最新15篇文章贯通英语四级词汇MP3 Unit4-Part3（在线收听）

[00:00.00]The “complex” was ready 

[00:02.84]for occupancy in 1927, 

[00:04.59]but additions continued until 1947. 

[00:07.87]Eventually it comprised the main house 

[00:13.78]and three cottages, 

[00:15.09]all of which are furnished 

[00:16.95]with a variety of valuable antiques.

[00:18.92] Even the lavatories were specially equipped. 

[00:23.96]William’s favorite room was said 

[00:26.69]to be the library with its 

[00:28.77]collections of more than 5 000 books, 

[00:31.28]ancient Greek vases, and 

[00:33.69]an antique Spanish ceiling suspended

[00:36.98] by cables so it will 

[00:38.83]sway in the event of 

[00:40.36]an earthquake (all the 

[00:42.56]antique furnishings and treasures 

[00:44.96]are anchored as a precaution 

[00:46.38]as this is an earthquake country).

[00:48.35]In the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s,

[00:53.71] William lived parttime 

[00:55.24]at the estate with 

[00:56.66]his mistress,Marion Davies. 

[00:58.74]They entertained to an excessive extent. 

[01:03.99]To be invited to the castle

[01:05.97] was a privilege. 

[01:07.60]Movie stars, politicians, businessmen, and even 

[01:12.42]royalty were frequent guests.

[01:14.61]Many of these guests, including 

[01:18.33]a British lord, Sir Charles KingsfordSmith, 

[01:21.61]Amelia Earhart, and Charles Lindbergh,

[01:24.90] flew to the ranch, landing 

[01:26.97]on the private airstrip.

[01:28.28]Life on the “hill” was never dull.

[01:33.21] The visitors stayed 

[01:35.61]in the main house or the cottages, 

[01:37.37]depending on their prominence 

[01:39.11]or their intimacy

[01:40.65] with the family and 

[01:41.85]were free to roamthe grounds,

[01:43.71] go riding on their choice 

[01:46.12]of horses from the stable, 

[01:47.98]swim in the pools, or

[01:49.29] play golf on the private course 

[01:51.26]on the property.

[01:52.68]Company was expected, however,

[01:55.85] to meet in the main drawing room 

[01:58.37]at 7∶30 p.m. sharp, principally

[02:01.76] to amuse their host.

[02:04.83] Dinner was a formal affair 

[02:06.57]beginning at 9∶00 p.m. 

[02:08.54]This meal was held 

[02:10.95]in the immense dining room, 

[02:12.38]the walls of which are 

[02:14.02]lined with priceless panels 

[02:15.88]from ancient European cathedrals.

[02:19.60] Following dinner, movies were 

[02:21.71]shown in the private theater, 

[02:23.35]starting at 11∶00 p.m..

[02:25.10]There were, however, three rules guests

[02:29.36] had to follow: 

[02:31.23]do not get drunk; 

[02:33.52]do not swear or tell offcolor jokes; 

[02:36.26]sleep in separate bedrooms 

[02:38.88]if an unmarried couple. 

[02:41.18]Food was not allowed in the rooms.

[02:45.23] If you wanted to eat, 

[02:47.96]you could visit the kitchen...

[02:49.49]if you could find it.