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3. 課本文字檔
LESSON 1
Handling Business Calls
Reading
Nina Gray works as a secretary for Mary Cooper, a senior1 manager at a large engineering2 firm. She has a busy morning on the telephone.
Part One
Connecting a Caller
Nina: Good morning. Ms. Cooper’s office.
Ian: Hello, may I speak to Ms. Cooper?
Nina: Who’s calling, please?
Ian: It’s Ian Brady from Brady Technologies.
Nina: Please hold the line, Mr. Brady.
Ian: Thank you.
Nina: (dials Ms. Cooper’s number) Ms. Cooper, there’s a Mr. Ian Brady on the line for you ... OK, just a second. (Nina presses a button3 on her phone) Hello, Mr. Brady, I’m putting you through to Ms. Cooper now.
Ian: Thank you.
Part Two
Taking a Message
Nina: Good morning. Ms. Cooper’s office.
Eric: Hello, can I speak to Ms. Cooper, please?
Nina: She’s in a meeting right now. Can I help?
Eric: I’m afraid not. I need to consult4 Ms. Cooper. Do you know when she will finish the meeting?
Nina: In approximately5... one hour. Would you like to leave a message?
Eric: OK. Could you please tell her that Eric Jones from Living Industries called? If it’s possible, could she call me back?
Nina: Certainly. Does she have your number, Mr. Jones?
Eric: I think so, but I’ll give it to you again anyway. It’s 433-2286.
Nina: OK. I’ll make sure Ms. Cooper gets your message.
Eric: Thank you very much. Bye.
Part Three
Dealing with a Sales Call
Nina: Hello.
Carl: Hi, could I speak to the purchasing6 manager?
Nina: We don’t have a purchasing manager. Who’s calling, please?
Carl: My name’s Carl, and I’m a representative7 of Smarter Office Supplies8.
Nina: What is it about?
Carl: We have some incredible9 deals10 on equipment and stationery11 right now. I think your manager might be interested to hear about them.
Nina: I’m afraid we don’t accept sales calls, but you can send the information to us through email.
Carl: I think you’ll love the exceptional12 deal we’re offering13 this month. It’s ...
Nina: Thank you, but we are satisfied with our current suppliers. Have a great day. Goodbye.
Part Four
Calling Someone to Rearrange14 a Meeting
Bob: Hello. Bob Harris here.
Nina: Good morning, Mr. Harris. It’s Nina Gray, Ms. Cooper’s secretary.
Bob: Hello, Nina. What can I do for you?
Nina: I believe you have an appointment15 with Ms. Cooper at two-thirty this afternoon.
Bob: Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem?
Nina: Well, I’m sorry, but Ms. Cooper needs to reschedule16 the meeting. Something urgent17 has come up. Would the same time tomorrow be acceptable18?
Bob: Let me check ... Yes, I’m free tomorrow afternoon. That will be fine.
Nina: Good. We really appreciate19 that. Ms. Cooper sends her apologies20.
Bob: No problem. Bye, Nina.
Nina: Goodbye, Mr. Harris.
LESSON 1 講解
Handling (處理) Business Calls
Reading
Nina Gray works as a secretary (秘書) for Mary Cooper, a senior (資深的) 1 manager (經理) at a large engineering (工程)2 firm (公司). She has a busy morning on the telephone.
Part One
Connecting a Caller
Nina: Good morning. Ms. Cooper’s office (辦公室).
Ian: Hello, may I speak to Ms. Cooper?
Nina: Who’s calling, please?
Ian: It’s Ian Brady from Brady Technologies (科技).
Nina: Please hold the line (別掛電話), Mr. Brady.
Ian: Thank you.
Nina: (dials Ms. Cooper’s number) Ms. Cooper, there’s a Mr. Ian Brady on the line (在線上) for you ... OK, just a second. (Nina presses 按 a button 按鈕 3 on her phone) Hello, Mr. Brady, I’m putting you through (轉接給) to Ms. Cooper now.
Ian: Thank you.
