In the middle of the d__1__ near Taos, New Mexico, visitors will find a number of very o__-l__2__ houses. Some are e__3__ structures, covered on one side with a long row of s__4__ glass p__5__. Others are topped with d__6__ that are topped with flat windows like the e__7__ to a flying s__8__ from out/ outer/ outside space. But no! They are not spaceships. They are Eearthships.
An Earthship is a relatively/ relate/ related new type of house that is e__-f__11__ and s__-s__12__. It is build with many recycle/ recycling/ recyclable materials both inside and out, p__14__ used tires and a__15__ cans. The s__16__ allow light into the house without allowing too much heat. E__17__ for lights comes from wind or s__18__ power. Its own water system recycles waste water and s__19__ for gardening. The home only needs to be h__20__ up to a phone line.
Earthships were first created in the 1970s by a man named Michael Reynolds. Reynolds also runs w__21__ so that owners can be involved in building their own Earthships. The building process is relatively simple, though it does require a lot of p__22__ work.
Finished Earthship homes are often very beautiful. They are built in many unusual and creative designs. The people who live in Earthships seem to be very happy with their lifestyle. They pay hardly any u__23__ bills. Many also get a great sense of s__24__ from using their own hands to help build the house. Many owners add special touches to the i__25__, such as carved doors, stone floors and even handmade furniture.
26. 我父母不允許我們晚上在外遊蕩(hang out)到太晚。
27. 老師說他不允許班上有作弊行為。
28. 從去年聖誕節起，我們就一直在進行這個計畫。
29. 我好久沒見到妳了。
30. 紙是由木材做的。
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Earthships: A New Way of Building and Living
originally published in The English Reader for Senior High School: Book Three by The Far East Books Co., Ltd. 原文引自遠東高中英文第四冊課文。
In the middle of the desert near Taos, New Mexico, visitors will find a number of very odd-looking houses. Some are elongated structures, covered on one side with a long row of slanted glass panels. Others are topped with domes and the domes are topped with flat windows. The windows look almost like the entrance to a flying saucer. Indeed, when you see these houses, you might think for a moment that they are ships from outer space. But no! They are not spaceships. They are Eearthships.
An Earthship is a relatively new type of house that is eco-friendly and self-sufficient. It is build with many recyclable materials both inside and out, primarily used tires and aluminum cans, and it is heated and cooled using solar power. The glass panels help to collect heat, and the flat windows are called skylights. They allow light into the house without allowing too much heat. Electricity for lights also comes from wind or solar power. An Earthship has its own water system as well. The system collects rainwater for household use, and recycles waste water and sewage for gardening. The home does not need to be hooked up to any electricity, water, or sewage systems. It only needs a phone line.
Earthships were first created in the 1970s by a man named Michael Reynolds. Reynolds built the first such homes in Taos, but since then his designs have been used in many other locations, including Mexico, Europe and Japan. Reynolds also runs workshops so that owners can be involved in building their own Earthships. The building process is relatively simple, though it does require a lot of physical work. The outside walls are made by lining and piling up old tires and then packing them with earth. The earth must be pounded until it is very hard in order to make the walls stable. The tires are then covered with cement or adobe. The walls inside the house are made in the similar way with aluminum cans. The result of this design is that the house has extra thick walls, and this helps to control the temperature indoors. Even without air-conditioning, an Earthship will stay cool during the day. At night, as heat transfers from the walls, the house warms up, so that everyone can sleep comfortably.
Finished Earthship homes are often very beautiful. They are built in many unusual and creative designs. The sloping roofs and glass skylights give them a natural but elegant look. Inside, sunlight streams in throughout the day, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Many owners add special touches to the interior, such as carved doors, stone floors and even handmade furniture. In one design, pieces of recycled glass bottles add colorful decorations to the walls and doorways.
The people who live in Earthships seem to be very happy with their lifestyle. Their homes are not only much cheaper to build but also cheaper to live in than ordinary houses. They pay hardly any utility bills. Many also get a great sense of satisfaction from using their own hands to help build the house. Most important of all, they know that their homes do little damage to the environment. They can feel that they are no longer part of the problem, but part of the solution.
Read more!
In the middle of the desert near Taos, New Mexico, visitors will find a number of very odd-looking houses. Some are elongated structures, covered on one side with a long row of slanted glass panels. Others are topped with domes and the domes are topped with flat windows. The windows look almost like the entrance to a flying saucer. Indeed, when you see these houses, you might think for a moment that they are ships from outer space. But no! They are not spaceships. They are Eearthships.
An Earthship is a relatively new type of house that is eco-friendly and self-sufficient. It is build with many recyclable materials both inside and out, primarily used tires and aluminum cans, and it is heated and cooled using solar power. The glass panels help to collect heat, and the flat windows are called skylights. They allow light into the house without allowing too much heat. Electricity for lights also comes from wind or solar power. An Earthship has its own water system as well. The system collects rainwater for household use, and recycles waste water and sewage for gardening. The home does not need to be hooked up to any electricity, water, or sewage systems. It only needs a phone line.
Earthships were first created in the 1970s by a man named Michael Reynolds. Reynolds built the first such homes in Taos, but since then his designs have been used in many other locations, including Mexico, Europe and Japan. Reynolds also runs workshops so that owners can be involved in building their own Earthships. The building process is relatively simple, though it does require a lot of physical work. The outside walls are made by lining and piling up old tires and then packing them with earth. The earth must be pounded until it is very hard in order to make the walls stable. The tires are then covered with cement or adobe. The walls inside the house are made in the similar way with aluminum cans. The result of this design is that the house has extra thick walls, and this helps to control the temperature indoors. Even without air-conditioning, an Earthship will stay cool during the day. At night, as heat transfers from the walls, the house warms up, so that everyone can sleep comfortably.
Finished Earthship homes are often very beautiful. They are built in many unusual and creative designs. The sloping roofs and glass skylights give them a natural but elegant look. Inside, sunlight streams in throughout the day, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Many owners add special touches to the interior, such as carved doors, stone floors and even handmade furniture. In one design, pieces of recycled glass bottles add colorful decorations to the walls and doorways.
The people who live in Earthships seem to be very happy with their lifestyle. Their homes are not only much cheaper to build but also cheaper to live in than ordinary houses. They pay hardly any utility bills. Many also get a great sense of satisfaction from using their own hands to help build the house. Most important of all, they know that their homes do little damage to the environment. They can feel that they are no longer part of the problem, but part of the solution.
Read more!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Test: Only 17
A__1__ c__2__ my mind. I am a s__3__. When I first got here I felt very much alone. I was o__4__ by grief.
I found no s__5__. I saw only thousands of others whose bodies were as badly m__6__ as mine. I was given a number and placed in a c__7__ called "Traffic F__8__."
It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was g__9__off --- going too fast, taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.
Suddenly, I awakened. I was s__10__ with blood. Later I was placed in a drawer. My f__11__ came to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom's eyes when she faced the most terrible o__12__ of her life?
The f__13__ was weird. I saw all my r__14__ and friends walk toward the c__15__. They Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and s__16__ as they walked by. My brother and sister are like z__17__.
Please, don't b__18__ me! I'm not dead! IAll I want is one more chance. Please, God, I'm only 17.
Read more!
I found no s__5__. I saw only thousands of others whose bodies were as badly m__6__ as mine. I was given a number and placed in a c__7__ called "Traffic F__8__."
It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was g__9__off --- going too fast, taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.
Suddenly, I awakened. I was s__10__ with blood. Later I was placed in a drawer. My f__11__ came to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom's eyes when she faced the most terrible o__12__ of her life?
The f__13__ was weird. I saw all my r__14__ and friends walk toward the c__15__. They Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and s__16__ as they walked by. My brother and sister are like z__17__.
Please, don't b__18__ me! I'm not dead! IAll I want is one more chance. Please, God, I'm only 17.
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
Test: Les Miserables
Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables draws people’s i__1__. This story of p__2__, r__3__, and romance touches people’s everywhere. But people no longer have to read the book to enjoy the story. A__4__ from the 1,200-page novel, Les Misérables, or “Les Miz,” catches hearts in the theater.
The story begins in 1815, when Jean Valjean leaves p__5__. Though he tries, Valjean can get no work because of his past. He finally steals some expensive silver from a kind bishop. To Valjean's s__6__, the b__7__ tells Valjean that he must use the silver to become an honest man.
As the story continues, Valjean vows to raise a dying mother's little girl into/ as/ of his own. He helps a group of students and the Paris poor as they fight against i__9__. The l__10__ calls the e__11__ story a “powerful river carrying you from beginning to end.”
"Les Miz" began as a French p__12__. When the producer Cameron Mackintosh heard a r__13__ of it in 1980, he immediately wanted to bring it to London. However, he realized that the m__14__ needed to be reworked. Mackingtosh, the directors and the writers worked to t__15__ the existing songs into/ as/ of English.
The show opened on October 8, 1985, in London. The c__17__ didn't like it, but the a__18__ loved it. They cried, c__19__ and cheered, and they told their friends to see the show.
In London, hundreds of people have written to the director describing how they were moved and changed by the show. They said the show gave them a feeling of o__20__ that made them stop their self-pity. They show also inspired the casts to work together to raise money for good causes. No other play in the history of theater has raised so much money for c__21__, particularly the homeless.
Not every country has experienced the social problems of France. However, Les Miz tells the story of human s__22__, and give a message of hope. That message touches people everywhere.
23. 他太精力旺盛，不符合退休老頭的刻板印象。
24. 有些昆蟲是聰明的掠食者，他們設下陷阱捕捉獵物。(such)
25. 這店員非常的高傲。他不認為我能負擔起這件洋裝。
26. 我們的產品分成兩大類:必須品與奢侈品。
27. 穿著輕便的服裝參加婚宴不合時宜。(It is ...)
28. 我們要更加關注瀕臨絕種的動物。
29. 有些人認為，保持健康最好的方法是規律地做運動。
30. 我認為，健康有賴於均衡的飲食與適當的運動。
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The story begins in 1815, when Jean Valjean leaves p__5__. Though he tries, Valjean can get no work because of his past. He finally steals some expensive silver from a kind bishop. To Valjean's s__6__, the b__7__ tells Valjean that he must use the silver to become an honest man.
As the story continues, Valjean vows to raise a dying mother's little girl into/ as/ of his own. He helps a group of students and the Paris poor as they fight against i__9__. The l__10__ calls the e__11__ story a “powerful river carrying you from beginning to end.”
"Les Miz" began as a French p__12__. When the producer Cameron Mackintosh heard a r__13__ of it in 1980, he immediately wanted to bring it to London. However, he realized that the m__14__ needed to be reworked. Mackingtosh, the directors and the writers worked to t__15__ the existing songs into/ as/ of English.
The show opened on October 8, 1985, in London. The c__17__ didn't like it, but the a__18__ loved it. They cried, c__19__ and cheered, and they told their friends to see the show.
In London, hundreds of people have written to the director describing how they were moved and changed by the show. They said the show gave them a feeling of o__20__ that made them stop their self-pity. They show also inspired the casts to work together to raise money for good causes. No other play in the history of theater has raised so much money for c__21__, particularly the homeless.
Not every country has experienced the social problems of France. However, Les Miz tells the story of human s__22__, and give a message of hope. That message touches people everywhere.
23. 他太精力旺盛，不符合退休老頭的刻板印象。
24. 有些昆蟲是聰明的掠食者，他們設下陷阱捕捉獵物。(such)
25. 這店員非常的高傲。他不認為我能負擔起這件洋裝。
26. 我們的產品分成兩大類:必須品與奢侈品。
27. 穿著輕便的服裝參加婚宴不合時宜。(It is ...)
28. 我們要更加關注瀕臨絕種的動物。
29. 有些人認為，保持健康最好的方法是規律地做運動。
30. 我認為，健康有賴於均衡的飲食與適當的運動。
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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Test: Has the Cat Got Your Tongue?
It’s a classic image—a child hiding her heard in her mother’s skirts when she meets a s__1__, or a student b__2__ and s__3__ when the teacher asks his name. Shyness probably a__4__ 40 to 50 percent of all people in North America. It’s just that most people appear c__5__ on the surface, and in social situations they seem well a__6__. Only 15 to 20 percent of us fit the s__7__ of the shy person.
What exactly is shyness? “It’s a feeling of self-c__8__,” says Rita Clark, a p__9__. “Shy people feel nervous and ill at ease. They may t__10__, and have b__11__ in their stomach. They worry about making a bad i__12__ on people.” Shyness doesn’t necessarily show on the surface. In fact, people sometimes think that shy people are s__13__ and uninterested in other people when really they are just afraid to make c__14__.
You may be s__15__ to know who is actually very shy. One well-known talk-show host, whose show is watched by millions of viewers, has to plan p__16__ down to the last detail—in order to appear s__17__. “Other ‘private shy’ people include p__18__, teachers, and entertainers,” says Clark. “These people act outgoing when they’re doing their jobs, but they’re very i__19__ socially. You’d be amazed how many public figures fit into this c__20__.”
