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
...
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Saturday, April 27, 2019
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
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.
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.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
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
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
Monday, April 8, 2019
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
...
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
...
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
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
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.
Monday, April 1, 2019
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.
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
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