时间:2019-01-02 作者:英语课 分类:This is America


英语课

THIS IS AMERICA - December 30, 2002: New Year's Traditions


By Jerilyn Watson



(THEME)
VOICE ONE:
On December thirty-first, Americans and other people around the world welcome the New Year. I’m Mary



Tillotson.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. We tell about New Year celebrations 1 and traditions on our report today on the VOA



Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
VOICE ONE:
It is December thirty-first in New York City. Hundreds of thousands of people are gathered in Times Square.



They stand close together, waiting in the cold darkness for midnight. That is the time when the old year dies and



the New Year is born.


The people count the seconds until the New Year arrives. “Ten . nine .eight
…” A huge glass New Year’s ball falls through the darkness. Someone says the
ball looks like thousands of burning stars. Someone else says it looks like a huge,
bright piece of snow.


When the ball reaches the ground, the New Year has begun. People shout “Happy
New Year!

They throw tiny pieces of colorful paper into the air. They dance.
They sing a traditional New Year song of friendship called “Auld 3 Lang Syne 4.


(MUSIC)


VOICE TWO:


Each year, people arrive in Times Square while it is still daylight. After dark, at about six o’clock, the New
Year’s Eve ball is raised to its highest position. By this time thousands of people are gathered for the
celebration 2 ahead. They say “ooh” and “aah” when the electric company turns on the thousands of little
lights in the ball.


Then everyone waits for the beautiful object to fall. Families and friends attend this event together. People who
have not met talk as if they had known 5 each other all their lives. Many in the crowd jump around to keep warm.


VOICE ONE:


The first New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square took place in nineteen-oh-four. The owners of a building
on Times Square held that first party on top of their building. Three years later, a New Year’s ball was dropped
from the top of the building for the first time.


The ball has been dropped every year except for two years during World War Two. In nineteen-forty-two and
nineteen-forty-three, crowds still gathered in Times Square. They observed a moment of silence. After that, bells
rang from a vehicle 6 in Times Square.


(SOUND: BELLS RINGING)


VOICE TWO:




People do not pay to attend the Times Square celebration. But other New Year’s Eve celebrations can be costly 7.
Many Americans observe the holiday at public eating and drinking places.


Some people like to see the New Year arrive while traveling by boat. For example, people in Chicago, Illinois,
can choose from several special holiday trips on Lake Michigan. These cruises 8 include dinner and dancing to
music performed by a band. In San Diego, California 9, a ship company offers New Year’s Eve on the Pacific
Ocean. It costs more than one-hundred dollars for each person.


Other Americans have parties at home and invite all their friends. Many of these events are noisy. People shout
and sing. They often blow on small noisemakers when the New Year arrives at midnight. They kiss their husband
or wife or the person they are with. They dance to music. Other Americans spend a quiet evening at home. They
drink Champagne 10 at midnight to welcome the New Year. Here, the Persuasions 11 sing “What Are You Doing
New Year’s Eve?


(MUSIC)


VOICE ONE:


Some people drink too much alcohol 12 at New Year’s Eve celebrations. This can lead to tragic 13 results if a person
drinks too much and then drives a car. The National Safety Council 14 says hundreds of people die in road accidents
during the holiday.


In recent years, the danger of accidents has resulted in a new tradition called the “designated 15 driver.” One
person among a group of friends drinks little or no alcohol during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Then this
designated driver can safely drive the other people home. Many American cities also offer free taxi service on
New Year’s Eve to take people home safely.


VOICE TWO:


Other Americans observe the coming of the New Year at events without alcohol. More than two-hundred-twenty
American cities hold these First Night celebrations. Artists in Boston, Massachusetts started the tradition of First
Night celebrations in nineteen-seventy-six. They wanted to observe the coming of a New Year. But they did not
want to hold noisy drinking parties. So they organized music, art and other events to observe the holiday.


People in Boston can choose among two-hundred-fifty performances and exhibits 16 around the city. People can
look at huge statues made of ice. Families can watch fireworks early in the evening. Later, fireworks light the
midnight sky over Boston Harbor 17.


VOICE ONE:


After the celebrations of New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day is often a quiet day for many Americans. Many
people spend the first day of the New Year at home. Some watch football games on television. Some of the top
university teams play in these games. The most famous of these "bowl" games is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,
California.


The Tournament 18 of Roses Parade 19 includes many vehicles 20 called floats. The floats are covered completely 21 with
paper or flowers. Businesses, social groups, universities and the city government pay thousands of dollars to
build these floats. Millions of people watch the colorful event on television.


