Are you an extreme fan? 你是一個鐵粉嗎？ My niece, Tammy, is crazy about BTS. When the group told the world that they planned to take a break, she cried for several weeks. As an extreme fan, she spends lots of time and money on BTS: learning their songs and dances, buying many things about BTS, and flying to South Korea for their concert. She and other extreme fans have become good friends, so they share information, exchange goods, and support everything they say or do. However, it’s not easy for extreme fans to accept criticism. Once a classmate of hers held different ideas about her idols, she had a big fight with him. In the end, the teacher had to deal with it. Admiring singers or actors isn’t a bad thing, but don’t go to extremes. 必備單字 1. niece n. 姪女、外甥女（國中進階800字） 2. admire v. 欣賞（國中進階 800字） 實用字詞 1. extreme fan 鐵粉 = diehard fan 2. accept criticism 接受批評 閱讀技巧： 將長句分成短字詞，以利閱讀 As an extreme fan,／she spends／lots of／time and money／on BTS. 身為一位鐵粉，／她花費／很多的／時間和金錢／在BTS上。 斷句練習： Admiring singers or actors isn’t a bad thing, but don’t go to extremes. 解答： 動手做做看：將長句分成短字詞 Admiring／singers or actors／isn’t a bad thing,／but don’t go to extremes. 欣賞／歌手或演員／不是一件壞事，／但是不要走極端。 考題練習： TOEIC Bridge測驗X國中會考題型 1. Where could you possibly read this article? (A) In an ad. (B) In a comic book. (C) In the newspaper. 2. What didn’t Tammy do? (A) Go to their concert. (B) Write letters to BTS. (C) Sing the songs of BTS. 3. According to the reading, which is true about extreme fans? (A) They are crazy about their idols. (B) They fight with other extreme fans. (C) They will be singers or actors one day. 解答： 1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (A) 文章由TOEIC Program Taiwan · Chun Shin提供： www.facebook.com/ToeicProgramTaiwan
A: The Lantern Festival, which is the 15th day of the first lunar month, will be here the day after tomorrow. Maybe we can go to the Taiwan Lantern Festival! B: Good idea. Where will this year’s main lantern be? A: The main lantern — a “Jade Rabbit” in a spacesuit — will be displayed at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. B: I also want to go to the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in New Taipei City. I’ve always wanted to experience releasing sky lanterns myself. A: Sky lantern releases are scheduled for this Sunday and next Saturday, while the Taiwan Lantern Festival will run until Feb. 19. B: Let’s go to the Taiwan Lantern Festival on a weekday, and go to release sky lanterns on a weekend. A: 後天就是農曆1月15日元宵節，我們去逛「台灣燈會」吧！ B: 好啊，今年的主燈將在哪裡展出呢？ A: 主燈將設置在台北市的國父紀念館，是隻穿著太空裝的玉兔。 B: 我還想去新北市的「平溪天燈節」，我一直想體驗放天燈。 A: 放天燈是在本週日和下週六唷，燈會則將持續到2月19日為止。 B: 那我們平日去逛燈會，週末再去放天燈好了。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
對話 Dialogue 客人：你好，我想買一件外套。 Kèrén: Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī jiàn wàitào. 店員：你喜歡什麼款式的？休閒風格還是正式風格？ Diànyuán: Nǐ xǐhuān shénme kuǎnshì de? Xiūxián fēnggé háishì zhèngshì fēnggé? 客人：休閒一點的。這件黑色的看起來不錯，我就買這件。 Kèrén: Xiūxián yīdiǎn de. Zhè jiàn hēisè de kàn qǐlái búcuò, wǒ jiù mǎi zhè jiàn. 店員：好。這件原價2,000元，現在打九折，打折後是1,800元。 Diànyuán: Hǎo. Zhè jiàn yuánjià 2,000 yuán, xiànzài dǎ jiǔ zhé, dǎzhé hòu shì 1,800 yuán. 客人：可以刷卡嗎？ Kèrén: Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? 店員：可以。謝謝。 Diànyuán: Kěyǐ. Xièxie. 翻譯 Translation Customer: Hi, I want to buy a coat. Clerk: What style do you like? Casual or formal style? Customer: Casual. This black one looks good. I want to buy this one. Clerk: OK. The original price is NT$2,000, and now it is 10% off. After the discount, it is NT$1,800. Customer: Can I pay by credit card? Clerk: Yes. Thank you. 生詞 Vocabulary 1. 外套 (wàitào) coat 2. 款式 (kuǎnshì) style 3. 休閒 (xiūxián) casual 4. 正式 (zhèngshì) formal 5. 原價 (yuánjià) original price 6. 打折 (dǎzhé) to offer a discount 7. 刷卡 (shuākǎ) to swipe a card, pay by credit card 教材音檔 Audio Files 國立清華大學華語中心提供 By National Tsing Hua University Chinese Language Center: https://clc-cc.vm.nthu.edu.tw/home/
