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2007年VOA慢速英语special200708130045

时间:2007-08-20 02:49来源:互联网 提供网友:jiang5783   字体: [ ]
    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)
VOICE ONE:

Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English. I'm Steve Ember.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Faith Lapidus. Today we tell about some of the foods that Americans like best 鈥?America's favorites.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:


Hot dog

You may have heard that Americans like hot dogs and hamburgers best of all foods. Well, farmers and owners of public eating places might happily agree. So might the nation's Meat Institute and the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council1. But people whose favorites are pizza and apple pie would give the meat-lovers a spirited argument!

Naming the favorite foods of Americans depends a lot on whom you ask. But one thing is sure. The ancestors of most Americans came from other countries. The United States owes many favorite dishes, or the ideas for these foods, to the rest of the world.

For example, that traditional American favorite, the hot dog or wiener, had its modern beginning in Germany. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates2 that Americans eat about seven thousand million of these sausages during a summer.

VOICE TWO:

A hot dog is usually made from pork, the meat of a pig. Or it is made from beef, the meat of a cow. Another version3 is made from turkey. A vegetarian4 version of a hot dog has no meat at all. It often contains tofu, made from soy plants.

The hot dog is shaped like a tube. Many people say it looks like a Dachshund dog. It is served between two shaped pieces of bread called a bun. Americans often say they especially like hot dogs cooked over a hot fire in the open air. People at sports events buy plenty of hot dogs.

VOICE ONE:

For many people, it is not just the meat that tastes so good. These people enjoy colorful and tasty additions. For example, they include a yellow or yellow-brown thickened liquid called mustard5. They may also put red catsup and pieces of a white or red, strong-smelling vegetable called onion on their hot dogs.

Hot dog eaters often add pickle6, a salty green vegetable. Some people place barbecue sauce on top of all this. Or they use a spice called horseradish. It gives the hot dog a pleasant bite.

A hot dog is also known as a frankfurter or frank7. That is because the city of Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany is often said to be the birthplace of this sausage. But the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council says there are other ideas about where the hot dog began.

VOICE TWO:

One version of hot dog history says a butcher, or meat cutter, from the German city of Coburg was responsible. It says he invented the hot dog in the late sixteen hundreds. Vienna, Austria, also claims that it created the food.

The council says butchers from several countries probably brought common European sausages to America. A street salesman sold hot dogs to people in New York City in the eighteen sixties. And, in eighteen seventy one, a hot dog stand opened at the Coney Island amusement park in New York City.

VOICE ONE:

Americans also eat lots of hamburgers. This ground meat comes from beef. It can be cooked in many ways. Like hot dogs, hamburgers are a favorite picnic food.


The classic8 American hamburger

Many public eating places in the United States say hamburgers are their most popular foods. People often eat them in places that serve quickly prepared, moderately priced food.

Like hot dog experts, hamburger historians10 disagree about how their subject got started. The Egyptians and Romans apparently11 ate ancient versions12 of hamburgers. In more modern days, people in Hamburg, Germany, made something like a hamburger from pork and beef.

VOICE TWO:

The small town of Seymour, Wisconsin, is among several American towns that claim to have created the first modern hamburger in the United States.

In Seymour, a man named Charlie Nagreen tried to sell meatballs at a local fair in eighteen eighty-five. But as people walked around, it was hard for them to handle the round pieces of meat. So Nagreen flattened13 the ball of meat. Then he placed this meat patty between two pieces of bread.

In two thousand one, people in Seymour cooked a hamburger that weighed more than three thousand kilograms. This creation14 reportedly fed thirteen thousand people.

VOICE ONE:

Like hot dogs, Americans like their hamburgers with additions. Things like mustard, catsup, horseradish, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, tomatoes, lettuce15, onion and perhaps a pickle.

A hamburger with cheese melted on it is called a cheeseburger. Cooks make a Sloppy16 Joe by combining hamburger meat with tomato sauce. Many people eat the Sloppy Joe mixture on a bun. Without a bun, they may get more of the loose meat on them than inside them.

For many people, eating both hot dogs and hamburgers does not seem right without potatoes. They eat French fries and potato chips with these meats. French fries are strips17, or pieces, of potato cooked in oil. Potato chips are extremely thin, cooled pieces of potato. They usually are also cooked in oil.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

Americans also buy or make large amounts of pizza. A basic pizza contains tomato sauce or cheese, or both, on a bread-like material.

Food writer Linda Stradley tells about the history of pizza on her computer Web site, What's Cooking America. Miz Stradley says it could have been the Phoenicians, Greeks or Romans who invented pizza. Or, it could have been anyone who mixed flour with water and cooked it on a hot stone.

VOICE ONE:

Italians probably brought pizza to the United States in the second half of the nineteenth century. In nineteen-oh-five, Gennaro Lombardi reportedly opened the first pizza store in New York City. In the nineteen thirties, he added tables to his pizza place. Lombardi also began serving spaghetti.

