Caffeine: The World’s Favorite Drug
It’s 1:45 A.M., and 21-year-old Thomas Murphy is burning the midnight oil, studying for an
important engineering exam he has at 2:00 in the afternoon later today. To stay awake1 and focused, he’s
had two cups of coffee in the last three hours and is now downing a popular energy drink—one that has
two to three times the amount of2 caffeine as a similar sized can of soda. Many students like (像，例如)
Murphy, as well as marathon runners, airline pilots, and long-distance travelers, owe their energy—and
sometimes their efficiency—to one of humankind’s oldest stimulants: caffeine.
1
stay (保持) + adj. [stay 翻譯為「保持」時，後面要接形容詞，不可以接副詞。]
2
「…的數量」
：
(1) the amount of + 不可數名詞
(2) the number of + 複數名詞
[前面可以加倍數，課文這句的意思是：能量飲料中的咖啡因含量，與汽水相較之下，是兩到
三倍。]
The power to counter physical fatigue and increase alertness is part of the reason caffeine ranks as
the world’s most popular mood-altering drug3. It is found not only in sodas, energy drinks, coffee, and tea,
but also in diet pills, pain relievers (like aspirin), and chocolate bars. Many societies around the world
have also created entire rituals around the use of caffeine: afternoon tea in the U.K., the café culture of
France, the tea ceremony in Japan, and the morning cup of coffee or tea that4 in many cultures marks the
start of the day.
3 the reason (why) + S. + V. … [完整子句]：
「…的原因」
4 主格關係代名詞
Caffeine is present in many of the foods or drinks we consume, but is it really good for us? Charles
Czeisler, a scientist and sleep expert at Harvard Medical School, believes that caffeine causes us to lose5
sleep, which6 he says is unhealthy. “Without adequate sleep—the typical eight hours—the human body
will not function at its best, physically, mentally, or emotionally.” Too often, Czeisler says, we consume
caffeine to stay awake, which later makes it impossible for us to get7 the rest we need.
5
cause + someone + to + VR：「造成…做某事」
6
7
which 關係代名詞的特殊用法：
虛主詞
(可以只看影片當中的第二種用法)
Health risks have also been tied8 to caffeine consumption. Over the years9, studies have attributed
higher rates of certain types of cancer and bone disease to caffeine consumption. To date, however,10 there
is no proof that11 caffeine actually causes these diseases.
8
現在完成式被動語態
9
10
over the years 意思是「這些年來」，常搭配現在完成式。
11
「然而」
：
that 引導名詞子句
however
= nevertheless
= nonetheless
= yet
= , though (不能放句首)
A number of scientists, including12 Roland Griffiths, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of
Medicine in the U.S., believe that regular caffeine use causes physical dependence. Heavy caffeine users,
Griffiths says, exhibit similar behaviors: Their moods fluctuate from high to low; they get mild to severe
headaches; or they feel tired or sad when they can’t have a coffee, a soft drink, an energy drink, or a cup
of tea. To minimize or stop these feelings, users must consume caffeine—a behavior Griffiths says is
characteristic of13 drug addiction.
12
13
「包括」
：
「A 是 B 的特色」
：
including…
A be characteristic of B
= inclusive of…
= B be characterized by A
= …included
Despite14 these concerns, the general opinion in the scientific community is that15 caffeine is not
dangerous when consumed16 moderately—for example,17 having one or two small cups of coffee (about18
300 milligrams of caffeine) per day. Furthermore,19 a lot of current research contradicts long-held
negative beliefs about caffeine, and suggests that it may, in fact,20 have healthy benefits. For instance,
studies have shown that caffeine can help ease21 muscle pain. Because it is stimulant, caffeine can also
help improve one’s moods. Research has also shown that some caffeinated drinks—specifically certain
teas—have disease-fighting22 chemicals that can help the body fight a number of illnesses, including
certain types of cancer.
14
18
「儘管、雖然」：
「大概、差不多」
：
Despite + N. …, ……
about + 數量
= In spite of + N./V-ing…, ……
= around + 數量
= approximately + 數量
Although + S. + V. …, ……
= roughly + 數量
= Though + S. + V. …, ……
= 數量 + or so
= Even though + S. + V. …, ……
19
「除此之外」
：
= While + S. + V. …, ……
besides
= Despite the fact that + S. + V. …, ……
= in addition
= In spite of the fact that + S. + V. …, ……
= additionally
15
= moreover
be 動詞後面，如果要接句子，要先接
= furthermore
that！
= what’s more
16
分詞構句
20
「事實上」：
in fact
= in reality
= in effect
= actually
= as a matter of fact
17
「舉例來說」
：
21
help + (to) VR
22
for example
複合形容詞
= for instance
In addition, as a type of mental stimulant, caffeine increases alertness, memory, and reaction speed.
