| |  | The Most Prized Instruments 傳世百年的夢幻逸琴 by Ivy Liu | Stradivari's brilliantly▼ constructed artistic instruments are iconic symbols of excellence▼.
史特拉底瓦里完美打造、充滿藝術感的樂器是卓越的象徵。 | Though you may not know much about musical instruments, you may have heard of Antonio Stradivari and the instruments that bear his name, Stradivarii. The name "the Stradivari" or "Stradivarius" is used to signify perfection, much like how Albert Einstein's name is _(1)_ with genius. Stradivari lived in Cremona, Italy, between the 17th and 18th century. Many people _(2)_ him as the only person in his field who ranks beside Vincent van Gogh as an artist. Stradivarii are widely known for the impeccable▼ _(3)_ of sound they create. Out of Stradivari's 1,000 or so instruments, 600 remain and are sought-after▼ by the best musicians worldwide. Cellist▼ Yo-yo Ma uses the Davidov Stradivarius and violinist▼ Joshua Bell plays the Gibson Stradivarius.
During Stradivari's "golden period," he _(4)_ higher quality instruments. Now, these Stradivarii could fetch up to millions of dollars. Though it did not attract a buyer in 2014, a Stradivari viola▼ from his golden period would have been the most expensive instrument in the world. While 400 to 500 violins have _(5)_, only 10 violas have. Because of its rarity▼, the price of the "Macdonald" Stradivari viola was set at a whopping US$45 million. The renowned _(6)_ of Stradivari instruments is featured in various works of fiction: even Sherlock Holmes owns one.
There is a modern theory to explain the supposed unique qualities of Stradivarii. During the Little Ice Age, when Europe and North America had _(7)_ colder winters between 1300 and 1870, tree growth was stunted▼. This _(8)_ denser wood, allowing violins to have almost humanlike "voices." Others believe that the chemicals _(9)_ preserving wood contributed to their beautiful sound. What is certain, however, is that musicians and collectors are _(10)_ about Stradivarii, the most desirable instruments in the world.
(A) regard (B) survived (C) resulted in (D) quality (E) passionate
(F) fame (G) involved in (H) synonymous (I) much (J) produced
|  |  | | | |  | - The name "the Stradivari" or "Stradivarius" is used to signify perfection, much like how Albert Einstein's name is synonymous with genius.
『史特拉底瓦里』或『史特拉底瓦里琴』被用來象徵完美，就好比阿爾伯特•愛因斯坦的名字等同於天才一樣。
理由:
a. 本題測試以下固定用法：
be / become synonymous with... 與……同義
synonymous a. 同義的
The designer's name has become synonymous with fashion and style.
這位設計師的名字已經成為時尚與流行的同義詞。
b. 根據上述用法，(H) 項應為正選。 - Many people regard him as the only person in his field who ranks beside Vincent van Gogh as an artist.
許多人認為他是在他的領域中，唯一能與文森•梵谷齊名的藝術家。
理由:
a. 本題測試以下固定用法：
regard A as B 將 A 視作 B
同: see A as B
= view A as B
= think of A as B
= look upon A as B
Allen regards his wife's family as his own.
亞倫將他妻子的家人視為自己的家人。
b. 根據上述用法，(A) 項應為正選。 - Stradivarii are widely known for the impeccable quality of sound they create.
史特拉底瓦里琴以它們所製造出的完美音質而廣為人知。
理由:
a. 空格前有形容詞 impeccable（完美的），空格後有介詞 of，得知空格應置名詞以被 impeccable 修飾。
b. 選項中為名詞的有 (D) quality（品質）及 (F) fame（名氣），惟根據語意，(D) 項應為正選。
c. quality n. 品質 & a. 優質的
The store guarantees that the quality of their products is excellent.
這家店保證他們商品的品質一流。
These bags are made of quality leather.
這些包包是用高級的皮革製成的。
＊leather n. 皮革 - During Stradivari's "golden period," he produced higher quality instruments.
在史特拉底瓦里的『黃金時期』中，他打造品質更好的樂器。
理由:
a. 空格前有代名詞 he（他）作主詞，空格後有名詞詞組 higher quality instruments（品質更好的樂器），得知空格應置及物動詞或片語動詞。
b. 選項中符合上述的尚有 (B) survived（從……存活）、(C) resulted in（導致）及 (J) produced（製造），惟根據語意，(J) 項應為正選。
c. produce vt. 製作；生產
This region produces the best wine in France.
這個地區生產法國最佳的葡萄酒。 - While 400 to 500 violins have survived, only 10 violas have.
