superstition

Good afternoon,I will make up for last regret.Now,Let’s talk about several the superstition about the cat.In western countries, there are many legends(传说) about the cat, so we will see some superstitions in different countries.∙In the first sentence, the superstition means cat can tell master when the guest arrive. In fact, Some of theareas in Henan province are there similar sayings, such as Luoyang. If you hold odd root chopsticks, it meansimportant guests will go your home。

∙Although the second and third sentence are superstitions, I checked the related information, the twosentences more or less still have some scientific evidence∙The cat's skin contains temperature sensor(传感器), so that perception（知觉）of the surrounding environment rise or fall，the cat will find the most warm place for sleep or when it's cold crimp body(猫的皮肤上含有温冷感受器,以便感知周围环境的温寒,寻找最温暖地点睡觉或天冷时卷曲身体)In the third sentence, when it rains will increase humidity （湿度）, flea (跳蚤) in cat body activity up,So the cat will keep scratching。

[ti:Dictation 1 Superstition][00:00.50]Dictation 1 Superstition 迷信[00:05.39]One person in four in Britain is, apparently, superstitious, [00:11.35]and they'll do everything from hanging horseshoes[00:14.58]over their fireplace to crossing their fingers,[00:17.84]touching wood and absolutely never walking under a ladder. [00:22.40]And they're careful about cats.[00:25.58]Black cats are supposed to be the familiars of witches, [00:30.02]so if one is following you it's definitely bad luck[00:34.70]- a witch is after you![00:36.46]On the other hand, if one crosses your path and continues [00:41.17]then it's good luck because it hasn't noticed you.[00:45.15]However, in some places the beliefs are different[00:49.53]- so it pays to know where your black cat comes from! [00:53.36]Old superstitions linger even in today's modern world. [00:59.10]The author Philip Pullman drew on them[01:02.57]in his award winning novel "His Dark Materials".[01:06.78]The novel, which appeals to both children and adults, [01:11.26]has been adapted for radio and also the theatre.[ti:Dictation 2 Graduate Student][00:03.50]Dictation 2 Graduate Student 研究生[00:07.17]Graduate students specialize in a particular field of study. [00:11.77]They study to become experts in this field[00:15.03]and to learn new advances in their fields[00:18.05]while they earn an M.A. or Ph.D.[00:20.88]Sometimes when they get an M. A. in one field[00:24.47]they begin studying another field.[00:26.42]They hope that when they earn their graduate degrees [00:29.02]they will succeed in finding important jobs.[00:31.99]They hope to get jobs that are interesting and high paying. [00:35.74]The life of a graduate student is often difficult.[00:39.11]They are usually too busy studying to make a good living. [00:42.97]Often they have to pay high tuition fees for their education. [00:46.72]Some give up studying before they get their degrees. [00:50.74]But most keep on working at their studies until they graduate. [00:55.01]In today's world, most graduate students[00:58.31]don't regret spending time with their studies.[01:01.13]They are finding that new developments[01:03.46]are occurring in all fields.[01:05.47]For many graduate study has become a necessity.[ti:Dictation 3 April Fool's Day][00:03.00]Dictation 3 April Fool's Day 愚人节[00:05.63]1st April is a day to be careful,[00:08.89]or you could easily get tricked by someone.[00:11.59]It's April Fool's Day,[00:13.82]a day when people traditionally like to try[00:17.18]to make a fool of someone else and laugh at them.[00:20.39]There are lots of theories surrounding the origins of the day, [00:25.02]but one explanation is connected with the change[00:28.67]in the calendar in the 16th century,[00:31.32]which meant that 1st April[00:33.40]was no longer the beginning of the year.[00:36.66]Those who still celebrated the New Y ear[00:39.52]on 1st April were called fools.[00:42.56]So what kind of pranks[00:45.27]do people play on April Fool's Day?[00:47.97]Well, there are lots of simple tricks[00:50.51]that you can play on your friends.[00:53.49]For example, you could wear a black sweater[00:56.41]and pull a piece of white thread through it,[00:58.95]so that people try to pull it off.[01:01.04]Y ou could change the time on someone's alarm clock[01:04.33]so that they're late for work.[ti:Dictation 4 Living Online][00:03.00]Dictation 4 Living Online 网上生活[00:06.10]How do you meet new people, make new friends,[00:09.25]or find out about the latest bands?[00:11.84]Here in the UK young people have traditionally[00:14.66]done their socializing in bars, pubs and clubs.[00:18.12]However, there is a new generation growing up[00:21.58]that finds it easier to manage their social lives on the net, [00:25.24]using free websites like MySpace, Bebo or MSN Spaces. [00:30.88]Welcome to the social networking website[00:34.25]- a place where you can present yourself[00:36.39]to the digital community and meet other like-minded people. [00:40.45]The most successful social networking website[00:43.51]in the UK is .[00:47.07]As of July 2006, MySpace is the world's[00:51.45]fourth most popular English-language website,[00:54.66]attracting almost 3 million visitors per month.[00:58.73]MySpace claims to have 95 million members[01:03.72]with 500,000 new members joining the community each week.[01:08.45]So how has it become so successful?[01:11.86]Perhaps its secret is in its simplicity.[01:15.64]Each new member can build their own page simply[01:19.29]- uploading photos, videos and MP3 files.[ti:Dictation 5 Mother's Day][00:03.50]Dictation 5 Mother's Day 母亲节[00:06.14]Does your mother know how much you appreciate her? [00:09.41]Well, Mother's Day is the time to show her.[00:13.44]It's a chance to say 'thank you',[00:16.19]or to tell your mum how much you love her.[00:18.78]In Britain, Mother's Day, or Mothering Sunday,[00:23.35]falls on a different day each year,[00:26.30]because it takes place a few weeks[00:28.69]before the festival of Easter.[00:30.67]But it is always in the early springtime,[00:33.63]which seems appropriate,[00:35.46]as the season when new plants emerge,[00:37.85]and baby birds and animals are born.[00:40.74]In the USA, Mother's Day takes place a little later, in May, [00:46.54]and many other countries also celebrate[00:49.09]their mothers on different days of the year.[00:51.98]It began many years ago, when children,[00:56.07]especially girls, as young as 10[00:58.57]would live and work away from home[01:01.01]as housemaids and other types of servant.[01:03.80]Mothering Sunday was a day when everyone was allowed [01:08.03]to go to their home village or town, and visit their mothers.[ti:Dictation 6 Online Shopping][00:02.50]Dictation 6 Online Shopping 网上购物[00:05.15]With only two weeks to go before Christmas,[00:08.31]buying presents is a high priority for a lot of people.[00:12.13]However, this year not so many people are leaving their homes [00:16.45]to browse around the shops.[00:18.30]These days lots of people can do their shopping[00:21.46]in the comfort of their own home[00:23.55]with the help of the internet.[00:25.63]Online shopping is becoming more and more popular[00:29.56]for a number of reasons;[00:31.33]prices are often lower online,[00:33.97]you don't have to queue up in busy shops[00:36.56]and you can buy almost any product imaginable[00:39.57]with just a few clicks of your mouse.[00:41.80]Computer trends are often male-dominated[00:45.58]but this year women are expected to do[00:47.72]more shopping on the internet than men.[00:50.66]It seems women are now more attracted to[00:53.88]the convenience of online shopping than they used to be.[00:56.67]A verage spending online this Christmas by women will rise to 240 pounds [01:03.73]compared to the slightly lower average of 233 pounds for men.[ti:Dictation 7 Reality TV][00:03.50]Dictation 7 Reality TV 真实电视[00:05.91]The latest fashion on British TV is Reality TV.[00:11.15]Reality TV means that shows follow and film[00:15.31]ordinary people in an artificial situation.[00:18.47]This could be at work, or in some kind of competition.[00:22.65]One of the first and most popular Reality TV shows[00:27.73]is Big Brother.[00:29.10]In this show, 15 complete strangers[00:32.77]have to live together in a house for 11 weeks.[00:36.23]They are filmed 24 hours a day, and shown on television.[00:40.95]Each week, the viewers vote to evict[00:43.85]one of the housemates.[00:46.44]Finally, only one is left,[00:48.68]and they win the prize money![00:50.66]The show was an instant hit,[00:53.34]and runs in several countries.[00:55.47]The housemates often become stars as a result of the show,[00:59.40]and appear in national newspapers and on other shows.[01:03.06]Another very popular show is[01:05.95]I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here![01:09.15]In this show, 10 celebrities[01:12.05]have to complete tasks each week,[01:14.64]such as eating insects.[ti:Dictation 8 School][00:03.50]Dictation 8 School 学校[00:05.66]September is traditionally the end of summer[00:09.18]and the beginning of autumn in the UK.[00:11.77]It is also the month when children go back to school[00:15.64]after their long summer holidays.[00:17.83]There are two types of school in England.[00:20.55]State-run schools are paid for by the government,[00:23.64]so are free to attend.[00:25.53]Independent Schools are private,[00:27.92]which means you have to pay to attend.[00:30.17]The school day usually starts at 9 in the morning[00:34.65]and finishes around 4,[00:36.48]with breaks for lunch of course![00:38.81]In many schools, you have to wear a uniform too.[00:42.42]Children start school when they are 5 years old.[00:45.52]This is called primary school,[00:47.96]and lasts until the child is 11[00:50.51]when he or she will go on to senior school.[00:53.11]Secondary school is compulsory[00:56.20]from 11 until 16 years of age.[00:58.91]At 16, students take national examinations called GCSE's. [01:03.95]After this, students can stay at school for another 2 years [01:08.27]and take A Level examinations.[ti:Dictation 9 The Modern Family][00:04.00]Dictation 9 The Modern Family 现代家庭[00:06.38]Father leaves for work in the morning after breakfast. [00:10.47]The two children take the bus to school,[00:13.56]and mother stays home cooking and cleaning[00:16.70]until father and the kids return home in the evening. [00:20.45]This is the traditional picture[00:23.02]of a happy family living in Britain.[00:25.88]The past 20 years have seen enormous changes[00:30.18]in the lives and structure of families in Britain.[00:33.46]The biggest change has been caused by divorce.[00:37.46]As many as 2 out of 3 marriages now end in divorce, [00:42.38]leading to a situation[00:44.30]where many children live with one parent[00:47.18]and only see the other at weekends or holidays.[00:50.48]There has also been a huge rise[00:53.92]in the number of women with children who work.[00:56.76]The large rise in divorces has meant[01:00.01]many women need to work[01:01.84]to support themselves and their children.[01:04.59]Even when there is no divorce,[01:07.01]many families need both parents to work in order to survive.[ti:Dictation 10 Mid-Autumn Festival][00:03.00]Dictation 10 Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节[00:05.68]On 25th September this year, people all over China[00:10.01]will be getting together to eat with their families,[00:13.20]look at the moon and celebrate one of the biggest festivals [00:16.40]in the Chinese lunar calendar.[00:18.29]However, the celebrations stretch[00:20.64]far beyond the borders of China.[00:23.05]Here in the UK[00:24.27]events are taking place for Chinese people living here, [00:27.53]and to teach the people of Britain[00:29.52]more about this popular festival.[00:31.85]The Soho Theatre in London conducted a study[00:35.61]which showed that Chinese Londoners[00:37.64]don't engage much with the arts world.[00:40.55]As a result, 'Moon walking In China[00:43.50]has been created to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. [00:46.60]This is no normal theatre production though,[00:49.85]as it doesn't take place in the theatre.[00:52.46]Theatre professionals and volunteers from the local community [00:56.11]will take audiences around the streets of Soho[00:59.11]on a magical lantern-lit walk[01:01.36]through the landmarks and backstreets of Chinatown.。

