常春藤生活英语【74】China''s Great Wall

This month, National Geographic 1 Channel takes a closer look at China''s "Stone Dragon"—the Great Wall. It is one of the structural1 wonders of China which will be shown in NGC''s China Special series. Even though the Great Wall is famous around the world, there are still stories about it that people are not familiar with. NGC brings these stories to life through amazing images and exciting narration2. Don''t miss the danger and beauty of one of the most magnificent ancient structures ever created.

In 133 BC, Emperor Wudi of China ordered a series of attacks on the Xiongnu from Mongolia. After conquering the Hexi Corridor3, which was on the Silk Road, the Emperor wanted to protect his vast new empire. Therefore, he decided 4 to build a long wall. He sent two million people to do it, but there were too many obstacles4. They faced attacks from enemies and poor health from bad food. In addition, the weather conditions were terrible. The high temperatures5 in summer and freezing storms in winter caused damage to the wall. Some of the builders even joined the Xiongnu army against the Emperor, and by 99 BC, the wall was abandoned.

本月份，国家地理频道将深入探究中国的石龙——万里长城。它是国家地理频道《新中国特辑》系列节目中将介绍的中国建筑奇观之一。即便万里长城名闻世界，它还是有一些不为人知的故事。国家地理频道藉由精彩的影像和活泼的描述，生动地将这些故事呈现出来。别错过在这个史上最壮观的古老建筑之一里，所蕴含的各种危险和美丽。

公元前133年，中国的汉武帝下令对蒙古的匈奴发动一连串的攻击。武帝攻下丝路上的河西走廊后，想要捍卫他那辽阔的新帝国。因此，他决定修筑一道长城。他派了两百万人前去施工，但是过程中阻碍重重。他们面临了敌人的攻击，同时也因食物粗糙而危害到健康。此外，天候状况非常糟糕。夏季的高温和冬季严寒的暴风雨对长城造成损坏。一些建筑工人甚至加入匈奴军队来对抗武帝，而到了公元前99年，长城竟遭遗弃。

1. order　vt. 命令，嘱咐

Mom ordered me to make my bed.

妈妈吩咐我把床铺好。

2. conquer　vt. 征服，战胜

When did the Normans conquer England?

诺曼人于何时征服英格兰？

3. vast　a. 广阔的，广大的

This university has a vast library.

这所大学里有间庞大的图书馆。

4. abandon　vt. 离弃，遗弃

Don''t abandon your pet just because you''re too lazy to care for it.

不要只是因为你懒得照顾你的宠物就弃养牠

1. be familiar with...　　熟悉……

Iris 5 is familiar with using digital cameras.

艾瑞丝熟悉数字相机的操作。

2. bring...to life　　使……更为真实∕有趣

This movie brought the Middle Ages to life.

这部电影演活了中古世纪的情景。

1. structural 2　a. 建筑上的；结构上的

2. narration 3　n. 叙述；解说

3. corridor　n.（地形上的）走廊；地带

4. obstacle　n. 障碍，阻碍

5. temperature　n. 温度

伟大工程奇迹

万里长城不仅是中国古代一项极为重要的伟大工程，更早在许久之前被称为中古世界的七大奇迹之一。长城平均高度为7.8公尺，宽则为6.3公尺，而且每隔 100公尺便设一座长方形石台作为瞭望之用。建造长城的材质主要为土、木、石、瓦等，而历代皇帝都以『因地制宜，用险制塞』作为筑城原则，利用地势在两山之间的狭口、河谷会合转折处、平川往来必经之处等建构碉堡，这么一来就能以最少的人力物力来控制险要。每当外敌入侵时，兵士便点燃狼烟报警，数小时内便可将消息传到千里之外，使防区和中央朝廷能尽快掌握军情，进行下一步行动。古时候，只要有长城在的一日，外族就难踏足中原一步，如今，长城基本上已失去防卫的意义，只剩下供人游览之用。长城因为生态环境及人为破坏等因素，破损的程度十分严重，有些地方更早已被埋于沙漠之下，只剩下原来的三分之二。即使如此，绵延的长城遗迹仍代表着我们祖先的血汗和智慧，更是中华民族的象征和骄傲。

...there are still stories about it that people are not familiar with.

（……它还是有一些不为人知的故事。）

以下为您介绍 familiar 的用法：

1. 人 + be familiar with...　　某人很熟悉……

I am familiar with every road in Tainan.

（我熟悉台南的每条路。）

2. ...look/sound familiar to + 人　　……某人看来∕听来很熟悉

The voice on the phone sounded very familiar to me.

（电话里的声音听起来很耳熟。）