景一

The emu is the worlds second-largest living bird by height and is native to Australia. The Yaraka Hotel in the state of Queensland barred two emus because of bad behaviour. The birds were well known at the hotel for popping2 in for a few biscuits or a slice of toast. However， recently， the two birds have become a nuisance3 to the guests staying at the hotel. A rope has been put across the stairs leading up to the hotel to keep the birds out. There is also a sign for guests saying， “Please let yourself through the emu barrier4.”

鴯鹋是世界上體型第二大的鳥類，原產(chǎn)于澳大利亞。昆士蘭州的雅拉卡旅館阻攔兩只鴯鹋，因為它們行為惡劣。兩只鳥在旅館很出名，因為它們常來吃點兒餅干或烤面包片。然而，最近這兩只鳥卻引起了旅館入住客人的反感。旅館用繩子攔住通往酒店的樓梯，把鳥擋在外面。還有一個牌子為客人寫著：“請自行穿過攔鴯鹋的障礙物。”

One of the reasons for the emu ban is that the birds have learned to climb the stairs. They have been wandering up to the hotels bedrooms and shocking guests in the corridor. Travellers have to be very careful because they will poke their heads in...and drink all the coffee...and steal your toast. You dont want to get between an emu and its food. Theyve got very sharp beaks5.

禁止鴯鹋進(jìn)入的原因之一是這些鳥已經(jīng)學(xué)會了爬樓梯。它們一直在酒店的臥室里徘徊，在走廊里把客人嚇一跳。旅客必須非常小心，因為它們會把頭伸進(jìn)來……喝掉所有咖啡……然后偷吃你的面包。你肯定不想處在鴯鹋和它的食物之間，它們的喙非常鋒利。

（英語原文選自：breakingnewsenglish.com）

【Notes】

1. emu [■] n. 鴯鹋 2. pop [■] v. 突然出現(xiàn)

3. nuisance [■] n. 討厭的人或東西 4. barrier [■] n. 障礙物，屏障

5. beak [■] n. 喙

▲Discussion議一議：

1. Should any animals or birds be allowed in hotels？ 旅館應(yīng)該允許任何動物或鳥類進(jìn)入嗎？

2. Would you let an emu steal your breakfast？ 你會讓一只鴯鹋偷走你的早餐嗎？

3. What would you do if you saw an emu outside your room？ 如果你看到房間外面有一只鴯鹋，你會怎么做？

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