英语作文迷信Title: The Influence of Superstition in Modern Society。

Superstition, an irrational belief in supernaturalforces or events, has persisted throughout human history, transcending cultures and generations. Despite advancements in science and technology, superstition continues to influence individuals and societies worldwide. In this essay, we will delve into the impact of superstition on modern society, examining its manifestations and implications.First and foremost, superstition often finds its rootsin cultural traditions and religious beliefs. Many superstitions stem from ancient practices or folklore passed down through generations. For example, the belief in the unlucky number 13 or the fear of black cats traces back to historical superstitions and cultural taboos. Whilethese beliefs may seem harmless on the surface, they can subtly shape individuals' behaviors and decision-makingprocesses.Moreover, superstition can exert a significant influence on various aspects of life, including health, relationships, and career choices. In some cultures,certain superstitions dictate dietary habits or medical treatments, leading individuals to adopt practices that may not align with scientific evidence. For instance, the fear of "Friday the 13th" may cause some people to avoid traveling or making significant decisions on that day, despite the absence of rational justification.In addition, superstitions often intersect with psychological phenomena such as confirmation bias and the placebo effect. Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms preexisting beliefs. When individuals attribute positive outcomes to superstitious rituals or behaviors, they reinforce their belief in superstition. Similarly, the placebo effect can lead individuals to experience real improvements in their condition solely because they believe in the effectiveness of a particular remedy or practice, even if it lacksscientific validity.Furthermore, the prevalence of superstition in modern society is perpetuated by various factors, including cultural influences, media portrayals, and societal norms. Television shows, movies, and literature frequently incorporate supernatural elements and superstitions, contributing to their normalization and acceptance. Additionally, social media platforms and online forums provide spaces for the dissemination and reinforcement of superstitions, as individuals share personal anecdotes and experiences that reinforce their beliefs.Despite the enduring presence of superstition, efforts to combat its influence have emerged in the form of education and critical thinking. Scientific literacy and rational inquiry play crucial roles in challenging superstitions by encouraging individuals to question and evaluate the validity of beliefs based on empirical evidence. Furthermore, promoting skepticism and analytical thinking skills can empower individuals to make informed decisions and resist the allure of superstition.In conclusion, superstition remains a pervasive forcein modern society, shaping individuals' beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions in subtle yet significant ways. From cultural traditions to psychological biases, superstition influences various aspects of life and continues to thrive in the digital age. However, by promoting education,critical thinking, and scientific literacy, we can mitigate the impact of superstition and foster a more rational and evidence-based approach to understanding the world around us.。

