Can money buy happiness? Many Americans think so—at least they act like they do. Americans believe in the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And just what does the pursuit of happiness mean? For many, it means pursuing money. Success- oriented Americans often measure people's worth by how much they have. For that reason, keeping up with the Joneses has become almost a fulltime occupation.
金錢能夠買到快樂嗎？許多美國人認為可以——至少就他們的表現來看，他們是這麼認為。
美國人相信「生命、自由以及追求快樂的權利。」但是到底追求快樂的意思是什麼？對許多人
而言，它代表的是追求金錢。追求成功的美國人常以一個人擁有的多寡來衡量他的價值。基於
這個理由，大家比來比去幾乎成了全天候的職業。
Why do Americans emphasize money so much? Well, this “land of plenty” has long enjoyed abundant natural resources, and people have gotten used to material wealth. Besides that, Americans believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. People aren't bound by social class. They can work hard and improve their status. Many immigrants have come to this land of opportunity for that reason— to seek a better future. This belief in equal opportunity has produced a spirit of competition. lt's like a race to the top of the success ladder.
為什麼美國人這麼強調金錢？嗯，這塊「豐富之地」長久以來享受著豐富
的自然資源，而人們也習慣於豐富的物質生活。除此之外，美國人相信每個人
都有公平的成功機會。人們不會因出身高低而受限制。他們可以努力工作以改
變社會地位。許多移民正是為此原因而來到這塊充滿機會的土地上——為要追求
一個更好的未來。這個機會均等的信念，造成了競爭的精神，它就像一場通往成功
之梯頂端的比賽一樣。
On average, Americans save around 5 percent of their income. Some find ways to invest their money. Investments range from individual retirement accounts (lRA's) to stocks and bonds. Not all Americans are rich, but most are concerned about money.
平均而言，美國人大約會將其收入的百分之五儲蓄起來。有些人會找投資的管
道。投資的範圍自個人退休儲金( IRA'S )到股票和債券都有。並非每個美國人都
很有錢，但是大部分人都在乎錢。Interestingly, though, “money” doesn't mean just cash—dollar bills and coins. The United States is fast becoming a cashless society. Nowadays, checks and credit cards work just as well as “real money,” if not better. A checking account has become almost a necessity for most Americans. Stores accept checks drawn on local banks as payment for purchases. People send checks through the mail as a saferalternative to sending cash.
雖然如此，有趣的是，「錢」不是僅指現金——紙幣和銅板。美國正在快
速成為一個無現金的社會。今天，支票和信用卡如果沒有更好用，至少也和
「真正的錢」一樣好用。大部份的美國人已經都需要有一個支票戶頭。一般商店
會接受附近銀行的支票來付購物的款項。人們則以較安全的寄支票方法代替寄現金。
Credit cards symbolize American shopping habits: “Buy now, pay later. ” Loan companies—such as VISA and MasterCard—as well as gas companies and stores issue credit cards to people with a good credit record. Even teenagers have their own credit cards. This “plastic money” allows people more spending freedom. But it also gets them into a lot of debt! Moreover, just as with cash, there are still dangers from loss or theft. With checks and credit cards, Americans can be cashless, but they still can't afford to be careless.
信用卡代表了美國人購物習慣：「現在買，稍後付款。」貨款公司——例
如：VISA 和Master Card——以及天然瓦斯公司和其他的商店，會對信用好的人
發給信用卡。即使是年輕人，也擁有自己的信用卡。這種「塑膠貨幣」為人們
帶來了更大的花費自由。但是它同時也使他們負債累累。更有甚者，正如使用
現金一樣，它們也會有丟失或遭竊的危險。使用支票和信用卡，美國人可以不
用現金，但是卻不能毫無節制。
Even a casual observer would notice that America is a consumer society. The media bombard people with advertisements. Commercials interrupt TV and radio programs with catchy appeals to go out and buy. Shopping has almost replaced baseball as the national pastime. Still, Americans realize that life is more than having things. Volunteering and giving to charity organizations occupy part of
Americans' time and money, as well. Deep down, they realize that happiness can't be bought, but it can be given away.
