Thrust into the public eye during a halftime show performance at Super Bowl XLVI, slacklining is gaining popularity.
走繩索運動在第四十六屆美式足球超級盃中場表演時映入了大家眼簾，這項運動正日漸普及。
If you've ever been to a circus, you may have seen a tightrope walker balancing precariously above the ground on a thin, taut wire. Slacklining is a similarly daring _(1)_ of balance and coordination. Whereas a tightrope is a piece of wire or rope stretched tightly between two points, a slackline is a one-inch strip of flat webbing that is hung loosely. Since it is not tight, like a trampoline, the lines bounce and stretch, _(2)_ balancing even more of a challenge and allowing the slackliner to perform impressive jumps and tricks.
Slacklining _(3)_ in the US in the late-1970s in Yosemite Valley, California, which is home to some of America's most spectacular cliffs and rock faces. Hikers and climbers at one of the valley's campsites began to experiment with balancing on a loose line strung between a pair of trees during their downtime. They did it _(4)_ to improve their balance for climbing, but also for fun.
Since then, slacklining _(5)_ countless styles and variations that are suited to a host of different environments. There's tricklining or lowlining, where the line is hung only a few feet from the ground, allowing practitioners to do all sorts of stunts from backflips to push-ups. There's waterlining, which takes place over water and is probably the best for _(6)_ new tricks and techniques as the falls aren't so painful. There's even slackline yoga, which puts the ancient Indian art of spiritual and _(7)_ meditation onto a wobbly slackline. No matter where it's done, slacklining is taking balancing to new heights.
1. (A) command (B) display (C) quote (D) charge
2. (A) to make (B) making (C) make (D) for making
3. (A) behaved (B) relied (C) originated (D) appealed
4. (A) not only (B) such as (C) next to (D) because of
5. (A) was evolved into (B) evolving into (C) evolved into (D) has evolved into
6. (A) taking apart (B) setting about (C) trying out (D) coming about
7. (A) official (B) superficial (C) artificial (D) physical
原來如此
1.Slacklining is a similarly daring display of balance and coordination.理由:
a. (A) command n. 命令
at sb's command 在某人的命令下
The police dog attacked the robber at his handler's command.
那隻警犬在馴養者的命令下攻擊該搶匪。
(B) display n. 陳列，展出
be on display 展出中
The artist's latest sculptures are on display at the museum.
該藝術家最新的雕刻作品正在這座博物館展出中。
(C) quote n. 引用的文句
That's a famous quote from William Shakespeare.
那是引自莎士比亞的一句名言。
(D) charge n. 負責
take charge of... 負責……
= be in charge of...
Who is in charge of this department?
誰負責這個部門？
b. 根據語意，可知 (B) 應為正選。
2.Since it is not tight, like a trampoline, the lines bounce and stretch, making balancing even more of a challenge and allowing the slackliner to perform impressive jumps and tricks.理由:
a. 空格前有主要子句 the line will bounce and stretch（這條繩索會彈跳及延展），而空格前無連接詞 and，可知空格應置現在分詞。
The little boy sat over there, reading the new comic book.
那個小男孩坐在那裡看著新買的漫畫書。
b. 根據語意及用法，可知 (B) 應為正選。
3.Slacklining originated in the US in the late-1970s in Yosemite Valley, California, which is home to some of America's most spectacular cliffs and rock faces.理由:
a. (A) behave vi. 守規矩
The little boy didn't behave well at the party, so his parents punished him.
那個小男孩參加派對時不守規矩，因而被他爸媽處罰了。
(B) rely vi. 依靠，依賴
rely on... 依賴……
Don't rely on Ted for everything. He won't always be there for you.
別事事都倚賴泰德。他不會永遠都在你身邊。
(C) originate vi. 發源；來自
originate in / from... 起源於……
This coffee originated in South America.
這種咖啡源自於南美洲。
(D) appeal vi. 吸引
appeal to... 吸引……
Our product is aimed to appeal to teenage girls.
