Two students, Bob and Monica, are trying to define the term “a happy family.” (B = Bob, M = Monica) Conversation

B: For me, a happy family means that everyone is caring and sharing during the ups and downs. M: But I don’t understand how poor families can share, if they don’t have anything to begin with. They all just suffer together.

B: It’s not just about money. I was talking about emotional support. M: Do you mean that poor families won’t be happier even if they have more money?

B: Of course not. What I’m saying is that money and happiness aren’t necessarily connected. For example, many rich families are unhappy, too. M: And I’m saying that many poor families are unhappy because they have more conflicts caused by their difficult living conditions.

B: They may have more problems to face, but that doesn’t have to lead to bad relationships in the family. In fact, struggling together can make family relationships even stronger. M: So, you wouldn’t care too much if your children were poor, because they could still be happy?

B: That’s not exactly what I meant. I’d define a happy family as one having a mixture of good living conditions and good relationships. M: Ideally, yes. Yet, relationships can break down if conditions are not good. B: True. But, good living conditions don’t always produce good relationships, either.

1. define [dI`faIn] vt. 給 … 下定義 Tips for You Back to Conversation

2. break down 破裂 Tips for You Back to Conversation

ups and downs 是指「人生或事業的 起起落落」。例： ‧ Mr. Smith had his ups and downs in his career. Back to Conversation

But I don’t understand how poor families can share.... how poor families can share 為間接問句， 在間接問句中，主詞和動詞不倒裝。例： ‧ The boss shouted at her secretary and asked where was the report. ( × ) ‧ The boss shouted at her secretary and asked where the report was. ( ○ ) Back to Conversation

to begin with 表示「一開始」，同義詞 有 at first 和 in the beginning 。例： ‧ I hated math to begin with. Now, I really like it. Back to Conversation

even if = even though 即使 … ‧ Andy will go to Japan and work there even if he doesn’t have much money. Back to Conversation

What I’m saying is that money and happiness aren’t necessarily connected. (1) what 為複合關係代名詞，相當於 all that ，後面動詞需用單數。例： ‧ What Leo is saying doesn’t make any sense. (2)...that money and...connected. 此 that 子句作為句子的主詞補語，補 充說明 what I’m saying 的內容。 Back to Conversation

...they have more conflicts caused by their difficult living conditions. caused by their difficult living conditions 為關係子句省略的分詞片語，原句為 which are caused by their difficult living conditions 。 Back to Conversation

lead to 為「導致，引起」之意，同義詞 有： cause, result in, contribute to, bring about 等。例： ‧ Global warming leads to the rise of sea levels. Back to Conversation

...make family relationships even stronger. stronger 為比較級形容詞。修飾比較級形容 詞可用 even, much, a lot, a little, far 等副 詞。例： ‧ Many people believe that women are much more emotional than men. Back to Conversation

...you wouldn’t care too much if your children were poor.... If + S + were/V-ed/Aux V..., S + would/ could/should/might + V.... 這是與現在事實相反的假設語氣，表示敘 述內容與現在事實不符，詳細用法請參見 第三冊第二課句型二。例： ‧ If I were a bird, I could fly high in the sky. ‧ If Andy had enough money, he would travel around the world. Back to Conversation

I’d define a happy family as one having a mixture of good.... (1) define A as B 解釋為「定義 A 為 B 」。例： ‧ We define a good student as one who is well-behaved and active in learning. (2) one having...good relationship 為關係 子句省略的分詞片語，原句為 one which that has a mixture...relationships. 。 Back to Conversation

break down 除了有「 ( 關係 ) 破裂」的意思 外，還可以指「汽車或機器故障」。例： ‧ On our way to Tainan, our car broke down on the highway. Back to Conversation