必須更改 plan！

 口說實用指數：★★★
學校：If the weather isn't fine, you might have to change your plans.
　　 （假如天氣不佳，你們可能就必須更改計畫。）
老外：If the weather isn't good, you might have to change your plans.
　　（假如天氣不好，你們可能就必須更改計畫。）


實境對話
A: We'll probably go to the botanical garden.
　（我們大概會去植物園。）
B：OK, but if the weather isn't good, you might have to change your plans.
　（好的，但假如天氣不好，你們可能就必須更改計畫。）

老外還會這麼說
ex：If it rains, you could go to the art museum.
　（假如下雨，你們可以去美術館。）
ex：If it's really hot tomorrow, you might want to check out the mall.　
　（假如明天真的很熱的話，你們可能會想去賣場逛逛。）
ex：It's not really that nice at the beach when it's this windy.　
　（風這麼大的時候，去海邊其實沒什麼好。）

需要我 to grab 什麼嗎？

 多益相關指數：★★★★
下午茶時間到囉！今天要吃什麼呢？每天下午大約四點左右，同事間就會開始熱絡的討論下午茶菜單，今天輪到我出去買，來看看大家今天都點了什麼，有雞排、關東煮、三明治...等。走到電梯前面時，遇到剛剛去上廁所的同事，順便問他：需要幫你買些什麼嗎？


來聽老美怎麼說？
Sophie：I'm going to the break room. Do you want me to grab you anything?
　 （蘇菲：我要去休息室。要我替你順便拿些什麼東西嗎？）
Gary：Um, yeah .... let me think. How about a double cappuccino and a peanut bar?
　 （葛瑞：嗯，好呀.......讓我想想。幫我帶杯雙份的卡布奇諾和一條花生棒如何？）
Sophie：OK, will do.（蘇菲：好，沒問題。）
Gary：Thanks, Sophie.（葛瑞：謝了，蘇菲。）


俚語小解析to grab (sb.) sth.　(替某人)快速取得某些東西
" grab" 意指以突然的動作緊緊抓住某個東西。在辦公室裡工作的人就常常會出去匆匆喝杯咖啡或吃點點心。如果你聽到人家說" grab a bit to eat" 意思是匆匆地吃點東西。

Ancient X-Files II: Decoding the Incas

古老 X 檔案之二：印加人解碼

by Marcus Maurice
A mystery about khipus is clarified on National Geographic Channel.
　　The Incas of South America have fascinated experts for years. The Incan Empire absorbed a large part of western South America from 1438 through 1533. They were a vibrant civilization, left monumental architecture, invented new technologies, and had ways to mobilize people and resources, but they were missing one thing—a written language. Most cultures have a system of writing, which is a defining attribute of a complex civilization, so archeologists studying the Incas have been stumped for years. Now, National Geographic Channel (NGC) may have new answers in Ancient X-Files II: Decoding the Incas.
　　While no traces of a written Incan language have been discovered, historians have always been fascinated with their khipus, which are a series of knotted threads on a line. These knots are nothing like the ones Boy Scouts tie, though. Instead, khipus consist of individual strings that hang down from horizontal cords. They were originally thought to be counting devices like abacuses. One investigator took a look at 450 of the 600 khipus left in existence and came up with a new theory. She examined them with a multi-spectral scanner and now believes that they are three-dimensional systems for record keeping. Also, a growing number of experts agree that some of the khipus tell stories about Incan history. If this is true, then the Incas would have had a written language very different from that of any other society in the world. The decoding of the riddle of the khipus would be a breakthrough of epic proportions. Check out NGC this month to see for yourself.

