英语听力精选进阶版 6316

The game manufacturer Bioware has announced that it will release further content for Mass Effect 3, following complaints from disgruntled users.

The final part of the Mass Effect trilogy was released at the start of this month to great critical acclaim¹.

But it didn't take long for gamers to voice their displeasure at the game's endings. Fans were up in arms that although they were able to tailor the game by making over a thousand decisions, there were only three basic plot endings.

The backlash soon gathered pace on internet forums² and microblogging sites. A campaign for a new endings even raised more than $70,000 (441,000 yuan) for charity. 

Cheesed-off gamer Sebastian Sobczyk told the BBC: "They just completely destroyed the whole game for us. If I wanted to get my soul crushed, I could just turn on the TV and put the news on."

After three weeks of taking the flak, Bioware appeared to cave in yesterday. In a blog post, the co-founder and general manager of the company Ray Muzyka said that the peeved-off players would be provided with a number of "game content initiatives" to get "further closure" on the story.

Mr Muzyka also urged fans to keep their feedback constructive³. He warned whingers Bioware wouldn't "support or respond to destructive commentary".

It remains⁴ to be seen exactly what form these "game content initiatives" will take. No manufacturer has issued completely new endings after a game's release before, but it looks like nothing short of that will appease⁵ these fans. This certainly seems to be one story that will end in a way of their choosing.

Quiz 测验

Why are users of Mass Effect 3 unhappy?

They are disappointed at the limited number of endings to the game.

True, false or not given: When it was released, reviewers criticised the game because of its ending.

False. It was released to great critical acclaim.

True, false or not given: Mass Effect 3 is about tailoring suits.

False. Users can tailor the game, but it has nothing to do with suit tailoring.

Look at the article. Can you see a noun that refers to a bad public reaction to something?

A backlash.

Look at the article. Can you see another expression that means 'cheesed off'?

Peeved-off, disgruntled, up in arms.

Glossary 词汇表

disgruntled 不满的

acclaim 称赞，喝彩

to voice one's displeasure 告诉公众你的不满

to be up in arms 各个群体联合起来表示非常不满

to tailor something 定制

backlash 强烈抵制，反弹

cheesed-off （口语）非常不满

to take the flak 收到很多批评

to cave in 让步，认输

peeved-off 恼火的，气愤的

closure 结束，收尾

constructive 建设性的

a whinger 只会发牢骚的人

to appease someone 平息，安抚某人

1 acclaim   

v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞

参考例句：

• He was welcomed with great acclaim.他受到十分热烈的欢迎。
• His achievements earned him the acclaim of the scientific community.他的成就赢得了科学界的赞誉。

2 forums   

讨论会； 座谈会； 广播专题讲话节目； 集会的公共场所( forum的名词复数 )； 论坛，讨论会，专题讨论节目； 法庭

参考例句：

• A few of the forums were being closely monitored by the administrators. 有些论坛被管理员严密监控。
• It can cast a dark cloud over these forums. 它将是的论坛上空布满乌云。

3 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

4 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。

5 appease   

v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足

参考例句：

• He tried to appease the crying child by giving him candy.他试图给那个啼哭的孩子糖果使他不哭。
• The government tried to appease discontented workers.政府试图安抚不满的工人们。