In many parts of the world, there are four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. In the U.S., there are only three: football, basketball and baseball. That’s not completely true, but almost. In every season, Americans have a ball. If you want to know what season it is, just look at what people are playing. For many Americans, sports do not just occupy the sidelines. They take center court.
世界上的許多地方，一年有四季： 春、夏、秋、冬。美國，卻只有三季： 足球、籃球和棒球季。這並非完全正 確，但也差得不遠了。每一個季節，美 國人都有樂趣。若你想知道此季為何， 看看人們正在打什麼球就行了。對於多 數美國人而言，運動並非只是一旁站的 小消遣，它是生活中很重要的一環。
Besides “the big three” sports, Americans play a variety of other sports. In warm weather, people enjoy water sports. Lovers of surfing, sailing and scuba diving flock to the ocean. Swimmers and water skiers also revel in the wet stuff. Fishermen try their luck in ponds, lakes and rivers. In winter sportsmen delight in freezing fun. From the first snowfall, skiers hit the slopes. Frozen ponds and ice rinks become playgrounds for skating and hockey. People play indoor sports whatever the weather. Racquetball, weightlifting and bowling are year-round activities.
除了這「三大運動」，美國人還做許 多其他的運動。天熱時，他們喜歡水上 運動。衝浪、駕帆船和潛水的愛好者群 集於海中。游泳和滑水者，也縱情於水 中。漁夫在池塘、湖泊和河川裡試他們 的運氣。冬季，運動員在冰天雪地裡也 玩得很開心。從下雪的頭一天起，滑雪 者便登上雪坡。結了冰的池塘和溜冰場 成了溜冰和冰上曲棍球的場地。不論氣 候如何，人們都從事戶內運動。回力 球、舉重和保齡球都是全年性的活動。
For many people in the U.S., sports are not just for fun. They’re almost a religion.
Thousands of sports fans buy expensive tickets to watch their favorite teams and athletes play in person. Other fans watch the games at home, glued to their TV sets. The most devoted sports buffs never miss a game. Many a wife becomes a “sports widow” during her husband's favorite season. 對許多的美國人而言，運動不只是 為了好玩。它幾乎成了一種宗教崇拜， 數以千計的運動迷會為了能親眼目睹他 們喜愛的球隊或運動員比賽而出高價購 買門票。其他的球迷則守在家裡寸步不 離地收看電視轉播。那些最熱衷的運動 迷，從不錯過任何一場比賽。
Not all Americans worship sports, but athletics are an important part of their culture.
Throughout their school life, Americans learn to play many sports. All students take physical education classes in school. Some try out for the school teams, while others join intramural sports leagues. Athletic events at universities attract scores of fans and benefit the whole community. Many people also enjoy noncompetitive activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping or hunting. To communicate with American sports nuts, it helps if you can talk sports. 並非所有的美國人都崇拜運動，但 運動的確是他們文化當中極為重要的一 部份。在他們的學校生活當中，美國人 學習許多運動。所有的學生都必須在學 校修體育課。有些人參加校隊的選拔； 有的則加入校內的運動聯盟。在大學中 舉辦的運動比賽通常吸引眾多的運動 迷，並且造福整個社區。許多人也喜歡 從事一些非競爭性的活動像健行、騎單 車、騎馬、露營或打獵。要和美國運動 迷溝通，最好是能暢談運動。
Sports in America represent the international heritage of the people who play. Many sports were imported from other countries. European immigrants brought tennis, golf, bowling and boxing to America. Football and baseball came from other Old World games. Only basketball has a truly American origin. Even today some formerly “foreign” sports like soccer are gaining American fans. In 1994 the U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time ever.
美國的運動代表著從事這些運動的 人的國際遺產。許多的運動是從外國引 進來的。歐洲移民把網球、高爾夫、保 齡球和拳擊帶進了美國。足球和棒球則 源自其他的歐洲傳統比賽。只有籃球是 唯一真正源自美國本土，即使在今日， 一些原本是外來的運動例如英式足球也 吸引了許多的美國運動迷。在一九九四 年，美國首次負責舉辦世界盃足球賽。
Not only do Americans import sports, but they export sports fever, as well. Satellites broadcast games to sports fans around the globe. The World Series, the U.S. professional baseball championship, has begun to live up to its name. The names of American superstars like basketball great Michael Jordan have become household words the world over. Who knows? Sports seasons may even change world weather patterns.
美國人不只是「進口」運動，他們 同樣地也「出口」運動狂熱。他們對全 球的運動迷作衛星轉播。世界系列的美 國職業棒球錦標賽，也已漸趨名符其 實。一些美國的超級明星，像是籃球巨 人麥可喬登已經成了全世界家喻戶曉的 人了。誰知道呢？運動季節甚至可能會 改變全世界的氣象型態呢。
Sports in America represent the international heritage of the people who play. Many sports were imported from other countries. European immigrants brought tennis, golf, bowling and boxing to America. Football and baseball came from other Old World games. Only basketball has a truly American origin. Even today some formerly “foreign” sports like soccer are gaining American fans. In 1994 the U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time ever.
