Texas Schools Will Teach the Bible

A2

Texas Schools Will Teach the Bible

德州學校將教授聖經


Introduction

The Texas Board of Education says public school students must read parts of the Bible.

德州教育委員會表示,公立學校的學生必須閱讀聖經的部分內容。

Main Body

The board voted yes. Now, 5 million students will read a list of 200 books. This list has the Bible and other famous stories. Students will start these lessons in 2030.

委員會投票通過了。現在,500萬名學生將閱讀一份包含200本書的清單。這份清單包含聖經和其他著名的故事。學生將於2030年開始這些課程。

Some leaders like this plan. They say the Bible is an important old book. They believe it helps students think better and learn about history.

一些領導者支持這個計劃。他們表示聖經是一本重要的古書。他們相信這有助於學生提升思考能力並學習歷史。

Other people are angry. They say schools and religion must stay separate. They think the list is not fair to students with different religions.

其他人則感到憤怒。他們認為學校與宗教必須分離。他們認為這份清單對於信仰不同宗教的學生並不公平。

Conclusion

Texas schools will add the Bible to their reading lists by the year 2030.

德州學校將在2030年之前將聖經納入閱讀清單。

Vocabulary Learning

The 'Will' Pattern (Future Plans)

In the text, we see a specific way to talk about the future: Will + Verb.

Examples from the story:

  • Schools will teach...
  • Students will read...
  • Schools will add...

How it works: Use this when something is decided for the future. It is very simple because the verb does not change, no matter who is doing the action.

  • I will read \rightarrow Correct
  • He will read \rightarrow Correct
  • They will read \rightarrow Correct

Common A2 Words to use with 'Will':

  • Start (e.g., "I will start tomorrow")
  • Learn (e.g., "We will learn English")
  • Go (e.g., "She will go to school")

Vocabulary Learning

board (n.)
A group of people who make important decisions for an organization
Example:The school board decided to change the start time of classes.
public (adj.)
Provided by the government and open to everyone
Example:My children go to a public school in the city.
voted (v.)
To choose something or someone in an official way
Example:The class voted to have a party on Friday.
famous (adj.)
Known by many people
Example:The Eiffel Tower is a famous building in Paris.
separate (adj.)
Not joined together; kept apart
Example:The children sleep in separate bedrooms.
religion (n.)
A set of beliefs about God or a spiritual power
Example:People of different religions live in this neighborhood.
B2

Texas State Board of Education Requires Biblical Texts in Public Schools

德州州教育局要求公立學校納入聖經文本


Introduction

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a mandatory reading list for public school students that includes passages from the Bible.

德州州教育局已批准一份公立學校學生的強制閱讀清單,其中包含聖經段落。

Main Body

The board passed the decision with a 9-5 vote, creating a required reading list of about 200 texts for over 5 million students. This list includes both secular books, such as Dickens' 'Great Expectations', and excerpts from the New Testament. The program will start in elementary schools during the 2030-31 school year. For example, fifth-grade students will study the Book of Exodus, while seventh-graders will read 'The Shepherd’s Psalm'. This move follows a 2023 law that requires at least one literary work per grade level.

教育局以 9 比 5 票通過了這項決定,為超過 500 萬名學生制定了一份包含約 200 篇文本的強制閱讀清單。這份清單既包括世俗書籍(例如狄更斯的《大期待》),也包括新約聖經的摘錄。該計畫將於 2030-31 學年起在小學開始實施。例如,五年級學生將研讀《出埃及記》,而七年級學生將閱讀《牧羊人之詩》。此舉是根據 2023 年的一項法律,要求每個年級至少閱讀一部文學作品。

Supporters of this policy emphasize that students need to read primary historical documents to develop critical thinking skills. Board member Julie Pickren asserted that this traditional teaching method provides important knowledge about the moral and philosophical traditions that shaped Western civilization, the United States, and Texas. Furthermore, this decision is part of a larger trend of conservative reforms in the state, such as allowing school chaplains and requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms.

此政策的支持者強調,學生需要閱讀原始歷史文件以培養批判性思考能力。局員 Julie Pickren 堅稱,這種傳統教學方法提供了關於塑造西方文明、美國及德州的道德與哲學傳統的重要知識。此外,這項決定是該州保守派改革大趨勢的一部分,例如允許學校設立隨軍牧師,以及要求在教室內展示十誡。

However, critics argue that this mandate violates the constitutional separation between church and state. Elva Mendoza from the Texas Freedom Network contended that the list is not diverse enough and limits the flexibility of teachers. Additionally, opponents maintain that focusing on one religious text may alienate students from different faiths or those who are not religious. Despite these concerns, some public figures, including NBA player Josh Hart, have expressed their support for the board's decision.