Because it fights fatigue, it facilitates performance on tasks like driving, flying, and solving simple math
problems. And while it is true that caffeine can increase blood pressure, the effect is usually temporary
and therefore not likely to cause heart trouble—especially if caffeine is consumed in moderation.
Moreover, despite its nearly universal use, caffeine has rarely been abused. “With caffeine, overuse
tends to stop itself.” says Jack Bergman, a specialist at Harvard Medical School. If you consume too
much, “you get…uncomfortable, and you don’t want to continue.”
Caffeine’s behavioral effects are real, but most often mild. Getting that burst of energy, of course, is
why many of the most popular drinks on Earth contain caffeine. Whether it’s a student drinking coffee
before class or a businessperson enjoying tea with lunch, humankind’s favorite stimulant is at work every
day, all over the world.
Words for Production
1. caffeine
2. efficiency
 The company is taking steps to improve/increase efficiency and reduce costs.
 efficient (adj.)
 The tram is a very efficient means of transport.
 The larger a firm becomes the more cost efficient it can become.
3. alertness
 alert (n.)
 a bomb/fire/terrorist alert
 Be on the alert for anyone acting suspiciously.
 alert (adj.)
 Taking notes is one of the best ways to stay alert in lectures.
 The therapist should be alert to the possibilities of a patient losing all hope.
 alert (v.)
 A large sign alerts drivers to bad road conditions. (alert someone to something)
4. ritual
5. present (adj.)
6. consumption
 Coal consumption has fallen/decreased/gone down dramatically. (consumption
rises/increases/goes up)
 consume (v.)
 Lawsuits consume time and hurt a company’s image.
7. dependence
 Dependence on alcohol can have a serious effect on your relationships and career.
 depend (v.)
 The island’s economy depends heavily on tourism.
 The expenses you claim can vary enormously, depending on travel distances involved.
 dependent (adj.)
 Jan’s mother was dependent on her for physical care.
 independent (adj.)
 Robert aimed to be independent of his parents by the time he was twenty.
 It was always very important to me to be financially independent.
 independence (n.)
 Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960. (win/achieve/declare independence)
 Having a job gives you financial independence.
 Zambia achieved political independence without a prolonged conflict.
8. exhibit
 exhibition (n.)
 A collection of paintings by David Hockney is on exhibition at the Museum of Art.
 Hayward Gallery is holding an impressive exhibition of new British artists.
9. fluctuate
 Prices were volatile, fluctuating between $20 and $40.
 The number of children in the school fluctuates around 100.
 Insect populations fluctuate wildly from year to year.
 fluctuation (n.)
 These plants are affected by fluctuations in temperature.
10. severe
11. addiction
 Some weight problems are caused by an addiction to sugar and fat.
 drug/heroin/alcohol addiction
 addicted (adj.)
 Fifty million Americans are addicted to nicotine.
 addict (n.)
 drug/heroin/morphine addict
12. furthermore
13. contradict
 contradiction (n.)
 There are apparent contradictions in the defendant’s testimony.
 contradictory (adj.)
 The public is being fed contradictory messages about the economy.
14. specifically
15. mental
 The center provides help for people suffering from mental illness.
 Stress has an effect on both your physical and mental health.
16. facilitate
17. temporary
18. universal
19. abuse
 The proportion of drinkers who abuse alcohol is actually quite small.
 Morris abused the trust the firm had shown in him.
 She was sexually abused as a child.
 abuse (n.)
 Drug abuse is a serious health problem.
 He was arrested on charges of corruption and abuse of power.

 She suffered years of physical abuse.
abusive (adj.)
 Smith denies using abusive language to the referee.
20. burst
 He exploded in a burst of anger.
 The floor was wet because of a burst in the water pipe.
 burst (v.)
 The pipes had burst, and the house was under two feet of water.
 Claire looked as if she were about to burst into tears (= burst out crying).
 Suddenly, the group burst into laughter (= burst out laughing).
Words for Recognition
1. engineering
2. focused
3. humankind
4. stimulant
5. counter (v.)
6. fatigue
7. mood-altering
8. reliever
9. aspirin
10. ceremony
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
function (v.)
emotionally
proof
minimize
current
ease
chemical (n.)
reaction
overuse
behavioral
Phrases
1. burn the midnight oil
2. as well as
3. owe…to…
4. diet pill
5. around the world
6. be good for
7. be tied to
8. over the years
9. attribute…to…
10. a number of
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
be characteristic of
for example
in fact
for instance
in addition
blood pressure
in moderation
tend to
at work
all over the world