快樂學習網

Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 1 of 7)
Control. Everyone wants it, but how many people really have it? When we strive to control our world and can't, we feel threatened. lf we don't overcome the trapped feeling, stress arises.
Hannah works at a newspaper. This morning she is feeling especially overwhelmed. "Let's see," thought Hannah. "I need to check on photos for two articles and finish proofreading the layout of today's sports page ..."
"Excuse me, Hannah," interrupted Larry. "I know you're busy, but could you write the advice column this week? I just don't have any ideas, and it's due this afternoon."
操控得宜，每個人都希望能辦到，但是有多少人能真正做到呢？當我們努力地想要操控我們的世界卻辦不到的時候，常會感到大受威脅。如果我們無法克服這種受困的心情，壓力便產生了。
漢娜在報社工作，今天早上她感到特別的無力。「我想想，」漢娜心想，「我得替兩篇文章找好照片，還要校對好今天體育版的編排設計……」
「對不起，漢娜，」賴瑞來打岔，「我知道妳很忙，可是妳可不可以寫一下這個禮拜的問題解答專欄？我就是想不出任何點子，而且今天下午就得交了。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　strive (v)　　努力；奮鬥
　　overwhelmed (adj)　　感到極度沮喪無助的；被擊潰的
　　layout (n)　　(版面的）設計
 
Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 2 of 7)

"This afternoon?" questioned Hannah. "Um, sure. No problem."
"Thanks, I knew you would!" exclaimed Larry.
"I can't believe Larry did it again," Hannah thought. "He always hands me a project at the last minute."
(phone rings)
"Hannah Blythe speaking."
"I'm so glad you're at your desk, Hannah!" said Louise.
"Oh, no, not Louise!" thought Hannah. "I wonder what this week's crisis is?"
「今天下午？」漢娜問，「喔，好啊，沒問題。」
「謝謝，我就知道妳會幫忙！」賴瑞高興地叫著。
「我真不敢相信賴瑞怎麼又這樣，」漢娜心裡想，「他總是在最後一分鐘才把事情交給我。」
（電話鈴聲響）
「我是漢娜．布萊茲。」
「真高興妳在位子上，漢娜！」露易絲說。
「喔，完了，又是露易絲！」漢娜心裡想，「不知道這個禮拜又有什麼危機了？」  
 
 Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 3 of 7)
"This has been the worst week," Louise moaned.
"Tell me about it," Hannah replied.
"lt all started when the car broke down ..." Louise began.
Twenty long minutes later, Hannah hung up the phone.
"Why did I let Louise talk to me so long? Now I'll have to work on the advice column during lunch."
Hannah didn't leave the office until after 6 p.m. And, as usual, she took extra assignments home to complete.
「這個禮拜真是最糟的一個禮拜。」露易絲抱怨著。
「妳說說吧。」漢娜回答。
「所有的倒楣事就從那輛車子壞掉開始……」露易絲開始說。
過了長長的二十分鐘後，漢娜掛了電話。
「我怎麼會讓露易絲講那麼久？這下子我得用午休時間寫問題解答專欄了。」
漢娜一直到下午六點之後才離開辦公室，而且她照例帶了額外的工作回家去做。
 
Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 4 of 7)
Is your life like Hannah's? lf so, here are some tips to help you:
* Find the source of your stress by keeping a log. Identify the stressful events, deadlines or people. Try to foresee stress and prepare for it before it comes.
* Identify tasks and prioritize them. Use the jobs you enjoy as rewards for completing tedious ones.
* Set boundaries. Be realistic about what you can or can't do. When faced with a request you're unsure of, say "no," not "yes." Get counsel from others if you can't set boundaries on your own.
你的生活是不是就像漢娜一樣呢？如果是，這兒有一些建議可以幫助你：
*做工作記錄以找出壓力的來源，認清造成壓力的事件、時限或人，試著預知壓力的發生，趁壓力到來之前先預備。
*弄清楚工作內容並排出優先順序。以你喜歡的工作作為完成不喜歡的工作時的獎賞。
*設定自己的極限。對自己做得到或做不到的事要實際一點。當面對自己不確定能否做到的要求時，就說「不」，而非「好」。如果你不知道該怎麼設定自己的極限，可以尋求他人的忠告。
⊙　Word Bank
　　foresee (v)　　預知
　　prioritize (v)　　安排優先順序
　　tedious (adj)　　令人生厭的；冗長乏味的
 
 Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 5 of 7)

* Be positive and keep cool. See your problems as opportunities. Think "What's the first step to finishing this project?" instead of "I'll never be able to finish this project on time!"
* Live in the present. Try not to dwell on past mistakes. Going over and over your failures only increases stress.
* Be flexible and learn to laugh at yourself.
* Build friendships to help you cope.
* Begin an exercise program.
* Take up a hobby or join a club.
*態度積極並保持冷靜。將你的問題看作是機會，要想「完成這個案子，我第一步該做什麼」，而不是「我一定沒辦法準時完成這個案子的」！
* 活在當下。試著不要停留在過去的錯誤中，不斷重溫你的失敗只會增加壓力。
* 有彈性點，並試著可以嘲笑自己。
* 建立友誼以幫助你應付壓力。
* 開始從事運動。
* 培養一個嗜好或是加入一個社團。
⊙　Word Bank
　　dwell on (v phr)　停留在某題目上
　　cope (v)　　抗衡；對付
 
 Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 6 of 7)

The scene in Hannah's office will look like this after she learns to reduce stress by managing her life.
"Good morning, Larry!" said Hannah.
"Hi, Hannah," answered Larry. "You're just the person l wanted to see. I'm having trouble with the advice column this week. You're so capable, can you write it? The deadline's this afternoon. But I'm sure you can handle it."
"Sorry, Larry," replied Hannah. "I've got deadlines to meet, too."
"But you can just dash this off quickly," said Larry.
"I can't," said Hannah. "Next time ask me earlier."
在漢娜學會了管理她的生活來降低壓力之後，她辦公室裡的畫面該是像這樣：
「早安，賴瑞！」漢娜說。
「嗨，漢娜，」賴瑞回答，「妳正是我要找的人。我這個禮拜的問題解答專欄寫不出來。妳那麼能幹，妳來寫好不好？今天下午截稿，可是我相信妳一定做得來的。」
「抱歉！賴瑞，」漢娜回答，「我這兒也在趕著截稿。」
「可是妳可以很快寫一寫就好了啊。」賴瑞說。
「我沒辦法耶！」漢娜說，「下一次早一點來找我吧。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　capable (adj)　　能幹的；有知識或有能力的
　　dash something off (v phr)　快速書寫某物
 Tips on Handling Stress　處理壓力的訣竅(part 7 of 7)

(phone rings)
"Hannah Blythe."
"Hannah, thank goodness you're there!" Louise exclaimed.
"Louise, I'd love to talk, but it's not a good time," replied Hannah.
"I'll only take a minute," said Louise.
"I really can't now," Hannah said. "This evening will be more convenient."
Hannah checked her schedule at five o'clock. She had managed to complete everything. Now she can leave her work at the office where it belongs.
HERE ARE SOME SHORT-TERM WAYS TO HANDLE STRESS:
* take a walk
* take a bath
* take a coffee break
* listen to soothing music
* find a quiet place to read or pray
* talk to a friend
（電話鈴聲響）
「我是漢娜‧布萊茲。」
「漢娜，妳在啊，真是感謝老天。」露易絲喊著。
「露易絲，我很想跟妳談，可是現在不適合。」漢娜回答。
「可是只要一下就好了。」露易絲說。
「我現在真的沒辦法，」漢娜說，「今天晚上談會比較方便一點。」
漢娜在五點的時候檢查了一下她的進度表，她已經完成了所有的事。現在她可以把工作留在它該待的辦公室裡了。
這兒有一些即時抒解壓力的妙方：
* 散散步
* 洗個澡
* 喝杯咖啡休息一下
* 聽聽輕柔的音樂
* 找個安靜的地方閱讀或禱告
* 找個朋友聊聊
⊙　Word Bank
　　soothing (adj)　　安慰的；緩和的
 
My interview went much smoother than I expected!
我的面試進行得比我預期的還要順利！
Teachers are required to pass a medical exam before they can be hired.
教師們要先通過體檢，才予以錄用。
We think you are overqualified for this position.
我覺得這個職位對你來說是大才小用了。
I hold a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
我有土木工程的學士學位。
Could you please direct me to the Human Resources department?
可以請您告訴我到人力資源部怎麼走嗎？
Sally told me her company might be hiring a new director soon.
莎莉告訴我她的公司也許不久要聘請一位新主管。
I have several years of experience doing technical support.
我有多年的技術支援經驗。

