Foxes are known for being cunningand resourceful, but a study suggests another surprising talent. Research from the Czech Republic indicates these creatures may use the Earth’s magnetic field when hunting. The study, led by Jaroslav Červený, tracked wild red foxes for over two years, recording nearly 600 hunting leaps by 84 foxes. Researchers found the animals predominantly jumped in a northeasterly direction,regardless ofthe time of day, season, or weather conditions. This preferred leaping direction resulted in a much higher kill rate, with foxes finding success on 73% of their northeasterly pounces on their prey.
The results promptedČervený to conclude that foxes are able to detect subtlevariationsin the Earth’s magnetic field, which tiltsdownward in the northern hemisphere. As a fox creepscloser to its target, it listens for sounds from the animals it is hunting. The sweet spot occurs when the angle at which sound reaches its ears matches the slope of the Earth’s magnetic field. Essentially, the fox uses the magnetic field as a “rangefinder” to estimate the distance to its prey, thereby increasingthe oddsof successfully capturing a meal.
The potentialuse of magnetism to improve hunting ability is not the only surprising aspect of the fox’s complex behavior. The furry creatures are also known for their wide range of vocalexpressions. They can produce a surprising range of sounds—up to 40 in total! The most well-known fox vocalization is the scream-like howl, but they also use barks, chatters, and whines to communicate witheach other. These sounds are used to defend territory, attract mates, and care for their young. Besides the variety of sounds foxes utterand their possible use of the Earth’s magnetic field, there are numerous other interesting facts about foxes. But those are *topics for another day.
“topics for another day” 在此處表示還有其他與狐狸有關的有趣事實或面向，暗示著還有更多可以學習的內容，能留待日後進一步討論或探索。
* topics for another day” 在此處表示還有其他與狐狸有關的有趣事實或面向，暗示著還有更多可以學習的內容，能留待日後進一步討論或探索。
1. How did researchers make their conclusions regarding foxes?
(A) By keeping a fox in a cage and observing it over many years.
(B) By making complex calculations of the Earth’s magnetic field.
(C) By listening to the sounds foxes made while they were hunting.
(D) By examining the behavior of dozens of foxes over a couple of years.
2. According to the data, how successful were foxes when they jumped in a certain direction?
(A) Roughly half of the time.
(B) About one-third of the time.
(C) Nearly three-quarters of the time.
(D) More than 90 percent of the time.
3. Which purpose for the fox’s various vocalizations is NOT mentioned in the passage?
(A) To look after its young.
(B) To warn of predators.
(C) To protect its area.
(D) To find a mate.
4. According to the passage, in which direction does the fox most likely jump to enhance the chance of a successful hunt?
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
prompt
[prɑmpt]
.vt. 促使
a. 立刻的
n. （演員）提詞
What prompted you to buy these flowers for me, Henry?
亨利，是什麼原因促使你買這些花給我？
I was pleased with the prompt delivery of my items.
我很高興我的東西被快速寄送。
When the actor forgot his line, one of his co-stars gave him a prompt.
那個演員忘詞時，聯合主演的另一個演員就幫他提詞。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
thereby
[ðɛrˋbaɪ]
adv. 因此
Paul knocked over the red wine andthereby stained the tablecloth.
保羅打翻了紅酒而把桌布弄髒。
高中 Level 5
●
cunning
[ˋkʌnɪŋ]
n. 狡猾，機靈
a. 狡猾的
=
sly
=
crafty
=
foxy
The fox is often portrayed as a cunning animal in fairy tales.
童話故事裡，狐狸通常被描述成狡猾的動物。
Keep Paul at a distance. He is cunning and likes to take advantage of people.
跟保羅保持距離。他很狡猾，喜歡占大家便宜。
The team displayed cunning and intelligence and went on to win the game.
這支隊伍展現機靈與智慧而贏得了比賽。
高中 Level 4
●
resourceful
[rɪˋsorsfəl]
a. 足智多謀的，善於應變的
A resourceful worker always finds a way to get the job done. 有應變能力的員工總是找得到完成工作的方法。
●
territory
[ˋtɛrə͵torɪ]
n. 地盤；區域；領土，屬地
It is not uncommon for dogs to fight over food and territory.
狗為了搶食物及地盤而打架是屢見不鮮的事。
Tom and Jerry formed a team to explore the territory around the South Pole.
湯姆和傑利組了一支隊伍前往探索南極附近的區域。
Guam is a territory of the US.
關島是美國的屬地。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
utter
[ˋʌtɚ]
a. 完全的
vt. 說
=
complete
Diana thinks the three-hour board meeting was an utterwaste of time.
黛安娜覺得這 3 個小時的董事會會議完全是浪費時間。
The accused sat through the whole court session without uttering a word.
被告在整個開庭過程都不發一語。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
prey
[pre]
n. 獵物（集合名詞，不可數）
vi. 捕食
=
predator
Eaglesprey on small animals for food.
老鷹會捕食小動物。
Rabbits and squirrels are oftenpreyfor larger animals.
兔子和松鼠通常是大型動物的獵物。
Ironically, human beings today arefalling prey tounrestrained economic development.
