The Tempest Spills out of the Teapot
Once the newspapers got the story, the case of the longharis became a cause célèbre. Ron and Len were interviewed, seen on TV, and regarded by their fellow students as heros."These are not delinquents or hoods," one reporter wrote, "but clean-cut American boys who are being harassed by a monolithic school system." A caustic editorial referred to the school's decision as arbitrary and inane. A false story even circulated about the boys being rock-n-roll performers whose indigent families needed their salaries. Finally the Civil Liberties Union jumped into the fray with a court order stipulating that the principal be required to show cause why the boys should not be allowed to return to class.
茶壺裡的風暴
當報社得到這個故事，髮禁的案子就變成了眾所皆知的案件。Ron和Len接受訪問，他們出現在電視節目上，而且還被同儕同學視為英雄人物。一個記者寫道:"他們不是青少年罪犯，也不是無賴，他們只是簡單的美國少年，卻被龐大的學校教育體系騷擾。"一則帶有諷刺語氣的社論還把學校的決定視為獨斷專制而且很愚蠢。甚至有人假造故事，傳言這些男孩是搖滾樂手，而他們貧窮的家庭需要他們演出的收入。最後公民自由聯盟還跟法庭發佈的命令槓上，說校長應該要把這兩名學生無法去學校上課的理由給說明清楚。
Words
1. harass 煩惱，騷擾 v.
2. monolithic 龐大的 adj.
3. arbitrary 獨斷的，專制的 adj.
4. indigent 貧乏的 adj.
5. fray 吵架 n.
6. tempest 暴風雨，騷動 n.
7. spill 溢出，濺出 v.
8. cause célèbre 轟動的訟案，有名的案例 n. (Week 7 Day 1)
9. delinquent 青少年犯罪 n.
10. hood 無賴，流氓 n.
11. clean-cut 整潔好看的，簡單的 adj.
12. caustic 刻薄的 adj. (Week 3 Day 1)
13. inane 愚蠢的 adj. (Week 5 Day 1)
14. circulate 傳播，流傳 v.
15. stipulate 規定，約定 v. (Week 3 Day 4)
Today's Idiom
one swallow does not make a summer
一隻燕子不成夏天，表示不要太妄下結論，不要以偏概全。
2009年12月22日 星期二
2009年12月21日 星期一
Week 7 Day 1
More Ado about Haircut
Perhaps you read about our school in the newspapers? We were one of first to have a showdown on the topic of long hair for boys. Two honor students, Ron Harris and Len Chester, were sent to the principal by their French teacher, an implacable foe of nonconformist who went into a paroxysm of anger when she spied the boys in the hall. At first it seemed like a simple case. The school would reprimand the boys for their reprehensible appearance and order them to cut their hair or be suspended. But the boys' parents decided that the school had overstepped its jurisdiction. They took their case to the newspapers. What had started as a local skirmish, now began to take on the appearance of a full-scale war.
髮禁的風波
也許你曾經在報紙上看過關於我們學校的報導。我們學校是第一所對男生是否可以留長頭髮的議題做出攤牌的討論的學校。兩名優秀的學生Ron Harris和Len Chester被他們的法文老師送進校長室。這名法文老師對於不順從一般規矩的人總是難以接受，當她在大廳瞄到這兩個長髮男生時，脾氣突然爆發。最初這個事件只是一個簡單的事件。學校方面對於他們沒有整理儀容給予斥責，要求他們把頭髮剪短，否則就得暫時休學。但是男孩的父母覺得學校的處置超出了他們管教的限度。父母把這件事告訴了報紙。所以本來只是件小小的爭執，如今卻變成了全面性的向髮禁開戰。
Words
1. implacable 難以安撫的，難平息的 adj.
2. paroxysm 發作，爆發 n.
3. reprehensible 應該指摘的 adj.
4. jurisdiction 司法，管轄權 n.
5. skirmish 小衝突，小爭執 n.
6. ado 紛擾，騷動 n.
much ado about 無事生非
7. showdown 攤牌 n.
8. nonconformist 不順從一般公認信念習慣的人 n.
9. reprimand 訓斥，斥責 ( Week 3 Day 1 ) v.
10. overstep 違犯，超出...的限度 v.
Today's Idiom
cause célèbre
這個片語來自於法文，célèbre就是famous有名的的意思。意思就是轟動的訟案，有名的案例。
Grammars 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連結詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.Perhaps you read about our school in the newspapers?
2.We were one of first to have a showdown on the topic of long hair for boys.
have a showdown 就是對...攤牌的意思。
3.Two honor students, Ron Harris and Len Chester, were sent to the principal by their French teacher, an implacable foe of nonconformist who went into a paroxysm of anger when she spied the boys in the hall.
這一句看起來比較長，但其實主要句子就是two honor students were sen to the principal by their French teacher。Ron Harris and Len Chester是two honor students的同位語。而an implacable foe of nonconformist 則是their French teacher的同位語，後面的who went into a paroxysm of anger when she spied the boys in the hall ，who 是關係代名詞，代表的還是那位法文老師。
4.At first it seemed like a simple case.
5.The school would reprimand the boys for their reprehensible appearance and order them to cut their hair or be suspended.
reprimand someone for something就是某事來斥責某人。order在這裡的意思就是命令要求，order someone to do something就是命令某人做某事。or在這裡有否則的意思，意思就是如果不剪頭髮，就暫時休學在家休息，不能去上學。
6.But the boys' parents decided that the school had overstepped its jurisdiction.
這邊說the school had overstepped its jurisdiction會用過去完成式的原因，在於原來句子的主要時態是過去式，在過去說更早的過去已經完成的事情，就用過去完成式。
7.They took their case to the newspapers.
這是現在父母經常會採取的手段之一，中外皆然。
8.What had started as a local skirmish, now began to take on the appearance of a full-scale war.
這句的過去完成式用法跟第6句一樣，what had started表示是在過去說更早的過去已經發生的事情，所以仍然用過去完成式。what 這個字可以一次代替主詞跟關係代名詞，他就等於 the thing which的意思。
Perhaps you read about our school in the newspapers? We were one of first to have a showdown on the topic of long hair for boys. Two honor students, Ron Harris and Len Chester, were sent to the principal by their French teacher, an implacable foe of nonconformist who went into a paroxysm of anger when she spied the boys in the hall. At first it seemed like a simple case. The school would reprimand the boys for their reprehensible appearance and order them to cut their hair or be suspended. But the boys' parents decided that the school had overstepped its jurisdiction. They took their case to the newspapers. What had started as a local skirmish, now began to take on the appearance of a full-scale war.
髮禁的風波
也許你曾經在報紙上看過關於我們學校的報導。我們學校是第一所對男生是否可以留長頭髮的議題做出攤牌的討論的學校。兩名優秀的學生Ron Harris和Len Chester被他們的法文老師送進校長室。這名法文老師對於不順從一般規矩的人總是難以接受，當她在大廳瞄到這兩個長髮男生時，脾氣突然爆發。最初這個事件只是一個簡單的事件。學校方面對於他們沒有整理儀容給予斥責，要求他們把頭髮剪短，否則就得暫時休學。但是男孩的父母覺得學校的處置超出了他們管教的限度。父母把這件事告訴了報紙。所以本來只是件小小的爭執，如今卻變成了全面性的向髮禁開戰。
Words
1. implacable 難以安撫的，難平息的 adj.
2. paroxysm 發作，爆發 n.
3. reprehensible 應該指摘的 adj.
4. jurisdiction 司法，管轄權 n.
5. skirmish 小衝突，小爭執 n.
6. ado 紛擾，騷動 n.
much ado about 無事生非
7. showdown 攤牌 n.
8. nonconformist 不順從一般公認信念習慣的人 n.
9. reprimand 訓斥，斥責 ( Week 3 Day 1 ) v.
10. overstep 違犯，超出...的限度 v.
Today's Idiom
cause célèbre
這個片語來自於法文，célèbre就是famous有名的的意思。意思就是轟動的訟案，有名的案例。
Grammars 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連結詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.Perhaps you read about our school in the newspapers?
2.We were one of first to have a showdown on the topic of long hair for boys.
have a showdown 就是對...攤牌的意思。
3.Two honor students, Ron Harris and Len Chester, were sent to the principal by their French teacher, an implacable foe of nonconformist who went into a paroxysm of anger when she spied the boys in the hall.
這一句看起來比較長，但其實主要句子就是two honor students were sen to the principal by their French teacher。Ron Harris and Len Chester是two honor students的同位語。而an implacable foe of nonconformist 則是their French teacher的同位語，後面的who went into a paroxysm of anger when she spied the boys in the hall ，who 是關係代名詞，代表的還是那位法文老師。
4.At first it seemed like a simple case.
5.The school would reprimand the boys for their reprehensible appearance and order them to cut their hair or be suspended.
reprimand someone for something就是某事來斥責某人。order在這裡的意思就是命令要求，order someone to do something就是命令某人做某事。or在這裡有否則的意思，意思就是如果不剪頭髮，就暫時休學在家休息，不能去上學。
6.But the boys' parents decided that the school had overstepped its jurisdiction.
這邊說the school had overstepped its jurisdiction會用過去完成式的原因，在於原來句子的主要時態是過去式，在過去說更早的過去已經完成的事情，就用過去完成式。
7.They took their case to the newspapers.
這是現在父母經常會採取的手段之一，中外皆然。
8.What had started as a local skirmish, now began to take on the appearance of a full-scale war.
這句的過去完成式用法跟第6句一樣，what had started表示是在過去說更早的過去已經發生的事情，所以仍然用過去完成式。what 這個字可以一次代替主詞跟關係代名詞，他就等於 the thing which的意思。
2009年12月18日 星期五
Week 6 Day 5
Trouble at Truman High
It was a quiet morning at Harry S Truman High School. “Too quiet,” Principal Edna Suarez remarked to her secretary. “It’s just when things are this serene that I start to get an uneasy feeling.”
Words
1. remark 說 v.
2. serene 寧靜的，安靜的 adj.
Mrs. Suarez’s sensitivity to life among 3000 teenagers quickly proved to be accurate. The first evidence of trouble came with a phone call from the teacher in charge of the cafeteria who needed help to quell a disturbance. When Mrs. Suarez arrived on the scene, much to her consternation, students were pounding on their tables, throwing food on the lunchroom floor, and making a complete fiasco of school regulations. It took the principal only a moment to discern who the two ringleaders were and to summon them to her office.
Words
1. cafeteria 自助餐廳 n.
2. disturbance 混亂，擾亂 n.
3. ringleader 頭目，元兇 n.
Vincent, 16 and Elena, 15, admitted to having stirred up the protest. They gave as their reasons the poor quality of food served and the dirty environment. “It’s like a pigsty down there,” Elena declared, “and the food is fit only for animals!”
Words
1.pigsty 豬舍 n.
What they had done, Mrs. Suarez told them, was inexcusable, and she ticked off a list of reasons that made their conduct dangerous and subject to school discipline. “What you were trying to do,” Mrs. Suarez explained, “might be considered laudable by some but you could have come to me, alone or with a committee, to register your complaints. I would have investigated and, if there was merit to your charges, would have taken the necessary action. Now I’ll have to ask you to bring your parents to see me on Monday and to stay home until then.”
Vincent and Elena seemed to be chastened by Mrs. Suarez’s lecture. However, on leaving her office, Elena told an assistant principal that in a similar incident on a television show she learned that direct, dramatic action usually gets quicker results that lengthy debate. He advised her to bring that question up in her social studies class when she returned form suspension.
Words
1. chasten 懲罰，抑制 v.
It was a quiet morning at Harry S Truman High School. “Too quiet,” Principal Edna Suarez remarked to her secretary. “It’s just when things are this serene that I start to get an uneasy feeling.”
Words
1. remark 說 v.
2. serene 寧靜的，安靜的 adj.
