Nintendo's most popular ventures
Amidst the video-game popularity of the 70s, Nintendo introduced their first arcade game in 1975, EVR Race. Nintendo's next two games, Donkey Kong in 1981 and Super Mario Brothers in 1985, became legendary. Super Mario Brothers used the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), a home video-game system of which nearly 62 million units were sold worldwide. Success struck again in 1989 with another Yokoi creation, Game Boy, which still ranks as the all-time best-selling portable game system.
Nintendo 64 (N64) was released in 1996, selling nearly 33 million units, and receiving Time magazine's 1996 Machine of the Year award.
In 2006, the company launched its Wii console, which became another huge success. Nintendo successfully targeted a new market: children and people who had never played video games before. Wii's interactive games, including animated games for kids and sports for the older crowd, offered an entirely new way to play.
What's ahead?
Over the years, the company has faced growing competition, prompting skeptical remarks from some about Nintendo's future. But in January, the company announced plans to begin developing a mystery device that will be launched in 2016. Nintendo is still looking toward the future, making everyone wonder what amazing devices the company will create in the next 125 years.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sensational Spelling (感官拼字)
Wii 是因為要創造we的斜音的字,
二個ii是看起來像二個人在一起玩,
有些公司會故意將產品的英文名字拼錯,
為了是讓消費者留下印象,
這種手法叫做 sensational spelling,
例如: Krispy Kreme, Froot Loops
Grammar Gym
Amidst the video-game popularity of the 70s, Nintendo introduced their first arcade game in 1975...
Amidst [a situation at a certain time], [someone did something].
- Amidst the excitement and partying in the dormitory, Duncan tried his best to study for his exams.
- Amidst the sea of customer complaints, the company was glad to receive one positive report.
Language Lab
venture n.
a new business activity that involves taking risks
- The director's latest film venture proved very successful.
- Jonathan's business venture turned out to be a disaster.
venture v.
to go somewhere that could be dangerous:
- We ventured into the woods shortly after we arrived at the cabin.
arcade n.
a large building or part of a building where there are many shops;
an amusement arcade;
- Timmy spent most of his pocket money on the machines at the amusement arcade.
- The shopping arcade was packed with people during the year-end sale.
interactive adj.
an interactive computer program, television system etc allows you to communicate directly with it, and does things in reaction to your actions:
- The teacher's interactive teaching made learning much more fun.
interact v.
if people interact with each other, they talk to each other, work together etc
- The course encourages the students to interact as much as they can.
skeptical adj.
tending to disagree with what other people tell you
- Theo's skeptical look really irritated me.
sceptical about/of
- After giving the speech, I'm really skeptical about how much the audience understands.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140923baa2f1ee54021d382a94a36c600bb6b3f4773b87606b70e8a5244772b2ec4095b2a.wma
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Nintendo – Past, Present and Future (1)
A look back at one of the world’s most influential video game companies
Many people think the Nintendo Company originated around 1983, the same year the Mario Brothers made their debut and began fighting New York sewer creatures. But actually, the Japanese company started in 1889. Back then, computers and computer games were a long way off; nonetheless, the company's first product, handmade playing cards, was very popular.
Nintendo soon cornered the market in playing cards after beginning to produce plastic cards in 1953. But a 1956 trip to the U.S. convinced the CEO there wasn't much room for growth in that market, so he began experimenting with other projects, including toy-making.
Sure enough, the card market began its decline around 1962, and the company fought to stay in business.
A profitable change
A wise decision in 1965 to hire an assembly-line maintenance worker who enjoyed inventing mechanical toys helped turn things around for Nintendo. After the company produced and marketed Gunpei Yokoi's extending toy hand, Ultra Hand, they sold over one million units within the first year. Yokoi went on to create many profitable electronic toys that helped the company eliminate its debt and commence making money again.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Japanese English (日文英語化)
日文有許多字是外來語,
25年前有人統計過約有二萬個字是外來語,
到了現在已經沒有人去計算了,
因為數字已經太大了,
很多西方的思想跟觀念沒有辦法用日文來表達,
所以就直接用英文表達,
另外一個原因就是比較時尚, 所以直接用英文
Grammar Gym
A wise decision in 1965 to hire an assembly-line maintenance worker who enjoyed inventing mechanical toys helped turn things around for Nintendo.
A wise decision to ... helped...
- A wise decision to organize the workers into teams helped create a better working environment for everybody.
- A wise decision to put screens on all windows helped stop the problem with flies in the building.
Language Lab
debut n.
the first public appearance of an entertainer, sports player etc or of something new and important
- The debut for this singer was back in 1975.
make one's debut
- The band made their debut in San Francisco.
corner the market
to gain control of the whole supply of a particular kind of goods:
- The company is trying to corner the market by launching new products each season.
- These heartless businessmen stored up food to corner the market.
decline v.
to decrease in quantity or importance:
- The sales figures started to decline last year.
- Gina's health declined rapidly after she was diagnosed with cancer.
to say no politely when someone invites you somewhere, offers you something, or wants you to do something:
- Elizabeth declined Larry's proposal night.
commence v.
to begin or to start something:
- The meeting is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. today.
- He commenced preparing for this competition early last year.
commencement n.
the beginning of something
- July 1st marks the commencement of the financial year.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140922baa12881c702bb5605c79bd2f1db0286206aec800fa4123f5082132f5eea1e1748f.wma
Many people think the Nintendo Company originated around 1983, the same year the Mario Brothers made their debut and began fighting New York sewer creatures. But actually, the Japanese company started in 1889. Back then, computers and computer games were a long way off; nonetheless, the company's first product, handmade playing cards, was very popular.
Nintendo soon cornered the market in playing cards after beginning to produce plastic cards in 1953. But a 1956 trip to the U.S. convinced the CEO there wasn't much room for growth in that market, so he began experimenting with other projects, including toy-making.
Sure enough, the card market began its decline around 1962, and the company fought to stay in business.
