EZCNN 易英网

Riding the Ultimate High 挑战极限，high翻天

课文朗读

课文讲解 

繁體中文譯本

Nothing beats the thrill of climbing up the side of a rock face, suspended hundreds of meters in the air. Nor can anything match the rush of taking on a monstrous wave, armed with nothing but a surfboard. And how about scuba diving beneath sheets of ice in the Arctic? Although these activities may sound a little crazy, for those willing to calm their fears and brave the elements, the world of extreme sports offers action, adventure, and unimaginable excitement.

没有什么活动比得上悬空攀爬在几百公尺高的岩壁更惊险刺激了。同样地，赤手空拳、单凭着脚下的那块冲浪板挑战迎面而来的巨浪，那股冲劲更是难以言喻。再不然跳进北极冰层底下潜水如何？这些活动听起来或许有点疯狂，但对于愿意克服恐惧、对抗恶劣天候的人来说，极限运动的世界充满了快感、冒险，以及难以想象的刺激。

The term “extreme sports” is quite broadly defined, but generally refers to daredevil sports that required higher levels of concentration, specialized equipment, and, above all, a willingness to conquer your fears. They first gained popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s with such activities as surfing, skateboarding, and BMX biking. Nowadays, extreme sports include a wide range of activities that give participants an “endorphin rush,” a feeling of intense happiness brought on by the release of endorphin in the body. Extreme sports athletes sometimes liken the experience to meditation, as they claim that by pushing their bodies to the limit, they can attain an overwhelming sense of peace. In this state, athletes can often accomplish extraordinary feats that seem to defy possibility.

「极限运动」一词的定义相当广泛，但一般所指的是挑战胆量的运动，这不仅需要高度的专注力及专业的设备，更要有克服恐惧的意愿。极限运动起源于八、九ｏ年代，当时冲浪、滑板、越野自行车赛等运动开始大受欢迎。如今，极限运动包括了五花八门的活动，可以让玩家体内分泌的「脑内啡」指数飙高，进而产生无比的快感。玩家有时将极限运动比作冥想，他们声称将自我体能推向极限可以达到一种平静的超然境界。而在这样的境界中，他们往往可以达成看似不可能的非凡壮举。

Vocabulary

单词发音

suspend [səˋspɛnd] v. 悬挂

take on 接受(挑战) to undertake or begin to handle

extreme [ɪkˋstrim] adj. 极端的，极限的

intense [ɪnˋtɛns] adj. 强烈的，剧烈的

meditation [͵mɛdəˋteʃən] n. 沉思；冥想

More Information

单词发音

thrill [θrɪl] n. 兴奋，激动

rush [rʌʃ] n. (强烈感情的)迸发，涌动

monstrous [ˋmɑnstrəs] adj. 巨大的，庞大的

scuba diving [ˋskubə͵daɪvɪŋ] n. 戴水肺的潜水

sheet [ʃit] n. 层

Arctic [ˋɑrktɪk] n. 北极地带；北极圈

brave [brev] v. 勇敢地面对; 敢于冒犯

element [ˋɛləmənt] n. 自然力，恶劣天气 violent or severe weather

daredevil [ˋdɛr͵dɛv!] adj. 蛮勇的；不怕死的

endorphin [ɛnˋdɔrfən] n.【生化】脑内啡（脑分泌的具有镇痛作用的氨基酸）

bring on 引起 to cause; to appear

liken [ˋlaɪkən] to 把...比作

overwhelming [͵ovɚˋhwɛlmɪŋ] adj. 巨大的; 极强烈的；势不可挡的

defy [dɪˋfaɪ] v. 挑战

课文朗读

课文讲解

In competitive free diving, for instance, athletes harness the power of their lungs to swim deep underwater without the use of oxygen tanks. Some of the sport’s world record holders can hold their breath for periods of close to 10 minutes, while others can dive to the incredible depth of over 200 meters, or the length of two football fields!