即使是一個非專業的觀察家，也會留意到美國是個消費者社會。媒體中充
滿了各樣動人心弦的廣告。電視或收音機節目常會被那些動人的讓你想出外購
買的廣告打斷。購物幾乎已經代替了棒球而成為全國性的消遣。但是，美國人
仍然明白生活不僅只是擁有物質。做義工以及對慈善機構的捐贈仍然佔去了美
國人部份的時間和金錢。在內心深處，他們明白快樂不能用金錢購得，但是卻
是可以跟人分享的。
@Word Bank
pursuit (n) 精通的
oriented (adj) 以?為導向的；以?為目的的
keep up with the Joneses (v phr) 在物資上和別人比較、競爭
emphasize (v) 強調
ladder (n) 進身階梯
金錢能夠買到快樂嗎？許多美國人認為可以——至少就他們的表現來看，他們是這麼認為。
美國人相信「生命、自由以及追求快樂的權利。」但是到底追求快樂的意思是什麼？對許多人
而言，它代表的是追求金錢。追求成功的美國人常以一個人擁有的多寡來衡量他的價值。基於
這個理由，大家比來比去幾乎成了全天候的職業。
Why do Americans emphasize money so much? Well, this “land of plenty” has long enjoyed abundant natural resources, and people have gotten used to material wealth. Besides that, Americans believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. People aren't bound by social class. They can work hard and improve their status. Many immigrants have come to this land of opportunity for that reason— to seek a better future. This belief in equal opportunity has produced a spirit of competition. lt's like a race to the top of the success ladder.
為什麼美國人這麼強調金錢？嗯，這塊「豐富之地」長久以來享受著豐富
的自然資源，而人們也習慣於豐富的物質生活。除此之外，美國人相信每個人
都有公平的成功機會。人們不會因出身高低而受限制。他們可以努力工作以改
變社會地位。許多移民正是為此原因而來到這塊充滿機會的土地上——為要追求
一個更好的未來。這個機會均等的信念，造成了競爭的精神，它就像一場通往成功
之梯頂端的比賽一樣。
On average, Americans save around 5 percent of their income. Some find ways to invest their money. Investments range from individual retirement accounts (lRA's) to stocks and bonds. Not all Americans are rich, but most are concerned about money.
平均而言，美國人大約會將其收入的百分之五儲蓄起來。有些人會找投資的管
道。投資的範圍自個人退休儲金( IRA'S )到股票和債券都有。並非每個美國人都
很有錢，但是大部分人都在乎錢。Interestingly, though, “money” doesn't mean just cash—dollar bills and coins. The United States is fast becoming a cashless society. Nowadays, checks and credit cards work just as well as “real money,” if not better. A checking account has become almost a necessity for most Americans. Stores accept checks drawn on local banks as payment for purchases. People send checks through the mail as a saferalternative to sending cash.
雖然如此，有趣的是，「錢」不是僅指現金——紙幣和銅板。美國正在快
速成為一個無現金的社會。今天，支票和信用卡如果沒有更好用，至少也和
「真正的錢」一樣好用。大部份的美國人已經都需要有一個支票戶頭。一般商店
會接受附近銀行的支票來付購物的款項。人們則以較安全的寄支票方法代替寄現金。
Credit cards symbolize American shopping habits: “Buy now, pay later. ” Loan companies—such as VISA and MasterCard—as well as gas companies and stores issue credit cards to people with a good credit record. Even teenagers have their own credit cards. This “plastic money” allows people more spending freedom. But it also gets them into a lot of debt! Moreover, just as with cash, there are still dangers from loss or theft. With checks and credit cards, Americans can be cashless, but they still can't afford to be careless.