摒弃迷信的英语作文In the modern age, superstitions have been gradually fading from the collective consciousness of society. However, they still linger in the shadows of our daily lives, influencing decisions and behaviors. It is crucial for us to abandon these outdated beliefs and embrace a more rational and scientific approach to life.The Roots of SuperstitionSuperstitions often stem from a lack of understanding of the world around us. In ancient times, when science was in its infancy, people relied on superstitions to explain natural phenomena that they could not comprehend. As we have progressed, the scientific method has provided us with a more accurate and reliable way to understand the world, making superstitions obsolete.The Impact of SuperstitionSuperstitions can have a profound impact on individuals and communities. They can lead to irrational decisions, such as avoiding certain numbers or colors, or engaging in rituals that have no basis in reality. In some cases, superstitions can even lead to harmful practices, such as sacrificing animals or engaging in dangerous rituals.The Role of EducationEducation plays a pivotal role in dispelling superstitions. By teaching critical thinking and scientific literacy, we can equip individuals with the tools they need to question and reject superstitious beliefs. Education also helps to foster an open-minded approach to life, encouraging people to seek evidence-based explanations for phenomena.The Power of ScienceScience has the power to replace superstition with knowledge. By promoting scientific inquiry and evidence-based thinking, we can help individuals understand the world around them in a more accurate and meaningful way. Science also encourages skepticism, which is essential for questioning and ultimately rejecting superstitions.Cultural SensitivityWhile it is important to move away from superstitions, it is also crucial to approach this process with cultural sensitivity. Many superstitions are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and practices. It is important to respect these traditions while also promoting the benefits of a scientific and rational worldview.ConclusionIn conclusion, as we continue to advance as a society, it is essential that we move away from superstitions and towards a more rational and scientific approach to life. By doing so,we can make better decisions, foster a more open-minded society, and ultimately improve the quality of life for all. The journey to abandon superstition is a collective one, requiring the efforts of individuals, communities, and educational institutions alike.。

Here is a list of 40 classic Chinese superstitions:When having a baby*If you're pregnant, use of glue will cause a difficult birth.*If you strike an animal during pregnancy, the newborn child will look like that animal and behave like one.*You should never praise a newborn baby because it will invite evil spirits and ghosts.*A concave navel means a prosperous life.*A baby with more than one hair crown will be mischievous and disobedient. *A baby with wide and thick ears will live prosperously.Before you get married*Wedding clothes should be red, yellow and/or white.*Wearing black, blue or gray will bring bad luck to the marriage.*Couples with the same surname cannot marry; even if they are not related, they still belong to the same ancestry.*A boy, preferably born a Dragon, must roll over the newlywed's matrimonial bed to ensure good luck and a baby boy.*Never marry someone who is older or younger by 3 or 6 years.Good Feng Shui*The number of steps in a staircase should be even-numbered.*It is bad luck to have two room doors face each other.*It is bad luck if your door or gate directly faces a road.*Don't build your house facing the north.*The master's bedroom should not be situated right above the garage.*The dining area should not be under a second-floor toilet.Going to funerals*An improper funeral will bring ill fortune and disaster.*Statues of deities must be covered with red cloth of paper.*Mirrors must be hidden; a person who sees the reflection of the coffin will have a death in his/her family.*White cloth must be hung across the doorway of the house.*The deceased's children and grandchildren should not cut their hair for 49 days. *After leaving a wake, do not go straight home lest the ghost of the dead follows you.Lucky and unlucky colors*Red is the color of blood or life and will bring happiness, wealth, fame, and good luck.*Black is the color of feces and is associated with evil, disaster and bad fortune. *White is the color of mother's milk. It symbolizes moderation, purity, honesty and life and balances red and black.Lucky and unlucky numbers*The luckiest number is eight because its Chinese word also means "prosper". *The unluckiest number is four as it sounds like the Chinese word for death.*Seven can also signify death.*The number one means loneliness.*The number "9" is good, because nine in Cantonese sounds like the word "sufficient".About time*Clipping toenails or fingernails at night is bad luck; the person will be visited by a ghost.*If a dog howls continuously at night, this means death.*Hearing a crow cawing between 3 and 7 am means the hearer will receive gifts; hearing a crow caw between 7 and 11am means rain and wind; and between 11am and 1pm means quarrels.*If a man's ears burn between 11pm and 1pm, there will be harmony between him and his wife; if they burn between 1 and 3 in the afternoon, a guest will soon arrive.Things you should never do*Beating a person with a broom will rain bad luck upon that person for years. *Wearing a moustache is considered bad luck.*Never point at the moon or your ears might get chopped off.*Don't sweep the floor on New Year's Day lest you sweep away the good fortune. *Don't keep a pet turtle or it will slow down your business.While many Chinese people today may not believe in these dos and don'ts, these Chinese superstitions (by the name of "traditions" and "customs") are still practiced. They are kept because most families realize that it is these "old stuffs", whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.Still, superstitions are an essential part of culture. They give us a peek into the lives of our ancestors and can provide many insights on the practices, attitudes, principles, and religious beliefs of different cultures. A special report on the effect of superstitions on the nation's youth related that 85% of China's middle school students have actually had their fortune told!。

super开头的单词
super开头的单词-
①表示“超级，超过，过度”
supersized 超大型的（super+sized有范围的）
supersonic 超音速的（super+sonic声音的）
supernatural 超自然的（super+natural自然的）
superfluous 多余的（super+flu流＋ous→流出太多）supercilious 目中无人的（super+cili眉毛＋ous→在眉毛上看人→目中无人）
supersensitive 过度敏感的（super+sensitive敏感的）supercharge 负载过重（super+chrage收费，负担→负担过重）
②表示“在…上面”
supervise 临视（super+vise看→在上面看→临视）superstructure 上层建筑（super+structure结构）
superimpose 放…上面，强加（super+impose放上去→在上面放→强加）
superficial 肤浅的（super+fic做＋ial→在表面上做）
superintend 监督（super+intend关心→在上面关心→监督）supersede 淘汰；取代（super+sede坐→坐上去→淘汰〔以前的东西〕）superstition 迷信（super+stit站+ion→站在人〔理智〕之上的东西→迷信）。

