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According to the new school of scientists，technology is an overlooked force in expanding the horizons of scientific knowledge.

新学派的科学家认为，技术是扩大科学知识的范围中被忽视的力量。

Science moves forward，they say，not so much through the insights of great men of genius as because of more ordinary things like improved techniques and tools.

他们说，科学的发展与其说源于天才伟人的真知灼识，不如说源于改进了的技术和工具等等更为普通的东西。

In short，a leader of the new school contends，the scientific revolution，as we call it，was largely the improvement and invention and use of a series of instruments that expanded the reach of science in innumerable directions.

新学派的一位领袖人物坚持说:简言之，我们所称谓的科学革命，主要是指一系列器具的改进、发明和使用，这些改进、发明和使用使科学发展的范围无所不及。

Over the years，tools and technology themselves as a source of fundamental innovation have largely been ignored by historians and philosophers of science.The modern school that hails technology argues that such masters as Galileo，Newton，Maxwell，Einstein，and inventors such as Edison attached great importance to，and derived great benefit from，craft information and technological devices of different kinds that were usable in scientific experiments.

工具和技术本身作为根本性创新的源泉多年来在很大程度上被科学史学家和科学思想家们忽视了。为技术而欢呼的现代学派争辩说，像伽利略、牛顿、麦克斯威尔、爱因斯坦这样的科学大师和像爱迪生这样的发明家十分重视科学实验中能使用的各种不同的工艺信息和技术装置并从中受益匪浅。

The centerpiece of the argument of a technology yes，genius no advocate was an analysis of Galileo’s role at the start of the scientific revolution.The wisdom of the day was derived from Ptolemy，an astronomer of the second century，whose elaborate system of the sky put Earth at the center of all heavenly motions.

鼓吹技术第一、天才第二的论据的核心是分析了科学革命初期伽利略的作用。那时的聪明才智取自第二世纪的天文学家托勒密;他精心创立的太空体系把地球置于所有天体运动的中心。

Galileo’s greatest glory was that in 1609 he was the first person to turn the newly invented telescope on the heavens to prove that the planets revolve around the sun rather than around the Earth.But the real hero of the story，according to the new school of scientists，was the long evolution in the improvement of machinery for making eyeglasses.

伽利略的最光辉的业绩在于他在1609年第一个把新发明的望远镜对准天空，以证实行星是围绕太阳旋转，而不是围绕地球。但是，在新学派科学家看来，这件事中真正重要的因素是制造镜片的机械长期以来不断的改进和发展。

Federal policy is necessarily involved in the technology vs.genius dispute.

联邦政府的政策必然要卷入到技术与天才之争中去。

Whether the Government should increase the financing of pure science at the expense of technology or vice versa（反之）often depends on the issue of which is seen as the driving force.（题库编号：365378）

政府究竟是以减少对技术的经费投入来增加对纯理论科学的经费投入，还是相反，这往往取决于把哪一方看作是驱动力量。

The standardized educational or psychological tests that are widely used to aid in selecting，classifying，assigning，or promoting students，employees，and military personnel have been the target of recent attacks in books，magazines，the daily press，and even in Congress.

标准化教育或心理测试同在广泛应用于协助选拔、委派或提拔学生、雇员和军事人员;这些测试一直是某些人近年来在书本、杂志、日报，甚至国会中进行抨击的目标。

The target is wrong，for in attacking the tests，critics divert attention from the fault that lies with illinformed or incompetent users.The tests themselves are merely tools，with characteristics that can be measured with reasonable precision under specified conditions.Whether the results will be valuable，meaningless，or even misleading depends partly upon the tool itself but largely upon the user.

把标准化测试作为抨击目标是错误的，因为在抨击这类测试时，批评者没有注意到其弊病来自测试使用者对测试不解或使用不当。这些测试本身只是一种工具。它的各种特性可以在规定条件下用适当的精度来测定。测试的结果是在有价值的、无意义的、还是误导的，部分取决于这种工具本身，但主要取决于测试使用者。

All informed predicitions of future performance are based upon some knowledge of relevant past performance:school grades，research productivity，sales records，or whatever is appropriate.

所有对未来表现的有见识地的预测都是以在某种程度上了解有关过去的表现为基础的:学校学习成绩、研究效益、销售记录或任何符合需要的信息。

How well the predictions will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount，reliability，and appropriateness of the information used and on the skill and wisdom with which it is interpreted.Anyone who keeps careful score knows that the information available is always incomplete and that the predictions are always subject to error.

这些预测在多大程度上为后来的表现所证实，这取决于所采用信息的数量、可靠性和适宜性，以及解释这些信息的技能和才智。任何仔细记分的人都知道，所得到的信息总是不完全的，而且这些预测也总是会有错误的。

Standardized tests should be considered in this context.They provide a quick objective method of getting some kinds of information about what a person learned，the skills he has developed，or the kind of person he is.The information so obtained has，qualitatively，the same advantages and shortcomings as other kinds of information.

应该根据这种观点去考察标准化测试。标准化测试提供了快速、客观地得到某些信息的方法，这些信息是有关一个人所学到的知识、他所获得的技能，或者他是属于哪一类型的人。这样得到的信息，从性质上讲，与其它种类的信息一样具有优点或缺点。

Whether to use tests，other kinds of information，or both in a particular situation depends，therefore，upon the evidence from experience concerning comparative validity and upon such factors as cost and availability.

因此，在某一特定情况下，究竟是采用测试还是其他种类的信息，或是两者兼用，须凭有关相对效度的经验依据而定，也取决于诸如费用和有无来源等因素。

In general，the tests work most effectively when the qualities to be measured can be most precisely defined and least effectively when what is to be measured or predicated can not be well defined.Properly used，they provide a rapid means of getting comparable information about many people.Sometimes they identify students whose high potential has not been previously recognized，but there are many things they do not do.

一般来说，当所要测定的特征能很精确界定时，测试最为有效;而当所要测定或预测的东西不能明确地界定时，测试的效果则最差。这些测试如能恰当使用，就能提供一种快速的方法来获得有关许多人的可比性信息。有时这些测试能鉴别出一些学生，他们很高的潜在能力过去一直没有被承认。但是也有入场多事情这些测试是不能胜任的。

For example，they do not compensate for gross social inequality，and thus do not tell how able an underprivileged youngster might have been had he grown up under more favorable circumstances.（题库编号：365379）

例如，测试并不弥补明显的社会不公;因此，它们不能说明一个物质条件差的年轻人，如果在较好的环境下成长的话，会有多大才干。

The differences in relative growth of various areas of scientific research have several causes.

科学研究的各种领域的相关发展，存在若干原因。

Some of these causes are completely reasonable results of social needs.Others are reasonable consequences of particular advances in science being to some extent self-accelerating.Some，however，are less reasonable processes of different growth in which preconceptions of the form scientific theory ought to take，by persons in authority，act to alter the growth pattern of different areas.This is a new problem probably not yet unavoidable;but it is a frightening trend.

在这些原因中，有些完全是自然而然地来自社会需求。另一些则是由于科学在一定程度上自我加速而产生某些特定发展的必然结果。然而，有些发展速度的差异其原因就不尽合理，这是因为某些权威人士对科学理论研究应采取何种形式有先入为主的想法，这些想法起了改变不同科学领域的发展模式的作用。这是一个新问题，也许并非是不可避免的问题，但其趋势却令人担忧。

This trend began during the Second World War，when several governments came to the conclusion that the specific demands that a government wants to make of its scientific establishment cannot generally be foreseen in detail.It can be predicted，however，that from time to time，questions will arise which will require specific scientific answers.It is therefore generally valuable to treat the scientific establishment as a resource or machine to be kept in functional order.

这种趋势始于第二次世界大战期间，当时一些国家的政府得出结论:政府要向科研机构提出的具体要求通常是无法详尽预见的。然而，人们可以预见，往往会出现一些问题要求科学做出具体的回答。因此，将科研机构视为一种资源或一台机器，应维持其良好的运行状态。这样做通常是很有价值的。

This seems mostly effectively done by supporting a certain amount of research not related to immediate goals but of possible consequence in the future.

给某些与当前目标无关但将来可能产生影响的科研以支持，看来通常能有效地解决这个问题。

This kind of support，like all government support，requires decisions about the appropriate recipients of funds.Decisions based on utility as opposed to lack of utility are straightforward（直截了当的、简单明了的）.But a decision among projects none of which has immediate utility is more difficult.The goal of the supporting agencies is the praisable one of supporting good as opposed to bad science，but a valid determination is difficult to make.Generally，the idea of good science tends to become confused with the capacity of the field in question to generate an elegant theory.

此种资助也与所有政府资助一样，需要决定合适的投资对象。根据某一项目是否有效来做出决策是明确无误的。但是在几个都没有直接效用的项目中，要做出抉择就特别困难。资助机构的目标是支持好的科学，而不资助坏的科学，那是值得赞扬的。然而要做出正确的抉择却是困难的。人们往往将好科学与该科学是否有能力提出一套完美的理论混淆起来。

However，the world is so made that elegant systems are in principle unable to deal with some of the worlds more fascinating and delightful aspects.

然而，世界就是如此，完美的体系一般是无法解决世上某些更加引人入胜的课题的。

New forms of thought as well as new subjects for thought must arise in the future as they have in the past，giving rise to new standards of elegance.（题库编号：365380）

同过去一样，将来必然会出现新的思维方式和新的思维对象，给完美以新的标准。

Do animals have rights?This is how the question is usually put.It sounds like a useful，ground-clearing way to start.

动物有权利吗？人们通常这样提问。这像是一个实用且具创新的提问方式。

Actually，it isnt，because it assumes that there is an agreed account of human rights，which is something the world does not have.

事实并非如此，因为这种问法是以人们对人的权利有一种共识为基础的，而这种共识并不存在。

On one view of rights，to be sure，it necessarily follows that animals have none.

诚然，根据对权利的一种看法，必然认为动物没有权利。

Some philosophers argue that rights exist only within a social contract，as part of an exchange of duties and entitlements.Therefore，animals cannot have rights.The idea of punishing a tiger that kills somebody is absurd，for exactly the same reason，so is the idea that tigers have rights.However，this is only one account，and by no means an uncontested one.It denies rights not only to animals but also to some people—for instance，to infants，the mentally incapable and future generations.In addition，it is unclear what force a contract can have for people who never consented to it:how do you reply to somebody who says I dont like this contract?

有些哲学家论证说，权利只存在于社会契约中，是责任与权益交换的一部分。因此动物不可能有权利。惩罚吃人的老虎的想法是荒谬的。同样，认为老虎有权利也是荒谬的。然而，这只是一种认识，而且是一种有争议的认识。这种认识不仅剥夺了动物的权利，而且也剥夺了某些人的权利，例如婴儿，这些还不会用大脑来思考问题的下一代。此外，谁也不清楚，对于从来就不同意契约的人来说，这项契约又具有多大约束力，如果有人说“我不喜欢这项契约”，那你又如何回答呢？

The point is this without agreement on the rights of people，arguing about the rights of animals is fruitless.

问题的症结在于，如果对人的权利没有一致的看法，争论动物的权利是徒劳无益的。

It leads the discussion to extremes at the outset:it invites you to think that animals should be treated either with the consideration humans extend to other humans，or with no consideration at all.This is a false choice.Better to start with another，more fundamental question:is the way we treat animals a moral issue at all?

这种说法从一开始就将讨论引向两个极端，它使人们认为应该这样对待动物：要么像对人类自身一样关切体谅动物，要么完全冷漠无情。这是一种不真实的选择。这是一种错误的选择。最好以另一种更为根本性的提问开始：我们对待动物的方法是一个道德问题吗？

Many deny it.许多人否认这种提法。

Arguing from the view that humans are different from animals in every relevant respect，extremists of this kind think that animals lie outside the area of moral choice.Any regard for the suffering of animals is seen as a mistake—a sentimental displacement of feeling that should properly be directed to other humans.

这类人持极端看法，认为人与动物在各相关方面都不相同，对待动物无须考虑道德问题。任何关心动物疾苦的想法都是错误的，因为它把应该用来关心其他人的同情心错误地用到动物身上。

This view，which holds that torturing a monkey is morally equivalent to chopping wood，may seem bravely logical.In fact it is simply shallow:the confused center is right to reject it. the most elementary form of moral reasoning —the ethical equivalent of learning to crawl—is to weigh others interests against one s own.This in turn requires sympathy and imagination:without which there is no capacity for moral thought.To see an animal in pain is enough，for most，to engage sympathy.

这种观点认为，折磨猴子从道义上讲无异于劈柴，这种看法似乎是大胆的“逻辑推理”。实际上，这种看法非常肤浅，因为其中心混乱到应该被摒弃的程度。道德推理的最初级形式，和学习爬行的理论一样，是把自身利益和他人利益加以权衡考虑。那么，这就需要同情心和想象力。没有这两点，就无法用道德观念来进行思考。看到动物受苦足以使大多数人产生同情感。

When that happens，it is not a mistake:it is mankinds instinct for moral reasoning in action，an instinct that should be encouraged rather than laughed at.（题库编号：365381）

这种反应并不是错误，这是人类用道德观念进行推理的本能在起作用。这种本能应该得到鼓励，而不应该遭到嘲笑。

Governments throughout the world act on the assumption that the welfare of their people depends largely on the economic strength and wealth of the community.

世界各国政府都认为，人民的幸福主要依赖于社会的经济实力和财富。

Under modern conditions，this requires varying measures of centralized control and hence the help of specialized scientists such as economists and operational research experts.

在现代条件下，这需要程度不同的中央控制，从而就需要获得诸如经济学和运筹学等领域专家的协助。

Furthermore，it is obvious that the strength of a countrys economy is directly bound up with the efficiency of its agriculture and industry，and that this in turn rests upon the efforts of scientists and technologists of all kinds.

再者，显而易见的是一个国家的经济实力与其工农业生产效率密切相关，而效率的提高又有赖于各种科技人员的努力。

It also means that governments are increasingly compelled to interfere in these sectors in order to step up production and ensure that it is utilized to the best advantage.For example，they may encourage research in various ways，including the setting up of their own research centers;they may alter the structure of education，or interfere in order to reduce the wastage of natural resources or tap resources hitherto unexploited;or they may cooperate directly in the growing number of international projects related to science，economics and industry，In any case，all such interventions are heavily dependent on scientific advice and also scientific and technological manpower of all kinds.

这就意味着，各国政府得越来越多地干预这些部门以便提高产量并确保产品会得到最好的利用。例如，政府可以用各种方法来鼓励研究，其中包括建立自己的研究中心;政府可以改革教育结构，或以政府干预来减少自然资源的消费量、开发迄今未被利用的资源;或者政府可以在日益增加的与科学、经济学和工业有关的项目中直接进行协作。无论如何，所有这些政府干预主要有赖于科学方面的咨询和各种类型的科技人才。

Owing to the remarkable development in masscommunications，people everywhere are feeling new wants and are being exposed to new customs and ideas，while governments are often forced to introduce still further innovations for the reasons given above.

大众通讯的显著发展使各地的人们不断感到有新的需求，不断接触到新的习俗和思想，由于上述原因，政府常常得推出更多的革新。

At the same time，the normal rate of social change throughout the world is taking place at a vastly accelerated speed compared with the past.For example，in the early in industrialized countries of Europe the process of industrialization—with all the far-reaching changes in social patterns that followed—was spread over nearly a century，whereas nowadays a developing nation may undergo the same process in a decade or so.

而同时，全世界的正常的社会变革速度与过去相比大大加快了。在先期实现工业化的欧洲国家中，其工业化进程以及随之而来的各种深刻的社会结构变革，持续了大约一世纪之久，而如今一个发展中国家在10年左右就可能完成这个过程。

Additional social stresses may also occur because of the population explosion or problems arising from mass migration movements—themselves made relatively easy nowadays by modern means of transport. As a result of all these factors，governments are becoming increasingly dependent on biologists and social scientists for planning the appropriate programs and putting them into effect.（题库编号：365382）

由于人口的猛增或大量人口流动（现代交通工具使这种流动相对容易）造成的种种问题也会对社会造成新的压力。由于这些因素的结果，政府正越来越多地依靠生物学家和社会科学家来安排适当的规划，并付诸实施。

He went to the bed,removed one of the pair of pillows thereon,and flung it to the floor.

他走到床边，抓起床上一对枕头中的一个，扔到了地板上。

Sue looked at him,and bending over the bed-rail wept silently.“You don't see that it is a matter of conscience with me,and not of dislike to you!”

淑看着他，俯在床栏杆上，默默地留着泪。“你不明白，我这样做是出于良心发现，而不是因为不喜欢你！”

She brokenly murmured.“Dislike to you!But I can't say any more——it breaks my heart——it will be undoing all I have begun！Jude——good-night！”

她轻声地、断断续续地说。“不是不喜欢你！不过我不能再说下去了——我的心都要碎了——再说下去我就会回心转意了！裘德——再见吧！”

“Good-night,”he said,and turned to go.

“再见，”裘德说完，转身要走。

“O but you shall kiss me！”said she,starting up,“I can't—bear—！”“哦，你得吻吻我！”她突然站起身来说，“我受不了——！”

He clasped her,and kissed her weeping face as he had scarcely ever done before,and they remained in silence till she said,“Good-bye,good-bye！”And then gently pressing him away she got free,trying to mitigate the sadness by saying:“We'll be dear friends just the same,Jude,won't we?And we'll see each other sometimes——Yes！——and forget all this,and try to be as we were long ago?”

他把她搂在怀里，吻着她那挂满泪水的脸，他似乎从未这样吻过她。两人沉默了一会儿，最后她说，“再见！再见！”她轻轻地推开他，挣脱了他的怀抱。为了缓和这悲伤的气氛，她又说：“我们还会是亲密的朋友，裘德，是不是？我们时不时还可以见面——我们会的！——忘掉这一切，让我们像很久以前那样（做表兄妹），好吗？”

Jude did not permit himself to speak,but turned and descended the stairs.（题库编号：365383）

裘德忍着没有再说甚么，一转身下了楼。

With their bare feet moving in step,the line of women walked and sang three times around every farmer's field.Then they separated,and each woman fell in behind a farmer as he moved along each row,punching a hole in the earth every few inches with his big toe.Into each hole a woman dropped a seed,covered it over with her own big toe,and then moved on.（题库编号：365384）

排成一队的妇女们光着脚齐步行进，在每个农民的田头唱三遍歌，然后分散开，每个农妇走到一个农夫背后，跟着他沿着一行行的田垄向前移动。他每隔几英寸就用大脚趾在土地上戮一个洞，农夫便往每一个洞里撒下一粒种子，再用大脚趾拨土盖上它，然后接着往前走。

I heard a cough, then came a chuh-chuh-chuh- chuh- then there was a flash, as when a blast furnace door is swung open, and a roar that started white and went red and on and on and on in a rushing wind.

我听到一阵咳嗽似的声音，然后是嚓、嚓、嚓的响声，随后看到一道闪光，好像一扇鼓风炉的门猛地被打开了。一阵轰鸣般的声音传来，先是带着白光，接着变成红光，一阵疾风似的扫过。

I tried to breathe but my breath would not come and I felt myself rush bodily out of myself and out and out and out and all the time bodily in the wind.

我想呼吸，但一口气也喘不上来，我感到自己的身体飞出了躯壳，向外飞呀飞，整个身体一直在风中飞。

I went out swiftly, all of myself, and I knew I was dead and that it had all been a mistake to think you just died. Then I floated, and instead of going on I felt myself slide back.

我的整个人都疾速地飞了出去。我知道自己死了，又意识到认为自己死去是个错觉。然后我飘了起来，但没有继续往外飘，我感到身体又滑回躯壳之中。

I breathed and I was back.The ground was torn up and in front of my head there was a splintered beam of wood……

我喘了口气，清醒过来。地面被炸得粉碎，我的头前面是一片炸碎了的木块……。

I tried to move but I could not move.I heard the machine-guns and rifles firing across the river and all along the river.（题库编号：365385）

我想动一动，但动不了。我听到河对面和河边到处都是机关枪和步枪的响声。

Sunrise 日出

Last month I took a trip by ship.Therefore,I was able to witness the daunting beauty of sunrise at sea.

上个月我乘船旅行，因此有幸看到了海上日出的美景。

At five o'clock in the morning,I and some other people were already waiting at the deck.Just as we were shivering at the merciless northerly winds up on the very peak of the Phoenix Mountain when the dark heavenly curtain rolled up and revealed the distant islands.

早上五点钟的时候，我和其他一些人已经等在甲板上。正当我们在凤凰山顶上被无情的北风吹得瑟瑟发抖的时候，天空中的黑幕渐渐升起，远处的岛屿渐渐显露出来。

Suddenly thin rays of red hue spread across the sky.The redness of the rays deepened and in the end,the sun broke through the mist and darted out of the boiling sea.Up,up it rose,adding to itself strength and glory at every step.It dazzled with vigor,driving away darkness,cold,and bringing happiness to men.

突然细微的红色光线蔓延整个天空，光线中的红色渐渐变深，最后太阳冲破迷雾，从汹涌的海面上升了起来，上升，它升起来了，每一步都积聚着力量和荣耀。它放射出耀眼的光辉，驱走了黑暗和寒冷，把幸福带给了人们。

We were completely amazed at the wonder and the greatness of nature.We jumped and shouted like innocent children and we bathed in the first rays of the sun on the deck,the sea and the far-off islands till it was time for our return.（题库编号：365096）

我们完全被自然的奇迹和伟大征服了，像孩子一样又跳又叫。太阳的第一束光线照耀在甲板上、大海上和远处的岛屿上。我们沐浴在这阳光中，直到最后才离开。

Justice Was Done 伸张正义

The word justice is usually associated with courts of law.We might say that justice has done when a man's innocence or guilt has been proved beyond doubt.

