The Summer Paralympics 2012

	Another global gathering of great athletes begins now
	二○一二年夏季殘障奧運開跑
	另一場聚集全球運動好手的比賽正式開鑼 Last month, London, England, hosted the Summer Olympics, attracting great athletes from around the world. Now, equally extraordinary athletes are gathering there for the Paralympics, an international sporting event second only to the Olympics in size. Since 1960, the Paralympics has given people with disabilities and opportunity to demonstrate their athletic ability. These games take place in the same year and in the same city as the Olympics. England has a unique historical bond with the Paralympic Games. One of the first sports competitions for the disabled began in Stoke Mandeville, England. Surgeon Sir Ludwin Guttman organized the games for World War II veterans with spinal-cord injuries. The competition was first held in 1948 on the opening day of the Olympics. In 1952, Dutch participants made the Stoke Mandeville Games an international competition. The 1960 games, held in Rome, included athletes from 23 countries. Considered the first Paralympics, it fulfilled Guttman's dream of creating a "parallel Olympics" for athletes with disabilities. This year's Paralympics" for athletes with disabilities. This year's Paralympic mascot is named Mandeville in honor of the Stoke Mandeville Games. The 2012 Paralympics includes 20 different sports. Some are slightly modified Olympic sports; others were designed specially for disabled athletes. Cycling In this sport you can see Paralympians racing on bikes modified for them. For example, blind Paralympians ride tandem bikes with a sighted person who sits in front to steer. People who cannot use their legs to pedal use their arms to operate handcycles, and others ride normal bicycles. The sport is divided into two areas - road and track - that are held in different locations. Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair basketball has almost all the same rules as regular basketball, including the size of the court and the height of the hoops. Players are even required to bounce the ball while pushing their wheelchairs. Unlike many Paralympic sports, wheelchair basketball permits participants with different disabilities to play together. Players receive a number from 1 to 4.5, with lower numbers corresponding to more severe disabilities. The sum of the numbers for all players on the court for each team must be 14 or lower. Goalball Crowds watch this sport in complete silence as players try to roll a ball into the opposing team's goal. The players all have impaired vision, so they play by listening for bells that are inside the ball. All players are required to wear eyeshades so that those with some vision don't have an advantage. The Athletes One hundred and forty seven different countries send representatives to the Paralympics. These athletes have a variety of disabilities, which they were born with or acquired through sickness or injury. But in the face of difficult circumstances, they all show amazing determination not only to survive but also to master their sports. Paralympic athletes' accomplishments are quite amazing. For instance, Paralympic rower Angela Madsen rowed across the Indian Ocean in 2009. And swimmer Natalie du Toit made history in 2008 by competing in the Olympics as well as the Paralympics. Catch the action from now until September 9. Join fans around the world as they cheer for these amazing athletes, marveling at their skill and their inspiring. Grammar Tips: ......an international sporting event second only to the Olympics in size. "second only to " = the second most.... K2 is a mountain located in Pakistan and is second only to Mont Everest in height. The Amazon river, second only to the Nile in length, begins in Peru and empties into the Atlantic Ocean from Brazil. Vocabulary Tips: athletic -运动的，体育的。体格健壮的。 athletic competition -  运动 竞赛 athletic sports - *Lawrence is very athletic. 体格健壮的 athlete -  运动员。person who is very active in sports. *Charles is a natural athlete. He's good at many sports. disable - "dis"-“不的意思”， "able" -可以的，能的。 * a disable girl.有障碍的女孩。 * The disabled.- 前面有定冠词，是指“残障人士”。 disabilities -身心有障碍的。 *This program is designed for children with disabilities. parallel - 平行的，相似的，类似的。"para" -在旁的。beside/ to alongside of something. *Parallel experiments were conducted both in Harvard and Yale. *The sisters have parallel interest. host - someone provide something (food, place..) to people. extraordinary - outstanding, amazing, incredible, fantastic. Dutch - 荷兰的，荷兰人。   (go dutch - pay for your own. ) mascot - a person dressed in costume like animal or something to represent to the event or company. modify - change something a bit to make it better in some way. modifies / modified -更该，修改。 *The computer program can be modified to meet customers' needs. *The clinic's facilities were modified for the elderly patients. steer -驾驶，掌控。 *Dad steered while mom gave directions. *Tim steered his car out of the traffic jam. *Teresa tried to steer their conversation away from this sensitive topic. correspond -符合，一致。 result in something, relate to something. 符合的对象用“”或“”。 *The witness' statement corresponds with the victim's. 相一致。 *The result of the experiment corresponds to what we expected.和我们期待的一致。 cycling -bicycle, most use on the competing in bicycle ride.骑脚踏比赛。 tandem -together. tandem bike - two people ride bicycle. sighted - person who had vision able to see. wheelchair - a chair with two big wheels on the back and two small wheels on the front. impaired (adj) - 受损伤的，能力受到影响的。 impaired - it is not as good as it should be, refer to poor vision or no vision at all. "impair" -损伤，损坏（的过去式） *Pam learned sign language so she could communicate with her sister, who is hearing-impaired. *The boxer's vision was impaired permanently because of the match. in the face of - despite in the face of something -纵然，或是面对某件事 *Eric passed the entrance exam in the face of his poor health. *The football team won the game in the face of the stiff competition.很坚强，棘手的对手 marvel - show great surprise, amazed. 感到惊讶，好奇，赞叹。 marvel at -对什么对象感到惊讶，好奇，赞叹，用'at" *We marveled at the beautiful sunset and didn't want to leave. *People marvel at the young girl's courage. accomplishment - complete and successful in something, you are achieve in something. master- to be the best of it. advantage - easy to them or has better chance for something. 占优势。有优势的。 rower - person who row the boat.  quite - very incredible.  catch the action - refer to "watch the action", "get the action". bell -bell rings, the sound of the bell inside the ball.铃。（指铃声）。 Chat Room: The Paralympic Games. 殘障奧運 Surgeon Sir Ludwin Guttman organized the games for World War II veterans with spinal-cord injures. veteran -退伍军人。 很有经验的，很老练的。 World War II veteran - vet = veteran 退伍军人 的简称  /veterinarian -兽医的简称。 a veteran golfer. 很有经验的。 a veteran actor .很老练的 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- hoop-篮筐 shoot hoops-投篮，打篮球。 Lets shoot some hoops at my house this weekend. rim -篮筐上的那一圈铁圈。 hanging on the rim - 用双手抓住篮筐的铁圈，把身子悬空。 swish - 空心球。（拟声字，取其投入空心球的声音）。 He swished it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ shade -阴影，荫凉的地方，树阴。 He is resting in the shade. shades -二个深色镜片，二个深色镜片下有二个阴影。 shades -refer to sun glasses. 太阳眼镜，墨镜。 The sun is so bright out today, you should wear shades. eyeshade -眼罩。 goalball players are required to wear eyeshades.

Diet Myths

Get the facts, or your diet may fail!
節食迷思 弄清事實,不然節食可能會失敗!

Dieting is hard work, and there are plenty of  "helpful" diet tricks that can make weight loss even harder! Here are six common myths about losing weight and the truth behind them.

1. Carbs are bad for you.
Carbohydrates are actually an important source of energy. There are good carbs and bad carbs. Refined and processed foods, like white bread or white rice, are example of bad carbs: Good carbs include whole wheat bread and brown rice. They're rich in fiber and really good for you!

2. Skipping meals helps you lose more weight. 
One the contrary, studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to eat fewer calories throughout the day. And if you know you're going to be eating a big meal later, don't starve yourself in order to "save your calories." you'll just eat more during the meal because you're so hungry! Instead, eat smaller meals a couple days before and after, and exercise more.

3. You can control where your body loses weight.
Bad news - if you want a flatter stomach, just exercising your abs won't work. You can't target where you lose weight. Cardio exercises will help burn fat, while weight training helps build muscles. Your "trouble areas" might not be the first to slim down, but keep exercising!

