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。
2009年12月11日 星期五
Week 5 Day 5
Driving While Drunk
Throughout literature we find recurring tales of forthright people who are outspoken in condemning illegal practices only to be brought low themselves when they, or members of their families, commit such acts. Since literature reflects life, we can expect to find similar instances in which a person's ethics are compromised, and he falls prey to the pernicious evil that he had publicly denounced.
Words
1. recur 再發生，復發 v.
2. forthright 直率的，明白無誤的 adj.
3. outspoken 坦率的，直言的 adj.
4. condemn 譴責 v
5. compromise 妥協，連累 v.
6. denounce 譴責，指責 v.
Take the story of Barry Vernon (not his real name), an aggressive Ohio district attorney. Vernon could be counted upon to make acrimonious remarks about anyone who was driving while intoxicated. On numerous speaking engagements, he railed against drunkenness and swore that any such culprit who was found behind the wheel of a car would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Words
1. aggressive 有進取精神的，有幹勁的 adj.
2. count upon 倚靠，指望 v.
3. remark 評論，談論 n.
4. intoxicated 喝醉的 adj.
5. engagement 承諾，保證 n.
6. rail against 批評 v.
7. prosecute 起訴，告發 v.
As fate would have it, Vernon's own son smashed into several cars, injuring four people seriously, and then failed a sobriety test.
Words
1. smash 猛撞，猛衝 v.
2. sobriety 清醒 n.
Following that flagrant violation of the law, Vernon resigned from office, saying that as a private citizen he would continue his crusade against those who drive under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, he wished to spend more time with his son to try to understand the young man's behavior.
Words
1. crusade (某種目的發起的)運動 n.
Throughout literature we find recurring tales of forthright people who are outspoken in condemning illegal practices only to be brought low themselves when they, or members of their families, commit such acts. Since literature reflects life, we can expect to find similar instances in which a person's ethics are compromised, and he falls prey to the pernicious evil that he had publicly denounced.
Words
1. recur 再發生，復發 v.
2. forthright 直率的，明白無誤的 adj.
3. outspoken 坦率的，直言的 adj.
4. condemn 譴責 v
5. compromise 妥協，連累 v.
6. denounce 譴責，指責 v.
Take the story of Barry Vernon (not his real name), an aggressive Ohio district attorney. Vernon could be counted upon to make acrimonious remarks about anyone who was driving while intoxicated. On numerous speaking engagements, he railed against drunkenness and swore that any such culprit who was found behind the wheel of a car would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Words
1. aggressive 有進取精神的，有幹勁的 adj.
2. count upon 倚靠，指望 v.
3. remark 評論，談論 n.
4. intoxicated 喝醉的 adj.
5. engagement 承諾，保證 n.
6. rail against 批評 v.
7. prosecute 起訴，告發 v.
As fate would have it, Vernon's own son smashed into several cars, injuring four people seriously, and then failed a sobriety test.
Words
1. smash 猛撞，猛衝 v.
2. sobriety 清醒 n.
Following that flagrant violation of the law, Vernon resigned from office, saying that as a private citizen he would continue his crusade against those who drive under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, he wished to spend more time with his son to try to understand the young man's behavior.
Words
1. crusade (某種目的發起的)運動 n.
2009年12月10日 星期四
Week 5 Day 4
Our Pyrrhic Victory
Mr. Dorsey summoned a representative group of teachers and student leaders to his office in order to elicit their reaction to the suspension of the football captain. He told them that cheating was a pernicious disease that could not be tolerated in our school. He loathed having to discipline Art Krause so severely, but unless strict measures were taken, the student body would construe the incident as an open invitation to cheat with impunity. "We may lose a football game," the principal said, " but we can salvage our self-respect."
慘痛的勝利
Dorsey先生招集一群老師及學生領袖代表到他的辦公室，試圖引出他們對於足球隊長被停權的反應。他告訴他們說作弊是一種有害的疾病，絕對沒法容許作弊在我們的學校發生。他很討厭必須要那麼嚴厲的處罰 Art Krause，但如果不這麼嚴格的處置，學生會把這件事當成作弊到最後都可以免罪。校長說"我們也許會輸了足球比賽，但是我們卻拯救了我們的自尊。"
Words
1. elicit 引出，誘出 v.
2. pernicious 有害的，致命的 adj.
3. tolerate 容忍 v.
4. construe 推斷，推論，理解為 v.
5. impunity 免除懲罰 n.
6. pyrrhic victory 勝利但是卻付出慘痛的代價 n. (Week 2 Day 2)
7. summon 招集 v.
8. loathe 討厭 v. (Week 3 Day 1)
9. discipline 懲戒 v.
10. salvage 拯救 v.
Today's Idiom
to lionize a person
lionize這個字是從lion來的，就是獅子化，也就是把人當成獅子一般，這個俗語可能來自於倫敦塔上的獅子圖像，這個獅子圖像被當成主要的景點，因此lionize someone就變成把某人捧成名人的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.Mr. Dorsey summoned a representative group of teachers and student leaders to his office in order to elicit their reaction to the suspension of the football captain.
in order to 就是為了...的意思。elicit the reaction to something就是引出對某事的反應。
2.He told them that cheating was a pernicious disease that could not be tolerated in our school.
這句有兩個that但是是不同的用法。前面的he told them that的that是引出子句的that，tell後面若直接加動詞，用法為 tell someone to do something，用的是to V.不定詞。如果是tell後面加了一個完整有主詞動詞的句子，就要用that+子句來寫。 後面的 disease that could not be tolerated的 that是關係代名詞，用來代表 disease。
3.He loathed having to discipline Art Krause so severely, but unless strict measures were taken, the student body would construe the incident as an open invitation to cheat with impunity.
loathe這個字是討厭，用法是loathe Ving，用動名詞的形式。take measure表示採取行動，動詞是用take，這裡用的是被動語氣，所以寫成measures were taken。 construe A as B，表示把A理解成B。open invitation表示公開的邀請，意思就是不拒絕。 cheat with impunity表示作弊不受懲罰。
4."We may lose a football game," the principal said, " but we can salvage our self-respect."
