2006年03月11日:[Sunshine Singers] In a Time of Need (1) [广播时间2006.3.6] [8楼] 2006年03月12日:[Sunshine Singers] In a Time of Need (2) [广播时间2006.3.7] [9楼] 2006年03月13日:[Sunshine Singers] In a Time of Need (3) [广播时间2006.3.8] [10楼] 2006年03月14日:[Travel] Why People Love L.A. (1) [广播时间2006.3.9] [13楼] 2006年03月15日:[Travel] Why People Love L.A. (2) [广播时间2006.3.10] [14楼] 2006年03月16日:[Travel] Why People Love L.A. (3) [广播时间2006.3.11] [15楼]
[2006.3.12 周日 无广播节目]
2006年03月17日:[Food] A Taste of Mexico (1) [广播时间2006.3.13] [16楼] 2006年03月18日:[Food] A Taste of Mexico (2) [广播时间2006.3.14] [17楼] 2006年03月19日:[What Would You Do?] The Boyfriend Invasion (1) [广播时间2006.3.15] [18楼] 2006年03月20日:[What Would You Do?] The Boyfriend Invasion (2) [广播时间2006.3.16] [21楼] 2006年03月21日:[Professions] Wanted: Workers With Foreign Language Skills (1) [广播时间2006.3.17] [22楼] 2006年03月22日:[Professions] Wanted: Workers With Foreign Language Skills (2) [广播时间2006.3.18] [23楼]
[2006.3.19 周日 无广播节目]
2006年03月23日:[Travel] One-of-a-Kind Hotels (1) [广播时间2006.3.20] [24楼] 2006年03月24日:[Travel] One-of-a-Kind Hotels (2) [广播时间2006.3.21] [25楼] 2006年03月25日:[Travel] One-of-a-Kind Hotels (3) [广播时间2006.3.22] [28楼] 2006年03月26日:[Psychology] On Time (1) [广播时间2006.3.23] [29楼] 2006年03月27日:[Psychology] On Time (2) [广播时间2006.3.24] [30楼]
2006年03月28日~2006年04月02日:搬家中,暂停
2006年04月03日:[Psychology] On Time (3) [广播时间2006.3.25] [32楼]
[2006.3.19 周日 无广播节目]
2006年04月04日:[Teachers' Tales] The Perfect Vacation (1) [广播时间2006.3.27] [34楼]
2006年05月09日:[Teachers' Tales] The Perfect Vacation (2) [广播时间2006.3.28] [38楼] 2006年05月09日:[Teachers' Tales] The Perfect Vacation (3) [广播时间2006.3.29] [39楼] 2006年05月09日:[Society] Who Is Generation N? (1) [广播时间2006.3.30] [40楼] 2006年05月09日:[Society] Who Is Generation N? (2) [广播时间2006.3.31] [41楼]
3月课程续完,4月内容另开帖。
水镜梵天
2006-03-08 03:55
March 1st 2006
[SOCIETY] Su Doku [MEDIUM] ★★
Looking for a challenge? Try playing "the fastest growing puzzle in the world"
【Text】
I remember the night I first played Su Doku. I'd heard how this number puzzle, printed in newspapers worldwide, had become popular in Asia and the West. And since I love puzzles, I thought I'd spend a few minutes before bedtime trying one. Before I realized it, my bedside clock read 3 a.m.
The satisfaction gained from completing one is indescribable. The frustration at not being able to complete one is unbearable. People will spend hours, even days, trying to complete a single puzzle.
The media has dubbed Su Doku the “fastest growing puzzle in the world.” People everywhere are discovering the game. Countless commuters play Su Doku on their way to work. Some people have even missed their stop because they were concentrating so hard. And some people call themselves Su Doku addicts. They admit they can't start working until they've completed the Su Doku in the morning newspaper.
If you haven't played Su Doku yet, what are you waiting for? But be warned: once you start, you may not be able to stop.
【Word Bank】
indescribable (adj.) 难以言喻的;难以形容的 The beaury of the sunset was indescribable.
unbearable (adj.) 让人无法忍受的 I don't like summers because the heat is unbearable for me.
commuter (n.) 通勤族 Every morning, the train is full of commuters traveling to work.
addict (n.) 对…上瘾的人 Helen is a chocolate addict. She eats chocolate every day.
This young actress is living the dream of a lifetime
【Text】
Hilary Swank has always been a dreamer. But lately, her life has been a dream come true. She wone the Oscar for Best Actress at last year's Academy Awards. As she accepted the award for Million Dollar Baby, her voice cracked with emotion. "I don't know what I did ... to deserve this. I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream."
Hilary was born in 1974 in Lincoln, Nebraska. But soon after, her family moved to Bellingham, Washington. That is where the little girl's dreams began.
A girl of many talents
Hilary's early childhood was one of humble beginnings. But the nature-loving young girl found joy in the beautiful scenery surrounding their trailer. Neighboring Lake Samish became one of her favorite getaways.
When she wasn't at the lake, Hilary played school sports. She turned out to be a strong athlete, winning 5th place in the strate gymnastics competition. At the age of 9, she starred in her first play, The Jungle Book. And from that point on, she had the acting bug. She began performing regularly in school and community plays.
【Word Bank】
dreamer (n.) 梦想家 Lara's a dreamer. She always imagines herself as a world-famous singer.
crack (v.) 嗓音变粗(或变哑) Tony's voice cracked as he tried to thank his coworkers without crying at his retirement party.
gymnastics (n. pl) 体操 Jane hurt her leg in gymnastics class today.
bug (n.) 着迷 Mark has the photography bug. He's been takeing pictures of everything.
