Reading
Behind the scenes 幕后
Hello,everyone!Let me start by asking you a question:what's the first thing you notice about a film?The acting?The music?Maybe the amazing sets?Whatever your answer is,there's always a lot more to it than first meets the eye.Actually,the film you see on the screen is the product of a huge amount of hard work,most of which takes place behind the scenes.Today,I'll give you a brief introduction to some aspects of film-making you might not be familiar with.
大家好！让我来先问你们一个问题作为开场：对于一部电影你首先会注意什么？表演？配乐？也许是令人惊叹的布景？无论你们的答案是什么，事情总比你们认为的要复杂得多。事实上，你在银幕上看到的电影是大量艰苦工作的产物，其中大部分工作发生在幕后。今天我将就电影制作中你们可能不太熟悉的几个方面作一个简单的介绍。
To begin with,l'd like to draw your attention to an important factor of a film-sound affects.These are often added after a scene has been shot and might not be made in the way you would expect.For example,in Jurassic park,the sounds of different animals,including a baby elephant and a tiger,were mixed by a computer to make a dinosaur roar.The sound of the doors opening in the Star Trek films was made simply by pulling a sheet of paper out of an envelope.
首先，我想请你们注意电影的一个重要元素—音效。音效通常是在一个场景拍摄完成之后添加的，而且可能是以你意想不到的方式制作的。例如，《侏罗纪公园》中恐龙的吼叫声，是用包括小象和老虎在内的不同动物的声音通过电脑合成的。在《星际迷航》系列电影里，开门的声音不过是通过从信封里抽取纸张来实现的。
Another aspect I attach great importance to is visual special effects.CGI has been frequently used in film—making as a special effects technology.Generally,scenes requiring CGI are filmed in front of a green in the studio.As green doesn't match any natural hair or skin colour,actors can be easily separeted from the background.This enables CGI effecta to be added later.The Quidditch scenes in the Harry Potter films were made in this way with the actors jumping up and down in front of a green screen.However,the aid of computers isn't always preferred. Peter Jackson,director of The Lord of the Rings films,took a creative approach—he used clever camara angles to make characters seem bigger or smaller than they really were.
另一个我认为非常重要的方面是视觉特效。CGI（计算机生成影像）最为一种特效技术在电影制作中已经很常用。一般来说，需要使用CGI的场景会在工作室的绿幕前拍摄。因为绿色与任何自然的人类发色或肤色都不同，演员可以轻而易举地与背景分离。这使得在后期添加CGI效果成为可能。“哈利•波特”系列电影中魁地奇比赛的场景就是通过演员在绿幕前上下跳跃这种方式制作的。不过，计算机辅助并不总是受到青睐。《指环王》系列电影的导演彼得•杰克逊采用了一种创造性的方法—他利用各种巧妙的拍摄角度，使剧中角色看起来比实际更大或更小。
Props also contribute to a film's success.To make a film look real,great effort must sometimes be made to research,find and build objects.Director James Camcron spent six months looking at and revising plans of the Titanic in
order to build a full—sized model for his 1997 film.He talked to historians to ensure that the details were correct and even went down to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to see what was left of the ship for himself.It took 500 works 100 days to build the fine model,not to mention the thousands of props inside.
道具也为一部电影的成功助力。为了让电影看起来逼真，有时必须付出巨大的努力去研究、寻找和构建物体。导演詹姆斯•卡梅隆花了半年时间研究和修正“泰坦尼克号”的图纸，目的是为他1997年的电影制作一个全尺寸模型。他和历史学家进行交流以确保细节无误，甚至亲自潜到大西洋海底查看“泰坦尼克号”的残骸。为了制作这个精致的模型，500名工人用力100天，更不用说内部还有成千上万的道具了。
My lecture today may not be able to do justice to all the work people have done behind the scenes.Just as the poor passengers on the real Titanic saw the tip of the iceberg,what we see on the cinema screen is just the tip of the huge iceberg of film—making.Hopefully,next time you go to the cinema,you'll spare a thought for all those talented people behind the scenes.They have worked for months and even years so that you can have two hours of enjoyment!
我今天的讲座，可能无法对所有的幕后工作者给予公正的评价。正如“泰坦尼克号”上可怜的乘客看到的冰山一角一样，我们在影院银幕上看到的也只是电影制作这座巨大冰山的一角而已。希望下次你们走进电影院时，能想一想所有那些才华出众的幕后工作者。他们工作了数月甚至是数年，如此你们才能有两个小时的愉悦时光！
Extended reading 拓展阅读
Forrest Gump(Excerpt) 阿甘正传（节选）
Forrest Gump is a 1994 film starring Tom Hanks.It tells the story of Forrest Gump,a simple man with a warm personality.Despite an IQ of 75,he lives a truly amazing life.He sees,and sometimes influences,some of the major events of the United States in the second half of the 20th century.