Cooling Down Conflict　冷靜化解衝突(part 1 of 6)
Conflict is an unfortunate fact of working life. It isn't easy for people with differing personalities, values and work habits to achieve common goals. This is certainly true at Walker Publications, as Tom Wilson and Monica Smith are about to find out. Tom is bringing Monica what he thinks is exciting news.
Conversation 1
(knock on door)
Monica: Oh, hi, Tom. Come in. What's up?
Tom: Get this, Monica! I just had lunch with an old college friend. He works for a big ad agency, and he really likes our magazines.
Monica: Smart man.
在工作中，衝突是一件很不幸的事實。對具有不同個性、價值觀及工作習慣的人們來說，一起工作，完成一個共同的目標，不是件容易的事。當然，這在沃克出版社中更不例外，湯姆‧威爾森和蒙妮卡‧史密斯很快就會了解這個事實。湯姆正把一件令他興奮的消息告訴蒙妮卡。
會話一
（敲門）
蒙妮卡：哦，湯姆，進來吧！有什麼事嗎？
湯姆：聽好，蒙妮卡，我剛和一位大學裡的老朋友一起吃午餐，他在一家很大的廣告公司上班，他真的很喜歡我們的雜誌。
蒙妮卡：聰明的男人。
⊙　Word Bank
　　conflict (n)　　衝突；爭執
　　personality (n)　　個性
Cooling Down Conflict　冷靜化解衝突(part 2 of 6)
Conversation 2
Tom: He wants to put ads on all our back covers—on every magazine we print—for two years!
Monica: Sounds too good to be true, Tom. Who's the client?
Tom: They're big. They use nice, colorful ads. They pay on time.
Monica: Who's the client, Tom?
Tom: Uh, it's the National Cigarette Company.
Monica: A cigarette company? You want to advertise death in our magazines? Tom, what on earth are you thinking of?
Tom: Well, the bottom line, of course. This deal will make us a mint!
Monica: Not if I can help it.
會話二
湯姆：他想要在我們雜誌的封底刊登整頁的廣告——在我們出版的每一本雜誌——整整兩年哦！
蒙妮卡：聽起來太棒而不像是真的。湯姆，這個客戶是誰？
湯姆：他們很大，他們所用的廣告都很漂亮，色澤鮮艷。而且他們準時付錢。
蒙妮卡：湯姆，客戶是誰？
湯姆：呃，是全國菸草公司。
蒙妮卡：菸草公司？你想要在我們的雜誌上廣告死亡嗎？湯姆，你到底在想什麼啊？
湯姆：嗯，當然是利潤啊。這筆生意可以讓我們賺進一大筆錢。
蒙妮卡：如果我插手的話就一毛錢也不賺。
⊙　Word Bank
　　cigarette (n)　　香煙
　　bottom line (n phr)　（帳本）底線
　　a mint (n phr)　一大筆錢  
 Cooling Down Conflict　冷靜化解衝突(part 3 of 6)
Conversation 3
Tom: What? Monica, you know how hard it is to sell those back covers. This is a golden opportunity.
Monica: Not for us, it isn't.
Tom: Oh, yeah? Who says?
Monica: I do.
Tom: And just who do you think you are?
Monica: Who do I think I am? Who do you think you are — Harvey Walker Jr.? You don't get to call the shots on advertising.
Tom: Oh, really? Let's see what Harvey says about this. (storms out of the room)
Monica: Yes, let's. (picks up the phone and dials)
會話三
湯姆：什麼？蒙妮卡，妳知道要把這些封底賣出去有多難。這是個千載難逢的機會。
蒙妮卡：對我們來說，它不是。
湯姆：哦，是嗎？誰說的？
蒙妮卡：我說的。
湯姆：那妳認為妳是誰啊？
蒙妮卡：我認為我是誰？那麼你又認為你是誰呢？哈維‧沃克的兒子嗎？你無權決定登廣告的事。
湯姆：哦，真的嗎？我們看看哈維怎麼說。（衝出房間）
蒙妮卡：好，就這麼辦。（拿起電話撥號）
⊙　Word Bank
　　a golden opportunity (n phr)　千載難逢的機會
　　call the shots (v phr)　發號施令
　　storm (v)　　大聲作響地衝出
Cooling Down Conflict　冷靜化解衝突(part 4 of 6)
Conversation 4
(the phone rings in Harvey's office)
Harvey: Hello?
Monica: Harvey, it's Monica.
Harvey: Hi, Monica. Is something wrong?
Monica: We just can't advertise cigarettes, Harvey. They cause cancer.
Harvey: What cigarettes? What are you talking about?
Monica: Tom has this buddy who ... (Tom walks into Harvey's office)
Harvey: Yes, he's here now. Tom, I mean.
Monica: Don't listen to him, Harvey. Money isn't everything.
Tom: This is a great deal, Harvey.
Harvey: Tom, please sit down. (into the phone) Monica, come up here, please.
Monica: I'll be right there. Don't listen to him!
會話四
（哈維辦公室的電話響了）
哈維：喂？
蒙妮卡：哈維，我是蒙妮卡。
哈維：嗨，蒙妮卡。發生什麼事了嗎？
蒙妮卡：我們絕不能登香菸的廣告。哈維，它們會致癌。
哈維：什麼香菸？妳在說什麼啊？
蒙妮卡：湯姆有個好友他 ...
（湯姆走進哈維的辦公室）
哈維：是，他在這裡。
蒙妮卡：別聽他的，哈維。金錢不是一切。
湯姆：這是筆大生意。哈維。
哈維：湯姆，請坐。（對著電話）蒙妮卡，請上來這裡。
蒙妮卡：我馬上來，別聽他的。
⊙　Word Bank
　　cancer (n)　　癌症
　　buddy (n)　　朋友
Cooling Down Conflict　冷靜化解衝突(part 5 of 6)

In Harvey's office, Tom and Monica continue bickering. Their voices grow louder and angrier.
Conversation 5
Harvey: Hold it! (the arguing stops) This is getting out of hand. Now, can either of you suggest why?
Monica: Sure. It's because Tom insists on doing things his way.
Tom: No, no. It's because Monica always wants the final word.
Harvey: Actually, you're both right—and wrong. Because neither of you has the authority to decide, you're relying on aggression to get your way. But that just causes more conflict.
在哈維的辦公室裡，湯姆和蒙妮卡繼續爭吵著。他們的聲音愈來愈大且愈來愈生氣。
會話五
哈維：停！（爭吵停止）你們已經吵翻了。現在，有誰能說說看是為什麼？
蒙妮卡：當然，因為湯姆堅持照他的意思來做。
湯姆：不，不。那是因為蒙妮卡總要爭著要做最後的決定。
哈維：事實上，你們兩個都對，也都錯了。因為你們沒有一個人有權來做決定，你們只是靠攻擊別人來達到你們的目的，但那只會造成更多的衝突。
⊙　Word Bank
　　bicker (v)　　拌嘴；吵架
　　get out of hand (v phr)　失控
　　aggression (n)　　侵犯；侵害  
Cooling Down Conflict　冷靜化解衝突(part 6 of 6)

Conversation 6
Tom: Well, I know this is a good deal, but maybe I am being too bull-headed about it. Sorry, Monica.
Monica: Me, too. I shouldn't get so uptight. After all, the final decision is Harvey's. Uh, by the way, Harvey, have you made a decision yet?
Harvey: I don't need to. (smiling) You see, at lunchtime I sold all our back covers. For three years.
Tom: You did? Great! Who's the client, Harvey?
Harvey: Well, they're big. They use nice, colorful ads. And they pay on time.
Monica: Harvey . . .(laughter)
會話六
湯姆：嗯，我知道這是一筆好生意，但或許我是太頑固了一點。對不起，蒙妮卡。
蒙妮卡：我也是，我不該那麼緊張。畢竟，最後的決定權還是在哈維。呃，對了，哈維，您做決定了嗎？
哈維：我不需要。（微笑）知道嗎，午餐的時候，我把我們所有的封底都賣出去了，三年。
湯姆：真的嗎？太好了！哈維，那客戶是誰？
哈維：嗯，他們是大公司，他們也用很美、色澤鮮艷的廣告。而且他們準時付錢。
蒙妮卡：哈維 ...（笑聲）
⊙　Word Bank
　　bull-headed (adj)　固執的 
The pay is low, but there are good opportunities for advancement.
那裡的薪水很低，但是卻有很好的發展機會。
 Have you considered trying an employment agency?
你有沒有考慮過找職業仲介？
Sometimes it helps to have connections when looking for a good job.
有時候有認識的熟人，有助於找到好工作。
I set up an interview with the law firm for next Wednesday at 2:00.
下週三下午兩點，我安排去那家法律事務所面試。
We need to see two letters of reference from your previous employers.
我們需要兩封您過去雇主所寫的推薦信。
They are willing to negotiate your starting salary.
他們願意跟你討論起薪。

On-the-Job Training　在職訓練(part 1 of 6)
Monica Smith is the editorial director at Walker Publications. One day, she goes to see
her boss, Harvey Walker, about a problem.
Conversation 1
(knock on the door)
Harvey: Hi, Monica.
Monica: Hi, Harvey. Do you mind if I drop in on you for a minute?
Harvey: No problem. Have a seat. What's up?
Monica: Well, I've just been so busy lately.
Harvey: What else is new? Have you ever not been busy?
Monica: I've never been as swamped as I am now. It seems I'm spending my whole life in this office.
莫妮卡．史密斯是沃克出版公司的總編輯。有一天，她去向她的主管哈維．沃克請示一個問題。
會話一
（敲門）
哈維：嗨，莫妮卡。
莫妮卡：嗨，哈維。不介意我打擾您一下吧？
哈維：沒問題。請坐。什麼事？
莫妮卡：嗯，我最近好忙。
哈維：不是一直都這樣嗎？妳有不忙的時候嗎？
莫妮卡：但我從來沒有像現在這麼忙不過來。好像我所有的生活都投注在這個辦公室了。
⊙　Word Bank
　　drop in on somebody (v phr)　突然拜訪；順道拜訪
　　What else is new? (phr)　不是一直都這樣嗎？
　　swamp (v)　　使應接不暇
 
 On-the-Job Training　在職訓練(part 2 of 6)
Conversation 2
Harvey: So you'd like a day off?
Monica: I need more than a day off, Harvey. I need help. I need another assistant editor.
Harvey: That sounds great, Monica. But where are we going to find one? It's so hard to recruit people with the right qualifications and skills.
Monica: Well, I've been thinking about Mark White. I think he could do the job.
Harvey: Mark? But we decided just a couple of months ago not to promote him to assistant editor. He's a good writer, but he lacks people skills.
會話二
哈維：所以，妳想休一天假嗎？
莫妮卡：我需要的不只是休假，哈維。我需要幫助。我需要再一位助理編輯。
哈維：聽起來不錯，莫妮卡。但是，我們要到哪裡去找人呢？要招募合格又有技巧的人實在很難。
莫妮卡：嗯，我在考慮馬克．懷特。我想他可以勝任這份工作。
哈維：馬克？可是我們幾個月前才決定不升他作助理編輯。他是個好筆者，但是他不善於處理人際關係。
⊙　Word Bank
　　recruit (v)　　招募
　　qualification (n)　　資格
 
On-the-Job Training　在職訓練(part 3 of 6)
Conversation 3
Monica: True. But you had that talk with him, remember? Ever since then, he's been much better. I've seen quite a turnaround.
Harvey: That's good. Maybe you're right, then. Even so, he needs training before he can supervise.
Monica: Of course he does.
Harvey: But training takes time, and we're already much too busy. We just can't afford to send him out for training. We need him here.
Monica: We don't have to send him out for training, do we? Why not let him learn on the job?
會話三
莫妮卡：沒錯。但記不記得你和他談過？從那次談話之後，他已經進步多了。我看到很大的轉變。
哈維：很好。那麼，也許妳是對的。不過就算如此，他在升任主管以前，需要接受訓練。
莫妮卡：當然。
哈維：不過訓練要花時間，而我們已經快忙不過來了。我們不能送他出去受訓。辦公室裡需要他。
莫妮卡：我們一定得送他出去受訓嗎？何不讓他邊做邊學？
⊙　Word Bank
　　turnaround (n)　　轉變
 
 On-the-Job Training　在職訓練(part 4 of 6)
Conversation 4
Harvey: Learn on the job? I suppose that would be all right.
Monica: Great!
Harvey: Just keep a couple of things in mind. You'll be the one to train him. That will take up even more of your time.
Monica: Well, to turn a phrase, "shortterm pain for long-term gain."
Harvey: And I'd like you to develop a training package as you go along. We can use it to train others in the future.
Monica: (sigh) OK.
Harvey: Finally, we'll need a new staff writer to take Mark's place. Mark can begin his supervising career by training his replacement.
會話四
哈維：邊做邊學？我想應該可以吧。
莫妮卡：太好了!
哈維：不過要記住幾件事。妳就是那個訓練他的人，這樣會花掉妳更多的時間。
莫妮卡：嗯，套句老話：「短暫的辛苦，帶來長久的利益。」
哈維：在妳進行訓練的時候，我希望妳能設計一套訓練課程。將來我們可以用它來訓練別人。
莫妮卡：（嘆氣）好吧。
哈維：最後，我們需要一位新進筆者來取代馬克的位子。馬克可以藉著訓練他的接班人，開始他的主管訓練。
⊙　Word Bank
　　turn a phrase (v phr)　套句話說
　　package (n)　　一套的東西
　　replacement (n)　　代替之人或物
 
