Traveling back in time in Singapore

难词探意

1. bustling /'bʌslɪŋ/ adj. 熙熙攘攘的

2. metropolis /mə'trɒpəlɪs/ n. 大都市

More than a century later, in 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became independent. But the history of this island in Southeast Asia dates back to the 11th century. An exhibition at the Fort Canning Centre, “The Bicentennial Experience”, offers a front-row seat to a trip back in time—from a remote kingdom in 1299 to abustlingand modernmetropolistoday.

Sim Buck Wee is a volunteer at the exhibition. He helps with polling outside The Time Traveller. Visitors are invited to vote for the trait—self-determination, openness or multiculturalism—that they think is most vital to Singapore's future. Sim said, “All three traits, which come from the five acts, are important.” The following are the five acts of “The Bicentennial Experience”.

The first act is BEGINNINGS. This act invites visitors to witness the founding of the Kingdom of Singapura in 1299 by Sang Nila Utama, an Indonesian prince. Over the next 300 years, the kingdom became a thriving settlement and trading post.

The following act is ARRIVAL. This act explores the era that began in 1819, when Raffles founded Singapore and set up a British trading port.Visitors sit on a platform resembling a ship as they watch an animated display featuring merchants and seamen. Trading ships arrive； houses are built, and Singapore becomes increasingly prosperous.

The next act is CONNECTIVITY. This act imagines Singapore in the 19th century, when continued trading brought more wealth to the island. It is a time of technological development, new industries, and the spread of ideas. While many people accumulate fortunes, laborers are forced to work under harsh conditions for little or no pay.

The fourth act is OCCUPATION. There is a distinct shift in mood during this act, which explores Singapore's struggles at the height of World War Ⅱ. The British surrendered Singapore to Japan in 1942, and the Japanese occupied the island.

The last act is DESTINY. Rain has always been an important part of Singapore's history. Raindrops literally fall in this room, but visitors are provided with umbrellas. The intensity of the rain varies during the course of the storytelling. The act spotlights extraordinary achievements by ordinary Singaporeans since independence from Malaysia in 1965.

“The Bicentennial Experience” shows that history can be presented in fun and engaging ways. The exhibition is open through the end of the year.

Reading Check

1. What's the main idea of the passage?

2. What's the basic information of this exhibition?

3. What are the three traits and five acts of the exhibition?

4. In your view, which trait is the most vital part to Singapore's future? Offer your reason（s）, please.Language Study

Difficult sentence

Visitors sit on a platform resembling a ship as they watch an animated display featuring merchants and seamen.

【翻译】__________________________________________________________________________________

【点石成金】本句中，resembling a ship和featuring merchants and seamen都是现在分词短语作后置定语。