泰迪熊是许多人从小就熟悉的玩具。这个毛茸茸的伙伴给童年带来了欢乐和慰藉。一些人即使已经长大，对它的喜爱也丝毫不减。这是为什么？本期 “随身英语” 节目探讨泰迪熊等毛绒玩具经久不衰的魅力，以及大人也对其钟爱有加的原因。

词汇：toys and childhood 玩具与童年

One thing we always remember from our childhood is our favourite teddy bear. This soft, ragged toy was our comfort and companion. As we grow up, we normally give up our childish ways, and our furry friend often ends up in storage or at a jumble sale. But that’s not the case for everyone.

It seems that some grown-ups continue to need their cuddly toy by their sides. One sleep survey suggested a tenth of people in the UK need a teddy bear in bed. And for some adults, soft toys remain an essential presence ­– they take them wherever they go.

A cuddly toy can come in many forms – animals, strange shapes or just a piece of stuffed material. But it’s the teddy bear in particular that seems to have an enduring appeal – it gives us a nostalgic feeling and a reminder of our younger days. Writing for the BBC, historian David Cannadine says, “Perhaps it’s that bears represent the happy security of a childhood friend who never changes or lets you down.” For whatever reason, teddies appeal to both children and adults of all ages.

The teddy bear is much celebrated these days, and they’ve become something that we don’t just grow up with – people buy them as adults too. There are shops which sell only teddy bears, there are teddy bear museums in many countries, and teddy bear festivals regularly take place around the world.

While our soft toys offer us a kind of comfort blanket, some experts say it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s sometimes good to let go of the constraints of adult life and be a big kid again. And research commissioned by Barclaycard in the UK found 44% of adults have purchased playthings they enjoyed as children because they bring back happy memories. Colouring books, cuddly toys and board games were top of the list. So, if you’re still keeping your teddy a secret, don’t worry – you’re not alone!

词汇表

childhood 童年
teddy bear 泰迪熊
ragged 用旧、磨损的，破烂的
comfort 宽慰，慰藉
companion 伙伴，同伴
childish 孩子般的，幼稚的
furry 毛茸茸的
grown-up 大人
cuddly toy 毛绒玩具
stuffed 填满的，有填充物的
enduring appeal 经久不衰的吸引力
nostalgic 怀旧的
security 安全保障
celebrated 有名的，闻名的
soft toy 毛绒玩具
comfort blanket （给婴儿、孩子用的）安心毯，这里比喻精神安慰
big kid 大小孩，大孩子
plaything 玩具，玩物
colouring book 填色书
board game （尤指棋盘类）桌上游戏

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Where might your teddy bear end up once you have grown out of it?

2. In one study, how many people in the UK said they needed a teddy bear in bed?

3. Where do teddy bear festivals often take place?

4. True or false? Experts say we shouldn’t be ashamed of our comfort blankets.

5. What does buying toys like a teddy bear allow you to be again?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Having my brother at the funeral was a _______.

security                           comfort                            big kid                     companion

2. She’s being very _______ by not talking to you!

nostalgic                          childhood                        childish                    big kid

3. My daughter needs her _______ to help her get to sleep at night.

comfort blanket                comforting blanket          

comforted blanket            comforts blanket

4. I’m travelling with my _______ on a road trip to Paris.

childhood                          grown-up                        comfort                     companion

5. Red buses have an _______ to visitors and residents of London alike.

endured appeal                 enduring appealing          

enduring appealed            enduring appeal

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Where might your teddy bear end up once you have grown out of it?
They sometimes are put into storage or sold in a jumble sale.

2. In one study, how many people in the UK said they needed a teddy bear in bed?
One sleep survey suggested a tenth of people in the UK need a teddy bear in bed.

3. Where do teddy bear festivals often take place?
Teddy bear festivals regularly take place around the world.

4. True or false? Experts say we shouldn’t be ashamed of our comfort blankets.
True. A teddy bear can act as a comfort blanket and experts say we shouldn’t be ashamed of this.

5. What does buying toys like a teddy bear allow you to be again?
It allows you to be a big kid again.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Having my brother at the funeral was a comfort.

2. She’s being very childish by not talking to you!

3. My daughter needs her comfort blanket to help her get to sleep at night.

4. I’m travelling with my companion on a road trip to Paris.

5. Red buses have an enduring appeal to visitors and residents of London alike.