Emotional Skills (1)

Dealing with your own and other people’s feelings

When you think of life skills, you typically think of things like cooking or fixing broken objects. These sorts of skills help regulate the environment around you. But skills that help you regulate what's going on inside of you are equally important. In other words, there are skills you can learn to help you manage difficult emotions. Those emotions don't have to stop you from being successful.

Take responsibility
When I was a child, I often accused my brother of making me mad. My mom was quick to correct me. "He can't make you mad," she would say. "He just does things, and you choose how you respond."

Although people sometimes try to provoke us to anger, each of us is responsible for our own reaction. We can choose how we interpret the actions of others and whether we will act on how we feel.

This also applies to other emotions besides anger. Fear, for example, is a common feeling that can sometimes cause trouble. Learning to do things that we're afraid of is an important part of becoming mature.


Language Lab
emotional adj.
relating to emotions
- Mark's friends came to his debut to give him emotional support.
- The child suffers from emotional trauma because of his parents' sudden divorce.
likely to show or express emotion : easily upset, excited, etc.
- The singer got very emotional in his farewell concert while thanking his fans.
emotion n.
a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear)
- Connie doesn't show her emotion easily.

regulate v. 管理；控制；為……制訂規章；校準；調整，調節
to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something) : control
- The humidity and temperature of the lab is carefully regulated.
- The rule is to regulate the price competition between the manufacturers.
regulation n. 規章；規則，規定；條例[C]；管理；調整，調節；校準
an official rule or law that says how something should be done: law
- People demand stronger government regulations for child care institutes.
- Restaurants need to comply with the new sanitary regulations.

provoke v.
to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or action) : to make (something) happen
- The governor's comment provoked negative reactions from many people.
- Richard is always rational and calm; Nothing you say can provoke him.
provocative adj.
causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.
- The boy's provocative behavior got him into fights with other boys at school.

interpret v.
to explain the meaning of (something)
- The girl's silence was interpreted as protest by her patents.
to translate the words that someone is speaking into a different language : to repeat what someone says in a different language than the language originally used
- The president doesn't speak any English, so he had his secretary interpret everything he said.

Info Cloud
topic: in the depths of something
- Since the funeral, Peter has been in the depths of depression.

from the bottom of someone's heart
- From the bottom of my heart, I love you all!

Hello friends, welcome to info cloud. I can’t hope but notice that Rex seems down lately. Is something wrong, Rex?

Oh, thanks for asking. I set high standard for myself and when I don’t reach them, I find myself in the depths of sadness.

Well, let’s talk about your situation in what you just said “in the depths of something” may be talking about your help.

Okay, in the depths of something usually refers to being deep into a negative situation such as depression, trouble or some economic crisis.

The word depth indicates the bottom or a very deep part of something.

For example, the country has been in the depths of an economic recession for many years, thus, it is deeply trapped in that situation.

Another expression that sounds a little similar but has a very different meaning is “from the bottom of someone’s heart”.

People often say this to emphasize they really care about the other person.

So, Rex, from the bottom of my heart, I really care about how you feel right now. Are you feeling any better?

Yes, I am, thank you so much for talking with me and being such a great friend.

No problem. I want you to know I really treasure our friendship from the bottom of my heart.

Cellphones at School (1)

Are cellphones helpful or harmful at school?

Mark! Why didn't you meet me for lunch? Didn't you get my text message?

No, I didn't. My math teacher took away my phone until after school.

Why did he do that?

I wasn't paying attention in class. I was reading on my phone about a new movie.

Not smart! But I've noticed more and more students misusing their phones in class. Maybe schools should ban cellphones completely.

No way! I couldn't live one hour without my phone! I rely on it for everything.

But you won't do well in school if your phone distracts you too much.

Hmm. What if we could do some lessons on our phones? Then we would need cellphones in class. Hey! I think I just had a great idea!

Maybe. But how can teachers know if students are using their phones for learning or not?

Maybe there's an app that can help teachers to know.

You should hope not. Besides, not everyone can afford a nice new smartphone like yours. My old phone can't teach anyone anything. All it can do is make calls and text.

Aha! Now I know why you don't want cellphones in class.


Language Lab
misuse v.
to use (something) incorrectly
- The patient was hospitalized because he misused his medication.
- The bank clerk was charged with misusing customers' money.
the act of using something in an illegal, improper, or unfair way : incorrect use
- The mayor was jailed for misuse of power and taking bribes.

ban v.
to forbid people from using (something) : to say that something cannot be used or done
- Indoor smoking is banned in many countries.
to forbid (someone) from doing or being part of something — usually + from
- The members of the baseball team were banned from drinking during training seasons.
ban n.
an official rule saying that people are not allowed to use or do something
- The ban on pork imports was lifted last month.

confiscate v.
/ˈkɑːnfəˌskeɪt/
to take (something) away from someone especially as punishment or to enforce the law or rules
- The teacher confiscated all cell phones for the duration of the field trip.

app=application n.
a computer program that performs a special function :
- This app can only run on computers, not smart phones or tablets.
- The app can translate seven different languages into English in an instant.
- You can download this app for free, but you have to pay if you want to use the upgraded version.

afford v.
to be able to pay for (something)
- The couple can't afford a house now, so they bought an apartment instead.
to supply or provide (something needed or wanted) to someone
- I can't afford an hour for lunch today; I'm really busy.
affordable adj.
to be able to pay for (something)
- Expensive college tuition isn't affordable for many families.


Info Cloud
Topic: monophobia = no-mobile-phone-phobia

Hello and welcome to info cloud, friends.

Today we are talking about a newer word that describes a certain type of fear.

And the word is nomophobia. It’s the fear of not having or not being able to use your smartphone.

Keep in mind this isn’t an official phobia or fear yet. A psychologist won’t diagnose you with nomophobia, but it’s a common problem today.

The term originates in the UK, and is an abbreviation of no-mobile-phone-phobia.

Many psychologists believe that our overuse of smartphones causes us to have an unhealthy relationship with our phones.

Although, anyone could have anxiety related to not having their phone with them, it is far more common in teenagers and college students.

But to be honest, even I sometimes feel anxious by accidentally leave my smartphone at home. What if I miss an important message? In fact, both Rex and I have smartphones on us right now.

Now some people suggest finding time every week to turn off their phone and focus on face-to-face interactions.

It is certainly a good start. Nomophobia may be more common in younger people but any smartphone user can struggle with this problem.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (2) [8/29/2019]

Muff Potter's trial begins. Tom finds the courage to testify against Injun Joe. Muff is acquitted, and Injun Joe jumps out a window and escapes.

Tom and Huck go treasure hunting in a haunted house. While there, they see Injun Joe and a companion. As Tom and Huck watch, the two dig and find a box of gold! They carry it away with them. Huck begins to follow Injun Joe every night, looking for a chance to steal the gold.

Meanwhile, Tom, Becky and their classmates go on a picnic to McDougal's Cave. Tom and Becky get lost in the cave and soon run out of food and candles.

Tom desperately searches for a way out. As he searches, he sees Injun Joe who is using the cave for a hideout. Thankfully, Injun Joe doesn't see Tom. Tom finally finds a way out of the cave, and the town celebrates the pair's return. Becky's father, Judge Thatcher, locks up the cave. Injun Joe is trapped inside and starves to death. A week later, Tom shows Huck the hole where he escaped from the cave. They go in and find the gold.


Language Lab
testify v.
to talk and answer questions about something especially in a court of law while formally promising that what you are saying is true
- The witness didn't show up at the court to testify.
testify against
- The witness testified against the thief saying that she had seen him take the victim's wallet.
testimony n.
something that someone says especially in a court of law while formally promising to tell the truth
- The eye witness's testimony was important evidence in the case.

acquit v.
/əˈkwɪt/  acquits; acquitted; acquitting
to decide that someone is not guilty of a crime
- The defendant was acquitted of all the charges against her and was released by the court.
- The CEO was acquitted of misconduct and kept his job.
acquit oneself
- Even though the quarterback's knee is hurt, he acquitted himself very well today.

desperately adv. 拼命的
- The gazelle ran desperately trying to escape from the cheetah.
非常的
- These refugees need food and medical supplies desperately.
desperate adj.
having a strong need or desire for something or to do something
- Tom is penniless, and he is desperate to find a job a place to stay.

hideout n.
a place where someone (such as a criminal) hides to avoid being found or captured
- The leader of the Mafia retreated to his hideout after the gang fight.
- The abandoned house was the hideout of a group of professional pickpockets.
- Several hideouts of the rebels were discovered and destroyed.


