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Exploring Paradise in the Lake District 悠游大湖区的英式浪漫

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

England’s Lake District region is home to the country’s tallest mountains, longest and deepest lakes, and also something that cannot so easily be measured: incredible natural beauty. The area is characterized by its many long, straight valleys – carved from the land during the last ice age – that lead to clear, unpolluted lakes. Steep hillsides and wide valley floors are filled with grassy meadows, trees, and orange and purple heather. In some areas, tall, brooding mountains tower over the landscape and dominate all around them. This region has long inspired painters and poets, and it has been described as one of the most beautiful places in the world by travelers around the world.

英格兰的湖区拥有英国最高的山、最狭长和最深的湖，还有无法轻易量化、令人惊叹的自然美景。这个地区的特色是又长又直的山谷，它们通往清澈无污染的湖泊，是上一次冰原时期所切割出来的。陡峭的山坡和宽广的谷地覆盖着茵茵的草地、树木、橘色和紫色的石楠花。某些地区，高耸而阴森的群山屹立于这片景致，环绕着四周。这个地区长久以来给了许多画家与诗人灵感，而且被世界各地的旅人们称为世界上最美丽的地方之一。

It’s hard to write about the Lake District without mentioning the features that give the area its name. Surprisingly, though, of all the bodies of water in the region, only one, Bassenthwaite Lake, has the word “lake” in its name. The rest of them are known as “meres” or “waters.” But, regardless of their names, the district’s lakes offer tourists the chance to unwind by taking relaxing boat trips or walks by the water’s edge.

写到湖区就不能不提它以此得名的特色。但是出乎人意料的，这个区域的湖泊名字中有lake的只有一个，就是巴森怀特湖。其它的则都被称为「meres」或「waters」。但是无论名字是什么，这个地区的湖都提供了观光客放松身心的机会，让他们可以悠闲地搭船游湖或是在岸边散步。

Possibly an even greater attraction is the hills – known locally as fells – and mountains for which the region is famous. People travel from all over the world to hike in the Lake District, and it’s no wonder that they do. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but, within the confines of the national park, there are footpaths and hikes to suit walkers of all levels.

这里更加雄伟壮观的旅游胜地，可能是这个地区以此着称的山丘与山岭──当地人称为fells。世界各地来的人们涌入湖区登山健行，他们这么做一点也不令人意外。因为这个国家公园不仅风景让人叹为观止，园内还有适合各种程度健行者的步道和登山路线。

Vocabulary

单词发音

measure [ˋmɛʒɚ] v. 测量；计量

characterize [ˋkærəktə͵raɪz] v. 具有……的特征，以……为特征

meadow [ˋmɛdo] n. 草地，牧草地

landscape [ˋlænd͵skep] n.（陆上的）风景，景色

dominate [ˋdɑmə͵net] v. 高耸于; 支配，统治

inspire [ɪnˋspaɪr] v. 赋予……灵感

regardless of 不管, 不顾

unwind [ʌnˋwaɪnd] v.（使）心情轻松

relaxing [rɪˋlæksɪŋ] adj. 令人轻松的，轻松愉悦的

attraction [əˋtrækʃən] n. 最受欢迎的人; 最吸引人的地方; 最精彩的活动

confine [kənˋfaɪn] n. 区域，范围

More Information

单词发音

heather [ˋhɛðɚ] n.〔开紫色﹑粉红色或白色花的〕石南属灌木

brooding [ˋbrudɪŋ] adj. 神秘莫测的

mere [mɪr] n.【古】【书】浅湖；池

fell [fɛl] n.〔英格兰北部的〕山; 山岗

footpath [ˋfʊt͵pæθ] n. 小径，（乡间）小路

课文朗读

课文讲解 

The Lake District may be best known for its landscapes, but not all of its beauty is natural. The region’s towns and villages, which are usually built with locally mined slate or limestone, are charming and picturesque, and they attract tourists by the thousands.

