英语听力精选进阶版 6120

Anticipation¹ is running at fever pitch; excitement off the scale. Now, this week, the brand new Harry² Potter studio tour finally opened its doors to the public.

Fans have been impatient for more of Harry Potter and his friends since the book and film series came to an end.

Since last year, when Warner Bros. announced they would be allowing the public to get a glimpse inside the world of Hogwarts, Muggles fans have been eagerly awaiting the opening day.

Tickets were made available in advance and have been selling like hot cakes, with fans looking forward to stepping into the shoes of Harry Potter. So after a fanfare³ grand opening this week, keen families flocked to the new attraction in north London.

The tour, which lasts approximately three hours, highlights many of the aspects that made the films such a success, from props⁴ and costumes, to models and original film sets, including the Grand Hall from Hogwart’s school of Witchcraft⁵ and Wizardry.

This behind-the-scenes experience was always going to be a great selling point for diehard fans and initial reviews have been generally positive, with enthusiasts⁷ praising the decoration and attention to detail.

But the high admission prices have been criticised. At ￡28 (280 yuan) for an adult ticket, and a family of four having to pay around ￡85 (849 yuan), critics have questioned the intention of the attraction.

With such fervour for the books and films, are Harry Potter’s creators now cynically⁸ cashing in on the global popularity of the series?

It is unlikely the high costs will put off most fans, but at what price should people pay to enjoy the imaginative world of Harry, Hermione and Hogwarts? Are we Muggles now being mugged?

Quiz 测验

Is this statement true, false or not given? The Harry Potter studio tour has not sold many tickets so far.

False. Tickets have been selling like hot cakes.

What is the phrase used to describe allowing people to see inside?

To get a glimpse

When did the studio tour open last year, last month or this week?

This week

What is another name for someone who is an enthusiast⁶ of something?

A fan

When someone can’t wait for something to happen they are what?

Impatient

Glossary 词汇表

anticipation 期待，期望

fever pitch 狂热

off the scale 超过预期规模

impatient 迫不及待

to get a glimpse 看一眼

eagerly awaiting 迫切的等待

in advance 预期

to sell like hot cakes 比喻极度畅销

to look forward to 盼望着

keen 很有兴趣

to flock 蜂拥而至

a highlight 突显

great selling point 卖点

diehard 铁杆（粉丝）

an enthusiast 爱好者

fervour 热情

cashing in 赚钱

to put someone off 令人退却/让人失去兴趣

to be mugged 被抢了

1 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。

2 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

3 fanfare   

n.喇叭；号角之声；v.热闹地宣布

参考例句：

• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide.这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King.嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。

4 props   

小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋

参考例句：

• Rescuers used props to stop the roof of the tunnel collapsing. 救援人员用支柱防止隧道顶塌陷。
• The government props up the prices of farm products to support farmers' incomes. 政府保持农产品价格不变以保障农民们的收入。

5 witchcraft   

n.魔法，巫术

参考例句：

• The woman practising witchcraft claimed that she could conjure up the spirits of the dead.那个女巫说她能用魔法召唤亡灵。
• All these things that you call witchcraft are capable of a natural explanation.被你们统统叫做巫术的那些东西都可以得到合情合理的解释。

6 enthusiast   

n.热心人，热衷者

参考例句：

• He is an enthusiast about politics.他是个热衷于政治的人。
• He was an enthusiast and loved to evoke enthusiasm in others.他是一个激情昂扬的人，也热中于唤起他人心中的激情。

7 enthusiasts   

n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册

8 cynically   

adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地

参考例句：

• "Holding down the receiver,'said Daisy cynically. “挂上话筒在讲。”黛西冷嘲热讽地说。 来自英汉文学 - 盖茨比
• The Democrats sensibly (if cynically) set about closing the God gap. 民主党在明智（有些讽刺）的减少宗教引起的问题。 来自互联网