【听英文对话做选择】四季

Hello everyone. Have you ever wondered what the weather is like in other places around the world? Today, I'd like to talk to you about the changing seasons in my city which was the assigned topic for this class.

First of all, the winter season usually begins in December and ends in early March. The coldest month is January, and temperatures can drop below freezing for most of this month. The city usually averages about 30 inches of snow during this entire, 3-month period. Occasionally, we have snow storms that can drop a foot of snow in a very short period of time. Winter activities during this season include sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing.

 

Spring usually arrives in late March, and the temperatures hover¹ around 50 degrees during the day. It is a beautiful season because the flowers start to bloom. It is also sometimes windy, and this is great for flying kites. People in my city often like to go on picnics, stroll² through the parks, and play outdoor games.

 

Next, summer starts in June, as temperatures slowly rise to around 80 degrees. The summer in my city is very dry with little rain throughout the season, and temperatures can soar³ above 100 degrees in August. Fortunately, the weather is very dry with low humidity⁴, so it is pleasant even on hot days. Popular activities during this season hiking, fishing, camping, water skiing, and outdoor sports including football and soccer.

 

And finally, summer changes to fall in late September when the weather cools off, and the trees begin to change colors. A lot of people enjoy driving into the mountains and viewing the fall colors. It is also a time when people clean up their yards and gardens in preparation for the winter season.

 

So, as you can see, my city has a lot to offer no matter when you visit this area.

 

1. This presentation was most likely part of which type of recording⁵?

A. a TV weather program on seasonal⁶ changes

B. an informal discussion between friends

C. an academic speech at school

2. Based on what you heard, how would you characterize⁷ the winter season?

A. January receives about 30 inches in snow. 

B. Winter temperatures hover below freezing for the 3-month period.

C. Outdoor activities tend to be popular during this season.

 

3. Which statement is NOT true about the spring?

A. Spring usually begins at the end of March.

B. Plentiful⁸ wind currents make some outdoors activities possible. 

C. Nighttime temperatures dip below 50 degrees.

 

4. What is the summer season like in this area?

A. mild and breezy

B. hot and dry

C. warm and humid

 

5. What is one activity people like to do in the fall?

A. go and see the fall colors

B. clean their houses

C. have a fall picnic

 

正确答案：

1. an academic speech at school

2. Outdoor activities tend to be popular during this season.

3. Nighttime temperatures dip below 50 degrees.

4. hot and dry

5. go and see the fall colors

 

1 hover   

vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫

参考例句：

• You don't hover round the table.你不要围着桌子走来走去。
• A plane is hover on our house.有一架飞机在我们的房子上盘旋。

2 stroll   

n.闲逛，漫步；v.闲逛，漫步

参考例句：

• We are ready to take a stroll in the village.我们准备到村里遛遛。
• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。

3 soar   

vi.猛增，高飞，升腾，高涨，屹立

参考例句：

• The eagle can soar without flapping their wings.老鹰无需振翼就能翱翔。
• Borrowing is set to soar to an astonishing ￡60 billion.借款很可能猛增至惊人的600亿英镑。

4 humidity   

n.湿度，潮湿，湿气

参考例句：

• The house is not comfortable tonight ,because of the high humidity.由于湿度高，今晚屋子里不舒服。
• It's difficult to work because of the humidity.由于空气潮湿，工作很困难。

5 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

6 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

7 characterize   

v.以...为特征，描述...的特征，描绘

参考例句：

• We ordinarily characterize an action as responsible if it was intended.如果行为是有意的,我们一般将其特征归为应负责任的。
• We may characterize an atomic state by a quantum number L.我们可以用量子数L描写一个原子的状态。

8 plentiful   

adj.富裕的，丰富的

参考例句：

• Their family has a plentiful harvest this year.他们家今年又丰收了。
• Rainfall is plentiful in the area.这个地区雨量充足。