VOA标准英语2010年-World Cup Sparks Global Football Mania

Football fans around the world are riveted¹ to World Cup action in South Africa, where key opening matches have sparked revelry, mania², and colorful, elaborate expressions of national pride. 

Every four years, football fever infects the world, and 2010 is no exception.  From sports bars to pubs to outdoor venues³, fans gather to share the excitement, show their passion, and cheer on their teams.

U.S. fans everywhere were joyous⁴ after the underdog American team eked⁵ out a 1-1 draw with powerhouse England. 

On the other side of the Atlantic, fans of the English squad⁶ had a different reaction. "Very disappointing game.  At the end of the day, they are not the greatest side in the world and we struggled to even beat them," said one fan.

In Buenos Aires, Argentines exulted⁷ after a 1-0 win over Nigeria. One reveler said the victory was wonderful and terrific, adding that Argentina has demonstrated what football is.

In Lagos, meanwhile, Nigeria fans tried to stay upbeat.  One man stressed the positive. "I did not believe Nigeria would play the way they played Argentina, if we can continue like this and retain our coach and maintain the boys , I believe we are going places," he said.

With opening matches still being played, no team has been eliminated, and every nation taking part in South Africa still has hope of a championship.  A contingent⁸ of Serbia fans traveled to South Africa to cheer their team's first World Cup appearance since Serbia became an independent nation. "It is going to be tough [for Serbia], but hopefully we will come through. The boys will come through," said a Serbian fan.

As host nation, South Africa's efforts to prepare for the World Cup have been widely praised.  This English pub patron's comments are typical. "It is good.  I am enjoying it.  I wish I was out there [in South Africa], but they seem to be doing a good job.  I think South Africans have got to be proud at the moment," he said.

The World Cup - and the mania it inspires - culminates⁹ with a final match July 11.

 

1 riveted   

铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意

参考例句：

• I was absolutely riveted by her story. 我完全被她的故事吸引住了。
• My attention was riveted by a slight movement in the bushes. 我的注意力被灌木丛中的轻微晃动吸引住了。

2 mania   

n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好

参考例句：

• Football mania is sweeping the country.足球热正风靡全国。
• Collecting small items can easily become a mania.收藏零星物品往往容易变成一种癖好。

3 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

4 joyous   

adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的

参考例句：

• The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
• They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。

5 eked   

v.（靠节省用量）使…的供应持久( eke的过去式和过去分词 )；节约使用；竭力维持生计；勉强度日

参考例句：

• She eked out the stew to make another meal. 她省出一些钝菜再做一顿饭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She eked out her small income by washing clothes for other people. 她替人洗衣以贴补微薄的收入。 来自辞典例句

6 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

7 exulted   

狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The people exulted at the victory. 人们因胜利而欢腾。
• The people all over the country exulted in the success in launching a new satellite. 全国人民为成功地发射了一颗新的人造卫星而欢欣鼓舞。

8 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

9 culminates   

v.达到极点( culminate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Each civilization is born, it culminates, and it decay. 各种文明都要历经诞生，鼎盛和衰落。 来自《用法词典》
• The tower culminates in a 40-foot spire. 这塔的顶端是一个40英尺高的塔尖。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》