·科学·
A2

Birds Return to Park Pond After Oil Spill

油流出事故の後、鳥たちが公園の池に戻る

#birds#wildlife#oil spill#environment
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Swans and other water birds are returning home to a park pond after a dangerous oil spill. Broughshane Waterfowl Park in Northern Ireland closed after oil entered the water and killed 13 birds. Now, the park has reopened, and rescued birds are starting to come back.

starting to come back= 戻り始めている

The problem began when someone damaged a heating oil tank near the park. About 200 liters of oil leaked into the pond. More than 20 birds were taken to an animal welfare center for urgent care. Helpers washed and treated ducks, geese, and swans that were covered in oil.

covered in= 全体が一面に〜で覆われて

Clean-up teams have now removed most of the oil from the water. About 10 to 12 birds have returned so far, including two black swans. Park leader Gary Hayward said the birds are lucky to be healthy. Some pens remain closed while workers clean the rest of the oil from the edges of the pond.

so far= 今までのところremain closed= まだ閉鎖されたままである

学習ノート

表現パターン

パターン意味
starting to come back戻り始めている
covered in全体が一面に〜で覆われて
so far今までのところ
remain closedまだ閉鎖されたままである

語彙

語意味
damaged損傷した;壊れたり傷ついたりして、正常な状態でなくなった
leaked液体・気体・光などが、容器や仕切りのすき間から漏れること。また、その漏れを生じさせる穴やすき間。
treated処置を施された。特に、薬品などで処理された。

言語メモ

  • •動物の飼育施設において「pens」は鳥や小動物を保護・収容するための仕切りや囲い(ケージ)を指します。
  • •「waterfowl」はカモ、ガチョウ、白鳥など水辺に生息する水鳥を指すやや硬い表現です。

練習

読んだ内容を確認しましょう。

  1. About 200 liters of oil   into the pond.

  2. Which birds are included among the 10 to 12 that have returned so far?

  3. What does "so far" mean in this sentence?

Source: BBC