blog2aree456新聞: The Lowdown on Crocodiles　鱷魚沒有告訴你的事

閱讀讓生活永遠不無聊。【大田編輯病】與喜歡閱讀的朋友結好緣，一同激盪出不同靈感，做出更多好書。

【carol的私房教養】為做童書的總編媽咪Carol從教養可愛孩子的經驗及相處中，分享其最真切的心情與心得！

★ 無法正常瀏覽內容，請按這裡線上閱讀

新聞健康 u值媒 udn部落格

2019/12/10 第442期訂閱/退訂∣看歷史報份∣直接訂閱

本期文章
•	The Lowdown on Crocodiles　鱷魚沒有告訴你的事
•	Words for Reference
•	Practical Phrases
•	Words in Use
•	More to Learn
•	Grammar Tips
•	中文翻譯&標準答案
優惠活動訊息：見訊息

The Lowdown◆ on Crocodiles◆　　鱷魚沒有告訴你的事

by Ivy Liu

　　Crocodiles have been revered◆ and feared by humans for millennia◆. These prehistoric◆ animals date back 200 million years and are related to dinosaurs. This also links them to birds, which are descendants of avian◆ dinosaurs. Their lifespans◆ can reach up to 80 years in the wild. The world’s largest crocodile in captivity, weighing 2,200 pounds and measuring 18 feet, is a male saltwater◆ crocodile named Cassius and is reported to be more than 110 years old.
　　While you wouldn’t want to run the risk of being eaten by one of these semiaquatic◆ reptiles◆, their feeding habits are quite interesting. Crocodiles tend to walk around underwater on their hind legs not only to adjust their buoyancy◆ but also to help a meal slide down more easily. Crocodiles have a highly acidic◆ stomach, allowing them to digest things like bones and horns to get the most nutrients out of their prey. Their bite is the most powerful ever measured, but crocodiles have extremely weak muscles for opening their jaws. So even a person with average strength can hold their mouths shut with their bare hands. This means crocodiles are more apt to swallow their prey in a single gulp.
　　As you may have heard, crocs also have a tendency to weep while feeding. It isn’t because they feel sorry or guilty, though, but rather because their tear glands◆ are activated while consuming their prey. Thus, “shedding crocodile tears” is an old expression for displaying insincere emotions. Even Shakespeare’s Othello has the lines, “If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile,” for when Othello believes his wife is having an affair.
-----------------------------
1. Why are birds mentioned in the first paragraph?
(A) They are descendants of crocodiles.
(B) They play a major role in crocodiles’ diet.
(C) They share the same ancestors as crocodiles.
(D) They have an equally long lifespan as crocodiles.
-----------------------------
2. According to the first paragraph, what can you determine about crocodiles in the wild versus in captivity?
(A) Ones in the wild struggle to find food.
(B) Those in captivity have longer lifespans.
(C) Crocodiles in zoos suffer from stunted◆ growth.
(D) Those in the wild can live more than 100 years.
-----------------------------
3. Which of the following statements is true about a crocodile’s bite?
(A) They have the weakest bites of any animal in the world.
(B) A strong person is able to open a crocodile’s jaws with relative ease.
(C) The muscles for biting down are more powerful than the ones for opening their jaws.
(D) Crocodiles chew their prey relatively well to get the most nutrients.
-----------------------------
4. Which of the following is NOT true regarding crocodile tears?
(A) They have been mentioned in a famous play.
(B) They are connected to a crocodile’s feeding.
(C) They are now used as a common idiom◆.
(D) They are a sign of a crocodile’s depth of emotions.

