Intermediate Reading — 第五冊

🔊It was a beautiful day in late November, a day that Rick had been waiting to arrive for a long, long time. This was because it was the day that he would get to help his grandma pick tangerines and, without a doubt, they were his favorite fruit. He was terribly excited and couldn’t wait to get going.

🔊At the orchard, the sun shone gleefully down on several long rows of tangerine trees. Its bright rays reflected off the tangerines, making them sparkle and stand out amongst the green foliage like diamonds in a pile of coal. The scene almost made Rick cry with overwhelming joy.

🔊“Here is your basket Rick,” his elderly grandmother spoke, bringing him out of his dreamlike state. “When it’s full, you can empty it into one of the boxes in the back of the truck.”

🔊Rick took the basket and began to fill it with the fresh tangerines. For each tangerine he picked, ten more would suddenly appear in its place. It almost seemed as if they were growing faster than he could pick them. When the basket was only half full, he begun to realize how daunting a task this was going to be.

🔊“We’re going to be here for the next month,” Rick whined to his grandmother. “There must be a million tangerines here.”

🔊“Don’t think about how many there are yet to pick, just focus on one tangerine at a time,” his grandma advised him. She then added, “I like to make a game out of it.”

🔊“How do you do that?” Rick asked out of curiosity. He couldn’t imagine any way to make this fun.

🔊“I time how long it takes to fill one box in the back of the truck. Then I try to beat that time when I fill the next box,” she explained. “It makes the time go by much faster.”

🔊Rick suddenly felt competitive and challenged his grandma to see who could fill a box the fastest. He was going to try and beat her at her own game.

🔊“I bet I can fill a box faster than you,” he said tauntingly. “Ok,” she said. “But I have to warn you, I’ve got a few years of experience on my side. Not to mention that I have a big height advantage.”

🔊The two spent the rest of the day racing to pick tangerines. They didn’t pick every tangerine in the orchard, but they certainly harvested enough to feed a jungle full of hungry monkeys. And they had a lot of fun doing it.

🔊These girls are waiting for the starting pistol to fire. They are all in the set position with a baton in hand. If no one jumps the gun, they will be off immediately after the starting pistol fires. In the event of a false start, they will have to line up again and the person responsible will be penalized. If any runner is responsible for two false starts, they will be disqualified.

🔊The lanes are marked off with parallel white lines that circle the entire track. A white line is also used across each lane to mark the starting lines. They are staggered around the bend because it is actually further to run in the outside lane if they were all to start across from each other. It makes each lane the same distance from the finish line, so that there is no advantage to being in any of the lanes.

🔊The girls wait for the starting official to say “On your mark, get set, go”; at which point the official fires the pistol. Assuming there are no false starts, the athletes will run as fast as they can and then hand off the baton to the person designated to run the second leg of the race. They must be careful during this process, as there is only a short distance to make the handoff. A smooth transition is crucial and could win you the race. A sloppy handoff could mean the difference between first and second. Dropping the baton, on the other hand, not only wastes precious time, but could also cost you the race.

🔊There are 4 legs in a relay race. The last runner is called the anchor and is often the fastest runner, but this isn't always the case as some teams may have different strategies. Regardless of who has the fastest runner, it all comes down to good teamwork and executing good handoffs. You can have the fastest man in the world on your team and still lose if you drop the baton. Again, it’s all about teamwork and the team that crosses the finish line first is the winner.

🔊It was almost 5 pm. Just like clockwork the sound of Fur Elise filled the air, echoing off the bare concrete walls of the homes along the street and the hard top of the road.

🔊“I hope I'm not too late,” Tony said to his father as he ran for the door with a bag of garbage in his hand.

🔊“Don't forget the recycling!” his father shouted as Tony dashed past him.

🔊“Geeze,” the frantic boy replied. “I almost forgot.”

🔊He dropped the trash on the curb and flew back into the house so fast that he practically left a trail of smoke in his wake. He searched from room to room for the recycling box as if his life depended on it. The music from the trucks was getting louder and louder as they approached. Tony’s heart beat faster as he searched frantically for the recycling.

🔊“Where is the recycling box?!” he screamed at the top of his lungs. “I can't find the stupid thing anywhere.”

🔊“Just relax,” his dad said. “It's not the end of the world.”

🔊Finally Tony found the box and his blood pressure dropped back to normal. It was between the refrigerator and the stove, where it always is. Somehow it never crossed his mind to look there first. But, in his defense, he was in a rush and not thinking clearly.

