species of birds of prey come in many sizes and shapes. The smallest falcon weighs just 28 grams, while the Andean condor weighs in at 13 kilograms and has a wingspan of more than three meters! Birds of prey, or raptors, can be found on every continent and in habitats from dense tropical jungles to icy mountainsides to hot, dry deserts.
These birds play an important role in the balance of nature. Without them, there would soon be too many animals for the amount of food available, and many animals would die of starvation.
Many raptors also help humans by eating the pests that destroy crops. The predators also eliminate sick animals that can spread disease. Birds of prey are excellent parents. Eagles carry egg shells and other debris away from their nests, so other predators cannot find their chicks. Eagles often return to the same nest year after year and just add a little more nesting material to it. The largest eagle nest found was about three meters wide, six meters tall and weighted more than 1814 kilograms!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Baby Animal Names
eaglet n.
a young eagle
elver n.
a young eel
chick n.
a baby bird; eagle chicks
calf n.
the baby of a cow, or of some other large animals, such as an elephant;
the young of various other large animals (such as the elephant or whale)
cub n.
the baby of a wild animal such as a lion or a bear;
a young animal that eats meat
puppy n.
a young dog
kitten n.
a young cat
piglet n.
a young pig
duckling n.
a young duck
bunny n.
a young rabbit;
a word for a rabbit, used especially by or to children
Grammar Gym
to come in many... and...
The approximately 420 species of birds of prey come in many sizes and shapes.
- Many people think chili peppers are all long and red; but in reality, chili peppers come in all shapes and colors.
- Although trench coats started out as a long khaki color military coat, they now come in many colors and lengths.
Language Lab
approximately adv. [proxim字根-靠近]
an approximate number, amount, or time is close to the exact number, amount etc, but could be a little bit more or less than it [= rough; ≠ exact]
- Approximately 20,000 people went to the concert.
approximate adj.
almost correct or exact
- The approximate cost of the renovation of the house would be 100,000 dollars.
starvation n.
[noncount] : suffering or death caused by having nothing to eat or not enough to eat: the condition of someone who is starving
- The people in this area are threatened by starvation and disease.
starve v.
to suffer or die from lack of food: to suffer extreme hunger
- People are starving because of the drought.
- I'm starving. I need to get some food now.
apex n.
the top or highest part of something pointed or curved
predator n.
an animal that kills and eats other animals [↪ prey]
- Antelopes' speed can help them escape predators such as lions or tigers.
prey n. [singular,uncountable]
an animal, bird etc that is hunted and eaten by another animal [= predator]
- The eagle swooped down on its prey.
debris n. [uncountable]
/dəˈbriː/ s不發音
the pieces of something that are left after it has been destroyed in an accident, explosion etc:
- Debris from the aircraft was found in various places.
- After the bombing, pieces of debris were scattered everywhere.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140415baa91437fe05fd69533badda48c7680168e46ad3404d63917e8fa26ab380cc8a98b.wma
Monday, April 14, 2014
RULERS OF THE SKY (1)
The approximately 420 species of birds of prey come in many sizes and shapes.
There is something about a big and powerful eagles soaring in the sky that gives people a sense of wonder. Eagles, along with hawks and other birds of prey, have a well-deserved reputation for inspiring wonder. They are superb hunters, extremely skilled at taking live prey. Their keen eyesight is one of the reasons for this. It is up to eight times better than a human with the most acute eyesight.
A golden eagle can see a 46-centimeter rabbit from 3.22 kilometers away!
Once a bird spots its prey, it dives at speeds near 200 kilometers per hour in an attempt to snatch its meal.
America's national bird, the bald eagle, can plummet at speeds of up to 322 kilometers per hour. But in spite of the eagle's keen eyesight and extreme speed, only one out of 18 attempts to catch food succeeds. These birds have great strength, too. Eagles can fly with prey that weighs as much as they do. And harpy eagles have been known to carry away a small sheep. This bird's talons are as big as the claws of a grizzly bear!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Different Meanings of Live
1. live v. /ˈlɪv/
- He lives in Taipei.
2. live adj. /ˈlaɪv/
- live TV show; live music
3. live & alive
live 通常放名詞前面
- That farm sells live chickens.
alive 放在名詞的後面
- That farm's chicken's are alive.
本文講到老鷹 taking live prey,
意思就是捕捉活的臘物
Grammar Gym
There is something about...
- There is something about a big and powerful eagles soaring in the sky that gives people a sense of wonder.
- Even though the restaurant's food isn't so great, there is something about its atmosphere that makes people want to come back again.
- Although Lisa doesn't know Paul well enough, there is something about his personality that she finds attractive.
- Even though the movie was highly recommended, there was something about it that made me uncomfortable.
Language Lab
superb adj.
/sʊˈpɚb/
extremely good [= excellent]
- Maggie's superb acting impressed the audience.
- Claire is a superb financial consultant. She helps many companies cut their expenses.
acute adj.
acute senses such as hearing, taste, touch etc are very good and sensitive
- As a professional recording engineer, Peter has incredibly acute hearing.
an acute problem is very serious
- The food shortage at the area affected by the typhoon is acute.
plummet v.
to fall suddenly and quickly from a very high place
- The airplane suddenly exploded and plummeted to the ground.
- The company's stock price plummeted by 10 percent after the CEO announced his retirement.
talon n.
a sharp powerful curved nail on the feet of some birds that catch animals for food
- The raven grabbed its prey with sharp talons.
- The eagle can use its formidable talons to carry large animals while flying.
formidable adj.
very powerful or strong: deserving serious attention and respect
*RULERS OF THE SKY=征服天空的羽翼族
There is something about a big and powerful eagles soaring in the sky that gives people a sense of wonder. Eagles, along with hawks and other birds of prey, have a well-deserved reputation for inspiring wonder. They are superb hunters, extremely skilled at taking live prey. Their keen eyesight is one of the reasons for this. It is up to eight times better than a human with the most acute eyesight.
A golden eagle can see a 46-centimeter rabbit from 3.22 kilometers away!
Once a bird spots its prey, it dives at speeds near 200 kilometers per hour in an attempt to snatch its meal.
America's national bird, the bald eagle, can plummet at speeds of up to 322 kilometers per hour. But in spite of the eagle's keen eyesight and extreme speed, only one out of 18 attempts to catch food succeeds. These birds have great strength, too. Eagles can fly with prey that weighs as much as they do. And harpy eagles have been known to carry away a small sheep. This bird's talons are as big as the claws of a grizzly bear!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Different Meanings of Live
1. live v. /ˈlɪv/
- He lives in Taipei.
2. live adj. /ˈlaɪv/
- live TV show; live music
3. live & alive
live 通常放名詞前面
- That farm sells live chickens.
alive 放在名詞的後面
- That farm's chicken's are alive.
本文講到老鷹 taking live prey,
意思就是捕捉活的臘物
Grammar Gym
There is something about...
- There is something about a big and powerful eagles soaring in the sky that gives people a sense of wonder.
- Even though the restaurant's food isn't so great, there is something about its atmosphere that makes people want to come back again.
- Although Lisa doesn't know Paul well enough, there is something about his personality that she finds attractive.
- Even though the movie was highly recommended, there was something about it that made me uncomfortable.
Language Lab
superb adj.
/sʊˈpɚb/
extremely good [= excellent]
- Maggie's superb acting impressed the audience.
- Claire is a superb financial consultant. She helps many companies cut their expenses.
acute adj.
acute senses such as hearing, taste, touch etc are very good and sensitive
- As a professional recording engineer, Peter has incredibly acute hearing.
an acute problem is very serious
- The food shortage at the area affected by the typhoon is acute.
plummet v.
to fall suddenly and quickly from a very high place
- The airplane suddenly exploded and plummeted to the ground.
- The company's stock price plummeted by 10 percent after the CEO announced his retirement.
talon n.
a sharp powerful curved nail on the feet of some birds that catch animals for food
- The raven grabbed its prey with sharp talons.
- The eagle can use its formidable talons to carry large animals while flying.
formidable adj.
very powerful or strong: deserving serious attention and respect
*RULERS OF THE SKY=征服天空的羽翼族
Saturday, April 12, 2014
LET’S TAKE A POLL
Raise your hand if you believe that polls really reveal public opinion
Governments, businesses and journalists often look to polls to gain insight into public opinion. Not all polls are created equal, though. Only polls in which respondents are selected in a random sample can be considered scientific and, therefore, trustworthy. Meeting that standard allows a poll of 1,000 people to potentially represent the opinions of millions of citizens! Any poll in which respondents volunteer should be considered entertainment - not an accurate representation of public opinion.
Last June, major polling groups Gallup, Pew/Washington Post and CBS News asked the American public their opinion regarding the NSA's collection of phone calls and email messages. The results seemed to contradict each other a great deal. The Pew/Washington Post poll showed 56 percent approving of the NSA's action, while the GAllup poll showed 53 percent disapproving of that action. As journalist David Moore pointed out, one poll mentioned terrorism while another mentioned privacy concerns. Such variation in poll questions can affect respondents' thinking and lead to wildly different results. So remember, the public opinion revealed in polls may not always represent the masses!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What’s Your Proximity to English?
詢問民意時...
- Raise your hands if...
- Can I have a show of hands?
Grammar Gym
look to: to turn to or go to something with an expectation
- Governments, businesses and journalists often look to polls to gain insight into public opinion.
- Wendy looks to her grandmother for advice.
- John looked to his friends for support.
look at
- I am looking at my mother, and I see she is wearing a dress.
Language Lab
insight n.
a sudden clear understanding of something or part of something, especially a complicated situation or idea
insight into
- The article provides insight into the impact of media on teens.
- Traveling allows you to gain many cultural insights.
trustworthy adj.
someone who is trustworthy can be trusted and depended on [= dependable]
- Victor is a trustworthy guy. He always keeps his promises.
- The company's service has been trustworthy and reliable.
contradict v. [contra字首- 反對]
if one statement, story etc contradicts another, the facts in it are different so that both statements cannot be true:
- The witness's statement contradict the suspect's.
- Tom's actions often contradict his beliefs.
to disagree with something, especially by saying that the opposite is true:
- Lisa would never dare to contradict her parents.
terrorism n. [uncountable]
the use of violence such as bombing, shooting, or kidnapping to obtain political demands such as making a government do something:
- The country will take all kinds of actions to fight terrorism.
terrorist n. [countable]
someone who uses violence such as bombing, shooting etc to obtain political demands:
- Several terrorist were arrested by the police this morning.
Governments, businesses and journalists often look to polls to gain insight into public opinion. Not all polls are created equal, though. Only polls in which respondents are selected in a random sample can be considered scientific and, therefore, trustworthy. Meeting that standard allows a poll of 1,000 people to potentially represent the opinions of millions of citizens! Any poll in which respondents volunteer should be considered entertainment - not an accurate representation of public opinion.
Last June, major polling groups Gallup, Pew/Washington Post and CBS News asked the American public their opinion regarding the NSA's collection of phone calls and email messages. The results seemed to contradict each other a great deal. The Pew/Washington Post poll showed 56 percent approving of the NSA's action, while the GAllup poll showed 53 percent disapproving of that action. As journalist David Moore pointed out, one poll mentioned terrorism while another mentioned privacy concerns. Such variation in poll questions can affect respondents' thinking and lead to wildly different results. So remember, the public opinion revealed in polls may not always represent the masses!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What’s Your Proximity to English?
詢問民意時...
- Raise your hands if...
- Can I have a show of hands?
Grammar Gym
look to: to turn to or go to something with an expectation
- Governments, businesses and journalists often look to polls to gain insight into public opinion.
- Wendy looks to her grandmother for advice.
- John looked to his friends for support.
look at
- I am looking at my mother, and I see she is wearing a dress.
Language Lab
insight n.
a sudden clear understanding of something or part of something, especially a complicated situation or idea
insight into
- The article provides insight into the impact of media on teens.
- Traveling allows you to gain many cultural insights.
trustworthy adj.
someone who is trustworthy can be trusted and depended on [= dependable]
- Victor is a trustworthy guy. He always keeps his promises.
- The company's service has been trustworthy and reliable.
contradict v. [contra字首- 反對]
if one statement, story etc contradicts another, the facts in it are different so that both statements cannot be true:
- The witness's statement contradict the suspect's.
- Tom's actions often contradict his beliefs.
to disagree with something, especially by saying that the opposite is true:
- Lisa would never dare to contradict her parents.
terrorism n. [uncountable]
the use of violence such as bombing, shooting, or kidnapping to obtain political demands such as making a government do something:
- The country will take all kinds of actions to fight terrorism.
terrorist n. [countable]
someone who uses violence such as bombing, shooting etc to obtain political demands:
- Several terrorist were arrested by the police this morning.
Monday, March 31, 2014
CUTTING-EDGE CLOTHING
3-D printers are opening up new possibilities in the fashion world
Fashion's newest tool, 3-D printing, is expanding options for professionals and amateurs alike. People can design clothing on a computer, input someone's measurements and transmit the pattern to a 3-D printer. The printer lays down layers of material, and new, creative clothing takes shape.
Inspiring the fashion industry
As early as 2010, designers Iris Van Herpen was displaying 3-D printed dresses and shoes on fashion runways. And recently, Catherine Wales joined her. Her Project DNA collection features masks, accessories and clothing made of white nylon. Their exotic designs, like the technology that produced them, seem to have come out of science fiction.
Design your own
But professionals aren't the only ones designing 3-D printed clothing. The company Continuum allows anyone with an Internet connection to design dresses, shoes and bathing suits. The company then prints out the material according to the design, sews it together and sends the finished product to the customer.
3-D printed clothing is still quite expensive, and the technology to create it is still developing. But soon you might be creating - and wearing - your own fashion masterpieces. You may even buy a 3-D printer and create clothing in the comfort of your home. In the words of Continuum founder Mary Huang, "Everyone has access to creativity."
Grammar Gym
- You may even buy a 3-D printer and create clothing in the comfort of your home.
in the comfort of your home
- Would you rather go to a theater and enjoy a movie on a big screen or watch a DVD in the comfort of your home?
