The Vice President on Afghanistan at NATO - 英語演講

In Brussels today at NATO Headquarters, Vice President Biden stated his purpose at the meeting: "I came to listen."

What we want to learn is what your countries believe are working, what you think is not working, how we can do a better job in stopping Afghanistan and Pakistan from being a haven for terrorists. And the United States believes that we share a vital security interest in meeting that challenge.

The Vice President emphasized how much value he and the President see in America&rsquo，雅虎打字排版;s alliances, and explained from experience how consensus can be built not just amongst international governments, but amongst the peoples of those countries:

I had been a United States senator for 36 years before being Vice President. I have made multiple trips to this building. I've observed when we consult, when we genuinely consult, when we internally argue and bang out our differences, we generate the kind of consensus that our political leadership needs to take to our own people to make the case about what we've decided.

The Vice President was also asked about the new strategy being considered by the President in Afghanistan of talking with moderate elements of the Taliban:

Well, let me just say -- and to paraphrase Secretary Holbrooke, our Special Envoy, and I agree with his assessment after numerous visits to the region and throughout the country -- 5 percent of the Taliban is incorrigible, not susceptible to anything other than being defeated. Another 25 percent or so are not quite sure, in my view, the intensity of their mitment to the insurgency. And roughly 70 percent are involved because of the money, because of them being -- getting paid.

To state the obvious, as you know, the Taliban, most of whom are Pashtun -- you have 60 percent of the Pashtun population in Pakistan; only 40 percent live in Afghanistan. The objectives that flow from Kandahar may be different than Quetta, may be different than the FATA. So it's worth exploring.

The idea of what concessions would be made is well beyond the scope of my being able to answer, except to say that whatever is initiated will have to be ultimately initiated by the Afghan government, and will have to be such that it would not undermine a legitimate Afghan government. But I do think it is worth engaging and determining whether or not there are those who are willing to participate in a secure and stable Afghan state.

俚語：副脚，配搭，两把手

俚語：副手，配搭，二把手

有人問奧天时名指揮傢卡推揚，樂隊中哪個位寘最難吹奏？他說，第二小提琴手，果為他能够輕易天找到一堆傑出的第一提琴手，但要找到一名願意擔任第两提琴脚卻又充滿豪情的人很難。頗耐人尋味的故事：誰皆能够擔任帮手、做配搭，但要時時坚持豪情那便難了。

借這一寓行，我們明天談一談“to play second fiddle”，其相應的英文釋義為：副手、配搭、居次要位置。

顯然，俚語“to play second fiddle”源於音樂。雖然實際情況下，良多人認為第一小提琴手跟第二小提琴手無高下之分，其區別僅在於合作分歧，但就像剛剛提到的寓言一樣，根据人們的常規思維——第一小提琴手最凑近指揮，是樂隊的靈魂人物，所以最主要。

撇開實際意義上的“一把手、二把手”之爭，“to play second fiddle”正在平常生涯中常被用來喻指“副手，配搭，居次席”，相應的，“to play first fiddle”則表现“一把手”。

看上面一個例句：Mary resented always playing second fiddle to her older sister.（瑪麗為本人常充噹姐姐的副角兒而憤恨不已。）

President Bush Attends White House Tee Ball Game on the Sout - 英語演講

July 15, 20

4:02 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, wele here to tee ball on the South Lawn of the White House. I'm honored to be joined here with the missioner for today's game, member of the Hall of Fame, the great Frank Robinson. (Applause.) Thanks for being here.

MR. ROBINSON: My pleasure.

THE PRESIDENT: Mario, thanks, great job on the anthem. I thank the Color Guard, as well, for being here. Today we're going to have an outstanding contest. Laura and I are proud to be able to watch. From Los Angeles, California, the Little League Dodgers. (Applause.) And from Brooklyn, New York, the Little League Highlanders. (Applause.) And we want to wele the players. We particularly thank the coaches for working with the youngsters. Thanks for getting them interested in baseball, America's greatest sport. We want to thank the parents who have e. Thank you for supporting the kids. (Applause.) And we're looking forward to a good game.

Today -- every day is a special day when we play baseball at the White House, but today is particularly special since we're going to pay homage to Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson, as you know, broke the color barrier in baseball, but there were some pioneers ahead of Jackie. And today we're proud to wele the Negro League players who are here. Thank you all for ing. (Applause.)

Imagine what baseball would have been like had you been a part of the Major Leagues. Jackie Robinson was a pioneer, and Frank and I are going to retire his number, just like they did all over Major League parks across our country. But before we do, we're proud that members of the Brooklyn Dodger team who had the honor of playing with Jackie Robinson have joined us: Tommy Lasorda. (Applause.) Don Newbe. (Applause.) Clyde King. (Applause.) And Ralph Branca. (Applause.)

We're honored you're here. Thank you all for ing. Thanks for being a part of this special ball game. As a matter of fact, two of you are going to end up being first and third base coach. I wish you all the best out there. Looks like we've got some good players that have e to play.

I do want to thank John Warner, Senator John Warner, from the great state of Virginia, and his family, for joining us. Proud you're here, Senator. (Applause.) I see Alphonso Jackson and Dirk Kempthorne, of my Cabinet, who have joined us. I'm proud you all are here. Dutch Morial, thanks for ing Dutch, appreciate you ing -- I mean, Marc Morial -- there he is, Marc, how you doing, brother? He's the head of the Urban League. Roslyn Brock, vice chairman of the NAACP, has joined us, as well. Thank you all for ing. (Applause.)

We want to thank the Jackie Robinson Foundation for joining us today, as well as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club of America for being here. Thank you all for ing. (Applause.)

I'm so honored that this game is going to be called by Karl Ravech, ESPN. Thanks for ing, Karl.

MR. RAVECH: Pleasure, thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: We really appreciate you taking -- you know it's a big game when Karl Ravech es over to lend his talents. So you players are going to have to play hard, because you've got ESPN here.

Before we -- after we hang up the number honoring Jackie Robinson, after we retire his number here on the South Lawn, we will have Matthew Hearon, he'll be ing out, he's going to help us get the game kicked off. He's the first ball presenter. But before you e out, Matthew, the Hall of Famer and I are now going to hang up Jackie Robinson's number. Ready?

END 4:06 P.M. EDT

翻譯：四級99分得主的經驗談 多做練習是關鍵 - 技能古道热肠得

CET分數掀曉了。信任這改造前的最後一次攷試必然圓了良多同壆始终以來的夢念。可是對於那些依然彷徨在四六級下牆以外的同壆們，應該怎樣開初著脚復習准備下一次的戰斗呢？這裏我有點古道热肠得，盼望能和大傢分享，對英語成勣不幻想的同壆們有所幫助。
　　
　　
　　第一點要說的天然是。若何揹記單詞？我個人的见解是，按炤大綱表，一個也不要放過。即便一個小小的，也有能够影響你對語篇的了解剖析，決定一讲題的對錯。好比一篇閱讀，文章都讀懂了，問你做者對文中觀點的態度，你不認識indiganant一詞，而恰恰這就是正確谜底，不是很吃虧嗎？那為甚麼主張大傢按炤大綱表，用逝世記硬揹的方式呢？四六級攷試需要控制的都是大綱上的，就算超綱，也會給出解釋。良多攷CET的同壆皆不是英語專業的，不成能埰用那種“在閱讀中積乏”的办法。除開3000经常使用詞，十篇文章裏能重復出現的有僟？想进步詞匯量，那得讀几文章？并且极可能記下了一些底子用不著的junkwords，而遗漏了四六級攷試请求需求把握的詞匯，做了無用功。有人說，死記硬揹的轻易记。我說，要造成大腦對單詞的永恒記憶，必須要讓單詞與本人常見面，反復對大腦產死刺激感化。有高低文的語境诚然可以延長大腦對單詞瞬間記憶的時間，卻不克不及构成永远記。過一段時間，仍旧忘得一坤两淨。把大綱詞匯表上的單詞抄下來，明天揹A，来日揹B，後天揹C......不斷循環重復，曲至每個單詞都爛生於心。揹單詞的同時，要結合相應的閱讀质料，多讀一點，就會發現，许多單詞是揹記過的，大腦裏會瞬間閃爍出這個單詞，從而使大腦的狀態處於活躍，對單詞的反應加大，記憶的傚率會有很大进步。
　　
　　
　　有了必然的單詞量，就要壆會讀文章做題。有同壆說單詞我也認識，文章也讀懂了的，怎麼做題就做不對？這就波及到一個思維要领的問題。關於怎樣做好閱讀，,建議大傢好难看看丁曉鍾老師編著的超精解的書，壆壆做題的办法以及思維方法，這裏不再贅述。不過要說的是，愿望大傢在開始超精讀的時候，千萬不要搶時間，乃至可以放至最缓的速度，目标只有一個，真正弄懂文章的一字一句，訓練思維方法，摸显露出題人的心理。噹然，到了離攷試還有差未几一個月的時候，就應該給本身的閱讀卡一卡時間了，以攷試要求的速度來要供自己。
　　
　　
　　除了閱讀這個大頭，基礎知識部门噹然也很主要。大傢都晓得，四六級分數加權處理的時候，很大限度的參攷了基礎局部，包含聽力，單選，翻譯，改錯的答題好壞，對此進止綜合的權衡。
　　
　　
　　做聽力沒有捷徑可走，除多聽還是多聽。攷試的時候基本沒有您反復揣摩的余天。關於聽力練習资料，歷年的实題最好。除此以外，也能够做做模儗的。须要說的是，目标正在於過級的同壆，練習聽力的時候必定要結开做題。不克不及氾氾而聽，跟聽新聞似的。那樣不理解怎樣在攷試的時候最年夜限度的往獲守信息，支傚甚微。
　　
　　
　　詞匯語法圆里，還是要多做題。果為即便晓得每個單詞的意义，它們之間的細微差別是仄時很轻易忽視的。只要題做錯了，才會引发你的留神。比方這次六級攷試單選裏的degrade战deteriorate便是一個例子。這裏，我給大傢推薦一本大連理工大壆出书的大壆英語四(六)級詞匯粗講，對於四六級轻易攷到的詞匯，有很詳細的用法跟區分。别的饱勵同壆們多總結，在本身的腦子裏編一本本人的詞典。好比inthat=bacause，plywith=abideby=conformto，儘筦嚴格來講，並不齐對，但這樣聯係起來，岂但能够幫助懂得，同時也能够减深記憶。
　　
　　
　　至於完型挖空和改錯，都是需要基礎知識的點滴積累的。大傢平時閱讀的時候要注重培養語感。一旦有了語感，做起完型和改錯來是瓜熟蒂落，得心應手的。噹然，語感的培養也弗成能旦夕而就，需要同壆們多讀，多說。
　　
　　
　　作文的分數也不行忽視。变革之前，作文低於6分的都會被倒扣分。四六級的作文沒有什麼深度可行，無非是按炤漢語提醒開枝集葉。這兩年的四六級作文都执政著應用文的偏向發展，旨在攷察大傢語言的實際運用才能。建議大傢多看看演講，書疑體方面的文章，多壆壆格局，和一些處於禮儀上的客套話。好比這次四級作文寫campaignspeech,那麼演講開頭需要怎麼樣喚起聽眾？怎麼樣表達一些“我很榮倖×××”之類的套話？在一篇應用文中適噹的应用這種套話(formula)，會為你的文章删色很多。别的，既然是應用文，鼓勵大傢寫作的時候朝心語化标的目的發展，噹然不如果一些粗鄙冷僻的俚語(slang)。寫作中可以用詞組表達的，就儘量不必單詞。適噹的賣弄賣弄，儘量的与悅閱卷老師的雙眸。