华研专四听力答案专四听写 50 篇Dictation 1 Superstition 迷信（144 words）One person in four in Britain is, apparently, superstitious, / and they’ll do everything f rom hanging horseshoes over their fireplace to crossing their fingers, / touching wood and absolutely never walking under a ladder. / And they’re careful about cats. / Black cats are supposed to be the familiars of witches, / so if one is following you it’s definitely bad luck ?a witch is after you! / On the other hand, if one crosses your path and continues / then it’s good luck because it hasn’t noticed you. / However, in some places the beliefs are different / ? so it pays to know where your black cat comes from! / Old superstitions linger even in today’s modern world. / The author Philip Pullman drew on them / in his award winning novel “His Dark Materials”. / The novel, which appeals to both children and adults, / has been adapted for radio and also the theatre.Dictation 2 Graduate Student 研究生（157 words）Graduate students specialize in a particular field of study. / They study to become experts in this field / and to learn new advances in their fields while they earn an M.A. or Ph.D. / Sometimes when they get an M. A. in one field they begin studying another field. / They hope that when they earn their graduate degrees / they will succeed in finding important jobs. / They hope to get jobs that are interesting and high paying. / Thelife of a graduate student is often difficult. / They are usually too busy studying to make a good living. / Often they have to pay high tuition fees for their education. / Some give up studying before they get their degrees. / But most keep on working at their studies until they graduate. / In today’s world, most graduate students don’t regret spending time with their studies. / They are finding that new developments are occurring in all fields. / For many graduate study has become a necessity. /Dictation 3 April Fool’s Day 愚人节（157 words）1st April is a day to be careful, or you could easily get tricked by someone. / It’s April Fool’s Day, a day when people traditionally like to try / to make a fool of someone else and laugh at them. / There are lots of theories surrounding the origins of the day, / but one explanation isconnected with the change in the calendar in the 16th century, / which meant that 1st April was no longer the beginning of the year. / Those who still celebrated the New Year on 1st April were called fools. / So what kind of pranks do people play on April Fool’s Day? / Well, there are lots of simple tricks / that you can play on your friends. / For example, you could wear a black sweater / and pull a piece of white thread through it, / so that people try to pull it off. / You could change the time on someone’s alarm clock / so that they’re late for work. /Dictation 4 Living Online 网上生活（159 words）How do you meet new people, make new friends, or find out about the latest bands? / Here in the UK young people have traditionally done their socializing in bars, pubs and clubs. / However, there is a new generation growing up / that finds it easier to manage their social lives on the net, / using free websites like MySpace, Bebo or MSN Spaces. / Welcome to the social networking website / ? a place where you can present yourself to the digital community and meet other like-minded people. / The most successful social networking website in the UK is . / As of Jul y 2006, MySpace is the world’s fourth most popular English-language website, / attracting almost 3 million visitors per month. / MySpace claims to have 95 million members / with 500,000 new members joining the community each week. / So how has it become so successful? / Perhaps its secret is in its simplicity. / Each new member can build their own page simply ? uploading photos, videos and MP3 files.Dictation 5 Mother’s Day 母亲节（160 words）Does your mother know how much you appreciate her? / Well, Mother’s Day is the time to show her. / It’s a chance to say ‘thank you’, or to tell your mum how much you love her. / In Britain, Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday, / falls on a different day each year, / because it takes place a few weeks before the festival of Easter. / But it is always in the early springtime, which seems appropriate, / as the season when new plants emerge, / and baby birds and animals are born. / In the USA, Mother’s Day takes place a little later, in May, / andmany other countries also celebrate their mothers on different days of the year. / It began many years ago, when children, / especially girls, as young as 10 would live and work away from home / as housemaids and other types of servant. / Mothering Sunday was a daywhen everyone was allowed to go to their home village or town, and visit their mothers.Dictation 6 Online Shopping 网上购物（159 words）With only two weeks to go before Christmas, / buying presents is a high priority for a lot of people. / However, this year not so many people are leaving their homes to browse around the shops. / These days lots of people can do their shopping / in the comfort of their own home with the help of the internet. / Online shopping is becoming more and more popular for a number of reasons; / prices are often lower online, / you don’t have to queue up in busy shops / and you can buy almost any product imaginable / with just a few clicks of your mouse. / Computer trends are often male-dominated / but this year women are expected to do more shopping on the internet than men. / It seems women are now more attracted to the convenience of online shopping than they used to be. / Average spending online this Christmas by women will rise to ￡240 / compared to the slightly lower average of ￡233 for men.Dictation 7 Reality TV 真实电视（155 words）The latest fashion on British TV is Reality TV. / Reality TV means that shows follow and film ordinary people in an artificial situation. / This could be at work, or in some kind of competition. / One of the first and most popular Reality TV shows is Big Brother. / In this show, 15 complete strangers have to live together in a house for 11 weeks. / They are filmed 24 hours a day, / and shown on television. / Each week, the viewers vote to evict one of the housemates. / Finally, only one is left, / and they win the prize money! / The show was an instant hit, and runs in several countries. / The housemates often become stars as a result of the show, / and appear in national newspapers and on other shows. / Another very popular show is I’m a Celebrity ? Get Me Out Of Here! / In this show, 10 celebrities have to complete tasks each week, such as eating insects.Dictation 8 School 学校（160 words）September is traditionally the end of summer / and the beginning of autumn in the UK. / It is also the month when children go back to school after their long summer holidays. / There are two types of school in England. / State-run schools are paid for by the government, so are free to attend. / Independent Schools are private, which means you have to pay to attend. / The school day usually starts at 9 in the morning and finishes around 4, / with breaks forlunch of course! / In many schools, you have to wear a uniform too. / Children start school when they are 5 years old. / Thisis called primary school, / and lasts until the child is 11 when he or she will go on to senior school. / Secondary school is compulsory from 11 until 16 years of age. / At 16, students take national examinations called GCSE’s. / After this, students can stay at school for another 2 years and take A Level examinations.Dictation 9 The Modern Family 现代家庭（154 words)Father leaves for work in the morning after breakfast. / The two children take the bus to school, / and mother stays home cooking and cleaning / until father and the kids return home in the evening. / This is the traditional picture of a happy family living in Britain. / The past 20 years have seen enormous changes in the lives and structure of families in Britain. / The biggest change has been caused by divorce. / As many as 2 out of 3 marriages now end in divorce, / leading to a situation where many children live with one parent / and only see the other at weekends or holidays. / There has also been a huge rise in the number of women with children who work. / The large rise in divorces has meant / many women need to work to support themselves and their children. / Even when there is no divorce, / many families need both parents to work in order to survive.Dictation 10 Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节（146 words）On 25th September this year, people all over China / will be getting together to eat with their families, / look at the moon and celebrate one of the biggest festivals in the Chinese lunar calendar. / However, the celebrations stretch far beyond the borders of China. / Here in the UK events are taking place for Chinese people living here, / and to teach the people of Britain more about this popular festival. / The Soho Theatre in London conducted a study / which showed that Chinese Londoners don’t engage much with the arts world. / As a result, ‘Moon walking In China’ has been created to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. / This is no normal theatre production though, / as it doesn’t take place in the theatre. /Theatre professionals and volunteers from the local community / will take audiences around the streets of Soho / on a magical lantern-lit walk / through the landmarks and backstreets of Chinatown.Dictation 11 The Dragon 龙（160 words）When many people in the west think of China, / the animal that they think of is the dragon. / For them, the dragon is an aggressive monster that breathes fire. / Many popular legends tell of how dragons killed brave knights and ate beautiful maidens. / For Chinese people however, the dragon is not an evil monster. / It’s a cultural and spiritual symbol for prosperity and good luck. / The dragon’s main task is to create harmony and bring rain. / Dragons are celebrated in art and architecture, / and of course the dragon dance is a very popular ritual. /Millions of Chinese have the word ‘long’, meaning dra gon, as part of their name. / China isn’t the only country to have the dragon as its symbol. / Wales, one of the four countries in the UK, / has a red dragon proudly displayed on its flag. / The only other country in the world with a dragon on its flag is Bhutan, / the tiny country between China and India.Dictation 12 Rainy Britain 阴雨的英国（153 words)Britain is famous around the world for its rainy weather, / but many parts of the country this June / are experiencing much more rain than they have ever seen before. / Torrential downpours have caused rivers to burst their banks, / roads have been closed and many people have been evacuated / from their homes because of the floods. / The worst hit area seems to be the north of England. / There have even been fatalities as people got stuck in the rain / or were washed away by the floodwaters. / Flood warnings have been issued in many parts of the UK / and it is said that over a month’s worth of rain has fallen in just the last couple of days. / The rain has also caused chaos at some of Britain’s famous June events. / The Glastonbury festival is a four-day-long outdoor music festival / and while it is traditionally quite rainy and muddy there, / this year was particularly bad.Dictation 13 Christmas traditions 圣诞节传统（145 words）There are many ways to celebrate Christmas, / and some British people like to go on holiday, / go out for lunch to a restaurant, or spend the day with friends. / But most people’s idea of a traditional Christmas / involves spending a few days with their family / ? sometimes their extended family. / The day is the most exciting for the children. / They may have spent weeks or even monthsdreaming of the presents they want most. / Since the beginning of December, they may have opened their advent calendars, / finding a new festive picture, chocolate, or small gift, / to count down each day until 25th December. / On Christmas Eve, they hang up stockings, / ready to be filled with presents by Santa Claus. / Often a thank you gift of a mince pie and a glass of sherry will be left, / as well as a carrot for those hungry reindeer.Dictation 14 Olympic Slogan 奥运口号（140 words）Beijing unveiled the slogan for the 2008 Olympics as far back as 2005. / “One World, One Dream” was finally selected / from more than 210,000 entries from around the world. / Beijing’s original bid to host the 2008 games / had a different slogan “New Beijing, Great Olympics”. / The orga nizers felt the newslogan shifted the focus nicely / from the city of Beijing itself to the spirit of the Olympics /? unity, friendship amongst nations and progress. / It was also felt that the “One World, One Dream” slogan / captured the traditional Chin ese values of peace and harmony. / The Olympics hasn’t always had a slogan attached to each host country. / In fact it wasn’t until 1988 at the Seoul Olympics in South Korea / that the first slogan appeared. / “Harmony and Progress” was chosen / and it seems to have been a popular theme over the years.Dictation 15 Sunbed 太阳床（159 words）In the UK, a country known for its bad weather and lack of sunshine, / there appears to be an ever increasing number of very tanned young people. / So just how are they achieving their golden tans? / Some are opting for the sun-free option / and are getting their tan from a bottle. / However, it appears that others are turning to tanning salons, / of which there are thousands in the UK. / While in China young people often prefer to remain fair, / in the UK there seems to be a growing desire for tanned skin. / So why do the British prefer to be bronzed? / Often, they are trying to emulate their favorite celebrities, footballers, or footballers’ wives. / Research from the British Sunbed Association suggests that / many people believe a tan makes them feel and look healthier. / This is a belief that is most definitely not shared by Cancer Research UK. / They firmly state that being tanned is not a sign of health. /Dictation 16 Speechwriting 写演讲稿（143 words）The success of a speech is often attributed to the skill of the speaker, / with merit being given to speakers who are confident, articulate, / knowledgeable and able to deliver a speech with conviction. / But often it is not the speakers who write these moving speeches, / it is a speechwriter. / And one industry in which this practice is common is that of politics. / So what does it take to be a political speechwriter? / Well according to a recent job advertisement from the US Embassy in Britain, / a political speechwriter needs to have exceptional interpersonal skills, / be detail oriented and able to demonstrate a deep knowledge of their subject. / They must also work closely with speakers / and be able to relate to their style.。

