Laura: Uncle Ben. When was the Forbidden City built?
Benjamin: The construction began in 1407, the 5th year of the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. And, it was completed 14 years later in 1420.
Laura: Oh, it took such a long time.
Benjamin: Sure. That was why it became the world's largest palace complex.
Laura: It must be interesting to live in such a beautiful place.
Benjamin: Interesting? No, I'd rather say dangerous, for most of the people who used to live there.
Laura: Why? Were there any dangerous animals?
Benjamin: No. Well, except the royal family, most of the people were just maids. And the rules were extremely strict for them. One simple slight mistake could bring them death.
Laura: Oh, that's too bad! Luckily, it is just history. We are perfectly safe here. Look, here's a picture. Who is the lady in it?
Benjamin: It's Tzu Hsi. Have you ever heard of any stories about her?
Laura: Sure. I even read a book about her. Its name is “Dragon Lady”. The book tells many interesting stories about her.
Benjamin: “Dragon Lady”. That's an interesting and suitable name for her, a real dictator, powerful and cold-blooded.
Laura: Oh, there, they have costumes for photo shooting.
Benjamin: Wanna try? What do you want to be, the emperor, the queen, or the princess?
Benjamin: The Forbidden City has a long history. The construction of it started in 1407, the 5th year of the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. And, it was completed 14 years later in 1420. It's the world's largest palace complex. One of the most famous people who used to live in this place was Tzu His. There is a book about her named “Dragon Lady”. It must be an interesting book.
生词小结
complex n. 综合建筑群
perfectly adv. 完全地
dictator n. 独裁者
cold-blooded adj. 冷血的
语素 Material
The People's Princess
On July the 29th ,1981, 19 year-old Diana married Charles, the Prince of England. It was definitely a fairytale wedding, and everything looked perfect. However, the royal palace was not a real dream home for her. Diana was very unhappy in her marriage. Finally, they got divorced in 1996, and Diana's life ended tragically in a car crash in France on August the 31th, 1997. But, the public loved her, and she would live in people's hearts forever.
“I came; I saw; I conquered.” These were the words of the man who changed the course of Greco-Roman history. Julius Caesar was born in Rome on July 12 or 13, in the year 100 B.C. His father died when he was 16 year old. During his political life, he was famous for his wisdom and fighting fit. He obtained distinction for himself and his family. But he was murdered on March 15, 44 B.C., after which Rome experienced 13 years of civil war.