這句校長的話，點明了他寧願要維持好的風氣，也不要為了贏得一場比賽而輸掉了更重要的道德觀。
Mr. Dorsey summoned a representative group of teachers and student leaders to his office in order to elicit their reaction to the suspension of the football captain. He told them that cheating was a pernicious disease that could not be tolerated in our school. He loathed having to discipline Art Krause so severely, but unless strict measures were taken, the student body would construe the incident as an open invitation to cheat with impunity. "We may lose a football game," the principal said, " but we can salvage our self-respect."
慘痛的勝利
Dorsey先生招集一群老師及學生領袖代表到他的辦公室，試圖引出他們對於足球隊長被停權的反應。他告訴他們說作弊是一種有害的疾病，絕對沒法容許作弊在我們的學校發生。他很討厭必須要那麼嚴厲的處罰 Art Krause，但如果不這麼嚴格的處置，學生會把這件事當成作弊到最後都可以免罪。校長說"我們也許會輸了足球比賽，但是我們卻拯救了我們的自尊。"
Words
1. elicit 引出，誘出 v.
2. pernicious 有害的，致命的 adj.
3. tolerate 容忍 v.
4. construe 推斷，推論，理解為 v.
5. impunity 免除懲罰 n.
6. pyrrhic victory 勝利但是卻付出慘痛的代價 n. (Week 2 Day 2)
7. summon 招集 v.
8. loathe 討厭 v. (Week 3 Day 1)
9. discipline 懲戒 v.
10. salvage 拯救 v.
Today's Idiom
to lionize a person
lionize這個字是從lion來的，就是獅子化，也就是把人當成獅子一般，這個俗語可能來自於倫敦塔上的獅子圖像，這個獅子圖像被當成主要的景點，因此lionize someone就變成把某人捧成名人的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.Mr. Dorsey summoned a representative group of teachers and student leaders to his office in order to elicit their reaction to the suspension of the football captain.
in order to 就是為了...的意思。elicit the reaction to something就是引出對某事的反應。
2.He told them that cheating was a pernicious disease that could not be tolerated in our school.
這句有兩個that但是是不同的用法。前面的he told them that的that是引出子句的that，tell後面若直接加動詞，用法為 tell someone to do something，用的是to V.不定詞。如果是tell後面加了一個完整有主詞動詞的句子，就要用that+子句來寫。 後面的 disease that could not be tolerated的 that是關係代名詞，用來代表 disease。
3.He loathed having to discipline Art Krause so severely, but unless strict measures were taken, the student body would construe the incident as an open invitation to cheat with impunity.
loathe這個字是討厭，用法是loathe Ving，用動名詞的形式。take measure表示採取行動，動詞是用take，這裡用的是被動語氣，所以寫成measures were taken。 construe A as B，表示把A理解成B。open invitation表示公開的邀請，意思就是不拒絕。 cheat with impunity表示作弊不受懲罰。
4."We may lose a football game," the principal said, " but we can salvage our self-respect."
這句校長的話，點明了他寧願要維持好的風氣，也不要為了贏得一場比賽而輸掉了更重要的道德觀。
2009年12月9日 星期三
Week 5 Day 3
Star Player is Caught
The cheating scandal came to a head when Art Krause, our football captain, made the egregious mistake of getting caught cheating on a midterm exam. If Art were suspended for his part in that sordid affair, our chance for winning the city championship would go up in smoke. The distraught coach asked the principal to overlook Art's duplicity, but Mr. Dorsey replied in an acrimonious fashion that the players had been given a plethora of athletic instruction but a paucity of moral guidance.
明星球員被抓包
讓作弊醜聞事件到達很緊急關頭的事情，就是我們足球隊隊長，Art Krause犯了很大的過錯，在期中考考試作弊時被抓。假如Art因為這個作弊事件而暫停他的球員資格，那我們想要在城市比賽獲得冠軍的機會便化為烏有了。苦惱的教練要求校長原諒Ark的犯行，但是Dorsey先生用很刻薄的方式回答說，球員被教導許多運動方面的教育，卻很少被教導道德教育。
Words
1. egregious 非常的，極惡的
2. distraught 煩惱的，心煩意亂的
3. duplicity 欺騙
4. acrimonious 刻薄的，嚴厲的
5. paucity 少量
6. scandal 醜聞
7. come to a head 達到緊要關頭
8. sordid 骯髒的，卑鄙的 (Week 4 Day3)
9. go up in smoke 化為烏有 (Week 3 Day 4)
10. plethora 過多 (Week 2 Day 2)
Today's Idiom
to pass the buck
buck是打撲克牌時的莊家標誌，這個諺語應該是從1800年代中期開始的，當時在玩撲克牌時，會將鹿彈或是其他的東西當做莊佳的標記，參賽者會把標記輪流轉到每個人前面來提醒大家誰是下一輪的莊家。所以後來這個諺語變成了逃避責任的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞片語(咖啡色) 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.The cheating scandal came to a head when Art Krause, our football captain, made the egregious mistake of getting caught cheating on a midterm exam.
第一句又是when的句型，主要子句 the cheating scandal came to a head表示作弊事件的高潮出現了，our football captain用兩個逗號標記，表示是Art Krause的同位語，他made a mistake of Ving。get caught cheating就是作弊被抓。midterm exam表示期中考，final exam則是期末考。
2.If Art were suspended for his part in that sordid affair, our chance for winning the city championship would go up in smoke.
