A: Tiger skin cake shouldn’t be too difficult to make, right?
B: Actually, it’s a bit complicated to make, because there are three separate components: the main cake, the outer layer of tiger skin and a fresh cream filling.
A: Oh, so that’s how it’s made: the separate pieces are assembled together to build the cake.
Photo: Eddy Chang, Taipei Times 照片：台北時報張聖恩
B: Plus, the tiger skin must be well baked, so that the stripes are distinct, but without becoming burnt.
A: 虎皮蛋糕應該不難做吧？
B: 其實做起來有一點複雜，因為要分別製作蛋糕體、虎皮、鮮奶油。
A: 原來是分別做好再組合起來的。
B: 而且虎紋要烤得明顯但不焦黑。
（Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Audio recordings for Speak Up! dialogues will be suspended until further notice due to the pandemic.
Noise pollution is a frequently underestimated environmental hazard. While hearing loss is the best-known outcome associated with noise, emerging research is uncovering how noise affects our health in other ways. From impaired memory and sleep disturbances to cardiovascular problems, the impact of noise is profound. For a start, unpleasant or excessively loud sounds can lead to stress and divert attention. Even everyday noises, such as those caused by traffic, lawnmowers, and construction work, can interfere with cognitive functions and elevate stress levels. “Our ears capture sound, but we hear with our brains,” explains Wei Sun, an audiology researcher at
A: Apart from singer Daniel Kang, more South Korean stars are coming to Taiwan in March. B: Really? Like who? A: Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation will hold a concert at the Taipei Dome on March 16. B: So she’ll set a milestone by becoming the first K-pop artist to stage a show at the venue. A: Singer Lee Mu-jin, boy group NCT 127 and girl group GFRIEND are also visiting Taiwan. I can’t wait. A: 除了姜丹尼爾，3月有不少韓星訪台。 B: 真的嗎？有誰啊？ A: 像是少女時代的太妍，3月16日即將唱進大巨蛋。 B: 成為首位破蛋的韓流歌手，這可真是一項里程碑！ A: 歌手李茂珍、男團NCT 127、女團GFRIEND 3月也要來，真是令人期待。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
In the digital age, where communication revolves around text messages, “telephone phobia” (also known as “telephobia”) has become increasingly common, especially among young adults. Despite the ubiquity of smartphones, a significant number of individuals experience anxiety when __1__ making or receiving a phone call. Telephobia, in essence, is a fear or reluctance related to speaking on the phone. __2__ other communication methods, phone conversations require spontaneous responses and lack visual feedback such as body language and facial expressions. In such a real-time situation, telephobia sufferers are concerned about their inability to respond or express themselves appropriately, which can lead
A: My favorite K-pop superstar, Daniel Kang, will hold a concert at the Taipei Music Center. B: Wow, I’ve also been a fan since he debuted in 2017 as the “center” of the two-year limited boy group Wanna One. A: Since Daniel went solo in 2019, he has continued to shine internationally. B: When is his show taking place? A: It’s scheduled for March 1, which is my birthday. It’s the best birthday gift ever. A: 我最愛的韓星姜丹尼爾要在台北流行音樂中心開唱啦。 B: 哇，自他在2017年以2 年限定男團Wanna One「C位」出道時，我就 一直是他的粉絲。 A: 而他在2019 年單飛後，還是持續在國際上發光發熱。 B: 演唱會是哪天？ A: 日期訂在3月1日，也是我的生日。這真是最好的生日禮物！ （By Eddy Chang,
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