4. Your weight depends on your genes.
If you and your family have problems with obesity, you're not destined to be fat. While a "fat gene" does exist, its influence on your size is actually pretty small. Smart eating and exercise have a much greater impact than your genes. Only 25 percent of your weight is controlled by genes - the rest is up to you!

5. Say "no" to junk food-no exceptions. 
Many people think that the key to losing weight is cutting out all bad foods. But the more restrictive your diet is, the more likely you are to break it - and in a big way. To lose weight and keep it off, eat great 89 percent of the time, but indulge in a treat or two the other 20 percent.

6. It's OK to splurge on the weekend.
Making bad food choices every Saturday and Sunday will have an effect on how much weight you lose. In one study, scientists found that when dieters ate what they wanted on the weekends, they undid all of their healthy progress during the week. Instead of choosing a difficult diet you need a "break" from every week, find one you can manage, and stick to it every day.

Grammar Tips:
Dieting is hard work, and there are plenty of "helpful" diet tricks that can make weight loss every harder!
"helpful " - "  " quotation using in the title or heading.  here it means sarcastic, opposite of what it says. (not help.)
I get "excited " whenever I have a dentist appointment. (not excited, not fun at all.)
Kinney hasn't done laundry for a very long time, but he'll try to find something "clean " to wear for his job interview. ( not clean. not washed )

Vocabulary Tips:
ab - is short word for "abdominal muscle "
cardio - is short word for " cardiovascular "
carbohydrate - "carb" -a short word for "carbohydrate ".  "hydr" -refer to "water"
*Carbohydrates are usually cheap and easier to obtain.
*Danny is diabetic. He should lower his intake of carbs. 摄取量。
refine - 精致。精炼，make certain way that take the substance out of it and make it look better and taste better. It means that take out whatever that make food healthy.  "fine" -优雅，精致.
*Ray spent days refining his speech. 润饰她的演讲稿。
refined -精致的，精炼的，细致的。
*The refined sugar is especially tasty in coffee. 精致糖是 。。。特别美味。
on the contrary -相反的。the opposite that what you might think.  "contrary "-与。。相反。
*The infection should have been controlled after the treatment, but on the contrary, it got worse.
destine-命定的，注定的，常用被动式。
obesity - extremely over weight.
* The couple both felt they were destined to meet.
* The girl was destined for a singing career.
destiny (n)-命中注定，命定。intend to be someone or do something, the only option that your future will be.
* Mark feels it's his destiny to become rich and famous.
indulge -使放纵，纵容，使沉迷 "in"- 有“使如何”之意。to have or enjoy something special, and also it  is very fun.
* After a long hard day, Rita decided to indulge herself in a hot bath.
indulge in -  放纵，享乐，沉迷在什么事上用 "in".
* Dave indulged himself in on-line games and almost lost his job.
splurge -尽量的吃喝， 放纵 。enjoy a lot of something or spend a lot of something on something.
* Many people tend to splurge when they travel and end up gaining weight.
* Chloe splurged her saving on clothes.放纵
restrictive -very strict with many limitation and regulation.
stick to - commit to , go for and not stop.
To best way to lose wight is to change your lifestyle, include the way of your living, work, eat, sleep and exercise etc.

Chat Room:
skip -越过，跳过，省略。逃课/翘课。
skip the question, go on to next.-考试遇到难题，先越过，作别的，等最后再来思考答题。
He skipped breakfast because he overslept.省掉，不吃。
Skipping meals helps you lose more weight.
skip work -旷工，翘班，逃班。
skip class / skip school -逃课/翘课
skip school / skip work = play hooky.逃课/翘课/ 旷工，翘班，逃班.
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genes/jeans =发音相同。字义不同。
Jean /Gene - 发音相同。字义不同。女生名/男生名。
genes -基因，遗传因子。relate to DNA.
jeans = blue jeans 牛仔裤简称。
Your weight depends on your genes.

The Hazards of Wearing Headphones Outside

Study Suggests Hazards of Wearing Headphones Outside
Using electronic gadgets outdoors may endanger users’ lives
在戶外戴頭戴式耳機的危險 在戶外使用電子用品可能會危害到使用者的生命

People who wear headphones might want to ditch them while walking outside. A study finds that accidents involving pedestrians wearing the devices have tripled in recent years. Researchers combed serveral sources to find incidents in the U.S. of crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles from 2004 to 2011.

Searching the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Google News archives and Westlaw Campus Research, they found 116 cases of death or injury involving pedestrians wearing headphones.

Cases in which people were using mobile phones (including hands-free devices) were excluded. Over they years the number of cases in creased from 16 in 2004 and 2005 to 47 in 2010 and 2011. The victims' average age was 21, and most (68 percent) were male. The majority (67 percent ) were under the age of 30. Most (55 percent ) were hit by trains, and 70 percent of the crashes, most of which were in urban areas, were fatal.

In 74 percent of the cases, police or eyewitness reports said the pedestrian had headphones on when hit. And 29 percent of reports made mention of horns or sirens going off before the crash. The study authors pointed to two likely culprits that may be a factor in what they call "the possible association between pedestrian injury": sensory deprivation and distraction. The latter is more specifically called " inattentional blindness,"  referring to the use of electronic gadgets and how they decrease attention to things going on around us.

Hearing what's going on in the environment, they point out, could be more important than visual cues for pedestrians. But the authors add that this study doesn't show causation or correlation of headphone use and pedestrian risk, and other factors could have been involved in the accidents factors could have been involved in the accidents, such as pedestrians being intoxicated or drivers being at fault.

More comprehensive information on such accidents is needed, the researchers said, to see which groups of people may be at risk.

Grammar Tips:
The latter is more specifically called "inattentional blindness," referring to the use of electronic gadgets and how they decrease attention to things going on around us.
" Something is called... referring to....."
Duanwu Festival is also called "Dragon Boat Festival," referring to the dragon boat races that are held on that day.

Vocabulary Tips:
ditch -leave behind or get rid of it. 抛弃，丢掉，丢弃。
*Jason ditched his old cell-phone when he got this new android phone.
ditch - to get rid of someone or something. 甩掉，抛弃人或东西。
*Larry ditched his long-time girlfriend as soon as he found a rich girl. 把女朋友给甩了。
exclude - not included. 不包括。
*After taking the X-rays, the possibility of pneumonia was excluded.
exclude from - "from" -从什么。。不包括
*The tax is excluded from the price.
*Unqualified contestants were excluded from the game on the first run. 比赛的第一回合。
fatal -致命的，严重的
*This fatal disease took many people's lives in England.
*A fatal shot from the assassin killed the president. 刺客致命的一墼。。
*That fatal mistake caused the company to loose this important case.严重的错误。。失去了重要的案子。
urban -refer to city. urban area=city area.
archive - (sound "ar - kai -f " ) great place to store data. a place keep information. (n) -文件，记录，档案。 (vt.)- 放入保管箱中：（电脑）备用。
deprivation -剥夺，损失，贫乏，不足。 deprive
*deprivation of civil rights.-递夺公权。
*Losing such a talented employee is great a deprivation.
*Patrick suffers from sleep deprivation.
correlation - connect between two things.关联性，相关性。相连性。"co" -有“一起”之意。  "relation" -关系。
*The results of the experiments proved the correlations between smoking and lung cancer.
*There's a strong correlation between social status and health condition.
intoxicated -(adj) 喝醉酒，陶醉，入迷的。being use substance.喝醉酒。 "in " - 有“使如何”之意, "toxic" -有毒的。
*Henry was intoxicated by his sudden fame.陶醉，入迷。一下子成名。
*The driver was intoxicated when the accident happened.
culprit - person or thing is doing something wrong.
sensory -感官方面的。
comprehensive - complete, more detail, look in more aspect.完全，很彻底的。