Info Cloud
Topic: no picnic 

Hello and welcome to info cloud. Today I want to share with you some tips on giving presentations to your peers.

Joe is a member of toastmaster’s international, a group that work to perfect the art of public speaking.

Toastmasters is an international organization with a long history of helping people of all backgrounds become confident public speakers.

That reminds me, I forgot to ask about your speech competition last week. How did you do?

Actually, I didn’t compete because I was one of the organizers of the event. I love competing but organizing such a large event, whew, is no picnic.

I can imagine there are a lot of details to deal with. Joe used a great expression here, organizing a large event is no picnic.

I used this phrase because people think of a picnic something easy and enjoyable. When something is no picnic, it means it was hard or challenging or even unenjoyable.

But since Joe has been working hard with toastmasters for years now, I take what he said to mean that organizing a contest was challenging.

That’s exactly right. I love working with toastmaster members, I love participating in the contest but organizing everything really is no picnic.

- It is no picnic. 一件辛苦困難的事。

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1) [8/28/2019]

Making mischief in a small town on the Mississippi

Tom Sawyer lives with his Aunt Polly and his half brother, Sid, in the Mississippi River town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. Sid is a very good boy, but Tom would rather play and make mischief than go to school. One Friday, Tom plays hooky from school and gets his clothes dirty in a fight. Tom has to paint the fence as punishment. But Tom is tricky. He soon convinces his friends to trade him their treasures for the privilege of painting the fence for him!

There is a new girl in town. Her name is Becky Thatcher. Tom persuades her to get "engaged" to him. But when she finds out Tom has been "engaged" before, she breaks up with him. After this heartbreak, Tom and his friend Huckleberry Finn visit the graveyard at night. There they witness the murder of Dr. Robinson by Injun Joe, a mean man who is part Native American. Joe blames his drunken friend Muff Potter for the crime, so Muff is arrested and put in jail. Tom is scared of Injun Joe, so he doesn't say what he knows. But he feels very guilty.


Language Lab
mischief n. [mischievous]
/ˈmɪstʃəf/
behavior or activity that is annoying but that is not meant to cause serious harm or damage
- Ryan gets into mischief when he's bored.
- Peter's eyes twinkled with boyish mischief when he did behind his wife trying to scare her.
- Those children are always up to some mischief. = Those children are always getting into mischief.
harmful behavior
- The flood caused serious mischief in the area.

privilege n.
/ˈprɪvlɪʤ/
a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others
- Our VIP customers enjoy the privileges of extra discounts and special promotions.
- Frank is a son of privilege and wealth, so he never has to worry about money.
a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud
- It's such a privilege to be the student of such a prestigious professor!

witness v.
to see (something) happen
- A woman who witnessed the robbery called 911.
- George witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall when he was traveling in Germany.
to be the time or place when (something) happens
- The signing of the contract was witnessed by the lawyers of both parties.
law : to be present at (an event) in order to be able to say that it happened : to act as a legal witness of (something)
- The witnesses of the crime were students of a nearby college.

guilty adj.
showing that you know you have done something bad or wrong
- Gloria feels guilty about lying to her parents.
responsible for committing a crime or doing something bad or wrong
— often + of
- The jury found the defendant guilty of fraud.
guilt n.
responsibility for a crime or for doing something bad or wrong
- The girl is full of strong feelings of guilt because she changed her grades.


Info Cloud
Topic: indigenous people

Hello and welcome to info cloud. I recently attended a leadership conference. Joe, have you ever heard of the phrase, “your vibe attracts your tribe”?

Hum, I have, it means that your personality will attract the group of people who were similar to you.

One of my friends mentioned that using the word tribe might be a little bit offensive to aboriginal people.

I’ve heard the same, Rex. Terms related to indigenous peoples can be difficult. Let’s look at some terms commonly used in North America.

In the US, people used to refer to native peoples as Indians or American Indians which came from explorers, believing, they were in the East Indies.

Over time this term has replaced with Native American. But you’ll find people who still use American Indian.

Notice that aboriginal is never used to describe Native Americans. This term is typically limited to native peoples outside of the Americas.

There are also some different terms using Canada. Native peoples in Canada are called indigenous peoples.

This includes 3 different people groups, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples.

Although the word Indian is not as common, both the US and Canada still use in legal documents related to native people groups.

Tanitoluwa Adewumi: Chess Champion (2)

• Grand master
• Good fortune

Tani was diligent in studying chess, and his skill increased rapidly. He practiced every evening on his father's laptop and attended three-hour practices every Saturday.

In March of 2019, Tani won the New York State chess championship, completing the whole competition without losing a match. He dreams of becoming the youngest chess grand master.

A New York Times columnist wrote an article about Tani, and many readers wanted to help his family. Several people offered them housing, and lawyers offered to help with their immigration hearings for free.

A week later, over US$200,000 had been raised to help them. Within a week, Tani was running through his family's apartment exclaiming, "I have a home!"

But Tani's family doesn't plan to keep their good fortune to themselves. They are giving ten percent of the money raised to their church, which had helped them when they were struggling. The rest of the money will go to other African immigrants who need help. "God has already blessed me," Tani's father said. "I want to release my blessing to others."


Language Lab
laptop n. (=notebook)
- I checked my email inbox on my laptop, but your email hasn't come in yet.
- Samuel spends hours writing music on his laptop every day.
desktop n.
- Many still prefer desktops because they're easier on eyes and elbows.

columnist n.
a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column
- The columnist is well-respected for his objective political views.
column n.
an article in a newspaper or magazine that appears regularly and that is written by a particular writer or deals with a particular subject
- After the bill was passed, several major columnists addressed the issue in the next day's newspaper.
- Teresa writes a gourmet column for a local newspaper.
gourmet n.
/ˈguɚˌmeɪ/
a person who enjoys and knows a lot about good food and wine
- a gourmet meal [=a meal of very high quality; a meal that appeals to gourmets]

exclaim n.
/ɪkˈskleɪm/
to say (something) in an enthusiastic or forceful way
- "Stop it!" she exclaimed as the bully continued to push her toward the door.
- Daniel exclaimed in disbelief when he heard the girl's story.
exclamation n.
/ˌɛkskləˈmeɪʃən/
a sharp or sudden cry : a word, phrase, or sound that expresses a strong emotion
- The girl jumped up and down with an exclamation of surprise when she saw the new bike.

blessing n.
something that helps you or brings happiness
- My mom always says: "Count your blessings!" when I complain.
- It's a blessing that none of the passengers were injured in the accident.
bless v.
to make (something or someone) holy by saying a special prayer
- We're very blessed to have two lovely kids.


Info Cloud
Topic: check /checkmate

Welcome to info cloud. Chess is a game played around the world and has some common English expressions that is produced.

You’re right about that. Two terms that come to mind are the words, check and checkmate.

Check is said near the end of a chess match, it indicates that the opponent’s king is being attacked and if nothing is done, they’ll lose the game.

In casual conversation, someone might say “check,” to express that they have done something to bring them closer to success.

But we more often hear someone used the term, checkmate, a player says this at the very end of a match to say that their opponent has lost.

We can also use this word in casual conversation to indicate that we have achieved victory.

One other chess term used in daily life is the word, pawn.

The pawn is the least valuable piece in chess and it’s often sacrificed to protect more important pieces or advanced their player’s strategy.

And because of this, we often describe someone being used by another person or entity as a pawn.

Then it isn’t the real person making decisions, he’s just a pawn.

The game of a chess offers us a good way to sharpen our thinking skills as well as some phrases to make our English even more colorful.

Tanitoluwa Adewumi: Chess Champion (1)

• Refugees

This once-homeless 8-year-old worked his way to victory

Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who goes by Tani, isn't a typical 8-year-old. Last March, Tani won the New York State chess championship for kindergarten to third-grade players. Most young chess champions come from wealthy families and have private chess tutors. But Tani trained for the competition while his family lived in a homeless shelter. When he won, Tani had only been playing chess for about a year.

Tani's family moved to America from Nigeria in 2017. They were refugees, fleeing their country because they feared that terrorists would target them for being Christians. But life in America wasn't easy for them. They found themselves in New York City without a home.

Tani began attending a local public elementary school where a teacher taught him how to play chess. Tani enjoyed the game so much that he asked his mom if he could join the chess club. But his family could not afford the membership fee. So his mother wrote the school a letter that persuaded the head of the chess club to waive the fee.


