A+ 字彙程度：500~2000字
主要對象：英檢初級；新多益225分

超經典！柑仔店懷舊零食大集合

走進臺灣的懷舊糖果店，你會看到很多特別的點心。有些經過了30到40年，現在仍然很受歡迎呢！

●巧克力牙膏：它不是真的牙膏，是裝在軟管中的巧克力奶油。可以將它塗抹在吐司或餅乾上；也有些人喜歡把它加在奶茶裡。

●跳跳糖：跳跳糖會在嘴裡爆開、四處跳動。這種糖果很好玩，因為你可以感覺得到也能聽得到它。

●橡皮糖：這種糖果看起來像小瓶子，吃起來就像可樂，還很有嚼勁！

A Visit to the Taiwanese Candy Shop

Go into one of Taiwan's old-fashioned candy stores, and you can see many special treats. People ate these snacks 30-40 years ago. Some of these are still popular now!

●Chocolate Toothpaste 巧克力牙膏
This isn't real toothpaste. It's chocolate cream in a tube. You can spread it on toast or cookies. Some people like it in milk tea.

●Pop Rocks 跳跳糖
To eat these, just open the bag and shake them into your mouth. The rocks pop and jump around. This candy is fun because you can feel and hear it.

●Cola Gummies 橡皮糖
These candies look like small bottles and taste like Coke. They're very chewy!

隱形眼鏡順手沖馬桶 恐成海洋汙染

許多人使用隱形眼鏡來看得更清楚。然而，有些人沒有用正確的方式丟棄他們的隱形眼鏡。在美國大約有 15-20% 的人會把隱形眼鏡沖到馬桶裡。隱形眼鏡在廢水裡會成為碎片並進入土壤。然後，鳥類會吃掉它們。之後，這些破碎的隱形眼鏡也會進到海洋並汙染水。魚類和其他海洋動物也會吃掉它們，塑膠汙染會傷害這些動物。如果位於食物鏈上層的人們吃了這些動物的話，也會受到傷害。

你還是可以戴隱形眼鏡，只要記得把它們丟到垃圾裡，而不是沖到馬桶裡。

Your Contact Lenses Can Hurt Earth

Many people use contact lenses to see more clearly. However, some people don't throw away their contact lenses in the right way. About 15-20% of people in the US flush them down the toilet. The lenses break into pieces in waste water and get into the soil. Then, birds eat them. These broken lenses also go to the ocean later and pollute the water. Fish and other sea animals also eat them. The plastic pollution can hurt them. It also hurts people further up the food chain if they eat these animals.

It's still fine to wear contact lenses. Just remember to throw them out in the garbage, not down the toilet.

A+ 字彙程度：500~2000字
主要對象：英檢初級；新多益225分

4U 字彙程度：1500~3500字
主要對象：英檢中級；新多益550分

戒掉你的「糖上癮」

大多數的人都不認為自己有糖癮…等到他們被要求戒糖的時候才會發現！你可能一想到要放棄一杯摩卡就會感到不開心，或是吃不到甜點就發脾氣。假如以上屬實，或許是時候開始減糖了，先找到自己屬哪一類的糖癮或許是不錯的起點。

第一種：需要來點甜的

屬於這種糖癮的人，在疲倦的時候都會想要一杯甜咖啡或能量飲料。這種類型的人的身體在短時間內獲取糖分和咖啡因來補充精力。一旦糖分和咖啡因補充的精力退卻，疲倦便會再次找上門。

第二種：沒有糖，毋寧死

這種類型的糖癮在他們的環境中面對許多壓力。我們體內製造賀爾蒙來抗衡壓力，但時常處於這樣的狀況會讓我們疲乏。當這樣的狀況發生，有些人開始尋求含糖食物，假如他們沒有立刻補充糖分，便會感到暈眩和緊張，這讓他們仰賴糖分面對壓力。

The Not-So-Sweet Truth about Sugar Addiction

Most people don't really think of themselves as sugar addicts… that is, until they're asked to give up sweets! You might feel horrible at the thought of giving up your mocha, or get angry if you can't have dessert. If so, it might be time to cut back on sugar. A good start would be to find out what kind of sugar addict you are.