On-the-Job Training　在職訓練(part 5 of 6)
Monica immediately went to Mark and told him of his promotion. He was delighted. Then she began to train him. At first, it was slow going. Monica had to spend hours explaining to Mark his new role. She had to answer his many questions and concerns. She had to observe him in action and check his work frequently. She also had to record all the things she was teaching him and compile them into a training package. Monica began to wonder if this shortterm pain would really bring long-term gain.
莫妮卡立刻去告訴馬克他升遷的消息。他高興極了。然後她開始訓練他。剛開始，進度十分緩慢。莫妮卡得花上好幾個小時的時間跟馬克解說他的新角色。她必須回答他提出的許多問題和顧慮。她必須觀察他的行動，並經常審視他的工作。她還得把她教他的東西記錄下來，編輯成訓練課程。莫妮卡開始懷疑，短暫的辛苦是否真能帶來長久的利益。
⊙　Word Bank
　　slow going (adj phr)　進度緩慢
　　compile (v)　　編輯
 
On-the-Job Training　在職訓練(part 6 of 6)
One month later, Monica dropped in on Harvey again.
Conversation 5
Monica: Harvey, I just want to bring you up to date on Mark.
Harvey: How's he doing?
Monica: Very well. He's a quick study. He's doing a great job of training his replacement. He's even beginning to pick up some of my workload.
Harvey: That's wonderful.
Monica: Yes. Now I have time to get some on-the-job training myself.
Harvey: Training? You? To do what?
Monica: Your job! (both laugh)
一個月以後，莫妮卡又來找哈維。
會話五
莫妮卡：哈維，我只是想跟您報告一下馬克的最新狀況。
哈維：他做得如何？
莫妮卡：很好。他學得很快。他在訓練他的接班人上面做得很好。他甚至已經開始分擔我的工作量了。
哈維：太好了。
莫妮卡：是啊，現在我可有時間給我自己一點在職訓練了。
哈維：訓練？妳？要做什麼呢？
莫妮卡：做你的工作啊！（兩人大笑）
⊙　Word Bank
　　bring/keep someone up to date (v phr)　讓某人得知最新狀況
　　quick study (n phr)　學的很快的人
　　workload (n)　　工作量 
 
It's better to reserve a train ticket than to get stuck in traffic.
與其塞車，不如訂一張火車票。
Don't fall asleep yet! There is still an hour to go until midnight!
別睡著了，還要一個小時才是午夜！
May you and your whole family be abundantly blessed this year!
願你和你全家今年祝福滿滿！
I turned in my two-week notice to my boss today.
我今天把兩週後離職的辭呈交給老闆了。
There are many jobs posted in the classified section of the paper.
報紙的分類版上登了許多工作機會。
The hour-long commute through heavy traffic to my old job was too difficult.
我原先的工作通勤要花一小時穿過重重車陣，對我而言，實在太難了。

Moving Up in the World　突破工作瓶頸(part 1 of 6)
Suzie Brown is executive assistant to Harvey Walker, president of Walker Publications. Her job brings her into frequent contact with Tom Wilson, Harvey's right-hand man.
Conversation 1
(at Suzie's desk)
Tom: Good morning, Suzie. Is Mr. Walker in yet?
Suzie: Hi, Tom. No, he isn't. He called to say he'd be late. I guess that means you're in charge until he gets here. Is there anything I can do for you, "Mr. Wilson"?
Tom: Well, I do have a problem, but I doubt you can be of much help.
蘇西．布朗是沃克出版公司總裁哈維．沃克的機要助理。因著工作的緣故，她經常和哈維的得力助手湯姆．維爾森接觸。
會話一
（在蘇西的辦公桌旁）
湯姆：早安，蘇西。沃克先生來了嗎？
蘇西：嗨，湯姆。還沒。他打過電話說會晚點到。我想，那也就是說，在他到之前，由您當家。我可以為您做什麼呢，維爾森大人？
湯姆：嗯，我現在的確有個狀況，不過恐怕妳是幫不了什麼忙。
⊙　Word Bank
　　right-hand man (n phr)　得力助手；左右手
 
 Moving Up in the World　突破工作瓶頸(part 2 of 6)
Conversation 2
Tom: Did I say something wrong? You don't look very happy.
Suzie: Well, I'm not very happy. What you just said makes me feel useless. And maybe I am. All I do is answer the phone, usher people into Mr. Walker's office, and smile really big. Anyone could do that.
Tom: Now, Suzie. Don't sell yourself short. Listen, you arrange Mr. Walker's schedule. You handle his correspondence. And you have a very nice smile. Nobody else I know can smile the way you do.
Suzie: (smiling) Thank you, Tom.
Tom: That's better.
會話二
湯姆：我說錯話了嗎？妳看起來不怎麼高興。
蘇西：嗯，我是不怎麼高興。你剛才說的話讓我覺得自己很沒用。或許我真的沒什麼用。我做的事就是接電話，把人帶進沃克先生的辦公室，然後露出個大笑臉。誰都能做這些事。
湯姆：嘿，蘇西。別小看妳自己。聽著，妳不但安排沃克先生的行程，還處理他往來的信件，而且妳臉上總是保持微笑。我認識的人，沒有一個擁有妳那種笑容。
蘇西：（微笑）謝謝你，湯姆。
湯姆：這就好多了。
⊙　Word Bank
　　usher (v)　　引導；招待
　　sell someone/something short (v phr)　低估某人／某事
　　correspondence (n)　　(官方、商業）信件
 
 Moving Up in the World　突破工作瓶頸(part 3 of 6)
Conversation 3
Suzie: (frowning) But my smile can't hide the fact that I'm in a dead-end job. Think about it. There's nowhere to go from here, no chance for me to get ahead. Sure, I help a very important person live his very important life. But I want a life, too.
Tom: What do you mean? You have a great job and a great life, Suzie.
Suzie: That's easy for you to say. But would you want to do what I'm doing?
Tom: Hmmm. Probably not. Although it would be interesting to read Mr. Walker's correspondence.
會話三
蘇西：（皺眉）可是，我的笑容並不能隱藏我的工作是個「死胡同」的事實。想想看，這個職位無處可升，我根本毫無長進的機會。沒錯，我是在幫一個很重要的人物過他那很重要的生活。但我也要有我自己的生活啊！
湯姆：妳在說些什麼？妳有一份很棒的工作和很棒的生活，蘇西。
蘇西：你說得很容易。但是你會想做我現在做的工作嗎？
湯姆：嗯，大概不會。不過讀沃克先生的信好像還蠻有趣的。
⊙　Word Bank
　　dead-end job (n phr)　沒晉升機會的工作
　　get ahead (v phr)　進步
 
 Moving Up in the World　突破工作瓶頸(part 4 of 6)
Conversation 4
Suzie: It's very uninteresting, believe me. I've seen more than enough of it. Anyhow, I'm tired of drudgery. I want to move up in the world, to spread my wings and fly, to take responsibility. I want to hear people say, "Suzie, we have a problem and we're counting on you to solve it."
Tom: Well, why don't you try seeing your own situation in just that way?
Suzie: Huh?
Tom: Look, your "dead end" feeling is a problem that needs to be solved, right? So spread your wings and fly, Suzie. Solve the problem.
會話四
蘇西：一點也不好玩，相信我。我已經讀夠了那些信。總之，我已經對這些瑣事感到厭倦了。我想要往上爬，張開翅膀飛翔，能負責些事情。我希望聽到別人說：「蘇西，我們現在有個狀況，我們全靠妳來解決了。」
湯姆：嗯，妳為何不從這個角度來看妳現在的情況呢？
蘇西：嗯？
湯姆：瞧，妳現在這個「死胡同」的感受不就是一個有待解決的問題，不是嗎？那麼就張開妳的翅膀飛吧！蘇西。把這個問題解決掉。
⊙　Word Bank
　　drudgery (n)　　沈悶、辛苦、無趣的工作
　　count on someone/something (v phr)　信賴；憑藉；靠（某人／事）
 
 Moving Up in the World　突破工作瓶頸(part 5 of 6)
Conversation 5
Suzie: You can't be serious, Tom. How am I going to do that?
Tom: You decide, Suzie. You may only be Harvey Walker's assistant here at work, but you're the CEO over your own life. So take the initiative. Make something happen for yourself.
Suzie: You make it sound so easy, Tom. Do you have any ideas that would help?
Tom: Sure. But I think I'll keep them to myself. That way, you'll get the most out of your problem-solving experience. See you around.
會話五
蘇西：你不是當真的吧，湯姆。我要怎麼做呢？
湯姆：蘇西，妳來決定。在這裡，妳或許只是哈維‧沃克的助理，不過妳可是妳自己生命的CEO（總裁）。所以採取主動，讓生活精采起來。
蘇西：湯姆，你把事情說得那麼簡單。你有任何幫得上忙的點子嗎？
湯姆：當然。不過我先不告訴妳。如此，妳才能從這個解決問題的經驗中得到最大的效益。下回見。
⊙　Word Bank
　　CEO [Chief Executive Officer] (n phr)　最高決策者
　　initiative (n)　　主動的行動
　　See you around. (exp)　回頭見
 
 Moving Up in the World　突破工作瓶頸(part 6 of 6)
Later in the week, Tom stopped by Suzie's desk again.
Conversation 6
Tom: How's it going, Ms. CEO?
Suzie: Great, Tom! I've enrolled in an evening course in business management. I also talked to Mr. Walker. He encouraged me to read his business books and periodicals in my free time. I'm on my way up!
Tom: Wonderful. I'm sure glad to see your smile again. In fact, it's wider than ever. Why?
Suzie: Because now I'm thinking about doing your job. (laughs)
同一個星期過了幾天後，湯姆再次來到蘇西的辦公桌。
會話六
湯姆：進行得怎麼樣，CEO小姐？
蘇西：很好，湯姆。我報名參加了一個夜間的商業管理課程。我也和沃克先生談過。他鼓勵我在空檔的時候，讀他的商業書籍和期刊。我已經開始往上爬了。
湯姆：太棒了。我真的很高興能夠再看到妳的笑容。事實上，妳笑得比以往都開心。為什麼？
蘇西：因為，我已經開始覬覦你的工作了。（大笑）
⊙　Word Bank
　　enroll (v)　　主動報名；參加
　　periodical (n)　　期刊；雜誌
 
Tomorrow we'll visit my husband's parents. Thursday, we'll see mine.
明天我們要去拜訪我的公公婆婆。星期四我們則會去我父母那兒。
Do we have enough red envelopes for all the children?
我們有足夠的紅包給所有的孩子們嗎？
It's been a year since we've gotten all the relatives together.
距離上次與所有的親戚聚在一起已經一年了。
Can everyone please gather by the sofa for a family picture?
大家可以聚在沙發旁照張全家福嗎？
My daughter is terrified of the dragon dancers, but my son loves them!
我的女兒被舞龍的人嚇著了，但我的兒子很喜歡他們。
We always eat mustard greens at this time of year to symbolize a long life.
每年此時我們總是吃芥菜，代表長命百歲。

The Quest for Quality　追求品質(part 1 of 6)

