The Riches of Oman (1)

Discover a wealth of natural and cultural wonders in this Middle Eastern country
阿曼的財富 在這個中東國家發現豐富的自然及文化奇觀

Have you ever played the conversation game Would You Rather…? In this game, someone gives you two options, and you have to pick one. For example: Would you rather ride a horse or a camel? If you travel to Oman, you don’t have to choose — you can do both!

Desert or Ocean?

Located in the Middle East, Oman is home to the legendary Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world, which it shares with Saudi Arabia. Here, visitors can ride camels across towering dunes, watch the sunset paint the sand gold and gaze at the stars in a clear sky. But it is important that people avoid the summer months when temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the coast offers a cool escape.

By day, visitors snorkeling among the colorful corals may spot turtles swimming through the water. From June to August, the sea turtles can be seen nesting on the beaches.

Modern or Ancient?

Any of Oman’s legendary forts provide a perfect setting to learn more about Oman’s history. Only two hours from the capital, Muscat, Nizwa Fort has been standing since the 1600s. Those preferring modern architecture can admire the modern buildings that dot the capital city.

Language Lab

option n.
/ˈɑːpʃən/
a choice or something that you can choose
- You always have the option to choose a different path if the first one doesn’t work.
如果第一條路行不通，你永遠都有選擇另一條路的機會。

optional adj.
/ˈɑːpʃənəl/
not required; you can choose to do it or not
- Attendance at the workshop is optional, but highly recommended.
這個工作坊的出席是選擇性的，但非常建議參加。

opt v.
/ɑːpt/
to choose to do something
- Many students opt to study abroad for a semester to study in a new country.
許多學生選擇出國留學一個學期，到新的國家學習。

a wealth of phr. 大量的；豐富的
/welθ/
a large amount of something
- The library offers a wealth of resources for students.
圖書館為學生提供了大量的資源。

wonders n. 奇蹟；令人驚嘆的事物
/ˈwʌndərz/
amazing things or events that cause surprise and admiration
- The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the world.
萬里長城是世界奇蹟之一。

conversation n. 對話；談話
/ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
an informal talk between two or more people
- We had a long conversation about our travel plans.
我們針對旅行計畫進行了一段長時間的對話

Would You Rather phr. 「你寧願……還是……？」（一種選擇遊戲）
/wʊd juː ˈræðər/
a game in which someone asks you to choose between two different options
- In class, we played “Would You Rather” to practice speaking English.
在課堂上，我們玩「你寧願……還是……？」的遊戲來練習英文口說。

towering adj. 高聳的；高大的
/ˈtaʊərɪŋ/very tall or high
- The thick smoke was towering over the buildings and trees.
濃厚的煙霧高聳在建築物和樹木之上。

tower n. 塔；高塔
/ˈtaʊər/
a tall, narrow building or structure
- The old clock tower chimes every hour in the town square.
古老的鐘樓在城鎮廣場每小時敲響一次。

cellular tower n. 手機基地台；行動通訊塔
/ˈseljələr ˈtaʊər/
a tall structure that sends and receives mobile phone signals
- The new cellular tower improved signal strength, allowing residents to make calls without interruptions.
新的手機基地台提升了訊號強度，讓居民可以不受干擾地通話。

legendary adj. 傳奇的；極為著名的
/ˈledʒəndəri/
very famous and admired; well-known in stories
- Oman is home to the legendary Empty Quarter.
阿曼擁有傳奇的「空曠之地」。

dunes n. 沙丘（複數）
/duːnz/
hills of sand formed by the wind, especially in deserts
- Visitors can ride camels across towering dunes.
遊客可以騎駱駝穿越高聳的沙丘。

by day phr. 在白天；白天時
/baɪ deɪ/
during the daytime
- By day, visitors snorkeling among the colorful corals may spot turtles.
白天時，在繽紛珊瑚間浮潛的遊客可能會看到海龜。

snorkeling n. 浮潛
/ˈsnɔːrkəlɪŋ/
the activity of swimming underwater while breathing through a snorkel
- By day, visitors snorkeling among the colorful corals may spot turtles.
白天時，在繽紛珊瑚間浮潛的遊客可能會看到海龜。

corals n. 珊瑚（複數）
/ˈkɔːrəlz/
hard, colorful sea animals that form reefs in the ocean
- Visitors snorkeling among the colorful corals may spot turtles.
在繽紛的珊瑚間浮潛的遊客可能會看到海龜。

fort n. 堡壘；要塞
/fɔːrt/
a strong building built to defend people from attack
- The children built a fort out of blankets and pillows in the living room.
孩子們在客廳用毯子和枕頭搭了一座堡壘。

fortify v. 加強防禦；強化
/ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/
to make something stronger or better protected
- They fortified the city walls to prepare for the incoming flood.
他們加強了城牆的防禦，以準備即將到來的洪水。

fortress n. 堡壘；大型要塞
/ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a large, strong building or group of buildings built to defend against attack
- The fortress stood tall on the hill, protecting the village from invading armies.
這座堡壘高聳在山丘上，保護村莊免受入侵軍隊的攻擊。

setting n. 場景；環境；背景
/ˈsetɪŋ/
the place or type of surroundings where something happens
- The fort provides a perfect setting to learn about history.
這座堡壘提供了一個了解歷史的完美場景。

modern architecture n. 現代建築（風格）
/ˈmɑːdərn ˈɑːrkɪtektʃər/
a style of building design that uses new materials, simple shapes, and modern ideas
- Those preferring modern architecture can admire the modern buildings in the capital city.
喜歡現代建築風格的人可以欣賞首都裡的現代建築。

dot v. 點綴；散佈於
/dɑːt/
to spread small things over an area
- Modern buildings dot the capital city.
現代建築點綴在首都城市各處。


Language Tip
prefer = general habit
would prefer = polite present choice
would rather = emotional immediate choice

Deep Dive

The 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics
This month, Italy rolls out the welcome mat for the athletes of the world 2026
冬季奧運 這個月，義大利將鋪上紅毯， 歡迎全球運動員

From Italy’s fashion capital, Milan, to the scenic mountain town of Cortina, athletes from 93 countries have gathered. Excitement fills the air because the XXV Olympic Winter Games, Milano Cortina 2026, begins!