🔊Tony reached the curb again just in time to throw the garbage into the back of the garbage truck. He covered his nose to prevent inhaling the ripe smell of rot and decay that surrounded the truck. He held his breath, too, as long as he could. He finally exhaled as the recycling truck neared and gasped for fresh air. He handed the box to the man in the back who emptied it and then began to sort it out.

🔊Tony sat down on the curb and breathed a sigh of relief. Thank god that's over, he thought. Then he felt a consoling pat on the back.

🔊“You have to learn to relax, boy,” he father advised him. “You make such a big deal out of everything. It’s only the garbage.”

🔊“I guess you're right,” Tony agreed. “Father knows best, right?” His dad only winked in agreement.

🔊“That sure is a nice blue shirt you’re wearing,” Eric commented to his classmate.

🔊“Thanks for the compliment, but it’s not blue.” the boy responded. “It’s green.”

🔊“Well it sure looks blue to me,” Eric insisted and then called on his good friend to back him up. “What do you think, Charles? Is it blue or green?”

🔊“Uh.” Charles paused for a moment as if he thought about actually lying just for Eric’s sake, but then said, “Sorry pal, I’m going to have to say it’s green.”

🔊Eric’s jaw dropped to the ground. Not only had he been proven wrong, but he had also been betrayed by a good friend.

🔊“I think there is something wrong with both your guys’ eyes,” Eric said out of spite and then stormed out of the classroom.

🔊Eric sat motionless on the hallway floor with his back against his locker. What if they are right, he thought. What if it really was green? He began to worry that something might in fact be wrong with his eyes. And if there was he wanted to know right away, so he went to the school nurse’s office.

🔊“Can I help you, son?” the kind nurse asked.

🔊“I think there is something wrong with my eyes,” Eric stated. “Green appears blue to me.”

🔊“That’s nothing to worry about,” the nurse told him. “In fact it is very, very common among males not be able to differentiate between certain colors. It’s called a blue-green deficiency.”

🔊“A what?” Eric asked.

🔊“It’s a mild form of colorblindness, but let’s check you out before we get too far ahead of ourselves,” she advised him.

🔊The nurse laid several cards on the table. On each card were many small colored dots making up a larger circle. Within the circle was a hidden number or letter, but what you see depends on your eyes. For example, one person might see a letter b on a card while someone who is colorblind might see the number 7, or something like that. It all depends on how the individual’s eyes process different shades of color.

🔊Eric studied the cards carefully one at a time and told the nurse what letter or number he saw. She recorded his answers on a form and, after he’d finished, she determined the results of the test according to what Eric saw.

🔊“It’s just as I thought,” she said. “You have a slight blue-green deficiency.”

🔊“My god,” Eric screamed in despair. “I’m color blind!”

🔊“You’re not ‘colorblind’.” She patted him on the back in a consoling way and told him, “Remember, many people are just like you and a lot of them don’t even know it. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

🔊“I guess you’re right,” he agreed. “And who cares whether a shirt is blue or green anyway.”

🔊Eric went on to live a long fruitful life in spite of his “handicap”. Being colorblind made little impact on his life whatsoever. Occasionally he would mistake one color for another, but it was never enough to be of any relevance. Besides, colors are just man-given labels and, in the larger scheme of things, they mean little.

🔊John and his friends have been taking Taekwondo classes for many years. It all started after John had watched a couple of old Bruce Lee movies and decided he wanted to learn some form of martial arts.

🔊The martial arts obsessed boy then convinced a couple of buddies to try out Judo. They went for a few classes, but quickly lost interest. They thought it was too much like wrestling. There just wasn't enough hitting and kicking for their liking. One day John overheard his Phys Ed teacher talking to someone about Taekwondo. This sparked his interest enough to ask his teacher about it. “Why don’t you and your friends come and check it out,” was all the teacher said. And the rest is history. The boys have become very accomplished in the sport (though Taekwondo is not in essence competition-oriented). Trophies and other awards are commonplace whenever the group decides to enter a sparring competition. In many people's eyes, mostly their parents', they are considered Olympic hopefuls. The accomplishments of the teenage boys have not gone unnoticed by their community, either. It is almost like they have become local celebrities. Often, they are asked to give demonstrations for local events and the boys are always more than happy to oblige. One such performance was recently given at their high school. It was held during Friday morning’s assembly so that everyone could watch. Students were captivated as John and his fellow Taekwondo classmates, all wearing the traditional white garb, dazzled them with lightning fast round kicks. They “oo”ed and “ah”ed as fists flashed with the speed of a bullet. It was a little bit frightening, but it was done with expert timing. The crowd rose to their feet in a thundering cheer as the boys bowed. They had impressed everyone, even the cynics who thought the boys would only put on an amateurish show. If today were any indication, there would be a flood of enrollment at local Taekwondo schools tomorrow. John was happy, too. Not because of the personal attention he was getting, but because he had selflessly promoted his beloved sport.

