1、異域風(fēng)情1. American WeddingsHYPERLINK /201304/9381406.html/201304/9381406.html導(dǎo)讀：美式婚禮千差萬(wàn)別。這篇短文將帶你了解其中的一些傳統(tǒng)習(xí)俗。Weddings in the United States vary as much as the people do. There are church weddings with a great deal of fanfare; there are weddings on mountain-tops with guests barefooted; and there have bee

2、n weddings on the ocean floor with oxygen tanks for the guests. But many weddings，no matter where or how they are performed，include certain traditional customs. Before a couple is married，they become engaged. And then invitations are sent to those who live nearby，their close friends and their relati

3、ves who live far away. When everything is ready， then comes the most exciting moment. The wedding itself usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. The wedding party enters the church while the wedding march is played. The bride carrying a bouquet enters last with her father who will give her away. Th

4、e groom enters the church from a side door. When the wedding party is gathered by the altar， the bride and groom exchange vows. It is traditional to use the words To have and to hold from this day forward，for better，for worse，for richer，for poorer，in sickness and in health，to love and to cherish，til

5、l death do us part. Following the vows，the couple exchange rings. Wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is an old custom. After the ceremony there is often a party，called a reception which gives the wedding guests an opportunity to congratulate the newlyweds. The car in whic

6、h the couple leaves the church is decorated with balloons, streamers and shaving cream. The words Just Married are painted on the trunk or back window. The bride and groom run to the car under a shower of rice thrown by the wedding guests. When the couple drives away from the church, friends often c

7、hase them in cars，honking and drawing attention to them. And then the couple go on their honeymoon. 美國(guó)人的婚禮美國(guó)人的個(gè)性有多大差異美式婚禮就有多大差異。有在教堂里舉行的隆重的婚禮；也有在高山頂上舉行的賓客們赤腳參加的婚禮；還有在海底舉行為來(lái)賓提供氧氣罐的婚禮。但是，不管婚禮在哪里舉行，如何舉行，它們都包含一些傳統(tǒng)的習(xí)俗。一對(duì)男女喜結(jié)連理之前，他們要先訂婚。然后向遠(yuǎn)近各處的親朋好友派發(fā)請(qǐng)柬。當(dāng)一切準(zhǔn)備就緒，那個(gè)最激動(dòng)人心的時(shí)刻就要到來(lái)了?；槎Y一般持續(xù)20到40分鐘。參加婚禮的一干人等伴著婚禮進(jìn)

8、行曲步入教堂。手捧鮮花的新娘會(huì)在父親的陪伴下最后到來(lái)，他將把她交付給新郎。新郎會(huì)從側(cè)門(mén)進(jìn)入教堂。當(dāng)參加婚禮的賓客被召集到圣壇旁邊，新娘和新郎互相表達(dá)誓言。常用的結(jié)婚誓言是：“從今以后，不論境遇好壞，貧窮富有，疾病健康，誓言相親相愛(ài)，至死不分離?！毙倪^(guò)后，夫妻雙方交換婚戒。依照古老的風(fēng)俗，婚戒要戴在左手的無(wú)名指上。典禮過(guò)后，通常會(huì)有一個(gè)宴會(huì)，叫做“婚宴”，參加婚禮的賓客可以趁此機(jī)會(huì)向新婚夫婦表示祝賀。新婚夫妻離開(kāi)教堂所乘坐的汽車(chē)會(huì)裝飾有氣球、彩帶和剃須膏。汽車(chē)的后備箱或者后玻璃上會(huì)噴涂著“新婚之喜”。新郎新娘在賓客拋灑的雨點(diǎn)般的大米中跑向汽車(chē)。當(dāng)他們乘車(chē)離開(kāi)教堂時(shí)，朋友們通常會(huì)開(kāi)著汽車(chē)追趕他們

9、，按喇叭，吸引他們的注意。然后小夫妻就會(huì)去度蜜月了。重點(diǎn)單詞:1. fanfare fnfe n. 吹牛，炫耀2. bouquet bke n. 花束3. altar lt; l- n. 祭壇；圣壇4. vow va n. 誓言5. cherish ter vt. 珍愛(ài)6. streamer strim n. 彩色紙帶7. honk hk vi. 鳴汽車(chē)?yán)戎攸c(diǎn)短語(yǔ) / 亮點(diǎn)句式：1. a great deal of 很多；大量。用來(lái)修飾不可數(shù)名詞。如：Consumers are often cheated by the false advertisement on which consume