[More Information]
trailer park (n.) 拖车住户区 Ken grew up in a trailer park, but now he lives in a huge house on the beach.
Not everyone believed in Hilary's acting abilities. But her mother, Judy, wholeheartedly supported her. When Hilary's parents separated in 1990, Judy and Hilary moved to Hollywood. It was a difficult decision because they only had $75 and a gas credit card.
After arriving in Los Angeles, they spent the first two weeks sleeping in their car. Judy quickly found a job. And Hilary enrolled in high school. She soon dropped out when she began getting small TV roles. Eventually, Hilary finished her education through a correspondence course.
A change in luck
In 1992, Hilary landed her first movie role. It was the first of many small roles. But in 1999, her career changed dramatically. That's when she auditioned for and won the lead role in Boys Don't Cry. Hilary's powerful performance earned her the Oscar for Best Actress.
Surprisingly, her next few roles were forgettable then Million Dollar Baby came along. In addition to the Best Actress sward, she received great praise from director and co-star Clint Eastwood. "She's the best there is, as good an actress as I've worked with," Eastwood said.
[Word Bank]
wholeheartedly (adv.) 全心全意地 I wholeheartedly agree with you. We must make those changes.
enroll (v.) 入学 Kevin just enrolled at his new school. He hasn't started classes yet.
land (v.) 得到 Patsy landed a new job immediately after graduation.
audition (v.) 试镜;试演 Ellen auditioned for a small dancing part in the school play.
[More Information]
correspondence course (n.) 函授课程 My mother never finished college so now she's taking correspondence courses.
Hilary and her husband, Chad Lowe, live in New York City. They've been married over eight years and work hard at keeping their marriage intact: "When one of us travels, we talk on the phone three-to-four times a day," Chad says. "We never go more than two weeks without seeing each other. My heart can't stand being away from her for too long."
They're both avid pet-lovers, so their home is filled with animals. Their pets include a parrot, a cat, two dogs and a rabbit.
An uncommon celebrity
Hilary's friends describe her as completely down-to-earth -- a movie star who rides the subway. "I use the subway all the time," she says. "My job is about playing people. So I'm here, and it's the best people-watching in the world."
Hilary is keeping busy these days with three new movies in the works. The hard-working actress recently explained why she is so motivated.
"My mom said ... I could do anything I wanted in my life -- as long as I worked hard enough." Hilary is living proof her mom was right!
【Word Bank】
intact (adj.) 完整无缺的;未受损伤的 The film star's reputation was still intact despite the terrible news story about him.
avid (adj.) 热衷的 Bruce is an avide soccer fan. He never misses watching a game.
celebrity (n.) 名人 Jackie Chan is a celebrity. He can't go anywhere without being recognized.
down-to-earth (adj.) 朴实的 Cynthia is very down-to-earth. She has a practical and honest attitude about life.
The Sunshine Singers are having lots of problems. Can anyone help them?
March 6
The Sunshine singers are at Steve and Angus's apartment. They have been rehearsing for a rally at a school in Taichung.
Andrea: That sounded nice. It's a real privilege to be able to listen to you rehearse.
Steve: I'm looking forward to the rally on Friday.
Andrea: I'm sure the students will love it.
Joshua: Thanks for the encouragement.
Christina: We sure need it right now. Right, Joshua?
Joshua: Right. And I need to memorize some new English lyrics. Jason, Libeck, should we work on this together?
Jason and Libeck: Sure!
(The three of them move to a quiet corner.)
Andrea: So why do you need encouragement right now?
Rex: Well, It's been quite difficult lately.
Andrea: Have things been going badly?
Angus: You should say that. We've been a little short of money, for one thing.
Andrea: Is that why you're practicing here?
Rex: That's right. We just don't have enough money to pay for any studio time.
Christina: Steven proposed that we use his and Angus's place.
Andrea: So here you are, stuck in this ...
Angus: Just be careful what you say, Andrea.
Andrea: I was just going to say, here you are, stuck in this ... lovely apartment.
Angus: Sure, it's OK. The acoustics aren't very good here, though.
Steven: But maybe that's just as well.
Christina: What do you mean, Steven?
Steven: Well, the rally is going to be in a school gymnasium, right?
Angus: That's right. We've been to that school before.
Rax: Yes. The gymnasium has terrible acoustics. Almost as bad as this apartment.
【Word Bank】
rehearse (v.) 排演 The actors rehearsed their play many times before they performed it.
privilege (n.) 荣幸 It was a privilege to meet the city's mayor.
propose (v.) 提议 I propose that we go see a movie on Friday evening.
gymnasium (n.) 体育馆 We have all our sports lessons in the school gymnasium.
【More information】
acoustics (n. pl) 音响效果 The acoustics in this classroom are terrible. I can't hear the teacher.
【译文】
及时救援
Sunshine Singers 正面临许多问题。有人可以提出援手吗?
March 6
Sunshine Singers 聚在海涛和文凯的公寓里。他们正在为台中一所学校的集会排演。
白雪:听起来不错。能听你们排练真是个荣幸。
海涛:我很期待星期五的集会。
白雪:我相信学生会很喜欢。
冠华:谢谢你的鼓励。
佳倩:我们现在确实很需要鼓励,对不对,冠华?
冠华:没错。而且我需要好好背熟一些新的英文歌词。阿刚、俐沛芙,我们一起练好不好?
阿刚和沛芙:当然好。
(他们三个移到一个安静的角落。)
白雪:为什么你们现在那么需要鼓励?
国威:这个嘛,最近相当不好过。
白雪:事情进行得很糟吗?
