Flowing through the Heart of Venice(b) | 无与伦比的水都威尼斯

Sometimes boats are used in a rather different way on the Grand Canal. If they're made for speed, they can be raced in the famous Historical Regatta. Held on the first Sunday of every September, it is the perfect festival for a city that's defined by water. The first part of the Regatta is a historical parade, and the second part is the rowing races.

The parade is unlike most parades, which happen on streets. It is made up of decorated boats that float past excited onlookers down the Grand Canal. When the festival began in 1315, the parade was supposed to show the world the strength of Venice, which was a powerful seafaring city. Now it is just a way to celebrate Venice's traditions.

The parade is then followed by the races. There are different races in the Regatta—for men, women, and the young—and various kinds of boats are used, including gondolas. In the gondola races, the rowers stand in their boats. For the racers, it's not just physical strength that counts. Knowledge is what it takes to win the championship, and things like understanding the currents can make all the difference. Some past winners have even been in their fifties. Women's races are part of the Regatta, too. Once abandoned for many years, they were reintroduced in 1977 and have become a popular favorite, just like the children's races. The traditions of Venice and the Historical Regatta on the Grand Canal continue to go strong into the future.

1.  Why does the author mention the controversy over the newest bridge on the Grand Canal?

(A) It shows how important the Grand Canal is to Venetians.

(B) It supports the argument that there should be no bridges on the Grand Canal.

(C) It reports how the Grand Canal is not used by boats anymore.

(D) It is interesting how people trust bridges more than boats.

2.  What is said about the Historical Regatta on Day 2?

(A) It happens twice a year.

(B) It has taken place for over 2,000 years.

(C) Women were not allowed to race until 1977.

(D) The purpose has changed, but the tradition continues.

3.  Why do older people sometimes win the gondola races?

(A) They are actually stronger than younger people.

(B) They have more experience navigating the Grand Canal.

(C) Their boats are usually better.

(D) The waves on the Grand Canal can interfere with the race.

4.  Which of the following statements is NOT supported by the article?

(A) Public transportation in Venice is unique.

(B) The best way to take in Venice is by boat.

(C) The parade is nearly the same as all the others in the world.

(D) The Historical Regatta has two separate parts.

   在大运河上，有时船只的使用方式不同于一般。如果是以竞速为目的建造的船，就可以在著名的传统赛船节中一较高下。这个在每年 9月第一个星期天举行的节日对一座水都而言，真是再适合不过了。节庆的第一个部分是传统的游行，第二个部分则是划船比赛。

　　这个节日的游行和大部分在陆地举行的游行不同。赛船节的游行是由许多经过装饰的船行经热情的群众，顺着大运河漂流而下。这个节日于 1315 年首度举行时，游行原本是为了向世人展现威尼斯当时身为强权航海城市的实力。但现在这个游行纯粹用来庆祝威尼斯的传统。

　　游行后接着就是赛船。赛船节中有不同的赛事，包括男子组、女子组，还有儿童组的比赛，而且会用到各种不同的船，其中包括贡多拉船。在贡多拉船赛中，船手会站在他们的船中。对赛船者而言，比赛靠的不只是力气。要赢得冠军得靠知识，懂得运河水流这类的事会让比赛结果大为不同。一些过去的优胜者年龄甚至高达 50 多岁。女子组的比赛也是赛船节的一部分。女子组船赛曾停办多年，但在 1977 年复赛，并和儿童组一样，受到大家的喜爱。在未来，威尼斯传统和大运河上的传统赛船节都将继续发扬光大。

答案：1. (A)2. (D)3. (B)4. (C)

For Your Information

除了传统的赛船会，威尼斯的嘉年华会（又称面具节）同样享负盛名。威尼斯嘉年华会的起源是在公元 1162 年，为了庆祝威尼斯国（Venezia）对抗乌尔里科（Ulrico）的战役胜利，在圣马可广场举行庆典。演变至 15 世纪开始成为一个全民参与的威尼斯狂欢大会。

中古世纪时阶级意识极为浓厚，但一年一度的威尼斯嘉年华，却在人人戴着华丽面具下除去了贫富贵贱的籓篱。在嘉年华会期间，圣马可广场附近的店家会摆出各式面具、戏服，供游客随时换装。街头的彩绘化妆师更将脸当画布，帮游客设计出最具特色的『临时面具』。