牙醫達人 Don't forget to brush 別忘了刷牙喔！by Simon stopps
SC: Why are people so terrified of dentists?
JC: Patients can't see what a dentist is doing in their mouths. All they can see are scary-looking instruments. And then there is the drill and the terrible, high-pitched noise it makes. There's also the inevitable pain caused by having a needle stuck in your mouth. Scariest of all are the stories of bad experiences your friends have told you. Put all of those things together and people can't help but be scared of dentists!
SC: What should I look for when choosing a good dentist?
JC: You should try to find a kind and patient dentist who will listen to you. You can also try dentists that are recommended by your friends.
SC: What's the best way to prevent dental problems?
JC: The best way to prevent dental problems is to take good care of your own teeth. Brush your teeth after eating, and more importantly, use dental floss after every meal. It's also important to go to the dentist for a routine checkup every three to six months.
SC: Is there such a thing as brushing your teeth too much?
JC: The outer surface of a tooth is enamel. It is the hardest part of the human body, but the thickness of the enamel does not increase throughout your life. Rather, it decreases because it wears out.
SC: Why is flossing so important?
JC: Brushing can only remove the plaque from the smooth surfaces of your teeth. A lot of food actually gets trapped between teeth. Flossing is the most effective way to clean that food out. If you brush your teeth too hard day after day, you will wear down the enamel. Then your teeth will become more sensitive and might even develop cavities.
SC: How do you know when it's time to visit the dentist?
JC: In addition to your routine checkups, you should also go to the dentist if you have any problems with your teeth. If you feel any discomfort- a toothache or heat sensitivity- go to the dentist Even if you don't have pain, but just discoloration, bleeding gums or swelling, you should still go to the dentist. Dentists can cure dental diseases and make peple healthier.
Grammar:
Scariest of all are the stories of bad experiences your friends have told you.
*The stories of bad experiences your friends have told you are the scariest of all.
What is so scary?
The stories of bad experiences your friends have told you.
Talk about "The most of something" use "Adjective + be+verb + subject"
Everyone at the party wore a silly costume, and Regina's outfit was the most ridiculous one.
Everyone at the party wore a silly costume; most ridiculous of all was Regina's outfit.
Paul sampled many kinds of dishes on his trip; deep-fried insects were the strangest things he ate.
Paul sampled many kinds of dishes on his trip; strangest of all were deep-fried insects.
Vocabulary Tips:
high-pitch = 音調高的，尖銳的音調pitch-音調，音量
*The high-pitched screeching tires of the passing car woke us up last night. 尖銳的輪胎磨擦聲。
dental-牙齒的，牙科的 dent-字根是“牙齒”
*Dental insurance isn't provided by our company.
*Karl's dental treatment cost us over $700.
*I have a dental appointment on Thursday.
checkup-檢查。
*Larry suffers from diabetes, so he has regular checkups with his doctor.
*Every company employee is required to have a physical checkup every year.
floss(n)牙綫 ,(v)-用牙綫潔牙。
*My dentist advises me to floss after every meal.
dental floss (n)-牙綫
*Mandy only uses un-waxed dental floss. 沒上蠟的
cavity-蛀牙
*The dentist filled my cavities during my last trip to his office.
*Eating too much candy can cause cavities.
*Regular brushing can lower the risk of getting cavities.
discomfort-不舒服。dis-有“否定”的意思，comfort-舒服
*The discomfort from my surgery lasted for almost a week.
*The medicine helps relieve the discomfort caused by injury.
discoloration-變了色的，失去了原有的顏色。change color from the original color.
Chat Room
teeth (n)-牙齒
teethe (v)-to teethe 長牙齒
The baby's teeth are coming in = teething. baby changing teeth.
teething- 長牙you also can say "come in" 不是"come out “是"come in" -“有了，永久齒有了
Baby長牙不能說成“grow teeth”要說"teething, or teeth are coming in" ，
grow-是人澆水，施肥，讓其長大。長牙不需要澆水，施肥，所以不能說
dentures=false teeth.假牙 denture 一定要加 "s“ 是用多數。
---------------------------------
wisdom tooth=molar
overcrowding-過分擁擠.
braces- 牙套,矯正牙齒器. brace + "s"-
molar-臼齒
canine-狗，犬齒
incisor-門牙
Showing posts with label Ask the Expert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ask the Expert. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Today’s Technology Trends
當今的科技趨勢A closer look at where technology is and where it is going by Simon Stopps
SC: What is the difference between computer science, computer engineering and management information systems (MIS)?
EC: In general, computer science tends to deal with theory, methods and processes. In computer engineering, the emphasis is on applying those theories to real-world situations. In contrast, Management Information Systems goes a step further and focuses on applying various technologies in business situations.
SC: What areas of computer technology are growing in importance?
EC: There are a lot of exciting things happening with technology right now. Currently, there is a lot of emphasis on mobile technologies-like cell phones. There is also a lot of interest in search technology, especially with regard to searching for things like images and videos.
SC: What area of computing are becoming less important?
EC: We are currently seeing a shift away from computer science and toward engineering and MIS. I don't know that it's because computer science is becoming less important. It's just that theory has developed so quickly that businesses need a chance to catch up with applications.
SC: What technological changes should we expect over the next little while?
EC: Basically, we are going to continue to see smaller, faster and more powerful devices. We are also moving toward more integrated technologies. In smart homes, for example, every thing is integrated. You can open windows and doors or turn on lights and appliances remotely.
SC: What impact are mobile technologies having?
EC: Originally, cell phones just made phone calls. Next, they sent text messages and then came images and video calls. Now we're seeing cell phones that make extensive use of extremely varied applications. Eventually, these applications should let us control the other integrated technologies in our lives, while we're on the move.
SC: What challenges will need to be faced as technology moves forward?
EC: In most cases, the technology is ready, but the need is not great enough to justify teh expense. The exception to this is in the area of surveillance. We also need to ensure dependable cell phone coverage as people move around, especially by plane or high-speed rail.
Grammar on the go:
What areas of computer technology are growing in important?
"growing in importance" =" becoming more important."
Having clean water to drink is a subject growing in importance.
"growing in"
"growing in popularity"
Ever since the bakery started selling their special cakes, the bakery has grow in popularity.
"growing in confidence"
Timothy's unique internship position has allowed him to grow in confidence.
Vocabulary Tips:
emphasis (n)- 強調重點 emphases (v)-
* The main emphasis of the program is to help foreign students to adjust more easily to the university.
* We should put more emphasis on the quality of our products instead of our marketing strategies.
shift-轉移,轉變change to
*The politician's drastic shift from supporting the Republican Party to the Democratic Party is a big risk.
*The poll is designed to collect information regarding the shift in consumers' demands.
application-應用,運用
*The applications from this research are mostly used in the field of medicine.
*Engineers are still working on developing a practical application of the theory.
justify-成爲某事的正當理由. give a good reason for something. it comes from " just"-公正的
*I find it very difficult to justify your frequent tardiness. 。。。為你的屢次遲到找到正當理由。
*Being offended doesn't justify your behavior. 被冒犯並不能成爲你行爲的正當理由。
dependable-可靠的，可信靠的。靠得住的
*You have to find a dependable accountant to manage your money.
*The car might not look very fancy, but it's quite dependable. 不很豪華但是很可靠。
coverage (n)- 含概的範圍。cover(v)-覆蓋
*The dictionary gives very good vocabulary coverage. 字典含概相當多的單字。
*People without any form of health coverage always get rejected by the hospital. 任何保險
impact-effect
integrate- technology all come together.
smart homes- it means the house build with many technology involved that make people's living much convenience
Chat Room
the Chair of the Computer Science Department
chair-椅子,.
chair係主任=chairman(男的)- chairwoman(女的), chairperson(中性)
chair (v)-主持
chair a meeting-主持一個會議
---------------------------------------
The exception to this is the area of surveillance.
exception- come from "except" -no exception, excluded.
There are no exceptions to the rule-每人都要遵守規則，每人可以例外。
except-（介係詞）除。。。之外。
Everyone is going to the party except me
except-（連接詞）但是，只是。however
I would go to the party, except I have a lot of work to do. 我很想。。。只是（但是）我有。。
accept- to receive, to agree, to take in. 接受， 接納。
SC: What is the difference between computer science, computer engineering and management information systems (MIS)?
EC: In general, computer science tends to deal with theory, methods and processes. In computer engineering, the emphasis is on applying those theories to real-world situations. In contrast, Management Information Systems goes a step further and focuses on applying various technologies in business situations.
SC: What areas of computer technology are growing in importance?
EC: There are a lot of exciting things happening with technology right now. Currently, there is a lot of emphasis on mobile technologies-like cell phones. There is also a lot of interest in search technology, especially with regard to searching for things like images and videos.
SC: What area of computing are becoming less important?
EC: We are currently seeing a shift away from computer science and toward engineering and MIS. I don't know that it's because computer science is becoming less important. It's just that theory has developed so quickly that businesses need a chance to catch up with applications.
SC: What technological changes should we expect over the next little while?
EC: Basically, we are going to continue to see smaller, faster and more powerful devices. We are also moving toward more integrated technologies. In smart homes, for example, every thing is integrated. You can open windows and doors or turn on lights and appliances remotely.
SC: What impact are mobile technologies having?
EC: Originally, cell phones just made phone calls. Next, they sent text messages and then came images and video calls. Now we're seeing cell phones that make extensive use of extremely varied applications. Eventually, these applications should let us control the other integrated technologies in our lives, while we're on the move.
SC: What challenges will need to be faced as technology moves forward?
EC: In most cases, the technology is ready, but the need is not great enough to justify teh expense. The exception to this is in the area of surveillance. We also need to ensure dependable cell phone coverage as people move around, especially by plane or high-speed rail.
Grammar on the go:
What areas of computer technology are growing in important?
"growing in importance" =" becoming more important."
Having clean water to drink is a subject growing in importance.
"growing in"
"growing in popularity"
Ever since the bakery started selling their special cakes, the bakery has grow in popularity.
"growing in confidence"
Timothy's unique internship position has allowed him to grow in confidence.
Vocabulary Tips:
emphasis (n)- 強調重點 emphases (v)-
* The main emphasis of the program is to help foreign students to adjust more easily to the university.
* We should put more emphasis on the quality of our products instead of our marketing strategies.
shift-轉移,轉變change to
*The politician's drastic shift from supporting the Republican Party to the Democratic Party is a big risk.
*The poll is designed to collect information regarding the shift in consumers' demands.
application-應用,運用
*The applications from this research are mostly used in the field of medicine.
*Engineers are still working on developing a practical application of the theory.
justify-成爲某事的正當理由. give a good reason for something. it comes from " just"-公正的
*I find it very difficult to justify your frequent tardiness. 。。。為你的屢次遲到找到正當理由。
*Being offended doesn't justify your behavior. 被冒犯並不能成爲你行爲的正當理由。
dependable-可靠的，可信靠的。靠得住的
*You have to find a dependable accountant to manage your money.
*The car might not look very fancy, but it's quite dependable. 不很豪華但是很可靠。
coverage (n)- 含概的範圍。cover(v)-覆蓋
*The dictionary gives very good vocabulary coverage. 字典含概相當多的單字。
*People without any form of health coverage always get rejected by the hospital. 任何保險
impact-effect
integrate- technology all come together.
smart homes- it means the house build with many technology involved that make people's living much convenience
Chat Room
the Chair of the Computer Science Department
chair-椅子,.
chair係主任=chairman(男的)- chairwoman(女的), chairperson(中性)
chair (v)-主持
chair a meeting-主持一個會議
---------------------------------------
The exception to this is the area of surveillance.
exception- come from "except" -no exception, excluded.
