If you are looking for some adventure along with physical challenges, you may want to give “bouldering” a try. This activity involves free climbing on small rock formations or __1__ rock walls. Bouldering, which literally means climbing on boulders, doesn’t need ropes or harnesses that are necessary for rock climbing. Bouldering only requires a minimal amount of __2__ such as climbing shoes, some chalk, and safety mats. A bouldering wall is no higher than five meters, so bouldering can be done both indoors and outdoors. What’s more, climbers are __3__ to solve problems by using their strength, technique, and balance to ascend rocks.
Bouldering has different scales to measure the difficulty of climbs. One of the most common is the V-scale. Climbs are __4__ from the easiest V0 up to V17. The Fontainebleau scale uses numbers from 1 to 9. However, there are also subdivisions featuring __5__, such as 7a or 8b. The scale levels are divided according to the steepness, length, shape, and texture of the rock. Other __6__ include the type and size of the holds, the distance between them, and the complexity of the moves.
Various aspects of climbing are a focus in bouldering. Climbers need to __7__ such things as faces, slabs, overhangs, traverses, and problems while climbing. While some climbs may require delicate footwork and technical skill, others demand strength and power. At the higher __8__ of difficulty scales, all of these abilities are needed.
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Perhaps the best thing about bouldering is that it benefits people’s physical and mental health. Because it involves __9__ activity followed by rest periods, it offers both cardio workouts and strength training. It can also __10__ self-confidence and even has cognitive benefits since it requires problem-solving abilities and deep concentration. Bouldering is truly a fun way to let off steam.
如果你在找尋某種冒險以及體能挑戰，你可能會想試試看「抱石」。這項活動包含在小石頭結構上或人造石墻上自由攀登。抱石字面上是指攀爬巨石，並不需要攀岩所必須使用的繩索或繫帶。抱石只需要最少量的裝備，像是攀石鞋、一些滑石粉和安全墊子。抱石牆不會高於五公尺，所以抱石可於室內或室外進行。此外，攀登者會受到解決問題的挑戰，需要藉由使用其體能、技巧和平衡感攀登石頭。
抱石有不同等級來衡量攀登的難度。其中一個最常見的是V系統。攀登難度會從最簡單的V0一路至V17被評等。楓丹白露難度系統使用數字1到9。但是，此系統還以字母作為分支，像是7a或8b。每個等級是根據石頭的陡峭度、長度、形狀和質地來分級。其他因素還包含把手點的形狀和大小、把手點間距以及移動的複雜程度。
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抱石著重攀登的不同層面。攀登者在攀登時得考慮像是垂直牆、內傾、外傾、橫渡路線和攀登路線等問題。有些攀爬可能需要細膩的腳法和技術性的技巧，而其他則需要體能和力量。在難度等級較高的一端，所有的這些能力都是必須的。
玩抱石最棒的一件事或許是它有益身心健康。因為抱石涉及劇烈活動，接續著休息時間，所以提供了有氧鍛鍊和體能訓練。抱石還能增強自信心，甚至帶來認知方面的益處，因為抱石需要解決問題的能力以及保持深度專注。抱石真的是一種釋放精力的有趣活動。
What Did You Learn?
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(A) end (B) rated (C) intense (D) factors (E) boost (F) equipment (G) letters (H) challenged (I) consider (J) artificial
答案：
1. (J)
2. (F)
3. (H)
4. (B)
5. (G)
6. (D)
7. (I)
8. (A)
9. (C)
10. (E)
Words in Use
1. formation n. 結構，構成物
The geologists studied the rock formation to learn more about its geological history.
地質學家們研究了這塊岩石結構以更了解其地質歷史。
2. literally adv. 照字面地
If you just translate each word literally, your translation will be difficult to understand.
如果你只是照字面翻譯每個字，你的翻譯會很難理解。
3. harness n. 繫帶，安全帶
Mountain climbers rely on safety harnesses to prevent falls.
登山者依靠安全繫帶來避免跌落。
4. minimal a. 最少的，最小的
Our new products aim to produce minimal waste and have a positive environmental impact.
我們的新產品旨在造成最少浪費並對環境有正面影響。
5. ascend vt. 攀登，登上
It takes great skills to ascend the steep cliff.
攀登那陡峭的懸崖需要絕佳的技巧。
Practical Phrases
1. A along with B A以及B
Abby’s parents gave her a teddy bear along with a beautiful dress for her birthday.
艾比的父母在她生日時送她一隻泰迪熊以及一件漂亮的洋裝。
2. give... a try 試試看……
When you visit a foreign place, you must give local food a try.
去國外時，你一定要試試當地的食物。
3. let off steam 釋放精力；宣洩感情
Playgrounds are great places for kids to let off steam.
遊樂場是讓小孩釋放精力的絕佳地點。
Exercises help let off steam after a stressful day.
運動有助於在經過充滿壓力的一天後宣洩心情。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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