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Sports Tournament for Bald Men Returns to Japan

Japan is great for art, food, science… and sports too!

There's a town in Japan called Tsuruta. It's very small. Only about 10,000
people live there. That's not very many. About two and a half million people
live in Taipei City!
日本有一個小鎮叫做鶴田，居民很少，只有一萬人。台北市有兩百五十萬人喔！

Every year before the COVID pandemic, Tsuruta hosted a very special sports
tournament: the National Sucker Tug of War Tournament. It was only for men
who have no hair or not much hair: bald men!
在疫情之前，鶴田都會舉辦很特別的比賽，叫做全國吸盤拔河大賽。

Maybe you play Tug of War too. You need a rope. There are two teams. Each
team pulls on one end of the rope.

This tournament is the same. But it is also not the same. To play, you need a
string, two bald men… and two suction cups!
拔河需要一條繩子，兩支隊伍各拉一邊。吸盤拔河跟那種拔河有一點像，又有一點不像，它需要一條線，兩名光頭男子，跟兩個吸盤。

The suction cups are at the ends of the string. Each bald man sticks a
suction cup on his head. The men are face-to-face.

Then both men pull back as much as they can! They want to pull off the other
man's suction cup first!
參賽選手要把吸盤黏在頭上，面對面往後拉，誰先把對方的吸盤拉下來，誰就贏了！

This year, the tournament returned! People came from all over Japan for it.
Would you go to a sports tournament for bald men?
________________________________

Vocabulary
這個日本小鎮的光頭拔河活動，是不是很有趣呢？

1. team 隊伍
Come on! It's time for Tug-of-War! 快來，拔河時間到了！
Can we play? 我們可以玩嗎？
No, you have to join the team first. 不行，你得先加入一個隊。
It takes a lot of practice. 需要很多練習呢。

2. pull 拉
I thought you just need to pull the rope. 我以為你只要拉繩子就好了。
Of course, everyone has to pull hard. 每個人當然都要用力拉。

3. sport 運動
But it's also a special sport. 不過它也是很特別的運動。
Skills are important. 技巧很重要。

4. man 男人
Hey, it looks the women's team will win! 嘿，看起來女子隊會贏！
Woohoo! They did win! 她們真的贏了！
What's going on with the men's team? 男生隊是怎麼回事？

你有參加過拔河比賽嗎？
team 隊伍
pull 拉
sport 運動
man 男人
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Quiz

1. What do bald men have?
A: No hair
B: Lots of hair
C: Long hair

2. Where is the bald men's tournament held?
A: Tokyo
B: Tsuruta
C: Tsuruga

3. What do bald men need to play this sport?
A: Hair
B: Two teams and a rope
C: Two suction cups and string

Answers
1. A
2. B
3. C
 

________________________________

8th Grader Wins Spelling Bee with 'Taiwan'

How do you spell the word "Taiwan"?
你知道「台灣」用英文要怎麼拼嗎？

One girl spelled Taiwan, and… she won a spelling bee!

What's a spelling bee? It's a contest in American schools. Many students like
it. Winners can go to state and national spelling bees.
拼字比賽在美國很受歡迎，學校比賽的冠軍可以參加全國拼字比賽。有一個女生因為拼出台灣，得到了冠軍！

In this contest, students try to spell words. They say the letters. But some
English words are hard to spell.
參賽的學生需要說出單字的正確拼法，但有一些英語單字很難拼。

Kayla is an 8th grader. She is from Idaho. She went to a big spelling bee in
Idaho. Kayla is a very good speller. But she didn't think she would win.
愛達荷州的國二學生 Kayla 參加了這項比賽，她覺得自己不會贏。

The words got harder and harder. One by one, students made spelling mistakes.

Finally, there was only Kayla… and one more student. Kayla had one more word
to spell. If she spelled it right, she would win.
但是單字越來越難，競爭對手一個一個被淘汰，剩下 Kayla 跟另外一個學生，Kayla
只要拼對最後一個字就會獲勝。

Kayla took a deep breath and said three letters: "T-A-I"... Then she said
three more letters: "W-A-N". It was Taiwan!
Kayla 深呼吸，然後開始拼出 T-A-I-W-A-N。

She was right! Kayla was the winner! She won $1000 dollars. And now she can
go to the national spelling bee.
她答對了！Kayla 獲得冠軍，有一千美元獎金！現在她可以參加全國拼字大賽了。

Good luck at the national spelling bee, Kayla!
________________________________

Vocabulary
台灣這個字的英文其實很簡單，而Kayla拼對了。

1. hard 困難的
I find these math problems really hard. 我發現這些數學題真的好難。
Don't look at me. I can't help you there. 別看我。我幫不上忙。
I didn't even ask. 我都還沒問呢。
I know. I'm just saying. 我知道，我只是說說。

2. harder 更困難
But it feels like it's getting harder and harder every day.
但是我覺得它一天比一天難。
That's because you're learning something new. 那是因為你在學新的東西。

