英文單字與聽力學習平台中級(2)Funny Things Happen compiled by David Pai

By David Pai 白老師

 




Funny Things Happen

Yesterday, I decided to get my pants altered.

昨天，我決定去裁縫店改褲子。

I had $200 in my wallet, which was more than enough for the alteration.

我錢包裏有200美金，改條褲子是綽綽有餘了。

Foolishly however, I got lost taking an alternate route to the tailor shop.

但我在另選路線去裁縫鋪時竟傻巴拉嘰的迷路了。

Fortunately, I had aspirin to alleviate my headache.

幸好我帶著阿司匹林，頭痛才得以減輕。

Walking further, I noticed a red balloon aloft, rising to the higher altitude.

往前走不遠，我注意到一隻紅氣球飄在空中，它越飛越高。

It distracted me, causing me to bump into two young brothers.

我盯著氣球出神，不小心跟兩個小兄弟撞了個滿懷。

They look alike but seemed opposite in personality.

他們長的很像，但性格迥異：

One was clearly aloof but the other appeared to be an altruistic individual.

一位是明顯的不關心，另一位看起來則是個利他主義者。

He could sense I was lost and happily gave me directions.

他能感到我迷路了，便欣然為我指路。

Such altruism is so rare there days.

這種利他主義現在實屬罕見。

What an ally he can be to a lost person!

對一位迷途者而言，他可謂盟友了！

The contrast in their personalities reminded me of the biblical allegory of Cain and Abel.

二人性格的反差讓我想起來《聖經》裏該隱和亞伯的寓言。

But it would be too hasty to allege such a contrast given that I didn't really know them.

不過，我並不真正瞭解他們，所以當下斷言二人性格如該隱和亞伯那般迥異未免過於草率。

I continued on my way but was allured into a bike shop by a windown photo of a lovely girl on a mountain bike.

我繼續往前走，不一會兒，我在一家自行車商店的櫥窗裏看見一張騎山地車的美女照片。

Below the photo, it said, "ride rough, ride real," a clever alliteration.

在照片的誘惑下，我走進了這家商店。照片下有一行字：“騎山地才是真我體驗。”很聰明的押頭韻嘛。

I felt there was no alternative but to enter the shop.

我覺得除了走進商店外無別的選擇。

The ower was an alumnus from my university.

店主是我所在大學的校友。

He alluded that the best bike for me would be the $200 bike that was displayed in the window photo.

他暗示到，最適合我的自行車就是櫥窗照片上價值200美元的那輛。

It was made out of a special lightweight alloy.

它用一種特殊的輕型合金製成。

He also offered to adjust my tire alignment for free.

他還提出為我免費調整輪胎，使之成直線排列。

Well, I didn't make it to the tailor that day.

這樣一來，那天我就沒能去成裁縫店。

But I did ride home on a new bike.

不過，我確實騎著一輛嶄新的自行車回家。

As for my pants?

至於我得褲子嘛，

Well, the bike shop owner cut the pant legs off for free.

自行車店的店主免費幫我剪短了。

Now I have a cool pair of shorts for riding.

