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New Zealand: Kiwi Culture 纽西兰：独一无二的奇异岛

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

With a population of just 4.5 million people, New Zealand is overshadowed by its larger neighbor Australia. But in reality, it has several cultural and natural attractions which continually attract travelers from all over the globe.

纽西兰仅有四百五十万人口，与它的邻居澳洲比起来可说是小巫见大巫。但其实纽西兰有着许多自然及人文的独特魅力，吸引全球的游客前往游览。

New Zealand holds the honor of being the youngest place on Earth, as its two main islands were the last major landmasses to be discovered. The Maori were the first people to settle there, roughly 1,000 years ago, when they paddled to New Zealand from East Polynesia in their canoes. Upon their arrival, they named it “Aotearoa,” which means “the land of the long white cloud” in their language. New Zealand became a British colony in 1840, and Europeans began to arrive in large numbers during the late 1800s. Today, regardless of their descent, citizens are affectionately called Kiwis, a reference to the flightless bird as the country’s national symbol.

纽西兰可说是全世界最年轻的地方，因为它的两大岛屿是最晚被发现的大陆。大约一千年前，毛利人从波里尼西亚划着独木舟来到纽西兰，成为最早定居于此的一群人。他们称此处Aotearoa，在毛利语中的意思是「白云朵朵之地」。19世纪后期，大批欧洲人开始涌进纽西兰。1840年，纽西兰成为英国殖民地。但是今日，无论祖籍何处，人们很可爱地昵称纽西兰的居民们Kiwis──这名字源自于他们的国家象征，一种不会飞的鸟。

For a taste of culture, spend an evening at Mitai Maori Village. There, visitors can learn about ta moko, a unique form of tattoo art. In a grand ceremony, Maori warriors will display their mastery of ancient weaponry and women will perform the poi dance, gracefully twirling patterns in the air with glowing balls attached to handheld sticks.

想体验当地文化吗？到Mitai毛利村度过一晚吧！游客们可以在此见识到一种名为ta moko的独特刺青艺术。在大型庆典中，毛利战士们会展现他们使用古代武器的精湛技术，女性族人会表演「小球舞」。她们幽雅地转动一颗连到握柄的发光彩球，在空中划出各种花样。

If you’re not sheepish about unusual sporting competitions, check out a Shearing Sports show and watch the world’s top wool handlers compete to see who can shear a sheep in the fastest, most efficient manner. Over sixty competitions are held each year, beginning in September and culminating with the Royal Easter Show in Auckland in late April.

如果你不会被一些奇特的运动比赛吓跑，赶快来看看剪羊毛大赛。全世界最顶尖的剪羊毛好手们来此相互比拼，看谁能最快、最有效率地剪下羊毛。每年都举办超过60场比赛，始于9月，直至4月末奥克兰的皇家复活节表演达到巅峰。

Vocabulary

单词发音

overshadow [͵ovɚˋʃædo] v. 使...相形见拙

landmass [ˋlænd͵mæs] n. 大陆

paddle [ˋpæd!] v. 用桨划（船）

canoe [kəˋnu] n. 独木舟

descent [dɪˋsɛnt] n. 世系，血统

affectionately [əˋfɛkʃənɪtlɪ] adv. 亲切地

tattoo [tæˋtu] n. 纹身花纹，刺花

mastery [ˋmæstərɪ] n. 熟练；精通；掌握

weaponry [ˋwɛpənrɪ] n.（总称）武器

twirl [twɝl] v. 使快速转动；使快速旋转

glowing [ˋgloɪŋ] adj. 白热的, 灼热的, 通红的

sheepish [ˋʃipɪʃ] adj. 局促不安的; 腼腆的; 困窘的 embarrassed, as by consciousness of a fault

shear [ʃɪr] v. 剪（羊毛等）

handler [ˋhændlɚ] n. 操作者

culminate [ˋkʌlmə͵net] v. 达到高潮；告终

课文朗读

课文讲解

If you’re traveling to New Zealand, it’s important to recognize the contrast between the two main landmasses that comprise the country. The North Island is known for interesting volcanic activities and its marvelous hot springs, while the South Island is famous for glaciers, lakes, and small towns that appeal to tourists.

