Westin MagButler English Language Training

永遠記住 妳/你的唯一獨有 為你/妳造就妳/你的獨有風範😉

EXPRESSIONS AND VOCABULARY
1. one of a kind (phrase): unique
獨特 獨一無二
If you refer to提到 someone or
something as one of a kind, you
mean that there is nobody or
nothing else like them.
/[approval經證實]
She's a very unusual woman,
one of a kind./

2. in the first place (phrase ): 一開始
from the beginning, at the
outset起點, before anything else
/Why didn't you tell me in the first
place that you've decided to leave?/

3. overwhelming adj.: 極...
Something overwhelming is very
intense非常強烈 and hard to
deal with且難以應對:
overwhelming events make people
worried and stressed out疲憊不堪.
/ If you feel an overwhelming
need非常需要 to laugh, you're probably
going to laugh./
/ If you have an overwhelming
feeling of sadness非常傷感, you'll
probably cry./

4. make a difference (phrase):
造成關鍵性的轉變
to cause a change: to be important
in some way
/Cost花費成本 can make a difference
in deciding on a college./
/It may not matter或許無關緊要
to you對你, but it makes a world of
difference極其重要關鍵 to me對我./

5. changes (that matter in the world)
come about
■ come about v. phrase: happen.

6. one person that all the changes .....
6.1 句型 person that ...
that (指定 關係代名詞; 一般 who)
6.2 changes that matter in the world
(世上最重要的 變動)
that 的子句 是形容詞子句
形容 that 前面的 changes
6.3 matter v.: be important or
significant.
6.4 in the world (phrase):
You use in the world to
emphasize強調 a statement
that you are making你說明的事項.
/The saddest thing in the world is
a little baby nobody wants./
/He had no one in the world
but除了 her./

READING
“Never forget that you are one of a kind.
Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place.
And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world.
In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person. ”
― R. Buckminster Fuller

SPEAKING
A: What do you mean by "uniqueness,"
exactly?
B: We could take the evening Korean
TV series "D**g Yi 同伊" as
an example.
A: I won't miss the show, either.
It's incentive!
B: I'll say. She's "one of a kind," truly ~
active and optimistic while facing
awkward and weird situation; her
dealing such a situation with her
uniqueness, constantly.
A: I couldn't agree with you more!
Yes, she's certainly "one of a kind."
B: Now, you've got it. Fantastic.

● take ... as an example 拿...做榜樣(解釋)
● incentive adj.: 激勵 鼓勵
a thing that motivates or encourages
someone to do something.
● I'll say.: 我很同意(妳說的)
used to express emphatic agreement.
● you've got it = yo5understood 你懂了

December 5th, 2019
Westin MagButler 翟鋆

INCREASE YOUR FINANCIAL IQ;
GET SMARTER WITH YOUR MONEY
By Robert T. Kiyosaki
奮起年少智勇 累進財務智謀 推展絢麗人生

After four years at the U.S. Merchant商務 Marine海事 Academy專校 at Kings Point, New York. I graduated in 1969 and got my first job with Standard Oil of California sailing航行 on their oil tankers油箱. I was a third mate三副 sailing between California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Tahiti. It was a great job with a great company. I only worked for seven months and then had five months off無事, got to see the world, and the pay所付薪資 was pretty good at approximately $47,000 a year ~ that's the equivalent of $140,000 today.
1. get to see the world 有機會去見見世面
get to v.phr.: 有機會去...
have a chance to....
2. the equivalent of ...: 相等於 ..
equivalent n.: 相當於
something that is equal or the same

A salary of $47,000 was considered a lot of money for a kid right out of college in 1969.
After only four months as a third mate , I resigned from辭職 my high-paying高薪 job with Standard Oil and joined加入 the Marine Corps海軍陸戰隊 to fight in the Vietnam War. I felt an obligation to serve my country. At the time, many of my friends were doing everything they could to avoid the draft. Many were going on to graduate school; one ran and hid in Canada. Others were coming up with strange diseases and hoping to be classified被歸類 4-F, medically unable to be drafted不被徵召服役.
3. for a kid right out of college
NOTE: for (人) ~ 對... 而言
right out of ... 大學畢業馬上...
right adv.: immediately
out of... : graduated from
4. felt an obligation to serve my country
felt an obligation to 有義務去
serve my country 報效國家
serve v.: to obey服從 and give honor to
(NOTE:
●serve (him) right ~ 活該 (罵人 糗人)
to be what (he) deserves應得, for
doing something wrong or
foolish愚蠢 )
5. avoid the draft 避免募兵
draft v. n.: 徵召服役
to choose for
military service服兵役
6. Many were going on to graduate school
Many n.: many friends/students
go on to: continue to
graduate school: 碩博士學校
(大學畢業 方為 畢業, 之後
的教育 就是 graduate school)
7. ran and hid 逃避躲藏
8. come up with v.phr. (此處) 遭逢, 突遇

