Christmas in Australia

辽宁 曲永华

□语篇导读

众所周知,英国和美国通常是在最寒冷时节庆祝白色圣诞节,但是你知道澳大利亚又是在何时庆祝圣诞节的吗？澳大利亚圣诞节与英国、美国圣诞节的庆祝方式有什么不同呢？让我们一起走进澳大利亚,领略风景这边独好的魅力吧!

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(姜饼)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.

◆语块收藏

1.at the hottest time of the year在一年中最热的时节

2.even be over 40°C 甚至高于40°C

3....have a one-week holiday during this time……在此期间有为期一周的假期

◆典句赏析

1.Because it is so hot,the tradition is to have lunch outside and to swim in the pool or beach.因为天气如此的热,所以传统就是在户外吃午饭,在游泳池或海滩游泳。

这是一个含有because引导原因状语从句的复合句。英语中表示“因为……,所以……”时,不用 because...so...这样的结构。而是用because,或者用so,但二者不可以同时使用。

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个美味的姜饼屋,供我们作甜点吃。

该句是含有定语从句的复合句。that we ate for dessert是由关系代词that引导的定语从句,修饰先行词house。that作关系代词时,可指代某人,也可指代某物,指物时可用which替换that,指人时可用who替换。

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乐的时光。

“It is+adj.+n.+to do sth.”的句型结构,意思是“做某事是……”。it在这里作为形式主语,代替后边的真正主语——动词不定式短语“to play or swim...”。

◆理解自测

阅读上述短文,根据其内容回答下列问题

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？

◆词句微练

根据所给汉语句子,完成下列英语句子。每空一词

1.在我们图书馆,你可以借任何你想读的书。

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

2.干预汤姆和他朋友之间的事是不明智的选择。

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

3.玲玲病了,所以就没有上学。

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