ANALYTICAL ENGLISH 解析英語(常春藤)
By 常春藤解析英語 Miiky Chocline
Some characters exist only in a fictional world, while others step into real life. These are the mascots people often see at sports events, in amusement parks, during marketing campaigns or even on busy shopping streets. They possess a magnetic charm that transcends age and language. Yet beneath every cheerful costume is a performer __1__ surprisingly demanding tasks.
A mascot performer is an actor, athlete and brand ambassador rolled into one. They bring energy to an __2__ lifeless costume entirely through their body language. Every wave, jump and playful gesture must be exaggerated enough to bring the character to life. However, the job is physically grueling. Heavy, poorly ventilated costumes make breathing difficult, while limited vision and muffled hearing can turn simple movements into __3__ ones.
To succeed in this role, performers must follow a strict code of practice. The golden rule is that faces must remain hidden and voices completely silent. Seeing a mascot without its head or hearing a voice that does not match one’s imagination can __4__. A mascot is expected to stay in constant motion. This relentless flow of energy is exhausting, which is why the performer needs frequent breaks behind the scenes. For safety reasons, a performer should always be __5__ at least one staff member to handle any unexpected situations. Most importantly, under no circumstances should a mascot pick up children, as limited vision and heavy costumes can make this unsafe.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片： AdobeStock
By keeping reality out of sight, mascots allow imagination to take center stage and give their audience a brief escape from everyday life.
有些角色只存在於虛構世界，有些則會踏入現實世界。這些是人們常於運動賽事、遊樂園、行銷活動，甚至是繁忙商店街上看到的吉祥物。它們具有超越年齡與語言限制的致命吸引力。但在每個歡樂布偶裝下，都有一位執行著異常吃力任務的操偶師。
操偶師集演員、運動員和品牌大使於一身。他們全靠肢體語言為原本無生命的布偶裝注入生氣。每一次揮手、跳動，和活潑的肢體動作都必須誇張到足以讓角色活靈活現。然而，這項工作在體力上相當折磨人。厚重且通風不良的布偶裝會讓人難以呼吸，而受限的視野與模糊不清的聽覺會讓簡單的動作變危險。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片： AdobeStock
要成功扮演這個角色，操偶師必須遵守嚴格的行規。重要原則是：不得露臉、不得出聲。看到沒有頭的吉祥物或聽到不符合想像的聲音都可能會打破幻想。吉祥物應該要不停活動。不間斷保持源源不絕的活力很累人，這就是為什麼操偶師需要在幕後頻繁休息。為了安全起見，操偶師應全程由至少一位工作人員陪同，以處理任何突發狀況。最重要的是，吉祥物在任何情況下都不能把小孩抱起來，因為受限的視野和沉重的布偶裝可能會讓這樣的動作不安全。
透過把現實隱藏起來，吉祥物讓想像力成為焦點，並帶給觀眾短暫逃離日常生活的機會。
What Did You Learn?
1. (A) settling down (B) warding off (C) breaking up (D) carrying out
2. (A) unless (B) anyway (C) otherwise (D) instead
3. (A) risky (B) graceful (C) slight (D) cautious
4. (A) delight the audience (B) break the illusion (C) hide the disappointment (D) preserve the image
5. (A) composed of (B) accompanied by (C) guided toward (D) isolated from
答案： 1. D 2. C 3. A 4. B 5. B
Words in Use
1. fictional a. 虛構的
Several fictional creatures in the movie were inspired by animals that live deep in the ocean.
這部電影中幾種虛構生物的靈感來自深海動物。
2. campaign n. （宣傳、社會）活動∕運動
A social media campaign helped the animal shelter receive donations.
一場社群媒體宣傳活動幫助該動物收容所獲得捐款。
3. a magnetic charm 強大的吸引力∕魅力
magnetic a. 有吸引力∕磁性的
The old cafe possesses a magnetic charm that keeps customers returning.
那間老式咖啡廳具有強大的魅力，讓顧客不斷回訪。
4. costume n. （特殊裝扮用的）服裝
The dinosaur costume looked so realistic that it frightened many kids.
這套恐龍裝逼真到嚇壞了很多小孩。
5. demanding a. 吃力的
? Climbing the mountain was a demanding task for my parents.
我爸媽來說，爬山是一項吃力的任務。
Practical Phrases
1. (all) rolled into one 集於一身，融於一體
The smartphone acts as a phone, computer and camera all rolled into one.
智慧型手機集電話、電腦與相機於一身。
2. bring. . . to life 賦予……生命，使……活過來
Emma’s storytelling brings every character to life.
艾瑪的說故事能力讓每個角色都栩栩如生。
3. in motion 在移動∕運動中
The dancers remained in motion throughout the performance.
舞者們在整個表演中都持續在移動。
4. behind the scenes 在幕後
Many people behind the scenes contributed to the film’s success.
許多幕後人員為這部電影的成功做出了貢獻。
5. under no circumstances + 倒裝句構 在任何情況下∕無論如何絕不
circumstance n. 情況（常用複數）
Under no circumstances should passengers open the emergency door mid-flight.
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