【英语趣味课堂】不同的文化-Different Culture

Katia: Hello, Felipe, how are you?

Felipe: Hello, I'm fine. You?

 

Katia: Good, good, but, you know, I was wondering for me Ecuador and Colombia seem to be so the same. Can you tell me how can I distinguish¹ them or what is the difference between Ecuador and Colombia?

 

Felipe: Well I don't think, maybe OK let's say culture is pretty much the same but let's talk about people OK? Ecuadoreans and Colombians are different I think. Colombian people are more hard working people. They really, they really worry about working and earning a lot of money and stuff² like that, you know. But Ecuadoreans are more like, you know, easy-going people so I think that's the main difference between them.

 

Katia: That is so interesting. What about climate or the cities or the nature? Is there any differences between Ecuador and Colombia?

 

Felipe: Yes, you're right. The climate and environment is quite different. Well, there is one similarity and it's that they, both countries have their highlands which is the Andes highlands and the Amazon region³ and the coastal⁴ region but the size of the countries are different. Colombia is a huge country and also it has the Caribbean Sea which Ecuador doesn't have. And now if you look at Ecuador, Ecuador is quite a small country compared to Colombia.

 

Katia: That is so interesting. What about some similarities? Is there any similarities between Ecuador and Colombia?

 

Felipe: Well if you, yes there are many similarities. For example, if you look at the food, mainly the food is composed of, you know, potatoes and corn and many fruits that both countries have so if you travel to Colombia, if you travel to Ecuador, you will pretty much find the same kind of food because it's made of the same, from the same kind of ingredients⁵.

 

Katia: OK, perfect. So now I have a better idea of the differences and some similarities over Ecuador and Colombia. Thank you, Felipe.

 

Felipe: OK, you're welcome.

 

重点词汇：

 

Learn Vocabulary from the lesson

distinguish

 

Can you tell me how I can distinguish between Ecuador and Colombia?

 

When you 'distinguish' between two things, you recognize that they are different from each other. Notice the following:

 

What is the best way to distinguish between local people and foreigners?

They are twins, and it's very difficult to distinguish between them.

easy-going

 

Ecuadoreans are more easy-going than Colombians.

 

'Easy-going' people are relaxed and don't get too stressed about things. Notice the following:

 

When you are backpacking, you need to be really easy-going.

She's pretty easy-going, so I don't think she'll mind if we change plans.

climate

 

The climate and the environment are quite different in each country.

 

When you are talking about general weather patterns during the year, you are talking about the 'climate' of a place. Notice the following:

 

What is the climate like in that part of the country?

I would like to live in a place with a warmer climate.

mainly

 

People from Ecuador and Colombia eat mainly the same kinds of food.

 

'Mainly' can be replaced with 'generally' or 'mostly.' There are differences between foods from the countries, but most of what they eat is the same. Notice the following:

 

He works⁶ mainly during the week, but sometimes he has to work weekends too.

She eats mostly fish and seafood⁷, because it's healthier than red meat.

composed of

 

 

The food is composed of potatoes and corn.

 

What something is 'composed of' is what it is made of. Notice the following:

 

Much of the trip will be composed of meetings, but we will get a little time to explore.

Most of what they eat here is composed of rice and vegetables.

1 distinguish   

vt.区别，辩明，识别，辨认出；vi.区别，辨别，识别

参考例句：

• It is not easy to distinguish cultured pearls from genuine pearls.辨别真正的珍珠与养殖的珍珠不容易。
• Some people find it difficult to distinguish right from wrong.一些人认为很难辨对与错。

2 stuff   

n.原料，材料，东西；vt.填满；吃饱

参考例句：

• We could supply you with the stuff in the raw tomorrow.明天我们可以供应你原材料。
• He is not the stuff.他不是这个材料。

3 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。

4 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

5 ingredients   

n.（混合物的）组成部分( ingredient的名词复数 )；（烹调的）原料；（构成）要素；因素

参考例句：

• All ingredients are readily available from your local store. 所有的原料都可以方便地从你当地的商店买到。
• We never use second quality ingredients to build building. 我们决不使用次等材料用于建筑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

7 seafood   

n.海产食品，海味，海鲜

参考例句：

• There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
• Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。