英语听力精选进阶版 7210

 

Background: 利滋大学的一项研究报道认为中世纪时期的金属盔甲沉重得让士兵难以在沙场上作战，这也可能直接影响到战果。

As weapons became more and more sophisticated in medieval Europe armour¹ also evolved, and by the 15th century soldiers would have been clad top-to-toe in up to 50 kg of bulky steel.

Researchers have always suspected that this would have been tough to move around in. But now with the help of volunteers wearing replica² medieval armour - and a treadmill³ - they've been able to confirm this.

They found that walking or running in it used up huge amounts of energy, restricted breathing and bore intense pressure on the legs.

The effect was so great the team suspects it could have played a part in France's defeat in the battle of Agincourt.

In this famous conflict of 1415 - despite heavily outnumbering the English - the French were beaten.

The scientists say the fact that the French knights⁴ had to trek⁵ through a muddy field while wearing their heavy armour - to meet a stationary⁶ English line - would have left them so exhausted⁷, it probably led to their downfall.

Glossary⁸ 词汇表

to be clad top-to-toe in (something) 从脚到头都被（什么东西）包住了 

bulky 笨重的 

tough 困难的 

a treadmill 跑步机 

to restrict 限制 

to play a part in (something) 在（什么事情）扮演一个角色或起作用 

to outnumber 数量上超过 

to trek 爬山涉水 

to be exhausted 被累坏了 

a downfall 毁灭，失败

Questions:

1. What items were used in the experiment conducted in Leeds? 

A copy of the medieval armour and an exercise machine.

2. What did the volunteers feel after the experiment? 

They felt that walking and running with the armour took a lot of their energy. It also made breathing more difficult and put pressure on their legs.

3. What was between the French and the English army in the battle of Agincourt? 

A muddy field.

4. True or false? Researchers were very surprised to find out how uncomfortable the armour was. 

False. According to the report, researchers have always suspected that it was tough to move around wearing medieval armour.

1 armour   

（=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队

参考例句：

• His body was encased in shining armour.他全身披着明晃晃的甲胄。
• Bulletproof cars sheathed in armour.防弹车护有装甲。

2 replica   

n.复制品

参考例句：

• The original conservatory has been rebuilt in replica.温室已按原样重建。
• The young artist made a replica of the famous painting.这位年轻的画家临摹了这幅著名的作品。

3 treadmill   

n.踏车；单调的工作

参考例句：

• The treadmill has a heart rate monitor.跑步机上有个脉搏监视器。
• Drugs remove man from the treadmill of routine.药物可以使人摆脱日常单调的工作带来的疲劳。

4 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

5 trek   

vi.作长途艰辛的旅行；n.长途艰苦的旅行

参考例句：

• We often go pony-trek in the summer.夏季我们经常骑马旅行。
• It took us the whole day to trek across the rocky terrain.我们花了一整天的时间艰难地穿过那片遍布岩石的地带。

6 stationary   

adj.固定的，静止不动的

参考例句：

• A stationary object is easy to be aimed at.一个静止不动的物体是容易瞄准的。
• Wait until the bus is stationary before you get off.你要等公共汽车停稳了再下车。

7 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

8 glossary   

n.注释词表；术语汇编

参考例句：

• The text is supplemented by an adequate glossary.正文附有一个详细的词汇表。
• For convenience,we have also provided a glossary in an appendix.为了方便，我们在附录中也提供了术语表。