基點、擴散、追蹤和出口
Polls are important tools used in all kinds of elections, and they can be conducted by either political or media organizations.
民意調查是各種選舉中使用的重要工具，可以由政治組織或媒體機構進行。
various, a wide variety of...各式各樣的conduct(v.)進行either...or...(phr.)不是…就是…organization(n.)組織organized(adj.)有組織性的、有條理的e.g. a carefully organized campaign精心策畫的運動、a well-organized office井然有序的辦公室、a very organized person很有條理的人
Generally, they are used to measure how popular each candidate is and how voters feel about important election topics.
一般而言，民意調查用於衡量每位候選人的受歡迎程度以及選民對重要選舉議題的看法。
measure(v.)測量(n.)措施，take measures(phr.)採取措施candidate(n.)候選人
There are four types of election polls: benchmark, brushfire, tracking and exit.
選舉民調有四種類型：基點、擴散、追蹤和出口民調。
benchmark(n.)基準e.g. Tests at the age of seven provide a benchmark against which the child’s progress at school can be measured.七歲時進行的測試為孩子在學校中的學習發展提供一個測量基準
In fact, from start to finish during an election period, these four polls are usually used in this order.
實際上，在整個選舉期間，通常會按照這個順序使用這四種民調。
from start to finish(phr.)從頭到尾e.g. The book grips you from start to finish.這本書從頭到尾扣人心弦order(n.)順序in alphabetical order按字母順序in chronological order按時間順序sequence(n.)一系列、一連串，in sequence(phr.)按照順序
Data for the first three types is usually collected from voters by phone.
前三種類型的數據通常是透過電話向選民收集。
gather(v.)收集
The first type — benchmark polls — is used to find out what voters know about candidates and if they would support them.
第一類──基點民調──用於了解選民對候選人的認識以及是否支持候選人。
be used to V-ing(phr.)習慣於…=be accustomed to V-ingused to Vr.(phr.)過去曾經…support(v.)支持，supportive(adj.)支持的，be supportive of(phr.)支持…
Next, brushfire polls are used to measure what voters think of candidates’ ideas and opinions on important election issues.
接下來是擴散民意調查，用於衡量選民如何看待候選人對重要選舉議題的想法和意見。
gauge(v.)測量perspective(n.)觀點=standpoint, viewpoint, point of view
The results of these are sometimes even used to help candidates decide how to deliver their messages to voters.
這些結果有時甚至用於幫助候選人決定如何向選民傳遞他們的訊息。
deliver(v.)傳達、履行諾言、實現期望
Meanwhile, tracking polls are used throughout whole election periods to keep track of the changing levels of support for candidates.
與此同時，追蹤民調則在整個選舉期間進行，以追蹤候選人支持度的變化。
adopt(v.)採用throughout(prep.)自始至終keep track of(phr.)追蹤
In order to do this, voters are asked the same questions at different times during an election.
為此，在選舉期間的不同時間向選民提出同樣的問題。
with this goal in mind(phr.)為了達到…inquire about sth.(phr.)詢問某事
Finally, exit polls are conducted in person on election day by political or media workers at voting locations.
最後，出口民調是在選舉日由政治或媒體工作者在投票地點進行的。
fire exit消防通道，emergency exit緊急出口in person(phr.)親自
Voters are simply asked which candidate they voted for, and this data is used to predict the election results.
選民只需被問及他們投給了哪位候選人，這些數據就可用於預測選舉結果。
vote with one’s feet(phr.)用腳投票(遠離某事物來表達不支持)predict(v.)預測