然而,批評者認為這項強制要求違反了政教分離的憲法原則。來自德州自由網絡(Texas Freedom Network)的 Elva Mendoza 主張,該清單不夠多元,且限制了教師的靈活性。此外,反對者認為專注於單一宗教文本可能會使不同信仰或非宗教的學生感到疏離。儘管存在這些擔憂,包括 NBA 球員 Josh Hart 在內的一些公眾人物對教育局的決定表示支持。

Conclusion

The Texas State Board of Education has officially created a required reading list that includes biblical texts, which will be taught in public schools by 2030.

德州州教育局已正式制定一份包含聖經文本的強制閱讀清單,將於 2030 年前在公立學校教授。

Vocabulary Learning

The 'Power Verb' Upgrade: Moving from A2 to B2

At an A2 level, you likely use basic verbs like say, think, or believe. To reach B2, you need Reporting Verbs. These allow you to describe how someone says something and what their intention is without using the word "said" every time.

⚡ The Transformation

Look at how the article replaces basic communication with high-level precision:

  • Instead of: "Julie Pickren said that..."

  • B2 Upgrade: "Julie Pickren asserted that..."

    • What it means: To state something with great confidence and force.
  • Instead of: "Elva Mendoza said that..."

  • B2 Upgrade: "Elva Mendoza contended that..."

    • What it means: To argue a point, especially when others disagree.
  • Instead of: "Critics say that..."

  • B2 Upgrade: "Opponents maintain that..."

    • What it means: To keep insisting that something is true over a long period.

🛠️ How to apply this logic

When you move to B2, you stop reporting facts and start reporting perspectives.

The Formula: [Person] + [Strong Reporting Verb] + that + [Opinion]

Try swapping these in your next essay:

  • Claim \rightarrow when someone makes an assertion they need to prove.
  • Argue \rightarrow when someone gives reasons for their opinion.
  • Emphasize \rightarrow when someone wants to make a specific point very clear.

Pro Tip: Using asserted or contended immediately signals to an examiner that you have moved past basic conversational English into academic fluency.

Vocabulary Learning

mandatory (adj.)
Required by law or rules; compulsory.
Example:The school has a mandatory dress code that all students must follow.
secular (adj.)
Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
Example:The university provides a secular education focusing on science and humanities.
excerpts (n.)
Short pieces of writing taken from a larger work.
Example:The teacher read several excerpts from the novel to illustrate the author's style.
asserted (v.)
Stated a belief or a fact confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent of all charges.
mandate (n.)
An official order or commission to do something.
Example:The government issued a mandate requiring all citizens to wear masks during the pandemic.
contended (v.)
Argued or asserted a position in a debate.
Example:The scientist contended that the new data proved the previous theory wrong.
alienate (v.)
To make someone feel isolated or estranged.
Example:His aggressive behavior tended to alienate his coworkers.
C2

The Texas State Board of Education Mandates Inclusion of Biblical Texts in Public School Curricula.

德州教育委員會強制要求將聖經文本納入公立學校課程


Introduction

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a mandatory reading list for public school students that incorporates passages from the Bible.

德州教育委員會已批准一份公立學校學生的強制閱讀清單,其中包含聖經段落。

Main Body

The legislative action, ratified by a 9-5 vote with one abstention, establishes a required reading list for over 5 million students, comprising approximately 200 texts. This list, which includes secular works such as Dickens' 'Great Expectations' alongside New Testament excerpts, is scheduled for implementation in elementary schools beginning in the 2030-31 academic year. Specific mandates include the study of the Book of Exodus for fifth-grade students and 'The Shepherd’s Psalm' for seventh-grade students. This measure aligns with a 2023 statute requiring at least one literary work per grade level.

此次立法行動由 9 票贊成、5 票反對及 1 票棄權通過,為超過 500 萬名學生制定了一份包含約 200 篇文本的強制閱讀清單。該清單除了包含新約聖經摘錄外,還包括如狄更斯的《偉大的期待》等世俗作品,預計將於 2030-31 學年起在小學實施。具體要求包括五年級學生學習《出埃及記》,七年級學生學習《牧羊人的詩篇》。此舉符合 2023 年一項要求每個年級至少閱讀一部文學作品的法令。

Institutional justifications for this policy emphasize the necessity of engaging with primary historical documents to foster critical thinking. Board member Julie Pickren asserted that such a classical pedagogical approach provides essential insight into the moral and philosophical traditions underpinning Western civilization and the development of the United States and Texas. This decision exists within a broader trajectory of conservative educational reforms in the state, which include the authorization of school chaplains, the mandatory display of the Ten Commandments, and the approval of optional Bible-integrated curricula.