For me, going to war and fighting was not the hardest part of my decisions. I had already been to Vietnam in 1966 as a student studying cargo貨物 operations營運 in Cam Ranh Bay港灣 . From my naive vantage point, the war actually seemed kind of exciting. I was not concerned about並不關懷 fighting, killing, and possibly being killed.
9. going to war and fighting 打仗
10. had already been to 已經去過到過
● have been to v. phr.~ 到過
(come to, go to 只是 指方向)
11. From my naive vantage point
naive adj. : simple and not experienced
vantage point n.phr.
允許清清晰寬廣的見解
a position allows a clear and
broad view

The toughest part of最困難的 my decision was the pay cut減薪 I would have to take. Marine Corps second lieutenants(軍階)准尉 were being paid $2,400 a year. At Standard Oil, I was making that in two weeks. On top of that, when you factor評比 in that I was working only seven months a year with five months' vacation, I was giving up a lot, I was earning nearly $7,000 a month for seven months and then taking a five-month vacation without pay and without the fear of不懼怕 being fired for not working無工可做而被解僱. Not a bad deal還不賴的條件. There are many people who take that deal接受解約條件 today.
12. On top of that = in addition that 此外
Westin MagButler 翟鋆
October 31st, 2018

TRADING FAIR AND SQUARE 公平交易
飲食味蕾的深植影響力 啟動交易的 scale 衡量.

The local food movement addresses many, important, interconnected food issues爭議, including environmental responsibility, agricultural sustainability, and fair wages to those who grow our food. Buying directly from small farmers serves all these purposes, but what about things like our pumpkin pie spices品種, or our coffee, that don't grow where we live?
1. The local food movement
提倡在地食物運動
movement n.: 提倡的運動
the actions of a group of people
who are working together to
bring about some result.
2. address v.: to use the right form
in speaking
3. interconnected adj.: 互相關聯 相互交流
to connect one another
(one another = each other)
NOTE: inter- (prefix 字首): between
4. agricultural sustainability 農業存續
5. fair wages: 公平工資
NOTE: wage n. 藍領勞工階級的 工資
salary n. 白領辦公室職員 薪水

We can apply most of the same positive food standards, minus the local connection, to some imported products. Coffee, tea, and spices are grown in environmentally responsible ways by some small-scale growers農耕戶, mostly in the developing world. We can encourage these good practices行業 by offering a fair wage for their efforts辛勤努力. This approach, termed fair trade, has grown into an impressive international effort to counter the growing exploitation of farmers in these same countries. Consumer消費者 support for conscientious本着良心的 small growers小農 helps counter the corporate advantage, and sustains their livelihoods, environments, and communities.
6. apply most of the same positive food
standards to imported products
應用大多數相似的在地食物標準
到進口商品
apply ... to v.:to put into use 應用到
the same positive food standards
同類現有食物標準
positive food: 現有食物
positive adj.: existing in itself
7. minus the local connection 無工會
minus prep.: (informal) without
the local connection
connection n.: union工會;
the relationship
8. by small-scale growers
少數務農為生的人
small-scale adj.:少數的
(scale 是用來權衡的 磅秤)
9. in the developing world
正開發中的世界
10. encourage these good practices
practices n.: the business built up
事業體 行業
11. This approach, ...:
這種(行事)方法或方式
approach n.: a way of doing things
12. termed fair trade 行話稱之公平交易
termed adj.: 被(行話)稱之為
called by term
fair trade 公正的交易
fair adj.: just公正 and honest;
according to what is right
13. has been grown into an impressive
international effort to....
對 ... 已展開強烈的國際化企圖
grow into v.phr.: 因而發展成
to develop so as to
an impressive international effort
一種強烈的企圖國際化
impressive adj.:
對心和感受的強烈影響力
having a strong effect on the mind
and feelings
effort n.: an attempt 企圖
14. counter the growing exploitationof ..
反抗日增
counter v.: 反對 反抗 to oppose
the growing exploitation of
增長的非公平的利用
exploitation n.: 非公正的利用
taking unfair advantage
(take advantage of phr. 利用)
15. the corporate advantage 群眾利益
corporate adj.: 群眾的
shared by all members of a group
16. sustain their livelihood
維護生存的技能
sustain v.: to support; to maintain
livelihood n.: 為生活生存的技能
a means辦法 of living, or of
supporting oneself
Westin MagButler 翟鋆
October 22nd, 2018

