●Reading閱讀英文
World’s Fairs, known today as World 1)Expositions (or Expos for short), are large public exhibitions held regularly around the world. Expos serve a number of purposes: they give host cities the opportunity to stage a world-class event; they 2)facilitate international cultural exchange and understanding; and allow participating countries to enhance their 3)reputations through a process called “nation branding.” Expos are international exhibitions organized around 4)diverse themes like transportation, technology and 5)horticulture.
World Expos date all the way back to 1851, when the first World’s Fair was held in London. The Great Exhibition, as it is known today, was the first-ever international exhibition of 6)manufactured products.
●中譯
萬國博覽會，現名世界博覽會（或簡稱世博會 (Expos)），是定期於世界各地舉辦的大型公開展覽。舉辦世博會有數個目的：給予主辦城市策畫世界級盛事的機會、促進國際文化交流與了解、也讓參與國得以透過所謂的「國家品牌行銷」過程來提高聲譽。世博會是依多元主題規畫的國際展覽會，如交通運輸、科技和園藝。
世界博覽會的源起可回溯至 1851 年，當時在倫敦舉行首屆萬國博覽會。這項如今俗稱「大博覽會」的盛會，是史上第一場工業製品的國際展覽會。
英檢字彙 Vocabulary Bank
1) exposition (n.) 博覽會，展覽會，常簡稱為 expo
Are you planning on going to the trade exposition?
2) facilitate (v.) 促進，使便利
Some think cutting taxes will facilitate economic recovery.
3) reputation (n.) 名譽，名聲
The scandal destroyed the senator’s reputation.
4) diverse (a.) 多元的，不同的
(n.) diversity 多元性，不同
San Francisco is a culturally diverse city.
5) horticulture (n.) 園藝
Thousands of horticulture enthusiasts attended the flower show.
6) manufactured (a.) 製造的
(v.) manufacture
The country mainly exports manufactured goods.
英語通 Language Guide
The Origin of World’s Fairs 世界博覽會起源
19 世紀正值西方殖民蓬勃階段，英國可謂當時殖民國的龍頭。為了展現雄厚國力，並與 1844年法國在巴黎舉辦的「法國工業展」(French Industrial Exposition) 相互較勁，世界博覽會 (World’s Fair) 在維多利亞女王 (Queen Victoria) 的全力支持下於 1851 年舉辦，取名為「各國工業大展」(The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations)，簡稱為「大博覽會」 (The Great Exhibition)。
The Great Exhibition 舉辦地點為倫敦海德公園 (Hyde Park) 中的水晶宮 (The Crystal Palace)。以代表進步工業的鋼鐵與玻璃建造的水晶宮內巨木參天，暗示當時「人定勝天」戰勝自然的意識型態，為 19 世紀的建築奇觀，也是工業革命的重要象徵建築。
●Reading閱讀英文
Subsequent Fairs focused on industry and inventions up until the 1930s, when a shift to more human themes took place. Cultural exchange, the future, and man’s place in the world replaced industry as the 1)focal point of World’s Fairs.
2)Fast-forward to the present day and another international exhibition, the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, is 3)under way in our very own backyard. While somewhat smaller in scope than a World Expo, the Flora Expo hopes to draw 6 million visitors, who will have a chance to learn about green technology, 4)urban greening efforts, and the amazing diversity of Taiwan’s plants and flowers. If you haven’t been yet, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience an international exhibition firsthand.
●中譯
之後幾屆萬博會的焦點都擺在工業與發明，直到 1930 年代才趨向更人文的主題，文化交流、未來世界，以及人類在世界的位置，取代工業成為萬國博覽會的焦點。
快轉至今天，另一場國際博覽會，2010 年台北國際花卉博覽會，正在我國進行。雖然規模比起世博會是小了點，但花博仍可望吸引 600 萬名遊客，他們將有機會認識環保科技、城市綠化工作，以及琳瑯滿目的台灣植物和花卉。如果你還沒去過，這是親自體驗國際博覽會的絕佳良機。
英檢字彙 Vocabulary Bank
1) focal point (n.) 焦點，中心
The woman’s children are the focal point her life.
2) fast-forward (v.) 快進，快轉
Let’s fast-forward through the commercials.
3) under way (phr.) 正在進行中的
Preparations for the wedding are already under way.
4) urban greening (phr.) 城市綠化
The urban greening project will include several new parks.
EZ 好用句型Tongue-tied No More
in one’s own backyard 自己國內／城市內，在自家附近
backyard 是家中的「後院」，但在 in one’s own backyard通常不是真的指一座後院花園，而是引申為國內／城市內，或是距離自己很近、經常遊走的地方。
A: I can’t believe how many houses were destroyed in the hurricane.
我真是不敢相信這次的颶風毀了多少房子。
B: Yeah. I never imagined such a major disaster could happen in our own backyard.
