VOA慢速英语 2009 011a

Now, a VOA Special English holiday program.

January first. The beginning of a new year. As far back in history as we can tell, people have celebrated¹ the start of a new year. Today, most people celebrate New Year's Day on January first. People observe the New Year's holiday in many different ways. The idea of admitting mistakes and finishing the business of the old year is found in many cultures. So is the idea of making New Year's resolutions. A resolution is a promise to change or do something different in the coming year.
　

From right, Ashley Preston and Charlotte Cicero and friends in Washington D.C.

Making New Year's resolutions is a common tradition. We talked to some people in Washington, D.C. and Miami, Florida about their resolutions, hopes and wishes for two thousand nine.

ASHLEY: "I'm Ashley Preston. I'm from Canfield, Ohio and I'm twenty-four years old. This year I hope to graduate with my Master's and be healthy and happy."

Ashley's friend, Charlotte Cicero from Rochester, New York, is also to graduate this year. Her resolution went a step farther.

CHARLOTTE: "I hope to graduate and find a job teaching somewhere."

Other people mix wishes small and large. Like Ryan Krysiak, a student at the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Viriginia.

RYAN: "For the New Year, I want the Eagles to go to the Superbowl and world peace."

Some resolutions are about helping² others.

ELNIE: "I'm Elnie Goodman and I live in Washington, D.C. But I was born in Haiti. In the summer of two thousand nine I would like to lead a humanitarian³ trip to Haiti."

In Miami, Florida, one man hopes a resolution from last year will go better in two thousand nine:

GLEN: "My name's Glenn Mitchell. I live in Miami. And personally I have a resolution to do more artwork. And I had the same resolution last year and I wasn't able to."

This next woman wishes a little brain power for everybody.

PEGGY: "Hi, I'm Peggy. I'm from Grafton, Wisconsin. I'm forty-eight years old. In the New Year, I hope things start to get right again. Everybody's happy, healthy and a little bit smarter, so that things go well."

Many people agreed with Miz Rice. Ian McMann of Miami said the election process in the United States in two thousand eight brought a return to hope. Ellen Wade⁴ is a forty-two year old businesswoman and student in Waynesboro, Virginia. She expressed similar feelings about the political change. She said she hoped that the new president could help lead the way to better relations among the nations of the world.

But many people we spoke⁵ to kept their resolutions very simple, like this boy.

NOAH: "My name is Noah Goodwin. I live in Arlington, Virginia. I'm twelve years old and I resolve to get a girlfriend this year."

Our resolution is to wish all of our listeners a happy, healthy and productive⁶ New Year! I'm Mario Ritter for VOA Special English.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

4 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 productive   

adj.能生产的，有生产价值的，多产的

参考例句：

• We had a productive meeting that solved some problems.我们开了一个富有成效的会议，解决了一些问题。
• Science and technology are part of the productive forces.科学技术是生产力。