The End of a Conversation (2)

• How long should a conversation last?
• When do you end a conversation?

Maybe you just met someone in a social situation. You can say, "It was nice to meet you. Maybe we can talk again sometime." If you really hit it off with the other person, you can exchange contact information.

When you start a conversation, have an idea of how long you should talk. For example, maybe you meet someone while they're doing errands. You know they will want to get back to them soon.

If you sit next to someone on the bus or plan, don't talk for the entire trip. You or the other person may want some quiet time.

Another strategy to end a conversation is to make it easy for the other person to leave. Say, "Well, I'm sure you have a lot to do today."

Use these ideas to end a conversation, or be aware that others may use them. Then you'll know it's time to end the conversation and get on with your day.


Info Cloud

One way to help ease the awkwardness or sadness of saying goodbye is to inject a little humor into the situation.

Right, if you are with close friends instead of saying the standard, “I have to leave now, try the more humorous, “I’m going to make like a tree and leave”, don’t get it? Let’s break it down.

Okay, first to make like means to behave in the manner of, so to make like a tree means to behave like a tree.

So when you say this, you’re leading your friends to believe you will somehow imitate a tree that in itself isn’t absurd but funny thought.

Yeah, so just how will you imitate a tree? You will leave, but wait a second, trees can’t leave, they don’t move.

No, but they can produce leaves and there in lies a humor. In the punch line you’ve created a pun by playing with two different meanings of the word leave.

These guys of goodbyes are clever humorous and ungrammatical all at the same time. But that’s what makes them so fun. Okay everyone, I think it’s time for me to make like an egg and beat it.

英文有一個特別, 那就是它可以採用 pun (n.雙關語) 來製造出許多有趣的句子,
如果你覺得要跟某人道別, 感覺很尷尬, 你可以用這句話來化解這種尷尬和不自然的感覺,
I'm going to make like a tree and leave.
字面上是說我要扮成一顆樹然後離開
奇怪? 樹跟離開有什麼關係呀?
因為樹上有很多樹葉, leave在這裡是一個pun 雙關語

還有一個也是很冷的句子
Make like an egg and beat it.
做一個雞蛋然後 beat it,
beat it指的是走開,
beat it 在烹飪指的是打蛋,
這句話在這裡是指滾蛋的意思

Language Lab
hit it off 與某人相處的來
to become friends; to get along well
- Sandra and Mandy didn't hit it off at the beginning, but now they're best friends.
- Nina doesn't hit it off with her boyfriends's buddies.

errand n. 短程的差事
/ˈerənd/
a short journey that you take to do or get something
- Chelsea's boss kept sending her on one errand after another yesterday.
- I have to run some errands before we meet.
run an errand for someone 替某人辦事
- Lydia had her secretary run errands for her this morning.

aware adj. 意識到的, 明白的
/əˈweɚ/
knowing that something (such as a situation, condition, or problem) exists
- Are you aware that our boss hasn't shown up for almost a week?
- David wasn't aware of the risks of investing all his money in one project.

get on with  [phrasal verb]
get on with something
to continue doing (something)
- We have no time to chat. We need to get on with our meeting.
- I got on with my work after finishing the phone conversation.
- Helen hopes she can get on her life as soon as possible after the surgery.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20160304baa07c15e516edec3a9eea76e42fe1f468db5d7b4290eafe6beffee23623f1c64c4.wma

The End of a Conversation (1)

How to end a conversation politely

Info Cloud
I remember when I first taught English in Asia, a couple of nights each week I would invite students over to my apartment, so they could practice their English. But when they decided it was time to leave, they did so a little differently then what I was used to. They didn’t use pre-closings.

And what are pre-closings? They’re phrases that signal the end of a conversation.

Right, very often a student would just suddenly get up and announce, “It is late, I must go.” And then they’d be out the door. Now growing up in America, I was more used to visit gradually winding down rather than ending abruptly.

And this doesn’t mean you must use pre-closings when talking to westerners or even that westerners always use pre-closings, but you should be aware of them.

That’s right. Pre-closings are useful. There’re indirect and polite way of saying is there anything else we need to talk about before I go.

Knowing a few pre-closings will help you when you want to extract yourself from a conversation.

Yes, recognizing pre-closings will also help you to know when someone else is signaling you, that they’re ready for the conversation to end.

當你跟別人聊天, 聊了一段時間, 對方如果說,
well, maybe we can get together someday. 也許我們改天再見面,
這時候你千萬不要拿出你的行事曆, 向對方確認下一次的時間,
對方說的話是一種 pre-closing 結束前語
通常想要結束的一方會發出暗示要結束的訊息

Language Lab
converse v.
to talk usually informally with someone: to have a conversation
- They conversed quietly in the corner of the room.
- At home we often converse in Spanish.
conversation n.

chat v.
chats; chatted; chatting
to talk with someone in a casual way
chat n.
- We enjoyed a chat over coffee.

catch v.
to meet with (someone)
- I'll catch you later.

pottery n.
objects (such as bowls, plates, etc.) that are made out of clay usually by hand and then baked at high temperatures so that they become hard
the art or activity of making objects out of clay

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20160303baac041dfecb8e641c111e7f44c0530de81e704e836e8b3128a41d1767c152a6fb0.wma

2015-08-08 A Fair-Weather Friend? (2)

After school, she was shooting the breeze with her friend Jackie. Jackie remarked that she’d seen Sara at the mall during lunch time going into Forever 18. The news hit Ava like a bolt from the blue. Sara would only go there for one reason – to buy the jacket for herself! Ava felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She should have left Sara in the dark about the sale. She’d had her head in the clouds and hadn’t been thinking clearly. She decided to confront Sara!

Ava stormed over to Sara’s house. When she knocked, Sara answered, “Oh, come in, Ava!” she exclaimed happily. “I  have something for you.” She handed Ava a box. “I know you’ve been snowed under lately,” she said. “So I thought I’d so something nice for you.” When Ava opened the box, there was the jacket! She hugged Sara and felt relieved. Sara wasn’t a fair-weather friend after all. Now everything was as right as rain. Sara’s friendship was a ray of sunshine.

Editor's Summary
.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: One Space or Two?教學主題: 句尾間隔的紛爭
Hello, friends! When typing in English, how many spaces should there be after a period, one or two?

Well, there are lots of people who would say one, and lots of other people who would say two. The confusion comes from the era of the typewriter, anyone remember those? The typewriter used mono spaced type to make type documents easier to read people were taught at an extra space after each period.

Today though, computers use proportional fonts, so adding an extra space after a period is unnecessary.

