The Next Global Economic Superpowers‏

by Carrie Kellenburger NORCs may be the places that will carry us into the future. 環北極國家將來或許會帶領世界邁向未來。 　　Nowadays, it's common knowledge that every country around the world will suffer as a result of global warming. While it's impossible to predict the devastating effects, you might be surprised to learn that some countries might not be as badly _(1)_ as others. 現在，大家都知道世界各國都將因地球暖化而深受其害。雖然我們無法預知影響會有多慘烈，但令人驚訝的是，有些國家受到的影響或許不如其他國家來的嚴重。 　　Known as NORCs, northern rim countries have a lot to gain from a warmer climate. These _(2)_ Canada, Russia, the northern US, as well as the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. By the year 2050, these countries are predicted to be the world's economic superpowers thanks to global warming. 日漸溫暖的氣候環境對環北極國家（簡稱 NORCs）帶來了不少好處。這些國家包含加拿大、俄羅斯、美國北部以及位於斯堪地納維亞半島的丹麥、挪威、瑞典、芬蘭和冰島。由於地球暖化，到 2050 年這些國家預期會成為世界的經濟強權。 　　As climates change and _(3)_ rise, valuable natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and fresh water will be released. This will happen because the frozen tundra of the north will have begun to _(4)_. As these resources become more _(5)_ available, more trading and shipping lanes will be opened, which facilitates these resources getting to other regions of the world quicker. In addition to an increase in natural resources, scientists believe that NORCs will be among the few countries in the world that are _(6)_ to see an increase in crop production. All of these changes will attract more immigrants to these countries and make the residents that are _(7)_ living there much wealthier. 當氣候改變和溫度上升，珍貴的天然資源像是石油、天然氣和乾淨水源將會被釋放出來。這是由於北方的凍原開始融化之故。當資源愈來愈容易取得，便開啟了更多貿易之門，且更多的船隻航道也隨之開通，這一切都有利於更迅速地將這些資源運送到他國。除了天然資源的增加，科學家也相信環北極國家將會成為世界上少數幾個農作物產量增加的國家。以上這些改變將會吸引更多外國移民，也讓目前住在當地的居民更加富裕。 　　A new part of the world is _(8)_, and many people will be looking towards the NORCs as attractive destinations. These countries will offer hope and perhaps even a _(9)_ to global issues, such as rising populations, climate change, and the higher demand for resources. The negative impact of global warming cannot be _(10)_. However, the potential benefits for the future of our civilization are certainly something to look forward to. 世界上一個新興區域正在崛起，許多人視環北極國家為具有吸引力的目的地。這些國家將為全球議題，如日益增加的人口、氣候變遷以及更多的資源需求提供希望，甚至是解決方法。全球暖化的負面影響不容忽視。然而，人類文明未來可能享有的利益卻是值得期待。 (A) solution (B) likely (C) include (D) melt (E) currently (F) emerging (G) ignored (H) readily (I) affected (J) temperatures 原來如此   1. While it's impossible to predict the devastating effects, you might be surprised to learn that some countries might not be as badly affected as others. 理由: a. 空格前有原形 be 動詞和副詞 badly（嚴重地），可知空格應置入形容詞或分詞。 b. 符合上述的選項有 (B) likely（可能的）、(F) emerging（正在興起）、(G) ignored（被忽略）和 (I) affected（被影響），惟 affected 置入後符合語意，表有些國家『受到的影響』或許不如其他國家來的嚴重，可知 (I) 為正選。 c. affect vt. 影響 例: The disease affects the body's central nervous system. （這種疾病會影響人體的中樞神經系統。） 2. These include Canada, Russia, the northern US, as well as the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. 理由: a. 空格前有代名詞 These（這些），其後有名詞詞組 Canada, Russia, ...（加拿大、俄國……），且根據句子時態，可知空格內應置入現在式的複數形及物動詞。 b. 符合上述的選項有 (C) include（包含）和 (D) melt（使融化），惟 include 置入後符合語意，可知應選 (C)。 c. include vt. 包含 例: A balanced diet should include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. （均衡的飲食應該包括各式各樣的蔬果。） 3. As climates change and temperatures rise, valuable natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and fresh water will be released. 理由: a. 空格前有名詞 climates（氣候）、不及物動詞 change（改變）及對等連接詞 and，空格後則有不及物動詞 rise（上升），可知空格應置入一複數名詞。 b. 選項中為複數名詞的僅有 (J) temperatures（溫度），置入後亦符合語意，故選之 4. This will happen because the frozen tundra of the north will have begun to melt. 理由: a. 空格位於句尾，前有不定詞 to，可知空格內應置入原形不及物動詞。 b. 選項中僅剩 (D) melt（融化）為原形不及物動詞，置入後亦符合語意，故選之。 5. As these resources become more readily available, more trading and shipping lanes will be opened, which facilitates these resources getting to other regions of the world quicker. 