英语听力：自然百科 特拉斯提弗列

 Trastevere is one of the Rome's most ancient neighborhoods. Founded during the reign¹ of Emperor Augustus, its name means literally² "across the Tiber".  But more than a river separates the people of Trastevere from the rest of the city, Trasteverini have always been proud of their origins, believing themselves to be the only true Romans or Romans of Rome. In the middle ages, the neighborhood became a center for working-class fishermen and artisans. Even though the Vatican owns a lot of property here, and even with the monasteries³ and convents hidden behind high walls, it still has that spirit of a medieval port town.

 

Whether to enjoy home cooking, get lost in winding⁴ alleys⁵, or just escape the chaos⁶ of central Rome, visitors have always come here in search of the authentic⁷ Italy. Now in increasing numbers, the visitors are moving in, driving up housing prices and displacing many old time residents. Some people fear that recent developments have changed the neighborhood for the worse. Giancarlo Viso has been serving clients of this cafe for 35 years. His old customers are disappearing, and they are taking the spirit of the place along with them.

 

This bar is more than 70 years old. In the old days, people would buy milk here and carry it home in tin buckets. Women used to come down in their nightgowns to have breakfast. Today, it has become a modern bar like the rest.

 

But not everyone is so negative about the change. Giavan Amili has been selling newspapers on Piazza⁸ Santa Maria for the past 18 years. From his booth, he has witnessed the restoration of the church, the cleaning of the neighborhood, and a big increase in business.

 

I would say Trastevere has changed for the better. Before, it was a lot more unstable⁹. There was crime, poverty and unruliness. Today, the type of community has changed. The neighborhood is safe, but it still keeps its characteristic charm.

 

Many people say it is its very charm that has led to Trastevere's transformation¹⁰. The glory of Rome lies in its ability to retain layer upon layer of history. Even as the present creates an entirely¹¹ new city, Trastevere's ancient ruins, medieval alleys, renaissance¹² churches and baroque palaces are all part of that timeless process.

 

1 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

2 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

3 monasteries   

修道院( monastery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In ancient China, there were lots of monasteries. 在古时候，中国有许多寺院。
• The Negev became a religious center with many monasteries and churches. 内格夫成为许多庙宇和教堂的宗教中心。

4 winding   

n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈

参考例句：

• A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
• The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。

5 alleys   

胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径

参考例句：

• I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys. 我紧随他穿过一条条迂迴曲折的窄巷。
• The children lead me through the maze of alleys to the edge of the city. 孩子们领我穿过迷宫一般的街巷，来到城边。

6 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

7 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

8 piazza   

n.广场；走廊

参考例句：

• Siena's main piazza was one of the sights of Italy.锡耶纳的主要广场是意大利的名胜之一。
• They walked out of the cafeteria,and across the piazzadj.他们走出自助餐厅,穿过广场。

9 unstable   

adj.不稳定的，易变的

参考例句：

• This bookcase is too unstable to hold so many books.这书橱很不结实，装不了这么多书。
• The patient's condition was unstable.那患者的病情不稳定。

10 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

11 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

12 renaissance   

n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴

参考例句：

• The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
• The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。