BUYING A HOME購屋置產

If you use your head, owning a home should be very satisfying

如果能多動動腦筋，擁有自宅應該是非常令人心滿意足的

With a new baby on the way, Ben and Sandy Johnson have decided to look for a new home. Ben asks Uncle Bob, his mentor, for advice on real estate.

Uncle Bob: Hey, Ben, I heard you’re having a baby. Congratulations!

Ben: Thanks, Uncle Bob. The baby won’t arrive for another few months, but Sandy and I are already busy. We’ve also been contemplating your 3 R’s – retirement, real estate and raising children – but especially real estate.

Uncle Bob: It’s good to hear you’re planning ahead. Be careful though. Real estate can be more complicated than you think. Are you interested in buying a home or an investment property?

Ben: Ideally, I guess we’d like a home that’s also a great investment. Why?

Uncle Bob: Having a family home is important. But deciding if a property is a good investment can be very problematic.

Uncle Bob: It really comes down to understanding the cost of ownership and the rate of return the investment will give you.

Ben: So you’re saying we should focus on the price of the house?

Uncle Bob: Sort of. When you buy an asset like a stock, you only need to consider the purchase price. But owning property means you also have an obligation to pay for things like maintenance expenses and property taxes. Those things are the costs of ownership. The rate of return is basically the difference between all the money you put into an investment and the money you get out of it.

【Chat room】

real estate 不可數名詞片語

a piece of real estate

property 可數／不可數名詞

I have property. 我擁有不動產

I have three properties. 我擁有三筆不動產

地產 land 不可數，所以用piece來表示

He has several pieces of property in the country.

他在鄉下有幾筆地產

【Key word】

Contemplate (v)考慮、思量

problematic 造成困難、產生問題的

obligation 義務、責任

Ben: We have enough for a down payment on a small house, but we will definitely need a loan too. What should we know about mortgages?

Uncle Bob: The big advantage of mortgages is that they let you own a house without paying all the money up front. Most lenders also amortize your loan so you can pay it off in installments.

Ben: What’s the downside?

Uncle Bob: Most mortgages are secured by using your property as collateral. That’s why a lender can take your house through foreclosure if you default – or don’t pay back your loan in a timely manner.

Uncle Bob: But the main disadvantage of a mortgage is the interest you pay on the loan.

Ben: How much will that cost?

Uncle Bob: It depends on the type of loan you have. Interest rates can change over time if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage. So the amount of money you pay also changes. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage your payments are “fixed” at a certain interest rate.

Ben: Wow, real estate is more complicated than I thought.

Uncle Bob: Investing in property isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible, either. If you do some research and use your head, I think you’ll find home ownership a profoundly rewarding experience.

profoundly à extremely, deeply

【Grammar on the go】

That’s why a lender can take your house through foreclosure if you default – or don’t pay back your loan in a timely manner.

timelyàat the right or acceptable time

mannerà a way of doing something

in a way that is at the right time

 I appreciate you for always getting things done in a timely manner.

As long as Tim finishes his chores in a timely manner, he is allowed to go out and play.

【Chat room】

brain

use your brain (不是很有禮貌) à use your head (較含蓄)

a no-brainer 想都不用想，答案太明顯了

【Key word】

up front 預付、先付

The owner of the car wants the money up front or he won’t sell the car.

The tutor wants her fee up front. 這個家教要預先付學費

up front事先告知

The trainer warned us of the risks of this kind training up front.

訓練員在訓練前就先告知我們這種訓練的風險

installment 分期付款

in installments

We paid for our computer in installments.

Alan bought the stereo system in twelve-monthly installments.

Alan用十二個月分期付款的方式買這台音響

secure 抵押、提供保證

The Robertson’s bank loan is secured by their house.

Robertson夫妻的銀行貸款是用房子抵押的

The teenage boy’s car loan was secured by his parents.

