The Benefits of Container Gardening (1)

Discover why many people like this gardening method
淺談「容器園藝」 為什麼許多人喜歡 這種園藝方式？

Do you love gardening, but you don't have a yard? If that's the case, consider container gardening. This method involves growing plants in pots and containers rather than in the ground. Container gardening is a great way to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruit trees and more. There are many advantages to this gardening method. 

To begin with, you don't need much space. A balcony, roof or any other outdoor area that receives direct sunlight will work. In fact, a sunny, indoor kitchen windowsill is perfect for a few small plants. This gives you easy access to herbs and vegetable s as you prepare meals. The key is to choose a spot that receives a good deal of sunlight. 

Unless they're too big or heavy, containers are portable. This allows you to move your plants inside if necessary. Or you can move your plants into the shade on extremely hot days. Containers allow you to place your plants wherever they'll grow best. 

Language Lab

advantage n.
something that helps you to be more successful than others, or the state of having this
- It is thought to be an advantage when a sports team plays in their hometown.
- What are the advantages of studying a foreign language?
- It will be your advantage later in life to take your studies seriously now. 

indoor adj.
used or happening inside a building
- Betty bought several indoor plants to decorate her apartment. 
- We stayed at this hotel because it has a heated, indoor swimming pool.
- Bob planted a small indoor garden in his basement so he has fresh vegetables all year round.

access n.
the right to enter a place, use something, see someone etc
- Without any access to a computer, it is impossible for Lillian to complete the homework. 
- You will gain access to the garden area by taking the path your right. 
access v.
to find information, especially on a computer
- Naomi had to go to the bank in person to access her bank account. 

extremely adv.
/ɪkˈstriːmli/
to a very great degree
- It is extremely difficult to pass this professor's tests. 
- The demand for houses in this city is so great that prices are extremely high.
in the extreme phrase
to a very great degree
- Haley's reaction to not passing her driver's test was one of anger in the extreme. 

bonsai n.

a tree that is grown so that it always stays very small, or the art of growing trees in this way

Info Cloud

Topic: lead someone down the garden path

Leap Day

It's time for an extra day on the calendar
閏年到 今年，日曆上多了一天喔！

Every four years, the calendar looks different. An extra day is added to keep our human-made calendar in sync with the astronomical year. The primary reason for this is that our calendar is 365 days in length. But Earth's orbit around the sun takes approximately 365.2422 days. To prevent our calendar from drifting out of sync, February 29 appears on the calendar every four years. Julius Caesar was behind the move back in 45 B.C. 

Interestingly enough, an astronomical year is actually slightly less than 365.25 days. So adding an extra day every four years results in about three extra days every 400 years. For this reason, only one out of every four century years is appointed as a leap year. Century years are only considered leap years if they can be divided evenly by 400. Therefore, 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not leap years. And 2400 will be the next century year that is a leap year. 

Keeping the calendar correct is no easy matter!

Let’s Go Ice Bowling

Bowl on a frozen lake in the wind and snow
冰上保齡球 在冰天雪地裡打保齡球

Imagine bundling up in your parka, scarf and gloves to play hockey or go skiing, ice skating or snowmobiling. Well, in the snowy landscape of central Minnesota, USA, people have another unique choice for winter fun - ice bowling!

Around 11 years ago, Les Levin ran across the sport while traveling. Upon returning home, he shared it with the occupants of Long Prairie, Minnesota, population around 3700. And it took off! After all, winters are long and cold with temperatures from -3 to -15 Celsius, and finding winter activities is a challenge. 

Levin plowed a couple of 60 - foot - long bowling lanes on a nearby lake and drilled six 3-inch-deep holes at one end. The goal is to land a bowling ball in one of the holes to get points. The first person to reach 15 points wins! The first year, frozen turkeys were used, but they didn't slide very well, so they were swapped for bowling balls. 

Locals bowl all winter, and a tournament is held every February with people even from neighboring states contending. So, get some winter gear and join in the bowling fun!

