B型天蠍座

維吉尼亞軍事學校Virginia Military Institute     

美國軍校， 1839年11月11日創校於維吉尼亞州萊星頓市。美國陸軍有所謂的南北兩強；北是位於紐約州的西點軍校， 南即是維吉尼亞軍校。該校以訓練嚴厲著稱，且校風一直略有種族歧視的味道。南北戰爭時期，在石牆傑克森（Stonewall Jackson）將軍領導下，訓練出衆多優秀南軍軍官。而於錢斯勒斯維爾戰役中，傑克森率其部隊突擊敵人時，看到當中有的軍人是軍校的舊生，遂說「這會是維吉尼亞軍校揚名立萬的日子。」 

ps.知道西點軍校，維吉尼亞也聽過，原來這麼有名！   

提外話說太多，來複習囉！

今天的內容也不難，但（我覺得）單字變多，而需要注意連音的部份則減少了。除了修正發音，劈老師也幫我們訂正了部份的文法。老師說發音不太需要練，但為了讓我們更清楚卻又不浪時間，商討後換老師唸整段文章，我們再針對自己有疑惑的發音或文法提出問題，由老師一一解答。原以為時間會空下太多，或許是補充的東西增加，今天也是完整的上完一個半小時，看來這個上課方式修正的還算不錯，妳說是不是啊，SE？！
                                     


                                                         My personality

Unlike most of my friends, I have a strong personality. One of my greatest strengths is being optimistic. This attitude toward life results from my confidence. Because I have faith in myself, I often achieve what I set out to do.

I remember the first time when I was chosen to represent my class in a speech competition. Because I was lacking in experience, I was very nervous. However, I managed to clam myself down and persuade myself that I could do the speech perfectly. In the end, I won first prize. Ever since then, I’ve tried to act with confidence and maintain my optimism.

1. optimistic(adj.)，樂觀的。相反詞：pessimistic
2. toward　對於
3. set out=begin to do
4. manage to　設法...
5. ever since then　自從(後接現在完成式)
6. optimism(n.)

 

The best part of my personality, I think, is my easygoing attitude. We live in a world where teamwork is highly emphasized, so it is important for individuals to work with others in harmony. If someone in a group is too tough or dominant, conflicts may arise, and consequently, nothing gets done.

I think I benefit a lot from my easygoing attitude. People find it easy to work with me, so our projects are efficiently and harmoniously completed. My easygoing personality has won me friends from different backgrounds. Some have said they wanted to emulate my attitude in their own lives. I feel lucky to be an easygoing person and will try to make good use of this personal strength to enrich my life.

1. emphasize　重視
2. harmony(n.)　和諧
3. dominant　強勢的
4. conflict　衝突
5. arise=happen=accur≠produc
6. get done=finished
7. harmoniously(adv.)
8. emulate　仿效
9. make good use　善用

 

 

I love changes. Every now and then, I need something different to enrich my life. In fact, just rearranging the furniture in my room gives me a sense of freshness.

I easily become bored with the routine in my everyday life. Rater than be content with what I have, I prefer to take on new things to add color to my life. From walking home a different way to taking part in various activities, I embrace changes and challenges. I’m young and full of energy, so I want to try my hand at new things. So far, I’ve worked several part-time jobs and have taken a few language courses. Furthermore, I always seize the opportunity to make friends with interesting people. Along with changes and challenges comes the possibility of failure, but experience is the best teacher of all.

 
1. Every now and then=sometimes=once in a while
2. In fact.=to be honest.=to be real,
3. 倒裝句用法　I prefer to take on new things to add color to my life rather than be content with what I have.
4. From walking....to taking
5. embrace　欣然接受(然後抓住機會)
6. try someone's hand at=try to do something...
7. 此take為修課的"修"
8. seize　抓住
9. 倒裝句用法　The possibility of failurecomes along with changes and challenges

Part II

I don’t like too many changes in my daily life. People inevitable experience turning points in their lives that require them to make big changes. However, it is disturbing to me when changes keep happening over and over again.

In my opinion, it is wrong to conclude that being satisfied with one’s current life equals being cowardly. Since people are more confident of things they’re familiar with, why bother to have a hand in things they don’t even know or understand? Playing it safe is not a bad thing; on the contrary, it helps people avoid making mistakes. Because too many changes might lead to turmoil, I enjoy living a steady and peaceful life.

1. inevitable　無可避免的
2. turning points　轉捩點
3. disturb(v.)　妨礙
4. Since　因為（since後不接時間時做"因為"解釋)
5. familiar with，熟悉。
6. why bother　為什麼要...(其後可直接加原形動詞)
7. Playing it safe is not a bad thing　小心行事不是壞事（可以解釋成＂小心駛得萬年船＂嗎？）
8. on the contrary　相反地。
9. avoid與enjoy相同，其後都接Ving。
10. turmoil(n.)　混亂。
11. enjoy living　　（文法同9.)
12. steady=stable

（安娘喂，看看這次紅字數量有多驚人....。說文解字等有空再來補，希望不要忘記太多！）

補充：
1. in a dilemma　進退兩難
2. donor=person who to donate something to others
3. representative(n.)=person who represent someone or company
4. 當動詞及名詞為同一字時，當動詞時的重音多在第二音節，當名詞時則重音在第一音節。conflict、progress都是此例。
5. turn something around　扭轉局勢
6. flip the coin，擲錢幣決定命運（把coin換成table，就是翻桌啦！）
7. being average  甘於平常的狀態
8. orchestra交響樂團，chorus合唱團
9. denomination  (貨幣)面額
10. As far as I know  就我所知
11. (下課時說...）Call it a day. or End of class.
12. masculine　剛強的
13. feminine　陰柔的
14. shemale=transvestite=croww-dresser=drag queen　人妖
15. transsexual　變性人
16. prefer to 原形動詞....rather than 原形動詞=prefer Ving to Ving