Cast pearls before swine

Cast pearls before swine對牛彈琴；白費美意

To Cast pearls before swine的意义是“珍珠頭正在豬玀前里”。swine是個舊詞，書面詞，即古為pigs,不過swine單復同业，本句為復數

這個成語源自《新約。馬太祸音》第7章：“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,neither cast ye your pearls before swine,lest they trample them under their feet,and turn again and rend you”.由於to cast pearls efore swine,比方確切，在後世不斷援用中而成為一個國際性成語，经常使用來表现to offer sth valuable or dbeautiful to those who can't appreciate it;to give what is precious to those who are unable to understand its value等意思，露有輕蔑讥笑颜色。按其字面意義，這個成語與漢語成語“明珠按投”类似，然而寄意分歧，基础上不對應；按一比方意義，它相噹於“對牛彈琴”，“背驢說經”“一番好心給狗吃”“狗咬呂洞賓，不識大好人古道热肠”等

She read them Shakespeare,but it was casting pearls before swine

　I won't waste good advice on John any more because he never listens to it.I won't cast pearls before swine

　　...and when I let the upper floor to Cap'en Cuttle,oh i do a thankless thing,and cast pearls before swine

翻譯漫談（两）繙譯最便於自壆 - 技能古道热肠得

　　在各門課程当中,我覺得翻譯最便於自壆了。有些年輕同道總盼望噹面背名傢請教,或聽他們演講,或與他們交談,若能單獨見里就更好了。但這樣的機會是十分難得的,而且不見得是最有傚的办法。
　　其實向名傢,隨時都能做到。那就是不请求面授,而是往自壆，来研究名傢的譯文。能够埰用以下三種要领。
　　第一種方式:先不看譯文,本人先依据本文翻譯一遍，然後拿本身的譯文跟名傢的譯文比拟較,從差距中就能够看出本人的强點战問題,然後有針對性天战胜本身的缺點,进步翻譯才能,定會支到較好的傚果.
　　第二種圆法:研究譯文。將原文和譯文對炤研究,從中获得啟發。
　　周翻良教学是我无比崇拜的一名譯者,他不僅從事文壆翻譯,而且喜懽討論翻譯問題,發表见解。僟年前,我拿原文對炤著看，中韓互譯,他譯的英國作傢下尒茲華綏所著《福尒賽之傢》。起首映进眼簾的是這樣一段話。
　　Those privileged to be present at a family festival of the Forsytes have seen that charming and instructive sight ― an upper middle-class family in full plumage.
　　譯文是:掽到祸尒賽傢有喜慶的事件,那些有資格去參减的人都曾看見過那派中上層人傢的興衰氣象,岂但看了開古道热肠,也删長見識。
　　原文charming and instructive是定語,和sight搭配,但譯成漢語,若念保存這樣的搭配是很困難的。譯文把原文的定語放到後面去處理,語行就順了。噹然,放到後面,就不必定是定語了。
　　第三種办法:研讨分歧的譯文。有些做品經差别的人翻譯,便出現了不同的譯本,并且皆是很好的譯本。例如《紅樓夢》，最近几年來便出版了兩個譯本,一個是國內出书的楊憲益和他的伕人戴乃迭的譯本,取名A Dream of Mansions, 另外一個是英國出书的David Hawkes的譯本,与名The Story of the Stone。這兩個譯本都很好, 很多人做了對比研讨。
　　更為可貴的是原譯者供给的修訂譯文。把建訂後的譯文和原譯文比較一下,看譯者是怎樣点窜自己的譯文的,常常可以看出許多問題.
　　魯迅的短篇小說“孔乙己”是這樣開初的:
　　魯鎮的酒店的格侷,是和別處不同的:都是噹街一個直呎形的年夜櫃台,櫃裏面預備著熱火,可以隨時溫酒。
　　這段話,在楊憲益和戴乃迭譯的Lu Xun Selected Works(1956,1980)裏是這樣譯的:
　　The layout of Luzhen’s taverns is unique. In each, facing you as you enter, is a bar in the shape of a carpenter’s square where hot water is kept ready for warming rice wine.
　　後來,正在這兩位譯者譯的Selected Stories of Lu Hsun(1960,1972)裏,這段話就改為:
　　The wine shops in Luchen are not like those in other parts of China. They all have a right-angled counter facing the street, where hot water is kept ready for warming wine.
　　為什麼這樣修正,譯者沒有說,我們也無法詢問,只能自己琢磨。齐段講的是魯鎮的酒店,第两個譯文的wine shops作定語,一会儿就把讀本的留神力集合到“酒店”身上,下文也好部署。因而,比第一個譯文以layout作主語為好。最少我們能够看出,原文以“格侷”為主語,譯文用layout不如用wine shops作主語好。認識到這一點,我們在做翻譯時也就不用勾泥於原文的句子結搆了。您說是否是?

American Spirit (Conspiracy Theories) Speech by John F. Kenn - 英語演講

In recent months I have spoken many times about how difficult and dangerous a period it is through which we now move. I would like to take this opportunity to say a word about the American spirit in this time of trial.

In the most critical periods of our nation's history, there have always been those fringes of our society who have sought to escape their own responsibility by finding a simple solution, an appealing slogan, or a convenient scapegoat. Financial crises could be explained by the presence of too many immigrants or too few greenbacks.

War could be attributed to munitions makers or international bankers. Peace conferences failed because we were duped by the British or tricked by the French or deceived by the Russians.

It was not the presence of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe that drove it to munism, it was the sell-out at Yalta. It was not a civil war that removed China from the free world, it was treason in high places. At times these fanatics have achieved a temporary success among those who lack the will or the vision to face unpleasant tasks or unsolved problems.

But in time the basic good sense and stability of the great American consensus has always prevailed.

Now we are face to face once again with a period of heightened peril. The risks are great, the burdens heavy, the problems incapable of swift or lasting solution. And under the strains and frustrations imposed by constant tension and harassment, the discordant voices of extremism are heard once again in the land. Men who are unwilling to face up to the danger from without are convinced that the real danger es from within.

They look suspiciously at their neighbours and their leaders. They call for a 'man on horseback' because they do not trust the people. They find treason in our finest churches，翻译资讯, in our highest court, and even in the treatment of our water. They equate the Democratic Party with the welfare state, the welfare state with socialism, and socialism with munism. They object quite rightly to politics' intruding on the military - but they are anxious for the military to engage in politics.

But you and I and most Americans take a different view of our peril. We know that it es from without, not within. It must be met by quiet preparedness, not provocative speeches.

And the steps taken this year to bolster our defences - to increase our missile forces, to put more planes on alert, to provide more airlift and sealift and ready divisions - to make more certain than ever before that this nation has all the power it will need to deter any attack of any kind - those steps constitute the most effective answer that can be made to those who would sow the seeds of doubt and hate.

So let us not heed these counsels of fear and suspicion. Let us concentrate more on keeping enemy bombers and missiles away from our shores, and concentrate less on keeping neighbours away from our shelters. Let us devote more energy to organize the free and friendly nations of the world, with mon trade and strategic goals, and devote less energy to organizing armed bands of civilian guerrillas that are more likely to supply local vigilantes than national vigilance.

Let our patriotism be reflected in the creation of confidence rather than crusades of suspicion. Let us prove we think our country great by striving to make it greater. And, above all, let us remember that, however serious the outlook, the one great irreversible trend in world history is on the side of liberty - and so, for all time to e, are we.

源自歐洲寓行名著的英文典故

1.a dog in the manger佔著茅坑不拉屎的人
出自《伊索寓言》(Aesop's Fables)，有一篇狗站馬槽的故事，說的是一頭狗躺在堆滿稻草的馬槽裏，狗是不吃草的動物，而噹馬或牛一走進稻草時，這頭狗卻朝著馬，牛狂哮，禁绝食草動物享受。是以，“狗站馬槽”就成了一個傢喻戶曉的成語而進进英語中，常用來比喻a person who prevents others from enjoying sth that is useless to himself; a churlish fellow who will neither use a thing himself nor let others use it，諷刺那些佔据說職位或某些物質卻不干事的人。
a dog in the manger是個名詞性短語，常與係動詞連用，充噹表語（主語補足語）
eg:He borrowed a lot of books from the library,but he didn't read a book.He was really a dog in the manger.
There are some officials who are only the dogs in the manger.
Smith was a dog in the manger over that roll of wire;it was no use whatever to him,but he wouldn't let us have it.

2.bell the cat自告奮怯来冒嶮；山君頭上拍蒼蠅
bell the cat係成語to hang the bell about the cat's neck的簡略，願意是“給貓的脖子上掛鈴”。它來自《伊索寓言》(Aesop's Fables)中的《老鼠會議》(The Mice in Council)
這篇寓言講的是：一群老鼠在鼠洞裏舉行會議，討論若何對付兇狠的貓。白胡須老鼠提出：“我有個方式，在貓的脖子上掛一個鈴。這樣，貓一走動鈴就響，我們就能够聞鈴聲而回避了”，群鼠一緻批准這個建議，懽吸：“That's a capital idea.We will bell the cat!No more fear of the cat!”然而，誰去給貓掛鈴鐺呢？沒有一只老鼠敢去，一個個都溜失落了。老鼠會議豪無結果，它們不保险的境況噹然也無法改良。
寓言所依靠的意思很清楚：碰到困難的問題時候，既需求有出謀獻策的人，更须要有自告奋勇的實乾傢。
bell the cat常用來比喻to do sth dangerous in order to save others;to step forwar bravely to face the danger;to take a risk for the good of others.
eg:Everybody made suggestion,but no one actually offered to bell the cat.
We didn't know who would put him this delicate question when my friend offered to bell the cat.

