大学英语听力第四册 lesson 8

　　PART B Macro-Listening
Passage I
Boxing Day
Tapescript
In the English-speaking world, the day after Christmas Day has a special name. We call it Boxing Day.
This makes it sound like a day on which everyone has a fight, but the name has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. It derives¹ from the custom in former times of presenting servants and tradesmen with a Christmas box or gift. Here in Britain we still talk about giving the milkman or newspaper-delivery boy a Christmas box, when we mean a sum of money or present. The expression dates from the time when the money would have been put into an actual box.
Boxing Day in modern times is a quiet day. Most people are recovering from the large meals they ate the day before. The children have new toys to keep them happy, and the adults are content to watch them play.
Perhaps it would be a good idea if Boxing Day actually was made to honor that sport. Then, on other days, we could celebrate Football Day, Cricket² Day, Hockey Day, and so on. There are probably enough different sports to allow each day of the year to have one to itself.
Passage 2
United Nations Day
Tapescript
October 24 — the UN birthday — is celebrated³ as United Nations Day. It is a day that belongs to everyone, and it is celebrated in most countries of the world. Some countries celebrate it for a week instead of a day.
Every year the President of the United States, in a special announcement, asks Americans to remember United Nations Day.
In many parts of the world, schools plan programs for this day. Boys and girls in some communities decorate a United Nations tree, or plant a garden, or conduct a model session of the General Assembly or Security Council. In other communities, young people put on plays about the United Nations. Some libraries exhibit children's art from around the world. Schools celebrate with the songs and dances of other countries,, or give parties where foods of other countries are served.
Always the purpose of these celebrations is to help everyone understand the United Nations and why it is important.
The United Nations encourages people to learn about other lands and their customs. In this way people can gain a better understanding and appreciation⁴ of peoples all over the world.

1 derives   

v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• English derives in the main from the common Germanic stock. 英语主要源于日耳曼语系。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derives his income from freelance work. 他以自由职业获取收入。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 cricket   

n.蟋蟀，板球运动；adj.公平的

参考例句：

• The England cricket team scored quite a useful total.英格兰板球队得分总数令人满意。
• We could hear the shrill of the midsummer cricket.我们可以听到仲夏时节蟋蟀的尖叫声。
• Your behaviour isn't cricket.你的行为不光彩。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。