《阿甘正传》是1994年由汤姆•汉克斯主演的电影。影片讲述了福雷斯特•冈普一个单纯且热心的人的故事。尽管智商只有75，他的生活却着实精彩。20世纪下半叶美国社会发生的一些重大事件，他是亲历者，有几次他还对这些大事件产生了影响。
Mrs Gump and Forrest wait for the school bus.The bus pulls up as Mrs Gump prepares Forrest for his first day of school.
MRS GUMP:You do your very best now,Forrest.
FORREST:I sure will,Momma.
FORREST(Voice—over):I remember the bus ride on the first day of school very well.
冈普太太和福雷斯特等校车。冈普太太帮福雷斯特为开学第一天作准备，此时校车停下。
冈普太太：你现在要全力以赴了，福雷斯特。
福雷斯特：我一定会的，妈妈。
福雷斯特（旁白）：我还清楚地记得上学第一天坐校 车的情景。
The bus driver opens the door and looks down.Forrest walks to the steps of the bus and looks at the bus driver.
BUS DRIVER:Are you coming along?
FORREST:Momma said not to be taking rides from strangers.
BUS DRIVER:This is the bus to school.
FORREST:I'm Forrest.Forrest Gump.
BUS DRIVER:I'm Dorothy Harris.
FORREST:Well,now we aren't strangers anymore.
校车司机打开了门，望着下面。福雷斯特爬上校车的台阶，盯着司机。
校车司机：你上不上车？
福雷斯特：我妈说不要上陌生人的车。
校车司机：这是开去学校的车。
福雷斯特：我是福雷斯特。福雷斯特•冈普。
校车司机：我是多萝西•哈里斯。
福雷斯特：好吧，我们现在就不再是陌生人了。
The bus driver smiles as Forrest steps up into the bus.Mrs Gump waves to Forrest as the bus drives away.Forrest begins to walk down the bus.
Two young boys look up from the seat.
BOY 1:This seat's taken.
BOY 2:It's taken.
校车司机微笑，福雷斯特上了车。校车开走时，冈普太太向福雷斯特挥手告别。福雷斯特向车内走去。两个小男孩在座位上抬起头瞥了他一眼。
男孩 1：这位子有人了。
男孩 2：有人坐了。
Forrest looks around.A larger girl moves over so Forrest can't sit next to her.She shakes her head.Forrest looks to the other side where a boy sits alone on a larger seat.The boy looks angrily at Forrest.
福雷斯特四下看了看。一个大块头的女孩往空座上挪了挪，所以福雷斯特不能挨着她坐。那女孩摇摇头。福雷斯特看了看另外一边，有个男孩独占了更大的的座位。这个男孩凶巴巴地看着福雷斯特。
BOY 3:You can't sit here.
FORREST(Voice—over):You know,it's funny what a young man recollects.Because I don't remember being born.I,I...don't recall what I got for my first Christmas and I don't know when I went on my first outdoor picnic.But,I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world.
GIRL:You can sit here if you want.
男孩 3：你不能坐这里。
福雷斯特（旁白）：你知道，一个年轻人的回忆很有趣。因为我不记得我是怎么出生的。我，我不记得收到的第一份圣诞礼物是什么，也不记得我第一次外出野餐是什么时候。但是，我清楚地记得我第一次听到全世界最甜美的声音时的情景。
女孩：如果你愿意的话，你可以坐这儿。
Forrest looks back at Jenny Curran,a young girl about Forrest's age.
FORREST(Voice—over):I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life.She was like an angel.
JENNY:Well,are you going to sit down,or aren't you?
Forrest sits down next to Jenny.
福雷斯特回头看到了珍妮•柯伦，一个和他年龄相仿的小女孩。
福雷斯特（旁白）：我这辈子从未见过这么美好的事情，她像天使一样。
珍妮：嗯，你是坐呢，还是不坐？
福雷斯特坐在了珍妮旁边。
JENNY:What's wrong with your legs?
FORREST:Um,nothing at all,thank you.My legs are just fine and dandy.
FORREST(Voice—over):I just sat next to her on that bus and had a conversation all the way to school.
JENNY:Then why do you have those shoes on?
FORREST:My momma said my back's crooked like a question mark.These are going to make me as straight as an arrow.They're my magic shoes.
FORREST(Voice—over):And next to Momma,no one ever talked to me or asked me questions.
珍妮：你的腿怎么了？
福雷斯特：呃，啥事也没有，谢谢。我的腿好得很。福雷斯特（旁白）：我就坐在她旁边，在校车开往学校途中，我们一直在聊天。
珍妮：那你为什么要穿那样的鞋子？
福雷斯特：妈妈说我的背弯得像一个问号。这鞋子能让我像箭一样直，这是我的魔力鞋。
福雷斯特（旁白）：除了妈妈，没有人跟我说话，也没有人问我问题。
JENNY:Are you stupid or something?