美國的運動代表著從事這些運動的 人的國際遺產。許多的運動是從外國引 進來的。歐洲移民把網球、高爾夫、保 齡球和拳擊帶進了美國。足球和棒球則 源自其他的歐洲傳統比賽。只有籃球是 唯一真正源自美國本土，即使在今日， 一些原本是外來的運動例如英式足球也 吸引了許多的美國運動迷。在一九九四 年，美國首次負責舉辦世界盃足球賽。
Not only do Americans import sports, but they export sports fever, as well. Satellites broadcast games to sports fans around the globe. The World Series, the U.S. professional baseball championship, has begun to live up to its name. The names of American superstars like basketball great Michael Jordan have become household words the world over. Who knows? Sports seasons may even change world weather patterns.
美國人不只是「進口」運動，他們 同樣地也「出口」運動狂熱。他們對全 球的運動迷作衛星轉播。世界系列的美 國職業棒球錦標賽，也已漸趨名符其 實。一些美國的超級明星，像是籃球巨 人麥可喬登已經成了全世界家喻戶曉的 人了。誰知道呢？運動季節甚至可能會 改變全世界的氣象型態呢。
Picture this: Two very fat men enter an ice cream shop. They sit down and order two giant sundaes. After enjoying their rich desserts, they go to a health club and have a good workout. They’re trying to work off all those calories they ate. Who would be so silly? Some Americans would. When it comes to health and fitness, Americans have mixed emotions. On the one hand, they are concerned about their health. On the other, they have some very unhealthy habits.
想像一下這個景象：兩個大胖子進入 一家冰淇淋店，他們坐下來點了兩客大聖 代。吃完高熱量的甜點後，再去一家健身 俱樂部好好地運動一番，想把吃進去的熱 量消耗掉。誰會這麼傻呢？有些美國人就 是這麼傻。談到健康與健美，美國人有矛 盾的情結，他們一方面關心自己的健康， 另一方面又有一些很不健康的習慣。 ?Word Banksideline (n)（足球場之）界線；此指較次要的事
revel (v) 狂喜；大悅
try one’s luck (v phr) 碰運氣 rink (n) 溜冰場
glue (v) 黏
buff (n) 對某事特別熟悉或有研究的人
intramural (adj) 同一個學校的；校內的
scores (n) 許多
fever (pl) 狂熱；激昂
live up to something (v phr) 配得上；依（某種標準）生活 household (adj) 家喻戶曉的
fever (pl) 狂熱；激昂
live up to something (v phr) 配得上；依（某種標準）生活 household (adj) 家喻戶曉的
sundae(n) 冰淇淋聖代
workout (n) 做運動；健身 calorie (n) 卡路里（熱量的單位） fitness (n) 健康；強健
發表讓人們目不轉睛的演講He's a nut case, don't listen to any of his crazy ideas. 他這個人瘋瘋癲癲的，別聽他那些瘋狂的想法。 This month's expert explains the cost and value of home 房地產達人本月邀請專家來解釋房屋的成本和價值
He felt like it was time to put her in her place.
他覺得是該提醒她注意自己的身分的時候了。 |
不用再擔心電池沒電囉
If you are not careful with how you use your credit card, it is very easy to run up a bill.
如果你不謹慎使用信用卡，你很容易就會積欠一筆債。
如果你不謹慎使用信用卡，你很容易就會積欠一筆債。
Deal with travel trouble and live to tell the tale
因應旅途中發生的難題，先保命要緊，才能向其他人講述真實經歷
Stop being such a pain in the neck and help me wash the dishes.別惹人討厭了，快來幫我洗碗盤吧。
"So long," said Bob. "Drive safely on your way home."
「再見，」鮑伯說道。「回家路上開車小心喔。」
These Asian designers are a hit in the world of fashion「再見，」鮑伯說道。「回家路上開車小心喔。」
亞洲設計師風靡時尚界
Zach was the spitting image of his father.薩克長得酷似他父親Some people may consider me strait-laced, but I'm just obeying the law.
有的人可能認為我過於拘泥，我不過只是守法而已。You should ask Tom, physics is right up his alley.
你該問問湯姆，物理正是他的專長呢。Dip your hands into the cool, creamy mud of these tiny natural wonders
你可以把手放進這些迷你自然奇觀涼爽又濃稠的泥巴裡!
Mark my words, if you do it your way, it will not work.記著我說的，如果你照著你的方式做，那會行不通的
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