地道英语在线听-Top of the Range 最具水准

John: This is Real English from BBC Learning¹ English. I’m John.

Jean: And I’m Jean.

John: Today we’re going to look at words and phrases that have recently become part of the English language.

Jean: 在我们的Real English地道英语节目当中，我们会来学习一些近代英语语言当中出现的新词汇和新用法。

John: It’s very important to stay up-to-date² with English as new words and expressions enter the language all the time.

Jean: 那好，John, 我们今天要学的新词是什么呢？

John: Today’s new expression is ‘top of the range’. That’s four words – top.of.the and range, R.A.N.G.E

Jean: Top of the range. 能给我们解释一下它的意思吗？

John: Well, it’s not too difficult. Top of the range means the most expensive or best of a group of similar products.

Jean: 我知道了。Top of the range 就是说在同类事物中算是最好最先进或者最昂贵的一种或是一款，对不对John？

John: It’s common with cars. You might say ‘my father drives a top of the range BMW’.

Jean: I see. 那我们只能拿它形容车吗？

John: No. any product that involves technology will have a top of the range model. There will be cheaper types, then the best and most expensive.

Insert_录音片断

A: Hey – I like your mobile³ phone!

B: Do you? It’s top of the range. I only bought it yesterday

C: That restaurant looks expensive.

D: Yes – look at the cars parked outside. All top of the range sports cars

Jean: Have you got anything that’s top of the range, John?

John: Well, my laptop computer used to be.

Jean: But not now?

John: No – it’s too old.

Jean: I see.

John: But my mobile phone is top of the range.

Jean: Really? Was it expensive?

John: Yes, but it’s excellent.

Jean: You’re lucky. Mine is very old now. 好，让我们再回顾一下，– top of the range – 就是形容某个事物最好、最先进、最有水准。Well, that’s all we have time for today.

John: Yes, I’m afraid it is. You’ve been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Join us again soon for more up-to-the-minute Real English. Bye.

Jean: See you next time.

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 up-to-date   

adj.现代化的，最新的；跟上时代的

参考例句：

• The car is a beauty and quite up-to-date.那辆车子很漂亮是最新款的。
• He bought an up-to-date textbook.他买了一本最新的教科书。

3 mobile   

adj.可移动的，易变的，机动的；n.运动物体

参考例句：

• The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning.那位老妇人每天上午坐在一把可携带使用的椅子上。
• She's much more mobile now that she's bought a car.自从她买了汽车后，活动量就大多了。