________________________________

Kids Help Big Festival Continue

There's a big festival in Neimen in Kaohsiung. It is the Song Jiang Battle
Ritual!
在高雄內門區，有一個盛大的活動叫做宋江陣。

How did it start? Well, long ago, Taiwan was dangerous. There were thieves in
the mountains! There were pirates sailing the seas!
很久以前，台灣是個危險的地方。山區有盜賊，海上還有海盜。

Neimen's people wanted to be safe. So they worked hard. They exercised in
groups. They got strong. And they learned how to fight!
內門的人為了保護自己的安全，努力鍛鍊身體，還要學習戰鬥！

Now many groups take part in the festival. Some do battle rituals from long
ago. Some dance. Some sing. Some play music!
每年都有很多團隊參加宋江陣。有人會表演傳統的陣頭，也有人跳舞唱歌或是奏樂。

Some people in the groups paint their faces. They hold swords or other
weapons. They wear colorful clothes.
另外還有人會在臉上塗抹顏色，穿上鮮豔的服裝，手裡拿著刀劍或是其他武器。

Kids take part in the festival too. This helps the festival continue for many
years. This year, groups from Renfeng Elementary School, Fude Elementary
School, and Zhuangjing Elementary School are taking part!
今年，仁豐國小、福德國小和莊敬國小的學生都有參與宋江陣。小朋友的參與讓這個活動能夠一直傳承下去。

The festival is exciting! People from all over Taiwan and the world go to it!
來自台灣和世界各地的遊客都想參加這個精彩的活動!

The Song Jiang Battle Ritual is until April fifth. Go and see it! Kids help
it continue… for you!
________________________________________

Vocabulary
高雄的宋江陣是充滿民俗風味的慶典，也有很多小朋友參加。

1. colorful 多采多姿的。
Got any plans for the summer? 夏天怎麼過你有計畫嗎?
Yeah, I'm going to a colorful sea festival. 有，我要去參加繽紛的海洋節。

2. pirate 海盜。
Nice! Boats, sailors and lots of seafood? 真好，有船，有水手，還有很多海鮮?
Absolutely! And some people even dress up like pirates and fight! 絕對有!
有些人還會打扮成海盜戰鬥呢!

3. sing 唱歌，dance 跳舞。
You watch boats go by all day 白天就看船隻開過去…
And party all night? 晚上就開派對?
Yeah, singing, dancing and just having a good time. 對，唱歌跳舞，開心玩耍。

4. take part in 參加。
I want to take part in it too! 我也要參加!

今天你學到哪幾個單字?
colorful 多采多姿的 pirate 海盜 sing, dance 唱歌跳舞 take part in
參加
________________________________________

Quiz

1. Where is Neimen?
a. Taitung
b. Kaohsiung
c. Pingtung

2. What people were in the mountains long ago?
a. Pirates
b. Thieves
c. Kids

3. What do some people in the groups hold?
a. Colorful clothes
b. Painted faces
c. Swords or other weapons

Answers
1. b
2. b
3. c
 

________________________________

The Green Museumbrary Is Open

Narrator: Do you like going to museums? How about libraries? Well, how about
a museumbrary? Hm? What?!
你喜歡參觀美術館或是圖書館嗎? 假如兩個合併在一起呢?

The Taichung Green Museumbrary is an exciting new place. It is in a big green
park. It is part museum! It is part library!
台中綠美圖就是這樣一個二合一的地方! 它一部分是美術館，另一部分是圖書館。

The number of kids who read books is going down. Screens on phones, tablets,
and TVs can take up a lot of time! The Green Museumbrary can help you learn
with no screens. You can learn about the world! You can read cool books!
現代兒童比較少看書了，因為手機，電腦跟電視佔用了太多時間。綠美圖讓人不看螢幕也能學習各種知識，培養美感。

The Green Museumbrary is big. It has eight buildings. They have lots of
places to see. Find the place for kids and the place for teens. Walk on the
sky bridge! Go up to the roof garden!
綠美圖很大喔，有八棟建築，你可以去尋找兒童區跟青少年區，還可以走走天橋，去屋頂花園逛逛!

You can get lost in the buildings. But that is okay.

Girl: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the information desk?

