节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-12-24
难易度:Medium
关键字:recall, sparkle, discriminating, mound, the Depression, palate


























00:00
















00:00





















Welcome back, everybody.
Don't you just love listening to your parents and grandparents tell stories
about how things used to be when they were growing up?
Well, that's what we're doing now.
We're in the middle of a very charming story, and a true story, about a time not
so long ago when getting an apple, an orange,
a few walnuts and some chocolates for Christmas was cause for great excitement.
Let's get back to that story now on line 11.
When the Gift Meets the Need.
Even as a child, she had a discriminating palate.
Cheap chocolates or not, the paper sacks with goodies were an event.
Gifts of any sort during the Depression were rare, especially in large farm
families with seven, eight and nine children.
When our children were young and we were home for Christmas one year,
Mom and Dad gave each of the grandkids a brown paper sack holding an apple, an
orange, some nuts and chocolates.
This was in addition to the mound of gifts beneath the tree.
We're listening from a story from our author who is named Lori, and she's
telling a story about her parents remembering what happened in their past.
Her father really enjoys remembering the story, but her mother not as much.
That's right.
Now they're actually remembering stories from their childhood during the
Depression when they did not have very much money.
But it was not... everyone was poor, but they made sure the kids at the church
got gifts.
Now her Dad likes the gift.
That's right.
He thinks they got... well, they did get gifts.
They got chocolate and apples and candy in a brown paper bag, but her mother
isn't so excited about it.
That's right. We said...
The very last thing we could say is: You can't blame the woman for not enjoying
the gift very much.
What... what can't we blame her for?
Well, even as a child, she had a discriminating palate because she didn't like
the chocolates.
OK. Now she had a discriminating palate.
Something that is "discriminating" means you're able to know and act on the
difference between good and bad.
So she can tell the difference between good and bad things, but this is
specifically to her palate.
Now your "palate," when it refers to yours or your body, that is your ability to
judge food and drinks if they are a good thing or a bad thing.
So what is your palate?
Do you have this good ability?
She was discriminating, Ryan.
She had a very strong ability to tell the difference between good and bad even
as a child.
Exactly.
This means that her mother here is very decisive; or she knows what kinds of
foods she likes and what kinds she doesn't like.
And she decided she didn't like those gifts.
But even if they were cheap chocolates, so cheap chocolates or not, the paper
sacks with good goodies were an event.
So even though she didn't like the cheap chocolates, she enjoyed the event of
getting a gift on Christmas Eve.
That's right.
Now we say this was an event.
But of course we know it happened, and therefore it is an event.
But if we're saying something was an event like this, it means it was a good
time.
That's right.
Why was it so special to get even just cheap chocolates?
Well, it's because gifts of any sort... during the Depression were rare.
That's right.
Something that is rare means it doesn't happen very often.
Remember, this is the Depression; people didn't have very much money.
So if there's not much money, there's not going to be very many gifts given,
especially in large farm families with seven, eight and nine children.
That's right.
The more children there were, the more difficult it was to get gifts for each
one.
My grandfather did not get very many gifts when he was a child because he is one
of 15 kids.
Wow! Now that's amazing.
And he was alive, well, pretty close to that time.
That's right.
So his family didn't get very many gifts just like these children.
But you know, when you're a child, when you're young, you know you do want
Christmas gifts.
OK. So now friends, let's skip ahead now to the story now that an author is
telling about her own children.
That's right.
So when she says "our children," these are her kids.
And when they were young, she took them back home to her house for Christmas.
That's right. She says "Mom and Dad," so the author's mom and dad, gave each of
the grandkids a brown paper sack holding - guess what?
An apple, an orange, some nuts and chocolates.
That's because this had special meaning to the grandparents.
Now this was in addition to the mound of gifts beneath the tree, which is
different from the grandparents' story.
Exactly.
So the kids already got a mound of gifts.
Now a "mound" means a pile of something, many.
Ryan, does this mean the gifts were actually piled?
Well, technically, they could be.
But usually when we describe a mound of gifts, that means there are many of them
together.
That's right.
So it's a lot of gifts.
Kids sometimes get a lot of gifts at Christmas.
Well, the grandparents have the special memories of getting these brown paper
bags with these special treats in them.
And if you look on page 43 in your magazine, at the top of the page you can see
what that gift might have looked like all wrapped up.
So they gave it to their grandkids because to them, it was special.
And it was special to them because that's what happened to them in their
childhood, they gave it to their kids.
That's right.
Now Ryan, if you were a child and got a brown bag with food in it, would you be
thankful?
I... I might eat it, but maybe I wouldn't think it was the best Christmas gift.
That's right.
I think I would be like: This is kind of strange.
I got all kinds of other stuff, and I eat apples all the time.
So maybe the kids don't appreciate it.
And we're going to look at what happens to these gifts tomorrow and learn what
we can do to make a gift important.
Friends, we'll see you tomorrow on Christmas Day.
But first, let's visit the Chat Room.
Hey, Ken.
Do you have any plans for tonight?
Um, not yet. Why?
I'm a holding a Christmas Eve party at my house, and I'd like to invite you to
come.
Oh. Thanks, Bryan. I'd love to come.
Would there be a lot of people there?
Oh, yes. It'll definitely be an event.
We're making lots of food, and we'll have music and other activities.
Wow. It sounds great, but you don't have to tell me it's an event.
All parties are events.
Well, I guess you're right, Ken.
But I was using a different meaning of "event." When you say something is an
event, it can mean that it's something special and exciting.
Oh, I see.
Is that like when you talk about something being the main event?
Not exactly.
The main event is the most important part of something larger that is happening.
But something that is an event stands alone.
For example, a concert with several bands playing would be an event.
But the most famous band's performance would be the main event.
I get it.
So what will be the main event at your party?
That would probably be my wife's chocolate cake.
It's delicious.
That sounds great.
Now I can't wait.
Another way of saying something is an event is saying "It's a big deal." That
means it's really important, and a lot of people care about it.
Oh, yes. I've heard that before.
But don't people often say "big deal" to mean that something isn't important?
Yes, people will often use "big deal" sarcastically, but you can usually tell by
their tone of voice.
For example, if someone criticizes something you do, but you don't think it's a
problem, you could reply: Big deal.
But sarcasm is a bit rude, Ken.
So be careful when you use it.
OK. I will.
Well, I'm really excited about your party.
Thanks for inviting me.
You're welcome, and see you tonight.
(Chinese).
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And I guess we have to say goodbye now.
Take care, and I'll see you soon.
Friends, tonight is Christmas Eve.
How will you celebrate?
Maybe like millions of other people around the world, you'll get together for a
family dinner, throw an office party,
go to a Christmas music concert or attend a church service.
These are all great things.
But remember, in all the noise and excitement, somewhere hidden by all the
shopping and the gift giving,
there's a truth about Christmas that could profoundly change your life.
Join us tomorrow as we learn more about a Christmas gift that meets a need.
Until then, peace and goodwill to everyone.
Merry Christmas.