There are no exceptions to the rule-每人都要遵守規則，每人可以例外。
except-（介係詞）除。。。之外。
Everyone is going to the party except me
except-（連接詞）但是，只是。however
I would go to the party, except I have a lot of work to do. 我很想。。。只是（但是）我有。。
accept- to receive, to agree, to take in. 接受， 接納。
Friday, October 22, 2010
In the Kitchen with a Chef
主廚達人What really happens in the kitchen? by Ruth Devlin
So: Shat is the difference between a chef and a cook?
DW: Cooks generally work at entry-level jobs. They work at different places in the kitchen and follow recipes. Chefs have special training and know which foods go well together, so they can invent new recipes.
SC: How do you become a chef?
DW: There are many culinary schools both in the U.S. and abroad. All are good -you really can't pick the best one. You get out of the course what you put into it. Eighty percent of being a chef is technique-learning how to do things. The other 20 percent is natural ability.
SC: Describe the day of a chef.
DW: I generally go to work two hours before service starts. The night before, we will have written lists of all the things we need to prepare when we get there. I get everything ready, and then we begin service. I work in different roles depending on what is needed. Typically, it's a 10 to 12-hour day. I stay about an hour after service is done to make sure all the prep lists are written for the next day. Then I close down the kitchen.
SC: How important are measurements when following a recipe?
DW: You know, I've been cooking for so long, I do it all by feel now. But for the average cook, measurements are essential. There's an old saying: "you can add to a recipe but you can't take away. "So you need to follow what the basic recipe says, but it's OK to add a little spice or change it around a bit. We have recipes, so you or I or anyone can follow the recipe and have the food turn out well.
SC: Which spices should be used with which foods and why?
DW:The spice used is closely related to the culture the food you're cooking comes from. You use those spices to make the food taste genuine. In Western cooking, certain spices generally go well with certain foods. Rosemary and garlic go really well with pork. Thyme and black pepper go well with chicken. Citrus is also very good with poultry.
SC: Do you have any tips you would like to share?
DW: To be a professional chef, you need to apply yourself and have a passion for what you're doing. It feels good to make food people really enjoy.
More Information
Restaurant kitchens can have a number of different kinds of chefs. The executive chef, or head chef is responsible for the menu. The executive chef also comes up with new recipes, hires, fires, trains, and oversees the organization of the kitchen and is daily operations. A sous chef is the head chef's "right hand man" and the kitchen's "second in command". The sous chef does a lot of cooking.
Grammar on the go:
Eighty percent of being a chef is technique-learning how to do things. The other 20 percent is natural ability.
"eighty", "20"
RULE:
Beginning sentence with number, the number have to spell out except "YEAR".
Spell out the number if it is 10 or below,
if the number is 11 or more, or shows percentage use "number form"
1999 was a difficult year for the Jones Family.
Twenty customers came into the store and bought 200 apples.
Thomas Edison once said, "Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.
....life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.
Vocabulary Tips:
entry-level-最基層的，入門的，初階的,初級的 entry-進入,入門.
*Oliver just graduated from school and accepted an entry-level job at a nearby company.
*He took an entry-level course in Economics in college.
culinary-烹飪, 烹調
*Under the famous chef, Jack learned a lot of culinary skills.
*Mom planted some herbs in her garden so she could create some culinary masterpieces in her kitchen.
*The chef graduated from a culinary academy in France.烹飪學院
prep-凖備,預備. 作好凖備.
prepped/prepping
*Ricky is prepping for his midterm.期中考試
essential-不可或缺的,極其重要的very important
*Accurate marketing strategies are essential for a company's success.
*It is essential to include all team members in each discussion.
genuine- 很道地的,真的,真正的 not fake, is real, authentic
*It's not easy to find genuine Indian food in this little town.
*This chair is undoubtedly a genuine 15th century antique.
*He looked at the wounded cat with genuine concern.
citrus-柑橘類
citrus fruit-柑橘類水果
a citrus tree-橘樹
*Mom enjoys citrus tea a lot.
*This citrus orchard is quite famous for its jam. 果園....果醬
Poultry-any kind of bird's meat.
Chat Room:
get delivery-餐館外送的服務,
takeout- (美)打電話去餐館,然後去餐館拿.
takeaway-(英)' '' '' ''
to go-直接去餐館點菜帶走,帶囘去吃.
"For here of to go? "
lunchbox- means the container, box itself.
cold lunch-carry food or sandwich to school, serve cold.
hot lunch - eat at the school cafe which serve hot food.
------------------------------
spice-香料,調味品,也可指"趣味"
spice (v) up-加添趣味,加添調味料
spice up your life.-加添人生樂趣
Variety is the spice of life.-變化是人生的趣味.
So: Shat is the difference between a chef and a cook?
DW: Cooks generally work at entry-level jobs. They work at different places in the kitchen and follow recipes. Chefs have special training and know which foods go well together, so they can invent new recipes.
SC: How do you become a chef?
DW: There are many culinary schools both in the U.S. and abroad. All are good -you really can't pick the best one. You get out of the course what you put into it. Eighty percent of being a chef is technique-learning how to do things. The other 20 percent is natural ability.
SC: Describe the day of a chef.
DW: I generally go to work two hours before service starts. The night before, we will have written lists of all the things we need to prepare when we get there. I get everything ready, and then we begin service. I work in different roles depending on what is needed. Typically, it's a 10 to 12-hour day. I stay about an hour after service is done to make sure all the prep lists are written for the next day. Then I close down the kitchen.
SC: How important are measurements when following a recipe?
DW: You know, I've been cooking for so long, I do it all by feel now. But for the average cook, measurements are essential. There's an old saying: "you can add to a recipe but you can't take away. "So you need to follow what the basic recipe says, but it's OK to add a little spice or change it around a bit. We have recipes, so you or I or anyone can follow the recipe and have the food turn out well.
SC: Which spices should be used with which foods and why?
DW:The spice used is closely related to the culture the food you're cooking comes from. You use those spices to make the food taste genuine. In Western cooking, certain spices generally go well with certain foods. Rosemary and garlic go really well with pork. Thyme and black pepper go well with chicken. Citrus is also very good with poultry.
SC: Do you have any tips you would like to share?
DW: To be a professional chef, you need to apply yourself and have a passion for what you're doing. It feels good to make food people really enjoy.
More Information
Restaurant kitchens can have a number of different kinds of chefs. The executive chef, or head chef is responsible for the menu. The executive chef also comes up with new recipes, hires, fires, trains, and oversees the organization of the kitchen and is daily operations. A sous chef is the head chef's "right hand man" and the kitchen's "second in command". The sous chef does a lot of cooking.
Grammar on the go:
Eighty percent of being a chef is technique-learning how to do things. The other 20 percent is natural ability.
"eighty", "20"
RULE:
Beginning sentence with number, the number have to spell out except "YEAR".
Spell out the number if it is 10 or below,
if the number is 11 or more, or shows percentage use "number form"
1999 was a difficult year for the Jones Family.
Twenty customers came into the store and bought 200 apples.
Thomas Edison once said, "Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.
....life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.
Vocabulary Tips:
entry-level-最基層的，入門的，初階的,初級的 entry-進入,入門.
*Oliver just graduated from school and accepted an entry-level job at a nearby company.
*He took an entry-level course in Economics in college.
culinary-烹飪, 烹調
*Under the famous chef, Jack learned a lot of culinary skills.
*Mom planted some herbs in her garden so she could create some culinary masterpieces in her kitchen.
*The chef graduated from a culinary academy in France.烹飪學院
prep-凖備,預備. 作好凖備.
prepped/prepping
*Ricky is prepping for his midterm.期中考試
essential-不可或缺的,極其重要的very important
*Accurate marketing strategies are essential for a company's success.
*It is essential to include all team members in each discussion.
genuine- 很道地的,真的,真正的 not fake, is real, authentic
*It's not easy to find genuine Indian food in this little town.
*This chair is undoubtedly a genuine 15th century antique.
*He looked at the wounded cat with genuine concern.
citrus-柑橘類
citrus fruit-柑橘類水果
a citrus tree-橘樹
*Mom enjoys citrus tea a lot.
*This citrus orchard is quite famous for its jam. 果園....果醬
Poultry-any kind of bird's meat.
Chat Room:
get delivery-餐館外送的服務,
takeout- (美)打電話去餐館,然後去餐館拿.
takeaway-(英)' '' '' ''
to go-直接去餐館點菜帶走,帶囘去吃.
"For here of to go? "
lunchbox- means the container, box itself.
cold lunch-carry food or sandwich to school, serve cold.
hot lunch - eat at the school cafe which serve hot food.
------------------------------
spice-香料,調味品,也可指"趣味"
spice (v) up-加添趣味,加添調味料
spice up your life.-加添人生樂趣
Variety is the spice of life.-變化是人生的趣味.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Real World of Real Estate
房地產達人This month’s expert explains the cost and value of home. Understanding the cost and value of home本月邀請專家來解釋房屋的成本和價值 by Simon Stopps
Mike Zai, a veteran of the American housing bubble, currently works as an analyst for a New York-based hedge fund company.
SC: Why are houses such an important part of the economy?
MZ: Houses play an important role in the economy because average consumers store most of their net worth in real estate. They are also important because people don't just invest in houses; they also live in them.
SC: What pushes housing prices higher?
MZ: House prices are typically driven by a number of factors including inventory levels, interest rates, employment rates and income levels. Sometimes, governments initiate programs to keep home prices at a certain level.
SC: What is a housing inventory? What affects it?
MZ: The term housing inventory refers to the number of houses that are being sold on the open market. Housing inventory typically includes newly built homes, older properties being sold by their owners and properties that lenders obtain through foreclosure. When there is a high demand for houses inventory is low because people are buying houses as soon as they are put up for sale. When demand is low, inventory is high because houses aren't selling and are staying on the market longer.
SC: What is a housing bubble?
MZ: A housing bubble is an economic situation that occurs when home prices rise faster than inflation and income. Housing bubbles happen when there's a high demand for homes in a particular area. In a bubble, investors purchase homes in hopes of flipping them for a profit after they appreciate in value.
SC: How does a housing bubble affect homeowners?
MZ; Home prices become so artificially high that peoples' monthly incomes cannot pay for the mortgages on their properties. People keep buying houses, though, because they think the risk of paying a high mortgage will pay off if they can sell at a profit.
SC: How is the situation corrected?
MZ: housing bubbles are resolved when income levels rise to match the high cost of homes or when home prices fall to match income levels. Usually, home prices fall because income levels are much less volatile than home prices. When people cannot afford to pay their mortgages anymore, their homes go into foreclosure and are sold for less than the market price. This, in turn, causes the prices of the market to decline.
More Information:
When it comes to real estate bubbles, thee are two different schools of thought. One group of economists say bubbles cannot be identified, they are a natural part of an economic cycle and so, should just run their course. Another group says bubbles can be predicted, because they affected economy in such a negative way, should be controlled and prevented-if possible.
Grammar Tips:
.....investors purchase homes in hopes of flipping them for a profit after they appreciate in value.