機構對此政策的解釋強調,接觸原始歷史文件對於培養批判性思考至關重要。委員會成員 Julie Pickren 主張,這種古典教學法能為理解西方文明以及美國與德州發展背後的道德與哲學傳統提供必要的洞察。此決定處於該州保守派教育改革的更廣泛趨勢之中,包括授權學校設置隨軍牧師、強制展示十誡,以及批准可選擇納入聖經的課程。

Conversely, opposition to the mandate centers on the perceived erosion of the constitutional separation between ecclesiastical and state authorities. Representatives from the Texas Freedom Network, specifically Elva Mendoza, contended that the list lacks sufficient diversity and restricts pedagogical flexibility. Critics maintain that the prioritization of a single religious text may alienate students of diverse faith backgrounds or those with no religious affiliation. External reactions have varied, with public figures such as NBA athlete Josh Hart expressing approval of the board's determination.

相反,對該指令的反對意見集中於認為這將侵蝕憲法中教會與國家權力分立的原則。德州自由網絡(Texas Freedom Network)代表 Elva Mendoza 主張該清單缺乏足夠的多樣性,且限制了教學靈活性。批評者認為,優先考慮單一宗教文本可能會使具有不同信仰背景或無宗教信仰的學生感到被疏離。外界反應不一,例如 NBA 球星 Josh Hart 等公眾人物對委員會的決定表示贊同。

Conclusion

The Texas State Board of Education has formalized a required reading list including biblical texts, which will be integrated into public school instruction by 2030.

德州教育委員會正式制定了一份包含聖經文本的強制閱讀清單,將於 2030 年前納入公立學校教學。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization and 'Institutional Weight'

To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing actions to conceptualizing them. This text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the linguistic process of turning verbs and adjectives into nouns to create an objective, authoritative, and 'dense' academic tone.

🧩 The Linguistic Shift

Notice how the text avoids simple subject-verb-object constructions. Instead of saying "The Board decided to include the Bible," the author writes:

"The legislative action... establishes a required reading list..."

By turning the action (legislating) into a noun (legislative action), the writer shifts the focus from the people doing the act to the concept of the act itself. This is the hallmark of C2-level formal prose.

🔍 Deconstructing the 'Heavy' Phrasing

Look at the following excerpts and see how the noun-heavy structure creates a sense of inevitability and institutional gravity:

  • "The perceived erosion of the constitutional separation..."

    • B2 approach: People think the separation between church and state is eroding.
    • C2 mechanism: Perception \rightarrow Erosion \rightarrow Separation. Three abstract nouns stacked to create a complex conceptual chain.
  • "...a broader trajectory of conservative educational reforms..."

    • B2 approach: There is a trend of conservatives reforming education.
    • C2 mechanism: Trajectory and Reforms function as anchors, transforming a political movement into a geometric/historical path.

⚡ The C2 Power-Move: Precision Adjectives

In high-level academic English, nominalization is paired with precise, low-frequency modifiers to eliminate ambiguity:

  • Ecclesiastical (instead of religious)
  • Pedagogical (instead of teaching-related)
  • Underpinning (acting as a participle describing the foundation of a system)

The takeaway for the aspiring C2 student: To sound truly scholarly, stop focusing on who is doing what. Instead, identify the process (the erosion, the implementation, the authorization) and treat that process as the subject of your sentence.

Vocabulary Learning

ratified (v.)
Formally approved or signed a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.
Example:The new treaty was ratified by the senate after weeks of intense deliberation.
abstention (n.)
The act of choosing not to vote in a particular election or motion.
Example:With ten votes in favor and two against, the motion passed despite one abstention.
pedagogical (adj.)
Relating to the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic discipline.
Example:The professor adopted a pedagogical approach that emphasized student-led discovery over rote memorization.
underpinning (v./n.)
Providing a solid foundation or basis for a theory, argument, or structure.
Example:The belief in individual liberty is the core philosophy underpinning the nation's constitution.
trajectory (n.)
The path followed by a projectile or an object; metaphorically, the development or progression of a trend.
Example:The company's growth trajectory suggests it will become a market leader within five years.
ecclesiastical (adj.)
Relating to the Christian Church or its clergy.
Example:The historian specialized in ecclesiastical law and the hierarchy of the medieval church.
alienate (v.)
To cause someone to feel isolated or estranged, often by treating them in an unfriendly or unfair way.
Example:The politician's controversial remarks threatened to alienate a significant portion of his moderate base.
Practice All words in a crossword