许国璋英语第二册 Lesson 15

许国璋英语第二册 Lesson 15

Words to the text
Christopher Columbus
voyage
across
the Atlantic Ocean
argue
sailor
scholar
prince
sail
Europe
European
dreamer
faith
Spain
Spanish
interested in
route
India
ship
so that
carry out
cross
inhabit
rejoice
rejoicing
hail
epoch-making
discovery
honor
to do sb. honor
respect
jealous
be jealous of
discoverer
seaman
Italy
dinner
conceited
uncomfortable
beyon
coast
island
gentleman
guest
experiment
round
go the round
entirely
shell
upright
Words to the dialogue
absolutely
marverlous
airplane
up to date
equipment
produce
at home
suppose
result
thank to
Text
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
Christopher Columbus discovered America on the 12th of October, 1492. He had spent eighteen years in
planning for that wonderful voyage which he made across the Atlantic Ocean. He had talked and argued with
sailors and scholars and princes and kings. "By sailing west across the great ocean," he would say, "I am sure I
can reach lands that have never been visited by Europeans." But he had been laughed at as a foolish dreamer,
and few people had any faith in him. Finally the Spanish king and queen, who were interested in finding a sea
route to India, offered him ships and men so that he could carry out his plan. He crossed the ocean and
discovered strange lands, inhabited by a people unknown to Europeans. He believed these lands to be part of
India.
Early in 1493 Columbus returned to Spain. There was great rejoicing in the country, and he was hailed as the hero who had made an epoch-making discovery. Crowds of people lined the streets to do him honour, and the
king and queen welcomed him to their palace. Never had such great respect been shown to any common man.
But there were people who were jealous of the discoverer. "Who is this Columbus?" they asked. "What has
he done? Is he not an ordinary seaman from Italy? And could not any other person sail across the ocean as he
has done?"
One day Columbus was at a dinner given in his honour. At the party were several of these conceited fellows,
who very soon tried to make him uncomfortable.
"You have discovered strange lands beyond the sea," they began. "But what of that? We do not see why
there should be so much fuss about it. Anybody can sail across the ocean, and anybody can coast along the
islands on the other side, just as you have done. It is the simplest thing in the world."
Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the guests, "Who
among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?"
One guest after another tried the experiment. When the egg had gone the rounds and none had succeeded,
all said that it could not be done.
Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the table so as to break the shell a little.
After that there was no trouble in making it stand upright.
"Gentlemen," said he, "what could be easier than this? And yet you said it was impossible! It is the simplest
thing in the world. Anybody can do it — after he has been shown how."
Dialogue
An industrial experience
Hello, comrade, I hear you've been to the exhibition. Well, how was it?
Absolutely marverlous. There were all sorts of machines, cars, tractors, airplanes, and lots of up to date
equipment.
All produced at home, I suppose.
Quite right. The result of so many years of hard work, in the straight, done a great deal during these years.
And doing lot more, thanks to the party. Well, I think I realy ought to go and see exhibition sometime this week.