听播客学英语 194 圣诞市场

 　　In December, in many towns in Germany and other countries in northern Europe, there are Christmas markets. Some of them are very famous, and tourists come from a long distance to explore the markets, buy Christmas gifts and enjoy the atmosphere. Here in Birmingham we have our own German Christmas market. In fact, the German market in Birmingham is the largest German market outside Germany and Austria¹. Most of the stall-holders come to Birmingham from Frankfurt, which is one of Birmingham’s twin cities. In the market you can buy Christmas decorations, candles, little wooden toys for children, German bread, cakes and biscuits, sweets, mulled wine and German beer. There is a roundabout² where children can have a ride (and grown-ups too, if they want). There are coloured lights in the trees and on the stalls³. The market is popular with people in Birmingham. In the evenings and at weekends, it is crowded with visitors. A few years ago some local politicians⁴ tried to replace the German market with a British craft⁵ fair, but there was a public outcry and the plan was quickly dropped.

　　There are lots of other markets in Birmingham. There is a big fruit and vegetable market where many people go to buy food. There is an indoor market where you can buy clothes, material, hand-tools, CDs, meat, fish and many other things. And there are several Farmers Markets, where you can buy food produced in the area around Birmingham. But the German Christmas market is special!

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1 Austria   

n.奥地利(欧洲国家)

参考例句：

• Austria lies to the southeast of Germany.奥地利位于德国东南。
• I always confuse Australia with Austria.我总是把澳大利亚同奥地利弄混。

2 roundabout   

adj.绕道的，转弯抹角的，间接的

参考例句：

• Last night I got lost,and took a very roundabout way.昨天夜里走错了路，绕了一个大圈子。
• What a roundabout way of doing things!这是个多么绕圈子做事的方法！

3 stalls   

n.戏院正厅前排座位，前座观众；摊( stall的名词复数 )；熄火；厩；（房间内的）小隔间

参考例句：

• market stalls selling cheap bric-a-brac 集市上出售廉价小摆设的货摊
• the front row of the stalls 正厅第一排

4 politicians   

政治家( politician的名词复数 )； 政客，玩弄权术者

参考例句：

• Politicians are ultimately accountable to the voters. 从政者最终是向选民负责。
• backstairs deals between politicians 政客之间的幕后交易

5 craft   

n.工艺，手艺；小船，飞机；行业；诡计

参考例句：

• The harbour was full of pleasure craft.港口满是游艇。
• He's a master of his craft.他有一手好手艺。