VOA慢速英语2021--马还是骡子？

Horse or Mule¹?

This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Vincent in Kenya. He asks about the difference between two similar animals.

Here is the question:

Question:

What is the difference between a mule and a horse? Kindly² help with the above.

Regards, Vincent.

Answer:

Hi, Vincent! That is a great question. I did not know the answer until I did some research on the internet. I learned that these two animals are, in fact, family: A mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey.

Physically³, mules⁴ are smaller than most horses but larger than donkeys. They have bodies shaped like horses but have the long ears of donkeys.

Both horses and mules have been historically used for carrying or pulling heavy loads. But horses are often used for riding, racing⁵ and other sports.

Mules are known as work animals because of their ability to carry a lot of weight over long distances. Horses and mules are both very strong animals. But mules are stronger for their size and have better physical endurance. They can also survive extreme weather, are thought to be more patient than horses and usually live longer.

In the second part of the 1900s, industrialized nations reduced their use of mules to transport heavy loads. But mules still perform this work in some roadless areas of the western United States. Mules are also used for outdoor activities, such as carrying supplies for hikers and helping⁶ mountain climbers bring equipment to base camps.

Words in This Story

offspring –n. the young of an animal or plant

donkey –n. an animal that is similar to a horse but is smaller with large ears

endurance –n. the ability to do something difficult for a long time

hiker –n. a person who walks a long distance for pleasure or exercise

1 mule   

n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人

参考例句：

• A mule is a cross between a mare and a donkey.骡子是母马和公驴的杂交后代。
• He is an old mule.他是个老顽固。

2 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

3 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

4 mules   

骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者

参考例句：

• The cart was pulled by two mules. 两匹骡子拉这辆大车。
• She wore tight trousers and high-heeled mules. 她穿紧身裤和拖鞋式高跟鞋。

5 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。