Research shows that some people are born with a shy t__21__. About 20 percent of babies show a__22__ signs of distress when they see strangers or e__23__ unfamiliar situation. Some scientists feel that such shyness is i__24__.
If 15 to 20 percent of shyness is innate, how do other people become shy? Children may become shy when they enter school or meet new challenges. A__25__ may suffer from an i__26__ crisis and become shy. Whatever the reasons, shy people suffer from t__27__ and from well-meaning c__28__.
- Don’t be a p__29__. It’s better to set r__30__ goals.
- Learn to take r__31__. It’s not your fault. It’s part of life.
- Smile and look at people. If you smile and show you’re interested, people will r__32__ and conversation will be easier.
Read more!
What exactly is shyness? “It’s a feeling of self-c__8__,” says Rita Clark, a p__9__. “Shy people feel nervous and ill at ease. They may t__10__, and have b__11__ in their stomach. They worry about making a bad i__12__ on people.” Shyness doesn’t necessarily show on the surface. In fact, people sometimes think that shy people are s__13__ and uninterested in other people when really they are just afraid to make c__14__.
You may be s__15__ to know who is actually very shy. One well-known talk-show host, whose show is watched by millions of viewers, has to plan p__16__ down to the last detail—in order to appear s__17__. “Other ‘private shy’ people include p__18__, teachers, and entertainers,” says Clark. “These people act outgoing when they’re doing their jobs, but they’re very i__19__ socially. You’d be amazed how many public figures fit into this c__20__.”
Research shows that some people are born with a shy t__21__. About 20 percent of babies show a__22__ signs of distress when they see strangers or e__23__ unfamiliar situation. Some scientists feel that such shyness is i__24__.
If 15 to 20 percent of shyness is innate, how do other people become shy? Children may become shy when they enter school or meet new challenges. A__25__ may suffer from an i__26__ crisis and become shy. Whatever the reasons, shy people suffer from t__27__ and from well-meaning c__28__.
- Don’t be a p__29__. It’s better to set r__30__ goals.
- Learn to take r__31__. It’s not your fault. It’s part of life.
- Smile and look at people. If you smile and show you’re interested, people will r__32__ and conversation will be easier.
Read more!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Test: Giant Pandas
Many animals today are facing e__1__. One very special animal that needs our protection is the giant panda. Pandas are clearly an e__2__ species.
The biggest problem that pandas face today is the loss of their natural h__3__(H). This loss is due mainly to d__4__(DF). Because of the rapid growth of p__5__ in the past century, large areas of natural forest have been cleared for a__6__, timber and human habitation. As s__7__ push higher up the mountain slopes, panda H i__8__ disappears.
DF also t__9__ the pandas' food supply. Pandas feed mainly on/ at/ to bamboo, c__11__ up to 38 kilograms a day. Without enough forest area, the pandas will s__12__. To make matters worse, every 60 years or so the bamboo in a certain area may naturally b__13__ and die on/ off/ in.
When people cut down trees, the forest is broken into small areas. In these areas, the pandas can only live in small groups. Within these small groups, it is difficult for them to find a__15__ m__16__. As a result, they are facing a greater risk of i__17__. The younger pandas may get sick more often and become less a__18__ to changes in the environment.
Another problem that pandas face is that young cubs are v__19__ and require a great deal of care. It has no fur and is b__20__for the first six weeks. During this time the mother does not leave the cub's side. She has to spend much time l__21__the cub so that it will not have any smell that might a__22__ p__22__.
F__24__, m__25__ are being taken to help the pandas. Zoos are having some success in breeding pandas. The best thing we can do to help pandas is to p__26__their H and take a__27__to protect their lives.
28. King正跑步離開教室，找同學打球。
29. 老師堅持King要寫完作業才能離開。
30. King持續寫作業直到下課時間結束。
31. 全班除了King，作業都沒寫完。
32. 老師很高興，因為King停下打球。
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The biggest problem that pandas face today is the loss of their natural h__3__(H). This loss is due mainly to d__4__(DF). Because of the rapid growth of p__5__ in the past century, large areas of natural forest have been cleared for a__6__, timber and human habitation. As s__7__ push higher up the mountain slopes, panda H i__8__ disappears.
DF also t__9__ the pandas' food supply. Pandas feed mainly on/ at/ to bamboo, c__11__ up to 38 kilograms a day. Without enough forest area, the pandas will s__12__. To make matters worse, every 60 years or so the bamboo in a certain area may naturally b__13__ and die on/ off/ in.
When people cut down trees, the forest is broken into small areas. In these areas, the pandas can only live in small groups. Within these small groups, it is difficult for them to find a__15__ m__16__. As a result, they are facing a greater risk of i__17__. The younger pandas may get sick more often and become less a__18__ to changes in the environment.
Another problem that pandas face is that young cubs are v__19__ and require a great deal of care. It has no fur and is b__20__for the first six weeks. During this time the mother does not leave the cub's side. She has to spend much time l__21__the cub so that it will not have any smell that might a__22__ p__22__.
F__24__, m__25__ are being taken to help the pandas. Zoos are having some success in breeding pandas. The best thing we can do to help pandas is to p__26__their H and take a__27__to protect their lives.
28. King正跑步離開教室，找同學打球。
29. 老師堅持King要寫完作業才能離開。
30. King持續寫作業直到下課時間結束。
31. 全班除了King，作業都沒寫完。
32. 老師很高興，因為King停下打球。
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Test: Going Home
Three boys and three girls are going to Florida and when they boarded the bus, they were carrying sandwiches and wine in paper bags, dream/ dreaming/ to dream of golden beaches and sea tides as the gray cold of New York v__2__ behind them.
As the bus r__3__ south, they began to notice Vingo. He c__4__ the inside of his lip a lot, frozen into some personal c__5__ of silence.
Deep into/ at/ on the night, outside Washington, the bus pulled into/ at/ on a roadside restaurant, and everybody got off except Vingo. He sat rooted in his seat, and the young people began to wonder about him, trying to imagine his life: perhaps he was a sea c__8__, a r__9__ from his wife, an old s__10__ going home. When they went back to the bus, one of the girls sat beside him and i__11__ herself.
“Want some wine?” she said. He smiled and took a s__12__. He thanked her and r__13__ again into his silence. After a while, she went back to the others, and Vingo nodded in sleep.
In the morning, they awoke outside another restaurant, and this time Vingo went in. The girl i__14__ that he join them. He seemed very shy, and ordered black coffee and smoked nervously as the young people c__15__ about sleeping on beaches. When they returned to the bus, the girl sat with Vingo again, and after a while, slowly and painfully, he told his story. He had been in jail in New York for the past four years, and now he was going home.
“When I was in the can I wrote to my wife,” he said. “I told her that I was going to be away a long time, and that if she couldn’t stand it, she could just forget me. I told her she didn’t have to write me. And she didn’t. Not for three and a half years.”
"Last week, when I was sure the p__16__ was coming through, I wrote her again. There’s a big oak tree just as you come into town. I told her that if she’d take me back, she should put a yellow h__17__ on the tree, and I’d get off and come home. If she didn’t want me, forget it—no handkerchief, and I’d go on through.”
She told the others, and soon all of them were in it, caught up/ at/ on in the approach of Vingo’s hometown, looking at the pictures he showed them of his wife and three children—the woman handsome in a p__19__ way, the children still unformed in the cracked, much-handled s__20__.
Now they were 20 miles from the town, and the young people took over window seats on the right side, waiting for the a__21__ of the great oak tree. The bus a__22__ a dark, h__23__ mood, full of the silence of a__24__ and lost years. Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con’s mask, as if f__25__ himself against still another disappointment.
Suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of e__26__. All except Vingo.
The Oak tree was covered with maybe hundreds of yellow handkerchiefs. As the young people shouted, the old con rose from his seat and made his way to the front of the bus and go home.
Read more!
As the bus r__3__ south, they began to notice Vingo. He c__4__ the inside of his lip a lot, frozen into some personal c__5__ of silence.
Deep into/ at/ on the night, outside Washington, the bus pulled into/ at/ on a roadside restaurant, and everybody got off except Vingo. He sat rooted in his seat, and the young people began to wonder about him, trying to imagine his life: perhaps he was a sea c__8__, a r__9__ from his wife, an old s__10__ going home. When they went back to the bus, one of the girls sat beside him and i__11__ herself.
“Want some wine?” she said. He smiled and took a s__12__. He thanked her and r__13__ again into his silence. After a while, she went back to the others, and Vingo nodded in sleep.
In the morning, they awoke outside another restaurant, and this time Vingo went in. The girl i__14__ that he join them. He seemed very shy, and ordered black coffee and smoked nervously as the young people c__15__ about sleeping on beaches. When they returned to the bus, the girl sat with Vingo again, and after a while, slowly and painfully, he told his story. He had been in jail in New York for the past four years, and now he was going home.
“When I was in the can I wrote to my wife,” he said. “I told her that I was going to be away a long time, and that if she couldn’t stand it, she could just forget me. I told her she didn’t have to write me. And she didn’t. Not for three and a half years.”
"Last week, when I was sure the p__16__ was coming through, I wrote her again. There’s a big oak tree just as you come into town. I told her that if she’d take me back, she should put a yellow h__17__ on the tree, and I’d get off and come home. If she didn’t want me, forget it—no handkerchief, and I’d go on through.”
She told the others, and soon all of them were in it, caught up/ at/ on in the approach of Vingo’s hometown, looking at the pictures he showed them of his wife and three children—the woman handsome in a p__19__ way, the children still unformed in the cracked, much-handled s__20__.
Now they were 20 miles from the town, and the young people took over window seats on the right side, waiting for the a__21__ of the great oak tree. The bus a__22__ a dark, h__23__ mood, full of the silence of a__24__ and lost years. Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con’s mask, as if f__25__ himself against still another disappointment.
Suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of e__26__. All except Vingo.
The Oak tree was covered with maybe hundreds of yellow handkerchiefs. As the young people shouted, the old con rose from his seat and made his way to the front of the bus and go home.
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Friday, October 10, 2008
Mothly Test Review
adopted from English Monthly Exam I for 11th Grader Autumn 2008, Yangtsi Senior High School, Yunlin County, Taiwan. 引自雲林縣私立揚子高中英文九十七學年度第一學期第一次定期考高二英文試題。
1. Zoe had already gone out when I _____ at her house.
(A) had arrived (B) arrived (C) would arrive (D) arriving
2. Movies _____ on classic novels are not interesting, for we all know the ending.
(A) are based (B) which based (C) that is based (D) based
3. _____ , you can find a cheap hotel room in the city, but you'll need to be lucky.
(A) A century ago (B) On the end (C) Not only (D) In theory
4. All the love letters she wrote to him were _____; he married someone else.
(A) in vain (B) in fact (C) in the soul (D) in white
5. I'm not angry with you, _____ rather mad at myself.
(A) and (B) for (C) but (D) so
6. At this time of year, the tree in our garden is _____ pink flowers.
(A) washed away (B) fallen on (C) come to (D) covered with
7. I didn't notice her _____, but she's sitting on the sofa right now.
(A) coming (B) to come (C) came (D) to coming
8. _____ to have such a nice and pretty wife!
(A) How lucky you are (B) How lucky are you (C) What luck is it (D) What a lucky man it is
9 . I was about _____ a nap when the door bell rang.
(A) to taking (B) of taking (C) to take (D)take
10. I can't imagine Helen _____ one hundred thousand dollars on a bag.
(A) spend (B)to spend (C)spending (D)spent
1l. A tourist who stays in Hollywood long enough _____ see a movie star, eventually.
(A) is bound to (B) of course (C) all in all (D) as usual
12. My brother passed the test ____ some help from a private tutor.
(A) take after (B) take over (C) thanks to (D) turn on
13. If you want to be successful, you have to _____ from the crowd.
(A) stand for (B) stand out (C) stand a chance (D) show off
14. We had a _____ on the freeway when a large truck almost hit our car.
(A) last straw (B) lost cause (C) call it a day (D) close call
15. When Danny stood me up for the third time, it was the _____.
(A) first call (B) last straw (C) last call (D) close call
16. Paul was sick and couldn't go to work, so he asked me to _____ him.
(A) on duty of (B) let slide (C) cover for (D) on duty of
17. When I finish universy, I want to _____ my own company.
(A) set up (B) take over (C) account for (D) carry on
18. The American flag _____ freedom and justice.
(A) stands up for (B) sets out to (C)stands a chance (D) stands for
19. I'm very short, so I'm not _____ basketball.
(A) on duty (B) cut out for (C) carry out (D) count on
20. The city has heen _____ by the enemy soldiers.
(A) taken over (B)taken turns (C) taken pains (D) taken into account
Cancer is one of the most frightening diseases that we may face. But scientists believe that most kinds of cancer have something to do 21 the food we eat. This means that we can reduce our risk of getting cancer by 22 some simple changes in our diet. We can change our 23 by reducing the amount of fat we eat and by the amount of vegetables and high fiber food in our diet.