受鼓勵的動力適時成為小小願景; 孩子的閱讀隨之譜出充實的成長小天地; 屬於自己的歡樂和與人分享的智慧. 六年級的 Leigh Botts 寫給他仰慕作家的信所道出的啟發. (美國六年級 = 台灣 國一)

When Leigh Botts was in the second grade he wrote to author Boyd Henshaw to tell him how much he liked Mr. Henshaw's book " Ways to Amuse娛樂 a Dog", Mr. Henshaw did not respond, but Leigh continued to write to him.
1. in the second grade (phrase 表達語)
二年級

Finally, when Leigh was in the sixth grade, Mr. Henshaw responded with a suggestion that Leigh keeps a diary寫日記. Now, although Leigh continues to write letters to Mr. Henshaw, he has begun to keep a diary as well也一樣. Out of habit出於習慣, he begins each entry "Dear Mr. Henshaw,"
2. respond with v.phr.: 使用... 回答
with prep.: using; by way of
使用... (方法)
3. a suggestion that Leigh keeps a diary
一種 持續寫日記的 建議
a suggestion that... (關係代名詞,
代替suggestion;
that 的名詞字句 當 adj.
形容 that 所代之名詞 suggestion)
keep a diary phr.
持續(寫)日記 (當日要事)

LETTER 1
January 12
Dear Mr. Henshaw,
This is a real letter I am going to mail. Maybe I had better explain that I have written you many letters that are really my diary which I keep because you said so and because Mom still won't have the TV repaired. She wants my brain to stay in good shape. She says I will need my brain all my life.
4. a real letter (that) I am going to mail
一封 我會(計畫要做)寄出的 真實信
real adj. 真的 (非日記裡的 假象說話對象)
be going to + v. 表示 (未來) 計畫會做的...
5. She wants my brain to stay in good
shape. 要我腦袋保持最佳狀態,
即頭腦清晰 思緒通透
want... to / want to...
stay in good shape phr.: 保持最好狀態
stay v.: to keep / shape n.: conditions
(GRAMMAR NOTES:
● Mom still won't have the TV repaired
have the TV repaired
have + (物) + p.p. (被動語態): 電視送修
Mom (親暱稱; m 大寫 表尊敬;
若前面有 my 則小寫, my mom)

Guess what? (引起注意語) Today the school librarian圖書館職員 stopped me in the hall走廊 and said she had something for me. She told me to come to the library. There she handed親手給 me your new book and said I could be the first to read it. I must have looked surprised. She said she knew how much I love your books since I checked them out so often.
6. since I checked them out so often
因為你如此常常借書
since = because
check... out / check out v.phr.:
(圖書) 借出
(GRAMMAR NOTES
● I must have looked surprised.
must have + p.p. (正確的 臆測):
(那時)一定 ...)

I am on page 14 of 'Beggar Bears'. It is a good book. I just wanted you to know that I am the first person around here to get to read it.
7. I am the first person around here
to get to read it
the first person around here
這裡第一人
to get to read it
to.... = (in order) to...: 為了.... (原因)
get to read it 有得機會閱讀
● get to + v. (idiom): have a chance to

Your No. 1 Fan,
你的頭號仰慕者,
Leigh Botts
Westin MagButler 翟鋆
September 24th, 2018

受人鼓勵的動力適時成為小小願景; 孩子的閱讀亦隨之譜出充實的成長小天地; 屬於自己的歡樂和與人分享的智慧. 小學六年級的 Leigh Botts 寫給他仰慕作家的一封信. (美國小六 = 台灣 國一)
When Leigh Botts was in the second grade he wrote to author Boyd Henshaw to tell him how much he liked Mr. Henshaw's book " Ways to Amuse a Dog", Mr. Henshaw did not respond, but Leigh continued to write to him.
1. in the second grade (phrase 表達語)
二年級

