新西兰英语 738 Hot, dry summer

 　　Parts of New Zealand have had an unusually hot, dry summer so far. In the North Island, the east coast and central areas have had temperatures in the low 30s or high 20s. This is the same for most of the South Island, except for the West Coast. The West Coast always has different weather: at the end of December and beginning of January, the West Coast had heavy rain for days and days.

　　Our usual summer is often cloudy, wet and windy. New Zealand has a moderate¹ climate with summer temperatures in the low 20s in most places.

　　While people on holiday have been enjoying the hot summer temperatures this year, children back at school find it hard to study when it so hot.

　　The lack of rain has caused a serious problem for farmers because the grass does not grow. Some dairy² farmers now have to buy hay³ for their animals, at a cost of $800 a day or more. Farmers also have to sell their animals for meat, earlier than usual. The economy⁴ of our country depends on farming⁵, especially dairy farming.

　　Hot temperatures and strong winds have also helped to spread forest fires in many places. Listen to January 24th 2013 to hear about fires.

　　Vocabulary

　　?unusually – opposite of usually. Note pronunciation

　　?moderate – not too hot and not too cold

　　?climate – average weather over a long period, including temperature, rain and wind.

　　?lack (n and v) – not enough; the lack (n); soil lacks water (v)

　　?hay – dry grass

1 moderate   

adj.适度的，稳健的，温和的，中等的；v.节制，使...稳定，使...缓和；n.稳健的人

参考例句：

• You should moderate your language when children are present.在孩子面前，你说话应该有节制。
• The wind is moderate today.今天的风很柔和。

2 dairy   

n.牛奶场，乳品店；adj.乳制品的

参考例句：

• The yogurt sold by this dairy is delicious.这家乳品店出售的酸奶非常好喝。
• He kept a few dairy cows.他养了几头奶牛。

3 hay   

n.(用作饲料或覆盖的)干草

参考例句：

• Cows feed on hay.奶牛以干草为生。
• They usually keep the hay in the barn.他们通常将干草存放在谷仓中。

4 economy   

n.经济；节俭；秩序；机体

参考例句：

• We must do our best to develop the national economy.我们必须努力发展国民经济。
• The country's economy is not very healthy.国家的经济不很景气。

5 farming   

n.农事；耕作

参考例句：

• He lives by farming.他靠务农过活。
• He is farming in Africa.他在非洲经营农场。