這個青少年的車子貸款是他父母親作擔保的

mortgage (n)抵押借款 (v)抵押

amortise (v)分期償還

downside (n)不利

collateral (n)擔保品、抵押品

foreclosure (n)【律】(抵押人)回贖權的取消

EASTER FOOD IN AMERICA 美國復活節食物

This holiday brings special foods with it

這個節日帶來了特別的應景食物

American children eagerly await Easter. They look forward to the chocolate eggs and bunnies they usually receive. But Easter is more than just sweets. Other typical foods give clues to the holiday’s real meaning.

Lamb

Families usually get together for a big meal on Easter. Some eat lamb as a reminder that Christ is the Lamb of God. Years ago in America, people did not have much lamb. As a result, cooks began to use whatever meat was available that time of year. Ham became popular and is still a favorite today.

Hot Cross Buns

Originally sold in England, these sweet breads were baked to sell on Easter Sunday. A cross was cut into the top of each bun. This reminded churchgoers of Jesus and his death on the cross. Today, the crosses are often drawn with icing.

Eggs

These are often painted in brilliant colors for this special day. Eggs are part of the Easter tradition because they represent new life. This idea helps people remember that the Resurrection of Christ gives them new life.

【Grammar on the go】

Easter is more than just sweets.

àEaster is not just about sweets.

something is more than just something else

Christmas is more than just parties and presents.

Being a model is more than just being thin and wearing fashionable outfits.

【Chat room】

cooker à appliance

電鍋à電器用品

廚師要叫cook

EX: Who’s the cook of this delicious meal?

Cooks began to use whatever meat was available that time of year.

廚師開始採用每年那個時節有的肉類

chefàchief

大廚、主廚à 廚房中的領袖

【Key word】

await 等待、等候   awaitàlook forward

和wait的不同在於：await 是及物動詞，可直接加受詞

EX: wait for

Irene anxiously awaited her son’s blood-test results.

Irene很焦急的等待兒子的驗血報告

We were awaiting the sunrise at the top of the mountain.

get together聚在一起、聚會

Why don’t we get together next weekend?

Every summer vacation, our family will get together to camp.

每年暑假我們家會聚在一起露營。

The coach got us together after the game and encouraged us.

originally 原先、起初

Originally, this product was designed for children only, but it is very popular with all age groups.

This café was originally a warehouse. 這家咖啡廳原本是一間倉庫

lamb  (n)小羊、羔羊肉

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION SOLUTIONS 植物能化解室內空氣污染2

If you think you need a horizontal space to grow a lot of houseplants, think again. People everywhere are rethinking space in their homes and businesses by moving houseplants onto their walls to create “vertical gardens.” These natural works of art, or “living walls,” don’t just improve air quality. They can also improve a home’s insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs and noise from neighbors. Vertical gardens often consist of plants displayed in a system of soil-filled pots attached to walls.

But Patrick Blanc, one of the leaders of the trend, believes these modular systems are too heavy and unnatural. Blanc’s system, inspired by jungle plants that don’t use soil, replaces the pots and soil with thick sheets of fabric. Plants are pushed through holes in the fabric. This allows their roots to grow between the sheets, which are kept wet with water and nutrients. However vertical gardens are grown, they’re sure to improve the indoor environment. And few would disagree that when they are done well, they look breathtaking!

horizontal

vertical à creat a angle with ground

insulation (n)隔離、隔絕

modularà組合式的、分單元的

inspire

breathtaking

【Grammar on the go】

If you think you need a horizontal space to grow a lot of houseplants, think again.

If you think (something)…, think again.

If you think that winning the lottery will bring you happiness, think again.

If you’re not financially stable, and you think you can buy whatever you want with a credit card, think again.

【Chat room】

however 可是、然而

However people grow their vertical gardens, they’re sure to improve the indoor air quality. 不論垂直花園如何種植，一定會改善室內空氣品質

however 在此表示「無論」 no matter

However he did it, it was just incredible.

