全新版大学英语视听说Book2-Unit6-Unit9

Unit 6
Video script
Narrator: 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 more 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 doesn’t 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 JoséAnsola, a 76-year-old horseman, seems 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 couldn’t live in the campo, the countryside—an unthinkable thought—I don’t know what I’d do.〞
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 José’s 400-square-kilometer ranch in Corrientes is far from everything, so Don Josédepends entirely on his horses to travel. As a result, he and his three sons 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 they’ll 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.〞
Narrator: The gaucho explains that the horse must adjust to using a saddle and reins so the riders aren’t thrown off later. The treatment seems cruel, but according to Don José it’s actually not. The training, he says, often seems harsher than it is.
Ansola: “We love our horses, and in the end, they love us in return. This is the traditional way of training a horse in Argentina—the 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 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 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 were 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 living in the region for a number of reasons. For Jimmy, the most refreshing aspect about living in Patagonia is that there’s 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 difficult, 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 is so remote, father and son have to utilize everything they have available. This also means they don’t abandon anything quickly and often use and reuse everything they have, including thei r bags and their boots. After all, it’s a long way to go to buy new ones.
Gauchos are experts at adjusting to their surroundings. Here, they’ve 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 strong horses, the rheas run swiftly ahead of them. It’s an exciting chase, but the rheas get away—this 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 fierce soldiers for Argentina, and they won recognition and respect in the Argentine war of independence from Spain. They’re 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. Rudecindo loves being a gaucho and says that it’s the life he’s 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, choosing 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, R udecindo’s Father: “It’s not only knowing how to catch an animal with a rope, use a saddle or ride a horse. It’s also about being good and kind. When you ask a gaucho a favor, he must not refuse. He does it.〞Narrator: At times, it’s difficult to make enou gh 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 training a strong little horse from the area called a criollo. It’s one of the few animals that can round up cat tle 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 injuries as they round up the last of the cattle.
In Salta, each time the gauchos successfully return the cattle safely back to the ranch, there’s a lively fiesta, a celebration in which women have always had an important role. Rudecindo’s wife, who comes from the city, talks about life on the ranch.
Rudecindo’s Wife: “It’s very difficult to adapt to the slower pace of the campo. In the city, you live faster and you are less attentive to nature. We’ve lost that in the city. We’ve lost some of our humanity, which my husband hasn’t lost. He’s not caught up in the trivia of everyday life. You can really get consumed by small things, and you forget what’s important.〞
Rudecindo: “If I go into town for two weeks, I can’t 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 today’s gaucho may be one of adaptation: to climate, to landscape, and to traditional ways of life that sustain them. Ansola: “For Argentina, it’s 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 Joséis not 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
Ｉ. ACD
Ⅱ. Age: 76 years old
Residence: In a remote region of Corrientes
Lifestyle : Leading a life of solitude
Ranch size: 400 square kilometers
Means of transportation: Horses
Daily work: Finding and catching the wild horses in the countryside;
“breaking〞/ training horses
III. 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 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 saddle 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 2P86
Ｉ. ACEG
Part 3P87
Ｉ. Complete the summary with the missing words.
The (1) rough 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 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.
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 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.
Ⅲ. P88
Rough 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(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 P96
1. C
2. A
3. B
4.D
5.B
6. C
7.B
8. outside of the limits of society
9. holding on to tradition
10. use the reins
HOME LISTENING
Audio script
Amazing Argentina
Dear Lee, April 3rd
How are things back home? Things here are great! We’ve only been in Argentina for a few days, but we’ve already had so many remarkable experiences! We arrived in Buenos Aires last Saturday and spent a couple of days just exploring this fascinating city. The first evening we visited Puerto Madero. Prior to this visit, it was a rather unattractive neighborhood, but there’s been an astonishing transformation in the past ten years. It’s now full of wonderful places to eat. We had a delicious dinner in an outdoor cafe and 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 unbelievable 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 beautiful—both men and women. They could all be movie stars! It must be something special 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 event—complete with a horse show. We stopped to take advantage of the opportunity to see Argentinean gauchos 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 most 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 I’ve ever seen. It really felt like I was in another world. Here’s a picture so you can see how wonderful it is—I’ll send more pictures and info later when I update my journal!
See you soon
Marco
Home listening P97
Ⅱ. 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) impressive
(10) saw the waterfalls
(11) a rain forest terrain
(12) exotic
(13) in another world
Unit 8
Video script
Narrator: O nce 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 about a competition, that local residents have given it a name. They call it Tako Kichi: Kite Crazy.
Kazuo Tamura, Kite Enth usiast: “‘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 can’t fall asleep because they see kites flying over their beds.〞
Narrator: N ormally 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, they’re ready to have some fun at a five-day festival that celebrates the open sky—the 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 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 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 important to me. It’s not just a question of having a good time. Somehow, underneath a sky that’s full of kites, everyone seems equal. And no o ne flies a kite in times of war. So the festival is like a sign that we’re at peace.〞
Narrator: S hirone festival kites are made by hand and put together carefully 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 biggest kites are called odako. They’re difficult t o 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 fly—more like fighter jets while the odako are like heavy bombers.
