(1) B4 L1 The Wonder (奇觀；奇跡；奇事) Story
August Pullman, aka(=also known as 也稱為) Auggie, was a 10-year-old boy from Manhattan. He was born with (生來就有著)[補充1] a deformed (畸形的) face. Even after 27 surgeries (手術=operation), people still looked away (別過頭) in horror1 upon seeing his face (一看到他的臉...)[補充2]. Therefore (因此), he was limited2 to (限制) homeschooling (在家自學). This year, Auggie’s parents decided to (決定) send him to a private3 school.
[補充1] I was born in Nantou. 我出生於南投。
[補充2] …. upon seeing his face. = … as soon as they saw his face.
The first months of school were awful4 (糟糕的) for Auggie. Some avoided (避開) him on purpose. Rude kids like (像是) Julian stared5, whispered (耳語), and teased6 him. Auggie wondered (納悶、想知道) if he’d ever fit in (融入), but fortunately (幸運地 = luckily), it wasn't all bad. He had already (已經) made one friend, Jack, and Halloween (萬聖節) was on the way (快到了). This was Auggie’s favorite (最喜歡的) time of year because he could wear a mask (面具) to cover (遮住) his face.
This year he chose (choose-chose-chosen 選擇) a Bleeding Scream costume7. He walked through the school halls (走廊), wearing his scary mask. He didn’t care (在乎) who saw him. His good mood8, however (然而), soon changed when he overheard9 Jack talking to Julian. “I’m only friends with Auggie because the principal10 asked me to be,” said Jack. “If I looked like (長得像..) that, I would never go out in public.” As soon as Auggie heard these words, he ran home in tears. (= Upon hearing these words, Auggie ran home in tears.) Auggie一聽到這些話，他就含淚跑回家。
The incident(事件)11 was so heartbreaking (令人心痛的) [補充 3] that he hardly (幾乎不) spoke (speak-spoke-spoken 說話) to Jack for a month. When Jack realized (瞭解) Auggie had overheard him, he felt terrible. It was true (真的) that the principal had asked him to make friends with (和...當朋友) Auggie. He only pretended12 to be his friend at first (一開始). But now, after learning (得知) how cool and smart (聰明的) Auggie was, he really wanted to hang out with (和...出去 閒晃) him. Therefore (因此), Jack apologized13 in order to (為了) make peace (和解). This move (動作) saved (挽救) their friendship14.
[補充3] heartbreaking (adj) (事物令人) 心痛的
heartbroken (adj) (人感到) 心痛的
I am heartbroken after hearing the heartbreaking news.
Gradually (逐漸地), many of Auggie’s classmates (同學) began treating (對待) him better. They started to realize (瞭解) how nice and funny he was. As (隨著) summer approached (來臨), Auggie joined (參加 加入) the class for a three-day camping trip (露營旅行). The trip was wonderful (美好的) until (直到...為止) the second night, when seventh-graders (七年級生；國一) from another (另一個) school arrived (抵達). One of the big kids shone (shine-shone-shone 閃耀) his flashlight (手電筒) on Auggie’s face and started to make fun of him. Others (其他人) joined in (加入) and called him hurtful15 names like “alien. (外星人)” Luckily (幸運地 = Fortunately), Jack came to his rescue (拯救他), and even some of the mean (惡劣的) kids in his class defended (防衛 保護)16 him. They couldn’t fight the bigger kids, but at least everyone got away (逃離) from those bullies17.
When Auggie returned to (回到) school, he noticed (注意) that things had changed. Many kids in school started calling him “little dude (小夥子)” and knuckle-punching him in the hallways (走廊). It was wonderful that they were treating him like any other (其他的) student. At the year-end ceremony (結業式)18, Auggie observed (觀察)19 that no one minded (介意) being close to (靠近...) him, and for the first time in his life, he didn’t mind taking pictures (拍照).
(2) B4 L2 How Do You Take Your Tea, High or Low?
You may have heard of (聽過) the delightful1 British (英國的) custom (習俗) of sipping2 hot tea in the late afternoon. But do you know who started this tea-drinking tradition (傳統) ? And are you aware (知道的) that the British (英國人) have both “low” and “high” tea?
In England (英國), afternoon tea can typically3 be described as (被描繪為...) sitting down for a period of time (一段時間) between 3 and 6 p.m. to enjoy not only 不但 tea but also 而且 snacks such as (像是) sandwiches, scones, and cakes. Some believe that the English duchess (女公爵) Anna Russell may have started this custom (習俗) in the mid-1800s. At that time, members (成員) of the upper4 class (上流階層) normally (正常來說) had a light (輕食的) lunch and late dinner. However (然而), Lady Russell grew (grow-grew-grown 成長；變得) extremely (極端地) hungry between (在...之間) meals (餐) and found (find-found-found 發現；發覺) it very difficult (困難的) to wait so long until (直到...為止) dinnertime (晚餐時間). Her solution (解決方式) to this daily (每天的) struggle (掙扎)5 was to ask for some snacks and tea at 4 p.m. She later started inviting friends over for the affair6, and because of this, her idea soon spread (散播)7 throughout (整個...) British high society (上流社會). Hosts (主人) at these events (活動) served (服侍) high-quality (高品質的) teas and delicious snacks on luxurious (奢華的)8 low tables (低桌子). This explains why we now call this custom “low tea.” Despite (儘管...)(補充1) the word “low,” low tea clearly (明顯地) represents (代表)9 British high culture (上流文化).