Museumbrary Staff: Sure, no problem! Let me show you how to get there …

Narrator: Find someone wearing a Museumbrary uniform. That person will help
you.
萬一迷路了，別著急，可以隨時詢問穿著綠美圖制服的工作人員。

The museum and the library open and close at different times. Check the
website before you go!
圖書館跟美術館部分每天開放跟關閉的時間不同，記得先查一下綠美圖網站。

Go and have fun. You can learn something new!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vocabulary
綠美圖是台中最新的圖書館和美術館，特別歡迎兒童。

1. exciting 讓人興奮的。
I'm going to the library to check out a book. 我要去圖書館借一本書。
A book? Just one? 一本書? 只有一本?
That's not very exciting. 那不夠讓人開心。

2. read 閱讀。
Hey, I like to read, learn, and relax! 嘿，我喜歡閱讀跟學習，還有放鬆。
I'd rather go to a park. 我寧願去公園。
It's more fun. 那比較好玩。

3. roof garden 屋頂花園。
The library is fun. 圖書館很好玩。
And the library also has a roof garden! 而那個圖書館還有屋頂花園。

4. close 關門。
Now that's very interesting! 那就有趣了。
When does your library close? 你的圖書館什麼時候關?
What?! Are you going too? 什麼?你也要去?
Of course! 當然!
Do you prefer a library or a park?

來跟我一起讀單字。
exciting讓人興奮的 read閱讀 roof garden屋頂花園 close關門
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quiz

1. Where is the Green Museumbrary?
a. Taipei
b. Taoyuan
c. Taichung

2. Where is the garden?
a. On the roof
b. In the kids' place
c. Under the sky bridge

3. How can you find out when the museum and library are open?
a. Call the museum on Mondays
b. Check the website
c. Get lost in the buildings

Answers
1. c
2. a
3. b
 

________________________________

Sidewalk Art for Rainy Days

How does rain make you feel? Rain makes some people sad.
下雨會讓你有什麼感覺？有些人在雨天心情低落。

An artist in the U.S. lives in a rainy city. He wants art and rain to make
people happier.
美國一名藝術家住在一個多雨的城市。他希望藝術能讓大家開心一點。

The artist made a new paint. He cuts out words or pictures on cardboard. Then
he puts the cardboard on a sidewalk. He sprays his paint on the cut-out
parts. He takes off the cardboard. But, nothing is on the sidewalk!
他先在紙板上挖出他要的英文字或圖案，然後把紙板平放在人行道上。接著把他發明的新顏料噴在挖空的部分，再把紙板拿開。結果地上空空如也，看不到圖案。

There is nothing because there is no rain. When it rains, you can see the
art!
原來因為地是乾的，所以什麼都看不到。等到下雨的時候，地上的畫就會出現！

The artist's city asked him to make art. He makes art near bus stops. Waiting
in the rain makes some people sad. But now they see art: beautiful waves, sea
lions, and more! They feel happy!
他的城市請他創作更多作品，於是他把很多圖案畫在公車站附近，大家雨天等車心情不好的時候，只要看到美麗的海浪或海獅，就高興一些。

The paint goes away after a few months. That is okay. It does not hurt the
earth. Artists can make new art!
這種顏料幾個月後就會消失，也不傷害環境。藝術家還能再畫別的地面圖畫！

Now many cities have art with this paint. New Taipei did last year! Zhongshan
Art Park says rain there becomes "a playful part of the art."
現在很多城市都有這種雨天藝術！連新北市去年也有，讓雨水參與藝術的創作。

Sidewalk art for rainy days makes people happy!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vocabulary
藝術家常常有辦法讓人開心。

1. art 藝術。
Have you ever looked at a piece of art and felt happy? 你有沒有過看到藝術品，覺得很快樂?
Well, some artworks really touched me. 有的藝術品會讓我很感動。

2. beautiful 美麗的。
For example? 比如說呢?
“The Thinker” by Rodin. 羅丹的[沉思者]。
I know that sculpture! 我知道那座雕刻!
It’s beautiful but a bit sad.它很美，但是有點傷感。

3. artist 藝術家。
I saw an artist friend’s glass works a while ago. 我之前看到一個藝術家朋友的玻璃作品。
They are all about the sea and the sky. 都是表現大海跟天空。

4. put 放在。
I brought one home and put it on my desk. 我帶了一個回家放在桌上。
You like it a lot? 你很喜歡它?
Yeah. I can lose myself in it. 對，我可以迷失在其中。

What kind of art do you like?
art藝術 beautiful美麗的 artist藝術 put放在
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quiz

1. When can people see art made with this paint?
a. When there is wind
b. When they wear glasses
c. When there is rain

2. Where does this artist make art?
a. Near bus stops
b. In front of schools
c. On buildings

3. What does Zhongshan Art Park say rain becomes?
a. "A helpful part of the art"
b. "A playful part of the art"
c. "A wonderful part of the art"

Answers
1. c
2. a
3. b
 

________________________________

Hi there, it's time for today's episode of News Bites.

