每年11月第四个星期四是美国的感恩节。
在感恩节晚宴上，火鸡和南瓜饼必须居于餐桌的C位。
问题来了：火鸡好吃吗？
有位外国网友的评价攻击力十分强悍：
Turkey tastes like it didn't drink any water when it was alive.
火鸡尝起来就像它活着的时候从没喝过水。
寡淡，乏味，肉质又硬又柴——这才是多数美国人在感恩节吃到的火鸡口味。
既然这么难吃，为什么每年仍要把火鸡端上餐桌？
美国人的答案非常务实：
“I can't imagine a reason why they wouldn't have hunted them, because turkeys are relatively easy to hunt and feed more people than smaller.”
我想不出他们不猎杀火鸡的原因，因为火鸡相对来说更容易猎取，而且比更小的鸡类更容易养活更多的人。
好抓，个大，烤一只能喂饱全家人，这才是火鸡成为感恩节主菜的原因。
关于感恩节还有什么要知道的呢，请看下面视频。
来源：[url]https://ar.usembassy.gov/thanksgiving-day/
感恩节是关于什么的？你可能大体知道它是用来感恩的节日，也知道节日晚餐里有火鸡，但除此之外你还知道些什么呢？
Thanksgiving (Day) n [C] & [U] 感恩节
generally [ˈdʒenrəli] adv 大体上；笼统地；通常
consist of 由 …… 组成
turkey [ˈtɜːki] n [C] 火鸡；[U] 火鸡肉
Now, I’ll give you some information about thanksgiving.
现在，我来告诉你一些有关感恩节的事情。
感恩节是一个很受欢迎的美国节日，会在每年11月的第四个星期四进行庆祝。它是美国文化的重要组成部分，标志着“节日季”的开始，“节日季”还包括圣诞节和新年。
holiday season 节日季（包括感恩节，圣诞节，新年）
感恩节的起源和一伙儿清教徒有关。1620年9月，一艘名为“五月花”号的小船离开了英国的普利茅斯。船上载有一百零二名乘客，他们是清教徒，正在寻找一个新的家园，希望能在那里无拘无束地信奉自己的信仰。
refer to 与……有关；涉及
Pilgrim [ˈpɪlɡrɪm] n [C] 清教徒（是指要求清除英国国教中天主教残余的改革派。源于拉丁文Purus，意为“清洁”。）
carry vt 承载；输送
practice vt 信奉，奉行（宗教信仰等）
faith [feɪθ] n [U] 宗教信仰
在历经了六十六天危险而又并不舒服的横渡之后，他们在科德角附近抛锚。一个月后，“五月花”号穿过了马萨诸塞湾，清教徒们开始在那里建立普利茅斯村。
crossing n [C]（海、湖或河上的）横渡
anchor [ˈæŋkə(r)] n [C] 锚 drop anchor 抛锚
Cape Cod 科德角（又称鳕鱼角，是美国马萨诸塞州南部的钩状半岛）
Arriving at Plymouth Colony too late to grow many crops, and lacking fresh food, the Pilgrims suffered terribly during the winter of 1620-1621. Half the people died from disease.
他们到达普利茅斯殖民地的时候太晚了，很多庄稼都无法种植，又缺少新鲜的食物，所以在1620年至1621年的冬天，他们吃尽了苦头，有一半的人死于疾病。
colony [ˈkɒləni] n [C] 殖民地
too … to do sth 太……而不能做某事
The following spring, local Indians taught them how to grow corn and other crops, and helped the newcomers master hunting and fishing.
第二年春天，当地的印第安人教会了他们如何种植玉米和其他农作物，还帮助这些新来的人掌握了狩猎和打鱼的技术。
following adj（时间上）接着的
newcomer n [C] 新来者
1621年秋天，清教徒们的玉米、大麦、豆类和南瓜都获得了大丰收。他们认为在这一年，有太多需要感谢的了。于是，他们和那些印第安恩人们一起，举行了丰收的盛宴，以表达对上帝赐福的感激之情。
bountiful [ˈbaʊntɪfl] adj 大量的；巨大的
be thankful for 对……表示感谢
fall n [C] 秋天 (= autumn)
benefactor [ˈbenɪfæktə(r)] n [C] 恩人；施主
feast [fiːst] n [C] 大餐；盛宴
gratitude [ˈɡrætɪtjuːd] n [U] 感激（之情）
blessing [ˈblesɪŋ] n [C] & [U]（上帝的）祝福；赐福；保佑
The tradition of giving thanks has survived the centuries. Several US presidents — starting with George Washington in 1789 — issued Thanksgiving proclamations, but it wasn’t until President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation that Thanksgiving became an annual national holiday.
