VOA标准英语2009年-First Winter Cold Snap of the Season G

Tom Rivers | London 20 December 2009

 
Photo: AP Photo
A pair of Shetland ponies¹ are seen at Anfield Plain, England, 20 Dec 2009

Blizzard² conditions have descended³ upon a wide section of Europe.  While snow has brought smiles to the faces of children who have dusted off their sleds for the new season, for others, this cold snap just days before the Christmas break, has brought frustration⁴.

Below freezing temperatures combined with compacting snow has meant traffic chaos⁵ for drivers in Germany, Poland and elsewhere.

It has also disrupted air travel with many flights in Europe either delayed or cancelled.

The bad weather has also created travel problems at sea. The French port of Calais was closed on Saturday and that caused a huge backup of vehicles around the English port of Dover where ferry services were hit.

The normally reliable fast train link connecting London and Paris also has ground to a halt.

After six Eurostar trains broke down in or near the tunnel that runs under the English Channel, the system has been suspended while engineers troubleshoot the electrical problems thought to have been brought on by condensation⁶.

With the trains not moving, thousands of passengers are stuck where they are.

On Sunday, Eurostar did promise to offer those who have suffered long delays or cancellations a full refund⁷ and compensation.

But given the fact that this current weather system is forecast to be around for a few more days, the trouble brought on by the snow and wind will be felt well into the new week.
 

1 ponies   

矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑

参考例句：

• They drove the ponies into a corral. 他们把矮种马赶进了畜栏。
• She has a mania for ponies. 她特别喜欢小马。

2 blizzard   

n.暴风雪

参考例句：

• The blizzard struck while we were still on the mountain.我们还在山上的时候暴风雪就袭来了。
• You'll have to stay here until the blizzard blows itself off.你得等暴风雪停了再走。

3 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

4 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

5 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。

6 condensation   

n.压缩，浓缩；凝结的水珠

参考例句：

• A cloud is a condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere.云是由大气中的水蒸气凝结成的。
• He used his sleeve to wipe the condensation off the glass.他用袖子擦掉玻璃上凝结的水珠。

7 refund   

v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款

参考例句：

• They demand a refund on unsatisfactory goods.他们对不满意的货品要求退款。
• We'll refund your money if you aren't satisfied.你若不满意，我们愿意退款给你。