I'm Nancy Sun...

And I'm Hope Ngo.

So, in today's stories...

It's cats versus dogs, a shapeshifting robot, and Ed's new album.

All that and more, coming up next.
________________________________

喵星人大崛起
Cats Take Over Northern Taiwan

Are you a dog person, or a cat person?

你是汪星人還是貓奴？

This is asking if you like dogs or cats more.

Many people think you can learn a lot about a person by asking this question.

Some think people who love dogs more are fun and full of energy.

And some think people who love cats more are independent (獨立) and creative.

This might not be true all the time.

But it's still a fun question.

Here in Taiwan, lots of people have pet cats or dogs.

But which is more popular (受歡迎)?

New government data shows that there are about 2.2 million pet cats and dogs
in Taiwan.

1.4 million are dogs.

And 820,000 are cats.

政府的新統計顯示，111年底，犬貓合計登記數量已達222萬隻，其中犬為140萬隻、貓為82萬隻。

So it looks like dogs are still more popular for now.

But the number of cats is slowly going up.

And that's especially the case in northern Taiwan.

The data shows that in Keelung City, 64 percent of pets are now cats.

And in Taipei City, 61 percent of pets are cats.

Overall, the city that has the most pets, is Taichung City.

There are more than 33,200 pets there!

Kaohsiung City has the most pet dogs.

And Taichung City has the most pet cats.
________________________________

變型機器人是真的？
Shapeshifting Robot

Robots can do many jobs.

They can build cars.

They can help us grow food.

They are even used for surgery (手術).

But soon, they may be able to do even more.

Scientists have made a new type of robot.

It's a shapeshifting robot (變形機器人).

This robot can be hard...

And it can be soft, like a liquid (液體)!

The robot is made of a special metal, called gallium.

Gallium melts (融化) when the temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius.

This means you could melt gallium, just by holding it in your hand.

And scientists also added in tiny pieces of magnets (磁鐵).

They control the magnets, to move the metal robot.

And they can also use the magnets to make the robot hot.

When the robot gets over 30 degrees, it melts and becomes a liquid.

科學家利用質地柔軟的金屬鎵，成功做出了變型機器人。

Why do we need a robot that can be hard or liquid?

When the robot is liquid, it can get into very small spaces.

Then it can turn hard to hold something, or fix something.

They could turn liquid and go into a person's body to take out something
dangerous.

Or they could turn liquid to get into a machine, and turn hard to hold
something together.

The scientists also put the robot in a cage (籠子).

Then they had the robot turn liquid, and get out of the cage by moving
between the bars.

The scientists posted videos of the robot doing these things online.

They say there is still a lot of work to be done.

But they hope the shapeshifting robot can be useful in many ways in the
future.
________________________________

英國歌手紅髮艾德準備發行新專輯
Ed Sheeran Announces New Album

Singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran has a new album coming.

Ed has been making music since he was very young.

The 32-year-old singer has won 4 Grammy awards, and is famous for songs like
"Thinking Out Loud".

He says the new album "-", is pronounced "subtract".

紅髮艾德準備發行新專輯【-】(減法).

Ed says it's about some personal things (私人的事情) in his life recently.

The singer says the songs come from his "deepest, darkest thoughts".

He says writing songs is therapy (心理治療 ) for him.

And he wanted to put out an album that's "honest" and "true".
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

New government data shows that there are about 2.2 million pet cats and dogs
in Taiwan.

1.4 million are dogs, and 820,000 are cats.

But the number of cats is slowly going up, especially in northern Taiwan.
________________________________

Scientists have made a shapeshifting robot.

This robot can be hard...

And it can be soft, like a liquid!
________________________________

And,

Singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran has a new album coming.

He says the album "-", is pronounced "subtract".

Ed says it's about some personal things in his life recently.
________________________________

And that's today's episode of News Bites!
________________________________

主播每周一問
Have Your Say

This week, we want you to have your say about travel.

The world is slowly starting to open back up after the pandemic. Some people
are starting to travel to other countries again.

So, if you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

Record your message and send it to newsbites@icrt.com.tw with your name and
age, and if you'd like, the name of your school.