Mrs. Suarez’s sensitivity to life among 3000 teenagers quickly proved to be accurate. The first evidence of trouble came with a phone call from the teacher in charge of the cafeteria who needed help to quell a disturbance. When Mrs. Suarez arrived on the scene, much to her consternation, students were pounding on their tables, throwing food on the lunchroom floor, and making a complete fiasco of school regulations. It took the principal only a moment to discern who the two ringleaders were and to summon them to her office.
Words
1. cafeteria 自助餐廳 n.
2. disturbance 混亂，擾亂 n.
3. ringleader 頭目，元兇 n.
Vincent, 16 and Elena, 15, admitted to having stirred up the protest. They gave as their reasons the poor quality of food served and the dirty environment. “It’s like a pigsty down there,” Elena declared, “and the food is fit only for animals!”
Words
1.pigsty 豬舍 n.
What they had done, Mrs. Suarez told them, was inexcusable, and she ticked off a list of reasons that made their conduct dangerous and subject to school discipline. “What you were trying to do,” Mrs. Suarez explained, “might be considered laudable by some but you could have come to me, alone or with a committee, to register your complaints. I would have investigated and, if there was merit to your charges, would have taken the necessary action. Now I’ll have to ask you to bring your parents to see me on Monday and to stay home until then.”
Vincent and Elena seemed to be chastened by Mrs. Suarez’s lecture. However, on leaving her office, Elena told an assistant principal that in a similar incident on a television show she learned that direct, dramatic action usually gets quicker results that lengthy debate. He advised her to bring that question up in her social studies class when she returned form suspension.
Words
1. chasten 懲罰，抑制 v.
2009年12月17日 星期四
Week 6 Day 4
Perfect Products
I guess we'll never be able to quell the persistent rumors about the invention of auto tires that will never wear out, stockings that cannot tear,and pens that won't run dry. A voluble economist informed me that such products will never be marketed. "Can you imagine," he asked, "a manufacturer cutting his own throat? Why would he sell you an item that you will never have to replace? No," My confidant whispered,"it's part of their scheme of planned obsolescence to sell you merchandise with a limited life span in order to keep you coming back for more." I am dubious about the existence of those prefect products, but then I am from Missouri.
完美的產品
我猜想我們永遠也無法平息這些不斷出現的謠言:會有人發明永遠不會磨平的輪胎，永遠不會破的襪子，永遠不會沒水的筆。一位健談的經濟學家告訴我這樣的產品永遠不會上市。他說:"你能想像一個廠商把自己的命脈弄死嗎?他怎麼可能賣給你產品是你永遠都不會在更換的?不可能，"我的密友輕聲的說，"產品會壞掉就是她們的計畫之一，如此一來，你就會持續的回來買這些有限壽命的產品了。" 我非常懷疑這些完美的產品是否能問世，除非你能證明給我看。
Words
1. quell 平息， 消除 v.
2. voluble 健談的，口若懸河的 adj.
3. confidant 密友，知己 n.
4. obsolescence 廢棄，陳舊，過時 n.
5. dubious 可疑的，懷疑的 adj.
6. persistent 持續的 adj.
7. wear out 磨破 v.
8. stocking 襪子 n.
Today's Idiom
thumb's down
古羅馬時代，在圓形劇場中常有鬥劍勇士在場上爭鬥，羅馬皇帝若看到武士表現太差，就會將大拇指往下轉，表示不滿意的意思，因此後來這句話就引申成為表示拒絕的象徵。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.I guess we'll never be able to quell the persistent rumors about the invention of auto tires that will never wear out, stockings that cannot tear,and pens that won't run dry.
第一句話，the persisitent rumors about the invention of其實就是 the persistent rumors (that is) about the invention of ，只是把關係代名詞跟動詞省略的用法。後面有三項東西就是他所提到的發明，句法完全相同，而三項物品的that都是關係代名詞。
2.A voluble economist informed me that such products will never be marketed.
inform這個字是告知，通知的意思，如果後面接的是名詞，就用inform someone of something這個片語，但如果是個完整的句子，就用that引導出後面的子句。
3."Can you imagine," he asked, "a manufacturer cutting his own throat? Why would he sell you an item that you will never have to replace? No," My confidant whispered,"it's part of their scheme of planned obsolescence to sell you merchandise with a limited life span in order to keep you coming back for more."
4.I am dubious about the existence of those prefect products, but then I am from Missouri.
所以最後一句作者說它很懷疑這些產品會真的問世，因為沒有人會做不賺錢的生意，最後一句I am from Missouri (Week 6 Day 1)有詳盡的解釋。
I guess we'll never be able to quell the persistent rumors about the invention of auto tires that will never wear out, stockings that cannot tear,and pens that won't run dry. A voluble economist informed me that such products will never be marketed. "Can you imagine," he asked, "a manufacturer cutting his own throat? Why would he sell you an item that you will never have to replace? No," My confidant whispered,"it's part of their scheme of planned obsolescence to sell you merchandise with a limited life span in order to keep you coming back for more." I am dubious about the existence of those prefect products, but then I am from Missouri.
完美的產品
我猜想我們永遠也無法平息這些不斷出現的謠言:會有人發明永遠不會磨平的輪胎，永遠不會破的襪子，永遠不會沒水的筆。一位健談的經濟學家告訴我這樣的產品永遠不會上市。他說:"你能想像一個廠商把自己的命脈弄死嗎?他怎麼可能賣給你產品是你永遠都不會在更換的?不可能，"我的密友輕聲的說，"產品會壞掉就是她們的計畫之一，如此一來，你就會持續的回來買這些有限壽命的產品了。" 我非常懷疑這些完美的產品是否能問世，除非你能證明給我看。
Words
1. quell 平息， 消除 v.
2. voluble 健談的，口若懸河的 adj.
3. confidant 密友，知己 n.
4. obsolescence 廢棄，陳舊，過時 n.
5. dubious 可疑的，懷疑的 adj.
6. persistent 持續的 adj.
7. wear out 磨破 v.
8. stocking 襪子 n.
