目录目 录 Unit 1Culture and Customs 1. Origin of Olympic Games 2. Cultural Wedding Traditions 3. The Legends of Christmas 4. Thanksgiving Day 5. The History and Customs of Halloween
Unit 2Fairy Tales and Short Stories 1. I Was Once a Cowboy 2. A Leaf From Heaven 3. Witches Loaves 4. Feast of Kubera 5. Rapunzel
Unit 3Famous Speeches and Great Figures 1. President Bushs State of the Union Address 2. Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death 3. Barbara Pierce Bush: Commencement Address at Wellesley College 4. PM Tony Blairs Address to United Nations 5. Thomas Jefferson
Unit 4Discoveries and Inventions 1. Airship 2. Electric Lighting Comes of Age 3. Jungle Discovery Opens New Chapter in Maya History 4. The New World 5. History of the Atomic Bomb & the Manhattan Project
Unit 5Current News and World Report 1. Experts Brief Congress on 9/11 Illnesses 2. How to Make Food Greener 3. Cellphone Pioneer Struggles to Stay Relevant 4. Hollywoods Next Generation 5. Now Students Take Field Trips Online
Unit 6Appreciation of Essays 1. How to Become a Man of Genius 2. On the Feeling of Immortality in Youth 3. On Idleness 4. Of Studies 5. The Declaration of Independence
Unit 7World Travel and Experiences 1. Roundtheworld Travel Tips 2. Australia Travel Guide 3. One Familys Guide to Irelands Top Sights 4. 8 Steps to Enjoy the Perfect Cruise 5. Minor Traveler Maladies
Unit 8Popular Science and Health Care 1. Hypnosis as Mental Health Therapy 2. Restaurant Food Fattier Than You Think 3. Healthy Fruit Dessert Recipes 4. Preventing Cancer Is More Possible Than You Think 5. Dance It off
Unit 9Music and Art 1. Dubious “Mozart Effect” Remains Music to Many Americans Ears 2. Abstract Art 3. The Musical Cats 4. Riverdance 5. The Beatles
Unit 10Practical Tips and Guides 1. 5 Steps to Emotional Detoxification 2. Five Empowered Selfleadership Strategies 3. Triple Your Personal Productivity 4. How to Make Your Email More Effective 5. 7 Killer Actions to Boost Your Selfconfidence
附录大学英语六级词汇补充词表
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1. Origin of Olympic Games The Origin of Olympic Games is easily one of the most intriguing mysteries in the vast panorama of time. It is said that the Olympic Games in the ancient times were basically a part of the religious festival which was held in honor of Zeus, the father of Greek gods. The festival was held in the Olympia, in the western Peloponnesus. According to the various historical sources it is believed that the Origin of Olympic Games can be traced back to the year 776 BC. Legend has it that the games were established by Heracles (Hercules) who was responsible for bringing the sacred olive tree to Olympia. Another source reveals that hero Pelops established the festival after he defeated King Oenomaus in an ancient chariot race.So though the exact Origin of Olympic Games is shrouded in mystery, the games on the whole became the central spark of the Greek culture very early and an important factor that controlled the unification of the Greeks with an exception of the language and the mythological problem.With the passage of time, the Olympian site became very popular for its exquisite group of temples and monuments. The gold and the ivory statue of Zeus is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. The Olympic Games were held every fourth year. Some of the sources point out to some of the startling facts regarding the idea of the Origin of Olympic Games, which is in the initial phase of the game, was a brutal one where the main emphasis was made on the strength of the players and the women were completely prohibited to enter the playing arena of the Olympics. It is said that participants or even officials who cheated were heavily fined and the money collected was used to build statues of Zeus.Initially most of the participants who took part in the games came from rich and wealthy background and aristocratic Greek class. Now as the years rolled on and the centuries too, Olympics narrowed down and became comparatively less exclusive and thus the poor athletes got some sponsorship and were able to compete in the games.One of the most interesting features in relation with the Origin of Olympic Games comprises the fact that not all the events of the modern Olympic today were part of the ancient Olympics as well. Some of the main events that were found their entry in the ancient Olympics were boxing, which existed without rounds until one side was either knocked out or acknowledged defeat. No such weight divisions existed in that time and the opponents were selected by random lot. Boxers did not wear boxing gloves. Instead, they wore hamates which were pieces of leather tied round the hands and wrists leaving free the fingers. Another favorite event was the chariot racing. This was a sport in which only the wealthiest contestants took part. Some of the other important events that worth mentioning are, horse racing, pancratium (combination of boxing, wrestling and judo), running, hoplite race, wrestling, pentathlon.