英语听力精选进阶版 6361

For many, knitting evokes¹ images of elderly women weaving woolly jumpers for their grandchildren.

But the craft is undergoing a revival² as knitters of all ages are picking up needles and yarns⁴ again. For Dr Sarah-Marie Belcastro, knitting is a mathematical challenge rather than about making garments: "Converting a smooth curve into a knitted pattern is a math problem because one has to figure out where exactly to place the discrete⁵ changes in curvature (…)" Like Dr Belcastro, many other knitters transform mathematical concepts into intricate patterns to better understand a shape or concept.

Knitting can also be a social event and has gained popularity in recent years. Many groups have started up around the world to bring strangers together into more close-knit communities. Men and women of all ages can attend the ‘Knit and Natter’ group, for instance, where people get together to practise the handicraft while having a good old chat.

Feminists⁶ have rejected knitting in the past because it was a craft learnt by women and was looked down on – but it is precisely⁷ because of its important social role that New Yorker Debbie Stoller believes knitting should be brought back into fashion. She established a popular knitting group that led to a string of 1,300 others. "In the same way that fishing is not just about getting something to eat, knitting is not just about making something to wear”, she says.

So it’s not just about ending up with woolly socks and scarves to give as birthday presents to family and friends. Whether those who attend go to spin a yarn³, gossip or end up in stitches, it seems knitting can provide a therapeutic⁸ break in our modern lifestyles.

Quiz 测验

Read the article. Is the following statement true, false or not given: knitting is becoming less popular.

False. Knitting is undergoing a revival, which means it's becoming popular again.

Why is knitting related to mathematics?

Some knitters explore mathematical concepts through knitting, as creating knitted patterns can lead to a better understanding of an idea or shape.

What do people do when they attend a 'Knit and Natter' group?

They knit and chat at the same time.

Which verb in the article means 'to view as inferior'?

To look down on.

Which expression in the article means 'to laugh a lot'?

To be in stitches.

Glossary 词汇表

to knit（手工）针织毛线活儿

to weave编织，纺织

a craft 一门手艺

knitter（手工）针织者

a needle 针

a yarn 纱线

a garment 成衣

a curve 曲线

a pattern 花样，图案

intricate 复杂精细的

close-knit 关系紧密的

to natter 闲扯，瞎聊

a handicraft 一个手艺，一件手工艺品

a string of 一连串

woolly 羊毛的，毛茸茸的

a scarf 围巾

to spin a yarn 纺线，（成语比喻）讲故事，编故事

in stitches 缝针，（成语比喻）忍不住大笑

therapeutic 有理疗作用的，使人放松的

1 evokes   

产生，引起，唤起( evoke的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• Each type evokes antibodies which protect against the homologous. 每一种类型都能产生抗同种病毒的抗体。

2 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

3 yarn   

n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事

参考例句：

• I stopped to have a yarn with him.我停下来跟他聊天。
• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。

4 yarns   

n.纱( yarn的名词复数 )；纱线；奇闻漫谈；旅行轶事

参考例句：

• ...vegetable-dyed yarns. 用植物染料染过色的纱线 来自辞典例句
• Fibers may be loosely or tightly twisted into yarns. 纤维可以是膨松地或紧密地捻成纱线。 来自辞典例句

5 discrete   

adj.个别的，分离的，不连续的

参考例句：

• The picture consists of a lot of discrete spots of colour.这幅画由许多不相连的色点组成。
• Most staple fibers are discrete,individual entities.大多数短纤维是不联系的单独实体。

6 feminists   

n.男女平等主义者，女权扩张论者( feminist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Only 16 percent of young women in a 1990 survey considered themselves feminists. 在1990年的一项调查中，只有16%的年轻女性认为自己是女权主义者。 来自辞典例句
• The organization had many enemies, most notably among feminists. 这个组织有许多敌人，特别是在男女平等主义者中。 来自辞典例句

7 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

8 therapeutic   

adj.治疗的，起治疗作用的；对身心健康有益的

参考例句：

• Therapeutic measures were selected to fit the patient.选择治疗措施以适应病人的需要。
• When I was sad,music had a therapeutic effect.我悲伤的时候，音乐有治疗效力。