英语听力精选进阶版 6299

Up until now, a trip to the toilet for most men has been limited in its potential for entertainment. Standing¹ at the urinal there's not much to do but stare blankly at the wall tiles, whistle and relieve oneself.

But for those who can't bear the boredom² any more, a British company has developed a product that fills a gap in the market – a urine-controlled games console for men.

Captive Media thinks it's invented the first "hands-free" video game console of its kind. The device sits above the ceramic³ bowl at eye-height. The user has to aim his wee at one of three targets in the bottom of the bog⁴. They're labelled "Start", "Left" and "Right". The console detects where the pee is falling by means of an infra-red device.

On offer so far are a skiing game and a multiple-choice pub quiz. When players have done their business they can use their mobile phones to post their scores on a live leader board on Twitter.

According to research by Adweek newspaper, on average men stand still to spend a penny for 55 seconds. That adds up to nine months over the course of a lifetime and a billion minutes a year. Not surprisingly, advertisers are wetting themselves at the prospect⁵ of being able use this time to target commercials at men.

"It's notoriously difficult for brands to engage a young male audience while they are out socialising. Captive Media offers a long 'dwell time'," says Gordon MacSween from the company.

Drinkaware, a charity which promotes responsible drinking, has already signed up. But it remains⁶ to be seen how many brands will be put off by the idea of being associated with calls of nature.

Quiz 小测验

1. Is the games console controlled with hands?

No. It's a urine-controlled games console for men.

2. Can you look directly at the device when you are standing?

Yes. The device sits above the ceramic bowl at eye-height.

3. According to the article, is the device aimed at businessmen?

No. 'To do one's business' is an informal phrase, meaning to go to the toilet.

4. On average do men spend less than a minute standing at the urinal?

Yes. On average men stand still to spend a penny for 55 seconds.

5. Is it easy for advertisers to engage a young male audience while they are socialising?

No. It's notoriously difficult for brands to engage a young male audience when they are out socialising.

Glossary 词汇表

urinal 小便池

wall tiles 墙壁瓷砖

relieve oneself （委婉语）上厕所，解手

urine 尿

ceramic bowl 瓷盆

wee （俚语）尿

the bog （俚语）厕所，抽水马桶

pee （粗话）尿

done their business 完成任务

spend a penny （英国口语）上厕所

wetting themselves 笑得都快要尿裤子了

calls of nature （委婉语）上厕所

1 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。

2 boredom   

n.厌烦，厌倦，乏味，无聊

参考例句：

• Unemployment can drive you mad with boredom.失业会让你无聊得发疯。
• A walkman can relieve the boredom of running.跑步时带着随身听就不那么乏味了。

3 ceramic   

n.制陶业，陶器，陶瓷工艺

参考例句：

• The order for ceramic tiles has been booked in.瓷砖的订单已登记下来了。
• Some ceramic works of art are shown in this exhibition.这次展览会上展出了一些陶瓷艺术品。

4 bog   

n.沼泽；室...陷入泥淖

参考例句：

• We were able to pass him a rope before the bog sucked him under.我们终于得以在沼泽把他吞没前把绳子扔给他。
• The path goes across an area of bog.这条小路穿过一片沼泽。

5 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

6 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。