【趣谈英语】荷兰属于地势低洼地带-“Netherlands” Means Low-Lying Lands

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

 

accustomed to: used to

tirelessly: without tiring; for long hours

surge barrier: man-made protection built to keep the sea from flooding onto the land

valve: a device that opens and shuts; changes the direction of fluid

 

“Netherlands” Means Low-Lying Lands

Did you know that the word “Netherlands” means low-lying lands? The Dutch are accustomed to flooding, because much of their country is located below sea level. They have worked tirelessly for hundreds of years to become experts at flood protection. The first dikes were built over 2,000 years ago. Windmills were added to pump water off the soil. These early efforts did little to save lives when massive storms rolled in. In 1953, a major storm hit the Netherlands, killing¹ close to 2,000 people, and causing a major blow to the economy. The government decided² to fight back by pumping a lot of money into the construction of flood protection devices. Dams were dug in the river mouths, and a massive, moveable surge barrier was built. The barrier is normally left open, but valves can also be closed to create the effect of a dam during a storm. The North Sea Protection Works is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

1 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

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。