In addition, it is important 24 to drink too much alcohol, but to get more exercise. We should also try to 25 our weight down. Just remember, adopting a few healthy 26 habits now can help us enjoy a long and happy life.
21. (A) without (B) by (C) with (D) like
22. (A) getting (B) making (C) taking (D) doing
23. (A) plan (B) habit (C) diet (D) hobby
24. (A) not (B) doesn't (C) don't (D) no
25. (A) keep (B)put (C) slow (D) break
26. (A) studying (B) singing (C) playing (D) eating
27. This chair can be a d to meet your comfort.
28. How closely Gerald r s his father in their love of traveling!
29. The patient just had a heart t t and is now recovering.
30. The use of chemicals may cause serious harms to the e t.
31. In spite of the e ity of her situation, she still had hope.
32. Although the young man has never been to France, he speaks f t French.
33. This guidebook will help you d r fascinating places to visit and exciting things to do.
34. The beauty of nature provided great i n for the poet.
35. Once she came up with a c t for her history, she found it easy to write ten pages.
36. We were advised not to a e with drug addicts and alcoholics.
37. 這一袋蘋果比那一袋番茄重三倍。
This bag of apples is _____ _____ _____ _____ that bag of tomatoes.
38. 全球化的改變讓我有機會接近來自世界各國的人事物。
Globalization gives me more _____ _____ things and people from different countries.
39. 土耳其菜一直到前幾年才開始在台灣流行。
Turkish food was _____ common in Taiwan _____ a few years ago.
40. 有了特殊的裝備，我們甚至可以透過網際網路看到對方。
_____ special equipment, we can even see each other _____ the Internet.
Read more!
1. Zoe had already gone out when I _____ at her house.
(A) had arrived (B) arrived (C) would arrive (D) arriving
2. Movies _____ on classic novels are not interesting, for we all know the ending.
(A) are based (B) which based (C) that is based (D) based
3. _____ , you can find a cheap hotel room in the city, but you'll need to be lucky.
(A) A century ago (B) On the end (C) Not only (D) In theory
4. All the love letters she wrote to him were _____; he married someone else.
(A) in vain (B) in fact (C) in the soul (D) in white
5. I'm not angry with you, _____ rather mad at myself.
(A) and (B) for (C) but (D) so
6. At this time of year, the tree in our garden is _____ pink flowers.
(A) washed away (B) fallen on (C) come to (D) covered with
7. I didn't notice her _____, but she's sitting on the sofa right now.
(A) coming (B) to come (C) came (D) to coming
8. _____ to have such a nice and pretty wife!
(A) How lucky you are (B) How lucky are you (C) What luck is it (D) What a lucky man it is
9 . I was about _____ a nap when the door bell rang.
(A) to taking (B) of taking (C) to take (D)take
10. I can't imagine Helen _____ one hundred thousand dollars on a bag.
(A) spend (B)to spend (C)spending (D)spent
1l. A tourist who stays in Hollywood long enough _____ see a movie star, eventually.
(A) is bound to (B) of course (C) all in all (D) as usual
12. My brother passed the test ____ some help from a private tutor.
(A) take after (B) take over (C) thanks to (D) turn on
13. If you want to be successful, you have to _____ from the crowd.
(A) stand for (B) stand out (C) stand a chance (D) show off
14. We had a _____ on the freeway when a large truck almost hit our car.
(A) last straw (B) lost cause (C) call it a day (D) close call
15. When Danny stood me up for the third time, it was the _____.
(A) first call (B) last straw (C) last call (D) close call
16. Paul was sick and couldn't go to work, so he asked me to _____ him.
(A) on duty of (B) let slide (C) cover for (D) on duty of
17. When I finish universy, I want to _____ my own company.
(A) set up (B) take over (C) account for (D) carry on
18. The American flag _____ freedom and justice.
(A) stands up for (B) sets out to (C)stands a chance (D) stands for
19. I'm very short, so I'm not _____ basketball.
(A) on duty (B) cut out for (C) carry out (D) count on
20. The city has heen _____ by the enemy soldiers.
(A) taken over (B)taken turns (C) taken pains (D) taken into account
Cancer is one of the most frightening diseases that we may face. But scientists believe that most kinds of cancer have something to do 21 the food we eat. This means that we can reduce our risk of getting cancer by 22 some simple changes in our diet. We can change our 23 by reducing the amount of fat we eat and by the amount of vegetables and high fiber food in our diet.
In addition, it is important 24 to drink too much alcohol, but to get more exercise. We should also try to 25 our weight down. Just remember, adopting a few healthy 26 habits now can help us enjoy a long and happy life.
21. (A) without (B) by (C) with (D) like
22. (A) getting (B) making (C) taking (D) doing
23. (A) plan (B) habit (C) diet (D) hobby
24. (A) not (B) doesn't (C) don't (D) no
25. (A) keep (B)put (C) slow (D) break
26. (A) studying (B) singing (C) playing (D) eating
27. This chair can be a d to meet your comfort.
28. How closely Gerald r s his father in their love of traveling!
29. The patient just had a heart t t and is now recovering.
30. The use of chemicals may cause serious harms to the e t.
31. In spite of the e ity of her situation, she still had hope.
32. Although the young man has never been to France, he speaks f t French.
33. This guidebook will help you d r fascinating places to visit and exciting things to do.
34. The beauty of nature provided great i n for the poet.
35. Once she came up with a c t for her history, she found it easy to write ten pages.
36. We were advised not to a e with drug addicts and alcoholics.
37. 這一袋蘋果比那一袋番茄重三倍。
This bag of apples is _____ _____ _____ _____ that bag of tomatoes.
38. 全球化的改變讓我有機會接近來自世界各國的人事物。
Globalization gives me more _____ _____ things and people from different countries.
39. 土耳其菜一直到前幾年才開始在台灣流行。
Turkish food was _____ common in Taiwan _____ a few years ago.
40. 有了特殊的裝備，我們甚至可以透過網際網路看到對方。
_____ special equipment, we can even see each other _____ the Internet.
Read more!
Going Home
by Pete Hamill
They were going to Florida—three boys and three girls—and when they boarded the bus, they were carrying sandwiches and wine in paper bags, dreaming of golden beaches and sea tides as the gray cold of New York vanished behind them.
As the bus rumbled south, they began to notice Vingo. He sat in front of them, dressed in a plain, ill-fitting suit, never moving, his dusty face masking his age. He chewed the inside of his lip a lot, frozen into some personal cocoon of silence.
Deep into the night, outside Washington, the bus pulled into a roadside restaurant, and everybody got off except Vingo. He sat rooted in his seat, and the young people began to wonder about him, trying to imagine his life: perhaps he was a sea captain, a runaway from his wife, an old soldier going home. When they went back to the bus, one of the girls sat beside him and introduced herself.
“We’re going to Florida,” she said brightly. “I hear it’s beautiful.”
“It is,” he said quietly, as if remembering something he had tried to forget.
“Want some wine?” she said. He smiled and took a swig. He thanked her and retreated again into his silence. After a while, she went back to the others, and Vingo nodded in sleep.
In the morning, they awoke outside another restaurant, and this time Vingo went in. The girl insisted that he join them. He seemed very shy, and ordered black coffee and smoked nervously as the young people chattered about sleeping on beaches. When they returned to the bus, the girl sat with Vingo again, and after a while, slowly and painfully, he told his story. He had been in jail in New York for the past four years, and now he was going home.
“Are you married?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” she said.
“Well, when I was in the can I wrote to my wife,” he said. “I told her that I was going to be away a long time, and that if she couldn’t stand it, if the kids kept asking questions, if it hurt too much, well, she could just forget me. I’d understand. Get a new guy, I said—she’s a wonderful woman, really something—and forget about me. I told her she didn’t have to write me. And she didn’t. Not for three and a half years.”
“And you’re going home now, not knowing?”
“Yeah,” he said shyly. “Well, last week, when I was sure the parole was coming through, I wrote her again. There’s a big oak tree just as you come into town. I told her that if she’d take me back, she should put a yellow handkerchief on the tree, and I’d get off and come home. If she didn’t want me, forget it—no handkerchief, and I’d go on through.”
Wow,” the girl said. “Wow.”
She told the others, and soon all of them were in it, caught up in the approach of Vingo’s hometown, looking at the pictures he showed them of his wife and three children—the woman handsome in a plain way, the children still unformed in the cracked, much-handled snapshots.
Now they were 20 miles from the town, and the young people took over window seats on the right side, waiting for the approach of the great oak tree. The bus acquired a dark, hushed mood, full of the silence of absence and lost years. Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con’s mask, as if fortifying himself against still another disappointment.
Then it was ten miles, and then five. Then, suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of exultation. All except Vingo.
Vingo sat there stunned, looking at the oak tree. It was covered with yellow handkerchiefs—20 of them, 30 of them, maybe hundreds, a tree that stood like a banner of welcome billowing in the wind. As the young people shouted, the old con rose from his seat and made his way to the front of the bus and go home.
Read more!
They were going to Florida—three boys and three girls—and when they boarded the bus, they were carrying sandwiches and wine in paper bags, dreaming of golden beaches and sea tides as the gray cold of New York vanished behind them.
As the bus rumbled south, they began to notice Vingo. He sat in front of them, dressed in a plain, ill-fitting suit, never moving, his dusty face masking his age. He chewed the inside of his lip a lot, frozen into some personal cocoon of silence.
Deep into the night, outside Washington, the bus pulled into a roadside restaurant, and everybody got off except Vingo. He sat rooted in his seat, and the young people began to wonder about him, trying to imagine his life: perhaps he was a sea captain, a runaway from his wife, an old soldier going home. When they went back to the bus, one of the girls sat beside him and introduced herself.
“We’re going to Florida,” she said brightly. “I hear it’s beautiful.”
“It is,” he said quietly, as if remembering something he had tried to forget.
“Want some wine?” she said. He smiled and took a swig. He thanked her and retreated again into his silence. After a while, she went back to the others, and Vingo nodded in sleep.
In the morning, they awoke outside another restaurant, and this time Vingo went in. The girl insisted that he join them. He seemed very shy, and ordered black coffee and smoked nervously as the young people chattered about sleeping on beaches. When they returned to the bus, the girl sat with Vingo again, and after a while, slowly and painfully, he told his story. He had been in jail in New York for the past four years, and now he was going home.
“Are you married?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” she said.
“Well, when I was in the can I wrote to my wife,” he said. “I told her that I was going to be away a long time, and that if she couldn’t stand it, if the kids kept asking questions, if it hurt too much, well, she could just forget me. I’d understand. Get a new guy, I said—she’s a wonderful woman, really something—and forget about me. I told her she didn’t have to write me. And she didn’t. Not for three and a half years.”
“And you’re going home now, not knowing?”
“Yeah,” he said shyly. “Well, last week, when I was sure the parole was coming through, I wrote her again. There’s a big oak tree just as you come into town. I told her that if she’d take me back, she should put a yellow handkerchief on the tree, and I’d get off and come home. If she didn’t want me, forget it—no handkerchief, and I’d go on through.”
Wow,” the girl said. “Wow.”
She told the others, and soon all of them were in it, caught up in the approach of Vingo’s hometown, looking at the pictures he showed them of his wife and three children—the woman handsome in a plain way, the children still unformed in the cracked, much-handled snapshots.
Now they were 20 miles from the town, and the young people took over window seats on the right side, waiting for the approach of the great oak tree. The bus acquired a dark, hushed mood, full of the silence of absence and lost years. Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con’s mask, as if fortifying himself against still another disappointment.
Then it was ten miles, and then five. Then, suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of exultation. All except Vingo.
Vingo sat there stunned, looking at the oak tree. It was covered with yellow handkerchiefs—20 of them, 30 of them, maybe hundreds, a tree that stood like a banner of welcome billowing in the wind. As the young people shouted, the old con rose from his seat and made his way to the front of the bus and go home.
Read more!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Test: Our Global Village
Ring ... ring ... ring ... My day today, as u__1__, started at 6 a.m., when the alarm went _2_ on the old Swiss clock at my bedside. I d__3__ s__4__ out from b__5__ the s__6__ Thai silk sheets, and then r__7__ out of the bed I had just bought two weeks before from Ikea. By 7 o'clock, even before I left the house for work, I had already received two business calls on my Nokia cellphone, one from a French c__8__ at work and the other from a business a__9__ calling from Canada.
As I left the house, I suddenly thought for/ to/ at myself how g__11__(G1) my life had become.
On the way to work, I thought about the a__12__ ways that life has changed with the r__13__ growth of g__14__(G2) over the last couple of d__15__. Some people d__16__ these changes because they think these changes will lead to the slow d__17__ of many a__18__ of their culture. Others, however, r__19__ how much more interesting things can become with the greater v__20__ these changes give their lives. Being a Westerner who lives in Taipei, I think G2 is great because it gives me so much more a__21__ to things, p__22__ and people from around the world, that it seems, for/ to/ at times, like I haven't left my hometown of London.