Harvey Walker has arranged a morning meeting with Monica Smith and Mark White.
Conversation 1
(in the conference room)
Harvey: Thanks for coming, you two. I'm glad you could make it.
Monica: Did we have any choice? (laughs)
Harvey: I guess not. Anyhow, I think you'll both be glad to hear what I have to say.
Monica: Uh-oh. Whenever Harvey says I'll be glad about something, I start to worry.
Mark: What's up, Harvey?
Harvey: Have either of you read this book? (holds up book) It's a bestseller called Managing for Quality.
哈維‧沃克安排了和莫妮卡‧史密斯及馬克‧懷特在早上開會。
會話一
（在會議室中）
哈維：謝謝兩位來參加。我很高興你們可以來。
莫妮卡：我們可以不來嗎？（笑）
哈維：我想不行。總之，我想你們會很高興聽到我要說的事。
莫妮卡：每次哈維說我會因某事高興時，我就開始擔心。
馬克：是什麼事呢，哈維？
哈維：你們看過這本書嗎？（把書舉起）這是一本暢銷書，叫做「品質管理」。
⊙　Word Bank
　　quest (n)　　搜尋；探求
　　make it (v phr)　能夠參加
　　bestseller (n)　　暢銷書
 The Quest for Quality　追求品質(part 2 of 6)

Conversation 2
Mark: I haven't.
Monica: Me, either. What's it about, Harvey?
Harvey: It's like the title says, Monica. It's about managing so that quality is always improving.
Mark: Oh, yeah. Then you end up with better products, right?
Harvey: Certainly we'll have better products. But according to this book, the quest for quality is about more than products. It's about making everything better—work processes, communication, customer service, you name it. And if we work for quality in everything we do, then of course our products will be better, too.
會話二
馬克：我沒有看過。
莫妮卡：我也沒有。這本書的內容是什麼，哈維？
哈維：如同這本書的書名，莫妮卡，這是關於如何管理，好讓品質可以不斷提昇的書。
馬克：然後就可以生產更好的產品，對不對？
哈維：當然，我們會有更好的產品，但是這本書也說，品質追求不侷限於產品本身。它是改善每一件事——工作程序、溝通、客戶服務，只要你想得到的都包括在內，而且如果我們在每件事上追求品質，當然我們的產品也會更好。
⊙　Word Bank
　　end up with something (v phr)　最後得到
　　you name it (idiom)　你想到的事都包括在內
The Quest for Quality　追求品質(part 3 of 6)

Conversation 3
Monica: So, what does all this have to do with us, Harvey?
Harvey: Well, I've made a resolution for the new year. I want to go all out for quality at Walker Publications.
Monica: But don't we already do a good job? That's what you're always telling us.
Harvey: Of course. I'm basically quite happy with the whole organization. But the fact is, we can do even better. As this book says, "If it ain't broke, fix it anyway." We are going to put quality first—in all we do. We're going to have a quality revolution!
會話三
莫妮卡：所以，這和我們有什麼關係呢，哈維？
哈維：我有個新年新希望。我想要沃克出版公司全力投入追求品質。
莫妮卡：可是我們不已經做得很好了嗎？您也是一直這樣告訴我們。
哈維：當然。基本上我對整個公司相當滿意。但事實上，我們可以做得更好。就像這本書說的：「如果一樣東西沒有壞，還是將它修好。」我們在每一件事上都要將品質放在第一位。我們要做品質改革！
⊙　Word Bank
　　go all out (v phr)　全力以赴 
The Quest for Quality　追求品質(part 4 of 6)

Conversation 4
Monica: Sounds great, Harvey. But Mark and I are just editors. Apart from what goes into the magazines, we don't have much say around here.
Harvey: Well, that's changed. I'm putting you both on the Walker Publications Quality Task Force.
Mark: Neat!
Monica: ( sighing ) Yeah, neat. As if we didn't have enough to do already.
Harvey: All I want you to do for now is read. Here. (hands them a copy of Managing for Quality)
Mark: Gee, thanks!
Monica: ( turning to the back of book) Four hundred and fifty pages!
會話四
莫妮卡：聽起來很不錯，哈維。可是馬克和我只是編輯。除了雜誌內容外，我們對整個公司並沒有太大的影響與決定權。
哈維：這個情形已經改變了。我要將你們兩位放在沃克出版公司的品質專案小組中。
馬克：帥！
莫妮卡：（嘆氣）是很帥。好像我們的工作還不夠多似的。
哈維：目前我只要求你們讀這本書。
（給他們每人一本「品質管理」）
馬克：哈！謝謝！
莫妮卡：（翻到最後一頁）四百五十頁！
⊙　Word Bank
　　have a say (v phr)　影響；決定  
 The Quest for Quality　追求品質(part 5 of 6)
Over the following two weeks, Monica and Mark read Managing for Quality. As they read, they gleaned many new ideas about quality management. By the time they met with Harvey again, they were as excited as he was.
接下來兩個星期，莫妮卡和馬克閱讀了「品質管理」這本書。在閱讀時，他們搜集了很多品質管理的新觀念。當他們再次和哈維開會時，他們和哈維一樣地興奮。
 The Quest for Quality　追求品質(part 6 of 6)
Conversation 5
(in the company dining room)
Harvey: Well, Monica, how do you feel about quality now? Still too much work?
Monica: Not really, Harvey. In fact, I'm sold on it. We've already started a quality team in our department.
Mark: Yeah! We're planning for quality. We'll measure the results and fine-tune our process.
Monica: Then we'll do it all again. We'll never stop reaching for quality.
Harvey: Wonderful! It sounds as if the quality revolution has begun!
會話五
（在公司餐廳）
哈維：莫妮卡，妳現在對品質的感想如何？仍然覺得太麻煩嗎？
莫妮卡：不會了，哈維。其實，我也被說服了。我們已經在我們的部門中成立了一個品質小組。
馬克：是呀！我們正在規劃品質。我們會評估結果並慢慢修正程序。
莫妮卡：然後我們會再重覆這個過程。我們將不會停止追求品質。
哈維：太好了！聽起來品質改革已經開始了！
⊙　Word Bank
　　be sold on something (v phr)　完全被說服
　　fine-tune (v)　細微修正
Watch your mouth! If you swear today, you will regret it all year long.
說話要小心！如果你今天咒罵，你將會後悔一整年。
You better buy things now before the shops close for the holidays.
你最好現在就買些東西，因為放假時商店會休息。
I want to buy the freshest fish available for my New Year's Eve dinner.
我要買條最新鮮的魚，作為年夜飯的一道菜。
 How much time off do you have this year? I've got three weeks!
你今年有幾天的休假？我有三星期！
We can arrange the candy in this dish for our guests to take.
我們可以把糖果擺在這盤子裡，好讓客人們取用。
I heard that Mary is going to spend her vacation in Bali this year.
我聽說瑪莉今年會去峇里島度假。

The Importance of People Skills　人際手腕的重要(Part 1 of 6)

Mark White is a writer at Walker Publications. He writes articles for several of the Walker magazines.
Conversation 1
(at Mark's workstation)
Monica: Here's your Beekeeper's Monthly article back. I just finished reading it. I'm afraid it needs work.
Mark: (looking at the article) I'll say. You put red ink all over it. Maybe I should just rip it up and start over again.
Monica: You don't need to do that, Mark. It's not a bad article. It just needs a little touching up.
Mark: Touching up, huh? Looks more like it needs major surgery!
Monica decides to talk to Harvey about Mark.
馬克懷特是華克出版社的撰稿員，他為華克出版的多本雜誌撰寫文章。
會話一
(在馬克的工作間裡)
蒙妮卡：你養蜂者月刊的文章在這兒，我剛讀完它。我想它需要一些修改。
馬克：(看著文章）我看得出來，妳改得到處都是紅字。或許我應該把它撕掉，重新寫一篇。
蒙妮卡：你不需要那麼做，馬克，這篇文章寫得並不差，它只需要稍微修飾一下就夠了。
馬克：修飾一下而已嗎？它看來需要動一個大手術！
蒙妮卡決定和哈維談談馬克的問題。
⊙　Word Bank
　　workstation (n)　　工作站
　　need work (v phr)　需要修改或改進
　　touch up (v phr)　潤飾；修飾
 
 The Importance of People Skills (Part 2 of 6)
人際手腕的重要
Conversation 2
(in Harvey's office)
Monica: Harvey, I'm a little worried about Mark.
Harvey: Mark? Why?
Monica: Well, he's always been a bit hard to deal with. But lately he seems more angry and unhappy than usual. I just talked to him about one of his articles. He was quite upset when I told him to make some changes.
Harvey: But articles almost always need revision. Mark should know that.
Monica: He does. The article is just a surface issue. The real problem goes deeper.
會話二
（在哈維的辦公室裡）
蒙妮卡：哈維，我有點擔心馬克。
哈維：馬克？為什麼呢？
蒙妮卡：嗯，他總是有點難以應付。但最近，他比往常還要容易發怒且不快樂。我剛和他討論了一下他的一篇文章，當我告訴他要做些修改時，他蠻生氣的。
哈維：但幾乎所有的文章都需要修改，馬克應該知道啊！
蒙妮卡：他是知道。改文章不過是表面問題，真正的問題深多了。
⊙　Word Bank
　　hard to deal with (adj phr)　難以應付
　　revision (n)　　修正；校正
 
 The Importance of People Skills (Part 3 of 6)
人際手腕的重要
Conversation 3
Harvey: What do you think Mark's problem is?
Monica: Well, I can only think of one thing. We passed him by for that assistant editor position, remember?
Harvey: Oh, yes. I remember. We felt he wasn't mature enough to handle it. And to judge by the way he's reacting, I guess we were right.
Monica: That's true. Unfortunately, he has no idea why we decided as we did. He simply feels rejected. And hurt.
Harvey: Should we talk to him?
會話三
哈維：那麼妳認為馬克的問題是什麼？
蒙妮卡：我只能想到一件事。我們沒有選他做助理編輯，記得嗎？
哈維：哦，對了，我記得。我們認為他還不夠成熟來出任這個職位。根據他的行為來判斷，我猜我們是對的。
蒙妮卡：的確！不幸地，他完全不了解我們為何如此決定，他只感到被拒絕，而且受到傷害。
哈維：我們該和他談談嗎？
⊙　Word Bank
　　pass someone by (v phr)　忽略某人
　　mature (adj)　　成熟的
　　reject (v)　　拒絕
 
 The Importance of People Skills (Part 4 of 6)

人際手腕的重要
Conversation 4
Monica: An explanation would help defuse his anger. It would also give him an opportunity to correct the weaknesses that are holding him back.
Harvey: You're right. Do you want to do it, or should I?
Monica: Well, he's quite irritated with me at the moment. I think it would be best if you talk to him first. Let him know that you care not only about the company, but also about his career.
Harvey: OK. I'll have a chat with him.
會話四
蒙妮卡：解釋一下可以緩和他的怒氣。這也給他一個機會去修正一些妨礙他進步的弱點。
哈維：妳是對的！妳去呢？還是我來談？
蒙妮卡：嗯，他現在蠻氣我的。我想最好由您先來和他談，讓他知道您不僅關心公司，您也在乎他個人的前途。
哈維：好吧，我來和他聊一聊。
⊙　Word Bank
　　defuse (v)　　折除（引線，制止爆炸）
　　irritate (v)　　激怒；使（人）急躁、生氣
 
 The Importance of People Skills (Part 5 of 6)

