英語趣味課堂：幾維鳥 kiwi

Todd: OK, Leonard, now, when most people think of Kiwi, at least Americans, we think of the fruit.

Leo: Right, right. Also in Japan as well.

Todd: Oh, really! OK. But, uh, people from New Zealand are called Kiwis not because of the fruit I take it.

Leo: That's right. That's right. The nickname for New Zealanders is Kiwi, and actually the Kiwi bird... Kiwi is actually a Maori name, and Maori are the native people of New Zealand.

Todd: Oh, wow!

Leo: And so Kiwi, the pronunciation of Kiwi K-I-W-I KEE-WEE, Maori has similar pronunciation to the Japanese language, ah, ee, uu, eh, oh. They pronounce the vowels.

Todd: OK. I'm..what is Kiwi?

Leo: A kiwi is a nocturnal bird, which only walks, it doesn't fly.

Todd: OK. So nocturnal means it only comes out at night.

Leo: Right. Right. And in the deep forest. Actually, you'd never see a Kiwi if you went to New Zealand, unless you went to the zoo.

Todd: Oh, really!

Leo: Right!

Todd: OK.

Leo: And the brown Kiwi is the most, uh, rarest of them all. They're only I think, there are less than one thousand brown kiwis left.

Todd: Wow. So..

Leo: It can only be found in New Zealand.

Todd: Ok. OK. maybe I missed it but can it fly.

Leo: No, no it can't.

Todd: It can't fly.

Leo: It can only walk.

Todd: Wow, so it only comes out at night...in the deep forest and it can't fly.

Leo: You'd be surprised. If you go to New Zealand, uh, there are over twenty different types of birds that walk.

Todd: Really! That's fascinating. Well, thanks for telling us about the Kiwi.

Leo: You're welcome.

學習內(nèi)容：

at least

When people think of Kiwi, at least Americans, they think of the fruit.

We use the phrase 'at least' like this to give more specific information to a general statement. The sentence isn't talking about all people, it is specifically talking about Americans. Notice the following:

This week, at least Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, he will be very busy.

Most teenagers, at least the students that I have, always have their cell phones with them.

as well

People in Japan think of the Kiwi as a fruit, as well.

'As well' means the same as 'also' and 'too.' Notice the following:

I think I will get a chocolate ice cream as well.

He works at Best Buy as well.

less than

There are less than one thousand brown Kiwis left.

The phrase 'less than' is used with a number to mean the same as 'fewer than.' It means that the number of Kiwis left is below 1,000. Notice the following:

We have less than a half a tank of gas.

There were less than 50 people at the wedding.

nocturnal

The Kiwi is a nocturnal bird, so it only comes out at night.

Something that is 'nocturnal' is most active during the night. Notice the following:

I am kind of a nocturnal person and enjoy staying up late.

Bats are nocturnal animals.

over

In New Zealand, there are over twenty different types of birds that walk.

When 'over' is used like this it means 'more than' and is used in combination with a number. Notice the following:

I have over 20 new emails.

You must be tired. You drove for over ten hours today.

1 nickname

n.綽號，昵稱;v.給...取綽號，叫錯名字

參考例句：

She called me by my nickname.她叫我的外號。

Why do you fasten such a nickname on her?你為什么給她取這樣一個綽號?

2 vowels

n.元音，元音字母( vowel的名詞復數(shù) )

參考例句：

Vowels possess greater sonority than consonants. 元音比輔音響亮。 來自《現(xiàn)代英漢綜合大詞典》

Note the various sounds of vowels followed by r. 注意r跟隨的各種元音的發(fā)音。 來自超越目標英語 第3冊

3 specifically

adv.明確地，具體地;特別地，特意

參考例句：

The book was written specifically for children.這本書是特地為兒童編寫的。

I told you specifically not to do that.我明確地告訴你不要那樣做。

4 works

n.作品，著作;工廠，活動部件，機件

參考例句：

We expect writers to produce more and better works.我們期望作家們寫出更多更好的作品。

The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.這篇小說被公認為是最優(yōu)秀的作品之一。

5 combination

n.組合，合并，聯(lián)合;

參考例句：

He carried on the business in combination with his friends.他與朋友們合伙做生意。

The materials can be used singly or in combination.這些材料可以單獨使用也可以混合用。