Once I got to work, I s__24__ on my IBM computer, while drinking a cup of b__25__ coffee from Brazil and f__26__ on French bread sandwiches. Later in the morning, I had v__27__ meetings with c__28__ from Germany and Korea to d__29__ our new line of products.
During our relaxing lunch, I slowly looked a__30__ the restaurant and realized I could have been anywhere in the world. There were other Western people at the table next for/ to/ at us all c__32__ noisily in languages that I wasn't able to understand. The Taiwanese waiter then greeted us in f__33__ English, with only a s__34__ Taiwanese a__35__. The G2 of this city, though, is most o__36__ in its y__37__ culture. While we were eating, three teenagers with d__38__ hair walked past our window drinking Starbucks coffee, laughing and high-fiving one another. This look and type of b__39__ was not c__40__ in Taiwan until a few years ago.
At the end of work, after such a m__41__ day, I was ready to try something different. So at home tonight I ate a good, old-fashioned Taiwanese bian-dang, which I bought at the local restaurant on my street, and I followed this up/ to/ for with clam soup and a big cup of high mountain oolong tea.
Read more!
As I left the house, I suddenly thought for/ to/ at myself how g__11__(G1) my life had become.
On the way to work, I thought about the a__12__ ways that life has changed with the r__13__ growth of g__14__(G2) over the last couple of d__15__. Some people d__16__ these changes because they think these changes will lead to the slow d__17__ of many a__18__ of their culture. Others, however, r__19__ how much more interesting things can become with the greater v__20__ these changes give their lives. Being a Westerner who lives in Taipei, I think G2 is great because it gives me so much more a__21__ to things, p__22__ and people from around the world, that it seems, for/ to/ at times, like I haven't left my hometown of London.
Once I got to work, I s__24__ on my IBM computer, while drinking a cup of b__25__ coffee from Brazil and f__26__ on French bread sandwiches. Later in the morning, I had v__27__ meetings with c__28__ from Germany and Korea to d__29__ our new line of products.
During our relaxing lunch, I slowly looked a__30__ the restaurant and realized I could have been anywhere in the world. There were other Western people at the table next for/ to/ at us all c__32__ noisily in languages that I wasn't able to understand. The Taiwanese waiter then greeted us in f__33__ English, with only a s__34__ Taiwanese a__35__. The G2 of this city, though, is most o__36__ in its y__37__ culture. While we were eating, three teenagers with d__38__ hair walked past our window drinking Starbucks coffee, laughing and high-fiving one another. This look and type of b__39__ was not c__40__ in Taiwan until a few years ago.
At the end of work, after such a m__41__ day, I was ready to try something different. So at home tonight I ate a good, old-fashioned Taiwanese bian-dang, which I bought at the local restaurant on my street, and I followed this up/ to/ for with clam soup and a big cup of high mountain oolong tea.
Read more!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Our Global Village
originally published in The English Reader for Senior High School: Book Three by The Far East Books Co., Ltd. 原文引自遠東高中英文第三冊課文。
Ring ... ring ... ring ... My day today, as usual, started at 6 a.m., when the alarm went off on the old Swiss clock at my bedside. I drowsily slid out from beneath the smooth Thai silk sheets, and then rolled out of the bed I had just bought two weeks before from Ikea. By 7 o'clock, even before I left the house for work, I had already received two business calls on my Nokia cellphone, one from a French colleague at work and the other from a business associate calling from Canada.
As I left the house, I suddenly thought to myself how globalized my life had become. In one hour this morning, I had already used a clock from Switzerland, slipped out of sheets made in Thailand, climbed out of a bed from Sweden, answered calls on a phone made in Finland, and spoken to people from two other countries. And that wasn't all. I was about to drive to work in my new Toyota.
On the way to work, I thought about the amazing ways that life has changed with the rapid growth of globalization over the last couple of decades. Some people dislike these changes because they think these changes will lead to the slow disappearance of many aspects of their culture. Others, however, realize how much more interesting things can become with the greater variety these changes give their lives. Being a Westerner who lives in Taipei, I think globalization is great because it gives me so much more access to things, pastimes and people from around the world, that it seems, at times, like I haven't left my hometown of London.
Once I got to work, I switched on my IBM computer, and read the New York Times and the Sydney Morning Herald online, while drinking a cup of brewed coffee from Brazil and feasting on French bread sandwiches. Later in the morning, I had videoconference meetings with customers from Germany and Korea to discuss our new line of products. By 12 o'clock, I was really hungry, and my colleague and I discussed whether to have our lunch at the Indian restaurant up the road, the Italian pasta bar on the next street, or the new Mexican place because they make great burritos.
During our relaxing lunch, I slowly looked around the restaurant and realized I could have been anywhere in the world. There were other Western people at the table next to us, and a group of African people on the other side of the restaurant, all chatting noisily in languages that I wasn't able to understand. The Taiwanese waiter then greeted us in fluent English, with only a slight Taiwanese accent. Looking out the window, I noticed that every one of the shops along the street outside the restaurant had an English name written in large letters on its shop sign. The globalization of this city, though, is most obvious in its youth culture. While we were eating, three teenagers with dyed hair and wearing baggy, hip-hop style pants walked past our window drinking Starbucks coffee, laughing and high-fiving one another. This look and type of behavior was not common in Taiwan until a few years ago.
At the end of work, after such a multicultural day, I was ready to try something different. So at home tonight I ate a good, old-fashioned Taiwanese bian-dang, which I bought at the local restaurant on my street, and I followed this up with clam soup and a big cup of high mountain oolong tea.
Read more!
Ring ... ring ... ring ... My day today, as usual, started at 6 a.m., when the alarm went off on the old Swiss clock at my bedside. I drowsily slid out from beneath the smooth Thai silk sheets, and then rolled out of the bed I had just bought two weeks before from Ikea. By 7 o'clock, even before I left the house for work, I had already received two business calls on my Nokia cellphone, one from a French colleague at work and the other from a business associate calling from Canada.
As I left the house, I suddenly thought to myself how globalized my life had become. In one hour this morning, I had already used a clock from Switzerland, slipped out of sheets made in Thailand, climbed out of a bed from Sweden, answered calls on a phone made in Finland, and spoken to people from two other countries. And that wasn't all. I was about to drive to work in my new Toyota.
On the way to work, I thought about the amazing ways that life has changed with the rapid growth of globalization over the last couple of decades. Some people dislike these changes because they think these changes will lead to the slow disappearance of many aspects of their culture. Others, however, realize how much more interesting things can become with the greater variety these changes give their lives. Being a Westerner who lives in Taipei, I think globalization is great because it gives me so much more access to things, pastimes and people from around the world, that it seems, at times, like I haven't left my hometown of London.
Once I got to work, I switched on my IBM computer, and read the New York Times and the Sydney Morning Herald online, while drinking a cup of brewed coffee from Brazil and feasting on French bread sandwiches. Later in the morning, I had videoconference meetings with customers from Germany and Korea to discuss our new line of products. By 12 o'clock, I was really hungry, and my colleague and I discussed whether to have our lunch at the Indian restaurant up the road, the Italian pasta bar on the next street, or the new Mexican place because they make great burritos.
During our relaxing lunch, I slowly looked around the restaurant and realized I could have been anywhere in the world. There were other Western people at the table next to us, and a group of African people on the other side of the restaurant, all chatting noisily in languages that I wasn't able to understand. The Taiwanese waiter then greeted us in fluent English, with only a slight Taiwanese accent. Looking out the window, I noticed that every one of the shops along the street outside the restaurant had an English name written in large letters on its shop sign. The globalization of this city, though, is most obvious in its youth culture. While we were eating, three teenagers with dyed hair and wearing baggy, hip-hop style pants walked past our window drinking Starbucks coffee, laughing and high-fiving one another. This look and type of behavior was not common in Taiwan until a few years ago.
At the end of work, after such a multicultural day, I was ready to try something different. So at home tonight I ate a good, old-fashioned Taiwanese bian-dang, which I bought at the local restaurant on my street, and I followed this up with clam soup and a big cup of high mountain oolong tea.
Read more!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Test: Asking Nature for Advice
I. Fill in the blanks.
Canadian scientists studying f 1 frogs believe these frogs hold the secret for safer o 2 t 3 . Hearts, for example, could be safely frozen and then t 4 ed when needed.
These Canadian scientists aren’t the only ones looking/ look/ looked for/ to/ from nature for/ to/ from i 8 . More and more i 9 are also d 10 that the natural world contains many u 11 d 12 . They are not looking for/ to/ from what they can take, but rather what they can learn, for/ to/ from nature.
Inventions b 15 on/ to/ with nature are nothing new. Over a century ago, the Wright brothers, the inventors of the airplane, studied how birds fly. They watched d 17 such as how flying birds a 18 their wings to turn. By a 19 their o 20 on/ to/ with their new invention, the Wright brothers were able to fly like a bird.
In the 1940s, a Swiss e 22 , George de Mestral, noticed b 23 sticking on/ to/ with his pants. He examined one of these things under his m 25 and found tiny h 26 on the end of it. Based on this c 27 , Mestral invented Velcro.
Today, inventors are still finding great ideas in nature’s designs. Take, for/ to/ from example, the lotus. This plant often grows in m 29 e 30 , but remains dry and clean. G 31 scientists discovered that its leaves are covered on/ to/ with tiny n 33 . D 34 and d 35 fall on the needle tips and readily wash away when it rains. Lotusan, a German company, used this idea to make “self-cleaning” house paint. When dried, the paint s 36 r 37 b 38 on a lotus leaf.
Imagine a s 39 as thick in/ to/ as a pencil stopping a flying j 41 No, it's not a c 42 . In/ To/ As theory, it could work. Spider s 44 is five times stronger than steel.
Spiders, however, can't be f 45 . They'd eat each other. So scientists put spider genes inside goats. Then they c 46 and p 47 the goat's milk. The r 48 ? Spider silk from milk! Its uses may include stronger b 49 v 50 and safer bridges.
Learn from nature. You'll be s 51 by its great designs.
II. Finish the sentence with something, nothing, anything.
52. Their conversation is not important.
>> Their conversation is (important)
53. I don’t eat weird food, such as chicken feet, bugs and stuff like that.
>> I don’t eat (weird).
54. Many people found the article inspirational.
>> There is (inspiring) about the article.
III. Sentence Combination
55. This computer is NT 24,000 dollars.
This camera is NT 8,000 dollars.
>> The computer is the camara.
56. Lisa studies 6 hours every day.
I only study 2 hours every day.
>> Lisa studies I do every day.
IV. Complete the sentences with vocabulary provided below
rather, apply, look, base
57. The child to his parents for toys.
58. The reason why he is not hired is not that he was not good enough, but he was too full of himself.
59. Most of her research was on her father's work.
60. You should what you learn in school to your life.
Stop and review your answers before you check the answer key.
----------------------------------------
Answers:
1. frozen
2. organ
3. transplants
4. thawed
5. looking
6. to
7. for
8. inspiration
9. inventors
10. discovering
11. useful
12. designs
13. for
14. from
15. based
16. on
17. details
18. adjusted
19. applying
20. observations
21. to
22. engineer
23. burs
24. to
25. microscope
26. hooks
27. concept
28. for
29. muddy
30. environments
31. German
32. with
33. needles
34. Dust
35. dirt
36. surface
37. resembles
38. bumps
39. string
40. as
41. jet
42. cartoon
43. In
44. silk
45. farmed
46. collected
47. processed
48. results
49. bulletproof
50. vests
51. surprised
52. nothing important
53. anything weird
54. something inspiring
55. three times more expensive than/ three times the price of
56. three times more than
57. looked
58. rather
59. based
60. apply
Read more!
Canadian scientists studying f 1 frogs believe these frogs hold the secret for safer o 2 t 3 . Hearts, for example, could be safely frozen and then t 4 ed when needed.
These Canadian scientists aren’t the only ones looking/ look/ looked for/ to/ from nature for/ to/ from i 8 . More and more i 9 are also d 10 that the natural world contains many u 11 d 12 . They are not looking for/ to/ from what they can take, but rather what they can learn, for/ to/ from nature.
Inventions b 15 on/ to/ with nature are nothing new. Over a century ago, the Wright brothers, the inventors of the airplane, studied how birds fly. They watched d 17 such as how flying birds a 18 their wings to turn. By a 19 their o 20 on/ to/ with their new invention, the Wright brothers were able to fly like a bird.
In the 1940s, a Swiss e 22 , George de Mestral, noticed b 23 sticking on/ to/ with his pants. He examined one of these things under his m 25 and found tiny h 26 on the end of it. Based on this c 27 , Mestral invented Velcro.
Today, inventors are still finding great ideas in nature’s designs. Take, for/ to/ from example, the lotus. This plant often grows in m 29 e 30 , but remains dry and clean. G 31 scientists discovered that its leaves are covered on/ to/ with tiny n 33 . D 34 and d 35 fall on the needle tips and readily wash away when it rains. Lotusan, a German company, used this idea to make “self-cleaning” house paint. When dried, the paint s 36 r 37 b 38 on a lotus leaf.