Part Two
Taking a Message
Nina: Good morning. Ms. Cooper’s office.
Eric: Hello, can I speak to Ms. Cooper, please?
Nina: She’s in a meeting (會議) right now. Can I help?
Eric: I’m afraid not (恐怕不行). I need to consult (諮詢 請教) 4 Ms. Cooper. Do you know when she will finish the meeting?
Nina: In approximately (大約=about=nearly)5... one hour. Would you like to leave (留下) a message (訊息)?
Eric: OK. Could you please tell her that Eric Jones from Living Industries called? If it’s possible (可能的), could she call me back (回電)?
Nina: Certainly (一定). Does she have your number, Mr. Jones?
Eric: I think so, but I’ll give it to you again anyway (不管怎樣). It’s 433-2286.
Nina: OK. I’ll make sure Ms. Cooper gets your message.
Eric: Thank you very much. Bye.
Part Three
Dealing with a Sales Call
Nina: Hello.
Carl: Hi, could I speak to the purchasing (購買) 6 manager (經理)?
Nina: We don’t have a purchasing manager. Who’s calling, please?
Carl: My name’s Carl, and I’m a representative (代表) 7 of Smarter Office Supplies (提供 供應) 8.
Nina: What is it about?
Carl: We have some incredible(很棒的) 9 deals (交易) 10 on equipment (設備) and stationery (文具) 11 right now. I think your manager (經理) might be interested (有興趣的) to hear about them.
Nina: I’m afraid (害怕的) we don’t accept (接受) sales calls, but you can send the information to us through email.
Carl: I think you’ll love the exceptional (卓越的)12 deal we’re offering (提供) 13 this month. It’s ...
Nina: Thank you, but we are satisfied with (滿意的) our current (現在的) suppliers (供應商). Have a great day. Goodbye.
Part Four
Calling Someone to Rearrange (重新安排) 14 a Meeting
Bob: Hello. Bob Harris here.
Nina: Good morning, Mr. Harris. It’s Nina Gray, Ms. Cooper’s secretary (秘書).
Bob: Hello, Nina. What can I do for you?
Nina: I believe you have an appointment (預約) 15 with Ms. Cooper at two-thirty this afternoon.
Bob: Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem?
Nina: Well, I’m sorry, but Ms. Cooper needs to reschedule (重心安排行程) 16 the meeting. Something urgent (緊急的) 17 has come up (出現). Would the same time tomorrow be acceptable (接受的)18?
Bob: Let me check ... Yes, I’m free tomorrow afternoon. That will be fine.
Nina: Good. We really appreciate (感謝) 19 that. Ms. Cooper sends her apologies (道歉)20.
Bob: No problem. Bye, Nina.
Nina: Goodbye, Mr. Harris.
LESSON 2
When Beauty Comes From a Knife
Reading
Cora and her boyfriend Jeff were watching a beauty contest1 on TV. Jeff said he couldn’t tell some of the contestants apart. Cora realized what was confusing him. She said a few of the girls looked similar because of cosmetic surgery1. Jeff thought that was strange. “Why do beauty contestants need cosmetic surgery?” he asked.
“It’s not just for beauty contests,” Cora replied2. “There is a lot of evidence that being satisfied with our appearance3 is good for mental4 health and self-confidence5. Whether we like it or not, having good looks is an advantage6. Don’t forget, many people have facial and body defects7 caused by birth disorders8, accidents, burns or disease. Their quality9 of life is improved by surgery10.”
“Ah, but you’re talking about plastic surgery2,” said Jeff. “That’s different. Cosmetic surgery is only for people to make themselves look better. They have eyelid surgery3, nose jobs4, facelifts5, and lots of other procedures11. These turn out badly sometimes. Just look in the media for stories about operations12 that have gone wrong.”
Cora still didn’t agree. “That’s pretty rare. Most cosmetic surgery is routine13 and safe, and the surgeons are highly skilled. Once it’s done, it lasts for years, while beauty products only work for a short time. In fact, some research shows that people who have cosmetic surgery become more optimistic14 and happier as a result.”
