Self-reliance 美國人獨立自主的特性(Part 1 of 7)
The covered wagon rolls along the muddy path. The gentle motion of the wagon almost puts you to sleep. Then the wagon hits a bump in the road, and you're brought back to reality. It seems like years since you left your familiar neighborhood back East. You often worry that your family won't have enough to live on out West. But deep down you know that you have all you need. Along with all your supplies, you've got the most important quality of all: self-reliance.
遮著頂篷的馬車碾過泥濘的小路，它輕緩的移動幾乎要把你催入夢鄉。忽然馬車碰到了路上隆起的土塊，你又被帶回了現實世界。自從你離開東部熟悉的故里，好像已經過了很多年了。你經常擔心住在西部家人的生活會有困難，但在你內心深處，你卻明白自己已擁有了所需要的一切。在你所擁有的一切當中，你已經得到了那最重要的一項特質：獨立自主。
⊙ Word Bank
muddy (adj)
泥濘的
reality (n)
現實；真實
self-reliance (n)
獨立自主
The covered wagon rolls along the muddy path. The gentle motion of the wagon almost puts you to sleep. Then the wagon hits a bump in the road, and you're brought back to reality. It seems like years since you left your familiar neighborhood back East. You often worry that your family won't have enough to live on out West. But deep down you know that you have all you need. Along with all your supplies, you've got the most important quality of all: self-reliance.
遮著頂篷的馬車碾過泥濘的小路，它輕緩的移動幾乎要把你催入夢鄉。忽然馬車碰到了路上隆起的土塊，你又被帶回了現實世界。自從你離開東部熟悉的故里，好像已經過了很多年了。你經常擔心住在西部家人的生活會有困難，但在你內心深處，你卻明白自己已擁有了所需要的一切。在你所擁有的一切當中，你已經得到了那最重要的一項特質：獨立自主。
⊙ Word Bank
muddy (adj)
reality (n)
self-reliance (n)
Self-reliance 美國人獨立自主的特性(Part 2 of 7)
As American settlers moved west in the early and mid-19th century, they had to learn to depend on themselves. They didn't have all the comforts of their homes back East. These brave pioneers had to build their own houses, invent new farm tools and make clothes and household items out of the resources available. As a result, Americans developed a "can-do" spirit and an optimism about their ability to handle any challenge. They would jokingly say that a difficult problem can be solved immediately; an impossible one may take a little longer.
十九世紀初期與中期，當定居美國東部的居民往西部遷移時，他們必須學會凡事倚靠自己。他們無法再享有跟東部家中同樣的舒適，這些勇敢的拓荒者必須自己蓋房子、發明新的農具、並且利用手邊有限的物資來做衣服和家庭用品。因此，美國人便養成了一種「做得到」的精神和樂觀的態度——相信他們有能力處理任何的挑戰。他們開玩笑地說，難題可以立即獲得解決，而不可能的難題只是需要花多一點時間而已。
⊙ Word Bank
optimism (n)
樂觀（主義）
As American settlers moved west in the early and mid-19th century, they had to learn to depend on themselves. They didn't have all the comforts of their homes back East. These brave pioneers had to build their own houses, invent new farm tools and make clothes and household items out of the resources available. As a result, Americans developed a "can-do" spirit and an optimism about their ability to handle any challenge. They would jokingly say that a difficult problem can be solved immediately; an impossible one may take a little longer.
十九世紀初期與中期，當定居美國東部的居民往西部遷移時，他們必須學會凡事倚靠自己。他們無法再享有跟東部家中同樣的舒適，這些勇敢的拓荒者必須自己蓋房子、發明新的農具、並且利用手邊有限的物資來做衣服和家庭用品。因此，美國人便養成了一種「做得到」的精神和樂觀的態度——相信他們有能力處理任何的挑戰。他們開玩笑地說，難題可以立即獲得解決，而不可能的難題只是需要花多一點時間而已。
⊙ Word Bank
optimism (n)
Self-reliance 美國人獨立自主的特性(Part 3 of 7)
The American writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the American pioneer spirit in his 1841 essay, "Self-Reliance." In this essay, Emerson stated that people should be independent, not conforming to the opinions of others. Emerson believed that each person should be content and at peace within himself. This philosophy of self-reliance and individualism shaped the thinking of many Americans.
美國有一位作家與哲學家愛默生，在一八四一年所寫一篇題為「獨立自主」的散文中，表達了這種美國的拓荒精神。愛默生在這篇文章裡說，人都應該獨立自主，不要去附和別人的意見，愛默生認為每個人心中都應該感到滿足而平安。這種獨立與個人主義的哲學影響了很多美國人的想法。
⊙ Word Bank
conform (v)
使一致；遵從
The American writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the American pioneer spirit in his 1841 essay, "Self-Reliance." In this essay, Emerson stated that people should be independent, not conforming to the opinions of others. Emerson believed that each person should be content and at peace within himself. This philosophy of self-reliance and individualism shaped the thinking of many Americans.
美國有一位作家與哲學家愛默生，在一八四一年所寫一篇題為「獨立自主」的散文中，表達了這種美國的拓荒精神。愛默生在這篇文章裡說，人都應該獨立自主，不要去附和別人的意見，愛默生認為每個人心中都應該感到滿足而平安。這種獨立與個人主義的哲學影響了很多美國人的想法。
⊙ Word Bank
conform (v)
Self-reliance 美國人獨立自主的特性(Part 4 of 7)
America's philosophy of self-reliance has produced a nation of do-it-yourselfers. Americans have long been proud of their ability to invent, build and fix things for themselves. For example, it's almost part of the "macho male" image for men to work on their own cars or build things with wood. Auto parts stores and home improvement centers offer them everything they need to do the job right.