A profitable change
A wise decision in 1965 to hire an assembly-line maintenance worker who enjoyed inventing mechanical toys helped turn things around for Nintendo. After the company produced and marketed Gunpei Yokoi's extending toy hand, Ultra Hand, they sold over one million units within the first year. Yokoi went on to create many profitable electronic toys that helped the company eliminate its debt and commence making money again.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Japanese English (日文英語化)
日文有許多字是外來語,
25年前有人統計過約有二萬個字是外來語,
到了現在已經沒有人去計算了,
因為數字已經太大了,
很多西方的思想跟觀念沒有辦法用日文來表達,
所以就直接用英文表達,
另外一個原因就是比較時尚, 所以直接用英文
Grammar Gym
A wise decision in 1965 to hire an assembly-line maintenance worker who enjoyed inventing mechanical toys helped turn things around for Nintendo.
A wise decision to ... helped...
- A wise decision to organize the workers into teams helped create a better working environment for everybody.
- A wise decision to put screens on all windows helped stop the problem with flies in the building.
Language Lab
debut n.
the first public appearance of an entertainer, sports player etc or of something new and important
- The debut for this singer was back in 1975.
make one's debut
- The band made their debut in San Francisco.
corner the market
to gain control of the whole supply of a particular kind of goods:
- The company is trying to corner the market by launching new products each season.
- These heartless businessmen stored up food to corner the market.
decline v.
to decrease in quantity or importance:
- The sales figures started to decline last year.
- Gina's health declined rapidly after she was diagnosed with cancer.
to say no politely when someone invites you somewhere, offers you something, or wants you to do something:
- Elizabeth declined Larry's proposal night.
commence v.
to begin or to start something:
- The meeting is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. today.
- He commenced preparing for this competition early last year.
commencement n.
the beginning of something
- July 1st marks the commencement of the financial year.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140922baa12881c702bb5605c79bd2f1db0286206aec800fa4123f5082132f5eea1e1748f.wma
Thursday, September 26, 2013
The History of Pencils (2)
Italian and German changes
The Italian couple hollowed out a wooden stick and then placed a graphite stick inside it. This created a wooden holder for the graphite. In the late 1500s, someone in Germany glued two wooden halves together around a graphite stick. The concept is still used today.
German improvements
In 1839 Germany's Lothar von Faber devised a way to make graphite sticks all the same width. He also invented a machine to cut the pencil wood.
American production
By the late 1860s in America, pencils were in great demand. American companies began designing machines to mass-produce them. It helped meet the need and cut the cost of pencils by 50 percent.
Japanese ideas
Several people are said to be responsible for inventing the mechanical pencil. In 1915, however, Japan's Tokuji Hayakawa created a mechanical pencil similar to the one used now.
Today both kinds of pencils are very popular with the wooden pencil being number one. More than 6 billion wooden pencils are manufactured in 50 different countries each year.
Grammar Gym
"It helped meet the need...."
to meet the need: to satisfy the need
- The school encourages students to volunteer and help meet the different needs in the community.
- After a natural disasters strikes, relief organizations will send helpers to met the different needs of the disaster victims.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: To Pencil
Now that we've learned all about pencils, let's take a look at the word "pencil" used as a verb.
Ken, I'll pencil you in for Monday at ten o'clock.
And, I'll do likewise Steve.
Friends, if you want to arrange for something to happen, or for someone to do something, and you know that it may have to be changed later, then you can pencil in the event or person on your calender.
Right! The idea is that when you write with a pencil, you can always erase what you write. It's just a tentative arrangement.
So, you'd have to confirm it later. This is a good phrase to use for people who are busy. Two people may pencil in a date with the understanding that one of them may have to re-book the appointment if something urgent comes up.
Now, you don't have to use an actual pencil when you pencil something in. You can still say "I'll pencil you in" in a figurative sense, even if you are using a computer.
That's right! The point is that it is a tentative arrangement until it has been confirmed. The actual device you use - a pencil, pen, chalk, reminder on your cell phone or computer - is not crucial to the meaning.
Language Lab
hollow v.
curved inward or down
- The tribesman hollowed out a canoe from a log.
hollow adj.
having nothing inside : not solid
- The tree trunk is hollow inside.
- The patient's eyes and cheeks are hollow.
devise v.
/dɪˈvaɪz/
to invent or plan (something that is difficult or complicated)
- Chelsea devised a method to keep herself awake during night shifts.
- The engineers devised a new kind of TV which reacts to human voices.
in demand
needed or wanted by many people
- The demand for organic products has increased in recent years.
- Smartphone chips are still in great demand.
mechanical adj.
of or relating to machinery
- These mechanical clocks need constant maintenance.
mechanic n.
a person who repairs machines (such as car engines) and keeps them running properly
- The mechanic charged me $500 to replace the air conditioner in my car.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130926baad9e08e2c5017dd6f6f576a8e1296f1d198ce174abdc387aefce41f5de1a49d07.wma
The Italian couple hollowed out a wooden stick and then placed a graphite stick inside it. This created a wooden holder for the graphite. In the late 1500s, someone in Germany glued two wooden halves together around a graphite stick. The concept is still used today.
German improvements
In 1839 Germany's Lothar von Faber devised a way to make graphite sticks all the same width. He also invented a machine to cut the pencil wood.
American production
By the late 1860s in America, pencils were in great demand. American companies began designing machines to mass-produce them. It helped meet the need and cut the cost of pencils by 50 percent.
Japanese ideas
Several people are said to be responsible for inventing the mechanical pencil. In 1915, however, Japan's Tokuji Hayakawa created a mechanical pencil similar to the one used now.
Today both kinds of pencils are very popular with the wooden pencil being number one. More than 6 billion wooden pencils are manufactured in 50 different countries each year.
Grammar Gym
"It helped meet the need...."
to meet the need: to satisfy the need
- The school encourages students to volunteer and help meet the different needs in the community.
- After a natural disasters strikes, relief organizations will send helpers to met the different needs of the disaster victims.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: To Pencil
Now that we've learned all about pencils, let's take a look at the word "pencil" used as a verb.
Ken, I'll pencil you in for Monday at ten o'clock.
And, I'll do likewise Steve.
Friends, if you want to arrange for something to happen, or for someone to do something, and you know that it may have to be changed later, then you can pencil in the event or person on your calender.
Right! The idea is that when you write with a pencil, you can always erase what you write. It's just a tentative arrangement.
So, you'd have to confirm it later. This is a good phrase to use for people who are busy. Two people may pencil in a date with the understanding that one of them may have to re-book the appointment if something urgent comes up.