Self-reliance‏

The covered wagon rolls along the muddy

path. The gentle motion of the
wagon almost puts you to sleep. Then the wagon hits a bump in the road, and you're brought back to reality. It seems like years since you left your familiar neighborhood back East. You often worry that your family won't have enough to live on out West. But deep down you know that you have all you need. Along with all your supplies, you've got the most important quality of all: self-reliance.
遮著頂篷的馬車碾過泥濘的小路，它輕緩的移動幾乎要把你催入夢鄉。忽然馬車碰到
了路上隆起的土塊，你又被帶回了現實世界。自從你離開東部熟悉的故里，好像已經
過了很多年了。你經常擔心住在西部家人的生活會有困難，但在你內心深處，你卻明
白自己已擁有了所需要的一切。在你所擁有的一切當中，你已經得到了那最重要的
一項特質：獨立自主。
America is a funny place. lf you need a laugh, it's not far away. Just pick up a newspaper and scan the “funny pages” for your favorite comic strip. Or turn on the TV and watch a comedy show. Mail a smile to a friend by sending a humorous greeting card. And watch for amusing situations around you in real life. Telling stories about funny experiences is a great way to brighten up someone's day. Hey, did you hear about the time I...
美國是個很有趣的地方，你如果需要一笑，絕對不成問題。只要拿起報紙，瀏覽一下
遊戲版上你最喜歡的連環漫畫，或者打開電視看一齣喜劇。寄一張有趣的祝賀卡給朋
友，帶給他一個微笑。觀察周遭生活中一些有趣的情況，把一些有趣的經驗告訴別人
，這也是個讓人日子過得更開心的好方法。嘿，你有沒有聽說，有一次我...。
The American writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the American pioneer
spirit in his 1841 essay, “Self-Reliance.” In this essay, Emerson stated that people should be independent, not conforming to the opinions of others. Emerson believed that each person should be content and at peace within himself. This philosophy of self-reliance and individualism shaped the thinking of many Americans.
美國有一位作家與哲學家愛默生，在一八四一年所寫一篇題為「獨立自主」
的散文中，表達了這種美國的拓荒精神。愛默生在這篇文章裡說，人都應該
獨立自主，不要去附和別人的意見，愛默生認為每個人心中都應該感到滿足而
平安。這種獨立與個人主義的哲學影響了很多美國人的想法。
America's philosophy of self-reliance has produced a nation of do-it-yourselfers. Americans have long been proud of their ability to invent, build and fix things for themselves. For example, it's almost part of the “macho male” image for men to work on their own cars or build things with wood. Auto parts stores and home improvement centers offer them everything, they need to do the job right.
美國這種獨立自主的哲學造就了一個「自己動手做」的國家。美國人一向對他們能夠發明、
建造和修理東西的能力感到自豪。舉例來說，能幹的男子漢形象包括了男人自己動手修車或
做木工，汽車零件商店與家事工具店裡提供了他們所需要的各種工具，以便幫助他們把工作
做好。

Most bookstores in America include do-it-yourself books on topics ranging from repairing
washing machines to planting a garden. Of course, not all Americans are handymen

; some are all thumbs. But Americans like to believe they can do many things on their own.
美國大多數的書店都有「自己動手做」的書籍，內容五花八門，從修理洗衣機到闢一個
花園應有盡有。當然，並不是所有的美國人都能自己動手做，有些人還是笨手笨腳的。不過，
美國人喜歡相信，他們可以自己動手做很多的事。

Most bookstores in America include do-it-yourself books on topics ranging from repairing
washing machines to planting a garden. Of course, not all Americans are handymen

