英语听力精选进阶版 6246

Is the X Factor Good for the Music Industry? 《英国偶像》选秀比赛对音乐产业有好处吗？

Britain's newest singing star is a 27-year-old former painter-decorator called Matt Cardle.

The winner of this year's X Factor has already released his first single, which is widely expected to become this year's Christmas number one.

But not everyone is celebrating with him. Many musicians object to what they see as the X Factor's excessive influence on the British music industry.

They are particularly critical of the show's creator, Simon Cowell, who both produces the TV show and signs the winners to his own record label, making millions in the process.

"The thing I find incredible is that Simon Cowell gets paid an enormous amount of money to promote his own acts," says Mat Osman of Britpop band Suede¹.

Osman believes that Cowell should be "paying a fortune" to put his acts on primetime TV.

"It just seems to be the greatest con² of all time. But well done to him," he continues. "It's a genius scam."

Bernard Sumner of New Order sees the problem slightly differently: "What they're singing on X Factor is just other people's music. It's not creative."

Yet rock legend Alice Cooper defended the show, saying: "The advantage the X Factor has is that it's not exclusive.

"The X Factor's more refreshing³. They're wide open: if you're really unique at something, bring it in and, if it's really professional, [they] will go with it."

Love it or hate it, the X Factor's success is undeniable. Underground rap artist Dan Le Sac's view on the show is one of a resigned realist: "It simply doesn't matter. It's fun, it's entertainment."

"It may be a horrific thing but if people enjoy it, they should be allowed to. You should be allowed to love the trash as well as the meaningful stuff."

Glossary 词汇表

painter-decorator 油漆工 

single 单曲 

Christmas number one 圣诞期间排行榜第一 

excessive influence 过度的影响 

creator 创造者 

record label 唱片公司 

acts 艺人或表演乐队 

paying a fortune 出高价 

primetime TV 黄金时段电视 

con 骗局，欺骗 

genius scam 天衣无缝的骗局 

rock legend 摇滚乐传奇人物 

exclusive 独家的 

refreshing 耳目一新的 

undeniable 不可否认的 

underground rap artist 地下饶舌艺人 

resigned realist 顺其自然的现实主义者 

horrific 恐怖的 

trash 垃圾 

meaningful stuff 意味深长的东西

1 suede   

n.表面粗糙的软皮革

参考例句：

• I'm looking for a suede jacket.我想买一件皮制茄克。
• Her newly bought suede shoes look very fashionable.她新买的翻毛皮鞋看上去非常时尚。

2 con   

n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的

参考例句：

• We must be fair and consider the reason pro and con.我们必须公平考虑赞成和反对的理由。
• The motion is adopted non con.因无人投反对票，协议被通过。

3 refreshing   

adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的

参考例句：

• I find it'so refreshing to work with young people in this department.我发现和这一部门的青年一起工作令人精神振奋。
• The water was cold and wonderfully refreshing.水很涼，特别解乏提神。