The Chinese Zodiac 十二生肖‏

When someone asks you what sign you are, do you say Scorpio or Dragon? Chinese people have their own zodiac chart. Unlike the Western zodiac, it's based on a 12-year cycle according to the lunar calendar. Each year is represented by a different animal. These animal signs in order are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Many legends explain how the Chinese zodiac came about. The following is a very popular one. 
當有人問您屬什麼，您會說天蠍座還是屬龍？中國人有自己專屬的生肖表。和西洋星座不同的是，中國生肖是以農曆來計算，十二年為一輪。每年都以不同的動物為代表。動物的生肖順序為鼠、牛、虎、兔、龍、蛇、馬、羊、猴、雞、狗、豬。十二生肖的由來眾說紛紜。以下是一個廣為流傳的傳說。
One day, all of these 12 animals were quarrelling about who should be the first animal in the Chinese zodiac. They argued all day long and could not come to an agreement. Finally, the gods suggested that all 12 animals participate in a race to see who would come in first. The race started at one side of a river and all the animals had to swim to the other side. 
有一天，這十二種動物全都為了誰應該是十二生肖的排頭而吵架。牠們整天爭論不休，無法取得共識。最後，眾神建議十二隻動物比賽賽跑，看誰能拔得頭籌。比賽始於河的一畔，而所有的動物都必須游到對岸。 
 
 
 
Building Your Vocabulary 
 
1.represent　vt. 代表，象徵
The color red represents passion.
紅色代表熱情。
2.quarrel　vi. 爭吵
If you guys want to quarrel, go outside.
你們如果要吵架就到外面去吵。 
 
 
 
Phrases for Learning 
 
1.in order　　照順序
Don't mess up the books. They're all in order.
別把書弄亂了。它們全是依序擺放的。
2.all day long　　整天
Don't play video games all day long.
不要整天打電動。
3.come to a(n) agreement/decision...　　達成共識∕決定等
It's hard for us to come to a conclusion.
我們很難下結論。
4.participate in...　　參與……
Nina and I will participate in the march.
妮娜和我將參加這場遊行。 
 
 
 
參考字詞 
 
1.sign　n. 星座（本文中亦引申為『生肖』）
2.Scorpio　n. 天蠍座
3.zodiac　n. 黃道帶（指太陽、月亮及主要行星於其中運行的假想帶，以一年為運轉週期，依特定的時間劃分為十二等份，各有其所屬的名稱和象徵圖案。本文中也引申為『十二生肖』。）
the signs of the zodiac　n. 黃道十二宮，十二星座
4.cycle　n. 週期；循環
5.rooster　n. 公雞 
 
 
 
Tips In Use 
 
One day, all of these 12 animals...
（有一天，這十二種動物全都……）
本句中的"one day"表『（過去的）某一天』，可等於"the other day"，此時用過去式。"one day"亦可表『（將來）總有一天』，等於 someday，用於未來式。此外，"some other day"表『改天』，用於未來式。例：
　A stranger came here one day.
= A stranger came here the other day.
（某天，有個陌生人來到這裡。）
　One day I'll carry out my dreams.
= Someday I'll carry out my dreams.
（總有一天我會實現我的夢想。）
　I'll go see that movie some other day.
（改天我再去看那部電影。）