; some are all thumbs. But Americans like to believe they can do many things on their own.
美國大多數的書店都有「自己動手做」的書籍，內容五花八門，從修理洗衣機到闢一個
花園應有盡有。當然，並不是所有的美國人都能自己動手做，有些人還是笨手笨腳的。不過，
美國人喜歡相信，他們可以自己動手做很多的事。
One U.S. Congressman learned the lesson of self-reliance the hard way while he was in college. He studied hard for his first test, and he wanted to do his best. As he took the test, he was pleased to find that he knew the answer to every question. Confident that he would get an A, he was shocked to find a C at the top of his exam. The professor had written this note on the test in big red letters: “l know what l said. What do you think?” Learning self-reliance is not an easy lesson. But in America, it's a major part of the curriculum.
有一位美國國會議員，在他唸大學時，以慘痛的代價學到了獨立自主的功課。當時他
下了苦功準備他的第一門考試，想要有最好的表現。考試時，他很高興地發現自己知
道每一道考題的答案。他很有信心自己可以拿到A，結果卻很震驚地發現自己只拿了C
的成績。教授在考卷上用紅筆寫了大大幾個字：「我知道我上課講的東西，但你的想
法是什麼呢？」學會獨立自主不是一件容易的事，不過，在美國，它可是一門重要
的功課呢！

@Word Bank
self-reliance (n) 獨立自主
muddy (adj) 泥濘的
reality (n) 現實；真實
comic strip (n phr) 連環圖畫
conform (v) 使一致；遵從
individualism (n) 個人主義
d Bank

comic strip (n phr) 連環圖畫
macho male (adj phr) 像能幹的男子漢般的 

handyman (n) 很會動手做東西的人
all thumbs (adj phr) 笨手笨腳的 

handyman (n) 很會動手做東西的人
all thumbs (adj phr) 笨手笨腳的

curriculum (n) 功課；課程

@The Day's Phrase
Roger did not hold a grudge against the coworker who treated him rudely. He still invited him out to lunch.
羅傑並不懷恨那粗魯待他的同事，仍然邀他出來吃午飯。

Turning challenges into hope and opportunity
化挑戰為希望與契機

Becca is trying to save enough money to buy an island. Beth thinks that Becca is a total nut case.
貝嘉試圖要存下足夠的錢買座島嶼。貝絲認為貝嘉根本是個瘋子。
You had me at hello.
你一開口就征服我了

Get your imagination
going with these helpful
tips
善用這些有用的小撇步，讓
你的想像力動起來

Sam loves to travel around the world. He is always on the move.
杉福喜愛環遊世界，他總是馬不停蹄地四處跑。

Britain's capital city offers much to see and do
英國首都倫敦有很多好看又好玩的事物

Luke wasn't listening to his teacher. The lesson was going in one ear and out the other.
路克沒有聽他老師講課。課程都是左耳進右耳出。

Deciding the best way to travel
決定最理想的旅行方式

I have skirted around my school loans for six months. It's time for me to start making payments.
有六個月的時間我迴避助學貸款的事。現在該是開始償還的時候了。

Merry Christmas! What would you do to celebrate the day?
聖誕快樂！你打算怎麼慶祝這天呢？

If you have been home sick more than usual, stress may be the cause
如果你生病在家裡靜養的次數超乎尋常，壓力

Would you like to go to church with me today? It's Christmas!
你今天願意和我去教堂嗎？今天是聖誕節呢！

Work Ethic‏

Once upon a time, a little red hen found some grains of wheat. “Who will help me plant the wheat?” she asked her friends. “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the rat. “Not I,” said the pig. “Then I'll do it myself,” said the little red hen.
從前，有一隻小紅母雞發現了一些小麥粒。「誰要來幫我種這些麥子？」她問她的
朋友們。「我不行。」貓回答。「我不行。」老鼠回答。「我也不行。」豬回答。
「那麼我只好自己來種了。」小紅母雞說
Then it came time to harvest the wheat, grind the wheat into flour and make the bread. Still no one would help her. She had to do all the work by herself. But when it was time to eat the fresh-baked bread, everyone wanted to help. “No!” the little red hen exclaimed. “ You didn't share in the work, so you can't share in the reward!”
小紅母雞說。之後要收割小麥的時候到了，要把小麥磨成麵粉，然後要做成麵包，可是
仍然沒有人來幫她，她只得自己做所有的工作。可是，當要吃新出爐的烤麵包時，每個
人都想來幫忙吃，「門兒都沒有！」小紅母雞大叫，「你們完全沒有分擔任何工作，所
以你們一杯羹都分不到！」
The story of the little red hen illustrates the American work ethic, or attitude toward work. Americans feel that everyone should pull his own weight. By working hard, they believe, people can succeed and achieve their goals. In the words of Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, “There is no substitute for hard work.”
這隻小紅母雞的故事，說明了美國人的工作道德，或者可以說是工作的態度。美國人
覺得，每個人都應該盡自己的本份。他們相信，人們可以藉著勤奮的工作而獲得成功
，並且達到他們的目標。引用著名的發明家愛迪生所說的：「努力的工作沒有替代品」。
The American work ethic comes from the days of the early settlers. Many of these settlers were Protestant Christians who believed that all of life, including work, was a service to God. According to the Bible, everyone has a responsibility from God to work hard. These settlers to the New World learned the value of hard work first-hand as they tamed the wilderness. They came to believe that diligence