- Online shopping has grown popular because many people prefer looking and buying things in the comfort of their homes.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Amateurs and Professionals
Professionals 專業人士 / Amateurs 業餘人士
若要形容amateur,
可用not professional,
不要用unprofessional(有負面涵意)
Language Lab
transmit v.
to send (information, sound, etc.) in the form of electrical signals to a radio, television, computer, etc. [+ obj]
- The game was transmitted live all around the globe.
to give or pass (information, values, etc.) from one person to another
- Insects transmit many kinds of infectious diseases.
exotic adj.
something that is exotic seems unusual and interesting because it is related to a foreign country
- This Asian model's exotic looks made her very popular.
- The exotic cuisine served here is surprisingly tasty.
connection n.
a wire or piece of metal joining two parts of a machine or electrical system:
- The connection here is very weak. I can barely hear you.
when two or more things are joined together or when something is joined to a larger system or network
- Getting a connection to the electricity took longer than we expected.
masterpiece n.
a work of art, a piece of writing or music etc that is of very high quality or that is the best that a particular artist, writer etc has produced
- Many of Van Gogh's masterpieces are displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
- The "Mona Lisa" is Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140331baae2bb0f66e4128937bb5d3cc34e40201ec7f3f2cae5fcea7176501fe0fd7286f0.wma
Fashion's newest tool, 3-D printing, is expanding options for professionals and amateurs alike. People can design clothing on a computer, input someone's measurements and transmit the pattern to a 3-D printer. The printer lays down layers of material, and new, creative clothing takes shape.
Inspiring the fashion industry
As early as 2010, designers Iris Van Herpen was displaying 3-D printed dresses and shoes on fashion runways. And recently, Catherine Wales joined her. Her Project DNA collection features masks, accessories and clothing made of white nylon. Their exotic designs, like the technology that produced them, seem to have come out of science fiction.
Design your own
But professionals aren't the only ones designing 3-D printed clothing. The company Continuum allows anyone with an Internet connection to design dresses, shoes and bathing suits. The company then prints out the material according to the design, sews it together and sends the finished product to the customer.
3-D printed clothing is still quite expensive, and the technology to create it is still developing. But soon you might be creating - and wearing - your own fashion masterpieces. You may even buy a 3-D printer and create clothing in the comfort of your home. In the words of Continuum founder Mary Huang, "Everyone has access to creativity."
Grammar Gym
- You may even buy a 3-D printer and create clothing in the comfort of your home.
in the comfort of your home
- Would you rather go to a theater and enjoy a movie on a big screen or watch a DVD in the comfort of your home?
- Online shopping has grown popular because many people prefer looking and buying things in the comfort of their homes.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Amateurs and Professionals
Professionals 專業人士 / Amateurs 業餘人士
若要形容amateur,
可用not professional,
不要用unprofessional(有負面涵意)
Language Lab
transmit v.
to send (information, sound, etc.) in the form of electrical signals to a radio, television, computer, etc. [+ obj]
- The game was transmitted live all around the globe.
to give or pass (information, values, etc.) from one person to another
- Insects transmit many kinds of infectious diseases.
exotic adj.
something that is exotic seems unusual and interesting because it is related to a foreign country
- This Asian model's exotic looks made her very popular.
- The exotic cuisine served here is surprisingly tasty.
connection n.
a wire or piece of metal joining two parts of a machine or electrical system:
- The connection here is very weak. I can barely hear you.
when two or more things are joined together or when something is joined to a larger system or network
- Getting a connection to the electricity took longer than we expected.
masterpiece n.
a work of art, a piece of writing or music etc that is of very high quality or that is the best that a particular artist, writer etc has produced
- Many of Van Gogh's masterpieces are displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
- The "Mona Lisa" is Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140331baae2bb0f66e4128937bb5d3cc34e40201ec7f3f2cae5fcea7176501fe0fd7286f0.wma
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
DEPRESSION PART 3: WALKING OUT OF DARKNESS
Daily steps on the road to healing
At one point, the shadow of depression hung over me almost constantly. My moments of happiness became fewer and fewer. Finally, I decided to seek help.
I began meeting with a counselor regularly. She helped me realize that negative thoughts and wrong interpretations of people's words and actions added to my depression. For example, if someone refused an invitation for me, I wrongly assumed they didn't really like me. Once I recognized these wrong ideas, I could stop them.
Managing depression
Editor's Summary
Today, our writer gives us some good tips for managing depression.
With the help of her counselor, she realized that she was making some wrong assumptions, and she should look carefully at things.
More tips, she gives, are to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Go on and do things even if you don't feel like it.
Share your feelings with someone you trust and focus on your successes and not your failures.
These are just a few of the tips to offer hope in this kind of situation.
Grammar Gym
[Something 1] and [something 2] added to [something else].
added to = made something better or worse
... negative thoughts and wrong interpretations of people's words and actions added to my depression.
- Sara's boss' criticisms and her coworkers' lack of support added to her dissatisfaction with her work.
- The balloons and lively music added to the party atmosphere.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Diet and Dieting
diet n. 飲食
the food that a person or animal usually eats [count]
- You should watch your diet.
- eat a healthy diet 攝取健康的飲食
go on a diet 節食
the kind and amount of food that a person eats for a certain reason (such as to improve health or to lose weight) [noncount]
- I should probably go on a diet.
diet v.節食
- A lot of people have to diet to stay slim.
Language Lab
hang over someone or something
hang over [phrasal verb]
hang over (someone) : to be a threat or danger to (someone) : to cause (someone) to feel worried or guilty
- A sense of hopelessness hung over the town.
- Uncertainty hung over the staff. Many felt that they were going to get fired.
interpretation n.
the act or result of explaining or interpreting something : the way something is explained or understood [count]
- There are many different interpretations of the sudden resignation of the mayor.
[count] : a particular way of performing something
- The actor's unique interpretation of this character won a lot of praise.
interfere v.
[no obj] : to become involved in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted
interfere with [phrasal verb]
1 interfere with (something) : to stop or slow (something) : to make (something) slower or more difficult
2 interfere with (someone) Brit : to touch (a child) in a sexual and improper way
- Charles went to the library so that nothing would interfere with studying.
- Linda never interferes in her son't love life.
accomplishment n.
[count] : something done, achieved, or accomplished successfully
- As a director, finishing this documentary is quite an accomplishment.
a sense of accomplishment
- The project was extremely difficult, but the sense of accomplishment is huge.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140319baa8a5159c87467c0c5da4096288d9eb7d0db91c757402822c14ff1e3ba9ad5b923.wma
At one point, the shadow of depression hung over me almost constantly. My moments of happiness became fewer and fewer. Finally, I decided to seek help.
I began meeting with a counselor regularly. She helped me realize that negative thoughts and wrong interpretations of people's words and actions added to my depression. For example, if someone refused an invitation for me, I wrongly assumed they didn't really like me. Once I recognized these wrong ideas, I could stop them.
Managing depression
- Physical health affects your mood, so eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Choose an enjoyable exercise that won't increase your stress.
- Get enough sleep. If you depression interferes with sleep, go to bed and get up at regular times, and limit your caffeine consumption.
- Participate in activities, even when you don't feel like it. This will take your mind off your depression and give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Share your feelings with someone you trust.
- Have realistic expectations for yourself. Focus on your successes, not on mistakes or problems.
Editor's Summary
Today, our writer gives us some good tips for managing depression.
With the help of her counselor, she realized that she was making some wrong assumptions, and she should look carefully at things.
More tips, she gives, are to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Go on and do things even if you don't feel like it.
Share your feelings with someone you trust and focus on your successes and not your failures.
These are just a few of the tips to offer hope in this kind of situation.
Grammar Gym
[Something 1] and [something 2] added to [something else].
added to = made something better or worse
... negative thoughts and wrong interpretations of people's words and actions added to my depression.
- Sara's boss' criticisms and her coworkers' lack of support added to her dissatisfaction with her work.
- The balloons and lively music added to the party atmosphere.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Diet and Dieting
diet n. 飲食
the food that a person or animal usually eats [count]
- You should watch your diet.
- eat a healthy diet 攝取健康的飲食
go on a diet 節食
the kind and amount of food that a person eats for a certain reason (such as to improve health or to lose weight) [noncount]
- I should probably go on a diet.
diet v.節食
- A lot of people have to diet to stay slim.
Language Lab
hang over someone or something
hang over [phrasal verb]
hang over (someone) : to be a threat or danger to (someone) : to cause (someone) to feel worried or guilty
- A sense of hopelessness hung over the town.
- Uncertainty hung over the staff. Many felt that they were going to get fired.
interpretation n.
the act or result of explaining or interpreting something : the way something is explained or understood [count]
- There are many different interpretations of the sudden resignation of the mayor.
[count] : a particular way of performing something
- The actor's unique interpretation of this character won a lot of praise.
interfere v.
[no obj] : to become involved in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted
interfere with [phrasal verb]
1 interfere with (something) : to stop or slow (something) : to make (something) slower or more difficult
2 interfere with (someone) Brit : to touch (a child) in a sexual and improper way
- Charles went to the library so that nothing would interfere with studying.
- Linda never interferes in her son't love life.
accomplishment n.
[count] : something done, achieved, or accomplished successfully
- As a director, finishing this documentary is quite an accomplishment.
a sense of accomplishment
- The project was extremely difficult, but the sense of accomplishment is huge.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140319baa8a5159c87467c0c5da4096288d9eb7d0db91c757402822c14ff1e3ba9ad5b923.wma
Thursday, March 13, 2014
SAVED BY THE QUEEN (1)
The Jewish people celebrate Queen Esther’s bravery every year
What makes a great story? Drama, power, romance and conflict can all be elements. And the story is even better when it's true. The Jewish festival of Purim celebrates just such a story.
Around 470 B.C., King Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, Ester, a Jew, was his queen, and Ester's cousin Mordecai served as a government official. A selfish man named Haman was second in command.
Language Lab
empire n.
a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one goverment ; especially : a group of countries ruled by an emperor or empress
- The Roman Empire 羅馬帝國
- The defeat caused the breakup of the empire.
a very large business or group of businesses under the control of one person or company
- The used-to-be media empire is now facing bankruptcy.
serve as
serve as someone
to spend a period of time doing useful work or official duties for an organization, country, important person etc
- For five years, Peterson served as the general manager of the industry.
serve as something
to have a particular effect or result
- Their family room also serves as their office.
What makes a great story? Drama, power, romance and conflict can all be elements. And the story is even better when it's true. The Jewish festival of Purim celebrates just such a story.
Around 470 B.C., King Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, Ester, a Jew, was his queen, and Ester's cousin Mordecai served as a government official. A selfish man named Haman was second in command.
Language Lab
empire n.
a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one goverment ; especially : a group of countries ruled by an emperor or empress
- The Roman Empire 羅馬帝國
- The defeat caused the breakup of the empire.
a very large business or group of businesses under the control of one person or company
- The used-to-be media empire is now facing bankruptcy.
serve as
serve as someone
to spend a period of time doing useful work or official duties for an organization, country, important person etc
- For five years, Peterson served as the general manager of the industry.
serve as something
to have a particular effect or result
- Their family room also serves as their office.
FOOD REMEDIES
Find solutions for your problems in certain foods and drinks
We eat to satisfy our hunger and to provide necessary nutrition for our body, but there are other reasons to reach for particular foods. Research shows that there are times when certain foods may provide possible solutions for various problems.
When you can't sleep:
Try a few almonds for a late-night snack. Almonds contain magnesium, an essential nutrient that helps relax the muscles and promote sleep.
When you have bad breath:
Drink a cup of black, green or oolong tea, which contains a compound that stops the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath.
When you feel irritable:
Reach for a chocolate bar! Chocolate makes most people happy, not only because it tastes good, but also because it increases the production of serotonin, which affects peoples moods.
When you have joint pain:
East strawberries, oranges or other foods loaded with Vitamin C. Eating two oranges daily gives you 120 milligrams of Vitamin C, which may help slow the wear and tear on your joints.
When you don't have much energy:
Drink ample amounts of water. When you don't drink enough water, oxygen and nutrients can't reach your brain in an efficient manner, leaving you tired and less able to concentrate.
The next time you have a problem remember to check your kitchen first for a solution.
Editor's Summary
In today's lesson, we see that besides giving us nutrition, certain foods may help with some problems we may be having.
For example, eat some almonds if you can't sleep.
Or, if you're feeling irritable, have chocolate.
And did you know that if you feel like you're running out of energy, maybe a glass of water is just the thing.
There are various kinds of nutrients in foods that help different conditions.
So, check it out.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Distinguishing Between Can and Can’t
其實很多美國人在說can't的時候, 根本沒有把字尾的 t 講出來,
分辨can & can't 的技巧有以下二點:
1. 美國人說can的時候, 其實是讀成 /kən/ 而不是/kæn/
2. 用重音去分別, 如果是說否定時, 重音都會特別加重 can't /ˈkænt/
Grammar Gym
wear and tear
the kind of damage that happens to a thing when that thing is being used a lot
- Eating two oranges daily gives you 120 milligrams of Vitamin C, which may help slow the wear and tear on your joints.
- After seeing the wear and tear on his shoes, Scott knew he needed higher quality shoes.
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee got some counseling after they realized there was some emotional wear and tear in their relationship.
Language Lab
nutrition n.
[noncount] : the process of eating the right kind of food so you can grow properly and be healthy
- Plants absorb nutrition from the soil.
- Good nutrition is essential for children's growth.
nutrient n. [count]
a substance that plants, animals, and people need to live and grow
- The soil is rich in all kinds of nutrients.
compound n.
something that is formed by combining two or more parts ; especially technical : a substance created when the atoms of two or more chemical elements join together
- Water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.
- Nitrogen compounds in the fertilizer help plants grow faster.
irritable adj.
becoming angry or annoyed easily
- Ted gets irritable when he's hungry.
- The passengers became irritable after waiting two hours for the delayed flight.
irritate v.
to make (someone) impatient, angry, or annoyed
- Don't irritate Mandy; she's been really fussy today.
ample adj.
/ˈæmpəl/
having or providing enough or more than enough of what is needed
- There's ample room for another suitcase in the trunk.
- The mall provides ample parking for its customers.
- There's ample time for us to review before the exam.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140313baa76b9392f58022df4ffd486d7882100e44ab18736a90cf87e4d882fefb1775146.wma
We eat to satisfy our hunger and to provide necessary nutrition for our body, but there are other reasons to reach for particular foods. Research shows that there are times when certain foods may provide possible solutions for various problems.
