节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-11-03
难易度:Low
关键字:balance, university, community center, afford
OK. I hope you had a great break.
Welcome back.
Now some of you may be asking yourselves: Is fencing really safe?
After all, those are real metal swords that they're using.
Well, if done right, fencing is safe if you wear your safety gear and follow the
rules.
In fact, fencing has one of the lowest injury rates of any sport.
OK. Let's wrap up our lesson now over at the top of page 16.
Grab Your Sword!
People often associate fencing with rich people and private schools.
That's because fencing has long been popular at top private schools and
universities.
But fencing is also starting to appear in community centers and public schools.
In many places, fencing clubs are always looking for new members.
They often offer classes for beginners, and many provide equipment for those who
can't afford to buy their own.
Fast and fun, fencing is a great way to get some exercise.
So grab a sword, and give fencing a try!
Fencing is an exciting sport to watch.
And we keep referring to it, Ryan, as a gentlemen's sport.
Can you explain a little bit more what that might mean?
Well, yes.
Of course, we remember that a gentleman is someone who has a strong social
standing and they are respected.
But you might think, well, people who are fighting with swords might not be
respected.
Well, you'd be wrong with fencing.
That's right.
Fencing is thought of as being a very upper class kind of sport.
Now people often associate fencing then with rich people and private schools.
Now what does it mean to associate?
OK. If you associate something, that means that you think of something else when
you look at the first thing or think of the first thing.
It reminds you of something else.
That's right.
So if I think of fencing, I might then think of, oh, rich people, people with a
lot of money and private schools.
Yes. A private school is a school that is not run by a government and is instead
run by the people that pay money in order to go there.
And so usually rich people go to private schools.
Because you have to pay a lot of money to attend a private school.
They're not cheap.
Now the reason... why would people associate or put these private schools and
rich people together with fencing?
Well, that's because fencing has long been popular at top private schools and
universities.
OK, so at top private schools.
When we refer to a "top" something, that means it's respected and known as being
one of the best.
So it's the top of the list of the best things or best schools to attend.
OK. And we use the phrase: it has long been popular.
And that simply means it has been popular at those places for a long time,
places such as private schools and universities.
Now a "university" is a college or a bunch of colleges in one place.
It's where you go to school to get a degree.
So once you finished high school, you could attend university.
OK. Now fencing is also starting to appear in other places, right?
That's right.
Fencing, we think of it as long been associated to these rich places with these
rich people, but it's spreading out.
You can see it in different places.
It's appearing, or showing up, or being taught in new places.
OK. For example, they're showing up in community centers.
A "community center" is a place in uh... local areas such as a city or a
neighborhood where people can come and meet up to play sports,
look at art or even learn in workshops or classes.
That's right. So you can maybe study fencing at a community center now as well
as public schools.
So not just the schools where we pay a lot of money to go, but also schools that
the government provides.
Now this is really exciting.
It teaches very high manners and very good postures, so it's a good sport to
learn.
I think so too.
I know, friends, many of us, especially if you were a young boy, then you used
to try and play sword fighting when you were little.
And so you might think that this would be a lot of fun, but remember, it's a
gentlemen's sport.
That's right.
You have to be respectful and follow the rules.
Now in many places, fencing clubs are always looking for new nembers.
OK.
So fencing clubs are, well, clubs that are groups of people that meet to play
and learn about fencing, and they're looking for new members, new people to
join.
Now a member is someone who is part of a club in a permanent setting.
You don't just visit once or twice, you go regularly.
You go often.
And you're studying and learning whatever that club is doing.
So they're looking for new members, new people to join.
And it doesn't matter whether you know how to fence or not.
You can join because many of these clubs offer classes for beginners,
and many do provide the equipment that you need for those who cannot afford to
buy their own.
Now you would definitely need a class as a beginner.
Beginner means it's the first time or the beginning or the... the start of what
you're learning.
So you might be new at it.
And it can be kind of expensive to get the equipment, so they have... they
provide it if you can't afford it.
Yes. If you can "afford" something, that means you are able to pay for it.
You have enough money, or time sometimes, for it as well.
Now it does require a lot of safety equipment, and it can cost money.
So thanks to these clubs, you just might be able to get your own.
Yes, because they provide it for you.
If you provide something, that means you make it available.
And they're providing the equipment, all the tools you need to fence.
Now fast and fun, fencing is a great way to get some exercise.
It's a great sport to get out and learn something new as well as keep your body
healthy and strong.
OK, friends, so grab a sword and give fencing a try.
All right, time... it's time now, friends, to go visit the Chat Room.
So are you planning on taking any trips this winter, Bryan?
Actually, I am.
I'm arranging a hiking trip with some friends next month.
The trip will be three days and two nights.
Would you be interested?
Well, if you're camping overnight, I'm afraid I don't have the right equipments
for that.
Don't worry, Ken.
You can borrow some of mine.
And you should say equipment, not equipments.
But I have many pieces of equipment, so I should say equipments, right?
No. "Pieces of equipment" is the correct phrase.
Hey, let's go to Studio Classroom Teacher Pam for a clearer explanation.
OK.
Equipment is an uncountable noun.
So even if you're describing several pieces of equipment, you don't need to add
an S.
The word "equipment" implies a set of objects needed to do a certain activity.
OK. I'll try to remember that.
Let's see, the only pieces of camping equipment I have are a sleeping bag and a
backpack.
You'd be fine then.
My friends and I have enough tents and cooking equipment already.
In that case, I'll check my calendar.
You know, I used to hike a lot when I was in college.
I even had my own camping gears.
Camping gear, no S.
Oh, so "gear" is just like equipment?
Yep. These two words mean about the same thing.
They're both uncountable, and you can use one in place of the other.
So I could say either camping equipment or camping gear.
Sure.
However, there is another form of gear that is a countable noun.
And that's gear as in the gears in a car or in a machine.
Oh, that's right.
My car has five gears.
Well, thanks for the lesson, Bryan.
And let me know the dates for your trip.
Will do.
(Chinese).
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And I guess that's it for today.
Keep up the good work.
I'll see you soon. Bye.
Thank you, Michelle.
Since the first rules were set in the late 17th century, fencing has evolved
into a fast,
exciting and safe sport that people of all ages, all social classes and all
skill levels can enjoy.
Traditional fencing has always been a part of the modern Olympics while
wheelchair fencing has always been a part of the Paralympic Games.
Friends, use the Talk About It questions at the bottom of page 16 and practice
speaking English with a friend,
even if that friend isn't a native English speaker.
It will help you, I promise.
Then have a great weekend, and we'll see you all on Monday.
Take care.