終於鼓起勇氣在這發我的朗讀處女貼。因為自己錄完就完事了，沒有高手指點，光靠自己悟，進步緩慢。看到有的朗讀貼得到很多建議，非常受用。大家隨便怎麽批，如果你們有時間的話。
Lesson 8 A famous monastery
What are the St. Bernard dogs used for?
The Great St. Bernard Pass connects Switzerland to Italy.
At 2473 metres, it is the highest mountain pass in Europe.
The famous monastery of St. Bernard, which was founded in the eleventh century, lies about a mile away.
For hundreds of years, St. Bernard dogs have saved the lives of travelers crossing the dangerous Pass.
These friendly dogs, which were first brought from Asia, were used as watchdogs even in Roman times.
Now that a tunnel has been built through the mountains, the Pass is less dangerous, but each year, the dogs are still sent out into the snow whenever a traveler is in difficulty. Despite the new tunnel, there are still a few people who rashly attempt to cross the Pass on foot.
During the summer months the monastery is very busy, for it is visited by thousands of people who cross the Pass in cars.
As there are so many people about, the dogs have to be kept in a special enclosure.
In winter, however, life at the monastery is quite different.
The temperature drops to –30oC and very few people attempt to cross the Pass.
The monks prefer winter to summer for they have more privacy.
The dogs have greater freedom, too, for they are allowed to wander outside their enclosure.
The only regular visitors to the monastery in winter are parties of skiers who go there at Christmas and Easter.
These young people, who love the peace of the mountains, always receive a warm welcome at St. Bernard’s monastery.
