Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
The loss of sea stars significantly impacts the ocean ecosystem. Sea stars are important __6__ that help control populations of mussels and sea urchins. Among them, the sunflower star is one of the largest and fastest sea stars and is adept at preying on sea urchins. Without sea stars, sea urchins can __7__ in numbers and devastate kelp forests. These forests are essential __8__ for many marine animals and also help capture carbon from the atmosphere, which is vital in the fight against climate change.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
The mystery behind SSWD is still __9__, but it is clear that climate change and other environmental stressors play major roles. Protecting ocean health requires reducing global warming and supporting research to help sea stars and other species survive these challenges. Only through continued conservation efforts can we hope to __10__ balance to these fragile underwater ecosystems.
海星的消失對海洋生態系統有重大影響。海星是重要的捕食者，有助於控制貽貝和海膽的數量。其中，向日葵海星是體型最大、行動最快的海星之一，擅長捕食海膽。沒了海星，海膽的數量會激增，破壞海藻森林。這些森林是許多海洋生物的重要棲息地，且對於從大氣中吸收碳也有所助益，這對對抗氣候變遷至關重要。
海星衰弱症候群背後的謎團仍在逐步釐清中，但氣候變遷與其他環境壓力明顯扮演重要角色。保護海洋健康需減緩全球暖化並支持幫助海星及其他物種在這些挑戰中存活下來的研究。唯有透過持續的保育努力，我們才有望恢復這些脆弱水下生態的平衡。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
What Did You Learn?
(A) habitats
(B) worsening
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
(C) rapid
(D) explode
(E) unfolding
(F) breathe
(G) predators
(H) restore
(I) condition
(J) responsible
參考答案 :
1. I
2. J
3. C
4. F
5. B
6. G
7.D
8.A
9.E
10.H
Word in Use
4. oxygen n. 氧氣
carbon n. 碳
The patient was given extra oxygen through a mask.
該病患透過氧氣面罩獲得額外的氧氣。
Reducing carbon emissions helps combat climate change.
減少碳排放有助於對抗氣候變遷。
5. decay vi. 腐壞
（本文為現在分詞作形容詞用）
As dead trees or fallen leaves decay, they fertilize the soil.
枯樹或落葉腐敗時能使土壤肥沃。
Practical Phrases
4. waste away 逐漸消瘦，漸漸瘦弱
（本文的 waste away 指的是罹患海星衰敗症的海星在窒息死亡後身體分解。）
Without enough food, the stray dog began to waste away.
這隻流浪狗因食物不足開始日漸消瘦。
5.prey on... 捕食……
Owls prey on mice and other small rodents.
貓頭鷹以老鼠和其他小型囓齒動物為獵物。
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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