技術學院

 

 

 

 

CIT Monthly

 

2008 October

 


 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 

1.English Q & A  英語問與答.............1

 

 

 

2.English Comic  英語漫畫...............2

 

 

 

3.English Grammar 英語文法 ..........3

 

 

4.Dialogue 情境對話 .........................4

 

 

5.American Superstitions  ...................5

 

 

 

6.Hot News ..........................................6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 位老師

感謝參與電子報的撰寫

 

 

 

 


 

 

英文問與答     詹景雯老師提供 

   

 

 



  
上個月的 [英語問與答] 介紹了考試的一些相關說法。本期將繼續做更深入地介紹                                     有關校園生活的常用辭彙或慣用語。

Q1.

上課點名

take attendance = take the roll = call the roll

翹課

cut class = skip class = ditch class = play hooky = play truancy

  

e.g.

You’d better not chance the risk of ditching class today. Ms. Lee will sure take attendance.
你今天最好不要冒險翹課,因為李老師一定會點名。

e.g.

This is the second time this month he’s played hooky.
那是他這個月第二次缺課了。

e.g.

How could she possibly ace the test when she keeps cutting class all the time?
她老是缺課,怎麼能考100分?


Q2.

考高分

ace a test = pass a test with flying colors

考砸了

blow a test = screw up a test = goof up a test = bomb on a test

當掉

flunk a test = fail a test

重修()

repeat a course

被留級

repeat a year in school = be held back a year in school = flunk

被退學

be dismissed from school = be expelled from school = be kicked out of school = flunk out of school

 

e.g.

Gee! I really bombed on my economics test.
天哪! 我這次經濟學考砸了。

e.g.

Peggy was an honors student. She always passed the tests with flying colors.
佩姬是一位成績優異的學生,她考試總是得高分。

e.g.

He blew the final. And now his parents are going to get all bent out of shape. (= fly off the handle = throw a fit = blow up = explode in rage)
他期末考試考砸了,父母一定會氣瘋的。

e.g.

Paul is upset because he flunked in calculus.
保羅心情不好,因為他微積分沒通過 (當了)

e.g.

The guy was kicked out of school because he’d been caught asking a forger to take the finals for him.
這個傢伙被退學,因為他被逮到找槍手幫他考期末考。

e.g.

His poor attitude and attendance flunked him.
他因上課態度和出席率都很差而遭到留級。


 Q3.

學分

unit = credit

營養學分科目

a piece of cake = a cakewalk = a breeze

  

e.g.

I’m taking 18 credits this semester.
這個學期,我修了18個學分。

e.g.

Richard was always good at math, so statistics was a cake course.
查理對數學很在行,所以統計學對他來說不算什麼。

 

 

形容一門課很好修,也可以用 cake course 這個字,或是只說 It’s a cake. 別人也是會   了解的。另外,如果形容某教授的課很嚴格,而且絕不留活口 (就像台灣人說的劊子手,當人無數),則可說 He is really a tough guy; He takes no prisoner. (他很嚴格,手下絕不留情。)所謂 takes no prisoner 指的是戰爭時不收戰俘,抓到就全部殺死的意思,也就是說夠狠。“The professor is tough.” 則是說這個教授教課很嚴格,很不好混的意思。遇到這種 tough的教授,你可以鼓勵他“Tough it out!”就是說把它撐過去。同樣地,我們也可以用“The professor goes for kill.” 來表達,意思是這位教授支持殺戮,下手絕不留情。
 


   

Q4.

學長/學姊

upperclassman

學弟/學妹

underclassman

兄弟會成員

fraternity brother

姐妹會成員

sorority sister

大學生

undergraduate student = undergrad

研究生

graduate student = grad

大一學生

freshman = first year in college

大二學生

sophomore = second year in college

大三學生

junior = third year in college

大四學生

senior = fourth year in college

 


    在美國大學校園內有很多寫著希臘字母的宿舍,這些可不見的是數學系的系館喔,                             那是兄弟會的家。兄弟會全是男生,在那裡可以認識很多人,還可以參加許多的活動                             和聚會,而女生們參加的聚會就是姐妹會了。每年秋天,[兄弟會] 及[姐妹會] 都會招                              收新會員
(Fall rush),所有的人都會站在門口迎接新生,場面好不壯觀啊!

Q5.

你上哪一所大學?

Where do you go to university? = What / Which university do you go to? = Where do you study?

你住校嗎?

Do you live on campus? = Do you live in a dorm? (= dormitory) = Do you live in school housing?

你是大學幾年級?

What year are you in college?

你是哪個系的?

Which department are you in? = Which field are you in?

你主修什麼?

What’s your major? = What are you majoring in? = What are you studying?

你們學校有研究所嗎?

Does your school have a graduate school?

你有參加社團嗎?

Do you belong to a club?

 

e.g.

I study at China Institute of Technology, which is situated near the Academia Sinica.
我目前就讀於中央研究院附近的中華技術學院。

e.g.

I live on campus now, but I plan to move to an apartment off-campus in six months.
我現在住在學校,但我打算在六個月內搬進學校外的公寓。

e.g.

