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White-Water Rafting: Running the Rapids 激流泛舟，清凉一夏

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It begins as a peaceful sail down the river. Up ahead in the distance, you hear the thunderous sounds of the rapids. Then it hits you. The powerful white-water current crashes against your rubber raft, tossing you like a rag doll. A stone-cold wall of water slaps you in the face and soaks you completely. As you scramble to keep your cool, suddenly it’s peaceful again. You’ve just experienced your first taste of white-water rafting.

顺流而下的航程，起初风平浪静。不过从远方，你听到了激流传来如雷声响。没多久它就朝你迎面而来。那强劲的白色水流冲撞着橡皮艇，把你如布娃娃般甩弄。一道冰冷的水流迎面泼洒而来，弄得你全身湿透。当你奋力想保持镇定时，河水瞬间又平静下来。你刚才初尝了激流泛舟的滋味。

Although rafts are one of the earliest forms of transportation, most people didn’t dream of battling the wild rapids and surviving. It was not until the mid-20^th century that white-water rafting really took off. In 1956, John Rockefeller created a resort that offered one of the first trips in the US. Soon after, many companies began offering rafting tours for thrill seekers everywhere.

虽然筏艇是最早期交通工具之一，但多数人都不认为搭着它与激流搏斗还能存活下来。直到廿世纪中期，才兴起了激流泛舟运动。1956年，约翰．洛克斐勒开创了美国第一个提供泛舟行程的度假中心。不久之后，许多公司开始为各地寻求刺激的玩家提供泛舟活动。

In the US, white-water rafting at the Grand Canyon is considered the ultimate river trip. There, you get a chance to challenge the rapids of the Colorado River head-on while seeing one of the world’s seven wonders. In Taiwan, the Xiuguluan River near Hualien has long been the top rafting destination. While no special training is required, finding a qualified guide to navigate you through the dangerous rapids is a must. And be sure to remember the most important rule of white-water rafting – hold on!

在美国，大峡谷泛舟被公认是终极的泛舟旅程。在那儿，你有机会一边欣赏世界七大奇景之一，一边迎头挑战科罗拉多的急流。在台湾，花莲的秀姑峦溪长久以来是泛舟的最佳地点。虽然泛舟不须要受特殊训练，但一定要有合格的向导来带你通过危险的湍流。切记泛舟的首要规则－抓牢！

−by Jamie Blackler

Vocabulary

单词发音

soak [sok] v. 使湿透

scramble [ˋskræmb!] v. 仓促行动

resort [rɪˋzɔrt] n. 度假胜地

destination [͵dɛstəˋneʃən] n. 目的地

navigate [ˋnævə͵get] v. 导航

More Information

单词发音

white water 湍流；激流；溅起白色浪花的水面

rafting [ˋræftɪŋ n. 飘筏运动; 泛舟

rapid [ˋræpɪd] n. 急流；急湍

thunderous [ˋθʌndərəs] adj. 轰隆轰隆响的

raft [ræft] n.（救生用）橡皮艇

rag doll 布洋娃娃

rag [ræg] n. 破布，碎布

stone-cold [ˋstonˋkold] adj. 冰冷如石的；冷透的

keep one's cool 【口】保持冷静 to remain calm and in control

head-on [ˋhɛdˋɑn] adv. 头朝前地；迎头  in open conflict; in direct opposition

hold on  紧握

Reading Questions

1. According to the article, what were rafts historically used for?

A. To store goods at a low temperature.

B. To ride through the rapids for a thrill.

C. To sell products down the river.

D. To get from one place to another

2. According to the article, why might people like to go white-water rafting?

A. Because it’s exciting and enjoyable.

B. Because it doesn’t need any guide.

C. Because no skills are necessary at all.

D. Because you’ll feel like a rag doll.

3. Which of the following titles best suits this article?

A. The Downfall of Rafting

B. Rapid Adventures

C. Extreme Sports and You

D. The White River

Answer