信用卡代表了美國人購物習慣：「現在買，稍後付款。」貨款公司——例
如：VISA 和Master Card——以及天然瓦斯公司和其他的商店，會對信用好的人
發給信用卡。即使是年輕人，也擁有自己的信用卡。這種「塑膠貨幣」為人們
帶來了更大的花費自由。但是它同時也使他們負債累累。更有甚者，正如使用
現金一樣，它們也會有丟失或遭竊的危險。使用支票和信用卡，美國人可以不
用現金，但是卻不能毫無節制。
Even a casual observer would notice that America is a consumer society. The media bombard people with advertisements. Commercials interrupt TV and radio programs with catchy appeals to go out and buy. Shopping has almost replaced baseball as the national pastime. Still, Americans realize that life is more than having things. Volunteering and giving to charity organizations occupy part of
Americans' time and money, as well. Deep down, they realize that happiness can't be bought, but it can be given away.
即使是一個非專業的觀察家，也會留意到美國是個消費者社會。媒體中充
滿了各樣動人心弦的廣告。電視或收音機節目常會被那些動人的讓你想出外購
買的廣告打斷。購物幾乎已經代替了棒球而成為全國性的消遣。但是，美國人
仍然明白生活不僅只是擁有物質。做義工以及對慈善機構的捐贈仍然佔去了美
國人部份的時間和金錢。在內心深處，他們明白快樂不能用金錢購得，但是卻
是可以跟人分享的。
@Word Bank
pursuit (n) 精通的
oriented (adj) 以?為導向的；以?為目的的
keep up with the Joneses (v phr) 在物資上和別人比較、競爭
emphasize (v) 強調
ladder (n) 進身階梯
invest (v) 投資
bond (n) 債券
bond (n) 債券
draw (v) 支領；提取
alternative (n) 另一可選擇之事物
alternative (n) 另一可選擇之事物
credit record (n phr) 信用記錄 bombard (v) 攻擊；轟炸
catchy (adj) 引誘人的；動人的
appeal (n) 吸引力
catchy (adj) 引誘人的；動人的
appeal (n) 吸引力
@The Day's Phrase
Knowing what people want is the first step in creating the next great product
知道人們究竟想要什麼，是創造下一項絕佳產品的第一步
知道人們究竟想要什麼，是創造下一項絕佳產品的第一步
Aren't you going a little fast? The speed limit here is 40 km/h.
你會不會開得太快了一點？這裡的速限是每小時四十公里耶。
你會不會開得太快了一點？這裡的速限是每小時四十公里耶。
The same old stories take on brand new expression when you can step inside of them
流傳已久的故事有了全新的表現手法，讓人們可以進入故事中一窺堂奧
流傳已久的故事有了全新的表現手法，讓人們可以進入故事中一窺堂奧
You got 100% on the test! Good for you.
你考試得了滿分耶！了不起！
你考試得了滿分耶！了不起！
Is it possible to duplicate the artistry and sound of a 300-yearold
musical masterpiece using x-ray machines?
利用X光機複製出有三百年歷史的音樂傑作是否真有可能？
musical masterpiece using x-ray machines?
利用X光機複製出有三百年歷史的音樂傑作是否真有可能？
What are you up to? Nothing, just reading my email.
你在忙什麼呀？沒事，只是在讀我的電子郵件而已。
你在忙什麼呀？沒事，只是在讀我的電子郵件而已。
Life down under can be sweet, especially in one of these breathtaking vacation spots!
在澳洲度過甜蜜美好時光，尤其如果能造訪令人歎為觀止的觀光景點就更
在澳洲度過甜蜜美好時光，尤其如果能造訪令人歎為觀止的觀光景點就更
You're right!Aren't I always?
你是對的。我什麼時候錯了？
你是對的。我什麼時候錯了？
Sorry about that. I didn't know you wanted to keep that food.
對不起。我不知道你想留那些菜。
對不起。我不知道你想留那些菜。
I'm angry with you today. What did I do?
我今天很氣你。我做了什麼了？
我今天很氣你。我做了什麼了？
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