Now, you don't have to use an actual pencil when you pencil something in. You can still say "I'll pencil you in" in a figurative sense, even if you are using a computer.
That's right! The point is that it is a tentative arrangement until it has been confirmed. The actual device you use - a pencil, pen, chalk, reminder on your cell phone or computer - is not crucial to the meaning.
Language Lab
hollow v.
curved inward or down
- The tribesman hollowed out a canoe from a log.
hollow adj.
having nothing inside : not solid
- The tree trunk is hollow inside.
- The patient's eyes and cheeks are hollow.
devise v.
/dɪˈvaɪz/
to invent or plan (something that is difficult or complicated)
- Chelsea devised a method to keep herself awake during night shifts.
- The engineers devised a new kind of TV which reacts to human voices.
in demand
needed or wanted by many people
- The demand for organic products has increased in recent years.
- Smartphone chips are still in great demand.
mechanical adj.
of or relating to machinery
- These mechanical clocks need constant maintenance.
mechanic n.
a person who repairs machines (such as car engines) and keeps them running properly
- The mechanic charged me $500 to replace the air conditioner in my car.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130926baad9e08e2c5017dd6f6f576a8e1296f1d198ce174abdc387aefce41f5de1a49d07.wma
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
The History of Pencils (1)
A truly international writing instrument
Most of us have so many of them that we take them for granted. But these common writing tools have a long and interesting history.
It started in Rome
The first example of a pencil-type instrument probably came from ancient Rome. There, a thin piece of metal was used to scratch words onto an early form of paper. Long, skinny pieces of lead were also used to make marks on the page.But writers had to wait until the 16th century for a much better writing instrument.
England's find
Around 1564 a huge deposit of graphite was discovered near Cumbria, England. The solid graphite was mistakenly considered to be a type of lead. Locals happily realized it provided a perfect way to mark their sheep. The graphite was also easily sawed into sticks but was very soft. People tried wrapping them in string or other materials to provide a covering. But then a couple from Italy thought of a better idea.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sheep vs. Goat
It's become something of a tradition here that whenever a lesson mentions an animal, that animal is featured in Info Cloud.
So, let's carry on the tradition today and talk about the sheep.
Now, there are lots of things we can talk about when it comes to the sheep, but why don't we talk about the difference between sheep and goats.
OK. If we look at the words themselves, the biggest difference between sheep and goat is that sheep is uncountable and goat is countable.
And, on the menu there is also a difference. It's not very common to eat goat meat. Usually, we eat lamb, which is the meat of young sheep.
Some people prefer mutton, and that's the meat from an older sheep. It has a much stronger flavor than lamb, but it's not very popular in North of America.
An adult male sheep is called a ram, and a female is called a ewe, e-w-e.
Which are both raised for wool and eating. But goats are usually used for milk. And from goat milk, we get really, really delicious cheese.
And, what are goat adults called?
An adult male goat is called a billy goat, and a female is called a nanny.
Hmm... you learned something new everyday.
Language Lab
take for granted
grant v.
to agree to do, give, or allow (something asked for or hoped for)
take (something) for granted : to believe or assume that (something) is true or probably true without knowing that it is true
- Charles tends to take other people's help or kindness for granted.
take (someone or something) for granted
to fail to properly notice or appreciate (someone or something that is helpful or important to you)
- Susie complains that her husband takes her for granted.
scratch v.
to rub your skin with something sharp (such as your fingernails) especially in order to stop an itch [+ obj]
- The CD was scratehed so badly that I can't play it now.
scratch n.
a line or mark in the surface of something that is caused by something rough or sharp rubbing against it
- The victim of the car accident has a few scratches on his face.
deposit n.
an amount of a substance (such as oil or coal) that exists naturally in the ground
- Some geologists found a large deposit of coal in this area.
an amount of money that is put in a bank account
money that you give someone when you agree to buy something (such as a house or car)
- Janet made a deposit of $500 at this ATM.
- They paid $1,000 as a deposit for the apartment they wanted to rent.
wrap v. [wra[[ed/wrapping]
/ˈræp/
to cover (something) by winding or folding a piece of material around it
- Alison wrapped her gift and decorated it with a ribbon.
to wind or fold (something) around something else
- The man wrapped his arms around his wife.
wrapping n.
a thin piece of paper, plastic, fabric, etc., that covers or surrounds something to protect it
- the boy tore the wrappig off his gift excitedly.
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20130925baa70ea9e0d01024a489afb421d2eccbafcc3ec164f4327478499950aef8854d668.wma
Most of us have so many of them that we take them for granted. But these common writing tools have a long and interesting history.
It started in Rome
The first example of a pencil-type instrument probably came from ancient Rome. There, a thin piece of metal was used to scratch words onto an early form of paper. Long, skinny pieces of lead were also used to make marks on the page.But writers had to wait until the 16th century for a much better writing instrument.
England's find
Around 1564 a huge deposit of graphite was discovered near Cumbria, England. The solid graphite was mistakenly considered to be a type of lead. Locals happily realized it provided a perfect way to mark their sheep. The graphite was also easily sawed into sticks but was very soft. People tried wrapping them in string or other materials to provide a covering. But then a couple from Italy thought of a better idea.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sheep vs. Goat
It's become something of a tradition here that whenever a lesson mentions an animal, that animal is featured in Info Cloud.
So, let's carry on the tradition today and talk about the sheep.
Now, there are lots of things we can talk about when it comes to the sheep, but why don't we talk about the difference between sheep and goats.
OK. If we look at the words themselves, the biggest difference between sheep and goat is that sheep is uncountable and goat is countable.
And, on the menu there is also a difference. It's not very common to eat goat meat. Usually, we eat lamb, which is the meat of young sheep.
Some people prefer mutton, and that's the meat from an older sheep. It has a much stronger flavor than lamb, but it's not very popular in North of America.
An adult male sheep is called a ram, and a female is called a ewe, e-w-e.
Which are both raised for wool and eating. But goats are usually used for milk. And from goat milk, we get really, really delicious cheese.
And, what are goat adults called?
An adult male goat is called a billy goat, and a female is called a nanny.
Hmm... you learned something new everyday.
