今天中午和孩子一起讀《小屁孩日記》，這套書是中英對照的，中文版的可以一遍過，但是英文版的可以反覆讀，每讀一次都有不同的驚喜，讀著笑話，學著英語，豈不快哉！摘錄精彩片段如下：
They don't come right out and tell you if you're in the Gifted group or the Easy group, but you can figure it out right away by looking at the covers of the books they hand out.
他們並不會直接告訴你是被分到了尖子班還是基礎班，不過你一看大家手裡拿的書，心裡立刻明白了。
I was pretty disappointed to find out I got put in the Gifted group, because that just means a lot of extra work.
被分到尖子班，對我打擊挺大的，因為這就表示我沒法偷懶了。
When they did the screening at the end of last year, I did my best to make sure I got put in the Easy group this year.
去年年底他們篩選分班的時候，我費了好大的功夫，力圖確保今年能進基礎班。
Mom is real tight with our principal, so I'll bet she stepped in and made sure I got put in the Gifted group again.
老媽跟校長關係很好，所以我猜肯定是她從中作梗，做了手腳，又把我弄回尖子班去了。
Mom is always saying I'm a smart kid, but that I just don't "apply" myself.
老媽總說我是聰明仔，不過是自己不肯"閃光"罷了。
"基礎班"，"尖子班"聽起來是不是很耳熟呢？那麼你會用英語表達嗎？gift, easy這些單詞都是使用頻率較高的詞彙，只是不會很巧妙地運用它，所以要學以致用也許就是這個道理吧。
because that just means a lot of extra work.
如果我們自己翻譯會怎麼翻譯呢？
is real tight with: 除了表示"關係好，關係緊張"，還有"手頭緊"等意思。比如
I am very tight with money now.
我現在手頭很緊。
step in：to help somebody in a difficult situation or an argument.(Oxford Learner's Dictionaries)
A local businessman stepped in with a large donation for the school.
一位當地的商人為這所學校捐了一大筆錢。
apply:
有人說這不是"申請"、"應用"的意思嗎？
凡事問出這樣問題的人，犯了一個常見問題：背單詞只背一層含義。一個單詞往往有兩層或兩層以上的重要含義，而且很多時候含義彼此不相干。比如"fine"，可以作形容詞吃表示"很好的"，也可以作名詞表示"罰款"，這兩者完全沒有交集。下面是《牛津詞典》對 apply的定義，我們看看它具備哪幾種含義：
1. to make a formal request, usually in writing, for something such as a job, a loan, permission for something, a place at a university, etc.
第一層表示："申請"，這是比較常見的意思
I have decided to apply for this new job.
我決定申請這份新工作。
2. (not used in the progressive tenses)to affect or be relevant to somebody/something
第二層表示："適用於"，這層意思也比較常見。
The policy will apply equally to everyone.
這項政策對每個人都一視同仁。
3. to use something or make something work in a particular situation
第三層表示："應用"
The challenge allows students to apply economic principles they learn in class.
這個挑戰讓學生能夠應用他們在課堂上學到的經濟學原理。
4. to put or spread something such as paint, cream, etc. onto a surface
第四層表示："塗"、"敷"
Apply the cream sparingly to your face and neck.
將面霜適量塗於面部及頸部 。
5. to work at something or study something very hard
第五層表示："努力"、"致力於"
You would pass your exams if you applied yourself.
如果你努力的話，你會通過考試的。
閱讀更多 我依是行人 的文章