文凯:可以这么说。其中一件事,就是我们有些奖金不足。
白雪:这就是你们在这里练习的原因吗?
国威:对。我们的钱不够付任何录音间。
佳倩:海涛提议我们用他和文凯的住处。
白雪:所以你们才在这里,困在这个…
文凯:说话小心一点喔,白雪。
白雪:我刚刚只想说,你们都在这,困在这间…「很棒的」公寓里。
文凯:是啊,这里还可以。但是这里的音响效果不是很好。
海涛:但或许这也无妨啊。
佳倩:海涛,你是什么意思?
海涛:嗯,集会是在学校的体育馆举行,对吧?
文凯:对我们以前去过那间学校。
国威:是啊。体育馆的音响效果「糟透了」,几乎跟这间公寓的一样糟。
水镜梵天
2006-03-13 02:26
【Text】
March 7
Steve: That's just what I mean, guys. If you can sound good in here -- and you do -- you'll sound good anywhere.
Christina: You sure know how to make the best of a bad situation, Steve.
Steve: Well, why not? My mother always taught me to look on the bright side of everything.
Rex: Maybe you can help us with something else, then.
Steve: I'd sure be happy to try -- I think. Uh, what's the "something else"?
Rex: It's our old van. It isn't running very well.
Christina: It isn't running at all, actually. There's something wrong with the engine.
Steve: Hmm. I'm afraid I can't help you with that. I'm not much of a mechanic.
Rex: I'm not, either. Engines are a mystery to me.
Steve: My dad tried to teach me to fix cars. But I just wasn't very interested.
Christina: Well, there's no way we can get the van repaired. Not this month.
Angus: I guess we'll just have to take the train to Taichung, then.
Andrea: You guys should learn from Steve. Don't presume the worst. There may be a way to get the car repaired cheaply.
Rex: Really? How?
Andrea: You should just ask me. I can probably help fix it.
Angus: You? But you're just a ...
Andrea: Be careful what you say, Angus. I'm just a woman, but that doesn't mean I'm ingorant about cars.
Steve: Are you serious? I never would have guessed you know how to fix cars! How did you learn?
【Word Bank】
look on the bright side (idiom) 往好处看 I'm sorry you lost your cell phone, but look on the bright side. That was an old one, but now you can get a new one.
mechanic (n.) 技工;机械工 If your car breaks down, you should take it to a mechanic.
presume (v.) 假设 Don't presume that Alice hates you. In fact, she likes you a lot.
ignorant (adj.) 不懂的;不知道的 My mother is ignorant about computers. She's never even used one.
Andrea: My dad taught me. He used to say, "Don't count on a man to keep your car running." During my high school years, I was more interested in working on cars than just about anything.
Christina: Wow, this is great, Andrea! I am so glad we met you!
Andrea: And I'm glad I can be of help. I hope I can, anyway. I'll take a look at the van tomorrow, OK? If I can fix it, I will.
Angus: That would be great, Andrea. It's parked behind the building where we usually practice.
Rex: At least, it was there the last time we checked. I hope it hasn't been towed away.
Christina: If it has been towed, maybe we should just leave it wherever it's been taken to.
(After the rally, in a coffee shop.)
Steve: That was a great concert, Sunshine Singers.
Christina: Thank you, Steve. You told us all along it would be.
Rex: What did you think of the vocals?
Steve: The vocals were wonderful, including yours, Rex. All of you did really well. After a rally like that, I expect you'll get invitations from other schools.
Christina: I sure hope you're right, Steve. At least, now we know we can traval to other schools!
Angus: Yes, thanks to Andrea.
Andrea: You don't need to thank me. Working on the van was fun!
Angus: I would like to propose a toast to Steve and Andrea, our foreign friends.
Everyone: To Steve and Andrea!
【Word Bank】
count on someone or something (v.) 依靠某人或某事 You're a good worker. We can always count on you to do the job well.
tow (v.) 拖;拉 You can't park your car there. Someone will tow it away.
all along (adv.) 始终 Jack knew all along that he would marry Jill one day.
toast (n.) 敬一杯;敬酒 Everyone drank a toast to the newly married couple.
【More Information】
vocals (n. pl) 声乐部分;声乐演唱 This song has great vocals. Listen to the clear, strong voices!
Discover the best of Los Angeles, the "City of Angels".
March 9
Welcome to Los Angeles, the second largest city in America! L.A. is home to the famous American movie and TV industry. Here you'll also discover one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Mary of the people come from Latin America, Asia and other parts of the world.
L.A. contains lots of natural beauty, too. The Pacific coast lies to the west and south. Mountains and deserts border the north and east. Because of the city's location, temperatures are almost always pleasant. The sun always seems to shine in L.A.!
In L.A., the car is king. L.A. has more traffic than anywhere else in the U.S. In fact, owning a car is nearly a necessity in L.A. Because of the city's large urban sprawl. Mary first-time visitors are amazed by the city's size. With no large downtown area, L.A. is more a collection of suburbs connected together.
One of these is anaheim. In Anaheim, you can experience the magic of Disneyland. Visit the park's eight fantastic "lands" in a area called "the happiest place on Earth".
【Word Bank】
diverse (adj.) 多元的;互异的 This university has a diverse group of students coming from manry different countries.
border (v.) 与…邻近;与…接壤 Tall trees border the front of our house, blocking our view of the street.
Sprawl (n.) (市区的)扩展 The sprawl of this city is growing very quickly. Many new buildings are being built.
suburb (n.) (城市周围的)近郊住宅区 The downtown area was too noisy for Bob, so he decided to move to a quiet suburb.