For the first time, the Olympic Games will be held at several sites. Milan and Cortina, which host most of the competitions, combine the best of urban and beautiful mountain settings. Today’s opening ceremony kicks off 17 days of events, which are being held in 25 different places. 90 percent of them are temporary or were made from something already in existence. This planning decision cut costs and reduced the event’s impact on the environment.

The 2026 Games features eight new events, including one making its Olympic debut: ski mountaineering. During this timed event, competitors will ski up a mountain course and then ski back down to the finish line.

The stage is set for more than 3,000 Olympians to compete in 116 events, making this the largest winter games ever! Crowds can expect record-breaking moments and heart-pounding action in the days ahead.

Language Lab

athlete n.
/ˈæθ.liːt/
a person who is good at sports and competes in physical activities
- Samantha is a great athlete; she is always breaking records in the sports she plays.
Samantha 是一位很棒的運動員；她在她參加的運動項目中總是打破紀錄。

athletic adj.
/æθˈlet.ɪk/
physically strong, good at sports, and able to move quickly and easily
- Bret is very athletic and plays three different sports in school.
Bret 很有運動天賦，在學校參加三種不同的運動。

athleticism n.
/æθˈlet.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/
the physical skills and natural ability that make someone good at sports
- Her natural athleticism was obvious as she sprinted ahead, outpacing everyone on the track.
她天生的運動能力非常明顯，她向前衝刺，在跑道上超越了所有人。

welcome mat n.
a small mat placed at the entrance of a house for people to wipe their shoes on, often with the word “Welcome” on it
- She wiped her shoes on the welcome mat before entering the house.
她在進屋前先在門口的腳踏墊上擦了擦鞋子。

scenic adj.
/ˈsiː.nɪk/
having beautiful natural views or attractive scenery
- We took a scenic drive along the coast and enjoyed the ocean view.
我們沿著海岸開車，欣賞美麗的海景。

gather v.
to come together in one place, or to bring things or people together
- Athletes from many countries gathered for the international competition.
來自許多國家的運動員聚集參加這場國際比賽。

XXV
Roman numeral
/ˌeks ˌeks ˈviː/
the Roman numeral for 25
- The XXV Olympic Winter Games refers to the 25th Olympic Winter Games.
XXV 冬季奧林匹克運動會指的是第 25 屆冬季奧運會。

urban adj.
relating to a city or town
- Many people now live in urban areas where city life buzzes nonstop.
現在許多人住在城市地區，那裡的城市生活不停地充滿活力。

urbanize v.
/ˈɝː.bə.naɪz/
to make an area more like a city by building houses, roads, and businesses
- Many small towns began to urbanize rapidly after the new highway was built.
許多小鎮在新高速公路建成後開始迅速都市化。

urbanization n.
/ˌɝː.bə.nəˈzeɪ.ʃən/
the process of making an area more like a city or of more people moving to cities
- Urbanization has led to significant changes in lifestyle and the environment.
都市化已經帶來生活方式與環境的重大改變。

site n.
/saɪt/
a place where something happens or is located
- The Olympic Games will be held at several sites across the country.
奧林匹克運動會將在全國多個地點舉行。

combine v.
/kəmˈbaɪn/
to join or mix two or more things together
- Milan and Cortina combine urban culture with beautiful mountain scenery.
米蘭和科爾蒂納把都市文化與美麗的山景結合在一起。

ceremony n.
/ˈser.ə.moʊ.ni/
a formal event held on a special occasion
- The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games was watched by millions of people.
奧運會的開幕典禮有數百萬人觀看。

temporary adj.
lasting for only a short time; not permanent
- The stadium was built as a temporary structure for the event.
這座體育場是為了活動而建的臨時建築。

compete v.
/kəmˈpiːt/
to try to win against others in a contest or competition
- Students compete in a spelling bee every year at school to see who the best speller is.
學生每年在學校參加拼字比賽，看看誰是最厲害的拼字高手。

competition n.
/ˌkɑːm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/
a situation in which people or groups try to win or be better than others
- The aggressive competition between the startups pushed innovation to unprecedented new levels last year.
新創公司之間激烈的競爭，去年把創新推向前所未有的新高度。

competitive adj.
/kəmˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɪv/
wanting to win and trying very hard to be better than others
- Mark is so competitive that even casual card games with friends feel like championships.
Mark 非常有競爭心，連和朋友隨便打牌都像在打冠軍賽一樣。

feature v.
/ˈfiː.tʃɚ/
to include something as an important part
- The 2026 Games features eight new events.
2026 年的運動會包含八個新的比賽項目。

ski mountaineering n. 滑雪登山
/ˈskiː ˌmaʊn.təˈnɪr.ɪŋ/
a sport in which competitors ski up and down mountains, often racing against time
- Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games.
滑雪登山將在 2026 年奧運會首次亮相。

debut n. 首次亮相；初次登場
/ˈdeɪ.bjuː/
a first public appearance or performance
- The young singer made her debut at a local music festival.
這位年輕歌手在當地音樂節首次登場。

competitor n. 競爭者；參賽者
/kəmˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɚ/
a person who takes part in a competition
- The competitors trained for months before the championship.
這些參賽者在錦標賽前訓練了好幾個月。

