At last firemen have put out a big forest fire inCalifornia. Since then, they have been trying to findout how the fire began. Forest fire are often causedby broken glass or by cigarette ends which peoplecarelessly throw away.Yesterday the firemenexamined the ground carefully, but were notable to find any broken glass. They were alsoquite sure that a cigarette end did not start thefire. This morning, however, a firemanaccidentally discovered the cause. He noticed theremains of a snake which was wound round the electric wires of a 16,000-volt power line. Inthis way, he was able to solve the mystery. The explanation was simple but very unusual. Abird had snatched up the snake from the ground and then dropped it on to the wires. Thesnake then wound itself round the wires. When it did so, it sent sparks down to the groundand these immediately started a fire..
4、Yesterday the firemen examined the ground carefully, but were not able to find anybroken glass.
昨天，消防队员仔细检查了地面，但没有发现任何碎玻璃。
语言点 were not able to find表示“没有发现”。
5、They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire.
他们还十分肯定火灾也不是由烟头引起的。
语言点 sure的三种用法：1) sb. be sure of某人确信;2) sb. be sure to do某人相信能够去做某事;3 )sb. be sure that某人确信
6、This morning, however，a fireman accidentally discovered the cause.
然而今天上午，一个消防队觅偶然发现了起火的原因。
语言点 辨析：三个常见的表示“发现”的词：1) find偶然发现，碰到;2) find out查明小悄的真相;3)discover找到鲜为人知的事物。