儘管有四百至五百把小提琴留存至今，卻只有十把中提琴留了下來。
理由:
a. 空格前有表完成式的助動詞 have，得知空格應置過去分詞形的不及物動詞。
b. 選項中符合上述的僅有 (B) survived（存活），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. survive vi. & vt. 倖存，活下來
This kind of plant doesn't need a lot of water to survive.
這種植物不需要很多水就能存活。
The girl survived the accident with only a scratch.
那個女孩在那場意外中倖免於難，僅受到一些擦傷而已。
＊scratch n. 擦傷 - The renowned fame of Stradivari instruments is featured in various works of fiction: even Sherlock Holmes owns one.
史特拉底瓦里樂器的響亮名氣也在許多小說作品中出現：甚至連夏洛克•福爾摩斯都擁有一把。
理由:
a. 空格前有形容詞 renowned（有名的），空格後有介詞 of，得知空格應置名詞以被 renowned 修飾。
b. 選項中為名詞的僅剩 (F) fame（名氣），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. fame n. 名氣，名聲
Patrick achieved great fame as a photographer.
派翠克成了聲名大噪的攝影家。 - During the Little Ice Age, when Europe and North America had much colder winters between 1300 and 1870, tree growth was stunted.
在小冰期期間，當時歐洲與北美在 1300 年至 1870 年間的冬天更為寒冷，樹的生長受到阻礙。
理由:
a. 本題測試可用來修飾比較級形容詞或副詞的副詞，共計有以下六個：
far, much, a lot, a great deal, still, even
Those who smoke have a much higher risk of getting cancer.
抽菸的人罹患癌症的機會高出很多。
b. 根據上述用法，(I) 項應為正選。 - This resulted in denser wood, allowing violins to have almost humanlike "voices."
這導致木頭密度更高，使得小提琴擁有幾乎和人類一樣的『聲音』。
理由:
a. 空格前有指示代名詞 This（這），空格後有名詞詞組 denser wood（木頭密度更高），得知空格應置及物動詞或片語動詞。
b. 選項中符合上述的僅剩 (C) resulted in（導致），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. result in... 導致……
同: lead to...
The bad economy resulted in more homeless people in the city.
經濟情況惡劣導致這城市的遊民愈來愈多。 - Others believe that the chemicals involved in preserving wood contributed to their beautiful sound.
其他人則相信用以保存木頭的化學物質造就了它們優美的音色。
理由:
a. 原句實為："... that chemicals which were involved in preserving..."
此處省略關係代名詞 which，其後 be 動詞 were 變為現在分詞 being 後可省略，省略後即成本句。
b. 根據上述，(G) 項應為正選。
c. be involved in... 涉入／牽涉……
The media reported that the politician was involved in the scandal.
媒體報導那位政治人物涉及該醜聞。 - What is certain, however, is that musicians and collectors are passionate about Stradivarii, the most desirable instruments in the world.
然而可以確定的是，音樂家和收藏家都相當熱愛這全球最令人嚮往的樂器 ── 史特拉底瓦里琴。
理由:
a. 本題測試以下固定用法：
be passionate about... 熱愛……
passionate a. 熱情的；熱愛的
Joan is very passionate about traveling.
瓊安相當熱衷旅行。
b. 根據上述用法，(E) 項應為正選。 | | | |  | ▼ brilliantly adv. 出色地
▼ excellence n. 卓越，優秀
▼ impeccable a. 無可挑剔的
▼ sought-after a. 搶手的，熱門的
▼ cellist n. 大提琴家
▼ violinist n. 小提琴家
▼ viola n. 中提琴
衍: cello n. 大提琴
▼ rarity n. 稀有
▼ a whopping + 數字 極大的……（數字）
衍: whopping a. 巨大的
▼ stunt vt. 阻礙……的生長 | |  | - bear sb's name 以某人的方式命名
There's an investment bank that bears Ollie's name in New York City.
紐約市有一間以歐利的名字命名的投資銀行。 - 數字 + or so 約……（數目）左右
Sue is expected to make a full recovery in a week or so.
小蘇預計大約一週後會完全康復。 - contribute to... 導致……
同: bring about...
= give rise to...
Winston's bad eating habits contributed to his weight gain.
溫斯頓不良的飲食習慣導致他體重增加。 | |  | - instrument n. 樂器
同: a musical instrument
Egnes is good at playing many kinds of musical instruments.
艾格妮絲很擅長彈奏許多樂器。 - artistic a. 富有藝術性的
Renoir's paintings have great artistic value.