◆ lowdown n.（關於某人／事／物的）最重要情況（常與介詞 on 並用）
◆ crocodile n. 鱷魚
◆ revere vt. 崇敬／尊敬（正式用法）
◆ millennia n. 數千年
　millennium n. 一千年，千年期
◆ prehistoric a. 史前的
◆ avian a. 鳥類的
◆ lifespan n. 平均壽命
◆ saltwater a. 生活於鹹水的；海生的
　a saltwater crocodile　　鹹水鱷，灣鱷
◆ semiaquatic a. 半水棲的
　aquatic a. 水棲的，水生的
◆ reptile n. 爬蟲類動物
◆ buoyancy n. 浮力
◆ acidic a. 酸性的
◆ gland n. 腺
◆ stunted a. 發育不足的，生長不良的
◆ idiom n. 成語，慣用語

1. in captivity　　（動物）被圈養的
captivity n. 囚禁；被俘（的狀態）
• Matthew felt pity for the animals living in captivity at the zoo.
馬修很同情被圈養在動物園裡的動物。

2. be reported to V　　據報導（為）……
• The economic growth rate of that country is reported to rise this year.
據報導，該國今年的經濟成長率將會提升。
3. run the risk of V-ing　　有／冒著……的危險
• You run the risk of dying if you take drugs.
你如果吸毒就會有喪命的危險。

4. with one’s bare hands　　徒手，赤手空拳
• The strong man is capable of killing a bear with his bare hands.
這名強壯的男子可以徒手殺死一隻熊。

5. be apt to V　　有……的傾向，易於……
• Edward is apt to work best when he is under a lot of pressure.
愛德華在身負龐大壓力時容易有最佳表現。

6. in a gulp　　一口吞下／喝掉
• Brian drank the rest of his tea in a gulp.
布萊恩將他剩下的茶一飲而盡。

7. teem with...　　充滿……
• This river is teeming with fish of various colors and sizes.
這條河裡充滿著各種顏色及大小的魚。

1. descendant n. 後代，後裔
• It was not until Scott researched his family tree that he realized he was a descendant of Napoleon.
史考特直到研究過自己的族譜後，才知道自己是拿破崙的後裔。

2. adjust vt. 調節，調整
• You can adjust your sitting position with this cushion.
你可以使用這種坐墊來調整坐姿。

3. digest vt. 消化
• You’d better rest and digest your food you just ate before exercising.
你運動前最好先休息一下，讓剛剛吃的食物消化。

4. nutrient n. 養分，營養物
• Protein is a nutrient that is vital to good health.
蛋白質是一種對身體健康不可或缺的營養素。

5. prey n. 獵物（集合名詞，不可數）
• A huge eagle glided over the area, looking for prey.
一隻大老鷹從這個區域上方翱翔而過，尋找著獵物。

6. average a. 普通的；中等的
• The superstar looked like an average person when I saw him out running.
我看到那位巨星在外面跑步時，他看起來就像個普通人一樣。

7. tendency n. 傾向；趨勢
have a tendency to V　　有……的傾向
• James seems to have a tendency to persuade people in conversation.
詹姆士跟人說話時似乎總愛說服對方。

8. guilty a. 內疚的；有罪的
feel guilty about...　　因……感到不好意思／抱歉
• I felt guilty about causing you so much trouble.
給你帶來這麼多麻煩，我覺得很不好意思。

9. activate vt. 使活動／活化
• The smoke from the burning pot activated the fire alarm.
那只起火鍋子冒出的煙觸發了火警警鈴。

10. consume vt. 吃；喝（正式用法）
• My kids consume at least three liters of milk every week.
我的孩子每星期至少喝掉三公升的牛奶。

11. expression n. 用語；表達
• My grandmother knew many funny old expressions in Taiwanese.
我祖母知道許多有趣的古老臺語用詞。

