Around 2,000 years ago, the masters of a temple in Egypt had a problem. Some of the people who visited the temple took more holy water than they paid for. Luckily, a Greek engineer, whose name was Hero, came up with a brilliant idea. He designed a simple device that looked like a cylinder. It gave out a proper amount of holy water when a coin was dropped into it. No doubt the temple masters were pleased with their Hero, but they probably didn't realize he had invented the world's first vending machine.
大約兩千年前，埃及一間神廟的祭司們遇上難題。有些人到廟裡買聖水，卻取走超過金額的量。幸好，一位名叫 Hero 的希臘工程師想到了一個絕妙點子。他設計出一種簡單的圓柱形裝置。只要投下錢幣後，就會流出適量的聖水。不用說，祭司們對 Hero 滿意極了，但他們可能沒想到，Hero 發明的是世上第一台自動販賣機。
These days, vending machines are everywhere. They provide efficiency and lower costs for sellers and bring convenience to buyers. Perhaps you have bought snacks and soda from such machines before. However, some vending machines contain many more unusual items. Japan, for example, is a world leader when it comes to the creative use of vending machines. Unexpected items you can buy from these machines are clothing, fruit, batteries, and sushi.
現在，販賣機到處都有。提供賣方效率與較低成本，提供買方則是便利性。也許你曾經從這種機器買過零食和汽水，但是販賣機能賣的特殊商品還多著。以日本為例，說到販賣機創意堪稱世界第一。你從販賣機能買到意想不到的東西有服飾、水果、電池以及壽司。
Weird and wonderful vending machine products can be found in other places too. For example, you can get a Ferrari or a Porsche from a vending machine in Singapore. A 15-story tower that is full of luxury cars opened in the city a few years ago. Customers use a touchscreen on the first floor of the building to browse the vehicles in stock. They pay for any car they are interested in, and it arrives within a couple of minutes.
其他地方也有奇妙的販賣機商品。例如，你可以在新加坡的一台販賣機買到一輛法拉利或保時捷。幾年以前有一棟停滿豪華名車的 15 層樓建築就在新加坡開幕。顧客操作一樓的觸控式螢幕來瀏覽現貨車輛。他們付錢買喜歡的車，幾分鐘內，車子就到手了。
If cars from a vending machine don't impress you, how about human hair? A businessman in Philadelphia makes machines that sell hair extensions. He sells mostly Asian and Brazilian hair under his own label. If you want to try these products, however, you'll need deep pockets. Most people require at least three packs of hair extensions, and the prices range from $65 to $200 each.
如果汽車販賣機沒讓你驚艷，那賣頭髮的呢？費城有個生意人打造出接髮材料的販賣機。他的自有品牌大多出售亞洲人和巴西人的頭髮。不過如果你想試試這些產品，口袋最好夠深。大多數人需要至少三包接髮材料，而每包售價 65 到 200 美元不等。
Of course, the things most of us get from vending machines are not unlikely products like cars and hair, but high-calorie snacks and drinks. That's why these machines have an unhealthy image. Some people are working to change this. In Chicago, a machine provides a 25-second delay on giving out certain items. The buyer can receive healthy snacks like nuts right away, but must wait longer for junk food snacks. The aim is to give buyers time to change their minds and go for a healthier choice.
當然，我們大部分的人會從販賣機購買的商品，並不會是像車子及頭髮這種匪夷所思的產品，而是買高熱量的零食和飲料。這就是為什麼這些機器給人不健康的形象。不過有些人正努力改變這一點。芝加哥就有一種機器對某些產品有延遲 25 秒發放的功能。消費者可以立刻拿到堅果之類的健康零嘴，但是垃圾食物就必須等久一點。目的是給消費者改變心意的時間，換成比較健康的選擇。
According to recent reports, the future vending machines will be even more intelligent. Some machines now in production can use facial recognition technology. They can identify and greet users, remember their preferences, and even refuse them certain products. For example, they won't give out cigarettes or alcohol to children or junk food to an obese person. Some people might find the idea disturbing, but for better or worse, smart vending machines could soon be part of our everyday shopping experience.
根據最近的報告，未來的販賣機還會更聰明。目前已經在生產具有臉部辨識科技的販賣機。能辨識使用者並跟他們打招呼、記得他們的喜好，甚至拒賣某些產品給他們。例如不賣菸酒給孩童，或是不賣垃圾食物給肥胖者。有些人可能覺得這種作法令人不快，但無論好壞，智慧販賣機很快將成為我們的日常購物經驗之一。
- brilliant [ˋbrɪljənt] adj.
很棒的，高明的
This travel article gives a brilliant description of the beautiful city of Prague.
