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 you think of the Netherlands, images of tulips, windmills, and iconic wooden shoes — known as “Dutch clogs” — may come to mind. These traditional shoes are rich in cultural significance. For centuries, Dutch clogs have been admired for their sturdy design and impressive craftsmanship, making them a fascinating symbol of Dutch heritage. Dutch clogs date back to the Middle Ages. During that time, farmers and laborers needed durable shoes to cope with the region’s damp and unpredictable climate and topography. Crafted from solid wood, such as willow or poplar, clogs offered outstanding protection. Their firm structure kept
A: The news says comic superstar Snoopy’s birthday is coming soon on Aug. 10. B: So he’s a Leo, and his birthday will fall on this Sunday. A: Cartoonist Charles Schulz created the comic strip Peanuts, featuring Snoopy, in 1950. And this year marks the character’s 75th anniversary. B: No wonder there are some big celebrations in Japan, Hong Kong and elsewhere. How about Taiwan? A: The “How Do You Do, Snoopy?” exhibition is taking place in Taipei. Let’s go to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store’s A11 branch to see the show. A: 新聞說，卡通巨星史努比的生日是8月10日耶。 B: 原來史努比是獅子座，本週日就是他的生日。 A: 漫畫家查爾斯舒茲1950年在《花生》漫畫創造了該角色，今年正好歡慶75週年！ B:
Bilingual Story is a fictionalized account. 雙語故事部分內容純屬虛構。 “One DA-BEI... WU LONG... NAI?” Yujing smiled as the foreigner struggled to order. He looked like an embarrassed puppy. She repeated the order in Chinese, then English: “Oolong milk tea, large size. Half sweet, no ice?” she said gently. He beamed — the kind of full-face, sunshine smile that Latinos are famous for. “Yes! That! You are... lo maximo… the best!” After he left, Lily nudged her. “Nice save. You’re getting the hang of it.” Yujing had taken this summer job at the bubble tea shop to build confidence and get work
Dos & Don’ts — 想想看，這句話英語該怎麼說？ 1. 學習滑雪應當循序漸進。 ˇ To learn to ski, one must go step by step. χ To learn to ski is step by step. 註：「循序漸進」是指學習滑雪的方式，錯句中以 step by step 等於 to learn to ski，顯然是不合邏輯的。Step by step 是慣用語，只能作副詞片語用。 2. 那騙徒害老王丟了工作，差點淪為乞丐。 ˇ The con man made Mr. Wang lose his job and reduced him almost to beggary. ˇ The con man made Mr. Wang lose his job and almost become a beggar. χ The con man made Mr. Wang lose his job and almost became a beggar. 註：主詞 The con man 並沒有變為乞丐，所以要變更第二個述語，或把 became 改為原形，承受使役動詞（causative verb）made 的結果，維持全句統一的主詞。 3. 她的心往下一沉，簡直站不住了。 ˇ Her heart sank and she could
RSS