Chat Room:
comb (n) -梳子。
to comb (v) -梳理。
comb your hair -把。。头发梳好，理弃。
comb (v) -彻底的搜查，地毯式的搜寻。
Researchers combed several sources to find incidents in the U.S. of crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles  from 2004 to 2011.
comb = comb through -彻底的搜查，地毯式的搜寻。
combed -彻底的搜查了，地毯式的搜寻过。
The police combed the area.
The police combed through the area.
fine-tooth comb -齿缝很密的梳子。
go over something with a fine-tooth comb.彻底的查看，地毯式的检视。
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cue /queue - （发音相同"kyu")
cue - giving a signal to do something.
cue - actor need to see cue to enter or exit the theme.演员要掌握他出入场及发言的时间。或是要留意另一演员的台词的结尾。
miss his cue - 错过了他出场的时间。
cue-线路，提示，暗示，信号。
cue (v)- 指示，暗示。
The director will cue you.导演会给你暗示。
visual cues - 视觉信号。
queue - 队伍。
queue up (英 ) = line up ( 美)

Chirba Chirba: Dumplings on the Go

The latest star of the American food-truck trend
「吃吧、吃吧」: 滿街跑的水餃美食 美國餐車風潮中的閃亮新星

What a fast, delicious meal? Look no further than the food truck parked on the corner! Recently, food trucks have become a popular source of gourmet food on the go. They serve convenient, high-quality food at low prices.

One of these mobile restaurants, Chirba Chirba started serving food in August 2011. Their truck travels around Durham, North Carolina, and stops at different locations every day. Hungry food-truck fans can find the truck by checking the Internet for a daily schedule and even last minute changes.

Chirba Chirba uses their website, Facebook and Twitter to tell the public the truck's next stop. Chirba Chirba's four partners became friends at the University of North Carolina. They all love Asian street food and decided to start a business. Chirba Chirba, which means "eat, eat" in Mandarin, serves genuine Chinese dumplings and other Chinese dishes.

The owners, who have traveled to China many times, wish to offer American people a taste of traditional Chinese food. They want their name and food to inspire warm feelings. Chirba Chirba Gives Americans a taste of Chinese food and culture.

Grammar Tips:
Want a fast, delicious meal? Look no further than the food truck parked on the corner!
"to look no further " - You don't have to go far, how easy to do something in a formal situation.
*If you're exploring your options for an affordable vacation, look no further than your home, plan a
stay-cation.
*If you want to make the world a better place, look no further than your immediate community.

Vocabulary Tips:
gourmet -(adj) (t)-不发音 - high quality food and very delicious. 美食。
*The restaurant serves gourmet food at reasonable prices.
gourmet (n)- people who has high standard of food taste.美食家。
*The food served here should be able to satisfy most gourmets.
mobile - can be easy to move from one place to another. 可活动的，可移动的。
*mobile home -拖车型可移动的房子。
*mobile phone -移动电话。
*mobile clinic -移动诊所。
*mobile library -移动图书馆。
*Karl bought a car so he can be more mobile. 可行动自如。
fan - people who likes you, support you and follow you around. 粉丝。
last minute - last moment.
warm - lovingly and friendly. good feeling, welcomed. 温暖的，很热情的。
*This weekend, many people went outdoors to enjoy the warm weather.
*My new classmates greeted me warmly.
*The warmth (n) she gave to her students inspired them. 温暖。
warmly (adv.)-很热情的

Chat Room:
"at the last minute " -(idiom ) 到期或截止前的最後一刻。
study at the last minute.
last-minute -最后一刻。
He made a last-minute decision. 最后决定。
last-minute changes.最新的，临时的变动。
the eleventh hour - 时钟上有12小时，已是11个小时，接近12了。表示剩下的时间不多了。来到了最后关键或是接近规定的到期，截止时刻。11 (write in counting way (eleventh), and at the front of eleventh need to add "the".

Amazing Teen Entrepreneurs

Why wait to finish school to start a business?
少年企業家 要創業,何必等到畢業後?

Entrepreneurs come in all sizes and ages. A good, profitable idea can strike anyone at any time. He or she just has to know how to grow that idea. There is no age limit for success!

Farrhad Acidwalla
Farrhad Acidwalla, now 18,  got a US$10 loan from his parents when he was in eighth grade. He used it to buy his first domain name. He then built a web community for people interested in flying and airplane models. The site became quite successful, and Farrhad sold it for much more than his original $10.

Other ventures followed, and then in 2009 he started Rockstah Media, a company devoted to web development, marketing and advertising. The site has a complete team of developers, designers and marketing people spread out around the world. While Farrhad  continues his work as CEO of the successful company, he attends university. His incredible success didn't stop him from going to college. In an interview he said, "Education never goes to waste. I know I can put the things I learn in college to use in my business."

Savannah Britt
New Jersey, U.S., native Savannah Britt was publishing poems at age 8. She was writing newspaper reviews for children's books at 9, and at 14, she started her own magazine, Girl Pez. She became the youngest magazine publisher in the world. The magazine covers events like concerts and fashion shows and includes interviews with famous people. Now 17, Savannah guides her magazine in its online-only format - girlpez.com.

She has to balance her magazine work with her schoolwork and basketball practice, but she wouldn't have it any other way. "There is no reason to be hesitant...becoming an entrepreneur is a learning experience," she says.

Philip Hartman
Seventeen-year-old Philip Hartman won the 2008 Young Inventor of the Year Award in the U.S.. The award was for Fiberlight, a new system of fusing fiber optics. He's also invented a system for taking the ice off car windshields - which is important since he lives in northern Colorado. In addition to working on his business ventures, he enjoys sports and music.

Mark Bao
mark started as an entrepreneur in fifth grade. He used a computer program to write a simple application to help him manage his homework and school papers. He then copied the program onto discs and sold them to his friends.

At 14, Mark developed Debateware.com for debate organizations to manage their events, and later he sold the company. By the time Mark was 17, he had launched a number of web-based companies and three nonprofit organizations. Now 19, Mark works as CTO at Onswipe in New York City, a tablet publishing company, managing the technical team.

Adora Svitak
Washington State resident and young social entrepreneur Adora Svitak was reading books by age 3. She started writing soon after, and the year she was 7, she wrtoe 250,000 words. That same year she also published her first book, Flying Fingers. The book contains short stories as well as tips for would-be writers. At 11, she was earning up to $10,000 for each appearance speaking to teachers and educators about technology and creativity. Now 14, Adora continues to write and travels around the world promoting literacy through writing.


Grammar Tips:
"......she wouldn't have it any other way." - being perfect happy and satisfy with the way she has, even though other think not.
"would not have it any other way."
Even though many people think Dillon has a crazy work schedule, he actually enjoys it and wouldn't have it any other way.
Betty is very pleased with how things turned out at her wedding and wouldn't have it any other way.