Finally, when Leigh was in the sixth grade, Mr. Henshaw responded with a suggestion that Leigh keeps a diary. Now, although Leigh continues to write letters to Mr. Henshaw, he has begun to keep a diary as well. Out of habit, he begins each entry "Dear Mr. Henshaw,"
2. respond with v.phr.: 使用... 回答
with prep.: using; by way of
使用... (方法)
3. a suggestion that Leigh keeps a diary
一種 持續寫日記的 建議
a suggestion that... (關代, 代替
suggestion; that 的名詞字句 當 adj.
形容 that 所代之名詞 suggestion)
keep a diary phr. 持續(寫)日記

LETTER 1
January 12
Dear Mr. Henshaw,
This is a real letter I am going to mail. Maybe I had better explain that I have written you many letters that are really my diary which I keep because you said so and because Mom still won't have the TV repaired. She wants my brain to stay in good shape. She says I will need my brain all my life.
4. a real letter (that) I am going to mail
一封 我會(計畫要做)寄出的 真實信
be going to + v.
表示 (未來) 計畫會做的...
5. She wants my brain to stay in good
shape.
要我腦袋保持最佳狀態, 即頭腦清晰
思緒通透
want... to / want to...
stay in good shape phr.: 保持最好狀態
stay v.: to keep / shape n.: conditions

Guess what? Today the school librarian圖書館職員 stopped me in the hall走廊 and said she had something for me. She told me to come to the library. There she handed親手給 me your new book and said I could be the first to read it. I must have looked surprised. She said she knew how much I love your books since I checked them out so often.
6. since I checked them out so often
因為你如此常常借書
since = because
check... out / check out v.phr.:
(圖書) 借出

I am on page 14 of 'Beggar Bears'. It is a good book. I just wanted you to know that I am the first person around here to get to read it.
7. I am the first person around here to
get to read it
the first person around here 這裡第一人
to get to read it
to.... = (in order) to...: 為了.... (原因)
get to read it 有得機會閱讀
get to + v. (idiom): have a chance to

Your No. 1 Fan,
你的頭號仰慕者,
Leigh Botts
LETTER 2
January 19
Dear Mr. Henshaw,
Thank you for sending me the postcard with the picture of the lake and mountains and all that snow. Yes, I will continue to write in my diary even if I do have to pretend I am writing to you. You know something? I think I feel better when I write in my diary.
8. Thank you for... (謝人 是有原因, for 接原因)
9. even if I do have to pretend I am
writing to you
即使/雖然 我必需假裝 寫給你
(寫日記 若像寫信給某人 較有畫面)
☆ do have to...: (do 助動詞 用在
肯定句 ~ 加強語氣)

My teacher says my writing skills技巧 are improving. Maybe I really will be a famous author someday. She said our school along with other schools is going to print (that means mimeograph) a book of work of young authors, and I should write a story for it. The writers of the best work will win a prize ~ lunch with a Famous Author and with winners from other schools. I hope that Famous Author is you.
10. along with prep.phr. = together with 聯合
11. a book of work of young authors
一本年少作者的作品
a book of...: ... 的一本書 / a work
of...: .. 的作品
a book of work of... : ... 作品的一本書

I don't often get mail, but today I received two postcards, one from you and one from Dad in Kansas. His card showed a picture of a grain elevator. He said he would phone me sometime next week. I wish someday he would have to drive a load of something to Wyoming and would take me along so I would get to meet you.
12. mail n.= letter(s)
13. show a picture of a grain elevator
呈現五穀升降機的圖
a grain elevator 五穀升降機
14. I wish someday he would have to
drive a load of...
真希望有一天他(爸)需要駕駛一貨車
物品
(GRAMMAR NOTE:
wish .... would + v. ~ 假設語, 不同於
現實
would 語氣 表肯定; 因 wish 假設性
的希望 (不太可能發生)
drive a load of something
駕駛著 一貨車物品
a load of...: 一貨車的..