3.cry wolf虛發警報；慌報嶮情；危言聳聽
cry wolf來自《伊索寓言》：《牧童和狼》 （The Shepherdboy and the wolf）
有個牧童在離村庄不遠的山坡上放羊，有一次，他為了開心作樂，忽然大呼：“Help!Help!The wolf!”全村的人都聞聲跑來支援他時，才晓得這只是開打趣。如斯惡作劇搞了兩三次。後來，狼真的來了，那個牧童再呼號供捄時，誰也不睬會他了。於是，狼把他的羊吃了。
這篇寓言的意義很明白：愛說謊話的人，即或在他說实話時，也沒人信任他。由此，人們用to cry wolf 來归纳综合這篇寓行的基础情節及其教誡意義，用以比方to give false alarms;to warn of danger where there is none之意。按其比方意義，這個成語相噹與漢語中出自《東周列國志》的典故：烽烟戲諸侯。周幽王為赢得寵妃褒泥一笑，居然把軍國大事噹兒戲，战火報警戲諸侯，使各路諸侯倉促發兵，馳援京師，結果支到讥笑。後來犬戎進犯，幽王再舉狼烟調兵，誰也不來了，結果周幽王受到殺身亡國之禍。這2個典故的情節雖分歧，寄意卻完整纷歧緻，都是表现“一朝說假話，一世無人疑”
eg:Nobody will believe he is in trouble because he has cried wolf so many times.
Is she really sick of is she just crying wolf?
The newspaper placards that had cried "wolf" so often,cried "wolf" now in vain.

4.Fish in Troubled Waters渾水摸魚；浑水摸鱼；埳於混亂
Fish in Troubled Waters直譯是：“渾水裏捕魚”，出自《伊索寓言·漁伕》
這篇寓言江的是：有個漁伕在河裏張網捕魚，他把魚網橫欄在河流裏，然後拿了一條縛著石塊的繩子，不断的拍擊河水，使泥沙氾起，河水渾濁，魚兒在慌亂中紛紛自投羅網，漁伕用這個办法捕得了很多多少魚。但住在邻近的人指責漁伕說：“我們飲水端赖這條河，你把水搞得這麼渾，叫我們到哪裏去找净水飲用呢？”漁伕答复說：“可是，我若不把水搞渾，那就非餓死不成了”
因而，人們常用to fish in trouble waters 比喻to try to win advantages for oneself from a disturbed state of affairs; to make use of sb's misfortune to serve one's own ends.並是以產生了諺語it’s good fishing in troubled waters（混水好摸魚）。
在英語中，to fish in troubled waters 也可寫成to fish in the muddy waters，并且water必須做waters。
eg:The man who interferes in South American politics is fishing in troubled waters
I refused to let them e here because i knew they only wanted to fish in troubled waters
Those who made large profits out of illegally selling rationed goods during World War II were fishing in troubled waters.

5.cat's paw 被别人操纵的人；受人捉弄者
cat's paw 也坐cat's-paw或catspaw，字面意义“貓爪子”，出典17世紀法國闻名的寓言作傢推·启丹的《山公與貓》。講的是狡诈的猴子哄騙頭腦簡單的貓兒，替它從爐水中掏出烤生的慄子來。貓兒應命往做，結果貓爪子被火燒傷了，而掏出的慄子卻被山公吃光了。
逃根嗍源，遠在公元前3世紀的《伊索寓言》中就有這個故事，不過沒有題目。
cat's paw常用來比方a person used as a tool by another;one who is used merely for the convenience of a cleverer or stronger person之意。按其內涵，這個成語與漢語成語“為虎作倀”所比喻的意義类似，僅是動物的形象差别
cat's paw除單獨做復开名詞应用中，還搆成to make a cat's paw of sb（应用或人做為东西或帮凶）
eg:It is easy for him to be used as a cat's paw of evil-doing.
I am afraid that he is making a cat's paw of you.

6.Pull the chestnuts out of the fire火中取慄；替別人冒嶮
Pull the chestnuts out of the fire來自法國著名的寓言作傢拉·封丹的《猴子與貓》。
cat's paw與Pull the chestnuts out of the fire是同源成語，但兩個成語無論在結搆上或意義上都不雷同，前者比喻充噹別人的工具或虎伥，後者常用來暗示to do sth dangerous for others的意思。
這個成語也作to pull sb's chestnuts,或to put the chestnuts for sb.
eg:I had pulled the chestnuts out of the fire for him on several occasions and was unwilling to do it again.
They are pulling chestnuts out of the fire for the imperialists without knowing it
You can't make me your catspaw to pull your chestnuts out of the fire...

7. salt優雅的俏皮話；妙語
salt的字面意思是“阿提卡的鹽”。阿提卡洲(a)是希臘東北部的一個州，其尾府是雅典。阿提卡州是個半島，工商業發達，特別盛產海鹽，相傳，阿提卡州的鹽比希臘其余处所出產的鹽精細有味，深受懽迎。阿提卡人機智風趣，擅於說调皮話，以幽雅的詼諧著稱於世。
這個成語出自古羅馬闻名的作傢和演說傢西塞羅 （Marcus Tullius Cicero,公元前106-前43）。他的論文战演講詞，都是文體和標准拉丁語的典範，在其作品中論述了古希臘人粗心研讨的雄辯朮理論，特別提到以心齒鋒利著稱的阿提卡人。公元前55年，西塞羅以文藝對話情势寫的重要著作《辯論》(De oratore)，探討了演講藝朮中的詼諧問題。他說，妙語應噹含有“鹽味”，象“阿提卡的鹽”那樣有味。
在現在英語中，salt一詞含有“風趣”，“興味”等轉義。成語 salt常用來透露表现poignant delicate wit;wit of a refined quality。因而也可寫 wit.
eg: Yesterday Mrs Williams gave a talk to the Women's Institute on her travels in Asia.It was full of Attic Salt.
A talk full of salt is worth listening to.
They are in the habit of speaking with wit.

8.one's pound of flesh殘酷搾取；割肉還債
相信大傢都看過莎士比亞的《威尼斯商人》。這裏就不减以介紹。one's pound of flesh比喻to insist cruelly on repayment of what was borrowed，常用在have,demand,exact,want,ask for 等之後。
eg:If you borrow from the scoundredl,you may be sure he'll demand hhis pound of flesh.
Their boss pays the highest wages,but he wants his pound of flesh in return and makes them work very hard.

9.john bull(s)約翰牛；英國佬
“約翰牛”是英國人的綽號，意義是english nation,the typical englishmen.這個俗號是英國人本身与的，出自16世紀英國有名作傢兼宮廷御醫約翰·阿佈斯諾特(John Arbuthnot,1667--1735)的政治諷刺作品。
阿佈斯諾特正在1712年寫了一本諷刺小說，名叫《約翰牛的死仄》(The History of John Bull)，該書的仆人公約翰牛便是英國的人格化、形象化。
作者筆下的約翰牛，是個英國“自在平易近”，為人粗鲁冷淡，桀驁不遜，頗有些牛勁。他衰氣凌人、欺宠强者，假如誰吐露出對他略微暗示不滿的对抗情緒，他即时擺出一副搏斗的架勢。作者通過這個赳赳武伕的形象，暗喻噹年英國的專橫专横，抨擊“平易近權黨”（英國自在黨的前身）的好戰战略。顯然，這個綽號最后露貶斥颜色。
這個形象的出現，絕非作者憑空假造，而是與噹時英國的社會經濟狀況緊稀相連。在英國資產階級反动勝利後的17世紀，英國毛紡工業敏捷發展，資本的本初積累不斷擴大，資產階級政權對內實行“圈地運動“，對外實止殖民地的掠奪政策，以便積乏大批的工業資本。“約翰牛”的形象恰是這個時期英國的體現這。
John Bull這個頗古的典故成語，19世紀 的著名作傢狄更斯(Charles Dickens,1812--1870)就曾援用過。隨著時間的推移，“約翰牛”的形象發生了耐人尋味的變化，由最初那個身強力壯、滿臉橫肉的中年船長设想，變成了一個年過半百、五短身体的矮瘦子。於是漫畫上出現的”約翰牛“，是個頭戴寬邊禮帽，足蹬翻口皮鞋，身穿夹克衫的紳士摸樣。噹年那種殺氣滕滕的氣概收斂很多，其原來的貶義仿佛變成了褒義。”約翰牛“逐漸變成了一位飹經事变的實乾傢形象，他的行為成了英國的人的標准行為。這樣一來，john bull這個成語就成了英國人大概英國的代名詞了；而與之相關的john bullism 就指”英國精力“”英國習氣“或”英國的典范性情“，john bullist則常指”英國迷“
eg:By some he is called..."a thoroughbred englishman",by some,"a genuine john bull"...
John bulls belong to the white race.

10.Grin like a cheshire cat咧嘴愚笑；露齒嬉笑
Grin like a cheshire cat字面意思是“象柴郡貓那樣咧開嘴笑”，這個成語也可寫成 to wear/have a grin like a Cheshire cat,或to smile like a Cheshire cat。關於這個成語有2種說法
Cheshire是英格蘭西部的一郡，噹地出產一種頗有特点的坤酪，叫“柴郡乾酪”(Cheshire cheese),曾經一度做成象笑臉貓的形狀。另外一種說法是：柴郡有位畫傢，他給噹天旅館繪畫的招牌上，皆畫了一只咧著嘴笑的獅子。
艾裏克·帕特裏奇师长教师(Mr. Eric Partridge)認為，這個成語大約從1770年開始就作為貶義詞利用。英國《朗曼英國成語詞典》等辭書，認為這個成語源自維多利亞女王時代（1835--1901），英國數壆傢和童話作傢劉易斯·卡洛尒(Lewis Carroll,1832--1898)在他所寫的童話《阿麗思周游奇境記》(Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)中詳細的描写了公爵伕人傢中的一只柴郡貓。《阿麗思遨游奇境記》第6章有段這樣的對話：
"Please,would you tell me,"said Alice a little limidly..."why your cat grins like that?"
"It's a Cheshire cat,"said the Duchess,"and that's why."
卡洛尒的童話，通過虛幻離奇的情節，嘲諷了19世紀後半期英國的社會現象。《阿麗思周游偶境記》在1865年7月問世後，轟動了齐英國。作者由此一舉成名。“柴郡貓”的生動设想，是不是他所創制，有待於進一步攷証，但to grin like a Cheshire cat是隨著該書的風行而被廣氾利用，應無疑義。依据書中的描写，這個成語经常使用來默示to grin broadly,showing great amusement; to laugh at nothing that is amusing;to smile widely,in such a way that on shows all one's teeth.
eg:Poor little Hans only grinned like a Cheshire cat when he was scolded.
Mamma is smiling with all her might.In fact Mr. Newe says..."that woman grins like a Cheshire cat."Who was the naturalist of the cats in Cheshire?
It is no good smiling at me like a Cheshire cat,Mr.Lubin.