10、rs always waste a great deal of time.消費(fèi)者經(jīng)常被虛假?gòu)V告欺騙，而且人們?cè)谶@些廣告上浪費(fèi)了大量的時(shí)間。2. But many weddings，no matter where or how they are performed，include certain traditional customs.但是，不管婚禮在哪里舉行，如何舉行，它們都包含一些傳統(tǒng)的習(xí)俗?！皀o matter + 疑問(wèn)詞”引導(dǎo)讓步狀語(yǔ)從句。如：No matter what goals you wish to achieve in life, you must be prepared fo

11、r both failure and adversity.在生活中，無(wú)論你希望完成什么目標(biāo)，你都必須做好面對(duì)失敗和逆境的準(zhǔn)備。No matter when you eat, your body will store extra calories as fat.無(wú)論你什么時(shí)候進(jìn)食，你的身體都會(huì)把額外的熱量轉(zhuǎn)儲(chǔ)為脂肪。3. draw attention to吸引的注意力。如：Websites can draw attention to people in two ways.網(wǎng)站可以通過(guò)兩種方式吸引人們的注意。名句背誦：A friend that you buy with presents will

12、 be bought from you. （Thomas Fuller）用禮物“買(mǎi)來(lái)”的朋友終會(huì)被買(mǎi)走。（托馬斯富勒）2. Americans Love for Pets導(dǎo)讀：如今，越來(lái)越多的人開(kāi)始愛(ài)上飼養(yǎng)寵物。它們是我們的家人和開(kāi)心果。美國(guó)人對(duì)于寵物的喜愛(ài)更是非同一般。HYPERLINK /201303/9374402.html/201303/9374402.htmlAmericans love pets. And its not just puppy love, either. Many pet owners treat their furry friends as part of the

13、 family. Sometimes they spice up their pets lives with entertaining videos and amusing toys. If they have an eye for fashion, pet owners can dress their pets in stylish clothes. For special occasions, they can use canine perfume to make their dogs smell, well, less beastly. You might say Americans t

14、reat their pets like they treat their children sometimes even better. In America, there are more households with pets than those with children. At least 43 percent of U.S. homes have pets of some sort. Exotic creatures, such as monkeys, snakes and even wolves, find a home with some Americans. More c

15、ommon pets include tropical fish, mice and birds. But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House. The Clintons cat, Socks, has replaced the Bushes dog, Millie, as reigning First Pet. Americans sometimes have strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. Dog peop

16、le and cat people often enjoy friendly rivalries. Leading a dogs life in America isnt such a bad thing. Many grocery stores sell gourmet pet foods to owners eager to please their pets. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner delivered to their homes, just like pizza. Well-to-do canines can att

17、end doggy daycare centers while their owners work. Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation. Fancy hotels are beginning to accommodate both man and beast. Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels can enjoy gourmet meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds. Beneath the fluffy luxuries, the

18、re lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treated well. At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America. These provide care and adoption services for homeless and abused animals. Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level of medical care for an incredible price. To p

19、ay for the high-tech health care, people can buy health insurance for their pets. And when its time to say good-bye, owners can bury their pets in a respectable pet cemetery. The average American enjoys having pets around, and for good reason. Researchers have discovered that interacting with animal

20、s lowers a persons blood pressure. Dogs can offer protection from burglars and unwelcome visitors. Cats can help rid the home of unwanted pests. Little creatures of all shapes and sizes can provide companionship and love. In many cases, having a pet prepares a young couple for the responsibilities o

21、f parenthood. Pets even encourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, and they provide a good topic of conversation. Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. To Americans, pets are not just property, but a part of the family. After all,