Vocabulary Tips:
venture- an activity or a business that involve some risk.具有风险性的，有风险性的投资事业，冒险。
*The record company is a new venture for Josh.
*The joint venture between these two companies proved to be a wise decision.
devote-extremely royal or loving. 投身，奉献。致力于。于某个对象用“ to ”。
*Brandon has devoted his life to saving whales.
*Vince devotes most of his time to helping disadvantaged children. 贫困的孩子
incredible -hard to believe.绝妙，惊人的。
*The child's incredible mathematical talent impressed everyone.
*It's incredible that she recovered from the accident in such a short time.
format - is something the way you can use, most refer to computer internet. 设计， 形式。
*The format of the contest was changed recently. 形式
*The large-print format of the brochure is easy for the seniors to read.形式
*Samuel took hours to format the hard disk. （V.）将电脑硬体内容格式化。
hesitant -犹豫不前的。裸足不前的。
*Teresa is hesitant to accept this job abroad.
hesitate (v) - be bothered。 犹豫。不好意思。
*If you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to call me.
fuse - join together, put together into a piece. 融合，融接， 接合。焊接。保险丝。
*The mechanic is fusing the wires together.
*The heat of the explosion fused the parts of the aircraft.
fuse (v) - 保险丝烧断了。保险丝烧坏了。
*All the lights in the apartment fused during a lightening storm.保险丝烧坏了而断电。
fiber light - fiber- very thin and tiny thread (fabric or plastic).光籤。
optics - refer to "light" - a light through whole bunch of  fiber threads.
windshield - a whole piece of glass at the front of your car, you can see through the glass and drive.挡风板。
marketing- people  buy and sale or exchanging.
publish -printed, people can read it or buy it.
publisher - refer to person or organization that edit, review, print out to reach to the public.
CTO - Chief Technology Officer.
application - (= app, App) -应用程式
*The engineer wrote an application for all the workers to sort their e-mails more efficiently. 分类
*You can download this application from the Internet totally free.
launch (v) -发起，使开始。
*Frank and his friends have recently launched a project to help illiterate people. (发起，创立，开创。）
*The company will launch their on-line customer service next month. （开始）
launch (v) -起航，发射。（太空梭，火箭等) beginning of something. begin something new.
*The spacecraft will launch this afternoon.
resident (n)- 居民。reside (v)-居住 live in a place.
*The local residents are against the city hall renovation plan.
*All the residents in the nursing home were evacuated. 撤出
debate - discussion, argument.
creativity - ability to produce some new ideas.
promotion - to encourage people to do something.
literacy - ability to read and write.

Chat Room:
college/ university-大学。
college -Associate degree.
university - advanced degrees: master's degree, doctoral degree.高级学府，有研究所（硕士，博士学位）。
I go to college. （通常“大学”口语化）
college student. 大学生
college degree. 大学文凭
attends university.
His incredible success didn't stop him from going to college.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Savannah Britt publish poems at age 8.
publish/ publisher - 出版，发表/ 可以指一个发行人或是一个出版社（商）
publish -出版，发行。发表论文/研究报告。
perish -毁灭。
publish or perish - （研究学者不发表（论文或研究报告）就完蛋（过气了）
--------------------------------------------------------------
would be / would-be  (adj) - intend to 计划要。。， 有潜力成为。。/ has-been -（现在完成式）之前有持续的动作，现不再持续。
a would-be author - 有潜力成为作家
a would-be actor -有潜力成为演员
tips for would-be writers -
a would-be assassin -（计划要，但未达成的）
has-been : （现在完成式）之前有持续的动作，现不再持续。
The former movie star is now an aging has-been.曾经红极一时的人物，已过气的，衰老过时了。

Glasses, Contacts or Surgery?

What's the best way to improve your vision?
该戴眼镜，隐形眼镜还是动手术？哪种方法最能改善视力？

Sue and Karen run into each other at an eye doctor's office.

Sue: Hay, Karen! What are you doing here?
Karen: I'm having trouble with my glasses. I don't think they are strong enough anymore. I need a new prescription. How about you?
I'm just here for a checkup, but I plan to ask the doctor about laser surgery.
Really? Why would you want to have surgery?
Glasses and Contact lenses are just so much trouble. I'd be really happy to get rid of them.
I personally think glasses are pretty easy to deal with  - you just have to put them on and take them off.
I know, but they fog up and you have to be careful not to lose or break them.
Laser surgery sounds kind of scary, though. You have to be awake the whole time, and you can see almost everything that's happening.
Well, the surgery might not be pleasant at the time, but to me, having a permanent solution for my vision problems is worth the trouble.
But laser surgery doesn't always solve vision problems - I've heard some people need it more than once. And there are other risks too.
What risks could there be with such a simple procedure?
Eye infections or even new problems like double vision.
But those problems must be pretty rare. So many of my friends have recommended laser surgery that I think it's worth the risk. Plus, contact lenses have risks too.
True. You have to be careful to keep them clean, and change them often to avoid getting an infection.
It's also possible for contacts to scratch your eyes. And they're not always that comfortable.
Yeah, but they're more comfortable than glasses, and lots of people say you can see better. You can also wear while you're playing sports.
But after eye surgery, you can play sports without contacts. Besides, buying contact lenses and contact solution gets expensive.
Laser surgery is even more expensive! And insurance doesn't usually pay for it.
It may cost a lot at first, but I think it's worthwhile in the long run.
Maybe. Be sure to ask the doctor every question you can think of.
Don't worry. I will. That's really why I'm here.
Well, let me know what you decide.

Grammar Tips:
....having a permanent solution for my vision problems is worth the trouble.
"worth the trouble" - "worth" - talk about value of something.
*This painting is worth a lot of money.
"worth the trouble" - is valuable for you put something (time, money, energy etc.) into it.
*Making this dish is worth the time because it is so delicious.
* It is tiring to climb to the top of the mountain, but the view is magnificent and is worth the energy.
if it is not "worth" , simply just add "not " in front of "worth".
*Making this dish is not worth the time.
*The view from the top of the mountain is not worth the energy.

Vocabulary Tips:
prescription -医生开的处方籤，处方
*The doctor gave me antibiotic prescription for three days.
prescription drug -要有医生处方籤的药
repeat prescription -继续使用处方籤的药物，用完可以重复再去取。
prescription-妙方。
*The prescription for a happy marriage is mutual trust. 幸福婚姻的妙方在于互相信赖。
contact lens -隐形眼镜片 contact -接触， lens - 镜片，镜头。contact lenses -隐形眼镜。
disposable contact lenses.-可丢弃的隐形眼镜。
cosmetic lenses - (color lenses) - 彩色隐形眼镜。
permanent - last for long time or forever.固定，永久的。
*What's your permanent address?
*Jason can never keep a permanent job.
Temporary - is opposite of permanent.固定，永久的反义词，临时的。
*a temporary job.临时工（作）。
surgery- cut open a part of your body to fix up something or change something.
laser- a light, sharp, thin and hot, very powerful. usually you see it red color.镭射。
flog up - thin steam appear to block the vision. 一尘雾，模糊看不清。
in the long run -after the long period of time, ..at the end. in the future.终久，最终，就长远角度来看。
*Paying high salaries to hire capable staff might seem like a large investment, but it would pay off in the long run.
procedure - a way of process, or a way that something to be treated.程序，步骤。手术
*The procedure is quite challenging both to the patient and the surgeon. 手术
*The adoption application procedure is long and complicated.程序
scratch -划伤，刮伤，刮痕。
*While picking apples, Molly's hands were scratched by the branches.
*Nathan scratched his car while parking.
*The accident left the car some nasty scratches.
rare - not happen often. 很少，非常难得。
contact solution - a man-made liquid that very similar with human tears. 隐性眼睛浸泡药水
solution is a kind of liquid combination with chemical. 药水

Chat Room:
剪刀，裤子，隐形眼镜，眼镜等都是由两片东西组成。要用复数。动词，受词，或是代名词，全要用复数。
scissors-
pants -
glasses -
Where are my glasses?
Here they are.
I'm having trouble with my glasses.
I don't think they are strong enough anymore.
"pair" -一对，一副。
当用"pair"时，动词改为单数。
These pants are expensive.
This pair of pants is expensive.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Besides buying contact lenses and contact solution gets expensive.
besides/moreover - 除此之外，何况，况且/ 此外，再者。
besides -besides 之后，提出的论点与前面的相似。如：
Let's cancel the picnic because everyone is sick, besides, the forecast calls for rain.
前，后一句都是主张要“取消野餐”。
moreover - 有自己的主张，不需要呼应前面一句的主张。start a new idea.
Let's cancel the picnic because rain, moreover, we can join Tom's party at his home.

Quick, Convenient Vending Machines

Convenient Vending Machines 
Today's vending machines are becoming even more convenient
快速又便利的自動販賣機 , 時下的自動販賣機變得更便利了

You're in a hotel, and it's late. Local stores are closed, but you are desperate for a midnight snack, so you head out in search of sustenance. After a short walk, you see the solution to your problems glowing softly in the darkness -a vending machine. 

