常春藤生活英語：戀戀海灘

Going to a beach can be a lot of fun, and in Taiwan, there are plenty to choose from. From north to south and east to west, whether they are next to oceans, lakes, or rivers, beaches are everywhere on this island. The most popular ones, though, are found along the coast. You may think you know everything about the beaches of Taiwan. However, there are a few hidden secrets to these beautiful places that will certainly surprise you.

It is easy to name a few typical beach activities off the top of your head. But would you think of hang gliding1 and paragliding2? Several of Taiwan's beaches that have cliffs3 or hills are perfect for these adventure sports. Music festivals and other events also offer excitement for beach-goers4. Everyone has heard of bird watching. But do you know that some of the rarest birds in the world make beaches in Taiwan their home for part of the year? You don't need to be a nature lover to understand how special that is. It is also easy to appreciate the simple beauty of beaches. For example, the Gold Coast by Tainan might have the most beautiful sunrises. As the sun peeks out from below the horizon5, its light turns the shore a beautiful gold color. At the same time, stars still sparkle in the deep blue sky above. With so much to discover, there seems to be nothing ordinary about Taiwan's beaches.

到海邊玩可說是樂趣無窮，而臺灣可供選擇的海灘更是多不勝數。從北到南、由東向西，不論是在海邊、湖畔或河旁，島上的灘頭到處皆是。不過最受歡迎的還是在沿岸邊。對于臺灣的海灘，您或許自認熟知一切。不過這些美麗的地方，絕對還是有能令您驚喜不已的個中奧秘。

您一定輕易地就能隨口說出一些相當典型的海灘活動。但您想得到玩滑翔翼及滑翔傘嗎?臺灣數個擁有懸崖或山丘的海灘，就是進行這些冒險運動的最佳地點。對常去海灘的人而言，音樂祭和其它活動也令人興奮不已。每個人都聽過賞鳥這件事。不過您知不知道，世上一些最稀有的鳥類一年中有部份時間以臺灣的海灘為家?您不需是位大自然的愛好者就能明了那是多么特別的一件事。欣賞海灘的單純之美也不困難。舉例來說，緊鄰臺南的黃金海岸或許有著最美妙的日出景致。隨著太陽自地平線之下微微地探頭而出，陽光便將海岸染上一抹璀璨的金黃。在此同時，頭頂上深藍色的天空仍有繁星閃爍。有著這么多可以探索之處，臺灣的海灘似乎一點也不平凡。

Building Your Vocabulary

sparkle　vi. 閃閃發(fā)光，閃爍

Rosie's diamond ring sparkled in the sunlight.

蘿西的鉆戒在陽光下閃閃發(fā)光。

Phrases for Learning

1. next to...　　在……的旁邊，緊靠著……

Owen asked for a seat next to the window.

歐文要了一個靠窗的座位。

2. off the top of + 所有格 + head　　(某人)不加思索地

Jeremy answered that difficult question off the top of his head.

杰里米想也沒想就回答出那個難題。

3. think of...　　想到∕想出……

I can't think of anyone who can do this job.

我想不到有誰可以做這件事。

4. hear of...　　聽說過∕知道……(多用完成式)

Ricky has never heard of that pop singer.

瑞克從來沒聽過那位流行歌手。

5. peek out from...　　自……微微露出

A shoe is peeking out from under the curtain.

窗簾下有只鞋子露了一小截出來。

參考字詞

1. hang gliding　n. 滑翔翼運動

2. paragliding　n. 滑翔傘運動

3. cliff　n. 懸崖，峭壁

4. goer　n. 常去……的人

5. horizon　n. 地平線

Grammar Check

As the sun peeks out from below the horizon...

(隨著太陽自地平線之下微微地探頭而出……)

在英文的句構中，介詞通常以名詞或動名詞作其受詞，但有時為描述特殊狀況，會出現介詞后又以介詞詞組作受詞的情況，形成雙重介詞詞組。

Zoe picked up her pen from underneath the table.

(柔依從桌子底下把筆撿起來。)

The boy jumped out from behind the door and frightened his sister.

(男孩從門后跳出來嚇他妹妹。)