Language Lab
take for granted
grant v.
to agree to do, give, or allow (something asked for or hoped for)
take (something) for granted : to believe or assume that (something) is true or probably true without knowing that it is true
- Charles tends to take other people's help or kindness for granted.
take (someone or something) for granted
to fail to properly notice or appreciate (someone or something that is helpful or important to you)
- Susie complains that her husband takes her for granted.
scratch v.
to rub your skin with something sharp (such as your fingernails) especially in order to stop an itch [+ obj]
- The CD was scratehed so badly that I can't play it now.
scratch n.
a line or mark in the surface of something that is caused by something rough or sharp rubbing against it
- The victim of the car accident has a few scratches on his face.
deposit n.
an amount of a substance (such as oil or coal) that exists naturally in the ground
- Some geologists found a large deposit of coal in this area.
an amount of money that is put in a bank account
money that you give someone when you agree to buy something (such as a house or car)
- Janet made a deposit of $500 at this ATM.
- They paid $1,000 as a deposit for the apartment they wanted to rent.
wrap v. [wra[[ed/wrapping]
/ˈræp/
to cover (something) by winding or folding a piece of material around it
- Alison wrapped her gift and decorated it with a ribbon.
to wind or fold (something) around something else
- The man wrapped his arms around his wife.
wrapping n.
a thin piece of paper, plastic, fabric, etc., that covers or surrounds something to protect it
- the boy tore the wrappig off his gift excitedly.
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20130925baa70ea9e0d01024a489afb421d2eccbafcc3ec164f4327478499950aef8854d668.wma
Friday, August 9, 2013
The Great Train Robbery (2)
The Hunt
In response to Britain's biggest train robbery, Scotland Yard assembled a team of detectives called the Flying Squad. They received a call about suspicious activity at a place called Leatherslade Farm. It turned out to be the thieves' hideout. "The whole place is one big clue," one detective said. They made the first arrest the following day, but the last wasn't made until 1968, when mastermind Bruce Reynolds was finally caught. Most of the robbers received 25 or 30 years of jail time, though all were released by 1978.
The Man Who Ran
The exception was Ronnie Biggs, who escaped from prison in 1965 and ran from one country to another. Hiding behind plastic surgery, he was discovered in Brazil but avoided capture several times. Finally in 2001, over 30 years after his escape, an unhealthy Biggs turned himself in to serve his jail time. In 2009, he was released for compassionate reasons a day before his 80th birthday. He happens to share the date with the anniversary of his famous crime.
Info Cloud
Hi friends, here is a piece of advice: If you often feel tired during the day, maybe you should turn in early.
Yes, "turn in early" or "go to bed early".
Turn in is just an informal way to say go to bed.
So, what time do you turn in, Steve?
Well, Ken, I normally turn in at eleven o'clock most nights.
Now, let's play with this phrase a little and add a direct object: "turn someone in".
It's now a new phrase with a very different meaning.
Ken, if you don't go to the police and make a confession, I'll turn you in.
No, don't turn me in. I will turn myself in.
Friends, we hope you got that.
The phrase "turn oneself in" means to give yourself up to the authorities.
Now, let's change the direct object to a thing.
Do you have a paper to turn in to your teacher tomorrow?
Or, do you have homework to turn in?
When you turn in your homework or paper, you're handing it in to your teacher.
Language Lab
suspicious adj.
thinking that someone might be guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest;
making you think that something bad or illegal is happening;
feeling that you do not trust someone or something
- The guy's suspicious behavior caught the security guards' attention.
- A suspicious neighbor heard screaming and called the police.
mastermind n.
someone who plans and organizes a complicated operation, especially a criminal operation
- The mastermind behind the kidnapping was arrested at the airport.
mastermind v.
to think of, plan, and organize a large, important, and difficult operation
- Ray masterminded the whole scheme to cheat the investors.
plastic surgery n.
the medical practice of changing the appearance of people's faces or bodies, either to improve their appearance or to repair injuries
- The girl had plastic surgery to change the shape of her nose.
plastic surgeon n.
surgeon: a doctor who does operations in a hospital
- Greg is a famous plastic surgeon in Hollywood.
anniversary n.
a date on which something special or important happened in a previous year
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130809_222a9.wmv
In response to Britain's biggest train robbery, Scotland Yard assembled a team of detectives called the Flying Squad. They received a call about suspicious activity at a place called Leatherslade Farm. It turned out to be the thieves' hideout. "The whole place is one big clue," one detective said. They made the first arrest the following day, but the last wasn't made until 1968, when mastermind Bruce Reynolds was finally caught. Most of the robbers received 25 or 30 years of jail time, though all were released by 1978.
The Man Who Ran
The exception was Ronnie Biggs, who escaped from prison in 1965 and ran from one country to another. Hiding behind plastic surgery, he was discovered in Brazil but avoided capture several times. Finally in 2001, over 30 years after his escape, an unhealthy Biggs turned himself in to serve his jail time. In 2009, he was released for compassionate reasons a day before his 80th birthday. He happens to share the date with the anniversary of his famous crime.
Info Cloud
Hi friends, here is a piece of advice: If you often feel tired during the day, maybe you should turn in early.
Yes, "turn in early" or "go to bed early".
Turn in is just an informal way to say go to bed.
So, what time do you turn in, Steve?
Well, Ken, I normally turn in at eleven o'clock most nights.
Now, let's play with this phrase a little and add a direct object: "turn someone in".
It's now a new phrase with a very different meaning.
Ken, if you don't go to the police and make a confession, I'll turn you in.
No, don't turn me in. I will turn myself in.
Friends, we hope you got that.
The phrase "turn oneself in" means to give yourself up to the authorities.
Now, let's change the direct object to a thing.
Do you have a paper to turn in to your teacher tomorrow?
Or, do you have homework to turn in?
When you turn in your homework or paper, you're handing it in to your teacher.
Language Lab
suspicious adj.
thinking that someone might be guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest;
making you think that something bad or illegal is happening;
feeling that you do not trust someone or something
- The guy's suspicious behavior caught the security guards' attention.
