93_A_Noble_Gift

93 A Noble Gift¶

One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of Liberty, was presented to the USA in the nineteenth century by the people of France. The great statue, which was designed by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, took ten years to complete. The actual figure was made of copper supported by a metal framework (which had been especially constructed by Eiffel). Before it could be transported to the United States, a site had to be found for it and a pedestal had to be built. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of New York Harbour. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall had been erected in Paris. The following year, it was taken to pieces and sent to America. By the end of October 1886, the statue had been put together again and it was officially presented to the American people by Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great monument has been a symbol of liberty for the millions of people who have passed through New York Harbour to make their homes in America.

Words¶

monuments /ˈmɑnjəmənts/ 纪念碑
the /ðə/ Statue /ˈstæˌtʃu/ of /ʌv/ Liberty /ˈlɪbɚˌti/ 自由女神像
presented /priˈzɛntɪd/ 赠送
sculptor /ˈskʌlptɚ/ 雕刻家
actual /ˈæktʃəwəl/ 真实的
copper /ˈkɑpɚ/ 铜
pedestal /ˈpɛdəstəl/ 基座
erected /ɪˈrɛktəd/ 竖立
homes /homz/ 安家

Expressions¶

a noble gift/man... 崇高的礼物/高尚的人
camp site 营地
at the entrance of... 在……的入口
take sth. to pieces... 把某物拆开