When you can't sleep:
Try a few almonds for a late-night snack. Almonds contain magnesium, an essential nutrient that helps relax the muscles and promote sleep.
When you have bad breath:
Drink a cup of black, green or oolong tea, which contains a compound that stops the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath.
When you feel irritable:
Reach for a chocolate bar! Chocolate makes most people happy, not only because it tastes good, but also because it increases the production of serotonin, which affects peoples moods.
When you have joint pain:
East strawberries, oranges or other foods loaded with Vitamin C. Eating two oranges daily gives you 120 milligrams of Vitamin C, which may help slow the wear and tear on your joints.
When you don't have much energy:
Drink ample amounts of water. When you don't drink enough water, oxygen and nutrients can't reach your brain in an efficient manner, leaving you tired and less able to concentrate.
The next time you have a problem remember to check your kitchen first for a solution.
Editor's Summary
In today's lesson, we see that besides giving us nutrition, certain foods may help with some problems we may be having.
For example, eat some almonds if you can't sleep.
Or, if you're feeling irritable, have chocolate.
And did you know that if you feel like you're running out of energy, maybe a glass of water is just the thing.
There are various kinds of nutrients in foods that help different conditions.
So, check it out.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Distinguishing Between Can and Can’t
其實很多美國人在說can't的時候, 根本沒有把字尾的 t 講出來,
分辨can & can't 的技巧有以下二點:
1. 美國人說can的時候, 其實是讀成 /kən/ 而不是/kæn/
2. 用重音去分別, 如果是說否定時, 重音都會特別加重 can't /ˈkænt/
Grammar Gym
wear and tear
the kind of damage that happens to a thing when that thing is being used a lot
- Eating two oranges daily gives you 120 milligrams of Vitamin C, which may help slow the wear and tear on your joints.
- After seeing the wear and tear on his shoes, Scott knew he needed higher quality shoes.
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee got some counseling after they realized there was some emotional wear and tear in their relationship.
Language Lab
nutrition n.
[noncount] : the process of eating the right kind of food so you can grow properly and be healthy
- Plants absorb nutrition from the soil.
- Good nutrition is essential for children's growth.
nutrient n. [count]
a substance that plants, animals, and people need to live and grow
- The soil is rich in all kinds of nutrients.
compound n.
something that is formed by combining two or more parts ; especially technical : a substance created when the atoms of two or more chemical elements join together
- Water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.
- Nitrogen compounds in the fertilizer help plants grow faster.
irritable adj.
becoming angry or annoyed easily
- Ted gets irritable when he's hungry.
- The passengers became irritable after waiting two hours for the delayed flight.
irritate v.
to make (someone) impatient, angry, or annoyed
- Don't irritate Mandy; she's been really fussy today.
ample adj.
/ˈæmpəl/
having or providing enough or more than enough of what is needed
- There's ample room for another suitcase in the trunk.
- The mall provides ample parking for its customers.
- There's ample time for us to review before the exam.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140313baa76b9392f58022df4ffd486d7882100e44ab18736a90cf87e4d882fefb1775146.wma
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
WHAT A ZOO! (3)
Mr. Fox's office was so small that there was not enough room to swing a cat. Quiet as a mouse, Robin dug through the desk while Jay waited by the door. Finally Robin found the real book of business expenses. Just then Mr. Fox came through the door. The children frozen, "What are you doing?" shouted Mr. Fox. "Give me that." "When pigs fly!" Robin answered.
Mr. Fox moved toward her, and Robin realized she couldn't get past him. She was a sitting duck.
"Catch!" she yelled and threw the book to Jay. He ran toward the front door with Mr. Fox right behind. Just then Jay ran straight into his parents, who had just gotten home. Their parents looked through the book and discovered Mr. Fox's theft. They dismissed him from his position and hired Arthur again. Arthur was a skilled manager who eventually became top dog at the company. The zoo prospered thanks to him, Robin and Jay.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Animal Idioms
1. the bird
- killing two birds with one stone. 一石二鳥
2. chicken
- Don't be a chicken. 別做個膽小的人!
- Don't chicken out! 害怕而臨陣逃跑!
3. cat
- Don't be a copycat. Be original. 做自己不要學別人!
4. crocodile
- shed crocodile tears. 假哭 (類似中文的貓哭耗子假慈悲)
Grammar Gym
Just then Mr. Fox came through the door.
Just then.
at that moment that was mentioned.
- I'm sorry. I didn't pay attention to what you were saying. I was distracted just then.
- It's embarrassing to spill coffee on yourself and having your boss walk into your office just then.
Language Lab
expenses n.
[count] : an amount of money that must be spent especially regularly to pay for something
- The speaker's fare and hotel expenses were paid by the conference.
[noncount] : the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something
- The computer system was renewed at great expense.
freeze v. froze frozen
to stop moving : to become completely still
- The thief froze when he was caught by the police.
- Franks's smile suddenly froze when he saw his rival.
dismiss v.
to decide not to think about or consider (something or someone)
- Ellen was dismissed from her position for a series of huge mistakes.
- Josie claims that she was unfairly dismissed because of her age.
to send (someone) away : to cause or allow (someone) to leave
- Class was dismissed at 4 p.m.
prosper v.
to become very successful usually by making a lot of money
- Online shopping companies continue to prosper even in times of recession.
prosperity n.
the state of being successful usually by making a lot of money
- I wish you longevity and prosperity.
Mr. Fox moved toward her, and Robin realized she couldn't get past him. She was a sitting duck.
"Catch!" she yelled and threw the book to Jay. He ran toward the front door with Mr. Fox right behind. Just then Jay ran straight into his parents, who had just gotten home. Their parents looked through the book and discovered Mr. Fox's theft. They dismissed him from his position and hired Arthur again. Arthur was a skilled manager who eventually became top dog at the company. The zoo prospered thanks to him, Robin and Jay.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Animal Idioms
1. the bird
- killing two birds with one stone. 一石二鳥
2. chicken
- Don't be a chicken. 別做個膽小的人!
- Don't chicken out! 害怕而臨陣逃跑!
3. cat
- Don't be a copycat. Be original. 做自己不要學別人!
4. crocodile
- shed crocodile tears. 假哭 (類似中文的貓哭耗子假慈悲)
Grammar Gym
Just then Mr. Fox came through the door.
Just then.
at that moment that was mentioned.
- I'm sorry. I didn't pay attention to what you were saying. I was distracted just then.
- It's embarrassing to spill coffee on yourself and having your boss walk into your office just then.
Language Lab
expenses n.
[count] : an amount of money that must be spent especially regularly to pay for something
- The speaker's fare and hotel expenses were paid by the conference.
[noncount] : the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something
- The computer system was renewed at great expense.
freeze v. froze frozen
to stop moving : to become completely still
- The thief froze when he was caught by the police.
- Franks's smile suddenly froze when he saw his rival.
dismiss v.
to decide not to think about or consider (something or someone)
- Ellen was dismissed from her position for a series of huge mistakes.
- Josie claims that she was unfairly dismissed because of her age.
to send (someone) away : to cause or allow (someone) to leave
- Class was dismissed at 4 p.m.
prosper v.
to become very successful usually by making a lot of money
- Online shopping companies continue to prosper even in times of recession.
prosperity n.
the state of being successful usually by making a lot of money
- I wish you longevity and prosperity.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
WHAT A ZOO! (2)
Robin and Jay ran into the park. They soon found Gwen sitting on the arm of their cousin Arthur. He'd attached a leash to her leg, so she wouldn't fly away. Arthur was the family's black sheep. He used to work at the zoo, but the manager, Mr. Fox, had complained about him. Mr. Fox had accused Arthur of stealing money. The was the straw that broke the camel's back. Arthur was fired.
Arthur greeted the children happily and agreed to return the bird to them - on one condition. He claimed that Mr. Fox was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mr. Fox was keeping the lion's share of the zoo's profits for himself. When Arthur discovered this, Mr. Fox got him fired. He had shown Robin's parents a fake account book. Arthur wanted them to find the real one and show it to their parents.
The children agreed, went home and put Gwen back in her cage.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Is an Animal a He or a She?
動物要用it 還是he/she,
是要看是野生動物還是人所飼養的寵物,
1. 野生動物用it,
- Look at that squirrel. It's so cute.
2. 人所飼養的動物用 he/she
在公園看到別人的寵物, 要用:
- What a cute dog! How old is he?
若用it 形容別的寵物, 是不禮貌的
Grammar Gym
When Arthur discovered this, Mr. Fox got him fired.
to get [someone] [verb]
- Mr. Walters got his car washed at the gas station.
- Wanda got her nails painted at the salon.
Language Lab
leash n.
a long, thin piece of rope, chain, etc., that is used for holding a dog or other animal
- Annie always puts her dog on a leash when she walks it.
- The dog strained at the leash trying to chase after a cat.
leash v.
to put (a dog or other animal) on a leash
- Patrick leashed his dog to a pole.
accuse v.
to blame (someone) for something wrong or illegal : to say that someone is guilty of a fault or crime
— often + of
- Eric was accused of cheating by his classmates.
accusation n.
a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal : a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime [count]
- The governor denied the accusation that he had received bribes.
condition n.
the situation in which people live or work, especially the physical things that affect the quality of their lives
- The company agreed to refund our purchase under the condition that we pay for the shipment.
on one condition
something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen
- I can lend you my car on one condition - that you return it by tomorrow noon.
profit n.
money that is made in a business, through investing, etc., after all the costs and expenses are paid : a financial gain [count]
- The company's net profits rose 20 percent last year.
- Grace sold her house at a huge profit.
Arthur greeted the children happily and agreed to return the bird to them - on one condition. He claimed that Mr. Fox was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mr. Fox was keeping the lion's share of the zoo's profits for himself. When Arthur discovered this, Mr. Fox got him fired. He had shown Robin's parents a fake account book. Arthur wanted them to find the real one and show it to their parents.
The children agreed, went home and put Gwen back in her cage.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Is an Animal a He or a She?
動物要用it 還是he/she,
是要看是野生動物還是人所飼養的寵物,
1. 野生動物用it,
- Look at that squirrel. It's so cute.
2. 人所飼養的動物用 he/she
在公園看到別人的寵物, 要用:
- What a cute dog! How old is he?
若用it 形容別的寵物, 是不禮貌的
Grammar Gym
When Arthur discovered this, Mr. Fox got him fired.
to get [someone] [verb]
- Mr. Walters got his car washed at the gas station.
- Wanda got her nails painted at the salon.
Language Lab
leash n.
a long, thin piece of rope, chain, etc., that is used for holding a dog or other animal
- Annie always puts her dog on a leash when she walks it.
- The dog strained at the leash trying to chase after a cat.
leash v.
to put (a dog or other animal) on a leash
- Patrick leashed his dog to a pole.
accuse v.
to blame (someone) for something wrong or illegal : to say that someone is guilty of a fault or crime
— often + of
- Eric was accused of cheating by his classmates.
accusation n.
a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal : a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime [count]
- The governor denied the accusation that he had received bribes.
condition n.
the situation in which people live or work, especially the physical things that affect the quality of their lives
- The company agreed to refund our purchase under the condition that we pay for the shipment.
on one condition
something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen
- I can lend you my car on one condition - that you return it by tomorrow noon.
profit n.
money that is made in a business, through investing, etc., after all the costs and expenses are paid : a financial gain [count]
- The company's net profits rose 20 percent last year.
- Grace sold her house at a huge profit.
Monday, March 10, 2014
WHAT A ZOO! (1)
When you live at a zoo, life can get a bit wild
Robin thought her parents had the best job in the world. They ran a zoo. Robin and her little brother, Jay, loved the animals - especially Gwen the parrot. Sometimes the zoo staff let them play with Gwen, but only when an adult was around. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
One day the zoo was closed, and the entire staff was gone including their parents. Jay wanted to take Gwen out to play.
Robin hesitated but eventually agreed. When the cat's away, the mice will play! The children took the key from the office and opened Gwen's cage. The parrot took off and flew out the zoo! The kids ran after her.
"Don't worry. She has to stop sometime," Jay said hopefully. But Robin thought they were on a wild goose chase. Compared to Gwen, the kids were moving at snail's pace. But they kept her in sight until she flew into a park.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sometime vs. Sometimes
sometimes 偶爾
sometime 未來或過去的某個時刻
some time 好一段時間了
Grammar Gym
But they kept her in sight until she flew into a park.
[subject]... keep(s) [something]... in sight until... [a situation happens].
To keep something in sight
to keep one's eyes on something
to continue watching something so one doesn't lose it.
- Donald kept his cellphone in sight until he went to bed.
- After calling 911, Mrs. Lawson kept the man in sight until the police showed up.
Language Lab
staff n.
a group of people who work for an organization or business [count]
- The accounting department has a staff of five people.
- The ground staff of the airline is friendly and helpful.
- Nathan joined our marketing staff just last month.
more fun than a barrel of moneys
- We went on many rides at Disneyland. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
take off [phrasal verb]
to begin to fly; to suddenly go somewhere
- The helicopter is ready to take off.
- We finally took off at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Hong Kong at 12:30.
- Vince isn't in the office; he just took off for a meeting.
hopefully adv.
in a hopeful manner
- The little boy stood hopefully beside the Christmas tree waiting to open his present.
it is hoped : I hope : we hope
- Hopefully, we can reach our monthly quota next week.
Robin thought her parents had the best job in the world. They ran a zoo. Robin and her little brother, Jay, loved the animals - especially Gwen the parrot. Sometimes the zoo staff let them play with Gwen, but only when an adult was around. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
One day the zoo was closed, and the entire staff was gone including their parents. Jay wanted to take Gwen out to play.
Robin hesitated but eventually agreed. When the cat's away, the mice will play! The children took the key from the office and opened Gwen's cage. The parrot took off and flew out the zoo! The kids ran after her.
"Don't worry. She has to stop sometime," Jay said hopefully. But Robin thought they were on a wild goose chase. Compared to Gwen, the kids were moving at snail's pace. But they kept her in sight until she flew into a park.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sometime vs. Sometimes
sometimes 偶爾
sometime 未來或過去的某個時刻
some time 好一段時間了
Grammar Gym
But they kept her in sight until she flew into a park.
[subject]... keep(s) [something]... in sight until... [a situation happens].
To keep something in sight
to keep one's eyes on something
to continue watching something so one doesn't lose it.
