常春藤生活英語(yǔ)：The Power of Flags 旗正飄飄

Flags are now seen every day, but they were once only used in battles. No one knows for sure where flags came from. However, it seems that China and the Roman Empire were the first ones to use them to identify their armies. The earliest flags were actually wooden statues which were raised up on long poles. Soon, this design changed. People added small pieces that could move in the wind. Later, flags that were made of fabric became the most popular design.

Flags are also important for religious reasons. Tibetan prayer flags have been used in Buddhism for hundreds of years. These flags are strung on ropes in windy places. It is believed that the flags' good luck and prayers are carried around the world by the wind.

In the 13th century, ships began to hang flags. Not only did vessels display their national flags, but sailors also used flags to signal to other boats. Throughout history, the purpose and usage of flags have grown. However, flags are no longer carried into battle. This is simply because the people who carry them would be in too much danger.

如今我們每天都可以看到旗子，不過(guò)它們一度只用于戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)中。沒(méi)有人確切知道旗子從何而來(lái)。然而中國(guó)和羅馬帝國(guó)似乎最先使用它們來(lái)辨別自己的軍隊(duì)。最早的旗子其實(shí)是立在長(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)桿子上的木制雕像。這種設(shè)計(jì)不久后就有所改變。人們加上了可以隨風(fēng)而動(dòng)的小小零件。之后，布料所做的旗幟就成了最受歡迎的設(shè)計(jì)。

就宗教因素來(lái)說(shuō)，旗幟也很重要。數(shù)百年來(lái)，西藏的經(jīng)幡旗一直用于佛教中。這些旗子是用繩子穿起來(lái)，掛在多風(fēng)的地方中。據(jù)說(shuō)旗子所帶來(lái)的好運(yùn)及祈福會(huì)隨風(fēng)飄送至全世界。

十三世紀(jì)時(shí)，船只開(kāi)始懸掛旗幟。船舶不但會(huì)展示國(guó)旗，水手也會(huì)運(yùn)用旗子向其它船只打信號(hào)。橫跨歷史，旗幟的目的及用途一直在增加。然而旗子不再被帶入戰(zhàn)場(chǎng)中。原因就是拿著旗幟的人會(huì)冒太大的險(xiǎn)。

Building Your Vocabulary

1.identify　vt. 認(rèn)出，辨認(rèn)

I couldn't identify Larry's voice on the phone.

我在電話里認(rèn)不出賴瑞的聲音。

2.religious　a. 宗教的;虔誠(chéng)的

Carla has no religious beliefs.

凱拉沒(méi)有宗教信仰。

3.string　vt.(用線)穿起來(lái)(三態(tài)為：string, strung, strung。)

Tracy strung some beads into a necklace.

崔西把一些珠珠串成了一條項(xiàng)鏈。

4.signal　vi. 發(fā)信號(hào)，打信號(hào)

I saw a person signaling for help by the shore.

我看到岸邊有人在打求救信號(hào)。

5.simply　adv. 僅僅，只不過(guò)(強(qiáng)調(diào)語(yǔ)氣用)

Vincent simply does his job for money.

文森不過(guò)是為了錢才做他那份工作。

Phrases for Learning

no longer　　不再

This museum no longer attracts many visitors.

這家博物館再也吸引不了大批參觀者。

參考字詞

1.pole　n. 桿，柱

2.fabric　n. 織物，布料

3.Tibetan prayer flag　n. 西藏經(jīng)幡旗

prayer　n. 祈禱，祈望

4.Buddhism　n. 佛教

5.vessel　n. 船;艦

6.usage　n. 使用方法

Tips In Use

Flags are now seen every day...

(如今我們每天都可以看到旗子……)

比較 every day 與 everyday 的差別：

1.every day 為時(shí)間副詞，表『每天』。

Ricky wants to lose some weight so he goes to the gym every day.

(瑞奇想要減肥，所以他每天上健身房。)

2.everyday 則為形容詞，僅用于名詞前，表『日常的，每天的』：

We should make laughter part of our everyday lives.

(我們應(yīng)讓歡笑成為我們?nèi)粘Ｉ钪械囊徊糠荨?