7-8年級--英語朗讀文章

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1. The Taiwanese White Dolphin

The Taiwanese White Dolphin is a rare dolphin that lives near Western Taiwan. It only lives there because the water is not very deep. People also call it “Mazu’s fish” because it's often seen around the sea goddess Mazu’s birthday in March and April. These dolphins are about 2.4* to 2.7* meters long and have a small fin on top.

When the Taiwanese White Dolphin is born, it's dark gray, but as it gets older, it turns white with gray spots. But did you know they look pink? That's because we can see their blood vessels through their white and light gray skin! Did you know that the word “dolphin” in Chinese is “海豚”? It means “sea pig.” This is probably because the dolphin’s shape, color, and size can make it look like a pig.

Dolphins are social animals. Dolphins like to play and jump out of the water. The Taiwanese White Dolphins usually travel in groups of four. They're smart and follow fishing boats to eat fish.

Sadly, these dolphins are in danger. One problem is fishing. Dolphins often get stuck in fishing nets and have scars all over their bodies. Some unlucky ones even died in the net. Another problem is renewable energy. Renewable energy is good for our planet and many companies are building wind farms. These wind farms are good for the environment, but building them in the ocean takes away space for dolphins to live and can make a lot of noise, the noise can also confuse dolphins and make the water dirty. Dolphins and the fish they eat cannot live in dirty water.

The Taiwanese White Dolphin is important to Taiwan. We should protect them instead of harming them.

*Mazu 媽祖      * two point four (2.4)   * two point seven (2.7)

2. Eating Locally

People everywhere are eating locally. What does this mean? It means we try to eat food that farmers grow close to us, not buying food from far away. Why is this important?

First, eating locally helps the farmers around us. They spend lots of time and energy growing the food we eat every day. Let’s support these farmers by buying vegetables and fruit from them, not at the supermarket.

Second, food grown nearby is fresher and tastes better. The farther it is sent, the less fresh and tasty.

Lastly, local food comes from places closer to our house, less gas is needed to take it to the market. Using less gas is better for the environment.

In Changhua*, there are many farms, so there are lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and meat every day. Almost every city, town, and village in Changhua County has at least one market. People also sell local produce on the side of the roads.

If people like food grown without chemicals, twelve certified farms in Changhua grow healthy vegetables, mushrooms, fruit, herbs, and fish.

Taiwan is a small country, so eating food grown here is better for nature than eating food shipped from other countries. For example, a baker named Shi Ming-huang* in Changhua County used imported flour to make his bread, but in 2007, he started planting his own wheat to save money. Even though wheat is not easy to grow in Taiwan, he did not give up. By 2010, many farmers in Taiwan grow wheat for him without chemicals. This wheat is fresh and organic. Most of his bread uses Taiwanese wheat. It is the freshest of all.

Eating locally and eating food grown in Taiwan are better for all of us and the environment. Let’s all join in!

* Changhua 彰化     * Shi Ming-huang施明煌*

3. Changhua County’s Offshore Wind Farm Project

Changhua* County is an important place for making wind power in Taiwan and the world. But what is wind power and why is it important? Let me explain!

Wind turbines are like big fans. When the wind blows, the blades of the fans turn. This makes power for many things. Wind power is great because it comes from the wind. As long as there is wind, we can keep making power. It is limitless and free. It's also better for the environment.

A wind farm is a place with many wind turbines. In some countries, wind farms are built on flat land with a strong wind. In Taiwan, because there isn’t much flat land, many wind farms are in the water offshore. Offshore wind turbines can be bigger and make more power because the wind is stronger over the sea. Even though they make noise, they're far from land, so people can't really hear them.

The first offshore wind farm in Taiwan opened in April 2017. Many of the world's top wind farms are in the Taiwan Strait near Changhua County. This area is good for wind farms because the seabed is flat and not deep. Changhua County has many wind farms because it's a great place for them. Now, 21 of the 36 offshore wind farms in Taiwan are in Changhua County, and Changhua County is producing 63 percent of Taiwan’s total wind power.

In the future, there are plans to build even more wind turbines in Changhua County. These wind farms will provide enough energy for millions of people in Taiwan every year! Changhua County is lucky to have so much wind. Let's help Taiwan have cleaner air and brighter skies!

*Changhua彰化