Indeed, professional topographers and English style guys are all in agreement, that there should be just one space after period.

But as we said, there are still people who insist on using two. One journalism teacher in Colorado still today, teaches her high school students to use two spaces, even though she knows it goes against what all the style manual say.

So why does she do that, well she admits it’s because that’s how she learned to type when she was a student.

Friends, in your life as you study English, is there any thing you know you’re doing wrong? Yet refused to change just because it’s what you’re used to?

Language Lab
remark v.
to say something, especially about something you have just noticed:
remark that
- Sean remarked that he's going to England to study literature.
remark n.
something that you say when you express an opinion or say what you have noticed [= comment]:
- The governor's remarks about the incident irritated many women.

confront v.
if a problem, difficulty etc confronts you, it appears and needs to be dealt with:
- She left me no choice but to confront her.
to face someone in a threatening way, as though you are going to attack them:
- The robbers opened fire when confronted by the police.
confrontation n.
a situation in which there is a lot of angry disagreement between two people or groups:
- a serious military confrontation

exclaim v.
to say something suddenly and loudly because you are surprised, angry, or excited:
- "Help!" the girl trapped under the ruins exclaimed.
- She exclaimed in delight upon hearing the good news.

relieve v.
to reduce someone's pain or unpleasant feelings
- A nice hot bath can help relieve your headache.
relieved adj.
feeling happy because you are no longer worried about something
- I was so relieved when I heard you'd recovered from the surgery.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150808baafbe56f2f6a193fd3d52507bd81d86a7815b8a4526d1a9ec84f8ba1f5299145e2.wma

2015-08-07 A Fair-Weather Friend? (1)

• Why was Ava so upset?
• Why didn't Ava buy the jacket?

Friendship isn’t always a breeze.
Ava’s face looked like thunder, and she was fuming. She had thrown caution to the wind, and now she regretted it. She hoped she could weather the storm that was brewing between her and Sara. Sara was her best friend – sometimes. They had a stormy relationship. Some days, everything was fine. On others, she felt like Sara was just a fair-weather friend. Today was one of those days.

Yesterday Ava had told Sara about a jacket she’d seen at Forever 18. She wanted it desperately. A sales clerk had told Ava in confidence that the jacket would go on sale today. She was on cloud nine and had told Sara. Ava planned to go to the store the next day and buy it. Sara had assured her she’d not let anyone get wind of Ava’s plan. There was only one jacket left in Ava’s size. Well, Ava had gone to the store, and the jacket was gone! She was crushed. Her entire day was now under a cloud.

Editor's Summary
.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Different Stores教學主題: 不同形式的Store
Over the past decade we have been witnesses to a shopping revolution. More and more of us are using the internet to buy stuff, everything imaginable including English lessons.

Why, mostly because the internet is super convenient. Back in 2012, for the first time ever global e-commerce sales topped one trillion US dollars.

Unfortunately, the success of e-commerce is making a difficult for traditional stores to stay in business.

Umm... you might hear of traditional stores, being referred to as brick and mortar stores which are stores and actual physical buildings as opposed to somewhere in cyberspace.

Another kind of store is the big box store, also known as a superstore, most often these businesses are chain stores, that is, a network of many stores with the same name under the same ownership selling the same stuff. Big box stores specialize in  selling things in high volume at discount prices.

Making them an enemy of mom-and-pop stores, which are small, independent businesses operated by members of the same family. Mom-and pop stores are great for the lively hood of local communities, but sadly they too are struggling to stay a float in this age of e-commerce.

Language Lab
fair-weather friend 
someone who only wants to be your friend when you are successful;
[=they are friends when you are successful but not when you fail]
- As soon as Henry ran out of money, all his fair-weather friends left him.

fume v.
/ˈfjuːm/
to produce or give off (smoke, fumes, etc.);
to show or feel anger
- My sister and I had a quarrel last week. When I saw her last night, she was still fuming.
quarrel n.
/ˈkworəl/
an angry argument or disagreement
fume at/over/about
- People are fuming over the unjust verdict of the trial.

in confidence
if you tell someone something in confidence, you tell them something on the understanding that they will not tell anyone else
- Alicia told the reporter the information in confidence.
- I'm telling you these things in confidence. Make sure no one knows about our conversation.

assure v.
to tell someone that something will definitely happen or is definitely true so that they are less worried [= reassure]
- The mechanic assured me that my car would be ready by noon.
- I can assure you that you'll be satisfied with our product.
assurance n.
the state of being sure or certain about something
- Kevin gave his wife assurance that he'd take care of her no matter what.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150807baaaca2c29c61254d44f0c9a3d7c913fdf2e43ac2a3609f3811296280760775630b.wma

What Did You Say?

Be polite when asking again

Interviews, meeting or phone calls – your conversations are important. But what if you can’t understand the person? In English, it can be rude to repeatedly ask, “What?” when you don’t know what someone has said. You don’t want that person to think their pronunciation is unclear. There are many ways to politely ask someone to repeat something. Start by apologizing for not hearing what the person said. You can begin with “excuse me” or "pardon me" or "sorry." Then politely say that you did not hear or understand what was said. For instance, you could say, "I'm sorry, but I didn't quite hear you."

You could also say, “Can you please say that again?” or “Could you repeat that?” It can be frustrating when you don’t hear someone clearly. But it is always important to say calm and pleasant. And be sure to put the blame on yourself. You didn’t hear clearly or understand. That makes people feel more comfortable even when you can’t understand them well.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Enunciation vs. Pronunciation教學主題: 表示「發音」的兩個字
You might have a large English vocabulary understand all the grammar rules and even know the exceptions to the rules. But if you can’t make yourself understood when you speak, expect to hear “Why did you say a lot?”

When speaking any language, knowing how to string words together to create coherent sentences isn’t enough. You also need skill in the delivering those words.

Right. You need both good enunciation as well as good pronunciation. Enunciation is making yourself understood, while pronunciation is saying sounds correctly.

Okay, consider the word February, the name of the second month of the year. Say the word aloud, being very careful to say each syllable clearly and precisely, [ fe, bju, e, ri.]

Good, now say it again. Each syllable clear and precise, [ fe , bju, e, ri.]

Okay, we tricked you to show that it is possible to have good enunciation, but poor pronunciation.

Right, our enunciation was clear and precise both times, but our pronunciation was correct only the second time. So is it possible for the opposite to occur to have good pronunciation but poor enunciation?

I think it is. I might pronounce February correctly, but say it so softly. You can’t hear me.


