每日对话围绕一家人在美国50个州的旅行见闻展开。请来跟随他们一起体验地方风情和历史。这个对话系列适于中级或中级以上英语水平的学生使用。

今天一家人正在吃早餐：薄煎饼加佛蒙特(Vermont)枫糖浆。

Sam: These pancakes are amazing. I’m hooked on Vermont maple syrup.

Claudine: I still can’t believe what the waiter said. Vermont produces more than a milliongallons of maple syrup each year.

Sam: That’s syrup for a lot of pancakes.

Gina: After our walk yesterday to see some of Vermont’s covered bridges, it’s no wonderyou’re so hungry.

Paul: How far did we walk?

Gina: We took the same route as a half marathon that is held every year, so we walked over 13 miles.

Claudine: Those bridges were beautiful. I wish we could see more.

Gina: There are about 100 authentic covered bridges in this state, so we might see some more on our drive today.

让我们复习一些词语：

A pancake ：薄煎饼。它是用面粉、牛奶、鸡蛋等经两面烘烤做成，口感松软。在美国，人们常用热薄煎饼当早餐。

To be hooked ：被钩住，意指被某事深深吸引住

Maple syrup ：枫糖浆，从枫树上采集的甜蜜浓汁。美国人喜欢把它浇在薄煎饼和奶蛋烘饼（waffle）上。

To produce ：生产，出产

Gallons:加仑，美国通用的液体度量单位

A covered bridge :廊桥，即上有顶，两旁有木栏结构的木桥。这种设计是为了保护桥不受风雪破坏。

“it’s no wonder” ：难怪，类似于”it’s not surprising.”(毫不奇怪)

A half marathon ：半程马拉松，在这里指 21.1公里赛跑，即全程马拉松的二分之一；通常在公路上进行。

Authentic ：原真的，非复制的

Everyday conversations: Maple syrup and pancakes [audio]

This series of Everyday Conversations is about a family traveling to each of the 50 states in the U.S. Join the family members as they learn about local pastimes and history. These conversations are for intermediate-level English-language learners or higher.

The family eats a breakfast of pancakes with Vermont maple syrup.

Sam: These pancakes are amazing. I’m hooked on Vermont maple syrup.

Claudine: I still can’t believe what the waiter said. Vermont produces more than a milliongallons of maple syrup each year.

Sam: That’s syrup for a lot of pancakes.

Gina: After our walk yesterday to see some of Vermont’s covered bridges, it’s no wonderyou’re so hungry.

Paul: How far did we walk?

Gina: We took the same route as a half marathon that is held every year, so we walked over 13 miles.

Claudine: Those bridges were beautiful. I wish we could see more.

Gina: There are about 100 authentic covered bridges in this state, so we might see some more on our drive today.

Now let’s review the vocabulary.

A pancake is a thin, flat, round cake that is made of flour, milk, eggs and other ingredients. It is cooked by frying it on both sides. In the U.S., pancakes are usually eaten hot for breakfast.

To be hooked means to be very interested in something and enthusiastic about it.

Maple syrup is a sweet, thick liquid made from the sap of maple trees. In the U.S., people often put maple syrup on pancakes and waffles.

To produce means to make or create something.

Gallons are a unit of measurement (of liquids) in the U.S.

A covered bridge is a wooden bridge with a roof and sides. The purpose of the covering (roof and sides) is to protect the wooden structure from the weather.

The phrase “it’s no wonder” means “it’s not surprising.”

A half marathon is a running race of 21.1 kilometers. It is half the distance of a full marathon and is often run on roads.

Authentic means real, genuine, not a copy.