Dear John,
It is not easy to tell you this, but I still need to say it. I’m leaving you. Our relationship1 has been mostly satisfying2, but I’m afraid it’s over.
親愛的John：
要告訴你這件事並不容易，但我還是要說出來。我要離開你了。我們的關係大多令人滿意，但恐怕它已經結束了。
Q: Why did the girl write this letter to John?
A: She wanted to tell him it was over between them.
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Leaving you truly breaks my heart because we’ve had a great time together. You’re really a fun friend, and I am never bored when you’re around. You have inspired3 me to connect4 with others and to communicate5 better. I can ask you anything and you will probably6 help me find the answer. You’ve introduced7 me to so much—new music, new games, new knowledge8, new friends, and so on.
離開你真的讓我心碎，因為我們一起度過了一段美好的時光。你真的是一位有趣的朋友，當你在身邊的時候我從不感到無聊。你激勵我與他人聯繫溝通得更好。我可以問你任何事，你十之八九都會幫我找到答案。你向我介紹了這麼多東西—新的音樂、新遊戲、新知識、新朋友等等。
Q: Why didn’t the girl feel bored when John was around?
A: It was because he was a fun friend.
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In fact, things have been completely9 different since you came into my life. When I wake up, you are there to go through my friends’ updatesž on Instagram with me. Because of you, I check my LINE app again and again throughout10 the day. When it doesn’t show any new messages11, I still refresh the screenž, just in case I’ve missed something. All of this might sound romantic12, but it is really difficult for me to focus13 on school, and my grades are getting worse!
事實上，自從你進入我的生活以來，情況就完全不同了。當我醒來時，你陪伴我一起瀏覽我朋友們在Instagram上的近況。因為你，我整天一次又一次地查看我的LINE程式。當它沒有顯示任何新訊息時，我仍然重新載入頁面，以防我萬一錯過了什麼。所有這些可能聽起來都很浪漫，但我很難專注於學業，而且我的成績越來越差！
Q: What did John do when the girl woke up?
A: He was there to go through the girl’s friends’ updates on Instagram with her.
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In addition, having you around is really hurting my relationships with my friends and family. When my friends and I hang out, I turn to you for Instagram updates and ignore14 everyone else. My friends try to talk to me, but I don’t even reply because I am too busy paying attention15 to you. At other times, I enjoy playing games with you or responding16 to the messages you give me. However, doing this late into the night means I seldom speak to anyone in my family! As a result, my parents are both angry and disappointed17 with me.
另外，和你在一起真的傷害了我與朋友和家人的關係。當我和我的朋友們一起出去玩時，我會轉向你查看Instagram的朋友近況更新並忽略其他人。我的朋友們試著和我說話，但我甚至都不回答，因為我太忙於關注你了。其他時候，我喜歡和你一起玩遊戲或回覆你給我的訊息。然而，做這些事直到深夜意味著我很少和家裡的任何人說話！結果，我的父母都對我既生氣又失望。
Q: When the girl hung out with her friends, what did she do?
A: She only paid attention to John and ignored her friends.
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Please don’t take any of this personally. You’re truly awesome and I’ll miss you very much. But right now, I really need to focus on my studies, spend more time with my friends, and become a real part of my family again.
請不要覺得我在針對你。你真的很棒，我會非常想念你。但是現在，我真的需要專注於我的學業，花更多的時間和朋友們在一起，並再次成為家裡真正的一員。
Q: What will the girl do after breaking up with John?
A: She will focus on her studies and spend more time with her friends and family.
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Therefore, I am turning you off and throwing away my chargerž. I do hope you understand. For the last time, goodbye....
Best wishes,
Sally
因此，我會把你關機並丟了我的充電器。我真的希望你可以理解。這是最後一次了，再見……
最深的祝福
Sally
Q: What will Sally do to end her relationship with John?
A: She will turn off her phone and throw away her charger.
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B2 L2 Yes, You Can!
