英语听力精选进阶版 6128（在线收听）

An Unforgettable Show 一场令人难忘的表演

The 2008 Beijing Olympics began officially on Friday 8th August 2008 at 8pm in front of a crowd of 90,000 eager spectators in the Bird's Nest stadium.

Things got off to a bang with an initial firework display which lit up Beijing's skyline, followed by a total of 2,008 energetic drummers beating a countdown.

Then the crowd was treated to an amazing sequence of intricately-choreographed, beautifully-lit vignettes which took them through 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture.

After these performances, it was time for the athletes themselves to take centre stage. In keeping with tradition, Olympic founders Greece led the 204 competing nations into the stadium.

China's 639 athletes entered last behind towering flag bearer Yao Ming, to a thunderous reception from the crowd.

Finally, the cauldron was lit by a jet of fire from Chinese Olympic hero Li Ning, who had been hoisted up to the roof of the stadium on wires.

China, of course, was not alone in watching the opening ceremony. British newspaper The Guardian said the show "outdid all of its predecessors in numbers, colour, noise and expense."

The Financial Times was equally impressed. "No country ever has – or surely will – match the Chinese in effort, human power, synchronicity, ingenuity and, it has to be said, money they were willing to put into what was once a little show."

No pressure on the next Olympic host city then! With just four years to go, the London Olympic organisers have promised to deliver an equally inspirational ceremony. Let's hope they can pull it off.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

eager spectators 热切的观众们

things got off to a bang 非常成功的开始

skyline 天际

energetic 充满活力的

countdown 倒数计时

sequence 次序

intricately-choreographed 复杂的编排

vignettes 小插曲，小片断

take centre stage 到舞台的中心

flag bearer 旗手

thunderous reception 雷鸣般的接待

cauldron 大锅，在这里指奥运体育场内的主火炬

hoisted 被吊起来

outdid 超越了

predecessors 前任，这里指前任奥运主办国家

synchronicity 同步性

ingenuity 独创性

inspirational 鼓舞人心的

towering 高大的

pull it off 圆满完成