Closer Look
In English, it can be rude to repeatedly ask, “What?” when you don’t know what someone has said.
It can be [adjective] to [verb] when [situation].
- It can be frustrating to walk home on a rainy day when you have to carry many things by yourself.
- It can be embarrassing to ask for someone's name when you've already met them before.

Language Lab
repeatedly adv. [repeat v.]
said, done, or happening again and again
repetitively adv.
happening again and again : repeated many times
- I repetitively explained the importance of setting the alarm system to Grandpa, but he just didn't get it.

unclear adj. = clear as mud; crystal clear = very clear
confused or uncertain about something — often + about
- There are some points of your proposal that are unclear to me.
- The motives for the crime remain unclear.

frustrating adj.
causing feelings of anger and annoyance
- Losing the game again is really frustrating for the whole team.
frustrated adj.
- Irene is frustrated because she can't find a job.

blame n.
responsibility for something that fails or is wrong
put the blame on someone
- The business owner put all the blame on his factory manager for the fire.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150627baae7091bf8ec605ec0d8d08ffd5f021be1b62d636acc06fd557e05582862c8edcb.wma

Joy to the World (3)

Joy lay awake that night while everyone else was sleeping like a baby. She was contemplating ways to help Nick. As soon as she heard her parents get up, she jumped out of bed. She found them in the kitchen and told them about encountering Nick two days earlier. Then she asked, "Can we invite him over today?" "I  don't know if he'll want to come, but in a few hours, you can call him and ask, said Joy's mother. She was always happy when guests came.

Joy's father smiled and said, "Like mother, like daughter. I guess hospitality runs in the family."

When Joy called Nick later that day, he was delighted. After getting his uncle's permission, he joined them for dinner.

At Joy's house, Christmas dinner was the mother of all feasts. Joy's mother always prepared a variety of delectable dishes.

To her surprise, Joy really enjoyed spending time with Nick. He came to visit many times after that, and soon he was like family to them.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Soon As vs. As Soon As Possible
教學主題: As Soon As和As Soon As Possible的區分
as soon as possible 盡快
- I need that report as soon as possible.
- I need that report ASAP.
ASAP 縮寫, 也可以當成一個單字

as soon as 一但... 就怎麼樣
- Can you call me as soon as you get the news from the hospital?

Grammar Gym
Joy lay awake that night while everyone else was sleeping like a baby.
lay= to lie
being in the position in which the body is flat on top of somewhere

Language Lab
contemplate v.
to think about something that you might do in the future [= consider]:
- When Peter was hospitalized, it gave him some time to contemplate his future.
- Alan and his wife have been contemplating moving to the suburbs for the sake of their kids.

encounter v.
to meet someone without planning to:
- We encountered a moose on our way to the next village.
encounter n.
an occasion when you meet someone, or do something with someone you do not know:
- The story is about the hero's strange encounter with a unicorn.

delighted adj.
very pleased and happy
- I'm so delighted to finally meet you!
delighted with/by/at
- The boss of the record company is delighted with their sales figures.

delectable adj.
extremely pleasant to taste or smell [= delicious]:
- These delectable desserts displayed in the window are so tempting.
- The restaurant's delectable cuisine attracts many customers from other countries.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141226baa351c0a103a8ef50fb06dc6dd9122e28d28ce291c838fabe2578b52d9377be28c.wma

Joy to the World (2)

On Christmas Eve, Joy's family hustled around preparing for the holiday. Her father was a family man and had taken several days off work. Joy was a poster child for holiday cheer, dancing around and grinning.

After dinner, the family piled into their car and headed to church for the Christmas Eve service.

Snowflakes drifted down as they walked into the old building. Immediately they were surrounded by joyful melodies of Christmas carols.

A man stood up and read the story Joy had learned on her mother's knee. It was about a baby named Jesus who was born in the town of Bethlehem. This baby was God's Son. He had come to live on Earth out of love and to be with people who desperately needed him.

Joy's thoughts kept turning back to Nick. It must be miserable to be lonely on Christmas, a day that celebrates God's Son coming to Earth. Tears started to run down her cheeks, but she brushed them away. She didn't want to look like a crybaby.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What Is a Holiday?教學主題: 何謂Holiday？
National Holiday 國訂假日
bank holiday 英式說法的國訂假日
holiday 英國人指渡假
美國人會用 vacation

Grammar Gym
"It must be miserable to be lonely on Christmas."
It must be [adjective] to be [description of a situation].
- It must be great to be finished with your research paper so early.
- It must be depressing to be working in the office on a Friday night.

Language Lab
hustle v.
to hurry in doing something or going somewhere:
- We have to hustle if we want to catch the train.
- Derek hustled up to his room to get his school bag.
hustle n.
busy and noisy activity:
- Hanna doesn't like the hustle of city life.

drift v.
to move slowly on water or in the air
- The boat drifted away from the dock without anyone noticing.
- The hot-air balloon drifted above the plains.
- We drifted down the stream and reached the ocean after several hours.

desperately adv.
in a desperate way
- The patient desperately needs a heart transplant.
- The lost boy's parents are looking for him desperately.
desperate adj.
willing to do anything to change a very bad situation, and not caring about danger:
- The couple were desperate to have a baby.

miserable adj.
extremely unhappy, for example because you feel lonely, cold, or badly treated:
- Tom looks miserable after Sandi broke up with him.
- Wesley is really miserable living on his own.
making you feel very unhappy, uncomfortable etc:
- Who would want to go out in such miserable weather?

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141225baa6a9d7ca80525cb64c843044b1e89bc0dba45a0c9a283c15be57023bb95940c97.wma

Joy to the World (1)

Sharing Christmas cheer

Lights, ornaments and Christmas trees filled the mall. Everyone and his brother was there because Christmas was only two days away!

Thirteen-year-old Joy had just finished her Christmas shopping. Finding presents for her parents, grandparents and siblings had been child's play. She knew them well enough that finding them presents was like taking candy from a baby.

Then Joy bumped into her classmate Nick, the least popular student in school. He wore weird clothing, and he had a high-pitched voice and a face only a mother could love.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" said Nick with a smile that showed all his yellow teeth. "I'm opening presents and having dinner with my family," said Joy, trying to be polite. "What about you?"

"My parents are away," he said. "So I'm stuck with my uncle, who doesn't like me very much."

