VOA标准英语2009年-Heavy Snowstorm Grips England

England is struggling with the heaviest snowfall to hit the country in nearly two decades. Among the hardest-hit regions are London and surrounding areas. Travel disruption¹ and massive² cancellations are widespread.
　
A pedestrian³ falls over in North London, 02 Feb 2009, after one of the heaviest snowfalls in recent years

Where some tried to fight the elements, others simply took the day off and enjoyed the unusual 15-centimeter-deep blanket of beautiful white snow.

Unlike parts of the world that regularly deal with snow, when it does show up in England, and sticks around, all sorts of chaos⁴ breaks out. This is the worst snowstorm to hit England in 18 years.

And for some the journey into work became an exercise in futility⁵.

"Tried to get to work. The roads are really bad so, probably have to take today as holiday, but we thought we would come out and make the most of it," one commuter⁶ said.

At one stage, London's public bus service was completely shut down due to dangerous driving conditions.

Cancellations or big delays on the subway lines and rail services were common.

Air travelers were also feeling the effect at airports like Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

"I have been two hours delayed in Geneva. A flight earlier was canceled. And I am waiting for a friend who has been diverted⁷ from Stansted from Geneva, who I met at the airport, who is going to share a lift with me home because the Gatwick Express is closed," said one traveler.

More than 500 schools have also canceled classes, much to the delight of the students.

Forecasters here said more snow could be in store Tuesday when another weather front moves into Britain.

1 disruption   

n.分裂

参考例句：

• The state was in disruption. 国家处于分崩离析之中。
• Such storms cause considerable disruption in magnetic prospecting operation. 这种磁暴对磁法勘探产生严重的破坏。

2 massive   

adj.巨大的，大规模的，大量的，大范围的

参考例句：

• A massive sea search has failed to find any survivors.经过大规模的海上搜救仍未找到幸存者。
• He drank a massive amount of alcohol.他喝了大量的烈酒。

3 pedestrian   

n.行人，步行者；adj.徒步的，呆板的，通俗的

参考例句：

• The criminal pushed a pedestrian down and ran away.罪犯推倒了一个行人逃跑了。
• The city built a pedestrian overpass over the highway.城里在公路上建了一座过街天桥。

4 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

5 futility   

n.无用

参考例句：

• She could see the utter futility of trying to protest. 她明白抗议是完全无用的。
• The sheer futility of it all exasperates her. 它毫无用处，这让她很生气。

6 commuter   

n.(尤指市郊之间)乘公交车辆上下班者

参考例句：

• Police cordoned off the road and diverted commuter traffic. 警察封锁了道路并分流交通。
• She accidentally stepped on his foot on a crowded commuter train. 她在拥挤的通勤列车上不小心踩到了他的脚。

7 diverted   

使转移[向]( divert的过去式和过去分词 )； 娱乐； 转移（某人）的注意力； 改变（资金、材料等）的用途

参考例句：

• Northbound traffic will have to be diverted onto minor roads. 北行车辆将不得不绕次要道路行驶。
• Traffic is being diverted onto a side road because of the accident. 由于交通事故，车辆行人改走边道。