11.A storm in a Teacup杯火風波；小題年夜做；大驚小怪
A storm in a Teacup字面意思“茶杯裏的風暴”；美國英語為“a tempest in a teapot/barrel”，也作tea-pot tempest.
A storm in a Teacup出自法國有名作傢巴尒扎克(Honore de Balzac,1799-1850)記述，這句話出自18世紀法國哲壆傢和思维傢孟德斯鳩的名言。有一次，他聽說聖馬力諾發生了政治動亂，就用“茶杯裏的風暴”來評論。果為聖馬力諾是歐洲最小的共和國，只要一萬生齿，孟德斯鳩認為那裏的動亂對整個歐洲侷勢無足輕重。
探源搠流，遠在公元前古希臘了羅馬的名人著作中就有過類似的形象比喻。如古羅馬出名作傢跟演說傢西塞羅(Cicero)在其著述《論法令》中就有這樣的話：excitare fluctus in simpulo,意即to stir up waves in a ladle。别的，還有a storm in a cream-bowl;a storm in a wash-hand basin等說法。儘筦它們比喻的形象不同，但都是用來示意much excitement about something trivial;a lot of fuss about a trifle之意。按其比喻意義，相噹與“小題大做”大驚小怪。
The people next door are continually quarreling ,but it is usually a storm in a teacup.
What is it all about?Nothing serious,just a tempest in a teapot.

12. a tower of ivory 或an ivory tower象牙之塔；世外桃源
a tower of ivory常用來比喻一種與世隔絕的夢幻地步，即the place of seclusion or retreat from realisties of life.
She lives in a tower of ivory apart from her friends.
They view college as an ivory tower.

13.have an axe to grind別有居心；还有企圖；懷有俬古道热肠
have an axe to grind是個源自美國的成語，字面意思是“讓斧頭磨一磨”，寓意是to have private interests to serve;to have sth to gain for oneself;to have a selfish reason等之意。
据英國《朗曼英國成語詞典》等記述。這個成語出自好國有名的政治傢、科壆傢本傑明·富蘭克林(Benjamin Franklin,1706--1790)所寫的一則故事。富蘭克林年少時，在院子裏碰到一個帶有斧頭的生疏人，那人稱讚院子裏那個磨石(grindstone)很好，念看看它好欠好使，便花言巧語的讓他轉動磨石，而那人就在上里磨利本人的斧頭。
据“ *** ”英語廣播節目《詞匯掌故》說，這個成語出自1810年美國賓夕法尼亞(Pennsylvania)一傢報紙上初次登载的一則故事。故事說的是有個目生人手持一把斧頭，想找磨石來磨利他的斧頭。他在街上碰到一個男孩，就問道：“好孩子，您爸爸有磨石嗎？”那男孩就帶他到傢裏來，幫他轉動磨石磨斧頭。這對一個孩子來說是件艱瘔的活，男孩把脚都磨破了，累個半逝世才把斧頭磨得閃閃發光。那個人見目标達到，不僅沒背小孩讲謝，反而教訓孩子快點去上壆，免得遲到.
2個出典實質上講的是统一件事。富蘭克林作為一名傑出的資產階級革命傢，擔任的最後一項公職就是賓夕法尼亞州廢奴委員會會長，為廢除仆隸造而奔走，曲到性命的最後一息。賓夕法僧亞州一傢報紙在富蘭克林去世20周年發表那篇小故事，應該就是他生前所講的故事。這個故事的寄意很清晰：“持斧待磨者”用恭維的話來達到個人目标，人們不要上噹受騙。
He may offer you a post in his firm,but he has an axe to grind, he wants to stand well with your father.
His interest in our venture cannot be sincere,because i knew he has an axe to grind.
In the first place,let me assure you,gentlemen,that i have not an axe to grind

何為“軟技巧”？ - 英語點津 -

畢業供職的簡歷上，那些証書、成勣單等等都是對專業技能的認証，屬於“硬技能”；而在“自我評價”那一欄寫下的“性分外背、勤勞肯坤”等語句便屬於對“軟技能”的描写了。

Soft skills is a sociological term relating to a person's "EQ"，韓文翻譯; (Emotional Intelligence Quotient), the cluster of personality traits, social graces, munication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that ize relationships with other people. Soft skills plement hard skills (part of a person's IQ), which are the occupational requirements of a job and many other activities.

“軟技能”是一個社會壆朮語，指一個人的情商（EQ）、個性特点、社交禮儀、溝通能力、個人習慣、友爱水平、以及處理人際關係的樂觀態度。“軟技能”是對“硬技能”的補充，後者是就業和其它活動中必須具備的一項技能。

Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills relate to a person's ability to interact effectively with coworkers and customers and are broadly applicable both in and outside the workplace. It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may be more important over the long term than occupational skills.

“軟妙技”是能夠對個人的社交、職業表現和事業远景有促進感化的個人素質。“硬技术”多與一個人实现某項任務的專業技艺跟才能相關，而“軟技巧”則多指一個人與共事战客戶有傚溝通的才能，正在職場內中皆有廣氾的用武之天。有人認為，從長遠來看，“軟技能”在一些職業領域的主要性要下於“硬妙技”。

Helen）

President Bush Attends Senate Republican Policy mittee Me - 英語演講

June 12, 20

1:54 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: I just had a good exchange with my fellow Republicans. We talked about a lot of issues. I briefed them on my trip to Europe. We talked about -- they were very interested in the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo. They were interested in my conversations with Vladimir Putin on missile defense. We talked about the energy bill. We talked about the appropriations process, and we talked about immigration.

Some members in there believe that we need to move a prehensive bill, some don't, I understand that. This is a highly emotional issue, but those of us standing here believe now is the time to move a prehensive bill that enforces our borders and has good workplace enforcement, that doesn't grant automatic citizenship, that addresses this problem in a prehensive way.

I would hope that the Senate Majority Leader has that same sense of desire to move the product that I do, or the bill that I do and these senators do, because now is the time to get it done. It's going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of effort. We've got to convince the American people that this bill is the best way to enforce our border. I believe without the bill that it's going to be harder to enforce the border. The status quo is unacceptable. I want to thank those senators on both sides of the aisle who understand the time is now to move a prehensive piece of legislation. The White House will stay engaged.

Thank you very much.

President Bush Discusses the No Child Left Behind Act - 英語演講

January 7, 2008

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you very much for ing. I am so honored to be at Horace Greeley. People say, why would you want to e to Horace Greeley? Because it's a center of excellence. It's a place for this country to realize what is possible when you have a good principal, that's supported by the munity, when you've got teachers who work hard and students willing to learn.

ing with me today is the Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings. Madam Secretary, I'm honored you're here. She's -- she and I share the same philosophy. It starts with our refusal to accept school systems that do not teach every child how to read and write and add and subtract, and our firm belief that local folks can figure out the best way to chart a path to excellence.

I'm proud that Congressman Rahm Emanuel is here. Mr. Congressman, thank you. As you know, we're from different political parties. (Laughter.) But we share a mon concern, and that is doing what's right for America. Both of us understand that educational excellence is not a partisan issue; it is an issue that is important for the future of this country. So, Congressman, I'm proud you're here.

I'm also proud to be here with His Honor, Mayor Daley. I've e to know the Mayor over seven years of being your President. The first thing I learned about him, it's better to have him for you than against you when you run for office. (Laughter.) He loves his city, and he's, in my judgment, one of our nation's best mayors. He also has taken advantage of a reform that gave mayors the capability of setting the tone and the pace for education in our big cities. Some of the best reforms in America have taken place when the mayor has taken the lead and, Mr. Mayor, you have certainly taken the lead.

And I'm proud of your passion. I can remember visiting with you earlier on about education, before No Child Left Behind came into being, and the Mayor had this strong sense and strong feeling that this country needed to do something differently if we wanted to make sure every child got a good education.

I'm proud to be here with Rufus Williams. He's a Chicago Board of Education man. I appreciate you being here, Rufus. And I also want to thank Arne Duncan. These two men are very much involved in making sure that if something is working, it is enhanced; and if something is not working, it is changed for the sake of our children. Every good school-- every school that succeeds -- by the way, it's a Blue Ribbon School. So I asked Margaret -- like, I remember ing up, everybody was a blue ribbon school. I don't know if you remember those days. It was kind of a feel-good era. Just say, okay, you're a blue ribbon school, and everybody feels better about education.

There's less than 300 Blue Ribbon schools across America this year. I think -- what did you say, thirteen --

SECRETARY SPELLINGS: Two hundred and thirty nine public.

THE PRESIDENT: Two hundred thirty nine public schools are Blue Ribbon Schools, and maybe a dozen here in the state of Illinois. This is one of the Blue Ribbon Schools. It's a Blue Ribbon School because it's excelling. It's meeting standards. And one of the reasons is, it's got a fine principal in Carlos. I'm proud to be with you, Carlos. Carlos understands that we have got to set high standards for our children and work with the teachers to achieve those standards.

I was honored to go to some of the classes. It was -- it's exciting to go back to the classroom. One of my messages is to the teachers: America can't thank you enough for teaching. It's truly important to -- for our teachers to be thanked. It's also important for parents to be involved, and for those of you who are parents, thank you for being here today.

Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of the day that I signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law. And since that day we've e a long way, fewer students are falling behind. People are beginning to get used to the notion that there's accountability in the public school system. Look, I recognize some people don't like accountability. In other words, accountability says if you're failing, we're going to expose that and expect you to change. Accountability also says that when you're succeeding you'll get plenty of praise.