感恩的传统已流传了几个世纪。从1789年的乔治·华盛顿开始，已经有好几位美国总统都发表过感恩节声明，但直到1863年亚伯拉罕·林肯总统发表的声明，才让感恩节成为一年一度的全国性节日。
survive vi 保存下来；仍然存在
start with 从……开始
issue [ˈɪʃuː] vt 发表；颁布
proclamation [ˌprɒkləˈmeɪʃn] n [C] & [U] 公告；声明
Traditions of Thanksgiving
感恩节的传统
在许多美国家庭中，感恩节的庆祝活动早已失去了最初的宗教意义。相反，现在它的重心转向了食物以及同亲友们享受大餐。
household [ˈhaʊshəʊld] n [C] 一家人
religious [rɪˈlɪdʒəs] adj 宗教的
significance [sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns] n [U] 意义
center on 把……当作重心
Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are staples of the Thanksgiving feast. On Thanksgiving every year, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the turkey — whether roasted or deep-fried.
装有填料的火鸡，以及土豆泥、红薯、红莓果酱和南瓜派是感恩节大餐的主食。每年的感恩节，有近百分之九十的美国人都会吃火鸡——不管是烤的还是油炸的。
stuffing [ˈstʌfɪŋ] n [U]（烹饪前塞入鸡、甜椒等中的）填料
mashed [mæʃt] adj 捣烂的
cranberry [ˈkrænbəri] n [C] 小红莓；越橘
sauce [sɔːs] n [C] & [U] 酱
staple [ˈsteɪpl] n [C] 主食；基本食物
deep-fried adj 油炸的
Each year, the president “pardons” a Thanksgiving turkey — actually two turkeys, since one is a backup in case the other decides to misbehave during the ceremony. The two turkeys, spared from the oven, live out the rest of their lives at a children’s petting zoo.
每年，总统都会“赦免”一只感恩节火鸡——实际上是两只，因为有一只是备用的，以防另一只在仪式上不听话。这两只没被放进烤箱的火鸡，会在儿童宠物园度过它们的余生。
pardon [ˈpɑːdn] vt 赦免
backup [ˈbækʌp] n [C] 备用品
in case 以防万一
misbehave [ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv] vi 行为不当
ceremony [ˈserəməni] n [C] 典礼；仪式
spare from 幸免于
live out one’s life（以某种方式或在某地）终老
petting zoo n [C]（允许儿童触碰动物的）爱畜动物园
在美国各地的城镇，游行也是节日不可或缺的一部分。从1924年开始，纽约市的感恩节游行由梅西百货公司举办，是最大最著名的一个，吸引了大量的电视观众。游行通常由行进乐队、表演者、载着名人的精美花车，以及形似卡通人物的巨型气球组成。
parade [pəˈreɪd] n [C]（庆祝）游行
integral [ˈɪntɪɡrəl] adj 不可缺少的
present vt 主持；推出
department store n [C] 百货公司
draw vt 吸引；使感兴趣
enormous [ɪˈnɔːməs] adj 大量的
feature [ˈfiːtʃə(r)] vi & vt 以……为特色；是……的重要组成
marching band n [C] 行进乐队
elaborate [ɪˈlæbərət , ɪˈlæbəreɪt] adj 精心制作的
float n [C] [熟词生义]（游行时用的）彩车；花车
convey vt 运送；载送
celebrity [səˈlebrəti] n [C] 名人；名流
shaped adj 有……形状的
Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate, and millions of frozen turkeys are donated to families each year.
志愿服务是感恩节常见的活动。社区常为那些不幸的人举办食物募捐活动，还设免费的大餐招待他们。每年还有数百万只冻火鸡被捐给不同家庭。
drive n [C]（尤指有特定目的的有组织的）活动
host vt 主办
Many Americans will take time to prepare and serve meals to the needy at soup kitchens, churches and homeless shelters. Anyone who shows up can enjoy hot Thanksgiving dinners.
许多美国人会花时间在施粥所、教堂和流浪汉之家为贫困的人准备并提供食物，任何到场的人都能享受到热呼呼的感恩节大餐。
needy adj 贫困的
soup kitchen n [C]（救济穷人的）施粥所
homeless adj 无家可归的
show up 出现；露面
Others donate to food drives or participate in charity fundraisers. Hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country hold Thanksgiving Day charity races called “Turkey Trots”.
