2013年5月4日 星期六

想挑戰自我,歡迎來參加超級馬拉松‏

 


by Timothy Laird

Do you have what it takes to run more than 42.195 kilometers?
你有能耐跑完比 42.195 公里更長的路程嗎?


  Marathons used to be the longest running events in track-and-field competitions, but nowadays, that title has been taken over by ultramarathons. This extremely _(1)_ sport is not for the faint-hearted, though. It takes determination, perseverance, and a lot more to finish such races. _(2)_ definition, ultramarathons refer to those footraces that are more than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers. The most common ultramarathon distances are 50 and 100 kilometers or 50 and 100 miles.

馬拉松曾是田徑比賽中距離最長的賽跑項目,但現今,這個頭銜已被超級馬拉松取
而代之。不過這個極度苛求體能的運動並不適合心智不夠堅強的人。要跑完這種賽程需
要決心、毅力和許多其他條件。根據定義,超級馬拉松指的是路程超過標準馬拉松距離
――42.195 公里――的賽跑。最普遍的超級馬拉松路程距離為 50 和 100 公里或英里
馬拉松曾是田徑比賽中距離最長的賽跑項目,但現今,這個頭銜已被超級馬拉松取
而代之。不過這個極度苛求體能的運動並不適合心智不夠堅強的人。要跑完這種賽程需
要決心、毅力和許多其他條件。根據定義,超級馬拉松指的是路程超過標準馬拉松距離
――42.195 公里――的賽跑。最普遍的超級馬拉松路程距離為 50 和 100 公里或英里

  There are two types of ultramarathons. The first one includes a fixed distance, _(3)_ the first runner to reach the finish line wins. The second sets an allotted period of time, such as 24 hours, 48 hours, or six days. The person that _(4)_ the most overall distance within that time frame wins the race. Ultramarathons can _(5)_ on tracks, trails, or roads, so runners are likely to face rough terrain like mountain paths, snow-covered trails, or even desert sand. _(6)_, ultramarathons can push even the most experienced marathoners to the brink of exhaustion.
超級馬拉松分為兩種。第一種包含固定的距離,在這段距離內最先抵達終點的跑者
贏得比賽。第二種則是指定時間,例如 24 小時、48 小時或 6 天。在這時間範圍內完
成最多里程距離的跑者就是冠軍。超級馬拉松可能在跑道、小徑或是馬路上進行,因此
跑者很可能會遭遇險峻的地形,像是山路、被雪覆蓋的小徑或甚至是沙漠。因此,超級
馬拉松能把即使是經驗最豐富的馬拉松選手逼到體能的極限。
  Finishing an ultramarathon may sound difficult, but the rules don't actually require the runners to run the whole time. In fact, if the event is particularly long, the runners are allowed to eat, drink, or even sleep _(7)_ they feel the need. If regular marathons aren't challenging enough anymore, then ultramarathons may just be what you need to get excited about running again.
完成超級馬拉松聽起來或許相當困難,但比賽規則其實並沒有要求選手全程都要一
直跑步。事實上,如果比賽距離特別長,跑者被允許在任何有需要的時候進食、喝水或
甚至睡覺。如果一般的馬拉松對你來說已經不具有挑戰性,那麼或許超級馬拉松會讓你
重燃對跑步的熱忱。
1. (A) clumsy  (B) sensitive (C) demanding (D) relaxed
2. (A) In  (B) With (C) From (D) By
3. (A) what  (B) in which (C) how (D) in that
4. (A) wraps  (B) folds (C) covers (D) attaches
5. (A) take place (B) take turns (C) break out (D) stand out
6. (A) In contrast(B) As a result(C) Even so (D) By the way
7. (A) whenever  (B) whether (C) until (D) unless
原來如此 

1. This extremely demanding sport is not for the faint-hearted, though.
理由:
a. (A) clumsy a. 笨拙的,笨手笨腳的
例: John is so clumsy that he bumps into things all the time.
(約翰笨手笨腳,總是撞到東西。)
(B) sensitive a. 敏感的
be sensitive to...  對……很敏感
例: Lucy is very sensitive to criticism.
(露西對批評很敏感。)
(C) demanding a. 苛求的,要求很高的
例: Carol's job is so demanding that sometimes she just wants to quit.
(卡蘿的工作要求很多,有時她真想辭職。)
(D) relaxed a. 輕鬆自在的
b. 根據語意,可知應選 (C)。
2. By definition, ultramarathons refer to those footraces that are more than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers.
理由:
a. 本空格在測試以下固定用法:
by definition  按照定義
definition n. 定義
例: An advisor is, by definition, a person that gives advice.
(『顧問』一詞按照定義就是給人建言的人。)
b. 根據上述,可知 (D) 為正選。
3. The first one includes a fixed distance, in which the first runner to reach the finish line wins.
理由:
a. 空格前後各為一完整句構,可知空格內應置入可連接兩個句子的詞類。
b. (A) what 為複合關係代名詞,即等於 the thing(s) which,在其所引導的子句中要
作主詞、受詞或置於 be 動詞後作主詞補語,因此置入後不合用法,故不可選。
c. in which 可等於關係副詞 where,引導形容詞子句修飾 a fixed distance(固定的
距離),而 in which 即等於 in the fixed distance 之意,置入後符合語意及用法,
故選 (B)。
例: The store in which I often shop is just around the corner.
(我常去買東西的那家商店就在轉角那兒。)
d. (C) how 作關係副詞只用來修飾 the way,置入後不合用法,故不可選。
e. (D) in that 為副詞連接詞,表『因為』,置入後語意不合,故亦不可選。
例: This cell phone is better in that it has more advanced features.
(這支手機比較好是因為它有比較多先進的功能。)
4. The person that covers the most overall distance within that time frame wins the race.
理由:
a. (A) wrap vt. 包,裹
例: The box of chocolates is beautifully wrapped in silver paper.
(這盒巧克力用銀色的紙包裝得很漂亮。)
(B) fold vt. 摺疊
例: Alice folds her clothes as soon as they are dry.
(衣服一乾,艾莉絲就會將它們摺好。)
(C) cover vt. 涵蓋……(範圍)
例: The helicopter can cover more than 200 kilometers in one hour.
(直升機一個小時可飛兩百多公里的距離。)
(D) attach vt. 繫上;附上
attach A to B  將 A 繫∕附在 B 上
例: Make sure to attach the picture to the form before sending it.
(這張表格送出去之前確定要附上照片。)
b. 根據語意,可知應選 (C)。
5. Ultramarathons can take place on tracks, trails, or roads, so runners are likely to...
理由:
a. (A) take place  舉行;發生
例: When will your graduation ceremony take place?
(你的畢業典禮將於何時舉行?)
(B) take turns + V-ing  輪流(做)……
例: During the trip to the beach, Jim and I took turns driving.
(在前往海灘的路上,吉姆和我輪流開車。)
(C) break out  (戰爭、疾病等) 爆發
例: When SARS broke out in Taiwan, almost everyone was in a panic.
(當 SARS 在台灣爆發時,幾乎每個人都很驚慌。)
(D) stand out  引人注目,突出
例: Pete stands out in the office because he works the hardest.
(彼特在公司脫穎而出,因為他工作最認真。)
b. 根據語意,可知應選 (A)。
6. As a result, ultramarathons can push even the most experienced marathoners to the brink of exhaustion.
理由:
a. (A) In contrast, S + V  相較之下,……
= By contrast, S + V
例: Molly's sister is a stunning beauty. In contrast, Molly is sometimes
called an ugly duckling.
(茉莉的姊姊是個絕世美女。相較之下,茉莉有時就被稱作醜小鴨。)
(B) As a result, S + V  結果∕因此,……
例: Ned didn't get the important contract. As a result, he was fired.
(奈德沒拿到那項重要的合約,結果他被開除了。)
(C) Even so, S + V  縱然如此,……
