英國國家統計局（Office for National Statistics）發表的數據顯示，2018年，英格蘭和威爾士的人口出生率，按總人口的比例衡量，降至歷史最低點。

文字稿

Just over 657,000 babies were born in England and Wales in 2018, the fewest since 2005 and the lowest rate since records began more than 80 years ago. 

2018年，英格蘭和威爾士的嬰兒出生人數剛剛超過65.7萬，為2005年以來最少的一年，也是自80多年前有記錄以來的最低水平。

It is the third year in a row that it's come down and echoes a similar decline in other countries, including France and Australia. 

這是該數據連續第三年下降，與包括法國和澳大利亞在內的其它一些國家的類似下降趨勢相呼應。 

The Office for National Statistics says falling fertility rates have been exaggerated by an ageing population. The proportion of older people, compared with women who are of childbearing age, is increasing. 

英國國家統計局表示，人口出生率下降被人口老齡化現象夸大。與育齡婦女人數相比，老年人口的比例正在增加。

詞匯

in a row 連續地
echoes 與……相呼應
decline 下降
fertility rates 生育率，人口出生率
exaggerated 夸大了
ageing population 人口老齡化
proportion 比例
childbearing age 生育年齡

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題 。

1. When did records of births begin in England and Wales?

2. True or false? The birth rate in England and Wales has dropped faster than in places like France and Australia.

3. What section of the population in England and Wales is increasing?

4. How has the birth rate changed in England and Wales in the last three years?

答案

1. When did records of births begin in England and Wales?
Records of births began more than 80 years ago.

2. True or false? The birth rate in England and Wales has dropped faster than in places like France and Australia.
False. France and Australia have had a similar decline to England and Wales.

3. What section of the population in England and Wales is increasing?
The population is ageing so that means there are more older people than younger people.

4. How has the birth rate changed in England and Wales in the last three years?
It is the third year in a row that the birth rate has declined.