That's all for now. I am going to try to think up a story. Don't worry. I won't send it to you to read. I know you are busy and I don't want to be a nuisance.
15. That's all for now. (讓閱信者知道 就
此停筆)
16. think up v.phr.: 想出 to invent
17 a nuisance n.: 問題製造者
a person that causes trouble
(that 指定關係代名詞; who 指 一般的 )

Your good friend,
Leigh Botts (signature)

翟鋆 Westin MagButler
September 15th, 2018

SEE A VISION 眼力見識
Coaching your kids...督導孩子長大 源啟於孩子烏溜溜 眼珠滾動 咿咿啞啞舞動手腳傳達心聲時; 隨著 爬 坐 走 跑 耳目靈敏 coaching (噓寒問暖般的 教導). 自然, 生活點滴見聞是 陪伴著孩子睿智啟蒙的教材.

It was a Saturday in the early summer, my wife Ruth and I were jogging along in the ninety-degree heat and 100 percent humidity濕氣. We reached the corner of Lee Road and Highway 17-92, a corner where a Hardee's hamburger place once stood. The Hardee's was gone不在了, and a new building was going up建造. However, there was no sign to indicate what sort of establishment this new building would house.
1. jog along v.phr.: 漫步
to move in a steady平穩 pace走步
2. in the ninety-degree heat:
於 90°F華氏 的暑氣
heat n. hot adj. 暑氣 熱
3. a corner where a Hardee's Hamburg
place地點
once stood: Hardee's Hamburg
曾經位置的轉角
a corner where ...:
where 地點關係代名詞
代替前面的名詞 corner轉角
where所開頭的 子句 用於形容
前面名詞 corner
once stood: 曾經所在地
once adv.: one time
stand v.: to be placed, or
located位置於
4. there was no sign跡象 to indicate
what sort of establishment this
new building would house
indicate v.: to show
what sort of = what kind of 什麼種類的
establishment n.: 建築物
the fact of being built
house v.: 給予保護避風雨
to give shelter庇護 to

We noticed some workers on the site. I told Ruth, "Lets find out what they are building. These guys will have the inside word."
So I went up to走向前到 one guy who had a cinder block in his hand. I said, "Excuse me, but what are you building?"
He said, "A wall, man."
I said, "Let me rephrase再說一遍 that. When this entire整個 project計畫完成(工程) is finished, what will it be?"
He shrugged無知的聳肩 and said, "I don't know."
Three older men were working on the wall, so I decided to ask them. Surely, one of them had to know what was going on. So I said, "Guys, what are you building?"
"A wall," they answered.
"But when it's finished, what will it be?"
"We don't know," they chorused一起說.
5. on the site = at the place
6. have the inside word
知曉內情內幕 小道消息
7. one guy who had a cinder block
in his hand
一位手裡握著磚塊的傢伙
a cinder block 專刊

As Ruth and I left the work and finished our run, I thought, 'Gee, these guys haven't had any vision of what they are building. Imagine starting work on a construction建造工程 project進度計畫 without any idea if you are building out-house or the Taj Mahal印度太極馬哈殿!
I later found out that those workers were engaged in constructing a Fleming's Prime Steakhouse ~ an upscale steak restaurant. I expect to enjoy some fine meals there once it's built. I have a vision of that experience ~ and it makes my mouth water just to think of it.
8. finished our run 走完一趟
run n.: to make a quick trip
9. These guys haven't had a vision of ..
haven't had a vision of ...
沒有 ... 的眼力(舉一而知全貌)
vision n.: the power of seeing
with the eye
10. without any idea if是否 you're
building out-house
without any idea if.. 不知是否..
out-house n.: 戶外廁所
an outbuilding used as a toilet

I later稍後 found out that those workers were engaged in參與 constructing(工程) a Fleming's Prime Steakhouse ~ an upscale steak restaurant. I expect to enjoy some fine meals there once it's built. I have a vision of that experience ~ and it makes my mouth water just to think of it.
11. be engaged in v.phr.: to take part in
12. expect to enjoy some fine meals
there
期待開開心心在那兒吃幾餐佳餚
enjoy v.: 歡愉 to get pleasure;
like it a lot
some fine meals 幾餐佳餚
fine adj.: better; delicate細緻的
13. once it's built 一旦建造完成
once adv.: 一旦 at any time
14. I have a vision of that experience
有過那樣的想像經驗
vision n.: 想像 something seen
in the mind
15. it makes my mouth water just to
think of it
只要一想到 就令人垂涎 (喻 樂在心頭)
make my mouth water
使得嘴巴流口水; 垂涎
(GRAMMAR NOTE:
make + v. 使... (使役動詞))

