英语听力精选进阶版 7243

英国就将来的大笨钟是否要收费参观展开了辩论。英国下院负责人说需要通过门票的收入来支付大笨钟的日常花销，但是议会的其他人形容这种做法有失体面呼吁公众辩论。

It's one of the must-see attractions for visitors to London. Most tourists only get to look at the outside of the famous clock tower. But for a few thousand people a year who organise¹ a tour of it, this is how it sounds on the inside... The clanking of the old machinery² which operates the clock and those bongs.

It can only be visited if it's arranged in advance by contacting a member of Parliament³, usually only done by the small number of UK residents⁴ who areaware of it.

But rather than those tours being free in future, there'll be a charge of fifteen pounds per person. House of Commons officials say it will simply cover the 111-thousand pounds a year it costs to provide the tours.

But a group of disgruntled MPs argue that UK residents already pay through their taxes. They say Big Ben is a world-renowned symbol of British democracy⁵, and visiting it should be free.

Quiz 听力测试

True or false: Most foreign tourists get to see the inside of Big Ben.

False. Most tourists only get to see the outside of the famous clock tower.

Who do you need to speak to if you want to visit Big Ben?

A Member of Parliament.

Why do they need to charge money in the future?

To cover the cost of providing the tours.

Why do some MPs think it should be free?

Because Big Ben is a famous symbol of British democracy and visiting it should be free.

Glossary 词汇表

must-see 必看的

a clock tower 钟楼

a tour 参观

clanking 机械发出的声音

bongs 大钟的鸣声

in advance 提前

be aware of 意识到

a charge 收费

disgruntled （形容词）不高兴的

world-renowned 世界著名的

1 organise   

vt.组织，安排，筹办

参考例句：

• He has the ability to organise.他很有组织才能。
• It's my job to organise all the ceremonial events.由我来组织所有的仪式。

2 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

3 Parliament   

n.议会，国会

参考例句：

• She won a seat in Parliament at the election.她在选举中赢得了议会中的席位。
• The drug was banned by an act of parliament.议会的法案明令禁止该药品。

4 residents   

n.居民( resident的名词复数 )；（旅馆的）住宿者

参考例句：

• Plans to build a new mall were deep-sixed after protests from local residents. 修建新室内购物中心的计划由于当地居民反对而搁浅。
• Local residents have reacted angrily to the news. 当地居民对这一消息表示愤怒。

5 democracy   

n.民主政治，民主制度；民主精神，民主作风

参考例句：

• Democracy is based on good will and mutual understanding.民主建立在善意和相互理解的基础上。
• Did democracy have its beginnings in Athens? 民主制度是创始于雅典吗？