新西兰英语 624 Avalanche survivors

 　　Two men who were climbing Mt Taranaki on Sunday, were caught in an avalanche¹ but survived. They saw the snow above them racing² towards them. The snow caught them and carried them about 500m down the mountain, stopping on the edge of a cliff. They were both tossed⁴ about by the snow and rolled many times, hitting their heads, but luckily they were wearing helmets. One man was buried in the snow but he managed to clear the snow from his mouth so he could breathe. Then he worked hard to get one arm up, through the snow. His friend managed to get his upper body out of the snow and dig himself out although he had a broken leg. Then he saw his friend’s arm and started digging with his hands but his right elbow was broken so it was not easy.

　　Luckily the men had cell phones so they called for help. They also had GPS so they were able to say exactly where they were. A helicopter arrived quickly and took the men to hospital where they stayed overnight.

　　They both had leg and chest injuries but were very pleased to be alive.

　　Vocabulary

　　Mt Taranaki (Maori) is also known as Mt Egmont (English name).

　　toss³ – throw (a ball) in the air but here it means throw around and around like a ball on the ground

　　Can you guess the meaning of avalanche and survive?

　　Questions

　　Most people caught in an avalanche do not survive but these men did.

　　?They were experienced climbers. How did this help them to survive?

　　?They also had luck. What things were just luck?

　　?Both men were married with children. What do you think their wives said afterwards?

1 avalanche   

n.雪崩，大量涌来

参考例句：

• They were killed by an avalanche in the Swiss Alps.他们在瑞士阿尔卑斯山的一次雪崩中罹难。
• Higher still the snow was ready to avalanche.在更高处积雪随时都会崩塌。

2 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

3 toss   

n./v.突然抬起，摇摆，扔

参考例句：

• Let's toss to see who pays it.让我们来掷钱币决定谁付账吧。
• The matter made him toss in the bed.那件事使他在床上翻来覆去。

4 tossed   

v.（轻轻或漫不经心地）扔( toss的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）摇荡；摇匀；（为…）掷硬币决定

参考例句：

• I tossed the book aside and got up. 我把书丢在一边，站了起来。
• He angrily tossed his tools and would work no longer. 他怒气冲冲地扔下工具不肯再干了。 来自《简明英汉词典》