VOA标准英语2011--New York Plans 9/11 Anniversary Observan

 New York Plans 9/11 Anniversary Observances Amid Tight Security
Americans on Sunday will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. New York City is preparing for a day of observances.
New York police are imposing¹ massive security for the Sunday ceremony with both President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush planning to attend. On Friday, following reports of a possible terror threat, security citywide was abruptly² ramped³ up further - with heavily armed police stationed around the city. They stopped vehicles and searched vans and trucks, but few drivers objected.
"As long as nothing happens, it was worth it," said one truck driver. "Better to be safe than sorry."
Tourists still flocked to the former Ground Zero area where the new One World Trade Center - soon to be the tallest skyscraper⁴ in the western hemisphere - is rapidly rising. Some photographed themselves next to a memorial plaque⁵ for the firemen who died on September 11. Others visited the temporary museum nearby, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center.
"After 9/11 there’s no way you can come to New York and not be here for this. Too many families were hurt," said one woman.
"I’m a firefighter, so we came to honor the 343 of our brothers," said another tourist.
At St. Paul’s Chapel⁶ a few blocks from the site, passersby⁷ tied white ribbons for remembrance on the fence.
"This is just remembering loved ones, friends, families, and you can write anything on the ribbons that you want," said one woman.
"I didn’t really know anyone personally who died in the attacks, but I had friends and classmates whose parents passed away, so I just think it’s really important for everyone to support one another as much as they did in the days following the attacks," said another woman.
Special anniversary music programs are being held inside St. Paul’s Chapel, amid displays of memorabilia relating to the first responders who received aid and care at the church in the weeks following the attacks. Many other such programs are being held at religious and community centers throughout the city over the weekend.

1 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

2 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

3 ramped   

土堤斜坡( ramp的过去式和过去分词 )； 斜道； 斜路； （装车或上下飞机的）活动梯

参考例句：

• With the arrival of George Lucas, the pace has ramped up. 随着乔治·卢卡斯的到来，速度大大加快。
• They also sold corporate bonds as the global financial crisis ramped up. 在全球金融危机加剧之际，他们还抛售了公司债券。

4 skyscraper   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• The skyscraper towers into the clouds.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。
• The skyscraper was wrapped in fog.摩天楼为雾所笼罩。

5 plaque   

n.饰板，匾，(医)血小板

参考例句：

• There is a commemorative plaque to the artist in the village hall.村公所里有一块纪念该艺术家的牌匾。
• Some Latin words were engraved on the plaque. 牌匾上刻着些拉丁文。

6 chapel   

n.小教堂，殡仪馆

参考例句：

• The nimble hero,skipped into a chapel that stood near.敏捷的英雄跳进近旁的一座小教堂里。
• She was on the peak that Sunday afternoon when she played in chapel.那个星期天的下午，她在小教堂的演出，可以说是登峰造极。

7 passersby   

n. 过路人(行人,经过者)

参考例句：

• He had terrorized Oxford Street,where passersby had seen only his footprints. 他曾使牛津街笼罩了一片恐怖气氛，因为那儿的行人只能看到他的脚印，看不到他的人。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学
• A person is marceling on a street, watching passersby passing. 街边烫发者打量着匆匆行人。