英语听力小短文走遍全世界43: 美国人的生活方式

英语听力原文：

Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. The early immigrants had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they weren't content to stay there. Explorers and traders journeyed to the unknown western territories. Later, settlers moved west to develop these new areas.

纵观整个历史，美国一直是个迁移的民族。早期的移民者必须长途跋涉才能抵达新大陆，他们到达后就会沿着东岸定居，但却不满于长居此地，冒险家和商人旅行至未知的西部地区。稍后，移民者也向西迁移去开发这些新地区。

As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole continent-from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average American moves every five years.

由于向西迁移，美国人最后占据了整块新大陆——从大西洋到太平洋。即使到今天，美国人似乎仍然无法在一地久居。根据研究，美国人平均每五年要搬一次家。

Besides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling. Some people make long-distance commutes to work daily. Their jobs may even require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual vacation for their employees, and people often use that time to travel.

除了搬家的习惯以外，美国人也很习惯旅行。有些人每天上下班得做长距离的通勤，工作上甚至经常需要因公旅行。大部分的公司每年会提供年假给员工，人们通常会利用这段时间去旅行。

Some people just visit friends or relatives in distant states. Others go on low-budget weekend excursions and stay in economy motels. Those with more expensive tastes choose luxurious resorts and hotels. Camping out in the great outdoors appeals to adventurous types. Some travel in recreational vehicles (RVs) to camp out in comfort, while others "rough it" by sleeping in tents.

有些人去远一点的其他州拜访朋友或亲戚，有些则在周末有个经济的小假期，并住在花费不高的旅馆里。品位较昂贵的人选择豪华的度假地点和饭店;绝佳的户外露营则吸引冒险型的人。有些人开着旅行车出游，以舒适的方式露营;有些人则睡帐篷尝试野外生活。

Most Americans prefer to travel within their nation's borders. Why? For one thing, it's cheaper than traveling abroad, and there's no language problem. But besides that, the vast American territory offers numerous tourist attractions.

大部分美国人比较喜欢在国内旅游，为什么呢?其中一个原因是，国内旅游比国外旅游便宜，也没有语言交流的问题。但除此原因以外，占地极广的美国国土提供了许多能吸引游客的地点。

Nations lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, canyons, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors a multitude of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie.

爱好大自然的人可以到海滩、山上、峡谷、湖泊和很多大自然奇景地区游览。大城市也提供给游客们很多都市形态的娱乐。现代高速公路、铁路和飞机使得在美国旅行很容易。

英语词汇整理：

1. immigrant n. 移民，侨民 adj. 移民的

eg: They are illegal immigrants.

他们是非法移民。

短语：

illegal immigrant 非法移民

immigrant visa 移民签证

2. territory n. 领土，版图;领域，范围

eg: Our country is vast in territory.

我国版图辽阔。

短语：

within the territory 在境内

capital territory 首都圈;首都辖区

northwest territory 西北地区(美国的)

3. commute v. 通勤，折换，减刑，改变，变换 n. 乘车上下班

eg: Mike commutes to Miami every day.

迈克每天通勤去迈阿密。

短语：

commute between(from) 通勤于……之间

commute into 以……变成……

commute into〔for〕交换,折合

4. excursion n. 远足， 短途旅行

eg: The whole excursion took ten hours.

整个短途旅游花了十个小时。

短语：

set out on one's excursion 出发去旅行

enjoy an excursion 享受旅行的乐趣

plan an excursion 计划一次旅行

arrange an excursion 组织旅行

词语用法：

excursion, journey 旅行，游览

1.journey一般指较长距离的陆地旅行,指从一个地方直接到达目的地; excursion一般指不超过一天的短程游览性旅行,有时也可指远足旅行或集体游览。

2.excursion的交通工具多为火车或船只,且船票可打折扣; journey则没有这种说法。

5. luxurious adj. 奢侈的，豪华的

eg: She has been honing for a luxurious life.

她一直渴望过豪华奢侈的生活。

短语：

luxurious hotel 豪华级饭店

luxurious elegance 名贵优雅

6. recreational adj. 娱乐的，消遣的

eg: The playroom is designed for recreational purpose.

这游戏室计划用于娱乐活动。

短语：

recreational areas 休闲区

recreational sports 娱乐性体育运动

recreational activity 消遣活动

recreational vehicle 野营旅游车

7. canyon n. 峡谷

eg: The cold wind sweeps down the canyon.

寒风刮进了峡谷。

短语：

grand canyonn. (美)大峡谷

grand canyon national park(美国)大峡谷国家公园

8. multitude n. 大量，多数，群众

eg: Addiction to drugs can bring a multitude of other problems.

毒瘾会带来其他许多问题。

短语：

a multitude of 大批的，众多的

in multitudes 成群的

cover/ hide a multitude of sins [口语]掩盖许多丑恶的事情;冠冕堂皇的借口

9. convenience n. 方便，合宜;便利设施，方便的用具

eg: He was happy to make a detour for her convenience.

为了方便她，他乐意绕道而行。

短语：

at your convenience 在方便的时候,在适宜的地方

at your earliest convenience 尽早

make a convenience of someone 过分利用某人

for convenience 为了方便

佳句采摘：

As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole continent-from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put.

由于向西迁移，美国人最后占据了整块新大陆——从大西洋到太平洋。即使到今天，美国人似乎忍让无法在一地久居。