in church
not only politeness but also an attitude of reverence is demanded in church. if one is not familiar with1 the service , he may maintain a respectful silence , standing when others stand, sitting when they sit, and bowing during prayer. on entering a church an usher2 will probably show you to a seat and it is polite to take the one indicated by him, though it is quite proper to whisper a suggestion that one does not want to sit too far to the front, or that one is a little deaf and would like to sit well forward.
it is usual for anyone attending church to take some money along for the offering, as it is a regular part of every church service and is used for the work of the church. good clothes, but never evening clothes, are worn to a church service. in some churches it is improper for a lady not to wear a hat. it is impolite and disrespectful to talk or whisper, to eat or chew3 anything, or to enter or leave during the service. one must come on time and stay till the service is over. when the service is over, one passes quietly out of the church with the other worshippers. in many churches it is considered irreverent to talk before one has reached the entrance hall.
sometimes the「lord’s supper」or「communion4」is observed at the end of the service. this is a special service for the fellowship of christians, and one is not supposed to5 participate unless he is a christian. he may sit quietly and observe the service if he wishes.
閱讀自測
Ⅰ. please add the exact p re fix ( 前綴) to the following words to change them into their antonyms ( 反義詞) :
a. im- b. ir- c. il- d. dis 1. reverent ( ) 2. respectful ( ) 3 . proper ( ) 4. polite ( ) 5. regular ( ) 6. legal ( )
Ⅱ. are these statements true or false according to the article ?
1. it is necessary to take some money when going to church. 2. in some churches it is acceptable for one to wear evening clothes. 3. it is forbidden for non-christians to attend and watch the communion.
參考答案
Ⅰ. 1. b 2. d 3. a 4 . a 5. b 6. c
Ⅱ. 1. t 2. f 3 . f
參考譯文
在教堂
在 教堂裡, 人們不僅要有禮貌, 而且應該懷有一種虔誠的態度。如果你對教堂的儀式 不熟悉, 你可以恭恭敬敬地默不作聲。在別人起立, 坐下或低頭祈禱時, 你也起立, 坐下和 低頭。進入教堂的時候, 多半會有引座員帶你到座位上去, 你照他的意思坐在那裡是一種 有禮貌的表現。當然你也完全可以低聲地表示你不願坐得太靠後, 或者說你有點聾, 喜歡 坐在靠前面的地方。
通常來說, 去教堂的人都帶些錢, 以便捐獻, 因為這是去教堂做禮拜的一項常規, 這錢 主要用於教堂的日常工作。到教堂做禮拜時你應該穿好一點的衣服, 但不可穿夜禮服。在 某些教堂裡, 女士不戴帽子是不合時宜的。做禮拜時, 談話或耳語, 吃東西, 嚼東西或隨便 出入都是不禮貌的, 是一種粗魯無禮的表現。參加做禮拜的人必須準時到場, 而且要等到 儀式結束之後才可以離去。禮拜儀式結束時, 你應該安靜地隨著其他信徒走出教堂。有不 少教堂認為, 沒有走到教堂的門廊就說話是不虔誠的表現。
有時, 在禮拜結束的時候, 教堂還會舉行聖餐儀式。這是基督徒的一種特殊儀式。你 如果不是基督徒, 就不能領聖餐, 不能參加這種儀式。如果你願意的話, 你可以靜靜地坐在 那裡, 觀看這種儀式。
閱讀導評
不同的文明產生了不同的宗教, 不同的宗教有著不同的崇拜儀式。實際上, 崇拜儀式 已成為宗教文化不可分割的一部分。比如說, 信奉佛教的人會到寺廟進香朝拜, 而基督教 徒則在教堂裡通過做禮拜、受洗禮、吃聖餐等儀式來表示他們對上帝的虔誠。
閱讀導釋
1. 熟悉, 通曉, 如: he is familiar with chinese ancient history. ( 他通曉中國古代史。) 而短語 be familiar to 意思不同, 作「 為⋯⋯ 所熟悉」解, 如: these fairy tales are familiar to every schoolboy. ( 每個小學生都熟悉這些童話故事。)
2. usher n. ( 教堂、電影院、戲院等公共場所的) 引座員, 招待員。動詞可作「開創, 迎接」解, 與in 搭配, 如: the french revolution ushered in a new age. ( 法國大革命開創了一個新時代。)
3. chew v. 咀嚼, 如: chewing gum ( 口香糖) ; bite off more than one can chew ( 貪多嚼不爛, 不自量力) 。
4. communion n. 聖餐儀式, 又稱the lord’s supper; observe the communion 作「舉行聖餐儀 式」解。
5. be supposed to 被期望, 應該, 如: you are supposed to pay the bill by the end of this year. ( 你 最遲今年年底結清這筆帳。) you are not supposed to play football in the classroom. ( 教室 裡不準踢足球。