When I was in college, I majored in computer science and minored in information management.
我大學時,主修電腦科學,副修資訊管理。

e.g.

We just opened a graduate school of food science.
我們學校剛成立了食品科學研究所。

e.g.

I’m in ESS, the English Speaking Society, where we practice conversational English.
我參加了一個名為ESS的社團,它的全名是the English Speaking Society,亦即練習英語會話的英語研究社。


    

 

請注意,當你說我住在 [學校] 時,不能說 “I live in school.”,而是應該說“I live on campus.”或是 I live in school housing.”。同樣地,住在校外也不應該說I live out of school.”,正確的講法是“I live off campus.”。一般高中生如果住校的話,則多半是因為他們這個學校是寄宿學校 (boarding school),也就是強迫學生一定要住校。因為是強迫性質的,所以老美會說I went to a boarding school.” 而很少會說I live in a boarding school.”
    
另外,剛開學的第一週,很多事情還在混亂中,譬如學生跑錯教室,教室的安排有誤等。這個學期我就遇到一個狀況,有兩個班級的學生,居然被安排在同一時段,在一間教室上課。因此就有同學建議說, "我們可不可以改地方?” 這句話的正確說法為 “Is there any way we can move it?” Way 指的就是辦法;move it 可以指很多事情,如換教室,換地點,都可以用move。千萬不要說 change place


 

 

 

 


漫畫英語   傅馨儀老師提供

 

  

   

   

  


 

文法與寫作單元             張柏芳老師提供

 

 

各位同學大家好:

久違了,又到每月一回的英文文法時間。您知道the same之後除用準關係代名詞“as外,尚可用關係代名詞“that”嗎?您知道它們有何不同嗎?其實並不困難,只要釐清觀念,知道用法,勤於練習,自然水到渠成。現在開始讓我們來相互砌磋the same…as the same….that 的異同之處,共同探討它們的用法,依次為the same…as the same….that。學後請試做練習以增加印象。謝謝!

 

u the same + n. + as v the same + n. + that之異同:

u the same + n. + as…

  j the same + n. + as ...相同的(兩個),係指「類似、同種類」

    This is the same dictionary as I lost yesterday. 這很像我昨天遺失那本的字典

  = This dictionary and my lost dictionary are of the same kind.

  k當關係代名詞之後的動詞被省略時,用“as”,決不用“that”

    This is not the same book as yours (is).

l the same + n後面之從屬子句的主詞及動詞省略時,則只能用“as”,決不用“that”

  We met in the same place as (we did) before.

 

v the same + n. + that…

  j the same + n. + that 就是同一個(一個),係指同一「人、事、物」

    This is the same dictionary that I lost yesterday. 這就是我昨天遺失的那本字典。

  = This is my lost dictionary.

  k當關係代名詞之後的動詞沒有被省略時,通常用“that引導形容詞子句

    Cathy is talking to the same students that came to see her yesterday.

Cathy現在正和昨天來看她的那些學生講話。

l the same + n + that…that”為關係代名詞,不可用“who、 whomwhich”代替。

  I met the same man who had visited you last week. (x)

øthe same” 之後的名詞係一抽象的意思或某種觀念時用“as”,用“that” 都可以,

意義完全相同

I gave the same price as he did. = I gave the same price that he did.

I am engaged in the same task as you are. = I am engaged in the same task that you are.

÷ the same (same須與定冠詞the並用)之前可用much; about; exactly來修飾

The new sports car I bought is  the same as yours.

 

Exercise

Choose the correct answer

1.     “ I like your dress.”

“ But it is only the same dress _____ you wear now.”

(A) as     (B) that     (C) which    (D) what

2.     I borrowed the same book in the library ____ Jeff did last week.

(A) as     (B) that     (C) which     (D) whose

3.     John is teaching the same student _____ I taught last year.

(A) whom    (B) that     (C) which     (D) as

4.     Attention is not the same thing _____ concentration.

(A) that     (B) but    (C) as     (D) or

5.     My trouble is the same _____ yours.

(A) that     (B) as     (C) but     (D) or

6.     (A) The house you built is the exactly same as hers.

(B) This is much the same house as her.

(C) The house you built is the same exactly as hers.

(D) The house you built is about the same as hers.

 

 

Key. 1. (A)   2. (B)   3. (B)   4. (C)   5. (B)   6. (D)

 

   

     

 

 

 


 

 

            情境對話                李明生老師提供

 

 “Going  Abroad”  出國去囉

 

Nancy and Peter arrive Hyatt Hotel in LA

ReceptionistGood afternoon. What can I do for you

Peter: We reserved a room through our travel agent in Taiwan.

ReceptionistYes, sir. Can I have your name, please

PeterOh. My name is Peter Lee. Is the room ready now

ReceptionistYes, it is. Your room is 3612. It’s on the 36th floor. It has good view

PeterExcellent. Thanks.

ReceptionistWill you please fill out this card

PeterAll right. Where do I sign

ReceptionistHere, please. Here is your key. May you have a good time.

PeterThank you.

                                               To be continoed

VOCABULARY  idiom           

Receptionist

接待員

     View

景觀  風景

Excellent.