Joy wasn't sure how to respond, so she said goodbye with an awkward smile. She felt sorry for Nick since he must feel lonely. But that wasn't really her problem. She was not her brother's keeper.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Different Malls (不同的Mall)
the National Mall 華府廣場
mall 大型的購物廣場
the food court 美食街
mall rat 喜歡在購物中心晃的年輕人

Grammar Gym
She knew them well enough that finding them presents was like taking candy from a baby.
[Subject] knew [something] well enough that [verb-ing] was like [description].
- Vicky knew the amusement park well enough that walking through it was like going through her backyard.
- Wanda knew her neighbors well enough that being with them was like being with her family.

Language Lab
ornament n.
a small object that you keep in your house because it is beautiful rather than useful:
- The vase was put in the center of the table as an ornament.
- Most of our Christmas tree ornaments were handmade by our children when they were little.

bump into somebody phrasal verb
to meet someone who you know when you were not expecting to [= run into]:
- I bumped into my high school teacher yesterday at the airport.
- Max bumped into the glass window as he was rushing out.

be + stuck with someone
stick with something/somebody phrasal verb
to stay close to someone:
- I'm stuck with my young nephews during Christmas vacation.

her brother's keeper
used to say that you are not responsible for someone else's actions
- Why do you ask me where Ben has been? I'm not my brother's keeper.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141224baa21aed28094aa63a8b5a8f853d6f72358647afb5645115d06d41ecd637d7ad07a.wma

Fighting Fire with Water (Part 2 of 2) (3)

Harry ran to join the combat. But Mr. Golden pushed Blaise off the bridge.

Iris called, "Blow him out of the water, Harry," and ran to help Blaise.

As they fought, Mr. Golden invited Harry to work for him. "You have potential. What I'm doing now is a drop in the ocean compared to what we could do together," he said.

"Never," said Harry.

"Is it that girl?" asked Mr. Golden. "Forget about her. There are other fish in the sea."

"Go jump in a lake!" shouted Harry.

Mr. Golden threw a ball of fire at Harry. But Harry extinguished it with a blast of water.

Sirens announced that the police were coming. Mr. Golden panicked, throwing fire everywhere. Harry shielded himself with a wall of water, but the heat melted part of the metal bridge. It collapsed, and Harry and Mr. Golden fell into the river.

Mr. Golden couldn't swim, so Harry pulled him to shore, where the police were waiting to arrest him.

Harry kept his research job. And he and his friends continued to use their powers to defend people in need.

Language Lab
combat n.
active fighting especially in a war

extinguish v.
to cause (something) to stop burning
extinguisher n.
a metal container filled with chemicals that is used to put out a fire

collapse v.
1: if a building, wall etc collapses, it falls down suddenly, usually because it is weak or damaged
2: to suddenly fall down or become unconscious because you are ill or weak

defend v.
1: to do something in order to protect someone or something from being attacked
2: to use arguments to protect something or someone from criticism, or to prove that something is right

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141031baa93d2dab59626e73ed7e682bd417dca6c070c1742ca3e606c5de3af6705839e25.wma

Fighting Fire with Water (Part 2 of 2) (2)

Iris was arguing with Officer Brooks, a police officer who knew about Iris's past. She thought Iris had caused the explosion. Iris blamed a criminal named Mr. Golden. He and Iris's father, Blaise, had acquired the power to control fire.

"Don't muddy the waters," Officer Brooks said. "You can't fool me."

"You're all wet," protested Iris. "Mr. Golden is trying to destroy the lab."

Since Office Brooks couldn't prove Iris's guilt, she let her go.

Harry and Iris got into Iris's car, and Harry told her what had happened.

Iris said she had spotted Mr. Golden after the explosion. Before he drove away, she had put a tracking device on his car. He was currently driving across Deepwater Bridge. Iris called her father so he could intercept Mr. Golden and throw cold water on his plans. Then she pushed a button.

"The tracking device can shut off the car's engine. It will be dead in the water," she explained.

Iris and Harry found Mr. Golden and Blaise fighting on the bridge. Blaise's attacks were rolling off Mr. Golden like water off a duck's back.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: How to Address Your Teacher 如何稱呼老師
teacher 在英文裡只能當形容老師, 所以不能說 Teacher + last name,
而是說 Steve works as a teacher.
所以在國外尊稱男老師是用sir, 女老師是用 ma'am 或 miss,
但大多數的學校可以直接用 Mr. + 老師的last name: Mr. Lee,
未婚的女老師可以用 Miss, 已婚的女老師是用 Mrs. + 冠夫姓
不想說婚姻情況的可用 Ms.
大學則是用 Professor + last name,
若professor用博士學位可以 Dr. + last name

Grammar Gym
Iris said she had spotted Mr. Golden after the explosion.
to spot:
to suddenly notice or to see something that that is not easily noticeable.
- The police spotted the criminal walking through the busy train station.
- Just when Jacky thought the parking lot was full, she spotted an empty spot at the far end of the lot.

Language Lab
acquire v.
to obtain something by buying it or being given it:
- At age 22, Tom had already acquired fame and wealth.
- Louisa is wearing her newly acquired dress tonight.
to gain knowledge or learn a skill:
- Children seem to acquire a new language faster than adults.

guilt n.
the fact that you have broken an official law or moral rule
- After days of interrogation, the suspect finally admitted his guilt.
a strong feeling of shame and sadness because you know that you have done something wrong
- She suffers from the guilt of letting her parents down.
guilty adj.
feeling very ashamed and sad because you know that you have done something wrong
- He's guilty of theft.

intercept v.
to stop something or someone that is going from one place to another before they get there:
- The defensive player intercepted the ball successfully.
- The police intercepted the criminal on his way to the airport.

shut off phrasal verb
shut past tense and past participle shut, present participle shutting
if a machine, tool etc shuts off or if you shut it off, it stops operating [= turn off]:
- Make sure the power is shut off before we change the wiring.
- The security company and shut off the alarm system.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141030baa252d3205ccd424bf219df8fafe72c0067fc83d4d3da7d004a05a98d630ed9a50.wma

Fighting Fire with Water (Part 2 of 2) (1)

Harry finds himself in hot water

In his lab late at night, Harry examined the medicine he was developing. He decided it needed to be watered down. Harry's job was interesting but intense. There was so much to do that he could barely keep his head above water.

Suddenly the floor in front of Harry exploded, throwing him backward against some shelves. An open bottle fell on his head, and the medicine in it poured all over him. Harry winced, but soon his head stopped hurting.

Fire was spreading across the room toward him. Startled, Harry threw his hand up to protect himself. Water shot out of his palm, putting out the fire. This super power was new to Harry, but he took to it like a duck to water.

A tile broke off and fell toward Harry. He blasted it aside with water.