有关中国迷信的英语作文Superstitions in China are deeply rooted in its rich history and culture. These beliefs, often passed down through generations, play a significant role in the daily lives of many Chinese people.One common superstition is the belief in good and bad luck. People often attribute success or failure to fate or the influence of unseen forces. For instance, some believe that certain numbers, colors, or animals bring good luck, while others are considered unlucky. This can affect decisions in areas like career, marriage, and even daily activities.Another superstition involves the use of charms and talismans. These objects, often in the form of jewelry or amulets, are believed to possess protective powers against evil spirits or bad luck. People may wear them or keep them in their homes as a means of safeguarding themselves and their loved ones.The practice of feng shui, which aims to harmonize the flow of energy in a space, is also a form of superstition in China. Believers consult feng shui experts to advise them on the layout of their homes or offices。

专四听写30篇Dictation1Superstition迷信（144words）One person in four in Britain is,apparently,superstitious,/and they’ll do everything from hanging horseshoes over their fireplace to crossing their fingers,/touching wood and absolutely never walking under a ladder./And they’re careful about cats./Black cats are supposed to be the familiars of witches,/so if one is following you it’s definitely bad luck—a witch is after you!/ On the other hand,if one crosses your path and continues/then it’s good luck because it hasn’t noticed you./However,in some places the beliefs are different/—so it pays to know where your black cat comes from!/Old superstitions linger even in today’s modern world./The author Philip Pullman drew on them/in his award winning novel“His Dark Materials”./The novel,which appeals to both children and adults,/has been adapted for radio and also the theatre./Dictation2Graduate Student研究生（157words）Graduate students specialize in a particular field of study./They study to become experts in this field/and to learn new advances in their fields while they earn an M.A.or Ph.D./Sometimes when they get an M.A.in one field they begin studying another field./They hope that when they earn their graduate degrees/they will succeed in finding important jobs./They hope to get jobs that are interesting and high paying./The life of a graduate student is often difficult./They are usually too busy studying to make a good living./Often they have to pay high tuition fees for their education./Some give up studying before they get their degrees./But most keep on working at their studies until they graduate./In today’s world,most graduate students don’t regret spending time with their studies./They are finding that new developments are occurring in all fields./For many graduate study has become a necessity./Dictation3April Fool’s Day愚人节（157words）1st April is a day to be careful,or you could easily get tricked by someone./It’s April Fool’s Day,a day when people traditionally like to try/to make a fool of someone else and laugh at them./ There are lots of theories surrounding the origins of the day,/but one explanation is connected with the change in the calendar in the16th century,/which meant that1st April was no longer the beginning of the year./Those who still celebrated the New Year on1st April were called fools./So what kind of pranks do people play on April Fool’s Day?/Well,there are lots of simple tricks/that you can play on your friends./For example,you could wear a black sweater/and pull a piece of white thread through it,/so that people try to pull it off./You could change the time on someone’s alarm clock/so that they’re late for work./Dictation4Living Online网上生活（159words）How do you meet new people,make new friends,or find out about the latest bands?/Here inthe UK young people have traditionally done their socializing in bars,pubs and clubs./ However,there is a new generation growing up/that finds it easier to manage their social lives on the net,/using free websites like MySpace,Bebo or MSN Spaces./Welcome to the social networking website/—a place where you can present yourself to the digital community and meet other like-minded people./The most successful social networking website in the UK is ./As of July2006, MySpace is the world’s fourth most popular English-language website,/attracting almost3 million visitors per month./MySpace claims to have95million members/with500,000new members joining the community each week./So how has it become so successful?/Perhaps its secret is in its simplicity./Each new member can build their own page simply—uploading photos,videos and MP3files./Dictation5Mother’s Day母亲节（160words）Does your mother know how much you appreciate her?/Well,Mother’s Day is the time to show her./It’s a chance to say‘thank you’,or to tell your mum how much you love her./ In Britain,Mother’s Day,or Mothering Sunday,/falls on a different day each year,/because it takes place a few weeks before the festival of Easter./But it is always in the early springtime, which seems appropriate,/as the season when new plants emerge,/and baby birds and animals are born./In the USA,Mother’s Day takes place a little later,in May,/and many other countries also celebrate their mothers on different days of the year./It began many years ago,when children,/especially girls,as young as10would live and work away from home/as housemaids and other types of servant./Mothering Sunday was a day when everyone was allowed to go to their home village or town,and visit their mothers./Dictation6Online Shopping网上购物（159words）With only two weeks to go before Christmas,/buying presents is a high priority for a lot of people./However,this year not so many people are leaving their homes to browse around the shops./These days lots of people can do their shopping/in the comfort of their own home with the help of the internet./Online shopping is becoming more and more popular for a number of reasons;/prices are often lower online,/you don’t have to queue up in busy shops/and you can buy almost any product imaginable/with just a few clicks of your mouse./Computer trends are often male-dominated/but this year women are expected to do more shopping on the internet than men./It seems women are now more attracted to the convenience of online shopping than they used to be./Average spending online this Christmas by women will rise to£240/compared to the slightly lower average of£233for men./Dictation7Reality TV真实电视（155words）The latest fashion on British TV is Reality TV./Reality TV means that shows follow and film ordinary people in an artificial situation./This could be at work,or in some kind ofcompetition./One of the first and most popular Reality TV shows is Big Brother./In this show,15 complete strangers have to live together in a house for11weeks./They are filmed24hours a day, /and shown on television./Each week,the viewers vote to evict one of the housemates./Finally, only one is left,/and they win the prize money!/The show was an instant hit,and runs in several countries./The housemates often become stars as a result of the show,/and appear in national newspapers and on other shows./ Another very popular show is I’m a Celebrity—Get Me Out Of Here!/In this show,10 celebrities have to complete tasks each week,such as eating insects./Dictation8School学校（160words）September is traditionally the end of summer/and the beginning of autumn in the UK./It is also the month when children go back to school after their long summer holidays./ There are two types of school in England./State-run schools are paid for by the government, so are free to attend./Independent Schools are private,which means you have to pay to attend./ The school day usually starts at9in the morning and finishes around4,/with breaks for lunch of course!/In many schools,you have to wear a uniform too./Children start school when they are5years old./This is called primary school,/and lasts until the child is11when he or she will go on to senior school./Secondary school is compulsory from11until16years of age./At16,students take national examinations called GCSE’s./After this,students can stay at school for another2years and take A Level examinations./Dictation9The Modern Family现代家庭（154words）Father leaves for work in the morning after breakfast./The two children take the bus to school,/and mother stays home cooking and cleaning/until father and the kids return home in the evening./This is the traditional picture of a happy family living in Britain./ The past20years have seen enormous changes in the lives and structure of families in Britain./ The biggest change has been caused by divorce./As many as2out of3marriages now end in divorce,/leading to a situation where many children live with one parent/and only see the other at weekends or holidays./There has also been a huge rise in the number of women with children who work./The large rise in divorces has meant/many women need to work to support themselves and their children./ Even when there is no divorce,/many families need both parents to work in order to survive./Dictation10Mid-Autumn Festival中秋节（146words）On25th September this year,people all over China/will be getting together to eat with their families,/look at the moon and celebrate one of the biggest festivals in the Chinese lunar calendar./ However,the celebrations