我們的產品旨在吸引少女。
b. 空格後有介詞 in，根據語意及用法，可知 (C) 應為正選。
4.They did it not only to improve their balance for climbing, but also for fun.理由:
a. 本空格測試以下固定用法：
not only...but (also)... 不只……而且……
Not only is Jack intelligent, but he is also attractive.
傑克既有才智又迷人。
b. (B) such as... 諸如∕像……
Vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli have cancer-fighting abilities.
白花椰菜和青花椰菜等蔬菜都有抗癌功效。
(C) next to... 在……旁邊
There is a post office next to the bank.
那家銀行隔壁有一間郵局。
(D) because of... 由於……
Because of the rising cost of living, many people have taken second jobs.
由於物價上漲，許多人都兼了一份差。
c. 根據語意及用法，可知 (A) 應為正選。
5.Since then, slacklining has evolved into countless styles and variations that are suited to a host of different environments.理由:
a. 空格前有副詞片語 since then（從那時起），可知主要子句時態應採現在完成式，故空格應置現在完成式助動詞 has 及過去分詞。
b. evolve into... 演變成……
evolve vi. 演化；轉變
Though the company started very small, it evolved into a worldwide enterprise.
該公司雖然一開始規模很小，後來卻發展成一家跨國企業。
c. 根據語意及用法，可知應選 (D)。
6.There's waterlining, which takes place over water and is probably the best for trying out new tricks and techniques as the falls aren't so painful.理由:
a. (A) take apart... 拆解……
Jason took apart the scooter's engine to fix it.
傑森把這輛小綿羊機車的引擎拆開修理。
(B) set about... 著手做……
Ray set about cleaning up the house after the party.
派對之後雷著手清理房子。
(C) try out... 試驗∕試用……
Mom tried out the mattress before buying it.
老媽先試躺了床墊，然後才決定買下來。
(D) come about 發生，產生
Can you tell me how the accident came about?
你能否告訴我這起意外事故是怎麼發生的？
b. 根據語意，可知 (C) 應為正選。
7.There's even slackline yoga, which puts the ancient Indian art of spiritual and physical meditation onto a wobbly slackline.理由:
a. (A) official a. 官方的；正式的
The first official marathon was held in the 19th century.
第一場正式的馬拉松比賽在 19 世紀舉行。
(B) superficial a. 膚淺的
Vicky is so superficial that she only cares about a person's looks.
薇琪很膚淺，她只在乎一個人的外表。
(C) artificial a. 人造的
The latest trend is to use organic fertilizers instead of artificial ones.
使用有機肥料代替人工肥料是最新的趨勢。
(D) physical a. 身體的
Jogging is the simplest and most effective method of physical training.
慢跑是最簡單卻最有效的一種體能訓練。
b. spiritual（精神的）和 physical（身體的）形成固定搭配，可知 (D) 應為正選。
精解字詞片語
1.thrust A into B 把 A 推進∕伸進 B
thrust vt. 用力推（三態同形）
The boy thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out a 100 NT dollar bill.
那男孩把手伸進口袋掏出一張 1 百元台幣紙鈔。
2.gain (in) popularity 受到歡迎
= increase in popularity
Laptops are gaining popularity because they are easy to carry around.
筆記型電腦攜帶方便，因此日益受到歡迎。
3.precariously adv. 不穩定地
precarious a. 不穩定的
In spite of the treatment, Jenny's health remained precarious.
儘管接受了治療，珍妮的健康狀況還是不穩定。
4.coordination n. 協調
coordinate vt. 協調
Nick was in charge of coordinating the company trip.
尼克負責協調員工旅遊事宜。
5.whereas conj. 然而
Anthony is in the Marines, whereas I am in the Coast Guard.
安東尼在海軍陸戰隊，而我則隸屬海岸巡邏隊。
6.stretch vt. 伸展（肢體等）
After sitting for a long time, Peter stood up to stretch his arms and legs.