"in hopes of " = to expect or wish for something.
*Investors purchase homes and expect to flip them for a profit after they appreciate in value
"in hopes that"-
David bought an expensive gift for his wife in hopes that she would change her mind about not going fishing with him.
"in the hope of" -
In the hope of a better tomorrow. Let's work harder at making our planet a cleaner and safer place to live.
Vocabulary Tips
inventory-存貨，存貨清單
*The car dealership has a large inventory of used cars.
*Our boss told us to take a comprehensive inventory of our goods. 商品存貨做全面清點
*The company had a sale and sold most of their inventory.
open market- 公開市場自由銷售open-公開
*We intended to sell our house to our friends or family, but now we've had to put it on the open market. 公開出（求）售
foreclosure-bank or lender taking back the house. 取消贖回權。
*Wesley hasn't paid his loan for months, and is now facing foreclosure.
*The foreclosure procedure will take 2 months.
flip-turn.翻轉，抛，擲
flipped/flipping-
*I lost my place in the book because the wind flipped my pages as I was reading.
*Let's flip a coin to decide who wins.
mortgage (n)-貸款，房貸或抵押．＂＂不發音
*Sandy finally paid off her mortgage.
*The monthly mortgage payment of this house is over $1000.
Mortgage (v)-向銀行或貸款公司貸款．
The house was mortgaged a second time.
volatile-波動，不穩定．change very fast
*Experts advised withdrawing money from the volatile stock market.
*Currency exchange rates have been volatile lately.
decline-decrease, go down
Chat Room
house-hunting-（想買房子）而找房子
hunt-獵取，打獵，或物色，尋找。
half bathroom=powder room- without bathtub or shower, only toilet and sink.
full bathroom-with bathtub or shower.
---------------------------------
bubble-泡沫，幻想，不實際的希望．
housing bubble-房市泡沫．
burst someone's bubble-戳破某人的泡沫，即潑某人的冷水，或掃某人的興．
bubbly-活潑，（友善的，很快活開朗的）
Ashley has a bubbly personality. 有活潑外向的個性．
Mike Zai, a veteran of the American housing bubble, currently works as an analyst for a New York-based hedge fund company.
SC: Why are houses such an important part of the economy?
MZ: Houses play an important role in the economy because average consumers store most of their net worth in real estate. They are also important because people don't just invest in houses; they also live in them.
SC: What pushes housing prices higher?
MZ: House prices are typically driven by a number of factors including inventory levels, interest rates, employment rates and income levels. Sometimes, governments initiate programs to keep home prices at a certain level.
SC: What is a housing inventory? What affects it?
MZ: The term housing inventory refers to the number of houses that are being sold on the open market. Housing inventory typically includes newly built homes, older properties being sold by their owners and properties that lenders obtain through foreclosure. When there is a high demand for houses inventory is low because people are buying houses as soon as they are put up for sale. When demand is low, inventory is high because houses aren't selling and are staying on the market longer.
SC: What is a housing bubble?
MZ: A housing bubble is an economic situation that occurs when home prices rise faster than inflation and income. Housing bubbles happen when there's a high demand for homes in a particular area. In a bubble, investors purchase homes in hopes of flipping them for a profit after they appreciate in value.
SC: How does a housing bubble affect homeowners?
MZ; Home prices become so artificially high that peoples' monthly incomes cannot pay for the mortgages on their properties. People keep buying houses, though, because they think the risk of paying a high mortgage will pay off if they can sell at a profit.
SC: How is the situation corrected?
MZ: housing bubbles are resolved when income levels rise to match the high cost of homes or when home prices fall to match income levels. Usually, home prices fall because income levels are much less volatile than home prices. When people cannot afford to pay their mortgages anymore, their homes go into foreclosure and are sold for less than the market price. This, in turn, causes the prices of the market to decline.
More Information:
When it comes to real estate bubbles, thee are two different schools of thought. One group of economists say bubbles cannot be identified, they are a natural part of an economic cycle and so, should just run their course. Another group says bubbles can be predicted, because they affected economy in such a negative way, should be controlled and prevented-if possible.
Grammar Tips:
.....investors purchase homes in hopes of flipping them for a profit after they appreciate in value.
"in hopes of " = to expect or wish for something.
*Investors purchase homes and expect to flip them for a profit after they appreciate in value
"in hopes that"-
David bought an expensive gift for his wife in hopes that she would change her mind about not going fishing with him.
"in the hope of" -
In the hope of a better tomorrow. Let's work harder at making our planet a cleaner and safer place to live.
Vocabulary Tips
inventory-存貨，存貨清單
*The car dealership has a large inventory of used cars.
*Our boss told us to take a comprehensive inventory of our goods. 商品存貨做全面清點
*The company had a sale and sold most of their inventory.
open market- 公開市場自由銷售open-公開
*We intended to sell our house to our friends or family, but now we've had to put it on the open market. 公開出（求）售
foreclosure-bank or lender taking back the house. 取消贖回權。
*Wesley hasn't paid his loan for months, and is now facing foreclosure.
*The foreclosure procedure will take 2 months.
flip-turn.翻轉，抛，擲
flipped/flipping-
*I lost my place in the book because the wind flipped my pages as I was reading.
*Let's flip a coin to decide who wins.
mortgage (n)-貸款，房貸或抵押．＂＂不發音
*Sandy finally paid off her mortgage.
*The monthly mortgage payment of this house is over $1000.
Mortgage (v)-向銀行或貸款公司貸款．
The house was mortgaged a second time.
volatile-波動，不穩定．change very fast
*Experts advised withdrawing money from the volatile stock market.
*Currency exchange rates have been volatile lately.
decline-decrease, go down
Chat Room
house-hunting-（想買房子）而找房子
hunt-獵取，打獵，或物色，尋找。
half bathroom=powder room- without bathtub or shower, only toilet and sink.
full bathroom-with bathtub or shower.
---------------------------------
bubble-泡沫，幻想，不實際的希望．
housing bubble-房市泡沫．
burst someone's bubble-戳破某人的泡沫，即潑某人的冷水，或掃某人的興．
bubbly-活潑，（友善的，很快活開朗的）
Ashley has a bubbly personality. 有活潑外向的個性．
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Life Coaching
生涯教練達人Meet a counselor who helps people change their futures. 來認識這位協助人們改造未來的諮商顧問 Helping people change their lives. by Simon Stopps
This month Studio Classroom talks to certified life coach Cinda Columb, M.A. With over 15 years of counseling experience, Columb offers workshops and seminars and helps groups and individuals increase their productivity and achieve their goals. She currently operates "Successfully Ever After," a counseling service in Minneapolis, Minn., USA.
SC: What is a life coach?
CC" A life coach is a trained specialist who works with people that want to improve their lives in specific ways.
SC: How are life coaches different from therapists?
CC: A life coach focuses on the present and moves forward by helping clients identify their goals, aspirations and dreams. The idea behind coaching is that there is nothing wrong with the client but that the client desires an even better life. Coaching has a broad focus and looks at one's entire life: health, relationships, career, spirituality and how they all fit together. In therapy the assumption is that there is something wrong that prevents a person from functioning normally. Therapy focuses on healing and correcting past problematic behavior. In therapy, you look back to determine what brought you to a place of disorder in your life.
SC: Why do people go to life coaches?
CC: There are many reasons people go to life coaches. Many clients want to change their occupation, find healthy relationships, deal with stress or deepen their self-understanding.
SC: What kinds of people can benefit from coaching?
CC: Anyone who wants to try new patterns and form new habits in their life can benefit from coaching. People who are open to new possibilities and prepared to do what is necessary to reach their goals benefit most.
SC: What happens in a typical life coaching session?
CC: I do a number of coaching "exercises" to get an accurate idea of a client's strengths and values. Questions are also a critical part of coaching. A simple question can have a long-term effect on a person's lifestyle. In every coaching session, I listen intently and repeat aloud the exact words I heard from the client. People often respond with enthusiasm and praise me for the wisdom of my words. I tell them I am simply saying their own words back to them.
SC: What results can people expect form life coaching?
CC: People who achieve their goals experience more peace of mind, satisfaction and success in life. Ideally, coaching helps people shift to a higher level of performance and achieve desired results more consistently. I often compare coaching to dropping a stone in the middle of a pond-it's amazing to watch the ripples move to the edges of the shore and sometimes even beyond.
Grammar
People who achieve their goals experience more peace of mind, satisfaction and success in life.
peace of mind-
peace-not being worried about anything.
Clarence finds it difficult to have peace of mind about investing in this global economic recession.
Ever since Helen has started attending church regularly, she has experienced peace of mind.
Vocabulary Tips
therapist-復建師,治療師 therapy-治療.
*Cindy is an experienced physical therapist.
* A speech therapist.
*Susie attended the group therapy session this morning. 參加了團體治療課程..
aspiration-抱負,熱切想達到的目標.
*Her aspirations to become a writer slowly faded after she got married.
*He has strong political aspirations.
disorder-失序, 也指"心理,或生理"上的失調. dis-是"否定"的字首. order-次序,秩序,良好得很狀況..
*The company was in a state of disorder after they announced the bankruptcy.
*She suffers from an eating disorder.
critical-關鍵性的，極其重要的。very important, can not without it.
*The patient is now at the critical stage of treatment, so he needs to be hospitalized.
*Bank funding plays a critical role in this merger.
intently-認真地，專注地 listen very careful, listening or watching with full attention.
*The kids watched the puppet show intently.
*The students listened intently when the teacher taught the new formula.新的方程式，公式。
ripple-漣漪，波紋，一陣陣 （鼓掌聲）it creates a small wave on the surface of the water when a stone drop in the pond.
*The kid threw a big stone into the lake and watched the ripples spread across the water.
*Ripple of applause ran through the audience during the circus.
ripple effect-漣漪效應，連鎖反應。
*The negative financial report caused a ripple effect on the stock market.
Chat Room
place "PH.D. , M.A., J.D., M.D., C.P.A." after the name. indicated the credential of the title or position. 學位或証照的縮寫..放在名字後面.
M.A.-Master Arts
J.D.-Juris Doctor-法律博士
C.P.A.-Certified Public Accountant.註冊會計師.
M.D.-Medical Doctor.醫學博士
B.A.-bechelor of Arts degree. (usually not placed after the name, because it's too common.)學士學位。
M.L.S.-Master Library Science
credentials-顯示身份,資格.
---------------------------------
metaphor- 隱喻All the world's a stage.
simile-明喻All the world is like a stage. add " as" or "like" in the sentence
This month Studio Classroom talks to certified life coach Cinda Columb, M.A. With over 15 years of counseling experience, Columb offers workshops and seminars and helps groups and individuals increase their productivity and achieve their goals. She currently operates "Successfully Ever After," a counseling service in Minneapolis, Minn., USA.
SC: What is a life coach?
CC" A life coach is a trained specialist who works with people that want to improve their lives in specific ways.
SC: How are life coaches different from therapists?
CC: A life coach focuses on the present and moves forward by helping clients identify their goals, aspirations and dreams. The idea behind coaching is that there is nothing wrong with the client but that the client desires an even better life. Coaching has a broad focus and looks at one's entire life: health, relationships, career, spirituality and how they all fit together. In therapy the assumption is that there is something wrong that prevents a person from functioning normally. Therapy focuses on healing and correcting past problematic behavior. In therapy, you look back to determine what brought you to a place of disorder in your life.