1.The “Shot of Energy” Sugar Addict

Whoever has this kind of sugar addiction will reach for sweet coffee or energy drinks when they feel tired. Their body gets some energy for a short while from the sugar and caffeine. However, as soon as this fades, the tiredness sets in again.

2.The “Feed Me or I'll Kill You” Sugar Addict

This kind of sugar addict has a lot of stress in their environment. Our bodies make hormones to help with stress, but constantly doing this gets us tired. When this happens, some people will reach for sugary foods. If they can't eat these immediately, they get dizzy and nervous. This makes them depend on sugar to deal with stress.

來去冰屋住一晚

在加拿大的極北方，冬季氣溫可以降至攝氏零下五十度。現在那裡的人們住在用木頭之類的普通建築材料所建造的房子，然而在過去這是不可能實現的，因為樹木無法在那邊生長。因紐特人取而代之用雪建造庇護所。現在，我們稱呼這些雪做的房子為冰屋。

因紐特人隨著季節遷移，追捕賴以為食的獵物。因此，他們需要易於建造的臨時庇護所，以保持溫暖，特別是當他們在冰釣時。幸運的是，製作冰屋所用的壓實的雪有助於隔離內部的生活區域。

儘管室外天寒地凍，但在冰屋內部卻可以很暖和。冰屋的入口較靠近庇護所的底部，屋內起居的空間通常是一個平臺。由於熱空氣上升，被抬高的區域能保持溫暖，而冷空氣朝入口流出。最後，人們的體溫能幫助提高屋內的溫度，為寒風刺骨的夜晚帶來舒適感。

Igloos: Staying Warm in a House of Snow

In Canada's far north, temperatures can drop to -50°C in the winter. These days, people there live in houses made with common building materials, such as wood. This wasn't possible in the past, however, as trees don't grow there. Instead, Inuit people used snow to build shelters. Today, we know these snow houses as igloos.

The Inuit people traveled from season to season, pursuing the animals they hunted for food. Therefore, they needed easy-to-build, temporary shelters that would keep them warm, especially when they were ice fishing. Luckily, the compacted snow that igloos are made of helps insulate the living area inside.

In spite of the freezing temperatures outside, it can be quite warm inside an igloo. An igloo's entrance is at the lower end of the shelter. Inside, the living area should be a platform. Since heat rises, the raised area stays warm, while the cold air moves toward the entrance. Finally, people's body heat helps raise the temperature inside, bringing comfort on a chilly, arctic night.

4U 字彙程度：1500~3500字
主要對象：英檢中級；新多益550分

ED 字彙程度：4000~7000字
主要對象：英檢中級/中高級；新多益750分

地中海飲食好處多多

地中海飲食是地中海北方沿岸國家傳統的飲食方式，有人指出它能幫助體重減輕及心臟健康，還能幫忙預防某些癌症、神經系統的疾病、以及糖尿病。

地中海飲食由全榖、蔬菜、水果、堅果、海鮮、香辛料，以及橄欖油所組成。尤其橄欖油是健康的油脂，會代替奶油、人造奶油或是菜籽油來使用。精益蛋白質的來源，例如禽肉和蛋，以及像是起司和優格的乳製品，皆適量食用。地中海地區的人們通常只喝水，但一天一份的紅酒是可以接受的。

地中海飲食如此健康並不只是因為食物。地中海文化的人民樂於和所愛的人一起輕鬆用餐。這導致人們吃飯速度更慢、考慮得更周到。傳統地中海飲食另一個不可或缺的部分是讓身體動起來。這有可能是簡單的晨跑或晚飯後散步。不要認為地中海飲食只是個膳食計畫，而是要把它當成一種更好的生活方式。

Stay Healthy with the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is a traditional way of eating in countries along the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Italy, and Greece. Although modern fast food is now just as widespread in these countries as it is in the rest of the world, the traditional Mediterranean diet is much healthier. It has been shown to support weight loss and heart health. It can also help prevent certain cancers, nervous system disorders, and diabetes.