Imagine a s 39 as thick in/ to/ as a pencil stopping a flying j 41 No, it's not a c 42 . In/ To/ As theory, it could work. Spider s 44 is five times stronger than steel.
Spiders, however, can't be f 45 . They'd eat each other. So scientists put spider genes inside goats. Then they c 46 and p 47 the goat's milk. The r 48 ? Spider silk from milk! Its uses may include stronger b 49 v 50 and safer bridges.
Learn from nature. You'll be s 51 by its great designs.
II. Finish the sentence with something, nothing, anything.
52. Their conversation is not important.
>> Their conversation is (important)
53. I don’t eat weird food, such as chicken feet, bugs and stuff like that.
>> I don’t eat (weird).
54. Many people found the article inspirational.
>> There is (inspiring) about the article.
III. Sentence Combination
55. This computer is NT 24,000 dollars.
This camera is NT 8,000 dollars.
>> The computer is the camara.
56. Lisa studies 6 hours every day.
I only study 2 hours every day.
>> Lisa studies I do every day.
IV. Complete the sentences with vocabulary provided below
rather, apply, look, base
57. The child to his parents for toys.
58. The reason why he is not hired is not that he was not good enough, but he was too full of himself.
59. Most of her research was on her father's work.
60. You should what you learn in school to your life.
Stop and review your answers before you check the answer key.
----------------------------------------
Answers:
1. frozen
2. organ
3. transplants
4. thawed
5. looking
6. to
7. for
8. inspiration
9. inventors
10. discovering
11. useful
12. designs
13. for
14. from
15. based
16. on
17. details
18. adjusted
19. applying
20. observations
21. to
22. engineer
23. burs
24. to
25. microscope
26. hooks
27. concept
28. for
29. muddy
30. environments
31. German
32. with
33. needles
34. Dust
35. dirt
36. surface
37. resembles
38. bumps
39. string
40. as
41. jet
42. cartoon
43. In
44. silk
45. farmed
46. collected
47. processed
48. results
49. bulletproof
50. vests
51. surprised
52. nothing important
53. anything weird
54. something inspiring
55. three times more expensive than/ three times the price of
56. three times more than
57. looked
58. rather
59. based
60. apply
Read more!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Asking Nature for Advice
originally published in The English Reader for Senior High School: Book Three by The Far East Books Co., Ltd. 原文引自遠東高中英文第三冊課文。
Some frogs naturally freeze solid in winter, then thaw and hop away in the spring. In Ottawa, Canada, scientists are studying these frozen frogs. They believe these frogs hold the secret for safer organ transplants. Hearts, for example, could be safely frozen and then thawed when needed.
These Canadian scientists aren’t the only ones looking to nature for inspiration. More and more inventors are also discovering that the natural world contains many useful designs. These inventors are not looking for what they can take, but rather what they can learn, from nature.
Inventions based on nature are nothing new. Over a century ago, the Wright brothers, the inventors of the airplane, studied how birds fly. They watched details such as how flying birds adjusted their wings to turn. By applying their observations to their new invention, the Wright brothers were able to fly like a bird.
In the 1940s, a Swiss engineer, George de Mestral, noticed burs sticking to his pants. He examined one of these burs under his microscope and found tiny hooks on the end of it. Based on this concept, Mestral invented Velcro.
Today, inventors are still finding great ideas in nature’s designs. Take, for example, the lotus. This plant often grows in muddy environments, but remains dry and clean. German scientists discovered that its leaves are covered with tiny needles. Dust and dirt fall on the needle tips and readily wash away when it rains. Lotusan, a German company , used this same concept to make “self-cleaning” house paint. When dried, the paint surface resembles bumps on a lotus leaf. Scientists are now hoping to create a similar paint for cars.
Imagine a string as thick as a pencil stopping a flying jet. No, it's not a cartoon. In theory, it could work. Spider silk is five times stronger than steel. It's even stronner than Kevlar---the toughest man-made material.
Spiders, however, can't be farmed. They'd eat each other. So scientists put spider genes inside goats. Then they collected and processed the goat's milk. The result? Spider silk from milk! Its uses may include stronger bulletproof vests and safer bridges.
Learn from nature. You'll be surprised by its great designs.
Read more!
Some frogs naturally freeze solid in winter, then thaw and hop away in the spring. In Ottawa, Canada, scientists are studying these frozen frogs. They believe these frogs hold the secret for safer organ transplants. Hearts, for example, could be safely frozen and then thawed when needed.
These Canadian scientists aren’t the only ones looking to nature for inspiration. More and more inventors are also discovering that the natural world contains many useful designs. These inventors are not looking for what they can take, but rather what they can learn, from nature.
Inventions based on nature are nothing new. Over a century ago, the Wright brothers, the inventors of the airplane, studied how birds fly. They watched details such as how flying birds adjusted their wings to turn. By applying their observations to their new invention, the Wright brothers were able to fly like a bird.
In the 1940s, a Swiss engineer, George de Mestral, noticed burs sticking to his pants. He examined one of these burs under his microscope and found tiny hooks on the end of it. Based on this concept, Mestral invented Velcro.
Today, inventors are still finding great ideas in nature’s designs. Take, for example, the lotus. This plant often grows in muddy environments, but remains dry and clean. German scientists discovered that its leaves are covered with tiny needles. Dust and dirt fall on the needle tips and readily wash away when it rains. Lotusan, a German company , used this same concept to make “self-cleaning” house paint. When dried, the paint surface resembles bumps on a lotus leaf. Scientists are now hoping to create a similar paint for cars.
Imagine a string as thick as a pencil stopping a flying jet. No, it's not a cartoon. In theory, it could work. Spider silk is five times stronger than steel. It's even stronner than Kevlar---the toughest man-made material.
Spiders, however, can't be farmed. They'd eat each other. So scientists put spider genes inside goats. Then they collected and processed the goat's milk. The result? Spider silk from milk! Its uses may include stronger bulletproof vests and safer bridges.
Learn from nature. You'll be surprised by its great designs.
Read more!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Test: The Owl Who Was God
I. Fill in the blanks
Once upon/ in/ at a starless midnight there was an owl who sat on the b 2 of an oak tree. Two ground moles tried to slip quietly by/ in/ out, unnoticed. "You!"said the owl. "Who?" they q 4 , in fear and a 5 , for they could not believe it was possible for anyone to see them in that thick darkness. The moles h 6 back to the other c 7 of the f 8 and forest r 9 that the owl was the greatest and wisest of all animals because he could see in the dark and because he could answer any question. "I’ll see about that," said a secretary bird, and he called on/ in/ at the owl one night when it was again very dark. "How many c 11 am I holding up?"
"Can he see in the d 12 , too?" asked a red fox. "Yes," answered a dormouse and a French poodle. "Can he see in the daytime, too?" All the other creatures laughed loudly at/ in/ on this silly question, and they set up/ upon/ out the red fox and his friends and drove them out of the forest. They sent a m 15 to the owl and asked him to be their leader.
When the owl a 16 among the animals it was high noon and the sun was shining brightly. He walked very slowly, which gave him an appearance of great d 17 , and he p 18 about him with large, staring eyes, which gave him an air of t 19 importance. "He’s God!" screamed a Plymouth rock hen. And the others took at/ in/ up the cry "He’s God!" So they followed him wherever he went and when he b 21 into things they began to do that, too. Finally he came to a c 22 h 23 and he started up the middle of it and all the other creatures followed him. They were still crying "He’s God" when the truck hit them and ran them d 24 . Some of the animals were m 25 i 26 , but most of them, including the owl, were killed.
II. Combine sentences with ..., for...; ..., so...; or ..., which...
27. The final exam is next week. We can't party all day. (so/ for)
28. He kept looking at his watch. His girlfriend is late. (so/ for)
29. Mrs. White threw all her hudsband's luggages out of the window. That scared their children. (which)
30. Mr. Henderson is handsome. He is very popular. (which)
31. She doesn't want to stay at home. She doesn't want to be alone. (so/ for)
IV. Combine or rewrite the sentences using the hints provided.
32. Mike is my friend, but he is more like a brother to me. (... not so much... as...)
33. Lisa is more friendly than helpful. (Lisa is not so much ... as ...)
34. I love American fastfood. My favorite is fried chicken wings with barbeque sauce. (One of... )
35. Both Sally and Billy love to play basketball. (Like Billy, Sally...)
36. Both Indians and Koreans enjoy spicy food. (Like ..., ...)
37. His dream came true because of his hard work. (His hard work made ...)
38. Other creatures in the forest thought the owl is God because of his ability to answer all questions. (... make ...)
39. To study all day long is tiring. (It is...)
40. Leanring different languages is useful. (It is...)
Stop and review your answers before you check the answer key.
----------------------------------------
Answers:
1. upon
2. branch
3. by
4. quavered
5. astonishment
6. hastened
7. creatures
8. field
9. region
10. on
11. claws
12. daytime
13. at
14. upon
15. messenger
16. appeared
17. dignity
18. peered
19. trememdous
20. up
21. bumped
22. concrete
23. highway
24. down
25. merely
26. injured
27. The final exam is next week, so we can't party all day.
We can't party all day, for the final exam is next week.
28. His girlfriend is late, so he kept looking at his watch.
He kept looking at his watch for his girlfriend is late.
29. Mrs White threw all her hudsband's luggages out of the window, which scared their children.
30. Mr. Henderson is handsome, which makes him very popular.
31. She doesn't want to be alone, so she doesn't want to stay at home.
She doesn't want to stay at home, for she doesn't want to be alone.
32. Mike is not so much a friend as a brother to me.
33. Lisa is not so much helpful as friendly.
34. One of my favorite American fastfood is fried chicken wings with barbeque sauce.
35. Like Billy, Sally loves to play basketball.
36. Like Koreans, Indians enjoy spicy food.
37. His hard work made his dream came true.
38. His ability of answer all questions made other creatures thought the owl is God.
39. It is tiring to study all day.
40. It is useful to learn different languages.
Read more!
Once upon/ in/ at a starless midnight there was an owl who sat on the b 2 of an oak tree. Two ground moles tried to slip quietly by/ in/ out, unnoticed. "You!"said the owl. "Who?" they q 4 , in fear and a 5 , for they could not believe it was possible for anyone to see them in that thick darkness. The moles h 6 back to the other c 7 of the f 8 and forest r 9 that the owl was the greatest and wisest of all animals because he could see in the dark and because he could answer any question. "I’ll see about that," said a secretary bird, and he called on/ in/ at the owl one night when it was again very dark. "How many c 11 am I holding up?"
"Can he see in the d 12 , too?" asked a red fox. "Yes," answered a dormouse and a French poodle. "Can he see in the daytime, too?" All the other creatures laughed loudly at/ in/ on this silly question, and they set up/ upon/ out the red fox and his friends and drove them out of the forest. They sent a m 15 to the owl and asked him to be their leader.
When the owl a 16 among the animals it was high noon and the sun was shining brightly. He walked very slowly, which gave him an appearance of great d 17 , and he p 18 about him with large, staring eyes, which gave him an air of t 19 importance. "He’s God!" screamed a Plymouth rock hen. And the others took at/ in/ up the cry "He’s God!" So they followed him wherever he went and when he b 21 into things they began to do that, too. Finally he came to a c 22 h 23 and he started up the middle of it and all the other creatures followed him. They were still crying "He’s God" when the truck hit them and ran them d 24 . Some of the animals were m 25 i 26 , but most of them, including the owl, were killed.
II. Combine sentences with ..., for...; ..., so...; or ..., which...
27. The final exam is next week. We can't party all day. (so/ for)
28. He kept looking at his watch. His girlfriend is late. (so/ for)
29. Mrs. White threw all her hudsband's luggages out of the window. That scared their children. (which)
30. Mr. Henderson is handsome. He is very popular. (which)
31. She doesn't want to stay at home. She doesn't want to be alone. (so/ for)
IV. Combine or rewrite the sentences using the hints provided.
32. Mike is my friend, but he is more like a brother to me. (... not so much... as...)
33. Lisa is more friendly than helpful. (Lisa is not so much ... as ...)
34. I love American fastfood. My favorite is fried chicken wings with barbeque sauce. (One of... )
35. Both Sally and Billy love to play basketball. (Like Billy, Sally...)
36. Both Indians and Koreans enjoy spicy food. (Like ..., ...)
37. His dream came true because of his hard work. (His hard work made ...)
38. Other creatures in the forest thought the owl is God because of his ability to answer all questions. (... make ...)
39. To study all day long is tiring. (It is...)
40. Leanring different languages is useful. (It is...)
Stop and review your answers before you check the answer key.
----------------------------------------
Answers:
1. upon
2. branch
3. by
4. quavered
5. astonishment
6. hastened
7. creatures
8. field
9. region
10. on
11. claws
12. daytime
13. at
14. upon
15. messenger
16. appeared
17. dignity
18. peered
19. trememdous
20. up
21. bumped
22. concrete
23. highway
24. down
25. merely
26. injured
27. The final exam is next week, so we can't party all day.
We can't party all day, for the final exam is next week.
