英语课程计划-Left-Handers Day

There is a special celebration for left-handed people, but not right-handed people. August the 13th is Left-Handers Day. The official website says the day is an “annual celebration of left-handers’ superiority¹!!” Left-handers say they have to live in a world designed for and by right-handers, and that they have to put up with a lot of inconveniences. The day started in 1992 as a way to increase public awareness² of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed.  Some of the events held on this day include right-handers being asked to use left-handed objects so they can see how awkward³ it can be doing things the wrong way round. A simple example of this is the computer mouse. Imagine right and left clicking on a mouse that is a mirror image of the one you use. Other events include left-hand-only games.

Scientists have no answer to the question why some of us are left-handed. About fifteen per cent of the population are. Some people believe it is genetic⁴. It does run in families. Research suggests that left-handers are likely to be more creative. There are higher percentages of left-handed people as musicians, artists and scientists. Indeed, left-handers say being left-handed is a sign of greater intelligence. There is also research to show that left-handers are also good at ball sports and things involving hand-to-eye co-ordination, like boxing. There are many interesting facts about left-handers. Most left-handers draw figures facing to the right and they usually see better underwater. Four of the five designers of the Apple Macintosh computer were left-handed – that’s 1,000 per cent higher than the normal level. And finally, left-handers also say they are more beautiful and handsome.

1 superiority   

n.优越性，优势

参考例句：

• We believe in the superiority of this method over that one.我们相信这种方法比那种方法优越。
• His air of calm superiority annoyed her intensely.他不动声色的优越感让她极其烦恼。

2 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

3 awkward   

adj.笨拙的，尴尬的，使用不便的，难处理的

参考例句：

• John is so shy and awkward that everyone notices him.约翰如此害羞狼狈，以至于大家都注意到了他。
• I was the only man among the guests and felt rather awkward.作为客人中的唯一男性，我有些窘迫。

4 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。