Have you ever hiked up a mountain and thought about how much easier it would be if there were a stairway? Well, there is a mountain in Switzerland which featuresthat very thing. Visitors to Niesen Mountain in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland will find a stairway consisting of11,674 steps running up its side. At 3.4 kilometers in length, it has been officially__1__ by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest stairway.
Unfortunately, this stairway is usually not accessible tothe general public. It actually runs parallelto a railway that travels up the mountain and serves asa rescueand maintenancestairway. Therefore, due to __2__, people are not allowed to use it unless there is an emergency involving the train. However, once a year in June, an event gives 500 lucky people the __3__ to use the stairway. The legendaryNiesen Stairway Run has become a popular attractionfor athletes looking for a special challenge. Despite being less than four kilometers long, the run features an elevationgain of almost 1,700 meters, __4__ it a truly gruelingevent. In fact, the record time for covering that distance is just over one hour, which gives an idea of how difficult it is.
Those lucky enough to walk or run up the stairway will be __5__ stunningviews of the surroundingmountains and valleys. Keep inmind, though, that only those who join the Niesen Stairway Run will get to see them.
1. (A) predicted (B) recognized (C) sacrificed (D) dismissed
2. (A) political issues (B) mountain trails (C) keen competitions (D) safety concerns
3. (A) opportunity (B) necessity (C) introduction (D) reservation
4. (A) made (B) makes (C) making (D) to make
5. (A) divided into (B) rewarded with (C) reduced to (D) trapped in
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Have you ever hiked up a mountain and thought about how much easier it would be if there were a stairway? Well, there is a mountain in Switzerland which featuresthat very thing. Visitors to Niesen Mountain in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland will find a stairway consisting of11,674 steps running up its side. At 3.4 kilometers in length, it has been officiallyrecognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest stairway.
Unfortunately, this stairway is usually not accessible tothe general public. It actually runs parallelto a railway that travels up the mountain and serves asa rescueand maintenancestairway. Therefore, due to safety concerns, people are not allowed to use it unless there is an emergency involving the train. However, once a year in June, an event gives 500 lucky people the opportunity to use the stairway. The legendaryNiesen Stairway Run has become a popular attractionfor athletes looking for a special challenge. Despite being less than four kilometers long, the run features an elevationgain of almost 1,700 meters, making it a truly gruelingevent. In fact, the record time for covering that distance is just over one hour, which gives an idea of how difficult it is.
Those lucky enough to walk or run up the stairway will be rewarded with stunningviews of the surroundingmountains and valleys. Keep inmind, though, that only those who join the Niesen Stairway Run will get to see them.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
feature
[fitʃɚ]
vt. 以……為特色；主打（特色、功能等）
n. 特徵，特色
=
characteristic
=
trait
What are the features of your new smartphone?
你的新手機有什麼特色？
This book features the beauty of nature.
這本書以大自然的美為主題。
This book highlights the beauty of nature.
這本書以大自然的美為主題。
The singer’s new album features a song written by a famous Japanese songwriter.
這位歌手的新專輯主打一首知名日本作曲家所寫的歌。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
officially
[əˋfɪʃəlɪ]
adv. 正式地
Teresa’s cafe officially opened last week.
泰瑞莎的咖啡廳上星期正式開業。
The couple officially announced their engagement.
這對情侶正式宣布訂婚。
●
unfortunately
[ʌnˋfɔrtʃənɪtlɪ]
adv. 不幸地
Tom wanted to go to the beach; unfortunately, it was raining.
湯姆想去海邊；不幸的是，當時正在下雨。
多益棕色
英檢中級
●
parallel
[ˋpærə͵lɛl]
a. 平行的 ; (經常同時發生且) 相似的
n. 相似 (處)
vt. 與......平行 ; 與......相似
=
similar
=
resemble
=
similarity
The road and the canal run parallel to each other for about 40 miles.
這條道路和運河彼此平行約 40 英里。
Parallel concerts took place in London, Tokyo, and New York. 類似的演唱會同時在倫敦、東京和紐約舉辦。
There are several parallels between the lives of the two celebrities. For instance, both were child stars who quit acting as adults.
這兩位名人的生平有一些相似處。例如，他們倆都是童星， 但長大後就不再演戲了。
The breakthrough is without parallel in medical history.
這項突破性進展在醫學史上是舉世無雙的。
The breakthrough has no parallel in medical history.
這項突破性進展在醫學史上是舉世無雙的。
The two roads parallel each other for several kilometers before turning in different directions.
這兩條路並列好幾公里後才分開往不同的方向。
To many performers, nothing parallels the excitement of performing on stage in front of an audience.對許多表演者來說，沒有什麼比上臺在觀眾面前表演來得更令人激動了。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
rescue
[ˋrɛskju]
vt. & n. 拯救
=
save
The fireman died trying to rescue a child from the blaze.
那名消防員企圖拯救孩童時葬身火場。
高中 Level 4
●
maintenance
[ˋmentənəns]
n. 維持；維修，保養（皆不可數）
This organization is responsible for the maintenance of international peace. 維持世界和平是這個組織的責任。
A thorough maintenance check had been carried out before the plane took off.