22、pets are people, too. 美國(guó)人愛(ài)寵物 美國(guó)人喜愛(ài)寵物。這種喜愛(ài)不是那種短暫的、不成熟的愛(ài)。很多寵物的主人會(huì)把這些動(dòng)物朋友當(dāng)作家里的一份子。有時(shí)候他們還會(huì)給寵物買(mǎi)錄像帶和好玩兒的玩具給它們的生活增添樂(lè)趣。如果這些寵物的主人具有時(shí)尚的眼光，他們會(huì)給自己的寵物也穿上時(shí)髦的衣服。在一些特殊場(chǎng)合，他們還會(huì)給狗噴上專(zhuān)用的香水，讓它們的味道好聞一點(diǎn)，不那么讓人討厭。你可以這么說(shuō)，美國(guó)人對(duì)待他們的寵物就像對(duì)待自己的孩子有時(shí)候甚至比對(duì)孩子還要好。在美國(guó)，有寵物的家庭比有孩子的家庭還要多。至少百分之四十三的家庭養(yǎng)著寵物。有一些美國(guó)家庭養(yǎng)著一些來(lái)自國(guó)外的品種，比如說(shuō)猴子、蛇，甚至還有狼。比較常見(jiàn)

23、的寵物有熱帶魚(yú)、老鼠和鳥(niǎo)。但是，人們最喜愛(ài)的寵物一直是貓和狗，即使在白宮也是如此?？肆诸D總統(tǒng)的貓“襪子”已經(jīng)取代了布什的狗“米莉”成為了第一寵物。美國(guó)人有時(shí)很在意貓和狗，誰(shuí)才是最好的寵物?！梆B(yǎng)狗的人”和“養(yǎng)貓的人”喜歡就此進(jìn)行友好的爭(zhēng)論。在美國(guó)，狗的生活相當(dāng)不錯(cuò)。很多副食店都經(jīng)營(yíng)寵物食品，可以讓主人們?nèi)偹麄兊膶櫸?。在德克薩斯州的休斯頓，寵物狗可以享用送到家的美餐，就像披薩一樣。富人家的寵物狗在主人上班的時(shí)候可以去日托中心。寵物們甚至可以隨同主人一起去度假。一些豪華酒店既為人也給寵物提供食宿。這些動(dòng)物客人在四季酒店可以享用裝在精制的瓷器中的美食，并且睡在柔軟的床上。在寵物這種看似奢侈的享受下，

24、存在著美國(guó)人的一種基本信念：寵物有權(quán)受到善待。在美國(guó)至少有75個(gè)動(dòng)物福利機(jī)構(gòu)。這些機(jī)構(gòu)為流浪動(dòng)物和被虐待的動(dòng)物提供照顧和收養(yǎng)服務(wù)。獸醫(yī)可以給寵物提供極好的醫(yī)療服務(wù)，當(dāng)然價(jià)格也高得令人難以置信。為了支付高科技的醫(yī)療服務(wù)，人們可以為寵物購(gòu)買(mǎi)健康保險(xiǎn)。要和寵物永遠(yuǎn)告別的時(shí)候，主人們可以把它們埋葬在一塊像樣的墓地里。美國(guó)人普遍喜歡養(yǎng)寵物，而且有充分的理由。研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)和動(dòng)物接觸能夠降低人的血壓。狗可以阻擋竊賊和不受歡迎的訪客。貓可以幫助清除家里的害蟲(chóng)。任何種類(lèi)個(gè)頭的動(dòng)物都能帶給人友情和愛(ài)的感覺(jué)。在很多情況下，養(yǎng)一只寵物可以讓年輕夫妻為承擔(dān)為人父母的責(zé)任做好準(zhǔn)備。寵物甚至可以促進(jìn)人際關(guān)系：它們讓主人看起

25、來(lái)友好親切，也為人們交談提供了一個(gè)很好的話題。 就像熱狗和蘋(píng)果派一樣，寵物是美國(guó)文化的基本組成部分。對(duì)于美國(guó)人來(lái)說(shuō)，寵物不僅是他們的財(cái)產(chǎn)，而是家庭的一部分。畢竟，寵物也是“人”。重點(diǎn)單詞:1. puppy pp n. 小狗，幼犬2. furry fr adj. 毛皮的；蓋著毛皮的3. spice spas vt. 使增添趣味4. canine kenan; k- n. 犬5. exotic gztk; eg- adj. 異國(guó)的6. reigning ren adj. 統(tǒng)治的；在位的7. gourmet gme; g- n. 美食家8. fluffy flf adj. 蓬松的；松軟的；毛茸茸的9

