Walking the Thin Line　步步惊心

Walking the Thin Line步步惊心 by Owain Mckimm

Thrust into the public eye during a halftime show performance at Super Bowl XLVI, slacklining is gaining popularity. 走绳索运动在第四十六届美式足球超级杯中场表演时映入了大家眼帘，这项运动正日渐普及。

If you've ever been to a circus, you may have seen a tightrope walker balancing precariously above the ground on a thin, taut wire. Slacklining is a similarly daring _(1)_ of balance and coordination. Whereas a tightrope is a piece of wire or rope stretched tightly between two points, a slackline is a one-inch strip of flat webbing that is hung loosely. Since it is not tight, like a trampoline, the lines bounce and stretch, _(2)_ balancing even more of a challenge and allowing the slackliner to perform impressive jumps and tricks.

Slacklining _(3)_ in the US in the late-1970s in Yosemite Valley, California, which is home to some of America's most spectacular cliffs and rock faces. Hikers and climbers at one of the valley's campsites began to experiment with balancing on a loose line strung between a pair of trees during their downtime. They did it _(4)_ to improve their balance for climbing, but also for fun.
Since then, slacklining _(5)_ countless styles and variations that are suited to a host of different environments. There's tricklining or lowlining, where the line is hung only a few feet from the ground, allowing practitioners to do all sorts of stunts from backflips to push-ups. There's waterlining, which takes place over water and is probably the best for _(6)_ new tricks and techniques as the falls aren't so painful. There's even slackline yoga, which puts the ancient Indian art of spiritual and _(7)_ meditation onto a wobbly slackline. No matter where it's done, slacklining is taking balancing to new heights.

1. (A) command(B) display(C) quote(D) charge
2. (A) to make(B) making(C) make(D) for making
3. (A) behaved(B) relied(C) originated(D) appealed
4. (A) not only(B) such as(C) next to(D) because of
5. (A) was evolved into(B) evolving into(C) evolved into(D) has evolved into
6. (A) taking apart(B) setting about(C) trying out(D) coming about
7. (A) official(B) superficial(C) artificial(D) physical

