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Can Anyone Explain Why It Is There?
Stonehenge, a rock circle, is not only one of Britain’s most famous historical places but also one of its greatest mysteries. Every year it receives more than 750,000 visitors. People like to go to this place especially in June as they want to see the sun rising on the longest day of the year. For many years, historians believed Stonehenge was a temple where ancient leaders tried to communicate with the gods. However, historian Paul Stoker thinks this can’t be true because Stonehenge was built so many centuries ago. “The leaders arrived in England much later,” he points out.
Another popular idea is that Stonehenge might be a kind of calendar. The large stones were put together in a certain way. On midsummer’s morning, the sun shines directly into the center of the stones. Other people believe the stones have a medical purpose. They think the stones can prevent illness and keep people healthy. “As you walk there, you can feel the energy from your feet move up your body,” said one visitor. No one is sure what Stonehenge was used for, but most agree that the position of the stones must be for a special purpose. Some think it might be a burial place or a place to honor ancestors. Others think it was built to celebrate a victory over an enemy.
Stonehenge was built slowly over a long period of time. Most historians believe it must be almost 5,000 years old. One of the greatest mysteries is how it was built because the stones are so big and heavy. In 2001, a group of English volunteers tried to build another Stonehenge, but they couldn’t. “We don’t really know who built Stonehenge,” says Paul Stoker. “And perhaps we might never know, but we do know they must have been hard – working — and great planners!”
参考译文
有人能解释它为何存在嘛?
巨石阵,一个石圈,不仅是英国最著名的历史遗迹之一,也是其最大的谜团之一 。它每年接待超 75 万游客 。人们尤其喜欢在六月前往此地,因为他们想在一年中白昼最长的这一天看日出 。多年来,历史学家认为巨石阵是古代首领试图与神灵沟通的神庙 。然而,历史学家保罗・斯托克认为这不可能是真的,因为巨石阵是在好几个世纪前建造的 。“那些首领抵达英格兰的时间要晚得多,” 他指出 。
另一种流行的观点是巨石阵可能是一种日历 。这些大石头以特定方式排列 。在仲夏清晨,太阳会直射进石头的中心 。还有人认为这些石头有医疗用途 。他们觉得石头能预防疾病、让人保持健康 。“当你在那儿行走时,能感觉到能量从脚底向上传遍全身,” 一位游客说道 。没人确切知道巨石阵是用来做什么的,但多数人认同石头的位置肯定有特殊用意 。有人认为它可能是墓地,或是纪念祖先的地方 。也有人觉得它是为庆祝战胜敌人而建 。
巨石阵是在很长一段时间里慢慢建成的 。多数历史学家认为它肯定有近 5000 年历史了 。最大的谜团之一是它是如何建造的,因为这些石头又大又重 。2001 年,一群英国志愿者尝试建造另一座巨石阵,但没能成功 。“我们真不知道是谁建造了巨石阵,” 保罗・斯托克说 。“而且也许我们永远都不会知道,但我们确实知道建造者一定很勤劳,还是很棒的规划者!”
Key Words
Key Structures
Purpose of linking word or phrase
so | expressing a result |
as, because, since | giving reasons |
but, however, though | expressing a difference |
not only … but also | adding information |
or | giving a choice |
when, while | expressing two things happening at the same time |
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