Luis國際資訊事務所

by Marcus Maurice
Japan was forced to save energy this summer, but their idea just might be the blueprint for the future.

　　As of the beginning of July 2011, businesses in Japan had to start reporting their power usage to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) four times per day. According to the mandate, all factories, office buildings, universities, and department stores had to cut their energy consumption _(1)_ 15 percent during peak hours on the weekdays. METI backed up this restriction by fining companies up to one million yen if they didn't comply. Citizens were also asked to help out by turning off energy-draining _(2)_. The reason for these energy rations arose from the loss of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which was shut down _(3)_ the terrible earthquake and tsunami that happened on March 11, 2011.
　　_(4)_ being fined, some companies started moving their early morning shifts an hour ahead to ease the burden of air conditioning in the afternoon. Other companies shut their air conditioning off at six o'clock in the evening. _(5)_, everyone would go home earlier. Offices asked their employees to bring their own cool drinks so that they could unplug the vending machines. Also, dress codes have changed as suits and long-sleeved shirts are being _(6)_ with polo shirts so that workers are more comfortable. Sales of fans have skyrocketed in Japan because the citizens are using less air conditioning to alleviate the stress on the energy grid. All of these steps are working, and many people believe that Japan should continue these measures to help _(7)_ global warming. Sometimes, the solution to one tragedy becomes the answer to another problem.

1.(A) at　(B) for　(C) by　(D) with
2.(A) utensils　(B) appliances(C) extensions(D) occupations
3.(A) at the cost of　(B) in regard to　(C) with a view to　(D) on account of
4.(A) Avoided(B) To avoid(C) On avoiding(D) Have avoided
5.(A) That way(B) For example(C) By no means(D) On the contrary
6.(A) recovered(B) recalled(C) repaired(D) replaced
7.(A) drop by(B) put aside(C) slow down(D) take apart

1. According to the mandate, all factories, office buildings, universities, and department stores had to cut their energy consumption by 15 percent during peak hours on the weekdays.
理由:
a. 表『以……的差距』時，介詞通常用 by，之後接數量詞。
例: We beat the opposing team by two points.
（我們以 2 分之差贏了敵隊。）
b. 根據上述，可知應選 (C)。

2. Citizens were also asked to help out by turning off energy-draining appliances.
理由:
a. (A) utensil n. 器皿，用具
kitchen utensils　　廚房用具
(B) appliance n. 用具（尤指電器）
electrical appliances　　電器用品
例: When we moved, we bought all new electrical appliances.
（搬家時，我們購入全新的電器設備。）
(C) extension n. 延長；增設部分
(D) occupation n. 工作，職業
b. 根據語意，可知應選 (B)。

3. The reason for these energy rations arose from ..., which was shut down on account of the terrible earthquake and tsunami that happened on March 11, 2011.
理由:
a. (A) at the cost of...　　以……為代價
例: Paul often drives fast at the cost of safety.
（保羅經常不顧安全開快車。）
(B) in regard to...　　有關……
= with regard to...
例: In regard to the article you wrote, it wasn't very interesting.
（關於你寫的那篇文章，並不太有趣。）
(C) with a view to + V-ing
= with an eye to + V-ing
= in order to V
為了……（目的）
例: Ryan saved money with a view to going to Europe next year.
（萊恩為了能在明年去歐洲而存錢。）
(D) on account of...　　由於……
例: Daisy was promoted to manager on account of her hard work.
（由於黛西的努力，她被升為經理。）
b. 根據語意，可知應選 (D)。

4. To avoid being fined, some companies started moving their early morning shifts an hour ahead to ease the burden of air conditioning in the afternoon.
理由:
a. 本空格在測試表『目的』的副詞不定詞 "(in order) to V" 之用法。使用時可置於句首或句尾。置於句首時，其後須置逗點，若置於句尾時，則其前不須置逗點。
例: To keep fit, Kelly does yoga three times a week.
= Kelly does yoga three times a week to keep fit.
（為了保持身材，凱莉 1 個星期做 3 次瑜珈。）
b. "On + V-ing, S + V" 表『一……就……』，On avoiding 置入空格後語意不合，故 (C) 不可選。
c. 根據上述，可知應選 (B) To avoid。

