花式游泳總是令人大為驚嘆。
Synchronized swimming (花式游泳) must be seen to be understood. It _(1)_ groups of swimmers who perform dance routines in the water. The swimmers twist, flip, and raise their arms and legs together, makingpatterns and creating a spectacle as a whole. Their _(2)_ are timed to go together perfectly. Especially from a distance, it is a strangely fascinating sight.
Synchronized swimming is a _(3)_ new sport. It was first performed in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century. As a _(4)_ of swimming, dance, and gymnastics, it was eventually given the nickname "water ballet." Itspopularity jumped in 1984, when synchronized swimming became recognized as an _(5)_ sport of the Summer Olympics. Participation in the Olympic Games is only _(6)_ to female synchronized swimmers. But although it is a sport dominated by women, there are some male synchronized swimmers who _(7)_ national competitions.
Although synchronized swimming looks graceful, it is a sport that requires great strength, skill, and timing. Synchronized swimmers train for many hours every day to make sure that they have the endurance and flexibilitynecessary to _(8)_ striking routines. Some synchronized swimmers do perform solo routines, but most work in pairs or small groups. Performing as part of a larger group _(9)_ an extra level of difficulty as it requires the swimmers to be in sync with each other and with the music.
If you ever see several people _(10)_ their arms at the same time in a pool, don''t run for a lifeguardbecause you think they are drowning. They might be practicing a synchronized swimming routine.
(A) adds (B) official (C) involves (D) waving (E) combination (F) open (G) carry out (H) movements (I) relatively (J) take part in
- It involves groups of swimmers who perform dance routines in the water.
理由:
a. 空格前有代名詞 it,後有名詞詞組 groups of swimmers(成群的游泳者),可知空格內應置入第三人稱單數形的及物動詞或及物動詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (A) adds(增加)和 (C) involves(包含,需要),然僅 involves 置入後符合語意,表這項運動由成群的游泳者在水中表演舞蹈動作,故選 (C)。
c. involve vt. 包含,需要
例: Good management involves a careful division of labor.
(良好的經營管理需要細心的分工。) - Their movements are timed to go together perfectly.
理由:
a. 空格前有所有格 their(他們的),其後有複數 be 動詞 are,可知空格內應置入複數名詞。
b. 選項中為複數名詞的僅有 (H) movements(動作),且置入後符合語意,表他們的『動作』非常整齊劃一,故選之。 - Synchronized swimming is a relatively new sport.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a,其後有形容詞 new(新的),可知空格內應置入副詞以修飾 new。
b. 選項中為副詞的僅有 (I) relatively(相當地),置入後亦符合語意,表花式游泳是種『相當』新穎的運動,可知 (I) 為正選。
c. relatively adv. 相當地;相對地
例: Because of my tight schedule, I can only stay here for a relatively short time.
(由於行程緊湊,我能待在這裡的時間相當短暫。) - As a combination of swimming, dance, and gymnastics, it was eventually given the nickname "water ballet."
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a,後有介詞 of,可知空格內應置入子音起首的單數名詞。
b. 在剩下的選項中,為子音起首的單數名詞僅有 (E) combination(結合、組合),置入後亦符合語意,表『結合』游泳、舞蹈和體操,花式游泳最終獲得『水上芭蕾』的暱稱,故選之。 - Its popularity jumped in 1984, when synchronized swimming became recognized as an official sport of the Summer Olympics.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 an,後有名詞 sport(運動),可知空格內應置入母音起首的形容詞。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (B) official(正式的)和 (F) open(開放的),惟 official 置入後符合語意,表花式游泳被列入夏季奧運的『正式』比賽項目,故選 (B)。 - Participation in the Olympic Games is only open to female synchronized swimmers.
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 is,後有介詞 to,可知空格內應置入形容詞或分詞。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (D) waving(揮舞的)和 (F) open(開放的),惟 open 置入後符合語意,並形成下列用法:
be open to... 對……開放
例: The health club is only open to its members.
(該健康俱樂部只對會員開放。)
c. 根據上述,可知 (F) 為正選。 - But although it is a sport dominated by women, there are some male synchronized swimmers who take part in national competitions.
理由:
a. 空格前有關係代名詞 who,代替其前的複數先行詞(名詞)swimmers(泳者),其後則有名詞詞組 national competitions(國家級比賽),可知空格內應置入及物動詞或及物動詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (G) carry out(執行、完成)和 (J) take part in(參加、參與),惟 take part in 置入後符合語意,故選 (J)。
c. take part in... 參加/參與……
= participate in...
例: Henry participated in the triathlon.
(亨利參加了鐵人三項。) - ...to make sure that they have the endurance and flexibility necessary to carry out striking routines.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定詞 to,後有名詞詞組 striking routines(驚人的表演動作),可知空格內應置入原形及物動詞或動詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (G) carry out(執行、完成),置入後亦符合語意,表以確保有足夠的耐久力和柔軟度來『執行』這種驚人的表演,故選之。
c. carry out... 執行/完成……
例: Through teamwork, we were able to carry out the mission.
