ENJOY COFFEE WHILE YOU CAN (1)

Climate change is destroying the environments needed to grow drinkable coffee
沒有咖啡的日子！？ 氣候變遷恐造成咖啡品種滅絕

Coffee is probably [the] world's least expensive success power tool. Coffee builds better teams and increases your leadership ability. Coffee also increases your immunity. It increases focus and drive and my even increase your lifespan. 

Unfortunately, we may not be enjoying the benefits or pleasures of coffee too much longer according to ecologists, there's a good chance that in 20 or 30 years, the varieties of coffee that we drink today will be extinct. And we'll be drinking either a coffee substitute or some almost-coffee hybrid that vaguely resembles the drink we enjoy today. 

The problem, of course, is the pace of climate change. Successful coffee cultivation has three prerequisites: 1) a warm, highly stable tropical climate with elevations that keep air temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius, 2) rich soil full of natural nutrients, and 3) an ecological environment that's pest and disease resistant. 

Coffee is a crop that is only grown in a thin band called the "coffee belt" close to the equator. It simply won't grow anywhere else. Unfortunately, the "coffee belt" is extremely vulnerable to climate change. If the air is too cold or too hot, it stunts the growth of the coffee plant. 

Info Cloud

running on fumes 形容身體疲累但還是必須工作的狀態

Hello, friends. Welcome to Info Cloud. Um, Rex, you are looking awfully tired today. What is going on? 

I have been working on several projects at the same time. After work, I have to take care of my kids at home. I feel like I'm running on fumes lately. 

Oh. I certainly know how you feel. Why don't we explain what you mean by running on fumes? 

Well, just look at me. Look at me. Running on fumes means you are extremely tired, but you have to keep going with not much energy left. 

Yes. OK. It's just like a car that is running out of gas or when overheated, fumes start to come out of the engine, but the car is still going. 

It is not a good condition to be in if you want to perform well. Another way to say this is running on empty, meaning you are running out of energy, but you are still working. 

Instead of running on empty, sometimes you would hear people say they are running on caffeine, meaning they are using coffee to give them a boost of energy to keep working. 

當你已經筋疲力盡，卻必須努力完成工作，或許可以用今天分享的用語 running on fumes 來表達自己的狀態。fumes 是煙，running on fumes 就好比一台車子因為過熱，引擎開始冒煙，但還是繼續在跑一樣，用來形容身體疲累但還是必須工作的狀態。I’m running on fumes lately working on so many projects. 最近我處理好幾個案子身體相當疲累。除了 running on fumes 之外，你也可以說 running on empty，意思是一樣的，empty 是空的，表示身體沒有力氣和能量了。另外，很多人也會 run on caffeine 靠著咖啡因繼續工作，因為喝咖啡可以讓身體短暫地恢復精神。

Language Lab

immunity n. 免疫、免疫力、抵抗力 
medical : the power to keep yourself from being affected by a disease — usually + to
- Proper nutrition can do wonders to your immunity.
適當的營養對免疫力有極好的影響。
- Andrew wants to boost his immunity because he gets sick quite often.
Andrew 想要增強她的抵抗力，因為他常常生病。
immunity n. 豁免、豁免權
special protection from what is required for most people by law — usually + from
- The foreign ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when his car was stopped by the police.
當外交大使的車被警察攔下時，大使聲稱他有外交豁免權。 

extinct adj. 消失、滅絕 
 /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer existing
- In 2011, the West African black rhinoceros was declared extinct.
在2011年，西非黑犀牛被正式宣布已滅絕了。
extinct adj. 形容火山是死的 
no longer active
- Mount Fuji is not an extinct volcano; it can still erupt.
富士山不是死的火山，它還是有可能會爆發。
extinct adj. 因為沒有在用，所以消失了 
- Even though cellphones have replaced pagers, pagers have not gone extinct.
雖然手機已經取代了BB 呼叫器，但是BB機並沒有完全消失。 