In a triathlonž, a man swam and pulled his disabled1 son in a boat behind him. Then, the man rode a special bike and had his son sit on the front. In the last part of the race, this father pushed his son in a custom-madež wheelchairž. This was a long and difficult race, but the father did not give up. The crowd was amazed2 and deeply touched3. They all stood up and cheered4 loudly when the father and son crossed the finish line.
在一場鐵人三項競賽中，一名男子游著泳並且用艘船拖著他身後身障的兒子。然後，那名男子騎著一輛特殊的單車並安排他兒子坐在前面。在比賽的最後階段，這位父親推著坐在客製輪椅上的兒子跑步。這是一場持久又艱辛的比賽，但是這位父親沒有放棄。群眾們既驚訝又深受感動。當這對父子越過終點線時，他們全都站起來大聲歡呼。
Q: How did the father complete the swimming part in the triathlon with his disabled son?
A: He put his son in a boat and pulled the boat behind him when he swam.
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This "super" team was made up of Dick Hoyt and his son Rick, who was born with cerebral palsyž. People with this disease have difficulty moving and speaking. The doctors told Dick and his wife that there was little hope for Rick to recover and live a normal5 life. However, the couple noticed6 that Rick’s eyes would move with them as they walked around the room. They believed7 that Rick was intelligent8 and would be able to communicate with them one day. Dick and his wife kept teaching their son. Finally, at the age of thirteen, Rick was able to go to school like other kids.
這個「超級」團隊由Dick Hoyt和他的兒子Rick組成，Rick生來就患有腦性麻痺症。這種疾病的患者有移動及言語困難。醫生們告訴Dick和他妻子，Rick康復並過正常生活的希望很渺茫。然而，這對夫婦注意到當他們在房間裡走動時，Rick的眼睛會跟著他們動。他們相信Rick是聰明的，並且總有一天能夠跟他們溝通。Dick和他妻子持續教導他們的兒子。終於在十三歲時，Rick能夠像其他孩子一樣去上學。
Q: What disease does Rick have and what trouble does the disease bring to his life?
A: Rick was born with cerebral palsy, so he has difficulty moving and speaking.
Q: Why did the couple believe Rick was intelligent?
A: Because his eyes would move with them when they walked around in the room.
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When he was fifteen, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate9 in a five-mile race. His father was not a runner, but he agreed10 to push Rick in his wheelchair. They took part in the race and finished second to last. However, Rick was very happy. "Dad, when I run, it feels like my disability disappears11!" he said. Rick’s parents realized that he could participate in these races just like everyone else. Since then, the father and son have completed more than 1,000 races together. They have even run and bikedž across the US!
在他十五歲時，Rick告訴他父親，他想參與一場五英里的賽跑。他的父親不是跑者，但他同意推著坐在輪椅上的Rick跑步。他們參加了賽跑並得到倒數第二名。然而，Rick非常高興。他說：「爸，當我跑步時，感覺我的殘疾消失了！」Rick的父母了解到兒子可以像其他人一樣參與這些競賽。從那時起，這對父子已經一起完成了超過一千場的比賽。他們甚至跑步和騎單車橫越美國！
Q: Why did Rick enjoy running?
A: Because when he ran, it felt like his disability was gone.
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Dick and Rick are known as "Team Hoyt." They make a wonderful12 team because they really love each other and never give up. Their experience inspired them to set up the Hoyt Foundation13, which aims14 to make disabled young people feel confident15 about themselves. "Yes, you can!" is the message that the father and son want to send to the world.
Dick和Rick以「賀特隊」聞名。他們因為彼此真心相愛且從不放棄而造就了很棒的團隊。他們的經驗激勵了他們成立賀特基金會，其目標是使身心障礙的青年對自己感到有信心。「是的，你可以！」是這對父子想要傳達給全世界的訊息。
Q: What is the message of the Hoyt Foundation?
A: Yes, you can!
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B2 L3 Money, Time, or Ring?
The following story is adapted from O. Henry’s “Mammonž and the Archerž.”
