事实：城墙的保护屏障-Ramparts Are Protective Barriers

 Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• rampart: a protective barrier; a fortification
• spangled: filled with sparkling objects
• national anthem¹: a country’s official song; used at special events and ceremonies
• bombardment: attack
• fortify: to build up and provide protection
• embankment: a raised wall or mound² to protect from flooding

Ramparts Are Protective BarriersWhen you sing or listen to the Star Spangled Banner, do you understand the words? The national anthem of the United States of America was inspired by the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry in 1814. The lyrics³ suggest that the stars and stripes of the US flag can be seen over the ramparts despite the bombardment of the British warships⁴. Ramparts are fortified⁵ walls or other protective barriers that go around a fort or castle. Ramparts are built of stone, wood, or earth. Embankments that protect water from reaching a building or city are also ramparts.

The Star Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States of America.

The anthem contains the word ramparts because it is about a battle. A battle is going on, but the US flag can be seen symbolically⁶ waving above the protective barriers.

A child might make ramparts in the sand to go around a sand castle. This could protect the castle from the water (or from an invasion).

1 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

2 mound   

n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫

参考例句：

• The explorers climbed a mound to survey the land around them.勘探者爬上土丘去勘测周围的土地。
• The mound can be used as our screen.这个土丘可做我们的掩蔽物。

3 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

4 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

5 fortified   

adj. 加强的

参考例句：

• He fortified himself against the cold with a hot drink. 他喝了一杯热饮御寒。
• The enemy drew back into a few fortified points. 敌人收缩到几个据点里。

6 symbolically   

ad.象征地，象征性地

参考例句：

• By wearing the ring on the third finger of the left hand, a married couple symbolically declares their eternal love for each other. 将婚戒戴在左手的第三只手指上，意味着夫妻双方象征性地宣告他们的爱情天长地久，他们定能白头偕老。
• Symbolically, he coughed to clear his throat. 周经理象征地咳一声无谓的嗽，清清嗓子。