stretch far beyond the borders of China./Here in the UK events are taking place for Chinese people living here,/and to teach the people of Britain more about this popular festival./The Soho Theatre in London conducted a study/which showed that Chinese Londoners don’t engage much with the arts world./As a result,‘Moon walking In China’has been created to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival./This is no normal theatre production though,/as it doesn’t take place in the theatre./Theatre professionals and volunteers from the local community/will take audiences around the streets of Soho/on a magical lantern-lit walk/through the landmarks and backstreets of Chinatown./Dictation11The Dragon龙（160words）When many people in the west think of China,/the animal that they think of is the dragon./ For them,the dragon is an aggressive monster that breathes fire./Many popular legends tell of how dragons killed brave knights and ate beautiful maidens./For Chinese people however,the dragon is not an evil monster./It’s a cultural and spiritual symbol for prosperity and good luck./The dragon’s main task is to create harmony and bring rain. /Dragons are celebrated in art and architecture,/and of course the dragon dance is a very popular ritual./Millions of Chinese have the word‘long’,meaning dragon,as part of their name./ China isn’t the only country to have the dragon as its symbol./Wales,one of the four countries in the UK,/has a red dragon proudly displayed on its flag./The only other country in the world with a dragon on its flag is Bhutan,/the tiny country between China and India./Dictation12Rainy Britain阴雨的英国（153words）Britain is famous around the world for its rainy weather,/but many parts of the country this June/are experiencing much more rain than they have ever seen before./Torrential downpours have caused rivers to burst their banks,/roads have been closed and many people have been evacuated/from their homes because of the floods./The worst hit area seems to be the north of England./There have even been fatalities as people got stuck in the rain/or were washed away by the floodwaters./Flood warnings have been issued in many parts of the UK/and it is said that over a month’s worth of rain has fallen in just the last couple of days./The rain has also caused chaos at some of Britain’s famous June events./The Glastonbury festival is a four-day-long outdoor music festival/and while it is traditionally quite rainy and muddy there,/this year was particularly bad./Dictation13Christmas traditions圣诞节传统（145words）There are many ways to celebrate Christmas,/and some British people like to go on holiday, /go out for lunch to a restaurant,or spend the day with friends./But most people’s idea of a traditional Christmas/involves spending a few days with their family/—sometimes their extended family./The day is the most exciting for the children./They may have spent weeks or even months dreaming of the presents they want most./Since the beginning of December,they may have opened their advent calendars,/finding a new festive picture,chocolate,or small gift,/to count down each day until25th December./On Christmas Eve,they hang up stockings,/ready to be filled with presents by Santa Claus./ Often a thank you gift of a mince pie and a glass of sherry will be left,/as well as a carrot for those hungry reindeer./Dictation14Olympic Slogan奥运口号（140words）Beijing unveiled the slogan for the2008Olympics as far back as2005./“One World,One Dream”was finally selected/from more than210,000entries from around the world./ Beijing’s original bid to host the2008games/had a different slogan“New Beijing,Great Olympics”./The organizers felt the new slogan shifted the focus nicely/from the city of Beijing itself to the spirit of the Olympics/—unity,friendship amongst nations and progress./ It was also felt that the“One World,One Dream”slogan/captured the traditional Chinese values of peace and harmony./The Olympics hasn’t always had a slogan attached to each host country./In fact it wasn’t until1988at the Seoul Olympics in South Korea/that the first slogan appeared./“Harmony and Progress”was chosen/and it seems to have been a popular theme over the years./Dictation15Sunbed太阳床（159words）In the UK,a country known for its bad weather and lack of sunshine,/there appears to be an ever increasing number of very tanned young people./So just how are they achieving their golden tans?/Some are opting for the sun-free option/ and are getting their tan from a bottle./However,it appears that others are turning to tanning salons,/of which there are thousands in the UK./While in China young people often prefer to remain fair,/in the UK there seems to be a growing desire for tanned skin./So why do the British prefer to be bronzed?/Often,they are trying to emulate their favorite celebrities,footballers,or footballers’wives./Research from the British Sunbed Association suggests that/many people believe a tan makes them feel and look healthier./This is a belief that is most definitely not shared by Cancer Research UK./They firmly state that being tanned is not a sign of health./Dictation16Speechwriting写演讲稿（143words）The success of a speech is often attributed to the skill of the speaker,/with merit being given to speakers who are confident,articulate,/knowledgeable and able to deliver a speech with conviction./But often it is not the speakers who write these moving speeches,/it is a speechwriter./And one industry in which this practice is common is that of politics./So what does it take to be a political speechwriter?/Well according to a recent job advertisement from the US Embassy in Britain,/a political speechwriter needs to have exceptional interpersonal skills,/be detail oriented and able to demonstrate a deep knowledge of their subject./They must also work closely with speakers/and be able to relate to their style./Some believe that the best speechwriters have an inherent talent,/a natural creative instinct,/ and that speechwriting is an art form./Dictation17A Walk in the Park在公园散步（141words）Exercising in natural areas is not only good for your physical health/—it can improve your mood/and sense of well-being in as little as five minutes./So says research in the journal Environmental Health and Technology./Exercise alone is known to make you happier./So is being in a natural setting./So scientists wanted to see the effect of combining the two./They evaluated10different UK studies involving more than1,200people./Participants had taken part in activities such as gardening,/sailing and country walks,and rated their mood and self-esteem./The research showed that both areas get a significant boost/with as little as five minutes of outdoor exercise./And people with mental disorders benefited the most./The study authors say this is the first study/to quantify the amount of time needed to get a positive effect./Dictation18Fast food Makes Us Less Patient快餐使我们失去耐性（146words）Fast food is a multibillion-dollar industry,/and for some of us,drive-through dinner has become a way of life./Granted,sometimes we grab something quick because we really don’t have time./But psychologists got to wondering/whether all this speed eating might actually make us less patient./In a series of experiments,the scientists showed volunteers logos/from several fast-food chains or asked them to recall the last time they’d visited./And they found that folks who had thought about fast food would then read faster,/even though no one told them to hurry./And they also expressed a preference for time-saving products,/like shampoo plus conditioner./And they tended to opt for immediate rewards,/like getting a small cash payment right away/rather than waiting a week for a larger sum./So if you want to ease the pace,forget meditation.Try a slow cooker./Dictation19Light All Night Not Alright整夜开灯并非好事（159words）A nightlight may keep those monsters under the bed./But it may also open the door to the blues./If you have access to electricity,you no doubt switch on a lamp,/maybe even watch a little TV,after the sun goes down./But our bodies use cues about lightness and dark to regulate our hormones/and of course our sleep cycles./So what might these extra photons be doing to our health?