比方说，在自由潜水的竞赛中，选手必须控制肺活量，不靠氧气瓶潜入水底深处。有些世界纪录保持人憋气的时间可长达近十分钟之久，有些则可潜入两百多公尺深的海域，深度相当于两座足球场的全长！

For those who prefer to stay a little more grounded, there are plenty of extreme sports on land. One sport that is quickly catching on is “parkour,” which combines the grace of gymnastics with the fast-paced excitement of a daring movie stunt. Participants have a simple goal: to move from one space to another by overcoming any obstacle in their surrounding environment. Typical moves include climbing trees, running up walls, and jumping from building to building. While always ensuring that they don’t break laws, these “urban monkeys” use speed, strength, and the versatility of their entire body to take on the city streets.

至于不太想碰水的人，可以选择许多陆上的极限运动。现在迅速走红的一项运动是「跑酷」（parkour），这种运动结合了体操的优雅与电影里惊险特技的速度快感。玩家的目标很简单，就是突破周遭的障碍物进行空间移动。常见的动作包括爬树、跳墙、纵身跃过高楼大厦之间等。这些「都会猴子」向来恪守法令，并运用全身的速度、体力与技巧穿梭大街小巷之间。

Unlike traditional sports, extreme sports don’t always have athletes competing against each other. Instead, many involve “battling the elements,” with unpredictable environmental conditions being the athlete’s toughest challenge. Extreme sports offer much more than a workout, too, as overcoming these extraordinary obstacles can bring about a real sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. So, if you’re ready to add a little danger to your daily routine, dive into extreme sports today!

不同于传统运动的是，极限运动不见得都有竞争的对手。相反地，许多极限运动需要「与自然搏斗」，因为捉摸不定的环境条件才是玩家最艰巨的挑战。极限运动本身已经超越了体能的锻炼，克服这些特殊障碍所带来的成就感与自信才是重点。所以如果你想为平淡的生活步调加点刺激，那就立刻加入极限运动的行列吧！

−by Anita Wong

Vocabulary

单词发音

harness [ˋhɑrnɪs] v. 利用；控制

catch on 流行

overcome [͵ovɚˋkʌm] v. 战胜；克服

obstacle [ˋɑbstək!] n. 障碍（物）

unpredictable [͵ʌnprɪˋdɪktəb!] adj. 不可预料的，出乎意料的; 捉摸不透的

More Information

单词发音

oxygen tank 氧气筒

world record holder 世界纪录保持人

grounded [graʊnd] adj. 接地的

gymnastics [dʒɪmˋnæstɪks] n. 体操；体育

stunt [stʌnt] n. 特技表演; 绝技

versatility [͵vɝsəˋtɪlətɪ] n. 可转动性，活动性

workout [ˋwɝk͵aʊt] n.〔尤指运动的〕锻炼; 训练

bring about 导致, 引起, 产生 cause to happen, occur or exist

dive into 热切地加入或开始做(某事) to start something enthusiastically without first thinking about it

Reading Questions

1. Which of the following best describes an extreme sport?

A. A sport that involves a lot of risks.

B. A sport that can be played by yourself.

C. A sport that does not require any equipment.

D. A sport invented after the 1990s.

2. According to the article, what are extreme sports athletes able to do on an “endorphin rush”?

A. They can meditate for hours on end.

B. They are able to accomplish seemingly impossible feats.

C. They can create a peaceful atmosphere.

D. They will attain higher levels of concentration.

3. What is the goal of “parkour”?

A. To perform as many daring movie stunts as possible in a single day.

B. To break the law using the speed, strength, and versatility of your body.

C. To observe your surrounding environment and identify different obstacles.

D. To move through an environment and overcome anything in your path.

4. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of extreme sports?

A. They can help athletes overcome their fears.

B. They allow athletes to put themselves in danger.

C. They can boost an athlete’s confidence.

D. They offer physically challenging exercise.

on end 连续地 continuously

Parkour: Damien Walters 2010

Evolution- Le parkour

Answer