- A suspicious neighbor heard screaming and called the police.
mastermind n.
someone who plans and organizes a complicated operation, especially a criminal operation
- The mastermind behind the kidnapping was arrested at the airport.
mastermind v.
to think of, plan, and organize a large, important, and difficult operation
- Ray masterminded the whole scheme to cheat the investors.
plastic surgery n.
the medical practice of changing the appearance of people's faces or bodies, either to improve their appearance or to repair injuries
- The girl had plastic surgery to change the shape of her nose.
plastic surgeon n.
surgeon: a doctor who does operations in a hospital
- Greg is a famous plastic surgeon in Hollywood.
anniversary n.
a date on which something special or important happened in a previous year
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130809_222a9.wmv
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Great Train Robbery (1)
50 years ago to the day …
1963, at about 3:00 in the morning
The Night Flyer rolled to an unexpected stop. The train was traveling from Glasgow, Scotland, to London, England, but had been halted by a red signal light. Seeking an emergency phone, a fireman stepped off the train only to be seized by robbers dressed as track workers. The men then entered the cab of the train and hit the driver over the head. Once they had unhooked the train's engine and first two cars from the rest, the Night Flyer moved on.
3:15 a.m.
It soon stopped at Bridego, where the thieves removed 120 mailbags from the High Value Package car. The driver and fireman were then tossed into the car with its five mail sorters and were told not to move.
By 3:45, the thieves' mission was complete, and all 15 of them made off with their goods without a trace. A stolen total of about 2.6 million pounds (US$50 million today) earned the crime its name - the Great Train Robbery. But though the robbery was successful, there are no clean getaways. ...
Grammar Gym
The Night Flyer rolled to an unexpected stop.
rolled
The ball rolled across the floor.
rolled
to move smoothly
- We jumped into our car and rolled down to the beach.
- The truck rolled into the parking lot.
Info Cloud
Hi friends. When you look up a word in the dictionary, are you paying attention to all the definitions?
You should. Because a lot of times, the first definition is not the one you are looking for.
Let's take a look at three words in today's lesson: "car", "engine", and "cab."
Now, you probably think, they're so familiar that there is no need to look them up.
But, in the lesson, the word "car" is not referring to an automobile, which is the first definition of car in most dictionaries.
Instead, it's referring to a railway carriage, and that's the fourth definition of car in my dictionary.
Likewise, the word "engine" is not referring to a machine, which is the first definition of engine in most dictionaries.
The engine in our lesson today is actually the locomotive that pulls a train.
And finally, the word "cab" does not mean a taxi cab in the lesson.
But it's referring to the enclosed compartment of a locomotive.
So remember to always look though all definitions when looking up a word to make sure you grasp its real meaning.
Language Lab
halt v.
to prevent someone or something from continuing - used especially in news reports [= stop]
- A police officer halted the truck to check if there were any illegal immigrants.
- The government halted the construction of the highway due to environmental objections.
unhook v.
to unfasten or remove something from a hook
- The workers spent hours carefully unhooking the curtains before painting the room.
- The fisherman unhooked the fish from the net because the fish was too small.
goods n. [plural]
things that are produced in order to be sold
- The store sells a wide variety of leather goods.
- The goods in the warehouse were all damaged by the fire.
- The price of dry goods rises during the Chinese New Year holiday.
getaway n. [get away 離開]
an escape from a place or unpleasant situation, especially after committing a crime;
a short holiday away from home, or a place where people go for a short holiday
- Perfect getaways only happen in movies, not in real life.
- Patricia went to Miami for a weekend getaway.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130808_f22a9.wmv
1963, at about 3:00 in the morning
The Night Flyer rolled to an unexpected stop. The train was traveling from Glasgow, Scotland, to London, England, but had been halted by a red signal light. Seeking an emergency phone, a fireman stepped off the train only to be seized by robbers dressed as track workers. The men then entered the cab of the train and hit the driver over the head. Once they had unhooked the train's engine and first two cars from the rest, the Night Flyer moved on.
3:15 a.m.
It soon stopped at Bridego, where the thieves removed 120 mailbags from the High Value Package car. The driver and fireman were then tossed into the car with its five mail sorters and were told not to move.
By 3:45, the thieves' mission was complete, and all 15 of them made off with their goods without a trace. A stolen total of about 2.6 million pounds (US$50 million today) earned the crime its name - the Great Train Robbery. But though the robbery was successful, there are no clean getaways. ...
Grammar Gym
The Night Flyer rolled to an unexpected stop.
rolled
The ball rolled across the floor.
rolled
to move smoothly
- We jumped into our car and rolled down to the beach.
- The truck rolled into the parking lot.
Info Cloud
Hi friends. When you look up a word in the dictionary, are you paying attention to all the definitions?
You should. Because a lot of times, the first definition is not the one you are looking for.
Let's take a look at three words in today's lesson: "car", "engine", and "cab."
Now, you probably think, they're so familiar that there is no need to look them up.
But, in the lesson, the word "car" is not referring to an automobile, which is the first definition of car in most dictionaries.
Instead, it's referring to a railway carriage, and that's the fourth definition of car in my dictionary.
Likewise, the word "engine" is not referring to a machine, which is the first definition of engine in most dictionaries.
The engine in our lesson today is actually the locomotive that pulls a train.
And finally, the word "cab" does not mean a taxi cab in the lesson.
But it's referring to the enclosed compartment of a locomotive.
So remember to always look though all definitions when looking up a word to make sure you grasp its real meaning.
Language Lab
halt v.
to prevent someone or something from continuing - used especially in news reports [= stop]
- A police officer halted the truck to check if there were any illegal immigrants.
- The government halted the construction of the highway due to environmental objections.
unhook v.
to unfasten or remove something from a hook
- The workers spent hours carefully unhooking the curtains before painting the room.
- The fisherman unhooked the fish from the net because the fish was too small.
goods n. [plural]
things that are produced in order to be sold
- The store sells a wide variety of leather goods.
- The goods in the warehouse were all damaged by the fire.
- The price of dry goods rises during the Chinese New Year holiday.
getaway n. [get away 離開]
an escape from a place or unpleasant situation, especially after committing a crime;
a short holiday away from home, or a place where people go for a short holiday
- Perfect getaways only happen in movies, not in real life.
- Patricia went to Miami for a weekend getaway.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130808_f22a9.wmv
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Drive-Ins
Eighty years ago the drive-in theater was born
Was your last trip to the movies a memorable experience? Maybe not. But years ago, people could have as much fun at the movies as they did watching the film.
