2015年ESL之日常生活 24 Major Historical Periods

Major Historical Periods 

Livy: Tell me again why we’re here on a Saturday afternoon. 

Nicholas: You’re going to love this museum. It has artifacts and exhibits¹ from all the major periods in history, from prehistoric² days to the present. 

Livy: Hmm, fascinating. 

Nicholas: It is, isn’t it? We follow thetimeline of human history from one room to the next. See? This room is devoted³ to ancient history and ancient civilizations. 

Livy: Is there a gift shop? 

Nicholas: Sure, there’s one on the way out, but let me show you a few things in this room. It’s all about the Middle Ages. Check this out. Doesn’t it blow your mind? 

Livy: Yeah, wow, great. Actually, it’s all kind of dull. Isn’t there something more exciting to see? 

Nicholas: You want excitement? Then let’s skip ahead to the rooms on the Renaissance⁴. Look at this! 

Livy: This is all great, but I’ve seen enough. Let’s keep going. 

Nicholas: We’re rushing past the best exhibits, but if you want to keep going, I guess we can do that. These next rooms are devoted to more recent history, the Industrial Revolution and pre- and post- World War years. 

Livy: Is there anything else? 

Nicholas: You mean you’re done looking at over 3,000 years of historical exhibits? This is one of the best museums in the world. I could spend all weekend here. 

Livy: That’s because you’re a history buff. Hey, that room is about the Information Age. Do you think I can check my email in there? 

Nicholas: [sigh] 

 

Script⁵ by Dr. Lucy Tse 

1 exhibits   

v.陈列，展览( exhibit的第三人称单数 )；表现；显示；[法律]当庭出示（证件、物证等）

参考例句：

• Many exhibits with characteristics of the Chinese art are on display. 许多具有中国艺术特色的展品陈列出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One is dazzled by the endless array of beautiful exhibits. 展品琳琅满目，美不胜收。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 prehistoric   

adj.（有记载的）历史以前的，史前的，古老的

参考例句：

• They have found prehistoric remains.他们发现了史前遗迹。
• It was rather like an exhibition of prehistoric electronic equipment.这儿倒像是在展览古老的电子设备。

3 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

4 renaissance   

n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴

参考例句：

• The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
• The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。

5 script   

n.剧本，广播稿；文字体系；笔迹，手迹

参考例句：

• It's easy to identify his script.他的笔迹容易辨认。
• The script is massaged into final form.这篇稿子经过修改已定稿。