Midnight Marauders　忍者传说

by Jason Alloy

It is just after midnight. Dressed in dark-colored clothing to _(1)_ with his surroundings, a secretive figure darts in and out of the shadows, quietly slipping inside the fortress. Drawing his sword, he prepares to complete his _(2)_, the beheading of a rival general. He is one of the most feared warriors in history. He is a ninja.

In 6th century Japan, mountain villagers began sending spies to gather information about
_(3)_ attacks from ruling families. Greatly outnumbered by Samurai, the villagers began practicing techniques that came from both Japan and China to create ninjutsu, the art of stealth. Through extreme training such as hanging over the edge of cliffs to _(4)_ their fears, some villagers became ninjas.

Ninjas' use of misdirection, the ability to confuse enemies with one's movements, made them so mysterious _(5)_ they were rumored to have magical powers. Their noiseless movements were made possible by the special shoes they wore that allowed them to walk in virtual silence. These shoes, with wooden pads carved to look like animal tracks attached to the bottoms, also made their _(6)_ untraceable. By day ninjas disguised themselves as peasants, and at night dressed in dark colors suitable for hiding in the shadows or even green and yellow to match bamboo.

At their height, there were 80 ninja clans throughout Japan. Though _(7)_ in the 17th century, ninjutsu still went on in underground circles. Today, the lineage can be traced to ninjutsu teacher Masaaki Hatsumi, "the last living ninja." Although ninjas may no longer be assassins, their principles of self-defense continue to be taught.

1. (A) stand out　(B) put aside　(C) blend in　　　(D) take sides
2. (A) surgery　　(B) mission　　(C) destination　　(D) outcome
3. (A) promising (B) inviting　　(C) hesitating　　(D) impending
4. (A) conquer　　(B) consist　　(C) confirm　　　　(D) convey
5. (A) which　　　(B) while　　　　(C) that　　　　　(D) therefore
6. (A) scents　　　(B) footprints (C) strategies　　(D) transportations
7. (A) banned　　　(B) to ban　　　(C) banning　　　(D) was banned
中文翻译＆标准答案

午夜刚过，一名神秘人物身穿与周遭环境合为一体的深色服装，穿梭在幽闇中，并悄悄溜进堡垒。他抽出剑，准备完成取下敌方将军首级的任务。他是历史上最令人畏惧的战士。他是一位忍者。
　　
公元六世纪的日本，山区村民开始派间谍搜集统治家族即将发动攻击的情报。村民的人数比武士少很多，于是开始练习来自中国与日本的技巧，创造了『忍术』，也就是秘密活动的艺术。透过极端的训练，像是悬在断崖峭壁上以战胜恐惧，有些村民成为忍者。
　　
忍者的欺敌手段（也就是以动作困惑敌人）使他们染上神秘色彩，他们具有法术的谣言于是不胫而走。他们穿着特殊的鞋子，几乎能一声不响地行走。那种鞋子底部有刻成动物脚印的木垫，让人无法追踪他们的足迹。白天时忍者伪装成农夫，到了晚上就穿上适合在暗处躲藏的深色衣服，甚至穿上黄色和绿色的衣服，与竹林相融一色。
　　
在颠峰时期，日本约有八十个忍者村。虽然在十七世纪时，忍术一度被禁，但仍活跃于地下组织。如今，忍术的传人可追溯至『最后一位忍者』──忍术大师初见良昭。虽然如今忍者不再是暗杀者，但他们自卫的守则仍被传授下去。

标准答案：
1. (C)　2. (B)　3. (D)　4. (A)　5. (C)　
6. (B)　7. (A)