Silvergrass is a plant that is commonly seen across Taiwan. It grows in groups of tall reeds with feathery tops that move with the wind. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant has had a number of uses in different parts of the world.
Fourteen species of silvergrass grow throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Many cultures around the world have found different uses for this special plant. The Japanese have long valued silvergrass for its beauty and used it in papermaking. In Papua New Guinea, the stems have been used to make garden fences and the outer walls of traditional houses. Dried stems are also burned at night to provide light and heat. In many countries, silvergrass has also been used as a bedding material to give farm animals a comfortable place to sleep.
Silvergrass grows well in a variety of climates. It requires little to no care and can survive under extreme weather conditions. It even grows well in polluted soil and has the ability to absorb harmful substances. With these qualities, this special plant holds promise for even more uses in the future.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
natural
[ˋnætʃərəl]
adj. 大自然的；自然的；輕鬆自如的，不做作的
We enjoyed the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon.
我們欣賞著大峽谷的自然美景。
It’s natural for you to feel upset in this situation.
你在這種情況下會感到不開心是很自然的。
Try to relax and be natural. Grandma doesn’t know the truth yet.
試著放鬆一點並保持自然。奶奶還不知道真相。
The actor has a natural way of speaking on stage.
這位演員在臺上的說話方式自然不做作。
高中 Level 2
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fence
[fɛns]
vt. 圍起來
n. 籬笆，柵欄
The farmer fenced inall his cattle.
那個農夫把他的牛都圍了起來。
I want to live in a house with white fences.
我想要住在有白色籬笆的房子裡。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
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outer
[ˋaʊtɚ]
a. 外在的；外面的
=
external
Some people believe that there are intelligent beings like mankind in outer space.
有些人相信，在外太空有像人類一樣的智慧型生物。
高中 Level 3
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material
[məˋtɪrɪəl]
n. 材 / 原料（可數）；（書 / 電影等的）資料 / 素材（不可數）
adj. 物質的
The company sells building materials such as bricks, tiles, etc.
那家公司販售建材，如磚塊、磁磚等。
The director is collecting material for his new documentary.
那位導演正為他的新紀錄片蒐集素材。
Greta is only interested in material comforts.
葛瑞塔只對物質享受有興趣。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
survive
[sɚˋvaɪv]
vt. & vi. 倖存，留存；比（某人）活得久
Only a few people survived the flood.
這次洪水只有一些人生還。
After the war, only a few historical buildings survived.
戰後，只有少數歷史建築倖存下來。
Charlie’s wife survived him by ten years.
查理的老婆比他多活 10 年。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
polluted
[pəˋlutɪd]
a. 受汙染的
Drinking polluted water can lead to serious diseases.
飲用受汙染的水可能導致嚴重的疾病。
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substance
[ˋsʌbstəns]
n. 物質
This colorless, odorless substance is actually quite toxic.
這種無色無味的物質事實上有劇毒。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
Extra Words
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reed
[rid]
n. （管樂器的）簧片，蘆葦
●
feathery
[ˋfɛðərɪ]
a. 羽毛似的
●
delicate
[ˋdɛləkət]
a. 脆弱的；精緻的
=
weak
The eye is a rather delicate organ.
眼睛是很脆弱的器官。
Jonathan gave me a set of delicate china teacups for my birthday.
喬納森送了我一組精緻的陶瓷茶杯作為生日禮物。
高中 Level 4
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species
[ˋspiʃiz]
n. 物種（單複數同形）
We found a strange species of bird on the island.
我們在這座島上發現了一種怪鳥。
Many species of wild animals are endangered. 許多種野生動物都快要瀕臨絕種了。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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stem
[stɛm]
vt. 阻止
vi. 起因於（與介詞 from 並用）
n. 莖
The government should stem the rising crime rate.
政府應該阻止日益攀升的犯罪率。
The riot that took place over the weekend stemmed from some immigration controversies.
週末的暴動起因於某些有爭議性的移民問題。
The roses were too tall for the vase so Mary shortened the stems.
這些玫瑰花長度超過花瓶，所以瑪莉把它們的莖剪短。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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bedding
[ˋbɛdɪŋ]
n. （家畜睡的）墊草（不可數）
●
absorb
[əbˋsɔrb]
vt. 吸收；理解
Sponges are used to absorb liquids.
海綿可用來吸收液體。
I couldn’t absorb everything I read.
所有讀過的東西我並非都能理解。
I was so absorbed in my work that I didn’t hear you calling me.
我太投入工作，因此沒聽到你在叫我。
I was so buried in my work that I didn’t hear you calling me.
我太投入工作，因此沒聽到你在叫我。