The stage is set phr. 一切準備就緒；舞台已經搭好
/ðə steɪdʒ ɪz set/
used to say that everything is ready for something to begin
- The stage is set for the final match tonight.
今晚的決賽一切都已準備就緒。

heart-pounding action n. 扣人心弦的場面；令人心跳加速的動作場面
/ˈhɑːrt ˌpaʊn.dɪŋ ˈæk.ʃən/
exciting action that makes your heart beat very fast
- The movie is full of heart-pounding action from beginning to end.
這部電影從頭到尾充滿令人心跳加速的場面。

Deep Dive

❶ 英文如何從「具體名詞」變成「抽象概念」

game → challenge → strategy → risk → participation

❷ 英文裡的「隱喻思維」

英文文化很常把人生、商業、社交都當成一種「game」

Life is a game.
Business is a game.
Politics is a game.

Language Tip

Roman Numerals 羅馬數字

I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000

小數字在大數字前面表示減法：
IV = 4
IX = 9
XL = 40

小數字在大數字後面表示加法：
VI = 6
LX = 60
XXV = 25

SHOULD PARENTS CHECK THEIR CHILDREN’S PHONES? (1)

Is privacy or safety more important?
父母應該查看孩子的手機嗎？ 隱私 vs. 安全，哪一個更重要？

Nowadays teens basically share their lives online. Most people know that the internet is full of dangers — cyberbullies, online predators and scams. Parents want to protect their kids from harm, even their teenagers. Some parents think monitoring their kids’ texts and social media is the best way to do that.

But many kids don’t want their parents to check up on them. They feel it’s an invasion of privacy. Just because they’re young doesn’t mean they don’t deserve trust. If parents read every message, they could push their teens away, causing them to hide things and create secret accounts.

Instead of what teens consider spying, parents should have open conversations with their teens about staying safe online. They can set boundaries while also giving their child the opportunity to show they are responsible. Feeling respected is important, and if something serious happens, teens will be more likely to go to a parent for help.

What matters is that teens feel supported and safe, while parents feel confident that their children are making smart choices online. Both trust and protection are important.

Language Lab

harm n./v. 傷害、損害
(n.) physical or mental damage or injury
(v.) to damage or hurt someone or something
- The new pesticide caused more harm than good to local wildlife.
這種新的農藥對當地野生動物造成的傷害比帶來的好處還多。

harmful adj. 有害的；造成傷害的
/ˈhɑːrmfəl/
causing damage or injury to someone or something
- Excessive screen time can be harmful to young children, reducing their attention spans and delaying their social-emotional growth.
過多的螢幕時間可能對幼童有害，會降低他們的專注力，並延緩其社交與情緒發展。

harmless adj. 無害的；不會造成傷害的
/ˈhɑːrmləs/
not able or likely to cause harm
- The spider looked scary but was actually harmless.
那隻蜘蛛看起來很可怕，但其實是無害的。

privacy n. 隱私；私密；不受打擾的狀態
/ˈpraɪvəsi/
the state of being alone or not being watched or disturbed; the right to keep personal information secret
- Everyone has the right to privacy.
每個人都有隱私權。
- She values her privacy and does not share much online.
她很重視自己的隱私，不會在網路上分享太多個人資訊。

cyberbully v. 網路霸凌；在網路上欺負或騷擾他人
/ˈsaɪbərˌbʊli/
to use the internet or digital devices to threaten, embarrass, or hurt someone
- Some students cyberbully others by posting mean comments online.
有些學生會在網路上發表惡意留言來霸凌別人。

predator n. 掠食者；（尤指）捕食動物；（延伸）加害者
/ˈprɛdətər/
an animal that hunts and eats other animals
a person who tries to harm or take advantage of others, especially online
（企圖傷害或利用他人的人，特別指網路上的不良人士）
- The lion is a predator that hunts other animals for food.
獅子是一種會捕食其他動物的掠食者。
- Parents worry about online predators on the internet.
家長擔心網路上的加害者（掠奪者）。

scam n. 詐騙；騙局
/skæm/
a dishonest plan to trick people into giving money or personal information
（用來欺騙他人金錢或個人資料的不誠實手段）
an act of deceiving someone for personal gain
（為了個人利益而欺騙他人的行為）
- He lost his money in an online scam.
他在一次網路詐騙中失去了錢。

invasion n. 入侵、侵犯（常用在隱私、空間、國家領土等）
the act of entering a place or situation where you are not wanted or allowed.
- The sudden invasion of privacy caught the celebrity off guard.
突然的隱私侵犯讓那位名人措手不及。

invade v. 侵入；闖入；侵犯
to enter a place where you are not wanted or allowed, often in a harmful or forceful way
- Every afternoon, the gardener battled the weeds that were invading the flowerbeds.
每天下午，園丁都在和侵入花圃的雜草奮戰。

invasive adj. 侵入性的；侵犯性的
involving entering the body or a place in a way that may cause harm or discomfort
- The doctor said the procedure would be minimally invasive.
醫生說這個手術會是微創的（侵入性很低）。

