新西兰英语 142 Gift to Auckland Art Gallery

　　The Auckland Art Gallery announced today that they will receive a very generous gift of 15 paintings. The gift is from Julian and Josie Robertson, an American couple who have spent some time in New Zealand for the last 30 years. They said they love New Zealand. A few years ago some of their paintings were shown in the Auckland Art Gallery and Te Papa in Wellington. New Zealand children were very enthusiastic about the paintings. The children sent the Robertsons copies they had made of the paintings and letters of thanks. It is because of the enthusiasm¹ of the children that the Robertsons decided² to donate 15 paintings, worth millions of dollars.
The 15 paintings include works³ by Picasso, Mondrian, Matisse, Cézanne. At the moment, the Auckland Art Gallery has only one small painting by Picasso and none by these other great artists. The gift is wonderful for the Auckland Art Gallery and also for New Zealanders who will now be able to see paintings by these well-known artists.

1 enthusiasm   

n.热情，激情；巨大兴趣；热衷的事物

参考例句：

• We set about our task at once with great enthusiasm.我们立刻兴致勃勃地干起来。
• A team which is full of enthusiasm is more likely to win.情绪高涨的球队更可能获胜。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。