VOA标准英语2013--Getting into the Halloween Spirit; Skeeball, Costumes, Beer

 

Getting into the Halloween Spirit; Skeeball, Costumes, Beer

October 31 is Halloween in the United States. And that means costumes and knocking on neighbors’ doors for candy.  That's mostly for children, but adults get into the spirit, too.  Except, for them it’s more like costumes, alcohol¹ and winding² down from their stressful jobs. So when United Social Sports, a group that offers sports and competitions for adults, announced a costumed Spirit Week, it was hard for some members to resist getting dressed up. 

The game is called Skeeball.  

It’s like bowling³ but each hole the ball goes into has a different point value. But if you think that’s what tonight is all about… you are off the mark.

The night is one of six in a season.   

Costumed teams compete for a chance to win a $300 bar tab awarded to the best-dressed squad⁴.  But these folks didn't need the incentive⁵ to dress up.  

Taking a night off is what this holiday is all about.

Organizers seem happy with the turnout. Dan Shank hosts the Skeeball tournament.

“Eighty percent of the teams this week came out in some sort of costume, which is really nice to see.  It gets everybody else in the bar excited," he explained.

And that's the idea behind the Halloween soiree.  Meet some people.  Share some drinks.  Play some games and hopefully get some rest… before the sun rises … and they’re back to their real lives.

1 alcohol   

n.酒精，乙醇；含酒精的饮料

参考例句：

• The law forbids shops to sell alcohol to minors.法律禁止商店向未成年者出售含酒精的饮料。
• The alcohol is industrial.这些酒精是供工业用的。

2 winding   

n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈

参考例句：

• A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
• The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。

3 bowling   

n.保龄球运动

参考例句：

• Bowling is a popular sport with young and old.保龄球是老少都爱的运动。
• Which sport do you 1ike most,golf or bowling?你最喜欢什么运动，高尔夫还是保龄球？

4 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

5 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。