The days of the drive-in theater
Hungry people would then flock to the concession stand for a small snack or a full meal. The drive-in provided a whole evening of inexpensive entertainment.
In the 1980s, however, VCRs, cable TV and rising property prices almost caused the death of drive-ins. People didn't go to them as before. But some drive-ins survive, and new generations of moviegoers are now enjoying the experience.
Grammar Gym
Hello, friends. Welcome to the Grammar Gym. My name is Liz. Our HISTORY article this month is about drive-ins. It’s a fun and interesting article. However, when it comes to HISTORY articles, not everyone is so interested in past events. It the case of today’s article, the writer could have jumped right into the history of drive-ins, but that would make a lot of readers lose interest. So what does the writer do to capture the readers’ attention?
She begins by asking a question:
Was your last trip to the movies a memorable experience? With this question, the writer invites her readers to think about a personal experience.
This creates a bridge and allows the readers to connect with the subject of the article. So next time when you’re writing or talking about a subject that is full of facts that might appear boring or not meaningful to readers or listeners. Don’t just jump right into your subject and lay out all the facts.
Instead, ask a personal question relating to your topic. This will make your readers or listeners more interested in what you have to say. And that’s it for today. This is Liz from the Grammar Gym. See you next time.
Info Cloud
You know, Steve, I think it’s a real shame that many drive-ins died out.
I think so, too, Ken.
In addition to the several reasons our lesson mentions, there’s one more reason for the death of drive-ins: the multiplex.
Ah, yes. The multiplex is a special kind of movie theater. The prefix “multi-” means many or more than one. So a multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens or auditoriums, maybe 6, 10 or even more.
Many multiplexes are part of a shopping mall, but they don’t have to be. Some multiplex theaters were built on the sites of former drive-in theaters.
Now that’s pretty ironic. But you have to admit, a multiplex theater has many advantages over the drive-in. In addition to offering more movie choices, it offers more showings for each movie so you don’t have to wait a long time for a particular movie to start.
Multiplex theaters also make good business sense. A theater owner can convert his single screen theater into a multiplex by dividing the large auditorium into a handful of smaller ones, thereby, generating more profit.
But those auditoriums tend to be pretty tiny like over-sized living rooms.
Which is why I try to avoid them.
Language Lab
memorable adj. 值得記念的, 難忘的, 重大的 [memo 記憶]
- The trip to Africa was a memorable time for Alison.
- The actress' memorable performance won her several movie awards.
mid-60s 60 年代中期。
- a painter in the mid-60s
late 晚期 - late 70s -70 年代晚期
early 早 - early 50s - 50 年代早期
a concession stand n. 只有具有許可，經營權的攤位
a small business that sells food, drinks, or other things at sports events, theatres etc
concession 經營權, 許可/ stand 攤販
- The concession stand at the fair sells popcorn and soda.
- The parents of the football team took turns running a concession stand.
generation n. 指一代或同代的人 [gen]出生
- The family ring was passed down from generation to generation.
generation 機械設計的新的版本，新的設計
- The company's newest generation of computers are a great success.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130606_aca87.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130606baac34e4fb241db4f8c67e2140a69c524fd.wma
Was your last trip to the movies a memorable experience? Maybe not. But years ago, people could have as much fun at the movies as they did watching the film.
The days of the drive-in theater
Hungry people would then flock to the concession stand for a small snack or a full meal. The drive-in provided a whole evening of inexpensive entertainment.
In the 1980s, however, VCRs, cable TV and rising property prices almost caused the death of drive-ins. People didn't go to them as before. But some drive-ins survive, and new generations of moviegoers are now enjoying the experience.
Grammar Gym
Hello, friends. Welcome to the Grammar Gym. My name is Liz. Our HISTORY article this month is about drive-ins. It’s a fun and interesting article. However, when it comes to HISTORY articles, not everyone is so interested in past events. It the case of today’s article, the writer could have jumped right into the history of drive-ins, but that would make a lot of readers lose interest. So what does the writer do to capture the readers’ attention?
She begins by asking a question:
Was your last trip to the movies a memorable experience? With this question, the writer invites her readers to think about a personal experience.
This creates a bridge and allows the readers to connect with the subject of the article. So next time when you’re writing or talking about a subject that is full of facts that might appear boring or not meaningful to readers or listeners. Don’t just jump right into your subject and lay out all the facts.
Instead, ask a personal question relating to your topic. This will make your readers or listeners more interested in what you have to say. And that’s it for today. This is Liz from the Grammar Gym. See you next time.
Info Cloud
You know, Steve, I think it’s a real shame that many drive-ins died out.
I think so, too, Ken.
In addition to the several reasons our lesson mentions, there’s one more reason for the death of drive-ins: the multiplex.
Ah, yes. The multiplex is a special kind of movie theater. The prefix “multi-” means many or more than one. So a multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens or auditoriums, maybe 6, 10 or even more.
Many multiplexes are part of a shopping mall, but they don’t have to be. Some multiplex theaters were built on the sites of former drive-in theaters.
Now that’s pretty ironic. But you have to admit, a multiplex theater has many advantages over the drive-in. In addition to offering more movie choices, it offers more showings for each movie so you don’t have to wait a long time for a particular movie to start.
Multiplex theaters also make good business sense. A theater owner can convert his single screen theater into a multiplex by dividing the large auditorium into a handful of smaller ones, thereby, generating more profit.
But those auditoriums tend to be pretty tiny like over-sized living rooms.
Which is why I try to avoid them.
Language Lab
memorable adj. 值得記念的, 難忘的, 重大的 [memo 記憶]
- The trip to Africa was a memorable time for Alison.
- The actress' memorable performance won her several movie awards.
mid-60s 60 年代中期。
- a painter in the mid-60s
late 晚期 - late 70s -70 年代晚期
early 早 - early 50s - 50 年代早期
a concession stand n. 只有具有許可，經營權的攤位
a small business that sells food, drinks, or other things at sports events, theatres etc
concession 經營權, 許可/ stand 攤販
- The concession stand at the fair sells popcorn and soda.
