News English - 229

The Taipei 101 Run Up

        Taipei 101 is one of the world's tallest buildings. It also has one of the world's fastest elevators, which tens of thousands of visitors take every year to the observation deck on the building's eighty-fifth floor. However, there is one day each year that most visitors take the stairs, and not the elevator, to reach the top of the building. This day, of course, is the annual "Taipei 101 Run Up," an event that has been held every spring in Taipei for the past twelve years.

Contrary to popular belief, participants in the race do not actually climb to the very top of Taipei 101. Instead, they run up the stairs to the tower's ninety-first floor. Participants must climb up 2,046 steps in total, to complete the challenge.

The Taipei101 Run Up attracts runners from all over the world. This year's race, which was held on May 1, had participants from more than thirty countries, including Japan, Germany, India, Indonesia, the United States, and, of course, Taiwan. The race features both a male and female division, as well as a special category for a team relay race.

A Colombian runner, Frank Carreño, won the men's division in this year's race with a time of 11:47:24, while an Australian runner, Alice McNamara, won the women's event with a time of 14:23:91. Each received a trophy and a cash prize of NT$38,000, though neither of them were able to manage to break the records set at the first event in 2005.

Among the local Taiwanese competitors, the fastest runners were Chiang Yen-ching (江晏慶) and Shih Ching-hui (施靜慧), with times of 13:06 and 16:30, respectively. These two also received prizes of NT$38,000 each in a special category that was set up for Taiwanese citizens.

A few politicians also took part in the event. Taipei's current mayor, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is also an avid biker, participated in the event for the second year in a row. This time around, the mayor was able to improve his time from 45:45 in 2015 to 38:41 in this year's race. However, Ko expressed some disappointment that he was not able to reach his own goal of climbing to the top in 35 minutes.

So, if you like to run and you like a challenge, consider taking part in the next Taipei 101 Run Up. More information can be found online at

www.taipei101-runup.com.tw .

Reading Comprehension

(     ) 1. According to the passage, who is the fastest male runner in this year's race?

         (A) Chiang Yen-ching

(B) Alice McNamara.

(C) Frank Carreño

(D) Shih Ching-hui

(     ) 2. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?

(A) Mayor of Taipei City also took part in the Taipei 101 Run Up.

(B) The Taipei 101 Run Up has been held every summer for the past twelve years.

(C) All the participants must climb up 2,046 steps to accomplish this race.

(D) There are four participants who won the prize of NT$38,000

(     ) 3. The word “respectively” in the fifth paragraph is closest in meaning to “________.”

(A) appreciatively                                 (B) consequently

(C) together                                       (D) separately

(     ) 4. What can be inferred from the passage?

(A) The Taipei 101 Run Up will be held again next year.

(B) Taipei’s Mayor, Mr. Ko, was satisfied with his record this year.

(C) The Colombian runner will participate the Taipei 101 Run Up again.

(D) The prizes, Chiang Yen-ching and Shih Ching-hui got all together were NT$38,000.

(     ) 5. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true about the Mayor?

(A) The Mayor didn’t finish the race this time.

(B) The Mayor spent more time finishing the race this year.

(C) The Mayor has taken part in the race for twice.

(D)The Mayor hates to ride a bike.

Vocabulary and Phrases

1. elevator [`El1&vet2]  n. [C] 電梯

‧The elevator was broken so Gary had to take the stairs to the tenth floor to his office.

2. observation [&Abz2`veS1n] n. [U] 觀察

‧Peter injured his head in a serious car crash. He needs to be kept under observation in the hospital for a few weeks.

3. annual [`8nju1l] adj. 一年的，一年一次的

．To the members of Kevin’s family, the annual celebration of the grandfather’s birthday is the most important event of the year.

4. contrary [`kAn&trErI] adj. 相反的

．Contrary to her twin sister, Olivia likes to play car games instead of playing dolls.

5. participant [pAr`tIs1p1nt] n. [C] 參與者，參加者

．There were lots of participants joining the road running which was held by famous sporting goods manufacturer.

6. in total   phr  總共

．It took Dylan five days in total to finish the written assignment which was given by his teacher.