該班機起飛前先進行了一次徹底的維修檢查。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
legendary
[ˋlɛdʒənd͵ɛrɪ]
adj. 傳說的，傳奇的
A fairy tale is a legendary story involving some imaginative characters and is often passed down from one generation to the next.
童話故事是包含一些虛幻角色的傳奇故事，通常會代代相傳。
高中 Level 5
●
attraction
[əˋtrækʃən]
n. 吸引力；愛慕；誘惑；吸引人的事物；景點
The movie’s greatest attraction for me is the all-star cast.
這部電影對我最大的吸引力是全明星的演員陣容。
Wealth and fame hold no attraction for Tom.
名利對湯姆毫無吸引力。
Chris could barely conceal his attraction to Melody.
克里斯很難隱藏自己對美樂蒂的愛戀。
Our main attraction tonight is the lucky draw.
我們今晚的重頭戲是摸彩。
The prison was turned into a tourist attraction after the government shut it down.
政府關閉了這座監獄後，它就變成了一個觀光景點。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
stunning
[ˋstʌnɪŋ]
a. 令人吃驚的
=
astonishing
I was impressed with the actress’stunning debut performance.
我對這名女演員初次登臺的精彩表演印象深刻。
高中 Level 6
●
surrounding
[səˋraʊndɪŋ]
a. 周圍的
The shop attracts customers not only from surrounding areas but also from other countries.
那間店不只吸引周圍地區的顧客，也吸引了外國客。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
Extra Words
●
stairway
[ˋstɛr͵we]
n. 臺階，樓梯
●
elevation
[͵ɛləˋveʃən]
n. 高度，海拔
英檢中高
●
grueling
[ˋgruəlɪŋ]
a. 使人耗費精力的
Practical Phrases
●
consist of
包含⋯⋯，由⋯⋯組成
= be made up of...
This new shower gel consists of sea salt and other minerals.
這一新款沐浴乳的成分包括海鹽及其他礦物質。
●
... in length
長為……
This river is two kilometersin length.
這條河長 2 公里。
●
be / become accessible to sb
對某人而言容易取得 / 理解的
Aaron s poetryis accessible to people of all ages.
艾倫寫的詩大人小孩都看得懂。
●
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。
●
keep in mind... / keep... in mind
謹記⋯⋯
I keep in mind my grandfather's advice whenever I have a problem.
我遇到問題的時候，總是謹記我爺爺的忠告。
4. Despite being less than four kilometers long, the run features an elevation gain of almost 1,700 meters, making it a truly grueling event.
理由
a. 本題測試形容詞子句化簡為分詞片語的用法：形容詞子句中，若關係代名詞作主詞且之前無逗點時（即限定修飾），可將該形容詞子句化簡為分詞片語。但關係代名詞 which 代替前面整個句子作主詞時，雖然 which 之前有逗點，仍可化簡為分詞片語，化簡原則與限定修飾時相同：
先刪除關係代名詞，之後的動詞變成現在分詞，若動詞為 be 動詞，變成 being 後可省略。
b. 原句實為：..., the run features an elevation gain of almost 1,700 meters, which makes it a truly grueling event.
c. 根據上述，將關係代名詞 which 刪除、其後動詞 makes 變為現在分詞 making 後即成本句，故答案應選 (C) making。
5. Those lucky enough to walk or run up the stairway will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
challenge vt. 挑戰（比賽、辯論等）
challenge sb to V/N 向某人挑戰⋯⋯ • Mike challenged the old man to a poker game.
麥克向那位老先生挑戰來場撲克牌局。
challenge 當動詞時還有以下其他意思：
a. 表「質疑，懷疑」。
challenge a view / an idea / an assumption
質疑一項觀點／一個想法／一個假設 • In the meeting, Jerry challenged a view that many considered unchangeable.
傑瑞在會議中挑戰了許多人認為不可改變的觀點。
b. 表「考驗⋯⋯的能力（或決心）」。 • Starting a new business can challenge one’s ability to demonstrate determination in the face of obstacles.
開創新事業可能會考驗一個人在面臨困境時展現決心的能力。
challenge 亦可作名詞用：
c. 表「挑戰；難題；考驗」。
face / take on / accept a / the challenge
面對／接受挑戰
meet / rise to a / the challenge 迎接挑戰 • Mia accepted the challenge of leading the team through a complex project.
蜜雅接受了帶領團隊完成複雜專案的挑戰。 • This job is not easy, but I’m ready to meet the challenge.
這份工作不容易，不過我已準備好迎接挑戰。
d. 表「質疑，懷疑」。 • The unexpected results posed a challenge to the group’s initial assumptions.
意外的結果對這組最初的假設提出質疑。
e. 表「（尤指比賽或辯論）挑戰（書），邀請」。 • The chess champion issued a challenge to any opponent.
該西洋棋冠軍向任何對手提出挑戰。