resistant  adj.  能夠抗或防某樣東西 
opposed to something : wanting to prevent something from happening — usually + to
- James is trying to find something to make his shoes odor resistant.
James 在找能夠讓他的鞋子防臭的東西。
- This jacket is water resistant, but it is not waterproof.
這件外套可以抗水，但不是防水。
resistant  adj.  抗拒的 
not affected or harmed by something
- Elois is resistant to new kitchen gadgets and prefers to prepare food in the old-fashioned way.
Elois 抗拒新式廚房用具，她選擇用傳統方式來做菜。 

stunt v. 阻礙發展、讓東西無法好好生長 
 /ˈstʌnt/
to stop (someone or something) from growing or developing
- The sudden drop in temperature stunted the growth of the seedlings.
溫度突然下降造成幼苗發展的阻礙。
stunt n. 特技動作  
a difficult and often dangerous action
- The actor insisted on doing all the stunts himself.
那位演員堅持親自做所有的特技動作。
stunt n. 噱頭 
something that is done to get attention or publicity
- The politician’s appearance at the orphanage was just a stunt.
政客出現在孤兒院只是在搞噱頭。

Back to the Basics (2)

The clean label movement presents food makers with a challenge. Consumers want great products but with few if any artificial ingredients. It's difficult to meet those demands while controlling factors such as cost and shelf life. Take bread for example. A loaf of homemade bread has simple ingredients such as flour, water, salt and sugar. Since you made it yourself, you have control over your ingredients. The bread will stay fresh because it's usually eaten within a few days. But grocery store bread must stay fresh during long shipping and storage times.

So companies often put a chemical preservative in it. This keeps the bread fresh and prevents mold. While there's no solid evidence that preservatives are bad, many people don't like chemicals in their food. They want it to be natural, but the modern way of life, especially in cities, can make that difficult to achieve.

The clean label movement has convinced many food companies to think twice about how they make their products. And consumers need to compromise when it comes to preservatives because they make food safer to eat.


Info Cloud
pick your poison 兩難之間做出一個選擇。

Welcome to Info Cloud, friends. Anne Marie, you look like you're thinking about something. What's on your mind?

I'm thinking about what I want to do for dinner. Eating out is expensive. But cooking at home takes time. I don't know which to choose.

Sounds like you need to pick your poison.

Ah, that's a great phrase to teach today. Let's talk about it.

Poison is a substance that causes you to be sick or even kills you. Ingesting something poisonous always has a negative consequence.

The poison in this phrase represents two bad choices. Both of the options have a negative consequence.

Picking your poison means that you must choose between two bad options.

Here's an example. I don't like either of the candidates in this election, but I guess I have to pick my poison.

This idiom is also commonly used in the very specific situations of ordering drinks. When you order at a bar or restaurant, you might hear the bartender or waiter offer you options, then tell you to pick your poison.

Right now I'm not thinking about drinks. I'm thinking about dinner. I need to pick my poison and decide if I should eat out or cook.

有時候我們會遇到兩難的情況，像是出去吃飯太貴、在家煮飯太累，那你就必須 pick your poison，兩難之間做出一個選擇。這是一個很特別的流行語，poison是毒藥、pick是選擇，pick your poison 字面上就是選擇你的毒藥，用來形容在兩個不好的選擇當中，要做出一個決定。

I have to pick my poison when I vote this year. 我今年投票要選一個比較不那麼差的候選人，但其實都不好。這個用語也可以在酒吧裡面使用，當你點飲料的時候，調酒師可能會請你 pick your poison 選一杯你要的酒。


