阅读训练

A Young Singaporean’s View Of Shanghai

Shanghai is seen as a“global business hub ”and it is only a matter of time before it becomes the“New York of the East”. The city has a population of close to 17 million which underlies its immense market potential. Depending on their spending powers, Shanghainese from different strata of society can take their pick from a wide range of choices — from paying three yuan for a bowl of traditional la mian to 20 yuan for a cup of cappuccino. Businesses can thus find a niche for themselves1 by catering to the needs of different groups of consumers.

First-time visitors to Shanghai will invariably first be captivated by the soaring skyscrapers that symbolise the metropolis’wealth and glamour. Across the skyline of Puxi is China’s tallest building — the 88 -storey Jin Mao Tower — in Pudong New Area .

The towering skyscrapers are signs of Shanghai's prosperity and the magnets that attract both local and foreign talent to converge on the metropolis. On the other hand, people are spoilt for choice by the variety of recreational and entertainment2 activities that demonstrate how colourful and interesting life is in Shanghai. It is no wonder that3 Chinese and overseas tourists are flocking to the city. The vast variety of merchandise alone may not be enough to make the tourists come back. But meticulous and excellent service will. The Shanghainese whom you see on the street will remind you of the congestion and apathy typical of a thriving city. Yet, step into any fast-food restaurant and you will be greeted with warm and friendly service from young waiters and waitresses. They will make you rethink what makes the city tick.

Just raise your hand and no matter how busy the waiters and waitresses are , someone will attend to you with a reply:“Right away! ”They speak clearly and know their job well and I’m only talking about ordinary service personnel4. This is a good indication of how competitive the young people in Shanghai are. Well, I did not come into contact with that many young people in Shanghai during my trip, but those whom I’ve met at fast-food restaurants and cafes no doubt struck me as highly-efficient, quick-thinking and full of drive5 . Young Singaporeans seem to lack the astuteness and dynamism that they possess.

It is true that a people's character is, to a great extent, shaped by the environment they live in. But if we rest on our laurels, we risk losing our vitality. And a city with little life will not be able to attract tourists, let alone retain its talent.

练习题：

Ⅰ. Fill in the bla nks with words from the passage:

1. Shanghainese from different can take their pick from a wide range of choices.

2. Businesses can thus find a niche for themselves by different groups of consumers.

3. Not surprisingly, tourists recognise it at once as a shoppers’paradise.

4. The Shanghainese whom you see on the street will remind you of thetypical of a city.

5. Young Singaporeans seem to lack the that they possess.

Ⅱ. Question :

Why does the author feel necessary to mention Jinmao Tower?

参考答案

Ⅰ.

1. strata of society

2. catering to the needs of

3. discerning

4. congestion and apathy / thriving

5. astuteness and dynamism

Ⅱ.

Because it is a skyscraper by which first-time visitors to Shanghai will invariably first be captivated.

参考译文

个新加坡青年眼中的上海

上海被视为“ 全球商业中心”, 成为“ 东方纽约”只是个时间问题。上海人口近1 700万。人口之众, 决定了市场潜力。在上海, 各阶层各有消费天地: 人民币3 元吃一碗拉面,或是人民币20 元喝一杯卡普奇诺。这样的市场构造, 让不同市场定位的商品都找到所属的消费群。

初访者对这座城市的第一个深刻印象必然是那些象征了一个城市的财力和气魄的高楼大厦。穿过浦西的高楼轮廓线, 遥对的是中华第一高楼——— 浦东新区的88 层的金茂大厦。

如果说高楼林立代表了上海的经济繁荣, 吸引了国内外人才汇集此地大展拳脚, 那么休闲娱乐选择之多, 则表现了上海多姿多彩的城市生活, 吸引了海内外游客纷纷前来上海观光旅游。单是名目繁多的商品未必能吸引回头客, 留住游客的是细致周到的服务。在街上看到的上海人让人联想到繁华大城市里典型的拥挤和冷漠。但是, 走进任何一家上海的快餐店, 年轻侍应生积极友善的服务态度, 让人重新估量这个城市的无限活力。

顾客一个举手动作, 侍应生再忙也会先来一句:“ 马上来。”动作熟练利落, 说话清楚明白, 普通的服务生都有这样水平, 上海年轻人的竞争力可想而知。此行, 笔者所接触到的上海年轻人其实并不多, 但是在快餐店、咖啡厅所碰到的那些年轻人效率很高、思维敏捷且干劲十足。年轻的新加坡人似乎就缺少了那份机灵和朝气。

诚然, 民族的气质和个性在很大程度上是生活环境造就的, 但是如果安于现状, 固步自封, 就会面临丧失活力的危险。一个缺乏生命力的城市将难以吸引游客, 更别说留住人才。

阅读解释

1. find a niche for oneself 适得其所, 为自己谋得合适的位置/地位。niche n. 壁龛, 摆放雕像、花瓶等的墙壁凹处。

2. recreation 强调自娱自乐以图放松身心; entertainment 强调提供娱乐给他人并从中获利。

3. It is no wonder that 是一个主语从句句型, 意为“ ⋯⋯就不足为怪了”。类似的用法还有It is little wonder that /It is small wonder that, 意义相同。

4. personnel n. 全体员工。personnel department ( 人事处/科) , 要注意它和personal 的区别。美国人用另一个词汇department of human resource, 可译成“人力资源部”。

5. drive 常用作动词: 驱赶, 驱使。这儿是名词: 驱动力, 活力; 其实现在这种用法很常见, 硬盘就叫“ hard drive”。