VOA慢速英語聽力訓(xùn)練素材：詞匯典故創(chuàng)新

00:00

00:00

MP3下載

https://online2.tingclass.net/puttext/Upload/20240820/CRP-081024th8S6cwy.mp3

https://image.tingclass.net/statics/js/2012

VOA慢速英語，作為國際英語學(xué)習(xí)者的重要資源，通過清晰緩慢的發(fā)音與簡潔的詞匯，為初學(xué)者及中等水平學(xué)習(xí)者搭建了通往流利英語的橋梁。它不僅幫助提升聽力理解能力，還豐富了詞匯量，增強(qiáng)了語感，是學(xué)習(xí)地道英語表達(dá)不可或缺的工具，對全球英語學(xué)習(xí)者的語言提升至關(guān)重要。讓我們一起進(jìn)入今天的VOA慢速英語聽力訓(xùn)練：詞匯典故創(chuàng)新。

英文原文

Today we talk about innovation.

今天我們來談?wù)剟?chuàng)新。

Innovation is an improved way of doing something.

創(chuàng)新是一種改進(jìn)做事方式的方法。

Innovation can lead to change that makes for a better product or idea.

創(chuàng)新可以帶來變革，使產(chǎn)品或想法變得更好。

Sometimes innovation involves new physical invention.

有時，創(chuàng)新涉及到新的物理發(fā)明。

Some innovations are revolutionary.

有些創(chuàng)新是革命性的。

Innovation brings us to the world of bread, and today's expression: "the best thing since sliced bread."

創(chuàng)新把我們帶到了面包的世界，以及今天的表達(dá)：“自切片面包以來最好的東西”。

"The best thing since sliced bread" describes a new excellent thing that makes a great improvement to something.

“自切片面包以來最好的東西”描述了一個對某事物做出巨大改進(jìn)的新事物。

For example, the new map and direction app on my smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread. Now when driving, I find my destinations easily and only get lost when my phone dies.

例如，我智能手機(jī)上的新地圖和導(dǎo)航應(yīng)用程序就是自切片面包以來最好的東西。現(xiàn)在開車時，我可以輕松找到目的地，只有手機(jī)沒電時才會迷路。

But where does this expression come from?

但這個表達(dá)是從哪里來的呢？

Well, for many years, bread has been a main part of meals for many people around the world.

多年來，面包一直是世界各地許多人飲食的主要部分。

Most bread comes in a long form, a loaf. A breadloaf travels well. You can buy a loaf of bread, stick it in your bag, and make it home without the bread getting damaged, and on the way, you can break off a piece of bread for a little snack.

大多數(shù)面包都是長條形的，即一條面包。一條面包便于攜帶。你可以買一條面包，把它放進(jìn)包里，然后帶回家，而面包不會損壞。在路上，你可以掰下一塊面包作為小吃。

But when making a sandwich, you need two slices of bread of the same thickness. If you had to cut them yourself, that may not happen; one may be thicker than the other. One of life's little annoyances.

但是做三明治時，你需要兩片厚度相同的面包。如果你自己切，可能不會這樣；一片可能比另一片厚。這是生活中的小煩惱之一。

Well, that changed in the late 1920s. An inventor in the United States brought an innovation to the world of bread. Otto Frederick Rowetter invented the bread slicer. The machine cut the bread into individual slices of the same size.

不過，這種情況在20世紀(jì)20年代末期發(fā)生了改變。美國的一位發(fā)明家為面包界帶來了創(chuàng)新。奧托·弗雷德里克·羅韋特發(fā)明了面包切片機(jī)。這臺機(jī)器將面包切成大小相同的單獨(dú)切片。

Soon after, he invented a machine that sliced the bread and then packaged it. Later, a small machine to toast the bread was invented. The slices fit neatly into the toaster. Toasters can be found in homes across the US and other countries.

不久之后，他又發(fā)明了一臺既能切片又能包裝的面包機(jī)。后來，又發(fā)明了一臺烤面包機(jī)。切片可以整齊地放入烤面包機(jī)中。在美國和其他國家的家庭中都可以找到烤面包機(jī)。

Sliced bread became even more popular. People love bread, and Rowetter's creation revolutionized the bread industry.

切片面包變得更加受歡迎。人們喜歡面包，羅韋特的發(fā)明徹底改變了面包行業(yè)。

So, being described as "the best thing since sliced bread" is high praise indeed.

因此，被描述為“自切片面包以來最好的東西”確實(shí)是一種高度贊揚(yáng)。

Here is another example: "So what do you think of the chief's new policy on paid leave? It's the best thing since sliced bread. I'm going to use the extra vacation time to visit friends in Paris."

再舉一個例子：“你覺得主管的新帶薪休假政策怎么樣？這是自切片面包以來最好的東西。我打算用額外的假期時間去巴黎看望朋友?！?/span>

Please note, people also use this expression as an insult. Let's say you know someone who thinks very highly of herself. She thinks she can do no wrong. You don't agree. You could say, "She thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread."

請注意，人們也會用這個表達(dá)作為侮辱。比如說，你認(rèn)識一個自視甚高的人。她認(rèn)為自己不會犯錯。你不同意她的看法。你可以說，“她自以為自己是自切片面包以來最好的東西?！?/span>

以上便是VOA慢速英語聽力訓(xùn)練：詞匯典故創(chuàng)新相關(guān)內(nèi)容，希望能幫助你提升聽力！