Lesson53 Hot snake 触电的蛇

课文

At last firemen have put out a big forest fire in California. Since then, they have been trying to find out how the fire began. Forest fire are often caused by broken glass or by cigarette ends which people carelessly throw away. Yesterday the firemen examined the ground carefully, but were not able to find any broken glass. They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire. This morning, however, a fireman accidentally discovered the cause. He noticed the remains of a snake which was wound round the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line. In this way, he was able to solve the mystery. The explanation was simple but very unusual. A bird had snatched up the snake from the ground and then dropped it on to the wires. The snake then wound itself round the wires. When it did so, it sent sparks down to the ground and these immediately started a fire.

hot
adj. 高温的，炙热的
Have a nice hot bath after work!
hot spring：温泉
Many Indian foods are quite hot. 辛辣
*Terrorism is a hot issue nowadays, also be a hot potato during these years. *
a hot potato 棘手的问题
drive sb. bananas 令人发疯，抓狂
cold - lukewarm 微温- warm 温的- hot

cause

1. v. 引起
2. n. 原因
   cause sb. / sth. to do ...
   ( be ) the cause of …：… 的起因，原因

examine
v. 检查
exam
take / have a look at ...
*Don't worry, I'll take a look at it. *

solve
v. 解决
solve a problem / a crime / mystery
Sylvia's uncle thinks money will solve all his problems.
solution：n. 解决方法
find a solution

snatch
v. 抓住
to take sth. / sb. away with a quick movement. 强调很迅速
catch：catch the fish
seize：seize my arms ; seize the day
hold：hold the phone please

练习
Firemen have put out the fire. They have extinguished it 灭火

At last firemen have put out a big forest fire in California.

at last 最终 at first 首先
fireman：消防队员
fire extinguisher：灭火器
hydrant：消防栓

Since then, they have been trying to find out how the fire began.

since then：从那时起
They have been trying to find …
现在完成进行时
find out：查明

Forest fire are often caused by broken glass or by cigarette ends which people carelessly throw away.

be caused by：… 由 … 引起
broken glass：被打碎的玻璃
cigarette ends：烟头，烟屁股

Yesterday the firemen examined the ground carefully, but were not able to find any broken glass. They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire.

be sure that：确定 …
quite & quiet
Keep quiet while I'm talking. 安静的
I quite agree with you. 非常

This morning, however, a fireman accidentally discovered the cause.

sb. accidentally discovered sth. / that…：某人发现 …
cause & reason
the cause of：the cause of the fire
the reason why / that / for
*So that is the reason why you want to leave me? *

He noticed the remains of a snake which was wound round the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line.

the remains of：... 的遗体
Many celebrities' remains are buried in Westminster. 许多名人的遗孤埋葬在维斯明斯特大教堂
… which was wound round …
which引导定语从句，关系词which在从句中做主语
wind-wound：缠绕
the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line
16,000伏的高压线

In this way, he was able to solve the mystery.

in this way：用这种方法
solve the mystery：解开了这个谜团

句型演练

一般过去 & 现在完成时 & 现在完成进行时

1. When did you stay at this hotel?
   I stayed here five years ago.
2. Have you ever stayed at this hotel?
   Yes, I've stayed here twice.
   Yes, I stayed here five years ago.
   Yes, I once stayed here for two months.
3. How long have you been staying at this hotel?
   I've been staying here for three weeks / since last Monday.
   What happened? 一般过去时，过去发生的事情，已经停止了
   What has happened? 现在完成时，发生在过去对现在造成的影响
   What has been happening? 现在完成进行时，开始于过去，持续到现在，未来不可知

"You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen." ———— Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist 《牧羊少年奇幻之旅》