人際手腕的重要
Conversation 5
(at a place near the office)
Harvey: How's it been going, Mark?
Mark: Not very well, Mr. Walker. Monica's always griping about my work. I feel as if I can't do anything right.
Harvey: Well, she doesn't complain to me. Actually, we both think you're one of our best writers.
Mark: Really? Then why don't you give me more responsibility—like that assistant editor position?
Harvey: We'd like to, Mark. You have excellent verbal skills. But to supervise others well, you need good people skills, too.
會話五
（靠近辦公室處）
哈維：馬克，最近如何？
馬克：不太順利，華克先生。蒙妮卡總是對我的工作不滿，我覺得好像我沒有一件事做得好。
哈維：但是我沒有聽她抱怨啊！事實上我們兩人都一致認為你是我們最好的撰稿員之一。
馬克：真的嗎？那麼為什麼你們不多給我一些職責呢？例如那份助理編輯的工作？
哈維：我們很希望能給你那份工作，馬克。你的措辭技巧精湛，但你也需要好的人際手腕，來管理別人。
⊙　Word Bank
　　gripe (v)　　對（人）不滿；發怨言
　　supervise (v)　　監督；管理
 
 The Importance of People Skills (Part 6 of 6)

人際手腕的重要
Conversation 6
Harvey: You see, Mark, ability alone just isn't enough. You have to know how to handle others. You have to be pleasant and reasonable even when things don't go your way. An angry, critical spirit will hurt you and everyone you work with.
Mark: I guess you're right, Mr. Walker. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. I think I've learned something important today.
Harvey: I have, too, Mark. Honest, caring communication isn't easy, but it's the only way to maintain positive relationships and get the job done.
會話六
哈維：你知道的，馬克，單單工作能力是不夠的，你必須知道如何與人相處。就算事情不合你意的時候，也必須要和氣且講理。易怒、愛挑毛病的態度，不但會傷害你，也能傷害所有和你共事的人。
馬克：我想您是對的，華克先生。謝謝您花時間來和我談，我想我今天學了重要的一課。
哈維：我也是，馬克。誠實且表示關心的溝通並不容易，但這是唯一能維繫好關係，而工作也得以完成的方法。
⊙　Word Bank
　　reasonable (adj)　　知理的；通人情的
　　go one's way (v phr)　按照某人的意思、方式行
　　spirit (n)　　性情；脾氣
 
 
Don't complain, kids. You only have to wash windows once a year.
別抱怨了，孩子們。你們一年只需洗一次窗戶。
This darling red dress will be perfect for my niece to wear on New Year's.
這件漂亮的紅洋裝正適合我的姪女在過年時穿。
I'm going to buy some new outfits for myself with my holiday bonus.
我要用我的年終獎金為自己買些新的衣服。
Let's leave a day earlier this year. I want to beat the holiday traffic.
今年提早一天出發吧。我想避開假日交通阻塞。
The kids love putting up the festive red and gold New Year's decorations.
孩子們喜歡掛上充滿喜氣的大紅與金色的新年裝飾。
I like to have lots of beautiful flowers in bloom to signify new life.
我喜歡用許多美麗盛開的花來代表新生命。

Welcome Aboard!　歡迎加入(Part 1 of 5)
A big challenge for any company is finding good staff. Harvey Walker knows all about that. He needs a replacement for his right-hand man, Tom Wilson. Tom left Walker Publications and took a new job in another city. Tom enjoyed his job at Walker Publications and wasn't looking for a change. But one day a headhunter approached him with a very interesting proposition. A company in California needed a manager with Tom's qualifications. The position offered greater responsibility and higher pay. Tom applied and got the job.
雇用好的人才對任何公司而言都是一大挑戰。哈維‧沃克對此相當了解。他需要找一個人來取代他的得力助手湯姆‧威爾森。湯姆離開了沃克出版公司，到另外一個城市工作。湯姆喜歡在沃克出版公司工作，原本他並不想找新工作。但是有一天一位人力資源顧問提供他一個不錯的工作機會。一家位於加州的公司需要一位像湯姆這樣的經理人才。這個職位負責的事情較多而且薪水較高。湯姆去應徵並獲得了這個工作。
⊙　Word Bank
　　welcome aboard (phr)　歡迎加入
　　proposition (n)　　提議
 
Welcome Aboard!　歡迎加入(Part 2 of 5)

Conversation 1
(in Harvey's office, the telephone rings)
Harvey: Yes, Suzie?
Suzie: Mr. Walker, it's time for your appointment with the sales rep from BMI Auto. May I send him in?
Harvey: The BMI sales rep? What does he want?
Suzie: BMI is supplying the new company cars, remember? You were going to finalize the details today.
Harvey: Oh, yes. Listen, I'm very busy. Can't Tom take care of this?
Suzie: Uh, Mr. Walker, Tom's gone. Friday was his last day, remember?
Harvey: Oh, yes. Nuts! I sure wish he were still here.
Suzie: (sigh) Me, too.
會話一
（在哈維的辦公室，電話正在響）
哈維：有什麼事嗎，蘇西？
蘇西：沃克先生，您和BMI 汽車公司的業務員約定見面的時間已經到了。我可以請他進去嗎？
哈維：BMI 的業務員？他找我有什麼事呢？
蘇西：BMI 要賣新公務車給我們，記得嗎？您今天要把最後的細節敲定。
哈維：喔，對。可是我很忙。可以請湯姆處理這件事嗎？
蘇西：可是沃克先生，湯姆已經離職了。他工作到上星期五，您記得嗎？
哈維：對啊。真糟！我真希望他還在公司。
蘇西：（嘆氣）我也是。
⊙　Word Bank
　　rep (representative) (n)　　代表
　　finalize (v)　　完成；作最後決定 
 
 Welcome Aboard!　歡迎加入(Part 3 of 5)

Conversation 2
Harvey: (to himself) I need to replace Tom, fast. We're headed for trouble without a good manager. (dials phone)
Suzie: (picking up phone) Yes, Mr. Walker?
Harvey: Suzie, did you call that executive search agency?
Suzie: Yes, weeks ago, Mr. Walker. As soon as Tom announced his resignation.
Harvey: And did you place ads in the newspaper and in our magazines?
Suzie: Yes, Mr. Walker. And we're advertising with an on-line service, too.
Harvey: Do we have any good applications yet?
Suzie: Not really. (looking through mail) Oh, looks like one more just arrived. I'll bring it in.
會話二
哈維：（自言自語）我需要儘快找到人取代湯姆。缺少一個好的經理人才會讓我們陷入麻煩。（打電話）
蘇西：（拿起電話）沃克先生，有什麼事嗎？
哈維：蘇西，妳有沒有打電話給那家人力顧問公司？
蘇西：有，是幾個星期前，沃克先生。湯姆一宣布離職時就已經連絡了。
哈維：妳有沒有在報紙和我們的雜誌上登求才廣告？
蘇西：有，沃克先生。另外我們也在一個網站登廣告。
哈維：我們已經有合適的求職者嗎？
蘇西：還沒有。（閱讀信件）喔，看來有一份剛到，我現在就拿進去給您。
⊙　Word Bank
　　resignation (n)　　辭職
　　on-line (adj)　　透過網路的
 
 Welcome Aboard!　歡迎加入(Part 4 of 5)

Conversation 3
(Suzie brings the envelope)
Harvey: Thank you, Suzie.
(Susie leaves)
Harvey: (reading) Hmmm. Local guy... good education... good experience. Looks as if he has some publishing skills, too. Nice résumé! (dials phone) Suzie, please set up an interview with this applicant, Frank Carson. And let's check his references.
That Friday, Harvey Walker interviewed Frank Carson. Harvey asked Frank about his work experience, his strengths and weaknesses, and his goals. Frank had some questions, too, concerning the company and the job. He also asked about the terms of employment, such as pay and benefits.
會話三
（蘇西把信封拿進來）
哈維：謝謝妳，蘇西。
（蘇西離開）
哈維：（閱讀）嗯，本地人……好學歷……好經驗。看來好像也有從事出版工作的能力。這份履歷表很不錯。（撥電話）蘇西，請為這位求職者法蘭克‧卡爾森安排面試，另外我們也要確認他的推薦函。
那個星期五，哈維‧沃克面試了法蘭克‧卡爾森。哈維問了法蘭克的工作經驗，他的優、缺點和工作目標。法蘭克也有一些關於公司及職務上的問題，他又問了雇用條件，如薪資及福利的相關問題。
⊙　Word Bank
　　applicant (n)　　求職者，申請者
　　reference (n)　　介紹信；保證人
　　term (n)　　條件
 
Welcome Aboard!　歡迎加入(Part 5 of 5)

Conversation 4
Harvey: If we offered you the job, when could you start?
Frank: In one month at the earliest. I have to give a month's notice to my present employer.
Harvey: In that case, I'll get right to the point. I think you're a good fit for this company and this position. I'd like to offer you the job. What do you say?
Frank: Thank you very much, Mr. Walker. I accept. I think Walker Publications will be a great place to work.
Harvey: Wonderful! Welcome aboard, Frank! (the two men shake hands)
會話四
哈維：如果我們雇用你，你何時可以開始上班？
法蘭克：最快也要一個月之後。我必須在離職前一個月向目前的公司提出辭呈。
哈維：那樣的話，我就直接了當告訴你。我覺得你很適合我們公司和這個職務。我想要雇用你，你覺得如何？
法蘭克：非常謝謝您，沃克先生，我願意接受這份工作。我想在沃克出版社工作一定很不錯。
哈維：太好了！歡迎加入，法蘭克！
（這兩位男士握手）
⊙　Word Bank
　　give notice (v phr)　事先讓人知道；此指提出辭呈
　　get right to the point (v phr)　直接說出重點；開門見山的說
　　good fit (n phr)　合適
 
Don't worry about the bill; this is my treat.
不用擔心帳單；我請客。
Could you please pass me the napkins?
可以請你遞餐巾紙給我好嗎？
Waiter, can you bring us the check please?
先生，麻煩你買單好嗎？
 We'll do a really thorough house cleaning before the New Year.
我們家將在新年前做一次徹底的掃除。
Grandma is in the kitchen making New Year cake out of sticky rice.
祖母正在廚房用糯米做年糕。
 
 

How to Write a Winning Résumé　致勝的履歷表(Part 1 of 4)
Tired of your job and looking for a new one? Or maybe you recently graduated from college and are looking for your first employment. The key to getting the job you want is your résumé. Here's how to write a winning one:
1. Keep your résumé to only one page, two at most. Don't list everything you've ever done in your whole life. List only what is important and relates to the job you're applying for.
厭倦你現有的工作，想要換一份新工作嗎？或者你剛大學畢業正在找第一份工作。得到你想要之工作的關鍵在於你的履歷表。以下是如何寫一份致勝的履歷表：
1.讓履歷表的內容維持在一頁，最多兩頁。不要列出你生命中所有做過的事，只需列舉重要及和你申請的工作有關的項目。
⊙　Word Bank
　　winning (adj)　　致勝的
 
How to Write a Winning Résumé (Part 2 of 4)
致勝的履歷表
2. Your résumé should include:
A) Your name, address and phone number at the top of the page.
B) Your educational background, beginning with your most recent school. Include the school's name, location, the dates you attended and the degree or certificate you received. List high school only if you didn't go to college.
C) Your work experience. Again, begin with the most recent. Include the name and location of each employer, as well as your job title and dates of employment.
2.你的履歷表應該包括：
●你的名字、地址及電話。應該寫在表格上方。
●你的教育背景，從最高學歷的學校開始。包含學校名稱、地點、就讀日期，及獲得的文憑或證書。如果你沒有上大學才需要寫下高中資料。
●你的工作經驗。同樣地由最近期的工作開始。包括每一家雇主的名稱及地點，你的職稱及受雇日期。
⊙　Word Bank
　　background (n)　　背景
 
