英语听力精选进阶版 6096

Welcoming the Year of the Rat 庆祝鼠年的到来

This week, London will be full of celebrations to welcome the Year of the Rat. Every year, London's Chinatown holds a spectacular¹ event to celebrate Chinese New Year, the largest event outside of Asia.

This year in the UK, there seems to be a huge amount of interest in Chinese culture. For the third year running, the 'China in London' season is being held. This extended² event will run from February to April, culminating in the Olympic torch relay³, when the Olympic flame will pass through London on its way to the start of the Beijing Games.

The 'China in London' season will incorporate⁴ a huge number of events, ranging from art exhibitions to modern dance, film festivals to tea tastings, musical concerts to children’s half-term activities. In addition, another Chinese culture festival, 'China Now' is launching⁵ at Chinese New Year.

This is a nationwide season of events leading up to the Beijing Olympics. As well as cultural events, this programme includes an education programme for schools to develop relationships with China, and a Football Exchange, where the UK Football Association⁶ will be coaching children in China and offering a lucky few the chance to visit Britain on a football tour.

The main Chinese New Year celebration will be held on Sunday 10th February, and is expected to attract around 300,000 visitors. It will showcase both traditional and contemporary Chinese arts, bringing together British-born and Chinese performers.

The linchpin of the day is the grand parade through the streets of London, led by a traditional dragon dance, flanked by musicians, acrobats⁷, artists and children. There will be a large stage and screen in Trafalgar Square featuring martial⁸ arts, music and dance.

It wouldn't be Chinese New Year without fireworks and firecrackers, so Leicester Square will see displays on the hour all afternoon. Nearby theatres and arts centres will also be holding special New Year events, such as variety shows.

Happy New Year to you, we hope you enjoy your celebrations as much as we will enjoy them in London.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

for the third year running 第三年举办

culminating in 以…而终结

relay 接力

incorporate 合并, 并入

tastings 品尝

half-term (英)期中假(学期中途放的假)

nationwide 全国的

coaching 辅导

a lucky few 少数走运的

showcase 展示

linchpin 关键

flanked by 两侧(是…)

fireworks 烟花

firecrackers 炮竹

on the hour (每小时)整点

variety shows 综艺表演

1 spectacular   

adj.引人注目的，出色的，与众不同的

参考例句：

• This is a spectacular film.这是一部场面壮观的电影。
• This is the most spectacular financial crash of the decade.这是10年里最引人注目的金融破产事件。

2 extended   

adj.延伸的；伸展的；延长的；扩大的v.延伸(extend的过去式和过去分词)；伸展；延长

参考例句：

• an extended lunch hour 延长了的午餐时间
• France has greatly extended its influence in world affairs. 在世界事务中，法国的影响已大大地扩大了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 relay   

n.接力赛，中继转播（设备）；vt.转述，转播

参考例句：

• They will relay your message.他们会转达你的口信。
• This metal tower is used to relay television signals to distant villages.这个金属塔是用于向遥远的村子转播电视讯号的。

4 incorporate   

vt.包含，加上，吸收；把…合并，使并入

参考例句：

• Paints incorporate with oil.颜料与油混合在一起。
• We had to incorporate the company for tax reasons.由于纳税的原因，我们不得不把那家公司合并了。

5 launching   

n.（火箭等的）发射；（船的）下水（典礼）；发动；发行v.发射( launch的现在分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• They are launching out into a series of scientific experiments. 他们正在着手进行一系列科学试验。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• John is launching his son on a career in banking. 约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。

7 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》

8 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。