通常正义这个词是与法院联系在一起的。每当一个人被证据确凿地证明有罪或无罪时，我们可以说正义得到了伸张。

When a thief was caught in a large fur store one morning,the shop assistants must have found it impossible to resist the temptation to say“it serves him right.”The shop was an old-fashioned one with many large,disused fireplaces and tall,narrow chimneys.Towards noon,a girl heard a muffled cry coming from behind one of the walls.As the cry was repeated several times,she ran to tell the manager who promptly rang up the fire brigade.The cry had certainly come from one of the chimneys,but as there were so many of them,the firemen could not be certain which one it was.They located the right chimney by tapping at the walls and listening for the man's cries.After chipping through an eighteen-inch-thick wall,they found that a man had been trapped in the chimney.The firemen were eventually able to free him by cutting a huge hole in the wall.The sorry-looking,blackened figure that emerged at once admitted that he had tried to break into the shop during the night but had got stuck in the chimney.

某天早晨，当一个小偷在一家大型毛皮商店内被抓住时，店员们忍不住说：“他罪有应得。”这是家老式商店，有很多已不再使用的大壁炉以及又高又窄的大烟囱。近晌午时，一个女店员听到来自墙后的沉闷叫声。这个叫声重复了多次，所以她跑去告诉了经理，经理马上打电话给消防队。叫声无疑是从某一个烟囱里传出来的，但由于烟囱这么多，消防队员不能肯定是哪个烟囱。他们轻轻敲着一堵堵墙，再听听这个人的叫声，借以断定是哪个烟囱。在凿通了十八英寸的墙壁之后，他们发现一个人卡在烟囱里。消防队员在墙上开了一个大洞，终于把他解救了出来。那个看上去满面沮丧、浑身漆黑的家伙从烟囱里一出来就立刻承认他企图在夜间钻进店里行窃，但被卡在烟囱里了。

Justice had been done even before the man was handed over to the police.（题库编号：365025）

此人被送到警察局以前，正义就已经得到了伸张。

Learning from Films 从电影中学习

Films are popular in almost every country in the world.However,the films of different countries have some unique characteristics that can tell us something about the culture that inspires them.We can take American movies and Indian movies as examples.

电影几乎在全世界所有国家都很受欢迎。然而，不同国家的电影有不同的特色，它们能让我们了解是什么样的文化激发他们拍出了这样的电影。我们可以以美国与印度的电影为例。

American movies often feature futuristic high technology as part of the story,and one can judge from this that Americans are interested in creating a future that is more progressive and convenient.The movies are often filled with violence which is often seen as a means of solving problems.This may reflect a belief in the importance of power and that “might is right.”

美国电影的特色是常将先进科技作为故事情节的一部分。从这一点可以知道，美国人对于创造一个更进步、更便利的未来是很有兴趣的。美国电影充斥着暴力，而暴力也常被视为解决问题的方法。这可能表明，美国人认为力量很重要，而且“强权就是公理”。

In contrast with American movies,Indian movies often appear unsophisticated and simplistic.The sets are inexpensive and the story line is predictable,yet the films are overwhelmingly popular.The audience seems to especially like the improbable song and dance numbers.In addition,the themes of these movies usually center around family and the impact of modern life on traditional values.

跟美国电影比起来，印度电影通常没有那么世故，它们是单纯的。印度电影的布景便宜，而且剧本的情节容易预测，但是电影却非常受欢迎。观众特别喜欢看那些穿插有很多看起来很不真实歌舞节目的电影。此外，印度电影的主题通常都以家庭与现代生活对传统价值观的冲击为中心。

In conclusion,films are not only an important form of entertainment,but can tell us a great deal about the cultures that they reflect and they are truly a reflection of our societies.（题库编号：365158）

总之，电影不仅是一项重要的娱乐形式，而且还会大力反映电影所植根的文化。电影确实是我们各种社会的反映。

Farewell to the Large Modern Cities 远离大都市

Only a lunatic would choose to live in a large modern city.To say farewell to cities of this type is really a wise choice.

只有傻子才会选择住在现代化大都市，远离这种城市才是最明智的选择。

Large modern cities are too big to control.Whenever you look,it's people,an innumerable throng of people.The trains which leave or arrive every few minutes are packed:an endless procession of human sardine tins.The streets are so crowded that there is hardly room to move on the pavements.

大都市让人觉得无从下手。无论什么时候，满眼看到的都是人，数不清的拥挤人群。间隔几秒钟一趟趟来往的列车都塞得满满的：像是一罐罐的沙丁鱼罐头。大街上也同样拥挤不堪，人行道上几乎没有行走的空间。

The cities impose their own living conditions on the people who inhabit them.City-dwellers are obliged to adopt a wholly unnatural way of life.They lose touch with the land and rhythm of nature.It is possible to live in such an air-conditioned existence in a large city that you are barely conscious of the seasons.

大城市将它们的生活条件强加于广大居民。城市居民不得已过着完全非自然的生活。他们失去了与土地交流的机会，也感受不到大自然的节奏。常年生活在到处是空调的都市中，又怎能感受到四季的交替。

In addition to all this,city-dwellers live under constant threat.The crime rate in most cities is very high.Houses are burgled with alarming frequency.Cities breed crime and violence and are full of places you would be afraid to visit at night.

除此之外，城市居民还经常生活在威胁之中。大多数城市的犯罪率较高，住房频繁地为抢劫者所光顾。城市业已成为犯罪和暴力的温床，有很多地方人们夜里都不敢前往。

If you think about all of these,cities are not really fit to live in at all.（题库编号：365217）

如果你考虑到众多这样的弊处，城市着实不是一个适宜居住的地方。

China's Football 中国足球

As the Chinese national team has thrown the football fans into despair time and again,it is high time that we chose football as the first target of reform.China has taken advantages of advanced foreign technologies to help hasten its economic growth;following suit,China's football should be open to foreign experience.

当中国国家足球队一次又一次把球迷推向失望之时，是我们把足球作为改建的第一个目标之际。中国利用了国外的先进技术加快了经济的发展；同样，中国足球也应该对外开放，吸收国外的经验。

First of all,the internationalization of China's football is essential for us to keep up with the advanced football techniques.China has adapted the English professional soccer system,under which players are selected for the national team from the clubs.However,our club system has much to be improved.In this case,more official support and less administrative interference are desired,and among other things,elite coaches are in urgent need.Besides,financial supports from enterprises cannot always satisfy the needs for football deveopment.

首先，要跟上先进的足球技术，中国足球的国际化是关键。中国已经采用了英国的职业联赛制度。依照这种制度，国家队从各个俱乐部中选拔出优秀的队员。然而，我们的俱乐部制度还有待于提高。在这种情况下，我们需要更多的官方支持，而不是行政干涉。尤其重要的是，我们急需一批精英教练。另外，来自企业的财政支持也无法总能满足足球发展的需要。

Secondly,to cultivate an enterprising spirit and encourage competition,an income gap between good and mediocre players and between good and not-so-good teams should be allowed.Moreover,the players are supposed to earn their own living through box office receipts and sponsoring enterprises to be granted the right to participate in managing the team.

其次，为了培养队员们积极进取的精神并鼓励竞争，高水平的球员和中等水平的球员，以及好的球队和不好的球队的收入差距要拉开。而且，队员们从俱乐部和支持他们的企业获得收入，而俱乐部和这些企业有权利来经营球队。

Finally,the professional awareness of the players ought to be enhanced,for whatever exterior circumstances are,it is the players,performance on the field that really matters.（题库编号：365280）

最后，应该提高队员的职业意识，无论外部环境如何改变，重要的是队员和他们在场上的表现。

Open Policy 开放政策

Do you know that residential quarter should be a noisier than a quieter place？

你知道吗？居民区应该是一个闹嚷嚷的地方而不是一个静悄悄的地方。

Having moved into the new apartment for one full year,I seldom have a chance to play with the children in our neighborhood.Children upstairs and downstairs have too tight schedule to play with me.Even though I have free time to enjoy myself,my parents have to play with me.

搬到新公寓一年了，我很少有机会和邻居的小孩子玩。楼上楼下的孩子的日程安排太紧不能和我玩儿。即使我有时间开心地玩，也只能让父母来当我的玩伴。

Nowadays,students' homework is less than before because schools encourage students to spend more time playing.However,they are drawn into classes of variety after class or on weekends.They can hardly find any time to play.

现在，学生的作业比以前少了，因为学校鼓励学生多花时间玩儿。然而，课下或者周末，他们被拉到各种班去学习，很难有时间去玩儿。

Actually,education does not only mean high score,but it also should aim at developing children to be healthy physically and mentally.Parents should leave the doors open to allow their children to enjoy the warm sunshine,to have a chat with their neighbors and to play with other children.Then children will feel better and warmer,simply because doors are left open to other people.（题库编号：365323）

事实上，教育不仅仅意味着得高分，它的目的还应该在于培养孩子们的身心健康。家长应该把门打开，允许孩子去享受温暖的阳光，去和邻居攀谈，去和其他孩子玩儿。这样，孩子会感觉更好、更温暖，因为门向其他人敞开。

On Holiday Economy 论假日经济

The extended holidays have caused unexpected great travel craze and brisk economic activities.Holiday spending adds fuel to the Chinese economy,which in turn leads to the creation of a new term“Holiday Economy”.But,meanwhile,it sparks a hot debate about it.

长假已经带来了空前的旅游热，并活跃了经济。假日消费在刺激中国经济的同时，也创造了一个新名词“假日经济”，然而与此同时，这也产生了很大的争议。

Some economists are in favour of the Holiday Economy.They believe they have many advantages.First,tourism-based Holiday economy will raise consumption,and help to spur the domestic demands.In addition,it benefits tourism,transportation,catering,hotels and service industries and enables them to thrive during holidays.

一些经济学家对假日经济持肯定态度。他们相信假日经济有很多的优点。首先，建立在旅游基础上的假日经济能够拉动消费，扩大国内需求。同时，它能够促进相关产业在假日的发展，比如旅游、交通、娱乐、旅馆以及服务业。

However,others overstate its disadvantages and hold that it brings undeniable problems.First,the travel craze puts a heavy burden in the trafic system.Besides,thousands and thousands of tourists flood scenic spots,causing some over-crowdedness and safety problems.For me,I believe its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages.After all,it greatly benefits our overall economy.At the same time,I suggest the government take effective measures to solve the aforementioned problems.（题库编号：365336）

但是，还有些人夸大它所带来的反面影响，认为它能带来不可否认的问题。首先，旅游热加重了交通系统的负担。其次，成千上万的旅游者涌入旅游景点，能够产生拥挤和安全问题。对于我来说，假日经济的优点要远远多于缺点。毕竟，它大大推动了我国整个经济的发展。同时，我建议政府应该采取有效措施来解决以上提到的负面问题。

Golden Week Holidays 黄金周

Should golden week holidays be cancelled？This has triggered much debate.Some believe the long holidays not only motivated consumption and boosted the growth of the economy,but also enhanced people's quality of life.However,I would favor the opinion of calling off the holidays and instead taking flexible time off.

黄金周是否应该取消？就此引发了不小的争议。一些人认为长假不仅推动了消费，带动了经济的发展，而且促进了人们生活质量的提高。不过，我还是认为长假应该取消，采用灵活休假制。

In fact,the seven-day holidays have brought problems in different fields.Facts indicate that golden week holidays cause chaos for the tourism industry,in spite of the fact that it has enlarged domestic demand as expected.The unfavorable result is larger than the beneficial one.

实际上，七天长假带来了许多问题。事实表明，尽管如同所预料的那样，黄金周扩大了国内市场需求，但也造成了旅游业市场的混乱。总的来说，弊大于利。

For instance,excessive visits to tourism attractions jeopardize the natural environment,decrease service quality,and make it hard to guarantee the safety of tourists.All the tourist attractions face huge burdens during golden weeks,and the staff see dealing with the huge influx of tourists as facing emergency and take weeks to recover from the onslaught.This results in a tremendous waste of time and energy from both tourism service staff and tourism resources.

比如说，过多的人光顾旅游景点会危害自然环境，降低服务质量，景区负责人员也很难保障如此之数量的游客的安全。黄金周期间，景区工作人员不得不肩负起巨大的负担，接待滚滚如潮的游客就像要处理重大紧急情况；长假过后，工作人员们至少需要几个星期的时间恢复元气。所有这些对旅游服务人员以及旅游资源，都会造成时间和精力上的巨大浪费。

Given this,I think,the golden week holiday system should be replaced by a flexible holiday system,which is in tune both with supply and demand.（题库编号：365361）

鉴于以上原因，我认为应该建立一种能够兼顾供求双方的灵活休假制度，来取代黄金周假期制度。

The Old Grocery 旧杂货店

In the center of the old city,three lights down from Main next to the Wanderer Bar,was an old white store called “WuHao Grocery”.As I parked behind the store,I wondered what year it was when the display windows were last washed.It had to be when I was working there part-time two years ago.As I walked up the sidewalk,I noticed the paint is chipping off the white pillars which hold up the roof.The stairs were worn but still straight and strong.As I opened the door,I saw a room stuffed with cartons,container and boxes of different sizes,shapes and colors.A young girl and a middle-aged woman stood behind the counter,waiting on a customer.（题库编号：365121）

在这个古城的中心，从主大街数三个路灯，紧挨着流浪者酒吧，有一家古老的白色店铺，叫“五号商店”。我在店铺后面停车时，心里想那些橱窗不知是哪年擦洗过的，大概是两年前当我在那里做兼职时干的吧。走在便道上，我发现支撑着房顶的白色柱子上的油漆脱落，楼梯虽然陈旧却还是又直又结实。打开门，我看到一个塞满了纸箱、各种容器和盒子的房间，它们大小、形状、颜色各异。一个小女孩和一个中年妇女站在柜台后面，正招呼着一位顾客。

Why Is Lee's Shopping Mall So Popular？李氏超市为什么那么受欢迎？

Everybody knows there is a supermarket,Lee's Shopping Mall,near our school.Almost all students go there at least once a week.Why is it so popular？

大家都知道我们学校附近有一家超市——李氏超市。差不多所有学生每周至少会去那里一次。它为什么这么受欢迎呢？

The most important reason,I think,is that it is very convenient.It is near our school and there are many free buses taking students from school or dorm to the supermarket.The second reason is that its goods are sufficient to satisfy the consumers'need.You can find whatever you want to buy there.The last reason is that its service is great.The shop assistants are very helpful.If you find some quality problem about your purchase,you can easily get a refund or have it changed.

我认为最重要的原因是它很方便。它离我们学校很近，而且有很多免费车来学校或宿舍接送学生去超市。第二个原因是它的商品很充足，可以满足顾客的需要。你可以在店内买到任何想买的东西。最后一个原因是它的服务非常好，店员乐于帮助顾客。如果你买的东西有质量问题，你可以很轻松地退换货。

Lee's Shopping Mall gives us a lot of convenience and helps us to live a colorful life.We like it！（题库编号：365205）

李氏超市给了我们很多方便，并帮助我们生活得多姿多彩。我们喜欢它！

CET-6 大学英语六级考试

Compared with the last few years,nowadays,more and more students began to take CET-6.But there are still a large numbers of students who think it is unnecessary to take CET-6.Because they have already been satisfied with the certification of CET-4 in their hands,they don't want to bring themselves into further trouble.I have different opinion with these people.I think it is quite necessary to take CET-6.

与前几年相比，现在越来越多的学生开始参加大学英语六级考试，但是仍然还有很多学生认为没有必要参加CET-6，因为他们满足于已经到手的4级证书，他们不想再多费事。我不同意这些人的观点，我认为非常有必要参加CET-6。

One reason is that CET-4 only means that my English is OK while taking CET-6 compels me to improve my English.The second reason is that if I want to get a good job in the future,the certification of CET-6 is more competitive than CET-4.

一个原因是CET-4仅仅意味着我的英语水平还可以，而CET-6能够促使我努力提高自己的英语水平。第二个原因是如果我将来想找个好工作，6级证书比4级证书更有竞争力。

Taking examination is not my final purpose.My final purpose is to learn English well.So even if I have passed CET-6,I would continue my English study.（题库编号：365228）

参加考试不是我的最终目标。我的最终目标是把英语学好。因此，即使我已经通过了6级考试，我也将继续我的英语学习。

有一次，在拥挤的车厢门口，我听见一位男乘客客客气气地问他前面的一位女乘客：“您下车吗？”女乘客没理他。“您下车吗？”他又问了一遍。女乘客还是没理他。他耐不住了，放大声问：“下车吗？”，那女乘客依然没反应。“你是聋子，还是哑巴？”他急了，捅了一下那女乘客，也引起了车厢里的人都往这里看。女乘客这时也急了，瞪起一双眼睛，回手给了男乘客一拳。（题库编号：365386）

Once at the crowded doorway in a bus, I heard a man asked politely a woman before him: “Are you getting off?”The woman had no response. He then repeated it but in vain . He got impatient and asked louder : “Getting off?”, but still no answer at all . He became irritated, shouting : “Are you a deaf or a dumb?”, and gave her a push, which drew other passengers' attention. Annoyed , the woman glared at him and hit him back (with her fist).

在中国古代史上，黄河被称为中华民族的“母亲”，她哺育了千千万万中华儿女。黄河流域是中华民族的“摇篮”，也是中华文化的发祥地。

Known in ancient history of China as the “mother”of the nation, the Yellow River has given life to hundreds of millions of Chinese people. As called the “cradle” of the nation, it is also the region for Chinese civilization to start from .

远古时代，这里曾经草木茂盛、植物繁茂，中华民族的祖先便在这块广袤的土地上劳作生息。经过数十万年原始社会后，在中国辽阔的国土上，这里最先进入农业文明，也最早进入阶级社会。勤劳勇敢的中华儿女在这里谱写了惊心动魄的历史篇章，创造了绚丽多彩的艺术文化，黄河流域至今保留着大量的文化古迹。（题库编号：365387）

In ancient times, it was a vast land abundant with an exuberant plant life like trees, grass, etc., where the Chinese ancestors worked and lived . After hundreds of thousands of years of the primitive society, it became, of all places in China , the first settled agricultural region and the foothold of the class society in Chinese history, where the diligent and brave Chinese people gave a lot of breath-taking performances in history and created a variety of colorful arts and cultures . Today many cultural ashes and historic relics are still remaining in this region.

中华民族文化历史悠久，起源很早，内容极为丰富，是东方文明的主要组成部分，早在上古时期就已是人类文化的一个独立典型。

As an important component of Oriental civilization, the Chinese culture is rich and well-established with a long history , distinguished from ancient times by its characteristics in human culture.

在物质文化方面，中国的“四大发明 ”曾经改变世界历史的进程。在精神文明方面，“ 以人为本 ”的人格价值思想和“和为贵 ”的和平与发展的思想，对世界文化解决个人与社会、人与自然、道德与生命的根本关系做出了杰出的贡献。

With respect to its material culture, China 's “ four inventions ”, namely, gunpowder, printing, the compass and papermaking , have influenced the process of world history. With respect to ethical culture, the ideas of “ people come first ” ( for human dignity) and “ harmony prevails over all ”// “ conciliation is invaluable ” ( for the peace and development) have made great contributions to the world's culture, dealing well with the fundamental relationships between individuals and society, man and nature, and morality and life.

中国的学者们一致认为，在全球化趋势日益发展的今天，文化交流在国与国之间的交往中越来越重要，起着独特的作用，中国应该向全世界充分展现具有强大凝聚力的中华文明，同时应该利用申办（bid for ）、举办 (host/sponsor) 奥运会的机会吸取和弘扬（ carry forward//develop ）一切人类文明的精华。（题库编号：365388）

Chinese scholars have reached a consensus that today against the backdrop of globalization, cultural exchanges are playing particularly a bigger and bigger role in international contacts. While displaying to the world its strongly cohesive culture, China should absorb and develop the essence of other cultures by taking advantage of the opportunity of hosting the Olympics.

端午节，又称为五五节，因为端午节是在农历的五月五日，是三个重要的中国节庆之一，其他两个分别是中秋节和农历新年。

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Double Fifth Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon of the lunar calendar. It is one of the most important Chinese festivals, the other two being the Autumn Moon Festival and Chinese New Year。

这个节日的由来是古代中国有一位博学多闻的官吏屈原，他是一位爱民而且又受到尊崇的官吏，但是由于一位充满嫉妒的官吏陷害，从此在朝廷中被皇帝所冷落。由于无法获得皇帝的重视，屈原在忧郁的情况下投汨罗江自尽。

The origin of this summer festival centers around a scholarly government official named Chu Yuan. He was a good and respected man, but because of the misdeeds of jealous rivals he eventually fell into disfavor in the emperor's court.Unable to regain the respect of the emperor, in his sorrow Chu Yuan threw himself into the Mi Low river.

由于对屈原的爱戴，汨罗江畔的居民匆忙的划船在江内寻找屈原，并且将米丢入汨罗江中，以平息汨罗江中的蛟龙。

Because of their admiration for Chu Yuan, the local people living adjacent to the Mi Lo River rushed into their boats to search for him while throwing rice into the waters to appease the river dragons。

即使他们当时并没有找到屈原，但是他们的行为，直到今天在端午节的时候，仍然被人们传颂纪念着。（题库编号：365389）

Although they were unable to find Chu Yuan, their efforts are still commemorated today during the Dragon Boat Festival。

What’s Your Sign? 你的星座是什麽？

“Hi, what’s your sign?” Recently, this ice-breaking line has become very popular at parties in Taiwan. Now that astrology has become all the rage, many newspaper, Internet sites, radio programs, and TV talk shows include horoscopes.