第二句是if的句型，這裡用were suspended表示和現在事實相反，還不確定是否會被停權，但萬一停權，就會有...的狀況，所以用were。
3.The distraught coach asked the principal to overlook Art's duplicity, but Mr. Dorsey replied in an acrimonious fashion that the players had been given a plethora of athletic instruction but a paucity of moral guidance.
ask someone to do something就是要求某人做某事。Dorsey replied in an acrimonious fashion這句話可以寫成 Dorsey replied acrimoniously也可以寫成 Dorsey replied in an acremonious way意思都是用刻薄的方式回答。最後面a plethora of和 a paucity of正好是兩個相反意思的詞，前者表示過多的，後面表示過少的。
The cheating scandal came to a head when Art Krause, our football captain, made the egregious mistake of getting caught cheating on a midterm exam. If Art were suspended for his part in that sordid affair, our chance for winning the city championship would go up in smoke. The distraught coach asked the principal to overlook Art's duplicity, but Mr. Dorsey replied in an acrimonious fashion that the players had been given a plethora of athletic instruction but a paucity of moral guidance.
明星球員被抓包
讓作弊醜聞事件到達很緊急關頭的事情，就是我們足球隊隊長，Art Krause犯了很大的過錯，在期中考考試作弊時被抓。假如Art因為這個作弊事件而暫停他的球員資格，那我們想要在城市比賽獲得冠軍的機會便化為烏有了。苦惱的教練要求校長原諒Ark的犯行，但是Dorsey先生用很刻薄的方式回答說，球員被教導許多運動方面的教育，卻很少被教導道德教育。
Words
1. egregious 非常的，極惡的
2. distraught 煩惱的，心煩意亂的
3. duplicity 欺騙
4. acrimonious 刻薄的，嚴厲的
5. paucity 少量
6. scandal 醜聞
7. come to a head 達到緊要關頭
8. sordid 骯髒的，卑鄙的 (Week 4 Day3)
9. go up in smoke 化為烏有 (Week 3 Day 4)
10. plethora 過多 (Week 2 Day 2)
Today's Idiom
to pass the buck
buck是打撲克牌時的莊家標誌，這個諺語應該是從1800年代中期開始的，當時在玩撲克牌時，會將鹿彈或是其他的東西當做莊佳的標記，參賽者會把標記輪流轉到每個人前面來提醒大家誰是下一輪的莊家。所以後來這個諺語變成了逃避責任的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞片語(咖啡色) 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.The cheating scandal came to a head when Art Krause, our football captain, made the egregious mistake of getting caught cheating on a midterm exam.
第一句又是when的句型，主要子句 the cheating scandal came to a head表示作弊事件的高潮出現了，our football captain用兩個逗號標記，表示是Art Krause的同位語，他made a mistake of Ving。get caught cheating就是作弊被抓。midterm exam表示期中考，final exam則是期末考。
2.If Art were suspended for his part in that sordid affair, our chance for winning the city championship would go up in smoke.
第二句是if的句型，這裡用were suspended表示和現在事實相反，還不確定是否會被停權，但萬一停權，就會有...的狀況，所以用were。
3.The distraught coach asked the principal to overlook Art's duplicity, but Mr. Dorsey replied in an acrimonious fashion that the players had been given a plethora of athletic instruction but a paucity of moral guidance.
ask someone to do something就是要求某人做某事。Dorsey replied in an acrimonious fashion這句話可以寫成 Dorsey replied acrimoniously也可以寫成 Dorsey replied in an acremonious way意思都是用刻薄的方式回答。最後面a plethora of和 a paucity of正好是兩個相反意思的詞，前者表示過多的，後面表示過少的。
2009年12月8日 星期二
Week 5 Day 2
Cracking down
Mr. Dorsey, our new principal, determined to do something about the flagrant cheating at our high school. He issued bulletins and began to admonish those teachers who didn't proctor alertly. Under duress, the faculty reported the names of the culprits. Several crib sheets were turned in as tangible evidence of the cheating. Mr. Dorsey's inexorable campaign against the wrong-doers seemed to be paying off.
整頓掃蕩
新校長Dorsey先生決心要作點事來處理我們中學校公然作弊的事情。他貼出公告，並且責備這些沒有認真監考的老師。迫於壓力，全校職員把作弊的人員姓名呈報上去。許多小抄都變成作弊的具體證據。Dorsey先生對於這些做錯事的人毫不退讓的行徑，似乎開始有了成效。
Words
1. flagrant 明目張膽的，公然的 adj.
2. admonish 告誡，警告，責備 v.
3. duress 強迫，束縛 n.
4. culprit 罪犯 n.
5. inexorable 無法改變的，不寬容的 adj.
6. bulletin 公告 n.
7. alertly 機警的 adv.
8. faculty 全體教職員 n.
9. crib sheet 小抄 n.
10. tangible 具體的 adj. (Week 4 Day 3)
Today's Idiom
to take down a peg
這個片語的意思是殺某人威風。peg就是釘，栓。古代在航海的時候，會利用peg來調整船旗的高度。當旗幟越高，表示榮耀越高，相對的，旗幟越低，榮耀越低。所以take down a peg就變成殺某人威風的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.Mr. Dorsey, our new principal, determined to do something about the flagrant cheating at our high school.
our new principal放在兩個逗號之中，表示是Mr. Dorsey的同位語，也就是說Mr. Dorsey就是校長。決心要做什麼事情，可以用determine to，其實就是decide to的意思。
2.He issued bulletins and began to admonish those teachers who didn't proctor alertly.
這句中，those teachers who didn't proctor alertly的who就是關係代名詞，代表前面的those teachers。
3.Under duress, the faculty reported the names of the culprits.
duress是強迫的意思，相同的用法還有under pressure壓力之下，report除了報告以外，還有揭發檢舉的意思。
4.Several crib sheets were turned in as tangible evidence of the cheating.
crib就是抄的意思，所以crib sheet就是小抄。turn in 就是交出去的意思。
5.Mr. Dorsey's inexorable campaign against the wrong-doers seemed to be paying off.