Mr. Anthony Rockwall was a successful millionaire1 who believed money was the solution to any problem. One day, he noticed that his son Richard looked very upset and assured2 him that money would make all his troubles disappear. “There are some problems that money can’t solve,” Richard argued3. “Tell me what can’t be bought with money,” his father challenged4 him.
以下故事改編自歐亨利的〈財神與愛神〉。
Anthony Rockwall先生是一位相信金錢能解決任何問題的成功百萬富翁。有一天，他注意到兒子Richard看起來非常地懊惱，他就向Richard保證，金錢可以讓他所有的煩惱都消失。Richard卻辯稱說：「有些問題是金錢無法解決的。」他的父親質疑他：「告訴我有什麼是金錢買不到的。」
Q: Did Mr. Anthony Rockwall agree with his son’s opinion of money?
A: No, Mr. Rockwall thought that money could solve any problem, but his son didn’t agree.
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Richard answered that all the money in the world couldn’t buy time. He explained5 that he was in love with a woman, Miss Lantry, who was set to leave for Europe in two days. Before then, he would see her only briefly6 when the two took a cabž together to the theater the following evening. He thus didn’t know whether he’d have enough time to tell her how much he loved her.
Richard回答，世界上所有的金錢都無法買到時間。他解釋說，他愛上了Lantry小姐，而她即將在兩天後前往歐洲。在那之前，他們兩人只有在隔天晚上共乘馬車前往戲院時，他才能短暫地見上她一面。因此他不知道是否有足夠的時間告訴她，他有多麽地愛她。
Q: Why did Richard say money couldn’t buy time?
A: He was in love with a woman but didn’t have enough time to show his love.
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Later that night, Mr. Rockwall discussed7 the matter with his sister, Ellen. She didn’t believe money was the answer, either. The next day, Aunt Ellen gave Richard a ring and said, “This ring once belonged to your latež mother. She asked me to give it to you when you find the one you love. Take it, dear boy. It will bring you good luck in love!”
當晚稍後，Rockwall先生與他妹妹Ellen討論這件事情。而Ellen也不相信金錢是解決之道。隔天，Ellen姑姑給了Richard一枚戒指，並對他說：「這戒指曾經是你過世的母親所擁有的。她要求我，當你找到心所愛的人時，就把戒指給你。親愛的孩子，拿著吧。它將帶給在戀愛中的你好運。」
Q: What did Aunt Ellen give to Richard?
A: She gave him a ring from his late mother.
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As Richard and Miss Lantry were on their way to the theater, Richard accidentally8 dropped the ring. He got out of the cab to look for it. When he returned with his mother’s precious9 gift, the cab was stuckž in traffic. As they waited and waited for the traffic to clear10, Miss Lantry was curious11 about the ring and asked to see it.
當Richard與Lantry小姐在前往戲院的途中，Richard意外地把戒指掉出馬車外。他下車尋找。當他帶著母親珍貴的禮物回到車上時，馬車已經被困在車陣中了。而就在他們等待交通紓解的時刻，Lantry小姐對戒指感到很好奇，要求瞧一瞧。
Q: What happened to Richard and Miss Lantry on their way to the theater?
A: Richard dropped his ring, and they got stuck in traffic.
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That same night, Aunt Ellen informed12 Mr. Rockwall of Richard and his beloved’sž engagementž. “You see?” she said proudly. “A ring, the symbol13 of love, has brought these two young people together. That’s something money could never do!” Her brother did not attempt14 to argue and simply remained15 silent.
當天晚上，Ellen姑姑告知了Rockwall先生Richard與他的摯愛訂婚的消息。她驕傲地說：「你看，戒指是愛情的象徵，已經將這兩個年輕人繫在一起了。那是金錢絕對做不到的事！」她的哥哥沒有試圖爭辯，只是保持沉默。
Q: How did Mr. Rockwall reply when his sister told him that his son had gotten engaged?
A: He said nothing, and did not try to argue.