The Mediterranean diet consists of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seafood, herbs and spices, and olive oil. Olive oil in particular is a healthy fat used instead of butter, margarine, or canola oil. Sources of lean protein such as poultry and eggs, as well as dairy products like cheese and yogurt, are eaten in moderation. People in the Mediterranean region usually just drink water, but one serving of red wine per day is also acceptable. Red meat such as beef, pork, or lamb is rarely consumed. Whole foods and fresh, natural ingredients are an important part of the diet. It's best to avoid too much salt, highly processed foods, added sugar, and refined grains and oils; you'll find the traditional Mediterranean diet has little of each of these.

It's not only the food that makes the Mediterranean diet so healthy. People in Mediterranean cultures enjoy relaxing with loved ones while eating. This leads to people eating more slowly and thoughtfully. Another essential part of the traditional Mediterranean diet is to get moving. This could be as simple as a morning jog or going for a walk after dinner. Don't just think of the Mediterranean diet as a food plan, think of it as a better way of life.

前進哥斯大黎加！

哥斯大黎加這個中美洲國家擁有美麗的風景，以及地球上最豐富的生物多樣性。哥斯大黎加擁有近 1,300 公里的海岸線，加上其 25% 的土地受到環境法規的保護，是大自然愛好者的天堂。

主要是歐洲血統的哥斯大黎加人從該國的主要語言西班牙語中獲得了 Ticos 和 Ticas 的綽號。同樣來自西班牙語的是一個恰如其分的詞語來描述這個國家的生活品質：pura vida，或「純粹的生活」。pura vida 是一個普遍的問候，它不僅僅是一種友好的打招呼方式。這個簡單的詞語反映了哥斯大黎加人日常生活中快樂和放鬆的方式。事實上，這種悠閒的生活方式是哥斯大黎加在過去十年中三次被評選為地球上最快樂的地方的原因之一。

主要是歐洲血統的哥斯大黎加人從該國的主要語言西班牙語中獲得了 Ticos 和 Ticas 的綽號。同樣來自西班牙語的是一個恰如其分的詞語來描述這個國家的生活品質：pura vida，或「純粹的生活」。pura vida 是一個普遍的問候，它不僅僅是一種友好的打招呼方式。這個簡單的詞語反映了哥斯大黎加人日常生活中快樂和放鬆的方式。事實上，這種悠閒的生活方式是哥斯大黎加在過去十年中三次被評選為地球上最快樂的地方的原因之一。

Conscientious Costa Rica: An Ecotourist's Paradise

Looking for lush rainforests and tropical beaches all within a few hundred kilometers of each other? Look no further than Costa Rica. This Central American country boasts gorgeous scenery, as well as some of the richest biodiversity on the planet. With almost 1,300 kilometers of coastline and 25% of its land protected by environmental regulations, Costa Rica is a nature lover's paradise.

Costa Ricans, who are primarily of European descent, got the nicknames Ticos and Ticas from Spanish, the country's primary language. Also from Spanish came a fitting phrase to describe the country's quality of life: pura vida, or “pure life.” A common greeting, pura vida is much more than just a friendly way to say hello. The simple phrase reflects the happy and relaxed way that Costa Ricans go about their daily lives. In fact, this laid-back lifestyle is one of the reasons why Costa Rica has been named the happiest place on Earth three times in the past decade.

Costa Rica's prosperity stretches back more than half a century. In 1948, rebels overthrew Costa Rica's dictator, abolishing the military and establishing a constitutional republic. Since then, the country has poured money into social programs such as education, creating the most stable country in the region despite lacking an army. Another notable feature is the country's commitment to sustainable energy. In 2016, Costa Rica generated 98.1% of its power using hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and solar sources. The following year, it ran 300 days of the year on renewable energy alone. Furthermore, taxes on the fossil fuels used in the country's vehicles and public transportation systems are used to pay for the protection of Costa Rica's forests, placing it firmly on the ecotourism map.

ED 字彙程度：4000~7000字
主要對象：英檢中級/中高級；新多益750分