1 . Frequently, we speak about people being “color-blind” but very few of us are. Even those who describe themselves as color-blind are normally just color lack. A strongly, color-blind person will still be able to tell 20 different colors, compared to the 100 or so that normal-sighted people see.
Pingelap, a tiny island in the Pacific, is a beautiful spot but one that has a genetic trouble. It is known as Color-blind Island because so many people who live on this remote island can only see black and white.
Not being able to see colors is bad enough. But one islander, Herrol, who’s a fisherman, also struggles in full sunlight because all he sees is a painful burnt-out image. “I find it difficult to go outside in the sun,” he says, “because when it’s sunny I cannot see to do my work.”
But if being truly color-blind is rare, why is it that around 10% of the population of Pingelap live in a totally black and white world?
Well, we know that in 1780 the population of Pingelap was all but wiped out by a tsunami (海啸). As few as 20 people survived, one of whom was the king. It’s believed he had a genetic fault that causes colour-blindness and he passed this fault on to his many generations.
There is one advantage. Herrol can see well, really well, in the dark. So when it gets dark, Herrol and his friends get in their boats and hunt flying fish. They hang up flaming torches and the fish are attracted to the flames. “This type of fishing is fun,” Herrol says, “especially if we catch plenty. So even though it's hard work we enjoy it.”
1. What makes Pingelap special?| A．A mentally troubled island. | B．A beautiful island. |
| C．A colour-blind island. | D．A tiny island. |
| A．He doesn’t live in Pingelap any more. |
| B．He likes taking photos very much. |
| C．He is interested in burnt-out images. |
| D．He may stay at home when it’s sunny. |
| A．the king’s genetic fault played a role |
| B．the king had an unlucky marriage |
| C．the king made a serious mistake |
| D．Pingelap often suffers from tsunamis |
| A．The advantage of color blindness | B．The island of color blindness |
| C．The disadvantage of Herrol | D．The history of Pingelap |
