英语听力小短文走遍全世界75: 印第安纳州集市

　　Almost all states in America have a state fair. They last for one, two or three weeks. The Indiana state fair is one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the United States. It is held every summer. It started in 1852. Its goals were to educate, share ideas, and present Indiana's best products. The cost of a single ticket to enter the fair was 20 cents.

　　几乎美国所有的州都有一个集市。它们会持续一周、两周或三周。印第安纳州的集市是美国规模最大，历史最久的集市之一，每年夏天都会举办。它起源于1852年。它的目的是进行教育，分享创意，展示印第安纳最好的商品。进入集市的门票是每张20美分。

　　During the early 1930s, officials of the fair ruled that people could attend by paying with something other than money. For example, farmers brought a bag of grain in exchange for a ticket. With the passage of time, the fair has grown and changed a lot, but it is still one of the Indiana's most celebrated events.

　　在20世纪30年代，集市的官员制定规则，除了金钱以外，人们可以支付其他东西以参加集会。例如，农夫带着一袋谷物来换取一张门票。随着时间的推移，集会壮大了，改变颇多，但它始终是印第安纳州最盛大的节日之一。

　　People from all over Indiana and from many other states attend the fair. They can do many things at the fair. They can watch the judging of the priced cows, pigs and other animals. They can see sheep getting their wool cut and they can learn how that wool is made into clothing. They can watch cows giving birth. In fact, people can learn about animals they would never see except at the fair.

　　来自于印第安纳州的人们以及许多从其他州慕名而来的人都参加了这个盛会。他们可以观看如何对明码标价的奶牛、猪和其他动物进行辨别。它们可以观看绵羊被剃毛，了解怎样用羊毛来制作服装。他们可以观察母牛是如何产仔的。事实上，人们可以见识一些除了在集市上，在其他地方根本见不到的动物。

　　The fair provides a chance for the farming community to show its skills and farm products. For example, visitors might see the world's largest apple, or the tallest sunflower plant. Today, children and adults at the fair can play new computer games, or attend more traditional games of skill. They can watch performances put on by famous entertainers.

　　集市为农场提供了机会，以展示它们的技艺和产品。例如，参观者或许可以看到世界上最大的苹果或是最高的向日葵。今天，参加集市的儿童和承认可以尝试新的电脑游戏，或是更为传统的技艺比赛。他们可以观看著名表演家的演出。

　　Experts say such fairs are important, because people need to remember that they are connected to the earth and its products and they depend on animals for many things.

　　专家称这种机会很重要，因为人们需要记住他们和地球以及地球上的产物是紧密联系在一起的，他们从动物那儿获取了许多。

　　注释：

　　1. attend vi. 出席，参加

　　例句：She is a member but does not attend regularly.

　　她是成员但不经常参加。

　　2. exchange n. 交换;交流

　　例句：Their first exchange set the tone for a new relationship.

　　他们初步交换意见， 为建立新关系定了调子。

　　3. connect to 连接到，相连

　　例句：I believe that in some way my life is closely connected to all of humanity.

　　我相信在某种意义上，我的生命是与全人类紧密相连的。