新西兰英语 813 Names for North and South Islands

 　　The Geographic¹ Board wants New Zealanders to choose whether to use a Maori or an English name for the North and South Islands. The Board has recommended² this to the Land Information Minister, Maurice Williamson. It is now his decision. If he agrees, we will have a choice. We can either use the Maori or the English name. Already we have a choice for a few other places.

　　Before the Europeans settled³ in New Zealand, Maori had their own names for places. Many of those Maori names are still used, especially for rivers and rural⁴ areas. Most small towns have only a Maori name.

　　Listen to April 22nd 2009 to hear more about this.

　　Vocabulary

　　?Geographic Board – a group of 10 experts who decide about place names

　　?recommended – made a strong suggestion

　　?rural – country areas (opposite: urban)

1 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

2 recommended   

被推荐的

参考例句：

• The committee has recommended that the training program (should) be improved. 委员会建议培训计划应当改进。
• The hotel he recommended fell far short of our expectations. 他推荐的饭店与我们心目中的相去甚远。

3 settled   

a.固定的；稳定的

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled without acrimony. 没有唇枪舌剑，这场纠纷就解决了。
• a settled way of life 安定的生活方式

4 rural   

adj.乡下的，田园的，乡村风味的

参考例句：

• He lived a rural life.他过着田园生活。
• We left the city for a rural home.我们离开城市，去农村安家。