變廢為寶 / 变废为宝
To Turn Waste Into Treasure
By Alex Reed ( 李安 )
By Alex Reed ( 李安 )
Traditional Chinese
很多人覺得保護環境只是回收紙和塑料。但是現在,大家在練習使用一種新的「環保」技術:能源回收 (Energy Recycling)。
「熱」是一種能源,我們可以把它叫做「熱能」。工廠會產生很多餘熱 (waste heat),以前這些熱氣沒有用; 但是現在,工程師們能用新的環保技術把這些熱氣回收了。這些回收的能源可以給幾千個家庭提供熱水和暖氣。這就是我們說的「變廢為寶」。回收這些餘熱可以緩和地球溫度的上升,降低溫室效應。
除了餘熱以外,我們每天丟掉的垃圾也有用。現在有很多「垃圾發電」(waste-to-energy) 的工廠。他們利用科學的方法把垃圾變成電。這樣不但可以減少污染,而且可以讓世界更可持續 (sustainable)。
在很多城市,我們可以看到這些環保技術。例如,在中國的山東濟南,工程師回收工廠的熱能來給城市提供暖氣。在北京和上海,很多工廠利用垃圾來發電。在台灣,台北的北投垃圾焚化廠也回收熱能,給附近的居民提供服務。這些城市都在努力保護我們的環境。
我們每個人都應該多了解能源回收。只要大家一起努力,我們就可以讓我們的家園更漂亮,讓世界更美好。
環境保護 (huánjìng bǎohù) Environmental Protection
環境 (huánjìng) Environment
保護 (bǎohù) Protection
技術 (jìshù)Technology / Technique
回收 (huíshōu) Recycle
塑料 (sùliào) Plastic
能源 (néngyuán) Energy
工廠 (gōngchǎng) Factory
工程師 (gōngchéngshī) Engineer
家庭 (jiātíng) Family / Household
變廢為寶 (biàn fèi wéi bǎo) To turn waste into treasure
熱能 (rènéng) Heat energy / Thermal energy
餘熱 (yúrèWaste) heat
垃圾發電 (lājī fādiàn) Waste-to-energy (electricity)
垃圾 (lājī/lèsè) Trash / Garbage
發電 (fādiàn) Power generation
可持續 (kě chíxù) Sustainable
減少污染 (jiǎnshǎo wūrǎn) To reduce pollution
減少 (jiǎnshǎoReduce)
污染 (wūrǎn) Pollution
例如 (lìrú) For example
山東 (Shāndōng) Shandong (a province in China/PRC)
濟南 (Jǐnán) Jinan (capital of Shandong province)
北投 (Běitóu)Beitou (a district in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
焚化廠 (fénhuàchǎng) Incineration plant
居民 (jūmín) Resident
努力 (nǔlì) To work hard / To make an effort
家園 (jiāyuán) Home / Homeland
Study the vocabulary with Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/1156292061/mandarin-spectrum-for-youth-%E8%AE%8A%E5%BB%A2%E7%82%BA%E5%AF%B6-%E5%8F%98%E5%BA%9F%E4%B8%BA%E5%AE%9D-msfy03222026-flash-cards/?i=8pi6c&x=1jqt
Simplified Chinese
很多人觉得保护环境只是回收纸和塑料。但是现在,大家在练习使用一种新的“环保”技术:能源回收 (Energy Recycling)。
“热”是一种能源,我们可以把它叫做“热能”。工厂会产生很多余热 (waste heat),以前这些热气没有用;但是现在,工程师们能用新的环保技术把这些热气回收了。这些回收的能源可以给几千个家庭提供热水和暖气。这就是我们说的“变废为宝”。回收这些余热可以缓和地球温度的上升,降低温室效应。
除了余热以外,我们每天丢掉的垃圾也有用。现在有很多“垃圾发电”(waste-to-energy) 的工厂。他们利用科学的方法把垃圾变成电。这样不但可以减少污染,而且可以让世界更可持续 (sustainable)。
在很多城市,我们可以看到这些环保技术。例如,在中国的山东济南,工程师回收工厂的热能来给城市提供暖气。在北京和上海,很多工厂利用垃圾来发电。在台湾,台北的北投垃圾焚化厂也回收热能,给附近的居民提供服务。这些城市都在努力保护我们的环境。
我们每个人都应该多了解能源回收。只要大家一起努力,我们就可以让我们的家园更漂亮,让世界更美好。
环境保护 (huánjìng bǎohù) Environmental Protection
环境 (huánjìng) Environment
保护 (bǎohù) Protection
技术 (jìshù) Technology / Technique
回收 (huíshōu) Recycle
塑料 (sùliào) Plastic
能源 (néngyuán) Energy
工厂 (gōngchǎng) Factory
工程师 (gōngchéngshī) Engineer
家庭 (jiātíng) Family / Household
变废为宝 (biàn fèi wéi bǎo) To turn waste into treasure
热能 (rènéng) Heat energy / Thermal energy
余热 (yúrè) Waste heat
垃圾发电 (lājī fādiàn) Waste-to-energy (electricity)
垃圾 (lājī / lèsè) Trash / Garbage
发电 (fādiàn) Power generation
可持续 (kě chíxù) Sustainable
减少污染 (jiǎnshǎo wūrǎn) To reduce pollution
减少 (jiǎnshǎo) To reduce
污染 (wūrǎn) Pollution
例如 (lìrú) For example
山东 (Shāndōng) Shandong (a province in China/PRC)
济南 (Jǐnán) Jinan (capital of Shandong province)
北投 (Běitóu) Beitou (a district in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
焚化厂 (fénhuàchǎng) Incineration plant
居民 (jūmín) Resident
努力 (nǔlì) To work hard / To make an effort
家园 (jiāyuán) Home / Homeland
Study the vocabulary with Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/1156292061/mandarin-spectrum-for-youth-%E8%AE%8A%E5%BB%A2%E7%82%BA%E5%AF%B6-%E5%8F%98%E5%BA%9F%E4%B8%BA%E5%AE%9D-msfy03222026-flash-cards/?i=8pi6c&x=1jqt
