新西兰英语 681 Stormy weekend

 　　Although gardens tell us it is Spring, the weather does not feel like Spring at the moment.

　　A storm hit many parts of New Zealand today bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and snow on mountain passes. The storm may continue tomorrow although the weather should start to improve later in the day.

　　Many rivers could rise very fast and cause floods. One bridge in Canterbury is closed because of worries about rising river levels.

　　In Auckland¹, high winds damaged trees, roofs of houses and broke windows.

　　On the Milford Highway, a large land slide has blocked the road. This is the only road in and out of Milford Sound. Twenty-one tourists are in a lodge² at Milford Sound and cannot get out. When the weather improves, it may be possible to fly these people out in small planes. The land slip³ on the highway is about 200m long and will take several days to clear. This is a very remote part of New Zealand. It is a long way from towns. Some machinery⁴ for moving rocks will probably come from Christchurch and that could take two or three days.

　　Vocabulary

　　?mountain pass – a lower⁵ part between two mountains where people can cross from one side to the other side

　　?river levels – when the water level is high, it could rise over the river banks and flood the land

　　?land slide – the land slides down the mountain or hill; also called a land slip

　　?lodge – accommodation⁶

　　?remote – far from cities or towns

1 Auckland   

n.奥克兰(新西兰港市)

参考例句：

• Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand.奥克兰是新西兰最大的城市。
• Return to auckland by bus in afternoon.下午乘车返回奥克兰。

2 lodge   

v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆

参考例句：

• Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗？
• I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。

3 slip   

n.滑倒，事故，片，纸片；vi.滑动，滑倒，失足；减退；vt.使滑动，滑过，摆脱，闪开，塞入；adj.滑动的，活络的，有活结的

参考例句：

• One slip and you could fall off the building.脚下一滑就可能从建筑物上跌下去。
• I hope you will pardon me for that slip.我希望您原谅我那次失误。

4 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

5 lower   

adj.较低的；地位较低的，低等的；低年级的；下游的；vt.放下，降下，放低；减低

参考例句：

• Society is divided into upper,middle and lower classes.社会分为上层、中层和下层阶级。
• This price is his minimum;he refuses to lower it any further.这个价格是他开的最低价，他拒绝再作任何降价。

6 accommodation   

n.设备，膳宿，旅馆房间；容纳，提供，适应；调解，妥协；贷款

参考例句：

• Many old people choose to live in sheltered accommodation.许多老年人选择到养老院居住。
• Have you found accommodation?找到住处没有？