Emerald wilderness, the charm of Scotland

浙江 江 麗

蘇格蘭不僅有標志性的格子裙和悠揚的風笛聲，還有著深厚的歷史遺產和活力四射的當代文化。

主題語境：歷史與傳統 篇幅：333詞 建議用時：6分鐘

1Scotland is a place with many old stories and cultures.

2The Highland Games in Scotland are like sports from old times.They are held all over Scotland, from spring to late autumn.They vary in size and differ in the range of events they offer, and although the most famous are at Oban, Cowal and especially Braemar, often the smaller ones are more fun.The Highland Games probably originated in the fourteenth century.They were made famous by a queen named Victoria to help remember Scottish ways.

3Scottish people wear clothes called Highland Dress for special times.This includes the kilt and things like socks and other items.The bagpipe is a musical instrument that people think of when they think of Scotland.It was actually from another place, but came to Scotland around the year 1400.Now there is a bagpipe festival every year.

4Scottish people are known for being very welcoming and like to show their beautiful country to visitors.They have special foods like haggis and smoked fish.They also have a sweet called a deep-fried Mars bar.For drinks, they like Irn-Bru and whisky, and they love eating a type of cookie called shortbread.

5If you are staying in Scotland, you are likely to hear about a ceilidh, especially if you stay in the more traditional Highland hotels or smaller villages.A ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, usually held in village halls and hotels, and involves playing folk music and dancing and this is very much the case today.

6It's hard to write everything down that's related to Scottish culture, otherwise it would become an endless page.You will find that many of the Scottish cultures and traditions are saved in the many festivals that are held annually.The best thing to do is go out there, spend some time in one place, visit the pubs and ceilidhs, experience some of the festivals and other events and try to get to know the locals a bit better.

Reading Check

1.What can we know about the Highland Games in Scotland?

A.They are held in the larger cities of Scotland.

B.Queen Victoria helped to popularize them.

C.They became less famous after the fourteenth century.

D.They are held during the winter months.

2.What can be inferred about the kilt from the text?

A.It is a musical instrument.B.It is part of everyday wear in Scotland.

C.It was invented by Queen Victoria.D.It is a traditional Scottish garment.

3.What is the main purpose of a ceilidh in Scottish culture?

A.To compete in sports.

B.To get together for music and dancing.

C.To celebrate Queen Victoria's reign.

D.To showcase Highland Dress to tourists.

4.What's the best way to experience Scottish culture?

A.By reading about it in books.

B.By attending a bagpipe festival.

C.By being involved in local festivals and social events.

D.By traveling to Scotland whenever you have time.

Language Study

Ⅰ.日積月累

originatev.起源

kiltn.短褶裙

bagpipen.風笛

haggisn.（蘇格蘭）羊雜碎肚

shortbreadn.黃油甜酥餅干

ceilidhn.（蘇格蘭、愛爾蘭有音樂舞蹈的）同樂會

folk music 民間音樂

Ⅱ.語法填空

Scotland is often associated with bagpipes, but the fact is 1.________ bagpipes aren't originally from Scotland.Bagpipes originate 2.________ southern Europe and appear in Scotland around 1400 AD.The Scottish bagpipe became established in the British military and it is still popular today, whereas other bagpipe traditions throughout Europe,3.________(range) from Spain to Russia, almost universally went into decline by the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Though 4.________(wide) famous for its role in military and civilian pipe 5.________(band), the Scottish bagpipe is also used for a solo virtuosic style called pibroch.If you're interested, you can visit the annual Glasgow International Piping Festival, 6.________ is held in August.People in Scotland are usually very 7.________(friend) and are fortunate to live in a beautiful country which they are very proud of.The rich history, the unpredictable climate and the dramatic landscape play 8.________important part in daily life, especially if you consider that many Scottish people earn their living in the tourism industry.

For many tourists, Scotland is renowned for 9.________(be) the “Home of Golf”.For the Scottish people themselves, soccer is the national passion.Also famous in soccer is“The Old Firm”, a common 10.________(collect) name for Celtic and Rangers, both football clubs from Glasgow.