When it comes to popular symbols of marriage, one cannot look pastthe wedding ring. The wedding ring serves asa perfect symbol of everlasting love—a ring is a circle and thus has no beginning or end, representing the never-ending union of marriage. Wedding rings have long and rich histories.
Evidence suggests that wedding rings were used in ancient Egypt around 6,000 years ago. However, unlike the metals and gemstonesused today, they were crafted from materials such as reeds, leather, or bone. In the centuries that followed, the wedding ring tradition waspicked upin the West, where it spread first in ancient Rome and Greece, subsequently throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, and eventually to Eastern culture. Throughout history, the circular shape of the ring has endured, and so has the tradition of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand. The latter practicestemmed froman ancient belief that a veinran directly from this finger to the heart. Although this belief has since been debunked, the custom has persisted.
Regarding customs surrounding wedding rings, there was a time when only the bridewore a wedding ring. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the practice of groomswearing rings gained popularity. This change was influenced by soldiers going offto war, who wore rings as reminders of their loved ones waiting for them at home. Today, the exchange of wedding rings remains an integral part of the wedding ceremony, symbolizing the commitment and love shared between two individuals embarking ona life together.
Wedding rings hold a symbolic significance that binds the two members of a married couple. In an ever-changing world, the wedding ring stands as an ancient tradition that is likely to continue for generations to come, reflecting the timeless and eternal love celebrated through marriage.
1. What is the main reason wedding rings are considered symbols of marriage?
(A) They are made of precious materials.
(B) They have profound histories.
(C) They are worn on left hands.
(D) They have circular shapes.
2. According to the passage, what is an example of a common myth instead of a fact?
(A) Women were wearing wedding rings long before men were.
(B) One finger on the left hand contains a vein leading to the heart.
(C) Both ancient Romans and Egyptians wore the ring on the same finger.
(D) The wedding ring tradition began in Egypt thousands of years ago.
3. Which of the following aspects of a wedding ring is NOT discussed in the passage?
(A) How the tradition of it spread around the world.
(B) What couples do with their wedding rings.
(C) How to choose suitable wedding rings.
(D) Materials used to make early rings.
4. How does the author feel about the tradition of wedding rings?
(A) It will most likely last forever.
(B) It has already fallen out of date.
(C) It should be taken more seriously.
(D) It holds no significance in modern society.
答案: 1.D 2.B 3.C 4.A
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
gemstone
[ˋdʒɛm͵ston]
n. 寶石
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reed
[rid]
n. （管樂器的）簧片，蘆葦
●
vein
[ven]
n. 靜脈
Amanda’s fever was gone shortly after the nurse injected some medicine into her veins.
護理師把一些藥注射進亞曼達的靜脈裡沒多久，她就退燒了。
高中 Level 5
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debunk
[ˋdiˋbʌŋk]
vt. 證明（思想或觀念）錯誤
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bride
[braɪd]
n. 新娘
Kent introduced us to his young bride.
肯特介紹我們認識他年輕的新娘。
高中 Level 3
●
groom
[grum]
n. 新郎
The bride was too embarrassed to kiss the groom in front of so many people.
新娘不好意思在那麼多人面前吻新郎。
高中 Level 4
●
evolution
[͵ɛvəˋluʃən]
n. 進化 ; 發展
=
development
=
progress
We learned about Darwin’s theory of evolution in today’s biology class.
我們在今天的生物課學了達爾文的進化論。
The twentieth century witnessed the evolution of computer technology.
二十世紀見證了電腦科技的進展。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
craft
[kræft]
n. 手藝，工藝；手工藝品（此意恆用複數）
vt. 精心打造
=
handicraft
The furniture maker has been studying his craft for years.
該傢俱製造者研究這門工藝已好幾年了。
I brought some traditional crafts home as souvenirs.
