英语听力—环球英语 929 World’s Fairs: Bringing Cultures Together

 　　Voice 1

　　Welcome to Spotlight¹. I'm Adam Navis.

　　Voice 2

　　And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

　　Voice 1

　　In 2010, 70 million people will gather in Shanghai, China. It will not be to watch the World Cup of football. It will not be to watch the Olympic Games. It will not be a gathering² of world leaders. Instead, all these people will travel to Shanghai to see the World's Fair.

　　Voice 2

　　Today's Spotlight is on the World's Fair. The World's Fair is a gathering of many countries. It collects the best of each country all in one place. It pulls together building design, technology, and culture. Then, people come to see the exhibitions, or shows. In this way, they get a small experience of many countries and cultures all in one place. It is like travelling around the world without leaving your local area!

　　Voice 1

　　Today, it is easy to learn about the world. You can, well, you can listen to more Spotlight programs! Radio, television, and the Internet make information easier to get than ever before. But things have not always been this way. Yet, people have always wanted to learn about other parts of the world.

　　Voice 2

　　In the year 1851, there was no easy way for people to communicate over large distances. There was no e-mail. There was no Internet, television, telephone, or radio. Information moved slowly from place to place.

　　Voice 1

　　The best place to learn anything was at the local market, or fair. People would come from far away to meet at the market. People gathered in the market to buy and sell food, clothes, and other products. They also shared ideas and stories. So, in the year 1851, Prince Albert of England proposed³ a different kind of market. It would gather the whole world together. That year, he held the first official "World's Fair."

　　Voice 2

　　Countries came to London, England and set up exhibitions, a place to show art, design, or culture. England built a new building just for the event. It was made of steel and glass. They called it the Crystal⁴ Palace. Many exhibits⁵ were new machines. But there were also clothes and art. It was THE social event to attend. Over six million people visited the first Fair.

　　Voice 1

　　Soon, other countries wanted to welcome the best designers⁶ and thinkers⁷ to their countries. They wanted to show the world what they could do. Most European countries have held Fairs. France has held several. But the Fair has gone all around the world. It has gone to Australia, Peru⁸, Japan, and Chile. Large countries like the United⁹ States and Russia have held fairs. But smaller countries like Ireland¹⁰, Haiti and Belgium have also held Fairs.

　　Voice 2

　　However, soon World's Fairs began to be difficult to organize and control. So, in 1928 an organization was established to manage the World's Fairs. It was called the Bureau¹¹ International des Exposition¹² or BIE. The BIE is now responsible¹³ for managing where and when the World's Fairs are held.

　　Voice 1

　　Many cities have been improved by holding a Fair. Often, famous buildings remain after the Fair is finished, like the Eiffel tower in Paris and the Space Needle in Seattle. Cities such as Lisbon, Chicago, and Vancouver have made the buildings from their World's Fairs into offices or theatres or public places. In fact, many supporters¹⁴ of World's Fairs see them as a chance to give a city some new life.

　　Voice 2

　　Also, much new technology was shown for the first time at a World's Fair. These technologies include the telephone, television, the sewing machine, computer technology, and atomic¹⁵ energy. At the 1970 World's Fair there were even rocks from the moon!

　　Voice 1

　　Erik Larson wrote a book about the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. He writes about the new Ferris Wheel:

　　Voice 3

　　"George W. Ferris invented the wheel just for the Fair. It was an answer to France's Eiffel Tower. The wheel required amazing engineering¹⁶. It was supported by two 140-foot steel towers and connected by a 45-foot centre bar. It was the largest single piece of steel ever made. The wheel was 250 feet across. It had 36 cars that held six riders¹⁷ each. The Ferris wheel carried 1,450,000 people during the fair."

　　Voice 2

　　As time went on, the aim of holding a World's Fair became less about showing the latest technology or design. It became more about solving global¹⁸ problems. Each Fair now examines a different problem. When a new BIE president was elected in 2008 he thought water was an important subject. He said:

　　Voice 4

　　"World's Fairs are educational and fun events. They show great creativity¹⁹ and imagination. These global problems are very important, especially clean water. They create a duty in the countries of the world. They need to share, at the fair, their best experiences in solving the problems people of this planet²⁰ face."

　　Voice 1

　　Other problems that Fairs examined have included city planning, caring for the oceans, and how people live in their homes. The 2010 World's Fair will examine how to make life better for people who live in cities.

　　Voice 2

　　Today, some people believe that the World's Fairs are no longer necessary. From 1900 to 1908 there were 25 World's Fairs. From 2000 to 2008 there were only five World's Fairs. Today, information can move more quickly around the world. It costs a lot of money to hold a World's Fair. And there are many smaller gatherings²¹ for people in different areas such as medicine, design, sports, or food.

　　Voice 1

　　However, some people argue that the World's Fairs still have value. These people believe that television and the Internet are important, but nothing can replace people meeting face to face. Urso Chappell collects information about different World's Fairs. He says:

　　Voice 5

　　"The World's Fairs are related²² to both the Olympics and the United Nations in many ways. But World's Fairs are special because anyone can experience them, not just athletes or politicians²³. Anyone can enter the World's Fair and feel a part of something new. They can feel a part of the world community. They can feel the possible good that humans could do in the world."

　　Voice 2

　　The writer and producer of this program was Adam Navis. The voices you heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes²⁴ were adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. Computer users²⁵ can hear our programs, read our scripts²⁶, and see our word list on our website at www.Radio.English.net. This program is called "World's Fairs: Bringing Cultures Together."