Harry thought the building might cave in, so he ran outside. There he saw his friend Iris. The first time they had met, Iris had stolen medicine from his lab. But that was now water under the bridge.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Labs and Lab Rats (實驗室與白老鼠)
lab=laboratory 實驗室
lavatory 洗手間
lab rat 白老鼠或指一整天都待在實驗室的人
gym rat 一整天都待在健身房的人

Grammar Gym
Fire was spreading across the room toward him.
[Subject] was [verb-ing] across [a place] toward [somewhere].
- The student was walking across the soccer field toward the library.
- Mr. Lee was walking across the lobby toward the front desk.

Language Lab
intense adj.
having a very strong effect or felt very strongly:
- The intense atmosphere among the contestants attracts viewers to watch the game show.
- The intense heat caused many elderly people to be hospitalized.
intensive adj.
involving a lot of activity, effort, or careful attention in a short period of time:
- intensive training

wince v.
to suddenly change the expression on your face as a reaction to something painful or upsetting:
to have an expression on your face for a very short time which shows that you are embarrassed or in pain
- As the child's fingers got near the boiling pot, he winced.
- When the nurse changed his gauze, Frank winced in pain.
gauze n.
also gauze bandage American English
thin cotton with very small holes in it that is used for tying around a wound:
- His hands were wrapped in gauze bandages.

startle v.
to make someone suddenly surprised or slightly shocked:
- Startled by the sight of blood, the girl fainted.
- The news report of the bomber startled the people of this town.
startled adj.
- a startled look

blast v.
if air or water is blasted somewhere, or if it blasts somewhere, it moves there with great force:
- The storm is blasting great drifts of snow on the mountain.
blast n.
an explosion, or the very strong movement of air that it causes
- Many people were injured by the blast set up by the terrorists.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20141029baa7bdf80ecb281bbc74cf4eea09de081830cc038b343cecfc2a7c226e3a0882a26.wma

Trial by Fire (3)

"Thanks for the medicine," Mr. Golden said.

He threw a ball of fire at Blaise and ran outside.

The ball of fire missed Blaise. He ran after Mr. Golden and emerged from the building. He saw Mr. Golden throwing balls of fire at the police officers.

Blaise decided to fight fire with fire.

He yelled, "Stop!"

Blaise and Mr. Golden began to fight. Iris helped the bystanders get out of the line of fire. Finally Blaise hit Mr. Golden, and he dropped the bag. Realizing he couldn't win, Mr. Golden ran to a car. He fired up the engine and drove away.

Police officers tried to follow, but he escaped. The police asked Blaise to help them catch Mr. Golden, and he agreed.

When Blaise explained the situation to Iris, she said, "The burning question is: what will Mr. Golden do next?"

Blaise didn't know. He realized he was playing with fire. But he was eager to do the right thing.

(To be continued...)

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Literally (名副其實的)

literally adv. 照字面的, 也就是名副其實的
例如: play with fire 通常是當冠用語, 指做危險的事, 給自己找麻煩
但如果說 Steve is literally playing with fire.
指的是 Steve 的確在玩火,
literally 常常被誤用來加大語氣, 而鬧出了許多笑話
像是 I was so tired that my legs literally turned to jelly.
我的雙腿累到變成果凍
講這句話的人原本是想表達: 我的雙腿累到幾乎簡直變成果凍
但用了literally 指的是名副其實真的變成果凍

Grammar Gym

Realizing he couldn't win, Mr. Golden ran to a car. He fired up the engine and drove away. 

Realizing he/she couldn't [verb 1], [subject] [did something].

- Realizing she couldn't get anything from the babysitter, the child stopped crying.

- Realizing he couldn't find his way out of the museum, the tourist stopped and asked for directions.

Language Lab
emerge v.
to appear or come out from somewhere:
- Thousands of fans emerged from the stadium after the game was over.
- The lifeguard emerged from the sea, carrying the wounded swimmer.
to begin to be known or noticed:
- A new generation of talents has emerged to replace the old one.

bystander n.
someone who watches what is happening without taking part
people who stand by the side
- An unknown bystander witnessed the whole robbery.
- None of the bystanders would help the injured man.

situation n.
a combination of all the things that are happening and all the conditions that exist at a particular time in a particular place
- The situation between these two countries is very intense.
- After the hurricane destroyed the coastal area, the government helped take care of the situation.

play with fire
- The kid almost burned himself when he was playing with fire.
to do something that could have a very dangerous or harmful result:
- Making these risky investments is playing with fire.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140903baac96420cc3f41731dbccf3b023c9d348f194f1eeb2d764ed07e9284014484dc13.wma

Trial by Fire (2)

Some time later, Blaise and Iris heard a news report on the car radio. A downtown bank had caught fire. Blaise asked Iris to drive him there. He intended to use his power to help.

Iris burned rubber to get downtown. Drivers shouted, "Where's the fire?" But she didn't slow down.

When they arrived, the bank was going up in flames, and police and firefighters were standing nearby.

Blaise couldn't use his power to put out such a big fire. But he pushed the flames aside to let people out.

He wasn't content to wait outside. He worried that someone trapped inside might be burned to a crisp. So he sneaked past the firefighters and went inside.

Blaise didn't mind heat, but he had to crawl so he wouldn't breathe in too much smoke. Then he saw someone running toward him. As the man got nearer, Blaise realized it was Mr. Golden. And he was carrying a bag of money.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: When T’s Become D’s (當T讀作D時)
美國人講英文時, 有時候T的音會發成D的音,
例如: later/shouted/metal/butter
這個是美語的一個特色,
當T被放在二個分母之間,
T的音就會唸成D的音

當T出現在R之後, 也會有這種現象,
例如: charter

但T出現在n的音之前, T的發音就不會變,
例如: written

要注意這是美語的現象, 英國人就不一定會這樣發音了


Grammar Gym
Blaise didn't mind heat, but he had to crawl so he wouldn't breathe in too much smoke.
[subject] didn't mind [something], but ... 
- Julie didn't mind noise, but the screaming child next to her was starting to bother her.
- Kendra didn't mind getting dirty, but not being able to shower for three days was hard for her to accept.

