2013年3月22日 星期五

Year of Giving  施比受更有福‏


 



by Marcus Maurice

Can US$10 really change a person's life?
10 塊美金真的能改變一個人的人生嗎?

  The term altruism was originally coined by philosopher Auguste Comte. It means selfless concern for the welfare of others. On December 15, 2009, 36-year-old Reed Sandridge did something that people who just lost their jobs usually never do. _(1)_ Sandridge's plan was to give away US$10 to a stranger every day and then document it on his blog. He said his mother taught him that in difficult economic times, it's even more important to share with others. Sandridge knows that US$10 is not really going to change a person's life. _(2)_ Also, his stories have inspired others to do more to help those in need.
  Some days, giving away money in Washington, DC is easy, like when Sandridge helps out a homeless person or someone down on their luck. _(3)_ In their opinion, no one in their right mind would be giving out money to strangers.
『利他主義』一詞最初是由哲學家奧古斯特‧孔德所創,代表對他人福利的無私關心。2009 年 12 月 15 號,36 歲的 Reed Sandridge 做了一件失業者通常不會做的事。他開始 Year of Giving 這項計劃,而該計劃是獻給他的母親,她是他認識的人中最無私的一位。Sandridge 的計劃是每天給一名陌生人 10 塊美金,並記錄在他的部落格上。他說他的母親教導他經濟情況越是艱困,與人分享就越為重要。Sandridge 明白 10 塊美金並不能真正改變一個人的生活。不過,此舉讓他感覺很好,而這價值遠超過 10 塊美金。此外,他的故事也啟發了其他人幫助需要幫忙的人。
  在華盛頓特區,有些日子分送金錢相當容易,像是 Sandridge 幫助遊民或是時運不濟的人的時候。不過有些日子則很困難,因為陌生人認為 Sandridge 瘋了。他們覺得精神正常的人不會把錢分送給陌生人。
  On his blog, Sandridge documents each monetary exchange and what happened that day. He keeps in contact with many of the people that have accepted his money and asks them to let him know how they spent it. _(4)_ Sandridge even has a section on the blog called Lend a Hand, where he lists the needs of the people he has met. _(5)_ At the end of the year, Sandridge plans to have a party and invite all those who have been featured. His mother would surely be very proud of him.
在他的部落格上,Sandridge 記錄每一筆金錢交易以及當天發生的事。他和許多接受他金錢的人保持聯絡,並請他們讓他知道,他們如何運用這筆錢。有些人拿去買香菸、酒或是食物雜貨,而有些人則是傳承這項善意,把這 10 塊美金轉送他人。Sandridge 甚至在部落格開設一個叫 Lend a Hand 的專區,這裡列出與他相遇的人的需求。從這個列表,他的讀者可以把所需物品寄給他,然後他再依照需求送出。年底時,Sandridge 打算開個派對,邀請所有參與其中的人參加。他的母親絕對會以他這個兒子為榮。
(A) However, he feels good in his heart, which is worth way more than US$10.
(B) Other days, it's difficult because strangers think that Sandridge is crazy.
(C) From this, his readers can send him the needed items, which he will deliver accordingly.
(D) He started Year of Giving, a project dedicated to his mother, the most altruistic person he knew.
(E) Some bought cigarettes, alcohol, or groceries, while others paid it forward and gave the US$10 away themselves.
原來如此 

