新概念英语Lesson 5６

来源：环球雅思网 www.ielts.com.cn 2005-10-9

　　Lesson 56 Faster than sound!

　　第一部分 WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

　　第二部分 TEXT

　　Once a year, a race is held for old cars. A lot of cars entered for this race last year and there was a great deal of excitement just before it began. One of the most handsome cars was a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The most unusual car was a Benz which had only three wheels. Built in 1885, it was the oldest car taking part. After a great many loud explosions, the race began. Many of the cars broke down on the course and some drivers spent more time under their cars than in them! A few cars, however, completed the race. The winning car reached a speed of forty miles an hour--much faster than any of its rivals. It sped downhill at the end of the race and its driver had a lot of trouble trying to stop it. The race gave everyone a great deal of pleasure. It was very different from modern car races but no less exciting.
参考译文

　　旧式汽车的比赛每年举行一次. 去年有很多汽车参加了这项比赛. 比赛开始之前, 人们异常激动. 最漂亮的汽车之一是罗尔斯-罗伊斯生产的银鬼汽车, 而最不寻常的一辆则要属只有3只轮子的奔驰牌汽车了. 该车造于1885年, 是参赛车中最老的一辆. 在好一阵喧闹的爆炸声之后, 比赛开始了. 很多汽车在途中就抛了锚, 而有些驾驶员花在汽车底下的时间比坐在汽车里面的时间还长. 然而还是有几辆汽车跑完了全程. 获胜的那辆车达到了时速40英里――远远超过任何对手. 它在接近终点时, 冲下了山坡, 驾驶员费了好大劲才把车停下来. 这次比赛使每个人都挺开心. 它虽然与现代汽车比赛大不相同, 但激动人心的程度并不亚于现代汽车大赛.