Continued from yesterday(延續自昨日)
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
The potential use of magnetism to improve hunting ability is not the only surprising aspect of the fox’s complex behavior. The furry creatures are also known for their wide range of vocal expressions. They can produce a surprising range of sounds — up to 40 in total.
Photo: AdobeStock 照片:AdobeStock
The most well-known fox vocalization is the scream-like howl, but they also use barks, chatters, and whines to communicate with each other. These sounds are used to defend territory, attract mates, and care for their young. Besides the variety of sounds foxes utter and their possible use of the Earth’s magnetic field, there are numerous other interesting facts about foxes. But those are *topics for another day.
註:“topics for another day” 在此處表示還有其他與狐狸有關的有趣事實或面向,暗示著還有更多可以學習的內容,能留待日後進一步討論或探索。
狐狸可能是利用磁性來提高狩獵能力並不是狐狸複雜行為中唯一令人驚奇的面向。這些毛茸茸的動物還以其多樣的聲音表達而聞名。牠們能夠發出令人驚訝的多種聲音 — 總共高達四十種!
Photo: AdobeStock 照片:AdobeStock
最著名的狐狸聲音是尖叫般的嚎叫,但牠們還會用吠叫、吱吱叫和哀鳴來彼此溝通。這些聲音用於保衛領土、求偶和照顧幼崽。除了狐狸發出的多種聲音和牠們可能會利用地球磁場之外,還有許多其他關於狐狸的有趣事實。但那些我們之後再聊吧。
What Did You Learn?
1. How did researchers make their conclusions regarding foxes?
Photo: AdobeStock 照片:AdobeStock
(A) By keeping a fox in a cage and observing it over many years.
(B) By making complex calculations of the Earth’s magnetic field.
(C) By listening to the sounds foxes made while they were hunting.
(D) By examining the behavior of dozens of foxes over a couple of years.
2. According to the data, how successful were foxes when they jumped in a certain direction?
(A) Roughly half of the time.
(B) About one-third of the time.
(C) Nearly three-quarters of the time.
(D) More than 90 percent of the time.
3. Which purpose for the fox’s various vocalizations is NOT mentioned in the passage?
(A) To look after its young.
(B) To warn of predators.
(C) To protect its area.
(D) To find a mate.
4. According to the passage, in which direction does the fox most likely jump to enhance the chance of a successful hunt?
答案: 1. D 2. C 3. B 4. A
Words in Use
4. subtle a. 細微的,微妙的
There are subtle differences between the two ring designs.
這兩枚戒指在設計上有一些細微的差別。
5. variation n. 變化,變動
Even the slightest variation in oil prices will affect how much things cost.
油價的變動就算再小都會影響物價。
Practical Phrases
4. communicate with... 和……溝通
Mrs. Williams finds it difficult to communicate with her teenage son.
威廉斯太太發現跟十幾歲的兒子難以溝通。
5. care for... 照顧……
My mother has been caring for my sister the whole night.
我媽媽整晚都在照顧我妹妹。
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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Continued from yesterday(延續自昨日) https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang The potential use of magnetism to improve hunting ability is not the only surprising aspect of the fox’s complex behavior. The furry creatures are also known for their wide range of vocal expressions. They can produce a surprising range of sounds — up to 40 in total. The most well-known fox vocalization is the scream-like howl, but they also use barks, chatters, and whines to communicate with each other. These sounds are used to defend territory, attract mates, and care for their young. Besides the variety of sounds foxes utter and their possible use of the