Language Lab
catch fire phrasal verb
if something catches fire, it starts to burn accidentally:
- The house suddenly caught fire for no reason.
- In the intense heat, the firecracker factory caught fire and exploded.

intend  v.
to have something in your mind as a plan or purpose
- Irene intended to leave her present job, but she suddenly got promoted, so she decided to stay.
intend on + V-ing
- Tom intended on selling his house to buy a yacht, but he changed his mind.

content adj.
/kənˈtɛnt/
pleased and satisfied : not needing more
- Sandra is content to be a housewife.
content with
- Our boss is very content with our report.
content n.
/ˈkɑːnˌtɛnt/
the things that are in something
- The content of the movie is too violent for kids.

crawl v.
to move along on your hands and knees with your body close to the ground;
if an insect crawls, it moves using its legs
- The baby just started learning how to crawl.
- The caterpillar was crawling on a leaf.
to move slowly on, across, or through (something)
- The heavy truck crawled up the hill.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140902baa6899f411f833d43a5e0e3eee343b6b132437eb3f64b5158b2910da527f288767.wma

Trial by Fire (1)

Blaise gets a super power and a second chance

After years of waiting, Blaise was finally being released from prison. His daughter Iris came to pick him up. Years earlier, they had been in a gang. But now they had both paid for their crimes. Blaise had left the gang and burned his bridges.

"Do you have everything?" Iris asked.

Blaise felt in his pocket for a small bottle of medicine. It was the cure for a rare disease he had. But when Blaise had first taken it, his hand had burst into flames.

Amazingly, the fire didn't burn him. The medicine gave Blaise the power to make and control fire. This news had spread like wildfire among the prisoners.

As Blaise was leaving, another prisoner who was being released bumped into him.

Blaise recognized him as Mr. Golden. He had been a businessman with money to burn before he became a criminal.

When Blaise reached Iris's car, he felt in his pocket again. The medicine had vanished.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Inflammable or Flammable? (既易燃又易混淆)
flame n.
hot bright burning gas that you see when something is on fire
flammable adj.
something that is flammable burns easily
inflammable=flammable 易燃的
字首 in 在拉丁文除了表示無或沒有之外,
也可以指在裡面,
例如: inhabit 指居住在某個地方
反義詞 nonflammable 不易燃燒的

Grammar Gym
After years of waiting, Blaise was finally being released from prison.
after years of waiting = after waiting for many years
After [unit of time] of [noun]...

- After minutes of silence, Becky finally gave Albert the answer he had been waiting for.

- After months of exercising, Cassy is starting to see results. 

Language Lab
trial n.
something (such as a difficult situation or task) that shows how patient, strong, or trusting you are
trial by fire
- This couple went through a trial by fire preparing for their big wedding.

release v.
to let someone go free, after having kept them somewhere [↪ free, discharge]:
- The suspect was released on bail.
release somebody from something
- Hank was released from prison after serving a two-year-sentence.
- The patient was released from the hospital yesterday.

bump v.
to hit or knock against something
- The boy bumped his head on the wall and got a big bruise on his forehead.
bump into
- Janet bumped into a little girl when she was rushing out of the door.
bump into somebody phrasal verb
to meet someone who you know when you were not expecting to [= run into]:
- I bumped into my college professor in the airport.

vanish v.
to disappear suddenly, especially in a way that cannot be easily explained:
- The thief vanished into the crowd after he took the money.
- All my worries vanished when my son returned.
- The boy vanished without a trace on his way home from school.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140901baad22fac92c9bb1e9cd69987ced20592488c7d05b724b9a7429cb50fd910f89eae.wma

Once Upon a Time (3)

Trying to make hay while the sun shines, the prince and Ray left immediately. After a while, they stopped for a snack. While they were eating , they heard a roar. A monster, which looked like a giant bat, was flying toward them. Prince Gale threw caution to the wind and charged. He swung his sword but missed, and the monster knocked him down. Ray helped the prince by throwing the first he saw- an open bottle of juice. It splashed into the monster's eyes, blinding it for a moment. That gave Prince Gale time to kill it.

The prince and Ray ran like the wind back to the city to get the magic stone. They returned home and used it to cure the king.

After the monster's defeat, everything was right as rain in Foggy Kingdom. The people built several new cities. When Prince Gale got wind of this news, he visited the kingdom. He and Queen Misty fell in love, got married and lived happily ever after.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Weather Lore (預測天氣的諺語)
從古至今, 人們都希望可以預測天氣,
雖然古時候沒有科學的儀器,
但人們累積足夠的經驗就可以掌握未來的天氣,
有些經驗也成為朗朗尚口的諺語,
例如:
- Red skies in the morning, sailors take warning, red skies at night, sailor's delight.
早上天空呈現紅色, 水手們有所警介, 因為會是壞天氣;
晚上天空呈現紅色, 水手們會高興, 因為第二天會是好天氣
- A cow's tail to the west makes the weather the best; a cow's tail to the east makes the weather the least.
牛尾朝西天氣好; 牛尾朝東天氣壞


Grammar Gym
Ray helped the prince by throwing the first he saw- an open bottle of juice.
[Subject] [verb1] by [verb2-ing] the first [person/thing] he/she saw- [something].
- The traveler got directions by asking the first person he saw- a blind musician playing by the roadside.
- The clumsy waiter made the problem worse by wiping the spill with the first thing he saw- an expensive scarf of a dinner guest.


Language Lab
immediately adv.
without delay [= at once]:
- William got a phone call from home and rushed out the office immediately.
- The mechanic spotted the car's problem immediately.
immediate adj.
happening or done at once and without delay:
- My boss didn't make an immediate response to my request.

knock down phrasal verb
to hit or push someone so that they fall to the ground:
- The boxer was knocked down in the third round of the match.
knock somebody ↔ down
- When the old lady was crossing the street, a motorcycle knocked her down.

make hay while the sun shines = don't procrastinate
to take the opportunity to do something now, because you may not be able to do it later

defeat n.
failure to succeed or to win
- The football team's morale is very low because of its series of defeats.
defeat v.
to win a victory over (someone or something) in a war, contest, game, etc.
- I believe we can defeat our opponents and win the title.

right as rain spoken
completely healthy
- After being treated in the hospital, the wounded driver is now right as rain.
no problems
- Molly is a great accountant. She always right as rain when it comes to numbers.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140816baa2803868d26ece229a02596158b7a58b54097d5758009599fdee886a3a5592048.wma

Once Upon a Time (2)

After a long journey, Prince Gale and Ray reached a city in Foggy Kingdom. A guard stopped them and asked who they were.

Once Prince Gale and Ray had explained their mission, the guard said, "This city is all that remains of Foggy Kingdom." A monster has destroyed the other cities. We came here to weather the storm, hoping the monster will go away."

The guard took them to Queen Misty, Foggy Kingdom's young but capable ruler. The guard said she had a heart as pure as the driven snow. She had been a ray of sunshine during these difficult times.

Prince Gale and Ray told her their story.

Queen Misty replied, "I'd like to help. But the stone's magic is our city's best defense against the monster."

