(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious. Nine out of ten Americans celebrate Christmas, but only about half think it is a religious holiday. The report is from the Pew Research Center. It asked 2,001 adults about their opinions on Christmas. Just over half of those questioned thought Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32 per cent said it was, "more of a cultural holiday". Greg Smith from Pew Research said: "Younger adults are less likely than older adults to see Christmas as a religious rather than cultural holiday. They're less likely to say they will attend [church at] Christmas…and they are less likely to believe in the virgin birth."
People are also changing what they say to each other at Christmas and what they write in cards. More and more people are choosing to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". This is because there are also non-Christian holidays happening around the same time as Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays in their holiday wishes. The research also found that 79 per cent of Americans will watch a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent will go to church. Just 36 per cent will read the Christmas story in the Bible. The average amount of money people spend on Christmas is $914. Ten per cent of Americans spend over $2,000. People most look forward to spending time with their family.
中文翻译
一项新的研究表明美国圣诞节的宗教气息越来越淡
。10个美国人中有9人会庆祝圣诞节,但是大约只有一半人认为这是一项宗教节日 。这是皮尤研究中心所公布的报告 。报告就圣诞节对2001名成年人进行了调查 。这其中只有一半人认为圣诞节是宗教节日,32%的人认为它超过了文化节日的含义 。来自皮尤研究中心的格雷格·史密斯说:“年轻人比年长者更不可能把圣诞节看成是宗教节日 。他们也很少有可能会去做礼拜,他们也很少能够相信童贞生 。在这一天里,人们对彼此所说的话以及贺卡上的内容也有所改变
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重点讲解
1.go to church 做礼拜
例句:Or do happier people tend to go to church?
或是幸福的人才会去教堂做礼拜呢?
2.be likely to 很有可能
例句:The vetting information would be likely to generate further interest and, due to the profile of some individuals, would likely grab front page status.
这些调查档案很可能引起更广泛的关注,由于其中一些人的地位,这些信息很可能会占据头版位置
。3.instead of 而不是
例句:Why don't you play football instead of just looking on?
你为什么不参加踢足球而只是看热闹?
4.rather than 而不是
例句:I , rather than you , should do the work .
该做这个工作的是我,而不是你
听力题目
1. How many Americans celebrate Christmas?
a) ten out of ten
b) nine out of ten
c) nine into ten
d) ten out of nine
2. How many Americans believe Christmas is a religious holiday?
a) a third
b) 89%
c) three-quarters
d) half
3. How many people answered questions about Christmas?
a) 2,001
b) 1,002
c) 21,000
d) 2,100
4. Who was more likely to think of Christmas as a religious holiday?
a) younger adults
b) non-Christians
c) older adults
d) children
5. Who are less likely to go to church at Christmas time?
a) Americans
b) younger people
c) those questioned
d) Christians
6. What are more and more people changing?
a) their Christmas greetings
b) the presents they buy
c) when they celebrate Christmas
d) Christmas food
7. What else happens around the same time as Christmas?
a) holiday wishes
b) shopping
c) non-Christian holidays
d) skiing
8. What will 79% of Americans watch this Christmas?
a) a movie
b) the sun rise
c) their weight
d) how much they spend
9. Who spends more than $2,000 on Christmas?
a) 10% of Americans
b) 20% of Americans
c) the average American
d) Most Americans
10. What do Americans look forward to most about Christmas?
a) not working
b) eating
c) presents
d) family time
听力答案
1.b
2.d
3.a
4.c
5.b
6.a
7.c
8.a
9.a
10.d