早读英语精华本下册 Unit18

　　Spotlight¹ on Copenhagen
Are you too old for fairy tales? If you think so, Copenhagen is sure to change your mind.
See the city first from the water. In the harbor sits Demark's best known landmark--the Little Mermaid². Remember her? She left the world of Sea People in search of a human soul in one of the Hans Christian³ Andersen's beloved fantasies. From the harbor, you can get a feel of for the attractive city of Green Spires⁴. At twilight⁵ or in cloudy weather, the cooper-coverd spires of old catsals and churches lend the city a dream-like atmosphere. You'll think you've stepped into a watercolor painting.
Conpenhagen is a city on a human scale. You don't have to hurry to walk the city center in less than an hour. Exploring will take much longer, but that's easy. Copenhagen was the first city to declare a street for pedestrians⁶ only. The city has less traffic noise and pollution than any other European capital.
Stroll⁷ away from the harbor along the riverbanks. You'll see the modest Amalienborg Palace first. Completed in the mid-18th century, it still houses the royal family. The Danish Royal Guard is on duty.
Churches and castles are almost all that remain of the original city. Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in 1445.
To see them having fun, and to have some fun yourself, cross Andersens Boulevard and enter Tivoli Gardens. You won't be alone. More than five million people a year come here. They come to dance, dine⁸, take in outdoor and indoor concerts, see ballets and laugh at the comedies. One tip: bring a lot of money. About 20 restaurants are among the city's most expensive. Even without money, you can still enjoy the proud old trees, the colored night lights and the beautiful gardens. You might feel as if you are in a fairy tale.

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 mermaid   

n.美人鱼

参考例句：

• How popular would that girl be with the only mermaid mom!和人鱼妈妈在一起，那个女孩会有多受欢迎！
• The little mermaid wasn't happy because she didn't want to wait.小美人鱼不太高兴，因为她等不及了。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 spires   

n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Her masts leveled with the spires of churches. 船的桅杆和教堂的塔尖一样高。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• White church spires lift above green valleys. 教堂的白色尖顶耸立在绿色山谷中。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 twilight   

n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期

参考例句：

• Twilight merged into darkness.夕阳的光辉融于黑暗中。
• Twilight was sweet with the smell of lilac and freshly turned earth.薄暮充满紫丁香和新翻耕的泥土的香味。

6 pedestrians   

n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Several pedestrians had come to grief on the icy pavement. 几个行人在结冰的人行道上滑倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Pedestrians keep to the sidewalk [footpath]! 行人走便道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 stroll   

n.闲逛，漫步；v.闲逛，漫步

参考例句：

• We are ready to take a stroll in the village.我们准备到村里遛遛。
• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。

8 dine   

vi.吃饭，进餐；vt.宴请

参考例句：

• I wish I could afford to dine off fresh meat every day.我要是能天天吃到新鲜的肉就好了。
• Let's dine out tonight，I'm too tired to cook.我太累了，不想做饭，今晚咱们到外面吃吧。