1. Slacklining is a similarly daring display of balance and coordination.
   理由:
   a. (A) command n. 命令
   at sb's command在某人的命令下
   The police dog attacked the robber at his handler's command.
   那苹警犬在驯养者的命令下攻击该抢匪。
   (B) display n. 陈列，展出
   be on display展出中
   The artist's latest sculptures are on display at the museum.
   该艺术家最新的雕刻作品正在这座博物馆展出中。
   (C) quote n. 引用的文句
   That's a famous quote from William Shakespeare.
   那是引自莎士比亚的一句名言。
   (D) charge n. 负责
   take charge of...负责……
   = be in charge of...
   Who is in charge of this department?
   谁负责这个部门？
   b. 根据语意，可知 (B) 应为正选。
2. Since it is not tight, like a trampoline, the lines bounce and stretch, making balancing even more of a challenge and allowing the slackliner to perform impressive jumps and tricks.
   理由:
   a. 空格前有主要子句 the line will bounce and stretch（这条绳索会弹跳及延展），而空格前无连接词 and，可知空格应置现在分词。
   The little boy sat over there, reading the new comic book.
   那个小男孩坐在那里看著新买的漫画书。
   b. 根据语意及用法，可知 (B) 应为正选。
3. Slacklining originated in the US in the late-1970s in Yosemite Valley, California, which is home to some of America's most spectacular cliffs and rock faces.
   理由:
   a. (A) behave vi. 守规矩
   The little boy didn't behave well at the party, so his parents punished him.
   那个小男孩参加派对时不守规矩，因而被他爸妈处罚了。
   (B) rely vi. 依靠，依赖
   rely on...依赖……
   Don't rely on Ted for everything. He won't always be there for you.
   别事事都倚赖泰德。他不会永远都在你身边。
   (C) originate vi. 发源；来自
   originate in / from...起源於……
   This coffee originated in South America.
   这种咖啡源自於南美洲。
   (D) appeal vi. 吸引
   appeal to...吸引……
   Our product is aimed to appeal to teenage girls.
   我们的产品旨在吸引少女。
   b. 空格後有介词 in，根据语意及用法，可知 (C) 应为正选。
4. They did it not only to improve their balance for climbing, but also for fun.
   理由:
   a. 本空格测试以下固定用法∶
   not only...but (also)...不只……而且……
   Not only is Jack intelligent, but he is also attractive.
   杰克既有才智又迷人。
   b. (B) such as...诸如　像……
   Vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli have cancer-fighting abilities.
   白花椰菜和青花椰菜等蔬菜都有抗癌功效。
   (C) next to...在……旁边
   There is a post office next to the bank.
   那家银行隔壁有一间邮局。
   (D) because of...由於……
   Because of the rising cost of living, many people have taken second jobs.
   由於物价上涨，许多人都兼了一份差。
   c. 根据语意及用法，可知 (A) 应为正选。
5. Since then, slacklining has evolved into countless styles and variations that are suited to a host of different environments.
   理由:
   a. 空格前有副词片语 since then（从那时起），可知主要子句时态应采现在完成式，故空格应置现在完成式助动词 has 及过去分词。
   b. evolve into...演变成……
   evolve vi. 演化；转变
   Though the company started very small, it evolved into a worldwide enterprise.
   该公司虽然一开始规模很小，後来却发展成一家跨国企业。
   c. 根据语意及用法，可知应选 (D)。
6. There's waterlining, which takes place over water and is probably the best for trying out new tricks and techniques as the falls aren't so painful.
   理由:
   a. (A) take apart...拆解……
   Jason took apart the scooter's engine to fix it.
   杰森把这辆小绵羊机车的引擎拆开修理。
   (B) set about...著手做……
   Ray set about cleaning up the house after the party.
   派对之後雷著手清理房子。
   (C) try out...试验　试用……
   Mom tried out the mattress before buying it.
   老妈先试躺了床垫，然後才决定买下来。
   (D) come about发生，产生
   Can you tell me how the accident came about?
   你能否告诉我这起意外事故是怎麽发生的？
   b. 根据语意，可知 (C) 应为正选。
7. There's even slackline yoga, which puts the ancient Indian art of spiritual and physical meditation onto a wobbly slackline.
   理由:
   a. (A) official a. 官方的；正式的
   The first official marathon was held in the 19th century.
   第一场正式的马拉松比赛在 19 世纪举行。
   (B) superficial a. 肤浅的
   Vicky is so superficial that she only cares about a person's looks.
   薇琪很肤浅，她只在乎一个人的外表。
   (C) artificial a. 人造的
   The latest trend is to use organic fertilizers instead of artificial ones.
   使用有机肥料代替人工肥料是最新的趋势。
   (D) physical a. 身体的
   Jogging is the simplest and most effective method of physical training.
   慢跑是最简单却最有效的一种体能训练。
   b. spiritual（精神的）和 physical（身体的）形成固定搭配，可知 (D) 应为正选。

