2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Lights National Christmas Tree
时间：2019-02-08 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（十二月）
By Scott Stearns
Washington
07 December 2006
U.S. President George Bush has kicked-off the official start of the holiday season in the nation's capital by lighting 1 America's national Christmas tree. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.
The US National Christmas Tree with the White House on the left
The U.S. Army band entertained hundreds of people who turned out for the tree-lighting ceremony, bundled-up against a chill wind.
The larger national Christmas tree is ringed by smaller trees representing each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories abroad as part of what is called a Pageant 2 of Peace.
President Bush says Christmas is a season of glad tidings to spend with friends and family giving thanks for the bonds of love and affection and the hope for peace around the world.
"At this time of year, we give thanks for the brave men and women in uniform who are serving our nation. Many of those who have answered the call of duty will spend this Christmas season far from home and separated from family. We honor their sacrifice. We are proud of their service and that of their families. We will keep them close to our hearts and in our prayers. And now as an expression of our own hope for peace in this Christmas season, we will light the national tree," he said.
The 83rd annual lighting is the traditional start of the holiday season in Washington.
The president and Mrs. Bush host dozens of White House receptions each year. This season's theme is Deck the Halls and Welcome to All.
White House guests pass giant nutcrackers more than three meters tall as they enter along the East Colonnade 3. Upstairs, the White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room stands more than six meters and is decorated with crystals and ornaments 4 of iridescent 5 glass.
Music is always a big part of White House festivities with performers representing the spectrum 6 of American musical traditions from country and western to jazz and bluegrass.
- The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
- The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。
- Our pageant represented scenes from history.我们的露天历史剧上演一幕幕的历史事件。
- The inauguration ceremony of the new President was a splendid pageant.新主席的就职典礼的开始是极其壮观的。
- This colonnade will take you out of the palace and the game.这条柱廊将带你离开宫殿和游戏。
- The terrace was embraced by the two arms of the colonnade.平台由两排柱廊环抱。
- The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
- Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The iridescent bubbles were beautiful.这些闪着彩虹般颜色的大气泡很美。
- Male peacocks display their iridescent feathers for prospective female mates.雄性孔雀为了吸引雌性伴侣而展现了他们彩虹色的羽毛。