- Donald kept his cellphone in sight until he went to bed.
- After calling 911, Mrs. Lawson kept the man in sight until the police showed up.
Language Lab
staff n.
a group of people who work for an organization or business [count]
- The accounting department has a staff of five people.
- The ground staff of the airline is friendly and helpful.
- Nathan joined our marketing staff just last month.
more fun than a barrel of moneys
- We went on many rides at Disneyland. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
take off [phrasal verb]
to begin to fly; to suddenly go somewhere
- The helicopter is ready to take off.
- We finally took off at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Hong Kong at 12:30.
- Vince isn't in the office; he just took off for a meeting.
hopefully adv.
in a hopeful manner
- The little boy stood hopefully beside the Christmas tree waiting to open his present.
it is hoped : I hope : we hope
- Hopefully, we can reach our monthly quota next week.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
THE 2014 WINTER PARALYMPICS
The Olympics may be over, but don’t put your flags down yet
The International Paralympic Committee welcomes you to Sochi, Russia, for the Paralympic Games. I'm sure there are questions, so let's get started with this informative meeting.
What does Paralympic mean?
Think of the word parallel mixed with the word Olympic - next to or with the Olympics. The Paralympics are competitions that take place after the Olympics but in the same location for athletes with disabilities.
What kind of disabilities do the athletes have?
Some athletes have lost limbs due to illness or injury, and others have poor vision.
Paralympic athletes may also be affected by several other disabilities, such as muscle or mental issues. That's why three of our five sports are divided into standing, sitting, and vision-challenged categories. I recommend that you try to watch a little of each category.
How do these categories affect the events?
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event. For the other two categories, special sit skis are used for sitting events, and guides lead vision-challenged athletes. Ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling are only open to athletes with lower-body disabilities.
Editor's Summary
Today, we have been talking about the Paralympics in Sochi Russia, the same location as the Olympics last month.
What does Paralympics really mean?
Well, parallel, to be along side of, the Olympics.
This is the Olympics for disabled people.
And the disabilities are varied.
Some people have lost limbs while others may not see very well or have mental or muscle problems.
There are three categories for the five sports in the Paralympics.
Those categories include standing, sitting, and vision-challenged.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Politically Correct
p. c. 政治正確
vision-challenged = blind
[too far] vertically challenged = short
Grammar Gym
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event.
... look(s) like ... that you won't know...
- This restaurant's soy cheese burgers look so much like regular cheese burgers that you won't know you're eating a vegetarian dish.
- These hidden cameras look so much like stones in a garden that you won't know you're being watched as you walk around them.
Language Lab
parallel adj.
/ˈperəˌlɛl/
very similar and often happening at the same time
- Parallel statements were announced by both companies.
— used to describe lines, paths, etc., that are the same distance apart along their whole length and do not touch at any point
- The canal runs parallel to Main Street.
disability n.
a condition (such as an illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental abilities
- The program is aimed to help people with serious physical disabilities.
disabled adj.
having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc
- The girl was born physically disabled.
issue n.
problems or concerns
- The main issue in this school is the curriculum.
- Money is not the issue, the right people is.
something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic
- The mayor expressed his personal view on the controversial issue.
category n.
a group of people or things that are similar in some way
- The files were sorted into five categories.
- Teen fashion is a separate category in the designer's collection.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140307baad62c321ed10ed78d86c13d43a26993a6bdfe83b451e315fd8bd51f3e245fbf41.wma
The International Paralympic Committee welcomes you to Sochi, Russia, for the Paralympic Games. I'm sure there are questions, so let's get started with this informative meeting.
What does Paralympic mean?
Think of the word parallel mixed with the word Olympic - next to or with the Olympics. The Paralympics are competitions that take place after the Olympics but in the same location for athletes with disabilities.
What kind of disabilities do the athletes have?
Some athletes have lost limbs due to illness or injury, and others have poor vision.
Paralympic athletes may also be affected by several other disabilities, such as muscle or mental issues. That's why three of our five sports are divided into standing, sitting, and vision-challenged categories. I recommend that you try to watch a little of each category.
How do these categories affect the events?
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event. For the other two categories, special sit skis are used for sitting events, and guides lead vision-challenged athletes. Ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling are only open to athletes with lower-body disabilities.
Editor's Summary
Today, we have been talking about the Paralympics in Sochi Russia, the same location as the Olympics last month.
What does Paralympics really mean?
Well, parallel, to be along side of, the Olympics.
This is the Olympics for disabled people.
And the disabilities are varied.
Some people have lost limbs while others may not see very well or have mental or muscle problems.
There are three categories for the five sports in the Paralympics.
Those categories include standing, sitting, and vision-challenged.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Politically Correct
p. c. 政治正確
vision-challenged = blind
[too far] vertically challenged = short
Grammar Gym
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event.
... look(s) like ... that you won't know...
- This restaurant's soy cheese burgers look so much like regular cheese burgers that you won't know you're eating a vegetarian dish.
- These hidden cameras look so much like stones in a garden that you won't know you're being watched as you walk around them.
Language Lab
parallel adj.
/ˈperəˌlɛl/
very similar and often happening at the same time
- Parallel statements were announced by both companies.
— used to describe lines, paths, etc., that are the same distance apart along their whole length and do not touch at any point
- The canal runs parallel to Main Street.
disability n.
a condition (such as an illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental abilities
- The program is aimed to help people with serious physical disabilities.
disabled adj.
having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc
- The girl was born physically disabled.
issue n.
problems or concerns
- The main issue in this school is the curriculum.
- Money is not the issue, the right people is.
something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic
- The mayor expressed his personal view on the controversial issue.
category n.
a group of people or things that are similar in some way
- The files were sorted into five categories.
- Teen fashion is a separate category in the designer's collection.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140307baad62c321ed10ed78d86c13d43a26993a6bdfe83b451e315fd8bd51f3e245fbf41.wma
Thursday, March 6, 2014
ARIANA GRANDE (2)
Making time for others
Even with Ariana's busy schedule, she finds time to care for others. When she was 10, she helped start a youth singing group called Kids Who Care. The group raises funds for charities, and in 2007, they raised over US$500,000. In 2009, Ariana traveled to South Africa, where she performed and taught music to sick children.
Ariana's fans love her kind and friendly manner, and she appreciates them. She stays in regular contact with more than 10 million Twitter followers and over 7.5 million Instagram followers. Ariana also has millions of Facebook likes.
Staying sweet
Many young artists allow fame to change them in a negative way. But not Ariana. She recently told Rolling Stone magazine, "I don't feel much pressure to fit in. I have really good friends and good family. And if I don't fit in somewhere else, I fit in at home."
With that kind of attitude, Ariana's star will shine brightly for years to come.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What Is Charity?
charitable organization 慈善機構
charity 慈善行為
faith, hope and charity 信望愛
charity begins at home 先愛家人才能幫助他人
Grammar Gym
Even with Ariana's busy schedule, she finds time to care for others.
Even with..., [subject] finds time to...
- Even with three part-time jobs, Joseph finds time to do his homework.
- Even with her three little children to look after, Melody finds time to bake a cake every day.
Language Lab
fund n.
- The program was terminated because of insufficient funds.
raise fund
- These high school kids are holding a car wash to raise funds for charity.
appreciate v.
to be grateful for (something)
- I really appreciate your hospitality.
- Your support is much appreciated.
to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone)
- Not many people appreciate this kind of music.
fame n.
[noncount] : the condition of being known or recognized by many people
- Tom's singing career brought him frame and riches.
- Sherry moved to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune.
famous adj.
known or recognized by very many people : having fame
- Fans gathered around the famous actor asking for his autograph.
pressure n.
the weight or force that is produced when something presses or pushes against something else [noncount]
- Athletes are under a great deal of pressure during the competitions.
- Add pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
Even with Ariana's busy schedule, she finds time to care for others. When she was 10, she helped start a youth singing group called Kids Who Care. The group raises funds for charities, and in 2007, they raised over US$500,000. In 2009, Ariana traveled to South Africa, where she performed and taught music to sick children.
Ariana's fans love her kind and friendly manner, and she appreciates them. She stays in regular contact with more than 10 million Twitter followers and over 7.5 million Instagram followers. Ariana also has millions of Facebook likes.
Staying sweet
Many young artists allow fame to change them in a negative way. But not Ariana. She recently told Rolling Stone magazine, "I don't feel much pressure to fit in. I have really good friends and good family. And if I don't fit in somewhere else, I fit in at home."
With that kind of attitude, Ariana's star will shine brightly for years to come.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What Is Charity?
charitable organization 慈善機構
charity 慈善行為
faith, hope and charity 信望愛
charity begins at home 先愛家人才能幫助他人
Grammar Gym
Even with Ariana's busy schedule, she finds time to care for others.
Even with..., [subject] finds time to...
- Even with three part-time jobs, Joseph finds time to do his homework.
- Even with her three little children to look after, Melody finds time to bake a cake every day.
Language Lab
fund n.
- The program was terminated because of insufficient funds.
raise fund
- These high school kids are holding a car wash to raise funds for charity.
appreciate v.
to be grateful for (something)
- I really appreciate your hospitality.
- Your support is much appreciated.
to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone)
- Not many people appreciate this kind of music.
fame n.
[noncount] : the condition of being known or recognized by many people
- Tom's singing career brought him frame and riches.
- Sherry moved to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune.
famous adj.
known or recognized by very many people : having fame
- Fans gathered around the famous actor asking for his autograph.
pressure n.
the weight or force that is produced when something presses or pushes against something else [noncount]
- Athletes are under a great deal of pressure during the competitions.
- Add pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
[draft] ARIANA GRANDE (1)
This sweet young star greets challenges with a smile on her face
Some compare Ariana Grande to Whitney Houston, while others call her the new Mariah Carey. But the talented young artist is not letting all of the praise go to her head. This happy 20-year-old is too busy singing, acting, writing songs and producing music.
Music plays a major role
That's a long list of activities for someone so young. But Ariana has been performing as long as she can remember. She grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and started singing and acting in local community theaters.
"I was 8 years old when I started," says Ariana, " and then I just never stopped,... I've always loved music,... It's my passion." It wasn't too long before Ariana's passion turned into a career opportunity. At age 14,
Grammar Gym
someone so young = someone who is so young
- That's a long list of activities for someone so young.
- We were surprised to hear about the new secretary's huge workload. That's just too much wrok for someone so new.
- You seem strangely relaxed for someone so busy with deadlines.
Language Lab
talented adj.
having a special ability to do something well : having talent
- This talented pianist won many international awards before she was 18.
talent n.
a special ability that allows someone to do something well [noncount]
- Both of Chelsea's sons have a talent for art.
go to one's head
to make you believe that you are better than other people
- Mark's sudden fame didn't go to his head because he's got great parents.
- Henry didn't let his success and wealth go to his head. He's still very down to earth.
Some compare Ariana Grande to Whitney Houston, while others call her the new Mariah Carey. But the talented young artist is not letting all of the praise go to her head. This happy 20-year-old is too busy singing, acting, writing songs and producing music.
Music plays a major role
That's a long list of activities for someone so young. But Ariana has been performing as long as she can remember. She grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and started singing and acting in local community theaters.
"I was 8 years old when I started," says Ariana, " and then I just never stopped,... I've always loved music,... It's my passion." It wasn't too long before Ariana's passion turned into a career opportunity. At age 14,
Grammar Gym
someone so young = someone who is so young
- That's a long list of activities for someone so young.
- We were surprised to hear about the new secretary's huge workload. That's just too much wrok for someone so new.
- You seem strangely relaxed for someone so busy with deadlines.
Language Lab
talented adj.
having a special ability to do something well : having talent
- This talented pianist won many international awards before she was 18.
talent n.
a special ability that allows someone to do something well [noncount]
- Both of Chelsea's sons have a talent for art.
go to one's head
to make you believe that you are better than other people
- Mark's sudden fame didn't go to his head because he's got great parents.
- Henry didn't let his success and wealth go to his head. He's still very down to earth.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
A NEW VIEW OF LEADERS (2)
Leaders deserve the credit for their team's success.
When a company achieves great success, its CEO is usually the person who receives media attention. But without the hard work of teammates behind the scenes, that success wouldn't have happened. The best leaders recognize people that deserve praise and share the spotlight with them.
Leaders should maintain a flawless public image.
Leaders can be good at giving the impression that they're perfect. In today's business environment, however, there's pressure for authenticity among leaders. They need to be genuine and admit their mistakes. This allows them to build trust more easily with staff members. While leaders should avoid disclosing overly personal details, they should also set an example in terms of being real.
Leaders should be confident and never express doubt.
Ask any leader who's been in the trenches, and he or shoe will tell you about missed deadlines, failed products and customer complaints. So when a plan gets made, it's better to ask, "Can we do this?" before boldly promising, "We can do it!" Leaders who raise questions may be more helpful than those who insist on acting confident.
Anyone who wants to be a leader should consider seeing the role in a new light!
Grammar Gym
But without [something]..., ... [a situation] wouldn't have happened.
- But without the hard work of teammates behind the scenes, that success wouldn't have happened.
- But without the watchful care of the hospital staff, Sara's recovery wouldn't have happened so quickly.
- But without the diligence and dedication of everyone on our team, winning first place wouldn't have happened.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: DE-creasing Your Vocabulary?
有些口頭禪會損壞我們的形象,
例如:
um... 這個語助詞會讓人覺得你無法準確的用字;
另外, 少講 I can't. 聽起來是像在拒絕= I won't.
還有不要說buzzwords,
像innovative 創新, 其實一點也不創新
Language Lab
spotlight n.
public attention or notice
- Tina loves to be in the spotlight. She craves attention.
- The governor is in the spotlight because of the scandal.
authenticity n.[noncount]
/ˌɑ:ˌθɛnˈtɪsəti/
true and accurate
- The authenticity of the painting is questionable.
authentic adj.
/əˈθɛntɪk/
real or genuine
- The manuscripts are authentic.
confident adj.
having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something : having confidence
- The model is confident and radiant on stage.
- We are confident in your ability to solve this problem.
- Alex feels quite confident about sharing his feeling with his wife.
trench n.
a long, narrow hole that is dug in the ground
- The sides of the trench suddenly collapsed, and many workers were injured.
