National parks help people understand their heritage, as well as their identity and legacy. 國家公園幫助人們了解自己的傳統，以及身份和遺產。
If you have ever found yourself watching the sunset over the sea, standing alone in the woods, or looking out over a mountain in awe to the point of crying, you have very likely felt the sublime▼. For the 18th century Romantics▼, the sublime was something experienced through the vastness▼ and beauty of nature. It is one's experience of realizing there are things that are much larger than one ever imagined in our world. There are many scenic wonders on Earth offering awe-inspiring views. Luckily, they have been designated national parks. Some of the most impressive ones can be found in the United States. National Geographic Society played a major role in creating the National Parks Service (NPS) back in 1916. In 1888, the National Geographic Society was founded when the United States had only one national park, and the first in the world — Yellowstone. Industrialist▼ Stephen Mather lobbied▼ for a federal▼agency in 1915 to oversee and protect the parks. He organized a trip for reporters and businessmen, including National Geographic editor Gilbert H Grosvenor, to the mountains of Sierra Nevada. Grosvenor was so impressed that he helped draft the law that would later help establish the NPS. In honor of the centennial▼ anniversary of the NPS, National Geographic Channel (NGC) has prepared a series to display America's 59 spectacular national parks. More than three years in the making, America's National Parksaims to fill you with breathtakingastonishment. The show also wants audiences to witnessdramatic moments of each park's wildlife. From the geysers▼ of Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon▼, one of the biggest gorges▼ on Earth, NGC hopes to show you an experience you'll never forget.
heritage n. 傳統（不可數）；遺產 The mysterious ritual is recognized as part of the cultural heritage of the country. 那項神祕的儀式被公認為該國的文化遺產之一。
legacy n. 遺產；留給後人的事物 Distant relatives tried to claim part of that rich man's legacy. 那富人的遠房親戚試圖要求分得他的部份遺產。
scenic a. 風景的 衍: scene n. 場面；景象 I was really impressed by some of the scenic effects in the film. 這部影片裡的一些取景效果真是令我印象深刻。 The suspect insisted that he'd never been to the scene of the crime. 這名嫌犯堅稱他從未到過犯罪現場。
wonder n. 奇觀 The Egyptian pyramids are one of the most famous man-made wonders of the world. 埃及金字塔是世上最有名的人造奇觀之一。
awe-inspiring a. 令人敬畏／驚歎的 The awe-inspiring opera left audiences completely speechless. 那齣令人震撼的歌劇讓觀眾們完全說不出話來。
designate vt. 選定，指派；標明 衍: designate sb to V 指派某人從事…… designate sb (as) + 職位 指派某人某職位 The official designated his secretary to act for him at the conference. 這名官員指派祕書代理他出席該會議。 Mr. Johnson has been designated (as) chairman of the fundraising activities for the campaign. 強森先生已被指派為競選募款活動的主席。
agency n.（政府的）機構；代辦處 衍: a news / travel / headhunting agency 通訊社／旅行社／獵人頭公司 A social service agency placed the orphan with a foster family. 社服機構將這名孤兒安置在一個寄養家庭中。 ＊foster a. 收養的
oversee vt. 監督，監管（三態為：oversee, oversaw, overseen。） The couple hired a wedding coordinator to oversee every detail of their wedding ceremony and reception. 那一對情侶僱用婚禮統籌員來監督婚禮和婚宴的所有細節。
draft vt. 草擬（= draft up）；（運動）選拔……進職業隊；徵召 & n. 草稿 Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. 湯瑪士•傑佛遜草擬了獨立宣言。 The young man was drafted by the army to the front line. 那名年輕人被軍隊徵召到前線。 I turned in the final draft of my essay this morning. 今天早上我把作文最後的草稿交出去了。
display vt. 展現／示 The skirt displayed in the window attracted the attention of every girl that passed by. 該櫥窗內展示的鞋子吸引了每個路過女孩的目光。
spectacular a. 壯觀的，精彩的
breathtaking a. 驚人的 The view of the valley from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. 自山頂鳥瞰山谷的景觀真令人讚歎。
astonishment n. 驚奇，驚訝 衍: to one's astonishment 令某人驚奇的是 To the audience's astonishment, the magician appeared again after the fire disappeared. 令觀眾驚奇的是，火焰消失後魔術師再度出現。
witness vt. 目擊 & n. 證人；證明 Did you witness the murder yourself? 你親眼目睹了這樁兇殺案嗎？ The witness was asked to take an oath before testifying. 這名證人在作證前被要求發誓。 ＊take an oath 發誓句句屬實 testify vi. 作證
dramatic a. 給人印象深刻的；戲劇性的，驚人的 衍: dramatically adv. 顯著／重大地；戲劇性地 The soap opera was scripted to be dramatic to keep the viewers interested. 這部連續劇的劇情很戲劇化，好讓觀眾保持想看下去的興趣。 Since moving to the countryside, Peter's health has improved dramatically. 彼得自從搬到鄉村後，健康情況有了很大的改善。
▼ sublime n. 雄偉，壯觀；崇高，高尚 ▼ Romantic n. 浪漫主義者 ▼ vastness n. 巨大 ▼ industrialist n. 實業家，工業家 衍: entrepreneur n. 企業家 ▼ lobby vi. & vt. 遊說（國會議員）& n. 大廳 ▼ federal a. 聯邦的，聯邦政府的 ▼ centennial n. 一百年（紀念） ▼ geyser n. 間歇泉；熱水器（英式用法） ▼ the Grand Canyon 大峽谷國家公園 canyon n.（寬而廣的）峽谷 ▼ gorge n.（小而深的）峽谷
in awe 驚歎地；崇敬地 awe n. 驚歎；崇敬 衍: be in awe of... 對……感到敬畏 hold sb in awe 令某人敬畏 Because of Bruce's reputation as a famous professor, we were all in awe of him. 布魯斯身為知名教授的聲名讓我們都對他敬畏三分。 I was held in awe by the breathtaking view of Niagara Falls. 我被尼加拉瓜瀑布壯觀的景色給震懾住了。
to the point of... 到……的程度 The volcanic pressure has increased to the point of eruption. 這座火山的壓力已經累積到即將爆發的程度。
play a role / part in... 在……方面有重要性；參與…… Matt played a role in getting our business off the ground. 麥特在讓公司取得進展中扮演要角。 ＊get... off the ground （順利）展開……
in honor of... 向……表示敬意 The city government erected a statue in the park in honor of the hero. 市政府在公園內豎立一座雕像以紀念這位英雄。 ＊erect vt. 豎立
aim to V 旨在……，以……為目的 The article aims to emphasize the importance of environmental protection. 這篇文章旨在強調環保的重要性。
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