Thanksgiving Day in the US is a day for family, fun, and, most importantly, feasting. No Thanksgiving spreadwould be complete without a massive roasted turkey at its center. This bird’s associationwith the holiday is so strong that it has become one of Thanksgiving’s main symbols and even spawned its nickname Turkey Day. What makes theturkey so iconic to this particular celebration?
Unlike other popular livestock such as chickens, cows, or sheep, turkeys areexclusivelynative toNorth America. Although it’s unlikely that the first Thanksgiving feast between pilgrimsand Native Americans included a turkey, these largefowlgained popularityas feast day centerpiecesaround the 19th century, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day a national holiday. Around that time, it was a common sight to see large flocks of turkeys being herded down the roads in the weeks before Thanksgiving.
Though not the most intelligent of birds, turkeys do have other appealing features. They are known for their beautiful plumageand the “beard” of feathers that sproutsfrom their chests. Another distinctive feature of turkeys is their gobbling calls, although you might not know that only male turkeys make this sound. When it comes to flying, wild turkeys are actually quite good at it and can take to the airat up to 60 miles per hour.
It might seem a pity that so many of these birds become Thanksgiving meals, but not all end up on the dinner table. Every year since 1989, the President of the United States has pardoned a turkey or two that are then allowed to live out their livesin peace. These lucky birds really have something to celebrate on Turkey Day.
1.What does the word “iconic” in the first paragraph most likely mean?
(A) Competitive.
(B) Representative.
(C) Sympathetic.
(D) Pessimistic.
2. What do we learn about the origins of having turkey on Thanksgiving?
(A) The tradition started with the first Thanksgiving feast.
(B) Native Americans used to eat turkey at their own feasts.
(C) It was uncommon for people to see turkeys in North America.
(D) Turkey became a popular Thanksgiving dish almost 200 years ago.
3. Why is Abraham Lincoln mentioned in the passage?
(A) He created a new national holiday during his presidency.
(B) He regularly herded turkeys before becoming president.
(C) He made the turkey popular on Thanksgiving.
(D) He was the first president to pardon a turkey.
4. Four people are talking about turkeys. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
(A) “Gobbling calls are only made by male turkeys.”
(B) “Turkeys are extremely smart, but they are unable to fly.”
(C) “Only a turkey or two can be spared by the US President every year.”
(D) “Turkeys are closely connected to Thanksgiving Day, which is also called Turkey Day.”
答案: 1.B 2.D 3.A 4.B
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
spread
[sprɛd]
vt. & vi. 伸展
vt. 攤開；塗抹
vi. & n. 蔓延，散播
三態
spread / spread [sprɛd] / spread [sprɛd]
The rumor spread like wildfire.
謠言很快就蔓延開來。
Roger spread the map out on the table and pointed out where we were.
羅傑將地圖攤在桌上，指出我們的所在地。
Kelly spread peanut butter on the toast.
凱莉把花生醬塗在烤麵包片上。
Kelly spread the toast with peanut butter.
凱莉把花生醬塗在烤麵包片上。
After playing with his cellphone for a while, Victor spread his arms out.
玩了一會兒手機後，維克多張開伸展他的雙臂。
The spread of the disease left the whole city in a state of panic.
此疾病蔓延使整座城市陷入一片恐慌。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
pilgrim
[ˋpɪlgrɪm]
n. . 朝聖者
Upon arriving in Mecca, the pilgrim performed a
series of rituals.
這名朝聖者一抵達麥加便進行了一連串的儀式。
高中 Level 6
●
fowl
[faʊl]
n. . 家禽（指雞、鴨、鵝等動物）
Unfortunately, the outbreak of bird flu led to the
killing of thousands of fowls in this nation.
不幸的是，禽流感的爆發導致此國上千隻家禽類動物被屠
殺。
高中 Level 6
●
centerpiece
[ˋsɛntɚ͵pis]
n. 最重要的部分
●
plumage
[ˋplumɪdʒ]
n. （鳥的）全身羽毛
●
sprout
[spraʊt]
vi. 長出
●
presidency
[ˋprɛzədənsɪ]
n. （總統的）職位；任期
Joe Biden was elected to the presidency of the United States.
喬•拜登當選美國的總統。
During the Trump presidency, the unemployment rate surged after the outbreak of COVID-19.