would lead to success and prosperity. This system of beliefs, known as the “Protestant work ethic,” has greatly influenced American attitudes toward work.
美國人的工作觀源自早期移民的那段時期，這些移民當中有很多是基督教徒，他們相信，
生命中所有的一切，包括工作，都是在事奉上帝。根據聖經，上帝將努力工作的責任交付
給每一個人。這些來到新大陸的移民，在他們開墾荒地時，從中直接學到了努力工作的價
值。他們相信，勤奮可以帶來成功和繁榮。這套被稱作「基督徒的工作倫理」的信仰體系
，已經深深地影響了美國人的工作態度。
Even today, many Americans place high value on their work. When people are introduced to
each other, they commonly ask, “What do you do?” People often find self-respect and a sense of identity in their job. They feel frustrated if they're unemployed and can't“earn their keep.” Moreover, many Americans look down on others who refuse to work and rely on the government to support them. People need a hand, not a handout, they say.
即使到了今天，很多美國人仍很看重他們的工作。當人們彼此互相介紹時，通常會問
對方：「您從事什麼行業？」人們經常會在工作中，發現自我的尊嚴和認同感。如果
失業了無法維持生計，他們就會有挫折感。更甚者，很多美國人會看輕那些不願意工
作而且仰賴政府供養的人。他們說，人需要的是援手，而不是施捨的東西。
Of course, hard work can be taken to an extreme. People who have too many job demands can turn into workaholics. They neglect their personal life, their families and their health. Instead of just working a standard 8 to 5 schedule, these “work addicts” work overtime, all the time. For some people, work stress increases so much that it leads to burnout. Now, not all Americans are workaholics. But most hard-working people find it a challenge to balance work with other responsibilities.
當然，勤奮的工作也可能走向極端，在工作上要求過多的人，可能會變成工作狂，他們
忽略了個人的生活、家人和健康。他們不僅是朝八晚五固定地上班而已，這些對工作上
了癮的人，不論何時總是在加班。對某些人而言，工作的壓力可能會增加到把自己弄得
心力交瘁。當然，並不是所有的美國人都是工作狂，但是大多數勤奮工作的人都覺得，
要在工作上和其他的責任之間取得平衡，實在是一個挑戰。
Sometimes Americans, like most people, think that all their blessings are the fruit of their own labors. The Thanksgiving season is a good time to remember that many of life's blessings are actually gifts—including the opportunity to work. The early settlers worked hard, but they also gave God thanks for His provision and protection. And even though the little red hen had to do all the work herself, she has a lot to be thankful for, especially at Thanksgiving. At least she's not a turkey.
美國人有時候也跟大多數人一樣，認為他們所擁有的一切幸福，都是靠自己的努力所得
來的結果。這個感恩節的時刻是一個很好的時機，可以讓我們記得，生命中所擁有的許
多幸福，其實都是得來的禮物，包括工作的機會。早期的移民很辛勤地工作，可是他們
也因上帝的供應和保護而向祂獻上感謝。雖然小紅母雞必須獨力完成所有的工作，她仍
有許多需要感恩的事，尤其是在感恩節的時刻，她至少會感謝自己不是一隻火雞啊！