FORREST:Momma says stupid is as stupid does.
Jenny puts her hand out toward Forrest.Forrest reaches over and shakes her hand.
JENNY: I'm Jenny.
FORREST:I'm Forrest.Forrest Gump.
FORREST(Voice—over):From that day on,we was always together.Jenny and me was like peas and carrots.
珍妮：你是傻子还是怎么回事？
福雷斯特：妈妈说做傻事的人才是傻子。
珍妮向福雷斯特伸出来手。福雷斯特伸出手和她握手。
珍妮：我是珍妮。
福雷斯特：我是福雷斯特。福雷斯特•冈普。
福雷斯特（旁白）：从那天起，我们一直在一起。珍妮和我形影不离。
Unit 2 Be sporty,be healthy
Reading
A beginner's guide to exercise
体育锻炼之门
You want to start doing exercise?
Congratulations!You have just taken your first step towards a new and improved you!
想开始锻炼身体了吗？祝贺你！你已经向新的、更好的自己跨出了第一步。
Understanding the benefits of exercise
了解锻炼的益处
Most people assume that regular exercise does wonders for the body and mind—but what exactly are its health benefits?To start with,physical activity increases the efficiency of your heart and lungs.During exercise,your heart and lungs must work harder.This extra effort makes them grow stronger over the long term.It has also been proven that active people tend to have better immune systems and are at lower risk of diseases.Moreover,exercise is good for your mental health.Working out can help you reduce stress and get over negative feelings.Some studies even show that exercise improves certain brain functions,meaning you could actually exercise your way to better performance at school!
大多数人都认为经常锻炼对身心大有益处—不过，锻炼究竟对健康有哪些好处呢？首先，体育活动能增强心肺功能。在锻炼时，你的心脏和肺必须更卖力地工作。久而久之，这些额外的工作使它们变得更强壮。有证据表明，经常锻炼的人往往免疫系统会更好，患病的风险更低。另外，锻炼对心理健康有好处。锻炼身体能帮你缓解心理压力，克服负面情绪。甚至有研究显示锻炼可以改善某些大脑机能，也就是说，通过锻炼，你确实可以提高自己的学习成绩。
Planning your exercise routine
规划日常锻炼
When you plan an exercise routine,the first thing to consider is what you expect to improve:heart and lung efficiency,muscle strength or flexibility.Aerobic activities,like jogging,swimming and skiing,develop your heart and lungs.Strength training,such as pull—ups and weightlifting,increases muscle strength and encourages bone development.Flexibility training,including gymnastics and tai chi,helps stretch your muscles and improve your body's range of movement.These types of exercise all play a role in a healthy routine.Above all,choose activitise you enjoy because,in this way,you're more likely to stick with them.
在做日常锻炼的规划时，首先要考虑的是你想要提升哪方面：是心肺功能，还是肌肉强度，抑或是柔韧性。像慢跑、游泳和滑雪这样的有氧运动，能增强心肺功能。力量训练，比如引体向上和举重，能增强肌肉强度，促进骨骼发育。柔韧性训练，包括体操和太极拳，有助于舒展肌肉，增大机体活动幅度。在一套健康的日常锻炼项目中，以上三种锻炼都是不可或缺的。而最重要的是，要挑选你喜欢的项目，因为这样才更有可能持之以恒。
Eating and dringking right 饮食得当
Like cars that run on petrol,your body burns carbohydrates for energy.Foods like noodles,rice,fruit and vegetables give your body plenty of carbohydrates to keep up you energy during a long workout.To help your muscles recover and repair themselves after exercise,you need to eat foods rich in protein,such as fish,eggs and milk products.When to eat is also of great importance.In general,you should have your meal an average of 1.5 yo 2.5 hours before exercising.Do not eat immediately after exercise;instead,wait at least 30 minutes after a typical routine,or as much as an hour after a hard workout.Remember to drink throughout exercise to make up for water lost to sweat.
就像汽车要烧汽油才能跑，你的身体也要燃烧碳水化合物来获取能量。米面果蔬等食物为身体提供丰富的碳水化合物，使你有充足的能量做长时间运动。锻炼后，为帮助肌肉恢复和自我修复，你需要吃些高蛋白食物，比如鱼、蛋和乳制品。什么时间吃也很重要。一般情况下，应该在锻炼之前一个半到两个半小时进食。运动后不要马上吃东西，如果是常规锻炼，至少过半小时再吃；如果是高强度锻炼，就需要等一小时后再吃。锻炼过程中别忘了喝水，一弥补出汗损耗的水分。
Avoiding injury
避免受伤
To prevent soft tissue injury,make sure that you wear proper clothes and equipment when exercising.You should also start small and slowly work your way to a longer and harder exercise routine to avoid getting hurt.Finally,remember to warm up before exercising and stretch at the end of your workout.
