英语听力精选进阶版 6269

On Tuesday two men enjoyed a game of table tennis against some kids at a school in London.

They seemed like best mates. Every time one of them got a point, they did a high five.

The men were the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the President of the USA, Barack Obama.

The palling¹ around took place during Mr Obama's state visit to the UK.

There have been many examples of close working relationships between the leaders of the UK and the USA. Harold Macmillan and JFK, Margaret Thatcher² and Ronald Reagan, Tony Blair and George Bush were all examples of Brits and Americans standing³ shoulder to shoulder.

The closeness between Britain and America in the past has been described as "the special relationship". But there has been speculation⁴ that, for Mr Obama at least, the special relationship is... not that special.

Now both men are keen to show that on matters of policy they have plenty in common. In a shared opinion piece in the Times newspaper, they write of "coming of age" at the same time, and seeing "eye to eye".

As for the special relationship, they call it "an essential relationship". Nick Robinson, the BBC's Political Editor, says that the two men are not pretending to be bosom⁵ buddies⁶ but want to be seen as close allies. He writes:

"'The essential relationship' may lack emotion, warmth and nostalgia⁷ but it, like the president, is meant to be contemporary, practical and sincere."

Quiz

Is this statement true, false or not given? David Cameron and Barack Obama have very different backgrounds. 

Not given - the article doesn't mention their backgrounds.

Is this statement true, false or not given? The relationship between Obama and Cameron has been described as "The special relationship". 

False - 'The special relationship' refers to the relationship between Britain and the USA.

Who wrote the article in the Times newspaper? 

Both men wrote this article - it was a shared opinion piece.

Which phrase does Nick Robinson think is warmer - 'the special relationship' or 'the essential relationship'? 

The special relationship.

Look at the article. Can you find three phrases describing friendship that refer to body parts? 

To stand shoulder to shoulder, to see eye to eye, bosom buddies.

Glossary 词汇表

best mates 最好的朋友 

a high five 击掌相庆 

palling around 结伴玩耍 

standing shoulder to shoulder 肩并肩、共患难 

in common 有共同之处 

coming of age 进入成年 

seeing eye to eye 看法相同 

bosom buddies 密友 

allies 盟友 

nostalgia 怀旧

1 palling   

v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• It's good to see the two boys palling up so well. 看见这两个男孩这么要好真是惬意。 来自互联网

2 thatcher   

n.茅屋匠

参考例句：

• Tom Sawyer was in the skiff that bore Judge Thatcher. 汤姆 - 索亚和撒切尔法官同乘一条小艇。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
• Mrs. Thatcher was almost crazed; and Aunt Polly, also. 撒切尔夫人几乎神经失常，还有波莉姨妈也是。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

5 bosom   

n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的

参考例句：

• She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
• A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。

6 buddies   

n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人

参考例句：

• We became great buddies. 我们成了非常好的朋友。 来自辞典例句
• The two of them have become great buddies. 他们俩成了要好的朋友。 来自辞典例句

7 nostalgia   

n.怀乡病，留恋过去，怀旧

参考例句：

• He might be influenced by nostalgia for his happy youth.也许是对年轻时幸福时光的怀恋影响了他。
• I was filled with nostalgia by hearing my favourite old song.我听到这首喜爱的旧歌，心中充满了怀旧之情。