全新大学英语视听说BookUnitUnit

1、Unit 6Video scriptNarrator: In the country of Argentina, cowboy life has scarcely changed over the past three centuries. The gaucho is a hero here; for most people, he is a legendary figure that is larger than life. But in the far reaches of the country, there are still men for whom the gaucho is mo

2、re than a legend. For them, it is their life; they are the gauchos of Argentina.The cowboy life of the gaucho came to Argentina from Spanish culture. It created a unique type of men who were as hardy and self-reliant as the animals for which they cared. The word “gaucho” means “outcast”, or one who

3、doesnt belong to a specific society or group.There are as many kinds of gauchos as there are varied terrains in Argentina. There are gauchos on the soft flat pampas of Corrientes, on the windswept plains of Patagonia, and in the wooded hills of Salta.Don José Ansola, a 76-year-old horseman, see

4、ms to be the “classic gaucho”, and one who treasures his residence in a remote region of Corrientes. He believes solitude helps to keep gaucho life in its purest form.Don José Ansola, Corrientes Gaucho: “If I couldnt live in the campo, the countrysidean unthinkable thoughtI dont know what Id do

5、.”Narrator: According to Don José, he would rather live in a poor little house in the country than in a palace in the city. Don Josés 400-square-kilometer ranch in Corrientes is far from everything, so Don José depends entirely on his horses to travel. As a result, he and his three so

6、ns spend much of their time finding and catching the wild horses that run free in the countryside. The horses must then be “broken” so that theyll allow people to ride them.Ansola:“Breaking a horse is a slow process, taking more than a year. This is something the horse learns to put up with.”Narrato

7、r:The gaucho explains that the horse must adjust to using a saddle and reins so the riders arent thrown off later. The treatment seems cruel, but according to Don José its actually not. The training, he says, often seems harsher than it is.Ansola:“We love our horses, and in the end, they love u

8、s in return. This is the traditional way of training a horse in Argentinathe gaucho way.”Narrator:Being a gaucho, though, is more than a life of solitude and caring for horses and cattle. The gaucho way of life has its own strict code of ethics. Hospitality and respect for others are as much a part

9、of this lifestyle as the art of breaking horses. Argentina is nearly the last place where this code of ethics and the demanding lifestyle of the gaucho still exist. The country is home to nearly 150,000 gauchos who are very much a part of the national identity. There are gauchos in all parts of the

10、country, even 2,000 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, on the edge of Antarctica in Patagonia. The harsh terrain of this region has its own type of gaucho as well. Here, the gauchos raise sheep, not cattle, and even more surprisingly, many speak English. Many of the ancestors of Patagonian gauchos we

11、re immigrants from Scotland. Several of these settlers came to the area during the 19th century, including the ancestors of Eduardo Halliday and his father, Jimmy. These two gauchos run a ranch in Patagonia, and for them, this strange terrain seems like the perfect place to live.The Hallidays enjoy

12、living in the region for a number of reasons. For Jimmy, the most refreshing aspect about living in Patagonia is that theres space everywhere so he can see far in all directions. The land is also rich, he says, and produces everything that he and his family need. Life on the plains of Patagonia is d

13、ifficult, even harsh, but the gauchos here have learned how to adjust and succeed.Eduardo has lived his entire life on the family ranch and has learned the traditional ways from his father. The goal of every gaucho is self-reliance, and these gauchos of Patagonia are no different. Because the ranch

14、is so remote, father and son have to utilize everything they have available. This also means they dont abandon anything quickly and often use and reuse everything they have, including their bags and their boots. After all, its a long way to go to buy new ones.Gauchos are experts at adjusting to thei

15、r surroundings. Here, theyve learned to use a local weapon called a “boleadora”. Made of leather and small stones, boleadoras are still used to hunt rhea. Pursuing the small flightless birds is no problem, but hitting them can be tough. As the gauchos fly like the wind along the plains on their stro

16、ng horses, the rheas run swiftly ahead of them. Its an exciting chase, but the rheas get awaythis time.Narrator:Twenty-nine hundred kilometers north of Patagonia is the region of Salta. Here the stony hills and rough terrain have produced yet a different kind of gaucho. The gauchos here were once fi

17、erce soldiers for Argentina, and they won recognition and respect in the Argentine war of independence from Spain. Theyre famous for their huge leather chaps and red ponchos, and often celebrate their proud traditions in an annual parade.One of the best horsemen in the area is Rudecindo Campos. Rude

18、cindo loves being a gaucho and says that its the life hes always wanted.Rudecindo Campos, Salta Gaucho: “In life there are all kinds of people: engineers, doctors, and gauchos. I knew I had to choose one or the other. I have always had a gaucho soul and I like being a gaucho.”Narrator:However, choos

19、ing the life of a gaucho means more than just working with horses. Just as it is in Corrientes, a strict code of ethics and principles is essential to the gaucho lifestyle in Salta as well.Don Coco Campos, Rudecindos Father: “Its not only knowing how to catch an animal with a rope, use a saddle or r

