食用建議
- 先看標題，一開始就弄清楚單字與片語的使用情境
- 接著，瀏覽單字表（Vocabulary、Words for Recognition），點擊連結聽單字發音並跟著練習，這麼做你可以同時訓練聽力與發音
- 再回來閱讀文章，第一次先純看英文；第二次再邊看英文邊對照中文翻譯確認自己有沒有正確理解文章內容
- 閱讀文章的同時，試著回想粗體字的單字或片語意思，情境式的單字記憶比較有效唷
- 接下來，做是非題，確認剛剛讀到的內容有沒有真的懂、理解到了什麼程度
- 想訓練自己的口語表達，可以再做討論題（Discussion），底下有附每一題的參考答案
Scientists say they can grow tea on the Moon
科學團隊表示（未來）能夠在月球上種植茶樹
Scientists have said that it might be possible to grow tea on the Moon. Researchers from the University of Kent in the UK believe the lunar soil is good enough for tea plants to grow in.
科學家表示在月球上種植茶葉或許是可行的。英國肯特大學的研究團隊認為月球上的土壤，其條件足以讓茶樹生長。
Lead researcher Professor Nigel Mason said: "We are at the very earliest stages of research into space agriculture." He added: "It is reassuring that we may be able to provide access to the great British tradition of a tea break."
研究負責人奈傑爾・梅森教授說明：「關於太空農業的研究，我們目前還處於非常早期的階段。」他也補充：「（不過）令人欣慰的是，我們或許能讓人們在太空中也能享有英國下午茶的傳統。」
This is good news for astronauts who visit the Moon in the future. They will be able to have a cup of Moon-grown tea. It could also be good news for farmers who struggle to grow crops in poor soil.
這對未來造訪月球的太空人來說是一則好消息，他們將能喝到用月球上種植的茶葉泡成的一杯茶。而且，這對於那些在貧瘠土壤中難以種植作物的農民而言，也可能是好事。
Researchers hope farmers worldwide will be able to farm even in poor soil. Professor Mason and his team investigated whether tea plants could grow in lunar and Martian soil.
研究人員希望全球的農民即使在貧瘠的土壤中也能耕作。梅森教授及其團隊研究過茶樹是否能夠在月球與火星的土壤中生長。
He said: "Our experiments reveal that...plants such as tea may be cultivated in lunar soil within lunar greenhouses, allowing inhabitants of such bases some degree of [independence] and access to fresh food."
他表示：「我們的實驗顯示……像茶這樣的植物有可能在月球上的溫室裡栽培，這麼一來，基地的太空人也能在某種程度達到自給自足，有新鮮的食物吃。」
The researchers planted tea in a special soil they made that is close to the type of soil found on the Moon and on Mars. Fellow researcher Dr Sara Lopez-Gomollon was happy with her findings.
研究人員將茶樹種植在一種特別製作的土壤中，這種土壤的性質接近月球與火星上的土壤類型。同樣參與研究的莎拉・洛佩茲－戈莫隆博士對於研究成果感到十分滿意。
She said: "The results of this project are very encouraging, as they demonstrate that tea...can be grown in lunar soil." Unfortunately, the tea plants did not grow in the Martian soil.
她分享：「計畫的成果振奮人心，因為這意味著茶葉……可以在月球的土壤中生長。」不過，很可惜的是，茶樹並未能在火星土壤中生長。
Vocabulary｜連同搭配詞一起弄熟!
soil n. [C] [U] 土壤；土地 [U] 國土
Researchers believe the lunar soil is good enough for tea plants to grow in.
研究團隊（研究人員們）認為月球上的土壤適合茶樹生長。
crop n. [C] 農作物；收成
Farmers struggle to grow crops in poor soil.
在貧瘠的土地上，農民難以種植農作物。
base n. [C] 基地
They lived on the base for six months before returning to Earth.
他們待在基地六個月後才返回地球。
stage n. [C] 階段；舞台
We are at the very earliest stages of research into space agriculture.
關於太空農業的研究，我們目前還處於非常早期的階段。
astronaut n. [C] 太空人
This is good news for astronauts who visit the Moon in the future.
這對未來前往月球的太空人來說是個好消息。
Words for Recognition｜這些單字可以先認得就好~
investigate vt./vi. 調查；研究
demonstrate vt./vi. 證明；示範
reassuring adj. 令人安心 / 欣慰的
inhabitant n. [C] 居民；棲息動物
True / False｜是非題
- Scientists have successfully grown tea on the Moon. T / F
- Scientists say they are just beginning to look into space farming. T / F
- Astronauts may one day be able to have an English-style tea break. T / F
- The research may help farmers who farm in poor soil. T / F
- The researchers looked at growing tea on five different planets. T / F
- There could one day be greenhouses on the Moon. T / F
- Scientists used real soil from the Moon. T / F
- The test tea grew well in Moon-like and Mars-like soil. T / F
Discussion｜來練練英語口說吧（底下有附參考答案唷~）
- Would you like to eat food grown on the Moon?
- Do you think Moon-grown tea would be safe?
- Why is it important we learn more about space agriculture?
- Which do you prefer, tea or coffee? Why?
- What's your country's national drink? Do you like it? Why or why not?
Answers｜答案
True / False｜是非題
- Scientists have successfully grown tea on the Moon. T / F
- Scientists say they are just beginning to look into space farming. T / F
- Astronauts may one day be able to have an English-style tea break. T / F
- The research may help farmers who farm in poor soil. T / F
- The researchers looked at growing tea on five different planets. T / F
- There could one day be greenhouses on the Moon. T / F
- Scientists used real soil from the Moon. T / F
- The test tea grew well in Moon-like and Mars-like soil. T / F
Discussion｜口語表達練習
1. Would you like to eat food grown on the Moon?
Yeah, I think I might. I'm curious how it'll taste.
我覺得會唉，有點好奇嘗起來是什麼味道。
2. Do you think Moon-grown tea would be safe?
Well, it's hard to say since I'm not an expert, but I think it would be tested carefully before people are allowed to drink it.
這個嘛，因為我不是專家，所以很難說，但我認為在開放大眾飲用之前，應該會經過嚴謹的測試。
3. Why is it important we learn more about space agriculture?
The article points out that space farming could help farmers grow crops in poor soil, which might reduce famine. That's why I think it's important for us to learn more about space agriculture.
文章指出太空農業能幫助農民在貧瘠的土壤中種植作物，進而可能減少饑荒。因此，我覺得進一步了解太空農業對我們來說至關重要。
4. Which do you prefer, tea or coffee? Why?
I actually like both, but if I have to choose, I'd say tea because there's a lot of variety. Plus, drinking tea doesn't affect my sleep the way coffee does.
茶跟咖啡我都喜歡，但如果要我選一個的話，我會選茶，因為茶類飲料種類很多。而且，有別於咖啡，喝茶不會影響我的睡眠。
5. What's your country's national drink? Do you like it? Why or why not?
I'm from Taiwan, where bubble tea is a very popular drink, and it also happens to be my favorite. I like it because the tapioca pearls are chewy, and the drink pairs well with different kinds of fast food.
我是台灣人，而珍珠奶茶在我的國家很受歡迎，還很剛好地也是我最愛喝的飲料。我喜歡珍奶是因為珍珠的口感很 Q 彈，而且跟各種速食都很搭。
文章來源：Breaking News English - Scientists say they can grow tea on the Moon
Edited by Astrid L.