Want to see where manry of the city's movie stars live? Then head to Beverly Hills, just west of Hollywood. "Star home maps" and tours are offered to those captivated by movie-star fame. Here you can drive past the stars' beautiful and luxurious homes. Then take a look at Hollywood's famous Rodeo Drive with its fancy shops.
Downtown Hollywood itself isn't quite so glamorous these days. But you can get a good sense of movie history at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Here movie stars have put their hand and foot prints into the sidewalk.
Along Hollywood Boulevard, you'll find the famous bronze stars bearing the names of Hollywood actors. Take a picture with your favorite actor's star!
After that, head to Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City. The park's thrill rides feature movie special effects that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Next door is the universal CityWalk. It has an array of shops, specialty restaurants and live music. For a fun way to end your day, cruise down Sunset Boulevard. L.A.'s exciting nightlife centers on this famous street.
【Word Bank】
luxurious (adj.) 豪华的 This five-star hotel is very expensive and luxurious.
glamorous (adj.) 迷人的 Julie's job is very glamorous. She travels a lot and meets famous people.
on the edge of one's seet (idiom) 迫不及待的 The movie was very exciting. The audience was on the edge of their seats.
cruise (v.) 漫游 Vance spent the afternoon cruising along the coastal road on his motorcycle.
【More Information】
boulevard (n.) 林荫大道;大马路 There are many cars parked along this wide boulevard.
No trip to L.A. would be complete without a visit to the Getty Center. Here you can enjoy the building's wonderful architecture and stellar art collection.
Afterward, check out Santa Monica and its Third Street pedestrian mall and famous pier. Then drive up to Malibu along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. There you can see people practicing a famous california tradition -- surfing. Or for an interesting people-watching experience, head down to the Ocean Front Walk at Venice Beach. You'll see street performers and people of all kind.
Across town, near the mountains, the suburb of Pasadena offers another great hangout. Nice restaurants, shops and coffeehouses line Colorado Boulevard. Sample varieties of ethnic food or listen to live jazz music. On the street, notice all the skin colors and nationalities. Get a plimpse of L.A.'s remarkable gathering of people from all over the world.
No matter what culture, cuisine or entertainment you like, you can probably find it somewhere in L.A. So come and experience "the City of Angels" for yourself.
【Word Bank】
stellar (adj.) 杰出的 The musicians gave stellar performance that impressed everyone.
pier (n.) 码头 You will find Jim's boat tied up at the end of Pier 19.
hangout (n.) 流连之处 On weekends, our favorite hangout is the Thai restaurant on Main Street.
nationality (n.) 国籍 I'm British. What is your nationality?
【More Information】
surfing (n.) 冲浪 If you like swimming then you should try the sport of surfing.
Mexican food is the perfect choice for the fun-loving diner.
march 13
Few foods are more fective than Mexican cuisine. The bright colors -- including reds, greens, yellows -- are a fiesta for the eyes. The food's varied textures are a delight for the mouth. and the many finger foods make it possible to eat a whole meal without ever picking up a fork.
What more could you ask for?
I recently made my way to a local restaurant in search of some festive Mexican fare. Right away, the restaurant's colorful Mexian decor made me smile. I knew I had come to the right place.
I started my mouthwatering Mexican meal with a popular appetizer -- quesadilla. This dish is made with a fried tortilla -- or flatbread folded over a cheese center. I ate my quesadilla with my hands. And before I know it, that tasky finger food had me in a happy mood.
Next, I wrapped my fingers around another delicious appetizer -- chicken flautitas. These small, flute-shaped snacks are filled with shredded chicken and fried untile golden brown. The moist chicken center and crunchy tortilla shell made my taske buds dance.
【Word Bank】
fare (n.) 食物 This restaurant serves hamburgers and other American fare.
decor (n.) 室内装潢 The hotel's Italian decor made me feel like I was in Italy.
moist (adj.) (食物等)适度地含有水分的 These cookies are very moist and delicious. They are not dry.
crunchy (adj.) 松脆的 I left the bag of potato chips open, so they're not very crunchy anymore.
【More Information】
fiesta (n.) 庆典;宗教节日 This fiesta was celebrated with lively music and dancing.
shred (v.) 切丝 First cook the chicken, then shred the meat into small pieces.
Tortilla chips also make a great Mexican meal-starter. Whole tortillas are cut into triangle-shaped pieces and deep-fried to make these tasty chips. They can be dipped in either a spicy salsa (a tomato-based dip) or a cool guacamole (made from avocados). I tried each dip, and both were simply delectable.
But by then, I was ready for something a little more filling. So I ordered two main dishes: a chicken chimichanga and a beef enchilada. The chimichanga-shredded chicken rolled up in a crispy deep-fried tortilla-had a nice, mild flavor.
The enchilada, on the other hand, was a Mexican bandito that set my taste buds on fire. Covered with a spicy tomato sauce and topped with cheese, this enchilada completely satisfied.
After devouring my enchilada, it was time to cool down. So I ordered a scoop of fried ice cream. As I took a bite of this scrumptious frozen treat, I pondered a very important question: Just how do they deep-fry ice cream without melting it? It made for a fun ending to my very festive meal.
【Word Bank】
deletable (adj.) 美味可口的 This bakery makes delicious cheesecakes and many other.
filling (adj.) 有饱足感的 My dinner was very filling. I couldn't eat another bite.
ponder (v.) 仔细思考 Jim pondered his future. He didn't know if he should continue studying or start working.
make for something (v.) 有助于某事 A delicious dinner and good friends make for an enjoyable evening.
【More Information】 avocado (n.) 酪梨 This dish is made from a green fruit called avocado.
bandito (n.) 强盗 The Mexican bandito robbed the townspeople.
