Modern medicine has played a very prominent role in recent human history, and many believe that it is the primary reason behind our extendedlifespans. However, some people want more natural treatment options and are turning their backs on modern medicine. Instead of taking pills, they’re opting foralternative medicine. Currently, one of the most popular trends involves using various crystals. It is believed that they have different healing __1__ to help treat our illnesses.
Crystals have been around for thousands of years and have been mentioned throughout ancient history. Their use has been referred to in Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Roman records. Perhaps, after being __2__ by their beauty, intriguing shapes, and colors, people began believing they carried mystical powers.
Although there’s no __3__ to support crystals’ healingbenefits, there are still those who swear by them. They believe that crystals can help increase the flow of good energy within both the body and mind. Many also claim they can get rid of __4__ energy while also providing physical and emotionalbenefits.
Certain crystals are associated with specific benefits. Clear quartz, __5__, is said to improve memory and stimulate the immune system. If you’ve been feeling a bit blue lately, a citrine crystal might help balance your emotions and bring you a sense of joy. When you feel the need for a fresh start, a moonstone can help you move forward. It can also bring you success and good fortune. There are crystals for just about everything. If you have an open mind, give them a try. They may offer a cure for what troubles you.
5. (A) likewise (B) in contrast (C) for example (D) on one hand
答案： 1. D 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. C
Tips & Analysis
1. It is believed that they have different healing properties to help treat our illnesses. 理由
a. (A) opinion [ J`pInyJn ] n. 意見 • The politician refused to express any opinion on the scandal. 該政治人物拒絕對那件醜聞表達意見。
(B) standard [ `stAndKd ] n. 標準 • Despite his pay cut, Andy won’t reduce his standard of living. 儘管被減薪，安迪仍不願降低他的生活水準。
(C) invitation [ :InvJ`teSJn ] n. 請柬；邀請 • Audrey declined my invitation to dinner. 奧黛莉婉拒了我一同晚餐的邀約。
(D) property [ `prapKtI ] n. 性質 • The new chemical has unusual properties. 這種新的化學物質有不尋常的特性。
b. 根據語意，目前，最流行的趨勢之一是使用各種水晶，人們相信它們有不同的療癒「性質」可幫助治療疾病，故 (D) 項應為正選。
2. Perhaps, after being awed by their beauty, intriguing shapes, and colors, people began believing they carried mystical powers. 理由
a. (A) decline [ dI`klZIn ] vt. 婉拒 • My initial reaction was to decline the offer. 我最初的反應是婉拒這個提議。
(B) threaten [ `HrEtN ] vt. 威脅 • The teenager was punished for threatening to hit his classmate. 那名少年因威脅要打同學而受罰。
(C) awe [ O ] vt. 使驚歎；使敬畏（常用被動語態） • They were awed into silence by the ancient buildings. 那些古代建築令他們肅然起敬。
(D) urge [ Rdj ] vt. 力勸，勸誘 • We urged Jenny to be careful, but she didn’t listen. 我們勸珍妮要小心，但她卻不聽。
b. 根據語意，也許在被水晶的美麗、迷人的形狀和顏色所「歎服」之後，人們開始相信它們擁有神祕的力量，故 (C) 項應為正選。
3. Although there’s no scientific evidence to support crystals’ healingbenefits, there are still those who swear by them. 理由
a. (A) 法律建議 advice [ Jd`vZIs ] n. 建議，忠告（不可數） • You may be right, so I will take your advice. 你很可能是對的，因此我會接受你的建議。
(B) 科學證據 evidence [ `EvJdJns ] n. 證明，證據（不可數） • You must provide evidence to back up your assertions. 你必須提出證據來支持你的主張。
(C) 肢體語言 • Body language is an important form of communication. 肢體語言是一種重要的溝通形式。
(D) 化學反應 reaction [ rI`AkSJn ] n. 反應 • We were all surprised at Helen’s reaction to her husband’s affair. 海倫對於她先生外遇的反應讓我們很驚訝。
b. 上一段最後一句提到，也許被水晶所歎服之後，人們開始相信它們擁有神祕力量，這雖然沒有「科學證據」支持，但仍然有人非常相信，故 (B) 項應為正選。
4. Many also claim they can get rid of negative energy while also providing physical and emotionalbenefits. 理由
a. (A) negative [ `nEgJtIv ] a. 負面的，消極的 • I am often a negative person, but I’m trying to be more positive. 我這個人思想通常較負面，但我試著要更正向一點。
(B) defensive [ dI`fEnsIv ] a. 防禦的 • Don’t be so defensive. I didn’t mean what I said to be taken as a criticism. 防衛心別那麼強。我說的話並沒有批評的意思。
