History shows that people have been playing games with cards for a very long time. Although they made their debut in Europe in the 1300s, cards had been used in the Chinese and Islamic cultures for hundreds of years prior to that time. All sorts of card games that are played alone or in groups have been created. Cards can be used for betting like in poker or team play like with bridge1. One of the most interesting ways cards have been used, though, is to predict the future with tarot cards.
Some people believe tarot cards originated in Egypt. Yet, there has been no evidence to support this interesting theory. The first known tarot cards were called triumph cards and created around the mid-1400s. They were used to play the game of triumph, which was similar to the modern-day game of bridge. The first record of tarot cards makes it very clear that they were a separate type of card and not ordinary playing cards2. Triumph became very popular all over Europe, which spread the use of the cards to many areas of the world. Around 1530, triumph cards, along with its game, became known by their Italian name, tarocchi. The French name of tarot would be adopted over 200 years later when followers of the occult3 used the cards to see into the future.
@Building Your Vocabulary
1. predict vt. 預測
Tom is moody, so no one can predict when he is going to freak out.
湯姆很情緒化，所以沒人能預測他何時會抓狂。
2. originate vi. 發源，起源
Mahjong originated in China before becoming popular in other parts of the world.
麻將起源於中國，然後便風靡全球。
3. evidence n. 證據，證明
Although the evidence is not in Frank's favor, I still believe he is innocent.
即便證據對法蘭克不利，我還是相信他是無辜的。
4. ordinary a. 普通的，平常的
This documentary reveals how ordinary a movie star's life can be.
這部紀錄片顯示一位電影明星是可以過著多麼平凡的生活。
5. adopt vt. 採用，採取
The boss didn't adopt John's suggestion because it was too far-fetched.
老闆沒有採用約翰的建議，因為那個點子太過牽強了。
Tom is moody, so no one can predict when he is going to freak out.
湯姆很情緒化，所以沒人能預測他何時會抓狂。
2. originate vi. 發源，起源
Mahjong originated in China before becoming popular in other parts of the world.
麻將起源於中國，然後便風靡全球。
3. evidence n. 證據，證明
Although the evidence is not in Frank's favor, I still believe he is innocent.
即便證據對法蘭克不利，我還是相信他是無辜的。
4. ordinary a. 普通的，平常的
This documentary reveals how ordinary a movie star's life can be.
這部紀錄片顯示一位電影明星是可以過著多麼平凡的生活。
5. adopt vt. 採用，採取
The boss didn't adopt John's suggestion because it was too far-fetched.
老闆沒有採用約翰的建議，因為那個點子太過牽強了。
@Phrases for Learning
1. make + 所有格 + debut （某人∕物）首次出現∕登台
It took a while for Julia to become famous after she made her television debut.
茱莉亞首次上電視後，過了一段時間才出名。
2. prior to... 在……之前，先於……
Beth told Jason her big secret prior to her death.
貝絲在臨終前把她的重大秘密告訴傑森。
3. along with... 與……一起；以及……
Johnny gave me a Christmas card, along with an expensive present.
強尼送給我一張耶誕卡和一份貴重的禮物。
It took a while for Julia to become famous after she made her television debut.
茱莉亞首次上電視後，過了一段時間才出名。
2. prior to... 在……之前，先於……
Beth told Jason her big secret prior to her death.
貝絲在臨終前把她的重大秘密告訴傑森。
3. along with... 與……一起；以及……
Johnny gave me a Christmas card, along with an expensive present.
強尼送給我一張耶誕卡和一份貴重的禮物。
@Extra Words
1. bridge n. 橋牌
2. playing card n. 撲克牌（常用複數）
3. the occult n. 神秘學
1. bridge n. 橋牌
2. playing card n. 撲克牌（常用複數）
3. the occult n. 神秘學
@Grammar Check
The first record of tarot cards makes it very clear that...（有關塔羅牌的首次記載明確指出……。）
"make it clear that..."表『明確指出……』，此處的 it 為動詞 make 的虛受詞，其真正的受詞為 that 所引導的子句。以下列舉更多類似的用法：
Amy made it clear that she would never help me cheat on any exam.
（艾咪很明確地說她永遠都不會幫我作弊。）
The boss made it known that he was stepping down due to his illness.
（老闆告訴大家他因生病之故而即將交棒。）
"make it clear that..."表『明確指出……』，此處的 it 為動詞 make 的虛受詞，其真正的受詞為 that 所引導的子句。以下列舉更多類似的用法：
Amy made it clear that she would never help me cheat on any exam.
（艾咪很明確地說她永遠都不會幫我作弊。）
The boss made it known that he was stepping down due to his illness.
（老闆告訴大家他因生病之故而即將交棒。）
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