Notes
Death Valley 直訳: 死の谷。アメリカのカリフォルニア州中部、モハーヴェ砂漠の北に位置する深く乾燥した盆地で、デスヴァレー国立公園の中核をなしている。また、世界最高の気温56.7°C（134.0°F）を記録したこともある;
sea level 海水面, 海抜;

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Have you heard of Death Valley? It is a national park in California, and it’s a desert. It was first called Death Valley by some people who were traveling west to find gold in 1849. One of them died there, and the others almost died. Now it is famous because it is the lowest place in North America. At a place called Badwater, it is 86 meters below sea level. It is usually like an oven in summer, and this year the U.S. is experiencing one of the hottest summers in its history. Last Friday, the temperature in Death Valley went up to 54 degrees centigrade! Temperatures in Japan seldom get to 40 degrees centigrade. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Notes
The Japan Meteorological Agency 日本気象庁;
blossom 開花;

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The cherry blossoms have already started to open in Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency checked a special tree inside Yasukuni Shrine last Sunday and said that the blossoms had started to open there. Other early prefectures include Hiroshima and Fukuoka, but here in Nagoya we are still waiting. The Japan Meteorological Agency checked the special tree in Nagoya yesterday, but none of the blossoms were open. Today we might have better luck. One thing is for sure. By the end of the month, the whole of Japan will be pink! (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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