VOA慢速英语2020--人造摩托手推车

Man Builds Motorized Wheelbarrow

While in lockdown, many people around the world are using the time to do different projects.

In the English town of Chipping Norton, a former gardener wanted to spend his time at home creatively. So, Kevin Nicks decided¹ to add a motor to something that does not have one – a wheelbarrow!

With his wheelbarrow project, Nicks said he wanted to show what was possible with a positive attitude, some creativity and, of course, a wheelbarrow.

Nicks told Reuters news agency his goal was to build a machine on zero budget. He was able to build the motorized wheelbarrow with no money and limited materials. For some people, he added, "money is tight," meaning they do not have much.

Nicks said he only used parts that he already had or that others gave him. One person donated a broken moped, which he fixed² and used. The other parts, he said, were just scraps⁴ -- bits and pieces of things he had laying around.

"Now I have built this amazing machine," Nicks explained, "which has actually turned out far better than I thought. It is such fun!"

He named it the "Barrow of Speed."

His invention required some creative engineering because wheelbarrows are meant to be pushed – not driven. They are used to transport many things, including large and heavy items that are hard to carry.

A wheelbarrow has three wheels -- one in the front and two in the back. It is controlled with two handles. On his version, Nicks attached a platform to the back where he stands and "drives" his unusual vehicle.

This is not the first time Nicks has motorized a normally non-motorized garden item.

Back in 2015, he built the world's fastest shed. A shed is a small building usually used to hold tools and garden equipment.

On September 22, 2019, Nicks beat his own record for the world's fastest shed. He clocked in at 170 kilometers per hour.

He said he also wants to win a Guinness world speed record on his "Barrow of Speed" – after the coronavirus crisis passes. That event will most likely happen at Elvington airfield⁵ in Yorkshire, north England.

Nicks said it will be quite fun seeing the wheelbarrow go down the runway doing around 65 kilometers an hour. While the speed is slower than his motorized shed, Nicks said that moving at 65 kilometers an hour while standing⁶ is fast enough.

I'm Anna Matteo.

Words in This Story

lockdown– n. the confinement⁷ of people, often prisoners to their cells, for a temporary period as a security measure

gardener – n. one who spends time cultivating plants and tending a garden for pleasure or recreation

positive – adj. having a good effect

attitude – n. a mental position with regard to a fact or state

moped – n. a lightweight, low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled

scrap³ – n. a small detached piece

platform – n. a level usually raised surface

runway – n. paved strip of ground on a landing field for the landing and takeoff of aircraft

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

3 scrap   

n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废

参考例句：

• A man comes round regularly collecting scrap.有个男人定时来收废品。
• Sell that car for scrap.把那辆汽车当残品卖了吧。

4 scraps   

油渣

参考例句：

• Don't litter up the floor with scraps of paper. 不要在地板上乱扔纸屑。
• A patchwork quilt is a good way of using up scraps of material. 做杂拼花布棉被是利用零碎布料的好办法。

5 airfield   

n.飞机场

参考例句：

• The foreign guests were motored from the airfield to the hotel.用车把外宾从机场送到旅馆。
• The airfield was seized by enemy troops.机场被敌军占领。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

7 confinement   

n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限

参考例句：

• He spent eleven years in solitary confinement.他度过了11年的单独监禁。
• The date for my wife's confinement was approaching closer and closer.妻子分娩的日子越来越近了。