Today's Idiom
thumb's down
古羅馬時代，在圓形劇場中常有鬥劍勇士在場上爭鬥，羅馬皇帝若看到武士表現太差，就會將大拇指往下轉，表示不滿意的意思，因此後來這句話就引申成為表示拒絕的象徵。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.I guess we'll never be able to quell the persistent rumors about the invention of auto tires that will never wear out, stockings that cannot tear,and pens that won't run dry.
第一句話，the persisitent rumors about the invention of其實就是 the persistent rumors (that is) about the invention of ，只是把關係代名詞跟動詞省略的用法。後面有三項東西就是他所提到的發明，句法完全相同，而三項物品的that都是關係代名詞。
2.A voluble economist informed me that such products will never be marketed.
inform這個字是告知，通知的意思，如果後面接的是名詞，就用inform someone of something這個片語，但如果是個完整的句子，就用that引導出後面的子句。
3."Can you imagine," he asked, "a manufacturer cutting his own throat? Why would he sell you an item that you will never have to replace? No," My confidant whispered,"it's part of their scheme of planned obsolescence to sell you merchandise with a limited life span in order to keep you coming back for more."
cut one's throat就是割喉，商場上的降價競爭通常就會被形容成割喉戰 cut-throat competition，在這邊不是好幾家廠商競爭，而是指產品如果不會壞，就沒有人會持續更新替換，廠商等於只能賺一次的錢，之後就沒生意了，所以不賺錢就沒法生存，就如同把喉嚨割斷無法呼吸，很快就會死亡。
4.I am dubious about the existence of those prefect products, but then I am from Missouri.
所以最後一句作者說它很懷疑這些產品會真的問世，因為沒有人會做不賺錢的生意，最後一句I am from Missouri (Week 6 Day 1)有詳盡的解釋。
2009年12月16日 星期三
Week 6 Day 3
Hold that Nobel Prize
Speaking of inventions and discoveries, I just learned that an eminent scientist in Ohio has developed a pill that contains all the nutritive value of three complete meals. In addition to providing us with vitamins and minerals we need daily, this pill also gives a feeling of fullness. According to its sponsors, the pill will nourish and satisfy. I hate to disparage such a laudable achievement, but to me it seems like a most objectionable discovery. Rather than a scientific triumph, I'd be inclined to label it as an egregious blunder, a scientific disaster, a laboratory fiasco. Is there anyone in his right mind who thinks that a pill can replace the pleasures of devouring a hot corn bread, masticating on a thick steak, biting into crisp french fries, or attacking a chocolate sundae? I'm afraid that this is one pill I'll have to eschew from chewing.
得到諾貝爾獎!
說到發明和發現，我剛剛知道有一位俄亥俄州的傑出科學家發明了一種藥丸，可以將完整三餐所需的營養成分都包含在內。這個藥丸除了可以提供我們每日所需的維他命和礦物質外，還可以帶給我們飽足感。根據他的發明家所說，這個藥丸可以提供營養又可以滿足食慾。我不喜歡貶低如此直得讚揚的成就，但對我而言，這個藥丸是最讓我反感的發明。與其說它是科學上的重大勝利，我還比較傾向說它是極大的錯誤，科學上的災難，實驗室裡的大失敗。難道有人在他的心理面會真的想說用藥丸來取代大口吞食熱燙燙的玉米麵包，咀嚼厚片牛排，咬著酥脆的薯條，或是攻佔巧克力聖代的樂趣嗎? 我想，恐怕這個藥丸會是我唯一不想吃下肚的東西吧。
Words
1. disparage 貶低，輕視 v.
2. laudable 直得讚揚的 adj.
3. fiasco 完全失敗 n.
4. masticate 咀嚼 v.
5. eschew 避免 v.
6. eminent 傑出的 adj.(Week 1 Day 1)
7. objectionable 令人不愉快的，討厭的 adj.
8. triumph 勝利 n.
9. be inclined to 想要，有...傾向
10. egregious 非常的，極壞的 adj. (Week 5 Day 3)
11. blunder 大錯 n.
12. devour 狼吞虎嚥的吃 v.
Today's Idiom
to let sleeping dogs lie
這句話的意思就是莫惹是非，讓沉睡的狗睡吧，免得她醒來咬人。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.Speaking of inventions and discoveries, I just learned that an eminent scientist in Ohio has developed a pill that contains all the nutritive value of three complete meals.
speaking of ...就是說到...，在這個片語之後，會有一個完整的句子連接。 這裡的I just learned的learned並不是指學習到，而是指得知獲悉的意思。learned後面的that是接出子句的that，所以後面也有一個完整的主詞和動詞的句子。而pill that的that就是關係代名詞，用來代替前面的主詞pill，所以這裡的that也可以用which替代。
2.In addition to providing us with vitamins and minerals we need daily, this pill also gives a feeling of fullness.
in addition to 這個片語是除此之外...還...的意思，後面通常皆的是名詞，如果後面要用動詞的話，必須將動詞改成動名詞 Ving的形式，所以這邊會用providing而不是用provide。provide 的用法，當我們說提供某人某物的時候，可以說provide someone with something，用介係詞with。
3.According to its sponsors, the pill will nourish and satisfy.
這句話只有according to 這個片語值得說明，according to 就是根據...的意思，後面通常都接名詞。
4.I hate to disparage such a laudable achievement, but to me it seems like a most objectionable discovery.
hate這個字跟like，love用法一樣，後面都可以加 to V.或是 Ving。such若要使用於名詞的場合，會說such a/an + adj. +N. 把such放在整個名詞的前面。似乎像英文用的是seem like而不是as
。
5.Rather than a scientific triumph, I'd be inclined to label it as an egregious blunder, a scientific disaster, a laboratory fiasco.
rather than的意思就是"而不是"，be inclined to +V. 意思就是傾向作...。label是貼標籤的意思，在這裡就是指"視為"，"當作"的意思。
6.Is there anyone in his right mind who thinks that a pill can replace the pleasures of devouring a hot corn bread, masticating on a thick steak, biting into crisp french fries, or attacking a chocolate sundae?
there is的用法就是有...，這裡是用疑問句的方式，replace of就是用...取代，因為在介係詞of後面，所以所有的動詞都需要改成Ving的形式。
7.I'm afraid that this is one pill I'll have to eschew from chewing.