這篇旅遊文章對絕美之城布拉格有精彩的描述。 - device [dɪˋvaɪs] n.
裝置，器具
In my kitchen, there is a useful device for making juice.
我的廚房裡有一個能拿來榨果汁的好用器具。 - proper [ˋprɑpɚ] adj.
恰當的，正確的
A T-shirt and jeans are not proper clothes for a business meeting.
T恤和牛仔褲不是商務會議的合宜服裝。 - efficiency [ɪˋfɪʃənsɪ] n.
效率
My new apartment has good energy efficiency, so the electricity doesn't cost much.
我的新公寓非常節能，所以電費不高。 - efficient [ɪˋfɪʃənt] adj.
有效率的
I have only two days to do the task, so I have to make efficient use of my time.
我只有兩天時間完成任務，所以必須有效率地利用時間。 - unexpected [͵ʌnɪkˋspɛktɪd] adj.
出乎意料的，想不到的
My aunt came for a surprise visit, and she gave me an unexpected gift.
阿姨突然來訪，還送我一份意料之外的禮物。 - weird [wɪrd] adj.
古怪的
This TV show is about the weird and wonderful animals that live in the ocean.
這個電視節目是關於生長在海底的珍奇動物。 - luxury [ˋlʌkʃərɪ] n.
豪華，奢侈；奢侈品
Ben lives in luxury, and he even owns a private plane.
Ben 過著奢華的生活，他甚至擁有一架私人飛機。
Little luxuries like expensive chocolates add spice to my life.
高檔巧克力之類的小奢華為我的生活增添了一點樂趣。 - luxurious [lʌgˋʒʊrɪəs] adj.
豪華的，奢侈的
We stayed in a very luxurious room in a five-star hotel.
我們住在一家五星級飯店的超豪華套房。 - browse [braʊz] v.
瀏覽，隨意看；翻閱
I saw Peter browsing old CDs at a street market.
我看到 Peter 在街頭市集翻看舊 CD。
Many airlines have their own magazines for people to browse through on a flight.
很多航空公司會提供自己的雜誌讓乘客在航程中翻閱。 - vehicle [ˋviɪk!] n.
車輛
The road is closed to motor vehicles, but you can ride a bicycle along it.
這條路禁行汽車，不過可以騎腳踏車通過。 - impress [ɪmˋprɛs] v.
給...留下深刻印象
Harry impressed his classmates with his amazing singing talent.
Harry 高超的歌藝讓他的同學們印象深刻。 - impressive [ɪmˋprɛsɪv] adj.
令人印象深刻的
It is an impressive poem that describes powerful emotions.
這首詩所流露的強烈情感令人難忘。 - impression [ɪmˋprɛʃən] n.
印象
My first impression was that Ian was a little shy, but later I saw his great sense of humor.
我對 Ian 的第一印象是他有點害羞，不過後來就見識到他超有幽默感。
We were under the impression that Mike was a real gentleman, but in fact he was pretty mean.
我們都以為 Mike 是不折不扣的紳士，但其實他是個卑鄙小人。 - label [ˋleb!] n.
公司品牌；標籤
Clothes with designer labels are more expensive, even if their quality is not great.
設計師品牌的服裝都比較貴，即便品質普普。
The label says this sweater can be washed in a machine.
標籤上說這件毛衣可以用洗衣機洗。 - range [rendʒ] v.
（在一定範圍內）變化，變動
The average temperature in Tokyo ranges from 5°C in January to 29°C in August.
東京的平均溫度範圍從最低一月份的攝氏 5 度，到最高八月份的攝氏 29 度。 - range [rendʒ] n.
範圍
For this job, the pay is generally in the range of $35,000 to $40,000.
這份工作的薪水通常落在 35,000 元到 40,000 元的範圍。 - image [ˋɪmɪdʒ] n.
（他人心中的）形象；（自己腦中的）意象
The company is trying to create a good brand image for its new product.
這家公司正試著為他們的新產品建立一個良好的品牌形象。
Bella has an image in her mind of how she wants her wedding to be.
Bella 對自己的婚禮該是什麼樣子心裡有數。 - delay [dɪˋle] n.
延遲，延誤
Because of the flight delay, we arrived in Taiwan after midnight.
因為飛機延誤，我們過了午夜才抵達台灣。 - delay [dɪˋle] v.
延遲，耽擱
Barry has delayed going to college until next year because he wants to go on a study tour first.
Barry 將上大學的時間延遲到明年，因為他想先去遊學。 - intelligent [ɪnˋtɛlədʒənt] adj.
