Groundhog Day 超人氣氣象主播——土撥鼠菲爾







by Carrie Kellenberger

Is it spring yet?

  After a freezing cold December and snow-covered January, people are ready for a little bit of sunshine. They _(1)_ Punxsutawney Phil to determine when the spring will be ushered in on Groundhog Day. Every year, the people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania gather to watch this famous groundhog make his _(2)_.
  How did this furry mammal get the honor of being able to forecast the weather? Although the origins are unclear, the tradition _(3)_ 1887. Groundhog Day comes from an ancient European story _(4)_ a sacred animal, such as a badger or a bear, was able to predict the weather. German _(5)_ known as the Pennsylvania Dutch brought the tradition to the United States. However, no one there is really sure why a groundhog received the honor of _(6)_ the arrival of spring.
  Nevertheless, every February 2, Phil's keepers _(7)_ him up from a deep winter's sleep. He is brought outside in front of thousands of people to look for his shadow and determine the weather for the next few weeks. If Phil sees his shadow, he will go back to sleep for another six weeks. If he doesn't, it means that spring is soon _(8)_.
  This fun celebration has been performed for well over a century _(9)_ the fact that spring usually arrives around March 20. Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather for more than 120 years, and in that time he has seen his shadow 97 times. In the end, it doesn't really _(10)_ whether Phil goes back to sleep or not. Everyone knows he or she will have to wait a few more weeks for spring to officially arrive.

(A) matter (B) in spite of (C) immigrants (D) wake (E) look to (F) heralding (G) prediction (H) on its way (I) in which (J) dates back to

原來如此 


1. They look to Punxsutawney Phil to determine when the spring will be ushered in on Groundhog Day.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 They(他們),空格後有受詞 Punxsutawney Phil,可知空格內應置入複數形的及物動詞或片語及物動詞。
b. 符合上述條件的選項有 (D) wake(喚醒)和 (E) look to(仰賴),但 wake 須與介副詞 up 並用,形成 wake up.../wake...up 之用法,故 (D) 不可選;look to 置入後符合語意,故選 (E)。
c. look to sb/sth (for...)  仰賴∕指望某人∕某事物(獲得……)
例: Whenever I'm in trouble, I know that I can always look to my sister for help.
(每當我遇上麻煩,我知道我永遠都可以找我老姐幫忙。)

2. Every year, the people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania gather to watch this famous groundhog make his prediction.
理由:
a. 空格前有所有格 his(他的),可知空格內應置入名詞。
b. 選項中的名詞計有 (A) matter(事情)、(C) immigrants(移民)、(D) wake(緊隨而來的事),以及 (G) prediction(預報),然僅 prediction 置入後符合語意,表賓州龐斯塔維尼市的市民會聚在一起,觀看這知大名鼎鼎的土撥鼠『預測』春天的到來,可知應選 (G)。
c. prediction n. 預報,預言

3. Although the origins are unclear, the tradition dates back to 1887.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 the tradition(這項傳統),空格後有表時間的名詞 1887(西元 1887 年),可知空格內應置入第三人稱單數形的及物動詞或片語及物動詞。
b. 選項中僅 (J) dates back to(回溯至……)符合上述,置入後亦符合語意,表這項傳統可以『追溯到』西元 1887 年,故選之。
c. date back to + 時間  追溯至……(時間)
date back + 一段時間  追溯至……(一段時間)前
例: My grandmother's antique table dates back to the early 1800s.
(我祖母的古董桌可追溯至 19 世紀初。)
例: Those invaluable paintings date back 500 years.
(這些貴重的畫作可追溯至 500 年前。)

4. Groundhog Day comes from an ancient European story in which a sacred animal, such as a badger or a bear, was able to predict the weather.
理由:
a. 空格前後均為句構完整的句子,可知空格內應置入連接詞以連接兩句,或置入關係副詞,引導形容詞子句,修飾空格前的先行詞 an ancient European story(一則古老的歐洲故事)。
b. 選項中的 in which 可等於關係副詞 where,符合用法,故選 (I)。
例: Roy miraculously survived the crash in which his car was flattened by a truck.
(羅伊的車被卡車壓扁,但他本人卻奇蹟似地在撞車中逃過一劫。)

