課文
At last firemen have put out a big forest fire in California. Since then, they have been trying to find out how the fire began. Forest fire are often caused by broken glass or by cigarette ends which people carelessly throw away. Yesterday the firemen examined the ground carefully, but were not able to find any broken glass. They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire. This morning, however, a fireman accidentally discovered the cause. He noticed the remains of a snake which was wound round the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line. In this way, he was able to solve the mystery. The explanation was simple but very unusual. A bird had snatched up the snake from the ground and then dropped it on to the wires. The snake then wound itself round the wires. When it did so, it sent sparks down to the ground and these immediately started a fire.
hot
adj. 高溫的，炙熱的
Have a nice hot bath after work!
hot spring：溫泉
Many Indian foods are quite hot. 辛辣
*Terrorism is a hot issue nowadays, also be a hot potato during these years. *
a hot potato 棘手的問題
drive sb. bananas 令人發(fā)瘋，抓狂
cold - lukewarm 微溫- warm 溫的- hot
cause
- v. 引起
- n. 原因
cause sb. / sth. to do ...
( be ) the cause of …：… 的起因纽乱，原因
examine
v. 檢查
exam
take / have a look at ...
*Don't worry, I'll take a look at it. *
solve
v. 解決
solve a problem / a crime / mystery
Sylvia's uncle thinks money will solve all his problems.
solution：n. 解決方法
find a solution
snatch
v. 抓住
to take sth. / sb. away with a quick movement. 強調(diào)很迅速
catch：catch the fish
seize：seize my arms ; seize the day
hold：hold the phone please
練習
Firemen have put out the fire. They have extinguished it 滅火
At last firemen have put out a big forest fire in California.
at last 最終 at first 首先
fireman：消防隊員
fire extinguisher：滅火器
hydrant：消防栓
Since then, they have been trying to find out how the fire began.
since then：從那時起
They have been trying to find …
現(xiàn)在完成進行時
find out：查明
Forest fire are often caused by broken glass or by cigarette ends which people carelessly throw away.
be caused by：… 由 … 引起
broken glass：被打碎的玻璃
cigarette ends：煙頭癞己，煙屁股
Yesterday the firemen examined the ground carefully, but were not able to find any broken glass. They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire.
be sure that：確定 …
quite & quiet
Keep quiet while I'm talking. 安靜的
I quite agree with you. 非常
This morning, however, a fireman accidentally discovered the cause.
sb. accidentally discovered sth. / that…：某人發(fā)現(xiàn) …
cause & reason
the cause of：the cause of the fire
the reason why / that / for
*So that is the reason why you want to leave me? *
He noticed the remains of a snake which was wound round the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line.
the remains of：... 的遺體
Many celebrities' remains are buried in Westminster. 許多名人的遺孤埋葬在維斯明斯特大教堂
… which was wound round …
which引導定語從句，關系詞which在從句中做主語
wind-wound：纏繞
the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line
16,000伏的高壓線
In this way, he was able to solve the mystery.
in this way：用這種方法
solve the mystery：解開了這個謎團
句型演練
一般過去 & 現(xiàn)在完成時 & 現(xiàn)在完成進行時
- When did you stay at this hotel?
I stayed here five years ago. - Have you ever stayed at this hotel?
Yes, I've stayed here twice.
Yes, I stayed here five years ago.
Yes, I once stayed here for two months. - How long have you been staying at this hotel?
I've been staying here for three weeks / since last Monday.
What happened? 一般過去時惯退，過去發(fā)生的事情漂佩，已經(jīng)停止了
What has happened? 現(xiàn)在完成時久信，發(fā)生在過去對現(xiàn)在造成的影響
What has been happening? 現(xiàn)在完成進行時许蓖，開始于過去，持續(xù)到現(xiàn)在，未來不可知
"You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen." ———— Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist 《牧羊少年奇幻之旅》