The US state of Colorado is renowned as a destination for outdoor activities. The impressive Rocky Mountains, which cut through the state, are the focus of these pastimes, which include hiking and climbing. In Ouray, a town in southwestern Colorado, “ice climbing” is at the center of winter festivities. Every January since 1996, the town has held the Ouray Ice Festival. Its goal is to expose more people to the thrill of ice climbing. The site of this exciting event is the Ouray Ice Park. The park, which fills a river gorge, features over a hundred different routes where expert ice climbers train. On the ice walls are sprinklers and pipes that are overseen by the park’s “ice farmers.” Over the course of the winter, these workers carefully cover the steep walls of the gorge with ice. They create exciting challenges that mirror natural ice formations like frozen waterfalls. They’re also responsible for cleaning up hazards like icicles. Professionals might come to the park to test their expertise, but Ouray Ice Park has been likened to a ski resort. That means that plenty of people just come to play! During the four days that the festival occupies in January, anyone can give ice climbing a try. There are classes to acquaint beginners of all ages, including young children, with the sport. The fun isn’t confined to the ice, either. Visitors can also attend movie screenings and costume parties—the atmosphere at the Ice Festival is warm and fun-filled, despite the wintry weather! 美國科羅拉多州是著名的戶外活動勝地。貫穿該州雄偉的洛磯山脈是這些娛樂的焦點，包含了健行及攀岩。在科羅拉多州西南部的烏雷鎮，「攀冰」是冬季慶祝活動的焦點。自西元1996年以來，該鎮每年一月都會舉辦烏雷冰雪節。它的目標是讓更多人接觸到攀冰的刺激感。 這項令人感到興奮的活動的舉辦地點在烏雷冰上公園。該園區河流峽谷遍布，以擁有超過一百條不同的路線為特色，讓專業的攀冰者可以在此訓練。冰壁上有灑水器和管線，由園區的「冰農」監管。在整個冬天期間，這些工人小心地將冰覆蓋在峽谷的峭壁上。他們創造出刺激的挑戰，與冰瀑等自然的冰層結構很相似。他們還負責清理冰錐等危險物。 專業人士可能會來這公園測試他們的技能，但烏雷冰上公園被比擬作是滑雪勝地。這意味著很多人只是來玩的！一月的冰雪節為期四天，任何人都可以嘗試攀冰。有一些課程可以讓包括幼童在內所有年齡層的初學者認識這項運動。 樂趣也並非局限於冰上。遊客還可以參加電影放映和化妝舞會──儘管天氣寒冷，冰雪節的氣氛卻是溫暖而充滿樂趣的！ MORE INFORMATION hooray int. (表興奮或贊同)好啊 Rocky Mountains 洛磯山脈 pastime n. 消遣；娛樂 festivities n. pl. 慶祝活動 gorge n. 峽谷 sprinkler n. 灑水器 icicle n. 冰錐；冰柱 wintry adj. 寒冷的；冬季的 Key Vocabulary 1. renowned adj. 著名的；有聲望的 Our museum is honored to host an exhibition with artworks
對話 Dialogue 馬可：你好！你叫什麼名字？ Make: Nǐ hǎo! Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? 小實：我叫小實，你呢？ Xiaoshi: Wǒ jiào Xiǎoshí, nǐ ne? 馬可：我叫馬可。 Make: Wǒ jiào Mǎkě. 小實：馬可，你是美國人嗎？ Xiaoshi: Mǎkě, nǐ shì Měiguó rén ma? 馬可：我是美國人，你也是美國人嗎？ Make: Wǒ shì Měiguó rén, nǐ yěshì Měiguó rén ma? 小實：不是，我是臺灣人。很高興認識你。 Xiaoshi: Búshì, wǒ shì Táiwān rén. Hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ. 馬可：我也很高興認識你。 Make: Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ. 翻譯 Translation Mark: Hello! What’s your name? Xiaoshi: My name is Xiaoshi, and you? Mark: My name is Mark. Xiaoshi: Mark, are you American? Mark: Yes, I am. Are you American too? Xiaoshi: No, I’m Taiwanese. Nice to meet you. Mark: Nice to meet you too. 單字片語 Vocabulary 1. 叫(jiào) to be called 2. 什麼 (shénme) what 3. 呢 (ne) a (question) particle 4. 也 (yě) also; too 5. 很高興認識你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ) Nice to meet you 教材音檔 Audio Files 實踐大學華語中心提供 By Shih Chien University Chinese Language Center: https://chineseusc.com/
