Pronunciation Challenge5 Remarkable Facts About the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) - The Countdown #39

[Trascript]

Intro:

Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the North Pole. It can usually be viewed best in places where there is no light pollution, meaning there are no human settlements or artificial sources of light around. What does it look like? - Usually stripes and waves of colors in the sky, ranging from green to purple. There are some interesting myths and stories about the northern lights. For example, some Swedish people believed that when seeing the northern lights, it was a good time to go fishing. Others believed that you are not supposed to wave, sing, or whistle at the lights, because doing so may bring bad luck. In old Icelandic folklore, people believed that the northern lights can ease the pain of childbirth. Just make sure you don’t look at them before giving birth because they also believed that pregnant women would give birth to cross-eyed children if they looked at the aurora. (這也太搞笑了吧) However, it is still believed by the Chinese and Japanese that children conceived under the northern lights will be blessed with great fortune. I have a feeling that’s some kind of tourism scam!
Alright guys, time to have a listen to our pronunciation challenge sentence.

Sentence:
This cave painting, which dates back to 30,000 BC, may represent the earliest observation of the phenomenon.

Pronunciation Tips:
represent
the earliest
observation (aab-zr-vay-shn)
phenomenon

Vocabulary:
1. represent KK[͵rɛprɪˋzɛnt] IPA/ˌrep.rɪˈzent/
v. to be a sign or symbol of something
v. to express or complain about something, to a person in authority

Example:
Molly gets to represent the whole school in the speech contest.

2. observation KK[͵ɑbzɝˋveʃən] IPA/ˌɑːb.zɚˈveɪ.ʃən/
n. the act of observing something or someone
n. a remark about something that you have noticed

Example:
She needs to stay a few more days in the hospital for observation.

3. phenomenon KK[fəˋnɑmə͵nɑn] IPA/fəˈnɑː.mə.nɑːn/
n. something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something unusual or interesting
n. someone or something that is extremely successful, often because of special qualities or abilities

Example:
Rainbow is a natural phenomenon.

Outro:
A lot of people have heard about the northern lights but not many have actually experienced watching them in person. It takes a long time and effort to get to those remote places where you can actually see the lights clearly. For many, this is a lifelong dream to see the northern lights. They prepare and plan for a long time in advance, and wait for the right time to embark on their trip.

I think it’s important to have a goal like that, something to wait for and plan for. Especially in these last few years, when travel is so restricted, it is a good time to save up and perhaps start making research for a big trip like that.
Do you have a dream to travel somewhere far and exotic? Maybe the Sahara desert, or the Amazon jungle? You can share your dreams and plans here with us.

OK, it’s time to wrap up. Hope to see you here again next week. Thanks for listening! Bye for now.

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This cave painting, which dates back to 30,000 BC, may represent the earliest observation of the phenomenon.