3. mistake 錯誤
But I keep making mistakes. 但是我一直犯錯。
Of course. How else can you learn? 當然啦，要不然怎麼學？

4. contest 比賽
You sound like you've won math contests before. 你聽起來以前贏過數學比賽。
Not at all. 完全沒有。

拼字比較難還是數學？
hard 困難的
harder 更困難
mistake 錯誤
contest 比賽
________________________________

Quiz

1. Which U.S. state is Kayla from?
A: Iowa
B: Texas
C: Idaho

2. Where can Kayla go next?
A: The Iowa State Spelling Bee
B: The National Spelling Bee
C: The World Spelling Bee

3. At spelling bees, how do students spell words?
A: They write letters
B: They say letters
C: They read letters

Answers
1. C
2. B
3. B
 

________________________________

Siblings Meet After 50 Years

We celebrate mothers on Mother's Day, and fathers on Father's Day. So, we
celebrate brothers and sisters on Siblings Day. Siblings Day is on April
10th, which is today!
你有兄弟姊妹嗎？我們會慶祝父親節跟母親節，今天，我們要慶祝兄弟姐妹節。

Most people know their siblings. But some people don't!
我們都知道自己的兄弟姊妹是誰，但有人可能不知道喔。

Dacina and Traian are a sister and brother. They are from Romania. They did
not have a mother or father. One family took Dacina. She was their new baby
daughter. Another family took Traian. He was their new baby son.

Dacina did not know Traian, and Traian did not know Dacina.
Dacina 跟 Traian
是一對羅馬尼亞的姊弟，他們是孤兒，被不同的家庭領養，所以不認識彼此。

That was fifty years ago.

This year, Dacina took a DNA test. Traian took a DNA test too. Their tests
said "You have a sibling"!
50 多年後，他們兩個人剛好做了一次DNA測試，發現自己原來有兄弟姊妹。

Traian wrote Dacina a message. It said, "I think you're my sister!"
Traian 傳訊息給 Dacina 說：「你好像是我姊姊！」

They are excited. Some things are the same! Dacina lives in Canada. Traian
lives in Canada too! Dacina has a son. Traian has a son too! Dacina's son's
name is Victor. And… Traian's son's name is Victor too!
他們之間有好多巧合，兩個人都在加拿大，兩個人也各有一個兒子，而且兩個兒子都叫做
Victor！

They are happy. Dacina has a new brother. Traian has a new sister. They are
siblings! Happy Siblings Day!
________________________________

Vocabulary
有的人因為從小就分開，並不認識自己的兄弟姊妹。

1. family 家庭
Do you come from a big family, Jane? 你來自大家庭嗎？
Yes, I think so. My mom had four children. 我想是，我媽媽有四個孩子。

2. sister 姊妹
My older sister and brother went to the U.S. years ago.
我姊姊和哥哥很多年前就去了美國。
So you don't know them well. 所以你跟他們不太熟。
Indeed I don't. 確實不熟。

3. father 父親
Come to think of it, I didn't know my father well either.
仔細想來，我跟我爸爸也不熟。
Even though you lived together? 即使你們住在一起？
Even though I had lived with him for 25 years. 即使我跟他住了25年。

4. say 說
I have to say some fathers are hard to get close to.
我必須說有的爸爸很難親近。
Mine was like that. 我爸就是那樣。

今天的單字很常用。
family 家庭
sister 姊妹
father 父親
say 說
________________________________

Quiz

1. What are siblings?
A: Parents and children
B: Mothers and fathers
C: Brothers and sisters

2. Where do Dacina and Traian live now?
A: Romania
B: Canada
C: Colombia

3. How do Dacina and Traian know they are siblings?
A: They took a DNA test
B: They are from Romania
C: Their sons told them

Answers
1. C
2. B
3. A
 

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The Pet Crocodile That Loves a Cuddle

Hey there! Today is International Pet Day. I'm at my local pet store. I want
a new pet!

Let's see… They have dogs… cats… and birds… Hi! Oh, and they have…
crocodiles?
今天是國際寵物日，我在寵物店裡面，這裡有狗狗、貓咪、小鳥，還有... 鱷魚？

A man named Jonathan has a pet crocodile! Jonathan lives in Mexico. He went
to a pet store there. He bought a small, green, and angry crocodile! Jonathan
named her Gamora. Gamora is the angry alien in the Guardians of the Galaxy
movies!
Jonathan 住在墨西哥，他去寵物店買了一隻小小、綠綠，還很兇的鱷魚！Jonathan
叫牠 Gamora，Gamora 就是星際異攻隊裡面那個生氣的外星人。

Crocodiles can be very scary! They have the strongest bite in the world. A
crocodile bite might be stronger than a T. rex bite!
鱷魚的咬合力是世界上最強的，有可能比暴龍還強，很恐怖！

Jonathan is lucky. Gamora isn't scary. She loves cuddles. Gamora acts like a
dog! She sleeps in Jonathan's bed. She poses for photos too!
不過 Jonathan 很幸運，因為 Gamora 不恐怖，牠喜歡抱抱，就像狗狗一樣！牠還睡在
Jonathan 的床上，還會擺姿勢拍照！

Gamora swims in a pool. She has a nice, dry place too. She sunbathes there.
Gamora 可以在池子裡游泳，也可以在外面做日光浴。

Gamora eats lots of meat. Jonathan has two pet Chihuahuas too. They are
lucky. Gamora hasn't eaten them! Yet…
Gamora 吃很多肉， Jonathan 還有兩隻吉娃娃，幸好 Gamora 還沒有把他們吃掉...

