A Lonely Place Where Stray Dogs Live 孤獨犬之島 Learn about an island of dogs that are getting a helping hand from the locals. 來看看當地居民如何對島上的狗伸出援手。
Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs is an animated▼ film about dogs that are sent away to Trash Island because the government believes they are spreading diseases. One boy loves his dog so much that he is willing to risk his life to save it. Although the film isn’t a true story, there’s a real-life place similar to Trash Island in Karachi, Pakistan. It’s called Dingy Island, and it’s empty except for garbage and dozens of dogs. No one is sure how the dogs got there, but they have lived there for many years. In Pakistan, dogs aren’t usually kept as pets, so strays are very common. Many people think they are just dirty animals, so few people care whether they live or die. Without food or drinking water, these dogs can’t survive on the island. Luckily, local fishermen decided to look after the dogs. Every few days, they bring the strays food and fresh water. Some fishermen see it as a test from God. They believe that if they take care of the dogs, God will take care of them in the future. While stray dogs continue to suffer around the world, at least these fishermen are doing something to help.
1. lonely a. 孤單的，寂寞的 Lindsay gets lonely now that all the kids have left home. 琳賽現在感到孤單，因為所有孩子都離開家了。
2. government n. 政府；政體 The city government has a lot of explaining to do over why they tore down the old temple. 市政府得好好解釋為什麼把那座古廟給拆了。
3. disease n. 疾病 Millions of people around the world die of heart disease every year. 世界各地每年有數百萬人死於心臟疾病。
4. be willing to V 願意（做）…… Ross is willing to watch my dogs for a week. 羅斯願意幫我照顧狗一個禮拜。
5. risk sth to V 冒……的危險去…… risk vt. 冒……的危險 Nicholas risked his life to save his wife. 尼可拉斯冒著生命危險救他太太。
6. except for... 除……之外 Allan loves all kinds of sports except for basketball. 亞倫喜歡所有的運動，除了籃球之外。
7. survive vi. & vt. 繼續生存，存活 Scientists are trying to find a way for humans to survive in outer space. 科學家試圖找出讓人類在外太空存活的方法。
8. suffer vi. 遭受痛苦；受……之苦（與介詞 from 並用） Mandy has suffered a lot ever since her son was in a car accident. 自從曼蒂的兒子出車禍以來，她就受了不少苦。 Judy has suffered from a rare blood disease for her entire life. 茱蒂一生都受罕見血液疾病之苦。
▼ animated a. 動畫的
dozen 的相關用法 本文中的 dozens of... 為常見慣用語，表「許多……」。另外，有一個與 dozen 相關的片語為非正式用法的 a dime a dozen，其中的名詞 dime 是指「（美國或加拿大的）十分錢硬幣」，因為十分錢很小，所以本片語就有「隨處可見；不稀罕，不值錢」的意思。例：
Dozens of shoppers are waiting in line to exchange their coupons for free gifts. （許多顧客拿著兌換券排隊等著換取免費贈品。）
Jeans like these are a dime a dozen. （像這樣的牛仔褲到處都是。）
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