英语听力精选进阶版 6391

The fall from grace of retired¹ General David Petraeus, once America's most prominent post-9/11 military leader, has surprised a nation. In the past he's been held in high esteem² and has even been mentioned as a future presidential candidate. But after an extramarital affair he had to step down as head of CIA.

"Generals have played a very central role in American politics," says Ron Chernow, a biographer of George Washington. "In Britain they get knighthoods. We reward them with political positions in high office."

The BBC's Daniel Nasaw says that America's cult³ of the general dates back to its founding years, when they had to defend the country from European invaders⁴ and native tribes.

No less than 10 US presidents have served as generals. They are seen as having worked their way up through the ranks, even from modest backgrounds, like Ulysses Grant and President Andrew Jackson. And they are perceived as unblemished by national politics and its backroom deal-making or potential for moral compromise.

The Vietnam War was so unpopular that none of its generals found later political success, but since the 1970s, Americans have managed to separate the individual soldier - and his presumed heroism⁵ - from the cause.

Few Americans look back on the Gulf⁶ War as a heroic national cause, but General Colin Powell was mentioned in the 1990s as a presidential candidate and later served as secretary of state. And General Norman Schwarzkopf became a figure of international renown⁷.

Americans consider the military their most respected public institution: 78% say they have "a great deal" or "a lot" of confidence in the military, according to the 2011 Gallup poll.

But some commentators⁸ believe that it may change. Andrew Bacevich, research fellow at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame⁹ and a retired Army colonel, says that with General Petraeus' downfall, the American public can begin to wonder why after 11 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan "we haven't won anything".

Quiz 测验

1. What cost former General David Petraeus his job?

An extramarital affair.

2. Look at the article. What generals are admired in spite of having led the military in unpopular wars?

Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf.

3. Is the following statement true, false or not given? After Petraeus lost popularity Americans might question why their troops are still in Iraq and Afghanistan.

True.

4. Look at the article. What words are used to refer to what people think of something no matter if it is real or not?

Perceived and presumed.

5. What are the three expressions used for 'loss of status'?

Fall from grace, to step down, downfall.

Glossary 词汇表

to fall from grace 失去恩宠，倒下了

most prominent 最优秀的

to hold in high esteem 非常受人尊敬

an extramarital affair 婚外恋

to step down 下台

a knighthood 骑士（爵士）身份

high office 高层

a cult 一种关注、崇拜

to work (their) way up 向上升

a modest background 一个普通背景

perceived 被人认为

unblemished 没有任何污点的

backroom deal-making 幕后私密交易

unpopular 不受欢迎的

presumed 所谓的，假定的

international renown 国际知名的

respected 受尊敬的

downfall 垮台

1 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

2 esteem   

n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• The veteran worker ranks high in public love and esteem.那位老工人深受大伙的爱戴。

3 cult   

n.异教，邪教；时尚，狂热的崇拜

参考例句：

• Her books aren't bestsellers,but they have a certain cult following.她的书算不上畅销书，但有一定的崇拜者。
• The cult of sun worship is probably the most primitive one.太阳崇拜仪式或许是最为原始的一种。

4 invaders   

入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They prepared to repel the invaders. 他们准备赶走侵略军。
• The family has traced its ancestry to the Norman invaders. 这个家族将自己的世系追溯到诺曼征服者。

5 heroism   

n.大无畏精神，英勇

参考例句：

• He received a medal for his heroism.他由于英勇而获得一枚奖章。
• Stories of his heroism resounded through the country.他的英雄故事传遍全国。

6 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

7 renown   

n.声誉，名望

参考例句：

• His renown has spread throughout the country.他的名声已传遍全国。
• She used to be a singer of some renown.她曾是位小有名气的歌手。

8 commentators   

n.评论员( commentator的名词复数 )；时事评论员；注释者；实况广播员

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 dame   

n.女士

参考例句：

• The dame tell of her experience as a wife and mother.这位年长妇女讲了她作妻子和母亲的经验。
• If you stick around,you'll have to marry that dame.如果再逗留多一会，你就要跟那个夫人结婚。