为避免软组织受伤，锻炼时一定要穿戴合适的衣服和护具。此外，刚开始锻炼强度要小，要循序渐进的增加锻炼的时间和强度，以防受伤。最后，记住锻炼前要热身，结束后要拉伸。
So,now you know the benefits of exercise and how to do it safely and effectively.What are you waiting for?
现在，你已经明白了锻炼的好处，也知道如何安全高效地锻炼了。那么，你还在等什么呢？
Extended reading 拓展阅读
Finding a balance:my tai chi experience
找到平衡：我的太极拳经验
When my friend first suggested that we join the new Tai Chi Club at school,I hesitated.I always believed tai chi was for old people.After the first class,however,I had to admit that I had been wrong about tai chi.It was amazing!One year later,I can honestly say it has had a huge effect on me physically and mentally.Just as importantly,practising tai chi has inspired me to explore the Chinese culture behind it.
一开始，当朋友建议我们参加学校新成立的太极拳俱乐部时，我犹豫了。我过去一直觉得太极拳是老年人的运动。不过，上完第一节课后，我不得不承认，我之前对太极拳的认识是错误的。太极拳实在是太神奇了。一年后，我可以实话实说了，太极拳对我的身心都产生了巨大的影响。同样重要的是，练习太极拳还激励了我去探索其背后的中国文化。
The first few tai chi classes were fun and easy,and the moves really caught my imagination,with descriptive names like "white crane spreading its wings"and "golden rooster standing on ong leg".When I asked my coach where these interesting names came from,he told me about the history of tai chi.Zhang Sanfeng,a 13th—century Taoist,was said to have invented tai chi after drawing inspiration from a fight between a snake and a bird.However,nowadays people tend to believe that Chen Wangting,a 17th—century master of Chinese martial arts,developed tai chi based on martial arts skills.No wonder some tai chi moves are named after animals—Chinese martial arts have a long—standing practice of imitating animals.Chen Wangting's original set of moves is called Chen—style tai chi,but other styles of tai chi have since been developed,including Yang—style,Wu—style and Sun—style.
前几节太极拳课非常有趣，也不难学，像“白鹤亮翅”“金鸡”这些很形象的招式名称确实很对我胃口。当我问教练，这些有趣的名称从何而来时，他向我道出了太极拳的历史。传说13世纪时，一个叫张三丰的道士从蛇和鸟的缠斗中汲取灵感，创立了太极拳。不过如今人们倾向于认为太极拳是17世纪的武学大师陈王廷根据武术技巧演化而来的。由于中国武术中模拟动物的做法由来已久，太极拳的部分招式以动物来命名也就不足为奇了。陈王廷最初创编的招式称为陈氏太极拳，后来也发展出了其他门类的太极拳，包括杨氏太极拳、吴氏太极拳和孙氏太极拳。
After learning the basics of tai chi in those first few classes,I found myself bored and aching from doing the same moves over and over again.Luckily,my coach taught me how to relax my muscles and focus on peace of mind while performing the routine.With these requirements of tai chi in mind,I found to my satisfaction that my balance and flexibility slowly improved,that I was able to do more difficult moves,and that my love for tai chi returned stronger than ever.
学完前几节太极拳基础课后，我发现一遍又一遍重复这些招式让我心生厌倦，而且肌肉酸痛。幸运的是，教练教会了我放松肌肉的方法，以及在日常练习时如何注意心境的平和。将太极拳的这些要求铭记于心，慢慢地，我发现自己的平衡能力和柔韧性得到了改善，我可以尝试一些难度更大的招式，我对太极拳的热爱又回来了，而且比以前更强烈，这令我十分满意。
In time,I began to look into the ancient Chinese culture behind tai chi.I discovered that tai chi is deeply rooted in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang,which are believed to form the unity of opposites.Neither can exist independent of the other;for example,there is no shadow without light.The practice of tai chi aims to maintain the balance of yin and yang in the body through opposite movements:forwards and backwards,up and down,left and right,breathing in and breathing out.Eventually,tai chi brings about a state of physical balance and mental peace.
我不失时机地开始探寻太极拳背后的中国古代文化。我发现，太极拳深深地扎根于中国的阴阳学说之中，人们认为阴和阳构成了对立统一，彼此不能存在：比如，没有光就不会有影子。练习太极拳旨在通过一些相对的动作—进退、上下、左右、吐纳—来维持人体内部的阴阳调和。最终，太极拳可以带来一种身心平衡的状态。
A year of practising tai chi has had a positive effect on my everyday life.I sleep better at night,and I am more energetic during the day.I feel happier and more confident.Tai chi has taught me to relax my mind,enabling me to stay cool in stressful situations.I am sure I will continue to practise tai chi and enjoy the benefits it has brought me.
