Getting dressed in the morning is a natural, everyday action that you’ve been performing since you were knee-high to a grasshopper. You’ve therefore probably never givenita second thought. If you have, you might have wondered why men’s and women’s clothes are slightly different. To be more specific, why do jackets and shirts for men have buttons on the wearer’s right-hand side, whereas jackets and shirts for ladies have buttons on the wearer’s left-hand side?
For men, the answer is relatively straightforward and linked to the history of warfare. Being right-handed, most men would use that hand to draw and hold their sword, which wastypically placed on the left side of their waist. Having buttons on the right side preventsthe sword fromgetting caught on the shirt when the weapon is drawn. It was standard fighting practice that the left side of the body, the side where the shieldwas held, was turned towards the enemy. Having the left side of clothing overlapping the right meant that the left side of the body was more protected when one was facing the enemy because it kept theenemy’s sword from slipping into gaps.
Because Toby’s two front teeth overlapped a little
bit, he wanted to go to see an orthodontist to
straighten them.
因為托比的兩顆門牙有點重疊到，所以他想去看牙齒矯正醫
生來把這兩顆門牙弄直。
The tree has grown so much that some of its
branches now overlap the neighbor’s backyard.
這棵樹長得很茂盛，茂盛到它的一些樹枝現在已經覆蓋到鄰
居的後院了。
Terry’s views on this book overlapped with mine.
泰瑞對這本書的意見部分跟我相同。
That professor’s research fields overlap Professor
Johnson’s.
那教授研究的領域與詹森教授研究的領域有部分相同。
The boss was concerned that there was some overlap in the duties of a few of the employees.
老闆擔心一些員工的職責有重疊。
高中 Level 6
●
complicated
[ˋkɑmplə͵ketɪd]
a. 複雜的
=
complex
The problem is too complicated to solve.
這個問題太複雜了，無法解決。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
timely
[ˋtaɪmlɪ]
a. 及時的，適時的
The firefighters took action in a timely manner, so the flames didn’t spread to nearby buildings.
消防員及時採取行動，所以火勢沒有延燒到鄰近建物。
英檢中高
●
evolve
[ɪˋvɑlv]
vi. 進化 ; 發展為
The artist ’s idea for the masterpiece evolved from a casual conversation with a neighbor.
這名藝術家對這傑作的構想是從他和鄰居一段隨興的對話演變來的。
Through months of teamwork, our idea finally evolved into a feasible plan.
藉由數個月的團隊合作，我們的想法終於化為可行的計畫。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
opposite
[ˋɑpəzɪt]
adv. 在對面
prep. 在……的對面（= across from）
a. 相對的；相反的
n. 相反的情形
I live next to the bank opposite the train station.
我住在火車站對面的銀行旁邊。
Everyone says that Jane is a nice girl, but I hold the opposite view.
每個人都說珍是好女孩，不過我卻持相反的看法。
I didn’t mean to hurt you ― quite the opposite. I was trying to help you.
我並非故意要傷害你 ── 事實正好相反。我一直想幫你。
Ted finally told the woman sitting opposite to put out her cigarette.
泰德最後要坐在對面的女子把菸熄掉。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
preserve
[prɪˋzɝv]
vt. 保存；維持；醃製
n. 果醬，蜜餞（常用複數）
=
conserve
=
reserve
The local residents want the ancient temple to be preserved for future generations.
當地居民希望能為後代子孫維護這座歷史悠久的寺廟。
The police must preserve public order.
警方必須維持公共秩序
What is the best method of preserving plums? 醃製梅子最好的方法是什麼？
I like peach preserves on toast.
我喜歡吐司抹上桃子果醬吃。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
Practical Phrases
●
give... a second thought
對⋯⋯多想一下／重新思索／加以考慮
Many people celebrate holidays but never give them a second thought about how they started.
許多人慶祝節日，但沒多想過節日的由來。
●
prevent sb/sth from V-ing
預防某人／某事（做）⋯⋯
Washing your hands prevents you from catching infectious diseases.
洗手可預防罹患傳染病。
●
have to do with...
與⋯⋯有關
●
in a / an... manner
以⋯⋯的態度
Viola conducted the meeting in a very professional manner.
薇奧拉以十分專業的方式主持此次會議。