Language Lab
champion n.
someone or something (such as a team or an animal) that has won a contest or competition especially in sports
- The beauty pageant champion will win a $100,000 prize.
- The movie Rocky tells the story of a boxer who fought hard to become a champion.
championship n.
an important competition that decides which player or team is the best in a particular sport, game, etc.
- The team didn't win the championship by pure luck, but by hard work and determination.
- The tennis player successfully retained her championship this year.

shelter n.
a structure that covers or protects people or things
- The school gym was turned into a temporary shelter after the earthquake.
- Diane lives in a shelter for abused women after she ran away from her husband.
- We took shelter in a cave from the rainstorm.
- The trees gave the passersby shelter from the sun.

refugee n.
someone who has been forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons
- The conditions in the refugee shelter are terrible. It is overly crowded and people are getting sick.
refuge
/ˈrɛˌfjuːʤ/
shelter or protection from danger or trouble
- We took refuge in a basement when the tornado hit.

waive v.
/ˈweɪv/
to officially say that you will not use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is usually required
- The school board decided to waive the tuition fee of these disadvantaged students.
- The maintenance fee of the checking account will be waived if you open a savings account.
waive
- The daughter waived all her rights to her parent's estate because she's very rich already.


Info Cloud
topic: uphill battle 非常堅難的戰役

Hello friends, welcome to info cloud. For many people who are experiencing financial difficulties, life can be an uphill battle,because they have to face a lot of difficult situations and challenges.

Just like the word uphill suggests an uphill battle implies that you have to exert more effort or work harder to get where you want to go.

And also the word battle just means a fight, which implies there are struggles, pains and hardships in the situation because it’s just like you are fighting the enemy while moving up the hill.

As you could imagine, an uphill battle is not a fun experience, it is indeed very serious and painful. The entrepreneur’s road to success could be an uphill battle.

Uphill battle can be used to describe any situation that is very serious, very challenging in the odds of success are stacked against the person in that situation.

For example, the defense team faces an uphill battle in court.From the sentence, we can tell that they will have to do a lot to prove their client’s innocence.

Reaching New Depths (2)

• Hand signals

To my surprise, the three-day training period proved to be anything but a disaster. Our lessons involved three parts. First, an instructor introduced us to all of the scuba equipment as well as the hand signals for communicating underwater. This part wrapped up with a test to make sure we understood what we had just learned. 

Next, we headed to a swimming pool where we practiced breathing techniques. We began at the pool's surface. Each new technique we practiced allowed us to go deeper in the water. Eventually, we made it to the bottom of the pool.

On day three, we took all of our new knowledge to the ocean! After suiting up in all our equipment, we followed our instructor's lead into the water. We made sure to follow each step of the process carefully. Before I knew it, I was really scuba diving!

An attitude for life
I hovered above the ocean floor as all kinds of fish swam by. I felt gladness for the opportunity to literally discover new depths. With Doris' words still ringing in my ears, I knew the experience gave me a new attitude for life.


Language Lab
instructor n.
a person who teaches a subject or skill : someone who instructs people
- Ellen works as a part-time aerobics instructor at a nearby gym.
- The karate instructor is quite famous and has many students in his studio.
instruct v.
to teach (someone) a subject, skill, etc.  — usually + in or on
- The passengers were instructed to stay in their seats until the airplane came to a complete stop.

wrap up v.
a brief statement that gives the most important information about what has happened or been done      : summary
- After five hours of discussion, the meeting finally wrapped up around 5 p.m.
- Alex wrapped up his speech and headed home right afterwards.
wrap up
- Alison wrapped up the gift in beautiful silver and gold paper.

suit up v.
to put on a uniform or special clothing
- The players suited up in their new uniforms for today's game.
- The passengers all suited up in life jackets before getting into the rubber boat.
- Tina got her son suited up for the bike ride with a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.

hover v.
to float in the air without moving in any direction
- The helicopter was hovering over the area trying to locate the missing mountaineers.
to stay very close to a person or place
- The girl hovered outside the classroom waiting to talk to the teacher when he emerged.


Info Cloud
info cloud: sink or swim 不成功便成仁

Hello friends and welcome to info cloud. Joe and I were just talking about his experience of getting into graduate school in Taipei.

Yes, it was really sink or swim. If I didn’t pass the entrance exam, I couldn’t attend the program.

I like the phrase you used to describe your experience, sink or swim.

This is a great expression to use when you want to say that there are only two choices, failure or success.

The phrase is especially used when talking about a single person’s effort deciding the end result of something.

Right. Imagine, a person jumping into a pool of water, they only have two choices. They can either do nothing and sink to the bottom of the pool or they can start to swim in the water.

So to use this phrase, someone might talk about a situation a person is facing and then to describe it as sink or swim.

Life is hard, sometimes, it’s just sink or swim.

From this sentence, I can know that the speaker means some situations in life are a matter of failure or success with very little in between.

When you are facing a sink-or-swim situation, focus on doing your best in those situations you can only control the effort not the result.

Reaching New Depths (1)

It’s never too late to learn something new

• It's never too late to learn
• You can't teach an old dog new tricks

During my job interview for Studio Classroom, the magazine's founder and Editor-in-Chief, Doris Brougham, stressed the importance of learning new things. "Life is full of challenges," she said. "But a willingness to learn something new gives people the right attitude for overcoming obstacles. It's never too late to learn something new." This is our attitude at Studio Classroom. 

Learning to scuba dive
One life experience that helped foster in me this willingness to try new things was learning to scuba dive.

Doris made a plan for a group of us to learn together. You may have heard the expression, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Now I'm not calling myself an "old dog" quite yet. But I certainly had my doubts about trying scuba diving for the first time as a 30-year- old. I thought, "How can I swim wearing all of the scuba gear? What if something goes wrong, and I can't breathe? How can I signal to other divers if there's a problem?" Worries like these caused me to panic. I was struck with an overpowering feeling of fear.


Language Lab
founder n.
a person who creates or establishes something that is meant to last for a long time (such as a business or school): a person who founds something
- The monument commemorates the national founders.
- The founders of the biochemical company were three college friends.
founder v.
to experience failure: to be unsuccessful: fail
- The deal foundered over a disagreement on prices.

willingness n.
not refusing to do something: ready — followed by to + verb
- In order to work as a team, the willingness to listen to each other is a must.
- The success of the merger is due to the willingness of both parties to compromise.
- Even though Tom is a senior employee, he still shows a strong willingness to take on new assignments.

scuba n. 自攜式水中呼吸器；水肺
a sport or activity in which you swim underwater using an air tank and a special breathing machine that you strap on your body
- Pamela learned how to scuba dive when she was 12.
- Eric went scuba diving in Hawaii last summer.
- A scuba diver found a piece of the wreckage of the airplane.
wreckage n.
the broken parts of a vehicle, building, etc., that has been badly damaged or destroyed

snorkeling n.
a special tube that makes it possible to breathe while you are swimming with your head underwater
- The beach is perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling and all kinds of water activities.

foster v.
to help (something) grow or develop
- Sophia's parents foster her interest in music by playing various genres of music at home.
- The teacher designed her curriculum and classroom to foster student's learning.
to provide the care that a parent usually gives to a child: to be or become the foster parent of a child
- The couple have fostered over twenty kids in the past five years.


Info Cloud

Topic: oxymoron 矛盾修飾法 /ˌɑːksɪˈmoɚˌɑːn/

Welcome to info cloud, friends. Today I’d like to start by asking Rex about how you deal with stress. You told us about playing it cool but do you have any other advice for us?

Sure, Joe. The truth is the best way to play it cool is to expect the unexpected. You need to prepare yourself be ready for anything.

Woo, that’s not easy. But you have a good point. You have to plan for unexpected problems. Now friends, Rex’s advice isn’t oxymoron.

That’s right. I suppose it isn’t actually possible to expect something that is unexpected. If you expect something, it obviously can be unexpected.

And that’s exactly why it’s an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a phrase or expression that contradicts itself.

The word oxymoron comes from Greek. Oxy came from a word meaning sharp or keen and moron meant dull or foolish.

Thus, a rough translation for oxymoron would be sharp dull, complete opposite. Rex, can you think of any more oxymorons?

Sure, how about never say never? If someone says “they’ll never say never” well, they already said it.

Some other common examples of oxymoron would be phrases like a small crowd, an impossible solution, or my personal favorite, and unbiased opinion.

- expect the unexpected
- never say never

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 (2)

• Milan and Paris

• Glamour

Milan

Momentum continues building in the fashion world as Fashion Week moves to Milan on September 17th. This beautiful Italian city is home to some of the biggest fashion houses and designers in the fashion world, including Armani and Prada. While Paris has long been known for fashion, it wasn't until the 20th century that Milan became known as a new fashion capital. If one word can describe Milan's fashion style, it's "glamour," as Milan's fashion houses are known for offering glamorous, yet practical, options.