deserve v. 應得；值得
to have earned something because of what you did or how you are
- She deserves praise for her hard work.
她因為努力付出而值得被稱讚。

push someone away 推開某人（身體上）
to use your hands to move someone away from you
這個片語常有「情感上疏遠」的意思，不只是物理上的推。
- She pushed him away when he got too close.
當他靠得太近時，她把他推開了。

causing + (noun) + to + (verb) 句型 造成某人／某物去做某事
used to show that something makes a person or thing do something
- The noise was causing the baby to cry.
噪音導致嬰兒哭了起來。
- The accident was causing traffic to slow down.
這起事故造成交通變慢。

account n. 帳戶；帳號
an arrangement with a bank, company, or website to keep and use money or personal information
- I opened a bank account last year.
我去年開了一個銀行帳戶。

spy v.偷看；暗中觀察；監視
to watch or observe someone or something secretly
- He used binoculars to spy on the nesting birds without disturbing them.
他用望遠鏡暗中觀察正在築巢的鳥，而沒有打擾牠們。

spy n. 間諜
a person who secretly collects information about another country or organization
- The best-selling novel followed a British spy during the Cold War.
這本暢銷小說描述了一名英國間諜在冷戰期間的故事。

spyware n. 間諜軟體
software that secretly collects information from a computer without the user’s knowledge
- The company discovered that spyware had somehow been installed on one of their computers.
那家公司發現其中一台電腦不知為何被安裝了間諜軟體。

open conversations noun phrase 開放的對話；坦誠的溝通
honest and free discussions where people can share thoughts and feelings without fear
- Parents should have open conversations with their teens about staying safe online.
父母應該與青少年進行關於如何在網路上保持安全的開放對話。

supported adj. 被支持的；受到支持的
helped or encouraged by others
- Teens feel supported when their parents listen to them.
當父母願意傾聽時，青少年會感到被支持。

confident adj. 有信心的；自信的
feeling sure about your abilities or that something will happen as expected
- Parents feel confident that their children are making smart choices online.
父母對孩子在網路上做出明智的選擇感到有信心。

Deep Dive
check up on (someone/something) phrasal verb 查看；確認狀況；關心
to look at or investigate someone or something to make sure everything is OK
- I will check up on it later.
我之後會去確認這件事。
- The nurse checked up on the patient.
護理師去查看病人的狀況。

Usage Tip

instead of preposition phrase 而不是；代替
used to say that one thing is done or chosen, not another
- Instead of watching TV, she went for a walk.
她不是看電視，而是去散步。
instead of + 名詞 / 動名詞 (V-ing)
→ instead of TV / instead of watching TV

rather than conjunction / preposition 而不是；寧可……也不……
used to show a preference for one thing over another
- Rather than watch TV, she went for a walk.
她寧可去散步，也不看電視。
rather than + 原形動詞 / 名詞 / V-ing
→ rather than watch TV / rather than TV / rather than watching TV

不是 A，而是 B
不用 A，改用 B

instead of + N / V-ing

rather than + V / N

MORE THAN A MEAL: HOW YOU EAT MATTERS (1)

Is eating alone bad for you?
不只是一頓飯 獨自一個人吃飯不好嗎？

When I was growing up, my family shared a home-cooked dinner every night. We would catch up on each other’s days and make plans together. Scarcely a dinner went by without a guest joining us, which added to the fun. Now, I prioritize dinnertime with my own family. By setting our cellphones aside, we strengthen our connection over a meal.

Studies confirm that shared family meals have physical and emotional benefits for children and youth. They reduce unhealthy eating habits, eating disorders, substance use, and depression. The benefits of communal eating aren’t just confined to family meals. A University of Oxford study found that people who place an emphasis on eating with others tend to feel happier and less alone. They feel better connected to their community and experience greater life satisfaction than those who usually eat alone.

Yet, modern culture has shifted away from communal meals and toward eating alone as people move farther from home, live alone and work at jobs with varying hours. According to Psychology Today, Americans are eating nearly half of their meals alone! East Asian countries like Japan and Korea are also experiencing this trend toward eating solo.

Language Lab
dinnertime n. 晚餐時間；吃晚餐的時候
the time of day when people usually eat dinner
- The children rushed inside as soon as they heard their mother call out that it was dinnertime.
孩子們一聽到媽媽喊說是晚餐時間，就立刻衝進屋裡。

dinner guest n phrase. 晚餐客人；一起來吃晚餐的客人
a person who is invited to someone’s home for dinner
- Each dinner guest brought a favorite dish from his home country to share at the potluck.
每一位晚餐客人都從自己的國家帶來一道拿手菜，和大家一起在聚餐中分享。

dinnerware n. 餐具；餐桌用具
plates, bowls, cups, and other items used for serving and eating meals
- She carefully set the table with her finest dinnerware for the holiday meal.
她為了節日大餐，小心地用最精緻的餐具把桌子擺好。

growing up verb phrase 成長過程中；從小到大的時候
- When I was growing up, my family shared a home-cooked dinner every night.
在我成長的過程中，我的家人每天晚上都會一起吃家裡煮的晚餐。

home-cooked adjective
prepared at home, especially food cooked by someone in their own kitchen
- My family enjoyed a home-cooked dinner together every night.
我的家人每天晚上都一起享用家裡煮的晚餐。

scarcely adverb 幾乎不；很少；難得
/ˈskɛrsli/
almost not; only just; very rarely
- Scarcely a dinner went by without a guest joining us.
幾乎沒有哪一頓晚餐是沒有客人一起參加的。

