英語學習筆記

    U.S. employemnt growth slowed and the jobless rate ticked up last month as job losses in manufacturing, construction and government offset healthy gains in many services industries, suggesting that the economy started the third quarter on a softer note after robust growth in the second quarter.

You look so depressed. What happened?
Natalia: My boss is so hard on me. I usually have to beat my brains out just to complete the task he assigns me.
Issac: Why not go get some exercise? That should help you to relieve some pressure.

^{by Nick Wingfield (2007-07-30 工商時報)}

    Apple Inc.'s iPhone has been a magnet for hype. But the company's iPods and Macintosh computers were the stars of the quarter.

What's that?
Natalie: Say hello to my new panda purse! It's so cute, isn't?
Isaac: You're really a panda fan, aren't you? Oh, that remind me: According to a story I read in the China Post, a research center in Chengdu is going to introduce a special panda-themed souvenir before the 2008 Olympics.

    The name Edgar is of old English and old German origin; its meaning is "fortunate and powerful." In Shakespear's "King Lear," Lear's son is called Edgar. Variants of the name include Ed, Eddie and Ned. Famous people who have the name include prominent poet Edgar Allan Poe and J. Edgar Hoover, former head of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    The name Zoe originates from ancient Greece and means "life." The name is remarkably popular in Greecs. Names similar to Zoe include Zoey, Zoya and Zea. Celebrities who share the name include Byzantine empress Zoe Karbonopsina and British novelist Zoe Heller.

I'm going to Taipei 101's observatory with my friend later. Do you want to come with me?
Zea: I'm sorry. I have to attend a meeting later. By the way, did you know that Taipei 101 is no longer the world's tallest building?
Ned: What do you mean?

Gas prices have been soaring recently. At this rate, anyone who needs to drive a car to get to work every day is really going to be in a bind.
Zoya: That's right. Luckily, there will be "hydrogen fuel cells" in the near future.
Eddie: What is a "hydrogen fuel cell"? I've never heard of that.

nutmeg n. 荳蔻(作香料)；荳蔻樹
coriander  n. 【植】胡荽；芫荽
volleyball n. 排球

scissors n.剪刀
scissor vi. 用剪刀剪開
shear vt.修剪

leek n. 【植】蒜
aloe n. 【植】蘆薈
pine n. 松