新西兰英语 647 Daffodil Day

 　　Every year the New Zealand Cancer Society holds a Daffodil Day. This year it is August 31st. This is a fund raising day to raise money to support people with cancer and to educate people about cancer. Volunteers collect money on the streets and give you a fabric¹ daffodil in return. You can also buy fresh daffodils.

　　The daffodil is one of the first flowers in spring so it is a symbol of hope and joy. Cancer can often be cured if people see their doctor as soon as they notice some symptoms.

　　Many New Zealanders suffer from cancer and some die from it. The main cancer deaths are from lung cancer, bowel² cancer, breast cancer (women) and prostate cancer (men).

　　Melanoma skin cancer is also a problem in New Zealand. New Zealand has the highest rates of melanoma in the world. We have very high levels of UV (ultra-violet) radiation yet we love sunbathing³. The Cancer Society teaches children to be sunsmart. Slip, slop, slap means slip on a shirt at the beach, slop on sun screen and slap on a hat.

　　Vocabulary

　　in return – in exchange for your donation

　　symbol – a sign e.g. the silver fern is a symbol of New Zealand

　　slip on – put on clothes (informal)

　　slop on – put on a liquid or a cream (informal)

　　slap on – put on a hat (informal)

　　Questions

　　What is ‘a healthy lifestyle’? What are some things you can do to try to prevent cancer?

1 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

2 bowel   

n.肠(尤指人肠)；内部，深处

参考例句：

• Irritable bowel syndrome seems to affect more women than men.女性比男性更易患肠易激综合征。
• Have you had a bowel movement today?你今天有排便吗？

3 sunbathing   

n.日光浴

参考例句：

• tourists sunbathing on the beach 在海滩上沐浴着阳光的游客
• We've been sunbathing on the beach. 我们一直在海滩上晒日光浴。