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The following day, a man showed up at Mr. Rockwall’s house. The millionaire gave him a check and said, “Give this to the drivers and policemen who helped create the traffic jam.” Apparently16, Mr. Rockwall was right that money could buy time, but who knows if it really bought Miss Lantry’s love?
隔天，有位男士出現在Rockwall先生的家。這位百萬富翁給了他一張支票，並且說：「把這些錢拿給協助製造交通擁塞的那些司機和警察」。很明顯地，Rockwall先生所說的「金錢可以買到時間」是對的，但是誰知道，金錢是否真能買到Lantry小姐的真愛呢？
Q: Why did Richard have enough time to declare his love to Miss Lantry?
A: His father had paid the drivers and policemen to create the traffic jam.
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B2 L4 You Are "Where" You Eat
If you have chances to travel abroad1, you may find that other countries have different customs2 when it comes to eating. While most Taiwanese people, for instance, eat with chopsticks, dinersž in Europe usually use a knife and fork. Let’s look at a few more interesting examples!
如果你有機會在國外旅行，你可能會發現當談到「吃」這件事，其他國家會有不同的習俗。例如，大部分的臺灣人用筷子進食，而在歐洲，用餐者通常使用刀叉。我們來看看一些更有趣的例子！
Comprehension Questions:
Q: In Taiwan, what are diners expected to use to eat?
A: Chopsticks.
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Our first stop is Japan. Here, popular3 noodle dishes like ramenž are enjoyed in quite a unique4 and noisy way in local5 restaurants. The Japanese like to slurpž their noodles loudly when they eat. Doing so is a way of praising6 the chefž. It shows that they like their food very much and can’t wait to get it into their mouths!
我們第一站來到日本。在這裡的本地餐館裡，食用像拉麵這道受歡迎的麵食的方式是相當獨特且吵雜的。日本人喜歡大聲地吃麵。這麼做是讚美廚師的方式，這顯示出他們非常喜歡他們的食物，並且迫不及待地要將食物送進口中！
Q: Why do the Japanese like to make noises when they eat noodles?
A: They want to show they like the food very much.
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On the other hand, Koreans are often expected to be patient7 at mealtime. In Korea, one of the most traditional8 Asian societies9, people at the table shouldn’t start eating before their elders10 take the first bite. Since older Koreans are respected11 for being wiser and more experienced, they are honored12 in this simple but meaningful13 way. While this isn’t usually a rule when Koreans are dining out with friends, young people are likely to follow it at home.
另一方面，韓國人在用餐時經常被預期要有耐心。在韓國這個最傳統的亞洲社會之一，在餐桌上大家要等年長者開始進食後才能開動。因為年長的韓國人，以較有智慧及豐富的經驗受到尊敬，所以他們以這種簡單而有意義的方式受到尊崇。韓國人與朋友在外用餐時不總是遵循這個規定，然而年輕人在家則可能會遵守。
Q: In Korea, why do the old people get to eat first?
A: It’s because they are respected for their wisdom and experience.
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Speaking of the “other hand,” Indiansž are far more particular14 than most people about how they put their food into their mouths. The custom in India is usually to use the fingertipsž of one’s right hand to eat. The locals believe that this is the most satisfying way to enjoy a meal. However, they also believe that it is shameful15 to use one’s left hand to touch the food. For Indians, the left hand is regarded16 as the “dirty” hand because it is reserved17 for cleaning themselves after they use the restroom. Therefore, remember to get it right at mealtime in India!
說到「另一隻手」，印度人對於如何將食物送入口中，較諸於其他大部分的人更為講究得多。印度的習俗通常是用右手指尖吃東西。當地人相信這麼做是享用餐點最令人滿意的方式。然而，他們也深信使用左手碰觸食物是丟臉的。對印度人來說，左手被視為「骯髒的」手，因為左手是保留給上完廁所後清潔用的。因此，記得在印度用餐時要用對的手。
Q: Why do the Indians use their right hand to eat?
A: It’s because the left hand is used to clean themselves after they use the toilet.
