Advanced aircraft roll out one after another, but recently, electric vertical take-offand landing vehicles, or eVTOLs, have been stealing the show. In March 2024, Airbus publicly revealed its CityAirbus NextGen prototype, an all-electric, four-seat aircraft with a 12-meter wingspan. It is being tested for commercial use within an 80-kilometer range.
With many leading companies working on developing eVTOLs, the Paris 2024 Olympics hopes to make the idea of air taxis hoveringover Paris a reality. However, getting regulatory approval is a major challenge. Furthermore, many Paris residents and French leaders reject the idea out of concern for noise, disturbance, and safety. Although eVTOLs may not be able to carry people during the Olympics this year, it is likely that they will take to the sky by the end of the decade.
What Did You Learn ?
Why is it unlikely that eVTOLs will be operational during the Paris Olympics?
The troops of the two countries were exhausted after eight years of fierce combat.
經過八年的激戰，兩國的部隊都已筋疲力竭。
The government took effective measures to combat crime in the city.
政府採取有效措施打擊該市的犯罪。
高中 Level 5
●
penalty
[ˋpɛn!tɪ]
n. 懲罰
=
punishment
What is the penalty for paying your bills late?
帳單遲付會有什麼樣的處分？
The judges are arguing whether the death penalty should be abolished.
法官們在爭論是否應廢除死刑。
高中 Level 4
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preserve
[prɪˋzɝv]
vt. 保存；維持；醃製
n. 果醬，蜜餞（常用複數）
=
conserve
=
reserve
The local residents want the ancient temple to be preserved for future generations.
當地居民希望能為後代子孫維護這座歷史悠久的寺廟。
The police must preserve public order.
警方必須維持公共秩序。
What is the best method of preserving plums? 醃製梅子最好的方法是什麼？
I like peach preserves on toast.
我喜歡吐司抹上桃子果醬吃。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
Extra Words
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vertical
[ˋvɝtɪk!]
a. 垂直的
n. 垂直線 / 面
Nowadays many firms are seeking vertical integration to increase productivity.
現今有很多公司正在尋求垂直整合，以提升生產力。
The artist said that the verticals in his paintings represent people’s connection to Heaven.
這位藝術家說他畫中的垂直線代表人們和天堂之間的連結。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
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prototype
[ˋprotə͵taɪp]
n. . 雛型，樣本；典型
The engineers developed a prototype first before working on a finished version of the new product.
工程師先開發一個雛型，然後再研究新產品的最終版本。
Dan Jacobson is the prototype of a salesperson: he is very outgoing, talkative, and extremely persuasive.
丹•雅各布松是典型的銷售人員：他非常外向、健談又極具說服力。
高中 Level 6
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wingspan
[ˋwɪŋ͵spæn]
n. 翼展（指飛機左右機翼翼尖之間的距離）
●
regulatory
[ˋrɛgjələ͵torɪ]
a. 管理的
●
ripple
[ˋrɪp!]
vt. & vi. （使）起漣漪
n. 漣漪
On a boring Sunday afternoon, I skipped stones alone in the park, causing lots of ripplesto spread across the pond.
一個無聊的星期天下午，我在公園自個兒玩打水漂，讓池塘起了陣陣漣漪。
A gentle breeze rippled the water.
微風在水上吹出了漣漪。
The water rippledwhen the wind blew.
風吹時，水面起了陣陣漣漪。
高中 Level 6
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indigenous
[ɪnˋdɪdʒɪnəs]
adj. 本地的，土生土長的；當地的
=
local
=
native
=
aboriginal
The new government has vowed to protect the indigenous culture of the island.
新政府誓言保護該島的本土文化。
There are some very interesting animals that are indigenous to Australia and not found in any other country.
澳洲當地有一些很有趣的動物，在任何其他國家都找不到。
高中 Level 5
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ecosystem
[ˋɛko͵sɪstəm/ˋiko͵sɪstəm]
n. 生態系統
Although small, the pond was a rich ecosystem full of numerous species of plant life, aquatic animals, and insects.
這個池塘雖然小，但有一個豐富的生態系統，充滿數不清的植物、水生動物和昆蟲。
高中 Level 5
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interconnected
[͵ɪntɚkəˋnɛktɪd]
a. 相互關聯的
●
enact
[ɪnˋækt]
vt. 實施
英檢中高
Practical Phrases
●
steal the show
搶盡鋒頭
Amanda stole the show at the party with her red gown and gorgeous jewels.
亞曼達身穿紅色禮服、配戴漂亮珠寶，在派對上搶盡了鋒頭。
●
take to the sky
飛上天，飛起來
As the festival began, dozens of colorful hot air balloons started to take to the sky.
隨著該節慶揭開序幕，數十個色彩繽紛的熱氣球開始飛上天空。
●
recognize A as B
公認 A 為 B
Audrey Hepburn was recognized as the most elegant actress ever.
奧黛麗赫本被公認為最有氣質的女演員。
●
impose A on B
把 A 加諸／施加於 B
The government has imposed a ban on smoking in public places.
政府已下達不准在公共場所吸菸的禁令。