Paris

The chaotic month of fashion makes its way to France as Paris Fashion Week begins on September 23rd. Saving the best for last, Paris never fails to offer some of the most exciting shows of the season. 

World- famous labels like Chanel and Dior try to outdo one another with their latest designs. The two words that best describe Paris Fashion Week are "elegant" and "extravagant."

Each fashion week takes on the personality of its home city and differs from the other fashion weeks to some degree. Yet they all have one thing in common: This month, they will each have a chance to define and introduce spring and summer's newest fashion trends.

Language Lab
momentum n. 動力；推動力
/moʊˈmɛntəm/
the strength or force that something has when it is moving
- To keep the momentum of the project, our team meets twice a week for discussion.
- The student movement rapidly gained momentum and spread throughout campuses around the country.
physics: the property that a moving object has due to its mass and its motion
- The car's momentum increased when it went downhill.

glamour n. 魅力，誘惑力；迷人的美；妖豔
/ˈglæmɚ/
a very exciting and attractive quality
- The glamour of Paris was well portrayed in this movie.
- The designer's new collection is very feminine and full of glamour.
glamorous adj. 富有魅力的；迷人的
/ˈglæmərəs/
very exciting and attractive :full of glamour
- The movie star's glamorous gown received many positive comments on the Internet.

chaotic adj. 混亂的；雜亂無章的；無秩序的
/keɪˈɑːtɪk/
in a state of complete confusion or disorder
- The company's situation became chaotic after the CEO's sudden resignation.
- Samantha felt lost growing up in a chaotic family.
chaos n.
/ˈkeɪˌɑːs/
complete confusion and disorder : a state in which behavior and events are not controlled by anything
- The region was in complete chaos after the hurricane hit.

extravagant adj. 奢侈的；浪費的；放肆的；過度的，過分的
/ɪkˈstrævɪgənt/
more than is usual, necessary, or proper
- Movie stars and celebrities attended the event wearing extravagant outfits.
- When Rachel was rich, she often went on extravagant shopping sprees in Paris.
extravaganza n. 具有狂氣的作品/表演；狂妄的言行
- Tickets to this musical extravaganza sold out the first hour.


Info Cloud
Topic: like it’s going out of style

Hello everyone and welcome to info cloud. Today we are going to talk about expressions in English that come from the world of fashion.

You know it might sound strange to say, but I believe that fashion will never go out of style, by that I mean that fashion will always have a big impact.

When something goes out of style, it means that it’s no longer fashionable, where that people no longer do or use something in a certain way.

Some people say that being polite seems to be going out of style in our modern world of quick comments and text messages.

However, we want to draw your attention to, when we say we do something or use something, like it’s going out of style.

This means that we are going through something or using it very fast like we are trying to get rid of it.

When I was younger and bad with money, I used to spend money, like it was going out of style.

In this example, Rex means that he spent a lot of money like he was trying to get rid of it.

We can also use it in situations that mean that people are using or consuming something quickly like they are afraid that it is no longer going to be around.

Yesterday, I completely failed at dieting, I had one candy bar and the next thing I know, I was eating one after another like they were going out of style.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 (1)

“Fashion is instant language.” - Miuccia Prada

• New York
• London

If it's true that "fashion is instant language," then New York City (NYC) will be full of lively conversation as it hosts Spring/ Summer 2020's Fashion Week. NYC will be the first of four cities to play host, followed by London, Milan and Paris. 

The four locations are all fashion giants in their own unique ways and have earned the coveted title of the "Big Four" in the fashion world.

New York 
New York Fashion Week, or NYFW, kicks off on September 5th and runs for approximately eight days. NYFW is considered the most commercial and casual of the four. It is also the only event to allow some fashion school students to participate, bringing a fresh look to the runway.

London
London Fashion Week (LFW) comes on the heels of NYFW, starting on September 13th and running through September 17th. Once considered a minor player among the Big Four, LFM can now
command a roster of big names as well as promising new designers. Over 250 designers will display their creations before international audiences, including influential people from the worlds of media and retail. London fashion houses have a reputation for being very experimental and open to new ideas.


Language Lab
covet v. 垂涎；貪圖；渴望
/ˈkʌvət/
to want (something that you do not have) very much
- Lots of teens covet the lifestyle of Internet celebrities.
- Jerry has the salesmanship skills that businesses covet.
- An Oscar is one of the most coveted awards in showbiz.
- Mike found himself coveting his neighbor's new convertible.

kick off [phrasal verb]
to begin (something, such as a performance, an event, or a discussion)
to get started: begin
- The baseball tournament will kick off next Saturday in Denver.
- The candidate for governor kicked off his campaign in L.A. last Saturday.
開球
- After winning the coin toss, our team chose to kick off.
kickoff n.
a kick that starts play in a game (such as American football or soccer)
- People gathered along the streets waiting for the kickoff of the parade. 

on the heels of  緊接著
If something comes or follows close/hard/hot on something's heels or close/hard/hot on the heels of something, it happens very soon afterward.
- A major tsunami came on the heels of the earthquake.
- A happy summer vacation follows on the heels of final exams.
- The police were hard on the heels of the suspect when he attempted to attack another victim. 

roster n.
a list of the people or things that belong to a particular group, team, etc.
- Two new players were added to the baseball team's roster this seasons. 
- People were surprised that this popular band wasn't on the roster of the charity concert.
- George checked his duty roster and found out he doesn't have to work this weekend.


Info Cloud
stand on the shoulders of giants

- We are standing on the shoulders of giants.

Hello and welcome to info cloud. Today I want to talk about an old saying and what that means someone stands on the shoulders of giants.

This is an old saying that has been used in many contexts. But it has to come to mean that people aren’t solely responsible for their achievements.

In the world of science, it means discovering new things based on the work of great scientists of the past.

For example, what we understand about genes and the way they work is based off of the discovery of DNA.

Actually, that discovery involved different people over time. So current research into DNA is done on the shoulders or is building on the work of these giants.

If you think of the image of someone standing on someone else’s shoulders, that person can see much further into the distance.

Exactly! And that is why this phrase has also come to mean that people aren’t solely responsible for their great achievements.

Let’s say that I’m really impressed with Joe’s ability to coach people on ways to improve their public speaking.

Then, I can say I’m just standing on the shoulders of giants because what I know came from working with my mentors in my speaking club.

Share the Road (1)

However you travel, remember to be courteous

To get from one place to another, people choose different ways of traveling. To go short distances, some people simply walk. If they're heading a bit further, they may ride a bicycle. However, if convenience is someone's priority, then they'll probably ride a scooter or drive a car. Whether you walk, cycle or drive, it's important to follow the rules of the road. When people forget they're not the only ones on the road, things can get out of hand.

Nick, Lindsey and Dave express their opinions to one another as they find themselves in one such situation.

B: Hey! You're in my way!

A: Can't you see I'm crossing the street?

B: I'm turning left, and my light is green. You pedestrians think you can go whenever you want.

A: Well, I have the right of way. You didn't look for pedestrians just before you zipped out.

B: Well, my light is green.

A: So is mine. And you still should't drive so fast. This is a crowded area.


Language Lab
courteous adj. 有禮貌的
very polite in a way that shows respect
- Even though Susan was offended by the rude behavior of her friend, she remained courteous to him.
- Henry is a true gentleman, always courteous and considerate.
courtesy n. 禮貌
- It's important to show courtesy to your elders.

get out of hand 失去控制
- The company made a formal announcement of the change before speculation got out of hand.
- The outbreak of the disease got out of hand, and many were infected.
- The demonstration got out of hand, and police had to arrest the leaders to calm down the situation.

pedestrian n.
a person who is walking in a city, along a road, etc
- A pedestrian witnessed the motorcycle accident and called the police.
- On weekends, the whole district becomes a pedestrian zone.
- The car didn't stop at the pedestrian crossing and almost hit a girl.
pedestrian adj.
not interesting or unusual
- The actor's performance was described as "pedestrian" by the critic.

zip v.
to move or act very quickly
- We zipped past through immigration and the security check and were the last passengers to board the plane.
to close, open, or connect something with a zipper
- Nathan zipped up his jacket because it was getting cold.

Info Cloud
rocky road / royal road

Hello friends, welcome to info cloud. Many people dream of becoming professional singers or musicians, but I would imagine that journey is a very difficult one, isn’t it Rex?