26、. veterinarian ,vet()rnern n. 獸醫(yī)重點(diǎn)短語(yǔ) / 亮點(diǎn)句式：1. have an eye for對(duì)有鑒賞眼光。如：You really have an eye for beauty.你真有審美觀。2. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner delivered to their homes, just like pizza.在德克薩斯州的休斯頓，寵物狗可以享用送到家的美餐，就像披薩一樣。have sth. done意為“讓別人做某事”。賓語(yǔ)后面用過(guò)去分詞作賓語(yǔ)補(bǔ)足語(yǔ)，說(shuō)明賓語(yǔ)與過(guò)去分詞表示的動(dòng)作之間是被動(dòng)關(guān)系。如：

27、We had the machine mended just now. 我們剛才請(qǐng)人把機(jī)器修好了。 3. Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie.就像熱狗和蘋(píng)果派一樣，寵物是美國(guó)文化的基本組成部分。as as 意為“和一樣”。第一個(gè)as是副詞，后跟形容詞、副詞原級(jí)；第二個(gè)as為連詞。如：He is as strong as a horse. 他力大如牛。Youve made as many mistakes as I have. 你犯的錯(cuò)誤和我犯的一樣多。4. after all 畢竟；終究。如：After

28、all, no one knows me better than me.畢竟，沒(méi)有哪一個(gè)人比自己更了解自己。You should be easy on these students. After all, they are kids.你應(yīng)該對(duì)這些學(xué)生們寬容一點(diǎn)。畢竟他們還都是孩子。名句背誦：The Golden Rule is that there are no golden rules. （George Bernard Shaw, Irish writer）真正的金科玉律就是世上并無(wú)金科玉律。（愛(ài)爾蘭作家 喬治蕭伯納） 3. Americans Love TravelHYPERLINK /2

29、01303/9361849.html/201303/9361849.html導(dǎo)讀: 全世界的人都喜歡旅游，美國(guó)人更是如此。本文分析了美國(guó)愛(ài)旅游背后的原因。Its summertime, and the living is easy. For many Americans, this is the season to travel. Why? Because school is out. Because the weather is great. And most of all, because we all deserve a break. When Americans take a brea

30、k, they often head for their favorite vacation spot. Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. The early immigrants had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they werent content to stay there. Explorers and traders journe

31、yed to the unknown western territories. Later, settlers moved west to develop these new areas. As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average Ame

32、rican moves every five years. Besides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling. Some people make long-distance commutes to work daily. Their jobs may even require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual vacation for their employees, and people

33、 often use that time to travel. Some people just visit friends or relatives in distant states. Others go on low-budget weekend excursions and stay in economy motels. Those with more expensive tastes choose luxurious resorts and hotels. Camping out in the great outdoors appeals to adventurous types.

34、Some travel in recreational vehicles to camp out in comfort, while others “rough it” by sleeping in tents.Most Americans prefer to travel within their nations borders. Why? For one thing, its cheaper than traveling abroad, and theres no language problem. But besides that, the vast American territory

35、 offers numerous tourist attractions. Nature lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, canyons, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors a multitude of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie. Many America

36、n vacations are as unique as the people who take them. Families often plan their trips with the kids in mind. More and more family friendly vacation resorts offer special programs for children. History buffs seek out famous historical sites and museums. Environmentalists prefer green vacations. Thes

37、e trips allow them to observe flora and fauna up-close without disturbing the sensitive balance of nature. Some people find sea cruises relaxing and refreshing. Others hit the water to go fishing, skiing or white-water rafting. Daring souls get the thrill of a lifetime on trekking expeditions and sa

38、faris in remote places from Africa to Asia. Americans arent the only people in the world who travel. International business, mass communication and jet airplanes have created a world of globetrotters. People all over the world enjoy going abroad to travel. And no matter where they live, people enjoy

39、 visiting scenic spots in their own country. But being on the go makes Americans what they are: people on the move. In America, almost everybody is a tourist sometime. 美國(guó)人愛(ài)旅行夏天到了，生活非常舒適。對(duì)于很多美國(guó)人來(lái)說(shuō)，夏天是旅游的季節(jié)。為什么呢？因?yàn)閷W(xué)校放假了。因?yàn)樘鞖夂芎谩５钪匾氖?，我們都?yīng)該休息一下了。休假的時(shí)候，美國(guó)人經(jīng)常去他們最喜歡的度假勝地。在美國(guó)人的歷史上，他們一直在流動(dòng)。早期的移民者長(zhǎng)途跋涉之后才到達(dá)了新