Hmm… Maybe I'll get a goldfish instead!
________________________________

Vocabulary
鱷魚真的能當寵物嗎? 墨西哥這隻小鱷魚好像可以。

1. swim 游泳
I often feel lonely. 我常常覺得寂寞。
I think you need a pet. 我覺得你需要養寵物。
What can it do? 寵物能做什麼？
It'll love you and swim with you. 牠會愛你，跟你一起游泳。
You mean a dolphin? 你是說海豚嗎？

2. bite 咬
Don't be silly; you can't buy a dolphin. 別傻了，你買不到海豚。
Most dogs can swim. 大部分狗狗都會游泳。
But I don't want a pet that bites. 但是我不要會咬人的寵物。

3. scary 讓人害怕
Then maybe you'd like rabbits. 那你也許會喜歡兔子。
Rabbits are not scary. 兔子不會讓人害怕。

4. pet store 寵物店
No, no rabbits. 不要兔子。
How about goldfish? 金魚怎麼樣？
Let's go to a pet store first. 我們先去寵物店吧。

你有沒有寵物呢？
swim 游泳
bite 咬
scary 讓人害怕
pet store 寵物店
________________________________

Quiz

1. What is Jonathan's pet crocodile's name?
A: Galaxy
B: Gamora
C: Guardian

2. Where does Jonathan live?
A: Mexico
B: Monaco
C: Morocco

3. What other pets does Jonathan have?
A: Cheetahs
B: Chihuahuas
C: Chimpanzees

Answers
1. B
2. A
3. B
 

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Thailand Goes Big For Songkran

Today is the start of the traditional New Year in Thailand!

The Thai New Year is called Songkran. It is in April every year. It's
Thailand's most famous festival. There's a lot of music and dancing!
今天是泰國傳統新年--潑水節！潑水節在每一年四月，是泰國最有名的慶典，大家會在這一天唱唱跳跳。

There's a lot of water too. Water is very important for Songkran. There are
lots of big water fights! People throw water at each other. They shoot water
guns! Everyone has fun. And everyone gets very, very wet!
潑水節大家還會打水仗！他們會互相潑水、射水槍，全身都會溼答答。

There are lots of competitions at Songkran. There are cool drum competitions.
The drums are very big! The drummers can use any part of their body. They use
their hands, their feet, their elbows… or their heads!
潑水節還有很多不同的比賽。有個很酷的打鼓比賽，參賽者可以用身體的任何部位去打一面大鼓！

In Thailand, Songkran is very important for Buddhists. They go to a temple.
They pour water on images of the Buddha. They also pour water on the hands of
Buddhist monks. This is a sign of respect.
潑水節對泰國的佛教徒來說也很重要。他們會去寺廟，澆水在釋迦摩尼佛的神像上，也會澆水在和尚的手上。這是他們表達尊重的方式。

Thailand wants Songkran to be more famous. They want everyone to know about
Songkran. They want more people to visit Thailand.
泰國希望大家認識他們的潑水節，也希望更多人來泰國玩。

Today is an exciting day in Thailand. There is music, dancing, competitions,
and lots and lots of water! Songkran ends on Saturday. Happy Songkran,
everyone!
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Vocabulary
名聞遐邇的泰國潑水節，充滿熱帶國家風情。

1. wet 潮濕的
Songkran in Thailand sounds so much fun! 泰國潑水節聽起來真有趣！
Yeah, I'd sure like to go. 對啊，我好想去。
I've heard that you get wet from head to toe. 我聽說你會從頭到腳濕透透。

2. everyone 每個人
And people carry big water guns for a nice water fight. 大家會拿著水槍打水仗。
With strangers on the street? 跟路上的陌生人打？
With everyone on the street! 跟路上每個人打！

3. fight 搏鬥
That's so cool! 太酷了！
I would pick children to fight with. 我會找小孩子來打水仗。
They may be much better than you. 他們可能比你強得多呢。

4. April 四月
So we're going next April? 所以我們明年四月去？
Absolutely! 一定要的。

我們來讀今天的單字。
wet 潮濕的
everyone 每個人
fight 搏鬥
April 四月
________________________________

Quiz

1. What is Songkran?
A. A Thai song
B. A Thai dance
C. The Thai New Year

2. What do people throw at Songkran?
A: Water guns
B: Big drums
C: Lots of water

3. Where do Buddhists go for Songkran?
A: A mosque
B: A church
C: A temple

Answers
1. C
2. C
3. C