VOA慢速英语2012 THIS IS AMERICA - Life on a Circus Train; A Trip to the Grand Canyon

 

THIS IS AMERICA - Life on a Circus Train; A Trip to the Grand Canyon¹

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English. I'm Shirley Griffith.

JUNE SIMMS: And I'm June Simms. This week on our program, we take you on a circus train. Then, we take a trip to one of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders – the Grand Canyon.

(MUSIC)

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is America's longest-running circus company. It began performances in the early eighteen nineties and calls itself "The Greatest Show on Earth." More than a century later, the company continues many of the traditions of the early circus. One of those traditions is traveling by train. Ringling Brothers has two circus trains that are home to two different groups of performers.

Ringmaster Jonathan Iverson is a former opera singer. He joined the circus about ten years ago. He says the history of the company appealed to him.

JONATHAN IVERSON: "Part of that mystique is the world's largest privately² owned train. I love the train. Three hundred performers and cast and crew and animals are actually traveling on rails across America. That is the world's greatest car pool."

JUNE SIMMS: A car pool is when a group of people share a ride together, like car pooling to work. The difference with the circus performers is they live in their car pool. And instead of just one car, there are more than sixty of them. The train is over a kilometer and a half long. It travels the country for eleven months a year.

Families can cook, shower, wash their clothes and live their lives in the privacy³ of their own cars. Jonathan Iverson is married to a dancer in the show. They share their train car with their two children.

JONATHAN IVERSON: "It is so much fun. It gives us sort of like a mini-vacation every week. We really see the country. America is really, really beautiful."

Alex Barney is a second-generation clown and he agrees.

ALEX BARNEY: "Traveling by the train, you are going through the middle of nowhere getting to the cities, you get to see what is left of the country. Definitely⁴ traveling by train is the key highlight⁵ for this job."

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: In the middle of the thirty-two family coaches is the Pie Car. It has a kitchen and a dining area. The Pie Car is a social center for the train’s long, traveling community.

Michael Vaughan is the circus chef. He and his six-person staff are responsible for meals. He says the job is like feeding a big family.

MICHAEL VAUGHAN: "Everybody here works⁶ together, all the groups -- clowns, the globe riders, everybody. We work together as a family."

Mr. Vaughan sets up another kitchen at each performance stop, and often throws a party after the show.

JUNE SIMMS: Education is also part of the traveling circus community. While the parents perform, the children learn in a classroom set up behind the activity. Manna Kettles is the teacher.

MANNA KETTLES: "My experience working here with Ringling, in the past, I have seen that they are better off than some of the kids in the regular schools because we get more time with them in a small group and we are able to work one-on-one with them."

Seven-year-old Sofia Petrov is from Hungary. She says she likes the circus school.

SOFIA PETROV: "It is fun. I get to meet a lot of new people from all over the world."

The newest Ringling Brothers show is called "Dragons." "Dragons" is the company's one hundred forty-second show. It brings together talent from eighteen countries. Acrobat⁷ Paulo Dos Santos is from Brazil. He recently celebrated⁸ the birthday of his two sons before the show.

PAULO DOS SANTOS: "This moment is so good because everybody is coming. I am so happy because I see, you see I have friends here and my children too. We stay together, party together, show together, everything."

At each stop, the performers and their families get a chance to go into town and explore. They travel locally either by bus or in their own cars, which are also carried on the train.

One day there might be a chance to have fun at an amusement park, like Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Another day they might explore a landmark⁹ like the Grand Canyon in Arizona. For ringmaster Jonathan Iverson, the circus train is like a city without a postal¹⁰ code¹¹.

JONATHAN IVERSON: "This is home. The backyard changes. Today's backyard has Hershey Park. Tomorrow's backyard has the Grand Canyon. That is the magic of it. But we are always home no matter where we are, we are always home."

(MUSIC)

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: This Monday, the United States observes Memorial Day, honoring¹² all those who have died in military service. The holiday is marked with ceremonies and community parades. Most government offices are closed.

The long Memorial Day weekend also marks the traditional start of the summer travel season. That means millions of Americans are on the road, many of them visiting popular sites, like the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

JUNE SIMMS: The Grand Canyon is one of the world's largest canyons¹³ -- four hundred fifty kilometers across. The surrounding land seems to hide the existence of such a great opening in the earth. You come upon the canyon suddenly, when you reach the edge.

