常春藤生活英语【137】Oktoberfest 痛快畅饮啤酒节

Oktoberfest  痛快畅饮啤酒节

With a 12-gun salute and the tapping of a keg by the mayor of Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest gets under way. This 16-day festival takes place in late September. It is one of the most important events in Germany and has become famous worldwide. More than six million Germans and tourists take part in Oktoberfest each year to eat, drink, and celebrate. Traditional German food, like sausages, potatoes, and cheese, is consumed with many different kinds of beer.

At Oktoberfest, many people drink too much beer and then pass out. These people are called "beer corpses" and are often brought to a medical tent to receive help. But starting in 2005, special tents have been set up for "quiet Oktoberfest." This is mainly for families who do not drink or have young children. Altogether, Oktoberfest has 14 main tents with seating for 100,000 people on 103 acres of land. Women work in traditional clothing and can each deliver up to eight mugs of beer at a time to the guests. So whether you enjoy beer or simply want to experience the biggest festival in Germany, visit in late September for Oktoberfest.

1. Which of the following about Oktoberfest is NOT true?
(A) People enjoy German food such as sausages, potatoes, and cheese.
(B) Starting in 2005, some tents were set up for families who do not drink.
(C) During the festival, women work in modern clothing.
(D) Oktoberfest starts in late September and lasts 16 days.

2. According to the article, why are people who drink too much beer at Oktoberfest called "beer corpses"?
(A) They are going to die soon.
(B) They usually go crazy after drinking.
(C) They make others drink with them.
(D) They drink too much and fall asleep. 

Building Your Vocabulary  

1. worldwide　adv. 遍及全世界地
Nike is a famous sports brand worldwide.
Nike是全球知名的运动品牌。
2. consume　vt. 吃；喝
I consumed the whole pizza in 10 minutes.
我在十分钟之内就吃光了整块比萨。
3. medical　a. 医学的，医疗的
Mike plans to return to medical school.
麦克打算重回医学院念书。 

Phrases for Learning  

1. get under way　　开始进行∕发生
The new construction has gotten under way.
新的建造工程已经开始进行。
2. take place　　举行；发生
The costume party took place last night.
那场化妆舞会于昨晚举行。
3. take part in...　　参与……
These performers will take part in the opening ceremony.
这些表演者将于开幕仪式中参与演出。
4. set...up/set up...　　架设∕安装……
Can you help Sam set up the equipment?
你能不能帮山姆安装那些设备？
5. at a time　　一次，每次
You can't take more than two pills at a time.
你一次不能服用超过两粒药丸。 

Extra Words  

1. salute　n. 鸣礼炮；敬礼
2. tap　vt. 为……装上龙头∕阀门
3. keg　n.（用来装酒的）桶
4. sausage　n. 香肠，腊肠
5. corpse　n. 尸体
6. seating　n.（某处的全部）座位
7. acre　n. 英亩 

Tips In Use  

...can each deliver up to eight mugs of beer at a time to the guests.
（……一个人一次可以为宾客们送上多达八杯啤酒。）
1. 本句中的"up to..."表『多达∕高达……』。
Up to 600,000 tourists visited Mexico this month.
（本月有多达六十万名游客到墨西哥旅行。）
2. "be up to..."则表『做……（秘密的事或坏事）』。
Do you know what Ted is up to now?
（你知道泰德现在正在干什么勾当吗？）
3. "be up to..."亦表『胜任∕有资格做……』。
Eva is up to that role in the play.
（伊娃能胜任剧中的那个角色。）
4. "be up to + 人"又表『由某人作主』。
What we eat tonight is up to Mom.
（我们今晚吃些什么是由妈妈来决定的。）

中文翻译  

在十二响礼炮，以及慕尼黑市长为啤酒桶装上开关之后，德国啤酒节便正式展开。这个为期十六天的节庆是于九月下旬开始举行。它是德国最重要的节庆之一，现已举世闻名。每年皆有超过六百万的德国人和游客参加啤酒节，一同吃喝玩乐并大肆庆祝。人们会享用各式各样的啤酒，并且搭配传统的德国食物，如香肠、马铃薯和起司等。

在啤酒节时，许多人会因喝太多啤酒而昏睡不醒。这些人被戏称为beer corpses，并且常被带至医疗帐棚内接受协助。但自2005年起，现场则搭设了一些特别的帐棚以举行『安静的啤酒节』。这主要是为那些不喝酒及有年幼孩童的家庭所安排的。啤酒节的场地里总共有十四座主要帐棚及十万个座位，其占地面积广达一百零三英亩（编按：此面积约为四十一公顷，也就是将近有五十一座足球场的大小）。女服务生穿着传统服饰工作，她们一个人一次可以为宾客们送上多达八杯啤酒。因此，不论您是喜欢喝啤酒，或只是单纯想体验德国最盛大的节庆，都欢迎您在九月底到慕尼黑参加啤酒节。

1. 以下哪些关于啤酒节的选项何者为非？
(A) 人们可以享用德国食物，像是香肠、马铃薯和起司。
(B) 从2005年开始，有一些帐棚是专为不喝酒的家庭所搭建的。
(C) 在这个节庆中，女服务生穿着现代服饰工作。
(D) 啤酒节于九月底开跑，为期十六天。

2. 根据本文，为何那些于啤酒节喝太多酒的人被称作beer corpses？
(A) 他们即将死去。
(B) 他们通常在喝完之后会开始发疯。
(C) 他们会叫别人跟他们一起喝。
(D) 他们喝太多而睡着了。

答案：1. (C)　2. (D) 

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