But when I asked those workers what they were building, all they could answer was, "A wall, man." How sad悲哀. And how typical of the way too many organizations are run運作 these days. People are told to do a job, but they are never shown the big picture. All they know is their tiny little piece of the puzzle: "A wall, man."
16. People are told to do a job.
大家都是被告知去做事
are told 被告知
17. show a picture 展示圖樣
18. tiny little piece of the puzzle
of the puzzle 屬於謎團的

In order for a team to be enthused, inspired, fired up, and energized to achieve great things, that team must have a leader with a vision ~ and the leader must communicate that vision to everyone on the team. Leaders~ even即使 very young leaders ~ must be people of vision.
Adaptation of "Coaching Your Kids To Be Leaders"
19. In order for + n. / in order to + v.
為了 .....
20. a team to be enthused, inspired,
fired up, and energized to...
一組人力具備熱忱 激發動力
主動和有活力
be enthused: 展現熱忱
to be shown enthusiasm
be inspired: 被激發(去行事)
to be urged, or influenced to
do something
be fired up: 開始行動
to be started an action
be energized: 充滿活力
to be made active
(GRAMMAR NOTES:
be + v.pp 被動語態
當 a team 是主角/主詞,
需用 被動語態 形容)
21. that team must have a leader with
a vision
A) that team must...
that 強調 前面提過的 a team
☆ must + v. 強調 一定
(內含 have no choice
無選擇餘地)
B) have a leader with a vision
有一位 有想像遠景的 引領者
with a vision (形容詞片語
形容前面名詞 leader)
☆ with prep.: having 有...
22. the leader must communicate
that vision to...
communicate ... to...v.:
傳達, 溝通, 和交流 給/於..
to tell, show, or make known;
傳達使明瞭
exchange information 交流
23. Leads ~ even very young leaders ~
must be people of vision
even very young leaders
young adj.: 年紀小(10-year-old,
or older), 資淺
people with vision 有遠景的人
vision n.: 遠景 有創意之想像預測
the ability imagine想像 or
foresee預測 in an especially
creative way
foresee v.: to see or know
ahead of time事先

ADDITIONAL ~ CNN News
1. EU moves to get rid of daylight savings
EU: 歐聯
short term of European Union
get rid of v.phr.: 去除 排除 remove
daylight savings 日光節約
2. In guilty plea 有罪定讞
Lobbyists遊說人士 with Russian and
Ukrainian ties聯合admits he arranged
illegal非法 foreign外國 donation捐款
to Trump's inauguration就職
plea n.: 犯罪定讞
the answer of an accused被控告
person to對 criminal罪犯
charge控訴
3. CHINA'S INVESTING SPREE耀進
Beijing Promises Another 60 Billion
To Africa
"No Political Strings Attached" Xi said.
spree n.: a lovely活耀, noisy伸展
period of activity
😎 "No Political Strings Attached
沒有政治目的"
strings n : a condition, limit, etc.
● pull strings v.phr.:
關說 拉好關係控制
to use influence to get
what one wants, or
to control others.
attach v.: to think of as
belonging to屬於
Westin MagButler 翟鋆
September 4th, 2018

死腦筋! 遇阻擾 就算了?! 沒折了!?
路 是走出來的 😉
生活阻礙(家庭或工作) 往好的 正向思考, 人生道路猶如腦神經般環繞迴轉, 總會得默契相投之附和協力. 而所產生的新策略可謂之 "The 3rd Alternative 第三種選擇之道 ~ 即總有解決之策." (作者靈活的解惑 讓人成為 果敢具效率)

The Music Class
Life is full of problems. Problems that seem impossible to solve解答. Personal problems. Family problems. Problems at work, in our neighborhoods, and in the world at large.
1. at large adv.: 整體 in the whole

