Red Hot Chili Peppers 讓人大呼過癮的香辣滋味‏

by Nadia Chung Heat from peppers bursts with flavor and boosts your health. 辣得讓人哇哇叫的辣椒還能促進你的健康。 　　Although there are many people that do not appreciate the painful effect chili peppers inflict on the tongue, archaeological evidence found in the Americas suggests that the plant has been cultivated since prehistoric times. This proves that it has been part of the human diet for _(1)_ 10,000 years. Chili peppers were first _(2)_ by Christopher Columbus in the West Indies in the 15th century. Soon after, they _(3)_ spread across Europe and Asia, becoming a staple ingredient in many cooking traditions. 雖然很多人對辣椒為舌頭帶來的麻辣感敬謝不敏，但在美洲發現的考古證據顯示，人類在史前時代就開始種植這種植物了。這證明辣椒在近一萬年前就是人類飲食的一部分。15 世紀哥倫布首先在西印度群島發現辣椒。不久後，它們迅速傳遍全歐亞，成為許多傳統料理手法的主要食材。 　　Chili peppers are used in a _(4)_ of ways in different national cuisines. In India, chilies are used in dishes _(5)_ from fried snacks to complex curries, whereas crushed chili pepper flakes are often sprinkled on pizzas and other dishes in Italian cuisine. In Turkey and Mexico, chilies are used to make hot sauces and red pepper pastes. In North African cooking, they are used as both a _(6)_ and a table condiment. In Asian cooking, the peppers are used to make kimchi and other pickled dishes, while the leaves are sometimes cooked as greens. 辣椒在不同國家的料理上有各式的用法。在印度，從炸物到複雜的咖哩料理都使用到辣椒，而在義大利料理中，則會在披薩和其他菜餚上撒上壓碎的辣椒末。在土耳其和墨西哥，辣椒則做成辣醬或紅椒醬。北非的料理中，辣椒是作為烹煮或上桌後的調味料之用。在亞洲的料理中，辣椒則用來製作韓國泡菜或是其他醃漬佳餚，而辣椒葉有時也作為綠色蔬菜食用。 　　The reason chili peppers are _(7)_ in taste is due to a compound called capsaicin (辣椒素), which is mostly found in the seeds. Studies show that capsaicin not only adds zest, but it also has many health benefits, including _(8)_ headaches and combating nasal congestion. Capsaicin is also _(9)_ in lowering high blood pressure and even fighting prostate cancer. In addition to capsaicin, chili peppers also _(10)_ large amounts of vitamin B and C as well as carotene, potassium, magnesium, and iron, which are all good for the body. To make the heat of the chili peppers more bearable, serve them with cooling accompaniments, such as yogurt or cucumbers. You might just learn to appreciate red hot chili peppers. 辣椒之所以有辛辣的味道，是因為它含有一種名叫辣椒素的化合物，這種成分大多存在於辣椒子中。研究發現辣椒素不只能增添風味，對健康還有許多益處，像是減輕頭痛和對付鼻塞。辣椒素也能有效降低血壓，甚至對抗前列腺癌。除了辣椒素外，辣椒含有大量的維他命 B 和 C，以及胡蘿蔔素、鉀、鎂和鐵，這些對人體都相當有益。優格及小黃瓜等能減低辣椒的辣度，和辣椒搭配一起吃可以讓人較能承受味覺上的刺激。這樣你或許可以學會享受辣椒的滋味。 (A) spicy (B) contain (C) quickly (D) ranging (E) effective (F) nearly (G) variety (H) relieving (I) encountered (J) seasoning

