Christmas in Australia

遼寧 曲永華

□語篇導讀

眾所周知,英國和美國通常是在最寒冷時節慶祝白色圣誕節,但是你知道澳大利亞又是在何時慶祝圣誕節的嗎？澳大利亞圣誕節與英國、美國圣誕節的慶祝方式有什么不同呢？讓我們一起走進澳大利亞,領略風景這邊獨好的魅力吧!

You see people in movies celebrating a white Christmas in England or the United States.But Christmas in Australia is different.

The holiday,celebrated on Dec.25,comes atthe hottest time of the year in Australia.The temperature is usually about 30°C in most cities and can even be over 40°C.There is certainly no white Christmas in Australia.

Because it is so hot,the tradition is to have lunch outside and to swim in the pool or beach.Most people have a one-week holiday during this time,so they will travel to meet their family for Christmas lunch.Christmas lunch is usually a big meal of ham,turkey,salad and fresh seafood.Family members all cook something different to bring to the big meal.I always enjoy Christmas lunch because there are lots of good cooks in the family.One year my aunt even made a delicious gingerbread(姜餅)house that we ate for dessert.

Children get presents from “Santa Claus” and are always excited to play with them.It is a fun time to play or swim in the pool with the other members of your family.

The sport of cricket(板球)is very popular in Australia and another tradition is to play a game of cricket in your backyard.I always enjoyed playing with my uncle and cousins when I was growing up.

So Australia might not have a white Christmas.But it is still a very exciting and fun time of the year.

◆語塊收藏

1.at the hottest time of the year在一年中最熱的時節

2.even be over 40°C 甚至高于40°C

3....have a one-week holiday during this time……在此期間有為期一周的假期

◆典句賞析

1.Because it is so hot,the tradition is to have lunch outside and to swim in the pool or beach.因為天氣如此的熱,所以傳統就是在戶外吃午飯,在游泳池或海灘游泳。

這是一個含有because引導原因狀語從句的復合句。英語中表示“因為……,所以……”時,不用 because...so...這樣的結構。而是用because,或者用so,但二者不可以同時使用。

2.One year my aunt even made a delicious ginger bread house that we ate for dessert.有一年,我阿姨甚至搭建了一個美味的姜餅屋,供我們作甜點吃。

該句是含有定語從句的復合句。that we ate for dessert是由關系代詞that引導的定語從句,修飾先行詞house。that作關系代詞時,可指代某人,也可指代某物,指物時可用which替換that,指人時可用who替換。

3.It is a fun time to play or swim in the pool with the other members of your family.和你的家人一起玩或在游泳池里游泳是一段很快樂的時光。

“It is+adj.+n.+to do sth.”的句型結構,意思是“做某事是……”。it在這里作為形式主語,代替后邊的真正主語——動詞不定式短語“to play or swim...”。

◆理解自測

閱讀上述短文,根據其內容回答下列問題

1.Why is there no white Christmas in Australia？

2.What sports are mentioned in this passage？

3.Why does the writer always enjoy Christmas lunch？

◆詞句微練

根據所給漢語句子,完成下列英語句子。每空一詞

1.在我們圖書館,你可以借任何你想讀的書。

You can borrow any______________you want to read in our school library.

2.干預湯姆和他朋友之間的事是不明智的選擇。

______________never a wise choice to come between Tom and his friend.

3.玲玲病了,所以就沒有上學。

_______Lingling was ill,she didn't come to school.