「海，你的星座是什麽？」这句在台湾派对里跟人搭讪的话，最近已非常流行。现在西洋星座所向披靡，许多报纸、网站、收音机节目、电视脱口秀都包括星座这个话题。

Based on the monthly position of the stars, Western astrology has 12 zodiac signs: Aries, Pisces, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. People born under each sign are supposed to have particular personality traits.

根据每月星座的位置，西洋天象有12个星座：牡羊、双鱼、金牛、双子、巨蟹、狮子、处女、天秤、天蝎、射手、公羊和水瓶。生在不同星座的人，都有些特别的个性。

But while astrology can be fun, it can also have negative effects because it can lead us to stereotype people. For instance, it is not fair to label every Gemini as indecisive or every Virgo as controlling. Some employers even use astrology to make hiring decisions. To avoid this misuse of astrology, we should remember that people are more than just their zodiac signs.（题库编号：365390）

星座固然有趣，但也有负面影响，因为它使我们对某些人抱持成见，例如：把每个双子座的人都贴标籤为优柔寡断，或每个处女作都控制欲强，似乎不尽公平。有的老板居然用星座当作聘人标准！避免误用星座，我们该记得，人哪里是十二星座可以涵盖的！

Love Them, Don’t Leave Them 爱牠们，就不要离开牠们！

In recent years, pets have become increasingly popular in Taiwan. In many cases, pets are treated like members of the family. In return for their pets’ devotion and unconditional love, owners pamper their animals with special food, toys, and sometimes even winter clothing. Responsible owners also pay for veterinarian expenses, including shots and neutering; kitty litter for cats; and microchip implantation for dogs.

近年来饲养宠物大为流行，许多个案显示，宠物常被当成家庭成员。为了报答宠物的奉献与无条件的爱，饲主常用特殊食物、玩具、甚至买冬天的宠物装来溺爱牠们。有责任感的饲主付兽医医疗费，包括花钱给猫打预防针、动结扎手术和买猫砂给猫大小便，和给狗植晶片。

But unfortunately, not all owners are so responsible. Some dump their pets when they become tired of them, contributing to Taiwan’s stray animal problem. These unwanted animals, forced to live on the streets, can spread waste and disease. Some of these animals end up in animal shelters, where they may be put to sleep if no one adopts them.

不幸的是并非每个饲主都很有责任感，有的养烦了就丢，造成台湾流浪动物的问题。这些没人要的动物，被迫滞留街头，牠们乱大小便和传播疾病，有的最后流落动物庇护所，没人领养就只有安乐死。

Before you buy a pet, remember that it is not just a cute, disposable toy. Rather animals are living beings that need your love and protection.（题库编号：365391）

买宠物之前，请记得宠物可不是可爱、用了就丢的玩具，牠们是有生命的动物，需要你的爱和保护。

KTV Parlors 唱卡拉OK

While Taiwanese are known for being industrious workers, we also know how to have fun after work. All over the island, KTV parlors offer us the chance to let our hair down. “KTV,” an acronym for karaoke television, originated in Japan. In Japanese, karaoke literally means “empty orchestra.”

虽然台湾人工作的拼劲广为人知，我们也知道如何在工作之馀找乐子。台湾遍及全岛的KTV正符合这种需要，让人纵情欢唱。KTV是「卡拉OK电视」的简称，源于日本，字面的意思原本是「空的交响乐」。

Why has karaoke become such a popular form of entertainment in Taiwan? For one thing, with the help of recorded music and synchronized lyrics flashed on the TV screen, even an amateur can sing like a professional. Moreover, in secluded private rooms in KTV parlors, people can shake off their self-consciousness, taking turns entertaining each other.

为什麽卡拉OK在台湾会成为如此热门的娱乐活动？首先，听着录音带和在电视上与音乐同步闪烁的歌词，即使一个业馀人士也能唱得好像专业歌手。另外，在隔绝的KTV私人房间裡，人们可除却自己的害羞心理，轮番上阵，彼此互娱。

However, under the influence of alcohol, some people go wild and even act in ways they will later regret. In one case, for instance, one “victim” was forced to undress and was then smeared with butter. While KTV goers are having great fun, they should remember not to cross the fine line or the party will end unpleasantly.（题库编号：365392）

不过通常在酒精的作祟下，许多人开始放肆，甚至做了让他们事后会后悔的事，例如，「受害者」被迫脱去衣服，接着全身涂满牛油。唱卡拉OK的人也许很乐，不过要记得不逾矩，否则唱歌的聚会最后会不欢而散！

When the world was a simpler place, the rich were fat, the poor were thin, and right-thinking people worried about how to feed the hungry. Now, in much of the world, the rich are thin, the poor are fat, and right-thinking people are worrying about obesity.世界原本没有这么复杂，那时，富人胖，穷人瘦，头脑正常的人在发愁：怎样才能让挨饿的人吃上饭。而现在，在这个世界上的很多地方，富人瘦，穷人胖，头脑正常的人在为肥胖发愁。

Evolution is mostly to blame. It has designed mankind to cope with deprivation（贫困、清苦的生活）, not plenty. People are perfectly tuned（调整） to store energy in good years to see them through lean（贫乏的） ones. But when bad times never come, they are stuck with[俚]被...缠住无法摆脱, 遇到困难无法进行下去 that energy, stored around their expanding bellies.这罪魁祸首就是进化。进化已将人类设定好了，它使人能对付匮乏，却不会应对富足。经过进化的完美调教，人们可以在丰年储存能量，靠它挨过荒年。但是如果坏年光景总也不来，他们不断增长的肚皮上囤积的能量，就甩不掉了。

Thanks to rising agricultural productivity, lean years are rarer all over the globe. Modern-day Malthusians, who used to draw graphs proving that the world was shortly going to run out of food, have gone rather quiet lately. According to the UN, the number of people short of food fell from 920m in 1980 to 799m 20 years later, even though the world’s population increased by 1.6 billion over the period. This is mostly a cause for celebration. Mankind has won what was, for most of his time on this planet, his biggest battle: to ensure that he and his offspring had had enough to eat. But every silver lining has a cloud, and the consequence of prosperity is a new plague that brings with it a host of interesting policy dilemmas.由于农业生产力不断提高，荒年在世界各地都更为罕见。当代的马尔萨斯论者，曾画出各种图表，证明全世界的粮食马上就会吃完，而最近却不怎么吱声了。根据联合国的数字，粮食短缺的人口从1980年的9.2亿下降到了20年后的7.99亿，尽管世界同期人口增长了16亿。这总该是件可喜可贺的事情。人类打了个大胜仗，他们在这个星球上的绝大部分时间里，都在为赢得这场最大的战役而奋斗，那就是保证他们自己和他们的子孙都能吃得饱。但是，凡是好事，都有可能向坏的方面转化，现在富足带来了一种新的烦恼，搞得人们在一大堆问题的决策上进退两难。

As a scourge of the modern world, obesity has an image problem. It is easier to associate with Father Christmas than with the four horses of the apocalypse〈圣经·新约〉启示录. But it has a good claim to lumber（隆隆地行走） along beside them, for it is the world’s biggest public-health issue today---the main cause of heart disease and diabetes. Since the World Health Organization labeled obesity an “epidemic” in 2000, reports on its fearful consequences have come thick and fast（大量而急速地、频频）.肥胖这个当今世界的灾难，首先带来的是一个形象问题。它更容易让人联想到圣诞老人，而不是《圣经.启示录》中那四匹马。但肥胖完全有理由和这四匹马并驾齐驱，因为它已是当今世界最大的公众健康问题，是引起心脏病和糖尿病的主要原因。自从世界卫生组织2000年把肥胖列为“流行病”，对其可怕后果的报道一时间连编累牍，铺天盖地。

Will public-health warnings, combined with media pressure, persuade people to get thinner, just as they finally put them off tobacco? Possibly. In the rich world, sales of healthier foods are booming and new figures suggest that over the past year Americans got very slightly thinner for the first time in recorded history. But even if Americans are losing a few ounces, it will be many years before the country solves the health problems caused by half a century’s dining to excess. And, everywhere else in the world, people are still piling on the pounds. That’s why there is now a consensus among doctors that governments should do something to stop them.（题库编号：365393）对公众的健康警告，再加上媒体的压力，能像规劝人们最终戒烟那样，说服他们减肥吗？也许能行。在富国，健康食品的销售迅速增长，新的统计数字表明，在去年，美国人有史以来第一次瘦下来了一点点。但是，即使他们瘦了那么几盎司，美国要解决半个世纪狂吃狂喝造成的各种健康问题，还需要很多年的时间。而在世界其他地方，人们还在成磅成磅地堆集赘肉。正因为如此，医生们现在已经达成这样一个共识，那就是政府应该有所作为，阻止人们长胖。

The Colorful Taiwan Elections

Taiwan has “three abundances.” people， money， and elections. The recent year－end County Magistrates and City Mayors Election was believed to be not only a ”blue－versus－green” war of local authorities， but also a warm－up battle for the 2008 presidential elections.

On election night in the US，television channels would display the US map on the screen and use red， blue， and purple to mark the Democratic，Republican，and 50－50 states. When compared with the US，Taiwan’s political colors are undoubtedly more kaleidoscopic！

ON this color－sensitive island，everyone loves to categorize each other by using terms such as “pan－blue,” “pan－green,” or “pan－purple alliance”. TO complicate the situation even further， there are also “pro－unification radicals，” “pro－independence” radicals，” “oranges that have turned green，” or “yellow on the outside and blue on the inside”…Hey， why not make up our own “red party” and “indigo party，”so that Taiwan could then become a colorful “rainbow country！”（题库编号：365394）

色彩缤纷的台湾选举

　　台湾有「三多」：人多、钱多、选举也多。最近的年底县市长选举，不仅是「蓝、绿」地方政权的攻防战，也是2008年总统选举的热身战。

　　美国的开票夜，电视台会将美国地图呈现在萤幕中，然后用红、蓝、紫色代表共和党、民主党必胜的州，以及两党支持率呈五五波的州。比起美国，台湾的政治色彩便显得缤纷灿烂、多采多姿！

　　在这个对「颜色」十分敏感的小岛，大家最喜欢彼此乱扣帽子：你是「泛蓝」、我是「泛绿」、他是「泛紫」。这样还不够，有人是「急统」、有人是「急独」、还有人是「橘子绿了」、「外黄内蓝」???。嘿，我们何不自组「红党」及「靛党」，这样台湾便可以成为色彩缤纷的「彩虹国」！

Expose Culture

　　From the occurrence of the foreign worker riot and the KRTC scandal to the gambling of the ”two Chens” and the legitimacy of the TVBS capital, Taiwan is now blanketed in a flurry of expose culture.

　　 Taiwan was once a place where people are simple, decent, and magnanimous. Then, out of the blue, a newfound culture became rampant around the island. TV and other media started different ”talk shows” to reveal gossip about entertainment celebrities. The talk shows eventually led to the rise of ”political shows” to disclose scandals of political figures just to boost ratings.

　　Such expose culture seemed even more out of control with the coming of the elections. Not only do civil representatives start to expose scandals, other officials and even the president himself have also jumped on the bandwagon. Paparazzi are to the entertainment circle as ”Deep Throat” is to the political circle. People expose scandals whether or not they exist! Consequently, the general public's despite for media and political figures continues to rise while Taiwan, in turn, continues to sink!（题库编号：365395）

爆料文化

　　从外劳暴动、高捷弊案，到「双陈」赌博、TVBS资金的合法性…，台湾现正笼罩在一片爆料文化中。
曾经，台湾是个民风纯朴、人心厚道的的地方。但不知从何时起，小岛上流行一种新兴文化：电视媒体开始出现不同的「谈话性节目」，大爆影视名人的八卦。接著许多「政论性节目」也开始兴起，大揭政治人物的丑闻，以提高收视率。

　　随著选举将届，爆料文化似乎更形猖獗。不仅民意代表爆料，连官员、总统也纷纷跟著爆料。娱乐圈有狗仔队、政治圈有深喉咙。有料乱爆、没料也爆！结果老百姓对媒体及政治人物的不满情绪一直向上提升，而台湾，却一直向下沉沦！

Leave me be！Bad company

　　An English proverb says, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Confucius has also added that good friends should be “straightforward, upright, and knowledgeable.” Poor Taiwan has been searching for friend around the world for years. It has even been offering cash enticements in exchange for friend-ship , just to lure those countries that are “poor, deceitful, and materialistic.”

　　Senegal, friend of Taiwan, is the perfect example. A decade ago, the country cut diplomatic ties with Mainland China for monetary reasons. Yet now , it wants to switch allegiance to Mainland China for the same reason. Not feeling ashamed, Senegal further adds that “between countries there are no friends, only shared benefits.” Alas, we could definitely do without such friends！

　　With Senegal gone, Taiwan is left with only 25 friends. But we need not despair, for “when it comes to making friends, quality matters more than quantity.” What’s more, rather than having to squander money year after year to provide for corrupt allies, wouldn’t it be better if we use the money to fund the nation’s school lunch？（题库编号：365396）

走开！损友！

　　西谚云：「在你需要时帮助你的，才是真正的朋友」。孔子也说，好的朋友必须「友直、友谅、友多闻」。可怜的台湾，多年来在世界各地辛苦寻找朋友，甚至不惜花大钱买朋友，遇到的却偏偏都是「友贫、友诈、友现实」的家伙。

　　台湾的朋友塞内加尔就是最好的例子。这家伙十年前为了钱跟大陆断交，现在又为了钱与大陆建交。此国不但不觉得羞愧，还进一步说「国家之间没有友谊，只有利益」。唉，这种朋友不要也罢！

　　没有了塞内加尔，台湾只剩25个朋友。不过大家别绝望，「朋友贵精不贵多」。而且与其每年撒钱让友邦贪污，还不如将钱花在台湾学童的营养午餐！

The Disappearance of October Glory？

　　Shortly after October, most Taiwanese harbor the same thought: The glory days of October seem to be gone！The streets are filled with election campaign banners, whose numbers far surpass the amount of our national flags of “Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth”

　　October was once the most-anticipated month among Taiwanese, and for good reason. Not only do we have the Double Tenth Day” to look forward to during the month, but also the “Retrocession Day” and the “Memorial Day of the Late President Chiang Kai-Shek” In such a month filled with national joy, flags are hung in every household, while celebrations and memorial events occurred everywhere. But the best part is, we get to have three days off for no apparent reason！

　　Constant political turmoil in recent times makes for much grief among the public. In addition, with the advent of the “two-day-off weekend.”several national holidays have been scrapped. No wonder Taiwanese people are in so much melancholy！（题库编号：365397）

不再光辉灿烂的十月？

　　刚过完十月，大部分台湾人却有个共同的感觉：光辉灿烂的十月似乎不再！而满街飘扬的竞选旗帜，也多过「青天白日满地红」的国旗。

　　曾经，十月是个最令台湾人期待的月份。因为这个月不只有「国庆日」，还有「光复节」、「蒋公诞辰纪念日」。在这样一个举国欢腾的十月里，不仅家家户户悬挂国旗，各种庆祝活动、追思活动也随处可见；而最棒的，便是可以平白多放三天假！

　　不过这阵子国内政治纷扰不断，让许多人都十分鬱卒。加上「周休二日」的到来，以往许多国定假日已不再放假，怎不让台湾人鬱卒到最高点！

Political Compensation

　　The NT$40-million company stock bonus allocated to the chairman of the China Steel Corporation（CSC）created much controversy. Taiwan’s economic situation has been in recession in the recent years . There are people who are ordered to write lines as punishment for not being able to pay for tuition. At the same time, there are people who assume the chairman position in many different companies and receive large dividends. Who in their right minds wouldn’t blow a fuse？

　　Although the person in discussion has resigned and donated the stock bonus to charitable organizations, the fact that the Taiwan government is still offering executive posts to cozy up to particular persons remains a reality.

　　Come to think of it, the pandemonium as seen in Taiwan politics must be caused by a particular instant coffee commercial, which said：‘Share the good things with your good friends. Power should be split equally, money should be laundered collectively！Well, ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely. ’This has not been the first case of ‘political compensation’ and it would definitely not be the last！（题库编号：365398）

政治酬庸

　　最近中钢董事长的四千万分红，引起许多争议。本来嘛，台湾这几年经济差，有人穷到缴不起学费被罚写，有人却身兼多个董事长、享有巨额分红，怎能不叫人生气？虽然当事人已宣佈辞职及将分红捐赠慈善机构，但是台湾政府长久以来，利用高阶职务来拉拢特定人物的事实，却没有改变。

　　说起来，台湾的政治会如此纷乱，还不是被某家即溶咖啡的广告所害：「好东西要跟好朋友分享」。有权大家分，有钱大家捞！只不过「绝对的权利导致绝对的腐败」，类似的「政治酬庸」不是第一次，当然也不会是最后一次啦！

Double Tenth Day!

　　On October 10, 1911, the National Father, Dr. Sun, Yat-sen, led his comrades in the 1911 Wuchang Uprising (otherwise known as the Hsinhai Revolution). As a result, the then-corrupt Manchu dynasty was overthrown. Consequently, the tenth of October was henceforth known as “Double Tenth Day,” which is also our nation’s birthday.

　　In Taiwan, numerous festivities mark the celebration of every Double Tenth Day. These include the flag-raising ceremony in front of the presidential palace, the military review ceremony, folk art performances, and evening events such as the National Day firework display and music soiree.

　　Although the festive air of the past few National Day celebrations were tinted with tension caused by the ongoing debate of unification or independence, most citizens do not really concern themselves with slogans like “One China,” “One County on Each Side,” “One Country, Two Systems,” or “ROC on Taiwan,” just as long as the social stability and economic prosperity of Taiwan are maintained!（题库编号：365399）

双十国庆！

　　在西元1911年的10月10日，国父孙中山先生领导同志发动武昌起义（亦即「辛亥革命」），推翻当时腐败的满清政府。也因此，每年的10月10日是「双十节」，也是我们国家的生日。

　　在台湾，每年的双十节都有许多庆祝活动，包括总统府前的升旗典礼、阅兵典礼、民俗技艺表演、晚间的烟火表演及国庆音乐晚会。

　　虽然这几年的国庆日，因为持续辩论的统独问题而蒙上浓浓烟硝味，不过坦白说，对大多数民众而言，只要社会安定、经济繁荣，管他什麽「一个中国」、「一边一国」、「一国两制」、还是「中华国在台湾」！

Video Hijinks

　　A well-known celebrity recently suffered from insomnia and depression due to mounting pressure after being secretly videotaped. He eventually resolved his dilemma by holding a press conference and making the incident public. But video scandals are like a snowball rolling downhill； gathering momentum and size. This one involved not only an actress, but also a county councilor and several gangsters—definitely livelier than any prime time soap opera!

　　Although the “Masturbation VCD” seemed not as juicy compared with the “Intercourse VCD” from a few years back featuring a city councilor, there are still lessons that may be learned:

　　First and foremost, once videotaped, do not try to resolve the matter in private. Report the incident to the law enforcement authorities, no matter how inefficient they may seem to be. Second, do not in any case ask for help from gangsters, or risk a double-cross. Third, the “original copy” you paid money for will definitely not be the “original copy.” And last (and most importantly), do not take Viagra or Viazome from unknown sources! （题库编号：365400）

光碟风波

　　近来有一位知名艺人，因为被偷拍，搞得失眠、忧郁症都上身，最后只好召开记者会，将事件公诸于世。不过这个光碟丑闻有如雪球向下滚一般，越滚越大；涉案人士包括女艺人、县议员、黑道人士……，简直比八点档连续剧还精彩！

　　这次的「自慰光碟」与几年前某市议员的「性爱光碟」相比，虽然精彩度逊色不少，我们仍可从中学习教训：

　　首先，若遭偷拍绝不可私了，一定要求助警察伯伯，儘管他们的办案效率可能很差。第二，被欺负了绝对不可找黑道帮忙解决，不然会被黑吃黑。第三，付钱拿到的「母带」绝非「母带」。最后（也是最重要的），绝不吃来历不明的威而刚或威而柔！

Cash-For-Friendship Diplomacy

　　President A-bian made state visits to allied countries in Central America in the past few days , announcing a pledge of NT＄8 billion for a “co-prosperity fund.” The opposition camp and local citizens accused the government of running another episode of “money diplomacy.”

　　Year after year , Taiwan spends millions on public relations and affairs firms just to get on the right side of “Uncle Sam ,”but Taiwan is still no closer in gaining entry into the United Nations . Taiwan has continually been under pressure form Washington to buy missiles and other weapons , and yet the U.S. claims that it has no obligation in helping defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by China . Taiwan has also been investing generous amounts of money on its allies , which only led to monetary aid scandals . The list of Taiwan’s woes goes on and on .

　　Truth be told , the expenditure in question would seem minute compared to our country’s other expenses . It will cost us NT＄80 billion to strengthen flood control and drainage functions , while arms procurement is also said to be worth over NT＄400 billion !