對抗什麼的運動，介係詞會用against，但若是支持什麼的運動，介係詞就會用for了。pay off是只有了代價，表示事情是成功的。
Mr. Dorsey, our new principal, determined to do something about the flagrant cheating at our high school. He issued bulletins and began to admonish those teachers who didn't proctor alertly. Under duress, the faculty reported the names of the culprits. Several crib sheets were turned in as tangible evidence of the cheating. Mr. Dorsey's inexorable campaign against the wrong-doers seemed to be paying off.
整頓掃蕩
新校長Dorsey先生決心要作點事來處理我們中學校公然作弊的事情。他貼出公告，並且責備這些沒有認真監考的老師。迫於壓力，全校職員把作弊的人員姓名呈報上去。許多小抄都變成作弊的具體證據。Dorsey先生對於這些做錯事的人毫不退讓的行徑，似乎開始有了成效。
Words
1. flagrant 明目張膽的，公然的 adj.
2. admonish 告誡，警告，責備 v.
3. duress 強迫，束縛 n.
4. culprit 罪犯 n.
5. inexorable 無法改變的，不寬容的 adj.
6. bulletin 公告 n.
7. alertly 機警的 adv.
8. faculty 全體教職員 n.
9. crib sheet 小抄 n.
10. tangible 具體的 adj. (Week 4 Day 3)
Today's Idiom
to take down a peg
這個片語的意思是殺某人威風。peg就是釘，栓。古代在航海的時候，會利用peg來調整船旗的高度。當旗幟越高，表示榮耀越高，相對的，旗幟越低，榮耀越低。所以take down a peg就變成殺某人威風的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.Mr. Dorsey, our new principal, determined to do something about the flagrant cheating at our high school.
our new principal放在兩個逗號之中，表示是Mr. Dorsey的同位語，也就是說Mr. Dorsey就是校長。決心要做什麼事情，可以用determine to，其實就是decide to的意思。
2.He issued bulletins and began to admonish those teachers who didn't proctor alertly.
這句中，those teachers who didn't proctor alertly的who就是關係代名詞，代表前面的those teachers。
3.Under duress, the faculty reported the names of the culprits.
duress是強迫的意思，相同的用法還有under pressure壓力之下，report除了報告以外，還有揭發檢舉的意思。
4.Several crib sheets were turned in as tangible evidence of the cheating.
crib就是抄的意思，所以crib sheet就是小抄。turn in 就是交出去的意思。
5.Mr. Dorsey's inexorable campaign against the wrong-doers seemed to be paying off.
對抗什麼的運動，介係詞會用against，但若是支持什麼的運動，介係詞就會用for了。pay off是只有了代價，表示事情是成功的。
2009年12月7日 星期一
Week 5 Day 1
Cheating
During my first weeks at my new school I observed that cheating was rampant. I had always considered it rather inane to cheat on a test because of my code of ethics, and because so much was at stake. Apparently, the other students didn't concur. In fact, even the presence of a proctor did not intimidate them. Far from being a clandestine activity, the cheating was open and obvious.
作弊
在我剛到新學校的前數週，我發現作弊這件事很普遍。我總是覺得考試作弊是相當愚蠢的，這是我的道德觀的認知，同時也是因為做弊有太多的風險。但是很顯然其他學生並不同意。事實上
即使有監考人在場也沒法威嚇他們不作弊。作弊照理講應該是很秘密進行的活動，但在這間學校去是公開又明顯的。
Words
1. rampant 蔓延的，繁茂的 adj.
2. inane 愚蠢的 adj.
3. ethics 道德 n.
4. concur 同意 v.
5. clandestine 秘密的，暗中的 adj.
6. at stake 有風險的 adv.
7. proctor 監考人 n.
8. intimidate 威嚇，脅迫 v. (Week 4 Day 1)
Today's Idiom
stock in trade
stock in trade 就是存貨的意思，在做生意時，商人必須保留某部份的產品在手中，以便可以因應隨時賣出去的商品。所以便引申為某種專業上必須有的東西。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連結詞橘色
1.During my first weeks at my new school I observed that cheating was rampant.
during是介係詞，後面要加的是一段時間，rampant這個字就像是藤蔓蔓延開來的感覺，表示很普遍。
2.I had always considered it rather inane to cheat on a test because of my code of ethics, and because so much was at stake.
consider something adj =覺得something 如何，because of和because都是因為的意思，但是because of+ N. ，because+子句。stake就是賭博用的賭注，所以at stake就是有風險的意思。
3.Apparently, the other students didn't concur.
apparently在這裡也可以用 it was apparent that the other students didn't concur. 來取代。也就是說用副詞當開頭時，也可以寫成形容詞的模式，只是要用虛主詞it開頭，後面再加上that來引導子句。
4.In fact, even the presence of a proctor did not intimidate them.
in fact= as a matter of fact，就是事實上的意思。這裡的even是即使的意思，用來加強語氣。
5.Far from being a clandestine activity, the cheating was open and obvious.
far from...就是距離...很遠，如果說far from my home，表示離我家很遠，在這邊的意思，指的是完全不的意思。也就是說 作弊這件事應該是要小心謹慎的怕被發現，但是這個學校不是這樣，大家都很公開，所以cheating在這所學校並不是秘密的行動，離秘密的行動很遠，表示完全不是秘密的行動。
During my first weeks at my new school I observed that cheating was rampant. I had always considered it rather inane to cheat on a test because of my code of ethics, and because so much was at stake. Apparently, the other students didn't concur. In fact, even the presence of a proctor did not intimidate them. Far from being a clandestine activity, the cheating was open and obvious.