“Yes,” said Jeff, “but I still think the risk15 is too high. Those mental effects you mentioned16 are not always positive. Many people have an expensive cosmetic procedure and feel disappointed when they realize it’s not the answer to their problems. For a few people, cosmetic surgery even becomes addictive6. There is always another body part that needs improvement. They end up ruining their appearance.”
Cora and Jeff clearly have different opinions about cosmetic surgery. So who is right? Beauty may only be “skin deep7”, but it matters17 a lot in today’s world. While most people prefer to keep their natural looks, there are plenty who are willing18 to pay to look better. That’s their choice. Everyone has the right to do what they want as long as they take responsibility19 for the choices they make.
LESSON 2 講解
When Beauty (美麗) Comes From (從...而來) a Knife (刀子)
Reading
Cora and her boyfriend Jeff were watching a beauty contest(選美比賽) on TV. Jeff said he couldn’t tell some of the contestants (選手) apart (區別). Cora realized (瞭解) what was confusing (糊塗；困惑) him. She said a few of the girls looked similar (相似的) because of cosmetic surgery (美容手術)1. Jeff thought (think-thought-thought 覺得) that was strange (奇怪的=weird). “Why do beauty contestants need cosmetic surgery?” he asked.
“It’s not just (只是) for beauty contests,” Cora replied (回覆)2. “There is a lot of evidence (證據) that being satisfied with (對...滿意) our appearance (外表)3 is good for mental health (心理健康) and self-confidence (自信)5. Whether we like it or not (不論是否), having good looks (有好的外表) is an advantage (優勢)6. Don’t forget, many people have facial (臉部的) and body defects (缺陷)7 caused (造成) by birth (出生) disorders (失調) 8, accidents (意外), burns (燒傷) or disease (疾病). Their quality (品質) 9 of life is improved (改善) by surgery (手術) 10.”
“Ah, but you’re talking about plastic surgery (整型手術)2,” said Jeff. “That’s different (不同的). Cosmetic surgery (整容手術) is only for people to make themselves look better. They have eyelid (眼皮) surgery3, nose jobs (隆鼻)4, facelifts (拉皮)5, and lots of other procedures (小手術)11. These turn out (結果竟...) badly sometimes (有時候). Just look in the media (媒體) for stories about operations (手術)12 (that have gone wrong 出錯).”
Cora still didn’t agree (同意). “That’s pretty rare (稀有的). Most cosmetic surgery is routine (例行的) 13 and safe, and the surgeons (外科醫生) are highly skilled (有技巧的). Once it’s done, it lasts (持續) for years, while (而) beauty products (產品) only work for a short time. In fact (事實上), some research (研究) shows that people (who have cosmetic surgery) become (變得) more optimistic (樂觀的) 14 and happier as a result (結果).”
“Yes,” said Jeff, “but I still think the risk (風險)15 is too high (高). Those mental (心理的) effects (影響) you mentioned (提及的) 16 are not always positive (正面的). Many people have an expensive (昂貴的) cosmetic procedure and feel disappointed (失望的) when they realize (瞭解到) it’s not the answer to their problems. For a few people, cosmetic surgery even becomes addictive (沉癮的) 6. There is always another (另一個) body part (that needs improvement 改善.) They end up (最後結果...) ruining (破壞) their appearance (外表).”
Cora and Jeff clearly (顯然地) have different (不同的) opinions (意見) about cosmetic surgery. So who is right (對的)? Beauty may only be “skin deep7”, but it matters (重要) 17 a lot in today’s world. While (儘管) most people prefer to (偏好) keep (保持) their natural (自然的) looks, there are plenty (很多) (who are willing18 to (願意) pay to look better). That’s their choice (選擇). Everyone has the right (權利) to do what they want as long as (只要) they take responsibility19 for (為...負責) the choices (選擇) (they make 他們所做的~).