　　On the other hand , what does NT＄8 billion mean to Taiwan people ? All it comes down to is just fewer cups of pearl milk tea and Louis Vuitton purses-what’s the fuss anyway ? （题库编号：365401）

凯子外交

　　前阵子阿扁总统出访中美洲友邦，宣佈将以80亿台币成立「荣邦基金」，被在野党及台湾人民骂到臭头，认为又是一次「金钱外交」的戏码。

　　台湾年年花大钱请公关公司向「山姆大叔」说好话，结果还是进不了联合国；天天被逼著买飞弹武器，美国却还说没责任在老共进犯时协防台湾；这几年对友邦大肆洒钱，却还陷入人家的金援丑闻…说起台湾的悲情，那还真不是一天一夜说得完的。

　　其实比起其他花费，这些钱真的不算什麽。前阵子台湾治水的费用就要用800亿，军购据说也要花4000多亿！不过台湾人也真是的，80亿算什麽？不过就是少喝点珍珠奶茶、少买个LV包包，吵什麽吵？

Friends and Family Gather on Full Moon

　　The Moon Festival , also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival , is one of the three major holidays in Taiwan . The most prominent protagonist of this holiday is none other than the lady who flew up the sky to live in the Moon Palace , Chang Er.Luckily for her , she had the Jade Rabbit , Wu Gang and occasional astronauts from Earth to keep her company on the moon ; or else she would have bitterly regretted having swallowed her husband Hou-yi’s elixir .

　　 On this moon cake and pomelo foodfest , it would be customary to hold a barbeque or throw a party with friends and family . Be it on the front porch , the rooftop or at the park , people can devour food while gazing up the moon , fantasizing about waltzing with Chang Er on top of the moon .

　　 But be aware ! You may really dance with Chang Er sooner than you think . All you have to do is go on using over-bleached bamboo chopsticks and aluminum foil which releases toxins when heated . Also , if you consume too much of the cancer-causing charred meat from your numerous bar-beque parties , believe it or not , you’re already halfway from meeting Chang Er up in the sky ! （题库编号：365402）

月圆人团圆

　　中秋节是台湾的三大节庆之一。这个节庆最广为人知的主角便是飞上月宫的嫦娥。幸好月亮上有玉兔与吴刚、以及偶尔从地球造访的太空人与她作伴，不然嫦娥可能会很后悔当初偷吃了丈夫后羿的长生不老药。

在这个可以狂吃月饼与文旦的节日，大家传统上还是与亲朋好友举办烤肉大会。不管在家门前、在屋顶、在公园，大家都可以一边狼吞虎嚥，一边遥望满月，幻想自己与嫦娥在月亮上共舞。

　　小心，可别以为这只是幻想哦！只要大家在烤肉时多用加了漂白剂的竹筷、高温时会释放毒素的铝箔纸、以及多吃含有致癌物质的烧焦肉，相信不久便可以与嫦娥在天上相见！

Brown-nosing Culture

　　Over the past few days, Taiwan has been shrouded in the “brown-nosing culture.” Some examples of these are the “brown-nosing questions,” the “brown-nosing bridge,” and the “brown-nosing troops.” With so much negative wordplay going around, it isn’t hard to understand why Premier Frank Hsieh is telling the general public to mind their “personal hygiene.”

　　The rise of this brown-nosing culture can be traced to this year’s senior examination for lawyers, where 78 out of 100questions have something to do with President A-bian. Yet another brown-nosing drama is related to the Hsuehshan (Snow Mountain) Tunnel’s temporary bridge, which was built on a NT＄1.5 million budget, solely for the transportation convenience of A-bain and some high ranking officials. The “brown-nosing troops” refer to the Hsinchu air base troops who were forced to give their holiday to rehearse songs and troop formation to welcome the president.

　　It would be fair to say that the real victims here are the horses. There they were, living their lives without bothering anybody, and yet, they are associated with “brown-nosers.” We can’t help but wonder: do our ancestors hold a grudge against these creatures? You see, a lot of our negative idioms have something to do with horses, such as: ”every ass likes to hear himself bray,” ”old and unaccomplished,” “to give something away,” “badly battered,” and “to suffer an accidental setback”…（题库编号：365403）

马屁文化

　　最近台湾笼罩在一片「马屁文化」中：马屁题、马屁桥、马屁军…处处马屁声，难怪谢院长要大家多注意「个人卫生」。

　　这次的「马屁题」，指的是台湾今年举行的律师高考国文科试卷中，100分的考题竟有78分与阿扁总统有关。「马屁桥」指的则是雪山隧道的有关单位为了阿扁总统及高官的交通方便，特地花了150万所搭建的一座便桥。「马屁军」指的则是新竹空军基地的官兵被迫牺牲休假，排练歌曲和队形，只为了欢迎阿扁总统视察基地。

　　平心而论，这些事件最大的受害者是可怜的马儿。好端端的一隻动物，也没招谁惹谁，现在竟然与「马屁精」扯上关系，使人不禁怀疑我们的老祖先可能与马有仇，不然怎麽有这麽多不好的成语，都与马而有关呢？「马不知脸长」、「马齿徒增」、「露出马脚」、「人仰马翻」、「马失前蹄」…？

The Widening Wealth Gap

　　In recent years , social activists have voiced their concerns about underprivileged groups in Taiwan . Although Taiwan’s income gap between the rich and the poor is relatively smaller than that of many other countries , it also slightly decreases from 6.07 in 2003 to 6.03 in 2004 , many people cannot help worry about the gradually widening wealth gap in Taiwan .

　　 Many families with low incomes have breadwinners who are elderly , single parents , or aborigines . Some of them have been unemployed for quite a while . The best way to help them is to increase job and educational opportunities . The government already offers some vocational services programs and tuition exemptions to low-income families . At the same time , however , many critics contend that the government’s tax policies favoring the rich rather than the poor have increased the wealth gap .

　　 While the government’s policies do affect the economy , we should also reflect on what society demands of us personally , Recently , for instance , a teacher who won the lottery donated 50 million NT dollars to charities . Like this woman , we should all ask ourselves what we can do to help those who are less fortunate than we are .（题库编号：365404）

贫富差距

　　近年来社运活跃人士常关切台湾的弱势族群，虽然台湾的贫富收入差距比其他许多国家相对来得小，所得差距也从2003年的6.07稍降为2004年的6.03，不过许多人还是不得不担心台湾逐渐拉大的贫富差距。

　　许多低收入家庭的经济支柱多为老年人、单亲或原住民，其中有的已失业了一阵子了。帮助这些家庭最好的方法是给他们工作和教育机会，政府其实已经提供低收入家庭一些就业辅导方案和学费减免，可是，同时有许多批评者却坚称，政府帮富不帮穷的税收政策导致贫富不均。

　　虽然政府政策的确影响经济层面我们也应反省社会对我们个人的要求是什麽，举例来说，最近有位老师将赢得乐透的五千万元奖金全数捐给慈善机构。如同这位女士，我们应该扪心自问，我们能做什麽来帮助这些比我们不幸的人。

Taiwan’s Cornucopia: Fruitful Abundance

　　This summer Taiwan’s fruit made international news when China allowed the duty-free import of 15 varieties . Although the decision was politically controversial in Taiwan , Chinese were willing to spend extra money for our high quality fruit . Indeed , Taiwan’s fruit is appreciated not just in China , but also here at home and in many other countries .

　　Blessed with a subtropical climate and fertile soil , Taiwan has a flourishing fruit industry . Some species are seasonal . For instance , summer species include lychees , dragon’s eyes , and mangos . In the winter we can enjoy fresh oranges and tangerines . Some fruits , like pineapples and wax apples , grow year round .

　　Using modern technology , farmers have improved the quality and variety of Taiwan’s fruit even further . Thanks to nature and science , Taiwan is a fruit-lover’s paradise .（题库编号：365405）

水果王国─台湾

　　今夏大陆让台湾15种水果免关税进口，台湾水果上了国际新闻。虽然让水果输进大陆的决策在台湾政坛还是争议不休，大陆人却很愿意多付一些钱来买我们的高品质的水果。不错，台湾水果不但在大陆为人所爱，在台湾及其他许多国家也是受人青睐。

　　台湾有幸处在亚热带，土地肥美，水果产业生意鼎盛。有的水果种类生长有季节性，如荔枝、龙眼和芒果等夏季水果；冬季我们则可以享用柳丁和橘子；有的水果如凤梨和莲雾一年到头生长。

　　台湾果农利用现代科技进一步改良水果的品质和种类，由于自然和科学相得益彰，台湾自然成了水果爱好者的天堂。

Buyer Beware!

　　Last month’s headlines revealed shocking news about some of the food sold for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. A reputable company’s zongzi contained tainted pork that it bought from an illegal meat supplier. The diseased animals had been butchered in an underground slaughterhouse in violation of government regulations.

　　This scandal is not an isolated incident. In many cases, unscrupulous businessmen have sold substandard food because they are more concerned with profit than public safety. In one of the country’s most notorious cases, unethical merchants even sold contaminated cooking oil to schools.

　　Fortunately, the government has taken steps to crack down on criminals who violate food safety laws. At the same time, however, consumers must remain vigilant to protect themselves against unprincipled businessmen.（题库编号：365406）

买东西，张大眼！

　　上个月的头条新闻揭露一段有关端午节应节食品的惊人消息，一家颇负盛名食品公司卖的粽子，用的居然是买自非法猪肉供应商的腐败猪肉。这些病猪在地下屠宰场宰杀，违反了政府的法规。

　　这个不法案件并非独立事件，事实上许多案例显示，黑心商人为了赚取暴利，不顾民众健康而贩卖不合标准的食品。台湾最恶名昭彰的例子是没良心的商家居然卖给学校遭（多氯联苯）污染的食用油。

　　好在政府已开始取缔违反食物安全法的不法份子，消费者同时应该好好保持警惕，好好保护自己，以对付没有原则的商人。

New Year Holidays of a Different Kind

　　Office workers in Taiwan are frequently rushing to use up their annual leave before the end of each year. Employees of foreign-based companies are also having their major vacation during the New Year holidays. This time of year is therefore the peak season for the tourism industry.

　　Taiwan people work very diligently year in and year out; and it is only right that they make use of the New Year holidays to travel. But the thing is, people are so worn out form a year of toil that even when they decide to travel with a tour group, the only thing they do is to “get on the bus and sleep, get off the bus and pee, take some pictures, buy some pills, and end up with nothing at all.”

　　Elsewhere in the world, more and more people are opting for adifferent kind of vacation: “volunteer vacationing.” These vacationers make use of their weekends or longer holidays to go to remote schools and participate in after-school tutoring, or volunteer in hospitals. Those who are better off financially might even go abroad to participate in underdeveloped countries, Indeed, “One is more blessed to give than to receive.” After taking part in a spiritually-void tour group, why not go on a tour where you can enjoy your holiday in a meaningful way?（题库编号：365407）

不一样的新年假期

　　在台湾，许多上班族会赶在每年年底前休完年假，而外商公司的员工也通常在新年期间休长假，因此这段时间是旅游业的旺季。

　　台湾人民一年到头勤奋工作，理应利用新年期间从事旅游。只不过因为大家平日实在太辛劳了，因此就算决定跟团旅游，也经常发生「上车睡觉，下车尿尿。拍照买药，什么都不知道」的情况。

　　在国外，有越来越多人选择另一种渡假方式：「志工旅游」。这些渡假者利用周末或更长休假，到偏远学校参与学生课后辅导、或者到医院作义工。较有钱的甚至到海外参与救灾及落后国家的建设。的确，「施比受更有福」，在参加过心灵空虚的旅游团后，你何不也试试这种有意义的渡假方式？

It’s Time for the Year -End Dinner！

　　According to Taiwanese customs, the “year-end dinner” is the last chance to worship the Earth God before the year ends. It is also the time of the year when company owners reward their employees with delicacies. Families in Taiwan also enjoy “spring rolls” and “steamed sandwiches” which symbolize blessing for the year to come and reward for their hard work.

　　In the past, employees are most afraid of the chicken head aiming straight at them during year-end dinners, because this is an implication that they are about to be fired. But as more and more employees take part in the job-hopping craze over the past few years, it is now the employers’ turn to worry that their employees might say farewell to the company after having the year-end feast and receiving their year-end bonus！

　　High-tech companies have been turning in very impressive sales reports in recent years, and they hold big time year-end dinners. Aside from extravagant cuisines, the event also features a variety show with movie and TV celebrities, abundant raffle drawings, and a generous amount of stock giveaways. But ever since the companies were accused last year of “earning much, and paying little in taxes,” it has been said that these companies are planning to keep a low profile in their gatherings this year！（题库编号：365408）

吃尾牙萝！

　　按照台湾习俗，「尾牙」是一年结束前最后一次祭拜土地公的日子，也是公司行号的老板用佳餚犒赏员工的时候。在台湾，一般家庭也会在当天晚上吃「润饼」和「刈包」，象徵来年祈福及慰劳自己。

　　以往吃尾牙的时候，员工最怕宴席上对准自己的鸡头，因为这意味著自己即将被炒鱿鱼。不过这几年因为跳槽风气盛，现在老板们反而担心员工们在吃完尾牙大餐、领完年终奖金后，就跟公司说拜拜！

　　这几年高科技公司业绩大好，每年的尾牙都很大手笔。除了豪华的菜色，还有影视明星的综艺秀、丰富的抽奖活动，以及慷慨的股票大放送。不过自从去年有人高声批评科技业「赚钱多，缴税少」后，今年据说许多科技业者都打算低调举行尾牙宴呢！

The Return of Adulterated Food Products!

　　The New Year holiday is the time to eat, drink, and be merry, but with the inundation of “adulterated food products” in recent years, people become apprehensive when they should really be enjoying reunion dinners or traditional New Year snacks.

　　 Adulterated food products can be found by the dozen in Taiwan: adulterated vegetarian foods, adulterated mushrooms, adulterated black moss, and adulterated milk powder, etc. Some of the adulterated food products are padded with soybeans or starch for ingredients and are being sold at a high cost. Many of these ingredients do not benefit nor harm the human body; therefore, they are more or less considered as “conscientious” adulterated food products. Some adulterated food products include dangerous amounts of preservatives or bleach, meat made from deceased pigs, or ingredients beyond their expiration date. These harmful food products are known to be carcinogenic or even deadly!

　　 In point of fact, Taiwan does not only have adulterated food products, but also adulterated mattresses, adulterated television, adulterated gas, and so on and so forth. Apparently, to combat this unscrupulous world, we would have to uphold the “Four No’s Plus One Without” strategy: no eating, no drinking no sleeping, no leaving the house, and without alternatives!（题库编号：365409）

黑心食品又来了！

　　过年是快乐吃喝的好时机，不过这些年因为「黑心食品」充斥，搞得大家不管是吃团圆饭或是传统的年节点心变得忧心忡忡。

　　说起台湾的黑心食品，那真是多得数不完：黑心素食、黑心香菇、黑心发菜、黑心奶粉…。有些黑心食品价格超贵，却用大豆或淀粉充当原料，这些东西对人体没啥益处，却也没有危害，因此多少算是有「良心」的黑心食品。有些黑心食品则含有过量防腐剂或漂白剂，甚至含有病死猪肉、过期的原料，这些有害的食品不仅可能致癌，更有致命的危险！

　　其实不只黑心食品，台湾还有黑心床垫、黑心电视、黑心汽油等等。看来为了对付这个黑心的世界，我们只好使出「四不一没有」技俩：不吃、不喝、不睡、不出门、否则没有办法！

Valentine’s Day

　　Valentine’s Day is here again! On this day, many lovers show their mutual affection by sending each other fresh flowers, chocolates, or sharing a candlelit dinner.

　　 Yet according to the Roman history, Valentine’s Day is not only a celebration of love, but also the commemoration of friendship, family, and affection in humankind. The Chinese Valentine’s Day (July 7th on the Lunar Calendar) is comparably more romantic yet heartrending, because this is the only time of year when the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet each other across the Milky Way.

　　 Why is their path through love so rough and bumpy? Rumor has it that the Weaver Girl’s father, the “Jade Emperor,” reached the end of his patience when he saw the two lovers’ obsession for their love affair. They were so much in love that they forgot all their work duties. In his rage, he ordered that they be allowed to see each other only once per annum. It turns out that even traditional Chinese love stories convey the message of the importance of a pragmatic lifestyle: “Love is dear, but money is dearer!”（题库编号：365410）

西洋情人节

　　又到了西洋情人节！在这一天，许多恋人都会互赠鲜花、巧克力，共进独光晚餐，向对方表达情意。

　　其实根据罗马历史，西洋情人节庆祝的不只是爱情，也庆祝友情、亲情，以及人与人之间的互爱。相较之下，中国七夕情人节（农曆七月七日）则更浪漫凄美，因为这是一年中，牛郎与织女唯一可以在鹊桥相会的日子。

　　为什麽这对爱人的命运如此坎坷？有一说法是织女的爸爸「玉皇大帝」受够了两人沉迷于恋爱情事，却将工作责任?诸脑后，他一怒之下，下令两人一年只能相见一次。看来在中国传统的爱情故事背后，传达的还是务实的生活态度：「爱情诚可贵、麵包价更高！」

The Appearance of Martian Languages: Orz!

　　An exam question using the “Martian language” caused quite a stir in this year’s college scholastic exam, and triggered a heated debate. Many believe that this sort of test question not only proves that there is a serious “urban-rural gap” in Taiwan; it also encourages the proliferation of the already-serious “Martian languages!”

　　 What exactly is the “Martian language?” According to the Martians themselves, it is a portmanteau word which incorporates Chinese, English, Taiwanese, numbers, phonetic symbols, as well as special computer fonts. Originally, this term was used to accommodate “netizens” in their online chatting sessions. Later, the term caught up as being part of the daily repertoire of the writing system of our youth.

　　 Language is, in essence, evolving. Modern language variations usually come and go swiftly, so we need not worry that Taiwan will be consumed by these Martian words. Besides, if we look at this issue from another perspective, the young people who are proficient in the “Martian language” might one day be able to create a coded language that would be impossible to comprehend from the outside. Eventually, these young people may become Taiwan’s foremost intelligence agents! But one thing that is on everyone’s mind now is that if even the adults at the Ministry of Education make mistakes writing elegiac couplets, then Taiwan’s language education is truly in big trouble!（题库编号：365411）

火星文来了！Orz!

　　今年大学学测出现了令人争议的「火星文」考题，引发热烈讨论。许多人认为这种题目不止证明了台湾有严重的「城乡差距」，更助长了已经犯滥的「火星文」！

　　「火星文」到底是啥？据火星人自己说，这是一种结合了中文、英文、台语、数字、注音符号、以及特殊电脑符号而成的综合字。这东西原本是为了顺应「网路族」线上聊天方便之用，后来变成年轻人平日书写时的用词。

　　其实语言本来就会演变；新时代语言的变体通常来得快、去得也快，因此大人们不用太担心火星会大举佔领台湾。而且换个角度想，这些擅长「火星文」的年轻人未来还可能创造出无人能懂的语言密码，成为台湾最厉害的情治人员呢！不过现在大家比较担心的是，如果连「教育部」里面的大人都会写错輓联，台湾的语文教育可能真的出了大问题！

Don't Be a Credit Card Slave!

　　”George and Mary” sing and dance on television, all festive and without a care in the world. A middle-aged actor looks into the camera and says with sincerity, ”Borrowing money is a noble act”…You may wrongfully assume that the television is presenting a concert or a civics class. In fact, these commercials that you can't make head or tail of are there for one and one reason alone: to entice you into applying for a credit card or a cash card!

　　 Over the past few years, banks have been trying to boost their performance by issuing cards in droves. Then came the super-low “monthly processing minimum” and the super-high “revolving credit” that gave rise to 500,000 ” credit card slaves” in Taiwan. Legislators, the Bankers Association of the ROC, and other related organizations are presently studying and drafting debt relief plans in hopes of freeing these credit card slaves from their miseries.

　　 On the other hand, these ”credit card slaves” are not all ignorant youths and office workers that are in need of cash for domestic expenses. Many of these cardholders overspend, and end up having to apply for a new card to transfer the balance from another card. It is said that some credit card slaves have more than 20 credit cards and cash cards combined! If these ” credit card slaves” do not change their attitude and ways of spending, no amount of bail-out measures can keep them from getting deeper and deeper into rut!（题库编号：365412）

别做卡奴！

　　电视里「乔治与玛丽」唱唱跳跳，气氛欢乐；中年男艺人对著镜头，诚恳地道出「借钱是高尚的行为」……。你以为电视正在播放演唱会或公民课吗？其实这些令人摸不著头绪的广告只有一个目的：诱使你申办信用卡及现金卡！

　　这几年各家银行为了自身的业绩，发卡浮滥。接著以超低的「每月最低应缴金额」与超高的「循环利息」，替台湾创造了高达五十万的「卡奴」。对此立委、银行公会及相关单位正在研拟债务减轻方案，希望能将卡奴们从痛苦中解放出来。

　　不过话说回来，这些「卡奴」也非全是无知的青少年或急需家用的上班族。许多持卡人过度消费，到头来只好以卡养卡，以债养债。据说有些卡奴甚至拥有高达20多张的信用卡及现金卡呢！如果「卡奴」的心态及消费行为不改，再多的解套方案，恐怕只会使这些人越陷越深！

Taiwan，Land of Wealth and Cruelty

　　The “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices” released by the US Department of State in March clearly identifies the problem of “abuses of foreign workers” in Taiwan. The report also included a detailed account of the massive riot staged by Thai workers at the Kaohsiung mass rapid transit project. And only a few weeks earlier， the contractor involved in the exploitation of the workers filed a civil lawsuit against them.