- The soldiers hid in the trench to avoid the gunfire.
- The trench warfare lasted for hours.
the trenches : a place or situation in which people do very difficult work
When a company achieves great success, its CEO is usually the person who receives media attention. But without the hard work of teammates behind the scenes, that success wouldn't have happened. The best leaders recognize people that deserve praise and share the spotlight with them.
Leaders should maintain a flawless public image.
Leaders can be good at giving the impression that they're perfect. In today's business environment, however, there's pressure for authenticity among leaders. They need to be genuine and admit their mistakes. This allows them to build trust more easily with staff members. While leaders should avoid disclosing overly personal details, they should also set an example in terms of being real.
Leaders should be confident and never express doubt.
Ask any leader who's been in the trenches, and he or shoe will tell you about missed deadlines, failed products and customer complaints. So when a plan gets made, it's better to ask, "Can we do this?" before boldly promising, "We can do it!" Leaders who raise questions may be more helpful than those who insist on acting confident.
Anyone who wants to be a leader should consider seeing the role in a new light!
Grammar Gym
But without [something]..., ... [a situation] wouldn't have happened.
- But without the hard work of teammates behind the scenes, that success wouldn't have happened.
- But without the watchful care of the hospital staff, Sara's recovery wouldn't have happened so quickly.
- But without the diligence and dedication of everyone on our team, winning first place wouldn't have happened.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: DE-creasing Your Vocabulary?
有些口頭禪會損壞我們的形象,
例如:
um... 這個語助詞會讓人覺得你無法準確的用字;
另外, 少講 I can't. 聽起來是像在拒絕= I won't.
還有不要說buzzwords,
像innovative 創新, 其實一點也不創新
Language Lab
spotlight n.
public attention or notice
- Tina loves to be in the spotlight. She craves attention.
- The governor is in the spotlight because of the scandal.
authenticity n.[noncount]
/ˌɑ:ˌθɛnˈtɪsəti/
true and accurate
- The authenticity of the painting is questionable.
authentic adj.
/əˈθɛntɪk/
real or genuine
- The manuscripts are authentic.
confident adj.
having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something : having confidence
- The model is confident and radiant on stage.
- We are confident in your ability to solve this problem.
- Alex feels quite confident about sharing his feeling with his wife.
trench n.
a long, narrow hole that is dug in the ground
- The sides of the trench suddenly collapsed, and many workers were injured.
- The soldiers hid in the trench to avoid the gunfire.
- The trench warfare lasted for hours.
the trenches : a place or situation in which people do very difficult work
Monday, March 3, 2014
A NEW VIEW OF LEADERS (1)
Becoming a better leader in business and in life
Many people have assumptions of what business leaders should be like. They might picture good leaders as being tough and confident people who can make quick decisions. While it may be true that leadership requires taking charge, other important leadership qualities aren't so obvious. The following are some assumptions about leaders and their behavior that could use some adjustment.
What leaders have to say is important
Well, yes, that is clearly true. However, if leaders dominate every discussion and never listen to their teammates, they shouldn't expect their colleagues to say motivated for long.
Good leaders have the ability to listen closely, regardless of teammates' positions in the company.
Leaders' goals should come first.
Without a doubt, leaders have personal goals such as building a professional identity or gaining status within an industry. But when leaders narrow-mindedly pursue such goals, they fail to encourage the success of their teammates. If real leadership is about making other people better, then leaders should spend as much energy supporting teammates as much energy supporting teammates as they do pursuing their own personal goals.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Do We Need More Letters in the Alphabet?
古時候的英文, 根本就沒有 Q & U
quick 早期在英格蘭是拼 cwic, 後來在西元1066年, 才將法國的qu引進英格蘭,
qu組合取代了原本的cw
其實英文有許多不規則的發音, 但是沒有字母可以面確表達,
像手錶watch 字尾的ch就是一個例子
Language Lab
assumption n.
something that is believed to be true or probably true but that is not known to be true : something that is assumed
- The prediction is based on the assumption that oil prices will continue to rise.
- People's assumptions are that movie stars are always glamorous and wealthy.
take charge
- Greg was assigned to take charge of the marketing department.
be verb + in charge of something
- Sandra is in charge of this case.
regardless adv.
in spite of difficulty, trouble, etc. : without being stopped by difficulty, trouble, etc.
regard n.
care or concern for someone or something — often + for or to
regardless of : without being stopped or affected by (something)
- The rule applies to everyone regardless of their age, race or gender.
- Regardless of the community's opposition, the expressway was built.
narrow-mindedly adv.
- The company narrow-mindedly closed their Asian branch.
narrow-minded adj.
not willing to accept opinions, beliefs, or behaviors that are unusual or different from your own
- This narrow-minded manager is not open to other people's opinions.
Many people have assumptions of what business leaders should be like. They might picture good leaders as being tough and confident people who can make quick decisions. While it may be true that leadership requires taking charge, other important leadership qualities aren't so obvious. The following are some assumptions about leaders and their behavior that could use some adjustment.
What leaders have to say is important
Well, yes, that is clearly true. However, if leaders dominate every discussion and never listen to their teammates, they shouldn't expect their colleagues to say motivated for long.
Good leaders have the ability to listen closely, regardless of teammates' positions in the company.
Leaders' goals should come first.
Without a doubt, leaders have personal goals such as building a professional identity or gaining status within an industry. But when leaders narrow-mindedly pursue such goals, they fail to encourage the success of their teammates. If real leadership is about making other people better, then leaders should spend as much energy supporting teammates as much energy supporting teammates as they do pursuing their own personal goals.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Do We Need More Letters in the Alphabet?
古時候的英文, 根本就沒有 Q & U
quick 早期在英格蘭是拼 cwic, 後來在西元1066年, 才將法國的qu引進英格蘭,
qu組合取代了原本的cw
其實英文有許多不規則的發音, 但是沒有字母可以面確表達,
像手錶watch 字尾的ch就是一個例子
Language Lab
assumption n.
something that is believed to be true or probably true but that is not known to be true : something that is assumed
- The prediction is based on the assumption that oil prices will continue to rise.
- People's assumptions are that movie stars are always glamorous and wealthy.
take charge
- Greg was assigned to take charge of the marketing department.
be verb + in charge of something
- Sandra is in charge of this case.
regardless adv.
in spite of difficulty, trouble, etc. : without being stopped by difficulty, trouble, etc.
regard n.
care or concern for someone or something — often + for or to
regardless of : without being stopped or affected by (something)
- The rule applies to everyone regardless of their age, race or gender.
- Regardless of the community's opposition, the expressway was built.
narrow-mindedly adv.
- The company narrow-mindedly closed their Asian branch.
narrow-minded adj.
not willing to accept opinions, beliefs, or behaviors that are unusual or different from your own
- This narrow-minded manager is not open to other people's opinions.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Super Junior’s Kyuhyun (1)
The miracle of a second life
Standing on his tiptoes, little Kyu lifted the Christmas stocking that his daddy had bought him to hang on the bedpost. The little boy then went to sleep with a lingering smile. He knew that it would be stuffed with his favorite goodies the next morning.
He continued the same ritual on Christmas Eve into his late childhood. But a pair of pants had replaced the stocking as a resourceful way to get more gifts.
tiptoe n.
if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes, in order to make yourself taller or in order to walk very quietly
- Little Olivia stood on her tiptoes trying to see through the peephole.
tiptoe v.
to walk quietly and carefully on your toes, so that nobody hears you
- Linda sneaked out of bed and tiptoed to the door.
linger v.
to continue to exist, be noticeable etc for longer than is usual or desirable
- The scent of the lady's perfume lingered in the room even after she left.
to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do not want to leave
- Patrick loves to linger in this cafe till ate at night.
lingering adj.
continuing to exist for longer than usual or desirable
Standing on his tiptoes, little Kyu lifted the Christmas stocking that his daddy had bought him to hang on the bedpost. The little boy then went to sleep with a lingering smile. He knew that it would be stuffed with his favorite goodies the next morning.
He continued the same ritual on Christmas Eve into his late childhood. But a pair of pants had replaced the stocking as a resourceful way to get more gifts.
tiptoe n.
if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes, in order to make yourself taller or in order to walk very quietly
- Little Olivia stood on her tiptoes trying to see through the peephole.
tiptoe v.
to walk quietly and carefully on your toes, so that nobody hears you
- Linda sneaked out of bed and tiptoed to the door.
linger v.
to continue to exist, be noticeable etc for longer than is usual or desirable
- The scent of the lady's perfume lingered in the room even after she left.
to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do not want to leave
- Patrick loves to linger in this cafe till ate at night.
lingering adj.
continuing to exist for longer than usual or desirable
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Super Sports, Super Fan! (2)
After foot ball season, "March Madness" begins. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) tournament begins with 68 men's college basketball teams. They play until the field is reduced to the "Final Four."
The winning team becomes the national champion. The NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game is also held in February. The best players from all the teams play in this game. Baseball is no doubt American's national sport. From grandpas to young kids, whole families go to ball games together.
They wear their favorite team's caps or even carry their mascot. Our family went to watch Wang Chien-Ming play in D.C. once. We ate hot dogs, waved flags and sang during the 7th inning stretch. If you're not a sports fan yet, come and pick a sport or a team. Go to a ball game with your family, and cheer your team on. Sports are definitely a part of American culture one should not miss.
Editor's Summary
And in March, we see that March Madness begins, basketball.
March Madness means everyone is watching college basketball.
And this is after watching the All-Star basketball game, played by professionals.
And you can't forget baseball.
It's called America's national sport by many.
Pauline and her family went to a game once to see Wang Chien-Ming play.
It was a family experience.
Sports are popular in the states, and Pauline's descriptions are very very accurate.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Superstitious Athletes
有許多的職業運動員都非常的迷信,
例如, never step on the foul line 因為會帶來 bad luck
Grammar Gym
from grandpas to young kids
- From grandpas to young kids, whole families go to ball games together.
From [type 1] to [type 2]
- From large English sheepdogs to tiny Chihuahuas, all kinds of dogs could be seen at the dog show.
- From thick slices of roast beef to delicate little pastries, our choices at the buffet were amazing.
Language Lab
athletic adj.
relating to athletics
- The intense training really strengthened the trainees' athletic ability.
physically strong and good at sport
- Larry looks very athletic even though he's over 60.
athlete n.
someone who competes in sports competitions, especially running, jumping, and throwing
- Charles is a natural athlete.
no doubt
without doubt or with very little doubt — used when you are making a statement that you think is certainly or almost certainly true
- Claire is no doubt the most popular girl in our high school.
- There's no doubt about Nick's ability to manage the company.
mascot n.
/ˈmæˌskɑ:t/
a person, animal, or object used as a symbol to represent a group (such as a sports team) and to bring good luck
- Our school's mascot is a brown bear.
- The "friendlies" were the mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games.
definitely adv.
without doubt : in a way that is certain or clear
- Sharing the office with another company will definitely lower our costs.
definite adj.
said or done in a such way that others know exactly what you mean
- Can you give me a definite date for your payment?
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140225baa14d1f014cfee3ddb943e45d1b93142a54b3de5fa55d60f81dd2df397001f2440.wma
The winning team becomes the national champion. The NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game is also held in February. The best players from all the teams play in this game. Baseball is no doubt American's national sport. From grandpas to young kids, whole families go to ball games together.
They wear their favorite team's caps or even carry their mascot. Our family went to watch Wang Chien-Ming play in D.C. once. We ate hot dogs, waved flags and sang during the 7th inning stretch. If you're not a sports fan yet, come and pick a sport or a team. Go to a ball game with your family, and cheer your team on. Sports are definitely a part of American culture one should not miss.
Editor's Summary
And in March, we see that March Madness begins, basketball.
March Madness means everyone is watching college basketball.
And this is after watching the All-Star basketball game, played by professionals.
And you can't forget baseball.
It's called America's national sport by many.
Pauline and her family went to a game once to see Wang Chien-Ming play.
It was a family experience.
Sports are popular in the states, and Pauline's descriptions are very very accurate.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Superstitious Athletes
有許多的職業運動員都非常的迷信,
例如, never step on the foul line 因為會帶來 bad luck
Grammar Gym
from grandpas to young kids
- From grandpas to young kids, whole families go to ball games together.
From [type 1] to [type 2]
- From large English sheepdogs to tiny Chihuahuas, all kinds of dogs could be seen at the dog show.
- From thick slices of roast beef to delicate little pastries, our choices at the buffet were amazing.
Language Lab
athletic adj.
relating to athletics
- The intense training really strengthened the trainees' athletic ability.
physically strong and good at sport
- Larry looks very athletic even though he's over 60.
athlete n.
someone who competes in sports competitions, especially running, jumping, and throwing
- Charles is a natural athlete.
no doubt
without doubt or with very little doubt — used when you are making a statement that you think is certainly or almost certainly true
- Claire is no doubt the most popular girl in our high school.
- There's no doubt about Nick's ability to manage the company.
mascot n.
/ˈmæˌskɑ:t/
a person, animal, or object used as a symbol to represent a group (such as a sports team) and to bring good luck
- Our school's mascot is a brown bear.
- The "friendlies" were the mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games.
definitely adv.
without doubt : in a way that is certain or clear
- Sharing the office with another company will definitely lower our costs.
definite adj.
said or done in a such way that others know exactly what you mean
- Can you give me a definite date for your payment?
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140225baa14d1f014cfee3ddb943e45d1b93142a54b3de5fa55d60f81dd2df397001f2440.wma
Monday, February 24, 2014
Super Sports, Super Fan! (1)
So many sports to choose from
On "Super Bowl Sunday," millions of Americans are glued to their TVs. They are eating pizza, chicken wings and chips and cheering every move. They're watching the Super Bowl, the most popular American football game of the year.
Why are Americans so crazy about American football? Well, it is more exciting than other sports. One team can lose possession of the ball in a minute, which may allow their opponents to make a touchdown. Then that team may win the game unexpectedly!
The Super Bowl also entertains its audience with a great halftime show. The football field is turned into a stage. Then an impressive performance of dancing and singing with special effects occurs.
Since the Super Bowl is the most-watched TV program in America, commercial airtime is also very expensive. Big money is also spent on the commercials. They draw the viewers' attention and advertise their image or products during the commercial break.
Editor's Summary
It's February, and we see that Pauline wrote about America's favorite pastime, sports.
