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.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Across many Asian countries, the Chinese character “正“ (Zheng) is a widely recognized tally mark. This five-stroke character, meaning “correct” or “upright,” is believed to have been used to count customers at old Shanghai theaters. The stroke order follows standard Chinese writing convention. Begin with a horizontal stroke at the top, followed by a vertical stroke down the center, a second horizontal stroke connecting to the middle of the vertical line, and a shorter vertical stroke placed to the left of the longer central stroke, and complete it with a horizontal stroke at the bottom. Today, 正 remains a useful tool to count votes. Each vote is recorded with a mark, making it easy to track totals and significantly reducing the potential for fraud.
在許多西方國家中，最常見的計數符號形式採用了五杆門結構：四條垂直線、接續一條對角斜線。要形成這個群組，先畫四條平行的垂直線，每一條代表一。至於第五個，要在這四條現有的線上畫一條對角線。這一筆對角線有效地製造出明顯的五個一組。要繼續數的話，只要以同樣的方式開始一個新的循環。一組五個數，並在旁邊加上單單一條垂直線就代表數字六。
在許多亞洲國家，中文字「正」是公認的計數符號。這個五筆畫的字意思是「正確」或「正直」，據信是在上海老戲院中用來數客人人數的。筆畫順序是遵照標準的中文書寫慣例。從頂端的水平一畫開始，接著是從中間往下的垂直一畫、第二條水平線接在垂直線的中點、較短的垂直線放在較長的中間一畫左邊，再以底部的水平一畫完成這個字。如今，「正」依舊是計票的有用工具。每一票都用一個記號來記錄，因此很容易追蹤總數並大大減少詐騙的可能性。
What Did You Learn?
1-2. 請從文章中找出最適當的單詞（word）填入下列句子空格中，並視句型結構需要做適當的字形變化，使句子語意完整、語法正確，並符合全文文意。每格限填一個單詞（word）。（填充）
The Ishango bone from the Democratic Republic of the Congo led experts to conclude that people calculated numbers or recorded dates by __1__ marks.
Even after complex mathematical systems were __2__, tally marks survived and are still a useful counting tool in many daily situations.
3. Which word in the Day 2 passage means “make something begin”?（簡答）
4. From (A) to (F) below, choose the correct statements regarding the two tallying systems in the Day 2 passage.（多選題）
(A) Both of them group tallies in sets of five.
(B) Both of them form a word to represent the number five.
(C) The Western tally mark requires special training to read accurately.
(D) The strokes of 正 can be drawn in any random order during tallying.
(E) The Asian tally mark not only represents quantity but has meaning itself.
(F) The diagonal slash in the Western tally mark represents the minus symbol.
Word in Use
1. vertical a. 垂直的
A vertical line divides the page into two sections for better organization.
一條垂直線將這一頁分成兩個區塊以便更好組織內容。
2. slash n. 斜線
The slash on the map marked the boundary between the two countries.
地圖上的這條斜線標記出那兩個國家的邊界。
3. parallel a. 平行的
Colin drew two parallel lines to illustrate the concept of equal distance.
柯林畫了兩條平行線來表達距離相同的概念。
4. stroke n.（寫字、繪畫的）一筆∕一畫
Each stroke of the brush added colors and depth to the landscape painting.
筆刷的每一畫都為那幅風景畫增添了色彩與深度。
5. distinct a. 明顯不同的，有區別的
Despite having similar ingredients, each dish had a distinct flavor.
儘管使用類似的食材，每道菜的味道有明顯的不同。
參考答案 :
1. carving
2. invented
3. initiate
4. A、E
Practical Phrases
1. be followed by. . . 緊接著是……
A brief introduction will be followed by a demonstration of the new product.
簡短介紹後就會進行新產品的展示。
2. in a(n) / the + Adj. + manner
以……的方式∕態度
The actor performed in the most dramatic manner, capturing the audience’s attention.
那位演員以最戲劇化的方式演出，吸引了觀眾注意。
3. combine A with B 結合 A 和 B
My coach advises me to combine cardio exercises with strength training.
我的教練建議我結合有氧運動和力量訓練。
4. connect to. . . 連接∕連結至……
The road in front of my house connects to the main highway.
我家前面的這條路會連接到主要幹道。
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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