News English - 233

Tensions Rise in the South China Sea

For many people around the world, including even some in Asia, the South China Sea does not seem all that important. After all, there doesn’t seem to be much in this area, except for miles of empty ocean and a few islands scattered here and there. However, some experts claim that this part of the world is actually a dangerous, potential flashpoint that could lead to big trouble, and perhaps even war, in the region.

The conflict over this territory in the South China Sea actually goes back for centuries. For years, different countries have claimed sovereignty over different parts of the ocean and the islands there. Altogether, six countries, including Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, have laid claim to all or part of this disputed area of the South China Sea.

Over the last fifty years, there have been several minor conflicts between different countries over this territory. However, tensions now seem to be even further on the rise. Recently, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China does not have any historical claim to the South China Sea. In addition, China’s recent actions, which include building military bases on the islands in the South China, have violated the sovereign rights of the Philippines, according to the court.      

China dismissed the ruling and actually boycotted the hearing. It defiantly stated that it would continue to build new airports on the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島). A representative from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that China has a 2,000-year-old history in the South China Sea and a map from 1948 is proof of the country’s claim to the area.    

For the new Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, the controversy over the South China Sea is seen as the first real test of her ability as well as her foreign policy. Recently, her administration came to an internal resolution that reaffirmed Taiwan’s claims to sovereignty over to the islands here, including Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island, 太平島). Tsai’s government was seen as trying to differentiate itself from China’s claims to the area.     

For its part, the United States of America still regards the South China Sea as international waters, and it has deliberately sent its naval ships through this area to demonstrate this.      

Experts say that the South China Sea is important because it may contain oil or other valuable natural resources. Therefore, control over the shipping lanes here is also very valuable. It can only be hoped that the conflict over this area will soon be resolved peacefully by all of the countries involved.

Reading Comprehension

(     ) 1. What is the main topic of this article?

         (A) Pollution and other environmental problems in the South China Sea.

         (B) The short, peaceful history of the South China Sea.

         (C) Resolving conflicts through the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

         (D) The growing problems and tension in the South China Sea.

(     ) 2. The word “sovereignty” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning

         to “_______.”

         (A) wealth       (B) law               (C) power       (D) military

(     ) 3. According to the passage, which of the following countries is NOT involved in

         the conflict?

         (A) Brunei.      (B) The Philippines.     (C) Malaysia.     (D) Japan.

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

         (A) The conflict in the South China Sea began just recently.

         (B) Not much of importance is happening in the South China Sea at the moment.

         (C) The conflict in the South China Sea is complicated; it has a long history.

         (D) This is a conflict between the United States and China only.

(     ) 5. What does the author hope will happen in the South China Sea?

         (A) The United States will take control of this area.

         (B) The six countries involved will rule over it together.

         (C) The conflict there will be resolved peacefully.

         (D) The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague will settle the matter.

Vocabulary and Phrases

1. scatter [`sk8t2] vi. 分散，散開

．The students soon scattered when the class was dismissed.

2. claim [klem] vt. 聲稱，斷言

．Peter claimed that he was Natalie Portman’s classmate but no one believed him.

3. potential [p1`tEnS1l] adj. 可能的，潛在的

．Eating too much greasy food and desserts may pose a potential threat to one’s health.

4. flashpoint [`fl8S&pOInt] n. [C] 危機即將爆發的地點

．The Middle East is a flashpoint because of complex religions and benefits of the oil.

5. sovereignty [`sAvrIntI] n. [U] 主權，統治權

  sovereign [`sAvrIn] n. [C] 君主，元首

．The sovereignty of the land is still a big problem because of the different and disputed borders.

．The last sovereign of the United Kingdom is Queen Anne, who is also called the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.

6. lay claim to [`le klem `tu] phr. 聲稱…歸其所有

．Kevin laid claim to the possession of his dead mother’s house.

7. rule [rul] vt. 裁決，判定  

．The court has ruled that the prisoner, who killed an innocent child randomly, is

sentenced to the death penalty.

8. disputed [dI`spjutId] adj. 有爭議的

．Donald Trump has made a lot of disputed issues, such as racial and sexual discrimination.

9. dismiss [dIs`mIs] vt. 對…不予理會

．The manager dismissed the idea that Susan came up with in the meeting.

10. defiantly [dI`faI1ntlI] adv. 違抗地，挑釁地

．Jason’s competitor spoke out defiantly to him before the game started.

11. representative [rEprI`zEnt1tIv] n. [C] 代表

  ．Judy was pointed to be our school’s representative to attend the speech contest.

12. administration [1d&mIn1`streS1n] n. [C] 政府任期

．The Iraq War happened during the Bush administration.

13. resolution [&rEz1`luS1n] n. [C] 決議，正式決定

．The United Kingdom passed the resolution to exit the EU.