7. challenge [`tS8l1ndZ] n. [C] 挑戰

．Tina is always willing to take on difficult tasks. She is not afraid of challenges.

8. attract [1`tr8kt] vt. 吸引，引起興趣

．This sporting event is going to be endorsed (宣傳) by Kobe Bryan. It is believed that his popularity will attract lots of attention to this event.

9. hold [`hold] (hold | held | held) vt. 舉行，舉辦

．The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Brazil.

10. feature [`fitS2] vt. 以…為主要特色、重點

．The magazine features sportswomen in different categories such as tennis and swimming.

11. division [d1`vIZ1n] n. [C] 小組

．The teacher made six divisions of this class so as to conduct chemistry experiments.

12. category [`k8t1&gorI] n. [C] 種類，類別

．Which category should this movie fit into, mystery or sci-fi?

13. relay [rI`le] n. [C] 接替的一組人

   relay race 接力賽

   A relay race is a track and field event which includes four sprinters.

14. trophy [`trofI] n. [C] 獎盃，勝利紀念品

．David received this silver trophy by defeating many strong opponents.

15. competitor [k1m`pEt1t2] n. [C] 對手，競爭者

．Dian is a strong competitor in the race. I have to give it my all.

16. respectively [rI`spEktIvlI] adv.分別，依次地

．Tracy and Wendy came first and second respectively in this hundred-meter dash. 

17. avid [`8vId] adj. 熱衷的，渴望的

．Ian is an avid fan of Kyrie Irving. He never misses watching Kyrie’s games.

18. biker [`baIk2] n. [C] 自行車手

．Miguel Indurain Larraya is a professional biker who had won the Tour de France five consecutive times.

19. express [Ik`sprEs] vt.表達，顯露

．Jenny expressed herself fiercely because she was innocent of all the charges against her.

20. disappointment [&dIs1`pOIntm1nt] n. [U] 失望

It was disappointment that just few people came to the class reunion.

Words for Recognition

1.      Taipei 101 Run Up n. 臺北101國際登高賽

  以91層樓、共2046階、垂直高度390公尺規模，創下全世界難度最

  高、挑戰最鉅的紀錄。同時獲得美國Towerrunning World Cup及歐洲

  Vertical World Circuit列為國際登高巡迴指標賽事之一。

2. deck [`dEk] n. 露天平台，甲板

3. Japan [dZ1`p8n] n. 日本

  位於東亞的島嶼國家，由日本列島、琉球群島和伊豆－小笠原群島等6,852

  個島嶼組成。

4. Germany [`dZ2m1nI] n. 德國

  由16個邦組成，首都與最大城市為柏林。是歐洲聯盟中人口最多的國家，

  德國亦是歐洲大陸主要的經濟與政治實體之一。

5. India[`IndI1] n. 印度

  是南亞印度次大陸上的一個國家，印度的土地面積排名全球第七大，人口數

  量則是名列全球第二多，截至2015年印度擁有人口12.7億。

6. Indonesia [&Indo`niZ1] n. 印尼

  為東南亞國家之一；約由17,508個島嶼組成，是全世界最大的群島國家，

  疆域橫跨亞洲及大洋洲，別稱「千島之國」。

7. the United States [Di& ju`naItId& stets] n. 美國

  美國目前有50個州，人口約為3.2億人，其數量為世界第三。是個多元文化

  和多元民族的國家，以白人為主，但有大量來自世界各地的移民。

8. Colombian [k1`l^mbI1n] adj. 哥倫比亞的

  Colombia [k1`l^mbI1] n.哥倫比亞

  南美洲西北部的一個國家，為南美洲國家聯盟的成員國。

9. Australian [O`strelj1n] adj. 澳洲的，澳大利亞的

  Australia [O`strelj1] n. 澳洲，澳大利亞

  全球面積第六大的國家，大洋洲最大的國家和南半球第二大的國家。澳洲國土

  包括澳洲大陸，塔斯曼尼亞島及數個海外的島嶼。

10. politician [&pAl1`tIS1n] n. 政治家，政客

Translation

臺北101國際登高賽

        臺北101是世界上最高的建築之一。它也擁有世界上最快的電梯之一，每年約有數萬名遊客搭乘至85樓的觀景台。但是，每年的某一天，大部分的遊客選擇爬樓梯至頂樓，而不是搭電梯。這一天，當然是一年一度的臺北101國際登高

