英语听力：自然百科 环球风情：日本

 Hi everyone! I'm Petty Kim. Today our destination is Japan, a country that steeped in tradition, but one that also lives on the cutting edge of the future.

 

It's one of the few places in the world where tradition and change go hand in hand. A place built on paradox¹. This is Japan.

 

A throbbing² country of more than 127 million people crammed³ into a chain of islands, an area smaller than California. Maybe it's not so surprising that such a modern place pulled such a strong grip on its cultural past.

 

It was only as recently as the late 1800s when the country emerged from hundreds of years of isolation⁴ brought on by its rulers.

 

Nothing embodies⁵ the contrasts of tradition and modernism quite like Tokyo. Staying in the capital, a city of over 12 million people, you’ll be able to experience some of the best shopping, dining and cultural treasures the country has to offer. And if you looking for a taste of authentic⁶ Tokyo, you don't have to go far. Head down to the Tsukiji Wholesale⁷ Fish Market handling seafood⁸ for the entire region around Tokyo.

 

For a breath of fresh air, plan a day trip to the iconic Mount Fuji. Located 62 miles southwest of Tokyo in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, rising more than 12,000 feet. Although it's covered by snow several months out of the year, the sacred mountain remains⁹ one of Japan's most popular attractions. Just to the south of Mount Fuji, is a natural wonder of a bay called Suruga. Here boaters enjoy pristine¹⁰ water conditions, divers¹¹ check out the sea life and researchers congregate¹² to study this wonderful marine¹³ habitat. Above water, the wildlife is no less impressive. Japan also offers the opportunity to come face-to-face with some amazing animals, such as the Japanese giant hornet or the Japanese macaque.

 

When you're ready for more urban exploration, give traditional Kabuki Theater a try. Your best bet for a good show will come in Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo. Japan's traditional theater is known for highly stylized drama and elaborate makeup¹⁴ worn by its all male performers. Keep in mind, though, it might not be a great stop for kids. Performances last about 3 hours. Drinks and snacks are usually available in the foyer(门厅). You can also buy a ticket for a set bento or lunch box. It will be served to you in the dining room during the intermission（幕间休息）.

 

For those seeking out traditional arts and crafts, Japan won't disappoint. For ceramics¹⁵ lovers, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Japan boasts of hundreds of famous kilns（烧窑） and many of the country's master potters(陶工) continue the tradition on the island of Kyushu.

 

From handmade Japanese paper called Washi（和紙） to the centuries’ old art of Bunraku puppetry（木偶戏） to the thrill of watching some of the Japan's finest athletes compete in the Sumo rings of Tokyo or Osaka, Japan offers the unique promise of experiencing the past but with one eye always looking toward the future.        

 

1 paradox   

n.似乎矛盾却正确的说法；自相矛盾的人(物)

参考例句：

• The story contains many levels of paradox.这个故事存在多重悖论。
• The paradox is that Japan does need serious education reform.矛盾的地方是日本确实需要教育改革。

2 throbbing   

a. 跳动的,悸动的

参考例句：

• My heart is throbbing and I'm shaking. 我的心在猛烈跳动，身子在不住颤抖。
• There was a throbbing in her temples. 她的太阳穴直跳。

3 crammed   

adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式)

参考例句：

• He crammed eight people into his car. 他往他的车里硬塞进八个人。
• All the shelves were crammed with books. 所有的架子上都堆满了书。

4 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

5 embodies   

v.表现( embody的第三人称单数 )；象征；包括；包含

参考例句：

• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This document embodies the concern of the government for the deformity. 这个文件体现了政府对残疾人的关怀。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 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。

7 wholesale   

n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售

参考例句：

• The retail dealer buys at wholesale and sells at retail.零售商批发购进货物，以零售价卖出。
• Such shoes usually wholesale for much less.这种鞋批发出售通常要便宜得多。

8 seafood   

n.海产食品，海味，海鲜

参考例句：

• There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
• Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。

9 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

10 pristine   

adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的

参考例句：

• He wiped his fingers on his pristine handkerchief.他用他那块洁净的手帕擦手指。
• He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.他本不想去玷污那清白的过去。

11 divers   

adj.不同的；种种的

参考例句：

• He chose divers of them,who were asked to accompany him.他选择他们当中的几个人，要他们和他作伴。
• Two divers work together while a standby diver remains on the surface.两名潜水员协同工作，同时有一名候补潜水员留在水面上。

12 congregate   

v.(使)集合，聚集

参考例句：

• Now they can offer a digital place for their readers to congregate and talk.现在他们可以为读者提供一个数字化空间，让读者可以聚集和交谈。
• This is a place where swans congregate.这是个天鹅聚集地。

13 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。

14 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

15 ceramics   

n.制陶业；陶器

参考例句：

• an exhibition of ceramics by Picasso 毕加索陶瓷作品展
• The ceramics bore the imprint of Luca della Robbia. 陶器上印有卢卡·德拉·罗比亚的字样。