Beyonce questioned over lip-sync during Obama's inauguration ceremony

 　　BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. pop star Beyonce Knowles was questioned after she performed at the inauguration¹ ceremony of U.S. President Barack Obama over whether she lip-synched to the national anthem².

　　On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Marine³ Band told media that Beyonce had lip synced when she preformed "The Star Spangled Banner" during the ceremony.

　　However, the Marine Corps⁴ backed off that statement later of the day and released a statement, saying "there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined⁵ that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event.""Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating⁶ circumstances, " it added"Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter's vocal⁷ performance, no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded." Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Gregory Wolf noted⁸.

　　Besides, a source very familiar with the situation said that Beyonce performed the National Anthem live, but she pre-recorded a track of the song to sing over.

　　This is a standard performing practice, the source added.

　　So far, the publicists of Beyonce have not responded to requests for comment.

　　According to the website MTV.com, there're a few artists who were proved to lip-sync at the major national events before: late U.S. singer Whitney Houston and Oscar-winner and former "American Idol⁹" contestant¹⁰ Jennifer Hudson both lip-synced "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl in 1991 and 2009.

1 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

2 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

3 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

4 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 extenuating   

adj.使减轻的，情有可原的v.（用偏袒的辩解或借口）减轻( extenuate的现在分词 )；低估，藐视

参考例句：

• There were extenuating circumstances and the defendant did not receive a prison sentence. 因有可减轻罪行的情节被告未被判刑。
• I do not plead any extenuating act. 我不求宽大，也不要求减刑。 来自演讲部分

7 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。

10 contestant   

n.竞争者，参加竞赛者

参考例句：

• The company will furnish each contestant with a free ticket.公司将为每个参赛者免费提供一张票。
• The personal appearance and interview of the contestant is another count.参加比赛者的个人仪表和谈话也是一项。