strengthen one’s connection verb phrase 加強彼此的連結；增進關係；拉近感情
to make a relationship or bond between people stronger
- By setting our cellphones aside, we strengthen our connection over a meal.
把手機放在一旁，我們在用餐時加深彼此的連結。

confine v. 限制；使（人或動物）待在某個範圍內；拘禁
/kənˈfaɪn/
to keep someone or something within limits or in a particular place
- They had to confine the dog to the backyard during the party.
派對期間，他們不得不把狗限制在後院。
- The prisoners were confined to their cells during the lockdown.
封鎖期間，囚犯被限制待在自己的牢房裡。

confinement n. 限制；拘禁；被迫待在某個地方的狀態
/kənˈfaɪnmənt/
the state of being kept within limits or in a particular place, often for a long period of time
- The patient’s long confinement to bed made her eager to walk again.
病人長時間臥床受限，讓她非常渴望再次走路。

disorder n. 失調；混亂；疾病（尤指身心方面的障礙）
/dɪsˈɔːrdər/
a condition in which something is not working properly, or a state of confusion or lack of order, especially related to health or behavior
- Eating disorders can have serious physical and emotional effects.
飲食失調可能對身體和心理造成嚴重影響。

depression n. 憂鬱；憂鬱症；情緒低落（尤指長期、嚴重的）
a mental health condition marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest
- Depression can affect both a person’s mental and physical health.
憂鬱症會同時影響一個人的心理和身體健康。

communal adj. 共同的；共享的；社群的
/kəˈmjuːnəl/
shared by a group of people; relating to a community or shared activity
- Communal eating helps people feel more connected to others.
一起吃飯的共享用餐方式，能幫助人們感覺與他人更有連結。
- The dormitory had a communal kitchen where all the students cooked their meals. 
那棟宿舍有一間公共廚房，所有學生都在那裡煮飯。

commune (with) v. 與……深度交流、沉澱、連結
/kəˈmjuːn/
- She spent time in nature to commune with her thoughts.
她花時間待在大自然中，與自己的想法對話、沉澱心情。

emphasis n. 重視；強調；著重點
/ˈɛmfəsɪs/
special importance that is given to something
- The school places an emphasis on healthy eating habits.
這所學校很重視健康的飲食習慣。

modern culture noun phrase 現代文化；當代生活方式與價值觀
指的是現代社會中人們的生活型態、習慣、觀念與行為
（常用來對比 traditional culture 傳統文化）
the beliefs, customs, lifestyles, and values of people in today’s society
- Modern culture has changed the way people eat and socialize.
現代文化改變了人們用餐和社交的方式。

shift away from + (n.) verb phrase 逐漸遠離……；不再以……為主；從……轉變開來
to move gradually away from something, such as an idea, habit, or way of life
- Modern culture has shifted away from communal meals.
現代文化已逐漸遠離共同用餐的方式。

varying adj. 不同的；變動的；不固定的
/ˈveriɪŋ/
changing or differing from time to time or in different situations
- She works at a job with varying hours.
她從事一份工時不固定的工作。

trend toward + (V-ing / N.) noun phrase 走向……的趨勢；朝向……發展的現象 (通常用來描述社會、文化、行為的長期改變)
a general direction in which something is developing or changing
- Many countries are experiencing a trend toward eating alone.
許多國家正經歷走向獨自用餐的趨勢。

scarcely + 動詞 + without + V-ing / 幾乎沒有不做某件事的時候
- He scarcely passes a mirror without looking at himself.
他幾乎每次經過鏡子，都會看自己一眼。


Deep Dive
catch up phrasal verb
to talk with someone you haven’t seen for a while, or to reach the same level or state as others after being behind
① catch up (with someone)
- I called my cousin to catch up.
我打電話給我的表哥（表妹）敘敘舊。 

② catch up on (something)  補進度、補回缺的事情
- I stayed up all week studying. I need to catch up on sleep this weekend.
我整個星期都熬夜念書，這個週末需要補眠。

③ Let’s catch up! 找時間聊聊
- Let’s catch up over lunch!
我們找時間一起吃午餐聊聊吧！

THE STORY OF SPIDER-MAN (1)

THE STORY OF SPIDER-MAN
“With great power comes great responsibility” — Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben
蜘蛛人 能力愈大，責任愈大

When you think of a superhero, what comes to mind? Certainly not a skinny kid who is picked on and lacks the maturity to make good choices. But when a radioactive spider bites Peter Parker, the skinny boy changes into someone with man-sized spider strength. And Spider-Man is born.

This superhero, created in 1962 by Marvel comic-book writer Stan Lee and illustrator Steve Ditko, was an experiment. Spider-Man didn’t meet the standards of the typical superheroes: strong-looking, responsible adults whose moral compasses directed their actions. In fact, while Parker was enjoying flying between buildings using the webs shooting out from his wrists, he failed to stop a thief. The result was fatal for his beloved uncle. He was killed by that burglar. It was the turning point for Spider-Man.

From comics and cartoons to movies and games, Spider-Man ranks among the world’s top three superheroes. How has this awkward young guy remained popular for over 60 years? One fan says it is because he’s just normal, so people relate to him. As Spider-Man battles evil, his popularity won’t fade anytime soon.

