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World Cup 2010: Going Football Crazy in Africa 2010彩虹国度世足疯

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Every four years, millions of people succumb to football fever as they are caught up in the excitement of the biggest football spectacle on the planet: the FIFA World Cup. In Taiwan, baseball and basketball may be king but, for most of the world, it’s football that rules. It should come as no surprise, then, that the World Cup is the most widely-viewed sporting event around. Over 700 million people tuned in to watch the final match of the previous tournament, held in Germany in 2006. This summer, it’s South Africa’s turn to stage the tournament, and they are promising to put on the biggest show of all time.

每年4月，上百万人臣服于足球热之下，他们深深为地球上最大的足球赛事──世界杯足球赛──的刺激气氛感到着迷。在台湾，棒球和篮球或许是主流，但对于世界上大部分的国家而言，足球才是主宰体坛的运动。所以让人不讶异的是，世界杯足球赛是世界上最广为观看的赛事。大约7亿人打开电视观看前一次2006年在德国举办的世足冠军赛。今年暑假，换南非举办这次世足赛，他们保证上演有史以来最盛大的演出。

The 2010 edition of the World Cup is historic as it will be the first time that an African nation has hosted the event. Some doubts remain over South Africa’s ability to successfully stage the World Cup, with critics pointing to the country’s reputation for violence and its underdeveloped infrastructure. However, the overriding sentiment is that the football-crazy continent of Africa deserves a chance to play host to this ultimate celebration of the sport.

2010年的世界杯极具历史意义，因为这是第一次由非洲国家主办这场赛事。现在仍然有许多人质疑南非能否成功举办世足赛，而批评者也指出这个国家暴力的恶名和未完全发展的基础设施。然而，凌驾一切的情感观点是，为足球痴狂的非洲大陆值得获取机会来主办这项运动的终极庆典。

The tournament’s opening ceremony, on June 11th, will be attended by distinguished figures from around the world, but most eyes will probably be on legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela. For Mandela, the venue for the ceremony, Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, holds special significance. Twenty years ago, it was the scene of a huge rally held to celebrate his release from prison. The hope that many South Africans felt then has come alive again this year, with people expecting the World Cup to boost the profile of this “Rainbow Nation.”

这次世足赛的开幕典礼在6月11日，将有世界各地著名人物参与盛会，但是大家的目光大概都会落在传奇性的南非领袖尼尔森．曼德拉身上。对曼德拉来说，位于约翰内斯堡足球城体育场的开幕典礼会场，代表着非常重要的意义。20年前，这里有一场大型示威活动，庆祝他从监狱被释放出来。那时许多南非人所感受到的希望在今年又再度重新复燃，因为人们期盼世足赛能提升这个「彩虹国度」的形象。

Vocabulary

单词发音

tune in (调整收音机、电视机等的频率、频道等) 收听或收看某一节目 regulate (a radio or television set) in order to receive a certain station or program

tournament [ˋtɝnəmənt] n. 锦标赛；联赛

promise [ˋprɑmɪs] v. 允诺，作出保证

infrastructure [ˋɪnfrə͵strʌktʃɚ] n. 基础建设

overriding [ˏovɚ`raɪdɪŋ] adj. 最重要的; 压倒一切的 dominant; supreme

legendary [ˋlɛdʒənd͵ɛrɪ] adj. 非常有名的; 大名鼎鼎的; 传奇式的

rally [ˋrælɪ] n.（尤指政治上的）大集会，大会

boost [bust] v. 推动；促进

profile [ˋprofaɪl] n.〔某地方的〕概况

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单词发音

succumb [səˋkʌm] v. 屈服; 屈从; 不再抵抗

be caught up in 受...吸引; 受...感染 having become involved involuntarily

spectacle [ˋspɛktək!] n. 景象；奇观，壮观

rule [rul] v. 控制，支配

come as no surprise 不令人意外地 will not be surprising [for someone] to learn [something]

put on 演出(戏剧); 举办(展览等) to produce; perform

underdeveloped [ˋʌndɚdɪˋvɛləpt] adj. 不发达的国家/地区等

sentiment [ˋsɛntəmənt] n.【正式】意见; 观点; 感想

distinguished [dɪˋstɪŋgwɪʃt] adj. 卓越的；著名的

venue [ˋvɛnju] n. 举办地点﹐举行场所; 会场

课文朗读

课文讲解 

Almost every country in the world took part in the long qualifying process to try and reach this summer’s finals, but only the 32 best teams could actually make it. Six continents will be represented at the World Cup, with the eventual winner likely to come from Europe or South America. Traditional powerhouse Brazil will certainly start as one of the favorites, and reigning World Champions Italy will not give up their grasp on the trophy without a fight. While the prospects of other former champions Germany, Argentina, France, and England cannot be discounted, the country that many are predicting to emerge victorious this time is Spain.