無論他是如何做到的，整件事真是不可思議。

【Key word】

horizontal 水平的

We watched as the boat crossed the horizontal finish line.

vertical 垂直的、直立的

The Sea Harrier jet fighter made a vertical take-off from the aircraft carrier.

海獵鷹戰機從航空母艦上作垂直式起飛

insulation 隔熱、隔音、絕緣

The fabric of this windbreaker provides good insulation.

這件風衣的布料提供很好的隔熱效果

The recording studio is built with special insulation material.

錄音室是用特別的隔音材料搭建的

The workers wrapped the pipes with insulation.

工人們用隔熱材料把水管包起來

inspire賦予靈感、激發、啟示

The author of this bestseller claimed that she was inspired by her two little boys.

這個作者宣稱她的兩個小男孩是她的創作靈感來源

Inspired by the musical “Phantom of the Opera,” Jenny decided to study music.

受到音樂劇歌劇魅影的啟發，Jenny決定要學音樂。

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION SOLUTIONS 植物能化解室內空氣污染

Reduce pollution by bringing the outdoors into the home

把戶外帶進家裡來降低污染

Almost everyone agrees that outdoor air pollution is a substantial problem. But few know that indoor air pollution can also be unhealthy. The EPA claims that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air of even the largest cities. Most people spend over 90 percent of their time indoors where glues, paints, cleaners and other chemicals surround them. So, people are turning to nature’s air pollution solution: plants.

Besides producing valuable oxygen, there are some indications that houseplants can improve air quality by removing nasty chemicals from the air. NASA partnered with another organization to test how well 15 kinds of houseplants absorbed three specific chemicals found in homes and offices. In the test, large numbers of certain kinds of plants removed as much as 87 percent of the polluting chemicals in a 24-hour period. Results like these make it easy to see how having more houseplants      equals cleaner air. But what about life in cities where space is scarce? What about people who just don’t have room for many plants?

substantial

EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]

percent à out of every one hundred

absorb à take something in

【More information】

From the paint covering your walls to the glues holding your furniture together, most of the synthetic materials in your home release traces of chemicals into the air that can be harmful when breathed in. Other known sources of indoor air pollution include air-conditioning systems, rubber mattresses, electronic wiring, cleaning fluids , laundry detergent, animal dander, dust, and of course, cigarette smoke.

【Chat room】

outdoor 戶外

當形容詞 à outdoor

EX: outdoor clothes

   an outdoor café

   outdoor air pollution

當副詞 à outdoors

I like to run outdoors.

I like to swim outdoors.

當名詞時，前面要加定冠詞 àthe outdoors 戶外

the great outdoors 大自然、野外

【Key word】

substantial 重大的、可觀的

The project requires a substantial investment of time and money.

The differences between the twin sisters are quite substantial.

這對雙胞胎姊妹之間的差異非常的大

There’s a substantial improvement in the patient’s condition.

病人的健康狀況有非常大的進步

percent 百分之多少

Only 70 percent of the students here will graduate successfully.

Only 45 percent of people voted in this election.

這次選舉只有百分之45的投票率

percentage 百分比

The percentage of foreign students in this college is over 5 percent.

這所大學的外國學生百分比超過百分之五。

absorb吸收

The medicine is absorbed more efficiently if it is taken after meals.

這個藥劑若是餐後服用會吸收的更有效率

absorb 亦指知識或概念的吸收

Children absorb new ideas more quickly than adults.

TOP 10 BIGGEST INTERVIEW MISTAKES 面試的十大禁忌3

Here are 10 real-life examples from this year’s survey:

Ø   Candidate answered cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a “private” conversation.

Ø   Applicant told the interviewer he wouldn’t be able to stay with the job long because he thought he might get an inheritance if his uncle died and his uncle wasn’t “looking too good.”

Ø   The job seeker asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview.

Ø   The applicant smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room.

Ø   Candidate said she could not provide a writing sample because all of her writing had been for the CIA and it was “classified.”

