Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

They intend to bring the men up in a special capsule.

他們準備用一種特制的容器把這6個人救上來。

Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

If there had not been a hard layer of rock beneath the soil, they would have completed the job in a few hours.

如果不是因為土壤下面有一層堅硬的巖石，他們的營救工作僅用幾個小時就可以完成了。

Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

As it is, they have been drilling for sixteen hours and they still have a long way to go.

實際情況是，他們已連續鉆了16個小時了，但離鉆透還早著呢。

Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

Meanwhile, a microphone, which was lowered into the mine two hours ago, has enabled the men to keep in touch with their closest relatives.

與此同時，兩個小時以前放下井去的一只麥克風使井下的人可以與其親屬保持聯系。

Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

Though they are running out of food and drink, the men are cheerful and confident that they will soon get out.

雖然他們的食物和飲料都快消耗盡了，但這些人的心情很好，堅信他們很快就會出去。

Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

They have been told that rescue operations are progressing smoothly.

他們一直被告知營救工作進行得非常順利。

Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine

If they knew how difficult it was to drill through the hard rock, they would lose heart.

如果他們知道了鉆透那堅硬的巖石有多么困難，他們會喪失信心的。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

People will do anything to see a free show -- even if it is a bad one.

人們總要想盡辦法看不花錢的演出——哪怕是拙劣的演出。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

When the news got round that a comedy show would be presented at our local cinema by the P.and U.Bird Seed Company,

當“皮尤”鳥食公司將在我們當地影院演出喜劇節目的消息傳開后，

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

we all rushed to see it.

我們都趕緊跑去觀看。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

We had to queue for hours to get in and there must have been several hundred people present just before the show began.

我們不得不排了好幾個小時才進得場去。在演出開始前場內肯定已有好幾百人了。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

Unfortunately, the show was one of the dullest we have ever seen.

不幸的是，這次演出是我們看過的最乏味的演出了。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

Those who failed to get in need not have felt disappointed, as many of the artistes who should have appeared did not come.

那些沒能進到場內的人沒有必要感到失望，因為很多應該出場的專業演員都沒有來。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

The only funny things we heard that evening came from the advertiser at the beginning of the programme.

那天晚上唯一有趣的事情是節目開始時那個報幕員的開場白。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

He was obviously very nervous and for some minutes stood awkwardly before the microphone.

他顯然非常緊張，局促不安地在麥克風前站了好幾分鐘。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone burst out laughing.

但他剛一開口說話，人們便哄堂大笑起來。

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

We all know what the poor man should have said,

我們都明白那個可憐的人應該說些什么，

Lesson 89 A slip of the tongue

but what he actually said was: 'This is the Poo and Ee Seed Bird Company.Good ladies, evening and gentlemen!

“這是‘浦伊’鳥食公司，好女士們，晚上和先生們！”

Lesson 90 What's for supper

Fish and chips has always been a favourite dish in Britain,

油煎魚加炸土豆片一直是英國人喜愛的一道菜，

Lesson 90 What's for supper

but as the oceans have been overfished, fish has become more and more expensive.

但是隨著海洋里的濫捕濫撈，魚已經變得越來越昂貴。

Lesson 90 What's for supper

So it comes as a surprise to learn that giant fish are terrifying the divers on North Sea oil rigs.

因此，聽說北海石油鉆井平臺上的潛水員受到巨型魚類的恐嚇，確實很讓人吃驚。

Lesson 90 What's for supper

Oil rigs have to be repaired frequently and divers,who often have to work in darkness a hundred feet under water,

鉆井平臺需要經常修理，潛水員常常要在水面100英尺以下摸黑工作，

Lesson 90 What's for supper

have been frightened out of their wits by giant fish bumping into them as they work.

他們曾在工作時被撞到他們身上的大魚嚇得驚惶失措。

Lesson 90 What's for supper

Now they have had special cages made to protect them from these monsters.

現在他們有了特制的籠子，用來保護他們免受大魚的侵襲。

Lesson 90 What's for supper

The fish are not sharks or killer whales,

這些魚并不是鯊魚或逆戟鯨，

Lesson 90 What's for supper

but favourite eating varieties like cod and skate which grow to unnatural sizes,

而是深受人們喜愛的食用魚品種，如鱈魚和鰩魚，只不過它們長得出奇地大，

Lesson 90 What's for supper

sometimes as much as twelve feet in length.

有時長達12英尺。

Lesson 90 What's for supper

Three factors have caused these fish to grow so large:

這些因素促使這些魚可以長得如此巨大：

Lesson 90 What's for supper

the warm water round the hot oil pipes under the sea;

海底熱的輸油管道附近的溫暖的海水；

Lesson 90 What's for supper

the plentiful supply of food thrown overboard by the crews on the rigs;

鉆井平臺工作人員拋到海里充足的食物；