作為提高安全保障措施中的一部分，英國國傢障礙賽馬大賽的參賽人數從40人減少到34人。
The Grand National, regarded by many as the world’s most famous horse race, features jockeys and horses negotiating 30 fences over more than four miles, and is watched by an estimated six hundred million people worldwide.
英國國傢障礙賽馬大賽被許多人認為是世界上最著名的賽馬比賽，騎手們需駕馭馬匹在超過四英裡長的賽程中跨越30道障礙。每年全球約有六億人觀看這項賽事。
However, after the death of five horses over the last decade, including one this year, there have been calls for more safety measures to be introduced.
然而，在過去十年中有五匹賽馬死亡，包括今年的一匹，這令一些人們呼籲大賽應引入更多安全保障措施。
These changes will see the maximum number of riders reduced from 40 to 34. There will also be an earlier start time and a shorter run to the first fence to slow horses down early on.
這些措施包括把同場競技的騎手人數從40人減少到34人。比賽的開始時間將會提前，從比賽起點到第一個障礙間的距離也會縮短，以提早控制馬匹的速度。
The introduction of a standing start and further veterinary checks are amongst other changes.
其它變化包括將賽馬起跑方式改為靜止站立起跑，以及更完善的獸醫檢查。
詞匯表
jockeys 賽馬騎手，職業騎師
negotiating 設法穿過、越過
fences 欄桿，（賽事中設置的）障礙
worldwide 全世界范圍地
safety measures 安全措施
riders 騎手
run 奔跑的距離，行程
early on 在早期，盡早地
standing start 站立式起跑（此處指馬匹靜止站立起跑）
veterinary checks 獸醫檢查
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. How many fences are there in the Grand National?
2. True or False? Five horses died during this year’s Grand National.
3. What will be the maximum number of riders in future races?
4. How will horses be slowed down at the start of the race?
答案
1. How many fences are there in the Grand National?
There are 30 fences in the Grand National.
2. True or False? Five horses died during this year’s Grand National.
False. Five horses have died over the last decade, including one from this year.
3. What will be the maximum number of riders in future races?
The maximum number of riders is reduced to 34.
4. How will horses be slowed down at the start of the race?
The horses will be slowed down by making the run to the first fence shorter.
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