- The parents of the football team took turns running a concession stand.
generation n. 指一代或同代的人 [gen]出生
- The family ring was passed down from generation to generation.
generation 機械設計的新的版本，新的設計
- The company's newest generation of computers are a great success.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130606_aca87.wmv
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130606baac34e4fb241db4f8c67e2140a69c524fd.wma
Monday, April 29, 2013
[Advanced] St. Croix’s Sugar Museum (2)
Not far from Whim is the 16-acre St. George Village Botanical Garden, built around the ruins of another old plantation: the Estate St. George. It, too, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Water Mill was built around 1830 and destroyed in an 1867 earthquake. Surviving are the blacksmith shop, the village bakery, lime kilns, water flumes and the ruins of the sugar cane factory. Today the grounds are dominated by more than 1,500 species of native and exotic plants.
St. Croix is the largest and least-developed of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It covers 84 square miles and has about 51,500 residents. The western part of the island is rain forest; the eastern end is rocky and arid.
It often is overlooked next to its more famous sister islands, St. Thomas and St. John. They are about 40 miles to the north.
Colorful Christiansted on the north coast is the largest city on St. Croix. It features a historic district on the waterfront with more than 100 brightly painted buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of the best-preserved towns in the Caribbean. An old fortress, Fort Christiansvaern, was completed by the Danes in 1749 to protect the island from pirates, privateers and slave uprisings.
Buck Island Reef National Monument off the north coast is one of the premier diving-snorkeling spots in the Caribbean and the No. 1 tourist attraction on St. Croix.
It covers more than 19,000 acres, mostly below water, and preserves one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean. It features imposing walls and gardens of coral, concentrations of red, purple and blue sea fans, spectacular elkhorn and brain corals and colorful fish. It is five miles from Christiansted and 1.5 miles offshore.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130430ada6852196a646235151622504f74859f38.wma
The Water Mill was built around 1830 and destroyed in an 1867 earthquake. Surviving are the blacksmith shop, the village bakery, lime kilns, water flumes and the ruins of the sugar cane factory. Today the grounds are dominated by more than 1,500 species of native and exotic plants.
St. Croix is the largest and least-developed of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It covers 84 square miles and has about 51,500 residents. The western part of the island is rain forest; the eastern end is rocky and arid.
It often is overlooked next to its more famous sister islands, St. Thomas and St. John. They are about 40 miles to the north.
Colorful Christiansted on the north coast is the largest city on St. Croix. It features a historic district on the waterfront with more than 100 brightly painted buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of the best-preserved towns in the Caribbean. An old fortress, Fort Christiansvaern, was completed by the Danes in 1749 to protect the island from pirates, privateers and slave uprisings.
Buck Island Reef National Monument off the north coast is one of the premier diving-snorkeling spots in the Caribbean and the No. 1 tourist attraction on St. Croix.
It covers more than 19,000 acres, mostly below water, and preserves one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean. It features imposing walls and gardens of coral, concentrations of red, purple and blue sea fans, spectacular elkhorn and brain corals and colorful fish. It is five miles from Christiansted and 1.5 miles offshore.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130430ada6852196a646235151622504f74859f38.wma
[Advanced] St. Croix’s Sugar Museum (1)
Caribbean mansion on a laid-back island preserves a 250-year-old way of life
The Estate Whim Museum in Frederiksted, St. Croix, provides a look at what life was like 250 years ago on a sugar-cane island.
It includes the plantation house, slave quarters, outlying buildings, a towering windmill and the remains of a factory where sugar cane was processed.
It is the oldest sugar plantation museum in the Virgin Islands, typical of the agricultural plantations laid out in the 1730s by the Danish West India and Guinea Company.
Whim is listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places and the U.N.’s Slave Route Sites of Remembrance. It is one of more than 50 sites on St. Croix where plantation remains may be found.
The plantation on the southwest corner of the island was surveyed in 1733-35 when it came under Danish rule. St. Croix was one of the richest sugar islands in the West Indies from 1760 to 1820, when production was high and sugar prices were stable.
In 1803, St. Croix’s population was 30,000, of whom 26,500 were slaves who planted, harvested and processed cane on 218 island plantations. More than 100 windmills and almost as many animal mills ran day and night in season, converting sugar into wealth.
At first, Whim grew cotton, according to records from 1743. In 1754, sugar was introduced and that was grown until the 1920s.
The local economy boomed from 1760 to 1820. The golden age of sugar cane declined with the appearance of beet sugar in the United States and Europe. Slavery was abolished on St. Croix in 1848.
In 1932, Whim became a federal Homestead site and the land was resold to residents who promised to raise sugar cane for the central factory. That effort failed.
In 1954, Whim was deeded to the St. Croix Landmarks Society for preservation. It was in bad shape but restoration efforts got under way.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130429ada72b1eaa5763a37101ec16b26b809ce17.wma
The Estate Whim Museum in Frederiksted, St. Croix, provides a look at what life was like 250 years ago on a sugar-cane island.
It includes the plantation house, slave quarters, outlying buildings, a towering windmill and the remains of a factory where sugar cane was processed.
It is the oldest sugar plantation museum in the Virgin Islands, typical of the agricultural plantations laid out in the 1730s by the Danish West India and Guinea Company.
Whim is listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places and the U.N.’s Slave Route Sites of Remembrance. It is one of more than 50 sites on St. Croix where plantation remains may be found.
The plantation on the southwest corner of the island was surveyed in 1733-35 when it came under Danish rule. St. Croix was one of the richest sugar islands in the West Indies from 1760 to 1820, when production was high and sugar prices were stable.
In 1803, St. Croix’s population was 30,000, of whom 26,500 were slaves who planted, harvested and processed cane on 218 island plantations. More than 100 windmills and almost as many animal mills ran day and night in season, converting sugar into wealth.
At first, Whim grew cotton, according to records from 1743. In 1754, sugar was introduced and that was grown until the 1920s.
The local economy boomed from 1760 to 1820. The golden age of sugar cane declined with the appearance of beet sugar in the United States and Europe. Slavery was abolished on St. Croix in 1848.
In 1932, Whim became a federal Homestead site and the land was resold to residents who promised to raise sugar cane for the central factory. That effort failed.
In 1954, Whim was deeded to the St. Croix Landmarks Society for preservation. It was in bad shape but restoration efforts got under way.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130429ada72b1eaa5763a37101ec16b26b809ce17.wma
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The Daytona 500
Get ready for one of America’s biggest racing events!
