新概念英语三课文(免费打印版)

Lesson1APumaatlarge潜逃的美洲狮Pumasarelarge,cat-likeanimalswhicharefoundinAmerica.WhenreportscameintoLondonZoothatawildpumahadbeenspottedforty-fivemilessouthofLondon,theywerenottakenseriously.However,astheevidencebegantoaccumulate,expertsfromtheZoofeltobligedtoinvestigate,forthedescriptionsgivenbypeoplewhoclaimedtohaveseenthepumawereextraordinarilysimilar.Thehuntforthepumabeganinasmallvillagewhereawomanpickingblackberriessaw'alargecat'onlyfiveyardsawayfromher.Itimmediatelyranawaywhenshesawit,andexpertsconfirmedthatapumawillnotattackahumanbeingunlessitiscornered.Thesearchproveddifficult,forthepumawasoftenobservedatoneplaceinthemorningandatanotherplacetwentymilesawayintheevening.Whereveritwent,itleftbehinditatrailofdeaddeerandsmallanimalslikerabbits.Pawprintswereseeninanumberofplacesandpumafurwasfoundclingingtobushes.Severalpeoplecomplainedof"cat-likenoises'atnightandabusinessmanonafishingtripsawthepumaupatree.Theexpertswerenowfullyconvincedthattheanimalwasapuma,butwherehaditcomefrom?Asnopumashadbeenreportedmissingfromanyzoointhecountry,thisonemusthavebeeninthepossessionofaprivatecollectorandsomehowmanagedtoescape.Thehuntwentonforseveralweeks,butthepumawasnotcaught.Itisdisturbingtothinkthatadangerouswildanimalisstillatlargeinthequietcountryside.Lesson2Thirteenequalsone十三等于一Ourvicarisalwaysraisingmoneyforonecauseoranother,buthehasnevermanagedtogetenoughmoneytohavethechurchclockrepaired.Thebigclockwhichusedtostrikethehoursdayandnightwasdamagedmanyyearsagoandhasbeensilenteversince.Onenight,however,ourvicarworkupwithastart:theclockwasstrikingthehours!Lookingathiswatch,hesawthatitwasoneo'clock,butthebellstruckthirteentimesbeforeitstopped.Armedwithatorch,thevicarwentupintotheclocktowertoseewhatwasgoingon.Inthetorchlight,hecaughtsightofafigurewhomheimmediatelyrecognizedasBillWilkins,ourlocalgrocer.'WhateverareyoudoinguphereBill?'askedthevicarinsurprise.'I'mtryingtorepairthebell,'answeredBill.'I'vebeencomingupherenightafternightforweeksnow.Yousee,Iwashopingtogiveyouasurprise.''Youcertainlydidgivemeasurprise!'saidthevicar.'You'veprobablywokenupeveryoneinthevillageaswell.Still,I'mgladthebellisworkingagain.'That'sthetrouble,vicar,'answeredBill.'It'sworkingallright,butI'mafraidthatatoneo'clockitwillstrikethirteentimesandthere'snothingIcandoaboutit."We'llgetusedtothat,Bill,'saidthevicar."Thirteenisnotasgoodasone,butit'sbetterthannothing.Nowlet'sgodownstairsandhaveacupoftea.'Lesson3Anunknowngoddess无名女神Sometimeago,andinterestingdiscoverywasmadebyarchaeologistsontheAegeanislandofKea.AnAmericanteamexploredatemplewhichstandsinanancientcityonthepromontoryofAyiaIrini.Thecityatonetimemusthavebeenprosperous,foritenjoyedahighlevelofcivilization.Houses--oftenthreestoreyshigh--werebuiltofstone.Theyhadlargeroomswithbeautifullydecoratedwalls.Thecitywasequippedwithadrainagesystem,foragreatmanyclaypipeswerefoundbeneaththenarrowstreets.ThetemplewhichthearchaeologistsexploredwasusedasaplaceofworshipfromthefifteenthcenturyB.C.untilRomantimes.Inthemostsacredroomoftemple,clayfragmentsoffifteenstatueswerefound.Eachoftheserepresentedagoddessandhad,atonetime,beenpainted.ThebodyofonestatuewasfoundamongremainsdatingfromthefifteenthcenturyB.C.It'smissingheadhappenedtobeamongremainsofthefifthcenturyB.C.ThisheadmusthavebeenfoundinClassicaltimesandcarefullypreserved.Itwasveryoldandpreciouseventhen.Whenthearchaeologistsreconstructedthefragments,theywereamazedtofindthatthegoddessturnedouttobeaverymodern-lookingwoman.Shestoodthreefeethighandherhandsrestedonherhips.Shewaswearingafull-lengthskirtwhichswepttheground.Despitehergreatage,shewasverygracefulindeed,but,sofar,thearchaeologistshavebeenunabletodiscoverheridentity.Lesson4ThedoublelifeofAlfredBloggs阿尔弗雷德.