夏说英语新闻晨读 第337期:一代神车甲壳虫停产

 本期内容：

Volkswagen is about to end production on the VW Beetle¹—better known to many drivers as "the Bug²". And while there were rumors⁴ about a next generation electric version of the iconic vehicle, the company says that car will not be made. The distinctive⁵ rotund vehicle has been a part of the automotive scene since 1938. It took off in the 40s and became a part of pop culture in the 60s and 70s, when it was virtually impossible to drive through a neighborhood without seeing it parked in at least one driveway. It’s possible the Beetle will rise again somewhere down the road, but Volkswagen officials hint that won’t be anytime soon.

beetle n. 甲壳虫
The Beetles⁶ 甲壳虫乐队
be about to = be going to = be planning to do
end v. 终结
拓展表达: bring sth to an end / sth has come to an end
better known to…as… 对……来说更熟悉的称呼是……
rumor³ n. 传言Rumor has it that…
version n. 版本
iconic adj. 标志性的
distinctive adj. 特色鲜明的、独特的
拓展表达: one-of-a-kind / unique
rotund adj. 圆乎乎的、胖墩墩的
automotive adj. 汽车的
take off 起飞；走红、热销
virtually = almost
neighborhood n. 社区
park v. 停车 parking lot / car park
driveway n.〔房子与街道之间的〕私人车道
down the road = in the future
hint v./n. 暗示

 

 

1 beetle   

n.甲虫，近视眼的人

参考例句：

• A firefly is a type of beetle.萤火虫是一种甲虫。
• He saw a shiny green beetle on a leaf.我看见树叶上有一只闪闪发光的绿色甲虫。

2 bug   

n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器

参考例句：

• There is a bug in the system.系统出了故障。
• The bird caught a bug on the fly.那鸟在飞行中捉住了一只昆虫。

3 rumor   

n.谣言，谣传，传说

参考例句：

• The rumor has been traced back to a bad man.那谣言经追查是个坏人造的。
• The rumor has taken air.谣言流传开了。

4 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 distinctive   

adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的

参考例句：

• She has a very distinctive way of walking.她走路的样子与别人很不相同。
• This bird has several distinctive features.这个鸟具有几种突出的特征。

6 beetles   

n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Beetles bury pellets of dung and lay their eggs within them. 甲壳虫把粪粒埋起来，然后在里面产卵。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This kind of beetles have hard shell. 这类甲虫有坚硬的外壳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》