国家地理-2008-07-21 Diving to China's Great Wall 水中长城

Members of a Beijing diving club had the chance to experience China's Great Wall in a way few others have by exploring a section of the landmark¹ that was submerged in the cloudy waters of a reservoir.

"There is no doubting that the Great Wall of China is, er, is one of the greatest historical artifacts in the world. And to be able to see and experience a part of it in a way that, uh, very few other people get to do, with all the added romance of being underwater, I, I think that's a very special experience and it's a way to get in touch with history and a way that few people get the opportunity to do."

Built to ward² off invaders³, the Great Wall of China was constructed in sections over several centuries. Construction began in the 3rd century BC. Sections were then built and rebuilt through the 16th century A.D.

In the early 1980s, the Chinese government flooded the northern coastal⁴ area of Tianjin crossed by the Great Wall to resolve water shortages. It's reported that most of the submerged section of the Great Wall now lies at a maximum depth of 65 feet.

 

1 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

2 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。

3 invaders   

入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They prepared to repel the invaders. 他们准备赶走侵略军。
• The family has traced its ancestry to the Norman invaders. 这个家族将自己的世系追溯到诺曼征服者。

4 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。