太好了

fill out

填寫

 

                                                                


 

American Superstitions    郭月華老師提供

 

               

In the past the fear of the unknown led to a strong belief in unseen spirits. To appease these spirits’ power, people invented all sorts of charms and spells either to bring good luck or to ward off bad luck and, most importantly, dispel the fear of the unknown.

Some common superstitions that are important in everyone’s daily existence--- food, work, money, interpersonal relations are introduced here not only to help students understand the culture and English of the United States but also to provide a fun way to enjoy English and learn it at the same time.

 

Section One Body Language

 

01   Asking God’s blessing for a sneezer

 

A:    Ah chu! (loud sneeze)

B:     God bless you! (上帝保佑你)

A:     Thanks. I sure could use His blessing. I feel a cold coming on (快感冒了).

文字方塊: An old superstition says that yawning is cause by the devil and that evil spirits enter the body when your mouth is open wide. Covering your mouth stops them.

 

 

 

02   Cover your mouth when you yawn

 

A:    Oh, I just can’t stop yawning.

B:     At least you could cover your mouth.

A:     Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude.

B:     I know, but yawning is catching (具傳染性的). If you don’t stop, I’ll soon start.

文字方塊: People once believed the soul could escape from the body when a person sneezed. To stop this from happening, People ask God to bless---and so to protect---the person who sneezes.

 

 

 

 

03   Spitting on your hands for strength

 

A:    Boy, you must be very strong to handle chopping up all that wood.

B:     Actually, spitting on my hands gives me the strength to do this job.

A:     Let’s hope your saliva (唾液) last long enough to chop another pile up.

文字方塊: Seeing animals licking(舔) their wounds (傷口) caused people to believe that saliva had some magical healing (治癒). Nowadays, when people spit on their hands, they are asking for adding some more strength.

 

 

 

 

04 Cross you fingers to make a wish come true

 

A:    Congratulations! I heard that you got a promotion in your division.

B:     Not yet, but I hope to hear soon.

A:     Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed (交叉手指) for you.

B:     Thanks. I need all the good luck I can get.

文字方塊: It is said that bad luck is trapped (困住) at he point where the two fingers meet. So when we cross our fingers, we stop the bad luck from escaping and allow our wishes to come true.

 

 

 

 


                                                      熱門新聞             楊純暖老師提供                                       

 

 

Hot News

Bush Warns of Painful US Recession Without Quick Action on Rescue Plan

U.S. President George Bush has invited both presidential candidates and the Congressional leadership to the White House in hopes of securing a deal to help the nation's ailing financial sector. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports the president urged public support for the rescue plan in an unusual nationally broadcast speech to the nation late Wednesday.

President Bush delievers TV speech on financial crisis, 24 Sep 2008

President Bush delivers TV speech on financial crisis, 24 Sep 2008

The president says the economy is in danger and something must be done. "We are in the midst of a serious financial crisis and the federal government is responding with decisive action" he said.

In a rare evening address from the White House, the president tried to put the complicated financial crisis in layman's terms.  He said the problems now facing Wall Street could eventually reach into every American home.

"More businesses would close their doors and millions of Americans could lose their jobs. Even if you have a good credit history, it would be more difficult to get the loans you need to get a car or send your children to college. And ultimately, our country could experience a long and painful recession," the president said.

Until recently, President Bush was saying that the American economy is sound. Now, the White House is using different words to describe America's fiscal health, saying the financial system is strong enough to survive the current market turmoil.

But the medicine for the ailing economy will come at a very steep price. The Bush administration wants Congress to approve $700 billion to buy out the bad debt now held by major financial institutions.  

Everyone agrees that something must be done. But many lawmakers are skeptical about setting aside all that money to help private companies.  And they worry about leaving responsibility for distribution of the funds with one person - Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson.

Democrats, like Brad Sherman of California, complain the rescue package does a lot to help over-extended financial institutions, and not enough to help private citizens. "The only thing that is certain is if we pass this bill, Wall Street will be happy," he said.

But the loudest opposition to the financial bail-out plan seems to be coming from fiscal conservatives in the president's own party. Republican Cliff Stearns of Florida is one of them. He says it would expose American taxpayers to great financial risk. "Through these bailouts our federal government is effectively risking hard earned taxpayers' dollars to protect private-sector companies that utilize reckless investment strategies with little regard to the consequences," he said.

On Thursday, the president will do some closed-door campaigning for the financial rescue plan at a White House meeting with Congressional leaders and the two major party presidential candidates.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are urging their colleagues in the legislature to approach the issue in a bipartisan fashion.

In a highly unusual joint written statement released just minutes before the president's speech, they say everyone must work together to prevent "an economic catastrophe."

Key Words

financial crisis 財經危機

layman    外行人

recession   衰退

turmoil    混亂

set aside   撥出

opposition  反對

bailout plan  紓困計畫

risk  危險

Choice

Which of the following words best describe the American economic situation?

booming

risky

excellent

Which of the following sentence is not true?

President Bush is strongly approving the bailout plan in his speech.

Even some of the conservatives in the president’s party oppose the bailout plan.

If the US passed the bailout plan, the Wall Street would be very unhappy.