美国国家公共电台 NPR House Hunters Intergalactic

House Hunters Intergalactic

OPHIRA EISENBERG, HOST:

Josh and Joey, we've got a great trivia game for you. Joining us on the line from Los Angeles, please welcome a voice that is very familiar to fans of HGTV. She's the narrator of HGTV's "House Hunters" and "House Hunters International." Andromeda Dunker.

(APPLAUSE)

ANDROMEDA DUNKER: Hi, it's Andromeda.

EISENBERG: Hi. That is a great name, Andromeda. How did you get that name, by the way?

DUNKER: My parents. My mother is an astronomer¹, and I was named after the Andromeda Galaxy².

EISENBERG: Has the gig as the - doing all these "House Hunter" shows and talking about all the different real estates, has it helped you in finding an apartment or designing a house?

DUNKER: Oh, I've learned a lot about real estate, and I really had no interest before. But mostly from the renovation³ shows, I've learned what to avoid. Like, what trends are so popular that I can kind of predict when they're going to dip down. For instance, granite⁴ countertops and stainless⁵ steel appliances - everyone wants them, and now they're kind of on the down.

EISENBERG: OK, so when you do narration⁶ for "House Hunters," you do - obviously you do the domestic one and also you do an international one. Do you have to do a different read depending on the audience?

DUNKER: The international one is more sort of lilting and romantic because we're going on a voyage.

EISENBERG: Oh, yes.

DUNKER: And for each show, there's also, like - there's "Tiny House Hunters," and I have kind of a more tiny voice.

EISENBERG: Aww...

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: Well, in this game, we are giving Andromeda a promotion⁷ for one day. She is going to be narrating⁸ "House Hunters: Intergalactic." Andromeda will read a real estate ad. Contestants¹⁰, you have to buzz in and identify what celestial¹¹ body she is describing. OK, here we go. Take it away, Andromeda.

DUNKER: This hot property's in the middle of it all. Its amenities¹² include stainless steel appliances and central nuclear fusion¹³ heating. Perfect for a large family. This celestial body is big enough for about 1 million Earths to fit inside.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Joey.

JOEY GUTMANN: Jupiter.

EISENBERG: Ooh, I'm sorry. That is incorrect. Josh, can you steal?

JOSH POLENBERG: The sun.

EISENBERG: The sun is what we were looking for, yes.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: All right, take it away for number two.

DUNKER: Big-city dwellers¹⁴ looking to escape the hustle¹⁵ and bustle¹⁶ say time slows down near this location. Once homeowners move in, they never move out.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Josh.

POLENBERG: A black hole.

EISENBERG: Yes, a black hole. Yeah.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Yeah.

DUNKER: Hipsters love this cozy¹⁷ former planet nestled in the up-and-coming Kuiper Belt neighborhood. Updated features include granite countertops and a volcanic¹⁸ icemaker.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Joey.

GUTMANN: Pluto¹⁹.

EISENBERG: Yes, it is Pluto, indeed.

(APPLAUSE)

DUNKER: Smart homeowners know to buy property in this large bright galaxy now. Prices will skyrocket as it merges²⁰ with the neighboring Milky²¹ Way in about 4 billion years.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Josh.

POLENBERG: The Andromeda Galaxy.

EISENBERG: That is correct.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: You didn't think we would do that with the galaxy on the phone, right?

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: How often are you explaining what your name means, Andromeda?

DUNKER: Every time I meet someone.

EISENBERG: Yeah. And...

DUNKER: Did we talk about Starbucks names?

EISENBERG: Oh, yeah. What's your Starbucks name?

DUNKER: Do you have one?

EISENBERG: My Starbucks name is - well, I used to go with Joan. I've now just used the same name as the barista I'm taking - that I'm giving the order to.

DUNKER: Ooh...

EISENBERG: They love that.

DUNKER: That's cool.

EISENBERG: Yeah.

DUNKER: That keeps it fresh for you, too.

EISENBERG: That's right. And they think it's a personal connection.

DUNKER: Mine's just Andy, you know?

EISENBERG: Andy.

DUNKER: It's just short - Andy...

EISENBERG: Yup.

DUNKER: ...And people can get that.

EISENBERG: I know, it's a whole different life we lead with our weird²² names. Josh and Joey have no idea what we're talking about.

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: All right, let's give them the next clue.

DUNKER: A find like this one only comes by once every 75 years. Locals lovingly refer to this property as a dirty snowball or a snowy dirt ball, features an onsite fitness room with treadmills²³ and an elliptical orbit.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Josh.

POLENBERG: Halley's Comet.

EISENBERG: Halley's Comet is correct.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Dirty snowball was my nickname in Canada.

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: I'm not going to ask for a story.

