THE STORY OF SPIDER-MAN
“With great power comes great responsibility” — Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben
蜘蛛人 能力愈大，責任愈大
When you think of a superhero, what comes to mind? Certainly not a skinny kid who is picked on and lacks the maturity to make good choices. But when a radioactive spider bites Peter Parker, the skinny boy changes into someone with man-sized spider strength. And Spider-Man is born.
This superhero, created in 1962 by Marvel comic-book writer Stan Lee and illustrator Steve Ditko, was an experiment. Spider-Man didn’t meet the standards of the typical superheroes: strong-looking, responsible adults whose moral compasses directed their actions. In fact, while Parker was enjoying flying between buildings using the webs shooting out from his wrists, he failed to stop a thief. The result was fatal for his beloved uncle. He was killed by that burglar. It was the turning point for Spider-Man.
From comics and cartoons to movies and games, Spider-Man ranks among the world’s top three superheroes. How has this awkward young guy remained popular for over 60 years? One fan says it is because he’s just normal, so people relate to him. As Spider-Man battles evil, his popularity won’t fade anytime soon.
當你想到「超級英雄」時，你會想到什麼？
你大概不會想到一個瘦弱、常被欺負、還缺乏做出正確選擇成熟度的小孩。
但當一隻受到輻射影響的蜘蛛咬了彼得．帕克之後，這個瘦弱的男孩變成擁有「成人級蜘蛛力量」的人。蜘蛛人就這樣誕生了。
這位超級英雄是由漫威的作家史丹‧李和插畫家史蒂夫‧迪特科在 1962 年所創造，當時其實只是一項嘗試。蜘蛛人一開始並不符合一般人心目中超級英雄的形象──那些看起來強壯、有責任感、且以道德為指引的成年人。事實上，在彼得‧帕克沉溺於使用從手腕射出的蜘蛛絲，在高樓之間飛來飛去時，他卻忽略了阻止一名小偷，而這個疏忽竟導致他最親愛的叔叔喪命。叔叔被那名竊賊殺害，這件事成為蜘蛛人人生中的重大轉捩點。
從漫畫、卡通到電影和遊戲，蜘蛛人一直名列世界前三大的超級英雄。但為什麼這個有點笨拙的年輕人可以紅超過六十年？有位粉絲認為，是因為他太普通了，大家都能在他身上看到自己。隨著蜘蛛人持續對抗邪惡，他的受歡迎程度短時間內絕對不會消退。
Language Lab
maturity n. 成熟、成熟度
/məˈtʊrəti/
- Evelyn’s parents explained that greater freedom and responsibility would come once she had reached a deeper level of maturity.
艾芙琳的父母向她解釋說，更多的自由和責任會在她達到更高程度的成熟時才會來臨。
mature adj. 成熟的；有成熟心智的
behaving in a way that shows emotional development, responsibility, and good judgment.
- As an only child who spent much of his time in the presence of adults, Isaac was unusually mature for his age.
由於是獨生子，而且大部分時間都在大人身邊，艾薩克在同齡孩子中表現得特別成熟。
maturation n. 成熟；成熟過程（特別指生物或生長的成熟）
/ˌmætʃəˈreɪʃən/
the process of becoming fully developed or mature, especially in biological growth.
- Understanding the stages of seed maturation will help you to obtain high-quality seeds and ensure a profitable crop.
了解種子成熟過程的不同階段，可以幫助你取得高品質的種子，並確保良好且有利可圖的收成。
/pɪk ɑːn/
The older kids always picked on him because he was smaller than them.
年紀較大的孩子總是欺負他，因為他比他們更瘦小。
radioactive adj. 放射性的；有放射能的
/ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv/
giving off radiation that can be harmful; containing or producing radioactive energy. 指「釋放出輻射能量」，可能會傷害生物或需要小心處理。
- The scientist warned that the material was highly radioactive and should be handled with extreme care.
科學家警告說，這種物質具有高度放射性，必須極度小心處理。
change into + (n.) 變成…／轉變成…
change into + noun = to become something different; to transform into a different state, form, or condition. 表示「從一種狀態變成另一種」。
- The caterpillar changes into a butterfly.
毛毛蟲會變成蝴蝶。
man-sized adj. 男性尺寸的；體型很大、像成年男性大小的
/ˈmænˌsaɪzd/
large enough or big enough for an adult man
- He ordered a man-sized steak that covered the entire plate.
他點了一份「男生尺寸」的大牛排，整個盤子都被蓋滿了。
web n. 蜘蛛網；網狀物
a thin, silky structure created by spiders to catch insects
- The large, intricate spider’s web glistened in the morning dew.
web of lies n. 騙局；謊言的網；一連串互相連結的謊言
a complex set of lies that are connected to each other, like a spider’s web
- He spun a web of lies in hopes that he could keep his poor choices hidden.
他編造了一整套互相牽連的謊言，希望掩蓋自己做出的錯誤決定。
webinar n. 網路研討會；線上講座
/ˈwɛbəˌnɑːr/
an online seminar or presentation that people attend over the internet
- Though reluctant to attend the webinar at first, Zoe was drawn in by the dynamic and informative speaker.