For centuries, the battle of the kites has taken place along Shirone’s central river, the Nakanokuchi. The competing teams stand on opposite sides of the river. The goal is for one team to capture another team’s kite and pull it from the sky.
Once one team has captured another team’s kite, it’s time for the real competition to begin. Team members 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 team’s rope breaks, a winner is declared. Extra points are given to the winning side for every inch 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: B y the end of day one, thousands of the smaller kites have been destroyed, but not everyone has been able to enjoy the competition. The large odako kites are still not flying. The teams can’t even get th e 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 they’re ready when the north wind 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. Teamwork 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 won’t fly; they’ll fall right to the ground.〞
Narrator: O n the third day of this five-day festival, there’s still no northern wind, and everyone’s 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 minute something wonderful happens. With just one hour remaining, a northern wind comes down along the river. At last, the oversized kites are released from their earthly imprisonment.
Now, finally, Tamura’s team will have its only chance to compete before the festival ends. The young men on Tamura’s team have managed to capture the competing team’s kite. Now the tug of war begins. It’s a situation that requires both skill and passion; luckily Tamura’s team has plenty of both.
Tamura: “People call me a kite maniac. I am a kite enthusiast. That’s just me. They call me a kite maniac, but I don’t think I’m all that crazy.〞
Narrator: T he two teams are nearly exhausted, but the battle continues. Neither will stop until the war is won, but the ropes remain firmly tied together across the river. One set of kite ropes finally breaks and it belongs to the rival team. It looks l ike Tamura’s team is the winner!
Narrator: S o are the people of Shirone really Kite Crazy? Most of the residents become very excited at this time of year. But if it’s some type of craziness, it’s not a dangerous one.
In a good year every kite is destroyed, but the people of Shirone never seem to feel sorry. They know that next spring, the kites will live again. For now, there are no signs that the “Kite Craziness〞will disappear any time soon. In fact, among everyone who appears affected by it, no one seems to want to take the cure.
Part 1
I. Watch Part 1. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). P117
___F___ The kite fight is held once a month in Shirone.
___T___ The kite fight festival lasts five days in Shirone.
___F___ The kite fight is held to show people's anger and worries.
___F__ People will fight with kites in playgrounds, parking lots, schools and so on.
___T__ The kite fight means a lot to Kazuo Tamura.
II. Watch again. Complete the table with the missing words.
When did the Great Kite Fight start? _250_ years ago.
In which season does the festival take place? In _spring___.
How often is the festival held? _Once_ a year.
Who gets involved in the kite madness? Almost _anybody__ who can cling to a piece of kite rope.
What does the event mean to Kazuo Tamura? It means enjoyment, equality for everybody and a sign of __peace _.
Part 2P118
ＩWatch part 2. Put the following events in the correct order. P118
A. Capturing another team's kite
B. One team's rope breaking
C. Arriving at the bank of Shirone's central river, the Nakanokuchi
D. Flying kites
E. Declaring a winner
( C )→( D )→( A )→( B )→( E )
II. Watch again. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
___F___ The kites are made by machines carefully.
___T__ Each kite has its special look.
___F__ The smaller kites are called odako.
___F__ In the tug of war, kites won't be destroyed.
___T__ The fight will be scored.
___F__ Kids mustn't get involved in the kite fight because it's dangerous.
Part 3
ＩWatch Part3. Choose the true statements about Kazuo Tamura and his team.
D F
II. Watch again. Answer the following questions in less than five words. P119
1. Why can't the teams get the huge odakos into the sky?
Because there's not __a stable northern wind___.
2. What do the teams do while they are waiting for the wind?
They step back from the riverside to ensure that their ropes are strung correctly.
3. Why should the ropes be extremely strong?
Because they must control the kite and stand up to the tugs of war.
III. Watch again. Fill in the blanks with the missing words.
On the third day of this five-day festival, there's still no northern wind, and everyone's 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 minute something wonderful happens. With just one hour remaining_, a northern wind comes down along the river. At last, the ___oversized__ kites are released from their earthly imprisonment.
Now, finally, Tamura's team will have its only chance to ___compete___before the festival ends. The young men on Tamura's team have managed to __capture_ the competing team's kite. Now the tug of war begins.