當你想到「超級英雄」時，你會想到什麼？
你大概不會想到一個瘦弱、常被欺負、還缺乏做出正確選擇成熟度的小孩。
但當一隻受到輻射影響的蜘蛛咬了彼得．帕克之後，這個瘦弱的男孩變成擁有「成人級蜘蛛力量」的人。蜘蛛人就這樣誕生了。

這位超級英雄是由漫威的作家史丹‧李和插畫家史蒂夫‧迪特科在 1962 年所創造，當時其實只是一項嘗試。蜘蛛人一開始並不符合一般人心目中超級英雄的形象──那些看起來強壯、有責任感、且以道德為指引的成年人。事實上，在彼得‧帕克沉溺於使用從手腕射出的蜘蛛絲，在高樓之間飛來飛去時，他卻忽略了阻止一名小偷，而這個疏忽竟導致他最親愛的叔叔喪命。叔叔被那名竊賊殺害，這件事成為蜘蛛人人生中的重大轉捩點。

從漫畫、卡通到電影和遊戲，蜘蛛人一直名列世界前三大的超級英雄。但為什麼這個有點笨拙的年輕人可以紅超過六十年？有位粉絲認為，是因為他太普通了，大家都能在他身上看到自己。隨著蜘蛛人持續對抗邪惡，他的受歡迎程度短時間內絕對不會消退。

Language Lab

maturity n. 成熟、成熟度
/məˈtʊrəti/
- Evelyn’s parents explained that greater freedom and responsibility would come once she had reached a deeper level of maturity.
艾芙琳的父母向她解釋說，更多的自由和責任會在她達到更高程度的成熟時才會來臨。

mature adj. 成熟的；有成熟心智的
behaving in a way that shows emotional development, responsibility, and good judgment.
- As an only child who spent much of his time in the presence of adults, Isaac was unusually mature for his age.
由於是獨生子，而且大部分時間都在大人身邊，艾薩克在同齡孩子中表現得特別成熟。

maturation n. 成熟；成熟過程（特別指生物或生長的成熟）
/ˌmætʃəˈreɪʃən/
the process of becoming fully developed or mature, especially in biological growth.
- Understanding the stages of seed maturation will help you to obtain high-quality seeds and ensure a profitable crop.
了解種子成熟過程的不同階段，可以幫助你取得高品質的種子，並確保良好且有利可圖的收成。

pick on (phrasal verb) 欺負、找碴、針對某人
/pɪk ɑːn/

to repeatedly criticize, tease, or treat someone unfairly
The older kids always picked on him because he was smaller than them.
年紀較大的孩子總是欺負他，因為他比他們更瘦小。

radioactive adj. 放射性的；有放射能的
/ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv/
giving off radiation that can be harmful; containing or producing radioactive energy. 指「釋放出輻射能量」，可能會傷害生物或需要小心處理。
- The scientist warned that the material was highly radioactive and should be handled with extreme care. 
科學家警告說，這種物質具有高度放射性，必須極度小心處理。

change into + (n.) 變成…／轉變成… 
change into + noun = to become something different; to transform into a different state, form, or condition. 表示「從一種狀態變成另一種」。
- The caterpillar changes into a butterfly.
毛毛蟲會變成蝴蝶。

man-sized adj. 男性尺寸的；體型很大、像成年男性大小的
/ˈmænˌsaɪzd/
large enough or big enough for an adult man
- He ordered a man-sized steak that covered the entire plate.
他點了一份「男生尺寸」的大牛排，整個盤子都被蓋滿了。

web n. 蜘蛛網；網狀物
a thin, silky structure created by spiders to catch insects
- The large, intricate spider’s web glistened in the morning dew. 

巨大的、結構精細的蜘蛛網在晨露中閃閃發光。

web of lies n. 騙局；謊言的網；一連串互相連結的謊言
a complex set of lies that are connected to each other, like a spider’s web
- He spun a web of lies in hopes that he could keep his poor choices hidden.
他編造了一整套互相牽連的謊言，希望掩蓋自己做出的錯誤決定。

webinar n. 網路研討會；線上講座
/ˈwɛbəˌnɑːr/
an online seminar or presentation that people attend over the internet
- Though reluctant to attend the webinar at first, Zoe was drawn in by the dynamic and informative speaker.
雖然一開始不太想參加這場線上講座，但柔伊後來被那位生動又資訊豐富的主講人吸引住了。

illustrator n. 插畫家；繪圖者
/ˈɪləˌstreɪtər/
an artist who creates pictures for books, magazines, comics, advertisements, or digital media.
指為書籍、雜誌、漫畫、廣告或電腦媒體繪製插圖的人。
- The illustrator created vivid images that helped bring the story to life. 
這位插畫家創作了生動的圖畫，使故事更加栩栩如生。

moral compasses n. 道德指南針；道德判斷力
 /ˈmɔːrəl ˈkʌmpəs/
a person’s ability to judge what is right and wrong and to act accordingly.
指一個人分辨善惡、做出正確行為的「內在道德感」。
- A strong moral compass helps people make good decisions even in difficult situations.
良好的道德指南針能讓人在困難情況下仍然做出正確的決定。

shooting out phrasal verb 射出；迅速噴出；突然彈出
to move or be sent out suddenly and quickly, like being “fired” or “launched.”
- Spider-Man used the webs shooting out from his wrists to swing between the buildings.
蜘蛛人利用從手腕「射出」的蜘蛛絲在大樓之間飛躍。

fatal adj. 致命的；嚴重到造成死亡的 
/ˈfeɪtəl/
causing death; extremely harmful and leading to very serious consequences.
意思是「會導致死亡的」或「造成無法挽回後果的」。
- The result was fatal for his beloved uncle. 
結果對他最親愛的叔叔來說是致命的。

