問:某校中三物理科試卷有一部分名為 Problems,是不是應改為
Questions?
答: Question和 problem都是「問題」,但 question常指提出來要人回答的問題, problem則常指待解決的困難,例如:( 1) Mr Tsang never
deigns to answer reporters'"impolite" questions(曾先生從來不屑回答記者「不客氣」的問題)。( 2) He has financial problems and needs help(他經濟有困難,需要援助)。
不過,論學科,數理科的問題可以叫 problems,文史地等科的問題則多叫 questions,例如:( 1) The
maths teacher gave us several problems to do for homework(數學老師要我們做家庭作業,給了我們幾條問題)。( 2) The questions in the
geography paper were not easy to answer(地理試卷的問題不易回答)。物理試卷的 Problems,當然不必改為 Questions。
問:「我明天約了人」這句日常用語,英文怎麼說?用 engagement、 date等字說「約會」,會不會令人以為是戀愛的約會?
答: Engagement可以解作「訂婚」, date可以解作「戀愛的約會」,但兩字也都可以指一般約會,例如:( 1) I have an
engagement with two old friends tomorrow afternoon(我明天下午約了兩位老朋友見面)。( 2) I called his secretary and made a date for an
interview(我打電話給他秘書,約定時間面談)。「我明天約了人」英文可以說 I have another appointment/ a previous
engagement tomorrow。