英语听力精选进阶版 7938

Programme Summary 节目梗概

Zhihong asks about extremely, exceedingly¹ and keenly². These three words are all fairly formal and we are more likely to read these words than hear people say them.

The word extremely means very. But it is slightly stronger than very so while we can say that parts of China are very hot in the summer, we can say that Ethiopia is extremely hot.

Exceedingly has the same meaning as extremely but it is more formal and is used much less. The example that we hear in this week’s programme describes Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temples as “exceedingly well-preserved”.

The third word that Zhihong asks about is keenly. This word has a similar meaning to the other two but is rarely used. When it does appear, it is usually with these same adjectives³ and verbs:

To be keenly interested

To keenly follow

To keenly feel

To be keenly aware

Listen to the programme to hear some real examples of these words in use from BBC programmes. You will also hear some tips from William about how to learn the differences between very similar words like extremely, exceedingly and keenly.

Glossary 词汇

Ethiopia

埃塞俄比亚

formal

正式的

well-preserved

保护完善的

adjectives

形容词

verbs

1 exceedingly   

adv.非常地，极度地

参考例句：

• He drove exceedingly fast.他把车开得极快。
• They were exceedingly kind.他们极为客气。

2 keenly   

adv.敏锐地；敏感地；锐利地；强烈地

参考例句：

• Ade is the man keenly awake to the change. 艾德是一个对变化异常敏感的人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• As we got on with the job,I found myself keenly interested. 在我们进行这项工作时，我产生了浓厚的兴趣。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 adjectives   

n.形容词( adjective的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We can form nouns from adjectives. 我们可以用形容词来构成名词。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Attributive adjectives precede the noun. 定语形容词位于名词前。 来自《简明英汉词典》