[補充 1] : despite = inspite of + N, S+V 儘管...
Though= Although + S+V, S+V 儘管...
Despite the heavy rain, we still went hiking.
= Although it rained heavily, we still went hiking.
High tea (高茶), by comparison (相較之下), functioned10 as (作為...的功能) one of the main (主要的) meals (餐) during (在...期間) the day for the working class (勞動階級) in northern England. In the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries (世紀), people mostly worked in agriculture(農業的) 11 and ate (eat-ate-eaten 吃) their biggest (最大的) meal(餐) at lunchtime. This was followed (跟隨著；接著) by a light(輕的) supper (晚餐) in the evening. During the Industrial12 Revolution (工業革命)13, however (然而), laborers (工人)14 were working longer hours (長時間) in factories (工廠). These long hours made (讓) it (虛主詞) not so convenient (方便的) to eat a big lunch (真主詞). When they got off work (下班), they were starving (飢餓的)15. Therefore (因此), these workers had high tea immediately (立刻地) after work, usually between 5 and 7 p.m. This was an energy-packed (充滿能量的) meal with foods (that were as filling 能填飽肚子的 as possible, such as (像是) meat, vegetables, fish, and pies. Strong (濃) black tea (紅茶) was served (服侍) in ordinary (普通的) teapots (茶壺), and diners (用餐的人) were seated on high-backed chairs (高背椅) at the dining table, which inspired the term (詞) “high tea.”
Research (研究) 16 shows (顯示) that, on average (平均而言), each British person drinks 3.5 cups of tea a day. This indicates (指出)17 that teatime has become (become-became-become 變成) a fundamental (基本的)18 part of British culture. While (儘管) high tea remains (維持) restricted19 to (限制於...) northern (北部的) England, afternoon tea is a way of life (生活方式) all across the country (整個國家). In fact (事實上), people now enjoy it in just about every corner (角落) of the world (在世界上的每個角落).
(3) B4 L3 TED Talks: Spreading Ideas for a Better World
Everyone has his or her own favorite way of spending free time. Some like to have fun by playing video games or browsing social networking1 sites2. Others choose to educate themselves by reading books or newspapers. Still others, however, seek3 fun as well as knowledge. For such people, the choice may be to watch TED Talks, a series of short online videos.
TED, which stands for Technology4, Entertainment, Design, is a nonprofit foundation that was established5 in 1984. Armed with the slogan6 "ideas worth spreading," it held its first conference7 that same year, giving each speaker eighteen minutes to present8 his or her ideas. As TED conferences became increasingly9 popular, their organizers10 decided to invite thinkers from a broader11 range of fields to come and speak. These fields include science, business, medicine, and so on. The TED.com website was not created until 2007. After that, many of the speakers’ talks were uploaded12 for the public to watch for free. At present, the collection of TED Talk videos is growing week by week, and it has helped spread new ideas around the world.
Over the years, numerous13 celebrities14 have given TED Talks and shared interesting ideas with their audiences15. One was chef Jamie Oliver, who presented his idea of starting a food revolution. Oliver wanted to improve people’s health by teaching everyone how to choose and prepare healthy meals. Another was James Cameron, the director of the movies Aliens and Avatar. Cameron talked about his childhood fascination16 with science fiction17. He also spoke of how his interest in space, aliens, and robots eventually led him to make blockbuster films. Still another was Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft. Gates didn’t talk about computers. Instead, speaking after the 2014 Ebola outbreak18 in Africa, he demanded19 that we find ways to control the spread of the disease. These are just a few examples of the celebrity speakers who have inspired millions through their TED Talks.
Listening to one of these TED Talks is like standing on the shoulders of a giant—you get to see farther and understand more. You won’t realize just how much you can learn in eighteen minutes until you give it a try. In fact, there is a good chance that it will broaden your horizons and even inspire you to try to change the world.
(4) B4 L4 Malala: Stronger than Violence
None of the fourteen female students paid any attention when their school bus stopped. On the crowded roads of Pakistan, such stops were common. Suddenly, a man wearing a mask hopped on the bus and asked, “Which one is Malala?” No one dared2 to reply, but a few of the students looked toward fifteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai. The man shot her in the head and then hopped off and disappeared. Blood dripped from Malala’s head, and her body fell to the floor.