Spaghetti is a traditional Italian favorite that also has become an American favorite. It is made from flour and water and sometimes eggs. This dough18 is pulled into lengths and boiled.

VOICE TWO:

All kinds of foods can be added to both pizza and spaghetti to add to their taste. For example, people like these foods with different meats on top. Or they like toppings of small fish called anchovies19, or vegetables called mushrooms. Some people like all the additions at once.

Another favorite food, macaroni, is similar to spaghetti. Many Americans remember that their mothers made macaroni cooked with cheese on cold winter days. People sometimes call this dish comfort food, because it makes them feel better.

VOICE ONE:

Others praise hot soups prepared in their childhood homes. Some people say chicken soup -- chicken pieces in liquid -- can cure anything. Still others say New England clam20 chowder helps them think. This soup contains the shellfish clams21 floating in a milky22 liquid. Another version of clam chowder has tomato sauce. It looks red.

To end a meal, or between meals, Americans often eat chocolate in some form. They eat millions and millions of kilograms of chocolate a year. Chocolate is produced from cocoa beans. It is used in sweet foods like candy, pies, puddings and cakes. Many people say chocolate makes them feel happier.

VOICE TWO:

People have praised chocolate for its taste for many years. Some studies have shown that it can help chase23 away mild feelings of sadness. But chocolate often has a large amount of fat.

However, some experts now say a moderate9 amount of chocolate can be healthful. For example, the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center in Ohio notes that chocolate contains substances called antioxidants. Antioxidants are thought to help the body fight damage caused by natural processes and harmful substances in the environment.

The Heart Center suggests choosing dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. And it warns that people should restrict24 themselves to a moderate amount.

VOICE ONE:

Like people in many parts of the world, Americans love pie. These sweet dishes have fruit, nuts or some other filling in a crust25. Some people say pies are the best comfort food ever. That can be debated.


Apple pie

Pie can be the most inviting26 food ever. A red strawberry pie or a green or yellow Key lime27 pie can defeat the strongest resolution of people trying to lose weight. But apple pie may be a top American favorite. Over time, this dish has come to be strongly linked to the United States.