28. His girlfriend is late, so he kept looking at his watch.
He kept looking at his watch for his girlfriend is late.
29. Mrs White threw all her hudsband's luggages out of the window, which scared their children.
30. Mr. Henderson is handsome, which makes him very popular.
31. She doesn't want to be alone, so she doesn't want to stay at home.
She doesn't want to stay at home, for she doesn't want to be alone.
32. Mike is not so much a friend as a brother to me.
33. Lisa is not so much helpful as friendly.
34. One of my favorite American fastfood is fried chicken wings with barbeque sauce.
35. Like Billy, Sally loves to play basketball.
36. Like Koreans, Indians enjoy spicy food.
37. His hard work made his dream came true.
38. His ability of answer all questions made other creatures thought the owl is God.
39. It is tiring to study all day.
40. It is useful to learn different languages.
Read more!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Owl Who Was God
by James Thurber
Once upon a starless midnight there was an owl who sat on the branch of an oak tree. Two ground moles tried to slip quietly by, unnoticed. "You!"said the owl. "Who?" they quavered, in fear and astonishment, for they could not believe it was possible for anyone to see them in that thick darkness. "You two!" said the owl. The moles hurried away and told the other creatures of the field and forest that the owl was the greatest and wisest of all animals because he could see in the dark and because he could answer any question. "I’ll see about that, "said a secretary bird, and he called on the owl one night when it was again very dark. "How many claws am I holding up?" said the secretary bird. "Two," said the owl, and that was right. "Can you give me another expression for ‘that is to say’ or ‘namely’?" asked the secretary bird. "To wit," said the owl. "Why does the lover call on his love?" "To woo," said the owl.
The secretary bird hastened back to the other creatures and reported that the owl indeed was the greatest and wisest animal in the world because he could see in the dark and because he could answer any question. "Can he see in the daytime, too?" asked a red fox. "Yes," answered a dormouse and a French poodle. "Can he see in the daytime, too?" All the other creatures laughed loudly at this silly question, and they set upon the red fox and his friends and drove them out of the region. They sent a messenger to the owl and asked him to be their leader.
When the owl appeared among the animals it was high noon and the sun was shining brightly. He walked very slowly, which gave him an appearance of great dignity, and he peered about him with large, staring eyes, which gave him an air of tremendous importance. "He’s God!" screamed a Plymouth rock hen. And the others took up the cry "He’s God!" So they followed him wherever he went and when he bumped into things they began to bump into things, too. Finally he came to a concrete highway and he started up the middle of it and all the other creatures followed him. Presently a hawk, who was acting as outrider, observed a truck coming toward them at fifty miles an hour, and he reported to the secretary bird and the secretary bird reported to the owl. "There’s danger ahead," said the secretary bird. "To wit?" said the owl. The secretary bird told him. "Aren’t you afraid?" he asked. "Who?" said the owl calmly, for he could not see the truck. "He’s God!" cried all the creatures again, and they were still crying "He’s God" when the truck hit them and ran them down. Some of the animals were merely injured, but most of them, including the owl, were killed.
Moral: You can fool too many of the people too much of the time.
Read more!
Once upon a starless midnight there was an owl who sat on the branch of an oak tree. Two ground moles tried to slip quietly by, unnoticed. "You!"said the owl. "Who?" they quavered, in fear and astonishment, for they could not believe it was possible for anyone to see them in that thick darkness. "You two!" said the owl. The moles hurried away and told the other creatures of the field and forest that the owl was the greatest and wisest of all animals because he could see in the dark and because he could answer any question. "I’ll see about that, "said a secretary bird, and he called on the owl one night when it was again very dark. "How many claws am I holding up?" said the secretary bird. "Two," said the owl, and that was right. "Can you give me another expression for ‘that is to say’ or ‘namely’?" asked the secretary bird. "To wit," said the owl. "Why does the lover call on his love?" "To woo," said the owl.
The secretary bird hastened back to the other creatures and reported that the owl indeed was the greatest and wisest animal in the world because he could see in the dark and because he could answer any question. "Can he see in the daytime, too?" asked a red fox. "Yes," answered a dormouse and a French poodle. "Can he see in the daytime, too?" All the other creatures laughed loudly at this silly question, and they set upon the red fox and his friends and drove them out of the region. They sent a messenger to the owl and asked him to be their leader.
When the owl appeared among the animals it was high noon and the sun was shining brightly. He walked very slowly, which gave him an appearance of great dignity, and he peered about him with large, staring eyes, which gave him an air of tremendous importance. "He’s God!" screamed a Plymouth rock hen. And the others took up the cry "He’s God!" So they followed him wherever he went and when he bumped into things they began to bump into things, too. Finally he came to a concrete highway and he started up the middle of it and all the other creatures followed him. Presently a hawk, who was acting as outrider, observed a truck coming toward them at fifty miles an hour, and he reported to the secretary bird and the secretary bird reported to the owl. "There’s danger ahead," said the secretary bird. "To wit?" said the owl. The secretary bird told him. "Aren’t you afraid?" he asked. "Who?" said the owl calmly, for he could not see the truck. "He’s God!" cried all the creatures again, and they were still crying "He’s God" when the truck hit them and ran them down. Some of the animals were merely injured, but most of them, including the owl, were killed.
Moral: You can fool too many of the people too much of the time.
Read more!
Sounds of Moonlight
originally published in The English Reader for Senior High School: Book Three by The Far East Books Co., Ltd. 原文引自遠東高中英文第三冊課文。
In the middle of his life, Ludwig van Beethoven, the German musician, slowly began to lose his hearing. Beethoven was afraid he would have to stop writing music. People tell the following story about how he found the courage to continue. No one knows to this day whether the story is true or not.
It was a cold winter night in 1801. The city of Vienna, Austria, lay sleeping under a full moon.
A young man hurried home through a strange section of the city. He was Ludwig van Beethoven, a famous writer of music.
Suddenly Beethoven stopped. From a nearby cottage came the sound of a piano. In fact, Beethoven recognized one of his own works. But it was not being played very well.
After a moment the music stopped. Then he heard the sound of crying. “I can’t get it right,” sobbed a girl’s voice. “I’ll never get it right.”
Beethoven knocked at the cottage door. A young man opened it. Inside, the room was lit by only a few candles. Beethoven could barely make out an old piano and a girl sitting in front of it.
“I heard music and then crying,” said Beethoven. “Can I help in any way?”
The girl sighed. “I have been trying all night to play this piece of music. But I’m afraid I’ll never get it right.”
The girl was embarrassed. She told Beethoven that she and her brother had little money for music lessons. But she had gone to a concert and had heard this music. She and her brother knew that she would never play well unless she could hear good musicians play.
Beethoven smiled. “Would you like to have a concert now?” he asked. “I am a musician also.”
“That is very good of you, sir,” replied the girl. “But the piano is old and we have no sheet music.”
This surprised Beethoven. “No sheet music?” He asked. “But you were playing…” Then he was silent. He suddenly understood why the piano was in the dark. The girl was blind. She couldn’t read a note from a sheet of music. She was playing his music from memory.
Beethoven’s eyes filled with tears. He sat down at the piano and began to play. He played all the pieces of music that he knew. He played with all the feeling and skill that he had.
Finally the candles burned out. Beethoven went to the window and swept back the curtains. Moonlight flooded the room. It covered the bare floor and furniture with silver light. Then Beethoven started to play something new. He tried to describe for the girl what the moonlight was like. The notes filled the room with flowing sound. He had never played so well. The music grew softer. When it finally stopped, the girl whispered, “You must be Beethoven. No one else could play so well.” Her brother added, “We will never forget this kindness.”
That night Beethoven went home and finished the music he had played. It came to be called the Moonlight Sonata and is still played today. A few years later Beethoven started to grow deaf. Soon he could hardly hear. Sounds seemed to be coming through a blanket that got thicker and thicker.
Finally Beethoven could not hear a single note. But still he kept on writing music. He heard the notes in his head. Some of his greatest works were written after he’d become deaf. It may be that the blind girl’s struggle to play the piano that night gave him the courage not to give up.
Read more!
In the middle of his life, Ludwig van Beethoven, the German musician, slowly began to lose his hearing. Beethoven was afraid he would have to stop writing music. People tell the following story about how he found the courage to continue. No one knows to this day whether the story is true or not.
It was a cold winter night in 1801. The city of Vienna, Austria, lay sleeping under a full moon.
A young man hurried home through a strange section of the city. He was Ludwig van Beethoven, a famous writer of music.
Suddenly Beethoven stopped. From a nearby cottage came the sound of a piano. In fact, Beethoven recognized one of his own works. But it was not being played very well.
After a moment the music stopped. Then he heard the sound of crying. “I can’t get it right,” sobbed a girl’s voice. “I’ll never get it right.”
Beethoven knocked at the cottage door. A young man opened it. Inside, the room was lit by only a few candles. Beethoven could barely make out an old piano and a girl sitting in front of it.
“I heard music and then crying,” said Beethoven. “Can I help in any way?”
The girl sighed. “I have been trying all night to play this piece of music. But I’m afraid I’ll never get it right.”
The girl was embarrassed. She told Beethoven that she and her brother had little money for music lessons. But she had gone to a concert and had heard this music. She and her brother knew that she would never play well unless she could hear good musicians play.
Beethoven smiled. “Would you like to have a concert now?” he asked. “I am a musician also.”
“That is very good of you, sir,” replied the girl. “But the piano is old and we have no sheet music.”
This surprised Beethoven. “No sheet music?” He asked. “But you were playing…” Then he was silent. He suddenly understood why the piano was in the dark. The girl was blind. She couldn’t read a note from a sheet of music. She was playing his music from memory.
Beethoven’s eyes filled with tears. He sat down at the piano and began to play. He played all the pieces of music that he knew. He played with all the feeling and skill that he had.
Finally the candles burned out. Beethoven went to the window and swept back the curtains. Moonlight flooded the room. It covered the bare floor and furniture with silver light. Then Beethoven started to play something new. He tried to describe for the girl what the moonlight was like. The notes filled the room with flowing sound. He had never played so well. The music grew softer. When it finally stopped, the girl whispered, “You must be Beethoven. No one else could play so well.” Her brother added, “We will never forget this kindness.”
That night Beethoven went home and finished the music he had played. It came to be called the Moonlight Sonata and is still played today. A few years later Beethoven started to grow deaf. Soon he could hardly hear. Sounds seemed to be coming through a blanket that got thicker and thicker.
Finally Beethoven could not hear a single note. But still he kept on writing music. He heard the notes in his head. Some of his greatest works were written after he’d become deaf. It may be that the blind girl’s struggle to play the piano that night gave him the courage not to give up.
Read more!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Verb Tense 2: Progressive Verb Tenses
Following Verb Tense Part 1, we are going to practice progressive verb tense in Part 2. We will also review simple tense at the end of this session.
2.1 Progressive Verb Tense: Basics
Progressive verb tense is used to indicate events that are “in action at the moment,” whether it is referring to a moment in the future, past or right now.
2.2 Present Progressive
Simple present is used to describe an action that is effecting right now.
The boy is crying.
I am writing a letter to my parents.
He is walking to school.
She is preparing breakfast for her family.
Vince is complaining.
>>Note: “be going to V” is used to state actions that will happen in the near future
The boy is going to cry.
I am going to write a letter to my parents.
She is going to prepare breakfast for her family.
Vince is going to complain.
>>Note: Verbs describing constant condition are seldom used in present progressive
I am liking you. (X)
He is remembering me. (X)
Sally is hating Lisa. (X)
Father is loving mother. (X)
We are agreeing with each other. (X)
2.3 Past Progressive
Past progressive refers to actions that were taking place at a certain point in the past. Simple past is often used with past progressive to help define the time of action.
Dora was watching a TV program when her mother got in the house.
Pitt was talking on the phone when the police man stopped him.
I was sleeping while my mother was making diner last night.
You were taking a shower when I called.
They were finishing up the project when the storm suddenly hit town.
2.4 Future Progressive
Future progressive refers to actions that will be taking place at a certain point in the future. Present simple is often used with future progressive to define the future time point.
She will still be packing when the bus arrives tomorrow morning.
I will be attending a meeting when you come in.
He will be calling up people for help when the time comes.
We will be competing with the best teams at the national game.
Practice:
Choose the correct verb form.
1. David ____ to his family five minutes ago.
a. is writing b. was writing c. write d. will be writing
2. I ____ the house when he phoned.
a. am cleaning b. cleans c. was cleaning d. will be cleaning
3. When I called her cell, she ____ a concert.
a. is attending b. attended c. was attending d. will be attending
4. My family ____ a fight when my teacher suddenly visited us.
a. were having b. are having c. had d. will be fighting
5. You ____ his skillful playing at the show tomorrow night.
a. is enjoying b. enjoy c. were enjoying d. will be enjoying
6. When he ____, I will be waiting for him in the conference room.
a. come b. comes c. came d. will come
7. Peter was already in the airport when the airlines ____ him that the flight was cancelled.
a. is telling b. tells c. told d. was telling
8. The students were celebrating their school’s day when the earthquake ____ place.
a. take b. takes c. took d. will take
9. We are going to visit Japan. =
a. We goes to Japan often. b. We went to Japan. c. go… went d. will go… goes
10. When you arrive Taipei in the morning, I ___ on my way to the airport.
a. am b. was c. will be d. will
Ans.