🔊To start off the graduation ceremony at the Jhutang Elementary School, teachers and students paraded around the auditorium. Entering from the side door near the basketball court, the principal and administration staff led the procession. They were followed by the teachers and then the students who proudly strolled around the crowded room, waving to friends and relatives in the audience.

🔊After taking a seat on stage, the ceremony commenced. The formal procedures lasted quite a while. Each student was introduced, a valedictorian speech was made, and the principal bid farewell to the students. After all of this, it was time to hand out the diplomas.

🔊A tray was used to carry the diplomas which were rolled up like scrolls and bound with a ribbon. One of the students held the tray as the principal made his way down the line. Each student was presented with a scroll by the principal who bowed and offered his congratulations to the graduates. The students also bowed in return and gave their thanks as they received them.

🔊Once the formalities were completed, the students exited the stage in an orderly fashion. They were now free to mingle with the crowd and take pictures with their friends and families. It was a day they will never forget.

🔊Chalkboards and whiteboards are very valuable tools for teachers. They allow them to quickly print out things or show ideas for all the students to see easily. Teachers can write key words on the board for students to copy or they can draw pictures to explain difficult concepts. And when they are finished with the board, or run out of room (space), it can be easily erased and used again and again.

🔊Chalkboard erasers quickly become dirty with chalk dust and should be cleaned regularly or they will not work very well. You can tap them against a wall or hit them with something to remove the excess dust. Be careful not to inhale (breathe in) it though because it isn’t very good for you. It is best to clean them outside. You can also wear a mask or cover your mouth to prevent breathing in too much of the unhealthy dust. Chalk dust is especially harmful to asthma sufferers.

🔊In many classrooms whiteboards have replaced chalk boards, especially computer labs, because dry-erase markers produce far less dust that can harm sensitive computer parts. Though dust from whiteboards is also harmful to breathe in, it is much heavier than chalk dust which can remain airborne for extended periods and quickly settles to the floor. This makes it less likely that you will breathe it in.

🔊Both chalkboards and whiteboards have their pros (benefits) and cons (faults), but, as a teacher, I find whiteboards less messy and easier to use. I also dislike having my shirt covered in chalk dust that blackboards collect. But most of all, I hate the sound of fingernails accidentally scratching the chalkboard. It is possibly the most irritating sound in the world.

🔊Picture 1: Peter is wiping off the chalkboard because his teacher asked him to do it. He uses the chalk brush (eraser) to erase the math problems that his teacher solved for him.

🔊Picture 2: Peter is cleaning the eraser by beating it with a stick.

🔊It was Thursday after school. James walked into the house holding his back with a grimace on his face.

🔊"What’s wrong with you?" Brett asked.

🔊"My back is so sore," James cried. "I was sitting hunched over in my desk all day long finishing a report."

🔊"The report for Mr. Black?" his curious older brother inquired. "Yes. It's due tomorrow morning and I have to play basketball tonight," he answered. "But now I think I am too sore to play."

🔊Brett always looked after his younger brother. He didn't like to see James in pain. It really bothered him that his little bro wouldn't be able to play ball. He knew it was everything to him and so he wanted to help.

🔊"Maybe I can give you a massage," Brett offered.

🔊"Do you think it will help?" James didn't think so, but he didn't want to upset his concerned brother by saying no.

🔊"Sure. It will loosen up your muscles and they won't hurt so much," Brett said in a voice that sounded very sure.

🔊James took a seat at the table. His stiff body became even stiffer with the thought of Brett giving him a massage. If it had been a cute girl, he might not have minded the idea so much.

🔊"Just relax," Brett said, trying to reassure James that he knew what he was doing when really he didn't.

🔊Placing his hands on James's shoulders he began rubbing them, slowly and softly at first, then harder and harder. His strong hands squeezed the muscles forcing them to move and drawing out some of the tension.

🔊"That's not so bad is it?" his caring brother asked.

🔊"No. I guess it's alright," he claimed. James felt uncomfortable with his brother touching him, but he didn't want to say anything.

🔊Next, Brett worked inwards toward the neck. He started digging his thumbs into the muscles so as to work out the knots, but he didn't realize his own strength.