Kate likes her roommate. But she doesn't like her roommate's boyfriend spending all his free time in their room.
March 15
Kate and Annie became good friends during their freshman year of university. they got along so well that they decided to become roommates their sophomore year.
Kate and Annie enyoued being roommates ... until Annie started dating Brandon. Suddenly, Brandon was spending all his free time hanging out with the girls in their dorm room. Kate likes Brandon and doesn't mind having him around ... occasionally. But Brandon is there every evening and much of the weekends. Kate misses her privacy. More importantly, she's not comportable having a boy in her room so much of the time.
If you were Kate, what would you do?
Decision 1
(Kate talks to her friend and R.A., Meg.)
Kate: Brandon's a nice guy. But I'm getting tired of having him around all the time.
Meg: I can understand that. But what can you do?
Kate: I want to talk to Annie about it. But I'm worried she might not understand how I feel.
Meg: I know what you mean. She might get really defensive.
Kate: Right. She and I get along well. I don't want to cause any problems.
Meg: So you'll just put up with having a boy in your room all the time?
Kate: I guess so. I can find other places to study and relax.
【Word Bank】
invasion (n.) 入侵;涌入 London gets a big invasion of tourists every summer.
privacy (n.) 隐私(权) Anita wanted some privacy, so she went into her bedroom.
defensive (adj.) 自我防卫的 Megan gets defensive whenever anyone mentions her bad grades.
put up with something (idiom) 容忍某事 For many years, Mark put up with a noisy neighbor.
【More Information】
R.A. [resident assistant] (n.) 舍监 As an R.A., Hugh is responsible for the 20 students living in this building.
Kate: I'm surprised Annie hasn't even asked me if I'm OK with having Brandon over so often.
Meg: Well, you should talk to her about it.
kate: But what if she gets offended?
Meg: Do you want me to talk to Annie for you?
Kate: That would be great ... but won't she feel like I went behind her back?
Meg: Oh, I won't tell her you said anything to me. I'll just casually bring up the subject of Brandon. Then I'll hint that she should considerate of her roommate when having guests over.
Kate: Could you, Meg? That sounds great! Thanks!
Decision 3
(Kate talks to Annie.)
Kate: Brandon's a great guy. I'm really happy for you two.
Annie: Thanks! (smiles) I have to admit, I'm pretty smitten.
Kate: (smiles) I can tell. But ... Annie, I'm a little uncomfortable with him spending so much time in our room.
Annie: Really? Why? Don't tell me you're not used to having a guy around. Don't you have brothers?
Kate: Well, yes, but this is different.
Annie: Wow, I didn't realize you were so old-fashioned.
Kate: Well, I don't know if that's it. But I would appreciate it if you two could spend less time in our room.
Annie: (sighs) Well, if you feel strongly about this, I'll talk to Brandon. We'll figure something out.
Kate: Thanks, Annie.
【Word Bank】
go behind someone's back (idiom) 背着某人 Don't go behind Mary's back with this problem. You need to tell Mary what you're going to do.
considerate (adj.) 体贴的 Natalie is a considerate and kind person.
smitten (adj.) 神魂颠倒的 Kyle is smitten with Veronica. He thinks about her all day.
old-fashioned (adj) 守旧的 My parents are very old-fashioned, so they won't allow me to date until I've graduated from college.
Knowing the world's two most-spoken language can make you twice as important to employers
【Text】
Foreign language skills give you an edge in todays job market. Proficiency in English and Chinese is an especially desirable combination. English and Chinese are the two most-spoken languages in the world.
Many Western companies continue to expand rapidly into Chinese-speaking regions of Asia. At the same time, Chinese-speaking companies are increasing their presence in the West. As a result, both Western and Asian companies need Chinese-speaking workers who have strong English skills. Some local employers, such as Taiwan-based computer company Acer, have even made English their official company language.
Proficiency in both languages can help workers gain access to the best jobs. Many Chinese-speaking companies require that all managers possess excellent English skills.
But a big income and a high-level position aren't the only perks. A career that requires two languages can create other rewarding opportunities. Workers might be given more opportunities to travel or meet people from other countries.
Workers with skills in both languages also benefit the employer. They can help companies avoid the misunderstandings that often occur when people from different cultures do business.
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give someone an edge (idiom) 让某人佔优势 Jeremy's 3-years of experience gave him an edge over the other applicants for the job.
proficiency (n.) 精通 Emily's proficiency in German helped her get used to life in Germany.
possess (v.) 拥有;具备 Mike possesses a good understanding of the environmental issues in this country.
perk (n.) (因职务而得的薪资以外的)额外补贴;好处 I can reach the highest shelves in my kitchen. That's one of the perks of being tall.
Let's look at two interesting careers in which English and Chinese speakers are in demand.
Web site translateors
After English, Chinese is the second most-used language on the Internet. From October 2004 to July 2005, the number of Chinese-speaking Web surfers increased by 18 million.
English-speaking employers want their Web sites translated into Chinese. But Chinese skills alone are not enough. Employers need Chinese-speaking workers who also have the language skills to understand English Web content. Such people will be sought after by Western companies to fill these translation jobs.
Business and marketing researchers
Many Western companies need employees who can mark their products to Chinese-speaking customers. Similarly, Chinese-speaking emplyers need workers who can make their products desirable to Western buyers. Strong language skills are a must in this type of job. A good business sense and marketing know-how are also essential.
The need for proficiency in more than one language is unlikely to change. Knowing both English and Chinese can open up a world of opportunities. Consider how you can use your language skill in your career.