一年练习太极拳的经历已经对我的日常生活产生了积极的作用。晚上我睡得更香，白天则精力更充沛。幸福感倍增，人也更加自信。太极拳让我学会了放松心态，使我在有压力的环境下也能冷静应对。我相信我一定会继续练习太极拳，并不断地享受太极拳带给我的好处。
Unit 3 Festivals and customs
Reading
Alex around the world
Alex环游世界
10 January,a wedding ceremony,India
1月10日，婚礼，印度
When Nadim invited me to his sister's wedding,I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime.I was definitely not wrong！
纳迪姆邀请我参加他姐姐的婚礼时，我就知道这将是千载难逢的机会。我绝对没有搞错!
The wedding ceremony took place in a brightly decorated hotel room.There were hundreds of guests,all dressed up in formal,colourful clothes.According to tradition,the bride was wearing an eye—catching red silk sari.
婚礼在一个装饰亮丽的酒店房间里举行。来了数百名客人，他们都穿着正式的、色彩艳丽的服装。按照传统，新娘要穿着耀眼的红绸纱丽。
I did not understanding all of the traditional customs,but a few made a deep impression on me.One was the bridegroom's entrance on a beautiful white horse.I had never seen that back home!Another was the part when Nadim's father proudly led his daughter through the rows of seats to her husband.It reminded me of my sister's wedding.Although our cultures are so different,the smiling faces are the same.
不是所有的传统习俗我都了解，但是一些给我留下了深刻的印象。一个是新郎骑着漂亮的白马入场。我在老家从未见过那样的场景！另一个就是纳迪姆的父亲骄傲地领着女儿穿过一排排座位，走向她的丈夫的环节。这让我想起了我姐姐的婚礼。虽然我们的文化如此不同，但大家的笑脸是一样的。
The customs that followed were anything but ordinary.The couple joined hands and walked around a small fire four times.Then they took seven steps together by the fire,and with each step made a different promise about how they were going to support each other and live together happily.It was very romantic!
接下来的风俗十分不寻常。这对夫妇手牵着手绕着一小簇火走了四圈。然后，他们一起在火边走了七步，每走一步都许下一个不同的诺言，承诺他们将相互扶持，幸福的生活在一起。这浪漫极了！
After the ceremony,it was time for the celebrations.That is a story for another day,but let's just say there was a lot of dancing.Now I know I have two left feet...and both of them hurt!
仪式结束后，就到了庆祝的时候。这个话题改日再聊，但是先这么说吧，（那天）舞跳了不少。现在我只知道自己跳舞时脚步笨拙......而且两只脚都很疼！
26 February,Rio Carnival,Brazil
2月26日，里约狂欢节，巴西
The summer heat hit me as soon as I got off the flight.No wonder people from Rio take a week off for this happy occasion.I could feel it already—the Carnival was in the air!
我一下飞机就感受到夏天的热浪袭来。难怪里约的人会为这快乐的时刻休一周的假。我已经能感受到到狂欢节的气息了！
To experience the spirit of the Carnival for myself,I went to a street party.Luckily,I arrived just in time—the show was about to begin as I took my place in the merry crowd.I could see a group of around 20 Brazilian dancers and a band in fancy costumes standing in the street.Some of them carried flags,which blew in the wind.The crowd waited with excitement.
为了亲身体验狂欢节的精神，我参加了一个街头派对。幸运的是，我到得非常及时—当我在欢乐的人群中站定时，演出正要开始。我可以看到一群大约20人的 巴西舞者和一支穿着花哨的乐队站在街上。他们中的一些人拿着在风中飘扬的旗帜。人们兴奋地等待着。
Then there was an explosion of bright colours and lively music,and the group jumped into action.The band started playing an energetic samba beat,the dancers twisted and turned,and the crowd began to cheer,clap and sing.The whole group started marching down the street.The Carnival current carried us through the ever—growing sea of people,dancing all the day.Iceboxes of soft drinks and beer lined the narrow streets,and the smell of roasted meat filled the air as we passed wave after after wave of street stands.I was so caught up in the party fever that I hardly noticed five hours fly by!
接着，色彩突然明亮起来，欢快的音乐突然想起来，人群也开始行动起来。乐队开始演奏充满活力的桑巴节拍，舞者们扭动、翻转着身体，人群开始欢呼、鼓掌和歌唱。这一群人开始沿着街道前进。狂欢节的人潮带着我们穿过不断扩张的人海，一路上跳舞不停。我们经过一波又一波街头小摊时，装着汽水和啤酒的保冷箱排列在狭窄的街道两旁，空气中弥漫着烤肉的味道。我太沉浸在排队的狂热中，几乎没有注意到五个小时飞快地过去了！
Even as I lay in bed that evening,the bright colours and lively music were still swimming all around me.What an amazing first day in Rio!