原來如此

1. This proves that it has been part of the human diet for nearly 10,000 years.
理由:
a. 空格後有表數字的形容詞 10,000（一萬的），可知空格內應置入可修飾數字的副詞。
b. 選項中只有 (F) nearly（幾乎，差不多）可用來修飾數字，故選之。
例: Nearly 50,000 people attended the outdoor concert.
（將近有 5 萬人參加了這場戶外演唱會。）
2. Chili peppers were first encountered by Christopher Columbus in the West Indies in the 15th century.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 Chili peppers（辣椒）和 be 動詞 were，空格後有 by 引導的介詞詞組，可知空格應置入及物動詞的過去分詞，以形成被動用法。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (I) encountered（被碰見），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. encounter vt.（偶然）碰見，遇到
例: We encountered several species of lizards while hiking.
（我們在健行時碰到好幾種種類的蜥蜴。）
3. Soon after, they quickly spread across Europe and Asia, becoming a staple ingredient in many cooking traditions.
理由:
a. 空格所在的句子為完整句構，可知空格內應置入副詞，以修飾不及物動詞 spread（散播）。
b. 符合上述的選項僅剩 (C) quickly（很快地），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
4. Chili peppers are used in a variety of ways in different national cuisines.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，空格後有 of 引導的介詞詞組，可知空格內應置入單數的可數名詞。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (G) variety（種類；變化）和 (J) seasoning（調味料），惟 (G) 置入後符合語意，並形成下列固定用法：
a variety of...　　各式各樣的……
例: My girlfriend can make a variety of pasta dishes.
（我女朋友會煮各式各樣的義大利麵。）
c. 根據上述，可知應選 (G)。
5. In India, chilies are used in dishes ranging from fried snacks to complex curries, ...
理由:
a. 空格前為完整的句構，空格後有 from 引導的介詞詞組 from fried snacks to complex curries（從炸物到複雜的咖哩料理），由此可知，空格內應置入不及物動詞的分詞形態，形成分詞片語，作形容詞用，修飾其前的名詞 dishes（菜餚）。
b. 符合上述條件的選項僅有 (D) ranging（變化、變動），置入後形成下列固定用法：
range from A to B　　範圍從 A 到 B
例: The people at the conference ranged from 20 to 50 years in age.
（這個會議上的人年齡從 20 歲到 50 歲都有。）
c. 根據上述，故選 (D)。本分詞片語乃由以下的形容詞子句化簡而成：
In India, chilies are used in dishes which range from fried snacks to complex curries, ...
6. In North African cooking, they are used as both a seasoning and a table condiment.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，可知空格內應置入單數的可數名詞。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (J) seasoning（調味料），置入亦後符合語意，可知應選 (J)。
seasoning n. 調味料
7. The reason chili peppers are spicy in taste is due to a compound called capsaicin (辣椒素), which is mostly found in the seeds.
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 are，空格後有介詞詞組 in taste（在味道上），可知空格內應置入形容詞或可作形容詞的分詞。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (A) spicy（辛辣的）、(E) effective（有效的），以及 (H) relieving（寬慰的），惟 (A) 置入後符合語意，表辣椒之所以有『辛辣的』味道，是因為它含有一種名叫辣椒素的化合物，故選之。
8. Studies show that capsaicin...has many health benefits, including relieving headaches and combating nasal congestion.
理由:
a. 空格後有對等連接詞 and，可知空格內應置入動名詞，和 and 之後的 combating（對抗）形成對等，作為空格前介詞 including（包括）的受詞。
b. 選項中僅剩 (H) relieving（緩和、減輕）符合上述條件，置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. relieve vt. 緩和，減輕
例: Taking a hot bath can help relieve your aches and pains.
（泡個熱水澡有助於緩和身體的痠痛。）
9. Capsaicin is also effective in lowering high blood pressure and even fighting prostate cancer.
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 is，後為介詞詞組 in lowering blood pressure...（降低高血壓……），可知空格內應置入形容詞或分詞。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (E) effective（有效的），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. effective a. 有效的
例: This spray is effective in eliminating roaches.
（這種噴劑可以有效消滅蟑螂。）
10. ..., chili peppers also contain large amounts of vitamin B and C as well as carotene, potassium, magnesium, and iron, which are all good for the body.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 chili peppers（辣椒），後有受詞 large amounts of vitamin B and C...（大量的維他命 B 和 C……），可知空格應置入及物動詞。
b. 選項中為及物動詞的僅剩 (B) contain（包含），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. contain vt. 包含
例: Fruits contain a lot of vitamins.
（水果含有許多維他命。）

