The San Fermín Festival in Pamplona

A2

The San Fermín Festival in Pamplona

龐普洛納的聖費爾明節


Introduction

The city of Pamplona starts its San Fermín festival. People celebrate with traditional parties and bull runs.

龐普洛納市開始慶祝聖費爾明節。人們以傳統派對和奔牛活動來慶祝。

Main Body

The party started on Monday. A man fired a rocket from a balcony. 12,000 people came to the city. They wore red scarves and drank wine.

派對於週一開始。一名男子在陽台上發射火箭。有12,000人來到這個城市。他們戴著紅色圍巾並飲用葡萄酒。

Every morning, big bulls run through the streets. The bulls run to the bullring. This is dangerous. Some people get hurt and some people die.

每天早晨,大牛會在街道上奔跑。牛群會跑向鬥牛場。這是很危險的。有些人會受傷,有些人甚至會喪生。

Many tourists come from other countries. But some people do not like the festival. They love animals. These people protest against the bull runs.

許多遊客來自其他國家。但有些人並不喜歡這個節日。他們熱愛動物。這些人對奔牛活動採取抗議行動。

Conclusion

The San Fermín festival is happening now. It ends on July 14.

聖費爾明節目前正在進行中。將於7月14日結束。

Vocabulary Learning

🕒 The 'Now' vs. 'Then' Switch

Look at how the story changes time. This is the secret to A2 speaking.

Past (Finished Actions)

  • Started \rightarrow happened Monday.
  • Fired \rightarrow happened once.
  • Wore \rightarrow they had the scarves on.
  • Drank \rightarrow they finished the wine.

Present (Habits or Facts)

  • Run \rightarrow they do this every morning.
  • Come \rightarrow tourists arrive every year.
  • Love \rightarrow a feeling that stays the same.

The 'Happening Now' Exception

  • Is happening \rightarrow it is going on at this exact moment.

Quick Tip: Red Flags When you see words like Monday or started, use the -ed version of the word. When you see Every morning, keep the word simple (run, come, drink).

Vocabulary Learning

traditional (adj.)
Following ideas or customs from a long time ago
Example:We eat traditional food during the holiday.
rocket (n.)
A firework that goes high into the sky
Example:The man fired a rocket to start the party.
balcony (n.)
A platform on the outside of a building above the ground
Example:She stood on the balcony to look at the street.
scarves (n.)
Pieces of cloth worn around the neck
Example:They wore red scarves for the festival.
bullring (n.)
A round area where bulls are fought
Example:The bulls run quickly into the bullring.
dangerous (adj.)
Something that can hurt you or cause problems
Example:Running with bulls is very dangerous.
protest (v.)
To say publicly that you do not agree with something
Example:Many people protest against animal cruelty.
B2

The Start of the San Fermín Festival in Pamplona

龐普洛納聖費爾明節開幕


Introduction

The city of Pamplona has started its annual San Fermín festival, an event famous for its traditional celebrations and the running of the bulls.

龐普洛納市已開始一年一度的聖費爾明節,這項活動以其傳統慶祝活動和奔牛賽而聞名。

Main Body

The festivities began on Monday with the 'Chupinazo,' a traditional rocket launch from the city hall balcony that attracted around 12,000 people. During this opening event, participants wore red scarves and shared wine and grape juice. This celebration honors the city's patron saint and dates back to the late 16th century. Furthermore, the festival gained worldwide fame thanks to Ernest Hemingway's novel 'The Sun Also Rises,' which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

慶祝活動於週一由「Chupinazo」開始,這是一場從市政廳陽台發射傳統火箭的活動,吸引了約 12,000 人參加。在這次開幕活動中,參與者繫著紅色圍巾,共同分享葡萄酒和葡萄汁。這場慶典旨在紀念城市的守護聖人,可追溯至 16 世紀末。此外,該節日也因歐內斯特·海明威的小說《太陽照常升起》而享譽全球,而該書今年正好 celebrating 100 週年。

The main attraction is the daily bull run, which takes place from Tuesday until July 14. In this event, bulls weighing about 600 kilograms run along an 848-meter route through the Old Quarter toward the bullring. However, this activity is dangerous; there have been many injuries and 16 recorded deaths since 1924. After the morning runs, the bulls are usually used in evening bullfights. In addition to these events, the city hosts various concerts and parades.

主打活動是每日的奔牛賽,時間從週二一直持續到 7 月 14 日。在此活動中,重量約 600 公斤的公牛將沿著舊城區一條 848 公尺長的路線奔向鬥牛場。然而,這項活動十分危險;自 1924 年以來,已有許多受傷記錄及 16 例死亡。在早晨的奔牛賽後,這些公牛通常會在晚上的鬥牛賽中使用。除了這些活動外,市內還舉辦各種音樂會和巡遊。

Opinions about the festival remain divided. While it attracts tourists from all over the world, including Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, it also faces strong opposition from animal rights activists. These protesters have shown their disapproval by using red paint and fake horns to criticize the treatment of the animals.

對於該節日的看法仍然分歧。雖然它吸引了來自世界各地(包括亞洲、澳洲、歐洲和美國)的遊客,但也面臨動物權利活動家的強烈反對。這些抗議者透過使用紅色油漆和假牛角來表達不滿,批評對動物的對待方式。

Conclusion

The San Fermín festival is now underway and will continue its schedule of bull runs and cultural activities until July 14.

聖費爾明節目前已在進行中,奔牛賽與文化活動將持續至 7 月 14 日。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Glue' of B2: Sophisticated Connectors

An A2 student says: "The festival is famous. It is dangerous. People like it but some people hate it."

A B2 student says: "Furthermore, the festival is famous; however, it is dangerous. While it attracts tourists, it also faces opposition."

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using simple sentences and start using "Connectors" (words that glue ideas together).

🛠️ The Tools from the Text

1. Adding Information (Beyond 'And')

  • Furthermore \rightarrow Use this to add a strong, new point to your argument.
    • Example: "The city is beautiful. Furthermore, the food is amazing."
  • In addition to \rightarrow Use this to list extra things before the main point.
    • Example: "In addition to the bulls, the city hosts concerts."

2. Showing Contrast (Beyond 'But')

  • However \rightarrow This is a formal way to pivot to an opposite idea. It usually starts a new sentence followed by a comma.
    • Example: "The run is exciting. However, it is very dangerous."
  • While \rightarrow This allows you to compare two different facts in one single sentence.
    • Example: "While some people love the tradition, others think it is cruel."

💡 Pro Tip for Fluency

Stop thinking in small blocks. Try to combine your thoughts. Instead of three short sentences, use one While and one Furthermore. This is the fastest way to sound more academic and fluent.

Vocabulary Learning

annual (adj.)
Happening once every year.
Example:The company holds an annual meeting to discuss its yearly progress.
attracted (v.)
To pull or draw someone's interest or attention.
Example:The new art exhibition attracted thousands of visitors from across the city.
furthermore (adv.)
In addition to what has just been said; used to introduce a fresh point.
Example:The hotel is very expensive; furthermore, the service is quite poor.
divided (adj.)
Not in agreement; split into two or more opposing groups.
Example:Public opinion remains divided on whether the new law will be effective.
opposition (n.)
A feeling of disagreement or resistance to a plan or policy.
Example:The proposal to build a new highway faced strong opposition from local residents.
disapproval (n.)
The feeling that something is wrong or bad.
Example:Her parents expressed their disapproval of her decision to quit university.
underway (adj.)
Already started and happening now.
Example:Preparations for the international conference are now well underway.
C2

Commencement of the San Fermín Festival in Pamplona

龐普洛納聖費爾明節開端


Introduction

The city of Pamplona has initiated its annual San Fermín festival, an event characterized by traditional celebrations and the running of bulls.

龐普洛納市已開啟一年一度的聖費爾明節,這是一個以傳統慶祝活動和奔牛為特色的盛事。

Main Body

The festivities commenced on Monday with the 'Chupinazo,' a ceremonial discharge of a rocket from the municipal balcony, attracting an estimated assembly of 12,000 individuals. This preliminary event involved the ritualistic use of red scarves and the distribution of wine and grape juice among participants. Historically, the event serves as an observance of the city's patron saint, with origins tracing back to the late 16th century. The global visibility of the event was significantly augmented by the literary contributions of Ernest Hemingway, specifically his novel 'The Sun Also Rises,' which reaches its centennial anniversary this year.

慶典於週一開始,首先是「Chupinazo」,即在市政廳陽台發射一枚禮花火箭,吸引了約 12,000 人聚集。這項初步活動包括佩戴紅圍巾的儀式,以及向參與者分發紅酒與葡萄汁。從歷史上看,該活動旨在紀念城市的主保聖人,起源可追溯至 16 世紀末。由於歐內斯特·海明威的文學貢獻,特別是其今年適逢一百週年的小說《太陽照樣升起》,顯著提升了該活動的全球知名度。

Central to the itinerary is the daily bull run occurring from Tuesday until July 14. This procedure involves the release of approximately 600-kilogram fighting bulls along an 848-meter trajectory through the Old Quarter toward the bullring. The operational risks associated with this activity are evidenced by annual injuries and a recorded 16 fatalities since 1924. Subsequent to the morning runs, the animals are typically utilized in evening bullfights. Complementary activities include musical performances and processions.