It is indeed. For me in particular, I had to pour so much time, energy and money into countless hours practice, you also have to deal with a lot of emotional frustration. It definitely is a rocky road for most people.

That’s a great way to describe it. When we describe a process or journey to be a rocky road, it implies the person on it facing a lot of difficulty and trouble, just like traveling on a road that is very bumpy.

Being on a rocky road is not just uncomfortable, it is also very painful. We could use it to describe people who are struggling in certain areas of their lives.

For example, ever since her husband died, Sally has been going down a rocky road, meaning, life is very difficult.

On the other hand, if life has been easy and comfortable for some people, we could say they’re on a royal road.

The film has put the young actor on a royal road to fame. When someone is on a royal road, everything is very smooth and easy for them.

- He is going down a rocky road.

- He is on a royal road to success.

Share the Road (2)

A: It is. So let's get out of the street if you want to discuss this.

C: Excuse me, can the two of you please move. I want to get by.

A: Now I have to avoid being run over by a bicycle, too?

B: He's right! You are supposed to use the bike lane.

C: I certainly would if there weren't people walking in it.

A: That's no excuse not to follow the rules. Those pedestrians are just steering clear of all the reckless scooter drivers.

B: Sidewalks are for pedestrians!

C: Exactly. Plus, pedestrians have crosswalks which help people avoid accidents with vehicles.

A: I did use the crosswalk.

B: Maybe you did. But people jaywalk all the time.

A: What does that have to do with me?

B: So you never jaywalk?

C: I think the point is, people should think about others and not just themselves. Can't we all just share the road?


Language Lab
get by [phrasal verb] 走過去
1. To move past something, especially an obstacle or impediment of some kind.
- The hallway was jammed with boxes and it was hard to get by.
- All cars moved to the side of the road so the ambulance could get by.
to do enough or to do well enough to avoid failure
- Mark and his wife have three kids, and they can't get by on his salary alone.
- We can get by with the staff we have right now, but we need to hire more once we start the other project.

run over [phrasal verb]
run over (someone or something)  or  run (someone or something) over a:
to knock down and drive over or go over (someone or something)
- The dog was run over by a car.
- The running back ran over two defenders. 
b: to read, repeat, or practice (something) quickly
- Let's run the lines over together one more time.
- Can you run over the instructions again?
- The driver dozed off and ran over a dog in the road.
- The girl almost got run over by a bus when she was crossing the road.
of a container: to have a liquid flow over its edge: overflow
- I forgot to turn off the tap, and the water ran over the edge of the sink and onto the floor.

steer clear of  避開
- The taxi driver steered clear of the traffic and got us to the train station in only 20 minutes.
- The doctor advised the patient to steer clear of salty food.
- As a rookie in our company, Bobby doesn't know how to steer clear of difficult colleagues yet.
: to keep away from someone or something completely
- He's in a bad mood.
- You'd better steer clear [=avoid him] if you don't want trouble.

— usually + of
- You'd better steer clear of him.
- I try to steer clear of the subject of politics when I talk to him.

jaywalk v. 不守交通規則橫穿馬路
to cross a street carelessly or at an illegal or dangerous place
- The police officer gave the man a ticket for jaywalking.
- The boy was hit by a scooter while jaywalking across a busy four lane street.
- Brenda didn't notice that she was jaywalking in middle of the street.


Info Cloud

jaywalking

Welcome to info cloud. Today, I want to talk about jaywalking and where this word comes from. Joe, do you jaywalk?

Well, technically jaywalking is anytime you cross the street while disregarding traffic was, so of course I try not to do that.

Joe is right. Jaywalking means to cross the street outside of crosswalks or against the light, or walking when the light says, don’t walk.

There was a time when the word jay was a rude way to describe an inexperienced person. It dates back to the early 1900s in the U S.

At first, the term was often used to describe early automobile drivers, within no which side of the road to drive on.

At the same time, jaywalkers were people who used the road without any awareness of the cars driving on the road.

As cars became the normal mode of transportation, people stopped using jay drivers, jaywalking however continued to be used.

Eventually, the term became specifically about how pedestrians cross roads and that is how we used the term today. It no longer has its original meaning of inexperience.

Actually, Joe and I should probably be honest about our jaywalking. Our main office and our recording studio are across the street from each other.

Right, you know I didn’t think about that. The entrance to the buildings are in the middle of the block, so if I run across the street, I am actually jaywalking.

La La Land (2)

Angels Flight 

In the early 20th century, Bunker Hill was one of LA's most fashionable neighborhoods. The nearly 300-foot Angels Flight railway has carried passengers up and down the hill's steep slope since 1901.

Watts Towers 

Created by Italian immigrants Sabato "Simon" Rodia, the Watts Towers combine sculpture and architecture. The towers consist of 17 enormous sculptures. They are made of steel covered with wire mesh and mortar and decorated with mosaic tiles, glass, clay, shells and rock. They're best enjoyed with a tour group.

Lighthouse Cafe

Since its appearance in La La Land, the Lighthouse Cafe has become one of LA's most famous restaurants. With live music every night, it's certainly worth a visit. Its website tells the story of the restaurant's first musician, named Rumsey. He wandered into the cafe and asked the owner about playing for visitors. The owner reluctantly agreed to give Rumsey a chance. So Rumsey hired the loudest musicians he could find, opened the doors and began to play. Guests crowded in, and the Lighthouse Cafe has featured music ever since.

So pursue your dream to visit Los Angeles - you'll find all this and plenty more to enjoy.


Language Lab
immigrant n.
a person who comes to a country to live there
- These illegal immigrants will be deported next week.
- Both of Nicky's parents are Greek immigrants.
emigrant n.
a person who leaves a country or region to live in another one : a person who emigrates
- These Japanese emigrants opened restaurants or became tour guides in Hawaii.

mosaic n.
/moʊˈzejɪk/
a decoration on a surface made by pressing small pieces of colored glass or stone into a soft material that then hardens to make pictures or patterns
- The fountain was decorated with mosaics.
- The kitchen's mosaic tiles were made in Spain.
- The mosaic floor at the entrance of the restaurant is the work of a famous artist.
- The field is a mosaic of green, orange and yellow.

website n.
- Visit our website for detailed information on our products.
- The company's website's layout is not very user-friendly.
- You can check the band's tour dates on their official website.

reluctantly adv.
feeling or showing doubt about doing something : not willing or eager to do something
- Joanne's parents reluctantly agreed to let her pursue her singing career.
- Steve reluctantly accepted the company's decision to transfer him to another city.
reluctant adj.
- Some foreign students are reluctant to speak in English when they first start school.


Info Cloud
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La La Land (1)

Follow your dreams as you visit Los Angeles

The movie La La Land tells the story of two young people pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. It charmed audiences with its musical numbers and vibrant colors. Many of the movie's scenes were filmed in LA. Visitors to the city can explore its history and culture by visiting some of these locations.

The Griffith Observatory

Located in Griffith Park on the southern slope of Mt. Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory was the third planetarium to open in the United States.

The observatory's telescopes are free to use any night that the planetarium is open and the sky is clear. Inside the planetarium are multiple exhibits that teach about space. While at the Observatory, be sure to look around for the world-famous Hollywood sign. This is one of the best spots form which to see it.

Rialto Theatre

The Rialto Theatre opened in 1917. Its dramatic marquee was announced as a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989. The theater closed in 2007, but now a church uses the building. Visitors however, are still welcome to visit this landmark.


Language Lab
vibrant adj.
/ˈvaɪbrənt/
very bright and strong
- The fashion designer loves to use vibrant colors in his work.
- The boy's room was decorated in vibrant yellow and blue.
having or showing great life, activity, and energy
- Shanghai is a vibrant city with all kinds of possibilities.
vibrate v.
to move back and forth or from side to side with very short, quick movements
- Our floor was vibrating from the loud music coming from next door.

observatory n. 天文臺；氣象臺；瞭望臺
/əbˈzɚvəˌtori/
a special building for studying stars, planets, weather, etc. : a building from which scientists study and watch the sky
- These astronomers have been standing by in the observatory waiting to see the comet.
planetarium n. 天文館
/ˌplænəˈterijəm/
a building or room in which images of stars, planets, etc., are shown on a high, curved ceiling
- The earliest planetarium show time will be 11am.

marquee n.
/mɑɚˈkiː/
a sign over the entrance to a theater that shows the name of the show, movie, play, etc., and the names of the main performers
- You can see the play's name on that Broadway theater's marquee from a long distance.
- Some scalpers are selling tickets to the show at entrance of the marquee.

monument n.
/ˈmɑːnjəmənt/
a building or place that is important because of when it was built or because of something in history that happened there
- The Empire State Building was listed as a U.S. National Monument in 1986.
- The monument was built to commemorate soldiers who gave their lives in the Vietnam War.