甚至当我晚上躺在床上时，鲜艳的色彩和欢快的音乐仍萦绕在我周围。在里约的第一天真是太棒了！
Extended reading
拓展阅读
A precious family dinner
珍贵的家庭晚餐
It is just past five o'clock on the Chinese New Year's Eve,and the dinner table is already covered with white china plates and bowls,full of all sorts of dishes:chicken,duck,pork,fish and vegetables.Luo Yan,29,lifts the cover of a large bowl to breathe in the rich smell of the soup his wife and mother have prepared.Luo Yan's son,Bofeng,happily takes a bite of the chicken his grandfather has selected for him.
除夕下午刚过五点，餐桌上已经摆满了白色的瓷盘和碗，里面装满各种各样的菜肴：鸡肉、鸭肉、猪肉、鱼肉和蔬菜。29岁的罗言掀开一个大碗的盖子，闻到妻子和母亲准备的汤的浓郁香味。罗言的儿子博峰高兴地咬了一口爷爷为他挑选的鸡肉。
Six—year—old Bofeng has not seen his grandparents for almost a year,and he is full of joy and excitement.Indeed,the whole family could not be happier to be together.Despite the cold outside,their happy faces fill the air with warmth while merry laughter rings throughout the house.Luo Yan and his wife and son have settled in the big city,far away from their hometown.Every year,they travel back for the Spring Festival,for their dream of "three generationg under the same roof".
六岁的博峰已经几乎一年没见到爷爷奶奶了，他现在满是喜悦和兴奋。的确，全家人聚在一起是再幸福不过的了。尽管外面很冷，但他们欢乐的面孔让空气充满了温暖，同时欢快的笑声响彻整个房子。罗言与他的妻子和儿子已经定居在大城市，远离他们的家乡。为了实现“三代同堂”的梦想，他们每年都会回来过春节。
The Luo family's journey back to their hometown was a long and tiring one just a few years ago.However,the high—speed train has made it much more convenient for them to go back home.During the five—hour trip,they chatted excitedly with each other,their minds full of thoughts about their sweet home.
就在几年前，罗言一家人（从工作居住的城市）回到家乡还要度过一段漫长又疲惫的旅程。然而如今，高速列车使得他们回家方便得多。在五个小时的旅程中，他们兴奋地聊着天，心中想的都是温暖的家。
On their arrival,they find Luo's parents eagerly waiting for them.Their home has been specially decorated for the joyous occssion.From the neat designs of the paper—cuttings on the windows,to the Spring Festival couplets on the door,and to the New Year paintings on the wall,everything represents joy,luck and happiness.Even the fish on the plate expresses a hope for nian nian you yu—yu means both "fish" and "plenty" in Chinese—"May you get more than you wish for every year".
他们到达时，发现罗言的父母正在焦急地等着他们。他们的家特地为这欢乐的时刻装饰了一番。从窗户上剪纸的有序排列，到门上的春联，再到墙上的年画，一切都代表着快乐、幸运和幸福。甚至连盘子里的那条鱼也传达出“年年有余”的愿望—“余”在汉语中和“鱼”同音，意思是“富足”—“愿你年年得到的比你想要的更多”。
After dinner,the hours until midnight go slowly by.The whole family are going to stay up late on the Chinese New Year's Eve.They gather around the television to watch the Spring Festival Gala,while eating snakes,chatting with each other and making dumplings that they will eat at the very start of the new year.In the warmth and comfort of the room,Luo Yan talks about his plan for the future."I hope we won't have to be separated again,"he says,looking at his ageing parents."My parents are getting old,and we should spend more time with them.We'll come back more frequently and we're also considering taking them to the city to live with us.After all,home is where all family members are together."
晚饭后，午夜之前的时间慢慢过去。全家人都要在除夕夜熬夜（守岁）。他们围坐在电视机前，一边看春节联欢晚会，一边吃着零食，聊着天，包着新年伊始他们就要吃的饺子。在温暖舒适的房间里，罗言谈论着他未来的计划。“我希望我们不会再分开了，”他看着年迈的父母说。“我的父母正在变老，我们应该花更多的时间陪伴他们。我们会更频繁地回来，我们也在考虑把他们带到城市和我们一起生活。毕竟，所有家人都在一起的地方才是家。”
As midnight approaches,Luo Yan takes his parents,wife and son outside to set off firecrackers.The whole village is lit up with colourful fireworks.All over the country,people are celebrating their good fortune,celebrating their family's togetherness,and celebrating their nation's strength.
