樹屋曾是人們躲避危險的臨時住所，但隨著時代的進步，樹屋的樣式和用途也在不斷改進和變革。從兒童玩耍的好去處，到現在，越來越多的成年人會選擇在世界各地新奇、古怪、有大膽設計的樹屋中住上幾晚，重拾接近自然的體驗。甚至還有些大型公司選擇建造樹屋辦公樓給員工提供別樣的思考和放松空間。本集《隨身英語》介紹目前流行的樹屋建筑。

Vocabulary: houses and homes 詞匯: 房屋和住宅

The noble tree house – all natural materials, sturdy construction, aloof from the troubles of the world. In a more dangerous time in human history, their position above the ground would protect the dweller against environmental difficulties and possible predators. As modern construction has improved, these arboreal residences have become less of a practical dwelling and more of a children's novelty - a secret den erected in many a back garden. But now, these fun shelters are appealing to adults too and many are booking themselves in for a few nights among the treetops.

These tree house hotels can be found From Europe to Australia. Best of all, they come in a variety of interesting designs! From the traditional 'four walls and a roof' habitation, such as at TreeHouse Point, in Washington, North America, to the more artistic Nothofagus Hotel in Chilean Patagonia, whose twelve-sided walls make it look like a beehive. If that doesn't appeal, how about a tree pod?

The Free Spirit Spheres resort on Vancouver Island in Canada allows guests to stay in one of three yellow spheres, which are suspended from trees. The company was founded in 1998 by Tom Chudleigh, who hand built the pods from cedar wood and fibre glass, and then added fixtures and fittings. Not only are they as safe as houses, they're popular! Visitor numbers have probably doubled in the past five years, Mr Chudleigh tells the BBC.

Digs which are original seem to be a big draw. In Sweden, at the Treehotel, numbers have also risen. "In 2010, we had four rooms and around 1,500 guests a year. Today we have seven rooms and nearly 5,000 guests," Kent Lindvall explains. Mr Lindvall co-owns the Treehotel with his wife Britta Lindvall. Each of the domiciles there was designed by an architect, who was asked to make use of the light and surroundings. Their abodes include a mirrored cube, a bird's nest and a UFO.

And how about an office? Microsoft, hoping to give its employees thinking space, has commissioned a three-building structure from Pete Nelson, tree house book author and designer and builder of tree houses. "Studies show people can work better in nature. They are more productive," says Mr Nelson.

If you've no head for heights, then maybe a tree house getaway isn't going to be your home away from home. But the sense of adventure, the novelty of the setting and the opportunity to return to nature has given an increasing number of tree house-staying adults something to write home about.

詞匯表

construction 構造
dweller 城市、城鎮居民
residence 住宅
dwelling 住所，房屋
den 簡易房
shelter 臨時住所
habitation 住所
pod（通常為圓形的）簡易小屋
fixture 固定裝置
fitting 可拆除的裝置（如爐灶或柜子）
as safe as houses 非常安全的
digs 借宿的地方
domicile 住宅
abode 住所
structure 大型建筑物
home away from home 家外之家，賓至如歸的地方

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why were treehouses safer in more dangerous times?

2. True or false: Tom Chudleigh had the three spheres constructed at a factory.

3. What types of tree house are available at Treehotel, Sweden?

4. According to Pete Nelson, why is Microsoft building a tree house structure?

5. Which word in the text means 'of or relating to trees'?

2. 請在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。

1. I love going to my cousins' house. I've been there so many times it's like my ______.

home under home        home far from home        home outside home        home away from home

2. It looks like there's some rain coming. Let's hope we can find some ______.

construction        abode        shelter        structure     

3. I need to buy new ______ for my kitchen. You know, washing machine, fridge, oven etc.

fittings        fixtures        dwellers        habitations

4. Don't worry about falling. With those three safety-harness, you're ______.

house safe        as safety as house        as safe as houses        as safe as home

5. Hello. My name is Constable Jones. Is this the Smith ______?

den        digs        shelter         residence

答案

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why were treehouses safer in more dangerous times?
Their position above the ground would protect the dweller against environmental difficulties and possible predators.

2. True or false: Tom Chudleigh had the three spheres constructed at a factory.
False. The company was founded in 1998 by Tom Chudleigh, who hand built the pods, fixtures and fittings from cedar wood and fibreglass.

3. What types of tree house are available at Treehotel, Sweden?
Their abodes include a mirrored cube, a bird's nest and a UFO.

4. According to Pete Nelson, why is Microsoft building a tree house structure?
Microsoft is building a tree house structure because ‘studies show people can work better in nature. They are more productive’.

5. Which word in the text means 'of or relating to trees'?
Arboreal. (As modern construction has improved, these arboreal residences have become a less practical dwelling.)

2. 請在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。

1. I love going to my cousins' house. I've been there so many times it's like my home away from home.

2. It looks like there's some rain coming. Let's hope we can find some shelter.

3. I need to buy new fittings for my kitchen. You know, washing machine, fridge, oven, etc.

4. Don't worry about falling. With those three safety-harness, you're as safe as houses.

5. Hello. My name is Constable Jones. Is this the Smith residence?