(經由團隊合作,我們得以完成任務。) - Performing as part of a larger group adds an extra level of difficulty as it requires the swimmers to be in sync with each other and with the music.
理由:
a. 空格前有動名詞 Performing(表演),作主詞,之後有名詞詞組 an extra level of difficulty(額外的困難度),可知空格內應置入第三人稱單數的及物動詞或動詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (A) adds(增加、添加),置入後亦符合語意,表一大群人一起表演更是『增加』花式游泳的困難度,故選之。
c. add vt. 增加、添加
add A to B 將 A 加到 B 上
例: Mr. Collins, do you have anything to add to your statement?
(柯林斯先生,對於你的陳述,還有什麼要補充的嗎?) - If you ever see several people waving their arms at the same time in a pool, ...
理由:
a. 空格前有知覺動詞 see(看)及名詞詞組 several people(幾個人),可知空格內應置入原形動詞作受詞補語(表已發生的事實);或接現在分詞作受詞補語(表進行的狀態);亦可接過去分詞作受詞補語(表被動的概念)。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (D) waving(揮舞),故選之。
c. wave one''s arm/hand 揮手臂/揮手
例: Harry waved his hand to get the teacher''s attention.
(哈利揮手來引起老師的注意。)
- spectacle n. 奇觀,壯觀(的場面)
make a spectacle of oneself 出洋相
= make a fool of oneself
例: Simon got drunk and made a spectacle of himself at the party.
(賽門在派對上喝醉酒大出自己的洋相。) - be timed to V 選好/設定好時間做……
例: The alarm is timed to go off at eight o''clock.
(鬧鐘被設定在 8 點響起。) - from a distance 從遠方,從遠處
例: The letters of that neon sign are so big that they are visible from a distance.
(那霓虹燈上的字母大到從很遠的地方都看得到。) - be/become recognized as... 被公認為……
例: The book is recognized as one of the greatest works of literature of this century.
(那本書被公認為是本世紀最重要的文學作品之一。) - dominate vt. 在……中佔主要地位;支配
例: The boxing champion dominated the fight from beginning to end.
(那位拳擊冠軍從開始到比賽結束一直佔上風。) - striking a. 驚人的;引人注目的
例: The girl''s likeness to her mother was striking.
(這女孩面貌酷似她的母親。) - extra a. 額外的,另外的
an extra + 數字 額外的……
= an additional + 數字
例: We need an extra 10 volunteers for the charity event.
(我們還需要 10 名義工加入這項慈善活動。) - sync n. 同步,同時
in sync with... 與……同步/協調
例: Justin''s movements were in sync with the music.
(賈斯汀的動作與音樂一致。)
- underwater adv. 在水中,水面下地
- synchronized swimming 花式游泳
synchronize vt. & vi.(使)同時發生 - perform vt. 演出,表演
- routine n.(一套固定的)舞步/動作
- twist vi. & vt. 旋轉,扭轉
- flip vi. & vt. 翻轉
- pattern n. 樣式,模式
- perfectly adv. 完美地
- gymnastics n. 體操;體育
- nickname n. 綽號
- water ballet n. 水上芭蕾
- popularity n. 普及,流行
- participation n. 參加,參與
- competition n. 比賽,競賽
- graceful a. 優美的
- timing n. 精確計時;時機的選擇
- endurance n. 耐久力;忍耐
- flexibility n. 靈活度;彈性
- solo a. 單獨(表演)的
- lifeguard n. 救生員
- drown vi. 溺水;溺斃
- as a whole 整體看來
- in pairs 兩個一組地;成對地
- at the same time 同時
花式游泳是一種必須實際觀賞才能了解的運動。這項運動由成群的游泳者在水中表演舞蹈動作。他們一起旋轉、翻騰、舉手投足,呈現出各種花樣,製造出壯觀的景象。他們的動作非常整齊劃一。從遠處觀賞,更是令人讚嘆的景觀。
花式游泳是相當新穎的運動,20 世紀初才在加拿大首度表演。花式游泳結合游泳、舞蹈和體操,最終獲得『水上芭蕾』的暱稱。它在 1984 年被列入夏季奧運的正式比賽項目時,開始大受歡迎。夏季奧運的花式游泳比賽只開放給女性選手參加。雖然花式游泳以女性參賽為主,但在一些國家級的比賽中也可見到男性選手參賽的身影。
雖然看起來很優雅,但花式游泳其實需要相當的體力、技巧和精確的時間掌握。花式游泳的選手每天進行好幾個小時的訓練,以確保有足夠的耐久力和柔軟度來進行這種驚人的表演。雖然有些單獨表演的選手,但花式游泳大多為兩人或多人一組。一大群人一起表演更增加花式游泳的困難度,因為這需要所有選手能夠一起和音樂同步動作。
要是你看見好幾個人在泳池裡揮舞著雙臂,千萬別因為以為他們溺水而去找救生員。他們或許只是在練習花式游泳的動作呢。
標準答案: 1. (C) 2. (H) 3. (I) 4. (E) 5. (B) 6. (F) 7. (J) 8. (G) 9. (A) 10. (D)