1. bccad
6. cbcdc
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2.1 Progressive Verb Tense: Basics
Progressive verb tense is used to indicate events that are “in action at the moment,” whether it is referring to a moment in the future, past or right now.
2.2 Present Progressive
Simple present is used to describe an action that is effecting right now.
The boy is crying.
I am writing a letter to my parents.
He is walking to school.
She is preparing breakfast for her family.
Vince is complaining.
>>Note: “be going to V” is used to state actions that will happen in the near future
The boy is going to cry.
I am going to write a letter to my parents.
She is going to prepare breakfast for her family.
Vince is going to complain.
>>Note: Verbs describing constant condition are seldom used in present progressive
I am liking you. (X)
He is remembering me. (X)
Sally is hating Lisa. (X)
Father is loving mother. (X)
We are agreeing with each other. (X)
2.3 Past Progressive
Past progressive refers to actions that were taking place at a certain point in the past. Simple past is often used with past progressive to help define the time of action.
Dora was watching a TV program when her mother got in the house.
Pitt was talking on the phone when the police man stopped him.
I was sleeping while my mother was making diner last night.
You were taking a shower when I called.
They were finishing up the project when the storm suddenly hit town.
2.4 Future Progressive
Future progressive refers to actions that will be taking place at a certain point in the future. Present simple is often used with future progressive to define the future time point.
She will still be packing when the bus arrives tomorrow morning.
I will be attending a meeting when you come in.
He will be calling up people for help when the time comes.
We will be competing with the best teams at the national game.
Practice:
Choose the correct verb form.
1. David ____ to his family five minutes ago.
a. is writing b. was writing c. write d. will be writing
2. I ____ the house when he phoned.
a. am cleaning b. cleans c. was cleaning d. will be cleaning
3. When I called her cell, she ____ a concert.
a. is attending b. attended c. was attending d. will be attending
4. My family ____ a fight when my teacher suddenly visited us.
a. were having b. are having c. had d. will be fighting
5. You ____ his skillful playing at the show tomorrow night.
a. is enjoying b. enjoy c. were enjoying d. will be enjoying
6. When he ____, I will be waiting for him in the conference room.
a. come b. comes c. came d. will come
7. Peter was already in the airport when the airlines ____ him that the flight was cancelled.
a. is telling b. tells c. told d. was telling
8. The students were celebrating their school’s day when the earthquake ____ place.
a. take b. takes c. took d. will take
9. We are going to visit Japan. =
a. We goes to Japan often. b. We went to Japan. c. go… went d. will go… goes
10. When you arrive Taipei in the morning, I ___ on my way to the airport.
a. am b. was c. will be d. will
Ans.
1. bccad
6. cbcdc
Read more!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sense and Sensibility
Clothes that are stylish and sustainable are hitting the fashion shows. Will they get to your closet?
Anna Kuchment/ NEWSWEEK Apr 5, 2008
The New York fashion week crowd packed a large hall to await the latest designs by the likes of Narciso Rodriguez, Versace and Calvin Klein. When the lights dimmed and a procession of lanky models wafted across the runway, the looks they wore were far from the designers' standard fare. Instead of using traditional fabrics like silk and cashmere, designers sent out clothing cut from sasawashi (a Japanese fabric made from paper and herbs), peace silk (a process that lets silkworms live out their full life cycle) and hemp. In a dramatic visual representation of recycling, Belgian designer Martin Margiela draped three vintage wedding dresses over a bustier to make a stunning ball gown.
The January show, called FutureFashion, exemplified how far green design has come. Organized by the New York-based nonprofit Earth Pledge, the show inspired many top designers to work with sustainable fabrics for the first time. Several have since made pledges to incorporate organic fabrics into their lines. Many other recent events have budged eco-friendly design toward wider recognition and a more fashion-forward image. At the high end, specialty store Barneys made a major commitment to sustainable design, commissioning exclusive "conscious" lines from Theory, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Stella McCartney, and dedicating its Christmas windows and catalog to green fashion. "We felt we should do our part in moving fashion into a more conscious place," says Julie Gilhart, Barneys' fashion director. Last November, eco-conscious designer Rogan Gregory won the prestigious CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund award for rising talent, sending another signal that style and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive. At the lower end, nearly every recognizable brand, from Banana Republic to Guess to H&M, has rolled out a green line. In May, Target will launch one in partnership with Gregory's Rogan label.
The designers who undertake green fashion still face many challenges. Scott Hahn, cofounder with Gregory of Rogan and Loomstate, which uses all-organic cotton, says high-quality sustainable materials can still be tough to find. "Most designers with existing labels are finding there aren't comparable fabrics that can just replace what you're doing and what your customers are used to," he says. For example, organic and non-organic cotton are virtually indistinguishable once woven into a garment. But some popular synthetics, like stretch nylon, still have few eco-friendly equivalents. "There are not a lot of people making the best green fabrics," says Hahn. "The coolest stuff is tech-driven, and that's what people get excited about."
Those who do make the switch are finding they have more support. Last year the influential trade show Designers & Agents began waiving its participation fee for young green entrepreneurs who attend its two springtime shows in Los Angeles and New York and giving special recognition to designers whose collections are at least 25 percent sustainable. It now counts more than 50 green designers, up from fewer than a dozen two years ago. This week Wal-Mart is set to announce a major initiative aimed at helping cotton farmers go organic: it will buy transitional cotton at higher, certified-organic prices, thus helping to expand the supply of a key sustainable material. "Mainstream is about to occur," says Hahn.
Some analysts are less sure. Statistically, green fashion occupies a tiny sliver of the apparel market. Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at market-research firm NPD Group, says it represents less than 1 percent of industry sales. Among consumers, only 18 percent are even aware that ecofashion exists, up from 6 percent four years ago. Natalie Hormilla, who writes for the blog Fashionista.com, is an example of the unconverted consumer. When asked if she owned any sustainable clothes, she replied: "Not that I'm aware of." Like most consumers, she finds little time to shop, and when she does, she's on the hunt for "cute stuff that isn't too expensive." By her own admission, green just isn't yet on her mind. But—thanks to the combined efforts of designers, retailers and suppliers—one day it will be.
view origianl article on Newsweek
Read more!
Anna Kuchment/ NEWSWEEK Apr 5, 2008
The New York fashion week crowd packed a large hall to await the latest designs by the likes of Narciso Rodriguez, Versace and Calvin Klein. When the lights dimmed and a procession of lanky models wafted across the runway, the looks they wore were far from the designers' standard fare. Instead of using traditional fabrics like silk and cashmere, designers sent out clothing cut from sasawashi (a Japanese fabric made from paper and herbs), peace silk (a process that lets silkworms live out their full life cycle) and hemp. In a dramatic visual representation of recycling, Belgian designer Martin Margiela draped three vintage wedding dresses over a bustier to make a stunning ball gown.
The January show, called FutureFashion, exemplified how far green design has come. Organized by the New York-based nonprofit Earth Pledge, the show inspired many top designers to work with sustainable fabrics for the first time. Several have since made pledges to incorporate organic fabrics into their lines. Many other recent events have budged eco-friendly design toward wider recognition and a more fashion-forward image. At the high end, specialty store Barneys made a major commitment to sustainable design, commissioning exclusive "conscious" lines from Theory, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Stella McCartney, and dedicating its Christmas windows and catalog to green fashion. "We felt we should do our part in moving fashion into a more conscious place," says Julie Gilhart, Barneys' fashion director. Last November, eco-conscious designer Rogan Gregory won the prestigious CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund award for rising talent, sending another signal that style and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive. At the lower end, nearly every recognizable brand, from Banana Republic to Guess to H&M, has rolled out a green line. In May, Target will launch one in partnership with Gregory's Rogan label.
The designers who undertake green fashion still face many challenges. Scott Hahn, cofounder with Gregory of Rogan and Loomstate, which uses all-organic cotton, says high-quality sustainable materials can still be tough to find. "Most designers with existing labels are finding there aren't comparable fabrics that can just replace what you're doing and what your customers are used to," he says. For example, organic and non-organic cotton are virtually indistinguishable once woven into a garment. But some popular synthetics, like stretch nylon, still have few eco-friendly equivalents. "There are not a lot of people making the best green fabrics," says Hahn. "The coolest stuff is tech-driven, and that's what people get excited about."
Those who do make the switch are finding they have more support. Last year the influential trade show Designers & Agents began waiving its participation fee for young green entrepreneurs who attend its two springtime shows in Los Angeles and New York and giving special recognition to designers whose collections are at least 25 percent sustainable. It now counts more than 50 green designers, up from fewer than a dozen two years ago. This week Wal-Mart is set to announce a major initiative aimed at helping cotton farmers go organic: it will buy transitional cotton at higher, certified-organic prices, thus helping to expand the supply of a key sustainable material. "Mainstream is about to occur," says Hahn.
Some analysts are less sure. Statistically, green fashion occupies a tiny sliver of the apparel market. Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at market-research firm NPD Group, says it represents less than 1 percent of industry sales. Among consumers, only 18 percent are even aware that ecofashion exists, up from 6 percent four years ago. Natalie Hormilla, who writes for the blog Fashionista.com, is an example of the unconverted consumer. When asked if she owned any sustainable clothes, she replied: "Not that I'm aware of." Like most consumers, she finds little time to shop, and when she does, she's on the hunt for "cute stuff that isn't too expensive." By her own admission, green just isn't yet on her mind. But—thanks to the combined efforts of designers, retailers and suppliers—one day it will be.
view origianl article on Newsweek
Read more!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Verb Tense 1: Simple Verb Tenses
The English language uses “verb tense” to indicate the time of action, experience, and the completion of certain action. The three verb tenses are simple, progressive, and perfect. We will be practicing simple verb tense in Part 1.
1.1 Simple Present
Simple present is used to state general facts or habits. It describes a stable, not easily changed situation.
>>Word Clue: always, usually, every (day, week, month, etc.), often, seldom, never…
The sun rises from the east.
I am a student.
He walks to school every morning.
She usually prepares breakfast for her family.
Vince never complains.
1.2 Simple Past
Simple past is used to describe action or event that happened and ended in the past.
>>Word Clue: yesterday, before, last (week, month, etc.), ago…
Mandy took the train to the country last night.
His grandfather passed away 10 years ago.
I slept in this morning.
Your brother finished homework on time.
Agnes visited Japan last month.
>>Note: People often use simple past when in diary, biography, or memoir.
1.3 Simple Future
Simple future is used to state general facts or habits. It describes describe future events and prediction.
>> Word Clue: tomorrow, in a few minutes (days, weeks, etc.), next Monday…
The bus will arrive in 10 minutes.
I will graduate from Yale this summer.
He will accompany me to the meeting next month.
She will fax you the data next Monday morning.
You will hear a lovely voice in a few seconds.
Practice:
Choose the correct verb form.
1. David ____ to his family every month.
a. write b. writes c. wrote d. will write
2. I ____ the room in a few minutes.
a. clean b. cleans c. cleaned d. will clean
3. She ____ her homework three days ago.
a. finish b. finishes c. finished d. will finish
4. Mother ____ a bag of apples from the supermarket last night.
a. buy b. buys c. bought d. will buy
5. You never ____ listening to your boss’s verbose speech.
a. enjoy b. enjoys c. enjoyed d. will enjoy
6. Lisa ____ to the United States to attend her best friend’s wedding. (Choose 2 answers)
a. fly b. flies c. flied d. will fly
7. Those students usually ____ to class on time.
a. come b. comes c. came d. will come
8. My family and I always ____ New Year’s Eve together.
a. celebrate b. celebrates c. celebrated d. will celebrate
9. Pitt seldom ____ to night clubs. He ____ once with his colleagues.
a. go… will go b. goes…. went c. go… went d. will go… goes
10. We ____ at the airport at 7:00 p.m. next Monday.
a. meet b. meets c. met d. will meet
Translate the following sentence into English.
11. 我天天在家吃早餐。
12. 你明天去學校接孩子。
13. 她在晨間會議表現很好。
14. 我們後天就要搬家了。
15. 台灣的夏天很濕熱。
Answers:
1-5 BDCCA
6 CD
7-10 AABD
11. I have/eat breakfast at home every day.
12. You will pick up the kids/children from school tomorrow.
13. She did well in the morning briefing.
14. We will move the day after tomorrow.
15. Summer is humid in Taiwan. / In Taiwan, summer is humid.
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
not... but...
Examples:
Lead him not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
(General MacArthur's Prayer for His Son)
= Do not lead him in the path of ease and comfort. Lead him under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
I want to be a doctor not because it is a prominent profession, but because it is a profession of compassion.