作弊
在我剛到新學校的前數週，我發現作弊這件事很普遍。我總是覺得考試作弊是相當愚蠢的，這是我的道德觀的認知，同時也是因為做弊有太多的風險。但是很顯然其他學生並不同意。事實上
即使有監考人在場也沒法威嚇他們不作弊。作弊照理講應該是很秘密進行的活動，但在這間學校去是公開又明顯的。
Words
1. rampant 蔓延的，繁茂的 adj.
2. inane 愚蠢的 adj.
3. ethics 道德 n.
4. concur 同意 v.
5. clandestine 秘密的，暗中的 adj.
6. at stake 有風險的 adv.
7. proctor 監考人 n.
8. intimidate 威嚇，脅迫 v. (Week 4 Day 1)
Today's Idiom
stock in trade
stock in trade 就是存貨的意思，在做生意時，商人必須保留某部份的產品在手中，以便可以因應隨時賣出去的商品。所以便引申為某種專業上必須有的東西。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連結詞橘色
1.During my first weeks at my new school I observed that cheating was rampant.
during是介係詞，後面要加的是一段時間，rampant這個字就像是藤蔓蔓延開來的感覺，表示很普遍。
2.I had always considered it rather inane to cheat on a test because of my code of ethics, and because so much was at stake.
consider something adj =覺得something 如何，because of和because都是因為的意思，但是because of+ N. ，because+子句。stake就是賭博用的賭注，所以at stake就是有風險的意思。
3.Apparently, the other students didn't concur.
apparently在這裡也可以用 it was apparent that the other students didn't concur. 來取代。也就是說用副詞當開頭時，也可以寫成形容詞的模式，只是要用虛主詞it開頭，後面再加上that來引導子句。
4.In fact, even the presence of a proctor did not intimidate them.
in fact= as a matter of fact，就是事實上的意思。這裡的even是即使的意思，用來加強語氣。
5.Far from being a clandestine activity, the cheating was open and obvious.
far from...就是距離...很遠，如果說far from my home，表示離我家很遠，在這邊的意思，指的是完全不的意思。也就是說 作弊這件事應該是要小心謹慎的怕被發現，但是這個學校不是這樣，大家都很公開，所以cheating在這所學校並不是秘密的行動，離秘密的行動很遠，表示完全不是秘密的行動。
2009年12月4日 星期五
Week 4 Day 5
Want to Run for Office?
In recent years, we have seen the phenomenon of incumbent politicians retireing in record numbers. When interviewed, many of them admitted that they had lost their taste for the job because of the abuse to which an aspirant for office is subjected.
Words
1. phenomenon 現象
2. incumbent現任的，在職的
3. abuse 濫用，辱罵，毀謗
"My last campaign was a sordid affair in which my opponents did everything to belittle my record and air scurrilous charges about my private life," said one congressman. "I don't have to stand still for such treatment," he added, "which was terribly embarrassing to me and my entire family."
Citizen groups, appalled by the candidates' mudslinging, have sought to do something about the situation. Committees have been formed in a number of states to study ways to elevate the tone of the process, reduce the emotionalism, and eliminate the frenzy of name calling that is generated as election day draws near.
Words
1. appal 使驚駭
2. mudslinging 揭發隱私
"Unless we clean up this mess," said the chairman of an Illinois caucus, "we will lose the best and the brightest from the political arena. After all, who but a masochist wants to be a punching bag, the subject of daily vilification in the media, and a target for every malcontent in town?"
Words
1. masochist 被虐待狂
2. vilification 誹謗
3. malcontent 不滿者，反抗者
In recent years, we have seen the phenomenon of incumbent politicians retireing in record numbers. When interviewed, many of them admitted that they had lost their taste for the job because of the abuse to which an aspirant for office is subjected.
Words
1. phenomenon 現象
2. incumbent現任的，在職的
3. abuse 濫用，辱罵，毀謗
"My last campaign was a sordid affair in which my opponents did everything to belittle my record and air scurrilous charges about my private life," said one congressman. "I don't have to stand still for such treatment," he added, "which was terribly embarrassing to me and my entire family."
Citizen groups, appalled by the candidates' mudslinging, have sought to do something about the situation. Committees have been formed in a number of states to study ways to elevate the tone of the process, reduce the emotionalism, and eliminate the frenzy of name calling that is generated as election day draws near.
Words
1. appal 使驚駭
2. mudslinging 揭發隱私
"Unless we clean up this mess," said the chairman of an Illinois caucus, "we will lose the best and the brightest from the political arena. After all, who but a masochist wants to be a punching bag, the subject of daily vilification in the media, and a target for every malcontent in town?"
Words
1. masochist 被虐待狂
2. vilification 誹謗
3. malcontent 不滿者，反抗者
2009年12月3日 星期四
Week 4 Day 4
The Decline of Mullins
Mullins sought solace in whiskey. Once a highly-respected aspirant for the lightweight crown, he now found himself associating with the dregs of Skid Row. He would work himself into the alcoholic frenzy in which he would trumpet scurrilous attacks on the champ, the manager, and the judge. One avid fight fan attributed Mullins' absence from ring to sickness, saying that he was "recovering from a bad case of -- SCOTCH."
Mullins的墮落
Mullins借酒尋求安慰。他曾經是高度受到尊重，很有希望取得輕量級皇冠的選手，但是他現在卻發現自己變成社會底層的殘渣。他沉溺於酒精的狂熱中，藉酒大聲吼出對冠軍選手，經理人和法官的粗劣語言。ㄧ個忠誠的打鬥迷把Mullins消失在拳擊場的原因歸咎於他生病了，說他想從酒精中恢復昔日狀況是很不好的示範。
Words
1. solace 慰藉，安慰 n.
