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Can Cacti Block Harmful Radiation?
Cacti have long been popular plants to keep in living spaces around the world. The fact that cacti are both pleasing to the eye and easy to take care of makes them ideal plants to brighten up homes. Furthermore, cacti offer a number of health-related benefits to humans, such as increasing the amount of oxygen in your home. However, there is a more specific reason why cacti ownership has become more popular in recent years. Specifically, thanks to a lot of questionable information being spread online, many people now believe that keeping cacti on your desk benefits your health because cacti absorb harmful radiation emitted by your computer. Regarding this claim, fact-checking is required.
(誤刊通知: 紙本解析雜誌五月號 5 月 6日文章第20頁，第一段後半部 many people now believe that keeping cacti on your desk benefit your health...中的benefit需加"s"，正確為"benefits"，造成您學習上的困擾，深感抱歉。)
First, some websites state that radiation from computers is responsible for a range of health problems, including insomnia and headaches. On this note, it is important to keep in mind that there are multiple types of radiation. While some are indeed harmful, the amount of radiation emitted by computers is not enough to damage human health.
Next, regarding the question of whether cacti can actually absorb radiation from a computer, the simple answer is no, they can’t. This is because radiation from a computer would be emitted in all directions. Therefore, a cactus positioned on one side of your computer will do nothing to stop radiation from traveling straight towards you from the front of the machine.
In summary, cacti cannot prevent you from absorbing radiation from your computer. However, such radiation will actually do you no harm. Having said that, keeping cacti in your home provides a number of real advantages that can help you live a happier and healthier life.
1. What does the word “questionable” in the first paragraph most likely mean?
(A) Reliable.
(B) Doubtful.
(C) Hard-to-answer.
(D) Easy-to-understand.
2. How are cacti helpful for human health?
(A) They help people fall asleep.
(B) They are good for your eyes.
(C) They absorb radiation.
(D) They raise oxygen levels.
3. How does the author feel about the claim that cacti can block harmful radiation?
(A) It needs further investigation.
(B) It is true and in urgent need of attention.
(C) It is inaccurate and the facts should be clarified.
(D) It should be valid because it has been published online.
4. If a plant could absorb radiation from computers, where should one place it to effectively lower one’s exposure to radiation?
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答案： 1. B 2. D 3. C 4. B
Words for Reference
◆ cacti [ˋkæktaɪ ] n. 仙人掌（複數）
cactus [ˋkæktəs ] n. 仙人掌（單數）
◆ emit [ɪˋmɪt ] vt. 發出，散發
◆ fact-checking [ˋfækt͵tʃɛkɪŋ ] n. 事實查核（不可數）
◆ insomnia [ ɪnˋsɑmnɪə ] n. 失眠
◆ valid [ ˋvælɪd ] a. 有根據的
Phrases for Reference
◆ on this note 說到這裡
◆ having said that 儘管如此
Practical Phrases
1. be pleasing to the eye 令人賞心悅目
• The various colors of flowers in this garden are pleasing to the eye.
這座花園裡五顏六色的花朵令人賞心悅目。
2. brighten up...
使……有生色；為……增添光彩
• The white curtains brightened up our living room.
那白色的窗簾為我們的客廳增添了光彩。
3. be responsible for... 是……的原因；為……負責
• Sugary drinks are responsible for many cases of diabetes.
含糖飲料是導致許多糖尿病病例的原因。
4. keep in mind + that 子句 牢記∕記住……
• Keep in mind that without hard work, you will get nowhere.
要記住，不努力你就會一事無成。
5. In summary, S + V 總結來說∕總而言之，……
• We went to Mayday’s concert last week. In summary, it was an auditory and visual feast.
我們上禮拜去五月天的演唱會。總結來說，那是一場聽覺與視覺的饗宴。
6. do sb/sth no harm 對某人∕某事無害
• Tom was thrown from the boat when it struck a large wave. Fortunately, he was wearing a life jacket and it did him no harm.
當那艘船撞上大浪時湯姆被拋出船外。幸好他有穿救生衣，那才沒有對他造成傷害。
Words in Use
1. harmful [ˋhɑrmfəl ] a. 有害的
• Experts suggest that all raw food be cooked at a high temperature to kill harmful bacteria.
專家建議所有生食都要在高溫下烹煮以殺死有害細菌。
2. radiation [͵redɪˋeʃən ] n. 輻射
• The radiation leak from that factory polluted the surrounding environment.
那座工廠的輻射外洩汙染了周遭的環境。
3. oxygen [ˋɑksədʒən ] n. 氧氣
• Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
植物吸收二氧化碳，釋放氧氣。
4. specific [ spɪˋsɪfɪk ] a. 明確的
specifically [ spɪˋsɪfɪk!ɪ ] adv. 具體地，明確地
• Vick couldn’t decide on any specific goal for his life after graduating from college.
維克大學畢業後無法為自己的人生決定任何一個明確的目標。
• One needs many skills to do this job. Specifically, language ability is a must.
