2014年公共英语三级阅读范文及译文(1)

2014-05-28 20:23:00来源：网络

　　Washington, D.C. serves as the seat of government for the United States of American. Over the 200 years, Washington, D.C. has grown with the nation, and it now represents the very best of America. From its majestic monuments to its incomparable museums, from the Mall to the steps of the Capital, Washington offers visitors one-of-a-kind attractions.

　　The majestic capital building stands at the center of the city, allowing unobstructed views of the city’s most famous attractions. The immense open space of the Mall is marked off by the various museums of the Smithsonian Institution, the largest cluster of museums in the world. The national Air and Space Museum celebrates the nation’s achievements in flight and space exploration, from the Wright brother’s first biplane to the Apollo moon mission and beyond. Visitors also line up for the Natural History Museum to learn about the sciences and to view the famous Hope Diamond. The Smithsonian Institution also includes the world-famous galleries. Art lovers should also appreciate the nearby National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American Art.

　　Looking past the Mall, the Washington Monument stands 505 feet above the city. It was the tallest man-made structure in America from its completion until the early 1900’s. Behind this monument are the reflecting pool and the trio of memorials dedicated to remembering President Lincoln and the wounded and killed of the Vietnam and Korean conflicts. New to the area of the tidal basin, and facing the Jefferson Memorial, a memorial to Franklin Roosevelt lies on the Potomac River which hosts millions of visitors each year.

　　The offices of the various government agencies take up most of the space of the city, and most offer free tours to the public. The White House also offers free tours to the public. Just outside of the city, the national zoo houses thousands of animals on 163 acres of park. Among its residents are two giant pandas given to the United States as gifts from the People’s Republic of China. Across the river in Arlington, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands amidst the dim, grave and majestic Arlington National Cemetery.

　　Washington has many other distractions from politics. Washington’s theatre life is thriving; it is second only to New York in number of theatre seats. The National Symphony and other musical companies play four schedules. As a temporary home to diplomats from around the world, Washington’s restaurant offerings are the finest and most diverse around.

　　The beauty and grandeur of the nation’s capital continue to captivate millions of American and foreign tourists who visit Washington, D.C. each year.

　　参考译文:

　　华盛顿特区(又称华盛顿哥伦比亚特区)是美利坚合众国政府所在地。在过去的200多年中，华盛顿特区与美国一起成长，现在它是美国国家的象征。从宏伟的纪念牌到无与伦比的博物馆，从首都广场到国会大厦的台阶，它以自己的特征吸引着游客。

　　宏伟的国会大厦耸立于市中心，人们能在此饱览华盛顿特区著名的风景。首都广场的硕大空间被世界上最大的博物馆群——史密森博物馆院的各种博物馆划分开来。国家航空航天博物馆展示了美国在飞行和宇宙探索方面取得的成就，从莱特兄弟的第一架双翼飞机到阿波罗号登月任务以及其他。游客们还排长队参观自然历史博物馆，了解科学知识，欣赏著名的“希望之星”。史密森博物院还包括世界著名的艺术馆。艺术爱好者们肯定会钟情不远处的国立肖像馆和国立美国艺术博物馆。

　　首都广场过去，就是高505英尺的纪念碑。在二十世纪初以前，它曾是美国最高的人造建筑。纪念碑之后是映像池，和林肯纪念堂及为在越南及朝鲜战争中受伤和阵亡的将士建造的纪念碑。位于潮汐湖畔、与杰弗逊纪念堂正对的是新建的弗兰克林.罗斯福纪念堂，它座落在波托马克岸边，每年吸引数百万游客。

　　各种政府机关的办公用地占了城市大部分空间，多数政府机关都向公众提供免费参观时段，包括白宫在内。城外不远处的占地163英亩的国家动物园里容纳了数千种动物。其中有两只是中华人民共和国作为礼物赠送给美国的大熊猫。海对岸的阿灵顿，无名烈士墓坐落在昏暗、庄严肃穆的阿灵顿国家公墓里。

　　华盛顿特区除了政界机构以外还有许多其他娱乐场所。华盛顿的戏剧非常繁荣，剧院可容纳座位数仅次于纽约。国家交响乐团和其它音乐团体全天候都有演出。作为来自世界各地的外交官们的临时家园，华盛顿所提供的饭店档次最高，而且种类繁多。

　　作为国家首都的华盛顿，其优美景色和宏大建筑将继续吸引每年数百万美国和外国游客到此参观浏览。

本文关键字: 公共英语3 PETS3 公共英语考试