英语听力精选进阶版 7232

Background: 意大利政府正在对古罗马圆形剧场墙砖脱落的报道进行调查。据报，有人在圣诞日那天看到了墙砖脱落的情景。这件事引起人们对这幢古建筑维护的关注。

The emblem¹ of the Roman Empire where gladiators once fought wild beasts and each other to entertain spectators. Built almost 2000 years ago, the Colosseum is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.

Now though there are fears that this mighty² monument may be crumbling³. Italian environmentalists have frequently raised the alarm about the precarious⁴ state of the Colosseum.

They claim that exhaust fumes⁵ and the vibrations⁶ from vehicles and a nearby subway are damaging the monument. But the Colosseum authorities say there is no cause for panic.

But there is sufficient fear over the state of the building to warrant a US$ 33 million restoration project due to begin in March.

Glossary⁷ 词汇表

the emblem 象征

a wild beast 野兽

a spectator （竞技场）观众

a mighty monument 巨大的纪念碑

to crumble⁸ 坍塌

an environmentalist 环境保护人士

precarious state 危险的状态

the exhaust fumes 废气

vibrations 震动

a restoration project 修复计划

Questions:

1: What used to happen inside the Colosseum?

Gladiators used to fight animals and each other.

2: According to environmentalists, what has been contributing to the damage of the monument?

Exhaust fumes and vibrations from vehicles and the subway.

3: According to the report, what is going to be done about the bad state of the Colosseum?

The authorities are beginning a restoration project worth US$ 33 million in March.

4: True or false? The Colosseum was built exactly 2000 years ago.

False. According to the report, it was build almost 2000 years ago.

1 emblem   

n.象征，标志；徽章

参考例句：

• Her shirt has the company emblem on it.她的衬衫印有公司的标记。
• The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.鹰是力量和勇气的象征。

2 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

3 crumbling   

adj.摇摇欲坠的

参考例句：

• an old house with crumbling plaster and a leaking roof 一所灰泥剥落、屋顶漏水的老房子
• The boat was tied up alongside a crumbling limestone jetty. 这条船停泊在一个摇摇欲坠的石灰岩码头边。

4 precarious   

adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的

参考例句：

• Our financial situation had become precarious.我们的财务状况已变得不稳定了。
• He earned a precarious living as an artist.作为一个艺术家，他过得是朝不保夕的生活。

5 fumes   

n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体

参考例句：

• The health of our children is being endangered by exhaust fumes. 我们孩子们的健康正受到排放出的废气的损害。
• Exhaust fumes are bad for your health. 废气对健康有害。

6 vibrations   

n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动

参考例句：

• We could feel the vibrations from the trucks passing outside. 我们可以感到外面卡车经过时的颤动。
• I am drawn to that girl; I get good vibrations from her. 我被那女孩吸引住了，她使我产生良好的感觉。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 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。

8 crumble   

vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁

参考例句：

• Opposition more or less crumbled away.反对势力差不多都瓦解了。
• Even if the seas go dry and rocks crumble,my will will remain firm.纵然海枯石烂，意志永不动摇。