夏至日的巨石阵

山东 孙启禄

1The summer solstice is Stonehenge's big day.Thousands of people flock to the huge monument to watch the sunset on June 20 and the sunrise the next day in an event that mixes festivity with spirituality.

2If you are lucky enough to visit London in the summer, specifically in the third week of June,you should not miss the summer solstice celebration held at the nearby monument of Stonehenge.Between the 20th and 21st of that month, when the length of the day is the longest of the year, a large number of the British and visitors from other countries gather on a day that can only be described as magical.

3On that day, Stonehenge takes on a different dimension that combines festivity with an attempt to recall ancient ceremonies.Visitors can access the complex (建筑群) free of charge and will be able to walk among the stones, something not allowed during the rest of the year.

4The summer solstice (between June 20 and 21), occurs at the peak of the day and is perhaps the best time to visit Stonehenge.The other,the winter solstice (December 21-22),marks just the opposite event.These days have always had a special significance, as they mark the changing of the seasons, which is important for ancient agricultural cultures.For this reason,ceremonies and festivals are held in many parts of the world.

5One of the many theories about the origin of Stonehenge relates it precisely to these celebrations.Although the purpose for which it was built has not yet been discovered,what is known with certainty is that during the summer solstice the sun rises to the left of the Heel Stone and crosses right through the central axis(轴)of the rock complex.

6The first reaction of anyone arriving from London at Stonehenge on Midsummer's Day is likely to be one of awe (敬畏).The complex and its surroundings are filled with an atmosphere that perfectly combines festivity and mysticism (神秘).During the night, visitors can enjoy the music performed by those present,as well as dances of all kinds.

Reading Check

1.Why do thousands of people crowd around Stonehenge?

A.To see the famous Stonehenge.

B.To figure out how Stonehenge was built.

C.To take part in the summer solstice celebration.

D.To watch the sunrise and the sunset on June 20.

2.What does the fourth paragraph mainly tell us?

A.The exact time of the summer solstice.

B.The best time to pay a visit to Stonehenge.

C.The reason for the ceremonies and festivals.

D.The significance of the summer and winter solstices.

3.What can we infer about the construction of Stonehenge from the text?

A.It might be built for ancient ceremonies.

B.It might be built to celebrate the harvest.

C.It must have been related to astronomy.

D.It must have been built between the two solstices.

➢语篇解码

本文是一篇说明文。每年夏至时，巨石阵都会迎来来自世界各地的游客。人们整夜聚集在英格兰威尔特郡的古遗址——巨石阵——观看6月20日的日落和第二天的日出，这是一项将节日与精神融为一体的活动。

➢语言学习

Ⅰ.语料荟萃

语篇单词重要短语monument n.纪念碑 lucky adj.幸运的specifically adv.确切地说；特意 celebration n.庆典length n.长度 describe vt.描述dimension n.范围；程度 gather v.聚集ancient adj.古代的 ceremony n.仪式opposite adj.相反的；相对的 significance n.重要性discover vt.发现 origin n.起源reaction n.反应 atmosphere n.氛围_____________________________________________________________________________________perform_vt.表演the summer solstice 夏至 thousands of 成千上万的mix...with 把……和……混合 a number of 许多be described as 被描述为……take on 呈现combine...with 把……和……相结合 free of charge 免费_____________with an attempt to 试图_______________________________________________________be_filled_with_充满……

Ⅱ.语句分析

Between the 20th and 21st of that month, when the length of the day is the longest of the year,a large number of the British and visitors from other countries gather on a day that can only be described as magical.在那个月20 日至21 日，白昼时间在这个时候达到最长，很多英国人和来自其他国家的游客在这一天聚集在一起。这一天只能用神奇来形容。

【点石成金】本句是一个复合句。a large number of the British and visitors from other countries gather...是主句，Between...of that month 是介词短语作时间状语，when the length...the year是非限制性定语从句，that can...as magical是限制性定语从句。

➢语言运用

Ⅰ.例句仿写

在一年前除了废墟什么都没有的地方出现了许多高楼。(a number of)

____________________where there was nothing a year ago but ruins.

Ⅱ.写作实践

假定你是李华，你对巨石阵的夏至日庆典非常感兴趣，请你给家在伦敦的朋友John写一封邮件，请他详细介绍一下庆典。要点如下：

1.表明写信的目的；

2.你希望了解的内容；

3.表达谢意。

注意：

1.词数80左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear John,

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua