常春藤解析英语【74】Parkour 飞檐走壁的跑酷

Parkour 飞檐走壁的跑酷

The art of running up walls 飞檐走壁的极限艺术

by David Archdall

To the untrained eye, parkour (跑酷) looks as absurd as it does dangerous. Participants, known as traceurs (练习者), throw themselves around like Spiderman without a web or like freestyle street-skateboarders without the skateboards. They literally¹ bounce off buildings, leap across rooftops, run up walls, jump onto thin ledges³, and sometimes fall seven meters to the ground, all without injuring themselves.

Parkour is _(1)_ the art of moving from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently⁴ as possible. Any obstacles along the way must either be passed without a moment lost or used by the traceurs to _(2)_ themselves forward. Seeing someone doing parkour, you might be _(3)_ to think that there is some emergency and the traceur is fleeing.

Parkour does not _(4)_ contests or teams, and it is strictly⁵ noncompetitive. In this sense, it cannot be described as a sport. It also has a strong philosophical⁶ aspect that sets it apart _(5)_ many other physical pursuits. Dedicated⁷ traceurs take parkour _(6)_, and they even describe it as "a way of life."

David Belle⁸, _(7)_ his friend Sébastien Foucan, started parkour in France in the late 1980s. David's father was an elite⁹ fireman who _(8)_ his son to physical training using military obstacle courses. When this obstacle-course training was combined with elements of martial¹⁰ arts and gymnastics and applied¹¹ to the physical _(9)_ of a city, parkour was born.

Since its beginning in the _(10)_ of Paris, parkour has spread around the world, and has even turned up in Hollywood. Aside from YouTube, you can see some amazing parkour action in the James Bond film, Casino Royale.

(A) propel (B) inclined (C) essentially¹² (D) suburbs (E) from
(F) introduced (G) involve (H) along with (I) seriously (J) surroundings

原来如此

1. Parkour is essentially the art of moving from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible.
理由:
a. 空格前有主词 Parkour（跑酷）和 be 动词 is，后有名词词组 the art of...（……的艺术）作主词补语，可知空格内应置入副词修饰 is。
b. 选项中为副词的有 (C) essentially（基本上）和 (I) seriously（严肃地；认真地），惟 (C) 置入后符合语意，故选之。
c. essentially adv. 基本上
= basically adv.
例: This soundtrack is essentially adapted from Bach's works.
（这张原声带基本上是改编自巴哈的作品。）

2. Any obstacles along the way must either be passed without a moment lost or used by the traceurs to propel themselves forward.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定词 to，可知空格内应置入原形及物动词，使其后的 themselves 作其受词。
b. 符合上述的选项有 (A) propel（推动，推进）和 (G)　involve（包含），惟 (A) 置入后符合语意，故选之。
c. propel vt. 推动，推进
例: The force of the wind propelled the garbage can across the lawn.
（强风把垃圾筒从草坪的一边吹到另一边。）

3. Seeing someone doing parkour, you might be inclined to think that there is some emergency and the traceur is fleeing.
理由:
a. 空格前有原形 be 动词，后有不定词 to，可知空格应置入形容词或分词。
b. 选项中为形容词或分词的有 (B) inclined（倾向的）和 (F) introduced（被介绍的），惟 (B) 置入后符合语意，并形成下列用法：
be inclined to V　　有……倾向，往往会……
= be apt to V
= be liable to V
= be prone¹³ to V
= tend to V
例: Sally tends to work late at the office.
（莎莉经常在办公室加班到很晚。）
c. 根据上述，故选 (B)。

4. Parkour does not involve contests or teams, and it is strictly noncompetitive.
理由:
a. 空格前有第三人称单数助动词 does，后有受词 contest or team（竞赛或队伍），可知空格内应置入原形及物动词。
b. 符合上述的选项仅剩 (G)　involve（包含），置入后亦符合语意，故选之。
c. involve vt. 包含
例: Soccer involves running and kicking.
（足球包含了跑和踢。）

5. It also has a strong philosophical aspect that sets it apart from many other physical pursuits.
理由:
a. 本空格测试下列固定用法：
set A apart from B　　使 A 不同于 B
例: What sets Mike apart from Bill is his willingness to work on a team.
（麦克有别于比尔的地方在于他乐于参与团队工作。）
b. 根据上述，可知应选 (E)。

6. Dedicated traceurs take parkour seriously, and they even describe it as "a way of life."
理由:
a. 本空格测试下列固定用法：
take...seriously　　认真看待……
例: The couple never took their marriage seriously, so they ended up getting a divorce.
（那对夫妻从没认真看待他俩的婚姻，因此最后以离婚收场。）
b. 根据上述，可知应选 (I)。

