英语听力精选进阶版 7285

英格兰足球队前任队长贝克汉姆已被中国足球当局聘请为兼职体育大使，以促进中国足球超级联赛。与此同时贝克汉姆将继续为巴黎圣日耳曼效力。

David Beckham says he's 'honoured' and 'excited' by this new role, as part-time global ambassador¹ for Chinese football. It could be one of his toughest yet.

In the world's most populous² country, football has struggled for popularity³. Corruption⁴ and match-fixing have tainted⁵ Chinese football. And recent attempts by Chinese clubs to hire star players from abroad, including Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka have foundered⁶. The big foreign names have left after just a few months, disappointed by their new clubs or the standard of the game in China.

In the same way he was an ambassador for the London Olympics, David Beckham's role will be to promote China's Super League inside and outside the country. In particular he'll try to encourage Chinese children to get interested in the game.

It's not clear how much he'll be paid by China's League to be its ambassador, but he'll continue to play football for his new French club Paris St. Germain.

Quiz 听力测验

True or False? The new role could be one of the most difficult in Beckham's career.

True. It could be one of his toughest yet.

True or False? Hiring star players from abroad such as Didier Drogba has proved successful.

False. Hiring star players from abroad, including Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka has foundered.

Why have foreign stars given up after just a few months?

Because they were disappointed by their new clubs or the standard of the game in China.

What else is expected of Beckham in his new role apart from promoting China's Super League?

In particular he'll try to encourage Chinese children to get interested in the game.

Glossary 词汇表

honoured 荣幸的

role 角色/职务

ambassador （体育）大使

toughest 最具挑战性的

corruption 腐败

tainted 沾污了

standard 水平

to encourage 鼓励

1 ambassador   

n.大使，特使，（派驻国际组织的）代表

参考例句：

• He took up office as an ambassador for ten years continuously.他连任十年大使。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

2 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

3 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

4 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

5 tainted   

adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏

参考例句：

• The administration was tainted with scandal. 丑闻使得政府声名狼藉。
• He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime. 他因与腐败政府有牵连而名誉受损。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 foundered   

v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Three ships foundered in heavy seas. 三艘船在波涛汹涌的海面上沉没了。 来自辞典例句
• The project foundered as a result of lack of finance. 该项目因缺乏资金而告吹。 来自辞典例句