2. aspirant 名譽地位的追求者 n.
3. dregs 殘渣 n.
4. frenzy 瘋狂，激動 n.
5. scurrilous 粗俗的，下流的 adj.
6. Skid Row 貧民窟 n.
Today's Idiom
to rule the roost
roost就是鳥類睡覺休息的棲木。在穀倉附近，公雞可以決定哪隻母雞可以在他身邊的棲木棲息，所以引申為當家做主的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.Mullins sought solace in whiskey.
solace就是安慰的意思，seek solace in something或是 take solace in something就是藉...尋找安慰，所以seek solace in drink就是借酒澆愁的意思。whiskey就是威士忌，是一種酒精濃度頗高的酒類，所以Mullins是真的很傷心的以酒麻醉自己。
2.Once a highly-respected aspirant for the lightweight crown, he now found himself associating with the dregs of Skid Row.
once是曾經，一度是的意思，拳擊比賽會依照參賽者的體重將選手分為幾個級距，羽量級feather weight，輕量級 light weight，重量級 heavy weight。associate就是聯想的意思，要表達和什麼聯想在一起，就用associate with something，介係詞是with。dregs是指飲料底部的殘渣，這個字一定有s，dregs of Skid Row就表示貧民窟的殘渣，是殘渣中的殘渣。
3.He would work himself into the alcoholic frenzy in which he would trumpet scurrilous attacks on the champ, the manager, and the judge.
work into這裡就是指Mullins是自己甘願讓自己陷入酒精之中，因為他現實生活不如意，所以只能在喝醉酒時，用粗俗的語言來攻擊傷害過他的人，但實際上，真正傷害他的不是別人，是自己。
frenzy後面的in which就是 in the alcoholic frenzy的意思，which只能代替前面的名詞，介係詞是不能一併代替的，所以該有的介係詞還是得保留。trumpet是小喇叭，動詞就是吹小喇叭，在這裡就是大聲說出，(像吹小喇叭那樣的音量)。
4.One avid fight fan attributed Mullins' absence from ring to sickness, saying that he was "recovering from a bad case of -- SCOTCH."
attribute A to B的意思就是把A的原因歸咎於B。scotch這個字就是酒類的名稱，借酒澆愁愁更愁，逃避也沒法解決問題，因此這個拳擊迷才會說是個bad case。
Mullins sought solace in whiskey. Once a highly-respected aspirant for the lightweight crown, he now found himself associating with the dregs of Skid Row. He would work himself into the alcoholic frenzy in which he would trumpet scurrilous attacks on the champ, the manager, and the judge. One avid fight fan attributed Mullins' absence from ring to sickness, saying that he was "recovering from a bad case of -- SCOTCH."
Mullins的墮落
Mullins借酒尋求安慰。他曾經是高度受到尊重，很有希望取得輕量級皇冠的選手，但是他現在卻發現自己變成社會底層的殘渣。他沉溺於酒精的狂熱中，藉酒大聲吼出對冠軍選手，經理人和法官的粗劣語言。ㄧ個忠誠的打鬥迷把Mullins消失在拳擊場的原因歸咎於他生病了，說他想從酒精中恢復昔日狀況是很不好的示範。
Words
1. solace 慰藉，安慰 n.
2. aspirant 名譽地位的追求者 n.
3. dregs 殘渣 n.
4. frenzy 瘋狂，激動 n.
5. scurrilous 粗俗的，下流的 adj.
6. Skid Row 貧民窟 n.
Today's Idiom
to rule the roost
roost就是鳥類睡覺休息的棲木。在穀倉附近，公雞可以決定哪隻母雞可以在他身邊的棲木棲息，所以引申為當家做主的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.Mullins sought solace in whiskey.
solace就是安慰的意思，seek solace in something或是 take solace in something就是藉...尋找安慰，所以seek solace in drink就是借酒澆愁的意思。whiskey就是威士忌，是一種酒精濃度頗高的酒類，所以Mullins是真的很傷心的以酒麻醉自己。
2.Once a highly-respected aspirant for the lightweight crown, he now found himself associating with the dregs of Skid Row.
once是曾經，一度是的意思，拳擊比賽會依照參賽者的體重將選手分為幾個級距，羽量級feather weight，輕量級 light weight，重量級 heavy weight。associate就是聯想的意思，要表達和什麼聯想在一起，就用associate with something，介係詞是with。dregs是指飲料底部的殘渣，這個字一定有s，dregs of Skid Row就表示貧民窟的殘渣，是殘渣中的殘渣。
3.He would work himself into the alcoholic frenzy in which he would trumpet scurrilous attacks on the champ, the manager, and the judge.
work into這裡就是指Mullins是自己甘願讓自己陷入酒精之中，因為他現實生活不如意，所以只能在喝醉酒時，用粗俗的語言來攻擊傷害過他的人，但實際上，真正傷害他的不是別人，是自己。
frenzy後面的in which就是 in the alcoholic frenzy的意思，which只能代替前面的名詞，介係詞是不能一併代替的，所以該有的介係詞還是得保留。trumpet是小喇叭，動詞就是吹小喇叭，在這裡就是大聲說出，(像吹小喇叭那樣的音量)。
4.One avid fight fan attributed Mullins' absence from ring to sickness, saying that he was "recovering from a bad case of -- SCOTCH."
attribute A to B的意思就是把A的原因歸咎於B。scotch這個字就是酒類的名稱，借酒澆愁愁更愁，逃避也沒法解決問題，因此這個拳擊迷才會說是個bad case。
2009年12月2日 星期三
Week 4 Day 3
Mullins Forced to Eat Humble Pie
The irate 80-year-old manager pressed charges against K.O. Mullins, suing him for assault. As tangible evidence of the attack, he pointed to a deep laceration over his eyebrow that had required ten stitches. When the case was brought before court, the judge castigated Mullins for the sordid incident. In addition to a costly financial settlement, Mullins was required to make a public apology to the octogenarian.