賽，此賽事每年春天在臺北舉辦，迄今已舉辦十二年。

        和一般大眾所想的相反，事實上，這場賽事並非讓參賽者爬至101大樓的最頂端，而是他們要爬樓梯至大樓的91樓層。參賽者必需總共爬2046個階梯來達成這項挑戰。

        臺北101國際登高賽吸引來自世界各國的好手，今年的賽事舉辦在五月一日，超過30多個國家的選手參賽，包括日本、德國、印度、印尼、美國，當然還有臺灣。此賽事主要分為男子組和女子組，也有特別的組別：接力組。

        而來自哥倫比亞的選手Frank Carreño，以11分47秒24的佳績，贏得了今年的男子組冠軍。而來自澳洲的選手Alice McNamara則以14分23秒91贏得了女子組的冠軍。他們個別榮獲獎杯一座和獎金新台幣三萬八千元，但是他們都未能打破2005年第一屆登高賽所創下的紀錄。

        然而當地的臺灣選手，最快的跑者為江晏慶和施靜慧，他們個別成績為13

分06秒及16分30秒。由於主辦單位為臺灣公民設立特別組，這兩位選手都可以獲得獎金三萬八千元。

        一些政治人物也參與了這項活動。愛好騎腳踏車的現任臺北市市長柯文哲連續兩年參加了這項盛事。這次市長所花的時間從2015年的45分45秒提升至38分41秒。但是柯市長表示些許失望，他無法達成原本設定的目標，35分之內到達終點。

        所以，如果你喜歡跑步也喜歡挑戰的話，歡迎參加明年的臺北101國際登高賽，想要得到更多的資訊，請洽www.taipei101-runup.com.tw.

       

閱讀測驗解答：1. C  2. B  3. D  4. A  5. C

News English - 228

Heritage sites are at risk from industry according to WWF

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has issued an urgent call to action by announcing a list of World Heritage Sites in danger from human activities. The sites in question have all been listed as especially significant to humankind by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Whether “natural,” “cultural” or “mixed” (combining natural and cultural elements), World Heritage Sites are recognized as deserving special protection to make sure they will exist for the benefit of future generations. Nowadays, WWF has identified 114 sites were at risk.

One of the biggest tourist draws and most important resources in Australia lies mostly under the sea. Situated off the Queensland coast and stretching over 2,300 kilometers, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest mass of living coral in the world. With nearly 1,000 islands, it’s home to thousands of species of fish, birds, and other organisms. Although a National Park has been established to protect it, the reef is threatened by mining operations. Run-off water from mines is flowing into the sea, affecting water quality and killing off coral. Making matters worse, the amount of ocean-going ship traffic is increasing, too. Engine noise and pollution from ships is driving sea life away from the natural habitat of the reef.

Thousands of kilometers away, another treasure is at risk. Grand Canyon National Park is among the most famous natural wonders in the United States. Much of the park lies in areas that have been hit hard by a long-lasting drought that shows no signs of letting up. Dams have been built to collect scarce water in reservoirs. Despite the drought, Americans still like their golf courses and lawns green, and their cars washed and shining. The current rate at which the area’s precious water is being used for these non-essential activities is simply not sustainable.

The jewels of South America aren’t safe either. Peru’s famous Machu Picchu is another World Heritage site in peril. The 15th-century mountaintop settlement was built by the Inca civilization, and UNESCO designated the remaining ruins as a cultural site in 1983. But now the logging industry, and especially illegal logging, is casting a long shadow on the site’s future.

How then, to balance progress with preservation? While countries strive for economic growth, it must be remembered that people need more than money to flourish. Hopefully, the WWF’s announcement will serve as a wake-up call, before it’s too late.

Reading Comprehension

(     ) 1. What is the main purpose of the passage?

(A) To warn people that not only the environment but also world heritages are in danger.

(B) To review plans for improving water pollution in the Great Barrier Reef.

(C) To introduce those beautiful sites to tourists around the world.

(D) To encourage people to use more natural source.

(     ) 2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

(A) Noise pollution.                                   (B) Water shortage.

