今天的這段對話,在討論龍卷風,
什么是龍卷風警報?龍卷風來臨時是什么樣的
來聽今天的講解:
A: There is a tornado warning on. My mother just told me she heard it on the radio.
有一個龍卷風的警報,我媽剛剛告訴我她從收音機聽到的。
B: What is a tornado warning?
什么是龍卷風警報?
A: It means that a tornado has been seen somewhere in the area.
就是有一個龍卷風已經在這個區(qū)域出沒。
B: Really? In New Berlin?
真的?在新柏林?
A: No. Not necessarily in town. But in southern Wisconsin somewhere.A tornado has been spotted. They have two stages here.This is what is called a "tornado watch." That means that the weather conditions are perfect for a tornado.
不,并不一定在城里,但在南威斯康辛州某處。有一個龍卷風已經被監(jiān)控。他們分為兩個等級,現階段稱做“龍卷風警戒”,表示天氣狀況是形成龍卷風的最佳狀態(tài)。
B: I understand. They think a tornado might come.
我懂了,他們認為龍卷風可能會來襲。
A: Yes. People should look out, because maybe there will be tornadoes coming.So it's called a "watch."
是的,大家要當心,因為也許龍卷風就要來襲,所以稱做警戒。
B: And the second stage is called a "tornado warning".
而第二等級稱做“龍卷風警報”。
A: Yes. If a tornado has been spotted, they announce a "tornado warning".So if there's a tornado warning on, it means a tornado is out there somewhere.
是的,如果龍卷風已經被監(jiān)測到,他們就會宣布“龍卷風警報”。因此,若已提出龍卷風警報,那表示一個龍卷風已在某處。
B: It's scary.
真可怕。
A: Well. Tornadoes can be dangerous, it's true.If we hear something like a loud train coming, then we have to go in the basement.
嗯,龍卷風可以很危險的,是真的。如果我們聽到什么像轟隆的火車接近聲的,我們必須進入地下室。
B: What do you mean "a loud train"?
什么是“轟隆的火車”?
A: That is what tornadoes sound like. They sound like trains. They're very loud.
那就是龍卷風聽起來的聲音,他們聽起來像火車聲,非常大聲。
B: But if you hear them coming, isn't it already too late?
但是如果你聽到它們來臨了,不是已經太晚了嗎?
A: Maybe. It depends on the tornado.Some can move across the ground at 200 miles an hour.That is very fast. Others aren't so fast.
很可能,要視龍卷風而定。有些一小時可以在地面橫越兩百里。那是非??斓模渌臎]這么快。
B: Have you seen a lot of them?
你看過很多龍卷風嗎?
A: I've only seen one in my life. I was looking out the window. It was around two miles away. It was very interesting to watch.But it was heading toward my friend's house. So I quickly called them on the phone.
我這生只看過一次,從窗戶望出去的,大概在二里外的地方,觀看是很有趣的。但是它直掃向我朋友的房屋,所以我趕緊打電話給他們。
B: Did it hit their house?
它有打中他們的房屋嗎?
A: No, it didn't. But they are glad I called them.
沒有,但是我朋友很高興我打電話給他們。
B: What were they doing when you called?
你電話時,他們在做什么?
A: They were all sitting in the living room watching TV.They had no idea a tornado was coming toward their house.If it had hit them, they could have all been killed.
他們全都坐在客廳看電視,一點也不知道龍卷風正向他們的房子接近。如果當時真打中他們,他們可能全都一命嗚呼。
B: That's terrible. Do many people die in tornadoes?
真是太可怕了。有很多人喪生于龍卷風嗎?
A: Not so many really. But a lot of houses are destroyed sometimes.
是不太多啦,但是有時候很多房屋被摧毀。