英語學習筆記

Jason: Why are you holding a mouse in your hand?
Claire: It's not a mouse. Meet my new pet - a lovely guinea pig! I'm now a big fan of guinea pigs.
Jason: A mouse and a guinea pig look the same to me. By the way, people in Peru had an annual guinea pig festival recently, including contests for the biggest, the best-dressed, and the...

    The boy's name Matthew originates from Hebrew, and its meaning is "gift of the Lord." Since 1975, "Matthew" has remained in the top 100 list of most popular names chosen for newborn babies in the United States (Wikipedia). Variant forms of the name include Mathew, Matt and Mats. Famous people who share this name include Hollywood actors Matthew McConaughey ("Contact") and Matt Damon.
   
    Grace is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "blessing." In Greek mythology, the Three Graces were goddesses of nature: Aglaia (brilliance), Thalia (flowering), and Euphrosyne(joy). Variants of this name include Gracie, Graciela and Grayce. Celebrities with this name include the late Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly and Korean golfer Grace Park.

How was the party last night?
Mats: It was awesome. Besides, I have a crush on a girl I met there, though it seemed she was not attracted to me at all. I'm not the type of the man she likes, I guess.
Grayce: Hmm. I bet you'll want to know this. According to a study I read in the China Post, a man who resembles a girl's father can make her heart flutter the most easily!

    Nokia corp.'s chief executive wants to steer the world's largest maker of cellphones toward new sources of revenue, such as the Internet.
    The restructuring of Nokia, announced yesterday, takes a step in pushing that goal by carving out a new unit focused on growth opportunities around music downloading, Internet browsing, mapping and other services.
    Under the reorganization, which will take effect Jan. 1, Nokia will divide its cellphone business into three units: mobile devices; services and software; and a markets division responsible for managing Nokia's supply chains, as well as sales and marketing.

These antique clocks are so exquisite. When did you start collection them?
Graciela: My dad is the collector. He says antique clock never go out of fashion, and they are good investment as well.
Matt: He's good taste. By the way, seeing these clocks rings a bell for me. I read a news report in the China Post - antique clocks might contain mercury in their components, and the mercury could leak when the clocks get old!

I remember last month you signed up to take the GEPT? How's that going?
Grace: So far so good. I spend a lot of time studying for it. Though I can't imagine what I would do if I failed it.
Matthew: Just sign up again. A 73-year-old India man failed his high school exams for the 39th straight time and still vowed to try again next year -that's what I read on Yahoo! last week. So taking another test would be no big deal for you.

aim vi.vt. 對準；以...為目標；(尤指)瞄準
attempt vt. 努力而為 n. 嘗試, 攻擊；突擊, 未遂行為；未遂罪
an attempt at murder 殺人未遂

    Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin." The name has been popular since the 12th-century martyr Thomas Backet. Names similar to Thomas include Tom, Tomas and Tommy. Famous people who share the name include retired NBA guard Isaiah Thomas and famed inventor Thomas Edison.

    Amanda originates from Latin, and its meaning is "worthy of love." The name was probably modeled on Miranda. From 1976 to 1995, "Amanda" ranked among the ten most popular female baby names in the United States. In 2006, "Amanda" ranked number 102 (Wikipedia). Variations of the name include Mandy, Mindy and Amada. Celebrities who have this name include American actress Amanda Bynes ("What a Girl Wants") and Hong Kong model Amanda Strang.

macaroon n. 蛋白杏仁甜餅乾
behalf n. 利便；擁護；效用；利益
salute n. 致意；問候

How have you been recently?
Tom: No good. I feel so stressed about overworking. I need some way to release the pressure.
Mandy: How about joining a yoga class with me? According to a news report I read in the China Post, yoga's postures, meditation and controlled breathing can help ease one's anxiety. Besides, it's also good for losing weight!