是啊。我從沒有想像過這種大災難竟然會發生在自家附近。
英語通 Language Guide
Flora 花神芙羅拉
看到台北花博會的英文名稱 (Taipei International Flora Expo)，會不會對 Flora 這個字感到很陌生？或是很驚訝自己的名字怎麼變成花博標題了？這 Flora 其實是羅馬女神──花神芙羅，但有趣的是，在希臘羅馬神話的記載中，花神祭 (Flora Rites) 的慶祝方式通常是以粗糙不雅的鬧劇 (farce) 進行。雖然最早的花神芙羅拉祭典不是那麼符合我們的想像，但至少我們現在可以確定：人們對於 Flora 這個典故 (allusion) 的想像，如今已經因時空的不同而改變了許多，此外，flora 這個字在英文中有「植物」的意思。
●Reading閱讀英文
As everyone who has attended a recent World Expo knows, the biggest 1)draws are, of course, the national pavilions. Participating countries spend millions of dollars designing and 2)constructing 3)elaborate structures to 4)showcase their products and unique culture. While the costs may be high, the potential returns from increased foreign investment and higher tourist numbers justify the expense. Speaking of costs, host cities also spend huge sums preparing for World Expos. This money goes to site construction, improved transportation 5)infrastructure, and 6)urban renewal. This not only helps make the Expo a success in the short run, but also benefits citizens in the long run.
●中譯
每個去過近幾屆世博會的人都知道，最精彩的當然是各國的主題館。各參與國都會砸下重金設計及建造精美的建築，來展示該國的產品和獨特文化。雖然成本或許很高，但吸引更多外國投資或觀光客帶來的潛在收益，會讓那些錢花得值得。說到成本，主辦城市也會不惜血本籌備世博會。這些經費用於場館興建、改善交通基礎建設以及都市更新，這不僅短期有利於世博圓滿成功，長期來看也造福市民。
英檢字彙 Vocabulary Bank
1) draw (n.) 吸引人的人事物，(v.) draw 畫圖，抽籤
The orcas are the aquariums main draw.
2) construct (v.) 建造
The city plans to construct a new library.
3) elaborate (a.) 製作精巧的，裝飾華麗的
Michael Jackson was famous for his elaborate outfits.
4) showcase (v.) 展示
The singing contest showcases talented young singers.
5) infrastructure (n.) 基本設施
The country’s infrastructure was severely damaged in the war.
6) urban renewal(phr.) 都市更新
The city center is undergoing urban renewal.
英語通 Language Guide
因世博會而興建的著名地標
世界博覽會在世界各國不定期舉辦（最近期的上海世博會是第 41 屆），通常會配合特別的事件（例如 1876 年美國獨立百年紀念）或是主題來舉行。主辦國為了充分展現博覽會特色，會在主辦城市興建宏偉的建築作為展館或襯托，日後大多成為當地地標，甚至是城市／國家象徵。
●Reading閱讀英文
Although there are significant economic benefits to hosting a World Expo, such as increased1)tourism 2)revenue, Expos are not 3)immune to criticism. The Shanghai Expo 2010 planners, for example,displaced 18,000 families to clear land for the 5.28 square km exposition site, the largest on record. And when the Expo ended last October, more than fifty pavilions had to be torn down—that’s a lot of leftover concrete and steel to deal with, which raises questions about Expo 4)sustainability. On the plus side, however, World Expos can leave a valuable legacy for host cities. One of the world’s most beloved landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, was constructed for the Universal Exposition of 1889. Similarly, Seattle’s famed Space Needle was originally the symbol of the 1962 World’s Fair. These are 5)everlasting 6)tributes to the wonderful world of Expos.
●中譯
雖然主辦世界博覽會有龐大的經濟利益，諸如提升觀光收入，但世博會也不能免於批評，例如，2010 上海世博的規畫者就強迫 18000 戶人家遷徙，以清出 5.28 平方公里的土地供博覽會使用──創下史上占地最大紀錄。而世博會於去年 10 月底落幕時，有超過 50 座場館必須拆除──留下大量混凝土和鋼鐵亟待處理，這也替世博會引發了有關永續性的問題。不過，從好的一面來看，世博會可為主辦城市留下彌足珍貴的遺產。全世界最受遊客喜愛的地標之一，艾菲爾鐵塔，就是 1889 年為世界博覽會興建的。同樣地，西雅圖名聞遐邇的太空針塔原本是1962 年萬國博覽會的象徵。這些都是對世博會驚奇世界的永恆證明。
英檢字彙 Vocabulary Bank
1) tourism (n.) 旅遊（業），觀光（業）
The town makes most of its money from tourism.
2) revenue(n.) 收入，稅收
The factory lost revenue during the strike.
3) immune (a.) 不受影響的，免疫的
Few people are immune to criticism.
4) sustainability (n.) 永續性，持續性
Many cities now have sustainability plans.
5) everlasting (a.) 永久的，歷久不衰的
The general’s victory won him everlasting fame.
6) tribute (n.) 證明，體現
The painting is a tribute to the artist’s genius.
EZ 好用句 Tongue-tied No More
on the plus side 往好處想
plus 是「加上的，有利的」，on the plus side 常用在表示樂觀的表達，在我們已經知道事情壞的那一面情況下，常會反向「往好的一面」去想。這個表達也常用 on the bright side，表示「往光明的一面」想。
A: You got laid off from your job? That’s terrible!
你被裁員了？太慘了！
B: Well, on the plus side, I have lots of free time now.
恩，往好處想，我現在有很多閒暇時間。
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