Language Lab
demand n.要求 (非常堅持的要求) 
a forceful statement in which you say that something must be done or given to you
- It is not easy working in the customer service department because customers’ demands need to be handled very quickly and delicately.
要在客服部工作很不容易，因為顧客的要求要很迅速又很小心地處理。
- When the king chose to ignore the demands of his people, the people rose up and gathered in front of the royal castle.
當國王選擇不理會人民的要求，人們就起來到皇家城堡前面聚集。
demand n. 需求
a forceful statement in which you say that somethe ability and need or desire to buy goods and serviceshing must be done or given to you
- Since it is not the Christmas season, there is little demand for evergreen trees.
因為現在不是聖誕節的期間，所以長青樹就很少有人要買。
demand v. 強力的要求
to say in a forceful way that something must be done or given to you : to say that you have a right to (something)
- The workers are demanding for a higher pay.
工人強烈要求薪水要調高。

storage n. 儲藏、儲存
space where you put things when they are not being used
- Since there was nothing for the interns to do, they were asked to help clean out the storage room.
實習生既然沒有事情做，就被請去清出儲藏室。
- Marcus needs to stop buying things because he is running out of storage space.
Marcus 不能再買東西了，因為他已經沒有多少儲存空間。
store n. 商店 
a building or room where things are sold
- I bought something at the store.
我在店裡買了東西。
store v. 儲藏、儲存
to put (something that is not being used) in a place where it is available, where it can be kept safely, etc.
- I need to find a place to store all my camping equipment.
我需要找一個地方好儲存我露營要用的裝備。

mold n. (發霉的)霉
a soft substance that grows on the surface of damp or rotting things
- Evelyn picked up an orange and found some mold on it.
Evelyn 拿起一棵柳丁，結果發現上面發霉。
- Don’t leave that piece of bread on the table, put it away or mold will grow on it.
不要把麵包留在桌上，要收好，不然會發霉。
moldy adj.一個東西發了霉
covered with mold
- I know the cake is fine, but the food coloring makes it look moldy.
我知道蛋糕沒問題，但試用的食品色素讓它看起來好像發霉了。
- If you have a moldy piece of fruit, you should just throw the whole thing away.
如果水果有一塊發霉，就乾脆把整顆丟掉。

compromise v. 妥協、讓步 
to give up something that you want in order to reach an agreement : to settle differences by means of a compromise
- Robert is very stubborn and refuses to compromise.
Robert 非常地倔強，完全不肯妥協。
- After arguing for several hours, Mr. and Mrs. Lee finally agreed to compromise.
李先生跟李太太爭吵了好幾個小時後，終於願意妥協。
compromise v. 違背、降低標準
to damage (your reputation, integrity, etc.) by doing something that causes people to lose respect for you
- Business has been hard, but the company refuses to compromise its standards.
生意雖然很難做，但是公司還是堅持不降低它的標準。
compromise n. 和解、妥協
something that combines the qualities of two different things — often + between
- The two countries have been in conflict for a very long time, but they have finally reached a compromise.
這兩國之間的紛爭很久，但是終於達成和解。


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Back to the Basics (1)

Clean label wants to clean up our food 
返璞歸真 純淨食物標示 讓食物回到純淨的原點

High-fructose corn syrup. Artificial flavors and colors. What do these things have in common? They are found in many processed foods. But the clean label movement wants to kick them out of your grocery store! Clean label is a consumer-powered movement that promotes food made with simple, natural ingredients. Removing artificial ingredients can protect consumers from various health problems. High-fructose corn syrup, for example, can cause people to gain a lot of weight. And some studies say artificial food colors can increase attention problems in children.

But finding replacements for artificial ingredients is not easy. When one food company tried to change an ingredient in its salad dressing recipe, it led to big problems. The ingredient switch changed the color and the quality of the product. Changes like that can cause companies to lose business. Customers expect a certain taste and look of a product and complain when they don't get it.

Companies are working hard to provide natural substitutes for artificial products. But when it comes to issues like food preservation, going all-natural isn't as easy it sounds.


Info Cloud
soft drink / coke / pop

Hello, everyone. And welcome to Info Cloud. Anne Marie, I have a question for you. The other day my friend and I were ordering soft drinks at a restaurant, and he called it something other than soda. What's that all about?

Oh. Well, where I'm from in the Midwest, most people call fizzy drinks "pop," like the sound the little bubbles make. Pop is actually short for soda pop.

Yes, pop. That's the word he used. I've also heard that Southerners in the U.S. refer to all carbonated drinks as Coke. So why do some Americans use different words for soft drinks?