The prince offered to kill the monster in exchange for the stone. The queen agreed and gave them food for their quest.

Prince Gale told Ray to stay safe in the city. But Ray answered, "I'm not a fair-weather friend. I won't abandon you."

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Chatting about the Weather (聊天氣)
西方人聊天喜歡聊天氣,
天氣weather這個字是不可數名詞,
不可以說 a weather, 或many weathers,
但通常都不會用到weather,
通常的問法是: what's it like outside?
另外講到天氣會用到 supposed to be: 照理說...
因為氣象報告通常是不準確的,
所以會說,
It supposed to be sunny.

Language Lab
remain v.
to continue to be in the same state or condition

capable adj.
having the qualities or ability needed to do something;
able to do things well;
capability n.
the natural ability, skill, or power that makes a machine, person, or organization able to do something, especially something difficult

in exchange for something
the act of giving someone something and receiving something else from them

quest v.
a long search for something that is difficult to find


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140815baa29c845c62f64a0d577d3911af9f3c612b4e0969e41552527f3b40578faff1ca4.wma

Once Upon a Time (1)

This kingdom’s problem is no tempest in a teapot

Once upon a time there was a king who began to feel under the weather. The court physicians could not cure him. He grew sicker and sicker, and his family began to worry.

One day the king’s wisest adviser spoke with the queen and the prince.

“Legends tell of magical stones that can cure any disease. Long ago they were scattered to the four winds,” said the adviser. “But I have discovered that there is one in Foggy Kingdom, over the northern mountains.”

The prince, named Gale, offered to go to Foggy Kingdom and get the stone. He asked many people to go with him, but most refused. Rumor said there was a dangerous monster in Foggy Kingdom.

Finally the prince’s friend Ray agreed to go with him. Ray sometimes had his head in the clouds. But the prince knew he was very loyal and would stay with him come rain or shine. So Prince Gale and Ray began their journey.

Info Cloud

Teaching Topic: Once Upon a Time 很久很久以前

許多的西方童話故事都會使用同一個開場: Once upon a time....
這個片語早在1380年就開始用於故事書裡頭,
雖然他的年份久遠, 但是我們還是可以用於日常生活中,
可以用這個片語來表示曾經或一度,
當然要表達曾紅或一度的片語有很多,
像是: at one time, back then, back in the old days,
但once upon a time就因為他跟童話故事有連結,
會給人一種懷舊的感覺,
童話故事的傳統結尾則是:
and they lived happily ever after.
從此以後他們過著快樂的日子


Language Lab
physician n.
a doctor;
especially : a medical doctor who is not a surgeon

adviser n.
/ədˈvaɪzɚ/
someone whose job is to give advice because they know a lot about a subject, especially in business, law, or politics:
advise v.
to give an opinion or suggestion to someone about what should be done : to give advice to (someone)

tempest n.
a violent storm
a tempest in a teapot
an unimportant matter that someone has become upset about:

rumor n.
information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true
Rumor has it that
- Rumor has it that Jean's getting married again.

loyal n.
always supporting your friends, principles, country etc [≠ disloyal]
loyal to

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140814baa27b1cd285adbe5ddcec9416470c7621eaf452a283088aaf7dbbfafee3ca90660.wma

More Than Meets the Eye (3)

A car pulled up at the open end of the entrance of the alley. Iris went over and spoke to someone inside it.

She gestured for Harry to come closer.

"Get in the car," she said. "Take this and tell them how to use it." Iris handed him the bottle of medicine.

Harry grabbed the medicine and bolted.

Everyone was surprised, so he got a head start, but soon they were close behind him. He leaped over the fence so that the car couldn't follow. But people followed him on foot.

He spotted a police station and ran inside. The criminals disappeared.

Harry told the police what had happened. Using his information, they caught the gang and sent them to prison. But Harry secretly sent some of the medicine to Iris' father. Harry asked for training in science as his reward. Harry's boss worried that he would be in over his head. But he was head and shoulders above the other beginners and soon started his own experiments.


Editor's Summary
... 22:00
All of a sudden, a car pulled up to the entrance of the alley, and the young woman went over to it and gestured for Harry to follow her.
She then told him to get in and tell him how to use it, as she handed him the bottle of medicine.
Harry grabbed the bottle and surprised everyone by bolting away.
Even though he had gotten a head start, it didn't take long for them to almost catch up with him.
And then, he jumped the fence.
The car of course couldn't follow, but the people on foot could.
All of sudden, he saw a police station and ran inside.
So the criminals of course all disappeared.
With all of the information Harry gave them, they were able to catch the criminals.
And Harry secretly sent some of the medicine to the young woman's father.
Harry was offered a reward, and he asked for training in science.
He ended up being head and shoulders above the other beginners and even began his own experiments.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Measure Words 度量詞
measure words 計量單位, 單位數量詞
要明確的表示一個東西的數量, 就要用 measure words,
像 a water 有可能是指以下:
a cup of water 一杯水
a pitcher of water 一壼水
a pail of water 一桶水
a bottle of water 一瓶水
three boxes of matches (matches 是可數名詞)
two jars of honey (honey 是不可數名詞)


Grammar Gym
Using his information, they caught the gang and sent them to prison.
Using [something], [subject] + [verb]. 
- Using a simple tourist map, Micheal planned out his trip.
- Using a paper clip, the thief was able to break the lock and sneak into the room.


Language Lab
gesture v. 用手示意, 以手勢表現;
to move your hand, arm, or head to tell someone something, or show them what you mean
- The boss gestured for us to leave the conference room.
- "Have a seat!" she said, gesturing to the only chair in the room.
gesture n. 手勢, 示意的動作
a movement of part of your body, especially your hands or head, to show what you mean or how you feel
- Eileen acts with dramatic gestures.

leap v. 跳, 跳躍, [jump指雙腳原地往上跳, leap指跳越]
past tense and past participle leapt
to jump high into the air or to jump in order to land in a different place:
to jump over something:
- The thief leapt across the alley between the rooftops and escaped.
- Rocky was caught jumping on the bed by him mom.

criminal n. 罪犯, 罪人;
someone who is involved in illegal activities or has been proved guilty of a crime:
- The criminals in this jail are the most dangerous and violent.
criminal adj. 犯罪的, 犯法的
relating to crime:
- The suspect is now facing multiple criminal charges.

head and shoulders above 高出一個頭的距離, 遠遠超過他人
to be much better than other people:
- Sam is head and shoulders above the other team members.
- Nathan's ability is head and shoulders above his colleagues'.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140723baad146b321923fb0e3c3edb984d5ab58296c77fd917229a503f2feac55d3940291.wma

More Than Meets the Eye (2)

People stepped out of the shadows around them. Harry wished he had a weapon, but there was nothing at hand.

