step by step 第三册 lesson 99

UNIT 50 FILM EXTRACTS Lesson 99 Australia

UNIT 50  FILM EXTRACTS

 

Lesson 99

 

Australia

 

Australia ---- a huge island continent that lies to the south of Asia. Australians ---- a varied¹ people in size, colour and origins. Australia ---- more than two hundred years old, a nation that is still growing.

Its big cities lie on the southeast coast, this is where most Australians live. Australians prefer to own their own houses, though some live in apartments. Australians are a suburban² people. The suburbs surround the cities for many miles, and so efficient transport is of great importance. As the economy grows, so do its industries ---- a higher level of production, a wider range of products.

The Australian works hard, but he likes his leisure. The climate makes outdoor activities the most popular.

Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a planned modern city located inland. Australia is governed by a parliamentary democracy. The representatives of other countries have their embassies here. Australia wants to strengthen relations with her neighbours.

Australia is a strange land, a land of vast expanses ---- fertile valleys, snow fields and deserts ---- also a land with unique animals, many that can not be found on any other continent in the world today.

Much of the continent is dry, but man has utilized³ the land, made it productive, with its tools, with its technology. This is the driest continent of all, and water is a precious possession, more precious than all other natural resources. Large dams are built to collect the water, which is then channelled down to the plains below ---- there to irrigate⁴ the fields of pastures and crops.

But Australia is changing. The land of wool and wheat is now a land of large-scale industry and mining. The costs of developing the new mineral discoveries are enormous, but the rewards are great too.

Australia ---- a young and developing nation. Australia a nation that wants to communicate with its neighbours.

1 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

2 suburban   

adj.城郊的，在郊区的

参考例句：

• Suburban shopping centers were springing up all over America. 效区的商业中心在美国如雨后春笋般地兴起。
• There's a lot of good things about suburban living.郊区生活是有许多优点。

3 utilized   

v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In the19th century waterpower was widely utilized to generate electricity. 在19世纪人们大规模使用水力来发电。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The empty building can be utilized for city storage. 可以利用那栋空建筑物作城市的仓库。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 irrigate   

vt.灌溉，修水利，冲洗伤口，使潮湿

参考例句：

• The farmer dug several trenches to irrigate the rice fields.这个农民挖了好几条沟以灌溉稻田。
• They have built canals to irrigate the desert.他们建造成水渠以灌溉沙漠。