1. thrust A into B把 A 推进　伸进 B
   thrust vt. 用力推（三态同形）
   The boy thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out a 100 NT dollar bill.
   那男孩把手伸进口袋掏出一张 1 百元台币纸钞。
2. gain (in) popularity受到欢迎
   = increase in popularity
   Laptops are gaining popularity because they are easy to carry around.
   笔记型电脑携带方便，因此日益受到欢迎。
3. precariously adv. 不稳定地
   precarious a. 不稳定的
   In spite of the treatment, Jenny's health remained precarious.
   尽管接受了治疗，珍妮的健康状况还是不稳定。
4. coordination n. 协调
   coordinate vt. 协调
   Nick was in charge of coordinating the company trip.
   尼克负责协调员工旅游事宜。
5. whereas conj. 然而
   Anthony is in the Marines, whereas I am in the Coast Guard.
   安东尼在海军陆战队，而我则隶属海岸巡逻队。
6. stretch vt. 伸展（肢体等）
   After sitting for a long time, Peter stood up to stretch his arms and legs.
   久坐之後，彼得站起来伸展一下四肢。
7. bounce vi. 弹起，反弹
   The ball bounced off the wall and came to rest under the table.
   球从墙边弹回来，滚到桌子下就停住了。
8. be home to...为……的所在地　大本营
   Madagascar is home to a wide variety of wild animals.
   马达加斯加岛是各种野生动物的大本营。
9. experiment vi. 实验
   experiment on...
   对……做实验（对象通常为动物或人）
   experiment with...
   用……做实验（对象通常为事物）
   The scientists experimented on rats to see if the products were safe.
   科学家在老鼠身上做实验，以查看那些产品是否安全。
   The professor is experimenting with new teaching methods.
   教授正在实验新的教学方法。
10. string vt. 伸展，拉直
    三态为∶string, strung, strung。
    Please string the phone cord along the bottom of the wall so I won't trip on it.
    请顺著墙脚把电话线拉好，如此一来我才不会被绊倒。
11. be suited to + N/Ving适合……
    John is suited to teaching because he is so good with children.
    约翰适合当老师，因为他对小孩子很有办法。
12. a host of...许多……
    The great actor played a host of wonderful roles during his life
    那位伟大的演员一生中扮演过许多出色的角色。
13. meditation n. 冥想；打坐
    meditate vi. 沉思；打坐
    Jack is meditating on what the teacher just said.
    杰克正在沉思老师刚才所说的话。

1. tightrope n. 钢索
2. balance vi. 保持平衡 & n. 平衡
3. taut a. 紧绷的
4. slacklining n. 走绳索运动
5. daring a. 大胆的
6. strip n. 一条
7. webbing n. 带子
8. trampoline n. 弹簧垫
9. impressive a. 令人印象深刻的
10. spectacular a. 壮观的
11. cliff n. 悬崖
12. downtime n. 休息时间
13. variation n. 变化
14. practitioner n. 从事者
15. backflip n. 後空翻
16. push-up n. 伏地挺身

步步惊心
走绳索运动在第四十六届美式足球超级杯中场表演时映入了大家眼帘，这项运动正日渐普及。
如果你曾经去过马戏团的话，你可能已经看过一位走钢索的人，那个人在地面上方一条又细又紧绷的金属丝上摇摇晃晃地想要取得平衡。走绳索运动同样在於大胆展示平衡和协调。钢索运动中的钢索是在两点间将一条金属线或绳索绷紧，而走绳索运动中的绳索则是松散垂挂的一英寸扁平带子。由於绳索不是很紧，所以就像是个弹簧垫一样会弹跳及延展，使得要在上面取得平衡更具挑战性，这也让走绳索的挑战者能表演令人印象深刻的跳跃和特技。
走绳索运动起源於 1970 年代晚期的美国加州优胜美地山谷中，那儿是美国境内一些最壮观悬崖峭壁和岩石表面的所在地。位於该山谷其中一个营地的健行者和登山者在休息时开始一项试验，他们试著在两棵树木之间松散垂挂的绳索上取得平衡。他们这麽做不但是为了要增进他们登山时的平衡感，同时也是因为好玩的缘故。
从那之後，走绳索就已演变出无数种风格及变化，种种风格及变化都适用於许多不同的环境中。有一种变化形式名为花样走绳（tricklining） 或是低空走绳（lowlining），差别在於绳子只悬挂在离地面几英尺之处，这使得走绳索的人能做出像是後空翻或伏地挺身等各式各样的特技。还有一种名为水上走绳（waterlining）的变化形式，这种变化形式进行的地点就在水面上方，这可能是最适合尝试新技巧和技术的地方，因为从绳索上掉落至水面不会那麽痛。甚至还有一种变化形式称为走绳瑜珈（slackline yoga），该形式将古印度身心冥想的艺术加在摇摇欲坠的细绳上。无论是在哪儿从事这项运动，走绳索都将身体平衡带至新的境界。

答案∶1. B2. B3. C4. A5. D6. C7. D