Mullins被迫認錯道歉
八十歲的經理人很生氣，按鈴控告K.O.Mullins，告他暴力脅迫。他指著眉毛上方縫了十針的傷痕，這就是這個攻擊事件很明確的證據。當案件開庭審理時，法官對於Mullins卑鄙的行為加以申斥。除了巨額的金錢補償外，Mullins還必須公開的向這位八十多歲的經理人道歉。
Words
1. tangible 明確的，有形的 adj.
2. laceration 撕裂，裂痕 n.
3. castigate 申斥，懲罰 v.
4. sordid 骯髒的，卑鄙的 adj.
5. octogenarian 八十多歲的人 n.
6. eat humble pie 承認錯誤並道歉 v.
7. irate 生氣的 adj.
8. stitch 一針 n.
Today's Idiom
Hobson's choice
這個片語源自於一名在英格蘭劍橋的人，名叫Hobson。他擁有一間出租的馬車行，當客人來承租馬匹時，Hobson給客人兩種選擇，要嘛就是選擇最靠近馬廄門口的那匹馬，要嘛就不要租，感覺上好像有兩種選擇可供自由選取，但實際上其實一點選擇都沒有。後來便引申為表面上很有選擇自由，實際上去毫無選擇空間的選擇。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞片語(咖啡色) 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.The irate 80-year-old manager pressed charges against K.O. Mullins, suing him for assault.
當我們再說我幾歲時，會說 I am 80 years old，此時year會加s，可是如果名詞變成形容詞來使用時，year後面的s就會省略，同時把整個名詞用"-"符號連接起來，直接放在要形容的名詞前面。所以就變成 80-year-old manager這樣的寫法。這是名詞片語改成形容詞時常會用到的地方。
後面的suing him for assault其實就是 and he sued him for assault，因為主詞跟前面的句子的主詞一樣，便可以把連接辭和主詞省略，在這裡又是主動語態，所以動詞改成Ving的形式。
2.As tangible evidence of the attack, he pointed to a deep laceration over his eyebrow that had required ten stitches.
as這裡的意思就是如同，是，按照句子的說法 as tangible evidence of the attack，是什麼東西是明確的證據呢，就是後面的句子所描述的。eyebrow that had required ten stitches就是用關係代名詞 that來形容眉毛的狀態。
3.When the case was brought before court, the judge castigated Mullins for the sordid incident.
又是一個when開頭的句子，大家都相當熟悉了，the case was brought before court其實就是開庭的意思。
4.In addition to a costly financial settlement, Mullins was required to make a public apology to the octogenarian.
in addition就是besides，moreover，furthermore的意思，表示除了...以外，還有...，是表示兩個都算在內，當後面要加名詞時，in addition後面會加上to 這個介係詞。make apology to someone就是向某人道歉的意思。
The irate 80-year-old manager pressed charges against K.O. Mullins, suing him for assault. As tangible evidence of the attack, he pointed to a deep laceration over his eyebrow that had required ten stitches. When the case was brought before court, the judge castigated Mullins for the sordid incident. In addition to a costly financial settlement, Mullins was required to make a public apology to the octogenarian.
Mullins被迫認錯道歉
八十歲的經理人很生氣，按鈴控告K.O.Mullins，告他暴力脅迫。他指著眉毛上方縫了十針的傷痕，這就是這個攻擊事件很明確的證據。當案件開庭審理時，法官對於Mullins卑鄙的行為加以申斥。除了巨額的金錢補償外，Mullins還必須公開的向這位八十多歲的經理人道歉。
Words
1. tangible 明確的，有形的 adj.
2. laceration 撕裂，裂痕 n.
3. castigate 申斥，懲罰 v.
4. sordid 骯髒的，卑鄙的 adj.
5. octogenarian 八十多歲的人 n.
6. eat humble pie 承認錯誤並道歉 v.
7. irate 生氣的 adj.
8. stitch 一針 n.
Today's Idiom
Hobson's choice
這個片語源自於一名在英格蘭劍橋的人，名叫Hobson。他擁有一間出租的馬車行，當客人來承租馬匹時，Hobson給客人兩種選擇，要嘛就是選擇最靠近馬廄門口的那匹馬，要嘛就不要租，感覺上好像有兩種選擇可供自由選取，但實際上其實一點選擇都沒有。後來便引申為表面上很有選擇自由，實際上去毫無選擇空間的選擇。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞片語(咖啡色) 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.The irate 80-year-old manager pressed charges against K.O. Mullins, suing him for assault.
當我們再說我幾歲時，會說 I am 80 years old，此時year會加s，可是如果名詞變成形容詞來使用時，year後面的s就會省略，同時把整個名詞用"-"符號連接起來，直接放在要形容的名詞前面。所以就變成 80-year-old manager這樣的寫法。這是名詞片語改成形容詞時常會用到的地方。
後面的suing him for assault其實就是 and he sued him for assault，因為主詞跟前面的句子的主詞一樣，便可以把連接辭和主詞省略，在這裡又是主動語態，所以動詞改成Ving的形式。
2.As tangible evidence of the attack, he pointed to a deep laceration over his eyebrow that had required ten stitches.
as這裡的意思就是如同，是，按照句子的說法 as tangible evidence of the attack，是什麼東西是明確的證據呢，就是後面的句子所描述的。eyebrow that had required ten stitches就是用關係代名詞 that來形容眉毛的狀態。
3.When the case was brought before court, the judge castigated Mullins for the sordid incident.
