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Racing Under the Desert Sun 大漠烈日下的狂奔：赛骆驼

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When we think of camels, we often picture them plodding stoically across the endless sand dunes of the Middle East, heavily laden with cargo. Indeed, these “ships of the desert” have played an integral role in moving goods across this inhospitable terrain. But take away those burdensome packages lashed to their backs, put them on a track, and then you’ll see what these animals are truly capable of.

想到骆驼，我们脑中浮现的画面大概都是牠们背着沉重的货物，坚忍、缓慢地走过中东无边无际的大沙漠。这些「沙漠之舟」的确在运货穿过这种不适人居的危险地形时扮演着重要角色。但是如果你拿掉那些系在牠们背上的繁重包袱，将牠们置于跑道上，你就能发现牠们的实力可不只如此。

Camel racing has a long and proud history. Originally, races were held informally at weddings or festivals. But today, this pastime has gone pro, with custom-made tracks, camel breeding programs, and top-notch medical care for these humpbacked superstars. In the United Arab Emirates, races of between four and ten kilometers are held during the main racing season from late October to early April. The camels reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour during a race, with females being faster than their male counterparts. Racing is big business around the Persian Gulf, with prizes amounting to millions of US dollars, usually supplied by royal families, up for grabs.

赛骆驼有着悠久的光荣历史。原本这项活动只是婚礼或节庆上非正式的比赛。但在今日，这项消遣变成职业竞赛，有着专用赛道、育种计划，再加上最顶级的医疗保健制度来照顾这些「驼背」的超级巨星。阿拉伯联合大公国每年10月下旬至次年4月初会举办4至10公里等不同长度的比赛。这些骆驼速度最快可达每小时40公里，且母骆驼快过公骆驼。在波斯湾地区，这些赛事可是笔大生意。比赛奖项通常由皇室提供，总价值可达数百万美金，而且人人都有机会赢得。

Unlike horse racing, no betting takes place at camel races. Another difference between camel and horse racing is that there are no jockeys in camel racing. Child jockeys were once commonly used, but because these young boys were often starved to keep their weight down, the practice was banned shortly after the turn of the millennium. Now, all the camels carry on their backs is a robot that strikes their backside to keep them moving. It’s all part of the game for these former porters turned professional athletes.

不像一般常见的赛马，赛骆驼不能下注赌钱。另一个和赛马不同的地方是赛骆驼没有骑师。从前通常是由幼童骑师来驾驭骆驼。但是为了减轻体重，那些小男孩经常遭受挨饿之苦。千禧年过后不久，这项幼童骑师的传统就被禁止了。现在比赛时，骆驼背上背的是个机器人。这个机器人会一直抽打骆驼的背，驱使骆驼不断向前冲。这一切对这些改行当运动家的前货运员来说都是比赛的一部分。

－by Joe Henley

Vocabulary

单词发音

plod [plɑd] v. 沉重缓慢地走

stoically [ˋstoɪk!ɪ] adv. 坚忍地

laden [ˋledn] adj. 装满的﹐满载的

cargo [ˋkɑrgo] n.（船、飞机、车辆装载的）货物

inhospitable [ɪnˋhɑspɪtəb!] adj.〔地方〕荒凉的; 不适宜居住的〔由于天气恶劣或缺乏遮蔽处〕

terrain [ˋtɛren] n. 地形；地势

burdensome [ˋbɝdnsəm] adj. 繁重的

counterpart [ˋkaʊntɚ͵pɑrt] n. 对应的人（或物），

amount to 总计为

starve [stɑrv] v. 挨饿

porter [ˋportɚ] n.（车站，机场等的）搬运工人，脚夫

athlete [ˋæθlit] n. 运动员

More Information

单词发音

dune [djun] n.（风吹积成的）沙丘

integral [ˋɪntəgrəl] adj. 构成整体所必需的，不可缺的

lash [læʃ] v. 用绳等捆扎（或绑紧）

top-notch [ˋtɑp͵nɑtʃ] adj.【非正式】最高级的; 顶刮刮的; 第一流的 first-rate; excellent

humpbacked [ˋhʌmp͵bækt] adj. 驼背的

up for grabs【美】【口】任何人皆可得到的  available for anyone to take or win

jockey [ˋdʒɑkɪ] n. 赛马的骑师，骑士

backside [ˋbækˋsaɪd] n.【非正式】屁股﹐臀部

Reading Questions 

1.  According to the passage, which of the following statements about camel racing is NOT true?

A.  Camel racing has a long history.

B.  Male camels are faster than females.     

C.  There is no gambling at camel races.

D.  Camels carry robots on their backs.

2.  Why are child jockeys no longer used in camel racing?

A.  Because they were mistreated.

B.  Because they were too light.

C.  Because they didn’t enjoy racing.

D.  Because they weren’t skilled enough.

3.  What is the main point of this article?

A.  Camels have skills beyond transporting goods.

B.  People should treat children nicely.

C.  The United Arab Emirates is a good place to do some gambling.

D.  Camels can live well in the desert.

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Answer