A “Welcome” Mat Around the World 换换屋，我家就是你家
- 详细资料
- 创建于 2009年3月02日
- 最后更新于 2024年5月25日
- 发布于 2012年3月05日
- 作者：Mike Lee
- 点击数：167
课文朗读
课文讲解
Anyone who’s seen the 2006 movie “The Holiday,” starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, should be familiar with the concept of “home exchange.” It doesn’t just exist in a Hollywood script though, as increasing numbers of people around the world are turning to this unique and intimate vacation alternative.
凡是看过卡麦蓉．逖亚兹及凯特．温斯蕾主演的2006年电影《恋爱没有假期》的人，都应该很熟悉「交换住屋」的概念。不过它不只是存在于好莱坞的剧本里而已，因为世界各地有越来越多人开始利用这种独特且私密的渡假选择。
Simply put, home exchange involves two people agreeing to swap their houses for a set period of time. There’s much more to it than merely providing a place to stay, however. It’s a great way to immerse oneself in a location, getting a real feel for the local lifestyle. Home exchangers often include their vehicles in the package, as well as having friends and neighbors on hand to help their counterparts settle in. Lasting friendships can be made, as in the case of New York couple Jerry and Mary. They have been regularly exchanging their Manhattan apartment with Paris resident Rene for over 25 years, during which time they have sometimes even vacationed together.
简单来说，交换住家意味着，有两个人同意在某段特定时间内交换住所，然而，却又远远不仅是提供住的地方而已。这是融入一个地方的好方法，可以真正熟悉当地的生活方式。换屋客通常会把车子也涵盖在交换的配套里，还会安排朋友和邻居就近帮忙对方适应环境。这样有可能会促成长久的友谊，纽约的一对夫妇玛丽和杰瑞便是这样的例子。他们俩有超过25年的时间，定期和住在巴黎的芮妮交换他们位于曼哈顿的公寓，在那段期间他们有时候甚至还一起渡假。
A number of reputable home exchange websites have sprung up recently, offering a wealth of accommodation options. There are of course potential risks, like property damage, involved in going through with an exchange. However, the extremely low occurrence of such incidents is testimony to what is perhaps home exchange’s most valuable service – cultivating an international spirit of trust and sharing.
近来许多信誉良好的交换住家网站纷纷涌现，提供丰富的住宿选择。在交换的过程中，当然也会有潜在的风险，例如财产损害。可是发生这类事件的机率极低，这正足以证明培养四海一家的信任与分享精神──也许就是交换住家最可贵的服务。
−by David Vickers
Vocabulary
单词发音
simply put 简而言之 to put or say it simply or briefly
swap [swɑp] v.【口】交换，交易
immerse oneself in 埋头, 专心于…
counterpart [ˋkaʊntɚ͵pɑrt] n. 对应的人（或物）
cultivate [ˋkʌltə͵vet] v. 培养
More Information
单词发音
concept [ˋkɑnsɛpt] n. 概念，观念
intimate [ˋɪntəmɪt] adj. 亲密的; 舒适的，怡人的; 个人的，私人的
alternative [ɔlˋtɝnətɪv] n. 选择; 供选择的东西（或办法等）
on hand 在手边，在近处 present; available
settle in (帮助...) 在新居安顿下来 to begin to feel comfortable in a new place
reputable [ˋrɛpjətəb!] adj. 声誉好的
spring up 突然出现, 迅速增长 to appear or develop suddenly
accommodation [ə͵kɑməˋdeʃən] n. 住处；膳宿
go through with something 完成; 实行 to do something you planned or promised to do
testimony [ˋtɛstə͵monɪ] n. 证据，证明
Reading Questions
1. What does the passage tell us about home exchange?
A. It was first introduced in a Hollywood movie.
B. It’s common for home exchangers to swap cars, too.
C. There is a limit to how many people can participate.
D. It has only become popular in recent years.
2. What is true about Jerry and Mary?
A. They went to New York for a home exchange.
B. They set up their own home exchange website.
C. They met each other on a home exchange vacation.
D. They made a good friend through home exchange.
3. What is the main purpose of the passage?
A. To explain how to book a home exchange vacation.
B. To introduce an alternative style of vacation.
C. To encourage readers to travel more.
D. To explore the reasons for home exchange’s popularity.
The Holiday Trailer
Answer
|
1. ( B ) |
2. ( D ) |
3. ( B ) |