【明報專訊】An American teenager has set a new world record. Collin Burns, 15, from Pennsylvania (賓夕法尼亞州), has solved a Rubik's Cube faster than any other at a "speedcubing" competition held in his home state.

Under the rules, each participant had five chances to get the best result. On his third try, the reigning US National Rubik's Cube champion completed the challenge in 5.25 seconds. He outdid his predecessor by 0.3 seconds.

Seemingly stunned at first, Collin broke into a huge smile when he realised what he had achieved as his fellow competitors cheered and congratulated him. A spokesman for the World Cube Association, which organised the competition, has acknowledged the new record and confirmed that the official database will soon be updated.

The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, a Hungarian sculptor and architecture professor. It has since gained popularity in the world. (source: Ming Pao, New York Daily News, Daily Mail)

■Words

Rubik's Cube 扭計骰

predecessor 前任者

invent 發明

■Watch the video﹕http://youtu.be/Gz8sYIN78kM

■Quiz

Choose the correct answer.

1. What was the old record for solving a Rubik's Cube which Collin broke?

a. 4.95 seconds

b. 5.25 seconds

c. 5.55 seconds

2. What place did Collin get at the last US National Rubik's Cube competition?

a. first

b. second

c. third

3. With which of the following words can you replace "stunned" (paragraph 3)?

a. disappointed

b. surprised

c. delighted

4. Where does the inventor of the Rubik's Cube come from?

a. the US

b. Hungary

c. France

■Glossary

outdo (v) 勝過

acknowledge (v) 確認

sculptor (n) 雕塑家

architecture (n) 建築學