Reading Comprehension Quiz
1. According to the article, how do engineers use the "waste heat" produced by factories?
A. By emitting the hot air directly into the atmosphere.
B. By using new technology to recycle it for hot water and heating.
C. By using the hot air to manufacture plastic products.
D. By turning the hot air into physical trash.
2. Why is recycling waste heat helpful to the Earth?
A. It helps increase the total income of the factories.
B. It can make the global weather significantly colder.
C. It mitigates the rise in global temperatures and reduces the greenhouse effect.
D. It helps factories produce a larger variety of trash.
3. Regarding "waste-to-energy," which of the following statements is correct?
A. Waste-to-energy plants increase overall environmental pollution.
B. Waste-to-energy technology makes the world less sustainable.
C. Factories use scientific methods to turn trash into electricity.
D. This technology is currently only utilized in Taiwan.
4. Which specific example from Taiwan was mentioned in the article?
A. The industrial factories in Jinan, Shandong.
B. The environmental technology hubs in Shanghai.
C. The waste-to-energy plants located in Beijing.
D. The Beitou Refuse Incineration Plant in Taipei.
5. What is the primary purpose of this article?
A. To encourage readers to buy more plastic products.
B. To introduce energy recycling technology and its environmental benefits.
C. To argue that factories should stop producing any form of heat energy.
D. To provide a travel guide for visiting Shandong and Taipei.
Answer Key
B 2. C 3. C 4. D 5. B
"Star-Gazing Tower (Zhaixing Tower; 摘星樓/摘星楼 ) in the Beitou Refuse Incineration Plant in Taipei is located 120 meters up the plant's rainbow chimney; it is the world's first revolving observation restaurant built on an incineration plant chimney.
Reading Assessment:
Part 1: Identifying Supporting Details
Based on the first and second paragraphs, choose the THREE correct statements from the list below.
A. 保護環境最重要的事情是回收紙和塑料。/ 保护环境最重要的事情是回收纸和塑料。
B. 工廠產生的「餘熱」在過去通常是被浪費掉的。/ 工厂产生的「余热」在过去通常是被浪费掉的。
C. 工程師現在可以回收熱能來提供社區熱水。/ 工程师现在可以回收熱能來提供社区热水。
D. 回收能源的主要目的是為了讓工廠賺更多錢。/ 回收能源的主要目的是为了让工厂赚更多钱。
E. 回收餘熱可以幫助減少溫室效應。/ 回收余热可以帮助減少温室效应。
F. 只有幾百個家庭可以使用回收的能源。/ 只有几百个家庭可以使用回收的能源。
答案 (Answers): B, C, E
Part 2: Multiple Choice - Main Idea
According to the article, what is the primary function of a "Waste-to-Energy" (垃圾發電 / 垃圾发电 ) plant?
A. To encourage people to throw away more trash.
B. To use scientific methods to turn garbage into electricity.
C. To reduce the cost of manufacturing plastic.
D. To clean up all the pollution in the world immediately.
答案 (Answer): B
Part 3: Matching Examples to Cities- Match the city/region to the correct environmental initiative mentioned in the text.
English translations
Many people think that protecting the environment is only about recycling paper and plastic. But now, everyone is practicing using a new "environmental protection" technology: Energy Recycling.
"Heat" is a type of energy; we can call it "thermal energy." Factories produce a lot of waste heat. In the past, this hot air was useless; but now, engineers can use new environmental technologies to recycle this heat. This recycled energy can provide hot water and heating for thousands of households. This is what we call "turning waste into treasure." Recycling this waste heat can mitigate the rise in global temperatures and reduce the greenhouse effect.
