Don't Miss a Thing With 'Eagle Eyes'
2025-02-16
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2From above, birds must have a wonderful view of the world below.
3Flying over everything at such a height gives them a rare ability to see many things.
4In English, we use the term "bird's eye view" to describe a view from above as if seen by a bird in flight.
5It is also described as an "overall view" or "big picture view."
6For example, when I start a project, I first like to get a bird's eye view.
7I ask myself several important questions:
8What is the overall goal? Who is the main focus?
9What resources do I have available to me?
10Answers to these "big picture" questions can help me understand the scope of the project.
11Now, let's talk about noticing the smaller details.
12Some birds, called raptors, are known for their extremely sharp vision.
13Eagles, hawks, and owls can see their prey from very far away.
14The Raptor Center is part of the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine.
15Its website explains why eagles, hawks, and owls see so well: "Raptors have powerful binocular vision, where both their left and right eyes can see and focus on a single object."
16Eagles and hawks also have a special bone structure around their eyes that protects them from bright sunlight.
17Their ability to focus on faraway details in addition to other factors make them extremely effective hunters.
18In English, the keen vision of eagles and hawks describes a certain type of person.
19If you have an eagle eye, you have the ability to see or notice distant objects.
20Also, you observe everything, even very small details which others might miss.
21On the same note, someone who is hawk-eyed watches and notices everything that happens.
22These types of people may even perceive things that are not clear to others.
23Both eagle-eyed and hawk-eyed people are observant or perceptive.
24A person does not have to have this ability all the time.
25They might use their keen vision and powers of observation only at certain times, especially times when they need to keep a close watch.
26For example, during Christmastime, hawk-eyed children might search the sky looking for Santa Claus.
27These children may not be very observant during the rest of the year, but during Christmastime, they are looking for gifts.
28Let's hear these terms used between two friends.
29A: This is a great party. Thanks for inviting me.
30B: The more the merrier! This yearly neighborhood party always draws a huge number of people.
31A: I'd say so! There must be over a hundred people here!
32Hey, wait a minute. I think I see our old co-worker.
33Isn't that Samantha way over there by the food and drinks?
34B: I don't know. I can't see that far.
35A: It's her.
36My eagle eyes don't miss a thing.
37I'm going to go say hi and grab the last hamburger while I'm there.
38Oh, and you should let the hosts know that they're low on drinks.
39B: Wow! You're right. I didn't realize you were so hawk-eyed.
40A: Only at parties. I start off with a bird's eye view and then focus in on the food, drinks, and people I want to see more closely. See you in a few...
41The term "eagle eye" has been used for hundreds of years.
42Word experts say it was first used in writing in the mid-1500s.
43The Oxford English Dictionary website says the "earliest evidence for 'eagle eye' is from 1567, in the writing of Thomas Stapleton, a Roman Catholic theologian."
44A theologian is an expert in religious thought.
45And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2From above, birds must have a wonderful view of the world below. Flying over everything at such a height gives them a rare ability to see many things. 3In English, we use the term "bird's eye view" to describe a view from above as if seen by a bird in flight. It is also described as an "overall view" or "big picture view." 4For example, when I start a project, I first like to get a bird's eye view. I ask myself several important questions: What is the overall goal? Who is the main focus? What resources do I have available to me? Answers to these "big picture" questions can help me understand the scope of the project. 5Now, let's talk about noticing the smaller details. 6Some birds, called raptors, are known for their extremely sharp vision. Eagles, hawks, and owls can see their prey from very far away. 7The Raptor Center is part of the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine. Its website explains why eagles, hawks, and owls see so well: "Raptors have powerful binocular vision, where both their left and right eyes can see and focus on a single object." 8Eagles and hawks also have a special bone structure around their eyes that protects them from bright sunlight. Their ability to focus on faraway details in addition to other factors make them extremely effective hunters. 9In English, the keen vision of eagles and hawks describes a certain type of person. 10If you have an eagle eye, you have the ability to see or notice distant objects. Also, you observe everything, even very small details which others might miss. On the same note, someone who is hawk-eyed watches and notices everything that happens. 11These types of people may even perceive things that are not clear to others. Both eagle-eyed and hawk-eyed people are observant or perceptive. 12A person does not have to have this ability all the time. They might use their keen vision and powers of observation only at certain times, especially times when they need to keep a close watch. 13For example, during Christmastime, hawk-eyed children might search the sky looking for Santa Claus. These children may not be very observant during the rest of the year, but during Christmastime, they are looking for gifts. 14Let's hear these terms used between two friends. 15A: This is a great party. Thanks for inviting me. 16B: The more the merrier! This yearly neighborhood party always draws a huge number of people. 17A: I'd say so! There must be over a hundred people here! Hey, wait a minute. I think I see our old co-worker. Isn't that Samantha way over there by the food and drinks? 18B: I don't know. I can't see that far. 19A: It's her. My eagle eyes don't miss a thing. I'm going to go say hi and grab the last hamburger while I'm there. Oh, and you should let the hosts know that they're low on drinks. 20B: Wow! You're right. I didn't realize you were so hawk-eyed. 21A: Only at parties. I start off with a bird's eye view and then focus in on the food, drinks, and people I want to see more closely. See you in a few... 22The term "eagle eye" has been used for hundreds of years. Word experts say it was first used in writing in the mid-1500s. The Oxford English Dictionary website says the "earliest evidence for 'eagle eye' is from 1567, in the writing of Thomas Stapleton, a Roman Catholic theologian." 23A theologian is an expert in religious thought. 24And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 25Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 26___________________________________________________ 27Words in This Story 28view -n. things that can be seen from a certain position or place 29focus -n. the thing that takes up most of one's attention : focus -v. to make an image seen by the eyes as sharp as possible 30notice -v. to see and pay attention to something 31prey -n. an animal that is being hunted 32binocular -adj. involving two eyes 33factor -n. one thing that is involved in a process aimed at producing a result 34keen -adj. very sharp 35perceive -v. to understand