↶ Graded Readers

Is it cold in the north or cold in the south?

↶ Advanced reading practice

Is it cold in the north or cold in the south?

到dào了le冬季dōng jì,中国Zhōng guó大dà部分bù fen地区dì qū普遍pǔ biàn降jiàng温wēn。

每měi到dào这zhè个gè时候shí hou,一yī个gè让ràng北方běi fāng人rén快乐kuài lè、南方nán fāng人rén嫉妒jí dù的de东西dōng xi就jiù会huì被bèi频繁pín fán讨论tǎo lùn——暖气nuǎn qì。

因为yīn wèi有yǒu暖气nuǎn qì,零下líng xià的de北方běi fāng不再bù zài寒冷hán lěng,室shì内nèi温暖wēn nuǎn如rú春chūn。

但是dàn shì南方nán fāng的de朋友péng you们men却què只zhǐ能néng穿chuān着zhuó最zuì厚hòu的de衣服yī fu,围wéi着zhe小xiǎo小xiǎo的de电暖器diàn nuǎn qì,瑟瑟发抖sè sè fā dǒu。

中国Zhōng guó北方běi fāng大多数dà duō shù地区dì qū在zài每měi年nián十一月Shí yī yuè就jiù开始kāi shǐ进行jìn xíng集中jí zhōng供gōng暖nuǎn,最zuì冷lěng的de东北Dōng běi地区dì qū甚至shèn zhì十月Shí yuè就jiù开始kāi shǐ供gōng暖nuǎn了le。

有yǒu了le暖气nuǎn qì以后yǐ hòu的de室shì内nèi温度wēn dù一般yī bān都dōu能néng达到dá dào25摄氏度Shè shì dù以上yǐ shàng,每měi天tiān都dōu像xiàng春天chūn tiān,甚至shèn zhì夏天xià tiān。

所以suǒ yǐ对于duì yú北方běi fāng人rén来说lái shuō,一yī年nián中zhōng最zuì冷lěng的de时候shí hou是shì供gōng暖nuǎn前qián的de一yī个gè月yuè和hé停tíng暖nuǎn后hòu的de一yī个gè月yuè。

长江Cháng Jiāng以yǐ南nán的de南方nán fāng就jiù不同bù tóng了le,南方nán fāng地区dì qū没有méi yǒu集中jí zhōng供gōng暖nuǎn。

虽然suī rán每měi年nián南方nán fāng的de室shì外wài温度wēn dù看kàn起来qǐ lái没有méi yǒu零下líng xià的de北方běi fāng那么nà me低dī,是shì温暖wēn nuǎn湿润shī rùn的de亚热带yà rè dài气候qì hòu,但是dàn shì,这zhè与yǔ实际shí jì的de体tǐ感gǎn温度wēn dù是shì两liǎng码mǎ事shì。

一般而言yī bān ér yán,气温qì wēn低dī于yú8摄氏度Shè shì dù时shí,人rén体tǐ就jiù会huì感觉gǎn jué寒冷hán lěng,而ér大多数dà duō shù南方nán fāng地区dì qū,冬季dōng jì气温qì wēn都dōu会huì低dī于yú这zhè个gè温度wēn dù。

除了chú le温度wēn dù,还有hái yǒu湿度shī dù也yě是shì一yī个gè重要zhòng yào的de因素yīn sù。

气象学qì xiàng xué普遍pǔ biàn认为rèn wéi湿度shī dù每měi增加zēng jiā10%,体tǐ感gǎn温度wēn dù就jiù会huì降低jiàng dī1摄氏度Shè shì dù。

潮湿cháo shī的de气候qì hòu让ràng南方nán fāng的de冬季dōng jì比bǐ想象xiǎng xiàng中zhōng更gèng冷lěng。

因为yīn wèi没有méi yǒu暖气nuǎn qì,南方nán fāng人rén甚至shèn zhì更gèng愿意yuàn yì在zài室shì外wài,而ér不是bù shì阴冷yīn lěng潮湿cháo shī的de室shì内nèi。

为什么wèi shén me南方nán fāng城市chéng shì不bù集中jí zhōng供gōng暖nuǎn呢ne?