In addition to waste heat, the trash we throw away every day is also useful. Now, there are many "waste-to-energy" plants. They use scientific methods to turn trash into electricity. This not only reduces pollution but also makes the world more sustainable.
In many cities, we can see these environmental technologies. For example, in Jinan, Shandong, China, engineers recycle factory heat energy to provide heating for the city. In Beijing and Shanghai, many plants use waste to generate electricity. In Taiwan, the Beitou Refuse Incineration Plant in Taipei also recycles heat energy to provide services to nearby residents. These cities are all working hard to protect our environment.
Each of us should understand more about energy recycling. As long as everyone works together, we can make our homes more beautiful and the world a better place.
About the essay and the themes
AP Chinese Language and Culture Themes
Global Challenges (全球挑戰): This is the strongest fit. The essay directly addresses environmental protection and the innovative ways society is tackling resource scarcity and the greenhouse effect.
Science and Technology (科技創新): The focus on "Environmental Technology" (環保技術) and specific systems like Waste-to-Energy (垃圾發電) shows how technological advancement impacts our quality of life.
Contemporary Life (當代生活): This theme covers how modern societies manage their environment and resources, specifically through the concept of "Turning Waste into Treasure" (變廢為寶).
IB Mandarin (Language B) Themes
Sharing the Planet (共享地球): This is the primary match for IB. It addresses the sub-themes of the environment, sustainability, and global issues.
Human Ingenuity (人類發明創造): This highlights how humans use science and technology to solve problems like pollution and energy waste.
Social Organization (社會組織): The examples of cities like Jinan, Beijing, and Taipei show how different communities organize themselves to implement large-scale green initiatives.
Based on the vocabulary, sentence structure, and content of the essay on your Mandarin Spectrum For Youth site, it aligns most closely with the Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL Proficiency Scale.
Here is the breakdown of why it fits this level:
Intermediate Mid
Expanded Context: By adding specific examples (such as Jinan, Beijing, Shanghai, and the Beitou plant), the text now requires the reader to move beyond general concepts and process specific, real-world factual information. This aligns with the Intermediate Mid requirement to understand short, non-complex texts on a variety of factual topics.
Vocabulary Density: The text successfully incorporates more specialized vocabulary (e.g., "Thermal Energy", "Waste-to-Energy", and "Greenhouse Effect") alongside high-frequency language. An Intermediate Mid reader can navigate these technical terms when they are supported by a clear, logical structure.
Internal Cohesion: The use of transitional phrases like "例如" (For example) and "除了...以外" (Besides...) creates a cohesive flow. This structure helps students practice identifying how different ideas—like industrial waste and global temperature—are connected within a single paragraph.
© 2026 Mandarin Spectrum For Youth. Owned and operated by Rehoboth Hall LLC. All rights reserved.
Theme Unit Focus Content Ideas for The Magazine
Families and Communities Families in Different Societies Traditional vs. modern family roles, filial piety, and community celebrations.
Personal and Public Identities Influence of Language and Culture on Identity Youth perspectives on being bilingual, national heroes, and ethnic identity.
Beauty and Aesthetics Influences of Beauty and Art Traditional crafts, architecture, and contemporary Chinese pop art/fashion.
Science and Technology Science and Technology Affecting Lives The impact of social media (WeChat/TikTok) and future inventions.
Contemporary Life Factors That Impact Quality of Life Education (Gaokao), career choices, travel, and health/wellness.
Global Challenges Environmental and Societal Challenges Climate change, population trends, and economic shifts in the Chinese-speaking world.
Identities (身分認同 / 身份认同) Nature of the self, health, and beliefs. Interviews with bilingual youth on "Who am I?"; articles on Gen Z mental health and traditional Chinese medicine vs. modern fitness.
Experiences (體驗 / 体验) Events and journeys that shape us. Photo essays on "A Day in the Life" of a student in Shanghai vs. New York; travel guides for "hidden gem" cultural sites; stories of migration.
Human Ingenuity (人類發明創造 / 人类发明创造) Creativity, innovation, and media. Reviews of trending Chinese apps; features on how AI is changing language learning; profiles of young Chinese digital artists.
Social Organization (社會組織 / 社会组织) Education, workplace, and community. Comparisons of the "Gaokao" vs. SATs; volunteer spotlights; how youth are reviving "Street Stall" culture or traditional neighborhoods.
Sharing the Planet (共享地球) Global issues and ethics. "Green Living" tips in Asian cities; youth-led climate initiatives; articles on the ethics of fast fashion and the "Spectrum" of globalism.
© 2026 Mandarin Spectrum For Youth. Owned and operated by Rehoboth Hall LLC. All rights reserved.