August 4, 2014, was a monumental day in British and European history. It was so significant that famous London monumentssuch as Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament turned offall their lights. This day marked the 100-year anniversaryof when the United Kingdom entered World War I.
Originally known as the Great War, World War I (WWI) lasted from 1914 to 1918. It would become one of the bloodiest wars in history, taking the lives of 17 million soldiers and civilians. The UK alone had over one million deaths. The war completely destroyed some towns and cities in places like northern France and Belgium.
Despite the 100 years that have passed, people in Britain arestill acutelyaware ofthe toll the war took onfamilies worldwide. In addition to the lights from major monuments being turned off, the prime ministerasked citizens to switch off all buta single light in their homes for one hour that night. A special light installation was set up in Victoria Tower Gardens that dimmed as the sun roseon August 11. Other ceremonies were held in places like Scotland, Belgium, and Germany to commemoratethe day.
One lasting symbol of the war has been the red poppy. Much of the fighting in Western Europe for WWI occurred in Belgium, which is known for its fields of red poppies. Wearing a poppy has now become a symbol that commemorates those who have died in war, and promotes hope for a peaceful future.
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What Did You Learn?
1. What did the head of Britain’s government ask people to do on August 4, 2014?
2. Why do people wear red poppies?
參考答案
1. To turn offall but a single light in their homes for one hour.
2. To commemorate those who have died in war, and promote hope for a peaceful future.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
monumental
[͵mɑnjəˋmɛnt!]
a. 偉大的；重大的
●
significant
[sɪgˋnɪfəkənt]
a. 重要的；顯著的
Hard work plays a significant role in achieving success.
努力在獲致成功方面扮演了重要的角色。
There is a significant difference in personality between the twin sisters.
這對雙胞胎姐妹的個性有明顯的不同。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
anniversary
[͵ænəˋvɝsərɪ]
n. 週年紀念
My parents invited their friends to their 30th wedding anniversary.
我父母親邀請朋友來參加他倆的結婚 30 週年紀念。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
bloody
[ˋblʌdɪ]
a. 流血的；血腥的
The driver’s bloody leg was tied up immediately.
司機流血的那條腿馬上就被包紮起來了。
Many people consider boxing to be a bloody and violent sport.
許多人認為拳擊是一項血腥且殘暴的運動。
高中 Level 3
●
civilian
[sɪˋvɪljən]
a. 平民的
n. 平民
After twenty years in the military, Jack returned to civilian life.
20 年軍旅生涯後，傑克回復平民的生活。
The troops were accused of attacking unarmed civilians.
軍隊被指控攻擊沒有武裝的平民。
高中 Level 4
●
acutely
[əˋkjutlɪ]
adv. 極其地
The seat on the five-hour bus ride was acutely uncomfortable.
搭乘五個小時客運的座位極其不舒服。
●
toll
[tol]
vi. (鐘聲) 響起
n. 過路費 ; 傷亡人數
Hannah just got a job collecting tolls on the freeway.
漢娜剛找到一份在高速公路上收過路費的工作。
The hurricane took a heavy toll, causing the death of hundreds of people.
該颶風造成重大傷亡，導致數百人死亡。
The church bell tolled in mourning for those who died in the accident.
教堂的鐘聲響起，為在該起意外中死亡的人哀悼。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
installation
[͵ɪnstəˋleʃən]
n. 安裝(不可數) ; 設備 ; 就職(典禮)
Installation of the security system will take two days. 安裝保全系統要花上兩天時間。
The whole heating installation needs to be replaced.
全部的暖氣設備都需要更換。
The ceremony for the new mayor's installation washeld last May.
新任市長就職典禮於去年 5 月舉行。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
ceremony
[ˋsɛrə͵monɪ]
n. 典禮
The principal awarded five outstanding students
during the ceremony.
校長在典禮上頒獎給 5 位優秀學生。
Don’t stand on ceremony; please make yourself at home.
不要拘束，自己來別客氣。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
promote
[prəˋmot]
vt. 促進，提倡；升遷
Our company promotes education by offering scholarships to the poor.
本公司提供窮困的人獎學金，以提倡教育。
Peter was promoted to general manager last week.
彼得上星期晉升總經理一職。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
cathedral
[kəˋθidrəl]
n. 大教堂
=
church
St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands tall on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
聖派翠克大教堂聳立在紐約市第五大道上。
高中 Level 5
●
parliament
[ˋpɑrləmənt]
n. . 議會，國會；（英國）國會（字首大寫）
n. 議會；英國國會（大寫）
Many countries―such as England, Canada, Australia,
and New Zealand―have democratic parliaments.
很多國家 ── 如英國、加拿大、澳洲和紐西蘭等 ── 都有
民主議會。
The British Parliament consists of the House of Lords
and the House of Commons.
英國國會由上議院和下議院所組成。
高中 Level 6
●
commemorate
[kəˋmɛmə͵ret]
vt. 紀念
This holiday is set up to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
這個假日的設立是用來紀念馬丁．路德．金恩博士的生平及作為。
英檢中高
●
poppy
[ˋpɑpɪ]
n. 罌粟花
Practical Phrases
●
go off
（鈴聲、鬧鐘等）響起來
Ted was late for work this morning because he didn’t hear the alarm clock going off.
泰德今天早上上班遲到，因為他沒有聽到鬧鐘響。
●
turn off... / turn... off
關閉（電源、電器開關）
Remember to turn off the television when you leave home.
你出門的時候記得關電視。
●
be aware of...
知道……；察覺到……
= be conscious of
You should always be aware of your surroundings.
你隨時要了解周遭的環境。
Mary was aware of Tom’s bad intentions, so she refused to go out with him.
瑪莉察覺出湯姆不懷好意，所以拒絕和他約會。
●
all but+ N
除了⋯⋯之外其他都⋯⋯
All but Kathy attended the concert. 除了凱西外，大家都去聽了那場演唱會。
