英语PK台 第112期:英语里的中国端午节(2)

 Dialogue 2

Xiao Gao: Man! Duanwu Jie is really interesting!

Jingjing: So, tell me what you learned?

Xiao Gao: Well, the best known origin for the festival dates back to 278 BC, when a poet, named Qu Yuan, killed himself.

Jingjing: That's right. I bet ya don't know why we eat zongzi though!

Xiao Gao: I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but in fact, I do! Legend has it that after Qu Yuan died, some locals tossed lumps of rice into the water so the fish wouldn't eat his body.

Jingjing: Bingo, and some other local people were said to have traveled out on boat, either to scare away the fish or to retrieve¹ his body. This is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing².

Xiao Gao: Hey, can I have another zongzi? I really love those things!

Jingjing: Sure, here you go.

(Xiao Gao eats the zongzi quickly, making many noises)

Xiao Gao: Oh, I'm so hungry. They taste extra delicious today!

Jingjing: Well, you know what they say: Hunger is a good sauce.

Xiao Gao: Yeah, in fact, can I have another one please? Do you have any that are sweetened?

Jingjing: I only have one sweet one left.

Xiao Gao: Oh, can I have it please?

Jingjing: No! Beggars can't be choosers! Here, take a regular flavored one.

Xiao Gao: Mmm. Thanks!

1 retrieve   

vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索

参考例句：

• He was determined to retrieve his honor.他决心恢复名誉。
• The men were trying to retrieve weapons left when the army abandoned the island.士兵们正试图找回军队从该岛撤退时留下的武器。

2 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。