布洛格斯的双重生活Thesedays,peoplewhodomanualworkoftenreceivefarmoremoneythanpeoplewhoworkinoffices.Peoplewhoworkinofficesarefrequentlyreferredtoas"white-collarworkers'forthesimplereasonthattheyusuallywearacollarandtietogotowork.Suchishumannature,thatagreatmanypeopleareoftenwillingtosacrificehigherpayfortheprivilegeofbecomingwhite-collarworkers.Thiscangiverisetocurioussituations,asitdidinthecaseofAlfredBloggswhoworkedasadustmanfortheEllesmereCorporation.Whenhegotmarried,Alfwastooembarrassedtosayanythingtohiswifeabouthisjob.HesimplytoldherthatheworkedfortheCorporation.Everymorning,helefthomedressedinasmartblacksuit.Hethenchangedintooverallsandspentthenexteighthoursasadustman.Beforereturninghomeatnight.Hetookashowerandchangedbackintohissuit.AlfdidthisforovertwoyearsandhisfellowdustmenkepthissecretAlf'swifehasneverdiscoveredthatshemarriedadustmanandsheneverwill,forAlfhasjustfoundanotherjob.Hewillsoonbeworkinginanoffice.Hewillbeearningonlyhalfasmuchasheusedto,buthefeelsthathisriseinstatusiswellworththelossofmoney.Fromnowon,hewillwearasuitalldayandotherswillcallhim'Mr.Bloggs',not'Alf'.Lesson5Thefacts确切数字Editorsofnewspapersandmagazinesoftengotoextremestoprovidetheirreaderwithunimportantfactsandstatistics.Lastyearajournalisthadbeeninstructedbyawell-knownmagazinetowriteanarticleonthepresident'spalaceinanewAfricanrepublic.Whenthearticlearrived,theeditorreadthefirstsentenceandthenrefusetopublishit.Thearticlebegan:'Hundredsofstepsleadtothehighwallwhichsurroundsthepresident'spalace'.Theeditoratoncesentthejournalistafaxinstructinghimfindouttheexactnumberofstepsandtheheightofthewall.Thejournalistimmediatelysetouttoobtaintheseimportantfacts,butthetookalongtimetosendthemMeanwhile,theeditorwasgettingimpatient,forthemagazinewouldsoongotopress.Hesentthejournalisttwomorefaxes,butreceivednoreply.Hesentyetanotherfaxinformingthejournalistthatifhedidnotreplysoonhewouldbefired.Whenthejournalistagainfailedtoreply,theeditorreluctantlypublishedthearticleasithadoriginallybeenwritten.Aweeklater,theeditoratlastreceivedafaxfromthejournalist.Notonlyhadthepoormanbeenarrested,buthehadbeensenttoprisonaswell.However,hehadatlastbeenallowedtosendafaxinwhichheinformedtheeditorthatthehehadbeenarrestedwhilecountingthe1,084stepsleadingtothefifteen-footwallwhichsurroundedthepresident'spalace.Lesson6Smash-and-grab砸橱窗抢劫TheexpensiveshopsinafamousnearPiccadillywerejust"opening.Atthistimeofthemorning,thearcadewasalmostempty.Mr.Taylor,theownerofajewelleryshopwasadmiringanewdisplay.Twoofhisassistantshadbeenworkingbusilysinceeighto'clockandhadonlyjustfinished.Diamondnecklacesandringshadbeenbeautifullyarrangedonabackgroundofblackvelvet.Aftergazingatthedisplayforseveralminutes,Mr.Taylorwentbackintohisshop.Thesilencewassuddenlybrokenwhenalargecar,withitsheadlightsonanditshomeblaring,roareddownthearcade.Itcametoastopoutsidethejeweller's.Onemanstayedatthewheelwhiletwootherswithblackstockingovertheirfacesjumpedoutandsmashedthewindowoftheshopwithironbars.Whilethiswasgoingon,Mr.Taylorwasupstairs.Heandhisstaffbeganthrowingfurnitureoutofthewindow.Chairsandtableswentflyingintothearcade.Oneofthethieveswasstruckbyaheavystatue,buthewastoobusyhelpinghimselftodiamondstonoticeanypain.Theraidwasalloverinthreeminutes,forthemenscrambledbackintothecaranditmovedoffatafantasticspeed.Justasitwasleaving,Mr.Taylorrushedoutandranafteritthrowingashtraysandvases,butitwasimpossibletostopthethieves.Theyhadgotawaywiththousandsofpoundsworthofdiamonds.Lesson7Mutilatedladies残钞鉴别组Hasiteverhappenedtoyou?Haveyoueverputyourtrousersinthewashingmachineandthenrememberedtherewasalargebanknoteinyourbackpocket?Whenyourescuedyourtrousers,didnoteinyourbackpocket?Whenyourescuedyourtrousers,didyoufindthenotewaswhiterthanwhite?PeoplewholiveinBritainneedn'tdespairwhentheymademistakeslikethis(andalotofpeopledo)!Fortunatelyforthem,theBankofEnglandhasateamcalledMutilatedLadieswhichdealswithclaimsfrompeoplewhofedtheirmoneytoamachineortotheirdog.Dogs,itseems,lovetochewupmoney!ArecentcaseconcernsJaneButlinwhosefiance,John,runsasuccessfulfurniturebusiness.Johnhadverygooddayandputhiswalletcontaining$3,000intothemicrowaveovenforsafekeeping.ThenheandJanewenthorse-riding.Whentheygothome,Janecookedtheirdinnerinthemicrowaveovenandwithoutrealizingit,cookedherfiance'swalletaswell.Imaginetheirdismaywhentheyfoundabeautifully-cookedwalletandnotesturnedtoash!JohnwenttoseehisbankmanagerwhosenttheremainsofwalletandthemoneytothespecialdepartmentoftheBankofEnglandinNewcastle:theMutilateLadies!TheyexaminedtheremainandJohngotallhismoneyback.'Solongasthere'ssomethingtoidentify,wewillgivepeopletheirmoneyback,'saidaspokeswomanfortheBank.'Lastyear,wepaid$1.5mon21,000claims.Damagedbanknotes.TheQueen'sheadappearsonEnglishbanknotes,and'lady'referstothis.Lesson8Afamousmonastery著名的修道院TheGreatSt.BernardPassconnectsSwitzerlandtoItaly.At2,473metres,itisthehighestmountainpassinEurope.ThefamousmonasteryofSt.Bernard,witchwasfoundedineleventhcentury,liesaboutamileaway.Forhundredsofyears,St.BernarddogshavesavedthelivesoftravellerscrossingthedangerousPass.Thesefriendlydogs,whichwerefirstbroughtfromAsia,wereusedaswatchdogseveninRomantimes.Nowthatatunnelahsbeenbuiltthroughthemountains,thePassislessdangerous,buteachyear,thedogsarestillsentoutintothesnowwheneveratravellerisindifficulty.Despitethenewtunnel,therearestillafewpeoplewhorashlyattempttocrossthePassonfoot.Duringthesummermonths,themonasteryisverybusy,foritisvisitedbythousandsofpeoplewhocrossthePassincars.Astherearesomanypeopleabout,thedogshavetobekeptinaspecialenclosure.Inwinter,however,lifeatthemonasteryisquitedifferent.Thetemperaturedropsto--30oandveryfewpeopleattempttocrossthePass.Themonkspreferwintertosummeroftheyhavemoreprivacy.Thedogshavegreaterfreedom,too,fortheyareallowedtowanderoutsidetheirenclosure.TheonlyregularvisitorstothemonasteryinwinterarepartiesofskierswhogothereatChristmasandEaster.Theseyoungpeople,wholovethepeaceofmountains,alwaysreceiveawarmwelcomeatSt.Bernard'smonastery.Lesson9Flyingcats飞猫Catsneverfailtofascinatehumanbeings.Theycanbefriendlyandaffectionatetowardshumans,buttheyleadmysteriouslivesoftheirownaswell.Theyneverbecomesubmissivelikedogsandhorses.Asaresult,humanshavelearnedtorespectfelineindependence.Mostcatsremainsuspiciousofhumansalltheirlives.Oneofthethingsthatfascinatesusmostaboutcatsisthepopularbeliefthattheyhaveninelives.Apparently,thereisagooddealoftruthinthisidea.Acat'sabilitytosurvivefallsisbasedonfact.RecentlytheNewYorkAnimalMedicalCentermadeastudyof132catsoveraperiodoffivemonths.