7. David Belle, along with his friend Sébastien Foucan, started parkour in France in the late 1980s.
理由:
a. 空格前有专有名词 David Belle，其后亦有专有名词 Sébastien Foucan，中间仅有逗点，可知空格内应置入连接词或连接词词组。
b. 符合上述的选项仅有 (H) along with（连同……一起），置入后亦符合语意，故选之。
c. along with...　　连同……一起
= together with...
例: Along with Jane, Sarah will be coming to the party tonight.
（莎拉今晚会和阿珍一起来参加派对。）

8. David's father was an elite fireman who introduced his son to physical training using military obstacle courses.
理由:
a. 空格前有关系代名词 who 作主词，后有受词 his son（他的儿子），且根据本句时态，可知空格应置入过去式及物动词。
b. 符合上述条件的仅剩 (F) introduced（介绍、引进），置入后符合语意，并形成下列用法：
introduce sb to sth　　介绍某人认识某事物
例: My friend introduced me to this kind of hamburger.
（我的朋友让我初次尝到这种汉堡。）
c. 根据上述，可知 (F) 为正选。

9. When this obstacle-course training was combined with elements of martial arts and gymnastics and applied to the physical surroundings of a city, parkour was born.
理由:
a. 空格前有形容词 physical（实体的），后有介词词组 of city，可知空格内应置入名词。
b. 选项中为名词的有 (D) suburbs（郊区）和 (J) surroundings（环境），惟 (J) 置入后符合语意，故选之。
physical surroundings　　实体环境

10. Since its beginning in the suburbs of Paris, parkour has spread around the world, and has even turned up in Hollywood.
理由:
a. 空格前有定冠词 the，后有介词词组 of Paris，可知空格内应置入名词。
b. 选项中为名词的仅剩 (D) suburbs（郊区），置入后符合语意，并形成下列用法：
in the suburbs of + 地方　　在某地的郊区
= on the outskirts¹⁴ of + 地方
例: Michael lives on the outskirts of Chicago.
（麦克住在芝加哥郊区。）
c. 根据上述，故选 (D)。

难句分析

To the untrained eye, parkour looks as absurd as it does dangerous.
= To the untrained eye, parkour looks as absurd as it looks dangerous.
（对于外行人而言，跑酷看起来既荒谬又危险。）

精解字词词组

1. to the untrained eye　　对不知情的人来说，对外行人来说　
例: To the untrained eye, skydiving might seem easy.
（对外行人来说，高空跳伞也许看似简单。）
2. literally adv. 的确；根据字面意思
例: The snake we saw was literally two meters long.
（我们看见的那条蛇确实有两公尺长。）
3. obstacle n. 障碍（物），妨碍（与介词 to 并用）
be an obstacle to + N/V-ing　　是……的障碍
= be a hindrance¹⁵ to + N/V-ing
例: Tradition is often an obstacle to progress.
（传统常常是进步的绊脚石。）
4. strictly adv. 完全地；严格地
Strictly speaking, S + V　　严格说来，……
例: Strictly speaking, black is not a color.
（严格来说，黑色不是种颜色。）
5. be described as...　　被描述为∕形容成……
= be depicted¹⁷ as...
describe A as B　　将 A 描述∕形容成 B
= depict¹⁶ A as B
例: In the news report, the soldier is depicted as a hero.
（在这篇新闻报导中，那名军人被描述成英雄。）
例: The witness described the suspect as tall and thin.
（目击者形容那名嫌犯又高又瘦。）
6. be applied to...　　被应用在……上
apply A to B　　将 A 运用到 B 上
例: Nanotechnology is applied to many aspects of our lives.
（奈米科技被应用在我们生活中的许多层面。）
例: Scientists are trying to apply solar technology to automobiles¹⁸.
（科学家试图将太阳能科技运用于汽车上。）
7. Aside from + N/V-ing, S + V　　
= Apart from + N/V-ing, S + V　　除了……外，还……
例: Aside from her great singing voice, Tammy has a good personality.
（除了歌声动听外，黛咪的个性也很好。）

