英语听力：自然百科 环球风情：新西兰（一）

 Hi everyone. I’m Peddy Kim. Get ready and pack your bags for the playground known as New Zealand, a country whose people are nicknamed for their famous flightless bird, the kiwi.

 

New Zealand—it was discovered by humans less than a thousand years ago, then rediscovered by moviegoers in 2001, when the island nation’s stunning¹ landscapes were splashed across theaters screens worldwide standing² in from middle earth in The Lord of the Rings.

 

New Zealand’s two main islands lie up the southeast coast of Australia. Put together the north and south island are about the size of Colorado, but they packed plenty of geography into a small space. From the peaks of the Southern Alps to mossy forests ideal for hiking. The scenery here lures³ not just the sightseers, but travelers looking to go outside and play.

 

The majority of New Zealanders, about 75%, live on the north island. Its biggest city Auckland is also the biggest city in the country and nearly surrounded by water. Auckland claims to have more boats per person than any other city in the world. So it’s a great place to sample a favorite Kiwi pastime, sailing. If you want to get away from the city lights, Tongariro National Park is one of the north island’s most popular places to go hiking or tracking as the kiwis call it. Bubbling mud signals that the area is still volcanically⁴ active.

 

 

But most people seeking adventure head for the south island where there’s fewer people and more wilderness⁵. Christchurch is the gateway⁶ city, originally settled by the British it’s been called the most English city outside of England. You can even go punting on the Avon River passing through the Botanical gardens, a relaxing way to unwind from an international flight. Nearly a third of the south island is protected as national park land. There are trails for tracking, rivers and lakes for kayaking, caves to explore, rocks to climb and plenty of mountains for biking. The flight fishing is considered some of the world’s best, fishing here may look serene⁷, but landing a beauty in this pristine⁸ setting is heart-pounding in its own way.

 

While you’re outside, keep your eyes open for New Zealand’s native wildlife, fur seals are common along rocky coasts. At Curio Bay you can spot yellow-eyed penguins⁹ coming ashore¹⁰ after their daily fishing trip from late afternoon until sunset.

 

For a closer look at wildlife, enter the town of Kaikoura. Here deep waters close to shore attract a wide variety of marine¹¹ mammals. Hop¹² on a whale watching tour for a chance to see hunt fax, sperm¹³ whales and oak whales and with its clear water and good visibility Kaikoura may be the best place in New Zealand to put on slippers¹⁴ and go swimming with dolphins.

 

If you’re planning to be outdoors, the best time to visit New Zealand is during its summer months of December, January and February. The most flexible way of getting around is by rental¹⁵ car. Just remember to drive on the left and watch out for sheep on the way to your next destination.

1 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 lures   

吸引力，魅力（lure的复数形式）

参考例句：

• He left home because of the lures of life in the city. 他离家是由于都市生活的诱惑。
• Perhaps it is the desire for solitude or the chance of making an unexpected discovery that lures men down to the depths of the earth. 可能正是寻觅幽静的去处，或者找个猎奇的机会的欲望引诱着人们进入地球的深处。

4 volcanically   

adv.火山似地，猛烈地

参考例句：

5 wilderness   

n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

6 gateway   

n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法

参考例句：

• Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。
• A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。

7 serene   

adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的

参考例句：

• He has entered the serene autumn of his life.他已进入了美好的中年时期。
• He didn't speak much,he just smiled with that serene smile of his.他话不多，只是脸上露出他招牌式的淡定的微笑。

8 pristine   

adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的

参考例句：

• He wiped his fingers on his pristine handkerchief.他用他那块洁净的手帕擦手指。
• He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.他本不想去玷污那清白的过去。

9 penguins   

n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Why can penguins live in cold environment? 为什么企鹅能生活在寒冷的环境中？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Whales, seals, penguins, and turtles have flippers. 鲸、海豹，企鹅和海龟均有鳍形肢。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

10 ashore   

adv.在(向)岸上，上岸

参考例句：

• The children got ashore before the tide came in.涨潮前，孩子们就上岸了。
• He laid hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore.他抓住绳子拉船靠岸。

11 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

12 hop   

n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过

参考例句：

• The children had a competition to see who could hop the fastest.孩子们举行比赛，看谁单足跳跃最快。
• How long can you hop on your right foot?你用右脚能跳多远？

13 sperm   

n.精子，精液

参考例句：

• Only one sperm fertilises an egg.只有一个精子使卵子受精。
• In human reproduction,one female egg is usually fertilized by one sperm.在人体生殖过程中，一个精子使一个卵子受精。

14 slippers   

n. 拖鞋

参考例句：

• a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋
• He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋，倒在床上。

15 rental   

n.租赁，出租，出租业

参考例句：

• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
• We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。