Eating glutinous rice balls during the Lantern Festival Lunar New Year celebrations traditionally conclude with the Lantern Festival, which is on the 15th day of the first lunar month. With every household decorated with lanterns and streamers, the Lantern Festival can be seen as an extended New Year celebration. Lighting lanterns during the Lantern Festival can be traced to the Western Han Dynasty in China. The 15th day of the first lunar month is the first full moon of the year, and has the significance of a new start. People light lanterns to pray for a bumper harvest in the coming year. Since the Song Dynasty, the custom of eating glutinous rice balls during the Lantern Festival has taken shape and has been passed down to today. People often associate tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) with two festivals, the Winter Solstice and the Lantern Festival. Eating glutinous rice balls on these two festivals symbolizes the auspicious meaning of family reunion and success in all aspects of life. However, the glutinous rice balls (yuanxiao) eaten on the Lantern Festival are actually a bit different from those commonly seen on the market. The two are often confused, and many people cannot tell them apart. Indeed, many have never eaten real yuanxiao at all. Yuanxiao or Tangyuan? Both tangyuan and yuanxiao have glutinous rice as their main ingredient, differing mostly in the way in which they are made. Traditionally, in southern China, tangyuan and yuanxiao are regarded as the same thing, produced by kneading glutinous rice flour and water into a round shape. While the method used in northern China is different — glutinous rice flour is spread on a bamboo sifter, with the stuffing cut into small pieces placed onto the sifter and shaken so that they will be covered in the rice flour, producing the “yuanxiao.”
Occurring on the 15th day of the initial month of the Lunar New Year, when the first full moon appears, the Lantern Festival is a festive time that continues the good cheer and celebration sparked by Chinese New Year. It also simultaneously marks the end of that annual event. It’s a time when lanterns and other colorful lights and decorations adorn stores, businesses, and streets in Chinese communities around the globe. Aside from honoring ancestors, the festival is also meant to foster peace, forgiveness, and harmony. Lantern displays are the center of attention during the Lantern Festival in Taiwan. Parks across the island are often decorated with many lanterns depicting everything from the Chinese zodiac animal of the year to traditional Chinese folk stories. In addition, there are other stimulating activities, including lion and dragon dances, fireworks displays, and various parades. Schoolchildren make small lanterns at schools as well. There are also traditional foods associated with the Lantern Festival, such as tangyuan and dumplings. With tangyuan’s round shape, the treats symbolize the completeness and unity of the family. It is believed that the origin of the Lantern Festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) and is linked to a ritual that was performed by Buddhist monks which involved lighting lanterns to honor Buddha. There are also some colorful legends related to how the festival came about. One tells the story of the Jade Emperor becoming enraged at some townspeople who killed his beloved crane. His plan to burn the town to the ground was foiled by his daughter, who advised the people to light numerous lanterns in the town to trick the emperor into believing it had previously been set ablaze. Whatever the true roots of this joyous occasion, the Lantern Festival is enjoyed in cities
Due to the Lunar New Year holiday, from Saturday, Jan. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 29 there will be no Bilingual Pages. The paper returns to its usual format on Monday, Jan. 30, when Bilingual Pages will also be resumed.
