英语听力精选进阶版 6287

A discovery in the last week has turned physics on its head.

A team of scientists have said that they recorded subatomic particles called neutrinos travelling faster than light. No-one thought that was possible.

It is a finding that could overturn one of Einstein's long-accepted fundamental laws of the Universe.

The finding was made by researchers at Cern in Switzerland and Gran Sasso in Italy.

The speed of light is a cornerstone in Einstein's theory of special relativity, which is what gives us the concept of causality: causes precede effects.

Among the implications of this challenge to mainstream¹ theory is the fact that it could mean time travel is possible, a hypothesis that has long convinced writers of science fiction.

But the experiment has its sceptics. A physicist² from the University of Surrey, Jim Al-Khalili, believes that the current consensus³ is correct and that the light-speed barrier is impossible to surpass.

He has tried to pick holes in the methodology of the Cern researchers. So sure is Al-Khalili that they have made an error in their measurements that he has decided⁴ to defend the laws of physics by challenging the laws of social convention.

Al-Khalili said: "If the Cern experiment proves to be correct... I will eat my boxer⁵ shorts on live TV."

Quiz 小测验

1. What theory could be affected⁶ by the new discovery? 

Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity.

2. Does the new experiment prove the theory most physicists⁷ believe? 

No, it challenges mainstream theory.

3. What sci-fi activity could be possible if the new findings are correct? 

Time travel.

4. Why does Jim Al-Khalili think the experiment is wrong? 

He thinks that the researchers made a mistake with their methodology, the way they did the experiment.

5. Is the following statement true, false or not given? "Al-Khalili will challenge social conventions by eating his underwear on live TV." 

Not given. Al-Khalili will only do this if the new Cern experiment proves to be true.

Glossary 词汇表

to turn something on its head 完全改变 

subatomic particle 次原子粒子 

to overturn 推翻 

long accepted 长期被认可的 

cornerstone 基石 

theory of special relativity 狭义相对论 

the concept of causality 因果关系的概念 

implications 影响，含义，推断 

mainstream theory 主流理论 

time travel 时空穿梭 

hypothesis 假设 

science fiction 科幻小说 

experiment 实验 

sceptic 怀疑论者 

current consensus 当前的共识 

the light-speed barrier 光速障碍 

overcome 克服 

to pick holes in something 寻找漏洞 

methodology 方法论，方法学 

social convention 社会惯例，常规

1 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

2 physicist   

n.物理学家，研究物理学的人

参考例句：

• He is a physicist of the first rank.他是一流的物理学家。
• The successful physicist never puts on airs.这位卓有成就的物理学家从不摆架子。

3 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 boxer   

n.制箱者，拳击手

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 physicists   

物理学家( physicist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• For many particle physicists, however, it was a year of frustration. 对于许多粒子物理学家来说，这是受挫折的一年。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技
• Physicists seek rules or patterns to provide a framework. 物理学家寻求用法则或图式来构成一个框架。