Her description of Super Bowl Sunday is very accurate.
People glued to their TVs, eating snacks and watching the Super Bowl, the World Series of football.
The two best teams are playing for the top honor.
The Super Bowl also provides great entertainment, with stars performing at halftime.
And the commercials are some of the best and funniest on TV.
Grammar Gym
glued: not willing to be apart from
- On "Super Bowl Sunday," millions of Americans are glued to their TVs.
- Betty is glued to her phone: She is always chatting with her friends.
- My dog is glued to its new toy. He is always carrying it around.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Football Widows
美國的美式足球開打時, 大部份的男生都會專注於比賽,
今天課文用 glued to the TV 黏在電視機前來形容美國人對美式足球的瘋狂,
當所有的男人都只花時間在他們支持的隊伍加油時,
他們的另一伴就像失去老公一樣, 像是足球寡婦
每年的八月到隔年的二月超級盃打完為止,
每個週末, 女生都會受到先先的冷若
好再現在有很多資源可以幫助很多夫婦渡過足球季
Language Lab
possession n.
the condition of having or owning something
- The bank is now entitled to possession of the house since the owner has failed to pay the mortgage.
[count] : something that is owned or possessed by someone
- Victor lost all his possessions during the earthquake.
touchdown n.
an act of moving the ball across the opposing team's goal line in American football
- When our school football team made a touchdown, everyone cheered.
the moment at which a plane or spacecraft lands
- The pilot made a perfect touchdown despite poor weather conditions.
entertain v.
to amuse or interest people in a way that gives them pleasure
- The parents of the birthday boy hired a clown to entertain the kids at the birthday party.
entertainment n.
things such as films, television, performances etc that are intended to amuse or interest people
- The cruise ship offers great family entertainment.
impressive adj.
something that is impressive makes you admire it because it is very good, large, important etc
- His impressive performance at the audition won him the role.
impress v.
to make someone feel admiration and respect:
- Brenda's speech at the awards ceremony impressed everyone present.
halftime vs. intermission
a short break between the parts of a performance (such as a play, movie, or concert)
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140224baae839f608ac242565680464be6a7e4843eeb4ddc9ba94cdb1f3b38bc8701b5c8c.wma
On "Super Bowl Sunday," millions of Americans are glued to their TVs. They are eating pizza, chicken wings and chips and cheering every move. They're watching the Super Bowl, the most popular American football game of the year.
Why are Americans so crazy about American football? Well, it is more exciting than other sports. One team can lose possession of the ball in a minute, which may allow their opponents to make a touchdown. Then that team may win the game unexpectedly!
The Super Bowl also entertains its audience with a great halftime show. The football field is turned into a stage. Then an impressive performance of dancing and singing with special effects occurs.
Since the Super Bowl is the most-watched TV program in America, commercial airtime is also very expensive. Big money is also spent on the commercials. They draw the viewers' attention and advertise their image or products during the commercial break.
Editor's Summary
It's February, and we see that Pauline wrote about America's favorite pastime, sports.
Her description of Super Bowl Sunday is very accurate.
People glued to their TVs, eating snacks and watching the Super Bowl, the World Series of football.
The two best teams are playing for the top honor.
The Super Bowl also provides great entertainment, with stars performing at halftime.
And the commercials are some of the best and funniest on TV.
Grammar Gym
glued: not willing to be apart from
- On "Super Bowl Sunday," millions of Americans are glued to their TVs.
- Betty is glued to her phone: She is always chatting with her friends.
- My dog is glued to its new toy. He is always carrying it around.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Football Widows
美國的美式足球開打時, 大部份的男生都會專注於比賽,
今天課文用 glued to the TV 黏在電視機前來形容美國人對美式足球的瘋狂,
當所有的男人都只花時間在他們支持的隊伍加油時,
他們的另一伴就像失去老公一樣, 像是足球寡婦
每年的八月到隔年的二月超級盃打完為止,
每個週末, 女生都會受到先先的冷若
好再現在有很多資源可以幫助很多夫婦渡過足球季
Language Lab
possession n.
the condition of having or owning something
- The bank is now entitled to possession of the house since the owner has failed to pay the mortgage.
[count] : something that is owned or possessed by someone
- Victor lost all his possessions during the earthquake.
touchdown n.
an act of moving the ball across the opposing team's goal line in American football
- When our school football team made a touchdown, everyone cheered.
the moment at which a plane or spacecraft lands
- The pilot made a perfect touchdown despite poor weather conditions.
entertain v.
to amuse or interest people in a way that gives them pleasure
- The parents of the birthday boy hired a clown to entertain the kids at the birthday party.
entertainment n.
things such as films, television, performances etc that are intended to amuse or interest people
- The cruise ship offers great family entertainment.
impressive adj.
something that is impressive makes you admire it because it is very good, large, important etc
- His impressive performance at the audition won him the role.
impress v.
to make someone feel admiration and respect:
- Brenda's speech at the awards ceremony impressed everyone present.
halftime vs. intermission
a short break between the parts of a performance (such as a play, movie, or concert)
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140224baae839f608ac242565680464be6a7e4843eeb4ddc9ba94cdb1f3b38bc8701b5c8c.wma
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Depression Part 2: Fighting the Darkness (2)
Treatments
The most common treatments for depression are therapy and medicine.
When I decided I needed professional help for my depression, therapy was my first choice. I met regularly with a counselor to discuss my depression. The kind of therapy I did focused mostly on thought patterns and actions. My counselor helped me see life more positively and realistically. She urged me to eat right, exercise and sleep enough.
Other types of therapy focus on past trauma or on relationships. A counselor may discuss troubling emotions, what triggers them and how to handle them productively.
Therapy is often effective for treating mild or moderate depression, but more extreme cases require medication. Drugs called antidepressants treat depression by changing a person's brain chemistry. They can often help severe depression, especially when combined with therapy. If you think you need antidepressants, talk to your doctor. If you begin taking them, watch for side effects, and tell your doctor if any new problems emerge.
Fighting depression takes time and effort, but the darkness does pass. Understanding the causes of depression and discerning the right strategy to defeat it are important steps toward healing.
Editor's Summary
So, what can you do if you feel depressed more than you think you should?
There is therapy with a counselor, who should help you look at thought patterns and actions in your life.
Some therapist focus on relationships or trauma and how to handle them.
In addition, at times, medication, or a combination of therapy and medication, helps.
Understanding what depression is and discerning the strategy to cope with it are very important steps in the healing process.
Grammar Gym
[something] is effective for ..., but more extreme cases require [something else]
- Therapy is often effective for treating mild or moderate depression, but more extreme cases require medication.
- Taking supplements is effective for treating minor health problems, but more extreme cases require a trip to the doctor's office.
- A combination of vinegar and baking soda is effective for treating a slow drain, but more extreme cases require a strong cleaner or even a plumber.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Synonyms and Connotation
Synonym 同義字真的同義嗎？
medicine/drugs
extreme/severe
每個字都有自已的connotation 含義,
一個字都有他的背景, 歷史, 上下文情感上的反應,
flabby 不結實/ chubby 胖嘟嘟/ strong 強壯
Language Lab
counselor n.
someone whose job is to help and support people with problems
- After a year of meeting her counselor on a weekly basis, Martha is now a healthy, happy girl.
- David and Tina decided to see a marriage counselor to mend their relationship.
mend [= fix]
productively adv.
resulting in: productive of good results
- Theo spends too much time playing online games. He should use his time more productively.
productive adj.
producing or achieving a lot
medication n.
medicine or drugs given to people who are ill
- Sara is taking medication for high blood pressure.
- Gina's on medication because of her heart condition.
discern v.
/dɪˈsɚn/
to notice or understand something by thinking about it carefully
- Scientists are trying to discern the cause of this phenomenon.
- You can easily discern the coldness in her attitude.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140222baa1aefdc86a5940735d1034df02d099127d4cf75e4cb209cd09b572cea41cee927.wma
The most common treatments for depression are therapy and medicine.
When I decided I needed professional help for my depression, therapy was my first choice. I met regularly with a counselor to discuss my depression. The kind of therapy I did focused mostly on thought patterns and actions. My counselor helped me see life more positively and realistically. She urged me to eat right, exercise and sleep enough.
Other types of therapy focus on past trauma or on relationships. A counselor may discuss troubling emotions, what triggers them and how to handle them productively.
Therapy is often effective for treating mild or moderate depression, but more extreme cases require medication. Drugs called antidepressants treat depression by changing a person's brain chemistry. They can often help severe depression, especially when combined with therapy. If you think you need antidepressants, talk to your doctor. If you begin taking them, watch for side effects, and tell your doctor if any new problems emerge.
Fighting depression takes time and effort, but the darkness does pass. Understanding the causes of depression and discerning the right strategy to defeat it are important steps toward healing.
Editor's Summary
So, what can you do if you feel depressed more than you think you should?
There is therapy with a counselor, who should help you look at thought patterns and actions in your life.
Some therapist focus on relationships or trauma and how to handle them.
In addition, at times, medication, or a combination of therapy and medication, helps.
Understanding what depression is and discerning the strategy to cope with it are very important steps in the healing process.
Grammar Gym
[something] is effective for ..., but more extreme cases require [something else]
- Therapy is often effective for treating mild or moderate depression, but more extreme cases require medication.
- Taking supplements is effective for treating minor health problems, but more extreme cases require a trip to the doctor's office.
- A combination of vinegar and baking soda is effective for treating a slow drain, but more extreme cases require a strong cleaner or even a plumber.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Synonyms and Connotation
Synonym 同義字真的同義嗎？
medicine/drugs
extreme/severe
每個字都有自已的connotation 含義,
一個字都有他的背景, 歷史, 上下文情感上的反應,
flabby 不結實/ chubby 胖嘟嘟/ strong 強壯
Language Lab
counselor n.
someone whose job is to help and support people with problems
- After a year of meeting her counselor on a weekly basis, Martha is now a healthy, happy girl.
- David and Tina decided to see a marriage counselor to mend their relationship.
mend [= fix]
productively adv.
resulting in: productive of good results
- Theo spends too much time playing online games. He should use his time more productively.
productive adj.
producing or achieving a lot
medication n.
medicine or drugs given to people who are ill
- Sara is taking medication for high blood pressure.
- Gina's on medication because of her heart condition.
discern v.
/dɪˈsɚn/
to notice or understand something by thinking about it carefully
- Scientists are trying to discern the cause of this phenomenon.
- You can easily discern the coldness in her attitude.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140222baa1aefdc86a5940735d1034df02d099127d4cf75e4cb209cd09b572cea41cee927.wma
Depression Part 2: Fighting the Darkness (1)
Where does depression come from, and how is it conquered?
Depression affects people all over the world, replacing happiness with despair and emptiness. But there is hope! Understanding this disease's causes and treatments can put people on the road to healing.
Why me?
I struggled with depression for many years without knowing what triggered it. It was terrifying to be so miserable for no apparent reason. Many elements can contribute to depression, and several of them affected me.
Here are just a few:
Depression affects people all over the world, replacing happiness with despair and emptiness. But there is hope! Understanding this disease's causes and treatments can put people on the road to healing.
Why me?
I struggled with depression for many years without knowing what triggered it. It was terrifying to be so miserable for no apparent reason. Many elements can contribute to depression, and several of them affected me.
Here are just a few:
- Physical problems: Some illnesses and problems with hormones can cause depression.
Language Lab
despair n.
a feeling that you have no hope at all
- The people in this refugee camp live in despair and poverty.
這些難民營中的人們活在絕忘與貧困當中
- In despair, he stopped calling for help because he realized no one could hear him.
因為他發現沒有人會聽到他的聲音, 在絕忘中他停止了呼救
despair v.
to feel that there is no hope at all
- Even though Max got rejected many times at auditions, he never despaired.
雖然Max試鏡被拒絕很多次, 但他從來不絕忘
trigger v.
to make something happen very quickly, especially a series of events
- The quarrel between the couple triggered a serious conflict between their two families.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
A Love Story (3)
Luke ran toward the wallet, but Andrew got to it first. Andrew picked it up and started taking out some cash. Luke's heart stood still.
Luke gulped and said, "That's Emma's. Give it back."
Andrew said, "It's mine now."
"Give it back!" Luke repeated.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Andrew asked.
He shoved Luke and raised his fist.
Just then, Emma returned and exclaimed, "What are you doing?"
"None of your business!" Andrew snapped.
"Well, my wallet is my business. Please give it back." Emma said.
Andrew noticed a group of Emma's friends watching nearby, so he did.
Then Emma added, "By the way, I'm not impressed by your bad attitude."
Andrew looked furious but then seemed to have a change of heart.
He gave a weak smile, turned, and walked away.
Emma had seen Luke confront Andrew, and she thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
Luke took heart and asked "Do you want to see a movie tonight?"
Emma's smile seemed to fill the school, and she said, "I'd love to."
Editor's Summary
Andrew beat Luke to Emma's fallen wallet and began to take some money out.
So Luke gulped and told Andrew to give it back to her.
Andrew was getting ready to hit Luke when Emma appeared and asked Andrew what he thought he was doing.
She also told him to give her back her wallet.
And because a group of her friends were watching, there was nothing he could do but give it back and walk away.
Luke took heart when Emma thanked him because she had seen everything.
And then he asked her out.
Her reply? "I'd love to."
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Going Out On a Date Is Not Dating Someone
ask some out on a date 一個男生約一個心儀的對象去約會
但這不是表白, 不是指要不要當男女朋友,
那是更深入認識對方才會做的事,
當男女決定要交往才會go steady=固定的男女朋友,
固定交往也可以用see, date
但要用進行式,
Are you seeing anyone? No, I'm not dating anyone.
Language Lab
gulp v.
1 to swallow because of strong emotion (such as fear or shock) [no obj]
- Tommy gulped in fear when he saw the fire scene.
2 to eat or swallow (something) quickly or in large amounts
- Frank gulped down a whole glass of iced tea when he got home.
shove v.
to push (something) with force
- After a lot of pulling and shoving, we finally got the sofa into the apartment.
- Henry shoved his brother out of the way as he sprinted out of the house.
furious adj.
very angry
- Daniel was furious when he found out his son had cheated in school.
furious at/about
- Cindy was furious at the accusation attacking her character.
confront v.
to deal with (something, such as a problem or danger)
- The two candidates confronted one another regarding their economic policies.
