For thousands of years, humans have lived along the River Thames in England. As a result, the river, which runs through southern England and the country’s capital, London, has played a major role in the country’s history and development. Roman invasions, Viking raids, and the constructionof London’s bridges all took place along the River Thames. The river’s importance as a means oftransport and trade made London one of the largest cities in the world. However, the river’s importance also resulted in a serious problem—pollution.
In early times, the River Thames had been used as an open sewer. Human, animal, and industrial waste were all thrown into the river. As London grew, the problem only became worse. Malaria and cholera, which were diseases caused by polluted water, were common causes of death until the early 20th century. Efforts to clean the river began in the 1850s, but pollutionremains a problem even to this day. A number of different solutions have been used to maintain and clean the river. With these constant efforts, new technologies, and increased public awareness, there may be a day when the River Thames’ waters are once again clean, and its natural beauty is restored.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
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pollution
[pəˋluʃən]
n. 汙染（不可數）
Pollution control has become one of the country’s major concerns. 汙染防制已成為該國關切的重要議題之一。
高中 Level 3
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capital
[ˋkæpət!]
n. 大寫字母（= capital letter）；首都；資本（不可數）
adj. 大寫字母的
A proper noun begins with a capital.
專有名詞要以大寫字母為首。
A proper noun begins with a capital letter.
專有名詞要以大寫字母為首。
Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.
華府是美國首都。
We need more capital to run this restaurant.
我們需要更多的資本來經營這家餐廳。
Capital punishment is a controversial issue in many countries.
在很多國家死刑是個爭議性很高的議題。
多益棕色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
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transport
[trænsˋpɔrt]
vt. 運送，運輸
In the past, people used trains to transport coal.
過去人們利用火車運送煤炭。
To save money, we’ll have to transport these goods to Spain by ship.
為了省錢，我們必須以海運將這些貨物運往西班牙。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
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industrial
[ɪnˋdʌstrɪəl]
a. 工業的
That area of the country is industrial rather than agricultural.
該國那個地區是工業區而非農業區。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
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remain
[rɪˋmen]
vt. 繼續存在；仍是（之後接名詞或形容詞作補語）
No one remained in the hall soon after the concert was over.
音樂會結束沒多久，大廳裡一個人影都不剩了。
Though divorced, Anna and David still remain friends.
雖然離婚了，安娜和大衛仍是朋友。
The problem still remains unsolved.
這個問題仍然一直沒被解決。
It remains to be seen which team will win.
哪一隊會贏尚有待觀察。
高中 Level 3
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constant
[ˋkɑnstənt]
n. 恆久不變的數量（常數）；不變的事物
a. 持續的；穩定的
a. . 持續的；穩定的，持久不變的
The constant noise of the machine is driving me crazy.
機器不斷發出的噪音快把我逼瘋了。
The weather has been constant this week.
這星期的天氣很穩定。
The temperature in the fish tank remains a constant.
水族箱裡的溫度維持恆溫。
No matter what life threw at them, their love for each other remained a constant.
不論遇到什麼困難，他們仍對彼此堅貞不移。
The constant noise of the machine is driving me crazy.
機器不斷發出的噪音快把我逼瘋了。
According to the weather forecast, the weather will
be constant this week.
根據氣象預報，這週的天氣會很穩定。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 6
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technology
[tɛkˋnɑlədʒɪ]
n. 科技
Perhaps we have put too much faith in the power of technology.
或許我們太過相信科技的力量了。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
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construction
[kənˋstrʌkʃən]
n. 施工，建造
Traffic was slow due to road construction.
由於道路施工，車輛通行緩慢。
We were told to wear helmets at the construction site.
在工地時，我們被吩咐要戴上安全帽。
There are three new apartments underconstruction.
有三棟新的公寓正在興建中。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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sewer
[ˋsuɚ]
n. 下水道
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restore
[rɪˋstor]
.vt. 復原
You must rest well to restore your health.
你必須好好休養才能恢復健康。
The new government is trying hard to restore the country’s economy to its full strength.
新政府正努力設法將該國的經濟回復到全盛狀態。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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polluted
[pəˋlutɪd]
a. 受汙染的
Drinking polluted water can lead to serious diseases.
飲用受汙染的水可能導致嚴重的疾病。
Practical Phrases
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as a means of...
作為……的方法∕手段
The artist’s paintings are widely praised as a means of self-expression.
該藝術家的繪畫廣受讚譽為一種表達自我的方式。
