 |  | A House of Silk and Mystery 泰絲之父的傳奇一生 by Igor Bagrov | Take a look at Jim Thompson's life and achievements.
讓我們一窺金•湯普森的生平與成就。
| The name Jim Thompson may not mean much to you, and yet his life and adventures are worth sharing. The story of his life is a good example that proves that just one person can do great work, even if it is a true labor of love.
An American, Jim Thompson was born in 1906, graduated from university as an architect, and was prepared for a _(1)_ career. But with the _(2)_ of war in Europe, he volunteered for service in the US Army. His assignments took him to Italy, France, and, later, to Asia. That is how he found himself in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Thompson came to love the Thai culture, of which silk-making was an old and famous tradition. But after World War II, with the invention of synthetic▼ fabric▼, the Thai silk-making craft▼ lost its market and was on the _(3)_ of extinction. Jim Thompson put all his energy and clever mind to the task of _(4)_ the beautiful artistic craft of Thai silk-making. During his 25-year-long stay in Thailand, he saved it and _(5)_ it into a world-class industry, having founded Jim Thompson's Silk Company. In the 1960s, Thai silk costumes made their _(6)_ on Broadway, and from the theater stage, Thai silk's popularity spread all over the world.
In 1967, on a tour of Malaysia, Jim Thompson went for a walk in the jungle▼ and never _(7)_. Nobody saw him after that, and his body has never been found. Thompson disappeared, but his spirit _(8)_ at his home. For so many years, it has been considered the most _(9)_ social center in Bangkok. There is no need to add that it has also become a major tourists' attraction.
The mystery of his disappearance is still a _(10)_ to historians▼, but, perhaps, there is no mystery at all. Having fulfilled his mission in this life, Thompson simply had to move on to other things.
(A) reviving (B) challenge (C) escalation (D) lives on
(E) appearance (F) transformed (G) celebrated (H) surprisingly
(I) decent (J) nevertheless (K) returned (L) verge
|  |  | | | |  | - An American, Jim Thompson was born in 1906, graduated from university as an architect, and was prepared for a decent career.
金•湯普森是出生於 1906 年的美國人，他大學畢業後成為建築師，並且準備展開一段像樣的職業生涯。
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，空格後有名詞 career（職業生涯），得知空格內應置形容詞以修飾 career。
b. 選項中為形容詞的有 (G) celebrated（著名的）及 (I) decent（不錯的），惟根據語意，(I) 項應為正選。
c. decent a. 像樣的，體面的
If you drop out of school, you may never find a decent job.
要是退學的話，你有可能永遠找不到像樣的工作。 - But with the escalation of war in Europe, he volunteered for service in the US Army.
但隨著歐洲戰爭持續升溫，他自告奮勇前往美國陸軍服役。
理由:
a. 空格前有定冠詞 the，空格後有介詞 of，得知空格應置名詞。
b. 選項中為名詞的有 (B) challenge（挑戰）、(C) escalation（升高）、(E) appearance（出現）及 (L) verge（邊緣），惟根據語意，(C) 項應為正選。
c. escalation n. 升高；加劇
衍: escalate vt. & vi.（使）逐步上升
The general escalated the war by sending in more troops.
將軍派出更多部隊讓戰事升高。 - But after World War II, with the invention of synthetic fabric, the Thai silk-making craft lost its market and was on the verge of extinction.
但在第二次世界大戰過後，隨著合成織物的發明，絲綢製造產業便失去了它的市場，而且瀕臨絕跡。
理由:
a. 本題測試以下固定用法：
be on the verge of... 處於……的邊緣
同: be on the edge of...
= be on the brink of...
A few nations in the European Union are on the verge of bankruptcy.
歐盟中有幾個國家瀕臨破產的邊緣。
b. 根據上述用法，(L) 項應為正選。 - Jim Thompson put all his energy and clever mind to the task of reviving the beautiful artistic craft of Thai silk-making.
金•湯普森將他所有的精力與聰明才智都運用在挽救泰國製絲的精美藝術產業這項任務上。
理由:
a. 空格前有介詞 of，得知空格應置及物動詞變成的動名詞，使空格後的 the beautiful artistic craft of Thai silk-making（泰國製絲的精美藝術產業）作為其受詞。
b. 選項中符合上述的僅有 (A) reviving（使復甦），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. revive vt. 使復甦；使再流行
We must do something to revive our city's economy.