Nadia saw her daughter crying as she came out of school carrying her violin case小提琴裝盒. The eight-year-old sobbed to her mother that her teacher would not allow any more music in class. All that night Nadia, a trained violinist herself, became more and more angry ~ she couldn't sleep thinking about the disappointment on her daughter's face ~ and carefully planned a tirade to let loose on that teacher.
2. the eight-year-old sobbed
the eight-year-old n. 八歲大的孩子
(用 (-) 連接 本為 adj. 但 前加 the
則轉為 n.)
sob v.: 啜泣 to cry or weep啜泣 with
a break間斷 in the voice and
short gasps急促呼吸
3. would not allow any more music
in class 沒音樂課
would not allow 不允許
4. a trained violinist herself
她自己受過小提琴訓練
trained v.pp 當被動 adj.: 受過訓練的
5. couldn't sleep thinking about...
(GRAMMAR NOTE: sleep 和 stated,
sit, lie 一樣, 即 sleep + v.ing)
6 carefully planned a tirade to let loose
on that teacher
用心計畫給老師來場氣憤攻擊性的言談
tirade n.: 一場氣憤的言論
a long angry speech
let loose on v.phr.: 攻擊
to shoot, or attack

But in the morning Nadia thought better of it and decided to find out exactly what was going on at the school before launching her attack. She went early to see the teacher before class. "My class loves the violin," she said, " and I'm wondering what has happened that the children can no longer practice at school." To her surprise, the children began to cry. "There is no more time for music," she explained. "We must spend all of our time on basics like reading and mathematics." It was a government order規定 命令.
7. thought better of it
(隨即) 想到更好的辦法
think of v.phr.: 隨即想到
better 是 adv. well 的比較級
8. before launching her attack
A) before + v.ing
B) launch her attack 發出攻擊
launch v.: to throw; send off
9. I'm wondering ... (講話技巧 讓人
無防備) (雖說 我要知道)
wonder v.: want to know
10. spend more time on basics
basics n.: (指規定學校的) 基本課程
spend... on... v.phr.: 花(時間) 在... 上

For an instant Nadia considered an attack on the government, but then she said, "There must be a way for the children to learn music and their basic skills." The teacher blinked眨眼 for a moment. "Of course, music is mathematical." At this, Nadia's brain began to whirl轉動. What if the basics could be taught through music! She stared at注視著 the teacher, and both began to laugh because both had the same thought at once. The next hour's rush of ideas was almost magical.
11. For an instant = immediately; at once 立刻 馬上
12. consider an attack on... v.phr.
想到要攻擊...
13. There must be a way for為.... to去...
一定有辦法 為.. 去 ...
There must be / There is / There are
有 (無主詞) ; I have / She has ...
14. music is mathematical
音樂就是算數
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 do ra mi fa so la si
15. What if the basics could be taught
through music!
假設 透過音樂 教基本課程, 可行!
A) What if... = if..., what happens?
(假設性) 如果 ... 怎麼樣!
B) the basics could be taught
through music
be taught through...
經由/透過 ... 被教導
16. The next hour's rush of ideas was
almost magical.
The next hour's rush of ideas
接下來交換想法的匆忙時間
The next hour's 比喻 接下來的時間
rush of匆忙的 ideas:
(說出)想法的匆忙(時間)

Soon Nadia was volunteering what time she could be in her daughter's class. Together, she and the teacher every subject主題課 using music. The students did fractions小數 with not only numbers數字 but also notes音符 of music (two eighth notes equal等於 a quarter note). Reading poems was much easier when the children could sing them. History came alive活化 as the children studied great composers作曲家 and their time and played their music. They even learned a bit of different foreign languages by singing folk songs from other countries.
17. a bit of different... 些微不同的...
18. folk songs 名瑤歌曲

The synergy between the musical parent and the teacher was as important as the synergy between the music and the basics. The students learned both ~ and quickly. Soon other teachers and parents wanted to try it. In time, even the government got interested in the 3rd Alternative.
18. was as important as ...
(was前面所提的 和 as 後面提到的)
一樣重要
19. The synergy between the musical
parent and the teacher
愛音樂的家長和老師的關聯
20. the synergy between the music and
the basics
音樂課和基本授課的關聯
21. got interested in v.phr. =
became interested in 產生興趣
Form The 3rd Alternative
by Stephen R. Covey
Westun MagButler 翟鋆
August 28th, 2018