CCTV9英语新闻：亚洲农历新年倒计时

 The Spring Festival is not only celebrated 1 in China, but also in many other Asian countries.

In Seoul, the capital of South Korea, the streets are packed with people hoping to stock up on traditional products for the festival.
"These chestnuts 2 are big so they’re good," said a South Korean woman.
Malls and supermarkets are also attracting people with pretty gift boxes. And this year it seems that punters are being particularly health conscious, with sales of health foods up by 17 percent.
And heading south to Vietnam. On the eve of little new year, a week before the main celebrations, people here made zongzi, or glutinous 3 rice dumplings wrapped in leaves. They also wrote calligraphy 4 and prayed for good fortune for the coming year. A bamboo pole was also erected 5, with limestone 6 powder covering the ground around it. One tradition is to mark out a bow and arrow shape with the powder.
"The bow can ward 7 off evil spirits and misfortune. And the spell I said is used for praying to the god of heaven to give peace to this land," said a Vietnamese man.
Lion and dragon dancing is also an indispensable feature of the festival here.
And in Singapore, the festive 8 atmosphere is no different. Streets are crowded with shoppers here as the new year is only days away.
And it's not just in countries where the Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated that events are taking place. In Iran over 3,000 personalities 9 gathered to celebrate the "Spring Festival in Iran" event, hosted by the Chinese embassy. Dancers from Iran's Red Dragon Kong Fu Team performed lion dances; some performers were particularly young. Chinese food and even TCM were popular parts of the event.
"More and more Iranian people are accepting Traditional Chinese Medicine. Iran also has its own traditional medicine but people think Chinese medicine can also be helpful," said a Philippine man.
So it seems that across the region and further afield the impending 10 festivities are creating quite a buzz.




点击收听单词发音  






1
celebrated

  
 


adj.有名的，声誉卓著的


参考例句：





He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。












2
chestnuts

  
 


n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马


参考例句：





A man in the street was selling bags of hot chestnuts. 街上有个男人在卖一包包热栗子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
Talk of chestnuts loosened the tongue of this inarticulate young man. 因为栗子，正苦无话可说的年青人，得到同情他的人了。 来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说












3
glutinous

  
 


adj.粘的，胶状的


参考例句：





The sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial.这种酱有些黏，尝起来不是非常地道。
The coat covering the soft candies is made from glutinous rice.包裹软糖的江米纸是由糯米做成的。












4
calligraphy

  
 


n.书法


参考例句：





At the calligraphy competition,people asked him to write a few characters.书法比赛会上，人们请他留字。
His calligraphy is vigorous and forceful.他的书法苍劲有力。












5
ERECTED

  
 


adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的
vt. 使 ... 直立，建立


参考例句：





A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。












6
limestone

  
 


n.石灰石


参考例句：





Limestone is often used in building construction.石灰岩常用于建筑。
Cement is made from limestone.水泥是由石灰石制成的。












7
ward

  
 


n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开


参考例句：





The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。












8
festive

  
 


adj.欢宴的，节日的


参考例句：





It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。












9
personalities

  
 


n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )


参考例句：





There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。












10
impending

  
 


a.imminent, about to come or happen


参考例句：





Against a background of impending famine, heavy fighting took place. 即将发生饥荒之时，严重的战乱爆发了。
The king convoke parliament to cope with the impending danger. 国王召开国会以应付迫近眉睫的危险。