How zebra stripes and other patterns have made crossing streets safer
Crosswalks are marked parts of the road where pedestrianshave the right of way to cross. Although they seem like productsof the modern world, crosswalks have actually been around formore than 2,000 years. The first crosswalks were invented in the ancient city of Pompeii, Italy. They consisted oflarge rocks placed on the road. When it rained heavily, they allowed people to cross the road without stepping in water or mudon the ground. They also forced horse-drawn carts to slow down andwatch out forthe pedestrians. These crosswalks are still found in parts of Italy today.
In 1899, the United States had its first automobilecollisionthat resulted in the death of a pedestrian. After that, the number of cars on the road increased significantly, and so did traffic accidents involving pedestrians. In the 1930s, the US and the UK were trying to figure outa way to control pedestrian traffic. After experimentingwith various designs, the UK decided to use black and white stripes, which could be easily spotted by both drivers and pedestrians from a distance. This black-and- white crosswalk became known as the “zebra crossing,” which is now used by many countries around the world.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
product
[ˋprɑdəkt]
n. 產品；成果，結果
The country’s main product is timber.
該國的主要產物是木材。
Nick’s big muscles were the product of years spent in the gym.
尼克的結實肌肉是多年耗在健身房的成果。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
●
mud
[mʌd]
n. （爛）泥巴（不可數）
=
soil
The car got stuck in the mud.
車子陷在爛泥裡動彈不得。
高中 Level 1
●
automobile
[ˋɔtəmə͵bɪl]
n. 汽車（= auto）
I can’t afford a brand-new automobile, so I’m going to buy a used one.
我買不起全新的汽車，因此我打算要買一臺中古的。
高中 Level 3
●
experiment
[ɪkˋspɛrəmənt]
n. & vi. 實驗，試驗
This product is the result of long experiments.
這個產品是長期實驗的結果
The group opposed any experiments on living animals.
該團體反對用動物活體做任何的實驗。
Some researchers were experimenting on the rabbits.
一些研究人員正在對那些兔子做實驗。
This time I’ll experiment with a different chemical.
這次我要用不同的化學藥劑做實驗。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
crosswalk
[ˋkrɔs͵wɔk]
n. 斑馬線，行人穿越道
●
stripe
[straɪp]
n. 條紋 / 痕
=
strip
=
streak
Charles likes that shirt with white and blue stripes.
查爾斯喜歡那件藍白條紋的襯衫。
高中 Level 4
●
pedestrian
[pəˋdɛstrɪən]
n. 行人
a. 行人的 ; 單調乏味的
Drivers should yield to pedestrians when they come to a crosswalk.
行駛至行人穿越道時，駕駛應禮讓行人先行。
Barriers were installed on the street to separate the pedestrian walkways from vehicular traffic.
路障被安置在街上以區分行人走道和車輛交通。
The pop star s new album was hailed as revolutionary, but John found it quite pedestrian.
這個明星的新專輯被譽為革新之作，但約翰覺得它很索然無味。
高中 Level 5
●
collision
[kəˋlɪʒən]
n. . 相撞；（不同文化等的）碰撞，衝突
Due to the poor weather, there were some major collisions on the nation’s highways that resulted in
serious injuries.
由於天候惡劣，國道發生了一些嚴重的撞車事故，造成很多
人受傷。
Every time Debbie and her French boyfriend have
a discussion, a collision of cultures occurs, which
usually results in an argument.
每次黛比和她法國男友討論事情時，都會有文化衝突，而通
常這都會讓他們吵架。
高中 Level 6
Practical Phrases
●
have been around for + 一段時間
已存在若干時間
The restaurant has been around for years.
這間餐廳已經開很多年了。
●
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。
●
watch out for...
注意／防備⋯⋯
Lily told her son to watch out for snakes in the woods.
莉莉告誡她的兒子要小心森林裡出沒的蛇。
●
figure out... / figure... out
想出……，弄明白……
We need to figure out a way to fix this problem.
我們得想出個方法來解決這個問題。
●
experiment with sth
用某物做實驗
This time I’ll experiment with a different chemical.
這次我要用不同的化學藥劑做實驗。
●
experiment on sth
對某物做實驗
Some researchers were experimenting on the rabbits.
一些研究人員正在對那些兔子做實驗。
請依句意在空格內填入適當的字詞 ❶ 這棟古老的建築物已經存在一千多年了。
The ancient building _______________________more than 1,000 years. ❷ 這道料理由白飯、肉以及蔬菜所組成。
The dish __________ rice, meat, and vegetables. ❸ 蘿絲必須想出一個方法來讓她的英文口說能力進步。
Rose has to ____________ a way to improve her English speaking ability.
答案: 1. has been around for 2. consists of 3. figure out