/To find out,scientists housed mice in a room/where the lights were always on./After three weeks,they found that mice who lived in the spotlight showed symptoms of depression,/more so than mice who enjoyed eight hours of darkness at night./Interestingly,mice who could escape the light by ducking into a dark tube/also escaped the worst of the depression./So flip that light switch at your own risk./Because the artificial brightness that helps keep usup could also bring us down./Dictation20London2012Olympic Games伦敦2012奥运会（154words）After a hard-fought campaign,/London has been awarded the right to host the2012Olympic Games./The UK capital saw off competition from four rival cities:/Paris,Madrid,Moscow and New York./Londoners can now look forward to the transformation of their city/in the same way as their counterparts in Beijing./Indeed,there are many similarities in the two cities’approach to hosting the games./Both cities need to invest in developing their infrastructure/in order to cope with the demands of the event./However,this kind of investment is far from cheap/—it is estimated that it will cost around$40billion to prepare for the2008games,/much of which will be spent on transport links. /Nevertheless,the benefits of becoming an Olympic city can be enormous/—Barcelona,which hosted the1992games,/was completely regenerated and has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world./Dictation21Picnic野餐（155words）As summertime begins in Britain,people start to feel the urge to go outside to eat./People love to have a picnic whenever the weather is good enough,/especially people with children./It’s a great way to spend a sunny afternoon./Even in the centre of London,on a sunny day,/the parks are full of office workers eating their lunch outside on the grass./That might be a pretty basic picnic/—a shop-bought sandwich and a bottle of water./But if people are planning a picnic on the beach or at the park,/they would probably pack a cool bag/with a whole variety of home-made sandwiches,snacks,cake,fruit and soft drinks./ They might have a picnic rug to sit on,and paper plates and cups./University students enjoy having picnics,/and usually take along some kind of sports equipment,/such as a ball in order to burn off some energy after lunch./Dictation22Changing Name after Marriage婚后改名（155words）Getting married is one of the most important decisions that a person takes in one’s life./This is because it is a step that has the potential to alter or change one’s life altogether./Right from the wedding dress to the house/that the couple will live after their wedding,/is decided with utmost care./An important decision that the person has to make along with the other arrangements for the wedding/is to choose between one’s maiden name and spouse’s name./Though traditionally, women are expected to change their name/from their maiden name to their husband’s name,/ many women nowadays opt to keep their maiden name after marriage,/mostly for professional reasons./Apart from this,there are women who adopt their husband’s last name/and keep their maiden name as their second name./Also,there are couples who make a new name with both their names,/by separating the names with a hyphen./Dictation23The Compass指南针（153words）A magnetic compass is a device that has been used for centuries now,/and its utility in helping people find their way is undoubted./Before technology gave us the privilege of GPS navigation systems,/the act of finding out where you are and which side is north/was carried out simply with the help of a compass./We’ve all seen a compass at some point or the other,/and this has almost always led us to the question“How does a compass work?”/The answer to this question can be explained/through the concept of the earth’s electromagnetism./ Simply speaking,a compass is basically a small magnet/that has a needle attached on one end./The other end of the magnet is attached to a freely moving pin./When the compass is held out steadily,/the magnet becomes parallel with the magnetic field of the Earth,/and this causes it to point north./Dictation24Ball Games球类运动（157words）Ball games have become an integral part of modern society./They give us entertainment providing us a means to safely free ourselves from stress./There are many different ball games that can do this for us./Some people enjoy football,while others like basketball./These two ball games are the most popular in China./Other games such as baseball are growing in appeal,yet have not become popular./The development of these games is interesting./Basketball is one of the few sports with a known date of birth./Football,or soccer,originally developed from traits found in both China and Europe./It has grown to become the world’s most popular sport./In Europe,football clubs have been established,/which in turn has been copied in the rest of the world./These football clubs train players/who may later go play for their nations in the World Cup./This is the most watched ballgame championship on the planet./Dictation25Water Sports水上运动（145words）The history of man’s involvement with water sports/stretches back before history was written down./It is a history of the development of technology as well as human physical achievement./Man first took to water in boats that sailed around the world/with nothing but the stars to guide them./The seas and rivers were a mystery to be feared,/for lurked unknown creatures and death by drowning./Few actually ventured into the water./As a sport,however, water sports such as swimming,diving,/and water polo are new comparatively to those on land./ Probably the oldest one is rowing in a rowboat./This is seen in modern games such as competitions/between rowing clubs in British and American universities./Olympic Water Sports began with swimming but did not end there./The different kinds of water sports such as diving or water skiing came later./Dictation26Famous Universities名校（140words）Many countries have excellent universities./There are,however,few world famous ones./ These universities have achieved their fame/through a combination of both their age/and the high levels of quality in their instruction./Throughout their histories,/each one has been a testing ground for the leadership of the nation./In the United States,Harvard and Yale attract thousandsof foreign students/who would use what they learn for the advancement of their own nations./In this way,these schools have developed an interesting method of international communication./ Graduates around the world are able to connect with each other/by having graduated from one of the finest universities in the world./Leaders in every field,whether government officials or ground-breaking scientists,/who graduated from the same school have a direct link to each other/ and understand each other much better./Dictation27Ideal Life理想人生（157words）The ideal life is one that many people would like to pursue,yet few achieve./The balance between dreams and reality is one that is difficult to overcome./Many people choose a vocation in the hopes/that it would bring them wealth and success./However,after years of labor in their chosen field,they begin to hate their jobs./This is mainly because they have neglected other parts of their lives in search of this success./These people devote their lives to working/and are unable to separate themselves from their work./They find that it may not be enough./Some have jobs where their principles and emotional health/are challenged by dishonesty or bad work environments./These people can begin to become influenced by the environment in which they work,/leading to personal or health problems./This choice is not a permanent situation,however, /as many people have chosen to change the values of their lives./Dictation28Reeducation and Employment再教育和就业（160words）During the course of our lives,we must make many choices that we may come to regret./ This is especially true when choosing a career./Jobs that sound exciting or rewarding become dull or not worth it/as we live our daily existence./This is where reeducation can help./ Occupational schools have been set up to train people in jobs/that they may be better suited for./ People can adapt their interests and talents through selected courses./They can learn cooking skills,which are always in great demand./Gardening is an option for those who enjoy the outdoors or have a green thumb./If a person is interested in motors or cars,they can get training as a mechanic./Even more,the learning of a foreign language/would allow them the opening of a dream life./The job qualification certificates they earn can also be used too enhance their resumes,/so that they are trained in a variety of skills./Dictation29Made in China中国制造（160words）The label,Made in China,is one that is becoming increasing common/in shopping centers all over the world./In the United States,shoppers at Wal-Mart the nation’s largest retailer/have a wide selection of products mostly produced in China./The large amount of Chinese imports have created a large selection of goods in other countries/as people begin to buy more and more products made in China./These goods are even readily available in other Asian nations,/where Chinese-made goods are quite popular./Chinese brand names are also becoming more well-known outside of China./The development of China has amazed the world with its growth./ And also,as China is a developing economy with large amounts of labor,/industries are beginning to relocate in an effort to minimize costs and increase profits./The results of theserelocations are that/nations are beginning to try to limit the flow of Chinese goods/with the use of taxes and import restrictions./Dictation30Glaciers冰川（153words）Glaciers are formed in places where the temperatures are extremely cold./This could even include places that are at sea level,/but are mostly places that are high up on mountains./ In such cold places it snows most of the year./This snow will settle down and when it snows again/the lower layer of snow gets compressed./Every time it snows,the below layers will compress more,/finally turning into hard ice./This ice is what forms the glacier./ When the temperature rises slightly,/the outer edges of the formed glacier and fresh snow will melt./For a glacier to form and sustain itself it is of prime importance/that the amount of snow that falls on it must be more than the amount of glacier that has melted./This is the only way in which the glacier will be able to maintain itself/and keep increasing in size year after year./。