(C) Rapid population growth.                   (D) The function of the WWF.

(     ) 3. The word “flourish” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to “________.”

(A) reverse                (B) display               (C) decay                 (D) thrive

(     ) 4. From which of the following is the passage likely to be taken?

(A) A travel guide book.                             (B) A finance magazine.

(C) A medical journal.                               (D) A history textbook.

(     ) 5. What is the message that the author is trying to convey?

(A) World Heritage Sites get in the way of economic development.

(B) It is the WWF’s responsibility to protect the natural environment.

(C) Nothing is important than every country’s economic growth.

(D) Economic growth has both its bright side and dark side.

Vocabulary and Phrases

1.      heritage [`hEr1tIdZ] n. [C] usu. sing. 遺產

Releasing sky lanterns on Lantern Festival is an important cultural heritage in Pingxi.

2.      issue [`ISu] v. 發布；發表

The politician issued a statement denying he had taken bribes.

3.      urgent [`3dZ1nt] adj. 迫切的，緊急的

The hospital damaged by the earthquake is in urgent need of repair.

4.      identify [aI`dEnt1&faI] vt. 指認，確認

The painting, which has been identified as a Leonardo da Vinci original, is of great cultural value.

5.      at risk [8t rIsk] phr. 有危險

People’s lives are at risk because of the rapid spread of the unknown disease.

6.      situated [`sItS5&etId] adj. 位於…的

Most convenience stores are situated on the corner so that people from any direction can see them.

7.      organism [`OrG1&nIz1m] n. [C] 生物，有機體

Scientists have wondered if there are any living organisms on Mars. So far, they haven’t found any proof yet.

8.      establish [1`st8blIS] vt. 建立，設立

Lydia decided to quit her job and establish a charitable foundation to help the poor.

9.      mining [`maInI9] n. [U] 採礦；礦業

Nowadays, the mining industry is unpopular with young people.

10. operation [&Ap1`reS1n] n. [C] 工作；活動

Many people believe that the mining operation is to blame for air pollution in this area.

11.  habitat [`h8bI&t8t] n. [C] （動植物的）棲息地

The natural habitat of that type of seal is on the coast of the South Pole.

12.  drought [draut] n.[C] 乾旱

A large number of people in Mali are facing another famine because of the long, continued drought.

13.  reservoir [`rEz2&vOr] n.[C] 蓄水庫；儲水池

With the increase of population, many people think that more reservoirs should be built to store and provide water.

14.  sustainable [s1`sten1b1l] adj. 能維持的，能保持的

Solar energy is a type of sustainable energy, which can be used continuously without polluting the environment.

15. peril [`pEr1l] n. [U] (fml.) 險惡；危險

Global warming has caused sea levels to rise worldwide, putting low-lying countries like Tuvalu in great peril.

16.  designate [`dEzIG&net] vt. 指定

This area was designated as the site of the new national park.

17.  ruins [`ruInz] n. pl. 斷垣殘壁，遺跡

The war has caused severe damage throughout the country. It will take more than twenty years to rebuild the cities from their ruins.

18.  preservation [&prEz2`veS1n] n. [U] 保存，保藏

There are various food preservation methods, such as salting, sugaring, drying, and so on.

19.  strive [straIv] vi. 奮鬥，努力 (strove－striven－striving)

Martin Luther King Jr. spent most of his life striving for freedom and equality for African Americans.

20.  flourish [`fl3IS] vi. 繁茂，興旺

With full sun and rich soil, the plants in the garden are able to flourish.

Words for Recognition

1. World Wide Fund for Nature [w3ld waid f^nd `fOr `netS2] 世界自然基金會於1961年成立（當時的名稱為世界野生生物基金會，於1986年易名），標誌唯一隻大熊貓。其目標是制止並扭轉自然環境的加速惡化，並協助創立一個人與自然和諧共處的未來。

2. World Heritage Site [w3ld `hEr1tIdZ sait] 世界遺產

這是由聯合國支持、聯合國教育科學文化組織負責執行的國際公約建制。其目的為保存對全世界人類都具有普遍性價值的自然或文化。

3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

[j5`naItId `neS1nz &EdZ`keS1nL &saI1n`tIfIk 1nd `k^ltS1r1l &OrG1naI`zeS1n] 聯合國教育、科學及文化組織於1945年成立，總部位於法國巴黎。其宗旨為「利用教育、科學、文化、溝通及信息，以建立和平、消除貧窮、可持續性發展及跨文化對話而努力。」