因为yīn wèi集中jí zhōng供gōng暖nuǎn的de成本chéng běn十分shí fēn高昂gāo áng,而且ér qiě难度nán dù也yě很hěn大dà。

暖气nuǎn qì燃烧rán shāo的de原料yuán liào、运输yùn shū的de效率xiào lǜ、管道guǎn dào的de保养bǎo yǎng等děng都dōu是shì很hěn大dà的de问题wèn tí。

南方nán fāng湿润shī rùn的de环境huán jìng也yě让ràng雾霾wù mái问题wèn tí很hěn难nán解决jiě jué。

所以suǒ yǐ南方nán fāng供gōng暖nuǎn不但bù dàn需要xū yào考虑kǎo lǜ能源néng yuán和hé成本chéng běn,还hái需要xū yào考虑kǎo lǜ环境huán jìng保护bǎo hù的de问题wèn tí。

不过bù guò即便jí biàn没有méi yǒu集中jí zhōng供gōng暖nuǎn,随着suí zhe清洁qīng jié能源néng yuán的de开发kāi fā,南方nán fāng一些yī xiē新xīn的de房地产fáng dì chǎn项目xiàng mù已经yǐ jīng开始kāi shǐ加jiā装zhuāng暖气nuǎn qì管道guǎn dào了le。

这zhè几jǐ年nián,对duì暖气nuǎn qì向往xiàng wǎng已yǐ久jiǔ的de南方nán fāng人rén也yě开始kāi shǐ纷纷fēn fēn投入tóu rù暖气nuǎn qì的de怀抱huái bào。

按照àn zhào目前mù qián的de情况qíng kuàng看kàn,南方nán fāng小xiǎo区域qū yù集中jí zhōng供gōng暖nuǎn正zhèng成为chéng wéi一yī种zhǒng新xīn的de趋势qū shì。