聰明的，有才智的
Simon is a very intelligent boy and is doing really well in his studies.
Simon 天資聰穎，學業成績出眾。 - intelligence [ɪnˋtɛlədʒəns] n.
聰明才智，智力
Barbara says she has met aliens with advanced intelligence, but I don't believe her.
Barbara 說她遇上了擁有先進智慧的外星人，但我不相信。 - facial [ˋfeʃəl] adj.
臉的
This online video shows animals with funny facial expressions.
這支網路影片拍攝動物的逗趣表情。 - facial [ˋfeʃəl] n.
做臉，臉部美容護理
Before her date, Miranda went for a facial and some other beauty treatments.
Miranda 約會前先去做臉以及其他美容療程。 - recognition [͵rɛkəgˋnɪʃən] n.
認出；認可，表彰
To avoid recognition, the pop star wore a hat and dark glasses when he went out.
為了避免被認出，那位流行明星出門時戴了帽子和墨鏡。
In recognition of my hard work, the company has given me a raise this year.
公司今年幫我加薪，以表揚我的努力工作。 - recognize [ˋrɛkəg͵naɪz] v.
認出，辨識；認可
Though Mary had changed a lot over the years, I recognized her right away.
雖然 Mary 這些年來變了很多，我還是一眼就認出她。
This newly independent nation is only recognized by a few countries.
這個最近才獨立的新國家僅獲得少數國家承認。 - identify [aɪˋdɛntə͵faɪ] v.
認出，識別
The old lady identified one of her neighbors as the man who robbed her house.
那名老婦人指認她的一個鄰居就是搶劫她家的人。 - identification [aɪ͵dɛntəfəˋkeʃən] n.
識別；身份證明
This program will help you with the identification of most computer problems.
這個程式能幫你辨識出大多數的電腦問題。
You need to show identification when you enter the factory.
你必須出示身分證明才能進入這座工廠。 - preference [ˋprɛfərəns] n.
偏好，偏愛；偏愛的事物
Julie's preference for bright colors makes her clothes stand out.
Julie 對明亮色系衣服的偏好讓她的衣著與眾不同。
Annie's musical preferences are very similar to mine. We both love jazz and rock music.
Annie 對音樂的偏好與我的相當類似。我們都喜歡爵士樂與搖滾樂。 - prefer [prɪˋfɝ] v.
寧可，偏好
I hate hot weather, and I actually prefer winter to summer.
我討厭炎熱的天氣，比起夏天，我其實更愛冬天。 - cigarette [͵sɪgəˋrɛt] n.
香菸
You can't smoke here. Please put out your cigarette.
你不能在這裡抽菸。請熄菸。 - alcohol [ˋælkə͵hɔl] n.
酒，酒精
It looks like wine, but it's just alcohol-free grape juice.
這看起來像酒，其實只是無酒精的葡萄汁。 - alcoholic [͵ælkəˋhɔlɪk] adj.
含酒精的
The social event is for under-eighteens, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed.
這是未滿十八歲的人參加的社交活動，因此不准提供含酒精飲料。 - alcoholic [͵ælkəˋhɔlɪk] n.
酒鬼
When his business failed, the man started drinking and became an alcoholic.
當他的事業失敗時，那個人開始酗酒，還變成酒鬼。 - disturbing [dɪˈstɝbɪŋ] adj.
讓人焦慮的
The scary movie had many disturbing scenes.
那部恐怖片有很多令人坐立難安的畫面。 - disturb [dɪsˋtɝb] v.
使焦慮；打擾
Mrs. Smith was disturbed by the news about her husband's health.
Smith 太太聽到她先生健康堪慮的消息感到憂心忡忡。
I was having a nice dream when Rita disturbed me.
Rita 吵醒我的時候我正在做美夢。 - come up with
想出
It's a crazy idea, and I'm surprised you came up with it.
這個主意太瘋狂了，我很驚訝你居然想得出來。 - when it comes to
提到...，談到...
When it comes to saving money, Larry can give you plenty of good advice.
說到省錢，Larry 可以給你很多好的建議。 - in stock
庫存
I wanted to buy a coat like yours, but the store had none in stock.
我想買一件你那樣的外套，但店裡已經沒有存貨了。 - a couple of
兩、三（個），幾（個）
I've got a couple of sandwiches and a banana for my lunch today.
我今天午餐吃了幾個三明治和一根香蕉。 - go for
選擇
Amy chose the steak while Colin went for the fish.
Amy 點了牛排，而 Colin 則是點魚。 - for better or (for) worse
無論好壞，不管怎樣
For better or worse, William has decided to quit his job.
無論結果好壞，William 已經決定要辭職了。
