Ryan跟自己的好朋友Alice學習打籃球。今天,Alice帶Ryan去看球賽,好讓他學學比賽規(guī)則。
Professor: That's right, Winnie. Alice is taking Ryan to watch a basketball game, but it's not a professional game like you might think.
不是職業(yè)賽?那是什么比賽呢?
Ryan: Alice, I can't believe you brought me to a children's basketball game! How can I learn how to play basketball watching children?
Alice: Well, Ryan, you're a beginner, and they are beginners too. That will make it easier for you to understand the rules.
Ryan: Ugh ... I guess so. But watching kids is so boring. The professional basketball league is much better.
Alice: OK Ryan, stop complaining and watch what's happening on the court.
啊?原來Alice帶 Ryan去看兒童籃球賽啦!
Professor: I know it sounds silly, but why does Alice say she brought him there?
Alice 說,Ryan是 beginner - 初學者,所以,看和他水平差不多的人打球,能更好地了解比賽規(guī)則。對了, professor, Ryan 說 professional basketball league,是指職業(yè)籃球聯(lián)盟么?
Professor: Right, and in baseball, you might hear about the major leagues and minor leagues.
對,在棒球中, major league就是“大聯(lián)盟”,而minor league是“小聯(lián)盟”。 讓我們來聽聽,在basketball court--籃球場上,比賽進行地如何吧!
Ryan: Alright Alice, let's watch the game. Which team are we rooting for?
Alice: We are rooting for the home team because my nephew is playing for them.
Ryan: Oh, cool! Does he really like to play basketball with the other kids?
Alice: Oh yeah, these team sports really build their confidence. This is a big game, because they are playing their rivals.
原來,Alice的侄子就在球場上! 他是home team -“主場球隊”的一員,Professor, 和“主場”相對的是“客場”,這要怎么說呢?
Professor: The opposite of the home team is the visiting team. Most people at the game root for the home team.
沒錯!比賽時,主場隊總是人氣更旺! 大部分觀眾都root for it--給主場球隊加油助威。那么,root for除了表示在賽場上支持某只球隊外,還有別的用法么?
Professor: Sure! For example, I am really rooting for the new law to pass, because it would lower my taxes.
哦,root for表示“支持”,所以我們可以說,root for the new law - 支持這條新的法律。Professor, Alice還提到,這兩只隊伍是rivals - 這是“勁敵,對頭”的意思么?
Professor: That's right!
Ryan: Wow, these kids are really good! I can't believe how athletic they are.
Alice: Yeah, my nephew practices a lot. He's the captain of the team.
Ryan: He's the captain? He must be the best player on the team. When I was his age, the only sports I played were sports video game.
Alice: Hmm .... well I'm sure playing all those sports video games really gave your fingers a good workout.
怪不得Ryan籃球打得這么臭,他小時候從不運動,唯一的愛好就是play sports video games--在游戲機上玩兒運動游戲!
Professor: Right. And what about Alice's nephew? Is he more athletic than Ryan was?
當然了! Alice的侄子是籃球隊的captain--隊長,他特別 athletic - 愛運動!
Ryan: My gosh, Alice, these kids are half my age, and they are so much better at basketball than me!
Alice: Don't get discouraged; with lots of practice, you will be as good as them one day.
Ryan: I don't have that much dedication. Man, getting in shape is so much work!
Alice: Well, you don't have to play basketball. There are lots of other ways to get in shape. Do you have any other ideas?
Ryan: Mmm ... Actually, I have a great idea!
看著小孩子籃球打得比自己強那么多,Ryan有點覺得discouraged - 泄氣了。他不想打籃球了,想用另外一種方法來鍛練身體,保持體形。不知道他有什么好主意?
Professor: Well, listen next time to find out!
這次的美語三級跳就播送到這里。