Language Lab

hockey n. 
a game similar to hockey, but played on ice SYN ice hockey British English
- Ice hockey is the most popular sport in Canada and several northern states in the U.S. 
- Ricky spent his weekends practicing his hockey skills to get ready for the competition. 
- Milo suffered some severe injuries when he got hit in the head with a hockey stick.

occupant n. 
someone who lives in a house, room etc → resident
- The building's only occupant was an artist who rarely went outside. 
- Most of the town's occupants attended the festival in the town square. 
- The restaurant's atmosphere was very inviting, making it a favorite spot for its many regular occupants. 

drill v.
1  to make a hole in something using a drill
- The construction workers drilled holes in the concrete at the city's street corners to put up traffic signs. 
2 to teach students, sports players etc by making them repeat the same lesson, exercise etc many times
-  Ms. Harder drilled her students on verb patterns before their Spanish test. 

drill n.
1 a tool or machine used for making holes in something
- The drill made so much noise that we all had to wear earplugs so we didn't go deaf. 

contend v.
 to compete against someone in order to gain something
- Athletes from around the world will travel to Paris this summer to contend for gold medals in different sports.
to argue or state that something is true SYN insist
- Around 4000 years ago, people contended that the Earth was not round. 
contend with phrase v 必需處理或應對
- Every year it seems farmers have to contend with too much or too little rain.

Info Cloud

Topic: toque, beanie, hat, cap, winter hat, knit cap, balaclava

Garrett: Hello everyone, welcome to info cloud. Do you have a lot of hats?

Rex: Hmm. I say no, but my wife does. 

Garrett: Same here. Even though we live somewhere that doesn't get very cold for very long. We have a lot of winter hats in our house. 

Rex: Did you know that different places have different names for winter hats?

Garrett:  Oh, my friends in Canada have a special word: "Toque."

Rex: That's spelling sounds more like French than English. Because it is a "Toque" is a warm winter hat that could be made of wool and might have a fuzzy ball called a pomp pomp on top.

Garrett:  Yeah! In the United States, most people would call that same hat a beanie.

Rex: Neither of those words would make me think someone was talking about the  hat.

Garrett: Well, if you want to be clear, you can just call it a winter hat or knit cap. 

Rex: Because those kinds of hats are often knitted if from wool or other materials.

Garrett: That's right. Here's one that's a little different a "balaclava." 

Rex: Balaclava! That doesn't sound English either. 

Garrett: It comes from a Russian word. And that make sense because it can get very very cold in Russia. 

Rex: So does the balaclava cover more of your head? .

Garrett: Yes. It's often use for skiing and cover most of your head or even part of your face.  Just leave in some face to see and breath. 

Rex: Oh, that sounds useful. 

Garrett: So, weather you are wearing a toque, beanie, knit cape, winter hat or balaclava make sure to keep your head warm this winter. 

Sleep Debt (2)

As sleep debt accumulates, it impacts us in many ways including heart disease, immune function and obesity. It has also been known to contribute to diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cognitive issues and more. Though afternoon naps and extra weekend sleep can help relieve some fatigue, the healthies course of action is to get a good night's sleep every night.

There are many ways to create and stick to a healthy sleep routine. Start by incorporating walking or other exercise into your day; this will help you sleep better. Establish an earlier bedtime and be consistent, even on weekends. Avoid eating heavy foods or drinking caffeine or alcohol within a few hours of bedtime. 

Keep anything that might distract you, such as electronics, a TV, etc., outside the bedroom. Maintain a restful environment in the bedroom by keeping it quiet, dark and cool. Many prefer a temperature of around 18 degrees Celsius for sleeping. If you don't fall asleep within 20 minutes, try reading or listening to relaxing music. Finally think of adequate sleep as preventive medicine and make it a priority. 

Keep in mind that, with a healthy sleep routine, you can get sufficient rest and protect your health. Sleep well! 

Language Lab
immune adj.

fatigue n.

distract v. 

preventive adj.