　　 Taiwan has had its share of poverty. Members of the former generation can still vividly recall the hard times when there was no food to eat and no shoes to wear. Taiwanese has become affluent over the past few decades，but has yet to become richer at heart. Some households that employ foreign maids force these workers to overwork；some even give their children free rein to order the maid around. Human-trafficking groups have also been conniving with unscrupulous companies to fool woman from impoverished nations into the sex industry. Moreover, matchmaking agencies openly advertise such disgraceful claims as “guaranteed a virgin” “ fertile or your money back，” or “comes with a one-year warranty.”

　　 Most Taiwanese are benevolent by nature，and have often claimed to be “ a nation founded upon the principles of human rights .” However， as more wealth is accumulated，people have begun to treat people from poor nations with atrocity. If the rich displays a lack in “benevolence，” then the poor can also display a lack in “righteousness.” Taiwan’s prospects are truly a subject of concern！（题库编号：365413）

为富不仁的台湾

　　今年三月美国国务院公佈的「世界人权报告」中，明确指出台湾有「虐待外国劳工」的问题，报告中并详述高雄捷运外劳暴动事件。而就在前阵子，当初涉及剥削泰劳的人力仲介公司，向泰劳们提出了民事诉讼。

　　台湾曾经贫穷过，上一代的人还能细数那段没有东西吃、没有鞋子穿的苦日子。这些年来台湾人富裕了，然而内心却没有跟著富裕起来。一些僱有外佣的家庭，常强迫外佣超时工作，甚至放任小孩对外佣大呼小叫。人蛇集团也常与不肖业者勾结，诈骗贫穷国家的女孩来台卖淫。更有甚者，婚姻仲介业者大刺刺的挂起「保证处女」、「不生包退」、「一年保固」的可耻招牌…。

　　多数台湾人民本性善良，也常自称「人权立国」，却在累积了财富之际，如此不堪的对待贫穷国家的人民。只是富者可以不「仁」，贫者当然也可以不「义」，台湾前景令人忧。

Gender Relationship and Sex Education

　　A while back, the Ministry of Education (MOE) authorized the production of a sex education pamphlet for junior high school students called “The Youth Expert.” This handbook has been heavily criticized by some legislators for its seemingly “ungainly choice of words and daring content.” It was also around this time that a male student from a “famous senior high school” seriously wounded a female student because of relationship problems.

　　 Both incidents point towards a need for improvement of gender relationship and sex education of students in Taiwan. According to reports, approximately 70 percent of senior high school students in Taipei City have once been in a relationship with the opposite sex. The trend is becoming more evident among the students, with sexual relations occurring at a younger age and at a higher rate.

　　 Such being the case, is there a need to deprive the youth of their right to learn about sex knowledge just because the wording used in “The Youth Expert” is closer to the language used by the youth subculture, and because the content vividly reflects the actual life of our youth?

　　 In addition, for a long time now in Taiwan, homes and schools have been placing too much attention on academic performances, and overlooking the development of morality and interpersonal relationship of students. Given this, how can we expect the youth to be capable of solving life’s problems? Having a high IQ does not guarantee a high EQ. A healthy personality and good gender relationship cannot be achieved overnight. Making a fuss over nothing or running away is definitely not the solution!（题库编号：365414）

两性关系及性教育

　　前阵子，教育部委託编撰的国中性教育手册「青春达人」，因为看似出现「不雅的用词与大胆的内容」，遭到某些立委强力批评。就在前些时候，一位「明星高中」的同学因感情问题，重伤一位女同学。

　　这两个事件显示，台湾学生的两性关系及性教育有待加强。据报导，台北市有七成左右的高中生曾与异性交往，其中发生性关系的年龄下降、比例有升高的趋势。既然如此，我们为何要因为「青春达人」用词贴近年轻人的次文化语言、内容传神表达年轻的现实生活，就剥夺青少年们学习性知识的权利？

　　另外，长久以来，台湾的家庭及学校过度注重课业成绩，忽略学生品德及人际关系的培养。既然如此，我们又怎能期待青少年具备解决人生问题得能力？高智商不等于高情绪商数，健全的人格及良好的两性关系更不是一蹴可几，大惊小怪或逃避绝不是解决之道！

Fraud Island

　　These years, if you ask Taiwanese about their worst collective experience, people will reply: ’Telephone frauds!’ Fraudulent companies utilize random calls, or so-called ’reckless shooting,’ to create one of Taiwan’s most profitable industries!

　　There is hardly anyone in Taiwan who has not received a single scamming phone call. Beginning with the earlier rackets of informing individuals of winning a prize or tax returns, to the later schemes of faking the misuse of credit cards, posing as friends or relatives in need, or faking kidnappings, to the latest pretending to be judicial institutions, Taiwan telephone fraud exhibits a well-armed repertoire of maneuvers, an abundance of creativity, and a world-class speed of ‘internationalization.’ This type of fraud is really worthy of mention in the Guinness Book of World Records!

　　Poor Taiwanese are now reminded of telephone frauds each time their phone rings, and afraid of picking up any calls that do not have “caller IDs.” In addition, it is becoming harder for people to judge the truthfulness of anything. How can people be sure of the reality when they receive a call for ransom or when they cannot really claim a prize that is rightfully won? Even more tragic is when people are certain that the call is fraudulent and still have to keep themselves from blurting out the ‘four-letter word.’ The reason is that if they let themselves go, alas, they might just receive a truckload of unordered pizza at their doorstep the very next day!（题库编号：365415）

诈骗之岛

　　这几年，问到台湾人最差的共有经验为何，大家都会说：「诈骗电话」！而诈骗集团靠著随机打电话，「乱枪打鸟」，也成为台湾最赚钱行业之一！

　　在台湾，几乎没有人没接过诈骗电话。从早期的通知民众中奖、退税，之后的伪信用卡被盗刷、亲友急难、假绑架等阴谋，到现在伪装成司法机构，台湾诈骗电话的花招之多、创意之丰富，以及「国际化」的速度之快，简直可以列入金氏世界纪录！

　　可怜的台湾人，现在只要听到电话铃声就会以为是诈骗电话，没有「来电显示」的电话更不敢接。大家愈来愈难判断事情的真实性；接到赎金电话不知是真是假，真的中奖也不敢去领奖。更惨的是，有时民众明明知道是诈骗电话，却还不能向对方骂「三字经」，因为若如此，隔天可能就会收到一拖拉库不请自来的披萨。呜呼哀哉！

The Dragon Boat Festival

　　The “Dragon Boat Festival” falls on May 5th of the lunar calendar. The “Chinese patriotic poet” known as Qu Yuan is said to have originally been a minister during the Warring States Period. Pushed by his relentless concern for his country and its people even while in exile, he committed suicide by jumping into a river on this day. In order to keep the fish from consuming his body, the locals cast rice, stored in bamboo tubes, into the water. These packages became what are now known as “zongzi” （or rice dumplings）. Moreover, the act of beating drums and searching foe his body in boats gradually became the present tradition of dragon boat racing.

　　 In the folklore, “The Legend of the White Snake,” the white snake almost revealed her snake form on this day after drinking “realgar wine,” which is thought to remove poison from the body. It therefore became the custom for people to hang branches of moxa, drink realgar wine, and wear sachets to drive away evil spirits.

　　 Judging from our current perspective, Qu Yuan chose to commit suicide solely because of his frustration, and is therefore not worthy of encouragement. In addition, the act of the locals casting food into the water is not only wasteful, but also not environmentally-friendly. The Dragon Boat Festival falls in the summer, the time of year infested with all sorts of communicable diseases. However, there is no cause for concern as our forefathers were already knowledgeable in making use of traditional herbs to protect their bodies and sterilize their surroundings. What a truly special display of wit!（题库编号：365416）

端午节

　　农曆五月五日是端午节。相传「爱国诗人」屈原是战国时代楚国的臣子，因为被放逐，忧国忧民，最后在这一天投江而亡。当地民众怕屈原的尸体被鱼吃掉，所以用竹筒装好米食投入江中，演变成今日的粽子。而当年敲锣打鼓、划船寻找屈原尸体的举动，也演变成今日的划龙舟竞赛。

　　在民间传说「白蛇传」中，白蛇也因为在这一天喝了被认为有消除疫病功能的「雄黄酒」后，差点现出蛇形。民众因而在这天悬挂艾草、喝雄黄酒、戴香包，以驱邪避恶。

　　用今日的眼光来看，屈原只是因为不得志便选择自杀，实在不值得鼓励；而民众将食物投到江中的举动，不但浪费，也很不环保。倒是端午节正值夏日，是各种传染病充斥的季节，老祖宗们却毫不担心，懂得利用传统草药进行身体及环境保健，其智慧令人佩服。

I Refuse to Pay Taxes!

　　With tax season finally running its course, many people seem to bear this collective thought: “S—t, this year’s taxes are really not worth paying!” On the other hand, others might exclaim, “Paying taxes is the responsibility of every citizen!” But if we knew where our taxes really end up, we just might change our minds.

　　It peeves us to know some of the tax money has been used by a certain senior presidential adviser in a “dice game” in Korea, other parts used as graft in the billions by high government officials, and still large portions of it recklessly used for “political compensation.” Of course, we need not even mention that part of this hard-earned, blood-and-sweat money might have gone to augment the first lady’s paraphernalia, to provide the “instructor of the stocks” capital for the purpose of making a killing on the stock market, and to pay for the luxurious goods for relatives and friends of our “First Family!”

　　Nevertheless, however corrupt the government gets, the public must not follow in its footsteps. Hence, “I refuse to pay taxes!” is only said out of spite and anger. Of course, we should still go on paying taxes; and to remember that, the more we pay, the more patriotic we are. Why? Because from the looks of Taiwan’s corrupt officials, it stands to reason the general public must rush to continue paying even more taxes if we are to help satiate the hunger of such officials in the shortest time possible. And who knows, maybe when they have had their fill in deceiving the poor public, they just might start thinking about how to save their suffering compatriots!（题库编号：365417）

我不要缴税！

　　结束了缴税的季节，很多人的共同感想是：「X，今年的税缴得实在很不值得！」或许有人会说，「缴税是每个国民应尽的义务耶！」不过如果我们知道自己所缴的税落到什麽下场，或许会改变主意。

　　想来令人生气，我们当中有人缴的税被某总统府资政拿去韩国玩「西巴辣」，有的被政府高官以「亿」计贪污掉，有的则被政府胡乱「政治酬庸」掉；当然，更不要讲部分的血汗钱可能被拿去帮「第一夫人」添行头、让「股海女教师」大玩股票、给「第一家庭」的亲朋好友吃香喝辣…！

　　话说回来，政府摆烂，人民不能跟著烂。「我不要缴税！」只是赌气的话，大家还是应该继续乖乖缴税，而且记得：税缴越多就越爱国。为什麽呢？因为按照台湾贪官污吏的「吃相」，人民理所当然唯有多税缴，才能尽快喂饱这些人的胃口。谁知道，当这些人污饱了，或许也才会愿意开始想想如何解救广大苦难的同胞吧！

The Gifted A-ming

　　On May 25, 2006, Chao Chien-ming, President A-bian’s son-in-law, was detained for insider trading. He became the foremost first son-in-law held in custody in Taiwan’s judicial history.

　　 According to media reports, the first son-in-law may be involved in several cases, including the “Taiwan Development Corp （TDC）” insider trading, helping to approve syndicated loans, selling official posts in exchange for bribes, accepting kickbacks from pharmacies, and money laundering, among others. Armed with the halo that comes with being part of the “First Family”, Doctor A-ming’s intermediary career on the outside is positively flourishing! However, being the “first-son-in-law” is an “original sin” （according to A-ming’s own words）as much as it is the “lucky charm.” As long as A-ming refuses to concede, only God will know the truth no matter what the results of the lie detectors say or how angry the public gets.

　　 Aside from previously serving as the spokesperson for umbilical cord blood, the business-minded A-ming should also consider, after being released, serving as spokesperson for both “Mitsui” and “computers with fingerprint recognition systems.” which gained huge fame thanks to him. This way, he’d have money for his children’s formula. Otherwise, how is he going to face the “first daughter” who is in the verge of bearing children “for the good of the country?”（题库编号：365418）

天纵英明的阿铭

　　民国95年5月25日，阿扁总统的女婿赵建铭因涉及内线交易，被移送看守所，成为台湾司法史上驸马爷遭收押的第一人。

　　根据媒体报导，驸马爷可能涉及的案件除了「台开」的内线交易，还有联贷、卖官索贿、收受药厂回扣、洗钱等。挟著「第一家庭」的光环，医生阿铭在外面的仲介生意，简直做得吓吓叫！只不过「驸马爷」虽是「原罪」（根据阿铭自己的说法）也是「护身符」；只要阿铭打死不承认，管他测谎结果如何，民怨如何，真相最后恐怕只有老天爷知道。

　　倒是生意头脑超灵光的阿铭，除了之前代言的脐带血，被放出来后也该赶快代言因他而大红特红的「三井」及「具指纹辨识系统的电脑」，赚点奶粉钱，不然如何向又即将「增产报国」的第一公主交代呢？

Here Comes the Ghost Month!

　　The seventh lunar month is commonly referred to as the “Ghost Month.” Legend has it that the gates of Hades are 月 open during this period so that the wandering spirits are allowed once again to cross over into the lining world to feast on the victuals offered by the living. The 15th day of the seventh lunar month is otherwise known as the Chung Yuan Festival (or Ghost Festival). At dusk on that day households prepare sacrificial offerings for these “good brethren.” Several other places also hold grand Chung Yuan Putu (or the Mid-origin Passage to Universal Salvation). All of these show the Taiwanese affection towards spirits. This affection is a combination of both fear and compassion.

　　In legend, various taboos are associated with the Ghost Month, including restrictions on: playing water sports, moving houses, buying houses, marrying, surgical procedures, and checking yourself in the mirror, loitering outside, or airing the clothes at night. For this reason, this period has also become the off season for travel industry, real estate industry, bridal industry, interior design industry, as well as hospitals.

　　Whether or not the above-mentioned taboos are supported by factual evidence, most people in Taiwan take them as a fact to avoid offending the Taiwanese spirits. After all, it’s better to be sure than sorry! Nevertheless, due to the arrival of foreign ghosts in the past several years, the status of Taiwanese ghosts is now hanging by a thread. The Korean, Japanese, and Western ghosts in films are gruesome as well as vicious, making the tender and gentle demeanor of the Taiwanese ghosts pale by comparison!（题库编号：365419）

鬼月来了!

　　农曆七月是俗称的「鬼月」。传说中这段日子是鬼门关大开、孤魂野鬼重返人间、享受人类奉祀的时间。而农曆七月十五日是「中元节」，当天傍晚许多家庭都会准备祭品拜这些「好兄弟」，很多地方也会举行盛大的中元普渡，显现台湾人对鬼既敬畏又怜悯的情怀。

　　传说中「鬼月」有很多禁忌，包括：不能玩水、不能搬家、不能买房子、不能结婚、不能开刀；以及不能在晚上照镜子、在外逗留、晒衣服等等。因此这段期间也是台湾旅游业、房地产、婚纱业、装潢业、医院等唉唉叫的淡季。

　　对于上述的禁忌，不管有无事实根据，大部分份的台湾人还是宁可信其有，不愿轻易冒犯台湾鬼！无过这几年因为外来鬼的入侵，台湾鬼的地位已岌岌可危。电影中的韩国鬼、日本鬼、西洋鬼既阴森又邪恶，似乎让温柔敦厚的台湾鬼相形失色。

Taichung city

Robert: Sitting outdoors by the sidewalk drinking coffee makes me feel right at home!

Taike: Yeah, Jingming 1st Street’s 100-meter-long pedestrian mall is lined with fashion boutiques, galleries, foreign restaurant, and so on. Better yet, here you can also sample the world-famous pearl milk tea at “Chun Shui Tang, “the birthplace of pearl milk tea in Taiwan.

Kitty: I prefer “Green Parkway,” where we ate our lunch. Each restaurant and shop there has its own style with elaborate decor. It really suits my high-society style!

Taike: Then do you have any idea where all the high-society people hang out? Let me tell you: at the National Museum of Natural Science and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts!

Robert: I’ve heard that the Museum of Natural Science houses several fantastic exhibition halls, such as Space Theater, China Science Hall, Life Science Hall, Earth Environment Hall, and so on.

Taike: Yes; there’s also a tropical rainforest greenhouse. The museum is the largest recreational and educational center, as well as the best equipped museum in Taiwan!

Robert: And where should we spend our evening?

Taike: Zhonghua Road Night Market, of course! We can taste a wide variety of local delicacies and shop around. The prices there are very reasonable, too. It’ll be a lot of fun!

Kitty: Not the night market again! You two can call yourselves “the night market experts!” I’d rather go by the train station and buy Yixin dried bean curd and sun cakes for my dad!（题库编号：365420）

台中市

罗波:在这人行道上露天座椅喝咖啡，让我有一种家的感觉！

邰克:嗯！「精明一街」一百公尺的徒步区两旁有精品、画廊可以逛，又有异国餐厅可以吃，更可以喝到「珍珠奶茶」发源地的「春水堂」奶茶！

高贵:我喜欢我们吃午饭的「绿园道」，那里的每间餐厅和商店都有独特的风味，且装潢别緻，很符合我上流社会的风格呢！

邰克:那你知道这里上流社会的人都去哪里逛吗？「国立自然科学博物馆」和「国立台湾美术馆」！

罗波:我听说那个博物馆拥有好几个很棒的展示馆，像是太空剧场、中国科学厅、生命科学厅、地球环境厅等等。
邰克:对，还有一个热带雨林的温室呢。这博物馆是台湾最大、设备最好教育中心！
罗波:那我们晚上要去哪里逛？

邰克:那当然是中华路夜市萝！那里除了可以吃到各式小吃，还可以买东西，价格都很公道，好玩到不行！
高贵:又要逛夜市，你们两个可以当「夜市达人」了！我宁愿去车站附近买「一心豆乾」和太阳饼回去给我爸啦！

Sun-Moon Lake

Robert: This Sun-Moon Lake is serene! I can’t believe there’s a lake at an elevation of 748 meters above sea level in the middle of Taiwan! But what does it have to do with the sun and the moon?
Kitty: Because the northern part of the lake is shaped like a sun and the southern part like a moon.

Taike: Hey, why did you buy so many aboriginal handicrafts? Want to open your own shop?

Robert: Of course not. I’m sending them back to the States for my parents. They love everything with an ethnic flavor.

Taike: And also because the Thao Tribe that lives on the shores of Sun-Moon Lake is the smallest of Taiwan’s aborigine　tribes, with mere 500 members. That way you can help boost their business, right? You’re such a generous person!

Kitty: No way. He was buying all this junk because he likes that Thao girl selling the stuff!

Robert: Well, she was gorgeous. She invited me to come back for the traditional harvest festival in the eighth lunar month, where I can dance with people from her tribe.

Taike: If you’re so into aboriginal culture, we can visit the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village tomorrow. There you will find the traditional houses and other building of original inhabitants of Taiwan, all nine tribes of them. There is also a Naruwan Theater where you can “rehearse” your aborigine-style singing and dancing first.
Kitty: But do you have any idea what the “nine tribes” are?

Robert: Of course I do-and incidentally, the number of tribes officially identified is twelve, not nine; they are: Yami（Tao）, Amis, Atayal, Saisiat, Bunun, Puyuma, Rukai, Paiwan, Tsou, Kavalan, Truku, and Thao!（题库编号：365421）

日月潭与九族文化村

罗波：这日月潭真宁静！没想到台湾中间还有海拔748公尺的湖呢！只不过它跟日、月有何关系？

高贵：因为湖的北半部形状像太阳，南半部形状像新月啦。

邰克：喂，你买这麽多原住民的手工艺品干嘛？要开店吗？

罗波：不是啦，我是要寄回美国给我爸妈。他们超喜欢有民族风味的东西。

邰克：而且日月潭岸的邵族是台湾原住民族群中人最少的一族，才五百人左右，你当然要好好帮助一下他们的经济萝，对吧？你真是好心耶！

高贵：才不是呢，他是因为喜欢卖东西的那个绍族女生才大手笔的啦！

罗波：她真的超正。她还要我农曆八月再回来这里耶，因为到时会有传统年祭，可以和她的族人一起共舞。

邰克：你对原住民文化那麽有兴趣，那明天我们可以去「九族文化村」，那里以台湾原住民的原始部落建筑为主，里面的娜鲁湾剧场还可以让你先「排练」你的山地歌舞秀。

高贵：不过你可知道这「九族」是哪九族？

罗波：当然知道萝－而且官方认定的台湾原住民有十二族，并非九族，包括：雅美、阿美、泰雅、赛夏、布农、卑南、鲁凯、排湾、邹族、噶玛兰族、太鲁阁族、邵族！

Taiwan Goes Mobile

　　 What tiny gadget lets you call your friends, take pictures, listen to music, and surf the Internet? A cell phone, of course. Now that Taiwan has more cell phones than people, these handy machines are an inescapable feature of our everyday lives.

　　 These ultimate all-in-one toys offer more features all of the time. You can use your mobile phone as a calculator, a calendar, and an alarm clock. Cell phones also let you play games, send text messages, and even watch movies. In many ways, cell phones can replace a computer, a PDA, and an MP3 player. On a more practical note, these phones enable parents to stay in touch with their children and people to get help in an emergency.