SC: Why do people go to life coaches?
CC: There are many reasons people go to life coaches. Many clients want to change their occupation, find healthy relationships, deal with stress or deepen their self-understanding.
SC: What kinds of people can benefit from coaching?
CC: Anyone who wants to try new patterns and form new habits in their life can benefit from coaching. People who are open to new possibilities and prepared to do what is necessary to reach their goals benefit most.
SC: What happens in a typical life coaching session?
CC: I do a number of coaching "exercises" to get an accurate idea of a client's strengths and values. Questions are also a critical part of coaching. A simple question can have a long-term effect on a person's lifestyle. In every coaching session, I listen intently and repeat aloud the exact words I heard from the client. People often respond with enthusiasm and praise me for the wisdom of my words. I tell them I am simply saying their own words back to them.
SC: What results can people expect form life coaching?
CC: People who achieve their goals experience more peace of mind, satisfaction and success in life. Ideally, coaching helps people shift to a higher level of performance and achieve desired results more consistently. I often compare coaching to dropping a stone in the middle of a pond-it's amazing to watch the ripples move to the edges of the shore and sometimes even beyond.
Grammar
People who achieve their goals experience more peace of mind, satisfaction and success in life.
peace of mind-
peace-not being worried about anything.
Clarence finds it difficult to have peace of mind about investing in this global economic recession.
Ever since Helen has started attending church regularly, she has experienced peace of mind.
Vocabulary Tips
therapist-復建師,治療師 therapy-治療.
*Cindy is an experienced physical therapist.
* A speech therapist.
*Susie attended the group therapy session this morning. 參加了團體治療課程..
aspiration-抱負,熱切想達到的目標.
*Her aspirations to become a writer slowly faded after she got married.
*He has strong political aspirations.
disorder-失序, 也指"心理,或生理"上的失調. dis-是"否定"的字首. order-次序,秩序,良好得很狀況..
*The company was in a state of disorder after they announced the bankruptcy.
*She suffers from an eating disorder.
critical-關鍵性的，極其重要的。very important, can not without it.
*The patient is now at the critical stage of treatment, so he needs to be hospitalized.
*Bank funding plays a critical role in this merger.
intently-認真地，專注地 listen very careful, listening or watching with full attention.
*The kids watched the puppet show intently.
*The students listened intently when the teacher taught the new formula.新的方程式，公式。
ripple-漣漪，波紋，一陣陣 （鼓掌聲）it creates a small wave on the surface of the water when a stone drop in the pond.
*The kid threw a big stone into the lake and watched the ripples spread across the water.
*Ripple of applause ran through the audience during the circus.
ripple effect-漣漪效應，連鎖反應。
*The negative financial report caused a ripple effect on the stock market.
Chat Room
place "PH.D. , M.A., J.D., M.D., C.P.A." after the name. indicated the credential of the title or position. 學位或証照的縮寫..放在名字後面.
M.A.-Master Arts
J.D.-Juris Doctor-法律博士
C.P.A.-Certified Public Accountant.註冊會計師.
M.D.-Medical Doctor.醫學博士
B.A.-bechelor of Arts degree. (usually not placed after the name, because it's too common.)學士學位。
M.L.S.-Master Library Science
credentials-顯示身份,資格.
---------------------------------
metaphor- 隱喻All the world's a stage.
simile-明喻All the world is like a stage. add " as" or "like" in the sentence
analogy-比喻， 不直接囘答more complicated, such as:
What is the life being working in the library?
answer is : It's like a kids in the candies store.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Perfect Cup of Coffee
咖啡達人教你煮出完美咖啡Making one of the world’s most popular drinks. For this coffee store owner, coffee is a science and an experience 對這位咖啡連鎖店主來說，咖啡是一種科學，也是一種體驗by Simon Stopps
This month Studio Classroom talks to Vivian Tenefrancia about making the perfect cup of coffee. Since 1991, Tenefrancia and her husband have been importing beans, developing drinks and educating people about coffee. They currently own and operate Taipei's Italian Coffee Company.
SC: How do you make great coffee?
VT: There are many ways to make coffee-espressos, drip coffees and siphon-made coffees. Different combinations of beans and equipment will produce very different beverages. Most importantly, you need to have clean, high-quality water and good-quality coffee. Water temperature is also fundamental. For example, espresso machines need to keep water at a very consistent temperature.
SC: How does coffee go from the plant to the pot?
This month Studio Classroom talks to Vivian Tenefrancia about making the perfect cup of coffee. Since 1991, Tenefrancia and her husband have been importing beans, developing drinks and educating people about coffee. They currently own and operate Taipei's Italian Coffee Company.
SC: How do you make great coffee?
VT: There are many ways to make coffee-espressos, drip coffees and siphon-made coffees. Different combinations of beans and equipment will produce very different beverages. Most importantly, you need to have clean, high-quality water and good-quality coffee. Water temperature is also fundamental. For example, espresso machines need to keep water at a very consistent temperature.
SC: How does coffee go from the plant to the pot?
VT: It's a long and complicated process. Basically, coffee beans are the seeds of coffee trees. There are both hand-picked and mechanically harvested beans. Hand picking means the beans that are taken are all ripe. In contrast, mechanical harvesting takes ripe and unripe beans, leaves- everything.
The seeds, or beans, are removed from the fruit. Then they are washed, dried and roasted.
SC: How do you keep your coffee beans fresh?
VT: Some people say to put them in the refrigerator, but don't do that. Just put them in a vacuum-sealed glass jar and use them up within seven to 14 days.
SC: Does it matter how beans are ground?
VT: It doesn't matter if beans are ground by hand or machine, but the coarseness does matter. Coarse granules are usually for French presses or drip coffees; finer ones are good for espresso machines.
When you grind the beans is also important. Our shop grinds beans only when an order is placed. If you store ground beans, they won't stay fresh very long.
SC: What do you need to make your own great coffee at home?
VT: You need to have a good espresso machine and coffee grinder. You also need a stainless steel milk pitcher and a tamper to press down the coffee. I would also recommend getting a brush to clean the machine. Maintaining your machine will help it last a long time.
SC: Do you have anything you'd like to add?
VT: I drink coffee every day and I feel very passionate about it. There are so many thins you can do with coffee and coffee flavors. It's not just coffee. It's an experience.
Grammar
When you grind the beans is also important.
when you grind the beans=The time when you grind the beans...
* using "wh" to form a questing sentence, or using it at the beginning as a noun clause.
why-- Why he made such a decision was beyond everyone's understanding.
where- Where we're going to spend the night will be arranged by the travel agent.
what- What we're going to do with the property will be discussed at the meeting.
who-Who Brent's going to marry is none of our business.
what- What we're going to do with the property will be discussed at the meeting.
how- How the prisoner was able to escape remains a mystery.
Vocabulary
combination-組合，組合體。
*The cookbook has a combination of Thai and Italian recipes.食譜
*The combination of tiredness and boredom caused the kids to feel frustrated.疲倦加上無聊。。。覺得很挫折。
beverage-飲料
*Hot beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate are complimentary. 免費
*Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the students' cafeteria.禁止
beverage/drink- 飲料。beverage-指含酒精或不含酒精的飲料 很廣義。 drink- 專指含酒精的飲料，酒類。
vacuum sealed-真空包裝 vacuum (v)-使呈現真空的狀態, sealed-密封的.
vacuum sealed = vacuum packed-真空包裝 no air can get in. vacuum
*These vacuum-packed dried bananas can be stored for 6 months.
*The vacuum-packed beef jerky tastes really well.
grind-碾碎，東西磨成粉。ground (n)-地面 (v)-grind的過去式切碎的，磨碎的
*Coffee beans need to be roasted before they are ground.
ground pepper-胡椒粉
ground beef-絞牛肉
coarseness-粗糙的（成度）coarse-粗糙的，態度或言語粗魯的。
*The coarseness of the fabric makes it really uncomfortable. to wear.布料很粗糙
*The boy was rejected by his peers due to his coarseness. 同儕。。。他粗魯的言行。
recommend-建議，勸告 或是推薦。
*The doctor recommended that George take a vacation to help ease his stress.建議
*William's former supervisor recommended him for a new position.推薦
Chat Room
coffee-咖啡
caffeine-咖啡因
addicted- 上癮，
addicted to-對什麽上癮，用“to"
He is addicted to coffee-他喝咖啡成（上）癮。
He is addicted to alcohol-他喝酒成（上）癮
-------------------------------------
How do you take your coffee? 不是指用什麽方式把咖啡帶走，而是指咖啡要加些什麽料？
black-不加糖的
with cream only-只加奶精
with cream and sugar-加奶精及糖
caffeine coffee-有咖啡因的咖啡。
decaf=decaffeinated coffee. 無咖啡因的（無因）咖啡。
decaffeinated- 無咖啡因的咖啡。de-有去除或拿掉的意思, caffeine-咖啡因。
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Architecture
建築達人The importance of designing buildings well. An architect discusses the importance of design in buildings by Simon Stopps
SC: What do architects do?
JJP: Architects guide buildings from the planning stage through construction to completion. We communicate with clients to develop a concept for a design. Then we produce detailed drawings, details and cost estimates for the project. When a contractor has been hired, architects make sure the project stays on time and on budget and is built to quality standards. Then we turn the building over to the client.
SC: Why did you become an architect?
JJP: I became an architect because I liked both logical and artistic thinking. I thought that architecture really would let me use both. In architecture, you need to be logical about the construction of buildings, but you also need to be artistic and creative.
SC: Why do architects design buildings to look the way they do?
JJP: There are a lot of factors that affect how a building will look. Architects need to consider cultural and social factors as well as the requirements of the users. We also need to think about the building type, site and engineering aspects of the projects. The best designs are those that consider all of these factors and address the concerns associated with them.
SC: How do buildings convey ideas?
JJP: A building is like a human being. It has expressions and gestures. A building should express what its role is. A theater should look like a theater. But it should also reflect the type of theater it is, the location and its environment.
SC: Why is good architecture important?
JJP: Everybody lives and works in buildings. Architecture is man-made, and no matter where a structure is, it has to complement its environment. Otherwise it will become an offensive object because it doesn't go away. It's very important for architecture to be right for its environment.
SC: How important is local culture and tradition to the design of a new building?
JJP: I think it is very important. If a building does not reflect its locality, then it means the building can be placed anywhere in the world. That would be disappointing because when you go to Thailand, you want to see Thai culture. When you go to Turkey, you want to see Turkish culture. You don't want to see a building from New York City in those places.
Grammar
Then we turn the building over to the client, let the client have control of the building
turn over- turn something over - make something from the bottom to the top.
Fry the fish for seven minutes and then turn it over.
turn over- to transfer or give something to someone else so they can have control.
I'm sure you're all looking forward to hearing what our speaker has to say, so I'm going to turn over the microphone to him.
The company will turn over its operation to the new owners next month.
Vocabulary
architecture-(不可数名词) 建筑学,建筑系,建筑设计,建筑风格.
*The Empire State Building represents the unique architecture of New York City.帝国大厦...特殊建筑设计风格..
architect (n)-建筑师
*I.M.Pei is one of the most famous architects in the world.
logical (adj)-逻辑的,合乎逻辑的,合理的. logic-逻辑
*Debate competitions can train one's logical thinking. 辩论赛...逻辑思考.
*It seems quite logical to work for awhile before going to college. 看来似乎是很合理的..
aspect-方面,层面 asp-有"看"的意思.
