【英语趣味课堂】爱尔兰的悬崖-Irish Cliffs

Todd: So, Marion, for people that go to Ireland, what's one place they really should visit?

 

Marion: Well, one of my favorite spots is called the Cliffs¹ of Moher.

 

Todd: The Cliffs of Moher.

 

Marion: Yeah, and that's on the West Coast. It's quite near Galway, so it's a little bit to the south of Galway, I think.

 

Todd: OK, so it's near Galway.

 

Marion: Yeah.

 

Todd: OK.

 

Marion: That's a city on the West Coast of Ireland.

 

Todd: What is this place, the Cliffs of Moher?

 

Marion: The Cliffs of Moher are, as far as I know, are the tallest cliffs in Europe.

 

Todd: Really, the tallest?

 

Marion: Yeah. I'm pretty sure. Definitely² the tallest cliffs in Ireland, but I'm quite sure that we have that distinction, that they're actually the tallest cliffs in the whole of Europe.

 

Todd: Wow. That's pretty cool. (Yeah) So when you go to these cliffs, what can you do? Can you climb down them, or?

 

Marion: No, you can't. (What) I think if you tried, you might end up in the water and you may never get up again.

 

Todd: You serious?

 

Marion: Yeah, it's quite scary. When I went there for the first time, I was quite young, and I went with my mother and brother and uncle, and I remember my mother was holding my hand, and my brother, who was younger than me, was of course more brave than I was, so he was going right up the edge, and looking over and leaning out and I was really, really scared because at that time, there was no barrier to keep you from falling in, so yeah, really, really scary.

 

Todd: I bet³. So when you go to the Cliffs of Moher is it really windy, does it rain a lot?

 

Marion: Yeah, it's quite windy because you're right on the edge of Europe, basically⁴ you're facing the Atlantic ocean, which can get quite turbulent⁵, there so you can see the waves crashing up against the cliffs. That's if you lean over of course. There's a flat area of rock where many tourists kind of lie on their stomachs and inch their way up to the edge and then they look over, but I was too scared when I went. I couldn't do it. I thought for sure I'd fall over and die.

 

Todd: So assuming⁶ that someone goes to Ireland and they go to Dublin, they fly into Dublin, how will they get to the Cliffs of Moher?

 

Marion: Um, pretty easily. Actually, from Dublin you have the choice of going either by train, directly across to Galway, then from Galway, you would need to take a bus, so you could go from Dublin to Galway by bus as well, but the train is probably more comfortable and then it would be a shortish bus ride to the Cliffs of Moher, but obviously⁷ in Ireland, you're best bet is really to hire a car if you can.

 

Todd: OK. Well, sounds like a good place to go. Thanks Marion.

 

Marion: No problem.

1 cliffs   

n.悬崖，峭壁（cliff的复数形式）

参考例句：

• the chalk cliffs of southern England 英格兰南部的白垩质峭壁
• Local folklore has it that prehistoric men drove cattle over these cliffs. 当地民间传说中称，史前人类把野牛从这些悬崖上驱赶下去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 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。

3 bet   

v.打赌，以(与)...打赌；n.赌注，赌金；打赌

参考例句：

• I bet you can't do this puzzle.我敢说，你解决不了这个难题。
• I offered to bet with him.我提出与他打赌。

4 basically   

adv.基本上，从根本上说

参考例句：

• His heart is basically sound.他的心脏基本上健康。
• Basically I agree with your plan.我基本上同意你的计划。

5 turbulent   

adj.动荡的，混乱的；汹涌的，狂暴的

参考例句：

• The current is turbulent.水势汹涌。
• The present international situation remains tense and turbulent.当前的国际局势依然紧张动荡。

6 assuming   

如果

参考例句：

• You were mistaken in assuming it. 你这样臆断是错了。
• The country's industry is assuming a new aspect. 该国的工业正在呈现新的面貌。

7 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。