Festivals of Ice and Snow 冰與雪的雙重饗宴

 The Quebec Winter Carnival and the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival are great ways to experience winter at its fullest
　　Canada is famous for its winter lifestyle, considering the season lasts half the year there. A great example of this is the Quebec Winter Carnival1. The annual festival runs from January 27 to February 12 this year. Quebec is an old city with beautiful historic buildings, and many agree that winter is the best time to visit. The city comes alive in the snow, especially during the winter festival. Visitors to the chilly city can find tons of things to do that will make winter seem like paradise.
　　The Carnival boasts a magical ice palace2 made with 9,000 tons of snow in brick3 form, a legendary canoe4 race on the St. Lawrence River, and two night parades which are complete with colorfully entertaining clowns and floats. Other interesting features include a 122-meter ice slide5, snow rafting6, and a giant, life-sized foosball7 game. There is also a dogsled8 race, a thrilling winter event that runs through six kilometers of the city's streets. With more than 20 teams competing, the dogsled race is noisy, fun, and full of great cheer. Even better, artists from around the world come to compete in the snow sculpture competition. It is amazing how these artists can bring snow to life. The Quebec Winter Carnival has everything for the whole family and more. It is without a doubt a great way to experience winter at its fullest.

@Building Your Vocabulary
1. historic　a. 有重大歷史意義的，歷史性的
In the historic election of 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American President of the US.
在2008年的歷史性大選中，歐巴馬成為美國的首位非裔美籍總統。
2. paradise　n. 樂園，樂土
The Hawaiian Islands are a tropical paradise.
夏威夷群島是一座熱帶天堂。
3. entertaining　a. 有娛樂性的；有趣的
Vincent laughed throughout the entertaining show.
文森看那個有趣的節目時從頭笑到尾。
4. thrilling　a. 令人興奮的；刺激的
The amusement park is known for its thrilling rides.
那間遊樂園以刺激的乘坐設施聞名。
5. sculpture　n. 雕刻品，雕塑品
In recent years, Ju Ming has used metal to create his sculptures.
朱銘近年來都選用金屬來創作他的雕塑品。



@Phrases for Learning
1. come alive　　活躍起來；變得繁忙
The little town of Pingxi comes alive every year as the Lantern Festival nears.
每年隨著元宵節的到來，平溪這個小鎮都會變得熱鬧非凡。
2. be/come complete with...　　具有∕配備有……
The house we bought came complete with a garage, tool shed, patio, and swimming pool.
我們買的那棟房子配有車庫、工具小屋、露天陽台以及游泳池。
3. without a doubt　　無疑地
Sir Isaac Newton was without a doubt one of the brightest minds of his time.
在他那個年代中，牛頓爵士無疑是世上最聰明的人物之一。



@Extra Words
1. carnival　n. 嘉年華會
2. palace　n. 宮殿
3. brick　n. 磚塊
4. canoe　n. 獨木舟
5. slide　n. 滑梯；滑道
6. rafting　n. 泛舟
7. foosball　n. 手足球，桌上足球
8. dogsled　n. 狗拉的雪橇
＊ 3、4、7、8在本文中作形容詞用