English Tourism.doc

English for TourismHandbook for StudentsEnglish TourismHandbook for Students Foreign Language Teaching and Research Department Heilongjiang UniversityForeign Countries PartThe History of the United StatesThe United States of America is composed of fifty states-forty eight extending contiguously from sea to shining sea across the shining sea across the middle of North America, Alaska in the extreme northwest of the continent, and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The total area is 9,159, 123 square kilometers, making it one of the largest countries is the world. The capital of the United States is the city of Washington located, in the District of Columbia.Compared to the history of China, the history of the United States is quite short. It began a little more, than two hundred years ago in 1776. Thirteen colonies located on the eastern coast of north America declared independence and fought a revolution against the British. In 1783, the colonists won the revolution, and gained their independence.After the revolution, the United States bought a large section of country from Napoleon of France. This purchase doubled the size of the United States. Napoleon needed money for his European wars. If he hadnt needed that money, the United States might have stayed a small country.Texas and most of what is now the south-western part of the United States belonged to Mexico. The people of Texas fought a revolution against Mexico. They became independent and joined the United States. Later the United States and Mexico went to war. If Mexico had defeated the United States in that war, California and New Mexico would have been part of Mexico today.Then the British and the Americans both claimed the north-western part of the country. They settled their differences with a compromise. South of the 49th parallel was the United States, andnorth of the 49th parallel was Canada which was controlled by England.In 1861, one half of the United States did go to war with the other half. This was the Civil War. President Lincoln wanted to free the slaves. He was supported by the north, but opposed by the south. The south wanted to be separated from the rest of the country and become independent. After four years of war, the south was defeated. Following the Civil War, the United States bought Alaska from Russia. At that time many people didnt think that Alaska was important, but today it is the largest state in the country, and a very important one, too.Indians were the first inhabitants of the land which is now the United States. There are still many thousands of the descendants of these original inhabitants living in all parts of the country. Sometimes it is said that the Indians are the only real Americans. Most Americans, however, ere descendants of people who came from all over the: World to find a new life in a new land. Those who came first and in greatest numbers to make their homes on the eastern coast: of North America were mostly from England. It is for that reason that the language of the United States is English and that its culture and customs are more like those of England than of any other country in the world. New Words and Expressions1) contiguously ad. 接触地，连续地2) declare vt. 宣告，声明3) purchase n. 购买4) double vt. 使加倍5) Texas n. 德克萨斯州（美国州名）6) defeat vt. 击败，战胜7) California n. 加利福尼亚（美国州名）8) claim vt. （限据权利）要求，认领，声称9) compromise n. 妥协，折中10) parallel n. 纬度，纬线11) Indian n. 印第安人12) inhabitant n. 居民，居住者13) descendant n. 子孙，后裔，后代Notes to the passage1) The United States of America is composed of fifty states. 美利坚合众国是由50个州组成。2) North America 北美洲3) Alaska in the extreme northwest of the continent 阿拉斯加在这块大陆的最西北端4) the Pacific Ocean 太平洋5) located in the District of Columbia 位于哥伦比亚特区（美国联邦直辖区）6) compared to the history of China 与中国的历史相比7) gained their independence 获得独立8) Napoleon 拿破仑(Napoleon I拿破仑一世，全称Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769一1821法国皇帝，1804一1815在位)9) went to war 进行战争10) They settled their differences with a compromise. 他们以折中的方法解决了他们的争端。11) the 49th parallel 四十九度纬线12) the Civil War 南北战争13) original inhabitants living in all parts of the country 居住在该国各处的原住民HawaiiHawaii is Americas island state far out in the Pacific Ocean. Many of Hawaiis people an: descendants of immigrants from different parts of Asia. Most of these Asians are of Japanese ancestry. The parents and grandparents of other Hawaiians came from China, the Philippine Islands, and Korea. In addition, there are some Polynesians in Hawaii. Their ancestors came to Hawaii thousands of years before any other people. Hawaii is rich in traditions. Hawaiians are Americans, but they have preserved the ceremonies of their homelands.People from all over Hawaii come to see the Japanese O-bon Festival in memory of dead relatives and friends. This is an important part of the Buddhist religion. The O-bon ceremonies take place in July and August on Oahu, the main island of Hawaii. There is music of drums and flutes in the courtyards of Buddhist temples. Men and women, wearing traditional clothing called kimonos, do the folk dances of their ancestral land. In the evening the people go to the seashore. They place paper lanterns on hundreds of tiny wood boats. These lights lead the souls of the dead across the dark water to rest until the next year.Chinese Hawaiians have their own way of celebrating the past. For the Moon-Festival in mid-August, Chinese stores sell delicious round cakes filled with meat. On the night of the full moon, families get together in a garden or open-air space to eat these cakes and drink tea. The cakes are the same shape as the bright moon they see in the sky. Then the people remember how their ancestors won a war by sending secret messages to each other in round cakes. The Moon Festival is important because it helps Chinese Hawaiians to recall the story of their brave ancestors.New Words and Expressions 1) Hawaii n. 