　　Voice 1

　　If you have a comment or question for Spotlight you can email us. Our email address is Radio @ English . net. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Thank you for listening. Goodbye!

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

3 proposed   

被提议的

参考例句：

• There is widespread discontent among the staff at the proposed changes to pay and conditions. 员工对改变工资和工作环境的建议普遍不满。
• an outcry over the proposed change 对拟议的改革所发出的强烈抗议

4 crystal   

n.水晶，水晶饰品，结晶体；最好的玻璃器皿

参考例句：

• It used to be a crystal stream.那曾是条清澈见底的小溪。
• Those fine wine glasses are made of crystal.那些漂亮的酒杯是用水晶做的。

5 exhibits   

v.陈列，展览( exhibit的第三人称单数 )；表现；显示；[法律]当庭出示（证件、物证等）

参考例句：

• Many exhibits with characteristics of the Chinese art are on display. 许多具有中国艺术特色的展品陈列出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One is dazzled by the endless array of beautiful exhibits. 展品琳琅满目，美不胜收。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 designers   

n.设计师( designer的名词复数 )；图案设计师；打样师；制图员

参考例句：

• Have you seen that article about young fashion designers? 你见到了关于年轻时装设计师的那篇文章没有？
• Every moment of the fashion industry's misery is richly deserved by the designers and magazine poltroons who perpetuate this absurd creation. 时装工业每一个痛苦的时刻都是完全应该被时装设计师们…和那些使这种荒诞创造永久化的杂志懦夫领受。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 thinkers   

n.思想家( thinker的名词复数 )；思考者

参考例句：

• Einstein was one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. 爱因斯坦是20世纪最伟大的思想家之一。
• Children should be encouraged to be independent thinkers. 应该鼓励孩子独立思考。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 Peru   

n.秘鲁(南美洲国家)

参考例句：

• Lima is the capital of peru.利马是秘鲁的首都。
• China and peru are friendly countries.中国和秘鲁是友好国家。

9 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

10 Ireland   

n.爱尔兰(西欧国家)；爱尔兰岛(西欧)

参考例句：

• Ireland lies to the west of England.爱尔兰位于英格兰之西。
• Dublin is the capital of Ireland.都柏林是爱尔兰的首都。

11 bureau   

n.提供或收集消息的机构；局，司，处；署

参考例句：

• The weather bureau makes daily reports on weather conditions.气象局每天报告天气状况。
• The Tourist Bureau arranged everything for our journey to Rome.旅游局已为我们去罗马旅行准备了一切。

12 exposition   

n.说明，讲解，展览（会），陈列

参考例句：

• John gave a very exposition of the facts.约翰把事实解释得很清楚。
• His pictures were shown at the Paris exposition of 1878.他的画在1878年巴黎博览会上展览过。

13 responsible   

adj.有责任的，应负责的；可靠的，可信赖的；责任重大的；vi.休息，睡；静止，停止

参考例句：

• He must be responsible to me for this matter.这件事他必须对我负责。
• The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。

14 supporters   

n.支持者，拥护者，赞助者( supporter的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a battalion of supporters 由支持者组成的队伍
• Thousands of supporters converged on London for the rally. 成千上万的支持者从四面八方汇聚伦敦举行集会。

15 atomic   

adj.(关于)原子的；原子能(武器)的

参考例句：

• The atomic theory is important.原子理论很重要。
• We should take part in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.我们应该参与原子能的和平应用。

16 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。

17 riders   

骑（马、自行车等）的人( rider的名词复数 )； 乘客； 附文； 附加条款

参考例句：

• a group of riders strung out along the beach 沿海滩散开的一队骑手
• The riders came trotting down the lane. 这骑手骑着马在小路上慢跑。

18 global   

adj.全球的；球形的；世界的

参考例句：

• A global environmental meeting is going to be held here.一个全球环境会议将在这里举行。
• The report takes a global view of the company's problems.这份报告对公司的问题作了综合性的论述。

19 creativity   

n.创造力，创造

参考例句：

• There is limited scope for creativity in my job.我的工作中发挥创造力的空间有限。
• She got an unusually low score for creativity.在创造力方面，她得了异乎寻常的低分。

20 planet   

n.行星

参考例句：

• Neptune is the furthest planet from the sun. 海王星是离太阳最远的行星。
• Rubbish, however, is only part of the problem of polluting our planet. 然而, 垃圾只是我们这个星球的污染问题的一个方面。

21 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

22 related   

adj.有关系的，有关联的，叙述的，讲述的

参考例句：

• I am not related to him in any way.我和他无任何关系。
• We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。

23 politicians   

政治家( politician的名词复数 )； 政客，玩弄权术者

参考例句：

• Politicians are ultimately accountable to the voters. 从政者最终是向选民负责。
• backstairs deals between politicians 政客之间的幕后交易

24 quotes   

v.引用，援引( quote的第三人称单数 )；报价；引述；为（股票、黄金或外汇）报价

参考例句：

• He quotes a few verses from Tennyson in his paper. 他在论文中引用了英国诗人丁尼生的几行诗句。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He quotes (from) the Bible to support his beliefs. 他引用圣经来支持自己的信念。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

25 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。

26 scripts   

剧本( script的名词复数 )； 文字； 笔迹； （一种语言的）字母系统

参考例句：

• Many felt he was prostituting his talents by writing Hollywood scripts. 许多人觉得他给好莱坞写剧本是滥用自己的才华。
• The scripts had a rather tired plot. 这部陈旧的剧本的情节是非常俗套的。