A: What else does astrologer Jesse Tang’s horoscope reading say? B: Librans may have romantic woes, Scorpios shouldn’t waste time at work, and Sagittarians can show their ambition. A: How about the other zodiac signs? B: Capricorns can bravely express their opinions, Aquarians can try to be practical, and Pisceans should avoid overworking. A: 唐綺陽老師的12星座運勢還說了什麼？ B: 「天秤座」可能遇上爛桃花、「天蠍座」做事別浪費時間、「射手座」則要展 現企圖心。 A: 其它的星座呢？ B: 「魔羯座」應該勇於表達、「水瓶座」適合走務實路線、「雙魚座」則要避免 工作過勞。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
A: What does astrologer Jesse Tang’s 2023 horoscope reading say? B: Arians can make some new friends, Taureans can solve some of their problems and Geminis should try not to blow their money. A: How about the other star signs? B: Cancerians can push for new plans, Leos should be cautious in picking business partners and Virgos should look after their health. A: 快告訴我占星師唐綺陽的12星座運勢。 B: 「牡羊座」可以廣結善緣、「金牛座」應該積極解決問題、「雙子座」則要避免亂花錢。 A: 其它的星座呢？ B: 「巨蟹座」可以推動新計畫、「獅子座」應該慎選合作對象、「處女座」則要顧好健康。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
We often think of bacteria as being bad for us. However, our bodies are actually home to countless bacteria, as well as other tiny organisms, many of which are beneficial. Despite this, new research has discovered that our gut “microbiomes” — all the microorganisms that live inside us—are not as diverse and healthy as they used to be. Scientists conducted an experiment in which the feces of numerous species of apes and monkeys was collected and analyzed for bacterial DNA. The results were compared with microbiome data from modern human populations. They showed that while apes and monkeys had around 85 kinds of bacteria, humans in cities only had around 55. Humans in rural areas had between 60 and 65 kinds. Looking at ancient human microbiomes found in fossils helped the researchers pin down when some of these bacteria started to disappear. Many have vanished relatively recently, and the absence of certain gut bacteria in city-dwelling humans suggests that moving into cities has caused our microbiomes to diminish. There are several possible reasons for this, including antibiotic use, better hygiene, and stress. Stress and anxiety have a negative impact on gut bacteria, and other studies have shown that people suffer from more stress in cities. The loss of these bacteria has been linked to asthma and several other diseases becoming more widespread. While the ultimate goal for scientists is to get these helpful bacteria back into our systems, the first step for the research team is identifying exactly which kinds are missing. 我們常認為細菌對我們有害。然而，我們的身體實際上是無數細菌以及其他微小生物的家園，而其中許多是有益的。儘管如此，新的研究發現，我們腸道的「微生物組」——所有生活在我們體內的微生物——已經不像從前那樣多樣化和健康了。 科學家們進行了一項實驗，收集了多種猿類及猴子的糞便並分析了細菌DNA。他們將結果與來自現代人口的微生物組數據比較。結果表示猿類和猴子有大約八十五種細菌，但城市中的人類只有大約五十五種。鄉村地區的人類則有六十到六十五種。 研究在化石中發現的古代人類微生物組，有助於研究人員確認這些細菌中的一些何時開始消失。許多細菌在較近的時間才消失，而城市居民中某些腸道細菌的缺乏，暗示著搬進城市導致了我們的微生物組減少。 這有幾項可能的原因，包括抗生素的使用、更良好的衛生條件，還有壓力。壓力及焦慮對腸道細菌有負面影響，而其他研究顯示，人們在城市中承受的壓力更大。這些細菌的喪失與氣喘和其他幾種疾病變得更普遍有關。雖然科學家的最終目標，是讓這些有益的細菌重新回到我們的人體系統中，但研究團隊的第一步，是先準確確認哪些種類缺失了。 MORE INFORMATION microbiome n. 微生物組 microorganism n. 微生物 feces n. 排泄物（可作單數和複數名詞） bacterial adj. 細菌的 antibiotic n. 抗生素 hygiene n. 衛生（情況） asthma
