VOA慢速英语2014 可怕的未来展现在电影《移动迷宫》里

 

Frightful¹ Future Presented in Film 'The Maze² Runner' 可怕的未来展现在电影《移动迷宫》里

Welcome to American Mosaic³ from VOA Learning⁴ English. I’m Caty Weaver⁵. 

This year has been a good one for teenage movie lovers⁶. Hollywood has produced several films based on books aimed at young adults. “The Maze Runner” is the most recent. Movie goers in the United States bought more than $32 million worth of tickets last weekend for its opening.

“The Maze Runner” is based on a science fiction book of the same name by James Dashner. The book and movie tell about a boy who wakes up one day and cannot remember anything except his name: Thomas. He finds himself in a place called the Glade⁷. It is a green, rural⁸ place and the home to many teenage boys. They all perform different jobs in order to survive. Just like Thomas, each boy has lost his memory.

Thomas’ job is to run through a maze, a place with many paths, but only one that leads out. Maze runners try to make maps of the maze, which surrounds the Glade, keeping the teenagers inside. But there are horrible, hungry creatures on the grounds that make a trip through the maze very dangerous.

Twenty-three-year-old actor Dylan O’Brien plays Thomas. He is best known for his part in the American television series, “Teen Wolf.” Dylan O’Brien has said he did not expect to get a part in “The Maze Runner.” But he told PopSugar.com that the part of Thomas was right for him. He said he thinks in the same way as his character. And he said the job of maze runner was fit him. He said he is good at running.

Movie critics have mixed opinions about “The Maze Runner.” Many critics have noted⁹ the movie’s similarity to the book “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. That book tells about a group of boys who try to create a civil society after a plane crash leaves them alone on an island.  But The Chicago Sun Times newspaper says “The Maze Runner” sends movie-goers on a “much different ride” that is “very satisfying.”

The New York Times notes that the movie leaves enough questions at the end to guarantee a second “Maze Runner.” That film is already in pre-production.

Have you seen “The Maze Runner?” What movies are popular for teens in your country? Let us know and practice your English writing skills at the same time. Leave your answer in the comments section below and we’ll provide feedback¹⁰ on your use of vocabulary and grammar.

1 frightful   

adj.可怕的；讨厌的

参考例句：

• How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊！
• We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。

2 maze   

n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑

参考例句：

• He found his way through the complex maze of corridors.他穿过了迷宮一样的走廊。
• She was lost in the maze for several hours.一连几小时，她的头脑处于一片糊涂状态。

3 mosaic   

n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的

参考例句：

• The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。
• The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

4 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。

5 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

6 lovers   

爱好者( lover的名词复数 )； 情人； 情夫； 情侣

参考例句：

• They were off-screen lovers. 他们是真实生活中的情侣。
• Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet 罗密欧和朱丽叶这一对莎士比亚笔下命运多舛的恋人

7 glade   

n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地

参考例句：

• In the midst of a glade were several huts.林中的空地中间有几间小木屋。
• The family had their lunch in the glade.全家在林中的空地上吃了午饭。

8 rural   

adj.乡下的，田园的，乡村风味的

参考例句：

• He lived a rural life.他过着田园生活。
• We left the city for a rural home.我们离开城市，去农村安家。

9 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

10 feedback   

n.回授，反馈，反应

参考例句：

• I was getting great feedback from my boss.老板对我的评价很高。
• You need feedback to monitor progress.你需要利用反馈信息来监控进展。