5. German immigrants known as the Pennsylvania Dutch brought the tradition to the United States.
理由:
a. 空格前有形容詞 German(德國的),可知空格內應置入名詞。
b. 選項中的名詞有 (A) matter(事情)、(C) immigrants(移民),以及 (D) wake(緊隨而來的事),然僅 immigrants 置入後符合語意,表德國『移民』把這項傳統帶入美國,可知應選 (C)。
c. immigrant n.(移入的)移民
emigrant n.(移出的)移民
例: This area of town is mostly populated by immigrants from Africa.
(鎮上這個地方居住的大多是非洲移民。)

6. However, no one there is really sure why a groundhog received the honor of heralding the arrival of spring.
理由:
a. 空格前有介詞 of,空格後有名詞 the arrival of spring(春天的來臨),可知空格內應置入形容詞或現在分詞。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (F) heralding(預示……的來臨),置入後亦符合語意,表沒有人確切知道為什麼土撥鼠有這個榮幸來『預測』春天的來臨,故選之。
c. herald vt. 預告,預示……的來臨
例: Sirens heralded the approach of the ambulance.
(警笛聲預示救護車在接近當中。)

7. Nevertheless, every February 2, Phil's keepers wake him up from a deep winter's sleep.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 Phil's keepers(菲爾的飼養員),空格後有受詞 him(他)和介副詞 up,可知空格內應置入及物動詞。
b. 符合上述條件的選項僅有 (D) wake,置入後符合語意,亦與 up 形成下列固定用法;
wake...up/wake up...  叫醒……
例: My mother usually wakes me up at six o'clock every morning.
(我媽媽通常早上 6 點叫我起床。)
c. 根據上述,故選 (D)。

8. If he doesn't, it means that spring is soon on its way.
理由:
a. 空格前主詞 spring(春天)、be 動詞 is 和 副詞 soon,可知空格內應置入形容詞、分詞、地方副詞或地方副詞片語作主詞補語。
b. 選項中僅 (H) on its way(正在路上)為地方副詞片語,置入後亦符合語意,表要是牠沒看到自己的影子,就代表春天的腳步近了,故選之。
c. be on its/the way  正在路上;即將到達
on one's way (to + 地方名詞)  某人正在(往某地的)路上
例: Experts say that economic recovery is on its way.
(專家表示經濟即將復甦。)
例: While on our way to the bookstore, we ran into some old friends.
(去書店的途中,我們和幾位老友不期而遇。)

9. This fun celebration has been performed for well over a century in spite of the fact that spring usually arrives around March 20.
理由:
a. 空格前為一完整的句子,空格後有名詞詞組 the fact that spring usually arrives around March 20(春天通常在 3 月 20 日左右來臨這個事實),可知空格內應置入介詞或片語介詞,引導其後的名詞形成副詞片語,修飾空格前的句子。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (B) in spite of(儘管……),置入後符合語意及用法,故選之。
c. in spite of the fact + that 子句  儘管……
= despite the fact + that 子句
例: In spite of the fact that they always argue, they are still good friends.
(儘管他們老是吵個不停,他們還是好朋友。)

10. In the end, it doesn't really matter whether Phil goes back to sleep or not.
理由:
a. 空格前有作主詞的代名詞 it(代替其後 whether 引導的名詞子句)和助動詞 does,可知空格內應置入原形不及物動詞。
b. 選項中僅剩 (A) matter(有關係、要緊)為不及物動詞,置入後亦符合語意,表菲爾有沒有睡回籠覺一點也不『重要』,故選之。
c. matter vi. 有關係,要緊
It doesn't matter + if/whether/疑問詞引導的名詞子句  ……無關緊要
例: It doesn't matter what you wear as long as you come to the party.
(你穿什麼都不要緊,只要人來參加派對就好。)
精解字詞片語 


