英语听力：自然百科 环球风情：夏威夷

 In this edition, we head to Hawaii, home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes and if you measure from the bottom of the seafloor to the top of the peak, home to the world’s tallest mountain, too.   

 

Hawaii, a land cradled by the sea, a land born of fire. This chain of 137 islands curves across 1500 miles of the North Pacific Ocean. Today some 1.2 million people call Hawaii home. But many more visit the islands, about 7 million tourists each year, making Hawaii one of the most popular vacation spots in the United States.

 

The island of O’ahu is home to the state’s biggest city, Honolulu, and just below the city’s high-rise hotels, the beaches of Waikiki beckon¹ the swimmers and surfers alike. The sport was invented in Hawaii at least 1000 years ago. And some of the world’s best waves keep it going strong.

 

While you're on O'ahu, take time to visit Pearl Harbor, here the USS Arizona now serves as an underwater memorial to those who died in the attack that plunged² the US in the World War II on December 7, 1941.

 

The largest island in the state is called Hawaii where’s simply the big island. Black sand beaches fringe its coast, testament³ to its origin as a group of five massive volcanoes. One of these, Kilauea, also happens to be the world’s most active volcano. It's been erupting continuously since 1983. In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you can watch lava⁴ flowing into the ocean in a natural fireworks display nearly every night.

 

No matter which island you visit, the beaches are star attraction, and they are also an excellent place to see wildlife. Sea turtles often swim in the shallows. And you might spot the endangered Hawaiian monk⁵ seal. Humpback whales migrate through these waters from September to May. You can sometimes spot breaching⁶ whales from the shore, but to get up close, book a trip on a whale watching boat.

 

Hawaii’s unique culture is on display all around the islands. Hula dancers here preserve an ancient tradition. For Hawaiians, it was a written language. The hulas pass down history in the form of song and dance.

 

Traditional Hawaiian music is also easy to find. On the less visited island of Moloka'i, a weekly jam session welcomes locals and tourists alike.

 

Hawaii has a tropical climate, making the weather excellent all year round although there is less rain from April to October. If you do visit, prepare to relax and enter the spirit of Aloha, a Hawaiian expression that says“hello, good bye and I love you” all in one word.

1 beckon   

v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤

参考例句：

• She crooked her finger to beckon him.她勾勾手指向他示意。
• The wave for Hawaii beckon surfers from all around the world.夏威夷的海浪吸引着世界各地的冲浪者前来。

2 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

3 testament   

n.遗嘱；证明

参考例句：

• This is his last will and testament.这是他的遗愿和遗嘱。
• It is a testament to the power of political mythology.这说明，编造政治神话可以产生多大的威力。

4 lava   

n.熔岩，火山岩

参考例句：

• The lava flowed down the sides of the volcano.熔岩沿火山坡面涌流而下。
• His anger spilled out like lava.他的愤怒像火山爆发似的迸发出来。

5 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

6 breaching   

攻破( breach的过去式 )； 破坏，违反

参考例句：

• The company was prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety Act. 这家公司被控违反《卫生安全条例》。
• Third, an agency can abuse its discretion by breaching certain principles of judge-made law. 第三，行政机关会因违反某些法官制定的法律原则而构成滥用自由裁量权。