Info Cloud

on location 在那個地點
a place outside a studio where a movie is filmed
- The entire film is shot on location in New York.

- The story takes place in New York City.
But, the film was shot on location in Toronto.

[dictation]

Welcome to info cloud. Today, let’s talk about what it means to do something on location.

This is a phrase that comes from the movie industry, the film something on location means to go to an actual location to film a scene.

That is different than filming something in a movie studio. In a film studio, the stage or set is created to resemble a real place.

It is very impressive how real studio sets can be, in most cases, you’ll have no idea that something is filmed in a studio.

But when something is filmed on location, the crew and actors travel to a place outside of the studio for filming.

Here’s an interesting note. Just because something is shot or filmed on location doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s filmed in the place the story takes place.

For example, let’s say a story takes place in New York City, but the film crew shoots on location in Toronto Canada.

This is fairly common.

Film crews often film locations that visually represent a story but which aren’t actually the locations the story takes place in.

There are a lot of reasons why this happens, sometimes it has to do with money or permits for filming. But regardless, it’s still called filming on location.

Trying Times (2)

As we go through life, interesting and exciting experiences can test our limits. Sometimes our adventures can even leave us feeling frightened. This was certainly the case for me one day in 1951. One early morning I was awakened with quite a shock. The earth was trembling below me and the roof was swaying up above. It was an earthquake!

I was living on the outskirts of Hualien City in a remote mountain town at the time of the quake. Many of the buildings had been built on a riverbed. People feared that if a strong earthquake occurred, the entire city would be left in ruin. As all of us ran to higher ground for safety, we wondered if that terrible moment had come. All of the shaking caused a great deal of devastation. Homes collapsed, families lost loved ones and the ground opened up in great cracks all around us.


Language Lab
trying adj.
difficult to deal with
- Our friend is going through trying times right now, and we need to support him.
- The company had a trying season, but it's recovering now.
- Susan is good at dealing with trying customers.

tremble v.
/ˈtrɛmbəl/
to shake slightly because of some force
- Last night as we were watching TV, the earth beneath our feet suddenly began to tremble.
to shake slightly because you are afraid, nervous, excited, etc.
- He trembled at the very thought of giving a speech.
tremble n.
- There was a slight tremble in the news anchor's voice as she reported the terrible news.

devastation n.
 /ˌdɛvəˈsteɪʃən/
to destroy much or most of (something) : to cause great damage or harm to (something)
- The tsunami caused widespread devastation on the island.
to cause (someone) to feel extreme emotional pain — usually used as (be) devastated
- The documentary depicts the pain and devastation countries suffered during WWII.
devastate v.
/ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt/
- The whole area was devastated by the brush fire.

collapse v.
to break apart and fall down suddenly
- The building collapsed after the bombing.
- This corporation collapsed during the global financial crisis.
to fall down or become unconscious because you are sick or exhausted
- The runner finished the marathon, but collapsed at the finishing line.


Info Cloud

Welcome to info cloud, friends. Whenever a business or inventor does something truly new, we say that they are breaking new ground.

This is quite a common phrase, especially in this day and age.We hear of tech companies and scientists breaking new ground on an almost daily bases.

You may also sometimes hear this phrase as breaking fresh ground. Either way it refers to digging in to something different, something fresh.

For example, film directors have broken new ground by incorporating 3D and 4D into their movies.

We can use a similar term to modify nouns, groundbreaking. Much like the whole phrase, it emphasizes that something is new.

It’s most common to hear the term apply to technology, companies will often describe a new item as groundbreaking.

But you’ll also see it used to talk about research and ideas. A scholar just published groundbreaking research that challenged his entire field.

The word groundbreaking has one other important meaning that is worth noting. It can also be used to talk about a ceremony at a construction site.

The groundbreaking ceremony literally refers to a ceremony where important individual use special shovels to dig out the first bit of dirt for an important project. In that instance, they are really breaking new ground.

The Joy of Running (2)

What's next?

Choose a good pair of running shoes. They don't need to be expensive; they just need to give your feet good support.

Find a running partner. On days that you don't feel like exercising, a partner can help motivate you. If you can't find a friend who enjoys running, take your dog along. It is always ready to go outside, and the exercise makes it healthier, too.

Practice safety first. Be aware of the traffic and run facing the cars coming toward you. Don't wear headphones while running outside. The prevent you from hearing cars, stray dogs, etc. Be sure to carry identification, and wear bright clothing in order to be seen easily.

If you're ready to start, why not participate in the next "Let's Run"? The event is a fundraiser that benefits children and families in need. It's a great way to experience the joy of running while helping others.


Language Lab
support n.
the act of holding something up
- The engineer added two more columns under the bridge to give it more solid support.
the act of showing that you believe that someone or something is good or acceptable : approval of someone or something
- Marian's husband supports her dream of starting her own business.

motivate v.
to give (someone) a reason for doing something
- A good teacher knows how to motivate his or her students to learn.
- The coach does a great job of motivating his players to exceed themselves.
motivation n.
- The motivation for the crime is still under investigation.
- Mark admits that he lacks the motivation to succeed.

benefit v.
- The new policy benefits low-income families greatly.
benefit from
- Many disadvantaged children benefit from this after-school program.
benefit n.
- One of the benefits of traveling is broadening your horizons.

fundraiser  n.
- The fundraiser was organized by a group of mothers who are enthusiastic to help the needy.
- Many voluntary fundraisers raised money during this charity campaign.
fundraising n.
- The TV fundraising campaign reached its goal in the first hour.




Info Cloud

Project xCloud (2)

Facing challenges

Many hurdles exist to making cloud gaming successful, especially for fast-paced games like Halo. Competitive play requires quick, responsive controls to keep up with the action. For mobile devices, xCloud games will have touchscreen controls. For a more console-like feel, gamers can connect their smartphone to an Xbox controller using Bluetooth.

A more challenging problem is the time it takes to transmit signals between a user and a network. Game lag, or the delay between a gamer's action and the game's response, can be extremely frustrating..

Non-gaming streaming services, like YouTube or Netflix, only have to worry about the time it takes to send information from their server to your device. Game streaming must accommodate constant information being sent back and forth between different users located all over the planet. Microsoft is in a unique position to meet this challenge.

Facing competitors 

A network of Microsoft servers strategically located around the globe already exists. Microsoft has also developed a method of concentrating the existing high-end technology used for Xbox consoles into their server systems. With existing servers and technology, Microsoft hopes to beat competitors like Google or Sony to bring reliable game streaming services to a world market.


Language Lab
hurdle n. 克服（困難）
something that makes an achievement difficult
- Getting sufficient funds is the major hurdle for this charity.
- After overcoming countless hurdles, the R&D team finally developed a prototype of the electric car.
one of a series of barriers to be jumped over in a race （賽馬或賽跑用的）欄；跳欄
- The runner cleared the hurdles with such speed that all his competitors were left behind.

transmit v. 傳送，傳達; 播送信號；發報
to send (information, sound, etc.) in the form of electrical signals to a radio, television, computer, etc.
- The space shuttle is transmitting signals to the base through a satellite.
- Nowadays messages were transmitted between computers in fractions of seconds.
- The figure skating competition was transmitted live in Japan.

server n.
the main computer in a network which provides files and services that are used by the other computers
- The server of the online shopping company was hacked and lots of data was stolen.
- Only very limited personnel have the access to the network server.
a person who brings your food and drinks at a restaurant : a waiter or waitress
- The server was very attentive, so we gave him a good tip.

strategically adv.
of or relating to a general plan that is created to achieve a goal in war, politics, etc., usually over a long period of time
- The coach strategically asked for a timeout when there were 10 seconds left in the game.
strategic adj.
- Treats like candy were placed in strategic positions, so customers could easily buy them.


Info Cloud
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The Vices and Virtues of Leadership (1)

Aiming for positive attributes among leaders

Some managers confuse leadership with having a title next to their name. They think just because they're in charge, people will rally behind them. But the truth is, it's very easy to become a leader in terms of acquiring responsibilities. What's far more difficult is becoming a credible, trusted leader.

Walking the walk
The best kinds of leaders lead by example. The worst kinds of leaders live by the phrase, "Do as I say, not as I do."

