一項研究估計，在英國家庭中，共堆積了多達四千萬件不再被使用的舊電子產品。而且每一件產品中都含有多種珍貴且日益 “瀕危” 的元素。

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s survey of more than 2,000 people revealed that almost half have between two and five old gadgets in their homes and most people have no plans to recycle them.

英國皇家化學學會（Royal Society of Chemistry）對兩千多人進行的一項調查顯示，近一半的人家中有兩到五件舊電子設備，而且絕大多數人不打算對這些設備進行回收再利用。

This means an estimated 40 million old devices, most containing elements the Earth is simply running out of, could be languishing in cupboards and drawers.

這意味著，大約有四千萬件舊設備，其中大多數設備都含有地球即將耗盡的元素，可能會在柜子和抽屜里報廢。

The mines for elements such as indium, for example, which is used to make touch screens, will be exhausted within a century.

例如，用于制造觸摸屏幕的銦等元素的礦藏將在一個世紀內枯竭。

Meanwhile, demand for more advanced personal devices continues to increase. So scientists say recycling our old tech is the only sustainable solution.

與此同時，對更先進的個人設備的需求日益增長。因此，科學家們說，回收我們的舊電子設備是唯一可持續的解決方案。

詞匯

gadgets 電子產品，電子設備
estimated 估算的
devices 設備
elements 元素
languishing 報廢
mines 礦
indium （元素）銦
touch screens 觸屏
exhausted 枯竭的，耗盡的
advanced 先進的
tech 科技產品
sustainable 可持續的

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. True or false? Most people surveyed are planning to recycle their old gadgets.

2. According to the text, when will the mines for elements such as indium be exhausted?

3. According to scientists, what is the sustainable solution to the shortage of elements used in gadgets and the increase in demand for advanced personal devices?

4. Which word in the text is used to mean ‘the need for a certain product or commodity to be supplied’?

答案

1. True or false? Most people surveyed are planning to recycle their old gadgets.
False. Most people who took part in the survey have no plans to recycle their old gadgets.

2. According to the text, when will the mines for elements such as indium be exhausted?
According to the text, the mines for elements such as indium, which is used to make touch screens, will be exhausted within a century.

3. According to scientists, what is the sustainable solution to the shortage of elements used in gadgets and the increase in demand for advanced personal devices?
According to scientists, recycling our old tech is the only sustainable solution.

4. Which word in the text is used to mean ‘the need for a certain product or commodity to be supplied’?
Demand.