Lesson17 The longest suspension bridge in the world

How is the bridge supported?

Verrazano, an Italian about whomlittle is known, sailed into New York Harbour in 1524 and named it Angouleme.

He described it as
'a very agreeable situation located within two small hills in themidst of which flowed a great river.'

Though Verrazano is
by no means considered to be a greatexplorer, his name will probably remain
immortal,for on November 21st, 1964, the longest suspension bridge in the worldwas named after him.

The Verrazano Bridge, which wasdesigned by Othmar Ammann, joins Brooklyn to Staten Island.

It has a span of 4,260 feet.

The bridge is so long that
the shape of the earth had to be takeninto account by its designer.

Two great towers support four huge
cables.

The towers are built on immense underwater
platformsmade of steel and concrete.[过去分词作后置定语]

The platforms extend to a depth ofover 100 feet under the sea.

These alone took sixteen months to build. ( alone相当于only但shealone , only she )

Above the surface of the water, the towers rise to a height of nearly 700feet.

They support the cables from whichthe bridge has been suspended.
【suspend from .. 】

Each of the four cables contains26,108 lengths of wire.

It has been estimated that if the bridge were packed with cars, it would stillonly be carrying a third of its total
capacity. 虚拟语气

However, size and strength are notthe only important things about this bridge.

Despite its immensity, it is both simple and elegant, fulfilling its designer's dream to create 'an
enormous object drawn as faintly aspossible'.

· agreeable -> 1) place – pleasant ,comfortable 2) person– easy-going

I do not believe a word of it, my dear. Ifhe had been so very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long.

· situation

Ø a position or state at a particular time; set ofconditions, facts and events having an effect on a person, society, etc.
形式情况

The situation will soon come clear.情况不久就会明朗的

The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势发生了相当大的变化

Ø position in work, a job

In August he was appointed to the situation of secretary.

Ø A position with regard to surrounding

The house has a fine situation.

· by no means
反义词 by all means

Shall I call you to let you know about thenext meeting? By all means.(相当于sure)

· immense -> immensity

· immerse

immerse sth. in sth.
把…浸泡在…中

immerse oneself ( in sth. )专心做某事

· Strength Password strength 密码强度

· faintly

· estimated overestimated underestimated outof control under control

· probably

That’s pretty much it .差不多就是这个样子

That’s all there is to it.关于这个事情就这么多，该说的已经说了.