LESSON 3
No Limbs, No Limits
Reading
Everyone has good and bad days. To some extent1, our happiness depends on how we handle the bad things. When faced with a serious problem, how do you usually react2? Maybe you’ve heard about the power of positive thinking, but what does it mean to be positive? One man who can tell you is Nick Vujicic1. He has dealt with bigger problems than most people, and he is known for his positive attitude3.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Nick has a rare genetic2 disorder. He has no arms or legs, just a small foot attached4 to his left hip3 which he calls his “chicken drumstick4.” When Nick was a boy, he suffered a lot of bullying because of his appearance. He felt there was no purpose to his life. At the age of ten, he even attempted5 suicide6 by rolling over in the bathtub. He would have killed himself then if he hadn’t realized the pain his parents would feel.
To his parents, Nick was special and they loved him the way he was. One day, his mother showed him an article7 about people with severe8 disabilities9. Nick began to feel less alone10 in his struggle11. His deep religious faith12 also gave him the strength to face his disability with hope. In high school, he gave a speech, telling other students about himself. Some of them were very touched and moved to tears. That was when Nick found that he could bring courage to people through his story. Therefore, he decided to pursue13 a career as a motivational14 speaker. At last he had a purpose in life.
Now in his thirties, Nick has a beautiful wife and two children, and lives a fulfilling15 life. Like able-bodied5 people, he can accomplish16 most everyday tasks17. He also swims, and has even gone skydiving6. Moreover, his chosen career has led to success. Nick has traveled all over the world, and millions have heard him speak. He has visited Taiwan on several occasions18 and received a fantastic welcome each time.
Many people have been inspired by Nick Vujicic. Some have been driven19 to improve their lives after hearing him speak. Nick often says he made a choice, which he has described in these words: “We should not be angry for what we don’t have, but be grateful20 for what we do have.” For Nick Vujicic, being positive means giving rather than receiving, and it means living a life without limits21.
LESSON 4
Be Worried, Bee Very Worried!
Reading
Do you feel nervous if there is a bee buzzing1 around you? Actually, you should be more concerned2 about it never happening again. Imagine if supermarkets had less than half the fruits and vegetables they currently sell because seventy percent of the most common food crops3 no longer existed. There would be widespread4 starvation5, and the human population would rapidly decrease6. It sounds like something from a sci-fi1 or horror film. However, that’s what could happen in a world without bees.
At least a third of the food on your plate is there because of bees, which pollinate2 so many crops. Lots of animals, including the ones we eat, feed on other plants that depend on bees. According to the United Nations3, in 2005 the value of global7 crops pollinated by bees was estimated8 to be around US$200 billion. For humans and many other creatures9, bees are much more than just a source10 of honey or a painful sting11. They are a vital12 part of the world’s ecosystems4.
In 2006, however, beekeepers in many countries began noticing a rapid fall in bee populations. Over the following six years, more than 10 million beehives5 were deserted13. Up to sixty percent of bees have died out in some locations. Scientists have a name for this decrease. They call it colony collapse disorder6 (CCD).
As for the causes of CCD, scientists have identified14 three main possibilities15. The first one is that bee deaths are caused by chemicals. Farmers use more pesticides7 than they used to, and bees consume these chemicals as they fly from plant to plant. Disease is another suspect16. Various17 bugs have been found in bee colonies affected by CCD. The third possible cause is that bees may be suffering from the effects of climate change and extreme weather. There are other possibilities as well, such as the loss of natural habitat8. CCD could be caused by any of these factors18, or a combination19 of them.
Many countries are trying to reverse20 the decline9 of bee populations. Scientists are researching bee diseases to try to identify the specific21 cause of CCD. Some of the most toxic22 pesticides have been banned23 in the European Union10 and other places. The world hopes that these measures24 will be successful and bees will continue to buzz around us in the future.
LESSON 5
A Silver Lining in a Spanish Church
Reading
Every cloud has a silver lining1. Cecilia Giménez2, an old lady from a small Spanish town called Borja3, understands this very well. She often goes to her local1 church, which contains a fresco4 painting of the face of Jesus Christ crowned with thorns2. It is named “Ecce Homo5, ” which means “Behold6 the Man.” A deeply religious person, Cecilia has always loved the painting, and became upset3 when she saw it was being gradually4 destroyed by moisture5. She paints as a hobby, and in 2012 she decided to put her skills to use in restoring6 Ecce Homo.