*Editing is an important aspect of filmmaking.剪接...电影制作的层面.
*His unstable emotions constantly affect many aspects of his life.不稳的情绪经常影响到他生活的许多方面.
contractor-main lead of construction person.
complement-陪衬，与对象相称，托衬，搭配，配衬。
*The shade of her hair complements her complexion. 与肤色相衬，搭配的很好。
*Grapes and cheese complement each other very well. 相互搭配
*Eric's management skills complement his partner Henry's creativity. 陪衬，配衬
offensive-唐突地，冒犯的 offense (n)-引起反感的事物。
*The singer's offensive comments were strongly criticized by the press. 唐突地言辞。。媒体强烈的评击。
*The flowers look pretty, but they have an offensive smell. 味道不舒服。
locality, localities-所在地，地区。local (adj)-当地的，地方上的。
*Certain remote localities were affected by the water shortage.
*The pilot reported his exact locality.
convey-communicate.
Chat Room
brain-脑,人的脑,人的脑分为左,右脑.
left brain-左脑 control the right side of our body, associated speak, or logic, analytical thinking.
analytical thinking-逻辑思维
right brain- control the left side of our body, associated creativity and imagination.
creativity-创造力
imagination-想象力.
-----------------------------
SC: What do architects do?
JJP: Architects guide buildings from the planning stage through construction to completion. We communicate with clients to develop a concept for a design. Then we produce detailed drawings, details and cost estimates for the project. When a contractor has been hired, architects make sure the project stays on time and on budget and is built to quality standards. Then we turn the building over to the client.
SC: Why did you become an architect?
JJP: I became an architect because I liked both logical and artistic thinking. I thought that architecture really would let me use both. In architecture, you need to be logical about the construction of buildings, but you also need to be artistic and creative.
SC: Why do architects design buildings to look the way they do?
JJP: There are a lot of factors that affect how a building will look. Architects need to consider cultural and social factors as well as the requirements of the users. We also need to think about the building type, site and engineering aspects of the projects. The best designs are those that consider all of these factors and address the concerns associated with them.
SC: How do buildings convey ideas?
JJP: A building is like a human being. It has expressions and gestures. A building should express what its role is. A theater should look like a theater. But it should also reflect the type of theater it is, the location and its environment.
SC: Why is good architecture important?
JJP: Everybody lives and works in buildings. Architecture is man-made, and no matter where a structure is, it has to complement its environment. Otherwise it will become an offensive object because it doesn't go away. It's very important for architecture to be right for its environment.
SC: How important is local culture and tradition to the design of a new building?
JJP: I think it is very important. If a building does not reflect its locality, then it means the building can be placed anywhere in the world. That would be disappointing because when you go to Thailand, you want to see Thai culture. When you go to Turkey, you want to see Turkish culture. You don't want to see a building from New York City in those places.
Grammar
Then we turn the building over to the client, let the client have control of the building
turn over- turn something over - make something from the bottom to the top.
Fry the fish for seven minutes and then turn it over.
turn over- to transfer or give something to someone else so they can have control.
I'm sure you're all looking forward to hearing what our speaker has to say, so I'm going to turn over the microphone to him.
The company will turn over its operation to the new owners next month.
Vocabulary
architecture-(不可数名词) 建筑学,建筑系,建筑设计,建筑风格.
*The Empire State Building represents the unique architecture of New York City.帝国大厦...特殊建筑设计风格..
architect (n)-建筑师
*I.M.Pei is one of the most famous architects in the world.
logical (adj)-逻辑的,合乎逻辑的,合理的. logic-逻辑
*Debate competitions can train one's logical thinking. 辩论赛...逻辑思考.
*It seems quite logical to work for awhile before going to college. 看来似乎是很合理的..
aspect-方面,层面 asp-有"看"的意思.
*Editing is an important aspect of filmmaking.剪接...电影制作的层面.
*His unstable emotions constantly affect many aspects of his life.不稳的情绪经常影响到他生活的许多方面.
contractor-main lead of construction person.
complement-陪衬，与对象相称，托衬，搭配，配衬。
*The shade of her hair complements her complexion. 与肤色相衬，搭配的很好。
*Grapes and cheese complement each other very well. 相互搭配
*Eric's management skills complement his partner Henry's creativity. 陪衬，配衬
offensive-唐突地，冒犯的 offense (n)-引起反感的事物。
*The singer's offensive comments were strongly criticized by the press. 唐突地言辞。。媒体强烈的评击。
*The flowers look pretty, but they have an offensive smell. 味道不舒服。
locality, localities-所在地，地区。local (adj)-当地的，地方上的。
*Certain remote localities were affected by the water shortage.
*The pilot reported his exact locality.
convey-communicate.
Chat Room
brain-脑,人的脑,人的脑分为左,右脑.
left brain-左脑 control the right side of our body, associated speak, or logic, analytical thinking.
analytical thinking-逻辑思维
right brain- control the left side of our body, associated creativity and imagination.
creativity-创造力
imagination-想象力.
-----------------------------
gesture- moving your hands, express yourself with hands or hands movement.比手划脚，做手势，或用动作来示意。也表示一种举动，一分贴心的举动。I am going to coffee shop, do you need a cup of coffee? No, Thanks for your gesture.
personification-凝人化，以人的动机，行为，特质，概念来描述非人化的经验，行为。如：
The stars wink at me. 天上的星星在向我眨眼。
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Wonderful World of Antiques
古董的異想世界How can you tell if what you are buying is really an antique? by Simon Stopps
SC: What is an antique?
FA: Well, there are really three words you need to know in the antique business: antique, reconstruction and reproduction.
An antique is an item that is over 100 years old and less than 33 percent restored. A reconstruction might also be more than 100 years old but has been altered more than 33 percent. A reproduction is a new piece – with or without old materials – that has been made to look antique.
SC: How much do antiques cost?
FA: It depends on a number of factors like age, size, the materials and techniques used in construction. The quality of the piece is also important. Real antiques tend to be unique items because they were made before things were mass-produced. Most of them were also originally made for wealthy families because they could afford to have things made with better materials. In the 1970s and '80s, there was an abundance of antiques in the Asia market. Now that the market is depleted, prices have gone up a lot. But generally, reconstructed pieces are worth between a quarter and a third of the price of antiques.
SC: How do you know you are getting a good price?
FA: Since there really are no standard prices for antiques, it all depends on what the buyer thinks an item is worth.
SC: How do you know if you are getting an antique, a reconstruction or reproduction?
FA: A lot of it comes down to using logic. Once hundred years ago, people made tings with hand tools, so antiques rarely have a perfect, machine finish. They also used the same type of wood for the entire piece, so checking for consistent wood grain and color is important. The use of different woods in a reconstructed or reproduced piece is often hidden by paint. Construction techniques were also different in the past. People frequently used joints instead of nails.
Real antiques always show evidence of restoration, like tightened joints and refinishing.
SC: Do you have any advice for people who are interested in buying antiques?
FA: Get to know your antique dealer. Talk to people who have bought antiques. Read some reference books and ask a lot of questions. Take time to study the piece you are interested in, and don't be in a hurry to buy.
Grammar
A lot of it comes down to using logic.
it come down to =be basically about
A lot of it is basically about using logic.
most common use on conversation, talk about a subject is complicated for people to understand, and try to bring an attention to people that what is real about it.
Whether a person succeeds or not comes down to one's attitude.
Although the magic trick may look impossible, it all comes down to how fast your fingers move.
Vocabulary
reconstruction-重新修复，重建，re-有再一次的意思。
*The Reconstruction of the chapel took over 15 years.
* a reproduction of Van Gogh's "Starry Night"
alter-改变，修改。
*We have to alter our schedule to meet the new deadline.
*The engine of this car was altered to have more horsepower.
depleted-此处指枯竭 deplete-消耗或使减少
*Depleted food supplies were the key reason the weak troops were defeated. 食物供给枯竭。。被打败的主要原因。
*The river is depleted of fish.
reconstruction-遭到破坏后把它充新修建
reproduction- 复制品
mass-produced-made or produced in a large number.
logic-逻辑，逻辑思维
*The theory's logic is easy to understand. 原理的逻辑
*It's hard for me to accept the logic behind his argument.他背后争论点的逻辑
*There's no logic in sacrificing your health just to make money.
finish-完成，终结，结束，此指漆的光亮的表面．here is the surface of something.
*The rustic finish of the bench gives it a special charm.粗爌的表面
*The polish gives the coffee table a shiny finish.
consistent-一致的，或是前后一致的．与．．一致用＂with＂
*There has been consistent growth in our company's sales.
*The witness' description is consistent with the police's record.
grain-树纹
Chat Room
old-老的
oldie (n)-老的，古时的东西，老旧的唱片，，令人怀念的老歌，老电影。expression of something is old. 也可用在人方面，资深的老人， 老资格的人。
new-新的
newbie(n)-新手，菜鸟，只能用在人方面，不能用在东西或事务上
--------------------------
copy / duplicate (n)-复制品＂a＂发短音 duplicate (v)-"a" 发e长音
reproduce-复制，再生，生物的繁殖．．
SC: What is an antique?
FA: Well, there are really three words you need to know in the antique business: antique, reconstruction and reproduction.
An antique is an item that is over 100 years old and less than 33 percent restored. A reconstruction might also be more than 100 years old but has been altered more than 33 percent. A reproduction is a new piece – with or without old materials – that has been made to look antique.
SC: How much do antiques cost?
FA: It depends on a number of factors like age, size, the materials and techniques used in construction. The quality of the piece is also important. Real antiques tend to be unique items because they were made before things were mass-produced. Most of them were also originally made for wealthy families because they could afford to have things made with better materials. In the 1970s and '80s, there was an abundance of antiques in the Asia market. Now that the market is depleted, prices have gone up a lot. But generally, reconstructed pieces are worth between a quarter and a third of the price of antiques.
SC: How do you know you are getting a good price?
FA: Since there really are no standard prices for antiques, it all depends on what the buyer thinks an item is worth.
SC: How do you know if you are getting an antique, a reconstruction or reproduction?
FA: A lot of it comes down to using logic. Once hundred years ago, people made tings with hand tools, so antiques rarely have a perfect, machine finish. They also used the same type of wood for the entire piece, so checking for consistent wood grain and color is important. The use of different woods in a reconstructed or reproduced piece is often hidden by paint. Construction techniques were also different in the past. People frequently used joints instead of nails.
Real antiques always show evidence of restoration, like tightened joints and refinishing.
SC: Do you have any advice for people who are interested in buying antiques?
FA: Get to know your antique dealer. Talk to people who have bought antiques. Read some reference books and ask a lot of questions. Take time to study the piece you are interested in, and don't be in a hurry to buy.
Grammar
A lot of it comes down to using logic.
it come down to =be basically about
A lot of it is basically about using logic.
most common use on conversation, talk about a subject is complicated for people to understand, and try to bring an attention to people that what is real about it.
Whether a person succeeds or not comes down to one's attitude.
Although the magic trick may look impossible, it all comes down to how fast your fingers move.
Vocabulary
reconstruction-重新修复，重建，re-有再一次的意思。
*The Reconstruction of the chapel took over 15 years.
* a reproduction of Van Gogh's "Starry Night"
alter-改变，修改。
*We have to alter our schedule to meet the new deadline.