【Word Bank】
in demand (idiom) 抢手的 Rachel is always in demand whenever we need a birthday cake. Her cakes are delicious!
sought after (idiom) 被寻求的;炙手可热的 Nicole's translating skills are very sought after. She has no problem finding work.
marketing (n.) 行销 This company's marketing department thought of a great way to sell the product.
know-how (n.) (专门)知识、技巧 If you don't have the know-how to complete this project, give it to someone who does.
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open up a world of opportunities (idiom) 开启无数的机会 Getting a college degree has opened up a world of opportunities for James. He already has three job offers.
For travelers who want a place to lay their head, any ordinary hotel will do. But discerning travelers ask for more. They want an unforgettable experience at one-of-a-kind hotel.
Where do you find this kind of hotel? Fortunately, today's travelers enjoy many options all over the globe. Some of these hotels are extravagant, other are simply strange. Many have become travel destinations in their own right. In fact, some travelers journey hundreds of miles just to stay in these unique hotels.
Back to nature (from US$860 to US$1,720 a night)
You certainly won't find any other hotel quite like the Earth Lodge. Located on a private game reserve in South Afria, it combines nature with luxury. All accommodations are large undergroud suites, carved from the area's natural rock. The furniture and decor use natural, rustic materials. Best of all, the entrance of each suite opens onto the beautiful African wilderness. Guests feel completely embraced by nature.
Despite the lodge's rustic look, comport is not neglected. All guests are attended round-the clock by their private butler. Safari guides also lead guests on their own African adventure.
【Word Bank】
discerning (adj.) 有鉴赏力的 This city's most discerning diners eat at this expensive restaurant.
extravagant (adj.) 奢华的 Bill lives a simple life. He doesn't need expensive car of other extravagant things.
accommodations (n. pl) 住房(设备) Single rooms are the only accommodations the hotel has available tonight.
rustic (adj.) 乡村风味的;质朴的 Sarah dreams of living in a rustic cabin in the woods.
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in one's own right (idiom) 因着本身的条件、才华等 Jim isn't famous, but he's still an art master in his own right.
safari (n.) 野生动物之旅 We went on an African safari and saw lions and elephants.
The lap of luxury (from US$1,000 to more than US$15,000 a night)
Looking for extravagant luxury? You can't do much better than the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. It has earned a reputation as the ultimate luxury totel, Officially, it has a five-star ranking -- the highest any hotel can receive. But the media has dubbed it "the world's only seven-star hotel." It's easy to understand why. The Burj Al Arab has no ordinary rooms, just huge two-story suites. The hotel's two largest, the Royal Suites, spread out over an expansive 780 square meters. These suites also has their own elevator and cinema.
An army of butlers caters to the guests' every need 24 hours a day. The hotel also provides guests with their own personal Rolls Royce limousine and driver.
Other outstanding features include a towering hotel lobby. The lobby is so tall, in fact, the Statue of Liberty could fit inside. For guests who would rather arrive by air, a helicopter pad sits on the hotel roof.
All this luxury doesn't come cheap, of course. The Burj Al Arab is one of the world's most expensive hotels.
【Word Bank】
reputation (n.) 美誉;声誉 John has a reputation for being fair and honest. You can trust him!
expansive (adj.) 宽阔的 This expansive library contains every book printed in English in the last 100 years.
cater (v.) 满足需要(或)欲望;迎合 This charity organization caters to the needs of poor single mothers.
outstanding (adj.) 突出显著的 Colorado's most outstanding natural feature is the Rocky Mountains.
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lap of luxury (idiom) 体验极致奢华;在奢侈的环境中 Laura lives in the lap of luxury. She has everything she could ever want.
helicopter pad (n.) 直升机起降场 Only small helicopters can land on the boat's helicopter pad.
The Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin is more than a hotel. It's a work of art -- literally. Artist Lars Stroschen designed each of the one-of-a-kind rooms. You can sleep on a bed that appears to be frying off the tilted floor. Or stay in a room where the furniture is stuck to the ceiling. Many other equally interesting rooms are available, too. It's your choice!
Stroschen has also composed music specifically for each room. Check into this hotel and experience the thrill of sleeping in a life-size work of art.
A storybook castle (from US$195 to US$490 a night)
Ever dreamed of staying in a castle? The Chateau de Mercues, in Southwest France, provides that opportunity. The castle was built in 650 A.D. Today it's a four-star hotel. The stone walls, towers and richly decorated rooms are the stuff of fairy tales. The hotel also boasts world-class French cuisine. Spend the night here, and you're sure to feel like a fairy-tale prince or princess.
Next time you travel, don't settle for a boring chain hotel. Look for something unique. It might just turn out to be the best part of your trip.
【Word Bank】
literally (adv.) 确实地;实在地 Bob and Lynette have literally nothing in common.
tilt (v.) 倾斜 This fence tilts a little bit to the left. I need to straighten it.
fairy tale (n.) 童话故事 My favorite fairy tale is the story of Little Red Riding Hood.
settle for something (v.) 退而求其次地接受;勉强接受 Don't settle for poor quality. Only choose the very best.
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chain (n.) 连锁店 McDonald's is one of the world's most successful restaurant chains.
"At 10 a.m." means different things around the world.
March 23
An office meeting starts at 10 a.m. Hans, a German colleague, is already waiting at 9:55. Nathan, an American, arrives on the dot at 10. In the next five minutes a few other hurry in. But trying everyone's patience is the visitor from Brazil, Raul, who walks in at 10:30. He doesn't even think he's late.
How people perceive time varies around the world. Germans like arriving early. Americans plan to arrive just on time. Brazilians aren't bothered by being a half hour late. And many don't know exactly what time it is .