It's regional, that is, it depends on where you're from. Are you ready for a history lesson? Let's hear it.

So, the Coca Cola Company originated in the South in the late 1800s. That would explain my people in the South call all carbonated drinks Coke. Sometimes I get confused when I hear people call it that.

I see. Well, how about soda? The first soda fountains were introduced in the state of Connecticut. So that's why most Americans who live on the East Coast call it soda.

Seems confusing to me. But don't worry. Whether you choose to use pop or soda, we'll know what you mean.

很多人都喜歡喝汽水，今天就跟大家介紹幾個形容汽水的名稱，第一個就是 soft drink。soft 有柔軟、舒服的涵義，soft drink 就用來形容喝起來口感很棒的汽水。另外一個名稱是 soda，也就是蘇打，蘇打其實就是一種汽水。在19世紀末，Coca Cola 或是 Coke 可口可樂在美國南方開始生產，美國南方人就稱呼所有類型的汽水為Coke。最後一個亞洲人比較少聽到的是 soda pop 或是簡稱 pop，pop 有爆裂的涵義，跟汽水裡面的氣泡聲有點像，所以汽水也可稱為 pop。


Language Lab
artificial adj. 人工的、人造的
not natural or real : made, produced, or done to seem like something natural
- Christine doesn’t want her children to be eating snacks with artificial colors.
Christine 不希望她的孩子們吃含有人工色素的點心。
- If you want to have artificial grass in your backyard, it will cost you a lot of money.
如果你想要在後院鋪人工草皮，你就得花很多錢。
artificial adj. 做作的、很假的
not happening or existing naturally : created or caused by people
- Donna bought some silk flowers for her living room, but I think they look so artificial. Donna 買了一些人造花來佈置客廳，但是我認為花看起來太假了。
- The singer greeted her audience, but her smile was so artificial.
女歌手向觀眾們打招呼，但是她的笑容很做作。

label n. 標籤
a piece of paper, cloth, or similar material that is attached to something to identify or describe it
- I’m trying to read the list of ingredients on the food label, but the print is so small.
我想要看食品標籤上所寫的成分有哪些，但是字體很小。
- According to the label, you should only wash this shirt in cold water.
根據標籤上面所寫的，這件襯衫只能用冷水洗。
label v. 貼標籤、註明
to put a word or name on something to describe or identify it : to attach a label to (something)
- A package has arrived at the company, but since it was not properly labeled, no one knew which department to send it to.
有一個包裹被送到公司，但因為上面沒有標寫清楚，沒有人知道包裹是要送到哪一個部門。
label v. 給人貼標籤
to name or describe (someone or something) in a specified way : to give a label to (someone or something)
- I don’t want to get involved in other people’s business and be labeled as a “snitch.”
我不想管別人的閒事，然後被貼標籤，成為一個告密者。

substitute n. 代替、代替品 v. 代替
a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else
- To make this cake, you must use butter, do not use any substitute!
要做這種蛋糕，就一定要用牛油，不能用其它替代品。
- If you do not have any bacon, you can use ham as a substitute.
如果沒有培根的話，可以用火腿來代替。
substitute v. 代替
to put or use (someone or something) in place of someone or something else
- Who is going to substitute for Nikki while she is away on vacation?
當Nikki 去度假時，會由誰代替她呢?
- Since I ran out of blue food coloring, I will use blueberry juice as a substitute.
既然沒有藍色的食品色素，我會用藍莓汁來代替。

preservation n. 保存 
the act of using a particular treatment on a food so that it can be eaten in the future
- In the old days, salt was used for food preservation.
古時候會用鹽巴來保存食物。
preservation n. 保護、維護
the act of keeping something in its original state or in good condition — often + of
- We will form a special committee to focus on the historic site’s preservation work.
我們會組成一個特別的委員會，來從事這個古蹟的維護工作。
preservationist n. 維護 (古蹟、文物、環保方面的)工作的人
someone who works to preserve something (such as a building or an area of land)
- The environmental preservationists are trying to raise more money for the work they’re doing in the forest.
環境保護者為了他們在森林裡的環保工作在募款。
preserve v. 維護、保護、保存
to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition
- This house is one of the last ones built from that historic period, and it is important for us to preserve it!
這棟房屋是那個時代所建僅存的幾棟房屋之一，我們必須維護它。


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Be a More Eco-Conscious Business Traveler (2)

3. Cut down on water waste
When you're staying at a hotel, towels and bedsheets only get used once before they're thrown in the wash.

Fortunately, it is easy to reuse towels, sheets and other washable items. Simply notify the hotel staff that you don't want your sheets or towels washed until you're ready to check out. If you travel frequently for work, you'll save a lot of water over time.

It may be tempting to take long showers when you're not paying the water bill. But by keeping your showers short (less than 10 minutes), you can cut your water use by at least 50 percent.

4. Bring reusable items from home
Traveling can lead to waste with single-use, plastic or Styrofoam cups, bottles and similar items. These items are particularly bad for the environment as they can take decades to break down. Bringing reusable items from home can help you substantially cut down on your plastic use while traveling.

What you should bring will depend on the kind of single-use items you frequently use. For example, consider bringing your own eating utensils. Another good item is a water bottle. Finally, if you want to do any shopping, bring your own shopping bag.

Consider implementing one of these eco-conscious choices on your next business trip.


Info Cloud
make a mark

Welcome back to Info Cloud, friends. Anne Marie, you like to read, right? What is your favorite kind of book?

I love reading books that talk about people who've made a mark on this world.

Mark? Oh. I know what you mean. When my daughter was small, she drew on the walls of our house with crayon. Those kinds of marks are hard to get rid of.

Uh, well, the kinds of marks I'm talking about are also long-lasting. But this phrase is describing people who've made a difference in this world, those who've changed it for the better or made a permanent change.

Oh, right, like Elon Musk. He has really made a mark in the field of technology.

Sure, or Greta Thunberg. She really made her mark in regards to environmental activism last year and became Time Magazine's Person of the Year because of it.

I hope I can leave my mark on society as well. I want people to remember me as a proficient singer and English teacher.

I'm sure you will, Rex. How about you? How will you leave your mark on this world?

今天要跟大家分享的流行用語是 make a mark，字面上是留下記號，像是小孩子在牆壁上塗鴉，留下的這種記號。不過，make a mark 有更深一層的意義，就是為這個世界帶來重大的改變。例如，Elon Musk really made a mark in the field of technology. Elon Musk 馬斯克為科技領域帶來了重大的影響和改變。

除了全球性的改變之外，你也可以在我們生活的社會上，用自己的方式 make a mark，I want people to remember me as a proficient teacher. 我要人們記得我是一位很好的英文老師。不曉得你想用什麼樣的方式，在這個世界上 make a mark?


Language Lab
notify v. 通知 notification (n) 通知、通知書
to tell (someone) officially about something
- When the store clerk realized someone had stolen some things from the store, he notified the police.
當店員發覺有人從店裡偷了東西，就馬上通知警方。
- Can someone notify the front desk and let them know the faucet in this bathroom is leaking?
有人可以跟櫃台說這個洗手間的水龍頭在漏水嗎?
notification n. 通知、通知書
- something that gives official information to someone : the act of notifying someone
There are rumors about our work hours being changed, but nothing is official until we get the notification from the boss.
有聽到風聲關於我們的工時會有變動，但是直到收到老闆的通知前，一切都只是聽說。
- Erika never got the notification from her company about the new insurance plan.
Erika 從沒收到公司關於新保險契約的通知。

