QR codes are very common these days, providing people with a convenient way to share information. These black-and-white squares are widely used in restaurants and stores, as well as on all kinds of print advertisements. The QR code is short for“Quick Response Code,” and these simple codes have become a useful tool in the smartphoneera.
The QR code was releasedin 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave. However, the researchthat went into the QR code’s development dates back to the 1960s. During that time, barcodeswere becoming widespreadin Japanese supermarkets. However, barcodes had some limitations. The biggest problem was that barcodes could not contain as much information as people would like. After becoming aware of the problem, Denso Wave’s development team created a new two-dimensional code that suited the needs of the public better, and this became known as the QR code.
QR codes can be scannedfrom any angleand can contain much more information. They were first used in Japan’s automotiveand shipping industries. With the invention of camera phones, the applicationof QR codes has expanded globally.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
advertisement
[͵ædvɚˋtaɪzmənt]
n. 廣告（可數，常縮寫成 ad [ Ad ]）
No one replied to the advertisement Mary put in the paper.
瑪莉在報上登的廣告沒有回音。
多益棕色
英檢中高
高中 Level 3
●
era
[ˋɪrə]
n. 年代，時代
=
epoch
It is correct to say that we are in an era of computers.
說我們目前處於電腦時代並沒有錯。
高中 Level 4
●
release
[rɪˋlis]
vt. & n. 釋出，釋放（= let go of）；發行，發布
After ten years in prison, the prisoner was released this morning.
坐了 10 年牢後，那名囚犯今早獲釋。
The authorities concerned have released the names of those killed in the crash.
有關當局已發布這次空難的罹難者名單。
Simon’s good behavior earned him early release from prison.
賽門表現良好，因此可以提早出獄。
Marilyn Manson’s latest release again topped the charts.
瑪莉蓮．曼森發行的最新專輯再次橫掃排行榜冠軍。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
research
[rɪˋsɝtʃ]
vt. 研究
Pam researched her family’s history, tracing it back to the 1500s.
小潘研究她的家族史，可追溯到 16 世紀。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
limitation
[͵lɪməˋteʃən]
n. 限制；缺點（可數）
=
shortcoming
The school authorities used to impose a limitation on the length of students’ hair.
校方曾對學生頭髮的長度加以設限。
Basically, this is a good car, but it has its limitations.
基本上這輛車不賴，不過仍有缺點。
Basically, this is a good car, but it has its shortcomings.
基本上這輛車不賴，不過仍有缺點。
高中 Level 4
●
angle
[ˋæŋg!]
n. 角度；觀點
The interior angles of a square are right angles.
正方形的內角是直角。
From a different angle, divorce might be the best solution to your problems. 從另一個角度來看，離婚也許是解決你們問題的最佳途徑。
高中 Level 2
●
globally
[ˋglobəlɪ]
adv. 全球地
These products are sold globally and can be found in any convenience store.
這些產品全球銷售,在任何便利商店都可以找到。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
smartphone
[ `smɑrt͵fon ]
n. 智慧型手機
●
barcode
[ˈbɑrkod]
n. (商品包裝上的)條碼
●
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
●
scan
[skæn]
vt. & n. & vi. 掃描
vt. & vi. 粗略地看
=
skim
Could you help me scan these old photographs into the computer?
你能不能幫我把這些老照片掃描進電腦裡？
Before the document could be emailed, it first had to be scanned.
需要先掃描文件後，才能用電子郵件寄出。
The scan showed that the cancer cells had spread, and the patient needed an immediate operation. 掃描結果顯示病患的癌細胞擴散了，需要立即動手術。
Peter scanned the Yellow Pages looking for the number of a plumber.
彼得概略看過工商電話簿，找尋水電行的電話。
Every morning, Jake likes to scan through the newspaper while eating breakfast.
傑克每天早上都喜歡邊瀏覽報紙邊吃早餐。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
automotive
[͵ɔtəˋmotɪv]
adj. 汽車的
What do you think of this automotive supplier?
你認為這家汽車供應商如何？
●
application
[͵æpləˋkeʃən]
n. 應用；用途；申請（表格）
The application of the new data led to the success of the mission.
這些新資訊的運用使得任務順利達成。
It seems that this information has no practical application.
這項訊息似乎沒有實際效用。
Could you tell me how to fill out this application (form) for admission to that university?
你可以告訴我怎麼填寫那所大學的入學申請表格嗎？
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
Practical Phrases
●
be short for...
是……的縮寫 / 簡稱
“Info” is short for“ information.”
『info』是『information』的縮寫。
●
be limited to
侷限於⋯⋯
Fortunately, the damage caused by the fire was limited to the top floor.
所幸，火災造成的損害只限於頂樓而已。
♦ 介紹「追溯至，回溯到」的用法 動詞 date 和 trace 可用來表「追溯，回溯」，用法如下：
1. date back to + 明確的時間∕時期等
= be traced back to + 明確的時間∕時期等 追溯至⋯⋯（某明確的時間／時期等） 例:This vase dates back to the Ming dynasty.
這個花瓶可以追溯至明朝。 例:The use of the internet can be traced back to 1983.
網際網路的使用可追溯至 1983 年。
2.date back + 一段時間 追溯至⋯⋯（一段時間）前 = be traced back + 一段時間 例: The temple that was recently found dates back thousands of years.
最近被發現的那座寺廟可追溯至好幾千年以前。 例: The city of Athens can be traced back 5,000 years.
雅典這座城市可以追溯至五千年以前。
請將下列字詞組合成一正確通順的句子 ❶ The team is doing ________________________________ of dolphins.
some / into / the language / research ❷ Companies _______________________________their products and attract customers.
need / to / promote / advertisements ❸ The discount offer ________________________________ only.
to / limited / certain items / is
答案: 1. The team is doing some research into the language of dolphins.
2. Companies need advertisements to promote their products and attract customers.
3. The discount offer is limited to certain items only.
