Reading and Thinking 课文精读 · 我们为什么庆祝节日
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Festivals are celebrated all around the world. They have a wide range of origins, such as the seasons of the year, religions, famous figures, and important events. Every festival has its different customs and unique charms. However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.
世界各地都庆祝各种节日。节日的由来五花八门，比如时节、宗教、著名人物及重要事件。每个节日都有其不同的习俗和独特的魅力。然而，无论它们多么迥异，在世界各地，分享快乐、感恩、友爱或和平的精神存在于所有节日之中。
第2段
Of all the traditional festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture. This important agricultural festival takes place after all the crops have been gathered in. People celebrate to show that they are grateful for the year’s supply of food. In ancient Egypt, the harvest festival was celebrated during the springtime—the Egyptian harvest season. It featured a parade and a great feast with music, dancing, and sports. Today, in some European countries, people decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit, and get together to celebrate over a meal. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, families gather to admire the shining moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes.
在所有的传统节日中，丰收节几乎可见于每一种文化之中。这一重大的农业节日在所有农作物收成后来临。人们举行庆祝活动，对这一年收获的食物表达感恩。在古埃及，人们于春季庆祝丰收节——即埃及的丰收季。庆祝活动主要是游行和丰盛的筵席，载歌载舞，并伴有体育活动。如今，在一些欧洲国家，人们用鲜花和水果来装饰教堂和市政厅，聚在一起共享大餐，以示庆祝。在中国的中秋节，家家户户欢聚一堂，观赏明月，品尝美味的月饼。
第3段
Customs play a significant role in festivals, but sometimes they can change over time. With the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas, some traditions may fade away and others may be established. One example is the typical Chinese Spring Festival custom of lighting firecrackers to drive away the evil spirits and celebrate the new year. Nowadays, many big cities have given up this custom in order to avoid air pollution. Another example is Halloween, which slowly became an exciting festival for children, in spite of its religious origins.
风俗在节日中扮演重要角色，但有时也随时间而变化。随着现代社会的发展和新思想的传播，有些传统会渐渐消失，而另一些传统则得以建立。中国春节燃放鞭炮以驱鬼神、贺新年这一典型风俗就是一个例子。如今，为了避免空气污染，许多大城市已经摒弃了这一风俗。另一个例子是万圣节，虽然起源于宗教，万圣节渐渐成了孩子们纵情玩乐的一个节日。
第4段
Festivals are becoming more and more commercial, with business taking advantage of the celebrations. Online shopping websites and social media apps have made it much easier for the public to spend more on gifts for their loved ones. Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.
节日正变得越来越商业化，商家会利用这些庆祝活动（进行促销）。购物网站和社交媒体应用程序极大地方便了人们为至亲至爱花更多钱购买礼物。尽管有人认为节日不应该被商业化，但是也有人认为消费增长有利于（提高）经济和公众幸福感。
第5段
Festivals are an important part of society. They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life. They are occasions that allow us to relax and enjoy life, and forget about our work for a little while. They help us understand where we came from, who we are, and what to appreciate. And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.
节日是社会的一个重要组成部分。节日反映了人类的愿望、信仰、信念以及对生活的态度。节日是让我们放松心情、享受生活、暂时忘却工作的时刻。节日让我们了解我们来自何方、我们是谁、我们应该感恩什么。此外，如果你仔细研究各种节日，你会惊奇地发现不同的文化实际上有很多共同之处。
二、重点单词
festival n.：节日；节庆。Festivals are celebrated all around the world.
range n.：范围；种类。a wide range of origins（五花八门的由来）
origin n.：起源；起因。such as the seasons of the year, religions ... and important events
figure n.：人物；数字；图形。famous figures（著名人物）
joy n.：欢乐；喜悦。the spirit of sharing joy（分享快乐的精神）
gratitude n.：感激；感谢。gratitude, love, or peace
harvest n. / adj.：丰收（的）；收割。the harvest festival（丰收节）
crop n.：庄稼；作物。all the crops have been gathered in（农作物全部收成）
feature v.：以……为特色；主演。It featured a parade and a great feast.
decorate v.：装饰；装潢。decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit
significant adj.：重大的；显著的。play a significant role in festivals
fade v.：逐渐消失；褪色。some traditions may fade away
commercial adj.：商业的；营利的。Festivals are becoming more and more commercial.
reflect v.：反映；反射。They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs ...
belief n.：信仰；信念。beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life
occasion n.：场合；时机。They are occasions that allow us to relax.
appreciate v.：欣赏；感激。what to appreciate（该感恩什么）
三、一词多义与熟词生义
figure 常见义多指"数字、图形"，课文中 famous figures 指"著名人物"，是名词表"人物"的用法。
range 常见义作名词"射程、山脉"，课文中 a wide range of 为固定搭配，意为"各种各样的、广泛的"。
feature 常见义作名词"特征、特写"，课文中作动词，意为"以……为特色、展现"。
commercial 常见义作名词"电视广告"，课文中作形容词，意为"商业化的、营利的"。
occasion 常见义"特殊场合、盛会"，课文中 They are occasions that ... 引申为"让我们……的时刻"，偏抽象。
fade 常见义"褪色（颜色）"，课文中 fade away 引申为"（传统）渐渐消失、式微"。
四、重点词块
a wide range of 各种各样的；广泛的
such as 例如；诸如
no matter how 无论多么……
be common in 在……中常见的 / 普遍的
take place 发生；举行
gather in 收割；收进
be grateful for 对……心怀感恩
play a significant role in 在……中起重要作用
with the development of 随着……的发展
fade away 逐渐消失；消逝
drive away 驱赶；赶走
give up 放弃；摒弃
in spite of 尽管；不顾
take advantage of 利用
spend ... on 在……上花费（钱 / 时间）
be good for 对……有益
attitudes towards 对……的态度
have a lot in common 有许多共同之处
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.