要做這份工作需要很多技能。明確地說，語言能力是必須的。
5. ownership [ˋonɚ͵ʃɪp ] n. 所有權
• In the US, gun ownership is considered a basic right that even appears in the Constitution.
在美國，擁有槍枝被視為基本權利，甚至在憲法中也有明文規定。
6. questionable [ˋkwɛstʃənəb! ] a. 值得懷疑的，有疑問的
• It is highly questionable whether Larry will pass the test.
賴瑞是否能通過這次考試很令人懷疑。
7. absorb [ əbˋsɔrb ] vt. 吸收
• We put some towels on the floor to absorb the water leaking through the wall.
我們在地板上放一些毛巾來吸收牆壁滲出的水。
8. regarding [ rɪˋgɑrdɪŋ ] prep. 關於
• The police refused to disclose information regarding this crime.
警方拒絕透露有關這起犯罪的資訊。
9. multiple [ˋmʌltəp! ] a. 多種的
• The new machine comes with multiple functions.
這臺新機器有多種功能。
10. position [ pəˋzɪʃən ] vt. 放置
• Mom positioned chairs around the dining table before our guests arrived.
媽媽在我們的客人到達前在餐桌周圍擺放椅子。
11. straight [ stret ] adv. 直接地；筆直地
• As soon as we arrived in Japan, we went straight to the hotel.
我們一抵達日本就直接去飯店。
12. clarify [ˋklærə͵faɪ ] vt. 澄清，講清楚
• The politician was asked to clarify his position on the issue.
那名政治家被要求要講清楚他對該項議題的立場。
13. exposure [ ɪkˋspoʒɚ ] n. 接觸，暴露
• Constant exposure to English speakers is the most effective way to improve English.
不斷接觸英語母語人士是提升英文能力最有效的方式。
More to Learn
benefit [ˋbɛnəfɪt ] n. 好處，益處 & vt. 有益於，有利於
• Offering jobs to the unemployed may help them, but vocational training can provide long-lasting benefits.
提供工作給失業者或許能幫助他們，但職業訓練才能帶給他們長遠的益處。
• The health insurance policy benefits elderly citizens.
這項健保政策有益於年長的市民。
介紹 benefit 的其他用法及衍生字：
a. benefit 作名詞時亦可表「利益」。
be to the benefit of sb 對某人有益
• The school’s new regulation will be to the benefit of the students.
該校的新規定將會對學生有益。
b. benefit 亦可作不及物動詞，表「受益，得益」，常與介詞 from 並用。
benefit from... 從……受益∕獲益，受益於……
• Many patients have benefited from this new drug.
許多病患受益於這款新藥物。
c. beneficial [ ͵bɛnəˋfɪʃəl ] a. 有利的，有益的
be beneficial to... 有益於……
• Eating red meat in moderation can be beneficial to your health.
適量食用紅肉有益健康。
d. beneficiary [ ͵bɛnəˋfɪʃərɪ ] n. 受益人
• Melvin is the only beneficiary of his father’s will.
馬文是他父親遺囑中的唯一受益人。
Grammar Tips
Furthermore, cacti offer a number of health-related benefits to humans, such as increasing the amount of oxygen in your home.
比較 number 及 amount 的用法
number 和 amount 都是用來表達東西的「數量」，但前者是指「可數名詞」的數量，而後者則是指「不可數名詞」的數量，重要用法如下：
※ a number of + 複數名詞 若干∕一些……
an amount of + 不可數名詞 若干∕一些……
a number of 及 an amount of 為形容詞，其後分別接複數名詞和不可數名詞，故置於句首作主詞時，其後動詞要隨 of 後的名詞作變化。
• A number of cars were driving on the hill during the speed game.
許多汽車在速度競賽時奔馳於斜坡上。
• An amount of pepper was added to the soup to enhance the flavor.
一些胡椒被加入那碗湯裡以增添風味。
※ 在 a number of 及 an amount of 的用法中，number 及 amount 前加入 small、large、great 等形容詞，表「少量∕少數的……」或「大量∕多數的……」。
• Kayla is beautiful and smart; no wonder she has a large number of friends.
凱拉漂亮又聰明；難怪她有一大群朋友。
• Only a small amount of paper we consume is recycled.
我們消耗的紙張只有少量被回收。
※ the number of + 複數名詞 ……的數目
the amount of + 不可數名詞 ……的數量
the number of... 和 the amount of... 作主詞時，後面的動詞用第三人稱單數。
• The number of students registering for this course has reached 30.
登記這門課程的學生人數已經有三十人了。
• The amount of food and water that the refugees received was far from enough.
災民們所獲得的食物與水根本不夠。
※ 一般而言，amount 用來修飾不可數名詞，但現今已演變成能接可數名詞及不可數名詞的模糊地帶：亦即可數名詞「由於數量過於龐大以至於不可數」的狀況下，整體可視為不可數名詞，用 amount 來表示。
• The storm blew off a large amount of leaves from the trees.
暴風雨吹落了樹上大量的樹葉。
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精選試題
_____ jobs are going to be replaced by machines.
(A) The amount of (B) The number of (C) An amount of (D) A number of