14. reaffirm [&ri1`f3m] vt. 重申，再次聲明

．The spokesman of the police headquarters reaffirmed that he didn’t have any connection to the bribe.

15. differentiate [&dIf1`rEnSI&et] vt. 區別，辨別

．What differentiates humans from animals is language.

16. deliberately [dI`lIb1retlI] adv. 故意地

．After arguing, Ian deliberately tumbled Frank and stared with scorn at him.

17. demonstrate [`dEm1n&stret] vt. 顯示，表明

  ．The extreme weather demonstrates that human beings should be aware of our

    natural environment.

18. shipping [`SIpI9] n. [U] 運輸；(尤指) 船運，海運

  ．The shipping fee of your products is 60 dollars.

19. resolve [rI`zolv] vt. 解決；解除

  ．The couple tried to resolve the problem they met and went through everything

    together.

20. involve [In`volv] vt. 牽涉；包含

   ．The oil scandal involved many famous companies, which made a lot of people

     disappointed about it.

Words for Recognition

1. South China Sea [`saUT `tSaIn1 si] n. 南海

  位於東南亞，西太平洋的一部分，菲律賓又稱之為「西菲律賓海」。南海海域面積

有350萬平方公里，其中有超過200個無人居住的島嶼和岩礁，這些島礁被合稱為南海諸島。除了是主要的海上運輸航線外，南海據信還蘊藏著豐富的石油和天然氣。

2. here and there [`hIr `8nd `DEr] phr. 到處，在各處

3. Brunei [bru`naI] n. 汶萊

  汶萊達魯薩蘭國，也作汶萊和平之國，簡稱汶萊或文萊，是東南亞「主權、民

  主和獨立的馬來穆斯林蘇丹國」。 1984年脫離英國和平獨立。盛產石油與天

  然氣。

4. on the rise [`An `D1 `raIz] phr. 增加，上漲

5. Permanent Court of Arbitration [`p3m1nm1nt `kort 1v &Arb1`treS1n] n.

  常設仲裁法院位於荷蘭海牙的國際仲裁機構。該院基於國家之間或者國家與私

  人之間的合意，處理他們之間的爭端。常設仲裁法院並不是一個國家之間的法

  庭。爭議雙方可以請求該院對其進行仲裁、調解或者僅僅是調查事實。

6. The Hague [heg] n. 海牙

  荷蘭第三大城市，在阿姆斯特丹和鹿特丹之後。海牙並不是荷蘭的首都，但它

  是中央政府所在地，所有的中央政府機關與外國使館幾乎都位於此。

7. Spratly Islands [`spr8tlI] n. 南沙群島

  南沙群島是華人對該群島的稱呼，西方社會以及其以往的殖民地一般稱之為斯

  普拉特利群島。南沙群島是南海中南海諸島的四大群島中位置最南、島礁最

  多、分布最廣的一組群島，也是爭議最多的島嶼群。

8. Ministry of Foreign Affairs [`mInIstrI 1v fOrIn 1`fErz] n. 外交部

  外交部是一個主權國家負責國家對外事務的專門政府機關，與國家對外事務或

  相關領域事務劃歸外交部負責，如經貿商務、援助合作及宗教和移民事務。

9. Itu Aba Island [&itu `AbA `aIl1nd]  n. 太平島

   從前傳統的中國漁民都稱呼這座島嶼為「黃山馬峙」，而「峙」是「高聳」的

   意思。日本人稱呼這座島嶼為長島。而中文以外的航海地圖，把太平島命名

   為伊圖阿巴(Itu Aba Island)，而「伊圖阿巴」是馬來語「那是什麼」的意思。

10. naval [`nevL] adj. 海軍的，軍艦的

Translation

南海緊張局勢加劇

對世界上許多人，甚至包括一些亞洲人來說，南海似乎並不是那麼的重要。畢竟，這個地區什麼都沒有，除了一望無際的海和一些零散在四處的島嶼。但是，一些專家聲稱，這個地區事實上既危險又棘手，且可能會引發戰爭。

關於南海領域的衝突可以追溯至幾世紀前。近幾年來，不同的國家都宣稱它們在那裡擁有部份領海和島嶼的主權，總共有六個國家，包括臺灣、中國大陸、菲律賓、越南、馬來西亞，以及汶萊，都聲稱南海的所有或部分爭議地區都歸其所有。

過去50年來，在這塊領域曾經有過幾次小衝突。但是南海緊張的局勢現在似乎越演越烈。最近位於荷蘭海牙的國際常設仲裁法院，裁決中國大陸對南海並沒有任何歷史權利。此外，根據法院的判決，中國大陸最近的行動，包括在南海的諸島上建造軍事基地，已經觸犯了菲律賓的國家主權。