5. That way, everyone would go home earlier.
理由:
a. (A) That way, S + V　　那樣∕如此一來，……
例: I ride my bike to school. That way, I don't have to wait for the bus.
（我騎腳踏車上學。如此一來，我就不必等公車了。）
(B) for example　　舉例來說
(C) by no means　　絕不
＊ by no means 為否定副詞片語，故置於句首時，其後要採倒裝句構。
例: By no means is Denny as generous as he acts.
（丹尼絕非像他表現的那麼慷慨。）
(D) on the contrary　　相反地
例: We thought it would rain last weekend. On the contrary, it was sunny.
（我們原以為上週末會下雨，但相反地，卻陽光普照。）
b. 根據語意，可知 (A) 應為正選。

6. Also, dress codes have changed as suits and long-sleeved shirts are being replaced with polo shirts so that workers are more comfortable.
理由:
a. (A) recover vt. 重新找回；使恢復
例: My friends helped me recover my lost contact lens.
（我朋友幫我找回遺失的 1 隻隱形眼鏡。）
(B) recall vt. 回想，回憶
例: You look familiar to me, but I don't recall ever meeting you before.
（你看起來很眼熟，但我想不起來以前曾見過你。）
(C) repair vt. 修理，修補
例: Kevin had his car repaired yesterday.
（凱文昨天把車子送修。）
(D) replace vt. 取代，替代
be replaced with...　　被……取代
replace A with B　　用 B 取代 A
例: Billy replaced his old desktop computer with a laptop.
（比利把他的舊桌上型電腦換成筆電。）
b. 根據語意，可知應選 (D)，置入後表西裝和長袖襯衫被馬球衫『取代』，好讓員工覺得比較舒適。

7. All of these steps are working, and many people believe that Japan should continue these measures to help slow down global warming.
理由:
a. (A) drop by + 地方　　順道造訪某地
= stop by + 地方
例: I'll drop by the hospital after work to check on you.
（我下班後會順道去醫院探望你。）
(B) put aside...　　撇開……；把……放在一邊
例: We put aside our differences for the good of the whole team.
（為了整個團隊的利益，我們把自身的歧見放在一邊。）
(C) slow down.../slow...down　　放慢……（速度）
speed up.../speed...up　　加快……（速度）
例: Please slow down your pace. I can't keep up with you.
（請放慢你的腳步。我跟不上你。）
(D) take apart.../take...apart　　拆解……
put...together　　把……組合起來
例: My brother took the robot apart in order to see how it worked.
（我弟弟把機器人拆開來看它如何運作。）
b. 根據語意，可知應選 (C)。

1. report A to B　　向 B 報告 A
例: Please report all your travel expenses to the accountant before the end of the month.
（請在月底前向會計報告你所有旅行的花費。）

2. consumption n. 消耗
例: Taiwan's consumption of oil increases yearly.
（台灣的石油消耗量一年比一年增加。）

3. back up...　　支持……
例: The evidence you provided doesn't back up your theory.
（你所提供的證據無法支持你的理論。）

4. restriction n. 約束；限制
例: The government placed restrictions on the use of plastic bags to cut down on unnecessary garbage.
（政府限制垃圾袋的使用以減少不必要的垃圾。）

5. comply vi. 遵從，遵守
comply with...　　遵守……
= conform to...
例: You'd better comply with school regulations if you want to avoid trouble.
（如果你不想惹上麻煩，你最好遵守校規。）

6. turn off.../turn...off
= shut off.../shut...off　　關掉（電視、電燈、收音機等電源）
turn on.../turn...on　　打開（電視、電燈、收音機等電源）
例: The first thing Mike did when he got home was (to) turn on the TV.
（麥克回到家的第一件事就是打開電視。）

7. arise from...　　起因於……
= result from...
例: The accident arose from the bus driver's recklessness.
（這起車禍起因於公車司機的粗心。）

8. shut down...　　關閉……（機器、工廠等）
= close down...
例: Because that factory didn't comply with the law, it was shut down.
（那家工廠因為沒有遵守法規而被迫停業。）

