1. An American named Frank is complaining to his friend, Lucy, about the useless gift he received from his Taiwanese friend. (F = Frank, L = Lucy)

2. F: I just don’t know what to do with this package of tea. My Taiwanese friend, Leo, gave it to me yesterday. L: It’s a lovely gift, but you don’t drink tea. And you also don’t know how to prepare this special kind of tea. F: You are right. But I can’t exchange it for anything else because he didn’t give me the receipt.

3. L: Of course, he didn’t. Taiwanese people think it’s impolite to include the receipt with a gift. F: Why is that? L: They think it’s offensive to reveal the price they paid for the gift. F: So, I’d embarrass him if I asked for the receipt, wouldn’t I?

4. L: Yes, it would be rude, so don’t even think about doing that. F: I don’t want to destroy our relationship, but it seems Leo has wasted his money. It’s a pity I can’t exchange it for something more useful. L: Not really. It’s the thought that counts. Remember, in Taiwan, a package of high-quality tea is an ideal gift because it shows respect.

5. F: I shouldn’t complain then because he is honoring me as a good friend. L: That’s right. Friendship is much more valuable than money!

6. exchange [Iks`tSendZ] vt. 換貨 Reading

7. receipt [rI`sit] n. [C] 收據 Reading

8. destroy [dI`strOI] vt. 破壞 Reading

9. pity [`pItI] n. [C] 可惜的事 Reading

10. 1. do with sth 表示「處理某事」。 do with 的同義詞還有 deal with 、 cope with 、 handle 。例： ‧ When facing a difficult situation, the experienced manager always takes action to do with/cope with/ deal with/handle it. Reading

11. 2. My Taiwanese friend, Leo, gave it to me yesterday. give 為授與動詞， it 代替上句的 this package of tea ，為直接受詞， me 為間接受詞。 Reading

12. But I can’t exchange it for anything else.... exchange A for B 表示「拿 A 交換 B 」。 例： ‧ You can go to the bank to exchange US dollars for NT dollars. Reading

13. Why is that? that 為代名詞，用來代替上一句中 的 Taiwanese people think...a gift. Reading

14. ...reveal the price they paid for the gift. they paid for the gift 為關係子句，修 飾先行詞 the price ，且此關係子句省 略了關係代名詞受格 which/that 。 Reading

15. ..I’d embarrass him...wouldn't I? wouldn’t I 為附加問句，因前面敘 述句為肯定用法 (I’d) ，所以這裡附 加問句要用否定形，以徵詢聽者同 意或確認。 Reading

16. ...something more useful. 一般形容詞修飾名詞時大都放在名 詞之前，但若是修飾 something 、 nothing 、 everything 等不定代名詞 時，形容詞就要放其後。例： ‧ There is nothing serious. Don’t be so anxious. Reading

17. not really 表示「不完全是那 樣」，口語中常用來對提問作 否定回答。例： ‧ “Is John the one to be responsible for the case?” “Not really.” Reading

18. It’s the thought that counts. 此為分裂句句構，強調的是 the thought 。 Reading

19. much 在此修飾後面的比較級 more valuable ，其他可修飾比較級的還有 even 和 far 。例： ‧ The price of the meal is even more expensive than we expected. ‧ The age of the man is far older than we guessed. Reading