Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
Whale shark reproduction has long been a mystery for scientists. However, a significant discovery in 1995 off the eastern coast of Taiwan provided valuable insights. Researchers examined a pregnant female of the species and found over 300 embryos inside her body, ranging from about 40 to 60 cm in length. This discovery revealed that whale sharks are ovoviviparous. Instead of laying eggs in the ocean, the mother carries them internally until they hatch, giving birth to fully developed live young. Since the eggs don’t hatch all at once, embryos at different stages of development can all exist within the mother at the same time.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Although this discovery provided crucial information, the exact length of time whale sharks carry their young remains unknown. After birth, mothers do not stay to take care of their offspring. Pups are left to fend for themselves in the vast ocean, and only a small percentage reach adulthood. Some researchers, however, speculate that mothers may still play an indirect role in their young’s survival. One theory proposes that females might deliberately select birthing locations that offer an advantage to their offspring.
It is estimated that fewer than 200,000 whale sharks remain today. They are classified as endangered, mostly due to human threats such as fishing and boat strikes. Fortunately, in recent years, many countries have stepped up to protect these gentle giants with stricter laws.
長久以來，鯨鯊的繁殖對科學家來說一直是個謎團。然而，1995 年在臺灣東岸的一項重大發現提供了寶貴的見解。研究人員檢查了一隻懷孕的母鯨鯊，發現牠體內有三百多個胚胎，長度從約四十到六十公分都有。這項發現揭露了鯨鯊是卵胎生。母鯨鯊不會在海洋中產卵，而是在體內帶著卵直到牠們孵化，並生下發育完全的幼鯨鯊。由於這些卵並非全部同時孵化，因此處在不同發育階段的胚胎全都可以在母體內同時存在。
儘管這項發現提供了關鍵的資訊，但鯨鯊懷著幼鯨鯊的確切時間長度仍然不明。在生產過後，母鯨鯊並不會留下來照顧牠們的小孩。幼鯨鯊會被留在廣闊的海洋中自力更生，且只有一小部分能夠達到成年。然而，一些研究人員推測母鯨鯊可能仍間接影響了幼鯨鯊的生存。有個理論提出，母鯨鯊可能會刻意選擇對後代有利的分娩地點。
估計全球目前只剩不到二十萬隻鯨鯊。牠們被列為瀕臨絕種的物種，主要是因為如捕魚和船隻碰撞等人類威脅。幸好，近年來許多國家已以更嚴格的法律來採取行保護這些溫柔的巨型動物。
What Did You Learn?
1. Which of the following is true about the feeding method and diet of whale sharks?
(A) They use their small teeth to trap and bite food.
(B) They feed by filtering food from the water they draw in.
(C) They primarily hunt plankton and large fish and eat them directly.
(D) They remain still and wait for prey to approach in order to save energy.
2. According to the passage, which of the following best describes whale sharks?
(A) Shy and easily frightened by divers.
(B) Fierce and protective of their young.
(C) Calm and harmless to humans.
(D) Gentle and playful with people.
3. What is a feature of whale shark reproduction?
(A) Their eggs hatch all at once inside the mother.
(B) They give birth to pups that are fully developed.
(C) The time they carry their babies lasts for 10 months.
(D) They lay eggs in the ocean and stay around to protect them.
4. What does the phrase “fend for themselves” in the Day 2 passage most likely mean?
(A) Protect against themselves.
(B) Care about themselves.
(C) Look after themselves.
(D) Fight against themselves.
參考答案 :
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. C
Word in Use
1. mystery n. 謎團
It is still a mystery to me why Susan suddenly got angry.
蘇珊為何突然生氣對我來說仍然是個謎。
2. pregnant a. 懷孕的
Ida is five months pregnant, and her baby bump is already visible.
艾達懷孕五個月了，已經看得出她的孕肚。
3. reveal vt. 揭露；顯示
The hidden camera revealed that the cat was the one knocking things over at night.
隱藏攝影機揭露了那隻貓咪才是晚上弄倒東西的凶手。
4. lay vt. 產（卵）
The farmer collects the eggs that the chickens lay every day.
這位農夫每天收集母雞們產下的蛋。
5. hatch vi. 孵化
The baby chicks hatched from their eggs this morning.
小雞們今天早上從蛋裡孵化出來了。
Practical Phrases
1. range from A to B 從 A 到 B 都有
The audience at the concert ranged from teenagers to elderly people.
音樂會的觀眾從青少年到老年人都有。
2. give birth to. . . 生下……（孩子）
Janet gave birth to her second child last night, a healthy baby boy.
珍妮特昨晚生下了第二個孩子，是一個健康的男嬰。
3. all at once 同時
The students answered the question all at once without hesitation.
學生們毫不猶豫地同時回答了問題。
4. fend for oneself 照顧自己
Living alone for the first time, I had to learn how to fend for myself.
我第一次獨自生活時不得不學會如何照顧自己。
5. play a/an + Adj. + role in. . . 對……造成……的影響∕起……的作用
Your mood can play a role in how productive you are during the day.
你的心情會影響你一天的工作效率。
6. step up 採取行動
Thomas stepped up to help his friend in need.
湯瑪士挺身而出幫助他有需要的朋友。
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
When Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revealed on Friday last week that the company is working with the Trump administration on a new computer chip designed for sale to China, it marked the latest chapter in a long-running debate over how the US should compete with China’s technological ambitions. The reasoning has sometimes changed — with US officials citing national security, human rights or purely economic competition — but the tool has been the same: export controls, or the threat of them. Nvidia believes it can eventually reap US$50 billion from artificial intelligence (AI) chip sales in China. But it so far has
In 2024, multiple airplane accidents caused severe casualties, including a Jeju Air disaster at the year’s end. However, not all incidents ended in tragedy. Early in the year, a Japan Airlines flight caught fire after landing in Tokyo, but all 379 passengers and crew members escaped within 90 seconds. This event highlights the “golden 90 seconds” that experts emphasize — most survivors evacuate the plane within this critical window. Proper preparation ensures you can act quickly and decisively during these crucial moments when every second counts. Your survival strategy begins before takeoff. Wear long pants, a comfortable top, and
A: The Michelin Guide Taiwan announced the 2025 Bib Gourmand eateries and starred restaurants last week. B: What were the highlights this year? A: In addition to Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, New Taipei City and Hsinchu City and County were included for the first time. B: As a New Taipei resident, I can’t wait to try all the awarded local delicacies. Should we start from the more affordable Bib Gourmand selection? A: Sure, New Taipei and Hsinchu each boast 15 Bib Gourmand eateries now, including some famous establishments such as San Tung restaurant. A: 2025《米其林指南》近日公布「必比登推介」和星級餐廳。 B: 今年的名單有哪些亮點？ A: 除了台北、台中、台南、高雄，今年加入新北、新竹縣市！ B: 身為新北人，我真想吃遍當地的美食，我們要不要從平價的必比登先開始？ A: 好啊新北、新竹各有15家入選必比登，像山東小館等知名餐廳都有上榜唷。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang In many Western countries, the most common form of tally marks employs a five-bar gate structure: four vertical lines followed by a diagonal slash. To form this group, one begins by drawing four parallel vertical lines, each representing one. For the fifth, draw a diagonal line across the existing four. This diagonal stroke effectively creates a distinct group of five. To continue counting, just initiate a new cycle in the same manner. A set of five tallies combined with a single vertical line next to it represents the number six. Across many Asian countries, the Chinese character
RSS