A:There is a tornado warning on. My mother just told me she heard it on the radio.有一個龍卷風的警報,我媽剛剛告訴我她從收音機聽到的。
B:What is a tornado warning?什么是龍卷風警報?
A:It means that a tornado has been seen somewhere in the area.就是有一個龍卷風已經在這個區(qū)域出沒。
B:Really? In New Berlin?真的?在新柏林?
A:No. Not necessarily in town. But in southern Wisconsin somewhere.A tornado has been spotted. They have two stages here.This is what is called a tornado watch. That means that the weather conditions are perfect for a tornado.不,并不一定在城里,但在南威斯康辛州某處。有一個龍卷風已經被監(jiān)控。他們分為兩個等級,現(xiàn)階段稱做龍卷風警戒,表示天氣狀況是形成龍卷風的最佳狀態(tài)。
B:I understand. They think a tornado might come.我懂了,他們認為龍卷風可能會來襲。
A:Yes. People should look out, because maybe there will be tornadoes coming.So it's called a watch.是的,大家要當心,因為也許龍卷風就要來襲,所以稱做警戒。
B:And the second stage is called a tornado warning.而第二等級稱做龍卷風警報。
A:Yes. If a tornado has been spotted, they announce a tornado warning.So if there's a tornado warning on, it means a tornado is out there somewhere.是的,如果龍卷風已經被監(jiān)測到,他們就會宣布龍卷風警報。因此,若已提出龍卷風警報,那表示一個龍卷風已在某處。
B:It's scary.真可怕。
A:Well. Tornadoes can be dangerous, it's true.If we hear something like a loud train coming, then we have to go in the basement.嗯,龍卷風可以很危險的,是真的。如果我們聽到什么像轟隆的火車接近聲的,我們必須進入地下室。
B:What do you mean a loud train?什么是轟隆的火車?
A:That is what tornadoes sound like. They sound like trains. They're very loud.那就是龍卷風聽起來的聲音,他們聽起來像火車聲,非常大聲。
B:But if you hear them coming, isn't it already too late?但是如果你聽到它們來臨了,不是已經太晚了嗎?
A:Maybe. It depends on the tornado.Some can move across the ground at 200 miles an hour.That is very fast. Others aren't so fast.很可能,要視龍卷風而定。有些一小時可以在地面橫越兩百里。那是非??斓?,其他的沒這么快。
B:Have you seen a lot of them?你看過很多龍卷風嗎?
A:I've only seen one in my life. I was looking out the window. It was around two miles away. It was very interesting to watch.But it was heading toward my friend's house. So I quickly called them on the phone.我這生只看過一次,從窗戶望出去的,大概在二里外的地方,觀看是很有趣的。但是它直掃向我朋友的房屋,所以我趕緊打電話給他們。
B:Did it hit their house?它有打中他們的房屋嗎?
A:No, it didn't. But they are glad I called them.沒有,但是我朋友很高興我打電話給他們。
B:What were they doing when you called?你電話時,他們在做什么?
A:They were all sitting in the living room watching TV.They had no idea a tornado was coming toward their house.If it had hit them, they could have all been killed.他們全都坐在客廳看電視,一點也不知道龍卷風正向他們的房子接近。如果當時真打中他們,他們可能全都一命嗚呼。
B:That's terrible. Do many people die in tornadoes?真是太可怕了。有很多人喪生于龍卷風嗎?
A:Not so many really. But a lot of houses are destroyed sometimes.是不太多啦,但是有時候很多房屋被摧毀