VOA慢速：如何保持“身材”
How Do You Stay 'In Shape'?
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give you definitions, examples, and notes on usage.
Today, we talk about fitness and exercise. Keeping in shape is a common expression for staying physically fit!
What sort of exercise do you enjoy? How do you get in shape? If you are already in shape, how do you stay in shape?
I used to walk a lot for work and that kept me in good shape. Five days a week I would walk to the train station, walk to the office and then climb stairs. At lunch, my co-workers and I would take a walk outside. Our office is in a beautiful area of Washington, D.C., surrounded by museums and monuments. So that adds up to a lot of walking!
But then, in 2020 like so many others, I started working from home. I became worried that without all that walking, I would quickly get out of shape! So, I made time for more swimming and short walks around my neighborhood. Those two kept me in shape.
Using the word "shape" when talking about fitness and health makes sense. Sometimes, we can describe the human body in terms of size and shape. But we can also use the word "shape" to talk about our projects, our activities, our actions and behaviors.
So, “shape up” also means to correct bad behavior. For example, a boss might warn an underperforming employee to shape up. The boss may take this expression one step further. She or he might add a threat by saying “shape up” or “ship out”.
Talking about ships, we also describe things that are clean or running smoothly as shipshape. A ship that is orderly and clean runs more smoothly and is safer. Remember, on a ship, you can be very far away from help. So, keeping things in good order prevents accidents and big problems.
So, what happens if a situation or a project was in trouble but is now going well? Well, we can say things are shaping up. If it's not going well, we can say the project is in bad shape.
Now, let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.
A: Hey, how's the project going?
B: It's going well. Everything is shipshape now.
A: What do you mean 'now'?
B: Well, last week we ran into some trouble. An employee wasn't pulling his weight and things weren't getting done.
A: What did you do?
B: I told him, "Shape up or ship out."
A: That's pretty harsh!
B: Maybe, but he shaped up. Now he's a valuable member of the team. I think he was overworked and dealing with some personal issues.
A: We all run into trouble sometimes. Hey, talking about being overworked, let's take a break in a bit. I need a walk!
B: Sounds good. The project is in good shape. But I have to make sure I stay in good shape too!
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. We hope you enjoyed learning some "shape" expressions and verbal phrases.
Practice using them the next time you want to talk about getting or staying physically fit.
Until next time. I'm Anna Matteo.
VOCABULARY
1. orderly adj. in a neat, organized, or systematic manner; arranged in a methodical way. 井然有序的，整齐的
2. shipshape n. clean and neat; in good condition and ready to use 整洁；井井有条；良好可用
QUESTIONS
Listen to the recording and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
1. What does the expression "shape up or ship out" mean in the conversation?
A. Improve your performance or leave.
B. Maintain good physical shape.
C. Correct bad behavior or actions.
D. Stay physically fit.
2. According to the passage, what does "shipshape" mean?
A. Being physically fit.
B. Describing a large ship.
C. Running smoothly and being clean.
D. Having a well-organized project.
3. How did the speaker stay in shape when working from home?
A. By walking and swimming.
B. By going to the office and climbing stairs.
C. By taking short walks around the neighborhood.
D. By doing various exercises.
4. What can be inferred about the employee mentioned in the conversation?
A. The employee was fired due to poor performance.
B. The employee improved after being warned.
C. The employee was overworked and dealing with personal issues.
D. The employee shaped up by leaving the company.
5. What does "everything is shipshape now" mean in the conversation?
A. Everything is going well.
B. Everything is physically fit.
C. Everything is clean and orderly.
D. Everything is running on the sea.
KEY
1. What does the expression "shape up or ship out" mean in the conversation?
A. Improve your performance or leave.
B. Maintain good physical shape.
C. Correct bad behavior or actions.
D. Stay physically fit.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。该题目的命题出处是对话中的句子 B: I told him, "Shape up or ship out." 结合出处可以得出：这个表达意味着提升你的业绩，或是离开。选项A是正确答案。
2. According to the passage, what does "shipshape" mean?
A. Being physically fit.
B. Describing the shape of a large ship.
C. Running smoothly and being clean.
D. Having a well-organized project.
【答案】C
【解析】细节题。该题目的命题出处是文章中的句子“Now, let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.” 结合出处可以得出：根据文章，shipshape表示运行顺畅并且干净整洁。选项C是正确答案。
3. How did the speaker stay in shape when working from home?
A. By walking and swimming.
B. By going to the office and climbing stairs.
C. By taking short walks around the neighborhood.
D. By doing various exercises.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。该题目的命题出处是文章中的句子“I made time for more swimming and short walks around my neighborhood. ” 结合出处可以得出：在家工作时，通过游泳和短途散步来保持身材。选项A是正确答案。
4. What can be inferred about the employee mentioned in the conversation?
A. The employee was fired due to poor performance.
B. The employee improved after being warned.
C. The employee was overworked and dealing with personal issues.
D. The employee shaped up by leaving the company.
【答案】B
【解析】推理题。该题目的命题出处是对话中的句子 B: Maybe, but he shaped up. Now he's a valuable member of the team. I think he was overworked and dealing with some personal issues. 结合出处可以得出：这名员工在被警告后有所改善。选项B是正确答案。
5. What does "everything is shipshape now" mean in the conversation?
A. Everything is going well.
B. Everything is physically fit.
C. Everything is clean.
D. Everything is running on the sea.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。该题目的命题出处是对话中的句子 B: It's going well. Everything is shipshape now. 结合出处可以得出：一切进展顺利。选项A是正确答案。
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