夏威夷，夏威夷岛 2) descendant n.子孙，后裔，后代 3) immigrant n.移民，侨民 4) ancestry n. 家系，血统 5) Hawaiian n. 夏威夷人，夏威夷语 6) Polynesian n. 玻利尼西亚人 7) ceremony n. 典礼，仪式，礼节 8) in memory of 纪念，追念 9) take place 发生 10) Oahu n. 瓦胡岛美国（夏威夷群岛的主岛） 11）flute n. 长笛 12) kimono n.和服，妇女穿着的宽大晨衣 13）ancestral a.祖先的，祖传的 14) get together v. 聚集Note to the Passage1) the Pacific Ocean 太平洋 2) the Philippine Islands 菲律宾群岛 3) but they have preserved the ceremonies of their homelands 但是他们保持着他们 故乡的礼仪 4) in memory of dead relatives and friends纪念已故的亲属和朋友 5) the Buddhist religion佛教 6) Buddhist temples寺、庙 7) paper lanterns纸灯笼8) tiny wood boats小木船9) the Moon-Festival in mid-August中秋节10) The cakes are theshape as the bright moon they see in the sky.这些饼与他们在天空中所见的明月同形。Yellowstone ParkMore than millions of visitors each year agree that Yellowstone National Park, one of the worlds wonderlands, is the oldest, largest and most visited wilderness on the earth. It was established in 1872 and was the first national park in the world. The park occupies about 3,500 square miles (9,100 square kilometers) in the northwestern corner of Wyoming and overlaps into Montana and Idaho. All are welcome and are invited on arrival to leave their cars and explore on foot.Yellowstone Park lies on a plateau about 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level to the east of the Rocky Mountains. It is also in the center of the North American continent, midway between the equator and the North Pole. The highest mountain entirely within the park is Electric Peak (10,992 feet, or 3,350 meters).Yellowstone is the oldest large wildlife preserve in the United States. Hunting is forbidden in the park. The forests and valleys sup- port a number of large animals, including elk, deer, antelope, mountain sheep, buffalo, moose, and grizzly bear. Most of these animals have lost their fear of man after many years of protection. The rivers and lakes are the homes of waterfowl, and the forests shelter many birds and small animals. New stocks are added each year to the great numbers of fish in the lakes and streams. Fishing is allowed under government regulations. The park is famous for some of the best fishing in the west. The fish are mostly trout. Many tourists travel on horse-back in order to fish in the wilderness areas.The very severe winter in this area closes the park around mid-November and lasts until April or even May. In February the temperature falls as low as sixty degrees Fahrenheit below freezing, and the animals that spend winter in the park are those best able to survive the conditions, such as bison, wapiti, beavers and otters. Fortunately, the area around the hot springs and geysers becomes a centrally heated oasis in the desert of snow, providing warmth and a certain amount of food for the animals.New Words and Expressions1) wonderland n. 仙境，奇境2) overlap v. （与）交迭3) elk n. 动 糜鹿4) moose n. 驼鹿（产于北美的一种大鹿）5) grizzly a. 略灰色的，呈灰色的6) waterfowl n. 水鸟，水禽7) trout n. 鲑，鱿鱼8) bison n. 美洲或欧洲的野牛9) wapiti n. 动糜鹿10) beaver n. 海狸11) otter n. 水獭12) geyser n. 间歇泉13) oasis n. （沙漠中）绿洲，（不毛之地中的）沃洲Notes to the Passage1) Yellowstone National Park 黄石国家公园2) on the earth 在地球上3) Wyoming 怀俄明州（美国州名）4) in the northwestern corner of Wyoming 在怀俄明州的西北角S) Montana 蒙大纳（美国州名）6) Idaho 爱达荷州（美国州名）7) overlaps into Montana and Idaho 与蒙大纳州和爱达荷州接壤8) above sea level 在海平面上9) the Rocky Mountains 洛矶山脉10) the North Pole 北极11) the oldest large wildlife preserve 最早的大面积的野生动植物保护区12) the homes of waterfowl 水禽的家园13) under government regulations 在政府的规定下14) on horse-back 在马背上Pisas Leaning TowerThe bell tower began to tilt almost as soon as work began on it and in 1185 the builders stopped construction at the third level because Pisas were frightened it would fall over. In 1350, it was eventually finished but to only half its originally planned height.The tower leant originally because of an underground stream flowing south to north which caused the tower to tip southwards. The high water content of the soil now helps keep the tower erect. Studies have shown it leans less in years when there has been heavy rainfall to fill out the sandy earth below. There are also probably defects in the foundations. Besides, in the 12th century the builders tried to economize on materials, so the inside wall is weaker than outside and under great pressure.The bell tower, which appears to defy all laws of gravity, has survived natural and man- made disasters since work began on it in 1173, alongside Pisas magnificent cathedral. For centuries, builders and geologists have tried to work out why Europes leading architectural curiosity has not fallen over already and how to stop it tilting still further.Now about seven million tourists are attracted by the graceful square and among them, 700,000 climb the towers 280 steps every year, discovering the unnerving sensation of being drawn to the edge of its open galleries by the list. All the people in Pisa, including tourists, agree that it is better to find a solution to the towers continuing lean than that it should