【英语趣味课堂】澳大利亚-Australia

 Todd: Hello Michael.

Michael: Hello Todd.

 

Todd: We're going to talk about Australia. Or your going to talk about Australia. So first of all how many people live in Australia?

 

Michael: Australia? Oh, there's about 20 million people in Australia right now. A little bit under but close to twenty.

 

Todd: OK. What are the biggest cities?

 

Michael: The biggest city? The biggest city is Sydney. Then it's followed by Melbourne and then Brisbane and then I think it's Perth. Most of the big cities are on the East Coast of Australia. Perth is on the west coast but sort of of out there by itself.

 

Todd: OK. If you had to live in one place where would you live?

 

Michael: I like Brisbane. I had my teenage¹ years in Brisbane, growing up in Brisbane. Maybe Sidney because it is a big city, but Brisbane has got the gold coast and the sunshine.

 

Todd: Oh, nice. Actually, what is the capital city of Australia?

 

Michael: Ah, Canberra is the capital city but it's not the biggest city. Sydney is the biggest city. Canberra was made sort of by the politicians² so Sydney wouldn't get too crowded. It's a separate³ territory⁴.

 

Todd: Have you been to all the major cities in Australia?

 

Michael: I have been to Melbourne when I was young. Yeah, I have. Only a short time in Perth.

 

Todd: OK. What is the best thing about Australia?

 

Michael: The best thing about Australia? Ah, probably the friendly people. The relaxed attitude and we like visitors from other cultures.

 

Todd: Oh, cool. How are Australians different than other people? How are they unique?

 

Michael: How are Australians unique? I would say that we're more fun-loving maybe or accepting of other people. We don't mind making new friends actually and conversing⁵ with other people.

 

Todd: Yeah, that's good. That's nice. OK. Thanks a lot Micheal.

 

Michael: No worries.

 

学习内容：

about, under, close to

There's about 20 million - a little bit under, but close to 20.

We use these phrases⁶ before giving an approximate⁷ number or distance to show that it is not the exact number.  Notice the following:

 

There are just under one million people living here.

It's close to nine hours by bus to get there.

capital (city)

What is the capital city of Australia?

A capital city is the official location⁸ of governmental offices within a state or country.  Notice the following:

 

Do you live near the capital?

The President lives in the capital city.

get crowded

The politicians didn't want Sydney to get too crowded.

If a place 'gets crowded', it becomes full with people.  Notice the following:

 

This town gets really crowded during the summer.

The gym gets crowded after 5 o'clock.

fun-loving

Australians are fun-loving people.

Someone who is 'fun-loving' enjoys having a good time.   Notice the following:

 

He is a fun-loving person, but he can be serious too.

My grandparents aren't the most accepting people.

don't mind

We don't mind making new friends and conversing with other people.

If you 'don't mind' doing something then it is not a problem for you. Notice the following:

 

She doesn't mind traveling by train.

I don't mind pizza, but I prefer pasta⁹.

1 teenage   

adj.青少年的；十几岁的

参考例句：

• His voice is very high for a teenage boy.对一个十几岁的男孩来说，他的嗓音很尖。
• He is too old now for teenage parties.他年龄太大了，不适于参加少年聚会。

2 politicians   

政治家( politician的名词复数 )； 政客，玩弄权术者

参考例句：

• Politicians are ultimately accountable to the voters. 从政者最终是向选民负责。
• backstairs deals between politicians 政客之间的幕后交易

3 separate   

n.分开，抽印本；adj.分开的，各自的，单独的；v.分开，隔开，分居

参考例句：

• Are they joined together or separate?它们是合在一起还是分开的？
• Separate the white clothes from the dark clothes before laundering.洗衣前应当把浅色衣服和深色衣服分开。

4 territory   

n.领土，领地，版图，地区，活动范围

参考例句：

• Resources in plenty can be found in this territory.这一地区能找到大量自然资源。
• Our country has a vast territory and abundant resources.我国土地辽阔，资源丰富。

5 conversing   

v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• I find that conversing with her is quite difficult. 和她交谈实在很困难。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They were conversing in the parlor. 他们正在客厅谈话。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 phrases   

n.短语( phrase的名词复数 )；成语；说法；乐句

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 approximate   

adj.大约，大致，近似的；vi.(to)近似，接近

参考例句：

• The builder gave an approximate cost for fixing the roof.房屋修建商给修理房顶粗略地估计了一个价钱。
• The approximate date of his departure is next month.他大约在下个月动身。

8 location   

n.地点，位置，定位

参考例句：

• It is a suitable location for a new school.那是建一所新学校的合适地点。
• I have to find a convenient location for the shelves.我得找一合适的地方放这些书架。

9 pasta   

n.生面团，意大利通心粉

参考例句：

• Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling water.在一大锅沸水中煮意大利面。
• Would you like some pasta?想来点意大利面食吗？