几乎每个国家都会参与漫长的资格赛过程，希望打进这个夏季的决赛，但是只有表现最佳的32支队伍可以成功。世界六大洲在世界杯中都有代表队，最后的赢家很有可能来自欧洲或南美洲。传统强队巴西绝对会是最有望封王的队伍之一，而上届冠军意大利不会轻易俯首称臣让出手中的冠军奖杯。其他前冠军队有德国、阿根廷、法国和英格兰等，他们的获胜机会也不容小觑，而大多数人预测这次能够胜出的队伍是西班牙。

Host nations traditionally perform well at the World Cup, although expectations for the South African team are fairly low. Other representatives from Africa with a much better chance of making a splash in the tournament are Ghana and Ivory Coast. If an African team does triumph in the final match on July 11th, then it’s safe to say that the whole continent of Africa will be united in celebration.

虽然大家对于南非获胜的期望相当低，不过依惯例主办国在世足赛的表现都不错。其他非洲的代表队中，比较有机会令人刮目相看的是迦纳和科特迪瓦。如果非洲队能在7月11日冠军赛得胜的话，那我们可以说整个非洲大陆都会团结起来同庆同乐。

The World Cup may be a tournament for national teams, but for many spectators, the star players are the main attraction. Among the top draws this time will be Argentinian wonder kid Lionel Messi, skillful Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, and Spanish super-striker Fernando Torres.

世足赛或许是国家队间的锦标赛，但是对大多数的观众而言，明星球员才是主要吸引人的地方。这次最吸睛的几位选手将会是阿根廷的神奇小子利昂内尔．梅西、技巧精湛的葡萄牙翼锋克里斯蒂亚诺．罗讷度，以及西班牙超级前锋费南多．托雷斯。

Whichever team ends up as champions, and whichever player dazzles the most, you can bet there will be plenty of drama and thrills along the way. So, why not join the rest of the world and catch football fever this summer?

不论哪支队伍最终成为冠军，也不管那个球员最亮眼炫目，可以确信的是这一路下来将有许多的戏剧性事件以及紧张刺激。所以何不跟着世界其他国家一起在这个夏天感染足球热呢？

−by David Vickers

Vocabulary

单词发音

qualify [ˋkwɑlə͵faɪ] v. 取得资格；具备合格条件

favorite [ˋfevərɪt] n. 最有希望获胜者（尤指马）; 特别喜爱的人（或物）

reigning [ˋrenɪŋ] adj.（体育竞赛项目冠军）本届的

prospect [ˋprɑspɛkt] n. 有希望的候选人; （成功的）可能性

discount [dɪsˋkaʊnt] v. 漠视；低估

victorious [vɪkˋtorɪəs] adj. 胜利的；战胜的

fairly [ˋfɛrlɪ] adv. 颇为，相当地

make a splash 引起轰动; 惹人注目 to get a lot of public attention

triumph [ˋtraɪəmf] v. 获得胜利（或成功）

dazzle [ˋdæz!] v. 使惊羡，使赞叹不已

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单词发音

powerhouse [ˋpaʊɚ͵haʊs] n. 很有影响力的机构[地方]

grasp [græsp] n. 紧握；抱

wonder kid 神童神奇; 小子

winger [ˋwɪŋɚ] n.【足】边锋; 翼锋

striker [ˋstraɪkɚ] n.【足】前锋

thrill [θrɪl] n. 兴奋，激动

Reading Questions

1. What does the article NOT mention about the FIFA World Cup?

A. It will begin this year on June 11th.

B. It has never been held in Africa before.

C. Germany won the last World Cup in 2006.

D. More people watch it than any other sports event.

2. What is Nelson Mandela’s connection to Soccer City Stadium?

A. He chose to open the World Cup there.

B. He watched his first football match there.

C. He attended an important ceremony there.

D. He went there when he was freed from prison.

3. According to the article, which country has the best chance of winning?

A. Spain.

B. Ghana.

C. England.

D. South Africa.

4. What would be another suitable title for the article?

A. World Cup 2010: The Teams to Watch

B. The Wonderful History of the World Cup

C. When Football Brings the World Together

D. World’s Greatest Football Feast Returns to Africa

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

FIFA World Cup 2010 BEST MOMENTS

Answer