Unfortunately, Cecilia made a terrible job of the restoration. Afterward7, Jesus’ face looked more comical7 than holy8. The new Jesus had strange-looking eyes, an anime8-style nose, and a beard that looked like a furry9 scarf wrapped under his chin. Local people were horrified10, and poor Cecilia came in for a lot of criticism11 for her well-meaning9 but disastrous12 efforts. She was sorry for what she had done, but then the story took an unexpected13 turn.
Pictures of the restored painting went viral online, and its fame quickly spread. It was given a few nicknames14, including “Beast15 Christ.” The Spanish media renamed the fresco “Ecce Mono10” (Behold the Monkey). What happened next surprised everyone in Borja, including Cecilia. The quiet town suddenly began receiving thousands of visitors who wanted to see the famous “new” fresco.
Businesses in Borja are booming16. Tourists pay one euro11 to see the painting. They take selfies12 beside it, and buy souvenirs17. Cecilia is seen as a local hero. She has had a difficult life as a widow13 with two disabled sons. Now, she receives some of the profit18 from the famous restoration, though she never did it for money. She can hardly believe how the painting has helped her. She has even been asked to exhibit19 some of her works.
Restoring an old painting is a delicate20 job. It requires great knowledge and skill, and should only be carried out by an expert. Cecilia certainly learned this lesson. Though she just wanted to protect a picture she loved, she deeply regretted21 the poor result of her efforts. Nevertheless, for the people of Borja, and for Cecilia, the old saying14 is true. This cloud has more than a silver lining. In fact, it’s been raining gold.
LESSON 6
Testing Your Future
Reading
With six months till graduation, Danny began to consider what kind of career he should follow. In need of guidance1, he went to see Ms. Lee, one of his teachers. She showed Danny the Myers-Briggs Personality Test1, which could help him understand himself better and make a good decision. Ms. Lee said that the test identifies four different categories2. Everyone can be placed3 into one of two personality4 types in each category.
The first part of the test was to find out whether Danny was an introvert2 or an extrovert3. Ms. Lee asked him a few questions, for example, “Do you enjoy working with others and accomplishing different tasks? Or would you rather work alone or in a small group and carry out one task at a time?” Danny unquestionably5 preferred6 working in a group, and liked to feel challenged. He felt he was an extrovert.
Next, Ms. Lee talked about the difference7 between “thinkers”, who analyze8 a problem thoroughly9 before making a decision, and “feelers”, who decide based on their own values and how the decision will affect others. Danny was certain about this. “I’m a feeler”, he said without hesitation10.
“OK, Mr. Feeler,” said Ms. Lee with a smile. “Are you also a sensor4? Or an intuitive5? The former focus on facts and details, while the latter tend11 to concentrate12 on all possibilities and often find creative solutions13 to a problem.” Danny was less sure this time. “Um, I often get new ideas, so I guess I’m creative,” he replied.
The fourth category on the test consisted14 of “judgers” and “perceivers6.” Judgers like to stick to plans and follow rules. They are usually well organized. Perceivers, on the other hand, like to be flexible15 and act according to the situation. Thinking for a moment, Danny decided he was more a perceiver than a judger.
“Well, Danny,” said Ms. Lee. “You are an extrovert, a feeler, an intuitive, and a perceiver, or an EFNP for short. According to the Myers-Briggs test, you might be suited16 to a career in journalism17 or advertising, or maybe even running a restaurant.”
“Wow,” said Danny. “I’ve never thought about any of those jobs, but they sound appealing18.”
“Well, it’s important to remember that this test is not the answer to everything. It’s just to help you understand yourself.” Ms. Lee advised Danny to think carefully about his plans. Danny thanked her, and, as he walked out of the room, began to visualize19 himself as the boss of a successful media company.
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