Stonefish may not be the most impressive-looking animal in the sea. In fact, this fish is so skilled atcamouflagethat most people wouldn’t notice it if they swam past it. Despite their unremarkable appearance, stonefish are the most venomous fish in the ocean.
Stonefishcome in various shades of brown, red, yellow, and orange. Their rough skin textureand blotchy color pattern give them a remarkable resemblanceto stones, which is where their name comes from. This feature helps them blend in with their surroundingsexceptionallywell. Stonefish are notablefor their 13 highly venomous spines which protrude from the dorsal fin on their backs, along with two pelvic and three anal spines hidden under their skin. If a person accidentallysteps on a stonefish, the pressure applied to its spine activatesthe release of its venom, which can cause intense pain, breathing difficulties, and even death if not treated immediately.
Interestingly, stonefish don’t use their venomous spines to hunt. Instead, the spinesserve asa defense mechanism. When hunting, stonefish catch their prey by hiding among rocks on the seafloor or in coral and remaining incrediblystill until small fish or shrimp swim by. They then ambush their prey with lightning speed, swallowing their meal in a second.
Despite their quick movements when capturing prey, stonefish are generally slow swimmers. They prefer to stay in shallow watersrather than swim in open areas. They can even survive outside of water for up to 24 hours. So, it’s important to be cautiouswhere you step when walking along the coast in places where they live. Accidentally stepping on one can turn a fun day at the beach into a nightmare.
1. From (A) to (F) below, choose the answers that are true regarding stonefish.（多選題）
(A) They swim like lightning. (B) They use their venom to attack prey.
(C) They can catch prey in under a second. (D) They come in a wide variety of bright colors.
(E) They have 13 venomous spines on their bellies. (F) Most people would overlook them in the ocean.
2. What does “This feature” in the second paragraph refer to?（簡答）
3. Please fill in the blanks with information contained in the passage.（填空）
Eddie was rushed to the hospital after stepping on a stonefish at the beach. In the ambulance, he experienced severe __❶__, had difficulty __❷__, and nearly __❸__.
4. Which word in the passage means “suddenly attack someone or something after hiding and waiting for them”?（簡答）
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
camouflage
[ˋkæmə͵flɑʒ]
vt. 偽裝
●
texture
[ˋtɛkstʃɚ]
n. （料子、紡織物的）質地，觸感；（食物、飲品的）口感
vt. 形成（不平滑、粗糙的）紋理
This scarf is made of 100 percent cashmere and has a very smooth texture.
這條圍巾是 100% 喀什米爾毛料做成，觸感非常柔軟。
The baker used a knife to texture the icing on the cake into an unusual pattern.
烘焙師傅用刀子將蛋糕上的糖霜刷成不尋常的紋路。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
resemblance
[rɪˋzɛmbləns]
n. 相似
=
similarity
Though Kathy and Joan are sisters, they bear no resemblance to each other.
凱西和瓊恩雖然是姊妹，卻一點也不像。
That suit you ’re wearing bears a close resemblance to the one I just bought.
你身上穿的那件西裝和我剛買的那件很像。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
surroundings
[səˋraʊndɪŋz]
n. （住處）環境（恆用複數）
=
environment
=
circumstances
It took me a couple of days to get used to my new surroundings.
我花了好幾天才習慣新的環境。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
exceptionally
[ɪkˋsɛpʃənəlɪ]
adv. 格外地，非常
Tommy is an exceptionally talented boy. He can play any song right after hearing it.
湯米是個非常才華洋溢的男孩。他能在聽到任何歌曲後就馬上彈奏出來。
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
notable
[ˋnotəb!]
a. . 值得注意的
The Mona Lisa is one of the notable paintings on display at the Louvre museum.
《蒙娜麗莎》是羅浮宮展出的著名畫作之一。
Among the notables at the event were several Hollywood actors, some popular singers, and a few
politicians.
此活動中的名人包括幾位好萊塢演員、一些流行歌手和幾位
政治人物。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
accidentally
[͵æksəˋdɛnt!ɪ]
adv. 偶然地，意外地
Rick accidentally dropped the picture frame and shattered the glass.
瑞克不小心把相框摔在地上，打碎了玻璃。
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
activate
[ˋæktə͵vet]
vt. 啟動，啟用
You can activate your account with this fourdigit code.
你可以用這組四位數密碼啟用你的帳戶。
●
incredibly
[ɪnˋkrɛdəblɪ]
adv. 難以置信地
英檢中高
高中 Level 4
●
cautious
[ˋkɔʃəs]
a. 小心的，謹慎的
=
careful
A cautious person thinks twice before making an important decision. 謹慎的人做重要的決定之前都會三思。
Andy is very cautious about making commitments.
安迪對於做承諾這件事非常謹慎。
高中 Level 5
Extra Words
●
unassuming
[͵ʌnəˋsjumɪŋ]
a. 低調的，不張揚的
●
unremarkable
[ˋʌnrɪˋmɑrkəb!]
a. 一般的，平常的，普通的
●
venomous
[ˋvɛnəməs]
a. 分泌毒液的，有毒的
●
venom
[ˋvɛnəm]
n. 毒液
●
blotchy
[ˋblɑtʃɪ]
a. 有斑點的
●
protrude
[proˋtrud]
vi. 突出
●
coral
[ˋkɔrəl]
a. 橘紅色的，珊瑚色的
n. . 珊瑚（不可數）
I saw some beautiful coral when I was scuba diving.
我潛水的時候看見了一些美麗的珊瑚。
There is a huge coral reef not far from the coast.
距離海岸不遠的地方有一大片珊瑚礁。
After the discussion with her roommates, Julia
bought two cans of coral paint in order to refurbish
the apartment.
茱莉亞在和室友討論後，買了兩罐橘紅色的油漆來整修公
寓。
高中 Level 6
●
ambush
[ˋæmbʊʃ]
n. . 埋伏突襲
Tragically, a group of 20 international aid workers
were killed in a terrorist ambush.
不幸的是，一群共 20 名的國際救援人員在恐怖分子的埋伏 突襲中喪生。
The militia was lying in ambush behind the trees,
waiting for the ambassador’s car to pass by.
民兵部隊埋伏在樹後面，等待大使的車開過去。
高中 Level 6
Practical Phrases
●
be skilled at / in + N/V-ing
擅長某事，具有某種技術
Kenny is skilled in negotiating.
肯尼很擅長談判。
●
come in + 名次
得到⋯⋯名次
To everyoneʼs surprise, Charlie came in last place in the race.
令所有人驚訝的是,查理在比賽中墊底。
●
blend in with
融入⋯⋯
The spy wore a disguise to blend in with the crowd.
那個間諜喬裝以融入人群。
●
serve as...
作為⋯⋯之用 / 擔任⋯⋯
This book can serve as a guide to help you learn to cook.
這本書可作為幫助你學習烹調的指南。
Sharon's excellent speaking skills allow her to serve as the host of the event.
雪倫傑出的演講技巧使她得以擔任這場活動的主持人。
●
prefer to V rather than V
喜歡⋯⋯勝過⋯⋯；寧願⋯⋯而不願⋯⋯
On weekends, I prefer to stay at home rather than go out on the town.
週末時，我比較喜歡待在家裡而不喜歡到市區去。
●
rather than...
取代……；而非……
= instead of
●
a defense mechanism
防禦機制
Tail dropping is a defense mechanism for lizards to distract predators.
斷尾是蜥蜴讓掠食者分心的一種防禦機制。