Ø   Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for beating up his last boss.

Ø   When the applicant was offered food before the interview, he declined saying he didn’t want to line his stomach with grease before going out drinking.

Ø   An applicant said she was a “people person” not a “numbers person” – in her interview for an accounting position.

Ø   During a phone interview the candidate flushed the toilet while talking to the hiring manager.

Ø   The applicant took out a hairbrush and brushed her hair.

【Chat room】

applicant / candidate

【Key word】

inheritance

armpit

classified

decline àrefuse , do not take something

inherit 繼承

inheritance 遺產

At a young age, William got a large inheritance from his grandfather.

With his inheritance, Ray decided to buy a sailboat and travel around the world.

classify 分類、分等級

classified (adj)機密的、保密的

The classified file was destroyed after the case closed.

這個機密檔案在結案後就被銷毀了

This classified document can only be accessed by certain people.

這個機密文件只有特定人看得到

decline 婉拒、拒絕

Sherry politely declined the offer of transferring to her company’s New York office.

Sherry 很有禮貌的婉拒把她轉任到紐約辦公室的提議

Ariel declined David’s proposal and he was really hurt.

Ariel拒絕了David的求婚，David非常的受傷

TOP 10 BIGGEST INTERVIEW MISTAKES 面試十大禁忌2

Keep it professional:

Although interviewers often try to create a comfortable setting to ease the job seeker’s nerves, business decorum shouldn’t disappear. Avoid offering personal details that can be controversial or have no relevance to the position, such as political and religious beliefs or stories about a recent break-up.

Know what to expect:

Expect to hear staple interview questions:

“What’s your biggest weakness?” “Why do you want to work here?” “Tell me about yourself.” “Why did you leave your last job?”

These open-ended questions are harder to answer than they sound, so think about your responses before the interview.

Put on a happy face:

The interview is not the time to air your grievances about being wronged by a pass boss. How you speak about a previous employer gives the hiring manager an idea of how you’ll speak about him or her once you’ve moved on. Unfortunately, many job seekers are not only ignoring these tips, they’re making mistakes that leave unforgettable impressions for all the wrong reasons.

controversial àcause people not approval and cause them argument

staple àstandard

open-ended à questions you cannot just answer yes or no to, and you need to real think about them.

【Vocabulary】

decorum 禮節、得體的舉止

As a member of the royal family, she was expected to behave with proper decorum.

身為皇室家族的一員，大家期待她的言行舉止合乎適當的禮節。

Even though the boss is very young, we still keep the necessary decorum.

雖然老闆很年輕，但是我們都保持應有的禮節。

staple (adj) 常用的、基本的、主要的 (n)訂書針

The staple supply of water for this area is from the nearest reservoir.

這個區域主要的供水來源是最近的水庫

Potatoes are one of the staple foods for the British people.

馬鈴薯是英國人的主食之一

grievance (n) 牢騷、抱怨

Jason has a very real grievance against his brother because he is always compared to his brother.

Jason對他的哥哥相當心懷不平，因為他老是被拿來和哥哥比較。

The customer service clerk needs to deal with customers’ grievances.

客服部的櫃台服務人員需要解決客人的抱怨或牢騷。

【Grammar on the go】

Although interviewers often try to create a comfortable setting to ease the job seeker’s nerves, business decorum shouldn’t disappear.

to ease someone’s nerves

è to help someone not feel so nervous

EX: To ease his nerves, Richard always listens to music when he is on a plane.

EX: Before you take a test, eat a good meal and avoid caffeine to help ease your nerves.

【Chat room】

wrong 一般當形容詞用，在此文章中當動詞

The interview is not the time to air your grievances about being wronged by a past boss.

to wrong someone虧待某人、中傷某人

wrongdoer 中傷人的人、作壞事的人、加害者

一個加害者一定是in the wrong (錯之在他)

in the wrong 有過失、犯錯誤