為了振興本市的經濟，我們必須有所作為。 - During his 25-year-long stay in Thailand, he saved it and transformed it into a world-class industry, having founded Jim Thompson's Silk Company.
在他長住於泰國的二十五年之間，他拯救了它並將之轉變為世界級的產業，一手創辦金•湯普森絲綢公司。
理由:
a. 空格前有過去式動詞 saved（拯救）和受詞 it 與對等連接詞 and，可知空格應置入過去式動詞以和 saved 形成對等。
b. 選項中符合上述的有 (F) transformed（轉變）、(G) celebrated（慶祝）及(K) returned（返回；歸還），惟根據語意，(F) 項應為正選。
c. transform vt. 使改變，使轉變
衍: transform A into B 將 A 轉變為 B
= change A into B
= turn A into B
The sheet of plastic can be transformed into different shapes.
這塑膠片可以轉變成各種不同的形狀。 - In the 1960s, Thai silk costumes made their appearance on Broadway, and from the theater stage, Thai silk's popularity spread all over the world.
在 1960 年代，泰國絲綢服裝首度於百老匯亮相，而泰絲在劇院舞臺打響知名度，就此紅遍世界各地。
理由:
a. 本題測試以下固定用法：
make one's appearance 出現；登臺
The new singer made her first appearance on TV.
那位新人歌手首次在電視亮相。
b. 根據上述用法，(E) 項應為正選。 - In 1967, on a tour of Malaysia, Jim Thompson went for a walk in the jungle and never returned.
1967 年，金•湯普森前往馬來西亞旅遊，他到一座叢林中散步，從此就一去不回。
理由:
a. 空格前有對等連接詞 and，可知空格應置過去式動詞或片語以和其前的 went for a walk（去散步）形成對等。
b. 選項中符合上述的尚有 (G) celebrated（慶祝）及 (K) returned（返回；歸還），惟根據語意，(K) 項應為正選。
c. return vi. 歸來 & vt. 歸還
Francis slowly pieced together what had happened when his memory returned.
在佛蘭西斯的記憶恢復時，他慢慢地將所發生的事情一件件拼湊起來。
＊piece together... 把……拼湊起來 - Thompson disappeared, but his spirit lives on at his home.
湯普森從人間蒸發了，但他的精神卻繼續留存於他的家中。
理由:
a. 空格前有名詞 spirit（精神），空格後有地方副詞片語 at his home（他的家中），得知空格應置片語動詞或不及物動詞。
b. 選項中符合上述的僅有 (D) lives on（繼續存在），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. live on 繼續存在
The spirit of the writer lives on in his books.
該小說家的精神繼續存在於其著作中。 - For so many years, it has been considered the most celebrated social center in Bangkok.
多年來，他家被視為曼谷最負盛名的社交中心。
理由:
a. 空格前有最高級副詞 the most，空格後有名詞詞組 social center（社交中心），得知空格內應置形容詞以修飾 social center。
b. 選項中為形容詞的僅剩 (G) celebrated（著名的），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. celebrated a. 著名的，馳名的
It is a pity that the celebrated director died in the prime of his career.
那位名導演在事業全盛時期去世真令人遺憾。
＊prime n. 全盛時期 - The mystery of his disappearance is still a challenge to historians, but, perhaps, there is no mystery at all.
他銷聲匿跡的謎題對歷史學家們而言仍然是一項挑戰，但或許這一切毫無神祕可言。
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，空格後有介詞 to，得知空格應置名詞。
b. 選項中為名詞的僅剩 (B) challenge（挑戰），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. challenge n. 挑戰
衍: face the challenge 面對／迎接挑戰
= meet the challenge
I think our team will be able to face the challenges of the new project.
我認為我們團隊有能力迎接新企劃案的挑戰。 | | | |  | ▼ silk n. 絲
▼ synthetic a. 合成的，人造的
▼ fabric n. 布料，織料
▼ craft n. 手工藝（品）
▼ jungle n. 熱帶叢林
▼ historian n. 歷史學家
| |  | - graduate from... 從……畢業
You shouldn't rely on your parents for financial support after you graduate from college.
大學畢業後，你就不該再仰賴父母的經濟支援。 - come to V 漸漸……
Eventually, you'll come to understand why your parents were so strict with you.