collapse completely, but it is believed that despite Roman enthusiasm for the new plan, a fundamental question remains unanswered.Engineers have come up with a new project to prevent the 800- year-old leaning tower of Pisa from toppling over, but the scheme, greeted with approval in Rome, has met less enthusiasm in Pisa itself, for previous well-meaning efforts to stop it collapsing have been less than successful. Work to strengthen the tower in 1838 made it lean still more and an attempt to stabilize it in 1932, by changing the course of an underground stream, accelerated its inclination to the current l rate of 1.25 millimeters a year. In 1971, the Italian government launched an international com- ion for projects to arrest the tilt-it now leans more than five meters from the vertical. In answer to it, people all over the world e passionate about the tower - it became an all-consuming rest. They made models and sent in suggestions.Finally, Italys Ministry of Public Works commissioned a group of liar engineers to work on the problem and their solution was tad, pending a few outstanding questions and final signature the minister.1）tilt 倾斜 2) defect 不足，缺陷 3)economize 节约，节省 4) defy 蔑视，挑战 5) cathedral 大教堂 6) geologist 地质学者 7) unnerve 使失去勇气 8) come up with 提出，拿出 9) topple over 倒塌 10) stabilize 稳定 11) inclination 倾斜 12) millimeter 毫米 13) passionate 热情的 14) commission 任命，委托 15) pend 悬而未决 HARBIN WENMIAO(Confucius Temple)Ladies and gentlemen:How are you? Now you are at Harbin Confucius Temple. It is located inside the campus of the Harbin Engineering Institute. The construction of the temple started in 1926 and finished in 1929. The sponsors were governors in this area (Eastern Province). They gathered 730,000 silver dollars. Most of the funds were donations from private sectors; some of them were donations from foreigners. Those who donated more than 100 dollars could have their names carved on a tortoise stone tablet here in this temple. Although the history of the temple is short, only 70 years, it has experienced a lot of turmoil. Only two years after it was opened to the public, the Japanese invaded the Northeast of China. Under Japanese control, the puppet government used the temple to serve the interests of the Japanese invaders. In 1946, Harbin was liberated, the Confucius Temple was opened and shutdown times and again, twice it became the library of Harbin Medical University and Harbin Military Institute respectively. During the Cultural Revolution, it became a military warehouse. Fortunately, it survived the Cultural Revolution as it was controlled by the army.In 1985, under the great concerns of the Heilongjiang provincial government, Harbin Confucius Temple was restored. In 1986, it was listed as a national protected unit for its historical values. The Confucius Temple is the largest one of its kind in Northeast China. Originally, it covered an area of 60,000 square meters. However, only a space of 23,000 square meters with a floor space of 5,674 square meters remains under its control. The temple has 3 courtyards. Its architecture belongs to the style of the Qing Dynasty. Its central building is Dacheng Hall, which serves as a North-South axis. All main buildings are located on the axis and other buildings on its sides. They are also symmetrical. The main buildings are covered with glazed yellow tiles. In ancient China, the yellow color was used for royal buildings. Buildings of other classes were not allowed to use this color. As Confucius was worshiped by all emperors, the Confucius Temple was given the privilege of using this color. Buildings on the sides use green tiles. Because of this contrast, the main buildings look grander and more majestic. The size of the Harbin Confucius Temple is not as large as the one in Shandong and the one in Beijing. However, it has some special characteristics.Normally, the entrance gate is in the front of the temple. As most of the ancient Chinese buildings face to the south, its front gate should be at the southern side. Here in this temple, you can not find the front gate; instead a red wall of 44.85 meters long and 5.9 meters high was built in its place. Such a wall was called Yingbi (screen wall) in the civilian buildings, Zhaobi in the royal buildings, and Wanren (10,000 meters high) Gongqiang (Royal wall) in Confucius temples. This expression came from the Analects of Confucius. It has a story behind it. Confucius was a learned man. A royal official was so jealous of him and spread rumors against Confucius. He said Zigong, a student of Confucius, was much more learned than Confucius. When Zigong heard of this, he said: My teacher and I can be compared as walls. My wall is only shoulder high, so everyone can see the inside of the courtyard. As a result, they can admire what they can see. My teachers wall is a thousand meters high, very few people can have the privilege to see inside. It is natural for that official to say that I am more learned. However, Confucius is just like the Sun and the Moon. No one can be compared to him. As you can see, the high wall implies the profound knowledge that Confucius possessed. None the less, in normal practice, Gongqiang should be destroyed when a Zhuangyuan (Number One Scholar for the imperial examination) visited the temple and worshiped, and then a new entrance gate could be built. For this historical reason, Harbin Confucius Temple has remained without the front entrance. Here we