In 1884, a clock in Greenwich, England, set the standard time around the world. But it couldn't standardize when people will arrive for a 10 a.m. meeting.
While culture attitudes about time differ greatly, all cultures can be put into one of two groups: time-oriented and event-oriented. Schedules take precedence in time-oriented cultures. In event-oriented cultures, what happens is more important than when. Such cultural knowledge is important for today's world travelers. Understanding how people perceive time can help travelers get along better in foreign cultures.
【Word Bank】
on the dot (idiom) 准时地 Our French club meetings always start at 4 o'clock on the dot.
perceive (v.) 看待 Stanley always perceives problems to be worse than they acturally are.
standardize (v.) 统一;使标准化 The school standardized its English tests. Now every English class takes the same tests.
precedence (n.) 优先次序;优先地位 Doing your homework should take precedence over watching TV.
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-oriented (suffix) 以…为导向的;以…为目的的 Tim is very family-oriented. He likes to spend a lot of time with them.
The Western world, particularly North America and Western Europe, is strongly time-oriented. Events take place at specific, scheduled times. Appoints are kept to the minute, with perhaps a five-minute leeway.
In time-oriented cultures, time is linear and limited. Imagine time as a conveyor belt carrying boxes past. Each box represents a segment of time. One must pack as much as possible into each box before it slips into the past. Time must be "manage" well-otherwise it may get "wasted". And everywhere, people are "running out" of time.
Event-oriented cultures
In event-oriented cultures, meetings begin when everybody arrives and finish when all the business is done. Events are scheduled to begin "after dinner" or simply "tomorrow". This laid-back lifestyle characterizes people in Arab, African, Latin American and Southeast Asian countries.
Here, time is cyclical and unlimited. It begins anew every day, following the motion of the sun. Because time is unlimited, people in event-oriented cultures tend to value relationships more. Schedules quickly get set aside for a friend in need or even just a friend met on the street.
【Word Bank】
leeway (n.) 缓冲;余裕 Our boss gives us some leeway on when to arrive for work. If we're a little late, that's OK.
segment (n.) 部分 This book is split into three segments, each on a different topic.
characterize (v.) 显示出…的特性 Thai cuisine is characterized by lots of spices and seafood.
set aside (v.) 置于脑后;丢在一旁 They decided to set aside their personal differences and work together.
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linear (adj.) 线性的;线形的 Logic is solving problems in a linear way.
conveyor belt (n.) 输送带 The objects slowly moved along the conveyer belt in the factory.
cyclical (adj.) 循环的 The seasons of the year follow one after another in a cyclical pattern.
Not understanding these different ideas about time can create conflicts between people of different cultures. For example, American students often quickly exchange "how are you?" and "fine" as they rush to make class on time. But event-oriented students see this exchange as impersonal. Before they can say anything more than "fine", the Amerian student has already hurried past them.
Time-oriented people doing business in event-oriented lands may cut to the chase too quickly. This offends event-oriented people, who prefer getting to know their associates before discussing the details of a business deal.
For those who believe "time is money", the slow pace of life in event-oriented lands can be frustrating. Since time-oriented people value productivity, they might view event-oriented people as lazy or inefficient.
Not having specific times for events also causes problems. Some Americans in Mexico were told a meeting would start "after dinner". They rushed through dinner so they could be on time, only to end up waiting for everybody else.
What can the world traveler do to avoid these time-related conflicts? Follow the age-old rule: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
【Word Bank】
impersonal (adj.) 没人情味的 Whenever I call this company, I only get a recorded message. It feels very impersonal.
associate (n.) 合伙人 Ben is a sales associate at this company.
productivity (n.) 生产力;生产率 Studies show that if workers are happy, their productivity is higher.
inefficient (adj.) 没有效率的;效能差的 Jocelyn isn't lazy; she's just inefficient. She needs to work smarter, not harder.
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cut to the chase (idiom) 开门见山 Let's cut to the chase and discuss exactly how much this project will cost.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do (idiom) 入境随俗 You should try the local food! After all, when in Rome, do as the Romans do!
Our canoe glided over the lake. My husband, Troy, and I dipped our paddles into the clear water again. We moved closer to the lake's far shore. We were in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesoda. This area has more than a million acres of forests, lakes and streams.
An outfitter in nearby Ely, Minnesota, Helped us plan the trip. He provided all the equipement and supplies we needed for camping five days in the wilderness. Troy and I wanted to enjoy the perfect vacation. Now that we were here, the place was more beautiful than we had imagined.
As we paddled on the still water, we felt like we were the only two people on Earth. Troy sat at the rear of the canoe; I at the front. "Look," I called. "A beaver's den." We floated by the pile of sticks.
"Let's go over to a bigger lake," I suggested. We carried our gear over a short trail to the other lake. We turned the canoe upside down and Troy carried it on his back.
"There's a campsite," Troy pointed. "Do you want to camp here?"
I wanted to camp in a more secluded location. "No," I answered. "Let's keep going."
【Word Bank】
glide (v.) 滑行 The dancers glided across the dance floor as if they were flying.
boundary (n.) 边界;分界线 My neighbor's fence is a boundary between his house and mine.
gear (n.) 设备 Our camping gear included a tent, sleeping bages and a flashlight.
secluded (adj.) 隐蔽的;僻静的 Tracy's family home is located in a quiet, secluded forest.
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outfitter (n.) 旅行用品店业者 We went to an outfitter to buy everything we needed for the hike.
beaver's den (n.) 海狸窝 We found a beaver's den next to the river.
We put our canoe into the larger lake and paddled lazily, admiring the scenery. Suddenly the soft breeze changed into a stiff wind. Waves began to beat against the side of the canoe. Paddling became hard work.