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Vocabulary 188 words

ChinesePinyinEnglish
到 dàoto reach; to arrive / to (a place); until (a time); up to (a point) / (verb complement indicating arriving at a place or reaching a point)
了 le(completed action marker) / (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now)
冬季 dōng jìwinter
中国 Zhōng guóChina
大 dàbig; large; great / older (than another person) / eldest
部分 bù fenpart; portion; piece
地区 dì qūregion; area (informal or geographical term)
普遍 pǔ biànuniversal / general / widespread / common
降 jiàngto drop / to fall / to come down / to descend
温 wēn(bound form) temperature / (TCM) fever / epidemic; pestilence
每 měieach / every
这 zhèthis; these
个 gèclassifier for people or objects in general
时候 shí houtime / length of time / moment / period
一 yīone / single / a (article)
让 ràngto permit / to let sb do sth / to have sb do sth / to make sb (feel sad etc)
北方 běi fāngnorth / the northern part a country / China north of the Yellow River
人 rénperson; people
快乐 kuài lèhappy; joyful
南方 nán fāngsouth; southern direction / (in China) southern regions, often referring to areas south of the Yangtze River
嫉妒 jí dùto be jealous of; to envy
的 depossessive particle (of; 's) / modifying particle (used after an attribute to modify a noun or to form a nominal expression)
东西 dōng xithing / stuff / person
就 jiùin that case; then
会 huìto be likely to; to be sure to
被 bèiused to indicate passive voice (placed before the doer of the action like "by" in English passive-voice sentences, or, if the doer is not mentioned, before the verb) / (sarcastic or jocular) used to indicate that the following word should be regarded as being in air quotes
频繁 pín fánfrequently / often
讨论 tǎo lùnto discuss; to talk over
暖气 nuǎn qìcentral heating / heater / warm air
因为 yīn wèibecause; owing to; on account of
有 yǒuto have; there is
零下 líng xiàbelow zero (esp. temperature)
不再 bù zàino more; no longer
寒冷 hán lěngcold (climate) / frigid / very cold
室 shìroom / work unit / grave / scabbard / family or clan / one of the 28 constellations of Chinese astronomy
内 nèiinside / inner / internal / interior
温暖 wēn nuǎnwarm
如 rúas / as if / such as
春 chūnspring (season) / love / lust / life
但是 dàn shìbut; however
朋友 péng youfriend
们 menplural marker for pronouns, and nouns referring to individuals
却 quèbut / yet / however / while / nevertheless / even though
只 zhǐonly; merely; just
能 néngcan / to be able to / might possibly
穿 chuānto wear / to put on / to dress
着 zhuóto wear (clothes)
最 zuì(before an adjective or verb) to the highest degree; (the) most ...; -est
厚 hòuthick / deep or profound / kind / generous / rich or strong in flavor
衣服 yī fuclothes
围 wéito encircle / to surround / to wear by wrapping around (scarf, shawl)
小 xiǎosmall / tiny / few
电暖器 diàn nuǎn qìelectric heater; an electric heating device used to warm a room or space
瑟瑟发抖 sè sè fā dǒuto shiver
大多数 dà duō shù(great) majority
在 zài(of sb or sth) to be (located) at
年 niányear
十一月 Shí yī yuèNovember / eleventh month (of the lunar year)
开始 kāi shǐto begin / to start
进行 jìn xíng(of people) to carry out; to conduct (an investigation or discussion etc)
集中 jí zhōngcentralized / concentrated
供 gōngto provide; to supply / to be for (the use or convenience of)
暖 nuǎnwarm
冷 lěngcold
东北 Dōng běiNortheast China; Manchuria
甚至 shèn zhìeven; so much so that
十月 Shí yuèOctober / tenth month (of the lunar year)
以后 yǐ hòuafter / later / afterwards / following / later on / in the future
温度 wēn dùtemperature
一般 yī bāngenerally / in general
都 dōuall; both; entirely
达到 dá dàoto reach; to achieve; to attain
摄氏度 Shè shì dù°C (degrees Celsius)
以上 yǐ shàngthat level or higher; that amount or more
天 tiānday
像 xiàngto resemble / to be like / to look as if
春天 chūn tiānspring (season)
夏天 xià tiānsummer
所以 suǒ yǐtherefore / as a result / so
对于 duì yúregarding; as far as (sth) is concerned; with regard to
来说 lái shuōfor; from the point of view of; in the case of
中 zhōngwithin; among; in
是 shìto be (followed by substantives only)
前 qiánago / before / BC / former / formerly
月 yuèmonth / monthly
和 héand; together with
停 tíngto stop / to halt
后 hòuafterwards / after
长江 Cháng JiāngYangtze River, or Chang Jiang
以 yǐby means of / according to / in order to / because of / at
南 nánsouth
不同 bù tóngdifferent / distinct / not the same / not alike
没有 méi yǒuto not have
虽然 suī ránalthough; even though
外 wàioutside / external