tempting adj. 很誘人的、讓人忍不住的
/ˈtɛmptɪŋ/
causing an urge or desire to have or do something
- On a cold winter morning, it is tempting to stay under the blanket just a little bit longer.
在冷冷的冬天早上，會忍不住在被窩裡多待久一點。
- It is tempting to eat a second piece of cake.
吃第二塊蛋糕是很誘人的想法。
tempt v. 引誘、誘惑
to cause (someone) to do or want to do something even though it may be wrong, bad, or unwise
- Raymond in thinking about changing jobs because he is tempted by the other company’s higher pay.
Raymond 有打算要換工作，因為他被另外一家公司的高薪吸引。
temptation n. 誘惑
/tɛmpˈteɪʃən/
a strong urge or desire to have or do something
- For a person trying to lose weight, a cake shop is a place filled with temptations.
對一個要減肥的人來說，蛋糕店是一個充滿著誘惑的地方。

substantially adv. 很大程度地
/səbˈstænʃəli/
very much : a lot
- Prices of goods have risen substantially ever since the price of oil has gone up.
自從油價上漲後，物價大大提高。
- The city population has grown substantially over the last fifteen years.
都市人口在過去十五年來有很大程度的增加。
substantial adj.大的、重大的
/səbˈstænʃəl/
large in amount, size, or number
- Kate was surprised to find a substantial amount of money hidden under the mattress.
Kate 在床墊底下找到數目可觀的一筆錢，讓她感到驚訝。
- To fix this house would require a substantial amount of work.
要整修這棟房屋會需要大量的工。

utensil n. 用具、器具
 /jʊˈtɛnsəl/
a simple and useful device that is used for doing tasks in a person's home and especially in the kitchen
eating utensil n. 餐具
- When you have finished your food, please put your plate and eating utensils in the sink.
用餐完後，請把盤子及餐具放到水槽裡。
kitchen utensil n. 廚具
- Cynthia can’t have too many kitchen utensils because her kitchen is very small.
Cynthia 不能有太多廚具，因為廚房非常小。
cooking utensil n. 烹飪用具
- Evelyn keeps her cooking utensils in the drawer next to her stove.
Evelyn 把她的烹飪用具放到在瓦斯爐旁邊的抽屜裡。
writing utensil  n. 書寫工具 (筆)
- When you come to the meeting, please bring a writing utensil and a piece of paper with you.
來參加會議時，請記得帶筆及一張紙。


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Be a More Eco-Conscious Business Traveler (1)

Be a More Eco-Conscious Business Traveler Consider these tips the next time you travel
旅行也可以很低碳 下次出差旅行時，不妨試試這些技巧

As individuals take more interest in their carbon footprint, governments and corporations have begun implementing drastic changes to help protect the environment. When you're always on the go for work, even small, eco-friendly decisions can make a huge difference.

Let's take a look at the best and easiest ways to be more eco-conscious.

1. Opt for public transit
If you're traveling locally to your next business meeting, consider using public transit. In most urban and suburban areas, you can find public transportation to get you to your destination. Using trains and buses helps minimize carbon emissions.

The majority of business flights are domestic, so trading in your flight for a train or bus ticket is one of the best eco-conscious decisions you can make. That said, you will need to plan well in advance.

2. Fly direct to your destination
If you're traveling overseas or need to get across the country for an important business meeting the next day, air travel is best. However, there are still ways to minimize your impact on the environment.

When your flight makes multiple stops, this requires additional fuel and greatly increases the plane's emissions. However, if you fly direct, the emissions are reduced to the absolute minimum.


Info Cloud
footprint 腳印; 代表一樣東西在地上佔的面積; 影響力

Hello, everyone. And welcome to Info Cloud. Today I want to ask you a serious question. Have you ever thought about your footprints?

Now Anne Marie isn't talking about the tracks you make in the dirt when you walk, but she is talking about your mark on the planet.

A footprint is, as Rex says, a print on the ground. But we use footprint to mean the space that something takes or the impact that it has.

For buildings, we usually say they have a big or small footprint, depending on the size of what is touching the ground.

But for a person, their footprint isn't just simply how much physical space they take up. It also refers to the impact that they have on the world.

People who say they are trying to decrease their footprint mean that they are trying to reduce the resources they use, like water or electricity.

You might have heard of the term "carbon footprint." It has the same meaning. That means the impact of something on the planet.