20、ide a horse. Its also about being good and kind. When you ask a gaucho a favor, he must not refuse. He does it.”Narrator:At times, its difficult to make enough money working as a gaucho. In order to survive, Rudecindo must work at a part-time job so he can continue training horses. He specializes in

21、 training a strong little horse from the area called a criollo. Its one of the few animals that can round up cattle in this rough terrain covered with thorns. To protect themselves from the environment, horse and rider rely on their special leather chaps. The thick leather protects the pair from inj

22、uries as they round up the last of the cattle.In Salta, each time the gauchos successfully return the cattle safely back to the ranch, theres a lively fiesta, a celebration in which women have always had an important role. Rudecindos wife, who comes from the city, talks about life on the ranch.Rudec

23、indos Wife: “Its very difficult to adapt to the slower pace of the campo. In the city, you live faster and you are less attentive to nature. Weve lost that in the city. Weve lost some of our humanity, which my husband hasnt lost. Hes not caught up in the trivia of everyday life. You can really get c

24、onsumed by small things, and you forget whats important.”Rudecindo:“If I go into town for two weeks, I cant wait to get home to the horses, to the smell of the countryside, and the wet earth after a rain. I love this life.”Narrator:In the end, the story of todays gaucho may be one of adaptation: to

25、climate, to landscape, and to traditional ways of life that sustain them.Ansola:“For Argentina, its very important for people to treasure this proud and honorable legacy. We must be sure that whatever else happens to us, we never lose our heritage, our gaucho way of life.”Narrator:Don José is n

26、ot alone in his dream. The proud and self-reliant gauchos of Corrientes, Patagonia, and Salta are all helping to retain the traditional lifestyle of the gauchos of Argentina.Key:Part 1 P.85. ACD. Age: 76 years oldResidence: In a remote region of Corrientes Lifestyle : Leading a life of solitudeRanch

27、 size: 400 square kilometersMeans of transportation: HorsesDaily work:Finding and catching the wild horses in the countryside; “breaking” / training horsesIII.Oral work. Work with a partner. First ask questions about the underlined part of each sentence. Then talk about the scene of breaking a horse

28、 using the questions and answers.1. Why must the horses be "broken ?The horses must be "broken” so that they'll allow people to ride them.2. How long does it take to break a horse?It takes more than a year.3. What must a horse adjust to (in training)?The horse must adjust to using a sa

29、ddle and reins.4. What is the training like?The training often seems harsher than it is.5. What is the relationship between gauchos and the horses?They love their horses, and in the end, the horses love them in return. Part 2 P86. ACEGPart 3 P87. Complete the summary with the missing words.The (1) r

30、ough terrain of Salta has its own type of gaucho. The gauchos here used to be (2) soldiers in the Argentine War of Independence from (3) Spain. They wear huge leather chaps and red (4) ponchos. They're proud of their traditions and often celebrate them each year in a (5) parade. As in Corrientes

31、 and Patagonia, the gaucho lifestyle here has its own strict code of ethics and principles, such as being (6) kind and not rejecting requests for help. To celebrate the safe return of the cattle back to the ranch, there is a lively (7) fiesta in which (8) women have always played an important role.

32、II.Watch again. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F)._F_1. Salta is located in the south of Patagonia._T_2. For Rudecindo being a gaucho is like pursuing any other career._F_3. Choosing the life of a gaucho only means dealing with horses and other animals._T_4. Rudecindo

33、 takes a part-time job to make enough money to support his family. _F_5. Criollo is a kind of cattle._F_6. According to Rudecindo's wife, city dwellers pay more attention to nature. P88Rough terrain (崎岖不平的)Win recognition and respect (赞誉和尊重)Argentine “War of Independence” (独立战争)An annual parade

34、(一年一度的游行)Love being a gaucho (做个牛仔)work at a part-time job (兼职)specialize in a strong horse (擅长于)round up cattle (驱拢)the terrain covered with thorns (荆棘密布)cannot wait to get home (迫不及待)Reading comprehension P961. C 2. A 3. B 4.D 5.B 6. C 7.B 8. outside of the limits of society9. holding on to tradit

35、ion10. use the reins HOME LISTENINGAudio scriptAmazing ArgentinaDear Lee, April 3rd How are things back home? Things here are great! Weve only been in Argentina for a few days, but weve already had so many remarkable experiences! We arrived in Buenos Aires last Saturday and spent a couple of days ju

36、st exploring this fascinating city. The first evening we visited Puerto Madero. Prior to this visit, it was a rather unattractive neighborhood, but theres been an astonishing transformation in the past ten years. Its now full of wonderful places to eat. We had a delicious dinner in an outdoor cafe a

37、nd relaxed for hours just watching people walk by. The next morning we visited several of the famous squares in downtown Buenos Aires. To me the most striking one was the three-block-long Plaza del Congreso. They say the whole thing was constructed in less than a year, which I find to be an unbeliev

38、able achievement! We also visited the residence of the president, the nearby Casa Rosada, which means “pink house” in English. The most interesting thing about the city for me is the people; everyone is absolutely beautifulboth men and women. They could all be movie stars! It must be something speci

