(一)Words and Phrases
1. Surf: move from site to site on (the internet).
网上浏览
E.g. Surfing the web occupies most of our times when we look for some reference resources.
2. carve out a niche for oneself: establish or create something through painstaking efforts.
为自己谋得合适位置,挣下自己的一亩三分地
E.g. He carves out a niche for himself after so many suffering attempts.
3. Mess around: behave in a silly or playful way, especially so as to cause irritation; spend time doing something in a pleasantly desultory way, with no definite purpose or serious intent.
瞎折腾,惹事生非;游手好闲
E.g. Takeing time to mess around maybe gives us another angle to see the world rather than always being busy in routine.
4. Dabble in: take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
涉猎,略知一二
E.g. Dabbling in some new activities or programs would help for understanding growing updated world.
5. Porn 色情文学
6. Chatterbox话匣子
7. Go-getter: 能干的,志在必得的
E.g. She was really a go-getter, who finished the work faster than others did.
8. Frugal, scrimp 节俭
9. Layaway: a system of paying a deposit to secure an item for later purchase.
预付定金购货法
E.g. Layaway can delay temporary pressure of payments but increase the unnecessary expenses.
10. Flex one's muscles: give a show of strength or power.
秀肌肉,显示实力
E.g. He flexed his muscles at the crucial moment.
11. Makeover: a complete transformation or remodeling of something, especially a person's hairstyle, makeup, or clothes.
改头换面
E.g. Constant learning inspires a lifestyle makeover and increasing developments.
12. Mesmerize: 迷死人,催眠
E.g. The famous actress successfully mesmerized audiences.
13. Nowhere
The middle of nowhere: a place that is remote and isolated.
前不着村后不着店的蛮荒之地
E.g. The car broke down in the middle of nowhere.
Out of nowhere: appearing or happening suddenly and unexpectedly.
E.g. The monster emerged out of nowhere.
(二)background resources
The Matrix 电影《黑客帝国》
the Holocaust 二战期间纳粹对于犹太人的大屠杀
Jim Crow种族隔离法
(三)Thought-provoking sentences
The trick to looking rich is to have one expensive item, and for the rest of the things go get basic, good-looking quality stuff.
每个人必须要有一项特长,其它的只要具备基本水准,就会让人高看一眼。不可能事事追求完美,这不现实也没必要。出类拔萃并不需要在各方面突出,所以努力的方向是在自己的强项秒杀众人,并且没有明显的弱项。