Holland Builds Homes on Water 荷兰人水上求新居

课文朗读

课文讲解

For years, people have been concerned about global warming. Effects of this continuing phenomenon include extreme weather conditions and a rise in sea levels. The latter in particular creates a problem for Holland. The nation is known for its lowlands, so rising sea levels increases the danger of flooding. However, the Dutch aren’t worrying about keeping the invading water off their lands. Instead, they have chosen to make it a part of their homes.

人们关注全球暖化的情况已行之有年。持续的暖化现象所带来的影响包括剧烈的天候状况及海平面升高。后者对于荷兰而言尤其是个不容小觑的问题。荷兰是著名的「低地国」，因此升高的海平面增加了淹水的危险。然而，荷兰并不汲汲营营于驱离步步进逼的海水。相反地，他们选择让海水成为家园的一部分。

Architects in Holland are rising to the challenge by designing homes that will float on water. These revolutionary houses have a hollow concrete cube at their base which helps keep them afloat. There is also a sturdy structure that keeps them attached to the mainland. Finally, flexible pipes keep the houses connected to electrical and sewer lines.

荷兰的建筑师们接受这个挑战，设计出能浮在水面上的房子。这种革命性的房屋以中空的混凝土作为基座，使其能漂浮在水面上。此外还有坚实的结构使其与陆地保持连结。最后，具有弹性的管线使这些房屋可连接电力及污水排放等系统。

In the past, the Dutch only built homes in places where dikes made flooding unlikely. Now, they are taking the bold step of building over the water. As the saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” And that’s exactly what the Dutch seem to be doing.

过去，荷兰人仅将房屋建造于有堤防来排除洪水的地方。如今，他们跨出大胆的一步，将房屋盖在水面上。如同这句谚语说的：「无法击退敌人，就加入敌营。」而这似乎正是荷兰人在做的事。

－by Johnny Tseng

单词发音

Vocabulary

extreme [ɪkˋstrim] adj. 极端的

A typhoon is an extreme weather event which causes fast winds and heavy rain.

in particular [pɚˋtɪkjəlɚ] 尤其是

Being tall can give you a great advantage in sports, basketball and volleyball in particular.

architect [ˋɑrkə͵tɛkt] n. 建筑师

An architect must consider the safety as well as the beauty of their designers.

concrete [ˋkɑnkrit] adj. 混凝土的

The concrete sidewalk began to crack after many years.

mainland [ˋmenlənd] n. 大陆，本土

After sailing around the islands, the group of tourists returned to the mainland.

flexible [ˋflɛksəb!] adj. 可弯曲的，易弯曲的；柔韧的；有弹性的

The dancer stretched every day to make her body more flexible.

More Information

lowland [ˋlolənd] n. 低地

rise to the challenge 奋起应付挑战

afloat [əˋflot] adv. 飘浮着

sturdy [ˋstɝdɪ] adj. 坚固的

sewer [ˋsuɚ] n. 污水管，下水道

dike [daɪk] n. 堤；坝

Floating Dutchmen: Holland builds homes on water