Vending machines conveniently make sales around-the-clock in places where stores are impractical. But through the years, vending machines have also been plagued by some problems. Fortunately for consumers and businesses, all of that is changing. Vending machines are evolving in ways that mean the machines of tomorrow will be very different from those of today.

Making change
You arrive at the machine ready for your snack, only to discover that you don't have the right change! Worse yet, you might have paper money but find that the machine is unwilling to accept it. These situations can quickly lead to frustrated customers and lost sales. 

To eliminate these problems, vending machines are incorporating  more ways for people to pay. Many machines already accept change, bills and even credit cards. But companies are also experimenting with payments made through text messages and even fingerprints or retinal scans.

Going online
While vending machines are automated, they still require regular visits from staff who remove money perform basic maintenance and restock them. Unfortunately, determining how often staff should visit machines and what products they should place in them is difficult.

Newer generations of vending machines are avoiding the guesswork by going online. Networked machines provide real-time information on sales and inventory, allowing companies to know when to send staff to service or restock machines.

Everything you need
Another change to the industry has been the increase in the variety and quality of products available. In what was once the domain of soft drinks and candy bars, customers can now purchase foods like french fries, pizza and freshly baked pie. Need a new soccer ball?

How about a cellphone, clothes or even some gold bars? There are vending machines that sell them. These days, vending machines are even used to distribute library books and prescription medicines. Vending machines don't offer the same service a clerk at a convenience store does. But as the machines continue to evolve, the variety and convenience they provide are sure to keep them an important part of our daily lives.

Grammar Tips:
You arrive at the machine, ready for your snack, only to discover that you don't have the right change!
"only to discover"-
only -there is no others.
I'm the only one left there is no one else.
"only to discover " -today's situation, "only" means "however" or "except".
"only to discover" - to describe a situation that someone is doing something with expectation, but they find out the thing don't happen or the thing turns out the way not they expected.
*Mr. And Mrs. Lee were hoping to enjoy a romantic dinner at the new restaurant, only to discover that the restaurant was not open that day.
*Cheryl had booked a room at the seaside hotel, only to discover, after checking in, that hotel guests cannot go into the water.

Vocabulary Tips:
sustenance -食物，粮食。a created way to say "food". Something that give you energy and fill you up. Author use this word to describe that seeking any kind of food you can imaging that good for eat.
*Wheat is the main source of sustenance for the people of this area. 主要粮食来源是小麦。
It's hard for the animals to find any sustenance in this kind of cold weather. 食物。
plague -使苦恼，使愁烦，使折磨。多用被动式. The problem that has bothered you continuously.
*Insomnia has plagued Anna for years.失眠长期困恼着安娜。
*The northern part of the country has been plagued by snowstorms for almost a month.
plague (n)-瘟疫，天灾。
*Many people died during the plague.
incorporate -使并入，加入，结合。
*The curriculum incorporates a lot of language lessons.学期课程结合了许多语言课。
*We'll incorporate your ideas into our proposal. 会把你的构想纳入我们的提案。
vending machine - a machine that sells small items.
desperate - really wanted, hard to wait. 迫切的
glow - is a soft light, you able to see it in a darkness.
evolve - change slowly, to develop gradually.使演进，开展，发展，演化，
impractical -不切实际的，昧于实际的，不能实行的。 "im" -“有否定之意”， "practical" -实际的，适用的。
restock - 补货，重新进货。place more, put more in the slot. stock - 货物，或品。
*Mom restocks my fridge every time she comes to visit me.
restock with -补什么货品用“with”
*Tina is always restocking her cupboard with all kinds of cereals.
domain - the area you have control or in charge.领域，范围。
*Politicians are examined by the press in both their public and private domains.
*Howard is an expert in the network information safety domain. 网路资讯安全方面的专家。
inventory -财产目录，存货请单。
*We need to check our inventory before buying any more supplies.
inventory - 存货，库存。
*We had a sale last month to reduce our inventory.
take inventory -盘点存货。
*We're closed today to take inventory 

Word / idiom Tips:
bill-纸钞，
coin-铜板，零钱，硬币。
cash- 广义的现金。cash include bills纸钞，钞票 and coins零钱。铜板.
currency -货币，各国家有其独特的货币。
British pound - 英镑
US dollar -美钞
change (n)-零钱， 小票（金额小的纸钞）。不可数名词，不能加“ S ”。用单数。
loose change -零钱。
I have some loose change in my pocket.
change -汇兑。国与国家之间，使用不同的货币，要兑换之后才能在别的国家使用。
Do you have change for a hundred? 100元你能找开来吗？或是你有一百元小票能换开吗？
change -改变
Making change -做些改变.
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convenience (n) / convenient (adj) - 便利，方便。方便的，便利的。
convenience store -便利商店。（便利要用名词）
very convenient for us -对我们很方便。
Convenience store at our next door that is very convenient for us.
I lived on the second floor, the downstairs' convenience store is my convenient store.

The Trade Justice Mission

This organization provides hope, one piece of jewelry at a time
公正貿易使命團 這個組織透過一件件珠寶交易,為人帶來希望

Two overseas trips changed American couple Eric and Susan Rosenberg forever. During a year in the Philippines, the Rosenbergs helped women who were victims of human trafficking. Then two years later in 2008, Eric traveled to Zambia, where he worked with women who were HIV-positive. The trips exposed the Rosenbergs to real people who were facing real-life crises. These experiences prompted the couple to do something to help the world's women in need. Returning from Zambia, Eric started the Trade Justice Mission (TJM), a nonprofit, Christian organization. The organization helps women by training them to make and sell jewelry through cooperatives (co-ops), TJM now has co-ops in Zambia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines. 

How does it work?
Susan designs most of the jewelry. TJM buys and sends the needed materials to the co-ops. Women work in small groups and create the beautiful pieces. The jewelry is then sold by volunteers in the U.S. under the Okoa Jewelry line. One hundred percent of the profits are returned to the women. They keep half of the money, allowing each woman to make around US $50 a day. The rest is kept in the co-ops, and each one uses its money in different ways. Some groups have bought chickens and pigs, and some have peanut butter businesses. Most people in these countries earn US $1 a day. The money from TJM provides the women with a way out of poverty.

Providing hope for the women
Jimmie from the Philippines has worked in the red-light district  since her teens. But now TJM has provided her with a possible escape from her old life. Mariyati from Sumatra comes from a very poor family with seven children. They couldn't take care of her, so she had to go to an orphanage. Mariyati says, "I am hopeful that being part of the Okoa Jewelry co-op will open up more opportunities for me." That's what the Rosenbergs hope for needy women everywhere.

Trade justice mission
The women in our co-operatives last year were making between $50-$70 a day on the project. If they could get work in their own countries, most of them would be making in between $1 or 2. So they can make more in a day than they could make in a month. So the money that they earn is paid to them, both individually and collectively as a group, so they have to take that money  and re-invest it into some other ways to make money. 

Many of us give to churches, we give to organizations,but unless you put in places of structure that allows those people to take care of themselves, they can never escape poverty. The people that we work with are not looking for a hand-out, they are looking for a hand-up. The people in the co-ops are just like me, they just happen to be born in a different place. They have the same goals, the same desires, they are just as intelligent, it's got nothing to do with any of that, it's just because they were born there and I was born here， it's the difference.

And we at Trade Justice Mission believe that we have to do everything we can to help lift up people into a sustainable life. Nobody wants, they don't want to get inch, they just want to eat. They just want their kids to go to school. And that's what okao jewelry allows them to do, is live safely outside of exploitation, to be able to say no to the pimps, and no to the brothel owners, to hold your head high and say "I can lead this lifestyle". 

And it's liberating. But beyond just the money that they are making what the beautiful thing to watch is that the women seem to experience healing in making some beautiful jewelry. When you watch them, they get together at the table and they're making the jewelry and they're putting together something beautiful that they have never been able to do before in a culture that's often sometimes diminishes women and their value, and then they get to try on the jewelry. It's transformational to watch a woman from beginning to end, as she enters the co-op and at the end of the training when she is now economically empowered, she's made some money, she's made beautiful art, she's felt valued and it happens no matter what part of the world I'm in.

