Sometime in the early 1800s, the Thai royal family began the practice▼ of carving fruit into elaborate patterns. According to legend, it was one of the king's favorite concubines▼ who started the practice as part of a festival. She added small fruit carvings to traditional lanterns so that she could make her lanterns▼ more beautiful than all the other concubines'. This legend has little basis in truth, but it doesn't change the fact that fruit and vegetable carving has been a part of Thai tradition for around two hundred years. Thai fruit carving began as a decoration for the tables of the Thai royal family. Since then, it has spread throughout Thai culture. The fruit is often carved into the shape of flowers, which are frequently stylized▼ in repeating patterns. Little carved animals such as swans are also common. Table centerpieces▼are usually made from larger fruits like melons. Watermelons are especially popular as their white rind▼ and pink flesh make a perfect contrast, but so are pumpkins and pineapples. For smaller garnishes▼ on plates, a chef might use smaller fruits and vegetables, like lemons or even ginger. As Thai cuisine spreads across the globe, high-end▼ Thai restaurants are using more traditional garnishes like carved fruit. It is a difficult skill to master as it needs very precise movements, and there is a set of specific tools for making the most complex patterns. These tools include small knives, scoops, and peelers. The best Thai fruit carvers, however, use only a single small knife to turn fruit into works of art. It's a delicate art that doesn't last for long, which may be why Thai fruit carving is so valued.
1. Who invented the art of Thai fruit carving, according to legend? (A) A Thai monk. (B) One of the king's concubines. (C) Some people at a festival. (D) Fruit vendors in the Thai capital. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. What is true about carvings for the centers of tables? (A) They are more complicated than smaller carvings. (B) They always include a piece of ginger. (C) They are usually made from larger fruits. (D) They can only appear on tables of the royal family. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Why are watermelons popular to carve? (A) Watermelons have a cultural significance. (B) The colors work well to make the patterns. (C) They are the largest fruit that can be carved. (D) They are the king's favorite fruit. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. In what way are expert fruit carvers different from regular carvers? (A) They only use one specialized knife. (B) They exclusively carve watermelons. (C) They all work for the Thai royal family. (D) They work for an elite cooking school.
▼ practice n. 習俗，慣例，常規 & vt. & vi. 遵循，信奉，實行；練習 ▼ concubine n. 嬪妃，妾；情婦 ▼ lantern n. 燈籠 ▼ stylize vt. 使格式化；使程式化 ▼ centerpiece n. 置於桌子中央的擺設（尤指鮮花） ▼ rind n.（橙等水果的）外皮 ▼ garnish n.（食物上的）裝飾菜；裝飾品 ▼ high-end a. 高檔次的
add A to B 將 A 添加在 B 上 衍: add to... 增添…… add A and B A 加 B（算術） You should add some wood to the fire to keep the room warm. 你應該加些木柴進火堆裡，讓房間保持溫暖。 The fancy dress added to Wendy's charm. 這件漂亮的洋裝增添了溫蒂的魅力。 If you add two and three, you get five. 二加三等於五。
be made from 由……製成（原料的性質改變） 比較 be made of... 由……製成（原料的性質不變） Can you believe that this T-shirt is made from recycled tires? 你能相信這件 T 恤是廢輪胎所製成的嗎？ The baseball bat was made of the finest wood. 那支球棒是用上等木頭製作的。
Sometime in the early 1800s, the Thai royal family began the practice of carving fruit into elaborate patterns. 注意 sometime adv. 某個時候（之後一定要與明確的過去或未來的時間並用） 衍: some time 一段時間 sometimes adv. 有時 some time ago 不久以前 Let's meet sometime next week to discuss the details of our plan. 我們下星期找個時間見面，討論一下計劃的細節。 The tycoon has been trying for some time to buy out his partner. 這位企業大亨已經有好一陣子想買下他合夥人的產權。 When performing their duties, policemen sometimes have to take strict measures. 警察執行任務時，有時會採取嚴厲手段。 Some time ago, my family and I came to this town on vacation. 不久前，我和我家人來到這個鎮上度假。
carving n. 雕刻物；雕刻圖案 衍: carve vt. 刻（圖形或字母）；雕，刻（成某物） The diplomat gave a precious wood carving to that country. 該外交官送給了那個國家一個寶貴的木雕。 Environmentalists are unhappy about tourists carving their names on tree trunks in scenic spots. 環保人士對於遊客把自己的名字刻在風景區的樹幹上感到不滿。
elaborate a. 精緻的；精心製作的 & vi. 詳盡說明；闡述（與介詞 on 並用） The celebrity showed up at the awards ceremony with an elaborate hairdo. 這位名人以一頭精心設計的髮型出席頒獎典禮。 ＊hairdo n. 髮型，髮式 The vice president refused to elaborate on his reasons for resigning. 副總統拒絕細說他辭職的原因。
pattern n. 圖案，紋路；模式，方式 It is difficult to draw mandalas because of their complex patterns. 因為曼陀羅的紋路複雜，因此要把它畫好有難度。 ＊mandala n. 曼陀羅
decoration n. 裝飾品（可數）；裝飾，裝潢（不可數） 衍: decorate vt. 佈置，裝飾 decorate A with B 用 B 裝飾 A Beth purchased a lot of fun decorations for the party. 貝絲為了這場派對購買了很多有趣的裝飾品。 Mom decorated the new house with hand-made artwork from Turkey. 媽媽用來自土耳其的手工藝品裝飾新房子。
swan n. 天鵝
flesh n. 果肉；蔬菜的可食部份；（人或動物的）肉 The flesh of young male camels is a delicacy for Arabs. 對阿拉伯人而言，年輕公駱駝的肉是佳餚。
contrast n. 對比，反差；對照；差別 衍: by contrast 相較之下 The photographer likes to show the contrast between the rich and the poor. 該攝影師喜歡呈現貧富之間的對比。 This restaurant is wonderful. By contrast, the one I went to yesterday was awful. 這家餐館很棒。相較之下，我昨天去的那家則糟透了。
precise a. 精確的；確切的 We must take precise measurements of this area. 我們必須精確測量這個地區。
complex a. 複雜的 同: complicated a. Dolphins have a complex communication system. 海豚有一套複雜的溝通系統。
peeler n. 削皮器；削皮刀 衍: peel vt. 剝去，削去（蔬果）的皮 & n. 果菜皮 The electric potato peeler should be cleaned before using. 這個電動馬鈴薯削皮器要先清洗過再使用。 I think it's rather troublesome to peel grapes. 我認為剝葡萄皮很麻煩。
elite a. 精英的 & n. 精英份子（集合名詞，故不可數） The government sent in an elite fighting unit to wipe out the rebels. 該政府派遣一支精英作戰部隊來殲滅那些反叛份子。
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