但中國大陸對於此項裁決不予理會，事實上還在公聽會上杯葛這次的判決。中國大陸以挑釁的姿態宣稱，它還會繼續在南沙群島建設新的機場。一位中國大陸外交部的代表聲稱，中國對於南海主權有2000年的歷史，並且提出1948年的地圖來證明對此區域的所有權。

對臺灣新上任的總統蔡英文來說，南海爭議似乎是第一個真正的考驗，考驗她的能力以及外交政策。最近，蔡英文政府決議並重申，臺灣對於太平島有絕對的主權。蔡英文政府被認為想和中國官方對於南海的主張有所區別。

對這次爭議，美國政府仍然視南海為國際海域，並且刻意派出軍艦航行南海來證明此說法。

專家表示，南海是重要的區域，因為它有可能蘊藏石油及其他珍貴的天然資源。且掌控這裡的海運航線也非常重要。但我們只能期許所有牽涉南海衝突的國家可以盡快和平地解決。

閱讀測驗解答：1. D  2. C  3. D  4. C  5. C

News English - 232

Problems in the Run-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics

The 2016 Summer Olympics are set to commence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city renowned for fun and sun. Yet even as global excitement reaches a peak, the 2016 festivities have been overshadowed by a multitude of problems in the run-up to competition.

One major concern is pollution. Rio’s water is notoriously dirty and contaminated with human waste, industrial runoff, and floating garbage. Not only does the water have a foul odor; but it’s also full of micro-bacteria harmful to human health. Whenever athletes in water sports like sailing, rowing, and swimming come in contact with the water, they run the risk of getting sick. Getting water splashed on one’s skin can lead to rashes, itching, and infections. Ingesting water by swallowing it would be even worse, as the toxic microorganisms it contains could enter the body, causing stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and other diseases. Athletes have been advised to keep their mouths shut to avoid contracting water-borne diseases.

Security is another worry. A large percentage of Brazil’s population lives in poverty and there is a serious crime problem. Having grown desperate, some of the urban poor use illegal drugs and turn to crime to survive. Property crime, like break-and-enter and theft, remains a fact of life for Brazilians. Residents, Olympic athletes, and international tourists face a risk of becoming victims of violence. Making matters worse, local police claim they haven’t been paid their salaries for months and lack the manpower and firepower to guarantee safety during the games. Indeed, reports of armed robberies, assaults, and kidnappings have already emerged.

The third hiccup involves the facilities themselves. Conditions in the athletes’ village, the accommodations built to house the participants, have been described by some international teams as sub-standard. In fact, the Australian team flatly refused to move into their assigned quarters until their concerns about health and safety were addressed. Australian athletes and coaches pointed to shortcomings like exposed electrical wires and non-functioning plumbing.

With the opening ceremonies approaching, these problems will have to be overcome if the competition is to be a success.

Reading Comprehension

(     ) 1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT one of the major problems in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics?

(A) security                                                   (B) drug use by athletes         

(C) water pollution                                        (D) sub-standard facilities

(     ) 2. According to the passage, to avoid becoming ill, athletes participating in water sports should do what?

(A) avoid the Olympic village altogether                    

(B) ask the local police for help

(C) avoid competing in urban areas where there is poverty 

(D) keep their mouths closed

(     ) 3. Which of the following is NOT a water sport that is mentioned in the passage?

(A) swimming               (B) plumbing          (C) rowing               (D) sailing

(     ) 4. It could be inferred from the passage that ______.

(A) the Australian team was not satisfied with the athletes’ village

(B) drug users can escape urban poverty by participating in the Olympics

(C) police in Brazil have an easy job

(D) the risks to athletes and international tourists have been greatly exaggerated

(     ) 5. Which of the following is true?

(A) Australian team members have been victims of violent crime in Rio.

(B) Australian team members have committed violent crimes in Rio.

(C) Australian team members have expressed concerns about conditions in their living quarters in the athletes’ village.

(D) Australian team members have intentionally damaged their living quarters in the athletes’ village.

Vocabulary and Phrases

1.   commence [k1`mEns] vi. 開始

Before the baseball game commenced, there had been a lot of people lining up outside the stadium.

2.   renowned [rI`na5n] adj. 有名望的

The restaurant is renowned for its special decoration and delicious food.

3.   festivity [fEs`tIv1tI] n. [C] (pl. –ties) 狂歡，慶祝活動

      There was a series of festivities in celebration of the foundation of the country.

4.   overshadow [&ov2`S8do] vt. 使掃興；使蒙上陰影

      The peaceful village was overshadowed by the serious earthquake, which made all the houses collapse.

5.   multitude [`m^lt1&tjud] n. [C] 多數，眾多

Sherry thought out a multitude of solutions though the problem was difficult.

