英语听力精选进阶版 6401

Cookie is a hero! This pet parrot's courage was celebrated¹ in a news article after he saved his teenage owner when a fire broke out in their home in Wales.

The bird flapped its wings and squawked to alert Ben Rees to the blaze. He fled, Cookie died.

Kayla, a dog in the US, was luckier. It jumped around its sleeping owner to warn her about a gas leak. Both have survived to tell the tale.

There are many stories of animals keeping humans out of harm's way. But the relationship between species hasn't always sounded so friendly and selfless.

From 1911 to 1986, canaries were traditionally taken down British coal mines to alert workers to the presence of toxic² gases. If the animals got sick, humans knew to leave the area. Today sniffer dogs are used by the police and the military to locate drugs, landmines³ and even dead bodies.

The gratitude⁴ to animals, which bring us companionship and even rescue us, contributed to making the modern concept of animal rights popular. The idea can be traced back to 19th century England. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was created in 1824 and is still going strong today.

Local groups in different countries have focused on issues on their own area. Spanish animal rights activists⁵, for example, have engaged in a campaign to ban bullfighting.

And the animals don't have to be majestic⁶ bulls or cute birds, cats and dogs to be spared suffering. What about pythons and iguanas⁷? They have rights too, according to the group People for the Ethical⁸ Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Singer Beyonce was criticised recently by the organisation⁹ for wearing a costume made of the skins of such animals on a recent Super Bowl appearance.

Quiz 测验

1. Why did Cookie flap his wings and squawk?

To alert his owner to a fire.

2. What happened in Kayla's house that could have killed the dog and her owner?

A gas leak.

3. According to the article, which animals do humans use to help them?

The article mentions canaries and dogs.

4. Is this statement true or false? Activists believe that only animals that can be domesticated¹⁰ have rights.

False. According to the article, even pythons and iguanas are defended by the animal rights group PETA.

5. Which word in the article means sweet or endearing?

Cute.

Glossary 词汇表

a hero 英雄

courage 勇气，胆量

to save 解救

to break out 突然发生，爆发

to flap 拍打、抖动（翅膀）

to squawk （鸟）发出响亮而粗厉的叫声

to alert 提醒，报警

the blaze 大火

to flee 逃离，逃走

to warn 提醒，发出警告

a gas leak 煤气泄漏

to survive 幸免于难，活下来

out of harm's way 免受、脱离伤害

a toxic gas 有毒气体

a sniffer dog 嗅探犬

to trace back 追溯到

cruelty虐 待，残酷行为

cute 可爱的

to spare 免受（伤害），幸免

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

3 landmines   

潜在的冲突； 地雷，投伞水雷( landmine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The treaty bans the use production and trade of landmines. 该条约规定，禁止使用地雷相关产品及贸易。
• One of the weapon's of special concern was landmines. 在引起人们特别关注的武器中就有地雷。

4 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

5 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 majestic   

adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的

参考例句：

• In the distance rose the majestic Alps.远处耸立着雄伟的阿尔卑斯山。
• He looks majestic in uniform.他穿上军装显得很威风。

7 iguanas   

n. 美洲蜥蜴 名词iguana的复数形式

参考例句：

• Galapagos land iguanas belong to the genus Conolophus, of which there are currently three recognised species. 加拉帕戈斯陆栖鬣蜥属于鬣蜥属，其中目前得到确认的有三个物种。
• Feral cats in the region could be eating eggs and young iguanas, Gentile speculates. 这一区域的野猫可能正在吃鬣蜥蛋及其幼崽，金泰尔猜测。

8 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

9 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

10 domesticated   

adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He is thoroughly domesticated and cooks a delicious chicken casserole. 他精于家务，烹制的砂锅炖小鸡非常可口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The donkey is a domesticated form of the African wild ass. 驴是非洲野驴的一种已驯化的品种。 来自《简明英汉词典》