久坐之後，彼得站起來伸展一下四肢。
7.bounce vi. 彈起，反彈
The ball bounced off the wall and came to rest under the table.
球從牆邊彈回來，滾到桌子下就停住了。
8.be home to... 為……的所在地∕大本營
Madagascar is home to a wide variety of wild animals.
馬達加斯加島是各種野生動物的大本營。
9.experiment vi. 實驗
experiment on...
對……做實驗（對象通常為動物或人）
experiment with...
用……做實驗（對象通常為事物）
The scientists experimented on rats to see if the products were safe.
科學家在老鼠身上做實驗，以查看那些產品是否安全。
The professor is experimenting with new teaching methods.
教授正在實驗新的教學方法。
10.string vt. 伸展，拉直
三態為：string, strung, strung。
Please string the phone cord along the bottom of the wall so I won't trip on it.
請順著牆腳把電話線拉好，如此一來我才不會被絆倒。
11.be suited to + N/Ving 適合……
John is suited to teaching because he is so good with children.
約翰適合當老師，因為他對小孩子很有辦法。
12.a host of... 許多……
The great actor played a host of wonderful roles during his life
那位偉大的演員一生中扮演過許多出色的角色。
13.meditation n. 冥想；打坐
meditate vi. 沉思；打坐
Jack is meditating on what the teacher just said.
傑克正在沉思老師剛才所說的話。
單字小舖
1.tightrope n. 鋼索
2.balance vi. 保持平衡 & n. 平衡
3.taut a. 緊繃的
4.slacklining n. 走繩索運動
5.daring a. 大膽的
6.strip n. 一條
7.webbing n. 帶子
8.trampoline n. 彈簧墊
9.impressive a. 令人印象深刻的
10.spectacular a. 壯觀的
11.cliff n. 懸崖
12.downtime n. 休息時間
13.variation n. 變化
14.practitioner n. 從事者
15.backflip n. 後空翻
16.push-up n. 伏地挺身
中文翻譯
如果你曾經去過馬戲團的話，你可能已經看過一位走鋼索的人，那個人在地面上方一條又細又緊繃的金屬絲上搖搖晃晃地想要取得平衡。走繩索運動同樣在於大膽展示平衡和協調。鋼索運動中的鋼索是在兩點間將一條金屬線或繩索繃緊，而走繩索運動中的繩索則是鬆散垂掛的一英吋扁平帶子。由於繩索不是很緊，所以就像是個彈簧墊一樣會彈跳及延展，使得要在上面取得平衡更具挑戰性，這也讓走繩索的挑戰者能表演令人印象深刻的跳躍和特技。
走繩索運動起源於 1970 年代晚期的美國加州優勝美地山谷中，那兒是美國境內一些最壯觀懸崖峭壁和岩石表面的所在地。位於該山谷其中一個營地的健行者和登山者在休息時開始一項試驗，他們試著在兩棵樹木之間鬆散垂掛的繩索上取得平衡。他們這麼做不但是為了要增進他們登山時的平衡感，同時也是因為好玩的緣故。
從那之後，走繩索就已演變出無數種風格及變化，種種風格及變化都適用於許多不同的環境中。有一種變化形式名為花樣走繩（tricklining） 或是低空走繩（lowlining），差別在於繩子只懸掛在離地面幾英呎之處，這使得走繩索的人能做出像是後空翻或伏地挺身等各式各樣的特技。還有一種名為水上走繩（waterlining）的變化形式，這種變化形式進行的地點就在水面上方，這可能是最適合嘗試新技巧和技術的地方，因為從繩索上掉落至水面不會那麼痛。甚至還有一種變化形式稱為走繩瑜珈（slackline yoga），該形式將古印度身心冥想的藝術加在搖搖欲墜的細繩上。無論是在哪兒從事這項運動，走繩索都將身體平衡帶至新的境界。
答案：1. B 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. D 6. C 7. D
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