= The fact that doctor is a prominent profession is not the reason why I want to a doctor. I want to be a doctor because it is a profession of compassion.
Practice A: Matching
juicy/ in the spirit he or she lives/ you didn't try at all/
asked to him to leave the classroom
Practice B: The Story of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa is one of the greatest person in the 20th century. She established the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. The Missionaries of Charity brought more than food and cloth to the poor. It brought hope and peace to thousands of the poor in their last days of life.
>>The Missionaries of Charity __________________.
However, she was not an Indian. Mother Teresa was born in Albania.
>>Mother Teresa was __________________.
When she was little, unlike other girls, who dreams of becoming a princess, Mother Teresa wanted to become a missionary and help others.
>>Mother Teresa did __________ when she was little.
She finally became a nun and went to India to teach. Yet, she wasn't happy with her quiet and stable life within the school. She wished to dedicate her life to the poor instead of the wealthy children.
>>She wished to serve ____________.
She became an Indian citizen and lived her life in the slums. From her experiences she found that feeling unwanted, unloved, or uncared is more depressing than hunger.
>>It is ___________ that is more depressing.
She decided to set up a missionary that cares for "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone." Many people found their dignity and rested in peace under the roof of the Missionaries of Charity.
Although Mother Teresa has passed away, her legacy will continue till the End of Days.
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Test: Gen. MacArthur's Prayer for His Son
Try and fill in the blanks with correct vocabulary you learned from the reading, General MacArthur's Prayer for His Son. Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement.
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and b 1 enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and u 2 in honest d 3 , and h 4 and g 5 in v 6 .
Build me a son whose w 7 will not be where his b 8 should be; a son who will know T 9 —and that to know himself is the f 10 stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the p 11 of e 12 and comfort, but under the stress and
s 13 of difficulties and c 14 . Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn c 15 for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will m 16 himself before he s 17 to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to w 18 ; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him h 19 , so that he may always remember the s 20 of true greatness, the open mind of true w 21 , the m 22 of true strength.
Then, I, his father, will dare to w 23 , “I have not lived in v 24 !”
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Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and b 1 enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and u 2 in honest d 3 , and h 4 and g 5 in v 6 .
Build me a son whose w 7 will not be where his b 8 should be; a son who will know T 9 —and that to know himself is the f 10 stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the p 11 of e 12 and comfort, but under the stress and
s 13 of difficulties and c 14 . Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn c 15 for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will m 16 himself before he s 17 to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to w 18 ; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him h 19 , so that he may always remember the s 20 of true greatness, the open mind of true w 21 , the m 22 of true strength.
Then, I, his father, will dare to w 23 , “I have not lived in v 24 !”
Read more!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
General MacArthur's Prayer for His Son
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee—and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
Then, I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain!”
Read more!
10 Fixes for the Planet
Scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs are focusing on ways to help the environment. Some of our favorite ideas.
Anne Underwood /NEWSWEEK
If Wes Jackson, founder and president of the Land Institute in Salina, Kans., has one complaint, it's what he calls "our deficit spending of the Earth's ecological capital," from oil and minerals to water and trees. NEWSWEEK asked dozens of thinkers for their solutions, from 300mpg cars to using enormous kites to help pull ships.
1. Zero waste: Recycling paper, plastic and aluminum is a start, but, oh, so 20th century.
Eric Lombardi hates waste. "Landfills are like black holes, where resources go in and never come out," says the executive director of Eco-Cycle, a nonprofit recycler in Boulder, Colo. "As the world's population explodes and its resource base shrinks, we can't afford that." Instead, Lombardi wants manufacturers to make most or all of their products fully recyclable, using materials designed to be recaptured rather than ending up in junkyards. It's not impossible, as companies like Shaw Carpets and office-furniture maker Steelcase are showing. Both make products with stringent C2C Certification, indicating total recyclability—and 40 other other companies, tapping into the green building trend, are doing the same. "Waste is expensive and inefficient," says Lombardi. "It only appears cheap because the market doesn't send bills to industry for groundwater pollution and resource depletion."
2. LED light bulbs: Never mind the cliché, they really might be a better idea.
Now that we've all dutifully stocked up on compact fluorescents , guess what? A new generation of even better bulbs may be on its way. LED bulbs burn just half the energy, last eight times longer and contain no traces of mercury, as CFLs do. The best of the fledgling bulbs is the Pharox from Lemnis Lighting. While LEDs have long been used for colored digital readouts and traffic signals, manufacturers have had trouble making white LED bulbs that are as strong as incandescents. Truthfully, the Pharox isn't there yet. It produces only as much light as a standard 40-watt bulb, and it's hugely expensive ($39.95 per bulb). On the other hand, it consumes a meager four watts, and a more powerful 60-watt equivalent is coming soon. In November, Lemnis partnered with the Clinton Climate Initiative to help bring the bulb to 40 major cities worldwide.
3. Greener fairways: Not all golf courses are bad for the environment.
When Mark Kuhns arrives at work early in the morning, he is greeted by what he calls "my wildlife symphony"—the chirps and squawks of red-winged blackbirds, bluebirds, tree swallows, goldfinches and red-tailed hawks. That might be normal if he worked in a wildlife reserve, but he doesn't. He's director of grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. Golf courses are infamous for high use of pesticides and water. But Baltusrol is one of 516 U.S. courses (4 percent of the nation's total) that are certified by Audubon International as Audubon sanctuaries "It takes one to three years to go through the process," says Joellen Zeh, manager of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Courses convert an average of 22 acres of turf grass into wildlife habitat along out-of-play and shoreline areas. "That's 22 acres that don't need to be watered, irrigated, fertilized or mowed on a daily or weekly basis," she says. A survey a few years ago found that 82 percent of sanctuary courses reduced their pesticide use, and when they did have to spray, 92 percent used gentler chemicals. At the same time, 99 percent of managers said playing quality was maintained or improved. Now, if Kuhns hears a complaint about, say, the weedy-looking thistles near hole number seven, he points out the goldfinches clinging to the stalks and eating the seeds. He usually makes a convert.
4. Kite sails: The world's oldest form of propulsion may soon return to shipping.
Any idea how far the largest container ships can go on a gallon of fuel? Try 37 feet. That adds up to 2 billion barrels of petroleum a year. "If the shipping industry were a country, it would be No. 7 in carbon emissions," says Michael Hirshfield, chief scientist for Oceana.
That's why some major shippers are hoping to tap wind energy to help pull their vessels along. They're not talking about traditional sails, which would require rebuilding ships' hulls to withstand forces from a mast. Instead, they're thinking of giant kites—as big as 20,000 square feet in area—that could be attached to the bow of a ship. "They look like parasails," says Hirshfield. "They could be a relatively cheap add-on, without designing a whole new ship." Not that industrial-size kites are simple, either. "When you launch a kite in a park, somebody holds the string and someone else launches the kite," says Dave Culp, CEO of KiteShip in Alameda, Calif. "For a giant kite, you need a robotic arm to pick it up in the wind and let go of it. That sounds trivial until you consider the kite is the size of a football field." And if the wind dies suddenly, you can't have the kite crashing into the sea. A German company called SkySails has developed a fully automated system that appears to have solved these problems without requiring skilled sailors to manipulate the kites. SkySails recently completed a test run on a 10,000-ton ship from Germany to Venezuela and back, saving roughly 20 percent on engine power.
5. Plastic solar cells: Lightweight and inexpensive, they could be very practical.
Alan Heeger, professor of physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, loves the traditional solar panels on his roof. "Every day, when the sun comes up, my electricity meter runs backwards, as I sell electricity to the grid," he says. But a system as large as his can cost upwards of $60,000. That's why Heeger is developing so-called plastic solar cells—inexpensive photovoltaic nanochips, 500 times thinner than a human hair. Unlike standard silicon chips, which are synthesized at high temperatures, these cells can self-assemble at room temperature on a flexible plastic film. The film can be bonded to almost any surface, forming a thin coating of solar cells that can be tapped for energy.
Heeger won the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing such materials. He went on to co-found a company called Konarka Technologies, which will bring the first small-scale applications to market later this year. Think of handbags coated with flexible solar cells ("as you walk around, it could charge your cell phone") or tents painted with solar cells, for electricity while camping. "The fact that you can fold it or roll it up shows the cells are very lightweight," says Heeger.
But there's a catch. His chips at present convert only about 5 percent of sunlight (versus 15 to 18 percent for standard solar panels)—and only from the visible part of the spectrum. Ted Sargent at the University of Toronto is developing chips that can harvest an additional 4 percent from the infrared(infra-red) portion. With a combination of plastic cells like these, you could start to get close to useful strengths of 10 to 15 percent. When that happens, the impact could be widespread. "There are a billion or more people with no electricity," Heeger says. "A small system, producing less than 100 watts of electricity, would change their lives, giving them light to read and study or power for a radio and a small TV." And there would be no harmful emissions or moving parts to break down.
6. Climate counts: You can vote with your dollars to support green companies.
Gary Hirshberg is constantly looking for ways to make his organic-yogurt company, Stonyfield Farm, even cleaner. He uses no toxic chemicals, has the largest solar array in New Hampshire and converts yogurt waste into a bio-gas that can be burned rather than turning it into sludge. Now Hirshberg is encouraging others to follow his lead.
Last year he launched a nonprofit and Web site called ClimateCounts.org to rank major corporations, from PepsiCo to Microsoft, on the basis of 22 criteria, including measuring their carbon footprint, reducing emissions and supporting progressive climate legislation. The scores, updated annually, are revealing. Stonyfield Farm itself rated only 63 out of a possible 100 points—and it was one of the top scorers. Apple Inc., despite its hip image, pulled a grade of just 2. "We all have a long way to go," says Hirshberg. But he hopes that consumers will put their dollars behind companies that are trying hard to help the environment. "We have to stop treating the Earth as if it were a wholly-owned subsidiaryof our economy," he says.
7. The Aptera: A funky new hybrid-electric car gets 300 miles per gallon of gas.
The dirty secret of automakers, says Jib Ellison, CEO of BluSkye Sustainability Consulting, is that most of the energy used by a car comes from moving the vehicle itself, not the people in it. "That's because cars aren't designed to be as aerodynamic as they could be, and because we have this obsession with heavy vehicles, even though there are now lighter materials that are just as safe," he says. But a prototype car from upstart Aptera Motors in Carlsbad, Calif., could help change all that. The Aptera is not like any vehicle on the road today. It's made with ultra-light (but superstrong) composites, and it has just three wheels to reduce its weight still further. It also has a funky shape—a cross between an insect and a flying saucer—that was designed in the computerized equivalent of a wind tunnel to minimize drag. By next year the car will be available in two models—one hybrid electric and the other purely electric, which can be plugged into any outlet—"even a solar carport," says cofounder Steven Fambro.
Not that a $30,000 two-seater that requires eight hours of recharging will be everyone's ideal car. But Fambro isn't worried. He's presold 1,300 Apteras without spending a dollar on advertising (although he's selling only in California at first to minimize distribution and repair issues). "It's selling itself," he says. "And $100-a-barrel oil doesn't hurt." Are you listening, GM?
8. Stoves for the masses: Inefficient cooking methods are not a trivial problem.
Some 2 billion people in the developing world cook in rudimentary stoves or over open fires. Either way, most of the heat escapes into the air rather than warming the food. Efficient stoves could slash the amount of fuel they use, decreasing emissions and deforestation, too. "A family of five can use three tons of wood a year for cooking," says Columbia University engineer Vijay Modi. "If that family saves one ton of wood per year, that can translate into more than a ton of CO2 saved every year for that family alone." But such stoves have to be cheap, durable and attractive, as well as efficient. A Colorado company called Envirofit International has three new stoves that fit the bill, and the Shell Foundation is investing $25 million to help send 10 million of them to India, Africa and Latin America.
9. New roots for old crops: Perennials could have advantages over annuals.
Modern agriculture, with its nitrogen-based fertilizers, has enabled the Earth's population to swell from 3 billion in 1960 to 6.6 billion today. But agricultural chemicals are contaminating groundwater, and with each plowing and reaping, the world loses millions of tons of fragile topsoil. That's why Wes Jackson's staff at the Land Institute is crossbreeding important crops like corn, wheat, sorghum and sunflowers with wild relatives to create perennials instead of annuals. They are hardier, requiring fewer chemicals, and with the elimination of tilling, he says, "we could take agricultural soil erosion to near zero."
10. Democratize green: Ecofriendly products need to go mainstream.
As long as green products are the exclusive domain of the wealthy, the benefits will be limited. That's why Adam Werbach, global CEO for Saatchi & Saatchi S, is working with major corporations to green their mainstream brands. Take Tide Coldwater, which is formulated to wash clothes best in, well, cold water. "It's a breakthrough product," says Werbach. "If everyone changed from washing laundry in hot water to cold, that alone would meet nearly 8 percent of the United States' Kyoto targets"—that is, if we'd actually signed the protocol.
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