burglar n. 竊賊；闖入民宅行竊的人
/ˈbɜːrɡlər/
a person who enters a building illegally, usually a home, to steal things.
意思是「專門闖進房子偷東西」的賊，通常是入室竊盜。
- He was killed by that burglar.
他是被那名竊賊殺害的。

turning point n. 轉捩點；重大轉折時刻
a moment when an important change happens that affects the future direction of a person’s life, a story, or a situation.
指某件事情出現重大改變的時刻，之後的方向會完全不同。
- Graduating from college was a turning point in her life.
大學畢業是她人生的重要轉捩點。

awkward adj. 尷尬的；笨拙的；不自在的
/ˈɔːkwərd/
causing discomfort, embarrassment, or difficulty; lacking grace or coordination.
意思是讓人覺得不自在、尷尬，或形容一個人動作笨拙、不靈活。
- Running into her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend at the store was an awkward experience for Mila.
在商店遇到前男友和他的現任女友，對米拉來說是非常尷尬的經驗。

put (someone) in an awkward position 讓某人陷入尷尬的處境；讓某人左右為難
to cause someone to be in a situation where they feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or forced to choose between difficult options.
意思是讓某人落入一個不自在、難堪、很為難、必須選邊站的情況。
- Because Thomas was good friends with both Logan and Ella, their breakup put him in an awkward position where he felt like he needed to take sides.
因為 Thomas 同時跟 Logan 和 Ella 都是好朋友，他們的分手讓他陷入尷尬的處境，覺得自己好像必須選邊站。

comics n.
illustrated stories told in a sequence of drawings, often published in magazines or books.
- He has collected comics since he was a child.
他從小就開始收藏漫畫。

rank v. 某人在某群體或清單中的位置、等級、排名。
is in a particular position or level compared to others;
- The school ranks first in the state.
這所學校在全州排名第一。

normal adj. 正常的、一般的
usual, ordinary, or expected;
- It’s normal to feel nervous before a test.
考試前緊張是很正常的。

relate to + (n) (phr. v.) 產生共鳴、認同、理解
to understand or feel connected to something or someone
指能理解某人的處境或感受，覺得自己跟某個情況有共鳴。
- Many students can relate to the stress of exams.
很多學生都能理解考試的壓力。
- I can’t relate to that story at all.
我完全無法對那個故事產生共鳴。


Deep Dive
With great power comes great responsibility.
能力越大，責任越大。
come with (phrasal verb) 隨附；伴隨；附帶
to include something as part of a set, package, or situation; something that is naturally connected to something else. 意思是「隨附／附帶某物」，或「某件事自然伴隨另一件事」。
- The meal comes with a drink and a side dish.
這個餐點附有飲料和配菜。
- The job comes with a lot of stress.
這份工作伴隨著很大的壓力。

Usage Tip
As + S1 + V1, S2 + V2
As + 主詞1 + 動詞1, 主詞2 + 動詞2
文法用法：表「當……的時候」或「隨著……」
As is used to show two actions happening at the same time.
第一件事情發生的同時，第二件事情也開始發生。
As the sun set, the lights in the city began to glow.
當太陽落下時，城市裡的燈光開始亮起來。

- As the rain got heavier, people rushed inside the shops.
隨著雨越下越大，人們趕緊跑進店裡躲雨。
- As I grew older, I became more independent.
隨著我年紀變大，我變得更獨立。

BLUE ZONES® (2)

Exercise is necessary for good health, but people in blue zones generally do not designate time for deliberate exercise such as going to the gym. Instead, activity is built into daily life as they walk from place to place and do physical chores such as gardening and cleaning.

People in blue zones tend to have a strong sense of purpose and often a commitment to religious faith. This purpose motivates them to make healthy choices and can help their mental health.

Many families in blue zones live in homes where multiple generations reside together. This arrangement provides emotional and practical support for both the old and the young. And the communities tend to be tight-knit so that people have social support beyond their biological family.

People who do not live in blue zones can still benefit from the insights gained from studying these cultures. Anyone can adjust their diet and some lifestyle factors, but changing community structure is a bit more difficult.

There is now, however, a corporation called Blue Zones LLC that works with communities to make them more like blue zones. Their Blue Zones Project has seen success in several cities in the United States.

As people adopt the customs of those in blue zones, they may end up living longer and healthier lives than ever.

運動對健康當然很重要，但在「藍區」的人們通常不會特別安排時間刻意去運動，比如上健身房。相反地，他們把活動量自然融入每天的生活之中──像是步行到各個地方、做園藝、或打掃家裡等需動手的家務。

藍區的人們通常具有強烈的人生目標感，並且多半對宗教信仰有一定的投入。這份目標感會促使他們做出更健康的選擇，也能幫助維持良好的心理健康。

在藍區，許多家庭是多代同堂，住在同一個屋簷下。這樣的生活方式能為長輩與晚輩提供情感和日常生活上的支持。而且這些社區的關係非常緊密，因此人們能獲得超越血緣家庭之外的社會支持。

不住在藍區的人，也可以從研究這些文化中得到啟發與好處。任何人都可以調整飲食和生活方式的一些部分，但要改變整個社區的結構就比較困難了。然而現在，有一家名為「Blue Zones LLC」的公司，專門協助社區改造，使它們更接近藍區的模式。他們的「藍區計畫」已經在美國的好幾個城市取得成功。隨著人們採用藍區居民的習慣，他們可能會比以往活得更久、更健康。