極速賽車代托納五百
準備好迎接美國最盛大的賽車活動之一！
On this day in 1948, William France and his friends officially formed NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Over 200,000 fans will gather this coming Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida, to watch the 55th Daytona 500, NASCAR's biggest racing event.
Visitors will hear roaring engines, smell smoking tires and witness high-speed crashes. Top drivers compete in this 500-mile-long race, reaching speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour.
A Close Finish
In 1959, in the first Daytona 500 three cars were neck and neck as they flew past the checkered flag. Since race officials didn't have their own camera, they asked reproters for photos to determine the winner. The photos showed that Lee Petty had won the race by a few feet! He was declared the winner three days after the race. Ever since, cameras have been installed at the finish line.
Gaining Popularity
The race was first broadcast on national TV in 1979, giving many Americans their first exposure to stock car racing. Thousands of new fans quickly became hooked on this fast, loud and dangerous sport.
The 55th Daytona 500 is about to start. Drivers and fans alike are eager to hear the race's famous starting line: "Gentlemen, start your engines!"
Info Cloud
prohibition n. 禁止, 被禁
1 [noncount] : the act of not allowing something to be used or done
* the city's prohibition of smoking in restaurants
2 [count] : a law or order that stops something from being used or done
* a prohibition against parking on the street
3 Prohibition [noncount] : the period of time from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when it was illegal to make or sell alcohol
prohibit v. (以法令, 規定等)禁止
課文提到 NASCAR是1948年成立,
但其實 NASCAR 要追溯到更早期的禁止令 prohibition
1920年代的禁酒令, 人們為了走私酒, 也避免被警察抓到,
就把車子改裝成跑車, 因速度較快,
1933 取消禁酒令之後, 但是還要課稅, 所以還是用改裝車走私酒,
一直到1948年跑車正式的誔生
Grammar Gym
first exposure to: first time to experience
* Sarah's concert last night was her first exposure to performing in public.
* Jason's first exposure to cross-cultural communication was when he went on a study-aroad program.
Language Lab
stock car n. 用舊車改裝成的賽車
plural ∼ cars
[count] : a car used for racing that has the same basic structure as a car normally sold to the public but has a more powerful engine, a stronger frame, etc. — often used before another noun ▪ stock car racing
stock adj. 成就的, 老套的
* Hundreds of people gathered at the finish line, waiting for the champion of the stock car race.
幾百名觀眾在終點等候拼裝車的冠軍
witness v.目睹, 親眼看見
* Several people witnessed the accident.
幾位名眾目睹了這場車禍
witness n. 證人, 目擊者
* The witness identified the suspect at the police station.
證人在警局指認了這名嫌犯
neck and neck 並駕齊區
extremely close together in a race or contest
* The two horses were running neck and neck during the race.
二匹馬在比賽中並駕齊區
* The two candidates were neck and neck during the election campaign.
這二位候選人在選舉中並駕齊區
hook v. 勾住, 使動彈不得
become hooked on something 被某件事情吸引住了, 迷住了
* I got hooked on the music of this famous band.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130221_e24f3.wmv
極速賽車代托納五百
準備好迎接美國最盛大的賽車活動之一！
On this day in 1948, William France and his friends officially formed NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Over 200,000 fans will gather this coming Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida, to watch the 55th Daytona 500, NASCAR's biggest racing event.
Visitors will hear roaring engines, smell smoking tires and witness high-speed crashes. Top drivers compete in this 500-mile-long race, reaching speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour.
A Close Finish
In 1959, in the first Daytona 500 three cars were neck and neck as they flew past the checkered flag. Since race officials didn't have their own camera, they asked reproters for photos to determine the winner. The photos showed that Lee Petty had won the race by a few feet! He was declared the winner three days after the race. Ever since, cameras have been installed at the finish line.
Gaining Popularity
The race was first broadcast on national TV in 1979, giving many Americans their first exposure to stock car racing. Thousands of new fans quickly became hooked on this fast, loud and dangerous sport.
The 55th Daytona 500 is about to start. Drivers and fans alike are eager to hear the race's famous starting line: "Gentlemen, start your engines!"
Info Cloud
prohibition n. 禁止, 被禁
1 [noncount] : the act of not allowing something to be used or done
* the city's prohibition of smoking in restaurants
2 [count] : a law or order that stops something from being used or done
* a prohibition against parking on the street
3 Prohibition [noncount] : the period of time from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when it was illegal to make or sell alcohol
prohibit v. (以法令, 規定等)禁止
課文提到 NASCAR是1948年成立,
但其實 NASCAR 要追溯到更早期的禁止令 prohibition
1920年代的禁酒令, 人們為了走私酒, 也避免被警察抓到,
就把車子改裝成跑車, 因速度較快,
1933 取消禁酒令之後, 但是還要課稅, 所以還是用改裝車走私酒,
一直到1948年跑車正式的誔生
Grammar Gym
first exposure to: first time to experience
* Sarah's concert last night was her first exposure to performing in public.
* Jason's first exposure to cross-cultural communication was when he went on a study-aroad program.
Language Lab
stock car n. 用舊車改裝成的賽車
plural ∼ cars
[count] : a car used for racing that has the same basic structure as a car normally sold to the public but has a more powerful engine, a stronger frame, etc. — often used before another noun ▪ stock car racing
stock adj. 成就的, 老套的
* Hundreds of people gathered at the finish line, waiting for the champion of the stock car race.
幾百名觀眾在終點等候拼裝車的冠軍
witness v.目睹, 親眼看見
* Several people witnessed the accident.
幾位名眾目睹了這場車禍
witness n. 證人, 目擊者
* The witness identified the suspect at the police station.
證人在警局指認了這名嫌犯
neck and neck 並駕齊區
extremely close together in a race or contest
* The two horses were running neck and neck during the race.
二匹馬在比賽中並駕齊區
* The two candidates were neck and neck during the election campaign.
這二位候選人在選舉中並駕齊區
hook v. 勾住, 使動彈不得
become hooked on something 被某件事情吸引住了, 迷住了
* I got hooked on the music of this famous band.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130221_e24f3.wmv
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