What I've learnt was that if you feel that the only thing you have to sell is your body, that's what you sell. and nobody is buying anything else. And that has to make God weep. And  it makes me weep to know that somebody could get to a point where they think that's all they have to do. That's the only thing they could ever do. And we at Trade Justice Mission believe that we need to do whatever we can  to empower people to be able to take care of themselves.

"www.okoajewelry.org"

Grammar Tips:
The trips exposed the Rosenbergs to real people who were facing real-life crises.
"to expose somebody to something" - to have somebody to have chance to experience something.
The two month summer camp exposed the city kids to life in the mountains.
The young boy has a good sense of rhythm because he was exposed to music at a very young age.
It is unfortunate that the children in this neighborhood are exposed to crime at such a young age.

Vocabulary Tips:
"co-op" - cooperative.
cooperative (co-op) - a group of people work together toward a same goal.
human trafficking -buy or sale human body, trading human body for sex or slave. trafficking refer to buy or sale goods.
mission - special assignment.
prompt -they are in spite to do something.促使，激励，引起。
*The scandal prompted the mayor's resignation.
*The trip to France prompted the girl to study fashion design.
prompt (adj)-立刻的，马上的。
*Our customer service department always gives prompt responses to customers' inquiries.随即回应顾客的询问。
"HIV - positive " - positive -阳性的， 带源的，呈阳性的
*He was tested positive for hepatitis B. 检验出带有爱滋病毒的。
positive/ negative -阳性/阴性。正面/负面的
*His blood type is AB negative.AB阴性
nonprofit - "non" -没有，否定的。 "profit" -利润，
*This nonprofit organization held a banquet last week to raise funds for African refugees.
*Nathan works in a nonprofit and often goes on trips.
poverty - being poor in living that have been lack of comfort. 贫困的，贫穷的。
poor -lack of something, pitiful. 贫穷的，可怜的。
*People in the inner city usually live in poverty.
*Half of the town's population lives under the poverty line.
*the poor girl hasn't eaten for days.
escape - a way out of something.逃离，逃脱，逃避。
*He saw this bet as an escape from his debts but ended up losing more money.
*The thief made a quick escape from the crowd.
escape (v)-逃离
*These children escaped from the kidnappers during the night.
take care of (someone or something).-looking after , provide something, giving out support.照顾，处理
*My sister used to take care of me when my mom went out to work.
*You should take good care of your health.
*I will take care of the bill.
red-light district - an area that had illegal trading business going such as human trafficking, drug or sex business activities etc.红灯区。

Word/ idiom Tips:
jewel / jewelry -宝石/珠宝首饰。
jewel- precious stone such as emerald 绿宝石，翡翠 ruby 红宝石, amethyst 紫水晶, opal 蛋白石are gem, are jewel.
setting - come out some shape, or add the jewel on the bend or ring.镶坎，镶上，镶在珠宝，首饰上。。
jewelry - is something that can wear, adornment.可配戴的首饰。
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"The" -定冠词。
***多数名词要在名词前加定冠词
The Philippines -菲利滨群岛国。
The Bahamas -巴拉马群岛
The Netherlands -荷兰。
***大多数的国家多是单数名词,不加"The" -定冠词, 如：
 America, Japan, China, Germany, Mexico....，不加"The" -定冠词
***但是用国家正式名称时，要加"The" -定冠词 如;
The People's Republic of China 中华人民共和国。
The Czech Republic. 捷克共和国。
The United States of America.美利坚共和国。

What Would You Like to Drink?

What Would You Like to Drink?
In the U.S., ordering something to drink can be a challenge!
 小飲料,大學问， 在美國,點杯飲料可能是一大挑戰!

You're on vacation in the southern part of the U.S. You want to order a soft drink at a local restaurant. "I'd like a Coke, please," you tell the server. "What kind?" she asks. You stop to think, a little confused, You want a Coke. Did you pronounce it wrong?

Don't worry - you ordered correctly. But around the U.S., people use different names for soft drinks, depending on the location. So what do you say when you want a sweet, carbonated drink? In the Southwest and Northeast, order a "Soda." In the Northwest and Midwest, you can say "pop." In the South,  a "Coke" can get you Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, root beer or something else! It's no wonder there are so many names for soda or pop in the U.S. 

There are hundreds of different brands to choose from ! In order to be sure you're getting what you want, play it safe when you order. Just ask what kinds of soft drinks they have!

Grammar Tips:
When you try to describe the wide variety of something, don't start with "There are many kinds of..." , if so , it will be very boring.  The author starts with "You're on vacation in the southern part of the U.S. Your want to order a soft drink at a local restaurant,...not to directly say that "There are many kinds of..." but it let the reader believed that "there are so many kinds of soft drinks in America..". to make the article more interested.

Vocabulary Tips:
soft drink - very sweet, does not have alcohol in it. 软性饮料。不含酒精的。
*The restaurant provides a wide variety of soft drink for customers to choose from.
*If you order a soft drink, you can get half price refills.
Always say "soft drink" will be okay no matter where you go.
soda - a sweet carbonated drink.
carbonated -the drink has bobble in it.
confused (adj)-感到迷惑，混乱的。 confuse -使迷惑，
*Meagan was so confused when Paul proposed to her. 向她求婚。
*Janet looked confused when she was filling out the application. 看来很困惑。
play it safe-very careful, not taking any risk. 小心为妙。为了安全起见。
*I know you already set the alarm, but please double check just to play it safe.
*To play it safe, I brought an extra battery for my cell-phone.
May I take your order?  play it safe by ask "what kind of  soft drink do you have?"

Word / idiom Tips:
"ess" - refer to female. such as actress, waitress.
actor - is not only refer to male, is gender neutral, can refer to both actor and actress. 广义的指”男，女演员。不再单指男性演员。
gender-neutral -女性主义抬头，很多职称都用“中性，不分男女“。
server - use in the restaurant instead of waiter / waitress.
stewardess -空中小姐
flight attendant take place of steward /stewardess. 飞航服务员。

The Emerald Coast

Stunning scenery and a wide range of activities draw tourists to the coast of northwest Florida
徜徉綠寶石海岸 絕美的景色與五花八門的活動,吸引遊客前往佛羅里達西北海岸

Florida boasts almost 700 miles of sandy beaches that are perfect for swimming. But for fine, white sand, nothing beats Florida's northwest coastline. The Emerald Coast delights visitors with sugar-white shores.

The emerald green waters that wash those shores give the coastline its name. In years past, just a few villages dotted the area. Today, tourists from around the world arrive to see what USAToday.com called "the best beach in the United States." The friendly, small-town atmosphere still exists along with luxury hotels and five-star restaurants.

The sands of time
Everyone visiting the region for the first time is amazed by the color and texture of the sand. Many beaches have coarse, hot sand, which makes walking on them difficult. But the famous sand of the northwest Florida beaches is  powdery fine and cooler than most.

The sand started out as quartz from the Appalachian Mountains and traveled down streams into the Gulf of Mexico. Over time, the pieces were broken up, bleached and polished, and covered the trademark beaches of the Emerald Coast. 

The "World's Luckiest Fishing Village"
One of the most popular activities along the coastline is fishing, and Destin, Florida, is world-renowned for the sport. The small coastal town claims the title of "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village." Of the 4.5 million people who visit the Emerald Coast each year, over 80 percent travel to Destin. For those who plan to fish, endless opportunities await them there, both from the shore and on a boat.

Destin is best known for deep-sea fishing, with a fleet of more than 140 fishing boats to choose from. The boats offer half-day or full-day fishing trips, many providing, snacks, bait and free lessons, if needed. Most of the boats can carry 25 to 105 people, and everyone onboard is hoping to snag a 400-pounder! As they say in Destin, "you'll come for the beach, but you'll be back for the fishing!"