VOICE TWO:


Another famous parade takes place on the opposite side of the nation, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This city holds a yearly 22 Mummers Parade on New
Year’s Day. The Mummers make unusual costumes 23 to wear. They cover their faces
with masks. They march through the city and play musical instruments.


VOICE ONE:


Sometimes families invite friends to visit them on New Year’s Day. They serve drinks and food at these open
houses and wish everyone a good year.


(Photo - Tournament of Roses)

In some parts of the country, American children and adults still follow an ancient custom on January first. They
go from house to house singing to friends and neighbors. Americans borrowed this tradition from ancient peoples
in what is now Britain and Europe. One popular song wishes people love and joy in the New Year.


VOICE TWO:


Many Americans follow traditions meant to bring good luck in the New Year. Some people wear special clothes
or eat special foods. For example, men and women who want to find their true love wear yellow clothing. Others
carry silver in hopes of finding 24 money.


People in many parts of the United 25 States celebrate the New Year by eating black-eyed peas 26. Cabbage is another
vegetable that people eat to bring good luck and money. In the South, people prepare and eat a traditional food
called Hoppin’ John. It contains peas, onions, bacon 27 and rice. It has this unusual name because long ago
children were said to like it so much they hopped 28 around the room while waiting for it to cook.


Asian-Americans sometimes make traditional fortune cookies. These sweets contain small pieces of paper telling
about a person’s future. Some Americans from Spanish-speaking families follow a tradition for the New Year
that involves fruit. On January First, they stand on a chair and eat grapes.


Whatever you do celebrate the New Year, we wish you a very happy one.


VOICE ONE:


This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Cynthia Kirk. I’m Mary Tillotson.


VOICE TWO:


And I’m Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.



