新西兰英语 588 Antarctica now in darkness

 　　New Zealand’s scientific base in the Antarctic¹, Scott Base, has now lost the sun. On Tuesday, the sun was up for 39 minutes then it set at 1.10pm. The team of 14 people who stay at Scott Base for the winter, will wait four months now until they see the sun on August 19th. On that date, they will see the sun for one hour and 40 minutes. Gradually² this will increase and in mid-summer, it will be daylight for 24 hours.

　　The last flight from New Zealand was at the end of February. This flight brought fresh food. There will be no more fresh food now until an air drop in mid-winter which might even bring fresh eggs. Flights to Antarctica³ do not start again until October. Nobody can leave until then.

　　The people who stay over the winter include a chef⁴, a mechanic⁵, an electrician⁶ and scientists. They are trained in First Aid and they have a good communication system with New Zealand if they need medical advice. There is also a small hospital in the American McMurdo Base, only 5km away, if anyone gets sick.

　　Questions

　　1.Is it possible to drop fresh eggs from a plane without breaking them? What other things are probably dropped from the plane?

　　2.How do people manage to sleep when it is daylight for 24 hours? How do they manage to wake up when it is dark for 24 hours?

　　3.Scientists who stay over the winter enjoy the moon and stars. Would you like to stay in Antarctica over the winter? What do you think would be most difficult for you?

1 Antarctic   

adj.南极(区)的；n.(the A-)南极洲，南极圈

参考例句：

• The Antarctic is a mountainous area.南极洲是一个多山的地区。
• It is well known that penguins live in the Antarctic.企鹅生活在南极洲是众所周知的。

2 gradually   

adv.逐渐地

参考例句：

• The roaring sea gradually calmed down.咆哮的大海逐渐平静下来。
• Gradually he became silent.渐渐地他变得沉默寡言了。

3 Antarctica   

n.南极洲

参考例句：

• Antarctica is the earth's coldest landmass.南极洲是地球上最冷的大陆。
• This penguin is from Antarctica.这只企鹅来自南极洲。

4 chef   

n.炊事员，厨师

参考例句：

• He started work as a trainee chef.他开始了见习厨师的工作。
• No one can become a chef without practical experience.没有实际工作经验，谁也当不了厨师长。

5 mechanic   

n.技工，机(械)工，机修工

参考例句：

• The mechanic made the necessary adjustments to the engine.机械师对发动机作了必要的调整。
• He is a mechanic who buys and sells cars on the side.他是一个兼营买卖汽车的技工。

6 electrician   

n.电工，电气技师

参考例句：

• She said she would find an electrician for us.她说她要给我们找一个电工技师。
• We need an electrician to mend the iron.我们要请电工修理熨斗。