Sophy's Notebook

【Grammar Tip】

...once they appear, mosquitoes are a total pain.

total：It's another way to say complete or absulate.

Total 這個字除了有總共、合計的意思之外，

也可以當作形容詞表達「完全、非常」等強調的意思。
在口語對談中，當一方講完話，有時我們會用另一方回答：Totally！
這時就是表示完全、而且極力贊成對方的說法。

1. Bob's entire story about how he met the movie star is total nonsense.

2. How the teapot went from the kitchen to the bathroom is a total mystery to Gwen.

3. With all the rain, Sarah's birthday party was a total disaster.

4. Despite the fire, the house was not a total ruin.


【Chat Room】

a pain 是一個疼痛

但當某樣東西成為一個 pain 時，pain 就成為一個招惹麻煩、令人討厭的東西
EX: mosquites are such a pain 蚊子真是令人討厭

a pain 亦可形容你不喜歡的工作

a pain in the neck
脖子裡的疼痛→用來表示一個成天抱怨的人

take great pains to do something
→ means to go to a lot of trouble to do something and were very careful about it
→ 表示花費了很多心血、煞費苦心地做某事



【Michelle's Class】

equip (v) 裝備；有某種設備
過去式、過去分詞 equipped
現在式 equipping
Our studio is well-equipped with top-of-the-line microphones.
我們的錄音室有頂級的麥克風設備。

equip 亦指訓練、使做準備
This training is aimed to equip people with the computer skills they need their jobs.
這個訓練的目的是要讓人們有工作上所需要的電腦方面的技能。

s-e-n-s 有感覺之意
sensor (n) 感應器
The security system is equipped with heat sensors to detect intruders.
這個保全系統備有熱感應器來偵測闖入者。

Father put motion-sensor in the backyard so the light will go on if anyone trespasses.
爸爸在後院裝了一個動作感應器，如果有人擅自闖入燈光就會亮起來。

contrast (v) 與某個對象形成對比或反差
The styles of these popular novelists contrast a lot.
這兩位受到歡迎的小說家寫作的風格有很大的對比。

若要說明跟哪個對象有對比，是用 with
If you contrast his latest performance with his previous play you will see how much he has improved.
如果你拿他最近一次的表演和之前的那齣戲來比較的話，你會發現他進步許多。