1. freezing cold  極冷的,冷得受不了
注意:
此處的 freezing 作副詞用,修飾形容詞 cold(冷的),freezing cold 表『冷得快要結凍似的』;也可以用 biting 來修飾 cold,biting cold 表『好像皮膚被咬感到刺痛般地冷』。freezing 及 biting 均為現在分詞作副詞,有 very(很)的意味,修飾其後的形容詞。其他常見的此類用法尚有:scorching/boiling hot(極熱的,熱得好像要燒焦似的)、hopping mad(氣瘋了,氣得好像要跳腳似的)等。
例: I don't want to go outside because it's freezing cold today.
(我不想出去,因為今天外面超冷的。)
例: I don't think it's a good idea to play basketball outside on such a scorching hot day.
(我覺得這麼大熱天在外面打籃球實在不是個好主意。)

2. determine vt. 決定;判定
例: Genes determine the characteristics of every living thing.
(基因決定每樣生物的種種特徵。)

3. usher vt. 迎接;開創 & n. 領座員
usher in...  迎接……的到來;開創∕帶來……
例: The creation of the Internet has ushered in a new era in communication.
(網際網路的發明開創了通訊的新紀元。)

4. forecast vt. & n. 預測
三態為:forecast, forecast(ed), forecast(ed)。
例: The weatherman forecasted rain for tomorrow.
(氣象播報員預報明天會下雨。)

5. predict vt. 預測
例: The famous designer predicts that mini- skirts will be back in style next year.
(那位名設計師預測迷你裙明年將再度蔚為流行。)

6. nevertheless adv. 不過,然而
例: Your suggestion may not work; nevertheless, I'd like to thank you.
(你的建議可能行不通,不過我還是要謝謝你。)

7. officially adv. 正式地
例: David and Judy have officially announced their engagement.
(大衛和茱蒂正式宣佈了他們訂婚的消息。)
單字小舖 


1. groundhog n. 土撥鼠
2. mammal n. 哺乳動物
3. origin n. 起源
4. sacred a. 神聖的
5. badger n. 獾
6. keeper n. 飼養員
中文翻譯&標準答案 


超人氣氣象主播——土撥鼠菲爾
告訴我們,春天來了嗎?

  經過寒冷的 12 月和白雪皚皚的 1 月,人們已準備好迎接初陽。在土撥鼠節這天,他們依賴龐斯塔維尼市的土撥鼠『菲爾』來判定春天何時到來。每年賓州龐斯塔維尼市的市民都會聚在一起,觀看這隻大名鼎鼎的土撥鼠預測春天的到來。
  這隻毛茸茸的哺乳動物是如何有這個榮幸來預測天氣呢?雖然其來源已不可考,但這項傳統可以追溯到西元 1887 年。土撥鼠節來自一則古老的歐洲故事,故事內容是說像是獾或熊等神聖的動物能預測天氣。德國移民(也就是德裔賓州人)把這項傳統帶入美國。然而,沒有人確 切知道為什麼土撥鼠有這個榮幸可以預測春天的來臨。
  不過,菲爾的飼養員每到 2 月 2 日就會把牠自冬眠中喚醒。牠會被帶到洞穴外,在數千人面前尋找自己的影子,好預測之後幾個星期的天氣。如果菲爾看得到自己的影子,就會回去再冬眠 6 個星期;要是牠看不到自己的影子,就代表春天的腳步近了。
  儘管春天通常在 3 月 20 日左右來臨,但這項有趣的儀式已傳承了一個多世紀。龐斯塔維尼市的土撥鼠菲爾也預測天氣達 120 多年之久,其中牠有 97 次看見自己的影子。到頭來,菲爾有沒有睡回籠覺一點也不重要。每個人都知道自己得再等幾個星期,春天才會大駕光臨。

答案: 1. (E) 2. (G) 3. (J) 4. (I) 5. (C) 6. (F) 7. (D)8. (H)9. (B)10. (A)



from 常春藤解析英語 ( HTML 圖文版 )
arrow
arrow
    全站熱搜

    luishsu 發表在 痞客邦 留言(0) 人氣()