看 kànto see; to look at / to read / to watch / to visit; to call on / to consider; to regard as / to look after / to treat (a patient or illness) / to depend on / to feel (that) / (after a verb) to give it a try / to watch out for
起来 qǐ láiindicating the beginning and continuation of an action or a state / indicating an upward movement / indicating completion / expressing preliminary judgment
那么 nà melike that; in that way; to that extent
低 dīlow
湿润 shī rùnmoist
亚热带 yà rè dàisubtropical (zone or climate)
气候 qì hòu(meteorology) climate / (fig.) climate; prevailing conditions (in human affairs)
与 yǔ(formal) with; from (marking the other participant in an interaction, comparison, or contrast)
实际 shí jìpractical / realistic / real / actual
体 tǐbody / form / style / system / substance / aspect (linguistics)
感 gǎn(suffix) sense of ~
两 liǎngtwo / both / some / a few
码 mǎclassifier for matters, items, situations etc (esp. when indicating whether they are the same or different)
事 shìmatter / thing / item / affair
一般而言 yī bān ér yángenerally speaking
气温 qì wēnair temperature
于 yú(of time or place) in; at; on / (indicating any indirect relation) to; toward; vis-à-vis; with regard to; for / (indicating a source) from; out of / (used in comparison) than / (used in the passive voice) by
时 shíwhen
感觉 gǎn juéto feel; to perceive
而 érbut (not) / yet (not) / (indicates contrast)
除了 chú leapart from; besides; in addition to
还有 hái yǒuin addition
湿度 shī dùhumidity level
也 yěalso; too; as well; (not ...) either
重要 zhòng yàoimportant; significant; major
因素 yīn sùelement / factor
气象学 qì xiàng xuémeteorology
认为 rèn wéito believe; to think; to consider; to feel
增加 zēng jiāto raise; to increase
降低 jiàng dīto reduce; to lower; to bring down
潮湿 cháo shīdamp / moist
比 bǐ(followed by a noun and adjective) more {adj.} than {noun} / (in some compounds derived from Classical Chinese)
想象 xiǎng xiàngimagination
更 gèngmore / even more / further / still / still more
愿意 yuàn yìto wish / to want / ready / willing (to do sth)
不是 bù shìis not
阴冷 yīn lěnggloomy and cold
为什么 wèi shén mewhy? / for what reason?
城市 chéng shìcity; town
不 bùno; not so
呢 ne(sentence-final particle) used in questions to link back to prior discourse or context ("what about...?", "and...?")
成本 chéng běn(manufacturing, production etc) costs
十分 shí fēnvery / completely / utterly / extremely / absolutely / hundred percent
高昂 gāo ángexpensive / high (spirits etc)
而且 ér qiě(not only ...) but also / moreover / in addition / furthermore
难度 nán dùdegree of difficulty
很 hěnvery; quite
燃烧 rán shāoto ignite / to combust / to burn
原料 yuán liàoraw material
运输 yùn shūtransportation
效率 xiào lǜefficiency
管道 guǎn dàotubing / pipeline / (fig.) channel / means
保养 bǎo yǎngmaintenance
等 děngand so on; etc.; et al. / (used to end an enumeration)
问题 wèn tíquestion / problem / issue / topic
环境 huán jìngenvironment / circumstances / surroundings
雾霾 wù máihaze / smog
难 nándifficult (to...) / difficult
解决 jiě juéto solve; to resolve; to settle (a problem)
不但 bù dànnot only (... but also ...)
需要 xū yàoto need; to want; to demand; to require
考虑 kǎo lǜto think over / to consider
能源 néng yuánenergy sources; energy
还 háistill, still in progress, yet
保护 bǎo hùprotection
不过 bù guòbut / however
即便 jí biàneven if / even though / right away / immediately
随着 suí zhealong with / in the wake of / following
清洁 qīng jiéclean
开发 kāi fāto exploit (a resource); to open up (for development); to develop
一些 yī xiēsome; a few; a little; (following an adjective) slightly ...er
新 xīnnew; newly
房地产 fáng dì chǎnreal estate
项目 xiàng mùitem; project; (sports) event
已经 yǐ jīngalready
加 jiāto add / to increase; to augment
装 zhuāngto adorn / to play a role / to pretend / to install / to fix / to wrap (sth in a bag) / to load / to pack
几 jǐseveral / a few
对 duìtowards; at; for / concerning; regarding
向往 xiàng wǎngto yearn for / to look forward to
已 yǐalready
久 jiǔ(of a period of time) long
纷纷 fēn fēnone after another / in succession / one by one / continuously / in profusion / pell-mell
投入 tóu rùto throw into / to put into / to throw oneself into / to participate in / to invest in
怀抱 huái bàoto hug / to cherish / to embrace (also fig. an ideal, aspiration etc)
按照 àn zhàoaccording to; in accordance with; on the basis of
目前 mù qiánat the present time / currently
情况 qíng kuàngcircumstances; state of affairs; situation
区域 qū yùarea / region / district
正 zhèngexactly / just (at that time) / right (in that place)
成为 chéng wéito become; to turn into
种 zhǒngclassifier for types, kinds, sorts
趋势 qū shìtrend; tendency