行程的核心是從週二至 7 月 14 日每天舉行的奔牛。此過程將約 600 公斤的鬥牛,沿著舊區一段 848 公尺長的路徑趕向鬥牛場。此項活動的操作風險顯而易見,每年均有傷亡,且自 1924 年以來記錄了 16 起死亡事件。在早晨的奔牛結束後,這些牛通常會在晚上的鬥牛賽中使用。其他配套活動則包括音樂表演與遊行。

Stakeholder positioning remains polarized. While the event attracts an international demographic from Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, it continues to elicit opposition from animal rights advocates. These dissidents have manifested their disapproval through protests involving the use of red paint and simulated horns to signal their condemnation of the practice.

利益相關者的立場依然兩極。儘管該活動吸引了來自亞洲、澳洲、歐洲及美國的國際人群,但仍持續遭到動物權利倡導者的反對。這些異議人士透過抗議表達不滿,包括使用紅漆和模擬牛角,以表達對此做法的譴責。

Conclusion

The San Fermín festival is currently underway, continuing its traditional schedule of bull runs and cultural events through July 14.

聖費爾明節目前正在進行中,將繼續按照傳統日程,直到 7 月 14 日為止,舉行奔牛與文化活動。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Clinical Detachment: Nominalization and Latent Agency

To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond 'correctness' and enter the realm of Register Control. The provided text is a masterclass in Clinical Detachment—a stylistic choice where the author deliberately suppresses emotional resonance and human agency to achieve a veneer of objective, quasi-scientific authority.

◈ The Nominalization Pivot

At B2, a writer says: "The festival started on Monday." At C2, the writer employs Nominalization (turning verbs into nouns) to create a static, formal atmosphere:

*"The festivities commenced on Monday with the 'Chupinazo,' a ceremonial discharge of a rocket..."

By replacing the action (discharging a rocket) with a noun phrase (ceremonial discharge), the writer shifts the focus from the actor to the concept. This is the hallmark of academic and high-level journalistic prose.

◈ The 'Agency Void' through Passive-Aggressive Syntax

Observe the treatment of the bull run. Instead of saying "Bulls run through the streets and kill people," the text utilizes Abstract Operationalism:

  • *"The operational risks associated with this activity are evidenced by..."
  • *"...a recorded 16 fatalities since 1924."

Notice how the verb "kill" (emotionally charged) is entirely erased. It is replaced by "operational risks" and "fatalities." This is not merely vocabulary; it is a rhetorical strategy used to distance the narrator from the violence of the subject matter. To master C2, you must learn to manipulate the emotional temperature of your writing by replacing active verbs with noun-heavy, passive constructions.

◈ Lexical Precision: The 'Latent' Adjective

C2 mastery requires words that carry a secondary, socio-political weight. Look at the description of the protesters:

Dissidents \rightarrow Manifested \rightarrow Condemnation

Rather than using "protesters showed their anger," the author uses legalistic terminology. "Manifested their disapproval" suggests a formal declaration rather than a spontaneous emotional outburst. This elevates the text from a report to an analysis.

Vocabulary Learning

commenced (v.)
To begin or start an action, process, or event.
Example:The legal proceedings commenced after the judge entered the courtroom.
augmented (v.)
To have been made greater, larger, or more intense.
Example:The company's revenue was significantly augmented by the introduction of a new product line.
centennial (adj.)
Relating to or denoting a hundredth anniversary.
Example:The university held a grand gala to celebrate its centennial anniversary.
itinerary (n.)
A planned route or journey, including a detailed list of activities and destinations.
Example:The travel agent provided a comprehensive itinerary for the tour of the Alps.
polarized (adj.)
Divided into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
Example:Public opinion on the new tax law remains deeply polarized.
elicit (v.)
To evoke or draw out a response, emotion, or reaction from someone.
Example:The comedian's provocative jokes failed to elicit any laughter from the audience.
dissidents (n.)
People who oppose official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state or an established institution.
Example:Political dissidents were exiled for criticizing the regime's censorship laws.
manifested (v.)
To display or show a quality or feeling by one's acts or appearance; to demonstrate.
Example:The patient's anxiety manifested as a series of nervous tics.
Practice All words in a crossword