I'm afraid的意思就是我害怕，但是這邊是我恐怕的意思。作者說美食很好吃，所以如果要用藥丸取代，那他唯一不吃的，就是這顆藥丸，所以意思是，即使這個發明可以得諾貝爾獎，作者也不會想要吃下肚。
Speaking of inventions and discoveries, I just learned that an eminent scientist in Ohio has developed a pill that contains all the nutritive value of three complete meals. In addition to providing us with vitamins and minerals we need daily, this pill also gives a feeling of fullness. According to its sponsors, the pill will nourish and satisfy. I hate to disparage such a laudable achievement, but to me it seems like a most objectionable discovery. Rather than a scientific triumph, I'd be inclined to label it as an egregious blunder, a scientific disaster, a laboratory fiasco. Is there anyone in his right mind who thinks that a pill can replace the pleasures of devouring a hot corn bread, masticating on a thick steak, biting into crisp french fries, or attacking a chocolate sundae? I'm afraid that this is one pill I'll have to eschew from chewing.
得到諾貝爾獎!
說到發明和發現，我剛剛知道有一位俄亥俄州的傑出科學家發明了一種藥丸，可以將完整三餐所需的營養成分都包含在內。這個藥丸除了可以提供我們每日所需的維他命和礦物質外，還可以帶給我們飽足感。根據他的發明家所說，這個藥丸可以提供營養又可以滿足食慾。我不喜歡貶低如此直得讚揚的成就，但對我而言，這個藥丸是最讓我反感的發明。與其說它是科學上的重大勝利，我還比較傾向說它是極大的錯誤，科學上的災難，實驗室裡的大失敗。難道有人在他的心理面會真的想說用藥丸來取代大口吞食熱燙燙的玉米麵包，咀嚼厚片牛排，咬著酥脆的薯條，或是攻佔巧克力聖代的樂趣嗎? 我想，恐怕這個藥丸會是我唯一不想吃下肚的東西吧。
Words
1. disparage 貶低，輕視 v.
2. laudable 直得讚揚的 adj.
3. fiasco 完全失敗 n.
4. masticate 咀嚼 v.
5. eschew 避免 v.
6. eminent 傑出的 adj.(Week 1 Day 1)
7. objectionable 令人不愉快的，討厭的 adj.
8. triumph 勝利 n.
9. be inclined to 想要，有...傾向
10. egregious 非常的，極壞的 adj. (Week 5 Day 3)
11. blunder 大錯 n.
12. devour 狼吞虎嚥的吃 v.
Today's Idiom
to let sleeping dogs lie
這句話的意思就是莫惹是非，讓沉睡的狗睡吧，免得她醒來咬人。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.Speaking of inventions and discoveries, I just learned that an eminent scientist in Ohio has developed a pill that contains all the nutritive value of three complete meals.
speaking of ...就是說到...，在這個片語之後，會有一個完整的句子連接。 這裡的I just learned的learned並不是指學習到，而是指得知獲悉的意思。learned後面的that是接出子句的that，所以後面也有一個完整的主詞和動詞的句子。而pill that的that就是關係代名詞，用來代替前面的主詞pill，所以這裡的that也可以用which替代。
2.In addition to providing us with vitamins and minerals we need daily, this pill also gives a feeling of fullness.
in addition to 這個片語是除此之外...還...的意思，後面通常皆的是名詞，如果後面要用動詞的話，必須將動詞改成動名詞 Ving的形式，所以這邊會用providing而不是用provide。provide 的用法，當我們說提供某人某物的時候，可以說provide someone with something，用介係詞with。
3.According to its sponsors, the pill will nourish and satisfy.
這句話只有according to 這個片語值得說明，according to 就是根據...的意思，後面通常都接名詞。
4.I hate to disparage such a laudable achievement, but to me it seems like a most objectionable discovery.
hate這個字跟like，love用法一樣，後面都可以加 to V.或是 Ving。such若要使用於名詞的場合，會說such a/an + adj. +N. 把such放在整個名詞的前面。似乎像英文用的是seem like而不是as
。
5.Rather than a scientific triumph, I'd be inclined to label it as an egregious blunder, a scientific disaster, a laboratory fiasco.
rather than的意思就是"而不是"，be inclined to +V. 意思就是傾向作...。label是貼標籤的意思，在這裡就是指"視為"，"當作"的意思。
6.Is there anyone in his right mind who thinks that a pill can replace the pleasures of devouring a hot corn bread, masticating on a thick steak, biting into crisp french fries, or attacking a chocolate sundae?
there is的用法就是有...，這裡是用疑問句的方式，replace of就是用...取代，因為在介係詞of後面，所以所有的動詞都需要改成Ving的形式。
7.I'm afraid that this is one pill I'll have to eschew from chewing.
I'm afraid的意思就是我害怕，但是這邊是我恐怕的意思。作者說美食很好吃，所以如果要用藥丸取代，那他唯一不吃的，就是這顆藥丸，所以意思是，即使這個發明可以得諾貝爾獎，作者也不會想要吃下肚。
2009年12月15日 星期二
Week 6 Day 2
Patent Pending
My buddy Verne, a precocious automotive wizard, and I were inspired to do some inventing on our own. We thought it might be feasible to park a car parallel to a space on the street. Then, by pressing a button,we could raise the four tires off the ground slightly, while dropping two special wheels perpendicular to the curb. It would then be child's play to roll into the narrowest of parking spaces. We took the idea to Ed Greene, who runs the Ford agency in order to elicit his reaction. After a perfunctory glance at our plan, to our chagrin Ed snorted that our idea was inane, but we decided that he was just jealous of our brilliance. Tomorrow we are going to start on a computer that will enable us to measure the intelligence of the perverse automobile dealers who like to deride the efforts of junior geniuses.
