胡敏读故事记单词托福词汇020（在线收听）

Lesson 20 Voting Day in San Rico 圣黎各的投票日

bald adj. 秃头的，光秃的

bald eagle 秃头鹰（美国国鸟）

balk vi. 阻碍；犹豫，不愿做

ballot n. 选票

ban vt. 禁止；查禁

banal adj. 陈腐的

band n. 乐队；队；（光或颜色的）带；vi. 联合，集合

bandanna n. 大手帕

bandit n. 强盗

bandleader n. 乐队指挥

bandmaster n. 乐队指挥

bang n. 发出砰的一声，重击

bankrupt adj. 破产了的

bankruptcy n. 破产

banner n. 旗帜，标语

banquet n. 宴会，盛会

banter n. (善意的)取消，逗弄；v. 善意地与人开玩笑

bar n. 酒吧；snack bar 快餐店；条，棒；栅

barb n. (鱼钩等的)倒钩；倒刺

Initially, I balked at my editor’s request that I cover the presidential elections in San Rico. San Rico was known for its bandits. Just one year ago, we had been banned from traveling there because of the danger. This year, the government promised political reforms and crime control.

Could thing have changed so much in only one year? Not in my mind. I imagined the worst. I anticipated burly bald man wearing bandannas, riding around on motorcycles and harassing voters. I pictured a bankrupt candidate, making a banal speech to a bored crowd, and claiming that his bankruptcy would not interfere with his government duties. I even expected the ballot box to be wrapped in barbed wire, with blood dripping from some of the barbs. What I didn’t expect was a bandmaster and the bang of a drum!

When our foreign press plane arrived in San Rico, we were greeted by a cheering crowd and a marching band. There was even a bald eagle. The bandleader led us from the plane, through the throngs of smiling people, and into the packed center of the city. There was big red banners hanging from every building, encouraging people to vote. Secure voting booths stood on every corner with people standing in long lines to cast their ballot. I had never seen so much enthusiasm for an election.

It was a new and exciting beginning for the people of San Rico. I reported it all in my story and faxed it back to my editor. After attending a wonderful banquet, I found myself sitting at a bar, listening to the banter about the election.

一开始主编让我报道圣黎各举行的总统选举时，我犹豫不决。圣黎各以其土匪之多闻名。一年前，当地政府就是因为太危险才禁止人们来圣黎各旅游的。今年，政府承诺进行政治改革同时打击犯罪。

仅一年的时间情况就会有所改观吗？我看未必。我做了最坏的打算：我指望看到些戴大手帕的高大秃顶男人，他们骑着摩托车四处骚扰投票者；我想象着一个破产的候选人的样子，人们不耐烦的听着他乏味的演说，他还一面声明破产不会影响他执政；我甚至能看到裹着钢丝网的投票箱，血液正从倒钩上一滴滴落下来。但我万万没想到会有乐队指挥和击鼓声！

当外报记者搭乘的飞机到达圣黎各时，迎接我们的是欢呼的人群和行进中的乐队，甚至还有一直秃头鹰。乐队指挥领着我们走下飞机，穿过面带微笑的人们，来到人山人海的市中心。每座建筑物上都挂有鼓励人们投票的红色大标语。每一条街道拐角处都有安全的投票亭，在那里，人们排着长队等候投票。我还从未见过对选举这般热衷的场面。

对圣黎各人民而言，这是一个崭新而又令人兴奋的开端。我全面报道了这一切，然后将稿子传真给主编。参加完一个丰盛的晚宴后，我在一家酒吧坐了下来，听人们戏说今天的选举。