Grammar Tips

In India, chilies are used in dishes ranging from fried snacks to complex curries, whereas crushed chili pepper flakes are often sprinkled on pizzas and other dishes in Italian cuisine.
注意:
whereas 相當於 while，中文譯成『（然）而』，用來連接兩個意思相對的主要子句。
例: I love vanilla ice cream, whereas my sister loves chocolate.
= I love vanilla ice cream, while my sister loves chocolate.
（我喜歡香草冰淇淋，而我妹妹則喜歡巧克力口味的。）

精解字詞片語   1. appreciate vt. 欣賞 例: The class was designed to help the students appreciate art. （這門課的設計是要幫助學生欣賞藝術。） 2. inflict vt. 施加 inflict A on B　　施加 A 於 B 例: The anti-war protesters tried to inflict a sense of guilt on the soldiers. （這些反戰的抗議民眾試圖加諸罪惡感到士兵身上。） 3. cultivate vt. 耕種；培養 例: It is important to cultivate good relationships with your co-workers. （和同事培養良好關係很重要。） 4. sprinkle vt. 撒；灑 例: My mother sprinkled some chocolate chips on the ice cream. （我媽媽在冰淇淋上撒了些巧克力碎片。） 5. be due to...　　由於……，歸因於…… 例: My success is due to a lot of hard work and a little luck. （我的成功是由於許多的努力和一點點的運氣。） 6. combat vt. 抵抗；與……戰鬥 例:To combat the sun's harmful rays, Tim used sunscreen. （為了抵擋陽光中的有害輻射，提姆擦防曬乳液。） 7. large/small amounts of + 不可數名詞　　大量的∕少量的…… large/small numbers of + 複數名詞　　多數的∕少數的…… 例: Kathy gave her children small amounts of chocolate to keep them happy. （凱西給她的小孩一點巧克力好讓他們開心。） 例: Large numbers of people buy lottery tickets each day. （每天都有許多人買樂透彩。） 8. bearable a. 可以忍受的 例: Michael feels his friends are the only thing that makes his life bearable. （麥可覺得朋友是唯一讓他的生活還可以忍受的原因。） 9. serve vt. 供應（飯菜、餐點） 例: The spaghetti was served with soup and salad. （這道義大利麵搭配湯品和沙拉。） 單字小舖   1. chili pepper n. 辣椒 2. archaeological a. 考古學的 3. prehistoric a. 史前的 4. staple a. 主要的；經常需要的 5. ingredient n.（烹煮的）原料 6. cuisine n. 菜餚 7. complex a. 複雜的 8. curry n. 咖哩 9. crushed a. 壓碎的 10. flake n. 小薄片 11. sauce n. 醬汁；調味料 12. paste n. 醬，膏；糊狀物 13. condiment n.（辛辣）調味料 14. kimchi n. 韓國泡菜 15. pickled a. 醃漬的 16. green n. 青菜，菜葉（多用複數） 17. compound n. 化合物；複合物 18. capsaicin n. 辣椒素 19. zest n. 風味，滋味 20. nasal a. 鼻子的 21. congestion n. 阻塞；充血 22. prostate n. 前列腺 23. vitamin n. 維他命 24. carotene n. 胡蘿蔔素 25. potassium n. 鉀 26. magnesium n. 鎂 27. cooling a. 冷卻的（本文指減輕辣味的） 28. accompaniment n. 佐餐物；伴隨物 29. yogurt n. 優格；酸奶；酸乳酪 30. cucumber n. 小黃瓜 答案： 1. (F) 2. (I) 3. (C) 4. (G) 5. (D) 6. (J) 7. (A) 8. (H) 9. (E) 10. (B)