单字小铺

1. absurd a. 荒谬的，不合理的
2. participant n. 参与者
3. freestyle a. 随性的；（游泳等）自由式的
4. street-skateboarder　　街头滑板运动者
skateboarder n. 参加滑板运动者
5. skateboard n. 滑板
6. bounce vi. 弹起，弹回
bounce off...　　从……弹回
7. ledge² n.（自墙壁突出的）壁架
8. efficiently adv. 有效率地
9. emergency n. 紧急情况
in case of (an) emergency　　紧急情况时
10. flee vi. 逃走，三态为：flee, fled , fled。
11. contest n. 竞赛，比赛
12. noncompetitive a. 非竞争性的
competitive a. 竞争的，竞争性的
13. philosophical a. 哲学的
14. pursuit n. 追求；嗜好，消遣
15. dedicated a. 专注的，献身的
16. elite n. 精英份子
17. obstacle course　　超越障碍训练场
18. gymnastics n. 体操

词组小铺

1. from point A to point B　　从甲地到乙地
2. in this sense　　从这个方面来说
3. A be combined with B　A 与 B 结合
4. turn up　　出现
= show up

中文翻译

对外行人来说，跑酷看起来既荒谬又危险。参与跑酷活动的人又称练习者，他们像蜘蛛人一样，不用蜘蛛网就可以荡来荡去，也像不用滑板的街头滑板者，随性地滑行。他们的确在建筑物上跳来跳去、越过屋顶、沿着墙壁往上奔跑、跳上细细的壁架，有时还从 7 呎高的地方跳向地面，并且毫发无伤。

跑酷基本上是一种以最快最有效率的方式，从甲地移到乙地的艺术。跑酷练习者必须避开沿途所有的障碍物，一秒都不能多停，或是利用障碍物来帮助自己前进。看到有人在跑酷，你可能会以为这些练习者正在逃离什么紧急状况。

跑酷并不包含竞赛或队伍，而且完全属于非竞赛活动。就这方面来说，它不能算是项运动。它也含有相当深厚的哲学观点，使它有别于其它体能活动。专注的跑酷练习者非常认真看待这项活动，他们甚至将跑酷描述为是『一种生活方式』。

David Belle 和朋友 Sébastien Foucan 在 80 年代末期于法国开始跑酷。David 的父亲是位优秀的消防员，他让儿子到军方障碍物训练场所进行体能训练。当这种体能训练结合武术和体操的元素，并运用于城市的实体环境中，跑酷因而诞生。

自从在巴黎的郊区崛起后，跑酷便在全球流行开来，而且还出现在好莱坞电影中。除了可以在 YouTube 网站欣赏到跑酷外，詹姆斯‧庞德的电影《皇家夜总会》中，也得以一窥跑酷的英姿。

标准答案: 1. (C) 2. (A)　3. (B)　4. (G)　5. (E)　6. (I)　7. (H)　8. (F)　9. (J)　10. (D)

1 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

2 ledge   

n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁

参考例句：

• They paid out the line to lower him to the ledge.他们放出绳子使他降到那块岩石的突出部分。
• Suddenly he struck his toe on a rocky ledge and fell.突然他的脚趾绊在一块突出的岩石上，摔倒了。

3 ledges   

n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台

参考例句：

• seabirds nesting on rocky ledges 海鸟在岩架上筑巢
• A rusty ironrod projected mournfully from one of the window ledges. 一个窗架上突出一根生锈的铁棒，真是满目凄凉。 来自辞典例句

4 efficiently   

adv.高效率地，有能力地

参考例句：

• The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
• Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。

5 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

6 philosophical   

adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的

参考例句：

• The teacher couldn't answer the philosophical problem.老师不能解答这个哲学问题。
• She is very philosophical about her bad luck.她对自己的不幸看得很开。

7 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

8 belle   

n.靓女

参考例句：

• She was the belle of her Sunday School class.在主日学校她是她们班的班花。
• She was the belle of the ball.她是那个舞会中的美女。

9 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

10 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

11 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

12 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

13 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

14 outskirts   

n.郊外，郊区

参考例句：

• Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.我们的汽车在市郊出了故障。
• They mostly live on the outskirts of a town.他们大多住在近郊。

15 hindrance   

n.妨碍，障碍

参考例句：

• Now they can construct tunnel systems without hindrance.现在他们可以顺利地建造隧道系统了。
• The heavy baggage was a great hindrance to me.那件行李成了我的大累赘。

16 depict   

vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述

参考例句：

• I don't care to see plays or films that depict murders or violence.我不喜欢看描写谋杀或暴力的戏剧或电影。
• Children's books often depict farmyard animals as gentle,lovable creatures.儿童图书常常把农场的动物描写得温和而可爱。

17 depicted   

描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述

参考例句：

• Other animals were depicted on the periphery of the group. 其他动物在群像的外围加以修饰。
• They depicted the thrilling situation to us in great detail. 他们向我们详细地描述了那激动人心的场面。

18 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》