國發會與ICRT共同製播的時事英語廣播“The World in Brief”固定於每周三在雙語資料庫學習資源網更新，與大家一起聽時事學英文。

本周主題：國際生物多樣性日

今年5月13日在鳳凰谷鳥園生態園區(Fonghuanggu Bird & Ecology Park)有一場由國立自然科學博物館(National Museum of Natural Science)與國家發展委員會(National Development Council)聯合舉辦既充滿樂趣又能學習的國際生物多樣性日(International Day for Biological Diversity)慶祝活動。活動內容包括闖關市集、雙語電影、多語繪本說書等，適合家長與孩子一同參加。想知道更多嗎？讓我們用３分鐘的時間一起來聽聽記者Max McGrath怎麼說吧！

你喜歡這則時事英語廣播嗎?借用你3分鐘的時間讓我們知道你對The World in Brief的喜好與看法吧！

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【Transcript】

Nora: The biggest news …the best guests …the boldest events …This is ‘The World in Brief’ with Max McGrath.

Nora: The International Day for Biological Diversity is coming soon! Roving reporter Max McGrath joins us live from Nantou County, Taiwan, where they’re getting ready to party for the planet! Max?

Max: Thanks Nora. I’m here at the Fonghuanggu Bird & Ecology Park in Nantou, an ecological leisure spot found right at the foot of Fonghuang Mountain. Local ornithologist 鍾美玲 (Zhōng Měi-Líng) joins me now … hi there!

ML: Hi Max!

Max: Isn’t it beautiful here?!

ML: Yes, it’s totally stunning! I love coming here, up in the mountains. It’s great to be surrounded by nature.

Max: It’s all around us! Just smell that fresh air …

ML: And look! Up there … can you see it?!

Max: You mean that bird? It’s tiny, and so colorful! What is it?

ML: That’s a Taiwan barbet. They’re endemic here, that means they only live in Taiwan!

Max: You’re an ornithologist, so I guess you know lots about birds …

ML: That’s right. I’m a professional bird-watcher, basically!

ML: They have such an incredible variety of birds and animals here, some that are quite rare!

Max: That’s what biological diversity is all about, right? A range of different animals and plants all in the same place.

ML: Correct. Many countries around the world are incredibly biologically diverse.

ML: You went to Madagascar recently, for Earth Day. That’s a country filled with unique flora and fauna. They have plants you’ve never seen before! And animals you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Max: Like that frog?

ML: Exactly! That’s an emerald tree frog, another animal that only lives in Taiwan. There are over 19,000 species of wild animals here!

Max: I had no idea!

ML: Most people don’t. It’s a real shame, we should all learn more about the huge range of life on this island.

Max: There’s an event coming up just for that, right? The Soil and Water …

ML: … The Soil and Water Conservation Act & International Day for Biological Diversity. Yes, it’s actually this coming weekend! On Saturday May 13th.

Max: It’s all about soil and water too?

ML: That’s right. Without good, clean soil and water animals can’t live, plants can’t grow … we need to look after all of nature.

Max: So the festival’s going to be here, at the Fonghuanggu Bird & Ecology Park. And it’ll be an all day festival, open from 10am to 4pm …

ML: There’ll be so much to see and do! There’s a market with food, games, and an open cinema!

Max: Will it be good for kids?

ML: For sure! They’ll have a children’s theatre, a mascot parade … even storytellers reading in different languages!

Max: It all sounds wonderful! Thank yo …

ML: Max …! There’s a Taiwan bush warbler on your head!

Max: OMG!!! This is Max McGrath reporting live from Nantou, Taiwan. Back to you, Nora!

Nora: Max! It sounds like you and your new bird friend are getting along ‘EGGS-cellently’! Enjoy the festival, everyone! I’m Nora Yu.

 

【Vocabulary】

Ecology 生態學(n.)

The study of ecology, the relationships and interactions between organisms and their environment, is more urgent than ever because of the ecological impacts of climate change.

 

Ornithologist 鳥類學家(n.)

The ornithologist jokes that she's basically a professional bird-watcher, but she actually collects data on threatened species for field research, with the aim of influencing conservation policies.

 

Endemic 地方特有的(adj.)

Taiwan has over 250 endemic animal species, including the emerald tree frog and the Taiwan barbet.

 

Biologically, flora, fauna 生物學上地(adv.)、植物群(n.)、動物群(n.)

The extensive variety of flora and fauna in the park make it biologically diverse, one of the essential factors for a healthy ecosystem.

 

Shame 可惜的事情(n.)

It’s a shame that many people in Taiwan don't realize that this country is so rich in biological diversity.