Crossing Tiger Leaping Gorge

High above(在……之上) the roaring(咆哮) waters of Tiger Leaping Gorge(虎跳峡) in southwest China’s Yunnan province, 31-year-old Zhang Liang balances(平衡) on a slackline, which is just(仅仅) 2.5 centimeters(厘米) wide(宽). He crossed(穿越) with nothing but a small(细小的) rope(绳子) attached to his waist(腰) to stop him from falling.

Due to strong winds(强风) during the crossing, along with the roaring river below, Zhang made eight failed attempts(尝试). However, after making an adjustment(调整) during a short(短暂的) rest(休息), he started his ninth attempt and finally made it, crossing in 5 minutes(分钟) 58 seconds(秒). With the stunt, Zhang broke(打破) the record of the longest slackline walk in China (a title he also held).

词汇 Words:

[chuān yuè] 穿越 cross
[cháng shì] 尝试 attempt
[tiáo zhěng] 调整 adjustment
[xiū xī] 休息 rest
[jǐn jǐn] 仅仅 just
[duǎn zàn de] 短暂的 short
[xì xiǎo de] 细小的 small

重点词汇 Key words:

调
1.tiáo
〈动 v.〉
调节[tiáo jiē] regulate：调节电视节的音量，regulate the volumn on the TV
调整[tiáo zhěng] adjust：调整某人的工资，adjust sb's salary
〈名 n.〉
调料[tiáo liào] seasoning；condiment；flavouring：胡椒和都是调料。Pepper and ginger are spices。
<形容词 adj.>
调皮[tiáo pí] naughty：调皮的孩子 naughty child

2.diào
〈动 v.〉
调动[diào dòng ] shift;transfer: 调动军队，move troops
〈名 n.〉
调查[diào chá] investigation;survey：事故原因正在调查之中。The cause of the accident is under investigation.
调儿[diào er] tune;melody：这首歌的调儿很美。This song has a lovely tune.