🔊"Ouch! That hurts," James screamed and immediately shrugged his shoulders to tell his brother to stop.

🔊"Sorry. Sorry," Brett apologized. "Let me try something else."

🔊James just wanted to go lie down, but his big brother was insistent. This time Brett lightly patted James on the back to try and get the blood flowing to the sore muscles.

🔊"How's that?" Brett asked. “Better?”

🔊"Not bad actually," James said with a surprised voice.

🔊The encouragement excited Brett. He increased the power of the hits thinking that it would be even more effective. His blows became harder and harder. He was now basically beating his brother like a punching bag.

🔊"STOP!" James cried. “That's enough."

🔊"But I thought you were enjoying it," a bewildered Brett uttered.

🔊"I was…until you started beating me like an old mule." James said as he stood up. "Now, not only am I not going to be able to play basketball, but I am going to have big bruises on my back."

🔊The look on Brett’s face said it all: he was very sorry. He only wanted to make his little brother feel better, but had instead done the opposite. He lowered his head as guilt and the frustration of failure set in.

🔊"Thanks a bunch for all your help," James said sarcastically as he stormed off to his room. “I’ll be lucky if I can play basketball for the next week.”

🔊Brett’s little brother’s words cut deeply into him, but he knew that James would eventually realize that his intentions were good. That, and only that, made him feel a wee bit better.

🔊Today we had our annual health checkup at school. A nurse came to our class to give everyone a physical (physical examination). Most of the students didn’t mind at all because it took the entire morning to do and that meant no classes! The nurse called us one by one to do the checkup. First was the eye test. I don’t like eye tests because I can’t see very well and always end up with a note to go visit the eye doctor. I thought this time might be different, but when I was finished reading the eye chart, the nurse handed me the dreaded little slip of paper. I would have to waste another Saturday afternoon visiting the optometrist. With the stupid eye test out of the way, the nurse took me over to a weight scale. I stepped on the scale and the needle danced back and forth before settling down for an accurate reading. The nurse recorded my weight, which was 53 kilograms. After this, she had me stand with my back against a device that measures your height. She lowered the top of it until it touched my head. I tried to stand on my tippy-toes so that I would seem taller, but the nurse frowned and pushed down on my shoulders until my feet were flat on the floor. She wrote down my height, 161 centimeters, on a form that would go into my school file along with other personal information. When all was said and done, the nurse told me that I was too heavy for a boy of my height. I argued that my weight was fine and that my height was the problem. I also told her that I normally wear boots with thick heels, so that was why my height/weight ratio was out of whack. She only laughed at my poor excuses as she sent me back to the classroom.

🔊“A typhoon is coming!” Rachel screeches after listening to the evening weather report.

🔊Rachel is well-known for overreacting to most situations, but with a typhoon coming who can blame her for being a little worried.

🔊“I need to get ready. I don't even have an emergency food supply!” she cried. During one late night study session she had gotten hungry and eaten all the emergency food she had in the house. Now she realizes what a big mistake that was and so the anxious girl rushes off to the supermarket to buy a few things before the storm hits.

🔊Later in the evening the winds pick up. Garbage dances down the street. Stray animals run for cover. Fewer and fewer cars can be seen driving down the street as everyone is at home... waiting.

🔊The windows in her tiny dorm room rattle and shake as the typhoon approaches. Rachel gathers everything she needs in case of a power outage and puts it on the table. Instant noodles, soda, cookies, a radio, and a flashlight are among the things she feels necessary.

🔊Her flashlight is special. It doesn't even require batteries. There is a small crank on the side that generates electricity when it is turned. It could prove to be very valuable if the power is out for a long time.

🔊“Wait just a second.” Rachel looks around nervously. “I forgot to buy water!”

🔊She goes to the window and looks out, deciding whether or not to risk going outside. The wind is even stronger and all the garbage has long since blown away. Now stray animals, the ones whom didn't find cover, roll helplessly down the street head over heels.

🔊“It doesn't look too bad,” she says as a small car floats by her window. “I think I can make it.”

🔊She puts on her jacket and outside shoes. On the way to the door she grabs the flashlight off the table and puts it in her pocket. The typhoon makes it hard to push the door open. It is almost like someone is on the other side pushing back. She struggles for all she is worth to even get it to budge, but finally she is able to open it enough to slip out.

🔊The naïve girl takes one step out of the house, but before her foot even hits the ground she is whisked away by a gale force wind. After that all that is heard is a fading scream. Rachel and her flashlight are never seen again.