母親節的由來

The Story of Mother's Day

Reading (閱讀)

Mother's Day is a day filled with love, a time to do something nice for our mothers to show we care. People often give flowers, cards, and other special gifts. Many families also celebrate by having a special meal together.

While many countries, like the United States and Taiwan, celebrate this day on the second Sunday of May, the idea of honoring mothers is very ancient and has an interesting modern history.

The modern Mother's Day started with an American woman named Anna Jarvis. Her mother, Ann Jarvis, had organized women's groups to promote friendship and health. After her mother passed away, Anna wanted to create a special day to honor mothers for all their hard work.

In 1908, Anna held the first official Mother's Day celebration. It was a big success! She then worked hard for many years, writing letters to important people to make Mother's Day a national holiday. Finally, her dream came true. In 1914, the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother's Day a national holiday. Now, people all over the world enjoy this day to say "Thank you" to their moms.

Vocabulary (字彙)

honor v. [ˋɑnɚ] 向...致敬；尊敬

To show great respect for someone or something.

Ex: She wanted to create a special day to honor mothers. (她想要創造一個特別的日子來向母親們致敬。)

ancient a. [ˋenʃənt] 古代的；古老的

From a long time ago.

Ex: The idea of honoring mothers is very ancient. (尊敬母親的這個想法非常古老。)

official a. [əˋfɪʃəl] 官方的；正式的

Agreed to or arranged by people in positions of authority.

Ex: In 1908, Anna held the first official Mother's Day celebration. (在1908年，安娜舉辦了第一場官方的母親節慶祝活動。)

celebration n. [͵sɛləˋbreʃən] 慶祝活動

A special social event, such as a party, when you celebrate something.

Ex: She held the first official Mother's Day celebration. (她舉辦了第一場官方的母親節慶祝活動。)

national a. [ˋnæʃənl] 國家的；全國性的

Relating to a whole nation.

Ex: She worked hard for many years to make it a national holiday. (她努力多年，為了使其成為一個全國性的假日。)

holiday n. [ˋhɑlə͵de] 假日；節日

A special day of celebration when most people do not have to work.

Ex: The president officially declared Mother's Day a national holiday. (總統正式宣布母親節為國定假日。)

declare v. [dɪˋklɛr] 宣布；宣告

To announce something publicly or officially.

Ex: President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother's Day a national holiday. (伍卓·威爾遜總統正式宣布母親節為國定假日。)

Sentence (句型)

1. ... a time to + V (...的時刻)

這個句型用來描述某個時間點是做某件事情的好時機。to + V (不定詞) 用來說明要做的事。

Ex: ...a time to do something nice for our mothers...

2. S. + V. + to + V (不定詞表目的)

同樣使用不定詞來解釋做某個動作是「為了...」的目的。

Ex: She worked hard... to make Mother's Day a national holiday.

Ex: People give gifts to show they care.

3. V-ing as Subject (動名詞作主詞)

當一個「動作」作為句子的主詞時，動詞需要加上 -ing 變成動名詞。

Ex: Honoring mothers is a very ancient idea. (此為改寫句，與原文 the idea of honoring mothers 意思相同。)

Grammar (文法)

1. 過去簡單式 (Simple Past Tense)

本文在敘述母親節的由來這個歷史故事時，主要使用過去簡單式來陳述過去發生的事件。

Ex: Her mother... had organized women's groups. (過去完成式，強調在Anna行動前就已發生)

Ex: Anna wanted to create a special day...

Ex: She held the first... celebration.

Ex: It was a big success!

Ex: President Wilson officially declared...

Phrase (片語)

filled with (充滿): ...a day filled with love.

take a break from (從...中休息一下): ...letting Mom take a break from cooking.

pass away (過世): After her mother passed away...

all over the world (遍及世界各地): Now, people all over the world enjoy this special day.

come true (實現): Finally, her dream came true.

Countable & Uncountable Nouns

[C] (可數名詞): day, mother, flower, card, gift, family, meal, country, date, holiday, tradition, celebration, dream, president, letter

[U] (不可數名詞): love, care, cooking, history, friendship, peace, health, work, success