「不合時宜」的基礎設施安全
On April 2, a Taroko express train derailed in Hualien after a construction truck slipped down a slope and collided with the fast-moving train.
4月2日，在花蓮有輛工程車從邊坡滑落，與快速行駛的太魯閣列車相撞，造成火車脫軌，
express train特快列車derail(v.)derailment(n.)脫軌collide with與～相撞=crash or smash into~
At least 50 people were killed and nearly 200 injured in the worst train crash in Taiwan’s history.
至少有50人喪生，近200人受傷，為台灣史上最嚴重的火車事故，
The tragedy has raised concerns over the country’s infrastructure safety not only at home but also overseas, with Nikkei Asia bluntly stating that such a poor infrastructure safety record is “out of character” for the progressive, democratic society.
這起悲劇在國內引發基礎設施安全的相關疑慮，也引來國際關注，《日經亞洲》不諱言指出，台灣如此惡劣的基礎設施安全記錄，對進步、民主的社會來說顯然「不合時宜」。
raise concerns over…引起…的相關疑慮bluntly(adv.)直言不諱地=straightforwardlyout of character 出人預料、不合時宜progressive(adj.)(指思想或體制)進步的、先進的left wing 左派;左傾
The report says Taiwan has been recognized internationally for its progressive policy moves.
《日經亞洲》報導指出，台灣因進步的政策舉措而受到國際肯定，
recognize(v.)肯定
For example, the country has been praised globally for its success in epidemic prevention during the coronavirus pandemic.
例如，台灣在新冠疫情期間防疫成功而享譽全球。
epidemic prevention疫情防治;防疫pandemic(n.)(疾病)大流行
It also became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
台灣也是第一個立法允許同性婚姻的亞洲國家，
legalize(v.)使…合法化=make…legal
Yet, despite these achievements, the Taiwanese government has failed to implement necessary measures to ensure infrastructure safety.
不過儘管取得了這些成就，台灣政府一直未能採取必要措施確保基礎設施的安全。
despite(prep.)儘管=regardless offail to RV未能;無法implement(v.)執行;實行=carry out
A review of the country’s infrastructure safety record reveals that there is still a lot of work to be done.
回顧台灣的基礎設施安全紀錄可以發現需要改善的地方還有很多。
In 2018, when a magnitude 6.4 quake struck Hualien, 17 people died after apartments and hotel buildings collapsed.
2018年，規模6.4地震襲擊花蓮，有數棟公寓和飯店倒塌，造成17人死亡。
magnitude(n.)(地震)規模strike-struck-struck襲擊
In 2019, a 140-meter-long arch bridge collapsed in Yilan, killing six people. An inquiry led by the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board found that the materials used in construction had aged or corroded.
2019年，宜蘭有座140公尺長的拱橋倒塌，造成6人死亡，由國家運輸安全調查委員會所主持的調查發現橋墩建材有老化和腐蝕的情形。
inquiry(n.)調查=investigation=probeage(v.)老化corrode(v.)(使)腐蝕;侵蝕
The report points out that while the exact cause of the train crash is yet to be determined, experts suggest that the aging of facilities and trains, as well as labor shortage, has given rise to train safety issues over the years.
報告指出，雖然火車事故的確切原因尚待查明，專家指出，多年來設施和火車老舊，加上人力不足，導致火車安全出問題。
while(conj.)雖然=thoughag(e)ing (n.)老化give rise to=lead to=result in造成;導致
From 2016 to 2019, there were as many as 19 derailments occurring on TRA-operated lines, including the Puyuma express train derailment in Yilan in October 2018, which killed 18 people.
2016年至2019年間，台鐵共發生了多達19次脱軌，包括2018年10月普悠瑪列車在宜蘭的脱軌事故，造成18人死亡。
as many as…多達operate(v.)營運TRA=Taiwan Railways Administration台灣鐵路管理局
While there is constant speculation about whether TRA will be privatized, necessary reforms have never been carried out due to opposition from vested interests, says the report.
報導指出，雖然外界持續揣測台鐵是否將民營化，但由於既得利益者反對，台鐵從未實行必要的改革。
speculation(n.)揣測;推測=guessprivate(adj.)私人的the private sector私部門privatize(v.)使…民營化、私有化privatization(n.)民營化;私有化reform(n.)改革、改進、改造education reform教育改革judicial reform司法改革opposition(n.)(強烈的)反對、反抗、對抗=objectionvested interests既得利益(者)