12. insincere a. 虛偽的，不誠懇的
sincere a. 誠懇的，誠摯的
• We could tell from Kelly’s insincere smile that she wasn’t happy to see us.
我們從凱莉虛偽的笑容裡看出她並不樂於見到我們。
• Melvin was sincere in his apology, so his mom forgave him.
馬文很誠懇地道歉，所以他媽媽就原諒他了。

weep vi.（尤指因悲傷而）流淚／哭泣
三態為：weep, wept, wept。
• Pamela wept quietly in her room after a quarrel with her husband.
潘蜜拉和她先生吵了一架後在房間裡默默哭泣。
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
以下是表「哭（泣）」的其他常見用法：
a. sob vi. 啜泣，嗚咽
• Isabella started sobbing when her mother scolded her.
伊莎貝拉被媽媽責罵時開始啜泣了起來。
b. wail vi. 慟哭，嚎啕大哭
• The family members of the victim wailed with sorrow when they learned of his death.
罹難者家屬得知其死訊時痛哭失聲。
c. shed crocodile tears　　
流下鱷魚的眼淚（喻：假惺惺，貓哭耗子假慈悲）
shed tears　　流淚
shed vt. 流下，流出（三態同形）
• Don’t be fooled by the crocodile tears Martin is shedding.
不要被馬丁的假慈悲所騙。
• Jamie couldn’t help shedding tears when he heard the story.
傑米聽到這則故事時忍不住掉下眼淚。
d. burst into tears　　突然大哭起來
= burst out crying
• The little boy burst into tears when his older brother broke his toy.
小男孩的哥哥把他的玩具弄壞時，他突然放聲大哭。
e. cry one’s eyes / heart out　　
某人痛哭不止／哭得傷心欲絕
• That sad movie made Marty cry his eyes out.
那部悲傷的電影讓馬蒂痛哭流涕。
f. make one’s eyes water　　使某人流眼淚
＊這裡的 water 為不及物動詞，表「（並非因難過而）流眼淚」。
• Cutting onions always makes my eyes water.
切洋蔥總會使我流眼淚。

Crocodiles tend to walk around underwater on their hind legs not only to adjust their buoyancy but also to help a meal slide down more easily.
It isn’t because they feel sorry... but rather because their tear glands are...
介紹對等連接詞片語 “not only... but also...” 及 “not... but...” 的用法
※ not only... but (also)...　　不僅……（而且）也……
= not merely... but (also)...
= not only / merely... but... as well
“not only... but also...” 是由基本的對等連接詞 but 變化而來，可用以連接對等的單字、片語和子句。
a. 連接單字：
• Smoking can damage not only your health but (also) your family’s.
抽菸不僅會損害你的健康，也會損害你家人的健康。
b. 連接片語：
• We not only went diving but (also) enjoyed the food on that island.
我們在那座島上不僅去潛水，還享用了美食。
c. 連接子句：
• Sadie got punished not only because she skipped class but (also) because she lied.
莎蒂被處罰不僅僅是因為她翹課，還因為她說了謊。
※ “not only... but (also)...” 連接對等的主詞時，其後的動詞要隨 but (also) 之後的主詞變化。
• Not only Liz but also her sisters love roses.
不只是麗茲，她的姊妹也都喜歡玫瑰花。
※ “not only... but (also)...” 連接對等的主要子句且 not only 置於句首時，not only 視為否定副詞，因此其後的第一個主要子句要倒裝；but also 僅為連接詞，故其後的第二個主要子句不須倒裝。
• Not only did Lance win the race, but he (also) set a new record.
= Not only did Lance win the race, but he set a new record as well.
蘭斯不僅贏了比賽，還創下新紀錄。
※ not... but...　　並非……而是……
“not... but...” 亦由對等連接詞 but 變化而來，亦可用以連接對等的單字、片語和子句，連接對等的主詞時，其後動詞亦要隨 but 之後的主詞做變化。
• Mr. White is not a writer but a composer.
懷特先生不是作家而是作曲家。
• Not I but Zoe is good at dancing.
很會跳舞的是柔伊，不是我。