DUNKER: This property features a continental²⁴ name and continental style. Snorkel²⁵ and ski in the same day on this moon of Jupiter with a salty ocean only 60 miles from the slopes.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Joey.

DUNKER: Europa.

EISENBERG: Europa is correct, yes.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Nice.

DUNKER: Shakespeare fans love this planet's moons with names like Juliet, Desdemona and Titania. The planet features a unique tilted²⁶ axis²⁷ design for those who can stop giggling²⁸ at its name.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Joey.

GUTMANN: Uranus²⁹.

EISENBERG: That is correct.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Puzzle guru Art Chung, how did our contestants do?

ART CHUNG: It was a close game. But Josh won that game, so we'll be going to a tiebreaker.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Give it up for the voice of "House Hunters" and "House Hunters International," Andromeda Dunker.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Our contestants are tied at one game each. Let's go to our puzzle guru Art Chung for the tiebreaker.

CHUNG: All right, in this tiebreaker game, I'm going to give you a category, and you'll go back and forth³⁰ naming things that fall in that category. The first contestant⁹ to mess up, either by guessing incorrectly, repeating an answer or taking too long will be eliminated. You'll have to buzz in to answer first, and then we'll go back and forth. Your category - by total area, name the 10 tiniest states in the United States.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

CHUNG: Josh.

POLENBERG: Rhode Island.

CHUNG: That is correct. Joey.

GUTMANN: Connecticut.

CHUNG: Also correct, back to Josh.

POLENBERG: New Hampshire.

CHUNG: That is true.

GUTMANN: Vermont.

CHUNG: Joey says Vermont. That is also correct.

POLENBERG: Maryland.

CHUNG: Maryland, you got it. Back to Joey.

GUTMANN: Delaware.

CHUNG: Joey, that is correct. Josh. I'm going to give you three seconds.

POLENBERG: West Virginia.

CHUNG: Pulled it out, West Virginia is correct. There are three left. Joey.

GUTMANN: New Jersey³¹?

CHUNG: That is correct. There are two left, Josh. And three seconds.

POLENBERG: South Dakota.

CHUNG: No, I'm sorry that is incorrect. The remaining two answers for Hawaii and Massachusetts. Joey, congratulations, you're moving on to the final round at the end of the show.

(APPLAUSE, SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

EISENBERG: Wow, wow, wow, that was an incredible match. It is settled. Our finalists are Joey and Mary. They will face off in our final round at the end of the show.

And if you are able to recite copious³² stats about the celestial bodies, why not rent some real estate on our stage? Fill out a contestant form at amatickets.org to join us. And you'll love our little fixer-upper.

Coming up, Omari Hardwick and Naturi Naughton take us to school - old school, that is, for a classic '90s R&B quiz jam. I'm Ophira Eisenberg, and you're listening to ASK ME ANOTHER from NPR.

1 astronomer   

n.天文学家

参考例句：

• A new star attracted the notice of the astronomer.新发现的一颗星引起了那位天文学家的注意。
• He is reputed to have been a good astronomer.他以一个优秀的天文学者闻名于世。

2 galaxy   

n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物)

参考例句：

• The earth is one of the planets in the Galaxy.地球是银河系中的星球之一。
• The company has a galaxy of talent.该公司拥有一批优秀的人才。

3 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。

4 granite   

adj.花岗岩，花岗石

参考例句：

• They squared a block of granite.他们把一块花岗岩加工成四方形。
• The granite overlies the older rocks.花岗岩躺在磨损的岩石上面。

5 stainless   

adj.无瑕疵的，不锈的

参考例句：

• I have a set of stainless knives and forks.我有一套不锈钢刀叉。
• Before the recent political scandal,her reputation had been stainless.在最近的政治丑闻之前，她的名声是无懈可击的。

6 narration   

n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体

参考例句：

• The richness of his novel comes from his narration of it.他小说的丰富多采得益于他的叙述。
• Narration should become a basic approach to preschool education.叙事应是幼儿教育的基本途径。

7 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

8 narrating   

v.故事( narrate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• She entertained them by narrating her adventures in Africa. 她讲述她在非洲的历险来使他们开心。
• [Mike Narrating] Worm and I fall into our old rhythm like Clyde Frazier and Pearl Monroe. [迈克叙述] 虫子和我配合得象以前一样默契我们两好象是克莱德。弗瑞泽和佩尔。门罗。 来自电影对白

9 contestant   

n.竞争者，参加竞赛者

参考例句：

• The company will furnish each contestant with a free ticket.公司将为每个参赛者免费提供一张票。
• The personal appearance and interview of the contestant is another count.参加比赛者的个人仪表和谈话也是一项。