 How to Write a Winning Résumé (Part 3 of 4)
致勝的履歷表
3. Briefly describe your responsibilities at each job. Use short, active sentences. For example, "Supervised 12 sales clerks." Be specific. Don't just write, "Increased overseas sales." Instead, say, "Increased overseas sales by 20 percent." Also include any honors or awards you received.
4. Make your résumé easy to read. Put headings in bold. Also highlight in bold any special skills you have, or list them with bullets. Leave plenty of space between lines, too.
3.簡略地描述每一份工作的職責。使用簡短有力的語句。例如，「管理十二位銷售人員」。務必要明確，不要只寫「增加國外銷售量」，而是「增加國外銷售量百分之二十」。另外也寫下獲得的任何榮譽或獎項。
4.讓你的履歷表容易讀。標題使用粗字體，同樣地，你所有的特殊技能也用粗字體或圓點符號來加強標示。也要確定行距有足夠的空間。
⊙　Word Bank
　　specific (adj)　　明確的；具體的
　　bullet (n)　　圓點符號
 
How to Write a Winning Résumé (Part 4 of 4)
致勝的履歷表
5. Use a laser printer to print your résumé. If an employer can't read it easily, he won't read it at all. Print your résumé on good quality paper, too. Avoid brightly colored paper. The employer is more interested in your résumé's content than its color.
6. Proofread your résumé very carefully. Ask a friend to proofread it, too. No employer wants to hire someone who isn't careful to avoid mistakes. Happy job hunting!
5.使用雷射印表機列印你的履歷表。如果雇主不能很容易地讀它，他絕對不會多看一眼的。將你的履歷表印在好的紙張上。避免用亮麗的彩色紙，雇主比較在意的是履歷表的內容而不是顏色。
6.仔細小心地校對你的履歷表。也找一個朋友幫忙校閱，沒有雇主會想雇用大意犯錯的人。找工作愉快，順利！
⊙　Word Bank
　　content (n)　　內容 
 
If I drink coffee this late I'll never get to sleep tonight.
如果我這麼晚還喝咖啡，那我今晚絕對會睡不著。This restaurant was featured in the newspaper.
這家餐廳，報紙有特別介紹過。
 Let's go someplace special tonight to celebrate your birthday.
我們今晚找個特別的地方為你慶生吧。
 Call ahead of time to see if the restaurant is very busy.
先打個電話去看看那家餐廳人是不是很多。
 

Life and Language (West)(Part 1 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
Mention America's West to Sarah Ann McIntosh, and her face lights up like a jack-o-lantern. She becomes animated when talking about one of the largest, most diverse regions in the United States. "Wide open spaces. Cowboys. Movies. Music. Computer chips. Tacos. Espresso stands," she says in rapid succession. "Beautiful people. Surfers. Mountain men. Buffaloes. Las Vegas strip. Blizzards. Icebergs."
向莎拉‧安‧麥金塔談到美國西部，她的臉就會像南瓜燈般亮起來。一談到這個美國其中一個最大、最多樣化的地區，她就顯得興緻勃勃。「寬闊的空間、牛仔、電影、音樂、電腦晶片、炸玉米餅、espresso咖啡攤，」她一個接著一個地說：「還有美麗的居民、衝浪者、山居人、水牛、拉斯維加斯的脫衣舞表演、暴風雪、冰山。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　jack-o-lantern (n)　南瓜燈
 Life and Language (West)(Part 2 of 12)

美國人的生活及語言—西部
As Ms. McIntosh shows, the West covers a vast expanse—not only the Pacific and Rocky Mountain states, but Alaska as well. It is a territory that has held a mythical appeal for centuries and comprises what many consider America's last frontier. For many, the American West is an idea, a promise, a seed of hope. Henry David Thoreau once wrote: "Eastward I go only by force; westward I go free."
如同麥小姐所說的，西部涵蓋了一片廣大的地區，不只是瀕太平洋和洛磯山山區的各州，也包括阿拉斯加。幾世紀以來，這個地區一直散發著神祕的吸引力，許多人認為西部是美國最後的邊境。對許多人來說，美國西部是一個信念、一個應許、一粒希望的種子。亨利‧梭羅曾寫過：「東行僅因被迫，西進卻為自由。」
 Life and Language (West)(Part 3 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
In the 1800s, Horace Greeley exhorted his countrymen to "Go west," and millions took up his call. The stoic individuals who ventured to the frontier were reverently referred to as pioneers, individuals who embodied the true character of the nation.
十九世紀時，格利禮力勸他的同胞們「西進」，數以百萬的人回應了這個呼召。那些前往邊境冒險堅忍的民眾被景仰為先驅，他們具體表現了這個國家的真實性格。
⊙　Word Bank
　　exhort (v)　　勸告；勸誡
Life and Language (West)(Part 4 of 12)

美國人的生活及語言—西部
Perhaps more than any other region of the United States, the West retains this legacy and still appeals to pioneering souls who want to gamble with their future—whether they visit Las Vegas or not. The city in fact was built on the roll of the dice—and the promise of better things to come in the future.
和美國其他地區相比，或許西部更加保留了此一遺產，仍然吸引著那些想要同未來下賭注的拓荒者——不管他們是不是去拉斯維加斯。事實上這個城市是在擲骰子的隨機致富中建立起來的，也建立在「明天會更好」的承諾之中。
⊙　Word Bank
　　legacy (n)　　傳承自祖先之物
　　roll of the dice (n phr)　擲骰子，意指隨機 
 Life and Language (West)(Part 5 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
The West today continues to be a magnet for immigrants and travelers alike. The pioneer days are gone, of course, but when it comes to language, the past is still very much evident in the present. The region became a hodgepodge of languages and dialects, some from the East, some from the South and some from other countries entirely.
對於移民者和旅行家而言，今天的西部仍像一塊大磁鐵吸引著他們。當然，拓荒的日子已經過了，但談論到語言時，便能非常清楚地看見昔日對今日的影響。這個地區成為語言和方言的大雜燴，有些來自東部，有些來自南部，而有些完全是來自別的國家。
⊙　Word Bank
　　hodgepodge (n)　　大雜燴
 Life and Language (West)(Part 6 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
Spanish words and phrases crept into the language of the West, eventually entering the American language mainstream. Terms such as canyon, plaza, sombrero, patio, burro, stampede, rodeo, bonanza and pronto all trace their origins to the Spaniards who owned the Southwest before the Americans did.
西班牙的字彙和片語悄悄進入西部的語言，最後進入了美國語言的主流。一些像是峽谷、購物中心、墨西哥寬邊草帽、中庭（內院）、馱貨的小毛驢、狂衝的牛群、公開的牛仔競技、走鴻運和立刻等字眼，都可以追本溯源到那些在美國人之前就擁有西南部的西班牙人。
 Life and Language (West)(Part 7 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
The days of the "Wild, Wild West" also contributed to language in the western regions. Words and phrases like bogus, rip-roaring, joint (as in a place to gather with friends), gunplay, hold up and caught between a rock and a hard place came into the English language when life in the West was wild and peopled with outlaws, sheriffs and cowboys.
「西部拓荒」的日子也有助於西部地區的語言發展。在西部生活仍然狂野，並居住著一些亡命之徒、警長和牛仔時，一些像是贗品、吵鬧喧嘩的、廉價酒館（一個朋友相聚的地方）、槍戰、持槍搶劫以及進退維谷等字，也被收容於英語之中。
⊙　Word Bank
　　people (v)　　居住於
 Life and Language (West)(Part 8 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
Hollywood greatly contributed to the cowboy culture and the cowboy legend as well. The producers and directors who churned out the Western flicks would have everyone believe that the West was filled mostly with cowboys, when in fact farmers outnumbered them almost 1,000 to one. Terms such as bounty hunter, gunslinger and to have an itchy trigger finger came from the pens of Hollywood scriptwriters rather than the dusty cattle drives.
對於牛仔文化和牛仔傳奇來說，好萊塢的貢獻也很大。拍攝西部電影的製作人和導演會使大家相信西部最多的就是牛仔，然而事實上農夫與牛仔數目的比例大約是1,000比1。一些字彙像是追捕懸賞之罪犯者、槍戰者，以及愛扣板機，都是出自好來塢劇本家的筆下，而非來自灰塵瀰漫的驅趕牛群隊伍之中。
 Life and Language (West)(Part 9 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
Outside Hollywood, California itself is an incubator of American slang, producing phrases such as bodacious, awesome and many more. The state's Silicon Valley also contributed to English's high tech lingo: software, hardware and megabyte. And as the computer age has just begun, more are surely on the way.
出了好萊塢，加州本身就造就了美國俚語的普遍，創造了膽大包天的（很棒的）、引人敬畏的以及許多其他的詞彙。這一州的矽谷也增加了英語的高科技字彙：軟體、硬體及百萬位元。而因電腦時代剛剛開始，肯定還有很多高科技字彙會出現。
⊙　Word Bank
　　incubator (n)　　培養器
 Life and Language (West)(Part 10 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
No discussion of the West would be complete without mention of food. Words for foods of immigrant cultures can now be found in many grocery stores. Typical American housewives can buy pesto, tomatillos, focaccia, bok choy and tofu. As un-American as these may sound, foods such as these appear more and more often in dishes on menus in restaurants, particularly in California and the Pacific Northwest.
如果不提到食物，就無法完整的討論西部。現在在許多食品雜貨店，可以發現移民文化帶來的飲食字眼。典型的美國家庭主婦可以買到pesto醬（義大利麵調味醬之一），墨西哥櫻桃，義大利圓麵包，白菜和豆腐。即使這些食物聽起來一點也不美國化，但它們卻愈來愈常出現在餐廳的菜單上，特別是在加州和西北太平洋區。
 Life and Language (West)(Part 11 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
Chefs blur cultural lines by adding new ingredients to old stand-bys. Mexican cuisine, including tacos, enchiladas and burritos are now being blended with Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and other influences to create new delicacies for Western gourmands.
餐廳主廚們在舊的佐料中加入了新的成分，藉此模糊了文化的界限。墨西哥烹調，包括炸玉米餅、辣醬玉米餅和潤餅，現在和泰國、中國、越南及其他的文化影響混合，為西方的饕餮們創造出新的佳餚。
⊙　Word Bank
　　delicacy (n)　　佳餚
　　gourmand (n)　　美食者
Life and Language (West)(Part 12 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—西部
As in every area of the United States, language and culture of the West ebb and flow as society changes. Whether it's new groups of people adding their individual characteristics to the linguistic melting pot or Hollywood, popular novelists, and technological advances changing the lexicon, English continues to change. And as language changes, America changes with it.
如同美國的每個地區，西部的語言和文化隨著社會的改變而盛衰更迭。不論是新的群體在這個語言鎔爐中加入個別差異，或者是因為好萊塢電影、流行小說作者及科技進步改變了詞彙，英語持續改變。隨著語言改變，美國文化也改變了。
⊙　Word Bank
　　ebb and flow (n phr)　如潮汐變化，時漲時落
　　lexicon (n)　　詞彙 
We can either take the bus or the MRT.
我們可以搭公車，或是捷運。
Can I have a non-smoking table by the window please?
可以給我坐在非吸煙區靠窗的座位嗎？ 
 I'm going to the restroom to wash my hands.
我要去洗手間洗個手。
What are your specials today?
你們今日特餐是什麼呢？
I have a reservation for four people.
我有四個人的訂位。 
Can you prepare this dish without MSG?
可以請你這道菜不要加味精嗎？
 We would like two orders of stir-fried vegetables.
我們要兩份炒青菜。
 You don't need to rush through your meal. We have lots of time.
你不用急著吃完。我們時間很多。
 I'm so full; can you finish this for me?
我好飽；你可以幫我把這吃完嗎？
Can I please have another set of chopsticks?
我可不可以再要一雙筷子呢？ 
 If I send Cindy a dozen roses, do you think she'll get the message that I'm in love with her?
假如我送Cindy一打玫瑰花，你想她會了解我愛上了她嗎？
 I really like that dish. Let's order another one.
我好喜歡那道菜。我們再多點一份吧。
 
