英語聽力小短文走遍全世界43: 美國人的生活方式

英語聽力原文：

Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. The early immigrants had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they weren't content to stay there. Explorers and traders journeyed to the unknown western territories. Later, settlers moved west to develop these new areas.

縱觀整個(gè)歷史，美國一直是個(gè)遷移的民族。早期的移民者必須長途跋涉才能抵達(dá)新大陸，他們到達(dá)后就會沿著東岸定居，但卻不滿于長居此地，冒險(xiǎn)家和商人旅行至未知的西部地區(qū)。稍后，移民者也向西遷移去開發(fā)這些新地區(qū)。

As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole continent-from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average American moves every five years.

由于向西遷移，美國人最后占據(jù)了整塊新大陸——從大西洋到太平洋。即使到今天，美國人似乎仍然無法在一地久居。根據(jù)研究，美國人平均每五年要搬一次家。

Besides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling. Some people make long-distance commutes to work daily. Their jobs may even require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual vacation for their employees, and people often use that time to travel.

除了搬家的習(xí)慣以外，美國人也很習(xí)慣旅行。有些人每天上下班得做長距離的通勤，工作上甚至經(jīng)常需要因公旅行。大部分的公司每年會提供年假給員工，人們通常會利用這段時(shí)間去旅行。

Some people just visit friends or relatives in distant states. Others go on low-budget weekend excursions and stay in economy motels. Those with more expensive tastes choose luxurious resorts and hotels. Camping out in the great outdoors appeals to adventurous types. Some travel in recreational vehicles (RVs) to camp out in comfort, while others "rough it" by sleeping in tents.

有些人去遠(yuǎn)一點(diǎn)的其他州拜訪朋友或親戚，有些則在周末有個(gè)經(jīng)濟(jì)的小假期，并住在花費(fèi)不高的旅館里。品位較昂貴的人選擇豪華的度假地點(diǎn)和飯店;絕佳的戶外露營則吸引冒險(xiǎn)型的人。有些人開著旅行車出游，以舒適的方式露營;有些人則睡帳篷嘗試野外生活。

Most Americans prefer to travel within their nation's borders. Why? For one thing, it's cheaper than traveling abroad, and there's no language problem. But besides that, the vast American territory offers numerous tourist attractions.

大部分美國人比較喜歡在國內(nèi)旅游，為什么呢?其中一個(gè)原因是，國內(nèi)旅游比國外旅游便宜，也沒有語言交流的問題。但除此原因以外，占地極廣的美國國土提供了許多能吸引游客的地點(diǎn)。

Nations lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, canyons, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors a multitude of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie.

愛好大自然的人可以到海灘、山上、峽谷、湖泊和很多大自然奇景地區(qū)游覽。大城市也提供給游客們很多都市形態(tài)的娛樂?，F(xiàn)代高速公路、鐵路和飛機(jī)使得在美國旅行很容易。

英語詞匯整理：

1. immigrant n. 移民，僑民 adj. 移民的

eg: They are illegal immigrants.

他們是非法移民。

短語：

illegal immigrant 非法移民

immigrant visa 移民簽證

2. territory n. 領(lǐng)土，版圖;領(lǐng)域，范圍

eg: Our country is vast in territory.

我國版圖遼闊。

短語：

within the territory 在境內(nèi)

capital territory 首都圈;首都轄區(qū)

northwest territory 西北地區(qū)(美國的)

3. commute v. 通勤，折換，減刑，改變，變換 n. 乘車上下班

eg: Mike commutes to Miami every day.

邁克每天通勤去邁阿密。

短語：

commute between(from) 通勤于……之間

commute into 以……變成……

commute into〔for〕交換,折合

4. excursion n. 遠(yuǎn)足， 短途旅行

eg: The whole excursion took ten hours.

整個(gè)短途旅游花了十個(gè)小時(shí)。

短語：

set out on one's excursion 出發(fā)去旅行

enjoy an excursion 享受旅行的樂趣

plan an excursion 計(jì)劃一次旅行

arrange an excursion 組織旅行

詞語用法：

excursion, journey 旅行，游覽

1.journey一般指較長距離的陸地旅行,指從一個(gè)地方直接到達(dá)目的地; excursion一般指不超過一天的短程游覽性旅行,有時(shí)也可指遠(yuǎn)足旅行或集體游覽。

2.excursion的交通工具多為火車或船只,且船票可打折扣; journey則沒有這種說法。

5. luxurious adj. 奢侈的，豪華的

eg: She has been honing for a luxurious life.

她一直渴望過豪華奢侈的生活。

短語：

luxurious hotel 豪華級飯店

luxurious elegance 名貴優(yōu)雅

6. recreational adj. 娛樂的，消遣的

eg: The playroom is designed for recreational purpose.

這游戲室計(jì)劃用于娛樂活動。

短語：

recreational areas 休閑區(qū)

recreational sports 娛樂性體育運(yùn)動

recreational activity 消遣活動

recreational vehicle 野營旅游車

7. canyon n. 峽谷

eg: The cold wind sweeps down the canyon.

寒風(fēng)刮進(jìn)了峽谷。

短語：

grand canyonn. (美)大峽谷

grand canyon national park(美國)大峽谷國家公園

8. multitude n. 大量，多數(shù)，群眾

eg: Addiction to drugs can bring a multitude of other problems.

毒癮會帶來其他許多問題。

短語：

a multitude of 大批的，眾多的

in multitudes 成群的

cover/ hide a multitude of sins [口語]掩蓋許多丑惡的事情;冠冕堂皇的借口

9. convenience n. 方便，合宜;便利設(shè)施，方便的用具

eg: He was happy to make a detour for her convenience.

為了方便她，他樂意繞道而行。

短語：

at your convenience 在方便的時(shí)候,在適宜的地方

at your earliest convenience 盡早

make a convenience of someone 過分利用某人

for convenience 為了方便

佳句采摘：

As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole continent-from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put.

由于向西遷移，美國人最后占據(jù)了整塊新大陸——從大西洋到太平洋。即使到今天，美國人似乎忍讓無法在一地久居。