Send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear your message
on our show on Friday!
 

________________________________

Hi there, it's time for a new episode of News Bites...

I'm Nancy Sun...

And I'm Hope Ngo.

In today's episode...

A diamond from the vegetable market, life on a cruise ship, and a new Spotify
record.

All that and more, coming up next!
________________________________

菜市場還有鑽石？
Man Finds Diamond at Vegetable Market

We go to traditional markets (菜場) for a lot of things.

We can buy fruits and vegetables there.

We can also get meat there.

But how about a diamond (鑽石)?

A man in Kaohsiung went to the market one day.

He says he went to buy a drink.

And something shiny caught his eye (吸引他的目光).

He says he passed by this same place for three days.

And every time he passed by, he saw something sparkling (閃亮) on the ground.

He thought it was glass (玻璃).

And finally, on the fourth day, he decided to see what it was.

When he picked it up, he found out it was a diamond!

He was shocked (震驚).

He put the diamond in a plastic bag.

And he took it to a police station.

Police say the diamond is about 0.5 carats.

And if it is a natural diamond (天然鑽石), it would be worth around $20,000
NT.

People who live close by say they have not seen anyone looking for the
diamond.

And police say anyone who says they are the owner must show proof.

警方也說如果要來認領鑽石，需要提供相關的證據，而警方也會釐清。
________________________________

住郵輪環遊世界
Live on a Cruise Ship

Many people enjoy going on cruises (郵輪) for vacation.

They stay on a huge ship for days.

They enjoy delicious food, and fun shows on the ship.

It's a great getaway (放假、小旅行).

But what if you could LIVE on the cruise ship?

A company is offering a chance to live on a cruise ship for years.

The MV Gemini has 400 rooms.

It can carry around 1,000 passengers.

The cruise ship sets sail from Istanbul in November this year.

And it will go on a round-the-world trip.

The trip will be 3 years long.

The company says the ship will take passengers (乘客) to 135 countries.

The ship will visit all seven continents of the world.

And passengers will be able to see many famous sites (觀光景點).

They would visit India's Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu, and
many other sites.

這三年內，遊客可以搭著郵輪去世界各地的觀光聖地，包括泰姬瑪哈陵、吉薩金字塔群、和馬丘比丘。

The ship will also stop at more than 100 tropical islands (熱帶島).

And if passengers get tired of being on land, they can enjoy fun on the ship
itself.

The company says the ship has many restaurants and shows.

There's also a library, and offices with meeting rooms.

There's even a hospital that's open 24 hours a day.

Sounds like an amazing trip right?

How much will a ticket cost?

$30,000 US dollars for each person, each year.

That's about $900,000 NT (九十萬台幣).
________________________________

威肯又創Spotify新紀錄
The Weeknd Breaks Spotify Record

The Weeknd has broken a Spotify record.

The singer and songwriter is the first to hit 100 million monthly listeners
on Spotify.

That's compared with (和...比較) The Beatles with 27 million monthly
listeners.

Madonna has 23 million, and Michael Jackson has 34 million.

The musician with the second-most monthly listeners is Miley Cyrus.

She has 82.5 million monthly listeners.

And The Weeknd also has the most-played song of all time on Spotify.

"Blinding Lights" has been played 3.4 billion times on the music-streaming
service.

威肯的 "Blinding Lights"是Spotify上播放次數最多的歌曲。
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

A man in Kaohsiung went to the market one day, and found a diamond on the
ground.

He took it to a police station.

Police say the diamond is about 0.5 carats, and could be worth around $20,000
NT.
________________________________

A company is offering a chance to live on a cruise ship for 3 years.

The cruise ship will take passengers to 135 countries to see many famous
sites.

Tickets cost $900,000 NT for each person, each year.
________________________________

And,

The Weeknd has broken a Spotify record.

The singer and songwriter is the first to hit 100 million monthly listeners
on Spotify.

The musician with the second-most monthly listeners is Miley Cyrus, with 82.5
million monthly listeners.
________________________________

And that's today's episode of News Bites!
________________________________

主播每周一問
Have Your Say

This week, we want you to have your say about someone you find interesting.

There are many interesting people in the world. Some of them made history,
some of them did amazing things, and some of them had something crazy happen
to them.

So, if you could have lunch with any person, alive or from history, who would
you like to meet?

Record your message and send it to newsbites@icrt.com.tw with your name and
age, and if you'd like, the name of your school.

Send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear your message
on our show on Friday!