Bowl on a frozen lake in the wind and snow
冰上保齡球 在冰天雪地裡打保齡球
Imagine bundling up in your parka, scarf and gloves to play hockey or go skiing, ice skating or snowmobiling. Well, in the snowy landscape of central Minnesota, USA, people have another unique choice for winter fun - ice bowling!
Around 11 years ago, Les Levin ran across the sport while traveling. Upon returning home, he shared it with the occupants of Long Prairie, Minnesota, population around 3700. And it took off! After all, winters are long and cold with temperatures from -3 to -15 Celsius, and finding winter activities is a challenge.
Levin plowed a couple of 60 - foot - long bowling lanes on a nearby lake and drilled six 3-inch-deep holes at one end. The goal is to land a bowling ball in one of the holes to get points. The first person to reach 15 points wins! The first year, frozen turkeys were used, but they didn't slide very well, so they were swapped for bowling balls.
Locals bowl all winter, and a tournament is held every February with people even from neighboring states contending. So, get some winter gear and join in the bowling fun!
Language Lab
hockey n.
a game similar to hockey, but played on ice SYN ice hockey British English
- Ice hockey is the most popular sport in Canada and several northern states in the U.S.
- Ricky spent his weekends practicing his hockey skills to get ready for the competition.
- Milo suffered some severe injuries when he got hit in the head with a hockey stick.
occupant n.
someone who lives in a house, room etc → resident
- The building's only occupant was an artist who rarely went outside.
- Most of the town's occupants attended the festival in the town square.
- The restaurant's atmosphere was very inviting, making it a favorite spot for its many regular occupants.
drill v.
1 to make a hole in something using a drill
- The construction workers drilled holes in the concrete at the city's street corners to put up traffic signs.
2 to teach students, sports players etc by making them repeat the same lesson, exercise etc many times
- Ms. Harder drilled her students on verb patterns before their Spanish test.
drill n.
1 a tool or machine used for making holes in something
- The drill made so much noise that we all had to wear earplugs so we didn't go deaf.
contend v.
to compete against someone in order to gain something
- Athletes from around the world will travel to Paris this summer to contend for gold medals in different sports.
to argue or state that something is true SYN insist
- Around 4000 years ago, people contended that the Earth was not round.
contend with phrase v 必需處理或應對
- Every year it seems farmers have to contend with too much or too little rain.
Info Cloud
Topic: toque, beanie, hat, cap, winter hat, knit cap, balaclava
Garrett: Hello everyone, welcome to info cloud. Do you have a lot of hats?
Rex: Hmm. I say no, but my wife does.
Garrett: Same here. Even though we live somewhere that doesn't get very cold for very long. We have a lot of winter hats in our house.
Rex: Did you know that different places have different names for winter hats?
Garrett: Oh, my friends in Canada have a special word: "Toque."
Rex: That's spelling sounds more like French than English. Because it is a "Toque" is a warm winter hat that could be made of wool and might have a fuzzy ball called a pomp pomp on top.
Garrett: Yeah! In the United States, most people would call that same hat a beanie.
Rex: Neither of those words would make me think someone was talking about the hat.
Garrett: Well, if you want to be clear, you can just call it a winter hat or knit cap.
Rex: Because those kinds of hats are often knitted if from wool or other materials.
Garrett: That's right. Here's one that's a little different a "balaclava."
Rex: Balaclava! That doesn't sound English either.
Garrett: It comes from a Russian word. And that make sense because it can get very very cold in Russia.
Rex: So does the balaclava cover more of your head? .
Garrett: Yes. It's often use for skiing and cover most of your head or even part of your face. Just leave in some face to see and breath.
Rex: Oh, that sounds useful.
Garrett: So, weather you are wearing a toque, beanie, knit cape, winter hat or balaclava make sure to keep your head warm this winter.