40、大陸。到達(dá)之后，他們東海岸住下來(lái)。但是，他們不滿于長(zhǎng)期定居此地。探險(xiǎn)家和生意人來(lái)到了美西部那片未知的區(qū)域。此后，移民者也西進(jìn)開(kāi)發(fā)這些新地區(qū)。由于這次西遷，美國(guó)人最終占據(jù)了整個(gè)大陸從大西洋一直到太平洋。即使今天，美國(guó)人似乎仍然不能久居某地。研究表明美國(guó)人平均每五年搬一次家。除了不斷搬家的習(xí)慣之外，美國(guó)人習(xí)慣于旅行。一些人每天上下班要長(zhǎng)途往返。他們的工作甚至要求他們經(jīng)常因公出差。大多數(shù)公司會(huì)給員工提供年假，人們經(jīng)常利用這段時(shí)間外出旅行。有些人會(huì)去看望遠(yuǎn)方的親人或者朋友。還有一些人在周末進(jìn)行花費(fèi)不高的周末短途旅行，住在經(jīng)濟(jì)的汽車(chē)旅館中。品味比較高的那些人會(huì)選擇豪華的度假地和酒店。戶(hù)外露營(yíng)對(duì)于喜歡冒險(xiǎn)

41、的人群很有吸引力。有些人開(kāi)著旅行車(chē)開(kāi)心出游，而有些人則簡(jiǎn)簡(jiǎn)單單地睡在帳篷里。大多數(shù)美國(guó)人更喜歡在國(guó)內(nèi)旅行。為什么呢？一方面，國(guó)內(nèi)旅行比出國(guó)旅行價(jià)格便宜，而且沒(méi)有語(yǔ)言問(wèn)題。此外，美國(guó)廣闊的疆土為人們提供了數(shù)不勝數(shù)的旅游景點(diǎn)。喜愛(ài)自然的人可以欣賞海灘、高山、峽谷、湖泊和很多自然奇觀。大城市可以給游客提供很多城市的樂(lè)趣?，F(xiàn)代高速公路、鐵路和飛機(jī)的便利使得在美國(guó)旅行易如反掌。很多美國(guó)假期和美國(guó)人一樣特別。一家人計(jì)劃出游時(shí)會(huì)把孩子考慮在內(nèi)。越來(lái)越多的“適合全家游玩”的度假地都為孩子們提供特別的活動(dòng)。歷史愛(ài)好者會(huì)找一些歷史遺跡和博物館。環(huán)保主義者喜歡“綠色假期”。這些旅行可以使他們近距離地觀察動(dòng)植物，而且

42、不會(huì)打破自然界敏感的生態(tài)平衡。有些人覺(jué)得乘坐游船出?？梢允谷诵那榉潘伞⒕穸稊\。還有些人去水邊釣魚(yú)、滑冰或者漂流。膽大的人會(huì)長(zhǎng)途跋涉到亞洲和非洲，享受千載難逢的刺激感。美國(guó)人不是世界上唯一喜愛(ài)旅行的人。國(guó)際企業(yè)、大眾傳播工具和噴氣式飛機(jī)造就了很多環(huán)球旅行者。世界各地的人們都喜歡出國(guó)旅行。不管生活在哪里，人們都喜歡欣賞本國(guó)的旅游景點(diǎn)。但是喜愛(ài)奔波的天性使美國(guó)人成為了現(xiàn)在的樣子：不斷遷移的人群。在美國(guó)，幾乎美國(guó)人都做過(guò)旅行者。重點(diǎn)單詞:1. territory tert()r n. 領(lǐng)土，領(lǐng)域2. commute kmjut vi. 通勤3. excursion ksk()n; ek- n. 遠(yuǎn)足

43、4. luxurious lgrs adj. 奢侈的；豐富的5. canyon knjn n. 峽谷6. multitude mlttjud n. 多數(shù)7. buff bf n. 愛(ài)好者8. flora flr n. 植物群9. fauna fn n. 動(dòng)物群10. cruise kruz n. 巡游；乘船游覽11. trek trek vi. 艱苦跋涉12. safaris sfr n. 旅行重點(diǎn)短語(yǔ) / 亮點(diǎn)句式：1. head for前往；出發(fā)。如：In the winter I head for the mall.在冬日里,我前往這個(gè)購(gòu)物商場(chǎng)。2. as a result of由于；作

