VOA慢速英语2021--阿根廷经历创纪录的热浪

Argentina Experiencing Record-Setting Heat Wave

Argentina is experiencing extremely hot weather. Temperatures in some parts of the South American nation have neared 45 degrees Celsius¹, making it the hottest place on the planet for a short period.

The heat wave has put pressure on power systems and forced Argentines to seek cooler air in the shade. Hundreds of thousands of people in the capital Buenos Aires were without electricity after power systems failed.

"I came home and we were without electricity and the house was a furnace," said 42-year-old Jose Casabal. He took his children out of the house to find somewhere to cool down. "I took them off to their grandmother's house to swim in the pool," he said.

The heat wave made Argentina the hottest place on earth for several hours, taking over from parts of Australia that cooled during the night.

"Even early morning it was very hot, around 31 degrees," said Gustavo Barrios, who is 34. "I do not have air conditioning at home and we were with just the fan blowing hot air. It's unbearable²."

Local leaders warned residents to stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day, wear light clothing and drink plenty of water.

"We have to be very careful these days," said Buenos Aires city mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta.

Weather expert Lucas Berengua said the heat wave could set records in the country. "This is a heat wave of extraordinary characteristics," he said.

For some, the heat wave raised questions about climate change as well as more extreme weather to come.

Marta Lorusso, 59, said she has lived in Argentina her whole life. She said she remembers when the climate in her country was temperate³ – not too hot and not too cold. Today, things are different.

"I drink liters of water and do what I can," she said. "And on top of it all, without electricity. I don't know what to do."

Words in This Story

fan - n. a machine or device that is used to move the air and make people or things cooler

unbearable - adj. too bad, harsh⁴, or extreme to be accepted

resident - n. someone who lives in a particular place

characteristic - n. typical of a person, thing, or group

1 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

2 unbearable   

adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的

参考例句：

• It is unbearable to be always on thorns.老是处于焦虑不安的情况中是受不了的。
• The more he thought of it the more unbearable it became.他越想越觉得无法忍受。

3 temperate   

adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的

参考例句：

• Asia extends across the frigid,temperate and tropical zones.亚洲地跨寒、温、热三带。
• Great Britain has a temperate climate.英国气候温和。

4 harsh   

adj.严厉（酷）的，刺耳的，刺目的，毛糙的

参考例句：

• The sunlight is very harsh.太阳光很刺眼。
• Although his words are harsh,there is positiveness in them.虽然他的话很苛刻，但有建设性。