We have all visited the uncanny valley. If you have ever been frightenedby a mannequinin a dark room or watched a horror movie about a talking doll that kills, then you have been there. While itmakes senseto be afraid of murderousdolls, the uncanny valley responseproved terrible for box office bombs such as Final Fantasy and Cats. The characters in both movies appeared either too human or not quite human enough in their appearance.
This is the challenge for roboticists today, who are making every effort tobuild robots that can be human enoughso asnottomake people feel uncomfortable. This is easier said than done. Many of the most advanced robots can make people’s blood run cold.
You should not let your son watch that movie because it might frighten him.
你不應該讓你的兒子看那部電影，因為那有可能會嚇到他。
I was frightened to death at the sight of the horrible accident.
目睹這起可怕的意外時，我嚇死了。
Tom frightened Jim into keeping quiet.
湯姆威脅吉姆保持安靜。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
●
response
[rɪˋspɑns]
n. 回應；回答；反應（與介詞 to 並用）
=
reply
=
feedback
Has there been any response to your letter?
你的信有回音了嗎？
In response to your letter dated July 1, we regret to say that we’ll have to cancel the deal. 茲回覆臺端 7 月 1 日的來信，我們很遺憾表示，我們不得不取消這個交易。
Jason’s response to my proposal was discouraging.
傑森對我的提議反應很令人沮喪。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
impression
[ɪmˋprɛʃən]
n. 印象；想法，感覺；痕跡
First impressions are often lasting impressions. 第一印象通常會持續很久。
What’s your impression of Penny’s new boyfriend?
你對潘妮的新男友印象如何？
After talking to the principal, I was left with theimpression that it was a very good school.
和校長談過話後，我印象覺得這是一所很好的學校。
Kent made a bad impression on Nelly’s parents because he brought her home too late.
肯特給娜莉的父母留了壞印象，因為他太晚送她回家。
I have the impression that you’re not happy.
我覺得你並不快樂。
I was under the impression that Emma was marrying Robert.
我還以為艾瑪要嫁給羅伯特。
The kids left the impression of their hands in the wet cement.
這群小鬼在未乾的水泥上留下手印。
高中 Level 4
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perform
[pɚˋfɔrm]
vt. 執行；履行
vi. 表演；表現
The surgeon has performed this operation before.
該外科醫生以前動過這種手術。
The teacher told us to perform our civic duties.
老師告訴我們要盡市民的義務。
The young actor performed with such zest that there is no doubt that he will be awarded the prize for the most outstanding actor in the play.
這名年輕男演員的演出如此賣力，他將獲頒此劇的最佳男演員獎是無庸置疑的。
Much to my surprise, most of the students performed very well on the exam.
很讓我驚訝的是，大部分的學生這次考試表現得很好。
高中 Level 3
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mannequin
[ˋmænəkɪn]
n. 人體模型
●
murderous
[ˋmɝdərəs]
a. 殺人的
●
synthetic
[sɪnˋθɛtɪk]
a. . 合成的
=
artificial
Many people prefer wearing natural material to synthetic material.
許多人喜歡穿天然布料，而較不喜歡穿合成的布料。
Although the shirt looked nice, Teddy didn’t buy it
because it was made of synthetic fiber, rather than
cotton.
雖然這件襯衫看起來不錯，但泰迪沒有買，因為這襯衫是用 合成纖維做的，而不是棉製的。
The shoes look fantastic; no one would ever guess
that they are made of synthetics, rather than real
leather.
這鞋看起來棒極了；沒人會猜到這鞋是用合成材料做的，而
不是用真皮做的。
高中 Level 6
●
overall
[ˋovɚ͵ɔl]
a. 整體的，大致的
=
entire
Just give me the overall picture instead of detailed information.
只要告訴我大概的情況就好了，而不是細節資訊。
The principal thought that the overall result of the exams was quite satisfactory.
校長認為考試整體結果是很令人滿意的。
Overall, imports account for half of our economy. 大體而言，進口貿易占了我們一半的經濟。
I thought John was wearing overalls to protect his clothes, but it turns out they were a fashion statement.
我以為約翰穿連身工作褲來保護他的衣服，但結果那只是一種時尚。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
make sense
合理，說得通
What Sean says doesn’t make sense.
尚恩說的話沒道理。
●
make every effort to V
盡全力做……
Herbert made every effort toget to the church on time.
赫伯特盡一切努力要準時趕到教堂。
●
so as to V
為的是⋯⋯,以便⋯⋯
Haley opened the window so as to let some fresh air in.
海莉打開窗戶以便讓一些新鮮空氣進來。
●
expect little / a lot of...
對⋯⋯沒什麼期望/抱有很大的期望
Since Mark is just a student, the boss expects little of his ability.
因為馬克只是個學生,所以老闆對他的能力沒什麼期望。
