The snow monsters of northern Japan have been celebrated for centuries. In fact, these natural formationsused tobe more widespreadacross northern Japan. As recently as 100 years ago, the iconicsnow-covered trees were recorded as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Ishikawa Prefecture in central Honshu. However, as average temperatures have slowly increased over the decades, the areas where the snow monsters appear have gradually shrunk.
In addition to the constant cold winds coming from Siberia, snow monsters require a consistenttemperature close to freezing at high altitudes, ideally between -10 and -15 degrees Celsius. Warmer temperatures make it difficult for the snow and ice to adhere tothe evergreentree branches. In recent years, some researchers have expressed concern that climate change may cause the snow monsters to disappear completely within the next century.
In summer, the temperature can get as high as nearly 40 degrees Celsius in this area, but in winter it's much colder.
夏天時，這地區的氣溫可能高達攝氏近 40 度，但冬天時這裡天氣變得更冷。
高中 Level 6
●
evergreen
[ˋɛvɚ͵grin]
n. . 常青 / 綠植物（可數）
a. （植物）常青 / 綠的；歷久不衰的
My grandfather told me the tree in his garden was an evergreen.
祖父告訴我他花園裡的那棵樹是一棵常青樹。
Ken’s property is huge. There are many large evergreen
trees on all sides of it, and they act as a type of fence.
肯的房子很大。四邊都有很多大的常青樹可充當作籬笆。
Yesterday by The Beatles is an evergreen song that
people enjoy listening to, even though it is decades
old.
〈昨日〉是披頭四樂團歷久不衰的歌曲，即使這歌已有幾十年
的歷史了，大家仍很喜歡聽。
高中 Level 6
●
troubling
a. 令人煩惱的
●
formation
[fɔrˋmeʃən]
n. 形成，構成；（軍語）隊形
The army played a part in the formation of the young man’s character.
這位年輕人性格的形成有一部分受軍中的影響。
The soldiers marched in parade formation.
這些士兵以閱兵隊形行進。
高中 Level 4
●
widespread
[ˋwaɪd͵sprɛd]
a. 普遍的；廣泛的
=
general
=
universal
The widespread use of computers has made it more convenient to communicate.
電腦的廣泛使用讓溝通更加方便了。
The new policy has received widespread support.
新的政策受到廣泛支持。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
iconic
[aɪˋkɑnɪk]
a. 代表性的，指標性的
One of the most iconic landmarks in the world is the Eiffel Tower.
世界上最具指標性的地標之一就是艾菲爾鐵塔。
●
shrink
[ʃrɪŋk]
vt. & vi. 縮小
三態
shrink / shrank [ʃræŋk] / shrunk [ʃrʌŋk]
Cotton clothes usually shrink in the dryer.
棉質衣服烘乾後通常會縮小。
Hot water shrinks woolen clothes.
熱水會使毛線衣縮水。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
consistent
[kənˋsɪstənt]
a. 前後一致的；一貫的；符合的
Raymond is not consistent in his opinions.
雷蒙的意見前後不一致。
The author has a consistent style of writing.
這位作者保有一貫的寫作風格。
John’s actions are consistent with his words.
約翰言行一致
John’s actions are in accord with his words.
約翰言行一致
John’s actions correspond with his words.
約翰言行一致
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
slightly
[ˋslaɪtlɪ]
adv. 輕微地；稍微地
September's sales were slightly worse than the average.
九月的業績比平均略差了些。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
sustainable
[səˋstenəb!]
a. 可維持的；可持續的
Experts doubted that the rapid increase in the stock market was sustainable and warned values would likely decline soon.
專家懷疑股市快速上漲是否能維持，並警告股價可能很快會下跌。
Solar and wind power are two examples of sustainable energy resources that have become more common over the years.
太陽能和風能是兩個這幾年來越見普遍的永續能源例子。
高中 Level 5
●
prediction
[prɪˋdɪkʃən]
n. 預測
So far it’s still very difficult for scientists to makeaccurate predictions about earthquakes.
到目前為止，科學家要對地震做出準確的預測仍然很困難。
高中 Level 4
●
predict
[prɪˋdɪkt]
vt. 預測
=
foretell
Dad predicted that I would win the contest, and he was right.
老爸預測我會贏得這次的比賽，結果他是對的。
高中 Level 4
●
hopefully
[ˋhopfəlɪ]
adv. 但願
Hopefully, Adam will be able to get over his failure and move on. 但願亞當能夠走出失敗的陰影，繼續向前邁進。
英檢中級
●
magnificent
[mægˋnɪfəsənt]
a. 非凡的，華麗的
=
grand
=
superb
Michael Jordan unveiled a magnificent statue of himself.
邁可•喬登為一尊他自己的雄偉雕像揭幕。
I was attracted to the magnificent view of the valley.
我被山谷壯麗的景觀給吸引住了。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
vanish
[ˋvænɪʃ]
vi. 消失
=
disappear
Many ancient civilizations have vanished mysteriously.
許多古文明都已神祕消失了。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
Practical Phrases
●
used to V
以前曾……，過去曾經……
Tony used to live in Taipei, but he moved to Taichung last month.
東尼以前住在臺北，但他上個月搬去臺中了。
Tom used to live in New York when he was a little boy.
湯姆小時候曾住過紐約。
●
adhere to
附著在⋯⋯
This paint will adhere to any surface, whether rough or smooth.
不論表面是粗糙還是光滑，這種漆都能附著上去。
