In the past, deciding what to do with a person’s body after they died usuallycame down totwo choices—cremation or burial in a coffin. In recent years, people have become more concerned about the environmental impactof these traditional practices.
In America, burying the dead requires considerableresources. Over 1.5 million tons of concrete, almost 65,000 tons of steel, and 15 million litersof embalming fluid are used each year. It takes 113 liters of fuelto cremate just one single corpse. These figures have led to increasing demandfor green burials, or more eco-friendlypractices.
Green burials aim to show respect for the dead while limiting the use of land and other natural resources needed to deal with human remains. Environmentalistsalso hope to protect the Earth by reducing the use of harmful chemicals for preservingdead bodies.
For those wishing to take an ecofriendly route out of this world, there are several modern green burial options. These include being buried at sea or placed in a biodegradableurn. However, these methodsstill leave a carbon footprint. The greenest burial method is simply to place the body in the earth without a coffin and allow nature to take its course.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
impact
[ɪmˋpækt]
n. 影響，衝擊（常與介詞 on 並用）
vt. 對……產生影響
The writer's style had a deep impact on his literary successors.
這位作家的風格對後世文人有深遠的影響。
Many experts believe the new policy will greatly impact the society.
許多專家都認為那項新政策會對社會帶來巨大衝擊。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
considerable
[kənˋsɪdərəb!]
a. 相當大的
The rice crop suffered considerable damage as a result of the typhoon.
由於這場颱風，稻米作物遭受相當大的損失。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
resource
[rɪˋsors]
n. 資源（常用複數）
We must use natural resources wisely―many of them cannot be replenished.
我們必須善用天然資源─它們有很多是無法再補足的。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
fuel
[ˋfjʊəl]
vt. 激起（憤怒等）
n. 燃料
vi. & vt. 填加燃料
Your criticism will only add fuel to the fire.
你的批評只會火上加油而已。
We’re running out of gas, so we have to fuel up at the next gas station.
我們汽油快用完了，因此我們得在下個加油站加油了。
Stop talking! Your remarks will only fuel Paul’s anger.
別再說了！你的話只會激起保羅的憤怒。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
demand
[dɪˋmænd]
vt. & n. 要求，請求
The teacher demands that his students (should) be quiet when he speaks.
老師要求學生在他講話時要保持安靜。
The teacher requires that his students (should) be quiet when he speaks.
老師要求學生在他講話時要保持安靜。
The teacher requests that his students (should) be quiet when he speaks.
老師要求學生在他講話時要保持安靜。
The firm does all it can to meet its customers’demands.
這家公司盡其所能以達到顧客的需求。
Good software engineers are in great demand these days.
這年頭需要大量優秀的軟體工程師。
We have a lot of free pamphlets on demand.
我們有很多免費小冊子備索。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
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
●
method
[ˋmɛθəd]
n. 方法
=
way
The method we used earlier to try to get the car started didn’t work.
我們先前試著用來發動車子的方法不管用了。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
concrete
[ˋkɑnkrit]
a. 具體的
n. 混凝土
vt. 用混凝土覆蓋
A flower is concrete, but beauty is abstract.
花是有形的，而美麗是抽象的。
Most of the houses are built using concrete.
大部分的房子是用混凝土蓋的。
Mr. Yang chose to concrete over their front lawn.
楊先生決定在前院草坪鋪上混凝土。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
liter
[ˋlitɚ]
n. . 公升〔美〕= litre〔英〕）
=
litter
Doris won the contest by drinking a 2-liter bottle of
Coke faster than any other competitor.
桃樂斯比其他參賽者還快喝完一瓶兩公升的可樂而贏得了
比賽。
高中 Level 6
●
eco-friendly
[ˋiko͵frɛndlɪ]
adj. 環保的
This eco-friendly method is a win-win situation for everyone.
這項環保方案對大家而言都是雙贏的局面。
●
environmentalist
[ɪn͵vaɪərənˋmɛnt!ɪst]
n. 環保人士
●
biodegradable
[ˋbaɪodɪˋgredəb!]
a. 可生物分解的
Practical Phrases
●
come down to+ N/V-ing
歸結於⋯⋯
The decision to go on the hike will come down to the weather on that day.
是否要去健行的決定終將取決於當天的天氣。
♦ 介紹「It takes + 條件 + to V」的用法 此用法中的 it 為虛主詞，take 表「需要」，後面接名詞或動名詞表示「條件」，再接不定詞片語（to V）表「目的」，此不定詞片語才是真正的主詞。 It takes + 條件 (+ for sb) + to V （ 某人）從事⋯⋯需要某條件（代價、努力、精力等） 例: It takes two people to carry this box of books.
這一箱書需要兩個人才搬得動。 例: It took a lot of courage for John to speak up.
約翰需要很大的勇氣才能勇敢發表己見。
♦ 下列句構中的 take 亦表「需要」： 1. All it takes is... 所需要的只是⋯⋯；只要⋯⋯即可 例: All it takes is a little practice every day, and you will get better.
每天只要一點點的練習，你就會進步。
2.have what it takes to V 有條件／能力做⋯⋯ 例: Sam doesnʼt have what it takes to become a class leader.
山姆的能力不足以成為班長。
請依句意在空格內填入適當的字詞 ❶ 這項專案需要相當長的時間才能完成。
This project requires a(n) ___________ amount of time to complete. ❷ 飛機運行需要大量的燃料。
Planes run on large amounts of ______. ❸ 蓋瑞的方法比傑瑞的有效。
Garyʼs _______ is more effective than Jerryʼs.
