VOA标准英语2010年-Artists in Final Rehearsals for World

Performers line up during a dress rehearsal¹ of the opening ceremony for the soccer World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa, 9 June 2010

The city of Johannesburg is a-buzz with celebrating football fans as South Africa prepares to kick off the 2010 World Cup.

 

Hundreds of dancers and singers, many of them dressed in traditional costumes, strutted² behind a marching band to Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium for the dress rehearsal of Friday's World Cup opening ceremony.

South Africans mark final countdown to World Cup, 9 June 2010
Motorists along the route, their cars decked with flags, honked³ their horns in support as the band went by.

Organizers are promising⁴ a distinctly African musical show, with a cast of more than 1500 people featuring international music artists as well as local favorites.

The minister of arts and culture, Lulu Xingwana, noted⁵ the opening is to be preceded by a music concert Thursday of international and African stars.

"We believe this is going to be an African celebration of our culture and heritage," says Xingwana. "We are ready for the party, starting with the kick-off concert at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto, and the big party during the opening ceremony."

Organizers say musicians such as Hugh Masakela, Femi Kuti, Khaled, Osibisa, R-Kelly and the Soweto Spiritual Singers, will perform Friday afternoon before the Cup's opening match between South Africa and Mexico. France and Uruguay face off later that evening.

Johannesburg's financial district, Sandton, Wednesday was paralyzed by a massive parade to show support for the South African team called the Bafana-Bafana.

Members of the national team, accompanied by local dignitaries, blew kisses to the fans from the top of a double-decker bus as motorists honked their horns for the celebrating crowds.

Fan parks have been erected⁶ in the nine cities hosting World Cup matches. Private groups and businesses are sponsoring their own football parties. And fans from around the world are in the streets, impatient for the big event to begin.
 

1 rehearsal   

n.排练，排演；练习

参考例句：

• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
• You can sharpen your skills with rehearsal.排练可以让技巧更加纯熟。

2 strutted   

趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The players strutted and posed for the cameras. 运动员昂首阔步，摆好姿势让记者拍照。
• Peacocks strutted on the lawn. 孔雀在草坪上神气活现地走来走去。

3 honked   

v.（使）发出雁叫似的声音，鸣（喇叭），按（喇叭）( honk的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I drove up in front of the house and honked. 我将车开到屋子前面然后按喇叭。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He honked his horn as he went past. 他经过时按响了汽车喇叭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。