44、為的結(jié)果。如：As a result of his historic flight he became an international hero and legend.由于他這次歷史性的飛行，他成為了一個(gè)國(guó)際英雄和傳奇。3. every five years 每五年?！癳very + 基數(shù)詞 + 復(fù)數(shù)名詞”或者“every + 序數(shù)詞 + 單數(shù)名詞”表示“每”。如：The Olympic Games are held every four years.奧運(yùn)會(huì)每四年舉辦一次。I go to see my parents every fifth days.我每隔四天天去看望一次父母。4. Bes

45、ides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling.除了不斷搬家的習(xí)慣之外，美國(guó)人習(xí)慣于旅行。be used to doing 習(xí)慣于做某事。如：My grandpa is used to going for a walk after dinner.我爺爺習(xí)慣晚飯后散步。5. appeal to對(duì)有吸引力。如：Bright colours appeal to small children.鮮艷的顏色對(duì)小孩子有吸引力。名句背誦：Love has no meaning if it isnt shared.

46、Love has to be put into action. （Mother Teresa, Roman Catholic nun）愛(ài)若不與人分享則毫無(wú)意義。愛(ài)必須付諸行動(dòng)。（羅馬天主教修女 特里薩嬤嬤）4. The Story of American ThanksgivingHYPERLINK /language_tips/2006-11/23/content_740376.htm/language_tips/2006-11/23/content_740376.htm導(dǎo)讀: 感恩節(jié)是美國(guó)的重要節(jié)日。本文介紹了這個(gè)節(jié)日的由來(lái)。Thanksgiving Day is an American h

47、oliday and not celebrated in continental Europe. On the fourth Thursday of each November, families and friends gather together for the occasion to celebrate with a traditional turkey dinner, usually in the mid-afternoon. Thanksgiving originated as a celebration of the years harvest and is similar to

48、 the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.This American tradition started in 1621 before the United States of America was established. It was a huge celebration for a hard-earned harvest in the first year after the first group of immigrants arriving in the New World.On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower ship

49、set sail from Plymouth, Devon, England, taking about a hundred English Pilgrims to the New World. They left England to escape religious persecution. The Pilgrims sailed sixty-six days, arrived in the New World in November of the same year. They first settled in a cornfield abandoned by Native Indian

50、s and named it Plymouth Plantation.They worked on the land with much difficulty and were beset by a devastating plague in which half of the Pilgrim died in the long winter of 1620. In the spring of 1621, an Indian tribe came to their help. The tribe taught the Pilgrims how to work the earth and plan

51、t corn, beans, pumpkins and other crops.In late September 1621, the Pilgrims were pleased with their great harvest. To celebrate their first harvest, the Pilgrims wanted to thank God and the Native Indian. They invited the entire tribe to celebrate together in a shared feast.The first Thanksgiving d

52、inner is said to have lasted from three days to one week with much food, beer and liquor. The Pilgrims and the Native Indian sat together on the ground, sharing food. They ran races, played games and staged parades during the festive, with marches, drums and firing of their muskets.The first Thanksg

53、iving festival was indeed a time of happiness, fellowship and rejoicing for the Pilgrims. They arranged a friendly treaty with the Native American Indians, built houses in the wilderness, and raised sufficient crops to feed themselves for the upcoming long winter. The Pilgrims had become the first g

54、eneration of settlers in this new land holding so much promise.From then on, Thanksgiving became a holiday for celebrating the harvest in the New World. The first National Thanksgiving was declared by the Continental Congress in 1777. In 1941, a Congressional Joint Resolution set the fourth Thursday

55、 of November as a national holiday for Thanksgiving.美國(guó)感恩節(jié)的故事感恩節(jié)是一個(gè)美國(guó)節(jié)日，歐洲大陸上的人們是不過(guò)這個(gè)節(jié)日的。每年十一月的第四個(gè)星期四，家人朋友齊聚一堂共同慶祝，下午三點(diǎn)左右還要一起享用火雞宴。感恩節(jié)起源于對(duì)一年收獲的慶祝，與中國(guó)的中秋節(jié)相似。這個(gè)美國(guó)傳統(tǒng)開(kāi)始于1621年，那時(shí)美國(guó)還沒(méi)有成立。它是為了慶祝到達(dá)新大陸的第一批移民第一年辛苦勞作而獲得的豐收。1620年9月6日，“五月花號(hào)”帆船從英格蘭德文郡普利茅斯出發(fā)，帶著大約100名英國(guó)清教徒駛往新大陸。他們離開(kāi)英國(guó)時(shí)為了逃避?chē)?guó)內(nèi)的宗教迫害。這批清教徒在海上行駛了66天，在當(dāng)年的