IV. Listen and repeat. You are going to hear five sentences selected from the video. Repeat each sentence after it is spoken twice. Then write the sentences. P120
1. But not everyone has been able to enjoy the competition.
2. Team work constitutes another important part of the kite competition.
3. Lucky Tamura’s team has plenty of both.
4. But I don’t think I’m all that crazy.
5. It looks like Tamura’s team is the winner.
Part 4P120
I. Watch part 4. Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.
1. What conclusion does the narrator make in this part? __B____
A. Kite flying should become the national sport of Japan.
B. The people of Shirone are proud of their kite tradition.
C. No one can understand why the festival is popular.
D. After the festival, competitors should go to the hospital.
2. What kind of attitude does the narrator hold towards the kite fight? ___C___
A. Indifferent.
B. Impartial.
C. Positive.
D. Negative.
II. Watch again. Complete the following sentences according to what you have learned in this part.
1. If it is some type of ___craziness___, it's not a ___dangerous___ one.
2. In a good year every kite is __destroyed__.
3. No one seems to want to ___take the cure__.
Reading comprehension P128
1. B
2. A
3. C
4.D
5. B
6. A
7.D
8. a dangerous one
9. are destroyed
10. will live again
HOME LISTENING
Audio script
Competing with Kites Around the World
Kite Fights
Historians believe that people first started to fly kites thousands of years ago either in India, Afghanistan, or any other Asian country, depending upon the source. Somewhere in the early history of kite flying, the idea of having battles in the sky was born. One area well known for its fighter kites is India. There, kites called “patang〞or “guda〞are flown, and the rope used to fly them is coated with broken bits of glass. The winner is the one who is able to cut the ropes of all of the other competitors. Afghan fighter kites are much larger than their Indian cousins with some being up to five feet wide. They are usually constructed of different materials, and competitors use very lightweight paper for their creations.
The sport of kite fighting is also popular in such places as Japan, Korea, Thailand, parts of Europe, Cuba, and Brazil. Brazilian kites are often smaller constructions, but the competition between rivals is still just as enthusiastic. Part of the fun of kite fighting in Brazil involves cutting away someone else’s kite and then stealing it. Trees and power lines in Brazilian cities are often full of lost or abandoned kites.
Kite-Building Competitions
Kite-building competitions offer a totally different approach to the sport of kite flying. Each year, hundreds of festivals are held around the world in which people build their own kites and bring them to be judged by experts in the field. The American Kitefliers Association was formed over 40 years ago and today it is the largest such organization in the world with over 4,000 members in 35 countries. During the annual competitions, kites are judged on four characteristics: appearance, flight capability, construction technique, and design.
The kite’s “appearance〞is simply a measure of how good the kite looks on the ground. The “flight capability〞category measures how well the flier is able to handle it. “Construction technique〞refers to how neatly and carefully the kite was made, and the “de sign〞category is a measure of how strong the structure of the kite is. Judges carefully assess all attributes when making their decisions. Although it’s a fun sport, competitors take it very seriously and work extremely hard on their entries. You can research possible kite-building competitions in your area by going to the American Kitefliers Association website.
Home Listening
I. Listen to the passage. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). P129
__F____ This passage is mainly about an international kite festival.
___T___ Kite fight is now popular in many countries.
___T__ Different countries have different kite styles.
___F__ Kite-building competition is another form of kite fight.
___T__ Four characteristics are taken into consideration in kite-building competition.
II. Listen again. Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.
1. According to historians, which continent first started to fly kites?
A. America.
B. Asia.
C. Europe.
D. Australia.
2. What is the main difference between Indian and Afghan fighter kites?
A. Indian kites are stronger than Afghan ones.
B. Afghan kites are stronger than Indian ones.
C. Indian kites are smaller than Afghan ones.
D. Afghan kites are smaller than Indian ones.
3. In which of the following countries, kites can be cut away and stolen by the rival during the competition?
A. Japan.
B. Korea.
C. China.
D. Brazil.
4. When was the American Kitefliers Association formed?
A. Over 35 years ago.
B. Over 40 years ago.
C. Over 45 years ago.
D. Over 50 years ago.
5. What does the "design characteristic of kites refer to?
A. It refers to how reasonable the structure of the kite is.
B. It refers to how beautiful the structure of the kite is.
C. It refers to how strong the structure of the kite is.
D. It refers to how practical the structure of the kite is.
III. Listen and repeat. You are going to hear five sentences selected from the audio. Repeat each sentence after it is spoken twice. Then write the sentences. P130
1. T he idea of having battles in the sky was born
2. They are usually constructed of different materials .
3. The competition between rivals is still just as enthusiastic.
4. It’s the largest such organization in the world
5. Judges carefully assess all attributes when making their decisions.
Unit9
Video script
Martha Schaum, Program Coordinator: “Let’s get this stuff out and see what we’ve got here.〞
Narrator: In a classroom at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, ten high school stu dents are preparing for a lesson. They’re also preparing a show-and-tell presentation to give to a group of children and creating costumes for a play that they’ve written.
Schaum: “And where’s the poison dart frog container? OK.〞
Narrator: Due to their age, this preparation and planning appears to be schoolwork, but it isn’t. In fact, these students are employees of a very special。