英语听力：自然百科 北非风情

 Hi, I'm Paddy Kim. We are heading now to North Africa, a land of vast deserts, ancient cities and bustling（喧闹的） markets. Here, the cultures of Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean¹ all come together. This is the place where you can find the best of many worlds. That's if, of course, you know where to look.

 

North Africa, the land stretching from the southern tip of Sudan, up along the Red Sea and across the Southern Mediterranean coast to Morocco, and Western Sahara on the Pacific. It can sometimes be a tumultuous(动乱的) place. So before heading off, check the state department's website for any travel warnings and advisories².

 

Now, that's not to scare you away. Some of the most visited and most amazing tourist destinations in the world are found right here.

 

In a class all its own is Egypt. For nearly 4,000 years, the pyramids of Giza were the largest buildings on earth, and they remain an inspiration to as many as 5,000 visitors every day.

 

Further south along the Nile River（尼罗河）, sprawling³ ruins serve as reminders⁴ of the grandeur⁵ of the Pharaohs(法老). And some of the sites at the top of your must-see list-- Luxor, the capital of ancient Egypt and home of the sprawling Karnak temple complex on the Nile's eastern shore, one of the largest examples of religious architecture in the world.

 

And to the west of the river, the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt's Pharaohs were laid to rest for nearly 500 years. Many of their tombs are now open to the public. Each offers a spectacular glimpse into the ritual lives of one of humanity's first great civilizations.

 

Further south nearing Egypt's border with Sudan are the massive ruins at Abu Simbel. Built during the reign⁶ of Pharaoh Rameses II, it's thought that the massive structures carved straight into mountainside were built here, at least in part, to impress and to intimidate⁷ ancient Egypt’s southern neighbors, the Nubians(努比亚人).

 

When you are ready for more modern sites and sounds, consider a trip to the town centers, markets and bazaars（市场，集市） of North Africa's magical cities, Tunis(首都突尼斯) in Tunisia（突尼斯国）, and Fes and Marrakech in Morocco. Here, you can bargain in the souks(市集) and stores for trinkets（小装饰品，小物件）, handicrafts and carpets. Haggling（讨价还价） is part business transaction, part national sport. Win or lose, you gain a souvenir and a valuable cultural experience. In Marrakech（摩洛哥的马拉喀什）, don't miss a cultural highlight, the Plaza⁸ of Djemaa el-Fna（德吉马广场）. It's been show time here every day since the 11th century. With the city square filled with snake charmers, acrobats⁹ and storytellers, it's kind of an atmosphere beckons¹⁰ old and young, local and tourists alike.

 

When you need a rest, head for the shore. Coastal¹¹ areas like Morocco's Essaouira and Tunisia's Djerba Island are prime beach spots. Their relaxed pace and ocean views will get you recharged(重新充满活力) and ready to go.

 

All of North Africa shares one common outstanding feature, the Sahara. The desert stretches over 3,000 miles from coast to coast. It is one of the hottest, driest, windiest places on earth. Despite its desolation, Berber tribes(北非柏柏尔人的部落) have lived here for thousands of years, plying（勤苦经营） the ancient trade routes with caravans(沙漠地带的车马队) and camels. Here, you will find that many towns along the edges of Sahara offer tourists a taste of desert life, a chance to ride across the sands, run along the dunes（沙丘） and sleep under the stars.

 

With blazing hot summers and wet cool winters, the best times to visit North Africa are in the spring and fall. But during Ramadan（伊斯兰教的斋月）, keep in mind many restaurants and stores are closed and schedules are disrupted. Otherwise there are plenty of tourists arriving year round, drawn¹² to some of the most exciting attractions on earth.

 

When traveling in North Africa, be patient and be polite. Keep in mind that most signs are in Arabic. You can probably get by speaking English in most tourist places. French comes in handy in Morocco and Tunisia. But mastering a few phrases in Arabic can make everyday interactions a whole lot easier and a whole lot more fun.

 

Once you do that, the spirit of North Africa will no doubt seduce¹³ you with its ancient charms.

1 Mediterranean   

adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的

参考例句：

• The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
• Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。

2 advisories   

n.（有关进展、动向、建议等的）报告( advisory的名词复数 )；公告；通告；通报

参考例句：

• Compliance with Practice Advisories is optional. 是否遵守实务公告由审计师自行选择决定。 来自互联网
• Hardened-PHP: not as such a PHP security information website, but it does have security advisories. 增强PHP:不仅仅是一个PHP安全新的网站，它还提供安全建议。 来自互联网

3 sprawling   

adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着）

参考例句：

• He was sprawling in an armchair in front of the TV. 他伸开手脚坐在电视机前的一张扶手椅上。
• a modern sprawling town 一座杂乱无序拓展的现代城镇

4 reminders   

n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 )；提醒…的东西；（告知该做某事的）通知单；提示信

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• The strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. 罢工耽搁了催税单的投寄。

5 grandeur   

n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华

参考例句：

• The grandeur of the Great Wall is unmatched.长城的壮观是独一无二的。
• These ruins sufficiently attest the former grandeur of the place.这些遗迹充分证明此处昔日的宏伟。

6 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

7 intimidate   

vt.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• You think you can intimidate people into doing what you want?你以为你可以威胁别人做任何事？
• The first strike capacity is intended mainly to intimidate adversary.第一次攻击的武力主要是用来吓阻敌方的。

8 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

9 acrobats   

n.杂技演员( acrobat的名词复数 )；立场观点善变的人，主张、政见等变化无常的人

参考例句：

• I was always fascinated by the acrobats at the circus. 我总是着迷于马戏团里的杂技演员。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The acrobats' performance drew forth applause from the audience. 杂技演员的表演博得了观众的掌声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 beckons   

v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He sent his ships wherever profit beckons. 他将船队派往赢利的那些地方。 来自辞典例句
• I believe history beckons again. 我认为现在历史又在召唤了。 来自辞典例句

11 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

12 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

13 seduce   

vt.勾引，诱奸，诱惑，引诱

参考例句：

• She has set out to seduce Stephen.她已经开始勾引斯蒂芬了。
• Clever advertising would seduce more people into smoking.巧妙策划的广告会引诱更多的人吸烟。