"Here comes the bride"
The Emerald Coast is also a popular destination for weddings. Many consider the ocean backdrop and the pure, white sand under their feet the perfect setting for an unforgettable wedding day!

Dolphin watch

All along the Emerald Coast, dolphin watching ranks as one of the favorite activities for visitors of all ages. Numerous dolphin cruises are available, or you can sometimes spot the friendly mammals at dusk, playfully swimming close to share.

Sampling the local fare
Everyone agrees that the local seafood is not to be missed. The Emerald Coast offers over 100 restaurants, many with waterfront views and delicious seafood caught daily. After the BP Oil Spill in 2010, many feared that northwest Florida's seafood industry would be ruined forever. But today, extensive tests have shown the seafood to be safe, and customers are once again flocking to the area's restaurants.

Something for everyone
No matter what your favorite activity happens to be, you'll probably find it on the Emerald Coast. The family-friendly region provides amazing golf courses, great shopping, fun-filled water parks, museums, marine life shows and more! But maybe a relaxing walk on the beach is your preference. If so, the clear waters and the white sand await. Why not make the Emerald Coast your next vacation destination!


Vocabulary Tips:
emerald - a deep bright green color, a bit transparent.翡翠
coastline - the edge line of the coast .海岸线。
*The beautiful coastline of California has always been one of photographers' favorite sites.
* We drove slowly along the rugged coastline.
wild-range of activities : golf, scooters, snorkeling, scuba diving, banana boat, jet-ski, parasailing etc.
coarse - rough, not soft, not comfortable when people walk on it.粗劣，粗躁的。
*The carpenter is sanding the coarse surface of this piece of wood.
*The jacket's coarse fabric made it uncomfortable to wear.
coarse -粗俗的.
*His coarse language offended everyone present.
quartz- a type of rock. 石英石。
delight - pleasant. joyful. (n) 喜悦，愉快, (v) 使开心，使高兴。
*The comedian's humorous performances always delight his audiences.
*Tod's good grades at school delighted his family.
bleach - take all color away. (n)漂白剂，  (v) 使退色，漂白。
*Mom bleached all our white socks yesterday.
*The bleached wood gave the living room a clean look.
*Household bleach is good at removing mold.
world-renowned - very famous, is known by all the world. well-known and respected.
coastal (adj)- describe that the area along the coastline.
await /wait :等待，期待.
await - is waiting for someone.不及物动词，后面不需加"”介系词，。wait -是及物动词，后面 要加 "for"， 再加“受词”。"wait for" ="await"
*Wesley was anxiously awaiting his physical exam's results.
*The long awaited album will be released next month.
*Josh was waiting for his mom to pick him up.
shore- the edge of the coast, (ocean).岸边。
endless - so many that never end.
deep-sea fishing - go far to the ocean to fishing in a deep water. 深海钓鱼。
fleet - a group of boats. (Navy in the army), sometimes use on other vehicles, but mainly use on the "a group of boast".
snag - to get or to caught something by acting very quickly.抢到，抓到机会。
snagged/ snagging -
*Steve snagged the contract from his competitors.
*Joe snagged the ball and passed to his teammate.
400-pounder - weight about 400 pound fish. pounder refer to how much in weight.
"Here comes the bride" - a song, here refer to wedding.
backdrop - a setting of the background. 背景
setting - a location or a place with beautiful landscaping or background.布景。
dusk- refer the time when is from sunset to the dark. 薄暮， 黄昏 (at)
*Many fishermen come back to the harbor at dusk.
*Dad works from dawn till dusk everyday.
*The zoo closes at dusk, so we'd better hurry up.
waterfront - build next to the water, lake, ocean. waterfront view. 水边，频临水区，湖边，海边。
*The hotel on the waterfront is a popular site for tourists.
*The cabin was built on the lake's waterfront.
*Those high-rise buildings on the waterfront are very expensive.
extensive - effect to big. do more extra of something. 扩大，广泛的，广大的. "ex" -向外之意。
*The earthquake caused extensive damage in this area.
*The professor is conducting extensive research into the impacts of global warming. 温室效应的影响。
BP Oil Spill - refer to BP deep oil machine spill and ruined the ocean and sea creatures event.
sampling - taste, try something.
flock - refer to a large group of bird. describe that people like a large group of bird toward a place.
region - area, place. 地区，范围，境界，领域，行政领域管区。区块。身体的一部，某部位。
marine life show - like SeaWorld,  tons of see animals trained to performing specialties.
marine (adj) -海的，海生的，海产的。航海的，航舶的。海上的，海军的，海运的。海军陆战队
marine (n)-海军陆战士兵，海军部，舰队。海运业。海景区，
rugged - 崎岖不平的。


Word / idiom Tips:
sand (n) -砂 （不可数名词）当要用数时，要说“grain"
When you would like to mention how many sands, you need to say "grain".
a grain of sand.-一粒砂
The sands of time - 古老文明用法，指“时间，光阴，岁月”。refer to time,  is running and is running out.Carpe Diem -（拉丁文）
The sands of time are running out.长日将尽，时间剩下不多了
hourglass - 砂漏 .
seize the day -， 把握时间，不要浪费了。
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tourist/vacationer -游客，离家到外面旅游的游客。
tourist -指那些游客，旅游者通常拿着照像，时间安排得很紧凑，到处跑，看， 及拍照。
vacationer -休闲的游客，通常只在一个定点呆下来，放松自己，悠闲享受当地的实景， 或躺在休闲椅上看书。不急不忙着去到处走，到处看，到处拍照。
*Stunning scenery and a wide range of activities draw tourists to the coast of northwest Florida.
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user-friendly - friendly to users that let user easy to use it. 对使用者很方便， 很友善。
environmentally friendly -对环境友善。
eco-friendly -很环保。
family-friendly - suitable for whole family, don't have to worry about any bad behavior or bad language against family value. It's safe for any age of people, and small children. 适合全家大小的，对家庭友善的。

Solo-Travel Safety

It pays to be careful when you travel alone 單人旅遊的安全問題
一個人旅行時,處處小心總是值得的。


SC: Tell us about your travels.
JW: I started  traveling internationally when I was 20. Since then, I've lived in five countries and visited about 21 others. I enjoy traveling because I'm pretty curious by nature. Most of the time, I've had delightful experiences but not always...
SC: Do tell.
JW: Once I went to the Philippines for a weekend trip. While I was there, some local I met put drugs in my food and stole my money.
SC: Really! What happened?
JW: I met some local people who helped me get on the right bus to the beach. I assumed they were safe because most of them were women in their 40s. They showed me around for a couple of hours, and then we stopped at their friend's house to eat.  When we started to eat, they offered me a separate plate, but I thought that might be a cultural thing. I didn't know they had drugged the food, but I was a little wary when they pressured me to finish the entire dish. We weren't in a public place, so I couldn't ask for help or make an excuse and leave. So I ate it and then blacked out.
SC:  Were you OK?
JW: Surprisingly, yes. I woke up the next morning in my hostel in Manila, but I couldn't remember how I had gotten there. Amazingly, they hadn't stolen my phone, so I called my parents right away. Then I went to the American Embassy to report the crime. The authorities told me that the people I had met belonged to a gang that commits this kind of crime all the time. They drug people and then take them to ATMs and withdraw cash with the victim's "help." When I checked my bank accounts, I found out they had taken money out. I must have told them my PIN while I was drugged.
SC: Was there anything you could have done to avoid this?
JW: Yes and no. I couldn't help traveling alone-those were just my circumstances at the time. And I think it's normal to want to go out and explore. But I could have been more cautious and refused their offer to show me around.
SC: Will you continue traveling?
JW: Yes, I'm still curious, and I think that traveling is generally pretty safe. It's just important to be alert and cautious when you travel... and to take precautions.


