英汉口译实践文本 第3篇

Passage 3 Geographic¹ environment

The geographical² location of a country and its physical characteristics are very important to its development and progress. The United States is very fortune in this respect.

一个国家的地理位置及其环境特征对于这个国家的发展和进步十分重要。美国在这方面是一个幸运的国家。

First of all, it has a good climate. In almost all sections of the country, it is possible to live comfortably during the whole year. It is true that in the south it sometimes gets very hot and in the north very cold, but the people who live in these regions³ become accustomed to the climate and never suffer very much when the weather is either very hot or very cold.

首先，美国有良好的气候。几乎在美国任何一个地方，一年四季都可以过得很舒服。不过，这个国家的南部有时很炎热，北部很寒冷。但是这些地区的居民已适应了那种气候。无论炎热还是寒冷，他们都不会感到难受。

In a large country, there is usually a great variety of different physical characteristics. In the United States, there are wide plains and high mountains, thousands of lakes and rivers of all sizes, cool forests and hot deserts, and a coastline several thousands miles long.

一个大国通常有各种不同的地理环境。美国有宽广的平原、高大的山脉、数以千计形状各异的江河湖泊，凉爽的森林、炎热的沙漠，以及长达数千英里的海岸线。

The many lakes and rivers as well as the long coastline have been of great importance to the development of the country. Since they make it possible the easy transportation of people and all the things people need. Transportation by water is still necessary and important. In modern times, however, trains, automobiles⁴, trucks and airplanes are doing much of the work which was formerly⁵ done by ships and boats.

众多的江河湖泊和漫长的海岸线为人和物提供了便利的运输条件，对国家的发展起了重要作用。时至今日，水路运输依然是不可缺少的重要交通工具。不过昔日大部分的船运任务现已由火车、汽车、卡车和飞机来承担。

1 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

2 geographical   

adj.地理的；地区(性)的

参考例句：

• The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.当前的调查将在更广泛的地域范围內进行。
• These birds have a wide geographical distribution.这些鸟的地理分布很广。

3 regions   

n.地区( region的名词复数 )；[数学]区域；（艺术、科学等的）领域；行政区

参考例句：

• A flying doctor service operates in remote regions. 在偏远地区有飞行医生服务。
• More powers are gradually being devolved to the regions. 正逐步向地方下放更多的权力。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。