- Becky decided to confront her stage fright and start practicing speaking in public.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140215baadef95a7923a098c5dcd6195c23155962e9dae65ac6b8cc351d0a244f2605d8f7.wma
Luke gulped and said, "That's Emma's. Give it back."
Andrew said, "It's mine now."
"Give it back!" Luke repeated.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Andrew asked.
He shoved Luke and raised his fist.
Just then, Emma returned and exclaimed, "What are you doing?"
"None of your business!" Andrew snapped.
"Well, my wallet is my business. Please give it back." Emma said.
Andrew noticed a group of Emma's friends watching nearby, so he did.
Then Emma added, "By the way, I'm not impressed by your bad attitude."
Andrew looked furious but then seemed to have a change of heart.
He gave a weak smile, turned, and walked away.
Emma had seen Luke confront Andrew, and she thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
Luke took heart and asked "Do you want to see a movie tonight?"
Emma's smile seemed to fill the school, and she said, "I'd love to."
Editor's Summary
Andrew beat Luke to Emma's fallen wallet and began to take some money out.
So Luke gulped and told Andrew to give it back to her.
Andrew was getting ready to hit Luke when Emma appeared and asked Andrew what he thought he was doing.
She also told him to give her back her wallet.
And because a group of her friends were watching, there was nothing he could do but give it back and walk away.
Luke took heart when Emma thanked him because she had seen everything.
And then he asked her out.
Her reply? "I'd love to."
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Going Out On a Date Is Not Dating Someone
ask some out on a date 一個男生約一個心儀的對象去約會
但這不是表白, 不是指要不要當男女朋友,
那是更深入認識對方才會做的事,
當男女決定要交往才會go steady=固定的男女朋友,
固定交往也可以用see, date
但要用進行式,
Are you seeing anyone? No, I'm not dating anyone.
Language Lab
gulp v.
1 to swallow because of strong emotion (such as fear or shock) [no obj]
- Tommy gulped in fear when he saw the fire scene.
2 to eat or swallow (something) quickly or in large amounts
- Frank gulped down a whole glass of iced tea when he got home.
shove v.
to push (something) with force
- After a lot of pulling and shoving, we finally got the sofa into the apartment.
- Henry shoved his brother out of the way as he sprinted out of the house.
furious adj.
very angry
- Daniel was furious when he found out his son had cheated in school.
furious at/about
- Cindy was furious at the accusation attacking her character.
confront v.
to deal with (something, such as a problem or danger)
- The two candidates confronted one another regarding their economic policies.
- Becky decided to confront her stage fright and start practicing speaking in public.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140215baadef95a7923a098c5dcd6195c23155962e9dae65ac6b8cc351d0a244f2605d8f7.wma
Friday, February 14, 2014
A Love Story (2)
"Luke, are you OK?" asked Luke's older brother, Henry.
Gazing out the window, Luke answered, "Yeah, I'm just thinking about a girl."
Henry laughed softly, "Ah, puppy love."
Luke glared at his brother. They had a love-hate relationship. Henry didn't always take Luke seriously, but Luke knew Henry's heart was in the right place.
Henry stopped laughing. "Well, why don't you ask out?"
"She wouldn't want to go out with me," Luke groaned.
"What makes you think that? Maybe you're not as cool as me, but, hey, who is?" Henry laughed.
"And doing nothing won't get you anywhere."
Luke gave a half-hearted nod. Asking Emma out was a frightening prospect, but it was worth a try.
He just hoped Andrew wouldn't try to stop him.
The next morning, Luke took a deep breath and set off across the school courtyard toward Emma.
It was time to win her heart.
But before Luke reached her, the bell rang, and Emma headed into the school.
As she hurried away, a wallet fell out her bag.
Editor's Summary
One day as Luke was gazing out the window and thinking about Emma, his brother Henry suggested that he just ask her out.
Luke felt that it was too frightening to think about, but he should try it.
So the very next morning, he headed toward Emma across the school courtyard.
Before he could get to her, the bell rang.
And as she turned to go inside, her wallet fell out of her bag.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Saved by the Bell
saved by the bell 在最後關頭得救
這句話來自拳擊手, 當比賽鈴聲響起, 這個回合就結束了,
這個冠用語可用在任何得救的情況, 但不十定要有個bell,
但有個鈴響會用的更傳神, 像今天課文的學校鐘響,
Luke 可逃過一節,先不用跟Emma講話的情況
Grammar Gym
Maybe you're not as cool as me, but, hey, who is?
hey:
what was just said might be unfortunate but there's nothing that the speaker can do to change the situation.
- We have to wait two hours at the check-in counter, but, hey, what can we do since we have a plane to catch?
- I know Tyler has some bad habits, but, hey, no one is perfect.
Language Lab
glare v. [intransitive] glare at
to look angrily at someone for a long time
- The boy glared at the school bully for a long time.
glare n.
- The student gave his teacher a hostile glare after she punished him for tardiness.
groan v.
to complain about something
- "My shoes hurt," Ellen groaned.
- Charlie groaned about how his boss treated him.
[intransitive] to make a long deep sound because you are in pain, upset, or disappointed, or because something is very enjoyable [= moan]
- The patient groaned in pain because he was badly wounded.
prospect n. [spect字根-看]
the possibility that something will happen
- The prospect of having non-stop meetings for three whole days really scares me.
- Irene is very excited at the prospect of working with her idol.
courtyard n.
an open space that is completely or partly surrounded by buildings
- The garden in our courtyard is my father's masterpiece.
- We went through an arch into a beautiful courtyard with a fountain.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140213baaed233c3f0e57054c1c72abe795d0aef76934b6ccda86814d04e27f20e726eda2.wma
Gazing out the window, Luke answered, "Yeah, I'm just thinking about a girl."
Henry laughed softly, "Ah, puppy love."
Luke glared at his brother. They had a love-hate relationship. Henry didn't always take Luke seriously, but Luke knew Henry's heart was in the right place.
Henry stopped laughing. "Well, why don't you ask out?"
"She wouldn't want to go out with me," Luke groaned.
"What makes you think that? Maybe you're not as cool as me, but, hey, who is?" Henry laughed.
"And doing nothing won't get you anywhere."
Luke gave a half-hearted nod. Asking Emma out was a frightening prospect, but it was worth a try.
He just hoped Andrew wouldn't try to stop him.
The next morning, Luke took a deep breath and set off across the school courtyard toward Emma.
It was time to win her heart.
But before Luke reached her, the bell rang, and Emma headed into the school.
As she hurried away, a wallet fell out her bag.
Editor's Summary
One day as Luke was gazing out the window and thinking about Emma, his brother Henry suggested that he just ask her out.
Luke felt that it was too frightening to think about, but he should try it.
So the very next morning, he headed toward Emma across the school courtyard.
Before he could get to her, the bell rang.
And as she turned to go inside, her wallet fell out of her bag.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Saved by the Bell
saved by the bell 在最後關頭得救
這句話來自拳擊手, 當比賽鈴聲響起, 這個回合就結束了,
這個冠用語可用在任何得救的情況, 但不十定要有個bell,
但有個鈴響會用的更傳神, 像今天課文的學校鐘響,
Luke 可逃過一節,先不用跟Emma講話的情況
Grammar Gym
Maybe you're not as cool as me, but, hey, who is?
hey:
what was just said might be unfortunate but there's nothing that the speaker can do to change the situation.
- We have to wait two hours at the check-in counter, but, hey, what can we do since we have a plane to catch?
- I know Tyler has some bad habits, but, hey, no one is perfect.
Language Lab
glare v. [intransitive] glare at
to look angrily at someone for a long time
- The boy glared at the school bully for a long time.
glare n.
- The student gave his teacher a hostile glare after she punished him for tardiness.
groan v.
to complain about something
- "My shoes hurt," Ellen groaned.
- Charlie groaned about how his boss treated him.
[intransitive] to make a long deep sound because you are in pain, upset, or disappointed, or because something is very enjoyable [= moan]
- The patient groaned in pain because he was badly wounded.
prospect n. [spect字根-看]
the possibility that something will happen
- The prospect of having non-stop meetings for three whole days really scares me.
- Irene is very excited at the prospect of working with her idol.
courtyard n.
an open space that is completely or partly surrounded by buildings
- The garden in our courtyard is my father's masterpiece.
- We went through an arch into a beautiful courtyard with a fountain.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140213baaed233c3f0e57054c1c72abe795d0aef76934b6ccda86814d04e27f20e726eda2.wma
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
A Love Story (1)
Love makes the world go round
Luke sprinted out of his classroom, worried that be'd be late for band practice. But in his haste, he bumped into a girl he had never seen before. Her books scattered everywhere. Embarrassed, Luke rushed to collect the fallen books. When he handed them to the girl, his heart skipped a beat. She was gorgeous. It was love at first sight. "Hi, I'm Emma," she said with a gentle smile. Luke shyly introduced himself, and with a wave, the girl walked off.
"Hey! What are you doing?" yelled Luke's classmate Andrew. There was no love lost between them. Andrew was tall and muscular, and he liked to bully Luke. Andrew towered over Luke, saying, "Stay away from the new girl. She'd never want a loser like you."
Luke didn't want to start a fight, so he mumbled something and rushed off to band practice. Luke saw Emma several times over the next few weeks. She was smart, friendly and had a heart of gold. His admiration for her grew, and soon he was head over heels in love.
Editor's Summary
Today, Luke bumps into Emma at school.
Really bumps into her and scatters her books everywhere.
As he is picking them up, he realizes that he has never met this gorgeous girl before.
And then, along comes Andrew, who is always giving Luke a hard time.
And he tells Luke that Emma would never like a loser like him.
Over the next few weeks, Luke saw Emma a few times.
And came to admire her a great deal because she was friendly and she had a heart of gold.
Grammar Gym
in one's haste: while one is hurrying
- But in his haste, he bumped into a girl he had never seen before.
- In her haste to finish breakfast and rush out the door, Diana accidentally spilled coffee on herself.
- In his haste to take the trash out, George locked himself out of his house.
haste n.
great speed in doing something, especially because you do not have enough time [= hurry]
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What's a Loser?
loser 失敗者
比賽輸的時候, 也是要有風度,
所以要做一個 good loser/ good sport
輸不起的人 sore loser
沒有錢, 沒有工作, 沒有女朋友有可能會被取笑是 loser
中文意思是像阿宅, 這不是一個好聽的字眼
Language Lab
sprint v.
to run or go very fast for a short distance
- Hank sprinted to catch the bus.
- Alex sprinted to the door when the doorbell rang.
sprint n.
a race over a short distance at a very fast speed
- Hanna won the women's 100-meter sprint.
gorgeous adj.
very beautiful or attractive
- Teresa looks gorgeous in that beautiful dress.
- How can we stay inside when the weather is so gorgeous?
- This gorgeous living room was decorated by my mom.
muscular adj.
/ˈmʌskjəlɚ/
having large and strong muscles
- Jason wants to be more muscular, so he's been working out.
muscle n.
one of the pieces of flesh inside your body that you use in order to move, and that connect your bones together
- These exercises will strengthen your stomach muscles.
mumble v.
to say something too quietly or not clearly enough, so that other people cannot understand you
- The teacher asked Billy not to mumble, but to speak up.
- Richard was mumbling to himself as the boss was scolding him.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140213baaed233c3f0e57054c1c72abe795d0aef76934b6ccda86814d04e27f20e726eda2.wma
Luke sprinted out of his classroom, worried that be'd be late for band practice. But in his haste, he bumped into a girl he had never seen before. Her books scattered everywhere. Embarrassed, Luke rushed to collect the fallen books. When he handed them to the girl, his heart skipped a beat. She was gorgeous. It was love at first sight. "Hi, I'm Emma," she said with a gentle smile. Luke shyly introduced himself, and with a wave, the girl walked off.
"Hey! What are you doing?" yelled Luke's classmate Andrew. There was no love lost between them. Andrew was tall and muscular, and he liked to bully Luke. Andrew towered over Luke, saying, "Stay away from the new girl. She'd never want a loser like you."
Luke didn't want to start a fight, so he mumbled something and rushed off to band practice. Luke saw Emma several times over the next few weeks. She was smart, friendly and had a heart of gold. His admiration for her grew, and soon he was head over heels in love.
Editor's Summary
Today, Luke bumps into Emma at school.
Really bumps into her and scatters her books everywhere.
As he is picking them up, he realizes that he has never met this gorgeous girl before.
And then, along comes Andrew, who is always giving Luke a hard time.
And he tells Luke that Emma would never like a loser like him.
Over the next few weeks, Luke saw Emma a few times.
And came to admire her a great deal because she was friendly and she had a heart of gold.
Grammar Gym
in one's haste: while one is hurrying
- But in his haste, he bumped into a girl he had never seen before.
- In her haste to finish breakfast and rush out the door, Diana accidentally spilled coffee on herself.
- In his haste to take the trash out, George locked himself out of his house.
haste n.
great speed in doing something, especially because you do not have enough time [= hurry]
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What's a Loser?
loser 失敗者
比賽輸的時候, 也是要有風度,
所以要做一個 good loser/ good sport
輸不起的人 sore loser
沒有錢, 沒有工作, 沒有女朋友有可能會被取笑是 loser
中文意思是像阿宅, 這不是一個好聽的字眼
Language Lab
sprint v.
to run or go very fast for a short distance
- Hank sprinted to catch the bus.
- Alex sprinted to the door when the doorbell rang.
sprint n.
a race over a short distance at a very fast speed
- Hanna won the women's 100-meter sprint.
gorgeous adj.
very beautiful or attractive
- Teresa looks gorgeous in that beautiful dress.
- How can we stay inside when the weather is so gorgeous?
- This gorgeous living room was decorated by my mom.
muscular adj.
/ˈmʌskjəlɚ/
having large and strong muscles
- Jason wants to be more muscular, so he's been working out.
muscle n.
one of the pieces of flesh inside your body that you use in order to move, and that connect your bones together
- These exercises will strengthen your stomach muscles.
mumble v.
to say something too quietly or not clearly enough, so that other people cannot understand you
- The teacher asked Billy not to mumble, but to speak up.