Sleep Debt (1)

 What is it and how can we avoid it?
「睡眠債」還得清！？ 睡眠債是什麼， 我們又該如何避免？

For many students, shift workers and others, getting enough sleep each night presents a dilemma. There is too much to do and not enough time to do it, so people often try to catch up on the weekends. But researchers report that it takes longer than we think to replace missing hours of sleep. Sleep debt, deficit or deprivation is the difference between how much we get. And, while we spend our weekdays working around the clock, it takes a heavy toll on our bodies. 

How many hours of sleep are really necessary? According to the Mayo Clinic, school-age children require nine to 12 hours a night. Teens need eight to 10, and adults need seven to nine hours nightly. 

It's not hard to calculate your sleep debt. Suppose you require eight hours of sleep a night, but for one week, you only slept six hours nightly. As a result, you developed a cumulative sleep debt of 14 hours. 

How can you make it up, and why does it matter? Many people use naps and their days off to replace lost sleep. Yet studies show that it can take up to four days to replace one hour of lost sleep and ward off its detrimental effects. 

Language Lab

dilemma n. 
a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what to do, because all the choices seem equally good or equally bad
- Amelia faced a difficult dilemma when choosing between two job offers because each one had advantages and disadvantages. 
- The financial dilemma of paying for college led the student to explore financial aid packages. 
- The brothers found themselves in quite a dilemma when deciding how to care for their elderly parents. 

deprivation n.
the lack of something that you need in order to be healthy, comfortable, or happy
- The bad economy led to widespread deprivation among families that had a hard time making a living. 
- Sleep deprivation can have a terrible impact on one's physical and mental health. 
deprive v.
- Be careful of depriving your body of needed nutrition when you are trying to lose weight. 

cumulative adj.
increasing gradually as more of something is added or happens
- The cumulative effect of years of pollution has affected the water and air quality of the country. 
- The company's cumulative profits for the past ten years have allowed it to expand. 
- The class is designed to build cumulative knowledge as each lesson builds on what was taught in the previous weeks. 

detrimental adj.
/detrəˈmentl/
causing harm or damage SYN harmful, damaging
- It has been proven over and over that smoking is detrimental to people's health. 
- The detrimental effect of the water pollution was very evident in the small town.
- The lack of concern that Vincent's parents have regarding his education is very detrimental to his future. 

Info Cloud

Topic: debt

Rex: Hello friends, welcome to info cloud. Hi Garrett!

Garrett: Hey Rex! Today, I heard one of our coworkers talking about money problems. He said he had been running up of debt. It made me think that we should talk about debt terms.

Rex: That's a good idea Garrett. A running up debt is an interesting term. It means you are spending more money than you have.  So you own more and more money. It's a lot like saying you are getting deeper in debt. 

Garrett: Hmm. Being in debt isn't a good thing. But being in someone's debt isn't too bad. 

Rex: What's the difference?

Garrett: Well, it means you owe someone a favor or you are thankful for something they have done for you. And, it's not always about money. 

Rex: Like if your friend helps you fix your car, you might say: "I am in your debt" to show your appreciation. 

Garrett: That's right. Really though! It's best to get out of debt as quickly as possible. You can do that by paying down your debt. 

Rex: Paying down debt is the same as paying off debt, right?

Garrett: Yes. It just means you are paying back the money you owe. So go and pay off that debt right now. 

running up debt

getting deeper in debt 

in someone's debt

I'm in your debt.

get out of debt

paying down your debt / paying off your debt

The Thrill of the Catch (2)

If you want to eat, you have to work for it!
釣蝦趣 想吃，就必須付出努力！

How does indoor shrimping work? Picture yourself armed with a fishing rod, a bobber and a plate of chicken liver and dried baby shrimp for bait. Find a place to sit, and then cast your line into the pool in front of you. When the bobber sinks, it means a shrimp is nibbling on your bait.

But don't reel it in yet! Shrimping experts suggest that you wait until the second tug before claiming your catch. Patience and experience are the keys to success. Newcomers may catch a few shrimp in an hour, but those with experience can reel in a dozen or more.

