英语听力精选进阶版 6154
时间：2019-02-13 作者：英语课 分类：英语听力精选进阶版
Celebrating in Style 庆新年
2008 is now finally in the past as millions of Chinese people around the world welcomed the Chinese New Year on Monday 26 January.
As we waved goodbye to the Year of the Rat, the Year of the Ox was greeted in traditional style with firecrackers, parties and feasts.
As the Chinese word for Ox is pronounced 'Niu' which sounds similar to 'new' in English, but has the meaning of being 'bullish', this pun is interpreted as an auspicious 1 start to the year.
According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Ox are patient, hardworking and can inspire confidence in others. However, they can be fierce and remarkably 2 stubborn at times.
Traditionally in London, the Chinese New Year celebration is held on the first Sunday after New Year's Day. This year, the mayor of London has promised spectators a rich mixture of live performances, a colourful parade and culinary delights at the famous landmark 3 Trafalgar Square.
Further up in Derry, in Northern Ireland, the celebration arrived early. Locals were treated to calligraphy 4 demonstrations 5, authentic 6 Chinese tea tasting and a Chinese banquet. The mayor of Derry, Gerard Diver, thought the events were extremely important, not just for the Chinese community, but to everyone in Derry.
“We live on an island, and I sometimes think that we're perhaps not as exposed to different cultures or to different ways of doing things as we should be. This is a valuable opportunity to gain an insight into Chinese culture and traditions, and it's also an important sign of progress,” said Mr Diver.
The global financial crisis has, however, affected 7 celebrations elsewhere in the country. Coventry Community Chinese Association was forced to cancel its plans for the New Year due to lack of funding. Similarly in the south west part of the country, decisions were made to scale down the celebration after a number of sponsors were forced to cut back on financial support.
Despite the setbacks, people are determined 8 to welcome the Niu Year in style and hope the Year of the Ox will bring prosperity through fortitude 9 and hard work.
GLOSSARY 词汇表
bullish 乐观的
pun 双关语
auspicious start 幸运吉利的开始
astrology 占星学
inspire confidence 给予信心
fierce 脾气火爆
stubborn 顽固的
a rich mixture of 丰富多彩的
colourful parade 多彩多样的游行
culinary delights 烹饪佳肴
landmark 著名地点
calligraphy demonstrations 书法表演
authentic 地道的
banquet 晚宴
exposed 接触
gain an insight into 了解
scale down 缩减
cut back 减少
prosperity 兴旺昌盛
fortitude 毅力
- The publication of my first book was an auspicious beginning of my career.我的第一本书的出版是我事业吉祥的开始。
- With favorable weather conditions it was an auspicious moment to set sail.风和日丽，正是扬帆出海的黄道吉日。
- I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。
- He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。
- The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
- The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。
- At the calligraphy competition,people asked him to write a few characters.书法比赛会上，人们请他留字。
- His calligraphy is vigorous and forceful.他的书法苍劲有力。
- Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
- The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。
- This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
- Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。
- She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
- His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
- I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
- He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。