Dario: Hi Brian, how have things been with you?
Brian: Pretty good, thanks Dario, but they would be better if I could find some matches.
Dario: You can borrow my lighter instead.
Brian: No thanks, I prefer to use matches.
Dario: Matches are not good for the environment though.
Brian: Why do you say that?
Dario: To make matches you need to cut down a lot of trees!
Brian: Oh, I see your point. I will start buying lighters in the future.
Dario: The best thing would be to quit smoking all together!
Brian: Yeah I know, but I am too weak!
Dario: But not too weak to remember to read the Xianzai English newsletters every week!
戴瑞奥：嗨布莱恩，一切都好吗？
布莱恩：很好，谢谢戴瑞奥，如果我能找到一些火柴就更好了。
戴瑞奥：你可以借我的打火机。
布莱恩：不用了谢谢，我喜欢用火柴。
戴瑞奥：可是火柴对环境不好
布莱恩：你为什么这么说？
戴瑞奥：制造火柴需要砍倒很多树！
布莱恩：噢，我明白你的意思了。以后我会开始买打火机。
戴瑞奥：最好是连烟也一起戒掉！
布莱恩：是的我知道，可是我意志太薄弱了！
戴瑞奥：可不要薄弱得连每周的“现在”英语通讯也忘了读！
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NEW WORDS （生词）
1) Writer: a person who makes a living by writing
作家，靠写作为生的人
Some people think that writing for a living is glamorous, but really it is just hard work.
有的人认为以写作为生很吸引人，可实际上这是个很辛苦的工作。
2) Fiction: a story that is not true, or made up
不真实的或虚构的故事
Fiction is the most popular form of writing today because the stories are usually more interesting.
现在小说是最流行的一种写作形式，因为小说故事通常更有趣一些。
3) Non-fiction: books that are based on fact
根据事实写的书
All textbooks are non-fiction such as history, geography, mathematics and science.
所有的教科书都是记实的，如历史、地理、数学和科学。
4) Paperback: a soft-cover book, cheaper than hardbacks
平装书，比精装书便宜
many people refuse to pay the high price for hardback books so they wait for the paperback version.
很多人不愿意出高价买精装书，所以他们等平装版本。
Dialogue（对话）
Jessie: Tina, will you help me to write my autobiography?
Tina: That's a silly question. An autobiography is written by the person themselves.
Jessie: If you help me, what will it be?
Tina: It would be a biography. A biography is a person's story written by someone else.
Jessie: Well anyway, can you help me?
Tina: Sure, I think I have the talent to become a writer.
Jessie: I heard a song recently about a paperback writer and it has given me some good ideas.
Tina: I know that song! Can we sing it together?
杰西：蒂娜，你能帮我写我的自传吗？
蒂娜：这个问题很愚蠢。自传是当事人自己写的。
杰西：如果你帮我写那叫什么？
蒂娜：那叫传记。传记是由别人来写的关于某个人的故事。
杰西：不管怎么样，你能帮我吗？
蒂娜：没问题，我想我有当作家的天份。
杰西：我最近听了一首关于平装书作家的歌，这首歌给了我一些很好的启示。
蒂娜：我知道这首歌！我们能一起唱吗？
New Words （生词）
1) Date: going out with someone, usually has a romantic feel
约会，与某人一起出去，通常感觉很浪漫
The whole idea of going on a date makes me feel very nervous.
想到要约会这件事我就觉得很紧张。
2) Tacky: sleazy, not nice
庸俗、不好
When I had a look at her house, I noticed that the curtains were really tacky, the design was terrible and the material was cheap.
看到她房子的时候，我注意到那些窗帘很俗气，设计糟糕，布料低劣。
3) Memorable: something that is easy to remember
容易记住的、难忘的
My graduation and first kiss are the most memorable things so far in my life.
毕业和初吻是目前为止我生活中最难忘的事。
4) Ritual:social custom
社会风俗
Things like drinking tea, coffee and wines all have a lot of ritual about them.
关于品茶、喝咖啡和饮酒等都有很多相关的风俗习惯。
Lesson: 课文
At some time, we will all go out on a date. It is important to remember several things that will (hopefully) make the whole experience memorable.
某一天我们都会去赴约。约会前一定要记住几件事情，这样可能会使整个约会经历更加难忘。
Everyone is nervous when they go to a date. They worry about whether the other person will like them or if they will make a fool of themselves somehow. If you keep in mind how nervous the other person is, you will be less nervous.
每个人去约会的时候都会感到紧张。他们担心对方是否会喜欢自己或者他们是否会出丑。如果你想着另一方有多紧张，你就不会那么紧张了。
Clothes, your car and how much money you have are NOT the most important things. What is important is that you make the other person feel comfortable and can make them laugh.
穿着、车子和你的收入并不是最重要的事。重要的是你能让对方感觉舒服，逗他们开心。
Think about where you will go on a date before you meet the person. No one likes to play the "what do you want to do" game. Have a good plan before leaving the house.
见面前想想你们要去哪里约会。没有人喜欢玩“你想做什么？”的游戏。离家之前要计划好。
Dinner is always good and safe. Movies are usually OK, but choose a movie carefully. Bowling can be fun as can a walk in the park. Avoid sports or offering to cook at your house as they may make your date feel uncomfortable.
吃晚餐总是不错的建议，也很安全。一般来说看电影也可以，但要小心选择好电影。打保龄跟在公园里散步一样有趣。不要提议做运动或在你家里下厨，这可能会让你的约会很不舒服。
The big moment is at the end of the date. Should you kiss or not! There is no simple answer to this other than to say that you should be natural.
约会结束的时候很关键。你是否应该吻对方！对此除了让一切顺其自然没有更简单的答案了。
Remember that no means no. No never means yes.
要记住不就是不，永远不意味着是。
Dialogue （对话）
Jeff: Joan! I am really excited. Can I tell you all about my date last night?
Joan: Sure but you have to start at the beginning! How did you meet her?
Jeff: We met in the elevator. I held the door open for her.
Joan: Did you ask her out, or did she ask you?
Jeff: I was really surprised because she asked me out!
Joan: So where did you go?
Jeff: We had a nice dinner and then went to see a movie.
Joan: Did you walk her home afterwards?
Jeff: Yep - right to the door. She said I was a real gentleman.
Joan: And did you kiss her?
Jeff: I wouldn't be a gentleman if I told you that!
杰夫：琼！我真的很兴奋。我能给你讲讲我昨晚的约会吗？
琼：好吧，不过你必须从头开始讲起！你怎么认识她的？
杰夫：我们在电梯里认识的，我帮她开电梯门。
琼：你约她出去了吗，还是她约了你？
杰夫：我当时真的很惊讶因为是她约的我！
琼：那你们去哪了？
杰夫：我们吃了一顿很棒的晚餐然后去看了电影。
琼：看完电影你送她回家了吗？
杰夫：没错，一直送到门口。她说我是个真正的绅士。
琼：你吻她了吗？
杰夫：如果我告诉你这个就不是绅士了！