*The engine of this car was altered to have more horsepower.
depleted-此处指枯竭 deplete-消耗或使减少
*Depleted food supplies were the key reason the weak troops were defeated. 食物供给枯竭。。被打败的主要原因。
*The river is depleted of fish.
reconstruction-遭到破坏后把它充新修建
reproduction- 复制品
mass-produced-made or produced in a large number.
logic-逻辑，逻辑思维
*The theory's logic is easy to understand. 原理的逻辑
*It's hard for me to accept the logic behind his argument.他背后争论点的逻辑
*There's no logic in sacrificing your health just to make money.
finish-完成，终结，结束，此指漆的光亮的表面．here is the surface of something.
*The rustic finish of the bench gives it a special charm.粗爌的表面
*The polish gives the coffee table a shiny finish.
consistent-一致的，或是前后一致的．与．．一致用＂with＂
*There has been consistent growth in our company's sales.
*The witness' description is consistent with the police's record.
grain-树纹
Chat Room
old-老的
oldie (n)-老的，古时的东西，老旧的唱片，，令人怀念的老歌，老电影。expression of something is old. 也可用在人方面，资深的老人， 老资格的人。
new-新的
newbie(n)-新手，菜鸟，只能用在人方面，不能用在东西或事务上
--------------------------
copy / duplicate (n)-复制品＂a＂发短音 duplicate (v)-"a" 发e长音
reproduce-复制，再生，生物的繁殖．．
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Making Movie Magic
電影特效現場追擊Go behind the scenes and see how things are really done Find out how visual effects in movies are done by Simon Stopps
SC: What does a visual effects supervisor do?
JH: I work with a team of visual effects artists to create things that aren’t real for the movie or television screen. We use a combination of artistic techniques, from the classic skills of drawing and painting to modern techniques of computer animation and 3D.
SC: What is a favorite visual effect scene that you personally worked on? How did it work?
JH: My favorite scene would have to be from my most recent project, the movie 2012. It features the White House getting wiped out by a giant wave and crushed by an aircraft carrier. The first thing we did was to work with the director to creatively meet his vision so we knew what he was expecting to see.
We had to establish a general timing and composition of the shot. Where should the camera be? How big should the White House be? How quickly should the wave approach? We also tried to establish the mood. Is it really dark and gloomy, or should it feel lighter and less foreboding?
SC: How important are visual effects to movies today? How important is it that effects look real or believable?
JH: Visual effects have made their way into nearly every feature film you see in theaters. A lot of people think visual effects are only used in the mega blockbusters with robots and explosions. But one great adage or saying of the business is that the best visual effect is the one you can't see. If you can't tell that something is a visual effect, then we've done our job well. Even movies without very obvious effects are still loaded with effects.
This could mean changing the color of the sky to a more beautiful color or making an actress look 10 years younger or 10 pounds skinnier.
SC: What do you think are the best visual effects scenes of all time?
JH: People say this industry was born with Star Wars. But besides that I would say scenes in the first Jurassic Park film. The scene where T-Rex attacks the jeep is so frighteningly real; it looks real even 20 years later. It looked so convincing that as a kid, the only thing you could think of was "Wow, that's a scary dinosaur."
More Information
There is actually a big difference between special effects and visual effects. Special effects are done live on stage when filming a scene. They could be anything from explosions to glass breaking Visual effects, however, are done after a scene is filmed, mainly through computer graphics visual effects could also mean filming different elements of explosions and fire separately and then putting them back together later.
Grammar
What do you think are the best visual effects scenes of all time?
of all time=from the very beginning when something started until now.
of all the visual effects scenes that have ever been created, what do you think are the best ones?
"of all time" when you try to say something is the best or the worst in that category.
*Casablanca is the best romantic movie of all time.
*Who is the most influential person of all time?
Vocabulary
visual effect-视觉效果 visual- 视觉的effect-效果
*Special visual effects made the images of the movie very colorful.电影画面
sound effect-音效
*Many sound effects are created with simple tools.
wipe out (v. idiom)- 彻底的摧毁，毁灭，铲除wipe-抹去，擦干净。
*The military base was totally wiped out by continual bombing.
*The police announced that they had successfully wiped out mob power in the city.黑势力
composition-构成，构图，成份 compose-构成，组成
*The lab technicians are examining the composition of the unknown substance.物质
*The composition of the painting is well-balanced.
composition of the shot- make sure that everything in the right place when taking a shot.
animation-动画，动画片。
explosion-爆炸，爆破
*The exposion of the chemical plant left many casualties and severe damage.
*The explosion scene in the movie was carefully calculated by professionals.
load-装满，使摆满，很有钱
loaded with something-充满了某种事物。
*This book is loaded with professional terms that are so hard to read and understand.
*He's loaded. Let him pay if he wants to! 他很有钱
convincing-令人说服的，令人信服的，或具有说服力的 convince(v)-说服
*The evidence the police collected at the crime scene is very convincing.
Chat Room
behind the scenes-在幕后的，原本指在剧场上的幕后人员。
working behind the scenes-在后台的工作人员。
behind-the-scenes-指不公开的，秘密的，暗地里进行的。
behind-the-scenes negotiations-秘密的，不公开进行的协议。
make a scene-在公共场所引起大众注意，当场大吵大闹，惹人注意。
Don't make a scene-不要丢人现眼
-------------------
theater-戏院，电影院
“the” theater-戏剧院，歌舞剧，歌剧院refer to life performance
cinema-movie theater
I'm going to the theater-去歌剧院（看歌剧到剧院必须穿着很正式）
I'm going to theater-去电影院
movie ticket-电影票
the theater ticket-歌剧票，戏剧票
SC: What does a visual effects supervisor do?
JH: I work with a team of visual effects artists to create things that aren’t real for the movie or television screen. We use a combination of artistic techniques, from the classic skills of drawing and painting to modern techniques of computer animation and 3D.
SC: What is a favorite visual effect scene that you personally worked on? How did it work?
JH: My favorite scene would have to be from my most recent project, the movie 2012. It features the White House getting wiped out by a giant wave and crushed by an aircraft carrier. The first thing we did was to work with the director to creatively meet his vision so we knew what he was expecting to see.
We had to establish a general timing and composition of the shot. Where should the camera be? How big should the White House be? How quickly should the wave approach? We also tried to establish the mood. Is it really dark and gloomy, or should it feel lighter and less foreboding?
SC: How important are visual effects to movies today? How important is it that effects look real or believable?
JH: Visual effects have made their way into nearly every feature film you see in theaters. A lot of people think visual effects are only used in the mega blockbusters with robots and explosions. But one great adage or saying of the business is that the best visual effect is the one you can't see. If you can't tell that something is a visual effect, then we've done our job well. Even movies without very obvious effects are still loaded with effects.
This could mean changing the color of the sky to a more beautiful color or making an actress look 10 years younger or 10 pounds skinnier.
SC: What do you think are the best visual effects scenes of all time?
JH: People say this industry was born with Star Wars. But besides that I would say scenes in the first Jurassic Park film. The scene where T-Rex attacks the jeep is so frighteningly real; it looks real even 20 years later. It looked so convincing that as a kid, the only thing you could think of was "Wow, that's a scary dinosaur."
More Information
There is actually a big difference between special effects and visual effects. Special effects are done live on stage when filming a scene. They could be anything from explosions to glass breaking Visual effects, however, are done after a scene is filmed, mainly through computer graphics visual effects could also mean filming different elements of explosions and fire separately and then putting them back together later.
Grammar
What do you think are the best visual effects scenes of all time?
of all time=from the very beginning when something started until now.
of all the visual effects scenes that have ever been created, what do you think are the best ones?
"of all time" when you try to say something is the best or the worst in that category.
*Casablanca is the best romantic movie of all time.
*Who is the most influential person of all time?
Vocabulary
visual effect-视觉效果 visual- 视觉的effect-效果
*Special visual effects made the images of the movie very colorful.电影画面
sound effect-音效
*Many sound effects are created with simple tools.
wipe out (v. idiom)- 彻底的摧毁，毁灭，铲除wipe-抹去，擦干净。
*The military base was totally wiped out by continual bombing.
*The police announced that they had successfully wiped out mob power in the city.黑势力
composition-构成，构图，成份 compose-构成，组成
*The lab technicians are examining the composition of the unknown substance.物质
*The composition of the painting is well-balanced.
composition of the shot- make sure that everything in the right place when taking a shot.
animation-动画，动画片。
explosion-爆炸，爆破
*The exposion of the chemical plant left many casualties and severe damage.
*The explosion scene in the movie was carefully calculated by professionals.
load-装满，使摆满，很有钱
loaded with something-充满了某种事物。
*This book is loaded with professional terms that are so hard to read and understand.
*He's loaded. Let him pay if he wants to! 他很有钱
convincing-令人说服的，令人信服的，或具有说服力的 convince(v)-说服
*The evidence the police collected at the crime scene is very convincing.
Chat Room
behind the scenes-在幕后的，原本指在剧场上的幕后人员。
working behind the scenes-在后台的工作人员。
behind-the-scenes-指不公开的，秘密的，暗地里进行的。
behind-the-scenes negotiations-秘密的，不公开进行的协议。
make a scene-在公共场所引起大众注意，当场大吵大闹，惹人注意。
Don't make a scene-不要丢人现眼
-------------------
theater-戏院，电影院
“the” theater-戏剧院，歌舞剧，歌剧院refer to life performance
cinema-movie theater
I'm going to the theater-去歌剧院（看歌剧到剧院必须穿着很正式）
I'm going to theater-去电影院
movie ticket-电影票
the theater ticket-歌剧票，戏剧票
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Trip to the Tailor
裁縫達人A tailor shares the secrets of his trade by Simon Stopps
SC: How does one become a tailor?
JL: In the past, becoming a tailor meant completing an apprenticeship with an experienced tailor. I apprenticed with a cutter from Shanghai for six years. Now, there is a system of tests and licenses for tailors.
SC: What questions should people ask a tailor when they are having clothes made?
JL: It depends who the person is. If they are a student, they might want to ask about price. If that is less of a concern, they might ask questions about style, material and quality.
SC: What's the difference between a store-bought suit and a tailor-made suit?
JL: There are a lot of differences. You see, there are many kinds of body types. During fittings, a tailor figures out how to make the suit fit you perfectly, so you feel comfortable all over. They also leave extra material so the suit can be adjusted later if you gain or lose weight. You don't do a fitting when you buy a store-bought suit. They just take your measurements and then select the pre-made suit that is closest to your size. Then you try it on and see if you like it. That's OK if you are a standard size. But if you aren't, you will always have problems with ready-made suits.
SC: Are there differences in quality?
Chat room
custom-made- made-to-order, 定制的made according to the customer requested.
pre-made=ready-to-wear=off-the-rack,预制的，现成的，从架子上拿下来就可穿的， rack-架子。
tailor-made=裁缝师傅made only with cloth, something to do with clothing only.
custom-made=定制的，量身打造的，照顾客要求去制作的，不限于衣服。can be made with all kinds of materials, for car, ship, table, chair, sofa, house....
----------------
SC: How does one become a tailor?
JL: In the past, becoming a tailor meant completing an apprenticeship with an experienced tailor. I apprenticed with a cutter from Shanghai for six years. Now, there is a system of tests and licenses for tailors.
SC: What questions should people ask a tailor when they are having clothes made?
