Do You Color Inside or Outside the Lines?

Do You Color Inside or Outside the Lines?

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

　　Today, let's talk about a common art activity – coloring.

　　Coloring books are common objects of play and learning for children around the world. In recent years, coloring books for adults have grown popular too.

　　Children usually color with wax sticks called crayons. But, you can also use color markers, pens, and pencils.

　　Adding color to black and white images is fun and often calming. You just choose a color and fill in the space created by the lines. In fact, children are often taught to stay inside the lines when they color.

　　Apparently¹, this idea does not come naturally. Child development experts say very young children begin by scribbling² on a coloring page. They do not pay attention to the lines of the picture. The result is a colorful but often messy looking picture.

　　Then between the ages of two and five they start coloring inside the lines. This progression shows an improvement in many skills: fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination³, space and object awareness⁴, and more.

　　Many children are taught to color inside the lines. As a result, many adults do the same. This makes this finished artwork look more organized and proper because you followed the images' guide lines.

　　That is why the expression coloring inside the lines means to think or act within generally accepted guidelines. If you color inside the lines, you follow the rules. You stay in the lines or you play by the book (not the coloring book ... but the rule book).

　　We can also say you stick to the script. A script contains the spoken words performers must say out-loud in a play, movie, or show. Sticking to the script means you do not change the lines you are given.

　　Such people can also be said to toe the line. That expression comes from foot racing⁵.

　　On the other hand, people who color outside the lines do not follow rules. They are rebels. Rebels reject rules. They color outside the lines and think outside the box. Instead of sticking to the script they go off script. They improvise⁶.

　　Just as with rule-followers, we have just as many word phrases and expressions for rule-breakers. They break new ground. They are ground-breakers. They buck⁷ traditions. Used as a verb this way, "buck" means to oppose or resist.

　　Next time you want describe these two kinds of people you will have plenty of expressions to choose from!

　　And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo!

　　Words in This Story

　　scribbling – n. a piece of writing or a drawing that is done quickly or carelessly

　　messy – adj. lacking neatness or precision

　　coordination – n. the harmonious⁸ functioning of parts for effective results

　　awareness – n. knowledge and understanding that something is happening or exists

　　improvise – v.

　　buck – v. oppose, resist : bucking⁹ the system

　　mold – n. the frame on, around, or in which something is constructed or shaped

1 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

2 scribbling   

n.乱涂[写]胡[乱]写的文章[作品]v.潦草的书写( scribble的现在分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下

参考例句：

• Once the money got into the book, all that remained were some scribbling. 折子上的钱只是几个字！ 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
• McMug loves scribbling. Mama then sent him to the Kindergarten. 麦唛很喜欢写字，妈妈看在眼里，就替他报读了幼稚园。 来自互联网

3 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

4 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。

5 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

6 improvise   

v.即兴创作；临时准备，临时凑成

参考例句：

• If an actor forgets his words，he has to improvise.演员要是忘记台词，那就只好即兴现编。
• As we've not got the proper materials,we'll just have to improvise.我们没有弄到合适的材料，只好临时凑合了。

7 buck   

n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃

参考例句：

• The boy bent curiously to the skeleton of the buck.这个男孩好奇地弯下身去看鹿的骸骨。
• The female deer attracts the buck with high-pitched sounds.雌鹿以尖声吸引雄鹿。

8 harmonious   

adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的

参考例句：

• Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
• The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。

9 bucking   

v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的现在分词 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃

参考例句：

• a bucking bronco in the rodeo 牛仔竞技表演中一匹弓背跳跃的野马
• That means we'll be bucking grain bags, bustin's gut. 那就是说咱们要背这一袋袋的谷子，得把五脏都累坏。 来自辞典例句