临近午夜的时候，罗言带着父母、妻子和儿子到外面放鞭炮。五颜六色的烟花照亮了整个村庄。全国各地的人们都在庆祝他们的好运，庆祝他们的家庭团聚，庆祝他们的国家强盛。
Unit 4 Exploring literature
Reading
The wonder of literature
文学的奇妙之处
A child and a man were walking on the beach when the child found a shell and held it to his ear.Suddenly he heard strange,low,musical sounds.These sounds seemed to be from another world and the child listened to them with wonder.Then the man explained that the child heard nothing strange,and that the shell caught a range of sounds too faint for human ears.What amazed the child was not a new world,but the unnoticed music of the old.
一个小孩和一个男子正在海滩上散步，这是小孩发现了一个贝壳，就把它放在自己的耳边。突然，他听到一阵奇怪的、低沉的悦耳的声音。这些声音似乎来自另一个世界，小孩惊奇地听着。随后男子解释说，其实孩子听到的声音并没有什么奇怪的，只不过是贝壳捕捉到了各种对人的耳朵来说太微弱的声音而已。让小孩感到惊奇的不是新世界，而是原来的世界中未被注意到的音乐。
Some such experience as this lies in store for us when we begin the study of literature.Let a little song appeal to the ear,or a great book to the heart,and we discover a new world,a world of dreams and magic.To enter and enjoy this new world,we need to love literature,and make an effort to explain it.Behind every book is a man,behind the man is the race,and behind the race are the natural and social environments.We must know all these,if the book is to speak its whole message.In a word,we have now reached a point where we wish to enjoy and understand literature.The first step is to determine some of its significant qualities.
当我们开始学习文学时，我们可能就会有一些像这样的体验。让一首小曲娱悦我们的耳朵，让一部巨著触动我们的心灵，这样我们便会发现一个全新的世界，一个充满梦想和魔力的世界。要进入并享受这个新世界，我们需要热爱文学，并努力去解释它。每本书背后都有一个人，这个人的背后是一个民族，而这个民族的背后是自然和社会环境。如果一本书要传递完整的信息，我们就必须理解所有这些内容。总之，我们现在已经到了希望欣赏和理解文学的阶段。第一步就是确定它的一些重要特性。
The first quality of literature is its description of truth and beauty.Some truth and beauty remain unnoticed until a sensitive human soul brings them to our attention,just as the shell reflects the unnoticed sounds.A hundred men may pass a field and see only dead grass;but a poet stops,looks deeper,sees truth and beauty,and writes,"Yesterday's flowers am I."One who reads it is capable of seeing the beauty that was hidden from his eyes before.
文学的首要特性是对真与美的描写。有些真与美一直不为人所察觉，直到一个敏锐的人类灵魂让它们引起我们的注意，这就正如贝壳把那些被人忽视的声音呈现出来一样。一百个人路过一片田野时，眼中所见的可能都只是枯草，而一位诗人则会停下脚步，看得更透，他看到真与美，并且写下这样的诗句：“昨日我曾是鲜花。”读到这句诗的人可以发现曾视而不见的美。
The second quality of literature is its appeal to our feeling and imagination.Its attration lies more in what it awakens in us than what it says.When Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus asks in the presence of Helen,"Was this the face that lauched a thousand ships?"he opens a door through which our imagination enters a new world,a world of love,beauty and heroism.
文学的第二个特性是它对我们情感和想象力的启发。它的吸引力更多地在于唤醒了我们的什么东西，而不是表达了什么。当克里斯托弗•马洛笔下的浮士德博士当着海伦的面问道，“这就是让一千艘战舰起航的那张面孔吗？”他便打开了一扇门，通过这扇门，我们的想象力抵达了一个充满爱、美和英雄主义的新世界。
The third quality of literature，coming out of the other two,is its permanence.To achieve this,it should contain two elements:universal interest and personal style.Good literture reflects the most basic of human nature—love and hate,joy and sadness,fear and hope.It also takes on a personal style—no writer can describe human life without reflecting his own life and experiences.
文学的第三个特性是它的持久性，这产生于另外两个特性。要做到这一点，它应该包含两个要素：普遍兴趣和个人风格。好的文学反映了最基本的人性—爱与恨、喜与悲、恐惧与希望。它还带有个人风格—每一个作家描写人的生活时都会反映出他自己的生活和经历。
In summary,literature is the expression of life in forms of truth and beauty,the written record of man's thoughts and feelings,and the history of the human soul.
(Adapted from William J. Long's English literature:Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English—Speaking World)
总之，文学是以真与美的形式表现生活的，是人类思想感情的书面记录，是人类灵魂的历史。
（节选自威廉•J.朗恩的《英语文学：历史及其对英语世界生活的意义》)
Extended reading
拓展阅读
The Old Man and the Sea(Excerpt)
老人与海（节选）
Ernest Hemingway(19—1961),an American writer of novels and short stories,is well thought of for his unique writing style.He is extremely good at describing the adventures of tough men who he believes "can be destroyed but not defeated".The Old Man and the Sea,one of his most important novels,tells the story of a fisherman named Santiago.After coming in empty—handed for eighty—four days,Santiago attempts to catch a huge fish.