申請中的專利
我的好朋友Verne是一個早熟的汽車天才，他和我常會靈機一動，靠我們自己發明一些東西。我們覺得直接平行的把車停到路上的停車位是可行的。接下來，只要按一個按鈕，就可以將車子的四個輪胎稍微抬離開地面，同時間將會降下兩個和路邊垂直的輪胎。接下來要將車子移進再窄小的停車位都是輕而易舉的事。我們將這個想法告訴一個Ford經銷商 Ed Greene，試圖引出他的反應。令我們難堪的是，他隨便的看了看我們的計畫，便輕蔑的說我們的想法很愚蠢。但是我們覺得他只是忌妒我們的聰明。明天我們就會想辦法創造一台電腦，這台電腦將可以幫助我們測試這些喜歡嘲弄年輕天才的成就的剛愎的汽車經紀人，看看她們的智商到底有多低。
Words
1. precocious 早熟的 adj.
2. perfunctory 敷衍的，馬虎的 adj.
3. chagrin 懊惱，苦惱 n.
4. perverse 故意做對的，剛愎的 adj.
5. deride 嘲笑，嘲弄 v.
6. pending 懸而未決的 adj.
7. feasible 可行的 adj. (Week 6 Day 1)
8. parallel 平行的 adj.
9. perpendicular 垂直的 adj.
10. curb 路邊 n.
11. child's play 輕而易舉的事 n.
12. elicit 引出 v. (Week 5 Day 4)
13. inane 愚蠢的 adj. (Week 5 Day 1)
Today's Idiom
red-letter day
大約在1400年，當時的教會會把重要的宗教節日在日曆上，用紅色的標記標示出來，後來就引申為假日，或是值得高興的日子。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.My buddy Verne, a precocious automotive wizard, and I were inspired to do some inventing on our own.
這一句的主詞是 my buddy Verne and I，中間用兩個逗號寫出 My buddy Verne的同位語 a precocious automotive wizard，就是用來解說Verne是個怎麼樣的人。 後面的動詞則是用被動語態，表示很多東西是靈機一閃做出來的。
2.We thought it might be feasible to park a car parallel to a space on the street.
第二句很簡單，其實是we thought that it might...，that在這邊是引導出子句的字，後面的it might be +adj. + to do ...，其實就是it is + adj. + to +V.的變化句子。
3.Then, by pressing a button,we could raise the four tires off the ground slightly, while dropping two special wheels perpendicular to the curb.
then在這邊就是連接上一句的語氣。後面的while dropping的主詞就是前面的we，因為兩句的主詞相同，本來是while we dropped two special ...，就可以把相同的主詞省略，主動的動詞改成Ving的形式。
4.It would then be child's play to roll into the narrowest of parking spaces.
這句則是把it is adj. to V的句型改成 it is N. to V的方式，意思是相同的。child's play是小孩的玩具，表示很簡單，很容易的意思。
5.We took the idea to Ed Greene, who runs the Ford agency in order to elicit his reaction.
這句的who runs the Ford agency就是用who這個關係代名詞來形容Ed Greene 這個人，所以原來的句子應該是we tool the idea to Ed Greene in order to elicit his reaction。
6.After a perfunctory glance at our plan, to our chagrin Ed snorted that our idea was inane, but we decided that he was just jealous of our brilliance.
after後面可以接一個完整的句子，也可以接名詞片語，這裡就是接名詞片語的用法。to our chagrin就是對我們而言很苦惱，後面的兩個that都是引出子句的字，不是關係代名詞。
7.Tomorrow we are going to start on a computer that will enable us to measure the intelligence of the perverse automobile dealers who like to deride the efforts of junior geniuses.
be going to V.的意思就是will的意思，是未來式的表現方法之一。a computer that will enable us to measure...有兩個重點，第一個是that這邊是關係代名詞，但是不能省略，因為它是代替主詞的關係代名詞，不是代替受詞的關係代名詞，也可以用which替換。第二個是enable someone 後面要加 to V.不定詞。最後的who 也是關係代名詞，用來代替前面的主詞automobile dealers。
My buddy Verne, a precocious automotive wizard, and I were inspired to do some inventing on our own. We thought it might be feasible to park a car parallel to a space on the street. Then, by pressing a button,we could raise the four tires off the ground slightly, while dropping two special wheels perpendicular to the curb. It would then be child's play to roll into the narrowest of parking spaces. We took the idea to Ed Greene, who runs the Ford agency in order to elicit his reaction. After a perfunctory glance at our plan, to our chagrin Ed snorted that our idea was inane, but we decided that he was just jealous of our brilliance. Tomorrow we are going to start on a computer that will enable us to measure the intelligence of the perverse automobile dealers who like to deride the efforts of junior geniuses.
申請中的專利
我的好朋友Verne是一個早熟的汽車天才，他和我常會靈機一動，靠我們自己發明一些東西。我們覺得直接平行的把車停到路上的停車位是可行的。接下來，只要按一個按鈕，就可以將車子的四個輪胎稍微抬離開地面，同時間將會降下兩個和路邊垂直的輪胎。接下來要將車子移進再窄小的停車位都是輕而易舉的事。我們將這個想法告訴一個Ford經銷商 Ed Greene，試圖引出他的反應。令我們難堪的是，他隨便的看了看我們的計畫，便輕蔑的說我們的想法很愚蠢。但是我們覺得他只是忌妒我們的聰明。明天我們就會想辦法創造一台電腦，這台電腦將可以幫助我們測試這些喜歡嘲弄年輕天才的成就的剛愎的汽車經紀人，看看她們的智商到底有多低。
Words
1. precocious 早熟的 adj.
2. perfunctory 敷衍的，馬虎的 adj.
3. chagrin 懊惱，苦惱 n.
4. perverse 故意做對的，剛愎的 adj.
5. deride 嘲笑，嘲弄 v.
6. pending 懸而未決的 adj.
7. feasible 可行的 adj. (Week 6 Day 1)
8. parallel 平行的 adj.
9. perpendicular 垂直的 adj.
10. curb 路邊 n.
11. child's play 輕而易舉的事 n.
12. elicit 引出 v. (Week 5 Day 4)
13. inane 愚蠢的 adj. (Week 5 Day 1)
Today's Idiom
red-letter day
大約在1400年，當時的教會會把重要的宗教節日在日曆上，用紅色的標記標示出來，後來就引申為假日，或是值得高興的日子。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.My buddy Verne, a precocious automotive wizard, and I were inspired to do some inventing on our own.