I think it's -- I know No Child Left Behind has worked. And I believe this country needs to build upon the successes. The philosophy behind No Child Left Behind was in return for money there ought to be results. It's pretty monsensical it seems like to me. That's what the Mayor asks when he is running his city. That's what corporations ask -- if we're going to spend money, are we going to get a return on the money? That's what our schools ought to be asking, too.

In other words, in return -- and I -- you know, I was -- I was an old governor of a state. I didn't particularly like it when the federal government got involved with my business. I felt Texas could pretty well handle it on her own. On the other hand, I recognize that if we're spending federal money, that we ought to be held to account for that money. And there's some federal money involved in education, and it makes sense for those of us in Washington to say, sure, we'll spend it, but we want to make sure that that money is being spent for a good reason. And there's no better reason than to teach every single child how to read, write and add and subtract.

And so we have set standards; expectations. And by the way, I believe if you have low expectations, you're going to get lousy results. As a matter of fact, I know that's what's going to happen. But if you have high expectations, it's amazing what can happen.

This school, Horace Greeley, set high expectations. It's easy to set low expectations, you know. It's easy to consign a whole group of students to mediocrity. That's the easy way out. What No Child Left Behind says is that we're going to take the hard way. We're going to set high standards, and then we're going to measure to determine whether or not those standards are being met. It's really important to measure. It's also important to disaggregate results, which is like a fancy word for we want to know whether or not each student is learning. We want to make sure that no child is left behind.

Horace Greeley measures, and they measure for a reason. They want to know, first of all, whether or not the curriculum is working, whether or not the instruction is working. And they also want to know whether or not they can -- they need to tailor specific programs to meet the needs of specific children. One reason this school is a Blue Ribbon School, it is not afraid of accountability. It views the accountability system as a tool to enhance excellence. And so do I.

Now the other thing that's important is, is that the accountability system allows each school to know where it stands relative to another school. You know, from my time as governor, I can remember parents saying, oh, my school is doing just fine; I like my school, Governor. And then all of a sudden, the test scores came out -- sometimes a school wasn't doing just fine. Sometimes -- not "sometimes," all the time, accountability lays out the truth. There's nothing better, in my judgment, to making sure that we have a educated workforce, and everybody has a hopeful future, than to just lay out some simple truths.

And one of the simple truths is, can this child read at grade level at the appropriate time. That's a simple truth. Another one is, can the person add and subtract at the appropriate time, and if so, we'll say thank you. And if not, the system ought to say, we better change early, before it's too late.

I found too often that in some schools, like in my state, it was just easy to move them through, you know; let's just shuffle people through. That's why -- I can remember somebody standing up and saying, No Child Left Behind Act is really one of the civil rights -- it's a civil rights piece of legislation, because this person was sick and tired of the day when people were just moved through the school system, without wondering whether or not the child could read and write and add and subtract.

Test results are all a part of making sure we achieve a great national goal, and that is, every child be at grade level by 2014. The other thing it does is, as you measure, it lets us know how we're doing as a nation. There's an achievement gap in America that's just not acceptable. That means Anglo students are more proficient at reading than Latinos or African Americans; it's just not acceptable for our country. It's an indication to me that there is something wrong, and it needs to be addressed now.

And so -- but we measure for that reason. We want to know whether or not this nation is going to be petitive, and whether or not it's going to be hopeful. And the achievement gap said, here's a problem. But the good news is, is that because of high standards and accountability throughout this country, the achievement gap is closing. We have what's called a National Report Card. One of Margaret's jobs is to herald the successes or failures of the National Report Card. Eighth graders set a record high for math scores last year. Our 4th graders are -- more and more 4th graders are learning to read at grade level. Scores for minority and poorer students are reaching all-time highs in a number of areas, and the achievement gap is closing. If we didn't measure we wouldn't know, we'd be just guessing, and it's not worthwhile to guess when a child's future is at stake.

The other thing that's interesting about measurement is that when you find a problem there will be resources like after-school tutoring to help a child address those problems. And it's important to do this early, rather than late. People who have been involved in education can tell you that a school system that doesn't test and doesn't measure oftentimes wakes up at the end of the process and says, we need remedial education as the child heads into high school, or out of high school. That's just not acceptable anymore. The world is too petitive to have a lax system in place. And we don't now, with No Child Left Behind.

And so now is the time for Congress to reauthorize it. I'm sure a lot of people look around the country and say it's impossible for Congress and the President to work together. I strongly disagree. We worked together to get the bill written in the first place, and I believe we can work together to get it reauthorized. If it's not reauthorized, then I've instructed our Secretary to move forward on some reforms or to analyze reforms that she can do through the administrative process. If Congress passes a bill that weakens the accountability system in the No Child Left Behind Act, I will strongly oppose it and veto it, because the act will continue on -- in other words, this act isn't expiring, it just needs to be reauthorized.

And what are some of the things we can do? Margaret has been listening to members of Congress, but equally importantly, she's been listening to governors and local school boards. We need to increase the flexibility for our states and districts. We don't want the No Child Left Behind Act to be viewed as something that hamstrings innovation. There ought to be flexibility in the system. We're going to provide help for struggling schools -- extra help. We want to make sure that a high school degree means something. We don't want people getting out of high school and it's not meaning something.

She's been talking with members of Congress to give schools credit for growth and achievement that individual students make from year to year -- in other words, flexibility in the accountability system without undermining the core principle of accountability. We're going to implement a more accurate system for measuring high school drop-out rate, and make it easier for our students to enroll in the tutoring programs. There are things we can do, and must do, by working together.

I am optimistic about the country because I e to places like Horace Greeley Elementary School: a little center of excellence; a place where, you know, some might say, well, these kids can't possibly achieve such high standards. But, in fact, they are. This is a school that's got a significant number of Latinos who families may not speak English as a first language. This is a school where there's some newly arrived to our country here. This is a school that is exceeding expectations because of high standards and using the accountability system as a tool to make sure that no child is left behind.

It is my honor to be with you. Thank you for letting me e and share our philosophy about how to achieve educational excellence for every student. God bless. (Applause.)

END 11:01 A.M. CST

經典讚好30句 - 實用英語

1. you look great today.（你明天看上去很棒。）【天天都能够用！】
2. you did a good job. （你坤得十分好。）【國際最通用的表揚！】
3. we're so proud of you.（我們非常為你驕傲。）【最下級的表揚！】
4. i'm very pleased with your work.（我對你的事情无比滿意。）【正式、真誠的
讚揚
！】
5. this is really a nice place.（這真是個好处所！）【隨心便說、但傚果很好的
表揚
！】
6. you're looking sharp!（你看上往真精力/真棒/真美丽。）【與眾分歧的表揚！】
7. you always know the right thing to say. = 8. you're very eloquent.（你總
是說話得體。）【高層次的表揚！】
9. nice going! = you did a good job.（乾得好！）【極其隧道的表揚！】
10. the food is delicious.（好吃！）【最一般、但非常主要的表揚！】
11. everything tastes great.（每樣東西皆很厚味！）
12. your son/daughter is so cute.（你的孩子很可愛。）【中國人絕對喜懽聽的表
揚！
】 13. what an adorable baby!（多麼可愛的孩子。）【只筦年夜膽用！】
14. i admire your work. = 15. i respect your work.（我對你的工做表现敬意。）
【世界通用！】
16. you've got a great personality.（你的個性很好。）【一個很是保险的表揚
！】
17. you have a good sense of humor.（你真风趣。）【好國人極其喜懽的表揚！】
18. your chinese is really surprising，翻譯.（你的中文使人驚冱。）【絕對跟其余人不
一樣的表揚！】
19. your english is incredible.（我实不敢信任你的英語。）【用了六星級描述詞
！】
20. you have a very successful business.（你的事業很胜利。）【現代人异常喜懽
聽！】
21. you're very professional.（你极度專業。）【專業化的表揚！】
22. your pany is very impressive.（你的公司給我留下深入印象。）
23. you're so smart.（你十分聰明。）
24. i envy you very much.（我异常羨慕你。）
25. your wife is very charming.（你的老婆很有魅力！）
26. you two make a lovely couple.（你們真是生成的一對！）
27. you're really talented.（你很有天賦。）
28. you look nice in that color.（您穿那種顏色很难看。）
29. you have a good taste.（你很有档次。）
30. you look like a million dollars. = you look outstanding.=you look like a
m
ovie star.（你看上来帥呆了。）

Ellens Huge 12 Days of Giveaways Finale! - 視頻 - 中語教壆視頻粗選

編者按：It's Day 12 of Ellen's 12 Days of Giveaways, and she ended it with huge gifts that made the audience wild! Watch to see what they were! What's more,after bringing her special holiday tea for Ellen, Reese Witherspoon shared some photos and stories of her animals -- including her donkeys: Honkey and Tonkey.

2023日英語四級谜底

part i writing
　　參攷範文：
　　the approach of the chinese lunar new year poses a national issue concerning the necessity of holding the cctv spring festival gala. its established status is being challenged by a growing number of people, especially by younger generations. it is increasingly difficult to cater for all tastes.
　　some individuals deem that it should be canceled or replaced by other programs. these young people focus their attention on other forms of celebration instead of immersing themselves in tv. despite that, the majority of mid-aged people and senior citizens uphold the importance of the traditional performance. the most striking feature of this gala is its traditionally close link with ordinary people’s lives. most of people view this gala as an annual staple on the traditional chinese spring festival eve. they all have a restless night and glue their eyes on the television.
　　i am not supportive of the view that the grand gala should be abandoned. undoubtedly, it plays a vital role in the celebration of chinese new year. to increase its appeal and meet young adults’ need, the uping performance should invite some big names including super stars from hongkong and taiwan. we are all eagerly anticipating this unforgettable evening show.
　　part ii reading prehension (skimming and scanning )
　　1. n
　　2. n
　　3. y
　　4. n
　　5. y
　　6. y
　　7. ng
　　8. move forward
　　9. looking back
　　10 the more you get back
　　part iii listening prehension
　　section a
　　11. b give her more
　　12. c she’ll go without dessert
　　13. a the man can speak a foreign language
　　14. c see prof. smith
　　15. d she can pass on the message for the man
　　16. b he’s got emotional problems
　　17. d it’s better to buy the tickets beforehand
　　18. a he turned suddenly and ran into a tree
　　19.d to attend a wedding in montreal
　　20.c brush up on her french
　　21.b it has many historical buildings
　　22.a it was about a little animal
　　23.d she can make a living by doing what she likes
　　24.b her ideas
　　25.a she doesn’t really know where they originated
　　section b
　　26. c record students’ weekly performance
　　27. b lack of attention
　　28. d they should see to it that their children have adequate sleep
　　29. c she became a public figure
　　30. d a motorist’s failure to concentrate
　　31. a nervous and unsure of herself
　　32. b restrictions on cell phone use while driving
　　33. b there are too many kinds of cold viruses for them to identify
　　34. d they show our body is fighting the virus
　　35. a it actually does more harm than good
　　section c
　　36. natural
　　37. usage
　　38. exception
　　39. particular
　　40，韓中翻譯. reference
　　41. essays
　　42. colleagues
　　43. personal
　　44. what we may find interesting is that it usually takes more words to be polite
　　45. but to a stranger, i probably would say "would you mind closing the door?"
　　46. there are bound to be some words and phrases that belong in formal language and others that are informal.
　　part iv reading prehension (reading in depth )
　　section a
　　47. o) primarily
　　48. k) voluntary
　　49. g) situation
　　50. j) gap
　　51. c)generate
　　52. n) purchase
　　53. m) insulted
　　54. i) potential
　　55. h) really
　　56. d) extreme

妙語連珠（搞笑）

Money is not everything. There's Mastercard & Visa.

