英语听力精选进阶版 6124

From Whiff to Pong: The Story of Table Tennis 从小到大：乒乓球的故事

Do you fancy a game of whiff-whaff? How about pim-pam?

Never heard of them?

Well, these were both early names for the game that has come to be known as table tennis or ping-pong around the world.

It is a sport China has largely dominated since the middle of the last century, and with the Beijing Olympics just around the corner it might not be far-fetched to expect yet another clean sweep for Chinese athletes in the event.

But what is the history of the game? First we have to rewind the clock to Victorian-era Britain, where lawn tennis was just starting to catch on.

It was soon proving so popular that eager players wanted to play indoors as well as outdoors, and began improvising¹ with makeshift household equipment such as using corks² from wine bottles as balls and empty cigar boxes as bats.

Game manufacturers quickly cottoned on to the potential of indoor table tennis as a commercial product and began producing ready-made sets in the late 19th century.

The names of many early products, such as ping-pong, whiff-whaff and pom-pom, mimicked³ the sound of a bat hitting a ball.

Ping-pong was introduced to China in the early years of the 20th century, and gradually became a national sport; loved and played by millions.

Chinese players such as Liu Guoliang have pioneered techniques and styles of gripping the bat, which helped them to great international sporting success.

The game has even played a role in international politics when a group of American table tennis players were invited to China in 1971 to play and train with Chinese athletes.

The move signalled a renewal⁴ of ties between China and the US during an era of what became called ‘ping-pong diplomacy’.

Now, as Beijing 2008 approaches, TV ratings experts anticipate that alongside the men’s 110m hurdles⁵ and women’s volleyball, table tennis will be the most-watched Olympic event in China.

With the top five women and top four men in official rankings, it is highly possible that once again we will see Chinese players battling it out amongst themselves for the top spots.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

just around the corner 近在咫尺，临近

far-fetched 异想天开的

clean sweep 横扫

rewind the clock 退回到

Victorian-era 维多利亚时代

lawn tennis 草地网球

catch on 流行

makeshift 临时凑合的

corks 软木瓶塞

bats 球拍 

cottoned on 明白，了解

ready-made 现成的

mimicked 模仿

pioneered 先驱

signalled 发出信号，预示

renewal of ties 恢复关系

diplomacy 外交

TV ratings 电视收视率

anticipate 预期

official rankings 官方排位

1 improvising   

即兴创作（improvise的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• I knew he was improvising, an old habit of his. 我知道他是在即兴发挥，这是他的老习惯。
• A few lecturers have been improvising to catch up. 部分讲师被临时抽调以救急。

2 corks   

n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞

参考例句：

• Champagne corks were popping throughout the celebrations. 庆祝会上开香槟酒瓶塞的砰砰声不绝於耳。 来自辞典例句
• Champagne corks popped, and on lace tablecloths seven-course dinners were laid. 桌上铺着带装饰图案的网织的桌布，上面是七道菜的晚餐。 来自飘（部分）

3 mimicked   

v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的过去式和过去分词 )；酷似

参考例句：

• He mimicked her upper-class accent. 他模仿她那上流社会的腔调。 来自辞典例句
• The boy mimicked his father's voice and set everyone off laughing. 男孩模仿他父亲的嗓音，使大家都大笑起来。 来自辞典例句

4 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

5 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句