39、al about the lifestyle here. On Tuesday we decided to visit the gaucho museum in San Antonio de Arico. However, on our way there, we were lucky enough to come across a traditional Argentinean gaucho eventcomplete with a horse show. We stopped to take advantage of the opportunity to see Argentinean g

40、auchos in action. They did some really amazing things that showed off their excellent riding skills. I have to admit, I was cheering as loudly as the next person. Later in the week we flew down to Iguazu National Park to see the waterfalls. The falls were incredibly impressive, but what I enjoyed mo

41、st was a side trip we took. Our guide led us down a three-kilometer path deep into rain forest terrain. It was the loveliest, most exotic and peaceful place Ive ever seen. It really felt like I was in another world. Heres a picture so you can see how wonderful it isIll send more pictures and info la

42、ter when I update my journal!See you soonMarcoHome listening P97. Listen again. Complete the table below with the missing information. Marco's Travel Journal(1) Saturday evening(2) Transformation(3) delicious dinner(4) (4) people walk by(5) achievement(6) Tuesday(7) riding skills(8) in action(9)

43、 impressive(10) saw the waterfalls(11) a rain forest terrain(12) exotic(13) in another worldUnit 8Video scriptNarrator:Once a year, the people of Shirone, Japan, leave their quiet lives behind them and take part in an activity about which they are absolutely passionate. They become so enthusiastic a

44、bout a competition, that local residents have given it a name. They call it Tako Kichi: Kite Crazy.Kazuo Tamura, Kite Enthusiast: “Kite Crazy refers to people who really love kites. People who think more about kites than getting their three meals a day. Even when they go to bed, they cant fall aslee

45、p because they see kites flying over their beds.”Narrator:Normally Shirone is a quiet and peaceful place, like many other towns that are found in northern Japan. Farmers work hard through the spring to plant their rice, but when the work is done, theyre ready to have some fun at a five-day festival

46、that celebrates the open skythe Great Shirone Kite Fight.The Great Kite Fight began 250 years ago. According to legend, a giant kite was given to a village leader by the local lord. The kite was so huge that it damaged houses and crops when it came crashing down. Soon after, villagers who were angry

47、 or upset started using kites to fight one another. Eventually, these battles evolved into a festival where people rid themselves of some stress every spring.Kite madness comes to Shirone every June, and affects people of all ages. Residents both old and young join the fun and just about anybody who

48、 can cling to a piece of kite rope gets involved. The town is transformed into a giant kite factory as rival teams prepare for battle. Playgrounds, parking lots, driveways, and even schools become work areas.Kazuo Tamura is an internationally known kite-flying team leader.Tamura:“This event is very

49、important to me. Its not just a question of having a good time. Somehow, underneath a sky thats full of kites, everyone seems equal. And no one flies a kite in times of war. So the festival is like a sign that were at peace.” Narrator:Shirone festival kites are made by hand and put together carefull

50、y and precisely. Teams spend hours designing, constructing, and painting their creations. Each kite has a distinct colorful design to capture the special look that symbolizes a particular team.Finally, opening day arrives. Fifteen hundred kites are designed, decorated, and ready to be flown. The big

51、gest kites are called odako. Theyre difficult to get into the air, but 13 different teams have come to try their best. Other teams prefer the smaller kites called rokako, which are much easier to flymore like fighter jets while the odako are like heavy bombers.For centuries, the battle of the kites

52、has taken place along Shirones central river, the Nakanokuchi. The competing teams stand on opposite sides of the river. The goal is for one team to capture another teams kite and pull it from the sky.Once one team has captured another teams kite, its time for the real competition to begin. Team mem

53、bers desperately cling to their kite ropes, doing everything they can to keep their grip.Unfortunately, in the tug of war, both of the kites are twisted, pulled, and basically destroyed. Finally, when one teams rope breaks, a winner is declared. Extra points are given to the winning side for every i

54、nch of rope it captures from the losing team.All along the river, teams get involved in clashes that quickly lead to open war. The battles often spread to the town, and almost everyone gets involved.Narrator:By the end of day one, thousands of the smaller kites have been destroyed, but not everyone

55、has been able to enjoy the competition. The large odako kites are still not flying. The teams cant even get the huge odakos into the air. Without a stable northern wind, the larger kites are helpless. The odako teams must wait for a change in the weather, and hope that theyre ready when the north wi

56、nd finally arrives.While they wait, the teams step back from the excitement of the riverside to ensure that their ropes are strung correctly. These ropes are made by hand, which makes them extremely strong so they can serve two purposes: controlling the kite, and standing up to the tugs of war. Team

57、work constitutes another important part of the kite competition.Tamura:“The most important thing is teamwork. Everyone runs around clinging to the same rope, so they have to work together. This is very important. Without teamwork, these kites wont fly; theyll fall right to the ground.”Narrator:On th

58、e third day of this five-day festival, theres still no northern wind, and everyones very disappointed. But when evening falls the kite fighters still manage to have a good time. Everyone welcomes the chance to relax, have some fun, and go a little crazy.On the fifth and final day of the competition, the wind continues to deliver disappointment, but at the last minut