Soaring through the redwoods in California
2020-06-06孟洁
难词探意
1. clip /klɪp/ n. (金属或塑料的)夹子;回形针
2. canopy /'kænəpi/ n. (尤指森林里)天篷似的树荫
3. obstacle course 障碍赛跑场地
4. supervisor /'suːpəvaɪzə(r)/ n. 监督人;指导者
5. salamander /'sæləmændə(r)/ n. 蝾螈
Imagine that you're only connected by twoclipsand a cable as you step onto a wire to explore thecanopyof a redwood forest. The remarkable trees take your mind off the fact that you're 150 feet above the ground!
You can experience this thrill at Mount Hermon Adventures in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. The ride was inspired by an eight-year-old girl who donated her savings to build a zip line through the area's redwoods. Her idea led to the creation of two adventures: a zip line tour and a suspendedobstacle coursethat lets you push your limits in a safe environment. The tours, which are open to the public, are available year-round for anyone over the age of 10. Since 2008, more than 100,000 people have participated.
“Sequoia Sky Adventure and Redwood Canopy Tours provide a way for people who are staying at the camp to experience the redwoods and enjoy an outdoor activity,” says Cameron Leonard, an operationsupervisorat Mount Hermon. Leonard describes the sky adventure as “a challenge by choice, pushing personal boundaries since there are challenging obstacles you have to cross over while you're at varying heights.” During the tour, two trained staff members teach you about the trees. There are three types of redwoods around the world. But only the coast redwood, which is Earth's tallest tree,can be found in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Because of logging in the mid-1800s, Mount Hermon is primarily a “second-growth forest”.There are, however, a few trees that are believed to be between 600 and 1,000 years old.The most unique thing about redwoods is that they clone themselves. When the top of a tree breaks off during a storm,a bud from inside the trunk will grow out of the side to form a “new tree”. There is an entire ecosystem of birds, lizards,salamanders, and other animals in the forest canopy.
“It doesn't matter what time of day you go there,” Williams says. “It's pretty amazing from the morning to the afternoon, and the way the sun shines through the trees is just beautiful.”
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1. What's the main idea of the passage?________________________________________
2. What are the two main adventures at Mount Hermon?________________________________________________
3. According to the passage, what is the most unique thing of redwoods?________________________________________________________________
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Sentence for writing
There are, however, a few trees that are believed to be between 600 and 1,000 years old.
【信息提取】本句中,sth/sb be believed to do为固定句型,意为“据说……”。 这个句型可以转化为It is/was believed that sth/sb...,转化时,需注意谓语动词的相应变化。
【句式仿写】据说他住在国外。