 

Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 1 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
When American humorist Mark Twain was once asked where he was born, the author of Tom Sawyer proudly stated the Midwest—Missouri to be exact— because it was an unknown area "and needed attractions." The region certainly got one in Samuel Clemens. Thousands travel to Hannibal, Missouri, each year to visit the great man's birthplace and boyhood home. But not all Midwesterners agree that the Midwest needed Mark Twain as an attraction to lure folks onto its Great Plains.
當美國幽默作家馬克‧吐溫有一次被問到他的出生地時，這位「湯姆歷險記」的作者很驕傲地說：「中西部，嚴格來說應該是密蘇里州，因為那是一個沒沒無名的地方，所以需要有吸引人之處。」而該地區當然因為他——撒木爾‧克萊門斯（馬克吐溫的本名）——就有了一處吸引人的地方。每年有數以千計的遊客到密蘇里州的漢尼拔去探訪這位偉人的出生地及童年時代的家。但並不是所有中西部的人都同意當地需要以馬克‧吐溫為誘餌，來吸引人們到這片大草原來。
⊙　Word Bank
　　Great Plains (n phr pl)　大草原（北美落磯山脈以東美國與加拿大境內之大草原）
 Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 2 of 10)

美國人的生活及語言—中部
During the 19th century, plenty of people poured into America's heartland to carve out farms on the windswept prairies and later, to join the Industrial Revolution in the region's up-and-coming cities. Farms producing many varieties of grain cover America's center states, making it the breadbasket of the nation. Iowa is 90 percent farmland and famous for mile after mile of rustling cornfields. Kansas wheat farms and Nebraska cattle also feed the nation and the world.
在十九世紀時，許多人蜂擁地來到美國心臟地區，在這微風吹拂的草原上開墾農地。隨後，並在這個地區中積極進取的城市裡參與工業革命。生產各種穀物的農場遍佈美國中部各州，使它成為美國的穀倉。愛荷華州百分之九十的土地是農田，並以綿延數哩沙沙作響的玉米田聞名。堪薩斯州的小麥田及內布拉斯加州的牛群也供應美國及全世界的食物所需。
 Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 3 of 10)

美國人的生活及語言—中部
The Midwest's hardy farmers characterize the region. They dedicate themselves to the Protestant ethic of hard work and believe strongly in self-reliance and self-determination. The Midwest is celebrated for its small-town, farm-based conservatism and is home to historic American populism. Midwesterners are straightforward and unpretentious, with a reputation as resolute individualists who can be somewhat hardheaded. Missouri's nickname is the "Show-me State," because people there tend to be a skeptical sort who live by the otto "seeing is believing."
中西部刻苦耐勞的農人就是這個區域的寫照。他們自律於新教徒辛勤工作的倫理規範，並深植於自信及自決的原則。中西部以小鎮和以農為本的保守主義為名，也是美國歷史上的人民黨主義之發源地。中西部的人直截了當而不矯飾，他們一向被認為是堅決的個人主義者，但可能有點固執。密蘇里州的別號是「眼見為信之州」，因為那裡的人傾向多疑，且秉持「眼見為信」的座右銘。
⊙　Word Bank
　　unpretentious (adj)　　不露鋒芒的；不矯飾的；謙虛的
　　resolute (adj)　　毅然的；堅決的
 Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 4 of 10)

美國人的生活及語言—中部
Like citizens of other regions of America, Midwesterners don't have one particular dialect in common, thanks to the thousands of Northerners and Southerners who came to settle in the region. They carried with them their linguistic characteristics, which show up in pockets around the Midwest. Some areas, such as sections of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois insert an "r" in words like wash and gosh. So a resident might get up in the morning and say, "Gorsh, I must do my warsh today if I want clean clothes."
就像美國其他地區的居民一樣，由於有數以千計到此定居的北方人及南方人，中西部的人沒有一個特別的共同方言。他們帶來的語言特性在中西部各地不同的小團體中突顯出來。在某些區域，像是俄亥俄州、印第安那州及伊利諾州，居民會在像wash及gosh等字加入「r」。所以人們早上起來會說：「哎呀（Gorsh），假如我想要有乾淨的衣服穿，我今天必須洗衣服（warsh）。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　pocket (n)　　孤立或受保護的小團體
Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 5 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
In addition to the Northerners and Southerners who relocated further west, thousands of German, Dutch, Irish, Polish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and Finnish immigrants added their particular accents to the Midwest melting pot. Some of their vocabulary found its way into the language, too. Americans can thank the Germans for words such as kindergarten, delicatessen, ouch, sauerkraut and dumb. The Dutch also brought their own words: pit (as in a fruit stone), boss, snoop, coleslaw, cookie and waffle. Scandinavians contributed the sauna and the smorgasbord.
除了往更西部遷徙的北方人及南方人之外，數以千計的德國人、荷蘭人、愛爾蘭人、波蘭人、挪威人、丹麥人、瑞典人及芬蘭人都把它們獨特的口音加入了中西部這個大鎔爐中。而他們用的某些字彙也融入英語中。美國人應該要謝謝德國人帶來了像是kindergarten（幼稚園）、delicatessen（特製熟食店）、ouch（哎喲）、sauerkraut（泡甘藍菜）及dumb（啞或笨）這些字眼。荷蘭人也將他們自己的字彙帶了進來；pit（果核）、boss（老闆）、snoop（窺伺）、coleslaw（涼拌生菜絲）、cookie（餅乾）以及waffle（鬆餅）。斯堪地那維亞人提供了sauna（蒸汽浴）及smorgasbord（百匯自助餐）。
⊙　Word Bank
　　relocate (v)　　遷徙至另一地方
　　melting pot (n phr)　鎔爐 
 Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 6 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
Throughout the Midwest, German, Norwegian and Dutch Americans remember their heritage with cultural festivals. There's the Dutch Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa; German Oktoberfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and many Swedish and Norwegian festivals in Minnesota, where one in four of the residents is of Scandinavian descent.
在整個中西部，德裔、挪威裔及荷蘭裔的美國人經由文化慶典延續他們的傳統。在愛荷華州的佩拉市有荷蘭鬱金香節；威斯康辛州的密爾瓦基市有德國的十月節；在明尼蘇答州有很多的挪威及瑞典節慶，那兒四分之一的居民有斯堪地那維亞血統。
Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 7 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
Ask any American to name a city in the Midwest, and most will reply, "Chicago." Famous for Michigan Avenue, Frank Lloyd Wright and the Sears tower, the Windy City has made quite a name for itself outside the Midwest. But the Midwest has other "big name" cities, too. Detroit builds autos for the country and the world. Kansas City, Missouri, is home to the headquarters of Hallmark Cards.
隨便請一個美國人說出一個中西部的城市名，大多數的人都會回答「芝加哥」。以密西根大道、建築設計師法蘭克‧萊特及席爾斯塔著名，這個風城確實為自己在中西部以外之地打響了名號。但是中西部也有其他赫赫有名的都市。底特律生產的汽車行銷全美國及全世界。密蘇里州的堪薩斯市是Hallmark（賀軒）卡片總公司所在地。 
Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 8 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
In addition to cities and farms, the Midwest is known for its "comfort food"—cuisine that is neither nouvelle nor exotic, just good, solid sustenance : meat loaf and mashed potatoes, for instance. In spite of their good, hearty cooking, the Midwest gave rise to a staple of today's fast food fad : hamburgers. Before McDonald's dominated the fast-food world, the Midwest had White Castle. Its hamburgers were a nickel apiece and not very big, but they were so good nobody could eat just one.
除了城市及農場之外，中西部還以它「美味營養」的食物而聞名——其烹調既不新奇也不奇特，但卻好吃又營養豐富。例如碎肉烤餅及馬鈴薯泥。儘管它有好吃又豐盛的烹調，中西部也帶起了一個重要的今日速食流行風潮——漢堡。在麥當勞支配速食世界之前，「白城堡」速食店就崛起於中西部。它的漢堡不大，一個才五分錢，但是它太好吃了，沒有人忍得住只吃一個。
⊙　Word Bank
　　sustenance (n)　　食物；營養物
　　staple (n)　　主要的部份
　　fad (n)　　一時的流行；一時的熱中 
 Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 9 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
The same could be said of the Midwest's Eskimo Pie. Originally called an "I-Scream-Bar," it was invented by an Iowa high school teacher and part-time ice cream salesman. The public went wild with the dessert combination; within three months of its introduction it was selling a million bars a day.
同樣著名的大概就中西部的愛斯基摩派。它一開始叫做「I-Scream-Bar」，它是由愛荷華州的一位兼賣冰淇淋的高中老師所發明的。大眾為此甜點而瘋狂；在該產品上市的三個月之內，它一天已可以賣出一百萬支。
Life and Language (Midwest)(Part 10 of 10)
美國人的生活及語言—中部
That was pretty dramatic action for the Midwest, where citizens want concrete proof that a change is for the better. They will change, mind you, but only when fully convinced that advancement is an improvement. They feel the past—including their language and traditions—is definitely worth preserving— particularly when it is as colorful as theirs.
這對中西部來說是項戲劇性的舉動，因為那兒的居民對於某項改變能有更好的結果通常需要具體的證明。我告訴你們，他們會改變，只要他們相信推進代表進步。他們覺得過去（包括他們的語言及傳統），特別是像他們的過去一樣多采多姿是絕對值得保存的。 
My favorite store already has its fall/winter collection on display.
我最喜歡的店已經擺出他們秋／冬系列的服飾了
 I want to stop at the fruit market on the way home.
我想在回家路上去那家水果賣場一下。
 Apples are in season now.
蘋果是目前的當季水果。
 It's hard to find good pineapples at this time of year.
這個時節很難找到好吃的鳳梨。
 Let's leave by 4:30. I want to get home before dark.
我們四點半離開吧。我想在天黑之前回到家。
 This weekend will be a good time for a hike in the mountains.
這個週末是個登山健行的好時機。
Don't run on the trail! You could slip and fall.
不要在這小路上奔跑！你會滑倒的。 
 If you break in your new boots, they won't hurt your feet anymore.
當你的新靴子穿鬆軟之後，你的腳就不會痛了。
Are you in the mood for Chinese or Western food tonight?
你今天晚上想吃中餐還是西餐？
 I know a good dumpling restaurant that is very reasonable.
我知道一家不錯的餃子館，價錢非常公道。

