英语听力精选进阶版 6153（在线收听）

A New Day, a New Dawn 新的一天，新的开始

History was made in Washington this week as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States in front of a crowd of two million people.

President Obama made an impassioned and emotional speech to the multitude of people who had braved the elements to witness the inauguration of America’s first African-American President.

President Obama’s speech touched on many subjects of significance to the American people, including the fragile state of their economy and security matters such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But he began by addressing his personal feelings on his election and the weight of responsibility he felt in taking on such an important office.

"I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors," said President Obama.

The President went on to talk about the fears that many Americans have that their country is becoming less successful and diminishing as a global power.

He spoke of a "sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights".

However, President Obama continued to say that America would respond to the challenges before it, and that the nation would pull together and overcome its problems by working together in a spirit of co-operation.

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," said the President.

After such a stirring speech, the world waits to see if America’s new president’s actions will match his lofty words and ideals.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

sworn in 宣誓就职

impassioned 慷慨激昂的

multitude 众多（的人）

braved the elements 勇敢面对恶劣天气

inauguration 就职仪式

fragile state （经济）疲软局势

weight of responsibility 身上的重任

office （总统）职务

humbled 谦卑的 

bestowed 授予

sacrifices 牺牲

diminishing 逐渐缩小的

sapping of confidence 逐渐失去了信心

lower its sights 降低目标

pull together 齐心协力

spirit of co-operation 协作精神

unity of purpose 共同目标

discord 不和，分歧

stirring 令人激动地

lofty words 寓意深厚的演讲