這一句的主詞是 my buddy Verne and I，中間用兩個逗號寫出 My buddy Verne的同位語 a precocious automotive wizard，就是用來解說Verne是個怎麼樣的人。 後面的動詞則是用被動語態，表示很多東西是靈機一閃做出來的。
2.We thought it might be feasible to park a car parallel to a space on the street.
第二句很簡單，其實是we thought that it might...，that在這邊是引導出子句的字，後面的it might be +adj. + to do ...，其實就是it is + adj. + to +V.的變化句子。
3.Then, by pressing a button,we could raise the four tires off the ground slightly, while dropping two special wheels perpendicular to the curb.
then在這邊就是連接上一句的語氣。後面的while dropping的主詞就是前面的we，因為兩句的主詞相同，本來是while we dropped two special ...，就可以把相同的主詞省略，主動的動詞改成Ving的形式。
4.It would then be child's play to roll into the narrowest of parking spaces.
這句則是把it is adj. to V的句型改成 it is N. to V的方式，意思是相同的。child's play是小孩的玩具，表示很簡單，很容易的意思。
5.We took the idea to Ed Greene, who runs the Ford agency in order to elicit his reaction.
這句的who runs the Ford agency就是用who這個關係代名詞來形容Ed Greene 這個人，所以原來的句子應該是we tool the idea to Ed Greene in order to elicit his reaction。
6.After a perfunctory glance at our plan, to our chagrin Ed snorted that our idea was inane, but we decided that he was just jealous of our brilliance.
after後面可以接一個完整的句子，也可以接名詞片語，這裡就是接名詞片語的用法。to our chagrin就是對我們而言很苦惱，後面的兩個that都是引出子句的字，不是關係代名詞。
7.Tomorrow we are going to start on a computer that will enable us to measure the intelligence of the perverse automobile dealers who like to deride the efforts of junior geniuses.
be going to V.的意思就是will的意思，是未來式的表現方法之一。a computer that will enable us to measure...有兩個重點，第一個是that這邊是關係代名詞，但是不能省略，因為它是代替主詞的關係代名詞，不是代替受詞的關係代名詞，也可以用which替換。第二個是enable someone 後面要加 to V.不定詞。最後的who 也是關係代名詞，用來代替前面的主詞automobile dealers。
2009年12月14日 星期一
Week 6 Day 1
The Newspaper Umbrella
Our neighbor is an affluent inventor whose latest brainstorm, a feasible umbrella substitute, has been featured in many magazines. As simply as the eye can discern, it is a hard plastic strip, about the size of a ruler, which fits comfortably into a woman's handbag or a man's suit jacket. When a person is caught in a sudden rainstorm, he swings the plastic strip open in a shape of a cross. Attached to each arm is a clip-like device. Next, he takes the newspaper he is carrying and slides it under each of the four clips. Now equipped with a rigid head covering he can sally forth to face the elements. To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers, it has been enjoying a brisk sale, especially among commuters. If it continues to do well, it could have a pernicious effect upon the umbrella industry.
報紙做的雨傘
我們的鄰居是一位很有創造力的發明家，他的最新靈感，就是一件很實用的雨傘替代品，已經在各大雜誌上特載過。這個產品簡單的用眼睛就可以發覺，是一組硬的塑膠條，大概只有一支尺的大小，恰恰好可以放在女生的手提袋裡或是男生的西裝外套中。若突然遇到風雨，就可以把這個塑膠條展開成十字架的形狀。每個塑膠條的手臂都有一個夾子般的裝置。接下來便將隨手帶的報紙拿出來，把報紙放在四個夾子的下面。如此一來，使用者便可以利用這個頭上裝載堅硬的覆蓋物，在雨天的氣候下往前衝刺。這個產品，特別是對於通勤族，銷量非常驚人，已經使得雨傘製造業者大呼驚愕。假若它再持續熱賣下去，將會對雨傘工業造成有害的衝擊效應。
Words
1. affluent 豐富的 adj.
2. feasible 可行的 adj.
3. discern 分辨，察覺 v.
4. sally 衝出 v.
5. consternation 驚愕，驚駭 n.
6. brainstorm 突來的靈感，腦力激盪 n.
7. feature 特載 n.
8. strip 條，帶 n.
9. swing 懸掛，揮轉 v.
10. clip 夾子 n.
11. rigid 堅硬的 adj.
12. the elements 惡劣的天氣n.
13. pernicious 有害的 adj. (Week 5 Day 4)
Today's Idiom
I'm from Missouri
這句俗諺，比較完整的句子應該是I'm from Missouri and you'll have to show me.。Missouri是美國的密蘇里州，1899年眾議員Willard Duncan Vandivr在費城發表演說時說了這句話( I am from Missouri. You have got to show me. )，表示密蘇里人對於事情採取懷疑的態度，不太願意相信別人，除非拿出證明來。所以密蘇里州在美國也稱作"show me" state。因此這句話便成為懷疑別人，不太容易信服的人。
Grammar 名詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連結詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.Our neighbor is an affluent inventor whose latest brainstorm, a feasible umbrella substitute, has been featured in many magazines.
