When someone talks about search and rescue animals, the image most likely to pop into your head is a dog searching through rubble. An animal you may never think of for such a purpose is a rat. However, scientists in Tanzania are currently working on training African giant pouched rats to save lives.
These rats will head into debris left by earthquakes, equipped with tiny backpacks that contain a microphone, video gear, and a location tracker. When the rat locates a survivor, they are trained to pull a rubber ball attached to their vest to produce a beeping sound that rescuers can use as a signal to find the person. The trainers use a mixture of rat food, avocado, and banana as a reward for the rats when they accomplish the mission.
Dr. Donna Kean, a researcher working on this project, says using rats in rescue operations has many benefits. Their sense of smell is comparable to that of dogs, and they are just as easy to train. Rats can work with multiple trainers, while dogs are tied to just one trainer. Also, because rats are small in size, they can crawl through areas of dense rubble that dogs aren’t able to reach.
A concern over this project is that the rats might scare the people they are trying to save. To prevent this potential problem, speakers in the rats’ backpacks will play audio to let people know help is on the way. Furthermore, the researchers plan to arrange a marketing campaign to educate the public about these helpful rats.
1. Which of the following is true about the African giant pouched rats?
(A) They will be introduced to the public through an election campaign.
(B) They’re the first animal to ever be used for search and rescue.
(C) They can locate the survivors who are trapped in rubble.
(D) They are used both on the land and under the water.
2. How do the rats signal that they found a person during a search mission?
(A) They launch a ball into the air.
(B) They create a trail leading to the trapped person.
(C) They make a squeaking sound into a microphone.
(D) They turn on a tracking device that makes a beeping sound.
3. Why does the researcher believe rats can be beneficial in a rescue operation?
(A) They have excellent vision in dark places.
(B) They are cheaper to train than other animals.
(C) They can reach small spaces that dogs are unable to get to.
(D) They are specially trained to only work with one animal trainer.
答案： 1.C 2.D 3.C
單字片語整理
Words in Use
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gear [gɪr]
n. 裝備（不可數）；齒輪（可數）
vt. 使適合
vi. 準備好
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campaign [kæmˋpen]
n. （社會、宣傳）運動
vi. 從事運動
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accomplish [əˋkɑmplɪʃ]
vt. 達成，完成
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multiple [ˋmʌltəp!]
a. 多重的，眾多的
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audio [ˋɔdɪ͵o]
a. 聲音的
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rescue [ˋrɛskju]
.vt. & n. 拯救
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dense [dɛns]
a. 稠密的
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comparable [ˋkɑmpərəb!]
a. 可相比的
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debris [dəˋbri]
n. 廢墟，殘垣斷瓦 (不可數)
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beep [bip]
n. 嗶嗶聲
vi. 發出嗶嗶聲
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squeak [skwik]
n. 吱吱聲
vi. 發出吱吱聲
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rubble [ˋrʌb!]
n. 瓦礫堆（集合名詞，不可數）
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tracker [ˋtrækɚ]
n. 追蹤器
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avocado [͵ævəˋkɑdo]
n. 酪梨
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rescuer [ˋrɛskjʊɚ]
n. 援救者
Practical Phrases
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be equipped with... 配備有……
All the classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
所有的教室都配有最先進的設備。
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pop into one’s head 某人突然想到
A good idea popped into my head before I fell asleep, but I forgot it after I woke up today.
我睡著前想到一個好點子，但我今天起床就忘了。
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be attached to 附著／固定／連接在⋯⋯
Do you like the charm that is attached to my phone?
你喜歡我掛在手機上的吊飾嗎？
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as a reward for 作為⋯⋯的獎賞
My mom bought my sister a dress as a reward for winning the speech contest.
媽媽買了一件洋裝給妹妹作為贏得演講比賽的獎賞。
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be tied to 與⋯⋯聯繫在一起
Skin cancer is tied to overexposure to sunlight.
皮膚癌與過度接觸陽光有關聯。
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be trapped in 被困在⋯⋯
The passengers have been trapped in the wreck for hours and have not been rescued yet.
乘客被困在損毀的車裡數個小時了，還未被救出。
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an African giant pouched rat 非洲巨鼠（pouch 原為名詞，表「（動物貯存食物的）頰囊／頰袋」）
More to Learn
a mixture of... ⋯⋯的混合
• The singer released an album with a mixture of his famous old songs and new ones.
該歌手發行了一張專輯，是他著名的新舊歌曲的混合。
以下介紹其他表「混合，結合」的名詞用法:
a. mixture [ ˋmɪkstʃɚ ] 指「(不同物質、思想、特質 等的)混合/結合」。
b. combination [ ͵kɑmbəˋneʃən ] 指「(兩種以上事物 的)混合/結合」。
• Willy loves the combination of cinnamon and chocolate in his coffee.
威力喜歡在咖啡裡混合肉桂和巧克力。
c. blend [ blɛnd ] 尤指「(成功的)混合/融合」。
• A blend of experience and energy make Emma a perfect candidate.
有經驗又有活力讓艾瑪成為完美的人選。
d. hybrid [ ˋhaɪbrɪd ] 尤指「(兩種或兩種以上不同物 質的)混合體/物」。
• This architecture is a hybrid of French and British styles.
這棟建築是法式和英式風格的混合體。
e. synthesis [ ˋsɪnθəsɪs ] 指「(訊息、思想等的)綜 合體;(化學)合成物」。
• The author’s latest novel is a synthesis of mythology and historical events.