Vocabulary Tips:
Delightful- very joyful, pleasant.愉快的，开心的。
*We had a delightful evening at the party last night.
*Tina is a delightful travel companion. 很好，很愉快的。。
*You can enjoy your afternoon tea in this delightful garden.
assume- believe to be true without question it. 以为，假设。
*I assume everyone here already knows each other.
assume that - 信以为是，认为是。
*I assumed that you would come to help out today.
*People often assume that women are not as determined as men.
black out - become unconscious, not wake, pass out, fall over for a short period of time, not die.
*After the marathon, one of the contestants suddenly blacked out. 不省人事，丧失意志。
*When he blacked out, he fell from the stairs.
it pays to be careful -處處小心總是值得的
it pays to be something -。。總是值得的  meant that you pay for it to have benefit.
curious - want to learn about..
do tell - please go on, would like to hear more, please tell us more, let us know more about it.
wary - not complete to be sure, not certain, does not fully trust it (them).
pressure - forced to do, push hard.
hostel - a place for people to stay over night, cheap in price but more people share a room with you.
embassy - an office in other country that represent its country.
gang - a group people hang out together.
withdraw - (withdrew, withdrawn) take out, take away.提款。
*Larry withdrew $500 from his account.
withdraw -撤回，取消。
* The troop was withdrawn and sent to another base.
PIN - personal identification number.
Surprisingly - she can walk away with her life.
cautious - to be careful。小心的，谨慎的。
* As an accountant, you have to be very cautious with money.
*Bob is very cautious about what he says.
caution, be caution - be careful. be alert .小心，谨慎。特别小心，非常谨慎
*This machine needs to be operated with extreme caution.
alert - pay attention.，留意，提高警觉
precautions - take cation, do something to protect you, or prepare something that make your sure is safe.
pre-“预先” caution -小心，谨慎。 precaution -预防警惕。留心，警戒。预防措施
take precautions - 采取预防措施。
* The residents along the river bank were informed to take precautions before the hurricane hit.

Grammar Tips:
I enjoy traveling because I'm pretty curious by nature.
"by nature" - having the natural characteristic of what was just said.
Ronald never practices his English because he is quite lazy by nature.
"by nature" -common character.
Cats are territorial by nature.

Word/idiom Tips:
drug / medicine -
drug - can be medicine to cure the body. 也指麻醉药品，毒品。
take medicine - not "eat" medicine.
go to drugstore to get medicine at pharmacy. 药庄店，药品，药局
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help -帮助
help -避免，阻止，通常前面都会加“can't“ - can't help
can't help oneself -不由自主，无法自制。
I couldn't help traveling alone - those were just my circumstances at the time.
I did it because I couldn't help it.

Renaissance Fairs

Traveling back in time is more popular than ever 文藝復興嘉年華

回到過去變得前所未有地更流 行了。

Imagine that while walking through a park one day, you begin to notice strange things all around you. People in colorful costumes from centuries ago stroll the paths. A juggler is doing amazing tricks. Musicians play odd melodies on weird instruments. Knights on horseback show their skills in riding competitions. The smell of roasting meat begins to make your mouth water. A pleasant voice shouts, "Good morrow!"

What is going on? Have you traveled back in time?   In a way, yes. You have found yourself in the midst of a Renaissance fair! Since the 1960s, Renaissance fairs have grown in popularity in the U.S. and Canada. Communities in at least  44 states and two Canadian provinces now hold annual Renaissance fairs. Over 200 fairs are held every year, with 40 in California alone. The first Renaissance fair was started in the 1960s by a school teacher in southern California named Phyllis Patterson. She wanted to give her students a real-life history experience, so she created the "Renaissance Faire" in her backyard. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since Renaissance fairs are "living history," you might think they are designed to be primarily educational. It's true that some people try to make the fairs as genuine as possible. However, for many others, the key word is entertainment. With all the jugglers, musicians and magicians meandering about, you will definitely be entertained. A renaissance fair will be a feast for your eyes and your ears, not to mention your stomach.

You can enjoy sampling the food and drink while watching parades and live animal displays. Browse through the booths and admire the artwork and handicrafts. You are sure to be both educated and entertained. If you're wondering how to dress to attend a Renaissance fair, that's up to you. Some people go all out and dress up in costumes. Others just go in their normal, everyday clothes. However you dress, you're sure to be overwhelmed by the sights and sounds and smells of a Renaissance fair. And if you have ever wanted to travel back in time, here's your chance.

Grammar Tips:
As they say in Destin, "You'll come for the beach, but you'll be back for the fishing!"
"As they say in Destin." - "they" -means " people".
As they say, "History repeats itself," so don't be surprised if you see the same mistake happening again.
Old Mr. Richardson still goes to the post office to mail letters and refuses to learn how to use email, as they say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Vocabulary:
stroll (n)- slowly walk, walk slow.慢步，散步，闲逛，逛逛。
*We strolled along the beach and watched the sunset.
*Jasmine strolled up the hill to pick some wild berries.
*Grandma took a stroll to the market after breakfast.
Good morrow!- hello, or have a good day.
realize - found one'self actually in that..
backyard - a space behind the house, usually has fence surround it.
Make one's mouth water -令人流口水的，垂涎三尺。 "water" -流口水
*The smell of freshly baked muffins makes my mouth water.
*Mom's famous roasted chicken made our mouth water.
in a way - 就某种程度上或某方面而言。
*Even though Erin's remark was kind of harsh, in a way, she was right.
*Joining the football team was, in a way, a good chance for the boy to learn discipline.
expansion (n) - "ex" - 向外之意。扩充。
*Our Company's goal next year is the expansion to offshore markets.
*The school building's expansion will be completed in summer.
expand (v)-扩展。
*Naomi is thinking about expanding her bakery chain.
original - first start. very beginning.
*The artist's original painting is displayed in the Louvre.
*The original home owner took good care of the house.
decrease - "de"-减少之意
*Our sales decreased by eight percent last year.
*The unemployment rate decreased last quarter.
decrease opposite is increase.
The company increased their investment in Korea.
meander -walk slowly without set a direction. 漫无目标的漫步，
*The couple meandered through the garden.
*Visitors like to meander about the streets of this beautiful town.
meander -迂回前进，弯延的。
*We took a path that meandered along the river.
go all out -put all your strength, energy, time and afford to it.竭尽所能的。
*Our team went all out to win the game.
*The actress went all out to portray this well-known character.
*The government is going all out to stop the spread of the disease.
overwhelm -extremely of something that effect to you. can be in positive and negative way..使之受不了，或不知所措。
*When I moved to New York, the pace and lifestyle of the big city overwhelmed me.
*Kelly was overwhelmed by the kindness of her boss. 感动的不知所措。
career- profession, position in specialties.职业。
genuine- very real, real. very honest, true (person) and not being fake.真品。真的。
key word - the most important part of something.
juggler - a person who juggle balls in the air.
browse - take look, look around it. store window browsing.
up to you - depend on you what you decided to do.

Word/idiom Tips:
the traffic is light -
the traffic is heavy -
traffic jam -不能说traffic is jam, the correct way to say: the traffic is heavy
bumper -汽车前头的保险杆。
"bumper- to- bumper "- 形容交通拥挤的车头杆前后几乎碰在一块。
rush hour - usually, the rush hour last for more than an hour, but we don't say "rush hours".尖锋时间。交通格外拥挤的时段，用单数。
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history - 历史，过去的事。
He is history - 他玩完了，犯了重大错误，他已成历史。
career is history -事业已成历史。不用再混了的意思。
The rest, as they say, is history. 人人皆知就不用再多言。
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a feast for the eyes.饱享眼福。
feast -盛宴，酒席。满足口腹之欲。也可形容“看”“听”“感官”上的享受。
A Renaissance fair will be a feast for your eyes and your ears, not to mention your stomach. 视听的享受， 。。
feast your eyes on the Grand Canyon.
food for thought -思想上的粮食。值得深思的材料，对思想有启发性的作用。