Allthesecatshadoneexperienceincommon:theyhadfallenoffhighbuildings,yetonlyeightofthemdiedfromshockorinjuries.Ofcourse,NewYorkistheidealplaceforsuchaninterestingstudy,becausethereisnoshortageoftallbuildings.Thereareplentyofhigh-risewindowsillstofallfrom!Onecat,Sabrina,fell32storeys,yetonlysufferedfromabrokentooth.'Catsbehavelikewell-trainedparatroopers.'adoctorsaid.Itseemsthatthefurthercatsfall,thelesstheyarelikelytoinjurethemselves.Inalongdrop,theyreachspeedsof60milesanhourandmore.Athighspeeds,fallingcatshavetimetorelax.Theystretchouttheirlegslikeflyingsquirrels.Thisincreasestheirair-resistanceandreducestheshockofimpactwhentheyhittheground.Lesson10ThelossoftheTitanic“泰坦尼克”号的沉没Thegreatship,Titanic,sailedforNewYorkfromSouthamptononApril10th,1912.Shewascarrying1,316passengersandcrewof891.Evenbymodernstandards,the46,000tonTitanicwasacolossalship.Atthetime,however,shewasnotonlythelargestshipthathadeverbeenbuilt,butwasregardedasunsinkable,forshehadsixteenwatertightcompartments.Eveniftwoofthesewereflooded,shewouldstillbeabletofloat.Thetragicsinkingofthisgreatlinerwillalwaysberemembered,forshewentdownonherfirstvoyagewithheavylossoflife.Fourdaysaftersettingout,whiletheTitanicwassailingacrosstheicywateroftheNorthAtlantic,hugeicebergwassuddenlyspottedbyalookout.Afterthealarmhadbeengiven,thegreatshipturnedsharplytoavoidadirectcollision.TheTitanicturnedjustintime,narrowlymissingtheimmensewalkoficewhichroseover100feetoutofthewaterbesideher.Suddenly,therewasaslighttremblingsoundfrombelow,andthecaptainwentdowntoseewhathadhappened.Thenoisehadbeensofaintthatnoonethoughthattheshiphadbeendamaged.Below,thecaptainrealizedtohishorrorthattheTitanicwassinkingrapidly,forfiveofhersixteenwatertightcompartmentshadalreadybeenflooded!Theordertoabandonshipwasgivenandhundredsofpeopleplungedintotheicywater.Astherewerenotenoughlifeboatsforeverybody,1,500liveswerelost.Lesson11Notguilty无罪CustomsOfficersarequitetolerantthesedays,buttheycanstillstopyouwhenyouaregoingthroughtheGreenChannelandhavenothingtodeclare.Evenreallyhonestpeopleareoftenmadetofeelguilty.Thehardenedprofessionalsmuggler,ontheotherhand,isnevertroubledbysuchfeelings,evenifhehasfivehundredgoldwatcheshiddeninhissuitcase.WhenIreturnedformabroadrecently,aparticularlyofficiousyoungCustomsOfficerclearlyregardedmeasasmuggler.'Haveyouanythingtodeclare?'heasked,lookingmeintheeye.'No',Iansweredconfidently.'Wouldyoumindunlockingthissuitcaseplease?''Notatall,'Ianswered.TheOfficerwentthroughthecasewithgreatcare.AllthethingIhadpackedsocarefullyweresooninadreadfulmess.IfeltsureIwouldneverbeabletoclosethecaseagain.Suddenly,IsawtheOfficer'sfacelightup.Hehadspottedatinybottleatthebottomofmycaseandhepouncedonitwithdelight.'Perfume,eh?'heaskedsarcastically.'Youshouldhavedeclaredthat.Perfumeisnotexemptfromimportduty.''Butitisn'tperfume,'Isaid.'It'shairgel.'ThenIaddedwithasmile,'It'sastrangemixtureImakemyself.'AsIexpected,hedidnotbelieveme.'Tryit!'Isaidencouragingly.Theofficerunscrewedthecapandputthebottletohisnostrils.HewasgreetedbyanunpleasantsmellwhichconvincedhimthatIwastellingthetruth.Afewminuteslater,Iwasabletohurryawaywithpreciouschalkmarksonmybaggage.Lesson12Lifeonadesertisland荒岛生活Mostofushaveformedanunrealisticpictureoflifeonadesertisland.Wesometimesimagineadesertislandtobeasortofparadisewherethesunalwaysshines.Lifethereissimpleandgood.Ripefruitfallsfromthetreesandyouneverhavetowork.Theothersideofthepictureisquitetheopposite.Lifeonadesertislandiswretched.YoueitherstarvetodeathorlivelikeRobinsonCrusoe,Waitingforaboatwhichnevercomes.Perhapsthereisanelementoftruthinboththesepictures,butfewushavehadtheopportunitytofindout.Twomenwhorecentlyspentfivedaysonacoralislandwishedtheyhadstayedtherelonger.TheyweretakingabadlydamagedboatfromtheVirginIslandstoMiamitohaveitrepaired.Duringthejourney,theirboatbegantosink.Theyquicklyloadedasmallrubberdinghywithfood,matches,andcansofbeerandrowedforafewmilesacrosstheCaribbeanuntiltheyarrivedatatinycoralisland.Therewerehardlyanytreesontheislandandtherewasnowater,butthisdidnotprovetobeaproblem.Themencollectedrainwaterintherubberdinghy.Astheyhadbroughtaspeargunwiththem,theyhadplentytoeat.Theycaughtlobsterandfisheveryday，and,asoneofthemputit'atelikekings'.Whenapassingtankerrescuedthemfivedayslater,bothmenweregenuinelysorrythattheyhadtoleave.Lesson13"It'sonlyme'“是我，别害怕”Afterherhusbandhadgonetowork.Mrs.Richardssentherchildrentoschoolandwentupstairstoherbedroom.Shewastooexcitedtodoanyhouseworkthatmorning,forintheeveningshewouldbegoingtoafancy-dresspartwithherhusband.Sheintendedtodressupasaghostandasshehadmadehercostumethenightbefore,shewasimpatienttotryiton.Thoughthecostumeconsistedonlyofasheet,itwasveryeffective.Afterputtingiton,Mrs.Richardswentdownstairs.Shewantedtofindoutwhetheritwouldbecomfortabletowear.JustasMrs.Richardswasenteringthedinningroom,therewasaknockonthefrontdoor.Sheknewthatitmustbethebaker.Shehadtoldhimtocomestraightinifevershefailedtoopenthedoorandtoleavethebreadonthekitchentable.Notwantingtofrightenthepoorman,Mrs.Richardsquicklyhidinthesmallstoreroomunderthestairs.Sheheardthefrontdooropenandheavyfootstepsinthehall.Suddenlythedoorofthestoreroomwasopenedandamanentered.Mrs.RichardsrealizedthatitmustbethemanfromtheElectricityBoardwhohadcometoreadthemetre.Shetriedtoexplainthesituation,saying'It'sonlyme',butitwastoolate.Themanletoutcryandjumpedbackseveralpaces.WhenMrs.Richardswalkedtowardshim,hefled,slammingthedoorbehindhim.Lesson14Anoblegangster贵族歹徒TherewasatinewhentheownersofshopsandbusinessesinChicagothattopaylargesumsofmoneytogangstersinreturnfor'protection.'Ifthemoneywasnotpaidpromptly,thegangsterswouldquicklyputamanoutofbusinessbydestroyinghisshop.Obtaining'protectionmoney'isnotamoderncrime.Aslongagoasthefourteenthcentury,anEnglishman,SirJohnHawkwood,madetheremarkablediscoverythatpeoplewouldratherpaylargesumsofmoneythanhavetheirlifeworkdestroyedbygangsters.Sixhundredyearsago,SirJohanHawkwoodarrivedinItalywithabandofsoldiersandsettlednearFlorence.HesoonmadeanameforhimselfandcametobeknowntotheItaliansasGiovanniAcuto.WhenevertheItaliancity-stateswereatwarwitheachother,Hawkwoodusedtohirehissoldierstoprinceswhowerewillingtopaythehighpricehedemanded.Intimesofpeace,whenbusinesswasbad,Hawkwoodandhismenwouldmarchintoacity-stateand,afterburningdownafewfarms,wouldoffertogoawayprotectionmoneywaspaidtothem.Hawkwoodmadelargesumsofmoneyinthisway.Inspiteofthis,theItaliansregardedhimasasortofhero.Whenhediedattheageofeighty,theFlorentinesgavehimastatefuneralandhadapicturedwithasdedicatedtothememoryof'themostvaliantsoldierandmostnotableleader,SignorGiovanniHaukodue.'Lesson15Fiftypenceworthoftrouble五十便士的麻烦Childrenalwaysappreciatesmallgiftsofmoney.Mumordad,ofcourse,providearegularsupplyofpocketmoney,butunclesandantsarealwaysasourceofextraincome.Withsomechildren,smallsumsgoalongway.Iffiftypencepiecesarenotexchangedforsweets,theyrattleformonthsinsidemoneyboxes.Onlyverythriftychildrenmanagetofillupamoneybox.Formostofthem,fiftypenceisasmallpricetopayforanicebigbarofchocolate.Mynephew,George,hasamoneyboxbutitisalwaysempty.VeryfewofthefiftypencepiecesandpoundcoinsIhavegivenhimhavefoundtheirwaythere.Igavehimfiftypenceyesterdayandadvisedhimtosaveit.Insteadheboughthimselffiftypenceworthoftrouble.Onhiswaytothesweetshop,hedroppedhisfiftypenceanditbouncedalongthepavementandthendisappeareddownadrain.Georgetookoffhisjacket,rolleduphissleevesandpushedisrightarmthroughthedraincover.Hecouldnotfindhisfiftypencepieceanywhere,andwhatismore,hecouldnogethisarmout.Acrowdofpeoplegatheredroundhimandaladyrubbedhisarmwithsoapandbutter,butGeorgewasfirmlystuck.ThefirebrigadewascalledandtwofirefighterfreedGeorgeusingaspecialtypeofgrease.Georgewasnottooupsetbyhisexperiencebecausetheladywhoownsthesweetshopheardabouthistroublesandrewardedhimwithlargeboxofchocolates.Lesson16Maryhadalittlelamb玛丽有一头羔羊MaryandherhusbandDimitrilivedinthetinyvillageofPerachorainsouthernGreece.OneofMary'sprizepossessionswasalittlewhitelambwhichherhusbandhadgivenher.Shekeptittiedtoatreeinafieldduringthedayandwenttofetchiteveryevening.Oneevening,however,thelambwasmissing.Theropehadbeencut,soitwasobviousthatthelambhadbeenstolen.WhenDimitricameinfromthefields,hiswifetoldhimwhathadhappened.Dimitriatoncesetouttofindthethief.Heknewitwouldnotprovedifficultinsuchasmallvillage.Aftertellingseveralofhisfriendsaboutthetheft,Dimitrifoundoutthathisneighbour,Aleko,hadsuddenlyacquiredanewlamb.DimitriimmediatelywenttoAleko'shouseandangrilyaccusedhimofstealingthelamb.Hetoldhimhehadbetterreturnitorhewouldcallthepolice.AlekodeniedtakingitandledDimitriintohisbackyard.Itwastruethathehadjustboughtalamb,heexplained,buthislambwasblack.Ashamedofhavingactedsorashly,DimitriapologizedtoAlekoforhavingaccusedhim.WhiletheyweretalkingitbegantorainandDimitristayedinAleko'shouseuntiltherainstopped.Whenhewentoutsidehalfanhourlater,hewasastonishedtofindthelittleblacklambwasalmostwhite.Itswool,whichhadbeendyedblack,hadbeenwashedcleanbytherain!Lesson17Thelongestsuspensionbridgeintheworld世界上最长的吊桥Verrazano,anItalianaboutwhomlittleisknown,sailedintoNewYorkHarbourin1524andnameditAngouleme.Hedescribeditas'averyagreeablesituationlocatedwithintwosmallhillsinthemidstofwhichflowedagreatriver.'ThoughVerrazanoisbynomeansconsideredtobeagreatexplorer,hisnamewillprobablyremainimmortal,foronNovember21st,1964,thelongestsuspensionbridgeintheworldwasnamedafterhim.TheVerrazanoBridge,whichwasdesignedbyOthmarAmmann,joinsBrooklyntoStatenIsland.Ithasaspanof4,260feet.Thebridgeissolongthattheshapeoftheearthhadtobetakenintoaccountbyitsdesigner.Twogreattowerssupportfourhugecables.Thetowersarebuiltonimmenseunderwaterplatformsmakeofsteelandconcrete.Theplatformsextendtoadepthofover100feetunderthesea.Thesealonetooksixteenmonthstobuild.Abovethesurfaceofthewater,thetowersrisetoaheightofnearly700feet.Theysupportthecablesfromwhichthebridgehasbeensuspended.Eachofthefourcablescontains26,108lengthsofwire.Ithasbeenestimatedthatifthebridgewerepackedwithcars,itwouldstillonlybecarryingathirdofitstotalcapacity.However,sizeandstrengtharenottheonlyimportantthingsaboutthisbridge.Despiteitsimmensity,itisbothsimpleandelegant,fulfillingitsdesigner'sdreamtocreate'anenormousobjectdrawnasfaintlyaspossible'.Lesson18Electriccurrentsinmodernart现代艺术的电流Modernsculpturerarelysurprisesusanymore.Theideathatmodernartcanonlybeseeninmuseumsismistaken.Evenpeoplewhotakenointerestinartcannothavefailedtonoticeexamplesofmodernsculptureondisplayinpublicplaces.Strangeformsstandingardens,andoutsidebuildingsandshops.Wehavegotquiteusedtothem.Someso-called'modern'pieceshavebeenondisplayfornearlyeightyyears.Inspiteofthis,somepeople--includingmyself--weresurprisebyarecentexhibitionofmodernsculpture.ThefirstthingIsawwhenIenteredtheartgallerywasanoticewhichsaid:'Donottouchtheexhibits.Someofthemaredangerous!'Theobjectsondisplaywerepiecesofmovingsculpture.Oddlyshapedformsthataresuspendedformtheceilingandmoveinresponsetoagustofwindarequitefamiliartoeverybody.Theseobjects,however,weredifferent.Linedupagainstthewall,therewerelongthinwiresattachedtometalspheres.Thesphereshadbeenmagnetizedandattractedorrepelledeachotherallthetime.Inthecentreofthehall,therewereanumberoftallstructureswhichcontainedcolouredlights.Theselightsflickeredcontinuouslyliketrafficlightswhichhavegonemad.Sparkswereemittedfromsmallblackboxesandredlampsflashedonandoffangrily.Itwasratherlikeanexhibitionofprehistoricelectronicequipment.Thesepeculiarformsnotonlyseemeddesignedtoshockpeopleemotionally,buttogivethemelectricshocksaswell!Lesson19Averydearcat一条贵重的宝贝猫Kidnappersarerarelyinterestedinanimals,buttheyrecentlytookconsiderableinterestinMrs.EleanorRamsay'scat.Mrs.EleanorRamsay,averywealthyoldlady,hassharedaflatwithhercat,Rastus,foragreatmanyyears.Rastusleadsanorderlylife.Heusuallytakesashortwalkintheeveningsandisalwayshomebyseveno'clock.Oneevening,however,hefailedtoarrive.Mrs.Ramsaygotveryworried.Shelookedeverywhereforhimbutcouldnotfindhim.TheredaysafterRastus'disappearance,Mrs.Ramsayreceivedananonymousletter.ThewriterstatedthatRastuswasinsafehandsandwouldbereturnedimmediatelyifMrs.Ramsaypaidaransomof$1,000.Mrs.Ramsaywasinstructedtoplacethemoneyinacardboardboxandtoleaveitoutsideherdoor.Atfirstshedecidedtogotothepolice,butfearingthatshewouldneverseeRastusagain--theletterhadmadethatquiteclear--shechangedhermind.Shewithdrew$1000fromherbankandfollowedthekidnapper'sinstructions.Thenextmorning,theboxhaddisappearedbutMrs.Ramsaywassurethatthekidnapperwouldkeephisword.Sureenough,Rastusarrivedpunctuallyatseveno'clockthatevening.Helookedverywellthoughhewasratherthirsty,forhedrankhalfabottleofmilk.ThepolicewereastoundedwhenMrs.Ramsaytoldthemwhatshehaddone.SheexplainedthatRastuswasverydeartoher.Consideringtheamountshepaid,hewasdearinmorewaysthanone!Lesson20Pioneerpilots飞行员的先驱In1908LordNorthcliffeofferedaprizeof$1,000tothefirstmanwhowouldflyacrosstheEnglishChannel.Overayearpassedbeforethefirstattemptwasmade.OnJuly19th,1909,intheearlymorning,HubertLathamtookofffromtheFrenchcoastinhisplanethe'AntoinetteIV.'HehadtravelledonlysevenmilesacrosstheChannelwhenhisenginefailedandhewasforcedtolandonsea.The'Antoinette'floatedonthewateruntilLathamwaspickedupbyaship.Twodaysalter,LouisBleriotarrivednearCalaiswithaplanecalled'No.XI'.Bleriothadbeenmakingplanessince1905andthiswashislattesmodel.Aweekbefore,hehadcompletedasuccessfuloverlandflightduringwhichhecoveredtwenty-sixmiles.Latham,however,didnotgiveupeasily.He,too,arrivednearCalaisonthesamedaywithanew'Antoinette'.ItlookedasiftherewouldbeanexcitingraceacrosstheChannel.BothplanesweregoingtotakeoffonJuly25th,butLathamfailedtogetupearlyenough,Aftermakingashorttestflightat4,15a.m.,Bleriotsetoffhalfanhourlater.Hisgreatflightlastedthirty-sevenminutes.WhenhelandednearDover,thefirstpersontogreethimwasalocalpoliceman.LathammadeanotherattemptaweeklaterandgotwithinhalfamileofDover,buthewasunluckyagain.Hisenginefailedandhelandedontheseaforthesecondtime.Lesson21DanielMendoza丹尼尔.