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Now that you’ve had a taste of some of the world’s most interesting eating habits, always be sure to keep an eye out for the local customs in the places you visit. This way, you can avoid18 awkward situations19 and keep your appetite20 for trying new things!
既然你已經品嚐了一些世界上最有趣的飲食習慣，務必隨時留意你到訪之處的當地習俗。這樣，你就能避開尷尬的情況，並且保有胃口嘗試新東西！
Q: What should a traveler be prepared to do when he or she eats in another country?
A: He or she should be careful about and follow local eating customs.
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B2 L5 Living Above the Earth—and Beyond
We live and work around 400 km above the Earth! The reason for this is that we are astronautsž in the International Space Stationž. This place is so far up in space that the gravityž here is close to zero. This environment1 makes our daily2 routine3 very different from that of people back on Earth.
我們在地球上空約四百公里處生活及工作！這是因為我們是在國際太空站的太空人。這個地方在如此遠的太空裡，以致於這裡的重力趨近於零。這裡的環境使我們每天的例行工作和在地球上人們的非常不一樣。
Q: What makes our routine very different from that of people back on Earth?
A: The environment is far up in space where the gravity is close to zero.
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Like most people, we begin our day with breakfast. However, due to the extremely4 low gravity, or "microgravityž," our sense of taste in space becomes weaker. Therefore, astronauts tend5 to prefer6 food with stronger flavors7, and our meals come with more salt, pepper, and other spicesž. These can’t be dry, since powderž can float8 around in the air and block the Station’s air ventsž. Thus, they all have to be in liquid formž instead.
如同多數人，我們的一天從早餐開始。然而，由於極小的重力，或「微重力」，我們在太空中的味覺變得較遲鈍。因此，太空人傾向偏好重口味的食物，而我們的餐點附加較多的鹽巴、胡椒和其他調味料。這些調味料不能是乾的，因為粉末會在空氣中到處飄浮，阻塞太空站的排氣口。所以，它們反而全都必須是液體狀態。
Q: Why do astronauts tend to prefer food with stronger flavors?
A: It is because their sense of taste in space becomes weaker.
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Later in the day, we do some exercise. In microgravity, our bodies no longer need the support9 of our muscles10. This can cause11 muscles to gradually12 shrink13. Therefore, we need regular workoutsž to help maintain14 our muscles and body strength15. Every day, we spend two hours exercising by using running machines, bikes, and weight16 training machines that are specially designed17 for astronauts.
在接下來的時間，我們會做些運動。在微重力下，我們的身體不再需要我們肌肉的支撐。這會造成我們的肌肉逐漸萎縮。因此，我們需要規律的健身鍛鍊來幫助維持我們的肌肉量及體力。我們每天花兩個小時運動，使用專為太空人設計的跑步機、腳踏車及重量訓練機。
Q: How do astronauts maintain their muscles and body strength?
A: They do some exercise.
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At the end of the day, even the way we go to bed is special in this microgravity environment. Instead of lying down, we spend each space night "lying up" in a sleeping bag. Our head won’t drop forward, back or to the side thanks to the lack18 of gravity, but we do have to fix our bag to the wall of our small crew cabinž. Otherwise, we would be floating around or bumping into things!
在一天結束之時，甚至我們上床睡覺的方式在這個微重力的環境裡也是特別的。我們每個在太空的夜晚都在睡袋裡直立睡，而非躺著睡。由於重力缺乏，我們的頭不會往前、往後或往兩旁倒，但是我們必須要把我們的睡袋固定在我們小船員艙裡的牆上。否則，我們可能會到處亂飄或者撞到東西！
Q: How do astronauts go to bed?
A: They have to "lie up" in a sleeping bag, which is fixed to the wall of the crew cabin.
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As you can see, living in space is quite a unique experience. It’s such an alienž environment that it can be difficult to live here, but it’s also terrific19. Even after hundreds of hours of training, the feeling of amazement never really fades20. That’s why we love our work so much!