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n.庆祝( celebration的名词复数 );庆祝会(仪式)
  • The mayor was there to dignify the celebrations. 市长的光临为庆祝活动增辉。
  • Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations 维多利亚女王登基50周年庆典
n.庆祝,庆祝会;典礼
  • The celebration passed off successfully.庆祝活动圆满结束。
  • The celebration of Christmas is a custom.庆祝圣诞节是一种习俗。
adj.老的,旧的
  • Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?怎能忘记旧日朋友,心中能不怀念?
  • The party ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Sync.宴会以《友谊地久天长》的歌声而告终。
adv.自彼时至此时,曾经
  • The meeting ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.大会以唱《友谊地久天长》结束。
  • We will take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.让我们为了过去的好时光干一杯友谊的酒。
adj.大家知道的;知名的,已知的
  • He is a known artist.他是一个知名的艺术家。
  • He is known both as a painter and as a statesman.他是知名的画家及政治家。
n.车辆,交通工具,运载工具;媒介,表现手段
  • Air is the vehicle of sound.空气是声音传播的媒介。
  • The power plant burns used vehicle tyres as fuel.这家电厂用废弃轮胎作燃料。
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
v.乘船巡游( cruise的第三人称单数 );以快而平稳的速度长距离行驶;巡航;轻而易举赢得(或获得)
  • Cruises on the Thames in London, have become an annual attraction. 在伦敦泰晤士河上的巡航已成为一年一度的引人注目的事。 来自辞典例句
  • Throughout the year traders and recruiters arrive from far, dry cruises. 一年到头,总有商人和募工者经过干渴的长途航行来到这里。 来自辞典例句
n.加利福尼亚(美国)
  • He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。
  • We were driving on a California freeway.我们正沿着加利福尼亚的一条快车道驾车行驶。
n.香槟酒;微黄色
  • There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
  • They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。
n.劝说,说服(力)( persuasion的名词复数 );信仰
  • To obtain more advertisting it needed readers of all political persuasions. 为获得更多的广告,它需要迎合各种政治见解的读者。 来自辞典例句
  • She lingered, and resisted my persuasions to departure a tiresome while. 她踌躇不去,我好说歹说地劝她走,她就是不听。 来自辞典例句
n.酒精,乙醇;含酒精的饮料
  • The law forbids shops to sell alcohol to minors.法律禁止商店向未成年者出售含酒精的饮料。
  • The alcohol is industrial.这些酒精是供工业用的。
adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的
  • The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
  • Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。
n.理事会,委员会,议事机构
  • The town council passed a law forbidding the distribution of handbills.市议会通过法律,禁止散发传单。
  • The city council has declared for improving the public bus system.市议会宣布同意改进公共汽车系统。
a.指定的,特指的
  • Smoking is allowed in designated areas.允许在指定区域内吸烟。
v.陈列,展览( exhibit的第三人称单数 );表现;显示;[法律]当庭出示(证件、物证等)
  • Many exhibits with characteristics of the Chinese art are on display. 许多具有中国艺术特色的展品陈列出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • One is dazzled by the endless array of beautiful exhibits. 展品琳琅满目,美不胜收。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
n.海港,港口;vt.庇护,藏匿;心怀(怨恨等)
  • The harbor lies to the south of the city.港口在城市的南边。
  • At that time,our ship was tied up at this harbor.当时我们的船停靠在这个港口。
n.比赛,竞赛,锦标赛
  • He was the best boxer in the tournament.他是本届联赛的最佳拳手。
  • The Council resolved that the next tournament should be held in Shanghai.理事会决定下次比赛在上海举行。
n.游行,炫耀,阅兵,检阅,阅兵场;v.游行,炫耀,夸耀,(使)列队行进
  • She is on parade in her new dress in the street.她穿着新衣服在大街上走来走去。
  • The boys loved watching the soldiers on parade.男孩子们爱看士兵们列队行进。
n.运载工具;传播媒介;(为展露演员才华而)特意编写的一出戏(或电影等);[画]展色剂;交通工具( vehicle的名词复数 );车辆;传播媒介;手段
  • There is not much clearance for vehicles passing under this bridge. 车辆在这座桥下通过时没有多少余隙。
  • to carry out random spot checks on vehicles 对车辆进行抽检
adv.完全地,十分地,全然
  • She never completely gave up hope.她从不完全放弃希望。
  • I feel completely in the dark on this question.这件事使我感到茫然。
adj.每年的,一年一度的;adv.一年一次地
  • The flower show is a yearly event in our town.我们镇上的花展一年举行一次。
  • The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
n.服装;装束
  • The costumes and lighting in the play were restrained. 这出戏的服装和灯光都很朴实。
  • The waitresses are all done up in costumes. 女服务生都穿着制服。
n.发现,发现物;调查的结果
  • The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
  • That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。
adj.和谐的;团结的;联合的,统一的
  • The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
  • The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。
豌豆
  • My little sister picked up many green peas in the field. 小妹从田野里拾到许多豌豆。
  • The twin brothers are as like as two peas. 那两个兄弟毫无二致。
n.咸肉,熏肉
  • He is frying the bacon.他在煎咸肉。
  • This bacon is too salty for me.这块熏咸猪肉我觉得太咸了。
跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 ); 单足蹦跳; 齐足(或双足)跳行; 摘葎草花
  • He hopped onto a car and wanted to drive to town. 他跳上汽车想开向市区。
  • He hopped into a car and drove to town. 他跳进汽车,向市区开去。
学英语单词
a professional athlete
aaprotect
activity factor of B (in a liquid or a solid mixture)
al-rasheed
alignment time
anti-perfectionists
aporrectodea trapezoides
assembly robot
band-edge tailing
Barrault, Jean-Louis
be ambitious to do sth
beiderman
biophysics of membrane transport
blowout switch
boning room
caponier
Cetiprin
clinical genetics
cold waste
commercial fertilizer
content ratio analyzer
corticoliberin
crushable structure
customer centricity
DB
desktop videoconferencing
druggister
durable good
encander
essien
Ettrickhall
exner comprehensive system
extra heavy duty
genus omphalotuss
geometric mean inequality
group efficiency
hand brake housing
herposiphonieae
high efficiency TWT
highest probable frequency (hpf)
hold sb in high esteem
holeier
homogentisic acids
hot-tubs
instruction mode
iron-clad
Japanophobic
kizdere
kona cyclone
kragen
L, l
lactomucin
latitudinal cleavage
LC-ME
localcalls
lycocernuine
Maastrichtians
malignant auricular arrhythmia
methylphenylamine
micrometer-microscope
nimbiol
Office Francais de Recherche Sous-Marine
ophthalmoreaction
overconsolidated soil
peg-bar
pingees
pogonia macrocarpum broth
Pyeonghae
Qosqo
quadrant-edge orifice plate
radiosonde station
recommend substitutes
Rhizoma Panacis Japonici
rotating particle
roundhand
Saccharum Granorum
Saint James
schlenker
shoddy shaker
sidewheeler
silicon meter
skeezas
small calorie (cal)
softening plant
SP-54
square can
steering wheel angle
sukhoi
sulphur parakeet
the green-eyed monster
the have-nots
thixomolding
to yearn after...
tobacco looper
ultramacho
ultrasonic laparoscope
under authorities
volume color
wind someone round one's fingers
workfree
working-time
ya mean