美國這種獨立自主的哲學造就了一個「自己動手做」的國家。美國人一向對他們能夠發明、建造和修理東西的能力感到自豪。舉例來說，能幹的男子漢形象包括了男人自己動手修車或做木工，汽車零件商店與家事工具店裡提供了他們所需要的各種工具，以便幫助他們把工作做好。
⊙ Word Bank
macho male (adj phr) 像能幹的男子漢般的
America's philosophy of self-reliance has produced a nation of do-it-yourselfers. Americans have long been proud of their ability to invent, build and fix things for themselves. For example, it's almost part of the "macho male" image for men to work on their own cars or build things with wood. Auto parts stores and home improvement centers offer them everything they need to do the job right.
美國這種獨立自主的哲學造就了一個「自己動手做」的國家。美國人一向對他們能夠發明、建造和修理東西的能力感到自豪。舉例來說，能幹的男子漢形象包括了男人自己動手修車或做木工，汽車零件商店與家事工具店裡提供了他們所需要的各種工具，以便幫助他們把工作做好。
⊙ Word Bank
macho male (adj phr) 像能幹的男子漢般的
Self-reliance 美國人獨立自主的特性(Part 5 of 7)
Most bookstores in America include do-it-yourself books on topics ranging from repairing washing machines to planting a garden. Of course, not all Americans are handymen; some are all thumbs. But Americans like to believe they can do many things on their own.
美國大多數的書店都有「自己動手做」的書籍，內容五花八門，從修理洗衣機到闢一個花園應有盡有。當然，並不是所有的美國人都能自己動手做，有些人還是笨手笨腳的。不過，美國人喜歡相信，他們可以自己動手做很多的事。
⊙ Word Bank
handyman (n)
很會動手做東西的人
all thumbs (adj phr) 笨手笨腳的
Most bookstores in America include do-it-yourself books on topics ranging from repairing washing machines to planting a garden. Of course, not all Americans are handymen; some are all thumbs. But Americans like to believe they can do many things on their own.
美國大多數的書店都有「自己動手做」的書籍，內容五花八門，從修理洗衣機到闢一個花園應有盡有。當然，並不是所有的美國人都能自己動手做，有些人還是笨手笨腳的。不過，美國人喜歡相信，他們可以自己動手做很多的事。
⊙ Word Bank
handyman (n)
all thumbs (adj phr) 笨手笨腳的
Self-reliance 美國人獨立自主的特性(Part 6 of 7)
Even though Americans often try to "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps," they still need to depend on others. The early pioneers traveled together in wagon trains and settled in communities to support each other. And many Americans realize that they have to rely on God, too. But to Americans, even God expects people to be self-reliant. A famous quote by Benjamin Franklin expresses this idea well: "God helps those who help themselves."
雖然美國人經常試著要靠自己的力量打拼，他們有時候還是需要倚靠別人。早期的拓荒者隨著篷車隊一同旅行，在社區內定居下來互相扶助。很多美國人知道，他們也必須仰賴上帝。不過，美國人認為，即使上帝也是希望人可以獨立自主。富蘭克林有一句名言，把這種想法表達得淋漓盡致：「天助自助者。」
⊙ Word Bank
pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps (n phr) 獨立奮鬥成功
Even though Americans often try to "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps," they still need to depend on others. The early pioneers traveled together in wagon trains and settled in communities to support each other. And many Americans realize that they have to rely on God, too. But to Americans, even God expects people to be self-reliant. A famous quote by Benjamin Franklin expresses this idea well: "God helps those who help themselves."
雖然美國人經常試著要靠自己的力量打拼，他們有時候還是需要倚靠別人。早期的拓荒者隨著篷車隊一同旅行，在社區內定居下來互相扶助。很多美國人知道，他們也必須仰賴上帝。不過，美國人認為，即使上帝也是希望人可以獨立自主。富蘭克林有一句名言，把這種想法表達得淋漓盡致：「天助自助者。」
⊙ Word Bank
pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps (n phr) 獨立奮鬥成功
Could you help me cook dinner tonight?
你今晚可以幫忙我做晚餐嗎？
你今晚可以幫忙我做晚餐嗎？
Don't play with your food. That's very impolite.
不要玩食物。這樣很不禮貌。
不要玩食物。這樣很不禮貌。
Please be polite to our guests when they arrive.
當我們的客人到達時，請你要有禮貌。
當我們的客人到達時，請你要有禮貌。
I'm going to wash some clothes today. Please give me your dirty clothes.
我今天要洗衣服。請把你的髒衣服給我。
我今天要洗衣服。請把你的髒衣服給我。
How did your meeting at work go?
你今天上班開的會如何？
你今天上班開的會如何？
Let's eat beef noodles tonight. They're my favorite food.
我們今天晚上吃牛肉麵吧。那是我最愛吃的食物呢。
我們今天晚上吃牛肉麵吧。那是我最愛吃的食物呢。
You must finish all your food before you can have dessert.
你要把你所有的食物吃完，才可以吃甜點。
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