我帶了一些傳統手工藝品回家當作紀念品。
高中 Level 4
●
subsequently
[ˋsʌbsɪ͵kwɛntlɪ]
adv. 後來，接著
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
circular
[ˋsɝkjəlɚ]
a. 圓形的
n. 傳單，通知
=
flyer
The full moon has a circular shape.
滿月的形狀是圓的。
More and more publishers distribute circulars to promote their new books.
越來越多出版社會發傳單宣傳他們的新書。
高中 Level 4
●
endure
[ɪnˋdjʊr]
.vt. 忍耐
=
stand
=
bear
=
tolerate
We must try to endure any pain in our quest for success.
在追求成功的過程中，我們必須設法忍受任何痛苦。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
persist
[pɚˋsɪst]
vi. 堅持；持續
The defendant persisted in his innocence before the judge.
被告在法官面前堅稱自己的無辜。
The defendant insisted on his innocence before the judge.
被告在法官面前堅稱自己的無辜。
Go find a doctor if your headache persists.
如果你頭痛一直持續，還是去找個醫生吧。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
popularity
[͵pɑpjəˋlærətɪ]
n. 聲望；普及，流行
=
reputation
The actor enjoyed great popularity for over twenty years.
這位演員享有很高的聲望達 20 多年之久。
The popularity of the staycation continues to grow due to the pandemic.
由於此次疫情的緣故，宅度假越來越流行。
The director gained popularity after his film was nominated for an Academy Award.
那位導演在電影被提名奧斯卡獎之後便聲名大噪。
高中 Level 4
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integral
[ˋɪntəgrəl/ɪn`tɛgrəl]
a. 不可或缺的
Cooperation is integral to the success of the project.
合作是這項計畫成功不可或缺的要素。
多益金色
英檢中高
●
symbolize
[ˋsɪmb!͵aɪz]
vt. . 象徵，代表
=
represent
In the Bible, lambs symbolize people, and a
shepherd symbolizes Jesus.
在《聖經》裡，小羊代表人民，牧羊人則代表耶穌。
英檢中級
高中 Level 6
●
commitment
[kəˋmɪtmənt]
n. 承諾；奉獻（不可數）
The company makes a commitment to provide quality products to its customers.
該公司承諾提供給客戶高品質的產品。
Peter’s commitmentto work has won the respect of his colleagues.
彼得對工作的奉獻贏得了同事的尊敬。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
ever-changing
a. 不斷改變的
The ever-changing rules for getting a working visa are confusing to many people.
取得工作簽證的規則不斷改變，讓許多人很困惑。
●
profound
[prəˋfaʊnd]
a. 深遠的；很有深度的
Globalization has a profound influence on human life.
全球暖化對人類生活影響深遠。
My friend Joe is no expert, but he does have a profound knowledge of plants.
我的朋友喬不是什麼專家，但他真的很懂植物。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
look past
忽視⋯⋯
●
serve as...
作為⋯⋯之用 / 擔任⋯⋯
This book can serve as a guide to help you learn to cook.
這本書可作為幫助你學習烹調的指南。
Sharon's excellent speaking skills allow her to serve as the host of the event.
雪倫傑出的演講技巧使她得以擔任這場活動的主持人。
●
pick up... / pick... up
接收(訊號...等)；舉起；抱起；提起；獲悉、得知；接(某人)；取(某物)；(便宜地)買到
I was able to pick up a news program from the UK on my radio.
我能用我的收音機收聽一個英國的新聞節目。
●
stem from...
起因於……
The riot that took place over the weekend stemmed from some immigration controversies.
週末的暴動起因於某些有爭議性的移民問題。
●
go off
（鈴聲、鬧鐘等）響起來
Ted was late for work this morning because he didn’t hear the alarm clock going off.
泰德今天早上上班遲到，因為他沒有聽到鬧鐘響。
●
embark on...
開始⋯⋯，著手⋯⋯
Paul embarked on a journey around the continent of South America.
保羅開始了環繞南美洲之旅。