現在我就有了一條騎車時的酷酷短褲啦！

alignment n. 成一條直線；直線排列；隊列；聯合，聯盟

alike adj. 相同的，相似的

allege v. 宣稱，主張，斷言

allegory n. 寓言

alleviate v. 緩和，減輕

alliteration n. 頭韻

alloy n. 合金；vt. 使成合金

allude v. 間接提到，暗指

allure v. 引誘 n. 誘惑，吸引

ally n. 聯盟，同盟者

aloft adv. 在高處；在空中

aloof adj. 遠離的，冷淡的，漠不關心的

alter vt. 改變，修改

alteration n. 變更，改造

alternate adj. 交替的，輪流的；替代的，另選的；vi. 輪流，交替

alternative adj. （兩種或以上的東西中）另一可選的，另外的；n. 可選事物，另一選擇

altitude n. (海拔）高度

altruism n. 利他主義

altruistic adj. 利他的，無私的

alumnus n. 男校友

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

英文單字與聽力學習平台中級(7)A Tough Case仲裁案 compiled by David Pai

By David Pai 白老師
Image
  A Tough Case For the last 20 years, I've worked as a arbitrator of disputes involving land. 我已做了 20 多年的仲裁者，我的工作是解決涉及土地的爭端。 Arbitration is an arduous process that requires patience. 仲裁工作是個需要耐心的艱難過程， Both parties in a dispute are typically ardent about their opinions. 爭執雙方總是熱切的闡述自己的觀點， It's this state of ardor that makes it difficult to approach a satisfactory solution. 正是這份熱切才使得雙方很難探討一個令人滿意的解決方案。 Fortunately, I have the aptitude for understand's people's needs and finding an appropriate solution that satisfies the approximate requirements of both sides. 幸虧我有這方面的才能，總能善解人意，找到合適的解決辦法，方才大致上滿足了雙方的要求。 The parties who approve me to judge their case know that I'm apt to make a fair and reasonable decision, not an arbitray one. 凡贊成讓我裁決個案的利益雙方都明白，我善於做出公正、合理的決定，絕不會武斷的下結論。 This knowledge tends to lower the apprehension of both parties. 這一認識常常能減少爭執雙方的擔憂。 I find that if the parties are less apprehensive, they are more cooperative. 我發現爭執雙方越不擔憂，就越容易
Read more

英文單字與聽力學習平台中級(15) 以柔克剛 Killing with Kindness compild by David Pai

By David Pai 白老師
Image
 英文單字與聽力學習平台中級(15) 以柔克剛 Killing with Kindness           compild by David Pai 22 Killing with Kindness 以柔克剛 Sometimes, it's difficult t behave like a gentleman. 有時，表現的像個紳士並不容易， It's especially hard when the person talking to you is belligerent and trying to belittle you in front of others. 當你面對一個好鬥而又極力在眾人前貶低你的人時尤為如此。 You might feel like beating him and burying him as deep as bedrock, but don't. 你也許很想揍他一頓，然後把他埋得深如一塊基石，但還是別那樣。 Remember, violence begets more violence. 記住，暴力只會招致更多的暴力。 Of course, it's easier said than done. 當然，這話說起來容易做起來難。 My cousin Tom comes drunk to our family reunions every year and always manages to insult my family members. 每年我的表兄湯姆都會醉醺醺地前來參加家庭聚會，而且總是設法將我的家人羞辱一番。 “Your nose is looking more and more like the beak of a bird,” he would tell my daughter. “ 你的鼻子越來越像鳥嘴了。 ” 他對我的女兒如是說。 “Those red beads don't look becoming on you,” he would say to my wife. “ 那些紅珠子帶在你身上不好看。 ” 他對我的妻子這般說。 “Is that your beard or a bird'
Read more

英文單字與聽力學習平台中級(3) amalgamate our two businesses compiled by David Pai

By David Pai 白老師
Image
  The Speech and the Vote Good morning everyone. 諸位早上好， I'd like to make a new remarks. 我來說幾句。 Let me start by saying, I think the merger is a good idea. 首先， 我認為合併是件好事。 If we amalgamate our two businesses, we can creat a more powerful one. 如果將我們兩家小企業合併起來，就能創造出一個實力更為雄厚的大企業。 With our increased size and financial power, we can amass new investors and raise ample funds to renovate the old hotel. 隨著企業規模的擴大和資金力量的增強，我們將徵集新的投資者，籌集到足夠的資金，將我們的飯店整修一新。 We can attracts more guests by adding amenities, like a swimming pool, and planting more greenery to creat a peaceful ambience. 為了吸引更多的客人，我們還有添置游泳池等娛樂設施，多種花草樹木，營造出一個安靜祥和的氛圍。 To make it ever more special, we can build a special walkway that will allow people to amble amid the trees. 為了讓飯店變得更為獨特，我們可以在樹林裏修一條走道，這樣客人就能在林中漫步了。 The result of our ambitious project will amaze the community . 這一雄心勃勃的項目定能創造出令世人驚歎的成果。 After we finish the renovations, we can take photos and post them on our Internet site. 整修完畢後，我們可以拍
Read more