 
Life and Language (South) (Part 1 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
Visiting the southern United States drives Frank Castillo crazy. The New Yorker becomes exasperated when Southern drivers stop and let a half dozen or more cars enter their lane. "I could see letting one car in, maybe, but six?" laments Castillo. "People in the South are too polite—even when they talk. It's always 'Yes, sir,' or 'No, ma'am.' The South is a whole different world."
拜訪美國的南部使法蘭克‧卡斯提歐抓狂。當這位紐約客看著南部司機們停車，並連續讓六部以上的車子切入他們的車道時，就非常惱火。卡斯提歐大聲抱怨：「我或許可以理解讓一輛車子切入；但是六輛？南方的人太過於禮讓了；連說話也是如此。總是聽到：『是的，先生』或『不是的，女士』。南方真是一個完全不一樣的世界。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　exasperated (adj)　　激怒的；惱火的
 Life and Language (South) (Part 2 of 12)

美國人的生活及語言—南部
It certainly is. When people in the United States speak about the north or the west, they typically mean a direction. But when people converse about the South, they're talking about a state of mind. A land of good manners, mint juleps, country music, grits, and biscuits and gravy, it is a place where things slow down—way down. And to many, the South stands out as one of the most charming places in the country.
的確如此，當美國人談到「北」或「西」時，他們通常指的是方向；但當他們談及「南方」時，他們所指的是另一種觀念；一個禮儀之邦、薄荷酒、鄉村音樂、玉蜀黍粉、餅乾與肉汁。這是一個腳步放慢，非常慢的地方。但是對許多人而言，美國南方卻是全美最迷人的地方。
⊙　Word Bank
　　mint julep (n phr)　薄荷酒
 Life and Language (South) (Part 3 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
Humorist Mark Twain once said that a Southerner "talks music," referring to the speech patterns of those south of the Mason-Dixon line. They converse s-l-o-w-l-y, actually waiting until the other person has finished speaking before responding. "Southerners tend to allow a slightly longer pause between the turns in a conversation, when one person stops talking and another starts," adds Bill Kretzschmar, director of the linguistics program at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. "In the North there is a shorter pause, so conversations tend to go back and forth perceptibly faster."
幽默大師馬克‧吐溫曾說南方人「出口成樂」，所指的就是在美國昔日南北分界線——Mason-Dixon Line 以南之人們的談話模式。他們說話時慢條斯理，直等對方談話告一段落後，才開始答腔。美國喬治亞州雅典市的喬治亞大學語言學系系主任——比爾‧克茲馬爾補充說：「南方人交談時，習慣在對方說完話後，停頓較長時間，才開始說話。在北方，此一停頓時間較短，因此交談時，對應的往來就明顯地較快。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　Mason-Dixon line (n phr)　美國昔日之南北分界線，於Pennsylvania與Maryland 之間
　　perceptibly (adv)　　明顯地；顯而易見地
 Life and Language (South) (Part 4 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
By far the most talked-about speech characteristic of Southerners is their drawl. But there isn't a universal one. A Virginia accent differs distinctly from the slow drawl of South Carolina. Those from Alabama and Louisiana both draw out their vowels, but they sound completely different. Even the pronunciation of a place name can differ depending on where you are. Beaufort, North Carolina, is pronounced "Bo-fort" while several hundred miles away, Beaufort, South Carolina, is referred to as "Bew-fort."
人們最常提到南方人的說話特點還是他們拉長母音，慢慢說話的態度。但是拉長的語調還不統一。維吉尼亞州的口音就明顯地與南卡羅來那州的緩慢、拖尾音之腔調不同。來自阿拉巴馬州和路易西安那州的居民雖然都拉長母音，但聽起來卻完全不一樣。甚至地名的念法，也會因地區不同而有所差異。同樣是Beaufort這個地名，在北卡念為Bofort；而數百哩外的南卡則念成Bewfort。
Life and Language (South) (Part 5 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
What is universal in the South is the occurrence of words such as y'all, a version of you all. "It is simply a way of talking," explains Kretzschmar. "It's y'all in the South vs. youse in some Northern cities. Then you have you'uns in North Carolina Appalachia vs. you guys informally as the third-person-plural pronoun in other parts of the country."
南方統一使用的單字有y'all，也即you all（各位）的另一種說法。克茲馬爾解釋說：「這只是一種說話方式。南方人說y'all，正如一些北方城市的人說youse。同時在北卡的阿帕拉契山區人們會說you'uns，正如其他地區的人使用you guys 這非正式稱呼，來代表第三人稱複數的代名詞。」  
Life and Language (South) (Part 6 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
Those polite turns of phrase that Frank Castillo noticed are also universal. Southerners are unfailingly polite, having learned to say "ma'am" and "sir" when they were toddlers. Not only that, but the Southern vernacular is replete with courtesies like "if you please" and "thank you kindly" or just "preciate it." They strongly believe that "you don't have to like anyone if you don't want to, but you do have to be polite."
法蘭克‧卡斯提歐所注意到的那些禮貌用語極為普遍。南方人的禮貌周到是不容置疑的；他們從小就學會稱呼「女士」和「先生」。不僅如此，南方的方言也是充滿了謙恭的語詞，例如：if you please（請，如何）、thank you kindly（至誠感激）或是簡單的preciate it（感激）等。南方人堅信：「你不必強迫自己去喜歡某一個人；但是，你必須要有禮貌。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　vernacular (n)　　地方話；日常語
 Life and Language (South) (Part 7 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
Chivalry hasn't succumbed to women's liberation the way it has in other parts of the country. Men still treat ladies with care and respect, giving up their seats on subways and buses and opening doors for them. Maybe as a result, ladies—who are never referred to as "women" by real Southern gentlemen—still retain the famed "Southern belle" image. You'll rarely see members of the female population out in public dressed in sloppy clothes, and sales of make-up in the South are the highest in the country.
在南方，禮貼女士的騎士精神，並未如美國其他地區一般，屈服於婦女解放運動。女士依然受到男士的愛護與尊敬；他們會在地鐵和公共汽車上讓座，並替女士們開門。可能因為如此，那些從不被真正的南方紳士稱為「婦女」的女士們，始終能保持負有盛名的「南方淑女」的形象。你很難在公共場所看到女性穿著草率；同時，南部化妝品的銷售量也是全國最高。
⊙　Word Bank
　　chivalry (n)　　騎士精神（體貼婦女，扶助弱者）；俠氣
　　succumb (v)　　屈服；（因...）死亡
 Life and Language (South) (Part 8 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
To hear Southerners tell it, Southern ladies have a corner on the market for beauty. For evidence, they point to their outstanding track record at national beauty contests. Indeed, Ann Barrett Batson, who has written a book on Southern culture, comments that "life down South is one continuous beauty pageant."
南方人自己承認，南方女士們在美女市場上獨占鰲頭，他們可列出南方女士們在全美的選美比賽中的輝煌記錄為證。的確，曾出書敘述南方文化的作家安‧巴特森說：「南方的生活就是——持續的選美盛會。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　beauty pageant (n phr)　選美會
Life and Language (South) (Part 9 of 12)

美國人的生活及語言—南部
Although Southern belles and Southern gentlemen still populate the South as they did in the 1800s, the South of today is far from the picture painted in the epic movie Gone With the Wind. The huge plantations where black slaves picked cotton by hand disappeared after the Civil War.
雖然美國南方仍和一八○○年代一樣，隨處可見淑女與紳士們，但今日的南方已經不復「亂世佳人」這部宏偉電影中所描繪的景色了。美國南北戰爭後，大片的棉花田以及徒手收採棉花的黑奴已經消失。 
 Life and Language (South) (Part 10 of 12)

美國人的生活及語言—南部
The "War between the States" deeply affected the South, leaving behind proud memories— and uneasy race relations. What has remained constant throughout the years, however, is an unencumbered way of life: the importance of family, getting together with friends and extending that all-important Southern hospitality to neighbors and strangers alike.
此一「州際戰爭」帶給南方深遠的影響，留下了一些驕傲與回憶，以及彆扭的種族關係。但歷年來，南方生活方式依然不為所動；家庭的重要性、親朋好友間的聚會，以及對鄰居與陌生人同等對待的南方好客之道。
⊙　Word Bank
　　unencumbered (adj)　　不受到妨礙的；不為所動的
Life and Language (South) (Part 11 of 12)
美國人的生活及語言—南部
This famous hospitality may spring from the strong Christian faith of most Southerners. The Bible calls upon Christians to love their neighbors and to reach out to strangers. Southern businesses often close on Sundays—particularly in rural areas—and folks may attend church several times a week. The church serves as a focal point of social activities, too. The strong ties to religion have earned the region the moniker of "the Bible Belt."
這種眾所皆知的好客傳統，可能源自大部份南方人強烈的基督教信仰。聖經囑咐基督徒要愛護他們的鄰居，以及對陌生人伸出援手。南方的商店，尤其在鄉下地方，通常星期日都不營業，而民眾可以一個禮拜上好幾次教堂。教堂同時也是民眾社交活動的中心。這種和宗教的緊密集合，使南方獲得「聖經地帶」的綽號。
⊙　Word Bank
　　moniker (n)　　綽號
 Life and Language (South) (Part 12 of 12)

美國人的生活及語言—南部
Jokes abound that poke fun at Southerners and their ways, but Southerners say those who make jokes about their land are just jealous. A popular bumper sticker says it all: "American by birth, Southern by the grace of God."
美國有許多笑話都在嘲笑南方人以及他們的生活方式；但是，南方人卻認為，那些嘲笑他們家鄉的人，都只不過心生嫉妒罷了。一個廣為流行的汽車保險槓貼紙說明了一切：「生為美國人：蒙上帝恩賜，成為南方人。」
⊙　Word Bank
　　poke fun at someone (v phr)　嘲弄或嘲笑某人
 Let's open a window and let in some fresh air.
我們打開窗子，讓一些新鮮空氣進來吧。
 The sky is so clear today. I can see the mountains.
今天天空真是晴朗。我可以看到山。
 After all that fresh air, we should sleep well tonight!
呼吸了那些新鮮空氣以後，我們今晚應該可以睡得很好。
 Put your plants in a sunny window so they don't die.
把你種的盆栽放在有陽光照射的窗戶旁，以免它們死掉。
 Fall is my favorite time of the year.
秋天是我一年中最喜愛的季節。
 You'd better zip up your jacket so you don't catch a cold.
你最好把你夾克的拉鍊拉上，免得著涼了。
 I need to shop for some warm slacks.
我得去買一些厚暖的長褲。
 It's time to unpack your heavy clothes.
該是把你衣箱中的厚暖衣物拿出來的時候了。
 I don't want to stay indoors all day.
我不想整天待在室內。
This is good weather to get some exercise.
今天是適合運動的好天氣。 
 Let's walk to the store instead of taking the bus.
我們別坐公車，用走的去那家店吧。
  Some of the stores still have summer clothes on clearance.
有些店家現在還有夏裝的清倉拍賣。