新西兰英语 104 The Heat Wave

　　New Zealand is experiencing a hot summer this year. The East Coast¹ of both the North and South Islands have had temperatures in the 30s. Central Otago has also had a heat wave and even Northland has had higher temperatures than normal. While Auckland² does not usually get such high temperatures, it has been very humid and uncomfortable.
With the hot, dry weather comes a risk⁴ of grass fires or forest fires. Last week the fire in Mahia burnt for three days. Nelson also had a major fire. However, we have been very fortunate⁵ that we have had nothing as bad as the state of Victoria in Australia. As many as 65 people have died in the fires, most of them in cars trying to escape⁶. Temperatures in that area have been in the mid³ 40s. Some of that heat has travelled across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand but it has cooled a little while crossing the ocean.

1 coast   

n.海岸，海滨，滑坡；vt.沿海岸而行；vi.下滑

参考例句：

• They're holidaying on the west coast.他们正在西海岸度假。
• There are thousands of villages on the coast.在沿海有上千座村庄。

2 Auckland   

n.奥克兰(新西兰港市)

参考例句：

• Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand.奥克兰是新西兰最大的城市。
• Return to auckland by bus in afternoon.下午乘车返回奥克兰。

3 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。

4 risk   

n.冒险；危险性，风险；v.使遭受……的危险

参考例句：

• You are taking a big risk driving so fast.你开车这样快是在冒很大的危险。
• He saved three children alive at risk of his life.他拼命救出了三个孩子。

5 fortunate   

adj.幸运的；带来幸运的

参考例句：

• I feel fortunate to have met them.我觉得很幸运能见到他们。
• I think you have been fortunate.我认为你很幸运。

6 escape   

vi.逃跑，逃避；逃过..的注意；逸出；n.逃跑

参考例句：

• We had to break the door out to escape from the fire.我们不得不把门砸开以逃避火灾。
• He didn't allow any word to escape his lips.他守口如瓶。