Chinese farmer Liu Qiyuan looks out from his 'survival pod'. Photo: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty
According to one interpretation of the ancient Mayan calendar, the world is going to end on 21 December 2012. In case it does, Chinese farmer Mr Liu claims to have the solution: his 'survival pods', which can withstand 1,000-metre-high waves and carry 14 people at a time. They are also equipped with oxygen tanks and food and water supplies.
根据一个古老的玛雅历法的解释，世界末日将是2012年12月21日。设想上述预测果真应验的话那么这位姓刘的中国农民宣称他已经找到了对策，那就是他的"生存舱"。这个装置可以承受高达一千米高的巨浪并且可携带14个人。生存舱还配有氧气罐、食品和水。
今日短语
A whole new ball game 意思是一个全新的，不同以往的局面。
例句
I thought I was good at speaking English in terms of day-to-day conversation. But working as a professional translator is a whole new ball game; I have to be much more accurate.
Tom says working as a manager for the first time is a whole new ball game.
I used to go jogging every weekend, but running marathons is a whole new ball game.
请注意
另外一个短语是 to get the ball rolling, 意思是开始、启动什么事情或行动。
After a long time planning the project, it feels great to finally get the ball rolling.
I really don't exercise enough and want to get fit. If I go to the gym once a week, that should get the ball rolling.