欧尔斯特•海明威(19—1961)是美国小说家和短篇小说家，他因其独特的写作风格而受人敬重。他非常擅长描写硬汉的冒险经历，他认为这些硬汉“可以被摧毁，但不能被打败”。他最重要的小说之一《老人与海》讲述了一个名叫圣地亚哥的渔夫的故事。空手八十四天后，圣地亚哥试图捕获一条大鱼。
The fish was coming in on his circle now calm and beautiful looking and only his great tail moving.The old man pulled on him all that he could to bring him closer.For just a moment the fish turned a little on his side.Then he straightened himself and began another circle.
"I moved him,"the old man said."I moved him then."
现在鱼正在转圈，很平静，姿势很优美，只见它硕大的尾巴在摆动着。老人竭力拉着它，想把它拉得更近些。刹那间，鱼身稍微侧翻了一下。然后它又摆正了身子，开始再转另一圈。
“我拉动它了，”老人说。“就在刚才，我拉动它了。”
He felt faint again now but he held on the great fish all the strain that he could.I moved him,he thought.Maybe this time I can get him over.Pull,hands,he thought.Hold up,legs.Last for me,head.Last for me.You never went.This time I'll pull him over.
他又感到眩晕了，但还是竭尽全力拉住这条大鱼。我终于拉动它了，他想。也许这次我能把它弄过来。手，快点拉，他想。腿，挺住。脑袋，拜托坚持住。拜托。你从未误过事。这次我要把它拉过来。
But when he put all of his effort on,starting it well out before the fish came alongside and pulling with all his strength,the fish pulled part way over and then righted himself and swam away.
但是,大鱼还不曾游到船边，他便使尽平生力气，拼命拉扯，大鱼被拉歪了一点，不久又浮正，游开。
“Fish，”the old man said.“Fish,you are going to have to die anyway.Do you have to kill me too?”
That way nothing is accomplished,he thought.His mouth was too dry to speak but he could not reach for the water now.I must get him alongside this time,he thought.I am not good for many more turns.Yes you are,he told himself.You're good for ever.
“鱼啊，”老人说。“鱼啊，反正你马上也得死了。难道你非要把我也整死吗？”
他想，这样下去也不是办法。他的嘴太干了，说不出话来，而他现在也不能伸手去取水。这次我必须把它拉到船边，他想。它再转几圈，我就撑不住了。不，你可以，他对自己说。你总会有办法。
On the next turn,he nearly had him.But again the fish righted himself and swam slowly away.
You are killing me,fish,the old man thought.But you have a right to.Never have I seen a greater,or more beautiful,or a calmer or more noble thing than you,brother.Come on and kill me.I do not care who kills who.
在下一个圈时，他几乎抓住了它。但是大鱼又挺直了身子，慢慢地游开了。
你要整死我了，鱼啊，老人想。不过你有权这么做。我从来未见过比你更大、更美丽、更镇静、更高贵的东西，兄弟。来吧，来杀我吧。我不在乎谁杀谁。
Now you are getting confused in the head,he thought.You must keep your head clear.Keep your head clear and know how to suffer like a man.Or a fish,he thought.
"Clear up,head,"he said in a voice he could hardly hear."Clear up."
Twice more it was the same on the turns.
I do not know,the old man thought.He had been on the point of feeling himself go each time.I do not know.But I will try it once more.
他想，现在你的脑子有点糊涂了。你必须保持头脑清醒。不但要保持头脑清醒，还要像男子汉或者一条鱼一样知道如何忍受痛苦，他想。
“清醒点，头脑，”他用他几乎听不见的声音说。“清醒点。”
大鱼又转了两圈，情况还是一样。
我实在不懂，老人想。每次他都感觉自己快要垮了。我不懂啊。但我还要再试一次。
He tried it once more and he felt himself going when he turned the fish.The fish righted himself and swam off again slowly with the great tail weaving in the air.
I'll try it again,the old man promised,although his hands were mushy now and he could only see well in flashes.
He tried it again and it was the same.So he thought,and he felt himself going before he started；I will try it once again.
他又试了一次，当他把鱼拉向自己的时候，感觉自己快要不行了。而那条鱼挺直了身子，大尾巴在空中摇摆着，又一次慢慢地游走了。我再试一次，老人发誓。尽管他的手现在已经血肉模糊，视线也已闪烁不明。
他又试了一次，结果还是一样。所以他这么想着，觉得自己还没开始就已经支撑不住了。我要再试一次。下载本文