10 contestants   

n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The competition attracted over 500 contestants representing 8 different countries. 这次比赛吸引了代表8个不同国家的500多名参赛者。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency. 两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 celestial   

adj.天体的；天上的

参考例句：

• The rosy light yet beamed like a celestial dawn.玫瑰色的红光依然象天上的朝霞一样绚丽。
• Gravity governs the motions of celestial bodies.万有引力控制着天体的运动。

12 amenities   

n.令人愉快的事物；礼仪；礼节；便利设施；礼仪( amenity的名词复数 )；便利设施；（环境等的）舒适；（性情等的）愉快

参考例句：

• The campsite is close to all local amenities. 营地紧靠当地所有的便利设施。
• Parks and a theatre are just some of the town's local amenities. 公园和戏院只是市镇娱乐设施的一部分。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 fusion   

n.溶化；熔解；熔化状态，熔和；熔接

参考例句：

• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc. 黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。
• This alloy is formed by the fusion of two types of metal.这种合金是用两种金属熔合而成的。

14 dwellers   

n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes. 城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They have transformed themselves into permanent city dwellers. 他们已成为永久的城市居民。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 hustle   

v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌)

参考例句：

• It seems that he enjoys the hustle and bustle of life in the big city.看起来他似乎很喜欢大城市的热闹繁忙的生活。
• I had to hustle through the crowded street.我不得不挤过拥挤的街道。

16 bustle   

v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹

参考例句：

• The bustle and din gradually faded to silence as night advanced.随着夜越来越深，喧闹声逐渐沉寂。
• There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the railway station.火车站里非常拥挤。

17 cozy   

adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的

参考例句：

• I like blankets because they are cozy.我喜欢毛毯，因为他们是舒适的。
• We spent a cozy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。

18 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

19 Pluto   

n.冥王星

参考例句：

• Pluto is the furthest planet from the sun.冥王星是离太阳最远的行星。
• Pluto has an elliptic orbit.冥王星的轨道是椭圆形的。

20 merges   

（使）混合( merge的第三人称单数 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中

参考例句：

• The 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Mo Yan"who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary". 2012年诺贝尔文学奖得主为莫言，他“很好地将魔幻现实与民间故事、历史与当代结合在一起”。
• A device that collates, merges, or matches sets of punched cards or other documents. 一种整理、合并或比较一组穿孔卡片或其它文档的设备。

21 milky   

adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的

参考例句：

• Alexander always has milky coffee at lunchtime.亚历山大总是在午餐时喝掺奶的咖啡。
• I like a hot milky drink at bedtime.我喜欢睡前喝杯热奶饮料。

22 weird   

adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的

参考例句：

• From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来，他好像有点怪。
• His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。

23 treadmills   

n.枯燥无味的工作[生活方式]( treadmill的名词复数 )；（尤指旧时由人或牲畜踩动踏板使之转动的）踏车；（锻炼身体的）跑步机，走步机

参考例句：

• But soon, you may think microwave ovens and treadmills too. 但是不久的将来，您可能还会想到微波炉或健身踏车什么的。 来自互联网
• The Gym has several treadmills an X-trainer machine, bicycles, weights and mats for floor work. 体育馆里配备了：跑步机、教练机、自行车、哑铃和专为做地板运动准备的垫子。 来自互联网

24 continental   

adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。

25 snorkel   

n.泳者所戴的通气管，潜水艇的吸、排气装置

参考例句：

• With a snorkel,however,a diver can stay under water for quite a long time.潜水员携带一根通气管就可以在水下呆很长时间。
• I did buy a mask and fins and a snorkel.我买了面镜、蛙鞋和一个呼吸管。

26 tilted   

v. 倾斜的

参考例句：

• Suddenly the boat tilted to one side. 小船突然倾向一侧。
• She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。

27 axis   

n.轴，轴线，中心线；坐标轴，基准线

参考例句：

• The earth's axis is the line between the North and South Poles.地轴是南北极之间的线。
• The axis of a circle is its diameter.圆的轴线是其直径。

28 giggling   

v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• We just sat there giggling like naughty schoolchildren. 我们只是坐在那儿像调皮的小学生一样的咯咯地傻笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I can't stand her giggling, she's so silly. 她吃吃地笑，叫我真受不了，那样子傻透了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

29 Uranus   

n.天王星

参考例句：

• Uranus is unusual because it is tilted.天王星非常特殊，因为它是倾斜的。
• Uranus represents sudden change and rebellion.天王星代表突然性的改变和反叛。

30 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

31 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

32 copious   

adj.丰富的，大量的

参考例句：

• She supports her theory with copious evidences.她以大量的例证来充实自己的理论。
• Every star is a copious source of neutrinos.每颗恒星都是丰富的中微子源。