【英语趣味课堂】青少年与电脑-Teens and Computers

 Todd: OK, Jeanna, you like the computer!

 

Jeanna: Yes, I do.

 

Todd: OK. Talk to us about computers.

 

Jeanna: Well, I go on the computer a lot and I talk with friends through AOL instant messenger¹. And I just moved from my hometown to Sacremento so it's a good way to keep in touch with old friends.

 

Todd: Yeah. Do you learn about computers at school or on your own?

 

Jeanna: I picked most of what I know, I've picked it up, through, ya know, the years, and some at school, like keyboarding and such.

 

Todd: OK. Do you have a laptop or a PC?

 

Jeanna: I have a PC. A Compac.

 

Todd: Do you like your computer or do you want a new one?

 

Jeanna: I want a new one cause I think I screwed³ mine up and it's a little bit slow now.

 

Todd: OK. How long have you had your computer?

 

Jeanna: I've had it for about 3 or 4 years.

 

Todd: Oh, yeah, that's pretty old for a computer. Yeah, so do you talk to your friends every night by e-mail?

 

Jeanna: Yeah, yes I do.

 

Todd: OK.

 

Jeanna: See going on and you know the gossip⁴.

 

Todd: So nowadays, do high school kids talk by e-mail more than phone?

 

Jeanna: Most people talk by either e-mail or cellular⁵ phone. You know a lot of people don't use their house phones as much, and a lot of people have cellular phones.

 

Todd: OK. Thanks a lot Jeanna

 

学习内容：

 

Learn Vocabulary from the lesson

go on

 

I go on the computer a lot.

 

In this example 'go on the computer' is similar to 'use the computer.'  Notice the following:

 

My kids go on the computer for one hour after school.

I need to go on the internet.

keep in touch

 

I keep in touch with friends from my hometown.

 

When you 'keep in touch' with someone you continue to be in contact with them.  Notice the following:

 

She isn't good at keeping in touch.

We can keep in touch through e-mail.

old friends

 

Using the computer is a good way to keep in touch with old friends.

 

'Old friends' are people that you maybe don't see or talk to very much, but they have been your friends for a long time. Notice the following:

 

They are old friends. They've known each other since elementary school.

I am going out with some old friends tonight.

pick up

 

I've picked up most of what I know through the years.

 

In this case 'pick up' is similar to 'learn.'  We can use 'pick up' when we learn something without taking special classes, when it happens naturally.  Notice the following:

 

Where did you pick up that phrase?

We picked up a little Italian when we were living there.

screw² up

 

I want a new computer because I think I screwed up mine.

 

When we 'screw up' we make a mistake.  In this case it means that the mistake has caused problems for the computer. Notice the following:

 

She screwed up her back playing volleyball.

I screwed up the recipe for the cake.

 

 

1 messenger   

n.报信者，先驱

参考例句：

• By the time the messenger reached him,the damage had been done.送信人赶到他那儿时，损失已经造成了。
• I'll order a special messenger to deliver the document.我会派专人把文件送去。

2 screw   

n.螺丝(钉)；vt.用螺钉固定；拧，拧紧

参考例句：

• Let's screw the two pipes together end to end.咱们把这两根管子接起来拧紧。
• Can you screw up this handle for me?你能帮我把这个把手拧紧吗？

3 screwed   

adj.用螺丝拧紧的，螺丝状的，喝醉的v.用螺丝拧紧( screw的过去式和过去分词 )；拧上去；（和某人）性交；诈骗（钱财等）

参考例句：

• an extremely screwed-up kid 一个十分神经质的孩子
• He screwed up his face at the nasty smell. 闻到这令人作呕的气味，他皱眉蹙额。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 gossip   

n.流言蜚语，爱说长道短的人；vi.传播流言

参考例句：

• She broadcast the gossip all over the town.她将这个流言传遍全镇。
• They spread a lot of tacky gossip about his love life.关于他的爱情生活，他们散播了许多不堪的闲言闲语。

5 cellular   

adj.移动的；细胞的，由细胞组成的

参考例句：

• She has a cellular telephone in her car.她的汽车里有一部无线通讯电话机。
• Many people use cellular materials as sensitive elements in hygrometers.很多人用蜂窝状的材料作为测量温度的传感元件。