英语听力精选进阶版 7208

Background: 100年前一名美国考古学家发现位于秘鲁的印加古城马丘比丘。很多来自世界各地的游客都会到此观光。本周当地政府举办了大型活动以示庆祝。庆典活动包括印第安文化传统的歌舞表演，现代音乐会，神秘的宗教仪式和各项学术研究讨论。

It's one of the most stunning¹ and iconic landmarks² in the world, but for Peruvians Machu Picchu is much more than an archaeological site. It's become a symbol of national identity even though its origins are still shrouded³ in mystery.

Some believe it may have been a refuge for an Inca ruler, others that it was a religious sanctuary⁴. It's all part of the attraction for the nearly million tourists who visit the mountain-top citadel⁵ every year.

A hundred years ago the American historian Hiram Bingham claimed to have discovered the city high up in the Andes, hidden by dense⁶ jungle. Most experts now agree that Mr Bingham, from Yale University, was not the first to rediscover Machu Picchu. A Peruvian explorer had been there a decade earlier.

The story of its discovery may have been romanticised, yet Mr Bingham's expedition certainly made this unknown wonder of the world famous.

Thousands of artefacts which he took from these ruins are now being returned. They'll go on display in nearby Cuzco later this month. A century after Mr Bingham's visit Peruvians are happy to share this place with the world, but they're also keen to reclaim⁷ Machu Picchu as their own.

Glossary⁸ 词汇表

stunning 令人惊叹的 

an archaeological site 考古遗址 

national identity 国家象征 

to be shrouded in mystery 笼罩在神秘气息之中 

a refuge 避难所 

a religious sanctuary 宗教圣地 

a citadel 城堡 

to romanticise 浪漫化 

an artefact 有考古价值的人工制品 

to reclaim 收回

Questions and Answers:

1. What might have been the purpose of Machu Picchu in the past? 

It could have been used as a refuge for an Inca ruler or as a religious sanctuary.

2. Why is it believed that Hiram Bingham may not have discovered Machu Picchu? 

Most experts think that a Peruvian explorer was there ten years earlier than Bingham.

3. What happened to artefacts taken from Bingham? 

They are being returned to Peru and will go on display in Cuzco.

4. How many tourists visit Machu Picchu every year? 

Nearly one million.

1 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

2 landmarks   

n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址）

参考例句：

• The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句

3 shrouded   

v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密

参考例句：

• The hills were shrouded in mist . 这些小山被笼罩在薄雾之中。
• The towers were shrouded in mist. 城楼被蒙上薄雾。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 sanctuary   

n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区

参考例句：

• There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
• Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。

5 citadel   

n.城堡；堡垒；避难所

参考例句：

• The citadel was solid.城堡是坚固的。
• This citadel is built on high ground for protecting the city.这座城堡建于高处是为保护城市。

6 dense   

a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的

参考例句：

• The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
• The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。

7 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

8 glossary   

n.注释词表；术语汇编

参考例句：

• The text is supplemented by an adequate glossary.正文附有一个详细的词汇表。
• For convenience,we have also provided a glossary in an appendix.为了方便，我们在附录中也提供了术语表。