巴西里約熱內盧準備迎接成千上萬前來參加奧林匹克運動會這一世界上最大體育盛事的游客們。這座巴西現(xiàn)代城市會給我們帶來怎樣的驚喜？巴西是否從舉辦2014年世界杯比賽過程中吸取了經驗教訓以便更成功地舉辦2016年奧運會？《隨身英語》帶你走進里約熱內盧。

課文內容

Vocabulary: partying 詞匯: 派對狂歡

Brazilians certainly know how to throw a party – but will Rio be ready to welcome over 10,000 athletes and all the international visitors to the 2016 Olympics? At the moment, some natives of Rio (known locally as 'Cariocas') aren't too enthusiastic about the Games. They know they'll be putting up with a lot more roadworks and infrastructure building before the Olympic torch is lit in the Maracan? Stadium next August.

Delays in venue construction gave the International Olympic Committee a fright in 2014. The government has since cleaned up its act and was praised recently for being ''on the right track'', although the challenge of cleaning up the highly polluted waters of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Guanabara Bay – venues for the sailing and rowing competitions – remains.

Fortunately, Brazil has learnt a lot from hosting the World Cup in 2014. Some businesses realised they were missing a trick by not communicating well with their international customers. Restaurants now know that using the internet to translate the menu isn't always a good idea: 'bife a cavalo' isn't really 'horse steak' – it's beef with a fried egg on top!

Security was a key challenge in 2014 – and during the Olympics, the police will be working hard to prevent street crime. As with other developing countries, crime rates are high, and visitors will be encouraged to keep their wits about them so as to avoid falling victim to pickpockets or muggers.

So while the Cariocas are already becoming athletes – by jumping and running across construction sites on their daily commute – they know that the Games have the potential to be a great spectacle, they will be able to let their hair down, and international visitors will have a good time in their company.

Even those Brazilians who have their reservations, know deep down something that others don't. An old local saying goes: 'Deus é Brasileiro' ('God is Brazilian'). They hope he will give them a hand to make the games a success. And you can be sure that whatever happens – or doesn't happen – Brazilians will show the world why they have such a reputation as party people!

詞匯表

to throw a party 舉行派對、聚會
infrastructure 基礎設施
venue 場所
fright (noun) 驚嚇
to clean up one's act 改進作風，改善行為
on the right track 步入正軌，（做法、想法）正確
to host 做東道主
to miss a trick 錯過時機
to keep one's wits about one 保持頭腦清醒，保持警覺
pickpocket 小偷，扒手
mugger 攔路搶劫犯
to let one's hair down 放松一下，盡情享受
to have a good time 過得愉快，玩得開心
reservations 疑義，顧慮
to give someone a hand 祝某人一臂之力

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why are some people from Rio unhappy about hosting the Olympics?
2. True or false? The government has cleaned the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon at the request of the IOC.
3. How did some Rio restaurants confuse international customers during the World Cup?
4. Which word in the article means 'regular travel between home and workplace'?
5. Who do Brazilians say will help guarantee success at Rio 2016?

2.  請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。從每個表格中選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。

1. __________ are a cause for concern in developing countries.

Quick hands              Crime rates          Belongings          Missing a trick

2. The British Olympic swimming team did well in the last Olympic Games and _________ to win some medals in Rio. They have been training a lot.

are on the right track           missed a trick          are having a ball          let their hair down

3. Hurry up! We're late for the swimming competition and we still have to find the __________.

venue          on the right track          building site          infrastructure

4. Be careful when going home at night. This area is not very safe and you have to __________.

let your hair down          keep your wits about you          have a good time          give them a hand

5. This is my dream job! I'm __________ doing what I love the most.

missing a trick           having a ball          cleaning up your act           throwing a party

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why are some people from Rio unhappy about hosting the Olympics?
They have to deal with a lot of construction work in their city.

2. True or false? The government has cleaned the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon at the request of the IOC.
False. Cleaning the Lagoon will be a challenge, but the article doesn't say that they have done it already.

3. How did some Rio restaurants confuse international customers during the World Cup?
They used the internet to translate their menus, but some of the resulting names were confusing.

4. Which word in the article means 'regular travel between home and workplace'?
'Commute'. It's used as a noun in the article but can also be a verb.

5. Who do Brazilians say will help guarantee success at Rio 2016?
There is a saying that 'God is Brazilian', and many people believe he will help them.

2.  請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。從每個表格中選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。

1. Crime rates are a cause for concern in developing countries.

2. The British Olympic swimming team did well in the last Olympic Games and are on the right track to win some medals in Rio. they have been training a lot.

3. Hurry up! We are late for the swimming competition and we still have to find the venue.

4. Be careful when going home at night. This area is not very safe and you have to keep your wits about you.

5. This is my dream job! I'm having a ball doing what I love the most.