JL: It depends who the person is. If they are a student, they might want to ask about price. If that is less of a concern, they might ask questions about style, material and quality.
SC: What's the difference between a store-bought suit and a tailor-made suit?
JL: There are a lot of differences. You see, there are many kinds of body types. During fittings, a tailor figures out how to make the suit fit you perfectly, so you feel comfortable all over. They also leave extra material so the suit can be adjusted later if you gain or lose weight. You don't do a fitting when you buy a store-bought suit. They just take your measurements and then select the pre-made suit that is closest to your size. Then you try it on and see if you like it. That's OK if you are a standard size. But if you aren't, you will always have problems with ready-made suits.
SC: Are there differences in quality?
JL: There are often big differences in the quality of material. Tailors tend to use higher quality materials like cashmere, and they line the suits with silk. We also use inserts that are made out of horsehair. Horsehair inserts help the suit keep its shape and avoid wrinkles.
Ready-made suits will often use lower quality materials like polyester/wool blends. They also use paper linings and will lose their shape if they get wet. Another big difference is that ready-made suits are machine-made. They are both cut and sewn by machine. Tailor-made suits are cut and sewn by hand.
SC: There are many tailors, so how do you know which ones are good and which aren't?
JL: You have to try and see; you can't just trust a shop that says it is good. If a tailor is good, people will introduce their friends to the shop. Their business will grow by word of mouth.
SC: Do you have any advice for our students?
JL: Yes, Choosing a tailor will save you a lot of trouble. If you go to a tailor, you know your suit will fit you well. And if it is a good suit, it will last you a long time.
More Information
Here's one more question for our expert:
Q: How has the tailoring business changed over the forty years you've been a tailor?
A: The biggest thing is the quality of the cloth. Years ago we used a lot of polyester because it wears well and doesn't wrinkle. But it doesn't breathe and can be uncomfortable. Now the quality of material has improved a lot.
Grammar
If that is less of a concern, they might ask questions about style, material and quality.
less of a concern-not something to worry about.
If that is not something to worry about, they might ask questions about style, material and quality.
With the convenience of cell phone technology, being unreachable is less of a concern for most people these days.
Not being able to shower is less of a concern for Kathy than for Susan (shower for Susan is concerned).
Vocabulary
apprentice(v)- is a student or a learner who studies under someone to learn a particular skills.
apprenticeship- is a time period, during the period of time to learn that skill.
*Greg apprenticed with his uncle, who was a talented carpenter.
*He worked for 2 years as Trump's apprentice(n).
Pre-made- These pre-made curtains are a lot cheaper than custom-made ones.
*There are many pre-made e-cards for you to choose from at this website.
fitting(n)- fitting (v)-
We'll start the play's costume fittings(n) next week.
tailor-a person who is making or fixing clothing by hands.
line-此不是指“排队”此是指“给衣服做襯裡。或是里面扑满了东西。
If that is less of a concern, they might ask questions about style, material and quality.
less of a concern-not something to worry about.
If that is not something to worry about, they might ask questions about style, material and quality.
With the convenience of cell phone technology, being unreachable is less of a concern for most people these days.
Not being able to shower is less of a concern for Kathy than for Susan (shower for Susan is concerned).
Vocabulary
apprentice(v)- is a student or a learner who studies under someone to learn a particular skills.
apprenticeship- is a time period, during the period of time to learn that skill.
*Greg apprenticed with his uncle, who was a talented carpenter.
*He worked for 2 years as Trump's apprentice(n).
Pre-made- These pre-made curtains are a lot cheaper than custom-made ones.
*There are many pre-made e-cards for you to choose from at this website.
fitting(n)- fitting (v)-
We'll start the play's costume fittings(n) next week.
tailor-a person who is making or fixing clothing by hands.
line-此不是指“排队”此是指“给衣服做襯裡。或是里面扑满了东西。
* The tailor lined the jacket with silk.
*The expensive coat was lined with fur.
*The fitting-room was lined with wall-to-wall mirrors.装满了
blend- mixed, mix with something, not pure.混纺，混合物，（v）混合
*The sheet's fabric is a blend of linen and cotton.
*His favorite blend of coffee is scarcely found in Asia.
*A delightful blend of oriental fragrance.
by word of mouth-口耳相传
*Rumors of Shawn being fired spread quickly throughout the company by word of mouth.
*She was informed by word of mouth. 透过口头的传达被通知
cashmere-very fine and soft wool
silk- a material, very soft , very thin but very strong insert (v)-putting something into something else. (n)- a piece of something underneath.襯墊
Chat room
custom-made- made-to-order, 定制的made according to the customer requested.
pre-made=ready-to-wear=off-the-rack,预制的，现成的，从架子上拿下来就可穿的， rack-架子。
tailor-made=裁缝师傅made only with cloth, something to do with clothing only.
custom-made=定制的，量身打造的，照顾客要求去制作的，不限于衣服。can be made with all kinds of materials, for car, ship, table, chair, sofa, house....
----------------
suits-top jacket and pants together we call suits.西装
If a person is wearing only a top of suits, the pants is not match with top in color, material..., we say that he wear a suit jacket, or jacket.--you can call all the top outfit a jacket, including formal suits' top.
"suits" call a group of people is looking down them, most time use on the high management, means those people who wear suits but making merciless decisions.
-----------------
needle phrase-
"needle someone"-means bother someone.
stop needle someone- means stop bothering someone.
You are needling me, stop needle me.
thread phrase-
hanging by a thread-you are berry able to do something, you are almost giving up on something. 快撑不住了
stitch phrase-
a stitch in time save nine- means small tear repair it right away before gets worse.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy Pets, Happy People
寵物快樂，主人才會快樂A veterinarian gives advice on how to take care of petsby Simon Stopp.
SC: What should a person consider when choosing a pet?
JH: The determining factor should be your lifestyle. Do you spend more time at home or outdoors? Do you have small children or elderly people in the house? Do you keep your house neat? You should also ask yourself how long you are willing to commit to the pet. Dogs and cats may live 15 to 20 years, but birds can live 30 years or more.
SC: How can people and pets adjust to living with each other?
JH: Good, continuous training and lots of love are the keys to good relationships between pets and people.
SC: What is the best way to go about training your pet?
JH: Patience! Patience! Patience! Teach your pet one skill at a time, and reward your pet for good performance instead of just punishing it for failures.
SC: How much exercise do pets really need?
JH: As a general rule of thumb, most dogs need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Most cats, in contrast, exercise when they feel like it.
SC: How often should people take their pets to the vet?
JH: At two months old, a pet should be brought to the vet for an initial vaccination and checkup. Bring them back for another shot a month or two later. When your pet reaches 1, yearly checks are required. After your pet is 6, visits to the vet every six months are recommended.
SC: How do you know when your pet is sick?
JH: There are a number of things that might signal that your pet is not well. These include, but are not limited to, vomiting diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, and losing weight or not eating.
SC: What can people do to keep their pets healthy and happy?
JH: Providing a safe environment, enough exercise, quality food and daily oral care can make your pet healthy and happy. Regular visits to the vet for complete checkups can also help prevent problems.
SC: What is the most important thing a pet owner should know?
JH: If I had to pick one thing , I'd say: Remember your regular vet's phone number and have it on speed dial.
More Information
Can dogs eat chocolate?
The simple answer is no Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which dogs have a hard time digesting. Dogs will usually vomit and develop diarrhea after eating small amounts of chocolate. If dogs eat large amounts of chocolate, they may become restless or hyperactive, pant or have difficulty breathing . The heart may even stop working, resulting in the animal's death.
Grammar
These include, but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, and losing weight or not eating.
these include...but are not limited to...(It means there is a long list of things, but here just listed or mention some of them.)
The assistant's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering the phone, organizing files, sending documents, and making schedules.
Recreational activities include, but are not limited to, jet skiing, wind surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Vocabulary
commit-承担某种责任或答应负责Parents must commit themselves to their children.
*He seems to have a problem committing himself to relationships.在感情上赋予承诺.
adjust-调整,使适合. He quickly adjusted to the new environment when he moved to town.很快适应
She adjusted well to the extreme weather in this area.
rule of thumb (idiom)- 经验法则.A good rule of thumb is to brush your teeth before bed.
A good rule of thumb is to exercise 30 minutes a day.
rule of thumb, "tip" of thumb.
patience-abilities to wait someone or something without get angry
cardiologist心脏科医生, cardiology-heart disease.心脏科
initial-first, beginning, 最初的,开始的,初步的,起初的
The initial assessment of the typhoon damage was around 200,000,000 dollars.初步估计
Her initial reaction to the bad news was shock and confusion.起初的反应,震惊,困惑
vomit(v)-呕吐 The kid vomited after riding the roller coaster.
*The patient was vomiting after surgery.
vomit (n)-(同意词Threw up, ) The baby threw up all over his clothes.
oral (adj)- 口部的,口腔的,口头的,口述的 oral hygiene-口腔卫生
The oral dose of medicine has a strong smell that might make it difficult to swallow.口服药
Josh needs to prepare for his oral presentation.口头简报
Sherry passed her oral exam this morning.口试
Chat Room
key-钥匙(literal照字面上真实的解释) key to open the door.
key- 关键,秘诀(figurative比喻的,象征性的解释) key to success.
Diet and exercise are the keys to good health-秘诀
the key to the problem-解决一个问题要用"to"
the keys to good relationships-建立良好关系的关键秘诀
--------------
check-
checkup (n)-refer to exam in the doctor office.检查,通常指身体方面的
check in (v. phrase)- register for something. Check in the airport. 登记
check out (v. phrase)- sign out for leaving. Check out the hotel, check out the book at register)离去前办理的手续(登记)
check out -also mean " go to take a look" check out the car/ my new car.去看看,瞧瞧去
SC: What should a person consider when choosing a pet?
JH: The determining factor should be your lifestyle. Do you spend more time at home or outdoors? Do you have small children or elderly people in the house? Do you keep your house neat? You should also ask yourself how long you are willing to commit to the pet. Dogs and cats may live 15 to 20 years, but birds can live 30 years or more.
SC: How can people and pets adjust to living with each other?
JH: Good, continuous training and lots of love are the keys to good relationships between pets and people.
SC: What is the best way to go about training your pet?
JH: Patience! Patience! Patience! Teach your pet one skill at a time, and reward your pet for good performance instead of just punishing it for failures.
SC: How much exercise do pets really need?
JH: As a general rule of thumb, most dogs need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Most cats, in contrast, exercise when they feel like it.
SC: How often should people take their pets to the vet?
JH: At two months old, a pet should be brought to the vet for an initial vaccination and checkup. Bring them back for another shot a month or two later. When your pet reaches 1, yearly checks are required. After your pet is 6, visits to the vet every six months are recommended.
SC: How do you know when your pet is sick?
JH: There are a number of things that might signal that your pet is not well. These include, but are not limited to, vomiting diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, and losing weight or not eating.
SC: What can people do to keep their pets healthy and happy?
JH: Providing a safe environment, enough exercise, quality food and daily oral care can make your pet healthy and happy. Regular visits to the vet for complete checkups can also help prevent problems.
SC: What is the most important thing a pet owner should know?
JH: If I had to pick one thing , I'd say: Remember your regular vet's phone number and have it on speed dial.
More Information
Can dogs eat chocolate?