9. burden n. 負擔；重擔
shoulder/bear/carry the burden of...　　肩負……的擔子
例: David shouldered the burden of raising his younger siblings after both of his parents passed away.
（大衛在雙親過世後便肩負起扶養弟妹的擔子。）

10. unplug vt. 拔掉……的插頭
plug [ plVg ] vt. 插上……的插頭 & n. 插頭
plug in.../plug...in　　插上……的插頭
例: Shirley plugged in the hairdryer and used the warm air to help style her bangs.
（雪莉將吹風機插上插頭，用熱風吹整她的瀏海。）

11. alleviate vt. 減輕，緩和
例: This medicine will help alleviate some of your flu symptoms.
（這種藥會有助於減輕你一些流行感冒的症狀。）

12. the/a(n) solution/answer to + N/V-ing　　……的解決方法∕答案
＊ 此處的 to 為介詞，表『針對』之意。
例: If your team can't come up with a solution to the problem, then we'll find a company that can.
（如果你的團隊想不出解決問題的辦法，那麼我們就找一家辦得到的公司。）

1. business n. 公司，企業
2. ministry n.（政府的）部
3. mandate n. 命令
4. peak a. 高峰的
　　during peak hours　　在尖峰時刻
5. weekday n. 平日，工作日
6. fine vt. 罰款
7. yen n. 日圓（日本貨幣單位）
8. energy-draining a. 耗電的
9. ration n. 定量，限量配給
10. nuclear a. 核能的
11. tsunami n. 海嘯
12. shift n. 輪班
　　the morning shift　　早班
　　the night shift　　晚班
13. air conditioning n. 空調
14. employee n. 雇員，員工
　　employer n. 雇主
15. vending machine n. 自動販賣機
16. code n. 規範
　　dress code　　衣著規定
17. long-sleeved a. 長袖的
18. polo shirt n. 馬球衫
19. fan n. 電風扇
20. skyrocket vi. 猛漲，突然升高
21. grid n. 電力網，輸電網
22. global warming n. 全球暖化

日本今年夏天被迫節約能源，但他們實施的政策或許是未來節能的藍圖。
　　從 2011 年 7 月起，日本的公司行號必須每天 4 次向經濟產業省（METI）報告其用電量。根據這項命令，所有的工廠、辦公大樓、大學和百貨公司必須減少平日尖峰時刻百分之十五的用電量。如果公司不配合 實施，經濟產業省將對其罰款最高達 1 百萬日幣，藉此達到限電的效果。市民也被要求盡一份心力，關掉耗電量大的電器。由於 2011 年 3 月 11 號駭人的地震和海嘯，造成福島核電廠關閉，這項能源禁令也因應而生。
　　為了避免被罰款，有些公司開始把早班的上班時間提前 1 小時，減輕下午的空調負荷。有些公司則在晚上 6 點就關閉空調系統。那樣一來，每個人就會早點下班回家。公司要求員工自備冷飲，這樣就不需插上自動販賣機的電源。此外，服裝規定也跟著改變，西裝和長袖襯 衫被馬球衫取代，好讓員工覺得比較舒適。在日本，電風扇的銷量也大幅成長，因為市民減少空調的使用以減輕供電系統的負荷。這些措施都頗有成效，許多人相信 日本應該繼續實施這些方法來幫助減緩地球暖化的速度。有時候，一個悲劇衍生出來的解決之道成為解決另一個問題的答案。
答案：1. (C)　2. (B)　3. (D)　4. (B)　5. (A)　
6. (D)　7. (C)

　　日本限電的措施意外引發了前所未見的消費商機。上班族提早上下班、買節能家 電、穿高機能排汗衣；順應節約日光時間的大趨勢，清晨 6 點和下午 4 點成新興消費時段，熱烈引爆『早鳥商機』。上班時間一改，休閒時間也跟著變，企業腦筋動得快，立即規劃特殊時段的消費折扣策略吸金，全力鼓吹『早到早買早 享受』。早起上班，電車地鐵也配合提早到清晨 4 點發車。只不過，交通的尖峰也隨著提前出現在 6 點半。（資料來源：天下雜誌）