Leather is a type of fabricthat can be used to make various types of goods. Shoes, bags, jackets, and many more products are often made from this practicalmaterial. Sadly, the production of leather comes at a high environmentalprice. The cows, goats, and sheep that leather comes from are raised on large plotsof land, which contributes to deforestation. Furthermore, the tanningprocess that turns animal skin into leather produces a large amount of harmfulwaste. In an effort to fight this problem, many companies are now coming up with alternatives to traditional leather.
A great example of this is the Japanese company Kashiwa Leather. In addition to making conventionalleather from pig and deer hides, this company has begun making a leather-like product from peanut skins. To make the peanut leather, unwanted peanut skins are first turned into a fine powder. Next, they are processedinto long sheets and finished to look like animal leather. A layer of PVC is added to make the material waterproof. The final product is roughlyone millimeterthick andtakes ona brown color owing to the peanut skins. The company currently offers eight different products made from peanut leather, including purses, wallets, and knapsacks.
The terrorists’plot was uncovered in time.
恐怖分子的陰謀及時被揭發。
The characters in the movie were good but the plot was terrible.
電影中的角色不錯，但是劇本卻很爛。
The rebels plottedto overthrow their cruel ruler.
叛軍圖謀推翻殘暴的統治者。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
deforestation
[͵difɔrəsˋteʃən]
n. 森林砍伐
●
tanning
[ˋtænɪŋ]
n. 鞣革（將獸皮製成皮革的過程）
英檢中高
●
hide
[haɪd]
n. （用於製作皮革的）獸皮
vt. 把……藏起來
vi. 藏匿
三態
hide / hid [hɪd] / hidden [ˋhɪdn̩]
=
conceal
Liz hides her diaries on the top shelf of her closet.
麗茲把日記藏在衣櫥的最上層。
The soldier hid behind a tree until the danger was over.
那名士兵藏匿在一棵樹後面，直到危險過去為止。
Jonas’ mother senses he is hidingsomethingfrom her.
喬納斯的媽媽察覺到他向她隱瞞了什麼。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 1
●
millimeter
[ˋmɪlə͵mitɚ]
n. 毫米
英檢中高
●
prefecture
[ˋprifɛktʃɚ]
n. 縣（日本行政單位）
●
repurpose
vt. 將（舊物）改作新用途（本文為動名詞用法）
●
landfill
[ˋlændfɪl]
n. 垃圾掩埋場
●
fabric
[ˋfæbrɪk]
n. 布料；結構
=
structure
We will display our new range of fabrics at the exhibition.
我們將在展覽中陳列出我們各式的新款布料。
Our social fabric is being threatened by crime and a bad economy.
我們的社會結構正遭受犯罪和經濟蕭條的威脅。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
practical
[ˋpræktɪk!]
a. 實際的
This job calls for at least five years of practical experience.
這份工作需要至少 5 年的實際經驗。
Tom is a practical person and never does things beyond his ability.
湯姆是很務實的人，超過自己能力的事他從不會去做。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
environmental
[ɪn͵vaɪrənˋmɛnt!]
adj. 環境的
The greenhouse effect is an important environmental issue.
溫室效應是很重要的環境議題。
We should lay emphasis on the importance of environmental protection.
我們應要強調環保的重要性。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
harmful
[ˋhɑrmfəl]
a. 有害的
=
detrimental
Anything can be harmful when carried to extremes.
任何事做得過火都可能變得有害。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
alternative
[ɔlˋtɝnətɪv]
n. 選擇，替代方案
a. 替代的
A huge typhoon is coming, so we have no alternative but to cancel the trip.
強烈的颱風即將來臨，因此我們只有取消行程別無選擇了。
An alternative way would be to travel by plane. 另一種可供選擇的方式就是搭飛機。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
conventional
[kənˋvɛnʃən!]
a. 傳統的，慣例的
=
traditional
It is conventional for Japanese to bow to one another.
日本人彼此鞠躬行禮是傳統。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
process
[ˋprɑsɛs]
vt. 處理
n. 過程
I’m afraid getting things changed will be a slow process.
事情要改變恐怕會是一個緩慢的過程。
We’re still in the process of conducting a market survey.
我們尚在做市場調查中。
It will take about 3 weeks to process your application. 處理您的申請約要 3 星期的時間。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
waterproof
[ˋwɔtɚ͵pruf]
a. . 防水的
I can swim with my watch on because it is waterproof.
我可以戴手錶游泳，因為那是防水的。
To protect the wooden furniture from the rain,
George waterproofed it with an expensive paint he
ordered online.
喬治為了保護木製家具免受雨淋，他用他在網上訂購的昂貴
油漆對木製家具做了防水處理。
高中 Level 6
●
roughly
[ˋrʌflɪ]
adv. 約略地，大致上
=
briefly
Nicole described roughly to me the planned course of action.
妮可向我概略地描述預定的活動行程。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 3
●
representative
[rɛprɪˋzɛntətɪv]
a. 代表性的
n. 代表者
The dove is representative of peace.
鴿子代表和平。
The union sent a representative to negotiate with management.
工會派出一位代表和資方談判。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
reduction
[rɪˋdʌkʃən]
n. 減少；折扣
=
decrease
=
discount
The rapid reduction in rainforest has caused global warming to get worse.
雨林迅速減少使全球暖化更嚴重。
The supermarket advertised many price reductions.
該超市做了許多減價活動的廣告。
高中 Level 4
Practical Phrases
●
come at a (Adj.) price
是有（⋯⋯）代價的，要付出（⋯⋯）代價
I’ve been promoted to manager, but it came at a price because I spend less time with my family now.
我已晉升為經理，但這是有代價的，因為我現在陪伴家人的時間減少了。
●
contribute to...
引起 / 導致……
= result in
= give rise to
●
take on
承擔／呈現⋯⋯
I'm ready to take on this responsibility.
我準備好承擔這個責任了。
●
end up + V-ing
到頭來做......，最終／結果／到頭來⋯⋯
I knew you wouldend up borrowing money from me.
我就知道你最後還是會跟我借錢。
●
with... in mind
有鑑於⋯⋯；（做某事時）考慮到⋯⋯
Ada's father doesn't allow her to stay out late. With that in mind, she left the party early.
艾達的爸爸不准她晚歸。有鑑於此，她很早就離開派對了。
With his family in mind, Paul started working fewer hours each week. 考慮到家人，保羅開始每週減少工作時間。
