Step by Step 3000 第1册 Unit11:Visions of the Future(4)

 　　Part 4. Language Study and language appreciation¹.

　　Listen to the following statements, pay special attention to the parts in bold type, learn to appreciate and use the language.

　　1. to brave... to

　　At the clock struck midnight, thousands of people braved rain showers to attend midnight celebrations, fireworks and concerts.

　　2. at the stroke of...

　　In Australia, a firework display lit up the sky over Sydney's famous harbor at the stroke of midnight.

　　3. be domesticated² by...

　　Pigs were first domesticated by man about 9,000 years ago and are still a very common farm animal in many parts of the world.

　　4. be nominated for...

　　The firm won a Oscar and was nominated for six more.

　　5. to stage a race on...

　　A farmer, Rob Shepherd, has been raising money for charity by staging pig races on his farm.

　　6. to make one's way from... to...

　　The procession made its way from Chinatown to Trafalgar Square, the very heart of London.

　　7. to run a special...season.

　　This year's celebrations include more than 100 events, from lion dancing to elephant chess, whilst London's museums, art galleries and theaters are running a special Chinese-themed seasons.

　　8. be exemplified by...

　　20 sites on 6 continents will observe a tradition best exemplified by the lowering of the lighting³ time ball in New York city.

　　9. to drop by gravity.

　　The first time balls about 1.5 meters in diameter were made of wood and leather, and hoisted⁴ manually by rope to drop by gravity.

　　10. be signified by...

　　The beginning of the New Year is signified by the chiming of Big Ben, the famous London clock, at midnight, which is also shown on TV for those who are staying in.

　　11. to stick to/ be related to.

　　Unfortunately, it's not always easy to stick to your resolutions, especially if they are related to saving money.

1 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

2 domesticated   

adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He is thoroughly domesticated and cooks a delicious chicken casserole. 他精于家务，烹制的砂锅炖小鸡非常可口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The donkey is a domesticated form of the African wild ass. 驴是非洲野驴的一种已驯化的品种。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

4 hoisted   

把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He hoisted himself onto a high stool. 他抬身坐上了一张高凳子。
• The sailors hoisted the cargo onto the deck. 水手们把货物吊到甲板上。