Most shrimping places charge by the hour. When your time is up, go grill your catch! First, you need to clean and skewer your shrimp. The shrimp may still be alive as you do this, so prepare yourself. Then, season your shrimp and throw them on the grill. When their bluish shells turn striking shades of red and pink, they're ready to eat. 

If this article made your mouth water, go rally some friends and try shrimping today!

Language Lab

rod n.
a long thin pole or bar
- Nick cast his fishing rod into the calm lake, hoping to catch some fish for dinner.
- The technician used a long metal rod to carefully guide the wires into place.
- The workers  used steel rods to make the walls of the house stronger.

nibble v.
to eat small amounts of food by taking very small bites
- Phyllis nibbled on a piece of dark chocolate to satisfy her sweet tooth. 
- Several fish nibbled on Rob's line, but he still wasn't able to catch anything. 
- The squirrel sat on the tree branch and stared at me as it nibbled on a nut. 

reel in v phase 
1 to wind the reel on a fishing rod so that a fish caught on the line comes towards you
- The fisherman skillfully reeled in a large fish after waiting patiently for nearly two hours. 
2 to get or attract a large number of people or things SYN pull in
- The storyteller had a way of reeling in the audience with exciting details of his adventures. 
- The company's new marketing campaign was aimed at reeling in students who had money to spend. 

striking adj.
unusual or interesting enough to be easily noticed
- Paul has such striking features that people never forget him. 
- In many countries the contrast between how the rich and the poor live is striking. 
3 [only before noun] not working because of being on strike
- People gave the striking auto workers hot drinks to warm them up as they demonstrated in front of the factory. 

Info Cloud

Topic: fishing for compliments

Garrett: Hello friends, welcome to info cloud. Hey Rex, did you see the fleshy red suit that Tony wore to the party?

Rex: Oh yeah! It looked ridicules. I think he were just fishing for compliments. 

Garrett: I think so, too. But let's talk about the expression you just used "fishing for compliments" what does it mean?

Rex: When a person is fishing for compliments, they're trying to get people to praise them.

Garrett: What are some ways to fish for compliments?

Rex: Uhh, like Tony. People wear very flashy outfits to get attention from others. Then, people will compliment them out of curtesy. 

Garrett: Another way to fish for compliments is to say negative things about yourself. 

Rex: Like someone who is thin might say: "I've been getting lot of weight lately." And then people will say, "what are you talking about? You look amazing."

Garrett: Well, we don't have to fish for compliments. When we are really outstanding in a certain area, people will naturally give you compliments that are honest and true. Go out and compliment someone today. 

The Thrill of the Catch (1)

If you want to eat, you have to work for it!
釣蝦趣 想吃，就必須付出努力！

It's Friday night and, after creeping through a Taipei night market, you and your friends aren't ready to go home. So why not hit up a 24-hour shrimping spot? In Taipei, indoor shrimping places are all over the map. It's a unique activity that has become an urban phenomenon!

The origins of shrimp farming in Taiwan can be traced back to traditional aquaculture practices. For centuries, shrimp were caught and bred in the country's waterways, forming an important part of local food culture. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that Taiwan became a pioneer in modern shrimp aquaculture. 

The breakthrough cam in 1968 when Taiwanese aquaculture expert Liao I-chiu successfully bred grass prawns. And in the 1970s, researchers at Tungkang Marine Laboratory found a way to breed giant freshwater prawns. Theses prawns are the stars of recreational shrimping. 

The concept of shrimping as a recreational sport gained po9opularity in the 80s and 90s. As urban life took center stage, the activity transitioned from outdoor to indoor venues. This change made it a perfect fit for city life. 

Language Lab

creep v.
- The cat likes to creep around the house at night.

pioneer n.
- In the 1800's, the American pioneers moved west in search of new opportunities.

laboratory n.
- The new medicine was developed after years of research in the laboratory.

transition v.
- Moving to a new country can be challenging, but with time, you'll transition to a new life. 

aquaculture n.

bobber n.

skewer v.