But a carbon footprint has a special meaning. It refers to the amount of carbon containing gases produced by something, like airplanes using fuel.

Another name for those gases are greenhouse gases. So a company like an airline that tries to reduce its carbon footprint is trying to reduce its impact on the environment.

人的腳印和足跡可以代表很多意義，今天要跟大家分享 footprint 腳印的不同用法。

除了腳印之外，footprint 可以代表一樣東西在地上佔的面積。例如，That building has left a large footprint in this area. 那棟建築物在這個地區的面積很大。

footprint 還有另外一個更深層的意義，那就是影響力。The company has grown its footprint all over the world. 這家公司的影響力遍及全球，可能他們在全世界都有分公司，或者是他們的產品在各地相當受歡迎。


Language Lab
opt v. 選擇
 /ˈɑːpt/
to choose one thing instead of another — often + for
- Susan opted for economy class because she didn’t want to pay too much for her airplane ticket. Susan 選擇經濟艙，因為她不想付太多機票錢。
- Natalie opted to stay a little longer in Miami.
Natalie 選擇在邁阿密多留久一點。
opt out ph v. 選擇退出 (活動、團體組織)
an opportunity to choose not to do or take part in something
- If you are not happy with how things are done with this group, you can always opt out.
如果你對這個團隊的做事方式感到不滿意，你可以隨時選擇退出。
opt in ph v = phrasal verb 選擇加入 (活動團體、計畫)
to choose to do or be involved in something
- There is a special program that is not open to the public, but our club members are given the choice to opt in.
有一個特別的方案不對外開放，但我們的會員可以選擇加入。

minimize v. 減少到最少量/最低的限度
to make (something bad or not wanted) as small as possible
- It is everyone’s job to minimize fire risk during the hot dry season.
在炎熱乾燥的季節裡，大家都要盡力減少火災的可能性。
- The restaurant isn’t doing well, so they’re trying to minimize costs.
餐廳生意不太好，所以他們盡可能地降低成本。
minimize v. 淡化、輕描淡寫
to treat or describe (something) as smaller or less important than it is
- The people are angry because there is no food, but the governor continues to minimize the problem.
因為糧食不足導致人民氣憤，但是州長還是持續淡化問題。
minimize v. 讓電腦螢幕上的東西變小/縮小
computers : to make (a program's window) change to a very small form that takes almost no room on a computer's screen
- Julie wants to minimize the page on her screen, but she doesn’t know how to do it.
Julie 想把螢幕上那頁縮小，但是她不知道該怎麼做。

domestic adj. 國內的; 本國的
of, relating to, or made in your own country
- Domestic travelers do not need to carry a passport.
在國內旅遊的旅客不需要帶護照。
- According to the economist, the domestic market isn’t doing very well, but hopefully things will be better by the end of the year.
經濟學家指出，國內市場目前狀況不怎麼樣，但是希望年底會好一點。
domestic adj. 家裡的、家庭的
always used before a noun : relating to or involving someone's home or family
- Peggy had to hire a domestic helper because she is not able to do all the house chores herself.
Peggy 必須要雇用一個幫傭，因為她無法一個人把家事做完。

eco-conscious adj. 有生態意識的、有環境保護意識的 [eco’ 生態、環境]
marked by or showing concern for the environment
conscious adj. 意識的
 /ˈkɑːnʃəs/
awake and able to understand what is happening around you
- Donna was conscious of the fact that no one in the office was happy.
Donna 有意識到辦公室沒有一個人是開心的。
- When Martha goes shopping, she tries to look for eco-conscious options.
Martha 購買東西時，會尋求有環保意識的商品。
health-conscious adj. 注重健康的
concerned about how healthy one's diet and lifestyle are.
- The health-conscious customer ordered a salad.
注重健康的顧客點了一份沙拉。
self-conscious adj. 注重自己的行為或長相
feeling undue awareness of oneself, one's appearance, or one's actions.
- Jenny is feeling self-conscious because she thinks her hairstyle is ugly.
Jenny 感到非常不自在，因為她認為她的髮型很醜。