VOA慢速英语--An Unusual -- and Wild -- Alarm Clock

AS IT IS 2016-05-26 An Unusual -- and Wild -- Alarm Clock

This is What’s Trending Today:

Francie Lubbe of South Africa awoke one morning during her safari¹ trip to an impressive sight.

Two female lions were licking the outside of her tent! The lions were licking small drops of water left over from a rain storm.

Lubbe quickly began taking video of the wild animals. She posted the video on Facebook this week. People from around the world commented about how calm she and her friend in the tent remained when they saw the lions so close. People were also impressed that they decided² to take a video.

Lubbe was camping in a tent at a national park on the northern border of South Africa near Botswana.

The lions are the most famous creatures in the national park. They are called Kalahari lions. They get their name for their home -- the Kalahari Desert. It covers parts of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Female Kalahari lions weigh about 150 kilograms.

Lubbe responded to the many comments about her video. She called the experience “a privilege” and “very special.”

She said the cloth door of her tent was open, but the lions did not enter.

Along with the 36-second video, she posted photos to her Facebook page of the lions exploring her camp.

There are images of the lions looking into the tent from outside, and looking at a barbecue grill³ where campers cook.

People around the world reacted to the video on Facebook and Twitter. And, news organizations also did stories about Lubbe’s morning lion visit.

One person wrote: “Stunning⁴ experience, but I think I would have wet myself!” Another commented: “I’ll bet your heart was racing⁵! What a unique experience!”

Twitter user Mariana who is from New Jersey⁶ tweeted that her mother saw the lion video. Her mother then warned her to not go camping anymore, even though New Jersey is very, very far away from the Kalahari Desert.

Words in This Story

impressive – adj. deserving attention, admiration⁷, or respect : making a good impression

lick – v. to pass the tongue over (a surface, an object, etc.)

tent – n. a portable shelter that is used outdoors, is made of cloth (such as canvas or nylon), and is held up with poles and ropes

stunning – adj. very surprising or shocking

barbecue grill – n. a metal frame that is used to cook food over hot coals or an open fire

privilege – n. a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud

amaze – v. to fill with wonder

1 safari   

n.远征旅行(探险、考察)；探险队，狩猎队

参考例句：

• When we go on safari we like to cook on an open fire.我们远行狩猎时，喜欢露天生火做饭。
• They went on safari searching for the rare black rhinoceros.他们进行探险旅行，搜寻那稀有的黑犀牛。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 grill   

n.烤架，铁格子，烤肉；v.烧，烤，严加盘问

参考例句：

• Put it under the grill for a minute to brown the top.放在烤架下烤一分钟把上面烤成金黄色。
• I'll grill you some mutton.我来给你烤一些羊肉吃。

4 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

5 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

6 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

7 admiration   

n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕

参考例句：

• He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
• We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。