If you love playing interactive games and solving puzzles, then testing your wits in an “escape room” may be right up your alley. As the name suggests, an escape room is a locked room __1__ you must escape. In order to do so, you are required to find clues and solve a series of puzzles — all in a limited amount of time. Escape rooms typically have a theme, such as solving a murder mystery or executing a successful prison break.
While escape rooms __2__ particularly popular in recent years, the concept dates back to the 2000s. A Japanese publishing company called SCRAP is credited with creating the first escape room in Kyoto in 2007. Called Real Escape Game, or REG, it soon became a success in Japan and other Asian countries. In 2012, San Francisco __3__ the first permanent REG on American soil. As of July 2022, there were reportedly close to 2,000 escape rooms run by various companies across the US. However, this figure was slightly lower than in previous years due to COVID-19.
The future outlook for the escape room industry seems __4__, according to industry insiders. One reason for this is the development of certain types of technology that are making escape rooms more sophisticated and interesting. Another is the growing tendency for millennials and zoomers to spend their money on new experiences __5__ just material things. You may want to try this unique adventure for yourself.
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如果你喜歡玩互動遊戲和解謎，那麼在一個「密室逃脫」裡考驗你的智慧，或許正合你的胃口。顧名思義，密室逃脫就是一間上鎖的房間而你必須從中逃脫。為了逃脫出去，你得找到線索和解開一連串的謎題——全都要在限制的時間內完成。密室逃脫通常有個主題，像是解開一起謀殺謎團，或是執行一場成功的逃獄行動。
雖然密室逃脫在近幾年已變得特別受歡迎，其概念可以追溯至2000年代。一間名為SCRAP的日本出版公司被認為於2007年在京都創立了首間密室逃脫。其被稱為真人密室逃脫（REG），很快就在日本和其他亞洲國家獲得成功。2012 年，舊金山在美國國土上建立了首間永久的真人密室逃脫。截至2022年7月，據說在美國各地，有將近兩千間由不同公司經營的密室逃脫。然而，因為新冠肺炎，這個數字比前幾年稍低。
根據業內知情人士，密室逃脫未來的展望似乎是樂觀的。其中一個原因是特定科技的發展讓密室逃脫變得更精密且有趣。另一個原因是千禧世代和 Z 世代愈來愈傾向於花錢在新的體驗上，而非僅是物質的東西。你可能會想要親自試試這個獨特的冒險。
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What Did You Learn?
1. (A) by that (B) for what (C) from which (D) with whom
2. (A) become (B) have become (C) will become (D) are to become
3. (A) invaded (B) associated (C) offended (D) established
4. (A) positive (B) general (C) doubtful (D) miserable
5. (A) by means of (B) in return for (C) as opposed to (D) in keeping with
答案: 1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (A) 5. (C)
Word in Use
1. interactive a. 互動的
The science museum has interactive exhibits that give kids a hands-on experience.
這間科學博物館有一些能讓孩子們親手操作的互動式展覽品。
2. wit n. 機智
Cathy can always solve various problems with her extraordinary wit.
凱西總能以她過人的機智解決各種問題。
3. clue n. 線索（與介詞to並用）
The police are examining the wreckage of the bus for clues to the cause of the explosion.
警方正在檢查公車殘骸是否有該起爆炸案的線索。
4. murder n. 謀殺（案）
The media is keeping track of the investigation into the murder.
媒體正密切注意這起謀殺案的調查進展。
5. execute vt. 執行
The boss trusts Mindy because she can always execute plans with precision.
老闆很信任明蒂，因為她總是能精準地執行計畫。
Practical Phrases
1. date back to + 時間 回溯至……（某時）
This Catholic church dates back to 313 AD.
這座天主教教堂的歷史可回溯至西元 313 年。
2. be credited with. . . 認為某事是……做的；具有……的功勞
Bill is credited with saving the company from bankruptcy.
比爾對於拯救公司免於破產有莫大功勞。
3. as of + 時間 截至／直到某時間為止
As of today, I am not planning to get married any time soon.
直到今天，我都沒有在近期內結婚的打算。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
The Taipei Times bilingual pages are having a makeover, with professionally curated content for both English and Chinese learners of all levels. With our new partners Ivy English, English OK, and American Magazine Center (AMC), Taipei Times readers can improve their language studies while keeping abreast of important issues in Taiwan and abroad. 《台北時報》雙語版最優質的中英文內容，多年來一向受到讀者們的喜愛。近日起版面全新升級！每週和《常春藤解析英語》、《English OK中學英閱誌》、《AMC空中美語》……等專業英語機構合作，提供豐富多元且實用的英語學習內容，不但適合各種程度學生及上班族自修，老師、家長用它當教材也超便利。原先頗受歡迎的雙語新聞則予以保留，持續帶領大家了解國內外之重要議題，打造最強全方位中英文雙語版，精彩內容在網站上也看的到唷！
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