Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
Beyond its iconic railway, Alishan is also celebrated for its exceptional tea. The slopes surrounding the Alishan Forest Railway are dotted with tea gardens. Surprisingly, the farming history of Alishan tea is relatively recent.
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
Although tea has been grown in Taiwan for centuries, it wasn’t until the 1970s that serious efforts were made to establish tea plantations in Alishan. The combined efforts of the government, academic researchers and local farmers revealed that Alishan’s environment was ideal for tea cultivation. Studies have found that many of the world’s top tea-growing regions are typically situated in mountain areas about 50km from the Tropic of Cancer, and Alishan fits this range perfectly. The region’s frequent cloud cover and short daylight hours result in tea leaves with less bitterness and increased sweetness. This gives Alishan tea its distinctive smooth flavor. One of the main varieties of Alishan tea trees is known as Chin Shin Oolong, and Alishan Zhulu is among the most famous products made from it.
Today, visitors can explore Alishan’s tea gardens to participate in the joy of tea picking. They can also visit tea factories to learn about the detailed process of tea production. Whether drawn by the historic railway or the appeal of tea, visitors to Alishan will find a destination rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.
除了代表性的鐵路之外，阿里山還以其優質的茶葉而聞名。圍繞著阿里山森林鐵路的山坡上有星羅棋布的茶園。令人驚訝的是，阿里山茶的種植歷史相對較近期。
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
雖然臺灣種植茶葉已有數百年歷史，但直到1970年代才開始大力在阿里山上建立茶園。政府、學術研究人員和當地農民的共同努力顯示阿里山的環境很適合茶葉種植。研究發現，世界上許多頂級茶葉產區通常位於距離北回歸線約五十公里的山區，而阿里山正好符合這個範圍。該地區天空常被雲層覆蓋、日照時間短，因而讓茶葉苦味較少、甜味增加。這使得阿里山茶具有特殊的滑順風味。阿里山茶樹的主要品種之一被稱為青心烏龍，而由青心烏龍製成的茶品最有名的一種是阿里山珠露茶。
今日，遊客可以探索阿里山的茶園、參與採茶的樂趣。他們還可以參觀茶廠來了解製茶的詳細過程。無論是被歷史悠久的鐵路還是茶的魅力吸引，來到阿里山的遊客都可以找到一個充滿歷史、文化和自然之美的景點。
What Did You Learn?
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
1. Which of the following is NOT true about the Alishan Forest Railway?
(A) Its original purpose was to transport passengers.
(B) It had a positive impact on the economy of Chiayi.
(C) It lost its importance with the rise of road transportation.
(D) Its construction took place while Japan governed Taiwan.
2. What are the correct descriptions of a Z-shaped switchback?
1: It circles a mountain in a winding path.
2: It uses a curve close to 180 degrees shaped like a horseshoe.
3: It is a common design for tracks on flat plains.
4: It is highly effective in areas with restricted space.
5: It allows trains to run back and forth in a zigzag pattern.
(A) 1, 3 (B) 2, 4 (C) 3, 5 (D) 4, 5
3. In which region is sweeter tea with reduced bitterness most likely to be produced?
(A) Region A: With abundant sunshine and clear skies, this region provides plenty of sunlight for the tea leaves.
(B) Region B: The tea leaves are exposed to intense sunlight, even though the days are short.
(C) Region C: Despite the long days, cloud cover frequently interrupts the sunshine.
(D) Region D: Short days and consistently cloudy skies are typical of this region.
4. What do we learn from the passage about Alishan?
(A) Local governments were initially unwilling to support tea planting in Alishan.
(B) Tea gardens are commonly found in the lower parts of its mountain ranges.
(C) Its location is similar to many regions known for producing high-quality tea.
(D) It has contributed significantly to tea production in Taiwan since the 1700s.
答案：1. A 2. D 3. D 4. C
Word in Use
1. surround vt. 環繞，圍繞
The area surrounding the lake is a popular spot for picnics and hiking.
環繞著那座湖泊的地帶是野餐和健行的熱門地點。
2. relatively adv. 相對地
The restaurant is relatively expensive compared to others in the area.
比起該地區的其他餐廳，這家餐廳算是比較貴的。
3. establish vt. 建立
The university plans to establish new partnerships with research institutions. 該大學計劃與研究機構新建立合作關係。
4. academic a. 學術的
The conference focused on academic research in the field of environmental science. 本次會議著重在環境科學領域的學術研究。
5. distinctive a. 特殊的，獨特的
The distinctive color of the flowers makes them stand out in the garden.
那些花朵有著獨特的顏色，因而在花園中相當突出。
Practical Phrases
1. be celebrated for... 以……而聞名
celebrated a. 著名的，有名的
The scientist is celebrated for her groundbreaking discoveries in medicine. 這位科學家因在醫學方面開創性的發現而聞名。
2. be dotted with. . . 散布∕點綴著…
The beach is always dotted with colorful umbrellas during the hot summer months.
在炎熱的夏季月分，海灘上總是散布著五顏六色的遮陽傘。
3. be situated in / at / on... 位於…
The school is situated in the heart of the city, close to public transport. 那間學校位於市中心，靠近大眾運輸。
4. participate in... 參與…… ; participate vi. 參與
The students will participate in the school play as part of their drama class. 學生們將參加學校戲劇，這是戲劇課的一部分。
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
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