Language Lab

chore n. 家務事、雜事
/tʃɔːr/
A routine task, especially one that is boring or involves physical work.
- Knowing she couldn’t leave until her chores were done, she finished in time to attend her friend’s party.
她知道在做完家事之前不能離開，所以她及時完成，好去參加朋友的派對。

chore chart n. 務表、家事分配圖、工作分配表（常用來安排誰做哪些家務）
a chart used to assign and track household tasks
- The teacher used a chore chart to remind students of their daily cleaning tasks in their classroom.
老師使用家務表提醒學生在教室裡每日要完成的清潔任務。

errand n. 差事、小事、跑腿的任務
/ˈerənd/
a short trip to do a specific task, such as buying groceries, mailing a package, or picking something up.
- I was exhausted after spending a full day running errands all over town.
我跑了一整天的各種差事，累癱了。

generally adv. 通常、一般來說、大致上
in most cases; usually; most of the time
- People in blue zones generally do not designate time for deliberate exercise.
藍區的人一般不會特別安排刻意的運動時間。

designate v. 指派；指定；標明；標示
/ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/
to officially choose or set something for a particular purpose
- The teacher designated today as reading day.
老師把今天指定為閱讀日。
- This area is designated for parents only.
這個區域是專門指定給家長使用的。

built into + (noun) 被「內建在…裡」、被「融入…當中」
Something is included inside something else as a natural or permanent part.
- The new phone has a camera built into the screen.
新手機的螢幕裡內建相機。
- Exercise is built into their daily routine.
運動已經內建在他們的每日習慣中。（自然生活習慣的一部分）

physical adj. 身體的
physical means something related to the body, not the mind or emotions.
- Physical exercise is important for good health.
身體運動對健康很重要。

commitment n. 承諾、投入、責任感、長期的堅持
A promise to do something; You say you will do it, and you mean it.
- They made a commitment to always be there for each other no matter what.
他們承諾無論發生什麼事，都會一直互相支持。
- She made a commitment to study English every day.
她承諾每天讀英文。
commit v.
To promise to do something; You decide and say you will do it.
- He was committed to a mental health facility once his disturbing hallucinations began to put him and others in danger.
當他那些令人不安的幻覺開始危及自己和他人時，他被送進精神醫療機構。

commit (something) to memory 把某件事「牢記在心」或「背起來」
To memorize something; to learn it so well that you can remember it without looking. 
- I’ve had this number for over a year, but I’m embarrassed to admit that I have yet to commit it to memory.
我這個號碼已經用了超過一年，但我很不好意思承認我到現在還沒把它背起來。

sense of purpose 「人生目標感、使命感」
A feeling that your life has meaning and direction; knowing what you want to do and why you are doing it.
- Having a sense of purpose helps people stay motivated.
有目標感能讓人更有動力。

religious n.宗教的；虔誠的
- There are many religious traditions in this country.
這個國家有許多宗教傳統。

reside v. 居住、定居
reside = live（住在） 是比較正式的說法，用在書面語、學術文章、新聞。
- They reside in Tokyo.
他們住在東京。
- She resides in a small apartment near campus.
她住在校園附近的一間小公寓。

practical adj. 實際的、實用的、務實的
Something you can really use, not just an idea.
This plan is practical. 這個計畫是可行的／務實的。

tight-knit adj. 關係緊密的、團結的、互相支持的
/ˌtaɪtˈnɪt/
A tight-knit group is very close, supportive, and strongly connected. People care about each other and help one another.
- They come from a tight-knit community.
他們來自一個關係緊密的社區。

adopt something v. 開始使用、接受、或採用某個方法、做法、想法等
To start using, doing, or accepting something as your own.
- The school adopted a new teaching method.
學校採用了新的教學方式。

insight v. 洞察力,深入了解, 對事情的理解 
the ability to clearly understand a situation, person, or thing.
- Her cultural insight was shaped by her childhood travels abroad with her family.
她對文化的洞察力，是在童年時和家人出國旅行時培養出來的。

insightful adj. 有洞察力的；看得很透徹的；很有見地的
An insightful person or comment shows a deep understanding of something.
- The players benefited from their coach’s insightful feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. 
球員們從教練有洞察力的回饋中受益，特別是關於他們的優點和缺點。

insightfulness n. 「有洞察力」、「看事情很透徹」、「能抓到重點、理解深刻」的特質。
the quality of having deep understanding, clear perception, or the ability to notice important details that others might miss.
- The author’s insightfulness offered a fresh perspective on the subject which helped spark a cultural shift. 作者的洞察力提供了一個嶄新的觀點，並促成了一場文化上的轉變。

factor n. 「影響結果的因素」、「成因」、「關鍵條件」
things that influence or affect a result, situation, or outcome.
- Many factors affect a person’s health, such as diet, exercise, and stress.
許多因素會影響一個人的健康，例如飲食、運動和壓力。
- Price is one of the factors people consider when buying a car.
價格是人們買車時考慮的因素之一。

structure n. 「結構」、「架構」、「組織方式」、「安排方式」
the way parts are organized or arranged to form a whole
- We studied the structure of a paragraph in class.
我們在課堂上學習段落的結構。

corporation n. 「大公司」、「企業法人」、「股份有限公司」
a large company or business organization that is legally recognized as a single entity
- She works for a big international corporation.
她在一家大型的國際企業工作。

Usage Tip

形容詞比較級 + than ever 現在比以往任何時候都更……
This pattern means something is more (adjective) now than at any time before.
- She is happier than ever.
她現在比以前任何時候都更快樂。
- He is more confident than ever.
他比以往更有自信。
- The team is stronger than ever.
這個團隊現在比以前更強大。