Fatal Oceans海洋酸化 全球拉警報
by Carrie Kellenberger
The oceans of the world are facing many problems nowadays.
世界上的海洋現在正面臨著許多問題。
When we think of climate change, we imagine unpredictable weather, melting glaciers, and a shortage of fresh water. No one ever thinks about the sea snail. _(1)_ High acidity levels in our oceans make it difficult for the snail and other hard-shelled creatures, such as corals, lobsters, and sea urchins, to grow shells. Their struggle to survive threatens every creature in the food chain, from fish to whales all the way down to humans. Today's oceans are turning into a hostile environment for many creatures that a re important to the aquatic food chain. _(2)_
Why are our oceans toxic? _(3)_ The biggest factor contributing to this is the fossil fuel emissions that have been dumped into the atmosphere. Our oceans, which absorb these emissions, have protected humans from the worst effects of climate change. A century ago, oceans were in balance with the atmosphere, which meant that they could absorb the carbon dioxide that was released. As more fuel was burned, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere started to rise. _(4)_ Scientists fear that by 2060, if emissions remain unchecked, the oceans will be more acidic than ever before.
We can all help by employing conservation techniques that will help decrease the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. _(5)_ Sadly, there is no way to reverse the damage that has already been done. We can only work hard and hope the situation improves, but it is impossible to predict what the future holds for the world's oceans.
(A) The main reason is that global warming has directly affected the oceans' chemistry over the last century.
(B) As a result, our oceans have been taking in more carbon dioxide every year.
(C) This impacts the billions of people that rely on fish as their main source of protein.
(D) This tiny creature, however, represents just one of the many species that are struggling to survive in our toxic seas.
(E) These techniques involve putting a stop to deforestation and overfishing, promoting energy-efficient and low-carbon fuels, and regulating carbon emissions.
原來如此
- 第一題空格應選 (D)
理由:
a. 空格前兩個句子提到，想到氣候變遷，沒有人會想到海蝸牛。
b. (D) 選項的句子說，不過，這種小型生物（This tiny creature）代表了許許多多的海洋生物，牠們都試圖在充滿毒性的海洋中求生存，This tiny creature 指的就是前一句提到的海蝸牛，且語意連貫，故選之。
大補丸:
a. represent vt. 代表，象徵
例: The Statue of Liberty represents freedom to Americans.
（對美國人來說，自由女神像代表自由。）
b. species n.（動植物的）物種（單複數同形）
c. struggle to V 努力∕奮力（做）……
例: Many of the students struggled to stay awake during the boring history class.
（許多學生都努力在無聊的歷史課中保持清醒。）
d. survive vi. 活下來
e. toxic a. 有毒的 - 第二題空格應選 (C)
理由:
a. 空格前的句子說到，現今的海洋變成了不利於許多海洋生物的環境，而這些生物對海洋食物鏈來說相當重要。
b. (C) 選項的句子說，這影響了好幾十億仰賴魚類為主要蛋白質來源的人口，前後語意連貫，故選之。
大補丸:
a. impact vt. 影響（= affect）
例: Airports in the northern parts of Europe were impacted by the huge snowstorm.
（歐洲北部的機場因大風雪而受到影響。）
b. rely on... 依賴……；指望……
例: Don't rely on Mike for anything. He's not trustworthy.
（別指望麥克任何一件事。他不值得信任。）
c. protein n. 蛋白質 - 第三題空格應選 (A)
理由:
a. 空格前的句子說『為什麼海洋會有毒呢？』此為一問句，推測空格應是說明原因。
b. (A) 選項的句子開頭為 The main reason（主要的原因），符合推測，回答了前一句的問題，置入後語意連貫，故選之。 - 第四題空格應選 (B)
理由:
a. 空格前的句子提到，燃燒的燃料越多，大氣中二氧化碳的含量就開始增加。
b. (B) 選項的句子提及，因此，我們的海洋每年就吸收了更多的二氧化碳，說明了大氣中二氧化碳含量增加的結果，且前後皆有關鍵字 carbon dioxide（二氧化碳），故選之。
大補丸:
carbon dioxide n. 二氧化碳 - 第五題空格應選 (E)
理由:
a. 空格前的句子說，利用保育自然的方法，我們都能幫助減少大氣中二氧化碳的濃度。
b. (E) 選項的句子提及，這些方法包括停止濫伐森林和過度捕撈，提倡使用節能和低碳的燃料，以及管制碳的排放量，前後語意連貫，且前後皆有關鍵字 techniques，故選之。
大補丸:
a. technique n. 方法；技巧
b. deforestation n. 砍伐森林
c. overfishing n.（魚類的）過度捕撈
d. energy-efficient a. 節能的
e. regulate vt. 管理，控制
例: The government regulates the Internet so that children won't see inappropriate material.
（政府管制網路，讓兒童不會看到不當內容。）
精解字詞片語
- unpredictable a. 不可預料的
例: My sister has an unpredictable temper.
（我姐姐的脾氣難以預測。） - shortage n. 缺乏，不足
例: Due to a shortage, the government has placed restrictions on the use of water.
（由於缺水，政府採取了限水措施。） - hostile a. 不友善的；懷有敵意的
例: The police approached the hostile protesters cautiously.
（警方小心翼翼地接近那群帶有敵意的抗議民眾。） - contribute to + N/V-ing 造成∕導致……
例: The new medicine should contribute to reducing the spread of the disease.
（那種新藥物應該可以減低該疾病的擴散。） - dump vt. 傾倒
例: Mrs. Lin always dumps her garbage in the garbage can behind her apartment.
（林太太總是把垃圾丟在她公寓後的垃圾桶中。） - absorb vt. 吸收
例: Sponges absorb a lot more liquid than paper towels.
（海綿比紙巾更能吸收液體。） - protect A from B 保護 A 免於∕遠離 B
例: The helmet protected me from a head injury when I fell off my bike.
（我從單車上摔下來時，安全帽保護我免於傷到頭部。） - be in balance with... 與……平衡
例: Your mind has to be in balance with your heart when making important decisions.
（當你作重大決定時，理性與感性皆不可偏廢。） - employ vt. 運用，使用
例: Our company employs the latest graphic design software.
（我們公司使用最新的繪圖設計軟體。） - reverse vt. 翻轉；使倒轉
例: Bill reversed his original decision from supporting the project to voting against it.
（比爾改變原本支持該計劃的決定，投下反對票。）
引用自：長春藤英語 http://www.ivy.com.tw/
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