英语听力精选进阶版 6338

In the middle of an economic crisis most people seem to expect their leaders to be stressed out and on an unrelenting search for solutions.

So what happens when we learn that even in this climate they can actually be taking it easy, putting up their feet and enjoying some me-time?

The British PM David Cameron was criticised in the media when it was disclosed he liked to chillax with a few glasses of wine at lunchtime, a karaoke session and watching DVDs with wife Samantha. It has also been said that he spends hours playing a computer game.

However, there's nothing new about prime ministers taking time off from the daily grind of government. Winston Churchill enjoyed a break from work painting watercolours (and he still found the time to defeat the Nazis¹!).

Running seems to be a particularly favourite way for senior politicians to unwind. White House security officers had to speed up to follow the then US president Bill Clinton on his regular jogging excursions. And his wife, Hillary Clinton, didn't let her position as Obama's Secretary of State prevent her from letting her hair down in April during the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia. After several long days of diplomacy², she found time for dancing and drinks at a bar called Cafe Havana.

Many senior politicians or their aides refrain from giving a clear answer when asked what they do to relax. Somehow one is left with the sense that politicians feel it potentially politically damaging to admit that they might have a life outside of politics. But even driven and powerful people might find a way of keeping some level of work-life balance.

Quiz 测验

1. According to the article, what does the British PM do to relax?

David Cameron drinks wine, takes part in karaoke sessions, watches DVDs and plays a computer game.

2. Who painted watercolours?

Winston Churchill

3. True, false or not given: Many politicians think they'd become unpopular if people knew they are not worried about current affairs all the time?

True

4. What expressions that include parts of the body are used to describe times of relaxation³?

To put up (their) feet and to let (her) hair down.

5. What word is used in the article to describe someone who is very ambitious and determined⁴ to succeed?

Driven.

Glossary 词汇表

to be stressed out 精神极度紧张

unrelenting 不屈不挠的

to take it easy 从容/不急

to put up (their) feet 放松（直译：双脚惬意搭在茶几上）

me-time 完全为属于自我的时间

to chillax 淡定/放松

to take time off 休假

the daily grind 日常工作

to enjoy a break 享受假期

to unwind 放松

to let (her) hair down 放松

to relax 休息/放松

driven 有动力的，雄心勃勃的

work-life balance 工作与生活的平衡

1 Nazis   

n.（德国的）纳粹党员( Nazi的名词复数 )；纳粹主义

参考例句：

• The Nazis worked them over with gun butts. 纳粹分子用枪托毒打他们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Nazis were responsible for the mass murder of Jews during World War Ⅱ. 纳粹必须为第二次世界大战中对犹太人的大屠杀负责。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

3 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。