- Richard was mumbling to himself as the boss was scolding him.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140213baaed233c3f0e57054c1c72abe795d0aef76934b6ccda86814d04e27f20e726eda2.wma
Saturday, February 8, 2014
The 2014 Winter Olympics (2) (2014-02-08)
Join our guide for a tour of the 22nd Winter Games in Sochi, Russia
The train
All right, everyone, it's just a 30-minute ride from the coast to the mountains. When Sochi was chosen to host the Olympics, this train line was added to the city. Many of the buildings we visited on the coast were built for the games, too. The stadium we visited yesterday, the Iceberg Skating Palace, and many hotels here are new. Now let's enjoy the ride.
The mountains
Welcome to the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains! Ten of this year's 15 Olympic competitions are being held here, and many are starting today. Most are skiing events such as freestyle or ski jumping. Please don't be alarmed by the gunshots - the biathlon event mixes skiing with shooting. Sliding events like the bobsled races will also be held in the mountains.
That brings to an end today's Olymic tour. Enjoy your time at the Olympics, and don't forget to watch the Paralympic Games next month!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How Olympic Cities Are Chosen
如果一個城巿想要成為Olympic主辦城巿(host city),
他必需先向國際奧委會申請, 並說服委員們這個城巿是理想舉辦奧運的地方,
要成為主辦奧運的城巿, 最主要的就是硬體的建設,
如果沒有足夠的設施, 就要建造新的設施,
例如今天課文提到的Sochi被選為主辦城巿後,
就興建了一條火車, 蓋了體育館, 還有海邊很多建築物,
除了硬體之外, 當地人的態度也相當重要,
奧委會還會在當地居民做調查,
看看當地人有沒有熱誠想成為主辦城巿
Grammar Gym
in the mountains
there are mountains all around
in the mountain
inside the mountain
- Gold was found inside that mountain.
on the mountains
- Somewhere on that mountain is a log book for mountain climbers to record their names when they've reached the top.
Language Lab
line n.
the path along which something moves or is directed
- The new shuttle bus line stops at the domestic airport.
- The commuter line is always packed during rush hour.
a company that owns or controls such a system
- The bus line has been making a profit ever since it changed its marketing manager.
palace n.
the official home of a king, queen, president, etc.
- The palace was built a hundred years ago, but it still looks splendid.
splendid adj.
/ˈsplɛndəd/
very impressive and beautiful
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing.
- The courtyard at Buckingham Palace is famous for its beautiful garden.
competition n.
the people or groups that are competing against you, especially in business or in a sport
- The swimming competition attracted many viewers.
- Our team lost the competition.
contest n.
a competition or a situation in which two or more people or groups are competing with each other
- a beauty contest
bring to an end
- Hopefully the treaty can bring to an end the severe conflict between the two countries.
- Having agreed on the price, the negotiations were brought to an end.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140208baa2cdb7620e39520589cdd999ccc45faad6120a2407fb3010d0d1d9405300823ad.wma
The train
All right, everyone, it's just a 30-minute ride from the coast to the mountains. When Sochi was chosen to host the Olympics, this train line was added to the city. Many of the buildings we visited on the coast were built for the games, too. The stadium we visited yesterday, the Iceberg Skating Palace, and many hotels here are new. Now let's enjoy the ride.
The mountains
Welcome to the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains! Ten of this year's 15 Olympic competitions are being held here, and many are starting today. Most are skiing events such as freestyle or ski jumping. Please don't be alarmed by the gunshots - the biathlon event mixes skiing with shooting. Sliding events like the bobsled races will also be held in the mountains.
That brings to an end today's Olymic tour. Enjoy your time at the Olympics, and don't forget to watch the Paralympic Games next month!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How Olympic Cities Are Chosen
如果一個城巿想要成為Olympic主辦城巿(host city),
他必需先向國際奧委會申請, 並說服委員們這個城巿是理想舉辦奧運的地方,
要成為主辦奧運的城巿, 最主要的就是硬體的建設,
如果沒有足夠的設施, 就要建造新的設施,
例如今天課文提到的Sochi被選為主辦城巿後,
就興建了一條火車, 蓋了體育館, 還有海邊很多建築物,
除了硬體之外, 當地人的態度也相當重要,
奧委會還會在當地居民做調查,
看看當地人有沒有熱誠想成為主辦城巿
Grammar Gym
in the mountains
there are mountains all around
in the mountain
inside the mountain
- Gold was found inside that mountain.
on the mountains
- Somewhere on that mountain is a log book for mountain climbers to record their names when they've reached the top.
Language Lab
line n.
the path along which something moves or is directed
- The new shuttle bus line stops at the domestic airport.
- The commuter line is always packed during rush hour.
a company that owns or controls such a system
- The bus line has been making a profit ever since it changed its marketing manager.
palace n.
the official home of a king, queen, president, etc.
- The palace was built a hundred years ago, but it still looks splendid.
splendid adj.
/ˈsplɛndəd/
very impressive and beautiful
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing.
- The courtyard at Buckingham Palace is famous for its beautiful garden.
competition n.
the people or groups that are competing against you, especially in business or in a sport
- The swimming competition attracted many viewers.
- Our team lost the competition.
contest n.
a competition or a situation in which two or more people or groups are competing with each other
- a beauty contest
bring to an end
- Hopefully the treaty can bring to an end the severe conflict between the two countries.
- Having agreed on the price, the negotiations were brought to an end.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140208baa2cdb7620e39520589cdd999ccc45faad6120a2407fb3010d0d1d9405300823ad.wma
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Anything but Normal! (1)
How one actor inspires normal people to do crazy things
Actor and Twitter celebrity Misha Collins has a unique sense of humor. Ask anyone who's participated in the annual, week-long scavenger hunt he organizes. Called GISHWHES, or Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen, the event involves completing tasks for points. The tasks range from heart-warming - giving hugs - to just plain weird - making clothes out of cheese!
The 15-member teams supply photos or videos to prove they've completed tasks. Teams must provide exactly what's requested to get full points. If the list calls for a photo with a real Oscar-winning actor, the team must somehow find one. And the actor must be holding the Oscar!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Other Definition of Or
Language Lab
sense of humor n.
She has a great sense of humor. [=she says funny things and can see the funny side of things]
- Irene's sense of humor made her very popular at school.
sense of direction
His excellent sense of direction [=ability to find his way around easily in a new place] was useful during our travels.
- Patrick lacks a sense of direction, so he gets lost a lot.
weird adj.
unusual or strange
- Hank's weird behavior caught everyone's attention.
- The weird family next door never talks to the neighbors.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20140114_9e7b0.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140114baa307bf3a760b0798c3ab7d2d75046dc68adb720d44bbb6eb1ddde8963e3ee58a7.wma
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20140115baa749ce81814c718589cce41389ada4dc22edf6b2eadd4e8d45b543b19a4a3bb1a.wma
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20140116baa6a8258a961934490b9a14cff5b2b909132d45af8ef00091a2085c9a5370af66f.wma
Actor and Twitter celebrity Misha Collins has a unique sense of humor. Ask anyone who's participated in the annual, week-long scavenger hunt he organizes. Called GISHWHES, or Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen, the event involves completing tasks for points. The tasks range from heart-warming - giving hugs - to just plain weird - making clothes out of cheese!
The 15-member teams supply photos or videos to prove they've completed tasks. Teams must provide exactly what's requested to get full points. If the list calls for a photo with a real Oscar-winning actor, the team must somehow find one. And the actor must be holding the Oscar!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Other Definition of Or
Language Lab
sense of humor n.
She has a great sense of humor. [=she says funny things and can see the funny side of things]
- Irene's sense of humor made her very popular at school.
sense of direction
His excellent sense of direction [=ability to find his way around easily in a new place] was useful during our travels.
- Patrick lacks a sense of direction, so he gets lost a lot.
weird adj.
unusual or strange
- Hank's weird behavior caught everyone's attention.
- The weird family next door never talks to the neighbors.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20140114_9e7b0.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140114baa307bf3a760b0798c3ab7d2d75046dc68adb720d44bbb6eb1ddde8963e3ee58a7.wma
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20140115baa749ce81814c718589cce41389ada4dc22edf6b2eadd4e8d45b543b19a4a3bb1a.wma
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20140116baa6a8258a961934490b9a14cff5b2b909132d45af8ef00091a2085c9a5370af66f.wma
Monday, January 13, 2014
The Decision
I’m going to America!
In ninth grade I was preparing for the Basic Competence Test for Junior High School Students. Life was busy but not interesting. Then one day, my parents asked if I would be interested in attending an exchange program sponsored by Ayusa. This organization offers high-school students the opportunity to study abroad for one year. The students stay with host families.
So I obtained some information and decided this would be a great chance to improve my English. I could also experience different cultures and broaden my vision.
But first I had to pass the SLEP (Secondary Level English Proficiency Test). Then I had to fill out many forms and get a health check. That helps the families decide which student to host. Ayusa helped with other procedures like flights.
There was some fun during the process, too. For example, Ayusa held a prom. We practiced asking girls to dance. At first, we were all shy, but eventually everyone tried and had a great time! Now, off I go!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: You Reap What You Sow
種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆 [reap v. 收割/sow v. 播種]
今天課文說到作者有機會去交換學生,
而且是跟接待家庭一起住, (host families)
這是一個難得的機會!
許多人到國外讀書, 卻跟自已國家的人住在一起,
這樣失去了學英文的好機會,
如果可以跟host family 住在一起,
決對可以提升英文程度,
因為你在花時間sow,
之後你得到的reap一定會比跟花時間跟同鄉混在一起的多
Grammar Gym
At first, we were all shy, but eventually everyone tried and had a great time!
1. At first we were all shy.
2. Eventually everyone tried and had a great time.
- We can go to the beach to watch the sunset, or we can drive into the mountains instead.
- Timothy will handle the guest list, and Maurice is in charge of the food and decorations.
Language Lab
competence n. 能力, 技能
/ˈkɑ:mpətəns/
the ability to do something well : the quality or state of being competent
- Every new student is required to take an English competence test before the semester begins.
學期開始前, 每位新生都必需考英文學力測驗
- Bob's professional competence in computer software is unquestionable.
Bob在電腦軟體的專業是無庸置疑的
broaden v. 變寬, 變闊; 擴大 [broad寬大的]
/ˈbrɑ:dn̩/
to make (something) wider or more general
- The trip to Europe really broadened my horizons.
歐洲之旅擴展了我的視野
- Brad's voluntary work in Afirca broadened his life experiences.
Brad在非洲志願服務擴展了他人生的閱歷
procedure n. 程序; 手續; 步驟
a series of actions that are done in a certain way or order : an established or accepted way of doing something
- All of the procedures required to apply for college are quite complicated.
申請大學一切的程序還滿複雜的
a medical treatment or operation
- This minor surgical procedure took only an hour.
這個非常小的外科手術只花了一個小時的時間
proceed v. 進行
to continue to do something
- The meeting proceeded after the short break.
短暫的休息之後, 會議繼續進行
eventually adv.最後, 終於
at some later time : in the end
- After months of practicing, Timothy eventually was accepted by the team.
經過幾個月的苦練Timothy 終於進入球隊
- Even though the couple is apart now, they believe they will be together eventually.
即使這對情侶是分開的, 但是他們相信他們終究會在一起
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20140113_19f02.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140113baa5d6c27250d6721082d815817b7c83f2971c94dc7ddc9830d66b82bd2d48c45c3.wma
In ninth grade I was preparing for the Basic Competence Test for Junior High School Students. Life was busy but not interesting. Then one day, my parents asked if I would be interested in attending an exchange program sponsored by Ayusa. This organization offers high-school students the opportunity to study abroad for one year. The students stay with host families.
So I obtained some information and decided this would be a great chance to improve my English. I could also experience different cultures and broaden my vision.
But first I had to pass the SLEP (Secondary Level English Proficiency Test). Then I had to fill out many forms and get a health check. That helps the families decide which student to host. Ayusa helped with other procedures like flights.
There was some fun during the process, too. For example, Ayusa held a prom. We practiced asking girls to dance. At first, we were all shy, but eventually everyone tried and had a great time! Now, off I go!
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: You Reap What You Sow
種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆 [reap v. 收割/sow v. 播種]
今天課文說到作者有機會去交換學生,
而且是跟接待家庭一起住, (host families)
這是一個難得的機會!
許多人到國外讀書, 卻跟自已國家的人住在一起,
這樣失去了學英文的好機會,
如果可以跟host family 住在一起,
決對可以提升英文程度,
因為你在花時間sow,
之後你得到的reap一定會比跟花時間跟同鄉混在一起的多
Grammar Gym
At first, we were all shy, but eventually everyone tried and had a great time!
1. At first we were all shy.
2. Eventually everyone tried and had a great time.
- We can go to the beach to watch the sunset, or we can drive into the mountains instead.
- Timothy will handle the guest list, and Maurice is in charge of the food and decorations.
Language Lab
competence n. 能力, 技能
/ˈkɑ:mpətəns/
the ability to do something well : the quality or state of being competent
- Every new student is required to take an English competence test before the semester begins.
學期開始前, 每位新生都必需考英文學力測驗
- Bob's professional competence in computer software is unquestionable.
Bob在電腦軟體的專業是無庸置疑的
broaden v. 變寬, 變闊; 擴大 [broad寬大的]
/ˈbrɑ:dn̩/
to make (something) wider or more general
- The trip to Europe really broadened my horizons.
歐洲之旅擴展了我的視野
- Brad's voluntary work in Afirca broadened his life experiences.
Brad在非洲志願服務擴展了他人生的閱歷
procedure n. 程序; 手續; 步驟
a series of actions that are done in a certain way or order : an established or accepted way of doing something
- All of the procedures required to apply for college are quite complicated.
申請大學一切的程序還滿複雜的
a medical treatment or operation
- This minor surgical procedure took only an hour.
這個非常小的外科手術只花了一個小時的時間
proceed v. 進行
to continue to do something
- The meeting proceeded after the short break.
短暫的休息之後, 會議繼續進行
eventually adv.最後, 終於
at some later time : in the end
- After months of practicing, Timothy eventually was accepted by the team.
經過幾個月的苦練Timothy 終於進入球隊
- Even though the couple is apart now, they believe they will be together eventually.
即使這對情侶是分開的, 但是他們相信他們終究會在一起
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20140113_19f02.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140113baa5d6c27250d6721082d815817b7c83f2971c94dc7ddc9830d66b82bd2d48c45c3.wma
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