VOA慢速英语--美国著名土拨鼠每年都做冬季预报

In a yearly¹ American tradition, a famous groundhog has predicted there will be six more weeks of winter.

The animal, named Punxsutawney Phil, climbed out of his hole Tuesday morning in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A ceremony takes place each February 2 to mark the tradition, which is known as Groundhog Day.

If the groundhog can see his shadow, the tradition says, there will be six more weeks of winter. If the animal's shadow cannot be seen, Americans can expect an early spring.

A group of people from the local community lead the ceremony. They are known as Punxsutawney Phil's "inner² circle." Members of the group said they woke the furry³ creature up at 7:25 a.m.

Shortly after this year's prediction became clear, one member of the inner circle shared a message to the public he said Phil had expressed earlier in the day. The message stated that after the longer expected winter, you can "(look) forward to one of the most beautiful and brightest springs you've ever seen."

Another member spoke⁴ about the unusual nature of the past year. He noted⁵ that people have been talking about life being similar to the subject of the 1993 film Groundhog Day. In the movie, a reporter visits Punxsutawney to cover the event, but becomes stuck in time. He then has to repeat the same day, over and over again, until he becomes a better person.

"It has felt like at times we're all living the same day over and over again," the member said. However, "Groundhog Day also shows us that the monotony ends - the cycle will be broken." He added that there would only be one Groundhog Day this year, and that a new day is "coming over the horizon."

The event, however, looked very different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. While in the past thousands of people have traveled to Punxsutawney for the event, no crowds were permitted this year. The ceremony was held virtually⁶.

A live broadcast of the activities -- which at times had up to 15,000 watchers -- played videos from past Groundhog Day celebrations ahead of this year's prediction.

When Punxsutawney Phil appeared, the president of the inner circle, Jeff Lundy, declared "you look beautiful." Another member then announced, "We have all passed through the darkness of night, but now see hope in morning's bright light. But now when I turn to see, there's a perfect shadow cast of me."

This year's prediction, like many years in the past, came as a major snowstorm⁷ hit the U.S. Northeast.

The tradition came to North America when German immigrants⁸ arrived in what is now the state of Pennsylvania. They chose the groundhog, a large rodent⁹ and member of the marmot family, as the animal to continue the tradition.

Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania dates back to 1886. In the event's history, groundhogs have predicted winter 106 times and spring 20 times, members of the inner circle say. Some years were lost because no records were kept.

Groundhog Day has become a part of American culture. Other states now hold their own celebrations with local groundhogs.

Words in This Story

shadow – n. a dark shape that appears on a surface when someone or something moves between the surface and a source of light

monotony – n. a situation in which something stays the same and is therefore boring

cycle – n. a group of events that happen in a particular order and are often repeated

over the horizon – phr v. about to happen

virtually – adv. using computer and internet technology to conduct activities normally¹⁰ carried out in person

cast – v. to send light or a shadow in a particular direction

1 yearly   

adj.每年的，一年一度的；adv.一年一次地

参考例句：

• The flower show is a yearly event in our town.我们镇上的花展一年举行一次。
• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。

2 inner   

adj.内部的，里面的；内在的，内心的；精神的

参考例句：

• The label is on the inner side of the box.标签贴在盒子内侧。
• Other people seek the mountains for renewal of their inner lives.另一些人到深山中去，寻求新的精神生活。

3 furry   

adj.毛皮的；似毛皮的；毛皮制的

参考例句：

• This furry material will make a warm coat for the winter.这件毛皮料在冬天会是一件保暖的大衣。
• Mugsy is a big furry brown dog,who wiggles when she is happy.马格斯是一只棕色大长毛狗，当她高兴得时候她会摇尾巴。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 virtually   

adv.实际上，事实上

参考例句：

• The job was virtually completed by the end of the week.到周末时这项工作差不多完成了。
• He was virtually a prisoner.他实际上是个囚犯。

7 snowstorm   

n.雪暴，暴风雪

参考例句：

• After several weeks of travel,snowstorm hit us first.我们旅行了几个星期，初次碰上了暴风雪。
• A severe snowstorm blocked up railroads.一场暴风雪使铁路中断。

8 immigrants   

n.移民( immigrant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Illegal immigrants were given the opportunity to regularize their position. 非法移民得到了使其身份合法化的机会。
• Immigrants from all over the world populate this city. 这个城市里生活着来自世界各地的移民。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 rodent   

n.啮齿动物；adj.啮齿目的

参考例句：

• When there is a full moon,this nocturnal rodent is careful to stay in its burrow.月圆之夜，这种夜间活动的啮齿类动物会小心地呆在地洞里不出来。
• This small rodent can scoop out a long,narrow tunnel in a very short time.这种小啮齿动物能在很短的时间里挖出一条又长又窄的地道来。

10 normally   

adv.正常地，通常地

参考例句：

• I normally do all my shopping on Saturdays.我通常在星期六买东西。
• My pulse beats normally.我脉搏正常。