A:There is a tornado warning on. My mother just told me she heard it on the radio.
有一个龙卷风的警报,我妈刚刚告诉我她从收音机听到的。
B:What is a tornado warning?
什么是龙卷风警报?
A:It means that a tornado has been seen somewhere in the area.
就是有一个龙卷风已经在这个区域出没。
B:Really? In New Berlin?
真的?在新柏林?
A:No. Not necessarily in town. But in southern Wisconsin somewhere.A tornado has been spotted. They have two stages here.This is what is called a tornado watch. That means that the weather conditions are perfect for a tornado.
不,并不一定在城里,但在南威斯康辛州某处。有一个龙卷风已经被监控。他们分为两个等级,现阶段称做龙卷风警戒,表示天气状况是形成龙卷风的最佳状态。
B:I understand. They think a tornado might come.
我懂了,他们认为龙卷风可能会来袭。
A:Yes. People should look out, because maybe there will be tornadoes coming.So it's called a watch.
是的,大家要当心,因为也许龙卷风就要来袭,所以称做警戒。
B:And the second stage is called a tornado warning.
而第二等级称做龙卷风警报。
A:Yes. If a tornado has been spotted, they announce a tornado warning.So if there's a tornado warning on, it means a tornado is out there somewhere.
是的,如果龙卷风已经被监测到,他们就会宣布龙卷风警报。因此,若已提出龙卷风警报,那表示一个龙卷风已在某处。
B:It's scary.
真可怕。
A:Well. Tornadoes can be dangerous, it's true.If we hear something like a loud train coming, then we have to go in the basement.
嗯,龙卷风可以很危险的,是真的。如果我们听到什么像轰隆的火车接近声的,我们必须进入地下室。
B:What do you mean a loud train?
什么是轰隆的火车?
A:That is what tornadoes sound like. They sound like trains. They're very loud.
那就是龙卷风听起来的声音,他们听起来像火车声,非常大声。
B:But if you hear them coming, isn't it already too late?
但是如果你听到它们来临了,不是已经太晚了吗?
A:Maybe. It depends on the tornado.Some can move across the ground at 200 miles an hour.That is very fast. Others aren't so fast.
很可能,要视龙卷风而定。有些一小时可以在地面横越两百里。那是非常快的,其他的没这么快。
B:Have you seen a lot of them?
你看过很多龙卷风吗?
A:I've only seen one in my life. I was looking out the window. It was around two miles away. It was very interesting to watch.But it was heading toward my friend's house. So I quickly called them on the phone.
我这生只看过一次,从窗户望出去的,大概在二里外的地方,观看是很有趣的。但是它直扫向我朋友的房屋,所以我赶紧打电话给他们。
B:Did it hit their house?
有打中他们的房屋吗?
A:No, it didn't. But they are glad I called them.
没有,但是我朋友很高兴我打电话给他们。
B:What were they doing when you called?
你电话时,他们在做什么?
A:They were all sitting in the living room watching TV.They had no idea a tornado was coming toward their house.If it had hit them, they could have all been killed.
他们全都坐在客厅看电视,一点也不知道龙卷风正向他们的房子接近。如果当时真打中他们,他们可能全都一命呜呼。
B:That's terrible. Do many people die in tornadoes?
真是太可怕了。有很多人丧生于龙卷风吗?
A:Not so many really. But a lot of houses are destroyed sometimes.
是不太多啦,但是有时候很多房屋被摧毁.