Stepwells
site: Stepwells
However, the significance of this invention – the stepwell – goes beyond its utilitarian application.
utilitarian /juːˌtɪl.əˈter.i.ən/ adjective. 实用的 useful
When the water level was high, the user needed only to descend a few steps to reach it; when it was low, several levels would have to be negotiated.
have to be negotiated 被协商
Others are more elaborate, with long stepped passages leading to the water via several storeys built from stone and supported by pillars, they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from the relentless heat.
But perhaps the most impressive features are the intricate decorative sculptures that embellish many stepwells, showing activities from fighting and dancing to everyday acts such as women combing their hair and churning butter.
elaborate /iˈlæb.ɚ.ət/ adjective. 精细的; 精美的; 复杂的 intricate complicated
intricate /ˈɪn.trə.kət/ adjective. 错综复杂的
embellish /ɪmˈbel.ɪʃ/ verb. 装饰
many are derelict and dry
derelict /ˈder.ə.lɪkt/ adjective. 破败的 rickety tumbledown
today it’s in pristine condition
pristine /prɪˈstiːn/ adjective. 崭新的
It’s actually a tank (kund means reservoir or pond) rather than a well
reservoir /ˈrez.ɚ.vwɑːr/ noun. 水库
including four sides of steps that descend to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation
stun /stʌn/ verb. 使震惊
geometrical /ˌdʒiː.əˈmet.rɪk/ adjective. 几何学的
aesthetically, it’s perhaps one of the most dramatic
aesthetically/esthetically /esˈθet̬.ɪ.kəl.i/ adverb. 优美的; 美观的
Built in around 850 AD next to the temple of Harshat Mata, the baori comprises hundreds of zigzagging steps that run along three of its sides, steeply descending 11 storeys, resulting in a striking geometric pattern when seen from afar. On the fourth side, covered verandas supported by ornate pillars overlook the steps.
zigzag /ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ/ noun. 曲折线条
storey /ˈstɔːr.i/ noun. 楼层
ornate /ɔːrˈneɪt/ adjective. 华美的; 华丽的
Today, following years of neglect, many of these monuments to medieval engineering have been saved by the Archaeological Survey of India
neglect /nɪˈɡlekt/ verb. 疏于管理; 不重视
medieval /ˌmed.iˈiː.vəl/ adjective 中世纪的; 原始的
which serve as a reminder of both the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilisations and of the value of water to human existence.
ingenuity /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ə.t̬i/ noun. 心灵手巧
- ingenious /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/ adjective. 心灵手巧的 +1
Trends and prospects for European transport systems
site: Trends and prospects for European transport systems
It is difficult to conceive of vigorous economic growth without an efficient transport system.
conceive /kənˈsiːv/ verb. 想出; 怀有 +1
vigorous /ˈvɪɡ.ɚ.əs/ adjective. 剧烈的; 强健的; 坚决的
For passenger transport, the determining factor is the spectacular growth in car use. The number of cars on European Union (EU) roads saw an increase of three million cars each year from 1990 to 2010, and in the next decade the EU will see a further substantial increase in its fleet.
substantial /səbˈstæn.ʃəl/ adjective. 可观的; 显著的; +1
In the last 20 years, as internal frontiers have been abolished, the EU has moved from a ”stock” economy to a ”flow” economy.
frontier /frʌnˈtɪr/ noun. 边界; 边疆
abolish /əˈbɑː.lɪʃ/ verb. 废除; 取消