"Maybe we got off on the wrong foot," Harry said nervously.

"I warned you not to stick your neck out," said the woman.

"Why did you steal the medicine?" Harry asked, trying to keep her talking.

"I know someone who needs it," she said.

"Then they need to know how big a dose is," Harry replied.

"Do you know?" she asked.

Harry didn't know, but he wanted to imply that he did. Keeping his fingers crossed, he said, "I know a lot about our medicines." Harry tried to continue talking to the woman. She was quiet at first but eventually said her name was Iris. Her father was the right-hand man to a gang leader. But he had the rare disease this medicine was designed to treat. Harry listened but kept his eyes open for a chance to escape.


Editor's Summary
As Harry and the young woman were standing at the fence, people came out of the shadows around them.
Harry got nervous and said they had probably gotten off on the wrong foot.
And when the woman replied that she had told him not to stick his neck out, he asked her why she had stolen the medicine.
And of course she replied she knew someone who needed it.
And then Harry asked if she knew how big of a dose to give the person.
And of course when the woman asked him for more information about it, he implied that he knew even though he really didn't.
He crossed his fingers and said that he knew a lot about their medicines.
He tried to keep her talking.
And even though she was quiet at first, she then began to tell him about her father who was the right hand man of the head of the gang.
He had a rare disease that this medicine had been made to treat.
And even as she talked, Harry was keeping his eyes open for a chance to escape.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: English Is for Communicating
學英文是為了溝通
英文是個語言, 語言是為了溝通, 而溝通需要二個人以上才能進行
如果要有效的提升英文程度,
就該放下課本找個人來溝通


Grammar Gym
"Why did you steal the medicine?" Harry asked, trying to keep her talking.
[subject] + [verb 1], trying to [verb 2]. 
- The speaker walked up to the microphone, trying not to look nervous.
- Thomas smiled and nodded, trying to act like he understood the directions.


Language Lab
stick one's neck out 
to risk giving your opinion about something, even though you may be wrong or other people may disagree with you:
- I might be sticking my neck out, but I think our marketing strategy won't work.
- Louie is sticking his neck out by investing all his assets in his brother's business.

dose n.
the amount of a medicine or a drug that you should take
- The prescription says to take three doses a day.
- The doctor gave the patient a dose of aspirin.
an amount of something that you do or experience at one time, especially something unpleasant
- The coastal area is getting a heavy dose of rain today.

imply v.
to suggest that something is true, without saying this directly
- Her tone of voice implied her resistance to this change.
- Are you implying that I'm the one to blame?
implication n.
a possible future effect or result of an action, event, decision etc
- I don't like the boss's implication that we failed at our job.

gang n. 幫派
a group of criminals who work together:
- Zack was absorbed by a gang when he dropped out of school.
- The conflict between the gangs turned into a serious gun fight.
a group of friends, especially young people:
- Do you want to come out with the gang tonight?


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140722baa3e691d1852508f984fcc8d69bfb3937111a70a973b9cd421bfd25df8cd96060a.wma

More Than Meets the Eye (1)

More Than Meets the Eye 眼見不一定為憑
Harry gets the chance to show what he can do

Harry yawned as he swept the floor. He worked at Whole Body Medicines, a company that developed treatments for rare diseases. Harry dreamed of becoming a scientist, but the only job he could get was cleaning. Hoping for a promotion, he worked his fingers to the bone. But he hadn't been able to get his foot in the door. Harry heard a strange noise. He ran toward the sound and saw a young woman running away. A cabinet that held one of the company's new medicines was open, and the medicine was gone.

"Stop!" Harry shouted.

But the thief didn't stop. Harry chased her down the stairs and out the door. He wasn't sure how to stop her, but he decided to play it by ear.

He chased her down an alley. At the end, a fence blocked her way.

The woman turned around and snapped, "Back off!" You're in over your head.""Give back the medicine," Harry said.


Editor's Summary
Harry was bored.
He was stuck sweeping the floor at a company that developed treatments for rare diseases.
He really wanted to become a scientist and work in this field, but so far the only job he could get was cleaning the floors.
He was hoping for a promotion, but still hadn't been able to get his foot in the door at all.
All of a sudden as Harry was working, he was thinking about all of this and daydreaming, he heard something strange.
And when he hurried to see what it was, he saw a young woman running away from a cabinet that had been opened.
And that cabinet, it held the new medicines the company was developing.
Harry yelled at her to stop, but she didn't.
So he chased after her down the stairs and out the door and down an alley.
She finally had to stop because there was a fence stopping her.
The woman turned around and snapped at him to back off.
But Harry just told her to return the medicine.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Cadence 韻律
想提升英文寫作, 除了字彙和文法之外,
也要注意 cadence 節奏,
如果用於詩或演講, cadence 則指仰揚頓挫的韻律,
- Harry chased her down the stairs and out the door.
- Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream"


Grammar Gym
Hoping for a promotion, he worked his fingers to the bone.
Hoping [for a something], [subject] + [verb].
- Hoping to catch Gloria's attention, Dennis did all kings of crazy things in class.
- Hoping for a miracle, Rachel prays every day.


Language Lab
yawn v.打哈欠
to open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply because you are tired or bored:
- Patrick yawned a lot today because he stayed up really late last night.
yawn n.
an act of yawning
- Tina gave a big yawn while listening to the presentation.

promotion n. 升級, 晉升 [pro-向前/ motion- 運動, 移動]
a move to a more important job or position in a company or organization:
- William got the promotion he had always wanted.
promote v. 晉升
to give someone a better, more responsible job in a company
- Nicky was recently promoted to manager.

anatomy n.
the scientific study of the structure of human or animal bodies;
the structure of a body, or of a part of a body

snap v. 無禮的, 怒氣沖沖的打斷別人
past tense and past participle snapped, present participle snapping
to break with a sudden sharp noise, or to make something break with a sudden sharp noise;
- "Leave me alone!" Richard snapped.
to say something quickly in an angry way:
snap at
- Nancy snapped at her mother and ruched out of the door.

in over one's head 超乎能力之外, 難以理解的
to be or get involved in something that is too difficult for you to deal with:
- With my new responsibilities, I'm really in over my head. You'd better find someone else to help.
- The professor's lecture went over my head.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140721baaa8ddc0b5939283c6a8821aaf1bc842692460030828ae4fbdd37c956989cf385d.wma