文字稿
相信很多人都對下面的這個情景深有體會：為瞭趕火車或飛機，我們費力地拖著一個兩輪拉桿箱向前奔跑，而箱子會左右搖晃，眼看著就要翻倒，著實讓人提心吊膽。現在，科學傢們已經針對這個令人費解的日常物理難題展開瞭研究調查，結果他們發現，避免該現象的方法可能和我們的預期有所不同。請聽報道。
It’s a common experience when dashing for a train while lugging a two-wheeled suitcase, the bag rocks alarmingly from side to side and threatens to overturn.
To explain why this happens, French researchers studied a model suitcase on a treadmill and did some number-crunching. And it turns out, that rather than slowing down, as you might expect, you should actually speed up to tame your unruly suitcase.
Scientists say, while it’s a fun way to tackle the problem, the study could have applications with other two-wheeled things from trailers to caravans.
詞匯表
dashing 猛沖，突然奔跑
lugging 用力拖著
two-wheeled 兩輪的
suitcase 行李箱，這裡指拉桿箱
rocks 搖晃，搖擺
alarmingly 令人驚慌地，讓人擔憂地
from side to side 左右、來回地
threatens 預示著、快要發生（不好的事情）
overturn 翻倒
treadmill 跑步機
number-crunching （人或計算機進行的簡單而耗時的）數字運算
tame 控制，駕馭
unruly 難控制的，難駕馭的
applications 用途，應用
trailers （卡車後的）掛車
caravans （尤指用汽車拖著走的）旅行房車
測驗
請聽報道並回答下列問題。
1. What did French researchers do to explain the suitcase puzzle?
2. What applications could the study have, according to the scientists?
3. True or false? To control our suitcases, we should speed up rather than slow down.
4. Which word in the text means ‘to deal with something difficult with determination’?
答案
1. What did French researchers do to explain the suitcase puzzle?
To explain the suitcase puzzle, French researchers studied a model suitcase on a treadmill and did some number-crunching.
2. What applications could the study have, according to the scientists?
The study could have applications with other two-wheeled things from trailers to caravans, according to the scientists.
3. True or false? To control our suitcases, we should speed up rather than slow down.
True. It turns out that rather than slowing down, as we might expect, we should actually speed up to tame our unruly suitcases.
4. Which word in the text means ‘to deal with something difficult with determination’?
Tackle.
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