　　 Not everyone loves cell phones, however. They can be very annoying when they ring in public, especially in a theater or a meeting. Even worse, some people rudely hold loud, personal conversations no matter where they are. While, we are enjoying the conveniences cell phones bring us, we should also watch our cell phone etiquette.（题库编号：365422）

手机响遍台湾

　　什麽小电气用品能让你打电话给朋友、照相、听音乐和上网路？答案当然是「手机」！现在台湾的手机数量比人还多，这个方便的小机器已是我们每天生活不可或缺的东西。

　　这个集各种功能于一身－最上乘的「玩具」，还提供更多的功能，你可以用手机当计算机、日曆和闹钟，手机可以让你玩由游戏、传送简讯、甚至看电影。在很多方面手机可以取代电脑、PDA（个人数位助理）和MP3播放器。实用方面，手机使父母能够跟孩子随时保持联络，也可以在紧急时刻得到援助。

　　不过，不是每个人都喜欢手机。手机有时在公共场所，尤其是戏院或开会时响起，令人生厌。更差的是，有些人一机在手，不管在哪里，就粗鲁地大声讲私事。当大家享受手机的方便时，更应该注重使用手机的礼节。

Devastating Tsunamis

　　Two weeks ago, as tourists were enjoying their holidays in tropical Asian resorts, and local people were going about their everyday lives, suddenly, with little warning, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years triggered a series of devastating tsunamis.

　　While the earthquake’s epicenter was just northwest of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, tidal waves caused catastrophic damage to many different countries. The nations hardest hit were Indonesian, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, but other Asian and even African countries were also affected. The United Nations estimates that the final death toll will be around 150,000. The survivors face severe problems, including food and water shortages, and epidemics.

　　In response to this natural disaster, governments, charities, and individuals have donated money, food, and clothing. Taiwan’s government generously pledged US＄50 million in aid, making Taiwan one of the world’s top 10 donor countries. To prevent future disasters, scientists are working on improved warning systems. Since Taiwan, too, is susceptible to earthquakes and tsunamis, we should upgrade our own emergency preparedness plans.（题库编号：365423）

杀伤力惊人的海啸

　　两星期前，一群观光客正在亚洲热带度假胜地欢度假期，当地人也正准备开始一天的生活，突然在几乎没预警的情况下，40年来威力最强的地震在当地引发一连串的大海啸。

　　震央在印尼苏门答腊岛西北方，海啸却使许多国家遭受毁灭性的损失，受害最严重的国家有印尼、斯里兰卡、印度和泰国。部分其他亚洲、甚或非洲国家也受到波及。联合国估计，最后的罹难人数将在15万人左右。死里逃生的人也面临严重问题：包括欠缺食物和饮水，还有传染病的流行。

　　面对这次天然灾害，政府、慈善机构和个人都捐输钱财、食物和衣服。台湾政府也慷慨解囊，答应捐出5000万美元援救灾区，使台湾列入世界捐款排名的前10名。为了预防未来的灾难，科学家正努力改善灾难预警系统。台湾也同样容易受到地震和海啸的袭击，我们应该提升危机处理的方案。

The GEPT Obsession

　　On January 8th, a record-breaking 124,000 people, from ages 6-76, took the General English Proficiency Test. What is the GEPT and why did people from all walks of life take it? This standardized test if offered at five levels, elementary, intermediate, high-intermediate, advanced, and superior. Each year, all over Taiwan, more companies encourage their old staff and require new recruits to pass the test.

　　Like all tests, this one both advantages and disadvantages. For Taiwan to be competitive in this age of globalization, English skills are obviously important. The test gives employers standard criteria, so that hiring is not based solely on personal connections. Moreover, the GEPT encourage life-long learning since anyone can take it at any age.

　　Critics, however, claim that the test encourages teachers to “teach to the test.” Also, many parents are pushing their children to take the test too early. This time, foe instance, 30,000 elementary school students took the GEPT. Thus, while this test is a powerful tool in Taiwan’s effort to build English proficiency, like any tool, it should be used wisely.（题库编号：365424）

全民英检热

　　1月8日，从6岁到76岁，共有12万4千人报考全民英检，真是破纪录！什麽是全民英检？为什麽各色各样的人都来应考？这个标准化测验分为初级、中级、中高级、高级和优级五级，全台湾每年都有更多的公司鼓励老雇员和要求新雇员通过这项考试。

　　像其他考试一样，这项考试也有其优、缺点为了让台湾在全球化时代保有竞争力，英文能力显然重要。全民英检让雇主在聘用新人时有个基准，不必单靠个人关系。另外，任何人在任何年龄都可以报考全民英检，鼓励全民终身学习。

　　不过，批评者却认为这个考试让老师为考而教，父母也逼小孩太早参加考试，以这次为例，居然有三万小学生考全民英检。这考试固然是台湾努力建立英文能力强而有力的工具，不过就像任何工具一样，得善加利用才行！

「Talk to U Later」

　　As the internet has become increasingly popular, more and more people find themselves in chat rooms. On-line chat rooms offer many choices. Each user can create one or more on-line personas. For example a teenaged boy in Taipei can have the profile of a 30-year old millionaire in New York or even a grandmother in France！

　　Once users have set up their on-line profiles, they are free to begin chatting, often in what looks like a special language full of slang, acronyms（e.g. brb for “be right back,” U for “you,” R for “are,” and C for “see,”）and emoticons（e.g. (：-* for kiss, (：-0 for very sad）. Some popular subjects in Taiwan are horoscopes, blood types, and fortune telling, but topics are unlimited. Users can say whatever they want without fear of censorship.

　　Thanks to chat rooms, people can meet in a virtual world where distance, status, and money are no longer barriers. How else can you meet people from across the world without leaving the comforts of your own home？（题库编号：365425）

「待会儿再跟你聊」

　　网路愈加热门就有愈多的人到「聊天室」聊天。网路聊天室提供使用者许多选择，每位使用者可以以不同的身份，例如：一个台北的青少年可以在填写个人资料时说自己是30岁的纽约百万富翁，甚或法国的老奶奶。

　　使用者建立了自己网上个人资料，就可以自由与人上网聊天，聊天时常用俚语、简写（例如：brb代表「马上回来」、U代表「你」、R代表「是」、C代表「看」）和表情符号（例如：(：－*代表接吻、(：－0代表很悲伤）。台湾聊天室流行的话题是星座、血型和算命，不过话题不限，使用者可以随意交谈也不怕被审查。

　　还好有网路「聊天室」，人们可以在虚拟世界彼此相会，在那里距离、地位和金钱不再是人和人交往的障碍，除聊天室外，还有什麽方法能使你不离开自己的安乐窝却能与世界各地的人相交往呢？

They Cozy Charm of Coffee Shops

People who have never been to Taiwan may imagine us delicately sipping tea in traditional tea houses. While Taiwanese do drink plenty of tea, in the last few years, coffee has also become a wildly popular beverage, and coffee shops have sprung up all over the island. What explains this trend?

For some people, the appeal is coffee itself. After all, coffee contains caffeine, which hives an energizing buzz. But most coffee shops offer much more than plain black coffee. Fancy coffee drinks often include espresso, latte, mocha, and cappuccino. Those who can’t handle so much caffeine can stick to decaf.

For others, the appeal of coffee shops has more to do with their atmosphere. Young people, in particular, enjoy handing out with friends in trendy coffee shops. Still others linger for hours with a book, nursing a cup of coffee as they read and daydream. While tea will always be associated with Taiwan’s culture, coffee is a welcome addition for many Taiwanese. （题库编号：365426）

温暖迷人的咖啡店

　　没到过台湾的人也许会想像，我们举止优雅地在传统茶馆饮茶，台湾人是喝了不少茶，但过去几年来，咖啡也成了极热门的饮料，咖啡店如雨后春笋般林立，这股热潮，我们该如何解释？

对许多人而言，咖啡迷人处就在于咖啡本身，毕竟它含有咖啡因，能使人精神为之一振。另外原因则是咖啡店不只卖平淡无奇的黑咖啡，讲究一点的咖啡还包括：义式浓缩咖啡、拿铁、摩卡和卡布其诺。不能喝太多咖啡因的还可以专点低卡咖啡。

　　对其他人而言，咖啡店的魅力还来自它的气氛，特别是年轻人喜欢和朋友泡在时髦的咖啡店里；还有一些人则捧著书耗在咖啡店里好几小时，一边轻啜著咖啡，一边读著书、编织自己的白日梦。茶跟台湾文化有不可分的关系，对许多现代的台湾人而言，咖啡也成了另一种受欢迎的饮料。

Traveling Abroad During the Spring Festival

While most people in Taiwan see the New Year holiday as time to spend at home with their families, others choose to travel abroad.

A good place to start planning your trip is with your travel agents. They help you purchase tickets and apply for visas. But before they start the formalities, you need to decide whether a tour group or independent travel will suit you.

Many Taiwanese prefer a tour since everything is arranged, including your itinerary, accommodations, and meals. A tour guide will accompany you while you are sightseeing and sometimes even when you are shopping. Moreover, these trips often cost less because you are purchasing a package deal.

On the other hand, other people prefer the freedom of independent travel. You can choose whether to stay in a luxury resort or a budget motel and whether to eat in five-star restaurants or “greasy spoons.” Whether you like the ease of a tour or the freedom of independent travel, traveling abroad is a great way to spend your New Year holidays.（题库编号：365427）

春节出国旅行

多数台湾人视春节为返乡与家人团圆的节庆，有的人却选择出国旅游。

计划旅游得先与旅行社业务员一起计划行程，他们会帮你买票和办签证，不过在办这些手续之前，你得决定比较适合跟团或自助旅行。

许多台湾人喜欢跟团，因为所有行程、住宿和餐饮都会打点好，导游还会陪著你观光，有时连「血拼」也跟著你。另外，跟团的花费通常较少，因为你买的是套装行程。

不过，也有人喜欢自助旅行，你可以选择住豪华的度假胜地或便宜的汽车旅馆、在五星级餐厅还是小饭馆用餐。不管你喜欢的是跟团的轻鬆，还是自助旅行的自在，出国旅游都是过春节的好方法。

Yummy Taiwan

As everyone who lives in Taiwan knows, food plays a major role in our country’s culture. From business lunches to wedding banquets, food makes each occasion special. Thanks to Taiwan’s geography and history, we can choose from a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes.

Since Taiwan is an island, seafood has ling been a high-light of Taiwanese cuisine. Taiwan’s diet became more varied when the KMT government and its followers retreated to Taiwan in 1949, bringing their cooking styles from different provinces with them. Some well-known Chinese favorites in clued Peking duck, dim sum, and drunken chicken.

In addition to Chinese food, Taiwan also offers a diverse range of ethnic food. Because Japan occupied Taiwan for 50 years, Japanese food like sushi is still widely available. Recently, Taiwan’s Southeast Asian foreign workers have introduced dishes that use exotic herbs and spices. Other restaurants specialize in European food, especially French and Italian. With so many delicious choices, Taiwan is a food-lovers’ paradise!（题库编号：365428）

台湾美食

台湾人都知道，食物是我们文化的一部分，从商业午餐到结婚酒席，食物使每个社交场合生色不少。由于台湾特殊的地理和历史背景，使我们选用多种令人垂涎三尺的好菜。

台湾是个小岛，海鲜当然是台菜的一大特色。1949年国民政府和人民迁台，带来各省口味的菜色，台湾的吃开始变得多样化，有名的中华料理包括：北京烤鸭、广式点心和醉鸡。

除了中华料理外，台湾还有不同类别的外国食物，日本统治台湾50年，日本料理如寿司因而非常普遍，近年来东南亚外劳引介的菜色，多用外国风味的香草和香料，有的餐馆如法国菜和义大利菜则是以欧式料理为号召，台湾的吃有这麽多种选择，无怪乎是老饕的天堂！

Happily Ever After

Even though men in Taiwan no longer have to present larger sums of money to their future wives’ parents, getting married still involves many rituals and expenses. In face, the younger generation seems increasingly interested in traditional weddings that cost a fortune.

Before wedding preparations begin, the man must pop that question. After his girlfriend accepts his proposal, he will ask her parents for permission to marry her. Once the couple becomes engaged after the engagement party, they have to spend money on wedding photographs and renting a formal wedding gown and suit for the bride and groom to wear at the wedding banquet. Fortunately, the guests’ cash-filled red envelopes help pay for the food.

Ever after the banquet, the newlyweds will still face the expenses of a honeymoon. While it may take years to pay all the bills, many couples feel that the special memories and the dream of living happily ever after are worth every penny.（题库编号：365429）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　永浴爱河

即便台湾男人不再需出聘金给他未来的岳父母，结婚还是免不了许多的礼数和花费。事实上，年轻一代似乎对花费不赀的「传统」婚礼兴趣越来越大。

准备婚礼之前，男方得先求婚，等女友接受他的求婚后，再跟女方的父母提亲。一旦这对新人在订婚宴订了婚，他们开始花钱照婚纱摄影，租新娘和新郎在喜宴需要穿著的正式结婚礼服和西装，好在宾客装满现金的红包可以用来付喜宴开销。

喜宴之后，新人还得花钱度蜜月，虽然这笔帐得花好几年才付得清，许多夫妇仍觉得，这种永浴爱河的记忆和美梦，花费的每一分钱都值得！

Lantern Festival Fun

After the five-day spring-time celebration, Taiwanese, stuffed with seasonal food and a few kilos heavier, return to their homes. Most people, however, are still absorbed in the holiday atmosphere until the end of the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Indeed, for Taiwanese, the Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year celebration.

The festival gets its English name from the bright, decorative lantern that people carry under the full moon. For next week’s festival, the most popular lantern will be the rooster, this year’s Chinese zodiac animal. Lion dances and fireworks will add to the excitement, and people can have fun guessing riddles at lantern fairs.

Like every holiday, this one has its special foods. In particular, sticky-rice balls, which symbolize family unity, are a customary snack. With its colorful traditions and tasty foods, this centuries-old festival still offers pleasure for the young and old alike.（题库编号：365430）

欢乐在元宵

五天的年假一过，肚里塞满年菜，暴增好几公斤的台湾人回到自己的家。不过，大多数人还沉浸在年节的气氛里，直到过完元宵节。不错，农曆元月十五日的元宵节标示了新年活动的结束。

元宵节的英文名字「灯笼节」，取自于月圆时人们在月下提著亮晶晶、装饰漂亮的灯笼。下周即将到来的元宵节，最有人气的灯笼当然是今年的生肖—公鸡。另外，舞狮和烟火更增添节庆的欢乐，在灯会猜灯谜也十分有趣。

如同每个节庆一样，元宵节也有特殊的应景食物：汤圆，这个依惯例要吃的小点心，象徵全家团圆。几世纪以来，元宵节以其色彩缤纷的传统和可口的食物，仍能提供老少咸宜的乐趣。

Tomb Sweeping Day

Unlike most traditional holidays which are based on the lunar calendar, Tomb Sweeping Day follows the solar calendar—falling on April 5th. During this festival, as its name shows, the entire family (except married daughters) goes to the tombs of their ancestors to “sweep” their burial grounds.

To complete this annual task, family members have to carry a broom and a dust pan to sweep the dirt around the tombs, a shovel to dig out weeds, and pruning shears to trim the overgrown trees. One last touch is to water the plants with a barrel of water.

After the manual labor is done, the spiritual ritual begins. The family arranges bouquets in vases, sets up offerings in front of the tomb, and burns ghost money and incense. As family members pray for their ancestors’ continued protection, they strengthen the bond between the living and the departed family members.（题库编号：365431）

清明扫墓节

四月五日清明扫墓节跟其他农曆的节庆不一样是过阳曆，这一篇，正如节名所示，除了嫁出去的女儿外，全家人都到祖先的坟墓「扫」他们埋葬的墓地。

为了完成一年一度的工作，家人需要提著扫帚、拿著畚箕将墓地周遭的尘土扫除一清，铲子用来挖除杂草，剪子用来修剪茂长的树，最后再用一桶水来浇花草。

动手的工作完成后，才开始神圣的仪式。家人把花束插在花瓶里，祭品陈设在墓前，接著烧香和烧纸钱。当家人祈求祖先继续保佑子孙之际，也强化了生者与死者间的凝聚力。

Global Fortune Telling

People might expect that a modern country like Taiwan would reject fortune telling as old-fashioned. However, thanks to technology and globalization, this ancient art has become more popular than ever. With TV and radio call-in shows, Internet sites, and mobile phone services, your fortune is just a touch away.

Many of the traditional Chinese forms of fortune telling like divination with eight characters, face reading, palm reading, and finding lucky names are still widely practiced. Some people visit psychics or mediums who go into a trance to learn about their previous lives. Others buy good lick charms or go to temples for predictions.

As Taiwan has become more internationalized, some fortune tellers have turned to Western fortune telling techniques like crystal balls and tarot cards. Western astrology and interpreting auras are also popular. Whether we believe in traditional Chinese or New Age methods, fortune telling seems here to stay.（题库编号：365432）

全球算命

大家也许以为像台湾这麽现代化的国家会视算命为过时的玩意儿，然而由于科技和全球化的推波助澜，这项古老的「艺术」比以往更风行。藉著电台和电视的扣应节目、网站和手机服务，你的命运近在咫尺。

许多传统中国算命如八字、看面相、手相和找好名字仍广为流行，有人找通灵人和灵媒进入半昏迷状态以得知自己的前世。另有人买护身符，或到庙里预知未来。

当台湾变得国际化时，许多算命的转向西洋相术如水晶球和塔罗牌，西洋星座和解释一个人的运气也很流行。不管你相信传统中国或新世纪的相术，算命都会永存台湾。

Cut, Curl, and Color

Today’s fashion-conscious Taiwanese devote much of their disposable income to their personal appearance. To meet this demand, hair salons have sprung up all over the island.

Many of today’s trendy salons don’t just cut hair; they offer transformations. With a perm or a body wave, a good stylist can make straight hair look naturally curly. Similarly, hair coloring allows people to create a new look. Now all ages dye their hair, often in shades of red or brown or even green and pink. Others opt to have subtle highlights in their natural hair color.

Of course, some people who simply wish to have their hair shampooed, trimmed, and blown dry still prefer old-fashioned beauty parlors or barber shops. No matter which type of hair care you choose, you won’t have to look far for a shop in Taiwan.（题库编号：365433）

剪、卷、染

爱时髦的台湾人把手边可以花费的馀钱多花在打点个人门面，为因应这个需要，美容院在台湾如雨后春笋般林立。

今天许多摩登美容院不只剪发，还帮你改造型。经过好的美发师烫或卷之后，一头直发可以看起来像自然卷，染发也让人耳目一新。现在各种年龄层的人都染发，通常可以选择色泽深浅不同的红或咖啡色，甚或绿和粉红，有的则选择在自然发色上挑染。

当然只想洗发，修发和吹发的人还是喜欢在老式的洗发或理发店，不管你喜欢哪一种整理头发的方式，在台湾你都不必走太远就会找到一家美容院。

Plastic Money

While Taiwanese used to rely on cash, now “plastic money” offers convenient bur risky alternatives. Credit cards let you charge purchases and pay later. Debit cards instantly deduct money from your account when you make a purchase. Cash cards allow you to borrow money through ATMs.

All these cards are very handy. You no longer have to carry much cash, and you never have to worry about having enough money for an emergency. If you use these cards wisely, you should never have a problem.

However, irresponsible use can lead to serious financial problem and even bankruptcy. Credit cards often have high interest rates, making spending sprees expensive if you don’t pay off the entire balance. Cash card abuse had caused so many problems that the government recently passed stricter rules to regulate their advertising and use. While these new rules can help, what we have to remember is that the cards don’t cause debt; people do.（题库编号：365434）

塑胶钱

过去台湾人靠现金，现在则有「塑胶钱」提供方便却有风险的选择。信用卡让你买东西先赊帐，后付款。金融扣帐卡立刻将你每一笔消费从户头中扣除，现金卡则让你从提款机「借」钱。

有这些卡很好用，至少你不需要带太多现金，也不需要担心紧急情况时没有足够的钱，如果你善用这些金融卡，绝对不会出问题。

不过，如果随意乱刷卡会使财务出问题，甚至破产。信用卡通常利率高，如果你不一次付清全额签帐款，就会使大採购变得更花钱。乱用现金卡（借贷）也造成许多问题，最近政府才通过严格法令，调整现金卡广告和使用方法，新法规当然有用，不过我们得记得，卡不生债，人生债！

Cram Schools

All over Taiwan, you can encounter weary teenagers trudging home from cram schools late at night, carrying their bulky schoolbags. In our test-oriented society, most young Taiwanese attend these private, after-hours schools that “cram” facts and testing tips into their brains.

Many students resent going to a cram school after they have already spent a full day in class. They complain that they have no free time for hobbies or relaxation. Other students, however, like the air-conditioned classrooms, helpful teaching assistants, fun new classmates, and articulate teachers. Moreover, sometimes this intensive training often does improve students’ test scores.

But while cram schools can be beneficial and even enjoyable, we must remember their limitations. As their name suggests, these schools only cram students with the “food” teachers feed them. If students only receive this canned knowledge, they can’t be active, independent learners.（题库编号：365435）

补习班

台湾到处可见疲累的学生夜晚背著笨重的书包、拖著蹒跚的步伐从补习班回家。在这个考试挂帅的社会里，多数台湾年轻人上过私人办的课后辅导班，脑袋被强行塞入课本内容和考试要点。

许多学生讨厌上了整天课之后还要去补习班，他们抱怨没时间做自己喜欢的事，也没空休息。不过也有学生喜欢补习班的空调教室、热心助人的「班导师」、好玩的新朋友、和能言善道的老师，有时密集式训练的确能够提高学生的考试成绩。

补习班虽然会带来助益有又好玩，但我们也须记得它们的侷限。如其名所示，补习班由老师塞给学生「食物」，如果学生只接受这类「罐头」知识，他们不能成为主动又独立的学生。

Betel Nut: Taiwanese Chewing Gum

Betel nut, a mild narcotic, has been widely used in Asia for centuries. It is popular because of its cheap, pleasant buzz, and is one of Taiwan’s major cash crops, contributing enormously to the economy.

