The Tokyo Olympics will be postponed to next year, and here are some major challenges to the postponement, according to AFP. First, competition scheduling. Moving the Olympics into next year’s busy sporting calendar will be a logistical nightmare, as it may clash with the World Aquatics Championships and other big events.
Next, venue problems. Among the total of 43 sites, some are temporary while others are repurposed or purpose-built for the Games. All will face various difficulties in the event of a delay. The International Olympic Committee also warns: “A number of critical venues needed for the Games could potentially not be available anymore.”
Third, the Athletes’ Village. After the Games, the village, featuring 21 towers, will be converted into thousands of luxury condos, which are being sold or put up for rent. The postponement may delay the renovation process and even cause legal disputes. Finally, hotel bookings. Many people could face losing their deposits and need to re-book quickly for the rescheduled dates.
Photo: AFP
照片：法新社
(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)
東京奧運將延期至明年才舉辦，據法新社報導，延期將面臨以下幾項重大挑戰！首先︰賽事排程。把奧運延到運動賽程早已滿檔的明年，將是後勤工作的惡夢，可能和世界游泳錦標賽及其它大型比賽撞期。
再者︰場地使用。在東奧共多達四十三座場館中，有些是暫時的，有些則是重新再利用或是專門建造的，賽事延期所有場館都將遭遇各種難題。連國際奧林匹克委員會（IOC）也警告︰「多處奧運主場館屆時可能無法再使用。」
此外︰選手村的問題。東奧選手村共有二十一棟大樓，在賽後預計轉變成數千戶豪華小公寓，目前開放出售或租用。延期勢必會擔誤公寓翻修進度，甚至會引起法律糾紛。最後︰旅館訂房。許多人有可能損失旅館的訂金，在賽程重排後，還得趕快再重新訂房。
（台北時報張聖恩〉
報復性旅遊（revenge travel）要開始啦！繼許多國家於今年開放國外旅客入境，台灣也預計在十月中開放邊境，因為疫情悶了近三年，民眾終於可以出國遊玩！旅遊是TOEIC測驗常考情境，今天就讓我們來學學旅遊情境中不可少的訂票、訂房相關英文吧！ book a flight ticket 預訂機票 If you are booking an international plane ticket, you should book as far in advance as possible, especially if your destination is smaller or only has one nearby airport. （如果你正在預訂一張國際機票，你應該盡量提早預訂，尤其是當你的目的地是個小地方，或是附近只有一座機場。） booking an international plane ticket代表「訂購一張國際機票」。預訂機票的動詞要用book，當名詞是「書本」的意思，但當動詞時解釋為「預訂」。 Will booked a seat on the evening flight to Los Angeles. （威爾預訂了飛往洛杉磯的夜班客機的座位。） The hotel/restaurant/theater is fully booked. （旅館／餐廳／劇院已預訂滿了。） 除了用booked，要表達「沒有空位」時，英文也可以用all the rooms／tables／tickets have been taken，代表「所有的房間／餐廳座位／票券都已經被訂走了。」 I’ve booked us two tickets to see “Carmen.” （我已經為我們訂了兩張《卡門》的票。） 根據上面的句型，動詞book 後方加上「us我們」、「two tickets兩張票」二個受詞，就是使用雙賓動詞的概念，在語法中，賓語指的是受詞，若動詞後方可以接二個受詞，則代表雙賓動詞。相同的概念還有give、buy等動詞。如此一來，這句話換句話說是I’ve booked two tickets for us to see “Carmen.” book as far in advance as possible解釋為「盡量提早預訂」。in advance是「事先、提早」的介系詞片語，因此book in advance就是「提早預訂」的意思。而as far as possible與in advance搭配，表達提早的時間盡量越早越好。 If you’re going to come, please let me know in advance. （如果你要來，請提前通知我。） destination 目的地 destination是「目的地」的意思。說到旅遊，一定會提到這個單字，來自於destine「注定…」，因此延伸出「注定要到達的地點」，也就是「目的地」。而要表達「抵達目的地」，要用動詞arrive，因為屬於不及物動詞，因此要加上介系詞at來連接受詞。 We arrived
A: There were so many aftershocks after the recent earthquake. It was scary. B: Do you have an earthquake emergency kit at home? A: No, I don’t. What should I prepare for the emergency kit? B: Taiwan’s National Fire Agency recommends that people include seven essential items. A: Let me guess: drinking water and food are two of the essential items. B: Correct! The other five are a small blanket, emergency medicine, coarse cotton safety gloves, a flashlight and a whistle. A: 最近地震後餘震不斷，好可怕。 B: 你家有地震避難包嗎？ A: 沒有耶，避難包裡該準備什麼？ B: 根據台灣消防署建議，應該有七樣必備物品！ A: 我猜要有飲水和食物。 B: 猜對了，還要有小毛毯、急救藥品、粗棉手套、手電筒及哨子。 （Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
What’s in an earthquake emergency kit? (2/2) 地震避難包裡有什麼？（二） A: Apart from the seven essential items, is there anything else I should include in an emergency earthquake kit? B: Yes. Less essential items include batteries, a radio, warm clothing, copies of identification documents, a light raincoat or poncho, disposable hand warmers and facial tissues. A: Is there anything else? B: You could also include a towel, masks and stationery. You could even prepare a set of spare keys, a Swiss army knife and some cash. A: I’m going to prepare an emergency kit right away. B: Remember to check it once every six months and replace any items
Japan and China on Thursday last week marked the 50th anniversary of the 1972 normalization of their ties, but there isn’t much of a celebratory mood. Improved ties between Asia’s two biggest economies are considered vital to the region’s stability and prosperity, but they remain at odds over disputed East China Sea islands and China’s growing military and economic assertiveness in the region. Here are the key issues in the often strained relations between these powerhouse neighbors: TERRITORIAL DISPUTES A huge source of contention is an uninhabited group of Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed East China Sea islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu
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