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: In some places, the canyon walls are more than a kilometer deep. Far below is the dark, twisting line of the Colorado River.

On the other side, sunshine lights up the rock walls in red, orange and gold. The bright colors are the result of minerals in the rocks. Their appearance changes endlessly -- with the light, the time of year and the weather. At sunset, when the sun has moved across the sky, the canyon walls give up their fiery¹⁴ reds and golds. They take on quieter colors of blue, purple, and green.

(MUSIC)

JUNE SIMMS: Hundreds of rocky points rise from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Some are very tall.

Looking at the Grand Canyon is like looking back in time. Forty million years ago, the Colorado River began cutting through the area. At the same time, the surrounding land was pushed up by forces deep within the earth. Rain, snow, ice, wind and plant roots rubbed away at the top of the new canyon. Below, the flowing river continued to uncover¹⁵ more and more levels of ancient rock.

Some of Earth's oldest rocks can be found here. There are many levels of granite¹⁶, schist, limestone¹⁷ and sandstone.

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Three thousand years ago, American Indians occupied the Grand Canyon. Evidence of their existence has been found in many places. Bones, hair, feathers and the remains¹⁸ of plants have been found in deep, dry caves high in the rock walls.

The Hopi, the Paiute, the Navajo and other Native American tribes²⁰ have all been in the area for at least seven centuries. However, much of what we know today about the Grand Canyon was recorded by John Wesley Powell. In eighteen sixty-nine, he became the first known white American to explore much of the canyon.

(MUSIC)

JUNE SIMMS: Today, the Grand Canyon is known as one of the seven wonders of the natural world. About five million people visit the canyon each year. Most visitors walk along paths, part way down into the canyon. It takes several hours to walk to the bottom. It takes twice as long to get back up to the top. Some visitors ride mules²¹ to the bottom and back.

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: The National Park Service is responsible for protecting the Grand Canyon. Visitors are not supposed to leave any trash in the canyon or remove any rocks, plants or historical objects. As the Park Service tells visitors: "Take only photographs. Leave only footprints."

There are helicopter and airplane rides available for visitors to the Grand Canyon. Some visitors see the canyon by taking a boat trip along the Colorado River.

JUNE SIMMS: And there is still another way to see the Grand Canyon. A glass walkway called the Skywalk extends²² twenty-one meters from the edge. The Skywalk is suspended²³ more than one thousand two hundred meters above the bottom of the canyon. Visitors pay to walk along the glass walkway which is shaped like a giant horseshoe.

The Hualapai Indian Tribe¹⁹ built the Skywalk at a cost of more than forty million dollars. The tribe owns almost four hundred thousand hectares of land in the canyon. Some people consider the Skywalk an engineering²⁴ wonder. Others, however, have criticized²⁵ the Skywalk and plans by the tribe for future development in the area. They say it harms a national treasure and reduces the enjoyment²⁶ of one of nature's greatest wonders.

(MUSIC)

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Our program was produced by Brianna Blake, with reporting by June Soh. I'm Shirley Griffith.

JUNE SIMMS: And I'm June Simms. You can find a video about the Ringling Brothers circus train on our website, www.voanews.cn. You can also find transcripts²⁷ and MP3s of our programs, along with podcasts and activities for learning²⁸ English. Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.

1 canyon   

n.峡谷，溪谷

参考例句：

• The Grand Canyon in the USA is 1900 metres deep.美国的大峡谷1900米深。
• The canyon is famous for producing echoes.这个峡谷以回声而闻名。

2 privately   

adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地

参考例句：

• Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
• The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。

3 privacy   

n.私人权利，个人自由，隐私权

参考例句：

• In such matters,privacy is impossible.在这类事情中，保密是不可能的。
• She wept in the privacy of her own room.她在自己房内暗暗落泪。

4 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

5 highlight   

n.加亮区；v.加亮，强调；[计算机]醒目

参考例句：

• Her performance was the highlight of the show.她的表演是那场演出中最精彩的部分。
• The highlight of this term is the school trip to Austria.这学期最重要的活动就是去奥地利的校外旅行。

