文字稿

英國的蝴蝶數目大量減少，這讓野生動植物專家們感到非常費解。一項由成千上萬名志愿者參與的年度“蝶口統計”調查顯示，與 2013 年每計數次的 23 只相比，今年的平均值降到了 12.2 。此前，蝴蝶數目曾在 2012 年潮濕的夏天驟然下降，本年度的數量甚至比當時還要少。推行這個計劃的蝴蝶保護協會（ Butterfly Conservation ）說，造成該現象的原因至今仍是一個謎。請聽報道。

Each year, tens of thousands of people take part in The Big Butterfly Count to help experts chart the fortunes of common species.

Some butterflies recorded their worst numbers since the project began in 2010. Sightings of commas were down 46% compared with last year.

Butterfly Conservation says the weather this summer should have helped the insects. It thinks the mild winter and cold spring could have had an effect along with pesticides. But there were some successes – red admirals were up 70% on last year, and green-veined whites were up 58%.

詞匯表

The Big Butterfly Count 由英國蝴蝶保護協會推行的“蝶口統計”項目，號召全國志愿者記錄并統計不同種類的蝴蝶數量
chart 標示，詳細記錄
fortunes 時運
numbers 數目，數量
sightings 目擊、看見（罕見或珍貴的事物或現象）
commas 白鉤蛺蝶
red admirals 優紅蛺蝶
green-veined whites 暗脈菜粉蝶

測驗

請聽報道并回答下列問題。

1. Why do tens of thousands of people take part in The Big Butterfly Count?

2. In which year did the project start running?

3. True or false? The drop in the number of butterflies was across all species.

4. Which word in the text means ‘chemicals used to kill harmful insects’?

答案

1. Why do tens of thousands of people take part in The Big Butterfly Count?
They take part in The Big Butterfly Count to help experts chart the fortunes of common species.

2. In which year did the project start running?
The project began in 2010.

3. True or false? The drop in the number of butterflies was across all species.
False. Some species, such as red admirals and green-veined whites, were doing well.

4. Which word in the text means ‘chemical products used to kill harmful insects’?
Pesticides.