Picture this image: An etherealgod surrounded by angels descends from Heaven. His right arm is outstretched towards a man lying on the ground. The finger of the god almost touches that of the man’s left hand, which signifiesthe sparkof life being passed to humanity. If this description sounds familiar, it’s because it is one of the world’s most famous murals. Similar to other monumentalartworks like the Mona Lisa andThe Starry Night, The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo is one of the greatest works of art in history.
The renownedsculptorMichelangelo wasinitially tasked withjust painting the 12 apostlesonto the pendentivesthat support the ceiling of the Sistine Chapelin Rome. At the time, Michelangelo was primarily known for his sculptures, such as his famous Davidstatue, so he was hesitant to take the job. However, after seeing the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he envisioned grand murals depicting the history of Christianity covering the whole ceiling. Later, Michelangelo convincedPope Julius II to givehim free rein topaint what he wanted—a much more complex work.
The captain announced that the plane would start to descend in a few minutes.
機長宣布幾分鐘後飛機就要開始下降。
John's family is said to be descended from a great emperor.
約翰的家族據說是一位偉大皇帝的後代。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
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signify
[ˋsɪgnə͵faɪ]
vt. 表示；代表
This ring signifies my love for you.
這只戒指代表我對你的愛。
英檢中高
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spark
[spɑrk]
n. 小火花
vt. 激發，引發
vi. 冒火花
During a gas leak, any small spark could cause an explosion.
瓦斯漏氣時，一點小火花都會引起爆炸。
Reading that famous writer’s novels can spark my imagination and creativity.
閱讀那位名作家的小說可激發我的想像力及創造力。
The movie sparked an interesting conversation.
這部電影引發了有趣的討論。
Dad was fixing the car when something suddenly started sparking.
老爸正在修車時，某個東西突然冒出火花。
高中 Level 4
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renowned
[rɪˋnaʊnd]
a. . 有名的
a. 著名的
This diplomat is renownedfor his negotiation skills.
這名外交官以談判技巧而聞名。
George is renowned as a top pastry chef.
喬治是個著名的頂級糕餅師傅。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
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envision
[ɪnˋvɪʒən]
vt. 想像
=
imagine
Carl could not envision himself living anywhere but in the countryside because it is so peaceful and quiet.
卡爾無法想像自己住在除了鄉間以外的任何地方，因為鄉間是如此平和寧靜。
高中 Level 5
●
approximately
[əˋprɑksəmɪtlɪ]
adv. 大約
The shareholders’meeting will begin in approximately half an hour.
股東會議大約在半小時後開始。
多益綠色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
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unveil
[ʌnˋvel]
vt. . 為（新畫作或雕像等）揭幕；推出 / 公布（新產品、計畫等）
Everyone in the room applauded as the artist unveiled his new painting, a scene of a historical battle.
當這位藝術家為其新畫作揭幕時，房間裡的每個人都鼓掌，此畫呈現的是一場歷史戰役的場景。
Steve Jobs, the former CEO of Apple Inc., often wore a black shirt and blue jeans on stage when he unveiled the newest Apple product.
蘋果公司前執行長史蒂夫•賈伯斯在推出最新的蘋果公司產品時，常穿著黑色襯衫和藍色牛仔褲登臺亮相。
高中 Level 5
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overwhelming
[͵ovɚˋhwɛlmɪŋ]
a. 壓倒性的
The opposition party scored an overwhelming victory in this election.
在野黨在這次的選舉中獲得壓倒性的勝利。
An overwhelming majority of the staff members were opposed to the new regulation. 絕大多數的職員都反對這項新規定。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
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hail
[hel]
vt. . 讚揚；招呼，呼叫
Albert Einstein was hailed as one of the most
distinguished scientists in the twentieth century.
阿爾伯特•愛因斯坦被譽為是 20 世紀最傑出的科學家之一。
I hailed Susan from across the street, but apparently
she didn’t notice me.
我從對街向蘇珊打了聲招呼，但是她似乎沒注意到我。
I think it’s going to take ages for the bus to come.
Let’s hail a cab, shall we?
我想巴士還要等很久才會來。我們叫計程車如何？
Because of the hail, I have three dents on the roof of
my car.