諷刺的是，人類如今漸漸成了毫無節制的經濟發展的受害者。
高中 Level 5
●
predator
[ˋprɛdətɚ]
n. 捕食者，掠食者
With teeth that are razor-sharp, the shark is a dangerous predator of many marine animals.
鯊魚有著尖銳的牙齒，是掠食許多海洋動物的危險生物。
高中 Level 5
●
subtle
[ˋsʌt!]
a. 微妙的，細微的
=
slight
These two pictures look the same at first glance, but there exist subtledifferences.
乍看之下這兩張照片似乎一樣，但是仍有細微差異。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
variation
[͵vɛrɪˋeʃən]
n. 變化； 變動（常與介詞 in 並用）
The barometer measured slight variationsinpressure.
氣壓計測量到了大氣壓力的些微變化。
高中 Level 5
●
tilt
[tɪlt]
vt. & vi. （使）傾斜
The girl tilted the little makeup mirror on the table so she could see herself more clearly.
這女孩傾斜桌上小化妝鏡的角度，這樣她就能更清楚地看到自己。
Government spending has tilted toward social welfare.
政府支出已朝向以社會福利為主。
The dining table had a slight tilt to it because one leg was shorter than the other three.
餐桌稍微傾斜了一點，因為一隻桌腳比另外三隻桌腳短。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
creep
[krip]
vi. 爬行；緩慢前進
三態
creep / crept / crept
=
crawl
Lisa screamed when she found a roach creepingdown the wall.
麗莎看見蟑螂從牆上爬下來時，尖叫了一聲。
高中 Level 4
●
odds
[ɑds]
n. 機率；不利情況（皆恆用複數）
=
probability
The odds arethat Frank will mess it up again.
法蘭克很可能又會搞砸。
= Chances are that Frank will mess it up again.
法蘭克很可能又會搞砸。
Against all odds, the Thunderbirds, which were considered a weak team, won the championship.
儘管在不利的情況下，被認為很弱的雷鳥隊仍贏得了冠軍。
Paulis always at odds withhis wife over how to educate their children. 有關如何教育孩子，保羅總是和他的妻子意見不合。
My grandmother left me some odds and ends when she passed away.
我的奶奶過世之後留給我一些零星雜物。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
potential
[pəˋtɛnʃəl]
n. 潛力
a. 潛在的
Howard has the potential to become one of the best centers in the basketball league.
霍華德有潛力成為該籃球聯盟裡其中一位頂尖的中鋒。
The earlier you identify potential problems, the sooner you can take action to avoid them.
你越早發現那些潛在的問題，就能越快採取行動去避免它們發生。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
vocal
[ˋvok!]
n. (樂曲) 演唱部分 (常用複數)
a. 聲音的，歌唱的
Which do you prefer, vocal or instrumental music? 聲樂跟純演奏音樂，你喜歡哪種?
In general, Valerie enjoyed the band's music, but she thought the vocals could be improved.
總體而言，薇洛莉喜歡該樂團的音樂，但她覺得演唱部分可以再改進。
高中 Level 5
Extra Words
●
magnetic
[mægˋnɛtɪk]
a. 磁的；磁性的；有吸引力的
=
attractive
=
charming
=
charismatic
A compass works according to the magnetic force of the Earth.
指南針依據地球的磁力而運作。
The tide is affected by the magnetic pull of the moon.
潮汐會受到月球磁場拉力的影響。
The actor has a truly magnetic personality.
這個男演員的個性實在很有吸引力。
高中 Level 4
●
northeasterly
[͵nɔrθˋistɚlɪ]
a. 向東北方的
●
pounce
[paʊns]
vi. 猛撲
●
slope
[slop]
n. 斜坡；山坡
It is difficult to ride a small motorcycle up a steep slope.
沿著陡坡騎摩托車是很困難的一件事。
高中 Level 3
●
rangefinder
[ˋrendʒ͵faɪndɚ]
n. 測距儀
●
magnetism
[ˋmægnə͵tɪzəm]
n. 磁性
●
vocalization
[͵vokələˋzeʃən]
n. 發聲
●
a magnetic field
磁場
●
a sweet spot
最佳的狀況
Practical Phrases
●
regardless of
不論……、無論、儘管
Everyone is required to attend the meeting regardless of the typhoon. 儘管有颱風，每個人還是被要求出席會議。
●
prompt sb to
促使某人做⋯⋯
A recent study prompted thousands of people to stop using the drug.
最近的一項研究促使數以千計的人停止使用該藥。
●
communicate with sb
與某人溝通
I have difficultycommunicating with a stubborn man like Tony.
我很難與像東尼那樣固執的人溝通。
●
care for sth/sb
想要某物 / 照顧某人
Would you care forsome pudding?
你想要來點布丁嗎？
I’m looking for a babysitter to care for my son.
我正在找一位保姆來照顧我兒子。
●
thereby V-ing
因此⋯⋯
The factory was closed down, thereby increasing the rate of unemployment in the area.
該工廠關閉，因而增加了該地區的失業率。