在川普總統任內，新冠肺炎爆發後，失業率激增。
高中 Level 5
●
feast
[fist]
vi. 大快朵頤
n. 宴會；饗宴
=
banquet
=
a state banquet
We have a big Thanksgiving Day feast every year.
我們每年都有盛大的感恩節大餐宴會。
The film festival should be a real feast for moviegoers.
電影節對愛看電影的人來說應該是一大樂事。
Tonight we are going to feast on turkey and mashed potatoes.
今晚我們要吃一頓火雞和馬鈴薯泥大餐。
I feasted my eyes on the beauty of the valley, feeling as if I were in heaven.
我飽覽山谷之美，覺得自己彷彿置身於天堂般。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
association
[ə͵sosɪˋeʃən]
n. 協會；聯合
We decided to set up an association of photography lovers.
我們決定成立一個攝影愛好者協會。
The exhibition was sponsored by the government inassociation with local businesses.
這場展覽是由政府聯合當地企業贊助舉辦的。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
spawn
[spɔn]
vt. 使產生，使出現
●
iconic
[aɪˋkɑnɪk]
a. 代表性的，指標性的
One of the most iconic landmarks in the world is the Eiffel Tower.
世界上最具指標性的地標之一就是艾菲爾鐵塔。
●
livestock
[ˋlaɪv͵stɑk]
n. （統指馴養的牛、羊、馬等）牲口（為複數）
The farmer gave his livestock injections to prevent
them from getting infections.
農夫替牲口打針以防感染。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
exclusively
[ɪkˋsklusɪvlɪ]
adv. 獨佔地；排外地；專有地
The event is exclusively for invited guests.
這個活動僅對受邀的客人開放。
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
proclaim
[prəˋklem]
vt. 宣稱；宣布，昭告
The defendant proclaimed that he was innocent of the charges.
被告宣稱他在這些指控中是清白的。
The young prince was proclaimed (to be) king shortly after his father’s death.
年輕的王子在父親過世後旋即被宣布為國王。
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
herd
[hɝd]
n. 一群
vt. 放牧
A herd of cattle was quietly grazing on the grass. 一群牛在草地上正安靜地吃草。
The cowboys herded the cows with the help of their horses.
牛仔們的馬協助他們來放牧牛群。
高中 Level 4
●
distinctive
[dɪˋstɪŋktɪv]
adj. 獨特的，特別的
=
special
=
unique
The policemen of this city wear a distinctive uniform, so they are easily recognized.
該市的警察穿的制服很特別，因此很容易認出來。
高中 Level 5
●
gobble
[ˋgɑb!]
vi. 咯咯地叫（本文為現在分詞作形容詞用）
The little boy was frightened when he heard the turkey gobble.
這個小男孩聽到火雞咯咯地叫時被嚇壞了。
英檢中高
●
pardon
[ˋpɑrdn]
vt. 原諒；赦免
n. 赦免
Pardon me, but may I ask you a question? 打擾一下，請問我能問你個問題嗎？
Pardon me. I think I accidentally stepped on your foot. 不好意思。我想我不小心踩到你的腳了。
Pardon me? It’s too noisy here. Would you say it louder? 請再說一遍好嗎？這裡太吵了。你能說大聲點嗎？
To our surprise, the president pardoned several criminals.
令我們吃驚的是，總統赦免了幾個罪犯。
Because he received a pardon, the prisoner was not killed.
因為這囚犯得到了赦免，所以他並沒有被處決。
高中 Level 2
Practical Phrases
●
be native to + 地方
原產於某地
= be unique to
= be indigenous to + 地方
Kiwi birds are native to New Zealand.
鷸鴕是紐西蘭的原產。
●
gain (in) popularity
漸受歡迎；開始流行
The director gained popularity after his film was nominated for an Academy Award.
那位導演在電影被提名奧斯卡獎之後便聲名大噪。
●
take to the air
飛行
The kid made a wish that he could take to the air and fly away.
這孩子許了個願，他希望自己能飛到空中然後飛走。
●
live out one’s life
（以某種方式或在某地）度過餘生／終老
After retiring, Mr. Brown decided to live out his life in the countryside.
退休後，布朗先生決定在鄉下度過餘生。