例: I stayed up late last night. Even so, I got up early to go for a jog this morning.
(我昨晚熬夜。即使如此,我今天早上還是很早起床去慢跑。)
(D) By the way, S + V  對了∕順便一提,……(突然改變話題時用)
例: By the way, is Nick going to the dance?
(對了,尼克會去參加舞會嗎?)
b. 根據前後語意,可知應選 (B)。
7. In fact, if the event is particularly long, the runners are allowed to eat, drink, or even sleep whenever they feel the need.
理由:
a. (A) whenever conj. 無論何時
= no matter when...
例: You shouldn't give in to your son whenever he wants something.
(你不該讓兒子予取予求。)
(B) whether conj. 是否;不管
例: Whether you like it or not, you still have to attend the meeting.
(不管你喜不喜歡,你都得出席這場會議。)
(C) until conj. 直到……時
例: Sherry didn't start dinner until her husband came home.
(直到她丈夫回家,雪莉才開始用晚餐。)
(D) unless conj. 除非
b. 根據語意,可知應選 (A)。
精解字詞片語 
1. take over...  將……取而代之;接管……
例: The title of the world's tallest building was recently taken over by the Burj Khalifa.
(世界最高樓的頭銜最近被杜拜塔搶下。)
例: The new manager is going to take over the sales department next week.
(新任經理將於下週接管業務部門。)
2. perseverance n. 堅忍,毅力
例: Because of her perseverance, Betty was able to win the long race.
(由於她的毅力,貝蒂得以在長跑賽中獲勝。)
3. refer to...  指的是……;參考……
例: Cybercrime refers to any crime committed through the Internet.
(網路犯罪指的是任何透過網路所犯下的罪行。)
例: Please refer to this manual if you need any help.
(假如你需要任何協助的話,請參考這本手冊。)
4. fixed a. 固定的
例: You can't bargain here because the store only has fixed prices.
(你無法在這裡殺價,因為店內的價格是固定的。)
5. allotted a. 指定的
allot vt. 分配;指派
例: Matt allotted his students five minutes each for their presentations.
(麥特指定他的學生每個人要報告 5 分鐘。)
6. overall a. 總的,全部的
例: Our team's overall performance in the basketball game was quite good.
(我們這一隊在籃球賽中的整體表現相當不錯。)
7. brink n. 邊緣
on the brink of...  瀕臨……
= on the edge of...
= on the verge of...
例: Many animals are on the brink of extinction.
(許多動物正瀕臨絕種。)
8. particularly adv. 特別,尤其
例: Do you know why Edward is in a particularly good mood tonight?
(你知道為何艾德華今晚心情特別好嗎?)
注意:
particularly 除可作一般副詞外,尚可置於名詞之前,用來強調該名詞。
例: Rachel likes all kinds of vegetables, particularly spinach.
= Rachel likes all kinds of vegetables, especially spinach.
= Rachel likes all kinds of vegetables, spinach in particular.
(瑞秋喜歡所有的蔬菜,尤其是菠菜。)
9. be allowed to V  受到許可∕允許(做)……
例: The children at this school are not allowed to leave for lunch.
(該校的學生不准外出吃午餐。)
10. challenging a. 具挑戰性的
例: This job is more challenging than my previous one.
(這份工作比我之前那份工作來得有挑戰性。)
單字小舖 
1. marathonn. 馬拉松賽跑(全長為 42.195 公里)
ultramarathon n. 超級馬拉松賽跑
2. track-and-field a. 田徑運動的
track and field  田徑運動
3. competition n. 競爭,比賽
4. faint-hearted a. 軟弱的,怯懦的
the faint-hearted  軟弱的人,怯懦的人
= faint-hearted people
5. determination n. 決心
6. footrace n. 賽跑;競走
7. standard a. 標準的
8. the finish line  終點線
9. time frame n. 時間範圍
10. track n. 跑道
11. trail n. 小道
12. terrain n. 地形,地勢
13. desert n. 沙漠
14. experienced a. 有經驗的
15. exhaustion n. 筋疲力竭
答案:1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (A) 6. (B) 7. (A)

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