"We've got to find a campsite now," Troy decided.
"There's one," I pointed ahead. Troy switched his paddle from the right side to left and back again. He worked to push the canoe forward. At the front, I kept the canoe on course to the campsite. With the wind behind us now, we approached the shore and pushed the canoe into the sand.
"This wind is bringing rain," Troy said. "Let's get the tent up!"
"He piled our packs away from the water's edge and tipped the canoe over. We carried the tent up to the campsite.
Large, fat drops of rain fell. the wind lashed the canvas in our hands. We worked quickly to set up the tent. By this time, the occasional drops had become a stinging rain. I took shelter in the tent as Troy finished tying the cover on.
Inside, we sat-wet, cold and hungry. Outside, the wind and the rain roared. All we could do was wait.
【Word Bank】
stiff (adj.) 强烈的;猛烈的 A stiff breeze blew some leaves off the trees.
switch (v.) 交换;转换 Lisa likes to switch back and forth between English and Chinese when she speaks.
lash (v.) 扑打 I woke up to the sound of rain and wind lashing at my windows.
sting (v.) 刺痛 I wasn't careful washing my face and the soap stung my eyes.
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on course (adj.) 维持在…方向上 If you continue to study hard, you'll be on course to graduate in two years.
I felt disappointed. My plans did not include a rainstorm. Worse still was the drop in temperature.
"I'll get some firewood when the rain stops," Troy said.
He split a log and chopped wood from the inside. Soon a small campfire warmed us. We ate a simple meal. Then Troy used ropes to pull our food bag high between two trees. That would keep our food out of the reach of bears.
The next morning we awoke with cold noses. We dressed in two layers of clothes, and Troy went fishing. As he dropped his line into the water, he heard something large rustling through the grass.
Was it a bear? Troy thought it might be. Nervously, he pushed the canoe back away from shore. As he did, a moose raise its head through the tall grass. Troy sighed in relief. Three hours later he returned to camp, empty-handed and hungry.
That afternoon, rain blew in again. The next evening, more rain fell! I was miserable. My clothes were damp, I needed a bath, and the food tasted awful. So we decided to leave.
The next day, after eating and resting in town, our moods brightened. "Our vacation wasn't perfect," I said to Troy, "but it wasn't so bad. I'd like to go again sometime."
【Word Bank】
split (v.) 劈开;分开 Terri split the sandwich into two and shared it with Jim.
rustle (v.) 沙沙作响 The leaves on the tree rustled in the wind.
empty-handed (adj.) 双手空空的 Sarah couldn't find the shoes she wanted, so she left the shore empty-handed.
damp (adj.) 湿的;潮湿的 Hang the damp towel on the clothesline to dry.
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moose (n.) 麋鹿 A moose is an animal that looks like a large deer.
The world is watching as the first of the Internet generation grows up in Asia
March 30
They've been called Asia's "Net Generation." But most often, this group born after 1975 is called "Generation N." They're the first generation to fully embrace the Internet. Because of this, Gen N's are thoroughly comfortable with technology.
They've been described as self-confident and spoiled. Generation N's process information very quickly. But they're also known to be quite impatient. The Internet has opened up a world of diverse viewpoints. As a result, most Gen N's are most open to new ideas than previous generations.
Attitudes toward life
Generation N is also challenging society's traditional ideas about love, marriage and children. Researchers state that Gen N's are most individualistic. They want their own personal space and freedom. This is resulting in many people choosing to marry later, or not at all. One marketing and research company discovered the following attitude among Gen N's: There's no need to marry if you can lead a happy and independent life alone.
For those who do marry, they're waiting until they're older. They're also choosing to have children later.
【Word Bank】
process (v.) 处理 It took longer than we expected to process all the information and make a decision.
viewpoint (n.) 视角;观点 What is your viewpoint on this discussion? What is your opinion?
individualistic (adj.) 个人主义的;个人化的 The way John lives is very individualistic. He likes to do everything on his own.
personal space (n.) 私人空间 Please leave me alone. I need some personal space.
Many Gen N's come from homes where both parents work. This has made them the generation with more disposable income than any other. And marketers haven't lost sight f this fact. These days, everything from cell phones to credit cards is marketed directly toward Generation N. As a group, they enthusiastically welcome rapidly changing technology. And they eagerly buy and use the newest products.
Unfortunately, Gen N's also have a great willingness to buy on credit. They worry less about going into debt than previous generations.
What's ahead?
Having grown up in a world of chat rooms, Generation N is used to group-talk. Older generations struggle to figure out text-messaging, but Gen N's are masters at it. No previous group has ever been as adept at passing along information to so many people. Their spending power and technological abilities make them a force to be reckoned with.
But still some worry if Generation N is ready to become tomorrow's leaders. Gen N's, though, are optimistic. This self-confident and impatient generation is ready to face the future-right now!
【Word Bank】
lose sight of something (idiom) 忽略、忘记某事 Beverly worked in a shop for so long, she lost sight of her original ambition to start her own business.
on credit (adv.) 用信用卡消费地;以赊帐方式地 Philip bought all his new clothes on credit. He didn't pay for them immediately.
force to be reckoned with (idiom) 不可等闲视之的势力 Our new boss is a force to be reckoned with. Everyone listens to him.
optimistic (adj.) 乐观的 Marla is optimistic about tomorrow's weather. She thinks it'll be a sunny day.
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disposable income (n.) 可支配的收入 I like to spend most of my disposable income on clothes and CDs.
group-talk (n.) 群组式对谈 My teenage daughter spends most evenings in group-talk with her friends online.