The Importance of Coral Reefs
珊瑚礁的重要性
語音播放：

Coral reefs contain more diversity than any other ecosystem in the ocean. What’s surprising is that they only cover a small part of the ocean floor, and yet they’re home to about one fourth of all marine life. These animals rely on coral reefs for food and protection.
珊瑚礁比海洋中的任何其他生態系有著更豐富的生態多樣性。令人驚訝地是，珊瑚礁只覆蓋了海床中的一小部份，卻是四分之一的海洋物種的棲息地。這些海洋生物仰賴珊瑚礁取得食物及保護。

語音播放：

Humanity depends on coral reefs as well. Huge numbers of fish are taken from coral reefs every year to help feed humans. A lot of money is also made from tourism. The Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef structure there is, and it attracts millions of visitors yearly.
人類同樣地也仰賴珊瑚礁過活。每年有大量棲息在珊瑚礁的魚類成為人類的糧食。觀光業同樣也賺了許多錢。大堡礁是最大的珊瑚礁群，每年吸引了上百萬的觀光客前來。

語音播放：

There are some big threats that are starting to take a toll on coral reefs. One bad impact is rising water temperatures. High temperatures lead to the loss of certain algae that many corals eat. This process is called “coral bleaching.” Another threat is overfishing. This disrupts the delicate balance in the ecosystem.
但有一些巨大的威脅開始攻擊珊瑚礁了。其中一種負面影響就是海水溫度的上升。增升的溫度導致許多珊瑚賴以維生的特定藻類減少。這過程被稱為「珊瑚礁白化」。另一項威脅就是魚類過度捕捉。這破壞了脆弱的生態環境平衡。

語音播放：

These days many marine protected areas (MPAs) are helping preserve coral reefs. MPAs encourage responsible fishing and restrict harmful activities.
現今有許多海洋保護區（MPAs）正在協助珊瑚礁的保存。海洋保護區（MPAs）鼓勵有限度的捕魚，也限制破壞性的行為。

Vocabulary 好字精選

1. diversity (n) the condition of having lots of variety  多元性，多樣化
The rainforest contains a large diversity of plant life.
熱帶雨林中存在著多樣化的植物種。

2. ecosystem (n) a community of interacting animals and their environment  生態系
The local marine ecosystem is in danger.
當地的海洋生態系統處於危險中。

3. threat (n) a person or thing likely to cause damage or danger  威脅
Jimmy’s bad smoking habit was a threat to their relationship.
Jimmy不良的抽煙習慣會是威脅他們感情的一點。

4. delicate (adj) easily broken or damaged; fragile  脆弱的，易碎的
The new tea cups were quite delicate.
這些新茶杯相當易碎。

5. preserve (v) to maintain (something) in its original or existing state  保存，保留
We can preserve the meat by keeping it in the freezer.
我們可以將肉類放入冰箱內保鮮。

Phrases and Sentence Patterns 句型解析

1. rely on (phrasal verb) to depend on  依賴
I always rely on my sister for help with my math homework.
我總是依賴姐姐協助我完成數學功課。

2. take a toll on (idiom) to affect (usually negatively)  產生（負面地）影響
All the drinking is taking a toll on Alex’s health.
喝酒對Alex的健康產生負面的影響。

3. lead to (phrasal verb) to cause to happen  導致，造成
The new government policy led to a rise in public disapproval.
這項新的政府政策會導致民眾的反對聲浪。

Exercise 課後練習題

1. This city has a great ________________ of restaurants.
這座城市有各式各樣的餐廳種類。
2. An ________________ is determined by many things, such as sunlight, temperature, and animal life.
生態系的形成取決於許多因素，如陽光、溫度及動物。
3. Many people think global warming is a _______________ to the world.
許多人認為全球暖化對地球是一種威脅。
4. The old woman’s bones were very _______________.
這位老太太的骨頭非常地脆弱。
5. There are animal protection groups that are looking for ways to _______________ wildlife.
動物保護團體正在尋找保存野生動物的方法。
6. The baby boy _______________ his mother for food every day.
小寶寶每天仰賴媽媽餵食。
7. Tourism is starting to _______________ Hawaii, as many tourists leave trash on the beaches.
觀光業為夏威夷造成一些負面影響，像是許多觀光客在海灘上留下垃圾。
8. Sam’s good work ethic _______________ a promotion.
Sam的良好工作道德讓他獲得升遷。

解答：
1. diversity
2. ecosystem
3. threat
4. delicate
5. preserve
6. relies on
7. take a toll on
8. led to

Comprehension Questions 閱讀理解

1. What is “coral bleaching”?
a. Overfishing.
b. The loss of certain algae.
c. Varying water temperatures.
d. The ecosystem’s balance.

2. What’s the main point of this article?
a. To indicate the value of coral reefs.
b. To explain what coral reefs are.
c. To highlight the effects of “coral bleaching.”
d. To show the importance of coral reef tourism.

解答：
1.什麼是「珊瑚礁白化」？
a. 過度捕魚。
b. 特定水藻減少
c. 不同的海水溫度。
d. 生態環境的平衡。

2.這篇文章的主旨為何？
a. 指出珊瑚礁的價值。
b. 解釋何為珊瑚礁。
c. 彰顯「珊瑚礁白化」的影響。
d. 顯示珊瑚礁觀光業的重要性。

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