英语听力：自然百科 波兰古都-克拉科夫

 Unlike most Polish cities, Krakow's architecture escaped the ravages¹ of World War II. Gothic churches exalt² the heavens. Angels still dance over Baroque doorways³. But these ancient monuments are threatened. High on a hill, Wawel Castle stands guard over the city. After decades of exposure to acid rain, the castle's tower is getting a much-needed facelift under the expert guidance of Professor Janusz Smolski.

 

Twenty years ago it was a horrible situation. The whole city was poisoned and destroyed by industrial areas surrounding the city.

 

After World War II, the new communist regime built the giant steelworks near the city. Since opening in 1954, the steelworks at Nowa Huta has been spilling pollution over Krakow. Monuments that survived countless⁴ invasions have now been eaten away by acid rain. Since the demise⁵ of communism, things are changing.

 

Polish nobleman Boguslaw Rostworowski returned to Krakow in 1989 to reclaim⁶ his family home, Papeal Palace. With help from the city, he has restored his home and similar renovations are going on all over Krakow, encouraged by a thriving environmental movement. 

 

Production of the steelworks has been reduced significantly and efforts have been made to reduce pollution. The steelworks has even joined in the city's renovations, restoring the courtyard in Wawel Castle, and casting a new clapper for the cathedral's legendary⁷ bell. After years of restoration, freshly painted buildings now stand beside their shabby neighbors. For the Polish people, the rebirth of Krakow is a potent⁸ symbol for the rebirth of their culture.

1 ravages   

劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹

参考例句：

• the ravages of war 战争造成的灾难
• It is hard for anyone to escape from the ravages of time. 任何人都很难逃避时间的摧残。

2 exalt   

v.赞扬，歌颂，晋升，提升

参考例句：

• She thanked the President to exalt her.她感谢总统提拔她。
• His work exalts all those virtues that we,as Americans,are taught to hold dear.他的作品颂扬了所有那些身为美国人应该珍视的美德。

3 doorways   

n.门口，门道( doorway的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The houses belched people; the doorways spewed out children. 从各家茅屋里涌出一堆一堆的人群，从门口蹦出一群一群小孩。 来自辞典例句
• He rambled under the walls and doorways. 他就顺着墙根和门楼遛跶。 来自辞典例句

4 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

5 demise   

n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让

参考例句：

• He praised the union's aims but predicted its early demise.他赞扬协会的目标，但预期这一协会很快会消亡。
• The war brought about the industry's sudden demise.战争道致这个行业就这么突然垮了。

6 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。

7 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

8 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。