又是一個when開頭的句子，大家都相當熟悉了，the case was brought before court其實就是開庭的意思。
4.In addition to a costly financial settlement, Mullins was required to make a public apology to the octogenarian.
in addition就是besides，moreover，furthermore的意思，表示除了...以外，還有...，是表示兩個都算在內，當後面要加名詞時，in addition後面會加上to 這個介係詞。make apology to someone就是向某人道歉的意思。
2009年12月1日 星期二
Week 5 Day 2
Mullins Throws Down the Gauntlet
The pugnacious K.O. Mullins demanded a rematch. He took a full-page newspaper advertisement to promulgate his challenge.When the champ's manager saw the brash announcement, he accosted Mullins, who was surrounded by a throng of newsmen. The manager openly scoffed at Mullins and belittled his fighting ability. Mullins then lost his temper and fearlessly punched the manager, knocking him from his wheelchair.
Mullins 丟下挑戰書
好鬥的K.O. Mullins要求再比賽一次。他在報紙上登了全版廣告宣佈他的挑戰。當冠軍的經理人看到如此無理的宣告，他便接近Mullins，此時Mullins已經被一群新聞記者包圍。經理人公開的嘲笑Mullins並且瞧不起他的打鬥能力。Mullins聽了立刻失去發火，他毫無畏懼的從他的輪椅上打了經理人一拳。
Words
1. pugnacious 好鬥的，好戰的 adj.
2. promulgate 公佈，發表 v.
3. brash 無禮的 adj.
4. scoff 嘲笑 v.
5. belittle 輕視，貶 v.
6. throw down the gauntlet 下戰帖 v.
7. accost 接近與之攀談 v.
8. throng 大群 n.
Today's Idiom
feeling no pain
喝醉酒的時候，神經感覺系統都會變的比較遲鈍，所以對於一些痛感都沒有感覺，因此feel no pain就變成喝醉的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.The pugnacious K.O. Mullins demanded a rematch.
pugnacious就是前幾天學過的belligerent的同義詞。demand的意思是要求，若是片語 on demand就變成立即立刻的意思。在動詞前面加上re-的字首，就會變成再一次的意思，所以rematch= match again。
2.He took a full-page newspaper advertisement to promulgate his challenge.
在主要的句子後面用不定詞to V.表示 in order to 的意思。
3.When the champ's manager saw the brash announcement, he accosted Mullins, who was surrounded by a throng of newsmen.
這一句一樣是用when開頭，後面的句子在Mullins後面加了一個關係代名詞who ，用來形容Mullins的情況，值得注意的是，who前面多了一個,，表示Mullins是特定的人，專有的人，所以才加上,。
4.The manager openly scoffed at Mullins and belittled his fighting ability.
scoff at someone就是嘲笑某人，義同於 laugh at someone，sneer at someone。
5.Mullins then lost his temper and fearlessly punched the manager, knocking him from his wheelchair.
lost one's temper表示發怒的意思，因為發怒所以打了冠軍的經理人，後面的knocking him from his wheelchair就是Mullins knocked him from his wheelchair因為主詞跟前面的主詞一樣，便把主詞省略，然後因為是主動語態，所以將動詞改成Ving的形式。
The pugnacious K.O. Mullins demanded a rematch. He took a full-page newspaper advertisement to promulgate his challenge.When the champ's manager saw the brash announcement, he accosted Mullins, who was surrounded by a throng of newsmen. The manager openly scoffed at Mullins and belittled his fighting ability. Mullins then lost his temper and fearlessly punched the manager, knocking him from his wheelchair.
Mullins 丟下挑戰書
好鬥的K.O. Mullins要求再比賽一次。他在報紙上登了全版廣告宣佈他的挑戰。當冠軍的經理人看到如此無理的宣告，他便接近Mullins，此時Mullins已經被一群新聞記者包圍。經理人公開的嘲笑Mullins並且瞧不起他的打鬥能力。Mullins聽了立刻失去發火，他毫無畏懼的從他的輪椅上打了經理人一拳。
Words
1. pugnacious 好鬥的，好戰的 adj.
2. promulgate 公佈，發表 v.
3. brash 無禮的 adj.
4. scoff 嘲笑 v.
5. belittle 輕視，貶 v.
6. throw down the gauntlet 下戰帖 v.
7. accost 接近與之攀談 v.
8. throng 大群 n.
Today's Idiom
feeling no pain
喝醉酒的時候，神經感覺系統都會變的比較遲鈍，所以對於一些痛感都沒有感覺，因此feel no pain就變成喝醉的意思。
Grammar 主詞藍色 動詞(片語)咖啡色 受詞綠色 連接詞橘色
1.The pugnacious K.O. Mullins demanded a rematch.
pugnacious就是前幾天學過的belligerent的同義詞。demand的意思是要求，若是片語 on demand就變成立即立刻的意思。在動詞前面加上re-的字首，就會變成再一次的意思，所以rematch= match again。
2.He took a full-page newspaper advertisement to promulgate his challenge.
在主要的句子後面用不定詞to V.表示 in order to 的意思。
3.When the champ's manager saw the brash announcement, he accosted Mullins, who was surrounded by a throng of newsmen.
這一句一樣是用when開頭，後面的句子在Mullins後面加了一個關係代名詞who ，用來形容Mullins的情況，值得注意的是，who前面多了一個,，表示Mullins是特定的人，專有的人，所以才加上,。
4.The manager openly scoffed at Mullins and belittled his fighting ability.
scoff at someone就是嘲笑某人，義同於 laugh at someone，sneer at someone。
5.Mullins then lost his temper and fearlessly punched the manager, knocking him from his wheelchair.
lost one's temper表示發怒的意思，因為發怒所以打了冠軍的經理人，後面的knocking him from his wheelchair就是Mullins knocked him from his wheelchair因為主詞跟前面的主詞一樣，便把主詞省略，然後因為是主動語態，所以將動詞改成Ving的形式。
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