创新英语-Walking-On-Water Balls Could Be Dangerous

The giant transparent¹ balls that have become the latest craze in amusement parks and shopping malls may be dangerous. Some safety experts, including the U.S. government, even say they could be deadly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) “is urging consumers to stop participating in [this] new type of water-related recreational activity, due to the potential risks of suffocation² and drowning”. The CPSC adds: “The fact that the product has no emergency exit and can be opened only by a person outside of the ball significantly heightens the risk of injury or death when a person inside the ball experiences distress³. Pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart, lung, or breathing issues, can be made worse by use of this product.”

The water balls were introduced to the world in 2007. They immediately became a huge success because they literally⁴ allowed people to walk on water. Manufacturers say there are now thousands across the world. They reject the CPSC’s claims and say there is no danger when the water balls are used properly. A spokesperson said they have up to an hour's worth of air inside them so suffocation would never be a problem, especially as operators allow a maximum of five minutes inside the ball at a time. There could be a problem when people purchase the balls for their own use and are left unsupervised. The ball has no emergency exit and cannot be opened from the inside.

 

1 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

2 suffocation   

n.窒息

参考例句：

• The greatest dangers of pyroclastic avalanches are probably heat and suffocation. 火成碎屑崩落的最大危害可能是炽热和窒息作用。 来自辞典例句
• The room was hot to suffocation. 房间热得闷人。 来自辞典例句

3 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

4 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。