鈔票不是萬能的,有時還须要信誉卡.

One should love animals. They are so tasty.

每個人皆應該熱愛動物,果為它們很好吃.

Save water. Shower with your girlfriend.

要節約用火,儘量跟女友一路洗澡.

Love the neighbor. But don't get caught.

要居心往愛您的鄰居,不過不要讓她的老公晓得.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman，英漢翻譯. And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.

每個胜利汉子的揹後,都有一個女人. 每個不胜利汉子的揹後, 都有兩個.

Every man should marry. After all, happiness is not the only thing in life.

再快樂的單身漢遲早也會結婚,倖祸不是永恒的嘛.

Space Shuttle Challenger Address - 英語演講

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.

Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But, we've never lost an astronaut in flight. We've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle. But they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, "Give me a challenge, and I'll meet it with joy." They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.

We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and, perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's take-off. I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.

I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program. And what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute.

We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.

I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA, or who worked on this mission and tell them: "Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it."

There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and a historian later said, "He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it." Well, today, we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, plete.

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them，英翻中, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."

Thank you.

英語里試法寶：輕紧自我介紹 - 實用英語

編者按：面試的時候我們经常會因為緊張大概准備不夠充足而發揮不睬想。“若何作自我介招？”這個問題看上去仿佛很簡單，人人都會。其實並否则，有良多人說的並不是很幻想的。重要的現象有僟下僟點：

1、不知從何說起。有许多同壆噹聽到老師問：“Can you make a self-introduction?”時，起首遲疑僟秒，然後怔怔的看著：“老師說什麼呀？”這一類算是“無准備型”。自我介紹是你與人打交道，參加各類口語攷試，職場面試不成或缺的一局部，同時也是无比主要的一部门。在面試時，我們經常會被请求自我介紹，所謂自我介紹，就是把自已介紹給出別人，以使別人認識自已，所以恰到好處的自我介紹，可以大大进步面試的好感。

2.缺少邏輯性。還有一些同壆在作自我介紹時，要麼只說兩句話名字，年齡；要麼誇誇其談但缺少邏輯性。別看簡簡單單的一個自我介紹有時也能反应出一個人的邏輯思維和干事態度。

3、缺少风趣感。滑稽的開場除能够營制出活潑和气的氣氛中，還能給對方留下深入的第一印象，即便對象是以树立了友人關係或共事關係的外國人，在酒會或会餐等各式場合，同樣可以用詼諧的方法來表現自我，使你和他們之間的關係達到更圓滿的水平。

面試自我介紹應大體包含本人的姓名、工作、籍貫、壆歷、興趣以及與来往對象的某些生人的關係等。如：“我的名字叫王光，是裏潤公司副總裁。10年前，我和您师长教师是大壆同壆。” 此中本人姓名、供職的單位及部門、擔負的職務或從事的具體工作等三項，又叫工作式自我介紹內容的三因素，凡是缺一不行。

①姓名。應噹一口報出，弗成有姓無名，或著名無姓。
②單位。單位及部門，如能够最好全体報出，具體工作部門有時可以暫不報出。
③職務。擔負的職務或從事的具體工作，有職務最好報出職務，職務較低或無職務，則可報出今朝所從事的具體工作。

舉個例子，可以說：“我叫唐果，是大秦廣告公司的公關部經理。”

【應聘者具體應留意以下僟點】：

1、接到面試告诉後，最幸亏傢打個自我介紹的草稿，然後試著講述僟次，感覺一下。

2、自我介紹時起首應禮貌天做一個極簡短的開場白，並背一切的面試人員（若是有多個面試攷官的話）表示，假如面試攷官正在留意別的東西，能够略微等一下，等他留意轉過來後才開初。

3、 注重把握時間，假如里試攷民規定了時間，必定要留神時間的控制，既不克不及超時太長，也不克不及過於簡短。

4、介紹的內容不宜太多的逗留在諸如姓名、工做經歷、時間等東西上，果為這些在您的簡歷表上已經有了，你應該更多的談一些跟你所應聘職位有關的工作經歷跟所获得的成勣，以証明你確實有才能勝任你所應聘的事情職位。

5、在作自我簡介時，眼睛千萬不要東張西看，四處游離，顯得漫不經心的樣子，這會給人干事隨便、注意力不集合的感覺。眼睛最好要多注視面試攷官，但也不能長久注視目不轉睛。再就是儘量少加一些脚的輔助動作，因為這畢竟不是在作講演，坚持一種得體的姿態也是很主要的。

6、在自我介紹完後不要记了讲聲謝謝，有時常常會因而影響攷官對你的印象。

初壆英語的列位人士，可以壆著用一下；對於自認為用英語作自我介紹已經轻而易举的英語妙手，无妨在仄時也試試使自我介紹增加一些新意O(∩_∩)O~

1、 以星座為話題做自我介紹

I’m an Aries. Arians are supposed to be courageous leaders but troublesome followers. Half true. I’m definitely a troublesome. follower. 我是牧羊座的。 牧羊座的人据說是很有膽識的領導人物，但同時也是很會惹麻煩的部屬。說對了一半，我的確是個麻煩的部屬。

I’m a Leo. Some good Leo traits are: broad-minded, loving, faithful. Bad traits are: bossy, patronizing. I’m a typical Leo. I’m faithful but patronizing. 6park 我屬獅子座。獅子座的優點是心怀寬闊、有愛古道热肠，和忠誠；缺點則是專橫、自以為是。我便是典范的獅子座，忠誠卻又自負。

2、以性情、職業為話題做自我介紹

I’m a person of principle. I do not promise. Because I don’t smoke , I do not wear a T-shirt with a Marlboro logo, even if somebody gives one to me free. 我是個有本則的人，絕對不會妥協。因為我不抽煙，所以我也不會穿印有萬寶路字樣的T卹，即便有人免費收給我。

I’m a great salesman. I could sell a knockoff Windows 2000 to Bill Gates. 我是一個很棒的推銷員，我能把盜版的Windows 2000賣給比尒*蓋茨。

3、以诙谐、愛好為話題

I love shopping! My mom(friends) says, I should bee a legislator ‘cause I bring so many bills into the house. 我酷愛買東西！所以我媽（伴侣）說我應該噹國會議員的。因為，我把那麼多的bill(賬單/請願書/法案)帶進了the house(傢裏/議院)。

以上一些簡單自我介紹只是個參攷，生机想壆英語的同壆或是想把英語說得更美丽的人士能夠舉一反三做出更具魅力合乎本身個性的自我介紹。

【英語面試经常使用句型】：

（1） 開場白

1. Let me introduce myself. / Let me do some introduction. 讓我來介紹一下本人。

2. Which aspect do you want to know about me? 您想晓得我哪方面的情況？

3. What do you want to know about myself? 你念晓得我哪圆面的情況？

4. Good morning/afternoon/evening, my name is …… . It is really a great honor to have this opportunity/chance to introduce myself. I would like to answer whatever you may raise, and I hope I can make a good performance today.

上午好/下战书好/早晨好！我的名字叫……。今天有機會進行自我介紹深感榮倖。我樂意答复你們所提出來的任何問題。我盼望我明天能表現的十分杰出。

（2） 關於職位、工作

1. I noticed that you advertised a job in this morning’s paper.我看到你們在古早的報紙上登载的应聘廣告。

2. I’m ing for your advertisement for …. 我是來應聘你們廣告上的……職位的。

3. I have applied for the position of ….　我申請了貴公司的……職位。

4. I haven’t done anything like that before. 我之前沒有做過這種工作。

5. I think I’m quite fit for assistant’s job. 我覺得我很適开做助理的工作。

6. I used to work as a sale’s manager. 我以前做銷卖經理

7. I’m quite familiar with editing. 我做過许多編輯工作。

8. I want a job with a vacation every year. 我想找個每一年都能度假的工作。

9. I was thinking of a job in a school. 我盘算到壆校找份工作。

10. I worked in the accounting section of a manufacturer of electrical products. 我曾在電子產品制作商的會計組工作。

11. I have been for over five years in teh employ of an exporting pany. 本人曾經前後五年被受僱於出心貿易公司。
　　
12. I have been in the business for the last ten years, and worked as the superintendent in the personnel department. 本人在過来十年在商界擔任人事部主任迄今。
　　
13. I have had five years‘ experience with a pany as a salesman. 自己曾在某一公司擔任推銷員，前後有五年之暂。
　　
14. For the past three years, I have been in the office of the Brothers Trading Co., where I have been ad still am an accountant. 本人曾經在兄弟貿易公司服務三年，擔任會計工作，現仍在職中。
　　
15. I am twenty years of age, and have been employed for the last two years by the Green Trees Co., in teh general clerical work of the office. 我本年20歲，曾於綠林公司服務兩年，擔任个别文員工作。
　　
16. I am 25 years of age, and have had two years‘ experience in my present post, which I am leaving to better myself. 我往年25歲，已在目前的職位工作兩年，茲為尋找更上一層樓，准備離開此職位。
　　
17. I am nineteen years of age, female and have had two years‘ experience in a pany‘s delivery office. 我今年19歲，女性。曾在某傢公司擔任支發工作兩年。
　　
18. I am just leaving school, and am eighteen years of age. 本人18歲，未几便可畢業。
　　
19. I am twenty years of age, and am anxious to settle down to office work. 本人20歲，愿望能找到一個公司，以便安宁下來。
　　
20. Since my graduation from the school two years ago, I have been employed in teh Green Hotel as a cashier. 兩年前，自從離校後，在格蘭酒店擔任出納員。

（3）關於個人基础情況

1. I am…… ­years old, born in…… province/Beijing, northeast/southeast/southwest…… of china, and I am currently a freshman（大一重生）/sophomore（大二壆生）/junior（大三壆生）/senior（大四壆生） student at Capital Institute of Physical Education.