The Omicron subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, XBB.1.5, is causing concern among scientists after its rapid spread in the United States in December last year. Here is what we know so far: WHAT IS THE XBB.1.5 SUBVARIANT AND HOW DOES IT BEHAVE? The World Health Organization’s senior epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible Omicron sub-variant that has been detected so far. It spreads rapidly because of the mutations it contains, allowing it to adhere to cells and replicate easily. “Our concern is how transmissible it is,” Van Kerkhove said in a news briefing on Jan. 4. XBB and XBB.1.5 were estimated to account for 44.1% of COVID-19 cases in the US in the week of Dec. 31, up from 25.9% in the previous week, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has also been detected in 28 other countries worldwide, the WHO said. XBB.1.5 is yet another descendant of Omicron, the most contagious variant of the virus causing COVID-19 that is now globally dominant. It is an offshoot of XBB, first detected in October last year, which is itself a recombinant of two other Omicron sub-variants. HOW DANGEROUS IS XBB.1.5? The WHO said it does not have any data on severity yet, or a clinical picture on its impact. It said that it saw no indication that its severity had changed but that increased transmissibility is always a concern. “We do expect further waves of infection around the world, but that doesn’t have to translate into further waves of death because our countermeasures continue to work,” said Van Kerkhove, referring to vaccines and treatments. She said the WHO was unable to currently attribute the increase in hospitalizations in the northeastern US to the variant, given that many other respiratory viruses were also in circulation. Virologists agree that the emergence of the new subvariant
A: The Lunar New Year holiday is starting this weekend. I wonder how my luck will be in the Year of the Rabbit. B: Maybe you can check astrologer Jesse Tang’s horoscope reading for this year. A: What does her horoscope reading say for 2023? B: She says that Mercury has been in retrograde again, so everyone should pay greater attention to interpersonal relationships. A: 這個週末就要過年了，不知道「兔年」運勢如何？ B: 你可以看「國師」唐綺陽的12星座運勢啊。 A: 她對今年有什麼預測？ B: 她說「水逆」（水星逆行）最近又來了！要大家注意「人」的問題。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
In his book Atomic Habits, author James Clear outlines a systematic method for self-improvement. Rather than __1__ achieving goals, he stresses the importance of small, incremental gains. This is where the concept of “atomic” comes from since atoms are the smallest __2__ of matter known to humankind. Clear argues that by striving for tiny, sustained improvements in any endeavor, success is inevitable. Clear points out a number of problems that people typically __3__ when setting goals for themselves. One of these is that reaching a goal only accomplishes a momentary change in people. Once the goal is attained, people often __4__ their old bad habits. Take dieting for example. When people reach their target weight, they normally return to their former eating habits and put the weight back on. He also claims that having __5__ goals limits people’s happiness since they are always trying to pursue an end result and not focusing on the moments leading up to that result. Any __6__ along the way, therefore, can be very disheartening. Instead of being goals-oriented, Clear’s __7__ to improvement emphasizes tiny gains of just 1 percent each day. Such minor improvements are virtually __8__. If you run one kilometer in six minutes, for example, a 1 percent improvement would total less than four seconds. Over time, however, these gains add up to a considerable __9__. Daily improvements of 1 percent over an entire year add up to a total gain of almost 38 percent. That would take your one-kilometer running time down to less than four minutes. Clear argues that this tactic is much more realistic for most people than simply setting a goal of __10__ their running time by over one-third. The same can be said for people trying to lose weight. If this system makes sense to you, you may