(C) effective [ I`fEktIv ] a. 有效的 • It’s about time that we took effective measures to improve the economy. 該是我們採取有效措施來改善經濟的時候了。
(D) impressive [ Im`prEsIv ] a. 印象深刻的 • I found the pianist’s performance very impressive. 我覺得這位鋼琴家的表演令人印象非常深刻。
b. 空格前一句提到，有人相信水晶可以幫助增加身心靈的良好能量流動，空格後提到同時還提供身體和情緒上的好處，可知選項應和水晶的益處有關，根據語意，許多人還聲稱水晶可以擺脫「負」能量，故 (A) 項應為正選。
5. Clear quartz, for example, is said to improve memory and stimulate the immune system. 理由 a. (A) likewise [ `lZIk:wZIz ] adv. 同樣地 • I will respect your privacy. Likewise, I hope you will respect mine. 我會尊重你的隱私。同樣地，我也希望你尊重我的。
(B) in contrast 相對地 • Sarah is usually quiet. In contrast, her brother is always noisy. 莎拉通常很沉默。相對地，她的弟弟總是吵吵鬧鬧。
(C) for example 舉例來說 • There are many ways to learn English. For example, you can read English magazines. 有很多方法可以學習英語。例如，你可以閱讀英文雜誌。
(D) on one hand 不單獨使用，通常與 on the other hand 並用，形成下列用法： on (the) one hand... on the other (hand)... 一方面……另一方面…… • On one hand, I Ioved the sound effects of the movie. On the other, the plot was too predictable. 一方面，我喜歡那部電影的音效。另一方面，劇情太好猜了。
b. 空格前一句提到某些水晶與特定的益處相關，空格所在的句子則說，據說白水晶可以改善記憶力和促進免疫系統，可知本句是在「舉例」說明，故 (C) 應為正選。
Practical Phrases
1. turn one’s back on... 避開或拒絕接受……；轉過身不理…… • I would never turn my back on my wife if she became ill. 若我太太生病，我絕不會丟下她。
2. opt for... 選擇…… • After graduating, I opted for a career teaching English. 畢業後，我選擇了英語教學的職業。
3. refer to... 提到……；指的是…… • This book begins by referring to the early history of China. 這本書一開始提到了中國的早期歷史。 • I was referring to what the professor said in his lecture when I made that comment. 我作出那個評論時，指的是教授演講中所說的話。
4. swear by... 極其信賴……的功用，認定……很有用 • My grandma swears by tiger balm. 我祖母十分相信萬金油的療效。
5. get rid of... 擺脫…… • For me, singing at a KTV with friends is the best way to get rid of depression. 對我來說，和朋友去 KTV 唱歌是擺脫沮喪最好的方法。
6. be associated with... 和……有關聯 • Many traffic accidents are associated with drinking alcohol. 許多交通事故都與喝酒有關。
7. give... a try 試試看…… • It isn’t easy to master this game, but give it a try. 這個遊戲不容易上手，不過試試看吧。
Words in Use
1. healing [ ˋhilɪŋ ] a. 治療的，有療效的 • In addition to their pleasing appearance, crystals are also used for their healing abilities. 水晶除了有賞心悅目的外表，其治療能力也會被運用。
2. prominent [ ˋprɑmənənt ] a. 重要的；顯著的 • The author of the book is a prominent scientist. 該書的作者是一位知名的科學家。
3. extended [ ɪkˋstɛndɪd ] a. 伸長的，延長的 • Ian ran to greet Anna with extended arms. 伊恩展臂跑去迎接安娜。
4. involve [ ɪnˋvɑlv ] vt. 涉及，牽涉；包含 • Writing the book about the war involved a lot of research. 撰寫這本關於戰爭的書涉及大量研究。
5. benefit [ ˋbɛnəfɪt ] n. 好處，利益 • The new hospital will bring many benefits to the small town. 新建的醫院會帶給該座小鎮許多好處。
6. emotional[ ɪˋmoʃən! ] a. 情緒上的 emotion [ I`moSJn ] n. 感情，情緒 • The doctor attributed Lisa’s stomach ulcers to emotional problems. 醫師將麗莎的胃潰瘍歸因於情緒問題。 • Our facial expressions often reveal our emotions. 我們臉上的表情通常會洩漏我們的情緒。
7. fortune [ ˋfɔrtʃən ] n. 幸運（不可數） • It is common practice for people in Taiwan to pray for good fortune. 在臺灣，人們向神明祈求好運是很普遍的習俗。
More to Learn
pill [ pIl ] n. 藥丸 take pills 吃藥丸（非 eat pills） • Read the directions carefully before taking the pills. 服藥之前要仔細看一下使用說明。
以下介紹各種型態的藥物： a. tablet [ ˋtæblɪt ] n. 藥片
• The medicine comes in both liquid and tablet form. 該藥物有液態和藥片兩種。
b. caplet [ ˋkæplɪt ] n. 橢圓形藥錠
• Before going to bed, I have to take one caplet of medicine. 在就寢之前，我得吃一錠藥。
c. capsule [ ˋkæps! ] n. 膠囊
• The doctor offered Todd the medicine in a capsule and told him to take one before breakfast every day. 醫生給陶德膠囊式的藥物，並告訴他每日要於早餐前服用一顆。
d. powder [ ˋpaʊdɚ ] n. 藥粉
• If you have a headache, you should try this powder. 如果你頭痛，應該試試這種藥粉。
e. liquid [ ˋlɪkwɪd ] n. 藥水
• That medicine is available in liquid form. 那種藥的藥水現在有出售。
f. drops [ drɑps ] n. 滴劑（恆用複數）
eye / ear / nose drops 眼藥水∕滴耳劑∕滴鼻劑 • If you have any eye problems, go to see an eye doctor. Don’t rely on those eye drops. 如果你眼睛有任何問題，就去看眼科醫師。不要只是依賴那些眼藥水。
Words for Reference
◆ lifespan [ ˋlaɪfˋspæn ] n. 壽命 ◆ option [ ˋɑpʃən ] n. 選擇 ◆ alternative [ ɔlˋtɝnətɪv ] a. 替代的 ◆ intriguing [ ɪnˈtriːgɪŋ ] a. 迷人的，令人好奇的 ◆ mystical [ ˋmɪstɪk! ] a. 超自然的；神祕的 ◆ stimulate [ ˋstɪmjə͵let ] vt. 促進，刺激 ◆ immune [ ɪˋmjun ] a. 免疫的
