[ti:Even] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, [00:03.88]we will answer a question from Ester, [00:06.92]a reader, about the uses of "even." [00:12.20]Could you please tell me how to use "even?" --Ester [00:17.88]Dear Ester, [00:19.52]Thank you for your question. [00:21.80]There are several ways to use the word "even" in American English. [00:27.96]We will start with the use of "even" as an adjective to describe nouns. [00:35.80]One use of "even" as an adjective can mean smooth or not rough. [00:43.40]The table has an even surface that is good for table tennis. [00:50.04]Here, the top of the table is smooth. It is not rough. [00:56.16]We can use "even" as an adjective [00:59.36]to describe something as normal or regular. [01:04.56]For example: [01:05.88]The doctor listened to her patient's even heartbeat. [01:11.40]This statement means that the patient's heart [01:14.44]was beating at a regular speed. [01:18.56]Our last example of "even" as an adjective [01:22.12]can be seen in the example below, meaning equal or balanced. [01:28.48]I cut the cake into eight even pieces. [01:33.56]In this final adjective example, [01:36.08]the cake is divided into eight equal parts. [01:41.28]"Even" can also be used as an adverb [01:44.56]to mean that the information is surprising [01:47.84]in either a good way or a bad way. [01:51.28]Compare these examples: [01:55.00]I did not even know that she was arriving this weekend! [02:00.28]He even bought me flowers on our first date. [02:04.56]Both examples show surprise or disbelief [02:08.76]to something that was earlier not thought possible. [02:13.92]And finally, we can use "even" with other adjectives and adverbs [02:18.88]to make a statement stronger. [02:22.88]This summer could be even hotter because of climate change. [02:28.40]In this sentence "even" is a comparative adverb [02:32.60]making hotter have a more intense meaning. [02:37.96]Please let us know if these examples have helped you, Ester! [02:42.80]What question do you have about American English? [02:46.96]Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com [02:54.48]And that's Ask a Teacher. [02:57.16]I'm Faith Pirlo. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM