On holidays, like New Year's Eve and the fourth of July, they light up the night sky. For over a thousand years, they have turned night into day with fantastic displays of color. Of course, we are talking about fireworks, an explosive invention we never seem to get tired of. The exact origin of fireworks is not known, though most historians believe they began sometime in 7th century China. There, fireworks were invented to be used in celebrations. The Chinese believed that by setting off fireworks, they could drive away evil spirits and attract good fortune. Everyone from emperors to commoners could enjoy fireworks displays, and firework-making became an important profession. In 1758, a French Jesuit missionary living in Beijing wrote about how fireworks were made. His account would later be widely published and translated, leading to fireworks "blowing up" all over Europe. Today, fireworks can be seen across the globe during celebrations and even fireworks competitions. At the Montreal Fireworks Festival, around three million onlookers watch as teams from different countries put on musical displays that include fire. As many as 6,000 fireworks are set off to music, making for a magical evening.
explosive a. 爆炸（性）的；爆發的 Eggs can become explosive if they are put into the microwave. 雞蛋若被放進微波爐裡，它們是會爆炸的。
exact a. 確切的，精確的 Olivia's mother is not sure of the exact time of her daughter's birth. 奧莉薇亞的媽媽不確定她女兒的確切出生時間。
set off sth / set sth off 施放……；使……爆炸 Some people set off firecrackers to celebrate the start of Chinese New Year. 有些人會放鞭炮來慶祝農曆新年的開始。 * firecracker n. 鞭炮；爆竹
drive away... / drive...away 驅趕／趕走…… It is said that garlic can drive away vampires. 據說大蒜可以驅走吸血鬼。 * vampire n. 吸血鬼
fortune n. 運氣；財富 It is common practice for people in Asia to pray for good fortune. 拜拜祈求好運對亞洲人來說是常見的習俗。
publish vt. 刊載，刊登；出版 Our professor's article was published in the newspaper. 我們教授的文章被刊登在報紙上了。
translate vt. 翻譯 translate... (from A) into B 把……（從 A 語言）翻譯成 B 語言 The writer translated the novel from English into Chinese. 那位作家把這本小說從英文翻譯成中文。
competition n. 競賽，比賽 Jill entered a beauty competition and finished third. 吉兒參加了選美比賽並獲得第三名。
