Lesson 93 A noble gift 崇高的礼物
Where was the Statue of Liberty made?
One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of Liberty, was presented to the United States of America in the nineteenth century by the people of France. The great statue, which was designed by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, took ten years to complete. The actual figure was made of copper supported by a metal framework which had been especially constructed by Eiffel. Before it could be transported to the United States, a site had to be found for it and a pedestal had to be built. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of New York Harbour. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall had been erected in Paris. The following year, it was taken to pieces and sent to America. By the end of October 1886, the statue had been put together again and it was officially presented to the American people by Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great monument has been a symbol of liberty for the millions of people who have passed through New York Harbour to make their homes in America.
参考译文
世界上最着名的纪念碑之一的自由女神雕像是在19世纪时由法国人民赠送给美国的。这座由雕像家奥古斯特.巴索尔地设计的巨大雕像是用10年时间雕像刻成的。这座雕像的主体是用铜制成的，由艾菲尔特制的金属框架支撑着。在雕像被运往美国之前，必须为它选好一块场地，同时必须建造一个基座。场地选在了纽约港入口处的一个鸟上。到1884年，一座高度达151英尺的雕像在巴黎竖立起来了。第二年，它被拆成若干小块，运到美国。到1886年10月底，这座雕像被重新组装起来，由巴索尔地正式赠送给美国人民。从那时起，这座伟大的纪念碑对通过纽约港进入美国定居的千百万人来说就一直是自由的象征。
【New words and expressions】（13）
★ noble（1）adj. 高尚的，高贵的
←→ ignoble ?[ig?n?ub?l] a.卑鄙的
a noble mind 崇高的思想
（2） adj. 贵族的、高贵的
a man of noble birth 出身高贵的人； a noble family 名门望族
（3）壮丽的、庄严的、宏伟的 a noble oak 一颗极大的橡树
★ monument（1）n. 纪念碑
a monument to soldiers killed in the war 阵亡将士纪念碑.
eg：People erected a monument in his honor .
人们为了纪念他，为他建立一个纪念碑。
（2） n. 史迹、遗迹
an ancient monument 古代遗迹； a national monument 自然纪念物
（3）n. 不朽的成就、丰功伟业
★ statue n. 雕像
a bronze statue 铜像； a statue of Buddha 佛像
the Statue of Liberty 自由女神像
statuesque [.st?tju'esk] ?adj. 雕像般的, 均衡的, 轮廓极美的
a statuette 小雕像
★ liberty（1） n. 自由、解放
religious liberty 宗教自由
eg：Give me liberty , or give me death . 不自由,毋宁死!
（2） n. 自由、权力
civil liberties 民权、civil liberty的复数
eg：You have the liberty to vote . 你有自由投票权
（3）随便、任意、不客气
take a liberty ＝ be guilty of a liberty 无礼
take the liberty of doing sth ＝ take the liberty to do sth冒昧地做某事eg：I take the liberty to us use you phone . 我冒昧地用你的电话
set sb at liberty 释放； set a hostage at liberty 释放一个人质
★ present ?[pri?zent,] （1）v. 赠送、贡献、呈递
present sth to sb ＝ present sb with sth 将….赠送某人
eg：The principal presented a diploma to each of the graduates .
＝ The principal presented each of the graduates with a diploma .
校长把毕业生的文凭一ㄧ授予给毕业生。
eg：The prize was presented to the winner . 奖被颁给获胜者。
＝ The winner was presented with the prize .
（2）v. 提出、交出、显示
eg：I presented the letter of introduction to the receptionist .
我将介绍信交给了接待员。
present a calm face 不露生色
★ sculptor n. 雕刻家
sculpture n. 雕刻术、雕刻品