门多萨BoxingmatcheswereverypopularinEnglandtwohundredyearsago.Inthosedays,boxersfoughtwithbarefistsforprizemoney.Becauseofthis,theywereknownas'prizefighters'.However,boxingwasverycrude,forthesewerenorulesandaprizefightercouldbeseriouslyinjuredorevenkilledduringamatch.OneofthemostcolourfulfiguresinboxinghistorywasDanielMendoza,whowasbornin1764.Theuseofgloveswasnotintroduceduntil1860,whentheMarquisofQueensberrydrewupthefirstsetofrules.Thoughhewastechnicallyaprizefighter,Mendozadidmuchtochangecrudeprizefightingintoasport,forhebroughtsciencetothegame.Inthisday,Mendozaenjoyedtremendouspopularity.Hewasadoredbyrichandpooralike.Mendozarosetofameswiftlyafteraboxingmatchwhenhewasonlyfourteenyearsold.ThisattractedtheattentionofRichardHumphrieswhowasthenthemosteminentboxerinEngland.HeofferedtotrainMendozaandhisyoungpupilwasquicktolearn.Infact,MendozasoonbecamesosuccessfulthatHumphriesturnedagainsthim.Thetwomenquarrelledbitterlyanditwasclearthattheargumentcouldonlybesettledbyafight.AmatchwasheldatStilton,wherebothmenfoughtforanhour.ThepublicbetagreatdealofmoneyonMendoza,buthewasdefeated.MendozametHumphriesintheringonalateroccasionandhelostforasecondtime.Itwasnotuntilhisthirdmatchin1790thathefinallybeatHumphriesandbecameChampionofEngland.Meanwhile,hefoundedahighlysuccessfulAcademyandevenLordByronbecameoneofhispupils.Heearnedenormoussumsofmoneyandwaspaidasmuchas$100forasingleappearoneofhispupils.Heearnedenormoussumsofmoneyandwaspaidasmuchas$100forasingleappearance.Despitethis,hewassoextravagantthathewasalwaysindebt.AfterhewasdefeatedbyaboxercalledGentlemanJackson,hewasquicklyforgotten.Hewassenttoprisonforfailingtopayhisdebtsanddiedinpovertyin1836.Lesson22Byheart熟记台词Someplaysaresosuccessfulthattheyrunforyearsonend,Inmanyways,thisisunfortunateforthepooractorswhoarerequiredtogoonrepeatingthesamelinesnightafternight.Onewouldexpectthemtoknowtheirpartsbyheartandneverhavecausetofalter.Yetthisisnotalwaysthecase.AfamousactorinahighlysuccessfulplaywasoncecastintheroleofanaristocratwhohadbeenimprisonedintheBastillefortwentyyears.Inthelastact,agaolerwouldalwayscomeontothestagewithaletterwhichhewouldhandtotheprisoner.Eventhoughthenoblewasexpectedtoreadtheletterateachperformance,healwaysinsistedthatitshouldbewrittenoutinfull.Onenight,thegaolerdecidedtoplayajokeonhiscolleaguetofindoutif,aftersomanyperformances,hehadmanagedtolearnthecontentsoftheletterbyheart.Thecurtainwentuponthefinalactoftheplayandrevealedthearistocratsittingalonebehindbarsinhisdarkcell.Justthen,thegaolerappearedwiththepreciousletterinhisbands.Heenteredthecellandpresentedthelettertothearistocrat.Butthecopyhegavehimhadnotbeenwrittenoutinfullasusual.Itwassimplyablanksheetofpaper.Thegaolerlookedoneagerly,anxioustoseeifhisfellowactorhadatlastlearnthislines.Thenoblestaredattheblanksheetofpaperforafewseconds.Then,squintinghiseyes,hesaid:'Thelightisdim.Readthelettertome'.Andhepromptlyhandedthesheetofpapertothegaoler.Findingthathecouldnotrememberawordofthelettereither,thegaolerreplied:'Thelightisindeeddim,sire,Imustgetmyglasses.'Withthis,hehurriedoffthestage.Muchtothearistocrat'samusement,thegaolerreturnedafewmomentslaterwitha