Taiwan’s Plan to Use Less Plastic
In Taiwan, people use a lot of plastic shopping bags. In 2023, each person used about 400 bags. This is much more than in the UK, where people use only eight bags a year. Recently, the price of oil reached US$170 because of conflict in the Middle East. This made it difficult for the government to get the materials to make plastic.
Minister Peng Chi-ming said we need a new action to reduce plastic. The government wants to help companies and market vendors use bags again. For example, at the Jianguo Flower Market, people get rewards for using their own bags. However, changing our habits is hard. Many street vendors sell food with liquids like soup. They need strong plastic bags to stop leaks during delivery. Also, small businesses worry that new rules will increase their costs.
The government has a goal to reduce single-use plastic by 2030. During this shortage, the most important thing is to have enough plastic for medical use. Even though change is slow, everyone can help. By using fewer bags, we can protect our environment and save money for the future.
一、 逐句翻譯與重點講解 (Detailed Sentence Analysis)
1. In Taiwan, people use a lot of plastic shopping bags.
o 中譯：在台灣，人們使用大量的塑膠購物袋。
o 講解：a lot of 是常用片語，修飾可數或不可數名詞。在此修飾可數名詞 bags。
2. In 2023, each person used about 400 bags.
o 中譯：2023 年，每人平均使用約 400 個塑膠袋。
o 講解：about 在此作為副詞，意為「大約」，用來修飾數據。
3. This is much more than in the UK, where people use only eight bags a year.
o 中譯：這比英國多得多，在英國人們一年僅使用 8 個塑膠袋。
o 講解：much more than 是比較級的加強用法；where 在此引導關係副詞子句，用來補充說明英國的情況。這是會考常見的對比考點。
4. Recently, the price of oil reached US$170 because of conflict in the Middle East.
o 中譯：最近由於中東地區的衝突，油價達到了 170 美元。
o 講解：because of 是介系詞片語，後方接名詞 conflict（衝突）。
5. This made it difficult for the government to get the materials to make plastic.
o 中譯：這使得政府難以獲得製造塑膠的原料。
o 講解：使用了「虛受詞 it」的結構，真正的受詞是後面的 to get...。
6. Minister Peng Chi-ming said we need a new action to reduce plastic.
o 中譯：彭啟明部長表示，我們需要一項新的行動來減少塑膠。
o 講解：to reduce 是不定詞，在此表示「目的」。
7. The government wants to help companies and market vendors use bags again.
o 中譯：政府希望能幫助企業與市場攤商再次使用袋子（指循環利用）。
o 講解：help + O + (to) VR，這裡是幫助攤商「使用」。
8. For example, at the Jianguo Flower Market, people get rewards for using their own bags.
o 中譯：例如，在建國花市，人們因自備袋子而獲得獎勵。
o 講解：for 是介系詞，後方的動詞需改為動名詞 using。
9. However, changing our habits is hard.
o 中譯：然而，改變我們的習慣是很困難的。
o 講解：changing... 是動名詞當主詞，動詞用單數 is。
10.Many street vendors sell food with liquids like soup.
o 中譯：許多攤商販售含有液體（如湯品）的食物。
o 講解：like 在此是介系詞，意為「例如、像」。
11.They need strong plastic bags to stop leaks during delivery.
o 中譯：他們需要強韌的塑膠袋來防止運送過程中的滲漏。
12.Also, small businesses worry that new rules will increase their costs.
o 中譯：此外，小型企業擔心新規定會增加他們的成本。
o 講解：that 引導名詞子句，作為 worry 的受詞。
13.The government has a goal to reduce single-use plastic by 2030.
o 中譯：政府的目標是在 2030 年前減少一次性塑膠的使用。
14.During this shortage, the most important thing is to have enough plastic for medical use.
o 中譯：在這次短缺期間，最重要的事情是確保有足夠的塑膠供醫療使用。
15.Even though change is slow, everyone can help.
o 中譯：雖然改變很緩慢，但每個人都能盡一份心力。
o 講解：even though 是連接詞，意為「雖然」，用來引導讓步子句。
16.By using fewer bags, we can protect our environment and save money for the future.
o 中譯：藉由減少使用塑膠袋，我們可以保護環境並為未來省錢。
o 講解：By + V-ing 表示「藉由……的方式」。
二、 重點文法解析 (Key Grammar Analysis)
1. 虛受詞結構 (Empty Object "It")
o 例句：...made it difficult (for the government) to get the materials...。
o 解析：當受詞是不定詞短語時，常使用 it 當虛受詞，將真正的受詞放在形容詞後面。
2. 動名詞當主詞 (Gerunds as Subjects)
o 例句：Changing our habits is hard。
o 解析：動名詞短語視為單數，因此搭配單數動詞。
3. 對比結構與數據解讀
o 例句：Taiwan (400 bags) vs. UK (8 bags)。
o 解析：在會考閱讀中，常出現不同數據的比較，要注意 more than, less than 等字眼。
4. 讓步連接詞 "Even though"
o 例句：Even though change is slow, everyone can help。
o 解析：連接詞後接句子，表示「雖然」。
