▍原文 Europe’s rivers frequently plunge to low levels in summertime — but this year they have reached unprecedented levels in places. Two of the continent’s most critical waterways, the Danube and the Rhine, have been particularly badly affected. The impacts are huge. Europe’s rivers are vital arteries transporting goods, cooling power plants, generating hydroelectric energy, drawing in tourists and providing a vital habitat for wildlife. As they shrink, people, economies and ecosystems are suffering. ▍語言點 1. plunge /plʌndʒ/ v. 突然下降，驟降 2. frequently /ˈfriːkwəntli/ adv. 頻繁地，經常性地 3. unprecedented /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ adj. 史無前例的，空前的 4. critical waterways 關鍵河道，水運干線 ·critical adj. 重要的，關鍵的 5. the Danube n. 多瑙河（歐洲第二長河，流經10個中東歐國家） 6. the Rhine n. 萊茵河（西歐工業運輸核心航道） 7. vital /ˈvaɪtl/ adj. 至關重要的，生死攸關的 8. artery /ˈɑːrtəri/ n. （本文）重要通道、生命線；動脈（人體血管） 9. transport /t...