【英语趣味课堂】加拿大与美国-Canada and the U.S.

 Todd: Now, Mike, you're from Canada but you lived in America for a good period of time.

 

Mike: Right!

 

Todd: How would you compare the two counties¹?

 

Mike: Well, the most obvious difference is Canada is a lot colder, I think than the United States in general, that's cause were north of the U.S., but culturally, I think that the US has a lot, many more culturally different areas within the country than Canada does. Canada as a culture, even though it's different from east to west, for people in Atlantic Canada are quite different from, let's say, Ontario, or Quebec, different from the West Coast. In the U.S., there are many more of those cultural pockets like New York for example is very different from Florida, which is very different from Louisiana, or Georgia, which is very different from Texas of course and all of those are very different from California and all of those, again, are very different from the North West part of the U.S., Seattle and that area, so the U.S. has many, many more sort of culturally diverse² areas, very, unique, and that's one, I think one significant³ difference between Canada and the U.S. Another difference is, Canada is obviously⁴, one thing that many tourists point to, is a reason for going to Canada, Canada is safer than the U.S. Again, I think partly cause of gun laws and things like that, but just in general, I think the history of Canada sort of is a lot more, is a lot less, I guess, it was a lot less, there was no revolution really in Canada and there was in the U.S. so I mean I think the roots are a little bit less, more subdued⁵, I'd say, so that makes a difference culturally. However, I think that because Canada is more safe, it's also more boring than the U.S., so the U.S., it’s maybe a little bit riskier⁶ but it's a lot more fun. Canada is safer but, again, more boring.

 

Todd: That's interesting, I mean, I don't know. I haven't been to Canada but I would like to go.

 

Mike: Definitely⁷ come up and visit and you'll know why you enjoy the States so much.

 

Todd: I'm not so sure about that. All right, thanks, Mike.

 

Mike: Sure.

 

学习内容：

obvious

 

The most obvious difference is that Canada is a lot colder than the United States. 

If something is 'obvious' it is easy to see or understand without a lot of effort. It is something that is noticeable⁸. Notice the following:

 

There was a small sign next to the road, but it wasn't that obvious.

It's very obvious that you aren't interested in what I'm saying.

cultural pockets

 

In the U.S., there are many more of those cultural pockets. 

A 'cultural pocket' is an area where a group of people from one particular culture live in a community. Notice the following:

 

Why would a cultural pocket of Puerto Ricans form in a place that is so cold?

There are cultural pockets in the United States where you feel like you are almost in a different country.

diverse

 

The U.S. has many, many more sort of culturally diverse areas. 

If a place has people who come from all different countries or cultural and religious backgrounds it is considered to be 'diverse.' Notice the following:

 

One of the cool things about living in a big city is that the people are very diverse.

The student population at my university is very diverse.

significant difference

 

I think diversity is one significant difference between Canada and the U.S.

A 'significant difference' is a different that is very big or important. Notice the following:

 

The most significance difference about my life here is that I don't drive anywhere.

The only significant difference between Sara and her twin is that one is a little taller.

point to

 

One thing that many tourists point to as a reason for going to Canada is that it's safer than in the U.S. 

Used like this, 'point to' means the same as 'refer to.' The meaning of the sentence is that the reason that tourists give for going to Canada is that it's safer than the U.S. Notice the following:

 

All of the evidence points to the fact that we are looking for at least 3 criminals in the bank robbery⁹.

She points to her desire to have a safe home for her family as a reason for moving out of the city.

roots or subdued

 

I think the roots in Canada are a little bit less and subdued. 

'Roots,' in this sense, are cultural traditions or feeling of belonging or wanting to stay in a place. When something is 'subdued' it exists, but not in as strong or obvious a way as in other places. Notice the following:

 

She put down very strong roots during only a few months in Asia.

My dog is a lot more subdued now that he is older. He was wild as a puppy¹⁰.

 

1 counties   

郡，县( county的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The deposits spread for 100 kilometers across four counties. 这些矿藏绵延一百公里，跨越四个县。
• The Jinggang Mountains stand where the boundaries of four counties meet. 井冈山位于四县之交。

2 diverse   

adj.不同的；相异的；多种多样的；形形色色的

参考例句：

• Spain is a composite of diverse traditions and people.西班牙是一个汇集了多种传统和民族的国家。
• Society is now much more diverse than ever before.当今社会较之以往任何时候都要丰富多彩得多。

3 significant   

adj.相当数量的；意义重大的；意味深长的

参考例句：

• Your success today may be significant for your whole future.你今天的成功对你的整个未来可能是重要的。
• She cast him a significant smile.她向他投去意味深长的一笑。

4 obviously   

adv.显然；明白地

参考例句：

• Obviously they were putting him to a severe test.显然他们是在给他以严峻的考验。
• Obviously he was lying.显然他是在撒谎。

5 subdued   

adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He seemed a bit subdued to me. 我觉得他当时有点闷闷不乐。
• I felt strangely subdued when it was all over. 一切都结束的时候，我却有一种奇怪的压抑感。

6 riskier   

冒险的，危险的( risky的比较级 )

参考例句：

• Now they are starting to demand higher returns on riskier assets. 而今他们开始在风险更高的资产上要求更高的回报。
• The problem with that: RIM's business is getting riskier every quarter. 不过问题也随之而来：RIM面临的业务风险正逐季增大。

7 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

8 noticeable   

adj.显而易见的；值得注意的

参考例句：

• The effect of the medicine is not yet noticeable. 药的效果还不显。
• There's been a noticeable improvement in his handwriting.他的书法有了明显的进步。

9 robbery   

n.抢劫；抢劫案

参考例句：

• A man is being questioned in connection with the robbery.一名男子就那起抢劫案接受查问。
• The police are offering a big reward for information about the robbery.警方出大笔赏金要求提供那起抢劫案的破案线索。

10 puppy   

n.小狗，幼犬

参考例句：

• You must school your puppy to obey you.你要训练你的小狗服从你。
• Their lively puppy frisks all over the house.他们的小狗在屋里到处欢快地蹦跳。