雖然一開始不太想參加這場線上講座，但柔伊後來被那位生動又資訊豐富的主講人吸引住了。
illustrator n. 插畫家；繪圖者
/ˈɪləˌstreɪtər/
an artist who creates pictures for books, magazines, comics, advertisements, or digital media.
指為書籍、雜誌、漫畫、廣告或電腦媒體繪製插圖的人。
- The illustrator created vivid images that helped bring the story to life.
這位插畫家創作了生動的圖畫，使故事更加栩栩如生。
moral compasses n. 道德指南針；道德判斷力
/ˈmɔːrəl ˈkʌmpəs/
a person’s ability to judge what is right and wrong and to act accordingly.
指一個人分辨善惡、做出正確行為的「內在道德感」。
- A strong moral compass helps people make good decisions even in difficult situations.
良好的道德指南針能讓人在困難情況下仍然做出正確的決定。
shooting out phrasal verb 射出；迅速噴出；突然彈出
to move or be sent out suddenly and quickly, like being “fired” or “launched.”
- Spider-Man used the webs shooting out from his wrists to swing between the buildings.
蜘蛛人利用從手腕「射出」的蜘蛛絲在大樓之間飛躍。
fatal adj. 致命的；嚴重到造成死亡的
/ˈfeɪtəl/
causing death; extremely harmful and leading to very serious consequences.
意思是「會導致死亡的」或「造成無法挽回後果的」。
- The result was fatal for his beloved uncle.
結果對他最親愛的叔叔來說是致命的。
burglar n. 竊賊；闖入民宅行竊的人
/ˈbɜːrɡlər/
a person who enters a building illegally, usually a home, to steal things.
意思是「專門闖進房子偷東西」的賊，通常是入室竊盜。
- He was killed by that burglar.
他是被那名竊賊殺害的。
turning point n. 轉捩點；重大轉折時刻
a moment when an important change happens that affects the future direction of a person’s life, a story, or a situation.
指某件事情出現重大改變的時刻，之後的方向會完全不同。
- Graduating from college was a turning point in her life.
大學畢業是她人生的重要轉捩點。
awkward adj. 尷尬的；笨拙的；不自在的
/ˈɔːkwərd/
causing discomfort, embarrassment, or difficulty; lacking grace or coordination.
意思是讓人覺得不自在、尷尬，或形容一個人動作笨拙、不靈活。
- Running into her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend at the store was an awkward experience for Mila.
在商店遇到前男友和他的現任女友，對米拉來說是非常尷尬的經驗。
put (someone) in an awkward position 讓某人陷入尷尬的處境；讓某人左右為難
to cause someone to be in a situation where they feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or forced to choose between difficult options.
意思是讓某人落入一個不自在、難堪、很為難、必須選邊站的情況。
- Because Thomas was good friends with both Logan and Ella, their breakup put him in an awkward position where he felt like he needed to take sides.
因為 Thomas 同時跟 Logan 和 Ella 都是好朋友，他們的分手讓他陷入尷尬的處境，覺得自己好像必須選邊站。
comics n.
illustrated stories told in a sequence of drawings, often published in magazines or books.
- He has collected comics since he was a child.
他從小就開始收藏漫畫。
rank v. 某人在某群體或清單中的位置、等級、排名。
is in a particular position or level compared to others;
- The school ranks first in the state.
這所學校在全州排名第一。
normal adj. 正常的、一般的
usual, ordinary, or expected;
- It’s normal to feel nervous before a test.
考試前緊張是很正常的。
relate to + (n) (phr. v.) 產生共鳴、認同、理解
to understand or feel connected to something or someone
指能理解某人的處境或感受，覺得自己跟某個情況有共鳴。
- Many students can relate to the stress of exams.
很多學生都能理解考試的壓力。
- I can’t relate to that story at all.
我完全無法對那個故事產生共鳴。
Deep Dive
With great power comes great responsibility.
能力越大，責任越大。
come with (phrasal verb) 隨附；伴隨；附帶
to include something as part of a set, package, or situation; something that is naturally connected to something else. 意思是「隨附／附帶某物」，或「某件事自然伴隨另一件事」。
- The meal comes with a drink and a side dish.
這個餐點附有飲料和配菜。
- The job comes with a lot of stress.
這份工作伴隨著很大的壓力。
Usage Tip
As + S1 + V1, S2 + V2
As + 主詞1 + 動詞1, 主詞2 + 動詞2
文法用法：表「當……的時候」或「隨著……」
As is used to show two actions happening at the same time.
第一件事情發生的同時，第二件事情也開始發生。
As the sun set, the lights in the city began to glow.
當太陽落下時，城市裡的燈光開始亮起來。
- As the rain got heavier, people rushed inside the shops.
隨著雨越下越大，人們趕緊跑進店裡躲雨。
- As I grew older, I became more independent.
隨著我年紀變大，我變得更獨立。