雷諾瓦的畫作具有很高的藝術價值。 - iconic a. 代表性的，指標性的
衍: icon n.（電腦）圖像；象徵
That iconic logo is easily recognized everywhere in the world.
那個指標性的商標在世界上任何地方都很容易認得出來。
Just click on the icon and the file will open.
只要用滑鼠在圖像上點一下，檔案就會開啟。 - Stradivarii n. 史特拉底瓦里製造的琴（或其他弦樂器）（複數）
衍: Stradivarius n. 史特拉底瓦里製造的琴（或其他弦樂器）（單數） - signify vt. 表示，象徵
Penn's high blood pressure signifies that he is under a lot of stress at work.
潘恩的高血壓顯示他承受許多工作壓力。 - perfection n. 完美
- genius n. 天才；天賦
衍: have a genius for... 有……的天賦
= have a talent for...
Debbie showed she had a genius for music at a very young age.
黛比在很小的時候就展現出音樂天賦。 - fetch vt. 售得（若干價錢）；取來，拿來
Queen Elizabeth's diamonds are expected to fetch over one million dollars at the auction.
伊莉莎白女王的鑽石在拍賣會上的價格預估會超過一百萬元。
Please fetch me a glass of water with lemon.
請幫我拿杯檸檬水來。 - feature vt. 以……為特色
The program featured some of my favorite singers.
這個節目介紹了幾位我最喜歡的歌手。 - fiction n. 虛構小說（不可數）
衍: science fiction 科幻小說 - supposed a. 被認為的；傳聞的；假定的
衍: be supposed to V 應該（做）……
Casper was supposed to be at work before noon, but he got stuck in traffic.
凱斯伯應在中午前回到公司，但卻被困在車陣中。 - dense a. 密度高的
- preserve vt. 保存；維護
It is important to preserve traditional customs.
維護傳統習俗是很重要的。 - desirable a. 令人嚮往的；富有魅力的
Tom Hiddleston was chosen by the magazine as one of the most desirable bachelors in the UK.
湯姆•希德斯頓被該雜誌選為英國最富魅力的單身漢之ㄧ。
＊bachelor n. 單身漢 | | | |
 | 傳世百年的夢幻逸琴
史特拉底瓦里完美打造、充滿藝術感的樂器是卓越的象徵。
也許你可能不太瞭解樂器，但你或許曾聽過安東尼奧•史特拉底瓦里和以他的名字為名的樂器：史特拉底瓦里琴。『史特拉底瓦里』或『史特拉底瓦里琴』被用來象徵完美，就好比阿爾伯特•愛因斯坦的名字等同於天才一樣。史特拉底瓦里於十七至十八世紀間居住在義大利克里蒙納。許多人認為他是在他的領域中，唯一能與文森•梵谷齊名的藝術家。史特拉底瓦里琴以它們所製造出的完美音質而廣為人知。在史特拉底瓦里所打造的一千多件樂器中，有六百件留存下來，世界各地最優秀的藝術家均夢寐以求。大提琴家馬友友使用名琴戴維朵夫（Davidov Stradivarius），小提琴家約書亞•貝爾則使用名琴吉柏森（Gibson Stradivarius）。
在史特拉底瓦里的『黃金時期』中，他打造品質更好的樂器。時至今日，這些史特拉底瓦里琴可以售得高達數百萬美元。雖然一把在他黃金時期製造的史特拉底瓦里中提琴於 2014 年並未吸引任何買家，但它有可能是世上最昂貴的樂器。儘管有四百至五百把小提琴留存至今，卻只有十把中提琴留了下來。由於它的稀有性，一把『麥唐納』史特拉底瓦里中提琴的訂價為天價四千五百萬美元。史特拉底瓦里樂器的響亮名氣也在許多小說作品中出現：甚至連夏洛克•福爾摩斯都擁有一把。
有個現代理論能夠解釋史特拉底瓦里琴所謂的獨特品質。在小冰期期間，當時歐洲與北美在 1300 年至 1870 年間的冬天更為寒冷，樹的生長受到阻礙。這導致木頭密度更高，使得小提琴擁有幾乎和人類一樣的『聲音』。其他人則相信用以保存木頭的化學物質造就了它們優美的音色。然而可以確定的是，音樂家和收藏家都相當熱愛這全球最令人嚮往的樂器 ── 史特拉底瓦里琴。 答案： 1. H 2. A 3. D 4. J 5. B 6. F 7. I 8. C 9. G 10. E | | | |  |  | 2016 Back to School！全館套書75折！
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