March：the Boat Race

Jutroduction

每年3月，在泰晤士河上，牛津與劍橋兩所大學都會舉辦一年一度的賽艇比賽，從1829到今年的2019年，共舉辦了165場男子對抗賽和74場女子對抗賽。牛津劍橋賽艇對抗賽，是英國人復活節假期的重要念想。每年約25萬～30萬人擠擠挨挨到現場觀戰，其實也就看那么1分鐘而已。因為將近6800米的賽道，兩隊都要在20分鐘內完賽。

題材文章詞數運動361 難度 ★★★體裁建議用時說明文6′

難詞掃障

1.fixture n.體育活動

2.reserve teams預備隊

3.disastrous adj.災難性的

It's survived for almost 200 years,and the excitement surrounding the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race doesn't seem to bedying down.The annual race—in which the two universities row themselves silly while being cheered on along the River Thames—is a good excuse to party,even if your arms ache just looking at them.

What is the Boat Race?The annual contest between two rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities occurs close to Easter each year.It takes place on the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake.A student may only compete four times in the Boat Race as an undergraduate and four times as a graduate.The winning teams are awarded university colours called blues—Oxford's being dark blue,Cambridge's light blue.

When did the Boat Race begin?A challenge between old school friends in 1829 in Henley-on-Thames was the beginnings of the Boat Race.The contest moved to London for the second race in 1836.The Women's Boat Race was founded in 1927 but only became a permanent fixture in the mid 1960s.The Oxfordreserve teamsare called Osiris(women's)and Isis(men's),while the Cambridge reserves are called Blondie(women's)and Goldie(men's).

Where is the course?The Boat Race course,known as the Championship Course,is 4.2 miles long,shaped like an “S” andstretchesbetween Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames.It ends at the Mortlake Anglian&Alpha Boat Club directly upriver of Chiswick Bridge.

How many times have the universities won?The men's teams have been pretty evenly matched over the years,with Cambridge winning 83 times and Oxford only three wins behind,with 80.They even had a dead heat once.As for the women,Cambridge are doing better on average,with 43 wins,while Oxford trail with 30.The back-to-back victories of 2018 for both men and women races mark an incredible turnaround from Cambridge's disastrous 2016 race,where they nearly sank.In the end,the gap between the two sides was a convincing 20 seconds,just short of the 11-length win of 2017.

Reading Check

1.When did the female boat race become a fixed annual event?

A.In 1829.

B.Around Easter.

C.In the mid 1960s.

D.About 70 years ago.

2.What is special about the Boat Race?

A.It is more often than not held in March every year.

B.It only occurs in England,between Oxford and Cambridge.

C.It is a national event popular among the extraordinary people.

D.It attracts members from their reserve teams and alumni.

Language Study

I.Important vocabulary in the text

1.stretch v.延伸；伸展；使竭盡所能

2.turnaround n.好轉；轉機；徹底改變

3.die down逐漸變弱；逐漸平息

4.be known as被稱為……；以……而聞名

5.be shaped like像……的形狀

6.be short of未達到……；缺少……

Ⅱ.Complete the following sentences in correct forms with the vocabulary given above.

1.Students always try their best to learn language items,but they are often______________opportunities to try them.

2.Hangzhou______________the paradise under heaven.

3.The rain remained steady though the wind had______________.

4.The Boat Race course,known as the Champi-onship Course,is 4.2 miles long,an “S” and______________between Putney andMortlake on the River Thames.

5.The back-to-back victories of 2018 for bothmen and women racesmark an incredible______________from Cambridge's disastrous2016 race,where they nearly sank.

Cultural Background

小知識：《最后的獲勝者》

牛津與劍橋的賽艇對抗賽（Oxbridge Boat Race）已然成為一個超級體育IP。甚至，還出了一部有關賽艇對抗賽的電影《最后的獲勝者》（True Blue）。該片取材于真實的故事，以20世紀80年代兩所學校的賽艇對抗賽為原型。電影1996年11月15日首映，時長118分鐘。