The simple answer is no Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which dogs have a hard time digesting. Dogs will usually vomit and develop diarrhea after eating small amounts of chocolate. If dogs eat large amounts of chocolate, they may become restless or hyperactive, pant or have difficulty breathing . The heart may even stop working, resulting in the animal's death.
Grammar
These include, but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, and losing weight or not eating.
these include...but are not limited to...(It means there is a long list of things, but here just listed or mention some of them.)
The assistant's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering the phone, organizing files, sending documents, and making schedules.
Recreational activities include, but are not limited to, jet skiing, wind surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Vocabulary
commit-承担某种责任或答应负责Parents must commit themselves to their children.
*He seems to have a problem committing himself to relationships.在感情上赋予承诺.
adjust-调整,使适合. He quickly adjusted to the new environment when he moved to town.很快适应
She adjusted well to the extreme weather in this area.
rule of thumb (idiom)- 经验法则.A good rule of thumb is to brush your teeth before bed.
A good rule of thumb is to exercise 30 minutes a day.
rule of thumb, "tip" of thumb.
patience-abilities to wait someone or something without get angry
cardiologist心脏科医生, cardiology-heart disease.心脏科
initial-first, beginning, 最初的,开始的,初步的,起初的
The initial assessment of the typhoon damage was around 200,000,000 dollars.初步估计
Her initial reaction to the bad news was shock and confusion.起初的反应,震惊,困惑
vomit(v)-呕吐 The kid vomited after riding the roller coaster.
*The patient was vomiting after surgery.
vomit (n)-(同意词Threw up, ) The baby threw up all over his clothes.
oral (adj)- 口部的,口腔的,口头的,口述的 oral hygiene-口腔卫生
The oral dose of medicine has a strong smell that might make it difficult to swallow.口服药
Josh needs to prepare for his oral presentation.口头简报
Sherry passed her oral exam this morning.口试
Chat Room
key-钥匙(literal照字面上真实的解释) key to open the door.
key- 关键,秘诀(figurative比喻的,象征性的解释) key to success.
Diet and exercise are the keys to good health-秘诀
the key to the problem-解决一个问题要用"to"
the keys to good relationships-建立良好关系的关键秘诀
--------------
check-
checkup (n)-refer to exam in the doctor office.检查,通常指身体方面的
check in (v. phrase)- register for something. Check in the airport. 登记
check out (v. phrase)- sign out for leaving. Check out the hotel, check out the book at register)离去前办理的手续(登记)
check out -also mean " go to take a look" check out the car/ my new car.去看看,瞧瞧去
Monday, December 7, 2009
Life Above the Clouds
雲上人間Come fly with me
SC: How much time do pilots actually spend flying a plane?
JF: It varies from about 20 minutes on some domestic flights to as much as 18 hours on international flights. It all depends on if the flight is a short- or long-haul flight.
SC: Do pilots take breaks during flights or do they fly the whole time?
JF: Yes, we take breaks during long-haul flights. Airlines assign three or four pilots to long flights. Since jets like the Boeing 747 and 777 only need two pilots, we fly the plane in shifts.
SC: If pilots are traveling all the time, how do they deal with jet lag?
JF: Jet lag is annoying for almost all pilots, and there are hundreds of ways to deal with it. I try to keep to the same schedule as I would at home.
SC: How important is it to know the weight and size of the plane you're flying?
JF: Knowing the weight of an airplane is very important because it affects how high and how long you can fly. We weigh almost everything put into the airplane and make estimates based on the number of people on each flight.
SC: How have security changes affected your job over the last several years?
JF: After the 9/11 tragedy, the airline industry developed all kinds of products and procedures to make flights even safer than they already were. For example, they have introduced new bulletproof cockpit doors and airport procedures for dealing with bomb threats.
SC: How do you deal with troublesome passengers?
JF: Pilots are entitled to take all reasonable measures to protect the safety of the aircraft, passengers, crew and property on board. Pilots should consider restraining a violent or unruly passenger if he or she is becoming a hazard to safety.
SC: Pilots eat the airplane food?
JF: Yes, we do eat airplane food! We eat the business class food. Airplane food changes every season and is very delicious unless you get tired of eating lobster every day! The pilot and co-pilot are supposed to make different meal choices so that if one of the dishes causes food poisoning, only one of them will be sick. That way, at least one pilot will always be well enough to fly the plane!
Grammar:
...That way, at least one pilot will always be well enough to fly the plane!
*Janice always puts her keys by the door. That way, she can be sure she will never forget them when she leaves the house.
*Always stretch and warm up before you start swimming. That way, you can avoid getting a cramp.
Vocabulary
short-haul (adj)-Marc plans to take a short-haul flight from Boston to New York this weekend.
long-haul (adj)-Airlines usually serve several meals on their long-haul routes.
*The long-haul flight from Taipei to New York is really exhausting.
assign (v)-Mrs. Franklin assigns work to her staff every morning.
jet lag (n)-搭飞机产生的时差。jet-喷射机 lag-时差，迟，后退或延
Marcy will be suffering from jet lag after her flight from London.
*Vivian still hasn't recovered from her jet lag after returning from France last week.
*Mark travels a lot so he is used to having jet lag.
estimate (n)- 估出来的价格或数量 estimate (v)-估量，估计，评估
According to These estimate, the company needs to increase its sales.
*According to the mechanic's estimate, I will have to pay over $200 to repair my air-conditioner.
*The estimates for next month's sales figures look good.
tragedy (n)-The quick-thinking police officer helped prevent a major tragedy.
entitled (v)-有资格或权利做某些事情en-使。。如何如何的意思 title-资格或权利。
Because Emily was the oldest child, her parents felt she was entitled to her own room.
*Being sick doesn't entitle you to say harsh words 严厉的话to others.
*The shareholders are entitled to know the latest information on the company's condition.
restrain (v)-管束，抑制，现制行动re-有回来的意思．
Terra and Jason restrain their dog with a leash when they take it for walk．
I couldn't restrain my laughter抑制不住笑出来 when I heard him sing-it was awful.
restrain someone from doing something-限制某人做某事
*The doctor had to restrain the patient from hurting herself.
food poisoning (n)-If you eat chicken that isn't fully cooked, you might get food poisoning.
bulletproof-防弹bullet-子弹,proof-证明 (adj)防某种东西的，防．，
a bulletproof vest防弹背心a waterproof watch防水手表,a soundproof room-有隔音的．
unruly-out of control, troublesome
Chat Room
airline commercial (n)-will be an advertisement on TV or newspaper.
commercial airline (n)- a commerce business type of airline.
commerce (adj)-trade for commerce.商业贸易
advertisement (n)-Ad. 英国人把重音放在“ver”上，略与美国发音不同.
polite-Military pilots 军方的飞行员。
short-haul/ long-haul- haul旅途的时间或距离。
a short-haul route近距离路线, a short-haul aircraft专门飞短程的飞机。
--------------
perk is short word for perquisite.－工资以外的津贴或外快
perk-也可表示一份工作所给予的特权或特殊待遇，公司提供给员工的
fringe benefit-附加的福利．如汽车，保险等．
SC: How much time do pilots actually spend flying a plane?
JF: It varies from about 20 minutes on some domestic flights to as much as 18 hours on international flights. It all depends on if the flight is a short- or long-haul flight.
SC: Do pilots take breaks during flights or do they fly the whole time?
JF: Yes, we take breaks during long-haul flights. Airlines assign three or four pilots to long flights. Since jets like the Boeing 747 and 777 only need two pilots, we fly the plane in shifts.
SC: If pilots are traveling all the time, how do they deal with jet lag?
JF: Jet lag is annoying for almost all pilots, and there are hundreds of ways to deal with it. I try to keep to the same schedule as I would at home.
SC: How important is it to know the weight and size of the plane you're flying?
JF: Knowing the weight of an airplane is very important because it affects how high and how long you can fly. We weigh almost everything put into the airplane and make estimates based on the number of people on each flight.
SC: How have security changes affected your job over the last several years?
JF: After the 9/11 tragedy, the airline industry developed all kinds of products and procedures to make flights even safer than they already were. For example, they have introduced new bulletproof cockpit doors and airport procedures for dealing with bomb threats.
SC: How do you deal with troublesome passengers?
JF: Pilots are entitled to take all reasonable measures to protect the safety of the aircraft, passengers, crew and property on board. Pilots should consider restraining a violent or unruly passenger if he or she is becoming a hazard to safety.
SC: Pilots eat the airplane food?
JF: Yes, we do eat airplane food! We eat the business class food. Airplane food changes every season and is very delicious unless you get tired of eating lobster every day! The pilot and co-pilot are supposed to make different meal choices so that if one of the dishes causes food poisoning, only one of them will be sick. That way, at least one pilot will always be well enough to fly the plane!
Grammar:
...That way, at least one pilot will always be well enough to fly the plane!
*Janice always puts her keys by the door. That way, she can be sure she will never forget them when she leaves the house.
*Always stretch and warm up before you start swimming. That way, you can avoid getting a cramp.
Vocabulary
short-haul (adj)-Marc plans to take a short-haul flight from Boston to New York this weekend.
long-haul (adj)-Airlines usually serve several meals on their long-haul routes.
*The long-haul flight from Taipei to New York is really exhausting.
assign (v)-Mrs. Franklin assigns work to her staff every morning.
jet lag (n)-搭飞机产生的时差。jet-喷射机 lag-时差，迟，后退或延
Marcy will be suffering from jet lag after her flight from London.
*Vivian still hasn't recovered from her jet lag after returning from France last week.
*Mark travels a lot so he is used to having jet lag.
estimate (n)- 估出来的价格或数量 estimate (v)-估量，估计，评估
According to These estimate, the company needs to increase its sales.
*According to the mechanic's estimate, I will have to pay over $200 to repair my air-conditioner.
*The estimates for next month's sales figures look good.
tragedy (n)-The quick-thinking police officer helped prevent a major tragedy.
entitled (v)-有资格或权利做某些事情en-使。。如何如何的意思 title-资格或权利。
Because Emily was the oldest child, her parents felt she was entitled to her own room.
*Being sick doesn't entitle you to say harsh words 严厉的话to others.
*The shareholders are entitled to know the latest information on the company's condition.
restrain (v)-管束，抑制，现制行动re-有回来的意思．
Terra and Jason restrain their dog with a leash when they take it for walk．
I couldn't restrain my laughter抑制不住笑出来 when I heard him sing-it was awful.
restrain someone from doing something-限制某人做某事
*The doctor had to restrain the patient from hurting herself.
food poisoning (n)-If you eat chicken that isn't fully cooked, you might get food poisoning.
bulletproof-防弹bullet-子弹,proof-证明 (adj)防某种东西的，防．，
a bulletproof vest防弹背心a waterproof watch防水手表,a soundproof room-有隔音的．
unruly-out of control, troublesome
Chat Room
airline commercial (n)-will be an advertisement on TV or newspaper.
commercial airline (n)- a commerce business type of airline.
commerce (adj)-trade for commerce.商业贸易
advertisement (n)-Ad. 英国人把重音放在“ver”上，略与美国发音不同.
polite-Military pilots 军方的飞行员。
short-haul/ long-haul- haul旅途的时间或距离。
a short-haul route近距离路线, a short-haul aircraft专门飞短程的飞机。
--------------
perk is short word for perquisite.－工资以外的津贴或外快
perk-也可表示一份工作所给予的特权或特殊待遇，公司提供给员工的
fringe benefit-附加的福利．如汽车，保险等．
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)