其他人则会捐赠食物或参加慈善募捐活动。在感恩节那天，全国有数百个非营利性组织举办名为“火鸡跑”的慈善赛跑比赛。
participate in 参加；参与
fundraiser ['fʌndˌreɪzə(r)] n [C] 募捐活动
nonprofit [ˌnɒnˈprɒfɪt] adj 非营利性的
Turkey Trot 火鸡跑
The Turkey Trot is a community race for runners of all ages, and is held in the morning of Thanksgiving. It’s usually about 5 kilometers in distance, and many people wear costumes to make the event more entertaining.
“火鸡跑”是一个社区性质的赛跑，适合所有年龄段的跑步者，在感恩节当天的早上举行，通常是五公里的距离。为了使比赛更有趣，许多人都穿着化妆服参加。
entertaining [ˌentəˈteɪnɪŋ] adj 有趣的
Planning a Turkey Trot is a great way to help the community burn off calories from their Thanksgiving meals. Turkey Trot organizers will donate their proceeds to local community charities after the race.
“火鸡跑”是一个帮助社区居民燃烧卡路里的好方法，这些卡路里都来自感恩节吃的大餐。在赛后，“火鸡跑”的组织者会将他们的收益捐给当地的社区慈善机构。
burn off（通过运动）消耗（体内的能量）
proceeds [prəˈsiːdz , ˈprəʊsiːdz] n [复数] 收入；收益
Thanksgiving Day is also a day when people send loving messages and warm wishes to their relatives and friends. Do you have anyone to thank for this Thanksgiving? Please say your thanks and love out loud!
感恩节也是人们向亲朋好友发送爱心短信和暖心祝福的日子。这个感恩节你有要感谢的人吗？请大声说出你的感恩和爱！
检测题
THANKSGIVING DAY
阅读理解
01
根据短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
1. Why did the Pilgrims sail to America in 1620?
A. To establish a new colony.
B. To conquer the Indians there.
C. To seek a new home for more food.
D. To find a land of freedom for their faith.
2. When did Thanksgiving become an annual national holiday?
A. In 1621. B. In 1789. C. In 1863. D. In 1924.
3. What do we know about New York City’s Thanksgiving Day parade?
A. It is very attracting.
B. It contains food drives.
C. It provides free dinners.
D. It is organized by volunteers.
4. What is the main purpose of holding “Turkey Trots”?
A. To pardon turkeys.
B. To raise money for the charities.
C. To entertain people in the local community.
D. To make the holiday of Thanksgiving more interesting.
THANKSGIVING DAY
语法填空
02
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Thanksgiving is a popular American holiday, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year. The origin of Thanksgiving refers to a group of Pilgrims, who 1 (leave) England in 1620 to seek a new home where they could 2 (free) practice their faith. After 66 days, they arrived in America. But half of them died during the winter because of lacking food. The 3 (follow) spring, local Indians taught them how to hunt, fish and grow crops. In the fall, they had a harvest and they held a feast with the Indians 4 (express) gratitude for God’s blessings. The tradition of 5 (give) thanks has survived the centuries. In many American households, the Thanksgiving 6 (celebrate) centers on cooking and sharing a big meal 7 family and friends. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity. Communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate. Many 8 (American) will take time to prepare and serve meals to 9 needy. Thanksgiving Day is also a day 10 people send loving messages and warm wishes to their relatives and friends.
THANKSGIVING DAY
汉译英
03
根据括号内的提示翻译下列各句。
1. 万一你需要帮助，请告诉我。(in case)
________________________________________________
2. 我们希望您能参加典礼。(participate in)
________________________________________________
3. 我要说的话与你们都有关系。(refer to)
________________________________________________
4. 我们班由二十位男生和十五位女生组成。(consist of)
________________________________________________
5. 我很忙，没办法赴会。(too … to)
________________________________________________
6. 我对他的支持非常感激。(be thankful for)
________________________________________________
7. 今天我们讨论的重点是环境保护。(center on)
________________________________________________
8. 有三百多人出席了会议。(show up)
________________________________________________
9. 你不能责怪别人，除非你从自身做起。(start with)
________________________________________________
10. 他们是星期一晚上到的，我们次日也到了那里。(following)
________________________________________________
点击下方空白区域查看答案
▼
一、1. D 2. C 3. A 4. B
二、1. left 2. freely 3. following 4. to express 5. giving
6. celebration 7. with 8. Americans 9. the 10. when
三、1. In case you should need any help, please tell me.
2. We expect you to participate in the ceremony.
3. What I have to say refers to all of you.
4. Our class consists of 20 boys and 15 girls.
5. I’m too busy to come to the meeting.
6. I am so thankful for his support.
7. Our discussion today will center on environmental protection.
8. More than 300 people showed up in the conference.
9. You can’t blame others unless you start with yourself.
10. They arrived on Monday evening and we got there the following day.
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