4. Queensland [kwinz&l8nd] n. 昆士蘭省

澳洲面積第二大洲。昆士蘭第一大城為首府布里斯本，第二大城為觀光重鎮黃金海岸。

5. Great Barrier Reef [Gret `b8rI2 rif] 大堡礁

位於澳洲的東北海岸，為世界最大最長的珊瑚礁群。豐富的珊瑚種類與多元的自然生態每年吸引無數人前往觀光。此處亦曾被CNN選為世界自然七大奇觀。

6. Grand Canyon National Park [Gr8nd `k8nj1n `n8S1nL pArk] 大峽谷國家公園位於美國亞利桑那州的西北部，於1979年被列為世界自然遺產。由科羅拉多河歷時萬年所切鑿出的科羅拉多大峽谷聞名於世。

7. Peru [p1`ru] n. 秘魯

在南美洲西部，前西班牙殖民地，於1821年獨立。為南美洲國家聯盟的成員國，首都是利馬。

8. Machu Picchu [&mAItSu`pitSu] n. 馬丘比丘

位於秘魯境內，海拔2000多公尺高山上，為古印加帝國的遺跡。約於西元1440年所建。

9. Inca [`I9k1] n. 印加

印加一般指的是11～16世紀位於南美洲的古老帝國。遭西班牙人入侵而導致滅亡。當時除了西班牙人入侵之外，天花、瘟疫、流感等疾病亦加速了印加帝國的滅亡。

  

Translation

世界自然基金會：世界遺產因工業陷入危機

世界自然基金會（WWF）藉由公佈因人類活動而瀕危的世界遺產清單，緊急呼籲人們採取行動。列入其中的遺產，都是被聯合國教科文組織（UNESCO）認為對人類意義特別重大的。無論是「自然遺產」、「文化遺產」或「複合遺產」（同時具備自然與文化遺產條件者），世界遺產都被公認為值得特別保護，以確保其能續存以造福未來世代。而今世界自然基金會已確認有114項遺產瀕臨消失的危機。

澳大利亞最能吸引觀光客的景點，同時也是最重要的資源之一，大部分都在海底。位於昆士蘭岸外海並向外延伸2,300公里，大堡礁是世界上規模最大的活珊瑚群。此處有近1,000座島嶼，是數千種魚類、鳥類和其它生物的棲地。雖然已建立國家公園來保護此處，但珊瑚礁仍因採礦作業而遭受威脅。從礦區流出的廢水流入大海，影響水質並讓珊瑚大量死亡。更糟的是，航行遠洋的船艦數量也在增加。引擎的噪音和船艦排放的污染物讓海洋生物逐漸遷離這個礁區的自然棲地。

而在數千公里外，另一項遺產也處境艱難。大峽谷國家公園是美國最著名的自然奇觀之一，但公園的大部分地區都因長期的乾旱而受重創，而且旱象也完全不見解除的跡象。目前已有水壩興建，以收集稀少的水資源。但儘管旱情艱困，美國人還是喜歡有高爾夫球場和翠綠的草坪，車子也要洗到閃閃發亮。以當前該區珍貴的用水被用在這些非必要活動的比率來看，水資源根本就入不敷出。

在南美的珍寶也同樣不安全。秘魯著名的馬丘比丘是另一項陷入危機的世界遺產。這個15世紀的山頂聚落是由印加文明所建立，而聯合國教科文組織於1983年認定其遺跡為文化遺產，但當前的伐木業，尤其是非法盜伐的狀況，已經為這個遺產的未來蒙上了一層陰影。

那麼，該如何在進步與保育間取得平衡呢？當各國在力求經濟成長時，切記，人類若想蓬勃發展，需要的絕不只是金錢。但願世界自然基金會這次的公佈，能在還為時未晚的時候，成為一記敲醒世人的警鐘。

閱讀測驗解答：1. C  2. C  3. D  4. B  5. B