【主干】the spirit ... is common in all festivals.
【分层】However 表转折；no matter how different they may seem 为让步状语从句，"无论它们看似多么不同"；all over the world 为地点状语；of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 spirit。
【译文】然而，无论它们看似多么不同，在世界各地，分享快乐、感恩、友爱或和平的精神存在于所有节日之中。
【考点】no matter how + 形容词引导让步状语从句；介词短语作后置定语；主谓一致（spirit 单数）。
【原句 2】This important agricultural festival takes place after all the crops have been gathered in.
【主干】This festival takes place.
【分层】important agricultural 为两个形容词作前置定语；after all the crops have been gathered in 为 after 引导的时间状语从句，且从句用现在完成时的被动语态。
【译文】这一重大的农业节日在所有农作物收成后来临。
【考点】after 引导时间状语从句；现在完成时被动语态 have been done。
【原句 3】Customs play a significant role in festivals, but sometimes they can change over time.
【主干】Customs play a role, but they can change.
【分层】but 连接两个并列分句；play a role in 为固定搭配；over time 作时间状语，意为"随着时间推移"。
【译文】风俗在节日中扮演重要角色，但有时也随时间而变化。
【考点】并列连词 but；play a role in 搭配；over time 时间状语。
【原句 4】Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.
【主干】some believe ..., others believe ...
【分层】Although 引导让步状语从句；两个 believe 后均接省略 that 的宾语从句；第二个宾语从句中 the increase in spending 为主语，is good for 为系表结构，the economy and public happiness 作并列宾语。
【译文】尽管有人认为节日不应该被商业化，但是也有人认为消费增长有利于经济和公众幸福感。
【考点】although 引导让步状语从句；省略 that 的宾语从句；并列宾语。
【原句 5】And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.
【主干】you may be surprised to find that ...
【分层】if you study festivals carefully 为条件状语从句；to find that ... 为不定式作原因 / 结果状语；that 引导宾语从句，其中 actually 为副词，after all 为固定短语"毕竟、终归"。
【译文】此外，如果你仔细研究各种节日，你会惊奇地发现不同的文化实际上有很多共同之处。
【考点】if 条件状语从句；be surprised to do；that 宾语从句；after all 短语。
六、语法点清单
1. 被动语态（一般现在时 / 现在完成时）
Festivals are celebrated ...；all the crops have been gathered in；festivals should not be commercialised。说明"节日被庆祝、庄稼被收割"等，强调动作承受者。
2. no matter how / what 引导的让步状语从句
no matter how different they may seem。注意 no matter how + 形容词 / 副词，意为"无论多么……"，可与 however 互换。
3. 现在分词作伴随状语
with business taking advantage of the celebrations（with 复合结构，business 与 take 为主动关系）；families gather to admire the shining moon and enjoy ...（and 连接并列不定式）。
4. 非限制性定语从句
Another example is Halloween, which slowly became an exciting festival ...。which 指代 Halloween，补充说明。
5. 并列结构
全文大量使用 and / or / but 连接并列成分，如 joy, gratitude, love, or peace；wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes；relax and enjoy ... and forget about，是说明文展开逻辑的骨架。
6. 介词短语后置定语
the spirit of sharing ...；the increase in spending；attitudes towards life。of / in / towards 短语修饰前面名词。
七、逻辑链
总起（第1段）：节日遍布全球，由来各异，但"分享"的精神是共性
↓
分述一（第2段）：以丰收节为例——跨文化共通，各地庆祝方式不同却都感恩食物
↓
分述二（第3段）：风俗随时代变化——有的消失（鞭炮），有的新生（万圣节）
↓
分述三（第4段）：节日商业化争议——便利消费 vs 应否商业化
↓
升华（第5段）：节日反映人性与文化，终归"殊途同归、文化共通"
这是一篇"总—分—总"结构的说明 / 议论文：第1段提出节日共性；第2—4段分别用丰收节、风俗变迁、商业化三个维度展开；第5段收束并点明"不同文化实有共通之处"的题旨。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：No matter how ... , ...
课文：no matter how different they may seem, ... the spirit ... is common in all festivals.
仿写：No matter how busy we are, we should spare some time for our family.（无论多忙，我们都该为家人留出时间。）——用于让步转折，增强说服力。
模板 2：... play a significant role in ...
课文：Customs play a significant role in festivals.
仿写：Reading plays a significant role in broadening our horizons.（阅读在拓宽视野方面作用重大。）——用于说明事物重要性。
模板 3：With the development of ..., ...
课文：With the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas, ...
仿写：With the development of science and technology, our life has become more convenient.（随着科技发展，生活更便捷。）——用于原因分析段首。
模板 4：Although some believe ..., others believe ...
课文：Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe ...
仿写：Although some believe students should focus only on study, others believe social skills matter, too.（尽管有人认为学生只需专注学习，也有人认为社交能力同样重要。）——用于对比两种观点。
模板 5：... have a lot in common (after all).
课文：different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.
仿写：Despite different backgrounds, we have a lot in common after all.（尽管背景不同，我们终归有许多共同点。）——用于结尾升华。
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