Malala grew up in a beautiful city in northern Pakistan. Unfortunately, this region3 came under Taliban rule in 2008. Girls were forbidden4 to attend classes, and over 100 girls’ schools were blown up. However, Malala’s father, a school principal, urged5 her to stay in school in her teenage years, when many Pakistani women got married and stayed home. He also encouraged her to discuss education and politics6—subjects usually reserved for boys. Thus, Malala held the belief that no one could take away others’ right to education. She then became a voice for equality7 for female students. In 2009, she started writing blogs for the BBC about life in a society controlled by the Taliban. Although this annoyed8 Taliban leaders, she continued speaking out about girls’ educational rights. She was even interviewed9 on national television.
When her story became known, the Taliban threatened10 to kill her. On October 9, 2012, a gunman got on her school bus and shot her in the head. Unbelievably11, the brave girl survived the surgery at a local hospital and finally recovered in Britain after further treatment. Her struggle attracted12 the whole world’s attention. Many were inspired by her efforts, and over two million supporters worldwide13 signed a statement asking for equal education in Pakistan. All this attention persuaded14 the Pakistani government to introduce a new policy15 that provided equal educational rights for boys and girls alike. Soon after, the Malala Fund16 was established to give strength and confidence to girls all over the globe17 through education. In 2014, Malala won the Nobel Peace Prize. At the age of 17, she was the youngest person to ever win this prize.
During a speech delivered18 by Malala at the United Nations, she shared these wise and powerful words with the world: “Let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world!”
(5) B4 L5 My Mouth's in Airplane Mode
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain2 speaking. We’ve now reached an altitude3 of thirty thousand feet and will be serving breakfast shortly4. But I must warn you that it might taste a little different from what you’re used to. And... no matter how hungry you are, you will probably have a hard time enjoying it as much as you do on the ground. Please keep in mind that this isn’t our fault. Thanks, and enjoy your flight!”
Needless to say, you’ll never hear an announcement like this. However, research has indeed5 shown that it’s not the airline’s fault if in-flight food tastes a little “special.” For a start, believe it or not, your tongue doesn’t work the same up in the air. This is because there’s such a big decrease in humidity6 and pressure7 inside an aircraft cabin that your tongue is actually much less sensitive8 to different flavors. Similarly9, your nose, which normally enables10 you to distinguish11 different tastes more accurately12, has difficulty functioning well high in the sky because it is more likely to be blocked.
You can’t just blame13 your tongue and your nose when the food on your plate doesn’t taste so great, because even your ears can affect14 how much you enjoy your meal. An airplane can be quite a noisy place, and this often distracts15 passengers’ attention from what they’re eating. In fact, experiments have indicated that food seems less sweet and less salty under noisy conditions16. Therefore, you may find your cuisine17 quite bland due to the noise of the airplane engines.
Of course, airlines have realized how our organs18 are affected during a flight and have proposed19 different solutions to the problem. British Airways, for instance, has tried providing passengers with a nasal spray20 to clear their stuffy, dry noses before meals. Most airlines, however, have simply added more flavoring to the dishes that are served during flights to make them tastier. They’ve also introduced certain savory ingredients to their in-flight recipes, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. In comparison with other foods, these remain yummy, regardless of the height of your tummy!
“We will be landing shortly, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you had a pleasant flight and found your inflight meals enjoyable. We look forward to serving you again soon. Safe travels!”
(6) B4 L6 My Life in Your Hands
Behind every drawing is a story. What lies beneath1 these two rough2, pale3 hands? What is the meaning behind Albrecht Dürer’s famous drawing, Praying Hands?
The story of how the artist was inspired to create this celebrated work is just as touching as the image itself. One of 18 children, Albrecht Dürer was born into a poor family struggling to make ends meet in a tiny German village. He and his older brother, Albert, shared a remarkable4 talent5 for art, and both dreamed of studying at a nearby art school. However, realizing that they couldn’t afford6 to do so at the same time, the brothers decided to leave it to fate7 by flipping a coin. The winner would pursue8 his art studies, while the loser would support the winner by working in the mines.
Albrecht won the coin toss and devoted9 the next four years of his life to his passion10. Meanwhile11, to help his brother, Albert worked his body to its limits in cruel, dangerous conditions underground. Rarely could he afford the luxury of taking a break. Fortunately, his sacrifice12 was not in vain. Albrecht soon made a name for himself at the academy.
Upon graduating13, the rising young professional14 artist returned home in triumph15 and with gratitude. A special dinner was served in his honor. After much eating and celebration, Albrecht rose to toast his selfless sibling. “It’s time that you laid down your worker’s tools, dear Albert,” he announced with joy and gratitude. “For now, Brother, I shall support you, and you too will be an artist!”
As the people cheered, Albert held back his tears and showed his bruised hands. The four years of labor had broken his bones and weakened16 his artistic17
touch. He sobbed18, “I have prayed, Brother, but four years of working in the mines
have damaged the bones of my hands. Barely19 can I hold a paintbrush anymore.
These broken hands will never paint again.”
Albert’s ruined fingers and ruined dreams are the beautiful subject of Praying Hands. For hundreds of years, this drawing has served as a symbol of gratitude to a brother for his goodness and support, and for sacrificing his own ambitions20 and talent. Those hands will be joined forever, in prayer, in appreciation21, and in love.
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