However, betel nut also has many critics. Environmentalists claim that growing so many betel palms causes erosion. Doctors claim that betel nut is responsible for Taiwan’s high rate of oral cancer, and many people dislike seeing the red-stained saliva where it has been spit on the sidewalk.

But the loudest objection to Taiwan’s betel nut industry is to “betel nut beauties,” the young girls who sell it. Because they wear skimpy clothing and sit exposed in glass booths, politicians contend they give Taiwan a sleazy image. Owners, however, insist that this is a decent job for these girls and argue that sexy images are used to sell many products today. With millions of Taiwanese chewing betel nut, the controversy is not going to go away anytime soon.（题库编号：365436）

槟榔：台湾口香糖

槟榔这种药性温和的「麻醉品」，在亚洲广为人食用，已有好几世纪的历史，受人喜爱的理由是价格不高，但让人觉得兴奋。它是台湾主要的经济作物之一，对台湾经济成长贡献很大。

不过批评槟榔的人也不少，环保人士认为广栽槟榔造成水土流失；医生也说，台湾的高口腔癌罹患率的始作俑者是槟榔；很多人则不喜欢看到嚼槟榔的人在人行道上乱吐红色槟榔汁（唾液）。

但反对槟榔业声浪最高的，指向卖槟榔的年轻女郎「槟榔西施」，她们大胆穿著在玻璃屋中亮相，遭政治人物指责给台湾一个恶质形象，槟榔摊老板却坚持槟榔西施的工作正当，大胆形象正是卖点。台湾有百万以上的槟榔人口，看来这个争议一时还不得止息。

Plum Rains: Moldy Weather

Each year around this time, Taiwan experiences a weather pattern called the plum rains. Precipitation can range from a light drizzle to a torrential downpour that is heavy enough to cause a landslide or flooding. Although these rains help prevent drought, they can also be very annoying.

As a precaution, most people carry an umbrella and keep a waterproof raincoat on hand. Despite our preparations, we often get muddy when cars and motorcycles splash through puddles.

Even our houses and offices suffer from the plum rains because the high humidity encourages the growth of mold and mildew. No wonder we often jokingly claim the plum rain season is so long that even people start to get moldy.（题库编号：365437）

梅雨，叫人发霉的天气

每年这段期间，台湾会经历一段叫做梅雨的气候型态，雨量可以从霏霏细雨到倾盆大雨，有时雨大到造成土石流或水灾。虽然下雨可以解除旱象，但也让人厌烦。

防雨之道，许多人拎把伞或随手带著防水的雨衣，不过不管我们怎麽准备，还是会被汽车或摩托车轧过积水所溅起的水花，弄得满身泥泞。

梅雨带来的高湿度害得我们家和办公室也遭波及而长霉，怪不得我们常戏谑地说：「梅雨季拖到人都快发霉了。」

Non-Stop Convenience

Everywhere we look in Taiwan, we see convenience stores, often several on one street. Why does Taiwan have the highest percentage of these stores in the world? In Taiwan, time is money. These stores’ handy locations, hours, and services are a perfect fit for Taiwan’s busy lifestyle.

Unlike in some countries where zoning laws keep businesses away from residential areas, in Taiwan, convenience stores can be located where people live. Many of these stores are open 24 hours a day, important in non-stop Taiwan.

While convenience stores’ location and hours are important, the services they offer are the real secret to their success. Not only do they sell snacks and drinks, they also have ATMs, photocopy machines, and fax machines. Moreover, you can pay utility bills, arrange for package delivery, and even convert currency at some stores. Although these stores are not the cheapest places to shop, people are willing to pay more for their convenience.（题库编号：365438）

便利不打烊

台湾到处可见到便利商店，常常一条街上就有好几家，为什麽台湾便利商店的比率高居世界之冠？在台湾，时间就是金钱，便利商店所处的便利地点、营业时间和服务项目都与台湾的生活方式搭配得天衣无缝。

有些国家的分区规划令规定住宅区不能营业，台湾则不同，台湾的便利商店可以设在宅区，许多这类商店24小时营业，对脚步不停的台湾而言十分重要。

便利商店的地点和营运时间也许很重要，不过它们提供的服务项目才是致胜秘诀。它们不但卖零食、点心和饮料，还设有提款机、影印机和传真机。另外，你还可以付公用事业如水电、瓦斯、电话费和托运包裹，有些店甚至可以兑换外币。虽然便利商店售价不算最便宜，人们宁可多付点钱以求生活方便。

Chill Out with a Cold Drink

　　As Taiwan’s weather heats up, thirst-quenching cold drinks provide a great way to cool down. These ubiquitous treats can be found in convenience stores, juice bars, vending machines, tea houses, and roadside stands throughout the island.

　　While some beverages like beer, sports drinks, and soft drinks are canned or bottled, others are freshly made from Taiwan’s abundant supply of fruit. Papaya milkshakes and other blended drinks are local favorites. Freshly squeezed juice, often cooled with shaved ice, is always refreshing.

　　Recently, Taiwan’s cold tea drinks have also become very popular. Pearl milk tea, taro milk tea, green tea mixed with fruit juice, kumquat tea…you name it. When it comes to satisfying your taste buds, Taiwan’s manufactures are endlessly creative.（题库编号：365439）

清凉舒爽靠冷饮

　　当台湾的天气开始炎热时，生津止渴的冷饮提供妙方使你顿生清凉，这些无所不在的「好康」，可在全台便利商店、果汁店、自动贩卖机、茶馆和路边摊买到。

　　有的饮料像啤酒、运动饮料和不含酒精的各种冷饮，都用罐装或瓶装，有的饮料直接从台湾丰富的水果取材，木瓜牛奶和其他混合饮料是本地人的最爱。刚榨的新鲜果汁常加剉冰，喝起来让人精神为之一振。

　　最近台湾的冰茶也开始流行，珍珠奶茶、芋奶茶、绿茶加果汁、金桔茶…，只要你说得出名字，应有尽有。只要能满足你的味蕾，台湾商人的点子可真不少！

Taiwan’s “Baby Bust”

　　Everyone knows that Taiwan is a small, crowded island. In fact, our population density is the second highest in the world. When we already have so many people, why is a government white paper expected to urge people to increase the population even further?

　　 Because Taiwan has the world’s lowest fertility rate (only 1.18 children per average woman), we face an unstable economic situation. Already, “stray” teachers are having a hard time finding jobs since we have fewer school-aged children. Eventually, the labor pool will shrink, and Taiwan’s disproportionately large graying population will also increase health care costs.

　　 Why has Taiwan’s birth rate declined? More people today are marrying late, remaining single, or choosing not to have children. Although we cannot reverse this demographic trend overnight, government can help by increasing its meager child benefit, providing additional tax incentives for childbirth, and most importantly, establishing affordable but high caliber childcare centers.（题库编号：365440）

台湾生育率创新低

　　每个人都知道台湾是个人口稠密的小岛，我们的人口密度高居世界第二，为什麽人口这麽多，政府的白皮书还鼓励大家多生孩子？

　　因为台湾生育率在全世界敬陪末座(每个妇女平均生1.18个小孩)，我们面临未来不稳定的经济状况。稀少的学龄儿童造成「流浪教师」找工作不易，未来连劳力资源也会缩减，多重比例的银发族更会使医疗费用增加。

　　台湾出生率为什麽会下降？今天许多人晚婚、不婚或选择不生小孩，我们虽然无法一夕之间改变这个人口结构的新趋势，政府可以增加为数不多的育儿津贴，提供更好的生子减税方案，更重要的是，成立父母负担得起的优质育儿中心。

One Country, Many Religions

In many parts of the world, religious differences frequently lead to conflict. In Taiwan, however, different faiths co-exist harmoniously. Currently, Taiwan has 13 registered religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, various Christian denominations, and Islam.

In addition to these well-known sects, many people worship a combination of religions or folk religions. In many temples, for instance, people can burn incense for gods and goddesses from different religions. Besides worshipping at temples, most Taiwanese also keep a family shrine that contains ancestral tablets. People make daily offerings to their ancestors and hold special ceremonies for them during holidays.

What all these religions have in common is the idea that spiritual forces are a part of our lived. Thanks to Taiwan’s tradition of religious tolerance, all these groups are free to worship as they wish.（题库编号：365441）

一国多教

世上许多地方常因宗教不同引发争端，在台湾，不同信仰却能和平共处。目前在台湾登记的宗教有13个，包括佛教、道教、不同支派的基督教和回教。

除了一些著名的教派外，许多人还拜众教合一的宗教和民间信仰。许多庙里，信徒烧香拜不同宗教的众神，除了在庙里祭拜外，台湾人家里还摆设供奉祖先牌位的神龛，人们每日用供品祭拜祖先，节庆还举办一些特别仪式。

这些宗教相通处在于相信神灵是我们生活的一部份。感谢台湾有宗教包容的传统，使各派信徒可以自由敬拜他们所爱之神。

Housing in Taiwan

As Taiwan’s family structure has changed, so has its architecture. In the past, many people lived with their extended families in traditional U-shaped houses, with a main building and two wings. In the center was a courtyard that could be shared for family activities.

Extended families who want to live together today are more likely to but multi-story condos if they can afford them. Another method of giving a large family some extra space is to build an illegal addition to the family dwelling, usually on the roof.

Many people, however, now live with just their nuclear family in a high-rise complex. Usually run by a management committee, these complexes have a guard and monthly management fee. Some young singles may even choose to live on their own, often in a furnished or unfurnished studio apartment. Whether your family is small or large, one thing never changes—there’s no place like home.（题库编号：365442）

住在台湾

当台湾的家庭结构开始改变时，住家建筑也跟著变化。过去，许多大家庭的成员住在传统三合院（正厅和两厢）里，中间的庭院用来办家庭活动。

今日的大家庭如果付得起，喜欢住在好几层的透天昔，另外让大家庭有多馀空间的方法，是在住宅屋顶加建违章建筑。

大多数的人都是和小家庭成员住在高楼公寓，由管理委员会经管的大厦有守卫，居民也得缴管理费。年轻的单身人士选择自己住，通常住在附或不附带家具的套房。不管你家是大是小，不变的真理是：没有一个地方比家更温暖！

Telescams

　　“If you want your child back, you’d better transfer NT＄30,000 into my account immediately！” This phone message, accompanied by the sound of a child crying in the background, represents every parent’s worst nightmare. But as the parents rush out to pay the ransom, they have been victims of a fake kidnapping.

　　 Fake kidnapping is just one of many telephone scams that have become common in Taiwan. Another popular swindle involves phone calls or text message informing people that they can collect tax refunds, prizes, or lottery money by entering their account number at an ATM. An even trickier method plays on people’s fears of fraud. In this scam, a bogus text message claims that the victim’s credit card or ATM card has been used by swindlers. Of course, the “correction” of the problem at the ATM is what actually gives the scam artist your money.

　　 How can you avoid being a gullible victim of a scam？ Be very suspicious about phone calls or text messages from strangers, and never, ever, touch that confirm button, or your savings will be transferred to a swindler’s pocket in less than a minute.（题库编号：365443）

电话骗钱术

　　「如果你想要孩子回来，最好马上转三万块到我的帐户里！」这通搭配著孩子的哭声的电话内容，十足代表每位父母最糟的梦魇。当父母急著付赎款的当下，他们自己却成了假绑架的受害者。

　　假绑架只是台湾许多普通电话骗钱的一种手法，其他的骗术还有利用电话或手机简讯，通知人们到提款机按帐户号码以提领退税金、奖品或乐透奖金。更巧妙的方法是玩弄人们怕被骗的心理，用假简讯告知你的信用卡或提款卡已经被骗子盗刷，当然，到提款机上做任何「更改」，你的存款就真的被骗子骗走了。

　　如何避免成为太容易相信别人的骗术受害者？你得怀疑陌生人的电话或简讯，还有千万不要按提款机上的「确认」键，否则你的存款在一分钟之内就进了歹徒的口袋里了。

Taiwan Buffs Up ！

　　What happened to the delicate maiden and the meditative scholar who once represented the Chinese ideal？ They’ve gone to the gym to work out. Now that Taiwan prefers healthy, toned women and energetic, muscular men, fitness centers have gained popularity throughout the island.

　　Appealing to a wide population, gyms offer a way for everyone from high school students through grandparents to get in shape, reduce stress, have fun, and meet new friends. Some of these centers are extremely expensive, featuring a luxurious environment, deluxe spa services, and free personal trainers. Other gyms attract different customers with their flashing lights, high-energy music and brightly colored walls.

　　Most fitness centers schedule many group exercise classes, including yoga, aerobics, and Latin dance. Other common equipment includes weight machines and treadmills. They also have a swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room. Finally, the children’s classes, family days, and playrooms that many gyms provide encourage a future generation of buffed Taiwanese.（题库编号：365444）

台湾，勇起来！

　　纤细的仕女，深思的士大夫，这些中国的理想人物现在都怎麽了？他们都上健身房去练身体去了！因为现在的台湾人喜欢健康结实的女性和精力十足的肌肉男，健身中心因而在岛上大行其道。

　　为了吸引民众，健身房提供从高中生到阿嬷级的顾客来健身、减压、找乐子和交新朋友。有的中心收费昂贵，设备十分豪华，顶级的疗程服务和免费的训练师。有的健身房则以闪烁灯光、热力四射的音乐和色彩缤纷的牆饰，招揽不同的顾客。

　　多数的健身房都安排许多团体运动课程，包括瑜珈班、有氧和拉丁舞蹈课。其他一般的设备有举重机和走步机，并设有游泳池、三温暖、按摩池和蒸汽室。许多健身房还有儿童课程、家庭日和游乐室，让台湾下一代也能强健起来。

Night Market

　　Why do people still go to night markets when Taiwan now has so many sophisticated, modern stores? For its tasty snacks, bargain goods, and lively atmosphere, a night market beats any store.

　　 First of all, a night market is like a giant flea market that sells all sorts of food and goods. People line up at food stands to buy treats like steamed dumplings, oyster pastries, grilled squid, stinky tofu, and coffin. At other stalls, customers can purchase items like DVDs, “designer” watches, stuffed animal, and all sorts of trinkets. Bargaining can bring you a great price, but be careful since some of the goods are pirated. You should also watch out for pickpockets!

　　 Besides shopping, people can also play games like net fishing and ring toss at many night markets. Other people enjoy meeting friends or family in the market’s festive atmosphere. Whatever you are looking for, chances are you can find it at a night market.（题库编号：365445）

夜市

　　台湾已有许多精緻高雅的现代化商店，为什麽大家还是喜欢逛夜市？因为夜市的小吃可口、商品可以讨价还价、加上气氛不错，当然不输给任何商店！

　　首先，夜市卖各种商品和食物，简直像个巨型的跳蚤市场。人们排队在小吃摊前面买蒸饺、蚵仔煎、烤墨鱼、臭豆腐和「棺材板」。在其他商家前，顾客可以买DVD和「设计师」设计的手表、动物玩偶和各种各样的小玩意儿。讨价还价后还可以讨个便宜。不过得小心买到盗版货，也得注意扒手。

　　除了买东西，人们还喜欢在夜市玩游戏、如网鱼、掷环。有的人则喜欢在夜市的节庆气氛中与家人、朋友相聚。不管你要什麽，都可以在夜市找得到。

Taiwan’s Legislative Election

　Now that the election is behind us and the campaign season is over, life will be quieter, if less exciting. Hoping to win seats in the legislature, pan-blue, pan-green, and independent candidates invested enormous amounts of time and money. Colorful banners lined the streets, and the sounds of slogans filled the air as supporters held rallies for their candidates.

　After months of being bombarded with ads, Taiwan’s citizens cast their ballots at their local polling station. Even though voter turnout was lower than expected, more than nine million people marked their ballots inside voting booths and then waited for officials to count the vote.

　While victorious candidates celebrated the election results, others felt disappointed. Despite some accusations of vote buying, the election proceeded smoothly, and now we can resume normal life. （题库编号：365446）

台湾立委选举

　　选举已过，选季也随著结束了，我们生活虽少了点刺激，不过终归平静。为了争立法院席次，泛蓝、泛绿和无党籍候选人无不投下大把金钱和时间，彩色旗帜沿街插放，支持者在候选人的造势集会上，口号响彻云霄。

　　长达数月被竞选广告轰炸的台湾民众，已在各地的投票所完成投票。即使投票人数不如预期，还是有九百多万人在圈票处圈选心目中的人选，接著等候选务人员计票。

　　当选的候选人庆祝选举结果，落选者则难掩失望。不过，除了少数买票案子外，整个选举过程还算顺利，现在我们终于可以再过正常的生活了。

Part Time Jobs Over the Winter Break

　　School has started. The first thing many students do upon their return to campus is to share work experience over the winter break with their classmates. There are some who work to pay for tuition and living expenses, while there are others who work to gain societal experience many students share.

　　 There is a wide variety of winter vacation jobs to choose from. Some students help sell dry goods at the Lunar New Year’s shopping bazaar, while others work as guidance teachers in cram schools. There are also those who choose to work part time in sunny Australia or New Zealand so that they can learn languages in a different environment while clipping wool or feeding horses.

　　 But lately, there has been an influx of unscrupulous companies that take advantage of the naivete of students. These companies set up traps to hurt the students. When working part time, beware！ Do not hand over your ID card freely, do not sign contracts freely, and do not pay for fees that are not clearly listed. You should also make clear the specifications of the job to prevent tragedies from happening, such as working as a babysitter instead of a tutor, becoming part of a “pyramid scheme” after being hired as an assistant, or posting flyers and being fined for violation of the law.（题库编号：365447）

寒假打工

　　开学了，许多学生回到校园的第一件事，便是与同学交换寒假的打工经验。有些人打工为了赚取学费、生活费，有些则是为了增加社会历练。「打工」已成了许多学生共同拥有的经验。

　　寒假打工的种类众多，有人到年货大街卖乾货，有人到补习班当辅导老师，也有人选择到阳光普照的澳洲、纽西兰打工，一边剃羊毛、喂小马，一边在不同的环境学习语言。

　　不过近来有许多不肖业者利用学生的单纯，设下打工陷阱。因此打工时必须注意：不随便将身分证件交给他人、不随便签合约、也不缴交名目不清的费用。另外还要搞清楚应徵的职务项目，也免发生应徵家教变保母、应徵助理变成「老鼠会」一员、或者张贴传单反而违法被罚款的倒楣事！

Typhoons

　　Most residents of Taiwan have experienced the typhoons that sweep the island almost every summer. As soon as the Weather Bureau forecasts the arrival of a typhoon, people begin to prepare. Households store food and water and get out their matches, candles, and flashlights.

　　Shops close and tape their windows for reinforcement. Schools, offices, and financial markets close. Some people park their cars on highway overpasses to avoid flash flooding. In the mountains, people have to watch for landslides and mudflows. In low-lying areas, residents may have to be evacuated to safer buildings. While some typhoons just bring heavy rain, severe ones can claim lives and damage property.（题库编号：365448）

颱风

　　几乎每年夏天颱风都会侵袭台湾，大多数的台湾居民也都有过颱风来袭的经验。每当气象局预报颱风来时，人们开始准备，家家户户储存食物和水，还把火柴、蜡烛、和手电筒拿出来。店家打了烊，还用胶带黏贴窗户，加强防风。学校、办公室和金融市场都关了，停止上班、上课和交易。有的人把车停在高架路上，避免突发的洪水。在山区，人们得小心土石流；在低洼地区，居民疏散到较安全的建筑物里。颱风带来大量雨量，厉害的颱风还会夺走人命、危害居民的财产。

The Moon Festival

　　The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The most popular legend about this holiday tells the story of Chang E, the wife of the brutal emperor Houyi. After Chang E stole and took her husband’s magical elixir, she flew to the moon.

　　On Moon Festival night, Taiwanese families like to get together to eat moon cakes and pomelos, a fruit that is in season around this time. People also enjoy looking at the full moon and imagining that they see Chang E dancing there.

　　Holding barbeques on this night is a popular new tradition. Everywhere in yards or in parks, people grill chicken legs and pork chops on racks. These days, it seems that food is more important than the meaning of the festival！（题库编号：365449）

中秋节

　　农曆八月十五日是中秋节，这个节庆最广为人知的传说是述说暴君后羿的妻子嫦娥的故事。嫦娥偷吃了丈夫神奇的长生不老药后，飞上了月宫。

　　中秋节这天晚上，台湾家庭喜欢团聚在一起，吃月饼和当令的文旦，也喜欢边看满月边想像嫦娥在月宫跳着舞。

　　中秋节夜晚举办烤肉活动也成了受欢迎的新传统，在家中庭院或公园里，人们在烤架上烤着鸡腿和猪排。近年来吃东西似乎比节令的意义来的重要。

Fire Ant Invasion

　　Fire ants have begun to invade Taiwan, attacking people and property. These unwelcome guests, which originated in Brazil, have dangerous venom that can cause painful swelling and sometimes even death. Furthermore, these pests can also damage crops, furniture, and electric cables.

　　 If you are bitten by a fire ant, you should use a cold compress to stop the itchiness and swelling. Seek immediate medical treatments and be careful not to break the blister since that could lead to infection.