@Words Bank
harvest (v) 收割
grind (v) 磨碎（成粉）

pull one's own weight (v phr) 盡自己的本份

Protestant (adj) 基督教徒的
diligence (n) 勤勉
prosperity (n) 成功；繁榮
identity (n) 自我的認同
handout (n) 施捨的東西

workaholic (n) 工作狂
burnout (n) 累垮；心力交瘁
responsibility (n) 責任

provision (n) 供應；準備

 

@The Day's Phrase
If you have been home sick more than usual, stress may be the cause
如果你生病在家裡靜養的次數超乎尋常，壓力

Bernie is on the brink of a big discovery. It could be a sure thing in a month if she works really hard.
柏妮就快有重大的發現了。如果她很努力的話，一個月內一定會有結果的。

Six tips to protect you in the sun this summer
今夏保護你不受陽光侵害的六大祕訣

I enjoy keeping my Uncle John company. When we get together he tells me stories and we play games.
我很喜歡陪約翰叔叔。當我們在一起時，他會說故事給我聽，還我們還玩遊戲呢！

Times are changing, and these desert people aren't far behind
貝都因人的今與昔時代在變，而這群沙漠民族也跟上了腳步

" Steven, they are going to leave without us," Richard said. "Tell them I'll
be ready in two shakes." replied Steven.
「史蒂芬，他們不等我們要先走了，」理查說。「告訴他們我馬上就好。」

You don’t have to escape your surroundings to find the rest and peace you need
不用逃避所處環境，也能得到休息與寧靜

Learn about some of the world’s oldest underground
transportation systems
來了解一些世上歷史最悠久的地下交通運輸系統

What's your plan?
今你有什麼計劃?

My new year resolution is to spend more time with my family.
我新年的決心是多花時間與家人相處.

Traveling back in time is more popular than ever
回到過去變得前所未有地更流行了

I'd rather read than watch comedies on TV.
我寧願閱讀也不願意看電視的喜劇.

來去泡 hot spring！

說法比一比：★★★★學校：The hot springs are good for relaxing.
　　　（溫泉適合放鬆自己。）
老外：The hot springs are very relaxing.
　　　（溫泉讓人非常放鬆。）


實境對話
A: What do you want to do tomorrow?
　（你明天想幹嘛？）
B：The hot springs are very relaxing.
　（溫泉讓人非常放鬆。）



老外還會這麼說
ex：The museums are all pretty boring.
　（博物館無聊透頂。）
ex：The beach is good for people watching.　
　（海邊適合觀賞人群。）
ex：The botanical garden is worth checking out.　
　（植物園值得一看。）

有足夠的創業 capital 嗎？

技術挑戰指數：★★★大學畢業後，有人選擇讀研究所，有人選擇就業。除了找現有的職缺外，也有些人會想要自己創業！但創業都需要有資本，就算是網路創業也不例外！最近聽說一位同學在網路上賣自己製作的後背包，從剪布裁縫到網站行銷都一手包辦，雖然每天都忙得昏天暗地的，但卻很有成就感！

來聽老美怎麼說？
ex：We are required by law to have a working capital of 1 million.
　　（依法我們必須有100萬的流動資本。）
ex：We hope this new project will attract venture capital.
　　（我們希望這件新案子能吸引到創投資金。）
ex：We need to invest further capital in overseas expansion.
　　（我們需要對海外擴張投入更多的資金。）
ex：He started the company with private capital. I think it was family money.
　　（他是靠私人資本開了這家公司。我想那是家裡的錢。）

單字小補充capital　資金(不可數名詞)　
　．可搭配動詞：have、attract、invest
　．可搭配形容詞：further、working、venture、private