最後你就會慢慢明白為何你爸媽對你那麼嚴格。 - move on to N/V-ing 接下來（進行）……
Now that I've finished digging, I can move on to planting the trees.
既然我現在已經挖好洞，接下來就可以種這些樹了。 | |  | - mystery n. 神祕（的事物）
衍: mysterious a. 神祕的
George tried to convince Harry of the truth behind the mystery.
喬治試著使哈利相信這個謎團背後的真相。
Cindy is an actress whose personal life has remained mysterious.
辛蒂是一個私生活保持相當神祕的女演員。 - a labor of love 心甘情願的工作
- volunteer vi. 自願 & n. 義工
衍: volunteer to V 自願去做……
These volunteers helped the poor without asking for anything in return.
這些義工幫助窮苦人家而不求回報。
Nick volunteered to help his grandfather in the garden.
尼克自願到花園裡幫他爺爺的忙。 - assignment n. 任務；功課
The efficient worker finished his assignment long before the deadline.
那位有效率的員工老早就在規定期限前完成了工作。 - tradition n. 傳統
衍: traditional a. 傳統的
Tradition is often seen as an obstacle to progress.
傳統常常被視為進步的絆腳石。
There are plenty of vegetables to choose from at a traditional market.
傳統市場中有各式各樣的蔬菜可供選擇。 - invention n. 發明（不可數）；發明物（可數）
The invention of the computer was a big breakthrough in technology.
電腦的發明是科技的一大突破。
The airplane is an amazing invention.
飛機是一項了不起的發明。 - extinction n. 滅絕，絕種
衍: extinct a. 絕種的
The exploitation of the world's natural resources has pushed many species to extinction.
過度開發全世界的自然資源已使許多物種絕種。
＊exploitation n. 開發；開採
Scientists warn that several species of whales are going to become extinct if illegal whaling continues.
科學家警告，若是不法獵捕鯨魚的情況持續下去，數種鯨魚將面臨絕種。 - artistic a. 藝術的；美術的
- disappear vi. 消失
衍: disappear from... 從……消失
This species of lizard has all but disappeared from Taiwan.
這種蜥蜴幾乎已在臺灣絕跡。 - fulfill vt. 完成；滿足
衍: fulfilling a. 充實的；使人有成就感的
Sam finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a lawyer.
山姆終於實現當律師的夢想。
Teaching requires a lot of patience, but it can be very fulfilling.
教書需要很多耐心，但是會很有成就感。 | | | |
 | 泰絲之父的傳奇一生
讓我們一窺金•湯普森的生平與成就。
金•湯普森這個名字對你來說或許意義不大，但他的生平與冒險卻值得分享。他的生平故事是一個人就可以成就偉大事業的絕佳例子，即使是心甘情願的工作。
金•湯普森是出生於 1906 年的美國人，他大學畢業後成為建築師，並且準備展開一段像樣的職業生涯。但隨著歐洲戰爭持續升溫，他自告奮勇前往美國陸軍服役。他的任務將他帶到義大利、法國以及後來到了亞洲。這就是他為什麼落腳在泰國首都曼谷的原因。
湯普森逐漸地愛上泰國文化，絲綢製造是泰國文化一項悠久又名聞遐邇的傳統。但在第二次世界大戰過後，隨著合成織物的發明，絲綢製造產業便失去了它的市場，而且瀕臨絕跡。金•湯普森將他所有的精力與聰明才智都運用在挽救泰國製絲的精美藝術產業這項任務上。在他長住於泰國的二十五年之間，他拯救了它並將之轉變為世界級的產業，一手創辦金•湯普森絲綢公司。在 1960 年代，泰國絲綢服裝首度於百老匯亮相，而泰絲在劇院舞臺打響知名度，就此紅遍世界各地。
1967 年，金•湯普森前往馬來西亞旅遊，他到一座叢林中散步，從此就一去不回。在那之後，再也沒有人見過他的蹤影，他的屍體也從未找到。湯普森從人間蒸發了，但他的精神卻繼續留存於他的家中。多年來，他家被視為曼谷最負盛名的社交中心。無需多說，它也已經成為一個主要的觀光景點。
他銷聲匿跡的謎題對歷史學家們而言仍然是一項挑戰，但或許這一切毫無神祕可言。湯普森完成了他這一生的任務，他就是得繼續追尋其他事物。
答案： 1. I 2. C 3. L 4. A 5. F 6. E 7. K 8. D 9. G 10. B
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