由此可見，住在太空是個非比尋常的經驗。住在這樣一個陌生的環境可能會是艱難的，卻同時很棒。即使在幾百個小時的訓練後，驚奇的感覺從未真的逐漸消失。那就是為什麼我們這麼熱愛我們的工作！
Q: Why do astronauts love their work so much?
A: The feeling of amazement never really fades.
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B2 L6 Don't Ask Where It Came From
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. For centuries1, people have made them carry heavy loadsž and have used them as a means2 of transportation3. But these days, elephants are helping us in a new way that may be a little hard for you to imagine: with their dung!
大象是地球上最大型的陸地動物。幾個世紀以來，人們讓牠們搬運重物，並利用牠們當作是一種運輸的方式。但現今，大象正以一種新的方式在幫助我們，不過這種方式對你來說可能有點難以想像——用牠們的糞便！
Q: What did elephants help people do in the past?
A: They helped people carry heavy loads.
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In Sri Lankaž, for instance, elephant dung is often used to make paper. Because elephants eat mostly plants, their dung contains4 a lot of fiberž, which means it is ideal5 for producing6 paper. One company, Maximus, has started using elephant dung to make several paper products, including7 business cards and invitation8 cards. A twenty-year-old tree that grows in that area can only produce about 3,000 sheets of paper, while an adult elephant creates enough dung to make about 250 sheets every day. That means one tree can be saved every 12 days. And don’t worry! According to customers, paper that is made from elephant dung does not have a bad smell at all.
例如在斯里蘭卡，大象的糞便常被用來造紙。因為大象主要吃植物，所以牠們的糞便含有大量的纖維，這意味著很適合造紙。有一間名為Maximus的公司， 已經開始利用大象的糞便來製造幾款紙類產品，包括名片和邀請卡。在當地一棵樹齡20年的樹只能生產大約3,000張的紙，然而一頭成象每天就產生足夠的糞便來製造大約250張的紙。那意味著每12天就能拯救一棵樹。但別擔心！根據顧客的說法，用大象糞便製造的紙一點也沒有難聞的味道。
Q: Why is elephant dung ideal for making paper?
A: Because it contains a lot of fiber.
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Dung paper is not the only interesting product that comes from elephants’ behindsž. Black Ivory Coffeež, a company in Northern Thailand, has developed a strange new method9 of making coffee. The coffee cherriesž are first eaten by elephants and collected10 from their dung. These cherries are later baked and turned into dark, flavor-rich beans. This “black gold” is then sold for more than US$1,800 per kilogramž or US$50 a cup, which makes it one of the most expensive coffees on the market. It is said that the coffee is extra smooth and not bitter11 at all, thanks to the elephants’ stomach acidž.
糞紙並不是唯一來自大象屁股的有趣產品。Black Ivory Coffee，一間在泰國北部的公司，已經開發出一種製作咖啡的新奇方式。先讓大象吃下咖啡果，再從其糞便中蒐集咖啡果。然後烘烤這些咖啡果，使之成為深色、味道濃烈的咖啡豆。這種「黑金」接著便以每公斤超過1,800美元，或每杯50美元的價格售出，這讓它成為市場上最貴的咖啡之一。多虧大象胃酸的幫忙，據說這種咖啡格外順口，一點也不苦。
Q: What does the “black gold” in line 22 refer to?
A: It refers to the coffee made by Black Ivory Coffee.
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Both Maximus and Black Ivory Coffee have turned elephant dung into profitable12 products. These companies also donate13 some of their profits to support the protection14 of elephants and to help provide15 medical16 care for these creatures17. Therefore, when you buy elephant dung products, you are helping rescue18 these amazing animals and save our forests at the same time.
Maximus和Black Ivory Coffee這兩家公司已經把大象糞便變成有利潤的產品。這些公司也捐出他們其中的一些利潤來支持象群的保護，並幫助提供這些動物醫療照護。因此，當你購買象糞產品時，你就是在幫助拯救這些令人讚歎的動物，同時也挽救我們的森林。
Q: By buying elephant dung products, what are you helping to do?
A: You are helping to rescue elephants and save our forests at the same time.
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