由於下冰雹，我的車頂上有三個凹痕。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
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awe
[ɔ]
n. 敬畏
vt. 使敬畏
The spectacular view of the valley really held me inawe.
山谷的壯麗景色實在令我震懾。
I was often in awe of my grandmother when I was little.
我還小的時候常對祖母感到敬畏。
Maya’s confidence and beauty awe me; I wish I could be like her.
瑪雅的自信和美麗使我震懾；我希望我能像她一樣。
高中 Level 5
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humanity
[hjuˋmænətɪ]
n. 人類（總稱，不可數）；仁愛，慈悲
=
mankind
=
human being
We should do things for the welfare of all humanity.
我們應該做對全人類有益的事。
We should do things for the good of all mankind.
我們應該做對全人類有益的事。
We should do things for the good of all humans.
我們應該做對全人類有益的事。
Mother Teresa was a woman of great humanity.
德蕾莎修女是個非常慈悲的女性。
高中 Level 4
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ethereal
[ɪˋθɪrɪəl]
a. 超凡的
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mural
[ˋmjʊrəl]
n. 壁畫
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monumental
[͵mɑnjəˋmɛnt!]
a. 偉大的；重大的
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sculptor
[ˋskʌlptɚ]
n. . 雕刻家
Michelangelo was an accomplished sculptor from
the Renaissance.
米開朗基羅是文藝復興時期一位傑出的雕刻家。
高中 Level 6
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sculpture
[ˋskʌlptʃɚ]
n. 雕刻（不可數）；雕刻作品（可數）
vi. 雕刻
Tina is very good at sculpture and plans to pursue it as a career.
蒂娜非常擅長雕塑，並計劃將其變成職業。
Hank has a large collection of sculptures by Rodin.
漢克有收藏大量羅丹的雕塑作品。
Each chess piece is unique and has been carefully sculptured.
每一顆棋子都是獨一無二的，並經過精心雕刻。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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chapel
[ˋtʃæp!]
n. 小禮拜堂
Rita had a small but beautiful wedding at the chapel.
瑞塔在一個小禮拜堂舉辦了一場小而美的婚禮。
高中 Level 5
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centerpiece
[ˋsɛntɚ͵pis]
n. 最重要的部分
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pendentive
[pɛnˋdɛntɪv]
n. 穹頂
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apostle
[əˋpɑs!]
n. 基督的十二使徒之一
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sculpting
[ˈskʌlptɪɧ]
n. 雕刻
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outstretched
[aʊtˋstrɛtʃt]
a. 向外展開的
As soon as Tommy saw his mother, he ran toward her with his arms outstretched.
湯米一看見媽媽就展開雙臂朝著她跑過去。
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astounded
[əˋstaʊndɪd]
a. 感到震驚的
We all felt astounded after hearing the news of Amy’s resignation.
我們聽到艾咪辭職的消息後都感到震驚。
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task
[tæsk]
n. 任務，工作
vt. 給……分配任務，派給……（工作）
Our first task is to gather all the information we need.
我們的首要工作就是蒐集一切所需的資料。
My boss took me to task for being late again.
我又遲到了，老闆為此而責備了我。
Brian was tasked with checking the whole book for errors.
布萊恩被指派去檢查整本書是否有錯誤。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
convince
[kənˋvɪns]
.vt. 使確信；說服
=
persuade
How can I convince Ted of the dangers of running a red light?
我要怎樣才能讓泰德相信闖紅燈的危險性呢？
It seems I can do nothing to convince my husband to quit smoking.
我似乎拿不出辦法說服我老公戒菸。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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rein
[ren]
n. 韁繩
Practical Phrases
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be tasked with + V-ing
被指派去做……
Brian was tasked with checking the whole book for errors.
布萊恩被指派去檢查整本書是否有錯誤。
●
convince sb to + V
說服某人做……
It seems I can do nothing to convince my husband to quit smoking.
我似乎拿不出辦法說服我老公戒菸。
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give sb free rein to V
給予某人自由去做⋯⋯
The parents gave their children free rein to learn whatever they're interested in.
這對父母讓子女自由地學習他們感興趣的任何東西。
