When large ships carry a lot of cargo, they sit quite low in the water. However, if a ship is __1__, you’ll likely be able to see its lower hull, which will probably be painted red. There are several reasons why special paint of this color is used for marine vessels.
First and foremost, the red paint shields the underside of the ship. __2__, the hull will eventually become covered with marine organisms such as barnacles, algae, and mollusks, which will cause damage to the metal in the long run. Red marine paint gets its red color from copper oxide. This material __3__ a biocide, a chemical compound that repels and prevents the growth of organisms. In addition, the paint guards the metal of the hull against corrosion from salt water, which can greatly weaken the structure and cause leaks.
Another reason for the red color is to indicate a vessel’s load status. The more the red paint is visible above the waterline, the lighter the load is. Having the hull painted red can also be helpful in case of an __4__ by increasing a ship’s visibility. If a ship has capsized or is sinking, the red color of the hull contrasts with the blue or green color of the water. This gives other ships or rescue aircraft a better chance of __5__ it.
Photos: Shutterstock I 照片： Shutterstock
An underlying historical tradition further contributes to the preference for the color red. With its origins dating back over 2,000 years and popularity to this day, we are likely to continue seeing hulls painted red for a long time to come.
1. (A) humid (B) external (C) scarce (D) empty
2. (A) Once raised high (B) If left unprotected (C) After found flooded (D) When kept balanced
Photos: Shutterstock I 照片： Shutterstock
3. (A) acts as (B) occurs to (C) calls for (D) gives away
4. (A) adjustment (B) opportunity (C) emergency (D) investigation
5. (A) repairing (B) locating (C) disguising (D) surrounding
Photos: Shutterstock I 照片： Shutterstock
當大型船隻乘載許多貨物時，它們在水中會沉得相當深。然而，如果船隻是空的，你可能會看到船身的下半部，它大概會被漆成紅色。有幾個原因解釋為什麼海洋船隻要使用這種顏色的特殊塗料。
首先，紅色塗料保護著船的底部。如果不受保護，船底（編按：此處及之後出現的hull皆是指前一段提過的lower hull，為避免重複，因此只用hull）最終將會被像是藤壺、藻類和軟體動物等海洋生物所覆蓋，到頭來會對金屬造成損壞。紅色海洋塗料的紅色來自於氧化銅。這種原料作為生物滅除劑 ── 一種驅趕並防止生物生長的化學化合物。此外，該塗料能保護船底的金屬免受鹽水的腐蝕，腐蝕可能會大大地使結構變得不結實並導致漏水。
使用紅色的另一個原因是要顯示船隻的載荷狀態。在吃水線以上可見的紅色塗料越多，表示該船的負載越輕。將船底塗成紅色在緊急情況下也很有幫助，可以增加船隻的能見度。如果一艘船翻覆或正在下沉，船底的紅色會與藍色或綠色的海水形成對比。這提高了其他船隻或救援飛機找到它的機會。
一項潛藏的歷史傳統進一步促成了對紅色的偏好。有著能追溯至兩千多年前的歷史，且至今仍相當受歡迎，我們很可能會在未來很長一段時間內繼續看到船底被塗成紅色。
答案：
1. D 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B
Words in use
1. cargo n. (船、飛機、車輛裝載的)貨物
The tea merchants tried to transport their cargo as fast as possible.
那些茶葉商希望能儘快將貨運送出去。
2. shield vt. 保護
shield A from B 保護A免受B所害
The ozone layer shields the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
臭氧層保護地球免受太陽的紫外線所害。
3. compound n. 化合物
Ethanol is a chemical compound with the formula C2H5OH.
乙醇是一種化學化合物，其化學式為C2H5OH。
4. repel vt. 驅除
This spray is effective in repelling mosquitoes.
這種噴劑對驅除蚊子非常有效。
5. corrosion n. 腐蝕
The corrosion on the old pipes caused a water leak in the basement.
老水管上的腐蝕導致地下室漏水。
Practical Phrases
1. First and foremost, S + V 首先，……
There are many steps in baking a pie. First and foremost, you need a good crust.
烤派時有許多步驟。首先，你需要一個好的麵皮。
2. cause damage to... 對……造成損害∕損失
The accident caused serious damage to my car.
這場車禍對我的車造成嚴重的損害。
3. in the long run 到頭來，終究
Edward was the best man for the job in the long run.
到頭來，愛德華才是最適合那份工作的人。
4. guard A against 保護 A 免受 B 的傷害
Mina used sunscreen to guard her skin against the harmful effects of the sun.
蜜娜使用防晒霜來保護皮膚免受陽光的有害影響。
5. The + 比較級形容詞∕副詞..., the + 比較級形容詞∕副詞... 越……，就越……
The more I practice, the better I become at playing the piano.
我練習得越多，鋼琴就彈得越好。
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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