新视野大学英语视听说教程 4 Unit 7-12

VI.  Further Listening and Speaking
Task1: The History of Chinese Acrobatics¹
Script
Welcome to the magnificent world of the Beijing Acrobats²! Here the impossible is made of possible, and “daring” only begins to describe their amazing performance. The Beijing Acrobats are comprised of the finest acrobatic troupes³ in China today and have received acclaim⁴ from countries around the world. An outgrowth of Great China Circus, popular during the 1920’s, this group became an integrated professional acrobatic company in 1958.
Many of the magnificent and sophisticated feats⁵ we see today were performed even in ancient times. The history of Chinese acrobatics is rich in tradition and dates back over 2,000 years. It began with folk arts; tumbling, juggling⁶ ordinary household objects and balancing.
Myth and religion also influenced the acrobatic performing arts. The Lion Dance is Buddhist⁷ in origin. It was a symbol for the spirit of renewal⁸ and for avoiding bad luck. Throughout the history of China the acrobatic arts flourished, but in varying degrees. Originally, court entertainments were formal and monotonous⁹, quite the opposite of the lively folk arts of the people. Eventually, however, the excitement of the acrobats’ amazing feats caught and held the attention of the ruling class. Acrobatic performers were routinely invited to the court to entertain and impress the Emperors. These varied¹⁰ acts of tumbling, singing, dancing and juggling became known as “The Hundred Entertainments” in the Han Dynasty, more than 2, 000 years ago. The acrobatic arts have always maintained their popularity with the people. Today the acrobatics of families carry on this highly-acclaimed tradition. Children begin training at a young age to do handstands on a chair, balance jar, spin plates and throw knives; they stick to a strict training schedule which they follow the rest of their lives.
Now let’s sit back, relax and enjoy the shows as our performers reveal to you their mastery of an ancient art from, thousands of years in the making!

 

1. Where does this speech probably occur?
2. When was the Great China Circus popular?
3. How long is the history of Chinese acrobatics?
4. According to the passage, what does the lion in a Lion Dance symbolize¹¹?
5.  How long do acrobats receives training?

 

Keys: 1D 2.A 3.C 4.B 5.D
 

1 acrobatics   

n.杂技

参考例句：

• Acrobatics is hard to learn but beautiful to watch.杂技不好学，但很好看。
• We watched a performance which included a puppet show and acrobatics.我们观看了一场演出，内容有木偶和杂技。

2 acrobats   

n.杂技演员( acrobat的名词复数 )；立场观点善变的人，主张、政见等变化无常的人

参考例句：

• I was always fascinated by the acrobats at the circus. 我总是着迷于马戏团里的杂技演员。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The acrobats' performance drew forth applause from the audience. 杂技演员的表演博得了观众的掌声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 troupes   

n. （演出的）一团, 一班 vi. 巡回演出

参考例句：

• There are six Kunqu opera troupes left in the country. 整个国家现在只剩下六个昆剧剧团。
• Note: Art performance troupes include within and outside of the system. 注：艺术表演团体统计口径调整为含系统内、系统外两部分。

4 acclaim   

v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞

参考例句：

• He was welcomed with great acclaim.他受到十分热烈的欢迎。
• His achievements earned him the acclaim of the scientific community.他的成就赢得了科学界的赞誉。

5 feats   

功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He used to astound his friends with feats of physical endurance. 过去，他表现出来的惊人耐力常让朋友们大吃一惊。
• His heroic feats made him a legend in his own time. 他的英雄业绩使他成了他那个时代的传奇人物。

6 juggling   

n. 欺骗, 杂耍(=jugglery) adj. 欺骗的, 欺诈的 动词juggle的现在分词

参考例句：

• He was charged with some dishonest juggling with the accounts. 他被指控用欺骗手段窜改账目。
• The accountant went to prison for juggling his firm's accounts. 会计因涂改公司的帐目而入狱。

7 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

8 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

9 monotonous   

adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的

参考例句：

• She thought life in the small town was monotonous.她觉得小镇上的生活单调而乏味。
• His articles are fixed in form and monotonous in content.他的文章千篇一律，一个调调儿。

10 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

11 symbolize   

vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表

参考例句：

• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
• Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。