In more recent history, geese have been employed in many security settings. As early as 1959, the Ballantine’s whisky distillery in Scotland had some geese __5__ its valuable stock. In 1986, over 900 geese were deployed across US military bases as an early warning system against intruders. They are far cheaper and, in some cases, more __6__ than electronic security systems.
Even in modern times, the geese’s role as a guard hasn’t __7__. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China stationed hundreds of geese along its border with Vietnam to prevent illegal crossings and control the spread of the virus. In Brazil, a prison __8__ canine guards with geese due to their lower maintenance costs. These geese now patrol the green space between the inside fence and the main outer wall and alert officials to potential escape attempts.
Geese are naturally __9__ for security work. They can move each eye independently and thus have a broad field of vision. Also, they can keep half of their brain __10__ while sleeping, often with one eye open. This helps them watch out for threats at all times. These unlikely heroes prove that security doesn’t always need sharp teeth or flashing lights. Sometimes, all it takes is a well-timed honk.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
在更近期的歷史上，鵝被運用於許多保全場合中。早在 1959 年，百齡罈位於蘇格蘭的威士忌酒廠就讓一些鵝去看守其珍貴的存貨。1986 年，有九百多隻鵝被部署在美軍各個基地，作為防範闖入者的預警系統。牠們比電子保全系統便宜多了，且在某些情況下還更加可靠。
即使到了現代，鵝作為警衛的角色仍未消失。在新冠肺炎疫情期間，中國沿著其與越南的邊界部署了好幾百隻鵝來避免有人非法穿越，並控制病毒的擴散。在巴西，由於鵝的維護費用較低，有間監獄便將犬隻警衛換成了鵝。這些鵝目前在內部圍欄和主要外牆之間的綠地巡邏，且在發現可能有人試圖逃獄時會示警相關人員。
鵝天生就是當保全的料。牠們兩隻眼睛都可以單獨移動，因而有廣泛的視野。此外，牠們在睡覺的時候可以讓半邊的大腦保持活躍，通常會保持一隻眼睛張開。這有助於牠們隨時注意威脅。這些意想不到的英雄們證明了保全不一定需要獠牙或閃光燈。有時，需要的只是一聲及時的嘎嘎叫。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
What Did You Learn?
(A) faded (B) active
(C) equipped (D) training
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
(E) fight off (F) watch over
(G) flock (H) reliable
(I) replaced (J) distinguish between
答案：1. J 2. D 3. G 4. E 5. F
6. H 7. A 8. I 9. C 10. B
Word in Use
4. keen a. 敏銳的，靈敏的
Ed is a man of keen observation but of few words.
艾德是個觀察敏銳卻不多話的人。
5. disturb vt. 打擾，干擾
A buzzing mosquito disturbed my sleep.
一隻嗡嗡叫的蚊子吵到我睡覺了。
Practical Phrases
4. alert sb to sth 使某人警覺某事，
警告某人某事
That advertisement alerts people to the dangers of smoking.
那則廣告警告人們抽菸的危險。
5. watch out for. . . 注意∕防備……
= look out for. . .
When you are in a crowded place, you must always watch out for pickpockets.
你在人多的地方一定要注意扒手。
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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