| According to scientists, frogs are disappearing from the earth. Since 1997, the frog population has dropped _(1)_ 2 percent every year. Some frog species have completely _(2)_. No one can be sure why this is happening, but a number of scientists are looking into it. Joe Pechmann, a professor at the University of New Orleans, has been studying frogs for 18 years. He believes there are several stresses on our planet that are killing off frogs. These problems _(3)_ pollution, global warming and loss of the frog habitat due to human population growth. Pechmann warns the loss of frogs should be taken seriously. "It makes sense in theory that what happens to frogs will happen to us," he said. Even if we aren't at _(4)_, we may have to take _(5)_ for the extinction of frog species that have managed to survive for millions of years before man. 按照科學家的說法，青蛙正逐漸從地球上消失。自一九九七年以來，青蛙的數目每年約減少百分之二，某些品種的青蛙已經完全絕跡。沒有人能確定為什麼會發生這種事情，不過有不少科學家正在調查這件事情。新奧爾良大學的教授喬‧派克曼研究青蛙已有十八年之久。他認為我們的星（地）球上存在著若干壓力，這些壓力才是造成青蛙數目減少的元凶。這些問題包括了污染、全球暖化以及因為人口增加而造成青蛙棲息地的喪失。派克曼警告，大家應該正視青蛙減少的問題。他說：『理論上，會發生在青蛙身上的也會發生在我們身上。』這句話很有道理，即使我們尚未瀕臨危險，但對於比人類早幾百萬年就存活在世上的青蛙而言，牠們的絕種我們人類也許該負起責任。 單字一點通 1.species n. 物種, 種類 (單複數同形) 2.habitat n. (動物的)棲息地 片語大補帖 1.look into... 調查…… 2.kill off... 滅絕……; 將……撲殺殆盡 3.make sense 有意義 4.in theory 理論而言 in practice 實際上 |
| Airplanes, heights and spiders are things that many people fear. However, if the thought of speaking in public makes you ill, then you are not _(6)_. Surveys show that public speaking is the number one fear for most people. However, there are _(7)_ things you can do to reduce your anxieties. First, be well prepared and know your subject, making sure you're familiar with the topic you're supposed to talk about. Next, practice beforehand. Saying something out loud will help you remember what you have to say. Lastly, you can _(8)_ a course in public speaking. Toastmasters is an international group which helps people _(9)_ their fear of speaking in public. If all else fails, remember the _(10)_ advice. Imagine that everyone in the audience is naked. This way, you will feel less embarrassed. 飛機、高度、蜘蛛都是很多人害怕的。不過，如果想到要在大庭廣眾之前演講就使你害怕，這樣的人不單單只有你一個人。研究調查顯示，公共演說是大多數人的頭號恐懼。不過，你仍舊可以做一些事情來減少你的焦慮不安。 首先，要瞭解你的演講主題並且要有充分準備，即務必要熟悉你預備要談的話題是什麼。其次，要事先加以練習。大聲唸出東西有助於記住要講的內容。最後，你也可以選修公共演說的課程。『演說人俱樂部』是一個專門幫人們克服公共演說恐懼症的國際性組織。如果其它一切都派不上用場，不妨記住這個古老的建言：假想在場的每一位聽眾都一絲不掛。這樣一來，你就不會感到那麼尷尬了。 單字一點通 1.spider n. 蜘蛛 2.reduce vt. 減少 3.anxiety n. 憂慮 4.naked a. 赤裸的 片語大補帖 in public 公開地 in private 私下地 |
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