Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
Like the African town of Kolmanskop, Hashima Island near Nagasaki, Japan, is another abandoned location that has become popular with tourists. Also known as Battleship Island because its shape somewhat resembles a military ship, Hashima was the site of an important coal mine discovered in 1887. It was bought by the Japanese company Mitsubishi in 1890, and after that, many buildings and industries were set up. The population grew as more workers were needed on the small island and reached a peak of over 5,000 in 1959. Today, Hashima is mostly deserted, visited only by tourists and possibly ghosts that many believe represent the memories of Hashima’s dark past.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Prisoners were forced to work on the island from 1930 to just after World War II. The prisoners referred to the place as Jail Island or even Hell Island due to its harsh conditions. Perhaps because of this history, some believe Hashima is haunted. Fishermen reported sightings of lights going on and off in the old, damaged buildings despite the lack of electricity.
In some ways, what happened to Hashima is similar to the events that occurred in Kolmanskop. In the latter’s case, diamonds became harder and harder to find. As for Hashima, the mines started running out of coal in 1974, causing people to leave the island. Today, both serve as sightseeing locations. Once packed with miners but now silent with memories, these places offer those with a keen interest in the mysteries of the past a glimpse into a forgotten world.
跟非洲城鎮卡曼斯科一樣，日本長崎附近的端島也是另一個在遊客之間很有人氣的廢棄地點。端島因其形狀有點像一艘軍艦，所以也被稱為軍艦島，端島是1887年發現的一個重要煤礦的所在地。其於1890年被日本三菱公司買下，此後設立了許多建築和產業。這座小島需要更多的工人，人口因而隨之增長，並在 1959 年達到了超過五千人的高峰。如今，端島幾乎杳無人煙，只有遊客來訪，以及可能有鬼魂造訪，許多人認為這些鬼魂代表了端島黑暗過往的記憶。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
從1930年到第二次世界大戰剛結束，囚犯被迫在島上勞動。由於環境惡劣，囚犯們稱該地為監獄島，或甚至稱之為地獄島。也許因為這段歷史，有些人認為端島鬧鬼。漁民聲稱，儘管沒有電力，但他們看到了受損的老舊建築中有燈光忽明忽滅。
發生在端島和發生在卡曼斯科的事件在一些方面很相似。在後者的情況中，愈來愈難找到鑽石。至於端島，1974年煤礦開始耗盡，這導致了人們離開該座小島。今日，兩者都成了觀光景點。曾經擠滿了礦工，現在卻沉寂、充滿了回憶，這些地方讓那些對於往日謎團很有興趣的人得以一窺被遺忘的世界。
What Did You Learn?
1. Which phrase in the Day 1 passage means “assemble or reconstruct something by gathering various parts”?（簡答）
2. Based on the information provided, who reported encountering ghosts on Hashima?（簡答）
3. Choose the correct statements about the two abandoned places. （多選題）
(A) Prisoners were once forced to work in both towns.
(B) They have both transformed into tourist attractions.
(C) The Germans controlled them both before World War II.
(D) Efforts are in place to protect the history of Kolmanskop.
(E) Hashima is called Hell Island due to an active volcano there.
(F) Kolmanskop has recently seen a new life thanks to the discovery of an ancient city.
答案:
1. piece together / Piece together.
2. fishermen / Fishermen.
3. (B), (D)
Word in Use
1. location n. 地方，位置
The Great Barrier Reef is a location that supports a variety of ocean creatures.
大堡礁是各種海洋生物賴以維生的地方。
2. resemble vt. 和……相像∕相似
The clouds in the sky sometimes resemble familiar shapes and objects.
天空的雲朵有時跟我們熟悉的形狀和物品很相像。
3. site n. 地點
This park is the site of numerous community events and gatherings.
這座公園是許多社區活動和聚會的所在地。
4. mine n. 礦（井）
With the world’s largest copper mine, the country exports the resource in vast quantities.
那個國家擁有全球最大的銅礦，並大量出口該項資源。
Practical Phrases
1. set up... / set... up 設立……
The company decided to set up a new branch downtown.
該公司決定在市中心設立新的分部。
2. refer to A as B 稱呼 A 為 B
Historians often refer to the medieval period as the Age of Knights.
歷史學家通常將中世紀稱為騎士時期。
3. run out of... 耗盡……
The car ran out of gas and stopped in the middle of the highway.
那輛車沒油了，在公路上行駛到一半時停了下來。
4. serve as... 當作……
The community center can serve as a shelter during emergencies.
那座社區中心可以當作緊急避難所。
5. be packed with... 擠滿……
The concert hall was packed with excited fans.
音樂廳擠滿了興奮的粉絲。
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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