开罗——文明的摇篮

陕西耀州中学 王文娟

Jntroduction

开罗，文明的摇篮，埃及古老文明和现代文明的大熔炉。作为中东地区最大的城市，它是亚洲、非洲和欧洲的交通枢纽。过去和现在在这里交汇碰撞。在它的西部，坐落着埃及古城孟斐斯和世界七大奇迹中唯一现存至今的金字塔。实际上，穿越开罗的旅行是一次能穿越时空的经历。

文章词数 3 9 3 建议用时 6′ 难度指数 ★★★★

Cairo,the cradle of civilization,the melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations.It is the largest city in the Middle East and lies at the center of all routes leading to and from the three continents∶Asia,Africa and Europe.It is the city where past and present meet.On its west side lie the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis,and the site of the Pyramids,the only wonder survival of the Seven Wonders of the World.Indeed,a journey through Cairo is a journey through time...

In spite of a thousand years of history,Cairo is young by Egyptian standards,because modern Cairo emerged only with the Arab conquest of Egypt.

The most famous of Cairo's sights is the string of 60 pyramids that stretches along the western border of the desert.Contrary to the common belief,only the Great Pyramid of Khufu,not all three Great Pyramids,is on the list of Wonders.The monument was built by the Egyptian pharaoh（法老）Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty around the year 2560 BC to serve as a tomb when he died.When it was built,the Great Pyramid was 145.75 meters high.Over the years,it lost 10 meters off its top.It ranked as the tallest structure on the Earth for more than 43 centuries.Throughout their history,the pyramids havestimulatedhuman imagination.

Cairo has been the most important arts center in the Islamic world for a thousand years.Cairo's long history and richheritagearerevealedin its many museums.The famous sights in this area are the Entomological Society Museum,with an excellent collection of Egyptian insects and birds.Also in the area is the muse-um housing the mysterious Sun Boat,only discovered in 1954 near the south side of the pyramid.The boat is believed to have been used to carry the body of Khufu in his last journey on the Earth before being buried inside the pyramid.

This is Cairo—radiantwith a long and glorious past;adorned with the achievements of a distinguished present.

This is Cairo—a cradle of civilization,awellspringof culture,and a meeting place of the Asian,African,and European world.

This is Cairo—an international center for social economics,and political activity,which is making the noblest efforts aimed at peace among all nations and the benefits of all mankind.

Reading Check

Decide if the following statements are true （T） or false （F）.

（ ）1.Cairo is the largest city in Asia.

（ ）2.The ancient Egyptian city of Memphis lies in the east side of Cairo.

（ ）3.The pyramids stretch along the western border of the desert.

（ ）4.The Great Pyramid was built by Khufu as a tomb after his death.

（ ）5.The Great Pyramid is the tallest structure on the Earth for over 430 years.

Language Study

Vocabulary

1.stimulatev.刺激

2.heritagen.遗产

3.revealv.揭示

4.radiantadj.灿烂的

5.wellspringn.源泉

Sentence for writing

sb/sth be believed to... 某人/某事被相信……

人们认为它是在胡夫的尸体入葬金字塔前，被用来最后一次运送胡夫的。

The boat is believed ___________（use）to carry the body of Khufu in his last journey on the Earth before being buried inside the pyramid.

【点石成金】本句的主语是The boat，is believed是被动语态，所填的部分是动词不定式，需要注意的是该动作发生在主句谓语动词之前，而且和句子的主语有逻辑上的动宾关系。

主题应用·语库构建

Ⅰ.话题表达

高频单词

1.attractv.吸引；引起

2.blockv.阻塞；挡住

3.bookv.预订；预约

4.delayv.&n.延误；延迟；延期；耽搁

5.disadvantagen.不利因素；弱点

6.reservev.预订；保留

7.satisfyv.满足；使满意

8.speedn.速度v.加速

9.trapn.陷阱v.使陷入困境

10.abroadadv.在国外；到国外

11.accidentn.事故

12.accommodationn.膳宿

13.agentn.代理人；经纪人

14.alternativen.可供选择的事物adj.可供替代的

15.amazingadj.惊人的

16.attractiveadj.迷人的；有吸引力的

17.baggage/luggagen.行李

18.crashv.&n.碰撞；撞击

19.crowdedadj.拥挤的

为了有效遏制灌区地下水位的下降，实行最严格的水资源管理，确保灌区水资源的可持续发展，依托节水型社会改造项目建设时机，将该灌区作为试点区域率先架设IC卡式预付费机电井水资源管控器系统，以此有效严格管控水资源，有力保障农业水价综合改革和阶梯水价的顺利推行。

20.destinationn.目的地；终点

21.guidancen.引导；指导

22.impressiveadj.给人印象深刻的；令人钦佩的

23.insurancen.保险

24.packn.包；捆v.打包；包装

25.passengern.乘客；旅客

26.queuen.行列；排队

27.routen.路线；途径

29.siten.地点；场所

30.spotn.地点；场所v.看出；发现

常用短语

1.appeal to... 对……有吸引力

2.be aimed at 针对；旨在

3.be struck by 被……迷住

4.be/get stuck in... 被困在……

5.beyond description 难以表达

6.carry out 实施

7.check in 登记入住

8.check out 结账离开

9.contribute to 是……的原因之一；增进

10.have a good time 玩得开心

11.hold up 延迟；阻碍

12.knock into/against 撞上

13.put up 投宿

14.slow down 放慢速度

15.take off 起飞

16.go hiking 远足

17.see sb off 为……送行

18.be on a holiday 度假

19.take a train 乘火车

20.explore the forest 探索森林

21.ride a bike 骑车

22.drive a car 开车

Ⅱ.话题美句

1.I sincerely hope your dream will come true and it's my pleasure to show you around in Beijing when that day comes.我衷心希望你的梦想成真，我很高兴当那一天到来的时候带你参观北京。

2.So beautiful is the scenery here that it attracts tourists from all over the world.这里的风景如此优美，吸引了来自世界各地的游客。

3.We intend to take full advantage of this trip to broaden our horizons.我们打算充分利用这次旅行来开阔视野。

4.Besides,the scenery along the river is amazing,with many well-known sightseeing spots.此外，沿河的景色令人叹为观止,有许多著名的观光景点。

5.As far as I am concerned,the trip along the Yangtze will be a better choice.在我看来，沿着长江旅行将是一个更好的选择。

6.On arriving at the tea house,the foreign students were impressed by the unique tea pots and tea cups.一到茶馆，独特的茶壶和茶杯就给外国学生留下了深刻的印象。

7.We climbed to the top of the hill,from where we can see the whole city.我们爬到了山顶，从那里可以看到整个城市。

Ⅲ.读后创写

假定你是李华，学校安排你下周末作为导游带领外籍教师Mr.Smith进行一次近郊游。请你用英语给Mr.Smith写一封电子邮件，包括以下内容：

1.出游的时间、目的地等信息；

2.需要提前做的准备工作。注意：词数100左右。

Dear Mr.Smith，

Yours sincerely，

Li Hua

思路引导