This is especially true for leaders who feel they don't need to become truly knowledgeable about the organization they are leading. Some managers don't prioritize becoming experts of the industry they're in. Instead they lean on their title as a way to avoid digging into the hard work.

Being open, honest and trustworthy
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a leader is breaking someone's trust. Especially if you're at the helm of an organization, you're going to run into scenarios where people will come to you to share how they're feeling. It's a leader's job to treat those conversations carefully. Don't go sharing that individual's issues with the company. That's a fast track to breaking trust.


Language Lab
vice n.
bad or immoral behavior or habits : wickedness
- Not being able to say "No!" is not a virtue, but a vice.
- Smoking is a vice. Sean is trying to give up.
criminal activities that involve sex or drugs
- At night, the downtown area of the city turns into a haven for vice.

credible adj. 可信任的, 可靠的
able to be believed : reasonable to trust or believe
- The material of the news report came from a credible source.
- The evidence given by the district attorney wasn't credible enough to convince the jury.
good enough to be effective 希望成功的
- Solar power is considered a credible alternative to burning coal.

helm n.
a position of full control or authority in an organization
- Josh has been at the helm of this company for ten years.
take the helm
- The owner of the corporation decided to let his son take the helm next year.

scenario n.
a description of what could possibly happen
- Countless scenarios can happen when you try new things so just hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
- The worst-case scenario is that we have to take another flight tomorrow.
a written description of a play, movie, opera, etc. Comments & Questions
- The play's scenario follows a man who travels back in time.


Info Cloud

• crash course
  - Rita will be meeting clients from Japan next week. She will need a crash course in Japanese etiquette.

Goals, Guts and Glory (1)

An interview with badminton star Chou Tien-Chen (周天成)

Meet badminton superstar Chou Tien-Chen. He has been dreaming of becoming an Olympic champion ever since he was first introduced to the sport as a 5-year-old. That's a lofty goal for any kid. To even come close to reaching that goal would take years of practice and training. Chou is up to the challenge. [= ready for the challenge]

Aim high 
In the early stages of his career as a professional athlete, Chou found himself stuck in a losing streak. He's lost 10 consecutive matches. But that didn't stop Chou from continuing to aim high. He didn't lose heart. [He didn't give up.]

In 2016, Chou qualified to compete in the Olympic Games and finished in fifth place. Today, he's ranked third in the world, and he's setting his sights on winning Olympic gold in 2020.

Stay focused
In an interview, Chou explained his focus. He said, "There is no plan B." For Chou, quitting is not an option, and he continues to work hard to hone his skills. His focus and determination seem to be guiding his career.

Language Lab
guts n.
guts [plural] informal : courage
- It takes a lot of guts for William to start a career at his age.
- The girl had the guts to fight against the unfair treatment she received at her workplace.
- The boy has the guts and brains to become an entrepreneur in the future.

streak n.
/ˈstriːk/
a period of repeated success or failure
- The team seems to be on a lucky streak now; they've won game after game lately.
- The football team's fans are hoping the team's losing streak will end soon.
- The baseball team's winning streak seems to be continuing after 10 wins.

qualify v.
to have the right to do, have, or be a part of something
- You have to be over 18 years old to qualify for the draft.
to have the skills that are required or do the things that are required to become a member of a team or to be allowed in a competition
- This certificate qualifies you to be a kindergarten teacher.
qualification n.
- Good English ability is one of the qualifications for this job.

hone v.
to make (something, such as a skill) better or more effective
- Mark became one of the top sales reps after honing his communication skills.
- This summer camp was designed to hone students' life skills.
to sharpen (something, such as a knife) with a stone
- The craftsman honed his knife blade with a whetstone.


Info Cloud
Hello friends welcome to Info Cloud. Today, we would like to talk about what happens when your plan doesn't work out.

When there is a problem with your original plan, you need a new one. We often refer to this plan as plan B.

It's not uncommon to hear people use letters when planning advance projects or trips. The original plan is always plan A.

The truth is it's not unusual for plan A to not work out which is why most people come out with plan B, just in case.

So, Rex. Exactly, how many letters can be added to the word plan.

I guess you could go all the way to z, if you had to, but plan A and plan B are the most common ones you'll hear.

Another way to talk about this kind of plan is to use the phrase backup plan.

Much like plan B, a backup plan is the plan you prepare in case things don't work out. There is a chance of rain tomorrow, we may need a backup plan.

We hope all of your plans work out, but it's always good to have a plan B or backup plan, just in case.

• Plan B
  - There's a problem with the original plan.
  - We are going with plan B now.
• backup plan

Inside a Volcano (2)

Arni Stefansson, a cave explorer, was the first person to enter the cavern back in 1974. For years, he hoped the public would be allowed to enter Thrihnukagigur.

Eventually, in 2012, the Inside the Volcano tour was created. The tour begins with a 40 to 50 minute hike to the volcano's crater. From there, you take a lift down 198 meters into the heart of Thrihnukagigur. Your descent takes about six minutes. As you go down, you can admire the rock walls.

The symphony of color will amaze you - reds, blues, yellows, violets and oranges. They almost don't look real. Take as many pictures as you like to try to capture the beauty inside the volcano.

At the bottom, you can walk around the uneven rocks while admiring the vastness of this secret world. It's like taking a peek behind the curtain of a play. A trip inside the Thrihnukagigur volcano is an experience like no other.


Language Lab
crater n. 火山口
/ˈkreɪtɚ/
a large round hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or by something falling from the sky
- Days after the eruption, you can still see smoke, ash, and vapor coming out from the crater of the volcano.
- The crater of this extinct volcano can be reached on foot.
crater n. 坑洞
the area on top of a volcano that is shaped like a bowl
- This crater was formed by a huge meteorite.
- The explosion left a big crater in the ground.

admire v.
to feel respect or approval for (someone or something)
to look at (something or someone) with enjoyment
- Emily stopped in front of the shop window to admire the beautiful dress.
- Jonathan is smart and handsome; many girls at school admire him.
admirer n.
- Ethan is a huge admirer of Asian culture.

symphony n.
/ˈsɪmfəni/
a long piece of music that is usually in four large, separate sections and that is performed by an orchestra
- Symphony No. 5 is one of Beethoven's most well-known pieces.
something regarded, typically favorably, as a composition of different elements:
- The oil painting is a symphony of warm hues like orange, yellow, red and brown.

capture v.
to describe or show (someone or something) in a very accurate way by using writing, painting, film, etc.
- The photographer successfully captured the sadness of the woman in this picture.
to take and hold (someone) as a prisoner especially by using force
 -The soldier was captured by the enemy and held captive for months.
to get and hold (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
- The boldly designed poster captured my attention.


Info Cloud

Hello and welcome to Info Cloud. It's time to raise the curtain on another episode. 

That's an interesting way to start. When we raise the curtain on something, we get it started, like the beginning of a play or a performance.

Exactly right! When an audience is sitting in a theater, raising the curtain on the stage, it is a signal that the play is about to begin. 

However, we can use this expression to mean something different. Raising the curtain on something, 
can be also reveal that something is behind the curtain. 

So, if we raise the curtain on our new project, we reveal it with the public. 

The opposite of the saying is to bring down the curtain on something. Just like at the end of a play. 

It's a way to say that the final end of something is occurring, so Joe is to say today we're going to bring down the curtain on Info Cloud.

Then, I would be saying that we are bring you the last episode. Thank, goodness, that is not the case.

• raise the curtain
  - It's time to raise the curtain on today's Info Cloud.
  - We raised the curtain on our new project to the public.
• bring down the curtain
  - The TV station is bringing down the curtain on the show. 

Inside a Volcano (1)

Going deep into a whole new world

When a volcano erupts, orange bursts into the sky. Rocks and ash shoot up into the air, and lava rolls down the mountain. Who in their right mind would want to get close to something like that? No one, of course. But if it were safe, wouldn't it be exciting to go down inside a volcano? If you're interested, look no further than Iceland. Iceland is the only place on earth where you can go down inside a volcano. A guided tour takes visitors deep inside the Thrihnukagigur volcano for a look at its inner workings.

Thrihnukagigur lies about 30 kilometers from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. It last erupted 4000 years ago and has remained dormant ever since. A dormant volcano is "sleeping" but is expected to erupt again sometime. Dormant volcanoes still contain liquid rock called magma. But it won't come to the surface until it is hot enough and under enough pressure. Thrihnukagigur is unique. Its magma chamber is empty, so visitors can now explore it.