許多人都會考慮在年後轉換跑道，但在準備找新工作前，記得先處理完所有的工作事務，這樣才能優雅轉身！ 本篇文章將介紹離職時必須了解的重要概念和相關英語句型，並從中介紹一些職場TOEIC 單字。 1. How to resign? 漂亮離職很重要，因為許多公司的人資都互相認識，所以他們可能會找推薦人確認求職者資訊，這個動作的英文是reference-checking。而若是針對背景進行完整調查，則稱為background checks。了解漂亮離職的重要性後，我們來學習如何寫出一封完整的離職信吧！ 辭職的動詞是resign，名詞是resignation。在提出辭職時，最客氣的說法通常都用名詞型而不用動詞型。而動詞可用offer，submit或最正式的tender。 I regretfully tender my resignation effective/with effect from 1st next month. （很遺憾地，我將於下個月一日辭職。） 上述例句中的effective/with effect（有效的）是很重要的字，來自於名詞effect（效果）。如果想要?調辭職從何時開始生效，可用effective或是with effect後方加上from（確切的時間）的說法。 除了日期的說法，也有以下的表現方式（兩週後離職）。若使用動詞型，則可以這樣說： I will be resigning from my job here at ACME Inc.（公司名稱）two weeks from now.（時間） 請記得離職信切忌過長，言簡意賅地把事情說完就是最好的方式，信件的第一句就請完整表明來意並說明計劃離開的時間。 2. Show your gratitude 江湖在走，名聲要有！雖然離職原因有可能是對原本的東家心生不滿，但請務必記得reference-checking這個事情。有些謹慎的公司甚至會針對離職員工進行exit interview（離職面試），目的是為了了解對方離職原因並進行後續的修正與改善。如果你也遇到這種面試，請務必提出你遇到的問題（problem）與批評（criticism），配上相對應的解決方案（solutions）與建設性的回饋（constructive feedback）。 想要表達你對前東家的感激之情，可以直接把Thank you for做為開頭，後方帶入你想要感謝的事物。 Thank you for all the guidance that you have offered me in previous years. （感謝您在前幾年給予我的引導。） 更正式地表達： I would love to offer my sincere/heartfelt gratitude/appreciation for the wonderful working atmosphere in the company.（我想為了公司中良好的工作氛圍獻上我誠摯的感激。） 例句中的 sincere 意思為誠摯的。heartfelt 則為心有所感的。gratitude 從 grateful 而來，與 appreciation 相同都表示感激，後方皆用介詞for 加上感謝的事物。 3. Reasons for leaving 表達感激之後，請簡短地說明離開原因，最好是讓對方覺得你有更好的人生規劃，以下舉出一些不傷和氣的說法： I am going back to school for further studies.（我想回校進修。） I need to take care of my family.（我需要照顧我的家人。） I am pregnant/sick/having some serious health issues. （我懷孕／生病／有一些嚴重的健康問題。） I am looking for a new challenge.（我在追尋新的挑戰。） 另外，像是工作時間太長（work so many hours）、工作難度太高（the task is too difficult）、因為要加班（overtime [OT] is required）、因為 沒晉升（not promoted）、管理者很討厭（pesky/annoying supervisor）、或是「媽媽叫我這樣做」（my mom made me），這些原因都會讓你在reference checking 時吃大虧。 4. Help with transition 最後，請務必在離職信的最後說明自己將會協助交接事宜，讓之後接手的人可以快速上手。工作轉移的英文是transition，而替代人員則用替代（replace）的名詞replacement稱之。以下為協助交接的標準寫法用語： If there is anything I can do to help with the transition, please don’t hesitate to tell me. （若有任何工作上的交接轉換需要我幫忙，請別遲疑讓我知道。） 辭職信的主要步驟就是清楚表達、感謝對方、說明原因，而在信件中運用謙和的語言完整表達自己的意思，則是離職信最重要的關鍵。希望讀者在學會有關離職的英語句型後，都可以優雅轉身！ 【TOEIC多益模擬試題】 1. The ban on the chemical substance will be ____ from Feb 2 nd . (A) affective (B) effective (C) defective (D) reflective 2. Tim wrote a letter to express his deep _____ for your help. (A) appreciation (B) depreciation (C) depression (D) ascension 【解析】 1.正解為(B)。題意為「對於化學物質的禁令將於二月二日開始生效。」由於前方已有禁令ban一字，故須選用與禁令相關的搭配字詞，最好的選擇就是(B)的生效。(A)是有情感的、(C)是有瑕疵的、(D)則是反射的或反思的。意思皆不符合。 2.正解為(A)。題意為「提姆寫了一封信來表達對你協助的深深感激。」因為後方是「協助your help」，故應該是要表達（express）感激。(A)為感激，而(B)為貶值、(C)為憂鬱、(D)為升至、爬上，故僅有(A)為正解。 SOURCE:https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/workplace-toeic/resign-english 文章由TOEIC Program Taiwan · Chun Shin提供： www.facebook.com/ToeicProgramTaiwan
Some students are talking about their winter vacation plans. 幾個學生正在討論他們的寒假計畫。 Julia: Do you have plans for the upcoming winter vacation? Sarah: Yes. My parents are planning a 7-day road trip around the island. How about you? Julia: I’m planning to finish a novel, which I started reading last January. Rex: Wow! That book must be really thick. Julia: Don’t make fun of me. What’s your plan? Rex: I’m going to visit my grandparents because the Chinese New Year is during the vacation. Eric: A family gathering sounds nice. Where do they live? Rex: New York. We’ll take a plane there as soon as the semester ends. Are you planning to go somewhere? Eric: Nope, but I’m planning to learn how to swim. 必備單字 1. trip [ tr?p ] n. （短程）旅行 （國中基礎1200字） 2. thick [ θ?k ] a. 厚的 （國中基礎1200字） 實用字詞 1. make fun of sb. 開某人玩笑 2. family gathering 家庭聚會 閱讀技巧： 將長句分成短字詞，以利閱讀 My parents／are planning／a 7-day／road trip／around the island. 我爸媽／正計畫／一個七天的／公路旅行／環島。 斷句練習： I’m planning to finish a novel, which I started reading last January. 