第一句話的whose就是關係代名詞，代表"他的"的意思，而a feasible umbrella substitute就是brainstorm的同位語，所以用兩個逗號分開。後面用現在完成式表示在雜誌上刊載已經是完成的動作，已經發生了。
2.As simply as the eye can discern, it is a hard plastic strip, about the size of a ruler, which fits comfortably into a woman's handbag or a man's suit jacket.
as + Adj.+ as +N.+ V.就是如N.所能V.一般的 Adj.，about the size of a ruler是用來形容這個strip的大小，後面的which也是代表strip的關係代名詞。
3.When a person is caught in a sudden rainstorm, he swings the plastic strip open in a shape of a cross.
is caught in a sudden rainstorm就是突然遇到下雨，swing open就是把東西展開，in a shape of 就是用什麼樣的形狀的意思。
4.Attached to each arm is a clip-like device.
attached to each arm這裡的用法是被動語態，主詞其實就是後面的受詞 a clip-like device。所以原來的句子也可以寫成 A clip-like device is attached to each arm.，把分詞掉到句首，可讓句型變化些。
5.Next, he takes the newspaper he is carrying and slides it under each of the four clips.
he takes the newspaper he is carrying其實就是省略掉一個關係代名詞that，若把that補上，變成為 he takes the newspaper that he is carrying，當關係代名詞that代替的東西是關係代名詞後面句子的受詞時，that可以省略。
6.Now equipped with a rigid head covering he can sally forth to face the elements.
equipped with a rigid head covering前面似乎少了主詞，其實是因為這個主詞跟後面的主詞一樣，所以可以省略。這裡的主詞就是he。equipped with 是he is equipped with的省略，被動語態寫成分詞時，就把BE動詞跟主詞一起省略。
7.To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers, it has been enjoying a brisk sale, especially among commuters.
to N.就是對某某而言很N.的意思。brisk是活潑的意思，在這邊便成了銷售很熱烈的意思。
8.If it continues to do well, it could have a pernicious effect upon the umbrella industry.
have an effect on/upon這個片語就是對...有影響。
Our neighbor is an affluent inventor whose latest brainstorm, a feasible umbrella substitute, has been featured in many magazines. As simply as the eye can discern, it is a hard plastic strip, about the size of a ruler, which fits comfortably into a woman's handbag or a man's suit jacket. When a person is caught in a sudden rainstorm, he swings the plastic strip open in a shape of a cross. Attached to each arm is a clip-like device. Next, he takes the newspaper he is carrying and slides it under each of the four clips. Now equipped with a rigid head covering he can sally forth to face the elements. To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers, it has been enjoying a brisk sale, especially among commuters. If it continues to do well, it could have a pernicious effect upon the umbrella industry.
報紙做的雨傘
我們的鄰居是一位很有創造力的發明家，他的最新靈感，就是一件很實用的雨傘替代品，已經在各大雜誌上特載過。這個產品簡單的用眼睛就可以發覺，是一組硬的塑膠條，大概只有一支尺的大小，恰恰好可以放在女生的手提袋裡或是男生的西裝外套中。若突然遇到風雨，就可以把這個塑膠條展開成十字架的形狀。每個塑膠條的手臂都有一個夾子般的裝置。接下來便將隨手帶的報紙拿出來，把報紙放在四個夾子的下面。如此一來，使用者便可以利用這個頭上裝載堅硬的覆蓋物，在雨天的氣候下往前衝刺。這個產品，特別是對於通勤族，銷量非常驚人，已經使得雨傘製造業者大呼驚愕。假若它再持續熱賣下去，將會對雨傘工業造成有害的衝擊效應。
Words
1. affluent 豐富的 adj.
2. feasible 可行的 adj.
3. discern 分辨，察覺 v.
4. sally 衝出 v.
5. consternation 驚愕，驚駭 n.
6. brainstorm 突來的靈感，腦力激盪 n.
7. feature 特載 n.
8. strip 條，帶 n.
9. swing 懸掛，揮轉 v.
10. clip 夾子 n.
11. rigid 堅硬的 adj.
12. the elements 惡劣的天氣n.
13. pernicious 有害的 adj. (Week 5 Day 4)
Today's Idiom
I'm from Missouri
這句俗諺，比較完整的句子應該是I'm from Missouri and you'll have to show me.。Missouri是美國的密蘇里州，1899年眾議員Willard Duncan Vandivr在費城發表演說時說了這句話( I am from Missouri. You have got to show me. )，表示密蘇里人對於事情採取懷疑的態度，不太願意相信別人，除非拿出證明來。所以密蘇里州在美國也稱作"show me" state。因此這句話便成為懷疑別人，不太容易信服的人。
Grammar 名詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連結詞橘色 關係代名詞紫色
1.Our neighbor is an affluent inventor whose latest brainstorm, a feasible umbrella substitute, has been featured in many magazines.
第一句話的whose就是關係代名詞，代表"他的"的意思，而a feasible umbrella substitute就是brainstorm的同位語，所以用兩個逗號分開。後面用現在完成式表示在雜誌上刊載已經是完成的動作，已經發生了。
2.As simply as the eye can discern, it is a hard plastic strip, about the size of a ruler, which fits comfortably into a woman's handbag or a man's suit jacket.
as + Adj.+ as +N.+ V.就是如N.所能V.一般的 Adj.，about the size of a ruler是用來形容這個strip的大小，後面的which也是代表strip的關係代名詞。
3.When a person is caught in a sudden rainstorm, he swings the plastic strip open in a shape of a cross.
is caught in a sudden rainstorm就是突然遇到下雨，swing open就是把東西展開，in a shape of 就是用什麼樣的形狀的意思。
4.Attached to each arm is a clip-like device.
attached to each arm這裡的用法是被動語態，主詞其實就是後面的受詞 a clip-like device。所以原來的句子也可以寫成 A clip-like device is attached to each arm.，把分詞掉到句首，可讓句型變化些。
5.Next, he takes the newspaper he is carrying and slides it under each of the four clips.
he takes the newspaper he is carrying其實就是省略掉一個關係代名詞that，若把that補上，變成為 he takes the newspaper that he is carrying，當關係代名詞that代替的東西是關係代名詞後面句子的受詞時，that可以省略。
6.Now equipped with a rigid head covering he can sally forth to face the elements.
equipped with a rigid head covering前面似乎少了主詞，其實是因為這個主詞跟後面的主詞一樣，所以可以省略。這裡的主詞就是he。equipped with 是he is equipped with的省略，被動語態寫成分詞時，就把BE動詞跟主詞一起省略。
7.To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers, it has been enjoying a brisk sale, especially among commuters.
to N.就是對某某而言很N.的意思。brisk是活潑的意思，在這邊便成了銷售很熱烈的意思。
8.If it continues to do well, it could have a pernicious effect upon the umbrella industry.
have an effect on/upon這個片語就是對...有影響。
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