Language Lab
erupt v.
to send out rocks, ash, lava, etc., in a sudden explosion
- The volcano suddenly erupted and almost half of the city was covered by lava.
to happen or begin suddenly and violently
- Riots erupted downtown, and many people left the area for safety.
eruption n.
- Luckily, the volcanic eruption was minor, and no casualties were reported.

inner adj.
located toward the inside of something : not on or at the edge or outside of something
- This exercise can strengthen your inner thigh muscles.
- The hotel guest requested an inner room facing the courtyard.
of or relating to a person's mind or spirit
- Even though Andrew seems to have it all, he's still looking for true inner peace.
— opposite outer adj.
located on or toward the outside of something : not on or at the inside or center of something
- Stay in the outer lane if you want to exit the freeway soon.

dormant adj. (hibernate)
not doing anything at this time : not active but able to become active
- This dormant volcano hasn't erupted for over three hundred years.
- This volcano is no longer considered dormant after its recent eruption; it's now an active one.
- You can deposit some cash to reactivate this dormant account.

chamber n.
a small space inside something (such as a machine or your body)
- The underground chamber was used to store firearms.
- Each chamber of the palace was decorated in a different style.
a cavity in a plant, animal body, or organ.
- You can see the four chambers of the patient's heart on the monitor.


Info Cloud

Hello and welcome to Info Cloud.

Blex, do you ever watch natural documentaries? Not really, why do you ask?

I was watching a documentary about volcanoes that blew my mind. It's about the eruption of the cracker volcano in the Philiphans. 

Joe, just used that impression that is rather cleave given what he talking about. When something blow's your mind, it amazes and excites you.

Exactly, that is exactly what happened. The size the effect of what explosion were amazing. It really did blow my mind, but what did you mean by cleaver?

Because what blew your mind was a show about a volcano blowing its top.  

Right, I guess that was a cleaver way to describe it. Although for people not familiar with the phrase to blow your top. We should explain it. 

So, when a volcano blows it's top, it exposed, but a more common way to use the same is people. 

When someone blow's their top, they don't expolred, they get angry very quickly.

When dad finds out that we wrecked the car, he is going to blow his top. 

That's a pretty typical fear for kids. Parents find out you did something wrong, they will get angry right away.

blow someone's mind 
informal : to strongly affect someone's mind with shock, confusion, etc. : to amaze or overwhelm someone's mind
- I watched a documentary about volcanoes that blew my mind.
The music really blew my mind. The thought of all she's accomplished at such a young age just blows my mind.

blow your top
informal or US blow your stack : to become very angry
- Sam's dad is going to blow his top, because Sam wrecked his car.
- Mom really blew her top when she found out I'd wrecked the car.

Doctor Miracle (2)

Year after year, Mukwege puts his life on the line to help injured women. In 2012, Mukwege's devotion to this cause was tested after experiencing an assassination attempt and having his daughters briefly held hostage. He and his family fled to safety in Sweden and then to Belgium. However, thanks to a campaign by local Congolese women who raised the funds for a return ticket, the doctor was able to go home.

Although Mukwege once again resides in the DRC, he is forced to live inside the hospital under protection of UN peacekeepers.

Last year while operating in the hospital, Mukwege heard the news that he, along with Nadia Murad, had been awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. The prize centers on acknowledging "their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war."

He a doctor, and she an Iraqi human rights activist who suffered in the same way that so many of Mukwege's patients have, should inspire everyone to take a stand for peace. For Mukwege, "When I see how strong women are, all my inspiration comes from them." Winning the Peace Prize could be the first step toward an end to violence against women.


Language Lab
on the line 處于危險中
in danger of being lost or harmed : at risk
- These fire fighters put their lives on the line going into the burning building to save the people trapped inside.
- Michael put his job on the line when he told his boss she was wrong.

assassination n.
/əˈsæsəˌneɪt/
to kill (someone, such as a famous or important person) usually for political reasons
- Even after so many years, the assassination of J.F. Kennedy remains a mystery.
assassin n.
/əˈsæsn̩/
a person who kills someone (such as a famous or important person) usually for political reasons or for money : a person who assassinates someone
- The assassin was in disguise and successfully escaped from the crime scene.
assassinate v.
/əˈsæsəˌneɪt/
- The man was arrested for attempting to assassinate the ambassador.

activist n. 激進主義分子，行動主義者
a person who uses or supports strong actions (such as public protests) to help make changes in politics or society
- Patricia has been an animal rights activist since college.
- Many green activists devoted their time and money to promoting people's awareness of global warming.
active adj.
- Molly has been active in politics every since she was young.

inspire v. 鼓舞，激勵，驅使
to make (someone) want to do something : to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create
- Jacob was inspired by his literature professor and became a novelist.
inspiration v.
/ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən/
something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force or influence that inspires someone
- This girl overcame her disabilities and completed the marathon. Her story is an inspiration for many people.


Info Cloud

• immigrant
• migrant
• refugee
• asylum-seeker

Hello friends and welcome to Info Cloud. Today, we want to share about a topic we often hear about in the news - immigration. 

If you read an article about immigration issues, you'll see terms like "immigrant", "migrant", "refugee" and "asylum-seeker." 

The term immigrant emphasizes that an individual desires to permanently reside in another country and may seek citizenship. They may have left their country for any number of reasons.

On the other hand, a migrant is someone who leaves their country and goes to another for a short period of time for work or education. In recent years, this term has taken on a negative conatentation*. 

Now, a refugee is someone flew an area facing on conflict or persaucution*. They are unable to return to their home until the situation changes. Refugees also have special international protections. 

But a asylum-seeker is someone who flews their country and it's not yet consider a refugee. When they reach a country's border, they can apply for protection in that  country.

The country then has a obligation to consider the silent request. Not every asylum-seeker will be recoganize* a refugee. 

Immigration is a complicated topic, but we hope that today's Info Cloud helps you to understand a little more the important issue. 

Doctor Miracle (1)

Nobel Peace Prize winner – Dr. Denis Mukwege – is helping heal his nation’s deepest wounds

Denis Mukwege never intended to become Dr. Miracle, an award-winning gynecologist. He grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as a preacher's kid. In fact, it was visiting the sick with his father that inspired him to become a doctor in the first place.

The country has endured more than two decades of conflict, and Congolese women have suffered worst. Warring for control of the country's gold and precious mineral deposits, rebel groups are brutally attacking the region's women. During the last decade, the DRC has actually been described as "the rape capital of the world." One study found that 48 women are raped every hour in the country.

One man stands strong against this trauma, and has done so for more than 20 years. He first set up the Panzi hospital - originally made of tents - in 1998. After losing the hospital the same year in the crossfire of the Second Congo War, Mukwege rebuilt the following year. Since then, Panzi hospital has grown to become a major health facility. There, Mukwege reportedly cares for more than 3500 women a year, sometimes performing as many as 10 operations a day.

Language Lab
gynecologist n.
/ˌgaɪnəˈkɑːləʤɪst/
- Diane went to see her gynecologist for a pregnancy test.
gynecology n. 婦科
a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and routine physical care of the reproductive system of women
- After her internship, Jane decided to work in the field of gynecology.
- If you want to go to obstetrics, be prepared for late night deliveries.
obstetrics n. 產科
/əbˈstɛtrɪks/
a branch of medicine that deals with the birth of children and with the care of women before, during, and after they give birth to children — compare gynecology
- If you want to go to obstetrics, be prepared for late night deliveries.

in the first place
— used at the end of a sentence to indicate what was true or what should have been done at the beginning of a situation

brutally adv. 殘忍地，野蠻地
extremely cruel or harsh
- The old man was brutally beaten by the robbers because he refused to give them his wallet.
brutally adv. 直言了當的
very direct and accurate in a way that is harsh or unpleasant
- The play brutally described the dark side of human nature.
brutal adj.
/ˈbruːtl̟/
- The brutal murder shook the whole town.

trauma n. 精神創傷
a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time
- Several years ago, Matthew experienced the trauma of getting a divorce and losing his job at the same time.
- For years, the victim of the kidnapping suffered physical and emotional trauma.
traumatic adj.
/trəˈmætɪk/
- The car accident was a traumatic experience for everyone involved.

reportedly adv. 據傳聞；據報導
according to what has been said — used to indicate what has been said or reported
- The player reportedly signed a $10,000,000 contract with the Lakers.
- Over 1000 civilians have reportedly been killed in the civil war.
reported adj.
- There are over 20 reported cases of malaria in this village alone.


Info Cloud

• pick your battles
  - Joe chooses to pick his battles with his wife.
  - He tried to pick a fight with the opposing team on the court.