鱷魚沒有告訴你的事
　　

　　數千年來，鱷魚一直令人類又崇敬又畏懼。這些史前動物的歷史可追溯至兩億年前，而且牠們與恐龍有親戚關係。這也讓牠們與鳥類有了關聯，因為鳥類便是鳥型恐龍的後代。牠們在野外的平均壽命可達到八十歲。世界上被圈養的最大鱷魚是一隻名為凱修斯的雄性鹹水鱷，其體重兩千兩百磅、身長十八英尺（編按：約為一公頓重、5.5 公尺長），據報導已有一百一十多歲。
　　雖然你不希望會有被這些半水棲爬蟲類吃掉的危險，但牠們的攝食習慣相當有趣。鱷魚在水中往往是用後腿走動，這不僅是為了調節牠們的浮力，還有助於讓牠們更容易嚥下食物。鱷魚胃中的酸度極高，使牠們能消化像是骨骼和角等物質，進而從獵物身上獲取最多的營養。鱷魚擁有史上測得最強的咬合力，但牠們用來打開下顎的肌肉卻非常弱。所以即使是一個力量一般的人也能徒手合攏牠們的嘴。這意味著鱷魚較傾向一口吞下牠們的獵物。
　　你可能已經聽說過，鱷魚在攝食時也有流淚的傾向。不過這不是因為牠們感到抱歉或內疚，而是因為牠們在吃獵物時會觸發淚腺。因此，「流下鱷魚眼淚」便成了展現虛偽感情的古老說法。連莎士比亞的《奧賽羅》中，在奧賽羅認為他的妻子有外遇時也說了這句臺詞：「假如地球上充滿了女人的眼淚，那一滴滴落下的，都是鱷魚的眼淚。」
-----------------------------
1. 第一段為什麼提到了鳥類？
(A) 牠們是鱷魚的後代。
(B) 牠們在鱷魚的飲食中扮演著重要的角色。
(C) 牠們與鱷魚有共同的祖先。
(D) 牠們跟鱷魚有著一樣長的平均壽命。
-----------------------------
2. 根據第一段，關於野生鱷魚與人工飼養鱷魚，你可以發現什麼事？
(A) 野生鱷魚覓食非常辛苦。
(B) 被圈養的鱷魚平均壽命較長。
(C) 動物園中的鱷魚有發育不良的問題。
(D) 野生鱷魚可以活一百多年。
-----------------------------
3. 關於鱷魚的咬合，以下哪一項敘述是正確的？
(A) 牠們的咬合力是世界上所有動物中最弱的。
(B) 一個強壯的人能夠相對輕鬆地打開鱷魚的下顎。
(C) 牠們的咬合肌比用來打開下顎的肌肉更有力量。
(D) 鱷魚會相當充分地咀嚼獵物以獲得最多的營養。
-----------------------------
4. 關於鱷魚的眼淚，以下哪一項不正確？
(A) 它們在一部著名的戲劇中被提到過。
(B) 它們與鱷魚的攝食有關。
(C) 它們現在被用作一種慣用的成語。
(D) 它們代表著鱷魚情感的強烈程度。
答案：1. C　2. B　3. C　4. D


	常春藤12.12悅書節，和你一起窩在溫暖書堆裡∼ 指定單書，任選2本75折
	108課綱所需的素養就從玩世界開始！網羅全球各大節慶，帶你深入了解各個節慶的來源及習俗，讓你宛如身歷其境。英文要精進，閱讀是關鍵！

	「自學力就是你的超能力」善用零星時間！你也能擊敗心魔，把英文學好！訂閱雜誌半年就送【漫威耳機附圓形收納包】，訂一年則送《什麼？原來要醬和老外談天說地》

•全台2款超萌彩繪列車必搭體驗
彩繪列車愈來愈萌了！近來高鐵、淡海輕軌相繼推出彩繪列車，高鐵與日本插畫家卡娜赫拉共同打造卡娜赫拉的小動物彩繪列車，淡海輕軌推出3列幾米主題列車，固定時段會安排一列出發，想搭都有機會。

•預防醫學新概念：了解自身營養狀態，以降低罹病機率
如果你的健康檢查沒問題，卻容易感到疲倦、眼睛乾澀、腰酸背痛或感冒，那麼你就是亞健康族群。世界衛生組織統計，全世界高達75％的人都是亞健康狀態；別小看亞健康，它可是許多疾病的前兆。