http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/international/20130810/35211583/WHEREWOULDWEBEWITHOUTTHEM%EF%BC%9F

Where Would We Be without Them?

鉛筆啊鉛筆，沒了你該怎麼辦?

As one can imagine, pencils helped inspire artists, made it easier to get an education,and more. The first patent for a mechanical pencil was given in Britain in 1822.Taiwan is a place that knows a lot about pencils. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Rabbit pencils and pens were a source of pride in Taiwan. Visitors were wowed by the variety of pencils and their clever designs. However,the world has evolved, and pencils and stationery are not as in demand as they used to be. Today, the Rabbit factory is a museum that sends visitors back in time. Next time you grab a pencil, take a moment to look at it and think how different your life would be without this small and useful invention. (how different s+v)

中譯

可想而知，鉛筆有助於激發藝術家的靈感、使得受教育更加容易，還影響了其他更多層面。第一支自動鉛筆就在1822年的英國取得專利。臺灣這個地方對鉛筆毫不陌生。1950到1970年間，玉兔鉛筆和原子筆是臺灣驕傲的來源。五花八門的鉛筆以及當中極具巧思的設計讓觀光客大感驚奇。然而，由於世界不斷進步，使得鉛筆和文具的需求大不如前。現今的玉兔牌工廠是一家帶領參觀者穿越時空，緬懷過去的博物館。下次當您拿起鉛筆時，不妨花點時間看看它，想想要是沒有了這小巧實用的發明，您的生活會有多麼不同。 

生活必備字詞：

1. patent [ˋpætnt]  n. 專利; 專利權

2. source [sors]　 n. 根源; 來源[(+of)]

They are required to publish the sources of their campaign funds.

（他們必須公佈自己競選經費的來源。）

3. evolve [ɪˋvɑlv]　

vt. 及物動詞   使逐步形成; 發展, 展開

How did you evolve this very personal and original style?

（你是怎樣逐步形成這種很有個性且具獨創性的風格的?）

vi. 不及物動詞　逐步形成; 發展; 進化; 成長[(+from/into)]

Scientists think that birds probably evolved from reptiles.

（科學家認為, 鳥很可能是由爬行動物進化而來的。）

The simple plan evolved into a complicated scheme.

（這個簡單的計劃發展成了一項複雜的規劃。）

4. stationery [ˋsteʃən͵ɛrɪ]   n. 文具; 信紙[U]

Don't send the order yet, there is a liberal supply of stationery.

（現在還不要寄訂單, 因為尚有很多文具。）

liberal　a.大量的, 豐富的, 充足的

5. as ... as  像...一樣

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/MyCambridge/22917364