6.   notoriously [no`torI1slI] adv. 聲名狼藉地

   The forest is notoriously dangerous, so few people have the courage to go inside.

7.   contaminate [k1n`t8m1&net] vt. 污染

      Many fish died because the river was contaminated with a lot of garbage.

8.   foul [fa5l] adj. 難聞的，糟糕的

Tim is so dirty that there is always a foul smell on his clothes.

9.   odor [`od2] n. [C] 氣味

Philip hasn’t cleaned his refrigerator for a long time, so there is a strange odor when he opens it.

10. rash [r8S] n. [C] 紅疹，痱子

Being allergic to the medicine, Alice had rashes on her face that made her feel itchy.

11. infection [In`fEkS1n] n. [C] 感染，傳染病

Hannah got an ear infection because she didn’t clean her ears out after swimming.

12. toxic [`tAksIk] adj. 有毒的

The guide told us not to eat or touch the toxic plant, which may cause death.

13. diarrhea [&daI1`ri1] n. [U] 腹瀉

   Peter had diarrhea because he drank the overdue milk in the morning.

14. contract [k1n`tr8kt] vt. 感染

Sam contracted the flu so he couldn’t go to work and had to stay at home for a week.

15. desperate [`dEspr1t] adj. 絕望的

Kelly felt helpless and desperate after she lost not only her job but also her family.

16. assault [1`sOlt] n. [C] 猛烈的攻擊，突擊

   Strongly disapproving of this policy, the writer made a serious assault on the huge cuts the government had made in military budget.

17. accommodations [1&kAm1`deS1nz] n. [C] (usu. pl.) 住宿設施

      Ben is finding accommodations because he will go on a trip to Japan next month.

18. participant [p2`tIs1p1nt] n. [C] 參加者

  The participants of this world-famous music festival are from different countries around the world.

19. plumbing [`pl^mI9] n. [U] (建築物內的)配管(系統)

      The plumbing of this house is so old that the tap water becomes yellow.

Words for Recognition

1.   2016 Rio Olympics [rIo o`lImpIks] 里約奧運

全名「第三十一屆夏季奧林匹克運動會」或「2016年里約熱內盧奧運會」。（英文全名為the Games of the XXXI Olympiad或the 2016 Summer Olympics）於2016年8月5日開幕，8月21日閉幕。

2.   Rio de Janeiro [&rIo de Z1nEro] 里約熱內盧

   位於巴西東南部，是巴西第二大城市，僅次於聖保羅。

3.   Brazil [br1`zIl] 巴西

  全名巴西聯邦共和國，是南美洲最大的國家，首都位於巴西利亞，官方語言為葡萄牙語。

4.   runoff [`r^nOf] n. [U] 地表流水

5.   ingest [In`7Est] vt. 攝取

6.   microorganism [&maIkro`OrG1&nIz1m] n. [C] 微生物

7.   -borne [bOrn] 被…帶運

8.   hiccup [`hik^p] n. [C] 小問題

9.   flatly [`fl8tlI] adv. 斷然地

Translation

奧運開幕在即，里約問題叢生

2016年夏季奧運即將在以熱情及陽光聞名的巴西里約熱內盧開幕。雖然全球情緒沸騰，這個夏季盛會前夕卻被許多問題蒙上一層陰影。

首先是污染問題。里約的水質是出了名的髒，因其深受人為垃圾、工業廢料和漂浮垃圾污染。這裡的水不但散發惡臭，還充滿會危害人體健康的細菌。參加如帆船、划船、游泳這些會接觸到水的運動員，都需冒著生病的危險。水濺到皮膚上可能會引起紅疹、發癢和感染；而將水喝下肚則會更嚴重，水中有毒的微生物會因此進到體內，引發胃痛、腹瀉等疾病。有專家建議運動員比賽時不要張開嘴巴，以免得到水媒疾病。

另一個令人擔憂的是安全問題。巴西有很多貧窮人口，還有嚴重的犯罪問題。有些住在城市的窮人因為覺得人生無望，而使用非法藥物並以此維生。財產犯罪像是破門竊盜和扒手仍是不可避免的現況，巴西居民、奧運選手與來自世界各地的旅客都面臨著暴力的威脅。更糟的是，當地警察聲稱已經好幾個月沒有薪水，且比賽期間缺乏人力和火力去保障人身安全。的確，巴西已經出現武裝搶劫、襲擊和綁架等的報導。

第三個問題則是基礎設施。參賽者們住的選手村被一些國家認為是不合格的。澳洲國家隊在他們的健康及安全問題解決前，都堅持拒絕入住選手村。澳洲選手及教練指出幾個缺點，像是電線外漏，還有配管故障等問題。

開幕典禮在即，如果這次奧運要成功，必須先克服種種問題。

閱讀測驗解答：1. B  2. D  3. B  4. A  5. C