Temperature
New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland areas of the South Island can be as cold as 10°C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate (适度的) rainfall, and a lot of sunshine. Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases (降低) as you travel south. The far north of the country has an average temperature of about 15°C, while the deep south has a cooler 9°C average. January and February are the warmest months of the year, and July is the coldest.
Four Seasons in One Day
New Zealand does not have a large temperature range. However, the weather can change unexpectedly — as cold fronts (冷锋) or tropical typhoons quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature if you’re going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
Hello Sunshine
Most places in New Zealand receive over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas — Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson / Marlborough — receiving over 2,350 hours. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9:00 pm. New Zealand experiences little air pollution compared to many other countries, which makes the UV rays (紫外线) in our sunlight very strong during the summer months. In order to avoid (避免) sunburn, visitors should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats when they are in direct summer sunlight, especially in the heat of the day (11 am — 4 pm).
New Zealand’s average rainfall is high — between 640 mm and 1,500 mm — and spread evenly throughout the year. As well as producing areas of forest, this high rainfall makes New Zealand a good place for farming.
68. Which of the following is TRUE about the New Zealand’s temperature?
A. It is not so cold in the south as in the north.
B. It is warmer in the south than in the north.
C. It is as cold in the south as in the north.
D. It is colder in the south than in the north.
69. The weather in New Zealand can change suddenly because of ______.
A. the temperature range B. cold fronts
C. outdoor activities D. too much sunshine
70. If you travel to New Zealand in February, ______.
A. you should wear sunglasses for safety
B. you can enjoy sunshine all day and all night
C. you will experience serious air pollution
D. you have to wear heavy clothes
71. What do we know from this passage?
A. Summer begins in May and ends in July in New Zealand.
B. It is dangerous for you to go hiking in New Zealand.
C. New Zealand receives more sunshine than any other countries.
D. There is enough rainwater for farming in New Zealand.