湖区也许以风景最闻名，但是它的美丽不全然是来自自然景观。这个地区的小镇与村落用当地开采的板岩与石灰岩建造而成，相当迷人而且美得如诗如画，吸引了数以千计的游客。

One of the most popular of these towns is Ambleside. The streets of this ancient settlement are so pretty that they seem to have been taken straight out of a picture book. In addition, the town boasts a wealth of traditional pubs, shops selling local crafts, foods, and souvenirs, and Bridge House, a curious little 300-year-old structure built, as the name would suggest, on a bridge. Other popular towns in the area are Keswick, famous for its 700-year-old market, and Windermere, where you can visit the house of Peter Rabbit writer, Beatrix Potter.

安柏赛是其中最有名的小镇之一，街道上两旁的古老建筑相当美丽，美得就像直接从图画书里撷取出来一样。此外，这个小镇引以自豪的是丰富的传统酒吧以及贩卖当地手工艺、食物、纪念品的商店还有一栋小而奇特且已有300年历史的桥屋。桥屋如同其名，建造在一座桥上。此区另外两座有名的城镇是凯兹维克，它以700年历史的市集而闻名，还有可拜访彼得兔作者毕翠斯．波特故居的温德米尔。

Potter isn’t the only writer who called the Lake District home. The great eighteenth- and nineteenth-century poet William Wordsworth lived and was later buried in the village of Grasmere. He and his friends Coleridge and Southey made up a group of writers known as the Lake Poets, who lived in and were inspired by the beauty of the region.

波特不是唯一以湖区为家的作家。18、19世纪的伟大诗人威廉．华兹华斯住在格拉斯米尔村，而且之后还被葬于该地。他和他的朋友柯立芝以及沙赛组成了一个名为「湖畔诗人」的作家团体，他们住在此地并且都受这里美丽的风景启发。

With its beautiful lakes, awe-inspiring mountains, scenic hikes, photogenic towns, and a history of art and poetry, the Lake District is one of the most visited places in England, and everyone who goes there finds their own slice of heaven.

因坐拥美丽的湖、令人敬畏的山、优美景致的健行路线、适合摄影的城镇、艺术与诗文的历史，湖区成为英格兰最值得一游的地方之一，而且每个人都能在那里找到属于自己的天堂。

－by Andrew Crosthwaite

Vocabulary

单词发音

mine [maɪn] v. 开采（矿物）

slate [slet] n. 板岩；石板瓦

limestone [ˋlaɪm͵ston] n. 石灰岩，石灰石

by the thousands 数以千计

settlement [ˋsɛt!mənt] n.〔人口稀少地区的〕拓居羣; 小村落; 殖民地；新拓居地

boast [bost] v.（指物）以有……而自豪

a wealth of 丰富的, 大量的

craft [kræft] n. 工艺，手艺

souvenir [ˋsuvə͵nɪr] n. 纪念品，纪念物

suggest [səˋdʒɛst] v. 暗示; 使人联想到

bury [ˋbɛrɪ] v. 埋葬

awe-inspiring [ˋɔɪn͵spaɪərɪŋ] adj. 令人起敬畏心的；令人惊叹的

photogenic [͵fotəˋdʒɛnɪk] adj. 适于摄影的; 上镜的; 上照的 

Reading Questions

1.   How did the area get the name the Lake District?

A.  It is home to the largest lake in the world.

B.  Many artists go there to paint pictures of lakes.     

C.  There are many different lakes in this place.

D.  It is the only region in England where people can swim in lakes.

2.   Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Lake District?

A.  The area has inspired many writers and poets throughout the ages.

B.  Lakes are by far the most popular attraction in the region.

C.  Some of the most beautiful attractions were made by people.

D.  Tourists often visit the Lake District because it’s a good place to relax.

3.   What would be another good title for this article?

A.  The Best Kept Secret in British Tourism.

B.  Extreme Adventure in England’s Lake District.

C.  How Visiting Lake District Can Improve Your Artwork.

D.  Exploring the Delights of the Famed Lake District.

4.   Where would this article most likely appear?

A.  In a magazine that recommends popular holiday destinations.

B.  In a textbook that summarizes the history of famous places.

C.  On a website that is dedicated to researching modern marvels.

D.  In a newspaper column that discusses environmental problems.

England - The lake District - Canon 7D - Glidecam HD-2000

The Lake District, Lake Windermere.

Lake District, U K HD

William Wordsworth's Lake District (trailer)

Beatrix Potter locations in the Lake District

Answer