1. 第一題空格應選 (D)
理由:
a. 空格前一句提及,2009 年 12 月 15 號,36 歲的 Reed Sandridge 做了一件失業者通常不會做的事,推測下一句應是說明 Sandridge 做了什麼事。
b. (D) 選項的句子以 He 開頭,說明『他』開始 Year of Giving 這項計劃。此處的 He 指的就是 Reed Sandridge,符合推測,且前後語意連貫,故選之。
大補丸:
a. be dedicated to sb  獻給某人
例: The monument was dedicated to the former president.
(這個紀念碑是獻給前任總統的。)
b. altruistic a. 利他主義的
2. 第二題空格應選 (A)
理由:
a. 空格前一句說 Sandridge 明白 10 塊美金並不能真正改變一個人的生活,因此推測下一句應是他覺得這項計劃帶給他的感受。
b. (A) 選項的句子提到,不過,此舉讓他感覺很好,而這價值遠超過 10 塊美金,前後語意連貫,且都有關鍵字 US$10,故選之。
大補丸:
a. be worth + N/V-ing  值得……
例: The books are expensive, but they are worth the price.
(那些書雖貴,但值得這個價錢。)
b. way adv. 大大地,極為
例: That lawyer's hourly rate is way too high. We can't afford him.
(那位律師的鐘點費太高了,我們負擔不起。)
3. 第三題空格應選 (B)
理由:
a. 空格前一句說在華盛頓特區,有些日子(Some days)分送金錢相當容易(easy)。
b. (B) 選項的句子提到,有些日子(Other days)則很困難(difficult),因為陌生人認為 Sandridge 瘋了,其中 Other days 和 difficult 與前一句的 Some days 和 easy 形成對比,語意連貫,故選之。
4. 第四題空格應選 (E)
理由:
a. 空格前一句提及,他和許多接受他金錢的人保持聯絡,並請他們讓他知道,他們如何運用這筆錢。
b. (E) 選項的句子提到,有些人拿去買香菸、酒或是食物雜貨,而有些人則是傳承這項善意,把這 10 塊美金轉送給他人,呼樣上一句這些人如何花這筆錢,上下語意連貫,故選之。
大補丸:
a. alcohol n. 酒類(不可數)
b. groceries n. 食品雜貨(恆為複數)
grocery store  食品雜貨店
例: I need to go to the market to buy some groceries. Would you like to come?
(我需要去市場買點食品雜貨。你要一起來嗎?)
例: Are there any grocery stores near your place? I need to buy some supplies.
(你家附近有雜貨店嗎?我需要買點日用品。)
5. 第五題空格應選 (C)
理由:
a. 空格前一句提到,Sandridge 甚至在部落格開設一個叫 Lend a Hand 的專區,這裡列出與他相遇的人的需求。
b. (C) 選項的句子提到,這表示他的讀者可以把需要的物品寄給他,然後他再依照需求送出,說明了 Lend a Hand 這個專區的用處,語意連貫,故選之。
大補丸:
a. deliver vt. 運送;傳送
例: Santa Claus rides his sleigh and delivers gifts to children all over the world on Christmas Eve.
(在聖誕夜,聖誕老人駕著雪橇,將禮物分送給全世界的小孩。)
b. accordingly adv. 照著(置於動詞之後);因此(置於句首)
例: Watch what I'm doing and act accordingly.
(看著我怎麼做,然後跟著做。)
例: Johnny didn't study. Accordingly, he failed the test.
(強尼沒唸書。因此,他考試不及格。)
精解字詞片語 
1. document vt. 詳細記錄
例: The doctor wanted the nurse to document everything the patient ate.
(醫生要護士詳細記錄病人所吃的每一樣東西。)
2. down on one's luck  某人運氣不佳
例: Gary was down on his luck after a series of bad investments.
(蓋瑞一連串的投資失利,運氣相當背。)
3. In one's opinion, S + V  依某人之見,……
= In one's view, S + V
例: In my opinion, the new president is doing a good job.
(依我之見,那位新總統的表現不錯。)
4. in one's right mind  精神正常,理智健全
例: Mary wasn't in her right mind when she threatened to commit suicide.
(當瑪麗威脅要自殺時,神智並不正常。)
5. give out...  分發……
例: Sarah volunteers by giving out food to homeless people every week.
(莎拉每星期去做義工,分發食物給遊民。)
6. exchange n. 交易;交換
in exchange for...  換取∕交換……
例: I gave Tim my watch in exchange for his fountain pen.
(我拿我的錶來交換提姆的鋼筆。)
7. be proud of...  以…為榮∕為傲
例: The mother is proud of her son's achievements.
(那位母親對她兒子的成就感到驕傲。)
單字小舖
1. altruism n. 利他主義
2. coin vt. 創造(新字詞)
3. selfless a. 無私的,忘我的
4. welfare n. 幸福,福祉
5. monetary a. 金錢(上)的
6. section n. 部分

1. in need  有需要的;貧困的
2. keep in contact with sb  和某人保持聯絡
= keep in touch with sb
3. lend a (helping) hand  伸出援手,幫忙
答案: 1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (E) 5. (C)

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