理由: a. 空格前有比較級副詞 more，空格後則有形容詞 available（可取得的），可知空格應置入副詞，用以修飾 available。 b. 選項中為副詞的有 (B) likely（可能地）、(E) currently（目前）和 (H) readily（容易地；很快地），但 likely 通常用來修飾動詞，故不可選；惟 readily 置入後符合語意，可知應選 (H)。 c. readily adv. 容易地；很快地 例: Carl readily understood what was going on when he saw Cathy's expression. （看到凱西的表情，卡爾一下子就了解發生什麼事。） 6. ..., scientists believe that NORCs will be among the few countries in the world that are likely to see an increase in crop production. 理由: a. 空格前有 be 動詞 are，後有不定詞片語 to see an increase（有所增加），可知空格內應置入形容詞或分詞。 b. 符合上述條件的選項有 (B) likely（可能的）、(F) emerging（興起的）和 (G) ignored（忽略的），惟 likely 置入後符合語意，並形成下列固定用法： be likely to V　　很可能…… 例: John and Mary are likely to get married next year. （約翰和瑪麗很可能明年會結婚。） c. 根據上述，可知應選 (B)。 7. All of these changes will...and make the residents that are currently living there much wealthier. 理由: a. 空格所在的句子為一完整句構，可知空格內應置入副詞來修飾動詞 living。 b. 選項中為副詞的僅剩 (E) currently（目前），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。 c. currently adv. 現在，目前 例: The boss is currently in Tokyo on a business trip, but he'll be back next week. （老闆目前在東京出差，但下星期就回來了。） 8. A new part of the world is emerging, and many people will be looking towards the NORCs as attractive destinations. 理由: a. 空格前有主詞 A new part of the world（世界上一個新興區域）和 be 動詞 is，後無受詞，可知空格應置入形容詞或分詞。 b. 符合上述的選項有 (F) emerging（正在興起）和 (G) ignored（被忽略），然僅 (F) 置入後符合語意，故選之。 c. emerge vi. 興起；浮現，出現 emerging a. 新興的 an emerging country　　新興國家 例: The successful businessman emerged from humble beginnings. （這位成功的生意人出身卑微。） 9. These countries will offer hope and perhaps even a solution to global issues, such as rising populations, climate change, and the higher demand for resources. 理由: a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，可知空格應置單數名詞。 b. 選項中為名詞的僅剩 (A) solution（解決方法，解答），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。 c. solution n. 解決方法，解答 a/the solution to...　　……的解決方法 例: The only solution to your problem is to tell your parents the truth. （解決你問題的唯一方法就是告訴你父母實話。） 10. The negative impact of global warming cannot be ignored. 理由: a. 空格前有原形 be 動詞，可知空格應置入形容詞或分詞。 b. 符合上述的選項僅有(G) ignored（忽略），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。 c. ignore vt. 忽略 例: Ignore what Holly said. She just likes to show off. （別理會荷莉說的話。她只是愛現而已。） 精解字詞片語   1. suffer vi. 受苦；受損失 例: I can't bear to see Tim suffer, but there is nothing I can do to help. （我無法忍受看提姆受苦，但我卻什麼忙也幫不上。） 2. as a result of...　　因為∕由於…… = thanks to... 例: My grandfather needs to walk with a cane as a result of his old age. （我爺爺因為年紀大的關係，現在需要拄柺杖行走。） 3. predict vt. 預言，預測 例: I don't think that anyone can predict the future. （我認為沒有人能預測未來。） 4. devastating a. 破壞力極大的；毀滅性的 例: The devastating flood caused extensive damage to this city. （這極具破壞力的水災對這個城市造成極大的損害。） 5. effect n. 影響；作用 have an effect/impact on...　　對……有影響 impact n. 影響 例: My parents' divorce had a big effect on how I view marriage. （我父母的離異對我的婚姻觀影響很大。） 6. available a. 可利用的；可得到的 例: Job vacancies for programmers are currently not available. （我們目前不缺程式設計師。） 7. facilitate vt. 促進，幫助；使容易 例: His detailed explanation facilitated my understanding of the situation. （他鉅細靡遺的解釋有助於我對情況的了解。） 8. attract A to B　　將 A 吸引到 B 來 例: The government is trying to attract more tourists to the historic part of the city. （政府試圖吸引更多觀光客造訪這城市的歷史古蹟。） 9. potential a. 可能的，潛在的 例: Lisa has a list of three potential places to go for her vacation. （有 3 個地方可能會是莎莉渡假的去處。） 10. look forward to + N/V-ing　　期待…… 例: Rick is looking forward to his sister's visit next month. （瑞克很期待他姊姊下個月的來訪。） 單字小舖   1. superpower n. 超強大國 2. common knowledge　　常識（指眾人皆知的事） common sense　　常識（指自然的判斷能力） 3. rim n.（尤指圓形物的）邊緣，外緣 4. valuable a. 有價值的 5. resource n. 資源 natural resources　　天然資源 6. release vt. 釋放 7. tundra n. 苔原；凍原 8. trading n. 貿易 & a. 貿易的 9. lane n.（輪船、飛機等的）航道，航線 a shipping lane　　海運航道 10. crop n. 作物 11. immigrant n.（外來）移民 emigrant n.（移到國外的）移民 12. resident n. 居民 13. negative a. 負面的 positive a. 正面的 答案： 1. (I) 2. (C) 3. (J) 4. (D) 5. (H) 6. (B) 7. (E) 8. (F) 9. (A) 10. (G)