passage: Beauty contests Word tips pageant / ˈpædʒənt / 选美竞赛 (beauty contest) contestant / kənˈtestənt / 参赛者 (someone who takes part in a contest) Atlantic City 大西洋城 ( 美国新泽西州东南部城市 ) preliminary / prɪˈlɪmɪneri / 预备性的 (coming before the main or most important part of something) elimination / ɪˌlɪmɪˈneɪʃn / 淘汰 (defeat in a competition) gown /gaun/ 女礼服 (a special long dress worn by a woman, often for dancing or other special occasions) varietyshow 综艺节目 panel / ˈpænl / 评委会 (a committee appointed to judge a competition) shun / ʃʌn / 避开 (avoid; stay away from) bond /band/ 债券 (a certificate of debt issued by a government or corporation to raise money) ceremonial / ˌserɪˈmoʊniəl / 仪式的 (of a ceremony) lobby / ˈlɒbi / 游说 (persuade; try to influence someone to do something) aspire / əˈspaɪər / 追求 (want to achieve something or be successful)