6 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

7 acrobat   

n.特技演员，杂技演员

参考例句：

• The acrobat balanced a long pole on his left shoulder.杂技演员让一根长杆在他的左肩上保持平衡。
• The acrobat could bend himself into a hoop.这个杂技演员可以把身体蜷曲成圆形。

8 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

9 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

10 postal   

adj.邮政的，邮局的

参考例句：

• A postal network now covers the whole country.邮路遍及全国。
• Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。

11 code   

n.代码，代号，密码；法典，法规，规划

参考例句：

• What's the code for Tianjin?天津的代号是多少？
• Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。

12 honoring   

v.尊敬，给以荣誉( honor的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• They sat in silence, honoring the clan Jordache for a moment. 他们默默地坐了一会儿，对乔达虚家族表示了一番敬意。 来自辞典例句
• Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check. 美国没有履行这项神圣的义务，只是给黑人开了一张空头支票。 来自辞典例句

13 canyons   

n.峡谷( canyon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This mountain range has many high peaks and deep canyons. 这条山脉有许多高峰和深谷。 来自辞典例句
• Do you use canyons or do we preserve them all? 是使用峡谷呢还是全封闭保存？ 来自互联网

14 fiery   

adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的

参考例句：

• She has fiery red hair.她有一头火红的头发。
• His fiery speech agitated the crowd.他热情洋溢的讲话激动了群众。

15 uncover   

vt.揭露，暴露；揭开…的盖子

参考例句：

• Please uncover the pot.请拿掉锅盖。
• In spring we uncover the swimming pool.春天我们移去游泳池的覆盖物。

16 granite   

adj.花岗岩，花岗石

参考例句：

• They squared a block of granite.他们把一块花岗岩加工成四方形。
• The granite overlies the older rocks.花岗岩躺在磨损的岩石上面。

17 limestone   

n.石灰石

参考例句：

• Limestone is often used in building construction.石灰岩常用于建筑。
• Cement is made from limestone.水泥是由石灰石制成的。

18 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

19 tribe   

n.部落，种族，一伙人

参考例句：

• This is a subject tribe.这是个受他人统治的部落。
• Many of the tribe's customs and rituals are as old as the hills.这部落的许多风俗、仪式都极其古老。

20 tribes   

n.部落( tribe的名词复数 )；（动、植物的）族；（一）帮；大群

参考例句：

• tribes living in remote areas of the Amazonian rainforest 居住在亚马孙河雨林偏远地区的部落
• In Africa the snake is still sacred with many tribes. 非洲许多部落仍认为蛇是不可冒犯的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

21 mules   

骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者

参考例句：

• The cart was pulled by two mules. 两匹骡子拉这辆大车。
• She wore tight trousers and high-heeled mules. 她穿紧身裤和拖鞋式高跟鞋。

22 extends   

v.（空间、时间等）延伸，延续( extend的第三人称单数 )；伸展；给予；延长

参考例句：

• This country extends its power and influence into neighbouring countries. 这个国家将其势力与影响扩大至邻国。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His domain extends for 20 miles in every direction. 方圆20英里之内都是他的地产。 来自《简明英汉词典》

23 suspended   

a.被暂时搁置的

参考例句：

• A lamp was suspended from the ceiling. 一盏吊灯悬在天花板上。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area. 英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

24 engineering   

n.工程，工程学，管理，操纵

参考例句：

• The science of engineering began as soon as man learned to use tools. 人类一学会使用工具,工程科学就开始了。
• It was the first great engineering works in the world. 这是世界上第一家大型的工程工厂。

25 criticized   

vt.批评(criticize的过去式)v.评论，批评( criticize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The decision was criticized by environmental groups. 这个决定受到了环保团体的批评。
• The movie has been criticized for apparently legitimizing violence. 这部电影因明显地美化暴力而受到了指责。

26 enjoyment   

n.乐趣；享有；享用

参考例句：

• Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
• After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。

27 transcripts   

n.抄本（ transcript的名词复数 ）；转写本；文字本；副本

参考例句：

• Like mRNA, both tRNA and rRNA are transcripts of chromosomal DNA. tRNA及rRNA同mRNA一样，都是染色体DNA的转录产物。 来自辞典例句
• You can't take the transfer students'exam without your transcripts. 没有成绩证明书，你就不能参加转学考试。 来自辞典例句

28 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。