新西兰英语 672 Two years since big earthquake

 　　Two years ago, Christchurch was hit by a major earthquake. Listen to September 4th 2010 to hear about this earthquake.

　　Although there was damage and liquefaction, nobody was killed. It was the February 22nd 2011 earthquake which was so devastating¹. Much of the central city was destroyed and 183 people died as a result of that earthquake.

　　There have been over 11,000 after-shocks since September 4th 2010 although many of those are now quite small. Nevertheless, more than 50 after-shocks were 5 or more on the Richter scale. Scientists use statistics of other earthquakes around the world to tell us that there is still a 74% chance of another big earthquake – 5 or more on the Richter scale – in the next year.

　　EQC, the Earthquake Commission, has paid out $3.3bn so far for earthquake repairs to buildings. However, many people are still waiting for repairs to their homes. The City Council expects that repairs to the infrastructure² of the city – roads, water and sewage pipes and electricity – will cost $10m this year.

　　The central city is mostly closed except for a few streets. Most businesses have moved out of the city. More than 1000 buildings in the central city have been demolished⁴. Demolitions⁶ are still continuing. However today, the first central city hotel re-opened after spending $10m on repairs and renovations. Perhaps this is a positive sign that life will soon return to normal in Christchurch.

　　Vocabulary

　　liquefaction – water and silt⁸ from under the ground comes above ground

　　devastating – terrible destruction causing a strong feeling of shock

　　renovation⁷ – making the building look like new again, especially the interior

　　demolish³ (v); demolition⁵ (n)

　　Adjectives

　　Many adjectives change their ending, depending on the subject e.g. A storm is frightening; people are frightened

　　The earthquake was devastating; people were devastated⁹.

　　Make sentences with these pairs of adjectives: amazing / amazed; interesting / interested; disappointing / disappointed; exhausting / exhausted; tiring / tired; annoying / annoyed

1 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 demolish   

v.拆毁(建筑物等)，推翻(计划、制度等)

参考例句：

• They're going to demolish that old building.他们将拆毁那座旧建筑物。
• He was helping to demolish an underground garage when part of the roof collapsed.他当时正在帮忙拆除一个地下汽车库，屋顶的一部份突然倒塌。

4 demolished   

v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光

参考例句：

• The factory is due to be demolished next year. 这个工厂定于明年拆除。
• They have been fighting a rearguard action for two years to stop their house being demolished. 两年来，为了不让拆除他们的房子，他们一直在进行最后的努力。

5 demolition   

n.破坏,毁坏,毁坏之遗迹

参考例句：

• The church has been threatened with demolition for years. 这座教堂多年来一直面临拆毀的威胁。
• The project required the total demolition of the old bridge. 该项目要求将老桥完全拆毁。

6 demolitions   

n.毁坏，破坏，拆毁( demolition的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Randy Couture as Toll Road, an Expendable and demolitions expert. 大卫·萨亚斯饰演加尔扎将军，邪恶的独裁者。 来自互联网
• Allied Demolitions upgrade moved one slot to the left on the Allied HQ UI. 盟军的爆破升级在指挥部界面中左移一格（由于现在没钳子升级了，所以填钳子的位置）。 来自互联网

7 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。

8 silt   

n.淤泥，淤沙，粉砂层，泥沙层；vt.使淤塞；vi.被淤塞

参考例句：

• The lake was almost solid with silt and vegetation.湖里几乎快被淤泥和植物填满了。
• During the annual floods the river deposits its silt on the fields.每年河水泛滥时都会在田野上沉积一层淤泥。

9 devastated   

v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的

参考例句：

• The bomb devastated much of the old part of the city. 这颗炸弹炸毁了旧城的一大片地方。
• His family is absolutely devastated. 他的一家感到极为震惊。