　　 Officials are trying to destroy the ants’ colonies, but it is very difficult to wipe them out completely. To be safe, people should not touch anthills, and farmers should not work in the fields barefoot.（题库编号：365450）

火蚁入侵

　　火蚁开始入侵台湾，攻击人的身家财产。这群「不速之客」来自巴西，牠危险的毒液能使伤口红肿疼痛，有时可致人于死，还有，这群害虫会破坏农作物、家具和电缆。

　　如果你遭火蚁叮咬了，你得赶紧用冰敷，以免造成伤口发痒和红肿。你得立刻找医生治疗，小心不要把伤口的水泡弄破了，以免导致感染。

　　官员们企图摧毁火蚁族群，但要完全消灭火蚁并非易事。为了安全起见，一般人最好不要去碰触蚁丘，农夫在田里工作，也最好不要打赤脚。

High Teenage Suicide Rate in Taiwan

　　According to the Department of Health’s statistics, an average of 9 Taiwanese people per day dies by suicide. Many of the victims are teenagers. Why would young people who seem to have a bright future commit suicide？

　　Although today’s teenagers enjoy a higher standard of living than their parents had at their age, they often lack guidance and emotional support. When problems with their studies, families, or relationships cause stress, this “strawberry generation” is not always able to deal with the pressure.

　　To reduce this generation’s suicide rate, adults need to recognize the warning signs of depression and suicide. By teaching teenagers how to handle stress and depression, the older generation can help prevent the tragic waste of young lives.（题库编号：365451）

台湾青少年的高自杀率

　　根据卫生署的统计数字，平均每天就有9个台湾人死于自杀，其中许多死者是青少年。为什麽这些看起来前途光明的年轻人会自杀呢？

　　虽然今日的年轻人比他们的父母在他们这样的年龄时，享有更高的生活水准，但他们生活上却缺少指引及情感的支撑。当他们在求学、家庭或交友各方出了问题造成生活紧张时，这群「草莓族」总是无法应付压力。

　　为了减少这一代年轻人的自杀率，大人需要时时察觉他们忧郁和自杀的前兆，藉由教导青少年如何处理心理压力和忧郁，上一代的人可以防范青少年生命无所谓的牺牲所造成的悲剧。

Internet Dating

　　In the past, many couples met through a matchmaker or through a family friend. In today’s busy world, however, the Internet often serves as the matchmaker, allowing strangers to meet through Internet dating services or in chat rooms. Once they meet online, a couple can go out on a date, which might be the first step toward a happy long-term relationship.

　　Other people, who are more interested in the short-term excitement of cyber sex, use the Internet to meet partners for one-night stands. Sometimes money is exchanged for sex, as in recent cases involving young girl who met men online. These schoolgirls are not professional prostitutes; they are just looking for some spending money from a sugar daddy.

　　Internet dating can be not only “expensive” but also risky. In some cases, Internet acquaintances turn out to be liars, stalkers, or rapists. For fans of this new way of meeting, the excitement and convenience of Internet dating make it worth taking a chance. Risky or not, Internet dating is here to stay.（题库编号：365452）

网路约会

　　过去很多婚姻是由媒人或朋友撮合而成，然而今日繁忙的社会，得靠网路充当媒人，网路让陌生人经由网路约会站或聊天室的牵线，在网上「会面」，一旦他们在网路上搭上了线，便可约会外出，由此开始快乐爱情长跑的第一步。

　　如果有人对刺激的网爱露水姻缘有兴趣，也可以利用网路约见对方，来段「一夜情」。最近许多个案是年轻女孩和男人从事网路援交，这些在学女生不是职业的性工作者，她们只想找个甜心老爹要点零用钱来花。

　　网路约会不但「得花钱」，还有风险，个案显示网友成了骗子、跟踪骚扰的无赖或性侵害者。不过这种新型交友方式的爱好者，觉得网路约会刺激又方便，还是值得一试，不管风险如何，网路约会还是会持续下去。

Diet Craze

　　Influenced by glamorous images of paper-thin models and actresses, many people in Taiwan, especially women, have joined the island’s recent diet craze. Although some of these people are truly overweight and a few are even obese, most are just normally sized people who have become obsessed with losing weight.

　　 In a culture where thinness equals beauty, many unscrupulous companies take advantage of the public’s desire to be thin by promising quick and easy weight loss. Unfortunately, these promises are usually misleading, and some diet drugs can even be dangerous. Recently, the Department of Health has fined several companies that make diet products for false advertising.

　　 Instead of relying on these diet drugs or fad diets, most people simply need a balanced diet and regular exercise to get in shape. Most importantly, we should realize that no matter what fashion magazines suggest, fitness is a better goal than thinness.（题库编号：365453）

瘦身热

　　许多台湾人，特别是女性，受超级苗条名模和女明星光鲜亮丽形象的影响，赶搭最近台湾这股瘦身热潮。儘管有些人真的过重，甚或少数人算是肥胖，大多数人体位均属正常，他们只不过是热中瘦身而已。

　　当某种文化认为「瘦即美」时，不肖商家即利用一般人求瘦心切的心理，保证简易又快速的瘦身良方，不幸的是，这些保证常常误导民众，有的减肥药甚至对人体有害。最近卫生署还针对做减肥药不实广告的商家施以罚款。

　　其实，与其靠减肥药和流行的食疗法，不如从均衡饮食和规律运动来改善体型，最重要的是，不管时尚杂志怎麽建议，以健康为目标总比以瘦身为目标来的好些。

The Soothing Spa

　　As life has become increasingly hectic in Taiwan, people are looking for ways to cope with the stress. Many people have turned to spas to relieve their tension. Located in their own salons or in health clubs, spas pamper their customers with all kinds of treatments.

　　The most popular treatment is massage. A masseur or masseuse selects an appropriate massage style and essential oil fragrance for customers. Accompanied by soft lighting, relaxing music, these messages are designed to please all of the senses.

　　Besides aromatherapy, other spa services can include hydrotherapy and facial treatments like peel-off masks and deep moisturizers. Although spa services can be quite expensive, loyal customers feel the psychological and physical benefits are worth every penny.（题库编号：365454）

纾解压力的SPA

　　当生活在台湾变得日益繁忙时，人们开始找法子应付压力，去SPA舒缓压力成为许多人的最爱。SPA在自己的专店里，有的则附设在健身中心，它用各种疗法，抚慰顾客的身心。

　　最热门的疗法是按摩，由男女按摩师选择适合顾客身体的精油香气和按摩方式，搭配柔和的灯光和安神的音乐，这些按摩的设计使感官得到快慰。

　　除了芳香疗法外，其它SPA的服务项目还包括水疗和用敷面膜和深层保湿膏做脸部保养。虽然SPA所费不赀，忠实的顾客还是觉得，花在使身心受益的SPA上，每一分钱都值得！

Going Under the Knife

　　In the past, only fairy tale characters could be magically transformed from beast to beauty. Now, thanks to cosmetic surgery, over a million Taiwanese a year have improved their faces or bodies. The most popular procedure in Taiwan is double eyelid surgery, which makes eyes look larger and rounder. Other common types of plastic surgery include nose jobs, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks.

　　Why are so many Taiwanese going under the knife？ Many women think it will enhance their social lives and increase their self-esteem. Some parents even give daughters cosmetic surgery as a graduation present. Taiwanese men, on the other hand, often see plastic surgery as a way to improve their career opportunities. They want features that would be auspicious according to traditional Chinese face reading.

　　 What all these people have in common is the fairy tale idea that if you change your body, you can transform your life. In a would that values appearance, people seem to have forgotten that beauty is only skin deep.（题库编号：365455）

动刀整形

　　过去只有童话里的角色才有可能魔幻似的由野兽变身为美女，现在多亏美容术的帮忙，每年超过一百万的台湾人可以改善他们的脸蛋及身体。在台湾最流行的疗程是让眼睛看起来比较大而圆的双眼皮手术，其他普通的整形还包括隆鼻、丰乳和缩腹。

　　为什麽这麽多的台湾人喜欢挨这一刀？许多女人认为整形可以改善她们的社交生活，增加自信心。有的父母甚至把整形当成送女儿的毕业礼物。台湾男人反倒把整形当成改事业运的方法，他们想要的是中国人面相学上一些吉利的脸部特徵。

　　这些人相同的地方是持童话上一样的想法：你若变身，生活也会随之而改。在今日重外型的世界里，人们似乎忘了美色本是皮相而已。

Foreign Brides

　　Approximately 25% of recent marriages in Taiwan involved a “forting bride.” Many of these 300,000 marriages were arranged by Taiwanese agencies. Some of these men were unable to find a wife in Taiwan, but others wanted a wife whom they thought would be more “submissive” than the typical Taiwanese women.

　　Unfortunately, these marriages do not always go smoothly. The wives sometimes find themselves the victims of social prejudice and domestic violence. Because they face language, cultural, and legal barriers in Taiwan, they often feel like second-class citizens. Moreover, many of their children, the “new Taiwanese” also suffer learning difficulties.

　　To solve these difficulties, private groups and public social welfare organizations have begun several helpful programs. These organizations provide services like free Mandarin classes, child care workshops, legal aid, and hotlines. While these professional efforts are extremely important, we can also help these foreign brides. We should treat these women with respect and recognize that they are now part of Taiwan’s increasingly international society.（题库编号：365456）

外籍新娘

　　最近在台湾每百件婚姻中就有25人娶的是外籍新娘，这30万件的国际联姻多由台湾婚姻介绍所安排，其中有些男人因为在台湾找不到太太，有的则希望娶到他们认为比台湾女人还来的「听话」的太太。

　　可惜的是这些婚姻多不顺遂，许多外籍新娘成社会歧视和家庭暴力的受害者，又因为她们在台湾得面临语言、文化和法律各方面的隔阂，常使她们觉得自己是次等公民，她们生的「新台湾之子」也常遭遇学习困难之苦。

　　为解决这些问题，民间团体和公立社会福利机构已展开许多协助计画，它们提供的服务有中文课、育子课、法律协助和热线等。这些专业的努力固然重要，我们每个人也能够帮忙这些外籍新娘，尊敬她们、肯定她们现在是台湾愈来愈国际化社会的一员。

Placement Results Posted

　Attending a good college in Taiwan has never been easy.
　In the past, anyone who wanted to go to a university had to take the Joint College Entrance Exam (JCEE). Many students’ test scores were too low to enter college.
　Now students have several options. They can apply to the college they prefer.
　Students with special talents can be admitted through a recommendation from their high school. If a student is rejected, he or she can take an exam instead.
　This year the university entry rate, 87%, is the highest ever, but getting into an ideal department and school is still very difficult.（题库编号：365457）

放榜了

　　在台湾进好大学并不容易。在以往，任何想进大学的人都得参加大学联考，许多学生因考试分数太低而无法进大学。现在，学生有多一些的选择；它们可以申请自己喜欢的大学；具有特殊才能的学生可以经由他们高中学校的推荐而录取。如果某个学生（推甄或申请时）被拒绝于大学门外，他（她）还可以参加考试。今年大学录取率是87％，创了历年新高，但想进一个自己理想的系和校还是很困难。

Chinese Valentine’s Day

　Lovers in Taiwan are lucky because they have two romantic holidays in one year. Besides February 14th, western Valentine’s Day, they also celebrate Chinese Valentine’s Day. This holiday, which takes place on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, memorializes the cowherd Niu Lang’s once-a-year reunion with the weaver girl Zhi Nu. On this day some people go to Matchmaker temples to pray for love and marriage. Now, however, this traditional holiday has become increasingly commercialized. People often say that money can’t buy you love, but owners of flower shops, candy stores, restaurants, hotels, and jewelry stores woulddisagree.（题库编号：365458）

七夕（中国情人节）

　　台湾的情人可真幸运，因为他们一年有两个浪漫的节日。除了二月十四日西方的情人节外，他们还可以庆祝中国情人节。这个节日是农曆的七月七日，为了纪念牛郎与织女一年一度的团圆。这天有些人会去月老庙祈求爱情与婚姻，不过现在这个传统的节日却逐渐商业化了。人们常说金钱不能帮你买到爱情，不过花店、糖果店、餐厅、旅馆和珠宝店的老板可不同意这种说法哦。

Dos and Don’ts in Ghost Month

　　Every holiday has its special customs. Taiwanese believe that in the 7th month of the lunar calendar, or Ghost Month, ghosts will come out from the Gates of Hell and wander around in the living world.

　　 The best way to treat these wandering souls is to burn ghost money for them to spend and offer food and drinks as sacrifices for the ghosts to dine on.

　　 In the middle of the month, water lanterns light the way for the souls of the drowned. During this month activities such as weddings, swimming, and moving should be put on hold until all the ghosts return to the underworld, and the Gates of Hell finally close.（题库编号：365459）

鬼月该做和不该做的事

　　每个节庆都有它特殊的习俗。台湾人相信农曆七月（或叫做鬼月），鬼会从鬼门关里跑出来，在人世间到处游荡。招待这些孤魂野鬼最好的方法就是烧纸钱让他们花，提供食物饮料当祭品供他们享用。七月中旬时，水灯点亮溺死鬼（回家）之路。这个月诸如婚礼、游泳、搬家等的活动都得暂停，直到所有的鬼都回到阴曹地府，鬼门终于关上为止。

Foreign-, Hong Kong-, or China-Invested?

　　In recent weeks, a TV station in Taiwan has been suspected of having “100 percent of foreign shareholdings,” and is thus in violation of the Satellite Broadcasting Law. All of a sudden, terms like “foreign-invested,” “Hong Kong-invested,” and “China-invested” are all over the place, leaving the general public completely baffled.

　　Some say that “Hong Kong-invested” equals “China-invested,” and the TV station should have its license revoked. Others say that if “Hong Kong-invested” equals “China-invested,” then “Next Magazine,” “Apple Daily,” and “Watson’” would all have to be shut down.

　 In truth, whether the station is foreign-, Hong Kong-, or China-invested is beside the point. At issue is whether the corporation is “Taiwan-taxed,” “foreign-taxed,” or “not-taxed.” If a business is using foreign capital to earn money and pay its taxes in Taiwan, this is to be encouraged! But if a business rakes in money from Taiwan, yet registers the company abroad to avoid taxes, it should be further investigated! Although, with government officials so preoccupied with campaign gimmicks, who in the world would still have the energy to work on such serious matters?（题库编号：365460）

外资、港资、中资？

　　最近这几个星期，台湾某家电视台被质疑「外资持股达１００％」，因而违反广电法的规定。一时之间，「外资」、「港资」、「中资」满天飞，听得老百姓一头雾水。

　　有人说，「港资」＝「中资」，这家电视台应被撤照。也有人说，如果「港资」＝「中资」，那麽「一周刊」、「苹果日报、」「屈臣式」统统都应该关门！

　　其实「外资」、「港资」、「中资」都不是重点，重点在于「台税」、「外税」、还是「没缴税」？如果一家公司拿外国资金在台湾赚钱、缴税，其实值得鼓励！但如果在台湾赚钱，却将公司登记在外国来避税，那才值得追究！只不过政府官员最近选举花招都忙不完了，谁还有力气去办正经事呢？

Huang Hua took me to see Po Ku, the commissioner of Foreign Affairs, one of the opposition to Mao Tse-tung. Po Ku escorted me to the Foreign Affairs compound, to a small room of my own, with paper windows and a heavy blue padded curtain for a door. A carved square table near the window held a candle and my special teapot. Two chairs and two benches made up the rest of furnishings, except for the build-in bedroom in one corner, hung with blue cloth for privacy. This was a k’ang, or raised platform of brick, where I put my canvas cot and sleeping bag. The legs of my cot sat in four cigarette tins filled with kerosene, which did discourage crawling insects, though it seemed to have little deterrent effect on the high-jumping fleas.

黄华带我去见外交人民委员博古，他是毛泽东的反对派之一。博古陪同我去了外交大院，把我领进专为我安排的一个小房间。窗棂上糊着纸，门上挂着一吊笨重的蓝色棉布帘。紧靠窗户，摆着一张带有纹饰的大方桌，上面放着一支蜡烛和我那把别致的茶壶。除了一角打进去的寝室、吊着一块蓝布帘遮掩床铺外，其余的陈设就是两把椅子和两条长凳了。蓝布帘的后面，是一个用青砖砌起来的平台，那就是火炕。我把帆布床和睡袋放在炕上，帆布床的四条腿，放进四只装满煤油的锡制香烟桶里。这样以来，那些小爬虫们确实无能为力了，但对跳高健将跳蚤们来说，似乎并没有多大的威慑力。

The brick floor was inhabited by both competitive and communist insect life, despite the lime dust with which I covered the cracks. I put my leather saddle shoes up high every night and shook them out every morning, looking for scorpions and centipedes as well as lice and fleas. Overhead the ceiling was of sagging white cloth, and rats ran back and forth on the rafters【建】椽 all night, shaking the golden dust down as they raced. Under my bed was a rat trap, and when it caught one, I waked the whole compound with my screams. This was the pure, organic life – without pesticides, without chemicals, without machinery.

地面是用砖铺的。虽然我用石灰粉填塞了砖缝，但是各种昆虫仍然栖居在那儿，有相互争斗的，也有紧紧地拥挤在一起的。每天晚上，我把我的凉皮鞋“束之高阁”，每天早晨把它们抖了又抖，看看里面有没有蝎子和蜈蚣，有没有虱子和跳蚤。头顶上的天花板，是一块塌拉下来的白布，老鼠在木椽上面来回奔跑，彻夜不休，每跑一趟，便是一阵“金色的尘雨”。我的床下，放置着一把鼠夹，夹住老鼠时，我就尖叫起来，把全院子的人吵醒。这是纯粹的有机物生活的时代——没有杀虫剂，没有化学药品，没有机械设施。

It is not the rat but the flea that carries the black plague（黑死病, 鼠疫） – and northern Shensi was one of the few places on earth where that killer disease was still endemic. My floor was covered with fleas, all gregarious and fond of foreigners. The Chinese were not immune, but generations of exposure had created a mighty army of antibodies in their blood to protect them from disease. I never forgot that the black plague had once destroyed half the population of Christendom, and had brought into fashion in Europe a concern for cleanliness that did not seem as yet, some centuries later, to have reached China. Though my own compound thankfully suffered no plague that summer, there was one case of typhoid, one severe case of dysentery, along with plenty of the common everyday variety, and my personal bodyguard had advanced tuberculosis. TB was so common that little attention was paid to it. Probably everybody in Yenan had dysentery, but the Chinese seemed usually not much bothered by it. （题库编号：365461）

传播鼠疫的是跳蚤，而不是老鼠。这种致命的疾病，在地球上依然流行的地方已为数不多了，而陕北便是其中之一。我房间的地面上尽是跳蚤，并且群居在一起，对外国人颇为多情。中国人没免疫，然而，祖祖辈辈任凭虱叮蚤咬，在他们的血液里产生了一支坚强的抗体大军，保护他们免遭疾病的侵害。我永远不会忘记，鼠疫曾经毁灭了基督教人口的一半，于是，讲究清洁卫生，便在欧洲风行起来。而这一点，似乎在几个世纪之后，还没有传到中国。那年夏天，使我感到欣慰的是，我住的那个院子里没发生鼠疫。不过，有一个人得了伤寒，一个人患了严重的痢疾，还有许多常见的小病。我的警卫员患晚期肺结核。当时肺结核相当普遍，但却很少有人注意这个问题。生活在延安的人，或许都患有痢疾，然而，中国人似乎对此并不大在乎。

Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples and statues decay, but books survive. Time is of no account（不重要的、无价值的） with great thoughts, which are fresh today as when they first passed through their author's minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us vividly as ever from the printed page . The only effect of time has been sift out( 筛落 ) the bad products, for nothing in literature can long survive but what is really good. （题库编号：365462）

书的实质在于世代永存，是迄今人类长期努力得来的最持久产品。庙宇会坍塌，雕像会腐蚀，但书籍却能永存。伟大的思想不会因岁月的流失而消泯，前人的思想历久长新，其所言所思至今仍跃然纸上、声声入耳。悠悠岁月只会去尽糟粕，真正的好书经得起历史的淘汰和荡涤。

Writing history is an old and honorable profession with distinctive（明显不同的、特别的、突出的） standards and purposes.The historian's goals are accuracy,analysis,and objectivity in the reconsruction of the past.But history is more than an academic discipline up there in the stratosphere 尖端（深奥的）学科领域.It also has its own role in the future of nations.

书写历史是一种古老而又令人尊敬的职业，有鲜明的标准和目的。历史学家所追求达到的目标是：在重现往事时，保持准确、客观、条理清晰。但就最高层次的意义而言，历史不仅是一个学科，它还在各民族的未来发展中发挥着本身的独特作用。

For history is to the nation rather as memory is to the individual.As an individual deprived of memory becomes disoriented and lost,not knowing where he has been or where he is going,so a nation denied a conception of its past will be disabled in dealing with its present and its future.As the means of defining national identity,history becomes a means of shaping history.The writing of history then turns from a meditation into a weapon.“Who controls the past controls the future,”runs the Party slogan in George Orwell's 1984：“who controls the present controls the past.”（题库编号：365463）

这是因为历史对于一个民族来说，其重要性如同记忆之于个人。一个人如果失去了记忆就会处于一种精神恍惚、迷失方向的境地。不知道他来自何方，去往何处。一个民族如果对于它的过去没有一种认识，那末它就无力去处理现实和应对未来。因此，历史作为确定每一民族特性的工具，从而也就成为铸造各民族历史的工具。书写历史于是从沉思默想变成了铸造武器。所以，英国作家乔治•奥维尔（1903-1950）在他的最后一部讽刺小说《一九八四》中，把下面这句话作为一个政党的口号：“谁控制了过去，就能控制未来；谁控制了现在，就能控制过去。”