“迷信”一词的起源“迷信”这个概念最早是由新柏拉图主义者提出并用以指称不正确的信仰，随着奥古斯丁对基督教神学体系的建立以及与异族的接触，“迷信”专门用以称呼非基督教信仰，言外之意惟有基督教才是世界上“最正宗”的宗教，异族的信仰皆是一种神灵崇拜、巫术、“迷信”。

宗教改革之后，新教继承了天主教对正统信仰与迷信的划分。

而此时也正是科学传播的早期阶段，对理性的追求将宗教与科学对立了起来。

由培根开启的近代科学继承了文艺复兴时期怀疑权威的传统，不仅审视迷信，还质疑经院哲学和宗教，20世纪20年代，科学占据了权威的地位，它让人相信自然法则是支配宇宙的惟一力量，宗教也被归入“迷信”之列。

总之，“迷信”（superstition）一开始是指与基督教相异的宗教信仰，后来随着西方科学的发展，它也指包括基督教在内的宗教信仰。

近代中国“迷信”概念的演变经历了相似的过程，但也有不同之处。

一、唐代至19世纪末出现的“迷信”一词无批判意义，不指向民间信仰，“迷信”一词使用的频率很低。

最早使用“迷信”一词的，是在一篇唐代墓志中：“既下车，闻有僧道峦属火於顶，‘加钳於颈’，以苦行惑民，人心大迷信。

”1沈洁认为此处“迷信”的意思泛指一种非理性的心理状态，并非专门指向民间的信仰形态。

219世纪末以前在对民间信仰的论述中常用的词汇主要有：淫祀、愚迷、愚昧、迷惑、迷妄等。

较早出现使用“迷信”一词的是在麦仲华主编的《皇朝经世文新编》和陈忠倚主编的《皇朝经世文三编》，这两本经世文编都成书于光绪二十四年（1898年）。

《皇朝经世文新编》卷16“外史”类中，收入了日本佚名作者的文章《论欧洲现情》，其中使用了“迷信”一词：“何则英驻土耳其大使言曰，亚儿米尼亚富人本不喜狂妄唱独立之说，诚恐刚暴无谋，奋激土人迷信宗教之心，遂以紊世局之静谧也。

”3沈洁认为这应当是“日本人用中文写作的时政文章，在戊戌维新思潮中传入中国。

”4《皇朝经世文三编》卷74中“外洋商务”类有《外洋商务巵言》一文，此文从内容到词句与上文所引《论欧洲现情》几乎完全一样，沈洁认为两部书中把“迷信”与“宗教”连用，是指同理性主义相对应的信仰世界或者更泛义地指向一种非常的心理状态，基本上是一个中性词，用来指代一种世界观，并不是直接指向对大众信仰形式的批判。

摒弃迷信的英语作文Title: Dispelling Superstition。

Superstition has long been a part of human culture, ingrained in societies across the globe for centuries. However, with the advancement of science and rational thinking, it is imperative that we discard superstitions and embrace logical reasoning. In this essay, we will delve into the reasons why superstition should be abandoned and the benefits of a rational mindset.First and foremost, superstition often leads to irrational fear and anxiety. Believing in omens, curses, or supernatural beings can cause unnecessary stress and hinder one's ability to make clear, rational decisions. For example, someone who believes in the superstition that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck may become overly cautious and fearful in their daily life, impacting their mental well-being.Moreover, superstition promotes ignorance and hinders progress. Instead of seeking logical explanations for phenomena, superstitious individuals may attribute events to mystical forces or divine intervention. This mindset stifles curiosity and prevents the exploration ofscientific truths. In contrast, embracing a rational outlook encourages critical thinking and drives scientific inquiry, leading to advancements in various fields.Furthermore, superstition can be exploited for personal gain or to manipulate others. Charlatans and fraudsters often prey on the superstitious, offering false promises of protection or prosperity in exchange for money or allegiance. By promoting skepticism and rationality, we can empower individuals to discern fact from fiction and resist exploitation.In addition, superstition can have detrimental effects on society as a whole. In some cases, superstitions have fueled discrimination and violence against certain groups or individuals deemed to possess supernatural powers or affiliations. By eradicating superstition, we can foster amore inclusive and tolerant society based on reason and evidence rather than unfounded beliefs.To dispel superstition, education plays a crucial role. By promoting scientific literacy and critical thinking skills, we can equip individuals with the tools to question superstitions and seek rational explanations for phenomena. Encouraging open-mindedness and skepticism from a young age can help prevent the perpetuation of superstitions infuture generations.Furthermore, fostering a culture of inquiry and skepticism within communities can help combat the spread of superstition. By encouraging dialogue and debate, individuals can challenge superstitions and offer alternative perspectives based on evidence and reason. Community leaders, educators, and influencers have a responsibility to promote rational thinking and discourage the propagation of superstitions.In conclusion, superstition is a relic of humanity's past that has no place in our modern world. By embracingrationality, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry, we can free ourselves from the shackles of superstition and pave the way for a more enlightened and progressive society. It is only through education, dialogue, and a commitment to reason that we can dispel superstition and embrace abrighter future for all.。