如果你想至纽西兰观光，了解构成纽西兰的两个主要岛屿之间的差异是很重要的。北岛以壮丽火山活动和绝佳温泉而闻名，南岛则主打冰河地形、湖泊与许多迷人小镇来吸引旅客。

One town with plenty to offer is Queenstown – some people even refer to it as the adventure capital of the world. Thrill seekers can enjoy adrenaline-pumping activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, or white water rafting. Or, if you prefer to take in the scenery, try a helicopter ride. Some of the breathtaking mountain and forest views may look familiar, as they were used as the backdrop for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

皇后镇是一座极具魅力的小镇，有些人甚至称它为「全球探险的首都」。追求刺激感的人可以来这边从事许多让人肾上腺素激增的活动，像是跳伞、高空弹跳或泛舟。如果你比较喜欢欣赏风景，可以试试直升机游览行程。许多引人入胜的山林美景或许会让你感觉似曾相似，因为它们曾出现在电影《魔戒》三部曲的场景中。

If catching a glimpse of the majestic mountains isn’t enough for you, there is always the option of climbing Mount Cook. At 3,754 meters high, it’s the largest mountain in the country. In 1948, the famed climber Sir Edmund Hilary used Mount Cook as a training ground before he became the first person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

如果一睹宏伟山色仍不能满足你，你还有另一项选择：征服库克山。库克山高达海拔3,754公尺，为纽西兰最高峰。1948年时，著名登山专家埃德蒙．希拉瑞爵士在成为首位登上圣母峰的登山者之前，就是以库克山作为他的训练场地。

For some rest and relaxation, head to Rotorua, a hotbed of geothermal activity. It was nicknamed “Sulfur City” due to the heavy deposits of sulfur located there. Tourists can soak their feet in hot pools or explore geysers, bubbling mud-pools, or Te Wairoa, a village that was buried in 1886 by a volcanic eruption.

想要稍作休憩，你可以前往地热活动的温床──罗托路亚。此处因丰富硫磺沉积物而被称为「硫磺之都」。游客可以把脚泡在温泉里，或是勇闯间歇泉、冒泡泥池，或是于1886年因火山爆发而遭掩埋的蒂怀罗阿村。

Whether you’re searching for adventure, cultural splendor, or unparalleled natural beauty, New Zealand is certain to have something to offer.

无论你追求的是刺激冒险、文化之旅，抑或是独一无二的自然美景，纽西兰绝对都能让你满载而归！

－by Jamie Blackler

Vocabulary

单词发音

comprise [kəmˋpraɪz] v. 由……组成; 构成

recognize [ˋrɛkəg͵naɪz] v.  识别；认识

marvelous [ˋmɑrvələs] adj. 令人惊叹的；非凡的

refer to 提到; 谈论 to relate to, concern, or apply to

adrenaline [ædˋrɛn!in] n.肾上腺素

white water 湍流；激流；溅起白色浪花的水面 turbulent or frothy water, as in rapids or surf

rafting [ˋræftɪŋ] n. 泛舟（运动）

take in 参观, 参加, 观赏 to look at thoroughly; view

backdrop [ˋbæk͵drɑp] n.【戏】背景幕

famed [femd] adj. 有名的；著名的

hotbed [ˋhɑt͵bɛd] n. 温床

geothermal [͵dʒioˋθɝm!] adj. 地热的

sulfur [ˋsʌlfɚ] n. 硫（磺）

deposit [dɪˋpɑzɪt] n. 沉淀物

geyser [ˋgaɪzɚ] n. 喷泉；间歇泉

splendor [ˋsplɛndɚ] n. 壮丽；壮观

unparalleled [ʌnˋpærə͵lɛld] adj.  无比的；无双的

Reading Questions

1.    What or who might you call “a Kiwi”?

(A)  An elderly Australian who is visiting New Zealand.

(B)  A British shearer who has won a shearing championship in New Zealand.

(C)  An eighteen-year-old New Zealander who lives in Queenstown.

(D)  Any person who is interested in New Zealand’s history and culture.

2.    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a popular activity for someone who is visiting New Zealand?

(A)  Watching the three Lord of the Rings movies.

(B)  Watching a sheep shearing contest.

(C)  Watching Maori women dancing.

(D)  Climbing New Zealand’s highest peak.

3.    What do you know about “Sulfur City”?

(A)  Only active, adventurous, thrill-seekers should go there.

(B)  It was wiped out by a volcanic explosion.

(C)  There are very small traces of sulfur in the area.

(D)  Its correct name is Rotorua.

4.    What is the main point of the article?

(A)  To describe how the Maori first arrived in New Zealand.

(B)  To present some of New Zealand’s cultural attractions and tourist activities.

(C)  To explain the differences between New Zealand’s North Island and South Island.

(D)  To debate whether tourism helps or hinders New Zealand and its economy.

wipe out 彻底消灭或摧毁某事物 to destroy or be destroyed completely

2012 Coca-Cola Easter Show - Auckland, NZ

New Zealand Travel Guide

North Island, New Zealand

South Island, New Zealand in HD

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Poi

Buried village of Te Wairoa

Answer