解答： 動手做做看：將長句分成短字詞 I’m planning to／finish a novel,／which I started reading ／last January. 我正計畫／看完一本小說／那本我開始閱讀／去年一月。 考題練習： TOEIC Bridge測驗 X 國中會考題型 1. What may be the best title? (A) Winter Vacation. (B) Plans for vacation. (C) Family gathering. 2. How many of them will travel during the winter vacation? (A) One. (B) Two. (C) Three. 3. According to the reading, which is true? (A) Julia is planning to read a thick novel. (B) Rex will go to China during the vacation. (C) No one is going to do the homework. 解答: 1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (C) 文章由TOEIC Program Taiwan · Chun Shin提供： www.facebook.com/ToeicProgramTaiwan
A: Apart from events around the world, is there anything to look forward to in Taiwan? B: Next year marks the 400th anniversary of Tainan’s establishment. There will be a series of celebrations we can go to this year. A: Cool! Anything else? B: The presidential election will take place early next year, so I guess we can expect a lively campaign late this year. A: 除了世界各地，今年台灣會有什麼令人期待的事物嗎？ B: 明年是台南市建城四百週年唷！我們可以參加今年一系列慶典。 A: 還有呢？ B: 總統大選就在明年初，我想今年底，選戰應該很熱鬧。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩)
A: How about the entertainment world? Is there anything to look forward to in 2023 there, too? B: Yeah, events such as Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show, Eurovision 2023 and movies like “The Little Mermaid” live-action remake are all highly anticipated. A: I’ve heard the long-running musical “The Phantom of the Opera” will finally bid farewell to Broadway this year. B: Well, the show first opened on Broadway in 1988. When it closes later in April, it will have played 13,981 performances. A: 今年的娛樂圈，也有什麼令人期待的事物嗎？ B: 蕾哈娜的超級盃大秀、2023年歐洲歌唱大賽、《小美人魚》真人電影等強片……這些都將是今年的大事！ A: 聽說長壽歌舞劇《歌劇魅影》，終於要告別百老匯了。 B: 該劇1988年在百老匯開演，四月落幕時演出將達到一萬三千九百八十一場。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩)
Tucked in among the soaring mountains of Upper Austria is a tiny, must-visit village. You might wonder what such a modest place might have to offer compared to larger European cities. Passing up an opportunity to see Hallstatt, however, would be a mistake. This picturesque alpine village is the home of ancient history, with signs of industry dating back to around 2000 BC. It was the area’s lucrative salt resources that first lured people there, and a trip deep into the Salzwelten, the world’s oldest salt mine, should be at the top of your to-do list. After descending 400m underground, you’ll arrive at a 64m slide once used by miners. You can still take a ride on it yourself. It stops at the entrance of the 7,000-year-old mine. There, you’ll step into the past, learning the secrets of one of the world’s oldest commercial enterprises. Before cruising back to daylight via rail, check out Europe’s oldest wooden staircase, built 3,400 years ago. For more gripping journeys into Hallstatt’s past, you’ll want to visit Europe’s largest collection of painted skulls at the Hallstatt Ossuary. The ossuary offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s memorial rituals. Residents painted the skulls of their ancestors as a way of exhibiting their honor and status during life. More than 600 painted skulls are on display, the oldest dating back to 1720. To wrap up your adventure, leave the depths of the past behind by taking in the view from 360m above Lake Hallstatt. Skywalk Hallstatt is a fenced walkway that juts out from the mountainside, offering stunning views of the neighboring peaks and the area’s cozy villages. Taking in the surrounding scene, you’ll wonder why it’s taken you so long to travel to this magical place, and it won’t be long until you’re thinking of ways to stay
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