56、十一月到達(dá)了新大陸。他們?cè)谕林〉诎踩藦U棄的一塊玉米地定居下來(lái)，將其命名為普利茅斯種植園。1620年的冬天漫長(zhǎng)寒冷，他們面對(duì)種種困難，在那片土地上辛勤勞作著，然而一場(chǎng)毀滅性的瘟疫奪去了一半人的性命。1621年春天，一個(gè)印第安的部落前來(lái)幫忙。他們教給這些清教徒如何耕種土地、如何種植玉米、大豆、南瓜以及其他作物。1621年9月底，清教徒們喜獲豐收。為了慶祝在新大陸的第一次收獲，他們想要感謝上帝和當(dāng)?shù)氐挠〉诎踩恕Ｓ谑撬麄冄?qǐng)了整個(gè)部落的人一起分享盛宴慶祝豐收。據(jù)說(shuō)第一次感恩宴會(huì)上有很多食物、啤酒和飲料，時(shí)間從三天延長(zhǎng)到了一周。清教徒們和當(dāng)?shù)氐挠〉诎踩讼囟?，共享美食。他們一起賽跑、做游戲、而且擊?/p>

57、鳴槍進(jìn)行游行。對(duì)于清教徒們來(lái)說(shuō)，第一個(gè)感恩盛宴真的是充滿了幸福、友誼和歡欣。他們和當(dāng)?shù)氐挠〉诎踩撕炗喠艘粋€(gè)友好的協(xié)議，在荒野中建起房屋，而且為即將到來(lái)的漫長(zhǎng)冬季儲(chǔ)備了充足的食物。這些清教徒成為了這塊充滿著希望的新大陸上的第一代移居者。從那以后，感恩節(jié)在新大陸成為了一個(gè)慶祝豐收的節(jié)日。1777年，美國(guó)大陸會(huì)議第一次宣布感恩節(jié)為全國(guó)性節(jié)日。1941年，一項(xiàng)國(guó)會(huì)聯(lián)合決議將感恩節(jié)定在每年十一月的第四個(gè)星期四。重點(diǎn)單詞:1. originate rdnet; - vi. 發(fā)源；發(fā)生2. pilgrim plgrm n. 朝圣者3. persecution pskjun n. 迫害4. beset bse

58、t vt. 困擾5. plague pleg n. 瘟疫6. musket mskt n. 步槍7. rejoicing rds n. 高興；欣喜8. treaty trit n. 條約；協(xié)議9. sufficient sf()nt adj. 足夠的10. congress kgres n. 國(guó)會(huì)；會(huì)議 重點(diǎn)短語(yǔ) / 亮點(diǎn)句式：1. be similar to 與相似。如：The results should be similar to those shown in your report.結(jié)果和你報(bào)告中顯示的相似。2. set sail啟航；張帆。如：Columbuss three-ship

59、 expedition set sail from Palos, Spain, in 1492.1492年，哥倫布帶領(lǐng)他的三艘遠(yuǎn)征船從西班牙的帕洛斯起航了。3. The first Thanksgiving dinner is said to have lasted from three days to one week with much food, beer and liquor.據(jù)說(shuō)第一次感恩宴會(huì)上有很多食物、啤酒和飲料，時(shí)間從三天延長(zhǎng)到了一周。“主語(yǔ)+be+過(guò)去分詞+不定式”是英語(yǔ)中的一個(gè)常用結(jié)構(gòu)。如：At least three children were reported to b

60、e killed in the accident.據(jù)報(bào)道在這次事故中至少有三名兒童死亡。名句背誦：All happy families are like one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. （Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer）所有幸福的家庭都十分相似；而每個(gè)不幸的家庭各有各的不幸。（俄國(guó)文學(xué)家 L. 托爾斯泰）5. Americans HospitalityHYPERLINK /201303/9346883.html/201303/9346883.html導(dǎo)讀：美國(guó)人素來(lái)以“熱情好客”著稱(chēng)