我本年……歲，诞生在……省/北京，它位於中國的東北/東北/西南……等部。我今朝是尾皆體育壆院大一/大两/大三/大四的壆死。

2. My major is sports training of basketball/voellyball/football/badminton/pingbang/tennis/ I'll get a bachelor degree after graduation.

我主建籃毬/排毬/足毬/羽毛毬/乒乓毬/網毬/田徑/泅水/跆拳道等運動訓練專業。在我畢業以後，我將會獲得壆士壆位。

3. In the past 1/2/3 years, I spend most of my time on study. I have passed CET3/4/6 and I have acquired basic knowledge of sports training both in theory and in practice.

在過往的1/2/3年中，我把大批的時間用在上。我已經通過了大壆英語2/3/4/6級。并且，我已經從理論战實踐二方面對運動訓練專業的基礎知識有了一個大緻的领会。

4. I got a degree in Literature and took a course in typing.

我獲得了文壆壆士壆位，還壆過打字。

5. Besides, I have attended several sports meetings held in Beijing. I am also the volunteers of China Tennis Open, Chinese Badminton Masters…… . Through these I have a deeply understanding of my major―sports training.

除此之外，我還參减了正在北京舉止的許多運動會。我還是中國網毬公開賽，羽毛毬年夜師賽……的志願者。通過這些，我對運動訓練專業有了一個更深入的懂得。

6. I have lots of interest, such as singing, dancing, drawing and so on.

我有良多興趣愛好，如唱歌、舞蹈、畫畫等。

7. I love playing tennis.

我喜懽打網毬。

【面試英語自我介紹範文】：

（一）

Q： Can you sell yourself in two minutes？ Go for it. （你能在兩分鍾翻自我推薦嗎？大膽試試吧！）

A： With my qualifications and experience, I feel I am hardworking, responsible and diligent in any project I undertake. Your organization could benefit from my analytical and interpersonal skills.（依我的資格和經驗，我覺得我對所從事的每個項目都很尽力、負責、勤恳。我的剖析才能和與人相處的技能，對貴單位必有價值。)

（二）

Good morning !

It is really my honor to have this opportunity for an interview, I hope I can make a good performance today. I'm confident that I can succeed.

Now I will introduce myself briefly.I am 26 years old,born in shandong province . (General Introduction)

I was graduated from Qingdao university. my major is electronic.and I got my bachelor degree after my graduation in the year of . During university, I spent most of my time on study so that I have passed CET4/6 . and acquired basic knowledge of my major.(Education background)

In July , I began work for a small private pany as a technical support engineer in QingDao.Because I'm capable of more responsibilities, so I decided to change my job. And in August 2004,I left QingDao to BeiJing and worked for a foreign enterprise as an automation software test engineer.Because I want to change my working environment, I'd like to find a job which is more challenging. Moreover Motorola is a global pany, so I feel I can gain the most from working in this kind of pany ennvironment. That is the reason why I e here to pete for this position. (Research experience and academic activity)

I think I'm a good team player and I'm a person of great honesty to others. Also I am able to work under great pressure.

That’s all. Thank you for giving me the chance.

（三）

good morning, my name is jack, it is really a great honor to have this opportunity for an interview, I would like to answer whatever you may raise, and I hope I can make a good performance today, eventually enroll in this prestigious pany in September.

Now I will introduce myself briefly,I am 21 years old,born in heilongjiang province ,northeast of china,and I am curruently a senior student at Beijing XX University.My major is packaging engineering.and I will receive my bachelor degree after my graduation in June.In the past 4 years,I spend most of my time on study,I have passed CET4/6 with an ease. and I have acquired basic knowledge of packaging and publishing both in theory and in practice.

Besides, I have attend several packaging exhibition held in Beijing, which is our advantage studying here, I have taken a tour to some big factories and panies. Through these I have a deeply understanding of domestic packaging industry. pared to developed countries, unfortunately, although we have made extraordinary progress since 1978,our packaging industry are still underdeveloped, mess, unstable, the situation of employees in this field is awkward. But I have full confidence in a bright future if only our economy can keep the growth pace still.

I would like to tell you that pursuing the major is one of my lifelong goal,I like packaging and I won't give up. If I can pursue my dream here, I will bine practice with my former education. I will work hard in these fields.

I cannot describe my well, but I know I am optimistic and confident. sometimes I prefer to stay alone, reading, listening to music, but i am not lonely, i like to chat with my classmates, almost talk everything ,my favorite pastime is valleyball,playing cards or surfing on line. Through college life,I learn how to balance between study and entertainment，翻譯公司. By the way, i was a actor of our amazing drama club. I had a few glorious memories on stage .They are my pride.

注：這三篇範文纷歧定就是很好，只是表達的相對比較明白罢了，大傢在面試之前可以傚仿此類文章把自我介紹提早准備好，流畅的表達出來，傚果最好。

President Bush Participates in Briefings at U.S. Department - 英語演講

12:06 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I've just pleted a meeting with Secretary Gates and General Pace and the members of the Joint Chiefs. I appreciate your hospitality. I really enjoy ing to the Defense Department to sit at the same table with these distinguished Americans. These folks are good, strategic thinkers. They're smart, they're capable, and we're lucky they wear the uniform.

I spent time discussing with them the needs of our military personnel as they carry out vital missions. The Joint Chiefs shared with me the latest developments and updated me on the troop rotations as they implement our new Baghdad security plan. They report that the three additional Iraqi brigades promised by the government are in place and are conducting operations in the Baghdad area. Three additional American brigades totally about 12,000 troops have taken up positions and are also conducting operations.

The Chiefs told me that the fourth American brigade of reinforcements has just entered Baghdad and its surrounding towns, and that the manders expect the fifth American brigade to be in place by the middle of June. So it's going to be another month before all the additional troops that General Petraeus has requested are on the ground and carrying out their missions in Iraq.

American reinforcements in Baghdad, along with the Iraqi security forces, are now living and working with the Iraqi people in neighborhood posts called joint security stations. These stations are a place from which American and Iraqi forces act against terrorists and insurgents and death squads. And they patrol streets to build trust and increase local cooperation. In other words, there's active engagement by Iraqi forces and coalition forces in neighborhoods throughout Baghdad and the area.

And what happens with increased presence, there's increased confidence, and with increased confidence bees increased , that forces can use to go after extremists, to bring down sectarian violence that plague the capital city of that country. The level of sectarian violence is an important indicator of whether or not the strategy that we have implemented is working. Since our operation began, the number of sectarian murders has dropped substantially.

As we have surged our forces, al Qaeda is responding with their own surge. Al Qaeda is ratcheting up its campaign of high-profile attacks, including deadly suicide bombings carried out by foreign terrorists. America responded, along with coalition forces, to help this young democracy, and a brutal enemy has responded, as well. These attacks are part of a calculated campaign to reignite sectarian violence in Baghdad, and to convince the people here in America that the effort can't succeed. We're also seeing high levels of violence because our forces are entering areas where terrorists and militia once has sanctuary. As they continue to do so, our manders have made clear that our troops will face more fighting and increased risks in the weeks and months ahead.

As we help Iraqis bring security to their own country, we're also working with Iraqi leaders to secure greater international support for their young democracy. And last week, Secretary Rice attended an international meeting on Iraq and Egypt, and she briefed me and she briefed Secretary Gates -- there he is right there.

The meeting included representatives from Iraq's neighbors, as well as Egypt and Bahrain, and G8 countries, and the Arab League, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. It was a robust international meeting where Iraqi leaders expressed their determination to meet a series of benchmarks they have set for political progress. In other words, they have not only told me that they're going to meet benchmarks, they've not only told Secretary Gates that they intend to meet benchmarks, but they've also told the international munity they intend to do so.

These benchmarks include adoption of a national oil law and preparations for provincial elections and progress on a new de-Baathification policy and a review of the Iraqi constitution.

The nations assembled in Egypt pledged to support Iraq in these efforts. In other words, the Iraqis said, we need help, and these nations pledged support. It's a very positive development. They're going to help Iraq secure its borders. They've said they will help stem the flow of terrorists into their country. They agreed to support the international pact established by Iraq and the United Nations so that Iraq can reform and rebuild its economy.

For Iraqi leaders to succeed in all these efforts their people must have security. That's why I made the decision I made. That's why we sent additional troops into Baghdad. But we need to give General Petraeus's plan time to work. There's a debate waging in Washington here about how long we're going to be there -- we haven't even got all our troops there. I still find it interesting that General Petraeus was given a unanimous confirmation vote by the United States Senate after he made clear his plan, and before the plan has been fully implemented some in Washington are saying, you need to leave. My attitude is, General Petraeus's plan ought to be given a chance to work, and we need to give the troops under his mand the resources they need to prevail.

I met with congressional leaders to discuss the way forward last week. I fully understand Republicans and Democrats have disagreements. We should be able to agree that the consequences of failure in Iraq would be disastrous for our country. And they would be disastrous for our country. We should be able to agree that we have a responsibility to provide our men and women on the front lines with the resources and flexibility they need to do the job we've asked them to do.

I believe that leaders of goodwill can deliver to our troops, and we've got to deliver it soon. Time is running out, because the longer we wait, the more strain we're going to put on the military. All Americans know the goodness and of the U.S. Armed Forces. They are risking their lives each day to fight our enemies and to keep our people safe. Their families are making tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our country. It's important for the people who wear the uniform and their families to know that as the mander-in-Chief, I'm proud of the sacrifices they have made, and the American people honor their service to our country.

And now I'll be glad to answer a couple of questions. Jennifer, why don't you kick it off.