Discover Busan, South Korea (2)

Gamcheon Culture Village is a favorite stop for many visitors to Busan. The area consists of terraced streets twisting alleys and brightly painted houses Gamcheon - once one of the poorest areas of Busan - underwent a major renovation in 2009. Today, the village is filled with murals, sculptures cafes and craft boutiques. 

If you are interested in art with a modern twist, visit Busan Museum 1. It is a media art museum that presents art that can be experienced with the whole body. In some rooms, for instance, artwork stretches from wall to floor, creating the feeling of being in the center of every space.

For a relaxing break, travel to Taejongdae Park, which features a lush green forest surrounded by the deep blue sea and impressive cliffs. The area is known for its stunning coastal scenery, pebble beaches and countless walking trails.  

For another thrill, ride a cable car at Songdo Beach for a bird's eye view of Busan. The Busan Air Cruise travels 1.6 km through the air and offers incredible views of the beach, Namhang Bridge and the cliffs below. 

You could spend days in Busan and still not see all its attractions and landmarks. For your next trip to South Korea, why not swap Seoul for the thriving coastal city of Busan?

Language Lab

terraced adj.
a terraced field, slope, garden etc has been cut into a series of flat areas along the side of the slope
- The terraced rice fields in Bali are one of the island's most popular tourist destinations.
- The cafe had a lovely terraced seating area where customers could drink their coffee while looking out over the bustling city. 
terrace n.
PLACE YOU CAN SIT a flat outdoor area next to a building or on a roof, where you can sit outside to eat, relax etc
- Sammy and Terri eat breakfast on their terrace every morning during spring and summer. 

for instance phrase 
for example
- Always take a sweater or light jacket with you in summer in case you get cold, for instance. 
- Mark has lived all over, for instance, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Koahsiung and Bangkok - all before the age of 10.
- You can make a lot of money from a garage sale. For instance, my neighbor made more than NT$10,000 in one day when she had hers. 

pebble n.
a small smooth stone found especially on a beach or on the bottom of a river
- The pebble surface of the road makes it a little dangerous to ride one's bike on.
- The garden path was lined with small pebbles, making it a charming walkway.
- Virgina picked up several smooth, round pebbles from the beach and took them home to remember her vacation. 

swap v.
to give something to someone and get something in return SYN exchange
- David and Elaine swapped umbrellas because Elaine's was much bigger than David's.
- Cynthia and Jodie swap clothes all the time.
- The passengers had to swap buses because the original bus broken down halfway through its route.

Info Cloud

Garrett: Hello everyone, welcome to info cloud. Do you prefer living in a new or an old part of a city?

Rex: I enjoyed walking through the older section of place and learning about the history, but I love the modern convenience of my neighborhood.

Garrett: Hmm, yes. So, you like having the best of both worlds.

Rex: That's true. But, let's talk about a word today that is related to this question: "gentrification". 

Garrett: Oh, that sounds like a technical term. It might be use by city planners or sociologists.

Rex: "Gentrification" talks about turning an area of city from low value to high value. 

Garrett: So, it's a little different from modernization which means making older things new.

Rex: Yes. Though that is often part the process of gentrification. 

Garrett: Certainly. the word "gentrification" comes from the historical word "gentry".

Rex: The "gentry" especially written in Britain were wealthy people who own land.  

Garrett: They were the riches to most powerful people. The Nobel's Kings and Queens were those but the gentry were just one step below.

Rex: When these people move to London dreams Victorim times, they often bought land. That was being rented by poor people, forcing them in term to find new homes.

Garrett: Similarly, today the term gentrification describes developing an area quickly. Usually that means putting in more expensive buildings and shops. 

Rex: That has been a dislike bringing in jobs and reduce crime rates.

Garrett: Yeah. But it also creates serious problems. For example, people that have lived in that area for a long time often can't afford to live there anymore. So it's an issue with many sides  to discuss and debt.