When someone or something seems especially American, people say it is as American as apple pie.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Our program was written by Jerilyn Watson. Caty Weaver28 was our producer. I'm Steve Ember.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Faith Lapidus. Our reports are on the Web at www.unsv.com. Please join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 council ooZz9     
n.理事会,委员会,议事机构
参考例句:
  • The town council passed a law forbidding the distribution of handbills.市议会通过法律,禁止散发传单。
  • The city council has declared for improving the public bus system.市议会宣布同意改进公共汽车系统。
2 estimates d72749910e71e75279b310239e18f36f     
估计
参考例句:
  • Unofficial estimates put the figure at over two million. 非官方的估计数字为200万以上。
  • We got estimates from three different contractors before accepting the lowest. 我们得到3个承包商的报价后,接受了最低的报价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 version FiJwT     
n.版本;型号;叙述,说法
参考例句:
  • His version of the events is pure supposition.他对这件事的说法纯属猜测。
  • What is your version of this matter?你对这件事情的看法 怎么样?
4 vegetarian 7KGzY     
n.素食者;adj.素食的
参考例句:
  • She got used gradually to the vegetarian diet.她逐渐习惯吃素食。
  • I didn't realize you were a vegetarian.我不知道你是个素食者。
5 mustard J62zS     
n.芥子,芥末,深黄色,强烈的兴趣,热情的人
参考例句:
  • This meat should be seasoned with salt and mustard.这肉里应该加点盐和芥末调味。
  • This mustard is hot enough to bite your tongue.这种芥末很辣,你的舌头会吃不消的。
6 pickle mSszf     
n.腌汁,泡菜;v.腌,泡
参考例句:
  • Mother used to pickle onions.妈妈过去常腌制洋葱。
  • Meat can be preserved in pickle.肉可以保存在卤水里。
7 frank JibxK     
adj.坦白的,直率的,真诚的
参考例句:
  • A frank discussion can help to clear the air.坦率的谈论有助于消除隔阂。
  • She is frank and outgoing.她很爽朗。
8 classic gVpyK     
n.经典作品;adj.经典的,一流的;古典的
参考例句:
  • 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。
  • The football match was a classic.那场足球比赛堪称典范。
9 moderate N69zs     
adj.适度的,稳健的,温和的,中等的;v.节制,使...稳定,使...缓和;n.稳健的人
参考例句:
  • You should moderate your language when children are present.在孩子面前,你说话应该有节制。
  • The wind is moderate today.今天的风很柔和。
10 historians aa2dff49e1cda6eb8322970793b20183     
n.历史学家,史学工作者( historian的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Historians seem to have confused the chronology of these events. 历史学家好像把这些事件发生的年代顺序搞混了。
  • Historians have concurred with each other in this view. 历史学家在这个观点上已取得一致意见。
11 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
12 versions b17be6650251f2e6c7d4e90209beb4e0     
n.译本( version的名词复数 );版本;(个人对事件的)描述;(原物的)变体
参考例句:
  • There are two versions of the game, a long one and a short one. 这游戏有两个版本,一长一短。
  • When both versions of the story were collated,major discrepancies were found. 在将这个故事的两个版本对照后,找出了主要的不符之处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 flattened 1d5d9fedd9ab44a19d9f30a0b81f79a8     
[医](水)平扁的,弄平的
参考例句:
  • She flattened her nose and lips against the window. 她把鼻子和嘴唇紧贴着窗户。
  • I flattened myself against the wall to let them pass. 我身体紧靠着墙让他们通过。
14 creation CzExH     
n.创造,创造的作品,产物,宇宙,天地万物
参考例句:
  • Language is the most important mental creation of man.语言是人类头脑最重要的产物。
  • The creation of new playgrounds will benefit the local children.新游戏场的建立将有益于当地的儿童。
15 lettuce C9GzQ     
n.莴苣;生菜
参考例句:
  • Get some lettuce and tomatoes so I can make a salad.买些莴苣和西红柿,我好做色拉。
  • The lettuce is crisp and cold.莴苣松脆爽口。
16 sloppy 1E3zO     
adj.邋遢的,不整洁的
参考例句:
  • If you do such sloppy work again,I promise I'll fail you.要是下次作业你再马马虎虎,我话说在头里,可要给你打不及格了。
  • Mother constantly picked at him for being sloppy.母亲不断地批评他懒散。
17 strips 949b08c5289684d41b893c06db522455     
n. 条,片 名词strip的复数形式
参考例句:
  • Cut the vegetables into thin strips. 把菜切成细条。
  • The baskets are woven from strips of willow. 这些篮子是用柳条编的。
18 dough hkbzg     
n.生面团;钱,现款
参考例句:
  • She formed the dough into squares.她把生面团捏成四方块。
  • The baker is kneading dough.那位面包师在揉面。
19 anchovies anchovies     
n. 鯷鱼,凤尾鱼
参考例句:
  • a pizza topped with cheese and anchovies 奶酪鳀鱼比萨饼
  • Pesto, mozzarella, parma ham, sun dried tomatoes, egg, anchovies. 核桃香蒜,马苏里拉,巴马火腿,干番茄,鸡蛋,咸鱼。
20 clam Fq3zk     
n.蛤,蛤肉
参考例句:
  • Yup!I also like clam soup and sea cucumbers.对呀!我还喜欢蛤仔汤和海参。
  • The barnacle and the clam are two examples of filter feeders.藤壶和蛤类是滤过觅食者的两种例子。
21 clams 0940cacadaf01e94ba47fd333a69de59     
n.蛤;蚌,蛤( clam的名词复数 )v.(在沙滩上)挖蛤( clam的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The restaurant's specialities are fried clams. 这个餐厅的特色菜是炸蚌。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • We dug clams in the flats et low tide. 退潮时我们在浅滩挖蛤蜊。 来自辞典例句
22 milky JD0xg     
adj.牛奶的,多奶的;乳白色的
参考例句:
  • Alexander always has milky coffee at lunchtime.亚历山大总是在午餐时喝掺奶的咖啡。
  • I like a hot milky drink at bedtime.我喜欢睡前喝杯热奶饮料。
23 chase qUWyK     
vt.追逐,追赶,追求;n.追赶
参考例句:
  • The police grabbed the robbers after a long chase.警察经过长距离追赶后逮住了抢劫犯。
  • Would you chase me if I did?如果我逃开了,你会来追吗?
24 restrict NWFx1     
n./vt.限制,限定,约束
参考例句:
  • He feels this new law will restrict his freedom. 他觉得这一新法律会限制他的自由。
  • Don't restrict her proper activities.不要拘束她的正当活动。
25 crust enxzu     
n.(一片)面包皮,硬外皮,外壳;地壳
参考例句:
  • This article focuses on radiation present in the earth crust.本文重点介绍源自地壳的辐射。
  • Earth quakes can result from stresses in the earth's crust.地壳内的应力可能引起地震。
26 inviting CqIzNp     
adj.诱人的,引人注目的
参考例句:
  • An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
  • The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人,使人感到亲切温馨。
27 lime URIzd     
n.石灰,酸橙,酸橙树,粘鸟胶,钙;vt.施石灰,涂上粘性物质,沾上粘鸟胶
参考例句:
  • Lime exists in many soils.许多土壤中都含有石灰。
  • A broad avenue of lime trees led up to a grand entrance with huge oak doors.一条栽有酸橙树的宽阔林阴道通向巨大的橡木门的雄伟入口。
28 weaver LgWwd     
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。
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TAG标签:   voa  慢速英语  voa  慢速英语
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