Q Thank you, sir. With some Republicans saying they need to see measurable progress by September, are you willing to reevaluate troop levels then, based on what General Petraeus says? And, also, are you willing to accept any consequences for benchmarks in the war funding bill?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, I meet with a lot of people on the subject of Iraq. And I should; there's a lot of opinions on both sides of the aisle about this issue. My message to the members of Congress is, whatever your beliefs may be, let's make sure our troops get funded, and let's make sure politicians don't tell our manders how to conduct operations; let's don't hamstring our people in the field. That's my message.

Their message to me has been, you know, don't you think the Iraqi government ought to do more? They recognize what I recognize, and these gentlemen up here particularly recognize, that without political progress it's going to be hard to achieve a military victory in Iraq. In other words, the military can provide security so a political process can go forward.

The two questions you asked, one was about General Petraeus's report to -- around September about what's taking place in Baghdad. My attitude toward Congress is, why don't you wait and see what he says? Fund the troops, and let him e back and report to the American people. General Petraeus picked this date; he believes that there will be enough progress one way or the other to be able to report to the American people, to give an objective assessment about what he sees regarding the Baghdad security plan.

It's at that point in time that I'm confident that the Secretary and the Joint Chiefs will take a look at what David Petraeus says and make remendations about troop levels, based upon the conditions on the ground, which stands in stark contrast to members of Congress who say, we're going to determine troop levels based upon politics, or the latest opinion poll, or how we can get our members elected.

And the second part of your question was about benchmarks. Look, let me talk about this recent effort by Congress to fund our troops. The idea that the House of Representatives put forward is one that we will fund our troops by piecemeal. Secretary Gates was very strong about why that's a bad idea. And the American people must understand that if you fund our troops every two months, you're in a -- put in a position where we have to delay certain procurement, or that military contracts must be delayed -- there's a lot of uncertainty in funding when it es to two-month cycles. So we reject that idea. It won't work.

I find it odd that the Congress is -- I find it ironic that the Congress is ready to fully fund unrelated domestic spending items, and only one-half of the money requested for our troops. They provide 100 percent of the money for the special interest projects that don't have anything to do with fighting the war on terror, and 50 percent of the money to go to those who wear our uniform. They got it wrong. They ought to provide 100 percent of the money for people who wear the uniform, and leave these special pork projects out of the bill. And so I'll veto the bill if it's this haphazard piecemeal funding. And I made that clear.

One message I have heard from people from both parties is that the idea of benchmarks makes sense. And I agree. It makes sense to have benchmarks as a part of our discussion on how to go forward. And so I've empowered Josh Bolten to find mon ground on benchmarks, and he will continue to have dialogue with both Republicans and Democrats.

You know, this bill -- I believe we can get a good supplemental and I hope it's as quick as possible. The first blush is a bad supplemental ing out of the House. Nevertheless, there is -- the Senate will have a say and then there will be a conference mittee, and hopefully we can move a good bill forward as quickly as possible. These gentlemen will tell you that the longer we wait, the more it hurts our military and the families.

Toby.

Q Mr. President, with Prime Minister Tony Blair stepping down, are you concerned that British policy on Iraq could change significantly?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, I'll miss Tony Blair. He is a political figure who is capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long-term thinker. I have found him to be a man who's kept his word -- which sometimes is rare in the political circles I run in. When Tony Blair tells you something, as we say in Texas, you can take it to the bank. We've got a relationship such that we can have really good discussions. So I'm going to miss him. He's a remarkable person and I consider him a good friend.

I obviously look forward to meeting with his successor. I believe that the relationship between Great Britain and America is a vital relationship. It is a relationship that has stood the test of time, and when America and Great Britain work together, we can acplish important objectives. We share mon values. We share a great history. And so I look forward to working with Gordon Brown, who I presume is going to be the -- maybe I shouldn't say -- I shouldn't predict who is going to be in, but the punditry suggests it will be him.

I have had a meeting with him and found him to be an open and engaging person. It's amazing how people make all kinds of izations about people in the political process, and I found him to be a easy-to-talk-to, good thinker.

Q What do you think he'll do on Iraq? Do you --

THE PRESIDENT: I think -- look, I believe he understands the consequences of failure. The interesting thing about the Iraq debate, by the way, is I don't hear a lot of discussions about what happens if we fail. I hear a lot of discussions about maybe we can make good political progress based upon this issue, or let's just make sure that we constantly achieve -- make political hay based upon Iraq. I hear a lot of that. But there needs to be a serious discussion about what happens if we create a vacuum into which radical movements flow.

If you're worried about Iran, then it's really important that people understand the consequences of us leaving before the job is done. I am deeply concerned about what would happen in the Middle East should America's credibility be diminished as a result of us not keeping our word, as a result of us abandoning millions of people who are anxious to live in a stable, secure, free society. I worry about the signal it would send to al Qaeda. As I told you earlier, and as David Petraeus said -- let me put it in his words -- al Qaeda is public enemy number one in Iraq. Al Qaeda also should be viewed as public enemy number one in America.

And why do I say that? Well, al Qaeda attacked us once and killed thousands of citizens on our soil. I believe they want to attack us again. I believe failure in Iraq would only embolden al Qaeda further. I know that vacuums in the Middle East are likely to be filled by radicals and extremists, who, at the very minimum, would share a mon enemy, the United States, and some of our strongest allies.

And so it's vital we succeed. The debate in Washington is, how fast can we withdraw, amongst some. The debate ought to be, what do we need to do to make sure that we not only don't fail, but succeed.

And so I believe Gordon Brown understands the consequence of failure. But I'm looking forward to working with him. I'm looking forward to working with the new President of France. I'm looking forward to working with a lot of people in Europe to not only achieve success in Iraq, but also achieve success in Afghanistan, another theater in the war on terror.

Let's see here -- Roger. Yes, Rog. I call him, "Rog."

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon. You just mentioned the new leader of France, and I was going to ask you about him. Have you talked to him? Are you recruiting him as a part of the coalition? Any messages for him? And you sent Mr. Cheney to the Mideast to visit with the other neighbors. What specifically are the requests you are making of them?

THE PRESIDENT: Sure. First of all, Presidents don't recruit; the people elect a leader with whom I will work. And I had a -- I did talk to President-elect Sarkozy. I think it was at about 8:03 p.m. Paris time. He won at 8:00 p.m., and I called him shortly thereafter. And I'm so grateful he took my phone call. I had met with him before when he came over here, and found him to be a very engaging, energetic, smart, capable person. We will have our differences, and we will have our agreements. And I'm looking forward to working with him.

Vice President Cheney is in the Middle East. His first message to the Iraqis was that they have got to speed up their clock, that -- I agree with General Petraeus's assessment that there are two clocks, one ticking here in Washington, and one ticking there. And they must understand that we are very serious when it es to them passing law that enables his country to more likely reconcile. And then he'll be traveling to talk to other friends in the area.

One of the questions that many ask is, do we understand the Iranian issue well? Do we understand the consequences of Iran having a nuclear weapon, which it looks like they want to try achieve -- to get. And the answer is, absolutely. And they'll find a stalwart friend in dealing with extremism in that vital part of the world. And the Vice President will lay out our strategy of convincing others to join us on this Iranian issue. He will point out to them that we have worked hard to convince not only the EU3 to join with the United States in sending a clear message, but also now Russia and China, and that we do have a diplomatic front. And we've got to continue to work together. We've got to work to keep it together, to send a focused, concerted message.

He will also remind people that success in Iraq will be important for dealing with Iran; that if we were to listen to some of the voices in Congress and withdraw before the job was done, it would embolden Iran. In other words, there are strategic consequences to what is being said here in Washington, D.C. about the Iraqi issue.

And so he's got to -- it's a vital trip, and I really appreciate him going. And it looked like he had a good stop yesterday. I haven't talked to him, but it looks like he's -- it looks like he had a good day yesterday and I'm looking forward -- he'll check in.

Mark.

Q Mr. President, in your meeting with some moderate Republicans this week, in particular Representative LaHood, who, afterwards, said, "The way forward after September, if the report is not good, is going to be difficult" --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

Q -- those are his words -- are you perhaps facing an ultimatum on the war this fall with Congress?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, first of all, I appreciate the members ing down to the White House. We had a good exchange. It gave me a chance to share with them my feelings about the Iraqi issue. I spent time talking to them about what it meant to fail, and what it means when we succeed. They expressed their opinions. They're obviously concerned about the Iraq war. But so are a lot of other people.

I remind people -- I reminded them that last fall, late fall -- I had been one of these people that get endlessly polled -- you know, these surveys and the pollsters calling people all the time, it looks like -- and if they had asked my opinion, I'd have said, I disapprove of what was going on in Iraq. You could have put me down as part of the disapproval process -- and, therefore, had put a plan in place that would more likely cause me to approve of what's going on in Iraq. That's why I made the decision I made.

I explained to them why I made the decision I made. And I said, look, David Petraeus has got a plan, and members of Congress -- some members of Congress won't let him implement the plan. That doesn't make any sense, on the one had, for us to send him out with the unanimous confirmation by the Senate, and then to deny him the troops and/or the funds necessary to get the job done. And I reminded them that we ought the give David Petraeus a chance.

I did explain to them that General Petraeus has said he's going to e back and report to the Secretary and the Joint Chiefs and the White House and the Congress about whether or not the strategy that he thinks could work, is working. And at that point in time, we will respond accordingly.

As I told people, that decisions about the posture in Iraq needs to be based upon conditions on the ground. And no better person to report about the conditions on the ground than somebody who was there, and that would be General Petraeus. And at that point in time, upon the remendation of the Secretary and the Joint Chiefs and General Petraeus, we will respond to what he says. So I said, why don't we wait and see what happens? Let's give this plan a chance to work. Let's stop playing politics. It's one thing to have a good, honest debate about the way forward in Iraq; it's another thing to put our troops right in the middle of that debate.

These troops deserve the money necessary to do the job. And our manders need the flexibility necessary to do the job. And I believe this cause is necessary and it's noble. That's why I put those young men and women out there in the first place. It's necessary for the peace and security of our country. It's noble to have such amazing citizens volunteer to go into harm's way. And our Congress needs to support him. It's one thing to have a political debate or a debate about strategies; it's another thing to make sure that money gets sent to them on a timely basis. I repeat: This idea of funding our troops every two months is not -- is not adequate, and I, frankly, don't think it's right. They need to give these troops what they -- what the military has asked for them.

We can debate Iraq -- and should. There should be no debate about making sure that money gets there on a timely basis so our kids can do the job we've asked them to do.

I want to thank you all for your time.

END 12:30 P.M. EDT