Question

12．在英国，用冬青（holly）装饰圣诞布丁是一个传统．（It）In the United Kingdom，it is （a） tradition that people decorate Christmas pudding with holly．
In the UK，it is tradition to decorate Christmas pudding with holly．．

Answer 1

分析 在英国，用冬青（holly）装饰圣诞布丁是一个传统．

解答 答案：In the United Kingdom，it is （a） tradition that people decorate Christmas pudding with holly．
         In the UK，it is tradition to decorate Christmas pudding with holly．
考查it做形式主语的用法．
第一个句子里it做形式主语，代指主语从句that people decorate Christmas pudding with holly．
第二个句子里it做形式主语，代指动词不定式to decorate Christmas pudding with holly．

点评 考查汉译英．
当代英语通常用it 做形式主语定式和动名词置于谓语面特别主语较长时或些习惯用法
1）谓语系表结构（be+形容词/名词）时常定式置构成句型 it+be+表语（形容词/名词）+定式
例 1 It is my duty to care for that patient．
照料位病人我职责（做主语定式to care for that patient 置it 形式主语）
2）当谓语 takemakepaycost require feelneed 等动词时或者与情绪有关动词 delightamuseexciteannoyirritate 等时习惯上常用 it 做形式主语并定式置
例 1 It takes only ten minutes to get there．
到那儿只需十分钟
3）同定式样动名词也用于it+be+表语+动名词句型二者区别参见10.2.2 1）论述下面两组句子没有多大差异
例 1 A） It is a waste of time to argue with him
B） It is a waste of time arguing with him．
和争辩浪费时间
4）表语（of）no usenot any usenot the slightest use no good not much goodfun等时常用动名词（用定式）做主语并置用 it 做形式主语
例 It's no use crying over spilt milk．
覆水难收