A
Jim is on holiday in Australia. There are bush fires in the area where he is staying. He is telling his friend Mark about the fires.
Mark: We saw the news about the bush fires. Are they close to you?
Jim: Yes. They are very close. The weather is hot and windy. The conditions are ideal for bush fires and once they get started they spread quickly. Yesterday the temperatures hit $44°\mathrm{C}$ and there were reports of over 50 fires in the area. It will take days to put them out.
Mark: Have you seen any fires?
Jim: Yes, I have. I'm staying with my uncle Ted. He's a volunteer firefighter. He says the fires have killed a lot of animals, but no people. He says that the safest thing is to stay inside unless your house catches fire!
Mark: Is it safe where you are?
Jim: We're fine. We listen to the radio to keep up to date with the latest news. So we know if a fire is coming our way. One got very close yesterday. Three houses
nearby caught fire. Luckily, the families put the fires out before they did too much damage.
Mark: Are you worried? Do you think you will need to move to a safer place?
Jim: Bush fires are normal in Australia. They are a fact of life here. It's a bit scary, but I am sure I'll be fine.
Mark: Well, look after yourself! We don't want you to be the first human victim of the year!
词汇
ideal /aɪˈdiːəl/ adj. 完美的,理想的
a fact of life 无法避免的事情
keep up to date 更进,保持更新
victim /ˈvɪktɪm/ n. 受害者,罹难者
理解
1. What is the safest way when a bush fire breaks out?
The safest way is to stay inside unless your house catches fire.
2. Could you say something about wildfires in Los Angeles which happened at the beginning of the year 2025?
Wildfires in Los Angeles, like in many parts of California, are often caused by a combination of natural and human factors. The primary reasons are dry climate and Santa Ana winds.
